Dimapur, December 1 (MExN): Into its third day now, the ‘standoff’ between the security forces and cadres of the NSCN (IM) near Patkai Christian College is reportedly forcing students from the old campus to pack, fearing a showdown. The tension created by both the sides refusing to leave, was heightened today morning when several loud bursts were heard in the area. The situation in the area, especially in the lower regions of Patkai Christian College’s old campus is said to be extremely tense.
A good number of students from hostels located in the lower swathes of the old campus are said to have packed, notwithstanding their examinations which is now underway. More students are expected to leave if the situation continues.
Sources said there are about 140 Assam Rifles personnel stationed at the soccer ground, which is on the lower fringes of the college’s old campus. An NSCN (IM) leader is said to have a residence in the area, where, according to Seithekiema villagers, an unspecified number of NSCN (IM) “bodyguards” are said to have taken up positions.
Civil society leaders, who were in “negotiations” today that both the Assam Rifles forces and the NSCN (IM) activists leave the campus, said both sides continue to be adamant. Today’s “negotiations” were led by the Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Women Hoho and the GBs and DBs as well as the college’s authorities. They tried to negotiate with both the sides to vacate from the civilian and students’ areas. Though tensions prevailed in the morning, normal examinations for today could be somehow held, according to a reliable source.
In a related matter, an irate Naga Student’s Federation today strongly protested the stand-off between the Assam Rifles and NSCN (IM).
The organization cautioned that the students cannot remain silent spectators if the situation continues. The student’s body viewed the presence of both the parties in the civilian and students’ areas as unwanted. “There would be a lot of psychological impact upon the student’s community here at Patkai” an NSF leader said. The Assam Rifles and the NSCN (IM) activists are told to vacate the area immediately on ‘humanitarian grounds’, “or otherwise you would faced strong student’s protest in the days to come”, said Imchatoba Imchen, president of the NSF.
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