Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 27
The Assam Rifles and the NSCN (IM) had another standoff after an alleged straying incident today. As per official sources, the incident occurred in the afternoon, on January 27, near Lilen village, Peren district, in a forested area said to be adjacent to the NSCN (IM)’s training headquarters.
Video clips and pictures purported to be of the incident went viral on social media but both sides did not release any official statements. In one of the video clips, soldiers from both sides are seen shaking hands despite initial display of tension.
The NSCN (IM) could not be reached for comment on the incident but other sources, on condition of anonymity, said that the NSCN (IM) took offense to what was claimed to be breaching of the 1 km radius by the security forces. An NSCN (IM) functionary was quoted as alleging the security forces of frequent forays past the borders demarcated for the NSCN (IM).
This was refuted by Army sources. As with the NSCN (IM), there was no official statement from the Defence establishment but military sources claimed that the AR soldiers did not intrude into NSCN (IM) territory as claimed. One of the sources said that the AR patrol unit was taking a break while on their way back to camp after completing an assignment, when they observed NSCN (IM) cadres moving on the same route. It resulted in a “minor confrontation,” which was resolved.
Another Army source said that the AR soldiers were approximately 3-4 km away from the NSCN (IM) camp, while the NSCN (IM) cadres were far out of their designated camp, deep inside the Ntangki National Park. Both sides reportedly ran into each other resulting in the standoff.
