NSCN IM and Assam Rifles standoff resolved amicably

Ukhrul (Manipur), Feb.10 (ANI): The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) NSCN IM and Assam Rifles recently had a standoff over the violation of ceasefire agreement.

The standoff began with the NSCN (IM) trying to set up a camp in the vicinity of Siroy village in Manipur, which was a step contravening the conditions of original ceasefire agreement.

Though the weeklong standoff between the NSCN-IM and the Assam Rifles at Siroy in Manipur's Ukhrul district has been resolved amicably, it badly affected the lives of those living in Siroy village.

Thousands of villagers were confined inside the village due to the clash. Farmers could not allowed to attend to their paddy fields and children were barred from attending schools and colleges.

Sit in protests were held in different Naga districts of Manipur against the standoff.

"People want peace and not violence. It is likely to disturb the peace talk while is going on. We want a peaceful solution. No confrontation is the main theme here. That's why we shall continue till the matter is solved at the higher level," said Stephen Angkang of Shirui Village.

"The thing is that this may not be the right version because if it is not possible for them to stay here why did not they evict them in the previous years. Earlier they used to live peacefully. There was co-existence. But these days only they have started agitation," said Ngachan Luirei, another villager.

Earlier, following the tension, the Assam Rifles rushed to the area and cordoned it off. Thereafter, the NSCN-IM cadres were given 72 hours to 'withdraw' from the camp at Siroy.

According the ceasefire agreement, the NSCN (IM) cadres are expected to stay in a designated camp in Hebron in Dimapur of Nagaland and not elsewhere. (ANI)