IMPHAL, Jan 24 : After a three days of standoff between a group of NSCN(IM) men who tried to set up a camp in Siroi village and troops of the Assam Rifles, the matter has been brought to a conclusion today with the NSCN(IM) men seeking safe passage of their men to their officially recognized designated camps.
A press release by the IGAR (South) said that NSCN (IM) cadres attempted to establish a camp in close vicinity of Siroy village early this month.
Upon receiving the information regarding the presence of armed cadres of NSCN (IM) in Siroi village area, Assam Rifles troops reached the location and cordoned off the area effectively on January 19.
The release said there are three camps in Manipur for NSCN (IM) as "camps taken Note of" by the govt. These are Bonning in Senapati district, Ooklong in Tamenglong district and Phungchong in Chandel district. Movement of armed cadres is not permitted in any other area.
The release said the NSCN (IM) has been trying to establish new camps earlier too but all these attempts were foiled by the troops.
It said in 2007 they tried to establish camp in Siroi, but they were evicted and camp destroyed. Recently again they tried to establish a new camp at Khumbi near Phungyar, but they were removed and camp destroyed.
This time once again they have tried to establish camp in Siroi village but the Assam Rifles has not allowed them.
The release said the NSCN (IM) requested for the safe passage to their ranks from the failed camp site at Siroi. This has been considered and granted in order that the issue is resolved amicably in the interest of peace and tranquility in the area.
The Assam Rifles however reiterated that movements of NSCN (IM) cadres either in uniform or with arms will not be permitted.
Provision of safe passage however has been accepted as a one time measure in the interest of peace and tranquility it said warning such leniency will not be forthcoming again in the future.
Earlier, the United NGOs Mission, Manipur, Thoubal district network has said in a release that the report of tensions between the AR and the NSCN(IM) at Siroi of Ukhrul district from January 20 had made the innocent people living in the area fear for their lives, especially the women, children and daily bread earners.
The mission has appealed for the protection of civilian lives by the government which is the guardian of the people, it said while also wishing for a quick settlement to the Siroi issue.
The Women`s Committee of the United NGOs Mission, Manipur has also appealed to the state and non-state armed forces stationed at Siroi village to ensure the safety of the civilian population.
It has called upon both sides to protect the lives of the civilians specially the women and children and respect for internationalhumanitarian law and also not to take up any action that would be harmful to the lives of the villagers.
It also expressed solidarity and deep concern for the women of Siroi village and other villages in the surrounding area while praying for the resolving of the stand off amicably and without further delay.
The North East Dialogue Forum has also expressed its concern over the bitter situation between the Assam Rifles and the NSCN(IM) over a camp at Siroy village in Ukhrul district because such a situation impinges solely on the women and children in particular and the innocent civilians in general, a release from the forum said.
The forum has appealed to both the parties to resolve the situation in an amicable way and relieve the anxiety of the womenfolk of Siroy and neighbouring villages who have been sitting on vigil 24 hours a day while braving the winter cold.
The forum has also appealed that all concerned refrain from doing anything that may impair the mental and physical normalcy of the innocent civilians in the area.
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