Dimapur/Ukhrul, January 23 2009: THE SIX-DAY long stand-off between the NSCN-IM and the Assam Rifles at Siroy in Ukhrul district has been resolved amicably this afternoon, according to NSCN-IM's Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) source.

However, it has not been ascertained whether the Assam Rifles personnel cordoning the NSCN-IM camp have left the area or not.

The NSCN-IM's MIP source informed NNN this evening that the Union Home Ministry has directed both the hostile 'parties' to vacate the area.

However, the NSCN-IM termed it as "mutual withdrawal" as per directed by the Union Home Ministry.

The source further said that the cadres of NSCN-IM are given 72 hours to "withdraw" from the camp at Siroy.

"But if situation demands the duration given to withdraw from the camp may be extended for us," added the NSCN-IM source.

The source also added that the government of India's Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) will decide and specify an area for the NSCN-IM's designated camp in place of the Siroy one.

Attempt to confirm whether the Assam Rifles personnel have withdrawn themselves from cordoning the NSCN-IM's camp at Siroy proved futile.

But sources said that till this evening, the Assam Rifles personnel were seen still loitering at the vicinity of the NSCN-IM camp.

Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM has appreciated the women folk of the area at Siroy for the "meaningful role displayed." "This time the women's participation at Siroy to prevent bloodshed was impressive," said the NSCN-IM's MIP deputy secretary and former journalist Jacob Shaiza while talking to NNN over phone.

He said that the women folks had been exerting all-out effort to bring a negotiated settlement pertaining to the Siroy impasse.