NSCN-Assam Rifles Siroy impasse resolved
Source: The Sangai Express /NNN

DPR/UkL, 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 Siroy stand off and the resultant tension was also discussed thoroughly by the SPF Cabinet during a meeting today.

However details of what were discussed were not disclosed to the media for obvious unstated.

AR men on the alert with the IM camp seen in the background and women praying for peace

Confirming that the matter has been resolved, Assam Rifles spokesman Major Shamser Jung in a statement said, 'The NSCN (IM) request for safe passage to their ranks has been considered and the issue is being resolved amicably in the interest of peace and tranquility in the area' .

The spokesman however reiterated that the movement of NSCN (IM) cadres either in uniform or with arms will not be permitted.

'Provision of safe passage has been accepted as a one time measure in the interest of peace and tranquility and will not accepted again'.

Recalling the genesis of the stand off, the spokesman said that while the NSCN (IM) was attempting to set up a camp near the vicinity of Siroy village early this month, they (AR) received information and the troops rushed there and cordoned off the area on January 19 .

Asserting that the IM group has been trying to set up new camps, the statement said that in 2007 they tried to establish a camp in Siroy which was evicted and destroyed.

Recently the IM group tried to establish a new camp at Khumbi near Phungyar which was removed and the camp destroyed, claimed the spokesman.

There are three camps of the NSCN (IM) which has been 'Taken Note Of,' said the statement and named them as Bonning in Senapati district, Oklong in Tamenglong district and Phungchong in Chandel district.

On the other hand, 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 directed by the Union Home Ministry.

The source further said that the cadres of NSCN-IM have been 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 Newmai News Network (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.