Four days hence, tension continues to run high
Seized arms bone of contention
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, April 22 2012: Even as the stand off between the Assam Rifles and the NSCN-IM completed four days today there is as yet no sign of the tension easing.

According to a well placed source, the main bone of contention between the Assam Rifles and the Naga outfit are the weapons in their respective custody seized from each other.

The Assam Rifles has demanded that the service weapons confiscated by the NSCN-IM from the five Assam Rifles personnel near Hebron camp be returned while the Naga outfit has retorted that it would only reciprocate after the weapons seized from the Naga militants in the last few days by Assam Rifles are returned.

However, the same source disclosed to Newmai News Network tonight that the matter is being discussed "at the higher level" in New Delhi now.

Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM alleged today that one 'captain' of the Naga outfit died after the Assam Rifles tortured him in Arunachal Pradesh.

NSCN (IM) cadres at Camp Hebron

The NSCN-IM 'captain' has been identified as one Yaomi, hailing from Ukhrul district of Manipur.

Taking serious note of the incident, the NSCN-IM said tonight that the ceasefire violation and human rights violation in the hands of the "notorious" Assam Rifles is happening not only in Nagaland but elsewhere also.

"On April 1, Captain Yaomi of NSCN was picked up by personnel of the 19 AR from the jungle in Holom village in Tirap district and tortured to death and his lifeless body dumped in Khonsa District Hospital.

Yaomi was not feeling well and was on the way to move out from the village when the Assam Rifles troops caught him from a jungle hut (Khola).

He was without any weapons on his body.

There is nothing to doubt that the case was a custodial death," alleged the NSCN-IM.

The NSCN-IM captain's body was brought to Dimapur with the help of the villagers of Holom and after conducting condolence service the body was sent to his native village at Tanrui in Ukhrul.

"Members from NSCN and others from the civil societies paid rich tribute to him.

Capt.Yaomi who was postumously given the rank of major died in a far off region of Nagalim in Arunachal pradesh in the hands of 19 Assam Rifles and he remained committed to the cause he had avowed to defend till his last breath," the NSCN-IM's condolence message said while adding, "Certainly, major Yaomi's name will be recorded and given a place of honour in the Naga history for the service rendered for the Naga nation.

May his soul rest in peace and may God comfort his family members at such hour of grieve and sorrow," it further said.