DIMAPUR, MAY 9
In the aftermath of the April 19 incident near Hebron involving the 29 Assam Rifles and NSCN (I-M), both, though not having the best of relationships, appear to be at loggerheads again when on Wednesday, 32 AR reportedly surrounded around 40 NSCN (I-M) cadres stationed at Kejanglwa village under Jalukie sub-division.
It may be recalled that on April 19, five AR jawans were held and weapons seized leading to counter action by the AR which erected MCPs on roads leading to NSCN(I-M) designated camps in Nagaland and Manipur.
According to sources, NSCN (I-M) cadres on Tuesday night reached Kejanglwa village and were stationed there when 32 AR got wind of it and marched to the village and surrounded it.
The source then said when the district administration was informed about the situation, civil and police along with NGOs rushed to the place to tackle the situation.
“It was a difficult negotiation as both the groups were determined not to back off” said the source.
The source however said that, after almost an hour, the situation was brought under control when the NSCN (I-M) cadres agreed to vacate the village. It was also reported that even after 5.30 p.m. the AR personnel were seen stationed at Kejanglwa village.
When contacted, NSCN (I-M) Cease-fire Monitoring Cell (CFMC) chairman Vikiye Sumi confirmed that there were some “problems” between AR and NSCN (I-M) cadres but added the situation was resolved.
Asked what NSCN (I-M) cadres were doing in the area, Sumi said they were on “normal patrolling”, Sumi. “It is a small village and while patrolling our boys somehow landed there and AR got the information and tried to cordon off the area,” he said.
When asked how many cadres were on “patrolling duty”, Sumi said that he was not aware of the numbers but added it could have been more than 40.
When questioned whether AR was targeting movement of NSCN (I-M) cadres after April 19 incident, Vikiye said he would not comment on it.
He said even if there were problems it could be sorted if both the groups “sit and sort” the problems across the table as mentioned in the cease fire ground rules.
Asked if CFMC members would be meeting chairman Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG) Maj. Gen. (retd) N. George on the matter, Sumi said he had informed his superior authorities in Hebron that there were certain “problems” needing discussions with CFMG. However he said the discussion could be hold only after the “clearance” by the higher authority.