Assam Rifles-NSCN (I-M) stalemate ends with return of arms

Source : Nagaland Post
Dimapur: As reported in Nagaland Post , the five-day standoff between the Assam Rifles and NSCN(I-M) after the April 19 incident near Hebron Camp was resolved after the NSCN(I-M) returned back weapons and ammunition seized from five Assam Rifles jawans who had gone too close to the NSCN(I-M) designated camp without any prior information. 
That had triggered the crisis when the AR violated the cease fire ground rules. In response, the Assam Rifles also withdrew all the mobile checking posts on routes leading to all NSCN(I-M) designated camps including Hebron. 
The steps taken were followed the meeting between CFMG chairman Maj. Gen. (Retd) N. George and NSCN (I-M) leaders, Monday at Chumukedima Police complex where reportedly both the parties “mutually” arrived at an “arrangement”.
On Tuesday, NSCN (I-M) representatives led by its cease-fire monitoring cell (CFMC) convenor Vikiye Awomi handed over the arms and ammunition to CFMC official at the community hall Monglumukh village in the presence of CFMG, AR, Dimapur police and Dimapur district administration representatives.
While NSCN (I-M) had made it clear that the same was expected from AR, AR representatives were yet to hand over the seized arms of NSCN (I-M) card holders.
The released documents were signed by CFMC convenor on behalf of NSCN (I-M) and CFMG staff officer, G Rengma on behalf of CFMG office while SP Dimapur Z. Mero and ADC Dimapur Sedevikho signed as witnesses.
After the signing of documents, the released arms and ammunition was thoroughly checked by AR troops led by 29 AR Col. Rakesh Bhardwaj after which the same were taken in possession by AR.
Vikiye Awomi said the arms were released in the “interest of peace” adding that as per “discussion” held Monday, the government of India has given the “clearance” to withdraw all “military operations” in entire Naga inhabited areas.
Asked if NSCN (I-M)’s seized arms have been released, Awomi asserted that the release of five arms of the four NSCN (I-M)’s card holders seized by AR were in “process” adding that they (NSCN (I-M) were in touch with the district administration. 
When asked about the release of reportedly over 200 arms seized by AR during the past many years, Awomi, while stating that it was a “different process”, disclosed that the release of those arms were in “process” as the group had discussed the matter in 2009 in Delhi.
Talking to Nagaland Post, CFMG chairman, while not admitting it was withdrawal of “military operation” as claimed by NSCN (I-M), however, confirmed that the check posts set up around NSCN (I-M) camps by AR were removed Tuesday.
Asked when the seized arms of NSCN (I-M) would be released, CFMG chairman said that “four instances” highlighted by NSCN (I-M) leaders on Monday meeting would be “reviewed” following which the seized arms of NSCN (I-M) card holders would be released at the “earliest”.
“Arms have been handed over to police… it cannot be handed out by me and given immediately”, said CFMG chairman. Queried about reports of arms to be handed over by Wednesday, CFMG chairman clarified that he had not given any “commitment” that the arms would be released by then but maintained that since the arms were with police it would be handed over “immediately” after official procedures. 
It may be mentioned that, NSCN (I-M) on April 19 detained five AR personnel namely “naik subedar K D Tiwari, havaldar Sooarn Singh, rifle man Ravi, rifle man Balvi Singh and rifle man Rahul Kuhmar along with four AK 47, one INSAS, 360 live rounds and 13 magazine, two wireless set, six handset, four bullet proof with pouch, one INSAS rifle pouch and four bullet proof cap.

Manipur: AR withdraws troops

Assam Rifles (AR) authority Tuesday withdrew its troops from cordoning off NSCN (I-M) camps.
Highly reliable sources here said that AR started withdrawing its troops after an understanding was reached over the impasse between AR and NSCN (I-M) at Dimapur Tuesday.
AR troops were intensifying “patrolling” nearby NSCN (I-M) camps located in Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel and Ukhrul districts of Manipur even though AR authority refused to comment on the matter. 
NSCN (I-M) maintaining cease-fire truce with Government of India had opened camps in the Naga majority four hill districts - Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel. 42 AR in Chandel withdrew its troops surrounding the NSCN (I-M) camp at Bhungjang around 3 p.m. Around the same time, AR troops surrounding the camps at Grihang in Ukhrul and Oklong in Senapati also withdrew.