Courtesy: MEN
Dimapur , May 22: Tensions mounted at the NSCN (IM) Designated Camp Hebron after the 8th Assam Rifles reportedly announced they would pass by the camp to Beisumpuikam village in order to distribute solar lamps as part of their Military Civic Action (MCA) project on Thursday.
Beisumpuikam village, which lies under Athibung sub-division, Peren district is just a kilometer away from Hebron, which is also the council headquarters of the NSCN (IM). To get to the village, the security forces would have to pass right by the main gate leading to the Designated Camp.
The Ceasefire Ground Rules between the GoI and NSCN (IM) states that security forces cannot go within one kilometer of the NSCN Designated Camps.
On hearing the news of the incoming security forces, a couple of hundred women-folk of Mongleu Kamdi Area Women Organization (MKAWO) and Aghato Women Organization (AWO) gathered at Manglumukh village area and barricaded the road leading to Camp Hebron to prevent any confrontation that might transpire.
The 8th AR reportedly turned back as a result of the intervention of the women folks who kept vigil from early morning till late evening along the road.
Besumpuikam Village Council said they had already refused the solar lamps offered by the 8th Assam Rifles if it meant for them to travel to the village via Camp Hebron for the distribution.
“We told them it would be a problem if they planned coming to our village via Camp Hebron. We don’t want to create any untoward situation which would hamper the peaceful environment,” Lungyinui, secretary of BVC said.
According to the secretary, the 8th AR had assured the villagers last year that they could collect the solar lamps from Jalukie town itself. “We even signed some official papers last year with this agreement as the condition,” he reported.
However, in the recent weeks culminating on Thursday, the 8th AR officials changed their agreement and informed they wanted to come to the village for the distribution. This was however refused by the villagers.
“The council even sent a cancellation letter saying we have sufficient electricity from the State government and we don’t need the solar lamps. Give them to villages which are in dire need,” said Lungyinui.
A copy of the cancellation letter was also handed over to DC, Peren; ADC Jalukie; Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG) Chairman, 18 AR command and Brigadier, 8th Sector.
Regardless, the 8th AR reportedly insisted they would get to the village for the distribution, as the project was already ‘sanctioned by the central government.’
Thursday’s move of the 8th Assam Rifles clearly is an attempt to rile and provoke, according to NSCN (IM). The MIP secretary to the NSCN (IM) confirmed the occurrence and alleged that the intention of the 8th AR was to survey the Designated Camp area on the pretext of distributing solar lamps.
“However, the women folks of Kamdi area came out to the rescue to prevent any confrontation taking place by barricading the road area, some one kilometer before reaching Camp Hebron,” he said.
Vitoli Tisuang, chairperson of MKAWO said it was the job of the women folk to do what was good for the area. “We don’t want any confrontation in the area. We want peace to remain,” she said.
