Query on IM camps irks CM

IMPHAL, Feb 21: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has iterated that the ceasefire agreement between the Naga rebel group NSCN (IM) and the Government of India is confined only in Nagaland and there is no camp of the Naga rebel group in Manipur.In response to a query during a press conference at his office chamber here today, Ibobi asserted that there is no designated camp of NSCN (IM) in Manipur.“Can you identity any of the designated camps of NSCN (IM) in Manipur ?”, the Chief Minister retorted in response to the query posed by a journalist who quoted Assam Rifles sources that said such camps are in Manipur but the State Government has not taken note of them.The Chief Minister’s clarification or rather the outburst came in the backdrop of public suspicion on possible involvement of NSCN (IM) cadres in the recent killing of SDO of Kasom Khullen Dr Thingnam Kishan and his two subordinate staff after being abducted from Ukhrul district.The JAC formed in denouncement of the brutal killing had also demanded the State Government that no NSCN (IM) camp should be allowed to exist within the territory of Manipur.It may be recalled here that recently a stand off occured between the Assam Rifles soldiers and armed cadres of NSCN (IM) at Siroy village in Ukhrul district over setting up of a camp by the Naga rebel group.

NSCN (K) ready for action

IMPHAL, Feb 16: Guard Commander of NSCN (K) Zeliangrong Region Maj Franchis has declared that his outfit is all set to launch an operation against the militant group Dima Halam Daogh (DHD)-Jewel Garlo-sa faction, also popularly known as Black Widow in North Cachar Hills of Assam, reports our Jiribam correspondent. In a strong-ly worded statement, Fran- chis charged that enough atrocities have been meted upon the innocen public of North Cachar Hills by DHD (J). Thus, compelling his outfit to act tough against the militant group. He also condemned the brutal killing of a Zeliangrong civilian identified as Durangbe Nriame (28) s/o Ramlungbe of Baureneu village, NC hills by DHD (J) on February 12.

IM adamant on setting up camp at Ukl dist Cabinet discusses issue

Jan 28 : Refusing to budge from its stand, the NSCN (IM) has today made it clear that their objective is to open a camp at Ukhrul district and not as suggested by the Assam Rifles that the cadres holed up at Siroy be shifted to any of the three camps located at Bunning in Tamenglong district, Oklong in Senapati district and Phungchong in Chandel district.These camps have been there for a long time, much before the ceasefire agreement came into force, AR had earlier maintained. On the other hand, the State Cabinet which met today, discussed the Siroy crisis, said a reliable source.To have a detailed discussion on the matter a meeting of the Unified Command has been convened tomorrow which will be chaired by the Chief Minister. Representatives from the Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF and State police will attend the meeting. Some days back, the IG AR (S) had also highlighted the matter during a meeting of the Strategic Operations Group chaired by the Chief Secretary. The State Government has also verbally communicated the Siroy situation to the Union Home Ministry.For the moment, the State Cabinet has decided to adopt the wait and watch policy, said a source and added that as per reports received, out of the 40 cadres who were intially holed up in the camp, there are now only 10 left. Interacting with The Sangai Express at Ukhrul district headquarters, Chief Administrative Officer of the Wung region of NSCN (IM), V Horam said that on January 23 it was agreed that both the Assam Rifles and the NSCN (IM) cadres would withdraw from Siroy simultaneously within 72 hours.Once the cadres are shifted out from Siroy, they can be moved to a temporary camp while the NSCN (IM) looks for a suitable site to set up an official camp, said Horam. Once the site is selected then it would be notified by the NSCN (IM), maintained the CAO.However the Assam Rifles has been insisting that the cadres at Siroy should be shifted to any of the three camps in Manipur, either at Bunning in Tamenglong, Oklong in Senapati or Phunchong in Chandel.
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