File picture of NSCN cadres at Hebron

Kohima, Jan. 11: A team of Assam Rifles has been camping in Camp Hebron — the headquarters of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) in Dimapur — since yesterday, triggering another round of stand-off between the outfit and the forces.

The paramilitary forces moved in hours after the rebels released six Assam Rifles personnel, who were allegedly abducted by the outfit, from Zhamai village in Phek district.

The “peace” had to be brokered by ceasefire monitoring group chairman Lt Gen. (retired) Mandhata Singh and tribal organisations.

Around 50 Assam Rifles personnel walked into the “prohibited zone” yesterday morning and since then have been camping there.

Hectic negotiations are on to persuade the paramilitary forces to pull out of the area.

Security forces are prohibited from entering into a 1-km radius of any designated camp of the NSCN (I-M), according to the ceasefire ground rules governing the truce between the Centre and the outfit.

Six Assam Rifles personnel, including Capt. Shapam Momo, were “abducted” by the NSCN (I-M) on January 8 when the patrol party allegedly violated the restriction and went close to the Ihoshe battalion camp of the outfit at Zhamai village in Phek district.

They were released the following day but the Assam Rifles decided to constitute an inquiry committee to probe the incident.

The inspector-general of Assam Rifles (North), Maj. Gen. J.P. Nehra, however, said it was a “technical error” on the part of the jawans to venture close to the Ihoshe camp.

The NSCN (I-M) alleged that the Assam Rifles has once again violated the “restriction”.

The public relations officer of defence, Lt Col Nirupam Bhargav, refuted the charges levelled by the NSCN (I-M), stating that the Assam Rifles team was camping beyond the 1-km radius from Camp Hebron.

The outfit, however, said the jawans were camping on a river bank, which is only a few metres from the council headquarters.

Col Bhargav said the Assam Rifles has been maintaining maximum restraint.

Amidst the allegation and counter-allegation, the state government has sought the intervention of the home ministry to resolve the impasse.

Lt Gen. (retd) Singh visited camp Hebron this morning and had a meeting with both parties to defuse the tension. But till late tonight, there had been no change in the situation.