Ukhrul, January 22 2009: TENSION CONTINUES to run high at Shirui village, 20 km north of Ukhrul town in following a stand off between personnel of Assam Rifles and NSCN -IM cadres, who are holed up in a camp there.

Situation may ignite any time as both personnel of 17 Assam Rifles troops are still surrounding the camps of NSCN-IM.

Since Sunday night asking the latter to vacate the area and surrender of their weapons.

But the NSCN-IM which is engaging a ceasefire agreement with the government of India since August 1997 is refusing the order saying camps at Shirui was opened 2-3 years ago following a meeting with Assam Rifles authorities.

"We are asking them to vacate the area and surrender their weapons as there can be no designated camps as such here,” Assam Rifles spokesman had said.

The officer however said they have taken note of three NSCN-IM camps- one each in Manipur's Tamenglong,Senapati and Chandel districts.