Dimapur, January 09 2009: AMID HIGH drama over the detention of an Assam Rifles Captain and four other jawans by the NSCN-IM cadres in Nagaland's Phek district yesterday, the Naga militants have released the jawans on the midnight of January 8 .

Tension ran high last evening as the Assam Rifles had accused the NSCN-IM of violating the ceasefire ground rules.The Assam Rifles also said that the security forces had been exercising restrain in view of the prevailing situation.

However, the NSCN-IM today alleged that on Thursday afternoon at around 1pm five security forces jawans from 33 Assam Rifles led by one captain S.Momo 'intruded' into the prohibited zone of Ihoshe Battalion of Naga Army near Pfuzero,in Nagaland's Phek district which is a designated camp.

"The Naga Army was left with no option but to exercise the military command of duty to defend its territorial rights as demarcated by the Indo-Naga ceasefire.

The five Assam Rifles personnel were over-powered by the alert Naga Army and detained for conducting interrogation.

The version of the Assam Rifles was that they were doing patrolling duty.

But, the question is, why at the gate of the designated camp? An official of the rank of Captain should know the rules that governed the ceasefire for the past 11 years," asked the NSCN-IM.

The NSCN-IM press statement issued by its information wing this evening said that in the light of this 'provocative episode it may be pointed out that there is more about Captain S.Momo than what meet the eyes'.

"His notorious movement in the Chakhesang area is nothing new.

He has been a source of social irritants for quite some time.But despite the unwarranted interference of this officer as witnessed by the authorities of the area including S.D.P.O.,C.P.O (Chakhesang people's Organization) Gaonburas (GBs) etc.

nothing was done to stop him from going overboard.

And this is just another repetition of his unauthorized intrusion into the area," alleged the NSCN-IM.

The NSCN-IM statement said that the five Assam Rifles personnel were compelled to undergo serious interrogation at the hands of the 'Naga Army', and they were not kept in 'Naga Army's custody' for more than what is required.

They were released on the midnight of January 8 after making the civil societies and district administration as witnesses.

Their weapons were also eventually released after the Assam Rifles admitted their mistakes, added the outfit in the statement.

Harping on the over-all scene of the ceasefire, the NSCN-IM said that the Indo-Naga ceasefire that was reached in August 1, 1997 bears historical significance because the long years of Indo-Naga conflict reflected the futility of seeking military solution by suppressing the Naga political struggle.

The Indian military generals realized this impracticality, which ultimately striked the political consciousness of the bosses in New Delhi, it added.

"The Nagas under NSCN was only defending its political right that has been intruded and suppressed.

The NSCN's endurance for more than 11years after ceasefire demonstrates its faith on political solution and not military solution.

Nevertheless, the Indo-Naga ceasefire was simply not signed on blank paper.

Certain obligations are attached to preserve the sanctity of the ceasefire and one of the obligations prohibits the Indian Armed forces from coming within the range of 1 Km of any NSCN's designated camps without getting prior approval from the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell.

Violation of this is therefore, against the ceasefire spirit as laid down," explained the NSCN-IM.

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