The Zeme Students’ Union of Nagaland has urged the NSCN (IM) to recall its armed cadres stationed at New Ngaulong village in Peren district bordering Dima Hasao district of Assam and follow the ceasefire ground rules.
The union, in a release issued by its president Aakam Pame on Saturday, alleged that the presence of uniformed cadres with sophisticated arms, especially near the Assam-Nagaland border, had created fear among the people.
It said the daily market in the area was also badly affected due to presence of the armed cadres. The farmers from surrounding villages and neighbouring border villages were using the market for their daily needs, the release said.
It expressed fears that the atmosphere of peace between the Naga people and the Government of India would be spoiled if any clashes occurred between security forces and NSCN (IM) cadres in the area.
During a routine patrol on December 19, the union said, an Assam Rifles team from Jalukie in Peren district discovered a temporary camp of NSCN (IM) on the outskirts of the village where around 18 cadres were staying for around 19 days.
They were all armed with sophisticated weapons, it said.
The union said the Assam Rifles team, after searching the jungle and recovering the materials used by the cadres, called gaon burhas (village headmen) and youth leaders to the site for inspection.
However, the Assam Rifles returned the seized bedding, kitchen utensils and rations to the gaon burhas and youth leaders after they urged the former to return the materials as these were allegedly collected from them by the NSCN (IM) cadres, the union said.
It asked all individuals and groups not to disturb developmental activities undertaken by the government in the area, saying the people had been aspiring and longing for development for many decades.
The union further appealed to everyone to show maturity and extend cooperation to the development process and strive for peace.