The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) in a statement said that the move by the Assam Rifles vitiated the conducive atmosphere prevailing in the areas at a time when there was a ceasefire in operation with Naga underground groups.
The NPMHR cited the tension at Wokha in Nagaland last December - which arose after a standoff between local people and Assam Rifles - and at Sirohi village in Manipurs' Ukhrul district, to claim that the incidents were&aposdisturbing signs of instability&aposemerging out of lack of progress in the Naga political talks.
There was a week-long standoff at Sirohi village in Ukhrul district, a stronghold of NSCN(I-M), between local people and Assam Rifles over the existence of a camp set up by the underground elements. The Assam Rifles wanted the facility to be closed since Manipur officially does not fall under cease-fire jurisdiction.
The rights body yesterday held its general assembly at Diampur and deliberated on current situation in different Naga-inhabited areas of the region.
The meeting also deliberated on the proposed construction of Tipaimukh and Mapithel dams and other mega projects in southern Naga areas (Manipur) and demanded that consent should be obtained from the affected people before undertaking such projects.