Confrontation with AR : Situation tense at Spt

Our Correspondent
SENAPATI, Jul 15: The situation in Senapati remains volatile a day after several vehicles were set ablaze following confrontations between locals and Assam Rifles.
Triggered by a report that the Assam Rifles were conducting operations at Oklong and Makuilongdi, locals in large numbers gathered in protest.
Sources said a confrontation broke out between the Assam Rifles and the Naga Army near Huthrong Brigade, a Naga Army camp located under the jurisdiction of Oklong village in Senapati district.
As messages regarding Assam Rifles' "operations" on social media went viral, massive crowds of locals gathered in the town.
The crowd of protesters then marched towards the Assam Rifles Company Operating Base demanding the forces' withdrawal from Oklong and Makuilongdi.
During the protest, a parked Alto car outside the COB gate and a sentry post were set ablaze.
The tension de-escalated after reports of the Assam Rifles withdrawal from Oklong and Makuilongdi emerged.
However, while the security personnel were returning to their base, some protesters overturned two vehicles of the Assam Rifles and set ablaze a Gypsy and a Bolero camper.
Security forces then resorted to firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. The protesters dispersed late at 11.30 pm (Tuesday).
According to Naga civil society organisations (CSOs) leaders, the anger of the Naga youths stemmed from the perception that the Assam Rifles had prioritised operations in peaceful areas instead of focusing on efforts to bring those responsible for the killing of six Naga civilians to justice.
"This perceived shift in focus contributed to public resentment and fuelled the emotional response that preceded the unrest," said a CSO leader.
Meanwhile, a source in the Army said the Assam Rifles had earlier conducted operations in Makuilongdi and Oklong areas in Senapati district based on specific intelligence about movement of armed cadres "without valid authorisation."