IMPHAL, Dec 10?Central and state forces have been sounded a red alert along Manipur, Assam and Nagaland borders following renewed clashes between rival underground groups at Azuram and Chramram villages in Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district of Manipur bordering these states.
Manipur police chief AK Parashar said army, paramilitary forces and state police have been kept on alert to avert any eventuality though over 300 ethnic tribals are taking shelters at Tamenglong district headquarters after hearing fled from their homesteads. Three columns of 35 Assam Rifles have been rushed to the site of the fighting. The AR men are also accompanied by personnel of Tamenglong police.
The security men have provided blankets to the fleeing tribals. The state government has also arranged the food and lodging for the tribals apart from distributing the blankets and other items.
A joint force of the NSCN (K), United National liberation Front and a Kuki group and the NSCN (IM) renewed the clashes for the second day on Thursday. Figures of casualties on either side could not be ascertained since the conflict locations is in the remotest part of Tamenglong district and no security forces are deployed there.
According to the reports, the NSCN (IM) had earlier maintained a strong presence in the area by establishing their camps in Chramram village, but the sudden intrusion by cadres of the three other outfits into the area, occupying Azuram since Wednesday created major apprehension in the minds of the villagers, leading to their fleeing their homes.
The heavy fighting has broken out at a time when the top leaders of the NSCN (IM), Isak Chisi Swu and Th Muivah are now in India and planning to spend Christmas in Nagaland.