Khonsa: In a remarkable demonstration of unity and vigilance, the villagers of Sinnu in Tirap district apprehended six self-styled NSCN insurgents who were allegedly attempting to disrupt peace in the area and interfere with the election process.
The incident occurred on April 18, a day before the elections, sources said.
The insurgents, reportedly hired by one of the MLA candidates for Rs 2000 per day, began threatening the villagers.
However, the villagers united and subdued the militants before turning them over to the authorities, the sources added.
Sinnu is situated approximately 10 kilometers away from the Indo-Myanmar border.
Insurgency has long plagued the three easternmost districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Tirap, Changlang, and Longding (TCL).
The residents of the TCL belt, tired of the ongoing insurgency, are now expressing their concern and calling for the government to implement a comprehensive rehabilitation policy.
Such a policy could persuade insurgents to renounce violence and join mainstream society.
A recent incident underscoring the insurgency problem was the December killing of former MLA Yumsen Matey by NSCN insurgents.
The Yung Aung faction of the banned militant outfit NSCN-K claimed responsibility for the murder, but the perpetrators remain unidentified.