brother i have been there lots of years before.. and at that time, sure enough i was threatened a lot but nothing happens...
i believe if u at the very first encounter with locals, mix with them, and assure them as u are one of them than 70 % chance of any mishap are waved off...
i dont know about current situation but at that time there was just a thin road to cottages and it was almost a GOD FORSAKEN PLACE