Shillong, July 31: The Centre has suggested use of helicopters for aerial support in flushing out militants of the Garo National Liberation Army who have set up camps in the far-flung jungles of Garo hills and remain unreachable.
For dropping men and weapons on the ground and to airlift the injured, choppers will be of great help and this will boost the ground operations, the additional director-general of police (special branch), S.K. Jain, told reporters.
“The choppers to be deployed are not for aerial attacks or operations. They are just to help the security personnel during ground operations,” he said.
At present, the Combat Battalion for Resolute Action units of the CRPF and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of Meghalaya police are conducting anti-insurgency operations in Garo hills.
However, these operations are hit by the nature of the terrain and adverse weather conditions. Moreover, the militants, who set up camps in the remote inaccessible terrain, also have the support of some villagers.
The rebels, who hail from remote villages of Garo hills, know the terrain and are trained in jungle warfare. The security personnel, however, have more expertise to maintain law and order in urban areas and they need to first acquaint themselves with the terrain for effective operations.
Many Meghalaya police constables have lost their lives while taking on GNLA militants in Garo hills as the rebels use different tactics in the jungle.
“For successful operations, the use of helicopters is worth trying. However, we also need to see if the costly deployment of choppers can bring out the desired results,” the official said.
In a recent meeting, Jain said the Centre had expressed its desire to spend money for the deployment of choppers but had left the decision to the state government after analysing the situation.
“We are discussing at the government level before finally taking a decision,” the official said, adding that the community had to be taken into account before deploying choppers to avoid suspicion or panic.
A police official said once the rebel camps were identified, aerial support to the ground troops could be ensured with the help of helicopters, thereby accelerating the ground attacks to neutralise the militants. “The use of helicopters is no way connected with aerial attacks. It is only to assist the men on the ground,” he added.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
ULFA team to Delhi by August 10
NALBARI, Aug 1 – A central delegates’ meet of the pro-talk ULFA was held at the designated camp of the outfit’s 709 battalion at Moiradanga village in Nalbari district today in order to expedite the much-awaited talk process between the ULFA and the Central Government.
The delegates’ meeting, presided over by ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, decided to send a delegation by August 10 to mount pressure on the Central Government for the talk. The delegates’ meet further approved of the charter of demands prepared by the Sanmilita Jatiya Abhibartan and those approved by the central executive of the ULFA. ULFA chairman Rajkhowa told reporters that the ULFA leadership is committed to solving all the vital problems included in the charter of demands. The meeting discussed all the present issues which are posing as hurdles. He further clarified that Arunoday Dahotia is not a member of the outfit’s publicity wing.
The crucial delegates’ meeting was attended by ULFA’s foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi, adviser Bhim Kanta Buragohain, finance secretary Chitraban Hazarika and cultural secretary Pranati Deka. The other high-level leaders who attended the meeting were Hira Sarania, Mukul Pathak, Lebu, Kaberi Kachari, Runima Chetia Phukan, Mrinal Hazarika, Prabal Neog, Jiten Dutta and Maradona Russel.
The delegates’ meeting, presided over by ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, decided to send a delegation by August 10 to mount pressure on the Central Government for the talk. The delegates’ meet further approved of the charter of demands prepared by the Sanmilita Jatiya Abhibartan and those approved by the central executive of the ULFA. ULFA chairman Rajkhowa told reporters that the ULFA leadership is committed to solving all the vital problems included in the charter of demands. The meeting discussed all the present issues which are posing as hurdles. He further clarified that Arunoday Dahotia is not a member of the outfit’s publicity wing.
The crucial delegates’ meeting was attended by ULFA’s foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi, adviser Bhim Kanta Buragohain, finance secretary Chitraban Hazarika and cultural secretary Pranati Deka. The other high-level leaders who attended the meeting were Hira Sarania, Mukul Pathak, Lebu, Kaberi Kachari, Runima Chetia Phukan, Mrinal Hazarika, Prabal Neog, Jiten Dutta and Maradona Russel.
Three powerful IEDs defused in Assam
A major disaster was averted Sunday when three powerful Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) were defused from the busy Vehbari area in Assam’s Kamrup (Rural) district.
Police said the three explosives were detected during a joint patrol by the Army and police at Vehbari near Bagsa. The Army’s bomb defusal squad defused the IEDs.
One Mustafa Ali has been detained in this connection. Investigations are on to ascertain who had planted the explosives in the busy market area.
Police said the three explosives were detected during a joint patrol by the Army and police at Vehbari near Bagsa. The Army’s bomb defusal squad defused the IEDs.
One Mustafa Ali has been detained in this connection. Investigations are on to ascertain who had planted the explosives in the busy market area.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Assam: ULFA leaders to begin talks with Centre
New Delhi: In an effort to bring an amicable solution to the
vexed insurgency problem in Assam, top ULFA leaders are expected to
start the process of formal peace talks with the government in New Delhi
next week.
A senior government functionary said the ULFA leaders led by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa will arrive next week to present the central government their charter of demands which was prepared in consultation with the civil society members.
"I think they are coming either this week or next week to Delhi to present the documents. That would be a starting point for talks with ULFA," he said.
So far, only preliminary rounds of dialogue between the ULFA and the Centre's interlocutor PC Haldar have been held in Guwahati.
"The ULFA has issued a statement that they will give up violence, suspend all operations and they wish to begin talks.
So, the talks will start," the government functionary said.
Sources said the banned group is unlikely to press for its demand of sovereignty and may look for autonomy and other safeguard for the people of Assam under the Constitution.
However, the basis of dialogue will depend on ULFA's charter of demands. Representatives of central and state governments and ULFA will take part in future meetings.
Rajkhowa led an eight-member team during introductory talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram in February.
However, the group's elusive 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah has been opposed to any dialogue with the government if 'sovereignty' is not discussed in the meeting.
Meanwhile, the government is currently studying a document that was presented by Naga rebel group NSCN (IM).
"They have presented a document that is being studied and formal talks will continue with the interlocutors representing the government and the NSCN (IM). At least we have a document now," the government functionary said.
Centre's interlocutor RS Pandey and NSCN's 'general secretary' Thuingaleng Muivah had issued a joint statement a few days ago, saying they have "narrowed" down differences and are working out a settlement in the "shortest possible time".
"While the differences between the two parties have narrowed, some of the proposals would require further negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable solution," it said.
The statement said sustained negotiations over the past few months have led to a set of proposals for an honourable political settlement based on the uniqueness of Naga history and situation which was recognised by the Government of India in 2002 as well as the contemporary realities and a future vision consistent with the imperatives of the 21st century.
The Naga group has been holding parleys with Pandey to iron out differences on several vexed issues.
A ceasefire was agreed on with NSCN (IM) in August, 1997.
In May, 1998, the Union government had appointed Swaraj Kaushal as the first negotiator. He continued in his post till July 1999. After him, former Home Secretary K Padmanabhaiah took charge as the Centre's pointsman and continued till 2009.
Pandey, a former petroleum secretary and a 1972 batch Nagaland cadre IAS officer was appointed as the new interlocutor on February 11, 2010.
A senior government functionary said the ULFA leaders led by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa will arrive next week to present the central government their charter of demands which was prepared in consultation with the civil society members.
"I think they are coming either this week or next week to Delhi to present the documents. That would be a starting point for talks with ULFA," he said.
"The ULFA has issued a statement that they will give up violence, suspend all operations and they wish to begin talks.
So, the talks will start," the government functionary said.
Sources said the banned group is unlikely to press for its demand of sovereignty and may look for autonomy and other safeguard for the people of Assam under the Constitution.
However, the basis of dialogue will depend on ULFA's charter of demands. Representatives of central and state governments and ULFA will take part in future meetings.
Rajkhowa led an eight-member team during introductory talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram in February.
However, the group's elusive 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah has been opposed to any dialogue with the government if 'sovereignty' is not discussed in the meeting.
Meanwhile, the government is currently studying a document that was presented by Naga rebel group NSCN (IM).
"They have presented a document that is being studied and formal talks will continue with the interlocutors representing the government and the NSCN (IM). At least we have a document now," the government functionary said.
Centre's interlocutor RS Pandey and NSCN's 'general secretary' Thuingaleng Muivah had issued a joint statement a few days ago, saying they have "narrowed" down differences and are working out a settlement in the "shortest possible time".
"While the differences between the two parties have narrowed, some of the proposals would require further negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable solution," it said.
The statement said sustained negotiations over the past few months have led to a set of proposals for an honourable political settlement based on the uniqueness of Naga history and situation which was recognised by the Government of India in 2002 as well as the contemporary realities and a future vision consistent with the imperatives of the 21st century.
The Naga group has been holding parleys with Pandey to iron out differences on several vexed issues.
A ceasefire was agreed on with NSCN (IM) in August, 1997.
In May, 1998, the Union government had appointed Swaraj Kaushal as the first negotiator. He continued in his post till July 1999. After him, former Home Secretary K Padmanabhaiah took charge as the Centre's pointsman and continued till 2009.
Pandey, a former petroleum secretary and a 1972 batch Nagaland cadre IAS officer was appointed as the new interlocutor on February 11, 2010.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Exchange of fire with militants in Manipur
Imphal: Heavy exchange of fire between security personnel and insurgents was reported from Manipur's Ukhrul district bordering Myanmar, officials said on Thursday.
The 12th Assam Rifles, posted at Nambisa village, launched a manhunt in the adjacent villages following information that insurgents of banned People's Liberation Army had entered the state from across the border yesterday.
During operation, both sides exchanged fire, but there was no casualty, they said.
The 12th Assam Rifles, posted at Nambisa village, launched a manhunt in the adjacent villages following information that insurgents of banned People's Liberation Army had entered the state from across the border yesterday.
During operation, both sides exchanged fire, but there was no casualty, they said.
Spate of abductions in Assam
Jorhat, July 29 : Suspected militants abducted four persons, including two small tea growers and two construction workers, in separate incidents since last night from Tinsukia and Golaghat districts.
While the small tea growers — brothers Bhagawati Prasad and Bijoy Sarma — were taken away from near Tarani reserve forest under Pengeri police station in Tinsukia district at 1pm today, two employees of a construction company were abducted by suspected Karbi militants from the Hatipathar area along the Golaghat-Karbi Anglong district border late last night.
Ulfa rebels are suspected to be behind the Tinsukia abduction. Bijoy was, however, released later.
Police said the brothers were returning from Annapurna tea estate on a motorcycle when a group of armed youths accosted them near Dibrujan tea estate, which is located near Annapurna. Both the brothers were taken inside a nearby jungle and beaten up by the armed group.
The police said while Bijoy was released after the ordeal, the militants took away Bhagawati Prasad at gunpoint.
In the Golaghat abduction, police sources said the militants swooped in on a temporary camp of the Diphu-based Macro Construction Company and took away supervisors Hari Barman and Montu Barman at gunpoint. The workers of the company were engaged in bridge construction in the particular area located inKarbi Anglong.
Sources said although the Dolamora-based unit of public works department had sanctioned funds for construction of nine bridges in the area about four years back, work could not start because of constant harassment by militants who demand money from the firms to which work was allotted.
The particular company had started work on the bridge only a fortnight back. The police said there were about 10 employees, including a few labourers, present at the camp when the militants, dressed in army fatigue, arrived.
“They told the labourers that the two employees would be released only after the owner of the company pays ransom,” a police official at Santipur police station in Karbi Anglong said when contacted over phone.
In another incident, security forces recovered a consignment of arms and ammunition and extortion notes from a forest area under Bokajan police station in Karbi Anglong district last night.
While the small tea growers — brothers Bhagawati Prasad and Bijoy Sarma — were taken away from near Tarani reserve forest under Pengeri police station in Tinsukia district at 1pm today, two employees of a construction company were abducted by suspected Karbi militants from the Hatipathar area along the Golaghat-Karbi Anglong district border late last night.
Ulfa rebels are suspected to be behind the Tinsukia abduction. Bijoy was, however, released later.
Police said the brothers were returning from Annapurna tea estate on a motorcycle when a group of armed youths accosted them near Dibrujan tea estate, which is located near Annapurna. Both the brothers were taken inside a nearby jungle and beaten up by the armed group.
The police said while Bijoy was released after the ordeal, the militants took away Bhagawati Prasad at gunpoint.
In the Golaghat abduction, police sources said the militants swooped in on a temporary camp of the Diphu-based Macro Construction Company and took away supervisors Hari Barman and Montu Barman at gunpoint. The workers of the company were engaged in bridge construction in the particular area located inKarbi Anglong.
Sources said although the Dolamora-based unit of public works department had sanctioned funds for construction of nine bridges in the area about four years back, work could not start because of constant harassment by militants who demand money from the firms to which work was allotted.
The particular company had started work on the bridge only a fortnight back. The police said there were about 10 employees, including a few labourers, present at the camp when the militants, dressed in army fatigue, arrived.
“They told the labourers that the two employees would be released only after the owner of the company pays ransom,” a police official at Santipur police station in Karbi Anglong said when contacted over phone.
In another incident, security forces recovered a consignment of arms and ammunition and extortion notes from a forest area under Bokajan police station in Karbi Anglong district last night.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Arms haul in Udalguri
Kokrajhar, July 28 : Security forces today recovered two 7.62mm SLR rifles with 14 rounds of live ammunition and two magazines from a thick undergrowth along the banks of the Dhansiri in Majuli in Udalguri district of Assam at the state’s tri-junction with Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan.
The recovery comes on the heels of the arrest of a senior NDFB leader, Genda Basumatary alias B. Sudev, from Ratanpur area under Tangla police station in Udalguri district last evening.
A 9mm pistol with 15 rounds of live ammunition, an NDFB writing pad and a mobile handset was recovered from him.
Sources in 315 Field Regiment of the army, which is based in Udalguri, said the militant group was trying to transfer these weapons from Rangapara to Baksa to hand it over to the outfit’s leaders in that distrct, led by B. Bidwai.
The army source said the apprehension of the senior cadre has rendered a severe blow to the militants operating in the area.
Follow-up operations to catch the other cadres of the group is on, he added.
The recovery comes on the heels of the arrest of a senior NDFB leader, Genda Basumatary alias B. Sudev, from Ratanpur area under Tangla police station in Udalguri district last evening.
A 9mm pistol with 15 rounds of live ammunition, an NDFB writing pad and a mobile handset was recovered from him.
Sources in 315 Field Regiment of the army, which is based in Udalguri, said the militant group was trying to transfer these weapons from Rangapara to Baksa to hand it over to the outfit’s leaders in that distrct, led by B. Bidwai.
The army source said the apprehension of the senior cadre has rendered a severe blow to the militants operating in the area.
Follow-up operations to catch the other cadres of the group is on, he added.
Blasts reported in Assam as ULFA observes 'martyrs day'
Guwahati, Jul 27 : Two blasts were reported and a bomb was recovered in different parts of Assam since last evening as the banned ULFA observed its ‘martyrs' day’ today.
A Programmable Timer Device (PTD), weighing 2 kg, was recovered from the inter-state bus stand at Dhubri in western Assam this morning.
The PTD was found in a suitcase, fixed with a wire, and it was later defused by bomb experts.
Early this morning, a grenade blast damaged a couple of shops near a college gate in Chabua in eastern Assam’s Dibrugarh district.
No person was, however, injured in the incident.
In another blast, two motorcycle borne youths reportedly lobbed a grenade at the Tihu Police Station in lower Assam’s Nalbari district last evening.
No injuries were reported in this incident.
The blasts are suspected to have been carried out by the hardliner faction of the ULFA.
Meanwhile, the pro-peace talks faction of the outfit today observed its ‘martyrs day’ with a day-long programme at the Kakopathar designated camp in Tinsukia district.
The outfit’s 'finance secretary' Chitrabon Hazarika and top leader Prabal Neog participated in the programme at Kakopathar.
A Programmable Timer Device (PTD), weighing 2 kg, was recovered from the inter-state bus stand at Dhubri in western Assam this morning.
The PTD was found in a suitcase, fixed with a wire, and it was later defused by bomb experts.
Early this morning, a grenade blast damaged a couple of shops near a college gate in Chabua in eastern Assam’s Dibrugarh district.
No person was, however, injured in the incident.
In another blast, two motorcycle borne youths reportedly lobbed a grenade at the Tihu Police Station in lower Assam’s Nalbari district last evening.
No injuries were reported in this incident.
The blasts are suspected to have been carried out by the hardliner faction of the ULFA.
Meanwhile, the pro-peace talks faction of the outfit today observed its ‘martyrs day’ with a day-long programme at the Kakopathar designated camp in Tinsukia district.
The outfit’s 'finance secretary' Chitrabon Hazarika and top leader Prabal Neog participated in the programme at Kakopathar.
NSCN-IM owns killing of Naga couple in Manipur
Imphal, July 27 (PTI) Naga militant outfit, NSCN-IM
today owned the responsibility for killing Vareingam Shimray
(35) and his wife, Ngaherla in Manipur's hilly Ukhrul district
bordering with Myanmar.In a statement, NSCN-IM said Shimray was killed for
supporting Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) and for
'anti-Naga activities."The outfit said Ngaherla was killed because she was
'too close to her husband' when they opened fire.Shimray, a respected village leader and was involved
in many social activities, was gunned down along with his wife
by unknown militants at his home at Lungphu village under
Phungyar sub-division on Sunday, official sources said.Sources also said MNRF was recently formed by some
Nagas in Manipur and its avowed aim and object was to protect
territorial integrity of Manipur and work for communal harmony
of different ethnic groups in the state.
NDFB(P) calls bandhs seeking Bodoland state
KOKRAJHAR: The National Democratic Front of Boroland NDFB (Progressive) has called a 24-hour Assam bandh on July 28 and a 48-hour national Highway and railway strike on August 1, seeking creation of a separate state of Boroland in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 and 3 of the constitution.
In an email sent to a English daily here, publicity secretary of NDFB (P) S Sanjarang said, "The passion to see Boroland state become a reality was deep-rooted. It is beyond contradiction that from the point of view of history, ethnic identity, language, culture and constitutional provision, Bodos have every right to have a state of their own. During last 45 years movement for Boroland, thousands have sacrificed their lives and are still ready to do so for the cause. The Government of India should realize the fact that the demands of separate state of the indigenous peoples of the North East can never be resolved by any alternative arrangements."
Sanjarang said the NDFB (P), at present, was taking up the Bodos' demand for a separate state. He added that the outfit, as well as the entire Bodo community, will accept nothing short of separate state. Resentment among Bodos against the autonomous rule given to them in stead of separate state is growing. "There are many Bodo organizations which are determined to fight along with NDFB (P) for the cause of Bodoland state. We are ready to support those who come forward for the cause," he added.
In an email sent to a English daily here, publicity secretary of NDFB (P) S Sanjarang said, "The passion to see Boroland state become a reality was deep-rooted. It is beyond contradiction that from the point of view of history, ethnic identity, language, culture and constitutional provision, Bodos have every right to have a state of their own. During last 45 years movement for Boroland, thousands have sacrificed their lives and are still ready to do so for the cause. The Government of India should realize the fact that the demands of separate state of the indigenous peoples of the North East can never be resolved by any alternative arrangements."
Sanjarang said the NDFB (P), at present, was taking up the Bodos' demand for a separate state. He added that the outfit, as well as the entire Bodo community, will accept nothing short of separate state. Resentment among Bodos against the autonomous rule given to them in stead of separate state is growing. "There are many Bodo organizations which are determined to fight along with NDFB (P) for the cause of Bodoland state. We are ready to support those who come forward for the cause," he added.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
ULFA denies arrested cadre is 'publicity secretary'
Guwahati, July 26 : A hardcore ULFA cadre was today arrested from Jinjia, under Behali police station, in northern Assam's Sonitpur district.
Though initially the militant was suspected to be the hardliner faction’s ‘publicity secretary’ Arunudoy Dohotia, it was later revealed that he was a different person.
Police said Hrithik Hazarika was arrested from a house during a raid carried out on the basis of specific information.
A 9 mm pistol, two magazine and some incriminating documents were recovered from him.
Initial reports had suggested that Hazarika was the ‘publicity secretary’ of the anti-talks ULFA faction, led by Paresh Barua.
Police was also non-committal on the identity of the arrested cadre.
However, an email from the hardliner faction to local media later claimed that Hazarika and Dohotia were two persons.
The email, purportedly sent by Dohotia himself, confirmed that Hazarika is a hardcore cadre of the outfit.
The hardliner faction was also critical of the pro-talks group, led by its ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa, and said Rajkhowa and his associates will get back the positions held in the outfit once they forsake the talks path and return to armed struggle.
Though initially the militant was suspected to be the hardliner faction’s ‘publicity secretary’ Arunudoy Dohotia, it was later revealed that he was a different person.
Police said Hrithik Hazarika was arrested from a house during a raid carried out on the basis of specific information.
A 9 mm pistol, two magazine and some incriminating documents were recovered from him.
Initial reports had suggested that Hazarika was the ‘publicity secretary’ of the anti-talks ULFA faction, led by Paresh Barua.
Police was also non-committal on the identity of the arrested cadre.
However, an email from the hardliner faction to local media later claimed that Hazarika and Dohotia were two persons.
The email, purportedly sent by Dohotia himself, confirmed that Hazarika is a hardcore cadre of the outfit.
The hardliner faction was also critical of the pro-talks group, led by its ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa, and said Rajkhowa and his associates will get back the positions held in the outfit once they forsake the talks path and return to armed struggle.
NDFB offers indefinite ceasefire
Guwahati : An influential faction of the outlawed National Democratic
Front of Bodoland (NDFB) led by guerrilla leader Ranjan Daimary Tuesday
offered an indefinite ceasefire aimed at ending decades of violent
insurgency in Assam through peace talks.
"The general meeting of the NDFB unanimously decided to cease all hostile activities indefinitely to find a durable political solution to the conflict through political dialogue with effect from Aug 1 2011," NDFB spokesperson B. Khwlw Khwlw said in a statement emailed to IANS.
A faction of the NDFB led by factional leader Gobinda Basumatary is operating a ceasefire since 2005 and holding peace talks with New Delhi.
But the group headed by Ranjan Daimary was opposed to any peace talks and carried out violent strikes - the deadliest being the Oct 30, 2008, serial explosions in Assam that killed nearly 100 people and wounded close to 800 more. There were nine near simultaneous explosions in four districts of Assam.
Daimary was arrested in Bangladesh last year and then handed over to India. He is in jail since May 2010.
With the Ranjan Daimary faction of the NDFB opting for a truce, almost all the militant groups are now in peace mode, barring a faction of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) led by the elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah.
In all, close to a dozen rebel armies in Assam, including a few ragtag groups, are operating ceasefire with the government, some of them already holding peace talks.
"The general meeting of the NDFB unanimously decided to cease all hostile activities indefinitely to find a durable political solution to the conflict through political dialogue with effect from Aug 1 2011," NDFB spokesperson B. Khwlw Khwlw said in a statement emailed to IANS.
A faction of the NDFB led by factional leader Gobinda Basumatary is operating a ceasefire since 2005 and holding peace talks with New Delhi.
But the group headed by Ranjan Daimary was opposed to any peace talks and carried out violent strikes - the deadliest being the Oct 30, 2008, serial explosions in Assam that killed nearly 100 people and wounded close to 800 more. There were nine near simultaneous explosions in four districts of Assam.
Daimary was arrested in Bangladesh last year and then handed over to India. He is in jail since May 2010.
With the Ranjan Daimary faction of the NDFB opting for a truce, almost all the militant groups are now in peace mode, barring a faction of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) led by the elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah.
In all, close to a dozen rebel armies in Assam, including a few ragtag groups, are operating ceasefire with the government, some of them already holding peace talks.
Oil refineries on Ulfa radar: Government
By Manan Kumar
New Delhi: In an express advisory sent on Tuesday, the Centre has asked the Assam sate government to beef up the security of all oil installations and pipelines in upper Assam as they can be attacked by the anti-talks faction of United Liberation front of Asom-led by commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah.
What adds to the Centre’s worries is the fact that attack on oil installations in Assam will not only cripple the economy of the northeast region as the most of the oil in the area is supplied by them but will also hit the oil supplies elsewhere in the country.
Assam has four major refineries in Guwahati, Digboi, Numaligarh and Bongaigaon with a total production of over 7 million metric tonnes per annum.
“There are credible inputs to suggest that local commanders of ULFA in Assam have been told by Paresh Baruah to hit the oil installations around Martyrs Day on July 27 and Independence Day,” highly placed in the Home Ministry said.
With a major chunk of top Ulfa leaders already in advance stages of holding peace talks with the Assam government, the CNC Paresh Baruah is desperate to revive his outfit in Assam. As his monetary resources in Bangladesh have been squeezed because of growing Indo-Bangla friendly relations, desperate for money among remaining Ulfa cadres has increased. Attack on oil installations is one way that can revive the money flow through extortion.
To make fledgling Ulfa a potent force again Baruah is understood to have lately joined hands with insurgent groups like Peoples Liberation Army and Revolutionary People’s Front of Manipur.
New Delhi: In an express advisory sent on Tuesday, the Centre has asked the Assam sate government to beef up the security of all oil installations and pipelines in upper Assam as they can be attacked by the anti-talks faction of United Liberation front of Asom-led by commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah.
What adds to the Centre’s worries is the fact that attack on oil installations in Assam will not only cripple the economy of the northeast region as the most of the oil in the area is supplied by them but will also hit the oil supplies elsewhere in the country.
Assam has four major refineries in Guwahati, Digboi, Numaligarh and Bongaigaon with a total production of over 7 million metric tonnes per annum.
“There are credible inputs to suggest that local commanders of ULFA in Assam have been told by Paresh Baruah to hit the oil installations around Martyrs Day on July 27 and Independence Day,” highly placed in the Home Ministry said.
With a major chunk of top Ulfa leaders already in advance stages of holding peace talks with the Assam government, the CNC Paresh Baruah is desperate to revive his outfit in Assam. As his monetary resources in Bangladesh have been squeezed because of growing Indo-Bangla friendly relations, desperate for money among remaining Ulfa cadres has increased. Attack on oil installations is one way that can revive the money flow through extortion.
To make fledgling Ulfa a potent force again Baruah is understood to have lately joined hands with insurgent groups like Peoples Liberation Army and Revolutionary People’s Front of Manipur.
Three labourers kidnapped by militants in interior Manipur
Imphal, July 26 (PTI) Militants kidnapped three labourers
at gun point while they were working to repair the guard wall
of a river in Manipur''s interior Thoubal district, official
sources said today. The labourers were engaged in repair of a guard wall
on the Chandrakhong Itok river in the Yairipok police station
area in the district on July 21 when the incident took place. The kidnapping came to light on July 23 when the brother
of one of the abducted lodged a complaint with the Yairipok
police station. Earlier family members of the abducted had failed to
inform the police of the incident following threat from the
kidnappers, the sources said. It was not immediately known why the labourers were
kidnapped, the sources said. No individual or group has so far claimed responsibility
for the kidnap.
Manipur: Locals to Prevent Entry of Militants in Village
Imphal, Jul 26 : Villagers of an interior village in Imphal West district of Manipur have decided not to allow any outsider at their place after 8 pm, with immediate effect.
The decision was taken during a meeting between Khaidem Village Golden Youth Club (KVGYC) members and village elders on July 22 following frequent attacks by suspected militants, a spokesman of the club said today.
Those defying the village decision would be responsible for any problem in the village, the spokesman said.
Officials confirmed it but did not say whether police force would be deployed at the village
The KVGYC spokesman said suspected militants attacked the house of the village gram panchayat Pradhan Khulem Rajendro Singh by opening several rounds of fire on July 21 in connection with non-compliance of monetary demand and appealed to the militants not to disturb the villagers.
The decision was taken during a meeting between Khaidem Village Golden Youth Club (KVGYC) members and village elders on July 22 following frequent attacks by suspected militants, a spokesman of the club said today.
Those defying the village decision would be responsible for any problem in the village, the spokesman said.
Officials confirmed it but did not say whether police force would be deployed at the village
The KVGYC spokesman said suspected militants attacked the house of the village gram panchayat Pradhan Khulem Rajendro Singh by opening several rounds of fire on July 21 in connection with non-compliance of monetary demand and appealed to the militants not to disturb the villagers.
Couple Shot Dead by Militants in Manipur
Imphal, Jul 26 : A 35-year old man and his wife were shot dead in front of their three children at an isolated village in Phungyar sub-division of Manipur's interior Ukhrul district bordering Myanmar, a delayed official report said today.
The report said about six suspected militants in military uniform barged into the house of Vareingam Mahonao Shimray at Lungphu village on Sunday night and gunned down Shimray and his wife, Ngaherla (33) in front of their three children.
Both died on the spot, sources said adding that the bodies were collected by police from the village, about 85 km northeast of here and being kept at Ukhrul district hospital for post-mortem.
The motive behind the killings was not immediately known, sources said.
Shimray was not only a clerk in the local church but also a teacher at a nearby private school and involved in the work of National Rural Employment Generation Scheme (NREGS).
First official reports hinted that the militants might have demanded a huge money from the victim since the latter was a village authority in the implementation of the scheme in the area.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the killing, sources said adding that Shimray was a respected person in the village.
The report said about six suspected militants in military uniform barged into the house of Vareingam Mahonao Shimray at Lungphu village on Sunday night and gunned down Shimray and his wife, Ngaherla (33) in front of their three children.
Both died on the spot, sources said adding that the bodies were collected by police from the village, about 85 km northeast of here and being kept at Ukhrul district hospital for post-mortem.
The motive behind the killings was not immediately known, sources said.
Shimray was not only a clerk in the local church but also a teacher at a nearby private school and involved in the work of National Rural Employment Generation Scheme (NREGS).
First official reports hinted that the militants might have demanded a huge money from the victim since the latter was a village authority in the implementation of the scheme in the area.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the killing, sources said adding that Shimray was a respected person in the village.
Monday, July 25, 2011
ULFA publicity secretary captured in Assam
In a blow to the anti-talk ULFA faction led by Paresh Baruah, security forces today captured his right hand man and publicity secretary Arun Udoy Dehotia in Assam's Sonitpur district.
Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of men from the 44 Assam Rifles unit and police men raided village Jinjia under Biswanath subdivision and apprehended hardcore Ritik Hazarika alias `Lieutenant' Arun Udoy Dehotia, police sources said.
A 9-mm pistol with two magazines were recovered from him, the sources said, adding Dehotia was being interrogated at the Assam Rifles Lokra camp here.
Dehotia hails from Panbortia village near here and had left home about 20 years ago as a teenager to join the insurgent outfit, the sources said.
After the split of the ULFA following the arrest of its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and other top leaders last year, Dehotia, who was very close to his 'commander-in-chief', was given the charge of the Paresh-led faction's publicity secretary and since then was regularly sending e-mails to the media here with the last one being sent on July 17.
Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of men from the 44 Assam Rifles unit and police men raided village Jinjia under Biswanath subdivision and apprehended hardcore Ritik Hazarika alias `Lieutenant' Arun Udoy Dehotia, police sources said.
A 9-mm pistol with two magazines were recovered from him, the sources said, adding Dehotia was being interrogated at the Assam Rifles Lokra camp here.
Dehotia hails from Panbortia village near here and had left home about 20 years ago as a teenager to join the insurgent outfit, the sources said.
After the split of the ULFA following the arrest of its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and other top leaders last year, Dehotia, who was very close to his 'commander-in-chief', was given the charge of the Paresh-led faction's publicity secretary and since then was regularly sending e-mails to the media here with the last one being sent on July 17.
Centre issues terror alert in Assam; ULFA may carry out attacks ahead of Independence Day
NEW DELHI: The Centre has alerted theAssam government of attempts by anti-talks faction ofULFA to carry out terror strikes in the state in the run-up to Independence Day. The attacks, possibly bomb explosions, may be timed around July 27,Martyrs' Day commemorated every year by ULFA, and August 15, MHA advisories to the state have warned.
Though the majority of ULFA central committee leadership has come out in favour of talks with the government, Ulfa's no 1, commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, has staunchly opposed the peace moves.
Still commanding the loyalty of many cadres and armed with a sizeable arsenal of arms and explosives, the Baruah group has tied up with other north-eastern insurgent outfits, including People's Liberation Army of Manipur, to derail the peace moves and take forward Ulfa's struggle for secession.
Intelligence inputs have warned that with Ulfa faction led by Arabinda Rajkhowa planning formal talks with the government soon, Baruah may go for a big strike in the fortnight ahead of Independence Day to send out the firm message about who is in control. He had carried out a blast outside the Congress headquarters in Guwahati in the run-up to the Assembly election earlier this year.
"We have shared all necessary inputs with the Assam government. The government will take all security precautions and will discuss the inputs and strategy in the upcoming meeting of the Unified Command headed by the CM on July 28," a senior MHA official here said.
Though the majority of ULFA central committee leadership has come out in favour of talks with the government, Ulfa's no 1, commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, has staunchly opposed the peace moves.
Still commanding the loyalty of many cadres and armed with a sizeable arsenal of arms and explosives, the Baruah group has tied up with other north-eastern insurgent outfits, including People's Liberation Army of Manipur, to derail the peace moves and take forward Ulfa's struggle for secession.
Intelligence inputs have warned that with Ulfa faction led by Arabinda Rajkhowa planning formal talks with the government soon, Baruah may go for a big strike in the fortnight ahead of Independence Day to send out the firm message about who is in control. He had carried out a blast outside the Congress headquarters in Guwahati in the run-up to the Assembly election earlier this year.
"We have shared all necessary inputs with the Assam government. The government will take all security precautions and will discuss the inputs and strategy in the upcoming meeting of the Unified Command headed by the CM on July 28," a senior MHA official here said.
Maoist, NE militants' collaboration active and growing
Sanjib Kr Baruah
New Delhi, July 25, 2011
There is increasing evidence of very active and growing collaboration between the CPI (Maoist) and militant groups of northeast India, an intelligence agency official told HT. "Since 2009, insurgents from India's northeast have been visiting Jharkhand and imparting training to Maoist
cadres who are very keen on acquiring training on IEDs and battle tactics like how to conduct an ambush. The number of such exchanges is growing," the source said alluding to the involvement of Manipuri and Naga groups.
"At the same time, Maoists from central India have also been spreading their influence among the tea-garden communities of Assam. Many youth from the tea gardens have been recruited. The July 10 bomb blast in a train in Assam is also a handiwork of the Adivasi People's Army (APA) which has very strong linkages with Maoists," the source added.
The Eastern Region Bureau of the Maoists has been tasked to forge alliances and set up a network in the Northeast.
The Maoists are also known to be very keen to set a strong base in the Taga area of Myanmar. In fact, recent reports indicate the presence of a small group of Maoists in Taga. This restive area, in northwest Myanmar, is often referred to as "United Area" because of the strong presence of almost all the insurgent groups of India's northeast.
All the cadres of the various groups are housed in separate camps. The writ of the NSCN's Khaplang faction reigns supreme.
A foothold in areas like Taga will provide the Maoists with an assured source of arms supply. All sorts of sophisticated rifles, grenade launchers, explosive devices, and other contraband items are widely available at cheap rates here.
"The advantage of a presence in northwest Myanmar is that there is no semblance of state authority here. Resultantly, this area has become a hotbed of gun-running and trade in narcotics. The cheap weapons are either Chinese army discards or good quality imitations of the original," the official added.
Intelligence reports say the insurgent groups in the Taga area have stepped up efforts to combine forces and put up a united front. "Just two weeks ago, seven Manipuri outfits have met and decided to unite," the official said.
The Northeast groups' linkages with the Maoists go back to October, 2008, when a joint declaration to "fight the Indian state together" was signed by the Maoists and Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), the political arm of the 800-1000 cadre strong People's Liberation Army (PLA)--one of the oldest insurgent groups in Manipur. Formed in 1976, the avowedly extreme-Left leaning PLA's first batch of recruits were trained in China.
"Maoists have abundant manpower but limited weaponry, whereas, NE militant groups have all the range of weapons but limited cadres. A tacit collaboration to cancel out each other's limitations is very much possible," the official said.
New Delhi, July 25, 2011
There is increasing evidence of very active and growing collaboration between the CPI (Maoist) and militant groups of northeast India, an intelligence agency official told HT. "Since 2009, insurgents from India's northeast have been visiting Jharkhand and imparting training to Maoist
cadres who are very keen on acquiring training on IEDs and battle tactics like how to conduct an ambush. The number of such exchanges is growing," the source said alluding to the involvement of Manipuri and Naga groups.
"At the same time, Maoists from central India have also been spreading their influence among the tea-garden communities of Assam. Many youth from the tea gardens have been recruited. The July 10 bomb blast in a train in Assam is also a handiwork of the Adivasi People's Army (APA) which has very strong linkages with Maoists," the source added.
The Eastern Region Bureau of the Maoists has been tasked to forge alliances and set up a network in the Northeast.
The Maoists are also known to be very keen to set a strong base in the Taga area of Myanmar. In fact, recent reports indicate the presence of a small group of Maoists in Taga. This restive area, in northwest Myanmar, is often referred to as "United Area" because of the strong presence of almost all the insurgent groups of India's northeast.
All the cadres of the various groups are housed in separate camps. The writ of the NSCN's Khaplang faction reigns supreme.
A foothold in areas like Taga will provide the Maoists with an assured source of arms supply. All sorts of sophisticated rifles, grenade launchers, explosive devices, and other contraband items are widely available at cheap rates here.
"The advantage of a presence in northwest Myanmar is that there is no semblance of state authority here. Resultantly, this area has become a hotbed of gun-running and trade in narcotics. The cheap weapons are either Chinese army discards or good quality imitations of the original," the official added.
Intelligence reports say the insurgent groups in the Taga area have stepped up efforts to combine forces and put up a united front. "Just two weeks ago, seven Manipuri outfits have met and decided to unite," the official said.
The Northeast groups' linkages with the Maoists go back to October, 2008, when a joint declaration to "fight the Indian state together" was signed by the Maoists and Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), the political arm of the 800-1000 cadre strong People's Liberation Army (PLA)--one of the oldest insurgent groups in Manipur. Formed in 1976, the avowedly extreme-Left leaning PLA's first batch of recruits were trained in China.
"Maoists have abundant manpower but limited weaponry, whereas, NE militant groups have all the range of weapons but limited cadres. A tacit collaboration to cancel out each other's limitations is very much possible," the official said.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
NDFB sets up camps in Chin
Jorhat, July 24: The NDFB has set up camps in the Hakha area of Chin province in western Myanmar since September 2009. This was revealed during the interrogation of four NDFB militants who were arrested last week.
The four cadres were apprehended by the Assam Rifles from Namtola along the Assam-Nagaland border on Friday night. Myanmarese currency amounting to 1,000 kyat was recovered.
The militants, who were handed over to Assam Police yesterday, were produced in court today and remanded in three-day police custody.
The four — Amar Borgayari, Neroi Daimary, Philip Ishlary and Chitraranjan Basumatary —were apprehended along with an NSCN (K) cadre, Isac Konyak, who acted as a guide during their trek from Myanmar to Assam via Nagaland. The four were about to catch a Guwahati-bound bus at Sonari, from where they intended to go to their respective homes at Bijni, Rowta and Dhubri, when they were arrested.
A police official interrogating the four said they were fresh recruits and had gone to Myanmar in March 2010 for training.
“They had completed their training and were returning home on a three-month leave after discharging their duties as helpers at the camp located in the Hakha area of Myanmar,” the official said, quoting the cadres.
The official said almost all the 93 cadres undergoing training at the camp in Myanmar were fresh recruits.
“They (the four arrested militants) have denied having any information about other NDFB camps in Myanmar. They said there was no member of any other militant outfit in the particular camp apart from the Bodo militant outfit and the 93 cadres there were mostly fresh recruits,” the official said.
This is the second time that NDFB cadres have been apprehended from Nagaland while returning from Myanmar. Fourteen NDFB cadres were arrested from state in October. These cadres were also recruits and were arrested after they entered Nagaland through Tizit inter-state checkgate on their way to training camps in Myanmar.
The Telegraph had earlier reported about the NDFB setting up its general headquarters at Myanmar sometime between late 2009 and early 2010 with the help of the Manipur-based militant outfit, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL). Geroge Basumatary, one of the key accused in the October 30 serial blasts, is currently looking after the general headquarters.
The NDFB has been trying to set up camps in Nepal after the crackdown in Bangladesh. A six-member group, led by “lieutenant general” Onthao, had visited the country last year for a survey to set up the new hideout.
Top
The four cadres were apprehended by the Assam Rifles from Namtola along the Assam-Nagaland border on Friday night. Myanmarese currency amounting to 1,000 kyat was recovered.
The militants, who were handed over to Assam Police yesterday, were produced in court today and remanded in three-day police custody.
The four — Amar Borgayari, Neroi Daimary, Philip Ishlary and Chitraranjan Basumatary —were apprehended along with an NSCN (K) cadre, Isac Konyak, who acted as a guide during their trek from Myanmar to Assam via Nagaland. The four were about to catch a Guwahati-bound bus at Sonari, from where they intended to go to their respective homes at Bijni, Rowta and Dhubri, when they were arrested.
A police official interrogating the four said they were fresh recruits and had gone to Myanmar in March 2010 for training.
“They had completed their training and were returning home on a three-month leave after discharging their duties as helpers at the camp located in the Hakha area of Myanmar,” the official said, quoting the cadres.
The official said almost all the 93 cadres undergoing training at the camp in Myanmar were fresh recruits.
“They (the four arrested militants) have denied having any information about other NDFB camps in Myanmar. They said there was no member of any other militant outfit in the particular camp apart from the Bodo militant outfit and the 93 cadres there were mostly fresh recruits,” the official said.
This is the second time that NDFB cadres have been apprehended from Nagaland while returning from Myanmar. Fourteen NDFB cadres were arrested from state in October. These cadres were also recruits and were arrested after they entered Nagaland through Tizit inter-state checkgate on their way to training camps in Myanmar.
The Telegraph had earlier reported about the NDFB setting up its general headquarters at Myanmar sometime between late 2009 and early 2010 with the help of the Manipur-based militant outfit, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL). Geroge Basumatary, one of the key accused in the October 30 serial blasts, is currently looking after the general headquarters.
The NDFB has been trying to set up camps in Nepal after the crackdown in Bangladesh. A six-member group, led by “lieutenant general” Onthao, had visited the country last year for a survey to set up the new hideout.
Top
Former rebel nabbed in Manipur
IMPHAL: Assam Rifles jawans have nabbed a former Zomi Defence Volunteers (ZDV) cadre in the tribal-dominated Churachandpur district of Manipur. Two pistols were found in his possession.
The former militant, identified as Pausuanthang, has been to Myanmar on a regular basis in the garb of trade, a defence statement said. On getting information about extortion activities at Lungjang village, an operation was launched on Thursday by 39 AR under the army's Red Shield Division which resulted in Pausuanthang's detention. He was put in jail for four months in Myanmar last year and was later released through diplomatic channel via Moreh.
Thereafter, he worked for ZDV for some time but quit the organization around five months ago, the statement added. It said he was carrying out extortion and threatening the villagers. Pausuanthang was later handed over to Churachandpur police station along with the seized arms.
On the other hand, a combined team of 43 and 23 Assam Rifles caught a member of the banned United National Liberation Front ( UNLF) at Sagolmang village in Imphal East on Friday. During interrogation, the he revealed that he was working for a self-styled major of the outfit and was also allegedly involved in smuggling and selling of arms. He was later handed over to Lamlai Police.
The former militant, identified as Pausuanthang, has been to Myanmar on a regular basis in the garb of trade, a defence statement said. On getting information about extortion activities at Lungjang village, an operation was launched on Thursday by 39 AR under the army's Red Shield Division which resulted in Pausuanthang's detention. He was put in jail for four months in Myanmar last year and was later released through diplomatic channel via Moreh.
Thereafter, he worked for ZDV for some time but quit the organization around five months ago, the statement added. It said he was carrying out extortion and threatening the villagers. Pausuanthang was later handed over to Churachandpur police station along with the seized arms.
On the other hand, a combined team of 43 and 23 Assam Rifles caught a member of the banned United National Liberation Front ( UNLF) at Sagolmang village in Imphal East on Friday. During interrogation, the he revealed that he was working for a self-styled major of the outfit and was also allegedly involved in smuggling and selling of arms. He was later handed over to Lamlai Police.
Arrest reveals NE rebels' Myanmar links
JORHAT/GUWAHATI: Security forces on Saturday claimed to have foiled a possible terror attack by arresting four NDFB militants and an NSCN (K) rebel in Nagaland's Mon district border Sivasagar in Assam.
Police said the militants were coming from their Myanmar-based camps and they were arrested in the Namtola area while trying to sneak into Assam. This comes barely 24 hours after chief minister Tarun Gogoi confirmed TOI's report on NE militants joining hands with Myanmar-based rebel groups to strike in the state.
The arrested militants were identified as Niraj Daimari, Amor Borgoyari, Filip Islari, Chitra Ranjan Bosumatary of the NDFB and Ishak Kanyak of the NSCN (K).
Officer in-charge of the Namtola police station Pinaki Chakraborty said, "The five militants were caught by Assam Rifles and handed over to Assam Police. They were coming from their Myanmar-based camps after receiving arms training there. The group left Myanmar on July 1 and reached Mon on Friday. The security forces held them on their way to Assam. The NSCN (K) militant is a resident of Mon."
He added, "We suspect that the NSCN cadre had helped the four Bodo rebels to enter Assam. However, no arms or ammunition were found on them," he said.
Police said preliminary interrogation of the five militants revealed that various NE militant outfits have joined hands to carry on subversive activities in Assam and other states in the region. We suspect that they were planning to carry out strikes in the state in the run-up to Independence Day celebrations."
Additional superintendent of police (Sivasagar) Sunil Kumar said, "We are trying to find out if they were planning terror strikes in the state."
Confirming TOI reports on Ulfa taking help of the PLA and a merger of NE militant groups in Myanmar, Gogoi on Friday said, "It is true that Ulfa military chief Paresh Baruah is taking help from Manipur's PLA now. I have been informed of this by Central intelligence agencies. Security forces have been put on a high alert as the Ulfa-PLA joint operation is planning major strikes. There is threat to some of my ministers, but I don't want to name them."
Regarding the TOI report on the merger of militant outfits from the northeast and Myanmar, , the CM said "Myanmar has become a hub and a base for northeastern militant outfits. But only the Centre can do anything about this problem." Security agencies have also received confirmed inputs of Baruah pushing in two heavily-armed groups into the state from Myanmar to create terror in the coming weeks.
Police said the militants were coming from their Myanmar-based camps and they were arrested in the Namtola area while trying to sneak into Assam. This comes barely 24 hours after chief minister Tarun Gogoi confirmed TOI's report on NE militants joining hands with Myanmar-based rebel groups to strike in the state.
The arrested militants were identified as Niraj Daimari, Amor Borgoyari, Filip Islari, Chitra Ranjan Bosumatary of the NDFB and Ishak Kanyak of the NSCN (K).
Officer in-charge of the Namtola police station Pinaki Chakraborty said, "The five militants were caught by Assam Rifles and handed over to Assam Police. They were coming from their Myanmar-based camps after receiving arms training there. The group left Myanmar on July 1 and reached Mon on Friday. The security forces held them on their way to Assam. The NSCN (K) militant is a resident of Mon."
He added, "We suspect that the NSCN cadre had helped the four Bodo rebels to enter Assam. However, no arms or ammunition were found on them," he said.
Police said preliminary interrogation of the five militants revealed that various NE militant outfits have joined hands to carry on subversive activities in Assam and other states in the region. We suspect that they were planning to carry out strikes in the state in the run-up to Independence Day celebrations."
Additional superintendent of police (Sivasagar) Sunil Kumar said, "We are trying to find out if they were planning terror strikes in the state."
Confirming TOI reports on Ulfa taking help of the PLA and a merger of NE militant groups in Myanmar, Gogoi on Friday said, "It is true that Ulfa military chief Paresh Baruah is taking help from Manipur's PLA now. I have been informed of this by Central intelligence agencies. Security forces have been put on a high alert as the Ulfa-PLA joint operation is planning major strikes. There is threat to some of my ministers, but I don't want to name them."
Regarding the TOI report on the merger of militant outfits from the northeast and Myanmar, , the CM said "Myanmar has become a hub and a base for northeastern militant outfits. But only the Centre can do anything about this problem." Security agencies have also received confirmed inputs of Baruah pushing in two heavily-armed groups into the state from Myanmar to create terror in the coming weeks.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
NE militants outfits shifting bases to Myanmar
With strong stand of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh against northeastern militants, the banned outfits of the region planned to shift the base to Myanmar from Bangladesh, confessed self-style 'external affairs chief' of National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) Utpal Debbarma. Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Tripura police here today said, quoting the confessional statement, northeastern militant organisations had recently floated United Front under NSCN (K) to carry out terror operations across the region. According to report, United Front had been getting direct patronage of Inter Service Intelligence of Pakistan (ISI) and ISI representatives attended their meeting and assured them to extend support to carry out insurgency in northeast. Utpal was arrested early this month from Tripura-Mizoram border on the day he entered the state from Bangladesh and sent to 10 days police custody. He was sent for additional four days of police custody yesterday when he was again produced in the court. The man revealed at present they have a stock of series of AK 56 rifles, 32000 live cartridges, 15 Light Machine Gun (LMG), 30 Medium Machine Gun (MMG) and one air crack gun. The kidnapped eight tribals, including two CPI(M) leaders of remote Debendra Karbaripara in Dhalai district of North Tripura were still traceless. Police said the militants sent a ransom notice to East Chawmanu village council Chief Shanti Ranjan Chakma yesterday and had mentioned a phone number for further correspondence. The militants informed the abducted persons had been shifted to hideouts across the border.
Underground tax is violation of Ceasefire Agreement-HM
Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L Imchen today said the collection of 'taxes' by underground factions was a violation of the Ceasefire Ground Rules that the latter agreed upon during the signing of the Ceasefire with the Union government. Addressing a press conference here Mr Imchen said according to the Ceasefire Agreement with the NSCNs, under clause 'I' with NSCN-IM and clause 'K' of the agreement with NSCN-K, both had agreed not to resort to any forceful collection of money. ''But both factions are extorting money in the name of tax,'' the minister said. He said the government was aware of the fact that many sections were collecting money in the name of the underground factions. Some underground cadres were collecting money in the name of their respective organizations, he added. The Ceasefire agreement was signed by the Union government with the NSCN-IM and NSCN-K and the state government was not a party to the agreement, although it always supported both the agreements and facilitated the peace process. Mr Imchen appreciated the role of the para-military force and state police for taking strict action against extortionists, but expressed his unhappiness over the judiciary which issued release orders, ''even before preparing the chargesheet against the arrested persons''. The Home Minister admitted that the underground factions were also collecting money in the name of tax from government employees. Asked what measures the Home Department was taking to stop it, Mr Imchen said salaries of the employees were being paid in cheques. All the heads of Departments even in districts had been instructed to inform the Superintendent of Police soon after getting the demand note from any underground factions.
ULFA planning violence in Assam:Chief Minister
Guwahati, Jul 23 : Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today claimed that the hardliner ULFA faction was planning to carry out violent strikes in the state with the help of other anti-national groups, including Maoists and ISI.
He said intelligence agencies of the Central as well as the state government have alerted the government about these possible strikes.
''The intelligence agencies have alerted that the ULFA faction led by its c-in-c Paresh Barua is working with other groups such as Maoists, ISI and Manipuri outfits to strike violence,'' Mr Gogoi said at a press conference here.
He said trains and other public places could be possible targets.
The chief minister also did not rule out politicians being specific targets, though he refrained from naming any particular person.
''We are taking all precautionary steps and also request the public to be alert,'' he added.
On pace talks with the ULFA faction led by its ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa, Mr Gogoi said, ''It's difficult to specify any timeframe,but we expect progress very soon.'' To a poser on resentment among militant groups already in talks over delay in the peace process, the chief minister said the peace talks needs time as it involves various issues and some amount of delay cannot be ruled out.
He, however, added that the government was committed to bring to a fruitful resolution all peace negotiations and urged all militant groups to sit across the talks table to sort out problems.
He said intelligence agencies of the Central as well as the state government have alerted the government about these possible strikes.
''The intelligence agencies have alerted that the ULFA faction led by its c-in-c Paresh Barua is working with other groups such as Maoists, ISI and Manipuri outfits to strike violence,'' Mr Gogoi said at a press conference here.
He said trains and other public places could be possible targets.
The chief minister also did not rule out politicians being specific targets, though he refrained from naming any particular person.
''We are taking all precautionary steps and also request the public to be alert,'' he added.
On pace talks with the ULFA faction led by its ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa, Mr Gogoi said, ''It's difficult to specify any timeframe,but we expect progress very soon.'' To a poser on resentment among militant groups already in talks over delay in the peace process, the chief minister said the peace talks needs time as it involves various issues and some amount of delay cannot be ruled out.
He, however, added that the government was committed to bring to a fruitful resolution all peace negotiations and urged all militant groups to sit across the talks table to sort out problems.
Gogoi says ministers on Ulfa-PLA hitlist
GUWAHATI: The leader of the hardliner Ulfa faction, Paresh Baruah, has a new terror design in mind. He is changing his tactics and improvising to increase his force by teaming up with Manipur-based PLA for joint strikes in the state. The anti-talks Ulfa also joined hands with various other militant outfits from the northeast in Myanmar last week.
These reports have rattled Dispur and chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday said a few of his ministers are on Baruah's hitlist.
Confirming TOI reports on Ulfa enlisting the help of the PLA and a merger of NE militant groups in Myanmar, Gogoi said, "It is true that Paresh Baruah is taking help from Manipur's PLA now. I have been informed of this by central intelligence agencies. Security forces have been put on a high alert as the Ulfa-PLA joint operation is planning major strikes. There is threat to some of my ministers, but I don't want to name them."
Despite the Ulfa-PLA terror plans, Gogoi once again appealed to Baruah to come forward and take part in the peace process. "I appeal to Paresh Baruah to come and join the peace process," the CM said, adding that security forces have been instructed to stop Baruah and his men from carrying out any terror strikes at any cost.
Regarding the other TOI report on the Myanmar merger of NE militant outfits, including Ulfa, the chief minister expressed helplessness and said only the Centre was in a capacity to take any action since it was a trans-national matter. "Myanmar has become a hub and a base for northeastern militant outfits. But only the Centre can do anything about this problem," Gogoi said.
In the absence of the pro-talks section of the group, which, led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, has chosen peace over war and arrived at a unilateral ceasefire with the Centre, Baruah is enlisting outside help to garner the strength to strike back in coming weeks. Two back-to-back reports by TOI - one on July 19 of Baruah engaging cadres of Manipur-based PLA and jihadi elements in his group and another, more alarming report on July 20 saying Ulfa, along with NSCN (Khaplang) and all Meitei groups have come together at a common base in Taga Hka in Myanmar - triggered security concerns across the state and the country. Top security sources said the formal unification at Myanmar, which took place last week, brought about 6000 to 7000 militants under one umbrella.
Security agencies have also received confirmed inputs of Baruah pushing in two heavily-armed groups into the state from Myanmar to create terror in the coming weeks; at least 50% of the cadres in both the groups are from the PLA. While one group entered Tinsukia district a few weeks ago, the other group entered Sivasagar through Mon district of Nagaland over the last weekend.
The security agencies have learnt that the two groups that have entered the state have sophisticated weapons and 50% of the Ulfa cadres in each group are new recruits and are not well trained.
The agencies said the targets are very specific - oil installations, particularly pipelines, railway oil tankers and security forces. The group that has entered Tinsukia has about 30 men divided into smaller groups that are concentrating only in the district, where the situation is quite grave.
Paresh Baruah and his deputy, Jibon Moran, are reportedly located at present at Taga Hka area in Kachin in Myanmar, close to the international border with India. Paresh Baruah controls his faction from a 'military mobile HQ'. The PLA has also built its base here after fleeing from Bangladesh.
These reports have rattled Dispur and chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday said a few of his ministers are on Baruah's hitlist.
Confirming TOI reports on Ulfa enlisting the help of the PLA and a merger of NE militant groups in Myanmar, Gogoi said, "It is true that Paresh Baruah is taking help from Manipur's PLA now. I have been informed of this by central intelligence agencies. Security forces have been put on a high alert as the Ulfa-PLA joint operation is planning major strikes. There is threat to some of my ministers, but I don't want to name them."
Despite the Ulfa-PLA terror plans, Gogoi once again appealed to Baruah to come forward and take part in the peace process. "I appeal to Paresh Baruah to come and join the peace process," the CM said, adding that security forces have been instructed to stop Baruah and his men from carrying out any terror strikes at any cost.
Regarding the other TOI report on the Myanmar merger of NE militant outfits, including Ulfa, the chief minister expressed helplessness and said only the Centre was in a capacity to take any action since it was a trans-national matter. "Myanmar has become a hub and a base for northeastern militant outfits. But only the Centre can do anything about this problem," Gogoi said.
In the absence of the pro-talks section of the group, which, led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, has chosen peace over war and arrived at a unilateral ceasefire with the Centre, Baruah is enlisting outside help to garner the strength to strike back in coming weeks. Two back-to-back reports by TOI - one on July 19 of Baruah engaging cadres of Manipur-based PLA and jihadi elements in his group and another, more alarming report on July 20 saying Ulfa, along with NSCN (Khaplang) and all Meitei groups have come together at a common base in Taga Hka in Myanmar - triggered security concerns across the state and the country. Top security sources said the formal unification at Myanmar, which took place last week, brought about 6000 to 7000 militants under one umbrella.
Security agencies have also received confirmed inputs of Baruah pushing in two heavily-armed groups into the state from Myanmar to create terror in the coming weeks; at least 50% of the cadres in both the groups are from the PLA. While one group entered Tinsukia district a few weeks ago, the other group entered Sivasagar through Mon district of Nagaland over the last weekend.
The security agencies have learnt that the two groups that have entered the state have sophisticated weapons and 50% of the Ulfa cadres in each group are new recruits and are not well trained.
The agencies said the targets are very specific - oil installations, particularly pipelines, railway oil tankers and security forces. The group that has entered Tinsukia has about 30 men divided into smaller groups that are concentrating only in the district, where the situation is quite grave.
Paresh Baruah and his deputy, Jibon Moran, are reportedly located at present at Taga Hka area in Kachin in Myanmar, close to the international border with India. Paresh Baruah controls his faction from a 'military mobile HQ'. The PLA has also built its base here after fleeing from Bangladesh.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Naga militants abduct Golaghat businessman
JORHAT: Suspected Naga militants have abducted a businessman from the Merapani area of Assam's Golaghat district and demanded Rs 5 lakh from his family to free him.
Bitu Hazarika, a resident of Balisuapati Chowdungpathar village, went missing on Tuesday. The following day, some Naga militants from Dimapur called up his family and sought a ransom of Rs 5 lakh.
"Jitu went out of his home on Tuesday morning, but never returned. He used to visit Nagaland frequently for business purpose. We have filed a missing complaint at the Merapani police station. We also told police about the threats that we have been receiving," said a member of the trader's family.
Superintendent of police (Golaghat) Rafiul Alam Laskar said, "A case has been registered and we are investigating. We are also in touch with our counterparts in Dimapur. They are taking necessary actions to rescue the trader."
Of late, Naga militants have stepped up their subversive activities in this part of Assam. On June 18, rebels kidnapped Murtaj Ali, a youth in his Twenties pursuing MCA at the Guwahati-based IT College, and demanded Rs 20 lakh as ransom from his family. Murtaj, whose father works at the ONGC's Sivasagar unit and is a resident of Arjunguri in Sivasagar district, had gone out of his home in the family car and did not return. Police later found the car abandoned by the militants near the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.
Bitu Hazarika, a resident of Balisuapati Chowdungpathar village, went missing on Tuesday. The following day, some Naga militants from Dimapur called up his family and sought a ransom of Rs 5 lakh.
"Jitu went out of his home on Tuesday morning, but never returned. He used to visit Nagaland frequently for business purpose. We have filed a missing complaint at the Merapani police station. We also told police about the threats that we have been receiving," said a member of the trader's family.
Superintendent of police (Golaghat) Rafiul Alam Laskar said, "A case has been registered and we are investigating. We are also in touch with our counterparts in Dimapur. They are taking necessary actions to rescue the trader."
Of late, Naga militants have stepped up their subversive activities in this part of Assam. On June 18, rebels kidnapped Murtaj Ali, a youth in his Twenties pursuing MCA at the Guwahati-based IT College, and demanded Rs 20 lakh as ransom from his family. Murtaj, whose father works at the ONGC's Sivasagar unit and is a resident of Arjunguri in Sivasagar district, had gone out of his home in the family car and did not return. Police later found the car abandoned by the militants near the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
NLFT demands Rs 10 lk as ransom for 8 kidnapped
Agartala, Jul 21: Outlawed outfit National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) has demanded Rs 10 lakh as ransom to release eight tribals, including two CPI(M) leaders, who were kidnapped on July 19 from Debendra Karbaripara in Dhalai district of North Tripura.
Police said that the militants sent a ransom notice to East Chawmanu village council Chief Shanti Ranjan Chakma yesterday and had mentioned a phone number for further correspondent and informed that the abducted people had been shifted to hideouts across the border.
Security forces had launched a massive operation in the area to rescue the kidnapped persons and BSF was also put on high alert in the porous eastern border with Bangladesh.
Heavily armed NLFT militants raided the village on July 18 late hours and kidnapped four tribal villagers, including CPI(M) local leaders Arun Chakma (35) and Ganja Chakma (45) along with two others innocent Sudhyajoy Chakma (35) and Ratanjoy Chakma (27), at gun point.
On their way back, they had detained four others identified as Baisakh Chakma (30), Sumanta Chakma (30), Kahindra Tripura (35) and Fallenjoy Tripura (25) who was returning to their houses after work.
Police said that the militants sent a ransom notice to East Chawmanu village council Chief Shanti Ranjan Chakma yesterday and had mentioned a phone number for further correspondent and informed that the abducted people had been shifted to hideouts across the border.
Security forces had launched a massive operation in the area to rescue the kidnapped persons and BSF was also put on high alert in the porous eastern border with Bangladesh.
Heavily armed NLFT militants raided the village on July 18 late hours and kidnapped four tribal villagers, including CPI(M) local leaders Arun Chakma (35) and Ganja Chakma (45) along with two others innocent Sudhyajoy Chakma (35) and Ratanjoy Chakma (27), at gun point.
On their way back, they had detained four others identified as Baisakh Chakma (30), Sumanta Chakma (30), Kahindra Tripura (35) and Fallenjoy Tripura (25) who was returning to their houses after work.
China-Myanmar ties boon to NE militancy
GUWAHATI, July 20 – Growing influence of China on Myanmar and the coming together of the anti-talk militant groups in the neighbouring country may have serious implications in the North East region of the country in the days to come and there is urgent need for greater synergy among the police and security forces working in all the States of the region to deal with the problem.
Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that according to intelligence inputs, instead of assisting any individual militant group, China would be keen on helping the groups if they come together and the militants having bases in Myanmar have been given to understand that to get help from China, they would have to come into some kind of understanding.
Sources said that the reports available with the security agencies indicate that most of the hardline groups, who are not keen on talks with the Government of India at this moment, have converged in the Taga area of Myanmar and the possibility of them coming together, at least for operational purposes, cannot be ruled out.
There have been specific information about Paresh Baruah, commander in chief of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) taking the help of PLA cadres to indulge in acts of violence in Assam and if all the groups come together and they start receiving help from China, the region may face serious law-and-order problem in the days to come.
Official sources revealed that according to available inputs, several Manipur-based militant groups, including PLA, UNLF, PREPAK and KYKL, have come into some kind of understanding. The anti-talk faction of the ULFA, headed by Paresh Baruah, is in the Taga area in close contact with the NSCN (K) and leaders of the Manipur-based groups, while. the commander in chief of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), IK Sangbijit along with several hardcore members of the outfit have come closer in the Taga area.
The Maoist rebel groups have already signed an agreement with the PLA of Manipur and if the Maoists join hands with the other rebel groups having bases in Myanmar, the possibility of the situation deteriorating fast cannot be ruled out.
Sources said that earlier, the militant groups of North East used to procure weapons from China and number of such weapons manufactured by the Norinko ordnance factory of China were recovered. But so far, direct involvement of any Chinese official in supplying weapons to the militants has not been established. However recently, one remote controlled improvised explosive device manufactured in China was recovered in Tinsukia by the Army, which has sent alarm bells ringing as earlier the militants used only weapons and grenades made in China and programmable time device switches manufactured in Pakistan. The recovery was made early this month following the death of a ULFA militant Naren Sonowal in Pengeri area of Tinsukia district.
Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that according to intelligence inputs, instead of assisting any individual militant group, China would be keen on helping the groups if they come together and the militants having bases in Myanmar have been given to understand that to get help from China, they would have to come into some kind of understanding.
Sources said that the reports available with the security agencies indicate that most of the hardline groups, who are not keen on talks with the Government of India at this moment, have converged in the Taga area of Myanmar and the possibility of them coming together, at least for operational purposes, cannot be ruled out.
There have been specific information about Paresh Baruah, commander in chief of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) taking the help of PLA cadres to indulge in acts of violence in Assam and if all the groups come together and they start receiving help from China, the region may face serious law-and-order problem in the days to come.
Official sources revealed that according to available inputs, several Manipur-based militant groups, including PLA, UNLF, PREPAK and KYKL, have come into some kind of understanding. The anti-talk faction of the ULFA, headed by Paresh Baruah, is in the Taga area in close contact with the NSCN (K) and leaders of the Manipur-based groups, while. the commander in chief of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), IK Sangbijit along with several hardcore members of the outfit have come closer in the Taga area.
The Maoist rebel groups have already signed an agreement with the PLA of Manipur and if the Maoists join hands with the other rebel groups having bases in Myanmar, the possibility of the situation deteriorating fast cannot be ruled out.
Sources said that earlier, the militant groups of North East used to procure weapons from China and number of such weapons manufactured by the Norinko ordnance factory of China were recovered. But so far, direct involvement of any Chinese official in supplying weapons to the militants has not been established. However recently, one remote controlled improvised explosive device manufactured in China was recovered in Tinsukia by the Army, which has sent alarm bells ringing as earlier the militants used only weapons and grenades made in China and programmable time device switches manufactured in Pakistan. The recovery was made early this month following the death of a ULFA militant Naren Sonowal in Pengeri area of Tinsukia district.
Anti-talk ULFA faction using Manipur-based ultras
GUWAHATI, July 19 (Assam Tribune): The anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has started using members of Manipur-based militant group PLA to indulge in acts of violence in Assam, particularly in the upper Assam districts and the district police forces have been alerted to keep a close watch on the situation as the group may plan to indulge in major acts of violence in the run up to the Independence Day celebrations.
Highly-placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that the ULFA anti-talk faction recently managed to send a group of around 17 members to India from the bases in Myanmar and according to reports available with the security agencies, eight members of the group are cadres of the PLA. Sources said that the group entered India and is now believed to be somewhere in the Mon district of Nagaland looking for an opportunity to enter Assam.
Sources revealed that the group , which is reportedly heavily armed, has been given specific tasks of hitting public sector installations including oil installations. The members of the group have also been asked to ambush security forces if possible. About a month back, a 30-member group of the ULFA and a handful of PLA cadres were sent to India through the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh with the mandate of indulging in acts of violence in Assam. But due to tight security measures, the group could not do much damage, but some members of the group are still in the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border areas looking for an opportunity to strike.
The problem that the police and security forces are facing now is that most of the cadres are new faces and they are not known to the forces. Moreover, the surrendered militants and members of the pro-talk group also do not know the new cadres and it will be difficult to apprehend them if they are not caught with arms or explosives.
As per information available with the security agencies, Paresh Baruah, the commander in chief of the ULFA, who is maintaining a hard line on the issue of talks, has been initiating steps for reorganizing the outfit after the pro-talk group headed by chairman of ULFA, Arabinda Rajkhowa has started the process of talks with the Government of India. As many as 120 cadres have been given promotions in the outfit recently and he has also set up a Military Mobile Headquarter (MMHQ) in the Taga area of Myanmar.
Sources said that the anti-talk faction of the ULFA recently managed to recruit around a hundred youths, particularly from the upper Assam districts and senior members of the outfit including Nayan Medhi, Rajiv Das and Akan were given the responsibility of recruitments. The new recruits were taken to Myanmar bases for training and few of them are in the two groups sent back to India for indulging in acts of violence.
Sources said that another hardcore militant Drishti Rajkhowa is believed to be in Garo Hills area of Meghalaya and though he has been given the responsibility of collection of funds in the districts of Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Dhubri and Bongaigaon, he would have to compete with several other militant groups to boost the coffers of the ULFA in the districts where the outfit does not have much presence.
Highly-placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that the ULFA anti-talk faction recently managed to send a group of around 17 members to India from the bases in Myanmar and according to reports available with the security agencies, eight members of the group are cadres of the PLA. Sources said that the group entered India and is now believed to be somewhere in the Mon district of Nagaland looking for an opportunity to enter Assam.
Sources revealed that the group , which is reportedly heavily armed, has been given specific tasks of hitting public sector installations including oil installations. The members of the group have also been asked to ambush security forces if possible. About a month back, a 30-member group of the ULFA and a handful of PLA cadres were sent to India through the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh with the mandate of indulging in acts of violence in Assam. But due to tight security measures, the group could not do much damage, but some members of the group are still in the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border areas looking for an opportunity to strike.
The problem that the police and security forces are facing now is that most of the cadres are new faces and they are not known to the forces. Moreover, the surrendered militants and members of the pro-talk group also do not know the new cadres and it will be difficult to apprehend them if they are not caught with arms or explosives.
As per information available with the security agencies, Paresh Baruah, the commander in chief of the ULFA, who is maintaining a hard line on the issue of talks, has been initiating steps for reorganizing the outfit after the pro-talk group headed by chairman of ULFA, Arabinda Rajkhowa has started the process of talks with the Government of India. As many as 120 cadres have been given promotions in the outfit recently and he has also set up a Military Mobile Headquarter (MMHQ) in the Taga area of Myanmar.
Sources said that the anti-talk faction of the ULFA recently managed to recruit around a hundred youths, particularly from the upper Assam districts and senior members of the outfit including Nayan Medhi, Rajiv Das and Akan were given the responsibility of recruitments. The new recruits were taken to Myanmar bases for training and few of them are in the two groups sent back to India for indulging in acts of violence.
Sources said that another hardcore militant Drishti Rajkhowa is believed to be in Garo Hills area of Meghalaya and though he has been given the responsibility of collection of funds in the districts of Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Dhubri and Bongaigaon, he would have to compete with several other militant groups to boost the coffers of the ULFA in the districts where the outfit does not have much presence.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Paresh Baruah banks on PLA, jihadi elements
GUWAHATI: With the major chunk of Ulfa (pro-talks) led by Arabinda Rajkhowa arriving at a unilateral ceasefire ahead of the final peace talks with the Centre, the striking strength of the hardliner Ulfa faction has been greatly diminished. Now, the outfit's c-in-c, Paresh Baruah, who is opposed to the talks, is engaging hardened cadres of Manipur-based PLA and jihadi elements to garner the strength to strike back in the coming weeks.
The outfit observes its "martyrs' day" on July 27 and is also likely to try and show its force in the run-up to Independence Day.
Security agencies received confirmed inputs of Paresh Baruah pushing in two heavily-armed groups into the state from Myanmar to create terror in the coming weeks and at least 50% of the cadres in both the groups are PLA members. While one group entered Tinsukia a few weeks ago, the other entered Sivsagar through Mon district of Nagaland a couple days ago.
According to the inference drawn by security agencies on the input that outside elements are being included in the anti-talk faction of Ulfa, Paresh Baruah is taking the help of Manipur's PLA and some jehadi elements.
Additional director general of Assam Police (special branch) Khagen Sarmah told TOI, "This is a new move by Paresh Baruah as for the first time he is taking the help of other militant outfits to create terror in the state. We are on the highest alert till August 15 and are taking all measures to thwart any of Baruah's designs.
The security agencies have learnt that the two groups that have entered the state have sophisticated weapons and 50% of the Ulfa cadres in each group are new recruits and are not well trained. "The targets are very specific - oil installations, particularly pipelines, railway oil tankers and security forces. The group that has entered Tinsukia has about 30 men divided into smaller groups that are concentrating only in the district, where the situation is quite grave," security agencies said.
Paresh Baruah and his deputy, Jibon Moran, are reportedly located at present at Taga Hka area in Kachin in Myanmar, close to the international border with India. Paresh Baruah controls his faction from a 'military mobile HQ'. The PLA has also built its base here after fleeing from Bangladesh.
The outfit observes its "martyrs' day" on July 27 and is also likely to try and show its force in the run-up to Independence Day.
Security agencies received confirmed inputs of Paresh Baruah pushing in two heavily-armed groups into the state from Myanmar to create terror in the coming weeks and at least 50% of the cadres in both the groups are PLA members. While one group entered Tinsukia a few weeks ago, the other entered Sivsagar through Mon district of Nagaland a couple days ago.
According to the inference drawn by security agencies on the input that outside elements are being included in the anti-talk faction of Ulfa, Paresh Baruah is taking the help of Manipur's PLA and some jehadi elements.
Additional director general of Assam Police (special branch) Khagen Sarmah told TOI, "This is a new move by Paresh Baruah as for the first time he is taking the help of other militant outfits to create terror in the state. We are on the highest alert till August 15 and are taking all measures to thwart any of Baruah's designs.
The security agencies have learnt that the two groups that have entered the state have sophisticated weapons and 50% of the Ulfa cadres in each group are new recruits and are not well trained. "The targets are very specific - oil installations, particularly pipelines, railway oil tankers and security forces. The group that has entered Tinsukia has about 30 men divided into smaller groups that are concentrating only in the district, where the situation is quite grave," security agencies said.
Paresh Baruah and his deputy, Jibon Moran, are reportedly located at present at Taga Hka area in Kachin in Myanmar, close to the international border with India. Paresh Baruah controls his faction from a 'military mobile HQ'. The PLA has also built its base here after fleeing from Bangladesh.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Suspected ULFA militants hurl grenade at Assam Rifles
Suspected ULFA insurgents lobbed a grenade at Assam Rifles personnel
escorting a school bus in upper Assam’s Sibsagar district on Tuesday
morning but none was injured in the attack, police sources said.
All the school children and security personnel are safe, the sources said.
At around 7.30 am an Assam Rifles vehicle with its personnel as usual
was escorting its school bus with children studying at the Kendriya
Vidyalaya at Nazira when the militants lobbed the grenade at them at
Kenduguri.
The grenade, however, exploded at a distance away from the school bus
and escort vehicle without hitting them resulting in the providential
escape of the children and the security men, the sources said.
Kenduguri is about three km away from the house of ULFA chairman
Arabinda Rajkhowa, who is out on bail now having started the peace talks
process with the Centre.
A group of anti-talk ULFA militants under the leadership of Pradip Gogoi
had sneaked into Sibsagar district through the porous Nagaland and
Arunachal Pradesh inter-state border for setting up camp here to resort
to subversive activities, the sources said.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Centre-NSCN talks enter final phase
Govt drops I-M suffix from outfit’s name, signals at win-win solution for
entire N-E
NISHIT DHOLABHAI
Th. Muivah
New Delhi, July 19 : The government has dropped the 23-year-old suffix “I-M” from the name of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN), signalling that the negotiations over the country’s oldest insurgency problem has entered its final phase.
The “differences have narrowed”, a joint statement signed by government of India representative and interlocutor, R.S. Pandey and NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, said, adding, “Some of the proposals would require further negotiations”.
While the demand for “secession” has already been dropped, the bone of contention has always been the demand for integration of all Naga-inhabited areas in the Northeast under a single administrative umbrella.
Manipur, which has a sizeable Naga population, has been steadfastly opposing hiving off of its areas for the sake of Naga integration in the past 10 years.
“No one has said that Manipur will be bifurcated,” said a senior official privy to the talks, indicating that an out-of-the-box arrangement for the (Naga-inhabited) hill districts of the state was in the pipeline.
Officials said almost everyone was hoping for a win-win solution that would make not only the Naga outfit but also rest of the country happy.
During the talks, government representative and interlocutor R.S. Pandey led the four-member central team, while the NSCN’s chief negotiator, its general secretary Muivah, led his team, which comprised around a dozen senior members. The joint statement was issued at the end of the hourlong talks.
Not only did the government desist from mentioning “I-M” in the statement — hence bestowing the credibility the outfit has been asking for long — the statement also just stopped short of setting a deadline.
“By appreciating and respecting each other’s position and difficulties, both parties are confident of working out a settlement in the shortest possible time,” the statement said.
Special emissary of the NSCN, V.S. Atem told The Telegraph, “The talks were positive and we now enter the most crucial phase of the negotiation.” He, however, said a deadline could not be set. The current understanding comes at a time when Naga insurgency is passing through a chaotic phase and with divisions and infighting ravaging NSCN (K) in recent times, the Centre, in all likelihood, decided to get closer to the NSCN (I-M).
Negotiations with NSCN (I-M) began in 1998 and have since gone through many ups and downs. Over the past year, five rounds of formal negotiations have taken place between the two sides, but officials believe it was the “informal rounds” that helped the most.
The statement also mentions that the solution will be based on “the uniqueness of Naga history and situation which was recognised by the government in 2002”, and adds that it would be based on “the contemporary realities” and a future vision, consistent with the imperatives of the 21st century.
NISHIT DHOLABHAI
Th. Muivah
New Delhi, July 19 : The government has dropped the 23-year-old suffix “I-M” from the name of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN), signalling that the negotiations over the country’s oldest insurgency problem has entered its final phase.
The “differences have narrowed”, a joint statement signed by government of India representative and interlocutor, R.S. Pandey and NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, said, adding, “Some of the proposals would require further negotiations”.
While the demand for “secession” has already been dropped, the bone of contention has always been the demand for integration of all Naga-inhabited areas in the Northeast under a single administrative umbrella.
Manipur, which has a sizeable Naga population, has been steadfastly opposing hiving off of its areas for the sake of Naga integration in the past 10 years.
“No one has said that Manipur will be bifurcated,” said a senior official privy to the talks, indicating that an out-of-the-box arrangement for the (Naga-inhabited) hill districts of the state was in the pipeline.
Officials said almost everyone was hoping for a win-win solution that would make not only the Naga outfit but also rest of the country happy.
During the talks, government representative and interlocutor R.S. Pandey led the four-member central team, while the NSCN’s chief negotiator, its general secretary Muivah, led his team, which comprised around a dozen senior members. The joint statement was issued at the end of the hourlong talks.
Not only did the government desist from mentioning “I-M” in the statement — hence bestowing the credibility the outfit has been asking for long — the statement also just stopped short of setting a deadline.
“By appreciating and respecting each other’s position and difficulties, both parties are confident of working out a settlement in the shortest possible time,” the statement said.
Special emissary of the NSCN, V.S. Atem told The Telegraph, “The talks were positive and we now enter the most crucial phase of the negotiation.” He, however, said a deadline could not be set. The current understanding comes at a time when Naga insurgency is passing through a chaotic phase and with divisions and infighting ravaging NSCN (K) in recent times, the Centre, in all likelihood, decided to get closer to the NSCN (I-M).
Negotiations with NSCN (I-M) began in 1998 and have since gone through many ups and downs. Over the past year, five rounds of formal negotiations have taken place between the two sides, but officials believe it was the “informal rounds” that helped the most.
The statement also mentions that the solution will be based on “the uniqueness of Naga history and situation which was recognised by the government in 2002”, and adds that it would be based on “the contemporary realities” and a future vision, consistent with the imperatives of the 21st century.
GNLA cadres flee after flush-out drive
File picture of GNLA cadres at a camp
Shillong, July 19 : Cadres of the Garo National Liberation Army have reportedly been compelled to move to safer places after fresh operations were launched by Meghalaya police together with the elite Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (Cobra) commandos and BSF personnel to flush out the militants from Garo hills.
Police sources today said there has been heavy movement of GNLA militants along the Durama hill range in Garo hills. The range is a tripartite junction connecting the three districts of Garo Hills — West, East and South Garo Hills.
“As the operations have been intensified, we have learnt that GNLA militants have been forced to move to other safer places,” a police official said.
Last week, the government had deployed two units of Cobra commandos in Garo hills as part of the combing operations against the militants.
Durama hill range supposedly houses the headquarters of the GNLA where the self-styled “commander-in-chief” of the outfit, Sohan D. Shira resides. The other major camp of the militant group is at Nengmandalgri in East Garo Hills.
The police official said before fleeing Durama, the GNLA militants destroyed six of their camps.
“All the six camps were destroyed yesterday by the militants themselves before fleeing to safer areas,” the official said, adding that the operations were still on to trace the outfit’s cadres.
He said the militants were now believed to have moved to the Chokpot area in South Garo Hills and neighbouring West Khasi Hills district.
During the peak of the coal trading season, the militants were active in the West Khasi Hills region, especially in Borsora and Shahlang, which have rich deposits of coal, indulging in extortion drives.
Meanwhile, the police in East Garo Hills are investigating an incident where criminals allegedly set fire to toilets used by the BSF.
Police said a complaint was lodged at Williamnagar police station that on July 16 around 2am, unknown criminals set fire to eight temporary latrines of the BSF at Willi-amnagar indoor stadium.
Regroup and reinvent
PATRICIA MUKHIM
KCP militants after arrest in New Delhi. File picture
The news that seven prominent underground organisations of Manipur have decided to join hands to regain the lost sovereignty of Manipur might sound like another rehashed version of the tomes of ideological literature that militant groups from that state have churned out over the years.
Yet it also shows that far from becoming redundant, the armed militia of Manipur are digging in their heels to pursue a course of action they believe is integral to their mental sanity and political integrity. I have always maintained that the bugle of militancy trumpeted by the Meiteis in the valley is equal and proportionate to the rabble rousing of the NSCN (I-M). As long as the one exists the other will co-exist. It is a different matter that the Government of India pays scant respect to the Meiteis. It can afford to, since there is no single voice; only an unintelligible chorus of cacophony.
The KCP, KYKL, UNLF, RPF, Prepak, Prepak (P) and the UPPK allegedly had a high-level and high-decibel discussion on the future course of action on July 8-9. A co-ordinating committee of the seven organisations elected RPF president Irengbam Chaoren as the convenor for this committee.
The outflow of condemnation of India is predictable at such meetings. Certainly the anti-India sentiment is what keeps these otherwise ideologically disparate groups together. These cavalier statements, coming as they do with repeated frequency and repackaging, no longer make news. They only expose the poverty of words and the paucity of vocabulary to define the movement which has been marked by extortion and killing and nothing more.
Togetherness
The latest India-bashing stance surprises no one. The group says India has been ceaselessly exerting its maximum effort in imposing its grip in the region and hence the need to fight together against the former has become a matter of necessity. It said the co-ordination committee will work out modalities for the seven underground organisations of Manipur to work together. The statement attributes this change of heart (coming together instead of venturing alone) to general public pressure. To the untrained eye it might seem as if the militants have a mandate from the people to converge and make common cause. I am not too sure that such a referendum took place in Manipur in recent times.
Manipur dilemma
Who is the general public that the militants are speaking of? Who are these “general public” with a nationalistic fervour who are willing to break out of the mould of Indian nationhood to chart out a different path? If asked to put up a show of hands, I wonder how many will buy the idea of the seven revolutionary outfits. But that has been Manipur’s dilemma. Some have completely identified with the political parameters of existence defined by the Indian State; others remain ambivalent enjoying the greenery on both sides of the fence and waxing eloquent about their perceived political ideologies in the best platforms provided by the Indian State. There is a third category that is by definition anti-India and makes no bones about it.
But what about the voiceless commoner who lives by her wit from one day to the next eking out an existence and belongs neither to this, that or other category? To my mind this is the category that is afflicted by “anomie”. Anomie, as defined by Liah Greenfeld in the book Nationalism and the Mind, denotes a condition of acute inconsistency between different values, norms and cognitions, including the perception of reality. This leaves the individual vulnerable to social influence. His (gender neutral) ability to use his individual judgement is impaired by the cognitive confusion he finds himself in.
The impairment of this ability destroys the basis of individual action and leaves one hardly capable of being an individual in any sense but a physical one. Such individuals are easily influenced and persuaded by charismatic leaders. And it must be said to the credit of militant outfits that their leaders are always well educated, fluent in terrorist ideologies, great followers of Mao and Che Guevera and perhaps even of Osama bin Laden.
So the large chunk of Manipur’s population really have no view and are perhaps unaware of the regrouping of the seven most virulent militant outfits. What they want is to be left alone to find their livelihoods without having to shell out a percentage to pay this or that militant group to keep the bullets away. But will they have it so easy? The dichotomies of Manipur are plenty. That state has the largest number of flights connecting it to Delhi.
Each of the flights runs full. What do you make of this? There is a huge population of Manipuris (Meiteis, Nagas, Zos etc) who travel this route regularly and a good number work, study and live in the national capital. Do they have a problem with India? Yes they do.
The problem is about India’s ignorance of apart of its own whole — the neglected periphery, to borrow a phrase from the academia. The people of Manipur resent the arrogance of the average Indian who treat them like pariahs, who believe the women are easily available and fair game for rape and molestation. This is a different predicament!
What we are interested in here is why the armed militia resent the very notion of India and its sovereign authority. Is it because sovereignty also implies a certain elitism which is represented by the Aryan-Dravidian-Hindu combine and which excludes the other racial categories especially those that inhabit the geographical space in the far eastern corner of India? These racial categories —Tibeto-Burman, Austro-Asiatic find no mention in India’s sacred texts and the historical narratives of ancient India.
In a sense these are new acquisitions by an India whose idea is not its own but which is the outcome of a carefully crafted body of several independent nations stitched together by a foreign power.
Elitism rules
James Mills very aptly summed up this idea of India when he said, “A man may obtain more knowledge of India in one year in his closet in England than he could obtain during the course of the longest life, by the use of his eyes and ears in India.”
This shows us how even a historian of Mill’s calibre found it hard to understand India, its myriad histories and its incredible diversity. And yet Mills never ventured into the Northeast.
It would be interesting to find out his views had he done so. Sunil Khilnani in his book The Idea of India, says of Mills— “There are no interpretational prizes to be won for seeing Mills’ history as an instance of promiscuous, bad-mannered European Orientalism.”
One thing Mills did very systematically was to assault India’s Hindu past and to discount the very idea of Indian unity. This was what perhaps prompted the Indian rulers post-Independence to strive at this artifice called unity.But are we united psychologically, mentally and even spiritually? No we are not because of the perceptions of racial superiority by some parts of the whole.
I guess this is what the proud Meiteis struggle so hard to say. After all, they, too, are practitioners of Vaishnavism in all its purity and sanctity. Yet they will never really be Indians or Hindus in that real sense of the term. At least that is the perception in Manipur among the intellectual class.
(The writer can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com)
KCP militants after arrest in New Delhi. File picture
The news that seven prominent underground organisations of Manipur have decided to join hands to regain the lost sovereignty of Manipur might sound like another rehashed version of the tomes of ideological literature that militant groups from that state have churned out over the years.
Yet it also shows that far from becoming redundant, the armed militia of Manipur are digging in their heels to pursue a course of action they believe is integral to their mental sanity and political integrity. I have always maintained that the bugle of militancy trumpeted by the Meiteis in the valley is equal and proportionate to the rabble rousing of the NSCN (I-M). As long as the one exists the other will co-exist. It is a different matter that the Government of India pays scant respect to the Meiteis. It can afford to, since there is no single voice; only an unintelligible chorus of cacophony.
The KCP, KYKL, UNLF, RPF, Prepak, Prepak (P) and the UPPK allegedly had a high-level and high-decibel discussion on the future course of action on July 8-9. A co-ordinating committee of the seven organisations elected RPF president Irengbam Chaoren as the convenor for this committee.
The outflow of condemnation of India is predictable at such meetings. Certainly the anti-India sentiment is what keeps these otherwise ideologically disparate groups together. These cavalier statements, coming as they do with repeated frequency and repackaging, no longer make news. They only expose the poverty of words and the paucity of vocabulary to define the movement which has been marked by extortion and killing and nothing more.
Togetherness
The latest India-bashing stance surprises no one. The group says India has been ceaselessly exerting its maximum effort in imposing its grip in the region and hence the need to fight together against the former has become a matter of necessity. It said the co-ordination committee will work out modalities for the seven underground organisations of Manipur to work together. The statement attributes this change of heart (coming together instead of venturing alone) to general public pressure. To the untrained eye it might seem as if the militants have a mandate from the people to converge and make common cause. I am not too sure that such a referendum took place in Manipur in recent times.
Manipur dilemma
Who is the general public that the militants are speaking of? Who are these “general public” with a nationalistic fervour who are willing to break out of the mould of Indian nationhood to chart out a different path? If asked to put up a show of hands, I wonder how many will buy the idea of the seven revolutionary outfits. But that has been Manipur’s dilemma. Some have completely identified with the political parameters of existence defined by the Indian State; others remain ambivalent enjoying the greenery on both sides of the fence and waxing eloquent about their perceived political ideologies in the best platforms provided by the Indian State. There is a third category that is by definition anti-India and makes no bones about it.
But what about the voiceless commoner who lives by her wit from one day to the next eking out an existence and belongs neither to this, that or other category? To my mind this is the category that is afflicted by “anomie”. Anomie, as defined by Liah Greenfeld in the book Nationalism and the Mind, denotes a condition of acute inconsistency between different values, norms and cognitions, including the perception of reality. This leaves the individual vulnerable to social influence. His (gender neutral) ability to use his individual judgement is impaired by the cognitive confusion he finds himself in.
The impairment of this ability destroys the basis of individual action and leaves one hardly capable of being an individual in any sense but a physical one. Such individuals are easily influenced and persuaded by charismatic leaders. And it must be said to the credit of militant outfits that their leaders are always well educated, fluent in terrorist ideologies, great followers of Mao and Che Guevera and perhaps even of Osama bin Laden.
So the large chunk of Manipur’s population really have no view and are perhaps unaware of the regrouping of the seven most virulent militant outfits. What they want is to be left alone to find their livelihoods without having to shell out a percentage to pay this or that militant group to keep the bullets away. But will they have it so easy? The dichotomies of Manipur are plenty. That state has the largest number of flights connecting it to Delhi.
Each of the flights runs full. What do you make of this? There is a huge population of Manipuris (Meiteis, Nagas, Zos etc) who travel this route regularly and a good number work, study and live in the national capital. Do they have a problem with India? Yes they do.
The problem is about India’s ignorance of apart of its own whole — the neglected periphery, to borrow a phrase from the academia. The people of Manipur resent the arrogance of the average Indian who treat them like pariahs, who believe the women are easily available and fair game for rape and molestation. This is a different predicament!
What we are interested in here is why the armed militia resent the very notion of India and its sovereign authority. Is it because sovereignty also implies a certain elitism which is represented by the Aryan-Dravidian-Hindu combine and which excludes the other racial categories especially those that inhabit the geographical space in the far eastern corner of India? These racial categories —Tibeto-Burman, Austro-Asiatic find no mention in India’s sacred texts and the historical narratives of ancient India.
In a sense these are new acquisitions by an India whose idea is not its own but which is the outcome of a carefully crafted body of several independent nations stitched together by a foreign power.
Elitism rules
James Mills very aptly summed up this idea of India when he said, “A man may obtain more knowledge of India in one year in his closet in England than he could obtain during the course of the longest life, by the use of his eyes and ears in India.”
This shows us how even a historian of Mill’s calibre found it hard to understand India, its myriad histories and its incredible diversity. And yet Mills never ventured into the Northeast.
It would be interesting to find out his views had he done so. Sunil Khilnani in his book The Idea of India, says of Mills— “There are no interpretational prizes to be won for seeing Mills’ history as an instance of promiscuous, bad-mannered European Orientalism.”
One thing Mills did very systematically was to assault India’s Hindu past and to discount the very idea of Indian unity. This was what perhaps prompted the Indian rulers post-Independence to strive at this artifice called unity.But are we united psychologically, mentally and even spiritually? No we are not because of the perceptions of racial superiority by some parts of the whole.
I guess this is what the proud Meiteis struggle so hard to say. After all, they, too, are practitioners of Vaishnavism in all its purity and sanctity. Yet they will never really be Indians or Hindus in that real sense of the term. At least that is the perception in Manipur among the intellectual class.
(The writer can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com)
Militants threaten serial blasts, alert sounded in Meghalaya
Shillong, July 18 (PTI) A tribal militant organisation today threatened to carry out blasts in important towns across Meghalaya, prompting a security alert in the entire state. The self-styled 'c-in-c' of Garo National Liberation Army, the most active militant group in the state, called up media houses this morning and threatened to carry out blasts in crowded places in Shillong, Tura, Williamnagar and Baghmara unless operations against it were not stopped by tomorrow.
''If the operations against the GNLA are not stopped by Monday, the organisation will go for serial blasts in Meghalaya,'' GNLA 'c-in-c' Sohan D Shira said from an undisclosed location. Shia said his group wanted a separate Garoland for the all round development of the Garo people.
Following the threat, a security alert has been sounded in the entire state, Additional Director General of Police (special branch) SK Jain told PTI. Government sources said the police was not taking the threat lightly considering the links of the group with NDFB and ULFA which have striking power.
DIG (western Range) GHP Raju, who is overseeing the operations against the GNLA in the three districts of Garo hills, ruled out withdrawal of the troops. He said the security forces has achieved a number of successes in the recent past in the operations and the oufit is feeling "disturbed".
The GNLA is the most active militant group in Meghalaya at present and has been blamed for rampant extortion in the Garo hills belt.
The Garo rebel group floated by a deserter Meghalaya Police Deputy Superintendent of Police, Champion Sangma, has reportedly developed links with the ULFA and NDFB and some its top leaders were believed to be Bangladesh.
''If the operations against the GNLA are not stopped by Monday, the organisation will go for serial blasts in Meghalaya,'' GNLA 'c-in-c' Sohan D Shira said from an undisclosed location. Shia said his group wanted a separate Garoland for the all round development of the Garo people.
Following the threat, a security alert has been sounded in the entire state, Additional Director General of Police (special branch) SK Jain told PTI. Government sources said the police was not taking the threat lightly considering the links of the group with NDFB and ULFA which have striking power.
DIG (western Range) GHP Raju, who is overseeing the operations against the GNLA in the three districts of Garo hills, ruled out withdrawal of the troops. He said the security forces has achieved a number of successes in the recent past in the operations and the oufit is feeling "disturbed".
The GNLA is the most active militant group in Meghalaya at present and has been blamed for rampant extortion in the Garo hills belt.
The Garo rebel group floated by a deserter Meghalaya Police Deputy Superintendent of Police, Champion Sangma, has reportedly developed links with the ULFA and NDFB and some its top leaders were believed to be Bangladesh.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Manipuri militant leader arrested in Guwahati
A Manipuri militant leader was arrested today from Guwahati, officials said here.
The banned Kangleipak Communist Party-Mobile Task Force (KCP—MTC) Thokchom Inaocha Meitei alias Abung was arrested along with a woman by the Assam Police during a search operation at Jalukbari area of Guwahati.
It was not immediately known whether the woman identified as Irungbam Bandana Chanu was a militant or a friend of the militant leader, sources said.
Two pen drives, two driving licenses, three mobile handsets and a cash of Rs 6,000 were recovered from their possession, officials said adding that they might be brought to Manipur after completing court proceedings at Guwahati.
The banned Kangleipak Communist Party-Mobile Task Force (KCP—MTC) Thokchom Inaocha Meitei alias Abung was arrested along with a woman by the Assam Police during a search operation at Jalukbari area of Guwahati.
It was not immediately known whether the woman identified as Irungbam Bandana Chanu was a militant or a friend of the militant leader, sources said.
Two pen drives, two driving licenses, three mobile handsets and a cash of Rs 6,000 were recovered from their possession, officials said adding that they might be brought to Manipur after completing court proceedings at Guwahati.
Two militants and four Myanmarese nationals held in Manipur
Two militants and four Myanmarese nationals have been arrested in separate incidents in Manipur Friday, official sources said. Sources said a cadre of banned People's Liberation Army (PLA) identified as M Ibomcha (22) was arrested along with a 9 mm pistol with a magazine and some rounds
of ammunition during a search operation at Serou Lamkhai in interior Thoubal district by a combined team of police commandos and 27th Assam Rifles battalion personnel on Friday.
In another incident, commandos attached to Imphal West district police station during a search operation arrested an insurgent of United National Liberation Front (UNLF) identified as Ton Meitei (22) from Naoremthong area Imphal Friday evening, sources said.
In yet another incident, Assam Rifles personnel arrested four Myanmarese nationals while checking passenger buses at Sita junction area in Manipur's interior Chandel district bordering with Myanmar on Friday, sources said.
The four foreigners were identified as Md Sohiab (24), Md Yunus (24), Md Fauque (25) and Abdul Wahab (25), sources said adding that they were from Kotaw, Membu, Suigong and Tatan areas in upper Myanmar.
The four were arrested for not having valid travel documents, and were handed over to nearby Tengnoupal police station, sources said.
of ammunition during a search operation at Serou Lamkhai in interior Thoubal district by a combined team of police commandos and 27th Assam Rifles battalion personnel on Friday.
In another incident, commandos attached to Imphal West district police station during a search operation arrested an insurgent of United National Liberation Front (UNLF) identified as Ton Meitei (22) from Naoremthong area Imphal Friday evening, sources said.
In yet another incident, Assam Rifles personnel arrested four Myanmarese nationals while checking passenger buses at Sita junction area in Manipur's interior Chandel district bordering with Myanmar on Friday, sources said.
The four foreigners were identified as Md Sohiab (24), Md Yunus (24), Md Fauque (25) and Abdul Wahab (25), sources said adding that they were from Kotaw, Membu, Suigong and Tatan areas in upper Myanmar.
The four were arrested for not having valid travel documents, and were handed over to nearby Tengnoupal police station, sources said.
Three arrested for Assam train derailment
Three persons who allegedly belong to an ethnic
insurgent outfit that has claimed responsibility for the July 10
derailment of the Guwahati-Puri Jagannath Express, were arrested on
Saturday from Assam’s Baksa district.
The self-styled
deputy chief commandant of the Adivasi Peoples Army, Silva Orang, was
arrested from the Menoka tea estate in Baganpara area by the police and
personnel of the 7 Dogra Regiment, Additional Superintendent of Police
Sapnanil Deka said.
Orang was interrogated and based
on information provided by him, two other insurgents of the group were
arrested from the same area, he said.
Interrogation of six APA cadres who were detained on Wednesday after the blast was continuing.
Two
of them, Mathews Marandi and Anthony Orang, were picked up from Menoka
tea estate and the others from Gossaigaon in Kokrajhar district.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Paresh slams Rajkhowa
Guwahati, July 16 : The anti-talks Paresh Barua faction of Ulfa today said the militant group was not born to fight against India but to establish the birthright of indigenous people.
In a statement, the group’s publicity-in-charge, Arunudoi Dohotia, said they had taken up arms because all the earlier efforts had failed to stop the aggression of Indian government on Assam .
The faction once again refused to accept the ceasefire declared by the Arabinda Rajkhowa faction, saying it had no right to do so. “We have already said that according to the constitution of Ulfa if a leader or cadre is in enemy’s fold he does not have the right to take any decision. Unless Rajkhowa comes out of it, his decision will not be accepted as decision of the party,” the statement said.
It said Ulfa believes in a political solution for the prolonged conflict going on in the state and without the demand of a “sovereign Assam” Ulfa has no existence.
“If the Indian government agrees to discuss the issue of a sovereign Assam, we will gladly take part in the discussion. At present, we have no other way but to carry on armed struggle as the Indian government has already clarified that there would be no discussion with us unless we drop the issue of sovereign Assam,” the statement said.
It said a plebiscite would decide what the people of the state wanted.
In a statement, the group’s publicity-in-charge, Arunudoi Dohotia, said they had taken up arms because all the earlier efforts had failed to stop the aggression of Indian government on Assam .
The faction once again refused to accept the ceasefire declared by the Arabinda Rajkhowa faction, saying it had no right to do so. “We have already said that according to the constitution of Ulfa if a leader or cadre is in enemy’s fold he does not have the right to take any decision. Unless Rajkhowa comes out of it, his decision will not be accepted as decision of the party,” the statement said.
It said Ulfa believes in a political solution for the prolonged conflict going on in the state and without the demand of a “sovereign Assam” Ulfa has no existence.
“If the Indian government agrees to discuss the issue of a sovereign Assam, we will gladly take part in the discussion. At present, we have no other way but to carry on armed struggle as the Indian government has already clarified that there would be no discussion with us unless we drop the issue of sovereign Assam,” the statement said.
It said a plebiscite would decide what the people of the state wanted.
Army recovers two powerful IEDs in Assam
Two powerful IEDs, suspected to have planted by ULFA’s anti-talk faction, were recovered on Friday by the security forces from under a bridge in Assam’s Sibsagar district, police said.
Acting on a tip-off, army recovered two IEDs, weighing between 10 and 12 kg each, from under a bridge connecting Sonari and Namrup at Medalajan area, they said.
The IEDs were kept inside a pipe under the bridge. A bomb disposal squad rushed to the spot and defused the explosives.
The IEDs were suspected to have been planted by ULFA’s anti-talk faction to make its presence felt after it rejected the unilateral ceasefire declared by the pro-talk faction to pave the way for peace talks to resolve the outstanding issues espoused by the outfit, police said.
Acting on a tip-off, army recovered two IEDs, weighing between 10 and 12 kg each, from under a bridge connecting Sonari and Namrup at Medalajan area, they said.
The IEDs were kept inside a pipe under the bridge. A bomb disposal squad rushed to the spot and defused the explosives.
The IEDs were suspected to have been planted by ULFA’s anti-talk faction to make its presence felt after it rejected the unilateral ceasefire declared by the pro-talk faction to pave the way for peace talks to resolve the outstanding issues espoused by the outfit, police said.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tripura ultra leader held
AGARTALA, July 14 – The banned outfit National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) suffered a serious jolt when one of its top leaders was arrested by the Assam Rifles (AR).
Utpal Debbarma (34), self- styled foreign secretary of the outfit was detained from a place in Aizwal on July 12 and later he was handed over to Tripura police on the sameday.
Additional Superintendent of Police (North Tripura) Manik Das who received Utpal along Tripura-Mizoram border has reportedly brought the militant leader here amid tight security.
Utpal who had an engineering degree from the then Tripura Engineering College, Jirania is very close to NLFT president Biswamohan Debbarma.
Utpal Debbarma (34), self- styled foreign secretary of the outfit was detained from a place in Aizwal on July 12 and later he was handed over to Tripura police on the sameday.
Additional Superintendent of Police (North Tripura) Manik Das who received Utpal along Tripura-Mizoram border has reportedly brought the militant leader here amid tight security.
Utpal who had an engineering degree from the then Tripura Engineering College, Jirania is very close to NLFT president Biswamohan Debbarma.
Garo National Liberation Army refuses to accept accusation from Achik National Volunteer Council
Shillong, Jul 13 : The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has refused to accept the accusation of the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) of working under the guidance of Pakistan’s ISI.
"The ANVC and police say we are anti-India but our demand is for a separate state for the Garos within the ambit of Indian Constitution," a local daily quoted Champion R Marak, Chairman of the GNLA as saying.
The GNLA militant outfit recently had said Pakistani intelligence agency ISI and jehadi groups had sent feelers to it offering their help but it was rejected outright saying, "we are not fighting against the interest of India. All our demands are within the ambit of the Indian Constitution." The outfit has also rejected the demand of the ANVC under ceasefire for arms from the government and warned that the step would lead to a civil war within the Garo hills region of the state.
The demand contradicts the ground rules laid by the government for ANVC and there would also be serious concern to the business communities as the outfit is still indulging in imposing illegal taxes leading to hike in prices of essentials in the Garo hills region of the state, Champion R Marak said.
"The ANVC used to boycott and call bandhs during the Independence and Republic Day celebrations, but we do not do so," Mr Marak asserted.
Meanwhile, enmity between the GNLA and ANVC further cropped up as the latter was accused of helping Assam based insurgent groups like ULFA and NDFB in expanding their activities in Garo hills.
"The ANVC and police say we are anti-India but our demand is for a separate state for the Garos within the ambit of Indian Constitution," a local daily quoted Champion R Marak, Chairman of the GNLA as saying.
The GNLA militant outfit recently had said Pakistani intelligence agency ISI and jehadi groups had sent feelers to it offering their help but it was rejected outright saying, "we are not fighting against the interest of India. All our demands are within the ambit of the Indian Constitution." The outfit has also rejected the demand of the ANVC under ceasefire for arms from the government and warned that the step would lead to a civil war within the Garo hills region of the state.
The demand contradicts the ground rules laid by the government for ANVC and there would also be serious concern to the business communities as the outfit is still indulging in imposing illegal taxes leading to hike in prices of essentials in the Garo hills region of the state, Champion R Marak said.
"The ANVC used to boycott and call bandhs during the Independence and Republic Day celebrations, but we do not do so," Mr Marak asserted.
Meanwhile, enmity between the GNLA and ANVC further cropped up as the latter was accused of helping Assam based insurgent groups like ULFA and NDFB in expanding their activities in Garo hills.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Assam rail blast: 16 APA insurgents allegedly involved arrested
NEW DELHI: The CRPF has caught 16 members of the tribal insurgent outfit - Adivasi People's Army - for their alleged involvement in planting IED at railway track in Assam that led to Guwahati-Puri Express train derailment on Sunday.
The suspected persons - belonging to the 292 Battalion of the APA having links with Maoists - were caught during raids at Kekhohat and Goriakuth villages of Kamrup district on Tuesday.
"The apprehended persons are handed over to the Assam Police", says a CRPF personnel.
The APA has, of late, established contacts with Maoists in Jharkhand and West Bengal and is also learnt to have sent its cadres for training to these Red Zones.
Sources in security agencies said that the tribal outfit, which was set up in 2006, had been desperate to establish a big presence in the area which has, otherwise, been the stronghold of the ULFA and the NDFB.
The APA, which has been demanding setting up an Adivasi autonomous council in the areas comprising a number tea gardens, had last month planted a similar bomb in the Guwahati-bound Kanchenjunga Express. The explosion was, however, averted when security personnel found the bomb during a routine check. The outfit had then claimed responsibility for planting the bomb, stating that it was an attempt to put pressure on the government to create the autonomous council.
The IED blast on Sunday damaged a stretch of the railway track and led to derailment of seven bogies of the Guwahati-Puri Express, injuring over 100 passengers. The explosion completely damaged 200 metres of track. The police later found a fuse wire and detonators from the spot.
The suspected persons - belonging to the 292 Battalion of the APA having links with Maoists - were caught during raids at Kekhohat and Goriakuth villages of Kamrup district on Tuesday.
"The apprehended persons are handed over to the Assam Police", says a CRPF personnel.
The APA has, of late, established contacts with Maoists in Jharkhand and West Bengal and is also learnt to have sent its cadres for training to these Red Zones.
Sources in security agencies said that the tribal outfit, which was set up in 2006, had been desperate to establish a big presence in the area which has, otherwise, been the stronghold of the ULFA and the NDFB.
The APA, which has been demanding setting up an Adivasi autonomous council in the areas comprising a number tea gardens, had last month planted a similar bomb in the Guwahati-bound Kanchenjunga Express. The explosion was, however, averted when security personnel found the bomb during a routine check. The outfit had then claimed responsibility for planting the bomb, stating that it was an attempt to put pressure on the government to create the autonomous council.
The IED blast on Sunday damaged a stretch of the railway track and led to derailment of seven bogies of the Guwahati-Puri Express, injuring over 100 passengers. The explosion completely damaged 200 metres of track. The police later found a fuse wire and detonators from the spot.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Little-known outfit claims responsibility for Assam blast
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A Railway workers is busy in restoration works of the derailed bogies of the Guwahati-Puri Express train at the blast site at Dhatkuchi in Kamrup (Rural) district of Assam, 70 km from Guwahati on Monday. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar
93 passengers were injured in the derailment caused by the explosion
A little-known militant outfit, the Adivasi People's Army, has claimed responsibility for Sunday's blast that derailed some coaches of the Guwahati-Puri Express near Rangiya in Lower Assam's Kamrup district.
Assam's Environment and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain informed the Assembly on Monday that 93 persons were injured in the derailment caused by the blast which suspected militants triggered with an improvised explosive device.
A caller claiming to be R.U. Soren and identifying himself as an area commander of the outfit told private television news channels that his group carried out the blast. On June 17, the outfit claimed it had planted a powerful improvised explosive device in the Guwahati-bound Kanchenjungha Express. But alert personnel of the Government Railway Police detected it.
A senior intelligence officer said the Adivasi People's Army was formed recently, and had some trained cadre. He said explosives were used to trigger Sunday's blast. The police recovered a long electric wire from the site.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi inquired with him about the incident and the measures taken. He told journalists that during preliminary investigations, the police found no evidence of the involvement of the National Democratic Front of Boroland.
The Railway Ministry has ordered a probe. Balbir Singh, Commissioner of Railway Safety, Northeast Frontier Railway Circle, Kolkata, will conduct a statutory inquiry at the Rangiya office of the Divisional Railway Manager from 10 a.m. on July 13 and 14, according to a release issued by Jayanta Kumar Sarma, Public Relations Officer, Northeast Frontier Railway.
The Railways have announced an ex gratia of Rs. 1 lakh each to those who were grievously injured and a sum of Rs.10,000 to those with simple injuries. The State government has also announced like sums in compensation.
S. Hajong, Chief Public Relations Officer, Northeast Frontier Railway, said work on restoring the affected track was in full swing.
He said the unaffected coaches were brought back to Guwahati, along with the passengers. After eight more coaches were added, the train left Guwahati at 4 a.m. on Monday, taking a detour through Goalpara.
A Railway workers is busy in restoration works of the derailed bogies of the Guwahati-Puri Express train at the blast site at Dhatkuchi in Kamrup (Rural) district of Assam, 70 km from Guwahati on Monday. Photo: Ritu Raj Konwar
93 passengers were injured in the derailment caused by the explosion
A little-known militant outfit, the Adivasi People's Army, has claimed responsibility for Sunday's blast that derailed some coaches of the Guwahati-Puri Express near Rangiya in Lower Assam's Kamrup district.
Assam's Environment and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain informed the Assembly on Monday that 93 persons were injured in the derailment caused by the blast which suspected militants triggered with an improvised explosive device.
A caller claiming to be R.U. Soren and identifying himself as an area commander of the outfit told private television news channels that his group carried out the blast. On June 17, the outfit claimed it had planted a powerful improvised explosive device in the Guwahati-bound Kanchenjungha Express. But alert personnel of the Government Railway Police detected it.
A senior intelligence officer said the Adivasi People's Army was formed recently, and had some trained cadre. He said explosives were used to trigger Sunday's blast. The police recovered a long electric wire from the site.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi inquired with him about the incident and the measures taken. He told journalists that during preliminary investigations, the police found no evidence of the involvement of the National Democratic Front of Boroland.
The Railway Ministry has ordered a probe. Balbir Singh, Commissioner of Railway Safety, Northeast Frontier Railway Circle, Kolkata, will conduct a statutory inquiry at the Rangiya office of the Divisional Railway Manager from 10 a.m. on July 13 and 14, according to a release issued by Jayanta Kumar Sarma, Public Relations Officer, Northeast Frontier Railway.
The Railways have announced an ex gratia of Rs. 1 lakh each to those who were grievously injured and a sum of Rs.10,000 to those with simple injuries. The State government has also announced like sums in compensation.
S. Hajong, Chief Public Relations Officer, Northeast Frontier Railway, said work on restoring the affected track was in full swing.
He said the unaffected coaches were brought back to Guwahati, along with the passengers. After eight more coaches were added, the train left Guwahati at 4 a.m. on Monday, taking a detour through Goalpara.
Business community protests kidnapping, extortion in Dimapur
Nagaland's business community recently took to the streets in Dimapur to protest against extortion and kidnappings for ransom that are on the rise in the region.
On July 5, hundreds of businessman and entrepreneurs affiliated to the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce (DCC) took out a silent rally to protest against the increase in anti-social activities, extortion and frequent kidnappings of businessmen.
The rally was held after an attack on a trading house at 3rd Mile in the district that left one dead and three injured.
They also submitted a memorandum to the state authorities and pressed them to take strict action against the anti-social elements.
"We are businessmen and trading is our profession. But if at all the State Government and District Administration they cannot give us proper security arrangement then we have no option," said Hokivi Assumi, President, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce
Deputy Commissioner of Nagaland Maongwati Aier, who received the memorandum on the behalf of the government, said: " We will book the culprits soon."
"We are also definitely with you and we as a District Administration and District Police also strongly condemned this act, this is a very inhuman act whereby one senior citizen of our district have lost their lives and three have been seriously injured.
This is not the first time that such a rally has been held in the state. Traders and businessmen in Nagaland are fed up with the illegal activities of militant groups in the region that affect their business. (ANI)
On July 5, hundreds of businessman and entrepreneurs affiliated to the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce (DCC) took out a silent rally to protest against the increase in anti-social activities, extortion and frequent kidnappings of businessmen.
The rally was held after an attack on a trading house at 3rd Mile in the district that left one dead and three injured.
They also submitted a memorandum to the state authorities and pressed them to take strict action against the anti-social elements.
"We are businessmen and trading is our profession. But if at all the State Government and District Administration they cannot give us proper security arrangement then we have no option," said Hokivi Assumi, President, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce
Deputy Commissioner of Nagaland Maongwati Aier, who received the memorandum on the behalf of the government, said: " We will book the culprits soon."
"We are also definitely with you and we as a District Administration and District Police also strongly condemned this act, this is a very inhuman act whereby one senior citizen of our district have lost their lives and three have been seriously injured.
This is not the first time that such a rally has been held in the state. Traders and businessmen in Nagaland are fed up with the illegal activities of militant groups in the region that affect their business. (ANI)
ULFA offers indefinite ceasefire
The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Tuesday offered indefinite ceasefire to pave the way for a permanent solution to more than 30 years of insurgency in Assam.
ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said in a statement Tuesday: "The ULFA, with a view to explore a lasting peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict, resolves to cease all forms of armed campaign for an indefinite period."
However, ULFA's elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah and his band of followers, probably hiding somewhere along the Myanmar-China border, are still opposed to the peace talks.
ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said in a statement Tuesday: "The ULFA, with a view to explore a lasting peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict, resolves to cease all forms of armed campaign for an indefinite period."
However, ULFA's elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah and his band of followers, probably hiding somewhere along the Myanmar-China border, are still opposed to the peace talks.
Assam: Insurgent leader shot dead
The commander-in-chief of ethnic insurgent outfit Karbi People's Liberation Tigers (KLPT) was shot dead in an encounter with a joint police and Army team in Karbi Anglong district of Assam early Tuesday morning.
A five-member group of KPLT came face-to-face with the security forces at Deothar in Bokajan subdivision and fired at them, police said.
After heavy exchange of fire, the commander-in-chief of the outfit, Apang Ingti, was shot dead while another cadre identified as Soban was injured and apprehended, the police said.
The remaining three ultras fled away, they said, adding that an AK-47 and a huge quantity of ammunition were recovered from the militants. Ingti was wanted in connection with killings, kidnappings and extortion in the district.
The KPLT is the breakaway group of militant outfit Karbi Longri National Liberation Front formed after it declared unilateral ceasefire on February 10 last year.
A five-member group of KPLT came face-to-face with the security forces at Deothar in Bokajan subdivision and fired at them, police said.
After heavy exchange of fire, the commander-in-chief of the outfit, Apang Ingti, was shot dead while another cadre identified as Soban was injured and apprehended, the police said.
The remaining three ultras fled away, they said, adding that an AK-47 and a huge quantity of ammunition were recovered from the militants. Ingti was wanted in connection with killings, kidnappings and extortion in the district.
The KPLT is the breakaway group of militant outfit Karbi Longri National Liberation Front formed after it declared unilateral ceasefire on February 10 last year.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Adivasi People’s Army claims responsibility for Assam train blast
By Prasanta Mazumdar
GUWAHATI: An Adivasi group is suspected to have triggered Sunday’s blast on the Puri-Guwahati Express in Assam’s Kamrup (rural) district that left over 100 people injured.
Government officials received an e-mail claiming to be from the Adivasi People’s Army, born about three years back and having mostly tea tribe people in its fold.
The police also suspect the same group.
“Investigation is on. However, we suspect the APA’s hand in the incident,” a senior police official told DNA. “Last month, they made an abortive bid to bomb the Guwahati-Kanchenjunga Express,” he added.
According to intelligence agencies, APA has firmed up alliances with the banned United Liberation Front of Assam and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland and is also trying to join hands with the Maoists.
“ULFA and NDFB have suffered severe losses since the past few years in the wake of continuous operations and splits in their ranks. So, they are now onto propping up the smaller groups to carry out subversive activities at their behest,” they said.
Meanwhile, a high alert has been sounded across the state in the aftermath of the blast. Official sources said security had been tightened at railways and all vital installations.
“Security has been beefed up across the state to thwart any possible attacks,” they said.
Sources from the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said the IED blast damaged about 200 meters of the track. Seven bogies were derailed with two thrown away into a pond in the impact of the explosion.
“Altogether 37 passengers were injured. The railway ministry has announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh each to the grievously injured and Rs 10,000 each who sustained minor injuries,” the NFR said in a statement.
The Railways has ordered a probe into the incident. Railway safety commissioner Balbeer Singh has been entrusted with the job. He has been asked to submit his report within 10 days.
GUWAHATI: An Adivasi group is suspected to have triggered Sunday’s blast on the Puri-Guwahati Express in Assam’s Kamrup (rural) district that left over 100 people injured.
Government officials received an e-mail claiming to be from the Adivasi People’s Army, born about three years back and having mostly tea tribe people in its fold.
The police also suspect the same group.
“Investigation is on. However, we suspect the APA’s hand in the incident,” a senior police official told DNA. “Last month, they made an abortive bid to bomb the Guwahati-Kanchenjunga Express,” he added.
According to intelligence agencies, APA has firmed up alliances with the banned United Liberation Front of Assam and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland and is also trying to join hands with the Maoists.
“ULFA and NDFB have suffered severe losses since the past few years in the wake of continuous operations and splits in their ranks. So, they are now onto propping up the smaller groups to carry out subversive activities at their behest,” they said.
Meanwhile, a high alert has been sounded across the state in the aftermath of the blast. Official sources said security had been tightened at railways and all vital installations.
“Security has been beefed up across the state to thwart any possible attacks,” they said.
Sources from the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said the IED blast damaged about 200 meters of the track. Seven bogies were derailed with two thrown away into a pond in the impact of the explosion.
“Altogether 37 passengers were injured. The railway ministry has announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh each to the grievously injured and Rs 10,000 each who sustained minor injuries,” the NFR said in a statement.
The Railways has ordered a probe into the incident. Railway safety commissioner Balbeer Singh has been entrusted with the job. He has been asked to submit his report within 10 days.
ULFA anti-talk faction condemns blast
The anti-talk faction of the ULFA, led by its commander-in-chief Paresh Barua, condemned the blast on Monday that led to the derailment of the Guwahati-Puri Express in Kamrup district in Assam that left 100 passengers injured.
In an e-mailed statement, the outfit's Publicity Secretary Arunodoy Dohotiya said the ULFA had always condemned attacks on indigenous Assamese and their properties.
“We condemn the attack on the Assamese people and will continue to do so in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North East Frontier Railway has confirmed that an improvised explosive device was used to trigger the blast that led to the derailment.
The NF railway has also filed an FIR with the government railway police against unidentified insurgents for carrying out the blast, Rangiya Divisional Railway Manager A K Manocha said.
In an e-mailed statement, the outfit's Publicity Secretary Arunodoy Dohotiya said the ULFA had always condemned attacks on indigenous Assamese and their properties.
“We condemn the attack on the Assamese people and will continue to do so in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North East Frontier Railway has confirmed that an improvised explosive device was used to trigger the blast that led to the derailment.
The NF railway has also filed an FIR with the government railway police against unidentified insurgents for carrying out the blast, Rangiya Divisional Railway Manager A K Manocha said.
Insurgency remains alive in Assam
by Nava Thakuria
As India’s Independence Day is approaching, the militant outfits have as usual geared up their disruptive activities to make their presence felt in Assam. For decades it has been normal news of blasts ahead of I-Day (August 15) and Republic Day (January 26) in northeastern part of India those are carried by various banned armed outfits.
The recent explosion on the railway track in Rongia-Ghograpar locality only shows the desperation of the militants. The IED blast on the railway track at Bhatkuchi, 75 km away from Assam’s capital city of Guwahati on Sunday evening derailed six coaches of the Puri Express. The accident has reported no casualty but injured nearly hundred passengers, most of them were tourists and pilgrims onway to Jagannath temple at Puri beach of the Bay of Bengal. The train departed Guwahati Railway station at 6.45 pm on June 10 and faced the accident after two hours of journey. The injured passengers of were shifted to nearby government hospitals at Rongia & Nalbari and some of the seriously injured passengers were taken to Guwahati Medical College Hospital.
The police suspect it as a handiwork of Bodo or Adivasi militants, who are fighting with the Indian Union Government at New Delhi for various demands for their respective communities. The blast has been condemned by various organizations including National Democratic Front of Bodoland (pro-talk faction), which is engaged in preliminary talks with the government.
Indian Premier Dr Manmohan Singh has expressed his concern at the accident and asked junior Railway minister Mukul Roy to take stock of the situation. Dr Singh, who represents Assam in the upper house of Indian Parliament, is presently looking after the Railway Ministry following after Mamata Banerjee’s resignation few months back to take the charge as the chief minister of West Bengal.
Meanwhile the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom has denied its involvement in the blast. The Paresh Barua faction of ULFA, in a press statement issued to local media has condemned the incident.
Leaving aside ULFA, Assam in northeastern part of India is home to nearly 20 armed outfits which are waging war against the central government for various demands ranging from self rule to sovereignty. Thousands of common people lost their lives due to armed conflict in the region.
As India’s Independence Day is approaching, the militant outfits have as usual geared up their disruptive activities to make their presence felt in Assam. For decades it has been normal news of blasts ahead of I-Day (August 15) and Republic Day (January 26) in northeastern part of India those are carried by various banned armed outfits.
The recent explosion on the railway track in Rongia-Ghograpar locality only shows the desperation of the militants. The IED blast on the railway track at Bhatkuchi, 75 km away from Assam’s capital city of Guwahati on Sunday evening derailed six coaches of the Puri Express. The accident has reported no casualty but injured nearly hundred passengers, most of them were tourists and pilgrims onway to Jagannath temple at Puri beach of the Bay of Bengal. The train departed Guwahati Railway station at 6.45 pm on June 10 and faced the accident after two hours of journey. The injured passengers of were shifted to nearby government hospitals at Rongia & Nalbari and some of the seriously injured passengers were taken to Guwahati Medical College Hospital.
The police suspect it as a handiwork of Bodo or Adivasi militants, who are fighting with the Indian Union Government at New Delhi for various demands for their respective communities. The blast has been condemned by various organizations including National Democratic Front of Bodoland (pro-talk faction), which is engaged in preliminary talks with the government.
Indian Premier Dr Manmohan Singh has expressed his concern at the accident and asked junior Railway minister Mukul Roy to take stock of the situation. Dr Singh, who represents Assam in the upper house of Indian Parliament, is presently looking after the Railway Ministry following after Mamata Banerjee’s resignation few months back to take the charge as the chief minister of West Bengal.
Meanwhile the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom has denied its involvement in the blast. The Paresh Barua faction of ULFA, in a press statement issued to local media has condemned the incident.
Leaving aside ULFA, Assam in northeastern part of India is home to nearly 20 armed outfits which are waging war against the central government for various demands ranging from self rule to sovereignty. Thousands of common people lost their lives due to armed conflict in the region.
Four including Major of UNLF held
Imphal, Jul 11 : Manipur Police alongwith army personnel have apprehended four cadres of United National Liberation Front (UNLF), including a 'major', from Bishenpur district.
Army sources said a joint operation was launched yesterday by army and Manipur Police resulting in the arrest of a 'major' of the UNLF.
As the man revealed, during interrogation, there were three more of his accomplices at Kobawakching itself, security personnel carried out a search operation at the specific location and caught all of them.
A joint team of Bishenpur police commando and armymen recovered one 9 mm Pistol, one magazine, a mobile phone, ten rounds of 9 mm and M-16 each besides 480 live cartridges of AK-47.
Army sources said a joint operation was launched yesterday by army and Manipur Police resulting in the arrest of a 'major' of the UNLF.
As the man revealed, during interrogation, there were three more of his accomplices at Kobawakching itself, security personnel carried out a search operation at the specific location and caught all of them.
A joint team of Bishenpur police commando and armymen recovered one 9 mm Pistol, one magazine, a mobile phone, ten rounds of 9 mm and M-16 each besides 480 live cartridges of AK-47.
Assam on high alert after train bombing
Guwahati, July 11 :
A massive security alert was sounded on Monday across Assam after the overnight separatist bombing that derailed a passenger train and left more than 100 people injured, 20 of them critically, officials said. "We have sounded a high alert across the state with security personnel deployed at vulnerable locations to thwart rebel attacks," chief minister Tarun Gogoi said.
"We condemn such barbaric militant attacks like bombing trains or other such things targeting civilians," he added.
Police suspect militants of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) for the explosion at the Guwahati-Puri Express late on Sunday near Ghograpara in western Assam's Nalbari distict, about 70 km from the main city of Guwahati.
Four coaches of the train were derailed, trapping many passengers.
"It was indeed a very powerful explosion and the bomb was placed on the track. Flexible wires and other materials used to trigger the explosion were recovered from the accident site," a senior police officer said requesting anonymity.
"Forensic experts have collected material evidence from the site and only after examination we can be sure about the composition of the explosives," he said.
The train was bound for Puri in Bhubaneswar.
"There was a loud explosion and it was total chaos soon after. The coach in which I was travelling skidded of the track and fell in a marshy land with waist deep water. Somehow we managed to come out of the coach," said Jiten Das, a passenger who was among those injured.
"I sustained cut injuries on my head and arms, besides a wound in my chest."
"Four of the coaches derailed and one of the bogies skidded and went at least 20 metres from the track," Dhanmoni Das, a local who helped several of the injured come out of the train, said.
"We rescued more than 100 people and helped them reach the nearest hospitals with the help of bicycles, motorbikes and private vehicles," said Rubul Ali, another local who helped in the rescue operation.
The critically injured were shifted to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. No militant groups have claimed responsibility for the attack.
"We strongly suspect the NDFB to be behind the blast," the police officer said.
The NDFB is a group fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe's people in western and northern Assam. A faction of the NDFB is observing a ceasefire with New Delhi, while another faction headed by jailed chairman Ranjan Daimary is still waging a war for independence.
Meanwhile, all incoming and outgoing trains to Assam have been suspended following the blast.
"We are yet to retrieve the derailed bogies trapped in a marshy land a few metres away from the track. Until we repair the track, movement of trains would remain suspended," a railway official said.
A massive security alert was sounded on Monday across Assam after the overnight separatist bombing that derailed a passenger train and left more than 100 people injured, 20 of them critically, officials said. "We have sounded a high alert across the state with security personnel deployed at vulnerable locations to thwart rebel attacks," chief minister Tarun Gogoi said.
"We condemn such barbaric militant attacks like bombing trains or other such things targeting civilians," he added.
Police suspect militants of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) for the explosion at the Guwahati-Puri Express late on Sunday near Ghograpara in western Assam's Nalbari distict, about 70 km from the main city of Guwahati.
Four coaches of the train were derailed, trapping many passengers.
"It was indeed a very powerful explosion and the bomb was placed on the track. Flexible wires and other materials used to trigger the explosion were recovered from the accident site," a senior police officer said requesting anonymity.
"Forensic experts have collected material evidence from the site and only after examination we can be sure about the composition of the explosives," he said.
The train was bound for Puri in Bhubaneswar.
"There was a loud explosion and it was total chaos soon after. The coach in which I was travelling skidded of the track and fell in a marshy land with waist deep water. Somehow we managed to come out of the coach," said Jiten Das, a passenger who was among those injured.
"I sustained cut injuries on my head and arms, besides a wound in my chest."
"Four of the coaches derailed and one of the bogies skidded and went at least 20 metres from the track," Dhanmoni Das, a local who helped several of the injured come out of the train, said.
"We rescued more than 100 people and helped them reach the nearest hospitals with the help of bicycles, motorbikes and private vehicles," said Rubul Ali, another local who helped in the rescue operation.
The critically injured were shifted to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. No militant groups have claimed responsibility for the attack.
"We strongly suspect the NDFB to be behind the blast," the police officer said.
The NDFB is a group fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe's people in western and northern Assam. A faction of the NDFB is observing a ceasefire with New Delhi, while another faction headed by jailed chairman Ranjan Daimary is still waging a war for independence.
Meanwhile, all incoming and outgoing trains to Assam have been suspended following the blast.
"We are yet to retrieve the derailed bogies trapped in a marshy land a few metres away from the track. Until we repair the track, movement of trains would remain suspended," a railway official said.
Bodo outfit behind Assam train accident: police
Sumon K Chakrabarti
New Delhi: At least 100 passengers were injured after four bogies of
the Guwahati-Puri Express derailed following a suspected IED blast near Rangia
in Assam's Kamrup (Rural) district on Sunday.
The train, with around 1000 passengers, mostly pilgrims bound for Puri left Guwahati railway station at 5:40 pm, railway officials said.
Shocked and traumatised injured passengers, including many women and children had to wait on the tracks for more than one-and-half-hour for rescue teams to reach the site and evacuate them.
Local residents said that they had heard a deafening sound just before the derailment. Police suspect that a faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) might be behind the remote-controlled blast.
Most of the injured are being treated at the Rangiya district hospital, but the fear is that many more are trapped inside the capsized bogies.
An explosion at Dhatkuchi between Rangia and Ghagrapar at 8:30 pm led to the derailment of the engine and four bogies immediately behind it but they remained standing, while four other bogies capsized and fell into a three-feet water-filled ditch, they said.
"We had eight bogies derailing out of which four remained standing, but fortunately there has been no casualty what so ever, there have been some injuries and we have been able to attend to them," Suresh Chandra, GM N F Railways said.
The accident has happened hours after the Delhi bound Kalka Express derailed in Uttar Pradesh.
Earlier in the day, 13 bogies of the Delhi-bound Kalka Mail derailed near Malwa station, about 120 km from Lucknow, leaving 45 dead and over 140 injured.
On July 7, the Mathura-Chhapra Express had hit a bus carrying a marriage party at the Adhurpur unammaned railway crossing Kanshiram Nagar, about 250 km from Lucknow, leaving 38 bus passengers dead.
New Delhi: At least 100 passengers were injured after four bogies of
the Guwahati-Puri Express derailed following a suspected IED blast near Rangia
in Assam's Kamrup (Rural) district on Sunday.
The train, with around 1000 passengers, mostly pilgrims bound for Puri left Guwahati railway station at 5:40 pm, railway officials said.
Shocked and traumatised injured passengers, including many women and children had to wait on the tracks for more than one-and-half-hour for rescue teams to reach the site and evacuate them.
Local residents said that they had heard a deafening sound just before the derailment. Police suspect that a faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) might be behind the remote-controlled blast.
Most of the injured are being treated at the Rangiya district hospital, but the fear is that many more are trapped inside the capsized bogies.
An explosion at Dhatkuchi between Rangia and Ghagrapar at 8:30 pm led to the derailment of the engine and four bogies immediately behind it but they remained standing, while four other bogies capsized and fell into a three-feet water-filled ditch, they said.
"We had eight bogies derailing out of which four remained standing, but fortunately there has been no casualty what so ever, there have been some injuries and we have been able to attend to them," Suresh Chandra, GM N F Railways said.
The accident has happened hours after the Delhi bound Kalka Express derailed in Uttar Pradesh.
Earlier in the day, 13 bogies of the Delhi-bound Kalka Mail derailed near Malwa station, about 120 km from Lucknow, leaving 45 dead and over 140 injured.
On July 7, the Mathura-Chhapra Express had hit a bus carrying a marriage party at the Adhurpur unammaned railway crossing Kanshiram Nagar, about 250 km from Lucknow, leaving 38 bus passengers dead.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Elite force to tackle Meghalaya rebels
Shillong, July 11 (IANS) India's elite Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) commandos will soon be deployed in western Meghalaya to counter the growing threat from Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebels, police said Sunday.
"Five companies of BSF (Border Security Force) and two units of CoBRA commandos would be deployed in Garo Hills to help us in our ongoing combing operations against GNLA," S.K. Jain, the intelligence chief of Meghalaya Police, told IANS.
The CoBRA commandos - the special force raised to tackle Maoist insurgency in India - will counter the growing GNLA activities in East and South Garo Hills districts, considered to be GNLA's heartland.
The three districts of Garo Hills region in west Meghalaya have witnessed a spurt in GNLA's anti-national activities.
Presently, 500 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers are assisting the Meghalaya Police and its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos to tackle the GNLA.
More than 10 people, including security personnel, have been killed in the Garo Hills during the last one year by GNLA rebels.
The GNLA had earlier also slapped extortion demands ranging from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.1 crore on government officials, ministers, legislators and businessmen in the Garo Hills region.
The GNLA, one of the five Garo rebel groups, is fighting for a sovereign 'Garoland'. It is headed by police officer-turned-outlaw Champion R. Sangma.
Assam-based outlawed groups the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), which also have their bases in Bangladesh, have extended its armoury support to the GNLA.
"Five companies of BSF (Border Security Force) and two units of CoBRA commandos would be deployed in Garo Hills to help us in our ongoing combing operations against GNLA," S.K. Jain, the intelligence chief of Meghalaya Police, told IANS.
The CoBRA commandos - the special force raised to tackle Maoist insurgency in India - will counter the growing GNLA activities in East and South Garo Hills districts, considered to be GNLA's heartland.
The three districts of Garo Hills region in west Meghalaya have witnessed a spurt in GNLA's anti-national activities.
Presently, 500 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers are assisting the Meghalaya Police and its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos to tackle the GNLA.
More than 10 people, including security personnel, have been killed in the Garo Hills during the last one year by GNLA rebels.
The GNLA had earlier also slapped extortion demands ranging from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.1 crore on government officials, ministers, legislators and businessmen in the Garo Hills region.
The GNLA, one of the five Garo rebel groups, is fighting for a sovereign 'Garoland'. It is headed by police officer-turned-outlaw Champion R. Sangma.
Assam-based outlawed groups the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), which also have their bases in Bangladesh, have extended its armoury support to the GNLA.