The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said New Delhi has received assurances from Myanmar that its territory will not be allowed to be used for insurgent activities against India.
"With respect to security we have ongoing cooperation with Myanmar. We have also received assurances that Myanmar territory will not be allowed to be used for insurgent activities against India. Both sides remained in close and regular contact in this regard," said MEA spokesperson Vishnu Prakash, while briefing media persons on the state visit to India of the President of Myanmar Thein Sein.
Myanmar President U Thein Sein arrived in Bodh Gaya on Wednesday on a State visit to India.
The visiting President assumed office on March 30 this year after general elections and this is the first high-level visit from Myanmar to India, of the new civilian government.
"The President is accompanied by his spouse and is leading a high-level delegation that includes a number of his Cabinet colleagues such as the Minister for Border Affairs and Myanmar's Industrial Development, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation, the Minister for Religious Affairs, the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Electric Power, the Minister of National Planning and Economic Development as well as the Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, the Union Minister for Transport, the Union Minister for Energy, the Minister of Science and Technology, the Union Minister of Commerce, the Chief of General Staff in the Ministry of Defence, the Deputy Minister of Health, a number of senior officials, and other members of the delegation," said Vishnu Prakash.
"He arrived yesterday at Gaya and is presently undertaking a pilgrimage of the holy Buddhist sites at Gaya, Khushinagar and Sarnath. He will be arriving later in the evening at New Delhi," he added.
There will be a ceremonial reception and welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan tomorrow in honour of the visiting Myanmar President.
"Tomorrow there will be a ceremonial reception and welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. There will be a call on him by the External Affairs Minister followed by delegation-level talks at noon with the Prime Minister of India, signing of some agreements. He would be paying a visit to Akshardham Temple. In the evening he meets the President who also hosts a banquet in the honour of the visiting dignitary," said Vishnu Prakash.
He said the visiting President would also be visiting the Indian Agricultural Research Institute on Saturday before emplaning for Myanmar, as agriculture is an important area of cooperation between the two countries
Vishnu Prakash further said this is the third visit of Myanmar President U Thein Sein to India.
"This is his third visit to India. He first visited India in 2004 during the state visit of Sr. General Than Shwe as Secretary-1 as he was called then. He next visited in November 2008 as the Prime Minister of Myanmar to participate in the BIMSTEC Summit in New Delhi," he said.
Vishnu Prakash said India and Myanmar have enjoyed a longstanding relationship underpinned by ethnic, cultural and linguistic proximities, affinities.
"A large section of the Myanmar population is Buddhist and naturally sees India as their spiritual home. By various counts, something like a million people in Myanmar are of Indian origin," said Vishnu Prakash.
"Four of India's Northeastern States - Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram - share a land border with Myanmar, which is more than 1600 kilometres. In fact, Myanmar is the only Southeast Asian State with which we have a land boundary, and as such it is a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, and also a gateway to the ASEAN region. Naturally connectivity through Myanmar can play a valuable role in spurring economic development in our northeastern region," he added.
Stating that Myanmar is also an integral part in our Look East Policy, Vishnu Prakash said: "India and Myanmar are members of a number of regional fora including BIMSTEC, the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Plus Six, as well as other international fora. In 2008, Myanmar became an Observer at the SAARC."
" Our relations with Myanmar encompass a number of important areas like security, trade and investments, energy, capacity-building, health and education, science and technology, as well as infrastructure development," he added.
The MEA spokesperson further said India attaches the highest importance to the state visit of the President of Myanmar and is confident that this would place the relationship on an even stronger footing.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
GNLA guns down tribal woman
Shillong, Oct 29 : A tribal woman was shot at by Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants in Meghalaya, police said today.
Rabbella Ch Marak was shot on her left hand and back by GNLA militants at Nengmandalgre village in East Garo Hills district yesterday, suspecting her to be a police informer, police said.
However, GNLA political secretary Bikdot Nikjang Marak claimed that Ms Marak was involved in gathering information of the outfit.
'' We had no intention to kill her. We only wanted to punish her because she refused to listen to our warnings. She was found collaborating with police on two previous occasions also,'' a local daily quoting the GNLA political secretary Bikdot Nikjang Marak stated.
However, police officials have denied the allegation.
The victim, now admitted at private hospital in West Garo Hills district, is said to be out of danger.
Meanwhile, police have registered a case.
Rabbella Ch Marak was shot on her left hand and back by GNLA militants at Nengmandalgre village in East Garo Hills district yesterday, suspecting her to be a police informer, police said.
However, GNLA political secretary Bikdot Nikjang Marak claimed that Ms Marak was involved in gathering information of the outfit.
'' We had no intention to kill her. We only wanted to punish her because she refused to listen to our warnings. She was found collaborating with police on two previous occasions also,'' a local daily quoting the GNLA political secretary Bikdot Nikjang Marak stated.
However, police officials have denied the allegation.
The victim, now admitted at private hospital in West Garo Hills district, is said to be out of danger.
Meanwhile, police have registered a case.
Abductors hike ransom
Silchar, Oct. 29 : Kidnappers of the NF Railway locomotive driver, Tarun Kumar Bhattacharjee, have upped their ransom demand from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
United Democratic Liberation Army (UDLA), which masterminded his abduction, was reportedly peeved with the dilly-dallying by Bhattacharjee’s family in handing over the ransom, and increased the amount.
Hailakandi superintendent of police Hemanta Bhattacharjee confirmed the ransom hike this morning over phone.
Police sources said the ransom note bore the signature of UDLA chairman Sishuram Reang, who, according to police intelligence, operated from Mizoram’s Kolosib district.
The UDLA chief had told reporters over phone in Hailakandi yesterday that he was forced to demand such a high ransom from Bhattacharjee’s family as it was only way to force the Centre to take notice of the outfit.
Another reason behind the kidnapping, Reang said, was to raise money to buy modern weaponry.
The ransom hike has, however, compounded the woes of Bhattacharjee’s wife, his two daughters and his son, who had been spending sleepless nights waiting for his return at their railway quarters in Badarpur.
Bhattacharjee was kidnapped from the Mizoram-bound Badarpur-Bhairabi passenger train on October 20 evening when the train slowed down near Purbachairabak hamlet under Hailakandi district’s Katlicherra block on the Assam-Mizoram border.
Though eight days have elapsed since the abduction and Hailakandi police is claiming to have zeroed in on the kidnappers’ hideout, there has been no breakthrough yet.
According to police sources, Assam and Mizoram police personnel along with IRB and CRPF jawans have been scanning the hilly jungles on the Assam-Mizoram border to track down the rebels and rescue the missing railway employee.
United Democratic Liberation Army (UDLA), which masterminded his abduction, was reportedly peeved with the dilly-dallying by Bhattacharjee’s family in handing over the ransom, and increased the amount.
Hailakandi superintendent of police Hemanta Bhattacharjee confirmed the ransom hike this morning over phone.
Police sources said the ransom note bore the signature of UDLA chairman Sishuram Reang, who, according to police intelligence, operated from Mizoram’s Kolosib district.
The UDLA chief had told reporters over phone in Hailakandi yesterday that he was forced to demand such a high ransom from Bhattacharjee’s family as it was only way to force the Centre to take notice of the outfit.
Another reason behind the kidnapping, Reang said, was to raise money to buy modern weaponry.
The ransom hike has, however, compounded the woes of Bhattacharjee’s wife, his two daughters and his son, who had been spending sleepless nights waiting for his return at their railway quarters in Badarpur.
Bhattacharjee was kidnapped from the Mizoram-bound Badarpur-Bhairabi passenger train on October 20 evening when the train slowed down near Purbachairabak hamlet under Hailakandi district’s Katlicherra block on the Assam-Mizoram border.
Though eight days have elapsed since the abduction and Hailakandi police is claiming to have zeroed in on the kidnappers’ hideout, there has been no breakthrough yet.
According to police sources, Assam and Mizoram police personnel along with IRB and CRPF jawans have been scanning the hilly jungles on the Assam-Mizoram border to track down the rebels and rescue the missing railway employee.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
45 UTLA cadres surrender before Manipur CM
IMPHAL, Oct 28 : Forty-three armed cadres of the United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) including its top leaders Thursday formally surrendered with their arms before the Manipur Chief Minister, GOC 57th Mountain Division and Manipur DGP, in a “Home Coming Ceremony” held at 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground, Imphal.
President of the outfit Seipu alias Izeal, general secretary Siehzahau and home secretary SL Minlun alias Lulun were among the 43 cadres who surrendered through the Red Shield Division of the 57 Mountain Division.
Officials of the Red Shield Division who termed the ceremony as “Home Coming Ceremony” described today’s function as “another landmark peace initiative” of the division. The cadres decided to come home by abjuring the path of violence under the guidance and direction of GOC Red Shield Division, Major General Binoy Poonem.
Speaking on the occasion, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh made a fresh appeal to all insurgent groups operating in Manipur to abjure violence and come to the negotiating table, saying that every problem could be solved through dialogue.
“My government will not leave a stone unturned to keep the confidence they (insurgents) have on us,” he said assuring that his government was always ready to take up rehabilitation work for the youths who were “misguided”.
Welcoming the home coming of the UTLA cadres, the Ibodi asserted that the group had already approached for joining the tripartite suspension of operation agreement among GoI, GoM and Kuki based militant groups under the umbrella organisations, Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF).
UTLA had already made known their charter of demands from the government. During a thorough study to their demands, it was found that most of them were genuine. Government would consider the demands point by point, he said.
Manipur DGP Y Joykumar asserted that with the UTLA coming out to the negotiating table, the hindrances which were given to the construction of Jiribam-Tupul railway line and other developmental works taken up in parts of Tamenglong, Churachandpur and Jiribam sub-division of Imphal East would be remarkably reduce.
According to the DGP, UTLA cadres are actively operating in Jiribam, Vangai Range of Churachandpur and Nungba hill range of Tamenglong district.
GOC Red Shield Division Major General Binoy Poonem clarified that today’s ceremony was not a surrender ceremony but “UTLA entering to another suspension of operation agreement with the government.”
He further assured that his division will continue to work for the prevalent of peace in the region by paving the way for militants come to the negotiating table.
The United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) was raised by one James in year 2003. However, at a later date after the death of James, UTLA was split into two factions called UTLA and UTLA (Max). UTLA (Max) over a period of time got neutralized and as on date majority of them are in jail.
Due to leadership crisis and differences, president of UTLA Izeal and general secretary Shjao along with its 42 armed cadres were motivated to join the mainstream. On September 8 last, the two leaders of the group announced formally to join the suspension of operation, said a statement distributed during the home coming ceremony orchestrated by 27 sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Red Shield Division.
Manipur outfit joins peace pact
Ibobi Singh
Imphal, Oct. 28 : Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh today welcomed 43 members of the United Tribal Liberation Army, including its president, who have shown eagerness to ink a suspension of operations agreement with the army.
The group, which operates from the Vangai range and Nungba in Tamenglong district and Jiribam in Imphal East, recently approached the 57 Mountain Division, based at Leimakhong of Sadar Hills for the suspension of operation agreement.
Though both the state government and the army accepted the request, the group is yet the ink the agreement. The process is under way, the army said.
When UTLA signs the pact, the number of groups to come under the peace agreement will go up to 20.
Nineteen groups under two umbrella organisations — the Kuki National Organisation and the United Peoples Front — are now living in designated camps. UTLA cadres will be kept at Uchathol of Jiribam under the protection of the army.
To welcome the group, the state government and the army organised a “homecoming” ceremony at the 1st Manipur Rifle auditorium in Imphal city today.
Ibobi Singh urged the group to follow the ground rules of the suspension of agreement and not to indulge in extortion and violence.
“The groups in the suspension of operation agreement are often found extorting money and indulging in violence. The government and security forces will not tolerate such things,” Ibobi Singh said.
The director-general of police, Yumnam Joykumar Singh, said with UTLA entering a peace pact, disturbances were likely to decrease in construction projects along the railway line from Jiribam to Imphal.
The GOC 57 Mountain Division Binoy Poonen said more splinter groups would soon enter into similar agreements.
Ulfa hardliners active in upper Assam
JORHAT: Ulfa hardliners have intensified their activities in Majuli, Lakhimpur and Tinsukia in the last few days. They are carrying out recruitment and fund collection drives in the said areas by taking shelter in Majuli and the bordering areas with Arunachal Pradesh in Tinsukia.
Security forces have specific inputs on the activities of militants and therefore some additional security measures have been taken up in the upper Assam districts of Jorhat, Sivasagar and Tinsukia.
DIG (Upper Assam) Anurag Tankha said, "Security forces have some intelligence inputs on the activities of Ulfa militants in Majuli, Lakhimpur and Tinsukia districts. So, counter-insurgency operations are being carried out in some locations and security measures have been intensified."
He added, "A group comprising about eight members under the leadership of Rajiv Das is currently staying in some sapori areas of Majuli. They frequently change their hideouts to avoid police. Besides, a big group of Ulfa hardliners have taken shelter in the bordering areas of Arunachal Pradesh in Tinsukia. It is busy with recruitment drives and collection of funds in upper Assam districts. This group generally takes refuge in areas like Sunapur, Mahadevpur and Jagun in the district and carry out their activities,"' he said, adding that all these areas are very remote and the people living there are generally poor.
"These are mainly Moran and Motok community-dominated areas and youths from these places join hands with the Paresh Baruah-led Ulfa faction. But as soon as security forces launch operation, they manage to shift their shelter to Arunachal Pradesh through the porous border of the neghbouring state," he added.
According to sources, Baruah is now focusing on recruitment of new cadres to his faction and has sent some of his cadres to some remote areas in Jorhat, Sivasagar and Tinsukia district with some special assignments on recruitment and funds collection.
Security forces have specific inputs on the activities of militants and therefore some additional security measures have been taken up in the upper Assam districts of Jorhat, Sivasagar and Tinsukia.
DIG (Upper Assam) Anurag Tankha said, "Security forces have some intelligence inputs on the activities of Ulfa militants in Majuli, Lakhimpur and Tinsukia districts. So, counter-insurgency operations are being carried out in some locations and security measures have been intensified."
He added, "A group comprising about eight members under the leadership of Rajiv Das is currently staying in some sapori areas of Majuli. They frequently change their hideouts to avoid police. Besides, a big group of Ulfa hardliners have taken shelter in the bordering areas of Arunachal Pradesh in Tinsukia. It is busy with recruitment drives and collection of funds in upper Assam districts. This group generally takes refuge in areas like Sunapur, Mahadevpur and Jagun in the district and carry out their activities,"' he said, adding that all these areas are very remote and the people living there are generally poor.
"These are mainly Moran and Motok community-dominated areas and youths from these places join hands with the Paresh Baruah-led Ulfa faction. But as soon as security forces launch operation, they manage to shift their shelter to Arunachal Pradesh through the porous border of the neghbouring state," he added.
According to sources, Baruah is now focusing on recruitment of new cadres to his faction and has sent some of his cadres to some remote areas in Jorhat, Sivasagar and Tinsukia district with some special assignments on recruitment and funds collection.
Manipur Rifles jawan injured in militant attack
Imphal, Oct 27 (PTI) A Manipur Rifles jawan was among two persons
injured when militants attacked the house of a government official,
officials said today.
Militants hurled a grenade at the house of chief engineer of public works department Lokendra Singh at Kiyamgei area in Imphal East district at around 10.30 pm last night.
In the explosion, a jawan of the 7th Manipur Rifles battalion and a driver of the official was injured, they said adding, the injured were taken to a nearby hospital where their condition was stated to be out of danger.
Police is investigating whether the attack was linked to a monetary demand from the official.
Militants hurled a grenade at the house of chief engineer of public works department Lokendra Singh at Kiyamgei area in Imphal East district at around 10.30 pm last night.
In the explosion, a jawan of the 7th Manipur Rifles battalion and a driver of the official was injured, they said adding, the injured were taken to a nearby hospital where their condition was stated to be out of danger.
Police is investigating whether the attack was linked to a monetary demand from the official.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Bomb blast on railway track in Assam
A bomb exploded on the railway tracks in central
Assam’s Dima Hasao district on Wednesday night, damaging the track and
halting the movement of trains.
There was no casualty
or injury as no train was passing at the time of the blast, said
Northeast Frontier Railway (NEF) Spokesman S. Hajong.
The bomb exploded on the tracks between Mahur and Phiding railway stations at around 11 p.m., Mr. Hajong said.
No train was scheduled to pass over the track at the time of the explosion, he said.
A
part of the track was damaged by the bomb blast, he said. The up Barak
Valley Express was detained at lower Haflong and its corresponding down
15693 at Maibong.
Senior railway and police officials had rushed to the blast site, the NEF Railway spokesman added.
Those responsible for the blast were yet to be identified as investigations were on, police sources said.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Ulfa, government discuss charter of demands
NEW DELHI: The United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) and the Centre on Tuesday began talks on the charter of demands submitted by the outlawed organisation.
The charter of demands includes Constitutional amendments to give Assam greater control over its natural resources, revenue generation, participation in the planning process, ensuring a secure demographic situation, besides accelerated and balanced development. While the six-member Ulfa team was led by its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, the government side was led by Union Home Secretary RK Singh. Also present was the government of India representative for the talks, PC Haldar, and senior representatives of the Assam government.
After the preliminary discussion on Ulfa's demands, Haldar has been requested to hold further meetings with chief secretary, Assam and Ulfa leaders, to explore possible solutions.
Rajkhowa told reporters before the talks that they would "explain long-standing demands of the region and the aspirations of the people."
After the meeting, Home Secretary Singh said the steps taken by Ulfa leaders for restoration of peace and normalcy would yield speedier socio-economic development for the people of Assam. Singh will periodically review the status of the talks.
The government and Ulfa entered into a ceasefire earlier this year after the rebel leadership was released on bail. Ulfa, one of the biggest rebel outfits in Assam, has fought for an independent homeland for the Assamese since 1979. At least 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in Assam because of fighting between government forces and rebels in the past three decades.
Though almost all of Ulfa's central committee is on board the peace initiative, the outfit's commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah is opposing the talks and stands firm on his sovereignty demand. He has accused his pro-talks colleagues of agreeing to negotiations under the influence of the "enemy" (government of India).
The charter of demands includes Constitutional amendments to give Assam greater control over its natural resources, revenue generation, participation in the planning process, ensuring a secure demographic situation, besides accelerated and balanced development. While the six-member Ulfa team was led by its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, the government side was led by Union Home Secretary RK Singh. Also present was the government of India representative for the talks, PC Haldar, and senior representatives of the Assam government.
After the preliminary discussion on Ulfa's demands, Haldar has been requested to hold further meetings with chief secretary, Assam and Ulfa leaders, to explore possible solutions.
Rajkhowa told reporters before the talks that they would "explain long-standing demands of the region and the aspirations of the people."
After the meeting, Home Secretary Singh said the steps taken by Ulfa leaders for restoration of peace and normalcy would yield speedier socio-economic development for the people of Assam. Singh will periodically review the status of the talks.
The government and Ulfa entered into a ceasefire earlier this year after the rebel leadership was released on bail. Ulfa, one of the biggest rebel outfits in Assam, has fought for an independent homeland for the Assamese since 1979. At least 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in Assam because of fighting between government forces and rebels in the past three decades.
Though almost all of Ulfa's central committee is on board the peace initiative, the outfit's commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah is opposing the talks and stands firm on his sovereignty demand. He has accused his pro-talks colleagues of agreeing to negotiations under the influence of the "enemy" (government of India).
ULFA AND NDFT are active in coal belts in Meghalaya: DGP
Shillong, Oct 25 : Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP), N Ramachandran today said that United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) are active in coal belt areas of West Khasi Hills district of the state.
''We have received specific information that cadres of the ULFA and NDFB were spotted in the coal belts of West Khasi Hills district,'' Mr Ramachandran said.
The DGP said, with the coal trading season in the state due to start with the onset of winter, police is keeping a close vigil on the movement and activities of these militant outfits.
''We are keeping extra vigil on the coal best areas since these places are vulnerable to militant activities and incidents like kidnapping and extortion have taken place in the past,'' Mr Ramachandram said.
There were also reports that Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) was on the extortion drive from the coal traders in the district which is hub for coal traders.
Earlier, the GNLA had served extortion notes to several coal traders, petrol pump owners and other businessmen in the area, the DGP informed.
''We are aware of the movements and activities of these outfits,'' the DGP said, adding that the police will not leave any rooms for any insurgents groups and criminals in the state.
Meanwhile, intelligence sources also said both ULFA and NDFB have set up their bases in West Garo Hills region of the state to facilitate movement of their cadres to Bangladesh and Assam.
''We have noticed the movements of ULFA and NDFB cadres and set up their camps in the region to facilitate movement of the cadres,'' sources added.
Sources also said that GNLA operating in Garo Hills region is supporting the two outfit groups logistically and in return the former receives training for new recruits both from ULFA and NDFB.
''We have received specific information that cadres of the ULFA and NDFB were spotted in the coal belts of West Khasi Hills district,'' Mr Ramachandran said.
The DGP said, with the coal trading season in the state due to start with the onset of winter, police is keeping a close vigil on the movement and activities of these militant outfits.
''We are keeping extra vigil on the coal best areas since these places are vulnerable to militant activities and incidents like kidnapping and extortion have taken place in the past,'' Mr Ramachandram said.
There were also reports that Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) was on the extortion drive from the coal traders in the district which is hub for coal traders.
Earlier, the GNLA had served extortion notes to several coal traders, petrol pump owners and other businessmen in the area, the DGP informed.
''We are aware of the movements and activities of these outfits,'' the DGP said, adding that the police will not leave any rooms for any insurgents groups and criminals in the state.
Meanwhile, intelligence sources also said both ULFA and NDFB have set up their bases in West Garo Hills region of the state to facilitate movement of their cadres to Bangladesh and Assam.
''We have noticed the movements of ULFA and NDFB cadres and set up their camps in the region to facilitate movement of the cadres,'' sources added.
Sources also said that GNLA operating in Garo Hills region is supporting the two outfit groups logistically and in return the former receives training for new recruits both from ULFA and NDFB.
ULFA-government set for another round of talks
Guwahati, Oct 25 : A crucial round of peace talks between the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the central government begins in New Delhi Tuesday with both sides expected to discuss the charter of demands presented by the rebels.
"The talks would focus on our charter of demands already submitted to the home ministry and we expect a positive response from the government," ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa told IANS.
The talks between the six-member ULFA delegation headed by Rajkhowa and senior home ministry officials are to begin at 3 p.m.
The ULFA charter of demands includes constitutional amendments to give Assam greater control over their natural resources, revenue generation, participation in the planning process, ensuring a secure demographic situation, besides accelerated and balanced development.
However, the ULFA's primary objective of a 'sovereign independent Assam' does not figure in the charter of demands.
The charter of demands apart, key issues like ceasefire ground rules, surrender of weapons and cadres being confined to designated camps are also expected to figure in the talks.
ULFA and the central government entered into a ceasefire earlier this year after both the central and New Delhi facilitated the release on bail of the top rebel leadership.
ULFA, one of the biggest rebel outfits in the tea and oil-rich region of Assam, has fought for an independent homeland for the ethnic Assamese since 1979.
At least 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in Assam because of fighting between government forces and various rebel groups during the past three decades.
The much-hyped talks, however, hit a major roadblock with the elusive ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah rejecting the initiative.
Baruah, said to be hiding in the Myanmar-China border area, in an e-mail statement, said: "We cannot support the peace talks as the ULFA leadership led by Rajkhowa is under the influence of our enemy (government)."
But the ULFA chairman maintains Paresh Baruah is not opposed to the peace talks.
"We have not got any direct communication from Paresh Baruah rejecting the peace process and so we still believe he is not averse to the talks and would support us," Rajkhowa said.
Apart from Rajhkowa, the other ULFA leaders taking part in the talks include vice chairman Pradeep Gogoi, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, self-styled foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury, finance secretary Chitraban Hazarika and publicity chief Mithinga Daimary.
Political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain, 80, and cultural secretary Pranati Deka are not taking part in the talks on health grounds.
"The talks would focus on our charter of demands already submitted to the home ministry and we expect a positive response from the government," ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa told IANS.
The talks between the six-member ULFA delegation headed by Rajkhowa and senior home ministry officials are to begin at 3 p.m.
The ULFA charter of demands includes constitutional amendments to give Assam greater control over their natural resources, revenue generation, participation in the planning process, ensuring a secure demographic situation, besides accelerated and balanced development.
However, the ULFA's primary objective of a 'sovereign independent Assam' does not figure in the charter of demands.
The charter of demands apart, key issues like ceasefire ground rules, surrender of weapons and cadres being confined to designated camps are also expected to figure in the talks.
ULFA and the central government entered into a ceasefire earlier this year after both the central and New Delhi facilitated the release on bail of the top rebel leadership.
ULFA, one of the biggest rebel outfits in the tea and oil-rich region of Assam, has fought for an independent homeland for the ethnic Assamese since 1979.
At least 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in Assam because of fighting between government forces and various rebel groups during the past three decades.
The much-hyped talks, however, hit a major roadblock with the elusive ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah rejecting the initiative.
Baruah, said to be hiding in the Myanmar-China border area, in an e-mail statement, said: "We cannot support the peace talks as the ULFA leadership led by Rajkhowa is under the influence of our enemy (government)."
But the ULFA chairman maintains Paresh Baruah is not opposed to the peace talks.
"We have not got any direct communication from Paresh Baruah rejecting the peace process and so we still believe he is not averse to the talks and would support us," Rajkhowa said.
Apart from Rajhkowa, the other ULFA leaders taking part in the talks include vice chairman Pradeep Gogoi, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, self-styled foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury, finance secretary Chitraban Hazarika and publicity chief Mithinga Daimary.
Political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain, 80, and cultural secretary Pranati Deka are not taking part in the talks on health grounds.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Dialogue ‘fruitless’ without Baruah and Chetia
With the Centre ready to kick off formal dialogue with ULFA on Tuesday to end
the three-decade-old insurgency, one village in upper Assam doubts anything
concrete could be achieved without the participation of their sons Paresh Baruah
and Anup Chetia, top leaders of the banned outfit, still underground.
Ratnadip Choudhury maps the mood in Jeraigaon, where the two
cousins started one of the deadliest terrorist outfits in the country
Paresh Baruah, commander-in-chief of ULFA
The Centre would kick off formal dialogue with the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) on Tuesday after a three-decade-long bloody insurgency. With informal talks already going on between the two sides, a village which is the home to two top, underground leaders of the outfit, however, doubts the fresh impetus to the peace process.
As one descends National Highway No.37, which leads to Kharjan tea estate in Panitola, upper Assam district of Dibrugarh, a bumpy, unmetalled road goes into Jeraigaon, a cluster of small sleepy hamlets. The sound of roaring Sukhois taking off from the nearby Chabua Air Base is the only occasional jarring note in the silent area. But Jeraigaon’s identity doesn’t end there--it is home to Paresh Baruah, commander-in-chief of ULFA, and his cousin Anup Chetia, alias Golap Baruah, general secretary of the outfit. For Jeraigaon, the peace talks have no meaning until the cousins participate.
Baruah and Chetia’s families and friends express the same doubt when asked about the peace dialogue. “Any talk with ULFA to which my brother Golap and my cousin Paresh are not party to will not be effective,” says Suren Baruah, 80, elder brother of Chetia. “Delhi has tried to keep Paresh away from the talks and it is doubtful whether Anup will be repatriated from Bangladesh. The ULFA leadership should have taken more time. Remember it was my brother Anup, who built ULFA’s political base; Paresh single-handedly built the military might of the outfit.”
Chetia’s family owns a small tea garden on a 20-bigha plot. “If uncle (Chetia) comes back home, we would engage him in the tea business. We hope he will take the business forward,” says Arup Baruah, 30, Suren’s son.
In the next house, one can hear the sharp voice of a woman in her late 80s telling a story to her grandson Chukafa. “Grandmother talks about uncle sometimes,” says the Class V student. “I have never seen him, only seen his photo on TV. Grandma cries for him; she has not seen him for more than 30 years.” For her part, Miliki Baruah, Paresh’s mother, says she wants to see her son and nephew before she dies. “I want my Paresh to come back and join the peace process; I want him to come back with Golap. I want to see him at least once before I die.” Inside, perhaps, she doubts whether her son will ever return.
Not everyone wants Paresh to return because of sentimental reasons alone. Bikul Baruah, 43, Paresh’s youngest sibling, is a teacher at the local primary school. He feels the state government has not done its bit. “Not only the family, but the whole village and the entire state wants my brother and Golap da to come back,” he says. “They went to the jungle for a cause, not to build a good life. Assam knows this very well, but the government has to reach out to them.”
The Baruah family had five sons and a daughter. One of Paresh’s brothers Dinesh was gunned down by unknown assailant in 1994. “I have already lost one son. I want my son back and peace. And I want to tell Arabinda Rajkhowa [ULFA Chairman] to be proactive to get Paresh back. Both started the struggle together. They can bring peace together as well,” adds a desperate Miliki.
Although Paresh’s family wants peace, they do not hesitate to call him a ‘revolutionary’. “When my brother went underground, he was working for the Railways. He was an ace footballer; so he must not have gone for himself. There was a huge cause, but things have changed; so he should be persuaded to join the process. The family had to live under the shadow of the gun for a long time; we have seen hard times,” says Bikul.
Thirty years ago, when Chetia and Paresh went underground, many bright youths followed in their footsteps. Jeraigaon soon became the prime target of the Army and the police. “Many innocent youths were picked up and killed. The army harassed us since it was Paresh Baruah’s area. We did consider ULFA to be the saviour of Assam. But now, peace needs a chance as they [ULFA] have disintegrated. Paresh and Anup still remain our heroes; we respect them,” says Tileshwar Neog, 72, of Jerai Thekaguri Village. Almost everyone in Jeraigaon swears by Baruah and Chetia, which is why ULFA still gets recruits from here.
“I strongly feel that if Anup is sent back from Bangladesh and he joins peace, Paresh will change his mind. I still remember them eating from the same plate after school,” recalls a teary-eyed Suren.
Chetia was first arrested in 1991 in Kolkata. Released on parole to start dialogue and convince Paresh to come to the negotiating table, Chetia fled instead only to be arrested again in Bangladesh in 1997 under the Passport Act and Foreigners Act for illegally staying in the neighboring country. “We want to help the government. The Centre can help us to go to Bangladesh and arrange a meeting with Anup. We can convince him and Paresh. But the ULFA charter of demands for talks should also be acceptable to them.” Paresh had earlier rejected the pro-talk faction’s charter of demands claiming it overrode the outlawed outfit’s objectives.
Bangladesh kept Chetia in ‘protective custody’ since New Delhi and Dhaka do not have an extradition treaty. In 2008, he applied for political asylum in Bangladesh. New Delhi has since been trying to convince Dhaka to repatriate Chetia. The thrust to his repatriation came in when Rajkhowa, who backs talks, pressed for Chetia’s presence in the talks. Sources have confirmed to TEHELKA that Chetia is now holed up in a ‘safehouse’ of the Bangladesh intelligence in Dhaka.
Meanwhile, residents of Jeraigaon object to the media branding both cousins terrorists, and not revolutionaries. “Agreed that ULFA has killed many people but they were forced to do so. And what the Army did was even more disgraceful killing innocents. The media should not be biased,” says a young villager refusing to be named.
Jeraigaon is keeping its fingers crossed. A silver lining is evident with friends and family members of both Baruah and Chetia expecting to see their sons return after 30 years. But there is also the original sin, the reason why it all began. As Baruah’s friend and businessman Niranjan Kumar Goel puts it, “The twin issues of exploitation of Assam’s resources and Bangladeshi infiltration still looms large. These need to be settled or else Assam might see more Pareshs or Anups.” Until that happens, or the talks are fruitful, Jeraigaon will have to wait for the runaway cousins.
Ratnadip Choudhury is a Principal Correspondent with Tehelka.
ratnadip@tehelka.com
Paresh Baruah, commander-in-chief of ULFA
The Centre would kick off formal dialogue with the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) on Tuesday after a three-decade-long bloody insurgency. With informal talks already going on between the two sides, a village which is the home to two top, underground leaders of the outfit, however, doubts the fresh impetus to the peace process.
As one descends National Highway No.37, which leads to Kharjan tea estate in Panitola, upper Assam district of Dibrugarh, a bumpy, unmetalled road goes into Jeraigaon, a cluster of small sleepy hamlets. The sound of roaring Sukhois taking off from the nearby Chabua Air Base is the only occasional jarring note in the silent area. But Jeraigaon’s identity doesn’t end there--it is home to Paresh Baruah, commander-in-chief of ULFA, and his cousin Anup Chetia, alias Golap Baruah, general secretary of the outfit. For Jeraigaon, the peace talks have no meaning until the cousins participate.
Baruah and Chetia’s families and friends express the same doubt when asked about the peace dialogue. “Any talk with ULFA to which my brother Golap and my cousin Paresh are not party to will not be effective,” says Suren Baruah, 80, elder brother of Chetia. “Delhi has tried to keep Paresh away from the talks and it is doubtful whether Anup will be repatriated from Bangladesh. The ULFA leadership should have taken more time. Remember it was my brother Anup, who built ULFA’s political base; Paresh single-handedly built the military might of the outfit.”
Chetia’s family owns a small tea garden on a 20-bigha plot. “If uncle (Chetia) comes back home, we would engage him in the tea business. We hope he will take the business forward,” says Arup Baruah, 30, Suren’s son.
In the next house, one can hear the sharp voice of a woman in her late 80s telling a story to her grandson Chukafa. “Grandmother talks about uncle sometimes,” says the Class V student. “I have never seen him, only seen his photo on TV. Grandma cries for him; she has not seen him for more than 30 years.” For her part, Miliki Baruah, Paresh’s mother, says she wants to see her son and nephew before she dies. “I want my Paresh to come back and join the peace process; I want him to come back with Golap. I want to see him at least once before I die.” Inside, perhaps, she doubts whether her son will ever return.
Not everyone wants Paresh to return because of sentimental reasons alone. Bikul Baruah, 43, Paresh’s youngest sibling, is a teacher at the local primary school. He feels the state government has not done its bit. “Not only the family, but the whole village and the entire state wants my brother and Golap da to come back,” he says. “They went to the jungle for a cause, not to build a good life. Assam knows this very well, but the government has to reach out to them.”
The Baruah family had five sons and a daughter. One of Paresh’s brothers Dinesh was gunned down by unknown assailant in 1994. “I have already lost one son. I want my son back and peace. And I want to tell Arabinda Rajkhowa [ULFA Chairman] to be proactive to get Paresh back. Both started the struggle together. They can bring peace together as well,” adds a desperate Miliki.
Although Paresh’s family wants peace, they do not hesitate to call him a ‘revolutionary’. “When my brother went underground, he was working for the Railways. He was an ace footballer; so he must not have gone for himself. There was a huge cause, but things have changed; so he should be persuaded to join the process. The family had to live under the shadow of the gun for a long time; we have seen hard times,” says Bikul.
Thirty years ago, when Chetia and Paresh went underground, many bright youths followed in their footsteps. Jeraigaon soon became the prime target of the Army and the police. “Many innocent youths were picked up and killed. The army harassed us since it was Paresh Baruah’s area. We did consider ULFA to be the saviour of Assam. But now, peace needs a chance as they [ULFA] have disintegrated. Paresh and Anup still remain our heroes; we respect them,” says Tileshwar Neog, 72, of Jerai Thekaguri Village. Almost everyone in Jeraigaon swears by Baruah and Chetia, which is why ULFA still gets recruits from here.
“I strongly feel that if Anup is sent back from Bangladesh and he joins peace, Paresh will change his mind. I still remember them eating from the same plate after school,” recalls a teary-eyed Suren.
Chetia was first arrested in 1991 in Kolkata. Released on parole to start dialogue and convince Paresh to come to the negotiating table, Chetia fled instead only to be arrested again in Bangladesh in 1997 under the Passport Act and Foreigners Act for illegally staying in the neighboring country. “We want to help the government. The Centre can help us to go to Bangladesh and arrange a meeting with Anup. We can convince him and Paresh. But the ULFA charter of demands for talks should also be acceptable to them.” Paresh had earlier rejected the pro-talk faction’s charter of demands claiming it overrode the outlawed outfit’s objectives.
Bangladesh kept Chetia in ‘protective custody’ since New Delhi and Dhaka do not have an extradition treaty. In 2008, he applied for political asylum in Bangladesh. New Delhi has since been trying to convince Dhaka to repatriate Chetia. The thrust to his repatriation came in when Rajkhowa, who backs talks, pressed for Chetia’s presence in the talks. Sources have confirmed to TEHELKA that Chetia is now holed up in a ‘safehouse’ of the Bangladesh intelligence in Dhaka.
Meanwhile, residents of Jeraigaon object to the media branding both cousins terrorists, and not revolutionaries. “Agreed that ULFA has killed many people but they were forced to do so. And what the Army did was even more disgraceful killing innocents. The media should not be biased,” says a young villager refusing to be named.
Jeraigaon is keeping its fingers crossed. A silver lining is evident with friends and family members of both Baruah and Chetia expecting to see their sons return after 30 years. But there is also the original sin, the reason why it all began. As Baruah’s friend and businessman Niranjan Kumar Goel puts it, “The twin issues of exploitation of Assam’s resources and Bangladeshi infiltration still looms large. These need to be settled or else Assam might see more Pareshs or Anups.” Until that happens, or the talks are fruitful, Jeraigaon will have to wait for the runaway cousins.
Ratnadip Choudhury is a Principal Correspondent with Tehelka.
ratnadip@tehelka.com
Friday, October 21, 2011
GNLA activities on rise in Garo Hills region of Meghalaya
Shilllong, Oct 21 : Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) chief Ajit Lal has said that the activities of Garo National Liberation Army was on the rise in Garo Hills region of Meghalaya.
''South and East Garo Hills districts have witnessed significant escalation in extortion related violence masterminded by the GNLA,'' Mr Lal said at a conference held here yesterday.
The main sources of finance of the insurgent groups are extortions, kidnapping for ransom, the JIC chief stated.
''Some of these outfits levy taxes on the native population, besides taxes from commercial sectors,'' the intelligence chief said.
Mr Lal also informed that an important aspect of the insurgency in the north-east is the inter linkage among the insurgency groups.
''The insurgent groups over the past one year have made efforts to forge greater coordination for logistic and operational purpose,'' Mr Lal said.
However, insurgency related violence in the northeast has gradually improved and total incidents violence in civilian casualties have also declained, Mr Lal added.
''South and East Garo Hills districts have witnessed significant escalation in extortion related violence masterminded by the GNLA,'' Mr Lal said at a conference held here yesterday.
The main sources of finance of the insurgent groups are extortions, kidnapping for ransom, the JIC chief stated.
''Some of these outfits levy taxes on the native population, besides taxes from commercial sectors,'' the intelligence chief said.
Mr Lal also informed that an important aspect of the insurgency in the north-east is the inter linkage among the insurgency groups.
''The insurgent groups over the past one year have made efforts to forge greater coordination for logistic and operational purpose,'' Mr Lal said.
However, insurgency related violence in the northeast has gradually improved and total incidents violence in civilian casualties have also declained, Mr Lal added.
18 militants lay down arms to Manipur Chief Minister
Imphal, Oct 21 : 'Home Coming' of 18 cadres of various banned militant outfits was held today at IGAR(S), Mantripukhri today.
They laid down arms and ammunition in front of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh. DGP Y Joykumar, Maj Gen UK Gurung,IGAR(S) and Mr Bijoy Koijam, MLA, and others attended the function.
Those who surrendered were eleven cadres of Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF), one each of United National Liberation Front (UNLF), People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Pakan Revolutionary Army, United People's Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) and two cadres of People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).
They surrendered four AK 56 rifles, two AK 47 rifles, six 9 mm pistols, three.32 mm pistols and one each 7.65mm pistol, 2 inch mortar, M-16 rifle, radio set and large amount of ammunition and magazines.
The Chief Minister said peace and freedom from crime and terrorism are the catalysts for progress and development. He also congratulated the youth for having taken the decision to tread the path of peace.
He applauded the role of the Assam Rifles and State Police in facilitating the Home Coming and rehabilitation process for the misguided youth.
The DGP speaking on the occasion also lauded Assam Rifles and Army for their efforts to bring peace and normalcy in the state.
They laid down arms and ammunition in front of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh. DGP Y Joykumar, Maj Gen UK Gurung,IGAR(S) and Mr Bijoy Koijam, MLA, and others attended the function.
Those who surrendered were eleven cadres of Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF), one each of United National Liberation Front (UNLF), People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Pakan Revolutionary Army, United People's Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) and two cadres of People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).
They surrendered four AK 56 rifles, two AK 47 rifles, six 9 mm pistols, three.32 mm pistols and one each 7.65mm pistol, 2 inch mortar, M-16 rifle, radio set and large amount of ammunition and magazines.
The Chief Minister said peace and freedom from crime and terrorism are the catalysts for progress and development. He also congratulated the youth for having taken the decision to tread the path of peace.
He applauded the role of the Assam Rifles and State Police in facilitating the Home Coming and rehabilitation process for the misguided youth.
The DGP speaking on the occasion also lauded Assam Rifles and Army for their efforts to bring peace and normalcy in the state.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
NSCN (IM) involved in Dima Hasao clashes
R Dutta Choudhury
SILCHAR, Oct 21 – Members of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) are directly involved in the recent clashes in Dima Hasao (North Cachar Hills district) despite the fact that the outfit has been under cease-fire agreement with the Government of India since 1997.
Meanwhile, tension is brewing in the hill district at a time when the Government of India is preparing to sign peace accords with both factions of the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD).
Talking to The Assam Tribune, the DIG (southern range) of the Assam Police, Binode Kumar said that the situation in the hill district is now improving and efforts are on to book the culprits involved in the recent incidents of violence and named FIRs have been filed against most of the culprits on the basis of the revelations of the victims and the confessional statements of those arrested.
On the involvement of the NSCN (I-M), Kumar said that the confessional statements of those arrested clearly indicated that members of the militant outfit under cease-fire agreement with Centre were involved in the clashes. The NSCN helped the formation of newly created militant outfit Hill Tiger Force and members of the NSCN even provided weapons and training to the cadres of the new outfit, Kumar said and added the NSCN cadres also came to NC Hills on the eve of the recent clashes and instigated the non-Dimasa people and members of the Hill Tiger Force. According to revelations of those arrested, members of the Naga outfit were involved in one of the incidents of setting fire to a village. Interestingly, though the NSCN cadres were carrying AK series rifles, they used double barrel guns to create confusion among the security forces, Kumar added.
The DIG said that a non-Dimasa organization – Indigenous People’s Forum was agitating in the district against signing of any accord with the factions of the DHD and when the news started appearing that the Government of India is ready to sign peace accords with the Dimasa militant groups, some non-Dimasa people started floating rumours and the Hill Tiger Force, backed by the NSCN and a Hmar outfit, took advantage of the situation. Interestingly, members of the DHD and DHD(J), who are in designated camps, did not retaliate, which prevented the situation turning into a full scale ethnic clash.
According to the rumours, the non-Dimasa people would lose their rights and 80 per cent of the jobs would be reserved for Dimasa people. Some even rumoured that Dimasa traders were refusing to sell rice to non-Dimasa people. All these rumours, along with the killing of James Dimasa and attacks on Dimasa villages since October 12 resulted in deterioration of the situation.
Kumar said that the situation has now improved and additional forces have been rushed to the district to deal with the situation. Those arrested on the basis of statements of the victims of arson have been named in the FIRs so that they can be prosecuted as per the provisions of the law. The district administration and police held meetings with leaders of various communities and appealed to them to stop rumours from spreading and they have also been told that anyone involved in unlawful activities would be strongly dealt with.
Meanwhile, the DIG also admitted that NSCN cadres have started visiting Cachar, particularly Silchar for “holidaying”. He said that police started raiding hotels and arrested several NSCN cadres and the hotel owners have been directed to report to police if any of the guests is found to be carrying weapons.
SILCHAR, Oct 21 – Members of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) are directly involved in the recent clashes in Dima Hasao (North Cachar Hills district) despite the fact that the outfit has been under cease-fire agreement with the Government of India since 1997.
Meanwhile, tension is brewing in the hill district at a time when the Government of India is preparing to sign peace accords with both factions of the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD).
Talking to The Assam Tribune, the DIG (southern range) of the Assam Police, Binode Kumar said that the situation in the hill district is now improving and efforts are on to book the culprits involved in the recent incidents of violence and named FIRs have been filed against most of the culprits on the basis of the revelations of the victims and the confessional statements of those arrested.
On the involvement of the NSCN (I-M), Kumar said that the confessional statements of those arrested clearly indicated that members of the militant outfit under cease-fire agreement with Centre were involved in the clashes. The NSCN helped the formation of newly created militant outfit Hill Tiger Force and members of the NSCN even provided weapons and training to the cadres of the new outfit, Kumar said and added the NSCN cadres also came to NC Hills on the eve of the recent clashes and instigated the non-Dimasa people and members of the Hill Tiger Force. According to revelations of those arrested, members of the Naga outfit were involved in one of the incidents of setting fire to a village. Interestingly, though the NSCN cadres were carrying AK series rifles, they used double barrel guns to create confusion among the security forces, Kumar added.
The DIG said that a non-Dimasa organization – Indigenous People’s Forum was agitating in the district against signing of any accord with the factions of the DHD and when the news started appearing that the Government of India is ready to sign peace accords with the Dimasa militant groups, some non-Dimasa people started floating rumours and the Hill Tiger Force, backed by the NSCN and a Hmar outfit, took advantage of the situation. Interestingly, members of the DHD and DHD(J), who are in designated camps, did not retaliate, which prevented the situation turning into a full scale ethnic clash.
According to the rumours, the non-Dimasa people would lose their rights and 80 per cent of the jobs would be reserved for Dimasa people. Some even rumoured that Dimasa traders were refusing to sell rice to non-Dimasa people. All these rumours, along with the killing of James Dimasa and attacks on Dimasa villages since October 12 resulted in deterioration of the situation.
Kumar said that the situation has now improved and additional forces have been rushed to the district to deal with the situation. Those arrested on the basis of statements of the victims of arson have been named in the FIRs so that they can be prosecuted as per the provisions of the law. The district administration and police held meetings with leaders of various communities and appealed to them to stop rumours from spreading and they have also been told that anyone involved in unlawful activities would be strongly dealt with.
Meanwhile, the DIG also admitted that NSCN cadres have started visiting Cachar, particularly Silchar for “holidaying”. He said that police started raiding hotels and arrested several NSCN cadres and the hotel owners have been directed to report to police if any of the guests is found to be carrying weapons.
'Intensive security operations pushing rebels to Myanmar, B'desh'
IMPHAL: Manipur Governor Gurbachan Jagat said on Wednesday that activities of several militant groups in the valley areas of the state have been checked to a great extent by intensified counter-insurgency operations.
Similarly in the hill districts, the area domination by security forces and police compelled the 'underground elements', specially the 'valley outfits', to seek refuge in neighbouring countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh, apart from taking shelter in other states of the country, the Governor added.
Addressing a gathering at Manipur police's 119th raising day celebrations in Imphal on Wednesday, the Governor said there has been qualitative improvement in the security environment of the state, especially in the valley areas, due to the well-directed counter-insurgency measures, which ensure effective tackling of various threats.
"However, the overall security scenario, though improving, is still a matter of concern as the general population continues to remain under constant threat from various militant groups," he said.
"We have to focus on these evil activities and ensure that the underground and active militant outfits, responsible for these threats, are exposed and broken down," he added.
Commenting on the strength of Manipur police, Jagat said the strength has increased from 15,414 in January 2008 to 24,618 by January 2011.
On law and order front, sporadic incidents of bandh, blockades, general strikes, dharnas and rallies being called by the various organizations of students, political parties and others, affect traffic and day-to-day lives of the citizens of the state.
"I would like to appeal to all organizations not to block the national highways, the lifelines of people of Manipur," he said.
Similarly in the hill districts, the area domination by security forces and police compelled the 'underground elements', specially the 'valley outfits', to seek refuge in neighbouring countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh, apart from taking shelter in other states of the country, the Governor added.
Addressing a gathering at Manipur police's 119th raising day celebrations in Imphal on Wednesday, the Governor said there has been qualitative improvement in the security environment of the state, especially in the valley areas, due to the well-directed counter-insurgency measures, which ensure effective tackling of various threats.
"However, the overall security scenario, though improving, is still a matter of concern as the general population continues to remain under constant threat from various militant groups," he said.
"We have to focus on these evil activities and ensure that the underground and active militant outfits, responsible for these threats, are exposed and broken down," he added.
Commenting on the strength of Manipur police, Jagat said the strength has increased from 15,414 in January 2008 to 24,618 by January 2011.
On law and order front, sporadic incidents of bandh, blockades, general strikes, dharnas and rallies being called by the various organizations of students, political parties and others, affect traffic and day-to-day lives of the citizens of the state.
"I would like to appeal to all organizations not to block the national highways, the lifelines of people of Manipur," he said.
Militants hurl grenade at Manipur minister’s residence
Unidentified militants exploded a powerful bomb at the
private residence of a Manipur minister in Bishenpur district, police
said on Thursday.
However, there was no report of any casualty.
The
ultras yesterday hurled the grenade at the residence of Social Welfare
minister N.Loken at Nambol Leimapokpam and it exploded near its gate,
they said.
The minister and his family members were
not present at the house when the incident took place as they stay at
government quarters at Babupara area, police said.
Police are investigating whether the attack was connected with monetary demand or some other matter.
No individual or group so far has claimed the responsibility for the attack.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
GNLA leader shot dead in police encounter
Shillong, Oct 19 : Barely two days after the
Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) shot dead a police havildar, the
specially trained Meghalaya police commandos along with the CRPF cobra
force killed a senior militant of the GNLA after half an hour gun battle
in Nengmangdagre forest of East Garo Hills today. The slain leader has
been identified as Delseng R Marak and he was said to have been leading
nearly 15 odd armed GNLA cadres when they saw the patrolling police
team in the area.
Police sources said that the police and CRPF teams carried a patrolling in Nengmangdalgre forest located when they were suddenly fired by the ultras who were in the forest vicinity, prompting the police team to retaliate, said a senior police official supervising the operations against the GNLA.
During the exchange of fire, the area commander Delseng R Marak was killed and the rest of the cadres managed to escape into the dense forest. One AK 47 Rifles, three magazines, a 9MM pistol and one walkie talkie was recovered from the site, informed the police source.
Police sources said that the police and CRPF teams carried a patrolling in Nengmangdalgre forest located when they were suddenly fired by the ultras who were in the forest vicinity, prompting the police team to retaliate, said a senior police official supervising the operations against the GNLA.
During the exchange of fire, the area commander Delseng R Marak was killed and the rest of the cadres managed to escape into the dense forest. One AK 47 Rifles, three magazines, a 9MM pistol and one walkie talkie was recovered from the site, informed the police source.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Myanmar seeks maps of NE insurgent camps
New Delhi, Oct 16 : Taking a step towards closer security cooperation, Yangon has told New Delhi to provide satellite imagery of anti-India insurgent camps based across the border in Myanmar, so that military operations can start.
India has assured visiting Myanmar delegation led by President U Thein
Sein that it has no truck with Kachin Independent Army (KIA) anti-Burma rebels, and has kept options open to supply arms and gunboats to Yangon.
Government sources said the Indian side led by national security advisor Shiv Shanker Menon raised concerns about presence of Northeast insurgent camps in Taga area across the Tirap-Changlang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, and the area across the border with Manipur.
While Taga has NSCN(K), PLA and ULFA rebel camps spread over 20-30 kilometres, PLA and UNLF rebels are based across the north and south of Moreh border in Manipur.
India has also proposed upgradation of army-to-army contacts on the border and wants corps commanders of both sides to meet twice a year.
Currently, post commanders meet once a month and sector or division commanders meet four times a year with ministry of home affairs (MHA) officials meeting their Myanmar counterparts once in six months.
Although Myanmar security officials led by Lt General Hla Htay Win tried to convince their Indian counterparts that action was being taken against anti-India rebels, New Delhi wanted the action to be evident on the ground, particularly across the Tirap-Changlang sector.
In this context, the Myanmar generals asked New Delhi to provide satellite imagery of existing camps across the border, with the assurance that action would be taken against them on the basis of specific inputs.
The visiting delegation claimed that New Delhi had dropped food supplies to KIA rebels through helicopters, and said KIA insurgents were based in Tirap-Changlang area. This was denied by the Indian side.
New Delhi is also learnt to have raised the issue of Chinese companies getting contract to build the Stillwell Road connecting Myitkina in Myanmar to Arunachal Pradesh border.
India has assured visiting Myanmar delegation led by President U Thein
Sein that it has no truck with Kachin Independent Army (KIA) anti-Burma rebels, and has kept options open to supply arms and gunboats to Yangon.
Government sources said the Indian side led by national security advisor Shiv Shanker Menon raised concerns about presence of Northeast insurgent camps in Taga area across the Tirap-Changlang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, and the area across the border with Manipur.
While Taga has NSCN(K), PLA and ULFA rebel camps spread over 20-30 kilometres, PLA and UNLF rebels are based across the north and south of Moreh border in Manipur.
India has also proposed upgradation of army-to-army contacts on the border and wants corps commanders of both sides to meet twice a year.
Currently, post commanders meet once a month and sector or division commanders meet four times a year with ministry of home affairs (MHA) officials meeting their Myanmar counterparts once in six months.
Although Myanmar security officials led by Lt General Hla Htay Win tried to convince their Indian counterparts that action was being taken against anti-India rebels, New Delhi wanted the action to be evident on the ground, particularly across the Tirap-Changlang sector.
In this context, the Myanmar generals asked New Delhi to provide satellite imagery of existing camps across the border, with the assurance that action would be taken against them on the basis of specific inputs.
The visiting delegation claimed that New Delhi had dropped food supplies to KIA rebels through helicopters, and said KIA insurgents were based in Tirap-Changlang area. This was denied by the Indian side.
New Delhi is also learnt to have raised the issue of Chinese companies getting contract to build the Stillwell Road connecting Myitkina in Myanmar to Arunachal Pradesh border.
PLA-Maoist ties sets off alarm in Delhi
Terror alliances on the rise in N-E
New Delhi, Oct. 16 : The blossoming relationship between Northeast militant groups and outfits based in other parts of the country is setting off alarm bells here, as such “strategic relationships” are extremely undesirable from the Centre’s point of view.
Documents containing evidence culled in the past two weeks revealed that ties between the Manipur-based People’s Liberation Army/Revolutionary People’s Front (PLA/RPF) and CPI (Maoist) had grown for two years to become a full-fledged strategic relationship.
The PLA has bagged an order for rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and for 1,000 more weapons from the Maoists, who, in turn, have not only found guerrilla trainers and suppliers of world-class communication equipment in the PLA, but also see the benefits that could accrue from the Manipuri militants’ Chinese links.
This year, the PLA bought Kenwood TH-K-2AT wireless communication sets specifically for the Maoists.
PLA trainers were also in Jharkhand from August last year, imparting a two-month module on combat and communication training to Maoist cadres of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The training sessions were held in the jungles along the Jharkhand-Orissa border, sources said.
For quite some time now, Maoists have created “liberated” pockets in this belt down from northeastern Andhra Pradesh up into Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand and Bihar.
The growing relationship was reconfirmed from evidence seized from PLA leader and Maoist coordinator Ningthambam Ranjit alias Wangba, and his colleague Arunkumar Salam. The duo were arrested in New Delhi on October 1.
Since arms shipments cannot be achieved alone, in September this year Ranjit is said to have sent an acquaintance to meet Raj Kumar Meghen, the UNLF chairman, in a Guwahati jail. The purpose was to explore the possibility of organising transhipment of arms from Myanmar.
Disclosures by Ranjit, the self-styled chief of the PLA’s “external affairs” department, speak of Maoists requesting training on handling of sophisticated communication equipment in Dandakaranya.
In another disturbing development, evidence also shows that there is not only a “thickening of operational relationship but also an audacious plan” to forge a Strategic United Front that includes Maoists, Northeast outfits and militant groups operating in Kashmir. A concept paper on this front was to be finalised by early 2012, sources said.
An internal report of the government of India claims that the outfit sees the front to be an instrument to “counter the psychological war” of the government against resistance movements. “The Maoists have also agreed to the RPF/PLA proposal of maintaining contact and collaborating in foreign countries,” the report states.
To cut deals and deepen and broaden relations, another meeting of PLA and CPI (Maoist) leaders was to take place later this year at the latter’s eastern regional bureau headquarters, sources said.
Such developments have only contributed to India’s eagerness in warming up to Myanmar, whose President U Thein Sein’s visit to India has made a mark in more ways than one.
Myanmar’s territory is used by PLA and others who have already forged a Northeast-specific united front led by the NSCN (K).
New Delhi, Oct. 16 : The blossoming relationship between Northeast militant groups and outfits based in other parts of the country is setting off alarm bells here, as such “strategic relationships” are extremely undesirable from the Centre’s point of view.
Documents containing evidence culled in the past two weeks revealed that ties between the Manipur-based People’s Liberation Army/Revolutionary People’s Front (PLA/RPF) and CPI (Maoist) had grown for two years to become a full-fledged strategic relationship.
The PLA has bagged an order for rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and for 1,000 more weapons from the Maoists, who, in turn, have not only found guerrilla trainers and suppliers of world-class communication equipment in the PLA, but also see the benefits that could accrue from the Manipuri militants’ Chinese links.
This year, the PLA bought Kenwood TH-K-2AT wireless communication sets specifically for the Maoists.
PLA trainers were also in Jharkhand from August last year, imparting a two-month module on combat and communication training to Maoist cadres of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The training sessions were held in the jungles along the Jharkhand-Orissa border, sources said.
For quite some time now, Maoists have created “liberated” pockets in this belt down from northeastern Andhra Pradesh up into Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand and Bihar.
The growing relationship was reconfirmed from evidence seized from PLA leader and Maoist coordinator Ningthambam Ranjit alias Wangba, and his colleague Arunkumar Salam. The duo were arrested in New Delhi on October 1.
Since arms shipments cannot be achieved alone, in September this year Ranjit is said to have sent an acquaintance to meet Raj Kumar Meghen, the UNLF chairman, in a Guwahati jail. The purpose was to explore the possibility of organising transhipment of arms from Myanmar.
Disclosures by Ranjit, the self-styled chief of the PLA’s “external affairs” department, speak of Maoists requesting training on handling of sophisticated communication equipment in Dandakaranya.
In another disturbing development, evidence also shows that there is not only a “thickening of operational relationship but also an audacious plan” to forge a Strategic United Front that includes Maoists, Northeast outfits and militant groups operating in Kashmir. A concept paper on this front was to be finalised by early 2012, sources said.
An internal report of the government of India claims that the outfit sees the front to be an instrument to “counter the psychological war” of the government against resistance movements. “The Maoists have also agreed to the RPF/PLA proposal of maintaining contact and collaborating in foreign countries,” the report states.
To cut deals and deepen and broaden relations, another meeting of PLA and CPI (Maoist) leaders was to take place later this year at the latter’s eastern regional bureau headquarters, sources said.
Such developments have only contributed to India’s eagerness in warming up to Myanmar, whose President U Thein Sein’s visit to India has made a mark in more ways than one.
Myanmar’s territory is used by PLA and others who have already forged a Northeast-specific united front led by the NSCN (K).
25,000 rebels, armed & deadly in Manipur
Manipur perhaps has as many militant groups as ethnic communities. An exact count is unavailable with the government because new ones mushroom or existing ones splinter nearly every month. An "estimated" 35 militant groups operate in the state that has a long history of militancy. Inspired by the Naga insurgency, some Meitei youths under the leadership of the legendary Hijam Irabot, a communist leader, formed the Manipur Red Guard in the early 1950s, but this failed to gather mass support.
The first potent outfit was the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) formed by some followers of Irabot in 1964. Its primary aim is to restore the pre-British supremacy of the Meiteis as a reaction to Naga insurgency. The pro-China People's Liberation Army and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak were formed in 1978 and the Kangleipak Communist Party in 1980. All these Meitei insurgent groups have close links with each other. They started whipping up passions against Manipuri Muslims (Pangals) in the early 1990s, leading to violent clashes. A few Pangal outfits came up after that.
The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the Kuki National Army (KNA) were formed to demand a separate Kuki district and to protect Kukis from the Naga onslaught. The Nagas in the hills have the two National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) factions, one led by Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah and the other by Khaplang. And then there are the Kom Rem People's Convention, Zomi Revolutionary Volunteers, Hmar People's Convention and many small outfits.
Put together, there are about 25,000 armed rebels in Manipur and extortion remains their mainstay. Most of them possess sophisticated weapons obtained mainly from China and Southeast Asia. But insurgency-related violence has fallen: last year, 134 people (103 insurgents, seven securitymen, 24 civilians) lost their lives against 416 (321 militants, 77 civilians, 18 securitymen ) in 2009. Public support to the rebels has also declined.
The first potent outfit was the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) formed by some followers of Irabot in 1964. Its primary aim is to restore the pre-British supremacy of the Meiteis as a reaction to Naga insurgency. The pro-China People's Liberation Army and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak were formed in 1978 and the Kangleipak Communist Party in 1980. All these Meitei insurgent groups have close links with each other. They started whipping up passions against Manipuri Muslims (Pangals) in the early 1990s, leading to violent clashes. A few Pangal outfits came up after that.
The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the Kuki National Army (KNA) were formed to demand a separate Kuki district and to protect Kukis from the Naga onslaught. The Nagas in the hills have the two National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) factions, one led by Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah and the other by Khaplang. And then there are the Kom Rem People's Convention, Zomi Revolutionary Volunteers, Hmar People's Convention and many small outfits.
Put together, there are about 25,000 armed rebels in Manipur and extortion remains their mainstay. Most of them possess sophisticated weapons obtained mainly from China and Southeast Asia. But insurgency-related violence has fallen: last year, 134 people (103 insurgents, seven securitymen, 24 civilians) lost their lives against 416 (321 militants, 77 civilians, 18 securitymen ) in 2009. Public support to the rebels has also declined.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Barua guns at Muivah for disintegrating insurgent movements
Ahead of formal talks with ULFA, Barua criticizes Muivah’s choice to go alone
and not unite with other rebel outfits
Ratnadip Choudhury
Guwahati
NSCN-IM general secretary Thuinglang Muivah
Riding close on the heels of the first ever formal peace talks between United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)’s pro talk faction and the Centre, the Commander-in-chief of the banned outfit Paresh Barua, who leads the anti-talk camp, has hit out at his one-time ‘close friend’, General Secretary of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac Muivah) (NSCN-IM), Thuinglang Muivah accusing him of disintegrating the Northeast insurgent movements by siding with the Indian Government and, thereby, failing to keep his promise made to the people of Nagaland.
The NSCN(IM) has been involved in a peace parley with New Delhi since 1997. Union Home Ministry insiders have confirmed to TEHELKA that a new settlement of the long-continuing Naga conflict will be achieved before Christmas. In such a scenario a snub from Paresh Barua will leave Muivah and his team in utter discomfort.
“Muivah is responsible for the disintegration of Northeast insurgent struggle for sovereignty. The Government for long has been taking advantage of the discord among various outfits of the region. Way back in 1985, ULFA has proposed to NSCN (IM) general secretary Th.Muivah to initiate a unity move among Northeast rebel groups since ULFA feared that Government will try to divide and encourage fratricidal killings. But Muivah sided with the Government of India. Thus Muivah has failed to keep his promise to the people of Nagaland,” reads the statement issued by Arunoday Dohutia, press secretary of Paresh Barua led anti-talk faction of ULFA.
The statement further referred to the 10 October incident where there was a huge gun battle between the NSCN (IM) and Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) in Manipur. The Barua faction feels Muivah’s decision to go alone and not unite the various rebel outfits of Northeast had dealt a blow to the survival of the underground insurgent movements in the region and, in the process, he has betrayed other rebel outfits and people of Northeast.
Independent watchers feel that by issuing such statements the anti-talk faction of ULFA is making a mistake. “The problem of division among various rebel groups in the Northeast is nothing new. It has been there because of high assertions of ethnicity that reduced the ground for the outfits to come closer. The Indian State has always been able to take advantage of this situation, thus by making such statement Paresh Barua is falling into the same trap which he accuses Muivah of falling into,” explained Subir Bhaumik, Editor, Seven Sisters Post.
Between 1985 and 1990 ULFA’s cadres were baptised in terror by the NSCN. They used to share camps in the head quarters of undivided NSCN in Kesan Chanlam on the other side of the Indo-Myanmar border across from Nagaland. After NSCN got divided, the military wing of ULFA under Barua’s leadership has maintained close ties with both the factions. “We have come to know from surrendered ULFA cadres that once Paresh was fond of Muivah but friction developed between the two outfits after Paresh became close to the rival faction of Khaplang-led NSCN-IM. ULFA and NSCN once got engaged in a gun fight over control of a corridor in NC hills,” a senior military intelligence officer said. NSCN(IM) top leader Anthony Shimray, who was in charge of the outfits arms procurement, was hand-in-gloves with Barua before his arrest in Nepal.
Ratnadip Choudhury is a Principal Correspondent with Tehelka.
ratnadip@tehelka.com
Ratnadip Choudhury
Guwahati
NSCN-IM general secretary Thuinglang Muivah
Riding close on the heels of the first ever formal peace talks between United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)’s pro talk faction and the Centre, the Commander-in-chief of the banned outfit Paresh Barua, who leads the anti-talk camp, has hit out at his one-time ‘close friend’, General Secretary of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac Muivah) (NSCN-IM), Thuinglang Muivah accusing him of disintegrating the Northeast insurgent movements by siding with the Indian Government and, thereby, failing to keep his promise made to the people of Nagaland.
The NSCN(IM) has been involved in a peace parley with New Delhi since 1997. Union Home Ministry insiders have confirmed to TEHELKA that a new settlement of the long-continuing Naga conflict will be achieved before Christmas. In such a scenario a snub from Paresh Barua will leave Muivah and his team in utter discomfort.
“Muivah is responsible for the disintegration of Northeast insurgent struggle for sovereignty. The Government for long has been taking advantage of the discord among various outfits of the region. Way back in 1985, ULFA has proposed to NSCN (IM) general secretary Th.Muivah to initiate a unity move among Northeast rebel groups since ULFA feared that Government will try to divide and encourage fratricidal killings. But Muivah sided with the Government of India. Thus Muivah has failed to keep his promise to the people of Nagaland,” reads the statement issued by Arunoday Dohutia, press secretary of Paresh Barua led anti-talk faction of ULFA.
The statement further referred to the 10 October incident where there was a huge gun battle between the NSCN (IM) and Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) in Manipur. The Barua faction feels Muivah’s decision to go alone and not unite the various rebel outfits of Northeast had dealt a blow to the survival of the underground insurgent movements in the region and, in the process, he has betrayed other rebel outfits and people of Northeast.
Independent watchers feel that by issuing such statements the anti-talk faction of ULFA is making a mistake. “The problem of division among various rebel groups in the Northeast is nothing new. It has been there because of high assertions of ethnicity that reduced the ground for the outfits to come closer. The Indian State has always been able to take advantage of this situation, thus by making such statement Paresh Barua is falling into the same trap which he accuses Muivah of falling into,” explained Subir Bhaumik, Editor, Seven Sisters Post.
Between 1985 and 1990 ULFA’s cadres were baptised in terror by the NSCN. They used to share camps in the head quarters of undivided NSCN in Kesan Chanlam on the other side of the Indo-Myanmar border across from Nagaland. After NSCN got divided, the military wing of ULFA under Barua’s leadership has maintained close ties with both the factions. “We have come to know from surrendered ULFA cadres that once Paresh was fond of Muivah but friction developed between the two outfits after Paresh became close to the rival faction of Khaplang-led NSCN-IM. ULFA and NSCN once got engaged in a gun fight over control of a corridor in NC hills,” a senior military intelligence officer said. NSCN(IM) top leader Anthony Shimray, who was in charge of the outfits arms procurement, was hand-in-gloves with Barua before his arrest in Nepal.
Ratnadip Choudhury is a Principal Correspondent with Tehelka.
ratnadip@tehelka.com
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Bomb in India's Assam wounds two
GUWAHATI - At least two people were wounded on Friday by a bomb in the northeast Indian state of Assam, police said.
The blast took place in Lakhimpur district, about 320 km (200 miles) east of Assam's main city Guwahati. The bomb was found and picked up by a scrap dealer, who was one of the wounded, a police official said.
Separatists have been fighting the government for decades in Assam and neighboring regions. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast.
The blast took place in Lakhimpur district, about 320 km (200 miles) east of Assam's main city Guwahati. The bomb was found and picked up by a scrap dealer, who was one of the wounded, a police official said.
Separatists have been fighting the government for decades in Assam and neighboring regions. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast.
India to renew plea to bust ultra camps
NEW DELHI, Oct 14 – Under pressure of the north-estern States, the Government of India is likely to renew its plea to Myanmar to bust the camps operated by militants of the region.
India is preparing to host the biggest-ever official delegation of Myanmar led by President U Thein Sein. The delegation which includes at least 13 senior ministers, comprises Minister Border Affairs, Foreign Minister, and Chief of General Staff of Army. A number of agreements are likely to be signed when the two sides formally meet on Friday.
Top on the agenda are discussion on cooperation on fighting the rebel groups, cross-border infrastructure projects, improvement of border connectivity between Myanmar and north-eastern States, development of border trade and bilateral trade ties.
Briefing newsmen, official spokesman Vishnu Prasad said that Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram share 1600 Km of border with Myanmar. The neighbouring country has assured India that its soil would not be allowed to be used against India.
When asked, whether India would be pressing for hand-over of ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Barua, the spokesman declined to make any comment.
Sources said India is, however, likely to press for sustained operations against the underground outfits operating out of the border areas of the country. Several of the militant outfits including NSCN, ULFA, NDFB, besides PLA, UNLF, and PREPAK, among others, maintain and operate bases in that country.
The Myanmar rese Army had recently mounted an operation against the militant outfits and destroyed some camps belonging to NSCN (K), where ULFA had stationed their cadres.
Joint Secretary, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, Harsha Singla said that Sittwe Port is likely to become operational by June 2013. The port is being developed by India as a gateway to landlocked Mizoram. There is every expectation that the deadline would be met, Singla said.
However, a couple of roads proposed in Myanmar and Mizoram connecting the national highway is likely to be ready by 2014.
India is preparing to host the biggest-ever official delegation of Myanmar led by President U Thein Sein. The delegation which includes at least 13 senior ministers, comprises Minister Border Affairs, Foreign Minister, and Chief of General Staff of Army. A number of agreements are likely to be signed when the two sides formally meet on Friday.
Top on the agenda are discussion on cooperation on fighting the rebel groups, cross-border infrastructure projects, improvement of border connectivity between Myanmar and north-eastern States, development of border trade and bilateral trade ties.
Briefing newsmen, official spokesman Vishnu Prasad said that Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram share 1600 Km of border with Myanmar. The neighbouring country has assured India that its soil would not be allowed to be used against India.
When asked, whether India would be pressing for hand-over of ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Barua, the spokesman declined to make any comment.
Sources said India is, however, likely to press for sustained operations against the underground outfits operating out of the border areas of the country. Several of the militant outfits including NSCN, ULFA, NDFB, besides PLA, UNLF, and PREPAK, among others, maintain and operate bases in that country.
The Myanmar rese Army had recently mounted an operation against the militant outfits and destroyed some camps belonging to NSCN (K), where ULFA had stationed their cadres.
Joint Secretary, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, Harsha Singla said that Sittwe Port is likely to become operational by June 2013. The port is being developed by India as a gateway to landlocked Mizoram. There is every expectation that the deadline would be met, Singla said.
However, a couple of roads proposed in Myanmar and Mizoram connecting the national highway is likely to be ready by 2014.
DHD(James) faction leader shot dead
Haflong (Assam), Oct 14 (PTI) James Dimasa, a leader of surrendered
rebel outfit Dima Halam Daogah(James), was shot dead by gunmen at
Topodisa in Dima Hasao district of Assam today, according to official
sources.
James, alias Pronit Haflongbar (31), was gunned down near his home under Haflong police station at 6.30 pm, the sources said.
Dimasa had formed the DHD-James faction after breaking from the DHD-Jewel Garlosa underground group in 2009 and later surrendered the same year.
His faction had been demanding a separate state for the ethnic Dimasas carved out of Assam.
James, alias Pronit Haflongbar (31), was gunned down near his home under Haflong police station at 6.30 pm, the sources said.
Dimasa had formed the DHD-James faction after breaking from the DHD-Jewel Garlosa underground group in 2009 and later surrendered the same year.
His faction had been demanding a separate state for the ethnic Dimasas carved out of Assam.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Paresh Baruah slams Muivah for shunning a?unity move
GUWAHATI: Paresh Baruah, who leads the Ulfa hardlinersa faction, has come down heavily on his one-time ally, NSCN(IM) general secretary Thuinglang Muivah, for failing to provide the Nagas with a solution by choosing to go alone instead of leading a united armed rebellion by all outfits of the region.
Baruahas faction stated in an email statement on Wednesday: asThe government for long has been taking advantage of the discord among various outfits of the region. Way back in 1985, Ulfa had proposed to NSCN(IM) general secretary Thuinglang Muivah to initiate a unity move among the outfits as the government would try to play the divisive game and create fratricidal killings. Had the unity move taken place then, the movement for sovereignty in the northeastern states would have been at a different stage today.a? The statement in the email was signed by Baruahas press secretary Arunodoy Dohotia.
The statement said that Muivahas refusal to unite all the groups has resulted in cascading effects. The email cited the October 10 gunfight between the cadres of NSCN(IM) and the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) at Panphai village in Tamenglong district of Manipur as an outcome of the non-existence of unity among the groups.
Baruahas unity call has come ahead of the peace talks between the pro-talk faction of Ulfa led by Arabinda Rajkhowa and the Centre on October 23 in New Delhi. Without taking the pro-talk groupas name, the hardliners described the current efforts for finding a solution single-handedly as a futile exercise. asWe have seen how the NSCN leadership, despite being so wise and learned, has failed to fulfill the aspirations of the Naga people.a?
Ulfa in its initial years of formation was baptized by the NSCN(IM), which not only provided the infant outfit military training but logistic support as well. However, the relationship between the two outfits soured after the Ulfa leadership chose to join hands with Muivahas bitter rival and leader of NSCN(K), S S Khaplang, for building bases in Myanmar. The relationship finally snapped over control of the NC Hills corridor to Bangladesh, which Muivahas men refused to cede with.
Baruahas faction stated in an email statement on Wednesday: asThe government for long has been taking advantage of the discord among various outfits of the region. Way back in 1985, Ulfa had proposed to NSCN(IM) general secretary Thuinglang Muivah to initiate a unity move among the outfits as the government would try to play the divisive game and create fratricidal killings. Had the unity move taken place then, the movement for sovereignty in the northeastern states would have been at a different stage today.a? The statement in the email was signed by Baruahas press secretary Arunodoy Dohotia.
The statement said that Muivahas refusal to unite all the groups has resulted in cascading effects. The email cited the October 10 gunfight between the cadres of NSCN(IM) and the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) at Panphai village in Tamenglong district of Manipur as an outcome of the non-existence of unity among the groups.
Baruahas unity call has come ahead of the peace talks between the pro-talk faction of Ulfa led by Arabinda Rajkhowa and the Centre on October 23 in New Delhi. Without taking the pro-talk groupas name, the hardliners described the current efforts for finding a solution single-handedly as a futile exercise. asWe have seen how the NSCN leadership, despite being so wise and learned, has failed to fulfill the aspirations of the Naga people.a?
Ulfa in its initial years of formation was baptized by the NSCN(IM), which not only provided the infant outfit military training but logistic support as well. However, the relationship between the two outfits soured after the Ulfa leadership chose to join hands with Muivahas bitter rival and leader of NSCN(K), S S Khaplang, for building bases in Myanmar. The relationship finally snapped over control of the NC Hills corridor to Bangladesh, which Muivahas men refused to cede with.
Police nab two Kuki rebels in Karbi Anglong
JORHAT: Police nabbed two United Kukigram Defence Army (UKDA) rebels in the Dilai area in Karbi Anglong district on Wednesday morning. However, no arms or ammunition was found on them.
The militants were arrested during a routine check at Moisakilling in the district around 9.30 am. Police said the militants were identified as Lunun Dongel of the Saijang area in Karbi Anglong and James Lhungdim of the Motbung area under Senapati district in Manipur.
asFollowing some intelligence inputs our staffs, engaged at Moisakilling check gate, successfully arrested the militants. However, they have no arms or ammunition on them,a? said superintendent of police (Karbi Anglong) Anurag Agarwala.
He also added, in an another operation of police and CRPF Cobra, security forces busted a camp of the Karbi Peoples Liberation Army and UKDA at Hijalangsu village in the district on September 22, where eight KPLT and 30 UKDA militants were staying. But, they were able to make a narrow escape during the police operation.
The militants were arrested during a routine check at Moisakilling in the district around 9.30 am. Police said the militants were identified as Lunun Dongel of the Saijang area in Karbi Anglong and James Lhungdim of the Motbung area under Senapati district in Manipur.
asFollowing some intelligence inputs our staffs, engaged at Moisakilling check gate, successfully arrested the militants. However, they have no arms or ammunition on them,a? said superintendent of police (Karbi Anglong) Anurag Agarwala.
He also added, in an another operation of police and CRPF Cobra, security forces busted a camp of the Karbi Peoples Liberation Army and UKDA at Hijalangsu village in the district on September 22, where eight KPLT and 30 UKDA militants were staying. But, they were able to make a narrow escape during the police operation.
Ulfa promises border security
Rajkhowa visits Merapani, will take up the issue during talks with the Centre
WASIM RAHMAN
Ulfa chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa at Merapani on Wednesday.
Merapani (Golaghat), Oct. 13 : Ulfa chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said the outfit would take up the issue of security of people living along the inter-state boundary with the Centre in the next round of peace talks after a tour of Merapani today.
Most people were busy trading wares at a Merapani market when the unusual visitor began turning heads.
A flash of recognition, a few whispers, and soon Ulfa chairman had a 100-strong audience listening in rapt attention to his promises to take up the security issue with the Centre.
The Ulfa chairman said the organisation was born for securing the legitimate rights and protection of the indigenous Assamese people and threat to the lives of people living along the inter-state boundaries was a serious matter given that the state shares a long border with various states.
“We will definitely demand from the Centre that it ensures safety to lives and properties of people residing along the inter-state boundary, especially at places like Merapani, which have a troubled and a bloody history,” Rajkhowa said, adding that the outfit would put pressure on the Centre to find an early and lasting solution to the vexed border problem.
He stood just opposite the local taxi and truck stand, where tension had suddenly erupted last week when Naga taxi owners attempted to set up their taxi stand and asked the Assamese vehicle owners to register with their union at Bhandari (sub-division of Wokha district across the border).
As Rajkhowa spoke, Naga men, women, police vehicles from the other side tried to figure out who he was.
Merapani — about 350km southeast of Guwahati — falls under D sector of the Assam-Nagaland boundary and is part of the “disputed area belt”.
The area under Golaghat Assembly constituency is represented by Ajanta Neog, the PWD minister in Tarun Gogoi’s cabinet.
The Ulfa leader said he had been to this area several times earlier when he was underground during the armed struggle. After the 1985 June attack here by Naga forces when over 100 policemen and civilians were killed and police personnel were fleeing, Rajkhowa and his cadres had come to extend protection to the people, he said.
He was back again in the early and mid nineties.
“We will always be here to support you, unlike other leaders who come, go and forget and do nothing,” he said.
Rajkhowa, while replying to complaints against CRPF personnel’s failure to maintain neutrality and siding with the Nagaland government and people’s attempts to encroach on Assam land, said Ulfa would urge the Centre to review the security arrangements along the border hotspots.
Cabinet minister Rockybul Hussain told The Telegraph soon after a meeting of the council of ministers that chief minister Tarun Gogoi has decided to seek Delhi’s intervention to ensure deployment of neutral forces in the disputed areas according to the bilateral pact between the neighbouring states in 1985.
“Since we have withdrawn our personnel from the area, we have also asked Nagaland to withdraw its Naga Armed Police personnel by today,” Hussain said.
Dispur has denied any encroachment by Nagaland in areas under Golaghat district but also asserted that the neighbouring state will be withdrawing Naga police deployed from Merapani by tonight.
WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING FROM GUWAHATI
WASIM RAHMAN
Ulfa chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa at Merapani on Wednesday.
Merapani (Golaghat), Oct. 13 : Ulfa chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said the outfit would take up the issue of security of people living along the inter-state boundary with the Centre in the next round of peace talks after a tour of Merapani today.
Most people were busy trading wares at a Merapani market when the unusual visitor began turning heads.
A flash of recognition, a few whispers, and soon Ulfa chairman had a 100-strong audience listening in rapt attention to his promises to take up the security issue with the Centre.
The Ulfa chairman said the organisation was born for securing the legitimate rights and protection of the indigenous Assamese people and threat to the lives of people living along the inter-state boundaries was a serious matter given that the state shares a long border with various states.
“We will definitely demand from the Centre that it ensures safety to lives and properties of people residing along the inter-state boundary, especially at places like Merapani, which have a troubled and a bloody history,” Rajkhowa said, adding that the outfit would put pressure on the Centre to find an early and lasting solution to the vexed border problem.
He stood just opposite the local taxi and truck stand, where tension had suddenly erupted last week when Naga taxi owners attempted to set up their taxi stand and asked the Assamese vehicle owners to register with their union at Bhandari (sub-division of Wokha district across the border).
As Rajkhowa spoke, Naga men, women, police vehicles from the other side tried to figure out who he was.
Merapani — about 350km southeast of Guwahati — falls under D sector of the Assam-Nagaland boundary and is part of the “disputed area belt”.
The area under Golaghat Assembly constituency is represented by Ajanta Neog, the PWD minister in Tarun Gogoi’s cabinet.
The Ulfa leader said he had been to this area several times earlier when he was underground during the armed struggle. After the 1985 June attack here by Naga forces when over 100 policemen and civilians were killed and police personnel were fleeing, Rajkhowa and his cadres had come to extend protection to the people, he said.
He was back again in the early and mid nineties.
“We will always be here to support you, unlike other leaders who come, go and forget and do nothing,” he said.
Rajkhowa, while replying to complaints against CRPF personnel’s failure to maintain neutrality and siding with the Nagaland government and people’s attempts to encroach on Assam land, said Ulfa would urge the Centre to review the security arrangements along the border hotspots.
Cabinet minister Rockybul Hussain told The Telegraph soon after a meeting of the council of ministers that chief minister Tarun Gogoi has decided to seek Delhi’s intervention to ensure deployment of neutral forces in the disputed areas according to the bilateral pact between the neighbouring states in 1985.
“Since we have withdrawn our personnel from the area, we have also asked Nagaland to withdraw its Naga Armed Police personnel by today,” Hussain said.
Dispur has denied any encroachment by Nagaland in areas under Golaghat district but also asserted that the neighbouring state will be withdrawing Naga police deployed from Merapani by tonight.
WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING FROM GUWAHATI
M.S. Prabhakara's book released
Sushanta Talukdar
A.C. Bhagabati, former Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, on Wednesday released a book, “Looking Back Into the Future: Identity & Insurgency in Northeast India,” by M.S. Prabhakara, veteran journalist and former Special Correspondent of The Hindu and Frontline in South Africa and northeast India at a function held at the Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development (OKDISCD) here.
The book, simultaneously published in the United Kingdom by Routledge, an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, is an initiative of the think tank OKDISCD.
It consists of a selection of essays, edit page articles and reports by Dr. Prabhakara written in The Hindu, Frontline, Economic and Political Weekly on questions of identity, ethnicity, sovereignty and insurgency in the northeast over the past three and a half decades.
Udayon Misra of OKDISCD and Rakhee Kalita Moral of Cotton College discussed the book at the release function chaired by OKDISCD Director Indranee Dutta.
Dr. Prabhakara thanked OKDISCD for inviting him as a visitor under the scholar-in-residence programme of the institute.
During his stint he put together a selection of his essays and edit page articles into book form so that the institute could arrange to publish it.
A.C. Bhagabati, former Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, on Wednesday released a book, “Looking Back Into the Future: Identity & Insurgency in Northeast India,” by M.S. Prabhakara, veteran journalist and former Special Correspondent of The Hindu and Frontline in South Africa and northeast India at a function held at the Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development (OKDISCD) here.
The book, simultaneously published in the United Kingdom by Routledge, an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, is an initiative of the think tank OKDISCD.
It consists of a selection of essays, edit page articles and reports by Dr. Prabhakara written in The Hindu, Frontline, Economic and Political Weekly on questions of identity, ethnicity, sovereignty and insurgency in the northeast over the past three and a half decades.
Udayon Misra of OKDISCD and Rakhee Kalita Moral of Cotton College discussed the book at the release function chaired by OKDISCD Director Indranee Dutta.
Dr. Prabhakara thanked OKDISCD for inviting him as a visitor under the scholar-in-residence programme of the institute.
During his stint he put together a selection of his essays and edit page articles into book form so that the institute could arrange to publish it.
Dodgy nexus hurdle in solving NE insurgency
GUWAHATI, Oct 13 – A dodgy relationship between a section of politicians, bureaucrats and businesspersons is a hurdle in seeking to resolve the insurgency issue in North East India.
Over the decades, these elements have formed a nexus that allows Government funds, and untaxed money to be routed to various insurgent outfits, which are subsequently used for carrying out various subversive activities against the State.
This was revealed by a well placed intelligence official, who mentioned that anti-insurgency efforts as well as operations are challenging because a section of politicians and bureaucrats have a stake in it. ‘It appears that some of them have benefitted from insurgents who encourage if not compel them to divert funds meant for development activities in the region’, he stated.
He said that funds meant for various sectors, especially rural development, have increased manifold in the last few years. The fund flow is well known to a section of politicians and bureaucrats, who in tandem, siphon off substantial amounts. A part of that is routed to some insurgent groups in States like Assam, Nagaland and Manipur.
The routes used to channel the funds are difficult to trace because a section of unscrupulous bureaucrats are adept in covering the tell tale tracks.
The State Governments too are not keen to probe deep into the diversion of funds because of the involvement of politicians to a great extent.
The intelligence official indicated that the massive scam that took place in the erstwhile North Cachar Hills could not have taken place if files were not approved by the Ministers concerned along with the respective department’s bureaucrats.
To investigate such scams to the logical conclusion, he favoured investigations carried out in close co-operation of the various NE Police forces as the diverted funds were not retained in one state but spread over the North East. He said that investigations should ideally focus on bank accounts of the suspects and their near associates.
“Banks have a very comprehensive system of maintaining records, they are in a position to check the movement of cash, cheques and drafts down to a day…” he remarked.
Intelligence inputs also suggest that ill gotten wealth has gone into investments in various sectors. At times the state police know where huge investments have come from, but have to look the other way as powerful politicians are either involved, or their close ones have a stake in the nefarious dealings.
Over the decades, these elements have formed a nexus that allows Government funds, and untaxed money to be routed to various insurgent outfits, which are subsequently used for carrying out various subversive activities against the State.
This was revealed by a well placed intelligence official, who mentioned that anti-insurgency efforts as well as operations are challenging because a section of politicians and bureaucrats have a stake in it. ‘It appears that some of them have benefitted from insurgents who encourage if not compel them to divert funds meant for development activities in the region’, he stated.
He said that funds meant for various sectors, especially rural development, have increased manifold in the last few years. The fund flow is well known to a section of politicians and bureaucrats, who in tandem, siphon off substantial amounts. A part of that is routed to some insurgent groups in States like Assam, Nagaland and Manipur.
The routes used to channel the funds are difficult to trace because a section of unscrupulous bureaucrats are adept in covering the tell tale tracks.
The State Governments too are not keen to probe deep into the diversion of funds because of the involvement of politicians to a great extent.
The intelligence official indicated that the massive scam that took place in the erstwhile North Cachar Hills could not have taken place if files were not approved by the Ministers concerned along with the respective department’s bureaucrats.
To investigate such scams to the logical conclusion, he favoured investigations carried out in close co-operation of the various NE Police forces as the diverted funds were not retained in one state but spread over the North East. He said that investigations should ideally focus on bank accounts of the suspects and their near associates.
“Banks have a very comprehensive system of maintaining records, they are in a position to check the movement of cash, cheques and drafts down to a day…” he remarked.
Intelligence inputs also suggest that ill gotten wealth has gone into investments in various sectors. At times the state police know where huge investments have come from, but have to look the other way as powerful politicians are either involved, or their close ones have a stake in the nefarious dealings.
Monday, October 10, 2011
NSCN Khaplang faction wants removal of Gen Jacob
Kohima, Oct 11 : The NSCN (Khaplang) group has slammed Cease Fire Supervisory Board (CFSB) Chairman Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Eppen Jacob Kochekkan by questioning his ''activities'' and ''dubious character'' and appealed to the Government of India (GoI) to appoint a ''neutral man who can act judiciously, impartially and transparently'' in the larger interest of both entities.
In a statement here today the NSCN (K) through its Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) alleged that soon after the June 7 last split of NSCN (K), Maj. Gen. Kochekkan changed his ''colour towards the newly floated NSCN (Khehoi)''.
It also alleged that the CFSB Chairman always represented Khole’s group rather then acting as the chairman in fairness. NSCN (K) said it has lost confidence in Kochekkan for alleged ''direct inclination'' towards Khole’s group adding it also saw him as ''one of the Khole’s cadre and not as a chairman, CFSB''.
The MIP statement said it knew ''for almost four months'' what was being hatched after Kochekkan’s visit to Khehoi camp on June 22 last where he ''surreptitiously' met with Kitovi at Khelozhe village and claimed that even representatives of the GoI and the Nagaland Government attending the consecutive meetings of the CFSB could have observed his ''questionable character''.
In a statement here today the NSCN (K) through its Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) alleged that soon after the June 7 last split of NSCN (K), Maj. Gen. Kochekkan changed his ''colour towards the newly floated NSCN (Khehoi)''.
It also alleged that the CFSB Chairman always represented Khole’s group rather then acting as the chairman in fairness. NSCN (K) said it has lost confidence in Kochekkan for alleged ''direct inclination'' towards Khole’s group adding it also saw him as ''one of the Khole’s cadre and not as a chairman, CFSB''.
The MIP statement said it knew ''for almost four months'' what was being hatched after Kochekkan’s visit to Khehoi camp on June 22 last where he ''surreptitiously' met with Kitovi at Khelozhe village and claimed that even representatives of the GoI and the Nagaland Government attending the consecutive meetings of the CFSB could have observed his ''questionable character''.
Paramilitary job sop for militants
Ibobi govt moves Delhi on offer
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh accepts a weapon from one of the United Peoples Party of Kangleipak militants in Imphal on Monday. Telegraph picture
Imphal, Oct. 11 : Surrendered militants will soon get placements in central paramilitary forces like the Assam Rifles, BSF and the CRPF, if they opt for central active service and are fit for the job.
Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh today said his government was seeking approval of the Union home ministry for induction of militants who laid down weapons and want to live a normal life to the central paramilitary forces.
“This will be in addition to their recruitment to the state forces like state police, India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and Manipur Rifles. But they should fulfil the requirements, including physical fitness and the educational qualification, for active service whether in the state or central forces,” Ibobi Singh told reporters after receiving weapons from four cadres of the United Peoples Party of Kangleipak at his secretariat this afternoon.
The four militants escaped from their Myanmar camp on October 8 and contacted police in Bishpur district through feelers. They entered Manipur through the border town of Moreh.
They laid down three German-made Heckler & Koch 33 automatic rifles and one Myanmar-made A-1 automatic rifle. All the four were trained in Maynmar training camps of the outfit, the police said.
They were trained at both the Keikon and Khongkhan camps of the outfit in Myanmar. After fleeing from their camp, they spent a day in the jungle near Moreh before meeting the police.
The director-general of police, Yumbnam Joykumar Singh, said the talks for induction of some surrendered militants into central forces was going in the right direction.
Some surrendered militants were already recruited in the IRB, the police and Manipur Rifles.
The chief minister said the surrendered militants wanted to be recruited in the active services instead of any other government departments because of their concern for security.
Intelligence sources said militants often targeted surrendered militants and there were cases where surrendered militants have been killed by their former colleagues.
“Their safety and security is our primary concern. They always opted for active services so that they could be safe with their families. The government will do the needfulto give them a normal and secured life,” the chief minister said.
The chief minister described the escape of Sunil Meitei, leader of Kangleipak Communist Party (Mobile Task Force), from the lock up of Porompat police station in Imphal East on October 4 as “unfortunate”.
Singh said all the police stations were on full alert and the escape routes were sealed to arrest him. Meitei was arrested by Delhi police (special cell) from Bangalore in June this year.
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh accepts a weapon from one of the United Peoples Party of Kangleipak militants in Imphal on Monday. Telegraph picture
Imphal, Oct. 11 : Surrendered militants will soon get placements in central paramilitary forces like the Assam Rifles, BSF and the CRPF, if they opt for central active service and are fit for the job.
Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh today said his government was seeking approval of the Union home ministry for induction of militants who laid down weapons and want to live a normal life to the central paramilitary forces.
“This will be in addition to their recruitment to the state forces like state police, India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and Manipur Rifles. But they should fulfil the requirements, including physical fitness and the educational qualification, for active service whether in the state or central forces,” Ibobi Singh told reporters after receiving weapons from four cadres of the United Peoples Party of Kangleipak at his secretariat this afternoon.
The four militants escaped from their Myanmar camp on October 8 and contacted police in Bishpur district through feelers. They entered Manipur through the border town of Moreh.
They laid down three German-made Heckler & Koch 33 automatic rifles and one Myanmar-made A-1 automatic rifle. All the four were trained in Maynmar training camps of the outfit, the police said.
They were trained at both the Keikon and Khongkhan camps of the outfit in Myanmar. After fleeing from their camp, they spent a day in the jungle near Moreh before meeting the police.
The director-general of police, Yumbnam Joykumar Singh, said the talks for induction of some surrendered militants into central forces was going in the right direction.
Some surrendered militants were already recruited in the IRB, the police and Manipur Rifles.
The chief minister said the surrendered militants wanted to be recruited in the active services instead of any other government departments because of their concern for security.
Intelligence sources said militants often targeted surrendered militants and there were cases where surrendered militants have been killed by their former colleagues.
“Their safety and security is our primary concern. They always opted for active services so that they could be safe with their families. The government will do the needfulto give them a normal and secured life,” the chief minister said.
The chief minister described the escape of Sunil Meitei, leader of Kangleipak Communist Party (Mobile Task Force), from the lock up of Porompat police station in Imphal East on October 4 as “unfortunate”.
Singh said all the police stations were on full alert and the escape routes were sealed to arrest him. Meitei was arrested by Delhi police (special cell) from Bangalore in June this year.
Top militant leader shot dead
Imphal, Oct 11 (PTI) A top militant leader, who escaped from a police
station near here a week ago, was killed in an encounter with police in
the wee hours today. Sunil Meitei, 'Commander in Chief' of militant
outfit Kangleipak Communist Party-Mobile Task Force (KCP-MTF), was shot
dead during a gunfight with commandos attached to the Imphal West
district police. He had escaped from Porompat Police Station by digging
a tunnel on October 4 last. Meitei, involved in several cases of
extortion, murder and kidnapping, was arrested from Bangalore on June 29
last year by Delhi Police and later brought to Imphal, police said.
Director General of Police (Manipur) Y Joykumar had earlier announced a
cash reward of Rs one lakh for anyone who could give information leading
to the re-arrest of Meitei.
Factional clash in Singson hills
Two cadres of Kuki Revolutionary Army,
(KRA) were rescued by Dillai police with bullet wounds from Hangbong
village located in Saijang region of Singhason hill range on Sunay.
According to police, fierce factional clash took place between Kuki militant outfits, KRA and United Kukigram Defense Army (UKDM), where two KRA cadres were injured. Police recovered empty cases of AK series bullets and cartage.
The two arrested cadres have been identified as Lalboy Kuki and Hao Kuki but police did not mentioned about any causality.
According to police, fierce factional clash took place between Kuki militant outfits, KRA and United Kukigram Defense Army (UKDM), where two KRA cadres were injured. Police recovered empty cases of AK series bullets and cartage.
The two arrested cadres have been identified as Lalboy Kuki and Hao Kuki but police did not mentioned about any causality.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
6 NSCN cadres, civilian killed in shoot-out
IMPHAL, Oct 9 – Six NSCN-IM cadres and a civilian were killed in a shoot-out with the Zeliangrong Tiger Force (ZTF), the armed wing of the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) in Tamenglong district of Manipur last evening, according to Manipur police.
The ZUF, the militant outfit which was formed few months back, claimed today that six cadres of the NSCN-IM were killed and several injured including their ‘Brigadier’ Sounii Poumai, who is reportedly in-charge of three NSCN-IM battalions and one brigade.
However, the NSCN-IM, the Zeliangrong Youth Front and Zeliangrong Students Union Manipur claimed that five NSCN-IM cadres and a civilian got killed in the encounter.
According to Manipur police, six cadres of NSCN (IM) and one civilian were killed and five others critically wounded in a fierce gunbattle between the outfit and proscribed ZUF in Tamenglong district.
The heavy fighting took place in an area between Laishom village and Khoupum village under Khoupum police station in Tamenglong district at around 7 pm last night, police said, adding that seven were killed and another five injured in the gunbattle. The injured were also cadres of NSCN. However, it is not clear whether the ZUF suffered casualty on their side.
The incident happened when a group of NSCN (IM) cadres heading towards Khoupum village were ambushed by a group of ZUF cadres near Leishom near Khoupum, bordering Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Bishnupur districts, resulting in heavy casualty on the NSCN (IM) side, police said.
A team of police rushed to the spot today and the bodies were recovered. The police team reached Khoupum village in the evening. The bodies will be brought here for post mortem examination, the police said.
Meanwhile, the ZUF said cadres of NSCN-IM in large number came to the Khoupum area yesterday at around 3 pm and attacked the ZUF/ZTF cadres at around 6 pm and a shoot out ensued between the two groups which lasted for an hour. The ZUF also said another nine cadres of the NSCN-IM were captured but were released.
The ZUF, the militant outfit which was formed few months back, claimed today that six cadres of the NSCN-IM were killed and several injured including their ‘Brigadier’ Sounii Poumai, who is reportedly in-charge of three NSCN-IM battalions and one brigade.
However, the NSCN-IM, the Zeliangrong Youth Front and Zeliangrong Students Union Manipur claimed that five NSCN-IM cadres and a civilian got killed in the encounter.
According to Manipur police, six cadres of NSCN (IM) and one civilian were killed and five others critically wounded in a fierce gunbattle between the outfit and proscribed ZUF in Tamenglong district.
The heavy fighting took place in an area between Laishom village and Khoupum village under Khoupum police station in Tamenglong district at around 7 pm last night, police said, adding that seven were killed and another five injured in the gunbattle. The injured were also cadres of NSCN. However, it is not clear whether the ZUF suffered casualty on their side.
The incident happened when a group of NSCN (IM) cadres heading towards Khoupum village were ambushed by a group of ZUF cadres near Leishom near Khoupum, bordering Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Bishnupur districts, resulting in heavy casualty on the NSCN (IM) side, police said.
A team of police rushed to the spot today and the bodies were recovered. The police team reached Khoupum village in the evening. The bodies will be brought here for post mortem examination, the police said.
Meanwhile, the ZUF said cadres of NSCN-IM in large number came to the Khoupum area yesterday at around 3 pm and attacked the ZUF/ZTF cadres at around 6 pm and a shoot out ensued between the two groups which lasted for an hour. The ZUF also said another nine cadres of the NSCN-IM were captured but were released.
IED recovered during search operation in Assam
An improvised explosive devise (IED) and implements for making guns were
recovered during search operations from lower Assam’s Goalpara
district, police said.
A joint police and CRPF team led by district additional superintendent
of police P K Brahma last night recovered the 1.5 kg bomb from near the
house of one Pulen Rabha at Dhekiabari under Krishnai police station.
Implements for making country guns were also recovered during the search operation, Mr. Brahma told PTI today.
Rabha was picked up and his interrogation was on, Mr. Brahma said.
Meanwhile, at Makri on National Highway 37, army personnel from the 36
Regiment during a search operation apprehended Kapil Das, militant of
Rava Viper Army (RVA), a local ethnic insurgent outfit from a dhaba
(roadside eatery) on Friday night, police said.
The militant was handed over to police for further action, the sources said.
Maoists trying to gain foothold in the North-East
GUWAHATI: Assam Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said the state government has proof that Maoists were trying to gain foothold in the North-East by trying to organise protests against hydel projects.
Giving credence to Delhi Police's claims on Friday that Maoists and terror outfits in NE were working in coordination, Bordoloi said the Assam government has found that Maoists were opposing hydro power projects along the Assam-Arunachal border by raising ecological concerns, to gain influence over the local populace, with the help of Ulfa's anti-talks faction.
"Opposing mega power projects and gaining foothold among people is the new modus operandi of Left-wing extremism. We have evidence to substantiate that Maoists are looking to make inroads in Sadiya area of the Tinsukia district," he said in Guwahati on Friday.
The disclosure could send big power developers into a tizzy. Bordoloi said Maoists idea was to oppose power projects and gain people's support though their larger idea would be to bring instability to the region. Anti-talk faction of Ulfa, under Commander-in-Chief Paresh Baruah was helping the Maoists.
An officer with one of the intelligence agencies said the growing presence of Naxals in the Tinsukia district and adjoining district of Arunachal Pradesh was a security concern. Maoists have initiated a recruitment drive in the area and are targeting the youth of the area.
Tinsukia district is stronghold of the anti-talk ULFA faction. The growing Maoist presence along the Assam-Arunachal border will jeopardise mega power projects coming up in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Arunachal, also known as power house of India, is at present witnessing construction of dams for generation of 10,000 MW of power. Private players and public sector units are investing hugely in Arunachal in the power sector.
"To counter Maoist influence, we are initiating developmental measures. We will install transmission line along the Dholla-Sadiya Bridge. This bridge over river Brahmaputra will cut down the traveling time between Assam and Arunachal," Bordoloi said.
Securitymen recently nabbed nine rebels from Lohit district. "These person were supposed to be engaged by ULFA as carrier of food, information and medicine. However, further probe revealed they were members of a Maoist branch organisation called the Upper Assam Leading Committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoist). Maoist networks are spreading in Dibang valley district bordering China. They provoke locals against power projects and work over ground as anti-dam activists. Mega power projects are proposed in the Dibang valley," said an intelligence official.
NHPC plans to construct a Multi-purpose Project in Dibang for generating 3,000 MW. The Rs 16,000-crore will be ready by 2020.
Giving credence to Delhi Police's claims on Friday that Maoists and terror outfits in NE were working in coordination, Bordoloi said the Assam government has found that Maoists were opposing hydro power projects along the Assam-Arunachal border by raising ecological concerns, to gain influence over the local populace, with the help of Ulfa's anti-talks faction.
"Opposing mega power projects and gaining foothold among people is the new modus operandi of Left-wing extremism. We have evidence to substantiate that Maoists are looking to make inroads in Sadiya area of the Tinsukia district," he said in Guwahati on Friday.
The disclosure could send big power developers into a tizzy. Bordoloi said Maoists idea was to oppose power projects and gain people's support though their larger idea would be to bring instability to the region. Anti-talk faction of Ulfa, under Commander-in-Chief Paresh Baruah was helping the Maoists.
An officer with one of the intelligence agencies said the growing presence of Naxals in the Tinsukia district and adjoining district of Arunachal Pradesh was a security concern. Maoists have initiated a recruitment drive in the area and are targeting the youth of the area.
Tinsukia district is stronghold of the anti-talk ULFA faction. The growing Maoist presence along the Assam-Arunachal border will jeopardise mega power projects coming up in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Arunachal, also known as power house of India, is at present witnessing construction of dams for generation of 10,000 MW of power. Private players and public sector units are investing hugely in Arunachal in the power sector.
"To counter Maoist influence, we are initiating developmental measures. We will install transmission line along the Dholla-Sadiya Bridge. This bridge over river Brahmaputra will cut down the traveling time between Assam and Arunachal," Bordoloi said.
Securitymen recently nabbed nine rebels from Lohit district. "These person were supposed to be engaged by ULFA as carrier of food, information and medicine. However, further probe revealed they were members of a Maoist branch organisation called the Upper Assam Leading Committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoist). Maoist networks are spreading in Dibang valley district bordering China. They provoke locals against power projects and work over ground as anti-dam activists. Mega power projects are proposed in the Dibang valley," said an intelligence official.
NHPC plans to construct a Multi-purpose Project in Dibang for generating 3,000 MW. The Rs 16,000-crore will be ready by 2020.
NE ultra groups engaging youth
GUWAHATI, Oct 8 – Almost all insurgent groups in North East are engaging people who are economically deprived and many of which actually qualify as young combatants. If and when some of the groups show their willingness to negotiate and embrace peace, the rehabilitation of these young people would require a great deal of sensitivity.
In States such as Assam, Nagaland and Manipur, young combatants form the backbone of insurgent groups. Underage men as well as women have been trained in close combat and weapons, changing their psychology and behavior to a great extent.
Intelligence sources told this correspondent that the number of young combatants in the North East is very high, and their backgrounds reveal two common traits: economic hardship and lack of education.
“Many of them come from families which face a great deal of hardship, and most lack education beyond high school…these actually make them vulnerable to recruiters from insurgent groups,” a well-placed Intelligence operative revealed.
The insurgent groups are on the lookout for young combatants because it is easier to mould their mindset to a set of beliefs, and also because their material demands are less compared to older combatants.
In States such as Assam, Nagaland and Manipur, young combatants form the backbone of insurgent groups. Underage men as well as women have been trained in close combat and weapons, changing their psychology and behavior to a great extent.
Intelligence sources told this correspondent that the number of young combatants in the North East is very high, and their backgrounds reveal two common traits: economic hardship and lack of education.
“Many of them come from families which face a great deal of hardship, and most lack education beyond high school…these actually make them vulnerable to recruiters from insurgent groups,” a well-placed Intelligence operative revealed.
The insurgent groups are on the lookout for young combatants because it is easier to mould their mindset to a set of beliefs, and also because their material demands are less compared to older combatants.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Two top militants of PLA arrested in Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 8 : Two top militants of the outlawed People's Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur were arrested in the national capital, police said.
"We have arrested two high-ranking militants of the banned organisation," a senior police official said. The PLA was formed in 1978 comprising of ethnic groups such as Nagas, Kukis and Meiteis with the objective of liberating Manipur. PLA militants are equipped with sophisticated arms and involved in extortion and killings.
In January this year, Delhi Police had arrested a 28-year-old self-styled Lieutanant -- Oinam Ibomcha Singh --of the banned outfit.
Singh had joined PLA in 1999-2000 and underwent training in handling of arms and ammunition in Myanmar in the camps of Maoists. His areas of operation were Delhi-Guwahati-Dimapur, police had then said.
"We have arrested two high-ranking militants of the banned organisation," a senior police official said. The PLA was formed in 1978 comprising of ethnic groups such as Nagas, Kukis and Meiteis with the objective of liberating Manipur. PLA militants are equipped with sophisticated arms and involved in extortion and killings.
In January this year, Delhi Police had arrested a 28-year-old self-styled Lieutanant -- Oinam Ibomcha Singh --of the banned outfit.
Singh had joined PLA in 1999-2000 and underwent training in handling of arms and ammunition in Myanmar in the camps of Maoists. His areas of operation were Delhi-Guwahati-Dimapur, police had then said.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
SoO agreement with ANVC extended by 1 year
New Delhi, Oct 7 : The Union Government today extended a tripartite Suspension of Operations Agreement (SoO) with Achik National Volunteers' Council (ANVC) in Meghalaya for a period of one year.
The agreement was valid till September 30 this year.
The extension will come into force from October 1, a Home Ministry release said here.
On July 23, 2004, the Centre suspended operations against the ANVC paving way for tripartite talks. Since then, the SoO agreement was extended time to time.
At present, Government's interlocutor P C Halder is holding dialogues with the ANVC.
The ANVC is demanding creation of Garo Autonomous Council within Meghalaya.
The agreement was valid till September 30 this year.
The extension will come into force from October 1, a Home Ministry release said here.
On July 23, 2004, the Centre suspended operations against the ANVC paving way for tripartite talks. Since then, the SoO agreement was extended time to time.
At present, Government's interlocutor P C Halder is holding dialogues with the ANVC.
The ANVC is demanding creation of Garo Autonomous Council within Meghalaya.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Traffic affected in Assam after militants attack goods train
Traffic on Lumding-Silchar route in Assam's Cachar district was affected after unidentified Ultras fired at a goods train on Wednesday, setting its engine on fire and injuring the driver near Haflong in NC Hills district.
The insurgents fired from nearby hills on Down Jironia goods train, carrying essential food items from Lumding to Silchar, at a remote place between Lower Haflong and Maigrendisa railway stations at about 1.30 pm, official sources said.
Driver P N Hazarika suffered bullet wounds on his thigh and was admitted to the Haflong civil hospital, Northeast Frontier Railway spokesman S Hajong said.
The incident led to fire breaking out in a part of the engine but it was doused by railway and security personnel.
The metre gauge Hill Line between Lumding and Badarpur to Silchar in Cachar district was closed as efforts were on to remove the train by Wednesday night, the sources said.
The identity of the insurgents is yet to be ascertained and a search operation has been launched to track them, sources said.
Militants attack goods train in Assam
Haflong: Unidentified militants today attacked a goods train and injured its driver near Haflong in N C Hills district, official sources said.
The ultras fired from nearby hills on the goods train coming from Lumding towards Silchar at around 1.30 pm at a remote place between Lower Haflong and Maigrendisa railway stations, the sources said.
The driver of the train of the Northeast Frontier Railway suffered bullet injury in his leg and was admitted to the Haflong civil hospital.
Railway and police officials rushed to the area, they said adding that the identity of the insurgents was yet to be ascertained.
The ultras fired from nearby hills on the goods train coming from Lumding towards Silchar at around 1.30 pm at a remote place between Lower Haflong and Maigrendisa railway stations, the sources said.
The driver of the train of the Northeast Frontier Railway suffered bullet injury in his leg and was admitted to the Haflong civil hospital.
Railway and police officials rushed to the area, they said adding that the identity of the insurgents was yet to be ascertained.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Garo militants over-run Forest office
TURA, Oct 5 – Heavily armed Garo militants belonging to the Garo National Liberation Army attacked a Forest department Range office in East Garo Hills district headquarters of Williamnagar late Monday night taking away seven weapons but leaving the office staff unharmed.
As many as 15 GNLA militants dressed in battle fatigues and armed with AK rifles crossed over from the nearby Simsang river to the Range office at Chidekgre, four kms from Williamnagar town and surrounded the Range office.
The militants forced all the inmates of the office into one room and confiscated their mobile phones. They also forced the night watchman to open the office and tried to break open the armoury that kept the rifles. When the watchman failed to open the weapon box the militants broke the lock and took away the seven weapons leaving behind three obsolete ones.
Among the looted weapons were three pump action shot guns and four Single Barrel guns (SBBL).
As many as 15 GNLA militants dressed in battle fatigues and armed with AK rifles crossed over from the nearby Simsang river to the Range office at Chidekgre, four kms from Williamnagar town and surrounded the Range office.
The militants forced all the inmates of the office into one room and confiscated their mobile phones. They also forced the night watchman to open the office and tried to break open the armoury that kept the rifles. When the watchman failed to open the weapon box the militants broke the lock and took away the seven weapons leaving behind three obsolete ones.
Among the looted weapons were three pump action shot guns and four Single Barrel guns (SBBL).