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.