AThe Myanmar govt has declared that it would go to the extent of scrapping its ceasefire with National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang if the underground group is found to be misusing its ceasefire agreement and allowing other Indian insurgent groups to stay in its designated 'Naga zone' in Myanmar which enjoys benefits of ceasefire including permission to move freely with no fear of arrest.
This declaration was made by the nine member Myanmarese team which met top officials of the Indian govt led by Ministry of Home Affairs Joint Secretary (NE), Mr Shambhu Singh in Kolkata on June 26 and 27.
The Indian delegation is also reported to have shown its displeasure at the Myanmarese govt having signed the ceasefire with NSCN-K signatory Wanting Naga who is an Indian origin Naga.
The Myanmarese delegation has accepted that this was a grave oversight on their part and would henceforth verify the antecedents and nationality of every cadre or leader belonging to any Indian insurgent group that they deal with.
The Myanmarese delegation has assured the team from the ministry of home affairs that they would soon introduce some foolproof mechanism to check whether the cadres and leaders staying in NSCN-K camp are actually of that group.
Other important issues discussed in the Kolkata meeting includes Myanmar's sharing of intelligence and interrogation reports of every insurgent or miscreant of Indian origin caught in Myanmar with drugs or arms.
India is very serious about tightening the clamps on the flourishing drug and arms racket which fund militancy and which has its bases in neighbouring countries including Myanmar. Myanmar has promised full cooperation in this regard.
The Indian govt is reported to have handed over a document containing details of insurgent groups such as the Peoples' Liberation Army and United National Liberation Front of Manipur having poppy fields in Myanmar.
The Myanmarese delegation chose Kolkata as the venue for this meeting as there is a direct flight between Yangon and Kolkata.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Another Naga rebel held as cops continue ops in Dima Hasao
SILCHAR: The Army and police intensified their operation against the Dimasa National Revolutionary Front (DNRF) and the NSCN(IM) active in Dima Hasao district of Assam. In course of the operation in the Maibang subdivision of Dima Hasao, cops on Sunday nabbed another NSCN(IM) rebel.
Ajang Po, the self-styled lieutenant of NSCN(IM), was nabbed from Milubra village near Lungting in the hill district at 11 am on Sunday in a joint operation by the 9 Madras Regiment and the police.
Four DNRF and NSCN(IM) militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces and one Naga rebel was arrested in this village early on Saturday.
Sources said the DNRF is engaged in extortion in Hatikhali, Lungting and some other areas of the district for the past year with its limited strength following the surrender of 30 of its cadres last year. However, the activities of the Dimasa outfit have become a cause of concern for the police and the security forces after it joined hands with the NSCN(IM).
"Both the outfits have been running extortion businesses in parts of the district. NSCN(IM) has issued 'notices' in Prasademik, Khepre and other villages in Dima Hasao near Nagaland border demanding Rs 200 per family as annual tax. Moreover, both the outfits have been issuing regular demand notes and extorting money through phone calls in Haflong and Maibang areas," said a police officer.
"The ongoing operation will not stop until the rebels are flushed out," said a security official.
A senior district administration official on Sunday said the government is mulling setting up a number of outposts along Dima Hasao's border with Nagaland and Manipur only to stop Naga rebels from sneaking into the southern Assam district.
Ajang Po, the self-styled lieutenant of NSCN(IM), was nabbed from Milubra village near Lungting in the hill district at 11 am on Sunday in a joint operation by the 9 Madras Regiment and the police.
Four DNRF and NSCN(IM) militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces and one Naga rebel was arrested in this village early on Saturday.
Sources said the DNRF is engaged in extortion in Hatikhali, Lungting and some other areas of the district for the past year with its limited strength following the surrender of 30 of its cadres last year. However, the activities of the Dimasa outfit have become a cause of concern for the police and the security forces after it joined hands with the NSCN(IM).
"Both the outfits have been running extortion businesses in parts of the district. NSCN(IM) has issued 'notices' in Prasademik, Khepre and other villages in Dima Hasao near Nagaland border demanding Rs 200 per family as annual tax. Moreover, both the outfits have been issuing regular demand notes and extorting money through phone calls in Haflong and Maibang areas," said a police officer.
"The ongoing operation will not stop until the rebels are flushed out," said a security official.
A senior district administration official on Sunday said the government is mulling setting up a number of outposts along Dima Hasao's border with Nagaland and Manipur only to stop Naga rebels from sneaking into the southern Assam district.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Four militants killed in Dima Hasao encounter
SILCHAR: Four militants - three Dimasa National Revolutionary Front (DNRF) and one from NSCN(I-M) - were killed in an encounter with the army and police on early Saturday. A huge cache of arms were found on them.
A senior police officer from Haflong, the headquarters of Dima Hasao, said jawans of 9 Madras Regiment of army and police started a joint operation at Milubra village, 16 km from Lungting in north of the district and 51 km from Haflong, acting on a tip-off by intelligence officials. The operation led to an encounter between the security forces and the militants in which the four rebels were killed. Security forces managed to apprehend another. The rest managed to flee.
Additional SP (Dima Hasao) Surjit Singh Panisar said the deceased have been identified as Abhijit Kachari (NSCN - IM), Sanjay Naiding, Reddi Dimasa and Gilli Dimasa (DNRF). The name of the arrested NSCN (IM) militant is Akeeba Sema. All are aged between 18 and 22, added Panisar.
The arms and ammunitions recovered from the militants include four AK-47 rifles, 236 rounds of ammunition, two Chinese grenades, mobile hand sets and a number of receipt books meant for extortion by the NSCN (IM).
Sources said while the arrested militant is being interrogated at Lungting police station, the bodies of four militants were being brought to Haflong Civil Hospital for autopsy.
Sources said DNRF, a Dimasa outfit, joined hands with NSCN (IM) recently. The two outfits were engaged in extortion activities in different parts of the hill district for more than a year now.
A senior police officer from Haflong, the headquarters of Dima Hasao, said jawans of 9 Madras Regiment of army and police started a joint operation at Milubra village, 16 km from Lungting in north of the district and 51 km from Haflong, acting on a tip-off by intelligence officials. The operation led to an encounter between the security forces and the militants in which the four rebels were killed. Security forces managed to apprehend another. The rest managed to flee.
Additional SP (Dima Hasao) Surjit Singh Panisar said the deceased have been identified as Abhijit Kachari (NSCN - IM), Sanjay Naiding, Reddi Dimasa and Gilli Dimasa (DNRF). The name of the arrested NSCN (IM) militant is Akeeba Sema. All are aged between 18 and 22, added Panisar.
The arms and ammunitions recovered from the militants include four AK-47 rifles, 236 rounds of ammunition, two Chinese grenades, mobile hand sets and a number of receipt books meant for extortion by the NSCN (IM).
Sources said while the arrested militant is being interrogated at Lungting police station, the bodies of four militants were being brought to Haflong Civil Hospital for autopsy.
Sources said DNRF, a Dimasa outfit, joined hands with NSCN (IM) recently. The two outfits were engaged in extortion activities in different parts of the hill district for more than a year now.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Assam Rifles busts NSCN-K camp in Nagaland
Kohima, Jun 19 : Assam Rifles in Mon district busted an 'ad hoc transit camp' of various insurgent groups, including NSCN-K, and recovered arms, ammunition, war-like stores and huge quantity of rice on June 14, an AR release said today.
According to the release, issued by the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North), two NSCN-K cadres, including an officer who was in charge of Chenmoho Camp under Aboi Police Station of Mon district, were apprehended during the operation.
AR seized one pistol, one 12-bore rifle, several live rounds of various calibers, explosive and many other warlike stores besides 3000 kg of rice.
The release said the interrogation of the apprehended cadres revealed that the recovered rice was actually meant for people from 'Below Poverty Line'.
The house from which the recoveries were made belonged to Yannon Konyak of Chenmoho village.
The cadres were using the house as a transit point for insurgent groups who are active in Myanmar in violation of Cease Fire Ground Rules and as a warehouse for storing the supplies.
The apprehended cadres had been handed over to Aboi police station, the release added.
In a separate release, the IGAR (N) said on 11 June, the security force confiscated one AK 56 and 60 rounds of ammunition from an NSCN cadre, identified as Langkhuh Konyak.
According to the release, issued by the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North), two NSCN-K cadres, including an officer who was in charge of Chenmoho Camp under Aboi Police Station of Mon district, were apprehended during the operation.
AR seized one pistol, one 12-bore rifle, several live rounds of various calibers, explosive and many other warlike stores besides 3000 kg of rice.
The release said the interrogation of the apprehended cadres revealed that the recovered rice was actually meant for people from 'Below Poverty Line'.
The house from which the recoveries were made belonged to Yannon Konyak of Chenmoho village.
The cadres were using the house as a transit point for insurgent groups who are active in Myanmar in violation of Cease Fire Ground Rules and as a warehouse for storing the supplies.
The apprehended cadres had been handed over to Aboi police station, the release added.
In a separate release, the IGAR (N) said on 11 June, the security force confiscated one AK 56 and 60 rounds of ammunition from an NSCN cadre, identified as Langkhuh Konyak.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
WARNING! Maoist-NE terror groups' cocktail is disastrous
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Maoist activities in Assam are likely to receive the support of the so-called anti-talks faction of the ULFA and if not nipped in the bud will spread to other states of the Northeast with support from other insurgent groups and international powers, warns Col Anil Bhat (Retd).
The latter part of May 2012 saw Assam gearing up security following the so-called anti-talks faction of United Liberation Front of Asom's 'welcome programme' for Congress president Sonia Gandhi's visit to the state.
Its call for a bandh and threats of unleashing terrorist violence were to make its presence felt and to show its strength, as the flow of funds to its coffers has been down owing to majority of the people receiving extortion demands from the outfit refusing to pay up.
While timely recovery of explosives may have foiled some earlier attempts to target oil pipelines and other installations, two disturbing trends have emerged. The first is of Maoists spreading to the Northeast. The second pertains to reports of many of the terrorist groups of the region re-uniting.
'Assam had emerged as the new theatre of Maoist activity'
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Both Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi have acknowledged the fact that Maoists
are making inroads into the region. Addressing the chief ministers'
conference on internal security on April 16, Chidambaram stated that
Assam had emerged as the new theatre of Maoist activity and there were
also inputs about links of CPI (Maoist) with insurgent-turned-terrorist
groups in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
Again on May 12, while on a tour of Arunachal Pradesh, he stated, "There will be no compromise with the Maoists trying to destabilise peace in the region and police have been instructed to take stern action. The Centre was alive to the situation created by such groups in the region and was taking concrete steps to curb them".
Reports indicate that the Maoists have received arms, ammunition, explosives and other equipment as well as training by the Northeastern groups. By late 2009, it is believed that consignments of weapons by arrangement with China amounting to 850 AK-47 rifles, 4,000 small weapons and several hundred grenades, were supplied to the Maoists through Burma and Bangladesh by an elaborate network run in the Northeast by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah).
The arrest on April 8 by the National Investigating Agency of Arnold Singh alias Bekon, a hard core member of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army points to linkages between the Maoists and the PLA.
As per official sources, Arnold had led a four member team of the PLA to Jharkhand where they imparted training to several batches of Maoist rebels. This also indicates attempts at outreach by Northeast terrorist groups well away from their respective states. The PLA of Manipur has major links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence in Bangladesh and also has bases in a number of Northeastern states too.
On May 9, Assam police claimed to have killed four unidentified Maoists activists in an encounter at Deopani Borgora Nepali Gaon near Buraburhi Than under Chapakhowa police station of Sadiya in Tinsukia district. Police recovered two AK-47 rifles, one AK-56 rifle, 3 live grenades, 53 rounds of live ammunition, a detonator and several extortion demand notes from them.
While this operation by Assam police was successful, it exposes only a tip of the iceberg. The fact that there are ethnic Assamese being identified as Maoists means that the process of recruiting Assamese into their organisation has progressed.
Chief Minister Gogoi is reported to have directed top state officials to immediately prepare an action plan for setting up a task force to contain increasing Maoist activities. This would be formed under an additional director general of police to contain Maoist activities and counterfeit currency racket in the state.
"Maoist activities" in Assam are likely to receive the support of the so-called anti-talks faction of the ULFA and if not nipped in the bud will spread to other states of the Northeast with support from other insurgent groups.
Again on May 12, while on a tour of Arunachal Pradesh, he stated, "There will be no compromise with the Maoists trying to destabilise peace in the region and police have been instructed to take stern action. The Centre was alive to the situation created by such groups in the region and was taking concrete steps to curb them".
Reports indicate that the Maoists have received arms, ammunition, explosives and other equipment as well as training by the Northeastern groups. By late 2009, it is believed that consignments of weapons by arrangement with China amounting to 850 AK-47 rifles, 4,000 small weapons and several hundred grenades, were supplied to the Maoists through Burma and Bangladesh by an elaborate network run in the Northeast by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah).
The arrest on April 8 by the National Investigating Agency of Arnold Singh alias Bekon, a hard core member of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army points to linkages between the Maoists and the PLA.
As per official sources, Arnold had led a four member team of the PLA to Jharkhand where they imparted training to several batches of Maoist rebels. This also indicates attempts at outreach by Northeast terrorist groups well away from their respective states. The PLA of Manipur has major links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence in Bangladesh and also has bases in a number of Northeastern states too.
On May 9, Assam police claimed to have killed four unidentified Maoists activists in an encounter at Deopani Borgora Nepali Gaon near Buraburhi Than under Chapakhowa police station of Sadiya in Tinsukia district. Police recovered two AK-47 rifles, one AK-56 rifle, 3 live grenades, 53 rounds of live ammunition, a detonator and several extortion demand notes from them.
While this operation by Assam police was successful, it exposes only a tip of the iceberg. The fact that there are ethnic Assamese being identified as Maoists means that the process of recruiting Assamese into their organisation has progressed.
Chief Minister Gogoi is reported to have directed top state officials to immediately prepare an action plan for setting up a task force to contain increasing Maoist activities. This would be formed under an additional director general of police to contain Maoist activities and counterfeit currency racket in the state.
"Maoist activities" in Assam are likely to receive the support of the so-called anti-talks faction of the ULFA and if not nipped in the bud will spread to other states of the Northeast with support from other insurgent groups.
14 terrorist groups reuniting in Northeast
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Another major development is that of
insurgent attempts at unity by bringing together fourteen terrorist
groups of the region. An agreement was signed by them in 2011 to form
yet another joint forum which they claim is already in place, but not
yet been given a new name and will be different from similar efforts in
the past.
ULFA, NSCN-K and PLA of Manipur have played a crucial role in forming this group, which includes United National Liberation Front, the three factions of People's Republican Party of Kangleipak (Prepak), the Noyon group of Kangelipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), All Tripura Tigers' Force (ATTF), Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA).
The outfits will coordinate their activities and share information on operations and sources of weapons. Many of these groups have been supported by the ISI and also by China.
If this comes about, its neutralising would impose new challenges especially if there are also linkages with the Maoists. External support from China and the ISI will further muddy the waters and would necessitate a complete makeover of state and central police if the army is to be kept out of the ambit.
This will involve substantially increasing the numbers of the force, providing it good training at institutes like Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairengte, Mizoram, providing better weapons, communications and mobility and most important, dynamic leadership. Even if all this is achieved, political will to disregard political connections and vote-bank interests will be needed to strike at the roots of these terrorist groups.
ULFA, NSCN-K and PLA of Manipur have played a crucial role in forming this group, which includes United National Liberation Front, the three factions of People's Republican Party of Kangleipak (Prepak), the Noyon group of Kangelipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), All Tripura Tigers' Force (ATTF), Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA).
The outfits will coordinate their activities and share information on operations and sources of weapons. Many of these groups have been supported by the ISI and also by China.
If this comes about, its neutralising would impose new challenges especially if there are also linkages with the Maoists. External support from China and the ISI will further muddy the waters and would necessitate a complete makeover of state and central police if the army is to be kept out of the ambit.
This will involve substantially increasing the numbers of the force, providing it good training at institutes like Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairengte, Mizoram, providing better weapons, communications and mobility and most important, dynamic leadership. Even if all this is achieved, political will to disregard political connections and vote-bank interests will be needed to strike at the roots of these terrorist groups.
Supply of arms from China through Burma another concern
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In February this year, Rajeev Bhattacharyya,
working for a Northeast media publication, spent a few days in an ULFA
camp set up in Eastern Nagaland. The location was ideal in that it was
contiguous to Nagaland and Manipur, was in close proximity to Myanmar,
only a few days walk from Upper Assam and well connected by rivers and
jungle pathways, making the delivery of weapons and supplies easy.
In that camp he witnessed a huge consignment of European 9mm pistols and HK33 assault rifles being delivered. Though Heckler and Koch do not make the HK33 anymore, variants of the rifle are produced under licence in some south Asian countries. Once the consignment was unpacked, young cadres test-fired the guns before putting them into storage.
Sources were cited that orders were being placed for the Chinese Type 81 rifles and the American M16 -- both in the price range of Rs 2 lakh to 3 lakh. Interestingly, "concessional rates" apply for bulk orders and the United Front benefits from slashed rates. Medicines, food and goods not available in Myanmar are smuggled in from China and Thailand.
Another ominously significant event he witnessed was a soccer match, in which Paresh Baruah's blue team comprising cadres from ULFA, the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the NSCN-K played against the opposing blue team made up of Manipuri terrorist groups.
Paresh Baruah's open show of solidarity with China is also a cause of concern. An email statement sent to an Assam portal condemned anti-China moves from the soil of Asom, claimed "good diplomatic ties" with the People's Republic of China and ranted against Indian government 'secretly setting up nuclear missile bases in North East India, especially in Assam' which would be detrimental to Assamese interests.
With Bangladesh-based ULFA leaders having extended their connections to China, supply of arms from Yunan province of southern China through insurgents in Burma has become another new route. The security situation hence needs to be carefully monitored.
In that camp he witnessed a huge consignment of European 9mm pistols and HK33 assault rifles being delivered. Though Heckler and Koch do not make the HK33 anymore, variants of the rifle are produced under licence in some south Asian countries. Once the consignment was unpacked, young cadres test-fired the guns before putting them into storage.
Sources were cited that orders were being placed for the Chinese Type 81 rifles and the American M16 -- both in the price range of Rs 2 lakh to 3 lakh. Interestingly, "concessional rates" apply for bulk orders and the United Front benefits from slashed rates. Medicines, food and goods not available in Myanmar are smuggled in from China and Thailand.
Another ominously significant event he witnessed was a soccer match, in which Paresh Baruah's blue team comprising cadres from ULFA, the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the NSCN-K played against the opposing blue team made up of Manipuri terrorist groups.
Paresh Baruah's open show of solidarity with China is also a cause of concern. An email statement sent to an Assam portal condemned anti-China moves from the soil of Asom, claimed "good diplomatic ties" with the People's Republic of China and ranted against Indian government 'secretly setting up nuclear missile bases in North East India, especially in Assam' which would be detrimental to Assamese interests.
With Bangladesh-based ULFA leaders having extended their connections to China, supply of arms from Yunan province of southern China through insurgents in Burma has become another new route. The security situation hence needs to be carefully monitored.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Quit deadline over, Myanmar may take action against Indian rebels
GUWAHATI: Two days after the lapse of the deadline given to Indian insurgent groups (IIGs) by the Myanmarese government to leave the neighbouring country, army personnel have been positioned in close proximity of the rebels' camps, but there is no report of any militants fleeing across the border to India.
"The Myanmarese army has positioned itself close to the camps of IIGs at Taga and other places but everything is as usual. There are more than 3,000 cadres of IIGs in Myanmar and there have been no reports of any of these groups moving to India, though there is pressure on the Meitei outfits," a top security source said.
Soon after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Myanmar last month, the Myanmarese government asked IIGs, particularly the Manipuri outfits, to leave the country by June 10. Union home minister P Chidambaram appreciated Myanmar's positive response and expressed hope that the neighbouring country would hand over arrested Indian militants to India.
It now appears that the June 10 deadline was given by NSCN(K) supremo S S Khaplang to four Manipuri outfits — UNLF, Prepak, PLA and KYKL. "There is certain pressure on the outfits of Manipur. Even Khaplang is under pressure from the Centre to withdraw his support from all the other IIGs, particularly the Meitei outfits," the source said.
The NSCN(K), which has a ceasefire agreement with the Centre, on April 9 signed a parallel five-point ceasefire agreement with the Myanmarese government at Khamti in Sagaing division. The NSCN(K) has also opened a liaison office at Khamti, an act that has not gone down well with the Centre.
The NSCN(K) calls the shots as far as giving shelter to other IIGs in Myanmar is concerned. The NDFB, Ulfa and Meitei groups have set up their hideouts in Myanmar with support and help of the NSCN(K).
"For all these years, the IIGs having been staying in Myanmar and it could not have been possible without some kind of understanding with the Myanmarese army and its intelligence. We know for sure that the Meitei groups and other IIGs have been paying money to the Myanmarese army and intelligence through the NSCN(K). So, whatever is happening now is feared to be just a cosmetic venture. Six months ago, the Myanmarese army had closed in on camps of IIGs, but without firing a single shot, the army withdrew from its position. The same thing is happening now," the source said.
"The Myanmarese army has positioned itself close to the camps of IIGs at Taga and other places but everything is as usual. There are more than 3,000 cadres of IIGs in Myanmar and there have been no reports of any of these groups moving to India, though there is pressure on the Meitei outfits," a top security source said.
Soon after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Myanmar last month, the Myanmarese government asked IIGs, particularly the Manipuri outfits, to leave the country by June 10. Union home minister P Chidambaram appreciated Myanmar's positive response and expressed hope that the neighbouring country would hand over arrested Indian militants to India.
It now appears that the June 10 deadline was given by NSCN(K) supremo S S Khaplang to four Manipuri outfits — UNLF, Prepak, PLA and KYKL. "There is certain pressure on the outfits of Manipur. Even Khaplang is under pressure from the Centre to withdraw his support from all the other IIGs, particularly the Meitei outfits," the source said.
The NSCN(K), which has a ceasefire agreement with the Centre, on April 9 signed a parallel five-point ceasefire agreement with the Myanmarese government at Khamti in Sagaing division. The NSCN(K) has also opened a liaison office at Khamti, an act that has not gone down well with the Centre.
The NSCN(K) calls the shots as far as giving shelter to other IIGs in Myanmar is concerned. The NDFB, Ulfa and Meitei groups have set up their hideouts in Myanmar with support and help of the NSCN(K).
"For all these years, the IIGs having been staying in Myanmar and it could not have been possible without some kind of understanding with the Myanmarese army and its intelligence. We know for sure that the Meitei groups and other IIGs have been paying money to the Myanmarese army and intelligence through the NSCN(K). So, whatever is happening now is feared to be just a cosmetic venture. Six months ago, the Myanmarese army had closed in on camps of IIGs, but without firing a single shot, the army withdrew from its position. The same thing is happening now," the source said.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Nunisa signs draft pact
New Delhi, June 13 : The Dilip Nunisa faction of Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) today signed a tripartite draft memorandum of settlement with the Centre and the Assam government, paving the way for a final settlement to the Dimasa problem.
Its rival group, led by incarcerated leader Jewel Gorlosa, had signed the draft last year.
Nunisa was accompanied by half-a-dozen associates, including the outfit’s commander-in-chief Pranab Nunisa. “Finally we have signed it, but things remain to be done,” Pranab told this correspondent.
The draft MoS will be sent to the Assam cabinet, which will vet it and then send it to the Union cabinet for clearance. “We may be in a position to sign the final settlement in July,” Pranab added.
On the group’s demands, sources said a process would be initiated on how to include more villages in the Dima Hasao council, but it would still be a long-winding process. Nunisa wants over 90 villages from neighbouring districts to be included in the Dima Hasao council area. Some of these are opposed by the rival Jewel group, they added.
The Dima Hasao (formerly North Cachar Hills) Autonomous Council, had been tainted by an alleged Rs 1,000 crore scam, allegedly involving officials and militants.
The Dimasas may not have got their dream of Dimaraji state or Dimasaland, but negotiations may have brought a semblance of political contentment among the leaders.
Sources said the settlement with the Nunisa group is likely to be on the same lines as with the Karbi group, United Peoples Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), signed less than a year ago.
The DHD reached a settlement within a year of the Karbis signing a tripartite settlement. Under that settlement, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council will become Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC) and four districts would be carved out within its jurisdiction.
The DHD groups, like the UPDS, are expected to dissolve and merge into the political mainstream. Although hiccups are still being encountered in implementing the UPDS MoS, militancy has surely been put aside.
The DHD has received help from unexpected quarters with Bodo leaders like Hagrama Mohiliary, Chandan Brahma and others putting pressure on the government for speedy settlement with the Dimasa groups.
The draft settlement with DHD (Nunisa) comes as the Congress prepares for elections in three Northeast states — Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura — next year. Of these states, Nagaland is also looking at a possible solution with the NSCN (I-M).
Today’s two-hour meeting was led by interlocutor and former Intelligence Bureau chief P.C. Haldar.
It was attended by joint secretary (Northeast) in the home ministry, Shambhu Singh, deputy secretary Ajay Kumar Kanaujia, joint director in the Intelligence Bureau A.K. Mishra and defence ministry officials.
Its rival group, led by incarcerated leader Jewel Gorlosa, had signed the draft last year.
Nunisa was accompanied by half-a-dozen associates, including the outfit’s commander-in-chief Pranab Nunisa. “Finally we have signed it, but things remain to be done,” Pranab told this correspondent.
The draft MoS will be sent to the Assam cabinet, which will vet it and then send it to the Union cabinet for clearance. “We may be in a position to sign the final settlement in July,” Pranab added.
On the group’s demands, sources said a process would be initiated on how to include more villages in the Dima Hasao council, but it would still be a long-winding process. Nunisa wants over 90 villages from neighbouring districts to be included in the Dima Hasao council area. Some of these are opposed by the rival Jewel group, they added.
The Dima Hasao (formerly North Cachar Hills) Autonomous Council, had been tainted by an alleged Rs 1,000 crore scam, allegedly involving officials and militants.
The Dimasas may not have got their dream of Dimaraji state or Dimasaland, but negotiations may have brought a semblance of political contentment among the leaders.
Sources said the settlement with the Nunisa group is likely to be on the same lines as with the Karbi group, United Peoples Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), signed less than a year ago.
The DHD reached a settlement within a year of the Karbis signing a tripartite settlement. Under that settlement, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council will become Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC) and four districts would be carved out within its jurisdiction.
The DHD groups, like the UPDS, are expected to dissolve and merge into the political mainstream. Although hiccups are still being encountered in implementing the UPDS MoS, militancy has surely been put aside.
The DHD has received help from unexpected quarters with Bodo leaders like Hagrama Mohiliary, Chandan Brahma and others putting pressure on the government for speedy settlement with the Dimasa groups.
The draft settlement with DHD (Nunisa) comes as the Congress prepares for elections in three Northeast states — Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura — next year. Of these states, Nagaland is also looking at a possible solution with the NSCN (I-M).
Today’s two-hour meeting was led by interlocutor and former Intelligence Bureau chief P.C. Haldar.
It was attended by joint secretary (Northeast) in the home ministry, Shambhu Singh, deputy secretary Ajay Kumar Kanaujia, joint director in the Intelligence Bureau A.K. Mishra and defence ministry officials.
Assam rebels abduct 20 labourers
As many as 20 labourers engaged by a private company working at a mini hydro-electric project in Karbi Anglong district in central Assam have remained untraced since they were abducted by a group of armed militants on Sunday.
Karbi Anglong deputy commissioner PK Buragohain said the labourers were whisked away on Sunday afternoon by a group of heavily armed militants from the construction company’s camp site from Lungnit, a remote location in the Singhasan mountain range. One of the labourers, however, managed to escape on Tuesday, he added. Initial reports on Sunday put the number of abducted persons at seven.
Police suspect the abduction was carried out by the outlawed Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers, a group that has been involved in extortion from various construction companies working in power and cement projects in the hill districts.
The labourers were working at the 6-MW Lungnit hydel project, remotely located about 36 km from Diphu, the district headquarters. The mini-hydel project belongs to the Assam Power Generation Company Ltd, a subsidiary of Assam State Electricity Board.
“We have not received any information about any demand for money made by the militant group from the company,” Deputy Commissioner Buragohain said over the telephone from Diphu.
Karbi Anglong deputy commissioner PK Buragohain said the labourers were whisked away on Sunday afternoon by a group of heavily armed militants from the construction company’s camp site from Lungnit, a remote location in the Singhasan mountain range. One of the labourers, however, managed to escape on Tuesday, he added. Initial reports on Sunday put the number of abducted persons at seven.
Police suspect the abduction was carried out by the outlawed Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers, a group that has been involved in extortion from various construction companies working in power and cement projects in the hill districts.
The labourers were working at the 6-MW Lungnit hydel project, remotely located about 36 km from Diphu, the district headquarters. The mini-hydel project belongs to the Assam Power Generation Company Ltd, a subsidiary of Assam State Electricity Board.
“We have not received any information about any demand for money made by the militant group from the company,” Deputy Commissioner Buragohain said over the telephone from Diphu.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Mizoram A Safe Heaven for Manipur PLA
A chargesheet submitted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA)
in Guwahati revealed that bank accounts in Aizawl were being operated
by the banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA) since 2009 for various
purposes.
“The investigation has revealed that in all these bank accounts operated by the accused, Dhiren Singh, Rs 15 lakh had been credited despite the fact that he did not have any ostensible source of income and no legal means of earning money,” the chargesheet which was filed against three senior cadres of the Manipuri group said.
“The investigation has revealed that in all these bank accounts operated by the accused, Dhiren Singh, Rs 15 lakh had been credited despite the fact that he did not have any ostensible source of income and no legal means of earning money,” the chargesheet which was filed against three senior cadres of the Manipuri group said.
Garo National Liberation Army procuring arms from Myanmar via city
GUWAHATI: The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has emerged as one of the biggest procurers of arms in the state, using the city as their main transit route. The outfit, which built a nexus with Ulfa hardliners in the recent past, is now in close contact with many Nagaland and Manipur-based outfits, mainly the NSCN(IM) and Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA) and gunrunners from Myanmar.
Since the beginning of this year, security forces here have arrested at least 15 GNLA militants from various areas and recovered many sophisticated weapons from them. "They are buying AK47s, AK74s, Chinese grenades, Heckler and Koch rifles, Glock guns, US-made sophisticated pistols from these gunrunners," added an official.
According to the security forces, GNLA is now procuring sophisticated arms from gunrunners in the India-Myanmar border area with the help of the NSCN(IM), PLA and Ulfa, too.
"This indicates that all these outfits are now in constant touch and involved in gunrunning. GNLA is now procuring sophisticated arms in a bid to strengthen its muscles. The outfit has a huge abduction racket in many parts of West Garo hills and in Goalpara district of Assam and is buying arms to this purpose," said another senior police official here.
On Saturday, the city police's operation wing nabbed four GNLA cadres including Pintu Marak, brother-in-law of GNLA 'commander-in-chief' Sohan D Shira, and two Nagaland-based gunrunners from the city's Tetelia area. The sleuth recovered one AK74 (grenade launcher) rifle, 25 grenades, one Barrette pistol and more than 900 live ammunition from their possession.
"Te militants confessed that the consignment was procured from Myanmar and was being taken to Garo Hills through Nagaland and Assam. The weapons were concealed in secret chambers built inside the vehicle," he informed.
The city police have already called for help from their counterparts in Meghalaya to deal with the situation. "The city has become the prey to a chain of militant outfits from the neighbouring states who are trying to spread the gun-running racket in the region. There are several cases where they outsource the smuggling through local gangs by paying them handsomely," said the official.
In a joint venture by both city and Meghalaya police, the security forces have started visiting border villages and trying to strengthen village defense parties.
Since the beginning of this year, security forces here have arrested at least 15 GNLA militants from various areas and recovered many sophisticated weapons from them. "They are buying AK47s, AK74s, Chinese grenades, Heckler and Koch rifles, Glock guns, US-made sophisticated pistols from these gunrunners," added an official.
According to the security forces, GNLA is now procuring sophisticated arms from gunrunners in the India-Myanmar border area with the help of the NSCN(IM), PLA and Ulfa, too.
"This indicates that all these outfits are now in constant touch and involved in gunrunning. GNLA is now procuring sophisticated arms in a bid to strengthen its muscles. The outfit has a huge abduction racket in many parts of West Garo hills and in Goalpara district of Assam and is buying arms to this purpose," said another senior police official here.
On Saturday, the city police's operation wing nabbed four GNLA cadres including Pintu Marak, brother-in-law of GNLA 'commander-in-chief' Sohan D Shira, and two Nagaland-based gunrunners from the city's Tetelia area. The sleuth recovered one AK74 (grenade launcher) rifle, 25 grenades, one Barrette pistol and more than 900 live ammunition from their possession.
"Te militants confessed that the consignment was procured from Myanmar and was being taken to Garo Hills through Nagaland and Assam. The weapons were concealed in secret chambers built inside the vehicle," he informed.
The city police have already called for help from their counterparts in Meghalaya to deal with the situation. "The city has become the prey to a chain of militant outfits from the neighbouring states who are trying to spread the gun-running racket in the region. There are several cases where they outsource the smuggling through local gangs by paying them handsomely," said the official.
In a joint venture by both city and Meghalaya police, the security forces have started visiting border villages and trying to strengthen village defense parties.