Over 110 militants belonging to different banned outfits today laid down arms and surrendered before Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh unconditionally to join the mainstream and to promote peace in the state.
The 114 militants also handed over several arms, including AK 47 rifles, different guns, carbines and pistols to Singh at a simple homecoming ceremony here attended by state Home Minister Gaikhangam, Director General of Police Y Joy Kumar and others, said an official statement issued by Assam Rifles.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM lauded the bold step taken by the militants to shun violence and to join the path of peace and prosperity.
Appreciating the critical role of the Assam Rifles in encouraging misguided youth to join the mainstream thereby promoting peace in the area, Singh said peace and freedom from crime and terrorism are the catalysts for bringing all round development in the region.
Some of the family members of the surrendered militants also appealed to the government to help them rehabilitate properly.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Manipur rebel outfit rejects any settlement under Indian constitution
The PLA president Irengbam Chaoren said that an ‘alternative arrangement’ could lessen their sufferings
RK Suresh
Imphal
Imphal
Photos: PLA publicity wing
The oldest and one of
the most powerful rebel outfits of Manipur, the People’s Liberation
Army (PLA), the armed wing of the Revolutionary Peoples’ Front (RPF),
which is waging a bloody war against the Centre, has rejected any
negotiated settlement under the framework of the Indian Constitution
once again. This comes close on the heels of a plea by Manipur Chief
Minister Okram Ibobi Singh to the rebel outfit to shun violent means and
invited it to come forward for dialogue.
In a statement on the 34th Raising Day of the
outfit, PLA president Irengbam Chaoren strongly reacted against recent
efforts from the Centre and the state to send out feelers to armed
organizations, operating in the Northeast, to abjure violence and come
out for negotiated settlement within the Indian Constitution.
Chaoren said that there cannot be any
settlement within the Indian Constitution to resolve the sovereignty
issue of the Northeast region. The PLA leader also urged armed groups
from the region, which are engaged in peace talks, to join a united
fight for a sovereign Northeast while sidelining the ceasefire from the
government as a mere dragnet to suppress the aspiration of the people.
Touching on the ongoing demands by the Nagas of
Manipur for an alternative political arrangement for them outside of
the Manipur government, the PLA leader said that an “alternative
arrangement” could not justify the oppressions and suppressions being
perpetrated by the Indian Government against the people of Northeast
including the Nagas. Also, lamenting the present Manipur government’s
propensity to be a puppet of the Centre, Chaoren seeked people’s support
to impeach the current government citing that it is not just the Nagas
who are reeling under the repressive rule, but all communities residing
in the state were undergoing the same misery.
Meanwhile, the PLA has initiated a major
offensive against a team of Manipur police commandos on the outskirts of
Imphal East district on Monday, a day before its 34th Raising Day. The
attack was significant considering the fact that the outfit had earlier
declared that it will not attack personnel of the state security forces.
The attack was carried out near the Yambem
Lambi Dam at Andro in Imphal East against a patrol team of the Imphal
East Police commandos using high intensity explosives following which
the police also retaliated. However, no casualty was reported from the
encounter except for some minor damages on the police vehicle.
Meanwhile, the PLA while taking responsibility for the attack claimed
that the attack was carried out in retaliation of an ongoing counter
operation against cadres of the outfit while cautioning the state police
commandos for excessive counter insurgency activities.
 |
In a press release, the PLA has also alleged
that the IG Assam Rifles-South has lined up a fake surrender ceremony.
It claimed that in a ceremony to be held during the next 2-3 days, the
Assam Rifles and the Manipur government will felicitate the surrender of
over 50 fake underground groups that includes several persons who were
paraded in earlier surrender functions. While cautioning the public of
such fake achievements of the Indian Army, the outfit also warned the
surrendered militants to stay away from the booby trap of the army and
the state police which usually end with fake encounter, the outfit
alleges.
The PLA was raised in 1978 on 25 September by N
Bisheshwar Singh. It was the first organisation from Manipur to have
been trained by the China's People Liberation Army at Lhasa in the ’80s.
Since its founding, it has been waging guerrilla-based warfare against
the Indian Armed Forces and has targeted the Indian Army, Central
Paramilitary Forces and the State Police Force. However, during the late
’90s, it declared a unilateral decision not to target the Manipur
Police. Estimated strength of PLA is suspected to be around 5000.
Blast in Manipur, three held
Imphal, Sep 26 : Security forces in Manipur had
another close shave Monday when rebels of the People’s Liberation Army
(PLA) triggered a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) blast,
police said.
No one was injured. But a vehicle carrying the security forces was
partly damaged by the splinters of the IED, Kamei Angam Romanus, the
district police chief of Imphal East said.
The blast occurred at Andro village in Manipur’s Imphal East district during the combing operation launched by the Manipur police commandos and Assam Rifles troopers against the PLA rebels hiding in the area.
During the combing operation, Romanus said, three Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) activists were also nabbed by the security forces in Andro area.
Pic used for representational purposes only.
The blast occurred at Andro village in Manipur’s Imphal East district during the combing operation launched by the Manipur police commandos and Assam Rifles troopers against the PLA rebels hiding in the area.
During the combing operation, Romanus said, three Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) activists were also nabbed by the security forces in Andro area.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Assam ULFA blast kills 1
One person was killed and seven were injured, three of them seriously, in a powerful explosion that rocked the Upper Assam town of Sivasagar on Monday night. The explosion occurred at around 9 pm. Sivasagar SP A K Singh blamed the anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) for it.
“It is the handiwork of the ULFA which has been trying to cause mischief in the district in the past few weeks. They had recently triggered off an explosion in Sonari town too,” the SP said. The explosion that occurred in the busy Central Market in the heart of Sivasagar town was caused by a device that was apparently kept on a bicycle.
Reports from Sivasagar said the dead has been identified as one Lulu Das, a shopkeeper who was just coming out after shutting down his shop. While Das died on the way to the hospital, two of the injured have been shifted to the Assam Medical College Hospital in Dibrugarh.
“It is the handiwork of the ULFA which has been trying to cause mischief in the district in the past few weeks. They had recently triggered off an explosion in Sonari town too,” the SP said. The explosion that occurred in the busy Central Market in the heart of Sivasagar town was caused by a device that was apparently kept on a bicycle.
Reports from Sivasagar said the dead has been identified as one Lulu Das, a shopkeeper who was just coming out after shutting down his shop. While Das died on the way to the hospital, two of the injured have been shifted to the Assam Medical College Hospital in Dibrugarh.
Rebels vow to protest oil move
Imphal, Sep 25 : Revolutionary Peoples Front (RPF) came out strongly against New Delhi’s attempt to extract oil from Manipur and United Naga Council (UNC)’s demand for an “alternative administrative arrangement” for Nagas living in Manipur.
In his statement issued on the eve of the 34th foundation day of its military wing Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) tomorrow, the outfit’s president, Irengbam Chaoren, termed extraction of oil from Manipur as a “loot” of natural resources meant for future generations of the state.
He also termed the demand for an alternative arrangement for Nagas outside the purview of the Manipur government as “communal”.
The opposition came as Jubilent Oil and Gas Private Limited, headquartered at Netherlands and based in Noida, is trying to explore oil blocks in the districts of Tamenglong, Churachandpur and Imphal East. People have already raised objections to the oil exploration.
Public hearing on oil exploration had met with strong opposition.
“Our priceless environment and natural wealth could be protected only when the hill and plain take a collective decision by shedding sectarian outlooks. The strong opposition put up by communities in the hills of Manipur against the attempt to extract oil clandestinely is a right step. We all should join the movement,” Chaoren said.
Neighbouring Nagaland has also witnessed opposition to oil exploration with the ONGC being asked to leave in the nineties. Subsequent attempts to resume operations have also failed.
On the issue of the UNC’s demand for alternative arrangement, the statement read, “The communal policies of Manipur government should not be fought with alternative arrangement. It is equally communal. This will only pull apart the people and widen differences between communities further”.
On the recent exodus of the Northeast people from other cities of India in the wake of the BTAD violence, the RPF said it was the result of the same attitude of “mistrust” shown by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who allegedly told Jawaharlal Nehru that people of the Northeast could not be trusted because of their Mongoloid features.
It also charged the threats and intimidation to northeastern people in other Indian cities as racism.
On the ongoing peacetalks between the government and various armed groups, the outfit said any settlement under the framework of the Constitution could not end the sufferings of the people.
The RPF, with its armed wing PLA, is one of the major groups fighting for Manipur’s sovereignty. Its cadres were initially trained in China.
The outfit, which is closely monitoring new Delhi’s moves in seeking military support from Southeast Asian countries to crush armed opposition groups in the Northeast, made it very clear that it would not enter into any talks held under the Indian Constitution.
In his statement issued on the eve of the 34th foundation day of its military wing Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) tomorrow, the outfit’s president, Irengbam Chaoren, termed extraction of oil from Manipur as a “loot” of natural resources meant for future generations of the state.
He also termed the demand for an alternative arrangement for Nagas outside the purview of the Manipur government as “communal”.
The opposition came as Jubilent Oil and Gas Private Limited, headquartered at Netherlands and based in Noida, is trying to explore oil blocks in the districts of Tamenglong, Churachandpur and Imphal East. People have already raised objections to the oil exploration.
Public hearing on oil exploration had met with strong opposition.
“Our priceless environment and natural wealth could be protected only when the hill and plain take a collective decision by shedding sectarian outlooks. The strong opposition put up by communities in the hills of Manipur against the attempt to extract oil clandestinely is a right step. We all should join the movement,” Chaoren said.
Neighbouring Nagaland has also witnessed opposition to oil exploration with the ONGC being asked to leave in the nineties. Subsequent attempts to resume operations have also failed.
On the issue of the UNC’s demand for alternative arrangement, the statement read, “The communal policies of Manipur government should not be fought with alternative arrangement. It is equally communal. This will only pull apart the people and widen differences between communities further”.
On the recent exodus of the Northeast people from other cities of India in the wake of the BTAD violence, the RPF said it was the result of the same attitude of “mistrust” shown by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who allegedly told Jawaharlal Nehru that people of the Northeast could not be trusted because of their Mongoloid features.
It also charged the threats and intimidation to northeastern people in other Indian cities as racism.
On the ongoing peacetalks between the government and various armed groups, the outfit said any settlement under the framework of the Constitution could not end the sufferings of the people.
The RPF, with its armed wing PLA, is one of the major groups fighting for Manipur’s sovereignty. Its cadres were initially trained in China.
The outfit, which is closely monitoring new Delhi’s moves in seeking military support from Southeast Asian countries to crush armed opposition groups in the Northeast, made it very clear that it would not enter into any talks held under the Indian Constitution.
Security forces in Manipur escape another IED attack
Security forces in Manipur had another narrow escaped Monday when a roadside bomb planted by rebels of People Liberation Army (PLA) exploded in Andro area of Imphal East district, partly damaging the vehicle by the splinters.
On Sunday, a convoy of Assam Rifles also had a narrow escaped when a remote control IED was triggered near Tidim ground along the Tidim Raod (Imphal-Churachandpur section of NH-150) by suspected rebels.
Today’s blast took place around 9.30 am at Andro village under Yairipok police station where a combined force comprising police commandos attached with Imphal East and Thoubal, troopers of 28 Assam Rifles and Army (Military Intelligence) launched a counter insurgency.
No casualty was reported even though the splinters damaged the rear of the vehicle belonging to the combined forces. The culvert where the bomb was planted was blown up by the impact of the blast, reports said.
A highly reliable source said that the bomb attack was targeted on the combined forces entering the area based on disclosure made by three PLA activists arrested by Imphal East police commandos earlier that some cadres of the outfit were taking shelter in the area to carry out attack on security forces.
Later briefing media, Imphal East SP Kamei Angam Romanus said that three active members of Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the political wing of the PLA were arrested by the combined force with the recovery of four flags of the outfit.
Sharungbam Thoiba Meetei (57) of Andro Torongthel village, Mutum Shanta (40) of Yairipok Mathak Leikai and Yumkhaibam Chaothoi Singh Andro Maringthel were arrested during the counter insurgency operations in Andro area, SP said.
On Sunday, a convoy of Assam Rifles also had a narrow escaped when a remote control IED was triggered near Tidim ground along the Tidim Raod (Imphal-Churachandpur section of NH-150) by suspected rebels.
Today’s blast took place around 9.30 am at Andro village under Yairipok police station where a combined force comprising police commandos attached with Imphal East and Thoubal, troopers of 28 Assam Rifles and Army (Military Intelligence) launched a counter insurgency.
No casualty was reported even though the splinters damaged the rear of the vehicle belonging to the combined forces. The culvert where the bomb was planted was blown up by the impact of the blast, reports said.
A highly reliable source said that the bomb attack was targeted on the combined forces entering the area based on disclosure made by three PLA activists arrested by Imphal East police commandos earlier that some cadres of the outfit were taking shelter in the area to carry out attack on security forces.
Later briefing media, Imphal East SP Kamei Angam Romanus said that three active members of Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the political wing of the PLA were arrested by the combined force with the recovery of four flags of the outfit.
Sharungbam Thoiba Meetei (57) of Andro Torongthel village, Mutum Shanta (40) of Yairipok Mathak Leikai and Yumkhaibam Chaothoi Singh Andro Maringthel were arrested during the counter insurgency operations in Andro area, SP said.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
More arms seized in Bodo belt
The weapons and ammunition recovered in Assam’s Chirang district on Wednesday night.
Kokrajhar, Sept. 21 : Illegal arms
were seized from the Bodo belt for the third consecutive day today with
security personnel recovering two AK-56 rifles, two magazines and 20
rounds of ammunition. This takes the number of weapons seized in the
past three days to eight.
Police said a joint team of police and
army carried out a search operation at Sonajuli village under Dhimakuchi
police station in Udalguri district in the wee hours today following a
tip-off and recovered the arms and ammunition, which were hidden in a
gunny bag. No one was, however, arrested.
“This recovery has boosted the morale of
security forces and enhanced the tempo of search operations in Udalguri
district. The police and army are working together to recover more
illegal weapons in the area,” a senior army official based at
Borrangajuli in the district said.
The security forces had launched the
operation to seize illegal arms and ammunition in the Bodoland
Territorial Areas District after the recent riots in the two BTAD
districts of Kokrajhar and Chirang and neighbouring Dhubri. The
government issued the directive after reports surfaced that illegal arms
had been used in large numbers during the violence.
The forces achieved first success on
Tuesday evening with the recovery of four AK-56 rifles, four magazines
and 65 rounds of live ammunitions from Simaluguri under Paneri police
station in Udalguri district. They also arrested six persons — Deepak
Boro, Utul Boro, Harita Boro, Janeshwar Boro, Vipul Boro and Navreshwar.
Two more AK-47 rifles were seized along
with three magazines and 23 rounds of live ammunition from an arms
dealer, Jayanta Barua, at Samtaibari in Chirang district last evening.
Chirang superintendent of police K.S.
Krishna said they carried out the search operation based on information
that a person was coming with arms from Guwahati in a vehicle.
He said Barua, who hails from Tinsukia
district in Upper Assam, had brought the arms from Dimapur for supply in
the BTAD area. Interrogations are on.
Four Kuki rebels held, arms seized
Assam Rifles personnel have arrested four armed cadres
of a Kuki tribal underground organisation in Manipur’s Churachandpur
district on the charge of violating ground rules of suspension of
operations signed with the Union government, an official report said on
Thursday. These members of the Kuki National Front were found in
possession of two AK 47 rifles with 40 rounds of ammunition, two M-16
rifles with 40 rounds of ammunition, and two lethod guns with two
ammunition bombs.
According to the agreement, the
signatories should stay in designated camps and cannot move around
carrying arms. The Kuki National Front and 19 other underground
organisations in Manipur are yet to begin talks with the government.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Assam Rifles kills two rebels in Imphal
IMPHAL: In the wake of frequent bomb attacks by insurgents on security forces in the restive Imphal valley, Assam Rifles personnel gunned down two militants in an encounter at Kangchup area in Imphal West district in the wee hours of Wednesday.
Soldiers from the Assam Rifles' 10{+t}{+h} battalion, who engaged in the gunfight around 3am, found one AK series rifle, two pistols with bullets, two hand grenades, explosive material and two detonators on the slain militants, whose identities are yet to be ascertained.
Police retrieved the bodies and kept them in the mortuary of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here for autopsy.
Local sources said they heard gunshot sounds in the area and some fishermen who tried to find out what was happening were blocked by AR personnel.
Following a series of bomb attacks on the security forces, security has been beefed up at strategic locations in the four valley districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal.
In six separate powerful bomb attacks launched by rebels off and on since September 5, at least one Assam Rifles personnel has been killed and 10 security personnel and a civilian have been injured.
Manipur home minister Gaikhangam, who took serious note of the insurgents' subversive actions, has called for a political dialogue with the rebels groups saying that violence can never bring any permanent solution.
Meanwhile, a youth killed by Manipur police commandos in an alleged encounter at Yourbung-Kharasom road in Imphal East on Sunday night turned out to be an underground cadre who surrendered with arms to the Assam Rifles last year.
The bereaved family said T Govind (30) of Takhel Mamang Leikai village in the same district was staying in an Assam Rifles camp before he came home after procuring an 'outpass'.
Incidentally, police claimed that one 9-mm pistol and a hand grenade were recovered from the site where Govind died in the alleged encounter.
Irate locals, who formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) in protest against Govind's killing, are likely to meet chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh on the matter.
Soldiers from the Assam Rifles' 10{+t}{+h} battalion, who engaged in the gunfight around 3am, found one AK series rifle, two pistols with bullets, two hand grenades, explosive material and two detonators on the slain militants, whose identities are yet to be ascertained.
Police retrieved the bodies and kept them in the mortuary of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here for autopsy.
Local sources said they heard gunshot sounds in the area and some fishermen who tried to find out what was happening were blocked by AR personnel.
Following a series of bomb attacks on the security forces, security has been beefed up at strategic locations in the four valley districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal.
In six separate powerful bomb attacks launched by rebels off and on since September 5, at least one Assam Rifles personnel has been killed and 10 security personnel and a civilian have been injured.
Manipur home minister Gaikhangam, who took serious note of the insurgents' subversive actions, has called for a political dialogue with the rebels groups saying that violence can never bring any permanent solution.
Meanwhile, a youth killed by Manipur police commandos in an alleged encounter at Yourbung-Kharasom road in Imphal East on Sunday night turned out to be an underground cadre who surrendered with arms to the Assam Rifles last year.
The bereaved family said T Govind (30) of Takhel Mamang Leikai village in the same district was staying in an Assam Rifles camp before he came home after procuring an 'outpass'.
Incidentally, police claimed that one 9-mm pistol and a hand grenade were recovered from the site where Govind died in the alleged encounter.
Irate locals, who formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) in protest against Govind's killing, are likely to meet chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh on the matter.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Insurgent surrenders in Meghalaya
A hardcore cadre of the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) today surrendered with arms before the BSF at a function held in the city.
Jingkyrmen Wanniang alias Tom (30) who joined the HNLC way back in December 2002 agreed to surrender and join the mainstream of the society after being motivated and persuaded by BSF intelligence team, BSF's DGP P C Sharma said.
He said, "BSF is taking all out effort to motivate those people who have joined insurgency groups to come back to the mainstream".
Speaking to reporters here, Tom said, "I decided to surrender and go back to my village and live with my family. I faced a lot of difficulties in my stay for nine years in the jungles of Bangladesh".
He is being further handed over to police for further action.
"We believe that government will do the necessary thing to rehabilitate him," a senior BSF official said.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Ftr, BSF Shillong has intensified operations on the border.
Jingkyrmen Wanniang alias Tom (30) who joined the HNLC way back in December 2002 agreed to surrender and join the mainstream of the society after being motivated and persuaded by BSF intelligence team, BSF's DGP P C Sharma said.
He said, "BSF is taking all out effort to motivate those people who have joined insurgency groups to come back to the mainstream".
Speaking to reporters here, Tom said, "I decided to surrender and go back to my village and live with my family. I faced a lot of difficulties in my stay for nine years in the jungles of Bangladesh".
He is being further handed over to police for further action.
"We believe that government will do the necessary thing to rehabilitate him," a senior BSF official said.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Ftr, BSF Shillong has intensified operations on the border.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Kuki ultras’ arrest leads to arms haul
In what might indicate the Assam Government’s failure in controlling the militant outfits in ceasefire, Assam police on Thursday arrested four cadre of the Kuki militant outfit United Kukigram Defence Army and recovered four arms and huge ammunition from their possession.
Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police BB Chetri said that the arms and ammunition included four automatic rifles - AK47, AK56, M15 and M16 - and over 900 rounds of live ammunition.
“A police patrolling party intercepted a Bolero vehicle under Khatkhoti police station limits in the district around 2 am on Thursday. During the search, the arms and ammunition - which were hidden in the vehicle - were recovered,” Chetri said adding that the cadres were heading towards Manipur.
“It seems that the seized arms and ammunition belong to the UKDA, which they had not deposited during the time of surrender. We are trying to find out as to why they were going to Manipur,” the SP said.
Formed in 1996, the UKDA’s basic objective was to defend the Kuki community of Assam particularly in Karbi Anglong districts from attacks by other militant outfits. The outfit also demanded setting up of a regional council for the community including all the Kuki dominated areas of the Singhason Hill in Karbi Anglong district.
The outfit entered into ceasefire agreement with the government in January this year following which about 120 UKDA cadres surrendered en mass before the government of Assam on January 26. The outfit had also deposited some arms and ammunition before the Government during the surrender ceremony.
Illegal arms belonging to the militant outfits is one of the major factors in the recent riots in three districts of Assam - Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri - and post-riots several quarters had demanded the Government seize all illegal arms and ammunition available in the state.
After the recent riots in Assam, the Centre had also expressed concern over the reports of large-scale extortion and murder cases that keep pouring in from Assam and Manipur and asked both the State Governments to confiscate illegal arms.
Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police BB Chetri said that the arms and ammunition included four automatic rifles - AK47, AK56, M15 and M16 - and over 900 rounds of live ammunition.
“A police patrolling party intercepted a Bolero vehicle under Khatkhoti police station limits in the district around 2 am on Thursday. During the search, the arms and ammunition - which were hidden in the vehicle - were recovered,” Chetri said adding that the cadres were heading towards Manipur.
“It seems that the seized arms and ammunition belong to the UKDA, which they had not deposited during the time of surrender. We are trying to find out as to why they were going to Manipur,” the SP said.
Formed in 1996, the UKDA’s basic objective was to defend the Kuki community of Assam particularly in Karbi Anglong districts from attacks by other militant outfits. The outfit also demanded setting up of a regional council for the community including all the Kuki dominated areas of the Singhason Hill in Karbi Anglong district.
The outfit entered into ceasefire agreement with the government in January this year following which about 120 UKDA cadres surrendered en mass before the government of Assam on January 26. The outfit had also deposited some arms and ammunition before the Government during the surrender ceremony.
Illegal arms belonging to the militant outfits is one of the major factors in the recent riots in three districts of Assam - Kokrajhar, Chirang and Dhubri - and post-riots several quarters had demanded the Government seize all illegal arms and ammunition available in the state.
After the recent riots in Assam, the Centre had also expressed concern over the reports of large-scale extortion and murder cases that keep pouring in from Assam and Manipur and asked both the State Governments to confiscate illegal arms.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Shillong: Bail plea of GNLA chief turned down
Shillong: A local court in Meghalaya has turned down the bail plea of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militant chief Champion Sangma.
The SDJM court yesterday ruled out granting bail to Sangma on the plea that he was likely to commit offence if freed on bail but permitted his counsel to meet him at the special cell where he was undergoing judicial custody at the Shillong district jail.
The court had on last Saturday reserved its order.
"We have received an order in relation to the two submissions made by me last week to the Court -- one has been granted and the other was refused," Sangma?s defense counsel said.
Dey said the bail application has been refused by the court in view of the serious nature of the chargesheet against Sangma.
He also said the court has directed the jail authorities to allow Sangma?s defense counsel to meet him inside the jail premises during office hours preferably from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
The militant chief was also entitled to meet an advocate of his choice during interrogation (though not throughout interrogation) as per provision of Section 41(D) of CrPC, Dey said.
The former Deputy Superintendent of Police turned-rogue was arrested on July 30 at the international border, hours after he was pushed back by the Bangladesh authorities.
Police has filed ten cases against the arrested Garo militant chief.
The GNLA has been considered an outlawed organisation by the Centre and has been known to have forged an operational alliance with the ULFA and the NDFB, which provided it access to sophisticated arms and ammunition, enabling the outfit to unleash a reign of terror in Garo Hills region.
The SDJM court yesterday ruled out granting bail to Sangma on the plea that he was likely to commit offence if freed on bail but permitted his counsel to meet him at the special cell where he was undergoing judicial custody at the Shillong district jail.
The court had on last Saturday reserved its order.
"We have received an order in relation to the two submissions made by me last week to the Court -- one has been granted and the other was refused," Sangma?s defense counsel said.
Dey said the bail application has been refused by the court in view of the serious nature of the chargesheet against Sangma.
He also said the court has directed the jail authorities to allow Sangma?s defense counsel to meet him inside the jail premises during office hours preferably from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
The militant chief was also entitled to meet an advocate of his choice during interrogation (though not throughout interrogation) as per provision of Section 41(D) of CrPC, Dey said.
The former Deputy Superintendent of Police turned-rogue was arrested on July 30 at the international border, hours after he was pushed back by the Bangladesh authorities.
Police has filed ten cases against the arrested Garo militant chief.
The GNLA has been considered an outlawed organisation by the Centre and has been known to have forged an operational alliance with the ULFA and the NDFB, which provided it access to sophisticated arms and ammunition, enabling the outfit to unleash a reign of terror in Garo Hills region.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Manipur blast injures 7 Assam Rifles jawans
Imphal:
At least seven Assam Rifles jawans were injured in a bomb blast in
Bishenpur district of Manipur today when the para-military personnel
were jogging in a road, official sources said.
The bomb, allegedly planted by militants, exploded at Kumbi area while the personnel were busy in their morning
exercise. The injured were taken to their post of 33rd Assam Rifles located at Sendra, about 4 km from the spot.
The condition of some of the injured was stated to be serious.
The sources said it was not yet known what kind of bomb was used by the ultras.
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far.
The banned Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) had earlier announced that it would intensify its strikes against security personnel in near future.
Activists of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), armed wing of the RPF, had yesterday blasted a bomb at Tiddim area in Imphal West district injuring an jawan and a civilian.
The bomb, allegedly planted by militants, exploded at Kumbi area while the personnel were busy in their morning
exercise. The injured were taken to their post of 33rd Assam Rifles located at Sendra, about 4 km from the spot.
The condition of some of the injured was stated to be serious.
Reuters
No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far.
The banned Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) had earlier announced that it would intensify its strikes against security personnel in near future.
Activists of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), armed wing of the RPF, had yesterday blasted a bomb at Tiddim area in Imphal West district injuring an jawan and a civilian.
Manipur outfits warn migrants to leave by Dec 31
IMPHAL, Sept 8 – Expressing serious concern over the continued influx of migrants in Manipur, the Coordination Committee of the seven Manipur based militant groups have asked the migrants to leave the State for bringing a solution to the migrants’ problem in the region.
If the native people have engaged the outsiders for work or business, they should be advised to leave the State by December 31, 2012, the Committee of the seven outfits (CorCom) comprising – Kangleipak Communist Party, Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Pro), Revolutionary People’s Front, United National Liberation Front and United People’s Party of Kangleipak said in a statement here.
It also asked all concerned not to issue No Objection Certificate, Birth Certificate, EPIC, Insurance related documents or any kind of identity card while drivers and transporters have been warned not to bring in outsiders to the State.
It said USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Singapore, Japan to mention a few are presently facing problems of illegal migrants and some of these countries have made certain rules and regulations to check illegal migrants while some have banned entry of migrants.
Likewise, Northeastern region has started to face serious threats from uncontrolled inflow of illegal migrants, says the CorCom. The indigenous Tripuris in the present Tripura are today living like minorities in their own land, it said. In Assam, indigenous population is also facing a serious threat as migrants constitute 46 per cent of the population.
The situation is no different in neighbouring Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya, it further added. Stating that illegal migrants and outsider population has reached alarming proportions, the CorCom said the Government of India is hiding the population figure of outsiders from the Census Report 2011.
If the native people have engaged the outsiders for work or business, they should be advised to leave the State by December 31, 2012, the Committee of the seven outfits (CorCom) comprising – Kangleipak Communist Party, Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Pro), Revolutionary People’s Front, United National Liberation Front and United People’s Party of Kangleipak said in a statement here.
It also asked all concerned not to issue No Objection Certificate, Birth Certificate, EPIC, Insurance related documents or any kind of identity card while drivers and transporters have been warned not to bring in outsiders to the State.
It said USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Singapore, Japan to mention a few are presently facing problems of illegal migrants and some of these countries have made certain rules and regulations to check illegal migrants while some have banned entry of migrants.
Likewise, Northeastern region has started to face serious threats from uncontrolled inflow of illegal migrants, says the CorCom. The indigenous Tripuris in the present Tripura are today living like minorities in their own land, it said. In Assam, indigenous population is also facing a serious threat as migrants constitute 46 per cent of the population.
The situation is no different in neighbouring Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya, it further added. Stating that illegal migrants and outsider population has reached alarming proportions, the CorCom said the Government of India is hiding the population figure of outsiders from the Census Report 2011.
NSCN factions exchange heavy gunfire in Dimapur
DIMAPUR, Sept 8 – The expected quiet Thursday on account of the NESO bandh call was shattered in Dimapur when a fierce gun battle broke out between rival groups – NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) and NSCN (K) near Livingstone Higher Secondary School, Thahekhu village, at around 8 am yesterday.
In the heavy gun-battle that lasted for more than an hour, two NSCN (K) members, identified as ‘SS’ Sergeant Momo Anal, 26, of Toposhin village, Chandel, in Manipur, and ‘SS’ Sergeant Major Abenthung Kikon alias James, 25, of Mekokla village, sustained injuries in the chest and leg. They have been admitted to Dimapur District Hospital.
In a highly tense event that unfolded, around 20 fully armed cadres of the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) reportedly surrounded the building of one Major Khetovi of the NSCN (K) where around 17 of its cadres were holed up. Sources said among the cadres in the house were some members who had recently defected from the GPRN/NSCN.
There were also three children and a woman civilian. Miraculously, no harm came upon them during the gun battle.
After fully surrounding the building, the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) cadres rained a volley of bullets and also lobbed hand grenades into the compound. The NSCN (K) members retaliated from inside. Two vehicles belonging to the NSCN (K) were completely burnt during the incident.
The police later recovered two unexploded grenades which were taken away by the Bomb Squad. Nearby residents said they heard around five hand grenades exploding. Many surrounding buildings were also pierced by bullets. No casualty among civilians was, however, reported.
IRB and police personnel arrived on the scene while the battle was going all out. District administration and civil bodies led by Naga Council also quickly turned up. By that time, irate citizens of the colony, especially womenfolk, had gathered with drums and loud speakers to intervene and chase away the warring cadres.
The cadres of the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) made their flight towards Signal Angami side after the arrival of the security forces, civil bodies and the public.
Another drama unfolded with the arrival of the Assam Rifles. The AR troops demanded that the NSCN (K) members holed up in the house be handed over to them. In a twist of events, the public, majority of them women, refused to hand over the underground members and rather demanded safe passage for them. The underground members were finally given safe passage and escorted out of the area with their arms and ammunition.
However, a standoff situation ensued again when Assam Rifles troops, numbering around 50, stopped the party escorting the NSCN (K) cadres out near Purana Bazar area and demanded that they be handed over to them. The escorting party was guarded by IRB personnel.
Guns were cocked on the ready and both parties stood their ground creating high tension. The situation was defused only after the arrival of DC Dimapur.
In the heavy gun-battle that lasted for more than an hour, two NSCN (K) members, identified as ‘SS’ Sergeant Momo Anal, 26, of Toposhin village, Chandel, in Manipur, and ‘SS’ Sergeant Major Abenthung Kikon alias James, 25, of Mekokla village, sustained injuries in the chest and leg. They have been admitted to Dimapur District Hospital.
In a highly tense event that unfolded, around 20 fully armed cadres of the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) reportedly surrounded the building of one Major Khetovi of the NSCN (K) where around 17 of its cadres were holed up. Sources said among the cadres in the house were some members who had recently defected from the GPRN/NSCN.
There were also three children and a woman civilian. Miraculously, no harm came upon them during the gun battle.
After fully surrounding the building, the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) cadres rained a volley of bullets and also lobbed hand grenades into the compound. The NSCN (K) members retaliated from inside. Two vehicles belonging to the NSCN (K) were completely burnt during the incident.
The police later recovered two unexploded grenades which were taken away by the Bomb Squad. Nearby residents said they heard around five hand grenades exploding. Many surrounding buildings were also pierced by bullets. No casualty among civilians was, however, reported.
IRB and police personnel arrived on the scene while the battle was going all out. District administration and civil bodies led by Naga Council also quickly turned up. By that time, irate citizens of the colony, especially womenfolk, had gathered with drums and loud speakers to intervene and chase away the warring cadres.
The cadres of the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) made their flight towards Signal Angami side after the arrival of the security forces, civil bodies and the public.
Another drama unfolded with the arrival of the Assam Rifles. The AR troops demanded that the NSCN (K) members holed up in the house be handed over to them. In a twist of events, the public, majority of them women, refused to hand over the underground members and rather demanded safe passage for them. The underground members were finally given safe passage and escorted out of the area with their arms and ammunition.
However, a standoff situation ensued again when Assam Rifles troops, numbering around 50, stopped the party escorting the NSCN (K) cadres out near Purana Bazar area and demanded that they be handed over to them. The escorting party was guarded by IRB personnel.
Guns were cocked on the ready and both parties stood their ground creating high tension. The situation was defused only after the arrival of DC Dimapur.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
5 injured in Assam blast
Five people, including two security personnel, were injured in a blast
triggered by suspected militants in Assam’s Tinsukia district Thursday
evening, police said.
Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) L.R. Bishnoi said that the blast took place near Gandhi Murti Chowk in Doomdooma township in the district around 6.40 p.m.
“Five people were injured and they have been shifted to a local hospital,” Bishnoi said while adding that among the injured, there was a police constable and a Home Guard.
He also confirmed it to be an improvised explosive device (IED), which was planted near a police check post.
The hands of militants belonging to the anti-talk faction of the United Liberation front of Asom (Ulfa) had been suspected behind the blast, police said.
Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) L.R. Bishnoi said that the blast took place near Gandhi Murti Chowk in Doomdooma township in the district around 6.40 p.m.
“Five people were injured and they have been shifted to a local hospital,” Bishnoi said while adding that among the injured, there was a police constable and a Home Guard.
He also confirmed it to be an improvised explosive device (IED), which was planted near a police check post.
The hands of militants belonging to the anti-talk faction of the United Liberation front of Asom (Ulfa) had been suspected behind the blast, police said.
United National Liberation Front claims responsibility for Wednesday’s blast
United National Liberation Front (UNLF), a major insurgent group based
in Manipur Thursday claimed responsible for Wednesday blast at
Keishampat Junction targeting troops of C-Coy of 28 Assam Rifles.
The blast was exceptionally targeted to the “Indian Occupational Force (IOF)”, the statement said, asserting that under a hidden agenda of Government of India, a large number of IOF deployed in the state was nothing but to eliminate the indigenous people of the state.
They have killed a large number of hill and valley people in “fake encounters”, the statement alleged while recalling various incidents of killings and raping of indigenous people of the state.
The blast was exceptionally targeted to the “Indian Occupational Force (IOF)”, the statement said, asserting that under a hidden agenda of Government of India, a large number of IOF deployed in the state was nothing but to eliminate the indigenous people of the state.
They have killed a large number of hill and valley people in “fake encounters”, the statement alleged while recalling various incidents of killings and raping of indigenous people of the state.
Charges against Meghen framed
GUWAHATI: The court of special judge NIA, Assam, on Thursday framed charges against the chairman of United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Manipur, Rajkumar Meghen alias Sanayaima, and 15 others for waging war against India under sections 120, 120 (B), 121, 121 (A) and 122 of the IPC.
Charges have also been framed under sections 16, 17, 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention (UAP) Act against Meghen and another UNLF leader Joy Singh, said Meghen's counsel, Asim Talukdar. In addition, the NIA special court slapped section 18 (A) of the UAP Act on Singh, while section 18 (B) of the Act was added on Meghen.
Talukdar added that the court could not frame charges against another accused I Iboba Singh, who was not present in the court of Thursday. He has been granted interim bail by Gauhati high court.
The court has fixed September 28 as the date of taking evidence in the cases pending against the UNLF rebels. Meghen was arrested by NIA on November 30, 2010, from Motihari in Bihar near the Indo-Nepal border. His arrest had become a huge controversy in Manipur when the media first broke the news about his arrest in Dhaka on September 29, 2010, by Bangladesh intelligence agencies.
The 66-year-old rebel leader is a scion of the Manipuri royal family and is now lodged at the Guwahati Central Jail.
Charges have also been framed under sections 16, 17, 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention (UAP) Act against Meghen and another UNLF leader Joy Singh, said Meghen's counsel, Asim Talukdar. In addition, the NIA special court slapped section 18 (A) of the UAP Act on Singh, while section 18 (B) of the Act was added on Meghen.
Talukdar added that the court could not frame charges against another accused I Iboba Singh, who was not present in the court of Thursday. He has been granted interim bail by Gauhati high court.
The court has fixed September 28 as the date of taking evidence in the cases pending against the UNLF rebels. Meghen was arrested by NIA on November 30, 2010, from Motihari in Bihar near the Indo-Nepal border. His arrest had become a huge controversy in Manipur when the media first broke the news about his arrest in Dhaka on September 29, 2010, by Bangladesh intelligence agencies.
The 66-year-old rebel leader is a scion of the Manipuri royal family and is now lodged at the Guwahati Central Jail.
DNRF chief apprehended
Haflong: In a major blow to militants operating in Dima Hasao district of Assam, security forces have apprehended the 'commander-in-chief' of Dimasa National Revolutionary Front (DNRF).
Diamond Dimasa alias Pranjol Hojai was apprehended last night at Diyungmukh in a joint operation by police and army as part of the intensified drive against DNRF, formed in the district about 6 months ago, police said.
No arms were recovered from the insurgent leader, the police said.
The Front, some of whose cadres defected from Dima Halam Daogah (Nunisa faction), is engaged in extortions in the district and is associated with NSCN(I-M), the police added.
Diamond Dimasa alias Pranjol Hojai was apprehended last night at Diyungmukh in a joint operation by police and army as part of the intensified drive against DNRF, formed in the district about 6 months ago, police said.
No arms were recovered from the insurgent leader, the police said.
The Front, some of whose cadres defected from Dima Halam Daogah (Nunisa faction), is engaged in extortions in the district and is associated with NSCN(I-M), the police added.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Top Manipur based PLA cadre arrested in Meghalaya
Kanglaonline reports that a top cadre of the Manipur based People’s
Liberation Army
(PLA)
identified as
one ‘lieutenant’
Athokpam Surchandra
alias Ningthou
was arrested
by a team of
the Border Security
Force (BSF)
from Shillong
in East Khasi
Hills District
on September
3. He was earlier
arrested with
arms and ammunition
by Imphal West
District Police
commandos on
January 9. His
arrest came
after the incident
of one PLA cadre
identified as
‘Captain’ Sarangthem
Jayenta alias
Vicky was arrested
on August 30
from Guwahati
Airport by Assam
Police.
Meanwhile,
amidst call
for the implementation
of Inner Line
Permit (ILP)
in the State,
the various
Non Governmental
Organizations
(NGOs) have
decided to guard
against illegal
influx with
the Khasi Students
Union (KSU)
‘arresting’
100 suspected
Bangladeshis
at 20 mile area
of Ri-Bhoi District
in the morning
of September
4, reports
The Shillong
Times. The
members of the
KSU also detained
five vehicles
carrying the
suspected migrants.
The detained
persons were
pushed back
to Assam. Meanwhile,
the All Jaintia
Youth Welfare
Organisation
(AJYWO), East
Jaintia zone
‘arrested’ 155
suspected Bangladeshi
nationals near
Ladrymbai petrol
pump. The suspected
foreigners were
later pushed
back in presence
Ladrynbai Police.
Police inspector arrested in Assam for extortion
Morigaon (Assam), Sept 5 (PTI) A police inspector was
arrested today on the charge of extortion and illegal arms
dealing in central Assam's Morigaon district.
Bhaktiram Kakoti was arrested from his Guwahati
residence in the wee hours, the police here said.
During his tenure in Morigaon district, Kakoti was
allegedly involved in several extortion cases at Moirabari and
three criminal cases were pending against him
Blast in Imphal
Imphal, Sep 5: Two security personnel were injured in a bomb blast
triggered Wednesday by suspected militants in the Manipur capital,
police said. A security alert has been sounded.
The two Assam Rifles troopers were on routine patrolling when the
blast hit them in the Keisampat area, a few kilometres from the Manipur
Police headquarters.
Their condition is stated to be stable, an Assam Rifles official said.
A security alert has been sounded and Keisampat has been cordoned off, Imphal district police chief Konsam Jayanta Singh told IANS.
He said preliminary reports suggested that the blast could have been triggered by an Improvised Explosive Device.
"We have found the wreckage of a scooter from the blast site," he said.
No arrests had been made so far, he added.
Though no rebel group has claimed responsibility for the blasts, Manipur Police and intelligence officials said the blasts were carried out by rebels.
On Monday, a youth was killed in a village of Manipur's Thoubal district after a bomb, suspected to have been planted by militants, went off at his house.
There are more than 20 rebel outfits in Manipur with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy.
Their condition is stated to be stable, an Assam Rifles official said.
A security alert has been sounded and Keisampat has been cordoned off, Imphal district police chief Konsam Jayanta Singh told IANS.
He said preliminary reports suggested that the blast could have been triggered by an Improvised Explosive Device.
"We have found the wreckage of a scooter from the blast site," he said.
No arrests had been made so far, he added.
Though no rebel group has claimed responsibility for the blasts, Manipur Police and intelligence officials said the blasts were carried out by rebels.
On Monday, a youth was killed in a village of Manipur's Thoubal district after a bomb, suspected to have been planted by militants, went off at his house.
There are more than 20 rebel outfits in Manipur with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
18 BLFM militants surrender in Tripura
AGARTALA [Sinlung News]: As many as 18 militants of the Bru Liberation Front of Mizoram (BLFM) have surrendered before Assam Rifles jawans with arms in Kanchanpur of North Tripura.
Police here today said the team, led by self-styled commander N Branto, contacted the Assam Rifles (AR) for surrender on September seven.
Accordingly, the AR facilitated the surrender of the ultras yesterday.
During their surrender, the militants deposited US-made bolt action rifles, bolt action point 22 pistols and a huge amount of ammunition.
They were brought for interrogation in police cell.
The surrendered extremists revealed during the interrogation that they had been involved in several crimes, including killings and abductions, in different parts of the state over a past few years and their entire operation was based in Bangladesh, police said.
However, they lost all support which they had earlier after Bangladesh launched action against Indian insurgents in its territory, police added.
Police here today said the team, led by self-styled commander N Branto, contacted the Assam Rifles (AR) for surrender on September seven.
Accordingly, the AR facilitated the surrender of the ultras yesterday.
During their surrender, the militants deposited US-made bolt action rifles, bolt action point 22 pistols and a huge amount of ammunition.
They were brought for interrogation in police cell.
The surrendered extremists revealed during the interrogation that they had been involved in several crimes, including killings and abductions, in different parts of the state over a past few years and their entire operation was based in Bangladesh, police said.
However, they lost all support which they had earlier after Bangladesh launched action against Indian insurgents in its territory, police added.
Ulfa joins anti-migrant drive
Pro-talks group threatens to take up arms for cause, ‘bans’ Ajmal from Tinsukia
Police personnel examine documents of migrant labourers at a checkpost near the Manipur-Assam border on Sunday and pro-talks Ulfa leader Jiten Dutta addresses the meeting at Tinsukia district library. (PTI and Telegraph picture)
Jorhat, Sep 3 : The pro-talks group of Ulfa today joined the campaign against illegal migrants in Assam and threatened to take up arms again for the cause.
Police personnel examine documents of migrant labourers at a checkpost near the Manipur-Assam border on Sunday and pro-talks Ulfa leader Jiten Dutta addresses the meeting at Tinsukia district library. (PTI and Telegraph picture)
Jorhat, Sep 3 : The pro-talks group of Ulfa today joined the campaign against illegal migrants in Assam and threatened to take up arms again for the cause.
It also warned AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal
to keep away from igniting communal tension in the state and “banned”
him and All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) members from entering
Tinsukia district till they desisted from igniting communal feelings
and violence in the state.
The pub-mandal unit of the pro-talks group
led by Prabal Neog, Jiten Dutta and Antu Chowdang organised a public
meeting at the district library auditorium in Tinsukia today, where they
announced that they had joined hands with other organisations in the
state to campaign against foreigners from today.
Senior citizens, members of the business
community, educationists and representatives of various organisations,
including Tai Ahom Students’ Union, Brihattor Asomia Yuva Mancha, Muslim
Yuva Parishad, Bengali Chattra Parishad, Marwari Yuva Manch, Tinsukia
District Chambers of Commerce, among others, attended the meeting, where
it was also decided to submit a memorandum to Tinsukia deputy
commissioner S.S. Meenakshi Sunduram, requesting the district authority
to keep a close watch to ensure that no illegal migrant could enter the
district.
The xatradhikar of Dinjoy Xatra in Tinsukia, Jugadananda Goswami, also attended.
A 25-member committee, comprising senior
citizens and members of various organisations who took part in the
meeting today, was also formed to decide the future course of action.
“We have information that hundreds of
illegal migrants have fled to other parts of Assam after the BTAD
violence. As such, we have appealed to the district administration not
to allow these migrants to enter Tinsukia district,” Jiten Dutta, a
leader of the group, said.
The group also called upon the business
community, especially contractors and owners of brick kilns, not to
engage suspected Bangladeshis in any activities. “A large number of
illegal migrants work in brick kilns and is engaged by building
contractors. We appeal to them not to engage these foreigners in the
future. Not engaging them in any activity would make our job easier to
keep them away,” Dutta said.
Prabal Neog, another leader of the group,
said they had taken up and then laid down arms for the state. “We will
take up the gun again, if required, for Assam,” he said.
Dutta said the anti-talks faction led by
Paresh Barua had been maintaining silence on the illegal migrants issue
because it was a puppet in the hands of foreign forces. “Paresh Barua is
working under the instructions of the ISI, which is desperate to
destabilise Assam. As such, he is totally silent on the recent BTAD
flare-up.”
The pro-talks group, comprising A and C
company of the lethal 28 battalion of Ulfa, declared a unilateral
ceasefire in 2008 and come overground. Its cadres are currently staying
in designated camps set up mostly in Tinsukia district.
Ulfa leaders holding talks with the Centre
have already identified illegal migration from across the border with
Bangladesh as a key issue and want the government to take necessary
steps to check the inflow.
The state has once again been caught up in
an anti-foreigners mood reminiscent of the eighties, in the wake of the
riots in BTAD and elsewhere for over more than a month, with the
conflict being described as one between Bodos and illegal migrants.
The Bodoland Territorial Council has made
it clear that it will not accept back those people who left BTAD until
they produced land documents to prove their citizenship.
Like in today’s meeting, Ajmal has been
under fire ever since the riots began and has also been accused of
giving the disturbances a communal colour.
The AIUDF has, however, denied that its leader had played any such role in fanning communal tension during or after the riots.