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.
No comments:
Post a Comment