Six Ultras Held in Manipur, Explosives Seized

Six militants belonging to different outfits have been arrested by police commandos and Assam Rifles personnel during search operations in Manipur, police said today.

A combined team of Imphal East district police commandos and Assam Rifles 30th battalion arrested a militant of People's Liberation Army (PLA) identified as Heisnam Babu (26) from Khurai area on the outskirts here last evening, sources said.

Following Babu's interrogation, two women PLA militants identified as Potsangbam Saroja (40) and Moirangthem Kamala (37) were arrested from Uchekon Kongba in Greater Imphal area, sources said adding six kgs of RDX were recovered.

Besides 18 packets of the same explosive were found and the exact quantity still being weighed, the sources said. One remote-controlled device and two detonators were also found in their possession.

In another search operation, two militants of banned People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) identified as Laishram Romesh (28) and Sairem Ranjit (20) were arrested respectively from Thoubal and Imphal West districts, sources said adding monetary demand letters were recovered from their possession.

Meanwhile a militant of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) identified as Moirangthem Inao (20) along with extortion letters and a G3 rifle was NABBED from Chairenthong area in Imphal east district yesterday, police said.

Two militants of Kuki National Front (Z) identified as Mangboi Haokip (46) Jouminlal Lalboi (20) were arrested while they were coming to exort money from state forest office at Sanjenthong area here yesterday, sources said.

NE militant outfits forge ahead with common platform

GUWAHATI, Dec 16 – The militant groups of the North East region have decided to form a common platform to fight jointly against the “common enemy” and the same is likely to be declared soon. This was disclosed by Paresh Baruah, commander in chief of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent).

Talking to The Assam Tribune, Baruah said that all the groups have realised the fact that there is need for fighting the “common enemy” together and after a series of talks among the various outfits, the decision was taken to form the proposed common platform. All the outfits have also realized the fact that everyone has suffered by fighting individually. He said that the move in this regard started three to four years back and the final shape has been given recently.

“More than 90 percent of the work of forming the common platform has been completed and only the name of the platform has to be declared. We are hopeful of announcing the common platform shortly. Though the name of the platform is yet to be announced, the words ‘west-south east Asia’ would be included in the name,” he added.

The ULFA(I) leader admitted that the Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front is now almost defunct as all the outfits of this part were not part of the same and that is why the decision has been taken to form a new platform.

Asked to name the outfits which would be part of the new platform, Baruah said that all the outfits struggling for independence of their own territories would be part of the same. However, the outfits, which have started “so-called talks” with the Government, would not be included in the platform.

Meanwhile, Baruah alleged that instead of trying to find a political solution to the issues, the Government of India and its agencies are trying to infiltrate agents to weaken the ULFA(I). He said that only recently a group of agents of the Government of India managed to infiltrate into the outfit with the aim of looting the armoury of the ULFA(I). However, most of the agents were nabbed and only two managed to escape, he added.

The ULFA(I) leader said that India has recently sent agents to eliminate senior leader of the outfit, Drishti Rajkhowa, but the attempt was foiled. He said that over the years, the Government of India was making attempts to eliminate him.

“I know fully well that the Government of India and its agencies are making efforts to eliminate me but the attempts have failed so far. The Government of India will not succeed in its plan till I make a mistake on my security,” he added.

Manipur rebels held in Patna

Patna, Dec 12 : Two militants of the Manipur-based People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Progressive) were arrested from a bus stand here today.

Two mobile phones, an ATM card of a nationalised bank, cheque deposit slips, payment receipt of a laptop and cash were found on them.

The two militants, Thoudam Khamba alias Suresh and Sanasam Rabi Singh alias Suraj, were produced before judicial magistrate Praveen Kumar Singh who granted a four-day transit remand to Manipur police.

Patna senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaj said the two were taken to Imphal by a Manipur police team, headed by assistant commandant of 5th Indian Reserve Battalion, Manihar Singh, under tight security.

He said the two militants were apprehended from Mithapur bus stand under Jakkanpur police station, following a tip-off from Imphal police, when the duo were planning to catch a bus for Kishanganj.

He said the two were suspected to have been involved in several ambushes on security personnel in Manipur’s Imphal West district and had been booked under relevant sections of the Explosive Substances Act in Manipur.

On the basis of what the arrested militants told interrogators in Patna, Singjamei police in Imphal West raided the house of their close associate and recovered five hand grenades and four detonators.

Sources said the two had entered Bihar from Nepal.

Last year, too, five Prepak (Pro) militants were arrested from Patna, four of whom were identified as Ninthoujam Shanti alias Chinglemba, Langpoklakpam Inaocha alias Birjeet, Elangbam Bobo alias Khanganba and Jiten alias Selkai. They were also handed over to Manipur police.

The SSP said, “Since there was no criminal case pending against them in any police station in Bihar, we handed all of them over to the Imphal police team.”

Prepak (Pro) is a constituent of Coordination Committee, an umbrella body of six militant groups of Manipur, fighting for restoring Manipur’s lost sovereignty. It has declined the Centre and state government’s offer for talks.

Prepak (P) was behind the bombing at the main entrance of Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh’s office secretariat-cum-residential complex in Imphal city on August 10 this year. No one was injured in the blast.

Terror group Dima Halam Daogah (A) chief arrested

Haflong (Assam), Dec 12 : The self-styled commander-in-chief of the terror group Dima Halam Daogah (A) was today arrested and a pistol and ammunition seized from him.

According to police, the militant has been identified as Action Dimasa alias Nipod Raijung (23) and he was nabbed this morning during a joint operation of the police and the army near Borowapu village under Mahur police station in Dima Hasao district.

The security team also recovered a 2.

Combing operations stepped up n Meghalaya's Garo Hills

Security forces intensified combing operations against Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebels in western Meghalaya after they overran the general headquarters of the outlawed outfit, a police official said Wednesday.

"The operation is in full swing, and has yielded good results. However, we cannot divulge details at this stage," Meghalaya Police chief Peter James Pyngrope Hanaman told IANS.

On Wednesday, a joint team of commandos of Meghalaya's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit and the Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) overran the GNLA general headquarters in Durama hill range near Adugre village in East Garo Hills district.

"Although they (GNLA rebels) managed to escape from the hideout (their general headquarters), we have recovered a cache of weapons, explosives and incriminating documents," Hanaman said.

Durama hill range is a vast, densely forested area in the Garo Hills which the GNLA and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) rebels have been using as their sanctuary.

Sohan D. Shira, chief of the GNLA's military wing, also controls his rebels from Durama.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Police have confirmed that there was no casualty in Tuesday's crackdown on the GNLA general headquarters.

"We have confirmed that there were no casualties on both sides in yesterday's (Tuesday) crackdown, but we have seized one MA3 (Mark-II) assault rifle, a China-made hand grenade, two pistol magazines, four rounds of 5.56 live ammunition, ten Neogel gelatine sticks, identity cards and incriminating documents from the GNLA's headquarters," said J.F.K. Marak, the district police chief of East Garo Hills.

Meghalaya, especially the Garo Hills region, is being used as a safe haven by various northeast-based militant groups, including the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).

With the outlawed A'chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC) on a ceasefire agreement with the central government, the NSCN-IM and the ULFA spawned several rebel groups with the intention of exploiting the lucrative extortion in the coal-rich areas of the Garo Hills region.

Another outlawed outfit, the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), has been demanding a sovereign Khasi homeland in Meghalaya. The outfit is currently on the back foot as most of its cadre have surrendered to the government.

The GNLA, fighting for a separate Garoland in western Meghalaya, has also forged an alliance with the Bangladesh-based rebel group, A'chik Special Dragon. It also has links with the NSCN-IM, the ULFA and the NDFB.

At least 46 people, including nine security personnel, have been killed in acts of insurgency since January in the Garo Hills region.

Cornered NLFT men sneak into Tripura

SEKHAR DATTA

Agartala, Dec 6 : The ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh has become a major source of concern for the Tripura government, with reports of groups of banned NLFT militants trying to sneak into the state from their hideouts in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh situation has put an almost complete damper on border trade between Tripura and Bangladesh. It has also created a possibility of influx of people from across the border.

The BSF posted along the state’s 856km border with Bangladesh have been put on high alert following reports of attempted transborder movement of banned anti-Indian militants and influx of ordinary Bangladeshi citizens belonging to the minority community.

Highly placed sources in state police said the BSF has been put on alert “as a matter of routine” because of the growing unrest in Bangladesh.

“As a close neighbour, Tripura is invariably affected by major developments in Bangladesh and the BSF is routinely put on alert; this has been done this time also and the state government has sought additional BSF jawans to plug the loopholes in the border,” police sources said.

They added that the reported attempts of groups of banned NLFT militants trying to sneak into Tripura from their hideouts in Bangladesh is a matter of deep concern.

On December 3, the special branch (intelligence wing) of state police had received a feedback that a large group of armed NLFT militants had been lurking close to the border, opposite the Karbook area of South Tripura.

Superintendent of police (South) Shankar Debnath and SP (Gomati) Thirugnana Sambandhan had rushed to Karbook and tightened security measures in and around the area, a hotbed of insurgent activities between 1993 and 2003.

They also spoke to the BSF border outposts there and asked them to keep a stricter vigil on the border with Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.

“The situation as of now is under control but if the situation in Bangladesh worsens, we may be affected by influx of people, specially belonging to the minority Hindus. But the Union home ministry is aware of the situation and additional BSF battalions are expected to arrive,” a source said.

The political situation in Bangladesh has also cast a shadow of uncertainty over the early beginning of railway linkage work between Agartala and Akhaura railway junction in Bangladesh.

On Tuesday, the joint Indo-Bangla steering committee meeting in Dhaka had discussed all relevant issues but the intensification of political turmoil in Bangladesh is likely to delay land acquisition work in over 10km of the track between Nihchindipur in West Tripura and Akhaura railway junction in Bangladesh.

“I do not think the Bangladesh government will be able to do anything before the elections,” said a senior official of the state government.

Manipur ultras active in Barak Valley

By R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, Nov 29 – Members of Manipur based militant outfits have started sneaking into the Barak Valley districts of Assam, while, activities of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) in the Dima Hasao district have become matters of serious concern.

Highly placed police sources told The Assam Tribune that members of Manipur based militant groups are suspected to be involved in blowing off of a bridge in Cachar district last evening and the main aim was to cut off the road leading to Manipur.

Sources said that there was an intelligence input that some of the Manipur based militant outfits have been trying to increase their dominance in the areas bordering the Barak Valley and they might try to cut off the road connecting the neighbouring state from the Valley. Accordingly, the main bridge near the inter-state border was guarded, but the militants managed to sneak into the Valley to blow off a bridge well inside Assam. “We have learnt the lessons from the incident and a survey of all the vulnerable bridges are being conducted so that those can be properly secured,” sources added.

Police sources said that after a lull for a few months, the United Democratic Liberation Army of Barak Valley, a militant outfit of the Riangs, are trying to become active once again. The outfit declared a unilateral cease fire in January this year, but it was withdrawn in October and the outfit started its activities by kidnapping a gateman of the Railways. But the outfit suffered a severe setback last week when five of its members were arrested in Silchar when they came to kidnap a Railway employee. But the disturbing fact is that the Riang group has joined hands with criminal gangs to indulge in unlawful activities.

Meanwhile, activities of the NSCN (I-M) have become matters of serious concern for the police and security forces in Dima Hasao district. Though the NSCN (I-M) is under cease-fire agreement with the Government of India, members of the outfit are violating the ground rules to indulge in unlawful activities in Dima Hasao. Sources revealed that the militant group issued extortion notices to a number of people in the district and in recent times, a few of the cadres of the outfit were arrested along with extortion notes and weapons.

One NSCN cadre has been arrested in connection with the killing of engineer Rajiv Pathak in Haflong, but it is still not known whether he had received any extortion notes from any militant group. “Pathak never informed the police about receiving any extortion demand,” sources added.

UNLF owns up to blast

Security personnel inspect the blast site in Imphal. File picture

Imphal, Nov. 26: Militants of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) today claimed responsibility for yesterday’s bomb blast in the heart of the city that killed an Assam Rifles jawan and wounded a shopkeeper.

The jawan, who was wounded in yesterday’s blast, died at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences here late last night. The shopkeeper is out of danger.

The improvised explosive device (IED) was planted near the gate of a water reservoir of the public health engineering department in the busy Keishampat area. It was triggered by remote control.

A patrol party from the 40 Assam Rifles battalion was resting at the site when the bomb exploded.

The UNLF’s publicity officer, M. Sak-Hen, said in a statement today that the blast was targeted at the Assam Rifles patrol party and was carried out by the “demolition squad” of its “urban guerrilla warfare team”.

The attack was in retaliation to “atrocities” committed by the Assam Rifles and the army on civilians in the name of counter-insurgency operations, it said.

It said the team took utmost caution to avoid civilian casualties.

If civilians had not mingled with the Assam Rifles personnel, at least three jawans could have been killed.

Expressing regret for injuring a civilian in the attack, the UNLF said it would continue to target central forces.

This is the second time in a month that the UNLF has attacked an Assam Rifles patrol party in the city. On October 26, its cadres had exploded an IED near the northern gate of the Kangla fort here. An Assam Rifles jawan was injured in the attack.

Despite strong pressure from the Centre and stepped up counter-insurgency operations, the UNLF central committee had announced on its foundation day, November 24, that it would continue its armed struggle. The outfit had also called for a plebiscite in 2005 to end the armed conflict in Manipur.

Taking serious note of yesterday’s attack, which came when Imphal is holding a tourism festival, police today frisked all vehicles entering the city.

A large number of foreigners are in the city at present to attend the Sangai festival and the international polo tournament that is on at Mapal Kangjeibung.

People residing around yesterday’s blast site today staged a sit-in at the spot to denounce the militant action.

Another explosion

Suspected militants exploded another IED at Bishnupur Bazar, 30km south of this city, at 7 this morning. No one was hurt and no one has claimed responsibility for the explosion yet.

Heavy exchange of fire reported between militant factions

Heavy exchange of fire was today reported between two Naga militant factions in interior Manipur, police said.

They said the fierce gunfight between Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isac and Muivah (NSCN-IM) began after midday at Noney area in Tamenglong district.

Casualty, if any, on either side was not known, police said, adding that forces have rushed to the hilly spot.

The two factions have clashed a number of times in the recent months on the issue of dominance in the district and over ten persons belonging to both the sides have been killed so far this year.

3 abducted by suspected militants from Mizoram

At least three persons have been abducted by suspected National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) militants from a place in Mamit district of Mizoram, police said today.

They were picked up yesterday near Damparengpui village in the district which is located near the

Mizoram-Bangladesh-Tripura border.

Mamit Superintendent of Police, Rodingliana Chawngthu told PTI over phone that the persons were identified as Deep Mondal, surveyor of a Delhi-based company, Sanglianthanga, a resident of Mamit who was driving the taxi and driver of another vehicle.

A combing operation was launched in the border areas.

No ransom demand had been made till this afternoon, he said.

The abductors and the captives were suspected to have crossed the border to Bangladesh, the SP said.

Huge quantities of explosives seized

Rangiya (Assam), Nov 18 : Huge quantities of explosives, including RDX, were recovered and two persons arrested in connection with it in Assam's Kamrup(Rural) district today.

Acting on a tip-off, police launched an operation in Mandakat area under Baihata Police station and seized the explosives, police said.

The operation was led by Rangiya sub-divisional police officer Rakesh Roshan.

'Garo rebels have easy access to arms'

TURA: Hasslefree and easy access to sophisticated firearms by Garo militants in Meghalaya has become a major cause for concern for the state government. Though the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militant group was once believed to have sophisticated arms only, splinter groups in the West Garo hills are also getting these firearms easily nowadays.

According to chief minister Mukul Sangma, the porous border has helped these militants groups procure weapons freely. "During several arms hauls by the security forces, we have found automatic sophisticated firearms from these militants. It proves that they (militants) have easy access to these weapons. We believe the arms are coming from the other side of the border. That's why, both the Centre and the state government have emphasized the need to strengthen the 'internal security' of the state on a priority basis," said Sangma.

Security sources said that the Garo militants, including some small and splinter groups in Meghalaya, are currently armed with a large number of AK-47s, AK-74s, AK-81s, rocket launchers, Chinese grenades, Heckler and Koch rifles, Glock guns and US-made sophisticated pistols.

"Though militant groups like Ulfa (Independent), NSCN (IM) and Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA) were providing arms to Garo ultra groups earlier, now the rebels have direct access to gunrunners from Myanmar and Bangladesh," said a police official.

The official added that the Ulfa (I) faction is also helping small groups like the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) by providing them with firearms. "Ulfa (I) is selling its used firearms to the UALA," the source informed.

On Diwali night, suspected UALA ultras gunned down seven men at Gendamari in Goalpara district. Eyewitnesses said that the militants had used sophisticated arms.

The Meghalaya and Assam police departments, along with the army and the CRPF, are now running one of the biggest counter-insurgency operations against two Garo outfits - the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) - along a 68-km stretch of interstate border in southern lower Assam.

Manipuri rebel sentenced for period already spent in custody

A member of a banned Manipuri rebel group has pleaded guilty before a Delhi court, which sentenced him to jail for the period already spent in custody after he submitted that he will not indulge in any militant activities in the future.

Raj Kumar Raghunath Singh alias Ronan Aier, a member of banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), pleaded guilty before Additional Sessions Judge Daya Prakash and said he was no more a member of the group and his wife is a senior police officer.

Having spent over four years in custody, Singh also submitted that he wanted to lead a normal life ahead.

"Since convict Raj Kumar Raghunath Singh has pleaded guilty and is in judicial custody since June 27, 2009 and undertakes not to involve in any illegal activity further and stated as a fact that he is no more a member of any banned organisation as defined under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, my inference is that the convict be sentenced to the period already undergone by him," the court said.

Singh was charged under section 17 and 20 of the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

He was accused of being an active member and self-styled captain of KYKL.

He was also accused of raising funds for committing militant acts and maintaining account in the name of fictitious person, Mairembam Anand Singh.

His name was also on the list of militants issued by the government of Manipur.

After sentencing him to jail term already undergone, the court directed that "he be set at liberty, if not required in any other case".

Six killed in militant attack in Assam

At least six persons were killed and seven others seriously injured when suspected Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants opened fire on a group of people gambling on the occasion of Diwali in Assam's Goalpara district tonight.

The armed insurgents swooped on the group of gamblers at remote Gendamari in Aagia police station and randomly fired on them from automatic weapons at around 9 PM.

Bholanath Rabha, Amarendra Rabha, Jayanta Rabha, Puran Rabha, Kalpanath Rabha and Lulu Rabha died on the spot, official sources said.

The injured were rushed to Goalpara Civil Hospital by the local people who alleged that the police came late at the site of the firing.

Meanwhile, senior police officers have rushed to the spot from the district headquarters town of Goalpara and security has been beefed up in the district following the incident, the sources said.

Goalpara district has been witnessing violence since October 20 with protests against the upcoming Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council elections between November 13 and 25 demanding exclusion of non Rabha areas from the Council.

The sources, however, ruled out that tonight's incident was connected with the Council elections.

Proscribed GNLA, based in the jungles of Garo Hills district of Meghalaya near Goalpara district, has been fighting for a separate state since 2009.

They attack security forces and civilians, trigger blasts and kidnap people to extort money.

Two dead as powerful bombs explode in Manipur

Militants exploded two powerful bombs in Manipur's Imphal West district on Wednesday. A report from Imphal said two civilians were killed in the explosion and five others seriously injured. An improvised explosive device (IED) went off at Yaiskul bus stand near Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh's office-cum-residence here at 6.20 AM, officials said. The blast left two dead and injured five others seriously. The victims were identified as Hollun Taothang (45), a businessman from Churachandpur district, and Laishram Brojen (32) from Imphal East district. The five injured persons were taken to Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital (RIMSH) in a serious condition. The victims were either waiting for a vehicle to go to the border town of Moreh or were taking a morning stroll when the incident occurred. Militants also exploded an IED bomb at a roadside while security personnel were conducting a foot patrol at Moidangpok area, about 5 Kms west of here, at around 10 AM. However, there was no casualty, they said. Security personnel immediately took up position after the explosion and later searched the area but no arrest could be made. Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur Gaikhangam visited the injured persons at the RIMSH and gave Rs 5000 each to their family members to meet immediate expenses for medical treatment. Condemning the incidents, Chief Minister Ibobi Singh and Gaikhangam, who also holds home portfolio, held meetings with police and security officials to discuss the latest situation.

Insurgency not ended completely but considerably less: Gogoi

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday claimed that insurgency-related activities had not ended completely but had come down considerably in the state.

"Assam government has over the last few years initiated several strong measures to end insurgency in the state and though there has been considerable improvement, violence has not ended completely," Gogoi said here while paying homage to victims of serial blasts of October 30, 2008 which claimed 96 lives and injured more than 300 people.

The Chief Minister appealed to militant outfits still indulging in violence to give up this path, join the mainstream and help in establishing peace and development.

"October 30 is a black day in Assam's history where many people lost their near and dear ones," the Chief Minister said at the memorial service organised below Ganeshguri Flyover here which bore the brunt of the blast killing atleast 50 people.

The Chief Minister assured people that his government was committed to the development of the state which was only possible with the cooperation of the people.

The memorial service was attended among others by family members of the victims, Social Welfare Minister Akon Bora, Congress MLAs Chandan Sarkar, Captain Robin Bordoloi, Bismita Gogoi, Arati Hazarika Kachari, Director General of Police J N Choudhury and senior state government officials.

Twelve high intensity blasts were carried out by the Ranjan Daimary led NDFB in Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Barpeta and Bongaigaon on October 30, 2008.

Family members of the victims had expressed their anguish on the release of NDFB leader Ranjan Daimary from jail this year for negotiations and some of them refused to attend today's memorial service.

NSCN disallows rally against taxation

DIMAPUR, Oct 30  – While the NSCN-IM has decided not to allow the scheduled rally of the Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) in Dimapur on October 31, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) has asked all the business organisations in Dimapur to not only close their establishments on that day till the rally is over but also participate physically in it.

The NSCN-IM, in a statement on Tuesday said that the organization has, following its joint council meeting at Hebron on October 28, decided to disallow the proposed rally on October 31 being organised by the so-called ‘banned’ ACAUT just to malign the national cause in the name of unspecified, unabated taxation.

In this connection, it was decided to initiate further necessary steps or measures to obstruct such anti-national designs to murder the long struggle for the national cause, the statement added. The NSCN-IM meeting also reaffirmed the decisions of the joint council meeting held on October 8 to ban the newly floated Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) for its deliberate negation of the principle of the Naga Hoho and the aspirations of the Nagas.

On the other hand, the DCCI stated that it along with all business frontal organisations have unanimously decided to fully support the initiative of ACAUT. The decision follows a joint meeting on Monday, according to a release issued by DCCI president Hokivi Chishi.

As a sign of support towards this noble cause undertaken by ACAUT, the frontal business organisations also decided to down their shutters during the ACAUT rally on October 31. However, the shops will reopen after the rally, the release added.

Moreover, refusing to bow to the pressure, the ACAUT has decided to hold a public awareness rally in Dimapur on October 31. It also started a signature campaign against extortion and illegal taxation from October 23 at City Tower, Dimapur to draw public support to the cause that is affecting the Naga society.

Extending solidarity to ACAUT, the Youth Association of Nagaland (YAN) organized a free and voluntary cycle and motorcycle rally in Dimapur on Monday morning.

Bomb blast in Imphal

One powerful foreign-made bomb exploded on Tuesday morning near Marwari Dharmasala in the Imphal city.

There was no casualty. Police sources said the bomb was planted under a hand-cart and activated by a remote control device.

There have been series of bomb blasts in the Imphal city all these days. Earlier, nine migrant workers from Assam were killed and 11 others wounded, when a hand grenade was hurled inside the shack of the labourers in Imphal.

Home Minister, Gaikhangam Gangmei said the bomb attacks are intended to create law and order problems. Describing the attacks as cowardly, he said that the government will come down with a heavy hand to curb this.

Every morning, scores of migrant workers assemble at Marwari Dharmasala to start their daily works.

Rebels' shutdown hits life in Meghalaya

Shillong : Normal life in the western part of Meghalaya's Garo Hills was crippled Wednesday with the start of a two-day shutdown called by the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) demanding a separate Garoland state.
"Attendance in government offices was thin in all the five districts of Garo Hills region, but there was no report of any untoward incident," Pravin Bakshi, district magistrate of West Garo Hills, told IANS.
He said most vehicles remained off roads and shops were shut in the district.
Inspector General of Police (Western Range) H. Nongpluh said: "We are taking no chances and the (security) forces are watchful."
The GNLA had threatened to bomb several areas in Garo Hills.
Home Minister Roshan Warjri said combing operations against the rebels will continue in Garo Hills.
"All necessary steps have been taken to neutralise GNLA's anti-national activities," Warjri told IANS.
The Garo Hills State Movement Committee - a conglomeration of several Garo organisations and the Garo National Council, a political party based in Garo Hills - earlier called the shutdown to put pressure on the government to implement the Garoland statehood demand. However, the Committee had called off their shutdown.

Rebels' shutdown hits life in Meghalaya

Shillong : Normal life in the western part of Meghalaya's Garo Hills was crippled Wednesday with the start of a two-day shutdown called by the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) demanding a separate Garoland state.
"Attendance in government offices was thin in all the five districts of Garo Hills region, but there was no report of any untoward incident," Pravin Bakshi, district magistrate of West Garo Hills, told IANS.
He said most vehicles remained off roads and shops were shut in the district.
Inspector General of Police (Western Range) H. Nongpluh said: "We are taking no chances and the (security) forces are watchful."
The GNLA had threatened to bomb several areas in Garo Hills.
Home Minister Roshan Warjri said combing operations against the rebels will continue in Garo Hills.
"All necessary steps have been taken to neutralise GNLA's anti-national activities," Warjri told IANS.
The Garo Hills State Movement Committee - a conglomeration of several Garo organisations and the Garo National Council, a political party based in Garo Hills - earlier called the shutdown to put pressure on the government to implement the Garoland statehood demand. However, the Committee had called off their shutdown.

Powerful bomb seized from roadside in interior Manipur

Imphal: A powerful improvised explosive device (IED), weighing about two and half kgs, was seized along the roadside of Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar national highway (NH) in Manipur's Imphal west district, police said on Wednesday.

They said a road opening party (ROP), 18th Sikh Regiment personnel, detected some suspicious object at Konthoujam area yesterday which later turned out to be a powerful bomb.

The bomb was allegedly planted by insurgents to attack security and police personnel, sources said adding that it was later detonated at a safe place.

Official sources said security measures have been tightened particularly in four valley disrtricts of Imphal east, Imphal west, Bishenpur and Thoubal in view of frequent planting of powerful bombs at roadsides to attack the security personnel.

Meanwhile, four insurgents--three People's Liberation Army (PLA) and one People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (progressive), PREPAK-P, were arrested during various search operations at Uripok, Paona Bazar and other areas here last evening, sources said.

Sources identified the four as Kharibam Robi (41), Yumlembam Jokumar (32), Ngangbam Rishikesh (22), all PLA insurgents, and Telem Boy (40), PREPAK-P, adding that one 9mm pistol and some other materials recovered were from their possession.

Sources said security patrol has also been intensified at various places in view of the 35th year foundation day today of the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), political wing of the PLA.

Frisking of passers-by was being carried out at many places to detect movement of the insurgents, sources said.

Top NHPC official abducted

A senior official of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) was abducted by a group of unidentified gunmen at Bhalukpong on the Assam-Arunachal border Saturday evening. Anil Kumar Agarwal, the general manager-rank officer, is heading the upcoming 800-MW Tawang Basin hydro-electric power project in Arunachal Pradesh.

"Agarwal was abducted from an area called 12-Mile on the Tezpur-Bomdila Road last evening by at least six youths who first accosted his official vehicle and then whisked him away on one of the four motorbikes used by them," said Arabinda Kalita, the SP of Sonitpur district, on Sunday.

Police said one of the four motorbikes has been impounded and the owners of all the four bikes have been identified. "But we have not made any arrests so far. We have to move very cautiously so that the life of the person is not put at risk," the SP said.

Police suspect the role of Songbijit faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) behind the abduction. The faction has a strong presence in the forest areas of Sonitpur district from where Agarwal was abducted.

The SP, however, wondered why a senior NHPC officer was travelling without a PSO. Agrawal was travelling along with his official driver from Tawang and was supposed to halt overnight at Tezpur, from where he was to travel to Guwahati on Sunday to catch a flight to Hyderabad.

PLA attacks Assam Rifles post in Manipur

People Liberation Army (PLA), the armed wing of Revolutionary People Front (RPF) Wednesday claimed that it had attacked the post of the 24 Assam Rifles in interior Manipur’s Chandel district on Tuesday.

A statement of People Liberation Army signed by its chief of department of publicity said its cadres launched the attack on 24 Assam Rifles post near Saibol village of Chandel district Tuesday evening around 8 pm.

During the attack, many personnel of the Assam Rifles were injured that was carried out by a special team, People Liberation Army claimed.

The cadres further said that its cadres were engaged in a gun battle with another troops of Assam Rifles. Many troopers sustained injuries in the attack, People Liberation Army added.

Militant leader shot dead in Manipur

A top militant leader of Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) was shot dead by suspected rival faction in Manipur's interior Ukhrul district, the police said today.

The body of 'advisor' of MNRF identified as Johnson Kasung (55) was found at Tolen Lamkhai area in the district with two bullet wounds this morning, sources said.

Sources said some unidentified gunmen, suspected to be Naga militants, had kidnapped Kasung from Tangkhul Nagalong office area at Ukhrul district headquarters on September 13.

The police have been on the lookout of his abductors, sources said adding that his body was found today at around 6 AM.

The body has been sent to district hospital for post-mortem, sources said adding no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the crime.

MNRF which was formed by some militants about two years ago was opposed to those persons who wanted to break up Manipur to form smaller states along the ethnic lines, official sources said.

Rebel group kills two in Meghalaya

Two people, including a woman, were killed and two injured by rebels of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) outfit early Tuesday, police said.

A group of five to six heavily armed rebels stormed the Garodoba village in southwest Garo Hills district around 1.30 a.m. The rebels shot dead 32-year-old Sridina A. Sangma and 42-year-old Anirud Hajong, district police chief Muthu Ramachandran told IANS.

However, all the rebels escaped and a manhunt is on to nab them.

The village comes under Ampati assembly constituency of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.

The GNLA, one of five rebel groups fighting for a separate Garoland in western Meghalaya, is headed by policeman-turned-rogue Champion R. Sangma.

Champion Sangma is currently in jail in state capital Shillong after being arrested from the India-Bangladesh border last year.

The GNLA, which has over 100 rebels including a few women cadres, has been declared a terrorist outfit.

Over 40 people, including security personnel, have been killed while more than 10 people were abducted for ransom by the GNLA in the last three years.

Chetia extradition in December

Guwahati, Sep 12 : Jailed Ulfa general secretary Anup Chetia will be extradited to India from Bangladesh by mid-December this year.

Joint secretary (northeast), ministry of home affairs, Sambhu Singh said this Wednesday after a meeting with Assam chief minister and top police officials of the state.

“By December, he (Chetia) should be here,” Singh said.

The extradition of Chetia is likely to impact the ongoing peace process between the government of India and the Ulfa pro-talk faction. Ever since the faction signed a peace agreement with the government, they have been pressing for early extradition of Chetia.

A founder leader of the outfit, Chetia was arrested in 1997 in Bangladesh. He was charged with illegally entering the country using a forged passport and possessing illegal foreign currency and arms. Subsequently, he was sentenced to seven years imprisonment by a Bangladeshi court.

At the end of his jail term, India had asked Bangladesh for his extradition. But the request was turned down by the neighbouring country on the ground the two countries did not have an extradition treaty.

Asked about Ulfa anti-talk faction leader Paresh Baruah, Singh said Baruah is in China at present.

“He (Baruah) has chosen to live in China, get engaged in arms smuggling and mint money through arms smuggling. We have given him an opportunity by inviting him to join the peace process. But he decided not to come. So what can we do?” Singh told newsmen.

On the recent movement for statehood by several groups in Assam, Singh said there has not been any decision so far. “We have asked them to convince us about the viability of separate state. I can only say that right now there is a demand for separate state and we are talking over it,” he said.

155 Kuki militants lay down arms in Manipur

IMPHAL: At least 155 rebels belonging to four different outfits surrendered on Monday and inked a ceasefire pact with the Manipur government. Along with their leaders, cadre of the outfits - Kuki Revolutionary Front (KRF), Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) Nongdren Khomba group and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) - turned up at 1BN Manipur Rifles' complex.

The cadres - 53 from the KRF, 50 from the KNLF, 44 of KCP Nongdren Khomba and eight from the KYKL - laid down 95 weapons including different AK series rifles, pistols with bullets, explosives like mortars, IEDs, lathod shells, hand grenades and radio sets in the 'homecoming ceremony'.

While the KNLF and the KRF signed a Suspension of Operation (SoO), the KCP Nongdren Khomba group inked an MoU with the government at the ceremony.

Over 20 Kuki militant groups operating in the state have already signed an SoO with the state and the Centre, and cadres of these outfits are putting up at government-sponsored designated camps in the hills.

Welcoming the cadres of the four outfits to the mainstream, chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh assured them the government would extend all possible efforts for their welfare and security.

Ibobi Singh, nevertheless, warned to take appropriate action against any SoO signatories found violating the ground rules.

Stating that his government will not remain a silent spectator when the ground rules are breached, Ibobi Singh said if needed, the SoO deal with the particular outfit would be reviewed.

Deputy CM Gaikhangam, who is also the home minister, congratulated the cadres on joining the mainstream. The two Kuki militant groups will be incorporated in the apex Kuki militant groups that are party to the SoO, a source said.

The KNLF was represented by Helun Haokip (chairman), T Khongsai (army chief) and L Haokip (secretary), while KRF leaders T Doungel (chairman) and H Doungel (general secretary) represented the outfit in the SoO pact. KCP (Nongdrenkhomba) was represented by its self-styled 'commander-in-chief' N Romen aka Nongdrenkhomba and 'chief of army' L Guni in the MoU.

Monday's event came after the United People's Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) entered into a peace deal with the Centre and the state government in May this year at the same venue.

In February, the United Revolutionary Front (URF), the KYKL (MDF) and the KCP (Lamphel) also inked a similar peace deal.

Bombs hurled in CRPF camp, 12 hr Meghalaya bandh tomorrow

Tight security measures have been taken in view of the 12-hour bandh in Meghalaya tomorrow called by pressure groups demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) to check influx in the state, while bombs were hurled inside the CRPF camp here this evening.

"Three petrol bombs were hurled inside the camp of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) by miscreants," SP (City) Vivek Syiem said.

While no damage was done by the bombs, three persons were apprehended by the CRPF personnel minutes after the bomb attack, he said.

East Khasi Hills SP M Kharkrang said the handiwork of the NGOs who sponsored the bandh cannot be ruled out in the spate attacks in the last 36 hours.

Three incidents of arson took place here yesterday. A petrol bomb was hurled at Polo Bazar damaging a fast food shop, a motorcycle was also set on fire at Langkyrding while miscreants tried to set ablaze a house at Umsohsun.

At least 14 pressure groups have called a bandh tomorrow after last Thursday's talks with the Meghalaya government over implementation of the ILP to control illegal immigrants from entering the state failed.

"We have tightened security in and around the Khasi Jaintia Hills region and also in the Garo Hills region in view of the bandh called by the NGOs," a senior home department official told PTI.

He said, police and magistrates were directed to be alert to prevent any untoward incident.

District administrations have been asked to keep vigil especially in vulnerable areas and sensitive government installations and offices, he said.

65 terror groups active in India: Govt

Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers, in Magroom area, near Agartala. Minister R.P.N. Singh said 65 terror groups are active in India currently.

The government has identified 65 terror groups active in the country, out of which a maximum of 34 are in Manipur, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home R.P.N. Singh said available intelligence inputs show that militants/terrorists active in India are often supported and funded by their parent outfits based abroad, particularly in Pakistan, in terms of shelter, training, weapons and finance.

“The existing statutory and legal structure provides adequate provisions to deal with funding of terrorism”, he said in a written reply. The list of terrorist groups active in various states shows Jammu and Kashmir has five such organisations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul-Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Harkat-e-Mujahideen and Al Badr.

In the North-east, Assam has 11, Meghalaya four, Tripura two, Nagaland four, Mizoram two and Manipur 34.

Babbar Khalsa International, Khalistan Zindabad Force and Khalistan Commando Force are the three militant groups active in Punjab, the statement said.

“Various terrorist groups like LeT, IM, HM, HuJI, Al Badr are active in the hinterland of the country, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi”, the Minister said.

To a supplementary, Mr. Singh said the government has banned 36 outfits and 9 organisations in the country.

“As regards the initiatives taken in the Left Wing Extremism (affected) regions, we have a two-pronged approach in the LWE states. One, we deal very effectively as far as the Naxalites are concerned. The approach of the central government is to deal with LWE in a holistic manner in terms of security, development, good governance and public perception management”, he said.

Ministry of Home Affairs has banned the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) People’s War, all its formations and front organisations, the Maoist Communist Centre, all its formations and front organisations in LWE hit areas.

In reply to another supplementary he said while some states are doing extremely well in tackling Naxalism, some are doing moderately well and some are lagging behind. “This is a matter of great concern”, he said.

Two Kuki tribal militants injured in Moreh encounter

Two Kuki tribal militants were seriously wounded among cadres of two factions at Moreh, the border town on Friday night, a delayed report said.

The cadres belong to the factions of the Kuki National Liberation Front. They are signatories to the suspension of operations which means that they cannot resort to insurgency related activities including use of firearms.

The injured militants were rushed inside the 9 Assam Rifles camp at Moreh for treatment. Tension is mounting as fresh encounter may take place in this border town. The government is concerned over the increasing violation of the ground rules with violence and kidnappings for extracting ransom.

Garo rebels kill one, injure three in Meghalaya

One person was shot dead and three were injured in two separate incidents carried out by outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebels in insurgency-ravaged Garo Hills in western Meghalaya on Tuesday.

Heavily armed GNLA rebels shot dead Jenipar K. Sangma and assaulted his teenage son Arsen Marak at their residence in Rangmai area under South Garo Hills district allegedly for extorting money in the name of the outlawed outfit, police said.

In another incident, a GNLA rebel lobbed a grenade at a wine store in Jaddigittim market area injuring two people and damaging the wine store. Police said the grenade attack was to mount pressure on businessmen in the area to comply with the GNLA’s extortion demands.

The injured were rushed to a hospital and were released after first aid.

Police have registered a case and a man hunt is on to nab the rebels.

The GNLA, one of five Garo rebel groups fighting for a separate Garoland in western Meghalaya, is headed by police officer-turned-rebel Champion R. Sangma.

Champion Sangma is presently lodged in a Shillong jail after he was arrested from the India-Bangladesh border last year.

The GNLA, which has over 100 rebels, is operating in East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills, has been declared a terrorist outfit.

Over 40 people, including security personnel, have been killed while more than 10 people were abducted for ransom by GNLA rebels in the last three years.

Independence Day boycott call by northeast outfits

GUWAHATI: Like in the past, 11 militant outfits of the region six from Manipur, three from Assam and one each from Meghalaya and Tripura have jointly called for a boycott of Independence Day in the northeast, which they now describe as Western South East Asia (WESEA) region.

The outfits include Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak-Pro, Revolutionary People's Front and United National Liberation Front (UNLF) of Manipur, which operate from one platform called Coordination Committee, Hynniewtrep National Liberation National Liberation Council (HNLC) of Meghalaya, Kamatapur Liberation Organization (KLO), National Democratic Front of Boroland, Ulfa (Independent) of Assam and National Liberation Front of Twipra (NLFT) of Tripura.

The joint statement said the "boycott call is a mark of solidarity and the strike will be observed from 1am to 5.30pm in the entire region of the Western Southeast Asia."

People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak owns up to blast near Okram bungalow

IMPHAL: The underground People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak-Pro) claimed responsibility for the grenade explosion in front of the main gate of the high-security bungalow-cum-office secretariat of chief minister OkramIbobi Singh in the heart of Imphal on Saturday evening. No one was injured in the blast.

A senior cadre of Prepak (Pro), which is one of the major underground groups fighting to restore Manipur's past sovereignty, informed the media that the attack was triggered by its 'special task force -II '. However, the state government has ordered a probe to ascertain the veracity of the grenade attack.

The Prepak (Pro), along with 10 other militant outfits of the region, has called for boycott of Independence Day celebrations and Saturday's blast has forced the government to ensure watertight security measures in core areas of Imphal city.

The chief minister's bungalow is guarded by three layers of security forces, the inner being manned by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel and the outer area by state forces, including CID sleuths.

Deputy chief minister Gaikhangam said the incident would not be taken lightly as the explosion has occurred right in front of the high-security bungalow of the chief minister.

It seems the attackers were trying to demonstrate that they can attack the bungalow though they cannot sneak inside, said Gaikhangam, who is also the home minister.

When asked about defunct CCTVs in the city, the home minister said the gadgets could not be used properly due to irregular and insufficient power supply. However, he added that efforts are on to prepare a detailed project report for setting up a back-up power line by tapping solar energy.

2 insurgents of Achik National Volunteer Council lynched in Assam's Goalpara district

GOALPARA: Two Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) insurgents were lynched allegedly by locals and two others nabbed in Assam'sGoalpara district along Meghalaya on Friday and arms recovered from them, a top police officer said here.

A group of 10 ANVC militants from the Garo Hills in Meghalaya had come to Darangthop under Agia police station to collect extortion money, said DSP Shyamal Prasad Saikia.

Seven Persons Kidnapped in Manipur

Seven persons, including two senior engineers of the Irrigation and Flood department, have been kidnapped by suspected militants from an interior village in Manipur, police said today.

The seven persons -- superintending engineer N Karnaraj, executive engineer N Surachandra, their two drivers, contractor Sanayaima Sharma, Abhijit Sinha and Debajit Sinha were abducted from Pukhuo Terapur area in Imphal East district, about 15 km from here, yesterday.

Both Abhijit Sinha and Debajit Sinha belong to a Kolkata-based construction company, sources said.

The seven persons who were returning to Imphal after inspecting a worksite were taken to an unknown place by the armed abductors, the police said.

As per preliminary investigation, monetary demand from the officials appeared to be the cause of the kidnapping.

An IFCD official, on condition of anonymity, appealed to the kidnappers to release the officials unharmed as their abduction would severely affect the development programmes of the department.

No individual or group has claimed the responsibility for the incident, the police said.

Close aide of NDFB-S chief arrested in Guwahati

GUWAHATI: In a major breakthrough, Assam Police's operations wing arrested AnnaiNarzary alias Kangphu, a close aide of National Democratic Front of Boroland (S) chief I K Songbijit, on Thursday.

Police said Narzary is a self styled sergeant major of the outfit and acted as a major link between the outfit and its counterparts across the borders of Bangladesh and Myanmar.

"Narzary was on his way to Latumbai in Meghalaya when we arrested him. From there, he was supposed to travel to the Barak Valley. We believe he was planning to join some other outfit members who are currently hiding in the jungles of Bangladesh," said a policeman who was a part of the operation.

Police found three mobile phones from his possession. "Narzary works as a link between the outfit's bases in the region and several Myanmar-based ultra groups. He helps to procure arms from Myanmar too," he added.

Narzary, who hails from Udalguri district, was also wanted in several extortion cases in the district.

"Udalguri Police are on the lookout for Narzary for a long time. He was involved in many extortion and abduction cases too," said a policeman in Udalguri who confirmed Narzary's identity.

Militants of NDFB (Songbijit) faction have been building bases in the jungles of Meghalaya bordering Assam. Admitting to the presence of NDFB rebels in the state, a policemen from Meghalaya said, "We have been coordinating with Assam Police and sharing information on the developments. NDFB ultras are setting up bases in Ri Bhoi district. The district has some areas where Bodos reside and these militants are taking advantage of it."

'Nature of operations against Ulfa may change after Chetia's return'

GUWAHATI: The unified command in the state will review the nature of its ongoing operations against Ulfa-I, the anti-talks faction of the rebel outfit led by Paresh Baruah, after Anup Chetia's repatriation to India from Bangladesh.

On the other hand, Assam Police stepped up pressure on Baruah's last surviving field commander, Drishti Rajkhowa, to join the Arabinda Rajkhowa-led pro-talks faction. The Assam Police DGP on Monday said that Drishti Rajkhowa ordered the grenade blast that injured 15 persons in the city on Sunday.

"Our counter-insurgency operation will continue on existing lines for now but we may have to change them after Anup Chetia is brought here. He is the key leader of the outfit and his statements will be crucial for us. We will interrogate him after he comes and whatever information he gives us will be matched with the information we have and, then, we may have to change the line of the operation," a security source said.

Chetia, who is the founder general secretary of the outfit and currently in protective custody in a Bangladesh jail, recently gave up his appeal in a Bangladesh high court seeking political asylum and wants to return home. Chetia was the mastermind behind making Ulfa a powerful militant outfit, and both Baruah and Rajkhowa want him on their side. The Centre also wants Chetia to join the peace talks.

The source said, "Pinning the blame for the blast on Drishti is part of the strategy to mount pressure on him to switch sides. There were inputs about Drishti's presence in Mehndipathar in Garo Hills a few weeks ago, but he was untraceable there. Assam Police have been making a huge effort to break Drishti and lure him to the pro-talks faction."

Drishti Rajkjhowa, whose actual name is Monoj Rabha, is from the Rabha community in Goalpara district. He is very popular among the Rabha people and is the last armed wing 'commander' of the outfit, and has survived waves of surrenders and counter-insurgency operations. Known to be a master disguiser, Drishti shuttles between Bangladesh and the neighbouring Garo Hills in Meghalaya that border the state in the southwestern region. He is so elusive that security and intelligence agencies do not even have any recent photograph of him.

"If Drishti can be coerced to leave anti-talks faction, it will be the biggest blow to Paresh Baruah and it will weaken him like never before," the source said.

Factional clashes among militant outfits a cause of security concern in Manipur

Factional clashes among militant outfits are a cause of security concern in Manipur. Recently, unidentified armed militants launched an attack on a vehicle carrying the 'home secretary' of the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) Saikhohao and his family.

On July 13, Saikhohao, along with his family, was on his way back from Imphal to his home in Saikul village. While Seikhohao died on the spot, his two year old daughter succumbed to her injuries the next day. Two others were also injured in the ambush.

"This type of brutal killing is inhumane in nature and is completely condemnable and as the speaker of the Kuki Inpi Manipur, I strongly condemn this type of action against him and any other persons in Manipur," said H Azhang Khongsai, Speaker, Kuki Inpi Manipur

While no one has taken responsibility for the incident till now, rival Kuki cadres are suspected to be behind the attack. Kuki militant outfits often engage in factional fights, which result in bloodshed.

"This incident has happened at a time when they are under the suspension of operation. So this is very unfortunate and I am not happy with it," Chungkham Haokip, President, Kuki Inpi.

KLA is the armed wing of the Kuki Liberation Organization (KLO) and the group is a signatory to the ongoing Suspension of Operation with the government. Over 20 Kuki militant groups operating in Manipur have signed tripartite agreement with the state and the Centre.

GNLA commander killed in Meghalaya

A three-hour gunfight between security forces and Garo rebels Friday ended after a Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) commander was killed in Meghalaya.

Acting on a tip off, security forces raided Basamgre village in the East Garo Hill district, about 300 km west of Shillong.

The gun battle began when the militants fired at the security forces. Area commander Pilon M. Sangma was killed, district police chief J.F.K. Marak told IANS.

Pilon was wanted in several cases of murder, kidnapping and extortion in Garo Hills. Police said his killing was a major setback to the outfit.

An AK-47 rifle, three magazines with 148 rounds of live ammunition, one US-made .45 Colt pistol with 17 rounds of ammunition, a grenade and a high frequency wireless set were recovered from the site.

Sohan D. Shira, military wing chief of GNLA, has threatened retaliation.

"If our GNLA cadres are killed in this way, then from now onwards all those people travelling in vehicles will also meet the same fate. This will happen very shortly," Shira told Alva B. Sangma, editor of a Garo weekly Achik Songbad.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Police has sounded a security alert in Garo Hills following the GNLA's threat, while the SWAT and CoBRA commandos continue combing operations to track down more rebels.

The GNLA, one of five Garo rebel groups fighting for a separate "Garoland" in western Meghalaya, is headed by police officer-turned-rogue Champion R. Sangma.

Sangma is presently lodged in Shillong jail after being arrested from the India-Bangladesh border last year.

Over 40 people, including security personnel, have been killed, and more than 10 people were abducted for ransom by GNLA in the last three years.

Arms and ammunition seized in Meghalaya

Shillong, July 19 : Security forces Thursday arrested a gunrunner with a cache of arms meant to be delivered to the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), a police official said.

The illegal arms and ammunition were smuggled out from Nagaland's Dimapur district via Assam, the official said.

"Acting on a tip-off, we intercepted a vehicle loaded with weapons and seized three rifles ofthe AK series, four Under Barrel Grenade Launchers and rifle ammunition of different calibre from a vehicle at Chinabat area," East Garo Hills district police chief J.F.K. Marak told IANS.

Chinabat area in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills district is about 300 km west of Shillong, the state capital.

The arrested gunrunner has been identified as Beet Sangma of Dimapur, the main commercial town in Nagaland, bordering Assam's Golaghat district, Marak said.

Marak, however, said that two other gunrunners whom Sangma identified as Taklu and Kari Ao, escaped from the spot on seeing the security forces.

Security forces have launched a manhunt to nab the two absconding gunrunners.

In recent months, Assam Police have seized a huge consignment of arms and ammunition, including rocket launchers, shells and foreign-made pistols, which were brought from Dimapur via Assam to Garo Hills, meant to be delivered to the outlawed GNLA rebel outfit.

The GNLA, one of five Garo rebel groups fighting for a separate "Garoland" in western Meghalaya, is headed by police officer-turned-rogue Champion R. Sangma.

Sangma is presently lodged in Shillong jail after he was arrested from the India-Bangladesh border last year.

Arrested rebel escapes from Meghalaya hospital, two cops held

A top leader of the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) escaped Wednesday from a hospital where he was admitted and two policemen who were supposed to keep an eye on him were arrested, police said.

Phyrnai Swer, a former Meghalaya constable-turned-lieutenant of the HNLC, escaped from the North East Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences Wednesday morning, a police official said.

A massive manhunt has been launched to recapture the rebel.

"We have arrested armed branch constables Meytush Sangma and Sanborlang Shylla for facilitating the escape of Phyrnai Swer from the hospital," Mariahom Kharkrang, the district police chief of East Khasi Hills, told IANS.

He said the duo will be presented before a court Thursday. "We are interrogating the constables and we hope they will spill the beans," Kharkrang said.

Phyrnai was arrested Jan 24 from his wife's residence at Iawmusiang in Jowai town after he sneaked into India from Bangladesh.

Before joining the HNLC, Phyrnai was the chairman of a Meghalaya-based Retrieval Indigenous United Front outfit. He was arrested with all his other founding members.

The Khasi outfit is fighting for a sovereign Hynniewtrep homeland in the eastern part of Meghalaya.

The HNLC stages hit-and-run operations from hideouts in Bangladesh. Meghalaya shares a 443-km border with Bangladesh, part of which is porous, hilly and unfenced and thus prone to infiltration.

45 Manipur militants rejoin the mainstream

Altogether 45 tribal militants, members of the United Tribal Liberation Army (SK Thadou group), surrendered their weapons on Wednesday after signing an accord with the Union and Manipur governments.

The homecoming ceremony was held at Jiribam in Imphal east district. About 42 weapons — including AK 47, AK 56 and M-16 rifles — were recovered along with assorted guns and pistols.

The Union government was represented by Shambu Singh, Joint Secretary of the Union Home Ministry, while Suresh Babu (Principal Secretary Home Ministry) was present on behalf of the Manipur government.

This is the 19th underground organisation to rejoin the mainstream since 2008. For the time being, they will be lodged in the camp of a security force and shifted once a designated camp is constructed.

Top militant leader arrested for extortion

A top militant leader was arrested today when he came to receive extortion money from a petrol pump personnel while his accomplice managed to excape at Jiribam town here in East district, official sources said.

Self-styled general secretary of United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) Seinio Guite alias James Kuki (29), who had on July 13 last hurled a grenade at the petrol pump demanding payment of Rs 10 lakh, was arrested when he came to collect the money from pump personnel, they said.

Police arrested him along with a small arm, sources said adding that another UTLA man escaped.

Meanwhile, an army major (name withheld) of 22nd Assam Rifles battalion came to the police station along with some para military forces, reports from the border town said adding that the para military forces demanded immediate release of Guite on the ground that they were to surrender to Assam Rifles soon.

They also damaged partly the gate of police station, reports said but police officers of the station refused to hand over the UTLA leader since he was arrested with arm.

There was some argument between the two forces, reports said adding an FIR has been lodged with the police station against the particular army officer.

Garo rebels, security forces exchange fire in Meghalaya

A fierce gun-battle broke out between Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebels and security forces Sunday in Meghalaya's South Garo Hills, police said.

Two GNLA rebels were reportedly injured in the about an-hour-long exchange of fire at Agreng village, sparked off when security forces retaliated after coming under fire from hiding militants.

"The gunfight lasted for an hour and the rebels retreated back into the jungle after intensive firing from security forces," district police chief Davies R. Marak told IANS.

Marak said that at least two rebels are believed to have been injured in the attack. "The search operation is still on to trace those injured rebels," he said.

Three AK rifles magazines loaded with several rounds of live ammunition, and other several rounds of live ammunition of .22, .32 and 9 mm, one grenade and incriminating documents besides four AK rifles replicas were recovered from the site.

The GNLA, one of five Garo rebel groups fighting for a separate 'Garoland' in the western area of Meghalaya, is headed by police officer-turned-rogue Champion R. Sangma.

Sangma is presently lodged in Shillong jail after he was arrested from India-Bangladesh border last year.

The GNLA, which has over 100 rebels, including a few women cadres, operating in East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills, has been declared a terrorist outfit.

Over 40 people, including security personnel, have been killed while more than 10 people were abducted for ransom by GNLA rebels in the last three years.

NDFB prefers China over more autonomy

Kokrajhar, July 15 : The National Democratic Front of Boroland (Progressive) today chose existence as a special administrative region of China rather than accepting the Centre’s move to give more powers to autonomous councils.

Resenting the fact that Bodos and other indigenous people living within the proposed Bodoland area were yet to get full-fledged political autonomy, a press statement issued by the outfit’s publicity secretary, S. Sanjarang, said it would be better for these communities to be a part of a special administrative region in China “if the government of India has only decided to provide more powers to the existing autonomous councils of the region”.

Special administrative regions (SARs) are territories that are not part of mainland China but fall within the sovereignty of the People’s Republic. The two current SARs, Hong Kong and Macau, enjoy a high level of administrative autonomy.

Sanjarang also asked why did the Centre think only about the economic status of tribal people and not their political status? Why had it failed to identify with the legitimate demand for Bodoland? “Why is there constitutional injustice to the Bodos and other tribal people? Is it because the Bodos and other tribal people of the Northeast are of non-Indian origin? Is the political discrimination based on their Mongoloid origin?”

He said they had come across a news item about home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde telling a delegation about the Centre’s plan to give more power to autonomous councils to uplift the socio-economic status of Scheduled Tribes of the Northeast.

Sanjarang said though the past two decades saw formation of the Bodoland Autonomous Council, and its upgrade to the Bodoland Territorial Council, these were only economic solutions, as these councils never ensured total political autonomy for the Bodos. “The Bodo people’s movement was for asserting their political rights. Historically, they were independent and so they want self-rule without interference,” he added, demanding that the Centre should take a bold step and declare formation of Bodoland in the forthcoming session of Parliament.

The NDFB leader said the Bodos had always respected the national flag and the Constitution. “Since the Constitution is the guardian of each and every citizen of India, it should provide equal political status to the Bodos and other tribal people of the Northeast,” he said.

BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary, however, said the Centre had no current plans to create separate states but was, instead, planning “to give more power to Sixth Schedule councils for development of these areas, like direct funding and more economic packages”.

He said given the present scenario and policy of the Centre, Bodoland might not be possible in the immediate future, but he did not rule out the possibility of it (the state) becoming a reality one day.

Rebel leader, baby killed

Imphal, July 15 : A Kuki militant leader and his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter were killed when suspected rival Kuki rebels ambushed the vehicle in which he was travelling with his family yesterday.

Police said Marvin Kuki, self-styled home secretary of the Kuki Liberation Army, was travelling in a car with his family when members of a rival group ambushed the vehicle at Pukhao Ahallup in Imphal East yesterday afternoon.

While Marvin died on the spot, his daughter Zoukim, a five-year-old boy, Haominglun, who is a relative of the family, and his driver Thangminlen Khongsai, 24, were wounded. His wife Mansonel, 27, who was also in the car, was not injured in the attack.

Zoukim died in a hospital here early this morning.

Sources said Marvin was returning to his home at Saikul in Senapati district, about 40km from this town, after a visit to Churachandpur district and was travelling along the foothill road at Pukhao when his car was ambushed.

No outfit, however, has claimed responsibility for the attack and though central forces and the police had launched a search operation around the ambush spot yesterday, no arrests have been made yet.

The police said a rival Kuki militant group could be behind the attack and the motive could be inter-group rivalry. “We strongly believe that one of the Kuki militant groups could be behind the attack. We will discuss the matter very seriously in the next meeting of the joint monitoring group,” an official source said.

More than 20 Kuki militant groups have signed suspension of operation agreements with the Centre and the state government under two umbrella bodies — Kuki National Organisation and United Peoples Front. Kuki Liberation Army is one of signatories.

Though the cadres of these outfits stay in designated camps, the leaders are allowed to visit their homes and even stay there, official sources said.

Some of the surrendered cadres of the Kuki Liberation Army are also undergoing training by the Haflong-based 22 Sector Assam Rifles in electrical work, welding, auto repairs and computer basics.

Guards, rebels exchange fire

Kuki outfit denies involvement in incident Commandos take position during the fire exchange with militants at Kangpokpi in Manipur’s Senapati district on Tuesday.

Imphal, July 2: The security personnel of works minister Kh. Ratankumar and Opposition MLA Nemcha Kipgen exchanged fire with cadres of Kuki National Front (KNF), while the duo were touring Kangpokpi in Senapati district today.

Police said the exchange of fire lasted for about 10 minutes. However, no one was injured in the encounter.

Cadres of the outfit, which has a suspension of operations agreement with the government, stay at a designated camp at Natheljang, not very far from the incident site.

Ratankumar said his security escorts informed him that they fired in the air on seeing some armed militants on a nearby hill. “Our security escorts fired on seeing some militants as a precaution and warning. It is very unfortunate that such incidents took place during a minister’s tour,” he said.

Police said the militants returned fire and after the incident, the team turned back from the area. Ratankumar and Kipgen were touring the latter’s constituency of Kangpokpi to inspect development activities in the Kuki-dominated area, about 45km from Imphal.

The police said the team was passing Parsaial Nepali Basti, 2km from the Imphal-Dimapur highway, when the security escorts saw around six armed militants in camouflage attire climbing down a hill.

“As the convoy was moving along the road, some militants were seen on the hills and suddenly firing broke out. We could not say whether the militants fired back or not as everyone was taking position,” a member of the minister’s team said.

However, the outfit denied firing at the minister’s convoy. “Our boys did not fire a single shot. The minister and MLA’s security personnel fired to scare our boys, who were coming to our camp,” Rohan, a KNF leader and member of the suspension of operation joint monitoring group, said.

He said four armed cadres were returning to the camp after picking up four other cadres who went out of the camp last night without any permission, when the security escorts saw them and opened fire. “We tender an apology for the unfortunate incident to the minister, MLA and state government,” he added.

The works minister toured the area following an assurance given by Kipgen during the ongoing Assembly session that he would pay a visit to Kangpokpi to inspect the progress of ongoing projects, official sources said. O. Henry, a social worker from here, accompanied the minister.

Nearly 50 Manipur Rifles men and police personnel, led by additional superintendent of police, Kangpokpi, Md Jakiruddin Ahamed, were escorting the minister and MLA’s team, which also comprised engineers of the public works department.

Despite the firing, the minister continued his tour and inspected a government high school and the condition of roads and bridges in Kangpokpi area.

Ratankumar said he was visiting the area to see the condition of roads and bridges as the government was focusing on development in the five hill districts.

6 Kuki militants killed in Manipur encounter

IMPHAL: At least six militants of Kuki National Front (KNF) were killed in an encounter with the security personnel in Manipur's Bishenpur district, official sources said.

Acting a tip-off, personnel of 10th Assam Rifles battalion surrounded the militants in Kangchup and Singda dam area in Senapati district during which they fired upon them.

The security personnel also returned the fire, triggering a brief gun battle, which ended with the killing of the ultras, they said.

The paramilitary forces were continuing the search operations to nab the remaining militants who reportedly escaped through nearby hill areas.

Meanwhile, four AK-47 rifles, one A3 rifle, one M16 rifle and some rounds of ammunitions were found at the spot, sources said, adding that KNF was one of the signatories of suspension of operation (SOO) agreement under which the government forces suspended operation against them.

Sources said said the representatives of state and Central governments had signed SOO agreement with some of the militant factions some years ago.

Under the SOO agreement, the militants were expected not to move around with arms and not to extort money from general public, the sources said.

The SOO signatories, particularly Kuki militant outfits, who have been demanding formation of a 'Kukiland' by breaking up of 22,327 sq km Manipur, had been asked to confined themselves at particular designated camps which were set up by the government.

Heavy exchange of fire between forces, militants in Manipur

IMPHAL: There was heavy exchange of fire between para military forces and militants in interior Thoubal district of Manipur, the police said on Thursday.

Acting on a tip-off, personnel of 15th Assam Rifles battalion started searching Bongbal village under Yairipok police station on Wednesday when they were fired upon by suspected Kuki militants.

The forces retaliated and the ensuing shoot-out lasted for over an hour, the sources said adding there was no casualty on the side of the forces.

Casualty, if any, on the side of the militants was not immediately known.

The militants later fled to nearby jungles, the sources said.

Twelve militants surrender in Imphal

Twelve militants belonging to the Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF) surrendered before the army on Saturday and were brought to Imphal.

The cadres surrendered along with self-styled Second Lieutenant Lal Denga before Brigadier Rajiv Mankotia, Commander 26 Sector Head Quarter Assam Rifles.

They surrendered to the 9th Assam rifles under 26th Sector Assam Rifles at Moreh along with arms and ammunitions.

Second lieutenant of KNLF, Lal Denga said that they took the decision to surrender, as they loved their country and their family.

"Because we have decided that we love our land; India, we love our family members, we love our friends so we have decided that if Kuki politics can go hand in hand with the government then that is better ; so we decided and we just came out with the orders of higher our authorities, higher officials," said Denga.

The arms surrendered by the cadres included five AK-47 rifles, two AK-22 Rifles and four Self Loading Rifles (SLR) including 700 rounds of ammunitions.

The surrender took place at Lajang village near Old Samtal where a party of 9 Assam Rifles led by Major Vikas received the cadres who had earlier in the day escaped from the Lajang camp.

The surrendered militants cadres were later brought to Imphal.

The surrendered militants revealed that they were misguided and ill treated by People Liberation army (PLA) and united national liberation front (UNLF) cadres and they were inspired by the government policy allowing rehabilitation of militants.

Speaking on the occasion, Brigadier Rajiv Mankotia, Cdr 26 Sect AR assured the surrendered militants of rehabilitation.

He also emphasized that young people of Manipur were the backbone and the future of Manipur and integrating them into the mainstream was the main aim of Assam Rifles.

Two Dimasa militants break roof of Haflong jail, escape

SILCHAR: Two hardcore militants belonging to Dimasa National Liberation Front (DNLF), including its commander-in-chief, escaped from Haflong subjail on Tuesday.

A senior official said DNLF's self-styled commander-in-chief David Kemprai alias Action Dimasa and another cadre Bongirachan Khelma escaped from cell No 2 of the sub-jail at 2 am on Tuesday by breaking the roof of the building. The duo was staying in the cell along with 11 other inmates. Sources said the guards manning the jail failed to notice the incident.

A hunt was launched after the incident came to the notice of the jail authorities, though both have remained untraceable.

David, a former DHD (J) commander of the Haflong area was first arrested in 2007 from Shillong in Meghalaya. However, he was later freed on bail. After DHD (J) surrendered before the government, Devid joined DNLF, a Dima Hasao-based militant outfit, and became its commander-in-chief. He along with DNLF cadre Khelma was again arrested in 2011 and since then they were in Haflong jail.

Authorities are yet to initiate any action against any official of the jail for the incident.

Additional deputy commissioner (Dima Hasao) M K Das on Tuesday said the Haflong sub-jail building is in a dilapidated condition for several years. There is also not adequate number of wardens and security guards in the jail.

Meghalaya bus set on fire, hunt on for rebels

Shillong, June 6: Police and paramilitary forces launched combing operations in Meghalaya after rebels of the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) set ablaze a government bus yesterday.

In a pre-dawn attack, four-five rebels stopped the Meghalaya Transport Corporation bus at Dingrepa area in Meghalaya's North Garo Hills district bordering Assam's Goalpara district before setting it on fire.

The rebels fired several bullets in the air to scare the passengers and directed around 30 passengers, including the driver and the conductor, to alight from the bus before they set it on fire, police said.

The outlawed tribal Garo outfit left a note near the ill-fated bus warning the government of more bloodshed.

Coordinated action needed against insurgents: Northeast CMs

New Delhi: The Chief Ministers of Northeast states on Wednesday sought the Centre's help in launching coordinated action against insurgents taking shelter in various states as well as neighbouring countries.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said coordinated action was needed in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya if training, arms supply transit routes and shelters of militants are to be chocked.

"Myanmar remains a foreign sanctuary and there are efforts to reopen camps in Bhutan. Any reversal by a future Bangladeshi regime of the drive against Indian militants will revive the spectre of inviolate sanctuaries across our borders," he said at the conference of Chief Ministers on internal security here.

Gogoi said he supports the concept of NCTC with a caveat that the states should be more engaged whether in developing intelligence leads or in executive action.

As per reports available, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said, NLFT(BM) (National Liberation Front of Tripura- Biswamohan faction) has as many as 19 hideouts in Bangladesh, four of which are located within 10 km of the Indo-Bangladesh border.

"The group has been trying to make fresh recruitments. Reliable reports also indicate that most of the Northeast insurgent groups, including NLFT(BM), have formed a common platform called United Forum, which may pose a serious threat to all NE states and to the country as a whole," Sarkar said.

His Mizoram counterpart Lal Thanhawla said various militant groups from neighbouring Northeast states and countries like Myanmar and Bangladesh have taken advantage of the porous and inhospitable terrain along the inter-state and international borders.

"This has direct bearing on the internal security for not only Mizoram, but also for the whole northeastern states as insurgent groups used it as a conduit for arms smuggling and for crossing over to neighbouring countries for seeking refuge or training," he said.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said lack of adequate strength of the police force and difficult terrains have had its limitations on counter insurgency operations, thus emboldening the militant outfits to continue in their nefarious activities.

"But despite constrains and challenges, continuous vigilance coupled with regular operations to flush out the militants and other anti-social elements indulging in extortions and other nefarious acts have helped in checking the activities of various outfits," he said.

Representing Sikkim, state Urban Development Minister D B Thapa said formation of separate states may renew unrest in the region adjoining Sikkim.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha is keeping close watch on formation of separate states and its formation may lead agitation for such demands in hills, he said.

Thapa said that its adverse effect will also be experienced in Sikkim which has its distinct identity and cultural heritage.

SoO signatory Kuki outfit cadres arrested with weapons

IMPHAL, May 29 : Three cadres of the Kuki National Front (P), a signatory under the Suspension of Operations with the state and the Central government have been arrested along with arms and ammunition by 43 Assam Riffles personnel. The three were handed over to the Sekmai police station and then produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West and who remanded them to five days of Police custody.

According to the police, the cadres of the KNF (P) were arrested by the team of Assam riffles yesterday evening along National Highway number 2 on the Imphal-Dimapur road while they were coming in a Maruti Alto car (MN07-D-0748).  Two Hk-33 riffles along with two magazines and 640 live rounds were recovered from their possession  at the time of arrest and handed over to the Sekmai Police station yesterday  around 11 pm last night.

The three KNF (P) cadres are identified as Thengkhothen Kipgen (25), son of Manglun Kipgen of New Keithelmanbi, Thangjalun Kipgen (19), son of Jamakholen Kipgen of Songjang Village Kangpokpi and Langminthang Kipgen (33), son of Lunkhai Kipgen of New Keithel Manbi.

Indian arms handler held in Bangladesh

The Border Security Force (BSF) is to seek information from its Bangladeshi counterpart over the detention of an Indian arms handler in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Border Guards, Bangladesh (BGB), had arrested a resident of Sabroom in south Tripura, along with two other suspects, at Matiranga area of the hill tracts.

The detainee has been identified as Gautam Tripura of Beltali locality in Sabroom. Reports suggest that he and his accomplices Laxmi Chakma and Ramchandra Chakma used to procure arms from Myanmar and smuggle them to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, in which several Indian extremist groups are running training camps.

A BSF official on condition of anonymity said on Monday that Gautam could provide vital information on the arms racket active in Myanmar, Mizoram, Tripura and the hill tracts of Bangladesh. He said they would contact the BGB to seek information on Gautam who is lodged at the Matiranga police station under Kagracharri district.

A report from Bangladesh claimed that the detainees had confessed to their frequent cross-border movements to acquire weapons. BSF and Indian intelligence agencies expect a link to the arrests with the recovery of huge cache of weapons near Aizawl, capital of Mizoram, on March 8 this year.

Extended gun-battle reported between Kuki outfits

IMPHAL, May 29 : A Suspension of Operation signatory Kuki underground outfit set to hold peace talk with the Government of India and the Government of Manipur reportedly exchanged fire with cadres of another faction, informed a source.

Cadres of the Kuki National Front (P) were involved in an extended gun fight spanning around six hours since late last night till early this morning lasting from 10pm last night till 3am this morning, with cadres of the Kuki National Front (N) which had recently splintered from the outfit, informed the source.

Sources also said that a cadre of one of the outfits and a child were injured in the gun fight at Bongal Khullen in Senapati District under the jurisdiction of Yairipok police station of Thoubal District.

The scene of the incident is 15 kilometres north – east of Yairipok police station, said the source.

A cadre of KNF (N), identified to be the finance secretary of the outfit and a child of a nearby village who was at the scene of the incident sustained bullet injuries in the legs, informed the source.

However, there has been no official report of the incident or injuries made to the police and the identities of the injured could not be ascertained till the filing of this report.

Meanwhile, a team of the Thoubal District police commando had also inspected the scene of incident this morning but no villagers declined to officially report  the incident.

GNLA chief's detention order set aside

Shillong: Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday set aside the West Garo Hills district administration's order of detention of terrorist outfit Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) chief Champion R Sangma on technical grounds.

The detention order was made under the Meghalaya Preventive Detention Act (MPDA) but the district authorities did not inform Champion about his rights and failed to bring the state government's approval on the order before the mandatory period.

Champion, a former policeman, had been booked under MPDA by magistrates of East Garo Hills and West Garo Hills districts on January 29 and 30 respectively.

Their contention was that if Champion was allowed to remain free, this would affect security of the state and maintenance of public order in the districts.

Under the MPDA Act, a person can be detained for a maximum period of three years and the accused can get bail only after a government advisory board decides on the matter.

After the high court set aside the West Garo Hills district order, Champion's counsel Sujit Dey said they would challenge the other order when it would be heard on Friday.

Earlier on January 11, the GNLA chief was granted bail on two cases as the government failed to file a charge-sheet in the criminal cases against him within 90 days in Nongstoin, the district headquarters of West Khasi Hills.

The GNLA has been categorised as a terror organisation by the Centre in January. Formed in 2010, the GNLA is active in three western Garo Hills districts of Meghalaya and in pockets of West Khasi Hills district.

Meghalaya: Militants kill 5 migrant labourers

SHILLONG: Five migrant labourers were shot dead and few others were injured when suspected tribal militants indiscriminately fired upon them in a remote mining village in Meghalaya's South Garo Hills district, police said on Tuesday.

Suspected United Achik Liberation Army (UALA), a breakaway faction of the Achik National Volunteer Council-B faction, led by one Norrok Momin went to the mining camp at Darangdura village on Monday evening and fired at the labourers, the police said.

The militants came to the quarry and pushed the labourers to one corner before opening fire on them from their automatic rifles resulting in the death of five workers and injury to others, who fled from the camp.

Police suspected that the shooting was a result of non-payment of extortion by the mine owner.

According to the police, the militants had served extortion notice to the mine owner several times to which he did not pay heed.

The police rushed to the village, about 10km from Nangalbira area, and took stock of the situation.

Police have intensified vigil in and around the camp area and launched a manhunt to nab those involved in the criminal act, Davis Nestell R Marak, district police chief said.

Several militant outfits have mushroomed in five districts of Garo Hills affecting the law and order situation.

Garo rebel outfit 'sentences' Congress legislator to death

The outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has again threatened to kill Meghalaya Congress legislator Limison D. Sangma for not complying with their extortion demands, police said Monday.
"We have been informed by the legislator that the GNLA has issued a 'death penalty' for not complying with their extortion demands," Mukesh Kumar Singh, the district police chief of West Garo Hills, told IANS.
In a text message to Sangma, the GNLA North Zone "area commander" P.D. Shira stated that the outfit declared that Sangma has been "awarded" the "death penalty" or that he should "compensate for the loss" by paying an amount of Rs.2 lakh.
"You (Sangma) had intentionally insulted and tarnished the image of the GNLA, in general, and our cadre Rangdat, and thereby committed an offence punishable under the various sections of GNLA penal code and within my cognizance," Shira stated in the text message.
Earlier, Sangma had received a text message in which the GNLA allegedly demanded Rs.5 lakh, and if not paid they would kidnap and kill him.
Though, the tribal Garo outfit denied sending the text message, Sangma, however, said it was the GNLA which had made the demand.
"It is the GNLA. They sent such demand notices twice - for Rs.10 lakh in May and Rs.50 lakh in October last year, and they demanded Rs.7 lakh over phone during the assembly elections," Sangma said.
"I have informed police about the GNLA making extortion demands. I hope they bring them to book," the Congress legislator said.
Intelligence officials said the outlawed GNLA had slapped extortion demands ranging from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.1 crore on petrol vend owners, coal dealers and businessmen in the coal-rich districts of Garo Hills in the western part of Meghalaya.

Top Maoist leader held in Assam

CPI(Maoist) central committee member Anukul Chandra Naskar, who was arrested by the Assam police in Guwahati on Thursday. Photo: PTI

The 65-year-old Naskar hails from Balia in 24 South Parganas district

A joint team of the Assam police and the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) from Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday arrested top CPI (Maoist) leader Anukul Chandra Naskar alias Goer Chandra Naskar alias Pareshji in southern Assam’s Cachar district.

Senior Superintendent of Police A.P. Tiwari told The Hindu that Naskar was a “very senior leader and a policymaker of the CPI (Maoist).” He is member of the Polit Bureau of the CPI (Maoist). The 65-year-old Naskar, who hails from Balia under the Sonapur police station in 24 South Parganas district of West Bengal, joined the Maoist Coordination Committee (MCC) in 1967. He became a member of the central committee of the MCC in 1985. When the MCC and the People’s War Group (PWG) merged to form the CPI (Maoist) in 2004, Naskar was made a member of the central committee and the Polit Bureau.

Naskar was remanded in police custody for five days by the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kamrup, on Thursday, the SSP said.

Mr. Tiwari said that the SIB team arrived in the city on May 7 and left for Cachar district with a team of the police and arrested Naskar. He was brought to the city later.

“While the SIB team from Andhra Pradesh is already here, in the next couple of days top officials of the Intelligence Bureau, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), top police officials of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and other Maoist affected areas are expected to arrive in the city to interrogate him to get some more leads,” Mr, Tiwari added.

The joint team got lead on Naskar’s presence in Cachar during the interrogation of two other top Maoist leaders — Aklanta Rabha and Siraj Rabha — who were arrested on April 26 on the outskirts of the city, police sources said.