Assam for amnesty to ULFA chief Paresh Baruah if he returns to fight polls

Paresh Baruah Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said he was ready to write to the Centre for amnesty to ULFA's anti-talk faction chief Paresh Baruah if he decides to return and contest polls.

"If you (Baruah) really want to do something, then why don't you come back to Assam and fight for the people? You form a political party, do politics, contest elections and prove that people support your causes except that of Assam's independence," he told reporters here.

Gogoi's comment comes after a local English daily today published a report quoting Baruah that India was scared of holding a plebiscite on sovereignty of Assam and asking leaders to learn about 'true democracy from countries like Great Britain and Canada'.

"If he (Baruah) decides to come back to Assam we will request the Centre to give him amnesty. However, it will be the Centre's decision to consider that or not." Gogoi countered ULFA(I)'s allegations that Assamese people were not independent and gave examples of high turnout during elections held in the state in recent years.

"There may be 0.5 per cent or even less number of people supporting separate Assam. More than 99 per cent of Assam's population accept that we are a part of India," he added.

India scared of holding plebiscite: Paresh

R Dutta Choudhury

 

 GUWAHATI, Oct 21 – The political leaders of India should try to learn about true democracy from countries like Great Britain and Canada, said commander-in-chief of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) Paresh Baruah. He also said a concrete shape to the common platform of the “revolutionary organisations” of the region would be given shortly.Talking to The Assam Tribune over phone from an unknown destination, Baruah said that the mindset of the political leaders of India would have to change for a political solution to the issues. He pointed out that Great Britain dared to hold a plebiscite on the demand for separation of Scotland and solved the issue without any bloodshed. Canada had taken similar steps, but the political leaders of India do not have the courage to go for such a move, he added.
Replying to a question on whether the ULFA(I) would accept the result of such a plebiscite, Baruah said that if majority of the bonafide citizens of Assam vote to stay with India, the ULFA would accept it. But at the same time, the Government of India must accept the result of the plebiscite if majority vote in favour of separation from India, he said.
On whether the ULFA (I) is expecting any change of the attitude of the Government of India towards Assam as a new Government has assumed office in Delhi, Baruah said that at present, the mindset of all Indian political leaders is the same and they are not expecting any change at this moment. “We do not know whether there will be any change of mindset of the political leaders of India in future. But at present, we do not foresee any change,” he added.
The ULFA(I) leader revealed that the move to unite the revolutionary organizations of the West-East-South Asia region is still on. “We want to come into a common platform to fight the common enemy together. We are taking a bit of time as we want to make it a concrete platform of true revolutionary organizations with the motto of fight together and live together. However, we managed to complete about 90 per cent of the work of forming the common platform and we hope to make the formal announcement soon,” he said.
When asked to comment on the ongoing talks with different militant groups of the region, Baruah said that the talks were only tactical moves by the Government of India. He alleged that the Government is not sincere in solving the issues and the Government is only playing divide and rule policy. In this regard he pointed out that talks with the NSCN (I-M) have been going on for the past 17 years without any positive result, which is happening because of the lack of sincerity of the Government.
Baruah refused to give a direct reply to a question on whether the ULFA(I) is receiving help from China and only said, “we are ready to receive political, moral or logistic help from any country which comes forward to extend help without any pre-condition. We will also like to make it clear that we will not accept help from anyone by compromising the interest of Assam.”
Replying to a question on whether the ULFA(I) gained anything from the long struggle since 1979, Baruah admitted that sometimes one has to wait for years to get positive results. He pointed out that India’s freedom struggle lasted for more than a century, while, similar struggles also lasted long years. So far more than 14000 lives were lost in the ULFA’s struggle and many more may have to sacrifice their lives. The results of struggles often depend on the global political scene and the ULFA(I) may have to wait for the favourable political environment. “However, we are fighting for a historical truth as Assam was annexed to India without taking the views of the people. We may not see the result in our lifetime but the next generation will continue the struggle,” he added.

Narendra Modi's tough stance unsettling for Northeast rebels

 In what appears to be a making a shift from the established convention of all past central governments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems to have taken a tough stand of not engaging with the North-Eastern insurgent groups at his level.

Modi so far has not met National Socialist Council of Nagalim – Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) top leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah who have been camping in Delhi since a week before he went for the US tour of September 26. NSCN (I-M) is one of the most potent insurgent groups in the northeast that still has a large base of armed cadres intact.

If Modi persists with this strategy, it will be the first time since 1997 – when the bloody conflict was brought to an end by signing a ceasefire agreement between government of India and NSCN (I-M) – that a PM would not meet them.

The side-tracking of their leaders, who are designated as Yaruiwo (President) and Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) of the self-styled Government of the People's Republic of Nagalim and the chairman and president of their party NSCN (I-M), has not gone well with the cadres of the outfit. Moreover, they are also not very pleased with the newly appointed interlocutor R N Ravi, who is tough in approach.

While a large section of the NSCN (I-M) is feeling slighted because of this development and is anxious about the future of the ceasefire and talks, a section with in the Indian security establishment also thinks that it is not a step in the right direction.

"The government should not take NSCN (I-M) lightly as it seems to be taking or, at least, trying to project. It can impact on the ceasefire agreement and future of the talks whose fall out can push the North-East in turmoil again," said a senior security official not willing to be quoted because of the involvement of his seniors for advising the PM to be tough.

However, a simultaneous development of NCSN (I-M) cosying up a Myanmar based Indian insurgent outfit has increased the anxiety within the security establishment and has put the focus back on having talks.

According to intelligence inputs the NSCN (I-M) has re-establish its contact with another powerful Meitei insurgent group Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) based in Myanmar.

Recently, the NSCN (I-M) has twice sent its senior members to Myanmar - senior steering committee member, Akhui, and later "Colonel" Thotmathing - to meet KYKL leaders in Myanmar. Security agencies believe that the NSCN (I-M) is engaged in re-assembling its cadres in case of a possible scenario of negotiations failing with the Modi government.

Almost a hundred NSCN (I-M) cadres said to have assembled in Sagaing division of Myanmar where the Meitei group has a base. This is for the first time in a decade, the NSCN (I-M) has re-established contacts with a north-eastern outfit with bases in Myanmar.

Five militants surrender in Meghalaya

Five militants surrendered in Meghalaya's Garo Hills region along with arms and ammunition, the police said today.

Two founding members of the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) militant outfit - John and Chinku - surrendered at the Tura police station in West Garo Hills district while three surrendered in South Garo Hills district yesterday, they said.

The duo had joined ANVC in 2005 while John (Rambo) had joined ANVC(B) in 2009 before both being instrumental in forming the UALA last year, SP Mukesh Singh said.

In South Garo Hills district, Sengrang N Marak surrendered yesterday morning, while two others surrendered in the evening.

The surrendered cadres deposited a 9 mm pistol with 15 rounds and a 7.65 mm pistol with 8 rounds and one wireless handset.

District SP Lakador Syiem said police operations have increased leading to cadres of various outfits coming forward to surrender and he expected more militants to come forward and surrender even as civil society organisations, Church elders and residents were helping the police bringing these people forward.

"We are confident that results of Operation Hill-storm will be better with time," Syiem said.

Meanwhile, one militant, a juvenile, was caught from Gasuapara when he had come to extort money from a businessman while another was caught from the Agreng area of Nongalbibra.

"A juvenile was arrested last night in an operation led by Additional SPs - Abraham T Sangma and BR Marak, when he had come to collect extortion money. We suspect him to be a GNLA militant and questioning is on," Syiem said.

In another operation in Nongalbibra, a police team arrested one A G Marak of Ningchiken village under Shallang PS in West Khasi Hills.

He is wanted in a case registered in Nongalbibra in violations of the Arms Act and is allegedly a member of the GNLA.

Hosts NorthEast United FC face ATK test

GUWAHATI: A tricky test awaits the NorthEast United FC as they prepare to host in-form Atletico de Kolkata in what promises to be cracker of a contest in the Indian Super League on Thursday.

The John Abraham co-owned franchise will have the packed home crowd on its side but they will need more than that to get the better of the visitors who are high on confidence after the 3-0 drubbing of Mumbai City FC in Sunday's tournament opener.

To start with, NorthEast United FC pulled off a hard fought 1-0 victory against Kerala Blasters in a packed Indira Gandhi Stadium here even as the latter too fought valiantly till the end.

If the hosts are to challenge Kolkata's supremacy, they will have to think of ways to counter the attacking midfield trio of Borja Fernandez, Jofre and Luis Garcia United FC who flexed their muscles against Mumbai.

While Borja scored an absolute blinder against Mumbai, Garcia ran the show from his position behind the two strikers in the middle of the park.

As far as United FC's attack is concerned, Koke, who had scored the sole winner in the first game, will be the man to look out for. The Spanish striker is always a threat and tends to exploit the gaps between the centre-backs and the full-backs. He also has an ability to provide dangerous passes from the flanks.

For both sides, it will also be very important to strike a balance between defensive duties and playmaking responsibilities.

A lot will depend on how Denzil Franco, who performed admirably in his side's last outing against Mumbai City FC, turns out when up against Koke and Co.

After an outstanding job at the post, Subhasish Roy Chowdhury will hope for another good outing against the Northeast outfit.

GNLA camp busted in Meghalaya

Shillong, Oct 15 (PTI) A camp of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) was busted by security forces at Sakalgre in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, police said today.

A self-styled Area Commander Baichung and his aide escaped from the camp after an exchange of fire with a special police team yesterday, Superintendent of Police Mukesh Singh said.

Lull in militancy after surrenders

GNLA cadres. File picture

Shillong, Oct. 12: Militancy in Meghalaya’s Garo hills region has seen a decline in the last few weeks and cadres belonging to various outfits have come out to surrender.

In the past week, at least 10 militants, particularly from the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), had surrendered before police in Garo hills.

On Monday, six GNLA cadres surrendered before Meghalaya police in Tura, West Garo Hills.

Manan Ch. Sangma, 30, alias Kimpret, “area commander” of Dadeng, led the surrendered cadres.

Most of them were recruits of the 2010 batch and were trained in the Durama hill range in Garo hills.

The laying down of arms by the GNLA cadres has also come at a time when intelligence reports indicate that the GNLA “commander-in-chief” Sohan D. Shira has taken shelter in neighbouring Bangladesh, sources said.

With both the GNLA “chairman” and “vice-chairman” in prison the cadres have been under the command of their “commander-in-chief”.

GNLA “chairman” Champion R. Sangma has been in jail since 2012 and “vice-chairman” Rapiush Ch. Sangma was arrested in June this year.

The sources also said militants in Garo hills have also been feeling the heat with intense operations being launched against them by state police along with central armed paramilitary forces.

Meghalaya police had initiated “Operation Hill Storm” in July this year leading to flush-out of militants which has led to the arrests of cadres, busting of hideouts and training camps in different parts of the region especially in the Durama hill range, the sources added.

Citing intelligence inputs, officials in the home department said Shira had been in Bangladesh for the past two months following the intense operations launched to arrest the GNLA leader.

“With Shira taking shelter in Bangladesh, some of the cadres felt neglected as they were left to fend for themselves. This led them to come out and surrender before the police. There could be many more who would follow the same path,” a source in the government said.

According to the scheme for surrender-cum-rehabilitation of militants in the Northeast of the Union ministry of home affairs, a surrendered militant is entitled to an immediate grant of Rs 1.5 lakh. The amount is to be kept in a bank in the name of the surrendered cadre as a fixed deposit for a period of three years.

The amount is to be kept in a bank in the name of the surrendered cadre as a fixed deposit for a period of three years.

The money can also be utilised as collateral security/margin money against loan to be availed by a surrendered cadre from the bank.

Moreover, the ministry has prescribed a stipend of Rs 3,500 a month for a period of one year to the surrendered cadres.

Vocational training is also given so that the cadres could become self-employed.