Meghalaya’s ‘most wanted’ militant arrested in Tamil Nadu garment factory

William A Sangma, self-styled commander of Achik National Cooperative Army (ANCA), and an accomplice called Alas R Sangma, who was declared as “most wanted” by a special police team of the Meghalaya Police a few months ago, was finally tracked down and arrested in Chinnakkarai in Tirupur district of Meghalaya.

An official of the Meghalaya Police said William A Sangma, who had managed to escape from the Mendipathar police station lock-up in August this year, was working in a ready-made garments factory under a different name when police tracked him down there.

While William is a “wanted” person in several cases in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills region, his accomplice Alas R Sangma, who was working in the same garments factory in Tamil Nadu, too had a non-bailable warrant against him.

Surrendered ultras launch hunger strike

AGARTALA, Nov 21 – Peeved at government apathy, 26 surrendered militants have launched a hunger strike at Lachi Rehabilitation Camp in south Tripura’s Santir Bazar sub-division, official sources said.

The surrendered militants, who are undergoing vocational training, have been demanding BPL cards and loans from the State Government.

Having failed to draw the attention of administration, all inmates of the camp began the hunger strike on their 20-point charter of demands on Tuesday.

Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Uttam Mandal met the surrendered militants and appealed to them to withdraw their agitation.

“I have requested them to roll back their hunger strike as the government is ready to consider their demands, whatever they have,” the SDM said.

According to rehabilitation agreement, all the surrendered militants have been provided a package comprising a fixed deposit of Rs 1.50 lakh and Rs 3,500 monthly stipend for each returnee.

2 cops killed in Meghalaya militant ambush

SHILLONG, Nov 19 : Two policemen were killed and three injured Tuesday when tribal militants ambushed them in Meghalaya, officials said.

Heavily armed suspected militants of the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) attacked the Meghalaya policemen in Siju area of South Garo Hills district.

The police personnel were proceeding to Siju from Baghama, the district headquarters of South Garo Hills district near the Bangladesh border.

"Preliminary reports indicate that two policemen were killed and three others were injured after they were ambushed by suspected GNLA militants," Meghalaya police chief Peter Hanaman told IANS.

He said a search operation has been launched by a joint team of Meghalaya's Special Weapons and Tactics and the Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) commandos to nab the rebels involved in the incident.

"Our men are already on the ground and we are hopeful we'll track them down at the earliest," he said.

However, the GNLA, a terrorist outfit, did not claim responsibility for the attack.

The GNLA, fighting for a separate Garoland, is headed by Champion R. Sangma, a former deputy superintendent who deserted Meghalaya Police owing to alleged harassment by his superiors. He floated the GNLA in 2009.

Sangma was arrested July 30 near the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya. The state government terminated his services in July 2010.

The outfit, outlawed by the central government, forged an operational alliance with the United Liberation Front of Asom and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, providing it access to arms and ammunition.

GNLA rebels, who number around 100, unleashed terror in three impoverished districts of Garo Hills in the last one year and killed over 35 people, including security personnel.

55 camps of NE armed groups in Bangladesh

India and Bangladesh to discuss terrorism and border crimes

Agartala, November 12 : Arms and drug smuggling, terrorism, circulation of fake currency notes and border crimes are among the issues to be discussed when border guards of India and Bangladesh meeting Nov 17, an official said here Monday.

“The BSF (Border Security Force) officials would ask the BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) officials to dismantle the camps of northeast India terrorists, who have been running many camps in Bangladesh despite many such camps were destroyed by the security forces of that country,” a senior BSF official told IANS.

He said: “At least 55 camps of northeast India militants are still functional in different parts of Bangladesh and opposite to Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam’s borders with that country.” The northeast militant outfits running camps in Bangladesh territories include National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), United Liberation Front of Asom and National Liberation Front of Tripura.

“After Bangladesh security forces undertook occasional crackdowns against the northeast India militants, some terrorists have taken shelter in the jungles of neighbouring Myanmar,” the BSF official said on the condition of anonymity.

Inspector generals of three frontiers of BSF in northeast India - Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram-Cachar - would hold a four-day long border management meeting from Nov 17 with BGB officials at Tamabil in Bangladesh’s Sylhet district.

Meghalaya frontier Inspector General of BSF Sudhesh Kumar would lead the Indian team while Bangladesh delegation would be led by BGB’s Additional Director General (northeastern region) Mohammad Latiful Haider.

Senior officials of India’s home ministry and Narcotics Control Bureau would also present in the meeting. “Smuggling of arms and drugs and using northeastern states as corridors for their illegal hauling would also be discussed in the meeting. We would ask the BGB officials to take stringent steps to prevent such clandestine trading,” the BSF official added.

He said the BSF and BGB troopers are now holding coordinated patrolling along the border and the meeting would discuss about intensifying such joint patrolling in the sensitive and porous borders.

“Bangladesh security forces in the recent past have seized huge fake Indian currencies and arrested a large number of people involved in circulating the fake currencies. We would ask the BGB officials to share the information (with BSF) gathered about the fake currencies and their roots,” the official added.

In the meeting, the BSF would also propose to the BGB to hold mutual cultural and sports events on both sides of the border and adjoining cities and villages as part of the confidence building measures. The official said that the BSF would also ask their BGB authorities to take effective measures to prevent attacks on BSF troopers and Indian villagers by the bordering people of Bangladesh.

Four Indian northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam share an 1,880-km border with Bangladesh. The mountainous terrain, dense forests and other hindrances make the unfenced borders porous and vulnerable, enabling illegal immigrants and intruders cross over without any hurdle.

India is erecting a fence and putting up floodlights all along the 4,096-km India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram to check trans-border movement of militants, prevent infiltration and check border crimes.

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.

Manipur blast: Two injured admitted to hospital, receiving treatment

IED) exploded earlier today at the Morei Lamkhai near Yaingngpokpi Bazar, along the NH-202 on Imphal- Ukhrul Road, are now undergoing treatment.

"Around 6.15 in the morning, the blast sound was heard at the nearby village. The police team rushed to the spot immediately and took the two injured people to the hospital," said Inspector Mr. W. Devkumar Singh, Officer-in-Charge, Lamlai Police Station.

One of the civilians, who was returning from the agricultural field with his day's catch of fish, was injured by the splinters and was immediately evacuated to Raj Medicity at north A.O.C.

The other injured person, who was on his morning walk along the NH-150 was rushed to the JNIMS trauma centre.

The motive for the explosion was not immediately known as no rebel group has yet claimed any responsibility.

Manipur has long been affected by insurgent violence and is also home to dozens of tribal groups along with small guerrilla armies rebelling against the government.

They often compete against each other in the turf wars for dominance in the state. According to the authorities, at least 50,000 people have lost their lives in insurgency-driven violence in six of India's seven northeastern states since the country's independence from Britain in 1947.

The militants say the northeast has been largely neglected by India's political leaders, accusing them of focusing only on the development of the country's relatively wealthier eight northern states.

Outfit vows to continue struggle

Imphal, Sept 25 : The president of the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), Irengbam Chaoren, today reaffirmed its stand of continuing the “freedom struggle” saying “freedom is our birthright.”

In his message to the people of Manipur on the occasion of 36th raising day of the RPF’s military wing — People’s Liberation Army (PLA) which falls tomorrow — Chaoren said: “Freedom is our birthright.”

The PLA is one of the major militant groups of Manipur fighting to regain Manipur’s “freedom”.

Chaoren said India “forcibly annexed” Manipur in 1949 after the British left. He opposed India’s policy of constructing mega dams like the one at Tipaimukh in Manipur, saying the projects were aimed at extracting maximum profit and not for welfare of the people of the state.

The RPF also strongly condemned the recent deployment of India Reserve Battalion and police commandos in Ukhrul terming it as “militarisation” of the district.

“It is a fact that people of both the hills and the valley have been living under the shadow of heavy militarisation — a process which started since the day Manipur was annexed to the Indian Union,” Chaoren said.

In view of tomorrow’s PLA foundation day, police today launched search operations in two places in and around Imphal city to ferret out cadres of the group.

Official sources said the police combed Thangmeiband and Yumnam Leikai areas in the city in the early hours today.

The police called out all the residents and carried out a verification process. They took 10 persons for further verification to Imphal West police station. All of them were later released.

NSCN on Myanmar mission

New Delhi, Sept. 24 : The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) has despatched a senior leader to Myanmar to explore fallback options in case of failed negotiations, ahead of its talks with the Centre.

The outfit has said its leader is on a “special mission”.

What has surprised security agencies is that the NSCN leader is camping with the Meitei outfit, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) in Myanmar. For nearly a month, “colonel” S. Nganingkhui alias Akhui of the NSCN left his area in Manipur and is camping in Myanmar, sources told The Telegraph.

There are at least 30 cadres of the NSCN (I-M), along with members of KYKL.

Former interlocutor for the talks, Ajit Lal, said this was the first time in over a decade that such a development has been heard of. Government sources said the outfit might be exploring options in case the talks with the Centre do not work out.

The NSCN (I-M) is said to be apprehensive of the new government’s resolve for a “time-bound” programme.

The new interlocutor for the Naga Peace Process, R.N. Ravi, is known to be a result-oriented former intelligence officer. With a time-bound programme of the Narendra Modi government on the anvil and its resolve to crack down on extortion, the NSCN (I-M) is believed to be looking at a worst-case scenario despite remnants of hope of a final settlement. Nevertheless, Swu and Muivah are trying to catch up with the Prime Minister before he leaves for Washington this week.

Akhui and his men are understood to have camped at a place called Kattha near Hesin, north of Tamu in Myanmar’s Sagaing Division, where the Meitei group has a camp. Naga rebels and Meitei outfits are traditional adversaries as the former claims Naga hills in Manipur as part of Nagalim.

Over the years, the divisions among rebel groups has deepened and widened to result in divisions among the communities. However, senior leaders of KYKL have apparently been in good working relationship with the senior leadership of the Naga group.

Government sources analysed the situation to see if there was a split in the NSCN but the Naga outfit seemed robust in its co-ordination.

“Col Akhui is still part of the steering committee and is on a special mission,” said an NSCN (I-M) source.

Why he has gone has not been revealed but the NSCN leaders said they enjoy a good “working relationship” leaving the question open whether the cornered Naga outfit was looking for options parallel to the talks. But Akhui’s visit has caused unease not just in Delhi but also among other Meitei outfits.

The CorCom, which is an umbrella group of Meitei outfits that includes KYKL, is believed to be livid with the KYKL for helping the NSCN (I-M).

Other CorCom members like the UNLF are said to have ticked off the KYKL leadership about the development.

Although the CorCom has been in close contact with the NSCN (I-M)’s rival NSCN (Khaplang) in Myanmar, its relationship with Muivah has been bitter.

The NSCN (I-M)’s dream of a Nagalim or Greater Nagaland directly affects Manipur — if the Naga hill districts are removed, little of Manipur would be left.

For Muivah, old relations have come handy when the outfit fears a possible crisis.

Uncertainty over future of the negotiation continued after hopes of a settlement were crashed last year during the UPA’s tenure.

Former steel and petroleum secretary R.S. Pandey quit the job of interlocutor as he joined the BJP.

Later, former joint intelligence committee chairman Ajit Lal met the NSCN leaders a few times but amid the high-decibel election campaign since last year, no political decision-making was possible.

Ravi, the joint intelligence committee chairman, is now interlocutor and has invited the NSCN leaders for re-starting the stalled talks. He recently met members of the United Naga Council who called on Union home minister Rajnath Singh to expedite the peace talks.

NSCN-IM to hold talks with Modi soon

DIMAPUR/DELHI, Sept 23 – The NSCN-IM delegation will hold dialogue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi but the precise date has not been confirmed. This time it was from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) which invited the NSCN-IM to hold ‘formal talks’.

“Our team will definitely meet the Prime Minister this time,” said a well placed source from the NSCN-IM.

A ten-member team of the NSCN-IM had left Dimapur on Saturday for New Delhi. NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu and the outfit general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah are leading the team. However, a source from the outfit’s Ministry of Information and Publicity said altogether 48 NSCN-IM leaders have left for New Delhi in batches in the past few days to prepare for the talks.

Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM delegation is likely to start meeting the Government of India representatives in the next few days’ time.

2 women killed in Manipur blast

Sobhapati Samom

IMPHAL, Sept 19 – Two women were killed while two businessmen sustained injuries when suspected Naga militants exploded a bomb in Ukhrul town in Manipur on Wednesday evening.

The incident took place in front of a hardware store at Viewland market in the hill town around 5.30 pm.

BA student Lamsophy alias Sosonao Tangva (25) of Pettigrew College was killed on the spot while AS Dinah (42), former president of Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), apex body of Tangkhul women organisation, succumbed to injuries on way to a hospital in Imphal.

The injured persons – Rajendra, proprietor of the hardware store and his salesman Gudu have been sent to Shija Hospital in Imphal.

Police suspect it to be an IED blast. A case has been registered in connection with the incident and investigation is on, police said. No armed group operating in the State has claimed responsibility for the incident.

The TSL and Tangkhul student’s body observed a total shut down in the hill town today from dawn to dusk in protest against the incident and killings.

The United Naga Council, Naga Women’s Union and the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur in a joint press statement have strongly condemned the incident.

Northeast outfits on Delhi talks radar

Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, Sept. 19 : The Narendra Modi government has begun taking steps for a dialogue with insurgent outfits in the Northeast amid a debate within the government that talks without a broad framework of policy may not go far.

In the last two days, the Union home ministry has recommenced stalled negotiations with two organisations — one of them being a militant outfit in truce with the Centre. Today, a six-member delegation of National Democratic Front of Boroland (Progressive) held talks with home ministry officials. The suspension of operations agreement with the outfit has been extended by three months.

A memorandum of settlement with the A’chik National Volunteers Council (ANVC), a Meghalaya-based outfit, will also be signed next week, sources said.

The NDFB (P) has been pushing the government for political-level negotiations for over a year. The Modi government was expected to take some bold initiatives, but in the first 100 days, little happened, leading insurgent leaders to remark that they were a shade disappointed.

As the NDFB’s Ranjan Daimary-led faction is also in the process of coming to the negotiating table and the NDFB (Songbijit) continues to appeal to the hardline elements, the Govinda Basumatary-led faction is under pressure to perform.

Former Intelligence Bureau director, P.C. Haldar, is interlocutor for talks with the Bodo outfits as well as groups in Meghalaya. “Substantial issues were discussed with the NDFB,” a government official said this evening.

Pressure is mounting on several other outfits who have signed the suspension of operations agreements or ceasefire agreements with the Centre. They too are also feeling the heat from the ground. “But there is no policy yet, no framework on what should be done or not done in the Northeast or even that the present policy of status quo be allowed to continue,” a senior home ministry official said.

The interlocutor for Naga peace process, R.N. Ravi, was present when a delegation of the United Naga Council (UNC) called on home minister Rajnath Singh yesterday. Although the UNC is a social organisation the government sees its agenda coalescing with demands of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah). The UNC is demanding autonomy for the Naga hill areas of Manipur and has recently withdrawn a call for an economic blockade in Imphal valley after assurances from New Delhi.

By next week, the NSCN (I-M) leadership is expected to be back in Delhi and there is anticipation that the first round of talks between Thuingalang Muivah and Ravi may take place.

Talks have been continuing since 1997 without any headway, but with relative peace in the backdrop.

Officials on Raisina Hill are, however, not satisfied with incremental responses of the government. They argued that a framework was needed in order to draw red lines on what is permissible in the conflict zone.

“Whether extortion should be allowed or if armed persons of outfits in ceasefire be allowed to roam around at will, should be part of the framework,” a senior government officer suggested. “Till now there is no sign of any such broad policy guidelines,” the official added.

The official says that while peace and development continue at a snail’s pace, the issues of insurgent-politician nexus, corruption and extortion should be addressed.

Home minister Singh recently said the government was in the process of drafting a comprehensive policy for all conflict areas, including the Northeast. He told the UNC representatives that while the government would try to address problems in a “time-bound” manner, there is no scope for violence.

Three UPLF cadres killed in encounter

Haflong, Sept 12 Three United Peoples Liberation Front (UPLF) militants were killed in an encounter with a joint team of police and Assam Rifles in Assam's Dima Hasao district, a senior police officer said today.

The extremists exchanged fire with the security forces in a dense jungle between Hatikhali and Mandardisa area under Langting Police Station last night, said district superintendent of police Badanta Madav Rajkhowa.

Centre nod to talks with ANVC

Shillong: Less than three months after Union home minister Rajnath Singh assured Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma of expediting the peace process with the A'chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) in the insurgency-hit Garo hills, the Union home ministry (MHA) has approved the "agreed text of settlement" with the outfit now in ceasefire, thereby rekindling the prospects of peace.

Sources said the same was communicated to the state government by the MHA last week and steps are now underway to take the settlement forward.

"Suffice it to say that upon this approval, steps will now be undertaken aggressively to ensure that the peace settlement process is initiated at the earliest," a senior official in the state home department said. "It is time for all to reach out and attempt to usher in lasting peace in Garo hills. Enough has been lost, we must move forward now," the official said.

Chief minister Sangma had met Singh in New Delhi on June 24 to discuss several critical issues pertaining to the security scenario in the state, besides the settlement of the long-pending Assam-Meghalaya inter-state boundary dispute.

However, his topmost priority was expediting the signing of the "agreed text of settlement" with the ANVC, which he reasoned, would facilitate holding of elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council that has been kept on hold for long pending peace agreement with the outfit.

The ANVC had entered into a tri-partite ceasefire agreement with the state and the Centre on July 23, 2004. Ever since, cadres of the militant outfit have taken shelter in designated camps waiting for the final inking of the peace agreement.

PCCP urges Delhi to extend SoO pact

Kangpokpi, Sep 8 : With the Central Government still uncommitted on the extension of Suspension of Operations Agreement between UPF-KNO, Government of Manipur and Government of India even after half a month of the expiry of the agreement, the People's Consultative Committee for Peace (PCCP) today drew the attention of the Central Government to formulate official extension of the SoO.

SH Seipu Sitlhou, Convenor of PCCP said the silence of the Central Government on the issue of extension of the SoO agreement with the Kuki UGs has created confusion among the people of Manipur and the SoO signatories.

This has given rise to apprehension that the SoO signatories would have to abandon their designated camps and go back to the jungles again.

The tripartite agreement has been extended annually in the interest of peace and harmony in the hill districts of Manipur, asserted the Convenor before adding that the hard earned peace and harmony in the hill districts of the State as a result of the Suspension of Operations Agreement could be lost which would be a great loss for all.

While bringing to the notice of the Central Government that the Government of Manipur has resolved to extend the SoO agreement which was published in all leading newspapers of the State on August 22, Convenor of PCCP SH Seipu Sitlhou appealed to the Union Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India on behalf of the hill people of the State and the Kuki civil society to formulate official extension of Suspension of Operations Agreement between the Kuki UGs, Government of Manipur and Government of India so as to sustain the peaceful atmosphere.

The PCCP Convenor further disclosed that the PCCP has put in writing to Anil Goswami, Union Home Secretary, MHA, Government of India regarding the issue while the same has been received at the office of MHA, New Delhi today.

IM not happy with new interlocutor

Dimapur, Sep 4 : The NSCN-IM is not happy that chairman of Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) RN Ravi has been appointed as the new interlocutor for Naga talks.

In a press communique today, the Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP), NSCN-IM, said "The reportage that has emerged with the appointment of R.N.Ravi, as the Government of India's interlocutor of the Indo-Naga peace talks who is well known for his antagonistic approach to the Naga issue and obnoxious writings have come as a total surprise to the NSCN/GPRN.

His opinionated writings have been condemned in the strongest term by the NSCN/GPRN and his appointment as the GoI Interlocutor has raised doubts in the minds of the Nagas, the real intent of the Government of India" .

According to the NSCN-IM, in the political negotiation that has lasted for 17 years and more than 80 rounds of talks, the NSCN-IM and its talk team led by its chief negotiator, Th.Muivah, they have not met any person by the name of Shri R.N.Ravi.

The NSCN-IM said it is therefore flabbergasted as to which Naga has given a commitment to R.N.Ravi that the solution of the Indo-Naga issue will be within the framework of the Constitution of India as reported in the media.

"As maintained in the same reportage he seems to have been given the unguided and unguarded mandate or the, 'the liberty to change the format of the talks, making negotiation time-bound and expeditious' for the Indo-Naga talks.

If these media reportage is considered to be factual, the appointment of Shri RN.

Ravi , a person who is not guided by conscience and who also has no respect or insight of the Naga history as observed from his write-ups, then the NSCN/GPRN is seriously doubtful of the sincerity of the Government of India in appointing him as their interlocutor for the Indo-Naga peace talks," it added.

The NSCN-IM statement then said that the Nagas have come to the negotiating table after decades of fighting with the armed forces of India when the latter agreed and acknowledged that the Indo-Naga issue was not the internal "law and order issue" of India and agreed to have peace negotiation at the Prime Minister's level and without any pre-conditions.

The BJP government led by Atal Behari Vajpayee exercised prudence and good judgment in recognizing the 'unique history and situation of the Nagas' in order to settle a permanent political solution based on that recognition.

The peace-negotiation had moved forward in a positive manner and as quoted above, in spite of the difficulties involved efforts were on by both the negotiating parties to narrow down the differences in order to conclude a 'mutually acceptable solution'., the statement added.

"It is therefore extremely important and crucial that the Indo-Naga peace talks proceed in a positive manner in order to conclude a peaceful negotiated political settlement and also in such efforts to involve broadminded and forward-thinking people who have the sincere and committed interest for India and peace," the NSCN-IM asserted.

The Naga outfit then said that ot will do well to remember that the Government of India's 60 years of military solution to the Indo-Naga issue has not solved the issue.

Turning the wheels of history back by 'pre-conditions' and "strong armed methods" may have serious consequences for the Indo-Naga peace talks.

"And therefore, while welcoming the new government in New Delhi we hope that political wisdom will prevail upon its leadership considering the critical and significant need to end the more than 6 decades of conflict between India and the Nagas," it stated.

"This is the time for both the parties to prove themselves," the NSCN-IM said.

Recalling the sequent of events, the NSCN-IM said that more than 80 rounds of political negotiation have transpired since the declaration of cease-fire between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) in 1997 and in one the latest formal talks held on July 18, 2011 in New Delhi, the joint statement have clearly indicated the progress that has been made.

The press note of the NSCN-IM mentioned the joint statement signed by Mr.RS Pandey, Interlocutor, representative of the Government of India and Th Muivah, General Secretary and chief negotiator of the NSCN-IM states, "Negotiating teams of the Government of India (GoI) and the NSCN met on 18-07-11 at New Delhi.

The Government of India team was led by the Government of India's representative and interlocutor, Mr.RS Pandey and the NSCN team was led by its chief negotiator, General Secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah.

Three bullet-riddled bodies found in Meghalaya

Shillong : Three bullet-riddled bodies were found Thursday in Meghalaya's Garo Hills region, police said.

A police spokesperson said the trio were gunned down Wednesday night by suspected tribal militants after they were kidnapped from other regions of the Garo Hills.

"We (police) recovered three bullet-riddled bodies from Oragitok village bordering in East and West Garo Hills district based on the information of Nokma (village chief)," Inspector General of Police in-charge operations, G.H.P. Raju told IANS.

Oragitok village is about 30 km from Tura, the district headquarters of West Garo Hills.

"Preliminary investigation has revealed that the trio were kidnapped from other Garo villages and brought to Oragitok village before they were gunned down Wednesday night," he said.

Of the three bodies, Raju said one of them has been identified as Grinder.T. Sangma from Samanda area in East Garo Hills district.

Meanwhile, police have launched a manhunt to nab the killers.

Garo Hills, comprising five districts in Meghalaya, has nine militant outfits operating there.

KNLF bans other rival Kuki organisations

Imphal Aug 28 : The Kuki National Liberation Front (KNLF) has banned the Kuki People’s Forum, Kuki Chief’s Association (KCA), Thadou Students’ Association (TSA), Kuki Students’ Organization (KSO), Kuki Women Human Rights, said KNLF secretary Lalmoi i on Wednesday.

Speaking to media persons, KNLF secretary Lalmoi stated that most of the Kuki Civil Organisations of Chandel have been instigated by the United Kuki Liberation Army (UKLF) and they are working against the interests of the people, so KNLF has decided to ban them.

KNLF has taken this decision after giving a lot of thought that most of the Kuki Civil Organization leaders are dictated by the UKLF and they are working against public interest and have started to issue a notification without informing the general headquarters, added Lalmoi.

KNLF has lots of regards for the Chiefs’ association and civil organisation of Chandel district but if they can be easily swayed by UKLF, KNLF will not remain a silent spectator, he said, adding that if leaders of civil organisation go against KNLF or if oppose the front then they will be rewarded capital punishments.

It is a very unfortunate that some civil organisations opposed KNLF due to the instigation of UKLF which is totally against the interests of the people of Chandel, Lalmoi said.

Army Chief reviews counter-insurgency operations in Assam

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag

Singh visited an infantry division of the Army in central Assam overseeing among other things counter-insurgency operations in the state, Defence PRO Group Captain TK Singha said.
  
He was updated on operational preparedness and readiness status by GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, Lt Gen MMS Rai and GOC Gajraj Corps, Lt Gen AK Ahuja.
  
The Army chief also addressed officers of the Eastern Command in Kolkata and Tezpur where he outlined his priorities and expectations from his officers and troops in fulfilling the mandate of safeguarding the frontiers of our nation at all costs.
  
"On taking over as the Army Chief earlier this month, General Dalbir Singh Suhag had set forth an agenda of ensuring high levels of preparedness and vigil by own troops along northern and north-eastern frontiers at all times," Singha said.
  
The Army Chief, who intended to visit some of the forward areas in the northern area of responsibility of Army's 4 Corps under Eastern Command, was forced to abandon the plans on Monday due to inclement weather, he said.

Assam: 5 NDFB-S militants killed in encounter with security forces

Guwahati: Five NDFB-Songbijit militants were killed in an encounter with a joint police and army team in lower Assam's Chirang district early this morning, said a top police official.
The extremists exchanged fire with the security forces during an operation in the jungle areas of Raimati under Runikhata police station around 4.45 am, IGP L R Bishnoi said. An AK series rifle, five pistols, six magazines, five grenades, 60 rounds of ammunition and Rs 1 lakh in cash were recovered from slain ultras, Bishnoi said.

Indian Army in soldiers in Assam in this file photo. AFP

The National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Songbijit cadres were yet to be identified, he added.

No nexus between ISI, militant outfits in Meghalaya: BSF

The statement came in the wake of CM Mukul Sangma blaming the breakaway faction of ANVC-B for killing migrant labourers from Assam at the behest of ISI to foment communal tension

AP

Shillong: The Border Security Force (BSF) has ruled out any nexus between Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and militant outfits in Meghalaya.
"As far as our intelligence is concerned there is no nexus between ISI and militant outfits in Meghalaya, especially those in Garo Hills," Sushil Kumar Singh, DIG (G) of BSF, told reporters here.
The paramilitary force guards Meghalaya's 443-km-long international border with Bangladesh.
The statement came in the wake of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma blaming the breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) for killing migrant labourers from Assam at the behest of ISI to foment communal tension.
"We cannot rule out any larger conspiracy to create problem across the region, not only in Garo Hills but across the region because when an organization like ANVC-B is indulging in selective murder killings of members belonging to one particular community and faith and that also hailing from neigbouring state (of Assam)," Mukul had alleged.
"I have directed the investigating agency to find out as to who are the smart minds behind these people who are guiding them. We did not rule out the involvement of ISI and other anti-national elements in killing migrant labourers to create communal tension," he had said.
ANVC-B, one of the two signatories of a peace agreement with the Centre and the state government, has become vocal against the chief minister following the arrest of 24 cadres belonging to it last month on charges of killing of migrant labourers from Assam.
The outfit had also welcomed a probe by central investigative agencies in the incident.
BSF also categorically ruled out any shipment of arms from across the Indo-Bangla border for insurgent groups in the north east but hinted at the porous Indo-Myanmar border.
"There may be isolated incidents of arms smuggling across the Indo-Bangla border into Meghalaya, but it is not the main supply route," Sudesh Kumar, BSF inspector general for Meghalaya Frontier told reporters.
The main arms route to north-eastern states, including Meghalaya is traced to Dimapur and Aizawl where it appears Chinese-made arms come from Myanmar, he said.
The BSF claim came in response to a statement by Sangma earlier this month who sought to blame 'unchecked' arms supply, including from across the international border, for the spurt in insurgency in the state specially in the Garo Hills region.
The arms route, mentioned by the BSF, was established earlier too when the source of some of the major arms seizures in Garo Hills was traced to Dimapur.
The Indo-Mynmar border is guarded by Assam Rifles, which will be relieved of guarding international borders once the Centre takes a final decision in this regard and deploys BSF in its place both in Manipur and Mizoram.
Earlier, cornered by Opposition and members from within his party over the crumbling law and order situation, chief minister Mukul Sangma had sought to blame rampant supply of arms from across the international borders for the current scenario.
"Where are the guns coming from? Whose job it is to take care of the international border?" he had said without naming the BSF, which guards Meghalaya's 443-km long border with Bangladesh.
The BSF official, however, admitted that manning the border in Meghalaya Frontier has a lot of disadvantages compared to the country's western borders.
"While in the western borders our personnel can have clear vision up to miles, the visibility in Meghalaya is sometimes restricted to only a few metres due to the mountains and forests," the IG said.
Besides, various porous sections of the border remained unfenced due to various reasons.

5 NDFB-Songbijit militants killed in encounter with security forces in Assam

Five militants of the Songbijit faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland were killed in an encounter with security forces in lower Assam's Chirang district early on Wednesday morning, said a top police official.

The militants exchanged fire with personnel of a joint police and army team during an operation in the jungle areas of Raimati under Runikhata police station around 4.45am, IGP LR Bishnoi said.

An AK series rifle, five pistols, six magazines, five grenades, 60 rounds of ammunition and Rs.1 lakh in cash were found on them, Bishnoi said.

The National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Songbijit militants, however, are yet to be identified.

Naga ultras gun down 3 Adivasis, torch houses

Guwahati, Aug 15 : Situation worsens as locals clash with CRPF personnel Thousands fled after suspected Naga militants gunned down three Adivasis and torched over a hundred houses on the Assam-Nagaland border on Wednesday evening.

Reports reaching here said many were injured in Chetiagaon, Jahajibasti and other hamlets in the Rengapani area near Uriamghat along the Assam-Nagaland border in Golaghat district after Naga miscreants set fire to their houses.

The situation further worsened on Wednesday when angry locals fought pitched battles with CRPF personnel deployed near the border as a “neutral force” according to the Supreme Court order and asked them to take on the Naga militants.

Locals alleged that the CRPF personnel remained mute spectators to the incident and failed to protect them.

Agitated citizens protested before the Uriamghat Police Station to express their anger over the state government’s failure to provide security to the villagers. The mob also blockaded Sorupathar MLA Aklius Tirkey for an hour at the police station.

“We demand deployment of Assam Rifles personnel instead of CRPF,” said an elderly citizen.
A local media quoted border magistrate and sub divisional officer in Nagaland P Phuleshe Yepthomi as saying that the Adivasis triggered the violence by surrounding two Naga villages and damaged a couple of houses before firing on the people forcing retaliation.

Despite the Assam government claiming that the situation is under control after additional forces were deployed, locals said it only worsened further when Naga militants went on a shooting spree and torched 13 houses forcing people to flee. Close to 7,000 people were lodged in relief camps in Golaghat district.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi sought additional central paramilitary forces for deployment in the trouble-torn areas.

Traders raising funds for rebels:Cops

Shillong, Aug 14 : Meghalaya police have stumbled upon a “criminal conspiracy” supposedly hatched by businessmen with an intention to raise funds for militant outfits in the Garo hills.

Today, police in Tura, West Garo Hills, lodged a suo moto FIR alleging that some businessmen were indulging in “criminal conspiracy” by raising funds from the public for terrorist organisations and militant outfits operating in the state’s western region.

In Meghalaya, only the GNLA has been termed a “terrorist organisation” by the Centre.

Apart from the GNLA, there are several other so-called militant outfits operating in the region.

According to official sources, some businessmen in Tura operate like “guides” for these armed groups and pinpoint certain people who could pay up as per the “demands”.

“They pass on information to the militant groups about a person’s contact details and his paying capacity. But the service they render is not free. They charge a certain percentage also from the militant groups for carrying out such activities,” a source said.

The source said that the police have been able to identify those who are into “guiding” the armed groups in such a manner and will soon initiate action against them.

According to government records, the militant outfits operating in the Garo hills include the United A’chik Liberation Army (UALA), A’chik Songna An’pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK), A’chik National Liberation Army (ANLA), A’chik National Central Liberation Army (ANLCA), A’chik Tiger Force (ATF), ANVC (B) and the A’chik National Unit Force (ANUF).

The cadre strength of these outfits, including that of the GNLA, is somewhere between 10 and above 200.

Since 2004, the parent ANVC group has been in a tripartite ceasefire agreement with the Centre and the state government.

Two NSCN-IM ultras killed in encounter

Haflong (Assam), Aug 11 (PTI) Two NSCN-IM militants including an area commander were killed in an encounter with Assam Rifles at Asalu of Dima Hasao district today, Assam Rifles officials said.

The 43rd Assam Rifles launched an operation against NSCN-IM militants in remote Asalu under Mahur police station and busted their hideout in a jungle there.

After a heavy gun battle, the self-styled Mahur area commander Pren Angami and one unidentified militant were killed on the spot, the officials said.

Assam Rifles jawans escape Manipur ambush

Iboyaima Laithangbam

Some personnel of 25 Assam Rifles deployed at Sekmai in Imphal west district had escaped an ambush attempt by rebels. Sources said that the troopers were on foot patrol at Maharabi near the police station at Sekmai when the road opening party sighted one powerful remote controlled bomb which was fixed at the branch of a roadside tree.

The bomb was removed and neutralised.

In another incident one 2 months old baby at Keishamthong in Imphal suffered injuries when a smoke bomb was fired by police who were controlling the women activists on Sunday night. The women had taken out a torch light procession there. To disperse the processionists police fired several smoke bombs and one bomb had exploded inside the room where the baby was sleeping.

In another incident, wives of the labourers of the Food and Civil Supplies godown in Imphal left empty kitchen utensils at the residence of Okendra Moirangthem , the FCS Minister on Monday. The women said that since their husbands have been on strike they have nothing cook.

The labourers have been protesting in various novel forms. They were arrested and are now in judicial custody.

Assam move on asylum invites Paresh scorn

Security personnel inspect a bike in Guwahati on Sunday in the run-up to Independence Day. Picture by UB Photos

Guwahati, July 27: Ulfa (Independent) today announced that it was against the Assam government’s recent proposal to give asylum to foreigners who had fled religious persecution in neighbouring countries.

In an editorial of its mouthpiece, Swadhinata, the group today said the move to give asylum to foreigners was a ploy by the BJP-led government at the Centre and the Congress government in the state to protect their vote banks.

“We will protest the settlement of foreigners — be they are from Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan or Burma. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi and Sarbananada Sonowal (Union minister and Assam BJP president) will be equally responsible,” the editorial said.

The Assam government on July 16 had announced that it would move the Centre to frame a policy to grant asylum to persons who fled religious persecution and discrimination and took refuge in India on humanitarian grounds.

The Ulfa group led by Paresh Barua today observed its martyrs’ day amid tight security.

Police and paramilitary forces frisked vehicles and stepped up security at refineries, railway stations and tracks, market places, bridges and airports to pre-empt any move by the outfit to cause trouble.

The group led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, which is in talks, also observed the day in its designated camps.

The vice-chairman of the pro-talks group of Ulfa, Pradip Gogoi, hoisted the flag of the outfit in a designated camp at Sipajhar in Darrang district.

Ulfa (Independent) is unwilling to sit for talks without discussion on the subject of a “sovereign Assam.”

The group had renamed itself Ulfa (Independent) in May last year after the Rajkhowa group engaged in dialogue with the Centre and submitted its charter of demands.

The group agreed to talks after chairman Rajkhowa and at least six senior leaders were handed over to the Indian authorities by Bangladesh in 2010 and were subsequently jailed.

The Centre, the Assam government and the AASU in 2005 had agreed that the migrants from Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan) who had entered the state till March 24, 1971, will be included in the National Register of Citizens, which will soon be updated.

However, Dispur’s push to secure asylum for persons fleeing religious persecution from the neighbouring country after March 24, 1971, had triggered widespread protests by organisations, including the All Assam Students Union, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti.

The Ulfa group’s warning of a protest against Dispur’s move, however, is seen by many as another attempt to regain public support, which has waned following the split in the outfit.

“We appeal to all organisations to join hands against such a move. Otherwise, indigenous people will become foreigners on their own soil. The government is giving one benefit after another to foreigners despite protests,” the mouthpiece said.

The outfit also opposed the ongoing eviction drive in Guwahati, saying it was opposed to the eviction of indigenous people.

NSCN-IM, Centre review proposals

H. CHISHI

Kohima, July 21 : Talks between the Centre and the NSCN (Isak-Muivah), held last week after a gap of eight months, are likely to enter a decisive stage in September.

Both sides are now focussed on reviewing each other’s proposals.

The last round of talks was held in November 2013.

An NSCN (I-M) source said the Centre has tabled its proposal before the representatives of the NSCN led by its chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah who said they might agree to 70 per cent of the suggestions.

The outfit’s sources said the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is serious about resolving the over 70-year-old Naga issue.

The NSCN (I-M) has not disclosed the contents of the proposals but said the Centre has accepted a “shared sovereignty” though did not elaborate how the Centre was interpreting it.

The outfit has climbed down from the demand of total sovereignty to a federal relationship with New Delhi — in other words a “shared sovereignty”, taking into account the current global political scenario.

Currently, Ajit Lal, former Intelligence Bureau special director and chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, is leading the Centre’s team that comprises officials from the PMO and the Union home ministry.

Lal has been participating in Naga talks for the past couple of years and is familiar with the Naga issue.

The NSCN (I-M) said it would brief Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue and apprise him of the need to expedite the peace process.

Sources said the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) have been discussing flag, currency, foreign and home affairs, security of Nagalim (Nagaland) and decommissioning of the Naga army, among others.

Asked whether the outfit is seeking a solution similar to that of Kurdistan in Iraq and Boungainville in Papua New Guinea, an outfit insider said it might not be on that formula. Kurdistan enjoys de facto sovereignty with its own security forces to oversee its boundaries. The Iraqi government does not have much say in the affairs of the Kurdistan autonomous region.

Representatives of Naga civil societies and the NSCN (I-M) had even toured Boungainville to study the interim arrangement made between the Government of Papua New Guinea and the separatists in Boungainville region. The outfit has been consulting with international constitution experts.

Since signing of truce in 1997, there has been over 70 rounds of talks, the main issue being the integration of contiguous Naga areas.

NSCN (I-M) sources said before signing any agreement they will have a series of consultations with the Naga people so that it does not become another dead agreement. But it is doubtful whether other factions would accept the impending agreement. However, it was understood that the NSCN (I-M) would try to take other factions on board the peace agreement.

Currently, the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) and Federal Government of Nagaland (Singnyu) are members of the ongoing reconciliation process with the NSCN (I-M), despite hiccups at some stages. NSCN (Khaplang) supports the reconciliation process but it has stopped participating in the reconciliation meeting under the aegis of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), headed by a renowned Baptist clergyman, Rev. Wati Aier, and supported by Naga organisations, church and national and international organisations.

The Centre could not implement previous accords in totality, which has generated a certain amount of doubt about inking any agreement in the future with the Union government.

Khaplang for NE rebel front, awaits Centre's talks proposal

DIMAPUR: The NSCN (K), on the suggestion of its chairman, SS Khaplang, has reiterated the idea of forming a common front of northeast militant groups but has denied having any links with other militant groups of the region or having provided them with shelter in camps based in Myanmar.

Replying to queries on the formation of the front, Wangtin Naga, a senior NSCN (K) leader, said the process is underway "because you see, the entire northeast has been discriminated upon by people of Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and other urban cities. Citizens of the northeast have even been beaten up."

He also alleged that the northeast has been neglected by the Centre and that its people have been discriminated upon.

"If the government of India solves the Naga problem, the entire problem (of the region) will be solved," he said, adding, "If GoI refuses to solve the Naga problem, the northeast problem will continue to increase and multiply."

Wangtin further claimed that the Maoist insurgency has arisen from the same problem.

Noting how all seven states of the northeast have their own rebel groups, he observed that the entire northeast faces common issues that the people of the region should unite to solve.

Reiterating the NSCN (K)'s stand on sovereignty, Wangtin said, "We still stand for sovereignty as it is Naga issue."

On interacting with the media following the Ceasefire Supervisory Board meeting at Chumukedima, the NSCN (K) leader on Friday remarked that the outfit cannot approach the Centre to discuss the issues. "It is the Centre who should invite us," he said, when asked whether his group would initiate talks with the Union government.

"We will not force for a talk. If they invite us, we will agree, but unlike NSCN (IM)'s talk, it will not be an NSCN (K) talk but will be a Naga talk. We will invite all the Naga NGOs, church leaders, tribal Hohos, scholars, as well as other factions," he said.

When asked to comment on the ongoing discussions between the GoI and the NSCN (IM), the NSCN (K) leader said, "It is almost 16 years and nobody knows what they are talking about... it is an NSCN (IM) talk, not a Naga talk."

He further said they would not join the discussions initiated by the NSCN (IM) because the NSCN (K) wants to involve all Nagas in making a decision for their future. "Nagas' talk means the participation by equal number of representatives from all Naga factions, Naga NGOs, church leaders, scholars and tribal Hohos," he explained.

Militants arrested in Meghalaya

Nine cadres including two top leaders of a newly floated militant outfit in Meghalaya have been arrested during a combing operation in East Garo Hills district.

The two top leaders of the A'chik Songna An'pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) self-styled Williamnagar East Area Commander, Merak Sangma alias Suanggre and Operational Commander, Dinesh Ch Marak alias Blackboard were arrested yesterday, a senior police official said.

Of the nine, six were arrested from Williamnagar and three from Rongjeng.

He said that all the ASAK cadres arrested were originally from the Garo National Liberation Army and were wanted for killing, extortion and abduction cases in the five districts of the Garo Hills.

Three pistols and ammunition were seized from the arrested ASAK cadres.

ASAK is a newly floated militant outfit led by GNLA's former finance secretary Reading T Sangma.

14 new militant outfits active in Assam

R Dutta Choudhury
GUWAHATI, July 3 : Though a number of militant outfits of Assam have signed ceasefire agreements with the State and Central governments to solve their problems through talks, several new outfits have cropped up in the last few years. The most disturbing aspect is that a majority of the new outfits are splinter groups of the outfits which are either talking with the government or have signed peace pacts.

Highly placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that at least 14 militant groups are under ceasefire agreements with the government and talks with these outfits are on. Prominent among the outfits under ceasefire agreement with the government include the pro-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), two factions of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) etc. But at the same time, splinter groups of the outfits under ceasefire agreements, are still active. New outfits are also active in the State and according to an estimate, there are at least 14 such militant groups.

Sources pointed out that within this year alone, two senior police officers – one Superintendent of Police and one Additional Superintendent of Police – were killed by militants and in both the incidents, members of splinter groups of the militant outfits which are negotiating with the Government, were involved.

Security sources revealed that among the splinter groups, the Songbijit faction of the NDFB and the ULFA (Independent) are the most prominent ones. But the disturbing fact is that in recent times a number of new outfits cropped up in the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao. Among the new militant outfits, UPLA was formed in February last year, the United Karbi People’s Front was formed in October last year, the Naga Rengma Hill Protection Force was formed in January last year, the United Dimasa Kachari Liberation Front came into existence in November last year, the Dima Jagi Nyso Army was formed in October, 2012, the Karbi National Liberation Army was floated on September 6 last year and the United People’s Liberation Front was formed on January 4 last year.

Sources said that the UPLA, which was involved in the killing of Hamren SP Nityananda Goswami, was formed with 27 members and 17 of them were former members of the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), which signed a peace pact with the Government. Moreover, the outfit was using the weapons of the UPDS, which proved that the outfit did not deposit all its weapons while signing the peace pact with the Government.

Militant killed, abducted trader rescued unharmed in Meghalaya

A militant was killed and two of his accomplices arrested by security forces in Meghalaya who rescued an abducted trader in South Garo Hills district today, police said.

Trader Manoranjan Das, hailing from Assam, was abducted at gun-point from Rewak area, around 20km from Baghmara on Saturday.

Acting on a tip-off about the presence of the abducted trader in Rewak area where the A'chik Songna An'pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) militants were running a camp, security forces held a rescue operation early today, district SP Lakador Syiem told PTI.

They freed Das unharmed shooting dead one militant, identified as D Ch Sangma and seized one INSAS rifle along with 14 rounds of ammunition, a pistol and a 12 bore gun with two rounds ammunition, batteries, seals and several incriminating documents, the SP said.

Centre rules out GNLA talks

New Delhi, Jun 30 : The Centre, refusing to see the turmoil in Garo hills through Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma’s eyes, has rejected a proposal for talks with the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) but is ready to strengthen police forces with a Rs 500-crore assistance.

Two developments in the ministry of home affairs indicate that the Centre will help the Mukul Sangma-led government but not without red lines, as Sangma’s “overtures” were rejected, The Telegraph has learnt.

Sangma last week met Union home minister Rajnath Singh to brief him about law and order in the state.

Sangma has criticised the GNLA for meddling in the recently concluded elections. However, security agencies believe that the government is in a mood to accept feelers from the outfit for talks, a move Delhi disapproves of.

“The GNLA has to be dealt with force and without compromise,” a government source said. Talks with the outfit are unlikely in the near future unless there is cessation of violence by the group, sources said.

The outfit was formed in 2009 and despite its limited strength, has become a challenge for security forces. The Narendra Modi government has taken a hard view on tackling Naxals or insurgent groups like the GNLA.

However, Sangma’s proposal to the government for strengthening police stations, particularly in Garo hills, may be accepted by the North Block. Sources said a Rs 500-crore proposal would be examined by the cabinet soon.

Earlier this year, the outfit was believed to be willing for talks but one incident changed the ground apparently cleared for negotiations. When GNLA cadres blew up a woman’s head after accusing her of being a police informer, the idea for negotiations was lost.

In fact, the Centre is ready to step up attacks against the group. Following the killing of the woman, 15 companies (about 1,500 personnel) of central forces and five teams of the CRPF’s elite CoBRA force were despatched to Garo hills. Since then, the forces have been taking on the rebels, whose chief, former deputy superintendent of police Champion R. Sangma, is in police custody. Currently, the outfit’s “commander-in-chief” is said to be leading the offensive against security forces.

The Centre is ready to send another 1,000 central forces to Garo hills, along with five more CoBRA. The clash between security forces and rebels would get fiercer as intelligence reports suggest that the outfit is losing whatever little public support it enjoyed in its pocket boroughs.

Meghalaya’s Khasi hills have found some respite from the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council but Garo hills continues to remain on the boil. Settlements have to be reached with the A’chik National Volunteer Council and other smaller groups that are engaged in extortion and remain an irritant for the security forces. Their activitivies have compelled the government to dedicate resources not only to insurgency but also to guard the Indo-Bangla border.

Cop-killer outfit strikes again

Nagaon, Jun 24 : A 32-year-old India Reserve Battalion (IRBN) jawan and a senior cadre of the United People’s Liberation Army (UPLA) were killed in an exchange of fire in an interior Karbi village, 40km from Karbi Anglong district headquarters Diphu, early this morning.

Acting on specific information, a joint team of Karbi Anglong police and IRBN jawans carried out a search operation in Doldoli Hanse Gaon early this morning. Suspected UPLA cadres in army fatigues ambushed the joint team as soon as they reached the entry point of the village. The team fired back and the exchange continued for half-an-hour.

IRBN jawan Goutam Koch, 32, died on the spot. Militants escaped from the site during the exchange of fire.

The police later found the body of the UPLA cadre along with an AK-47 rifle and some bullets. He was later identified as UPLA Doldoli area commander Rajib Engleng.

The police also recovered some extortion letters addressed to prominent persons of the hill district.

Koch, who married five months back, was from Bokoliaghat of Karbi Anglong.

The UPLA has emerged as a very influential outfit within a couple of months with its network spread across Karbi Anglong and neighbouring Dima Hasao district.

On June 5, the militant group carried on its first ambush in Hamren in which Hamren superintendent of police Nityananda Goswami and his personal security officer Ratul Nunisa died.

In Dima Hasao, the police carried out an operation against UPLA in Karbi-dominated Umrangsu area and dismantled two of the outfit’s training camps. Some arms and ammunition, including two pistols, were seized.

A police source said the UPLA does not have more than 50 cadres. Initially, Karbi Anglong police were in the dark about its base in Dimapur where it gets patronage from the NSCN (I-M).

In another unrelated incident, Dima Hasao police today rescued M. Rao who was kidnapped by unknown militants from Maibong on Tuesday.

Engineer Abducted by Suspected Militants Freed in Assam

The stone crushing unit at Kalachand in Assam, from where Mr Naga Malleshwar Rao was kidnapped on June 17

Guwahati:  Naga Malleshwar Rao, an engineer from Andhra Pradesh who was kidnapped by suspected militants in Assam last week, was released today.

Mr Rao, who works for a private company in Assam, hails from Chimakurthy in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh.

The 36-year-old engineer was kidnapped from a stone crushing unit at Kalachand, about 60 kilometres from Assam's Haflong town, by a group of suspected Bodo militants on June 17.

The Andhra Pradesh government had on Sunday appealed to the Assam administration to ensure the safe release of Mr Rao.

On the directions of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, state Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao had spoken to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police in Assam and requested them to take steps for the safe and early release of the engineer, a statement had said.

Engineer From Andhra Pradesh Kidnapped by Militants in Assam

Guwahati:  An engineer from Andhra Pradesh has been kidnapped near Haflong in Assam, allegedly by militants. The abductors have demanded a ransom of Rs. 6 crore, according to sources.

Nagamalleswara Rao, a native of the Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh, is employed with a private firm in Assam. He was abducted on June 16.

"He was working as the manager of a stone crusher unit. The reason for abduction is extortion. Police is conduction search operations," said the Haflong Superintendent of Police (SP).

Last Monday, around five suspected militants entered the stone crushing unit at Kalachand, about 60 kilometres from Haflong and kidnapped the 36-year-old manager.

GNLA Vice-Chairman arrested in Bangalore

In a major breakthrough, the Bangalore and Meghalaya police carried out a combined operation and arrested Rafiush Sangma, the vice chairman of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA).

The self-styled "vice-chairman" of outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), Rafiush Sangma was arrested from his residence in Bangalore, where was hiding for the last three months and had been receiving money through bank transfers and leading a "luxurious life".

"The Meghalaya police officers were in touch with us for a long time and we were all assisting them and were sharing the information. A team from Meghalaya led by DSP had arrived to Bangalore and we had assisted them by sending inspectors and staff of Koramangala and Madiwala police stations. They were able to arrest him on June 16 in Chandapur village on the outskirts of the Bangalore city. He has been produced before the Anekkal jurisdictional court," said Bangalore Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar.

Sangma is the second top-ranking GNLA leader to come under the police net. In July 2012, GNLA chairman, Champion Sangma was arrested near the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya.

The banned Garo National Liberation Army is based in North Garo Hills of Meghalaya and has been involved in several acts of violence in both Meghalaya and Assam.

The government is stressing on strengthening the state's police force to tackle the rising menace of the Garo insurgents.

Request to Bhutan to help fight NE rebels

New Delhi, Jun 18 : India has sought Bhutan’s co-operation in fighting Northeast insurgent groups that have camps along the border with the Himalayan country.

New Delhi has cited the success against the Ulfa over a decade ago and underlined the request for help with the “terrorism divides, tourism unites” message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to Bhutan’s parliament yesterday.

Modi’s reference was seen as his way of emphasising Bhutan’s close links with the Northeast.

“India has sought Bhutan’s co-operation in dealing with this problem. We recall how in 2003, Bhutan had pushed back the Ulfa,” an official said.

The National Democratic Front of Bodoland’s (Songbijit) faction is one of the militant groups that has such camps, sources said.

The splinter NDFB faction — which is opposed to talks unlike the main group — is blamed for a large number of killings and extortion in the Bodo areas.

The officials stressed the need to nip the threat from the NDFB camps in the bud before it assumed menacing proportions like that of the Ulfa over a decade ago.

The Bodo outfit is largely headless in the area as the top leadership, including I.K. Songbijit and others, are believed to be hiding in Myanmar, close to the border with Manipur.

Officials said the NDFB camps were largely restricted to the border areas in Bhutan and could be tackled with better co-ordination between the forces of the two nations.

The sources said the security request to Thimphu was dovetailed with Modi’s proposal yesterday for a tourism circuit “combining India’s north-eastern states and Bhutan”.

Chief of militant outfit UALA held in Guwahati hospital

Novembirth Marak at the nursing home in Guwahati on Sunday. (Dasarath Deka)

Assam Police arrested self-styled chairman of the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA), Novembirth Marak alias Chiindik Marak, from a nursing home in Guwahati late on Saturday night.

He has been taken to Tura in Meghalaya where he is wanted in connection with several cases.

A senior officer in the Assam Police said Marak (36) was living in rented accommodation in the Birubari area of Guwahati for the last few months from where he was said to have been running the UALA — based in the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya — over the telephone.

  

“We got intelligence inputs that he was undergoing surgery in a private nursing home in Guwahati.

We closed in on him and picked him up late in the evening (on Saturday),” another officer said on Sunday.

Marak was admitted to the nursing home for a gall bladder operation on June 10.

After his arrest, the police searched his house and recovered a number of incriminating documents.

Marak is wanted for several crimes, including murder, kidnap and extortion, among others, in Garo Hills region of Meghalaya.

A former general secretary of the Garo National Liberation Army (GLNA), Marak was first arrested in 2010. He is said to have joined the UALA after his release in November 2013.

The UALA was formed by former Achik National Volunteers Council leader Norok X Momin in February 2013 and comprises about 40 cadres.

Interestingly, on June 2, the UALA had expressed willingness to join peace talks with the government, albeit on the condition that a separate Garoland state be created.

In a statement Marak had said, “We have decided to hold talks with the government for final solution in order to restore everlasting peace and development of Garo hills and for the larger interest of the people.”

New rebel outfit in Dima Hasao

Nagaon, June 15: About five cadres of disbanded Dimasa militant outfits have floated a new group and launched a massive extortion drive in Haflong and Maibong subdivisions of the troubled Dima Hasao district in Assam.

Dima Hasao police have told the government’s home department about the newly floated group and an operation is on to catch the leaders.

The outfit — Dima Hasao National Army — has its own letterheads and other items, including two pistols.

The development came to light just a week after another newly floated militant group killed Hamren superintendent of police Nityananda Goswami in an ambush in neighbouring Karbi Anglong district. As alleged, that group too has been formed by disbanded leaders of another militant outfit.

Dima Hasao police today said the fact came to light during the recent arrest of a Dimasa youth from Topodisa near Haflong, who allegedly attempted to collect money demanded in the name of the new outfit. The police recovered three extortion letters from the arrested youth.

“We have received several complaints from businessmen, government employees and villagers about the fresh extortion drive. Operations are on to catch the leaders behind the new group,” said Dima Hasao superintendent of police B. Rajkhowa.

Rajkhowa, however, refused to give details about the present cadre strength of the outfit.

NDFB faction likely to strike’

MANOJ ANAND

GUWAHATI : National Democratic Front of Bodoland plans offensives in BTC before council elections, security sources said

The security agencies have alerted Assam that the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit faction) was piling up arms and ammunition in the Bodoland Territorial Council and may strike in a big way after September this year.

Informing that there is possibility of anti-talk faction of the NDFB joining hands with other struggling forces of the BTC, authoritative security sources told this newspaper that the defeat of all the Bodo candidates on the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seat has forced the political and non-political forces of the Bodo community to rethink their stand.

Asserting that there was rethinking on uniting the forces fighting for Bodoland state separately, security sources said that this has also come in the wake of elections for the Bodoland Territorial Council in April 2015. The polarisation of the non-Bodo population, which is more than 60 per cent in the BTC, may prove to be another setback for the ruling Bodoland People’s Front.

Security sources said that the anti-talk faction of the NDFB has also decided to appoint a commander of Bodo origin as its commander-in-chief in place of I.K. Songbijit (not of Bodo origin), who may be promoted as chairman or given some advisory role in the outfit.

Referring to intelligence inputs emanating from the field, security sources said that the NDFB was smuggling sophisticated arms and ammunitions in the BTC in smaller numbers every week.

Claiming that the move was strategic, security sources said that some of the arms consignments of the NDFB were seized but the confession of some conduits involved in smuggling arms for the outfit revealed that many such shipments have reached their destination in the BTC.

Pointing out that anti-talk factions of NDFB considers the unity among the non-Bodo organisations, as a setback for the separate Bodoland movement, security sources said that attempt of driving out non-Bodo population from BTC at gun-point may not be ruled out.

Though, home ministry has decided not withdraw the central forces deployed in the BTC, security sources said that state government has also been informed in very categorical term to keep close watch on BTC.

Security sources however claimed that Assam government has also taken the alerts very seriously and decided to work out mechanism to foil any such attempt of creating unrest in BTC.