Night curfew clamped along Myanmar border in Manipur

IMPHAL, Oct 19 - Night curfew has been imposed along the 380-km Indo-Myanmar border in Ukhrul, Chandel and Churachandpur districts in Manipur for six months following a request made by Indian Army and Assam Rifles authorities.

The magistrates of the three districts issued separate orders in their respective districts prohibiting movement of any person within three km belt from the international border, government officials said. The curfew would be in force from 5 pm to 5 am, the officials said.

Army and Assam Rifles deployed along the international border in Manipur are maintaing strict vigil to check night movement, they said.

Myanmar Government had signed the ceasefire accord with eight out of 15 ethnic armed groups involved in the peace deal on Thursday, signalling an end to nearly six decades of civil conflict in that country. The impact of the ceasefire in Myanmar might have effect on the porous Indian border, the sources said. –

HPC(D) militant arrested

AIZAWL, Oct 19 - Self-styled commander of Manipur-based Hmar People’s Convention (Democrats) ‘Sergeant’ Biakliana was arrested by Assam Rifles personnel at Jograpur in Manipur last evening, Mizoram police said today.

Biakliana was the commander of the HPC(D) militants who ambushed the Mizoram Assembly Committee on Government Assurances team near Mizoram-Manipur border in Zokhawthiang hamlet on March 28 last, killing three policemen on the spot, police said.

“He was also wanted by Mizoram Police in a number of criminal cases registered against him in police stations adjoining Manipur,” the official said. He would be brought to Mizoram to face charges levelled against him.

Khaplang to skip Naga ceasefire talks in Myanmar

SS Khaplang (right), leader of Naga insurgent group NSCN (Khaplang).

NEW DELHI: As representatives of Naga Hoho, the apex body of Naga tribes, head to Myanmar to persuade NSCN (Khaplang) to resume the ceasefire it had abrogated in March, NSCN(K) chairman SS Khaplang has reportedly excused himself from meeting them, citing health reasons. He has instead deputed the outfit's vice-chairman Khango Konyak and top military commander Nikki Sumi to talk to the Naga representatives.

Incidentally, self-styled Lt Gen Nikki Sumi was the mastermind behind the June 4 ambush in Chandel, Manipur, which killed 18 Army personnel.

The Naga Hoho delegation, which will also comprise representatives of the Eastern Naga People's Organization (ENPO), is expected to carry the Nagaland government and state legislature's message to NSCN(K) to rethink its decision to abrogate the ceasefire with the government of India, and become part of a final Naga peace settlement.

Earlier this month, the rival NSCN(I-M) faction had entered into a peace accord with the government, which reportedly laid down the 'framework' within which the terms of a final Naga settlement are to be worked out.

Incidentally, the home ministry is not too hopeful about the outcome of the Naga Hoho's efforts to persuade NSCN (Khaplang) to revive its truce in Nagaland.

"Khaplang being a Myanmarese Naga may not see much benefit in a peace settlement limited to the Indian side. Even if Nikki Sumi and Khango Konyak, both of whom are Indian nationals, show an interest in resuming the ceasefire, they may not like to rebel against Khaplang. Besides, even if they were to consider crossing over, the NIA case against Sumi relating to the June 4 ambush is too serious to offer him amnesty or even bail," an officer pointed out.

Meanwhile, home ministry officials have written to the ministry of defence conveying that there will be no change in enforcement of the ceasefire ground rules in Nagaland. This follows a clarification to this effect from the Centre's interlocutor for Naga talks, RN Ravi.

NSCN-K shuts cell networks

Kohima, June 22 : The Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) has forcefully shut down all mobile networks in Zunheboto, which Sumi apex bodies have opposed.

The Sumi Hoho said the NSCN (K) had demanded money from mobile operators and forced them to shut down for failing to pay on time.

Sumi frontal organisations under the aegis of Sumi Hoho today convened an emergency meeting in Zunheboto town and condemned the unlawful act. Sumi Kukami Hoho, Sumi Totimi Hoho, Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu and Zunheboto Town Youth Organisation attended the meeting.

Manipur police arrest ‘wrong’ Naga rebel leader

The crackdown on rebels in Manipur following the June 4 ambush on an army convoy has seen the state police arrest the leader of the “wrong” Naga rebel group. The alleged goof-up was the second in less than a week.

A statement issued by the Manipur Police last week said three rebels including two of National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) were arrested after the ambush in which 18 soldiers were killed. The third, 22-year-old Md Zahed Ali, belonged to Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) that assisted NSCN-K in the ambush.

The NSCN-K functionaries were identified as Khumloi Abi Anal alias Ambison, 40, chairman of the Amamcht region (Chandel district where the ambush happened) and Panmei Kalingong, 31.

Last Saturday, a communiqué from the NSCN-Reformation (NSCN-R) implied the police erred in arresting the wrong rebel from the wrong group. “Ambison is the chairman of the Amamcht region of NSCN-R and not a member of NSCN-K,” it said.

It added Ambison had merged his region with the NSCN-R group led by Wangtin Naga and P Tikhak who left NSCN-K after falling out with the Myanmar-based SS Khaplang earlier this year.

“The information related to the merger got delayed, which seem to have given undue advantage to the security forces,” it said.

On June 7, the National Investigation Agency and Manipur Police made a faux pax by registering a case against Kugnalu Mulatonu and Alezo Venuh Chakhesang for the June 4 ambush.

The two are senior leaders of the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) that had broken away from NSCN-K a few years ago. The Khole-Kitovi group was recognised by the ministry of home affairs as a separate group under the ceasefire ambit.

Khaplang’s deal with Myanmar changed Northeast rebel equation

Burmese Naga rebel chieftain SS Khaplang’s truce with Myanmar’s Thein Sein government in 2012 is believed to have reinvigorated northeast militant outfits that began losing steam after the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) declared truce in July 1997.

The Myanmar government reportedly arranged Khaplang’s transport from his base in northern Sagaing division to a Yangon hospital recently for treatment. This underscores the 2012 deal ensuring the safety of Khaplang’s bases from attacks by the Tatmadaw (Burmese army) that reportedly, unlike Bhutan and Bangladesh, is not interested in chasing India rebels out.

The safety of these bases made other northeast outfits such as the Paresh Baruah faction of United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa-Independent) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Songbijit turn to the NSCN-K.

For Khaplang, intelligence officials say, sheltering other groups serves a dual purpose. It generates revenue since the others pay to use his facilities and weapons, and gives him extra fighting hands against enemies, besides making him a ‘natural leader’ of an anti-Indian coalition.

For the other outfits, Khaplang’s are the safest trans-border bases with Bhutan and Bangladesh turning ‘hostile’ due to improved diplomatic relations with New Delhi.

“What made Khaplang turn against India after 14 years of truce was the allegation that New Delhi was isolating the Nagas on the Indian side,” Pradip Phanjoubam, editor of Imphal Free Press and an observer of northeast militancy, said.

There are close to 50 Naga tribes spread across India and Myanmar. The division within the NSCN-K on ‘Indian’ and ‘Burmese’ lines became apparent when two leaders formed the Khole-Kitovi factions a few years ago.

“The MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) officials probably wanted to wash their hands off Khaplang, leaving him to settle his scores with the Myanmar government,” Phanjoubam said.

The enemy is not the insurgent

Discreteness has its own advantages

Once the euphoria over `Operation Myanmar’ subsides, hard questions will still remain to be answered: has India turned the clock back on its longest running insurgency after army commandoes hot-pursued Naga underground fighters belonging to the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K)? Can a raid of this quantum be replicated when militants transgress the Line of Control to attack civilians and army personnel in Jammu & Kashmir? 

These are difficult and complex questions and need a sober and studied response. But regrettably the hotheads are already running away with the rhetorical ball. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Minister of State in the Modi Government, for example, answers both the questions in the affirmative. 

The army strike against the NSCN (Khaplang) and other militant organisations that had lost their lease in Bangladesh after Dhaka accepted New Delhi's overtures, did demonstrate India's maturing capacity to conduct counter-insurgency operations. But the Myanmar operation was not exactly out-of-ordinary. Such operations have taken place for the past 20 years along the border with Myanmar and similar choices have been made by all previous governments. Four types of insurgency plague South Asia - ethnic discrimination, institutional legacy of colonisation, redistribution of resources and superpower initiated wars. India has its share of all four.  

Over the years democratic India has finessed ways and means of dealing with insurgencies. Once a measure of domination has been established, India has employed a three-stage process. First, dialogue and, second, suspension of ``operations' by both sides. The third phase - maintenance of the ceasefire agreement -- has been problematic. Any disgruntled faction can disrupt the peace process. 

Armed wings of militant groups such as those headed by Paresh Barua in case of ULFA and I S Songbijit of the NDFB have been disruptive because peace means loss of income with the withering away of the conflict economy of extortion, siphoning off development funds and trade in contraband. These economic realities hamper the third stage of enforcing the ceasefire agreement, especially in the North-East. It was New Delhi's compulsion to strike hard at the NSCN (Khaplang) as it was acting as a spoiler in the stabilising of the second-stage peace process with the dominant faction of the Nagas headed by Isac Swu and T Muivah (NSCN - IM).

After walking out of the peace process earlier this year, Khaplang had started rallying around smaller Naga tribes and armed factions elsewhere in the North-East which had reasons to disassociate from conflict resolution. In recent months, the Khaplang faction was testing New Delhi's patience. The killing of Dogra Regiment soldiers this month had many commonalities with two previous attacks. All three took place in three different states - Tirap in Arunachal Pradesh in April, Mon in Nagaland in May and, finally the last straw, the Tamenglong ambush in Manipur -- with a dry run two months earlier. Tellingly, each location was within a fleeing distance from Myanmar. These were aimed at appropriating the legacy of the NSCN (IM) which had gone back on the struggle for Nagalim (Greater Nagaland) beyond the borders of the present Nagaland.

Our security forces had all the advantages. Apart from the modern accoutrements such as UAVs and latest hand-held weapons, they also had available to them certain amount of political capital garnered during New Delhi's two decades long outreach to the NSCN (IM).

This outreach, patient and painstaking, yielded handsome dividends. The demand for independence was dropped as was their insistence for Nagalim by merging Naga majority areas of Manipur, Arunachal and Mizoram into Nagaland. How toxic this demand could get was evident over a decade ago when non-Nagas gutted the Manipur Assembly after the then Home Minister, L K Advani, proposed an extension of the ceasefire in Nagaland to the Naga-dominated areas of other states. 

The concessions negotiated with the NSCN (IM) appeared to be leading to a Mizoram type solution under which Chief Minister P Lalthanhawla vacated his chair for insurgent leader Pu Laldenga after the Mizoram Peace Accord in 1986. The possibility of NSCN (IM) leader Isak Chu replacing the current Nagaland Chief Minister generated an apprehension among the smaller Naga clans leading to Khaplang's annulment of the ceasefire with the army.  

On a tactical level, the ambush of Dogra Regiment was ill-chosen. Kuki militias have dominated the area till Khaplang aligned with another militant group to displace them. With loyalties fractured by ethnic divisions, there was a superior flow of intelligence enabling the operation. Also, the NSCN (IM), the larger Naga group, was unwilling to stand by Khaplang as it feared he might occupy the radical space. 

But Naga insurgency has seen this phenomenon earlier. Angami Phizo, the political mentor of all three Naga militant leaders — Isak Swu, T. Muivah and Khaplang — had taken control of the Naga movement after eliminating the moderates inclined for a political settlement with India.  History was repeated after the Shillong Accord of 1975, when moderates were clubbed to death in market places leading to the emergence of the NSCN (IM). To avoid the re-emergence of a more vicious hydra, the Centre must work to change the political economy of conflict in the North-East. The states must be enlisted as whole-hearted partners who discourage its youth from dabbling in the shadow business of extortions, kidnappings, siphoning off funds and smuggling. 

This is admittedly more difficult and a long haul. Rathore's patchwork solution of the Indian Army sallying forth on cross-border commando raids in Myanmar and Pakistan has understandably set the cat among the pigeons. While Myanmar's protestations have been mild due to India's handholding during the years of its isolation from the West, Pakistan had no reasons to be restrained. With the most well trained army to the west of India, Pakistan's ministers have already warned New Delhi against drawing parallels. Ministers in the Modi Government seem incapable of learning that discretion has its own use.

Despite the attempts at machismo after the successful raid, India's political leadership must exert just enough coercion to force rebels into becoming active participants in greater stability and above-board economic life.  The Myanmar raid was not the first cross-border operation. The earlier ones in Bhutan and Myanmar helped accomplish larger political goals; the grievance about redistribution of resources or representation in institutions of political power was credibly addressed. Many areas have resisted a full integration with India since 1947.

The challenge is to convince people about the advantages of integrating with India’s democratic political processes,  though through less coercion and more accommodation. Our enemy is not the insurgent but insurgency.

Khaplang emerges as most important militant leader in NE

SS Khaplang has opposed the Shillong Accord signed by the then Naga National Council (NNC) with the Government of India. (Photo Courtesy: Sanjhamorcha Blog)

GUWAHATI: NSCN(K) supremo SS Khaplang has emerged as the most important insurgent leader in the NE region.

The Hemi Naga tribesman from Myanmar has edged past the chairman of the region's biggest outfit —RK Meghen of United National Liberation Front (UNLF) of Manipur —who is now in Guwahati jail. Meghen wanted to become the chairman of the newly floated United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW).

Intelligence agencies intercepted messages sent by Meghen from Guwahati jail, directing his group not to join the UNLFW if the chairman's post is not given to him.

"Khaplang did not agree to this and he went ahead with the formation of the UNLFW on April 17 with just three other member outfits — Ulfa(I), NDFB (S) and KLO — besides NSCN(K)," a source said.

According to the initial plan, the UNLFW was supposed to be the common platform of all NE militant outfits, including the CorCom, another umbrella group of six Meitei outfits. The CorCom comprises of Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA), United National Liberation Front (UNLF), People's Revolutionary Party Kangleipak (PREPAK), People's Revolutionary Party Kangleipak (Pro), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and Kanglei Yawol Kanba Lup (KYKL) — all Meitei outfits.

The UNLFW, while claiming responsibility of the ambushes on Assam Rifles on May 3 in Nagaland in which eight personnel were killed and the Army's 6 Dogra regiment on June 4 in Manipur in which 18 soldiers were killed, said the attacks were carried out under direct orders from Khaplang.

"The CorCom hasn't joined the UNLFW but Khaplang managed to get on board the two CorCom groups — KYKL and KCP — for the ambush in Manipur's Chandel district. This is double success for Khaplang — one for the attack on the Army and the second for getting support from Meitei outfits," the source said. He added, "Even if the Meitei groups, except UNLF, do not formally join UNLFW, we cannot say they will not offer their support in future."

Two Naga militants killed in accidental blast

Itanagar, Jun 10 : Two suspected cadres of Naga militant outfit NSCN-K were killed when an explosive device blew up accidentally at a remote place along the Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday, police said.

A third person was injured in the blast which took place at Wakka, just seven kilometers from the border in the newly-created Longding district.

"A group of militants were carrying some improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to be planted against the security forces. One of the IEDs exploded accidentally, killing two cadres instantly," a police official said.

"Their target was perhaps an Assam Rifles post nearby," he said.

The bodies of the two, a live IED and a remote control were found at the spot.

The slain militants were yet to be identified, the official said, adding that villagers told police that the militants forced them at gun-point to carry away the injured insurgent.

On Sunday, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) attacked a camp of the Assam Rifles at Lazu in Tirap district. There was no casualty as the paramilitary forces retaliated the attack.

The NSCN-K on June 4 attacked a convoy of the Indian Army in Chandel district of Manipur, killing 18 soldiers and injuring 11 others.

Indian Army recovers second body of militant killed in Manipur ambush

Imphal: A police team of Indian Army said on Monday that they have recovered another body of a militant, who was injured when militants ambushed a convoy of 6 Dogra Regiment on June 4, killing 18 soldiers and injuring 15 others.

Security officials said that the bullet-riddled body was recovered in the jungles of Leibung village, close to Myanmar border, near the ambush site yesterday. Identification of the body will be performed at Imphal.
It is suspected that KYKL (Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup) cadre was left behind in the village after he succumbed to the injuries while being taken back by the insurgents.
The Army had earlier recovered the body of NSCN-K cadre on June 4.
As per communication intercepts, it was a group of about 25-28 insurgents who had carried out the deadly ambush.
It is believed that the group has now divided itself into sub-groups of 4-5 men and are trying to make their way into Myanmar.
It is feared that 2-3 groups could have successfully moved out even though security forces have launched an extensive combing operation.
"There are two routes which can be used to get out of that area. Combing operation has started from both sides of the route and we hope to get some of the attackers," the sources told PTI.
The Army believes that majority of the attackers came from KYKL and rest from Khaplang group of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) and the KCP (Kangleipak Communist Party).
The Army is keen to carry out "joint operations" with Myanmar to take out "camps" across the border, the sources said even as they ruled out any "hot pursuit".
Hot pursuit is a term used when security forces cross borders in search of suspects who have crossed over.
Security sources have admitted that there was an intelligence failure and that a "sense of complacency" could have crept in as no attacks had happened in that area for long.
According to initial reports, there were four vehicles moving in the Moltung area of Chandel district when the ambush took place.
The insurgents had used "lathod guns" (used for firing grenades) along with automatic rifles. The first truck carrying about 5-6 soldiers also had barrels of fuel which exploded taking out the trucks behind it.
The second truck was carrying about 18-19 soldiers while the rest of the about 46 member-strong convoy were in the other trucks.
The bodies of majority of the soldiers were charred completely.

Manipur ambush: Chandel has been a breeding ground for insurgent groups

Located close to the Indo-Myanmar border, the district has witnessed numerous turf wars between the Indian Army and militants.

Written by Esha Roy

Imphal, Jun 5 :  The New Samtal area in Manipur’s Chandel district, where a militant attack on Thursday killed 18 personnel of 6 Dogra Regiment, has for decades been the epicentre of operation of various insurgent groups in the state.

Located close to the Indo-Myanmar border, the district has witnessed numerous turf wars between the Indian Army and militants and among the insurgent groups themselves.
A hilly area, Chandel district peters off into the border town of Moreh before descending into the hot and humid plains of Myanmar.

In 1992, Naga insurgent group NSCN(IM)’s attempt to dominate Moreh was rebuffed by the dominant Kukis of the area. In violent clashes between the Nagas and the Kukis, 1,000 Kukis were killed, 360 Kuki villages were razed to the ground and around 100,000 were rendered homeless. These clashes led to emergence of Kuki insurgent groups in the state.

A scene after a military convoy was attacked by an unidentified insurgent outfit first with a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) killing at least 20 army personnel and injuring 11 others in Manipur’s Chandel district on Thursday. (Source: PTI Photo) Currently, there are 20 Kuki groups in Manipur, but all of them are under Suspension of Operation Agreements with the government. Apart from Kuki groups, most insurgent groups (the Meitei underground groups) were based in Chandel before being expunged by the Army.

The only groups to have not entered any agreement with the government, neither a ceasefire like the Naga groups, nor suspension of operation like the Kuki Groups, are valley groups such as United National Liberation Front, People’s Liberation Army, Kangleipak Liberation Party, KYKL and Prepak which continue to operate from across the Myanmar border.

The NSCN (K), led by S S Khaplang, a Burmese Naga, has over the decades provided shelter and arms to these groups. Incidentally, NSCN (K) withdrew from its ceasefire agreement with the government earlier this year.

The district is also known to be a hub of cross border smuggling of arms and drugs.
New Samtal, on its part, has a violent history and had been under the sway of UNLF for decades till as recently as 2008 when they were forced to flee to Myanmar after persistent army operations in the area.

Last month, Kuki National Liberation Front had alleged high handedness by the Dogra Regiment when they were forced to relocate their camp from Semon village in New Samtal.The villagers had fled their homes after having they were reportedly harassed by the surrendered group and had taken refuge with the 6th Dogra Regiment.

All-Out Offensive Launched in Manipur to Eliminate Militants After 20 Army Personnel Killed in Ambush

File photo of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh

New Delhi:  An all-out offensive was launched to trace and eliminate the militants involved in massacre of 20 army men in Manipur today.

The Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur has been closed to stop the militants fleeing to the neighbouring country.

At a high-level meeting, chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag, Nation Security Advisor Ajit Doval besides others, took stock of the situation arising out of the ambush on the army personnel in the northeastern state.

The Home Minister ordered that no militant involved in the attack should be allowed to go scot free and strongest possible action should be taken against all those involved in the ambush, official sources said.

The central government took the incident very seriously and directed that all installations of the security forces in Manipur and Nagaland be put on high alert to foil any attempt by the militants to strike again.

The sources said the top security brass of the country was anguished over the killing of such a large number of armymen and decided that well-coordinated operations and strongest possible action are the only way out check the militant groups which continue to attack security forces and involve in subversive activities.

Using landmines, rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons, the insurgents ambushed the military convoy in Chandel district in the worst such attack in nearly two decades.

Eleven armymen were also injured in the ambush in which army and civilian authorities suspect the involvement of Manipur rebel outfit Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a Meitei rebel organisation.

NIA arrests 'finance secretary' of Naga insurgent group

New Delhi: Self-styled Finance Secretary of banned Nagaland insurgent group NSCN (K) was on Thursday arrested by National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The insurgent Khekaho Rochill, 34, was arrested from Dimapur in Nagaland by NIA in coordination with Assam Rifles, a press release issued by the agency said.

During investigation, his role emerged as one of the conspirators in providing financial support to carry out terror activities in the country, including the firing on Assam Rifles at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima on March 26, this year, it said.

"From his possession, documents, laptop and mobile phones have been recovered which are being examined and are likely to provide vital inputs about NSCN (K)," NIA said.

Rochill was produced before a special NIA court in Dimapur and granted 10 days police remand to enable the agency to interrogate him, it said.

Centre concerned over NE extortion activities

NEW DELHI, May 19  – Though violence is on the wane in the North-east, the rise in extortion activities has become a source of concern for the Centre, said a report by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Continuing extortion activities in the North-east are an area of concern, which needs to be addressed, said the report.

The North-east has largely remained peaceful. But there are areas of concern there. “We have had two or three bad incidents in the North-east, particularly the depredations made by the NDFB(S) group. After the incident in December last year, we have stepped up sustained security operations against this outfit and we have been able to really make a dent to disrupt their capacity; and we have also taken a number of peace talk initiatives with some of the outfits in the North-east,” the report quoted the Home Secretary as having said.

About the status of subsidies for helicopter services in the North-east and hurdles coming in the way, the officials said in terms of the outlay, it has been retained at the same level. But the availability of helicopter services in the North-east is an issue because the number of helicopters is limited.

There is certainly a need to increase the number of helicopters in that area, which would also result in enhanced subsidies in terms of the outlay. The effort would be to increase the number of helicopters in that area so that more and more people could avail of these and also visit areas for developmental and security-related purposes, the Home Secretary said.

NSCN(K) rebels fire at AR jawans

Guwahati: Cadres of NSCN (K) fired at Assam Rifles men at Changlangshu village in Nagaland's Mon district on Wednesday. It is the same spot where eight jawans were killed in an ambush 10 days ago.

Defence PRO Lt Col S Newton said there is no report of any injury or casualty in the firing. "Around 8am, militants fired at the Assam Rifles post in the same area at Changlangshu village where the rebels had carried out the ambush on Sunday."

The PRO said that after the Sunday ambush, a massive search operation is being carried out in the adjoining area. The newly floated umbrella organization of four northeast militant outfits — NSCN (K), Ulfa (I), KLO and NDFB (S), United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (ULFW) — has claimed reasonability for the ambush, but intelligence agencies and security forces have denied presence of members of any outfit other than NSCN (K) in the ambush.

"There were no members of Ulfa (I), KLO and NDFB (S) in the ambush. The operation was carried out only by NSCN (K) cadres as the area is also a major hideout of the outfit. Ulfa (I) could be playing a supporting role," a source said.

Kuki rebels kill 2 workers

Imphal: A Kuki militant group has killed two labourers at its camp in Manipur's Senapati district during interrogation, triggering a strong public protest in the Patsoi area of Imphal West district on Wednesday.

Denouncing the killing, angry locals blocked NH-39 (Imphal-Silchar route) at Patsoi, even as police commandos arrested eight cadres of the outfit involved in killing the two.

The Kuki Revolutionary Front (KRF), a signatory of the ongoing Suspension of Operation (Soo) with the government, is suspected of killing the duo.

The group reportedly accused the two of being informers and thrashed them during interrogation at their camp. However, Manipur Police commandos arrested eight cadres of the outfit during a combing operation in the Thingsat area of Senapati district early on Thursday.

The bodies of the two victims — M Dayananda of Patsoi Part III and M Premananda of nearby Haorang Keirang village - have been retrieved from the area. The two were steel-welding labourers. Besides killing the two, the suspected KRF cadres also beat up a 12-year boy who is undergoing treatment at RIMS hospital here.

Sources said the three were abducted by cadres of the militant group on Sunday morning.

Minutes after the bodies of the two reached Imphal in the morning, Patsoi locals blocked NH-37 in the area. They have also formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the incident. The JAC convened a public meeting to condemn the incident. Leaders of prominent civil society organizations, including the United Committee Manipur (UCM) and the All Manipur United Club Organization (AMUCO), asked the government to take fitting action against the culprits.

Social welfare minister AK Mirabai Devi and Sekmai assembly MLA Debendra Singh also rushed to Patsoi to calm down the villagers.

Deputy chief minister Gaikhangam, who also holds the home portfolio, confirmed the arrest of the eight militants by police.

Condemning the killing in strongest terms, Gaikhangam said appropriate action would be taken against the perpetrators.

Nagaland ambush: New rebel front owns up

Guwahati: The newly floated conglomerate of four militant outfits of the northeast, NSCN-K, Ulfa-I, NDFB-S and Kamatapur Liberation Organization (KLO) has claimed responsibility for killing eight jawans in an ambush in Nagaland's Mon district on Sunday.

The new common platform, which has been named United Liberation Front of West South East Asia (Unlfw), was formed last month in Myanmar. This joint force is headed by NSCN-K chairman SS Khaplang. Central intelligence agencies earlier had information that apart from these four outfits, the new platform also included six Meitei outfits of Manipur.

A copy of the declaration of the new platform sent to TOI by Ulfa-I leader Paresh Baruah, however, states that only the four outfits are members of the new front.

Assam Police additional director general (SB) Pallab Bhattacharya said coming together of these four groups is a major concern for security forces.

Seven Assam Rifles jawans and one jawan of Territorial Army of a water collection team were killed at Changlangsu village in Nagaland's Mon district around 2.30pm on Sunday.

Sources said the militants used IEDs along with firing from automatic weapons in the ambush.

Centre foresees no security threat from NE ultras’ unity move

R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, May 4 :  The Government of India is of the view that there would not be any serious security threat to the country even if the militant groups of North East, who have bases in Myanmar, join hands, and the security agencies are fully capable of handling such a situation.

Highly placed sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told The Assam Tribune that the security agencies were having inputs about attempts by the militant groups of North East to join hands and reportedly, the groups recently managed to set aside their differences to come to a common platform. Sources revealed that the militant groups, which would be part of the new platform, would include the Khaplang faction of the NSCN, the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), the Songbijit faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) and a few groups from Manipur.

However, MHA sources played down the security threat that might be posed by the militant groups. Sources pointed out that coming together on a common platform would only give the militants a psychological advantage, but their striking power and capability to indulge in acts of violence to create disturbance in the region would not increase.

Most of the militant groups of the North East are based in Taga area of Myanmar and the Indian security agencies know their strengths and weaknesses. The militants have been staying in Taga together for the past decade or so. They stay together, eat together and sometimes train together. Merely joining hands on a common platform would not make any change in the security scenario of the North East, the MHA sources asserted. Earlier also, some of the militant groups had planned joint operations, but their move did not succeed.

Sources also pointed out that the strength of almost all the militant groups of the North East has dwindled. There has been a clear division in the ranks of the NSCN(K) on the issue of coming out of the ceasefire agreement with the Government. The ULFA(I) is in bad shape and despite repeated attempts, members of the outfit could not indulge in any major act of violence for sometime, while the NDFB(S) suffered badly in the major offensive launched by the police and security forces following the massacre of more than 70 persons by the outfit on December 23 last year. Under the circumstances, the outfits were forced to join hands for their own survival, sources pointed out.

MHA sources further said that the militants groups of the North East had earlier formed a joint platform called Indo Burma Revolutionary Front and at that time, all the outfits were at their peak. But even that effort failed and the Front later disintegrated.

‘Northeast insurgents floating new platform for limelight’

GUWAHATI: The ministry of home affairs is of view that a new platform floated by northeast insurgent groups based in Myanmar was aimed at drawing the attention of the media rather then making any formidable impact on the ground.

The new platform, named the “United Liberation Front of West South East Asia”, was floated just before the NSCN (K) decided to pull out of peace talks with the government in March this year.

Pointing out that rebels of the anti-talk faction of Ulfa, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) and Meitei outfits of Manipur are holed up together in Myanmar for past five or six years, authoritative security sources in the home ministry told this newspaper that the same group floating a new platform doesn’t give any teeth to their claims.

Admitting that Indian intelligence agencies have also reported their activities in Myanmar, security sources said that most of the insurgent groups of the region have been pushed to wall in their respective states by the security forces and by floating a joint platform they intend to make their presence felt.

Claiming that it doesn’t pose any serious threat to the law and order situation of the region, security sources said that elusive Ulfa chief Paresh Baruah was instrumental in floating a similar platform few years back but failed to make any difference.

First, it was the Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front (IBRF) formed by United National Liberation Front, NSCN (K), Ulfa, and Kuki National Army in 1989 with the help of the Chin National Front, a militant outfit of Myanmar.

In mid-1995, Ulfa and NSCN (K) had formed an umbrella organisation called the United Liberation Front of Seven Sisters. The home ministry has clarified to the states that formation of new platform would not require any changes in the existing formation of the security forces.

Top Ranking NDFB(S) Militant Involved in 2014 Assam Massacre Arrested

File Photo: Adivasis keep vigil outside a church after attacks by Bodo militants in Sonitpur in Assam (Press Trust of India)

Guwahati:  A top ranking militant leader of the NDFB (Songbijit), involved in the Adivasi massacre on December 23 last, was arrested during a joint operation of army and police from Chetnaguri in Kokrajhar district of Assam today.

The militant has been identified as self styled Chirang platoon commander "Samar Basumatary" alias "Sona", a defence spokesman said.

One 7.65 mm pistol, three live cartridges, one hand grenade and other materials were recovered during the operation leading to his arrest, he said.

"Sona", who received training in Myanmar, was a close aide of NDFB(S) 'deputy commander-in-chief Batha' and tasked to give training to recruits of the outfit at NDFB camp in Myanmar from 2010 to 2013, he said.

The militant is one of the senior most cadres of NDFB (S) and was directly involved in the massacre of Adivasis in Ultapani on December 23, the spokesman said.

He was also involved in snatching of weapons from Territorial Ecological Force in Kokrajhar district last year.

Four injured in explosion in Manipur

Imphal:
Four persons were injured today when a powerful bomb, apparently meant to target BSF personnel, exploded in Manipur’s interior Churachandpur district bordering Myanmar.

The bomb planted at a roadside near a movie theatre was  set off by suspected militants using remote-controlled device at around 9 am injuring four persons, police officials said.

Official reports from the district said the explosion was an attempt to target BSF personnel who are deployed in the area, but no BSF personnel was injured in the incident.

The identity of the militants is not yet known as different extremist organisations operate in the district, police officials said.

3 killed in militant attack in N.E. India

NEW DELHI, April 1 -- At least three people were killed and two others injured in a militant attack on a village in the northeast Indian state Manipur on Tuesday, said local media.
Heavily armed guerrillas attacked the people, killing three on the spot, in Ukhrul district bordering Myanmar. Two others were injured in the attack, the Indo-Asian News Service quoted a police official as saying.
The militants attacked the village when paramilitary forces were patrolling in the nearby area, said the report.
Manipur has about 40 militant outfits, some of which have reached ceasefire with authorities while some others continue to attack government forces.
India's northeast region and states are inhabited by people who are ethnically different from those in other parts of India.

Sabotage charge on former rebels

Nagaon, Mar 30 : The North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council today alleged that a section of former DHD (J) rebel leaders are trying to sabotage development activities of the council.

The autonomous council's spokesperson Kulendra Daulagupu today told this correspondent that former rebel leader Niranjan Hojai - who is a member of the present council - tries to mislead people of the hill district by misinterpreting the council's long-term policies that could cause heavy revenue loss.

Hojai, who was the commander-in-chief of the DHD (J), joined active politics soon after his outfit was dissolved.

Daulagupu's allegations have come a few days after Hojai alleged that the council's recent sand allocation policy was decided by a syndicate.

He asked the Debojit Thaosen-led council to clear its stand on leasing the council members' hostel for hotel business.

The members' hostel was allegedly used as designated camp of DHD (J) after the outfit laid down arms in 2009.

Recently, the council has decided to lease the abandoned hostel against a fixed yearly revenue.

"Niranjan Hojai and his associates have hatched a big conspiracy against the Congress-led council for their vested political interest. Being elected members of the council, we want his honesty in dealing with different council-related matters," Daulagupu said today.

The 28-member 11th NC Hills autonomous council had seven elected rebel leaders. Of the seven, Hadingma constituency member Debojit Bathari joined the Congress. Hojai, accompanied by some other high profile leaders, joined the BJP six months back.

Daulagupu today said at a recent council sitting, the Dima Hasao resource management committee was formed for augmenting the council's revenue.

"The committee would work as a high-level body to earn revenue. The money would be spent on paying outstanding salaries of council's employees. Unfortunately, a section of rebel leaders' unwanted interference stands in the way of proper implementation of works," Daulagupu said.

Hojai has recently alleged that the council has opened a "sand syndicate" which could damage the existing revenue-earning network.

A clash between the two factions within the council started a couple of months back when Hojai and his associates allegedly urged their former leader Debojit Bathari to leave the Congress. Hojai and the Congress-led council subsequently approached police with allegations against each other.

Hojai, however, iterated that the Congress-led council is going against the interest of the people of Dima Hasao.

CorCom pat for NSCN-K

Imphal, Mar 30 : The Coordination Committee, an umbrella militant group in Manipur, has welcomed the decision of the Khaplang faction of the NSCN to abrogate the ceasefire with the Centre.

"The decision taken by the NSCN (K) under the leadership of S.S. Khaplang to abrogate the 14-year ceasefire with the Centre is a right step," the Coordination Committee, which is known as CorCom, said in a statement issued here today.

The NSCN (K) on Friday announced that Khaplang, after consultation with top functionaries, had decided to abrogate the ceasefire. The outfit signed a truce in 2001 but talks had not yet begun. The ceasefire will expire on April 28.

The CorCom comprises six militant groups - Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Progressive), Kangleipak Communist Party, United National Liberation Front and Revolutionary People's Front.

The group has not been responding to calls for peace talks by the Centre and the Manipur government. However, over 20 other armed groups have responded and signed tripartite ceasefire agreements with the Centre and the state government beginning 2008.

In a statement, CorCom termed the Centre the "common enemy" and said the NSCN (K) statement that no one could distort the freedom of Naga people was welcome. It said the CorCom would support the NSCN (K) struggle.

The first signs of trouble came when NSCN (K) cadres ambushed an army patrol party in Manipur's Tamenglong district on March 21, in which four army personnel sustained injuries. The outfit, however, claimed that two army personnel were killed and some others were wounded in the incident.

‘Ulfa assisted GNLA in Meghalaya ambush’

Shillong: A day after four policemen were killed by suspected Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants in South Garo Hills, police on Wednesday said Ulfa cadres had 'assisted' the rebels in the ambush.

Sub-inspector Sombatsing K Sangma and constables Lenin Ch Marak, Tangseng Arengh and Hemingstone Marak were killed at Panda Reserve, near Rongara in South Garo Hills, on Tuesday. Two other policemen are undergoing treatment.

Meghalaya DGP Rajiv Mehta said Ulfa 'could have been' involved in the ambush, adding that the aim of the militants was to loot arms from the security forces.

Meanwhile, police sources said Sohan D Shira, self-styled 'commander-in-chief' of GNLA, had formed a special action commando team to carry out the ambush.

"The state police is working in tandem with the Intelligence Bureau to nab the culprits, some of whom have been identified," a source said.

"Wanted criminals of GNLA, including self-styled area commander of East Garo Hills Jimmy Sangma and area commander of West Khasi Hills Hebel, who is also an escapee from Tura jail, were involved in the ambush," the source added.

The state government on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to root out militancy from the state and ensure safety and security of citizens. Making a suo motu statement in the assembly, home minister Roshan Warjri expressed 'deep anguish at the unfortunate incident and deep gratitude to the brave personnel of Meghalaya Police who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the state".

The government also reiterated its commitment to nab the culprits.

UPLF ‘Chairman’ killed in encounter

Diphu:Underground group United People’s Liberation Force’s (UPLF) ‘Chairman’ Dhananjay Dalogopu was killed in an encounter with police in central Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Monday, said a senior police official. Police launched an operation on Monday based on intelligence provided by the Army about the presence of a five-member gang of the UPLF in the Borlangpha area, district Superintendent of Police Mukdhya Jyoti Mahanta said. In the encounter within the deep forests, about 8 km from Borlangpha police station, the UPLF chief was injured and a pistol with an empty cartridge and three rounds of ammunition were recovered from him, Mahanta said. Dalogopu alias Ratan Dalogopu alias Kala on being taken to Diphu Civil Hospital was declared brought dead by the doctors there, Mahanta said. The UPLF chief, a former insurgent of the Dima Hasao Daogah (DHD) that had laid down arms in 2003, was involved in many extortion cases after he had joined the outfit about a year and a half ago and took over its reins following the arrest of its ‘Chairman’ Gajao eight months ago, he said.

Meghalaya Militants exchange fire with police

TURA, Mar 10 : Suspected GNLA militants allegedly fired at a school near Rongsai but fled after the police retaliated. However, the school clarified that the shooting happened outside the compound and did not affect the school.

According to information, a group of suspected GNLA militants riding on two motorcycles were trying to enforce the bandh call of the outfit when the firing took place at Rabhagre village near Tikrikilla at 2.30 pm today.

“Police personnel present there retaliated but the militants ran away. They left behind five bags containing arms and ammunition”, said SP West Garo Hills Mukesh Singh. The militants also left behind two motorcycles.

The police recovered a 7.65 mm pistol with one magazine and five live ammunition, safety fuses, two electric detonators, one GNLA demand pad with seal, empty cartridge cases, and two motorcycles.

The bandh call by the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) completely paralysed life in the Garo Hills region. The bandh also affected students appearing for their board exams, with most centres reporting a good number of students absent. The bandh, however, passed off peacefully.

Huge cache of arms recovered in Guwahati, 2 held

Guwahati, Feb 26 : Assam police on Wednesday recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition, explosives and arrested two persons in two separate incidents in Guwahati, officials said.

According to reports, based on intelligence inputs, police had launched operation at NH-37 near Jorabat area outskirts of Guwahati and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from a vehicle and arrested two persons.

Police recovered one AK-47 rifle with two magazines, 164 rounds live ammunition of Insas rifle, six rounds AK-47 rifle ammunition, 380 rounds 9 mm pistol ammunition from the vehicle which was on the way to Tura in Meghalaya from Nagaland.

Security personnel arrested two persons identified as Biswajit Sangma and Runa Sangma who allegedly involved in the illegal arms consignment.

“The nabbed person duo had carried the arms-ammunition from Dimapur in Nagaland to Meghalaya and they were suspected to involve with terrorist group in Meghalaya,” a top police official said.

In separate incident, police recovered 400 gelatin sticks, 200 detonators and eight explosive wire from Inter State Bus Terminal near Garchuk in Guwahati on Wednesday morning.

Delhi court holds two men guilty of being members of terror outfit

Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh held the Manipur natives-- Napoleon Thockchom and Nangthanbam Anand-- guilty of the offence under section 20 (being member of terrorist gang or organisation) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which entails a maximum punishment of life term.

NEW DELHI: Two Manipuri residents have been convicted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act by a Delhi court for being members of a banned terror outfit.

The court, however, freed them of the charges of indulging in illicit drug trafficking to raise money for the outfit due to lack of evidence.

Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh held the Manipur natives-- Napoleon Thockchom and Nangthanbam Anand-- guilty of the offence under section 20 (being member of terrorist gang or organisation) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which entails a maximum punishment of life term.

"Both the accused persons pleaded guilty to the offence under section 20 of UAPA and said in their statements recorded under CrPC that they were members of the banned terrorist organisation Kanglaipak Communist Party (KCP). Hence, both the accused persons are convicted," the judge said.

The court is yet to pronounce the quantum of sentence to both the convicts.

While acquitting them of the charges of raising money for the outfit by illegal drug trafficking, the court rejected their disclosure statements and said there was no evidence to prove the same.

"The disclosure statements of both the accused persons regarding indulging in trade of illegal drugs to raise money for financing activities of the banned organisation is inadmissible in evidence as there is no discovery of any such fact deposed to have been discovered in consequence of the statements of the accused...

"Thus neither of the accused can be held guilty of the offence punishable under Section 18 (conspiring or knowingly facilitating commission of a terrorist act) of the UAPA," it said.

The court also noted that both the convicts, along with four other accused, had been discharged of the offences under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act by another judge.

As per the police, it got a tip-off in March 2011 about large quantities of Ephedrine, a controlled substance, being illegally exported from Delhi to Myanmar and China via Manipur for manufacturing narcotics by Manipur-based traders and proceeds of the same were being sent to banned terrorist organisations based in the state to finance their activities.

DHD threat to stop rail work

Work in progress on the Lumding
-Silchar track. Picture by UB Photos

Haflong, Feb. 5: Former DHD leaders today threatened to stop the ongoing broad gauge conversion and East-West corridor projects in Dima Hasao district for an indefinite period unless a CBI inquiry was conducted into the killing of its former general secretary Rajesh Naidin on January 9.
The decision was taken at a meeting in Umrangsu, 134km from here, chaired by former chief of the outfit Dilip Nunisa. Altogether 80 former DHD cadres and leaders were present at the meeting.
Nunisa told The Telegraph, "We are compelled to take this decision because almost a month has passed but the local administration has failed to apprehend the culprits behind the killing of our leader. We are demanding a CBI probe into the killing, rehabilitation of former DHD cadres and withdrawal of the cases against the outfit, except heinous crimes."
Rajesh Naiding alias Maiju, one of the signatories to the memorandum of settlement signed between DHD and DHD (Joel) and the central and Assam governments on October 8, 2012, was killed by unidentified gunmen around 6.30pm on January 9 this year near his residence at Dayungmukh, 112km from Haflong.
The proposed protest could further delay the ongoing broad gauge conversion in Dima Hasao, derailing the fresh deadline to complete the Lumding-Silchar line by March 31.
The project was started in 1996 with a completion deadline of 10 years. However, insurgency saw the track conversion and the East-West corridor (started in 1998) run behind schedule.
Nunisa also claimed to have submitted a memorandum to governor P.B. Acharya and Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju on their demands but there had been no headway.
Dima Halam Daogah (DHD), a disbanded militant group fighting for a separate Dimasa state, declared a ceasefire on January 1, 2003, and after 10 years of talks with the central and state governments, surrendered arms on March 9, 2013.

NSCN(IM) looks for ‘mutually acceptable political solution’

Seventeen years into peace negotiations with the government of India, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim – NSCN(IM) – has said it was looking forward to a mutually acceptable political agreement based on respect for peace and honour.

“A mutually acceptable political agreement based on respect for peace and honour is indispensable to usher in a lasting solution in the region and elsewhere. It will open the floodgates of blessings for both the parties. We assure the Naga people that the NSCN will negotiate respecting the historical and political rights of the Nagas,” Isak Chisi Swu, chairman of the NSCN(IM) in his speech on the occasion of the organisation’s 36th foundation day.

While Swu delivered his speech at the NSCN(IM) headquarters at Hebron on the outskirts of Dimapur on Saturday, the text of the same was released to the media by its publicity wing only on Monday.

Describing the current phase of the peace negotiations with New Delhi as a “compelling and crucial juncture in Naga history,” the NSCN(IM) chairman also said that group was of the belief that the right of self-determination of the Nagas was a righteous cause and inalienable. “We are committed and convicted of the fact that the right of self-determination of the Nagas is a righteous cause and inalienable. It is a God given right and non-negotiable,” he said.

“The issue of the Nagas versus India and Burma (Myanmmar) is not a contest of strength but upholding the historical rights of the Naga people against belligerent powers. The silence of Phizo on the 1975 Shillong Accord created a huge confusion and consequently, in the end, conflict and bloodshed amongst the Nagas.  This history must not be repeated. We will not allow the mistakes of history to be repeated again,” he said.

Describing the NSCN(IM)’s struggle as one against exploitation and domination, Swu sad that theNagas had respected Gandhiji’s non-violence means, but were forced to fight back in self-defence because of the military solution that was resorted to by India and Burma. Leaders after Gandhi had failed to understand the Naga issue, he claimed.

“The post-Gandhi era leadership who did not try to understand the substance of the Naga issue and they had closed down all avenues for peaceful settlement of the issue. Nagas cannot be forced to repeat to defend again through guns. We will not allow any force to dictate terms on us. We will not be forced to lay down our arms and freedom. But we are ready for a negotiated political settlement acceptable to both. The price will be too much if the Indo-Naga issue is forced inside the battle ground again,” he said.

Karbi Anglong reels under extortion as sleuths try to recover loot in Dima Hasao

Chilonijan (Karbi Anglong), Feb. 1: If you wish to contact a government official posted here on his or her mobile phone, make sure you send them a text message introducing yourself.
Many government officials or businessmen in the hill district prefer to avoid unknown phone calls, which are often found to be from members of splinter militant groups demanding money.
"Earlier there were one or two groups which used to collect money from the rich. But now there are so many groups that they don't even spare people like us. So, we prefer to avoid unknown numbers unless we receive a text message from the person," said a state government employee here, requesting anonymity.
Many in Chilonijan said the fear of extortion has increased though two major rebel groups - United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) and Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) - have been disbanded.
Security forces have also arrested more than 60 per cent cadres of the Karbi People's Liberation Tigers (KPLT), formed by a group of KLNLF cadres, soon after the outfit disbanded in 2010.
At least seven such groups - each comprising 20-40 armed cadres - have been formed since then, with the motive to carry on extortion.
Sources said with illegal arms easily available from Dimapur in neighbouring Nagaland, young people taking up arms and forming such groups for "easy money" is becoming a worry for the people and security forces fighting the long militancy problem in Karbi Anglong.
"Some of these small groups were formed by former members of UPDS or KLNLF while some were recruited later. We have managed to arrest 66 KPLT cadres while 11 were killed in encounters in the past year. About 50 cadres are still at large, mostly in eastern part of the district and Hamren (a separate police district in Karbi Anglong). But the KPLT now has been split into five groups - KPLT (Buche group), KPLT (Pratap), KPLT (Donri), KPLT (Symbon) and KPLT (Sojong). Some of these groups have six-seven members," Karbi Anglong superintendent of police Mugdha Jyoti Mahanta said.
Security forces have arrested over 60 cadres of the KPLF, Rengma Naga Hills Protection Force, United People's Liberation Army (UPLA) and United Democratic Liberation Army (UDLA).
These include at least 20 UPLA men, the outfit responsible for killing Hamren SP Nityananda Goswami and his PSO, Ratul Nunisa, in June last year.
"In some cases, cadres were found making calls to government officials and businessmen for money after their leaders were arrested and sent to jail," another source said.
The sources said pressure on the rebel groups in the hill district was stepped up after the Centre rushed additional forces following the massacre of 66 Adivasis by NDFB (Songbijit) in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts on December 23.
In a related development, a joint team of police and the Diphu-based army unit under its Red Horns division arrested Munthir Ingti, 30, an "area commander" of KPLT, in Dokmoka last night along with two linkmen.
A pistol, 20 rounds of ammunition, Rs 50,000 in cash, four mobile phones and extortion notes of the outfit were recovered from them.

Two Kuki militants gunned down in Manipur

Personnel of 8 Assam Rifles gunned down two insurgents of Kuki National Front (KNF) and seriously wounded three others in an encounter on Wednesday night at a bridge at Kadangband in Imphal west district. The security personnel were on high alert following a series of attacks by insurgents during the Republic day celebrations.

Sources said the occupants of a jeep fired indiscriminately during a routine check at Kadangband.

The security forces retaliated leading to the death of two insurgents on the spot. Three others were seriously wounded.

The injured insurgents were identified as Helen Kuki, Satmang Kuki and Kholin Kuki.They are insurgents of the KNF which had come over-ground after the ceasefire pact with the Centre.

Officials are yet to release the details of arms recovered and identity of the slain insurgents.

In a separate incident, the police and 12 Bihar Regiment personnel have arrested two insurgents of People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Progressive) from Sangaiproru in Imphal west district. One bomb was reported to have been recovered from them.

Blast in Imphal amid attack alert

Police officers inspect the blast site in Imphal on Sunday. Picture by UB Photos

Jan. 25: An improvised explosive device went off in heavily fortified Imphal on the eve of Republic Day today while the Union home ministry has alerted the northeastern states over possible terror attacks.
Militants continue to outsmart Manipur police by planting and exploding IEDs in Imphal, the main venue for Republic Day celebrations in the state.
The latest blast took place on the bank of the Imphal river at Keisamthong Laisom Leirak early this morning. The IED was planted in a garbage dump on the riverbank and no one was hurt in the incident.
Militants have exploded eight bombs in and around Imphal and five in other parts of Manipur after the coordination committee of six militant groups on Tuesday announced the customary boycott of the Republic Day celebrations. The coordination committee and two other active militant groups have separately called general strikes tomorrow.
Police said all the bombs were exploded through the use of remote control or timer devices.
The bombs were exploded despite elaborate security measures in and around Imphal. Police teams have been deployed at all entry points into Imphal for frisking and checking activities. The police are checking every vehicle and two-wheeler entering the city.
All the bombs were exploded either early morning or late at night. The timing of the explosions suggests those behind the blasts did not want any civilian casualties. "Militants want to demonstrate they still exist and are capable of exploding bombs by breaking the security cordon. So far, no one has been injured. We are taking enough measures to ensure a peaceful Republic Day," a police officer said.
Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh will take the salute from the march-past contingent at Kangla fort in Imphal tomorrow. He will later address the contingents at the parade ground of the 1st Manipur Rifles in the city.
Ibobi Singh said the explosions would not bring any good result and only antagonise the public. "The boycott of the Republic Day (by militants) is a routine matter and we do not know the objective of the bomb blast. It only terrorises people. So our appeal is to stop exploding bombs in public places," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
On the other hand, an official source in Guwahati said the ministry of home affairs has asked the northeastern states to maintain strict vigil ahead of Republic Day to foil any attempt by militant outfits to disrupt the celebrations.
BSF is also on high alert to prevent militants from crossing over from Bangladesh.
Security across Assam has been stepped up for smooth conduct of Republic Day celebrations tomorrow, keeping in mind the boycott call given by Ulfa (Independent) and NDFB (Songbijit). A multi-layer security ring has been thrown in and around the College of Veterinary Sciences playground at Khanapara in Guwahati, where Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi will hoist the Tricolour. Sources said Gogoi would hoist the national flag, as governor P.B. Acharya, who has triple charge of Nagaland, Tripura and Assam, will do the same in Nagaland.
Vital installations such as railway, airports, refineries and other important government offices have been put on alert keeping in mind the intelligence warning about possible militant attacks.
Meghalaya police today said security arrangements for the Republic Day celebrations were "nothing special" although the police in Khasi-Jaintia hills region are extra cautious in view of the 24-hour shutdown called by the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).
To boycott the celebrations, the outfit had called the shutdown, which commenced at 6pm today and will conclude at 6pm tomorrow.
However, there is no shutdown called in Garo hills in spite of the presence of several militant outfits in the region.
Sources said in the East Khasi hills, the police have been making elaborate security arrangements to ensure the Republic Day celebrations pass of peacefully and successfully.
"There is nothing special about the security arrangements. Everything is routine and normal although the local police in Khasi-Jaintia hills are on extra alert in view of the shutdown called by the HNLC," a senior Meghalaya police officer said.
Meghalaya deputy chief minister R.C. Laloo will unfurl the Tricolour and take the salute at Polo grounds tomorrow while chief minister Mukul Sangma will be present in Tura of West Garo Hills.

Police, Militants Exchange Fire in Meghalaya

A heavy exchange of fire took place today between security forces and the Achik Matgrik Elite Force militants, who were behind the recent kidnapping of four traders in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills district, police said.

However, there was nor report of any casualty or injury.

Acting on a tip-off on the presence of Achik Matgrik Elite Force (AMEF) militants, a joint police team from East Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills districts went to Pakgregittim under Rongjeng police station, district police chief Davis Marak told PTI.

On seeing the policemen, around 10-15 AMEF militants started firing.

"There was a heavy exchange of fire between our boys and the militants who then fled taking advantage of the thick jungle," the SP said.

A walkie talkie, three mobile phones and some documents were recovered from the site of the operation.

Marak said the AMEF militants led by its deputy chief Goran, had kidnapped four traders from Mangsang area but were later released.

Meanwhile, the police have arrested a resident of the village in connection with the kidnapping case and for allegedly harbouring the militants.

"He used to bring food and utilities to both the people kidnapped as well as the militants," he said.

Champion has quit: GNLA

Tura, Jan 19 : The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has made an announcement on Facebook, a social networking site, that its chairman, Champion Sangma, had resigned from the outfit.

The information was made public by the outfit's member, Garo Mandei Ch. Marak, the self-styled public relations secretary.

Champion, who was arrested in July 2012, is now lodged in Shillong jail.

The post also says the outfit had constituted a 15-member committee of which three are serving jail terms. The chairman's post has been kept vacant. The post on Facebook said the outfit would appoint a chairman if it is invited by the state government or the Centre for peace talks.

Marak often uses the account for giving information. The outfit is yet to issue any official press release on the matter. It also said the outfit is yet to receive any official letter from Champion on his resignation from the outfit.

The 15-member committee is being termed as "decision-making Body". The key members include self-styled "vice-chairman" Mikim Marak, "commander-in-chief" Wegara Shira (Sohan D. Shira), "deputy commander-in-chief" Toding Marak, "general secretary" Raka Marak, "finance secretary" Rakkam Ch. Marak, "foreign secretary" Millam Marak, "political secretary" Bikdot Nikjang Marak, among others.

Wegara, alias Shira, has been heading the outfit after Champion's arrest.

The chief security adviser to the GNLA is Bimangdopinchep Sangma. Baichung Cheran, Darwin Shira and Savio Marak have been appointed secretaries for "internal affairs and security".

Large Arms Haul Along Assam-Arunachal Border

A huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from forest area along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border by a joint team of Army, Assam Police and NIA.

"In a joint operation, troops of Red Horns Division along with Assam Police and NIA team recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from forests on the border of Assam-Arunachal Pradesh in Sonitpur District on January 17," a Defence spokesperson said in a statement today.

Based on inputs from intelligence agencies, the arms and ammunition were recovered from a hideout, he added.

"The recoveries include two AK-56, one HK 5.56 rifle, one pistol and two grenades along with large quantity of different types of ammunition," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Biswanath Chariali police district SP Manobendra Devroy said it was big success to security forces.

"The apprehended militant Buhume, who was arrested three days ago, guided the forces to find out the place where the arms and ammunition were stored," he added.

He said the arms and ammunition were suspected to be stored by the terrorists of NDFB(S) for the serial attacks by the group in Lower Assam last month.

Assam massacre: NIA arrest three NDFB(S) militants from Nagaland

New Delhi: NIA and Nagaland Police have arrested three suspected activists of NDFB(S), including Ajoi Basamutary on whose alleged instructions 36 people were killed in Assam's Sonitpur area last month.
In a statement, NIA today said the three accused were arrested from Kohima on 14-15 January night and had been taken on a transit remand to Guwahati where they will be produced in a special NIA court.

Assam Police personnel patrolling after the attacks by Bodo militants that left several people dead, in Sonitpur. PTI

According to the NIA statement, Basumatary alias B Buhum was heading the so-called 'third battalion' of the terror outfit National Democratic Front of Bodoland-S and "it was under his direction and leadership that recent killings took place in Sonitpur district of Assam on 23.12.2014, in which, 36 persons including women and children were killed and 6 persons were injured."
The second person arrested was Dilip Basumatary alias Bir Baisa, with the agency claiming that he was a dreaded terrorist who is responsible for co-ordinating activities of NDFB(S) in the Reserved Forest areas of Assam along the Indo-Bhutan, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh border.
He is also alleged to be actively involved in the conspiracy behind recent killings in Assam, the statement said.
The third militant arrested was identified as Khamrei Basumatary alias Udla who was alleged to be responsible for killings in Kokrajhar district in which 20 persons were killed and several injured.
He was also allegedly involved in incident of killings of Baksa district of Assam in May, 2014, the statement said.
The operation led to recovery of seven mobile phones and documents that throw substantial light on leadership of NDFB(S), the NIA said.
NIA is probing the killing of the terror group.

Prepak push to UN probe in skull case

The bones found in Imphal. File picture

Imphal, Jan. 13: The People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak has demanded an investigation by the United Nations into the recovery of eight skulls and skeletal remains in Imphal city last month.
The demand came as Families of the Involuntarily Disappeared Association, Manipur, today began visiting homes of persons who had disappeared after being allegedly picked up by security forces to shore up support in the struggle to know the truth about the skulls and bones.
The association and other human rights groups of Manipur have been demanding institution of a special investigation team to probe the case.
The demand is despite a decision taken by the Okram Ibobi Singh government to hand over the case to the CBI.
The rights organisations suspect that the skulls and bones could belong to those who disappeared after being allegedly picked up by security forces. Twenty-one persons disappeared after allegedly being picked up by security forces in between 1980 and 2011, the rights bodies said.
The eight skulls and bones were recovered while digging the campus of former Tombisana High School, opposite the former state Assembly secretariat in Imphal. The Okram Ibobi Singh government is constructing a women's market complex at the site.
In a statement today, Leibakngakpa Luwang, assistant secretary, publicity and propaganda of the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, termed the site a mass grave where bodies of secret killings were buried.
The statement said setting up of a special investigation team or an inquiry by the CBI would not be able to bring out the true picture as the killings were a part of the efforts by the Indian government to crush the freedom struggle. Therefore, the government will never punish those behind the killings, it said.
It said people should campaign for a probe by the United Nations on the lines of the probe proposed by the UN in Sri Lanka in the cases of atrocities allegedly committed by the government in the fight against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
The families' association today visited the home of Yumlembam Sanamacha, who disappeared after he was allegedly picked up by a team of Rashtriya Rifles from his home at Angtha village in Thoubal district on February 12, 1998.

Nunisa plea for CBI probe

Ex-DHD chief suspects state actors in Naiding killing

Dilip Nunisa speaks at the news conference in Guwahati on Tuesday. Picture by UB Photos Guwahati, Jan. 13: Former leaders of Dima Halam Daoga (Nunisa), a disbanded militant group which operated in Assam's Dima Hasao district, today sought a CBI inquiry into the recent killing of its former general secretary, Rajesh Naiding. Dilip Nunisa, who acted as its chairman till laying down arms in March 2013, said here today that a CBI inquiry was necessary to identify those behind Naiding's killing as they suspected the involvement of "state actors" in the crime. Naiding, 42, who also laid down arms along with over 2,000 cadres of the outfit, was gunned down by masked men on January 9 at Rajbari near Diyungmukh police station in Dima Hasao district. "The spot where Naiding was killed is barely 200 meters from Diyungmukh police station. Police personnel came after half-and-hour although the police station is close to the spot and they did not chase the vehicle to catch the killers. This gives rise to suspicion that some state actors are involved in the crime. He was also attacked during Diwali last year and had sought personal security guards but was not provided," Nunisa said. Halali Progressive Welfare Society, an NGO formed by the former cadres of the DHD, has called a 48-hour general strike in "Dimaraji" (a state for the Dimasas comprising the areas dominated by Dimasas in Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Cachar, Nagaon and parts of neighbouring Nagaland) on January 16 to press for a CBI inquiry. "We will move Union ministry of home affairs soon seeking justice for Naiding's family and compensation of Rs 10 lakh to his family," he said. Naiding left behind his wife and three children. Nunisa also complained that the 2,018 former cadres of DHD (Nunisa) were yet to be properly rehabilitated and the state government had not yet paid them Rs 30 lakh, which they spend during their surrender ceremony in March 2013. "We were asked by the state government to spend the money for the surrender ceremony with a promise of reimbursement. But we have not yet been paid the money even though we submitted the bills in 2013 itself," he said. Nunisa said the Centre had paid Rs 1.5 lakh as interim compensation to each cadre but they had not yet received any support for the skill development and aid for projects in dairy and rural development despite submitting them.

39 NDFB(S) militants arrested since December massacre

Guwahati: Anti-insurgency measures by security forces have led to the arrest of 39 militants belonging to the banned organisation National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit faction) and 8 linkmen in Assam.

Security forces have come down especially hard on the separatist militants since the massacre in December, in which members of the NDFB(S) opened fire on innocent villagers in the Sonitpur, Kokrajhar and Chirang districts of Assam, leaving over 80 people killed.

Inspector General of Police LR Bishnoi told the media that security forces have gunned down a most wanted terrorist in the Kokrajhar district and have captured several high profile terrorists, including the self styled Joint Publicity Secretary, platoon commander of Panbari among others.

According to reports, the National Investigating Agency (NIA), which is investigating the recent violence, is likely to interrogate some of arrested terrorists.

After the attacks on December 23, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had termed the spate of violence 'an act of crafted terror', confirming that operations will be launched against the NDFB(S) .

In a meeting with Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and other senior state officials, Singh had assured that the NIA will probe the case thoroughly. The ministers also stated that the Centre will provide Assam with additional companies of security forces.

Militant Involved in Assam Massacre Gunned Down

Over 70 people were killed in the violence which also displaced over two lakh people across Kokrajhar, Sonitpur and Chirang and Udalguri districts. (File Photo/PTI)

GUWAHATI: A militant involved in the Dec 23 massacre in Assam's Kokrajhar district was Saturday gunned down by security forces, a day after police arrested seven Bodo insurgents including two involved in the killings.

The slain militant was identified as Jeblang alias Jagat Basumatary, the platoon commander of the anti-talk faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in Kokrajhar district, Inspector General of Police (BTAD) L.R. Bishnoi said.
"As part of the intensified operation (against militants), a joint team of Assam Police and Sashastra Seema Bal today (Saturday) gunned down Jablang at a remote area near Serfanguri around 2 PM," he said.
"Jeblang was involved in the killing of civilians in Pakriguri on Dec 23. He was also involved in the killing of five Hindi-speaking people in Kokrajhar district last year," Bishnoi said.
Police recovered an AK-56 rifle, 22 rounds of ammunition, two grenades and incriminating documents from his possession.
Another police official said Jablang was involved in the sensational killing of 16-year-old Priya Basumatary in August last year.
The girl was killed by militants in front of her parents and villagers after suspecting her of being a spy.
The NDFB had killed over 70 people in five locations across three districts Dec 23. The violence also displaced over two lakh people across Kokrajhar, Sonitpur and Chirang and Udalguri districts -- part of the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD).
Police Friday arrested seven NDFB militants from Kokrajhar district and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition. Two of the arrested - Mithinga and Khurai - were involved in the killings in Kokrajhar Dec 23.