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.