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.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Monday, May 18, 2015
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Monday, May 4, 2015
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.
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.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
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.
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.
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.