NGOs working in the North-Eastern states have expressed concern about recent comments by a section of officials in the centre and various states alleging links between civil society groups and Maoists.
About 60 NGOs from the North East states, who concluded a two-day long deliberation
in Guwahati on Wednesday, said such "blanket designation" would harm social activities undertaken by them.
"Now that most of the separatist groups in the North East have come overground to hold talks, the government has found a new bogey and that is to see a collusion between NGOs and Maoists in all incidents, whether it is anti-dam agitations or protests against extra-judicial killings," Ravindra Nath, Director of Assam-based NGO Rural Volunteer Centre said.
The NGOs said they would do their "utmost" to put their "own houses in order" and expected the government to desist from making such allegations.
Participants at the two-day event also criticised the Assam government for alleging that NGOs working in the state are funded by Maoists.
"The government has to understand that support to locals against dams or against nuclear power plants, as in Tamil Nadu, do not mean we are against development. What we urge is that the government evaluate all pros and cons while undertaking such projects," Supreme Court Commissioner on Food Security Sunil Kaul said.
Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) senior fellow K K Subramanian said there is a need to link national security with the security of individuals.
"In states like Manipur, security forces are engaged in extrajudicial killings. In such cases, it is the NGOs and civil society groups who take up the cases of victims. But that does not mean that NGOs are fighting the government," he said.
According to the participants, both the government and the civil society groups should work together for narrowing down their differences.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Centre alerts Assam about ULFA plan to strike
New Delhi: The Home Ministry on Wednesday sounded a high alert and asked the Assam government to tighten security in the state in view of ULFA's 'army day' on Friday.
Based on specific intelligence inputs, the Centre directed the state to deploy additional security personnel in all sensitive installations, crowded places, markets, railway stations and tracks to foil any attempt by the extremists to disrupt peace.
Sources said that the inputs suggested that the anti-talk faction of ULFA led by Paresh Baruah has been able to dispatch some explosive materials into Assam with the aim to carry out subversive activities ahead of or during the 'army day', observed on March 16 every year.
Guwahati, being the main the city of Assam, is always high on the target list of the ULFA hardliners and several deadly attacks were carried out by the insurgents in the recent past, sources said.
ULFA 'commander-in-chief' Baruah is opposed to any peace negotiation with the government and has vowed to continue his fight for a 'sovereign' Assam. The faction led by 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa has entered into dialogue process to solve their decades-long insurgency problem.
Based on specific intelligence inputs, the Centre directed the state to deploy additional security personnel in all sensitive installations, crowded places, markets, railway stations and tracks to foil any attempt by the extremists to disrupt peace.
Sources said that the inputs suggested that the anti-talk faction of ULFA led by Paresh Baruah has been able to dispatch some explosive materials into Assam with the aim to carry out subversive activities ahead of or during the 'army day', observed on March 16 every year.
Guwahati, being the main the city of Assam, is always high on the target list of the ULFA hardliners and several deadly attacks were carried out by the insurgents in the recent past, sources said.
ULFA 'commander-in-chief' Baruah is opposed to any peace negotiation with the government and has vowed to continue his fight for a 'sovereign' Assam. The faction led by 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa has entered into dialogue process to solve their decades-long insurgency problem.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Bru militant killed in Tripura encounter
AGARTALA, Mar 12 – An insurgent of outlawed Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) was killed in an encounter with police at Asharambari in North Tripura district, police said here on Sunday.
While the rest of the BNLF group managed to escape from the scene, one Assistant Sub-Inspector was injured in the encounter.
Based on specific information about the presence of militants, SDPO Sudip Paul along with a strong contingent of jawans moved out for a special operation on Saturday.
Around 4 pm, insurgents opened fire at the police team at Asharambari in Kanchanpur subdivision, close to Ashapra Bru refugee camp.
In retaliation, security forces also started firing that led to a fierce gun battle. However, in the face of well-coordinated firing the BNLF insurgents suddenly disappeared from the scene.
During search, police recovered a bullet-riddled body of a militant from the encounter site. Two country-made guns were also found there. The identity of the slain militant is yet to be established.
Superintendent of Police Bijoy Nag along with additional forces rushed to the spot and launched a combing operation to nab the fleeing militants.
Sources said, the BNLF militant had demanded Rs 10 lakh from a well-known contractor Babul Barua who was awarded a contract work amounting to Rs 7 crore.
As the outfit insisted for early payment, the contractor had informed police about the extortion notice served on him. After receiving specific information, police carried out the special operation and achieved a major success.
While the rest of the BNLF group managed to escape from the scene, one Assistant Sub-Inspector was injured in the encounter.
Based on specific information about the presence of militants, SDPO Sudip Paul along with a strong contingent of jawans moved out for a special operation on Saturday.
Around 4 pm, insurgents opened fire at the police team at Asharambari in Kanchanpur subdivision, close to Ashapra Bru refugee camp.
In retaliation, security forces also started firing that led to a fierce gun battle. However, in the face of well-coordinated firing the BNLF insurgents suddenly disappeared from the scene.
During search, police recovered a bullet-riddled body of a militant from the encounter site. Two country-made guns were also found there. The identity of the slain militant is yet to be established.
Superintendent of Police Bijoy Nag along with additional forces rushed to the spot and launched a combing operation to nab the fleeing militants.
Sources said, the BNLF militant had demanded Rs 10 lakh from a well-known contractor Babul Barua who was awarded a contract work amounting to Rs 7 crore.
As the outfit insisted for early payment, the contractor had informed police about the extortion notice served on him. After receiving specific information, police carried out the special operation and achieved a major success.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Chargesheet against UNLF
PANKAJ SARMA
Guwahati, Mar 7 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary chargesheet in a case registered against the Manipur-based militant group United National Liberation Front (UNLF) at the NIA special court here today.
Official sources said six persons have been named in the chargesheet.
“Three of the accused against whom the supplementary chargesheet was filed today are absconding while the remaining three are currently in judicial custody,” a source said.
Three of those chargesheeted — Y. Brojobidhu Singh, N. Bomi Singh, A. Ibomcha Singh — were lodged in Guwahati Central Jail following their arrest from Manipur in January this year.
These three were office-bearers of a registered society called the Association for Extensive Growers Innovative Service (AEGIS) in Manipur, where the UNLF had allegedly invested the money they had extorted from individuals and business houses.
The three absconding accused against whom the chargesheet was filed today are N. Nardip Singh alias Thabal, C.H. Tanil alias Nabachandra and L. Iwanthaba alias Nanao Singh.
The source said Thabal, who is the general secretary of the UNLF, is hiding somewhere in Nepal.
“According to intelligence inputs, Nabachandra, who was the staff officer of UNLF chairman R.K. Meghen, is now in Bangladesh,” he said.
The source said Nanao Singh was arrested here earlier in connection with a case registered at Panbazar police station but he went into hiding after jumping bail. “He is believed to have fled to Myanmar,” he added.
The NIA had filed the first chargesheet in this case on February 14, 2011 against 19 persons, including Meghen.
The NIA had taken over the case (number 10/10), which was initially registered by Assam police at Noonmati police station here, following an order from the Union home ministry in September 2010.
The UNLF is one of the oldest and most dreaded insurgent outfits of Manipur. Formed in 1964 to fight for the state’s liberation from India, the group is estimated to have 5,000 cadres.
“The NIA had filed its first chargesheet on February 14, 2011, before the completion of its investigation with whatever evidence it had in hand to ensure that the court does not grant bail to the accused persons on the ground that the investigation agency had failed to file the chargesheet within the stipulated 90 days,” the source said.
“After filing the first chargesheet, the NIA continued its investigation and filed the supplementary chargesheet today, which will further consolidate the case. More substantiating evidence has been included in the supplementary chargesheet against the illegal and anti-national activities being carried out by the UNLF,” he added.
Guwahati, Mar 7 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary chargesheet in a case registered against the Manipur-based militant group United National Liberation Front (UNLF) at the NIA special court here today.
Official sources said six persons have been named in the chargesheet.
“Three of the accused against whom the supplementary chargesheet was filed today are absconding while the remaining three are currently in judicial custody,” a source said.
Three of those chargesheeted — Y. Brojobidhu Singh, N. Bomi Singh, A. Ibomcha Singh — were lodged in Guwahati Central Jail following their arrest from Manipur in January this year.
These three were office-bearers of a registered society called the Association for Extensive Growers Innovative Service (AEGIS) in Manipur, where the UNLF had allegedly invested the money they had extorted from individuals and business houses.
The three absconding accused against whom the chargesheet was filed today are N. Nardip Singh alias Thabal, C.H. Tanil alias Nabachandra and L. Iwanthaba alias Nanao Singh.
The source said Thabal, who is the general secretary of the UNLF, is hiding somewhere in Nepal.
“According to intelligence inputs, Nabachandra, who was the staff officer of UNLF chairman R.K. Meghen, is now in Bangladesh,” he said.
The source said Nanao Singh was arrested here earlier in connection with a case registered at Panbazar police station but he went into hiding after jumping bail. “He is believed to have fled to Myanmar,” he added.
The NIA had filed the first chargesheet in this case on February 14, 2011 against 19 persons, including Meghen.
The NIA had taken over the case (number 10/10), which was initially registered by Assam police at Noonmati police station here, following an order from the Union home ministry in September 2010.
The UNLF is one of the oldest and most dreaded insurgent outfits of Manipur. Formed in 1964 to fight for the state’s liberation from India, the group is estimated to have 5,000 cadres.
“The NIA had filed its first chargesheet on February 14, 2011, before the completion of its investigation with whatever evidence it had in hand to ensure that the court does not grant bail to the accused persons on the ground that the investigation agency had failed to file the chargesheet within the stipulated 90 days,” the source said.
“After filing the first chargesheet, the NIA continued its investigation and filed the supplementary chargesheet today, which will further consolidate the case. More substantiating evidence has been included in the supplementary chargesheet against the illegal and anti-national activities being carried out by the UNLF,” he added.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Assam: Forest officers kidnapped, search begins
Karbi Anglong: Six
armed militants on Saturday abducted the Chief Conservator of Forests
and a ranger in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. According to sources, a demand of Rs 2 crore in ransom and been made for the release of the officers. The militants are suspected to be members of the Karbi People Liberation Tigers.
Meanwhile, a massive search operation has been initiated in the region to trace the whereabouts of the forest officers.
Militants kidnap two supporters of Manipur poll candidate
Imphal: Suspected militants kidnapped two supporters of a poll candidate in Manipur's Chandel district bordering with Myanmar, official reports from the district said on Saturday.
Reports said the militants abducted the two who were supporters of Independent candidate Olis while they were trying to fill petrol at a petrol pump yesterday at Chandel area.
Olis is contesting from Chandel assembly constituency and it was not exactly known who had kidnapped his supporters along with the vehicle, the reports said.
Election office sources said today there would be repoll at 67 polling stations in all the five hill districts of Manipur tomorrow and there are about 13 polling stations in Chandel assembly constituency where there would be repoll.
Reports said the militants abducted the two who were supporters of Independent candidate Olis while they were trying to fill petrol at a petrol pump yesterday at Chandel area.
Olis is contesting from Chandel assembly constituency and it was not exactly known who had kidnapped his supporters along with the vehicle, the reports said.
Election office sources said today there would be repoll at 67 polling stations in all the five hill districts of Manipur tomorrow and there are about 13 polling stations in Chandel assembly constituency where there would be repoll.
Friday, March 2, 2012
GNLA rebels, forces exchange fire in Meghalaya
Shillong : There was fierce exchange of fire Friday between security
forces and the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) that ended in the
guerrillas retreating into the forests in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills
district, police said.
The gunfight lasted for about an hour. Though there were no casualties on the security forces' side, police are yet to confirm if any of the rebels were injured.
The exchange of fire took place at 6.30 a.m. in Arengdo village bordering Assam's Goalpara district when security forces came under fire from GNLA rebels in hiding.
"The encounter lasted for an hour and the militants retreated back to the jungles after intensive firing from security forces," J.F.K. Marak, district police chief of East Garo Hills, told IANS.
One pistol, detonators and incriminating documents was recovered from the site.
Acting on a tip-off, security forces had launched a combing operation in the area since Thursday night.
"The combing operation will continue in the area to flush them out," Marak said.
The GNLA, which is headed by police officer-turned-outlaw Champion R. Sangma, is fighting for a Garoland in the three impoverished districts of Garo Hills to be carved out of Meghalaya.
The GNLA, which has over 100 rebels, including a few women cadres, operating in East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills, has been declared a terrorist outfit.
Over 30 people, including security personnel, have been killed while more than 10 people were abducted for ransom by GNLA rebels in the last one year. In the past two months alone, 10 people were killed by GNLA.
The gunfight lasted for about an hour. Though there were no casualties on the security forces' side, police are yet to confirm if any of the rebels were injured.
The exchange of fire took place at 6.30 a.m. in Arengdo village bordering Assam's Goalpara district when security forces came under fire from GNLA rebels in hiding.
"The encounter lasted for an hour and the militants retreated back to the jungles after intensive firing from security forces," J.F.K. Marak, district police chief of East Garo Hills, told IANS.
One pistol, detonators and incriminating documents was recovered from the site.
Acting on a tip-off, security forces had launched a combing operation in the area since Thursday night.
"The combing operation will continue in the area to flush them out," Marak said.
The GNLA, which is headed by police officer-turned-outlaw Champion R. Sangma, is fighting for a Garoland in the three impoverished districts of Garo Hills to be carved out of Meghalaya.
The GNLA, which has over 100 rebels, including a few women cadres, operating in East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills, has been declared a terrorist outfit.
Over 30 people, including security personnel, have been killed while more than 10 people were abducted for ransom by GNLA rebels in the last one year. In the past two months alone, 10 people were killed by GNLA.
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