Assam Rifles denies ‘conspiracy’ charge, releases seven ‘rebel’ youths from Thoubal district
KHELEN THOKCHOM
Imphal, Jan. 8: A “conspiracy,” allegedly hatched in an Assam Rifles post at Heirok in Thoubal district to force innocent youths to surrender, was exposed today. The incident has cast doubts on the credibility of mass surrender programmes organised by the force in Manipur recently.
Police arrested S. Purnima and her landlord Th. Rameshore from Heirok in connection with the case. Purnima is the wife of Salam Gambhir Singh, a surrendered militant, apparently staying at the 42 Assam Rifles post in Chandel district, while Rameshore is the father of one of the seven youths.
The youths, aged between 20 and 25, narrated their experience to the media here today.
They feared that they could be targeted for exposing the “conspiracy”.
They said Purnima promised N. Herojit (21), Th. Milan (25), M. Premkant (21), N. Johny (21), E. Muhindro (20), M. Thoiba (21) and M. Oken (25) that they would be recruited to the Assam Rifles. She took them to the 42 Assam Rifles post in two batches on December 29 and January 4 and handed them to her husband at the post.
Two of the youths are students, one a driver, one a shopkeeper, one a carpenter and one a construction labourer and one is unemployed.
“First an Assam Rifles officer recorded our names and later he sent us to a room where 50/60 other civilians like us were already gathered. There a civilian, believed to be a surrendered militant, took our signatures on papers, which mentioned us as cadres of the Military Defence Force (Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup),” Thoiba said.
On learning that they were going to be forced to join surrender programmes in the name of the militant group, the youths objected and sought permission to return home.
“We were threatened against leaving the Assam Rifles post but after our parents and villagers kicked up a furore at Heirok we were finally released,” Thoiba said.
Five were allowed to go home on January 5 while two were released yesterday.
“This is a plan to force innocent youths to take part in surrender programmes. The government should hold an inquiry into the recent surrender programmes to find out how many of the surrendered youths are genuine,” Mandir Laishram, a spokesman for Heirok, demanded.
N. Kameshore, secretary of Heirok Eastern Sporting Union, said the incident was condemnable as those involved in it were misguiding innocent youths.
He demanded steps by the government to prevent such incidents.
The Assam Rifles authorities clarified that Gambhir Singh and his wife had brought the youths saying they were cadres of the Military Defence Force.
The Assam Rifles post released them yesterday after finding that they were not militants.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
No more talks with ultras in future: MHA
SHILLONG, Jan 7 – The Union Home Ministry on Saturday said that it would take a decision of not holding any discussion with insurgent groups anywhere in the country in the days ahead, but demand their unconditional surrender.
Shambhu Singh, joint secretary ministry of Home Affairs said that each time the Centre holds talks with one insurgent group with its set of demands another surfaces with its own set of demands.
“The issue is that every time you talk to a group a small remnant of the group breaks away and again continues with its illegal and totally prejudicial activities and then thinks that it will be given the same moral high ground and high table to sit and discuss and put across its demands which are basically nonexistent…they better surrender,” Singh stated.
“We might take a decision of not holding any talks with any group anywhere, this policy decision in the pipelines,” Singh said after its meeting with the Garo Hills based militant organisation, Achik National Volunteer’s Council (ANVC).
Meanwhile, after getting more than what it earlier demanded, the ANVC said after its meeting with Home Ministry officials and State Government, that it would sign a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) in the next week.
Calling its meeting “fruitful” Arist Sangma, ANVC “publicity secretary” said that after today’s meeting its 13 charter of demand would be sent to the State Government for further studies and the MoS would be signed next week and after that it would surrender all its arms to the Government. Its 168 cadres would also move out of the two designated camps after the MoS is signed.
The ANVC which was demanding for a Garoland Autonomous Council in line with the Boroland Autonomous Council has now settled for extended powers to be given to the Garo Hills Autonomous Council (GHADC).
Some of the prominent points that the Centre has agreed to, Sangma said is about direct funding to the GHADC and its strength would be increased from the present 30-memebers to 40 members. The ANVC has demanded that two of its cadres be automatically be nominated to the Council by the Governor.
In the direct funding pattern, the Centre would direct the fund for the Garos hills region through a State finance commission, which in turn would fund the GHADC to carry out development works in the districts of Garo Hills.
Another significant decision that would be undertaken is that the municipality would be abolished and the wards would be brought under the GHADC. “We have got more than we demanded,” Sangma said happily after the four-hour long meeting with the officials.
Asked about the demand of their earlier demand of a Garoland Autonomous Council, Sangma said, that only the nomenclature of the GHADC has remained unchanged, and most of their demand has been included in function of the GHADC, which is what they wanted.
In the meeting, the breakaway faction of the ANVC also came forward for the talks and Sangma said that they too have expressed satisfaction on the outcome of the meeting. The breakaway faction came after an appeal from the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma. It wasn’t clear immediately what set of demands the new group presented to the Home Ministry officials.
Shambhu Singh, joint secretary ministry of Home Affairs said that each time the Centre holds talks with one insurgent group with its set of demands another surfaces with its own set of demands.
“The issue is that every time you talk to a group a small remnant of the group breaks away and again continues with its illegal and totally prejudicial activities and then thinks that it will be given the same moral high ground and high table to sit and discuss and put across its demands which are basically nonexistent…they better surrender,” Singh stated.
“We might take a decision of not holding any talks with any group anywhere, this policy decision in the pipelines,” Singh said after its meeting with the Garo Hills based militant organisation, Achik National Volunteer’s Council (ANVC).
Meanwhile, after getting more than what it earlier demanded, the ANVC said after its meeting with Home Ministry officials and State Government, that it would sign a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) in the next week.
Calling its meeting “fruitful” Arist Sangma, ANVC “publicity secretary” said that after today’s meeting its 13 charter of demand would be sent to the State Government for further studies and the MoS would be signed next week and after that it would surrender all its arms to the Government. Its 168 cadres would also move out of the two designated camps after the MoS is signed.
The ANVC which was demanding for a Garoland Autonomous Council in line with the Boroland Autonomous Council has now settled for extended powers to be given to the Garo Hills Autonomous Council (GHADC).
Some of the prominent points that the Centre has agreed to, Sangma said is about direct funding to the GHADC and its strength would be increased from the present 30-memebers to 40 members. The ANVC has demanded that two of its cadres be automatically be nominated to the Council by the Governor.
In the direct funding pattern, the Centre would direct the fund for the Garos hills region through a State finance commission, which in turn would fund the GHADC to carry out development works in the districts of Garo Hills.
Another significant decision that would be undertaken is that the municipality would be abolished and the wards would be brought under the GHADC. “We have got more than we demanded,” Sangma said happily after the four-hour long meeting with the officials.
Asked about the demand of their earlier demand of a Garoland Autonomous Council, Sangma said, that only the nomenclature of the GHADC has remained unchanged, and most of their demand has been included in function of the GHADC, which is what they wanted.
In the meeting, the breakaway faction of the ANVC also came forward for the talks and Sangma said that they too have expressed satisfaction on the outcome of the meeting. The breakaway faction came after an appeal from the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma. It wasn’t clear immediately what set of demands the new group presented to the Home Ministry officials.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Armed insurgents seen in Mizoram near B'desh border
Aizawl: Armed insurgents dressed in Army camouflage have been sighted in western Mizoram's Mamit district, which shares border with Bangladesh and Tripura, police said on Monday.
Road construction workers saw the insurgents recently near Muathuam after which the sub-divisional police officer of Kawrthah was sent with armed police to the area.
The workers suspected the insurgents to be Nagas and said that while two of the militants were armed with AK-47 assault rifles, the other two were carrying automatic pistols in their hip holsters.
"All four of them carried identical hunting knives," one of the eye-witnesses told police officials.
Around ten armed insurgents, speaking in Bru dialect, crossed the road near this village on the previous day and the matter was reported to the police by the villagers.
An insurgent known as Iwarifa was reported to have been looking for prospective recruits for the NLFT and the recently-formed Borok National Council of Tripura (BNCT) in nearby Thaidawr and surrounding villages during last week, reports said.
Meanwhile, three non-tribal timber traders, abducted by suspected NLFT and BNCT militants on November 25 night were still in captivity in the jungles near Zopui and Thangnang villages in Bangladesh.
The abductors demanded a ransom of Rs 30 lakh for their release.
Road construction workers saw the insurgents recently near Muathuam after which the sub-divisional police officer of Kawrthah was sent with armed police to the area.
The workers suspected the insurgents to be Nagas and said that while two of the militants were armed with AK-47 assault rifles, the other two were carrying automatic pistols in their hip holsters.
"All four of them carried identical hunting knives," one of the eye-witnesses told police officials.
Around ten armed insurgents, speaking in Bru dialect, crossed the road near this village on the previous day and the matter was reported to the police by the villagers.
An insurgent known as Iwarifa was reported to have been looking for prospective recruits for the NLFT and the recently-formed Borok National Council of Tripura (BNCT) in nearby Thaidawr and surrounding villages during last week, reports said.
Meanwhile, three non-tribal timber traders, abducted by suspected NLFT and BNCT militants on November 25 night were still in captivity in the jungles near Zopui and Thangnang villages in Bangladesh.
The abductors demanded a ransom of Rs 30 lakh for their release.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Militant arrested from border town In Manipur
A militant of banned People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been arrested by para military forces in the border town of Moreh in Manipur's Chandel district bordering Myanmar, official reports said today.
The reports said Assam Rifles personnel of 9th battalion launched a massive search operation at the border town of Moreh yesterday following reported infiltration of militants from across the border.
During the search operation, the PLA militant identified as Kh amujao (30) alias Khagemba was arrested, the reports said.
One .32 pistol and some rounds of ammunition were recovered from his possession.
He was handed over to Imphal West district police station here for interrogation, the reports said.
The reports said Assam Rifles personnel of 9th battalion launched a massive search operation at the border town of Moreh yesterday following reported infiltration of militants from across the border.
During the search operation, the PLA militant identified as Kh amujao (30) alias Khagemba was arrested, the reports said.
One .32 pistol and some rounds of ammunition were recovered from his possession.
He was handed over to Imphal West district police station here for interrogation, the reports said.
Top Maoist leader of Jharkhand caught in Assam
Tezpur: A Jharkhand Maoist leader, carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head, was arrested on Thursday.
Acting on a tip-off, police caught Anil Kharwal alias Anandji, who is the zonal commander of three districts of Jharkhand, along with his brother-in-law.
There were 18 cases registered against Kharwal who was suspected to have come to Assam to organise the banned outfit in rural areas of the state.
Police did not reveal his brother-in-law's name as his involvement with the outfit was yet to be ascertained.
Acting on a tip-off, police caught Anil Kharwal alias Anandji, who is the zonal commander of three districts of Jharkhand, along with his brother-in-law.
There were 18 cases registered against Kharwal who was suspected to have come to Assam to organise the banned outfit in rural areas of the state.
Police did not reveal his brother-in-law's name as his involvement with the outfit was yet to be ascertained.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Militant activities in Assam points towards need of serious attention on Bengal foothills
SILIGURI: Following the encounter of last week in which ULFA top leader Saurav Borah has been shot down in Western Assam, whole of the NE state has been put under Red Alert.
But the development has once again pointed out towards the need to give serious attention on critical foothills region of North Bengal at India's 'chicken neck' adjoining to lower Assam that is witnessing gradual consolidation of extremist's outfits in its socio-economically shattered tea belts.
With Nepal in North-West and Bangladesh in South-East, West Bengal's foothills had always remained a major and preferred passage for the extremists from NE Indian states to Nepal, Bangladesh and also Bhutan across the infamous 'Chicken neck' of India that connects entire north east region with rest of country. Indo-Bhutan and Indo-Nepal, while both of these borders are open, that with Bangladesh is fenced and closed but highly porous.
"The extremists are using the foothills as important hub of their operation. Largely varying topography of the region with hilly rivers, jungles or uninhabited lands give additional advantages to them," said security experts.
"Despite best effort, the border guarding forces cannot fully stop infiltration of people, explosives, arms or narcotics across these borders. These make this Dooars region a strategically important and suitable place for the militants of NE region to camp in,"" agreed top security agency officials. "There is a definite upsurge in the effort of these groups for reconsolidation in this region," they said.
Contentious arrest of many in the region since long including top Maoist leaders like Mr. Mohan Vaidya or volunteers from ULFA, NDFB or KLO and seizures of huge cache of arms confirm increasing presence of militants in the.
The chaotic Tea economics since last couple of years has caused socioeconomic downfall of less educated and simple minded tea workers of foothills tea belt that hosts over 300 organized gardens. UPA Government's 'Special packages' or 'Grants' for tea industry could hardly reach the workers level. Naturaly, these socially and economically victimized class of people may become easy prey of these groups," complained Mr. S Roy, veteran Tea Trade Union Leader.
"These have already been reported. But state Government seems to be too concerned with political issues to spare an eye for this region," said a top official from state Police force on condition of anonymity.
But the development has once again pointed out towards the need to give serious attention on critical foothills region of North Bengal at India's 'chicken neck' adjoining to lower Assam that is witnessing gradual consolidation of extremist's outfits in its socio-economically shattered tea belts.
With Nepal in North-West and Bangladesh in South-East, West Bengal's foothills had always remained a major and preferred passage for the extremists from NE Indian states to Nepal, Bangladesh and also Bhutan across the infamous 'Chicken neck' of India that connects entire north east region with rest of country. Indo-Bhutan and Indo-Nepal, while both of these borders are open, that with Bangladesh is fenced and closed but highly porous.
"The extremists are using the foothills as important hub of their operation. Largely varying topography of the region with hilly rivers, jungles or uninhabited lands give additional advantages to them," said security experts.
"Despite best effort, the border guarding forces cannot fully stop infiltration of people, explosives, arms or narcotics across these borders. These make this Dooars region a strategically important and suitable place for the militants of NE region to camp in,"" agreed top security agency officials. "There is a definite upsurge in the effort of these groups for reconsolidation in this region," they said.
Contentious arrest of many in the region since long including top Maoist leaders like Mr. Mohan Vaidya or volunteers from ULFA, NDFB or KLO and seizures of huge cache of arms confirm increasing presence of militants in the.
The chaotic Tea economics since last couple of years has caused socioeconomic downfall of less educated and simple minded tea workers of foothills tea belt that hosts over 300 organized gardens. UPA Government's 'Special packages' or 'Grants' for tea industry could hardly reach the workers level. Naturaly, these socially and economically victimized class of people may become easy prey of these groups," complained Mr. S Roy, veteran Tea Trade Union Leader.
"These have already been reported. But state Government seems to be too concerned with political issues to spare an eye for this region," said a top official from state Police force on condition of anonymity.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Security forces gun down two militants in Assam
Security forces gunned down two hardcore militants of the banned militant outfits — The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) — in Goalpara District that is located on the Assam-Meghalaya border on Sunday.
Superintendent of Police, Goalpara, Shyamal Saikia, said: “So far, one person has not been identified; another person has been identified as a GNLA (Garo National Liberation Army) cadre, because we recovered the outfit's I-card from his bag. The other person is suspected to be an ULFA cadre but he has not been formally identified yet."
According to media reports, other militants of the outfits managed to flee and enter Meghalaya.
Saikia said security forces had recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from the slain militants.
“Among the arms and ammunitions, we have recovered a 7.5 pistol, a 9mm pistol, live ammunitions and also about 52 detonators from the site and three bundles of cordex and also three mobile sets. The writing pads belonging to both, ULFA and GNLA have been found. Since one person has been identified as GNLA cadre and since there is a demand note from the ULFA, we have assumed the other person to be an ULFA cadre,” said Saikia.
Search operations have been launched along the border area to nab the absconding militants.
United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is the top militant group fighting in the country's remote northeast.
The ULFA is one of the deadliest separatist groups in the northeast, and progress in resolving the insurgency, which has been a drain on resources.
Separatist movements have riddled India's remote northeast region for decades.
Thousands have died in three decades of violence since ULFA was formed in 1979 in Assam, demanding independence from India, which it accused of plundering the region's mineral and agricultural resources, but public support for the group has sagged recently.
Assam has been a focus of a separatist insurgency for decades, but it has also recently suffered bomb attacks by alleged Islamist militants operating from neighbouring Bangladesh.
Ringed by China, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan, India's northeast is home to more than 200 tribes and has been racked by separatist revolts since India gained independence.
Superintendent of Police, Goalpara, Shyamal Saikia, said: “So far, one person has not been identified; another person has been identified as a GNLA (Garo National Liberation Army) cadre, because we recovered the outfit's I-card from his bag. The other person is suspected to be an ULFA cadre but he has not been formally identified yet."
According to media reports, other militants of the outfits managed to flee and enter Meghalaya.
Saikia said security forces had recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from the slain militants.
“Among the arms and ammunitions, we have recovered a 7.5 pistol, a 9mm pistol, live ammunitions and also about 52 detonators from the site and three bundles of cordex and also three mobile sets. The writing pads belonging to both, ULFA and GNLA have been found. Since one person has been identified as GNLA cadre and since there is a demand note from the ULFA, we have assumed the other person to be an ULFA cadre,” said Saikia.
Search operations have been launched along the border area to nab the absconding militants.
United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is the top militant group fighting in the country's remote northeast.
The ULFA is one of the deadliest separatist groups in the northeast, and progress in resolving the insurgency, which has been a drain on resources.
Separatist movements have riddled India's remote northeast region for decades.
Thousands have died in three decades of violence since ULFA was formed in 1979 in Assam, demanding independence from India, which it accused of plundering the region's mineral and agricultural resources, but public support for the group has sagged recently.
Assam has been a focus of a separatist insurgency for decades, but it has also recently suffered bomb attacks by alleged Islamist militants operating from neighbouring Bangladesh.
Ringed by China, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan, India's northeast is home to more than 200 tribes and has been racked by separatist revolts since India gained independence.
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