TURA: Hasslefree and easy access to sophisticated firearms by Garo militants in Meghalaya has become a major cause for concern for the state government. Though the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militant group was once believed to have sophisticated arms only, splinter groups in the West Garo hills are also getting these firearms easily nowadays.
According to chief minister Mukul Sangma, the porous border has helped these militants groups procure weapons freely. "During several arms hauls by the security forces, we have found automatic sophisticated firearms from these militants. It proves that they (militants) have easy access to these weapons. We believe the arms are coming from the other side of the border. That's why, both the Centre and the state government have emphasized the need to strengthen the 'internal security' of the state on a priority basis," said Sangma.
Security sources said that the Garo militants, including some small and splinter groups in Meghalaya, are currently armed with a large number of AK-47s, AK-74s, AK-81s, rocket launchers, Chinese grenades, Heckler and Koch rifles, Glock guns and US-made sophisticated pistols.
"Though militant groups like Ulfa (Independent), NSCN (IM) and Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA) were providing arms to Garo ultra groups earlier, now the rebels have direct access to gunrunners from Myanmar and Bangladesh," said a police official.
The official added that the Ulfa (I) faction is also helping small groups like the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) by providing them with firearms. "Ulfa (I) is selling its used firearms to the UALA," the source informed.
On Diwali night, suspected UALA ultras gunned down seven men at Gendamari in Goalpara district. Eyewitnesses said that the militants had used sophisticated arms.
The Meghalaya and Assam police departments, along with the army and the CRPF, are now running one of the biggest counter-insurgency operations against two Garo outfits - the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and the United Achik Liberation Army (UALA) - along a 68-km stretch of interstate border in southern lower Assam.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Manipuri rebel sentenced for period already spent in custody
A member of a banned Manipuri rebel group has pleaded guilty before a Delhi court, which sentenced him to jail for the period already spent in custody after he submitted that he will not indulge in any militant activities in the future.
Raj Kumar Raghunath Singh alias Ronan Aier, a member of banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), pleaded guilty before Additional Sessions Judge Daya Prakash and said he was no more a member of the group and his wife is a senior police officer.
Having spent over four years in custody, Singh also submitted that he wanted to lead a normal life ahead.
"Since convict Raj Kumar Raghunath Singh has pleaded guilty and is in judicial custody since June 27, 2009 and undertakes not to involve in any illegal activity further and stated as a fact that he is no more a member of any banned organisation as defined under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, my inference is that the convict be sentenced to the period already undergone by him," the court said.
Singh was charged under section 17 and 20 of the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
He was accused of being an active member and self-styled captain of KYKL.
He was also accused of raising funds for committing militant acts and maintaining account in the name of fictitious person, Mairembam Anand Singh.
His name was also on the list of militants issued by the government of Manipur.
After sentencing him to jail term already undergone, the court directed that "he be set at liberty, if not required in any other case".
Raj Kumar Raghunath Singh alias Ronan Aier, a member of banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), pleaded guilty before Additional Sessions Judge Daya Prakash and said he was no more a member of the group and his wife is a senior police officer.
Having spent over four years in custody, Singh also submitted that he wanted to lead a normal life ahead.
"Since convict Raj Kumar Raghunath Singh has pleaded guilty and is in judicial custody since June 27, 2009 and undertakes not to involve in any illegal activity further and stated as a fact that he is no more a member of any banned organisation as defined under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, my inference is that the convict be sentenced to the period already undergone by him," the court said.
Singh was charged under section 17 and 20 of the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
He was accused of being an active member and self-styled captain of KYKL.
He was also accused of raising funds for committing militant acts and maintaining account in the name of fictitious person, Mairembam Anand Singh.
His name was also on the list of militants issued by the government of Manipur.
After sentencing him to jail term already undergone, the court directed that "he be set at liberty, if not required in any other case".
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Six killed in militant attack in Assam
At least six persons were killed and seven others seriously injured when suspected Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants opened fire on a group of people gambling on the occasion of Diwali in Assam's Goalpara district tonight.
The armed insurgents swooped on the group of gamblers at remote Gendamari in Aagia police station and randomly fired on them from automatic weapons at around 9 PM.
Bholanath Rabha, Amarendra Rabha, Jayanta Rabha, Puran Rabha, Kalpanath Rabha and Lulu Rabha died on the spot, official sources said.
The injured were rushed to Goalpara Civil Hospital by the local people who alleged that the police came late at the site of the firing.
Meanwhile, senior police officers have rushed to the spot from the district headquarters town of Goalpara and security has been beefed up in the district following the incident, the sources said.
Goalpara district has been witnessing violence since October 20 with protests against the upcoming Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council elections between November 13 and 25 demanding exclusion of non Rabha areas from the Council.
The sources, however, ruled out that tonight's incident was connected with the Council elections.
Proscribed GNLA, based in the jungles of Garo Hills district of Meghalaya near Goalpara district, has been fighting for a separate state since 2009.
They attack security forces and civilians, trigger blasts and kidnap people to extort money.
The armed insurgents swooped on the group of gamblers at remote Gendamari in Aagia police station and randomly fired on them from automatic weapons at around 9 PM.
Bholanath Rabha, Amarendra Rabha, Jayanta Rabha, Puran Rabha, Kalpanath Rabha and Lulu Rabha died on the spot, official sources said.
The injured were rushed to Goalpara Civil Hospital by the local people who alleged that the police came late at the site of the firing.
Meanwhile, senior police officers have rushed to the spot from the district headquarters town of Goalpara and security has been beefed up in the district following the incident, the sources said.
Goalpara district has been witnessing violence since October 20 with protests against the upcoming Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council elections between November 13 and 25 demanding exclusion of non Rabha areas from the Council.
The sources, however, ruled out that tonight's incident was connected with the Council elections.
Proscribed GNLA, based in the jungles of Garo Hills district of Meghalaya near Goalpara district, has been fighting for a separate state since 2009.
They attack security forces and civilians, trigger blasts and kidnap people to extort money.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Two dead as powerful bombs explode in Manipur
Militants exploded two powerful bombs in Manipur's Imphal West district on Wednesday.
A report from Imphal said two civilians were killed in the explosion and five others seriously injured.
An improvised explosive device (IED) went off at Yaiskul bus stand near Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh's office-cum-residence here at 6.20 AM, officials said.
The blast left two dead and injured five others seriously. The victims were identified as Hollun Taothang (45), a businessman from Churachandpur district, and Laishram
Brojen (32) from Imphal East district.
The five injured persons were taken to Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital (RIMSH) in a serious condition.
The victims were either waiting for a vehicle to go to the border town of Moreh or were taking a morning stroll when the incident occurred.
Militants also exploded an IED bomb at a roadside while security personnel were conducting a foot patrol at Moidangpok area, about 5 Kms west of here, at around 10 AM. However, there was no casualty, they said.
Security personnel immediately took up position after the explosion and later searched the area but no arrest could be made.
Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur Gaikhangam visited the injured persons at the RIMSH and gave Rs 5000 each to their family members to meet immediate expenses for medical treatment.
Condemning the incidents, Chief Minister Ibobi Singh and Gaikhangam, who also holds home portfolio, held meetings with police and security officials to discuss the latest situation.
Insurgency not ended completely but considerably less: Gogoi
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday claimed that insurgency-related activities had not ended completely but had come down considerably in the state.
"Assam government has over the last few years initiated several strong measures to end insurgency in the state and though there has been considerable improvement, violence has not ended completely," Gogoi said here while paying homage to victims of serial blasts of October 30, 2008 which claimed 96 lives and injured more than 300 people.
The Chief Minister appealed to militant outfits still indulging in violence to give up this path, join the mainstream and help in establishing peace and development.
"October 30 is a black day in Assam's history where many people lost their near and dear ones," the Chief Minister said at the memorial service organised below Ganeshguri Flyover here which bore the brunt of the blast killing atleast 50 people.
The Chief Minister assured people that his government was committed to the development of the state which was only possible with the cooperation of the people.
The memorial service was attended among others by family members of the victims, Social Welfare Minister Akon Bora, Congress MLAs Chandan Sarkar, Captain Robin Bordoloi, Bismita Gogoi, Arati Hazarika Kachari, Director General of Police J N Choudhury and senior state government officials.
Twelve high intensity blasts were carried out by the Ranjan Daimary led NDFB in Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Barpeta and Bongaigaon on October 30, 2008.
Family members of the victims had expressed their anguish on the release of NDFB leader Ranjan Daimary from jail this year for negotiations and some of them refused to attend today's memorial service.
"Assam government has over the last few years initiated several strong measures to end insurgency in the state and though there has been considerable improvement, violence has not ended completely," Gogoi said here while paying homage to victims of serial blasts of October 30, 2008 which claimed 96 lives and injured more than 300 people.
The Chief Minister appealed to militant outfits still indulging in violence to give up this path, join the mainstream and help in establishing peace and development.
"October 30 is a black day in Assam's history where many people lost their near and dear ones," the Chief Minister said at the memorial service organised below Ganeshguri Flyover here which bore the brunt of the blast killing atleast 50 people.
The Chief Minister assured people that his government was committed to the development of the state which was only possible with the cooperation of the people.
The memorial service was attended among others by family members of the victims, Social Welfare Minister Akon Bora, Congress MLAs Chandan Sarkar, Captain Robin Bordoloi, Bismita Gogoi, Arati Hazarika Kachari, Director General of Police J N Choudhury and senior state government officials.
Twelve high intensity blasts were carried out by the Ranjan Daimary led NDFB in Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Barpeta and Bongaigaon on October 30, 2008.
Family members of the victims had expressed their anguish on the release of NDFB leader Ranjan Daimary from jail this year for negotiations and some of them refused to attend today's memorial service.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
NSCN disallows rally against taxation
DIMAPUR, Oct 30 – While the NSCN-IM has decided not to allow the scheduled rally of the Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) in Dimapur on October 31, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI) has asked all the business organisations in Dimapur to not only close their establishments on that day till the rally is over but also participate physically in it.
The NSCN-IM, in a statement on Tuesday said that the organization has, following its joint council meeting at Hebron on October 28, decided to disallow the proposed rally on October 31 being organised by the so-called ‘banned’ ACAUT just to malign the national cause in the name of unspecified, unabated taxation.
In this connection, it was decided to initiate further necessary steps or measures to obstruct such anti-national designs to murder the long struggle for the national cause, the statement added. The NSCN-IM meeting also reaffirmed the decisions of the joint council meeting held on October 8 to ban the newly floated Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) for its deliberate negation of the principle of the Naga Hoho and the aspirations of the Nagas.
On the other hand, the DCCI stated that it along with all business frontal organisations have unanimously decided to fully support the initiative of ACAUT. The decision follows a joint meeting on Monday, according to a release issued by DCCI president Hokivi Chishi.
As a sign of support towards this noble cause undertaken by ACAUT, the frontal business organisations also decided to down their shutters during the ACAUT rally on October 31. However, the shops will reopen after the rally, the release added.
Moreover, refusing to bow to the pressure, the ACAUT has decided to hold a public awareness rally in Dimapur on October 31. It also started a signature campaign against extortion and illegal taxation from October 23 at City Tower, Dimapur to draw public support to the cause that is affecting the Naga society.
Extending solidarity to ACAUT, the Youth Association of Nagaland (YAN) organized a free and voluntary cycle and motorcycle rally in Dimapur on Monday morning.
The NSCN-IM, in a statement on Tuesday said that the organization has, following its joint council meeting at Hebron on October 28, decided to disallow the proposed rally on October 31 being organised by the so-called ‘banned’ ACAUT just to malign the national cause in the name of unspecified, unabated taxation.
In this connection, it was decided to initiate further necessary steps or measures to obstruct such anti-national designs to murder the long struggle for the national cause, the statement added. The NSCN-IM meeting also reaffirmed the decisions of the joint council meeting held on October 8 to ban the newly floated Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) for its deliberate negation of the principle of the Naga Hoho and the aspirations of the Nagas.
On the other hand, the DCCI stated that it along with all business frontal organisations have unanimously decided to fully support the initiative of ACAUT. The decision follows a joint meeting on Monday, according to a release issued by DCCI president Hokivi Chishi.
As a sign of support towards this noble cause undertaken by ACAUT, the frontal business organisations also decided to down their shutters during the ACAUT rally on October 31. However, the shops will reopen after the rally, the release added.
Moreover, refusing to bow to the pressure, the ACAUT has decided to hold a public awareness rally in Dimapur on October 31. It also started a signature campaign against extortion and illegal taxation from October 23 at City Tower, Dimapur to draw public support to the cause that is affecting the Naga society.
Extending solidarity to ACAUT, the Youth Association of Nagaland (YAN) organized a free and voluntary cycle and motorcycle rally in Dimapur on Monday morning.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Bomb blast in Imphal
One powerful foreign-made bomb exploded on Tuesday morning near Marwari
Dharmasala in the Imphal city.
There was no casualty. Police sources said the bomb was planted under a hand-cart and activated by a remote control device.
There have been series of bomb blasts in the Imphal city all these days. Earlier, nine migrant workers from Assam were killed and 11 others wounded, when a hand grenade was hurled inside the shack of the labourers in Imphal.
There was no casualty. Police sources said the bomb was planted under a hand-cart and activated by a remote control device.
There have been series of bomb blasts in the Imphal city all these days. Earlier, nine migrant workers from Assam were killed and 11 others wounded, when a hand grenade was hurled inside the shack of the labourers in Imphal.
Home Minister, Gaikhangam Gangmei said the bomb attacks are intended to
create law and order problems. Describing the attacks as cowardly, he
said that the government will come down with a heavy hand to curb this.
Every morning, scores of migrant workers assemble at Marwari Dharmasala to start their daily works.
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