Huge cache of arms recovered in Guwahati, 2 held

Guwahati, Feb 26 : Assam police on Wednesday recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition, explosives and arrested two persons in two separate incidents in Guwahati, officials said.

According to reports, based on intelligence inputs, police had launched operation at NH-37 near Jorabat area outskirts of Guwahati and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from a vehicle and arrested two persons.

Police recovered one AK-47 rifle with two magazines, 164 rounds live ammunition of Insas rifle, six rounds AK-47 rifle ammunition, 380 rounds 9 mm pistol ammunition from the vehicle which was on the way to Tura in Meghalaya from Nagaland.

Security personnel arrested two persons identified as Biswajit Sangma and Runa Sangma who allegedly involved in the illegal arms consignment.

“The nabbed person duo had carried the arms-ammunition from Dimapur in Nagaland to Meghalaya and they were suspected to involve with terrorist group in Meghalaya,” a top police official said.

In separate incident, police recovered 400 gelatin sticks, 200 detonators and eight explosive wire from Inter State Bus Terminal near Garchuk in Guwahati on Wednesday morning.

Delhi court holds two men guilty of being members of terror outfit

Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh held the Manipur natives-- Napoleon Thockchom and Nangthanbam Anand-- guilty of the offence under section 20 (being member of terrorist gang or organisation) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which entails a maximum punishment of life term.

NEW DELHI: Two Manipuri residents have been convicted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act by a Delhi court for being members of a banned terror outfit.

The court, however, freed them of the charges of indulging in illicit drug trafficking to raise money for the outfit due to lack of evidence.

Additional Sessions Judge Reetesh Singh held the Manipur natives-- Napoleon Thockchom and Nangthanbam Anand-- guilty of the offence under section 20 (being member of terrorist gang or organisation) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which entails a maximum punishment of life term.

"Both the accused persons pleaded guilty to the offence under section 20 of UAPA and said in their statements recorded under CrPC that they were members of the banned terrorist organisation Kanglaipak Communist Party (KCP). Hence, both the accused persons are convicted," the judge said.

The court is yet to pronounce the quantum of sentence to both the convicts.

While acquitting them of the charges of raising money for the outfit by illegal drug trafficking, the court rejected their disclosure statements and said there was no evidence to prove the same.

"The disclosure statements of both the accused persons regarding indulging in trade of illegal drugs to raise money for financing activities of the banned organisation is inadmissible in evidence as there is no discovery of any such fact deposed to have been discovered in consequence of the statements of the accused...

"Thus neither of the accused can be held guilty of the offence punishable under Section 18 (conspiring or knowingly facilitating commission of a terrorist act) of the UAPA," it said.

The court also noted that both the convicts, along with four other accused, had been discharged of the offences under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act by another judge.

As per the police, it got a tip-off in March 2011 about large quantities of Ephedrine, a controlled substance, being illegally exported from Delhi to Myanmar and China via Manipur for manufacturing narcotics by Manipur-based traders and proceeds of the same were being sent to banned terrorist organisations based in the state to finance their activities.

DHD threat to stop rail work

Work in progress on the Lumding
-Silchar track. Picture by UB Photos

Haflong, Feb. 5: Former DHD leaders today threatened to stop the ongoing broad gauge conversion and East-West corridor projects in Dima Hasao district for an indefinite period unless a CBI inquiry was conducted into the killing of its former general secretary Rajesh Naidin on January 9.
The decision was taken at a meeting in Umrangsu, 134km from here, chaired by former chief of the outfit Dilip Nunisa. Altogether 80 former DHD cadres and leaders were present at the meeting.
Nunisa told The Telegraph, "We are compelled to take this decision because almost a month has passed but the local administration has failed to apprehend the culprits behind the killing of our leader. We are demanding a CBI probe into the killing, rehabilitation of former DHD cadres and withdrawal of the cases against the outfit, except heinous crimes."
Rajesh Naiding alias Maiju, one of the signatories to the memorandum of settlement signed between DHD and DHD (Joel) and the central and Assam governments on October 8, 2012, was killed by unidentified gunmen around 6.30pm on January 9 this year near his residence at Dayungmukh, 112km from Haflong.
The proposed protest could further delay the ongoing broad gauge conversion in Dima Hasao, derailing the fresh deadline to complete the Lumding-Silchar line by March 31.
The project was started in 1996 with a completion deadline of 10 years. However, insurgency saw the track conversion and the East-West corridor (started in 1998) run behind schedule.
Nunisa also claimed to have submitted a memorandum to governor P.B. Acharya and Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju on their demands but there had been no headway.
Dima Halam Daogah (DHD), a disbanded militant group fighting for a separate Dimasa state, declared a ceasefire on January 1, 2003, and after 10 years of talks with the central and state governments, surrendered arms on March 9, 2013.

NSCN(IM) looks for ‘mutually acceptable political solution’

Seventeen years into peace negotiations with the government of India, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim – NSCN(IM) – has said it was looking forward to a mutually acceptable political agreement based on respect for peace and honour.

“A mutually acceptable political agreement based on respect for peace and honour is indispensable to usher in a lasting solution in the region and elsewhere. It will open the floodgates of blessings for both the parties. We assure the Naga people that the NSCN will negotiate respecting the historical and political rights of the Nagas,” Isak Chisi Swu, chairman of the NSCN(IM) in his speech on the occasion of the organisation’s 36th foundation day.

While Swu delivered his speech at the NSCN(IM) headquarters at Hebron on the outskirts of Dimapur on Saturday, the text of the same was released to the media by its publicity wing only on Monday.

Describing the current phase of the peace negotiations with New Delhi as a “compelling and crucial juncture in Naga history,” the NSCN(IM) chairman also said that group was of the belief that the right of self-determination of the Nagas was a righteous cause and inalienable. “We are committed and convicted of the fact that the right of self-determination of the Nagas is a righteous cause and inalienable. It is a God given right and non-negotiable,” he said.

“The issue of the Nagas versus India and Burma (Myanmmar) is not a contest of strength but upholding the historical rights of the Naga people against belligerent powers. The silence of Phizo on the 1975 Shillong Accord created a huge confusion and consequently, in the end, conflict and bloodshed amongst the Nagas.  This history must not be repeated. We will not allow the mistakes of history to be repeated again,” he said.

Describing the NSCN(IM)’s struggle as one against exploitation and domination, Swu sad that theNagas had respected Gandhiji’s non-violence means, but were forced to fight back in self-defence because of the military solution that was resorted to by India and Burma. Leaders after Gandhi had failed to understand the Naga issue, he claimed.

“The post-Gandhi era leadership who did not try to understand the substance of the Naga issue and they had closed down all avenues for peaceful settlement of the issue. Nagas cannot be forced to repeat to defend again through guns. We will not allow any force to dictate terms on us. We will not be forced to lay down our arms and freedom. But we are ready for a negotiated political settlement acceptable to both. The price will be too much if the Indo-Naga issue is forced inside the battle ground again,” he said.

Karbi Anglong reels under extortion as sleuths try to recover loot in Dima Hasao

Chilonijan (Karbi Anglong), Feb. 1: If you wish to contact a government official posted here on his or her mobile phone, make sure you send them a text message introducing yourself.
Many government officials or businessmen in the hill district prefer to avoid unknown phone calls, which are often found to be from members of splinter militant groups demanding money.
"Earlier there were one or two groups which used to collect money from the rich. But now there are so many groups that they don't even spare people like us. So, we prefer to avoid unknown numbers unless we receive a text message from the person," said a state government employee here, requesting anonymity.
Many in Chilonijan said the fear of extortion has increased though two major rebel groups - United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) and Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) - have been disbanded.
Security forces have also arrested more than 60 per cent cadres of the Karbi People's Liberation Tigers (KPLT), formed by a group of KLNLF cadres, soon after the outfit disbanded in 2010.
At least seven such groups - each comprising 20-40 armed cadres - have been formed since then, with the motive to carry on extortion.
Sources said with illegal arms easily available from Dimapur in neighbouring Nagaland, young people taking up arms and forming such groups for "easy money" is becoming a worry for the people and security forces fighting the long militancy problem in Karbi Anglong.
"Some of these small groups were formed by former members of UPDS or KLNLF while some were recruited later. We have managed to arrest 66 KPLT cadres while 11 were killed in encounters in the past year. About 50 cadres are still at large, mostly in eastern part of the district and Hamren (a separate police district in Karbi Anglong). But the KPLT now has been split into five groups - KPLT (Buche group), KPLT (Pratap), KPLT (Donri), KPLT (Symbon) and KPLT (Sojong). Some of these groups have six-seven members," Karbi Anglong superintendent of police Mugdha Jyoti Mahanta said.
Security forces have arrested over 60 cadres of the KPLF, Rengma Naga Hills Protection Force, United People's Liberation Army (UPLA) and United Democratic Liberation Army (UDLA).
These include at least 20 UPLA men, the outfit responsible for killing Hamren SP Nityananda Goswami and his PSO, Ratul Nunisa, in June last year.
"In some cases, cadres were found making calls to government officials and businessmen for money after their leaders were arrested and sent to jail," another source said.
The sources said pressure on the rebel groups in the hill district was stepped up after the Centre rushed additional forces following the massacre of 66 Adivasis by NDFB (Songbijit) in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts on December 23.
In a related development, a joint team of police and the Diphu-based army unit under its Red Horns division arrested Munthir Ingti, 30, an "area commander" of KPLT, in Dokmoka last night along with two linkmen.
A pistol, 20 rounds of ammunition, Rs 50,000 in cash, four mobile phones and extortion notes of the outfit were recovered from them.

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.