SFs arrested an unidentified militant
belonging to NDFB-IKS at Chhagaliya near the Assam-West Bengal
border in Dhubri District.
January 2
The dead body of an Adivasi villager,
Kero Hasda, was recovered in Chirang District. The death toll
in the violence which started with the December 23, 2013 NDFB-IKS
attacks, its backlash and in Police firing has gone up to 82.
"He [Kero Hasda] was missing since December 25 from Koraibari
village in Chirang district," Inspector-General of Police (law
and order) S.N. Singh said.
An AR jawan was injured, in unconfirmed
reports, during an encounter between AR personnel and suspected
NDFB-IKS militants under Itakhola Police Station area in Sonitpur
District. A meeting of the Special Operations Group of Unified
Command was held at the Army's Red Horns Division Headquarters
at Rangiya on January 2 to review the security situation following
the NDFB-IKS attacks.
SFs arrested one KPLT linkman,
identified as Babu Hanseyin Kheroni Police Station of Karbi Anglong
District. Police also recovered one 9mm pistol with 4 ammunitions
and 5 bullets of AK series assault rifle from the residence of
Sarmen Enghi located in village Notun Enghi Gaon.
Home Commissioner Prateek Hajela
said that the number of Adivasi and Bodo people taking shelter
in relief camps has come down to 2,08,000 (on January 2) from
2,36,000 (on January 1), with more people returning home.
A Junior Commissioned Officer
of 12 Assam Rifles was killed, in an encounter, with militants
of the NDFB-IKS in Sonitpur District. Official sources said a
group of 12 NDFB-IKS militants came down from the hilly Seijosa
area near Pakke reserve forest in East Kameng District of neighboring
Arunachal Pradesh and opened fire on Security Forces (SFs).SFs
had launched operations against NDFB-IKS after the later carried
out December 23 massacre of Adivasis in Sonitpur, Chirang and
Kokrajhar Districts.
January 3
Inspector-General of Police (law
and order) S.N. Singh said that the ULFA-I might carry out strikes
ahead of Republic Day.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said
that the December 23 attack on Adivasi could not have been possible
without the knowledge of the NDFB-IKS's 'Commander-in- chief'
Ingti Kathar Songbijit. "The attacks could not have taken place
without Songbijit consent. His deputy might have executed the
attacks but it is not possible that the attacks happened without
Songbijit knowing of it," Gogoi said at a press conference here.
January 4
Six relief camps have been closed
down in Chirang and Kokrajhar districts, and with this, the total
number of relief camps has come down to 96 in the four Districts
namely Chirang, Udalguri, Kokrajhar and Sonitpur. As on January
4, approximately 164,790 inmates are living in 96 relief camps.
Activists of the ATPC, led by
'general secretary' Manak Chandra Bordoloi, staged a dharna
[non-violent sit-in protest] on January 4 to demand dissolution
of the present Tiwa Autonomous Council (TAC) and holding of elections
in February 2015.
Talks are on with Bhutan at the
highest-level for a possible "coordinated" operation against the
NDFB-IKS. A senior official today said it might take a few days
for the discussions to yield results on the ground. Though India
is not planning any joint crackdown in Bhutan as of now, it wants
the Himalayan kingdom to back-up the operations launched in Assam.
SFs arrested two militants belonging
to NDFB-IKS, identified as Nakul Narzary and Raju Rabha, from
Namora under Jinjia Police Station area of Sonitpur District.
The Chief Executive Officer of
ASDMA, P.K. Tiwari, said during the last 24 hours, 11 relief camps
have been closed down with 24,651 inmates returning home. Now
there are 140,139 inmates in 85 relief camps in Kokrajhar, Chirang,
Udalguri and Sonitpur Districts, P.K. Tiwari, said.
SFs arrested two suspected NDFB-IKS
militants from Shamuktala area under the Shamuktala Police Station
in Alipurduar District. The militants were nabbed of West Bengal
close to the border with Assam. A huge quantity of arms and ammunition
was recovered from them, police added.
January 5
SFs arrested a NDFB-IKS militant,
Daimu Narzary, from Kajalgaon in Chirang District. IGP-law and
order S.N. Singh said Narzary was involved in a grenade blast
at Chapaguri in Chirang some months ago."Two grenade shells of
40mm UBGL and a Chinese grenade were recovered from him," Singh
said.
IGP-law and order, S.N. Singh
retracted from his earlier statement absolving NDFB-IKS 'commander-in-chief'
I.K. Songbijit of the December 23 carnage of Adivasis. "Whatever
the chief minister has stated is correct and I stand by his statement,"
he told reporters. The IGP-Law and Order had on January 2 said
that the killings were carried out under direction of G. Bidai,
the number two leader of the NDFB-IKS without the consent of Songbijit.
SFs arrested ULFA-I militant,
Kamal Laskar alias David Asom (32), from Dhemajigaon
near Raha in Nagaon district. ADGP-Law and Order RM Singh further
revealed that several political leaders of the State belonging
to different parties could be targeted by the banned outfit.
Police killed a suspected militant
of NDFB-IKS in the Bogijaan area along the Golaghat-Karbi Anglong
border. Two grenades, a 9mm pistol, seven rounds of cartridges
and two mobile phones were recovered from the site. The suspected
NDFB-IKS cadre who was killed in the encounter was identified
as Birat Basumatary of Gohpur in Sonitpur District.
January 6
Army, in an encounter, killed
a suspected KPLT militant near Hamren in Karbi Anglong District.
An M16 rifle and ammunition were recovered.
SFs arrested five GNLA militants
from Rongsoi on the Assam-Meghalaya border. Five pistols and ammunition
were recovered.
SFs arrested two militants belonging
to NDFB-IKS, identified as Probin Brahma and Vijay Kumar Brahma,
from Banshijhora in Parbatjhora subdivision in Kokrajhar District.
A 9mm pistol, a 7.62mm pistol, ammunition and mobile phones were
recovered.
Police arrested two UDLA militants
from Hailakandi District.
January 8
SFs killed two KPLT cadres in
a gun-battle at Rongtang village in Karbi Anglong District. Three
small fire arms were also seized from the incident site, Police
informed. KPLT has called for a 48-hour bandh in Karbi
Anglong District from January 11. The bandh (shutdown)
has been called to protest the killing of its member, believed
to be the 'deputy commander-in-chief', Kengkam Terang.
Police, in another operation,
arrested one UPLA militant, identified as one Aspee Bey, from
Phonglopet village in Karbi Anglong District. According to Police,
Aspee Bey was supposedly involved in the killing of Hamren SP,
Nityananda Goswami in June 2014.
January 8-9
Security Forces arrested nine
NDFB-IKS cadres along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition.
Seven of them were arrested in Kokrajhar District on January 9
while the other two were nabbed at Gohpur on January 8. Seven
of the arrested cadres were identified as Milan Mushahary alias Mithinga
(‘second in-command of Kokrajhar platoon’ of NDFB-IKS), Gautam
Moholia, Joyanta Muchahary, Bina Basumatary, Swamkar Brahma alias Khurai,
Khanda Narzary and Deuthwai Basumatary. The remaining two were
not unidentified yet.
January 10
SFs, during a counter-insurgency
operation, killed a ‘platoon commander’, identified as B.Jeblang,
of NDFB-IKS at Khalsibazar within Serfanguri Police Station jurisdiction
in Kokrajhar District. The news report stated that Jeblang was
involved in the killing of five Adivasis at Pakriguri in Kokrajhar
on December 23, 2014 and was also involved in the killing of five
Hindi-speaking people in the same District. Inspector General
of Police (BTAD) L R Bishnoi said "We have intensified our combing
operation in the area. Two NDFB-IKS militants, identified as Genda
and Bullet, were also arrested today (on January 10)," Bishnoi
said. Four pistols and ammunition were seized from the two rebels.
January 11
SFs recovered a Chinese grenade
near BJP district office located in GF Road in Bengenakhowa area
in Golaghat town in Golaghat district. The report adds that the
incidence comes a day after a ULFA-I's deadline to disrupt the
BJP's meetings aimed at winning the 2016 state Assembly election.
"The grenade is a Chinese-made one and powerful. We are already
on high alert regarding the warning issued by ULFA-I to attack
the BJP's offices and workers and it was because our strict vigil
that we have managed to foil the plot of criminals," Additional
superintendent of Police Numal Mahato said.
SFs arrested 12 NDFB-IKS militants
from three different locations in the forest areas along the Indo-Bhutan
border in Chirang District and recovered a large cache of arms
and ammunitions. The arrested militants are Parmanesh Narzary
alias N. Pwlersa (24), 'council member' and 'joint secretary
media and publicity wing' of the NDFB-IKS, 'deputy commander'
Swmkwr Basumatary alias B. Simang (27), Rahul Islary alias
J. Rwmwilu (31), 'sergeant major'/'commander' Joleswar Basumatary
alias B. Jakrup (29), 'sergeant major' Swrang Narzary alias
N. Saya (25), 'corporal/section commander' Anan Brahma alias
B. Aorai (26), 'corporal' Josao Muchahary alias M. Jahar
(25), 'lance corporal'/'section commander' Karan Muchahary alias
Kwiram Dwiram, Nagen Boro alias B. Tharun (35), Kalaram
Goyary alias Kala (30) and Riten Basumatary alias
B. Awgao (26).
January 12
Normal life came to a grinding
halt following the 48-hour Karbi Anglong bandh (shutdown
strike) called by KPLT from 5am on January 11,. The militant outfit
called the bandh to protest against the killing of its
'deputy commander-in-chief' Kangkan Terang in an encounter with
SFs near Rangjangfong under Hamren subdivision of the hill District.
Government offices and business institutions remained closed in
district headquarters Diphu and two subdivisional headquarters
of Bokajan and Hamren during the strike.
The UMHA has issued an official
order to resume the fourth official tripartite parley with JACAS
to look for a solution to settle the long-standing demand for
implementation of Article 244 (A).The meeting is scheduled to
be held on January 19 in New Delhi. In the parley, top officials
from Assam and Union Government will sit together with JACAS leaders
for talks.
SFs arrested 'platoon commander
of Belsiri area' "corporal" of NDFB-IKS, Bodosha Narzary alias
Bishnu Narzary (28), from Dhemaji district. During interrogation,
Bodosha confessed to his involvement in the carnage at Sonajuli
in Biswanath Chariali in Sonitpur district and his association
in other unlawful activities.
SFs arrested an NDFB-IKS linkman,
Subungma Basumatary alias Suresh (37), from Biswanath
Chariali in Sonitpur District on January 12. L.R. Bishnoi said
nearly 50 NDFB-IKS militants have been apprehended and a top leader
of the outfit killed in the four BTAD Districts since the operation
against the rebel group was intensified.
The NIA will take three militants
of the NDFB-IKS; arrested from Chirang district on January 11,
into custody to interrogate them in connection with the killing
of minorities in the BTAD in May 2014. The militants are Swmkwr
Basumatary alias B. Simang (27), Surjoy Goyari alias
G. Sujulang (25) and Joleswar Basumatary alias B.
Jakhrup (29) into custody in connection with cases RC-01/2014
and RC-02 2014 registered at the agency's Guwahati branch.
Government sources stated that
NDFB-IKS 'Deputy Army Chief' G. Bidai alias Bishnu Goyari,
one of the mastermind behind the December 23 Adivasi massacre,
had discussed the possibility of talks with the State Government
nearly a week ahead of the killing, report. The discussions failed
and an encounter on December 21, 2014 resulted in a massacre by
Bidai's men. Sources here said Bidai had been sending feelers
on coming to the negotiation table for some time, which prompted
the Assam Police to explore the opportunity of getting the entire
group.
January 13
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
reiterated that there will be no talks with militant outfits that
indulge in violence, though doors are open for parleys with others.
SFs arrested the 'second lieutenant'
and "chief recruiting officer", Enon Bargoyary alias
Erkhang (30) 'platoon commander of Amteka', Rinen Basumatary alias
Majhi (30), from a forested area in Amteka on the Indo-Bhutan
border in Chirang District on January 13. He is also very close
to the I.K. Songbijit, 'commander-in-chief' G. Bidai and his 'deputy
commander-in-chief' K. Batha, sources said. Rinen Basumatary had
surrendered after the Operation All Clear in 2003 but rejoined
the NDFB-IKS two years back, the sources said. IGP- BTAD L.R.
Bishnoi said an AK-47 rifle, an AK-56 rifle, two 7.65mm pistols,
two magazines, a grenade and 219 live ammunitions were seized
from them.
SFs arrested six more NDFB-IKS
militants from unidentified locations on January 13. The arrested
militants were identified as Pranjit Basumatary (19), Kerkho Mushahary
(21), Pribol Chumpamari (21), Milan Basumatary (28), Anjalus Basumatary
(27) and Pradit Swargoyary (26).
SFs arrested six militants of
UGPO, from different locations in Baska and Udalguri districts.
Police sources said six persons including UGPO 'commander-in-chief'
Suraj Magor, 'chairman' Lal Bahadur Tamang, 'vice-chairman' Suresh
Ghimire and two cadres Arjun Chetri and Birkha Bahadur Limbu were
arrested from different locations in two districts.
Leaders of now disbanded militant
formation DHD-N sought a CBI inquiry into the recent killing of
its former 'general secretary', Rajesh Naiding.
January 14
SFs arrested a 'platoon commander',
identified as Pradeep Brahma, of the NDFB-IKS from Goalpara district.
The Army arrested two RVA militants,
identified as Ful Kumar Rabha and Bishwajit Rabha, from Kokrajhar
district.
January 15
SFs arrested two suspected NDFB-IKS
linkmen from Lawdangi under Dhekiajuli Police Station in Sonitpur
District. Police sources said the duo was identified as Lakhi
Basumatary alias Faila and Debasri Mochahari. A grenade and eight
rounds of live cartridges of M16 rifle and a money receipt book
were recovered from them.
January 16
SFs arrested two militants of
NDFB-IKS from Gauripur under Bijni Police Station in Chirang District.
The arrested cadres were identified as Suwambam Basumatary and
Toten Basumatary. SFs recovered a hand grenade from the duo.
The counter-insurgency operation
against the NDFB-IKS militants has spread from the India-Bhutan
and Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border areas to Assam-Meghalaya and
India-Myanmar borders. With the SFs cracking down on the Bodo
rebels in the India-Bhutan and Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border
areas, the militants are now trying to slip into Bangladesh and
Myanmar through Meghalaya and Manipur, respectively.
Normal life was paralyzed in Dima
Hasao District in the wake of a 48-hour bandh (shutdown
strike) beginning. The bandh, called by the HPWS, an
NGO formed by the ex-militants of the disbanded militant outfit
DHD-N, would end at 5 AM on January 18. All schools, colleges,
commercial establishments, markets, offices, banks, post office,
transport remained closed in the district but no untoward incident
has been reported so far, a district police officer said.
January 18
Police arrested a suspected KLO
militant, Govinda Roy, from Golokganj area of Dhubri District.
The militant was arrested on charges of serving extortion notes
to businessmen of the district.
January 19
Army arrested 18 militants of
NDFB-IKS and eight suspected KLPF cadres from across the State.
Eleven NDFB-IKS militants were arrested from Panbari forest in
Chirang The militants include Deven Goyari [an IED expert], Hokom
Boro, Upendra Nath, Raton Bengali, Namal Basumatary, Sanjay Goyari,
Ulla Basumatary, Raju Boro, Konin Basumatary, Prakash Narzary
alias Gahen and Ranjan Basumatary alias Kipihungla. The arms and
ammunition recovered from the militants include two improvised
explosive devices (IED), nine detonators, two 7.65mm pistols with
10 rounds of ammunition, five rounds of ammunition of 7.62mm pistols
and a packet of ball bearings.
SFs arrested five NDFB-IKS militants
along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Udalguri District
The five include "commanding officer" of the '13th battalion'
Binku Narzary alias Birlangbai [on the "most wanted" list], Bidai
Singh Narzary alias Bugdaw, Lohit Basumatary alias
B. Ferkw, N. Araibaw alias Ajak Narzary and Durga Sing
Basumatary alias B. Khamshaw. One AK-56 rifle with magazine,
one 9mm pistol, 25 rounds of live ammunition of 7.62mm pistol,
54 rounds of live ammunition of 9mm pistol and a hand grenade
were also recovered.
SFs arrested 'Nalbari platoon
commander' of NDFB-IKS "sergeant" Bimal Boro alias Khwobla
(26), from Antaibari under Tamulpur Police Station in Baksa.
SFs arrested another NDFB-IKS
militant, identified as Danswrang Daimary (21), from the Paltan
Bazar Police Station area in Guwahati in Kamrup.
SFs arrested eight suspected KLPF
militants from Gandhipur in Karbi Anglong District. The five were
identified as Biren Ingti, Mohan Terang, Andres Teron, Bizu Teron,
John Teron, Babu Teron, Rakesh Ingti and Rup Singh
January 21
NIA has revealed that a section
of State forest department personnel had teamed up with NDFB-IKS
o kill 36 people, including women and children, from the minority
community in Assam's Baksa district in 2014. NIA stated that "Some
forest officials have joined hands with suspected NDFB-IKS cadres
and formed a 30 to 40-member group, who took part in mass killing
of innocent people at N.K. Khagrabari village on May 2, 2014,
with firearms and sharp weapons like dao (machete)," An NIA source
said the forest staff of Bansbari range, who were from the Bodo
community, were against people from the minority community staying
in the fringe areas of the forest as they consider them as outsiders
and because of that they joined hands with NDFB-IKS to carry out
the massacre.
January 22
Army defused an IED which as kept
inside a white gunny bag along with some rags near the Bongaigaon
Railway Engineering workshop, in Bongaigaon District. Bongaigaon
SP stated that We have inputs that the Independent faction ULFA-I
has planned to attack local BJP leaders and grenade attacks might
be carried out by IK Songbijit faction of NDFB-IKS in the town
on the eve or after Republic Day. As part of these plans, the
IED was planted close to the security picket."
A 'section commander' of NDFB-IKS
Sirkhung Basumatary, who was involved in the killing of Adivasis
on December 23 was arrested at Bangalore in Karnataka. A source
stated that he was also suspected to be involved in an earlier
incident of killing of Hindi-speaking people.
Four NDFB-IKS militants Binku
Narzary alias Birlangbai, Ajoi Basumatary alias
B. Buhum, Dilip Basumatary alias Bir Baisa alias
Lambu and Khamrei Basumatary alias Udla , who were earlier
arrested were shifted to Sonitpur from Guwahati by NIA for detailed
interrogation. NIA has registered two cases in connection with
killings in Sonitpur and another two in connection with killings
in Kokrajhar. A source stated that Binku Narzary, the self-styled
'commanding officer' of the outfit's '13th battalion', and Khamrei
Basumatary, the deputy commander of the '14th battalion' of NDFB-IKS,
will also be questioned by the NIA in connection with killing
of minorities in Baksa district in May last year, which is also
being investigated by the central anti-terror probe agency,".
More than 40 NDFB-IKS militants have been arrested so far in the
ongoing operations
January 23
BSF IG Meghalaya Frontier Sudesh
Kumar stated that umber of camps of Indian militant groups in
Bangladesh has gone down after security authorities of that country
launched a crackdown. He also added that there are only 39 camps
of Indian militant groups in Bangladesh and most of these camps
are located in inaccessible areas of the Chittagong Hill Tract
(CHT). He also said that most these Indian militants now do not
have any well-mechanized training camps but instead they have
set up small sheds from where the insurgents usually operate.
Bangladesh security forces had
last year overrun the hideouts of NLFT and gunned down eight of
its cadres in Bangladesh CHT. The combined team of army and paramilitary
forces arrested a NLFT "commander" Kwaplai Debbarma, 33, alias
Karna, from the house of a former All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF)
'commander' Jewel Debbarma in Char Mile area on the Khagrachari-Dighinala
road. They also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition,
which included 263 rounds of ammunition for 9mm pistol, 70 rounds
of ammunition for .762 rifles, 11 hand grenades, 17 rounds of
rocket-launchers, 19 wireless sets, two very high frequency wireless
sets, nine G3 magazines, 1,200 detonators, 18 sets of detonator
cable, seven magazines of sub-machine guns, a pistol and a revolver.
Number of camps of insurgents was over 100 five years ago.
Shambhu Singh, Joint Secretary
for North East in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated that a
massive security alert has been sounded across North East India
after separatist rebels announced a boycott of the Republic Day
celebrations on January 26. ULFA (NDFB) , (KLO) and CorCom had
earlier announced their boycott through a joint statement e-mailed
to several media houses.
January 25
Five NFDB-IKS militants were arrested
from Ripu reserve forest area of Kokrajhar. . Three militants
has been identified as Daneshwar Basumatary alias B Dapung
alias Ustad Laoga Basumatary and Girish Soren. Two pistols
and three hand grenades were recovered from Daneshwar Basumatary
and two hand grenades and eight detonators with fuses were recovered
from Laoga Basumatary and Girish Soren.
January 26
Suspected militants of ULFA-I
triggered two blasts near Digboi town in Tinsukia District. SP
of Tinsukia stated that "While one blast was triggered on the
outskirts of Digboi town, another blast took place near a drain
in the town. Both were low intensity crude bombs and there is
no injury or any damage". Police also recovered an IED from Jorhat
town in Jorhat District.
Bangalore Crime Branch arrested
B. Sibigiri alias Sanju Bordoloi, 'organising secretary'
of NDFB-IKS from Electronic city in Bangalore in Karnataka. NIA
Guwahati has sought the custody of Sanju Bordoloi, alias
Sibigiri, He allegedly confessed to have participated in the recent
attacks in Assam, which had forced Indian Army to intensify its
operations in the area.
Police recovered timed IED just
hours before the Republic Day celebration in Jorhat. Police recovered
the timed IED planted by ULFA-I from the Hatigarh area of Jorhat
under Lahdoigarh Police outpost. The IED was later disposed of
safely.
Mohammad Sahidul Islam and Mohammad
Kamrul Hasan, DCs of Sylhet and Moulvi Bazaar Districts of Bangladesh,
stated that Bangladesh and Sylhet division of the county bordering
India, in particular, is free from terror activities triggered
by JMB. They also stated that NDFB-IKS ULFA-I or any other Indian
militant outfit do not have any hideout inside Bangladeshi territory.
CM Tarun Gogoi said that the process
of up NRC intended at helping solve the issue of illegal migration
from Bangladesh to the State will be completed in the current
year. He stated that "The procedure devised for updation envisages
use of latest information technology and aims at ensuring that
no names of foreign nationals find place in the NRC. The NRC will
be published in January 2016. He also added that issue of illegal
migration has been a matter of serious concern in Assam for long,
and updating the NRC was one step towards a permanent solution.
"We are committed to detect and deport foreigners under provisions
of the Assam Accord [signed in 1985], but there are certain difficulties
too. Our government is committed to the imperative of preventing
illegal infiltration from across the international borders and
various measures have been taken in this regard.
CM Tarun Gogoi further claimed
credit for bringing to the mainstream several militant groups
through the strategy adopted by his Government in the past 14
years under the Unified Command Structure. "The success has been
reflected in SoO agreements with as many as 17 extremist outfits,
out of which four have signed MoS with the government," he added.
January 27
SFs arrested three NDFB-IKS militants
Sarakpur Dhuli Nalah, a remote village bordering Arunachal Pradesh
in Sonitpur. The arrested militants were identified as Nitul Daimary
alias Naihab, Runilush Daimary alias Mwnthai
and Sukson Basumatary alias Jondesh. An AK-47 a Chinese
rifle and a hand grenade were recovered from the militants. Nitul
Daimary alias Naihab was 'deputy commander' of the outfit's 'third
battalion' and was allegedly involved in the killing of former
Sonitpur Additional Superintendent of police Gulzar Husain in
an ambush at Thaolo under Dhekiajuli police station in Sonitpur
District, on January 28 2014.
SFs arrested two militants of
the NDFB-IKS in Kusrabari village in Udalguri District Militants
identified as Dhananjay Basumatary alias Didum and 'section
commander' Sanjay Basumatary alias Jingabil. Two pistols,
three hand grenades, four rounds of ammunitions and an ignitor
set were recovered from them.
SFs arrested KPLT militants identified
as Binit Tokbi and Francis Teron from Dokmoka bus stand in Karbi
Anglong. One .22 mm pistol, 10 rounds live ammunition, a magazine
and one mobile handset were recovered from them.
January 28
In a joint operation Meghalaya
Police along with Army and Assam Police, on January 28, arrested
finance secretary of a newly-formed militant outfit AJRK as Ramu
Sangma.He was arrested from Santipur village in Kamrup District.
Police recovered one 9mm pistol, three live ammunition, one notepad,
several demand notes, one walkie-talkie, one mobile handset besides
AJRK seal from his procession.
GoI closely monitoring the CI
operations and has directed the forces on the ground to lay stress
on recovery of weapons along with arrest of militants. Meanwhile,
for the first time, the militants are feeling the pressure from
SFs of Myanmar. Following pressure from India, the Government
of Myanmar has moved army personnel towards the area where the
militants have their bases. Though a full-scale operation is yet
to be launched by Myanmar, the army movement has forced the militants
to shift some of their bases.
MHA official stated that stated
that more than 70 militants of NDFB-IKS have been arrested since
December 23 2014. Sources said there have been reports that some
militants gave themselves up in the face of sustained operations.
But most of the militants managed to hide their weapons. It is
also reported that the militants managed to bury some sophisticated
weapons. Also, Bhutan Government is fully cooperating with India
in dealing with militancy.
January 29
A militant of NDFB-IKS identified
as 'sergeant major' Jornaluis Narzary alias Jankla was
killed in an encounter with Police at Ripu Reserved Forest under
Kachugaon Police Station in Kokrajhar. Arms and ammunition including
.65 mm pistol, a magazine, and two grenades were recovered from
him. He was a close associate of G Bidai, the 'commander in chief'
of NDFB-IKS. He was the main man involved in the killing of schoolgirl
Priya Basumatary and was also involved in snatching of weapons
from the Eco Task Force in October 2014.
Two NDFB-IKS militants and three
OGWs were arrested from Chirang and Kokrajhar Districts. One of
the arrested militant has been identified as Sansuma Brahma alias
B Susrwn, a Myanmar trained militant. One 7.65mm pistol, two-country
made revolvers, crude bomb and two hand grenades were recovered
during the operations.
Three UALA militants were arrested
during a joint operation by Army and Police near Mechelkhowa area
in Goalpara District. Two 12 bore country-made rifles, ammunition,
two mobile phones and some cash were recovered.
A 'second lieutenant' Sagar Dutta
of ULFA-I was arrested from a hideout near the Assam-Nagaland
border in Jorhat.
Deposition and cross examination
of Prosecution Witnesses in NIA case against UNLF 'chief' Meghen
alias Sanayaima, continued for the second day at the
special court NIA Guwahati.
Top bureaucrats of Assam and Bhutan
participated in the 10th two-day border District coordination
meeting which concluded at the Circuit House in Bongaigaon. The
meet among other things discussed law and order in the both sides
of the India-Bhutan border. Baksa, Udalguri, Kokrajhar and Chirang,
four Districts of BTAD have their borders with Bhutan.
NIA has found that laptops, offered
to meritorious students in Assam under a government scheme, were
used by the JMB militants in the operations. Sleuths of the agency,
who came from Kolkata, recovered an unspecified number of such
laptops in the state over the last few days. "The JMB had developed
its network through these laptops. The first of these laptops
was recovered from a madrasa in West Bengal. Subsequently, interrogations
of the arrested JMB members led to the recovery of some more laptops
from Assam," an NIA source told the newspaper
January 30
BSF arrested two individuals from
Badarpur Market in Karimganj District and recovered FICN worth
INR 198,500. The arrested individuals have been identified as
Salim Uddin Barbhuiya and Aftar Uddin.
January 31
NIA found that laptops offered
to meritorious students in Assam under a government scheme, were
used by JMB in their operations. NIA source stated that "The JMB
had developed its network through these laptops. The first of
these laptops was recovered from a madrasa in West Bengal. Subsequently,
interrogations of the arrested JMB members led to the recovery
of some more laptops from Assam
February 1
Three persons, including a rickshaw
puller and two pedestrians, were injured in a grenade explosion
on Sib Bari Road in Hailakandi town of Hailakandi District.
SFs arrested three person linked
to KPLT an area commander and two linkmen, in Karbi Anglong. The
arrested trio was identified as Munthir Engti, 'area commander'
of KPLT, while the linkmen were identified as Horen Teron and
David Engti.
SFs have arrested more than 60
per cent cadres of the KPLT. Many small militant groups are operating
in the Hill District and these groups are involved in a number
of extortion cases."Some of these small groups were formed by
former members of UPDS or KLNLF 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. Now 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.
ED has recently filed a prayer
before the designated court of PMLA in Guwahati seeking physical
possession of cash and other assets worth INR 10.3 million recovered
from DHD-J and its sympathisers.
Army is facing a tough challenge
in tracking down a handful of NDFB-IKS militants who are based
approximately in a 15,000 square km area and have mixed among
villagers. Intelligence sources said G Bidai, who was behind orchestrating
the killings, is believed to have escaped to West Bengal. Some
leaders have also escaped to Nagaland. Besides Bidai, the SFs
are also in look out for leaders like Batha, Madan and Soha. Army
sources said many of the cadres have fled to the foothills of
neighbouring Bhutan. Army had set up 80 operation bases on the
north bank of the Brahmaputra River to fight the militants. Over
100 to 300 villages are cover by each of the operation base adds
the report.
A higher secondary school teacher,
identified as Iqbal Rafique , of Tura Christian Girls' School
in Meghalaya, was abducted by unidentified militants from Mankachar
in Dhubri. The family of the victim later received a call from
an unidentified individual speaking in Bengali, asking for a ransom
of INR 5 million.
February 2
AASU and 26 organisations representing
different ethnic groups of the State called upon the Government
to prepare a handbook of guidelines for the officers to be engaged
in the process of updating the NRC 1951. AASU adviser Samujjal
Bhattacharya said that the Government should devise a foolproof
mechanism to ensure that no foreign national can get his or her
name included in the NRC with false documents.
Movement of Myanmar Army towards
the Taga area created panic among the militant groups of the North
East, who are taking shelter in Myanmar. Highly placed security
sources state that Myanmar Army personnel started moving towards
the Taga area on January 18. As most of the camps of the militant
groups such ULFA-I and NDFB-IKS are based in the Taga area, the
movement caused panic among them. There is no reports of any large-scale
offensive against militants in Myanmar so far. The real reason
for the movement of the Army is also not known. A source stated
that "There is one belief that the operation was aimed against
the KIA. However, the possibility of Myanmar deploying the Army
in Taga area to send a message to the North East Indian militants
also cannot be ruled out as the incident occurred a few days before
the Republic Day.
February 3
Militants from Karbi Anglong hills
killed a rhino at Kaziranga National Park, and engaged in a gun-battle
with forest guards. The incident took place near Borgho forest
camp under Burapahar range of Kaziranga Park.
Two unidentified militants of
DHNA were arrested from Maibong in Dima Hasao.
A suspected ULFA militant identified
as Rukmoh Chetia was arrested at Borgaon village in Tinsukia District.
Over 70 NDFB-IKS militants have
been arrested since December, after the crack down began against
them. , NIA found that among those arrested were at least seven
militants, who were wanted for their involvement in the killings
in Baksa on May 1 and 2.
Union Minister for Law and Justice
DV Sadananda Gowda on February 3 expressed his dissatisfaction
with the functioning of the foreigner's tribunals in the State
and assured that his ministry would do the needful to make the
mechanism more effective, reports The Assam Tribune.
He stated that there was a need for more foreigners' tribunals
and promised that his ministry would take steps to ensure that
the vacancies in the tribunals are filled up at the earliest as
the foreigners issue was crucial for the State.
February 4
Three NDFB-IKS a militant, including
Ringsar Basumatary was arrested from Manas Reserve Forest of Chirang
District a combined team of Assam Police and Indian Army. Ringsar
who is an active terrorist of the outfit and was recruited in
2010.One 7.65mm pistol, two hand grenades and large quantity of
ammunition were recovered.
Two KPLT militants identified
as Dineson Terang and Jinong Terang were arrested from Diphu Railway
Station in Karbi Anglong District. Police recovered five demand
notes of KPLT.
Two unidentified youths were arrested
on charges of serving an extortion letter to a businessman at
Chandmari in Kamrup Metropolitan District, demanding INR 500000
in the name ULFA.Police stated they were not members of ULFA.
NIA court extended the remand
period of NDFB-IKS militant Bikunas Narzary alias Birlangbai,
who was arrested on January 19, for 12 days. NIA source stated
that "He is an important member of the outfit. Further interrogation
will reveal more about the outfit's presence at Manas National
Park and in areas along the Assam-Arunachal border,".
16 NDFB-RD cadres joined NDFB-P
at Barbari designated camp in Baksa District. This is the third
time that the members of NDFB-RD have joined NDFB-P.
February 5
A bomb blast occurred at Kazidahar
village near Sonai in Cachar District, injuring a 10-year-old
boy Zabir Husain Barbhiuya.
Two NDFB-IKS militants identified
as Lwmsao Narzary and Sistu Basumatary were arrested from Baksa
and 12 KG of RDX was recovered from them.
Fearing human casualty Army and
SFs are yet to go full throttle against top NDFB-IKS 'army chief',
B Bidai who ordered the massacre of Adivasi villagers on December
23. MHA fear that final assault by the Army in these areas could
result in the killing of civilians. A source stated that "These
areas are populated and we do not have information about Bidai's
exact location. We do not want to rush in forces".
According to a senior Army official,
only a handful of the outfit's cadres are left but tracking them
down is proving to be a challenge. Security agencies estimate
that the cadre strength of NDFB-IKS would be less than 300. The
Army has about 80 operation bases on the northern bank of the
Brahmaputra and each of these bases has more than 100 villages
in the vicinity
Former DHD leaders 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.
BSF Meghalaya Frontier IG Sudesh
Kumar stated that Bangladesh country no longer has any full-fledged
training camp of any militant outfit. He added that BSF BGB are
working in close co-ordination and sharing information on a regular
basis. "There are 39 vulnerable locations which have been identified
by the BSF.
Police arrested Sharif Uddin from
his rented house in the Mohanpur locality in Hailakandi District,
reports The Times of India on February 9. Police suspect
all arrested individuals to have links with JMB.
February 6
Police arrested Jahangir Alam
Sheikh, a trader from his rented house in the Alakulipur locality
of Badarpur in Karimganj.
six individuals identified as
Abdul Mannan Sheikh, Ismail Sheikh, Anwarul Sheikh, Ibadul Sheikh,
Sharif Sheikh and Noor Alam, were arrested from ward No. 11 of
Hailakandi town in Hailakandi District in connection with February
1 blast. All of them were arrested from a rented house belonging
to Shahid Husain Majharbhuiya
February 8
A militant of DHNA Bishwanath
Sengyung was lynched by villagers of Tongikro in Dima Hasao. Four
militants entered the village was celebrating Bushu Dima, and
assaulted some villagers and when escaping, one of the militants,
brandishing a pistol, started firing and a bullet hit a child
identified as Bushit Hojai. The villagers ultimately caught them
lynched them, leading to the death of a militant and injuring
two others. The injured militants are Diboajoy Daulagupu, Kameswar
Haflongbar alias Bouring Dimasa and militant identified
as Mikar Langthasa, alias Moton managed to escape.
AGP leaders identified as General
Secretary Rusvelt Rabha, Purandar Rabha and Ratna Das were arrested
for alleged link with ULFA-I, from Goalpara District. All three
were SULFA members.
Assam ED Debojit Borah received
death threats from DHD. ED had launched a prosecution against
some of the top DHD leaders, who are accused of being involved
in the NC Hills Scam in a special court on January 19 2015.
February 9
A militant of NDFB-IKS identified
as Orga was killed in an encounter with joint team of SFs at Fulkumari
forest in Kokrajhar District. Kokrajhar Additional SP Surjeet
Singh Panesar informed that Orga was a close associate of senior
NDFB-IKS militant Rangabaja. One 7.65 mm pistol, two magazines,
one hand grenade, 9 live rounds of 7.65 pistol, 10 detonators,
one magazine of Ak-47, five live round ammunition of AK 47 were
recovered from the dead militant.
Four NSLA militants were arrested
on February 9 from Kokrajhar District. Two 7.62mm Rifles and two
muzzle loaded guns and huge quantity of arms and other war like
material were recovered during the operation.
Army recovered huge cache of arms
and ammunition from Manas Reserve Forest in Chirag. The recovered
items include an IED documents with details of extortions being
carried out by NDFB-IKS and details of important and linkmen of
NDFB-IKS.
In the previous week, Five NDFB-IKS
militants were beaten up by a mob when they had come to extort
money during a function in Borsimaluguri village in Baksa and
was handed over to Police.
ULFA-I stated that said the "immigrant"
tag reflected how people from other parts of the country think
about the Northeast Earlier BJP vision document for New Delhi
elections had mistakenly printed that people from North East as
'immigrants'.
NRC project is on schedule with
the draft NRC to be published by mid-November this year and the
final NRC to be out by January 2016.
Pramod Boro, president of ABSU
stated that ABSU will keep mounting pressure on the Government
to ensure a violence-free society by taking action against all
those in possession of illegal weapons. The student body also
demanded that the Assam State Election Commission take help from
the Central Government to ensure that the ensuing election to
BTC is free and fair.
Election to the 74 urban local
bodies in Assam passed off peacefully on February 9 with a turnout
of 72%
February 10
The , 'chairman' of KPLT identified
as Donri Kramsa was arrested by a joint team of SFs from Parokhuwa
Bazar near Dokmoka in Karbi Anglong. KPLT is the breakaway faction
of KLNLF,. with an objective to carve an autonomous Karbi state
out of Assam.
Police booked an individual identified
as Chandan Kalita under NSA act and took him into preventive custody
for 90 days. He was arrested in December 2014 in connection with
an abduction case, is an accused in at least six murder, abduction,
extortion and arms-related cases.
MHA directed Police and SFs engaged
in counter-insurgency operations to continue with sustained operations
against NDFB-IKS. MHA also said the forces should not be complacent
with the recent success of the operations against the militant
outfit as the top leaders of the groups were still at large. Union
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Chairman of JIC RV Ravi
and other officers of the Ministry reviewed the security scenario
and the success of operations at a meeting with senior officials
of the State Government, Assam Police, Army and the paramilitary
forces involved in the operations.
Sources have revealed that 'chairman'
of NDFB-IKS, IK Songbijit, commander-in-chief G Bidai and a few
others are abroad. Songbijit is in Myanmar, while it is believed
that Bidai managed to escape to Bhutan. However, around 40 to
50 hardcore members of the outfit are still hiding in the jungles
inside Assam and there is a need to intensify operations in those
areas. The meeting also discussed the problem of logistics faced
by SFs.
February 11
In separate news, though the Army,
Police and Paramilitary Forces achieved considerable success in
the counter-insurgency operations since the beginning of this
year, recovery of the arms of the militants and ensuring security
in the "ethnic fault lines of the State" remain a major challenge.
An army source stated that only
about 50 per cent of success in finishing off NDFB-IKS has been
achieved despite arrest of around 150 cadres and over ground workers.
Sources admitted that the top leaders of the outfit are still
at large and they are believed to be in the neighbouring states
or countries. Moreover, another area of concern is the weapons
of the outfit. Though a substantial number of weapons have been
recovered, majority of those are small arms as the hardcore members
managed to hide the sophisticated weapons and are now moving around
with small arms. "It is a fact that the forces managed to recover
some sophisticated weapons like AK series rifles and M16 rifles,
but majority of the weapons recovered are small arms.
On reports that some militants
moved into Arunachal Pradesh, Army sources said that as per provisions
of the Disturbed Areas Act, the Army can move into 20 kilometres
inside the state and operations are going on in those areas. However,
there is need for augmenting the capacity building of Police forces
in Arunachal Pradesh.
ASM lambasted the wrong policies
of AASU nd categorically stated that if names of those illegal
Bangladesh origin citizens totalling 70 lakh in number figure
in the NRC as Indian citizens, then the identity of the Assamese
people would be at stake.
Demanding inclusive rehabilitation
and compensation to Adivasis, who were the victims of the December
23 massacre, activists of AASA All Santhali Students' Union, BCF
and ACF militants and the inmates of the Deusri-Santipur relief
camp in Chirang District staged a four-hour sit-in demonstration
in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office at Kajalgaon in Bongaigaon.
29,375 Adivasis of around 90 villages had taken shelter in 19
relief camps in Chirang of who 20,055 had returned to their respective
villages after the situation became normal. The rest of the 9,320
Adivasi inmates have been staying in four relief camps in the
Deusri and Santipur areas in Chirag District.
February 13
Unknown persons travelling in
a cycle hurled a grenade at the house of a businessman, identified
as Biren Agarwal, in Sepon Market in Sibsagar District, killing
his younger brother Situ Agarwal and their driver Dimbeswar Bhuyan.
The locals claimed that ULFA-I had recently demanded
extortion money from the Agarwal family who refused to make the
payment.
ULFA-I militant identified as
Bidyut Bikash Khanikar surrendered near Ranghar Sena Camp in Sivasagar
District.
Union Home Minister Rajnath
Singh stated that process of recruiting surrendered militants
from Manipur and Assam to raise two battalions of CSFs would begin
soon, but didn't give any time frame. MHA plan to recruit 750
former militants each to form two battalions in BSF and SSB.
February 14
200 gelatine sticks, 230 detonators
and a coil fuse were recovered from a Mon bound bus in Bokajan
in Karbi Anglong District. Four individuals, identified as Jakir
Ali, Durga Bahadur Chetri, Kishor Sing and Ramada Kumar were arrested
from the bus by CRPF. They were travelling to Mon in Nagaland
to deliver the explosive items to a certain person residing in
Mon.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh,
while on a brief visit to Tripura, appealed to the underground
groups to shun violence. He stated that GoI will develop the Northeast
in 10 years if insurgency comes to an end. He said insurgency
remained a hurdle to restoration of peace and development of the
region.
February 15
Police recovered RDX explosives
weighing around 20 kilo grams from Kausi Bazar Prem Nagar village
in Kokrajhar.
Three militants of KPLT identified
as Birton Timung alias Rock, the 'finance secretary',
Hemai Singh Kro alias Mysing, 'auditor', along with Langtuk
Rohang were arrested by a joint team of Army and Police from Karbirongsope
village, in Hamren in Karbi Anglong. One AK rifle, two pistols
along with assorted ammunition, including other incriminating
documents was recovered from the militants. The Telegraph
further adds that SFs have arrested over 70 cadres of KPLT in
2014 and killed 12.
Security Sources stated that after
the operations were launched following December 23 massacre, senior
NDFB-IKS leaders who were in Assam , managed to escape. Security
agencies involved in operations state that there was a need for
a full-scale and well-coordinated operation in Bhutan to nab the
senior leaders of NDFB-IKS. Security sources revealed according
to inputs available, around 25 militant of NDFB-IKS are now in
Bhutan. However, they have not been able to set up camps in the
neighbouring country as the security forces of that country are
also keeping a close watch on the situation.
Village Headmen (gaon burahs)
will be asked to assist villagers to enlist themselves in
NRC which is to be updated by January 2016.
February 16
Seven KPLT militants including
the ‘commander in chief’ of KPLT Sunder Dera and Danger Ingti
, the ‘deputy commander in chief” were arrested in a joint operation
by Army and Police from a hideout in the Amring forest area near
a hamlet called Tapat, in Hamren sub-division in Karbi Anglong
District, after a fire fight. a huge cache of arms, ammunition
and other stores that included four AK series rifles, two pistols,
one grenade launcher, fourteen magazines of AK rifles, six magazines
of pistols, 2,343 rounds of 7.62 caliber ammunition, 14 rounds
of 9 mm calibre ammunition, dummy rifles for training new recruits
and various incriminatory documents like extortion notes of KPLT
and money receipts were recovered.
NIA which is probing several cases
in Assam in connection with JMB has traced terror links to Pakistan.
NIA source stated that MULTA leader Abdur Rahman, who had fled
Assam, was traced to Karachi. The ISI helped him to flee the country
as they wanted Rahman to command operations in the region from
there without any risk. He also added that MULTA and the ISI have
been working together to create disturbance in the region. The
source said "Rahman was once caught from the Chapori area
in Dhubri district in 2009. But he managed to escape. Pakistan
appears to be intentionally propping up MULTA so that fundamentalist
forces here can be aided. Abdur Rahman is also believed to have
close links with ULFA-I.
Assam-Nagaland border area is
tense once again following attempts made allegedly some nagas
to build houses inside Assam territory. According to information,
a group of people came to the areas under the B-sector of the
Assam-Nagaland border area and threatened the Assamese people
saying that they will build their houses in the area. The Naga
people came to Rajapukhuri, Romanbasti in Golaghat District on
February 16 and asked the Assamese villagers to vacate the land.
February 17
Five KPLT leaders were arrested
from Lacheng area in Hamren Sub Division in Karbi Anglong District
by a joint team of Police and Army. The militants were arrested
after a brief fire fight. With this arrest the entire top leadership
of KPLT has been arrested. In the last three days 15 KPLT militants
have been arrested..SFs recovered one Universal Machine Gun, six
AK series rifles, seven pistols, a grenade launcher, 10 pistol
magazines, 16 magazines of AK-16, 2,490 rounds of AK rifle ammunition,
31 rounds of pistol ammunition and one Drum Magazine of UMG.
Army expressed hope that it would
be able to wipe out NDFB-IKS as operations were on against them
after the December 23 massacre. Major General C P Mohanty stated
that over 171 NDFB-IKS militants have been arrested so far during
continuing successful operations against the group.
February 18
‘commander in chief ‘ of AANLA
identified as Nirmal Tirkey and four others were arrested by Golaghat
Police from an unspecified location. Three of the arrestees have
been identified as Padmeswar Ghatowar, Bubai Ghatowar and Sanjay
Singh alias Ram Singh. Police said they had taken a group of 30
youths from Assam to Chhattisgarh for Maoists training.
Assam Police and SSB personnel’s
demolished six houses built by Naga miscreants in B Sector of
Golaghat.
February 19
SFs arrested 4 NDFB-IKS militants
from Rangajan village in Sonitpur. The arrested militants were
identified as Rohit Narzary, Prosen Basumatary, Asish Basumatary
and Rajib Uzir.Biswanath Chariali Superintendent of Police Manobendra
Roy told this correspondent that a 7.65 pistol, six bullets, some
documents, a few SIM cards and handsets were seized from the militants.
February 20
The ceasefire between NDFB-RD
and Union Government was extended till June 30. . The decision
to extend the ceasefire, which was earlier for an indefinite period,
was taken at a joint monitoring committee (JMC) meeting held at
Dispur.
Kuki and Adivasi militant groups
such as KRA, ACMA, APM, BCF,AANLA,UKDAwhich also took part in
the JMC meeting, raised their respective demands. The Adivasi
outfits demanded ST status for the Adivasi people living in the
State while the Kuki outfit again raised their demand for a Kuki
Regional Council in Karbi Anglong district. APM ‘chairman’ Bijoy
Sing Lokra, after the meeting, said, “We are hopeful that our
demands will be considered by the Central government.” KRA ‘joint
secretary’ J Hangsing said, “Our main demand is the formation
of the Kuki Regional Council for the greater interests of Kuki
people.”
NIA taken over investigation of
another case related to the killings of Adivasis by NDFB-IKS NIA
had earlier registered four cases in connection with the killings
and on February 20, a case (number RC 01/2015) was registered
at the NIA's Guwahati Branch office in connection with killings
of Adivasis at Pakhriguri village in Kokrajhar District. NDFB-IKS
militants had opened indiscriminate fire with sophisticated weapons
at Pakhriguri, resulting in the death of five persons and injuries
to several others.
Over 200 armed Nagas had encroached
on a vast portion of Assam land by cutting down trees at Indrapur
village.
February 21
A group of armed Nagas burnt down
a vast portion of tea garden land at Ronkham in Jorhat District.
Locals say that Naga group, comprising Of NSCN-K militants, is
still taking shelter in the Ronkham area for a chance to encroach
on Assam land.
February 22
PVM, an NGO against infiltration
said that Assam Government was not doing its bit to tackle the
illegal migration issue from Bangladesh.
Anup Chetia, top ULFA leader is
unlikely to be deported by Bangladesh till India ratifies the
land boundary agreement with Bangladesh.
February 23
An IED was recovered from a spot
near the boundary wall of the house of an individual identified
as Alim Uddin Majumdar in the Barband locality near Hailakandi
town in Hailakandi District. Police recovered 100 gram of gelatine
and a detonator from the spot.
Assam DGP Khagen Sarma stated
that ULFA-I has been carrying out subversive activities in upper
Assam Districts with the help of KLO and NSCN He also added that
Maoist are also trying to gain a foothold in some parts of upper
Assam, particularly in tea growing areas.
Tension prevailed in the bordering
areas of Golaghat and Jorhat Districts due to frequent attacks
by Nagas on Assamese villagers.
D-Sector of the Assam-Nagaland
border at the Merapani area of Golaghat District, process of demarcation
of land was carried out in the same area by the Golaghat Forest
Division under the direction of the District Deputy Commissioner
Nitin Khade.
February 24
Police dug out five assault rifles
from an undisclosed area under Dhekiajuli Police Station in Sonitpur
Distric. he arms are suspected to belong to NDFB-IKS.
NDFB-IKS militant, identified
as Habel Basumatary, was arrested from Kachugaon in Kokrajhar
District. He was wanted in connection with the December 23 massacre.
A 7.65 pistol was recovered from him.He is believed to have been
maintaining communication with the top leaders of NDFB-IKS.
NSLA ‘chairman’ identified as
Epil Murmuhas, was arrested at Boreo under Sahibganj Police Station
in Jharkhand.
All ribes bracketed as “tea tribes”
in Assam will not be considered for the status of ST by GoI. Meanwhile,
the Centre has started the process of granting ST status to six
communities of the State on the basis of a recommendation of a
Parliamentary committee. Sources said that after a thorough examination
of the background of the tribes, it was decided that among the
tribes bracketed as “tea tribes”, only 26 would be considered
for ST status added the report.
February 25
Three bags of 400 geletin sticks
and 8 fuse wire coils were recovered by Police at ISBT in Guwahati.
Based on information provided
by the Meghalaya Police Special Branch, Assam Police arrested
two GNLA arms suppliers at Jorabat in Kamrup Metropolitan District.
The arrested have been identified as Runa Sangma and Biswajit
Sangma. One AK 47 rifle with six round and two magazines, 380
numbers of ammunition of 9mm and 164 of INSAS were recovered from
the vehicle which they were travelling.
NDFB-IKS militant, identified
as Dorjoi Goyari alias doctor was arrested from Biswanath Chariali
in Sonitpur.He used to provide medical facilities to members of
the militant group. INR 50000 was recovered from him.
Anthony Hembrom and Badal Hembrom,
militants of NSLA were arrested from Gossaigaon in Kokrajhar District
by a joint team of Police and Army. A 9mm pistol was recovered
from them.
February 26
Five KLO militants, two of them
carrying Rs 5 lakh reward, surrendered with arms in Kokrajhar
District. One HK-33 rifle with magazine, 100 rounds of ammunition
and two satellite phones. Those surrendered include the reward-carrying
KLO activists were ‘Assistant Organising Secretary’ Hareswar alias
Lal Deka alias Jayanta, and 'Commanding Officer' ‘first
battalion’ Tiranga alias Ananth alias Birkhang,
the other three were ‘Assistant Finance Secretary’ Panchanan alias
Bikash and cadres Brajen Barman alias Rajani and Pradip
Barman.
GoI has closed its doors for talks
with any more militant outfits and the ongoing process of talks
with militant groups, which have already signed cease-fire pacts
to solve their problems through discussions, will be expedited
so that those are taken to a logical conclusion as soon as possible.
Highly placed sources in MHA made it clear that the Government
was not keen on starting talks with any more militant outfit as
enough opportunity was given to them to shun violence and solve
their problems through discussions. It was also asserted by sources
that no more effort would be made to bring ULFA-I to the negotiation
table.
Union minister of state for Home
Affairs Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in Rajya Sabha stated
that GoI had been implementing a scheme for surrender-cum-rehabilitation
of militants of North East region, since 1998, reports Nagaland
Post. He said under the scheme, one time grant of INR 150000
and monthly stipend of INR 3500 are given to surrendered militants,
and in case of Manipur, he said one time grant of INR 250000 and
monthly stipend of INR 4000 per militant was given under a special
surrender-cum-rehabilitation scheme formulated in 2012. He also
added that INR 155.5 million was released to North Eastern States
payment of stipend to surrendered militants.
February 27
A joint team of Police and Army
liquid petroleum cylinder-based IED from railway track at Barigaon
near Dudhnoi in Darrang District.
Assam Police arrested a linkman
of NDFB-IKS identified as Hakil Narzary from Biswanath Chariali
in Sonitpur.
Two unidentified individuals posing
as militants of ULFA-I was arrested from an undisclosed location
in Jorhat. They were arrested when they had come to collect INR
500000 from a trader.
Over 2000 families whose houses
were burnt down during the clashes between Bodos and Adivasis
in Kokrajhar District in December 2014 will get INR 50000 each
to rebuild their houses.
GoI has sought a detailed report
from the State Government over the reports of encroachment on
the reserve forests posing a threat to the law and order situation
in the State. The Centre has also expressed concern over the encroachment
on the tribal belts and blocks in the State. GoI became concerned
after December 23 massacre.
Security sources admitted that
the most of the killings took place in the notified forest areas,
while the militants involved in the attacks also took shelter
in the forests that are now under encroachment. Interestingly,
the Government is not in a position to construct permanent Police
Stations or roads in the areas notified as reserved forests and
the militants are taking full advantage of the situation to take
shelter among the encroachers.
February 28
SFs arrested an AANLA cadre, Surja
Nayak from Santipur in Sonitpur district.
March 1
SFs arrested two NDFB-IKS militants
from Kokrajhar District The duo was identified as Swmkwr Mushahary
alias Sugum and Swmkwr Basumatary.
Assam State unit of Jamiat Ulama
has said that it will extend full cooperation to the process of
updation of NRC. . “Jamiat has decided to extend full cooperation
in preparation of the NRC to ensure that names of illegal immigrants
are not included in it, while those of genuine Indian citizens
are not excluded,” the statement from Jamiat said. The organization
has also decided to help citizens in depositing relevant documents
to the NRC staff. The State committee of the Jamiat Ulama has
directed all the district committees to form a five-member cell
in each ward to help the local people in this regard.
An unidentified militant was killed
in a joint operation by police and AR in the Jenamghat area of
Dima Hasao District.
SFs arrested two militants and
two linkmen of the UPLA at Dilai of Karbi Anglong District. The
arrested UALA cadres were identified as Ronard Momin (militant),
Singsang Nehang (militant), Nokjir Timung (linkman) and Rajkumar
Rajbongshi (linkman). One 7.65 pistol along with some ammunition
and incriminating documents were recovered from
SFs arrested three CPI-Maoist
cadres from Rupacherra village under Malugram Police Station in
Silchar town of Cachar District. The trio was identified as Naren
Orang (28), Arjun Orang (20) and Barsing Teron (23). Borah said
Naren and Arjun Orang were involved in spreading Maoist ideology
while Barsing Teron was a trained Maoist.
Top Nagaland Police and government
officials are allegedly occupying land along the disputed stretches
of Assam-Nagaland border. Officials from the level of sub-divisional
officers to superintendents of police are “owners” of plots in
the B Sector of the inter-State border in Golaghat district, according
to information with Assam Police.
March 2
Governor P B Acharya stated that
Security forces have arrested at least 167 terrorists and linkmen
allegedly involved in the serial attacks on Adivasi people in
many districts across Assam in the last two months. "Two
of their leaders were also killed during the action by the security
forces. On the insistence of the state government, the NIA has
taken up investigation and registered four cases against the terrorists,"
Acharya said. At least 81 persons, including Adivasis, Bodos and
Bengalis, were killed in serial attacks by NDFB-IKS terrorists,
retaliatory violence and police firing across many districts in
December 2014.The Government has so far inked 'Suspension of Operation'
agreement with 17 extremist groups, of which Memorandum of Settlement
agreement have been signed with BLT, UPDS, DHD-N and DHD-J also
known as BW, added P B Acharya.
SFs arrested an Over Ground Worker
of the NDFB-IKS, Milan Basumatary alias Khununga, from Shimlabagan
village in Chirang Reserve Forest area of Chirang district. SFs
recovered about 12.5 kilogram TNT explosives from him.
A Kamrup (metro) Chief Judicial
Magistrate (Guwahati) granted bail to Sujena Begum, and Jakaria,
wife and brother of Sahanur Alom, a key accused in the October
2, 2014 Bardhaman blast case. This comes after Police's inability
to file a chargesheet within 90 days of their arrest. Alom is
a JMB operative arrested on December 5, 2014 in Assam.
March 3
Three militants were injured,
in a shootout, which took place between Police and NDFB-IKS militants
in Sonitpur district.
The Police raided the house of
a senior NDFB-IKS ‘leader’ named Mendala in Laizaguri village
recovered arms and ammunitions in Chirang district. Police recovered
three country made AK-type rifles along with ammunitions and 50
rounds of ammunition and gunpowder from the house. Mendala is
absconding; however, Police arrested a linkman of the outfit identified
as Markas.
Police arrested of an ULFA-I sympathiser,
Bolin Barua (40), from Borbum Nis Khalai Gurguru village under
Moranhat Police Station in Sivasagar District. With the arrest
of the ULFA-I sympathiser Police claimed to have solved the February
13 Sepon blast case in which two persons were killed in the explosion.
Dr Bhumidhar Barman, Minister
for Assam Accord Implementation, in his written reply on March
3 stated that 71,201 foreigners have been detected in Assam since
1985, of whom 38,186 came after 1971 and were found by the Foreigners’
Tribunals to be liable for deportation. Of the total foreigners
detected, 2,448 have been deported and 68 are kept in detention
centres, while the remaining are either absconding or are dead.
Police arrested suspected MLA
militant, Hafizur Islam, from Srirampur under Gossaigaon Police
Station in Kokrajhar District. BTAD Inspector-General of Police,
L.R. Bishnoi, on March 4 that said Islam had revealed during interrogation
that the outfit was procuring country made arms from Bihar to
kill BPF supporters ahead of the BTC election next month. Bishnoi
said the outfit was an offshoot of another armed group - MPTFA
- formed after the riots in BTAD in July 2012.
March 4
IG of BSF Meghalaya Frontier,
Sudesh Kumar stated that Bangladesh Government has sought access
from the Indian Government to allow movement of its SFs to enter
inside the rugged terrain of CHT in order to launch a crackdown
against Indian rebels in CHT. The IG also added that Indian government
was yet to take a call on the request. He also added that there
were 39 active camps and hideouts of North East militants in different
parts of CHT. Four Indian north-eastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya,
Mizoram and Assam share a 1,880-km border with Bangladesh.
March 5
One unidentified militant of an
unspecified group was arrested with arms from Jatinga railway
station in Dima Hasao District.
March 6
An unidentified militant of ASAK
was arrested on March 6th, near Damra village in Goalpara District.
A .22 mm pistol, ammunition and one hand grenade were recovered
from him.
Police arrested a woman NDFB-IKS
militant at Rangajan in Golaghat District and seized cartridges
of INSAS rifle.
Police are pressing for help from
neighbouring Bhutan and Myanmar to arrest top leaders of NDFB-IKS.
The ‘chairman’ of NDFB-IKS IK Songbijit, is suspected to have
fled to Myanmar, his close associate G Bidai and other top leaders
are believed to be in Bhutan. Sources said Bidai, the mastermind
of December 23 massacres was last seen somewhere near Thimphu
in Bhutan. Minister of state for Home affairs Kiren Rijiju recently
said in Parliament that till February 28 this year, 214 cadres
of NDFB-IKS have been arrested. Earlier, Security Forces had claimed
that the outfit has a total strength of about 270 members. The
Security Source further added that "Due to intensified operations
against the outfit in Sonitpur, Udalguri and Kokrajhar Districts,
NDFB-IKS militants are now trying to seek refuge in Golaghat District
in Assam and Dimapur in Nagaland.
ULFA-I demanded an ‘apology’ from
Police for detaining the son of Anup Chetia, the ULFA-I's ‘general
secretary’ and founder member, for several hours in Sivasagar
District.
Clashes along the Assam-Nagaland
border have claimed 158 lives since 1972, according to Government
records. In the first incident that took place on March 14, 1972,
one Assam Police man was killed in a firing by the Nagaland Police
in Sivasagar In another land encroachment related incident on
January 5, 1979, 54 people were killed and 39 injured in Assam
Golaghat.
A senior official of the MHA said
that over the past five years Bangladeshi security agencies have
arrested 17 top leaders of the insurgent groups banned in India,
especially those active in the Northeast. The official said “Several
top leaders, including those from Meghalaya, Tripura and Assam,
had taken shelter in Bangladesh. Through proactive action, the
Bangladesh Government has been extending full cooperation to us
in the fight against such groups. During 2009-14, at least 17
top leaders of various groups were arrested, and eight suspects
surrendered.”
March 7
Suspected militants belonging
to a Naga rebel outfit fired at a Police patrol party along the
Assam-Nagaland border in Sivasagar District.
The two-month deadline given by
the Central Government to the Police and Security Forces to “finish
off” the NDFB-IKS has expired, but the UMHA has made it clear
that there would be no relaxing of the operations till the top
leaders of the outfit fall in the security net.
The BSS, the apex literary body
of the Bodos raised the pitch for expediting peace talks between
militant outfits in the state and the Centre. While backing the
Centre and state government's operation against rebels who have
not yet given up arms, the BSS said the government should find
an early solution for the rebel groups it has been holding talks
with for years.
March 8
Army recovered an IED, weighing
about 15 kilograms, from Patiladaha-Panbari Road Chirang District.
The IED was later diffused.
SFs arrested an unidentified MULTA
militant from Baijer Alga village in Dhubri District. A 9 mm pistol
along with four rounds of ammunition was recovered from his possession.
SFs arrested a suspected NDFB-IKS
militant, Manas Swargiwari, from Karibil area in Sonitpur District.
A US-made 7.65 mm pistol, its magazine, live ammunition and some
documents were recovered from the cadre.
March 9
Police, in an encounter, killed
the present 'chairman' of UPLF Dhananjay Dalogopu, at Borlangpha
in Karbi Anglong. A pistol with an empty magazine and three rounds
of ammunition were recovered from him. Dhananjay alias
Ratan alias Kala was a former insurgent of DHD Dalogopu
took over UPLF's reins following the arrest of UPLF's earlier
'chairman' Gajao eight months ago.
In an email 'information and publicity
secretary' of NDFB-PTF S Sanjarang claimed that its 'president'
Dhiren Boro alias B Sungthagra, was arrested on the 'false
pretext' of attending to an unknown registered case by the Gauhati
High Court on March 2.
State's Parliamentary Affairs
Minister Rockybul Hussain informed that currently eight militant
outfits were active in the State, including ULFA-I ,NDFB-IKS,KLO,
HuM, MULTA JMB CPI- Maoist.
March 10
SFs arrested an unidentified GNLA
militant from village Balaikhwar under Lakhipur police station
in Goalpara. SFs recovered one 9 mm pistol and two 9 mm live rounds.
Police arrested linkman of ULFA-I
Dharmadev Gosai, from Sonari in Sivasagar District in connection
with the blast at Sepon on February 13.
BSF arrested an alleged fundamentalist,
Ali Hussain in the Indo-Bangladesh border area in Dhubri.
Tarun Gogoi described the modernization
of the Police force as the topmost priority of the State Government.
Tarun Gogoi, in his budget speech, went ahead on the modernization
of Police force scheme proposing steps to fill up all vacant posts
of the State Police within the next financial year, including
6748 posts of armed branch constables, filling up of 340 unarmed
branch sub inspectors' posts and 340 APRO posts.
To boost the morale of the security
force personnel engaged in fighting the insurgents, he said that
the ex-gratia grant to the next of kin of the security personnel,
including Home Guards, killed in direct encounter has been raised
to INR 2 million. In the Government's bid to strengthen the State
Police, Gogoi proposed raise in the wages of Home Guards and steps
to improve their service condition.
He further proposed enhancement
in the pocket money of VDP personnel from INR 500 to INR 1,500
per month. The CM further said that seven new border outposts/forest
protection camps have been sanctioned for the inter-state borders
with Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram. Altogether 27 new border
outposts/ forest protection camps are proposed to be established
in the coming year. The CCTV project in Guwahati will be completed
within June 2015, Gogoi said.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in
his budget speech in the State Assembly stated that efforts by
his government for maintenance of law and order resulted in signing
of record 21 tripartite agreements for suspension of operations
or Memorandum of Settlements with 21 militant outfits.
March 11
SFs arrested two hardcore militants
of NDFB-IKS, Bilifang Brahma and Khampu Brahma, from Barshijhar
area in Chirang District.
SFs arrested two KPLT militants,
'area commander' Arsek alias Chinthong and Bidya Sing Kro
alias Laher along with two linkmen, Prakash Teran and Sarmen Bey,
from Umlapher village in Hamren sub-division of Karbi Anglong
District. A .9 mm pistol along with five live rounds, two hand
grenades (including one Chinese) and incriminatory documents like
extortion notes of KPLT and demand money receipts were recovered
from the militants.
SFs arrested a MULTA cadre, Nur
Ali rom his residence in Dhubri District. A 9mm pistol, four rounds
of live ammunition were recovered from him.
SFs have been put on alert to
prevent a fresh breakout of ethnic clashes in the Bodo heartland
ahead of the election to the BTC which is likely to be held in
April.
JMB has managed to send a few
bombs from Assam to Bangladesh by taking advantage of the porous
international border,. Highly placed sources in MHA told the newspaper
that recently security forces in Bangladesh managed to recover
a IEDs with information provided by the Indian security agencies.
March 12
A school employee, identified
as Basu Upadhyai was abducted from his residence in Lamsakhang in
West Karbi Anglong District.
March 13
SFs arrested NSLA militants and
a linkman , from Kashiabari village in Kokrajhar. One 7.62 mm
SLR with magazine, 20 cartridges of 7.62 mm ammunition, two country-made
pistols and a hand-grenade, among other things were recovered
from them. One rebel has been identified as Sonyram Soren, the
right-hand man of Framjeet, alias Dadiya, NSLA area commander
of Kashiabari. The other two are Shivlal Hembrom and Dhub Kisku.
The linkman has been identified as Roshan Murmu.
SFs arrested three unidentified
militants, including two suspected militants of NDFB-IKS and another
suspected MTFA in Kokrajhar District.
NSLA is trying to regroup. The
NSLA has been blamed for several kidnappings and extortion drives
in Alipurduar and Coochbehar areas of neighbouring West Bengal.
An Army official stated that "We have observed heightened activities
of Adivasi militants.
March 15
The leading citizens of Barak
Valley convened a mass convention at Chuto Lal Seth Institute
in Silchar District on March 15 to chalk out strategies to fight
against the complexities that arise out from the process of NRC.
March 16
Border Security Force (BSF-Guwahati
frontier) had recovered FICN worth INR 257,500 in 2014. "FICN
with a face value of INR 2,57,500 and 7,471 head of cattle worth
INR 4 crore were seized while 138 smugglers and illegal immigrants,
including 62 Indians and 76 Bangladeshis, were arrested by the
BSF's Guwahati Frontier last year," a BSF source said. The Guwahati
Frontier of BSF, Headquartered at Patgaon (Guwahati), has three
sectors under its jurisdiction - Dhubri in Assam and Falakata
and Cooch Behar in Bengal.
SFs arrested, a most wanted militant
leader of the NDFB-IKS Roshish Basumatary, alias Jama was arrested
from New Alipurduar in Alipurdar District in West Bengal. He was
involved in the massacre of Adivasis on December 23, 2014. A source
stated that "The operation was conducted with the help of West
Bengal Police. The militant was apprehended from the densely-forested
Jaldapara National Park in West Bengal," Roshish Basumatary belongs
to the outfit's 35th batch of Myanmar-trained cadres.
March 17
SFs arrested two militants belonging
to NDFB-IKS along with a rifle and ammunition from Hadan Bazar
in Chirang District. The arrested militants were identified as
Bathiram Goyari, [number four in NDFB-IKS hierarchy] and Selma
Owari.
March 19
SFs arrested two MULTA militants
in Lakhipur area of Goalpara District. SFs recovered FICN with
a face value of INR 200,000 and two pistols from the two militants.
March 21
The Army recovered two 303 rifles
with silencers, two magazines and 17 rounds of live ammunition
from Biswanath Ghat in Sonitpur District.
Extortion demands in the northern
part of Sonitpur District by different armed groups, including
Bodo and Adivasi militant groups, remains rampant in spite of
the ongoing Counter-insurgency operations in the District. Militant
formations like NDFB-IKS, AANLA, ACMA, BCF, etc remain active
in the area. Recently, the chairman of the Eastern Zone chapter
of the All India MES (Army) Contractors’ Association, Rajesh Singh
and a forest official, Gopal Deka, received two demand notes for
huge amounts of money by the AANLA militants under the ‘leadership’
of one Dipen Nayak, adds the report. Rajesh Singh further alleged
that many of them had to oblige as the police and the AANLA militants
have a nexus.
March
22
Police, during an operation, arrested
four KPLT militants from forest area of Koilamati in Chakihola
under Bokajan subdivision in Karbi Anglong District. The four
militants were identified as Lankiram Terang, Ramesh Ronghang,
Jiten Ronghang and Ubeshly Engti alias Amar.
March
23
Police recovered a handmade grenade
at Balajan Tinali in Kokrajhar District. The handmade grenade
was later defused by Police.
AGP’s legislator Padma Hazarika
told the Assembly that NDFB militants were running a parallel
government across a large area in the North Bank (of river Brahmaputra)
where the State government and the administration had little presence.
Hazarika also alleged that there was a nexus between the ultras
and a section of the police, and demanded a probe into it.
76 Bangladeshi nationals were
declared as illegal migrants by FT since February 2014, State
Home Secretary L S Changsan told that the three camps in Goalpara,
Silchar and Kokrajhar also house other foreigners who have been
convicted by the judiciary on various counts of violation of the
Passport Act and overstaying visa grants."There are two types
of detainees in the camps. One category comprises those declared
as illegal migrants by tribunals, and the other includes people
convicted by the judiciary for various violations. The total number
of detainees in the camps is 180, out of which 76 have been declared
as illegal migrants by tribunals. The number was 68 last February
[2014]," the Home Secretary said. Changsan said the number
of detainees sent to detention camps by the judiciary is 104,
of which 28 are Myanmarese and the rest are from Bangladesh.
Panchayat & Rural Development
Minister Rakibul Hussain informed the State Assembly that militant
had killed 195 civilians and four police personnel in Assam during
2014.
Hussain informed the House that
eight militant organizations are active in the state as on date
–NDFB-IKS , ULFA-I, KPLT, KLO, HuM-Assam unit, MULTA, CPI-Maoist
and JMB As many as 13 militant groups have declared Suspension
of Operation which include NDFB-PTF, NDFB-RD, ULFA-PTF,
AANLA etc. Among the eight active organizations, NDFB-IKS has
about 250-270 cadres, followed by ULFA-I with 240 cadres and MULTA
with 140 cadres. The remaining five outfits have cadre strength
ranging from 70 to 20.
As many as 6082 violent incidents
have been perpetrated by these eight active outfits in the state
since 1991 to present, of which ULFA has carried out highest 3632
incidents, followed by NDFB with 2231 incidents. As many as 2059
arms have been recovered from these eight outfits since 1991,
of which 1376 belonged to ULFA and 561 to NDFB. No arms belonging
to JMB have been recovered yet.
Hussain further informed that
as many as 19, 939 leaders and cadres of these eight outfits have
been arrested since 1991 till date, with the ULFA accounting for
the highest number (14982) of arrests, followed by NDFB’s 4059.
No cadre or leader of HuM has been arrested yet.
March
24
SFs arrested a NDFB -RD militant,
identified as Deepjyoti Daimari, from Sonitpur District. The militant
was arrested for physically assaulting a businessman at Charduar
area on March 22, 2015.
March
25
SFs arrested an unidentified MULTA militant
at Modati in Kokrajhar District.
DGP Khagen Sarma said it was possible
that some Police personnel might have nexus with NDFB militants
on personal level. The DGP pointed out that the department
had taken the allegation made by the MLA Padma Hazarika seriously
and the officer in charge of Chariduar Police Station in Sonitpur
District had already been removed from his post. The DGP also
said that NDFB-IKS ultras might try to disrupt forthcoming polls
in BTC. The opposition MLA informed that the militants of the
NDFB-RD which is now in truce mode with the Government of India,
have demanded ‘monthly tax’ from villagers from Bogijulee village
under Chariduar Police Station which prompted the villagers to
lay siege to the same Police Station on March 22, 2015.
The AAMSU insisted on making the
1971 electoral rolls as the base for NRC update in the State.
The students' body even threatened non-cooperation with the exercise
of updating the NRC if their demand was not met. AAMSU also demanded
that March 24, 1971, should be the cut-off date for NRC update
and to fix the definition of Assamese people.
Three OGWs identified as Bodosa
Mushahary, Dwinden Basumatary and Dolaharu Narzary of NDFB-IKS
were arrested from Jharbari in Kokrajhar. A country-made pistol,
two country-made rifles and a hand grenade were recovered from
them.
March
27
SFs arrested two NDFB-IKS cadres
from Balipara under Charduar Police Station in Sonitpur District.
Three
NDFB-IKS militants were arrested, near Kachugaon in Kokrajhar.
The arrested militants have been identified as Heita Boro, Ashok
Basumatary and Ranjoy Boro alias Lawdang. The militants
were involved in extortion and were working as linkmen providing
food and ration to NDFB-IKS militants in Ripu Reserve Forest.
ULFA-I
militant, identified as Raman Rabhawho was arrested from Gaksha
village in Kokrajhar. He had undergone training in 2012 at Durama
hills in Meghalaya along with the 4th Batch of GNLA.
Four
militants of MTFA were arrested near Kharkhariin village in Kokrajhar.
Three pistols and live ammunition were recovered from them.
Due
to various terror attacks 413 people died in North East India
in 2014. Assam accounted for 168 deaths in 246 insurgency incidents.
As many as 144 deaths were at the hands of NDFB-IKS. In the last
3 years insurgent outfits in Assam have killed 242 people including
14 security personnel.
Of the 40 deaths recorded due
to insurgency in the state in 2013, 16 were in NDFB-IKS attacks.
Comparatively ULFA claimed just three lives while KPLT killed
12.
March
28
SFs arrested four militants of
NDFB-IKS from Tharaibari in Sonitpur District. Two of the
extremists Brim Basumatary alias Belashi and
Superior Basumatary alias Maniraj were involved
in the massacre of over 80 Adivasis, Biswanath Chariali Police
District SP M D Ray said. The two others were identified as Pohar
Narzary and Pratim Daimary.
The process of updating of NRC
based on Citizenship Act 1955 and Citizenship Rule 2003, under
the direct supervision of the Supreme Court of India will start
in Sonitpur District from April 1.
March 30
ULFA-I claimed responsibility
for the recent killing of an employee of the Shell petrol depot
at Aulachowka (Borjamguri) on NH-15 in Darrang District. During
the incident on March 27, two motor cycle borne gunmen opened
indiscriminate firing at the petrol depot, wounding an employee
Manoj Patel. He was rushed to Mangaldai Civil Hospital and later
was referred him to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital. According
to unconfirmed report, few months back the outfit had demanded
a huge amount from the proprietor of the depot as donation to
the fund of the outfit.
The state authorities, in response
to an RTI application, have replied that the KPLT, an Karbi Anglong
District based outfit, was actively involved in the poaching of
rhinos and trade of its horns in Kaziranga National Park.
March 31
A special NIA court in Guwahati
has sent three militants NDFB-IKS to seven-day NIA remand. "The
militants were involved in the massacre of Adivasi villagers at
Pakhriguri under Serfanguri police station on December 23 and
the killing of Hindi-speaking persons at Athiabari, also under
Serfanguri Police Station, on National Highway 31 on January 17
last year," Police said earlier.
The Supreme Court pulled up Dispur
for "dragging its feet" on the massive influx of illegal migrants
by not showing the seriousness with which the matter needs to
be dealt with, reports The Telegraph. A bench of Justice Ranjan
Gogoi and Justice R.F. Nariman directed the State Chief Secretary,
Jitesh Khosla, to file a fresh affidavit to explain the measures
taken by the Assam government like setting up of task forces to
prevent infiltration from across the border. The court also asked
the nodal officer of Assam to file a separate affidavit on the
status of the NRC.
Some startling facts were revealed
in the findings of CAG of India with regards to the function of
Police in Assam.
Again, 18 police stations do not
have rest rooms for personnel and two others do not even have
drinking water facilities. One Police Station in the State is
operating from a market shed, another from a private club and
a third from a quarter of Public Works Department. The CAG further
points out that for combating modern day cyber crime; Assam Cyber
Crime Investigation Lab was set up in October, 2013. But the lab
remained no-functional till December, 2014 due to the primary
requirement of a broadband connection, shortage of equipment;
skilled manpower and separate automated power back up.
Not just the lack of basic human
facilities, the CAG has also pointed out that 26% of weapons and
same percentage of ammunition with the state police force are
obsolete. Besides, its existing analog communication system is
also vulnerable to easy interception. The CAG states that the
objective of establishing the Counter Insurgency and anti-Terrorist
Training Schools (CIAT) has not been achieved as the 4,769 personnel,
who completed training at these schools, were not trained in night
training, underground firing and jungle warfare.
Over 250 militants of NDFB-IKS
have been apprehended, and four killed, in an operation launched
by the UC after the Adivasi massacre in the State on December
23, 2014. The forces have also recovered huge cache of arms and
ammunition.
State Agriculture Minister Rakibul
Hussain, on behalf of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, informed the
house in a written reply that the UC has seized 78 assorted weapons
belonging to NDFB-IKS, which include 13 AK-56 rifles, five AK-47
rifles, an SLR, an M16 rifle, a Chinese rifle, an M22 rifle, a
.303 rifle, an AK semi-automatic rifle, three HK33 rifles and
an INSAS rifle. The findings also include two M20 pistol, 16 7.65
mm pistols, four 7.62 pistols, two .22 pistols, one Mark 30 pistol,
nine 9mm pistols, three 65 mm pistols and seven handmade guns.
Hussain said three of the NDFB-IKS cadres have been nabbed in
Kerala and another three in Nagaland. "At present, there are just
a few NDFB-IKS militants at large and the search is on, inside
and outside the state," the Minister added.
The UC is also simultaneously
searching for illegal weapons in the Bodo areas and has recovered
21 such assorted weapons, 168 rounds of ammunition, six grenades,
seven detonators and two crude bombs from cadres of various other
outfits in and around BTAD.
SFs, in an encounter, killed two
militants belonging to the NDFB-IKS, 'deputy commandant' Sohiasula
and 'sergeant major' Ratan, at Lakhipathar area in Sonitpur District.
April 1
Two militants of the ULFA-I, identified
as Pranjal Bora and Rubul Ali were arrested from an unspecified
location. Pranjal Bora, a former employee of a private security
agency in Guwahati, had reportedly been working as a linkman of
ULFA-I militant Deepak Bora alias Bikram Asom in an extortion
drive. Rubul Ali delivered the extortion money to the ULFA-I about
one year back.
NIA interrogation of IK Songbijit
faction of NDFB-IKS has revealed that Chinese made weapons come
to Manipur through the China-Myanmar-India border. According to
the interrogation report arms consignments are smuggled from the
China border to South Myanmar by the Kachin rebels who hand over
the weapons to NSCN-IM in Myanmar. NSCN-IM then passes on the
weapons to NDFB-IKS in Manipur which are taken to Assam's Bodoland
area, where NDFB operates. Forty six NDFB-IKS militants have been
arrested so far by the NIA after December 2014 massacre of tribals.
April 3
GNLA deserter, identified as Sengrak
T. Sangma alias Bamon Rance was arrested in a joint operation
by Meghalaya Police and Army at Arabellapra in Goalpara District.
Sengrak is wanted in connection with firing on a CRPF team in
2014. Ramesh Singh, ASP, North Garo Hills stated that "He has
confessed to his involvement in the firing at Bolsal Ading village
in North Garo Hills, where two CRPF men were injured,". A 9mm
pistol, a magazine, two rounds of ammunition and a GNLA pad were
recovered from him. ASP also added that he had confessed to being
involved with AMEF and ANLA.
April 5
Security Forces arrested two suspected
members of NSLA at Srirampur in Kokrajhar District.
Union Tribal Welfare Minister
Jual Oram announced that six communities of the state would be
given ST status within the next four to five months. Making an
election statement while campaigning for BJP candidates for the
BTC polls in Kokrajhar, Oram said, "I cannot give a time frame
but six communities - Koch-Rajbongshis, tea tribes, Tai Ahoms,
Morans, Motoks and Chutiyas - will be given ST status in four
to five months. The case of ST status to these six communities
is lying with me. The group of ministers has already prepared
a note. We are changing the modalities of granting tribal status."
SFs killed two cadres of the UDLF-O
at Borobasti in South Ratabari in Karimganj District. The dead
duo was identified as Narendra Reang (30) and Sishumoni Reang
(36). Another militant managed to escape from the site.
Police arrested the 'commander-in-chief'
of AANLA, identified as Pipar Dang along with four other members
of the outfit, from Dayalpur forest area near Assam -Nagaland
boundary, in Golaghat District. The four other arrested AANLA
militants were identified as Isaque Bag, Fabinos Surin, Sangphai
Lothanaga and a woman cadre Lily Kikone. Police recovered one
pistol and ammunition from the militants. Police informed that
the operation was carried in specific information to rescue two
persons, Mono Karmakar and Amit Dutta, who were abducted by AANLA
militants on March 27. The abducted persons were rescued by the
Police during the operation. Following the incident, Golaghat
Police are planning to send a proposal to the state government
to review the ceasefire agreement with the AANLA.
April 6
A militant of NSLA-AT identified
as Nandu Kisku was arrested. He was arrested from Sapkata in Kokrajhar
District.
Security Forces recovered a huge
quantity of explosives buried at Dhansirighat near Tulip tea garden
in Sonitpur District. According to Sonitpur Superintendent of
Police (SP) Sanjukta Parasar, the explosives were buried near
a river bank under Dhekiajuli Police Station and were recovered
last night. She said the team recovered 75 detonators and other
explosive materials from the site and added; investigation was
on to ascertain who were behind the matter.
April 7
ULFA-I 'chairman' Abhijit Barman
alias Abhijit Asom, in an email statement, vowed to continue the
armed struggle for a sovereign Assam. The statement was issued
on the occasion of the outfit's 36th Raising day.
Security Forces arrested two militants,
one belonging to ULFA-I and the other to NSCN-K, from Tinsukia
District. Tinsukia SP Anand Prakash Tiwari said the ULFA-I cadre
has been identified as Biraj Hazarika of Karbi Anglong District
and the NSCN-K cadre as "sergeant major" Kammen Kamlaon from Khonsa
in Tirap District in Arunachal Pradesh.
April 8
40-seat BTC election saw a turnout
of 75 per cent and was by and large peaceful. BTC administers
the BTAD Districts of Kokrajhar, Baksa, Udalguri and Chirang.
April 9
Police arrested two persons were
arrested with FICN having face value of INR 137,000 in Barpeta
District. The arrested duo was identified as Jamaluddin and Tariqueuddin.
April 10
SFs arrested NSLA 'area commander'
of Gossaigaon area, Lakhiram Kisku alias Surya alias
Mathiyas, from Gomna area in Kokrajhar District. SFs recovered
a factory made 7.62 mm pistol, few ammunition and other war like
stores from him.
April 11
With the Government of Myanmar
yet to take any action against the militants of North-East, who
are taking shelter in that country, the GoI has started working
on augmenting security along the international border and a comprehensive
border management strategy is being planned. The international
border with Myanmar is being guarded by the Assam Rifles (AR)
since 2002 as a part of the one border one force strategy of the
Government of India (GoI). However, it is often reported that
majority of the Assam Rifles camps are located deep inside Indian
Territory and the deployment of the force could not check the
movement of militants and other anti-national elements. Though
there were some discussions about entrusting the BSF with the
responsibility of guarding the border with Myanmar, the final
decision in this regard is yet to be taken.
Joint Secretary (North-East) of
MHA Sambhu Singh stated that AR has sought to increase its strength
with induction of new battalions so that more dedicated forces
can be deployed along the border with Myanmar. MHA official also
added that it may not be possible to construct fencing all along
the border with Myanmar because of the terrain. But the Government
may go for construction of fencing in the areas where such construction
is feasible. He also added that so far, the Government of Myanmar
is yet to take strong action to evict the camps of the militants
from the territory of that country. According to an estimate,
the total strength of Indian militants in Myanmar should be around
2,000.
April 12
The NIA's probe into the
October 2, 2014, Bardhaman blasts could soon uncover the role of
Pakistan's spy agency ISI and al Qaeda in helping JMB run its operations,
top sources said. The agency is set to receive crucial documents
from Bangladesh on the funding, membership and association of JMB
with other groups which it believes would shed light on the outfit's
links with ISI and al-Qaida. JMB has already established a substantial
base in West Bengal, Assam and Jharkhand. An official said the 39
bombs recovered from the hideouts of JMB members in Bardhaman were
possibly funded by ISI and al Qaeda.
April 15
An IED was recovered by the Army
from the house of one Atikur Rahman at Khukundi village in Nalbari
District.
April 16
Mizoram Police arrested three
militants of the Democrats faction of HPC-D, from Ramnagar in
Cachar District in Assam. The militants have been identified as,
'army chief' Lalropuia, 'finance secretary' Famhoite Norbar Sanate
and Ngurthantluanga Sanate.
Police recovered an abandoned
truck from Baihata area in Kamrup District. Sources say that the
truck was taken away the truck from Mandakata area by armed militants,
on April 13.
April 18
SFs arrested an NDFB-IKS militant,
identified as 'platoon commander of Chirang platoon' Samar Basumatary
alias Sona, from Chetnaguri village in Kokrajhar District. SFs
recovered a 7.65 mm pistol (factory made), three live rounds,
one hand grenade and other war like stores from him.
April
19
SFs killed another NDFB-IKS
militant, identified as Engarlang, at Bogijuli in Sonitpur District.
Another NDFB-IKS militant managed to escape into the nearby thick
vegetation. One 7.62 mm pistol, ammunition, two mobile phones,
8 SIM cards and a Pulsar bike were recovered from the encounter
spot.
April
20
SFs, in an encounter, killed a
senior leader of the NDFB-IKS, identified as Praneshwar Narzary alias Daokhoumwi,
at Kochugaon Pepso Gravel Road of Kokrajhar District. A
7.65 mm pistol with a magazine with three rounds, two fired cases
and a hand grenade were recovered from the encounter site. Search
is on for other militants who were engaged in the gunfight.
April
21
SFs, in an operation, arrested
five militants of the NDFB-IKS from the jungles of Ripu Reserve
Forest of Kokrajhar District. The arrested militants
were identified as ‘lieutenant and platoon commander’ of ‘Rangapara
Platoon’ Dilip Basumatary alias B Dawkhaw, ‘corporal
and section commander’ of ‘Biswanath Chariali platoon’ Ananto
Swargairy alias Agar, ‘lance corporal’ Philip Narzary alias N
Puthaisala alias Fighter, Phukon Goyari and Sanjoka
Brahma alias B Saogari.
The Central Government ruled out
the possibility of holding talks with the ULFA-I and NDFB-IKS
pointing to the groups’ involvement in ‘mindless violence’. The
two militant outfits have been indulging in terrorist violence
from time to time, mercilessly killing innocent people, including
women and children. These outfits are also indulging themselves
in extortion activities and abduction of people for ransom, MoS
for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said in a Lok Sabha (lower
house of India’s parliament) reply to a question by State’s MP
Bijoya Chakravarty.
Sources have admitted that failure
to nab the senior ‘leaders’ of NDFB-IKS was a matter of serious
concern as there was the possibility that they might try to revive
the outfit. As per information available with the security
agencies, the ‘chairman’ IK Songbijit is still in Myanmar, while
the ‘commander-in-chief’ of the outfit G Bidai, who reportedly
masterminded the December 23 attacks, and is believed to be hiding
somewhere in the jungles along the Assam-Bhutan border areas.
April
22
SFs, in an operation, arrested
five militants of the NDFB-IKS from Parbatjhora Reserve Forest
of Kokrajhar District. The arrested militants were
identified as ‘section commander’ Gobla Basumatary alias B
Gwnshwar, ‘section commander’ of Bengtol ‘section of Chirang platoon’
Preg Barmouh, Shamkhar Musahari, Rahul Khaklary, Babul Narzary
and Swarang Boro.
The Assam Police put out a series
of advertisements, based in Guwahati, in local newspapers giving
lists of over 1600 “untraced declared foreigners” who had
illegally entered the state after 1971 ( after the formation of
Bangladesh), and sought information about them from the citizens.
April
23
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said
that the ongoing exercise of, NRC update in the State has been
given top priority as it would end issues revolving around the
State's biggest problem of infiltration from Bangladesh. The
process of updating the NRC now will facilitate the inclusion
of the names of the persons and their descendants who appear in
the NRC of 1951 or in any of the electoral rolls up to the midnight
of March 24th, 1971, or in any one of the other admissible documents
of the pre-1971 period. This will prove their presence in Assam
on or before March 24, 1971. The distribution of application
forms for inclusion of one's name in the NRC will begin from the
last week of April. This will be followed by field verification
from June 2015. The draft NRC is scheduled to be published on
October 31 and the final one on January 31, 2016.
ASMwill holdwill a
meet in Jorhat District on April 25 to discuss the future of the
indigenous people once the National Register of Citizens, 1951,
is updated. ASM an organisation that has been waging a legal battle
in the Supreme Court questioning the very validity of the Assam
Accord will hold a two-day conference in Jorhat.
April
24
NDFB-IKS, removed its 'president'
Songbijit Ingti Kathar a few days ago and elevated its ‘interim
general secretary’ B Saoraigwra to the top post. A Karbi by ethnicity,
Songbijit is reportedly holed up in Myanmar. He was sidelined
when the outfit took the decision to massacre the Adivasis. The
heinous crime was executed under the direction of G Bidai, ‘deputy
chief’ of the outfit's ‘armed wing’."About four days ago,
we received information that Songbijit has been removed from the
post of the outfit's chairman and made its advisor. B Saoraigwra
is the new chairman of the outfit," a source told the newspaper.
April
25
A team of militants, during a
clash between two factions of the KPLT, gunned down KPLT (Buche
group) ‘chairman’ Boche Bey (28) alias Bijoy
Terang in Rongnihan Sigar gaon under Borpathar Police Station
in Karbi Anglong District. Boche Bey (28) alias Bijoy
Terang is one of the founder members of the undivided KPLT. “According
to reports, Boche's own ‘finance secretary’ Singh Teron is behind
the killing of the chairman," said a Bokajan Police source.
The Assam State Jamiat Ulama submitted
a memorandum to Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren
Rijiju and the Registrar General of India (RGI), Rohitash Nariman,
on its demands regarding the update of the NRC 1951. A delegation
of the Jamiat, led by its president Badruddin Ajmal, met both
Rijiju and Nariman in New Delhi and requested them to concede
to their demands, which include extension of the deadline to receive
NRC applications till October this year.
April
26
SFs, in a joint operation, busted
a major hideout of NDFB-IKS in the thick jungles of Ripu Forest,
near the Indo-Bhutan border, in Kokrajhar District. Defence PRO
Leutinent Colonel Suneet Newton said that during the search operation
an encounter took place with NDFB (S) cadres. It is suspected
that the senior hierarchy of NDFB-IKS, involved in the Adivasis
massacre on December 23, 2014, was in the group with whom contact
was established. Newton said that the operation is continuing
and a massive hunt is in progress in Ripu Reserve Forest by Army.
A major NDFB-IKS hideout was busted
by Army in Sadiya Ghat area inside Manas Reserve Forest in Chirang
District. The operation was launched on a specific intelligence,
regarding presence of a hideout in of Chirang, said the Defence
PRO.
April 27
A UC meeting held decided to focus
on apprehending two top leaders of the NDFB-IKS, who are believed
to be hiding somewhere deep inside forest on the India-Bhutan
border.
A source told that the UC meeting,
which was held in Dispur and attended by senior Army, Police,
Paramilitary and Government officials, discussed strategies to
track down and apprehend the NDFB-IKS duo, G. Bidai alias Bishnu
Goyari and Binod Mushahary alias Batha Mushahary. Security
Forces said these two leaders masterminded massacre of Adivasis
on December 23, 2014. "The meeting decided to intensify operations
in some specific areas on the India-Bhutan border to apprehend
the duo. The forces will also step up effort to collect intelligence
to pinpoint their whereabouts," the source said.
SFs killed a KPLT militant, identified
as Martin Tokbi, during an operation in Malasi area of Karbi Anglong
District. SFs also arrested another KPLT militant, identified
as Dor Sing Karthar, during the operation. SFs recovered one pistol
along with ammunition and various incriminating documents including
extortion notes of KPLT and money receipts from the militants.
GNLA militants "robbed" the driver,
patients and physician travelling in an ambulance at Belguri area
in Goalpara District.
Asserting that removal of the
sense of alienation of the people of the north-eastern region
was the biggest challenge before the Centre, UHM Rajnath Singh
has advocated a hardline approach to militant outfits indulging
in violence in the North-east, particularly Assam. Paresh Baruah
is not interested to come for dialogue, said the Home Minister,
reminding that the Centre's interlocutors were engaged in negotiations
with other militant groups.
April 28
SFs arrested three suspected ULFA-I
cadres from Gohpur in Sonitpur District.
SFs arrested two cadres of AANLA,
identified as Bijoy Aein, and Yakub Iskata, from Rangapara in
Sonitpur District. SFs recovered two hand-made pistols, 16 rounds
of live ammunition and two cartridges.
April 29
SFs arrested three cadres of NDFB-IKS
from different locations in Kokrajhar and Sonitpur Districts.
An NDFB-IKS cadre, Sanjib Basumatary of Kachugaon Lotamari, was
apprehended from Khousi Bazar in Kokrajhar district. Another cadre,
Sachin Brahma, was arrested from Parbatjhora in the same District.
A militant, Dilip Boro, was arrested from Sopay Rowmari in Bishwanath
Chariali under Sonitpur District.
Union MoS for Home Affairs Haribhai
Parathibhai Chaudhary informed the Rajya Sabha (upper house
of Indian Parliament) that cadres UALC of the CPI-Maoist are involved
in anti-dam propaganda campaign over the lower Subansiri mega
dam, at Gerukamukh near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. Anti-dam
activists from different organizations of the state have stalled
the work of the 2,000 MW project on the Subansiri River since
December, 2011.
UDLF, headed by one Rajesh Chorki,
has joined hands with a forum of other northeast rebel groups,
the United Liberation Front of West Asia and South East Asia,
led by the NSCN-K 'chairman' S.S. Khaplang, last week. According
to intelligence sources here, Chorki, a former "press secretary"
in the UDLA, broke off and formed the new faction in Barak Valley.
May 1
SFs arrested three militants in
two separate operations conducted in Kokrajhar and Dhubri Districts.
The lone NDFB-IKS militant was arrested from Kokrajhar while two
militants belonging to MULTA were arrested from Fakirganj area
of Dhubri.The NDFB-IKS militant was identified as Jwngdao Basumatary.
May 3
Unidentified men shot at and injured
a teacher, Prabin Patgiri (43), at Badulibari in Baksa District.
May 4
SFs arrested three militants of
MTFA from Kathalguri area in Kokrajhar District.
CM Tarun Gogoi said the state
is worried over the coming together of North East militant groups
under one platform to launch attacks. He added that the Centre
should take serious notice of this development. United Liberation
Front of West South East Asia, the new militant platform, comprises
the ULFA-I, NSCN-K, NDFB-IKS and KLO. These militant groups are
based in Myanmar. NSCN-K ‘chairman’ SS Khaplang is the chief of
this new platform.
ULFA-I wants the performers in
Bihu functions to wear indigenous dresses on such occasions. In
an email statement, ULFA-I said the tendency of wearing attires
not indigenous to the state has increased among the singers, which
is a matter of concern.
May 6
Police arrested an ULFA-I cadre,
Biju Bania alias Rajib Axom, from Natun Bolai
village in Dibrugarh District. A bomb weighing two kilograms was
recovered on him.
Abductor of Dhruba Jyoti Ray (20),
a higher secondary final year student of Bongaigaon Junior College,
who was abducted on April 29 from Bengtal in Chirang District,
was released by them. Ray was dropped by two bike-borne men at
Bengtal, a few hours after the mastermind of the abduction, Sohim
Islary alias Swmwi, a former militant of NDFB-RD
cadre, was arrested by Dhaligaon Police.
Director General of Police Khagen
Sarma said that the State Police have sounded an alert following
the unification of several militants of North East region. He
added that police are concerned about the development and taking
steps to check the ultras. He said NDFB-IKS leader Songbijit
has fled the country. "Songbijit is in a foreign country
and G Bidai is crisscrossing the borders. There are some difficulties
in nabbing him but it's just a matter of time," Sarma said.
He added that at least 300 NDFB-IKS ultras, including its top
leaders, are already in police net.
‘commander-in-chief’ of the ULFA-I
Paresh Baruah, in a telephone conversation, with a northeast based
journalist Rajeev Bhattacharya, stated that all “anti-India groups”
would get together to form a ‘government-in-exile’. Paresh Baruah
when asked about his ‘immediate plans’ said, ‘We will strike wherever
and whenever possible. We also hope to be able to form a government-in-exile
by the end of this year’.
May 7
The ULFA-I, in a statement e-mailed
to the media, reiterated that it was not at all interested in
so-called peace-talks with the Government and vowed to continue
with its ‘revolution’ till it achieved its avowed goal of restoration
of ‘sovereignty’ of Assam.
ULFA-I ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh
Baruah called up media houses from an undisclosed location to
say, if the Central Government agrees to discuss 'sovereignty',
which is the core issue of the outfit, he would agree to hold
peace talks. We don't want the Government to place any condition
for talks. We have no issue on our agenda except sovereignty.
If the Government says only our core issue will be on the agenda,
we are ready for talks," Baruah said.
The India-Bangladesh LBA bill,
which was passed by the Lok Sabha (lower House
of the Parliament) on May 7, will not only pave the way for settling
the decades-long border dispute between the two countries, but
has given rise to fresh hope about deportation of undivided
ULFA's founding ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia.
May 8
Security forces shot dead an unidentified
militant belonging to the NDFB-IKS at Leupani Nala in Chirang
Reserve Forest, approximately three km from Ultapani village in
Kokrajhar District.
SFs arrested a senior NDFB-IKS
militant, Bisonjit Mushaharu alias Tarzan, from a roadside restaurant
at Chhaygaon in Kamrup (rural) District.
The formal termination of the
14 year old ceasefire agreement between the Centre and NSCN-K
on April 27 has pushed the Myanmar-based cadres of the ULFA-I
into a deep crisis as cross-border movement of its cadres and
materials facilitated by the Naga outfit have come to a halt.
May 9
SFs arrested four militants of
NDFB-IKS at Maldang area in Sonitpur District. The militants were
trained in Myanmar. An AK-56 rifle, four magazines, 37 rounds
of live ammunition, two hand grenades and three mobile phones
were seized from the militants, Parasar said.
SFs arrested two other NDFB-IKS
militant, identified as Julish Basumatari alias Jojai and
Sankosh Basumatari alias Swailsha, from Lakhipathar under
Charduar Police Station in Sonitpur District.
May 11
Police arrested two militants
of the UPLA from Malidahar village in Cachar District. Police
raided the area and arrested both the extremists who were from
Diphu area of Karbi Anglong District.
SFs, launched an operation, and
arrested a MULTA militant, identified as Waidur Rehman, from Musalmanpara
village in Gossaigaon sub-division of Kokrajhar District.
SFs arrested two OGWs of NDFB-IKS,
identified as Prasanjit Islary and Biton Basumatary, in Kusumdisha
area of Chirang District. The duo was allegedly involved in extortions
on behalf of NDFB-IKS.
ULFA-I, in an email statement,
released images of six rifles that they claim to have taken from
Assam Rifles personnel during the May 3 ambush in the Changlangshu
area of Mon District in Nagaland. Five of the rifles are AK-47s
and one is an INSAS rifle.
Police had arrested two NLFB cadres,
Amar Paul alias Gudu (27) and Chittaranjan Sarkar
(23) from Santinagar in Kokrajhar District. The two cadres were
arrested along with a pistol, live ammunition, one magazine and
three mobile handsets. The NLFB is a newly-formed Bengali
extremist group functioning from neighbouring State of West Bengal.
May 13
Police arrested ‘Kokrajhar district
commander’ of the NLFB, Mithu Debnath (26), from Kokrajhar town.
ULFA-PTF ‘spokesman’ Sasha Choudhary
said they are hoping for an early resolution of the charter of
demands and signing of MoS soon. A delegation of the ULFA-PTF
led by its ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa is likely to call on Union
Home Minister Rajnath Singh and press for expediting the peace
process. The ULFA-PTF leaders who arrived in the capital early
this week, has been holding talks with the Centre’s interlocutor
PC Haldar. Sources said the Centre is currently in the final
stages of preparing the MoS.
According to reports, one of the
major demands that the Centre is likely to fulfil is the grant
of ST status to the six communities of the State. The move is
likely to have a political impact in the State as an outcome of
the move would be that 70 per cent of the seats in the Assam Assembly
are likely to be reserved for ST candidates, confirmed sources.
The Supreme Court accused the
Central and the State government of “dragging its feet” on fortifying
the country’s “porous” eastern border with Bangladesh despite
its judgment last year that security chinks along the border are
posing a threat to the lives of ordinary citizens. Deciding to
have an independent look at what is happening on the ground, a
SC Bench led by Justice Ranjan Gogoi appointed a court commissioner
to visit the border and report back on the state of fencing and
roads along it.
May 15
ULFA-PTF urged the Union Government
for early resolution of pending issues, particularly the demand
for ST status for six communities of the State The ULFA-PTF leaders
stressed on resolving the issues raised by them as expeditiously
as possible so that a final settlement between the outfit and
the government can be reached at the earliest.
ULFA-PTF ‘vice-chairman’ Pradip
Gogoi, after the meeting, said that some of the key issues raised
by them were ST status for the six communities, NRC update, prevention
of illegal migration from Bangladesh, promotion of organic farming
in the state, among others."The government showed positive
response to our demands," he said. Gogoi said they have also
asked the Centre to facilitate extradition of their general secretary
Anup Chetia from Bangladesh. Union Home Secretary L.C. Goyal assured
them that the home ministry has been taking all possible measures
to control the illegal influx and added that NRC will be updated
in a time-bound manner.
May 16
Local people nabbed two persons,
Zamal Badshah (22) and Samar Das (20), suspecting them to be NDFB-IKS
linkmen in Salbari area of Kadamtala in Bongaigaon Town on May
16 and handed them over to the Police. Few extortion letters of
NDFB-IKS were recovered from the two men.
May 17
Police arrested two members of
SULFA, identified as Dimbeshwar Dutta (45) and Amrit Bora (43)
alias Dhormo from Hatigarh Borguri and Number 1 Feuwal village
in Jorhat District. The duo was arrested on charges of extortion
in the name of ULFA-I. The duo was demanding INR 2.5 million from
the businessman.
A top unnamed security source
said that ULFA-I may not be a strong force, but 'he (Paresh Baruah)
as an individual is still a dangerous force’.
SF arrested one NSLA terrorist,
identified as Sarkar Hasda, from Silaimatha in Kokrajhar District.
May 18
SF personnel in a
joint operation killed an 'area commander', Seme Kro, of militant
group KPLT, following a fierce encounter, near Bhelughat area
in Karbi Anglong District.
Central Government
is contemplating to turn the state into a tribal majority by according
ST status to six communities. The move came after ULFA-PTF, which
is having peace talks with the Centre, made it clear that it would
give up the demand of Assam's sovereignty only if Koch- Rajbongshis,
Moran, Muttock, Sootea, Tai-Ahom and the tea tribes communities
are given ST status, an unnamed UMHA official reportedly told
sources.
May 20
KPLT, a Karbi militant
group, has called for a 24-hour Karbi Anglong bandh (shutdown
strike) from 5 pm of May 20 till 5 pm May 21. According to KPLT
sources, the bandh has been called to protest the counter insurgency
operations carried out against the group in the District.
CM Tarun Gogoi criticized
the Union Government for resorting to stop police modernization
fund to Assam and said that this would hamper the sustained fight
against insurgents in the State. CM Tarun Gogoi further said,
"We have to constantly remain on vigil against insurgents as they
have formed a joint organization (United Liberation Front of West
South East Asia). At this juncture, stoppage of flow of fund for
police modernization would be a setback for us."
CM Tarun Gogoi claimed
that the on-going talks between the Centre and the ULFA-PTF, led
by Arabinda Rajkhowa, was progressing well and in proper direction.
JSM, a tribal organisation
in the State, objected the decision of ULFA-PTF to switchover
from over three decades fight for independent Assam to demanding
ST status for six communities as 'anti-tribal' and 'anti-indigenous
people'. JSM 'advisor' Janaklal Basumatary described the idea
to turn Assam into a tribal majority State by including six communities
in tribal list as an absurd idea. He said the population of STs
even after inclusion of six communities would not go beyond 50
per cent and it was not possible to create 80 seats reserved for
ST communities comprising less than 50 per cent population. The
tribal leader also said the proposal of the NDFB-PTF to the Centre
for expansion of existing 40 BTC constituencies to 90 by inclusion
of more districts and their demand of 70 reserved seats for Bodos,
10 each for general and Adivasis was also an idea of bizarre.
He said there could not be reserved seats on the basis of community.
The JMB, ideologue
Lal Mohammed alias Ibrahim, who was arrested on April 18 by Jharkhand
Police, has told interrogators that the jihadi outfit's sabotage
plans in Assam was to counter Bodo aggression. Notably, JMB modules
detected so far in Barpeta and Nalbari Districts are around BTAD.
Ibrahim is learnt to have recruited more than 150 persons including
women for jihad in India since 2010-2011. The recruits were indoctrinated
in the Simulia mosque in Burdwan and Lal Golla mosque in Murshidabad
Districts of West Bengal by undertaking religious courses, affiliated
to Ahle-Hadis ideology, ranging from two to five days. Many of
the recruits were from Assam and some of them were trained in
handling explosives.
Prime accused in
the Burdwan blast and the key player of the JMB module in Assam,
Sahanur Alom ,had told interrogators that over a 100 recruits
from the State, mostly youths from Lower Assam Districts, have
undergone "training" in the Madrassas of West Bengal. The recruits
were trained in handling guns and assembling explosives.
May 25
Security Forces arrested an unidentified
youth with a .22 pistol and five rounds of ammunition from Pokafield
under Khatkhati Police Station in Karbi Anglong District.
Police arrested five TLA militants
at Nellie near Jagiroad under Morigaon District. Four of these
extremists have been identified as Dhaneswar Amchi (32), Dipak
Amchi (19), Tufan Kuma (19) and Robin Amchi. According to Inul
Hoque, SP of Morigaon, the group of extremists had demanded a
huge sum of money from the CEM of TAC and a few other members
of the council.
May 26
In a case of mistaken identity,
a village headman was killed during a counter insurgency operation
carried out by SFs) in Disapur under Dillai Police Station in
Karbi Anglong District. According to police source, the village
headman identified as Devjoi Phanglosa (47) was killed in shoot
out, when SFs in hunt to nab a suspected UPLA cadre. The combined
team went to the village headman house and when they knocked the
door, the deceased opened fire from his muzzle loading gun, who
suspected the combined team as “NSCN cadres [Nationalist Socialist
Council of Nagaland]”. In the firing, constable, Pronab Bora sustained
two bullet injuries in his hand and left chest and in retaliation,
the combined team fired several rounds killing Devjoi Phanglosa
inside his house.
SFs arrested five GNLA militants
from Hatogaon in Goalpara District. The militants were identified
as Galet Ch Momin alias Arnet Ch Momin, Tenrik Marak, Paulush
Marak, Pitin Sangma & Mithak Sangma. Two factory-made 7.65mm
pistols, three country-made 9mm pistols, some ammunitions and
other war like stores were recovered from them.
Director General of Police Khagen
Sarma stated that SFs have arrested 343 cadres of the NDFB-IKS,
including 204 active ones, in the last five months during intensified
counter-insurgency operations. As many as 10 cadres of the NDFB-IKS
were also killed in encounters during the period.DGP Khagen Sarma
also said that 164 grenades and 625 kilograms of explosives were
recovered during the operations. “Besides, nearly 100 sophisticated
factory-made weapons were recovered,” he said. Sarma, while informing
that 50 additional companies of Central paramilitary forces have
already been attached, said the operations against the militant
group would continue. Operations against the banned outfit were
intensified after its militants killed innocent people in Sonitpur
district and BTAD area late last year. DGP Sarma further said
30 to 35 cadres of the outfit were still hiding inside the Manas
Reserve and that security forces were after them. He also said
the camp at Ultapani which was busted recently by security forces,
was the last of the tactical camps of the outfit. On Paresh Baruah,
the ‘commander-in-chief’ ULFA-I, he said, “His movement was traced
in the Chinese territory recently.”
The ULFA-PTF has expressed satisfaction
over the progress of peace-talk with the Central Government. ULFA-PTF
‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa, at a meeting with leaders and cadres
of his faction here in Morigaon District, urged the centre to
complete the negotiation process soon.
May 27
The NCST and the UTAM has raised
objections to the demand of ULFA-PTF that six additional communities
be granted ST status in Assam. ULFA-PTF has demanded that the
Moran, Tai Ahom, Sootea, Koch-Rajbongshis and 36 Tea tribes who
are currently listed as other backward classes be granted ST status.
The grant of tribal status to these six communities will also,
after fresh delimitation, lead to a significant increase in the
number of ST seats in the 126-strong Assam State Assembly, making
it a tribal-dominated State. The Assembly currently has 16 ST
seats.
May 28
Two assailants armed with sophisticated
small arms were arrested from No 5 Dargipatty in Sivasagar District.
The arrestees have been identified as Bubul Ali and Biki Ali.
Sophisticated fire arms including two pen pistols and four live
bullets were recovered from them.
Two extortionists identified as
Arjun Timung and Rajib Tisso was arrested from Kheroni in Karbi
Anglong District. They were demanding money from businessmen and
cultivators of the area.
May 29
SFs arrested a militant of the
NDFB-IKS, identified as Irakdao Basumatary from Bagajuli in Baksa
District. He was involved in the massacre of Adivasis in December
2014. A 7.65 pistol, a magazine and six rounds of live ammunitions
were recovered from him.
May 30
Five unidentified militants abducted
three employees of the Hyderabad-based Gayatri-ECI, Tapas Kumar
Saha, Santosh Kumar Bora and Pabitra Laha, from near Lumding in
Nagaon District. While the militants had initially abducted
five persons including two drivers, Babu Sonar and Dhan Bahadur
Domai, the two drivers were later set free a couple of hours after
snatching away their mobile phones purses. The company is engaged
in constructing the 21-kilometre long Lumding-Maibang (Dima Hasao
District) stretch of the 4-lane East-West Corridor in Assam.
The ABSU president, Pramod Boro
said that the move to accord ST status to six communities of Assam
could invite more problems among the indigenous population of
the region. ABSU president, Pramod Boro, said the Bodo or other
indigenous communities of the state, enjoying ST status, would
never object if ST status is accorded to the six communities -
Koch-Rajbongshi, Tea-Adivasi, Muttock, Moran, Chutia and Ahom
- who have been demanding the status for two decades.
May 31
SFs, in an encounter, NDFB-IKS
cadre, identified as Dada Basumatary (28) alias Khwmta alias Ladar,
at Saraibil area inside the Ripu Reserve Forest in Kokrajhar District.
External Affairs Minister, Sushma
Swaraj confirmed that India is going to take up repatriation of
undivided ULFA ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia with Bangladesh
during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.
June 1
Garos living in Assam
are all set to get a tribal autonomous council for them as CM
Tarun Gogoi assured them of one. A 12-member delegation of GNU
met CM Tarun Gogoi at his office at Assam secretariat and submitted
a memorandum to press for their demand for the creation of Garo
Autonomous Council in the State. CM Gogoi while reiterating his
intent for the welfare of all sections of the society assured
the Garo National Union leaders of taking adequate measures to
fulfil their demand. He further said the government is in the
process of meeting procedural requirements in giving shape to
the Autonomous Council. He moreover, assured to dispose the matter
in the coming Assembly Session in the State.
June 3
Assam Police arrested
two militants of ULFA, identified as Babul Gogoi and Paul Bhuyan
from an isolated area in Dhemaji District.
June 5
Two suspected militants
of NDFB-IKS, identified as Worga Basumatary and Pusho Gayari,
were arrested by SFs from Barabari in Chirang District.
June 6
The newly formed
platform of four militant groups of the northeast, UNLFW, is out
to prove a point to the Government of India by launching a series
of attacks on SFs and the possibility of the ultras trying to
launch such attacks in Assam cannot be ruled out. The Police and
SFs have been put on high alert following the recent attacks and
the Union Government has taken the recent incidents "very seriously".
According to SF sources, with the formation of the new platform
of NSCN-K, ULFA-I, the NDFB-IKS and the KLO, the outfits are desperate
to prove their strength and the possibility of attacks cannot
be ruled out.
June 9
SFs arrested a KPLT
linkman, Longbi Timung of Cherlongsar village, in connection with
extortion by KPLT in Karbi Anglong District. Demand letters and
pads were recovered from his possession. Another person, abusing
Sing, of the same village was also caught in this connection and
investigation is going on.
The fifth round of
tripartite talks among the eight Bodo organisations, the centre
and the Assam Government, in lieu with the demand for a separate
Bodoland state. Joint Secretary (north-east) Shambhu Singh chaired
the talks. The State Government was represented by Home Secretary
Mukti Gogoi and ADGP-Special Branch Pallab Bhattacharyya. The
Bodo organisations that participated in the talks included the
ABSU, united democratic people's front, People's Joint Action
Committee for Bodoland movement and Bodoland People's Progressive
Front.
SFs arrested two
suspected NDFB-IKS militants, Lal Bahadur Boro alias Athia
and Raju Boro, from Baksa District.
June 10
SFs, was killed in
an encounter, killed a militant , identified as B. Laodar, belonging
to the NDFB-IKS at Patardubi under Kazigaon Police Station in
Parbatjhora subdivision of Kokrajhar District.
Offensive covert
operations led by Special Forces is on the cards against NDFB-IKS
militants stationed along the Indo-Bhutan border in Assam. "There
are about 100 of NDFB (Songbijit) cadres taking shelter in Manas
National Park and the Centre wants to launch the offensive against
them. The Centre is ready to provide additional forces,'' a security
source said. The Manas is a Project Tiger Park, which extends
from Assam to Bhutan, is in the UNESCO's list of World Heritage
Site.
SFs arrested an NDFB-IKS
militant, identified as Sumel Goyary, from Panchlogi in Sonitpur
District. Five live rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition of AK-47 assault
rifle were recovered from the cadre.
A ULFA-I militant,
identified as, Gajen Chetia (27), surrendered to State Police
in Tinsukia District. The militant also handed over a China-made
hand grenade to the Police. Police sources said Chetia, hailing
from the Barekuri area of Tinsukia District, along with three
other militants was a part of a group sent by senior leaders from
the outfit's camp at the Taga area of Myanmar's Kachin province
to Assam about 10 days back to carry out certain "tasks".
With around 15-20
insurgents of NSCN-K and other allied groups reportedly crossing
over from Myanmar for possible retaliatory strikes in North East,
Government of India (GoI) has put the states of Manipur, Nagaland,
Arunachal Pradesh and Assam on alert.
June 11
SFs, in an operation,
arrested three KPLT militants at Silonijan area under Bokajan
subdivision. The KPLT cadre and the two linkmen were identified
as Remson Ronghang (34), Wineson Langneh and Borsing Terang (38).
Money receipt of KPLT militant organization and mobile handsets
were recovered from their possession.
June 12
SFs arrested a militant
of NDFB-IKS, identified as Amin Rabha, in Chirang Reserve Forest
in Chirang District. A 7.65 mm pistol, one rifle, two 7.65 mm
live rounds and one grenade were recovered from him.
June 14
The KARG had submitted a memorandum
to Governor P.B. Acharya during his visit to Karbi Anglong to
take stock of the problems, prominently extortion by militant
groups in Karbi Anglong District. "Rubber growers are facing
the brunt of antisocial elements who make extortion demands and
threats from militant groups. Some rubber garden supervisors had
been kidnapped for ransom and some were murdered brutally,"
said the memorandum.
June 15
SFs arrested a top member of the
NDFB-IKS ‘central council’, ‘joint secretary’ Sumanta Basumatary
alias B. Sinaihang, from Tukrajhar in Chirang District. His responsibility
was coordination of terrorist activities, internal discipline,
media interaction and propaganda.
SFs arrested two NDFB-IKS militants;
identified as Dhoneswar Boro alais Onsai and Khansari Boro, from
Kahibari village in Udalguri District. SFs recovered one
7.65 mm pistol and two grenades from their possession.
June 16
SFs dismantled an NDFB-IKS camp
inside Manas National Park in Baksa District along the Indo-Bhutan
border. Sources said the operations were continuing in the Manas
National Park and in some areas along the Assam-West Bengal border
for the past few days.
June 17
SFs arrested two women NSCN-K
militants, Ajuile Kuame and Soningle Pame, from Lodi village in
Dima Hasao District. The Police claimed the two girls confessed
they were working for the NSCN-K. They said a senior leader had
recruited them for distribution of extortion letters in all Zeme
Naga-inhibited villages in Dima Hasao District and collected money
for the outfit.
SFs arrested a UPLF militant,
identified as Ujjal Haflongbar (23), from Dugoid Disa under Dhansiri
outpost in Karbi Anglong District. A 12-bore single muzzle riffle,
five rounds of live ammunition and a sleeping bag were recovered
from his possession.
SFs claimed that NDFB-IKS has
at least 10 to 12 women cadres, after they arrested one of them
in Chirang District. Police said they stumbled on the fact following
the arrest of Nijira Basumatary (24) alias B.
Nenai, who not only worked with male cadres but also staged protests
against the counter-insurgency operation by security forces. "Of
the 10 to 12 cadres, three are active in Chirang district. We
are looking for the other two," Chirang superintendent of
police Ranjan Bhuyan said.
Defence spokesperson Lieutenant
Colonel Suneet Newton added that the arrested NDFB-IKS, Nijira
Basumatary alias B. Nenai (24), was also spreading
negative propaganda against the government and organised protests
against the operations being carried out by SFs. She was also
working as a courier and supplying ration in the jungles and was
involved in the December 2014 Adivasis massacre. Lieutenant Colonel
Suneet Newton further claimed that NDFB-IKS, ULFA-I and KLO cadres
operating in lower Assam had launched a "propaganda"
against the SFs.
June 18
A new insurgent group, TLA, in
Baithalangsu area of Karbi Anglong District earlier this month.
The names of the members of the outfit, has been formed to fight
for the cause of Tiwa community, are ‘commander-in-chief’ Sanjeeb
Amdeng and the other cadres are Thag Beswal, Amiong, Tubang, Robin
and Dipak.
NIA produced an NDFB-IKS cadre
before a special court which sent him to seven days of NIA custody. The
agency identified the arrested militant as Jemson Narzary (30),
a resident of Dwsajora village of Kokrajhar District. He was arrested
by the sleuths on June 16.
The four suspected NDFB-IKS
cadres, arrested in Bangalore on June 12, were brought to Kokrajhar
District. Police sources said arrested rebels were part of
a group of nearly 40 militants who had spread out in the southern
states. At least half the group members were employed in southern
states, most of them in Bangalore.
DGP Khagen Sarma has said there
has been no fresh recruitment in the Bodo rebel group, which has
been pushed to the wall by security forces after the December
2014 violence."However, there are some boys who are undergoing
training in Myanmar. The outfit is trying to send them to Assam,
but we are alert," DGP Sarma said.
June 19
63 Field Regiment of Indian Army
on June 19 apprehended a NSCN-IM militant, identified as Mazen
Wangsu (45), from Namtola daily market under Namtola Police Station
in Sivasagar District. Army personnel also recovered a mobile
phone and some incriminating documents from him.
ULFA-I ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh
Baruah reportedly uses two Bangladeshi mercenaries, both former
HuJI militants, as his bodyguards as he no longer trusts his own
cadre for protection. The two ex-HuJI militants are Alamgir
Hossain and his cousin Mohamad Gholam Nabi. Both belong to the
Karatkhil village in Noakhali District of Bangladesh and are 29
years old according to their passports.
June 20
SF personnel arrested an ULFA-I
militant, Dipak Rava, from Jharpara village in Kamrup (rural)
District. Later, with his help the SF personnel recovered
an IED weighing one kilogram from Khanamukh on the outskirts of
Guwahati city.
SF personnel following a brief
encounter arrested two KPLT terrorists, identified as Bidya Teron
(30) and Rajesh Ingleng (21), at Japarajan village in Bokajan
sub-division in Karbi Anglong District. SF personnel recovered
one AK-56 rifle, one magazine and 21 rounds of live ammunition
from the militant duo.
SF personnel arrested a cadre
of the NDFB-IKS, identified as Ronsai Boro alias Birkhang,
from Udalguri District.
June 22
The Army said security forces
had killed 12 militants of the NDFB-IKS in the last six months
and captured more than 300 terrorists belonging to the NDFB-IKS
and KPLT across the state.
SFs recovered an IED weighing
five kilogram, at Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur district. It was safely
defused by the Army, Parasar said. Investigations were on to find
out those responsible for planting the explosive, Superintendent
of Police Sanjukta Parasar said.
SFs engaged a group of four militants
NDFB-IKS in brief exchange of fire at Soongajan area, along Assam-Nagaland
boundary, in Golaghat District. The militants however managed
to escape from the site.
Four militants belonging to the
KLPT cadre, serving prison sentences in Diphu jail in Karbi Anglong
District, managed to escape. Official sources in Diphu said. According
to the sources, the KPLT militants had broke the iron railings
of the district jail in Diphu and managed to escape under cover
of darkness. The KLPT militants who fled have been identified
as Joy Tisso, Dutta Engti, Charan Sing Teron and Harison Teron.
June 23
SFs recovered arms and ammunition,
during a search operation, at Gosaigadhowa area of Goalpara District.
The recovered items included two hand grenades, a Chinese grenade,
a gelatin stick, a TNT slab, three 7.65 mm pistol and medicines
SFs, in swift and specific operation,
apprehended five members of Garo militant group, ANLA including
its ‘commander-in-chief’, Suber Sangma from Panbazar area of the
Guwahati city. The rest of the apprehended ANLA members were identified
as George Sangma alias Robert (physical instructor), Buttu Sangma
(drill instructor) from Karbi Anglong in Assam, Embrosh Arengh
and Alanson Sangma.
SFs arrested ‘chairman’ of KNLA,
Chingthong Singnar alias Hampang Timung, from Maikro village of
Bokajan subdivision in Karbi Anglong District. One 7.65mm pistol,
three magazines of 7.65mm pistol, one hand grenade, mobile phones
and incriminatory documents, including demand notes, were recovered
from Singnar.
SFs arrested two ULFA-I cadres
from Hatibandhia Rajabari village in Sonitpur District. The duo
was identified as Babul Das (37) and Mohan Bora (27). One AK-47
rifle, one magazine, two hand grenades and six rounds of ammunition
were recovered from them.
Police also arrested one AANLA
militant, Giren Kurmi, from Charduar area in Sonitpur District
near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. Police recovered one
grenade from him.
June 24
SFs arrested three MTFA militants
from the Karigaon area in Kokrajhar District. The trio was identified
as Shahidul Hosein, Akash Ali and Nazirul Islam. Two pistols and
two MTFA identity cards were seized from them.
June 25
Few members of the Pnar (Jaintia)
tribal community (of the Boro Kumpi village) attacked Hmars of
neighbouring Choto Kumpi village under Joypur Police Station in
Cachar District on June 2 and left 17 Hmar families homeless till
date. The president of Hmar Supreme House, Gldeon Lalthomlien
Hmar on June 25 said “Around 100 people carrying sharp weapons,
locally-made pistols and other firearms vandalised all the houses
of Hmar people, rendering them homeless. The paddy fields and
vegetable gardens of Choto Kumpi were destroyed by the attackers."
SFs arrested a militant of NDFB-IKS,
identified as Ronsai Boro, from an unidentified location. He is
wanted by police and other security agencies on numerous charges
of killings, firing and extortions in Udalguri and Baksa Districts.
A group led by former ‘general
secretary’ B Saoraigra of NDFB-IKS has dissolved the NDFB's ‘interim
council’ formed in 2012, forming a new 'general council' ousting
IK Songbijit, reports The Sentinel on June 26. In an e-mailed
statement to the media, B Saoraigra, the new ‘president’ of the
'general council' said, "The ‘general assembly’ (of the outfit)
held on April 14 and 15 has vowed to revamp our national struggle
and declare that the former interim national council of NDFB is
dissolved.
A group of around 30 NDFB-IKS
militants headed by ‘vice chairman’ of the outfit G Bidai, are
constantly on the run after a narrow escape from the Ultanapi
Reserve Forest in May,. The militant outfit is also facing a severe
financial crunch after the fund flow has been squeezed and the
debt burden for running the camps in Myanmar crossed INR 10 million.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
is likely to tour Assam ahead of the forthcoming Monsoon Session
of Parliament to review the internal security scenario in the
State.
June 28
Police arrested two
persons, Jumel Basumatary (20) and Mauswrang Basumatary (42) in
Kokrajhar District. Kokrajhar additional Superintendent of Police
Surjeet Singh Panesar said based on a tip-off, a search operation
was launched in Jordanpur area in Kokrajhar District and Jumel
was arrested. After interrogating him, Mauswrang was arrested
from East Jordanpur village in the District, he said.
June 29
State Police have
taken custody of the four militants of NDFB-IKS cadres from Meghalaya's
East Jaintia Hills. The four militants were arrested. The arrested
militants were identified as "commandant" of the NDFB-IKS 13th
battalion Bolashi Boro, Santosh Kharkekary alias K. Shimang, "deputy
commandant" of the group's third battalion, Gambor Gayari and
Deimalu Basumatary.
June 30
Police recovered
a powerful IED weighing 3 kilograms from Gauripur railway station
in Dhubri District. Later, the bomb squad defused the IED safely.
Police arrested
three militants of NDFB-IKS, in the Salbari area of Baksa District.
"An AK-56 rifle, along with magazine and 30 rounds, one factory-made
9 mm pistol with magazine, two Chinese grenades, 7 kg high power
RDX (plastic explosive), two detonators and over 85 ammunition
were seized, " said Dhananjay Ghanwat, Superintendent of Police
(SP-operation).
July 1
SFs, in an encounter,
killed an NDFB-IKS cadre identified as Khumtai Goyari was killed
at Kachugaon in Gossaigaon subdivision of Kokrajhar District.
July 2
SFs recovered one
9mm Uzi Sub Machine Pistol with silencer, 60 rounds of 9mm ammunition,
two radio sets , few incriminating documents suspected to be belonging
to NDFB-IKS.
ULFA-I 'commander-in-chief'
Paresh Baruah, claimed that all the constituents of UNLFW WESA
have equal rights.
July 3
An IED was recovered
at Sirajuli in Sonitpur District.
NIA the first charge
sheet for the December 23 massacre of Adivasis. The case pertains
to NDFB-IKS attack on Pakiriguri village in Kokrajhar District
Assam in which five Adivasis were killed. Ten NDFB-IKS militants
against whom the charge sheet was filed were Milan Mushahary,
Swmkhwr Brahma, Swmkhwr Mushahary, Bullet Basumatary, Ganda Basumatary,
Bina Basumatary, Jayanto Mushahary, Gautam Mahalia, Khanda Daimary
and Dwithai Basumatary.
Since December 23
attacks, nearly 300 arrests have been made by Police, Army and
other Security Forces operating in the State, including the NIA.
Four IEDs suspected
to belong to ULFA-I were recovered from a night passenger bus
in Tinsukia District. The driver and handy man were arrested after
investigation .
July 5
An NSLA militant
identified as Sunil Hembrom was arrested from Gopaljhora in Kokrajhar.
Organizations of
Geleky in Sivasagar will enforce an economic blockade from July
6 after Naga assailants attacked and injured an Assamese woodcutter,
identified as Samsul Haque inside Geleky forest.
A KPLT militant,
identified as Jayanta Rongpi, was arrested by SFs from Silonijan
Prabhat Ronghang Gaon in Karbi Anglong District. A .22 pistol
with four live ammunitions was recovered from him. Interrogation
revealed that Rongpi had joined the outfit in the year 2012 and
was working under the leadership of the newly appointed ‘chairman’,
Sarmung Timung. He also confessed to be one among the 7- member
team involved in the killing of two civilians at Balipathar Napak
Terang Gaon on December 3, 2014.
July 6
Two linkmen of NDFB-IKS, identified
as Sanjoy Boro and Khungkhaigiri Basumatary were arrested
from no.2 Shantipur of Batasipur in Sonitpur District. Eleven
rounds of live cartridge were recovered from them.
A ULFA militant and a linkman
were arrested from Darrang District. Militant has been identified
as Sabin Deka and linkman has been identified as Amar Deka. They
were recruiting for ULFA.
July 7
Former leaders of DHD have expressed
concern over the delay in the implementation of the MoS signed
between the two factions of the outfit and the Centre and State
Government. The MoS was signed on October 8, 2012 in New Delhi.
Deciding to move the Centre with their demands soon, the leaders
stressed the need for quick implementation of the MoS in a time-bound
manner, withdrawal of cases related to former DHD and DHD-J, proper
rehabilitation of all DHD and DHD-J cadres, ex gratia for the
families of killed cadres during a meeting at the office of Halali
Progressive Welfare Society in Haflong in Dima Hasao District
on July 7 evening.
The State had witnessed at least
15 bandh (shutdown strike) and blockades in the
last three weeks. Life was disrupted in Bongaigaon, Barpeta,
Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Golaghat and Sivasagar Districts
following a 12-hour bandh called by several organisations
demanding ST status for six communities.
SFs, in a joint operation, killed
a militant of KPLT inside the Nambar reserve forest of Karbi Anglong
District. One AK-56 rifle and a huge cache of ammunition were
recovered from the militant.
Police apprehended four miscreants
involved in extortion in and around Langting area of Dima Hasao
District. The arrested miscreants were identified as Sanjay
Das (17) Gnir Khelma (20), Farukh Laskar (16) and Dipankar Das
(16
July 8
SFs arrested an NDFB-IKS linkman
from Gossaigaon in Kokrajhar District. One 7.65 pistol, one magazine
and bullets were recovered from the arrested militant.
SFs arrested one Shahbad Ali along
with FICN with a face value of INR 100,000 in Sivasagar District.
July 10
Militant organization KPLT has
called for a 12-hour (from 5 a.m. to 5 pm) Karbi Anglong bandh (shutdown)
on July 13. In a press release, KPLT spokesperson said shutdown
was called to protest against killing of its cadre on July 7.
The 12-hour bandh (shutdown)
in Barak Valley called by a civil group, Nagarikottwa Suraksha
Sangram Committee, protesting 'flaws' in the NRC update evoked
a total response in the three Districts. The strike was called
by the, which aims at ensuring that every genuine citizen is enlisted
in the updated NRC. Altogether 149 bandh supporters were arrested
in the Barak Valley Districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi.
July 11
Police recovered an IED at Singra
jungle in Kamrup (rural) District besides National Highway (NH)
36. The IED was later safely defused by the bomb disposal squad.
UHM Rajnath Singh stressed the
need to decrease deployment of Security Forces[with reference
to Central Armed Police Forces] in the Northeast to encourage
"positive thinking" among people of the region. “In
the wake of improvement in security scenario, there is a need
to review deployment of security forces in the region. At present,
the deployment is more than when the insurgency was at its peak.
In the past few years there has been substantial strengthening
of the state police. Without compromising on security, we must
plan to reduce deployment to make the environment easy to encourage
positive thinking of outsiders. But we assure to help you in the
deployment of central forces when needed," Rajnath Singh
said after his over four-hour-long meeting with the CMs in Guwahati.
Even as UHM Rajnath Singh asked
the CMs for a realistic audit of deployment of central armed forces
though the CMs of Nagaland and Assam, T.R. Zeliang and Tarun Gogoi,
were vocal about possible attacks by NSCN-K and ULFA-I following
the recent abrogation of ceasefire with the former and the rebel
groups of the region joining hands under the banner of UNLF-WSEA.
"The umbrella group has already
struck at security forces in Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
There is an apprehension the group or some of its members, particularly
ULFA-I, may try to strike in Assam in a show of strength. There
are also reports that UPLF, a splinter militant group, comprising
ex-UPDS [United People's Democratic Solidarity] and ex-DHD [Dima
Halim Daogah] cadres, who had signed a memorandum of settlement
earlier, has developed a nexus with NSCN-K," said Tarun Gogoi.
Nagaland CM T.R. Zeliang urged
the central government to convince the NSCN-K to resume the ceasefire
to avoid further violence in the State by the militant group
Assam has highlighted the increasing
"ground rule violations" by cadres of at least nine
militant groups in ceasefire to press the Centre for a "realistic
political" solution to their issues and "holistic"
socio-economic rehabilitation. Sources told the newspaper that
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi informed Union Home Minister Rajnath
Singh that there were about 300 such violations by members of
the outfits, which have been in ceasefire since 2005. Gogoi said
28 cadres of such groups had been killed by security forces and
802 other arrested so far during their action to counter such
violations. "Six security personnel were killed in the course
of violent activities arising from the breach of suspension of
operations agreement with the outfits while arms and ammunition
were also seized from them," Tarun Gogoi had said in the
meeting of the Northeast Chief Ministers with Singh in Guwahati
to review the security and development issues in the region. Gogoi
had named the NDFB-PTF, NDFB-RD, ULFA-PTF, the AANLA, APA, UKDA,
KRA and KLNLF for truce violations.
A delegation of KAAC met Union
Home Minister Rajnath Singh at Guwahati and placed a memorandum
for creation of an autonomous State, comprising the Hill Districts
of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, in accordance to the provision
of Article 244(A) of Indian Constitution.
Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh,
urged Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for joint India-Myanmar
operations to tackle camps of militant outfits located in Myanmar.
UHM Rajnath Sigh, expressed concern
over the recent activities along the India-Myanmar border, saying
there were reports of insurgents, weapons and drugs crossing the
international border. He stated that “I have constituted a committee
headed by Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) Chairman R.N. Ravi
to review how to effectively manage the India-Myanmar border.
The committee has reviewed the matter and is expected to submit
its report soon,”. He said that there was a need to tighten vigil
along the Bangladesh border too.
GoI is likely to continue providing
funds to the states of the North East region for modernization
of Police Forces. UMHA is of the view that Police forces of North
East should be more “people-centric”, with militancy on the wane
in the region.
July 12
SFs arrested two militants belonging
to the IK Songbijit faction of NDFB-IKS, identified as Gautam
Basumatary and Sankang Basumatary from Titaguri area in Kokrajhar
District. SFs recovered one pistol, a hand grenade, five rounds
live ammunition and other war like stores in possession from them.
July 13
SFs arrested a linkman of a Garo
hills (Meghalaya) based militant group was arrested Jehirul Islam,
35, from Baghapara village under Mancachar Police Station in Dhubri
District
The NIA filed a chargesheet of
the case related to killing of more than 30 persons belonging
to the Adivasi community, against four militants belonging to
the NDFB-IKS.
SFs arrested a UPLA militant,
Semson Ronghang alias Thama, from Ambinok village in Karbi Anglong
district.
July 14
ULFA-I killed two civilians, a
Hindi-speaking businessman identified as Nandalal Shah and his
daughter identified as Kajal Shah, at Bijulibon area under Pangeri
Police Station in Tinsukia District. The wife and the son of the
businessman were seriously injured in the attack. Police suspected
that the attack was carried out by the militants because of failure
of the businessman to meet their extortion demand.
Police arrested two persons, including
a woman, in Rangiya area in Kamrup (rural) District along with
FICN."Acting on a tip off, police caught the couple carrying
fake currency notes worth INR 4,12,000 while they were on their
way to lower Assam in a vehicle," said an official.
SFs arrested an NDFB-IKS militant,
Sohan Basumatary, from Surenderpur Ghat in Gossaigaon subdivision
of Kokrajhar District.
The Supreme Court ordered Gauhati
High Court to set up another 64 Foreigners Tribunals and make
them functional by August 10. There are 36 tribunals working at
present. It further ordered that pending cases in the tribunals
should be cleared within a fixed timeframe. There are approximately
five lakh such pending cases. If required, Gauhati High Court
may improve its infrastructure, it said.
SFs arrested a ULFA-I militant,
Kanu Khanikar (26), from Kanubari in Sivasagar District. Two grenades
were recovered from the arrested militant. The arrested militant
during his interrogation reveled that he along with four cadres
has crossed over from Myanmar to carry out strikes on police stations
and security forces.
July 15
KPLT has called for a 12-hour bandh (shutdown
strike) staring from July 17 (5 a.m. onwards). According to KPLT,
the bandh has been called to protest against
excesses by security forces engaged in counter insurgency operations.
The NIA filed chargesheets in
two cases of killing of persons by militants belonging to the
NDFB-IKS in Gobardhana area in Baksa District on May 1, 2014.
Angry villagers staged a protest
when Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner Puru Gupta visited the residence
of trader Nandalal Sahu, who, along with his Kajol (18), was killed
by ULFA-I militants.
Police, during an operation, arrested
two ULFA-I cadres in Chirang District. The arrested cadres are
Giren Ray (24), and Dipu Ray. Police recovered a AK 56 Rifle
(made in China) , three magazines and 114 live ammunition of AK56,
five extortion letters signed by Arunodoi Dohotiya, ‘publicity
secretary’ of ULFA-I and cash worth INR 342,000 from the duo.
July 16
SFs arrested an AANLA
militant, as Jacob Baruah (28), from Sukhanjan area under Bokajan
subdivision in Karbi Anglong District.
‘commander in chief’ of KPLT
Swaran Killing and his deputy Pangri Timung surrendered before
Karbi Anglong police.
DGP, Khagen Sharma has aired apprehension
before the media that the ULFA-I would try to target members and
leaders of political parties especially those from the BJP who
is in power in the Centre, in the run up to the next Assembly
election in the State scheduled for early next year.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said
the "safe haven" of insurgent groups in Myanmar was
the biggest threat to the state and the region. "The safe
haven in Myanmar is the number one threat for us, followed by
the same in Bangladesh. In the recently held security meeting
with the Union Home minister, I had said that the safe haven should
be destroyed to provide security to the North-East," Gogoi
said at a press conference in Guwahati.
July 17
Police identified the militants
responsible for the killing of two Hindi-speaking persons, Nandalal
Sahu (65) and his daughter Kajol (18), in Tinsukia District.
“The incident was carried out by ULFA-I. We have identified three
persons, Kalia, Udai and Jon. We are searching for them,” Khagen
Sarma told reporters in Guwahati.
A man who identified himself as
ULFA-I "commander-in-chief" Paresh Baruah warned those
protesting against the killing of a trader and his daughter allegedly
by the outfit in Tinsukia district of dire consequences.
Police killed a ‘deputy commander’
of the NDFB-IKS at Chautara under Gossaigaon Police Station in
Kokrajhar District. The slain militant identified as Sijoy had
a bounty of INR 500,000 on him earlier. "
SSB troopers arrested three NDFB-IKS
militants at Kajalgaon in Kokrajhar District. SSB officials
said the three suspected militants lobbed a grenade while they
were trying to run away. "Fortunately, the grenade did not
explode. We also recovered a 9 mm pistol and ammunition from them,"
added an SSB official.
SFs arrested an NDFB-IKS militant
from Kokrajhar District. “Based on specific intelligence, the
Army launched a joint operation with the police at Labanyapur
in Kokrajhar district on July 17, 2015,” a Defence statement said.
The militant has been identified as Puspa Lal Brahmo alias Madula,
the statement said adding a hand grenade was seized from him.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi alleged
that illegal infiltration along the Indo-Bangla border is continuing
and BSF has not been able to stop it. "Yes, infiltration
is going on. But who is responsible for this? Border protection
is the responsibility of the Centre," Gogoi said at a press
conference here.
July 18
SSB officials said that they have
been able to cut off ration supply to militants holed up in Bhutan
substantially because of stepped up counter-insurgency operations
against the NDFB-IKS along the international border in western
Assam. SSB officials said since June, all possible entry points
along the international border, generally used by the militants
to carry ration to cadres holed up in foothills of Bhutan, have
been plugged. "We have information that the cutting off of
the supply line has resulted in significant shortage of ration
for leaders and cadres taking shelter in Bhutan. There is also
desperation among the cadres to cross the border either for access
to ration or surrender," said an SSB official.
Leaders of the Tai Ahom community
said members of indigenous ethnic groups, including tribals, should
be included in the NRC without verification of documents or the
need for legacy data.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said
that he would continue pushing for inclusion of voter lists from
1985 to 2014 as additional documents to be submitted by an applicant
to get enlisted in the NRC being updated in the State.
July 19
NIA in its chargesheet claimed
that the December 23, 2014 Adivasi massacre by NDFB-IKS was due
to the later suspicion on Adivasi community supposed leaked information
on the group to SFs.
July 20
ULFA-I "banned" two
Bhojpuri organisations which had stood up to it following the
murder of a father and daughter duo by suspected ULFA-I militants
in Tinsukia District last week. ULFA-I today issued a two-paragraph
statement banning the AABP and the AABYCP in the State.
Reacting to the diktat, AABP president
Parshuram Dubey said the Bhojpuri community living in the state
has never attempted to hurt any sentiment of the locals, but will
continue to raise their voice till violence ends.
Former DHD leaders, including
Dilip Nunisa, Mihir Gorlosa alias Jewel Garlosa and Rishiraj met
the Union Home Minister at his official residence in regard to
implementation of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) between the
Governments and the DHD. The duo had demanded for a "Dimasa
homeland".
The UMHA, after seeking a report
from ten (10) States, has decided to formulate a ‘coherent national
strategy’ on the IS. The Centre has woken up to the threat posed
by the terror outfit, IS, to India as it seeks to expand its global
footprint and enroll fighters from all over the world. The States
that sent their reports to the Centre are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra
Pradesh, Assam and Tamil Nadu.
July 21
SFs, in an encounter, killed
a suspected NDFB-IKS militant at Amteka in Chirang District. The
slain militant is yet to be identified. SFs recovered a .9mm pistol
and two grenades from his possession.
A KLO militant, Lakhi Barman (28),
surrendered before the Dhubri Superintendent of Police (SP) Mridulananda
Sarma in Dhubri District. The surrendered rebel handed over
one pistol, two grenades, five kilograms of explosives, two detonators
along with huge quantity ammunition.
Assam Police Special Branch and
Dima Hasao District Police organized awareness and aptitude assessment
drive for rehabilitation of the surrendered cadres of various
former militant outfits at District library auditorium in Haflong.
In this connection, a meeting was held, wherein Debojeet Thaosen,
Chief Executive member of N C Hills Autonomous Council, D K Mishra,
Deputy Secretary, Home & Political department, Apurba Jiban
Baruah, DIG, Juri Phukan, Deputy Commissioner, Dima Hasao and
Siva Prasad Ganjala, Superintendent of Police, Dima Hasao were
present along with the cadres of DHD-N [693], DHD-J [440], HPC-D
[56] and KLA [83].
A child, Maruf Ahmed (8), died
and another, Bishan Tamang (10), was injured, in an attack,
by suspected militants at Tin-Kilo coal quarry market in Dima
Hasao District. Superintendent of Police G.V. Sivaprasad, who
visited the spot, said preliminary investigations revealed that
three persons came to a video hall in the Assam Coal Quarry area,
about 37 kilometres from Umrangsu town, around 8pm in search of
the hall's owner, Ziaur Rahman. When they didn't find the owner,
they fired one round from a small weapon in the hall packed with
around 30 persons.
SFs arrested NDFB-IKS terrorist,
involved in massacre of Adivasi villagers in December 2014, from
the dense forest of Ripu Reserve Forest in Kokrajhar District.
The arrested militant was identified as Nipul Brahma.
July 22
NIA filed a chargesheet
against four suspected cadres of the NDFB-IKS before its special
court in Guwahati. They were arrested in connection with their
alleged involvement in the attacks at Hatijuli and Shantipur villages,
inhabited by Adivasi community under Dhekiajuli Police Station
in Sonitpur District, on December 23, 2014.
July 23
SFs arrested a KLO, identified
as Ajay Barman alias Takla, at Jaldoba in Kokrajhar
District.
SFs arrested a MULTA cadre, identified
as Mohamad Aladdin Ali, in Chapar area of Dhubri District.
Police are being equipped with
sophisticated weapons, vehicles and gadgets for counter-insurgency
operations, which have been intensified in Tinsukia District after
the July 14 killing of a trader Nandalal Sahu and his daughter.
MP5 pistols, state-of-the-art all-terrain bullet-proof vehicles
like Mahindra Marksman, modern communication sets and night-vision
goggles are among the equipment provided by the Assam Police Headquarters.
NIA has filed charge sheet in
five cases this month against 26 militants of NDFB-IKS accused
in the killing of tribal villagers and members of the minority
community in 2014.
SFs arrested two suspected militants
of the UPLF from Pathorkhola Railway Station in Nagaon District
bordering Dima Hasao.
July 24
Police have recovered a 5 kilogram IED
an "uninhabited house" belonging to Islam Choudhury,
a resident of Hatisolapara near Boko in Kamrup (rural) District.
Decks are being cleared to grant
Scheduled Tribes (hills) status to the Bodo Kacharis (Bodos living
in the hills of Assam), living outside the Bodoland Territorial
Council areas in the two Hill district of the State.
ULFA-I had planned to attack Union
Home Minister Rajnath Singh during the latter’s recent visit to
the State, but later decided to target Hindi-speaking people instead.
Highly placed Police sources told that one group of ULFA-I cadres
managed to sneak into Sivasagar and Tinsukia Districts via Arunachal
Pradesh from their camps in Myanmar. Rajnath Singh visited the
State on July 11.
The threat to the Guwahati city
in the run-up to the Independence Day celebrations cannot be overlooked.
According to information received by Police and SFs, a group of
13 ULFA-I members have teamed up with a few militants belonging
to the GNLA and are reportedly taking shelter in the North Garo
Hills. SFs have been kept on high alert to thwart any possible
attempt by the ultras at unleashing terror, and a close watch
is being maintained on the possible entry routes to the city from
Meghalaya.
July 25
SFs arrested a MULTA militant,
identified as Shah Alam, in Dhubri District. He was actively involved
in extortion, abduction, smuggling of arms, ammunition and FICN
incident. SFs recovered a revolver and some live ammunition from
the detained militant, sources added.
Police arrested a militant of
the NDFB-IKS from Brahamapur area under Biswanath Chariali Police
Station in Sonitpur District. The detained rebel has been identified
as Sanjay Basumatary (24).Police recovered a pistol from him.
July 27
SFs arrested a cadre of KLO, identified
as Sona Ram Roy (24) alias Landara, from Balagaon village under
Kokrajhar Police Station in Kokrajhar District. SFs recovered
one 7.62mm country made rifle, four rounds of 7.62mm ammunition
from him.
SFs arrested one woman ULFA-I
militant, Bhaimon Asom (Gogoi), from a public bus in Dibrugarh
District.
July 28
ADGP-Assam, Mukul Sahay said that
Insurgent and militant groups in the country, including those
in the North-East get huge funds from illicit trade in drugs and
FICN.
July 29
SFs, in an encounter, killed three
suspected militants of the KPLT near Duni Tokbi village under
Samelangso Police Station in Karbi Anglong District. The identities
of the slain rebels are yet to be ascertained. An AK-56 rifle,
one M-20 rifle, one 9mm pistol and some ammunition were found
on the slain rebels.
An NDFB-IKS militant identified
as Bipul Bodo was arrested from Tini Pukhuri village in Nalbari
District. A detonator and a hand grenade were recovered from him.
Later, based on his statement another NDFB-IKS militant was arrested
in Kahibari village in Darrang District. The arrested militant
was identified as Samiran Bodo alias Jabrang. Both militants were
involved in extortion.
July 30
A suspected militant of NSCN-K
and a linkman were arrested from Welcome Lodge at Ulubari in Guwahati
in Kamrup Metropolitan District.
ULFA militant involved in the
killing of Hindi speaking people on July 14, identified as John
Asom was arrested in Tarani reserve forest of Tinsukia District.
AK-81 Rifle, three magazines, 90 rounds of ammunition, a Chinese
grenade, combat ammunition post, a kit bag containing an Army
combat dress were recovered from him.
July 31
Three militants identified as
Sachin Pator, Ranjit Pator and Jyoti Basumatari of TLA were arrested
from from Amsoi area in Nagaon District.
Tribal groups in the State are
up in arms against the Centre’s move to grant ST status to Koch
Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Chutia, Maran, Matak and Adivasis.
August 1
A militant of NDFB-IKS identified
as Mohendra Chumpramary was arrested from Bengtol in Chirang.
State Home Department gave an
alert that a joint team of ULFA-I and NDFB-IKS has been planning
to abduct executives of tea estates along Indo-Bhutan Border,
for ransom.
August 2
A UPLA militant, identified as
Dharam Sing Teron was arrested from Linchika village in Karbi
Anglong. Four rounds of live ammunition, UPLA demand receipts,
demand note were recovered from him.
A militant of TLA was arrested
from Nellie market in Morigaon District. He had come to hand over
extortion notes to businessmen of Nellie Bazar and demanded INR
500000 from pharmacy.
August 3
Paresh Baruah of
ULFA-I said peace talks with his outfit is possible only if it
is held in a "third country" and "under the supervision of the
United Nations", reports The Sentinel. He also added that issue
of sovereignty should be on the table.
As neighbouring
States of Nagaland await clarity on the Naga peace accord, Tarun
Gogoi said any move that affects the interests of his State will
be opposed.
Governor of Assam
and Nagaland, PB Acharya stated that the territorial integrity
of all the states would remain intact. He stated that "As per
my understanding, as told to me by the Prime Minister, there will
be no territorial changes,". He also added that "Now that NSCN(IM)
has understood the need to take the democratic road, other groups
may also follow suit".
August 4
SFs arrested six
linkmen of NDFB-IKS from Serfanguri in Kokrajhar District. According
to Police they were helping a militant in abduction and subversive
activities in the run-up to Independence Day.
Two NSLA militants
identified as Manoj Soren and Barka Tudu were arrested from Karigaon
area in Kokrajhar. Two country-made pistols, three live rounds
and extortion receipts were recovered from them.
Minister of State
for Home Kiren Rijiju stated that there is no plan to reduce the
deployment of central security forces in the northeast. The Minister
also told the Lok Sabha that the GoI was supplementing the efforts
of state governments in the region by deploying CAPFs. He said
in a written reply that the CAPFs were providing security to vulnerable
installations and infrastructure projects based on threat assessment.
Stating that there was no proposal to reduce the deployment of
central forces in North East, he said state governments were reimbursed
security-related expenditure.
The other measures
taken by the Government were sanctioning of India Reserve Battalions
(IRBNs), banning unlawful associations, declaration of "disturbed
areas" under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, and issue
of notifications for unified command structure.
August 5
A UPLA militant identified
as Dharam Singh Teron was arrested by SFs from Hamren in Karbi
Anglong District. Four M-16 live rounds, and incriminatory documents
including UPLA demand register, notes and receipt were recovered
from the militant.
Assam Chief Minister
Tarun Gogoi on August 5 stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi
should make his stand clear that the Naga peace accord does not
affect the interests of Assam.
August 6
Two KPLT militants
identified as 'finance secretary' BikinesTerang alias Denja alias
Bonnet and 'area commander' of Deither area Rupsing Rongphar alias
Random were arrested from Bhithor Kalayani in East Karbi Anglong.
A linkman of NDFB-IKS
identified as Langrai Wari was arrested from Gopsarai village
in Sonitpur. A .22mm pistol, a Chinese grenade and six rounds
of live ammunition were recovered from him.
MoS Kiren Rijiu
informed that the accord signed between GoI and NSCN-IM is just
the framework and added that interest of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh
and Manipur would not be sidelined whenever the full body of the
Accord is signed. He stated that GoI's stand is that it will understand
the sentiments and concern of the Naga people and consider it
with a holistic approach.
August 8
Two NDFB-IKS, identified
as Philip Basumatary alias B Phangka and Bipin Brahma alias
B Bindw were arrested at Chirag District. A 7.62 mm pistol, some
ammunition and a grenade were recovered from them.
A MTFA militant
identified as Mominul Ali was arrested at Fakiragram area of Kokrajhar
District. A pistol and ammunition was recovered from him.
A KPLT militant,
identified as Mohen Teron alias Bhim Teron was arrested by SFs
from Rongpi Gaon in Karbi Anglong.
UMHA has asked the
Assam Police to launch a 'counter-radicalization' programme to
eliminate fundamentalist extremist ideologies in the state. A
Home Department official stated that "The presence of JMB in the
state has triggered a huge concern. Now, the report of ISIS ideology
spreading in the State is surely a matter of serious concern.
The Police have been asked to alert all its forces to keep a sharp
eye on any such activities,"
August 9
DGP Khagen Sarma
stated that most of the terrorist outfits backed by the Pakistani
ISI work under the same umbrella and any of these groups can try
to indulge in acts of violence to create disturbance in the State.
He also said that in the past, Islamic militant outfits, including
HuM and PULF tried to establish roots in Assam to create disturbance.
But such attempts could be foiled. Similarly, attempts by JMB
to establish bases in the State were also foiled. However, the
JMB is still making efforts to establish bases in Assam. He admitted
that the police would have to keep a close watch on the situation
to foil the attempts of the JMB.
Intelligence agencies has warned
that ULFA-I has smuggled in RDX-5 explosives into Assam to unleash
violence in Guwahati and other areas and also target oil refinery
and railway assets on the eve of Independence Day.
An official stated that ULFA-I
has teamed up with KLO and NDFB-IKS to carry out the attacks.
An official stated that "While, normally the rebel groups
are seen to target the period before or on Independence Day, this
time they reportedly plan to strike even between 18 August and
25 August, if they fail on the eve of 15 August. The militants
will try to take advantage of the relaxation of the security after
Independence Day”.
August 10
Assam Assembly adopted a three-point
resolution, demanding that the peace accord between GoI and NSCN-IM
should not harm the interests of the state, reports The Telegraph.
The resolution said that GoI must ensure that the agreement would
not change the constitutional boundary of the state and no part
of the state would be included in NSCN-IM’s key demand of Nagalim
or greater Nagaland, that the contents of the agreement be made
public and that it should not affect the economy and cultural
life of the state either.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister
Rakibul Hussain stated that insurgency has claimed 5,166 lives
in the past 24 years. He also added that figure included 912 Security
Personnels. He said there were 9,382 insurgency-related incidents
of violence in the state between 1991 and July this year. He further
added that 336 militants were killed in counter-insurgency operations
in the state between 2011 and July 2015.
He also stated in the Assembly
that FICN totaling INR 1,14,83,380 were seized in the state and
352 cases were registered.
August 12
Security agencies State have been
put on maximum alert following inputs suggesting that militants,
particularly those belonging to ULFA-I may use petty criminals
or linkmen to explode bombs concealed in bicycles ahead of Independence
Day.
Assam DGP Khagen Sharma stated
that "We have observed movements of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jamaat-ul
Mujahiddin ultras besides ULFA and National Democratic Front of
Bodoland (NDFB). Though the Islamic groups have not indulged in
any sabotage in the State so far, there are some boys from the
State who had received training under them.
UHM Rajnath Singh has sought monthly
status reports from JIC Chief R.N. Ravi, who is the interlocutor
for the Naga peace talks. A senior Government official stated
that “During the first week of every month, the Home Minister
will seek a status update from both the interlocutors on the pace
of peace talks on Naga as well as the Assam front.”
The AASU has issued a 14-point
resolution urging the Narendra Modi Government for a bilateral
treaty with Bangladesh for deportation of "illegal foreigners"
and push for implementation of the Assam Accord. The resolution
was passed at a two-day seminar organised by the union while observing
30 years of the Accord signed in 1985 by then PM Rajiv Gandhi.
The resolution urged the Centre to sign a "bilateral treaty"
with Bangladesh government for deportation of illegal migrants.
The AASU also asked to set up detention camps for illegal migrants.
UHM Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju
attended the seminar and assured that the Centre will not only
implement the Accord but also hold tripartite talks with the AASU
and State Government to discuss measures to prevent infiltration
from Bangladesh.
August 13
The Army foiled a terror attack
bid in Assam with the killing of a suspected militant of the KLO
in an encounter. The operation took place in the dense jungles
of Rabha Para in Kokrajhar District after the army received a
tip-off. According to reports, there were four militants, but
only one of them was injured and later succumbed to his injuries.
The body is yet to be identified. The militants were planning
to plant a powerful IED on the Guwahati-Kokrajhar railway track
to disrupt the Independence Day celebrations. An IED weighing
around seven kilograms has been recovered, Police said.
August 14
In an operation code
named Wipeout II, Army arrested 12 KPLT militants including 'chairman'
Sarmung Timung. During the operation, a huge cache of arms and
ammunition, including two .303 rifles, one HK 33 rifle, three
pistols, two lathod grenades and 23 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition
was recovered.
August 15
The State Mourning Day (Sok Divas)
was observed in Karbi Anglong District to mourn the tragic death
of 14 people, mostly children, killed in the bomb blast triggered
by the ULFA on August 15, 2004 at Dhemaji.
August 17
NDFB-IKS militant
identified as Suranjoy Mushahary, was arrested from Patabari village
in Chirang District.
August 20
Cachar Police arrested
six Maoists, including two senior leaders, from a tea garden near
Jalalpur in Cachar District,along the Assam-Meghalaya border.
Some of the arrested Maoists have been identified as Nirmala Biswas,
Amir Uddin Ahmed, Sidhu Orang Bijen Orang, Bipul Orang and Bipen
Orang. Nirmala Biswas is a leader of the women's wing of Barak
Valley and was engaged in motivating young girls hailing from
the tea gardens to join the league. Amir Uddin Ahmed is an active
member of MCC and PWG.
August 21
Union Minister of
State for Home affairs Kiren Rijiu stated that GoI has decided
to hold talks with militant groups only after they surrender and
deposit their arms and ammunition to concerned authorities.
He stated that "We
have made an appeal to those (militant groups) who wanted to come
to the mainstream, that the first and foremost is to lay down
arms and abjure violence because violence and talk cannot go parallel."
He also added that "We will not talk to anybody who indulges in
any kind of violence,".
August 22
A UPLA militant,
identified as Dilip Phangcho was arrested from Chiriabil Klurudung
in Karbi Anglong. One M-16 rifle, 15 rounds of live ammunition,
three empty magazines and five extortion notes were recovered
from him.
August 24
Highly placed security
sources stated that more than 180 militants of NDFB-IKS and 280
couriers and sympathizers have been arrested since the crackdown
on the organisation was launched after December 23 massacre.
Sources said that
25 militants headed by Bidai are still inside Assam and they are
hiding in thick jungles near the Manas National Park. The group
narrowly escaped on May 7 when the forces busted their camp and
since then the group is on the run. According to information available
with the security agencies, the group managed to sneak into Bhutan
on July 2 and stayed in that country for a month or so before
returning back to the State.
To avoid arrest,
the group has split into two parts. One part is headed by Bidai,
while the other is by the 'commander' of the 'third battalion'
of the outfit. Security sources also said that, after arrest of
two militants identified as B Birdao alias Bipin Brahma and Philip
Basumatary, they revealed that militants were facing severe shortage
of food and medicines. But the group has a number of sophisticated
weapons including AK series rifles and they are using solar panels
to charge their phones. They are mostly using mobile phones of
Bhutan.
More than 120 cadres,
including 25 women, of NDFB-IKS have resorted to farming of potato
and paddy for their survival inside the wild forest of Myanmar.
Referring mobile intercepts and conversation of the NDFB cadres,
security sources said that the outfit has also generated a huge
debt on their head as ULFA-I was lending money for ration and
other necessities of the NDFB cadres in the Myanmar camps. Security
Sources also added that B. Bidai was also willing to surrender
but tough stand of Government has created a fear psychosis among
the NDFB leadership.
August 26
SFs killed an NDFB-IKS
militant Lulumud Brahma alias Lachit, at Nukhuwa in Kokrajhar.
A pistol was recovered from him.
A contractor, Motesh
Hojai was beaten to death by unidentified men at his residence
at Purana Maibang in Dima Hasao District. Sources said a militant
group, active in Dima Hasao, had demanded money from Hojai a month
ago but he refused to pay.
August 27
SFs arrested an NDFB-IKS
militant Sudem Borgoyary alias Gorom from Jwngmapuri in
Kokrajhar. SFs also recovered one 7.65 mm pistol (Factory made),
three 7.65mm live rounds from him.
Villagers over powered
an 'area commander' identified as Anil Basumatary alias
B Shandil of NDFB-RD and handed him over to the Police in an area
near Orang National Park under Dalgaon Police Station in Darrang.
He allegedly tried to abduct a local businessman. However, his
accomplices managed to escape from the spot, along with their
vehicle, under the cover of darkness. Police reportedly seized
a 7.65 mm pistol from him.
UHM Rajnath Singh
that though his Government has welcomed the Naga Peace Accord,
as it would bring about peace in Nagaland and the Northeast as
a whole, it would oppose tooth and nail if the Accord infringes
upon the constitutional boundary of Assam. "Government of Assam
has formally conveyed its protests that the Accord should not
in any way harm Assam's interest. Extension of the boundary beyond
Nagaland frontier would not be tolerated under any circumstances,"
he added.
August 29
A deputy commander
in chief' of NDFB-IKS Dhananjay Daimary alias Doisrang
was arrested from Sesapani forest area in Kokrajhar. Police have
recovered five 36 hand grenades, 100 rounds of AK 47 ammunition.
Two extortionists,
Paul Zalen and Mathew Rongmei were arrested on charges of extortion
from Lahorijan area in Karbi Anglong District. Police sources
claimed they the duo has served extortion notes to office bearers
of Auto Association of Lahorijan in the name of Council Naga Rengma
Hills (CNRH).Some extortion notes and a bunch of incriminating
documents were also recovered from them.
August 31
Assam Police busted a bomb making
factory and arrested five militants belonging to NDFB-IKS in Moirachera
area under Boko Police station of Kamrup District. The arrested
militants were identified as Jempo Narzary, Jayanta Rabha, Jirmiya
Basumutary, Ranjit Brahma and Dinesh Rabha. Five hand made bombs
were also recovered from them.
September 1
Assam Police and Army in a joint
operation arrested a militant of the NDFB-IKS, identified as Bisti
Boro (21) from the Kaurbaha Halibari area in Baksa District.
A top Baksa Police official said “Two hand grenades and some incriminating
documents were seized. The detained militant was involved in a
number of extortion cases besides kidnapping a person in Meghalaya,
he added.
With investigation into the international
racket pumping in FICN in the state proceeding at snail's pace,
state Police have been struggling to check the menace. The reports
said that the situation is so critical that out of total 352 cases
that have been registered against FICN denotation suppliers since
2010 till June 2015, only six were convicted. A Home department
official said, "During the same period, at least 388 persons
were arrested across the state. State Police have prepared charge
sheets in only 189 cases." Not even a single accused was
convicted or sentenced since 2013. Out of the total six convicted
in the last five years, two were found guilty in 2011 and four
in 2012.
A top Police official said "Most
of the arrested were merely smugglers only, whereas the king pin
of such rackets operate from outside the country. Investigation
suffers when it comes to an international territory." According
to intelligence reports, Pakistan-based militant groups, with
the help of several insurgents in Myanmar and Bangladesh, have
been pumping in counterfeit notes to India. Sources said militant
groups in the Northeast get huge funds from the FICN trade. The
official said, "Police are involved in checking traditional
crimes like insurgency and ethnic clashes. Fake currency has not
become a priority of the force yet."
September 2
Agia Police of Goalpara District
arrested two ULFA-I linkmen, identified as Jayanta Rabha and Boloram
Rabha along with an IED weighing 5kg from Ajagar Hills.
Indigenous communities residing
in Block II of Karbi Anglong claimed that KLPT has served extortion
notes to villagers in the area on August 30, with a three month
deadline to pay up the amount.
Chirang District Magistrate Rupak
Kumar Mazumdar has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the encounter
that took place on July 21, 2015 at Bagansali village in Chirang
District where a NDFB-IKS cadre identified as Ringsar Basumatary
alias Gaitha, was reportedly killed in exchange of fire between
SFs and the militant.
September 3
One militant belonging to NDFB-IKS,
identified as Bhaigo Boro alias B. Bilaigra (22), was killed
in a joint operation by the Army, Kokrajhar Police and CRPF in
general area Saumukhi Nala near Diglipara village in Kokrajhar.
One AK-56 Rifle (factory made) with magazine, two hand grenades
No 36, one handbag, 18 fired cases and 32 live rounds were also
recovered.
The Commanding Officer of the
3rd Rajput Regiment Colonel I P Singh said in a press meet that
the strength of the NDFB-IKS was decreasing day-by-day after ‘Operation
All Out’ was launched on in December, 2014 against the banned
outfit and other terrorists groups active in the BTC and lower
Assam. Strong security measures had been taken to wipe out terrorism.
He said that the top leaders of the NDFB-IKS would be arrested
soon.
Army and Police in a joint operation
arrested a NDFB-IKS cadre, identified as Sanjay alias N
Saiklung from Ai Poali area in Chirang District. Defence PRO Suneet
Newton in an emailed statement said that the arrested militant
is a 41st batch Myanmar trained cadre. One 9 mm Pistol
with magazine, four live rounds of ammunition and two hand grenades
were also recovered from his possession.
In a joint meeting convened in
Haflong in Dima Hasao District to discuss the issues plaguing
the indigenous hill tribes of Manipur, leaders and members of
IPF of North Cachar Hills, NCHISF, IWF, IVCF and the affiliated
apex bodies of the Zeme, Hmar, Kuki, Vaiphei, Biate, Rongmei,
Hrangkhol and other tribal communities condemned the steps taken
by the Manipur state administration to introduce the three Bills
namely Protection of Manipur People Bills 2015, Manipur Land
Revenue and Land Reforms (7th Amendment) Bill 2015 and Manipur
Shop and Establishment (2nd Amendment) Bill 2015, in a special
session of the state Assembly on August 28 without taking the
hill tribes under their confidence.
The leaders said that the declaration
of the Bills by the Manipur Legislative Assembly was done without
the prior consent of the hill tribes of the state. The steps taken
by the Ibobi Singh led Manipur Government is a gross violation
and infringement upon rights of the indigenous tribal communities.
The state administration has also violated the rules and provisions
of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous People Article
no.26, 1 and 2. The members felt it is part of a conspiracy to
exclude the hill tribes from their rights and benefits in their
own land.
September 6
The Biswanath Police arrested
two linkmen of the NDFB-IKS, identified as Jaharlal Basumatary
alias Lengra and Rajkumar Pradhani alias Pradhan
from Swargapuri area in Sonitpur District along Assam-Arunachal
Pradesh border. The arrested linkmen were involved in distributing
extortion letters of NDFB-IKS.
Based on specific intelligence
input, Army launched a joint operation with Police and arrested
one NDFB-IKS militant, identified as Buddhiram Basumatary alias
Birkw from Karigaon of Kokrajhar District. An Army official said
that one 7.65 mm pistol and three 7.65mm live rounds of ammunition
were recovered from his possession. The official added that he
was trained in Bhutan this year and joined the outfit after training.
September 8
A NSCN-K cadre, identified as
Longlaway Shanki, was arrested at Ledo in Tinsukia District when
he came to extort money from a businessman.
AR arrested a suspected cadre
of PULF, identified as Firoze Khan (28) from Pailpool area in
Cachar District. On preliminary interrogation, he revealed that
he was a cadre of PULF and surrendered along with others in 2012
before Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. Three driving
licenses and the surrender slip were also recovered from his possession.
September 9
A NDFB-IKS militant, Biron Narzary
alias N. Bapeibai, senior cadre of the outfit and ex-PSO
of most-wanted NDFB-IKS militant G. Bidai was arrested from Patabari
in Chirang District.
In a separate operation, another
NDFB-IKS militant, identified as Swmkwr Basumatary alias
B. Sukao was arrested from Sishubari in the Chirang District.
Police recovered arms and ammunition from both the militants.
IGP L.R. Bishnoi said that the two militants were involved in
the December 23 killing of Adivasis. They were also directly involved
in the kidnapping of two Bhutanese citizens in September 2002.
Unidentified gunmen fired two
rounds at a forest office at Parkup Hill in Karbi Anglong District.
There was no injury or casualty reported in the incident. However,
Police suspect that KPLT militants could be behind it.
According to reports, the militants
of the ULFA-I may target the Borholla oil well of ONGC in Jorhat
District and the Hindustan Lever Unit at Doomdooma in Tinsukia
District in a bid to create terror and serve extortion notice
to the tune of several crores of rupees. An unnamed top intelligence
officer disclosed about a probable meeting of ‘captain’ Arunodoy
Dohotiya, ‘assistant information and publicity secretary’ of the
ULFA-I holding a meeting with another ULFA cadre Rontu Asom somewhere
in Nagaland and entrusting the cadre with an extortion assignment
in Upper Assam by first carrying out subversive activities that
might include bomb blast in ONGC’s pipeline and other oil pumping
sites besides hitting at the factory unit of the Hindustan Lever
in Doomdooma.
September 10
Two top leaders of the DHD-A,
identified as Sibu Kemprai, the ‘chairman and commander-in-chief’
of the outfit, and Nigam Phonglo, a founding member of the group
and a KPLT militant, identified as Jatong Terang were killed
in an encounter with Assam Police in Dima Hasao District Police
also recovered an AK-56 rifle and two pistols from their possession.
According to highly placed security
sources, the tough stand adopted by the GoI against the militants
involved in December 23, 2014 massacre has brought down the level
of violence in Assam. Though initially, the operation was aimed
against the NDFB-IKS, which was involved in the massacre, the
operations seriously affected the other militant groups active
in the State. In the past, such operations launched after killings
of innocents were not sustained for a long time, but because of
the tough stand of the GoI, the operations have been sustained
and the force level on the ground has also not been reduced.
Sources said that in the operations
against NDFB-IKS, so far, around 30 hardcore militants have been
killed, while more than 190 have been arrested. More than 250
sympathisers and overground workers of the outfit have also been
arrested. Report said that till May 2015, senior NDFB-IKS leader
G Bidai, who allegedly masterminded the December 23 attack, was
moving around with around 40 cadres and the strength of his group
has dwindled to less than 10 now. They very often get into the
Manas National Park to avoid arrest by the SFs. Small groups of
NDFB-IKS men are also located in Gossaigaon, Saralpara, Udalguri,
Sonitpur, etc., but they are not in a position to come out of
the jungles. Abduction for ransom was the main source of income
of the NDFB-IKS, but the outfit could not abduct anyone since
the operation was launched against the outfit last year.
Sources said that under serious
pressure, NDFB-IKS leader G Bidai has sent feelers to the Government
through a few NGOs expressing his desire to go for a ceasefire.
But the Government is not willing to take the offer. “The Government’s
stand on the issue is very clear. If Bidai and any other member
of the outfit wants to surrender, they will be arrested and they
will have to face the law. There will be no ceasefire with the
outfit,” sources added.
September 12
SFs arrested a FICN dealer, identified
as Mijanwar Rehman along with FICN worth of INR 3.90 lakh from
Malibari village under Boko Police Station in Kamrup District.
September 13
Police arrested an NDFB-IKS militant,
identified as Thopsa Narzary (28) from Hagrama Bridge over Aie
river at Khagrabari area under Dhaligaon Police Station of Chirang
District. SP Chirang, Ranjan Bhuyan said that the militant was
directly involved in the killing of Adivasi people in December
23, 2014 massacre and several other kidnapping cases. One 7.65
mm pistol, two rounds ammunition and one hand grenade were also
recovered from his possession.
The NDFB-P, in ceasefire and peace
talks with the Centre, criticised the BJP-led NDA Government for
not keeping its promise on the Bodoland issue. The outfit raised
its voice against the Centre's notification allowing "non-Muslims"
from Bangladesh and Pakistan to stay in India without valid documents.
The NIA has summoned the ULFA-I
chief, Abhijit Asom alias Mukul Hazarika for questioning.
The ULFA-I chief, who is currently living in the UK, is wanted
in several cases and this is yet another move by the NIA to crack
down on outfits in the North East which are derailing the peace
process.
The Centre’s interlocutor for
Naga talks, RN Ravi said that Assam would not be affected in any
way in solution of the Naga political problem. He said that the
GoI will give adequate weightage to the views and concerns of
all the stakeholders while going for comprehensive solution of
the Naga political problem.
September 14
The NDFB-IKS observed its ‘Martyrs
Day’ at an undisclosed location. According to reports, KLO chairman
Jeevan Singh alias Timir Das, along with other senior NDFB-IKS
leaders like IK Songbijit, NDFB-IKS ‘president’ B. Saoraigwra,
and ‘general secretary’ B. Ferenga attended the event.
In a statement via e-mail to the
media, B. Saoraigwra claimed that the outfit was still strong
enough and rubbished the claim of the SFs that the outfit was
no longer a strong force after the ‘Operation All Out’. In his
address, he said the outfit would continue to work against the
illegal immigrants who had occupied the land of the indigenous
people, making them a minority in their own land. He said over
the years, Bodo and other tribal people had lost their land and
had been reduced to landless agricultural labourers.
The NDFB-RD said that the outfit,
which was participating in the peace process, wanted solution
of Bodoland issue in the political level. The NDFB-RD observed
the 27th Martyrs’ Day at Khourang in Udalguri designated camp
and North Gandabilw in Chirang District and re- affirmed to make
their dream a reality.
The ‘organizing secretary’ of
the NDFB, N. Danswrang said the NDFB had been fighting for the
right to self-determination since its inception. In the prolonged
arms struggle over 3,000 members and well wishers had lost their
lives, he said, adding that they were not sitting with folding
hands but continuing the struggle for creation of Bodoland through
peaceful manner. The Bodo people deserve to live with equal respect
and dignity as others do, but the Bodos had been being suppressed
and dominated by the government for which they took up the arms
struggle, he said adding that they always remembered the members
who had lost their lives for the cause of the Bodos. He also urged
the GoI to bring amicable solution of Bodoland issue through political
dialogue.
In a press release, NDFB president
B Saoraigwra claimed that KLO chairman Jeevan Singh is alive and
attended the outfit's Martyr's Day programme on behalf of KLO
along with leaders of NSCN-K and ULFA-I.
September 15
A plan by NSCN-K to blow up a
major bridge in Silchar town in Cachar District connecting the
Barak Valley to the state’s neighbouring Dima Hasao District and
Manipur was busted after Police arrested four persons along with
explosives in this connection. The arrested persons were identified
as Mostor Ali Laskar along with his two sons - Afzal Hussain and
Azmal Hussain - and another person, Atabur Rehman Laskar. According
to sources, acting on a tip-off, Police along with AR recovered
one powerful IED along with 52 gelatin sticks weighing 6.5 kg,
one fuse wire and a map depicting the sites where the bombs were
to be planted. The explosives have been recovered from the house
of one Mostar Ali Laskar. The two NSCN-K militants, however, escaped
under the cover of darkness, the official said.
Assam DGP Khagen Sarma while talking
to media persons at Police Guest House in Mangaldai in Darrang
District said that “The people of Assam have realized the original
nature and way of functioning of the ULFA and hence irrespective
of caste, language and religion, people have lost faith in them
and rejected the outlawed outfit which has now been confined to
a very small group of frustrated militants”. Speaking about the
activities of the ULFA cadres in Darrang and Udalguri, he said
that only three ULFA cadres namely Rajen Deka, Bikram Bora alias
Dipak and Ramesh Deka were functioning but instead of taking part
in any major operation, the three were hiding in some remote areas.
The DGP also said that “Islamic
fundamentalists and other fundamentalist groups are active in
Darrang and many other parts of the State. We are keeping a strict
vigil on the activities of such fundamentalist groups”. On the
question of recent arrest of a youth from Darrang District in
connection with his alleged links with notorious criminal Dawood
Ibrahim, he said, “Dawood Ibrahim has massive business networks.
There may be some links of the local youth with his business or
criminal network but we are more concerned with the terrorist
links.”
Assam Police and Army in a joint
operation arrested a NDFB-IKS militant, identified as Devendro
Narzary alias Selthai from Chirang District. Ten live rounds
of AK-47 rifle and two live rounds of 9 mm Pistol were recovered
from his possession.
According to reports, the NIA
is planning to approach the British Government for information
on an Indian-origin citizen who is believed to be the mysterious
'chairman' of the ULFA-I outfit. As part of the Government of
India's crackdown on militant outfits in the northeast, the NIA
has homed in on one Mukul Hazarika alias Abhizeet Barman,
alias Abhizeet Asom general practitioner in the UK. NIA
believes he is the chairman of ULFA-I and has been running the
outfit since 2011. If this is confirmed by the British Government,
the Centre will seek extradition of Hazarika for trial in a case
registered by the NIA in Guwahati in 2013.
September 16
Chirang District Police in association
with CRPF arrested three suspected ‘jihadists’, identified
as Minarul Islam, Bodiul Zamal Sekh, and Zohorul Haque from Daukhanagar
area under Dhaligaon Police Station of Chirang District. Chirang
SP Ranjan Bhuyan said that they were forming a new jihadist
group. He also said that the name of the group from which these
cadres belonged had not been found out.
A suspected NSLA militant, identified
as William Mardi was arrested from Nalaijhora under Gossaigaon
Police Station in Kokrajhar District. A pistol and 10 live ammunition
were also recovered from him.
Assam Government offered free
passage to elusive ULFA-I leader Paresh Baruah if he wishes to
visit his ailing old mother at his native village in Dibrugarh
District of Assam. Baruah is reportedly shuttling between the
outfit's base in Taga area in Myanmar and Ruili in west Yunan
Province in China. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said: “If Paresh
Baruah desires to see his ailing mother in his native place, the
government would consider it on humanitarian ground”. Baruah's
mother, 86-year-old Miliki Baruah, has been suffering from old
age ailments since last month. She lives with her two other sons
and their families at Jeraigaon village in Dibrugarh District.
A day after Himanta Biswa Sarma
resigned as a MLA, CM Tarun Gogoi claimed that the UMHA was reluctant
to give clearance to the TV channel owned by Sarma’s wife, suspecting
that he had links with the banned ULFA.
A 15-year old boy, Kathar Engti
was allegedly abducted at gun-point by a group of four armed assailants
as the plantation owner failed to meet their extortion demand
in the Koilamati area of Bokajan in Karbi Anglong District. Later,
the enraged local people launched a massive search operation amid
thick forest and busted their hideout, thereby rescuing the captive.
The public even nabbed two members of the gang - Prem Munda and
Tiru Kumar Rai – and beat them up. The other two members however,
managed to flee.
September 17
The DRI arrested a person, identified
as Tajmul Sheikh along with FICN worth of INR 1 million from Silpukhuri
in Kamrup District. The accused hailed from Malda in West Bengal.
Later, he was produced in the court and remanded in judicial custody.
The ‘commander-in-chief’ of ULFA-I,
Paresh Barua rejected the safe passage offered to him by the CM
Tarun Gogoi for visiting his ailing mother in Dibrugarh District.
Barua called up a Guwahati-based satellite channel and described
Gogoi’s offer as being “politically motivated”.
Baruah said that if the CM is
really interested in humanity, he should have allowed all members
of the ULFA safe passage to see their ailing parents or to attend
the last rites of their parents. “If Gogoi is interested in humanity,
he should force the Centre to withdraw the AFSPA, which is affecting
the human rights of the people of Assam for a long time,” he added.
Security agencies have expressed
doubts on whether the Chief Minister can legally offer safe passage
to the ULFA-I leader as he is charged with several major crimes
and an Interpol red corner notice was issued against him.
ULFA-I issued an email stating
that Mukul Hazarika, a human rights worker associated with an
organisation called Assam Watch, is not its chairman. It said
that Abhijit Asom alias Abhijit Barman is the chairman
of the outfit. The outfit’s statement comes in the wake of the
NIA claiming that the UK-based Hazarika and Abhijit Asom was the
same person.
September 18
Police conducted operations in
Daukhanagar and arrested a person allegedly associated with a
training camp of a fundamentalist organisation. The arrested person,
identified as Md Sayed Mia, led the Police to the backyard of
his house from where eight handmade AK Rifles and two handmade
INSAS Rifles were recovered. IGP said initial interrogation has
revealed that the weapons were being used to train the cadres
in the camp busted by Police two days back.
According to an estimate of the
UMHA, the Northeastern states have seen a steady decline in insurgency-related
violence in the first eight months of this year (2015) in comparison
to the corresponding period of last year (2014) but saw a three-fold
increase in casualties of SFs.
According to the report, Assam,
Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram
saw a total of 418 incidents of insurgency violence from January
1 to September 15, 2015 during which 115 extremists were killed
and 1,453 were arrested. During the same period in 2014, a total
of 575 incidents were reported in the seven Northeastern states
in which 128 militants were killed and 1,401 others were arrested.
40 security personnel lost their
lives till September 15 this year in comparison to 12 security
personnel killed in the corresponding period of 2014. There were
182 incidents of kidnapping in the Northeast till September 15
this year in comparison to 250 last year. 91 insurgents have surrendered
before SFs so far this year, compared to 170 last year. Higher
number of casualties was witnessed in civilians in 2014 when 114
people lost their lives. So far this year, 32 people were killed
due to insurgency violence.
The highest number of incidents
was reported this year in Manipur which saw 169 incidents in comparison
to 278 last year. Nagaland has witnessed 76 incidents this year
in comparison to 77 last year while Assam saw 63 incidents so
far this year compared to 246 in 2014.
Indian Army and Assam Police launched
their biggest operation – ‘Operation All Out’ - against Bodo militant
outfit NDFB-IKS, particularly in places close to the international
border with Bhutan.
September 19
Assam DGP Khagen Sarma, after
reviewing the security scenario in Chirang District said that
“We launched the biggest operation against the NDFB militants
yesterday (September 18). In today’s (September 19) meeting, we
discussed the measures to be taken against them.” The operation
against the NDFB-IKS has been launched in areas under the BTAD
in Assam. Indian Air Force is involved in ‘Operation All Out,’
operating since January, along with the Army, Paramilitary Forces
and State Police to eliminate NDFB-IKS militants.
DGP said NDFB-IKS commander B.
Bidai, who was involved in the massacre of Adivasis in December
2014, has gone into hiding. “It is difficult to find out someone
if he goes into hiding, particularly due to the forest areas,
which works in their favour. But if he comes out and tries to
attack the security forces, we are going to catch him,” Sarma
said. Some NDFB cadres were still in Myanmar and the SFs were
taking maximum precautions so that the militants are not able
to enter India, he added.
Lieutenant General Chand said
that the operation has been intensified, especially along the
Bhutan border, the forest areas of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and
Sonitpur with the deployment of approximately 4,000 security personnel
since January 2015. “As a result of these sustained and surgical
intelligence-based operations, 18 terrorists were neutralised,
539 terrorists or overground workers were apprehended, and 175
assorted weapons, 180 hand grenades and seven IEDs were seized,”
he said.
An upsurge of Islamic fundamentalism
in Assam to avenge violence against minorities in the BTAD has
become a challenge for the SFs. Report said that the recent busting
of a jihadi training centre and the recovery of arms in
Chirang District are the latest pointers to this emerging threat.
The training centre was being run under the guise of a martial
arts school to escape the prying eyes of security agencies.
“Formation of a new militant outfit
called the Muslim Tiger Force of Assam (MTFA) to take revenge
for killing of minorities in the BTAD is another cause of concern
for the security establishments,” a Police source said. Two MTFA
militants were arrested by the army from Gossaigaon in Kokrajhar
District on September 18 and one 7.65mm rifle was recovered from
them.
According to Assam DGP Khagen
Sarma, threat from Islamic fundamentalist forces is higher than
that from local outfits like the NDFB-IKS because of the former’s
pan-Islamic links. Sarma said during investigations into the activities
of JMB in connection with the Burdwan blast, it had come to light
that some key leaders of Islamic fundamentalist organisations
had visited minority-dominated areas in lower Assam. He said the
recent arrest of four Islamic fundamentalists from Chirang district
has provided some fresh leads about their activities.
September 20
Haibargaon Police arrested a person,
identified as Jehiruddin Ali along with FICN of INR 14,000 when
a Police team raided a bus at Dhing Road of Nagaon in Nagaon District.
A magisterial enquiry
has been ordered into the death of two NDFB-IKS militants on August
29 near the forest of Oxiguri village under Amguri Police Station
in Chirang District. The militants were reportedly killed in the
exchange of fire with the team of Assam Police, Army and Paramilitary
Forces.
NIA officers visited
a higher secondary school of Puranigudam area (Nagaon District)
in which the alleged present 'chairman' of ULFA-I, Dr Abhijit
Axom alias Dr Mukul Hazarika had studied. The NIA team
quizzed the headmistress regarding the materials donated by Dr
Mukul Hazarika recently to the school. London-based Dr Hazarika
had donated some table tennis boards and other materials to the
school on the occasion of the school's alumni meet.
Slow progress of
talks between the GoI and ULFA-PTF has resulted in growing frustration
among the cadres of the outfit. Reports said that under the circumstances,
the possibility of a sizeable number of ULFA-PTF cadres switching
over to the hardline faction headed by Paresh Baruah ULFA-I cannot
be ruled out. The security agencies recently intercepted a few
calls of ULFA-I ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah and he also
spoke about the possibility of some ULFA-PTF members switching
over to the hardline faction.
September 21
Mizoram Police arrested
two HPC-D militants at Hmarkhawlien, a small town in Cachar District
of Assam inhabited by the Hmar tribe. The two HPC-D militants
identified as self-styled ‘sergeant’ Lalchuailova alias
LC Hmar and self-styled ‘private’ Reuben Lalromawia have allegedly
taken part in the ambush of a MLA convoy on March 28, 2015. The
two are also believed to be bodyguards of Lalbiakliana alias
Biaka Hmar, who oversaw the Zokhawthlang ambush. The Mizoram Police
also arrested four civilians, including 68-year-old H Lala, father
of self-styled ‘commander’ Lalbiakliana. The civilians, except
H Lala, were later released.
Police, on the basis
of intelligence input, arrested a cadre of CPI-Maoist, identified
as Khirud Gogoi alias Khagen Bora alias Kiran Bora
(33) from Kaki Jabrakhuwa Manjupathar area in Nagaon District,
when he was taking shelter in a house. Sources stated that Khirud
Gogoi had been working for the Maoist group in greater Kaki areas
since 2013 and the Police picked him up when he was taking shelter
in the house of Nitul Bora of Kaki Jabrakhuwa Manjupathar area.
According to reports,
under tremendous pressure due to sustained operations by Police
and SFs, the leaders and cadres of the NDFB-IKS, who are in Assam,
sought permission from the headquarters of the outfit in Myanmar
to surrender. This fact came out in the intercepts by the SFs.
Highly placed security sources said that the request of the Assam
based members of the outfit was rejected by the ‘Chairman’ of
the outfit on the ground that as the NDFB-IKS is now a member
of the new platform of four militant outfits of the region having
bases in Myanmar, it would not be possible for them to allow surrenders.
Sources said that
due to the sustained counter-insurgency operations, some members
of the outfit, including the ‘commander-in-chief’ of the outfit,
G Bidai sent feelers to the Government agencies expressing desire
for a ceasefire. But the Government of India has made its stand
clear that there would be no ceasefire with the NDFB-IKS and if
any member comes forward to surrender, he or she would have to
face trial as per the provisions of the law.
September 22
AR and Police, in
a joint operation, killed two militants of the newly formed JNB,
identified as Hamsen Ardao alias Laden and Maisa alias
Mukhesh Porbosa in Dima Hasao District. AR official said that
they raided a hideout of the JNB in the dense jungles between
Lungting and Hatikhali East of Hatikali village under Langting
Police Station. Two militants were neutralised, while the third
fled, he said, adding, one AK-56 rifle, three single barrel rifles
and one air gun pistol were recovered from the hideout.
Assam CM Tarun Gogoi
asked the Centre to resume talks with the ULFA-PTF at the earliest.
On September 20, ULFA-PTF ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa had threatened
to abandon the peace process and take an “alternative path” if
the Centre fails to resolve their problems by November 30. Rajkhowa
alleged that he Centre was quite apathetic to their demands raised.
The NIA may take
over the probe into the recent busting of a jihadi training
centre and recovery of arms in Chirang District in Assam. The
training centre was being run under the guise of a martial arts
school to escape the prying eyes of security agencies. A Police
source said the NIA had contacted Assam Police to know details
of the case and a team of officers are likely to visit Chirang
shortly in this connection.
September 23
Army and Kokrajhar
Police arrested a KLO militant, identified as Sohen Roy, from
Balagaon in Kokrajhar District. A 7.62mm country-made weapon and
three live ammunitions were recovered from him.
September 25
Six jihadi activists
said to be cadres of the JMB were arrested by Assam Police in
back-to-back operations in Goalpara and Chirang Districts. Two
activists - Md Soleman Ali (26) and Md Mofidul Islam (28) - were
arrested from Lakhipur area in Goalpara District. Acting on revelations
by these two activists, Chirang District Police arrested four
more fundamentalists from Rajpara village under Amguri police
station in Chirang District. They have been identified as Md Nur
Hussein (25), Md Habibur Ali (25), Md Mustafa Mondol (25) and
Md Malek Sheikh (34). Two country-made AK-47 rifles, two barrels
and three mobile hand-sets have been seized from their possession.
BTAD, IGP LR Bishnoi said that Police is keeping a close watch
on jihadi activities in the State. "These activists belong
to the Islamic terrorist group JMB. They were tasked to set up
bases in lower Assam," he said.
The SFs arrested
the self-styled ‘commander-in-chief’ of the NDFB-S Rabi Basumatary
alias Rongjabaja at Panbari in Chirang District. Acting
on intelligence inputs, a joint team of Indian Army, Assam Police
and the SSB launched an operation near the Hakua River at Panbari.
During the operation, the SFs arrested Rongjabaja and his PSO
identified as Jwnglaw Narzary. One AK 56 rifle, 170 rounds of
AK ammunition, 50 rounds of INSAS ammunition and four hand grenades
were recovered from their possession. Rongjabaja was involved
in the killing of Naryan Barman, the then in-charge of Rupsi outpost
in Kokrajhar District on September 26, 2013. Earlier the outfit's
3rd battalion commander, Rongjabaja was elevated as the ‘commander-in-chief’
of the NDFB-S in October, 2014.
September 27
Dhing Police arrested
a suspected jihadi, identified as Fajaluddin Ahmed, with arms
and ammunition from Tuktuki under Dhing Police Station in Nagaon
District. Police recovered a handmade pistol, four rounds of live
ammunition and two IEDs from his possession. Sources also said
that the youth was under Police scanner for a long time.
The training camp
of a JMB module busted at Daukhanagar in Chirang District on September
18, was opened under the cover of a martial arts training school,
investigations have revealed. Chirang SP Ranjan Bhuyan said, the
camp was started in September 7. "It was in a preparatory
stage. We got a tip-off and busted it," he said. Police have
information that there were around ten cadres undergoing training
there. However, though Police have arrested ten people so far,
all are not cadres. Some were organizers and associates. Investigations
have identified one Ashique alias Burabhai of Barpeta District
as the main kingpin of the jihadi module. "We are looking
for the other cadres who had undergone training besides Ashique,"
said a senior Police official.
September 28
Two militants were
killed in an early morning encounter near Chalibhui village under
Mancachar Police Station in Dhubri District of Assam. The encounter
took place between a group of unidentified rebels from Garo hills
and a joint team of the 7th Jat Regiment of the army and Assam
Police. One AK-56 rifle, one hand grenade, one .32 pistol and
other items were recovered from the spot. The militants are yet
to be identified.
A militant of the
ADF, identified as Mangal Murmu, was arrested from Batabari village
in Chirang District of Assam.
September 29
A NSLA militant cadre
was arrested from Gurufella in Kokrajhar District.
Three suspected JNB
cadres were arrested from Langting in Dima Hasao District.
Interest in the ISIS
and jihadi organizations is on the rise in Assam, which has got
the State Police worried, revealed Assam DGP Khagen Sarma. Speaking
at a press conference held at the Assam Police headquarters in
Guwahati, the DGP said that although no ISIS activity has yet
been seen in the State, internet users are frequently making ISIS
related searches. No one from Assam has joined the IS so far,
but rising interest in the terror organisation is a worrying aspect,
said Sarma. “Many people have visited the ISIS websites through
Internet and the hits recorded by these websites indicate that
it is more than curiosity. It is on the higher side like in Jammu
and Kashmir or in Andhra Pradesh,” the DGP said. “We do not have
the expertise and equipment to monitor this but the NTRO is monitoring
all these developments,” the DGP said, adding the cyber cell of
the CID, Assam Police, is also working on it.
The DGP also said
that the Assam Police is striving to increase the ratio of female
Police personnel vis-a-vis male personnel. Stating that at present
there are 65, 000 personnel in Assam Police, he said, “We have
already posted 1,036 female constables. In each Police station
presently, at least two female constables will be there.”
September 30
Suspected militants
of the ULFA and NSCN-K, attacked Kakopathar Police Station in
Tinsukia District, with sophisticated weapons and rocket-propelled
grenades, but there was no casualty. Tinsukia SP Mugdhajyoti Mahanta,
said, "The militants fired at the police station from near
an SBI ATM located about 100 metres away. Personnel at the police
station retaliated and went after the militants. The militants
fled after firing an RPG which, however, did not explode",
adding that no one sustained injuries in the exchange of fire.
He said though initially it was believed that there were four
militants – two ULFA cadres and two from NSCN-K – possibility
of the presence of a fifth militant is not ruled out. “Moreover,
there could be a few more who were positioned for ambushes,” the
SP said, adding that a manhunt has been launched to arrest them.
Three militants of
the MULTA, identified as Abdul Rahim Ahmed (30), Rupchand Ali
(25) and Ashraful Islam (35), have been arrested by the troops
of BSF from Mahmaya Char in Dhubri District. The trio
was arrested by a patrolling party of the 17 battalion of the
BSF, while they were smuggling cattle in a boat to Bangladesh
through river route. The BSF also seized four cattle.
SFs arrested a NDFB-S
militant, identified as Udiyachal Dwimary alias Udangcha,
‘deputy commander’ of the outfit's 13 battalion, from Aie Powali
under Runikhata Police Station in Chirang District. BTAD, IGP,
L.R. Bishnoi said a joint team of Chirang Police and the 7 Sikh
Light Infantry regiment conducted a search operation based on
information and arrested Udangcha. A 7.65mm pistol with five rounds
of ammunition and two hand grenades were recovered from him, Police
said. Bishnoi said Udangcha hails from Salbari in Baksa District.
The Police said Udangcha was involved in the Narsingbari killings
in Baksa in 2014.
SFs arrested a NDFB-S
cadre, identified as Sandhulal Basumatary alias Shakal alias Birkhang
Basumatary from Basbari area under Bishmuri Police outpost in
Kokrajhar District. Based on information about the presence of
militants in the area, the Army and Police personnel conducted
a joint operation at Basbari and arrested Sandhulal along with
arms. A country-made pistol and three live rounds of ammunition
were recovered from him.
The NIA arrested
an NDFB-S cadre, identified as Amal Mushahary alias Aogoi,
who was allegedly involved in the attack on Adivasis at Pakhriguri
in Kokrajhar District on December 23, 2014. An NIA source said
when the operations against the outfit intensified in Assam, he
fled to Alipurduar in Bengal, where he was later sent to jail
for committing a petty crime. "Recently, during interrogation
of some other NDFB (S) militants we came to know that he was the
district jail at Alipurduar in Bengal's Jalpaiguri district and
after that we formally arrested him in our case and brought him
here yesterday," the source said. He was arrested in case
number RC 01/2015/NIA registered at the Guwahati branch of the
agency on February 20, 2015, in connection with Pakhriguri attack
in which five persons, including two children, were killed. Amal
was the personal secretary of the outfit's military commander-in-chief
G. Bidai, who allegedly masterminded the Adivasi massacre. "Today,
an NIA team recovered two hand grenades, seven live ammunitions
and one magazine of 7.65 pistol from his house at Kokrajhar based
on Amal's disclosure. He was involved directly in the Pakhriguri
massacre of Adivasis at Pakhriguri in Kokrajhar District,"
he said.
Describing the militants
in the NE States as the “greatest destabilisers”, Union Minister
Kiren Rijiju called upon them to shun violence, which he said
was the only factor holding back the progress of the region. “I
am directly sending messages to the militants that if you are
thinking of taking up arms and achieve something you are wrong.
You are causing harm to your own people and you are the greatest
destabilisers. “You are a trouble for your own region, not other
region,” Rijiju said while addressing students at Lady Sri Ram
College for Women at the DU in New Delhi. Appealing for peace,
Rijiju said that violence is the only factor that is holding back
the progress of the region, which otherwise has everything that
could make it a great destination of India. “North East is really
beautiful region. Once we remove the violence from the region
I can tell you it is the place to be. Only thing is we need to
secure the place and once peace prevails prosperity will follow,”
he added.
October 1
Assam DGP Khagen
Sarma said anti-talk groups from the ULFA and NSCN-K have entered
the state to conduct subversive activities and added that both
these outfits were behind the attack on the Kakopathar Police
Station in Tinsukia District on September 30. Police were on the
alert to foil attempts by these outfits to carry out their evil
designs, Sarma told media persons on the sidelines of an Assam
Police Day celebrations function at Kahilipara in Guwahati city.
“The ULFA and NSCN-K cadres wanted to attack in a big way but
quick retaliation by an alert police force made the militants
flee,” the DGP said. “We have seen ULFA and NSCN (K) cadres come
together in the recent past,” Sarma said referring to the formation
of UNLFW by the ULFA, NSCN-K and some other north-eastern militant
outfits.
The NIA has learnt
that the NDFB-S which carried out the Kokrajhar attack at Assam
was planning more strikes in the state. Following the arrest of
Amal Mushahary, the NIA raided his home and recovered a cache
of arms. During the raid that was conducted, the NIA recovered
two hand grenades, seven rounds of 7.65 calibre along with one
magazine of same calibre. The NIA has also learnt that Amal alias
Aogoi had played a major role in the killing of the tribals at
Kokrajhar in Assam in the month of December 2014. The NIA
says that Amal was in a senior leadership position in the NDFB-S
as head of internal intelligence, finance member and also Personal
Secretary to outfit’s military chief G Bedai. Amal told the NIA
that he was with Bedai and ‘deputy military chief’ M Biban alias
Batha along with 40 other cadres in the jungles bordering Bhutan
after the massacre of 23rd December 2014.
Police arrested a
CPI-Maoist leader, identified as Aditya Bora alias Baba
(41), from his hideout at Khakandaguri under Dergaon Police Station
in Golaghat District. A team, led by ASP Numal Mahatta, during
the raid, also arrested two of Bora's associates, Uttam Hazarika
(25), and Binanda Bora (21). Some demand notes and ammunition,
including a 9mm pistol and 12 cartridges, were seized from Bora,
a science graduate and a resident of Betoni Gaon in Dibrugarh
District. Mahatta said Bora, who was the secretary of Indian Student
Association (Leftist), formed an organisation, the UALC, affiliated
to the CPI-Maoist, after he came in contact with Bipul Chakrabarty,
a resident of West Bengal and founder of similar outfits. "The
Upper Assam Leading Committee operates in Assam and Arunachal
Pradesh. Today's arrest is a major success in the anti-Maoist
effort," Mahatta added.
October 3
In an operation in
Kokrajhar District, a Myanmar-trained militant of the NDFB-S was
arrested along with a pistol and live rounds of ammunition. The
militant has been identified as Bikash Borgayari and was involved
in subversive activities in the past.
In a joint operation
at Guwabari area, in Kokrajhar, five militants, identified as
Aminur Islam, Nijam Ali, Ainuddin Mondol, Najir Hussain and Nur
Hussain, belonging to MTFA were arrested. Five rifles and live
ammunition were recovered from them.
In an operation in
Goalpara District, Army and Police arrested three GNLA militants.
The militants were identified as Cheg Cheng Marak, Lahen Marak
and Singsi Rbat. Three pistols and some ammunition were recovered
from them," Lt Col Newton said.
October 4
27 AR arrested one NSCN-K militant,
identified as Langbong Paw (41) while conducting routine vehicle
checks in Madhura bridge point on VIP Road near Rangpur in Sivasagar
District. The AR officials recovered incriminating documents related
to the terror-module from his possession.
NDFB observed the 29th Anniversary
at an NDFB designated camp at Sonai near Udalguri town in Udalguri
District. During the anniversary programme the NDFB supremo, Ranjan
Daimari informed that since 1986, around 3000 NDFB ‘soldiers’
were killed and many were taken away from their home without trace
leaving behind their wives as widows and their children as orphan
besides many parents as childless.
Ranjan Daimari also said that
”We participated in several rounds of talk with central government
in the last ten years, but no solution come till date”, adding,
“If the Indian government repeatedly betrays the demands tabled
by the NDFB then the outfit might be compelled to re-consider
the ongoing peace talk”. “The demand of separate state of Bodoland
is not only for the Bodos’ but for the all round development,
peace, unity and integrity of the whole communities residing in
the proposed separate state of Bodoland”, Daimary said.
NDFB will have a peace talk with
the Union Government on October 9.
October 6
In a joint operation, Army of
Boko Camp and Assam Police recovered one IED, 5 kg in weight,
two detonators and two gelatin sticks from the house of one Abdul
Malek of Chutara village under Jorsimulu Police outpost in Chaygaon
in Kamrup District. Police arrested two persons, identified as
Abdul Malek and Aksad Ali in this connection. Later, a bomb squad
from Guwahati defused the IED at Chaygaon Police station.
Nagaon Sadar Police along with
CRPF personnel recovered a weapon called ‘Red Signal’ from Barhampur
Adarshagaon in Nagaon District. According to the sources, some
MGNREGA workers saw the weapon at first while they were working
in the area and informed it the local Police station. The Police
later on confirmed it as Red Signal.
Police arrested a surrendered
ULFA member, identified as Bastab Gogoi from Sonari town in Sivasagar
District for allegedly having links with ULFA-I.
Maoist leader Aditya Bora, who
was arrested on October 1, had floated the RPG to get training
from the NSCN-IM. Police sources said the NSCN-IM had refused
to give training to Maoists. Hence Bora tried to get training
for Maoist cadres operating in Upper Assam under the cover of
RPG.
Interrogation revealed that Bora
was also the key liaison person between Maoists and the PLA of
Manipur and would sent Maoist cadres for training to Manipur and
Nagaland, the sources said. According to the sources, Upper Assam
Districts are becoming a hotbed of Maoist activities. While arms
training of its cadres take place mostly outside Assam, political
training is imparted to them in Upper Assam itself, report said.
October 7
The Army and Police in a joint
operation arrested an NDFB-IKS militant, identified as Maidee
Basumatary (26) from Kaurbaha village under Tamulpur Police station
in Baksa District. Two hand grenades, four detonators, two fuse
wires and some extortions letters were also recovered from his
possession. Maidee, who hails from Nakhuti Laxmigaon village in
Golaghat District, told the reporters that he joined the NDFB-RD
in 2007 and was trained in Myanmar. He was associated with NDFB-IKS
in 2012. Maidee was operating under ‘captain’ Abki Basumatary
in Sonitpur District. He was involved in extortion cases in Golaghat
and Sonitpur Districts besides in Nagaland. He sneaked into Baksa
District a few days back, report said.
CRPF in coordination with Lakhipur
Police arrested 5 persons belonging to the Hmar and Lushai tribes
along with 100 detonators from the Fulertal area of Hmarkhawlien
in Cachar District. The arrested persons have been identified
as Langsangzuala (58), Chualanga (32), Sangrelinba (24), Nehakulin
Lushai (35) and Chuala Hmar (27).
The Zeliangrong Baudi Assam, the
Zeme Council Assam and the Mathai (Village Chief) Council
Assam, have submitted a representation to the ‘Ato Kilonser’ (Prime
Minister) of NSCN-IM urging for the creation of a separate District
known as ‘Haflong District’ with its headquarters at Haflong,
mainly for the Zeliangrong Nagas along with the minority communities
under the new administrative system that may be created through
the Framework Agreement with the GoI.
The joint representation urged
for “special attention for inclusion and integration of our land
and people to that of Nagalim.” “Irrespective of any circumstances
or technicalities that may arise during the political settlement
process, the organisations expressed hope that Zeliangrong areas
shall be treated as a single territory and no part of it will
be left out in the process of integration of Naga areas. It further
asked that the Zeme Nagas of the NC Hills remain intact and bound
to the remaining Naga areas as a single administrative and political
unit.
October 8
An NDFB-IKS militant, identified
as Thopsa Basumatary alias B Onsai was killed in an encounter
with Police in Mazbat area of Udalguri District of Assam. IGP
L R Bishnoi said that “based on tip-off regarding movement of
NDFB-IKS militants, a team led by Udalguri SP Bir Bikram Gogoi
conducted an operation during which a fierce exchange of fire
ensued with a group of NDFB-IKS militants at River Rowta near
Rowta Gate, under Mazbat Police station.” In the gun-battle, one
militant of NDFB-IKS's '43rd' batch died of bullet injuries, while
others fled under cover of darkness, he said. One 7.65 caliber
pistol with magazine, four rounds of 7.65 caliber live ammunition,
two empty cases of 7.65 caliber ammunition and two mobile handsets
were recovered by the Police from the encounter site. Search operation
was on to apprehend the escaped militants.
Police on arrested a suspected
ULFA-I linkman, identified as Netra Bonia in Sonari town in Sivasagar
District.
The Maoists are trying to gain
foothold in the North-East again and they are getting ‘wide’ range
of allies’ form rhino poachers of Kaziranga to the NSCN-IM which
recently signed a peace deal with the Centre.
The startling facts came out during
interrogation of top Maoists leader of Assam, Aditya Bora, who
was arrested on October 1. Police sources said that Bora alias
‘Baba’, was a most wanted in Assam Police list. He was the founder
of the Upper Assam CPI-Maoist and used to take direct instruction
from CPI-Maoist Politburo member Prasanta Ghosh alias Kishan
Da.
He also revealed that after most
members of the CPI-Maoist who operated across the state, including
in lower Assam, Upper Assam and Barak valley region were arrested
between 2012 to 2014, and he was busy reorganizing the group.
He himself created a sleeper cell and got fresh recruits. It was
not possible for him to send out the recruit for training to Jharkhand
and Chhattisgarh due to scaled up operations. As such he was asked
by the top leadership to float a ‘shadow’ organisation named RPG.
Police sources further added that
the RPG then established contacts with the NSCN-IM, so that it
can get its new recruits trained in Nagaland. The CPI-Maoist already
had an understanding with the RPF of Manipur and Bora tried to
send his cadres across the border to the RPF base at Sagaing division
of Myanmar, sources added.
October 9
An NDFB-IKS cadre was arrested
from Bongaigaon in Bongaigaon District.
CM Tarun Gogoi urged PM Narendra
Modi to restore the Special Category State status for Assam and
other North Eastern States. In a letter sent to the PM, Gogoi
also sought the PM’s intervention for a change in the funding
pattern of the Centrally-sponsored schemes. “Change in funding
pattern of the Centrally-sponsored schemes has retarded the pace
of development in the State,” he said.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative,
civil society members from Assam and Nagaland met at a ‘Naga-Assamese
Round Table Towards Strengthening Friendship and Fraternity’,
unanimously called for a permanent mechanism to continue the dialogue
process between the two neighbours.
October 11
An NDFB-IKS linkman, identified
as Sombaru Basumatary was killed by militants of the outfit during
an encounter with SF that busted their camp in a dense forest
in Chirang District. IGP L R Bishnoi said that a joint team of
Police and CRPF's CoBRA unit busted the NDFB-IKS camp inside Manas
Reserve Forest under Panbari Police Station in Chirang District.
Acting on a tip off, the Police arrested Sombaru from Amlaiguri
village and during interrogation he confessed to supplying ration
to the NDFB-IKS' camp and agreed to take the force to the spot.
As the security personnel approached the area on foot through
dense jungles, the militants started firing on them from automatic
weapons and one of the bullets hit Sombaru who was in the front
showing the way, Bishnoi said.
Security personnel and NDFB-IKS
militant exchanged fire for 15 to 20 minutes before they escaped
taking cover of the dense forest. Police then found a temporary
camp and preliminary investigations revealed that NDFB-IKS ‘vice
chairman’ G Bidai along with six militants - Bidai, Batha, Jarimin,
Birbai, Jwetwn and Jewthi - had been staying there, the IGP said.
From the camp, Police recovered
45 rounds of AK ammunition, 19 rounds of M-16 ammunition and other
household items.
SF recovered an IED from the residence
of Polen Rabha of Khar-khari village in Kokrajhar District.
A former militant leader and an
elected member of Dima Hasao District Autonomous Council, Mihir
Garlosa alias Jewel Garlosa was arrested by Police from
his rented residence in the city in connection with a murder case
registered against him in 2008. A Police source informed that
the former ‘self-styled chairman’ of now disbanded DHD-J, Jewel
Garlosa was arrested in connection with Langting Police station
(in Dima Hasao Hill District) case in connection with murder of
one Bijon Haflongbar, a former cadre of DHD-N.
E-155 battalion CRPF arrested
two persons, identified as Yein Pai and Singhong Konyan along
with explosives at Bokajan check post (Cement Corporation of India
factory) in Karbi Anglong District. Police sources said that the
duo was travelling in a bus (NL 11-2388) from Dimapur. During
the routine check, CRPF personnel seized 250 gelatine sticks,
600 detonators and 60 meters fuse wire reportedly being smuggled
by the duo, Police added.
According to sources, the Government
of Myanmar is yet to launch an offensive against the militants
despite repeated promises. During his last visit to New Delhi,
the Chief of the Myanmar Army had promised to strengthen the presence
of the Army along the areas bordering India.
Sources said that according to
inputs available with the security agencies, there was some movement
of Myanmar Army personnel along the international border areas
in the month of August. Though the Army personnel did not launch
any operation, the movement created panic among the militants.
The security agencies received some intercepts of communication
of the militants, which proved that they were apprehensive of
strong Army action and some militants even tried to shift weapons
from the camps to comparatively safer places. But the additional
troops sent to the bordering areas reportedly went back without
launching any operation against the militants.
Sources said that life is not
easy for the militants, particularly those belonging to the ULFA-I
and the NDFB-IKS as the outfits are facing severe financial crunch.
Security sources said that the
ULFA-I is making desperate attempts to launch extortion drive,
particularly in the upper Assam Districts. But the militants are
not getting enough funds to sustain in Myanmar. The people who
received extortion notes from the ULFA-I are not willing to pay
the demanded amount any more, forcing the outfit to negotiate
the amount and there were occasions where they were forced to
accept even small amounts, sources added.
The situation is even worse for
the NDFB-IKS and the outfit has reportedly gone into heavy debt
as the flow of funds has been totally squeezed. The main source
of income of the outfit was kidnapping. But after the massive
crackdown launched against the outfit in December last year (2014),
NDFB-IKS was not being able to indulge in any kidnapping.
According to information available
with the security agencies, at least 200 cadres of the NDFB-IKS
are staying in the camps in Myanmar, including two batches of
new recruits. The outfit is not in a position to send them to
Assam, while, the leaders are finding it tough to sustain the
camps in Myanmar. Facing severe financial crunch, the NDFB-IKS
militants are now engaged in cultivation near the camps in Myanmar.
Sources, however, admitted that both ULFA-I and NDFB-IKS do not
have shortage of weapons and they may resort to selling of arms
and ammunition to other militant groups in near future.
October 12
Former militant leader of now
disbanded DHD-J and an elected member of Dima Hasao District Autonomous
Council, Mihir Garlosa alias Jewel Garlosa who was arrested
by Assam Police on October 11 was granted bail by a local court
in Dima Hasao Hill District.
Tinsukia SP Mugdha Jyoti Mahanta
has denied reports about the surrender of ‘chief lieutenant’ of
Independent faction of ULFA-I, Jiban Moran, which appeared in
a section of the media.
Demanding exclusion of non-Bodo
majority villages from the BTAD and protesting against creation
of a separate Bodo State, Aboro Surakshya Samittee is taking up
a series of agitation programmes. The spokesperson of the organisation,
Jogeswar Kalita, in a press release said that at the time of sealing
the BTC Accord, more than 800 villages were illegally and undemocratically
included in BTAD. Though, as per the Accord, the villages with
less than 50 per cent Bodo population could not be included in
BTAD, but the same was done by supplying false reports and records
at the time of preparing the model for the BTAD, he alleged.
The spokesman also said that the
non-Bodos of over 800 villages have been subjected to harassment
and exploitation. “They are not only deprived of the Government
welfare schemes, but their culture and languages are also under
threat,” he added.
Armed with sophisticated weapons,
a large number of Para-military and state security personnel would
be deployed in Tripura and Assam for the Durga Puja festivities
beginning next week, officials said. “The BSF has been asked to
maintain a close watch on the India-Bangladesh border to ensure
that the festival is free of any untoward incident,” Tripura’s
IGP Nepal Das said. “Counter-insurgency operation against the
outlawed militants would be intensified by Assam Rifles, CRPF
and the Tripura State Rifles in the terrorist prone and hilly
areas,” Das said. He said intelligence networks have been activated
and police pickets and mobile and foot patrolling will be conducted.
Security was tightened further
in southern Assam, dominated by Bengalis and people from other
northeastern states. “Besides strengthening of normal security,
movement of trains will also be monitored in southern Assam,”
a Police officer said at Silchar, one of the main commercial cities
in southern Assam.
October 13
Life came to a halt following
the 24-hour BTAD bandh (strike) called by various organisations
from October 13 morning, demanding restoration of tribal land
that is now owned by "outsiders".
October 14
A joint team of the Army and the
Police launched an operation and arrested an NDFB-IKS militant,
identified as Joytun Narzary alias Jaila in Kokrajhar
District. A 7.62 mm pistol with some ammunition was recovered
from his possession. Narzary was trained under NDFB-IKS’s top
leader Batha along with 180 other cadres near the border with
Arunachal Pradesh. He was allegedly involved in last December’s
attack on Adivasi villagers in Sonitpur and BTAD, a Defence spokesman
said. Narzary was said to be hiding in West Bengal, Delhi, Gujarat
and Bangalore for the last nine months to escape arrest.
A KPLT militant, identified as
Tiger Ke-up alias Joy Tisso was arrested from Disoma near
Manja in Karbi Anglong District by Assam Police and SF. One .22
pistol, two rounds of .22 live ammunition, 15 rounds of 7.62 live
ammunition and one mobile handset were recovered from the militant.
This hardcore militant had fled from Diphu Jail few months back
along with three KPLT associates.
Assam Police have sounded alert
over the militant threat to disrupt ISL football matches to be
played in Guwahati and tightened the security in and around the
venue. Guwahati city Police Commissioner Mukesh Agarwal informed
that there had been intelligence inputs about possible attempts
by some militant groups to disrupt ISL matches which, he said
would be held under tight security in the city. He said alert
had already been sounded over the militants’ threat and Police
and SFs were working round the clock to hold the matches without
any hitch in the city.
Assam CM Tarun Gogoi has issued
instruction to the Police force and the law and order maintenance
machinery in the state to take all possible steps to enhance security
of people and property in the state during the ensuing festive
season that starts with celebration of Durga Puja.
ABSU staged a 12-hour national
highway blockade demanding early creation of separate state of
Bodoland on the lines of Telangana to ensure protection and all-round
development of Bodos under articles 2 and 3 of the Indian Constitution.
One person, identified as Hitesh
Kalita was arrested while trying to palm off a FICN of INR 100
at a shop in Moran in Dibrugarh District.
The ABSU blocked the NH for 12
hours demanding early creation of a separate state of Bodoland
on the lines of Telangana to ensure protection and all-round development
of the indigenous people of the state. The blockade was supported
by NDFB-P and People's Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement.
October 15
Two persons, identified as Joti
Prasad Roy alias Jone and Matleb Hussain alias Monowar
Hussain were arrested by Assam Police for alleged offence of extortion
in the name of KLO. According to Police sources INR 5 million
was demanded from a businessman Arup Saha, a resident of Senpara
of Dhubri town (Dhubri District) in the name of KLO.
During the 12-hour NH blockade
programme undertaken by the ABSU and other supporters at Rowta
Chariali in Darrang District, the ABSU threatened that it will
not sit idle till the Centre concedes to their rightful demand
and grants a separate homeland for the Boro people along the northern
belt of the Brahmaputra.
The organizers of the mass movement,
ABSU, PJACBM and the NDFB-P in a press release after the blockade
hinted at intensifying their democratic movement if the Government
failed to respond positively to their call.
The UNLFWESEA, a newly formed
platform of four militant outfits of the North-east region, is
trying to rope in at least nine more outfits of the region into
the platform to launch a united struggle against the GoI. So far,
four outfits of the region – NSCN-K, ULFA-I, NDFB-IKS and the
KLO - are the constituents of the platform and efforts are on
by the leaders of the Front to rope in other militant groups of
the region to increase its strength, report added.
ULFA-I ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh
Baruah said that two Meghalaya-based outfits, GNLA and HNLC, have
already expressed their desire to join the common platform. He
said that the formal process of these outfits joining the new
outfit may be completed within this year.
Baruah pointed out that seven
militant outfits of Manipur have already formed a common platform
called the CorCom and they are likely to join the new front. Six
outfits of Manipur are ready to join the Front immediately. “But
we want the entire CorCom to join us. They have some problem with
one of the constituents and we are hoping that they can settle
their problems soon so that the entire CorCom can join us. We
are expecting that the seven outfits of Manipur will be joining
hands with us within this year,” he added. He also said that one
outfit from Tripura would also be joining the front soon.
Baruah admitted that SS Khaplang,
the NSCN-K chief and ‘chairman’ of the new front, is under pressure
from different circles to resume the peace process with the Government
of India. However, he said that Khaplang has not taken any decision
to resume the peace talks with the Government of India. He also
said that Khaplang would not come for talks with the Government
in the near future.
October 16
Two suspected NLFT cadres, identified
as Kamalesh Jamatia and Manoj Koloy, and a leader of Meghalaya-based
outlawed group, UALA, were arrested at Balukdupi under Basistha
Police Station in Kamrup District of Assam. Although Kamalesh,
a dreaded NLFT cadre, surrendered before Police way back in 2011,
he went to jungle once again. Kamalesh’s arrest by Assam Police
has virtually confirmed his close association with the outlawed
NLFT and UALA. Manoj, who used to stay in Assam and Meghalaya,
is a well known arms dealer.
October 17
Two persons, identified as Sorowal
Ali and Akhidur Mandal were arrested in connection with the abduction
of a person on September 4 from Lakhtokia in Guwahati. The abducted
person was rescued by the Police. Acting on the case filed in
this connection, the Police arrested five kidnappers earlier.
Ahead of the Assam Assembly elections
next year, the Centre may sign a peace accord with ULFA-PTF to
bring an end to the nearly four decades of insurgency in the north-eastern
state. According to reports, hectic parleys have been going on
between Central Government’s interlocutor P C Haldar and the ULFA
faction led by its ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa almost every week
for an amicable solution to the group’s demands after it threatened
to walk out of the talks if no solution comes by November-end.
The peace accord may not be ready
by November-end but UMHA is making efforts to finalise it well
before the next year’s assembly elections. “Efforts are on to
achieve a breakthrough soon,” Union Minister of State for Home
Kiren Rijiju said.
October 19
Police arrested six persons, suspected
to have links with a Pakistan-based racket, along with FICN worth
of INR 210,000 from Gorchuk and Paltan Bazar areas in Guwahati.
Based on intelligence reports, a joint team of the crime branch
and city Police arrested Sudhir Sarkar, a resident of Chaipara
village in Malda District (West Bengal), Paban Sarma, Pobitra
Sonowal, Bastav Sonowal, Pradip Gogoi and Ankur Borah.
Maoists are planning to make fresh
recruitments, especially targeting the age group of 12-year-olds
and above as they are running short of manpower in Assam, according
to sources in the SFs. The Maoists have chosen the festival season
to scout for youths from tea garden areas and ethnic groups in
the tea belt for recruiting them into the insurgent fold, the
sources said. They are also planning to recruit youths through
their allies by sending details through WhatsApp about
the youths’ education, family background and location, the sources
added.
According to sources, though the
recruitment drive started a year back, the process has now been
speeded up due to shortage of manpower in the Maoist camps as
two batches after their 18-month training in Jharkhand and Odisha
are ready to arrive by January 2016. In the belt along the Brahmaputra,
short documentary films are loaded in 1GB/2GB mobile handsets
so that the impressionable boys of age 12 to 13 years are influenced
and brainwashed to join the Naxalite movement, said the
sources.
The seven Upper Assam Districts
of Dhemaji, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar
and Golaghat have borders with neighbouring hill States, while
the belt along the river is a breeding ground for Naxal
activities, the sources mentioned.
The Police are on their toes in
the State, including Guwahati, so as to ensure that the ongoing
festive season passes of peacefully. Report said that the Police
have to go an extra mile with the deployment of paramilitary forces
and its reserved forces, keeping an eye on the sense of communal
intolerance wafting across the country. These apart, according
to a top-level Police official, during such festivals insurgent
groups like the ULFA are on the lookout for soft targets. “We’re
ready to face every eventuality. We keep in touch with the district
administrations. Special watch is being maintained in places like
Dhubri, Hojai in Nagaon, Barpeta, Barak Valley etc., where the
possibilities communal uprising are always high,” he said.
October 20
Police arrested two persons, Timon
Fanso and Joysing Dey, for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping
of Hiranya Bora, ASI of Diphu Police station in Karbi Anglong
District, two months ago. However, Bora is still untraced.
Police arrested a militant of
newly founded Rajesh Chorky faction of ULFBV, identified as Torasen
Riang alias Jhon Chorky from Joynagar area in Nagaon District.
Police recovered one AK 47 and 6 live rounds of bullets from his
possession. Police sources said that during interrogation the
accused revealed that he was formerly a cadre of BNLF and surrendered
in the year 2006. But, he was now a member of the newly founded
Rajesh Chorky faction of ULFBV. Rajesh Chorky is the ‘chief finance
secretary’ of the barely 3 month old ULFBV. At time of apprehension,
Torasen Riang was badly assaulted by the local public. He had
come to the area for collecting money from the locals to carry
out subversive activities of the terror outfit.
October 21
A hardcore militant of ULFA-I,
identified as Dipak Bora alias Bikram Asom was killed by SFs
at Uttar Borpukhuri village under Kalaigaon Police Station in
Udalguri District. According to report, Killed militant joined
the banned outfit in 2000 and served as a ‘self-styled sergeant
major’ of the outfit. He was considered to be one of the hardcore
militant after the killing of ULFA leader Bosa Singh in 2010.
The Darrang Police earlier had announced a cash reward of INR
2 lakh for providing information about Dipak Bora. A laptop containing
vital information of the outfit, two pistols along with several
rounds of ammunitions, several cellular phones with SIM cards
were also recovered from his possession. The slain militant was
reportedly involved several killing.
October 22
Assam Police and CRPF personnel,
in a joint operation, arrested two linkmen of ULFA-I, identified
as Ridip Neog alias Bijoy Moran and Minali Gohain along with and
a cache of arms and ammunition from Kakopathar area of Tinsukia
District. One M-20 pistol, two rounds ammunition, one bottle grenade,
one motorcycle and two mobile handsets were recovered from them.
The Army and Assam Police in a
joint operation arrested a RVA militant, identified as Mupan Rabha
from Kokrajhar District. One 7.62 mm Pistol with some ammunition,
40 live rounds of AK 47 and 5 kg RDX were recovered from the militant.
The explosive and ammunition were being taken by the militant
for subversive activities. Some extortion notes also recovered
from his possession.
October 25
Assam Police arrested a wanted
ULFA-I militant, identified as Naba Rabha, from an area near Krishnai
in Goalpara District. Police also recovered explosive items and
two detonators from him. Rabha is believed to be a Myanmar trained
militant of the outfit and an arms runner operating in the Assam-Meghalaya
bordering areas.
October 26
A suspected GNLA militant was
killed in an encounter with the Police and one Policeman and one
militant were injured in Goalpara District of Assam. District
SP Nitul Gogoi said, on getting information about militants coming
to Damra to kidnap an individual, Police launched an operation
to arrest them. On seeing the Police, the two militants travelling
on a motorcycle fired at them in an attempt to flee, Gogoi said.
In the exchange of fire, the extremist was killed and his associate
along with the policeman were injured, he said. A pistol was recovered
from the slain militant, Gogoi added.
An encounter between SFs and the
militants of ULFA-I occurred in Noloni reserve forest in Pengaree
in Tinsukia District. However, no casualty has been reported.
SFs recovered an IED, magazines, torch lights, blankets and jackets
from the site. According to sources, following the encounter with
the SFs, the militants managed to escape but the SFs are confident
of desirable result soon as the entire green belt has been surrounded
by SFs. Latest reports confirmed encounter followed by intense
combing operation and various significant developments in the
reserve forest.
The Kokrajhar Police arrested
two extortionists, identified as Krishna Debnath and Utpal Pandit
for trying to extort money from a contractor at Harigaon by identifying
themselves as NDFB-IKS members from Basugaon town of Chirang District.
Police arrested a woman, identified
as Asheda Begum, along with FICNs worth of INR 6,000 from Kanimara
village under Mancachar Police station of Dhubri District.
Following the recommendations
of the NHRC, the Assam Government has paid INR 4 million as relief
to the families of six persons who were allegedly killed in separate
Police encounters between 2010 – 2011.
October 27
A militant belonging to NDFB-IKS,
identified as Pankaj Brahma, was arrested from Dimruguri in Kokrajhar
District.
October 28
SFs arrested four militants belonging
to NDFB-IKS from Daoraighabnai under Runikhata Police station
in Chirang District. The arrested militants were identified as
Rajeev Basumatary alias Mwrgwng, allegedly involved in
the attack on adivasis in December 2014, Hitesh Narzary,
Mohanto Narzary and Antho Narzary. A 7.65 mm Pistol, some ammunition
and two grenades were also recovered from them.
Kheroni Police and CRPF team,
during a search operation, arrested a KPLT linkman, identified
as Dhon Timung (25) from Deuri Tinali under Baithalangso Police
Station in Karbi Anglong District. The Police said that he was
closely associated with earlier arrested KPLT ‘vice-chairman’
Longbi Timung and Borkiri Timung alias Babu Phangso, ‘second
lieutenant’ of KPLT.
The General Officer Commanding
in Chief of the Eastern Command, Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi
reviewed the security scenario in Lower Assam and the counter-insurgency
(CI) operations. After visiting the forward locations in Tawang
Sector, Bakshi visited Rangiya- based Red Horns Division accompanied
by Lieutenant General Sarath Chand to review the overall security
situation prevailing in Lower Assam and also to get a first-hand
feel of the ongoing operations against the terrorist groups.
According to reports, he was given
a detailed briefing on the ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-
terrorism operations in Lower Assam, with a specific update on
the current operations being undertaken against NDFB-IKS post
the December 23, 2014 violence against the Adivasis.
One person, identified as Raheswar
Ray (56) was abducted by unidentified militants at Tirimari beside
Champa river under Basugaon Police Station in Chirang District.
October 29
The Guwahati city Police recovered
a vehicle along with a huge cache of explosives and arrested three
persons in this connection from Khanapara in Kamrup District.
The explosives contain 20 cartoons of gelatin sticks and 30 cartoons
of detonators. The three arrested were identified as Uddhav Das
(driver), Munin Deka and Jitu Baishya. However, the main accused
managed to escape.
October 30
To commemorate the tragic serial
blast of Oct 30, 2008, the All Assam Students’ Union will observe
the day as ‘A Day Against Terrorism’ on October 30. In this regard,
the organization will organize prayer meets at various places
and will pray for those who lost their lives on the fateful day.
A joint team of Police and CRPF
personnel arrested a militant belonging to NSLA, identified as
Karna Luis Murmu from Gossaigaon town in Kokrajhar District.
Army and Delai Police arrested
one person, identified as Denial Terang along with three grenades
from 10 mile general area of Delai in Karbi Anglong District.
In an operation, Kheroni Police
and CRPF arrested a suspected linkman of KPLT, identified as Dhan
Timung (25) from Deuri Tiniali village in Dhemaji District, while
he was traveling in a motorbike.
October 31
Suspected cadres of the NSCN-IM
abducted a local contractor of Natun Lonkhai village under Mahur
police station in Dima Hasao, identified as Sangjeulungbe Panme
from Hajaichak village in the night.
November 1
Four youths, who had demanded
money at gun point from some teachers who are staying in hostel
in Fakirganj of Dhubri District, were arrested.
The Central agencies warned the
Assam Government about the possibility of the militants belonging
to the NDFB-IKS indulging in poaching to ensure survival of the
members of the outfit in the face of severe financial crunch.
Highly placed security sources
said that the security agencies recently received a disturbing
input about the possibility of the militants belonging to NDFB-IKS
indulging in poaching and the input was immediately shared with
the Assam Government and all the forces engaged in counter-insurgency
operations.
Sources said that according to
the input, the NDFB-IKS has gone into heavy debt in Myanmar as
the flow of funds from Assam dried up following sustained operations
against the outfit. The NDFB-IKS has not been able to pay the
debts to the NSCN-K for using the facilities of the outfit in
Myanmar. Recently, the NDFB-IKS leaders requested the NSCN-K to
provide some weapons, but the request was denied because of the
failure of the outfit to repay the outstanding debts.
The Myanmar Army has started patrolling
along the international border though no offensive has yet been
launched against the militants of North East, who are taking shelter
in the territory of that country.
According to reports, Members
of ULFA-I are being given lessons during their recruitment training
to be "friendly and helpful" towards villagers in order
to regain the trust of the people. In his confessional statement
to Police, ULFA-I militant Lakhyajit Moran alias Moina
alias Tushar who was arrested in Tinsukia District on October
16, said the outfit is attempting to win back public support.
Moran is now in judicial custody.
November 2
Four youths, who were arrested
for demanding money at gun point from some teachers were produced
before the Dhubri judicial magistrate and sent to jail, said Police.
SFs arrested a NDFB-IKS militant,
identified as Kamakhya Daimary (23) from Basbari in Kokrajhar.
One NDFB-IKS militant, identified
as Bidyaram Brahma (30) was arrested from Baksa.
The abducted a local contractor
of Natun Lonkhai village, Sangjeulungbe Panme was released in
the morning. However, Police said they are yet to receive a FIR
in connection with the kidnapping but the incident had come to
their knowledge and they were investigating it.
Thousands of students and youth
observed a massive satyagraha in Kokrajhar District to
protest against the Union Government’s decision to allow Hindu
refugees from Bangladesh and Pakistan to stay over in India even
after the expiry of their visas.
November 3
Police recovered a suspected IED
from a house in Borbaruah Bolai Road under Borbaruah Police Station
in Dibrugarh District. According to a source, the IED was kept
in a fruit bag.
A bomb disposal squad from Dergaon
diffused a low-intensity IED at the residence of palmist-astrologer
Kanahayalal Saha of Barbaruah in Dibrugarh District.
Police arrested a linkman belonging
to the ULFA-I, identified as Kishore Baruah, who had gone to collect
money on behalf of the outfit, from Balipara area in Sonitpur
District. The linkman claimed that he was ULFA-I ‘commander chief’
Paresh Barua’s nephew and was assigned to collect money for the
outfit, Sonitpur SP Sanjukta Parashar said
Assam DGP Khagen Sarma said that
the Barak valley has been used continuously as a safe corridor
by militant groups. Sarma said that different militant groups
had been importing arms and weapons to Assam from Myanmar and
Bangladesh via the three Districts of the Barak valley - Cachar,
Karimganj and Hailakandi.
The DGP, who held a meeting with
the police officials of Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi and Dima
Hasao Districts in Silchar, said a few years ago, the NDFB and
ULFA had also used the Barak valley as a safe passage to bring
arms from the neighbouring countries. According to him, the arms
are being imported mainly from Myanmar to Mizoram and then these
are carried to the Barak valley.
Sarma, however, said the law and
order situation in the state had improved a lot. He added that
13 different militant groups were currently in a ceasefire mode
after having signed SoO agreements with the Government. Asked
about the presence of Maoists in the valley area, Sarma said the
Maoists had been trying to spread their base in two or three tea
garden areas, but the Police were keeping a strict watch.
The NSCN-IM is allegedly carrying
out extortion in Dima Hasao District of Assam in violation of
the truce with the Centre. According to sources, a group of NSCN-IM
militants is still active in certain areas of the district bordering
Nagaland and running extortion drives from its temporary camps
located at Baladhan village. Dima Hasao shares a 46km border with
Nagaland.
An Assam Police team is expected
to take custody of the ‘chief commanding officer’ of the NDFB-IKS,
identified as Dimga alias Lidion Basumatary (34) who was
arrested from Kakkodi Mukku in Kozhikode District of Kerala on
November 2.
The NIA has initiated the process
to gather relevant information to seek the extradition of Dr Abhijit
Asom, ‘chairman’ of the ULFA-I, who is believed to be living in
the UK. Highly placed official sources said that all the relevant
information about the ULFA-I ‘chairman’ would have to be gathered
before seeking his extradition and the process of doing that has
started.
Sources said that the first step
would be to get the real identity of the ULFA-I ‘chairman’ with
enough documentary evidence. Sources said that according to information
available with the security agencies, a UK-based Assamese doctor,
Dr Mukul Hazarika is the ULFA-I ‘chairman’ Dr Abhijit Asom. But
that has to be established with adequate documentary evidence
before seeking his extradition from the UK. However, ULFA-I has
always been claiming that Dr Mukul Hazarika and Dr Abhijit Asom
are two different persons.
November 4
The Diphu Police arrested five
KPLT militants, identified as Moni Ram Rongpi, Bharat Timung,
Francis Milik, Rohit Ingti and Ericson Teron from different locations
in and around Diphu town in Karbi Anglong District. Sources said
that the militants were attempting to kidnap a businessman of
Diphu town and on getting the information about the presence and
the motive of the KPLT outfit, the Police jumped into action and
arrested the militants from different locations in Diphu town
and foiled their kidnapping bid. Police also recovered one .22
pistol, one 9mm pistol, one 7.65 pistol and nine live ammunition
along with four mobile handsets, four SIM cards and two torch
lights from their possession.
The NIA named six militants of
NDFB-IKS in the latest chargesheet filed by it regarding December
23, 2014 massacre of adivasi (tribal) villagers in Kokrajhar
District. Top NDFB-IKS militants Keshab Basumatary, Jemson Narzary,
Tupil Borgoyary, Prahlad Narzary alias Mandela, Samar Basumatary
alias Sona and Pradip Swargiary alias Doctor, were
named in the NIA chargesheet. All of them were arrested this year
(2015) and are currently in judicial custody.
Sentiments of all communities
in Manipur and people of neighbouring States of Nagaland would
not be allowed to hurt by the Naga Peace Accord, Centre’s interlocutor
for Naga talks, RN Ravi reassured. Ravi’s trip to Imphal, Manipur
aimed at clearing the air concerning the framework agreement signed
between the GoI and NSCN-IM on August 3. Ravi assured the leaders
of social organisations that the Naga Peace Accord would not disrupt
the interests of all communities as well as the territorial boundaries
of neighbouring states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
November 4-5
The UMHA extended the AFSPA in
16 Police Stations of Arunachal Pradesh and 20 kilometres along
the Assam-Meghalaya border for six months and one year respectively.
The latest order issued on November 4-5 came despite opposition
from the State Governments. UMHA notification cited the presence
of Naga insurgent groups including NSCN-K, NSCN-KK and NSCN-R
besides ULFA-I and NDFB-IKS to declare these Districts as "disturbed
areas" under section 3 of AFSPA. The order also highlighted
the abrogation of ceasefire by NSCN-K following which the group
carried out the deadliest attack on Indian army troops.
November 5
SFs arrested two hardcore cadres
of Adivasi Dragon Fighters (ADF), identified as Habil Murmu (founder
and ‘self-styled commander-in-chief’ of the ADF) and Vijay Baski
along with arms from Jogendrapur and Picha Dabri under Saraibil
Police outpost of Gossaigaon subdivision in Kokrajhar District.
The arrested militants were involved in various incidents of extortion
and abduction in the area. A country-made riffle, one pistol,
two live bullets, three magazines and some incriminating documents
were recovered from their possession.
November 6
Assam CM Tarun Gogoi said that
Islamic militants and Maoists are active in the state but his
Government was keeping a strict vigil on their activities. "Islamic
outfits, Maoists and all other insurgent organisations are trying
to create trouble in the state but we are vigilant," Gogoi
said. He asserted that containing insurgency was the "single-most
achievement of my three terms in office but there are several
forces trying to destabilise the state and its development".
Gogoi claimed that militant groups
like NDFB-IKS and ULFA-I have been considerably weakened with
most of its top leaders either eliminated or captured. "The
outfits, earlier active in the state, have been thoroughly marginalised
and now they are trying to merge together and organise themselves,"
he said.
November 7
Acting on a reliable intelligence,
a team of Army along with Police launched a joint operation and
arrested a Myanmar-trained hardcore cadre of NDFB-IKS, identified
as Bengal Davrao alias Sansuma alias Susrwn along with one 7.65mm
pistol with two live rounds from Shimaluguri village in Udalguri
District. Bengal Davrao is a listed cadre of NDFB-IKS and was
out of District for the last few months. Davrao is one of the
most dreaded names in the Udalguri platoon of NDFB-IKS and is
wanted in many firing and extortion cases under Bhergaon Police
Station.
Assam Police arrested a hardcore
Maoist leader, identified as Mahendra Orang, a resident of Jharkhand
from Patni tea estate under Patharkandi Police Station in Karimganj
District. Mahendra along with three others had taken shelter at
Patni tea estate few days back. During the past few days, he had
meeting with some tea estate labourers to persuade them to join
Maoist movement, sources said. However, three of his companions
managed to escape from the tea estate, sources added. Sources
further said the Maoist leaders had embarked on a mission to expand
its base in tea estates in Barak Valley and Tripura. And, they
had a plan to visit some tea estates in the state to influence
tea labourers.
Assam DGP Khagen Sarma said that
jihadis are posing serious threat to the north eastern
region. “Jihadis are posing serious threat to the north east.
As fundamentalist groups are more dangerous than other outfits
we have been monitoring the matter very seriously and taking every
possible initiative to combat the threat,” Sarma said.
DGP Khagen Sarma also urged ULFA-I
‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah to come forward to join the
mainstream as there is no example in the world where war or terrorism
has resulted in anything positive. “Baruah’s process will not
solve any problem of the region and he should come forward for
talks,” he added.
The ULFA-I sought China's 'friendship'
to help attain 'sovereignty' in Assam for the first time. ULFA-I
‘chairman’, Abhizeet Asom, who the NIA believes to be a London-based
general practitioner named Mukul Hazarika, said in a statement,
"China is our next-door neighbour. Despite Indian occupation
of Nan Zang (south Tibet), China is trying to maintain status
quo for the sake of peaceful coexistence. At the same time, it
remains ambivalent on the plight of indigenous Assam, except occasional
voicing by Chinese citizen in support of Assam's legitimate claim
in print," the militant leader said.
Referring to the 1962 India-China
war, the ULFA-I leader said the People's Liberation Army had not
set foot on Assam soil and he is amazed at China's respect for
Assam. "Since then, I have been observing China closely and,
in my best judgment, I have not seen any enmity towards Assam
yet. In absence of enmity, building friendship should be easy.
But, without taking a first step, there won't be any progress.
The watershed moment has arrived for indigenous Assam to prompt
us to build that friendship with China with confidence. We sincerely
hope that China will put forward the hand of friendship towards
Assam without hesitation." The militant leader said his outfit
had taken note of the fifth All India Tibet Support Group meeting
in the state on November 2 and 3.
November 9
Indian Army and Assam Police,
in a joint operation arrested a hardcore militant belonging to
NDFB-IKS, identified as Sanjiv Wari alias Akas from Maslapara
village of Kokrajhar District. One 9mm pistol with magazine, some
live rounds and a Chinese grenade were recovered from him.
November 10
One person, identified as Dimbeshwar
Konwar was arrested from Saphekhati in Sivasagar District on charges
of demanding money in the name of CPI-Maoist and ULFA-I.
AR launched a search operation
in and around Didambra area under Maibang Police Station in Dima
Hasao District and arrested three militants belonging to the DHNA
along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition including four
AK-56 rifles, 18 AK-56 ammunition, two magazines, four US carbine
magazines, 1 7.62 mm SLR bridge block assembly, 552 US carbines
Cartridge, 416 M16 cartridges and 195 9mm ball cartridges. The
arms and ammunition were found buried in the Didambra area. Police
and intelligence officials were interrogating the militants in
Maibang. Intelligence officials suspect that the arms were smuggled
from Myanmar through Mizoram.
The Oboro Eikyo Mancha,
a united platform of non-Bodo people residing in the BTAD, decided
to intensify its fight against the formation of a separate Bodoland
with only 33 per cent of the population in the area being Bodos.
The Mancha, in a meeting held at Nalbari, resolved to take
out a march to Raj Bhawan on November 23 to raise their protest
against the call for a separate Bodoland in the State. This will
be followed by another mass rally in the National Capital New
Delhi soon.
November 11
The founder 'general secretary' of ULFA, Anup
Chetia alias Golap Baruah, who had been jailed in Bangladesh since
1997, was handed over by Bangladesh to India.
November 12
Baksa Police in a pre-dawn raid
arrested a hardcore militant of NDFB-IKS, identified as Jimsar
Boro alias Gobla (22) from Batiamari area under Tamulpur Police
Station in Baksa District. Acting on intelligence input, a team
of Police led by Tamulpur SDPO Asif Ahmed raided the area and
arrested the militant. Three hand grenades, two extortion letters
and some incriminating documents were recovered from his possession.
Police suspected the militant leader was involved in the Adivasi
massacre on December 23, 2014.
Golap Baruah alias Anup
Chetia, the separatist Assamese leader of the ULFA has been arrested
in connection with a murder case registered in 1988 and produced
before a ‘competent Court’ in New Delhi which granted the CBI
six days transit remand. An official spokesman of the CBI said
that the CBI had arrested Anup Chetia in a murder case of Assam
Police registered on March 21, 1988. The case was registered at
the request of the Government of Assam, he said. He will be taken
to Guwahati within the remand period and produced before a regular
CBI court, the spokesman said.
The leaders of the ULFA-PTF are
in an upbeat mood over the return of the ‘general secretary’ of
ULFA, Anup Chetia to India and they are hoping that this would
give a major boost to the ongoing peace process. ‘Chairman’ of
the ULFA-PTF, Arabinda Rajkhowa said that they had been pressurizing
the Government of India to bring back Chetia to India. “It is
a positive development that the former finally took steps to bring
Chetia back. This will boost the peace process,” he added. Rajkhowa
admitted that till date they did not get a chance to talk with
Chetia to know about his opinion on the peace process. He also
admitted that it is still not clear whether Chetia would get involved
in the parleys with the Government directly or indirectly. But
the fact that he is back is itself a very positive development.
“A person who loves Assam is back now. That is the most important
point,” he said.
Former ‘publicity in-charge’ of
the now disbanded DHD-J, Subroto Thaosen alias Phaiprang Dimasa
was elected as the chairman of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous
Council. Thaosen's appointment comes close on the heels of former
‘commander-in-chief’ of the DHD-J, Niranjan Hojai becoming the
chief executive member of the council last month.
NDFB-IKS denied killing of Anup
Basumatary, a surrendered cadre of the outfit and resident of
Soraibil in Rangapara in Kokrajhar District. ‘President’ of the
NDFB-IKS, B. Saoraigwra, in an emailed statement said that the
NDFB-IKS was not involved in the killing of Anup Basumatary. “We
strongly condemn it”, he said adding that the allegation brought
by the villagers and deceased family was totally false.
He also said the ‘Operation All
Out’ against NDFB-IKS has given a golden chance to the SFs to
kill the Bodos and to harass the common people. The ‘President’
strongly warned the Indian SFs not to kill the innocent Bodo people
and stay away from barbaric killing. He also urged all the Bodo
people to stand united against the operation in BTC.
November 13
One person, identified as Suvash
Paul (36) was arrested along with a pen pistol and six rounds
of live ammunition in a joint operation by AR and Police from
Alisinga in Sonitpur District.
Militants belonging to NSCN-K
frequently visit offices of Coal India Limited (CIL) in Tinsukia
District, demanding money from its officials, Police and CIL officials
said. According to a top Police official, heavily armed cadres
of the group visit CIL offices in remote locations at Margherita,
Ledo and Changlang in Tinsukia District, threatening the officials
with dire consequences if they failed to part with large sums
of money.
Official sources said NSCN-K had
an eye on the huge mineral deposits in Assam after Nagaland and
Arunachal Pradesh. Police sources said that the NSCN-K was trying
to collect money as they were facing a huge financial crisis due
to relentless pressure brought upon them by SFs since the Manipur
ambush.
Even as there is no formal declaration
of ULFA ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia's participation in the
ongoing tripartite peace talks, the four-year-long dialogue is
'progressing towards the final stages'. However, the report adds
that the PMO's nod to the outfit's key demand of recognizing six
indigenous communities of Assam as tribal groups is still pending.
The ULFA-PTF, Centre and the State Government will hold a meeting
in New Delhi on November 24. The November 24 meeting will be chaired
by Union Home Secretary R Mehrishi.
Union Minister of State for Home
Affairs Kiren Rijiju said security upgradation in the North East
region is very significant as the area is attached to the international
border. Inaugurating the frontier headquarters of SSB in Tezpur
in Assam, he said the people of Assam would be benefitted by it
as it is along the Indo-Bhutan and Indo-Nepal boundary.
He lauded the role of SSB in helping
people in frontier habitats and said the frontier sentinel is
socially attached to the people of the North East region, particularly
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. “We (the Centre) are working for
the welfare of the people of North East but ethnic violence should
be avoided for development of the region. The local law and order
machinery and the administration should be robust to avoid ethnic
clashes,” he said.
A 'commander' of the NDFB-IKS
wanted by NIA for his involvement in the 2014 December massacre
at Kokrajhar, identified as Jaola Basumatary was killed in an
encounter with a joint Army and Police team in Chirang District.
The pistol which the terrorist used for firing at the SFs has
been recovered along with some ammunition, the spokesman said.
November 14
Though the jihadi groups
have not been able to strike in Assam so far, the threat perception
cannot be overlooked and the Assam Police is chalking out a plan
to sensitize its personnel to thwart attempts by jihadi groups
to establish roots in the state, said highly placed Police sources.
It said that the threat to Assam cannot be overlooked as the communal
clashes in Assam in 2012 were mentioned in the videos released
by the jihadi elements in different parts of the world,
while, after busting a training camp of the JMB in Chirang recently,
Police recovered some training videos, which becomes cause of
serious concern. Though more than 20 JMB militants have been arrested
in Assam so far, sources admitted that the activities of JMB in
the state came to light only after an accidental blast in Burdwan
in West Bengal on October 2, 2014.
As speculation continues that
deported ULFA founder ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia will join
the talks between the terror group and the Central Government,
a senior member and the ‘foreign secretary’ of ULFA-PTF, Sashadhar
Choudhury, said this will only legitimise the peace process and
not necessarily bring about any qualitative change.
Former Union Home secretary G
K Pillai said that ULFA leader Anup Chetia had always wanted to
be a part of the peace process between the outfit and Government,
and his return to India would fulfill this. Pillai, who had handled
northeast militants groups during his tenure in the UMHA, however,
did not feel that there would be any significant difference in
the ongoing ULFA - Government peace talks with Chetia's participation.
November 15
A suspected NDFB-IKS militant,
identified as Nicholas Borgoyary, was arrested from Pekuanala
in Kokrajhar District.
November 16
Senior officials of Bangladesh
and Indian Home Ministries reviewed internal security and cross-border
issues and set the agenda of November 17 Home Secretary-level
talks, which comes days after deportation of wanted ULFA leader
Anup Chetia from Dhaka. “The Joint Working Group (JWG) level meeting
was held today to set the agenda of tomorrow’s Home Secretary-level
talks,” a Bangladesh Home Ministry spokesman said.
Officials earlier said killing
of Bangladeshi citizens at borders, extradition of wanted people,
mostly gangsters who took refuge in India, and cross-boundary
crimes were likely to dominate the Bangladesh side agenda in the
talks. The Indian side is likely to focus more on issues of cattle
smuggling and illegal infiltration, they said.
The Northeastern (NE) States would
continue its special category status after the Centre announced
to continue with special plan assistance for NE States. NITI Aayog
member, Bibek Debroy, announced that the Centre has agreed to
continue with the special plan assistance for the Northeastern
States. In this regard, Debroy said, an official communication
would be sent to the State Governments soon.
November 17
Army and Police in a joint operation
killed the Sonitpur ‘District Commander’ of NDFB-IKS, identified
as Kham khang in Batachipur near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border
under Dhekiajuli Police Station in Sonitpur District. Defence
spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Suneet Newton said “Kham khang had
become a synonym for terror in the area and he was particularly
known for kidnapping for ransom, extortion and killings. He was
a key figure involved in planning and execution of the gruesome
Adivasi massacre last year”. A pistol and some live ammunition
were recovered from the slain militant.
The ‘general secretary’ of the
ULFA, Anup Chetia, is likely to be brought to Guwahati on November
18. He will be produced before the Special Judicial Magistrate,
CBI in Guwahati.
November 18
Stopping short of stating that
China was supplying weapons to the rebels of the Northeast (NE),
including ULFA and NSCN, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren
Rijiju, however, said that arms were flowing in from the Chinese
territory. Rijiju said that the weapons were coming from South
West, the Kunming area of China. The weapons are coming from Chinese
territory. “But whether China is involved cannot be said,” he
added. The Minister also admitted about involvement of Pakistan's
ISI in the NE and its links with some of the insurgent outfits
of the region.
In the face of a volatile situation
over the issue of ILP, the Centre has opted to tread cautiously,
with Rijiju advocating streamlining of the procedure. Likening
the issue with the Restricted Area Permit, Rijiju said that it
was relaxed by the government. He said the Centre has decided
to empower the States to issue such permits. “It was one of the
first decision I took after assuming office,” he said. The ILP
system, which was introduced by the British, is such a sensitive
issue that a movement has been launched for preserving identity
of the local people. Rijiju was referring to the agitation in
Manipur over passage of three Bills that are now awaiting Presidential
Assent.
The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind took out
a rally in Guwahati city in protest against the recent terror
attacks in Paris by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-affiliated
terrorists. The rally, organised under the aegis of the Assam
State committee of the Jamiat, started from the organisation’s
head office at Friend’s Path in Hatigaon and culminated at Hatigaon
High School.
The CBI took ULFA’s founding ‘general
secretary’ Anup Chetia into its custody for five more days. He
will be produced Guwahati on November 22, just two days before
the scheduled talks between and Centre on November 24 in New Delhi.
The special judicial magistrate's court at Guwahati, where the
top ULFA leader was produced by the CBI at the end of a six-day
transit remand, refused custody to Assam Police. CBI had asked
for 14 days custody but was accorded five days by the court, Chetia's
counsel Bijon Mahajan said.
Police recovered the body of one
Raheswar Ray (56), who was abducted by unidentified militants
on October 28, at Tirimari beside Champa river under Basugaon
Police Station in Chirang District. Earlier, Raheswar’s family
received a call from the kidnappers demanding INR 20 lakh ransom
on October 29. Based on the phone calls, the Police arrested Swarang,
a resident of Kokrajhar District, from Bongaigaon District.
SFs from Donkamokam Police outpost
arrested three UPLA cadres, identified as ‘self styled area commander’
E M Inghi (27), Singson Bey (26)) and Ramesh Bey (25) from different
places of Donkamokam in West Karbi Anglong District. Officer in-charge
of the outpost Hitesh Basumatery said that all the three arrested
persons are involved in abduction, extortion and murder.
The ‘commander-in-chief’ of the
ULFA-I, Paresh Baruah said that “he, too, would join the ongoing
peace process provided 'Assam's sovereignty' is on the agenda”.
Speaking from an undisclosed location, Baruah said, "We are
not concerned with the outcome of the talks the pro-talks faction
is having with the Indian government. Our objective remains the
same and is known to the people of Assam. I cannot betray my organization.
We will come only if the government spells out in clear terms
that sovereignty will be discussed."
Baruah refused to comment on arrested
ULFA chief Anup Chetia switching sides, saying that the ‘general
secretary’ has not yet expressed his decision. "He is in
custody of the Indian government and till he is set free, he can
never think and speak independently." Baruah also said, "After
spending 17 years in jail in Bangladesh, Chetia was an international
subject and now he is caught in a political tangle in India."
The report said that, Chetia is
expected to join the next round of peace talks with the Centre
and the State Government in New Delhi on November 24.
November 19
One person, identified as Bir
Kumar Pegu was arrested on charges of keeping illegal arms at
Kakojan Sonari Gaon in Jorhat District.
November 20
The ‘chairman’ of URF, identified
as Khwairakpam Brojen alias Khelen alias Lanheiba Meitei (39)
was arrested by Assam Police from Cachar District. Lanheiba Meitei
was the prime accused in many subversive activities including
the abortive car bomb inside Raj Bhavan (2009) and several other
bomb blasts.
He was earlier arrested by Assam
Police on June 28, 2011. However, a faction of KCP-MC then led
by Lanheiba Meitei signed a tripartite agreement with the Central
and State Governments on February 13, 2013. The same faction was
renamed URF after sometime and some other Under Ground factions
too joined the outfit. However, after the discovery of two of
their cadres buried inside their designated camp of Loitang Khunou
spinning mill on May 28, 2014, Lanheiba once against went underground.
A portion of the Rangiya-Rangapara
railway track was damaged in a bomb explosion suspected to have
been triggered by a militant group in Udalguri District of lower
Assam. SFs recovered another bomb at Rowta in the District. The
Police said the explosion took place around 9pm at Merbil Garia
village near Mazbat, about 150 kilometres from Guwahati and 75
kilometres from Tezpur, the District headquarters of Sonitpur
District. L.R. Bishnoi, the IGP of the BTAD, said the explosion
took place nearly 8 kilometres south of Mazbat and damaged an
RCC sleeper. "A letter found near the blast site mentioned
the United Gorkha People’s Organization (UGPO), a small militant
group active in the area. We are investigating the matter,"
he said.
The Assam-Nagaland border in Jorhat
District remained tense after unidentified militants allegedly
abducted two Assamese villagers, identified as Subhash Gowala
(57) and Sopuntu Majhi (49) from their village at Morongial Balijaan
Grant under Deberapara outpost of Mariani Police Station. However,
one of the victims managed to escape.
Sources said a fifteen-member
armed group swooped down on the village, located near the border
outpost. They first attacked the family members of both Subhash
and Sopuntu, including minors and children, vandalized properties
and later abducted the duo at gunpoint. Villagers however said
the miscreants were carrying rifles with long barrels, ruling
out the involvement of NSCN or any other Naga insurgent group.
Army and Boko Police in a joint
operation arrested a ULFA cadre, identified as Rajkumar alias
Purna Rabha at Singra Forest near NH 37 in Kamrup District. Police
recovered a 9-mm pistol and eight live cartridges from the cadre.
November 21
Police rescued one man who was
abducted from Morongial Balijaan Grant under Deberapara outpost
of Mariani Police Station on November 20.
November 22
One person, identified as Tez
Prakash Sabu (23) was arrested for depositing 15 FICNs in his
brother-in-law's account at SBI's Borpool branch in Jorhat District.
The Forum for Terrorist Victim
Families urged the Assam Government not to offer amnesty to any
militant leader, who was involved with the killing of innocent
people, but maintained its stand to support the ongoing peace
talks with the armed outfits of the State. The forum’s leaders
including Ranjit Kumar Phukan and Indranil Kalita also appealed
to the people of Assam not to welcome the militant leaders with
traditional Gamocha (a symbol of Assamese culture is equivalent
to towel) as and when they appear in the public functions.
The forum appreciated the Guwahati
residents for their restrained welcome to Anup Chetia, the founder
‘general secretary’ of ULFA when he was recently produced before
the CBI special Court in the city.
Top ULFA leaders will meet Union
Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi on November 24 to find way forward
for a possible peace agreement, ahead of next year’s (2016) Assam
Assembly polls. Mehrishi will review various aspects of ULFA’s
demands with a delegation of the insurgent group led by ‘chairman’
Arabinda Rajkhowa.
“The Union Home Secretary will
review the progress of the parleys that have been going on between
central government’s interlocutor P C Halder and the pro-talk
faction of the ULFA led by Rajkhowa,” a Home Ministry official
said. The ULFA delegation is also likely to meet Union Home Minister
Rajnath Singh during their visit to the national capital.
The NIA arrested two wanted NDFB-IKS
militants, identified as LankeswarBoro alias LangthaBoro
alias B Laswi (25) and Santosh Kherkatary alias
K. Simang Baksa in connection with terrorist attack on Narsingbari
village in Baksa District in which three people killed and two
injured on May 1, 2014.
November 23
The founder ‘general secretary’
of the ULFA, Anup Chetia was produced before the Special Judicial
Magistrate, CBI in Kamrup and was remanded to judicial custody
for 14 days. He was immediately sent to the Central Jail in Guwahati
after the Court pronounced the judgment.
Two other ULFA members, Lakkhi
Goswami and Babul Goswami, who were handed over to India by Bangladesh
along with Chetia, were handed over to their respective family
members by the CBI.
Amidst high expectations, leaders
of the ULFA-PTF will meet UMHA and Assam Government officials
for a crucial round of tripartite talks in New Delhi on November
24. Though Anup Chetia is unlikely to join the talks, the ULFA-PTF
leaders are expected to formally seek a meeting with him. The
official-level talk to be chaired by Union Home Secretary Rajiv
Mehrishi is likely to see the leaders to ask for a timeframe for
signing of the Memorandum of Settlement.
November 24
Police and CRPF dismantled a weapons
manufacturing factory and arrested one person, identified as Ariston
Ronghang (30) along with four country-made SBML guns, 3 butts
of guns and some gun-making tools from Noonmati village in Dhubri
District near the Assam-Meghalaya border. Police suspect Ronghang
was part of a gun-running racket. Investigations have revealed
that he not only manufactured firearms, but sold them to local
and Meghalaya-based militants, Police said.
The ‘founding general secretary’
of ULFA, Anup Chetia who is currently in Guwahati Central Jail
said that he has left his rebel days behind. His friends and family
met him in prison. His family quoted him as saying he was happy
to back in Assam, his motherland. Conveying a message through
his wife Monica, the ULFA leader said he would comment on the
ongoing peace dialogue among the outfit, the Centre and the State
Government only after going through the former's 'charter of demands'.
"He (Chetia) said he would
not return to the path of violence. He will choose a democratic
way of bringing about a desired solution to the entire movement.
He thanks the Centre, the state and the Bangladesh governments
for letting him return to his motherland," Monica said while
coming out of prison.
The Union Home Secretary, Rajiv
Mehrishi met representatives of the Assam Government and ULFA
in New Delhi and reviewed the progress made in the ongoing parleys
with the rebel group. “Discussions were cordial. The participants
agreed to meet again as soon as mutually convenient to move the
peace process forward,” a UMHA statement said.
The leaders of ULFA-PTF made it
clear that minus Anup Chetia, they won’t come forward for talks
with the Centre. However, they agreed to carry forward negotiations
with Delhi and Dispur equally to break the deadlock. “Anup Chetia’s
direct participation holds the key. Otherwise, the pro-talk ULFA
leaders are not interested in proceeding with the talks,” said
a senior UMHA official in New Delhi.
A businessman by profession, identified
as Teg Bahadur Rai was shot dead inside his house by two suspected
NDFB militants at Rajgarh Dhekiajuli in Lakhimpur District. According
to the sources, the two suspected militants who claimed themselves
as NDFB cadres had been demanding money from the victim since
a long time but on November 24, he was killed because he allegedly
failed to meet their demand.
Deported ULFA cadre, Babul Goswami,
‘a bodyguard’ of ULFA ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia was arrested
by Darrang Police as he is wanted in two cases. Goswami was handed
over to his family members on November 23 by the CBI after he
and two others, including Anup Chetia, were deported together
Bangladesh.
November 25
Assam CM Tarun Gogoi appealed
to the Central Government to involve ULFA leader Anup Chetia,
recently extradited from Bangladesh, in the ongoing peace talks
with the insurgent group. “The state government has all along
been pursuing with the Centre for repatriation of ULFA general
secretary Anup Chetia. Now since he has been repatriated, Chetia
should be associated with the ongoing peace talks between the
government of India and the pro-talk faction,” Gogoi said in a
statement. “Chetia is an important figure in the context of peace
talks and the state government believes that he can play a decisive
role in the peace process,” he said.
India asked Bangladesh to secure
its own side of the international border to check citizens of
that country from coming towards the border, particularly at night.
However, both the countries have agreed to work together to prevent
narcotics smuggling, which has become a major cause of concern.
Highly placed sources in the UMHA
said that the meeting between the Home Secretaries of India and
Bangladesh and the meeting of the Joint Working Group, discussed
vital issues relating to the North East region and a list of militant
leaders of the region, who are still in the neighbouring country,
was also handed over to Bangladesh.
Sources added that in the meetings,
Bangladesh officials expressed concern over the death of citizens
of that country in firing by the BSF, particularly at night. But
the Indian officials pointed out that if foreigners, particularly
anti-social elements, try to cross the international border at
night, there is every possibility of such incidents happening.
India, in turn, requested Bangladesh to take effective steps to
secure the areas along the international border, so that no Bangladeshi
national can venture towards the border at night. India also suggested
that Bangladesh can impose night curfew along the international
border as is done by India.
Different social organisations
organized a protest meeting against terrorism at Swahid Bhawan
in Nagaon District and expressed the view that, “A number of organisations
like the ISIS, Boko Haram and others have created terror in different
parts of the globe in the name of Islam. But Islam is not for
terrorism, against not only the killing of any person, but any
living being without any cause. Islam stands for peace and it
is condemnable if anybody created terror and that too in the name
of Islam”. Referring mainly to Assam, speakers voiced that Assam
is the land of Sankar-Azan and therefore there is no hatred among
the people living here.
November 26
Suspected militants from Garo
hills (Meghalaya) abducted two persons, identified as Sapan Ali
and Ali Hussain from South Salmara subdivision in Dhubri District.
ULFA cadre, Babul Goswami was
produced before a TADA court in Guwahati by Special Branch personnel
of Assam Police, which had arrested him in connection with two
cases of 1993. The court remanded Goswami to 14 days of judicial
custody and ordered that he being produced before the court at
the end of the remand.
Various indigenous groups’ of
Northeast who have been demanding separate statehood called on
a general strike on December 16. The strike will be observed at
various places in the region where the statehood demand is at
its peak. Narendra Chandra Debbarma, President of the Indigenous
People’s Front of Twipra (IPFT), said that the National Federation
for New States has given the bandh call as the Centre has failed
to respond to their demand.
Apart from Tripura, bandh will
be observed in the areas where people are demanding new States
like Bodoland, Gorkhaland, Karbi Anglong, Kukiland etc. The IPFT
is demanding a separate State comprising the areas under the TTAADC
which covers almost two third of the State’s total geographical
area and habitation of State’s one third population, mostly the
tribals. Debbarma said apart from the demand for a separate State
they are also opposing the State Governments move to rehabilitate
over ten thousand non-tribals in the TTAADC area.
November 27
A NIA team took over the custody
of the arrested ‘chairman’ of URF, Khwairakpam Brojen alias
Khelen alias Lanheiba Meitei (39) from Cachar Police following
an order by the court for further interrogation in several cases.
Earlier, as SATP reported, Assam Police arrested Lanheiba
Meitei from Dungkur village at Kalain in Cachar District on November
20. Sources said Lanheiba Meitei was the prime accused in many
subversive activities, including planting a bomb inside Raj Bhavan,
which was defused, and in several bomb blasts that occurred in
Manipur.
Assam Government is planning to
set ULFA ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia free and is likely to
seek his custody from the CBI to enable him to join the peace
process, said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Chief Minister said
India had been seeking his custody from Bangladesh since long
to start a peace process. “Now that he is here it should ensure
that he joins the peace process,” he said.
November 28
The ULFA-I, led by Paresh Baruah
said that Assam has no option but to permanently expel all the
outsiders for the future of indigenous people. In a statement
issued on the occasion of the banned outfit's 'protest day', it
said, "Therefore, the indigenous Assam must be alert of duplicity
prevailing in accepting the guest into your home and then letting
that guest take over your home and you ending up under the open
sky. Assam belongs to her legitimate indigenous people. If the
indigenous Assam has to survive, there is no alternative than
to expel permanently all the outsiders whatever their creed or
nationality be."
The ULFA-I added that Indian policy-makers
have put in place a nefarious design to turn the indigenous population
into a minority and then wipe out all non-tribal and tribal locals
to accommodate people of Bangladeshi origin. The outfit criticized
the Centre's recent notification granting shelter to non-Muslim
migrants from Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The outfit said the Assam Accord
had sold out the state. "When handful of immature student
leaders decided to sign the Assam Accord with the yearning of
getting a permanent solution and safeguarding the future of Assam,
in making a place for themselves in the mainstream Indian political
scene, they simply sold Assam and her people the second time after
the 1947 sellout," said the statement signed by ULFA-I ‘chairman’
Dr. Abhijit Asom.
November 29
The Assam CID received complaints
from internet users in the State that they were receiving Islamic
State (IS/ISIS) sponsored links, videos and photographs in their
online accounts. "We have come across such cases in Silchar
and Guwahati. Even women are being targeted," a CID source
said. Most of the complaints are related to Facebook accounts.
"The group is using cyber space to spot and radicalize people.
Out of curiosity, users often view pages related to ISIS. These
users are followed and targeted by the Islamic outfit. Links,
videos, messages, photographs - both in English and Arabic - are
sent to the targeted users in a bid to radicalize them. Messages
are also sent to their online friends," said an officer.
Sometimes, links are also sent to random people. If the person
reciprocates or 'likes' those contents, they become targets.
Reports suggest that Assam has
the second largest volume of internet traffic related to ISIS
in the country after Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
Reacting to Abhijit Asom’s statement
on Assam Accord, AASU president Dipanko Kumar Nath and general
secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi said that Assam Accord was the need
of the time and a right decision. The people of Assam would feel
assured of if the ULFA does something which is more suitable to
the State, they said.
KPLT issued severe warning to
one of the Executive Member of KAAC, Mongol Sing Timung for his
alleged unfavorable remark against the outfit. In a press note
‘publicity secretary’ of KPLT, S.R. Kron Jon claimed that during
a meeting held between Mongol Sing Timung and the ‘self styled
Area Commander’ of Hamren, Langchun Hansey, the self pompous Executive
Member deprecate KPLT by branded it as selfish organization interested
in extorting money for their self-interest.
S.R. Kron Jon further claimed
that the Executive Member behaved rudely and downplayed the ethical
and moral ethos of KPLT. He maintained that KPLT is struggling
for the interest of Karbi people. KPLT publicity secretary also
warned the Executive Member that he might have to face dire consequence
alike former Member of Autonomous Council from Sarupathat Late
Narendra, who was allegedly shot dead by KPLT in his residence
few years back.
Efforts by Islamic State (IS/ISIS)
to establish bases in Bangladesh may pose a serious security threat
to the North East region of India in the days to come. According
to reports, security agencies are of the view that the possibility
of the dreaded terrorist outfit making attempts to spread towards
Assam cannot be ruled out. The IS recently made public its intention
of spreading towards Bangladesh and security sources are of the
view that if the outfit manages to achieve its goal, the security
scenario in the North East will face a serious threat.
The fundamentalist forces are
already trying to use the ethnic clashes in Assam in 2012 a major
issue as the leaders of such forces are mentioning about the riots
in their speeches. Under the circumstances, if the IS gets a foothold
in Bangladesh, they will definitely try to spread to Assam by
making use of the sentiments of the people affected by the riots,
sources pointed out.
Sources also pointed out that
the IS might try to join hands with forces like JMB and as the
JMB already has contacts in Assam it will be easier for the IS
to use such contacts. The IS, in its monthly mouthpiece Dabiq
mentioned about the plan to expand to Bangladesh. The December
issue of the Dabiq devoted a full article entitled “Revival
of jihad in Bengal”. By Bengal, the IS meant Bangladesh. The article
gave a detailed account of the history of jihad in Bangladesh
and stressed the need for revival of jihad in that country.
The article said that all the mujahedeens should unite
to fight against “oppression of Muslims” in Bangladesh and Burma.
Security analyst and former GOC
of the 4 Corps of the Army, Lieutenant General (Retd) DB Shekhatkar
expressed the view that India should take adequate precautionary
measures to prevent the IS from spreading its bases to India.
He said that India should also take the neighbouring countries,
particularly Bangladesh and Myanmar on board and a coordinated
effort should be launched to check the growth of IS before it
is too late. The outfits like IS never differentiates international
borders and India should not wait for massive explosions to go
off and adequate precautionary measures should be taken before
it is too late. As the IS mentioned about Bangladesh and Myanmar,
the North East region will be trapped in between and there is
every reason to believe that the region would not be left out
of its operational area by the IS, Shekhatkar said.
November 30
Outgoing Assam DGP Khagen Sarma
cautioned that militancy might be on the decline in the state
but it was far from over. After receiving the last salute from
the Police force at a farewell parade organised at the 4th Assam
Police Battalion headquarters in Guwahati, Sarma said though agreements
have been signed with four militant groups and 13 others are in
talks with the Government, some breakaway factions of these groups,
which are yet to join the peace process, remains a worry for the
SFs.
Assuming charge as the new DGP,
Mukesh Sahay said militancy has declined in the state but also
has the potential to reignite. "We cannot lower our guards
or sit back and relax. Militancy can rise from the ashes and we
have to come up to meet the challenges," Sahay, who took
over charge from the Khagen Sarma said. DGP also added, "Irrespective
of the situation in the neighbouring country, there is no change
in the policy regarding militancy in the state."
Talking about the growing threat
of Islamic militancy in the state, the new DGP said State Police
would remain on constant alert to thwart such groups. He added,
"We can't ignore the fact that these militant groups have
the potential to bounce back or spread tentacles. Police need
to be on their toes all the time and develop effective measures
to combat Islamic fundamentalist outfits."
Suspected militants belonging
to ULFA-I fired indiscriminately upon the workers of a stone quarry
at Namrup in Dibrugarh District, leaving two Hindi speaking persons
seriously injured. The attack brought back memories of past attacks
on people speaking Hindi and evoked widespread outrage across
the State. According to official sources, a group of five masked
militants swooped down on the quarry and fired indiscriminately
using sophisticated weapons. Two of the workers, Gopal Shah and
Sanjay Bharti, who sustained grievous injuries, were rushed to
Hospital in Dibrugarh. Their condition was stated to be critical.
The attackers fled after the incident.
SFs suspect that the ULFA-I carried
out the attack with the help of NSCN-K militants. The site is
10km from Tirap District of Arunachal Pradesh, known to be an
NSCN-K stronghold.
December 1
In an email sent to media houses,
ULFA-I claimed responsibility for the attack on Hindi speaking
workers. Arunudoy Asom, a leader of the outfit warned "Indians"
to cooperate with them or quit Assam. It blamed the "lack
of cooperation by certain business institutions established by
Indians for occurrence of such unfortunate incidents.”Time and
again we have been calling upon these foreign economic migrants
and Indian people who are continuing commercial activities in
Western South East Asia (WESEA) either to cooperate with the liberation
struggle of the sons of the soil or to quit Asom," the statement
said. "Their defiance has forced us to these extremes,"
the statement added.
CM Tarun Gogoi directed the chief
secretary and the DGP to deal firmly with ULFA-I which was involved
in a shooting spree at a stone crusher plant at Namrup in Dibrugarh
District. The CM asked chief secretary VK Pipersenia and newly
appointed DGP Mukesh Sahay to step up offensive against ULFA-I
and NSCN-K in wake of the incident.
There is no threat from the Islamic
State (IS/ISIS) terror group along India’s borders in the northeastern
states, a BSF official said in Agartala. “There is no threat of
IS terrorists on India’s northeastern frontier. Our border is
safe and secured,” BSF Tripura frontier IG M.F. Farooqui said.
“The IS is not an issue in this frontier and there is no impact
of the terrorist group in this border,” he added. He said that
from 25 battalions in 1965, the BSF now has 186 battalions comprising
2.5 lakh troopers and officers currently posted on 13 frontiers,
including three frontiers in the northeastern states.
The BSF on the 856-km Tripura
frontier has seized contraband valued at INR 9.52 crore this year.
The BSF official said the number of camps of militants in northeast
India was decreasing in neighbouring Bangladesh as the present
Government in that country was very supportive of “All disputed
issues with Bangladesh have been religiously followed up by the
BSF,” he said.
Tamulpur Police arrested three
linkmen of the NDFB-IKS, identified as Mithinga Narzary alias
Naga (20), Amit Boro (29) and Ajoy Boro (20) at Tamulpur in Baksa
District. The three are believed to have provided vital information
on the massacre of Adivasis by the outfit last year (2014) in
BTAD and Sonitpur District. “We are interrogating them, but cannot
share any detail yet,” said a Police official.
The arrested linkmen were involved
in extortion cases in the area. Tamulpur SDPO Asif Ahmed said
that detained Mithinga worked for the NDFB-RD prior to come into
contact with the IK Songbijit faction. Police said five extortion
letters, mobile phones and SIM cards were found on the detained
linkmen.
The All Assam Bhojpuri Parishad
(AABP) in West Karbi Anglong District committee condemned the
attack on Hindi-speaking persons in Namrup in Dibrugarh District
on November 30. AABP District secretary Pankaj Chauhan said in
a statement, “We condemn the incident. It is anti-people and such
incidents create disturbance. We fear the repetition of such incidents
in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and its nearby areas.
Taking this into account, we demand more security forces in these
areas.”
December 2
The Army launched an operation
in Kukarkata area of Goalpara District in Lower Assam and arrested
three hardcore cadres of the proscribed LAEF, identified as ‘Sergeant
Major’ Charan Marak nee Chukhan, ‘Corporal’ Walter Marak nee Gingjong
and ‘Lance Corporal’ Let Marak nee Rongdot. Two AK series rifles,
two magazines, 30 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, and some incriminating
documents were also recovered from them.
A defense press release informed
that they had undergone training at NSCN’s Hebron Camp in Nagaland
and in the training camps in North Garo Hills in Meghalaya. LAEF
is a hardcore Garo hills based militant outfit which has been
active since 2005. The defense release stated that the arrest
of these three top cadres of the outfit will further diminish
the group’s ability to operate.
Even as the ULFA-I continued to
draw flak from the Hindi speaking people of the state for Monday's
(November 30) attack in Namrup, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said
that the outfit has targeted people from all communities in the
past. "Should we forget how Ulfa killed all those children
in Dhemaji? Ulfa has killed so many innocent people, irrespective
of the languages they spoke. They target Assamese-speaking people
less because they believe that would go against them," Gogoi
said. The Chief Minister said that with ULFA ‘general secretary’
Anup Chetia now in jail, the outfit has become weak. It has also
hit Paresh Baruah, who is now taking the help of Khaplang.
SFs arrested a cadre of NDFB-IKS
from Duliajan in Dibrugarh District.
The officer in-charge of Namrup
Police Station, Inspector Jaulat Thanga Baruah has been placed
under suspension on charges of dereliction of duty, two days after
suspected ULFA-I militants opened fire and wounded two Hindi-speaking
people at a stone crushing unit there.
December 3
AASU activists staged a mass a
protest rally against the Central Government’s notification on
migrants in Mangaldai in Darrang District.
The ULFA-PTF, led by its ‘chairman’
Arabinda Rajkhowa has made a formal request before Chief Minister
of Assam Tarun Gogoi to facilitate involvement the recently extradited
ULFA ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia in the on-going peace process
between the ULFA faction and the Government of India. A team of
ULFA-PTF leaders, led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, formally met Tarun
Gogoi with a request for inclusion of Anup Chetia, in the peace
negotiations.
December 4
Police arrested four youths on
charges of making extortion demands to a Golaghat-based business
firm in Jorhat District. Two of the arrested youths are members
of KMSS.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police
(eastern range) Satyen Gogoi said personnel of 19 IRBn had been
deployed in areas under Namrup, Duliajan, Tingkhong and Naharkatia
Police stations of Dibrugarh District to intensify counter-insurgency
operations.
Assam Public Works (APW) president
Abhijit Sarma said that peace talks between ULFA leaders minus
Paresh Baruah and the Government would bear no fruits. Sarma said:
“This set of ULFA leaders who came to Assam in 2008 were used
by the Congress, and now they are being used by the BJP that is
out to take the credit for peace talks. These ULFA leaders are
no better than disposable glass. This apart, how come the talks
be fruitful without Paresh Baruah?”
He asked the Government not to
take any initiative to get Anup Chetia out of jail because in
the past he had fled the country once he was released on bail
to start peace talks. "The government's most important task
at this time is to get Paresh Barua to the talks table with the
help of ULFA leaders like Arabinda Rajkhowa and Raju Barua,"
Sarma said.
December 4-5
Chirang Police arrested six suspected
JMB militants and recovered some arms, ammunition and defense
uniform from them in simultaneous operations carried out in three
Districts of Assam since December 4. BTAD IGP LR Bisnoi said that
Police arrested the jihadis following investigations into
the Daukhanagar breakthrough in which a jihadi training
camp was busted and 10 activists arrested with a large cache of
arms and ammunition in September 2015
IGP LR Bisnoi said " On December
4, Chirang Police picked up one Md Anser Ali (27), a resident
of Bhabanipur B Block under Barbari police station of Baksa District
from Barama. Based on his revelations, Md Ikram Hussein (25),
a resident of Hedayetpur village was arrested at night. He was
a member of the training camp at Daukhanagar."
Simultaneously, another Police
team arrested Md Abdur Rezzak (22), a resident of Chourabari village
under Bijni police station on December 5. Police recovered a country
made revolver with two rounds of ammunition and 12 pairs of camouflage
uniform from his rented house in Satipur area of Chirang District.
Another activist, Md Monirul Islam
alias Burabhai of Simlajhar village under Gobardhana police
station, was arrested from Choto Nilibari area of Chirang District.
A revolver was recovered from his possession. Burabhai led the
Police to Gossaigaon area of Kokrajhar District where another
activist Md Saddam Hussein (28), a resident of Daukhanagar area
of Chirang District was arrested on December 5. The sixth jihadi
activist, Md Mokibul alias Laskar (20), was arrested
at Krishnai in Goalpara District. Chirang Police recovered a country
made rifle from Daukhanagar area later.
IGP Bisnoi said that Police have
identified 28 people till now who are suspected to be involved
in jihadi activities. "Of the 28, we have already
apprehended 16 cadres. Investigation is proceeding and we will
nab the remaining 12 very soon," he said, not ruling out
the possibility of involvement of more people in the module.
December 5
Nagaland-based militant outfits
have warned the residents of Leike Village in Dima Hasao District
of Assam near inter-state border to vacate the place. The threat
call happened last week has created a sense of fear in the area,
dominated by the Kukis. A Haflong-based AR spokesman said the
act of the suspected NSCN militants was aimed at disturbing the
peace and inter-community harmony in the hill district of Assam.
He said the Kuki village of Leike was being re-established with
help from the neighbouring Naga villages. It was working to bring
back peace and was witnessing a growing inter-community harmony
in Dima Hasao. However, this return to normality has been threatened
by terrorists from across the state boundaries of Assam.
December 6
One person, identified as Dipankar
Kachari was arrested at Garmur in Jorhat District for trying to
extort in the name of ULFA.
KLNLF observed its 17th national
Hero Martyr’s Day at Karbi People’s Hall Ground in the KLNLF designated
camp in Taralangso in Karbi Anglong District. ‘Karbi traditional
king’ Harsing Ronghang said at the function that “Struggle of
KLNLF for separate state comprising Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao
would continue and everyone should extend their support towards
the cause”.
The KLNLF decommissioned its arsenal
in 2011 and came over ground offering peace process for a separate
state and since then the organization is continuing discussion
with Centre on statehood issue. The KLNLF is insisting creation
of the state within the provision of Article-3 of the Indian Constitution.
On the martyr’s day leaders of the organization paid rich tribute
to their departed leaders and cadres. KLNLF has concluded 21 years
of existence and held at least 32 rounds of talks with the Centre.
The ongoing tripartite peace process
among the ULFA-PTF, Assam Government and the Centre is likely
to see a new agreement being signed in six months, a senior ULFA
leader said. “Our peace process is going on very smoothly. Recently
we have had nice talks with the central government and there are
no differences as of now… we have mutually agreed on several issues.
We are likely to see a solution in the next six months,” Raju
Baruah, a senior member of ULFA-PTF said.
December 8
A militant belonging to the NDFB-IKS,
identified as Nerswn Brahma alias B. Naidaw (28) was killed
in an encounter with SFs at Silaimatha forest area under Bagribari
Police station under Parbatjhora sub-division in Kokrajhar District.
Police sources said that the killed NDFB-IKS cadre was trained
in Bangladesh and was involved in the 2012 violence in Lower Assam.
One AK 47 rifle with two magazines, 44 live ammunition, two bags,
two mobile phones, extortion notes, solar plate, clothe, blankets
and other incriminating materials were recovered from the slain
militant.
A powerful explosive was recovered
from the railway track near Salakati railway station in Kokrajhar
District. Police sources said the railway gang men on duty noticed
a suspected bag along the railway track, 50 meters away from Salakati
station and informed the Railway Police. The bomb kept inside
a steel container was wrapped with clothes and kept in a black
bag. Local sources said that residents living near the railway
track saw the bag thrown from inside the Up-Kamrup Express. The
bomb was later defused by bomb experts.
Chirang Police and Army in a joint
operation arrested a female hardcore NDFB-IKS cadre, identified
as Mizingk Basumatary (23) from the Indo-Bhutan border at Daigund
in Chirang District. Police sources said that Mizingk is the wife
of Jwala Basumatary, a most wanted hardcore NDFB-IKS cadre. “She
is a 40th batch Myanmar trained cadre of 2013 of NDFB-IKS. One
hand grenade along with few documents have been recovered from
her possession,” added sources.
ULFA cadres who fought an armed
battle for "sovereign Assam" and later surrendered are
now planning to contest next year's (2016) Assembly election in
at least 10 seats as Independents and support a new regional party
in other constituencies. AASUS - an umbrella body of the former
rebels - announced that they are planning to contest the polls
as over 7,000 cadres who laid down their arms since 1992-93 had
not been properly rehabilitated. The AASUS complained that of
the 7,392 ULFA cadres who laid down arms, only 165 were given
ex gratia of INR 1.5 lakh each by the Government.
Hundreds of people belonging to
several organisations took out a rally in newly created Hojai
District in central Assam asking the Islamic State (IS) and other
Muslim outfits to stop their activities as these go against the
very tenets of Islam.
The Union Government is keeping
a close watch on some insurgent groups trying to regroup in the
Northeast, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju
said. “There are reports of some insurgent groups trying to regroup
in the north-eastern region,” Rijiju stated in a written reply
in the Lok Sabha. “The activities of such groups have been
kept under close watch,” he added.
According to the minister, the
Government had taken up with some neighbouring countries where
some of the Indian insurgent groups are said to have set up hideouts
or temporary camps. “These countries have assured our Government
that they will not allow anti-India activities from their soil,”
he said. Rijiju said the Centre is supplementing efforts of Northeast
State Governments to curb the activities of the insurgents by
deploying additional Central SFs.
Police and Army from Borengjuli
launched an operation and arrested two NDFB-IKS militants, identified
as Ashique Daimary and Nerswn Boro from Tangla in Udalguri District.
December 9
SFs, based on arrested militants
(on December 8) inputs, launched another operation at Goroibari
under Udalguri District and arrested NSCN-IM's self-styled 'sergeant
major' Vihuto Sumi, NLFB's 'deputy commander-in-chief' Ajit Biswash,
NDFB-IKS militant Jipirush Narzary and NDFB cadres Lalchand Mandal
and Ratanlal Mazumdar. The SFs also recovered a large cache of
arms and ammunition in the operation. The recovery included two
7.65mm pistol, four magazines, 100 live rounds and seven mobile
phones.
Insurgent outfits in the State
are now working on "communal lines", Inspector General
of Police (law and order) SN Singh said. "We know why they
are doing this. We cannot disclose it now," Singh, who reviewed
the security situation in the State with Chief Minister Tarun
Gogoi and DGP Mukesh Sahay, said. He said Police is preparing
a strategy to counter the threat. "There has to be persistent
action against such designs," he added.
The Central Government defended
army operations in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K),
and told the Supreme Court that India was faced with a war-like
situation which was not akin to inter-country conventional war.
“What we are facing in the northeast or in Jammu and Kashmir,
it is not a law and order situation or interval disturbance. It
is an insurgency from across the border in collaboration with
home-grown groups,” Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the bench
of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit.
Pointing out that some groups
engaged in armed insurgency, observe the day when Manipur became
a part of India as “black day”, Rohatgi defended the army action
by saying “we (SFs) don’t have a first strike option” in engaging
the insurgents. The Government said this during a hearing of a
PIL by the EJEVFA seeking action against security personnel involved
in alleged staged shootouts in Manipur. “It is either him (insurgent)
or me (army personnel). You are dealing with a person who is not
peaceful, who wants to overthrow the government. It is a rebellion
by a 25, 30 or 100 groups, some are banned and some are not banned,”
Rohatgi told the court.
December 10
SFs arrested a cadre of NSLA-ATF,
identified as Silu Soren from Panbari area under Kachugaon Police
Station in Kokrajhar District. Police recovered a country
made rifle with two rounds of ammunition from the militant, the
sources said.
The DGP Mukesh Sahay asked the
Railway Policemen to improve their vigil so that wrongdoers, especially
human traffickers, do not thrive by using railway as a tool. Sahay
said that it was important for each and every Railway Police personnel
to take other stakeholders such as railway ticket examiners, vendors
and for that matter, even porters, to improve the intelligence-sharing
mechanism.
The chairman of the NEDAN Foundation
(a Kokrajhar based NGO), Digambar Narzary said that Assam had
highest number of human trafficking cases and Kokrajhar District
was the most vulnerable to trafficking.
He said over 600 persons of the
State were in the clutches of traffickers in different States
and cities. The NGO has been working for rescue and repatriation
of trafficked child; he said, adding that they required cooperation
from the district administration to check the growing cases of
trafficking.
The ‘president’ of NDFB-P, Dhiren
Boro, said the outfit will not compromise on its demand for a
separate Bodoland state in its ongoing peace talks with the Centre.
Dhiren Boro said he had approached former Mizoram chief minister
Zoramthanga to help the outfit in its negotiations with the Centre.
Zoramthanga will place the outfit's demands before the central
leadership, he added. Nothing short of a separate Bodoland state
would be acceptable to the indigenous people of the region, Boro
said. He also demanded that the Centre upgrade the talks to the
political level.
December 11
The Assam Government informed
the state Assembly that criminal cases have been registered against
552 Police personnel in the past five years and of them, 115 have
been suspended and nine dismissed from service.
Security has been beefed up along
the Assam-Nagaland border.
December 12
Army and State Police, in a joint
operation arrested three cadres of MTFA from Chirang District.
Three 7.65mm pistols, two magazines, a crude bomb and some incriminating
documents were also recovered from them.
Army troops along with Tangla
Police arrested a hardcore cadre of NDFB-IKS, identified as Poone
Basumatary from a public transport vehicle in Tangla in Udalguri
District. Basumatary was involved in numerous extortion and murder
cases in Udalguri and was in the wanted list of Darrang, Udalguri,
Chirang and Baksa Districts. One 7.65 mm pistol, one magazine,
10 live rounds, one mobile phone and incrementing documents were
recovered from the arrested cadre.
December 13
Based on the fresh and confirmed
inputs regarding the movement of suspected ULFA cadres with sophisticated
arms in and around militancy- infected Pengaree- Bordumsa belt
including Gurung basti (West Bengal) near Dibrujan and Talpather
in Bordumsa (Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh), the ongoing
search operation in the entire belt has been intensified with
ASP Tinsukia, L. Dungal himself taking the lead.
The OC Pengree Police Station,
Jai Sankar Warry, who had earlier accomplished various militant
operations commendably, said that the cadres of the banned ULFA
recently threatened the garden workers not to work in their respective
gardens till the owners comply with the monetary demand of the
Paresh Baruah-led ULFA-I militant organization. Sources added
that the search operation was being carried out at various vulnerable
pockets of different locations on all sides of the Assam-Arunachal
border, including Borsumsa.
The militants have also been reported
to have accelerated their monetary drive to meet their basic requirements
at any cost. Security officials, however, claimed that work in
the tea gardens was going on in the entire belt and SFs have been
constantly trying to bring the desired output without disturbing
the peace among the people in the belt.
December 14
ULFA ‘general secretary’ Anup
Chetia said that he would join the ongoing peace process with
the Government and also sought forgiveness for the outfit's past
mistakes. "I am ready to join the peace talks (between the
pro-talks faction of ULFA and the Centre)," Chetia said when
he was brought to the designated TADA court in Guwahati. "A
certain section of people have doubts whether I will join the
peace talks. Some are also suspecting that I will run away. But
I am for the peace talks," he said. "I ask for forgiveness
from the people of Assam for our past mistakes," he said.
"I pay homage to our comrades who lost their lives during
our struggle." Chetia expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Assam
CM Tarun Gogoi for bringing him back from Bangladesh.
According to the latest Home Department
report, frequent abductions have become commonplace for people
living along the Assam-Meghalaya border. The Goalpara and South
Salmara Police Districts have together recorded 187 cases of abduction
since the beginning of this year (2015). While Goalpara District
has recorded 138 cases, South Salmara has recorded 49 incidents
of kidnapping. Dhubri District, too, has recorded more than 10
such cases this year. The Assam Government has already urged Meghalaya
to take proactive steps to curb criminal activities along the
interstate border. Meetings have been held between civil and Police
forces of districts on either side of the Assam-Meghalaya border,
sources said. The safety of the general public, especially traders
from Assam who frequently travel to Meghalaya, has been discussed.
Though most of the abductions
have been carried out by miscreants, the Home Department records
do not rule out the role of militant outfits of the region in
some of the incidents. Sources said rebel groups like ULFA-I,
NDFB-IKS, KLO and SIMI are active along the bordering areas of
Assam and Meghalaya. The ULFA-I's 109 battalion is active in the
area, as are Garo militants. The Home Department has also asked
Assam Police to maintain a separate record of militancy-related
incidents in Goalpara. "From the beginning of 2005 till the
end of October this year, there have been at least 88 incidents
of militancy-related violence in Goalpara in which some 101 people,
including civilians, security forces and militants, have died,"
a senior Police officer said.
December 15
Members of AASUS said that they
will launch an agitation next month demanding solution to the
vexed illegal migrants' issue. AASUS said they have decided to
hit the streets as their demand to solve the influx issue and
protection of identity of the indigenous people has remained neglected
by the political parties.
The Global Terrorism Index 2015
stated that Assam witnessed 25 per cent of the terror attacks
carried out in the country last year (2014). Massacres by the
NDFB-IKS figure prominently in the report. The index, prepared
by the IEP, an international NGO, and released recently, said
of the 416 deaths in 763 terror incidents in India, 106 took place
in Assam. "India's Northeast region has, for the last three
decades, seen continual ethno-political unrest from ethnic secessionist
movements. The NDFB-IKS, which killed seven people in 2013 and
80 in 2014, was the second deadliest group in India in 2014 (CPI-Maoist
being the worst). Assam recorded 106 deaths in 2014 which is 25
per cent of the total deaths (in India)," the report said.
The report, titled ‘Peace Measuring
and Understanding the Impact of Terrorism’, the third such index
released, provided a comprehensive summary of the key global trends
and patterns in terrorism. The NDFB-IKS was held responsible for
rampant abductions, extortions and attacks in the BTAD and neighbouring
Sonitpur District till 2014 but the number of such attacks has
come down since SFs launched an operation in December 2014. Although
the report said the outfit killed 80 persons in 2014, Assam Police
said the number was more as the NDFB-IKS was responsible for the
massacre of 46 minorities in Baksa and Kokrajhar Districts in
May and 66 Adivasis in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Sonitpur
Districts in December. It killed many others in Chirang, Baksa
and Sonitpur Districts last year (2014).
December 16
The Assam Government advocated
the involvement of ULFA ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia in the
on-going peace process, stressing on expediting the ongoing talks
with all the militant groups for bringing a lasting solution of
the problem of militancy in the State.
The Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi
said that as ULFA ‘general secretary’, Anup Chetia is an important
figure in the context of peace talks, the Government of Assam
had all along been pursuing with the Centre for repatriation of
Chetia. Now, since he had been finally brought to the country,
State Government feel that he should be associated with the ongoing
peace talks between the Government and the ULFA-PTF. The Chief
Minister made this plea when he met the Prime Minister Narendra
Modi at his Parliament House Office.
December 17
ULFA ‘general secretary’ Anup
Chetia was granted bail in connection with two TADA cases against
him. The Court of Special Judge, Guwahati, passed the bail order
after the State Government, in a written letter, said that it
had no objection to Chetia’s bail. Chetia, however, continues
to be in judicial custody in connection with a CBI case. He was
also charge sheeted in connection with another SOU-Assam Police
case. The court allowed the bail on execution of a bail bond of
INR 5 lakh each with two sureties of the like amount.
Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar,
who is in Guwahati for a discourse, used the opportunity to talk
to ULFA-I ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah on telephone and
try to convince him for joining the dialogue with the centre.
The 45-minute telephonic discussion ended without any result as
Baruah refused to talk with the Government without "Assam's
sovereignty" as the core issue of discussion.
The 'mediator' through whom the
spiritual guru and Baruah had the talk said that Ravi Shankar
tried to convince the ULFA-I leader to come to the peace talks
but Baruah wanted that he would join only if the Government talks
only on the issue of 'Assam's sovereignty.' Baruah is believed
to be located either in Ruili city of Yunan province of China
or Myanmar, from where he made the call. This is the third time
Ravi Shankar had talked to Baruah—the first being in 2005 and
then last year (2014).
December 18
The NIA arrested a cadre of NDFB-IKS,
identified as Jangsha Borgayari from an undisclosed place in Assam.
Jangsha Borgayari was directly involved in massacre of Adivasis
in Pakriguri village of Serfanguri area in Kokrajhar District
on December 23, 2014. The NIA team also recovered two SBBL guns
from him.
SFs arrested a NDFB-IKS cadre,
identified as Nadip Narzary alias Daniel Narzary from Takampur
area under Kachugaon Police station in Kokrajhar District. He
was involved with extortion, kidnapping, recruiting of new cadres
and nefarious activities in the area. A pistol (factory made),
two live ammunitions and grenade were also recovered from him.
Tamulpur Police arrested a 25-year-old
youth, identified as Noor Ahmed of Karimganj from Hatiduba village
under Tamulpur Police station in Baksa District along Indo-Bhutan
border for allegedly possessing illegal firearms. A hand-made
pistol with two live bullets was found on him.
The Bharalu Police arrested a
Bangladeshi illegal migrant, identified as Abdul Rezzak Faraji
from the Santipur area in Guwahati city. Abdul Rezzak Faraji,
who had entered West Bengal from Bangladesh recently, came to
Nagaon by train from West Bengal and reached Guwahati. He hails
from Pirojpur in Bangladesh.
The Chirang Executive Magistrate
Jitu Kumar Barman, who is given charge to conduct the magisterial
inquiry into the killing of NDFB-IKS militant Jaola Basumatary
in an encounter between suspected militants and SFs on November
13 at Dwigudung village in Chirang District, has called upon the
general public, social organizations, eye witnesses and family
members of the slain militant to cooperate him in finding out
the actual facts of the incidence. In this connection they have
been asked to appear before him and submit their reports, papers
and evidences relating to the incidence at his office in Chirang
DC office at Kajalgaon within 11am to 4pm on December 30.
December 19
Acting on specific information,
Police arrested a suspected KPLT cadre, identified as Joyram Engleng
(32) from Kollonga in West Karbi Anglong District.
December 20
SFs conducted an operation and
arrested an NDFB-IKS link man, identified as Prabal Narzary alias
Bangappa from Motambil area in Gossaigaon in Kokrajhar District.
A country made pistol and two live ammunition wax recovered from
him.
Former cadres of DHD threatened
to take to the path of agitation in protest against the delaying
attitude of both the Central and State Governments in implementing
the MoS even after elapse of several years of signing along the
dotted line, disclosed Dilip Nunisa, former chairman of DHD. He
said the MoS was signed on October 8, 2012. But even after repeated
persuasion by former DHD leaders, not a single clause of the MoS
was implemented, following which the former DHD cadres have lost
confidence on the Government. The Ex-DHD cadres, well-wishers
and others have organized a get together where more than three
hundred cadres from different parts of the Dima Hasao took part
along with former DHD leaders Jewel Gorlosa, who is also the member
of NCHAC.
Rejecting Paresh Baruah’s assertions
of Assam’s sovereignty as the core issue of future talks, spiritual
guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar expressed optimism of bringing the ULFA-I
‘chief’ to the dialogue table with the Centre. “He has asserted
Assam’s sovereignty would be the core issue but there is no question
of that happening. Probably he is under some foreign country’s
influence,” Ravi Shankar said on the sidelines of an event in
Kolkata.
With the Assembly election round
the corner, the Manipuris of Assam are stepping up their demand
for an autonomous council. The MNC, representing the community
in the State, had staged a demonstration at Dispur Last Gate when
the winter Assembly session was on. The community is demanding
the autonomous body to protect and preserve its social, political
and cultural rights. The MNC has been demanding that the existing
MDC be upgraded to MAC through legislation by the Assembly. The
Council is demanding this to secure the overall social, cultural,
political and economic development of the community, said MNC
president N Babu Singha.
December 21
SFs arrested a member of the NSLA,
identified as Nicholas Hasda from Saharghutu in Kokrajhar District.
A country-made pistol was recovered from him.
Though the level of violence in
the northeastern States has come down, the overall security scenario
remains a cause of concern; PM Narendra Modi and UHM Rajnath Singh
were informed by the heads of Police forces of the States of the
region. Highly placed sources in the UMHA said that the PM and
the UHM had discussions with the heads of Police forces of the
northeastern States in the sidelines of the recently concluded
meeting of the heads of Police forces of all the States and Central
paramilitary forces in Gujarat. Sources said that it was an initiative
of Narendra Modi and for the first time, he and the UHM held such
meetings with the Police heads of the States of the North East.
UMHA sources admitted that though
the overall security scenario has shown some improvement as the
level of violence has come down, the Police and SFs cannot afford
to lower their guards and the overall scenario is still a matter
of concern. Sources said that in the meeting, the Police heads
of the northeastern States stressed the need for improving vigil
along the international border with Myanmar. As majority of the
militant groups of the region have strong bases in the neighbouring
country and their movement must be checked to improve the scenario,
the Police heads requested the PM to impress upon the Government
of Myanmar to take action against the militants using the territory
of that country. Sources revealed that the DGs of the State Police
forces of the region also stressed the need for inter-state coordination
to deal with militancy and requested the Prime Minister to continue
supporting the Police modernisation scheme.
The UHM praised the Assam Police
for its role in dealing with militancy and discussed about improving
the functioning of the Police stations. The Assam Police will
be facing two major challenges in the year 2016 – the South Asian
Games and the State Assembly elections and those issues were also
discussed.
December 22
ULFA ‘general secretary’ Anup
Chetia, extradited from Bangladesh last month, was granted bail
by a local court in Guwahati on a personal bond of INR one lakh
and two sureties from two individuals. Chetia was arrested in
connection with four cases. While he has been granted bail in
two cases, one more will come up for hearing on December 23. Chetia's
counsel Bijon Mahajan said that the Assam Government had given
a "no objection" certificate in writing in the event
of Chetia getting released on bail.
ULFA-I reiterated that no Hindi
songs or dances should be performed during Rongali Bihu
(Assamese harvest festival). ULFA-I led by Paresh Barua, also
warned that it would take "unwanted action" against
those not adhering to its directive. The diktat has been issued
for the fourth consecutive year. "Hindi song and dance are
being prohibited from the last day of the Assamese month of Chaath
to the seventh of Bohag or the Sat Bihu in all the Bihu functions
across Assam. Even Assamese singers will not be allowed to present
their own songs," Arunodoy Asom, ULFA-I's ‘assistant information
and publicity secretary’, said in an email.
District Police and Army, in a
joint operation, arrested one hardcore cadre and two over ground
workers of NDFB-IKS from Runikhata area of Chirang District. The
arrested cadre was identified as Erenon Basumatary (40) and the
two over ground workers are Butabenga Basumatary (42) and San
ban Wari (44). One country-made pistol, one hand grenade, four
live ammunition and extortion money amounting to INR 548,000 was
recovered from their possession.
December 23
Separately, the Court of Special
Judicial Magistrate, Kamrup (Metro) granted bail to ULFA ‘founder
general secretary’ Anup Chetia in connection with a case registered
by the CBI, virtually opening doors for his release for the first
time after being extradited from Bangladesh. The case relates
to the murder of Debojit Choudhury, a Congress councilor in the
year 1986, which was eventually taken up by the CBI in 1988 at
the request of the State Government. It was in connection with
this CBI case that the Anup Chetia was first arrested after being
extradited.
The NIA, closely monitored by
the Government of India is investigating into the cases registered
in connection with the killings of December 23, 2014. More than
69 persons, including women and children were killed by NDFB-IKS
militants on December 23 last year (2014) in separate attacks.
The Centre took serious note of the attacks and launched an all-out
offensive against the militants involved. For the first time such
sustained operations, monitored closely by the UMHA, is on for
a year, which has virtually broken the backbone of the militant
outfit. Security sources pointed out that all the forces engaged
in the operation have to send weekly reports to the Home Ministry,
while the synergy between the forces involved on the ground and
the intelligence agencies also improved. The Home Ministry also
made it clear that there would be no talk with the militants involved
in killing women and children.
The sustained operations led to
the killing of 23 militants belonging to the NDFB-IKS, while around
240 others were arrested. More than 300 couriers of the militants
were also arrested, which cut the supply lines and led to more
arrests, adds the report. However, several senior members of the
outfit including G Bidai, who reportedly masterminded the December
23 attacks, are still at large. The NIA registered five cases
in connection with the killings and senior officers of the Agency
including its director visited the scenes of crime.
The NIA has so far arrested 43
militants for their involvement in the killings and chargesheets
were filed against most of the arrested militants. Official sources
said that further investigations are on but the NIA decided to
file chargesheets against those already arrested so that they
are not bailed out because of the delay in filing of chargesheets.
Sources said the forensic tests confirmed that the weapons recovered
by the NIA were used by the ultras to launch their gruesome attacks.
BSU, Kokrajhar District committee
took out massive rally against the NDFB-IKS for the massacre of
over 69 Adivasi people on the eve of Christmas on December
23, 2014 in Kokrajhar and Sonitpur which left over a lakh homeless
in the backlash.
December 24
ULFA ‘founder general secretary’
Anup Chetia was released from Guwahati Central Jail, a development
which pro-talks leaders of the outfit termed as "significant"
for the ongoing peace talks. Chetia was granted bail in a CBI
case on December 23 and three other cases, two of which were under
TADA, earlier. The court, however, asked him not to leave the
state without informing it.
December 26
ULFA ‘general secretary’ Anup
Chetia, who was given a rousing welcome at his native place in
Jeraigaon of Tinsukia District, said he had not "betrayed
the outfit and the struggle for independent Assam has not ended".
Addressing a gathering at Jeriagaon, Chetia first paid homage
to those who "sacrificed their lives for their motherland".
He said, "I have not betrayed ULFA. I am here because I was
arrested in Bangladesh and the Indian Government brought me here
to take forward the peace talks. I would have been happy had Paresh
Barua stood by my side, taking the peace dialogue forward with
the Central Government.'' "The struggle for independent Assam
has not ended. We are adopting the means of dialogue to push our
demands," Chetia added.
The KLO threatened to “avenge”
the killings of its leaders and cadres.
December 27
Even as ULFA ‘founder general
secretary’ Anup Chetia has apologized for killings, including
the Dhemaji blast, the families of victims hit by militancy are
not ready to forgive the ULFA leader. The blast at the Dhemaji
parade ground killed more than 10 school children on Independence
Day in 2004. The FTVFA - an organization floated by family members
of all the victims of terrorist attacks in Assam - urged the Government
to adopt strict measures against the ULFA leader like any other
criminal.
December 28
The crime branch wing of Jalukbari
Police arrested three persons involved in a gun running racket
from Guwahati. Police first arrested two of the gang members,
identified as Pankaj Basumatary, and Sobin Basumatary along with
two 7.62 mm pistols from Maligaon Chariali in Guwahati. They boarded
the Dimapur BG Passenger Express from Dimapur and were on way
to Lela near Dudhnoi in Goalpara. The Police team went to Lela
in Goalpara and arrested another person, identified as Meghnath
Basumatary, who was supposed to receive the weapons
KLO, the banned Rajbongshi (an
indigenous community) outfit fighting for a separate sovereign
Kamtapur nation, published a photograph of a hidden camp believed
to be somewhere in Myanmar on their Martyrs' Day. The picture
shows the KLO's ‘self-styled chairman’ Jiban Singha standing with
one of his soldiers in front of a banner. This is Singha's first
photo recorded since 1999. Report said that Milton Burma, the
dreaded militant who was the outfit's ‘commander-in-chief’ who
was neutralized during the Bhutan offensive in December 2003,
recognized Singha in the picture. A few intelligence agencies
have also confirmed the man in the photograph as Singha.
The KLO has sent a press release
along with the photos where Singha has vowed to continue with
the arms struggle against India to achieve the outfit's goal of
carving out a separate Kamtapur State. He also appealed to leaders
of ULFA-I, NSCN-K and NDFB-IKS to come to their help. These insurgent
outfits, along with KLO, had formed the UNLFWSEA on April 17 2015,
aiming to 'free the northeast from the clutches of India'.
ULFA ‘founder general secretary’
Anup Chetia appeared before the designed court at Guwahati in
connection with the six TADA cases pending against him. Charges
were also framed against the ULFA leader in connection with all
the six cases in which he was declared an absconder. Bail petitions
were filed for Chetia by advocates after which the designated
Court granted the bail petitions against a bail bond of INR 5
lakh with two sureties of the like amount. The public prosecutor
too informed the Court that the State Government had no objection
if the accused was granted bail keeping in view the interest of
the ongoing peace process.
December 29
A militant belonging to NDFB-IKS,
identified as Majendra Narzary (41) was arrested from Khasiabari
under Kokrajhar Police Station in the Kokrajhar District. One
pistol along with one live round was recovered from him.
A group of SULFA threatened to
go back to the jungle and pick up arms, claiming neglect by the
Centre and the State Governments. Demanding fulfillment of their
demands, the All Assam Surrendered ULFA Committee staged a day-long
demonstration at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
President of the group, Raj Kumar
Duara said that if the Central and the State governments do not
solve their problems then they would pick up guns ‘for the safeguard
of the future generation’. Stating that they are about 800 SULFAs
who have surrendered since 1998, Duara said that they have not
been offered rehabilitation and cases registered against them
have not been withdrawn. The SULFA group is also demanding identification
of the illegal Bangladeshis and introduction of ILP in the State,
besides grading of Assam as a tribal State. Duara alleged that
negotiations with the Government last took place in 1998, after
which there been no contact.
Newly formed Karbi militant organization,
United Karbi People’s Liberation Army (UPKLA) called a 12-hour
Karbi Anglong bandh (general shutdown strike) on December
30. The bandh has been called by the outfit to demand separate
state for Karbi people.
A businessman, identified as Hajrat
Ali, who was abducted by unidentified assailants from Tulsibari
Bazar under Rangia Police Station in Kamrup District.
A group of militants belonging
to Reang community reportedly ransacked a forest checkgate at
Sheolathol village and demanded INR 8 lakh from the villagers
of the adjacent Joynagar village, inhabited by the people of Dimasa
community. These villages are located in remote areas under Dholai
Assembly constituency of Cachar District of Assam. According to
villagers, a group of four militants came in the night and fired
two bullets in the air in order to assemble the neighbours and
demanded INR 8 lakh from all the villagers because they had apprehended
a Reang militant during Durga Puja.
December 31
A joint team of CRPF and Police
arrested a member of the UGPO, identified as Dipak Kumar Newar
from Chetri Basti under Serfanguri Police Station in Kokrajhar
District. Newar allegedly was involved in extortion and providing
administrative support to NDFB-IKS cadres.
In a joint operation, Army and
Assam Police rescued a businessman, identified as Hajrat Ali,
who was abducted by unidentified assailants on December 29 from
Tulsibari Bazar under Rangia Police Station in Kamrup District,
from a militant hideout at Latibari under Tamulpur Police Station
in Baksa District. SFs also arrested two assailants involved in
the kidnapping, identified as Amit Kumar and Riyon Das along with
arms including two 9 mm pistols and one 303 rifle with ammunitions.
As many as 31 extremists were
killed, more than 766 insurgents and linkmen were arrested and
more than 443 weapons were recovered in Assam in 2015 by the SFs,
Defence PRO Lieutenant Colonel Suneet Newton said in a statement.
“The State enters the year 2016, much peaceful, without any incidence
of ethnic violence. The overall efforts by the Security Forces
have brought insurgency within manageable levels and enabled civil
administration to function effectively. The level of violence
is at all-time low,” Newton said. He said security situation in
Assam had entered 2015 under the most trying circumstances in
the aftermath of the massacre of 69 Adivasis, while the scars
of May 2014 killings of 46 Muslims had not yet been healed and
‘Operation All Out’ was launched.
Newton further said the successful
conduct of military operations had a debilitating effect on the
major militant groups in Assam. “Resultantly, most rebel groups
such as National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) and
KPLT have gone on a back foot, with their activities having been
severely curtailed,” said the spokesperson. This was achieved
through synergised intelligence based joint operations of Indian
Army with State Police, Central Armed Police Forces and good coordination
with State Administration. The operations have resulted in effective
conduct of counter terrorism operations, maintaining dominance
within the counter terrorism grid and denying space to insurgents.
He added that all efforts will be ensured to facilitate success
of upcoming major events next year, which includes SAF Games and
the Assembly elections.
NSA Ajit Doval will visit China
next week to hold informal talks with his Chinese counterpart
to discuss the vexed border dispute and other strategic issues,
it was announced in Beijing. Doval, who is also the Special Representative
for Sino-India boundary talks, will hold informal dialogue with
his Chinese counterpart and State councilor Yang Jiechi on January
5 during which both officials would review the progress made on
the border issue, Chinese officials said. India and China have
so far held 18 round of talks to resolve the dispute along the
3488 km-long border.