Assam Timeline - 2012

Date

Incidents

January 1

It is not possible for the leaders of the militant groups of North East including 'Commander-in Chief' of ULFA, Paresh Baruch to stay in China without the knowledge of the Chinese authorities, said former GOC of the 4 Corps of the Army, Lt Gen (Reid) DB Shekhatkar.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the insurgency situation in the State was under control, reports The Telegraph. The ULFA-ATF e-mailed a video to the media houses, showing about 50 cadres taking part in a parade in battle fatigue at an unknown hideout surrounded by hills and jungles. The video did not reveal anything about the group's intention of sending it or its future plans.

ULFA-ATF militants exploded a grenade injuring three persons, one of them critically, on GNB Road in Tinsukia town.

SFs recovered a 5-kilogram IED from a winger at Chabua in Dibrugarh District.

KRA, asked the KPLT to refrain itself from getting involved with the internal strife between KRA and UKDA.

KLO has decided to abandon the armed struggle.

BW 'commander in chief' Niranjan Hojai had bought a one-storey house at Dharan city in Nepal with extortion money.

SFs arrested an ULFA-ATF militant, identified as Hemakanta Changmai, from Lekhapani in Tinsukia District.

SFs arrested a militant belonging to the NDFB-RD, identified as Bohin Narzary alias Barswm, from Athiabari village under Serfanguri Police Station in Kokrajhar District.

SFs arrested one Shiva Gogoi from Sadiya in Tinsukia District. SF claimed that Gogoi has links with CPI-Maoists, had received six-month training at a NSCN IM camp in Manipur, and was involved in the arms snatching case from forest guards at Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.

Local people foiled an extortion bid by two extortionists belonging to NDFB-RD in Laogaon area under Bijni Police Station of Chirang District.

Security has been beefed up in Karbi Anglong on the eve of elections to the KAAC following reports of threats to some INC candidates by the KPLT.

SFs arrested two suspected militants belonging to NDPA from Dihangi in Dima Hasao District. The duo was identified as Bivojit Haflongbar (20), a resident of Suratnagar, and Pranab Jidung (21), a resident of Gunjung in the same District.

ULFA-ATF has taken to moral policing. ULFA-ATF 'chairman' Abhijeet Barman, in an emailed statement said, "We also want to know from the people about their suggestions on what exemplary punishment would be suitable for those who commit crimes that contribute to overall degradation of society."

SFs recovered and defused a powerful IED weighing more than half Kilograms from Barpeta Railway over bridge in Barpeta District.

During a search operation, SFs arrested a KLNLF militant, identified as James Engleng, along with 50 pieces of ammunition in Diphu town in Karbi Anglong District.

SFs arrested KLNLF 'general secretary' Thong Teron from Diphu in Karbi Anglong District.

State home department has sounded a high alert in Upper Assam Districts, following intelligence reports that the ULFA-ATF may try to target the Hindi-speaking population in the run-up to Republic Day (January 26).

Security agencies are inquiring into the possible investments by members of various militant outfits of the North Eastern region in Guwahati.

MHA stated that it does not have direct evidence of the KMSS having any kind of nexus with the CPI-Maoist in the anti-dam protest as alleged by the State Government.

SFs arrested one RVA militant, identified as Pulendra Rabha (21), from Kachudola village in Kokrajhar District.

BNC asserted that a "third force" is carrying out extortion and abductions in the BTAD in a bid to derail the efforts to initiate peace process with the NDFB-RD. BNC 'chairperson' Hagrama Mohilary said, "In the BTAD area, the situation has reached such an alarming level that even the poor villagers are not being spared. We have reports that in some areas the extortionists are collecting anything between Rs 50 and Rs 100 from each village household."

Militant groups operating in the Northeast have realised that violence will never pay and the only way to solve their problems is peace negotiations, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said.

Chidambaram said peace agreements have been signed by the Government with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in West Bengal, UPDS in Assam and again it was on the verge of concluding another agreement with at least two groups in Assam.

He said most of the Northeast was today conflict-free and there was no violence in most parts of Northeast as 2011 witnessed a new low in the level of violence where in all states together there were only 627 incidents in which 70 civilians and 32 Security Force personnel were killed.

The Home Minister, however, said there were still some areas of concern that include extortion and occasional kidnapping for extortion. "Extortion keeps the militant groups going. That is their source of funds....I have been saying this with responsibility that these extortion rackets must be stopped," he added.

Common people handed over two boys, identified as Bhutan Brahma (13) and Kalil Narzary (11), to Police at Karimbazar under Gossaigaon Police Station in Kokrajhar District. The two boys were allegedly sent by NDFB-RD to collect money from one Rafikul Islam of Karimbazar.

KLNLF called for 24 hours Karbi Anglong District Strike beginning (today) from 5 am. to protest against the arrest its 'General Secretary' Thong Teron by SFs.

SFs arrested a NDFB linkman, Sunil Basumatari (38), from Pansali village under Lakhipur Police Station of Goalpara District. SFs recovered one .9mm pistol with one round ammunition from him.

An official source in Upper Assam said that a secret message issued by the Tinsukia District administration on December 27, 2011 to the State Government and the Police headquarters informed that extortion notes were served to a few persons in Ambikapur, including a woman ward member of Ambikapur gaon panchayat (Village level local self-Government institution).

SFs arrested a ULFA linkman, Mohammad Saidul Islam (26), at Bhangnamari village in Chirang District. One .9mm pistol and live ammunition were recovered from him.

Former SPOs expressed apprehension that around 70 of the 278 personnel discharged from duty last year might have joined insurgent groups.

UKDA, a Kuki militant group based in Karbi Anglong District, declared unilateral ceasefire with the Central and State Government.

Shambhu Singh, Joint Secretary (North East) of the MHA, said that the MHA has already taken a decision that a major crackdown should be launched to check the menace of extortion. Singh added that the MHA's views would be formally communicated to the State Government shortly.

Singh admitted that the situation in Manipur is still bad. He said that though the GNLA is on rampage in Meghalaya, the recent operations yielded results, while, the inter-factional clashes resulted in deterioration of the situation in Nagaland.

On the activities of the CPI-Maoist groups, Singh said that the death of senior CPI-Maoist leader Mallojula Koteswara Rao alias Kishanji must have affected the move of the Maoists to establish stronghold in the region. He said that according to information available with the Government, Kishanji visited Assam and Manipur just before his death in West Bengal.

Intelligence agencies have reportedly received inputs that the CPI-Maoist has sought the help of Assam based insurgent group, KLO, indicating a retaliation of an "unprecedented scale" to avenge the killing of its politburo member Mallojula Koteswara Rao alias Kishanji in West Bengal on November 24, 2011. A senior Police official said they have received inputs that "something big" would happen anytime, anywhere. He said Centre has also informed all Maoist infested states to be on high alert.

Reports said that ground-level intelligence gathered by Central agencies revealed that top Maoist leadership has been constantly interacting with KLO in the last one month.

The NDFB-PTF admitted that it has given a formal letter to the Srirampur check gate along the Assam-Bengal interstate border, asking for 'donations', and added that there are many organizations of different communities as well as NGO that have created syndicates at the gate to collect illegal money from the gate.

SFs arrested three ULFA-ATF linkman, at Basbari village of Kokrajhar District.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that nine insurgent groups on ceasefire agreements with the Government would surrender before the Republic Day (January 26). These groups consist of ACMA, BCF, AANLA, KLA, KRA, UKDA, HPC, STF and ACF.

UPDS has told UHM P. Chidambaram that it's MoS with Central and State Government has failed. UPDS 'chairman' Longsodar Senar wrote to Chidambaram saying, "As the Assam government has wilfully refused to honour your solemn commitment of 'neutral administration' till the election and "level playing field" during the election, the now ex-UPDS leaders and cadres can no longer be expected to hold on to a failed experiment."

Tarun Gogoi said that the CPI-Maoists had formed a 'Mega Dam Resistance Forum' and influencing the anti-dam agitation at Lower Subansiri.

APA extended the ceasefire with State Government but refused to lay down weapons. APA 'commander-in-chief' Uday Tisku in this regard said, "We don't want to lay down arms, but want a "double-lock" system for keeping our weapons. We also want three designated camps and other facilities for our cadres. Our previous ceasefire period was to expire on January 14 but we have extended our ceasefire period for the next six months."

DHD-N supremo Dilip Nunisa on the current impasse in the peace talks with Central and State Government said, "Instead of demanding all Dimasa-inhabited areas lying in these districts and also in Nagaland, which was our earlier stance, only some adjacent areas, where the Dimasa people are a majority, should be amalgamated with the present Dima Hasao District. If the government can give away land to Bangladesh without any question, why can't they include our villages in the council?" Earlier, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on January 12 said that peace accord with DHD-N has not yet been singed due to the outfit's demand to include 96 villages of Nagaon and Cachar District in the greater DATC.

UKDA has demanded that KRA, which is under the SoS with Manipur Government sent back to their base in Manipur.

SFs recovered an IED weighing 3 kilograms from Goreswar market in Baksa District.

BCF an Adivasi militant group has decided not to lay down arms before January 26 as announced by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi earlier.

SFs arrested a NDFB-RD militant, identified as Santosh Kerketeri alias Simang (26), from Dumbruguri under Anandabazar Police Station in Salbari of Baksa District.

Paresh Baruah would expel ULFA Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and other senior leaders and Central Committee of the outfit permanently to start afresh the armed struggle. Further, Senior ULFA-ATF, Drishti Rajkhowa alias Manoj Rabha and Bijay Das alias Bijay Chinese would now act as the overall Commander of Lower and Upper Assam region respectively.

SFs arrested three NDFB-RD militants at Amguri in Kokrajhar District.

ACF 'area commander' Ranjit Murmu expressed shock on Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi recent statement that nine (including five Adivasi) groups are going to surrender before Republic day (January 26).

SFs killed a suspected ULAB militant at Piplapunjee near Bazaricherra in Karimganj District.

SFs arrested one ULFA militant, identified as Padamdhar Moran alias Poya Kaye (35), at Makum under Makum Police Station in Tinsukia District.

SFs arrested one arms dealer, identified as Samsul Hoque (45), from Doboka Burigaon village in Karbi Anglong District. SFs recovered one 9mm pistol, two magazines of 9mm pistol, one .32mm pistol, one magazine of .32mm pistol, .32 mm seven rounds live ammunitions and INR 14,000 in cash along with one mobile phone from him.

SFs arrested a ULFA militant, identified as Sapring Rabha (29) alias Khaplang, from Kasumari village under Krishnai Police Station of Goalpara District.

During the annual Home Secretary-level meet between India and Myanmar at Naypyitaw on January 19, a joint strategy to deal with Northeast Indian militant groups, smuggling of drugs, arms and ammunition will be high on the agenda.

Unidentified militants abducted a minor child, identified as Randip (3), from Phuloni in Karbi Anglong District.

SFs arrested two ULFA linkmen, Robin Biswas (20) and Rakhal Chandra Biswas (47), from Balajan in Dhubri District.

Golaghat District administration instructed the CRPF to take all necessary steps to maintain law and order in the disputed areas in the District along the Assam-Nagaland border.

NSCN-IM militants looted a grocery shop, at Lahdoigarh under Namtola Police Station in Sivasagar District along the Assam-Nagaland border. NSCN-IM militants took away INR 50,000 from the shop.

ADGP-SB Khagen Sarma informed the media persons that the AANLA, ACF, BCF, STF, APA, KLA, UKDA, KRA and the HPC are going to lay down their arms on January 24. Assam Times put the figure of the militants who will surrender on January 24 at over one hundred and fifty. Assam Adivasi Peace Movement representatives (a body approved by AANLA to negotiate) in a meeting with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and ADGP Khagen Sarma conveyed the willingness of AANLA to lay down arms on January 24.

Assam Adivasi Peace Movement further put forward the demand of AANLA which are- removal of inter-State area restriction Act, to recognize Adivasis as Scheduled Tribes, to form a satellite Adivasi Autonomous Council in Assam, to allot land and pattas to the landless Adivasis, to reserve constituencies where Adivasi voters are a majority, to increase the daily wage of tea garden labourers to INR 200 per day, to absorb disarmed AANLA cadres in government jobs and to create an Adivasi Police Battalion. Assam Adivasi Peace Movement added that about 100 cadres of AANLA under 'deputy commander in chief' Peter Dung were putting up in a camp at the D-sector along the Assam-Nagaland border in Golaghat District while other cadres were outside the State.

60-militants of HPC, including women, came down from the Borail Peak to Retzaul Basti in Dima Hasao District. The group will lay down arms on January 24 in Guwahati.

Central Government extended the ceasefire agreement with the DHD-N and NDFB-PTF for another six months up to June 30, 2012.

SFs recovered 600 gelatine sticks, 600 detonators and 360 feet of fuse wire four unclaimed bags at platform number 2 of Lumding Railway Station in Nagaon District.

ABSU 'President' Promod Bodo said that the Bodos can no longer live under the suppression, domination of ruling community in the state and ABSU is firm to carry forward the Bodoland state movement with new strategy, and policy until the demand is accepted. ABSU 'President' Promod Bodo said, "The movement of the Bodos will not be man to man conflict nor it will go against the interest of certain community but it wants equal live equally with other people of the country". The BTC signed in 2003 was given 40 departments but the state government has yet to hand over the power and functions to BTC authority. Besides, the State Government released only INR 2.89 billion from plan fun to BTC although it received INR 90 billion from the centre from plan fund in the current financial year, Boro said adding that the BTC should have get at least INR 10 billion on the basis of population pattern.

The assistant manager of Panbari tea estate, identified as Ramen Bora, was abducted and subsequently released by his abductors seven hours after he was abducted from his garden bungalow in Sonitpur District. Bora was abducted by five armed men but it was not clear whether any militant outfit was behind the abduction.

During the Home Secretary level meeting between the two countries on January 19, Myanmar has assured India that steps would be taken against the Northeastern militants using its territory.

Myanmar has sought India's help for implementation of several road projects, which would facilitate free movement of the troops to the areas where the militants are taking shelter. Myanmar has also sought India's help in completing the trilateral highway linking India, Myanmar and Thailand.

The central jail in Jorhat has been put on high alert following an intelligence report about a purported ULFA-ATF plan to attack a state minister inside the jail premises during his customary visit there after hoisting the Tricolour on Republic Day (January 26).

Security has been beefed up in Guwahati following apprehension that the ULFA-ATF and NDFB might carry out subversive activities in the Dispur ahead of Republic Day.

The ULFA-ATF announced that henceforth all the surname of its leaders and cadres would be same and the common surname will be 'Asom'. In a statement issued to the media through e-mail, the ULFA-ATF said to replace the surnames of its members with 'Asom' was aimed at reflecting the outfit's commitment to expedite the evolution of the 'great Assamese nation' irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

Unidentified militants released the abducted worker of stone crusher unit of Triveni Construction, identified as Dharmendra Yadav (22), near Lungting in Dima Hasao District.

SFs arrested two militants belonging to PREPAK and KYKL in Jalukbari area of Guwahati City.

SFs arrested a top ULFA militant, identified as Dipak Rabha alias Shankar from Sonapur area in the suburb of Guwahati city.

The security has been beefed up along the interstate border with Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland to frustrate any attempt by the militants to sneak into the State.

DGP Jayanta Narayan Choudhury said that Police is preparing strategies to tackle the growing CPI-Maoist threat in the State.

KNA (apex body of the Kuki community) stressed on the need for a fresh census of the Kuki tribe living in Singhason Hills of Karbi Anglong District to validate the demand for an autonomous council.

Bhutan 'Prime Minister' Jigme Y Thinley said that there is no camp of any militant formation of the northeast in his country. He further asserted that Security Forces are on alert to thwart any such potential attempts by the militants.

CorCom of seven militant outfits of Manipur have joined hands with five other Militant groups of the Northeastern and called for a mass boycott of Republic Day celebrations on January 26 in the entire northeast. Five other outfits include the ULFA-ATF, HNLC, KLO, NLFT and ATTF.