Arunachal Pradesh Timeline - 2012

January 6

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. "ULFA, both factions of NSCN -- IM and K -- as well as NDFB are in talks mood.

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. "There is a grain of truth (to it).

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. Chidambaram said the Central government was offering support to all state governments in the region to ensure that extortion does not take place and kidnapping for extortion does not take place. "During the last year, these incidents have come down dramatically and I am confident that in 2012, the situation will be better," he said.

January 8

NSCN-IM claimed that two militants belonging to NSCN-K were killed and four other got injured when the latter attacked NSCN-IM camp in Chasha village in Tirap District.

Three Civilians were injured and a house was set ablaze during a clash between NSCN-IM and NSCN-K at Chasa village in Tirap District. The clashes have now stopped after arrival of Security Forces in the area.

Representatives from the Central and Government of Arunachal Pradesh as well as AAPSU and Citizenship Demand Committee for Chakma and Hajong refugees are members of the committee on January 9, arrived at a consensus that the Chakma and Hajong refugees, who came to India between 1964 and 1969, can be accepted as Indian citizens.

During the annual Home Secretary-level meet between India and Myanmar at Naypyitaw which is to take place 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.

During the Home Secretary level meeting between the India and Myanmar, 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.

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.

Two top cadres belonging to NSCN-K surrendered along with two .9mm pistols and six live rounds of ammunition at the Battalion Headquarters, 4 Assam Rifles, in Changlang District.

Pakistan's external intelligence agency ISI has admitted before a three-member bench of the Pakistan Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary to meddling in northeast India. Former ISI chief Asad Durrani made the admission before the bench during a hearing on the ISI's mandate. He also admitted ISI funding the BNP during the 1991 general elections in Bangladesh.

State Governor General (Retd.) J J Singh said that Central Government has announced INR 1.38 billion-security package for insurgency hit Tirap and Changlang Districts for strengthening the Police forces to counter insurgent activities.

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh State Police have constituted a joint team to carry out anti-insurgency operations along the interstate border areas. The areas of operation are the border areas along Tinsukia District of Assam and three of the five Districts of Arunachal Pradesh namely Lohit, Changlang and Lower Dibang Valley. The other two Districts are Tirap and East Siang. ULFA-ATF and CPI-Maoists reportedly use the area.

SFs arrested a cadre of the NNC, identified as Khapwang Mema, from Deomali in Tirap District. An amount INR 15,600 and an extortion note addressed to market officials of Deomali on the letterhead of NNC was also found in his possession. Mema was carrying out extortion in the town for the last couple of weeks. He had also threatened the locals with dire consequences if they fail to give him the ransom, an Assam Rifles communiqué said.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said that the Union Home Ministry has approved the demand for deployment of 2,000 additional CAPF in the State to maintain law and order.

A new militant outfit, the UPDF threatened those involved in the illegal trade of coal, timber and stone from Lohit and Changlang Districts. Police said, the threat is meant to extort money from traders. The outfit is headed by Sumona Munlang, once a trusted sharpshooter of Dawood Ibrahim's gang, Police said.

Addressing the Chief Minister's conference on internal security, Prime Minister (PM) Manmohan Singh on April 16 expressed concern over the abduction and extortion activities in Northeastern region

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram while addressing Chief Minister's conference on internal security said that in the Northeastern states, nearly all major insurgent groups were in talks with the Centre and was confident that there would further be improvement in the region.

Security agencies believe tha the CPI-Maoist is making inroads into the North-East to gain access to the arms market in the neighbouring Yunan province of China and not with the aim of expanding their base.

A MHA document says Maoists are working in close association with the PLA of Manipur, which also has a base in Myanmar. "The Maoists have been found carrying Chinese-made arms, but we do not know yet whether they procured the weapons directly from China or were supplied arms by north-eastern militant outfits," the source said.

Assam Rifles personnel arrested four UPDF cadres, identified Lamlai Chowai alias Babu, Dipankan Chakma alias Pinti, Kina Marak and Arun Chakma, from Manabum area in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh. The militants were arrested from Maitri Village under Diyun Police Station, where they had taken shelter in the house of a Chakma widow.

The first Arunachal Scouts battalion arrived in the State to take charge two years after its formation. Arunachal Scouts is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army with specialization in mountain warfare and was raised to defend India's border with Tibet in Arunachal Pradesh.

Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur, referring to the issue of militants operating in the northeastern States of India getting help from China, told the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) that the Chinese Government has conveyed that it would never support armed groups that are against the Government of India.

Illegal mining is funding extremist outfits in Arunachal Pradesh, according to a home ministry investigation. The report, prepared after a visit of senior home ministry officials to the entire 45-km coal-rich stretch of Changlang District, said that insurgent groups such as the NSCN are indulging in illegal mining at Namchik Namphuk, the only coal block allotted to the State Government.

UHM P. Chidambaram asked the Arunachal Pradesh Government to be on guard against Maoists who are reported to have already achieved "minimal presence" along the state's boundary with Assam.

On the issue of law and order problems in Tirap and Changlang Districts that shares a border with Nagaland and Myanmar, UHM said that steps had already been initiated to upgrade police infrastructure and recruit more police personnel. He added that more CRPF personnel were being deployed to maintain the law and order in the two Districts. "A total of 1,526 policemen have been newly recruited in the state and they will start training from July this year.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said unlawful activities of CPI-Maoist will not be tolerated in the northeast. "There will be no compromise with Maoists trying to destabilize peace in the region and police have been instructed to take action," Chidambaram said, adding, "There is no reason to allow such elements in the region to create disturbance."

UMHA has asked the State Governments of the North East region to take all necessary steps to prevent the CPI-Maoist groups from establishing their roots in the region. The report quoting states that the Central Government would send additional a force to deal with Maoists only if it is felt necessary. Further, UMHA is of the view that at present, the strength of the armed groups of the Maoists in the North East is not much and the State Police forces are fully capable of dealing with the situation.

Top CPI-Maoist leaders, including one Moina Dohotiya are actively involved in the outfit's expansion into the northeast. The report quotes a source within the security establishment as saying, "There are about 100 listed cadres and they have three carbines, a couple of .315 rifles and pistols, few grenades and one M16 rifle. In the middle and lower Assam regions, they are probably at a very nascent stage. We have not observed any Maoist activity in these places". The source further said, "The Maoists have so far recruited youths from the state and few Khamti boys from Arunachal Pradesh. However, unlike Jharkhand, there is just a sprinkling of Adivasi youths here. There are couple of youths from Goalpara and Kamrup district but the majority are from Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Golaghat districts and many from Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts".

PM Manmohan Singh has hinted that India and Myanmar were likely to carry out joint operations in order to flush out Indian militants operating from Myanmar soil.

The Indian Army and other SFs have made preparations to tackle insurgents, who will soon leave some parts of Myanmar. This was stated by Major General UK Gurung of Assam Rifles, during a function at Pallel (Chandel District) in Manipur.

Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram informed that Myanmar on June 26 has agreed to operationalise the third border level officer meeting point between Changlang in Arunachal Pradesh and Pan Hsan in Myanmar by October 2012.

SFs arrested a 2008 batch of Myanmar trained militant belonging to ULFA-ATF, identified as Manoranjan Gogoi alias Arup Bora (25) of Bosa gaon of Sadiya in Tinsukia District, at Sitpani in Mahadevpur near Namsai in Lohit District.

Six militants including four militants belonging to NSCN-K militants, one militant belonging to ULFA and one NDFB militant surrendered at an Assam Rifles base in Joyrampur in Tinsukia District. The militants deposited a 9mm pistol, a .38 revolver, two 7.65 mm pistol and 2.9 kilogram of RDX.

A woman journalist identified as Tongam Rina was shot at and critically injured by unidentified gunmen when she was entering her office here in Arunachal Pradesh on July 15. Rina is an associate editor with the daily, which is the first English newspaper of the State and is owned by former chief minister Gegong Apang.

Security agencies have busted the "blueprint" of the action plan of the CPI-Maoist in the Northeastern region. According to the road map, Maoists have plans to form a "strategic zone" comprising hilly terrains of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao Districts of Assam and Dibang valley of Arunachal Pradesh.

Assam Rifles (AR), with support from Arunachal Pradesh Police arrested one NSCN-K cadre, identified as Winnok Nokbi, from Khonsa in the District. Apart from an extortion note signed by 'major' Johan and an extortion amount of INR 670, a pair of combat shoes was seized.

SFs arrested three Maoists from Kaupatani village under Mahadevpur Police Station of Lekang circle in Lohit District. Those arrested were identified as Nipenjyoti Chetia (30) of Haru Dirak village, Totong Neog (18) of Barmigai village, both under Kokapathar Police Station of Tinsukia District in Assam and Jintu Chetai of Dhola village Police Station in the District. Police seized demand notes and three mobile sets with seven SIM cards from the trio.

SFs arrested one Bitu Chakma, member of UDFB from Namsai.

SFs arrested a top NSCN-IM cadre identified as 'Sergeant Major' Wangpan Mophuk alias Sina Mophuk from Khonsa in Tirap District.

Union Defence Ministry accorded the financial approval for raising the second Battalion of Arunachal Scouts. Defence Minister A K Antony said the ministry, for starting the process of recruitment, in this regard would release the notification soon. The Defence Minister informed this to a delegation led by Arunachal Pradesh CM Nabam Tuki at Delhi on Monday, according to official sources.

NPF has launched a unit at Tirap and Longding Districts after successfully opening its first State unit at Changlang. A press note received from the Arunachal NPF said State 'president' Tosham Mossang and 'general secretary' Happa Taidong were welcomed by crowd at respective District headquarters on July 30 and 31. NPF leads the DAN coalition Government in Nagaland.

The AAPSU cautioned the Arunachal Government to keep a strict vigil along the border and tighten its intelligence apparatus to avoid immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh from coming to the state as a spillover effect of the violence as reported in various media. AAPSU expressed its concern over the situation arising out of the Bodo-Muslims clashes that have rocked the BTC areas in Assam.

SFs arrested three NNC militants at Deomali in Tirap District. The arrested militants were identified as 'private' Joywang Moingchan, 'corporal' Toto Rochill and Wangtung Socia.Rochill, a resident of Surrumi in Zunheboto District of Nagaland, said he had been an active cadre of NSCN-K from 2007 to 2010 and joined NNC in 2010.

Four linkmen of the UPDF have been arrested in connection with extorting money from businessmen at Bijoypur in Itanagar (Papum Pare District). They were identified as Anil Chakma, Chowpinto Thaman, Sanjiv Singh and Arvind Singh. During the course of interrogation Anil Chakma admitted in collecting money from the area and depositing the amount with one Bishnu Chakma. The ransom letter was written on UPDF pad and signed by its 'commander' Sumana Munglang, and its 'finance minister' R Gohain.

The six other accused still at large were Bishnu Chakma, Boksu Chakma, Patharmoni Chakma, Dayalu Chakma and Mytiodhan Chakma. The UPDF had been continuing extortion in Bordumsa (Changlang District) area to strengthen their organizational setup.

As a mark of protest against the inhuman and discriminating treatment, both physically and mentally towards the people from the north east of India regardless of age, sex or profession, the NESO called a 12-hours "Total Bandh" (shut down strike) all the six north eastern states on September 6. While there will be 12-hour bandh in various North Eastern States, NESO will organise a 'massive public rally' in Guwahati (Assam) on the same day against unabated influx from Bangladesh.

Three hardcore UPDF cadres surrendered before the Deputy Commissioner of Lohit district, Commanding Officer of 12 Assam Regiment and Superintendent of Police, Lohit District.

A 12-hour bandh (General Shutdown strike) called by the NESO affected six northeastern States. The Bandh was called to protest against atrocities on people from the region in cities outside the region and against influx of illegal migrants into the region. The bandh was supported by student unions of these States, which are part of NESO. The bandh affected life in Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and tribal-inhabited areas of Tripura.NESO organised a rally in Guwahati, which was attended by 26 student organisations of the region.

SFs arrested 'Finance Secretary' and third in command of UPDF, Hemchandra Barphukan alias R Gohain (42), from Chowkham area of Namsai sub-division in Lohit District.

SFs have arrested five underground activists including three UPDF cadres and two - ULFA-ATF militants at Lohit District in Arunachal Pradesh during separate operations.

SFs arrested one Nakkya Chakma, second-in-command of the UPDF during an encounter at Emphum Village under Chongkham circle of the District. A pistol, three mobile handsets, live ammunitions and incriminating documents were recovered from him.

SFs in the District of Lohit and Changlang arrested two UPDF militants. A UPDF militant identified as Unseng Pomong, was arrested at Bamchuk Village under Namsai circle in Lohit District while another UPDF cadre Ranjit Chakma, and was arrested from Joypur Village under Diyun circle in Changlang District.

SFs arrested a ULFA-ATF militant, identified as Rongmon Gogoi, from Wingseng Nongtaw Village under Namsai circle in Lohit district last night. A grenade and explosives weighing three kilogram were recovered from his possession.

SFs arrested an ULFA-ATF linkman Indrajit Maran from the area and recovered an IED from his residence.

The Central Government dismissed BJP allegation that insurgent groups were involved in illegal coal mining at Namchik-Namphuk coal block in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh.

A senior national BJP leader recently charged the allegation besides pointing out violation of prescribed guidelines by the State Government while allotting coal block to a private party in the State.

A tea garden manager from Lohit District was abducted by armed militants. C.N. Pandey, the manager of Sati tea estate at Piyom under Namsai subdivision in Lohit District, was abducted at gunpoint from his home.

One ULFA militant was killed and another injured in an encounter with the Army at Insushi village, Nangtao under Namsai circle in Lohit District of Arunachal Pradesh in the afternoon.

Arunachal Pradesh Police rescued a tea garden manager from Lohit District who was abducted by armed militants of the UPDF on September 12. C.N. Pandey, the manager of Sati tea estate at Piyom under Namsai subdivision in Lohit District, was abducted at gunpoint from his home.

Security Forces has come across vital information regarding the game plan of the CPI-Maoist to set up guerrilla zones in the hills in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh of NE to strengthen their arms wing in the region.

Increased activity of ULFA-ATF militants from camps located at Manabhum and Kharsang area in Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang District has become a major headache for the SFs. The report adds that ULFA-ATF had recently set up several camps in the two areas bordering Tinsukia District with help NSCN-K.

The camps were reportedly set up under the command of one Rohendra Moran, a former office-bearer of the AAMSU and an active cadre.

Union Government has alerted Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on the resurgence of anti-talks faction of ULFA-ATF and Ranjan Daimari faction of NDFB-RD, taking advantage of the security gap created by the recent ethnic violence in Assam.

Illegal migration from Bangladesh is among the top issues to be discussed in the five-day meet between BSF and BGB starting on September 25 in Dhaka.

ULFA-ATF is trying to promote a new militant outfit in Arunachal Pradesh for its own benefits. Highly placed Security sources told the newspaper that a new militant outfit named as UPDF backed by ULFA-ATF has cropped up in Arunachal Pradesh.

SFs arrested seven cadres of the UPDF, including its 'commander-in-chief' Sumona Munglang, from Mimi village near Namsai in Lohit District.

Munglang resurfaced in the area two years after he disappeared after killing a comrade in the ADF, identified as Chow Nomee Namchoom, and formed the UPDF. He has been intensively involved in extortion, kidnapping and killing in the area ever since. The SFs claimed that UPDF has been wiped out from the face of Arunachal Pradesh with this arrest.

State governor J J Singh congratulated the State Government, the Assam Regiment, State Police and Lohit District administration for the excellent operation in which Munglang and six of his important accomplices were arrested. The governor said that the successful operation would help in restoring confidence among the people and improve law and order in Namsai area.

Insurgent outfits in Changlang District had been illegally mining coal, using the proceeds for buying sophisticated weapons from arms dealers based in Thailand and China. On March 26, 2012, Union home ministry wrote to the coal ministry drawing its attention to the illegal mining being undertaken at the 45-km-long Kharsang block by Naga militants. Home ministry also requested the coal ministry to consider taking over all the coal mining operations in the state. "The Arunachal government has taken the necessary steps to ensure that these outfits no longer use the mines," said Shambhu Singh, joint secretary North East, Union home ministry.

Changlang, a hub of insurgent activity, is located close to the China-Myanmar international border, where thousands of fighters belonging to at least nine insurgent outfits from Assam, Manipur and Nagaland stay in well-fortified camps. The weapons possessed by these groups include Kalashinov rifles, Heckler and Koch assault rifles, American M-16 and M-17 rifles, and rocket launchers.

Security Forces arrested a UPDF militant, Jina Kapat, at Wagun village in Namsai sub-division of Lohit District.

BJP national general secretary, Tapir Gao clarified that the party's Shahid Shradhanjali yatra scheduled from October 18 is not aimed at provoking China but meant to pay homage to the martyrs of the 1962 Chinese aggression. Gao's reaction was a response to ULFA-ATF' vice chairman' Paresh Baruah's recent emailed statement asking the people of Assam not to participate in the said yatra, as it could provoke China to wage a war on India.

Centre is talking to Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur chief ministers for a consensus on steps relating to the welfare of Nagas living in the two States before it reaches a final settlement with the NSCN-IM. A solution is likely before March, 2013, Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said. "I have been talking to the chief ministers of both Arunachal and Manipur and we are trying to reach a consensus on this," he said, in reply to a question on the progress of Naga talks. Shinde's statement comes a day after he held talks with Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

Talks with the NSCN-IM concern the states neighbouring Nagaland as the outfit had demanded an integrated homeland for the Nagas - there are Naga tribes in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur as well as in Myanmar. Although the Centre has turned down the demand for carving out Naga-inhabited areas from other states and bring it under a single administrative arrangement, an alternative way to appease tribal sentiments in these areas is being explored.

SFs arrested a militant belonging to ULFA-ATF identified as Upakul Moran from Longvi village in Changlang District. SFs recovered a China-made AK-series rifle, three magazines and 67 rounds of ammunition.

The cadres of NSCN-IM and NSCN-K clashed in Ojakho and Chasa village in Longding and Tirap Districts which left one NSCN-IM militant dead and injured another cadre. Seventeen houses in the villages were completely gutted and two others destroyed.

Longding District administration has taken effective steps to bring succor to the families affected by the NSCN-IM-NSCN-K factional clash at Ojakho village and provided them with food, blankets, utensils etc. Further, a company of 4 Rajput Rifles placed at Ojakho village is trying to rebuild the confidence of the people.

State CM Nabam Tuki said that concern about Nagas living in the state is solely that of his Government. The Naga inhibited Districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding will get development councils to improve socio-economic indicators, but CM, Tuki insisted that the step will be taken by the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Centre, not any other agency.

Suspected UPDF militants recently abducted businessmen, Pradip More (42) of Naolia in Dibrugarh District of Assam, from Likanag Kkhamtigaon under Namsai Police Station in Lohit District. According to Police source, the victim was abducted while he was supervising work at his newly raised green tea garden located at Likang Kkhamtigaon in Namsai.

SFs rescued abducted Assam small tea grower Pradip More and his associate, Chandrapal Sharma, from a remote hilltop at Khainala area under Namsai Police Station in Lohit District. SFs launched the operation three days ago. The duo was abducted by militants of the ULFA-ATF and UPDF and were kept in a makeshift camp, said Namsai Police Station officer-in-charge Ratan Nath.

A joint team of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam Police arrested a 'brigadier' of the NSCN-IM, Absalom Raman alias Absalom Tangkhul, from a village in Tirap District along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. "This is probably the biggest catch of an insurgent leader in Arunachal Pradesh", the sources claimed. The NSCN-IM 'top gun' was active in Tirap and Changlang Districts for over 10 years and was behind the ingress and establishment of NSCN-IM in an area previously dominated by NSCN-K.