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Arunachal Pradesh Timeline - 2013
Date |
Incident |
February 14
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SFs arrested two NSCN-K militants
identified as 'sergeant major' Wangphiam Letey Lowang and Hangdam
Aboh from Deomali town in Tirap District. Wangphiam was arrested
from Borduria village, while Aboh was arrested from Laptang village.
One AK-47 rifle with magazine, 30 live rounds of ammunition, a
.22 pistol with five live rounds were seized from them.
Both the militants were involved
in kidnapping and killing of businessman, MB Singh of Deomali
town in January 2012.
|
March 3 |
SFs killed an ULFA-ATF militant,
in an encounter, at Mudoi village in Lohit District.
|
March 9 |
Three NSCN-IM cadres, including
the "commander" of Khonsa town committee of the outfit and a United
Liberation Council of Arunachal Pradesh cadre were arrested from
Damdam village at Khonsa in Tirap District. Three pistols with
ammunition, explosives, detonators and extortion notices were
recovered from them.
|
March 12 |
Minister of State for Home Affairs
M Ramachandran stated that insurgent groups in the Northeastern
region are getting arms and ammunition from China. MoS for Home
Affairs, M Ramachandran replied with a "no" when asked whether
the Government has received information regarding assistance provided
by China to separatist groups involved in large-scale violence
that took place in the north-eastern states in recent years.
|
March 15 |
Arunachal Pradesh governor General
(Retd), J J Singh said the State has remained by and large peaceful
during the year 2012-2013 with a marked improvement on the law
and order front. In his address to the budget session of the state
assembly that began at Itanagar on March 15, he said the Government
was able to largely neutralize the 'bandh culture', which was
threatening to have severe ramifications on the law and order
of the State and on the work efficiency.
"The coordination between Army,
paramilitary and state police forces has been praiseworthy, leading
to the elimination of 13 rebels besides the arrest of 107 others
and a large cache of arms, ammunition and explosive materials
seized during the year," he said.
Another development, he said,
was the weaning away of influence of certain left wing extremist
organizations, which had started entering the state from the plains
of Assam.
The Union home ministry had released
an amount of INR 100 million for logistic support to the existing
paramilitary forces deployed in the State, he disclosed, adding
that the State Government had sanctioned the setting up of an
all-women Police station in the capital city as well as women
Police cell in each District.
|
March 16 |
An Assam Rifles trooper sustained
minor injuries in an exchange of fire with NSCN-IM militants at
Soha village near Deomali town in Tirap District. The exchange
of fire lasted for about three hours, informed Tirap SP Vikramjit
Singh. The incident happened when the cadres of NSCN-IM launched
an assault on healthcare workers, including doctors, of Soha for
not meeting their ransom demands.
Reacting to the reported exchange
of fire between NSCN-IM and security forces in Soha village, ACR
has asked NSCN-IM officials and cadres to exercise the "tolerance"
and avoid "unproductive engagements".
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister
Nabam Tuki informed the Assembly that more security personnel
will be deployed in insurgency dominated Tirap, Changlang and
Longding Districts of the State soon. The Chief Minister said
that a batch of newly recruited Police personnel is undergoing
training at training camps and they will pass out shortly. As-soon-as
they pass out they will be deployed in different areas of these
Districts to maintain law and order situation as per requirements,
he said.
|
March 20 |
The Centre acknowledged the fact
that anti-national activities of CPI-Maoist in some Districts
of the north-eastern States are posing a threat to internal security.
In a reply to a question in the
Rajya Sabha, Union MoS for Home Affairs RPN Singh said, "The Assam-Arunachal
border has emerged as another theatre for Maoist activities. The
CPI (Maoist) are trying to establish organizational base in the
Northeast with a view to forge relations with other insurgent
groups to meet its military requirements." According to him, while
Maoist activities have been reported in 2012 in Dhemaji and Tinsukia
Districts of Assam, Maoist influence has been noticed in Dibrugarh,
Sonitpur and Chirang Districts. The movement of the Maoists have
also been reported in Lohit and lower Dibang valley Districts
of Arunachal Pradesh. The Upper Assam Leading Committee (UALC)
of the CPI (Maoist) is operating in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
and has been involved in incidents of looting of weapons and extortion
from local villagers. The UALC is also engaged in recruitment
and training of cadres of militant outfits in Assam. The foray
of CPI (Maoist) into the sensitive north-eastern States is fraught
with serious strategic implications since it has potential trans-border
possibilities.
MoS for Home affairs RPN Singh
further said that the Centre has alerted the State Governments
concerned in this regard. The Home Ministry is also monitoring
the situation closely and is sending advisories, as and when required,
based on intelligence inputs, the Minister added.
|
March 25 |
NESO asked Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh to expedite the ongoing peace process with various rebel
groups in India's northeastern states. "The Indian government
must demonstrate its sincerity and commitment to all the ongoing
political dialogues with different armed groups operating in the
Northeastern states," NESO Chairman Samuel B Jyrwa said. "A time-frame
mechanism with a focus for an acceptable, honourable and solution
must be worked out (with the rebels) and there should be no procrastination
towards this the initiative," Jyrwa said.
On the "unabated influx of illegal
migrants from neighbouring countries" that has brought a serious
demographic change in the North East, NESO urged the prime minister
to extend Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 in the entire
North Eastern states. The student body also asked the Government
to take immediate initiatives to prepare a register of citizens
by updating the National register of citizens, 1951, which is
the official the document on citizenship.
|
March 27 |
A parliamentary standing committee
on Home Affairs has recommended increased pressure on countries
bordering the Northeastern region during trade discussions to
close down Indian rebel training camps operating on their soil.The
Venkaiah Naidu-led department-related parliamentary standing committee
on Home Affairs stated in its report submitted on March that all
trade discussions with the countries bordering states of the Northeast
should include a clause demanding closure of rebel training camps
being run on their soil.
The committee observed that despite
adoption of various strategies to bring peace to the Northeast,
an environment conducive to investments to ensure accelerated
economic growth was yet to become a reality. "The need of the
hour is to undertake confidence-building measures and employment
generation, besides ensuring security and safety of human beings
and their belongings," it stated. The committee opined that counter-insurgency
strategies in the Northeast should be multi-pronged and that Union
development ministries along with the State Governments of the
region could play effective roles in countering these insurgent
groups.
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March 29 |
SFs arrested two NSCN-IM cadres,
identified as Silai Pansha and Wangsiang Wansha, from Longding
Niru village in Longding District.
|
April 15 |
Chief Minister Nabam
Tuki said that Arunachal Pradesh is taking all necessary steps
to introduce reforms in the justice delivery system, including
the State Police hierarchy. Tuki said that he has informed the
MHA that the state government has already taken action to implement
the recommendations made by the Second ARC.
CM Tuki said the
State Government has constituted a Police Establishment Board
headed by the DGP. Also, the tenure of SP has been ensured up
to three years, while Director (Prosecution) is monitoring investigations
and enforcement machineries of departments such as State Excise,
Forest, Transport and Food and Civil supplies are functioning
properly.
The CM also said
that several such recommendations of the commission were also
acceptable to the State Government, but it would need financial
support from the ministry for implementation. The establishment
of forensic lab, establishment of independent complaint authority
and strengthening of intelligence gathering system, etc. are some
recommendations, which when implemented will have a bearing on
the limited resources of the state and therefore need financial
assistance from the Central Government, he said.
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April 19 |
Preparations to hold
the ensuing panchayat election in troubled Tirap District
have begun on a war-footing. In this connection, a meeting was
held at the deputy commissioner's conference hall. It was attended
by ROs, AROs and administrative and nodal officers involved in
conducting the polls. There are seven ZPM anchal blocks and 56
anchal samiti members (ASM) in Tirap. All the polling booths in
the District are sensitive due to the presence of the two factions
of militant outfit NSCN. However, some hypersensitive polling
booths have been identified and security arrangements planned
accordingly, sources added.
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April 25 |
A report submitted
by the parliamentary standing committee on Home Affairs in the
Rajya Sabha (Upper House) states that Northeastern region witnessed
an overall increase in violence with Assam and Manipur accounted
for the bulk of incidents. The report also finds the level of
violence in Meghalaya and Nagaland higher than the previous year
while Tripura, Mizoram and Sikkim remained large peaceful. The
report shows that the incidence of violence has risen from 627
in 2011 to 1,025 in 2012 which was 773 in 2010 and 1,297 incidents
in 2009.The report further states that 3,562 militants were either
arrested or killed or surrendered in the region.
The parliamentary
panel has contended that socio-economic development may be the
key solution to the ills of the region.
|
May 23 |
Outgoing Arunachal
Pradesh Governor General (retired) J J Singh, said the insurgency
problem in eastern Arunachal Districts could be solved only after
a permanent solution to the vexed Naga issue is reached. "The
people of three eastern Arunachal districts - Tirap, Changlang
and Longding - are living in fear due to the presence of cadres
of the two NSCN factions in the area, who resort to kidnapping,
extortion and factional feuds," the Governor said. He said the
State Government had already done everything to build confidence
among the people and make them aware that crackdown on insurgents
could be possible only with their support. "The problem of Arunachal
is directly linked with that of Nagaland. The Centre should immediately
resolve the Naga issue to bring peace and normalcy to these districts,"
he said.
He said the problem
could be resolved if the Centre and the respective state governments
implement the surrender policy in the right perspective."We have
not implemented the surrender policy in the right manner so as
to attract the cadres to shun violence and join the mainstream.
The surrender policy should be viable incorporating a suitable
package like training, necessary grants and skill development
for the surrendered cadres to start new self-employment ventures,"
he added.
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May 29 |
SFs arrested three
militants of the NDFB-IKS, identified as Raiman Khaklari, Jula
Basumatari and S. Narzari, at Bhalukpong near the Assam-Arunachal
Pradesh border. The arrested trio were reportedly involved in
the killing of tea planter Adilur Rahman on November 13, 2012.
|
May 30 |
Arunachal Pradesh
Governor Lieutenant-General (retired), Nirbhay Sharma, said the
Naga issue is very complex and it should be resolved considering
the aspirations of all affected Northeast States when asked about
the insurgency problem of Tirap, Changlang and Longding Districts
of the State where Naga rebels from neighboring Nagaland are operating.
Sharma commented, "The Centre is initiating peace process with
the NSCN and I personally hope that the issue will be resolved
amicably." Sharma, who took oath on May 29, said his priority
area would be to develop the State.
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June 4 |
One NSCN-K militant,
identified as Pangto Atoa, was arrested by Security Forces from
Khonsa town in Tirap District. The SFs seized cash and a mobile
handset from his possession, the Police said. On receiving inputs
from intelligence that the militant have come to the town to extort
money from a businessman, a joint team led by Assam Rifles and
State Police arrested the cadre from Longding road tri-junction
at Khonsa market, official sources said. Atoa was involved in
many cases of extortion besides firing incidents at Chasa on January
8, 2012, and at Borduria on March 7, 2012.
|
June 5 |
Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, described the security situation in the Northeast as "complex"
since insurgency, extortion and agitations continue to exist in
the region. "The security situation in the northeast continues
to be complex, with insurgency, extortion and agitations being
the main disruptive elements in the hands of the insurgents,"
he said in his address at the conference of Chief Ministers on
internal security in New Delhi.
Singh, however, said
there has been considerable progress in dialogue with several
insurgent and ethnic separatist groups in the northeastern region.
"A memorandum of understanding has been signed with both factions
of DHD of Dima Hasao in Assam. Three Metei insurgent groups have
signed a memorandum of understanding in February 2013. Talks with
the NSCN are continuing," he said. The Prime Minister said the
central government was committed to undertaking and bringing to
a satisfactory conclusion dialogue with all groups and organisations
which are willing to give up violence to seek solutions within
the framework of our Constitution. "We are equally firm in our
determination to continue assisting the states of the northeast
to enhance their law and order enforcement capabilities, so that
the people of the northeast enjoy the normal fruits of democracy
and development," he said.
Union Minister for
Home Affairs Sushilkumar Shinde in his address said that SoO Agreements
have been entered with various insurgent groups in the Northeast
and these groups have shown willingness to give up violence and
seek solutions for their problems peacefully within the Constitution.
"Our government is ready to talk with any group or outfit which
is willing to abjure violence and lay down arms like KNO and UPF
in Manipur. Further, Metei groups like URF, KCP and KYKL along
with their factions, signed MoS in February, 2013 paving way for
surrender of their cadres," he said. Shinde said peace talks are
also being held with a number of outfits like ULFA, NDFB-P and
NDFB-RD. These strategies have resulted in steady reduction in
the level of violence. "Moreover, the aforesaid strategy of the
government has also encouraged surrender by militants belonging
to various groups and their participation in the political process.
The central government is continuously assisting the northeastern
states by the deployment of central paramilitary forces to assist
the state police in counter-insurgency operations and upgrading
their skill level", he added.
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June 6 |
Arunachal Pradesh
governor lieutenant general (retd) Nirbhay Sharma urged the people
to stand united against militancy. The governor, who visited Changlang
District, said strong measures would be taken against militancy
when necessary but such situations should not be allowed to arise.
Stating that peace was the prerequisite for development, the governor
advised the officials and Security Forces to be proactive in instilling
a sense of security among people. He said efforts should be made
to bring back the misguided youths, who have taken up guns, into
the mainstream. He asked the gaon burahs (village headmen)
and panchayat (local self Government) leaders to guide them.
|
June 8 |
Police arrested two
militants belonging to NDFB-IKS, identified as Sanswanga Ajuwara
and Anchal Basumatary, at Bhalukpong in West Kameng District of
Arunachal Pradesh.
|
June 10 |
SFs arrested two
militants of the NSCN-IM and rescued a government official from
the duo, during a joint operation near the Deputy Commissioner's
office in Khonsa in Tirap District. The arrested militants were,
identified as 'Private' Changwang Wangsu and 'Private' Nyuwang
Chama. One Temen Yakyak, a Government official working in the
urban development department, who was abducted by the duo on an
unspecified date, was also rescued, the report said.
The arrested rebels
also had served an extortion notice to Julie Hamtok, wife of a
former Zilla Parishad (local autonomous body at District
level) member of Lazu (Tirap District).
|
July 4 |
AAPSU has demanded
that the names of Chakma and Hajong refugees which were enrolled
in the electoral rolls of Arunachal Pradesh be deleted at the
earliest. AAPSU, in a press statement, said that it would resort
to launching 'Operation Clean Drive' against illegal Bangladeshi
migrants in the State. It also sought immediate solution to the
interstate boundary issue with Assam, besides opposing the granting
of permanent residence certificate to non-Arunachalees of the
State, and demanding cancellation of land allotment, trading license
and Scheduled Tribes certificates already issued to them.
|
July 6 |
The State Government
has ordered an intensive drive to check influx of outsiders to
Arunachal Pradesh without a valid ILP. In an order, chief secretary
HK Paliwal directed the DCs of the State to carry out the drive.
Those found without ILP should be deported immediately, the order
added. The DCs were asked to especially check foreign nationals.
The State Government has been carrying out such drives at regular
intervals, but this time the chief secretary has stressed on intensifying
the operation, sources said.
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July 21 |
CPI-Maoist is promoting
opium cultivation popular in Districts along the Assam-Arunachal
Pradesh boundary. According to security sources, the CPI-Maoist
is taking the help of local rebel outfits to encourage opium farming,
which, although illegal, is a traditional practice in these areas
and is a lucrative occupation for locals. "It is a fact that the
Maoists tacitly promote opium and ganja cultivation in order to
raise funds for their activities. The cadres of the anti-talks
factions of ULFA [ULFA-Independent] and NDFB [NDFB-IK Songbijit],
who are hiding at several places in Arunachal Pradesh, are helping
them in their latest venture," said an unnamed senior intelligence
official.
"Around 200 youth
are reported to be running the poppy farming racket in the border
areas of Arunachal Pradesh. They get a monthly stipend of INR
1,500-2,500. The local outfits, which are helping the Maoists
are also paying approximately INR 30,000 per acre to willing farmers
for growing opium," added an unnamed security source from Arunachal
Pradesh.
Arunachal Pradesh
chief minister Nabam Tuki had said, "We are trying to sensitize
the people and replace the traditional poppy farming with other
cash crops, rubber plantation or flower and fruit cultivation."
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July 22 |
the Arunachal Chief
Secretary H K Paliwal on July 22 in a meeting decided to crack
the whip on an extortion racket active in the State. Stern and
exemplary action will be taken against those organizations, unions
and groups that carry out extortion and demand 'donations' from
Government officials, the meeting decided.
|
July 23 |
SFs shot dead two
NSCN cadres, identified as 'lieutenants' Keejan Pangtok and Akhi
Yobin, in an encounter in Changlang District on July 19, a delayed
official report informed. Though the NSCN-K has a strong presence
the Changlang District, the factional identity of the slain cadres
has yet not been ascertained. Pangtok hailed from Dimapur District
while Yobin belonged to Vijaynagar circle in Changlang District,
the report said.
|
July 28 |
Militant outfits
having bases in Myanmar, including the ULFA-I and the NDFB-IKS,
have started re-using the routes through Nagaland to enter the
State. Earlier the militants were using the routes through Tirap
and Changlang Districts of Arunachal Pradesh to come down to Assam
from Myanmar. But following domination by the Central forces and
Arunachal Pradesh Police in the area, the militants have started
re-using the routes through Nagaland, particularly through Mon
District to come down to India.
|
August 20 |
Surrendered militants
have urged the State Government to immediately implement various
rehabilitation measures provided under the surrender and rehabilitation
policy of the Central Government.
The surrendered cadres
of various outfits under the aegis of SUWAAP has alleged that
the State government was yet to implement the rehabilitation package
for the surrendered ultras as per the provisions laid down by
the Centre. There are over 500 surrendered rebels in the State
representing various outfits like NSCN-IM, NSCN-K, NDFB, ULFA,
UPDF, ANLF and APLF.
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September
23 |
Police arrested two
militants belonging to NSCN-K, identified as Matlan Khetey and
Monglat Akhang, and recovered a stolen vehicle from their possession
in Tirap District,. Khetey had earlier threatened Bharatiya Janta
Party (BJP) leader Wangman Lowangcha at Borduria, while Akhang
is involved in several extortion cases in Khonsa, headquarters
of Tirap District.
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October 2 |
Security Forces arrested a 'second
lieutenant' of the NSCN-K, identified as Samnan Jugli wanted in
connection with several cases under the Arms Act from Nadipar
area in Changlang town.
Demand for creation of MAR including
Tawang and West Kameng Districts intensified with elected leaders
and public resolved to call on the central delegates and other
concerned authorities at the Union Ministry of Home Affairs soon.
Three linkmen of ULFA-I were arrested
in a joint operation by the army and Police from the Chowkham
area in Lohit District. Army sources said two IEDs, weighing 5.2
kg each, were recovered during a search operation.
Arunachal Pradesh chief minister
Nabam Tuki, has appealed for the safe release of abducted NHPC
official Anil Kumar Agarwal at the earliest. Agarwal was abducted
on September 21 by the NDFB from Assam.
|
October 7 |
Arunachal Pradesh deputy Speaker
Jomde Kena has sought intervention of the state government in
the matter of inclusion of several Arunachalee villages in the
proposed MAC in Assam.
Kena, who called on Chief Minister
Nabam Tuki and Lok Sabha (lower House of Parliament) Member of
Parliament, Takam Sanjoy on October 7, apprised them of inclusion
of several villages of the state under the proposed MAC despite
the Supreme Court's order to maintain status quo along the boundaries
of the two states, an official press release said here on September
8.
|
October 9 |
SFs remaining clueless about the
whereabouts of abducted NHPC General Manager Anil Kumar Agarwal,
Arunachal Pradesh Power Minister Tanga Byaling appealed to the
abductors for Agarwal's early release without any precondition
considering his poor health status. NDFB-IKS militants abducted
the NHPC GM on September 21 from Sonitpur District of Assam. Describing
the incident as 'pathetic and unfortunate', Byaling said the NHPC
is working for the improvement of the power situation in the Northeast."The
Tawang Chu-I and II hydroelectric projects are very important
projects where Agarwal was working. The projects will benefit
not only Arunachal [Pradesh] but for the entire northeast," he
said.
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October 16 |
At least 16 Chinese nationals,
mostly Tibetans, were arrested along the Sino-Indian border for
illegally crossing over to India in the last two years.
Four Chinese nationals, including
a Chinese PLA soldier arrested in Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh,
were found to have crossed the border with the objective of collecting
medicinal herbs, MHA sources said. Six Tibetans were arrested
in different parts of Arunachal Pradesh when they entered India
with the objective of meeting the Dalai Lama. Three more Chinese
were arrested when they entered India in search of Yarcha Gumbo,
a medicinal herb. Three Chinese, carrying political maps in Arabic
language, were arrested along the LAC in Ladakh, sources said.The
three men, identified as Adil, Salamo and Abdul Khaliq, were arrested
inside the Indian territory on June 12 near Sultanchku.
While seven of the above were
handed over to Chinese authorities during flag meetings at Bumla
(Tawang), six were pushed back into Chinese territories by security
agencies.
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October 20 |
Assam police have claimed to have
arrested the alleged mastermind behind the abduction of General
Manger of NHPC, AK Agarwal. A joint team of Assam Police and Arunachal
Police arrested the alleged mastermind of the kidnapping incident,
Anil Tamang from Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Tamang is a contractor
with the NHPC and hails from Tawang. Agarwala still remained untraced
since September 21 when he was abducted by NDFB-IKS militants
in Assam.
|
October 30 |
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs
(MHA) has described the 1643-kilometre-long India-Myanmar border,
which facilitates cross-border movement of militants, illegal
arms and drugs, as 'extremely porous.'
The MHA report added that Assam
Rifles has been deployed for counter-insurgency and border guarding
role on this stretch of the border. "Out of the sanctioned strength
of 46 battalions, 31 are for counter-insurgency operations and
15 for border guarding role. At present, all 15 border guarding
battalions are deployed along the Indo-Myanmar border. The companies
are deployed on all routes of ingress/egress and are checking
infiltration, smuggling of arms, ammunition, drugs and fake Indian
currency notes," it said.
|
November 17 |
AR personnel reportedly shot dead
a NSCN-IM cadre in Arunachal Pradesh. According to L Gonmei, NSCN-IM
'deputy kilonser' (Zeliangrong Region), the deceased 'Lance corporal'
Aron Gonmei of Zeilad Region from Tamenglong District was killed
at Kharsang village of Miao subdivision, Changlang District.
|
November 19 |
Security Forces arrested two militants
belonging to the NSCN-K, identified as Aman Konyak and Nahnga
Ghangsa, from Longding District. Arms and ammunition, along with
cash, have been recovered from their possession, he said.
|
November 21 |
The Centre's satisfaction with
peace accords in the Northeast is apparently being neutralised
by deepening ethnic fault lines and Anti-Talks outfits operating
in the region.
Speaking at the three day long
annual conference of DGP/IGP in New Delhi on November 21, UHM
Sushilkumar Shinde laid greater emphasis on Paresh Baruah-led
ULFA-Independent having "spurned the overtures of the government"
for talks than the Arabinda Rajkhowa-led ULFA faction or the Ranjan
Daimary faction of the NDFB having come forward for parleys. UHM
Shinde, also, said agitation for separate States by various groups
had made lower Assam and Karbi Anglong "vulnerable to ethnic and
communal" tensions. The interests of Rabhas, Garos, Bodos and
non-Bodo fail to reconcile, he added. "Special efforts are required
to check the growing mistrust, particularly between Bodos and
the non-Bodos in the BTAD and its adjoining areas," he said. The
impact of the Bodo-Muslim clashes in the BTAD in 2012 has clearly
not been completely resolved. UHM Shinde further added, "In Manipur,
the increased targeting of non-Manipuris is an alarming trend".
Besides, a "spillover" of violence among Naga rebel outfits like
the Isak-Muivah and Khaplang factions of the NSCN has affected
peace in Nagaland and in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap, Changlang
and Longding Districts, said UHM. Sushil Kumar Shinde also asked
Police Forces of the Northeastern States to strictly enforce the
ceasefire agreements signed with different militant outfits. This,
the minister said, would check the outfits from continuing with
their extortion activities that have "affected lives of common
people." Shinde said: "Many of these (ceasefire) agreements are
being flouted by the militants who are indulging in extortions
affecting the lives of common people. Recently, there have been
public protests in certain areas against such extortion activities.
The State Police forces need to enforce the ceasefire agreements
so that relief could be provided to the people."
IB, Director Asif Ibrahim Conceded
"There are mixed indicators from the Northeast," Ibrahim said
that there were ethnic and communal issues in the Karbi, Koch
Rajbongshi and Bodo areas. While these communities are asking
for states, other communities in these regions are against separate
state. Referring to the Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD),
he said the situation there was "fragile due to mistrust" between
communities. Ibrahim also pointed to the "growing divide between
the Meiteis and the Nagas", in a way conceding that the Centre
and the State Governments have not been able to prevent an increasing
divide between the hills and the valley.
|
November 23 |
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
has for the first time, raised concern over the prevailing insurgency
scenario in Garo Hills areas in Meghalaya and other parts of the
Northeast, which he said has created a very complex situation
ahead of the Lok Sabha elections due early next year. "Garo insurgency
in Meghalaya is an area of considerable concern," Singh said,
while addressing the annual DGP/ IGP conference. The security
situation in the North-East continues to remain complex, with
insurgency, extortion and agitations being the main disruptive
elements, the Prime Minister said. Further, the susceptibility
of Lower Assam areas and Karbi Anglong region of the State to
ethnic and communal tensions, the growing mistrust between tribals
and non-tribals in Bodo areas, the Garo insurgency in Meghalaya,
increasing target of non-Manipuris in Manipur area are also cause
of concern, he said. But persistent efforts on the part of the
Government have resulted in considerable progress in dialogue
with insurgent and ethnic separatist groups, he noted. "We need
to tackle all these issues with collective resolve and firm determination,"
he added. Union Home Minister, Sushilkumar Shinde, who inaugurated
the conference on November 22, too, was hassled over the rising
militancy in Garo Hills region of Meghalaya.
|
December 20 |
SFs arrested five NSCN-K militants, including
its 'revenue secretary' from Lohit District. The arrested cadres
include the 'revenue secretary' of Lohit district, Hongloan Lowakhao,
along with four of his accomplices, Biswanath Pait, Chow Pintina
Choupoo, Chow Sultana Munglang and Faki Wangsa. SFs recovered
one .9mm pistol, two magazines, 29 live rounds, pen drives, mobile
phones and incriminating documents, including 264 extortion notes
and the seal of the organisation.
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