Arunachal Pradesh Timeline - 2014

January 2

Two NSCN-IM cadres and two civilians were killed in the crossfire between Assam Rifles and militants at Holam village in Khonsa of Tirap District. Two AK-47 rifles, a sniper rifle and an M-16 rifle were recovered from the incident site. An Assam Rifles official based at Khonsa said another militant, who was injured in the encounter, escaped but a search was on to track him down. An operation was launched early in the morning following specific information about the presence of a group of militants in the village.

NSCN-K has observed that Arunachal Nagas now did not want to identify themselves as Nagas and has condemned the wisdom of their leaders in the strongest terms for the current state of affairs. In a statement, NSCN-K reminded that the tribes inhabiting Arunachal's Tirap, Changlang and Longding Districts like Nocte, Wancho, Ollo, Tangsa, Tutsa and their subdivision into smaller groups residing on both sides of the international border formed the largest and biggest group among the Nagas of Eastern Nagaland. These tribes had played significant role in Naga political movement. However, due to vested interests, they do not now want to associate with the Nagas, it said.

Ten persons were killed and eight others received bullet injuries when encroachers from Arunachal Pradesh opened fire with hand-made weapons in the Behali Reserve Forest area of Sonitpur District. Around 100 assailants, armed with guns and other lethal weapons, attacked the villagers, who have been camping there to protect those areas from further encroachment, and started indiscriminate firing at them killing those villagers on the spot.

Union Ministry of Home Affairs Joint-Secretary, Shambhu Singh, told television channels that the NDFB might have a hand in the killing incident in the Behali Reserve Forest area of Sonitpur District of Assam on January 29.

State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi ruled out NDFB's involvement and stated that miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh were responsible for the killings.

Arunachal Pradesh is cut off from the rest of the country as protesters in Assam blocked supply routes to the state in protest against killings. KMSS, which is leading the protest, blocked NH-52 at Borgang in Sonitpur District, which is the only lifeline to Arunachal capital Itanagar.

Arunachal Pradesh CM, Nabam Tuki announced compensation to the victim's family members of Behali Reserve Forest (Sonitpur District, Assam) massacre. He announced ex-gratia payment of INR 300,000 each for those killed and INR 50,000 each to the seriously injured during the incidence. So far, 11 persons have been killed in the incident of January 29.

The January 29 attack fatality along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border increased to 11 after the recovery of a dead body of a person identified as Lasu Mardi (65) from Chauldhua in Borgang in Sonitpur District.

The economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh for the Behali Reserve Forest killings continued and the protesters blocked the passage of goods trucks at Chariduar in Sonitpur District

Minister of State for Home R.P.N. Singh told Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament) that CPI-Maoist are trying to set up organisational bases in the North-east to forge ties with other insurgent groups to meet their military needs and the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border has emerged as another theatre of Maoist activities.

A NSCN-K cadre, Wangdon Wangpan, surrendered before the Police and District administration in Longding District. He joined the outfit in 2010.

An Arunachal Pradesh based militant outfit, NLCT has claimed the responsibility for the attack in Behali Reserve Forest in Sonitpur District of Assam and said that the attack was in retaliation to "illegal eviction carried out by Assam in the area". In a statement, the outfit warned that more blood-shed could be seen in that area. The outfit also said that the Central Government as well as the Governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh were not interested in finding permanent solution to the boundary dispute.

A Central Government team, led by MHA Joint Secretary Shambu Singh, visited Changlang District to discuss the proposal for the creation of PAC. Singh was accompanied by Union Tribal Affairs Ministry Director S N Sahai, DoNER Ministry Director Uma Kant and MHA's Deputy Secretary S Saha, official sources said in Itanagar on February 2. The State Government had proposed the creation of MAC, comprising West Kameng and Tawang Districts, and PAC, comprising Tirap, Changlang and Longding Districts, under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

SFs in a joint operation, arrested five Manipur based PLA cadres and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from their possession from Pongchau area in Longding District. The arrested militants were identified as Pongsiba Dingam, Jackson Kuki, Diwang Chawang, Monglemba Meitei and Ngongo Meitei. SFs also recovered two AK M-22 rifles, two AM-T81, one 3G81 LMG along with 631 rounds bullets, 13 magazines, one magazine box and cash of INR 22,000 from their possession.

The BSF handed over to the BGB a list of 66 terror camps in Bangladesh of militants operating in India's Northeast. Camps of HNLC, ULFA, NDFB, PLA and a few other groups were operating in districts like Mymensingh, Maulvibazar and Rangamati. IG BSF Sudhir Kumar Srivastava said, "The number of these camps has decreased." Some of the camps had now been shifted towards Myanmar due to pressure from Bangladesh authorities.

Reacting to a query on the status of border fencing, Srivastava informed that there were 13 gaps along the fencing which could not be completed due to its riverine nature and other logistical problems. The Bangladesh Government had allowed the construction of single-line fencing along the border.

The BSF in 2013 seized FICN worth INR 548,000 and seized nearly 500,000 bottles of cough syrup Phensdyl worth INR 30 million and a large quantity of Ganja (marijuana) along the India-Bangladesh border.

An NSCN-K source claimed that one of its cadres was shot dead in Arunachal Pradesh during an encounter with the Assam Rifles. The place of the incidence was however not specified.

The flying squads and static surveillance teams operating under ECI to monitor MCC in respect of ensuing simultaneous elections in Arunachal Pradesh have seized arms and ammunitions along with cash and other materials, including IMFL, during security checking at different parts of the state. The team has seized cash amount of INR 13,70,800, two .32 revolvers with 34 numbers of ammunitions, one SBBL gun and 50 ammunitions, 20 sharp weapons, 3,184 bottles of IMFL. Since the inception of MCC on March 5, 2014, both the squads and Police seized an amount of INR 71,10,800, 237 numbers of sharp weapons, 89 mobile sets, opium 50 grams, 4 kg ganja (cannabis), two .32 revolvers with 34 numbers of ammunitions, two numbers of 12 bore SBBL guns with 50 rounds, 21 SBBL gun 4 numbers, sources added. The security checking would be continued in the state till the casting of ballots for simultaneous elections to be held on April 9, sources added.

IGP-administration Arvind Deep, said that steps have been initiated in co-ordination with the Army, Central Para Military Forces and local Police to neutralise the activities of underground elements in troubled Tirap, Changlang and Longding Districts of the State. Deep's response came days after the BJP allegation of involvement of underground cadres of rebel outfits to influence the poll process in the Eastern Arunachal Districts. BJP president Tai Tagak during a recent press conference alleged that candidates of various political parties are using underground elements to woo voters and claimed seizure of an AK rifle from the vehicle of a candidate without naming him.

A female cadre identified as Likjong Mandak of NSCN-IM as arrested from 1-Mile, Laktong area of Changlang town in Changlang District, where she was found collecting information about movement of SFs. and collecting extortion money. During the interrogation the militant, who had joined the outfit in 2010 revealed that female cadres were also being trained by underground groups for the purpose of conducting reconnaissance and collecting information on movement of SFs.

SFs arrested four top cadres of NSCN-U from Tirap District. The arrested cadres have been identified as 'sergeant major' Ahon Honwang Josak, S 'minister' Vito Awomi, Lonwang H Lowang and Lokwang Khete. During the operation, on being verbally challenged, the militants fired upon the security forces and on retaliatory fire by SFs, Ahon sustained bullet injury. cache of arms, ammunition and other incriminating goods were recovered by SFs.

A Myanmarese militant, identified as Gangsa of NSCN-KK was killed by SFs at Kanu village in Longding District. One AK-56 Rifle, three magazines and 45 rounds of live ammunition along with mobile handsets and other material were recovered.

President Pranab Mukherjee stated that NDA Government at the Centre is all set to settle the infiltration and all other issues related to Bangladesh on an urgent basis. President stated that NDA will tackle the issue of infiltration and illegal immigrants in the North-eastern region on priority basis and added that all pending fencing work along the Northeast border will also be completed.

SFs during a two day joint operation arrested two NSCN-IM militants identified as 'lieutenant colonel' Phungreisung Tanghkhul and 'major' Thongwang Aran from a village near Khonsa in Tirap District. Two AK-56 rifles, two magazines and 40 rounds live ammunition along with cash were also recovered from them. Phungreisung Tanghkhul was recently posted as 'commander' for Tirap, Changlang and Longding Districts.

SFs recovered one SLR two SLR magazines, 120 rounds of ammunition and 12 RPGs and Lathode bombs from Tirap District.

Police Team arrested three persons identified as Bengia Kame, Raj Pegu and Pranab Saikia from Banderdewa in Papum Pare District along with two .32 pistols along with 17 live rounds.

A female militant of NSCN-K who was forcibly picked up by NSCN-K with two other girls in 2010 and trained in NSCN-K camp in Myanmar, surrendered before the Changlang Police.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju stated that he wanted action oriented talks and solutions and stated that he wanted the talks to be comprehensive with the militants. He said that several militant groups had sent feelers that they were keen to come over ground and hold talks. He also added that "Some militant groups are likely to surrender in the coming months". He stated that "With ULFA and NSCN we need a little more time to bring them on board and find a solution."

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju stated that his first and foremost priority is to secure peace and security in the North East while asserting that without peace, no development can be possible in the region. He stated that GoI is devising a Unified Command like that of Assam saying it can't allow militant organisations to use Arunachal territory in carrying out their subversive activities.

AITF urged Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju to take up the issue of NPF reported propaganda of 'Greater Nagalim' in the State. A delegation of the Forum led by its chairman Bengia Tolum during a meeting in Itanagar apprised him how the Nagaland-based political party was trying to expand its wings to the State with 'Greater Nagalim' propaganda. They also pleaded with him to take up with the Centre the oft-repeated Chinese claim over State's territory and issuance of stapled visas to sportspersons and bureaucrats from the State.

After review meeting at Itanagar with Government departments, defence forces and security agencies at Itanagar, Rijiju said his ministry would work tirelessly for securing peace and development in Arunachal Pradesh and the rest of the region as without peace there would be no development.

Meghalaya CM Mukul Sangma stated in Tura of West Garo Hills District that the UN has agreed to accord special consultative status to the northeastern states for the UN Economic and Social Council. The special status to the North-East means that the forum will ensure discussions and policy innovations on development challenges in fields such as employment, education and health. It will also give the states an opportunity to be a part of select themes drawn from the UN's millennium development goals.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni stated that North Eastern States can play a vital role to further improve relations between India and Bangladesh. She stated that "There is vast scope of mutual investment in the resource rich North Eastern States, which are geographically very close to Bangladesh. North Eastern States can play a key role in improving bilateral ties."

NSCN-IM militant corporal' John Phoren Rangwa was injured in an encounter in Lapnan Village near Khonsa in Tirap District. One AK-47 rifle with 90 rounds and one .22 pistol were recovered from the encounter site.

Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Tanga Byaling stated that MHA has extended the Disturb Area Act for another six months in Tirap, Changlang and Longding Districts.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju stated in Rajya Sabha that violence in North East is on the wane with the number of violent incidents coming down to 412 from 1489 in 2007 and killing of innocent civilians to 102 from 498 during the same year.

India is likely to press Myanmar again to flush out North-East based militants including ULFA besides stressing a review of the border management with the neighbouring country, when External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj leaves for Myanmar.

Five TSSF militants were arrested from Changlang, Lohit (Arunachal Pradesh) and Tinsukia (Assam) Districts during a three day operation. Two pistols, 1 US carbine, 1 12-bore rifle and 1 .22 rifle have been recovered from them.

MHA alerted the North-eastern States over possible terror attacks in the run-up to Independence Day.MHA asked the States to take steps to foil any attempt by militants to upset peace.

All TSSF militants who were arrested on August 9 were handed over to Lohit Police.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju have assured all possible support to Arunachal Pradesh for modernization of the State Police. Tanga Byaling Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister was assured that Police modernisation fund would be hiked from INR 110 million to INR 220 million.

Union Minister of Home Affairs, Rajnath Singh stated that the Government was willing to hold talks with Northeast insurgents if they would shun arms.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju stated that MHA is implementing a scheme for surrender-cum-rehabilitation of militants of the northeastern region to wean away the misguided youth and hard-core militants who have strayed into the fold of militancy and later find themselves trapped.

Arunachal Chief Minister Nabam Tuki exhorted the people to join hands in fighting anti-social elements who are trying to 'dislodge the social fabric' of the State.

DoNER Minister V.K. Singh would meet the Chief Ministers of all North-eastern states in Guwahati in Assam on August 21-22 to decide a roadmap for the development of the region.

BSF IG stated that militants groups of the Northeast continue to receive 'substantial quantity' of illegal arms and ammunition from China and Myanmar. He said that "There are isolated instances of arms and ammunition entering into the country across the international border with Bangladesh, but a substantial quantity is coming from the international border with Myanmar and China."

Myanmar said it will bust training camps of NE militants if India provides specific inputs about their existence. Myanmar's Information Minister U Ye Htut said his government will cooperate "fully" with the new Indian government in cracking down on militant bases.

During border conference BSF and BGB discussing key issues such as movement of FICN, cattle smuggling, illegal migration and human trafficking. Both forces agreed to work jointly to resolve all border-related issues.

Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has requested the MHA to set up eight more new ITBP battalions in Arunachal Pradesh. Tuki revealed this during a discussion he had with the Inspector General of ITBP RKD Singh and DIGP Ajay Pal Singh.

Unidentified armed miscreants kidnapped a trader identified as KP Chako who runs a chain of Best Bakery in Itanagar, from his rented residence at Naharlagun in Papum Pare District. He was fired upon when he refused to accompany the miscreants.

Home Minister Tanga Bylaing stated that Police are making all out efforts to rescue trader K P Chacko who was abducted from Naharlagun in Papum Pare District.

Home Minister Tanga Bylaing on August 31 stated that Tani Land National Liberation Tigers had claimed to be behind the January 29 incident at Chauldhuwa under Behali reserve forest in Assam's Sonitpur District where 15 people were killed.

The body of trader from Kerala K.C. Chako who was abducted on August 27 from Naharlagun in Papum Pare District was recovered from a jungle in Cheputa village. Home Minister Tanga Byaling stated that Government has not been informed of any ransom demand.

Itanagar Police have arrested three unidentified persons in connection with the abduction and killing of Naharlagun-based trader KP Chako, whose decomposed body was found at Chiputa, about 8 km off Doimukh in Papum Pare District on September 5.

KZF militant Dilbagh Singh who was arrested in Guwahati as trying to explore possibilities of procuring weapons from North East.The easy availability of llegal weapons in the North East has become a matter of grave concern and now Khalistani militant groups have also started eyeing the region to procure weapons.

MHA has extended AFSPA on the Districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding. MHA through a formal notification on September 20 stated that law and order situation of these three Districts has remained unchanged. The three Districts are also used as corridor for trafficking of arms and ammunitions to various insurgent groups of the northeast.

JIC chairman RN Ravi submitted "a paper on strategy and action on Northeast policies" to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and was further discussed with Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiu. MHA had set a 3 month deadline to revise the Northeast policies. A senior official stated that "A targeted approach to sort out the problem is the need of the hour. We will soon consult the states and also issue fresh guidelines for the security personnel in Northeast to deal with the situation." It was also agreed that tough approach towards the insurgent groups needs to be adopted and they shall not be allowed to run their extortion racket.

A joint team of SFs killed two unidentified NSCN-IM militants at Thinsa village in Tirap. One AK-56 rifle with two magazines and 50 rounds of ammunition, one M 16 rifle with a magazine and 30 rounds of ammunitions were recovered from the dead militants.

Suspected militants opened fire on an Army convoy of 4 Rajput Regiment near Tewai Camp, a remote area in Longding District. Army sources said the militants exploded a bomb before firing at the Army vehicle forcing the Army personnel to retaliate. However, there was no report of any casualty.

Police arrested 4 extortionists who were extorting under the banner fo NLF, though they were not members of the group, from Itanagar at Param Pare Dist. Police recovered a kilo of Ammonium Nitrate, 8 electronic detonators, one timer device and one 0.315 Rifle with 7 rounds of live ammunitions from them. Police also recovered seized literature material of an unspecified faction of NSCN and ULTA.

Peace talk interlocutor and JIC Chairman R.N Ravi held deliberations with youths of Tirap, Changlang and Longding Districts This was a follow up meeting to an earlier deliberation between JIC Chairman and Editor-In-Chief of Eastern Sentinel, Jarpum Gamlin. JIC Chairman also stated that violence and atrocities must stop and things must change for better and added that issues and concerns of the affected locals in Arunachal Pradesh shall be taken into consideration in the peace talks. He also acknowledged the pitfalls in ceasefire agreement when youths raised concerns over the "non-transparency" in ceasefire agreement, including ambiguity over operation, jurisdiction and members of the ceasefire monitoring committee. "We will bring in more transparency into the process and address grievances,"

Arunachal Pradesh Police arrested two extortionists from Chimpu area in Papum Pare District, identified as Achi Tallo and Arun Tayung.

SFs are keeping a strict vigil along India's border with Bangladesh and Myanmar ahead of PM Narendra Modi's visit by November end. The Prime Minister will be on his first visit to five north eastern states.

Residents of Balijan circle under Papum Pare District 'arrested' two extortionists, identified as Brasan Doimary and Alhen Doimary after overpowering them and handed over to Police. The extortionists were demanding ransom in Tengabari area in Papum Pare District. They were allegedly serving extortion notices to businessmen of the area.

The separatist Groups including in Assam, Bodoland, Kamtapur and Meghalaya were responsible for 16 per cent of deaths in the region, reports Global Terrorism Index 2014 of IEP.

India asked Thailand its cooperation to arrest militants of North East militant groups. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said that India would approach the Thai authorities for assistance in checking their activities. "Many insurgent groups from India's North-East have links to the South East Asian countries and tend to go to Myanmar and Thailand. There have been some reports of their presence in Thailand and the Government of India (GoI) would approach the Thai authorities for assistance in curtailing their activities," Rijiju Stated.

NSG DG J.N. Choudhury that militancy has become a "cottage industry" in North East India. e stated that "In northeast, militancy has become almost a cottage industry where extortion and abduction for ransom is seen as an easy means for money."

IB Chief Syed Asif Ibrahim said that while the CPI-Maoist is besieged with serious problems and the security situation has shown marked improvement in J&K, the security situation in the Northeast region was fragile, with some militant outfits still outside the ambit of the peace process. Speaking at the 49th conference of the DGPs, IGPs and head of all Central Police organizations, the IB chief said that the safe sanctuaries of the militants in neighbouring countries, particularly Myanmar, was compounding the situation. He said in Arunachal Pradesh, turf war between NSCN factions continued in two Districts of Triap and Changlang.

UHM Rajnath Singh said that most conflicts in the Northeastern region have socio- economic reasons behind them and these (reasons) have been there since even before independence. Singh added that these socio-economic disparities have existed due to lack of development including that of infrastructure in the region. He suggested that the Police summit should try to hammer out a special strategy to tackle insurgency in the Northeast. He announced that the Government was fully committed to formulate a special development package for the Northeast to facilitate all encompassing development for all the communities.

Police arrested 'deputy commandant' of NLCT at Likabali under West Siang District.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijju stated that GoI will soon hold a meeting with all Chief Ministers of the eight North Eastern states to discuss the new security threat by jihadi group through their various terror networks.

He also appealed to members of various rebels to come over ground and join the mainstream saying their illegal activities is not affecting anyone except their own community. Further referring to the conflicts within the region because of the emergence of various militant groups, Rijiju said, "By taking up arms, we are doing the greatest damage to our own community. It will not have any impact on others. I appeal to the misguided youths to join the mainstream. They will be engaged constructively."

Union Minister of State for Home affairs Kiren Rijiju expressed concern over the security threat posed by terror sleeper cells to the North East region

AAPSU expressing their surprise over the ULFA-I's 'vice-chairman' and 'commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah threat to launch armed protest against the GoI if it goes ahead with the 2000 MW LSHP stated that it would oppose any such moves, reports The Sentinel. 'President' of the apex students' body of the State, Kamta Lapung, in a statement, said that AAPSU oppose any intervention or remarks made by any person who is not bonafide citizen of the state. LSHP will be constructed at Gerukamukh area of Dhemaji District in Assam.

Highly placed sources in the MHA stated that there is thinking in GoI that the existing policy of dealing with militancy in the North East is not yielding the desired results and there is need for amending it. Sources pointed out that, as per the existing policy, Government is agreeing to talk with any militant group, which comes forward for talks. But of late, GoI has found that the policy is not yielding the desired results as new outfits are cropping up regularly. Moreover, the splinter groups of militant outfits, which have come for talks, are still active.

Arunachal Pradesh sounded a high alert after the December 23 attacks by the NDFB-IKS militants in Assam. Also Home Department has issued directives to Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent (SP) of all the Districts bordering Assam to keep a strict vigil on possibility of ultras sneaking into the state's territory after the massacre, stated the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki.