Arunachal Pradesh Timeline - 2013

February 14

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.

SFs killed an ULFA-ATF militant, in an encounter, at Mudoi village in Lohit District.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SFs arrested two NSCN-IM cadres, identified as Silai Pansha and Wangsiang Wansha, from Longding Niru village in Longding District.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Police arrested two militants belonging to NDFB-IKS, identified as Sanswanga Ajuwara and Anchal Basumatary, at Bhalukpong in West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh.

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).