January 6
|
In a statement, the NSCN-IM strongly
objected to India's decision to fence the borders between Myanmar
and Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. In the statement,
NSCN-IM said that such 'artificial boundary fencing imposed upon
the Naga people' was against the will of the people and was gross
violation of human rights. Other Naga groups like, NNC and ENDO
were also against the fencing.
|
January 8 |
The Additional Secretary for Mizoram's Home department
Lalbiakzama said that the proposed repatriation of over 32,800
Brus lodged in six relief camps in Tripura was scheduled to begin
from the second week of February, 2017. Lalbiakzama attended a
meeting between the UMHA and Mizoram Government in New Delhi over
the issue of the repatriation of the 5,413 Bru families.
|
January 23 |
A senior State Home Department official said that
the Mizoram Government had decided to go ahead with the physical
repatriation of Brus from six relief camps in neighbouring North
Tripura District scheduled to commence from the second week of
February. The State Government officials who conducted the identification
in the Tripura relief camps during November two to November 23,
2016, had identified 32,857 people belonging to 5,413 families
for physical repatriation.
|
January 25 |
MBDPF, the umbrella organisation of Bru refugees
lodged in six relief camps in North Tripura, made it clear that
they would stick to their long-standing '13-point demands' and
wrote a letter to UHM Rajnath Singh regarding the issue on January
24. The MBDPF, in its letter to Singh, sought his intervention
on the issue of the Bru repatriation and reconsider the present
package of the repatriation. Further, the Bru organisation alleged
that the Mizoram Government's Bru repatriation programme was not
realistic and practical. The present stand of MBDPF may create
hurdle to the Mizoram Government's decision to start Bru repatriation
from second week of February of this year (2017).
|
February 4 |
A senior official of the State Home department
of Mizoram said that the date for the fourth round of peace talks
between the Mizoram Government and the Manipur based HPC-D would
soon be fixed. The official said that the meeting of Home department
officials to be chaired by Additional Secretary Lalbiakzama. While
from the HPC-D side, the delegation would be led by the working
'chairman' L T Hmar.
In some declassified reports of CIA of the United
States of America, it was revealed that the North Eastern militant
groups had been receiving Chinese assistance in terms of arms
and training since 1960s. The CIA report was submitted on July
26, 1968 and from the report it is evident that the militant groups
of the Northeast were receiving help from China even during that
time. The report said that the Naga militants first established
contacts with China in December, 1966. The report revealed that
the first batch of approximately 200 militants crossed over to
Northern Burma (now Myanmar) to obtain arms training in Yunnan.
|
February 13 |
Official sources of Mizoram said that the meeting
of the JMG held in Guwahati on February 12, to discuss the repatriation
of Bru refugees from the six relief camps in Tripura to Mizoram
was 'inconclusive' as Bru representatives 'refused to budge from
their demands'. Mizoram State Additional Secretary for Home Lalbiakzama
said that the meeting was 'inconclusive' as MBDPF, the apex body
of Bru refugees demanded that all their demands be fulfilled by
Centre and Mizoram Governments. The demands of MBDPF are allotment
of at least five hectare land to each repatriated Bru family,
enhancement of rehabilitation package, provision of free ration
for two years, INR 5,000 per month be given to each family and
the Brus be given the same status as given to Kashmiri Pandits.
The meeting was chaired by Special Secretary (Internal Secretary)
in Union Ministry of Home Affairs MK Singla and attended by officials
of Mizoram and Tripura Governments, representatives of MBDPF,
BCC and central committee of YMA.
|
February 18 |
The fourth round of peace talks between Mizoram
Government and HPC-D, which was scheduled to be held in the second
week of February, has been deferred. The officials said that the
next round of talks had to be deferred as other departments like
Finance, DP&AR and Law have to be consulted in the process of
the ongoing negotiation. The exact date for talks could not, however,
be decided, but it is likely to take place in the last week of
February, they added.
|
February 21 |
In a statement, the umbrella organisation of displaced
Brus, MBDPF said that the Bru refugees lodged in seven relief
camps in northern Tripura since the last 20 years had decided
not to return to Mizoram as the Mizoram Government has "refused"
to meet their demands. The MBDPF said that a public meeting was
held at all the seven relief camps on February 14 and 15 in which
the refugees expressed their unwillingness to return to Mizoram
by raising their hands. The public meeting was conducted as per
the decision of a meeting of JMG in Guwahati on February 12 in
which the MBDPF was entrusted to submit the public decision within
three months. The JMG meeting, comprising representatives of the
Ministries of Home Affairs of Mizoram and Tripura and MBDPF, went
inconclusive.
|
February 24 |
India has decided to throw open its border roads
to help Bangladesh construct border outposts in CHT, known for
its inhospitable terrain. Some areas in Chittagong, bordering
Tripura and Mizoram, have no motorable roads and India has decided
to allow the BGB to construct 13 border outposts using the road
connectivity available in the two States.
|
February 28 |
A senior State Home Department official said in
a statement that the fourth round of peace talks between Mizoram
Government and HPC-D militant will be held in March (this month).
Earlier the fourth round of peace talks scheduled to be held during
mid-February, was postponed as the Home Department had to approach
Law and Finance departments before the talk.
|
March 13 |
Four unidentified militants reportedly threatened
two Mizoram forest guards who were guarding the forests along
Meidili River near Assam-Mizoram border to curb bamboo smuggling.
According to Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizo Students' Association),
the two foresters were threatened at gun point by the four militants
armed with AK-47 assault rifles and one pistol and told to stop
guarding the riverine forest. However, Police said that they received
the information of militants threatening foresters, but could
not confirm it.
|
March 14 |
Mizoram Governor Lieutenant General Nirbhay Sharma
said that the final stage of peace dialogue between the State
Government and the Manipur-based HPC-D militants was expected
soon. Addressing the State legislature, the Governor said that
three rounds of dialogue have so far been held. "During these
talks, arms and ammunition snatched from the police by the HPC-D
cadres were returned," he added.
|
March 22 |
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the
security situation in the Northeastern States of India and directed
officials to enhance vigil along the international borders in
the region. During the hour long meeting, the Home Minister was
given a detailed presentation on the prevailing situation in the
Northeast, especially militancy in the region. Singh was also
told about the steps taken to ensure peace, especially in Assam,
Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur, the four states considered
to be affected by insurgency, official sources added.
The MoS for Home Affairs clarified that surrendered
militants without any criminal cases pending against them can
contest in elections. Kiren Rijiju on the issue further informed
that at least 15,314 militants have surrendered under the surrender-cum-rehabilitation
policy for the northeastern region. Altogether, 235 individuals
are still undergoing rehabilitation under the Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation
Scheme as of financial year 2016-17.
|
March 28 |
The SC said that Bru refugees, lodged in relief
camps in Tripura after being displaced from Mizoram, should be
allowed to voluntarily return to their native State. A bench comprising
Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice S K Kaul referred to the
February 6 order in which Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar had informed
the court that he would convey to the authorities concerned that
status quo be maintained on shifting back of displaced families
to Mizoram. "We accordingly hereby clarify that such Bru families
that were displaced to Tripura and desiring to return to Mizoram
voluntarily, shall be allowed to do so on their own will and such
of the families, which desire such rehabilitation, will be provided
the necessary pre-requisites as has been provided to others who
have been rehabilitated," it said. The solicitor general told
the court that rehabilitation process of Bru families is going
on and a joint monitoring group, headed by the Union home secretary,
is looking after it.
|
April 2 |
In a fresh attempt to nudge Myanmar to launch
a flush out operation against the militants of the Northeast,
India reduced the allotment to its Aid to Myanmar programme significantly
and allocated INR 225 crore only this Year (2017-18). In the previous
year, (i.e. in 2016-17) India sanctioned INR 400 crore to Myanmar
but the indifferent attitude of Myanmar over the issue of Northeastern
militant groups disappointed India and this time India has clearly
shown its displeasure over the issue, claims the report.
|
April 5 |
Authoritative security sources in the Union Home
Ministry claimed that China has roped in militant groups of North
East to launch a proxy war against India. The source further claimed
that the recent statement of ULFA-I, on March 28, against the
visit of Dalai Lama in Assam was dictated by China. Also, asserting
that China was not interested in organizational strength of ULFA-I,
the security sources said that China intends to intensify its
proxy war against India in the North East through the separatist
groups.
|
April 10 |
A senior State Home department official said that
the fourth round of peace talks between Mizoram Government and
the HPC-D militants is scheduled to be held on April 21. The official
informed that the parleys were expected to revolve around giving
more autonomy to the Sinlung Hill Development Council and also
on the financial aspects including proposals for rehabilitation
and resettlement of the HPC-D militants, after they lay down arms
in the event of the agreement being signed. The State Government
delegation would be led by Additional secretary in the Home department,
Lalbiakzama while the HPC-D delegation would be headed by working
president of the HPC-D, L T Hmar and comprising of overground
Hmar leaders from both Manipur and Mizoram.
Replying to a question by MP Krupal Balaji Tumane,
Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir revealed
that insurgent activities in the Northeast along the Indo-Myanmar
border saw an increase compared to the Indo-Bangladesh border
in the last three years. According to the report, during the period
from 2015 to March 31, 2017, terror activities along Indo-Myanmar
border increased alarmingly in view of insurgents groups shifting
their bases from Bangladesh to territories within Myanmar and
China. According to the Minister, during this period, 10 encounters
took place in three North Eastern States - Assam, Meghalaya and
Tripura along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Even though no casualties
were reported in these encounters, a total of 11 suspected rebels
were arrested. In Assam along the Indo-Bangla border, three encounters
were reported and four militants arrested in 2015. No such incident
was however reported in Assam along the Indo-Bangla border in
2016-17. On the other hand, the Indo-Myanmar border has been witnessing
steady rise in insurgent activities during the period with as
many as 206 encounters reported between militants and security
personnel spread across four Northeastern States Arunachal Pradesh,
Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. While 18 security personnel lost
their lives, 32 insurgents were killed in these encounters. A
total 337 rebels were arrested from the international border in
the four States during this period. Among the four Northeastern
States sharing Myanmar border, maximum number of encounters took
place in Arunachal Pradesh. As many as 81 encounters were reported
in that State where three security personnel and 13 militants
were killed. During this period, 114 suspected insurgents were
arrested. Even in 2017, 13 encounter cases have been reported
till March in Arunachal along the border with Myanmar. Union Minister
Ahir said the Central Government of India in tandem with Northeastern
State Governments has adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain
cross-border infiltration. This includes strengthening of border
management, multi-tiered deployment along the international border
and Line of Control, synergizing intelligence flow to check infiltration
and pro-active action against terrorists.
|
April 15 |
Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana said that
the fourth round of peace talks between Mizoram Government and
HPC-D was scheduled to be held on April 28. The State Government
delegation would be led by Additional Secretary, Home department,
Lalbiakzama while HPC-D delegation is expected to be headed by
working 'chairman' of HPC-D LT Hmar and comprising Hmar leaders
from Manipur and Mizoram. Earlier the date of the scheduled talk
was reported as April 21 in SATP from a different source.
Home Minister R. Lalzirliana said that the Mizoram
Government was ready to carry out repatriation of Bru families
lodged at relief camps in Tripura any time. Speaking to reporters
in Aizawl at a press conference, the Mizoram Home Minister said
that the State Government has completed all formalities which
were supposed to be done in connection with the repatriation process.
Mizoram officials who conducted the identification in the Tripura
relief camps during November 2 to November 23, 2016, had identified
32,857 people hailing from 5,413 families for physical repatriation.
It can be noted here that the physical repatriation has been put
on hold as the Supreme Court directed both the UMHA and Mizoram
Government not to go ahead with the repatriation process following
the 20 points demands raised by MBDPF, an apex body of displaced
Bru people staying in six refugee camps in Tripura. The Mizoram
Home Minister said that the Supreme Court on March 28, 2017 clarified
a status-quo on Bru repatriation that such of the Bru families,
as were displaced to Tripura, who desire to return to Mizoram
voluntarily, shall be allowed to do so on their own volition and
volition and, as such, all the Bru families who desire to return
to Mizoram will be provided with the necessary pre-requisites,
as are extended to other Bru families, who were rehabilitated
to Mizoram.
|
April 16 |
The Union Government seems to be exploring the
possibility of forming another ADC in Mizoram with an aim for
final settlement of the two decade old Reang refugee crisis. The
speculation emanated from a recent UMHA letter seeking observation
of the Mizoram Government regarding the possibility of forming
such ADC for the Reangs. The Joint Secretary UMHA in his letter
told the Chief Secretary of the state to submit a report regarding
the possible administrative structure of the proposed ADC. Considering
the history, geography, composition and economy of the area the
letter said such ADC may be formed comprising areas from three
districts, the Mamit, Kolasib and Lunglei, where most of the state's
second largest ethnic community, the Reangs, resides. According
to the report, official reaction of the Mizoram Government over
the new development is not yet available but it is presumed that
it will not be acceptable to the state government headed by CM
Lal Thanhawala.
Three unidentified militants belonging to BDFM
were arrested in south Mizoram's Lawngtlai District while trying
to enter Mizoram from Bangladesh. Two AK-47 rifles and 39 rounds
of ammunition were also recovered from the arrested militants.
|
April 17 |
Aizawl District SP F Lalhuliana said that the
Police had made seven seizures of FICN, mainly in INR 2,000 denomination
with a face value of INR 5.4 million in recent times. The first
seizure of FICN during this year was made on March 24 when 252
FICN in INR 2,000 denomination and two FICN in INR 500 denomoination
were unearthed. On March 28, FICN with a face value of INR 198,000
(INR 2,000 denomination) were recovered. The biggest catch was
made on April 14, when 1,300 FICN in INR 2,000 denomination were
seized at Bairabi near the Mizoram-Assam border. The face value
of the fake notes was INR 2.6 million. Altogether, 11 persons
have been arrested in this connection so far.
|
April 19 |
Mizoram Government said that it has not received
any letter from UMHA, which proposed creation of another ADC to
solve the Bru (Reang) refugee crisis. State Home department additional
secretary, Lalbiakzama said that the State Government did not
receive such letter purported to be written by Joint Secretary
of UMHA to the State Chief Secretary. Meanwhile, State Home Minister
R Lalzirliana ruled out creation of any other ADC, saying that
the Government would never agree to further balkanise of the small
hilly State on ethnic grounds.
|
April 20 |
Activists of MZP allegedly burnt vehicles in the
complex of Champhai deputy commissioner's office as the indefinite
bandh (shutdown) called by the students' organisation in the eastern
Mizoram's town turned violent. The bandh was called by the Champhai
District MZP in protest against shortage of doctors at district
civil hospital.
|
April 22 |
The annual report of the UMHA for 2016-17 revealed
that the security situation in the Northeast had "improved substantially"
during the previous year where insurgency-related incidents decreased
by more than 15 per cent compared to 2015. "The security situation
in the northeastern states, which has remained complex for quite
some time because of diverse demands of ethnic groups and various
militant outfits, improved substantially in 2016.
The number of insurgency-related incidents in
the region decreased by more than 15 per cent compared to 2015,"
the report said. In 2015, while there were 574 insurgency-related
incidents, the corresponding figure in 2016 was 484. The report
also said 2016 witnessed the "lowest number" of insurgency incidents
since 1997. While casualties among SFs in the region declined
from 46 (2015) to 17 (2016), civilian casualties declined in all
states except Assam where it increased from 9 in 2015 to 29 in
2016. The report noted that while Sikkim, Mizoram and Tripura
had no insurgency-related violence in 2016, there was considerable
decline in incidents in Meghalaya (44 per cent) and Nagaland (43
per cent) compared to 2015. In 2016, Manipur accounted for about
48 per cent of total violent incidents in the region and Arunachal
Pradesh experienced an increase in violent activities by 38 per
cent, primarily on account of violence by the Khaplang faction
of NSCN-K, the report stated. In Assam, insurgency-related violence
continued to decline and 2016 witnessed the lowest number of insurgency
incidents since 1997, it added. In 2016, Meghalaya witnessed a
44 per cent decline in the number of violent incidents. While
there were 123 incidents in 2015, the figure declined to 68 in
2016.
The report stated that the number of civilian
casualties decreased by 33 per cent compared to 2015. Further,
while 25 militants were killed in 2015, the figure came down to
15 in 2016. Similarly, only 59 militants were arrested in 2016
compared to 121 in 2015. However, there was no casualty on the
part of security personnel in 2016.
|
April 28 |
The fourth round of peace talks between the Mizoram
Government and the HPC-D was held in Aizawl with both sides agreeing
to continue with the dialogue in the near future. State additional
secretary for Home Lalbiakzama, who is the leader of the government
delegation, told PTI that the parleys were held in a cordial atmosphere
and mutual trust. "Official level talks to deliberate on the terms
of the framework agreement would continue till the talks, in the
final phase are elevated to political level," a senior Home department
official said. The six-member HPC-D delegation was led by L T
Hmar, 'working chairman' of the Hmar outfit. Sources in the HPC-D
delegation said, that the talks now revolved around autonomy of
the SHDC, formed in the wake of the accord signed between the
state government and the erstwhile underground HPC on July 27,
1994. The name of the council was also proposed to be changed
from SHDC to Sinlung Hills Council, by omitting the word 'Development',
the sources said.
|
April 29 |
Two unidentified militants of the BDFM surrendered
in Lawngtlai District.
|
May 4 |
The fifth round of peace talks between the Mizoram
government and the HPC-D militants is scheduled to be held in
July, State additional secretary for Home, Lalbiakzama said. Lalbiakzama
said that the coming round of talks might be the last official
level talks as the parleys may be elevated to political level
soon. "Official level talks to deliberate on the terms of the
framework agreement would continue till the final phase and the
parleys would be elevated to political level," he said.
|
May 13 |
State Additional Secretary for Home, Lalbiakzama,
said that the fifth round of peace talks between Mizoram Government
and HPC-D militants is scheduled to be held in July, 2017. He
said in Aizawl that the coming round of talks might be the last
official level talks as the parleys may be elevated to political
level soon. "Official level talks to deliberate on the terms of
the framework agreement would continue till the final phase and
the parleys would be elevated to political level," he said. Sources
in HPC-D delegation said that the talks now revolved around autonomy
of SHDC, formed in the wake of the accord signed between State
Government and the erstwhile underground HPC on July 27, 1994.
The name of the Council was proposed to be changed to Sinlung
Hills Council by omitting the word 'Development', sources said.
|
May 16 |
Reviewing the security situation in the Northeast
with chief secretaries and DGPs of the region in New Delhi, Union
Home Minister Rajnath Singh described religious radicalisation
as a serious security threat and said if not checked in time;
it could lead to terrorism. He also expressed concern over the
proliferation of illegal arms in the region and asked the Police
chiefs to launch organised campaigns against arms smugglers.
The North Eastern States which share international
borders with Myanmar have collectively urged the Union Ministry
of Home Affairs to take up the controversies surrounding the international
boundary with the Ministry of External Affairs for early resolution.
The North Eastern States raised the issue during a convention
of Chief Secretaries and DGPs with Union Home Minister Rajnath
Singh. Officials who attended the meeting also mentioned about
intrusion into Haollenphai of Manipur and confiscation of saw
mill components by Myanmarese Army.
|
May 17 |
MBDPF, an apex body of displaced Bru people staying
in seven refugee camps in north Tripura District has recently
appealed to the SC and accused two civil bodies of Mizoram - YMA
and MZP- of ill treating the Bru refugees. Meanwhile, the Supreme
Court has asked both YMA and MZP to clarify on the allegation
leveled by the MBDPF latest by May 8. However, the leaders of
YMA and MZP could not appear before the Apex Court within a stipulated
time as they received the letter lately, the YMA said. Accordingly,
the Supreme Court gave eight-week additional time to the two civil
bodies to make clarification.
|
May 21 |
Threatened by an ethnic insurgent group, named
Arakan Army, in Myanmar, nearly 300 Myanmarese nationals, mostly
women and children, have crossed the border and taken refuge in
two villages in south Mizoram since May 19. According to officials
of AR who reached out to the Myanmar nationals on May 20, more
than 200 people are taking shelter at Khaikhy and Lungpuk villages
under Mara Autonomous District Council bordering Myanmar. Another
77 nationals had crossed the border seeking refuge in Khaikhy
village. The refugees are residents of Raile village in Chin state
of Myanmar.
|
May 24 |
More than 300 Myanmar nationals, who crossed over
to Mizoram on May 19 and sought refuge after being threatened
by an insurgent group (Arakan Army), were repatriated by the Indian
authority. The AR handed over all the refugees to Chebei in the
presence of representatives of the Saiha administration, Mizoram
Police and members of the Mara Autonomous District Council in
Mizoram bordering Myanmar.
|
June 1 |
The UMHA has said that there has been a sharp
decline in violence, extortion and attacks on security forces
in the Northeast in the last three years. As per data available
with the UMHA, only 484 such incidents were reported in 2016 as
compared to 1,025 in 2012 and 732 in 2013. It further noted that
the number of abductions have come down from 329 in 2012 and 307
in 2013 to 168 in 2016. Only 28 such cases were registered till
March this year. However, the number of security personnel killed
in Manipur shows an upward trend with 24 being killed in 2015
and 11 in 2016 as compared to 8 and 5 deaths in 2012 and 2013,
respectively.
The NDFB-IKS suffered a setback with more than
900 cadres being arrested and nearly 55 being killed in security
operations, according to the UMHA note. The number of such incidents
in Assam jumped to 50 in 2016 as compared to 21 in 2013, the UMHA
note stated.
The number of militants surrendering saw a decline
with 267 such surrenders taking place in 2016 as compared to 1,161
in 2012, as per official data. Arms recovery was not significant
despite a crackdown as 698 arms were recovered in 2016 as compared
to 1,856 in 2012.
As many as 1,202 militants were arrested in 2016
as compared to 2,145 in 2012. Of this, the highest number of arrests
in 2016 has been made in Manipur (518) and Assam (366) while maximum
abduction cases were reported from Nagaland (51) and Meghalaya
(52).
|
June 3 |
UHM Rajnath Singh said that year 2016 witnessed
the lowest number of insurgency-related incidents in last 20 years.
"The year 2016 witnessed the lowest insurgency incidents in last
20 years. Such incidents reduced from 824 in 2014 to 484 in 2016.
The number of incidents was 574 in 2015, which was the lowest
since 1997, and further reduced in 2016. The number of civilian
casualties in Northeast has also come down drastically in the
last three years," said UHM Singh in New Delhi. "Sustained security
initiatives during the last three years have brought peace and
stability to the North-eastern region of the country after decades
of insurgency," Singh added.
|
June 7 |
Chinese agencies are trying to launch a proxy
war with India by using the militant groups of the North East
region and some of these plans came to light after a militant
leader of ULFA-I, named Ron Asom surrendered recently. Police
sources further said that the inputs available with the security
agencies indicate that the major militant groups of the region
came into a common platform only after pressure from the Chinese
agencies and now they have started operating together.
|
June 12 |
Khango Konyak, who is the new 'chairman' of the
NSCN-K, is likely to be the head of the UNLFW, which is an umbrella
organisation of the militant groups of North East. Earlier it
was expected that Paresh Baruah, the 'chief' of ULFA-I might be
the head of the UNLFW. But dismissing speculations about his taking
over charge of the UNLFW, Paresh Barua has backed the idea of
'next-generation leaders' coming forward to take charge after
the demise of NSCN-K 'chief' SS Khaplang.
|
June 15 |
A Mizoram Assembly committee has strongly suggested
construction of good roads and provision of electricity along
the Indo-Myanmar border and that there is no need for Indo-Myanmar
border fencing as the people on both sides of the border are culturally
related. This was stated in a memorandum presented by the subject
committee-I of Mizoram Assembly to Union Home Minister Rajnath
Singh during his recent visit to Mizoram. The memorandum highlighted
the problems faced in the Indo-Bangla border fencing and non-payment
of compensation also.
|
June 18 |
Mizoram Police recovered 400 sticks of gelatin
and two quintals of dried rhizome of a certain medicinal plant
from near Zokhawthar village in Champhai District. According to
the Police the recovered staff was brought for smuggling purpose.
|
June 26 |
In a statement, a senior Home department official
said that the peace talks between Mizoram Government and HPC-D
scheduled to be held during July is most likely to be elevated
to political level talks from the present official level talks.
The official said that four rounds of talks held since August
10 last year (2016) were held under cordial atmosphere and mutual
trust and had proceeded fast towards reaching an amicable settlement
to the vexed Hmar imbroglio.
|
June 29 |
The Police forces of various States of the Northeast
Indian region may soon coalesce under an umbrella organisation
to improve coordination and efficiency. A suggestion in this regard
was reportedly made by Assam's DGP, Mukesh Sahay, at the 24th
conference of DGs and IGs of Police of the Northeast region held
in Guwahati on June 29. It was attended by Satyendra Garg, a Joint
Secretary (Northeast) in the UMHA. Sahay said if the militants
can have an umbrella organisation, the Police too can have it.
He said it would ensure better coordination among the Police forces
of the Northeast region. "Like one nation one tax, we can have
one NE one NE police. We need to work on making this concept,
encouraged by the Prime Minister, possible. We are eagerly looking
forward to your recommendations on Nepol," Assam Chief Secretary
Vinod Kumar Pipersenia said. Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal and DGP
Mukesh Sahay also seconded the idea of 'Nepol'.
|
July 1 |
The AR personnel recovered five AK-56 rifles meant
to be sold to the Manipur-based militant groups, during an operation
near the Tyao River between Farkawn and Vaphai village of Champhai
District along the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram.
|
July 9 |
The six Bru relief camps in Tripura should be
closed and assistance provided to the inmates there should be
stopped if the Brus continue to refuse to return to Mizoram, an
adviser of Ministry of Home Affairs said. An official release
in Aizawl said that Union Ministry of Home Affairs Adviser (North
East) MK Singla expressed this opinion while meeting Mizoram CM
Lal Thanhawla. However, this is his personal opinion, the release
said.
|
July 13 |
Both civil society organizations and political
parties based in Mizoram have submitted a memorandum to PM Narendra
Modi demanding a "separate administration for the Zo people (Chin-Kuki-Mizo/Zomi)
in the present Manipur at the same status as that of the Nagas
be made outside the ambit of the Manipur Government". The memorandum
also demanded that "a process be initiated for fulfillment of
the enduring desire of the Zo people (Chin-Kuki-Mizo/Zomi) in
the present Manipur to be integrated under the same administration
with their Zo brothers of present Mizoram which is apparently
being done in the case of Nagas". The memorandum was jointly submitted
by CYMA, MUP, MHIP, MZP, MSU, ZORO, BJP-Mizoram, MPCC, MNF, ZNP
and MPC. In the memorandum it was stated that the GoI must ensure
that no ancestral Zo territory be left behind under the Manipur
Government to be further "subjugated and marginalized".
|
July 14 |
India has yet again underscored the need to flush
out the Northeast-based militants operating from Myanmar. Commander-in-Chief
of the Myanmar Defence Services, Senior General U Min Aung Hliang
is currently touring India and he called on PM Narendra Modi and
several other ministers in New Delhi. He also called on Defence
Minister Arun Jaitley, besides Army chief General Vipin Rawat.
According to official sources, the visiting Senior General briefed
the PM about bilateral defence and security cooperation. The Prime
Minister appreciated the close cooperation between the armed forces
of India and Myanmar.
|
July 15 |
The BGB has denied the presence of North East-based
militant camps in the country. Addressing a press conference in
Shillong after the culmination of the talks with the BSF officials,
BGB Additional Director General (North East region) Mohammad Zahid
Hasan said Bangladesh has zero tolerance towards anti-social elements
and the country's leadership maintains a tough stand against insurgent
groups. "These (presence of insurgent camps) are mere perceptions�
We will firmly act if there is any," Zahid said. BSF had raised
the issue of presence of outfits like GNLA, ULFA-I and HNLC in
Bangladesh territory and sought stringent action against them.
Earlier, IG of BSF (Meghalaya frontier) PK Dubey reiterated that
there are no regulated militant camps in Bangladesh which existed
10-15 years back and there is coordinated action between the border
sentinels of the two countries.
|
July 20 |
Easy availability of FICN in Assam and Mizoram
has set alarm bells ringing among the security agencies in New
Delhi. According to the UMHA statistics, fake notes with a face
value totalling INR 650,800 were seized and detected in Assam
in the last six months alone. "It's really shocking that within
such a short time - from January till June this year - fake notes
worth INR 650,800 were seized in Assam," said a senior MHA official.
Similarly, INR 5,501,500 fake currencies were seized in Mizoram.
The highest amount of fake currency has been seized in Delhi during
the same period.
|
July 22 |
The proposed fifth round of peace talks between
the Mizoram Government and HPC-D, which was tentatively scheduled
to be held at the end of July is now likely to be deferred. Mizoram
State Home Department officials said that the next round of peace
parleys might need to be deferred as the Mizoram government is
yet to complete its "homework" for the proposed talks. The next
round of peace talks is likely to be held in August and is believed
to be the last official level talks after which the ongoing parleys
would be elevated to "political level", the officials further
said.
|
July 31 |
An unnamed senior State Home department official
stated that Mizoram Government was making efforts to rein in the
Lalhmingthanga Sanate faction HPC-D to ensure that they also come
over ground. The official said the government wants to ensure
that Sanate faction of HPC-D comes over ground when a peace accord
is signed with the faction led by H Zosangbera with which the
State Government is holding peace talks. The proposed next round
of talks scheduled to be held during July was deferred because
of some reasons including the efforts made to include Sanate's
faction of HPC-D in the proposed accord to find amicable solution
to the vexed Hmar imbroglio, he said. Preparations have been made
to resume the talks during August which would likely be the last
round of official level talks, he said, adding that the talks
would be elevated to political level parleys after this round.
|
August 18 |
Police on August 18 said
that at least 532 non-tribals, living in Mizoram without valid ILP,
were arrested across the State. Police said a special drive on the
violation of ILP by non-tribal workers in the State was launched
on August 17 and would continue for a few days. |
August 21 |
HPC-D welcomed the Mizoram Government's decision
to hold talks with the HPC-D faction. The State Government had
decided to hold talks with HPC-D faction led by Lalhmingthanga
Sanate within this month and with the Zosangbera faction next
month which had been nearing conclusion.
|
September 2 |
The proposed peace talks between Mizoram Government
and Lalhmingthanga Sanate faction of HPC-D did not materialize
as the State Government rejected the conditions put forward by
the militant group. "The HPC(D) faction led by Lalhmingthanga
Sanate set pre-conditions like establishment of an autonomous
district council under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution
in the Hmar community concentrated area and tripartite talks by
inclusion of a senior official from the Centre," a senior State
Government official said. The State Government rejected the conditions
as its stance was that there should be no conditions for holding
talks, he said. The talks were to be held in August end. Peace
parleys with the major faction led by H Zosangbera would soon
resume and the next round of talks was likely to be the last official
level talks as it would be elevated to the political level, he
said.
|
September 14 |
AR personnel guarding the Indo-Myanmar border
have been put on "high alert" to check the possible influx of
Rohingyas from Myanmar. Rohingya Muslims have been fleeing Myanmar's
Rakhine state following intense violence and many of them have
entered Bangladesh for shelter. "Troops of Assam Rifles in the
hill districts of the northeastern states, bordering Myanmar,
are on high alert because of apprehension that illegal immigrants
might try to enter by crossing the international border," a statement
issued by the AR said. The statement also said patrolling all
along the Indo-Myanmar border has been "intensified" over the
last three days. "Till today, no illegal immigrant has been detected
or intercepted. High priority is being given to the border town
of Moreh/South Mizoram," the statement added.
|
September 21 - 22 |
The two day peace talks between the Mizoram Government
and HPC-D held in Aizawl concludes on a positive note. It was
the fifth and the last official level talks which began on August
10, 2016 to find amicable solution to the vexed Hmar political
problems in Mizoram. With the culmination of the official level
talks, the next round of peace talks will be held at a political
level, a senior officer in the Home department said
|
September 28 |
In view of the Rohingyas' movement along the India-Myanmar
and India-Bangladesh borders and the on-going Durga Puja festivities,
vigil was increased in the border areas. "Though Tripura has no
borders with Myanmar, we have asked the BSF to further strengthen
security along the 856-km boundary with Bangladesh," DGP, Akhil
Kumar Shukla, said in Agartala. He said: "According to the BSF,
over 18 battalions of paramilitary troopers were earlier deployed
along the India-Bangladesh border with Tripura. We have asked
the BSF to also deploy their training battalions in these frontiers."
The Tripura Police chief said that in view of the Rohingya imbroglio
in Myanmar and the on-going Durga Puja festivities, border security
has been further intensified to foil any attempt by the Rohingyas,
fleeing the Rakhine state in Myanmar, to enter India through Bangladesh.
A Mizoram Home Department official said Special Secretary (Internal
Security) Rina Mittal and Joint Secretary (North-East) Satyender
Garg last week visited four northeastern states -- Arunachal Pradesh,
Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
|
October 6 |
An official informed that the Mizoram Government
is not ready to begin the process of Bru repatriation from the
first week of November as desired by the Centre for different
reasons. It would not be possible to start the proposed Bru repatriation
from the six relief camps in North Tripura District (Tripura)
from November one for different reasons, including lack of prompt
action by the Centre on fund allocation, state Additional Secretary
for Home Lalbiakzama told.
|
October 9 |
Eight additional companies of Assam Rifles have
been deployed along the Mizoram-Myanmar border to ensure that
no Rohingya Muslims enter the State from the neighbouring country.
|
October 10 |
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has set a deadline
to complete the fencing of India-Bangladesh border by March 2019.
Disclosing this, a top unnamed Government official said on October
11 that the government has sanctioned the order to fence 3,326
Kilometre (km) of the 4,096 km long India-Bangladesh border.
|
October 13 |
SFs recovered a huge cache of arms from a hut
in a jungle near Sabual village in Lawngtlai district. The arms
recovered included, two AK-47 rifles, one 1.9 mm carbine, one
1.22 rifle, 14 different magazines, 674 rounds of bullets and
36 detonators, two sets of walkie-talkie and a compass. Police
suspect that the arms were hidden by insurgents groups operating
in the area.
|
October 15 |
The rank and file of the Manipur based Hmar militant
formation, HPC-D have endorsed the proposed framework agreement
made during peace talks with the Mizoram Government
|
November 6 |
The Union Government has offered a final repatriation
deal to Reang refugees in Tripura, saying that it would stop all
relief if they do not return to Mizoram in January 2018. Dates
for the process will be finalized this December, said Special
Secretary (internal security) Mahesh Kumar Singla, who visited
refugee camps in North Tripura district (Tripura) on November
6.
|
November 8 |
The draft MoS proposed to be signed between the
Mizoram Government and the HPC-D was approved at the consultation
meeting of the Hmar community. The meeting was convened by the
"Hmar Inpui" (apex Hmar body) and chaired by Joseph Lalrothanga,
'president' of the Hmar Inpui. The meeting also approved the draft
Sinlung Hills Council Bill, 2017, which is required to be approved
by the Mizoram council of ministers before its introduction in
the State Legislature.
|
November 15 |
State Home Minister R Lalzirliana on November
15 said that 400 people from the Arakan region in Myanmar had
entered Mizoram. No Rohingya Muslim refugee has entered the state
till date but around 400 people from conflict-torn Arakan in Myanmar
have taken refuge in Mizoram, state Home Minister R Lalzirliana
told the Assembly. Mr Lalzirliana also explained that the ongoing
armed encounter between militant group AA and the Myanmar Army
have resulted in around 400 people fleeing Arakan in the past
few months to take shelter in Lawngtlai district. Of these 400
people, three are AA militants who received injuries during clashes
with the Myanmarese Army.
|
November 19 |
Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana expressed
hope that the ongoing peace talks between the state and H. Zosangbera
faction of the HPC-D would end the imbroglio over the SHDC. The
home minister said the onus for the continuation of parleys with
the group lies with Chief Minister Lal Thanhawala. An unnamed
Home Department source said another HPC-D faction of the Convention,
led by Lalhmingthanga Sanate, which had earlier insisted on conditional
talks with the state, has now softened its tone. The Sanate faction
has expressed willingness to come to the negotiating table, before
the government signs a peace agreement with the Zosangbera-led
faction, he said.
|
November 25 |
Assam Rifles and Myanmar's Light Infantry Regiment
successfully conducted a joint boat patrolling along Tiau river
in Champhai district of Mizoram that divides the two countries.
Sources said the boat patrolling was conducted on November 24
and 25, covering a stretch of 90 kms. Eight soldiers and one officer
each from both countries joined the patrolling.
|
November 27 |
Altogether 1,240 refugees entered Mizoram from
bordering Myanmar recently, fearing reprisal following encounters
between the Myanmar army and rebel group, AA. The refugees entered
Lawngtlai district in the southern end of the State after an exchange
of fire between the Myanmarese Army and the militants intensified
near the border in the past couple of days. The police said there
has been no increase in the number of refugees entering the state
till November 27. Around 420 refugees have settled in Zochachhuah,
500 in Laitlang, 120 in Dumzautlang and 200 in Hmawngchhuah villages
across the District.
|
November 30 |
President Ram Nath Kovind, hailing Mizoram as
"special", said it is the focus of the Centre's Act East policy
that aims at providing access to new markets for the State. The
policy will give Mizoram's agricultural produce and traditional
products entry to such markets, as well as strengthen information
technology and Internet connectivity in the State, Mr. Kovind
said at a special session of the Assembly. He said this process
would have a multiplier effect across a range of industries.
|
December 4 |
The Mizoram Government has started the process
to register over 1,600 Myanmar nationals, who had taken refuge
in four remote villages in Lawngtlai District. The refugees would
be given temporary ration cards for food distribution among them
once they are registered with the Lawngtlai district administration,
he added.
|
December 5 |
The Mizoram Government has rescheduled the proposed
repatriation of over 5,000 Bru families from six relief camps
in Tripura to March 2018. A State Government official said that
according to the earlier schedule, it was proposed that the repatriation
would begin from December first week, but it was deferred to March
as the Union Ministry of Home Affairs failed to release funds
meant for the exercise. He said the proposal to commence the repatriation
from March 2018 would be implemented on time only if the Union
Ministry of Home Affairs releases the funds for expenses to be
incurred in the repatriation process.
|
December 6 |
The UMHA Rajnath Singh on December 6 said that
the Central Government is committed to secure all International
Borders with all neighbouring countries. BSF soldiers arrested
87 Rohingya Muslims along the Indo-Bangladesh border since the
beginning of the current year till October 31, of whom 76 were
sent back to Bangladesh, said BSF Director-General K. K. Sharma.
|
December 7 |
Deputy commissioner of Lawngtlai District in
south Mizoram stated that registration of 1,600 Myanmarese nationals
have been undertaken to ascertain the number of refugees in four
villages of the District. The Myanmarese nationals fled their
country due to clashes between the Myanmarese Army and the Arakan
militants.
|
December 17 |
The training camps and hideouts of Indian insurgent
groups in Bangladesh have been reduced to "almost zero". "Whenever
we have information about (infiltration by) insurgents from the
northeastern states into Bangladesh, we share the information
and immediate raids are undertaken (by Border Guard Bangladesh),"
BSF Director-General K.K. Sharma said. "As a result, the number
of training places and hideouts of these insurgents has been reduced
to almost zero. I congratulate our counterparts."
If some Indian militant camps still exist in Bangladesh,
they are of a floating nature, Sharma said, indicating that all
permanent camps have been destroyed. The two border forces have
since 2015 been conducting simultaneous and coordinated patrols
of the frontier to check crime and insurgency. "The numbers of
these (militants) used to be 150-200 every time a list was handed
over. That situation has now changed and the (insurgents) are
now on the run, without being able to stay put at a place on the
other side for long," the officer said.
|
December 20 |
SSB Director General stated that 'We are raising
a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be deployed on the
border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern Sikkim border.
He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan
border. At present there are 635 BOPs.
|
December 24 |
Resumption of peace talks between Mizoram state
Government and HPC-D proposed to be held before Christmas has
been deferred. A committee, headed by CM Lal Thanhawla has been
formed to look into the political aspects of political settlement.
|
December 27 |
Repatriation process of around 1,500 people who
had taken shelter in southern Mizoram's Lawngtlai District to
Myanmar has started. AR in an official statement said 'Assam Rifles
has contacted all the stakeholders in repatriation including Myanmar
Army, local Indian villagers, refugees as well as District administration
so as to commence repatriation of refugees at the earliest'.
The Myanmarese nationals, began to cross the Mizoram-Myanmar
border on November 25 and took shelter in four villages - Zochachhuah,
Hmawngbuchhuah, Laitlang and Dumzautlang and the number of refugees
crossed 1,600 at one time. The refugees were mainly from the border
villages of Varang, Paletwa, Pakangwa and Mulaw in Myanmar's Chin
State after the Myanmar Army launched offensive against the Arakan
rebels.
|