Tripura Timeline - Year 2013

SFs arrested one NLFT-BM collaborator identified as Jang Bahadur Reang (55) in between Chakbihar Chowdhury Para and Birchandra Chowdhury Para under Manikpur Police Station in Dhalai District.

One militant belonging to NLFT-BM identified as Nitush Debbarma (25) alias Naikhol, surrendered before SFs at BOP under Vangmun Police Station in North Tripura District. The militant deposited One Carbine, 03 Magazines and 90 round ammunitions of Carbine.

One militant belonging to BNCT namely Rabindra Reang (26), surrendered before SFs at Kumpui under Vangmun Police Station in North Tripura District. During surrender the militant deposited one .22 mm Pistol, One Magazine and three rounds of ammunitions of .22 mm Pistol.

January 16

CM Manik Sarkar appreciated the current Bangladesh government's efforts to crack down on militants from the Northeast but added that more could be done in this regard. "The present Bangladesh government has initiated measures to drive away anti-India militants based there. But I think there is scope for more action. I say this, because even now 22 hideouts of outfits banned by the Tripura government exist on Bangladeshi soil. And we have asked the Union home minister and Union external affairs minister to take up this issue with Bangladesh during bilateral talks," CM Sarkar said.

ULFA-ATF and NDFB-IKS along with nine other militant outfits of the northeast called for boycott of Republic Day celebrations on January 26 and blamed the Government of covert military operations.

The other groups includes CorCom, the umbrella body of seven militant groups of Manipur, NLFT and Tripura People's Democratic Front, [Political organisation representing (ATTF)].

ATTF and NLFT, jointly with other insurgent outfits of the north-east have given a customary call to boycott Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

SFs arrested ATTF 'chairman' Ranjit Debbarma from an area near the Indo-Bangla border under Sidhai Police Station in Mohanpur subdivision of West Tripura District.

A Tripura court, sent ATTF leader Ranjit Debbarma to 14 days of judicial custody, a day after he was arrested when pushed into the Indian territory by Bangladeshi authorities, Police said. Debbarma was facing Interpol's red corner notice for a number of massacres and other crimes. The Police presented him at the West Tripura's District and sessions court, which sent him to 14-days of judicial custody. He will be interrogated by Police and intelligence officials.

SFs arrested a businessman, identified as Sandip Roy Barman (49) alias Pantha, along with illegal arms, ammunition and an unspecified amount of Bangladesh currency from Jirania under Jirania Police Station in West Tripura District. SFs also recovered a few letterheads of the NLFT. The arrestee is the elder brother of State Congress committee president, Sudip Roy Barman.

Militants of NLFT have stepped up extortion activities in at least four Assembly constituencies - Kanchanpur, Chhawmanu, Raima Valley and Karbook - across Gomati, Dhalai and North Tripura Districts. Sources in the Special Branch (Intelligence Wing) of the State Police said over the past week, three large NLFT militant groups, comprising 15 militants each and led by Malindra Reang, Bipan Koloi and Debasish Uchoi have been moving in the interior villages of the four constituencies distributing "tax" notices and threatening people with dire consequences unless they pay up.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said that Tripura is now almost free of the terrorist threat now. CM Manik Sarkar further added, "The militants have been weakened and isolated. They do not have any hideouts within the state but they have at least 19 to 21 camps in Bangladesh. We have the border fence keeping them out but at some places, the fence is yet to be erected. Militants have been terrorizing contractors so they cannot put up the fence. Our security forces are on alert and we have the support of the people too."

An exchange of gunfire between SFs and suspected NLFT militants was reported from at Rajasen Cherra in Dhalai District. SFs recovered an AK-47 magazine containing 15 rounds from the spot.

The international and national borders of three north-eastern states of Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya, which will see elections, will be sealed to check the smuggling of arms. The Election Commission has told the authorities to beef up border checks in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. "The Commission has directed all concerned to take all possible steps to seal the international borders besides deploying additional BSF [Border security Force] and Assam Rifles troopers," a poll panel official said.

NLFT militants have issued extortion demands in Khowai District. A letter bearing the letterhead of NLFT reached Training-in-charge of Digvijay Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Chebri through India Post. The letter says that NLFT has demanded INR 500,000 from the KVK official failing the insurgent group has threatened to resort to violent measures.

According to latest Government report, at least 4834 militants of different outfits across seven states in North Eastern (NE) region were killed in counter-insurgency operations from 2001 to 2012. During the period, at least 1909 militants were killed in Manipur, while 1777 were killed in Assam, 536 in Nagaland, 307 in Tripura, 105 in Arunachal Pradesh and 9 in Mizoram.

According to the Government report, in a single year, highest number of militants were killed in Manipur in 2008.In Manipur, 341 militants were killed in 2008, while 161 were killed in the year 2001, 101 in 2002, 148 in 2003, 127 in 2004, 143 in 2005, 141 in 2006, 218 in 2007, 321 in 2009, 104 in 2010, 30 in 2011 and 74 in the year 2012.

In other hand, the year 2001 recorded the highest number of militant fatalities under counter-insurgency operations in Assam. In Assam, a total of 1777 militants were killed during the period, in which, 275 were killed in the year 2002, 281 in 2003, 136 in 2004, 83 in 2005, 43 in 2006, 149 in 2007, 133 in 2008, 196 in 2009, 98 in 2010, 45 in 2011 and 55 in 2012.Most of the militants killed during counter-insurgency operations were from United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)," a top official of the Assam Police said.

In Meghalaya, 191 militants were killed during the period, the breakups being - 8 in the year 2001, 17 in 2002, 27 in 2003, 23 in 2004, 26 in 2005, 17 in 2006, 13 in 2007, 12 in 2008, 4 in 2009, 17 in 2010, 8 in 2011 and 19 in 2012.

Two former militants are contesting elections for the upcoming State Assembly elections. A former militant leader belonging to ATPLO, Khagendra Jamatia, also a minister in Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's cabinet is contesting as a Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) candidate.

In addition, Bijoy Kumar Hrankhwal 'chief' of former militant outfit, TNV will contest from Ambassa constituency in Dhalai District.

District magistrate and collector of West Tripura District slapped charges on ATTF chief, Ranjit Debbarma under the NSA.

The MBDPF led by A Sawibung has finally succeeded in bringing the issue of repatriation of Bru refugees from Tripura relief camps to Mizoram on the negotiating table with the State Government. Bruno Msha, general secretary of the Naisingpara (Tripura) camp-based MBDPF, said they received a letter from the State home department for talks to be held on February 21 in Aizawl (Mizoram) to deliberate on the impasse on the repatriation of refugees.

"We discussed the invitation of the state government in the relief camps and agreed to hold talks with the government as we do not want to stay in Tripura relief camps forever," Msha said. He dismissed charges that MBDPF leaders were stalling the repatriation process and not willing to return to Mizoram as they were leading luxurious lives in the camps. The MBDPF has submitted their demands to former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and the present home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, he said, adding that the demands included extension of the period of providing free ration from one year to two years, INR 150000 for each family for rehabilitation, resettlement of 40 to 50 families and a school, playground and hall for Bru children.

Msha said the conditions in the seven relief camps in Kanchanpur subdivision of North Tripura District worsened in the last few months and they were facing acute water scarcity and healthcare problems. "When we asked the Tripura government for help, they refused to help us and instead told us that if they treated us so well by providing basic amenities, we would never leave their land," he said.

SFs arrested a NLFT militant, along with two collaborators of the banned outfit, at Kanchanpur motor stand in North Tripura District. SFs recovered a cheque of INR 1.3 million and mobile phones from the trio. The arrested NLFT militant was identified as Paul Hrankhwal, while the collaborators were identified as Ashit Deb and Ratanjoy Reang of Ananda Bazar area. Police arrested the accused when they were on their way to Jampui hill in the eastern part of Tripura bordering Mizoram.

The Police Forces of the States of the North East region have decided to launch coordinated efforts to check the Maoist rebels from establishing strong roots in the region. The forces are also of the view that the peace talks with the militant groups, which have already signed cease- fire agreements, should be expedited.

A meeting of the heads of the Police Forces of the North East States, convened by the Union MHA, which concluded in Gangtok in Sikkim, discussed in detail the efforts by the Maoist rebels to establish roots in the North East region and observed that there is need for formulating strategies to check the growth of the Maoists and all the States decided to launch coordinated efforts in this regard. The meeting observed that though the militant groups have weakened in 2011 and 2012, in recent times, the level of violence has gone up, which is a matter of serious concern.

The meeting between MBDPF and Joint Secretary, Home Department of Mizoram, Lalbiakzama, scheduled on February 21 could not be held due to all India bandh (General strike), by various trade union bodies, on February 20-21.

Centre has decided to act tough with insurgent groups in the Northeast and has decided that it will not sign agreements with insurgents as it was proving a futile exercise.

Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland have been told to tighten security on their international and inter-State borders ahead of the vote count in the three States on February 28. "Security along the borders will be further tightened in view of the counting of votes," an Election Commission official told IANS. Elections for the State Assembly of the three States happened recently.

Tripura Police sent a three member's team to Aizawl in the morning,following a major arms haul by Mizoram Police and Assam Rifles on March 8 near Aizawl airport. Inspector General of Police (Control) Nepal Das told media the initial investigation revealed that the arms were supposed to be transported to Tripura for some underground outfit.

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.

Lieutenant General A.K. Sahni, General Officer Commanding (GOC, 3 Corps), said in Agartala that India's borders with China and Myanmar are stable and peaceful and there are no immediate threats on these frontiers. "There are no immediate threats along these borders. These frontiers are stable and peaceful," Sahni told reporters. "We take corrective measures when we find any deficiencies along the borders. Some patches of border with Myanmar in Manipur are being fenced," he added.

On counter-terrorism, he said: "Myanmar has assured India...that Myanmar's territory would not be allowed to be used by the northeast extremists. Recently, the security forces in Tamu town in Myanmar seized huge quantities of drugs, arms and ammunition (meant) to be smuggled to northeast militants. This shows that Myanmar is sincere to curb illegal activities harming India".

India asked Bangladesh to work out an action plan to flush out the remaining militant leaders of the Northeast region from that country.Central Government's request was conveyed at the Director General level "Border Coordination Conference" between BSF and BGB that got under way on March 18. The meeting will end on March 23.

Alarmed by reports of fresh illegal infiltration from Bangladesh triggered by the ongoing turmoil in the neighbouring country, India has alerted the border guarding force deployed along the international border. Briefing the media, DG, BSF, Subhash Joshi and DG of BGB, Major General Aziz Ahmed said that forces were on alert, denying reports of rise in infiltration along the highly porous international border. DG BSF Subhash Joshi said about 27 percent of India's border with Bangladesh could not be fenced due to riverine terrain and other difficult geographical features. He said fencing work was sanctioned for 3,436 km of the 4,096-km border with Bangladesh and 2,525 km had been fenced. He said work was in progress for fencing on 365 km and the pending work was expected to be completed in a year or two.

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.

With the improvement of relations between India and Bangladesh, the ties between the border guarding forces of both the countries have also improved considerably and coordinated patrolling by the BSF and BGB has started, which is a major positive in border management. BSF sources elaborated that the personnel of the BSF and BGB jointly identified the vulnerable stretches along the Indo-Bangla border based on infiltration, movement of criminals etc and coordinated patrolling is carried out in those areas.

BSF troopers arrested an ISI agent, identified as Rasel Mia (30), from Bishalgarh area in Sipahijala District bordering Bangladesh. Later, he was handed over to the Police.

NLFT militants abducted a woman chairperson of an elected village committee, Bhagyarani Tripura (27), along with an elected member from Malda Kumar Roajapara village under Ganganagar Police Station in Dhalai District. The other victim was identified as Debendra Tripura (45). "The militants abducted the two because part of the border in Malda Kumar Roajapara is still unfenced. A search operation is on under the supervision of Dhalai District Superintendent of Police (SP) L. Darlong but the hostages could not be rescued because they had been taken across the border," Das said. He added that the NLFT had served hefty "tax" notices on Bhagyarani and Debendra and ordered them to hand over the money from the development fund allotted for the village committee.

Three deserted trucks were found by Police near Khantlang border outpost under Bhangmun Police Station in of North Tripura District. The Police said the drivers had been abducted and taken across the border to the CHT of Bangladesh. The drivers are still unidentified but an inquiry is on.

Three drivers allegedly abducted by NLFT militants on April 2 were identified as Swapan Chandra Das of Pillak Baikhora, Nitish Gosh of Fulchari, Kamalpur and Gita Reang. The incident occurred near Amar BOP in North Tripura District.

Senior CPI-M leader and editor of party mouthpiece in the State Daily Desher Katha Gautam Das stated that militants are active in northern parts of the State. Gautam Das said, "Outlawed militant outfits were also active in three subs-divisions - Kanchanpur, Longtharai Valley and Gandachara - all in northern Tripura, before and during the elections. But due to the alertness of the people and security forces, they could not do anything violent." The CPI-M leader disclosed this after the party held a two-day summit in Agartala on March 31-April 1.

Sabroom Police arrested three suspected ATTF cadres from Baishnavpur border outpost area in South Tripura District. FICNs worth INR 150,000 were recovered from them. The trio was identified as Manoj Debbarma, Ratan Sadhan Jamatia and Kumaribala.

Police are still clueless about the five persons who were abducted from two places in North Tripura and Dhalai Districts on April 2.

SFs arrested three NLFT militants, Swapan Jara, Bikash Jara and Manoj Debbarma, all in their mid-twenties from Radhanagar bus stop in Agartala in West Tripura District. They was being taken to the border area of South Tripura to cross over to the NLFT hideout in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh by two surrendered NLFT militants, identified as Shukram and Sushil Debbarma, who fled from the bus stop on seeing the Police.

Several employees' and teachers' associations have urged the government to tighten security so that they can go to their places of work in the interior areas of the State. "A growing sense of insecurity has gripped the employees and teachers posted in the interior areas. They fear they may be abducted for ransom. At the height of insurgency in Tripura, many teachers and employees were abducted and killed," said Amal Kumar Deb, leader of the pro-Communist Party of India-Marxist [CPI-M] Employees Co-ordination Committee and secretary of the Tripura Government Teachers' Association.

AR has formed specially trained commando teams comprising some select personnel from its ranks for carrying out operations against insurgents in Assam, Mizoram and Tripura. The training of these commando teams called "Fast and Intense Strike Teams (FISTs)" was carried out at 21 Sector Assam Rifles CIBS Teliamura in Tripura. The report further notes that 16 such teams will now be operating in Tripura under the 21 Sector AR.

A 'commander' of NLFT-BM laid down arms before the Police in Gandacherra in Dhalai District.Police said, Sanjit Tripura (32) alias Saka of Hazacherra deposited one INSAS rifle, 3 magazines and 179 live rounds to the Gandacherra Police.

Earlier, Sanjit Tripura escaped from NLFT-BM hideout in Bangladesh and contacted with local Police authorities and expressed his desire to bid adieu to the arms. Police added that he is being interrogated.

Despite the crackdown by the Government of Bangladesh, a majority of the active militant groups of the North East are still maintaining bases in the neighbouring country and in fact, a few of the ultra groups are even giving training to the new recruits in the bases in that country. Highly placed sources in the MHA told the newspaper that the matter has already been conveyed to Bangladesh so that action can be taken against the militants using the territory of the neighbouring country as safe sanctuary.

Tripura IGP Nepal Das claimed that due to the current political turmoil in Bangladesh and logistics trouble in the State, NLFT is in a state of serious crisis for its survival, leading to surrender of its cadres. He said almost 90 per cent of NLFT cadres had already laid down arms before security forces in the last two years and the administration was in the process of eradicating militancy from the state. "The common people in interior locations created mass resistance against the militants and they lost complete support base in Tripura," said Das.

Referring to latest surrender of NLFT cadre Sanjit Tripura, a resident of Kanchanpur, Das claimed it was clear case of Police's success. "Police compelled Sanjit to surrender and reveal all information about NLFT's plan of action in Tripura," IGP Das said, adding that the State has become a model in the country in combating insurgency and successful implementation of rehabilitation package.

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.

Banned insurgent outfits are still active in Tripura, DGP Sanjay Sinha said. Addressing a programme organized by the 6th Battalion TSR headquarters at East Ramchandraghat under Khowai District, the DGP further stated that the NLFT has got at least 20 hideouts in neighbouring Bangladesh.

The MHA has set a 2014 deadline to complete fencing along the India-Bangladesh border. This was revealed in a report tabled by a parliamentary panel attached to MHA during the current session of Parliament. The report said Union home secretary R.K. Singh had given the panel an assurance in this regard in the last week of March 2013. The report said the home secretary had admitted that illegal influx, trans-border smuggling and movement of insurgents were major security threats to the country that needed to be curbed by plugging gaps in the border fence. He said these gaps had been classified and those that could be fenced but did not have Government sanction were being put up for sanction, adding that the Bangladesh Government's permission would have to be taken for fencing gaps less 150 yards from the Zero Line. The Union Home Secretary said there were, however, places where fencing was not feasible. He said intruder detection technology would have to be used in these places to plug gaps and curb infiltration. He said though floodlights were in place; availability of power was an issue. "We have requested the ministry of power to give us direct allocation from the central pool.

The core committee for Bru repatriation has tentatively set the last week of May to shift the Mizoram Brus to their original homes from a camp in Tripura. The committee chairman, Lalrinmawia Ralte, asked both the Governments of Tripura and Mizoram to co-ordinate their efforts to solve the issue. Representatives of the two Governments will meet next week.

NLFT-BM looks set to intensify abduction and extortion bid to tide over its financial 'crisis'. According to highly places sources, NLFT-BM leaders had a meeting at an undisclosed location in Bangladesh and finalised the future plan for revival of the outfit. In the meeting, rebel leaders had expressed serious concern over the severe financial crunch over the past one year with plans to resort kidnapping in remote areas to receive huge ransom. Further, NLFT-BM would also engage in drug smuggling and arms business to earn money in order to revive the outlawed organization.

Sources said, the NLFT-BM, which has around 150 cadres has been failing to pay salary to its cadres for the past one year leading to unrest among lower cadres. In spite of adverse situation, the outlawed group has been able to recruit 15-20 cadres and they are getting arms training.

NLFT 'chairman' Biswamohan Debbarma has left Bangladesh following the arrest of ATTF 'president' Ranjit Debbarma by Bangladeshi agencies. There are indications Biswamohan is now staying in Myanmar states the report.

Majority of Bru refugees staying in seven relief camps in Kanchanpur sub-division of North Tripura District are still reluctant to return to Mizoram even as Mizoram and Tripura governments, as instructed by the MHA, would soon resume the repatriation process.

President of MBDPF, A Sawibung said no one in the relief camps, including the MBDPF leaders, was informed about the proposal for fresh repatriation."We have not received any official information on the matter, but learned through news reports that the meeting of Core Committee on Bru Repatriation held in Aizawl discussed the resumption of repatriation recently ".He said while a few families might be willing to return to Mizoram, majority of them would not want to be repatriated. He said the monsoon would set in during the last part of May, when the Mizoram government decided to commence the repatriation, making the terrain difficult and transportation almost impossible."The time for starting jhum cultivation was over and we would be facing a famine-like situation this year," added the MBDPF, president.

CM Manik Sarkar said that altogether 8,831 militants and their collaborators laid down arms before Security Forces during the period of last one decade. CM, Sarkar said among the surrendered militants, three persons rejoined their respective militant outfits.

He also said that during the period of last three years, Police have achieved massive success in recovering and seizing arms and ammunitions of militants. Altogether, 61 country made guns, one AK-47 rifle, four grenades, three pistols, two revolvers, large number of bullets, empty shells and ammunitions were recovered during the same period.

In the year 2011, a total of 25 persons were abducted by the militants and in the year 2012, 10 more civilians were also abducted, said Sarkar adding that among the abducted persons 33 had returned safely. Since, January 2013 to April 15, five more persons were abducted by ultras and one person still remains in their captivity, said Sarkar.

Replying to another question CM Manik Sarkar said that altogether 37,526 security force personnel including State Police, TSR, CRPF, BSF, CISF and AR are working in the State, which is in the ratio of one security person per 98 people of the State.

Drawing attention to a proposed meeting purportedly called by advisor Nagaland village chief's federation, T.L Angami and president Shalem Konyak on May 22, the HLC of the three Naga political groups -NSCN-IM, NSCN-KK and NNC/FGN - has asserted their inability to participate in any such "out of the way" discussion, which "only creates more confusion and serves as a tool for adversaries to exploit human frailties." In a joint press release, NSCN-KK Kilonser (minister) C. Singson, NNC/FGN Kedallo Zhopra Vero and NSCN-IM Kilonser Angnaikham urged the organizers of the proposed meet to desist from carrying on the said proposal before it led to any kind of development that could become detrimental to the well-being of the Naga society as a whole. They said "a dubious 50 points of draft proposal" was set to be discussed in that proposed meeting for some kind of a political settlement between the Nagas and the GoI. Meanwhile, the HLC signatories also affirmed to commit their sincere support to the ongoing Reconciliation process led by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and towards any unity and peace efforts.

NSCN-K has questioned the GoI for the alleged violation of the Ceasefire Ground Rules on several occasions. The NSCN-K's outburst was prompted by the May 18 night incident where the Assam Rifles have reportedly raided the house of an NSCN-K leader in Zunheboto District of Nagaland without any reason.

NSCN-KK, condemned the 'gruesome' hacking to death of three members of a family in Bor-Lengri in Karbi Anglong District on May 16.

A half buried grenade was discovered by some children near Sumi Zumulhu office in Purana Bazar, Dimapur. Security personnel on patrolling duty along National Highway-29 safely diffused the grenade.

NSCN-IM functionaries led by 'town commander -Wokha town', N. Lotha, paid a surprise 'visit' to Wokha District Hospital after 'receiving' complaints on several occasions from various quarters on the negligence of District Hospital by MS and his supporting staff manning the hospital. According to a press release issued by the NSCN-IM Wokha 'town commander', N. Lotha said that the pathetic condition of the patients laying helplessly without the presence of the hospital staff spoke volume about the "failure of administrators" in the hospital. Lotha further added, "The lackadaisical attitude of the staff playing with the life of human does not auger well and may invite public outcry if the same pattern of negligence persist when they are to provide 24X7 services".

NSCN-K has expelled two of its 'Naga army officers' for their anti-party activities and for straying away from "party discipline." In a statement, NSCN-K, MIP said the two - 'lieutenant colonel' Isaac Sumi and 'major' Suvelo have been expelled with effect from May 21. According to MIP, Isaac Sumi has been "found guilty of creating confusion and mistrust among the national workers" which the MIP said was against the party discipline under "article 3 of section C". NSCN-K statement said Isaac was also "found guilty of tarnishing party image, illegally collecting taxes in the name of the party without proper authorization." Meanwhile, Suvelo was found guilty of "conniving against the party and trying to deliberately defect to Khole/Kitovi group", said MIP.

NNC through its 'information & publicity wing' has informed that some imposters in the name of Naga National Council (parent body) and as national workers were committing crime against the people by imposing different 'taxation' for their selfish end.

NSCN-KK militants opened fire and injured a villager at New Socünoma village in Dimapur District. NSYA president Rovi Zhunyu and NSSU president Visietsolie Vupru have appealed to the authorities of the "NSCN (Unification)"/GPRN/NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) to 'deliver justice' "without delay or default".

NSCN-K cadres opened fire and injured a former member, Pito (29), in an area near SP's office in Kohima (Kohima District). Later, NSCN-K 'urban commander' of Kohima, Kisheto Aye claimed Pito was involved in "anti-social activities including extortions, vehicle-lifting particularly two-wheelers for which the NSCN had issued several warnings".

'Chairman' of NSCN-K, S.S. Khaplang has expelled Vedeta, 'Deputy Kilonser Finance' from the NSCN-K for his "anti party activities and for conspiring against the party". S.S. Khaplang in a release stated that Vedeta was found guilty of promoting disunity, confusion and mistrust, among the 'national' workers thereby creating complete chaos within Chakhesang region. "He is found guilty of conspiring against the party and deliberately planned to defect to Khole/Kitovi group [NSCN-KK]", the release further said.

During a meeting with the 'titular king' of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba at Hebron in Dimapur District of Nagaland, NSCN-IM 'general secretary', Thuingaleng Muivah stated, "Nagas and Meiteis should decide for their own future and our future will be the outcome of this decision".

Leishemba Sanajaoba and Thuingaleng Muivah met in the early part of May 2013 at Hebron, the NSCN-lM Peace Camp in Dimapur, informed a source. Although there was no concrete agreement or commitment during the meeting, it was regarded as the first positive step to clear misunderstanding and promote rapport between the Meiteis and Nagas.

The Indian BSF has sought information from BGB about three collaborators of NLFT who were arrested by the Bangladeshi force from Rabisundar Karabarip Para village under Matiranga subdivision in Khagrachari District in Chittagong Hill Tracts on May 27. The trio was identified as Gautam Tripura (24), Ramchandra Chakma (45), and Laxmimohan Chakma (28). Sources said during interrogation, the three, all Indian nationals, allegedly admitted that they were involved in a gun-running racket active in the border areas of Tripura and the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.

Four Bangladeshi tribals hailing from the CHT were arrested from Sabroom in South Tripura District.

One Bangladeshi- RAB troper, Mohammad Milan Hussain, was 'caught' by villagers at Rahimpur in West Tripura District. Later, a court in Sonamura in Sipahijala District sent Hussain, to judicial custody for two weeks.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Biswajit Palit in Agartala sentenced Monir Khan, a spy belonging to Pakistan's ISI agency, to rigorous imprisonment of four years. The judge also fined Khan an amount of INR 10,000.

State cabinet decided to free as many as nine Police Stations of the scope of Disturbed Areas Act fully and one Police Station partially. The number of Police Stations under Disturbed Area Act has been reduced from 34 to 25. Alongside, the number of Police Stations under partially Disturbed Area Act has been increased from six to seven. Disturbed area act was in force altogether 34 Police Stations fully and to six Police Stations partially.

State Cabinet took another important decision on timing of the Road Opening Patrol (ROP) on National Highway-44 by extending it by an hour.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said the NLFT-BM had as many as 19 hideouts in Bangladesh, four of which were located within 10km of the Indo-Bangladesh border . "The group has been trying to make fresh recruitments. Reliable reports also indicate that most insurgent groups of the Northeast, including NLFT (B) [NLFT-BM], have formed a common platform called the United Forum, which may pose a serious threat to the region and the country as a whole," Sarkar said.

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.

CM Manik Sarkar said the problem of militancy in Tripura is not yet rooted out completely. "The major extremist group currently operating against the state is NLFT (BM) [Biswamohan faction of National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT-BM)], with strength of about 130-150 members. They have sophisticated weapons and also expertise in handling IEDs", CM, Manik Sarkar said.

Sarkar further the outfit has as many as 19 hideouts in Bangladesh and four of which are located within 10 km of the Indo-Bangla border. "The group has been trying to make fresh recruitments. Reports also indicate that most of the NE insurgent groups, including NLFT (BM) have formed a common platform called United Forum, which may pose a serious threat to all the NE states and to the country as a whole", he said.

Demanding to provide four additional CAPF battalions and sanctioning two more Indian Reserve battalions (IRB) for Tripura, Sarkar urged the Centre to make diplomatic efforts with Bangladesh Government in effectively tackling extremists currently having their camps in the neighbouring country.

In regard to ensure effective border management, Sarkar laid emphasis on speedy completion of barbed wire fencing work along Indo-Bangladesh border. "Tripura has 856 kilometre long international border with Bangladesh of which 673 kilometres has been fenced so far. There is need to speed up efforts for fencing the remaining part of the international border", he said.

Tripura Government has reduced the areas under AFSPA.The Act would now be effective fully in 25 Police Station areas, and partly in seven others.