Arunachal Pradesh Police have not ruled out the possibility of an opium cartel being involved in the May 21 killing of 11 people in Tirap District of Arunachal Pradesh, reports The Hindu. According to Inspector General (IG) Sunil Garg, ‘The ambush on the four vehicles the victims were travelling in bears the sign of an underground group, most likely the NSCN which has many factions. There are chances of connection of these groups with the opium growers’. An Army officer stated that 14-15 assailants were involved in the ambush.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju stated that “politicians and important people” were primarily responsible for the situation “as at times they take the help of insurgents”, reports The Hindu on May 23. He also added that “Even if few members of local community are involved in insurgency activities then it affects the security operations because of their family links etc which results in collateral damages.”
Although National Socialist Council of Nagaland- Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), is suspected to be involved in the incident, it has denied its involvement. Though officials said other factions could be behind the killing, suspicion is more on NSCN-IM because of its alleged push for including the Tirap Changlang Longding (TCL) region within ‘greater nagalim’. NSCN -IM has been enjoying the upper hand in TCL region because of pressure on the Khaplang group from both the Indian and Myanmar armed forces.
Four communities — Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa, and Wanch which were clubbed as “other Naga tribes” in the Scheduled Tribe list are said to be the primary reason behind the NSCN-IM’s attempt to control this area, adds The Hindu on May 22. The Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Tirong Aboh is a member of Nocte community.
TCL areas has seen turf wars between NSCN-Khaplang (NSCN-K) and NSCN-IM besides opium cultivation, reports The Hindu. According to a 2013 survey by the Narcotics Control Bureau, opium cultivation is widespread in Anjaw, Lohit and in Upper Siang Districts of Arunachal Pradesh as well. Security agencies say members of the extremist groups either fund or are directly involved in the opium cultivation and trade to sustain their subversive activities.