Operations against North-East ultras to intensify; Poll dates of three North-East States announced; Ban on ULFA and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) to continue; North-East ultra groups setting up bases in Nepal
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  • Reports noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is in favour of intensifying counter-insurgency operations against militant groups, which have not shown willingness to come forward for talks to solve their problems through dialogues according to the Joint Secretary (North East) of the MHA, Sambhu Singh. Mr. Singh said that the Government would act tough against those who take up weapons to raise their demands. He said that anyone having grievances can come out democratically to solve their problems instead of taking up weapons hoping for the Government to yield to their pressure. 1

    Reports noted that the Election Commission announced polls to the Assemblies of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura. Meghalaya and Nagaland will go to poll on February 23, while February 14 is the date for Tripura. The notification for Tripura elections will be issued on January 21 and for Meghalaya and Nagaland on January 30. All the three State Assemblies have 60 seats each. While 10 are reserved for SCs and 20 for STs in Tripura, 55 Assembly seats are reserved for STs in Meghalaya and 59 in Nagaland. 2

    According to reports, despite the Centre starting political dialogue with militant outfits in the North-East, Union Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde on January 10 said that ban on outlawed ULFA and NDFB would continue. Though the Centre has started dialogue with pro-talk faction of ULFA, the rival Paresh Barua faction continues to wage an armed struggle. In case of NDFB (P), the Centre has initiated negotiation, it is yet to start dialogue with Ranjan Daimary group of the Bodo militant outfit. 3

    In other developments, according to reports, terror funding, that is funding received by the militant outfits of the North East region of the country has become a major cause of concern and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has started a probe in this regard. Meanwhile, the militant groups have also started to establish their bases in Nepal to evade arrest by the police and security forces. 4

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