Maoists active in lower Assam; Blockade in National Highway (NH) 31 and 52 against demand for Bodoland; Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) calls off bandh; Four Maoists killed in Assam; Banned drugs seized at Imphal airport, Manipur; NSCN (Khole-Kitovi)
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    • According to reports, after forming an armed wing in upper Assam, the Maoist rebel groups are now trying to consolidate their bases in the chicken neck connecting the North East region with the rest of the country, while, attempts are also on to strengthen the leading in lower Assam committee. The Maoist rebels already have strong bases in North Bengal area of West Bengal and it would be easier for them to set up bases in the chicken neck. Sources pointed out that having bases in the narrow corridor would give a passage to the Maoist rebels to sneak into the region from the rest of the country. Moreover, such bases will give the rebels a link to Nepal and Bhutan.1

    Reports noted that Home Minister P. Chidambaram arrived in Arunachal Pradesh on May 12 to review the law and order situation. Arunachal Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and a minister received the Home Minister in state capital Itanagar. Chidambaram was accompanied by Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh and Joint Secretary, North-East, Sambhu Singh. The minister is likely to review the law and order situation in the state, particularly in the troubled districts of Changlng and Tirap. He is also expected to take stock of developmental works.2

    Reports noted that the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) on May 7, 2012 called off their 300 hour ‘dawn to dusk’ bandh in the Garo Hills region after a huge public outcry against their one week bandh in three districts. In a release to the media houses, the self-styled “C-in-C” of the militant outfit, Sohan D Shira said the bandh will be temporarily postponed after it ended due to people’s plea to the outfit to end their agitation. The bandh which completed more than 150 hours was called by the militant outfit demanding halt of counter insurgency operations against the outfit and its camps. In a public rally held in East Garo Hills headquarter of Williamnagar on May 6, there was a public outcry against the showdown between the militants and the government.3

    According to reports, four suspected Maoist guerrillas were killed in a shootout with security forces in Tinsukia district. Three others escaped in the incident that took place in Borbaruah village, about 600 km from Tinsukia. An Assam police constable was also injured in the shootout. A hunt was on to trace the other cadres. A police operation began early May 9, following a tip that that some Maoists had taken shelter in the village. Police said three AK 47s, two grenades and some ammunition were recovered from the site. The Assam government has initiated training programmes for deputy commissioners and superintendents of police and other officials on how to counter the Maoists.4

    Meanwhile, reports noted that Manipur police have seized a huge quantity of banned drugs from Imphal airport. Preliminary investigations indicate the drugs were sent from New Delhi. A total of 21 cartons, each containing 7,000 strips of 10 tablets, of Acti Feel which is reported to be a banned drug were recovered by police from Tulihal airport, Imphal. Investigation reveals that the consignment originates from New Delhi. Separate cases have been registered at Imphal city police station and Singjamei police station for further investigation.5

    According to reports, personnel of 29 Assam Rifles launched a search operation and apprehended two cadres of NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) who are said to be the tax collectors of the outfit from Marwari Patti area in Dimapur. The cadres have been identified as Bokato Zhimo of Zunobhuto and Ramlal Shah of Signal Basti, Dimapur. According to Assam Rifles sources, one booklet of information slips, one booklet of tax collection receipts and Rs 3000 cash was seized from the custody of the two NSCN cadres. Both individuals confessed to have carried out tax collection in general area GS Road and Marwari Patti from shopkeepers.6

    Reports noted that exactly a month after signing a ceasefire agreement with the Myanmarese authority, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) (Khaplang) has said it will open a truce supervisory office in the neighbouring country. According to a statement by its information and publicity wing the sub-office, NSCN (K) at Khamti town in Myanmar would be for preserving peace and tranquility within its jurisdiction. The outfit would also set up a joint check-post at Thamanti in Makury area under the jurisdiction of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) inside Nagaland for easy communication between the two sides and for prevalence of peace. The outfit claimed that the cease-fire agreement signed with the Myanmar authority on April 9, 2012 at Khamti town after more than 60 years of political struggle only proved that the NSCN led by SS Khaplang, a Hemi Naga from north-west Myanmar, was the only authentic political institution struggling for Naga sovereignty.7

    In other developments, according to reports, vehicular transport was affected for nearly four hours in Lower Assam on May 7, 2012 due to a blockade of National Highway 31 and 52 called by the Non-Tribal Protection Forum in protest against the Bodo Statehood demand. More than 10,000 non-tribals belonging to various districts of Lower Assam blocked the two highways at Baihata Chariali in Kamrup (Rural) district protesting against the proposed demand by the Bodos for the creation of a separate Bodoland State.8

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