ULFA faction calls for shutdown opposing Sonia Gandhi’s visit to Assam; Maoists’ links with North-East ultras come under scanner; Assam-Meghalaya border meeting to be held; Maoist Assam State in-charge nabbed in Kolkata; Imphal-Mandalay bus link to be est
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  • Reports noted that the anti-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) called for a 12-hour dawn-to-dusk Assam shutdown on May 26, 2012 to oppose the scheduled visit to Assam by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who also heads the ruling United Progressive Alliance. All essential services were, however, exempted from the purview of the bandh, the statement said. Baruah, ULFA's commander-in-chief, has opposed any peace talks with the central and Assam governments. 1

    According to reports, the Maoist rebels have not only established bases in Assam, but they are also established contacts with militant groups of the North-East. The most disturbing fact is that a number of transactions of weapons between the Maoist groups and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) took place in different parts of Assam including in Guwahati city. This fact came to light during an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the links between the Maoists and the PLA. Growing links between the Maoist rebels and insurgent outfits of North East region came to the fore yet again with the NIA filing a charge sheet against three members of Manipur based militant outfit People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for supplying weapons to the Maoists. 2

    Meanwhile, in view of the uneasy calm prevailing at Langpih in the Assam-Meghalaya inter-State border, top officials of both the State Governments will be meeting on May 24, 2012 to sort out the differences that erupted recently and as part of a dialogue to end the decade-old boundary crisis. Langpih is one of the disputed areas along the inter-State border which falls under West Khasi Hills district and Kamrup district in neighbouring Assam. Meghalaya and Assam have 12 areas of difference along the inter-State border. The matter got worse when in May 2010 four youths from Meghalaya were shot dead by Assam police during a clash at Langpih. Meghalaya had adopted a resolution to urged the Centre for the constitution of a Border Commission which was rejected by the Assam Government. 3

    In another development, according to reports, the attempt of the Maoist rebels to established strong roots in Assam and other parts of the North East region received a major setback with the arrest of Indranil Chanda, the rebel in-charge of Assam and North East by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Indranil alias Ajoy alias Raj, aged around 40 years, was arrested in Kolkata with the help of the Special task Force of the Kolkata police. He was brought to Guwahati and was produced in the court of the Special Judge. The Maoist leader has been remanded to the custody of the NIA for seven days. According to sources, Indranil was instrumental in establishing links between the Maoists and the Manipur based militant group PLA and coordinated the arms and communication set transshipments. He was also instrumental in signing of an agreement between the Maoists and the PLA. 4

    In a significant development, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh goes to Myanmar on a three-day visit during which the two countries are expected to seal a pact on a landmark bus link between Imphal and Mandalay and unveil new initiatives in expanding trade and energy cooperation. Ahead of the visit, the Cabinet cleared the bus service linking Imphal in Manipur to Mandalay in Myanmar, setting the stage for the signing of the pact after talks between Manmohan Singh and Myanmar President Thein Sein in the Myanmarese capital Nay Pyi Taw. The bus link will be a signature initiative that is expected to enhance people-to-people interaction and trade between Myanmar and India's northeastern states. Improving regional connectivity and expanding bilateral trade will be key highlights of Manmohan Singh's visit. 5

    Reports noted that three female cadres of Manipur-based militant outfits were arrested and two minors detained in Meghalaya when they were trying to cross into India from Bangladesh. During preliminary interrogation they have confessed that they were coming from their camps in Khonagaon area in Moulvi Bazar district of Bangladesh and that they were heading for Manipur. The BSF handed over the five to Meghalaya police. 6

    Meanwhile, according to reports, BSF troops deployed along the India-Bangladesh border have arrested a hard core cadre of the Meghalaya-based militant outfit Hynnewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC). The cadre was arrested on May 27, 2012 while trying to sneak over to the Indian side from Bangladesh near Dawki. 7

    In other developments, according to reports, the East Garo Hills police in a major offensive against the banned terror outfit Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) on 26 May, 2012 busted their general headquarters after a heavy gun battle. Police SWAT forces together with CRPF’s CoBRA unit attacked the general camp of the outfit near Sobokgre village, 16 kms from Williamnagar. The ultras numbering around 60 returned fire using RPG rockets, hand grenades and AK rifles prompting the police to use two inch mortars and heavy weaponry. After heavy firing for more than 15 minutes, the militants escaped with all their weapons and police dismantled the camp which could house as many as 100 ultras. The chief of the outfit, Sohan D Shira, was also in the camp at the time of the attack along with a fresh batch of recruits. 8

    Report noted that against the backdrop of the absence of the NSCN -IM at the ongoing Naga reconciliation meet at Chiang Mai in Thailand, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) held a meeting with the highest leaders of the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) led by Chairman Gen (Retd) Khole Konyak and General Secretary Kitovi Zhimomi and the NNC/FGN led by President Brig (Retd) Singnya and Vice President Zhopra Vero on May 26, 2012. According to a statement issued by FNR, the leaders of the two groups present expressed, in no uncertain terms, their regrets over the inability of NSCN-IM Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Th Muivah to participate in the much awaited moment. The leaders of the two political groups were also jointly of the view that another meeting of the highest level leaders must be convened. 9

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