News 16 April, 2000: Insurgency

NEW DELHI, April 1: Rehabilitation of former ULFA men has landed Assam government in a peculiar situation, with the Centre expressing its reluctance to introduce any recruitment schemes to absorb the former militants. The situation is particularly alarming for the state government because the training course of the first batch of the ex-ULFA numbering about 300 expires in May, and the Centre is yet to come out with any package to absorb them. A desperate Assam government has rushed its home secretary, MK Baruah to the ministry of home affairs to plead its case, as failure of the government to absorb them would render the initiatives taken by the state meaningless, and the ULFA would take full advantage of the situation. However, sources in the ministry revealed that the Centre is not keen to announce any package to absorb the trainees, as the stress in the new rehabilitation package for the ultras were on self employment. The Centre learning from its past mistake this time had not announced any financial package, but instead had assured to deposit around Rs 2 lakh as fixed deposits with banks to enable the ultras to start any business. (Staff correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 2, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 1: A group of 43 ultras belonging to ULFA and NDFB including a female cadre surrendered in presence of the deputy commissioner of Bongaigaon, KC Chamaria at his office. The ultras deposited three .303 rifles, one carbine, ten stenguns, five M20 pistols, one .38 revolver, one .22 revolver, one AK 47 rifle, four rifles and 101 rounds ammunition of various types. The function was presided over by the SP of the district - Anil Kumar Chaharia. This was informed in an official release. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 2, 2000)

SHILLONG, April 1: Meghalaya Chief Minister, EK Mawlong today disclosed that not a single militant in the state has so far surrendered under the scheme for surrender-cum-rehabilitation announced by the state government in September last year. Replying to a starred question in the state Assembly yesterday he said that the objective of the scheme is to wean away the misguided youths and hardcore militants who have strayed into the folds of militancy and now find themselves trapped. Militants belonging to Meghalaya only will be eligible for benefits under the scheme, he said. The militants must surrender with at least one weapon, However, in exceptional cases, militants, who surrendered without arms, may also be considered for rehabilitation. The surrenderees will be initially lodged in a rehabilitation camp where they will be imparted training in a trade or vocation of their liking. Minor cases of crimes against successfully rehabilitated surrenderees will be withdrawn but those who had committed heinous crimes like murder, rape, abduction and kidnapping will be subject to the due process of law. A militant surrendering a rocket launcher, universal machine gun or a sniper rifle will stand to gain rupees 25,000 per weapon. Those depositing AK series of guns will get rupees 15,000 per weapon while, a 303 rifle or revolver will get him Rs 5000 per weapon. The scheme will be applicable to those militants who had surrendered or who surrender after April 1, 1998, Mawlong said. (Special correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 2, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 2: NEEPCO authority has requested the union home ministry and the power ministry to direct the government of Mizoram to take steps to secure release of the six employees of the corporation, who were abducted from Turian hydro-electric project site in Kolasib district of Mizoram about 20 km away from the border of Cachar district in the state. Sources informed that in a meeting of senior executives supervising NEEPCO projects in different parts of NE region which was held in Shillong yesterday, the authority asked the officials to contact police and army officials in their respective areas to arrange for security to Corporation staff working in different projects. Security to NEEPCO employees working in different projects in north-east has come for discussion in several meetings of the board of directors. The matter was also discussed in the recent meeting of power ministers of the Northeast states. According to sources, morale of the NEEPCO employees has been seriously affected by the kidnapping of six employees and the fate of the Rs 448-crore Turial hydro-power project may be jeopardised. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 3, 2000)

AIZAWL, April 2: The Mizoram police remained clueless about the whereabouts of the six Northeast Electricity and Power Corporation (NEEPCO) officials kidnapped on Friday by suspected ULFA militants from the Tuirial hydro-power project site. According to DIG (Range) Deepak Mishra, the exact motive behind the incident, which was the first of its kind in the past one decade in the hill state, was not known. It was ironical that amidst inputs pouring in from several quarters, the police was clueless about the exact whereabouts of the abductors and the hostages, he added. So far the government has received no ransom note or any other communication from the militants. As reported earlier, the NEEPCO officials: S Dhar, civil engineer, Robert Lansanga and Lalthankema, junior engineers, Nath and R Roy drillers and S Mondal, a daily wager, were kidnapped at gunpoint by at least eight Hindi-speaking terrorists from Tuirial power project site early on Friday morning. (UNI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 3, 2000)

NEW DELHI, April 2: The BJP-led NDA government is under pressure from the RSS to take drastic steps to resolve the insurgency problem in the Northeast, with the new leadership of the body forwarding a set of recommendations to Prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to tackle the situation in the region. The issue of sharp deterioration in the law and order situation in the Northeast Region, particularly Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Nagaland figured prominently in the much-talked about discussion between the new RSS Chief, KS Sudarshan and the Prime minister held on Thursday. The union home minister LK Advani, was present in this politically significant talk, which saw the RSS leaders suggesting that special measures should be taken in the region by the Centre. (Staff correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 3, 2000)

IMPHAL, April 2: Security and police forces have been deployed at Imphal market complex in view of the "closure" of several shops protesting against the huge extortion demand by some underground groups, official sources said. Most shops in biggest Khwairamband market complex in Imphal which remained closed for the past few weeks to protest against huge exertion demand by underground elements have also been asked to open, the sources said. Sources said shops particularly readymade garment stores in Imphal market complex downed shutters since March 17 in protest against huge underground "tax" ranging between Rs 3,000 to Rs 30,000 per month. Police either persuaded the shop owners or forced open several shops at the market complex yesterday, the sources said. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 3, 2000)

SHILLONG, April 2: Till the other day, ministers and senior politicians in Meghalaya and their family members could take a walk around the picturesque Ward's lake, go shopping in the capital's main market at Police Bazar or dine out without any fear for their security, unlike their counterparts in the other North-eastern states. The situation is no longer so. The growing militancy in the state and specially a threat issued by the militant HNLC, a Khasi outfit, to target ministers have compelled the police not only to beef up the security of the VIPs but also impose restrictions on their movements. The HNLC, through a statement in local Khasi dailies, had recently demanded a clarification from the government on the killing of two of its cadres in an alleged encounter with the police. The outfit also warned of 'revenge killings' if the government did not come up with a satisfactory explanation. The government had since instituted a probe into the incident. A senior government official disclosed that 'extra' security cover have been provided to some ministers who are considered to be under threat. Fearing that the militants might target the family members of these ministers, the police has already strengthened security at the residences of the ministers. (Special correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 3, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 3: The Assam Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, today told the state Assembly that to contain the activities of the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the state government has prepared a comprehensive plan to revamp the special branch of the Assam police and to set up a counter-espionage cell. The plan has already been submitted to the Union government. Replying to a question by Sukhendu Shekhar Dutta (BJP) in the state Assembly, the Chief Minister said that last year four ISI agents were arrested in Guwahati and following their interrogation, 13 ultras of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen were nabbed. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 4, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 3: Though the Union government has initiated peace process with the BLTF to find out an amicable solution to the Bodo problem, recent killing of four members of the outfit by the army in different parts of the state has threatened to jeopardise the peace process. The Union government's suspension of operations against the BLTF came into effect on March 15 following the announcement in this regard by the union home minister LK Advani in the floor of the Parliament and the government and the leaders of the BLTF signed an agreement on the ground rules of the ceasefire on March 29 after a series of discussions. As per the agreement, the security forces would suspend all operations against the BLTF and the militant outfit, on its part agreed to abjure violence. Official sources said that immediately after the announcement by the union home minister, the BLTF leaders held a public meeting to inform the public about the talks between the government and the BLTF and started a poster campaign in different parts of the state welcoming the government's decision and calling for a peaceful solution to the Bodo problem. But army action of killing four BLTF members posed a threat to the peace process. Sources revealed that on March 31, three BLTF ultras - Sonitpur district commander of the BLTF Shanti Basumatary, Dwijen Basumatary and Mahendra Uzir were postering in the Rajgarh and Gograbazar areas under Gohpur police station in Sonitpur district. Shanti came out to the nearest town to procure some papers when he was picked up by the armymen belonging to the 13 Grenadiers and taken to the camp at Amlaiguri. Shanti was shot at in his leg in the army camp and he is now undergoing treatment in the Tezpur Civil Hospital. Meanwhile, the army men also shot dead Mahendra Uzir and picked up Dwijen. Immediately after the incident, the army issued a press statement claiming that one NDFB militant was killed in an "encounter" and only later it was found that in fact, one BLTF man was killed and another was injured. Official sources said that a similar incident took place in Paneri area of Darrang district on April 1. Official sources said that three BLTF ultras - the district Finance secretary Nageswar Boro, Dwijen Basumatary and Borhumkha Boro were picked up by the Armymen belonging to the 16 Punjab Regiment in the afternoon of April 1. Sources said that the Central home secretary of the BLT, Mitharam Boro informed the deputy commissioner and SP of the district about the incident at around 6.30 pm. However, the bodies of the BLTF members were handed over to the Dimakuchi Police outpost by the army at around 10.30 pm. The army later claimed that the BLTF men were killed in an encounter. Official sources expressed fear that such incidents of killing of BLTF men might jeopardise the whole peace process. Sources said that all sections of people of Assam, particularly Bodo political parties and organisations including the ABSU, PDF and the Bodo Sahitya Sabha has welcomed the peace process and the process was believed to be the first step towards a negotiated settlement to the Bodo problem. Sources also pointed out that the members of the BLTF had not indulged in any violence since the outfit declared a unilateral ceasefire during the Kargil war. Official sources also pointed out that such incidents like killing of BLTF members when they come out of hiding, may also send wrong signals to the other militant outfits and if such incidents continue, it would be difficult to persuade the other insurgent groups to come out for negotiated settlement of their problems. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 4, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 3: The Assam government has no information on any move on the part of the tea planters to pack up their business in Cachar district in the wake of growing threats from the militants. The state government is also taking steps to curb militant activities in the district, even though the ceasefire agreement with the NSCN(IM) is posing problems for the army in carrying out operations against the outfit in the district, said Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta in the state Assembly today. The Chief Minister, who was replying to a question put by Kalyan Kumar Gogoi, MLA, also said that the Union government was apprised of the situation and urged for appropriate measures. Altogether 23 tea estate managers were abducted by the militants in the state between 1996 and 2000. Of them, one was killed by the NDFB in Sonitpur district, while another was killed in Cachar district in an encounter between the security forces and his DHD abductors, the Chief Minister said. He also made an appeal to the tea estate managements to cooperate with the government in its moves against the militants. In reply to another question from Hemsing Tisso, MLA, the Chief Minister said that the state government has so far received no complaint from the residents of Singheson areas in Karbi Anglong district concerning collection of house tax and income tax by the UPDS (KNV and KPF) from the people there. However, the government is aware of the insurgent activities in the district, and the security forces busted a camp of the UPDS and arrested 10 of its leaders. The self-styled c-in-c of the outfit was also killed in an encounter. He also urged upon the ASDC leaders and people of the district to extend all sorts of help to the anti-insurgency moves of the government, when Tisso read out copies of extortion notes served by the insurgent outfit on the people and complained that lack of initiatives from the state administration compelled the people of the district to take to popular resistance against its activists. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 4, 2000)

AGARTALA, April 3: Altogether eight hostages have been released from insurgents captivity while security forces nabbed five collaborators of the ultras in different incidents in Tripura, police said today. Three fishermen who were kidnapped from Dambur lake area in South Tripura district by the insurgents of NLFT on March 17 last, returned home last night unhurt, sources said. Three nontribals and two small traders who were kidnapped by the NLFT ultras from Bampur area in South Tripura district on March 16 and Manikpur Bazar in Dhalai district on March 29 last respectively were also released yesterday, they added. Acting on a tip off, Assam Rifles raided Tamakari village under Sidhai police station of West Tripura district yesterday and nabbed two collaborators of banned ATTF. In an another incident, security forces nabbed three collaborators of the NLFT from Fatikroy police station area in North Tripura district yesterday while they were distributing 'tax notices'. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 4, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 4: A panic-like situation is prevailing at Basistha area in the city where one person was killed and three others injured in an encounter with army on Monday last. Although army claimed that it was an encounter yet people of the area are still not convinced over their claim. They said 'he was killed in a fake encounter and no gun shot was fired from his side. The person was killed in the same way as Bhuban Phukan was killed few years back.' Bhuban Phukan, an employee, of the flood control department was killed by army during 1996 for having links with ULFA. And, later he found to be an innocent. Narrating the incident Uday Shankar, a shopkeeper of the locality said 'it was about 9.15 pm and I was busy with some customers. And at that time my cousin said firing is going on. Immediately I downed the shutters and ran away from the spot to a safe distance. Later I came to know that one person was killed by Army.' But what is more interesting is that after the incident army cordoned off the entire area and even the SP and the DC of Kamrup district were not allowed to go to the spot to find out the fact. According to some vegetable vendors, armymen guarding the base hospital, fired indiscriminately at the people killing one on the spot. 'Entire area was sealed off by army jawans and high police officials were not allowed, so how can we go there,' they said. Nareswar Das, an ASTC bus driver, who is undergoing treatment of the Guwahati Medical College Hospital following bullet injuries told this reporter that firing lasted for about 15 minutes and altogether five persons were injured in the firing. 'I was hit by a stray bullet on my leg and somehow I managed to come out from the bus', the driver said. The condition of the driver is stated to be out of danger. The condition of the other two injured are also now out of danger. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 5, 2000)

SIVASAGAR, April 4: In the largest ever surrender of militants in Assam, a total 532 cadres of three different outfits, ULFA, NDFB and KNV, laid down arms before the governor Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha on the forecourts of the historic Ranghar here today. Sinha, welcoming the return of the militants to the 'mainstream' of the society, expressed hope that their other colleagues, who are still in the jungle, would follow suit. He said the state during the last two decades had witnessed enough of bloodbath. The growth of the state's economy has been stalled due to continuing violence making the common man clamour for peace and development. The governor, therefore, called upon the leaders of militant outfits to respect the wishes of the people and come forward for talks with the government for finding a lasting solution to the problem. Among others who were present in the rehabilitation ceremony were the Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, transport minister Pradip Hazarika, minister of state for veterinary Hiranya Konwar, GOC 4 Corps of the army Lt Gen D B Shekatkar and the director-general of the state police, PV Sumant. Of those who laid down arms today, 436 belong to the ULFA, 19 to the NDFB and 77 to the KNV. The army claimed that there were 200 members from the ULFA's armed wing. However, there was not a central committee member of the ULFA among them. The militants deposited a large number of arms including four AK-47 rifles, one AK-56 rifle, three carbines, 22 country-made pistols, six 9 mm pistols, 21 point 38 revolvers, one 7.62 mm pistol, two universal machine guns, five 303 rifles, seventeen 12 bore guns, two Chinese-made M-21 pistols, one US-made carbine and 23 numbers of 9 mm revolvers. The leader of the ULFA batch who surrendered was self-styled lieutenant Amrit Phukon. He hails from Amguri village close to Nagaland border in Sivasagar. He joined the ULFA in 1992 and served the outfit as one of the key instructors in Bhutan and Myanmar camps. Talking to this correspondent, he said the ULFA's stand vis-à-vis the ISI of the Pakistan during the Kargil war created widespread resentment in its rank and file. The resentment against the leadership of the outfit has been instrumental in triggering exodus of disillusioned cadres from the ULFA of late, he said. Later, while reading out a prepared speech on behalf of the surrendered militants in the ceremony, Amrit Phukon stated, "The ULFA is no longer capable of serving the interest of Assam as it has become a puppet in the hands of the commander-in-chief, Paresh Barua." He alleged that there was no internal democracy in the ULFA and the c-in-c now ran the organisation according to his whims and fancy without caring for the interest of the lower rung cadres. (Bijay Sankar Bora; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 5, 2000)

AIZAWL, April 4: The Mizoram police suspects the involvement of Hmar People's Conference (Democratic) in the abduction of six Northeastern Electricity and Power Corporation (NEEPCO) employees from site of Tuirial hydro-power project. The officials were kidnapped on the morning of March 31 by at least eight Hindi-speaking militants at gun-point. So far the administration had not received any demand for ransom from the abductors. The police had sufficient evidence that it was the handiwork of HPC (D), home minister Tawnluia said in the Assembly on Monday. In his statement to the house he said the kidnappers were suspected to be hiding in the North Cachar Hills. The Mizoram and Assam police and the Assam Rifles were combing the area to trace the six abductors, he added. Meanwhile, a senior intelligence official told UNI that the HPC (D) was suspected to have completed the daring task with assistance from the NSCN(IM). They are believed to be active at the Mizoram-Assam-Manipur trijunction since 1998 when the army was withdrawn from Assam's Haflong district. Soon after the withdrawal, kidnapping of tea estate officials in Cachar increased. (UNI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 5, 2000)

AIZAWL, April 5: Thirteen insurgency-related incidents occurred in Mizoram since December 1998, state home minister Tawnluia told the state Assembly. Replying to a query from Nirupam Chakma (Congress), Tawnluia said all the incidents had occurred in the border areas where militants from neighbouring states and those based in Myanmar and Bangladesh had taken refuge. The home minister also said that five policemen had lost their lives while fighting the insurgents and one policeman was killed by an irate mob during the period. Meanwhile, the Centre has proposed setting up of a second battalion of Indian Reserve Police in the state to ensure security in the border area. Border vigil: The Mizoram police has increased vigil along the borders following the detection of at least ten armed NSCN(IM) and Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) terrorists in North Mizoram on Monday night. Making a statement in the Assembly on Tuesday, home minister Tawnluia said the combined group of the two outfits initially entered Tripura from Bangladesh and slipped into Manipur hills. In a bid to help them navigate through the Mizo hills, the terrorists kidnapped two boys from the Chhimluang hamlet, but later released them. The boys were also used to buy cigarettes and other essentials for the armed group. After being released the duo informed the police, he added. (PTI & UNI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 6, 2000)

SHILLONG, April 6: Meghalaya Chief Minister EK Mawlong on Monday said his government was happy that militants of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) approved the rehabilitation package for the militants of the state. Replying to the amendment to the thanks-giving motion on the governor's address, Mawlong informed the Assembly here that he had come to know about the outfit's willingness to come to the negotiating table with the state government through newspaper reports. In this connection, Mawlong referred to the recent meeting of religious leaders of the state which expressed desire to solve the vexed problem and work in close coordination with the state government to maintain law and order. He informed the house that some of these religious leaders, having experience in education and health sectors, would be involved in the Health Advisory Board and in the Education Advisory Board of the state for the benefit of the people at large. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 7, 2000)

IMPHAL, April 6: During the last 48 hours security forces killed four activists of the banned UNLF and recovered various arms and ammunition from different parts of the state. One UNLF cadre was killed while another was arrested from the residence of one P Gokulchand at Nongada Makha Lsikai under Lamlai police station in Imphal East district on Monday afternoon by a police team led by SP L Kailun of Imphal East district. During the incident the Imphal East district police also recovered four AK-56 rifles and one US-made Thomson carbine along with ammunition from the spot. Meanwhile, army troops raided a UNLF hideout in the early morning of April 2 and killed three activists of UNLF after a fierce encounter. One of them is suspected to be a self-styled commander. According to defence sources, the incident took place at Vanthangung Kuki village in Tamenglong district. The army recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the spot. These include one AK-56, one light machine gun, two carbines a large quantity of AK-56 and 73 rounds, 52 rounds of belted ammunition, 154 rounds of M-21. It is believed that the killed insurgents belong to the Manipur People's army (MPA), the armed wing of the proscribed UNLF. The identities of the slain militants still remain a mystery. At the same time, the personnel of the Assam Rifles arrested one police constable along with 18 sticks of explosive capable of creating massive destruction from a truck (MN-02/2906) at Tamenglong during a search operation on March 31 last. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 7, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 6: The Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has procured several passports for the self-styled commander-in-chief of the banned ULFA, Paresh Barua. This was informed by the Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta while tabling a hard-hitting statement on ISI activities in Assam in the state Assembly today. According to the statement the police is in possession of plenty of evidence to prove that the top ULFA leadership is in close touch with certain officials of Pakistani High Commission in Dhaka and that Pakistani agencies have so far imparted arms training to hundreds of ULFA cadres. Quoting confessional statements of several arrested ULFA leaders including the self-styled vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi, the Chief Minister informed that Pakistani officials in their Dhaka High Commission arrange for passports of ULFA leaders in various Muslim names and send them to Karachi. As soon as they arrive in Karachi airport, they are whisked away in unmarked vehicles to training centres. The state police has been able to get hold of a copy of a passport issued to Paresh Barua in the name of Kamaruddin Zaman Khan. Documentary evidence indicates that this Bangladeshi passport was procured in fraudulent means with the help of an official at Pakistani High Commission in Dhaka. The Chief Minister informed the house that the state police had gathered sufficient evidence to prove that the Pakistani ISI had been actively involved in fomenting violence and terrorism in the state. The ISI is focusing on inciting violence in the state by providing active support to the local militant outfits, creating new militant outfits along ethnic and communal lines; causing sabotage of oil pipelines and other installations, communication network and railways and roads, promoting fundamentalism and militancy among local Muslim youths by misleading in the name of 'jehad'. The house was informed that a number of audio cassettes of speeches by Maulana Masood Azhar have been found in circulation in various parts of the state. The contents of these speeches have been found highly in inflammatory and communally sensitive. The state police arrested four persons in August last year at Guwahati while they were found moving about under suspicious circumstances and contracting certain persons in different parts of the state. These persons had arrived Dhaka from Karachi by Pakistani International Airlines (PIA) flight in the 3rd week of July, 1999 and had meeting with the ISI officials based in Dhaka to arrange for onward despatch of a consignment of explosives to Assam. Subsequently, they travelled to Sylhet and sneaked into India somewhere near Karimganj. Interrogation of these persons revealed that Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, a dreaded Pakistan-based terrorist outfit, recruited and despatched a number of youths from Assam for training in Pakistan. On the basis of the information provided by arrested persons, the police later arrested large number of persons who returned to state after training in Pakistan, including some top activists of Assam unit of Harkat-ul Mujahideen . The chief organiser of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen in Assam, Md Muslimuddin was also arrested. It came to light that the Naib Amir of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen in India, Maulana Md Fakruddin alias Akram Master also hails from Goalpara district of Assam. He is now based in Pakistan. The Chief Minister informed that Md Fasih Ulla Hussaini and Javed Wakhar, top Harkat-ul-Mujahideen members from Pakistan, who were arrested in Guwahati in August, 1999, were now lodged in Goalpara jail. Recently Fasih Ullah moved Chief Judicial Magistrate of Goalpara asking permission to write to Pakistani High commissioner in Delhi to obtain a sum of Rs 3 lakh for meeting their legal expenses to defend their case. He was granted permission by the CJM and accordingly he wrote to Ashraf Jaahangir Qazi, the Pakistani High commissioner stating that he along with his colleagues had been arrested by Assam police and asked the High commissioner to obtain a sum of Rs 3 lakh from his 'guardian' in Islamabad. The 'guardians' telephone number provided in the letter was 414446 which is the personal telephone number of Fazlur Rahman Khaleeli, the chief amir of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 7, 2000)

SHILLONG, April 7: Worried by incidents of attacks on tourists visiting the state, Meghalaya government is now contemplating setting up of a Tourist Security Force to provide security to the tourists. Meghalaya tourism minister, KC Momin on Friday informed the house that the state government is seriously examining the proposal. He, however, said that the hospitable nature of the locals in itself is a protection for the tourists. Presently, police personnel are deployed in vulnerable spots, from time to time, so as to ensure safety of the tourists. Replying to queries during question hour in the state Assembly, the minister said that the number of tourists visiting the state has increased from 1,37,607 in 1998 to 1,61,707 in 1999. He also disclosed that so far 62 tourists spots have been identified in the state including 26 in East Khasi Hills district alone. (Special correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 8, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 8: Six militants belonging to the banned ULFA were killed in an encounter with the army deep inside Manas National Park in the wee hours yesterday, the raising day of the outfit. Official sources here informed that anticipating movement of ULFA militants on their raising day, the troops laid an ambush in an area inside the sanctuary about 10 km west of Mathanguri. The corridor in known to be used by militants for movement across to camps in neighbouring Bhutan. In the early hours yesterday the army spotted a group of heavily armed ULFA militants and engaged them in an encounter for about six hours. Six ULFA militants were killed in the encounter. Three of the militants were identified as Prodip Das alias Jyoti Das, Lal Rabha and Robin Rabha alias Sony Narzary. Three other slain militants were yet to be identified. One AK-56 assault rifle, one SLR, two single barrel rifles, 109 rounds of AK-56 ammunition, 88 rounds of SLR ammunition were recovered from the possession of militants. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 9, 2000)

KOHIMA, April 8: A charred body of an underground activist was recovered from the jungle near Jotsoma village where both the rival factions of NSCN were engaged in a heavy fighting on Friday. A two-inch mortar was also used in the gun-battle. The villagers along with a team of newspersons and police visited the site and met a group of NSCN(K) activists, who said their camp was attacked by the rival NSCN(IM). They repulsed the attack and seized two weapons from the attackers. Meanwhile, police said at least three cadres of NSCN(IM) were killed in the gun-battle. But they recovered only one charred body on Saturday which was beyond recognition. Some more bodies were still somewhere in the thick jungle area. Yesterday, a reinforcement party of NSCN(K) was stopped by Assam Rifles frisking party on Jail Road. The activists fired on the security forces killing one lance naik. The Assam Rifles force also retaliated killing one occupant of the vehicle an injuring two others. Another two activists were also apprehended and one carbine, one M-2 pistol and three AK-47 rifles were seized from their possession. (The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 9, 2000)

AGARTALA, April 9: Assam and Tripura police will conduct joint operations along the border of the two states to flush out militants and exchange intelligence information. Stating this North Tripura's SP Nepal Das told UNI here on Sunday that a meeting of senior police officials of Tripura and Assam, besides top officials of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was held at Karimganj of Assam early this week to finalise the modalities of the joint operations, the first of its kind in the NE region. CRPF personnel would also participate in the joint operations, which would be led by senior police officials of the two States, Das said, adding that the meeting also decided to strengthen the coordination between the police authorities of the two states by exchanging necessary information and intelligence reports about the movement and activities of the underground militants. The Tripura delegation was led by DIG (northern range) K Nagraj, while the DIG (Cachar range) headed the Assam police. Concerned SPs and senior police and CRPF officials also attended the meeting. The reported joint operations would also check other border crimes, Das pointed out. An official report said the NSCN(IM) and ULFA militants were providing all help and assistance, including arms training to Tripura's two rebel outfits -NLFT and ATTF. Mixed groups of NLFT, ATTF, NSCN(IM) and ULFA had conducted a series of attacks in Tripura and in the Barak valley of Assam, the report said, adding that tea gardens, security forces and civilians were the main targets. Several shelter camps had been set up by the Northeast outfits inside the Bangladesh territory where they were receiving arms training, the report stated. (UNI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 10, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 8: The BLTF has accused the army of gross violation of the ceasefire agreement between the outfit and the Centre and has expressed doubts on the integrity of the army and security forces. Surprisingly, it has also stated that the Pakistani Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) agents have infiltrated into the army setup. The BLTF issued a press release yesterday, signed by its secretary general Derhachal Basumatary, demanding immediate punishment of all those involved in the alleged killing of four of its cadres by the army recently in two separate incidents at Gohpur (Sonitpur) and Paneri (Darrang) recently. The release said that the BLTF has formally declared the slain four as "martyrs of the Bodoland movement of BLT" during its executive meeting held Friday at Degargaon in Kokrajhar under the chairmanship of its chairman and c-in-c Hagrama Basumatary. Besides demanding a CBI inquiry into the matter, the BLTF also demanded compensation to the injured and the next of kin of those killed. The BLTF accused the army of unilaterally violating the ceasefire agreement saying it did not want peace and prosperity and the amicable solution to the Bodo problem through agitation as the "ISI agents are working actively among them." The army has killed democracy by its actions, the BLTF alleged. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 10, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 10: Suspected KNV militants massacred 11 persons and injured another two, apart from burning three timber laden trucks at Laungetshu village in Karbi Anglong district bordering Nagaon, some 25 KM from Diphu - the district headquarters - on Sunday evening. The incident took place when a group of about 10 to 15 KNV militants stopped at gun point three timber-laden trucks belonging to a local timber trader. They were plying from inside the Dhansiri reserve forest, security sources said. These were part of a batch of about ten trucks of the same contractor, and the vehicles also had some labourers. The ill-fated trucks were the last of the batch to leave the forest site after carrying the logs. The militants first ordered the 15 labourers most of whom hailed from Bihar, to get down from the trucks. Then, they were made to stand in a line before being shot dead by the militants. Eleven of the labourers died on the spot, while two managed to escape with injuries. Later, the KNV militants also burned down the trucks along with the timber. Meanwhile, the state director-general of police, PV Sumant, told The Northeast Daily that the police had come to know about the incident only on Monday morning when the injured reported the incident to the police. Immediately after receiving the news, the Karbi Anglong superintendent of police rushed to the spot. He also said that the state police have started a massive combing operation to nab the culprits. The injured have been admitted at the Diphu Civil Hospital. (Staff reporter; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; April 11, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 10 : The BLTF has urged the Union government to take immediate positive steps for solving the Bodoland issue once for all, and said that centre should not initiate any move which will force the organisation to go underground. Speaking to newsmen here on Monday the publicity secretary of the BLTF Mainao Daimary said that there was no question of compromising the main demand - creation of a separate state of Bodoland. "We have been negotiating with the central government with an open mind. But the continuation of the talks depends on the sincerity of the government on solving the problem," he said. While pointing out to the centre's (Including union home minister LK Advani) repeated declaration that no more state will be created out of Assam, the publicity secretary of the Bodo militant group said : "Such rigid stand should not be taken by the centre." Commenting on the necessity of taking resolution in the state Assembly for creating another state, Daimary said, "Once Laloo Prasad Yadav said that a new state out of Bihar will be created only over his dead body. But later under political compulsion he had to take a resolution for the creation of Jharkhand." Daimary along with BLTF vice-chairman Chandan Narzary later participated a high level meeting which was attended by high civil, police, para-military and army officials besides joint secretary (NE) to the ministry of home affairs GK Pillai. The meet discussed in details about modalities on the execution of the ceasefire agreement between the two sides. The organisation, which was till recently considered as one of the deadly militant outfit of the Northeast and was declared outlawed, so far participated six rounds of talks with the centre starting with September 15, 1999. "Before that we had two rounds of discussion through our emissary," he said. Both the BLTF and the government have declared suspension of operation for 6 months at the end of last year. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 11, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 10: At least eleven labourers were killed and four others seriously injured when KNV militants opened fire inside a dense forest at Longetshu in Karbi Anglong near the boundary with Nagaon district. Official sources here informed that KNV ultras lined up the labourers engaged in loading illegally felled timber onto a truck inside Dhansiri Reserve Forest and fired upon them. The incident took place late last afternoon. Three timber-laden trucks were also set aflame by the militants before leaving the massacre site. The injured labourers were rushed to Diphu Civil Hospital. Top police officials of the district supported by additional forces, were engaged in combing operation in the area. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta condemned the killing of the eleven innocent labourers and burning down of three trucks by the ultras in Karbi Anglong district. Senior police officials rushed to the spot and intensive operations have been launched to nab the culprits. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 11, 2000)

AGARTALA, April 10: Tribal guerrillas have stepped up their activities in view of the crucial election to the 30-member Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous district Council (TTAADC) slated for April 30 and May 3. Police said here today that militants kidnapped the wife, daughter and a close relative of three Left Front candidates contesting the TTAADC election. Sources said armed militants raided the house of CPI candidate Manindra Reang at Santir bazar in South Tripura and kidnapped his wife Parbati Reang at gunpoint. Reang was contesting from the Birchandra-Kalsi (ST) constituency. In another incident, ultras abducted a woman school teacher, daughter of another CPI candidate Kunja Debbarma, from Bishalgarh in West Tripura. Debbarma was contesting from Amtali-Golaghati (ST) constituency. Extremists also kidnapped one Shyam Dulal Debbarma, son-in-law of CPI (M) candidate Lalit Debbarma, from Takarjala in West Tripura. Lalit Debbarma was contesting from the Takarjala constituency. All the three incidents took place yesterday. Security forces have rushed to the spots and launched a massive rescue operation. Sources said the militants also raided many houses of candidates. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 11, 2000)

AGARTALA , April 10 : Hundreds of people - both tribals and non-tribals - were rendered homeless after day-long incidents of arson in at least 10 villages in Jirania police station area near here. The tension was fallout of a bomb attack on tribals in the morning allegedly carried out by Bengali militants. One person was killed and at least, five others were wounded in the attack, of whom the condition of one was stated to be serious. Nearly 150 houses were completely gutted in the arson and property worth lakhs was destroyed, a police officer in Jirania police station said over telephone. He said no fresh outbreak was reported after 5 P.M., adding that the situation was grave. Police later recovered the body of a male tribal was found in the area. Para-military Assam Rifles' personnel have been deployed in the trouble-hit areas after Chief Minister Manik Sarkar reviewed the situation with senior civil and security officials. Assam Rifles personnel have been staging flag marches apart from guarding sensitive areas. An unconfirmed report received at 8:10 P.M. said arson was still on in few localities. High-level police officials have been camping in the area and constantly monitoring the situation. Fire brigade tenders were rushed to Jirania from Agartala and pressed into service. Trouble began after a jeep carrying tribal passengers came under attack near the engineering college area at about 11:30 A.M.. One Sanjib Debbarma was seriously wounded. The incident soon sparked off ethnic tension in entire Jirania police station area and angry tribals raided Bengali-dominated Chakb-asta. Thirty houses were arsoned. Tension soon gripped many other mixed populated villages and till the evening, incidents of arson continued. According to a rough estimate, over two thousand families were rendered homeless and makeshift arrangements were not made for them till Monday evening, police confirmed. Troops arrested seven people, including three Bengalis for indulging in arson and fanning trouble. The incidents have caused grave concern for the authorities in view of ensuing TTADC polls. (Correspondent; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; April 11, 2000)

AGARTALA, April 10: The nexus between the NLFT and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) is becoming more and more clear with the extremist outfit carrying out kidnappings of kin of candidates in the TTADC polls. The NLFT kidnapped seven close relatives and family members of Left Front candidates since Sunday noon. The extremists have set withdrawal of the candidates concerned from the contest as the condition to release their relatives. The extremists want the Left Front to keep out of the contest to have the way of IPFT aspirants. Wives, son in laws, fathers, daughters, sons and son-in-laws make up the list of kidnapped. Wife of CPI candidate Manindra Reang was the first victim. Within hours of the incident, the rebels went on indiscriminate abductions. By 8.30 in the night Sarnalata Debbarma, another of CPI candidate Kunju Debbarma, Sarbajoy Reang father of CPI(M) candidate Rajendra Reang, Lalit Debbarma's (CPIM) son-in-law S D Debbarma, Janati Debbarma (20) wife of CPI(M) aspirant Lalit Debbarma and their three-year-old son were kidnapped. At 1 PM on Monday Haria Debbarma (73), father of CPI(M) aspirant Dhananjoy Debbarma was kidnapped at gun point from their residence at Jirania police station area, near here. Besides, residences Parikhit Debbarma, Alindra Debbarma, Joy Kishore Jamatia - all CPI(M) candidates and Kalachand Jamatia of RSP were raided by NLFT militants. The NLFT has warned all the non-IPFT candidates of dire consequences if they still consider to remain in fray. CPI(M) state committee alleged that NLFT has been violently active at the behest of IPFT. The IPFT leaders pleaded innocence. Police said - despite search, the kidnapped remains untraced till Monday, the last day of withdrawal. (Correspondent; The Northeast Daily; Guwahati; April 11, 2000)

AGARTALA, April 11: Communal riots erupted in West Tripura district on Monday afternoon. More than 500 huts belonging to non-tribals and tribals were torched down and one tribal was injured in a bomb attack. High tension prevailed in the whole Jirania police station area. A shoot-at-sight order was issued and Assam Rifles staged a flag march in the affected areas. Police had to open fire at three places to disperse the rampaging mob. Police said Section 144 CrPC was also promulgated. Several non-tribals were reported missing till Tuesday morning although no casualty has been reported so far. The whole of Jirania is reeling under high tension and more than 2000 non-tribals have deserted their villages and taken shelter in schools and relatives' houses at comparatively safer places. Security forces rushed to the areas but it did not help instil confidence in people. Although the situation was under control Tuesday morning, it was so tense underneath that further eruption of violence could not be ruled out altogether. However, police sources said senior officers were camping in Jirani and no stone had been left unturned to ensure security and check any more communal fallout. Heavy reinforcement has been made in the area. Senior civil administration, police and security force officers held a high-level meeting at the state secretariat on Tuesday morning. The violence was sparked off as suspected United Bengali Liberation Front of Tripura (UBLF) militants lobbed crude bombs on a passenger jeep at Chakbasta near the Engineering College on Monday afternoon. In this attack one Sanjiv Debbarma was injured seriously. The Jirania police station areas were already volatile and highly sensitive. The attack only added fuel to fire. Hundreds of tribals armed with lethal weapons went rampaging in non-tribal villages. They first resorted to arson in Chakbasta and torched down 13 houses. The non-tribals retaliated and set afire 5 tribal houses at Bhadramishipara. Within an hour indiscriminate arson incidents took place at villages inhabited by both tribals and non-tribals. Most affected areas are Chakbasta, Kobrakhamar, Dhun-duraipara, Harijay Choudhurypara, Bhagaban Kobrapara. The sudden communal flare-up has complicated the already tense situation in this militancy-torn tiny state which is going to hold Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous district Council (TTAADC) election on April 30 and May 3 next. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 12, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 11: The BLTF has said that the ULFA and the NDFB will be forced to come to the negotiating table if the Union government initiates sincere steps towards solving the Bodoland issue. The outfit also warned the Assam government not to hold election in the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC) areas since negotiation for a separate state for the Bodos has already started following a formal ceasefire announced between the BLTF and the centre. The outfit also set a three-point parameter for all future parleys with the government. Addressing media persons here on Tuesday, BLTF publicity secretary Mainao Daimary said that if the government shows sincerity for solving the problem, it will send a positive signal to the other militant outfits in the region - especially the ULFA and the NDFB - to participate in the negotiation process. He further pointed out that the BLTF and the government concluded a ceasefire agreement on March 29 after a series of negotiations between both the sides. He added that their demands were creation of Bodoland on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, formation of an autonomous district council on the south bank of the river and inclusion of the Bodo Kacharis of Karbi Anglong district in the Sixth Schedule. "Now that we have agreed for a ceasefire with the government, the authorities must try to solve the problem sincerely without they trying to take advantage of our decision to hold parleys." He also said that mere suspension of operations against the BLTF will never be able to bring permanent peace and prosperity to the people of Bodoland unless there is an amicable and permanent solution to the Bodoland issues. He added that a joint monitoring group headed by the joint-secretary (NE) ministry of home affairs, GK Pillai, was formed to look into the ground modalities of the ceasefire agreement. The next rounds of talks will be held at New Delhi on April 28 & 29.The BLTF side will be led by Hagrama Basumatary. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 12, 2000)

GUWAHATI, April 11: The ultimate solution to the vexed issue of a separate Bodoland issue rests purely on negotiation and the sincerity of both the governments at the Centre and in the state and the BLTF itself, said BLTF vice chairman Kamal Moshahary and the outfit's publicity secretary Mainao Daimary here today. Addressing the first ever press conference after the signing of the cease fire agreement with the Union government on March 29 last, Moshahary and Daimary told newsmen at the Hotel Belle Vue here this morning, that by mere suspension of operation against the BLT, the armed outfit raising the demand for a separate Bodoland state, the government can never expect restoration of peace in the Bodo dominated areas. For permanent peace and prosperity to the people of Bodoland there should be an amicable and permanent solution to the Bodoland issue, they said. Moreover, they said, there should not be any election to the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC), while the process of negotiation is on with BLT. As, this will send wrong signals to the people and hamper the negotiation process, they observed. They also expected the government to start the negotiations with the BLTF on the three major demands of creation of a separate Bodoland state in the north bank of the Brahmaputra, creation of an autonomous district council in the south bank of the Brahmaputra and inclusion of the Bodo Kachari people of Karbi Anglong in the sixth schedule of the Indian constitution. The more than five thousand-year-old history, cultural and political identity of the Bodos, including their rapid economic uplift will be at stake without a Bodoland state. Many indigenous people of the Northeast have lost their cultural and political identity on their own soil. "We are aware of the fate that has befallen the Tripuris. But the Mizos could safeguard their ethnic interests because of the timely creation of Mizoram" they said. Moshahary and Daimary also said that responding to the aspirations of the Bodo people the four-year-old BLTF opted for a negotiated solution to the issues it has been upholding. The Bodos today want peace and prosperity through a separate Bodoland state. "That is why, we have decided to abjure the path of violence and to seek the solution to all the problems of Bodoland within the framework of the Indian Constitution through peaceful political dialogue. We have very open mind on the entire gamut of Bodoland issues and also have a very clear vision about what is politically and economically right for the people of Bodoland. "We also like to transform ourselves gradually into a successful social institution for taking up major social and economic initiatives to solve the various problem of Bodoland through pro-active participation in the society. We are attaching topmost priority to creation of congenial atmosphere for negotiated settlement of the issues concerning Bodoland and its people," they said. When pointed out to the fact that the other militant Bodo outfit NDFB which is championing the cause of a sovereign Bodoland, is yet to get itself involved with the peace process, the BLTF leaders said that the NDFB leaders should realise what are the ground realities and design their approaches accordingly, adding, the demand for a sovereign Bodoland goes against the wishes of the Bodo people. The BLT, which was founded on June 18, 1996, established contact with the Union government between April and May, 1999. During the past seven months six rounds of discussions were held between the outfit and the Union government culminating in the signing of the ceasefire agreement by both the parties on March 29 last. The agreement laid down some ground rules with the Centre agreeing to withdraw operations against the outfit and the latter agreeing to shun violence and desist from unlawful activities. During the discussion, the BLTF demanded of the Union government to lift the ban on it, to discontinue security forces' operations against it and to release all its about 50 arrested or detained cadres. Even though the Centre did not extend the ban on the outfit and suspended operations against it, the arrested BLTF cadres are yet to be released. The tripartite negotiation among the Union government, state government and the BLTF is scheduled for April 28 and 29 next. BLTF chairman-cum-c-in-c Hagrama Basumatary will lead the outfits' delegation in the negotiation. The outfit also wants the union home minister to attend the negotiation. (Staff reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 12, 2000)

SHILLONG, April 12: Suspected HNLC militants struck again in the city today looting Rs 6.57 lakh in cash from the Mawlai Mawdatbaki branch of the state Bank of India in broad daylight. Police sources said that a group of 10-15 Khasi youths armed with sophisticated weapons stormed into the bank around 12.30 pm today and emptied the cash from the bank's strongroom. The suspected militants opened fire at the security guard when he tried to resist the looters. They also fired at one assistant cashier of the bank. (Special correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 13, 2000)

AGARTALA, April 12: The death toll in the ethnic and militant violence since Monday in Tripura rose to four as ultras gunned down three others in Dhalai district Tuesday while over 200 families were rendered homeless in the state in arson. Violence continued for the second day Tuesday in the run-up to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous district Council (TTAADC) election on April 30 and May 3 as outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) guerrillas gunned down three people, including a child and a woman, and shot at two others at Manu in Dhalai district yesterday. The ultras killed them when the victims were going to a nearby village from Ghagrachara village. The injured were admitted to hospital. Combing operation was on to nab the rebels. Police and official sources said shoot-at-sight orders were issued in ten villages under Jirania police station in West Tripura following arson and ethnic clashes in the mixed populated areas. Over 325 huts belonging to 200 families of both tribals and non-tribals were burnt down by violent mobs in the ten villages since Monday and one tribal villager was killed during the arson. (UNI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 13, 2000)

AGARTALA, April 13: Sporadic communal violence continued to rock Jirania police station area till Wednesday night despite heavy security arrangements. Curfew has been clamped in the area while Assam Rifles staged flag march and shoot at-sight orders were issued. Yet on Wednesday 70 more houses were burnt down leading to more exodus. Already about 10,000 non-tribals and tribals were rendered homeless, as about 600 huts were raged to ashes in the communal flare-up that began on Monday afternoon. One Tribal was killed and five non-tribals were reported missing. The worst-affected villages are Chakbasta, Harijay Choudhurypara, Kaowaban, Maheshpur, Kobra khamar, Bhadramishipara Panic-stricken inhabitants from other adjacent villages also deserted their homes and took refuge in 11 relief centres set up by civil administration. Senior police officers are camping in the disturbed areas. IGP (Law and Order) K Saleem Ali and Assam Rifles DIG Brigadier BK Ponwar are monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, the Sidhai police station area, adjacent to Jirania, has become tense again on Wednesday as UBLF militants lobbed bombs on a jeep carrying tribal passengers. No one was hurt in the attack but it triggered off tension in Urabari (where the incident took place) and adjoining areas. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; April 14, 2000)