Assam Govt. allowing militant groups to operate in border – UNTABA –
United Naga Tribes Association of Border Areas (UNTABA) accused the “government of Assam and its law enforcing agencies of deliberately allowing various militant/terrorist groups to operate in Assam-Nagaland border areas”.
While reacting to Assam chief minister’s revelation that there was the possibility of Al-Qaida setting up bases in Assam, UNTABA said that as of now, Assam and its law enforcing agencies were guilty of allowing militant/terrorist groups to operate in Assam, particularly in the border areas of Assam and Nagaland.
In a press release, UNTABA chairman Hukavi T. Yepthomi said the systematic policy of the Assam government to settle illegal immigrants and Adivasis in the border areas of Nagaland, well inside the traditional land of the Naga people has apparently backfired in the light of Gogoi’s statement on the danger posed by Al-Qaeda.
The association said the people of Assam should know that as a result of the diabolical design of the Assam government and its security agencies, almost all the destructive elements in the Northeast as well as from mainland India have set-up their bases in the inter-satte border areas having short-term as well as long-term ramifications for the security of genuine Assamese people and the Northeast for which Tarun Gogoi should be held accountable.
United Naga Tribes Association of Border Areas said some of the militant groups having their bases in Assam-Nagaland border area were: HNLC (Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council); KLA (Kuki Liberation Army); NLFT (National Liberation Front of Tripura); ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom; AANLA (All Adivasi National Liberation Army); AASS (Assam Adivasi Shraksha Sena); KLNLF (Karbi Longri National Liberation Front); KLO (Kamatapur Liberation Organisation); BTF (Bengali Tiger Force); MULTA (Muslim Liberation Tiger of Assam); BCF (Birsa Commando Force); GTF (Gorkha Tiger Force); MSF (Muslim Security Force); BLTF (Bodo Liberation Tiger Force; remnants of LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam); PULF (Peoples United Liberation Front); KPLT (Karbi Peoples Liberation Tigers) and UPDS (both Accordist and Non-Accordist).
United Naga Tribes Association of Border Areas also argued that the “most scandalous” issue in this episode was the fact that there was much lobbying in the higher echelons of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for the senior officers to get posted in buffer zones manned by the “neutral force” CRPF.
The association said “it was an established fact” that senior CRPF commanders posted in these “buffer zones” had understandings with “militant/terrorist groups” by allowing them to set up bases there for “monetary gains.” The association said being posted there was probably the most lucrative in India besides Indo-Bangladesh border crossing in Meghalaya manned by BSF.
If the Al-Qaeda sets up bases in Assam, in all probability it would establish links with the underground elements already operating in the border area and Central Reserve Police Force and Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi would be held responsible for the same, said the association.
UNTABA requested Union Ministry of Home Affairs to take both CRPF and Tarun Gogoi to task for having played with the security of the people for monetary and communal politics.
The association also alleged that “Tarun Gogoi has patronized the settlement of illegal immigrants/Adivasis” and thereby militant/terrorist groups in the border areas knowing that the land belongs to Nagaland.
In his frenzy to whip up the emotions of Assamese people for his electoral gains, Tarun Gogoi has unwittingly played into the hands of Al-Qaida, alleged UNTABA.
The association argued that the issue was not between Nagas and genuine Assamese people but “vote bank politics, terrorism and security” of Northeast people and India as a whole.
RALH reiterates stand to oppose resettlement of Adivasis
Ralan Area Lotha Hoho (RALH) Sunday reiterated its stand to oppose the forcible resettlement of Adivasi tenants with the help of Assam government.
RALH vice chairman Nyimathung Odyuo and press secretary Er. K.I. Moyo in a press release informed that resettlement has been taking place in “thousands” in recent days despite repeated appeals to address the issue and arrive at an acceptable agreement between the two neighbouring states and the landowners of the area.
The hoho said the Assam government as “habitual offenders” has once again shown “insincerity” towards the issue by playing down the rights of Nagas. This has led to the testing of patience of the Lotha Nagas all these years, said RALH.
The hoho also alleged that the Assam government was preparing to “wage war” against the helpless landowners by establishing 11 Assam Armed Police (AAP) camps in the area defying all past border agreements.
RALH observed that Nagaland Armed Police (NAP) and IRB personnel deployed in the area have been mute spectators of the questionable activities of the Assam government officials and AAP who along with the Maoists have frequently entered Lotha Naga villages and continuously transporting the tenants (Maoist Adivasis) for resettlement.
The hoho asked Nagaland government to order NAP and IRB personnel to be equally responsive in controlling the situation.
RALH has also requested the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to intervene and resolve the issue immediately based on historical facts failing which the hoho would not be held responsible for imminent consequences.
Border week along Nagaland-Assam border
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, SEP 21 (NPN): In an attempt to strengthen border relations specially in border areas of Jorhat district adjoining Mokokchung district of Nagaland, the Jorhat District administration would be organizing a ‘border week’ along Assam-Nagaland border from September 22 to September 26.
As per the ‘agenda for border week’ schedule, Jorhat district administration led by the Deputy Commissioner Jorhat district Solanki Vishal along with his team of officials would interact with people living in inter-state border areas and organize “Gaon Sabha” programmes at five different venues.
Sources informed that said Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam-Nagaland) members have also been roped in as a stake holder in all the programmes scheduled.
The president and secretary of Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam-Nagaland), Nakachari have been officially intimated about the programmes.
The Assam team would also visit 13 Border Outposts (BOPs) namely Chutiakari, Rajabari, New Sunitia, New Sononwal, Khermia, Ghabroru, Desoi Vally, Gorajan, Gahorichowa, Bandarcholiha, Bekajan, Panikheti and New Panikheti.