|
North East : War against insurgency |
 |
Army destroys PLA HQ on Myanmar border
The Indian Army has launched a major strike against rebels in the troubled state of Manipur with the help of neighbouring Myanmar which has sealed its border to prevent entry of insurgents in that country.
According to media reports, 25 rebels have been killed and 40 have been detained. In an official statement issued on November 9 in Imphal, the capital of Manipur, the Army claimed success in its operations against militants in Churachandpur district of Manipur. The statement said the temporary General HQ of the People’s Liberation Army at Zou Khunam was destroyed. Rebel camps at Beheng, Theigothang and Zou were also busted. An Army spokesman claimed that a general layout and other documents seized during the operations reveal that the camp at Zou Khunam was probably the temporary GHQ of the PLA.
The Army assault on rebel camps along the Myanmar border comes after the recent visit by Myanmar military ruler Than Shwe who assured New Delhi that his Government would extend all help to eliminate insurgent elements operating against India from that country. According to reports Yangon had since moved hundreds of soldiers to parts of Myanmar. But Army sources in New Delhi emphasised that the Nov. 9 assault on rebel camps was not the outcome of joint operations. They said more than 100 rebel camps have been identified in the jungles of Manipur and most of them destroyed. Media reports had earlier indicated shifting of some troops on the border both by India and Myanmar. According to one report, the Army and the paramilitary forces started the low profile and silent operation on Friday (Nov. 5).
According to reports, some 7,500 security personnel surrounded the bases of three outlawed militant groups in Manipur’s Bishenpur and Churachandpur districts bordering Myanmar. Around 1500 guerilla fighters are believed to be hiding in 50 or 70 bases in these districts. The bases targeted in the current operation reportedly belong to the United National Liberation Front, the People’s Liberation Army and similar outfits.
North-east watchers are sceptical about the latest Government move against insurgency in the region as it comes even as the Centre has offered to talk to Apunba Lup, an umbrella organisation of 32 agitating organisations. The Lup leaders met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Nov. 1 who assured them that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act will be reviewed. Given this backdrop, the Union Home Ministry is tightlipped about the military operation.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has cautioned the Manmohan Singh Government not to take any extreme step in connection with the ongoing military operations on the Nagaland-Manipur border with Myanmar. Talking to newspersons, Rio said he had advised the Centre not to touch the NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K) camps on the border as it could derail the ongoing peace process with the Nagas who had agreed to come to Delhi for talks with the Prime Minister later this month.
Preparations for PM’s visit
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Manipur on November 20. In the run-up to the visit, the PMO is reportedly monitoring the investigations into the alleged rape and custodial killing of Manorama Devi which ignited the civil disobedience movement in the state against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. Reports say that both the State Government and the Army have been asked to expedite the probe so that there is some kind of a breakthrough before the PM’s visit.
During his visit to Manipur, the Prime Minister is expected to hand over the contentious Kangla Fort in Imphal to the State Government as a goodwill gesture. Handing over the fort which now houses the HQ of the much-maligned Assam Rifles, is a long-standing demand of the State. “The PM wants to send a message to the people of the State that the Centre cares,” said an official.
According to reports, the Prime Minister is also expected to announce the constitution of an expert committee to review the Armed Forces Special Powers Act which had sparked off the violent agitation in July. The Union Home Minister has been asked to finalise the names for the expert committee which will review the controversial Act.
|
