Burmese army targets NE rebels

BBC News | November 6: Burmese troops have surrounded a base of Naga separatists in the country’s northwest and begun bombing it, Indian military officials said. They said Indian troops have fanned out in the hills opposite this base in Sagaing to arrest any rebels who may try to flee into Indian territory.
The base is operated by the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). There are around 300 rebels at the base, Indian intelligence agencies say. Most of them are NSCN guerrillas, but around 50 of them belong to the separatist United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa). Two Burmese light infantry regiments are involved in the attack, they said. But Burmese military officials or diplomats were unwilling to provide details. Villagers around Maniakshaw in Sagaing said they could see the Burmese troops firing mortars, targeting the camp.
Indian troops confirmed heavy shelling of the Naga rebel base since late on Thursday but were not sure whether the Burmese had launched an infantry assault. Burma’s military junta has been under Indian diplomatic pressure to launch assaults against northeast Indian rebel bases in its territory for some time now.
But the junta has cited counter-insurgency commitments elsewhere in the country for not starting an offensive against these bases located mostly in Sagaing division in the hilly northwest of the country.
The Bhutanese army demolished the north-eastern Indian rebel bases in the southern part of the kingdom in December 2003 in an operation. The success of that operation has prompted India to push its other neighbours in the east to initiate similar military action against the rebels from the northeast.
Bangladesh’s new Awami League led government has also started a crackdown against north-eastern rebel hideouts on their hideout. The separatist United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) has alleged that Bangladesh police has picked up two of the senior leaders from Dhaka this week and expressed apprehensions that they may be handed over to India.

 

 

Morung Express News | Dimapur | November 6:
The “GPRN/NSCN” has refuted media reports that Myanmarese troops have surrounded one of its base camps in Sagaing division and started bombing it since Thursday last. When contacted, “GPRN/NSCN” kilonser Wangtin Naga said the reports might be incorrect as they had not received any information from their men in Myanmar about one of their bases in Sagaing being attacked. “This might be wrong information. We would definitely have come to know if such a big development takes place. We were not informed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wangtin who has recently taken charge as supervisor, ceasefire supervisory board (CFSB) of ‘GPRN/NSCN’, informed that the latest meeting with the Government of India representatives in New Delhi on November 3, discussed on reviewing the existing ceasefire ground rules (CFGR) and establishment of new designated camps.
Wangtin said the ‘GPRN/NSCN’ had proposed setting up three to four additional designated camps for its cadres from the present five and review the CFGR. Asked about the Centre’s response to the two proposals, the CFSB supervisor said there was no “negative” response from the Central representatives. The “GPRN/NSCN” leader said the meeting also discussed adhering to  the  CFGR by both parties to create a peaceful atmosphere in the state. The meeting was presided over by UK Bansal, special secretary (Internal Affairs), Ministry of Home Affairs.

Flays NGRGA robbery; torture 
The “GPRN/NSCN” today ‘vehemently condemned’ the robbery committed “by a gang” near Pangti village on November 4 where Rs. 24 Lakhs was looted from a functionary of the NREGA. The chairman of the Lotha region, John Lotha also charged the NSCN (IM) of abducting and torturing a civilian on suspicion. Detailing the incident, a note from the Lotha region said that on the afternoon of November 4, Rs. 24 lakhs drawn from Wokha by Pangti Village NREGA Scheme Secretary Rentsamo Lotha was looted. Four armed robbers in a Maruti van waylaid the secretary at a place called Worku Tongti near Pangti village, the note said. Giving further details, the note said “the robbers had three pistols and snatched away the cell phones and other personal belongings of the Pangti village elders.”
The crime demands “immediate investigation by the Lotha Hoho as well as the state administration,” the outfit stated while demanding for punishment to the culprits.
In the same note, the group also alleged that “IM group” abducted and tortured “an innocent civilian, Peter Lotha at Wokha on 30th Oct. 2009.” Hailing from Mekokla village and having no connection with any underground faction, he was mercilessly beaten and tortured for two days out of mere suspicion, the note said. “After enduring physical and mental agony, he was released on 2nd Oct. after signing an agreement. Such blatant violation of the recent Chiangmai agreement is unfortunate and reflects lack of conviction,” the note added.