North East Security Watch

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Four Hindi-speaking persons shot dead in Assam
30 Jun 2009, 1144 hrs IST, PTI



GUWAHATI: At least four Hindi-speaking persons were shot dead and two others injured by outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants in Assam on Tuesday.

Heavily-armed NDFB ultras fired from AK-47 rifles on a group of people near Naharani tea estate at Rangapara in central Assam's Sonitput district at 9.30am killing the four, police said.

Besides the two women, a man and a boy of the same family were shot dead by the militants.

The injured have been rushed admitted to a Tezpur hospital, while the police have launched a combing operation to apprehend the killers.

Police believe the killing could be in retaliation against stepped up operation against the NDFB by security forces with over 30 militants killed in the last one month.

Four Hindi-speaking persons shot dead in Assam - India - The Times of India





Top Manipuri actress arrested for terror links
30 Jun 2009, 1058 hrs IST, IANS


IMPHAL: Popular Manipuri actress Urikhinbam Devita was arrested by police on charges of terror links after she was caught from a hotel room in New Delhi with a top separatist leader, police said here on Tuesday.

A police spokesperson said the award winning 24-year-old film star was arrested from Imphal airport on Monday evening upon her return from New Delhi.

"Devita was arrested and is being interrogated," the official said without elaborating on the nature of her crime.

A sobbing Devita was escorted by policewoman even as hundreds of curious onlookers at the airport looked at the glamour girl of Manipur with disbelief.

On June 16, Devita was found in a hotel room in New Delhi by a team of Manipur and Delhi police along with R K Raghunath, 48, a top leader of the outlawed Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL).

While Raghunath was arrested, Devita, winner of top state film awards, was let off in New Delhi.

According to family sources, Devita was in New Delhi for a health check up, although there was no word on how she was found sharing a hotel room with the KYKL rebel leader.

"My daughter is innocent," said Umabati Devi, Devita's mother.

Police are now investigating if the KYKL was trying to set up a base in New Delhi with Devita's help.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...sted-for-terror-links/articleshow/4719086.cms

 

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AGP walkout on fund diversion to ultras

Guwahati, June 30: Assam assembly on Tuesday witnessed noisy scenes on alleged diversion of development funds to the ultras.

AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary while participating in the discussion during the passage of the Assam Appropriation bill, 2009, in the state assembly alleged there was large scale diversion of funds to the militants particularly in the autonomous councils.

Citing the arrest of North Cachar Hills autonomous council chief executive member Mohet Hojai for funding militancy, Patowary referred to reports about Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary's admission of giving a huge amount of money to the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).

The AGP president demanded action against Mohilary, president of the Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF), an ally of the ruling Congress, if the reports, appearing in a section of the media, was proved.

BPF member and transport minister Chandan Brahma objected to the manner in which Patowary tried to project the case and demanded that the charges (against Mohilary) were not officially recorded in the assembly proceedings.

With speaker Tanka Bahadur Rai ruling that the charges should not be recorded, Patowary accused him of being biased before leading his party's walkout from the house.

AGP walkout on fund diversion to ultras

 

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Militants kill seven in Assam

Sushanta Talukdar


Guwahati: Suspected militants gunned down seven persons including four women in two separate incidents in southern Assam’s North Cachar Hills district and northern Assam’s Sonitpur district late on Monday night.

In the incident in Sonitpur district, four members of a Hindi-speaking family including a three-year-old child were shot dead and two others injured near the Naharani tea estate under Rangapara police station.

A group of militants opened indiscriminate fire in which a Hindi-speaking businessman, his wife, the couple’s child Pankaj, and a relative died instantly. A five-year-old girl and a teenaged girl were injured in the attack. Police, however, are yet to identify the militant outfit involved.

In another incident a mother and her two daughters were killed in an abandoned Zeme Naga village under Mahur police station late on Monday night. Following this, the death toll in attacks on Naga villages since March 19 has gone up to 51.

Furore in the House


The Assembly witnessed noisy scenes for the second consecutive day over continued militant violence in N.C. Hills district with the main opposition party Asom Gana Parishad alleging that funds allocated to the N.C. Hills Autonomous Council had been diverted to militant coffers since the days of the Congress rule in the hill council.

The AGP members staged a walk out protesting a ruling by Speaker Tanka Bahadur Rai expunging from the proceedings the references made by Leader of Opposition Chandra Mohan Patowary to Bodoland Territorial Council chief Hagrama Mahilary while raising some points about diversion of N.C. Hills council funds to militants.

Mr. Patowary, however, later demanded that Mr. Mahilary be arrested for his confession and going on record that he (Mr. Mahilary) had paid Rs. 50 lakh to the banned militant outfit National Democratic Front of Boroland.
The Hindu : National : Militants kill seven in Assam

Politicians really sucks alot

 

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Five police commandos suspended from service in Manipur

Imphal (PTI): Five police commandos have been placed under suspension for allegedly extorting money and forcibly taking away mobile phones from some persons in Manipur, official sources said on Wednesday.

The commandos had forcibly taken away money and mobile phones from two civilians, who were identified as the younger brothers of two police officers, at Khuman Lampak area near here in Imphal West district on Monday.

Their relatives had lodged a complaint with the Imphal West police station following which they were suspended yesterday, the sources said.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

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Separatists kill five in Assam

Guwahati, July 02: Tribal separatists killed five people, including four teenagers, and wounded three more in an attack in Assam, officials here said on Thursday.

A police spokesperson said unidentified tribal militants armed with automatic weapons late Wednesday attacked village Semkhor in North Cachar Hills district, about 350 km south of Assam's main city of Guwahati.

"Heavily armed militants attacked the village killing five people - four children and a woman - and injured three more. The militants opened indiscriminate fire on a group of people resulting in the fatalities," a police official said.

The injured, a woman and two children, were admitted to a local hospital with multiple bullet injuries.

"The condition of the two children was stated to be critical," the official said.

The identity of the militants was not immediately known.

"The victims were all from the Dimasa tribe and it appears to be a retaliation to the killing of three Zemi Naga women earlier this week," the official said.

Ethnic violence in the district - the Dimasa and the Zemi Naga tribes are waging a bitter fratricidal war for territorial supremacy - have claimed up to 50 lives in the past three months and left more than 2,000 people homeless.

Separatists kill five in Assam

 

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Two top rebel leaders arrested in Meghalaya

Shillong (PTI): Self-styled Commander-in-Chief and a 'Sergeant Major' of Meghalaya-based militant group Liberation of Achik Elite Force (LAEF) were arrested.

Sengrang R Marak alias Charan alias Chukam Marak, the self-styled LAEF C-in-C were held yesterday near Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi district along Assam border.

Based on his disclosure, 'Sergeant Major' of the group Marjin R Marakwas was arrested from a market area in Shillong later.

Sengran was picked up while he was on his way to Shillong from Assam along with three other men to meet Marjin to arrange for arms and uniform for the outfit, police said.

Several documents were seized from the duo and the police said some more operations were being conducted based on their statements.

The LAEF, known to have nexus with Naga militant groups, is involved in extortion and kidnappings in the state.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

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Manipur cinematographer held for alleged terror links

Imphal, July 02: A well-known Manipuri cinematographer was arrested following the arrest of popular Manipuri actress Urikhinbam Devita for alleged terror links, police said Thursday.

L Surjakanta was arrested yesterday from his house at Nagamapal area near here on the charges of aiding the self-styled captain of militant outfit Kanglei Yawol Kann Lup (KYKL) R K Raghunath.

Surjakanta, who is also the vice-president of the Manipur Film Forum (MFF), had allegedly issued an 'unauthenticated identity card' to Raghunath helping him to forge a false identity of being a member of the MFF.

Surjakanta was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Bishenpur district yesterday and has been remanded to police custody till July 6, sources said adding that a case has been filed against him for assisting in unlawful activists.

While Raghunath is at present in Delhi police custody, Devita, who was arrested on her arrival here from Delhi on Monday has also been remanded to police custody till July 4, sources said.

Delhi police had earlier arrested Raghunath and Devita from a rented house in South Delhi on June 27.

Manipur cinematographer held for alleged terror links

 

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Govt bans Assam militant group
2 Jul 2009, 2146 hrs IST, PTI



NEW DELHI: In the wake of its involvement in recent series of violence in Assam, the Centre on Friday banned the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD)-Black Widow militant group.

The decision was taken at a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by prime minister Manmohan Singh.

This comes in the wake of DHD's involvement in several violent incidents in North Cachar Hills district where the group targeted businessmen, railway properties besides government officials.

DHD's chief Jewel Garlosa was arrested in Bangalore last month.

Govt bans Assam militant group - India - The Times of India

 

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NSCN(IM) militant killed in encounter

Haflong, Assam (PTI): An NSCN(IM) militant was killed and another ultra injured in an encounter with Army in Assam's trouble-torn North Cachar Hills district on Friday.

Official sources said that the extremists exchanged fire with the troops at Chotalinglo during which one of them was gunned down and another injured.

An improved explosive devise (IED), arms and ammunition were seized from the ultras, the sources added.

Insurgents have been targetting security forces, railway personnel and property and miscreants attacking Dimasa and Zeme Naga ethnic communities in the district since May last.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

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Militant killed; houses torched in Assam's NC Hills

Haflong/Diphu (Assam) (PTI) An NDFB militant was killed in an encounter with the army in Assam's strife-hit N C Hills district on Saturday where the houses of Dimasa tribals were set ablaze.

A three-member group of the ultras exchanged fire with the Five Rajputana Rifles men in Panjuri area of Karbi Anglong district. One of the militants was killed, while two others manage to flee, official sources said.

An Italian made 7.65 pistol with 14 rounds of ammunition was recovered from the slain extremist.

Meanwhile, unidentified persons set ablaze houses of Dimasa tribals at Sabujoy Basti village in the district early Saturdaymorning.

Details were not known as the police was on their way to the remote village.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

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Naga rebels torch 17 Dimasa homes
5 Jul 2009, 0346 hrs IST, TNN



SILCHAR: Suspected Naga rebels torched houses belonging to Dimasa tribals as fresh ethnic violence erupted in Assam's North Cachar Hills district on Saturday. "Miscreants, armed with guns and weapons, raided Sabujoy village and set ablaze 17 houses around 8am," a police official said. Sabujoy is a Dimasa-dominated village situated about 35 km from the district town of Haflong.

"There were no casualties because the villagers had shifted to safer places when clashes between Dimasas and Zeme Nagas intensified in the district recently," he added. Locals identified the attackers as Naga militants. Police and paramilitary forces from Mahur and Haflong rushed to the area. A manhunt was launched to arrest the assailants. Worried over the continuing violence, the Centre on Thursday banned the Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel faction), a Dimasa outfit which is also known as Black Widow, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1965.

For quite some time, the Black Widow has been fighting for a separate Dimasa state comprising North Cachar Hills, Cachar, Karbi Anglong in Assam and parts of Dimapur in Nagaland. The outfit's rivalry with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) and its demand for parts of Dimapur are cited as the reasons for the conflicts between the Dimasas and the Nagas. Dimasas have always resented the inclusion of Dimapur, a part of the erstwhile Kachari kingdom, in Nagaland.

Naga rebels torch 17 Dimasa homes - India - The Times of India

 

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3 militants killed in Manipur

Iboyaima Laithangbam

IMPHAL: Police and security personnel gunned down three militants in two separate incidents in Manipur and recovered weapons.

On Friday morning personnel of 29 Assam Rifles shot dead two Muslim youths at Lilam centre, about 30 km from the police station at Tamenglong district headquarters in an encounter.

An AK-47 rifle with a bayonet and five rounds of ammunition and one magazine were recovered.

In another incident, police commandos and 12 Maratha Light Infantry personnel shot dead a youth.

The Hindu : National : 3 militants killed in Manipur

 

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Bandh affects normal life in Assam's troubled district

Haflong (Assam), July 06: The 24-hour bandh to protest against the ethnic clashes between Zeme-Naga and Dimasa tribesmen on Monday affected normal life in North Cachar Hills district of Assam.

Shops, banks, schools other educational institutions remained closed while traffic was thin on the national highway, sources said.

There was no report of any untoward incident, the police said.

More than 32 people have been killed and 200 houses were burned in a series of violent clashes between the warring communities in the last three months.

Besides, the militant groups of Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel) and rival factions of NSCN-IM and NSCN-Khaplang have targeted railway property in the strife-torn district.

Bureau Report

Bandh affects normal life in Assam`s troubled district

 

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MIlitants gun down farmer in Assam's N.C. Hills

Haflong, Assam (PTI): Unidentified miscreants on Tuesday gunned down a farmer and injured his minor son near Maibong in Assam's trouble-torn N.C. Hills district, in continuing ethnic violence, official sources said.

According to the sources, unidentified gunmen fired on a group of jhum farmers at Daotuhaja near Maibong killing the farmer and injuring his seven-year-old son.

A Dimasa woman and her child were killed yesterday by suspected Zeme-Naga miscreants in Natunwari village, during the day-long bandh called by several organisations to protest the clashes between the two tribes.

Ethnic clashes between the Dimasas and Zeme Nagas have resulted in the killing of over 32 people and torching of 200 houses in the past three months

The Hindu News Update Service

 

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Militants explode bomb at a private clinic in Manipur

Imphal (PTI): Unidentified militants exploded a powerful bomb at the complex of a private clinic in Imphal West district, official sources said here on Thursday.

The militants set off the explosives at Raj Pol Clinic at the Assam Oil Company (AOC) complex near here last night damaging a portion of the gate, they said.

However, no casualty was reported in the incident.

No individual or group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. But extortion demands by militants is suspected to behind the incident, sources said

The Hindu News Update Service

 

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North East militancy: Assam tops fatalities in 2008-09

Shillong (PTI): Assam topped the number of fatalities in 2008-09 as militancy and related incidents of violence continues to be high in the North Eastern states of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.

Official sources quoting a Union Home Ministry report said the seven sister states recorded 674 militancy-related incidents in 2008, and the number has already shot up to 624 between January and May this year.

Assam has witnessed 221 incidents this year till May, compared to 207 in the entire 2008. Altogether 103 people, including 83 civilians have been killed this year till May in Assam.

In Manipur, the fatalities till May have been 47, which includes 40 civilians. The state has seen 311 incidents this year till May, as compared to 262 in 2008.

In Nagaland, which has witnessed 56 incidents this year till May, has saw two civilians been killed during the period.

Mizoram continues to be the least disturbed state in the region, recording no no militancy-related incident in 2008-09.

The Central government has deployed Central Security Forces to aid the state authorities for carrying out counter insurgency operations and providing security for vulnerable institutions and installations, the sources said.

Sharing of intelligence between security forces on continuous basis has been enhanced, while the Centre gave financial aid for strengthening the local police forces and intelligence agencies under the Police Modernization Scheme.

It also provided assistance for strengthening various aspects of the security apparatus and counter-insurgency operations by way of reimbursement of security-related expenditure, the source added.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

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Two ULFA militants killed in encounter in Assam
10 Jul 2009, 1511 hrs IST, PTI


GUWAHATI: Two ULFA militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Assam's Barpeta district on Friday, police said.


The encounter took place when the police, acting on a tip off launched an operation in Sarthebari area of the district and spotted the two moving about in a suspicious manner.

The two youths opened fire in a bid to escape and the security forces retaliated killing them, the police said.

The two were identified to belong to the outfit's 709 and police seized two pistols and four rounds of live ammunitions from their persons, the police added.

Two ULFA militants killed in encounter in Assam - India - The Times of India

 

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Militants explode bomb at official's residence in Manipur
Imphal (PTI) Unidentified militants on Saturday exploded a powerful bomb at the gate of the residence of a Manipur government official but no casualty was reported, official sources said.

Sources said the militants set off the explosive at the gate of the residence of assistant engineer of state public works department A. Narendradhaja at Wangkhei Laishram Leikai area in Imphal east district at around 12.45 pm.

No one was injured, sources said adding that monetary demand could be the cause of the incident.

In another incident, unidentified militants lobbed a powerful grenade at the residence of private clinic owner, H Rajen, at Soibam Leikai area in the district late Friday night injuring a man and woman, sources said.

In yet another incident, the militants also hurled a powerful grenade at the private house of a superintending engineer of state public works department, H. Santakumar, at Heingang area in Imphal east district, sources said adding that no casualty was reported.

Both the incidents appeared to be connected with monetary demand of a militant outfit, sources added.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

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Ulfa mobilizes units to raise money
Prabin Kalita, TNN 8 July 2009, 11:03pm IST


GUWAHATI: Faced with a financial crisis, Ulfa is mobilising its units under the leadership of Bangladesh-based extortion expert Apurba Baruah to raise money in Assam. The outfit is said to have prepared a list of people who can be approached for money.

Officials associated with counter-insurgency operations in the state said the Ulfa leadership has formed a "central finance committee" with Apurba Baruah as the convenor. Under him, several groups have been formed in the state to identify prospective payers and send their contact details to Baruah in Bangladesh.

The ground units will neither make any demands nor negotiate with people on behalf of the outfit. The finance committee head will finalize the deal and also the place and time of payment.

In an emailed statement on Wednesday, Ulfa's finance secretary "lt-col" Chitrabon Hazarika appealed to people not to give money after getting letters bearing his signature as some people were "illegally" collecting money, particularly in Nagaon district, by using his signature on letters. Hazarika, who is believed to be somewhere in South-East Asia, added that fund raising for the outfit was done only by the convenor of the "central finance committee".

Officials said fund raising drives of the outfit have been hit because of relentless operations by security personnel. A major portion of the extortion money is deposited in bank accounts of the outfit in Bangladesh and the rest is disbursed among commandants of the four battalions for maintenance of camps and giving money to cadres.

Arms and ammunition are procured by Ulfa "commander-in-chief" Paresh Barua which are later smuggled into the state. Recently, Bangladesh claimed to have located Paresh Baruah's personal bank account having an amount of Taka 601 crore.

Ulfa mobilizes units to raise money - Guwahati - City - NEWS - The Times of India

 

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Bomb blast in Assam; 2 people killed
IANS 13 July 2009, 08:44am IST

NEW DELHI: Two army soldiers, including a colonel, were killed in a powerful landmine explosion in Assam on Monday, officials said.

A defence spokesperson said the army vehicle hit the landmine near the Balipara reserve forest area in Sonitpur district, about 210 km north of Assam's main city of Guwahati.

"The impact of the landmine was severe with the vehicle blown up, killing the colonel and his driver on the spot," an army commander said.

The remaining vehicles in the convoy were safe as they stopped the moment they saw one of the vehicle hit by the landmine.

"The colonel was on his way to his base at Tenga in adjoining Arunachal Pradesh, bordering China, when the incident occurred," the army official said.

Army and police teams have since cordoned off the area and launched a hunt. Police blame the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) for the attack. "It could be possible it was the handiwork of the NDFB," a senior police official said.

There are already intelligence inputs about militants trying to stage violent attacks ahead of the Independence Day.

Bomb blast in Assam; 2 people killed - India - NEWS - The Times of India