Join mainstream, MHA tells NE insurgents

A senior official in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked insurgents in the Northeast region to drop their guns and participate in the process of development. MHA Joint Secretary (Northeast) Shambhu Singh was speaking to ANI during his recent visit to Imphal in Manipur.

“They (insurgent outfits) need to understand that it is a no win situation for them. Groups are groups. Their numbers are limited. If it comes to handle them militarily, the might of the government is always more than what they can muster,” said Singh.
He added, “Instead of holding the gun they (insurgents) should come out and participate in the process of development. Those who are not participating in the process of development are mainly the people who have been creating groups and participating in anti-social activities. I won’t call it anti-national; I will call it majorly anti-social because the society suffers because of that.”
Singh added that anti-talk faction of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), which is headed by Paresh Baruah, is behind the supply of arms to India.

“Paresh Baruah is in touch with almost all the groups- NDFB (Songbijit), KLO, PLA, PREPAK, UNLA and NSCN (K) group. He has basically become a gun trader and is making his money out of it,” said Singh.
He further revealed that several groups based in Manipur and Nagaland, who have signed peace pacts with the government, are violating the ground rules.
“NH-53 and NH-37 in particular have been quite vulnerable to one of the groups which is having ceasefire with the government. We are dealing with that. Along NH-2, we have the problem but the problem is basically more confined to Nagaland rather than Manipur,” he said.

Singh further added, “In Manipur also, some (Suspension of Operation) SoO groups have tried to disturb but to a great degree we have been able to control it except may be one point where ceasefire groups have been operating. But it’s an offence and it’s a crime under all conditions. These are violations of ceasefire ground rules; these are violations of SoO ground rules.” Singh who recently visited the Indo-Myanmar border near Moreh town said both countries are working on to form a joint working group to look into the fencing at the international border.

~NagalandPost