Insurgency North East: Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2019

Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has been extended for six more month in Nagaland, reports Northeast Today on January 1. According to Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) notification, Government of India (GoI) is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of State of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civilian power is necessary. A ministry official said the decision to continue the declaration of Nagaland as “disturbed area” has been taken as killings, loot and extortion have been going on in various parts of the State which necessitated the action for the convenience of the security forces operating there. Read less...

On January 1, an ex-United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militant identified as Pranab Gogoi alias PapuGogoialias Keshab Gogoi was arrested from Biswanath District, reports Northeast Now. A pistol and seven live rounds of ammunition were recovered from the militant. He was arrested from the residence of an individual identified as Binit Das, the watchman of Biswanath District Sports Association. Papu Gogoi had joined the militant outfit in 2009 and received arms training in Myanmar, but he surrendered before Police in Lakhimpur in 2011. Read less...

The number of objections filed on the draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) shot up abruptly and more than 265000 have been filed, reports Assam Tribune on January 1. According to officials, around 3.1 million claims have been filed and the claims have been received from almost all District of the state. Sources said that majority of the objections have been filed in the districts of Barpeta, Nagaon, Morigaon and Kamrup. The process of filing of claims and objections started on September 23 and though the process of filing of claims steadily increased since then, most of the objections were filed on the last day. More than 4million applicants were not included in the draft of the NRC. Read less...

The militant umbrella organisation Coordination Committee (CorCom) has imposed a total shut down in the State on January 4 against Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s visit, reports Imphal Free Press on January 2. In a press release by ‘media cordinator’ of CorCom, Libaak Ngaakpa Luwang, it alleged that the visit has the agenda to show that Manipur is an indispensable part of India. The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Imphal on January 4 to inaugurate a host of projects besides laying foundation stones for some new projects. He is also scheduled to address at a public function in Imphal, adds Nagaland Post. Maoist Communist Party Manipur (MCPM) also announced boycott to the visit of the Prime Minister, but stated that it will not impose any kind of strike on the day. United People’s Revolutionary Front of Manipur (UPRFM), another umbrella body of some factions of armed groups has also announced a 12-hour total shutdown on January 4 boycotting the visit of Prime Minister. The shutdown will be enforced from 6am of January 4 till 6 pm of the same day. Read less...

Government of India (GoI) clarified that there is no plans to extend Assam’s National Register of Citizens (NRC) to other parts of the country, reports Assam Tribune on January 3. Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said that the NRC of 1951 in Assam is being updated under the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the applications for preparation of the NRC in Assam were invited in May-August, 2015.Ahir said the complete draft NRC was published on July 30 last year after necessary scrutiny and verification. He said the claims and objections on the draft NRC were invited till December 31 and after the disposal of claims and objections, the NRC is to be finalised as per the timelines approved by the Supreme Court. Additionally, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh stated that Government will set up a high-level committee to look into the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord which “envisaged that appropriate constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people, reports Indian Express on January 3. The Minister also stated that it was very important from the perspective of Assam. The composition and terms of reference of the committee, which will also look at issues related to the Bodo community, will be announced later. Singh also added that the committee “will hold discussions with all stakeholders and assess the required quantum of reservation of seats in the Assam Assembly and local bodies for Assamese people”. It will also look at measures to protect Assamese and other indigenous languages of Assam, reservation in state government jobs, and other steps to protect, preserve and promote cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of Assamese people. Read less...

The movement of Biswamohan Debbarma faction of National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT-BM) militants has commenced afresh through unfenced areas of the state's 856 km long Indo- Bangladesh border, reports Tripurainfo on January 3. The movement of the militants has been noticed in remote Khantlang area of North Tripura, Gandacherra in Dhalai district and Sonamura in Sipahijala district. Remote Raisyabari and Simna also figure in the list of vulnerable ingress points into the state. Official sources said that out of the 856 km length of the border, altogether 70 km is still unfenced and these areas are prone to infiltration from across the border. Besides, there has been no floodlighting along the border except in some areas. Read less...

A grenade exploded near gate of a residential house at Hiruhanba Leikai in Imphal West District, reports Imphal Free Press on January 4. The explosion targeted the house of a Government contractor identified as YumnamTomba. Read less...

Five Myanmarese Rohingyas who were arrested under the Foreigners Act for illegally entering India were handed over on January 4 to the Myanmar Immigration Office, at Moreh in Tengnoupal reports Imphal Free Press. The Rohingyas were arrested by Assam Police and lodged in Tezpur Jail for around seven years. After having served their respectively terms, they were released and brought under heavy security by Assam Police to Moreh. Read less...

Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on January 4 stated that Government of India (GoI) government is committed to passing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, and assured that no genuine Indian citizen will be left out of the updated National Register of Citizens (NRC), reports Indian Express. Read less...

On January 4 a ’lieutenant colonel’ of Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) was arrested from Namching village in Imphal West District, reports Imphal Free Press. The identity of the arrestee is currently not available. According to authorities, the individual is an active cadre of ZUF and had joined the outfit in August 2011. The individual has been involved in a number of extrajudicial activities in the area of Noney District. Read less...

The Assam Government welcomed GoI’sdecision to set up a high-level committee for implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, even as the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), a signatory of the tripartite 1985 Accord, said the announcement was politically motivated, reports Indian Express on January 4. In a press statement Assam Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal stated that ‘The decision… will go a long way in securing the future of all indigenous communities’. Samujjal Bhattacharya, Advisor to AASU, which spearheaded the six-year-long movement against illegal migrants (1979-1985), said the committee was “not a new thing”. He said the committee was announced to cover up the fact that passing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 would violate the Assam Accord. “The announcement is to mislead people,” said All Assam Students Union (AASU) General Secretary LurinjyotiGogoi. Read less...

The Sentinel on January 4 reports that a missing youth identified as Auranav Gogoi is suspected to have joined United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I). He hails from Borhat village under Charaideo District. According to sources the individual was missing since December 28. Another youth from same area identified as Nilutpal Tamuli who has been missing since December 25 is also suspected to have joined ULFA-I. Read less...

A cadre belonging to Ranjan Daimari faction of the NDFB was shot dead by SFs near Belsiri tea estate under Misamari Police Station in Sonitpur District on January 5. The SFs were reportedly assisted by cadres belonging to pro-talks faction of the NDFB. Read less...

A linkman of United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) was arrested on January 5 by Security Forces (SFs) from Makum in Tinsukia District, reports Northeast Now. The arrestee has been identified as Karuna Gogoi. SFs recovered one pistol along with a magazine and live ammunition from the arrestee who was involved in extorting money from tea gardens. Read less...

All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) welcomed Government of India’s decision to amend list of scheduled tribes in Arunachal Pradesh, reports Times of India on January 5. AAPSU General Secretary stated that ‘The amendment, if duly approved, will be beneficial, especially for the numerous indigenous tribes of eastern districts of Arunachal Pradesh who were until today classified under the vague and ambiguous terminology of 'Any Other Naga-Tribes'. Such improper classification of these tribes was a historical blunder which resulted in numerous hardships and a sort of identity crisis for them.’ GoI had amended the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to amend the the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order of 1950. The bill seeks revision in the list of scheduled tribes of Arunachal Pradesh - it proposes the inclusion of Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa, Wancho in lieu of 'Any Naga Tribes'. It also calls for the deletion of 'Abor', replacing Khampti by Tai Khamti, inclusion of Mishmi-Kaman (Miju Mishmi), Idu (Mishmi) and Taraon (Digaru Mishmi), and inclusion of Monpa, Memba, Sartang and Sajolong (Miji) in lieu of Momba. Arunachal Pradesh government had earlier sent a proposal to the Centre to amend the list of scheduled tribes. The state had proposed doing away with the category of 'any Naga tribe' and replacing it with Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa and Wancho. Read less...

All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has called an 11-hour strike on January 8 in Assam in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, reports The Telegraph. The North East Students’ Union (NESO) also called a strike over the issue on that day across the Northeast. Both the strikes will be held from 5am till 4pm. The protesters also called January 7, the day on which the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the bill is expected to table its report up for debate in the ongoing winter session of Parliament, a “black day”. AASU president Dipanka Kumar Nath stated that ‘We will burn copies of the report as part of our protest on January 7. Assam’s people will never allow this bill to be implemented. We have also organised a mass gathering in Guwahati where people from all walks of life are expected to join’. All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) on January 5 stated that it would support the Northeast bandh called by NESO. Read less...

Army sources stated that on January 6, a suspected spy of Pakistan’s Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) was arrested from Anjaw District, reports Assam Tribune. The arrestee has been identified as Nirmal Rai who is a resident of Tinsukia District on Assam. Director General of Police (DGP) stated that ‘Rai worked at a burger shop in Dubai between 2016 and 2018 before moving to Kibithu’. An Army Personnel added that ‘He was involved in passing on sensitive information on location and deployment of Army units, weapon profiles and artillery guns at Kibithu (in Anjaw District), as well as infrastructure development along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)’. Read less...

As the tenure of current Government draws to a close, there is no progress on negotiations for a peace accord with Naga armed groups, with talks stuck for almost a year due to an intransigent position taken by the Naga side on ‘symbolic’ issues, such as a separate flag, reports Indian Express on January 7. According to reports, ‘substantive’ issues had been resolved between the two sides and a draft agreement was ‘almost ready’ by then. But a change in Naga position has led to apprehensions that any gains made since 2014 will be lost with a change in political dispensation at the Centre. According to sources, the current logjam is largely due to the Church, which has taken a lead role in articulating the Naga political position in the past year. The Church has argued that symbols are integral to the identity of the Nagas, and that Naga identity would not be safe without them.It is politically unviable for the Centre to accept demands such as a separate Naga flag, even though, sources said, it has agreed to guarantee protection of the Naga identity. But if these changes can be brought later through a democratic political process, the Centre would have no objection, sources explained. At a Church-organised meeting held in Dimapur on September 8 2018, Naga civil society groups and political groups had issued a statement called the ‘Declaration of the Naga Collective Spirit’. It said that “the historical fact that the Naga struggle started before India’s independence strengthens our moral authority” and argued that “the Naga people did not violate any agreement for union made with any nation in our history. This establishes the legitimacy and integrity of Naga rights”.In what is seen as a repudiation of the argument that Nagas have to be realistic about being a part of India, the declaration noted: “We draw inspiration from Confucius who reminds us that, ‘When it is obvious that goals cannot be achieved, don’t adjust the goals, but adjust the steps’.”Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), comprising representatives of six influential Naga rebel groups and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) or NSCN-IM, had met interlocutors of the Central government last month, and another meeting is scheduled in Delhi this month. But neither side is hopeful of a breakthrough, in light of the political narrative being articulated in Nagaland. The Centre had agreed to find a solution on the basis of mutually agreed sovereignty rights, which would take the unique history of Nagas into account, adds Indian Express. Among the substantive issues agreed upon by the two sides was creation of a cultural council for all the Nagas, removal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), enhancing political representation of Nagas in Parliament, creation of a bicameral state legislature, autonomous council for Naga-majority areas in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and major economic packages for the state of Nagaland. Some of these changes would have been effected through amendments to the Constitution. Read less...

Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 led to protests in Dibrugarh District, reports Assam Triune on January 7. The District unit of AASU staged demonstration with black flags. They took out protest march with black flags from their office in Chowkidinghee to the residence of the Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal. Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS)-led 70 organisations of the District also staged demonstration at Thana Chariali. They raised black flags and also burnt a copy of the Bill near the Dibrugarh Sadar Police Station. In Rajgarh town within Tingkhong LAC, the Communist Party of India -Marxist Leninist (CPI-ML) staged a protest with 120-feet-long black banner, demanding scrapping of the controversial Bill. In Naharkatia, members of the AASU unit and the AJYCP unit staged separate protests against the Bill. The Raha unit of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) today burnt the copies of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 at RahaChariali as part of their ongoing protest against the bill. More than 100 local AASU activists took part in the protest and raised slogans against the governments at the Centre and the State. Read less...

Mizoram Chief Minister (CM) Zoramthanga on January 7 said the state government is strongly against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, and extended support to the region wide shutdown, reports The Telegraph. He stated that ‘We extend support to Northeast Students Organisation (NESO) and its members including the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) for calling a 12-hour strike in the Northeast on Tuesday to protest against the Centre decision to get the bill passed in Parliament.’ Addressing an inaugural programme of the party office, he stated that the CM stated that MNF had been opposing the bill from the very beginning. He said the bill is an attempt to make illegal migrants eligible for Indian citizenship on the basis of religion. The Young Mizo Association (YMA), Mizoram’s largest civil society organisation, also extended support to the MZP on the statewide total shutdown. Read less...

On January 7, unidentified persons lobbed a Molotov cocktail at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Shillong in East Khasi Hills District, reports The Hindu. According to BJP State President ‘Unidentified men attacked the front portion of the office partially damaging it. The incident was reported around midnight’. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) arrested a militant of People's Democratic Council of Karbi Longri (PDCK) from Satgaon in West Karbi Anglong District on January 7, tweeted official twitter handle of Indian Army’s Eastern Command. One .22 pistol and ammunition were recovered from the militant. Read less...

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) will not be sending a member to be part of the panel notified by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) to work towards implementation of Clause 6 of the 1985 Assam Accord, reports Indian Express on January 7. Panel is headed by M P Bezbarauah. It also includes aMHA joint secretary and has one position for an AASU representative. But AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya stated that it was “meaningless” to send a representative because the Government “is violating Clause 5 of Assam Accord” by bringing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. ‘They will dump illegal Bangladeshis by violating Clause 5, and they announce implementation of Clause 6. Protect Clause 5 first.’ Read less...

The Hindu reports on January 7 that Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill recommended that Assam government should help settle migrants “especially in places which are not densely populated, thus, causing lesser impact on the demographic changes and providing succor to the indigenous Assamese people. There has been a strong resistance to the Bill in BJP-ruled Assam as it would pave the way for giving citizenship, mostly to illegal Hindu migrants from Bangladesh in Assam, who came after March 1971, in violation of the agreement of the Assam Accord, 1985.expressed its concern before the committee. A Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)representative stated that ‘Our only concern has been that the agencies who are inimical to us should not have a legal framework within which they can exploit our situation and infiltrate their own people into our own country. That is a matter of great concern for us’.The Director of Intelligence Bureau suggested that after the Bill is passed, one more round of verification should be done for the applicants. A report tabled I Lok Sabha (lower house of Indian Parliament) stated that ‘As a matter of fact, protecting the interest of the indigenous Assamese people is the responsibility of both the Central Government and the State Government of Assam. The re-settlement packages and compensation to the State Governments, as provided by the Central Government for accommodating the migrants should motivate and encourage the State Government to help settle such migrants especially in places which are not densely populated, thus, causing lesser impact on the demographic changes and providing succor to the indigenous Assamese people’. Asked by the committee about the mechanism to establish religious persecution in a foreign land, the Home Ministry replied, “Inputs from security agencies along with other corroborative evidence in the print/electronic media would help to establish religious persecution in a foreign land’. Read less...

The Left and Democratic Front led by the CPI Sivasagar District council staged a two-hour protest demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office today in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The protesters led by Dharma Baruah and Kanak Gogoi demanded immediate scrapping of the alleged controversial bill to safeguard the identity of the Assamese. AASU, Sivasagar unit led by Pradip Borgohain, adviser and Sarat Hazarika, education secretary, AASU central committee, demonstrated its opposition to the bill by burning its copies at Station Chariali, ASTC point, DolmukhChariali and MuktinathChariali. Several organisations of Silapathar protested against the citizenship Bill at Silapathar and its adjoining areas on January 7. In Silchar, while the district unit of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) along with some other bodies burnt a copy of the Bill and shouted slogans against it, members of North East Linguistic and Ethnic Coordination Committee (NELECC) congratulated GoI and Assam state Government for placing the bill. Read less...

United Naga Council (UNC) stated that that a solution to the protracted political dialogue going on between the Government of India and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) would not do any harm to the Meitei-Naga relation, reports The Sangai Express on January 7. Kho John the newly elected President of UNC stated that Meitei’s apprehension of a possible doomsday as and when a final solution is worked out to the political dialogue is misplaced. When asked if Naga people’s faith for a solution is not waning as the dialogue process has been going on for too long, the UNC president said that the Government of India has been extending the peace dialogue again and again on the excuse that the Governments of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have been continuously raising objections. He also alleged that Government of India has been exploring a solution, it has been trying to weaken the movement by resorting to delaying tactics. He stated that ‘The BJP-led NDA Government has not translated its assurance into action. Nonetheless, we have been watching patiently and closely what it would do before its term expires’. Read less...

With Government of India (GoI) all set to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) announced their decision to pull out of the BJP-led ruling coalition Government in Assam, reports Assam Tribune on January 7. An AGP delegation led by its President and State Minister Atul Bora and few of his close confidants were camping in New Delhi since January 4. In a meeting with AGP delegation Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced that the bill would be passed on January 8. Read less...

Former Tourism Secretary M.P. Bezbaruah, who was named to head a High Level Committee on how to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord, has withdrawn his consent to head the committee, reports The Hindu on January 12.Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while moving the Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on January 8, had informed that the nine-member High Level Committee would look at ways of safeguarding the interests of ethnic Assamese. Read less...

In Assam’s Golaghat and Dibrugarh districts, protesters attempted to vandalise BJP offices, leading to the arrest of 14 persons in Dibrugarh and four in Golaghat, reports Indian Express on January 8. The strike was total in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Manipur with stray incidents of violence reported from Shillong and Imphal, reports The Telegraph. In Shillong (Meghalaya) , miscreants damaged a few vehicles. Attendance in government offices was very poor. In Manipur, AMSU supporters blocked roads at several places. Police picked up seven of them from Imphal East and Imphal West districts. Four of them were later released. In Aizawl, protesters led by MZP burnt copies of the bill. Mizoram education minister LalchhandamaRalte, who was present at the protest site, said the state government would not accept the bill. In Nagaland, NSF president Kesosul Christopher Ltu said the bandh was total and peaceful. He said district administrations and the public extended full cooperation. Additionally, the shutdown evoked partial response in the Barak Valley districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi in south Assam where various organisations have been supporting the bill. Stray incidents of picketing were reported in the valley and several persons were detained. In Silchar, headquarters of Cachar district, commercial establishments remained open and traffic was normal. At Madhurapul there, a few organisations staged a protest opposing the bill but security officials brought the situation under control. In Karimganj, about 60 picketers were detained for trying to stage a blockade at Karimganj railway station. In Hailakandi, traffic was comparatively less. Two AIUDF legislators, Suzam Uddin Laskar and Anwar Hussain Laskar, courted detention with over 200 picketers by staging a blockade on NH 154. Read less...

In Tripura, six TSF supporters were injured at Madhav Bari in Jirania (West Tripura District), around 15km from Agartala, when police and the Tripura State Rifles resorted to a baton charge and fired in the air to disperse TSF activists who blocked National Highway 8. “Six persons were injured. Some of them sustained bullet injuries. A TSR jawan was also injured. The injured have been admitted to GB Pant Hospital in Agartala,” an officer in Tripura state police control room said. Jirania Sub-Divisional Police officer Pran Krishna Das said the activists set eight shops on fire and threw bottles and stones at the police. Indian Express further adds that the Tripura Government suspended SMS and mobile internet services for the next 48 hours in the wake of violence. A notification by Additional Home Secretary Saradindu Choudhury stated that ‘it has been reported by the Director General of Police, Tripura that incidents of rioting and arsoning in some areas in Jirania police station in some areas of West Tripura district and the photographs of such incidents are being uploaded in the social media which may likely to generate serious law and order situation in the entire state having potential threat to public safety’. he notification further said that social media platforms like WhatsApp, Twitter, YouTube and the likes are likely to be used for rumour mongering due to which SMS services and mobile internet or data services of all service providers were suspended for 48 hours starting from 3 pm on January 8. The notification also said the restrictions would be applicable to press messages as well. Assam Tribune further adds that Section 144 has been imposed in the entire Madhavbari area and the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) headquarters. A large number of security forces, including CAPFs, have been deployed and senior police officials, including the ADGP, the DIG and the SP (West), are now camping in the area. Read less...

Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), as a constituent of North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), has extended support to the umbrella students’ platform-sponsored shutdown on January 8 (today), reports Nagaland Post. In a statement issued by its president Kesosul Christopher Ltu and general secretary ImtiyapangImsong, NSF announced that it would impose the bandh within its jurisdiction from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. to show its deepest resentment against announcement to table the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the Parliament. Heeding to the call of NSF, Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) has extended support to NESO shutdown. CSU appealed to the district administration, law enforcing agencies, business establishments and all school and colleges to remain closed that day as the Bill posed a threat to rights of indigenous people. NESO the umbrella student body representing all the states — has also called for the bandh across seven northeastern states, which is being supported by the AGP, the Congress and 30 other ethnic organisations from Assam, reports Indian Express on January 8. The main grouse of the opposers is that they fear the Bill — which seeks to amend the Citizenship Act 1955 by granting citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Christians and Parsis from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan — will destroy Assam, which has been grappling with the issue of ‘illegal immigration’ for decades now. The Bill effectively allows anyone belonging to the above-mentioned groups to seek citizenship in India, as long as they have entered Indian before December 31, 2014. The opposers also feel this contradicts the ongoing update of the National Registry of Citizens (NRC) which takes into consideration March 24, 1971, as the cut-off date for citizenship in Assam. In May 2018, a Joint Parliamentary Committee was sent to Assam to take stock of the opposition and support to the Bill. Read less...

On January 8, Security Forces (SFs) arrested a United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) from Sankhapani in Changlang District, reports Sentinel Assam. The arrestee has been identified as Ram Bahadur Lama alias ‘lance corporal’ Papu. One 9mm pistol one magazine ,three grenades, one detonator , one Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and 15 rounds of ammunition were recovered fro the arrested militant. The militant was tasked by ULFA-I to hide the heavy number of warlike stores in general area Sankapani and Kharsang. It was also revealed that these stores were placed with an aim of launching several sabotage actions on Indian Security Forces and Government functionaries in the eve of Republic Day. Read less...

Sporadic violence and injuries to protesters and security personnel were reported during an 11-hour general strike against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 called by the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), reports The Telegraph on January 8. NESO an umbrella organisation comprising the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Meghalaya-based Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and Garo Students’ Union GSU), All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), Naga Students’ Federation, All Manipur Students’ Union (Amsu), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) and Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF), had called the strike from 5am till 4pm. Read less...

ULFA-Pro Talk Faction (ULFA-PTF) ‘chairman’ Anup Chetia warned that the demand for sovereign Assam can again gain strength if Citizenship Amendment Bill is not withdrawn, reports Deccan Herald on January 9. In an interview he stated that ‘The bill is destructive for the indigenous Assamese as it seeks to offer citizenship to Hinduillegal migrants. We all must unite, come to the streets, protest and force the government towithdraw it.’ Read less...

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh stated in the Parliament that a bill will be introduced in Parliament soon to give Scheduled Tribe status to six communities in Assam, reports Morung Express on January 9. Speaking on the Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha (lower house of Indian Parliament), the Minister said the proposal has been accepted by the government. The communities that are proposed to be included in the ST category include Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak and tea tribes of the state. He said that the Assam government had been making recommendations concerning these communities since 1980 and the Home Ministry had formed a committee in 2016 which gave its recommendations in December last year. He also added that the Government of India (GoI) will take steps to grant ST status to Bodo Kacharis living in the Hill districts of Assam and Karbis in the plains. Read less...

Union Minister for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on January 8 stated in Parliament that Government has no plans to repeal Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, reports Morung Express. Replying to a written question he stated that AFSPA was operational in the entire states of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur (except the Imphal municipal area), three districts namely Tirap, Changlang and Longding of Arunachal Pradesh and the areas falling within the jurisdiction of eight police stations in the districts of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Assam. ‘The notifications declaring Manipur and Assam as ‘Disturbed Areas’ have been issued by the state governments. State government of Nagaland has not supported extension of notification declaring Nagaland as ‘Disturbed Area’ under AFSPA, 1958’. Read less...

United Bodo People’s Organization (UBPO) has hailed the move to create autonomous council for the Bodos and other tribal people living outside Bodoland Tribal Council (BTC) for their economic, social and education development, reports Sentinel Assam on January 9. UBPO President Jarimin Basumatary said the organization had been demanding the creation of an autonomous council for the Bodos and other tribes outside BTC and the previous government also decided the same in the cabinet. He said that State Finance Minister Dr.HimantaBiswaSarma during his speech in Kokrajhar recently assured that the present State Government would discuss the issue in the cabinet for the socio-economic development of the Bodos living outside BTC. Hailing the initiative of the State Government, Basumatary said that the UBPO was hopeful of creation of autonomous council as early as possible. Read less...

Manipur Chief Minister (CM) Biren Singh stated on January 9 that ‘State government will not follow every instructions of the Centre, we have a stance of the State Assembly as per the interest of the public’, reports Imphal Free Press. He also added that ‘The Indian Constitution has provided a big room to protect the minority peoples. Anyhow, we will not let outsiders become citizens of the State’. He also went on to say that State government will hold a cabinet meeting on January 10 (today) tomorrow and will give a strong pressure to the Centre on the January 12 National Conference to assent the Manipur People Protection Bill, 2018 before the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 is turned into an Act, he apprised the public not to be apprehensive and expose anxiety regarding the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. He also claimed that the State Government is working at its best level to stop the influx of illegal migrants in the State by deploying security forces in border areas, installation of check-posts, identifying and sending back of Rohingyas. Read less...

Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana on January 9 stated that the new Government would prioritise security enhancement at the border areas, reports Morung Express. In a meeting he stated that ‘Border security would be one of the top agendas of the Mizo National Front (MNF) government, while necessary efforts would also be made to control crimes in the state’. The land-locked state shares 722-km-long border with Myanmar and Bangladesh. Read less...

National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Laishram Anand alias Sana Singh said to be valley commander of Kangleipak Communist Party-Peoples War Group (KCP-PWG), reports Imphal Free Press on January 10. He was initially arrested by Security Forces (SFs) on December 28, 2018 for his alleged involvement in uploading threatening message on social media against the Central Government and Chief minister. NIA arrested the militant for his suspected involvement in Paraolonambush in 2015. It is reported that while he was in police custody on January 4, NIA examined him and he revealed that he was an active member ofKangleiYaolKanbaLup (KYKL) during the time of ambush and later joined KCP-PWG. One of the accused person of the case identified as Khumlo Abi Anal aliasAmbison was arrested for his direct involvement in the commission of the offence and accordingly, charge sheet was filed against him before the special judge NIA, Manipur on December 19, 2015. The court has also issued a non-bailable warrant of arrest against 17 absconding cadres of militant groups for their direct involvement in the said ambush.Subsequently, three other persons identified as NaoremPremkanta alias Van Damme, Anil Rai alias Meiraba and M. Nimaichand Meitei aliasLanloialiasTapan Rai were also arrested for their direct involvement in the said ambush. Read less...

Officials have stated that over 32,000 Bru refugees living in transit camps in North Tripura district will not have any ration supplies and cash dole from January 15, reports Indian Express on January 9. Kanchanpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Abhedananda Baidya stated that as per previous instructions, cash dole and ration supplies are being provided to Bru relief camps and would continue till January 15. Central government started the eighth phase of repatriation of Bru refugees from August 25, 2018, as per a four-corner agreement signed with refugee leaders. However, the repatriation package offered to them was rejected by most of the refugees, saying it was ‘insufficient’. During the repatriation process which continued till September 25, only 150 refugees from 42 families were repatriated to Mizoram and 32,000 still remain sheltered in six transit camps in Tripura. Union Ministry of Home Affair s(UMHA) halted all relief supplies from October 1 last year after the repatriation failed. However, supplies resumed three weeks later as severe food crisis had started in the Bru camps. The UMHA Joint Secretary Satyendra Garg in a letter last year to Tripura state Government had said that ‘it was conveyed…… that assistance being extended to the Bru migrants in the form of foodgrains, cash doles will be available till 30th September, 2018. In view of the prevailing situation, it has been decided that the deadline for repatriation of these Bru migrant families be extended till 15th January, 2019. The assistance to them in the form of foodgrains and cash doles may also be continued till 15th January, 2019’. Referring to the order, Kanchanpur SDM stated that ‘Since there is no fresh instruction to this end, the previous order will stand. Cash dole and relief supplies will continue till January 15 and if no new order comes from the centre, the supplies shall be halted’. Meanwhile, Mizoram Bru Displaced Peoples Forum (MBDPF) secretary Bruno Msha said he was aware of the impending disruption of ration and relief supplies. “We shall write to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh seeking his intervention in a day or two’. Read less...

Two labours of HVS construction have been allegedly abducted from the construction site at Longai in Noney District by suspected Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) militants on January 9, report Imphal Free Press. The abducted workers have been identified as WaikhomShamjai and ProjinBidung. Sources said the labours were abducted by armed militants numbering around seven. Read less...

Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) has agreed to discuss the demands of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), an apex body of six Naga tribes, asking for a separate state under the Constitution, reports Indian Express on January 9. Officials stated that A tripartite dialogue was held between the ENPO, Nagaland government and UMHA under the chairmanship of special secretary (internal security) in December. After more than four years and several rounds of talks, the Centre is yet to come up with a peace accord in Nagaland. UMHA officials said that they had only agreed to “discuss the demands” of ENPO and no final decision has been taken while sources said the move may lead to division of State as the ENPO demands a “Frontier Nagaland”. Former ENPO President Khoiwang Konyak said, “Our demands and political issues are different from other Naga groups, including NSCN-IM, and are primarily concerned with six tribes namely Chang, Konyak, Khiamniungan, Phom, Sangtam and Yimchunger.” UMHA officials said that ENPO during the tripartite meeting cited provisions of Article 371-A (2) of the Constitution to stress that the eastern districts have a historical background, are comparatively less developed and required immediate attention. The ENPO’s original demand is for a separate state other than a separate assembly, administration, High Court and capital. Naga framework agreement, signed in 2015, is yet to be formalised, six tribes from eastern Nagaland under the aegis of ENPO have stepped up the long-pending demand for separate statehood under the Constitution. The peace accord that was to be finalised with Naga groups will now have to wait with the Centre agreeing to discuss ENPO’s demand for a separate state. In September ENPO rejected the Centre’s development package, cleared by the MHA, saying that it cannot be accepted in lieu of the demand for “Frontier Nagaland”. ENPO recently held three rounds of bilateral discussions with the state government while multiple rounds of talks have been held between the Centre, State and ENPO. ENPO has been demanding the creation of a separate state comprising the four eastern districts of Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire for over a decade now. The organisation had first submitted a memorandum to then PM Manmohan Singh on November 25, 2010 which was referred by the Centre to the state government for its views. Officials familiar with the development at MHA said that the demand for a separate state may not be feasible but the government may consider giving them autonomous council authority. Read less...

United Liberation Front of Asom-Pro Talk Faction (ULFA-PTF) leader Anup Chetia on January 9 stated that he was not afraid of going to jail for supporting the stir against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, reports Business Standard. He alleged that ‘We are always with the people of Assam because if the people exist, we exist. We will continue to speak against the bill as it is a conspiracy to make the Assamese community extinct’. He also added that ‘If for speaking against it (bill) I have to go to jail... I will. I have served jail time for 18 years in foreign land. So, I am not afraid to go to jail’. Chetia as the ‘general secretary’ of ULFA was incarcerated in a jail in Bangladesh from 1997 and handed over to India by Bangladesh government in November 2015. Read less...

United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has claimed responsibility for a grenade blast on January 4 in Imphal, reports Imphal Free Press. The blast had taken place near the gate of an individual identified as YumnamBasanta alias Tomba at Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai in Imphal West District. In a press release by ‘director’ information and publicity’ M. Sak-hen UNLF claimed that that it was served as a final warning to Basanta who had taken possession of the organisation’s funds and had gone into hiding from the organisation for the past three years. Read less...

All Assam Manipuri Youths Association (AAMIYA) has expressed strong condemnations and its opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 which was passed in parliament, reports Imphal Free Press on January 10. During a press conference in Silchar in Assam the General Secretary of AAMIYA. JiranAngom expressed its opposition to the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 in parliament adding that various forms of agitations in a democratic manner will be launched. He also added that ‘If there is no positive response even after the agitations, there might even be an ‘armed struggle’ from the association’. While reiterating that if the Citizenship Amendment bill is implemented, the entire indigenous populations of the northeast especially the Manipuri community will be the most vulnerable, chief advisor of AAMIYA,Ksh. Kundal Singha also informed that movement for political autonomy for the Meitei Community in Assam, which is under the Indian Constitution, will be initiated. ‘The movement will be held in a democratic manner, but if there are no positive responses, there will be more intense agitations in the manner’. Read less...

Four nominated members of the high-level committee set up by the Union Home Ministry, to ensure implementation of clause 6 of the Assam Accord, have refused to join the nine-member panel, reports The Hindu.Eminent literary figures Nagen Saikia and Rong Bong Terang, former Editor Dhirendra Nath Bezbaruah and the All Assam Students’ Union have declined to be part of the committee. Read less...

Kangleipak Communist Party-People’s War Group Marxist Centre (KCP-PWG Marxist Centre) stated that mission schools under Catholic Educational Society, Manipur will be banned from January 15, reports Imphal Free Press on January 11. A release signed by ‘secretary’, ‘central media coordinator’, Lenin Meitei stated that those running the schools should leave their respective educational institutions otherwise actions will be taken against them. Read less...

On January 10, stray incidents of burning tyres on the roads were reported from across the Khasi and Jaintia Hill Districts during “stay off the road protest” called by the Confederation of Hynniewtrep Social Organisation (CoHSO) in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, reports North East Today. Some parts of the Shillong-Jowai highway was reported to have been barricaded by boulders and while some sections have been cleared by the Police. Read less...

Six student bodies in Manipur are gearing up continue a sustained agitation against Citizenship Amendment bill becoming an act, reports The Sangai Express on January 10. The six bodies are All Manipur Students union (AMSU), Manipur Student Federation (MSF) , Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Students Union of Kangleipak (SUK), Kangleipak Students Association (KSA) and Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup (AIMS). A joint statement issued by the six student bodies also pointed out many alleged inconsistencies and contradictions in the statements made by Chief Minister N Biren. It categorically remarked that the BJP-led NDA Government passed the CAB 2016 in the Lok Sabha as a part of their vote bank politics and the same move was aimed at wiping out all the indigenous peoples of the North East from their own homelands. Read less...

The Khango and Isak led National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) will initiate their political dialogues with the Government of India (GoI) within a week, reports Northeast Today on January 10. It is believed that both sides will be diligently working towards officially signing the Ceasefire pact. Isaac Chishi is scheduled to travel to New Delhi for resumption of the Peace talks and the outcome of the talks will be unravelled shortly. It is learnt that the Khango led NSCN-K will be establishing their Monitoring Cell in Dimapur immediately after returning from New Delhi. The Khango led NSCN-K has placed a four point demand which includes lift the ban on NSCN-K and removal of terrorist tag, rescind the bounties placed on NSCN-K leaders, conditional release of cadres arrested after abrogation of cease fire and repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). It is believed that on Signing the Peace pact all Khango-led NSCN K leaders lodged in various jails of India will be unconditionally released. Read less...

ULFA-Independent (ULFA-I) ‘chief’ Paresh Baruah stated that if Chief Minister Sonowal does not refrain away from such anti-Assamese acts, he will have to face dreadful consequences, reports Northeast Now on January 10. He also condemned the Government’s move to charge sedition charge on Scholar and intellectual Hiren Gohain. Assam Police had on January 10 registered a case of sedition against Hiren Gohain and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) chief Akhil Gogoi and activist and journalist Manjit Mahanta. Gohain had stated that if the central government does pay any heed to the demands of the people of Assam, demand for independent Assam will crop up. Read less...

United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) ‘chairman’ Abhijit Asom on January 10 claimed that there has been widespread change in the thought process of the people of Assam, reports Sentinel Assam. ‘The indigenous people of Assam have come out in protest against the Central and State Government in order to safeguard the state’. He also added that ‘The idea of revolution for ‘Sovereign Asom’ against the Government has sparked up among various sections of the indigenous communities in the state, thus, there has been a widespread protest by various section of the communities against both the Governments in the last few days’ Read less...

United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) fired up on a team of Security Forces (SFs) at an unspecified area under Lekhapani Police Station limit in Tinsukia District along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, reports The Sentinel. Intelligence as received by SFs on the movement of ULFA-I militants at Phaneng village under Margherita subdivision. Lekhapani Police Station officer in charge stated that ‘We had our inputs from our sources that some movements were being carried out in Phaneng, Wara and Mungkham village near Assam-Arunachal Border from last two to three days. We are yet to ascertain the reasons for their movements, however, we continued our operation’. It has been also suspected by the security forces and Assam Police that there were around 10 to 12 ULFA-I cadres apparently roaming around the border areas of Assam-Arunachal Pradesh. Read less...

Bandh (shutdown strike) called by Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) to protest a bill that seeks to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six ethnic communities in the state evoked mixed response, reports News 18.The bandh was near total in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) such as Kokrajhar, Udalguri, Baksa and Chirang, Bongaigaon, besides in tribal-dominated areas of Morigaon, Nagaon, Hojai, Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts.The bandhwas also supported by Dimasa Students Union, Hmar Students Association, All Biate Students Association, Hrangkhol Students Association, All Dimasa Students Union, Khasi Students Union and Karbi Students Association. Earlier, the bandh against citizenship amendment bill had drawn violent response from across the Northeastern region. Read less...

Coordination Committee of the Tribal Organisations of Assam (CCTOA) has given a call for 24 hour bandh (shutdown strike) on January 11 (today) to protest against Union Government’s decision to grant Scheduled Tribes (ST) status to six more communities, reports Times of India.The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Amendment Bill 2019 seeks to include six ethnic groups namely theKoch-Rajbongshis, Tea Tribes/Adivasis, Tai Ahoms, Morans, Motoks and Chutia. "The central and state governments have hatched a plot to eliminate the genuine tribals of the state," Aditya Khaklary convenor of CCTOA said. Read less...

Khango Konyak-led faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K), a Naga insurgent outfit, has agreed to join the peace talks with the Government of India (GoI), Hindustan Times on January 11. The faction is likely to join the Working Committee (WC) of the six Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) which is in talks withGoI. According to ThejaTherieh, spokesperson of the Nagaland Tribes Council, Yes, the Khango Konyak led faction has agreed to join the peace talks. ShikutoZalipu, the General Secretary of Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation also added that Isak Sumi has given the green signal to join the NNPGs. Nagaland Gaon BuraFederation( Nagaland village elders federation) has been talking to the Konyak-led group since Khango Konyak was impeached as ‘chairman’ of NSCN(K) in August 2018 and given a safe passage to return to Nagaland from Myanmar. Zalipu stated that ‘The group wanted to retain its entity in the talks. They could either merge with the NSCN(I-M) or join the NNPGs. Since the Government of India has said no to talks with any third party the only option to enter talks while retaining their entity is to join NNPGs’. Read less...

Kidnapped Timon Habi Tea Estate manager Numal Chandra Baruah has reportedly been released by the suspected United Liberation Front of Asom, Independent (ULFA-I) in Nagaland, reports Time8. He was released near Longwa village in Mon District. Baruah was missing since November 21 from his residence in Sonari in Assam. Read less...

Luhit Bora aliasLothow, suspected to be a linkman of United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) was arrested from Lothow in Jorhat District on January 11, reports Assam Tribune. He was arrested for demanding INR 50,000 from a businessman. Read less...

One National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Reformation (NSCN-R) militant was wounded in an encounter at Khalakbasti under Namtok Police Station in Chaglang District on January 11, reports Sentinel Assam. One .32mm Pistol and 3 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the militant. The wounded militant has been identified as ‘lance corporal’ Roni Kungkho . On questioning ‘corporal’ Roni Kungkho revealed that he along with eight armed insurgents of NSCN-R including ‘captain’ Tika were moving in general area Kenon Basti where a firefight took place. Four more militants were arrested later by Security Forces (SFs). Read less...

Protests were staged in Shillong in East Khasi Hills District and Tura in West Garo Hills District against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, reports The Telegraph on January 11. In Shillong, members of Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People, Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front, Ri Bhoi Youth Federation and other organisations gathered at Khyndailad to observe a black flag protest.In Tura, the headquarters of West Garo Hills District, about two hundred workers of the Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress demonstrated in front of the BJP office. Read less...

Three people including a Police officer were wounded on January 11 in clashes between students and Police over Citizenship Amendment Bill at an unspecified location in Imphal West District, reports Morung Express. The students, members of six student bodies, took out a march condemning the passage of the Bill.OJoyraj, a Police officer in Imphal West District, was injured when a flying bottle hit him. Two students were injured in the Police retaliation. Read less...

United Liberation Front of Asom-Pro talk faction (ULFA-PTF) has threatened to pull out of the 'peace talks' with the Government of India (GoI) if the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB)is passed, reports Times of India on January 13. ULFA-PTF leader Mrinal Hazarika on January 11 stated that if GoImoved ahead with the Bill, the ongoing peace talks would be impacted. ‘There iswidespread resentment among the people of Assam against the Bill. In such a situation, it will be difficult to continue with the peace talks if the Centremoves ahead with the passage of the bill’. The dialogue between ULFA-PTF and GoI started in 2011. Hazarika said that the bill, which threatens the identity of the state, would render the talks meaningless if passed. Read less...

On January 12, the Assam Government in a statement in the Legislative Assembly said eight militant groups, including the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), Jewel faction of the Dima Halim Daogah (DHD), All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA), Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (MULTA) and Hmar People’s Convention-Democracy (HPC-D), are active in the State. Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said that both the ULFA and NDFB are carrying out subversive activities in Assam under the influence of foreign powers and top leaders of the outfit are staying abroad. He further said that in 2008, 124 militants belonging to various outfits were killed and over 1300 were arrested. The Security Forces also recovered 203 bombs and 202 grenades from the militants. Read less...

According to security sources, Government of India (GoI) was aware of possible fallouts of bringing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the Parliament, but despite the warnings, it decided to go ahead to get the Bill passed, reports Assam Tribune on January 13. Different security agencies had warned the Government about the possible fallouts if the Bill is passed in the Parliament. ‘It is not that the political leadership did not know about the possible fallouts if the Bill is pushed through. But a political decision was taken to try and get the Bill passed in the Parliament’. Sources revealed that different security agencies had warned the Government that passing of the Bill would lead to massive protests in the State as cross sections of people were opposing the Bill. The security agencies had also pointed out that if the Bill is passed through despite strong opposition, it would lead to growing feeling of alienation among the indigenous people of the State, which, in turn, would strengthen the hands of the militant outfits such as United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I). The agencies reported that the law and order situation in the State might deteriorate if the agitations against the Bill gather momentum and with different organizations launching movements, it would be difficult to control the situation. At the same time, the agencies had also pointed out the problems that the Government would face to implement the Bill as most of the people, who came from Bangladesh, entered India illegally without valid documents and it would be difficult to prove which person came on which date and who really came due to religious persecution. The agencies also pointed out that threat on language of the indigenous people would be another major issue as there have been movements in Assam on the issue of protection of linguistic identity. It was also suggested that the Government should try to formulate a comprehensive policy to relocate the minorities of Bangladesh if they are to be kept in India without giving the burden to Assam. Read less...

North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has called upon all political parties to unitedly stand against the passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) in the Rajya Sabha (upper house of Indian Parliament), reports Assam Tribune on January 13. NESO chairman, Samuel B Jyrwa stated that ‘We urge upon different political parties who are against this Bill to stand up and be counted in the Rajya Sabha so that this draconian Bill cannot be passed’. CAB, which seeks to provide Indian citizenship to people from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, was passed in the Lok Sabha few days ago amid widespread protests in the North East. A ‘Black Day’ was observed across north-east region on January 11 following a general shutdown called by NESO, reports Indian Express. Sporadic demonstrations continued in parts of Assam and a shutdown was observed in Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). Black flags were raised by student bodies across the region, including at the headquarters of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) in Guwahati.Additionally, in Tripura, Upendra Debbarma, advisor to Twipra Students’ Federation and vice-chairman of NESO, said, “Today has been peaceful and a highly successful strike.” In Assam’s Silchar, authorities at Assam University on Saturday imposed restrictions on protests on campus without prior approval. This come a day after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pradip Dutta threatened Assamese-speaking students of Barak Valley to bar their admission in the university. Read less...

Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), the influential civil society group in Nagaland has stated that Nagas “are not optimistic about a breakthrough in the peace process”, reports Indian Express on January 14. But the Centre’s interlocutor for Naga talks and Deputy National Security Advisor, R N Ravi, denies that the talks have reached a dead-end. FNR also gave a call to “re-imagine the Indo-Naga Peace Process,” a call for a complete overhaul which signals a dead-end for the ongoing peace process. In a statement issued on January 14, FNR stated that Based on the current political narrative being articulated, the people at home — in Naga-Land (not to be confused with the Indian State of Nagaland) are not optimistic about a breakthrough in the peace process. The omission of the people at this crucial stage is short-sighted. It has contributed to this distrustful narrative’. However, RN Ravi stated that it is not a dead-end and progress is being made in these talks”. Sources said Ravi met representatives of both Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), comprising representatives of six influential Naga rebel groups, and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (-sak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) in Delhi last week.Seen as perhaps the most influential group in Nagaland, FNR was formed in principle on February 24, 2008 as one of the outcomes of the Naga Peace Convention organised by the Naga Shisha Hoho in Dimapur. It was christened on March 25, 2008 at Kohima with the support of 39 Naga frontal organisations, including the Council of Naga Baptist Churches (CNBC), and with the support of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and the Nagaland Christian Forum (NCF). Reverend Dr Wati Aier, a Christian priest, is the convenor of FNR. According to reports talks between the Centre and Naga groups had not made any progress for nearly a year due to an intransigent position taken by the Naga side on ‘symbolic’ issues, such as a separate flag. The Centre believes ‘substantive’ issues have been resolved but the political narrative being propounded by certain Naga groups is responsible for the deadlock. Read less...

On January 14, a clash occurred between National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and Kuki National Army (KNA) at Sanakeithei Village in Ukhrul District, reports Imphal Free Press. The clash might have occurred due to an alleged abduction of KNA militant from Kamjong Chassad. KNA suspect NSCN-IM to be behind the abduction. Since January 13, KNA was trying to cross the village. However, but were prevented by the villagers and chief’s association of the areas including Kuki villages. Today KNA cadres came again from the river side and gun shots were exchanged for around 15-20 minutes. Read less...

A Clash took place between police and student protestors at BT Road in Imphal West District, reports Imphal Free Press. The students were trying to proceed towards Raj Bhavan demonstrating a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), 2016. Nagaland Post adds that about four people were wounded in the protest Read less...

Nine political parties have resolved to agitate for withdrawal of the citizenship amendment bill, 2016 from Lok Sabha (lower house of Indian Parliament) and to continue holding agitations to press Rajya Sabha (upper house of Indian Parliament) to not pass the Bill, reports Imphal Free Press on January 15. According to leaders, the agitation would be jointly intensified with others bodies of the state, in order to stop the agitation, the Bill must be withdrawn. The nine political parties include Communist Party of India, Manipur (CPI); CPI-Marxist, (CPI-M); Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP); Forward Bloc; Nationalist Congress Party (NCP); Aam Aadmi Party (AAP); Peoples’ Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRAJA); Janata Dal (Secular), (JDS) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Read less...

Officials stated on January 15 that foodgrain and other relief supplies for the Reang tribals sheltered in Tripura for over 21 years, have been extended for another two-and-a-half- months , reports Nagaland Post. Kanchanpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Abeda Nanda Baidya stated that ‘Home Ministry has extended the deadline for repatriation of tribal refugees from Tripura to Mizoram till March 31. The assistance to the refugees in the form of foodgrain and cash doles will also be continued till March 31’.Over 35,000 Reang tribals, comprising 5,907 families, fled from Mizoram and have been staying in seven relief camps in northern Tripura’s Kanchanpur and Panisagar sub-divisions. Read less...

Umbrella organisation of the 35,000 odd Bru refugees living in Tripura on January 15 appealed to new Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga to take initiative for solving the 22-year-old problem of the displaced people, reports Assam Tribune on January 15. In a letter to Zoramthanga, Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF) general secretary Bruno Msha asked the chief minister to give audience to the MBDPF leaders on the issue in Delhi or Aizawl. During the latest repatriation process between August 25 to September 25 last year, only 150 refugees of 42 families returned to Mizoram. Read less...

According to Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) data main outfits involved in insurgency in northeast are United Liberation Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I), Garo militants in Meghalaya and National Socialist Council of Nagaland and its factions, reports Nagaland Post on January 16. According to UMHA, All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) and the Liberation Front of Twipra/Biswamohan is also involved in violence. Relative to 2017, insurgency in the region has declined by 36 per cent year-on-year and by approximately 63 per cent since 2014. Terrorist activities as a whole in India have been on a decline. But India is still plagued by terrorist activities. The year 2018 also witnessed a jump in the deaths of civilians, security forces. But the year also saw the highest number of terrorists killed (270) ever since the Modi government came to power in 2014. The maximum number of terrorists killed in a calendar year was in 2008-- 339 terrorist neutralised by security forces. There was a 93 per cent drop in the number of incidents of violence during the two terms of the UPA government between 2004 to 2013. Between 2004-2008 under UPA-1, terror incidents went down by 72 per cent while during UPA-2 between 2009 to 2013, terror incidents saw a drop of 66 per cent. Read less...

All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) has resolved afresh to intensify its democratic mass movement to press for a separate Bodoland state, reports The Shillong Times on January 16. ABSU president Promod Boro said that the students’ body would strongly oppose any decision of the government which are going to curtail the right and privilege of the existing tribals of the Assam. He stated that ‘If some more advanced and populous communities of the state are included in the ST list, the existing tribal will lose their land, political representation, educational opportunity, employment, economy and great impact in social life. Further, the house strongly condemned the statement made by Hagrama Mohilary, agreeing to grant ST status to six Community in the BTAD region in advance’. The delegate also discussed the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 which has been passed in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) and the house resolved to oppose it. Further, it is decided to continue the organisational support with 30 indigenous organisation movement group for protection of indigenous rights. Read less...

At least 10 persons were wounded in a clash between protesters and Police during a rally against Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) heading towards Raj Bhavan, at Khwairamband Keithel in Imphal West District, reports Imphal Free Press. The rally was organised by Manipur Muslim Welfare Organisation (MMWO) and Manipur Muslim Development Committee (MMDC). Earlier ATP had reported that four people were wounded in the protest. Read less...

Manipur Chief Minister (CM) on January 16 stated that the Government will oppose the CAB Bill , if there is no clause to protect the indigenous peoples of the North East (NE) region in general, and Manipur in particular, reports The Hindu. The CM said he and some Ministers had submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to give President's assent to the Manipur Peoples (Protection) Bill, 2018. “It will protect the interests of people of the State,” he said. Rajnath Singh reportedly assured the team from Manipur that nothing will be done to hurt the interests of the people. Read less...

Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), which is spearheading the protests against CAB, on January 17, claimed that around two million Hindu Bangladeshis would become Indian Citizens if the Bill is passes, reports The Shillong Times. KMSS Advisor Akhil Gogoi stated that ‘The BJP and Himanta Biswa Sarma is saying that only eight lakh Hindu Bangladeshis, who are already staying here, will get citizenship. But ourassessment is that 20 lakh people are present in Assam at this moment and they will get citizenship as soon as the Bill is passed. He further claimed that as per Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, there are around 17 million Hindus, which is 10.7 per cent of that country’s totalpopulation. He added that ‘If the Bill is passed, this will pave the ways for these 1.7 crore people in Bangladesh to come to Assam and get Indian nationality as there isno cut-off date in the Bill. So, there is a possibility that a total of 1.9 crore people are likely to get Indian citizenship in coming years’ Read less...

On January 17, United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) linkman, identified as Pradip Bhumji was arrested from Digboi-Pengri Reserve Forest in Digboi District, reports The Sentinel. A pistol and ammunition were recovered from the arrestee. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) recovered three weapons of foreign origin including two rifles and one pistol along with two magazines from Khudengthabi area in Chandel District in on January 17, reports Imphal Free Press. Read less...

Suspected illegal migrants had been detained by local people at Ritupathar area under Bordumsa Police station of Tinsukia District on January 17, reports The Sentinel. There were around 20 to 30 people in the group. It also includes children, women in the group. Read less...

A senior Police official stated that Mobile Task Force (MTF) of Tripura Police has detected 2,245 illegal immigrants in the State in 2018, reports Hindustan Times on January 18. The official stated that ‘We have detected 2,245 illegal immigrants in Tripura last year among them 2,058 are male and 187 are female. Most of the illegal migrants are from neighbouring Bangladesh. Altogether 2,127 Bangladeshis were deported last year’. He also added that ‘Many Bangladeshis enter into Indian territory for treatment, to attend marriage ceremony or other programmes without passports. In case any immigrant carries contraband or arms, we register cases against them and move courts for legal actions. Those who are found not involved in any crime are deported’. Read less...

Meghalaya Chief Minister (CM), Conrad K. Sangma on January 18 urged Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to reconsider the passing of Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), 2016, reports Morung Express. The CM stated that ‘We have expressed our concerns about the Citizenship Amendment Bill. All the coalition partners of the Meghalaya Government as well as Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga have expressed dissatisfaction over the Bill. So, we have asked the Government to reconsider the Bill’. When asked about the stance of his Government, the CM stated that ‘we will take a call when the time comes. We are still in discussion with them. I don’t think it is correct time to comment on that. The Bill will affect the North-East to a large extent. It is against the aspirations of the people and can have serious repercussions on the region’s law and order’. Read less...

Two separate shutdowns, called by tribal and student organisations separately against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), affected normal life in several Districts of lower Assam and in Golaghat District in upper Assam, reports Northeast Today on January 18. While the shutdown was total in Kokrajhar and Chirang Districts, it partially affected Bongaigaon District. In lower Assam, the shutdown was called by the Adivasi Convention Committee (ACC), an umbrella organisation of different tribal groups, demanding immediate scrapping of the CAB Bill and implementation of the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order Amendment Bill, 2019. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order Amendment Bill, 2019 proposes to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six ethnic communities of the State — Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok and the tea tribes of Assam. Read less...

With the precautionary measures being taken for the up-coming 70th Republic Day celebrations, Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was conducted at Majorkhul area in Imphal West District of Manipur on January 18, reports Imphal Free Press. During the operation, about 124 persons were verified out of which nine persons who failed to bring out any identification documents were detained. Read less...

A National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) linkman was arrested on January 19 from Tipong in Tinsukia District, reports The Sentinel. The linkman has been identified as Buddeshwar Bora. One .32 mm Pistol, live rounds of ammunition, 2 Detonators, approximately 300 grams White Phosphorous Powder, a huge amount of Indian Currency and illegal Alcohol were recovered from him. Read less...

According to reports, 31 Rohingyas have been stranded on the zero line in Tripura for the last two days with Indian and Bangladeshi border security personnel refusing to accept them as refugees, reports Indian Express on January 21. While the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) alleged the Rohingya Muslims tried to cross over from India, the Border Security Force (BSF) stated that there was no sign of a breach on the Indian side. The BSF, which believes the Rohingya may have comes from Bangladesh, has also offered the BGB a joint survey of the fencing on the Indian side to identify a possible breach. According to BSF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) ‘We expected the BGB will contact us for a flag meeting. But they did not communicate, rather we communicated and yesterday an officer-level meeting was conducted at the zero line where second-in-command of our battalion and second-in-command of their battalion met on the zero line’. According to Belwa, Bangladesh authorities have declined a joint survey and asserted that the BSF accept the Rohingya into Indian Territory. Read less...

Earlier on January 20, an unspecified number of explosives were recovered during a search operation from Sadiya in Tinsukia District, reports Business Standard. According to Police officials, Operations in the District have been intensified to prevent any untoward incidents in the run up to the Republic Day celebrations. Read less...

Nagaland Chief Minister (CM) Neiphiu Rio on January 20 stated the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) is not applicable to Nagaland, as the state stands protected under the provisions of Article 371(A) and the Inner Line Permit, reports The Shillong Times. He said the state cabinet which met on January 18 discussed the Bill and re-iterated the earlier decisions adopted by the Cabinet on June 5, 2018 and January 7, 2019. ‘The cabinet was of the unequivocal view that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is not applicable to Nagaland and we stand protected under the provisions of Article 371 (A) and the Inner Line Permit (ILP) as per Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, (BEFR) of 1873, armed under Clause 16 of the 16 Point Agreement’. He also said that the Cabinet decided to adopt a resolution re-arming all provisions of Article 371(A) and to strengthen the implementation of the ILP as per the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873 that will also be taken up in the upcoming Nagaland Assembly session. Read less...

On January 20, a Kangleipak Communist Party-Noyon (KCP-N) militant was arrested from an unspecified location in Tengnoupal District, reports Imphal Free Press. The arrest was identified as LaishramSuni Singh. Read less...

Police has informed that three youths has joined United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I), reports Northeast Today on January 20. One of the youths have been identified as Hriday Sarkar from Golakganj in Dhubri District He reportedly joined ULFA-I along with two others from Dhemaji and Goalpara District. Hriday Sarkar left to join ULFA-I on January 15 on the occasion of Bihu, the annual festival of harvest and feasting. Read less...

21 Bangladeshi nationals who had entered India illegally (through Assam) was deported on January 21, reports Morung Express. The deportees were identified as Nasir Hussain, Abdul Wahid, Mohammad Khairul, Jahida Begum, Sufia Begum, Mihir Pebel Mia, Safique Islam, Saveel Ahmed, Ramjan Ali, Bablu Ahmed, Suman Fakir, Masum Ahmed, Nazim Uddin, Asraful Alam Choudhury, LitunKanti Das, Tofique Ali, Raju Ahmed, Dilwar Hussain, Md Sukkur, Samim Ahmed and Rubel Ahmad. Read less...

Cordon And Search operations (CASO) were conducted in Imphal East and West District by Police on January 21, reports Imphal Free Press. In Imphal East, 75 males, 53 females were verified. Out of the total, 7 persons were detained for further verifications. In Imphal West, a total of 220 persons residing in 45 houses and rents were verified but no one was detained. The Police team also conducted CASO at the surrounding of Wahengbam Leikai in the District and about 663 persons were verified and out of them, 31 persons who failed to bring out proper identification document were detained and handed over to city police. Read less...

More than 30 Rohingyas including 12 children were arrested from Churaibari in North Tripura District near Tripura-Assam interstate boundary on January 21, reports The Hindu. North Tripura District Police Chief Bhanupada Chakraborty stated that ‘The Assam police have arrested 30 Rohingya Muslims from a Guwahati-bound bus at Churaibari along the inter-state border on Monday night’. Quoting Assam Police officials, he said that the 30 Rohingya Muslims, including nine women and 12 children, boarded the Guwahati bound bus from Agartala. Read less...

On January 21, Pallab Bhattacharya, Director General of Police (DGP) special Branch stated that United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) could target Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in the state, reports Hindustan Times. He stated that ‘We are a bit apprehensive after the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was introduced and passed in the Lok Sabha and the ensuing agitation in the state. The situation is fragile. In this surcharged atmosphere vulnerable groups like Hindi speakers, Bengali Hindus and BJP workers could be the likely target of ULFA-I’. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) arrested a National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Reformation (NSCN-R) militant, Singmai Haseng, from Tirap Colliery in Ledo town in Tinsukia District on January 21, reports Business Standard. A pistol, magazine and three rounds of ammunition were recovered from the militant. Read less...

The fate of 31 Rohingya Muslims stranded on the international border between Tripura and Bangladesh continues to hang in balance as both Indian and Bangladesh authorities have refused to accept them, reports Indian Express on January 21. According to Border Security Force (BSF) officials in Delhi there was no question of India accepting them as Bangladesh authorities have not yet provided any evidence of the Rohingya having crossed over from India. A Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) official stated that ‘It is definitely not a case of BSF pushing Rohingya across the border as no one would push 31 people together. However, how and from where they reached where they are at the moment is a matter of investigation. Unless it is proven that they crossed over from India, there is no reason why we should accept them’. Read less...

The indefinite economic blockade by All Moran Students Union (AMSU) paralyzed life along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border area, reports The Sentinel on January 21. AMSU launched the indefinite economic blockade demanding to scrap the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), 2016, granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) Status to Moran community, conferring Permanent Residential Certificate (PRC) to the indigenous Moran people living in Arunachal Pradesh and scrapping the decision to privatize oil fields. The agitations had severely affected the movements of commercial vehicles including the transportation of oil, domestic gas and other goods and commodities. Read less...

Yung Aung led faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) has called for a ‘boycott’ of India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26 which “in all Naga areas including Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states’, reports Morung Express on January 21. The call for boycott was issued in a press release by ‘minister in charge of publicity’ (MIP) ‘major’ Joseph Lamkang. Read less...

Border Security Force (BSF) on January 22 handed over the 31 Rohingyas, who were stranded on the India-Bangladesh border for four days, reports Assam Tribune. The 31 Rohingyas, who had apparently come from Jammu and Kashmir, were stuck in no-man’s land, beyond the barbed wire fence along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Tripura since January 18. The decision to hand over the Rohingyas to the Tripura Police was taken after the BSF and the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) failed to reach a decision during talks on the issue. Read less...

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) on January 22 stated that under the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill- CAB, nobody would be granted Indian citizenship without the consent of the respective state government, reports Northeast Today. UMHA spokesperson Ashok Prasad stated, "Without the state government’s recommendations, no one will be given Indian citizenship’. He also added that ‘Each and every individual application for Indian citizenship will have to be inquired into by the District Magistrate (DM), who will analyse each case and give recommendations to the state government. The state government also has to do its inquiry through its agencies". UMHA sources also stated that Government is mulling to incentivise people seeking citizenship for settling anywhere in India except for North East. Read less...

Tripura United Indigenous People’s Council (TUIPC), a joint body of 48 returnee insurgent organisations on January 22, announced a series of joint movements with all Tripura-based tribal parties and organisations from January 26 against Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), reports Indian Express. Former All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) leader Ranjit Debbarma who is the leader of TUIPC stated that ‘We have formed a joint forum called TUIPC with 48 returnee insurgent forums. We vehemently oppose the citizenship bill. This bill violates the conditions agreed in the 1993 ATTF Peace Accord. We seek the Central Government and State Government to respect the peace accord’. He also claimed that all tribal wings of national political parties like Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP) Janajati Morcha, Congress ST Department, Tripura Upajati Gana Mukti Parishad – Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) tribal frontal organization have assured to join them in the agitations. Besides, Tripura’s ruling tribal ally Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) would join the movement as well. Read less...

An unidentified National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) linkman was arrested on January 23, from Changlang town market in Changlang District, reports UNI. He was arrested while extorting from shop keepers in Changlang market. Read less...

Around 30 indigenous organisations along with All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) gathered in Latasil ground in Guwahati in Kamrup Metropolitan District to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) 2019, reports Northeast Today on January 23. Read less...

Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has extended its support to 70 organisations that are opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019, reports Nagaland Post on January 22. The AGP President, Atul Bora stated, "We are for a unified movement against the citizenship bill. Everyone is committed to stop the bill from being ratified". Bora had also extended his party’s support to AASU anti-bill rally on January 23. Read less...

Director General of Police (DGP) Akhil Kumar Shukla stated on January 23, that Border Security Force (BSF) and state Police have increased vigilance along India-Bangladesh border to check the movement of Rohingyas, reports Assam Tribune on January 23. Earlier, on January 20, 2019, 30 Rohingyas were arrested from the state in North Tripura District. Read less...

Following the investigation of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terrorist, Qamar-uz-Zaman case, National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 23, investigated some people at Lanka Police Station in Hojai District, reports The Sentinel. Pallab Bhattacharya, Special Director General of Police (SDGP) said, ‘It is a process of investigation, a team of NIA had visited Lanka to investigate the case which they have registered against Hizbul Terrorist Qamar-uz-Zaman’. NIA had taken over the case in October 2018. Earlier, Zaman was brought to Assam on a transit remand from Uttar Pradesh. He was later produced before the court on October 7, by a team of Assam Police. Read less...

Government of India (GoI) on January 23 cleared amendment to Article 280 and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, reports Assam Tribune. The move envisages improving the financial resources and administrative powers of the Autonomous District Councils (ADC) of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura. The amendment also paves the way for constitution of State Finance Commissions in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura. Union Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that a cabinet meeting approved the landmark amendment that will significantly increase financial resources and powers of the Autonomous Districts Councils in the four North-eastern states. The amendment proposes to rename the existing autonomous councils as Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC), Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council (DHATC), Garo Hills Autonomous Territorial Council (GHATC), Khasi Hills Autonomous Territorial Council (KHATC), Jaintia Hills Autonomous Territorial Council (JHATC) and Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous Territorial Council (TTAATC) as the present jurisdiction of these councils extends to more than one District. The amendment also provides for transfer of additional 30 subjects, including public works department, forest, public health engineering, health and family welfare, urban development, and food and civil supply to KAATC and DHATC in Assam. The Union Minister also added that amendment will fulfil the commitments made under Memoranda of Settlement (MoS) signed by the Government of India, state governments of Assam and Meghalaya, United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) and A’chik National Volunteers’ Council (ANVC). Read less...

Joint Committee on Prevention of Illegal Immigrants (JCPI) demanded that the Government-constituted Committee, to streamline the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system and curbing the influx of illegal immigrant in the State, submits its report to the State Government within 10 days, reports Assam Tribune on January 23. Failing this, it warned that it would resort to agitation to protect the state from illegal immigrants. Earlier, the Nagaland Government on August 18, 2018 set up the committee headed by Abhishek Singh, Commissioner and Secretary to Chief Minister (CM), to prepare a comprehensive action plan and mechanism to streamline ILP and to effectively curb illegal immigrants. JCPI was formed by Naga civil organisations to prevent illegal immigration following the publication of National Register of Citizen (NRC) updates in Assam on July 30, 2018. Read less...

Mizoram’s NGO Coordination Committee, an umbrella organisation of civil societies and students’ bodies, has called for a boycott of the Republic Day celebrations in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), reports The Shillong Times on January 23. In a press statement issued by Chairman Vanlalruata it stated that ‘The bill necessitates stronger protest’. The press statement also added that All Government employees, students and general public would stay away from functions organised on Republic Day on January 26. Earlier, on January 23, at least 30,000 people had taken part in protests across the State against the Amendment Bill, reports Indian Express. Read less...

National Investigation Agency (NIA), on January 23, in connection with recent Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) activities in Assam, arrested a businessman at Lanka town in Hojai District of the State and also raided his business establishment at Lanka Bazar in the District, reports The Sentinel. The arrestee has been identified as Tahir Hague. Read less...

Six militant groups Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Kamatapur Liberation Organization (KLO), Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), National Liberation Front of Twipra (NLFT) and People's Democratic Council of Karbi-Longri (PDCK) have called for a ban on Republic Day (January 26) celebrations in ‘Western South East Asia (WESEA)’ region, reports E-Pao on January 23. A statement released by Alliance for Socialist Unity, Kangleipak (ASUK), which is signed by leaders of all the militant groups said, “to effectuate the ban we call a total shut-down for 12 hours, from 6 am to 6 pm, on the 26th January, 2019, in the entire WESEA region.’ Read less...

Talks between All Moran Students Union (AMSU) and government to end the indefinite economic blockade on highways in Tinsukia District failed, reports The Telegraph on January 24. AMSU ‘general secretary’ Naba Moran stated that ‘A meeting was held from 7 pm to 8 pm with the chief minister but brought no result as the government refused to accept our demands, including withdrawal of the citizenship bill’. He also added that ‘meeting of the executive committee of AMSU will be held on Friday (January 24at 11am where we will decide what to do with the blockade. It will continue till then’. Read less...

Tension prevailed following violence allegedly by Naga assailantsin the Assam-Nagaland border area of Gelakey in Sivasagar District of Assam on January 23, reports The Sentinel. As per information, some armed Naga miscreants suddenly arrived in the sector D and sector F area and reportedly threatened the villagers and tried to occupy a part of border land. Nagaland Post further adds that after labour camps, tools and materials were destroyed, purportedly meant for the construction of an Assam Police outpost under Lirmen area jurisdiction in Mokokchung District of Nagaland. Read less...

Thousands of people, including students, protested across different places in Mizoram against Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), reports Morung Express on January 23. The agitators demanded the resignation of Prime Minister (PM) and Home Minster alleging that the bill will endanger the existence of the Mizos. The rally was organised by the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP, Mizo Students' Association), a powerful student body, which had also organised an 11-hour, State-wide bandh (general shutdown strike) on January 8. MZP president said if the bill is passed, it would lead to the “total alienation of the Mizo people”. Protests were held in seven District Head Quarters and 50 other places. Read less...

Government of India (GoI) reconstituted a tribunal to adjudicate matters related to extension of ban imposed on eight insurgent groups in Manipur for five more years on January 24, reports Northeast today. In a notification, Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) said the tribunal has been set up under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and will be headed by Delhi High Court judge Justice G S Sistani. The organisations which were banned include Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) and its political wing, Revolutionary Peoples’ Front (RPF), United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and its armed wing Manipur Peoples’ Army (MPA), Peoples’ Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) and its armed wing ‘Red Army’. The others are Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and its armed wing, also called Red Army; Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup (KYKL); the Coordination Committee (CorCom) and Alliance for Socialist Unity Kangleipak (ASUK). Read less...

On January 24, four protesters were wounded and Police fired smoke bombs to disperse crowds demonstrating against Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) at Waheng Leikai in Imphal West District, reports The Telegraph. The protestors were marching towards house ofRajya Sabha(Upper House of the Indian Parliament), Member of Parliament (MP), Ksh Bhabananda Singh’s residence. Student groups involved in the protest include All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF), Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA), Students’ Union of Kangleipak (SUK) and the Apunba Irreipakki Maheirosing Singpanglup. Manipuri Students’ Association Delhi (MSAD), Socialist Students’ Union Manipur (SSU), Reformists Student Front (RSF), All Meitei Pangal Students’ Union Manipur (AMPSU) and the All Manipur Muslim Students’ Organisation also took part in the protest. As part of protest against Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System (JCILPS) organised protest meets at Lilong Bazar (Thoubal), Samurou Bazar (Imphal West) and Thoubal Babu Bazar (Thoubal) on January 24, reports Imphal Free Press. Read less...

Earlier on January 25, another IED had exploded near Lamphel power in Imphal West District. Read less...

A Nagaland State Transport (NST) bus driver, identified as Toiho Sumi, was detained on January 26 at Tsumang Ain Wokha District after the recovery of explosives, ammunition and weapons from inside the bus, reports Nagaland Post. The recovered items include three grenades, one 9mm ammunition, 12 live rounds (7.65 mm), seven live rounds (5.56 mm), one detonator, one release spring, 150 grams of explosive/gun powder and one lead acid battery. Read less...

An IED had exploded at Santa Market in Thoubal District. Read less...

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded at Lamphel Sanakeithel area in Imphal West District on January 26, reports Imphal free Press. Read less...

Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) adviser Akhil Gogoi on January 27 appealed to a 1,000-strong gathering in Tinsukia District to take to the streets and block railway tracks if the Rajya Sabha (upper house of Indian Parliament) passes the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) on January 31, reports The Telegraph. He added that ‘If the government goes ahead with the bill, we are ready to go to any extent. If needed, we are ready to say that Assam will not be a part of India. If India does not respect our identity, we will not remain with India’. Read less...

On January 27, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) claimed responsibility for all the blasts. In a statement issued by the outfit’s ‘publicity and propaganda secretary’, Leibaakngakpa Luwang said the blasts were triggered by its’ Red Army’. Read less...

The activities of the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) is on the rise, particularly in the areas of the State bordering Arunachal Pradesh, reports Assam Tribune on January 27. On the issue of new ULFA-I recruits, security sources said that ‘it is difficult to ascertain the exact number of youths who have joined the ULFA-I in recent times, but it is a fact that the number has increased in comparison to last year.’ According to security sources, most of the camps of Assam Rifles (AR) along Myanmar-India border, are located well inside Indian territory and not on the border, which gives an advantage to the militants to sneak through, reports Assam Tribune on January 27. The camps of AR cannot be created right on the zero line because of lack of infrastructure and the militants are taking advantage of the situation. Read less...

Tripura royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma on January 27 criticized the State Government over the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), reports Indian Express. He threatened that if the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government at the Centre tries to pass the Bill in Rajya Sabha (upper house of Indian Parliament) or enforce it through an ordinance, it will have consequences. He stated, ‘If they try to pass it in the Rajya Sabha or enforce it with an ordinance, we shall show them that we might be a small state but we are less than no one else. People of Tripura would stand with “the country” against politics’. He was speaking at a protest organised by Tripura United Indigenous People’s Council (TUIPC), a joint body of 48 returnee insurgent organisations, organised the protest against CAB bill. Read less...

Civil society organisations based in the Hills and Valley Districts of the State have come together and formed a core committee of 66 organisations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) 2019, reports The Sangai Express on January 29. Moreover, a 24 hour State-wide general strike has been called on January 31 against the CAB. Some of the organisations who are part of the core committee are Kuki Inpi Manipur, Zeliangrong Union (ZU), United Vaiphei Social Council (UVSC), Kabui Mothers’ Association (KMA), Kuki Women Union Manipur, Manipur Muslim Welfare Organisation (MMWO), All Manipur Muslim Development Committee (AMMDC), Kom Union, Koireng Youth Organisation Manipur (KYOM), Indigenous Minority Organisation Manipur (IMOM), All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) and Komrem Union Manipur. Read less...

A Kangleipak Communist Party-Noyon (KCP-Noyon) militant was arrested, on January 29, from Langthaba area in Imphal West District, reports Imphal Free Press. The arrestee was identified as Laishram Bikram Singh aliasMaipak. Read less...

All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) blocked National Highways in the State on January 29 against Police atrocities and alleged attacks by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members in Nalbari in Nalbari District, reports The Telegraph. AASU has also announced series of agitations and hunger strikes from January 31 against Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) 2019. AASU’s Tinsukia unit staged a road blockade at Hijuguri and its Guwahati unit blocked the National Highway at Basistha Chariali. Massive protests against the alleged assault on AASU volunteers were also staged near the railway crossing at Makum town in Tinsukia District. On February 4, they will stage statewide 10-hour hunger strikes from 6 am till 4 pm simultaneously; they will hold village-level meetings. Separately, All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union, Duliajan, took out a rally on January 29 demanding scrapping of CAB. Read less...

An Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal formed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) would visit Tripura from February 2 to record evidence against National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), reports Morung Express on January 30. UMHA had imposed a fresh five year ban on the outfits on October 3, 2018. Read less...

During a search operation, on January 29, Security Forces (SFs) rescued an abducted boy identified as ChingangbamSunson Singh from Bishnupur area in Bishnupur District, reports The Sangai Express. The abductee was missing since January 21. A Kuki National Front-Nehlun faction (KNF-Nehlun) militant identified as Seigoulal Haokipalias Hegou, suspected to be the abductor of the child was arrested from Bishnupur Forest Gate. One 7.65 mm pistol with magazine and one round of ammunition; one 5.56 mm Colt AR-15 rifle (US made) with 3 magazine and 77 rounds of live ammunition was recovered from him Read less...

Eight organisations of the Chakma community on January 29 submitted a memorandum to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) seeking the inclusion of Chin refugees in India by further amending the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) 2019, reports The Hindu. The Joint Parliamentary Committee that submitted its recommendations to the Centre after a series of discussions with stakeholders had rejected suggestions to include minorities from Myanmar and Sri Lanka. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW) report there is an estimated 100,000 Chins in Mizoram, which is 20 per cent of the total Chin population in Myanmar. According to All India Chakma Students Union President, Dilip Kanti Chakma, ‘The number of Chin refugees in India is at least 120,000. In November 2017, about 1,600 Chins, many of whom were women and children, fled to Lawngtlai District of Mizoram following a military offensive against the Arakan Army militants in that country’s Chin State. While some went back, around 1,440 refugees have reportedly refused to return due to insecurity.’ Read less...

Khango Konyak led National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) faction on January 29 resolved to “partner and participate” in the ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogue alongside Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), reports Nagaland Post. With the addition of NSCN-K faction NNPG now has seven members. NSCN-K stated that Khango Konyak and ‘general secretary’, ‘colonel (retired) Isak Sumi decided to join the Working Committee (WC) of NNPGs, maintaining its identity and as partner in the ongoing political negotiations with the Government of India. The decision to this effect was made on January 29, after which a ‘deed agreement’ was jointly signed by ‘convenor’ and four ‘co-conveners’ of WC NNPGs, and NSCN-K ‘president’ Khango Konyak. Meanwhile, the grouping further resolved that all the signatories of the agreement should mandatorily enforce the ‘anti-defection agreement’, reports Nagaland Post. Defections among NNPGs were identified as one of the reason of reverses to the ‘Naga cause’. Importantly, as per the ‘deed agreement’, the members resolved to offer 10 days (with effect from January 29) to all defectors to return to their parent organizations, failing which, the NNPGs WC shall jointly decide on the course of action deemed necessary adds the report. Read less...

Official twitter handle of the Eastern Army Command tweeted on January 29, that an Over Ground Worker (OGW) of United Liberation Font of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) was arrested from DangriKumar in Charaideo District. Explosive material and a detonator were recovered from the arrestee. Read less...

Ten political parties of the Northeast and Janta Dal (JD-United) met in Guwahati on January 29 to announce their “unanimous opposition” to CAB, reports Indian Express. The meeting saw the participation of key BJP allies in the region, including the National People’s Party, which leads the coalition in Meghalaya; the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), which leads the coalition in Nagaland; the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), which is an ally of the BJP in Tripura; and the Mizo National Front (MNF), which is the ruling party in Mizoram. The meeting was convened by Meghalaya Chief Minister (CM) Conrad Sangma and hosted by the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which had earlier walked out of the BJP-led Assam government following disagreements over the Bill. The Meghalaya CM stated that the meeting passed a resolution that all the parties “jointly opposed” the Bill, and a delegation would be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind soon to convey the opposition. Read less...

After Ranjan Daimary of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) was sentenced to life imprisonment, security agencies are keeping a close watch on the cadres of NDFB, reports Assam Tribune on January 31. Despite the arrest, officials stated that the Government did not oppose the bail plea of Ranjan Daimary as his presence was required for ongoing peace talks with NDFB. He was awarded the life imprisonment for his role in the 2008 serial blasts in Assam. According to sources, Ranjan Daimary and a few of his close associates, who were in Bangladesh planned the blasts. Read less...

Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) which had held a consultative meeting with the working committee of Naga National Political Groups (NNPG-WC) in Chumukedima in Dimapur District of Nagaland on January 30 stated that the ongoing Naga peace process need to be expedited, reports Assam Tribune on January 31. JLF members included Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang. Read less...

National Investigation Agency (NIA) furnished relevant papers related with the supplementary charge sheet filed against Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) chairman David Hangshing on January 30, in connection with the missing arms case, reports Imphal Free Press. Earlier, NIA submitted supplementary charge sheet against Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), YamgthongHaokip, United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) ‘chief’, SosonHaokip and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) ‘chairman’ in connection with the same case. According to statement made by Chief Minister, N. Biren on the celebration of the State Hood Day, 2019, he claimed out of the 56 missing arms a total of around 45 missing arms were recovered after the case was handed over to NIA. Read less...

NDFB has called for 24-hour Assam bandh (general shut down) on January 31, reports Nagaland Post. In a press release, NDFB ‘general secretary’ B Ohnjalu said that the sit down has been declared in the light of life sentence awarded to its ‘president’ and nine others by the CBI special court on January 30, 2019. Read less...

The ‘president’ of the Ranjan Daimary faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-R), Ranjan Daimary, and nine other members of the outfit were sentenced to life imprisonment by a CBI special court on January 30, orchestrating 2008 Assam serial blasts which killed more than 80 people, reports Morung Express. The life sentence was awarded to Daimary, George Bodo, B Tharai, Raju Sarkar, Anchai Bodo, Indra Brahma, Loko Basumatary, Khargeswar Basumatary, Ajay Basumatary and RajenGoyary Three other convicts – Prabhat Bodo, Jayanti Basumatary and Mathura Brahma – will be released after they pay a fine imposed by the court. NDFB ‘chief’ told reporters that he would appeal to a higher court against his conviction. He also added that “Bodoland will be created as we continue to serve our jail sentence’. Nine serial blasts were triggered by the NDFB on October 30, 2008 — three each in Guwahati and Kokrajhar, two in Barpeta and one in Bongaigaon. Read less...

National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) ‘general secretary’ Thuingaleng Muivah, will be in Nagaland on February 4, where he is expected to hold a series of meetings with high level functionaries of NSCN-IM, reports Nagaland Post. During the visit decision on appointment of ‘chairman’ and ‘vice chairman’ of NSCN-IM will be taken up. The post fell vacant after the death of Issak Swu in 2016. Read less...

Supporting the 24 hours general strike called by Manipur People against Citizenship Amendment Bill (MPACAB) for passingCitizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), nine political parties jointly staged a protest rally at Irawat Bhavan in Imphal West District on January 31, reports Imphal Free Press. The secretary of Communist Party of India, Manipur State Unit, L. Sotinkumar said that the nine political parties have informed national leaders and national political parties that they strongly opposed the bill and will never give up on their demand till it is being withdrawn. The nine Political parties which attended the rally include CPI, CPI-M Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP); Forward Bloc; Nationalist Congress Party (NCP); Aam Aadmi Party (AAP); Peoples’ Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRAJA); Janata Dal (Secular), (JDS) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Read less...

The 12-hour Assam general shut down called by NDFB on January 31, to protest against the life sentences awarded to its president Ranjan Daimary and nine others affected normal life in the four Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD), reports Morung Express. However, no incident of violence was reported during the shutdown. Read less...