Assam (Insurgency North East): Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2011

The chairman of the banned outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Arabinda Rajkhowa was formally released from the Guwahati Central jail in Assam on January 1 at around 8.30am, according to Assam Tribune. Read less...

Two militants belonging to the Pro-Talks Faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-PTF) and a civilian were shot dead by unidentified militants on January 1 in village Mukuldang of Kokrajhar District, reports Nagaland Post. A Police officer said that, “The gunmen entered the village and opened indiscriminate firing on a group of people in which two NDFB-PTF and a daily wage earner were killed.” Three other locals were injured in the attack. “We are investigating into the incident and so far we have no clue,” the officer said. However, NDFB-PTF accused the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) of carrying out the attack. Read less...

Assam Government spokesman Hemanta Biswa Sarma on January 3 said that the Government would pave the way for the general council meeting of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) so that the outfit could reach a consensus and submit its proposal to the Government, reports Sentinel. He said that, “The Government wants to lift the ban imposed on the ULFA, but prior to that the outfit has to drop its demand for sovereignty and shun violence. Talks with the outfit should be sustainable, leading to peace, not to another round of violence in the State. The Government will give a special permission to the ULFA for holding its general council meeting so that it can reach a consensus and submit its proposal to the Government.” Read less...

ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa apologized, on behalf of the outfit, for the killing of innocent people by the ULFA during its three-decade-long struggle. Interacting with reporters on the Lakuwa School premises in Sivasagar District, Rajkhowa termed the killings “undesired” and “unplanned mistake”. The outfit is facing wrath from various quarters for its involvement in the killing of many innocent people. Read less...

A three-member team of the Bodo People’s Front (BPF) led by Bodo Territorial Committee (BTC) Chairman Hagrama Mohilary met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi and raised five demands before him. The demands, according to sources, are: (1) immediate announcement of a unilateral ceasefire by the Centre with the Anti Talks Faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-ATF), (2) initiation of the peace process with the NDFB, (3) status to the Bodos living in Karbi Anglong, (4) raising Central grants for the BTC up to INR one billion and (5) the setting up of a medical college, a veterinary college and an agricultural university for Bodo area. Prior to its meeting with the Prime Minister, the BFP team also met Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in New Delhi where Hagrama reassured Gogoi of continuing the Congress-BPF alliance in the forthcoming Assembly election. Read less...

Assam Government January 5 said that ULFA will have to give up its demand for sovereignty and use of violence before the ban on the outfit was lifted, reports Shillong Times. "ULFA will have to formally give up its demand for sovereignty and abjure violence before steps can be taken to revoke the ban," said Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma. He said the Government will grant special permission to ULFA's top brass, including its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, for holding their central executive council meeting. On January 1, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had announced that the ban on ULFA can be lifted if necessary, though operations will continue against those outfit cadres who still resort to violence. Read less...

Centre's interlocutor, P.C. Haldar, indicated that the dialogue with ULFA may begin in the next few weeks, ahead of the Assam Assembly polls. He said that the Government and the ULFA leadership were inching closer to start the parleys for bringing a lasting peace into the North-eastern state. "We have moved a little further. Now, I think, we are closer to the stage where we should start the formal peace process," he added. Read less...

The judgment on the bail petitions of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) ‘finance secretary’ Chitraban Hazarika and 'foreign secretary' Sasha Choudhury is expected to be pronounced by the Special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) Court, Guwahati on January 7, reports Assam Tribune. The special public prosecutor on January 5 filed the affidavit on behalf of the Home Department stating that it has no objection if both the ULFA leaders were granted bail. Read less...

At least five persons have been killed by January 6 as Garo and Rabha tribals clashed along the Meghalaya-Assam border, reports Indian Express. The clashes between the two tribes erupted on New Year's day when the Rabhas attacked a wedding party of the Garos and also targeted a Garo pastor. Curfew continued for the second consecutive day on January 6 in areas under six Police Stations — Rangjuli, Dudhnoi, Krishnai and Dhupdhora in Assam and Mendipathar and Resubelpara in Meghalaya— with the army deployed on the Assam side and the Border Security Forces (BSF) on the Meghalaya side. Meanwhile, The Union Government sanctioned five more companies of paramilitary forces for the State to tackle the situation, adds Shillong Times.The additional forces are expected to arrive by January 8 morning, Meghalaya Chief Secretary WMS Pariat said on January 7. He informed, so far 5100 people in Meghalaya and 30,000 in Assam have been displaced due to the ethnic strife. The Meghalaya Government has so far set up 10 relief camps including two for the Rabhas. Assam Government also set up around 15 to 20 relief camps, Pariat said. Read less...

The Progressive (pro-talks) faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-pro-talks) questioned the special treatment meted out to ULFA leaders and demanded “equal” treatment for all organisations and leaders currently bound by ceasefire agreements. It also expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress of the Bodo peace process and called a 12-hour national highway and economic blockade from 5am (IST) on January 10. In a statement, the ‘information and publicity secretary’ of the NDFB-pro-talks, S. Sanjarang, questioned the Government’s stand on ULFA, saying, “We want the State and Union Governments to clarify the status of ULFA. Has it surrendered or signed a suspension of operation agreement? Why is its chairman being escorted by a police convoy, like some high-profile government official?” He added, “We have nothing to say about the willingness of any leader of any organisation coming for talks with the Government. But the formalities of entering into a peace process should be equal for all leaders and organisations, without any discrimination.” Read less...

United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa on January 6 made an appeal to the Union Government to ensure that the outfit’s ‘General Secretary’, Anup Chetia, who is currently under detention in Bangladesh, could participate in the peace talks, reports Telegraph. Rajkhowa made the request during his meeting with the Union Government’s interlocutor, P. C. Haldar, at Guwahati. This is the first formal meeting between the ULFA ‘chairman’ and Haldar after the former’s release from jail. Besides Rajkhowa, ULFA ‘deputy commander-in-chief’ Raju Barua was also present at the meeting that lasted for about two hours. After coming out of the meeting, Rajkhowa told reporters that he had appealed to the Centre to bring back Anup Chetia from Bangladesh so that he could also participate in the talk process. Read less...

The militants belonging to the Anti-Talks Factions of Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF-ATF) formally rechristened itself as Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger (KPLT) on January 8, reports Sentinel. In the foundation day celebration programme headed by Jing Hanse, deputy ‘commander-in-chief’, of the outfit and flag was hoisted by Nilip Enghi, general secretary-cum publicity in-charge, KPLT. During an interaction with the reporters, Nilip Enghi criticized the KLNLF and said that KPLT is pledged to fight until the autonomous state is formed. Read less...

The United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) on January 7 ruled out any possibility of the outfit entering electoral politics after signing the proposed peace accord, reports Telegraph. The UPDS ‘general secretary’ Saiding-Eh alias Horensing Bey dismissed speculation that the group was planning to float a political party after the outfit is disbanded in the wake of signing the accord. "The main demand of the UPDS is creation of a separate state for the Karbis, which is yet to be achieved. For the time being, we have agreed to greater autonomy for Karbi Anglong for the sake of restoring peace in the trouble-torn District, showing respect to the wishes of the people," he said. "However, we will continue with our statehood demand in a peaceful and democratic manner and till we achieve our goal, there is no question of the UPDS entering electoral politics," Saiding-Eh added. Read less...

The ‘commander-in-chief’ of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Paresh Baruah’s presence in the neighbouring country was confirmed by the arrested chief of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) chief R. K. Sanayaima alias Meghan, reports Times of India on January 9. Meghan confessed during interrogation that he had met the elusive 'commander-in-chief' of ULFA during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Highly-placed sources said the Manipuri militant leader also told National Investigative Agency (NIA) investigators that both of them had intensive talks in Shanghai about the activities of the two outfits, future plans, arms procurement, and the casualties suffered during the offensive launched by Security Forces. Read less...

Eleven journalists of Karbi Anglong District abducted on January 9 by Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), were rescued by Security Forces after an hour of encounter, reports Assam Tribune. However, the militants managed to escape. KLNLF militants, who abducted the Journalists, took them to a remote place where the militants organised a press meet and put pressure on them to publish certain news in favour of them. Read less...

United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa, alias Rajiv Rajkonwar, on January 9 said that “militancy was not able to solve any problem in last 30 years”, reports. “We want to solve the ethnic problems of Assam, so that a true democratic atmosphere will prevail where every one will be free to speak up for the safety and security of Assamese people”, he added. Rajkhowa said no one was above the people of Assam. “We are not going to compromise on anything secretly. We have no desire for power, nor do we have anything to do with election. We want to solve the problems of Assam through dialogue with dignity,” Rajkhowa added further. Read less...

At least nine persons have been killed by January 10 in the Rabha-Garo ethnic clash that began on January 1. However, Telegraph puts the casualty figure at 10. A Union Home Ministry team led by joint secretary (Northeast) Sambhu Singh visited strife-torn areas in both Assam and Meghalaya on January 10. The visiting team said the clashes appeared "well-planned" and did not rule out the hand of "underground groups." Singh ruled out fresh deployment of Army but said the Centre was considering sending more paramilitary forces after holding talks with officials of East Garo Hills and Goalpara administration at Resubelpara circuit house in Meghalaya. He said around 50,000 people have been displaced in the clashes between Garo and Rabha groups and efforts would be made to rehabilitate them at the earliest. Read less...

Chief Minister (CM) Tarun Gogoi said that Assam Government will not to oppose bail plea of NDFB-ATF ‘chairman’ Ranjan Daimary. Gogoi said the NDFB faction led by its chairman Ranjan Daimary, who is now in jail after his handover to Indian authority by Bangladesh 2010, has already sent a letter to Assam Government conveying its decision to declare unilateral truce which had been reciprocated positively by the Government after weighing pros and cons and in the interest of restoring peace in Bodo tribe dominated areas in the state. Read less...

Ranjan Daimary, the arrested ‘chairman’ of the anti-talks faction (ATF) of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-ATF), on January 10 declared a unilateral ceasefire for six months, reports Telegraph. Within hours of the declaration, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary sought suspension of operations against NDFB-ATF. Talking to reporters when he was brought to the court in Guwahati, Daimary said that in the intervening period they would not indulge in any act of violence and cease hostilities. He said their decision to declare a unilateral ceasefire had been conveyed to the Union Government. “Now it is the responsibility of the Government to take the peace initiative forward. The ball is in their court now,” Daimary added. Sources said the outfit had recently sent a letter declaring unilateral ceasefire to the Centre through Bodoland National Conference (BNC), adding that Daimary’s sister Anjali Daimary, a member of the BNC’s convening committee, was playing a key role in this process. Read less...

Tarun Gogoi ruled out general amnesty for members of the ULFA despite an atmosphere amenable for talks to start indicating that members of the outfit would have to go through the legal process for acts of violence. But, the CM said his Government was not averse to ensuring ‘safe passage’ for elusive ULFA cadres during the mid-January Magh Bihu (harvesting festival) and the mid-April Bohag Bihu festivals. Read less...

Two top ranking United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) leaders, ‘foreign secretary’ Sasha Choudhury and ‘finance secretary’ Chitraban Hazarika, were granted bail on January 10 by a special TADA court paving the way for their release on January 11 (today). Read less...

A senior Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) leader from Chhattisgarh, Pijush Kanti Acharjee (64), was arrested while undergoing treatment for a snake-bite at the Guwahati Medical College Hospital in Assam on January 12, reports Times of India. "He was admitted there on December 28. We had received inputs about him from Army intelligence officials. We searched the hospital and traced him on January 3," sources added. Acharjee was bitten by a snake in the jungles of Dantewada in Chhattisgarh. Born in Shillong (Meghalaya), Acharjee, shifted to Dantewada to join the Maoists. After the snake-bite, he first went to a relative's house in Siliguri (West Bengal) for treatment. Later, he was brought to Guwahati. Read less...

Bodo National Conference, an umbrella organization of 23 different Bodo political parties and organizations, demanded the State Government to facilitate the release of Ranjan Daimary, chief of the anti-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-ATF) to pave the way for peaceful political dialogue with the outfit. Read less...

Terror Victims Family Forum, a forum representing the victims of the militant group’s activities demanded that it should also be made party to the ULFA-Government peace talks for an amicable and permanent solution. Read less...

ULFA ‘finance secretary’ Chitraban Hazarika, the last ‘central committee’ member of the outfit in prison, released from Guwahati Central Jail, reports the Assam Tribune. After being released from jail, Hazarika said that illegal migrants from Bangladesh must be deported from Assam and demanded special measures to stop illegal influx from the neighbouring country. Read less...

United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) ‘foreign secretary’ Sasha Chaudhury who was released on January 10 from the Guwahati central jail after being granted bail, said that solving the ULFA problem was not possible under the Constitution of India, reports Assam Tribune. Addressing a public meeting in the Nalbari College field, the senior ULFA leader said that to find a solution to the differences between ‘Assam’ and India, the Union Government should amend the Constitution. He called upon the people to extend pressure on the Indian government to amend the Constitution. He also tendered apology for all the mistakes committed by the outfit during their struggle. For the first time, he also raised his voice against the illegal Bangladeshi migrants, by admitting that they pose a serious threat to the State. “If I get the scope to take part in the negotiation to be held with the Indian Government, then my agenda will include this vital issue,” he added. He also predicted that the Bangladeshi issue will shortly emerge as a serious threat to Delhi. Read less...

Deputy commander-in-chief’ of NDFB-ATF George Bodo, who was produced before the Court of Judicial Magistrate (First Class) in Guwahati, was remanded to another four days’ custody to the CBI. Earlier, the NDFB leader was granted five days’ custody, which expired January 13. Read less...

A 16-member delegation of Bodo National Conference (BNC) led by Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary called for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention in resolving the vexed militancy problem by engaging both the factions of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) more vigorously on January 15, reports Assam Tribune. Read less...

As the ‘central committee’ United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) leaders in jail were out on bail, the Sanmilita Jatiya Abhibartan (SJA) is set to recommend a charter of demands that might form the basis of peace talks between the union Government and ULFA, reports The Telegraph. The SJA, a forum of leading citizens and organisations, was formed on April 24, 2010, to prepare a roadmap for lasting peace in the State vis-à-vis ULFA and the Government, has been hailed by the released leaders as well as Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for its role in the proposed peace talks so far. According to the SJA chief convenor and one of Assam’s leading intellectuals, Hiren Gohain, the six sub-committees entrusted with the responsibility of preparing the charter of demands would be submitting their reports soon to the 11-member steering committee. Read less...

Interpol is likely to issue notices against three more accused in the 2008 Assam serial blasts, namely Tarun Swargiary, Tensu Narzary alias Thungri Boro and J. Daimary, as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) received inputs about their presence in Bangladesh, reports Shillong Times on January 17. The Interpol had earlier issued red corner notices against two key accused in the blasts named among the 19 charge-sheeted by CBI. But the affiliations of the three accused are not disclosed. Read less...

The Central Government wants the anti-talks Faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-ATF) headed by Ranjan Daimary to abjure violence before formal talks get underway, reports Assam Tribune. The Centre’s pre-condition was conveyed by Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram to the delegation of Bodo National Conference (BNC) led by Bodo Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary on January 17. He also said that the Central Government would like to talk to both factions of the NDFB together and not separately, adds Telegraph. Read less...

India and Bangladesh began a two-day joint secretary level security meeting to discuss cooperation on sharing terror-related information, firing incidents along the border and exchange of prisoners as New Delhi pressed for extradition of ‘general secretary’ of ULFA Anup Chetia, reports Sentinel. Read less...

The rifts within the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) deepened as the leaders of the outfit had difference of opinion regarding the demands of ULFA in the ‘central executive council meeting’, the highest decision making body, held on January 18 at Nalbari District, reports Shillong Times. The Anti-Talks Faction of the ULFA led by ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah contradicted the position of ‘chairman‘ Arabinda Rajkhowa and demanded complete sovereignty for Assam. In an email statement he asserted that they would continue with their struggle until the sovereignty of Assam was achieved. The central executive council meeting was also attended by the released leaders of ULFA. Read less...

The Security Forces (SFs) arrested a cadre belonging to the Anti Talks Faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-ATF), identified as Sosen Narzary (42), on January 18 from Mazbat area of Darrang District and recovered a cash amount of INR 40,000, a pistol with ammunition and other objectionable materials from his possession, reports Sentinel. The arrested cadre confessed his involvement in the ongoing extortion drive as per the instruction of senior leaders of the NDFB-ATF. Read less...

A cadre belonging to NDFB-ATF, identified as Abinash Brahma (21), was arrested along with three-and-a-half kilograms of RDX and 30 detonators from Bijini in Chirang District. Read less...

The ‘commander-in-chief’ of ULFA, Paresh Baruah, is yet to change his stand on the issue of talks, reports Assam Tribune. He also claimed that he was fully prepared to continue the arms struggle till the ‘goal’ of the ULFA is achieved. Read less...

The drivers and handymen of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) Bullet tankers launched a stir at Sekmai on January 19 in protest against the abduction of two of their colleagues drivers and one handyman by armed cadres of Karbi People’s Liberation Front (KPLF) in connection with an extortion demand of INR 50 lakhs from a place between Golaghat and Garampani of Assam. Armed cadres of KPLF opened fire at the Bullet tankers on January 16, 2011 and abducted the two drivers and one handyman. Read less...

The leaders of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) led by ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa met on January 19 at Baganpara area near India-Bhutan border in Baksa District over the issue of talks with Government. Sources in Nalbari informed that about 200 ULFA cadres and leaders have come out of hiding and taking shelter in makeshift camps at residential campuses of recently released ULFA ‘deputy commander in chief’ Raju Barua and ‘foreign secretary’ Sasadhar Choudhury. Read less...

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the peace process with ULFA is on the right track for a permanent solution to the insurgency problem of the state and will continue even without the group’s ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah. It is to be recalled here that New Delhi has appointed P.C. Haldar as the peace interlocutor for the talks and the ULFA leadership earlier held a preliminary round of meeting with him in Guwahati. Read less...

Possibility of Anup Chetia being handed over to India soon seems unlikely, as the general secretary’s petition seeking political asylum in Bangladesh is still pending in court. Sources said that Chetia’s early hand over was discussed during the Home Secretary-level talks in Dhaka that concluded on January 20. Read less...

United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) began its central executive meeting on January 20 after about eight years at Choria village in Nalbari District under its ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa aimed at working out modalities for opening formal peace talks with the Union Government. Apart from Rajkhowa, those taking part in the meeting include ‘vice chairman’ Pradeep Gogoi, ‘deputy commander-in-chief’ Raju Baruah, ‘foreign secretary’ Sasha Choudhury, ‘finance secretary’ Chitraban Hazarika, ‘publicity chief’ Mithinga Daimary, ‘cultural secretary’ Pranati Deka, and political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain. Assam Tribune adds that the executive meeting reportedly passed five resolutions including the decision to hold the general council meeting within the month of February 2011. However, the ULFA leadership maintained secrecy regarding the decisions of the executive body meeting. The sources added that the executive meeting decided to send a letter to ULFA’s commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah to invite him to join the proposed peace talks. They also decided to mount pressure on the Union Government for handing over ULFA’s ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia, who is in the custody of Bangladesh government. Read less...

In a joint operation of Army and Police, one Anti Talks Faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-ATF) rebel, identified as Jona Basumatary alias B. Hojai (23) of Balajhar, Bengtol was arrested on January 21 at Kokrajhar of Chirang District under Basgaon P.S, reports Sentinel. One 9 mm pistol with some live magazines were also recovered from the rebel. Read less...

In a video clip sent to local TV channels on January 21, the self-styled 'commander-in-chief' of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Paresh Baruah and his followers in the outfit made it clear that they were opposed to the 'so-called' peace process being pursued by the Central Government with the Pro Talks Faction of the ULFA (ULFA-PTF) leaders led by its 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa. The video clip contains slogans rejecting the peace talks and reiterating his original demand for an "independent" Assam. "We do not support the so-called peace talks. We want independence," slogans clearly audible in the video clip said. An e-mail, signed by Arundoy Dohotia, self-styled ‘commander’ of the publicity wing of the outfit, attached with the video footage stated that the ‘slogans are the slogans of the indigenous people, which the Government of India and the so-called peace brokers should realize’, adds Assam Tribune. It also showed over 100 ULFA cadres - including few women cadres - in uniform, wielding sophisticated weapons and shouting the slogans. Read less...

Pro-Talks Faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA-PTF) leader Mrinal Hazarika demanded immediate ouster of the ‘chief’ of Anti-Talks Faction of ULFA (ULFA-ATF) Paresh Baruah for his arbitrary decisions on the issue of peace talks, flouting organizational discipline. Read less...

security alert was sounded across northeast India on January 23 after militant outfits announced a boycott of the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. “We have placed Security Forces (SFs) on high alert to ensure that militants are not able to create violence ahead of the Republic Day celebrations,” Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said. Six militant outfits in the northeastern region, namely the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the Anti-Talks Faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-ATF), Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF), the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), and the Tripura People’s Democratic Front (TPDF) called a boycott of the Republic Day and also a general strike on January 26. “Let us not forget that under the Indian colonial occupation the future of the people of this region is doomed. We have to fight Indian colonial rule to regain our sovereignty and independence so that we can survive and exist with dignity,” a militant statement said. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) killed two United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) cadres, identified as Arup Chowrak (22) and Kanteswar Chetia (28), in an encounter at Budlabetta under Doomdooma Police Station in Tinsukia District on January 23. SFs also recovered one 7.65mm pistol, two live rounds of ammunition, three hand grenades and two cell phones. Read less...

A powerful bomb planted by unidentified militants on a rail bridge exploded damaging a portion of the tracks and derailing a goods train in North Cachar Hills District on January 25, reports Times of India. Official sources said that the bomb, placed on Rail Bridge near Lower Haflong Bridge, exploded in the afternoon derailing the engine of a goods train which was on its way from Lumding to Silchar. There was, however, no report of any casualty or injuries, the sources said. Read less...

Dispur asserted that it would not be cowed down by ULFA’s threats and that counter-insurgency operations would continue, reports Telegraph. Dispur responded sternly to ULFA’s threat with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi saying, “Those killed were genuine ULFA cadres. Operations will continue as before along with the ongoing peace efforts. We will not remain silent if somebody tries to derail the ongoing peace process. Those opposed to the process are foreign agents”. Read less...

The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) claimed on January 24 that the two youths killed by Security Forces (SFs) in Tinsukia District were innocent villagers and not its cadres, reports Nagaland Post. ULFA’s ‘publicity in-charge’ Arunodoy Dohotiya in an e-mail claimed that Arup Chowrak and Kanteswar Chetia were residents of Goriating village in the Makum Police Station area and were picked up by SFs while cycling back to the village. “The state Government is resorting to fake encounters to wipe out the indigenous Assamese and this will not be tolerated by us,” the e-mail warned, adding that the outfit would be forced to strike back if its patience was tested. Read less...

United National Liberation Front (UNLF) ‘Chairman’ R.K. Meghen alias Sanayaima was produced before the Special Court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) at Guwahati for the fourth time on January 24 and the NIA Special Court remanded Meghen to judicial custody for 14 days till February 7, 2011. Along with Meghen, five other arrested leaders of UNLF, Identified as Nongyai alias Joy, S. Ramesh, M. Landhoni and M. Ibohal who were charged as UNLF cadres and Dilip Nath of Guwahati, who was arrested on charge of providing shelter to UNLF cadres, were also produced before the NIA Special Court and the Court ordered them to appear before it on February 7. Read less...

A top Home Department official said on January 25 that the Assam Government’s talk of providing “safe passage” for the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) rebels to facilitate peace talks will have no bearing in Meghalaya, reports Sentinel. The official’s statement came amid reports that most of the ULFA men belonging to the 109 battalion of the outfit are inclined towards the peace process. This battalion, led by Hira Sarania and others, has been using the Garo Hills stretch of the India-Bangladesh border as a transit route to Assam for violent activities. Director General of Police (DGP) S.B. Kakati said the ULFA was a banned organization, and that there was no question of giving any leeway to any of its members using the soil of Meghalaya. Read less...

Several passengers suffered bullet injuries when a Manipur bound inter State bus coming from Guwahati and heading towards Imphal was attacked by cadres of Karbi Peoples’ Liberation Tigers (KPLT) on January 25 at Deopani, under Golagat Police Station of Karbi Anglong District, reports Imphal Free Press. Five passengers, including the driver, identified as one Inao, a woman and a minor boy, identified as David Mate, were injured. One among them, Jisai Masai (12), is reported to be critical. Read less...

Three drivers, identified as one Longjam Arun (43), Thokchom Jiten (34), and Moirangthem suresh alias Nanao (19), all residents of Sekmai, who were abducted by KLPT on January 16, 2011 in connection with INR 50 lakhs demand were released on January 25 at Deopani area of Karbi Anglong. Read less...

Three militants belonging to Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Asom (MULTA), identified as Sabu Ali, Hashmat Ali and Hashimuddin Ali, were arrested by the Security Forces in the Malipara areas of Kamrup District, reports Sentinel. The SFs also recovered one 7.62 pistol, a rifle and nine live cartridges from the militants. Similarly, an improvised explosive device (IED) weighing more than two kilograms was also recovered near a bridge at Parakuchi. Read less...

Unidentified militants triggered a blast to blow up a portion of the railway track in Lumding-Badarpur metre gauge section in Dima Hasao District derailing several bogies of a goods train. Read less...

A powerful improvised explosive device (IED) was recovered by Police under a road culvert near Orang National Park in Sonitpur District on January 26. Read less...

The general council meeting of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) will be held in Tezpur in the first week of February, 2011 which will finalize the outfit’s stand on the proposed peace talks with the Government, said a top leader of ULFA. Read less...

A senior Congress leader and President of the Karbi Juthang Chingthur Amei (KJCA), Mohen Ingti, was shot dead allegedly by the Karbi militant outfit, Karbi Peoples’ Liberation Tiger (KPLT), on January 27, reports Nagaland Post. According to a Television channel report, the KLPT has mentioned that Mohen Ingti was shot dead for not heeding to the outfit’s command. Read less...

The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) ‘secretary’ Jiten Dutta said on January 28 that at a time when the ULFA’s Central Committee is making an effort to hold talks with the Union Government, videos released by ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah on January 21 created confusion over peace talks, reports Nagaland Post. The ‘secretary’ said, “They are trying to pressurize the executive committee of ULFA who are in Nalbari District (where the executive council meeting is going on). Paresh Barua’s threatening will not affect anyone from taking a decision in favour of the public of Assam.” Read less...

Police arrested six militants of a new outfit named Brihat Nadibandh Pratirudh Mancha (BNPM) including two women militants of a new outfit, from various locations in Dhemaji District on January 29, reports Telegraph. The arrested militants are identified as Kishore Das of Maj Kuruwa under Sipajhar Police station in Darrang District, Nibash Hajong of Silapathar in Dhemaji District, Dhaniram Das of Lakhipathar Koibartya village under Dhemaji Police station, Diganta Gogoi of Borguri in Tinsukia District, Jun Bora of Chowdangpathar under Merapani Police station in Golaghat District and Maneka Medhi of Pengeri in Tinsukia District. According to the Police, all the six have accepted their Maoists links while carrying out activities under the name of the Brihat Nadibandh Pratirudh Mancha (BNPM). Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) on January 29 arrested an All Adivasi National Liberation Army (AANLA) cadre, identified as Sanjay Kheria, in the Borrengajuli area of Udalguri District, reports Telegraph. A pistol, live ammunition, mobile phone and extortion letters were also recovered from his possession. Read less...

The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)’s ‘Commander-in-Chief’ Paresh Baruah is the sole arms dealer in the northeast and he reportedly gets his supplies for free from China’s state-owned China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), reports Nagaland Post on January 31. His existing clients are in Assam and Tripura and he has been also contacted by the Maoists, adds the report. Sources in Police told Times of India that interrogation of several top leaders of various militant outfits in the region indicate that Baruah is trying to take over the space (of an arms dealer) left vacant by National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah’s (NSCN-IM) Anthony Shimray. “We have interrogated several top National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) leaders who were arrested recently. They revealed that Baruah has cheated on them by not delivering arms ever after taking about INR 6 crore from them,” the report said. Read less...