NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
The government in Arunachal Pradesh has expressed concern over the outlawed National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) setting up bases and helping local tribals form a rebel army, officials said Wednesday.
"We are seriously worried about the NSCN (I-M) penetrating parts of Tirap and Changlang districts and helping local youth of the area into forming a militant group," Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Mukut Mithi said. "This is a dangerous trend that does not bode well for a peaceful state like ours," Mithi told IANS on telephone from the Arunachal Pradesh capital of Itanagar.
Mithi said he had informed the Union government about the NSCN faction that has been "inspiring" local tribal youths in Arunachal Pradesh into joining an armed rebellion. The NSCN (I-M) is continuing with its activities despite a ceasefire that is in force in Nagaland between the rebels and the Indian government.
"If not checked right now, this fledgling insurgency might snowball into a major problem for us and the Indian government as well," Mithi said, adding that "the central government seems least bothered to nip this insurgency in the bud."
The chief minister said New Delhi must realise the "gravity of the situation" and rush additional army and paramilitary forces to flush out the rebels and stop local youth from furthering their rebel activities in the state, which borders China and Myanmar.
"Arunachal is fast turning out to be a safe haven for all separatist groups in the northeast and even some from Myanmar. With no security forces available to counter them, we are caught in a trap," Mithi said. "We cannot drive out the rebels from our state unless we are provided with additional reinforcements," he added.
The militants have, of late, stepped up an extortion drive in Arunachal, targeting local businessmen and villagers, besides the Oil India Limited.
The OIL was served an extortion notice of Rs 6 million, following which it suspended operations at the Khumsai oil well in eastern Arunachal Pradesh.
"This is a clear violation of the ceasefire and we don't understand why the central government is paying no heed to our concerns", Mithi said.
Indo-Asian News Service
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
