GUWAHATI, July 26 - Life will soon be tougher for the militants of the North East taking shelter in Myanmar, with the coordination between India and Myanmar improving and the neighbouring country today assuring to increase force deployment along the international border to check movement of anti-India forces.
Highly placed sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told The Assam Tribune that Myanmar Army Chief Min Aung Haing�s visit would definitely improve coordination between the two countries in dealing with militancy. The Myanmar Army Chief today had detailed talks with the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of the Indian Army, and the National Security Adviser on the security scenario and presence of militants in the territory of Myanmar.
Sources said that during the discussions, the Myanmar Army Chief assured to increase deployment of forces along the border to prevent free movement of the militants. He also assured that Myanmar would not allow the anti-India forces to operate from the territory of that country. �The Myanmar Army Chief said that they understand India�s concerns and would do the needful. Now it remains to be seen whether the assurances are implemented on the ground,� sources added.
MHA sources said that Myanmar assured India that it would not oppose operations by Indian security forces within the territory of that country if such operations are done in �hot pursuit� of militants and close to the international border. But at the same time, Myanmar wanted assurance from India that no citizen of that country would be harmed in such operations. It may be mentioned here that such an operation by the Indian Army caused controversies.
Sources revealed that India has assured Myanmar in training up Myanmar Army personnel. At the initial stage, training for senior and middle level officers will be arranged by India, sources added.
It may be mentioned here that the majority of the active militant groups of the North East have strong bases in Myanmar and four of the groups have already formed a common platform. On its part, the Government of India has also given priority on improving security along the international border and a Task Force has been constituted by the Prime Minister to study the problems of securing the border and to recommend measures. The Task Force has already visited the border areas and held talks with the stakeholders, including the forces on the ground and concerned State Governments.
