GUWAHATI, March 10 � The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is of the view that the movement of militants in Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh and in Majuli river island of Assam has become a matter of concern, and there is need for sustained operations in those areas to prevent growth of militancy in the region.
Highly-placed sources in the MHA told The Assam Tribune that there have been reports of movement of members of almost all the major militant groups of the region through Tirap and Changlang districts and the militants are not only using the area as shelter but also for going to their bases in Myanmar. Sources said that almost all the militant groups of the region including the hardline faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) have strong bases in that area and use the routes to go to Myanmar, while, the inter-factional clashes between NSCN (I-M) and NSCN(K) in that area also resulted in deterioration of the situation.
Sources said that the Government of India is of the view that there is need for sustained operations in the area and an amount of Rs 139 crore has been sanctioned to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to set up new police stations. Sources said that the police presence in that area is not at all adequate and at least 11 more police stations would be set up in the area. In addition to that, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh will be able to appoint around 1500 new police personnel under the scheme.
The Government of India has also agreed to deploy four battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the area and one battalion is ready to be put into use. But the slow progress of allotment of land for the setting up of the battalion headquarters is slowing down the process.
On the other hand, reports of hardline faction of ULFA having strong bases in Majuli is also causing concern as according to inputs available with the Government, the outfit managed to establish hideouts in the island by taking advantage of lack of adequate security cover. Sources said that a number of hardcore members of the ULFA including senior member Nayan Medhi are now in Majuli. The river island is strategically important for the militants as they can easily move towards Dhemaji from Majuli to cross over to Arunachal Pradesh.
