GUWAHATI, Dec 19 � The Maoist rebels are spreading their nexus in the North East region to procure weapons, ammunition and communication sets to increase their striking capability in other parts of the country, particularly in Central India. This fact came to light during the investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the links between the Maoist rebels and Manipur-based militant outfit PLA.
Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that with Chinese weapons easily available with the militant groups of North East, the Maoist rebels have been making attempts since 2006 to establish links with the rebels of the region to procure such Chinese weapons and the attempts led to the signing of an agreement between the Maoists and the PLA in 2008.
Sources said that the NIA, during the course of its investigation into the links, managed to unearth vital information about the Maoist � PLA links and the agency filed its first chargesheet in the case in May this year and the second chargesheet was filed recently against three persons.
Security sources revealed that the second chargesheet in the case was filed against three persons � Pallab Borbora, a Maoist activist arrested from Golaghat, Indranil Chanda, who was arrested in Kolkata and Asem Ibotombi Singh alias Angou, the secretary, external affairs, of the PLA, who was arrested in Odisha.
Sources said that though efforts were made by the Maoists to establish links with the PLA since 2006 , it did not materialise at that time. A senior leader of the PLA was sent to Kolkata at that time only and he came into contact with Indranil. In 2008, the PLA managed to take a few senior leaders of the Maoist rebels to the bases of the outfit in Myanmar where a joint declaration against the Government of India was signed and both the groups decided to help each other. A deal on supply of weapons, ammunition and communication sets was struck in 2009 and it is believed that several consignments were sent to the Maoists by the PLA in exchange of money.
