GUWAHATI, July 5 � Some movements of personnel of the Myanmar Army have been noticed in the areas where most of the militant groups of North East have their bases in the neighbouring country in recent times. However, no operation has yet been launched against the militants.
Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that according to information available with the security agencies, Myanmar Army personnel have moved closer to the camps of the militant groups. During the last visit of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to Myanmar, the Government of that country assured to take action against the militant groups taking shelter in that country. Sources said that the Myanmar Army had asked the militants to move out of the area, but as per information available with the security agencies, none of the militant outfits moved out of the area so far.
It may be mentioned here that most of the militant groups of the North East, including the hardline faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), have strong bases in Myanmar. In fact, the mobile military headquarter of the hardline faction of the ULFA is located in Myanmar. Sources, however, said that Paresh Baruah has not visited the camps of the outfit in the Taga area of Myanmar for some time and he is in Ruilie in Myanmar-China border.
On the activities of the ULFA in Assam, sources said that there have been intelligence inputs about attempts by the hardline faction of the ULFA to strike before the Independence Day celebrations and the police and security forces have been alerted to thwart any such attempt. Sources revealed that the militants, who are now in Assam, have been directed to indulge in acts of violence, but their movements have been curbed due to operations by police and security forces in upper Assam districts.
