Myanmar operations to flush out Indian rebels

Guwahati: The Myanmar Army has launched a “special operation” on Friday to chase and drive out the Indian insurgents taking shelter in Naga villages as well as forest of Myanmar.

Disclosing that Myanmar government has assured its counterpart in India that they will not allow even a single camp of Indian insurgent groups in its territory, authoritative security sources in the ministry of home affairs told this newspaper that the special operation which has been launched on May 17, would focus on driving out Indian insurgents from its territory. If necessary the Myanmar Army is going to continue this operation for next four-five months by camping in the area, security sources said.

Pointing out that first operation was launched in March this year, the security sources said that then the Myanmar Army had not resorted to any aggressive operations.

Asking the Indian insurgents and non-citizens to vacate the territory, the Myanmar Army had dismantled all the independent camps of Indian insurgent groups like Ulfa-I, NDFB and Manipur rebel groups, security sources said adding that Myanmar Army had also taken over the control of the NSCN-K headquarters in Taga.

Informing that all the Indian insurgent group leaders and cadres were given warning and a deadline to vacate Myanmar, security sources said that Myanmar Army found that majority of insurgents were taking shelter in nearby Naga villages and forest areas.

Pointing out that Myanmar Army has also decided to remove the existing NSCN-K camp from Taga area, security sources said that Myanmar Army is going to provide a new location to the NSCN-K for setting up its headquarters but with a strict pre-condition of not providing shelter to any Indian insurgent groups. The NSCN-K, which is holding a ceasefire agreement with Myanmar Army, is also under pressure of signing the national ceasefire agreement with Government of Myanmar, security sources said adding that new operation launched by Myanmar Army is going to be highly aggressive and lethal too. Admitting that Myanmar Army has not used forces in its operation so far, security sources said that it has decided to chase the Indian insurgentsdefying the order of Myanmar Army.

Indicating that Myanmar army has already intensified surveillance in Naga village areas, security sources said that more than 500 Indian insurgents are roaming in the area as they have lost their logistic support after their expulsion from Taga areas.

Admitting that some of them are also taking shelter in forest areas, security sources said that rainy season has started so it would be highly challenging for them to take shelter in the forest areas.

Asserting that Myanmar was sincere in its resolve to check the misuse of its territory against India, security sources however said that China continues to be in denial mode about the presence of Ulfa-I commander-in chief Paresh Baruah in its territory. Security sources attributed these developments in Myanmar to the tough stand of India against militancy and global terrorism.