TODAY -

As Maoists try to ramify to Northeast

Bikash Sarmah *



What will be defining in the fight against armed rebellion, which has mutated to terrorism camouflaged as insurgency, is political initiative to trace the root of rebellion.

The camaraderie between Maoists and militant groups in the Northeast such as the Manipur-based People's Liberation Army (PLA) is not a new development. What are new are their innovative pacts in the arms bazaar. What is, therefore, new is the depth of their partnership.

The report that the arrest of Communist Party of India (Maoist) Bengal secretary Sudip Chongdar alias Kanchan and three other top leaders is a direct fallout of the nabbing of NSCN(IM) self-styled foreign secretary Anthony Shimray in Nepal, also the main arms buyer for the outfit, and of Rajkumar Meghen, chairman of the Manipur-based United National Liberation Front (UNLF) in Nepal, reflects on the growing ties between the Red rebels in their terroristic avatar and Northeast militias.

Meghen was apprehended on the outskirts of Dhaka on September 29 but was officially shown as arrested from Motihari in Bihar on November 30, while Shimray was arrested in Kathmandu on October 2 soon after he had bought a fresh consignment of rifles, rocket launchers, pistols and communication devices worth Rs 4.5 crore.

According to a newspaper report, during his interrogation by National Investigation Agency (NIA) officers, Shimray confessed to having booked a huge consignment in China comprising assault rifles, machine guns, rocket launchers, timers for explosive devices and communication gadgets, which was scheduled to arrive in India in three phases for Maoists and Northeast militant groups, of which the first batch reached the Maoists in October this year and the next one is due this month and in January next year.

Earlier, Maoists were spurned by the NSCN(IM) leadership when they approached the outfit for arms. Subsequently, as the report says, they reached Shimray through ULFA 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Baruah, the terrorist leader who takes purchase orders for arms and passes them to the NSCN(IM) leader. The Maoists had made full payment in March this year, the report adds.

It is clear that the arrangement with Shimray via Paresh Baruah is the second channel that the Maoists have opened in the international arms market, the first being the agreement they had inked with Manipur-based militant groups like the PLA, UNLF and the Kanglaipak Communist Party (KCP) for so-called operational exchanges. In fact, according to the report, Maoists have activated a third channel through their counterparts in Bangladesh and brought them closer to militant groups based in Manipur.

Recently, the KCP and the Proletarian Party of East Bengal (Maoist Unity Group), a Bangladeshi Maoist front, signed a joint statement assuring coordination. The Bhagirathi Teesta Regional Committee of Maoists in West Bengal is coordinating with Bangladeshi Maoists in order to penetrate along the Murshidabad and Nadia border.

There are also reports that Maoists are trying to float an Assam wing, given the ULFA's decline and the ceasefire mode that most of the State's militant outfits are on. The Red non-State front will definitely try to exploit and thrive in that vacuum. What will come to their aid is the vast army of unemployed youth in the State for whom a non-State existence is a career option as the government wonderfully sustains its failure to salvage them.

There is no dearth of recruits for militant groups in Assam. In fact, as the architecture of corruption gets bigger by the day, thus stoking rebellion due to the many injustices that diversion of development funds to unscrupulous coffers engenders, the crowd of prospective recruits for militant groups will only swell. And Maoists are an expert community when it comes to exploiting such injustices.

Should Maoists ramify to Assam, they would consolidate their position chiefly among the tea tribes that happen to be one of the most backward communities in the State and that various political parties reach out to merely for votes, hoodwinking at ease an extremely gullible community.

The Adivasis of Assam, whose plight is the same as that of their counterparts in the Red zone in central India, constitute a populace who the Maoists will exhort to join their war against the Indian nation-State and among whom they might discover some very zealous would-be 'revolutionaries', thanks to the utter poverty and backwardness the Adivasis suffer from. (ADNI)

Indeed, any segment of the State's population that is deprived of its dues has the potential of producing non-State actors. Development, therefore, is the key to challenging the menace, which, unfortunately, the Government of the day is not serious and sincere about, thanks also to its reluctance to check corruption.

Ditto in the rest of the Northeast too, notorious for corruption and the concomitant backwardness. And Maoists already have a relationship framework with some 'like-minded' militant outfits in Manipur, the hotbed of militancy in the Northeast, with the possibility of forging alliances with similar fronts in the rest of the region.

Given that the Communist regime in Beijing is sympathetic to Maoist movements both in India and Nepal, that a greater synergy between Indian Maoists and their Nepalese counterparts in the future cannot be ruled out as the crackdown on the former is intensified and they will be looking for extraneous sources of sustenance, and that there is already understanding with their Bangladeshi counterparts, the internal security situation in the already unstable Northeast calls for a far more pro-active, actionable intelligence-backed security grid.

Which means the police and paramilitary forces have to be trained to take on sophisticated guerrilla warfare—it will be suicidal to bank only on the Indian Army for counter-terrorism operations as the armed forces are meant chiefly for safeguarding our international borders with such hostile neighbours as China and Pakistan.

What will be defining in the fight against armed rebellion, which has mutated to terrorism camouflaged as insurgency, is political initiative to trace the root of rebellion. Both the Centre and the Governments of the States of the Northeast ought to be informed by the fact that development sans discrimination, uplifting all sections of the people of the region, is the best way to tackle the problem.

The battle between security forces, including the Army as of now, and the non-State actors of varied hues is a vicious circle at a time when insurgency has graduated to a roaring industry with stakeholders drawn from the mainstream as well who have a vested interest in keeping the problem alive. Only a pro-people Government, not given to rhetoric and gimmickry, and not prompted by electoral arithmetic, can work out a solution.

Let the dedicated anti-India groups within the country, such as Maoists and their partners in the Northeast, be deprived of the scope to exploit mass grievances and unleash terror in the name of 'revolution'. Do our rulers have any will to make that happen? Are they interested in addressing mass grievances? Are they moved by the woes of ordinary citizens?

Until this happens and is sustained, insurgency-turned-terrorism will keep thriving, with the Northeast being a more vulnerable zone in view of the ISI chapter in neighbouring Bangladesh and of the bellicose neighbour in China that we cannot trust at all.




* Bikash Sarmah wrote this article for ADNI (Asia Defence News International) and was published at The Sangai Express
This article was webcasted on January 07, 2011.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Konung Kang Chingba #1 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Manipur Iskcon's 25th Ratha Yatra 2025
  • Native Threshing machine made for farmers
  • COVID-19: Update 04 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation
  • Include males too in addressing HPV
  • Whispers from the past :: Poem
  • LPU opens permanent outreach centre
  • Raj Bhavan moving on the right track
  • Speculations over PM Modi's visit to state
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Shinthoibi, Jangvei, Tamphaton : eMing
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025