Source: The Sangai Express / PTI
New Delhi, December 11:
India is likely to make a fresh demand before Myanmar for crackdown on North East insurgent groups operating from that country during the forthcoming visit of Myanmarese Home Minister Maj Gen Maung Oo here.
The demand is expected to be made at a meeting between Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and the visiting delegate next week, sources in the Home Ministry today said.
They said that New Delhi is likely to take the opportunity to impress on Myanmar about the need to launch a drive against the insurgents.
In the past too, India has utilised talks at the Home Secretary level to discuss issues like security, border management, trade, drugs and smuggling besides free movement of people and release of prisoners.
Sources in the security establishment say insurgent groups like United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and People's Liberation Army (PLA) operate from across the border.
India has also been raising the issue of shifting of boundary pillars in Ukhrul and Chandel districts of Manipur allegedly by the Myanmarese army, a charge denied by Yangon.
India shares 1,643 km border with Myanmar and Arunachal Pradesh alone accounts for 520 km followed by Mizoram with 510 km.
Manipur shares 398 km of its boundary with Myanmar and Nagaland another 258 km.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is building a 151-km long Tamu-Kalemyo-Kalewa road in Myanmar and it is likely to offer to maintain the road.
India and Myanmar have a pact for maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas under which Home Secretaries of both countries meet once annually.