'NSCN(I-M) training Maoists in Nagaland'
Source: The Sangai Express / Agencies

Guwahati, May 12 2012: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday sounded an alert saying that Maoists are trying to spread their wings in the state and accused the NSCN (IM) of training Red cadres in Nagaland.

"The Maoists have established close links with almost all outfits of the region, including NSCN (IM), Ulfa, & PLA.

In fact, the NSCN (IM) is training Maoist cadres outside the state.

NSCN (IM) is in ceasefire in Nagaland so it is easier for them to train Reds in Nagaland.

They are trying to set up training camps for Maoists inside the state now," said Gogoi.

The chief minister said the killing of the four Maoist leaders at Sadiya on Wednesday in an encounter with police has established that the Maoists are finally here in the state.

"We have been saying for long that Maoists have entered the northeastern region.

It is now out in the open that they are here and the Centre also agrees now," added the chief minister.

Gogoi said the Maoist leadership in the state has been identified.

"The main leader is Aditya Borah, who was arrested, and Siddhartha Burhagohain, who was killed in Wednesday's encounter," said Gogoi.

He added that the Maoists have different lines of leadership.

The chief minister, however, refused to divulge the cadre strength of the Reds in the state.

However, security sources has put the estimated figure between 70 and 80 .

The Maoists are now largely concentrating on the upper Assam districts of Tinuskia, Sivasagar and Golaghat, all of which share the inter-state borders with Nagaland.

Gogoi said, "They are trying to spread out and very soon we might find them in lower Assam districts as well.

What we are seeing is that the Maoists are filling the vacuum left behind by Ulfa after the majority of the leaders of the outfit joined the peace process.

We have also seen that many youths, who were once attached to Ulfa, have become Maoists" .

He added that he has been saying for long about the Maoists-Ulfa nexus.

"There is no doubt about it now after Paresh Baruah himself has given his moral support to the Maoists, which is more than enough to establish the nexus," said Gogoi.

Comment