New Delhi, September 12: With the reports of North East insurgent groups operating from Myanmar, India will press for measures to flush them out like Bhutan's crackdown on ULFA at the Home Secretary-level talks between the countries beginning here tomorrow.

Steps to curb smuggling of arms and ammunition and illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances will also be discussed at the four-day talks.

Sources in the security establishment say that insurgent groups from Manipur and Nagaland like ULFA, UNLF, PLA, NSCN(K) and NSCN (IM) are operating from Myanmar and New Delhi will utilise the opportunity to demand for flushing them out.

They also cited instance of killing of some Assam Rifles personnel by insurgents a few months back.

Though Bhutan launched 'Operation All Clear' to flush out ULFA nearly three years ago, Myanmar has not so far agreed to similar action against Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs).

Effective border management will also figure at the meeting which is held annually to discuss issues related to maintenance of peace and tranquility along the border.

India shares 1,643 km border with Myanmar, and Arunachal Pradesh alone accounts for 520 km followed closely by Mizoram 510 km.

Manipur shares 398 km of its international boundary with Myanmar and Nagaland another 258 km.

However, boundary dispute was very minor as only nine border pillars, all in Manipur, were points of contention.

It was decided to put up a 10-km fence at Moreh in Manipur but work is yet to begin.

Border management and fencing too are expected to be discussed at the talks.

The issues are likely to be taken up in the light of recent reports regarding smuggling of Chinese grenades and counterfeit Indian currency through the Myanmar border.

The North Eastern States have been voicing concern over these issues, particularly peddling of drugs and arms, pointing out the importance of Myanmar as the gateway to East Asian countries from the strategic point of view.

While the Indian side will be led by Union Home Secretary VK Duggal, Deputy Minister Brig Gen Phone Swe will head the Myanmar side.

Sources said during the last meeting, held at Yangon in October last year, issues relating to security, drug trafficking, border trade, border management and proposed infrastructure projects in Myanmar were discussed.

Both sides had agreed to further strengthen cooperation in tackling the activities of insurgents, arms smugglers, drug peddlers and other hostile elements along the India-Myanmar border.

The status of various infrastructure projects in Myanmar, particularly in the road and power sectors, for which the two countries have agreed to cooperate, was reviewed at the last meeting and a follow up is expected this time.

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.

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