Green signal given for AR commando unit : 22nd nov09 ~ E-Pao! Headlines

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Green signal given for AR commando unit
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 21 2009: To give a cutting edge teeth to counter-insurgency operations, the Government of India has given the go ahead signal to set up a commando unit of the Assam Rifles.

This was confirmed by the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) Maj General AK Choudhury during an interaction with the media today at Mantripukhri.

Elaborating, the IG said that the commando unit will be a highly specialised force and they can be utilised for anti-terrorism operations as well, such as the operations during the Mumbai terrorist attack last year in November.

It will be something along the type of the National Security Guards, said the IG while responding to queries from the media persons.

Touching on a wide spectrum of issues, in response to queries from the media persons, Maj General Choudhury said that from the military point of view, activites of the militants have been positively checked during the last few years in Manipur, though he admitted that extortions are yet to be effectively curtailed.

Explaining, Gen Choudhury said that free movements of militants have been checked to a large extent and cited the example of how militants used to move about freely, with arms and in camouflage earlier.

"Earlier, militants in full combat gear could move about freely along the Imphal-Churachandpur road, but this has been checked today," he said and added that militants today only move furtively, by mixing with the civil population.

This is an improvement in containing militancy, he noted.

Gen AK Choudhury fielding queries from the media

The IG further said that there are now no longer any permanent militant camps on the soil of Manipur and explained that they may stay at a place, in a hut for example, for a few days before moving on.

There are no camps as such where the flags of militant groups fly, he asserted.

On why it is difficult to check extortions, the General explained that militants come from the jungles without arms and uniform, go to a destination, pick up a gun, which may have been placed there earlier and then issue the extortion threats.

It is basic human nature to be afraid and that is why many people prefer to cough up the amount rather than put their lives on the line, he added.

"Extortions happen everywhere, even in my home State, Bihar," said Choudhury adding that this is more of a law and order situation rather than an militancy issue.

Any goon or goonda can extort.

On Suspension of Operations, the General said that it is a pact signed between the Kuki UG groups and the Centre and the State Government.

The SoO has helped on bringing down the level of violence and lawlessness and cited the recent example of the UBI scam in Churachandpur.

"The whole amount which was extorted has been returned.

This is something which has never happened in the history of Manipur," said Choudhury, underscoring the positive impact of SoO.

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