Source: The Sangai Express / PTI
New Delhi, September 11:
Steps needed to curb smuggling of arms and ammunition and illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances will come up for discussion at the forthcoming Home Secretary level India-Myanmar talks.
The meeting, to be held here from September 13 to 16, will also review the progress of various cross-border projects over which the two countries have agreed to cooperate, an official release said today.
The meeting, held annually to discuss various issues related to maintenance of peace and tranquility along the border, is likely to discuss action against Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) present in Myanmar territory and effective border management.
With reports of northeast insurgent groups operating from Myanmar, India will press for measures to flush them out like Bhutan's crackdown on the ULFA in 2003, MHA sources said.
There are reports on the activities of insurgent groups in Myanmar and their whereabouts and New Delhi will utilise the four-day talks to make the demand for flushing them out, besides raising issues like drug trafficking and smuggling.
They said some insurgent groups from Manipur and Nagaland were operating from Myanmar and 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 militants nearly three years ago, Myanmar has not so far agreed to similar action against IIGs.
The northeastern states have been voicing concern over this issue, pointing out the importance of Myanmar as the gateway to East Asian countries from the strategic point of view.