Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi arrested; MPs from North-east raise influx and Brahmaputra issues in Parliament; Four National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) militants arrested;
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    • According to reports, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader Akhil Gogoi was arrested along with 30-odd supporters during a protest demonstration at Dispur Last Gate. The KMSS was taking out a mass rally along with several other organizations of the city demanding land settlement rights (land patta) for the people living in the hills. They were also demanding to make public the Kar Commission inquiry report into the violence-marred protest at Dispur Last Gate last year in which a child had died in police firing. The protesters later staged a procession to Basistha police station demanding release of Gogoi and 30-odd supporters detained there. They were subsequently released.1

    In another development, according to reports, China’s bid to divert Brahmaputra river, unabated infiltration from across the border and the recent land transfer agreement with Bangladesh have been slammed by the MPs of the North-east. Participating in the ongoing debate on the President’s Address, MPs particularly from Assam in both the Houses of the Parliament flagged issues that were left out in the address. Stating that they want better and peaceful relations with neighbouring countries, Baishya, who is also the general secretary of North East MPs’ Forum said the Presidential Address forgot to mention two major issues faced by the North-Eastern Region regarding China.2

    Reports noted that the security forces of Goreswar Army camp of Red Horn Division and Baksa police jointly apprehended four NDFB (AT) militants from a hideout in Marigaon on March 13. The security forces recovered three 7.62 mm pistols with four magazines, eleven live rounds, three local made crude bombs, three mobile phones with four SIM cards, seven CD movies, one pocket diary mentioning amount extorted and two wallets from the militants.3

    According to reports, admitting to the involvement of insurgent outfits like ULFA, NDFB and NSCN in arms smuggling across the international border, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram did not rule out the possibility of Maoists indulging in similar gun running activities in the North-east once they are able to set up bases in the region. The Home Minister stated, “In the recent months, we have noticed minimal presence of Maoists in some parts of the North-east. We are watching the situation carefully. But no case of Maoists actually smuggling arms across the Bangladesh border or the Myanmar border has come to our notice.” 4

    Meanwhile, according to reports, Guwahati police arrested a member of the Manipur-based militant outfit Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) from Pub Sarania area under Chandmari police station. Police also recovered one laptop, two mobile phones and some incriminating documents from the possession of the militant. Earlier on March 20, 2012, a member of the Manipur-based militant outfit Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak) was arrested from Guwahati by the police.5

    In other developments, according to reports, after 19 Kuki militant groups signed Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the State Government three years ago, two more Kuki militant groups United Tribal Liberation Army (UTLA) and Pakan Reunification Army (PRA) signed the SoO pact with the Manipur government. UTLA is based in Manipur’s Jiribam sub-division bordering Assam, while Moreh town in Chandel district bordering Myanmar is said to be PRA's stronghold. Joint Secretary (North East) Sambhu Singh of Ministry of Home Affairs soon after signing the SoO at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles said that altogether 95 UTLA and 22 PRA cadres will be housed in the existing designated camps.6

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