The proscribed United Liberation Front of Assam, which is now reeling under sustained and intensified counter-insurgency operation by the Army -- especially in Eastern Assam areas and the two hill districts of the state -- has alleged that the government of India was interested in crushing the 'ULFA revolution' by using force and not at all interested in a political solution to "Assam-India" conflict.
he ministry of home affairs said in a notification that the central government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of Nagaland is in such a "disturbed and dangerous condition" that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.
Army sources informed that the banned ULFA used to procure sophisticated arms from an assembling unit at Chrachandpur district in Manipur run by Kuki Revolutionary Army.
The government on Friday reached a path-breaking peace pact with a prominent insurgent group in Assam under which the Karbi Anglong Hill District will get more power and a Rs 350 crore special financial package. Describing it as a "historic" moment, Home Minister P Chidambaram said the government is ready for dialogue with any group which shuns violence and puts its demands within the framework of the Indian Constitution.
In the latest issue of its mouthpiece Freedom, a copy of which was e-mailed to mediapersons in Guwahati on Saturday, the banned insurgent group said, "The government of India doesn't seem to be keen enough to begin talks with the ULFA to resolve the conflict between Assam and India through the process of dialogue. India is rather applying all efforts for a military solution on the demand for a sovereign Assam."
The US is keeping the doors open for negotiations with the terror group as the Afghan endgame plays out, says Amir Mir reporting from Islamabad.
One person was killed and another injured in heavy firing between two groups at Narainsena in Bishnupur district on Tuesday morning, police said.
The Myanmar army has zeroed in on the base of anti-talks faction of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom and other insurgent groups from the northeast. The ULFA faction led by 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Barua claimed that its base in Myanmar was under attack from the Myanmar army since Tuesday.
'Pakistan is a nuclear country.' 'With the kind of situation that is there in Pakistan today, America will help Pakistan stay afloat.'
The MHA said the government is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that the use of armed forces in aid of civil power is necessary.
He said the accord will lead to transformative results for Bodos as it successfully brings together leading stakeholders under one framework and would help Bodo people get access to development-oriented initiatives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday vowed to thwart alleged attempts to rob Dalits and backward classes of reservations by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) which he accused of 'enslavement' and performing 'mujra' for Muslim vote bank.
Tahir Ali reports on the growing presence and activities of Taliban militants in Pakistan's largest city Karachi
The talks were convened in Delhi in a bid to iron out differences, particularly on the NSCN-IM's demands for a separate flag and Constitution for the Nagas, which have already been rejected by the Centre.
Blinken said the US will continue to act against those who threaten the country, its people and its allies.
Paresh Baruah's shadow continues to loom large in Assam's political landscape.
A bill dubbing the Pakistan-based dreaded Haqqani Network the "most dangerous" Afghan insurgent group and seeking its designation as a foreign terrorist organisation is set to be taken up by the United States House of Representatives. The Haqqani Network is believed to be responsible for a number of terrorist attacks against United States facilities inside Afghanistan.
Arguments for direct US military intervention in Syria are just not strong enough, says Claude Smadja
The United States has been secretly releasing high-level detainees from a military prison in Afghanistan for several years in a bold effort to initiate negotiations with the insurgent groups, but one that American officials acknowledge could prove to be a costly gamble. he Washington Post on Monday reported that the "strategic" release programme has quietly served as a live diplomatic channel, allowing American officials to use prisoners as bargaining chips.
A grateful nation pays homage to those who made the supreme sacrifice for the motherland.
'Israel is counting on the United States to enter the fray on their behalf and perform destructive strikes against these targets that are beyond Israel's conventional capabilities.' 'They may well get their way if they start a war, because the United States is still committed to Israel's security, and it won't matter whether it is Trump or Harris in the White House.'
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday informed that 10 tribal militants involved in the killing of Hamren police district Superintendent Nityananda Goswami and his personal security officer Ratul Nunisa have been arrested during the intensified operation launched by the Assam police and paramilitary forces in Karbi Anglong hill district of the state.
Rediff.com's Surajit Talukdar got in touch with author Frans Welman, secretary of the Amsterdam-based Naga International Support Centre, who is considered to be close to the leadership of the NSCN (I-M). Here are excerpts from the exclusive e-mail interview.
It was Haldar who had played a key role in making a peace process possible with a faction of the United Liberation Front of Assam. He is also negotiating with other tribal outfits in the region on behalf of the government of India.
Chinese officials have refuted allegations of the country's army assisting militants in northeast India, saying such charges are "absurd" and such a linkage is "impossible".
"While so far there is no concrete evidence available regarding Bangladesh's crackdown on camps of Indian insurgent groups, but there is definitely discomfort among the NE outfits having camps in the neighbouring country," the official said on condition of anonymity. He said security agencies had inputs that the rebel groups were exploring ways to shift to Myanmar, China and Bhutan, while some were intending to cross over to India.
The Army has asked telecom companies to realise the security implications of such malpractices.
Breaking a yearlong silence, the parents of the only American soldier held by Taliban have abruptly made public that he is the focus of a prisoners exchange being negotiated between the Obama administration and the insurgent group.
United States aid worth one billion dollars has wound up in the hands of the Taliban and other insurgency groups, according to war analysts and government auditors
The attack on the army convoy in Goalpara was the handiwork of the anti-talk faction of ULFA, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.
The Madhav Godbole task force recommendations on border management are being implemented in phases. While some action has been taken, clearly much more needs to be done. It is time the report is de-classified and put in the public domain, says Gurmeet Kanwal.
Achik National Volunteer Council chairman Dilash R Marak's younger brother Sengman Marak is the Congress candidate from Rongjeng constituency at East Garo Hills district in Meghalaya. The ANVC, a banned outfit, is considered the most influential militant group in the Garo hills region of Meghalaya. The insurgent group, formed in December 1995, signed a ceasefire agreement with the Centre in 2004.
The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom, preparing for unconditional dialogue with the Government of India, has said that its leaders and cadres involved in the current peace process with the government will have 'zero involvement' in the forthcoming assembly elections in Assam.
The decision has been taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday called upon Paresh Barua, the fugitive commander-in-chief of the anti-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom, to join the ongoing peace process with his colleagues in the militant outfit, led by 'chairman' Arabinda Rajkhowa. Addressing the people of Assam on Independence Day in Guwahati, Gogoi said his government was sympathetic towards the misguided youth of the state in the ranks of various insurgent groups.
No process can offer a panacea for ethnic conflict, but there are times at which a legal process could work to defuse violence, asserts Supreme Court lawyer Devvrat.
The AFSPA will continue to remain in force in 12 districts of Arunachal Pradesh for six more months.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Friday said that like all other insurgent groups in truce with the government, the banned United Liberation Front of Assam too would have to enter into a formal agreement for suspension of operation and surrender weapons before starting dialogue with the government of India.
Credited with bringing insurgent group United Liberation Front of Asom to the negotiating table and hauling Assam back from the brink of bankruptcy, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has combined administrative and political acumen with his simple demeanour to help Congress retain power for a record consecutive third term.
