Security agencies skeptical of Myanmar's assurance

Security agencies skeptical of Myanmar's assurance
R Dutta Choudhury
 GUWAHATI, Dec 29 – Though the Government of Myanmar has assured support to India to deal with the militant groups, the security agencies are skeptical of the assurance as several times in the past, the Government of India received such assurance but no action was seen on the ground. Meanwhile, the Government of India is planning to request Myanmar Government to allow Indian Army personnel to operate in the territory of the neighbouring country.

Highly placed security sources told The Assam Tribune that for quite some time, Myanmar remained a safe haven for the militant groups of the North East region and despite repeated assurances, the Government of that country is yet to take any strong action against the ultras.

Sources said that the exact number of militants of North East staying in Myanmar is yet to be ascertained. The security agencies are of the view that the number would not be less than three thousand. All the Manipur based outfits have strong presence in Myanmar and their strength in the neighbouring country is around 1,500. Sources said that the total strength of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) in Myanmar would be around 200, while the Songbijit faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) has around 150 members in that country. The commander-in chief of the ULFA(I), Paresh Baruah also spends most of his time in Myanmar, but he normally stays in the Myanmar-China border areas. The chairman of the NDFB (S), IK Songbijit, along with the general secretary and finance secretary of the outfit, are in Myanmar. Interestingly, according to information available, training of a batch of fresh recruits of NDFB (S) started in Myanmar only this month.

On Myanmar's assurance to deal with the militants, security sources said that in the past also, such assurances were given, but nothing happened on the ground. Sources said that from time to time, the Myanmar army personnel launched only "cosmetic operations", which did not affect the militants in any way. Sources revealed that on all such occasions, the militants received prior information about the movement of Myanmar Army personnel and they manage to move to safer places. On a few occasions, the Myanmar Army personnel only burnt down a few abandoned camps of the ultras.

Security sources also admitted that despite deployment of the Assam Rifles personnel, the international border with Myanmar still remains porous, mainly because of the terrain and lack of any physical barrier. Moreover, majority of the posts of the Assam Rifles are not located on the Zero line and these are set up well inside Indian territory.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/security-agencies-skeptical-of-myanmars-assurance/