SIMI strengthening base in the North-East
July 5, 2007: (TIMES NOW), Has learnt that the banned Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) known to have links with several terrorist outfits in the world, has stepped up efforts to strengthen base along the Indo-Myanmar border which is a hotbed of insurgent activities.
SIMI's presence in this disturbed region could
pose a grave threat since several jihadi outfits with similar ideologies are
already active on both sides of the border and it could well end up unifying
them. The links came to light when two cadres were arrested by Delhi Police
last December in the capital and they were reportedly instructed to recruit more
cadres in Manipur.
According to sources, SIMI has been trying to tie up with Manipur based outfits and especially the Peoples' United Liberation Front (PULF), an organization of indigenous Muslims of Manipur called Pangals.
PK MIshra, IG BSF (Border Security Force) told TIMES NOW, " Our first and foremost duty is to cover the Indo-Myanmar border, without covering our border any amount of counter-insurgency operations inside the border areas won't serve any purpose."
Officials are of the view that if SIMI is not checked, then it could strike alliances with secessionist outfits, recruit cadres from the impoverished population inhabiting the area and have easy access to the multiple networks of gun running that crisscross the region.
According to sources, SIMI has been trying to tie up with Manipur based outfits and especially the Peoples' United Liberation Front (PULF), an organization of indigenous Muslims of Manipur called Pangals.
PK MIshra, IG BSF (Border Security Force) told TIMES NOW, " Our first and foremost duty is to cover the Indo-Myanmar border, without covering our border any amount of counter-insurgency operations inside the border areas won't serve any purpose."
Officials are of the view that if SIMI is not checked, then it could strike alliances with secessionist outfits, recruit cadres from the impoverished population inhabiting the area and have easy access to the multiple networks of gun running that crisscross the region.