Flush out insurgents, India to tell MyanmarAdd to Clippings

Vishwa Mohan The Times of India: 8 September, 2006 NEW DELHI: India will ask Myanmar to flush out North-East insurgents from its territory the way Bhutan did against Ulfa in a coordinated joint operation with Indian Army in December 2003. The matter will be raised during the home secretary-level talks beginning here on September 13. Although the agenda for the four-day talks does not specify insurgent groups by their names, New Delhi would make references relating to inputs it has regarding the whereabouts of different outfits operating from Myanmarese soil. "The reference may be for Ulfa militants as well, if the outfit fails to respond to the government's peace initiative by that time," said a senior home ministry official. He said: "In any case, the government is not going to extend the suspension of operation against the outfit beyond September 15, provided it clears its intention to join the peace effort by establishing a direct contact with Centre by that day." As per reports available with the home ministry, besides Ulfa, some Manipuri and Naga insurgent groups also have their bases in Myanmar. Though Bhutan had flushed out Ulfa militants from its territory during 'Operation All Clear' launched in December, 2003, neither Bangladesh nor Myanmar have so far agreed for similar action against the Indian insurgent groups. "While raising the security issue, India will cite instances of killing of some Assam Rifles personnel by insurgents, based in Myanmar, a few months ago," said the official. Besides security issues, incidents of drug trafficking, smuggling, border management and fencing will also figure in the talks. The matter will be discussed in the light of recent reports indicating smuggling of Chinese grenade and counterfeit Indian currency through the Myanmar border.