10 non-Naga armed groups in Nagaland now
Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 16
Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen today revealed that besides the five Naga underground organizations, at least ten other non-Naga insurgent outfits are operating in the state and carrying out extortion, abductions and other anti-social activities. The Home minister said the government can no longer tolerate such activities in the State. He called for collective efforts to tackle the menace of extortion, terror activities and other anti-social cultures in the state.
Interacting with media persons at his official chambers here, the Home minister disclosed that the said insurgent outfits, mostly in Dimapur area, have understandings with the Naga groups such as the NSCN factions and the FGN. He said besides extorting from the business community, the said organizations are also extorting from government employees. Asserting that the Nagas cannot tolerate extortion on the people of the state, he said the vile culture is beyond the ‘consumption’ of the state government.
The police and security forces have been putting their best efforts and arrested a large number of persons but extortions still continue to flourish. Imchen claimed that while the state’s forces have checked extortion to a ‘reasonable extent’, it is beyond the state government to completely bring such activities to a complete halt.
The Home minister expressed confidence that the activities would decrease now that the different Naga factions have signed the ‘covenant of reconciliation.’
The minister also provided a list of the non-Naga insurgent groups operating in Nagaland with their known strength. As per the list, the Dima Halim Doaga (Nunisa) are operating with 60 cadres, Dima Halim (DHD-J or “black widow”) with 10 cadres; Kuki Revolutionary Army with 22 cadres; Peoples Liberation Front with 10 cadres; United Peoples’ Democratic Solidarity with 10 cadres besides the Gurkha Liberation Army, Peoples United Liberation Front, All Adivasi National Liberation Army, National Democratic Front of Bodoland and United Liberation Front of Asom.
He also provided a list of the number of cadres belonging to non-Naga insurgent groups arrested this year. They are 10 cadres from the ULFA, 2 from the KCP, 13 from the KRA, 31 from the UPDS, 8 cadres from the PLA, 8 cadres from the PULF, one cadre each of PREPAK and GLA, 2 cadres from UDRA and 65 cadres belonging to other groups. Besides, a huge quantity of arms and ammunitions were seized, he added.
