Bonnie Konyak
Dimapur | November 8
In the wake of the worst-ever attack in the northeast that rocked Assam on October 30, sensitive areas especially those close to the Assam border has come under the scanner. What will be worrying for the security establishment in Nagaland is the growing unease over reports of movement of suspicious elements in border areas—largely left unguarded. According to latest reports, an army patrol party found a 2kg bomb packed with RDX planted under a concrete bridge on the Sonari-Sapekhati road in Sivasagar district, close to the Nagaland border. A huge quantity of RDX was used in the October 30 blasts — around 80kg — in Guwahati city alone. On November 5 (Wednesday), another 1.5kg of RDX was recovered from an arrested Ulfa militant in the same district. In this incident as well, the bus from which the explosives were recovered was bound for Mon district inside Nagaland.
Speaking to The Morung Express, several police and intelligence sources expressed concern about the state of preparedness of Nagaland in the event of an Assam-like disaster taking place in the state. It was acknowledged that “there was some kind of information sharing” with the neighbouring states on certain issues relating to movements and operation of various underground groups in the North Eastern states. It was pointed out that a full-fledged cell with greater coordination would be ideal in the present situation of vulnerability posed by the war on terror. Serious concerns were also expressed over the porous nature of the border along Dimapur. “It is very easy for illegal immigrants and unwanted militant groups to enter into Dimapur and exit through Assam or towards Moreh on the Myanmar side”, disclosed an intelligence source.
It may be mentioned that following the Assam blasts on October 30, reports surfaced in the national media of the high possibility of NE armed groups receiving help from China. It was reported that the trade routes in the region are fluid, particularly where Myanmar and China’s borders meet. In recent months, intelligence sources say the Chinese have managed to increase the flow of funds into these groups, a report quoted.
When contacted, State Director General of Police (DGP) J. Changkija disclosed that for Dimapur, an action plan has been prepared already by dividing the city into eight sectors and sensitization among GBs, DBs and business communities carried out on precautionary measures that should be taken by them. Police sources also disclosed that army sniffer dogs have been deployed already at vulnerable areas while another meeting of important district officials with the Dimapur DC, has also been lined up for Monday to strengthen disaster-management and its response. However, Changjika admitted that that there were no guarantees as anything could happen and “security arrangements cannot be foolproof.” With regard to sharing information and intelligence coordination among the North Eastern States, Changkija said it was already in operation under the Intelligence Bureau (IB) branch.
The DGP who returned from New Delhi after attending a security review meet convened by the Centre, informed, it was a “stock-taking meeting” of the North-Eastern sates following the Assam serial bomb blasts. He said that the Centre wanted to know of the security situation and the precautionary measures that are being employed by the states in order to prevent an Assam-like tragedy. During this meeting held on November 6, and chaired by National Security Advisor, M. K. Narayanan, the DGPs and chief secretaries of the NE states were also sensitized on strategies and other issues.
Meanwhile, with regard to the high level security meet concluded recently in New Delhi, the Government of India has reportedly taken serious note of the growing linkages of north-east insurgent groups among themselves, as well as with Jihadi terror groups outside the region. The Centre has embarked on an intelligence revamp plan that will involve streamlining the existing state-level intelligence set-up to enable better sharing of information on urban violence, with the local police. In addition, an inter-state intelligence coordination mechanism will be created for the north-eastern region to track linkages amongst local armed groups as well as their possible connections with outside terror groups.
.JPG)
