Bodo militants attack which killed 55

[Hindustani78]

Police said the explosions on Republic Day were carried out by the ULFA(I) to prove its existence.
Updated: Jan 26, 2018 18:51 IST

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...ty-reported/story-jjwVB8UarCc9QlWudymnMN.html

Three low-intensity explosions, suspected to have been triggered by ULFA(Independent) insurgents, hit Assam’s Tinsukia district on Republic Day on Friday, police said.

There was no report of any casualty, they said.

Police said two blasts occurred within a gap of a few minutes in a drain near the Jagun police station, and the other one at Tirap colliery near the Ledo police station.

Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay told reporters in Guwahati that the explosions were of low intensity and was carried out by the ULFA(I) to prove its existence.

Investigations are on and security measures further tightened in the district, police said.

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https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...to-injuries/story-z3v2P4LtftByzg4zTEm1OK.html

An indefinite curfew clamped in Maibang area in Dima Hasao district of Assam continued on Friday even as the two persons injured in Thursday’s violence succumbed to injuries.

The 48-hour Dima Hasao district bandh was called by a number of groups to protest Thursday’s police firing. The groups have also demanded a written statement from the government on the Nagalim issue in the context of the hill district.

The bandh has paralysed normal life in this central Assam district.

“Two persons have died since yesterday. While one person died on the way to hospital in Guwahati, the other succumbed this morning,” a government official told PTI.

Additional director general of police (law and order) Mukesh Agarwal held a meeting to review the situation in presence of the deputy commissioner, district police officials, members of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council and various students union.

Meanwhile, the Republic Day function at the district headquarters town Haflong was cut short with just hoisting of the tricolour as there was hardly any public present.

The day being a national holiday, all offices, educational institutions, banks, post offices, markets and other establishments remained closed.

But shops and markets were closed and vehicles were off the roads due to the bandh call, officials said.

On Thursday, various organisations in the district had called a 12-hour district bandh in protest against inclusion of Dima Hasao in Greater Nagalim as per a reported draft by RSS member Jagdamba Mall.

The protesters had blocked trains at Maibang station, broke windowpanes of a train, damaged properties at the station and removed tracks, a NF Railway spokesperson said.

To disperse the mob, police initially lathi-charged and then fired in the air.

Officials claimed that police had to open fire as the mob was unrelenting and continued their violence by damaging vehicles of the deputy commissioner’s cavalcade.

Later on, the district administration clamped indefinite curfew in Maibang area.

Mitunjoy Dibragede (33) died on the way. Probanta Hakmaosa (27) lost his life at the GNRC Hospital on Friday morning, the official said.

A wooden bridge was set ablaze by unknown persons, officials said.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/two-militants-arrested-in-manipur/534483.html
Imphal, January 26

Security forces arrested two militants, including a woman, in Manipur, the police said on Friday.

A woman cadre of the proscribed militant outfit People Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PRO) group was arrested from Wangkhei Andro Parking in Imphal East district on Tuesday, a press release issued by Manipur Police said.

Another militant of the banned underground outfit United National Liberation Front (UNLF) was arrested by a combined team of Manipur Police and Assam Rifles from Wangjing Sorokhaibam Leikai area in Thoubal district on Wednesday, the release added. PTI

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/na...-8-injured-in-assam-police-firing/534367.html
Bijay Sankar Bora
Tribune News Service
Guwahati, January 25

At least eight protesters were injured after the police fired tear gas shells to disperse them as they blocked Guwahati-Silchar Fast Passenger Train at Maibang Railway station in Dima Hasao. Superintendent of Police Ankur Jain said the police resorted to firing the shots in the air along with tear gas shells as the agitators began to damage government property.

He further said the mob pelted stones at the officials who tried to pacify them and in the melee injured Additional SP, Additional DC and OC of Maibang police station.

Various Dimasa Tribe organisations were protesting against the ‘reported’ attempt by the Government of India to include territory of Dima Hasao hill district of Assam in proposed Nagalim, which will be created on the basis of agreement reached with Naga rebel group the NSCN-IM. The Dima Hasao has a long inter-state boundary with Nagaland.

Normal life came to a sudden standstill as 12 hour bandh call was given. Business establishments, banks, educational institutes and even government offices remained closed. Meanwhile, the district administration had ensured food for the stranded railway passengers at Maibang Railway station. Recently, some anti-social elements attacked the RSS office in Haflong and forced the authorities to close the Kalyan Ashram over the issue.

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[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...n-northeast/article22530768.ece?homepage=true

Insurgency related incidents in Northeast had come down to 308 in 2017, the lowest since 1997, says an official.

The Ministry of Home Affairs will conduct a “security audit” in the Northeast and chalk out a plan to reduce the number of Central armed police forces personnel deployed there.

At a meeting held on January 16, it was decided that certain “tweaking” was required as far as the deployment of the forces was concerned. A senior official said the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was discussed at the meeting chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh but “no considered view” was taken.

An official said insurgency related incidents in the Northeast had come down to 308 in 2017, the lowest since 1997. “Since the incidents have come down by 85%, it was felt that the number of boots on the ground should be reduced too. More responsibility would be given to the State police,” said the official.

Another official said there was no final decision to repeal AFSPA as of now but the B.P. Jeevan Reddy Committee report that recommended it was discussed from time to time.

The Central government appointed the five-member committee headed by Justice Reddy in November 2004 to review the AFSPA and the panel submitted a report in 2005. It said besides repealing the Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 should be modified to clearly specify the powers of the armed forces and the Central forces.

Mr. Singh is likely to meet the Chief Ministers of the northeastern States after the elections in Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya. The three States will go to the polls in February.

“A decision has been taken that no more Central forces would be sent to the northeastern States. The State governments will deploy the police for regular law and order and patrolling duties. There is a plan to engage the State police in assisting the Border Security Force also,” the official said.

No insurgency related incidents were reported in Tripura and Mizoram last year. No security forces were killed in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram, the official pointed out.

Adductions down by 36% in 2017
A report presented at the meeting said abductions were down by 36% in 2017, compared with the previous year. The official official said 168 incidents were reported in 2016, and the number fell to 102 in 2017.

As per Section 3 of THE AFSPA, it can be invoked in places “where the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.”

Except Tripura and Manipur, the Centre was issuing such notifications for Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. Last year, the Home Ministry gave up its power and asked the Assam government to take a decision on continuing the AFSPA.

The AFSPA gives power to the Army and the Central forces deployed in “disturbed areas” to kill anyone acting in contravention of law, arrest and search premises without a warrant and provide cover to forces from prosecution and legal suits without the Centre’s sanction.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...led-brigadier-in-nagaland/article22530700.ece

Accused of supplying arms to NSCN-K
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a self-styled ‘Brigadier’ from Nagaland for his alleged involvement in supplying government arms and ammunition to NSCN-U and NSCN-K cadres. NSCN-K was banned by the Centre in 2015.

Aheto Chopey, a resident of Dimapur’s Unity village, was arrested in a joint operation by the NIA with Assam Rifles, the agency said in a statement.

Non-bailable warrant

He was intercepted near Zubza area in Kohima. A non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against him by an NIA court in Nagaland’s Dimapur.The officials recovered one AK-56 rifle, two 9mm pistols along with magazines, assorted ammunition and ₹1,32,000 in cash from his possession, it said.

He was produced before an NIA Court in Dimapur on Thursday from where he was sent to judicial custody, since the NIA had already submitted a chargesheet against him in April last year, the statement said.

The case, registered in 2013, relates to the supply of government arms and ammunition to Naga underground factions the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Unification (NSCN- U) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland Khaplang (NSCN-K), the statement added.

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http://indianexpress.com/article/india/woman-among-two-naxals-shot-dead-in-sukma/
“A joint team of CoBRA (commando battalion for resolute action) 201st battalion – a CRPF specialised unit, and local police had launched the counter-insurgency operation in the jungles , around 500 kms away from here,” he said.

While the security forces were cordoning off the forests.

After the guns fell silent, the security forces searched the area and recovered the body of two Maoists including a woman, along with two weapons, he said.

Further details are awaited as the operation was still underway in the region, he added.

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https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...n-dantewada/story-lMB2Ggsq81QUOr1wn9unXN.html

A constable deployed for the security of a leader was injured in an attack by Maoists, on Saturday, who also looted his AK-47 rifle in district, the police said.

The injured has been identified as constable Divyakant Markam, who belongs to the district force. He is part of the security detail of Gautam, a resident of Nakulnar, located around 340km from the state capital, he said.

According to the preliminary information, Markam, along with three other security guards, had gone to the market, held opposite their quarters, for procuring ration.

They were carrying their weapons. Suddenly, nearly three Maoists, dressed as civilians, attacked Markam with a sharp- edged weapon, injuring him close to his face, Sundarraj said.

Before the other jawans could retaliate, the ultras escaped with Markam’s service weapon, an AK-47 rifle, the DIG said.

The armed jawans did not fire at the Maoists to avoid any possible civilian casualty at the market, where a large number of villagers were present, the IPS officer said.

However, police have launched an operation in the area to trace the attackers, Sundarraj added.

The injured constable was admitted to a local hospital where his condition was said to be stable, he said.

In 2010, Maoists had attacked the house of Gautam, a Pradesh Congress Committee delegate killing two persons, including his brother-in-law.

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https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...lice-firing/story-BAY6n0B0oq7NdqF5PEkNmK.html
Central government has agreed to set up satellite councils for the Nagas in the district.

Dima Hasao deputy commissioner, Deva Jyoti Hazarika said they have failed to send the stranded passengers to their destinations as the picketers have damaged the railway tracks.

The agitating organisations have also called a 48-hour bandh since the police firing on Thursday morning. The protesters stopped the Guwahati-bound Silchar-Guwahati fast passenger train at New Haflong station on Friday. The passengers have been stranded since then.

“There are close to 1,100 passengers who are stranded. The picketers have damaged the tracks at many places and removed the fish plates. It will take time to repair them and resume the movement of trains,” Hazarika said.

“We have requisitioned 25 buses from Guwahati to send the stranded passengers to their destinations by road. However, the picketers did not allow the buses to proceed to New Haflong,” the deputy commissioner told IANS.

He said the district administration has arranged food, drinking water, medicines and other basic amenities for the stranded passengers.

“Security has been arranged for the safety of the stranded passengers at the railway stations,” he said.

“Curfew is continuing in Maibong. We have relaxed the curfew for two hours on Saturday – from 2 to 4 pm – but will continue after 4 pm,” Hazarika said.

He added although there were no reports of any violence, some stray incidents of protests were reported from some places.

One such protest rally turned violent in Maibong on Thursday when the mob attacked the security forces and the railway station, forcing the security forces to open fire, leading to injury to nine protesters and some policemen.

Two of the injured protesters died on Friday, which has further fuelled the protests.

 

[Hindustani78]

Left Wing Extremist affected districts (88 districts identified by Ministry of Home Affairs)


Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
05-February, 2018 16:51 IST
Construction of Roads For Connectivity In LWE Affected Areas

The total length of roads sanctioned under Road Requirement Plan for development of roads in Left Wing Extremism affected areas in 34 districts is 5422 km. The total length awarded and constructed so far is 5419 km and 4486 km respectively. The total expenditure incurred since the inception under the scheme upto 31st March, 2017 is Rs. 6210 crore. During the current Financial Year 2017-18, an allocation of Rs. 700 crore has been made.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Chemical & Fertilizers Shri Mansukh L Mandaviya in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/na...ured-in-ied-blast-in-chhattisgarh/539559.html

Three security personnel have been injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast by Maoists

The explosion on Monday took place far away from the troops and the injuries sustained were therefore due to the mud debris, stone pellets and splinters.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Sundarraj P told ANI, “Three jawans sustained minor injuries due to stone pellets and splinters after an IED blast near Ranibodli.

But they are quite okay.” Maoists have been a regular nuisance In another recent incident, 10 vehicles engaged in road construction work were allegedly set ablaze
ANI

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http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-in-agency-areas-in-focus/article22671481.ece
Towers in remote areas are easy targets for Maoists
The security of the BSNL’s mobile phone towers dotting the Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas has come under the spotlight amid fears of renewed violence by Maoists targeting the cell phone towers in areas

The blasting of a BSNL mobile tower by Maoists late on Sunday night reinforced the perceived Maoist offensive against the mobile communication network in Agency areas along the border.

The ultras blasted the mobile tower of a private telecom service provider in December 2010, a BSNL cell phone tower in 2011, two towers belonging to private telecom firms in the same mandal early in June 2014.

New infrastructure

In December 2014, the police thwarted the attempts by Maoists to blast a cell phone tower .

As many as 17 mobile phone towers were installed in telecom district under the Central sponsored scheme for LWE areas in the past couple of years.

In addition to these, there are around 24 BSNL mobile towers across telecom division comprising the mandals that were merged with neighbouring states in 2014, BSNL sources said.

While some of the cell towers are either situated on the premises of the police station building premises or close by the police establishments, there are several that are located in remote areas in Army division.

Arduous task

Providing security to the cell towers in the border areas is an arduous task as they are located in vulnerable spots a few kms away from the restive inter-State border , said an employee of BSNL, who did not wish to be identified.

When contacted, Assistant Superintendent of Police told The Hindu that constant vigil was being maintained on the mobile phone towers in Agency areas.

All necessary security arrangements are in place at the cell phone towers to protect the vital installations, he said.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Government today informed the Lok Sabha, In the written reply Minister of State (MoS) for Home Hansraj Ahir, In case of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas, 572 civilians lost their lives and 199 security forces personnel were killed in the past three years, he added.

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Ministry of Home Affairs
07-February, 2018 16:46 IST
Policy towards surrendered insurgents

The Government of India has been implementing a Scheme for Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation of Militants in the North-East. The objective of the Scheme is to wean away the misguided youth who have strayed into the fold of militancy and bring them to the mainstream. Surrenderees are paid monthly stipend not exceeding Rs. 3,500/- p.m., for a period not more than 36 months and an immediate grant of Rs. 1.5 lakh is kept in a bank in the name of each surrenderee as fixed deposit for a period of 3 years. They are also given incentive for surrendered arms/weapons.

In 2012, a special scheme for Government of Manipur was formulated to encourage militants to surrender and join mainstream. The scheme was effective from 01.12.2012 for 3 years and lapsed on 30.11.2015. The special features of this scheme were :-

i. An immediate grant of Rs.2.50 lakh to be kept in a bank in the name of surrenderee as fixed deposit for a period of three years.

ii. Monthly stipend of Rs.4000/- p.m. for a maximum period of 36 months.

The Surrender Scheme has been modified to be more effective and will be effective from 1st April, 2018. According to the revised scheme, the surrenderees will be paid monthly stipend not exceeding Rs. 6,000/- p.m., for a period of 36 months and an immediate grant of Rs. 4 lakhs will be kept in a bank, in the name of each surrenderee as fixed deposit for a period of 3 years. Incentive for surrendered weapons has also been revised.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

 

[Hindustani78]

Nine Assam Rifles personnel injured in grenade attack on camp in Imphal

The injured were evacuated to a hospital from the transit camps meant for Assam Rifles troopers, who remain on the move.
Updated: Feb 07, 2018 10:55 IST

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...p-in-imphal/story-pE7MAeCpCghzHlbI12n2qK.html

At least nine personnel of Assam Rifles were injured after unidentified men lobbed grenades inside their well-guarded transit camp in Imphal on Tuesday evening, sources said, in the second such attack on security forces in Manipur.

Most of the personnel sustained minor injury when the two grenades exploded around 5.50pm, official sources said.

The injured were evacuated to a hospital from the transit camps meant for Assam Rifles troopers, who remain on the move.

Manipur’s director general of police (DGP) LM Khaute and top Assam Rifles officials visited the blast site.

Officials did not allow the media to enter the camp near the State Police Commando Complex in Imphal.

Tuesday’s explosion occurred when director general of Assam Rifles Lieutenant General Shokin Chauhan was discussing the security and law and order situation in the state with chief minister N Biren Singh at his official residence.

Singh, who holds the home portfolio, condemned the blast and said necessary steps have been taken up to avoid such incidents in future. He also appealed to the public to bear with the inconveniences while the security forces conduct checking and frisking.

No arrest had been made till the report goes to press and no group has claimed responsibility for the blast.

This is the third explosion in Imphal since January 15 when a blast took place near M Sector, a transit camp of the Indian Army located close to historic Polo Ground in the heart of Imphal city. A 50-year-old sweeper of Imphal Municipal Council was injured in the incident.

On Monday evening, two Assam Rifles personnel were injured when two hand grenades exploded at the Polo Ground, where the Assam Rifles sponsored equestrian championship is being held.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/658365/cisf-foils-naxal-attack-dantewada.html
CISF security personnel today foiled an attack on a security post at the NMDC mines area in the district , officials said.

They said the Maoists' squad of 40-50 was first detected near the area of the NMDC mines at around 9:45 am and an exchange of fire took began between the two sides.

The CISF, that guards the mines area of the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) in the district, fired at least 37 rounds of bullets and lobbed grenades and bombs to push back and counter the Maoists.

The firing continued for sometime after which the maoists retreated towards the jungles on the district side, they said.

"Normal operations in the mining area have resumed and there has been no loss," a senior official said.

A reinforcement contingent of the CRPF and local police are combing the area to check for the movement of the Maoists, they said.

"The CISF and other forces are virtually on alert all the times here as maoists have a strong presence here and the mines area is spread over a large area," a senior official said.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is tasked to secure the mines area in this maoists violence-hit area.

In the last few years, over a dozen CISF and other security forces personnel had been killed in this region and the nearby the area.

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Systematic Geological Mapping by the GSI in the State of Manipur covers about 58% of the total geographical area of 22,327 sq. km. GSI had also carried out detailed exploration of limestone deposits of Ukhrul, Hundung (North), Hundung (South), Mova, Khangkhui, New Paoyi, part of Phungyar of Ukhrul District and Narum limestone deposits of Chandel District. GSI had carried out detailed mapping of Phangrai and Kwatha chromite deposits and estimated reserve. Systematic geological mapping and preliminary investigation of GSI in Manipur in the past brought out many incidence of Nickel, copper and Platinum Group Elements ( PGE )/Platinum Group Metals in Phangrai, Nampisha of Ukhrul District and Kwatha of Chandel District. Besides, occurrences of asbestos, lignite, clay, brine well had also located.

State Geology & Mining Division has taken up prospecting and exploration of limestones at Phungyar and Meiring of Ukhrul District. Prospecting of chromites has been taken up at Kwatha of Chandel District and Shingcha-Gamnom, Pushing, Yentem, Pinghang, Hangkau, Apong, Khangkhui, Nungbi, Kuirei , Lunghar of Ukhrul District. Preliminary investigation of Serpentinites at Shingcha has also been taken up by Geology & Mining Division. Besides, geo-chemical mapping for the prospecting of Nickel and Platinum Group Elements ( PGE )/ Platinum Group Metals ( PGM ) was taken up at Thangrai ( Lunghar ), Phangrai ( Lunghar ), Sirohi, Pushing, Gamnom, Khangkhui, Shingcha, Yentem, Apong, Pinghang, Hangkau of Ukhrul District.

 

[Hindustani78]

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https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...iren-rijiju/story-FAK2ZPdZGPB9nHUbwb83zM.html

The security situation in militancy-hit northeastern states “improved substantially” in 2017 with insurgency incidents declining by 63% as compared to 2014, according to Union home ministry figures.

There were 824 insurgency related incidents in 2014, 574 incidents in 2015, 484 in 2016 and 308 in 2017, Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju said in parliament recently in response to a written question from Manipur Lok Sabha MP Dr Thokchom Meinya.

Secretary of the MP mailed the written reply to media persons in Imphal on Wednesday.

According to the data, with 167 cases, Manipur has maximum number of insurgency related incidents among all the NE states in 2017, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (61), Assam (33), Meghalaya (28) and Nagaland (19). Mizoram and Tripura recorded no such incidents.

Besides the civilian casualties has been decreased by 83% (212 in 2014 and 37 in 2017) in the region while casualties of security forces declined by 40% (20 in 2014 and 12 in 2017),it said.

Among the NE states, Manipur has maximum number of civilian (23) and security forces (8) casualties in 2017, followed by Assam (civilian-6,security force-3),Nagaland(civilian-3,security force-1), Arunachal Pradesh (civilian-3), Meghalaya(civilian-2). No report of such casualty in Mizoram and Tripura.

In his reply on February 6, the minister added that the central government has been following a multi-pronged strategy to deal with insurgency situation in the restive region. The multi-pronged strategy includes security related measures and development initiatives.

“The central government has also been following a policy of talks with those groups which abjure the path of violence and seek resolution of their demands peacefully within the framework of the Constitution of India,” Rijiju said.

“The Government of India has appointed representatives/interlocutors to hold talks with such groups,” he added.

Besides, the central government has been supplementing the efforts of the state governments through various measures such as deployment of Central armed police forces, financial assistance for strengthening the state police forces and intelligence agencies, raising of India Reserve Battalions, rehabilitation package for surrendered militants and incurring other security related expenditures, the minister said.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...st-killed-in-chhattisgarh/article22695785.ece
Three arrested in second incident; firing near NMDC depot

Security forces gunned down one alleged member of the Maoist and arrested three others.

“An encounter took place between the police and the Maoists, One Maoist was killed in this encounter and one weapon was also recovered from the spot of the encounter. The encounter took place when a joint team of Special Task Force and the DRG [District Reserve Guard] were carrying out an anti-Maoist operation in the forest. The Maoist was identified as Hunga, who was working as a militia commander in the border areas districts.

In a separate incident, the police arrested three Maoists who were working for the militia. All three were wanted for the murder of a police constable.

In a third incident, a group of Maoists was spotted near a depot of the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) plant on Thursday. An exchange of fire took place between the Maoists and a CISF team. “The CISF neutralised the Maoists [who] ran towards district … normal operations at the mining area have resumed,” a police officer said.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/na...attle-with-police-in-chhattisgarh/541260.html
February 9

Two hardcore Maoists, including a deputy commander, were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces.

The skirmish took place at around 12.30 pm in the forest when a joint team of security forces was out on a counter-insurgency operation, Superintendent of Police told PTI.

The composite squad of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), District Reserve Guard (DRG), district force and Hawk force of Madhya Pradesh Police had launched the operation located around 160 km from the state capital, he said.

The exchange of fire started after the patrolling team came under heavy firing from a group of ultras in forests. The intermittent firing lasted for a long time, he said.

“After the guns fell silent, security forces searched the area and recovered bodies of two Maoist along with two weapons,” Police SP said.

The deceased were identified as deputy commander of military platoon no. 55 of Maoists.

“Both carried a cash reward of Rs 8 lakh and Rs 2 lakh on their heads, respectively,” he added.
Further details are awaited as the operation is still under way, he said. PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...e-arrested-in-maharashtra/article22709077.ece
Police on Friday claimed to have arrested senior Maoist leader , who headed the technical department (Maoist).

The police had intelligence inputs that senior Maoist leader was seen there along with his wife. The district police laid a trap, arrested the couple and handed them over to police,” a statement issued by the police said. senior Maoist leader, 65, was working in the Maoist movement since 1976-77. He was given the responsibility of the rebels’ technical wing in 1995. He worked for the Maoists in border areas after 1996.

“He was involved in the manufacture of weapons for the Maoists. He also worked as a trainer to the young Maoist cadres in weapon training. He carried a reward of ₹25 lakh,” the police statement added.

senior Maoist leader wife was working for the Maoist since 1992 and carried a reward of ₹6 lakh and was believed to be involved in violent incidents in border states.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-tn-andhra-pradesh-border/article22717921.ece
‘They were tasked with recruiting cadre for carrying out an armed struggle’
In a joint operation, three Maoists, including a woman, were apprehended by the district police and the ‘Q’ Branch Wing of the State police on the border on Saturday.

Superintendent of Police told The Hindu: “Following a specific intelligence input, our personnel mounted surveillance along the border. The trio was secured in a village . Our intelligence input said they were assigned by their organisations to recruit cadre and train them for an armed struggle.”

The Maoists have been identified , a Maoist leader who has been in hiding since 2003, his wife who went underground in 2008. They were booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for offences including criminal conspiracy and starting a war against Indian Establishment.

Earlier brush with police

Banned Maoist propaganda material including books and handbills were recovered from them besides laptops and mobile phones. They were well trained in handling sophisticated arms, the police said.

she is suspected to be one of the eight persons who escaped when the Special Task Force had an encounter with Maoists in the forests 40 km away in 2008. The Maoists had assembled there for a training camp. In the encounter, a trained Maoist, was killed.

She was allegedly involved in organising secret camps and recruiting people for the movement. She has criminal cases pending against her , “With the arrest of the three, a major conspiracy has been foiled.”

 

[Hindustani78]

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http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ation-at-rss-backed-event/article22716271.ece
Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy on Saturday said there was nothing in the Constitution prohibiting him from doing that.

During his speech at the conference, Mr. Roy said both the Assamese- and Bengali-speaking Hindus in Assam’s Barak Valley and the Brahmaputra basin were in danger due to infiltration. The demographic balance in these areas was on the verge of being altered and the Hindus in the state should unite to resolve the issue, he said.

“The situation in the Barak Valley is as such that if the (demographic) balance changes it will be difficult to keep Barak Valley in India. The Assamese- and Bengali-speaking Hindus in Assam have to unite in their struggle against the threat,” said Mr. Roy. He alleged there was “lack of awareness” among the Bengali-speaking Hindus of Barak Valley in this regard and they were still bogged down by the killing of 11 people in police firing in May 1961 in Silchar during the agitation against the state government’s decision to make Assamese the official language of the state.

“Some in Barak Valley even try to bring Bengali nationalism into the issue. This is totally wrong,” said Mr. Roy.

He also claimed that infiltration was steadily changing the demographic and religious balance in West Bengal as well. “While Uttar Dinajpur and Malda have turned into Indian Muslim-majority districts, the Indian Muslim population in Murshidabad, which was already an Indian Muslim-majority district during Partition, has increased from 52% to 65%,” the Tripura Governor said.

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http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-on-anti-naxal-operations/article22716717.ece
The Enforcement Directorate will participate in an inter-agency coordination meeting to be held on February 12 to thrash out a plan of action for choking the flow of funds to left-wing extremists in various states.

The ED Director will chair the event, the NIA chief will be the co-chair. Senior officials of the Intelligence Bureau, Central Reserve Police Force and police chiefs of the Naxal-hit States are also expected to take part in the brainstorming session.

As part of the strategy, the affected states are being requested to share information with the Directorate to launch investigations against the maoist operatives and seize their assets under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

It is learnt that the crackdown on extremists would be on the lines of the recent measures taken by the NIA in Jammu and Kashmir to “contain” stone pelters. The agency has registered terror-funding cases and made several arrests.

Those involved have been accused of raising, receiving and collecting funds through illegal means to foment separatist/terrorist activities and causing disruption by pelting the security forces with stones, burning schools and damaging public property.

In coordination with the Bihar and the Jharkhand Police, the ED has already initiated money laundering probe against maoist agents. Earlier this month, the Directorate attached assets worth ₹86 lakh of the alleged in-charge of “Madhya Zone” of Bihar-Jharkhand special area committee of the Maoist.


Over 88 FIRs and charge-sheets have been filed by the Bihar Police against Maoist agent. His brother has also been arraigned in eight cases. It is alleged that the two had amassed ₹1.5 crore through illegal means, including extortion, and invested the money in immovable properties.

Following the attachment of their assets, it is learnt, the case investigating officer received a threat. Subsequently, a complaint was lodged with the Delhi Police seeking action against the person involved.

In view of the threat, the officials involved in money laundering probe against Maoist agent may be provided security by the respective state governments.

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Press Trust of India, Raipur, Feb 11 2018, 11:02 IST

Efforts were on to retrieve the body from the forest, the official said, adding that a combing operation was underway in the region. PTI file photo for representation.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/658907/jawan-killed-ied-blast-triggered.html
A jawan of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) was killed when a pressure bomb planted by Maoist went off in district this morning, police said.

The DRG team was out on an area domination operation in a forest about 500 km from here, when the blast occurred, a senior police official told PTI.

While cordoning off a nearby forest bordering , an assistant constable of the DRG inadvertently stepped on the pressure improvised explosive device (IED) connection following which it exploded, he said.

The security personnel, identified as Sondhar Hemla, died on the spot, he said.

Efforts were on to retrieve the body from the forest, the official said, adding that a combing operation was underway in the region.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurating the Hunar Haat Exhibition, in New Delhi on February 11, 2018. The Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and the Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Shri Ameising Luikham are also seen.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/658996/rs-1344-crore-allocated-fight.html

The government has earmarked Rs 1,344 crore for fighting Maoists and reaching out to people in the Maoist-infested districts with development projects.

The bulk of the allocation, which is detailed in a Budget document 'Output-Outcome FrameWork for Schemes 2018-19', goes to projects proposed by states in the 35 worst Maoist-infested districts.

The budgetary allocation for Special Central Assistance for these districts is Rs 1,000 crore.

Under this, funds would be provided to these districts in seven Maoist-affected states in advance - Rs 28.57 crore per district per annum for three years - for undertaking the projects.

A senior official in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said this scheme is aimed at providing public infrastructure and services like school buildings, anganwadi centres, primary health centres, drinking water supply, village roads and furniture in schools. According to the document, this will help in filling critical gaps of emergent nature not covered under any development scheme.

"The government's policy is multi-prong. Force alone would not help in tackling the Maoist menace. We need to bring the fruits of development to these areas so that people can stand up to the ultras," the official told DH.

Another Rs 200 crore is allocated for Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme. This amount would be spent on paying ex gratia to families of civilians and personnel killed in the Maoist violence, insurance premium of police, training and operational requirements, compensation for surrendered Maoists, security-related infrastructure and other expenses of village defence committees.

The scheme is expected to reduce the Maoist violence and number of attacks on security personnel deployed in such areas.

Last year, the Maoists violence remained below 1,000-mark for the first time in eight years but the number of security personnel killed in action had recorded a rise.

Securing police stations also have got priority with the allocation of Rs 94 crore given under Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) for construction of 250 fortified police stations.

This would help in filling critical infrastructure relating to mobility of security forces and secure camping grounds and helipads in remote areas.

 

[Hindustani78]

The progress made by the CBI’s SIT in the investigation into encounters by the Army, the Assam Rifles and the police in Manipur, 1,528 FIR have been registered in Manipur.

SIT apprised it that 42 cases have so far been registered on such killings. Three persons to associate with the SIT to carry out investigation in 17 out of the 42 cases related to the ranks and region of origin of the Maoists.