More troops to man Myanmar border - Deployment at year-end to curb militant activities and smuggling

Shillong, March 24: At least three battalions of Assam Rifles will be deployed towards the end of this year along the Indo-Myanmar border to check movement of militants and smuggling.

Lt Gen. K.S. Yadava releases a commemorative stamp at the Assam Rifles headquarters in Laitkor. Telegraph picture

Director-general of Assam Rifles Lt Gen. K.S. Yadava told reporters here today that after the Centre had approved deployment of 26 additional Assam Rifles battalions along the Indo-Myanmar border, at least three of these battalions would be used on the border towards the end of this year.

The paramilitary force hopes that with more deployment of forces, it would be able to check the activities of the Northeast militants, including Ulfa cadres who had fled from Bangladesh after a series of raids against them.

There are reports that after the action against the Northeast militants, who were camping in Bangladesh, several cadres had fled to Myanmar.

Despite assurance from the Myanmar army, there have been no tangible results as far as action against the Northeast militants is concerned. The shortage of Assam Rifles personnel to man the Indo-Myanmar border had hampered effective vigil on the border.

There are only 15 battalions of the Assam Rifles manning the Indo-Myanmar border from Arunachal Pradesh to Mizoram.

Yadava said there was a need to improve the infrastructure before deploying more Assam Rifles battalions as the Myanmar border had rugged terrain and jungles.

“We hope that the deployment of more Assam Rifles personnel will also be of great help to the border residents,” Gen. Yadava said.

The Centre had realised the importance of manning the Indo-Myanmar border by the Assam Rifles after the Kargil war.

On the issue of withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from Manipur, Gen. Yadava said it was up to the government to decide on matters related to its review.

He, however, said as the situation in Manipur was not normal, the withdrawal of the army act would deprive the armed forces from containing law and order effectively in the trouble-prone areas of the country.

As part of the 175th raising day of the Assam Rifles, Gen. Yadava today flagged off the car and motorcycle rallies at the Assam Rifles headquarters at Laitkor. The rallies were flagged off from New Delhi on March 4.

Gen. Yadava also released a commemorative stamp on the occasion.

Source :http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100325/jsp/northeast/story_12257228.jsp