Inputs Suggest Visit to China by Leaders of NE Insurgent Groups
There are no specific reports to suggest that rebels in the North East were offered sale of surface to air missiles by agents who were working on behalf of Chinese intelligence agencies. However, there have been inputs suggesting visit of some leaders of insurgent groups in the North Eastern region to China on several occasions, with the objective to establish rapport with Chinese authorities to facilitate procurement of arms and ammunition from arms agents in that country. The armoury being acquired from China by the insurgent groups is being smuggled through Thailand and Sino-Myanmar border to the North Eastern States. The acquisition of arms is facilitated by the easy availability of weapons in the Sino-Myanmar border towns like Tengchong, Ruili and Yingjiang in Yunnan province.
In order to prevent smuggling of arms from across the border, the Central Government has stepped up vigilance and surveillance along the border. Further, the security forces along the border have been suitably sensitized regarding arms smuggling by insurgents and regular patrolling along the border areas is being carried out. The Government of India has also voiced its concerns with the Governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh, over the reported smuggling of arms through their territories.
The State Governments in North Eastern States are being assisted in carrying out counter-insurgency operations through the deployment of Central Security Forces for providing security to vulnerable institutions and installations. Intelligence inputs are shared on continuous basis and financial assistance is given for strengthening of the local Police Force and intelligence agencies under the Police Modernization Scheme. Assistance is also being provided for strengthening various aspects of the security apparatus and counter-insurgency operations, by way of reimbursement of Security Related Expenditure. The scheme is being implemented in all the North Eastern States except Mizoram and Sikkim. The Central Government has also assisted the States in raising of additional Forces in the form of India Reserve Battalions.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Mullappally Ramachandran in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
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OK/KS