Rebels along India-Myanmar border to face mounted crackdown

New Delhi

The armed rebel groups from north east India and dissidents in Myanmar may face enhanced crackdown along the border areas as part of joint mission of both the Indian government and the military rulers in the neighbouring country to take on insurgency. 

Security apparatus in New Delhi and the military rulers in Myanmar share the same view that it is important to maintain 'security and stability' along the India-Myanmar borders, sources said.

"The Indian government has got cooperation from successive regimes in Myanmar including the  Tatmadaw. The Myanmar forces had handed over a group of 22 Indian insurgents to the Government of India on May 15, 2020, as well as five more insurgents in December 2021," the source said, adding "future cooperation" is also expected.

Blogger with forces in north east

Sources said the Myanmar military rulers have conveyed to New Delhi that they are on the "same page" with the central government that terrorism and insurgency constitute a significant threat to peace and stability in the region and should be confronted in all its manifestations. 

Reflecting deepening of ties, the Myanmar government and the forces 

have helped India's security forces to keep track of activities of Naga groups and

also groups from Manipur, such as United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the People’s Revolutionary 

Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK-Pro), Kanglei Yawol Kunna Lup (KYKL) and the People’s Liberation Army of 

Manipur (PLA) and also National Democratic Front of Bodoland from Assam.

In fact, post the ambush at Churachandpur in November 2021, Indian authorities have been in touch

with the military regime in Myanmar. Even Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla visited the country in December end

and held important parleys.

Sources suggest enhanced interaction with Myanmar forces and cooperation would be crucial in deciding New Delhi's

future course of actions vis-a-vis some important peace talks with the Naga and Assam-based groups.

Myanmar has assured India afresh that it will "never allow any negative element" to use its soil (Western Myanmar region)

to engage in any hostile activities against India. Importantly, it has been underlined that 

Myanmar would also expect India to uphold the same principle.

While it understands the complexities in Indian groups 'often seeking shelter'  in Myanmar, the 

military regime knows the importance of Chin rebel groups and civilian population sneaking into Mizoram.

Recent clashes between the Tatmadaw and the People's Defence Force (PDF) and the Chin National Army (CNA) 

and military actions against the civilians in a number of towns and villages have triggered fresh exodus into

Mizoram.

Mizoram's Champhai district adjoining Myanmar witnessed a fresh influx of about 2,500 intruders from Haimual and

Khawmawi in the Chin region lately, sources said. 

ends