Exodus of rebels from Myanmar on: 2 ULFA-I men held in Assam

Tinsukia: A joint team of police, the Indian Army and the CRPF apprehended two ULFA(I) rebels in two separate operations from Assam’s Tinsukia on Monday, taking the tally of militants caught in the district alone to 30 in recent times.

The arrested youths have been identified as SS Private Manabh Moran alias Tong Axom (23) and SS Pvt Mukut Asom alias Simanta Mech (28).

Talking to EastMojo, Tinsukia SP Shiladitya Chetia said, “Based on reliable inputs, we launched two separate operations at Jagun and Margherita in Tinsukia district. The operation by joint team of security forces compelled the rebels to surrender before the forces.”

“We have recovered two .32 mm pistol (factory made), seven live ammunitions and one magazine,” Chetia said, adding that both the militants had come from Myanmar.

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According to sources, ever since the Tatmadaw (Myanmarese army) launched offensive against the militant outfits of Northeast operating from Myanmar in the beginning of this year, there has been an exodus of cadres, following a communication gap with top leadership of Ulfa(I) who fled to Yunan province.

“The Tinsukia SP explored this situation and developed strong co-ordinaton with other security and intelligence agencies in the region and forced around 30 rebels of various ranks, who fled Myanmar, to surrender,” a source in one of the security agencies said, adding, there is always a “risk” that these youths, who have lost their track in life and joined banned militant outfits, might engage in subversive activities and cause harm to life and property. “However, the SP has shown a great amount of command on the situation ensuring militants surrender before security forces,” the source added.