GUWAHATI, Nov 9 ? Indian Army has increased its strength in some districts of Manipur bordering Myanmar to prevent infiltration of underground groups into the North East. The two districts of Manipur- Churachandpur and Chandel, bordering Myanmar have been kept under close surveillance by the security forces keeping in view the free movement of ultras and spurt in subversive activities.
The ongoing anti-insurgency operation is based on assurance given by the State Peace Development Council (SPDC) chairman of Myanmar, Than Shawe who along with several senior members of Myanmar recently visited India and assured full co-operation in curbing militancy in North East India. His assurance has given a sigh of relief to the Indian Home Ministry which has been fighting insurgency for the last several decades.
As many as 12 underground groups including United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Revolutionary People?s Front (RPF), National Socialist Council Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) have set up strong bases in various bordering areas of Myanmar from which they have been fomenting subversive activities in the North East. The militant groups have strong presence in Kabu Valley, Tamu and Saging division of Myanmar. Saging division of Myanmar which is famous for undulating forest is said to be the hotbed of North East Indian militant groups.
Though the Indian Government has been constantly persuading the Burmese junta to take action against the militants, the junta has not been able to comply with the demand of the government. This is apparently due to undulating forest and poor strength of forces of the present Government (junta). In 2000, the Burmese junta had conducted a series of raids on the camps of UNLF and confiscated a huge cache of arms and ammunition. Interestingly, the operation had irked several top army officials forcing the Junta to reach a pact with the militant groups. Since then no big operation has been carried out so far.
In view of constant pressure from the Indian Government, the junta has now deployed about 1000 soldiers along the international border. But the existing troops are not sufficient to cope with the insurgent groups as they have extended a wide network in various areas of Myanmar.
Apart from militancy, the Myanmar Government is facing severe economic crisis in the wake of economic sanctions imposed by the USA. After the economic sanction, the junta is now more depended on India and it has sought funds to overcome the crisis. Taking advantage of it, India has mounted pressure on the Junta to flush out the militant groups taking shelter in the bordering areas of the country.