NEW DELHI, Feb 18 — The role of several human right groups including the Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti (MASS) in the North-East is under scrutiny, with the Ministry of Home Affairs identifying them as having close links with the underground outfits. The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sri I D Swami in a statement in the Lok Sabha said that several NGOs in the North-East have clandestine links with terrorist organisations. The organisations named included the MASS, North-East Coordination Committee on Human Rights (NECCHR). United Committee, Manipur (UCM), Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and Naga Students Federation (NSF).
These NGOs have not been reported to have engaged themselves openly in supporting or promoting terrorist activities. These NGOs maintain discreet links with the terrorist organisations. However, 13 organisations of the North Eastern States have been declared as Unlawful Association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Minister said.
The Minister further clarified none of the these organisations get any financial assistance from the Government of India. It may be recalled here that MHA had on an earlier occasion also identified MASS as having close links with outlawed ULFA. Both the NPMHR and NSF closely identifies themselves with the NSCN (I-M).
Meanwhile, the Minister has revealed that no time-frame has been fixed for the next round of talks with the NSCN (I-M). During the discussions with the Naga leaders during their Delhi visit they raised the issue of unification of the Naga areas. The NSCN (I-M) raised among other issues, their demand relating to the distinct identity of the Nagas and their stand on unification of Naga areas, the Minister disclosed.