Arrest of arms supplier exposes Jihadi-militants nexus in North-East

New Delhi: The arrest of a key arms supplier identified as Sajid Ali in Assam shows continuous involvement of Jihadi elements in aiding and abetting militancy in the northeast.

According to sources, Sajid Ali supplied arms and ammunition to National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang faction), NSCN(K), and his arrest has been described by security experts as a big blow to the insurgent group.

Army and Assam Rifles personnel on Wednesday, December 2, nabbed the key arms and ammunition supplier at Naharkatia in Assam’s Dibrugarh district.

The timing of the arrest is significant. The arrested wrongdoer was also allegedly involved in providing assistance to the armed cadres and carried out illegal activities for the insurgent group in the border areas of Assam and Nagaland.

Reports from the northeast say security forces have lately intensified counter-insurgency operations against insurgent groups along Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh borders. The high alert has been sounded especially in view of the ensuing festive season during Christmas and the New Year’s Day and Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

MIlitary sources said the insurgent groups in the region generally intensify efforts to procure arms and ammunition,

food supplies and also cash during the winter season. Arms procurement and movement of insurgents and their associates generally become a difficult proposition during the rainy season. The government is also pushing the Naga peace parleys towards a logical end.

Amid battle of wits between NSCN (IM) leadership and Nagaland Governor R N Ravi, military operations have

been launched against NSCN (IM) and other militant groups outside Nagaland. Lately army chief Gen M M Naravane himself landed in state capital Kohima and held crucial meetings with senior military officers, Governor Ravi and also Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

The NSCN (IM) has been in peace talks with the centre for the last 23 years and lately brought in major hurdles by raising the issues of Flag and separate Constitution. The authorities have rejected the twin demands outright.