India raises troops in fight against Northeast militancy and drug trafficking

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
July 19, 2003:

The Assam Rifles, one of the major Indian security forces, is likely get a shot in the arm as the Indian Home Ministry decided to raise eight more battalions to guard the Indo-Burma border. The move came in the wake of a spurt in activities by underground rebel groups and an increase in drug trafficking.

According to sources in the Indian Home Ministry, the existing companies of the Assam Rifles are not adequate to guard the border, keeping in view of growing incidents of violence. ”We have decided to strengthen the existing forces by raising some new battalions”, the sources said.

Asked whether they had set any time frame for the troop enlargement, the answer was that the entire process would be completed in a phased manner “probably by 2007”.

The Burmese military Junta is learnt to have constituted a new force – Pyithu–Sitt (the People’s Army). These forces have been deployed in the border townships in a bid to contain activities by the Indian ultras.

“It is of paramount importance that our North East frontier should be properly guarded to foil any attempts by the anti-social elements”, the Home Ministry sources stated, adding that the Burmese Junta had started to take stern action against the Northeast militants who are undergoing training in different camps in Burma. Recent developments in the relationship between India and Burma are expected to help both countries in containing militant activities.