The Hindu : Modern weapons for security forces in north-east

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 14, 2003

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Other States - Tripura

Modern weapons for security forces in north-east

By Our Correspondent

AGARTALA DEC. 13. The Centre has reiterated the need for equipping the security forces with modern equipment to counter the insurgent forces in the north-east. With deployment of additional units, modern weapons are being provided.

Improvised explosive devices are being extensively used by the extremist outfits. Landmines have already claimed the lives of 49 security personnel. Against this backdrop, the Border Security Force has decided to go in for minesweepers. This instrument is imported from Israel and Russia. In view of the requirement of the BSF, the defence organisations have decided to manufacture minesweepers indigenously. Thermal imagers and electronically-controlled target systems are being provided to the BSF.

In Tripura, Cachar and Mizoram, the frontier battalions of the BSF have been guarding the 1333.5-km border with Bangladesh and the 31.5-km border with Myanmar.

Malignant malaria is also a formidable adversary to the troops. The border areas are dense forests and this has made trekking the 6 to 7 km distance between BSF posts difficult. In the absence of barbed wire fencing and due to the inaccessibility, infiltrations cannot be stemmed. Militant outfits plant explosive devices in these areas.

According to BSF sources, the north-eastern extremist outfits are being trained in Bangladesh camps by the Taliban and the Al-Qaeda.

Pakistan's ISI is financing them and aiding their infiltration.

In a bipartite meeting in Shillong in October, precise information about the 78 extremist training camps was handed over to Bangladesh representatives.

In spite of their assurance to look into the matter, nothing has been done. The proposal of joint patrolling by the BSF and the Bangladesh Rifles has not materialised.

The State police force also has been getting modern equipment. Red corner alert has been issued against 47 extremist leaders and help from the Interpol has also been sought.

The outfits are demanding an autonomous region comprising all the seven States of the north-east.

Inter-party and intra-party clashes are, however, on the increase among the outfits over turf and dissidence.

The growing mercenary character of the leaders, who wallow in luxury, has led to disillusionment among the rank and the file. This is also leading to surrender of a considerable number.

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Modern weapons for security forces in north-east