Porous border aiding ultras to smuggle arms

Porous international border with Bangladesh and Myanmar is helping the insurgent groups of the North East region to bring in arms and explosives to the region to carry on their acts of violence and it is not possible to guard every inch of the international border to check the menace. Highly placed security sources admitted that it would be difficult to overcome the problem till the Governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar extend their full cooperation to deal with the menace.

Sources said that illegal arms and explosives are easily available in the clandestine markets in South East Asia and the militants bring it to the North East either through Myanmar or through Bangladesh. It may be mentioned here that recently two hardcore militants belonging to the ULFA were arrested in Guwahati city when they were transporting a consignment of explosives and arms to Upper Assam from Goalpara and it is believed that the arms were brought into Assam through Bangladesh.

Sources revealed that Ruili, a small town in the China-Thailand-Myanmar border is a known centre for procurement of arms and explosives by the militant groups of the North East including the ULFA. According to information available with the security agencies, the militant groups like the ULFA and the PLA of Manipur have even placed permanent representatives in Ruili to deal with the clandestine arms dealers of a regular basis. Pengchiang in the China-Myanmar border is another known centre for procurement of weapons by the militant groups of the North East and because of the existence of the centers of procurement of arms by the North East militants, the Government of India is apprehensive of reopening of the historic Stilwell Road despite persistent demands by various organizations for the reopening of the Road constructed during the second World War for facilitating border trade with the South East Asian countries.

Sources disclosed that according to reports available with the Indian security agencies, some of the ordnance factories in China dispose off the excess production in the open market and that’s why Chinese weapons including grenades are commonly used by the militant groups of the region. Cambodian groups also dump their weapons in the clandestine markets and all such weapons make their way into the markets including the one in Ruili. Some such dealings also take place in Thailand and in 2004, one hardcore National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) militant, Benu Boro was arrested in Thailand when he was trying to seal an arms deal. Sources said that the RDX used by the militants to trigger off blasts in the North East is brought from either Pakistan or Afghanistan.

The weapons and explosives procured in the clandestine markets of South East Asian countries are brought into the region mainly through two routes. One route through the territory of Myanmar and the other route is through Bangladesh after bringing the weapons to the Chittagong port. Sources pointed out that in April, 2004, two shiploads of sophisticated weapons including sub machine guns, AK series rifles etc were seized in Chittagong port of Bangladesh when the same were transported into trucks. The weapons were enough to arm one full division of the Army and it is believed that the weapons were parts of consignment for the militant groups of the North East including the ULFA. Sources said that the Government of Bangladesh did not allow India, despite repeated requests, to take part in the investigations into the case and detailed reports of the investigations were also not given to India.

Commenting on the problems faced by the forces in dealing with the problem, sources pointed out that India has more than 4500 kilometers of border with Bangladesh including riverine border and though the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel are posted along the Indo-Bangla border, it is not possible to guard every inch of the border all throughout the day and the terrain is also helpful for the militants. Though the construction of fencing along the Indo-Bangla border is on, it will take some more time to complete the job and fencing the riverine border is not possible.

Sources said that the Assam Rifles has been entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the international border with Myanmar. But the force does not have adequate manpower to do the job properly and new battalions are being raised for the purpose. However, raising of new battalions will take some more time and even after full deployment of forces along the border, it will not be possible to guard every inch of the border because of the rough terrain. The Government of India has mooted a proposal to construct fencing in certain patches of the border with Myanmar, but it will not be possible to fence the entire border because of the terrain. However, full deployment of Assam Rifles will definitely act as a deterrent for the militants as it will restrict their free movement to some extent, sources admitted.

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