North-east

North-east secessionist outfits take a beating in US action against Al Qaeda
By Jyotilal Choudhury

THE dramatic killing of Al Qaeda chief, Osama bin Laden, the icon of terror for the world, at Abbottabad, 60 kms from Islamabad, in a midnight operation by the elite US Navy Seals has vindicated the stand of India that Pakistan is the epicentre or cockpit of terrorism and has been exporting jihadi elements to its neighbour for subversive activities across the country. 26/11 is among the deadliest acts of mayhems in Mumbai. Unless America reigns in Pakistan and forces it to shut down and dismantle camps and sanctuaries of terrorists on its soil, the fight against terrorism will remain a half done job. Latest information speaks of 140 terrorist camps in Pak-occupied Kashmir alone and all this within the knowledge of the government of the country.

Reports often emanating from international and national intelligence agencies have gone to hint how various militant groups of north-east have been receiving logistic and material support from Pakistan and Bangladesh from dreaded outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba, Huji, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Jammat-ud-Dawa through ISI operatives. The JuD activists led by its chief openly vowed for vengeance on the streets of Islamabad. It is to be recalled Mumbai blasts were carried out by Dawood Ibrahim at ISI’s behest in 1993. Besides, top militant leaders of north-east outfits have been frequenting Pakistan on arms mission from their safe hideouts in Bangladesh.

The huge stockpiles of lethal arms and ammunitions detained by the Rapid Action Battalion of Bangladesh at Chittagong for shipment to ULFA in 2002 during BNP regime is a glaring instance of Pak based jihadi groups’ involvement. With the return of Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina, a full fledged investigation and trial in process has exposed the involvement of high profile political, civil and police officials in this nefarious gameplan.

Though Bangladesh has cracked down on the hideouts of north east extremists and even arrested top guns from some frontline outfits, jihadi and terrorist forces, though lying low, continue to hold ground. BNP’ come back will provide them all the leverage and ground support.

Though no concrete evidence has come about the visits of Pak based mastermind—Dawood Ibrahim, Hafiz Saeed, Zakir-ur-Rahman Lakhvi, Masood Azhar, Yusuf Muzammil, Sajid Mir and the likes, known for their anti-India operations, to Bangladesh, their being in the proxy role to prop up extremists of the region is not denied by intelligence agencies. But the outfits have been maintaining close links with terror groups of Pakistan. The confessions of several detained ISI agents in Assam have lent credence to it.

Insurgency analysts feel unless terrorism is completely eliminated from Pakistan, its dark shadows will continue to encourage the anti-India operatives on Bangladesh soil and play second fiddle to the north-east extremists. ULFA C-in-C Paresh Barua and his diehard supporters are still flexing their muscles in Myanmar with China back up.

America’s war against terrorism, a blatant realisation and shake up after 9/11 holocaust, has yet another significant fall out. The UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and People’ Organisation, a win of UNO, at Pentagon’s behest is no more hosting militant leaders of north east to internationalise their so-called fight for homelands. NSCN(IM) and NSCN(Khaplang), ULFA and UNLF got seal and approval of the global forum to draw support and in the process strengthen terrorism and expand its base.

Osama’s death acclaimed across the continents and America hardening its stand on terrorism is expected to push the militant outfits of the region in peace-process and still in wilderness to rethink and redefine their strategy for dialogue for peace. USA’s resolve against terrorism should include check on the open sale of deadly weapons in international markets which come handy for the extremists of the region. Once the conduits for arms and ammunitions from the infamous Golden Triangle are choked, extremists still underground will be left with no option than to sit for dialogue. If America can go deep inside Pakistan territory to kill Osama, the mastermind of 9/11, should not India dare strike at the hideouts of the perpetrators of 26/11 and serial mayhems across the country?