Securitymen wage losing battle in Tripura

The security forces apparently walked into a trap laid by the NLFT-NSCN cadres. This single incident exposed major chinks in the intelligence network of the forces involved in counter-insurgency operations.

It also showed how the securitymen, most of whom are alien to the land, are completely dependent on the special branch of the State police for information.

The Left Front Government was never really interested in turning to the Army for help. Home Minister Samar Chowdhury told The Indian Express that his Government had no plans to let the Army take charge since “we are interested in retaining civilian administration over the entire State.” The State Government created a committee under the Chief Secretary to coordinate counter-insurgency operations. However, not much headway has been made.

The fact that only 19 of the 45 police station areas have been declared disturbed suggests that the State Government is unable to decide on how it plans to quell insurgency. “If there is a crackdown in these 19 disturbed areas, where is the guarantee that the insurgents will not seek refuge in the areas not declared disturbed. There are enough safe havens within the State,” observed a security officer.

Another officer went a step further, saying no counter-insurgency operation in any of the North-East states could hope to succeed until a detailed action plan involving all insurgency-hit states was drawn and implemented. His reasoning was that since different insurgent outfits had established links with each other, there was a need for a common plan to counter their activities.

The Amarpur ambush, carried out jointly by cadres of the NLFT and NSCN, proved the officer’s claims. The NLFT, which along with the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) is the leading outfit in Tripura, has not only been imparted training by the NSCN but is also believed to have access to NSCN weapon shipments coming into Chittagong port. Most insurgents usually carry AK-56 and AK-47s, in sharp contrast to the obsolete weapons of the State police.

The insurgents have been shifting camps ever since the Bangladesh Government launched a crackdown and ordered them to wind up and leave. Yet the Chittagong Hill Tracts, where very little policing is possible, remain a safe getaway region.

There is also considerable concern over the mystery flight over Tripura recently. Officials confirmed reports that an unidentified aircraft flew over the State but could not say where the flight had originated or its purpose.

There is speculation here that the plane may have been on an arms drop sortie for the insurgents, because weapon-smuggling over land has become difficult ever since the Bangladesh Government cracked the whip.