Khonsa: Over 120 gaon buras (village chiefs) and chieftains of the Tirap and Longding districts on Wednesday extended their support to the security forces to tackle and end the menace of NSCN insurgents operating across the two districts.
The unanimous decision from the gaon buras and chieftains came following a security meeting organized by the Khonsa battalion of Assam Rifles in collaboration with the local police and administration at the battalion’s unit headquarters here, officials said.
The meeting, among others, discussed matters related to alleviating anti-social activities such as extortion, kidnapping and rebel recruitments, etc. carried out by various factions of the NSCN in the Tirap and Longding districts.
Earlier while addressing the village heads, 6 Assam Rifles commandant Col Amit Kumar Das called for the proactive involvement and cooperation of the village authorities to end the menace of insurgency in the two districts.
“We need your active involvement and cooperation to ensure that unlawful activities of the insurgents including extortion, kidnapping, recruitments, etc. are reduced. This is for the safety and security of the people and for peace to prevail in the region,” the commandant said.
Col Das thanked the village heads for providing timely information of insurgents which he said has resulted in a number of successful operations in the past one year.
He also complimented the village chiefs and chieftains of both the districts for providing their wholehearted support to the 63 insurgents who surrendered and joined the mainstream also for ensuring zero recruitment of youths.
The village chiefs were further advised not to allow any civilian to accompany or guide the insurgents groups or stay in their hideouts as the same “will endanger their lives during operations carried out by the security forces.”
The gaon buras and chieftains were also asked to immediately inform the security forces and police of any forceful action by insurgents so that operations could be planned with due deliberations.
The recently announced surrender and rehabilitation policy of the state government was also apprised to the gathering and village heads who in turn pledged that they will ensure all native insurgents join the mainstream.
During the meeting, the growing trend of protests against insurgents were enumerated and examples of protests in Khonsa, Noglo, Lahu, Kapu, Pullung, Longphong and Longkhaw areas of the two district were presented and the strength in unity of villagers was brought to the fore.
Information on various civic action initiatives and employment opportunities available for the youths was also shared with the village heads.
The security meet received an overwhelming response and all the attendees unanimously decided to oppose the collection of extortion money by underground groups and stand united against the menace of insurgency in the two districts, officials added.
