Myanmar handed over list of our rebel camps on its soil: India

NEW DELHI, May 29 (KUNA) -- India Thursday stated that it had handed over to Myanmar a list of camps of insurgent groups from the countrys Northeastern region, operating from the latters territory. Indias key paramilitary force Assam Rifles today said that New Delhi has given a list of camps of Northeast-based insurgent groups, including the banned United Liberation Front of Asom, to neighbouring Myanmar, but it was yet to get any response. "Our government has given the location of the rebel camps within Myanmar. But the military junta is yet to respond to the issue," Assam Rifles Director General Lt Gen Paramjit Singh told reporters today at Shillong, capital of Indias Northeastern state of Meghalaya. Myanmar was urged to coordinate its operation against the rebel camps so that the vigilance along the Indian borders could be stepped up to facilitate the flush-out of the insurgents, Gen Singh said, adding, "Officially, there is no report of any action by Myanmar against the rebel camps." India shares a border of more than 1,600 km with Myanmar. India's Northeastern states of Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh share borders with Myanmar. Number of insurgent groups from India's Northeast operate from hideouts in Eastern Myanmar. Gen Singh said, "Certain developments are taking place. There are diplomatic and political maneuvers. International pressure groups are also acting. India is seeing at the larger picture, and the long-term strategic importance of the development in South East Asia. Military solution cannot be the answer always. Such matters need to be addressed politically and diplomatically. Last March, India and Myanmar held their 14th round of annual Home Secretary level talks here to discuss various institutional mechanisms to strengthen security cooperation. At the meeting, various issues of mutual concern including cross-border terrorism, smuggling of arms and narcotic drugs, effective border management, border trade and cross-border projects were discussed. Last month, India and Myanmar signed an Agreement and two Protocols on the 'Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project' during the visit of Vice Senior General Maung Aye of Myanmar to Delhi. The project will greatly enhance connectivity between Myanmar and India, in particular with Indias North Eastern States. India's Myanmar policy is based on four factors -- balancing increasing engagement between China and Myanmar, combating Indian insurgent groups there, harnessing the hydrocarbons in Myanmar and using Myanmar as a gateway to Southeast Asia. (end) dr.bz.
KUNA 291758 May 08NNNN