'Northeast insurgents using Myanmar as safe sanctuary'

Insurgent groups like ULFA and NSCN-K have been using Myanmar as safe sanctuary and have set up bases there, despite that country's repeated assurances not to allow its territory for activities inimical to India, Government said on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran told Lok Sabha that Manipur based Meiti insurgent groups like People's Liberation Army, United National Liberation Front, People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak; Naga insurgent group like NSCN-K and ULFA (anti-talk faction) and NDFB have their camps and hideouts in Myanmar Naga Hills.

He said the presence of insurgent groups in Myanmar has been the single most important security issue for India at every bilateral negotiations between India and Myanmar.

"Myanmar has always been assuring India that they will not allow their soil to be used by these groups to carry out activities inimical to India.

"These groups continue to use Myanmar territory notwithstanding Myanmar's repeated assurances not to allow its territory for activities inimical to India," he said.

Replying to another question, Ramachandran said there were reports that the ULFA (anti talk faction) continues to consolidate organisationally and strengthen its military capability for carrying out violent activities in different parts of Assam, with a view to maintain its dominance as well as create fear psychosis to facilitate extortion.

"State government has been advised to alert the security forces to control the activities of ULFA," he said.