NSCN militants nabbed in Dima Hasao

SILCHAR, Jan 31: Peace seemed to elude the turbulent Dima Hasao district even though the major militant outfits had laid down arms to return to the mainstream. Dreaded terrorists from the neighbouring states used to either sponsor the local outfits or directly involved themselves in subversive activities. NSCN (I-M) was instrumental in the rise of Jewel Garlosa’s DHD, the most dreaded Dimasa militant outfits which unleashed terror in the hill district. On October 2, 2009 the Jewel faction of the DHD laid down arms and since then the outfit’s activities had ebbed down majorly. But the NSCN was still active. Sources said, the Khaplang faction of the Naga militant outfit used to extend military assistance to the Hill Tiger Force, an outfit of the non-Dimasa tribes demanding bifurcation of Dima Hasao into two separate autonomous councils. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in recent times alleged that the Naga militants were behind the carnage in the Dimasa villages by the HTF militants. On Monday, army nabbed one NSCN (I-M) militant and another linkman of the outfit from Lodibasti, a Naga infested area. The militant was identified as Keishing Zeme and other one was Changlobe Kuame. An AK-56 rifle was recovered from the residence of Keishing and three AK-56 rifles and some ammunition were recovered from Kuame’s place. It was suspected that these two militants were involved in the kidnapping and murder of JS Sidhu and Ramen Sarma, two senior officers of JP Cement and Assam Mineral Development Corporation. Sources said, the arrest of two Naga militants once again proved that Dima Hasao was still the safe haven for the NSCN (I-M). Source: The Sentinel