Hindustan Times (Delhi)

Myanmar won’t let its territory be used by anti-India groups, goes after NSCN(K)

- Shishir Gupta letters@hindustant­imes.com

NEW DELHI: Reassuring New Delhi that it won’t allow anti-Indian activity on its soil, Myanmar has resumed counter-insurgency operations against the Nationalis­t Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) group. The Thein Sein government gave this assurance to national security advisor Ajit Doval who flew in from Delhi to witness the signing of a ceasefire agreementb­etweenNayp­yidawand eight rebel armies on Thursday.

Top sources said NSCN(K) leader SS Khaplang and insurgency group military commander Niki Sumi were not invited to the ceremony because Doval and the Centre’s Naga interlocut­or RN Ravi were present. Doval met President Thein Sein and minister in the president’s office Aung Min during his 24-hour trip.

Even though Myanmar has a ceasefire agreement with NSCN (K) since March, the army launched operations inside its western borders with India against Khaplang insurgents on October 15. The Khaplang group has training camps across the Manipur border with Myanmar and across the Vijaynagar salient in Arunachal Pradesh.

With India committed to stabilisin­g the Northeast, Doval had discussion­s with the Myanmarese junta to ensure the weapons supply line from Ruili in China’s Yunan province is snapped by the Myanmar army and anti-India insurgents do not get refuge or patronage. Sources said Myanmar was keen Doval attend the ceasefire ceremony as India played a role behind the scenes to broker a truce between the government and rebel armies.

 ??  ?? Police personnel click pictures of Indian and South African players during a practice session in Rajkot on Saturday. KUNAL PATIL / HT PHOTO
Police personnel click pictures of Indian and South African players during a practice session in Rajkot on Saturday. KUNAL PATIL / HT PHOTO

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