NEW DELHI: Men of the specialized armed force from Nagaland would soon be descending on the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh to mount special effort to contain the militant activities in the area.

The Union Home Ministry approached the Nagaland Governor recently seeking his concurrence to send one battalion of the specialized force to UP. The Governor acceded to the request of the Center and the force of approximately one thousand men would be arriving in the Terai region shortly.

The Center is also sending another battalion of CRPF simultaneously to take care of UPs needs in the militant infested Terai region. These forces would be in addition to those sent earlier, The two battalions of additional forces are being sent to UP in the wake of persistent demand from the state government following spurt in militant violence in region. Just about a month ago, militants struck innocent villagers in the area, killing 25 of them. This sent shock waves all over the state and outside,

The Union Home Secretary called a special meeting of senior UP officials here on August 11 to discuss the violence in Terai was attended by among others, the states Principal Secretary (Home), Director General of Police and the Director General (Intelligence). At that meeting chaired by the Special Secretary (Home), V.K Jain, it was decided to send additional paramilitary forces to UP to contain the violence in the Terai region.

The Home Ministry as also UP law and order authorities are credited with the view that the men of the Nagaland specialized force are very successful in flushing out outlaws from the thick forests in the region. In all likelihood, their services would be utilized in combing jungles in the Terai region where Punjab militants are hiding and expanding their bases.

What is causing concern to the Center is the fact that the militants are expanding their area of operation in UP. Apart from the forests of the Terai region, they are reported to have fanned themselves out in several other areas. Four militants lodged in the Luck now jail made good their escape two days ago. In the eyes of the Center, this is an indication of the extent of complicity and influence the militants have among the jail employees.

Meanwhile, it now transpires that the intelligence men had been warning the state government against stepped up activities by militants in the Terai belt. Intelligence reports had reached both the State and the Center about the possible killings of innocent villagers by the militants.

The Center is asking the UP authorities to make full use of the existing provisions of antiterrorist legislation like TADA and NSA to effectively counter the activities not only of the militants but also of those providing assistance and shelter to such elements. This should include arrests and forfeiture of their assets and properties. The State has apparently not used these provisions in ample measure, it is felt.

Article extracted from this publication >> September 11, 1992