Investigations into the arrest of three Maoists from Lohit district in Arunachal Pradesh earlier this week have revealed that Chinese agencies were extending support to Naxals for establishing a strong presence in the northeast.
In a starling disclosure, the accused persons have also confirmed that Chinese operatives were not only helping Naxals in the northeast with finances and arms but have also assured them of providing weapons training at camps close to the China and Burma border. Ironically, this is the same area where Ulfa chief Paresh Barua and some other northeast militant outfits also have their camps. It is believed a batch of Naxals was likely to leave for these camps shortly.
The three Naxals — Nipenjyoti Chetia, Totong Neog and Jintu Chetai — all belonging to Assam and were arersted in a joint operation led by the Assam Rifles and a Special Investigation Team. This is said to be an important catch after some of their assosciates were caught in Assam earlier. Intelligence sources said these arrest now confirm that Naxal outfit have managed to develop a sizeable network in the northeast.
Security agencies are now trying to ascertain and identify exactly which Chinese agencies are in touch with the northeast Naxals. “It must be some Chinese security and intelligene agencies which we are tyring to identify. There have been reports in the past of Chinese assistance to subversive activities in the northeast but the fact that they are supporting the Naxals is a new phenomenon,’’ a senior intelligence official said.
The seven SIM cards recovered from the trio have already been sent to for a forensic examination to identify the exact call data records. During sustained interrogation, the Naxlas revealed that they already have a close tie-up with militants outfits operating in the region particularly the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO). Investigations have also confirmed that Naxals operating in the northeast region have been instrumental in sending militants to train their counterparts in the jungles of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhanad.
“One of the main reasons why Naxlas wanted to expand their network in the northeast was that they wanted proximity to militant organisations in the region. And they have been successful,’’ the official added.