Manipur poll: India seeks Myanmar's help in curbing insurgents

India has sought the help of Myanmar in reining in north-east insurgent groups which are planning "large scale" disturbances in the upcoming Manipur Assembly polls.

Home Secretary RK Singh, who led the country's delegation at the 17th National Level Meeting between India and Myanmar last week, mentioned the camps and training facilities of Indian insurgent groups on Myanmar soil and sought its cooperation in dealing with them.

"The Home Secretary especially mentioned that Indian insurgent groups are planning largescale disturbances in the forthcoming elections in Manipur. The leader of Myanmar delegation (Deputy Home Minister Brig Gen Kya Zan Myint) assured that Myanmar would never allow insurgents to use its territory to engage in any hostile activities against its neighbour India," the Home Ministry said in a statement here.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to maintain closer interaction between the nodal points and respective commanding officers of border guarding forces of the two countries for sharing real time intelligence.

India also requested Myanmar to share interrogation reports of arms smugglers arrested by Myanmar security forces to trace recipients of arms smuggling in the country which was agreed to by leader of the Myanmar delegation.

"Both the sides expressed satisfaction over decline in drug trafficking and agreed to regular interaction between drug control agencies of both countries at DG level and DDG level to eliminate the menace of drug trafficking. India offered training and any other support that Myanmar may require to combat drug trafficking," the Home Ministry said.

The two sides agreed to maintain closer interaction between nodal points and respective commanding officers of border guarding forces of the two countries for sharing real time intelligence.

"Both sides expressed satisfaction at the meetings of the Border Liaison Offices (BLOs) at DC/SP level at Moreh/Tamu and Zowakhatar/Rhi to discuss measures for combating arms smuggling, drug trafficking, smuggling of wildlife parts and other issues and it was decided that BLO meetings be held more frequently," the statement said.

It was agreed that a new BLO would be opened at Ukhrul in Manipur and Somra in Myanmar. The Indian side agreed to provide the requisite communication facilities for the additional BLO and Commanding officers level interactions at the border.

India offered its help in training and other expertise to control drug trafficking as both the sides expressed satisfaction over decline in illicit trade and agreed to regular interaction between drug control agencies of both countries at DG level and DDG level to eliminate the menace, the Ministry said.

Both the sides discussed illegal wildlife trafficking, tourism cooperation, training of Myanmar security forces in India and repatriation issues of Myanmar fishermen in Indian prisons and Indian prisoners in Myanmar.

"India offered all possible support to assist Myanmar in its pursuit for better connectivity and overall development," the statement said.

The Indian delegation also called on the Myanmar Minister of Home Affairs and the first Vice President, Myanmar, it said.