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Business News/ Politics / Policy/  External agencies behind arms supply to northeast militants: Rajnath Singh
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External agencies behind arms supply to northeast militants: Rajnath Singh

Rajnath Singh did not give details of the 'external agencies' but India has suspected China of helping militants in neighbouring countries like Myanmar

Union home minister Rajnath Singh speaks in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi on Monday during the ongoing monsoon session. Photo: PTI PhotoPremium
Union home minister Rajnath Singh speaks in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi on Monday during the ongoing monsoon session. Photo: PTI Photo

New Delhi: Home minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said “external agencies" were involved in supplying sophisticated arms and ammunition to militants operating in India’s northeast.

He was making a statement in parliament on last week’s shooting in Assam. At least 14 people were killed and 16 injured on Friday after six rebels fired automatic weapons and lobbed grenades in a crowded market in Balajan, an area just outside the town of Kokrajhar in western Assam.

The minister did not give details of the “external agencies" but in the past, India has suspected China of helping militant groups with bases in neighbouring countries like Myanmar.

The attack has been blamed on a faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, a militant group that has been fighting for an independent homeland for the region’s Bodo tribespeople for decades. The Bodos are an indigenous tribe in Assam, making up 10% of the state’s 33 million people.

According to local news reports, in the past, the rebels have targeted communities they consider outsiders, including plains tribals whose ancestors migrated to Assam to work on tea plantations as well as Muslims.

Singh said police had registered a criminal case and were investigating the matter to determine which group was behind the attack. “We will bring the perpetrators to justice," the minister said adding that in recent years there had been a decline in violence in Assam.

The minister pointed out that the last major attack by the Bodo militant group occurred in 2000 when 63 people were gunned down in a single incident.

Answering questions about vacancies in the ranks of paramilitary forces like the Central Reserve Police Force, Singh said all open slots had been filled and that personnel were given periodic training sessions to ensure they were well-versed with the drills required to deal with security challenges in the region.

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Published: 08 Aug 2016, 08:39 PM IST
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