Following operation in Myanmar, three cadres of National Democratic Front of Boroland (Songibijit) NDFB (S) were apprehended by Village Guards of Upper Dan, Tuensang District, Nagaland. North eastern militants have camps in Myanmar. Nagaland shares border with Myanmar.
P Khongsai, Public Relation Officer (Defence) Guwahati in a statement stated that many innocent and gullible citizens from the North East, most of whom are very poor, have been conned by various extremist groups and used for menial jobs, instead. Having promised good pay and perks by ULFA, these innocent people have been made to undertake hard labour and made to live amidst extremely hostile conditions. This came to light when three cadres of NDFB (S) were apprehended by Village Guards of Upper Dan, Tuensang District, Nagaland on Jun 11.
The three had escaped from the NDFB militant camp in Myanmar and were found disoriented and in poor physical state at the time of their apprehension along the IndoMyanmar Border. He added, “ The three confessed that they were working as labourers in Bangalore since 2013. However, they were contacted by a middleman named Timitigiry in Bangalore, who lured them to join NDFB (S) in 2018, asking them to fight for the Bodo cause and falsely
promised good pay. They were then taken to Assam and from there were made to cross over to Myanmar on foot via Longleng District of Nagaland. On reaching Taga Camp of the outfit in Myanmar, they were used as bonded labour and employed to cultivate poppy, rice and vegetables. They were even forced to work in the coal mines owned in parts by the senior insurgent leaders.”
The Army PRO added, “On asking for better conditions, the three were beaten up and tied to wooden posts. Eventually the three finally managed to flee when Myanmar Army recently occupied Taga Camp. They then traveled along jungle trails eating whatever nature provided them with. They traced their journey back to India from Taga to Dan through Nampha, Nautun, Lahe and Ponyu. Physical and mental abuse of new recruits is not unusual among insurgent groups. This has become even more rampant with desperation setting in, especially amongst cadres of ULFA (I) and NDFB (S); consequent to the recent crackdown by Tatmadaw (Myanmar Army) that ensued loss of bases of these groups. (Agencies)