NSCN (K), ULFA camp taken over by Myanmar army

The Myanmar army has reportedly taken control of the headquarters of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN), Khaplang group without bloodshed, situated in that country's Sagaing Region, reports the Irrawaddy, the Burmese media.

Taking over the NSCN-K headquarters at Sagaing by the Burmese army can be read as a dilution of the NSCN-K's longstanding demand for a unified Naga state comprising parts of India and Myanmar.

The news, first reported by The Irrawaddy on February 1, quoted U. Kyaw Wan Sein, member of the armed groups' central executive committee, as saying that no gunshot was fired, not a drop of blood was spilled in the process.

Kyaw told the newspaper that it "withdrew its troops and let the Myanmar Army (or Tatmadaw) occupy its headquarters in order not to disrupt the peace process between it and the government."

"Over 400 soldiers from six battalions led by the Hkamti district tactical commander under the Tatmadaw's North-West Command took control of the NSCN-K's headquarters in the village of Ta Ga in Nanyun township on Tuesday (January 29)."

The Tatmadaw, has, however, refused to call the operation an "occupation". North-West Command spokesperson Colonel Than Naing told The Irrawaddy, "We will let you know when the time is appropriate. I am not yet authorized to provide details. But it is not that we have occupied their headquarters."

What is significant is also that the Ta Ga region is believed to have camps of the 'anti-talks' faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA-Independent), led by Paresh Barua.

According to sporadic media reports coming about the operation, the Tatmadaw, after occupying the NSCN-K headquarters, has also cleared the area of as many as five insurgent groups, including the ULFA-I and the Songbijit faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).

The ULFA's main camp where Commander in Chief Stays in Wa Sate, bordering China, East of Myanmar and this round of development has no such bearing as the ULFA is basically existing from a small area of activity dependent on the Wa State.

The entire Northern alliance of Myanmar is signing agreement with Myanmar and Government of India wants to isolate ULFA and its Chief Paresh Barua and many find links with the disappearance of Rebati Phukan with this.