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R We on the Verge of Loosing a Gian



Subject: R We on the Verge of Loosing a Giant Supporter?

this message is for burmese student and politicians based in India.
i found the news-article so much disappointing.
according to records, up to 1997, India had been an open supporter of 
democratic struggle of burma. its elected officials, including the current 
defense minister mr. fernandes, voiced their support for daw aung san suu 
kyi's leadership for the struggle. there had been no high-level meetings 
between authorities of burma and india.
i understand that the students operating in India played a crucial role in 
building such political support from this giant but lone democratic 
neighbor.  now, there's been a dramatic change.  a dangerous change.
has the burmese students' diplomatic relationship with the indian people and 
government been somehow damaged or come to an end?  i believe they still 
have time to renew and reinforce their good relationship with and political 
influence on indian government.
all people, pliz help burmese students living in india before it is too 
late. help them prevent india from becoming another thailand.

aungsoe


FROM SANTANU GHOSH

Silchar, Jan. 11
India and Myanmar have agreed to cooperate with each other and curb 
insurgency along the border areas. The northeastern states of Mizoram, 
Manipur and Nagaland fall on the Indian side of the border. Militant 
activity in these states as well as in Myanmar has led to a spate of 
extortions, abductions and attacks.
Sources said Army chief Gen. V.P. Malik and his Myanmarese counterpart Gen. 
Muang Aye, who held extensive talks on bilateral issues in Shillong, have 
also agreed to exchange intelligence inputs.

Highly-placed sources here and at Dimapur hailed this summit meeting between 
the Army chiefs as a ?landmark development?. They expressed hope that a 
joint move would soon be initiated to flush out guerrillas of the Chin 
National Front (Roger), a separatist organisation in West Myanmar?s Chin 
state from Mizoram?s borders. It would also block raids by both the 
Isak-Muivah and Khaplang factions of the National Socialist Council of 
Nagaland in Myanmar.

According to a four-page clarified document of the Army, made available to 
The Telegraph, the CNF (Roger) militants have recently stepped up extortion 
and abduction for ransom in Mizoram?s Champai sector.

The rebels have even attacked Assam Rifles jawans, it added.

The CNF (Roger), which enjoys a rapport with the National League for 
Democracy, an outfit opposed to Myanmar?s military junta, has been making 
regular strikes to achieve the right to self-determination for the Chin 
people in Chin state for the past two decades. Occasionally, CNF (Roger) 
rebels sneak into Mizoram while fleeing the Myanmarese army.

The organisation, which came into existence following a split in its parent 
organisation at its first Congress in 1993, has also tied up with the 
All-Burmese Students Democratic Forum, which spearheads the movement against 
the military junta along with the National League for Democracy.

Its demand for an independent Chinland has also evoked support from another 
secessionist outfit in Myanmar ? the Kachin Independence Organisation, which 
was founded by Burmese insurgent leader Brang Seng.

A recent report of the Union home ministry revealed that the Chin National 
Army (CNA), armed wing of the CNF (Roger), had recently deposited Rs 30,000 
at one of its Aizawl hideouts for buying arms.

Gen. Muang Aye, during his meeting with Gen. Malik, also discussed these 
hideouts of the Chin rebels inside Mizoram.

The Army document also said Myanmar?s military junta recently roped in Rev. 
Sang Awi, a pastor, to broker peace talks with the CNF(Roger) at Sakrau on 
the mineral-rich Chin state?s border with Bangladesh. But the talks did not 
make much headway.

The hardcore CNF(Roger) insurgents have a cadre strength of about 90. Its 
president, Thomas Thang No, took over as chief after founder of this faction 
Roger Biakliana, who set up the faction following the ouster of then CNF 
president John Nothankap in 1993, resigned on health grounds in 1994 .

A triumvirate comprising its general secretary Benjamin Turing, foreign 
secretary Sui Khar and defence secretary-cum- commander-in-chief Zing Cung 
help Thang No in charting out the policies of the CNF(Roger).

The CNF?s headquarters is located at Sakrau on Chin state?s border with 
Bangladesh.

Besides, its three military headquarters are located at Chhika, Hloma and 
Tlangpi in Chin state.

The Chin National Army, possessing sophisticated arms, usually ambush 
Myanmarese foot patrols. According to the latest estimate, the CNA armoury 
comprises, among others, 19 rifles of 120 mm calibre, 74 AK-47 and 86 AK-56 
rifles, the report disclosed.

India and Myanmar also agreed that it would allow any insurgent camps to 
flourish on each other?s territory

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