The Times of India - Manipur rebels attack from Myanmar camps

The Times of India - Manipur rebels attack from Myanmar camps
29 Apr 2009, 2302 hrs IST, Nirmalya Banerjee

KOLKATA: Rebel groups are mounting attacks on security forces in Manipur from their camps in Myanmar, taking advantage of the inaction of the
Myanmar army, it is learnt from security force sources. They are running a number of camps in Myanmar, along the international border.

Among them is the Onzia camp of United National Liberation Front about three kms inside Myanmar, opposite Chassad, housing about 75 rebels. It is believed that the rebels who mounted the ambush near Kamjong village, in Ukhrul district, about five kilometres from the Indo-Myanmar border, killing one jawan and injuring five others, had come from Onzia. Usually there are about 50 rebels in Onzia, but reinforcements were brought for the assault.

In between the Onzia camp and the international border there is a camp of the Myanmar army, manned by 10 soldiers of a light infantry regiment. The UNLF rebels had to cross the camp while entering Manipur to mount the ambush and also when returning. It would have been difficult to do so without their knowledge. It is believed that the cash rich rebels manage to buy off a section of Myanmar army personnel in the junior ranks.

There is also a Peoples Liberation Army camp at Mintha, in Myanmar, within two kms of Ukhrul-Chandel border. Further south there is a UNLF camp at Hlezeik while a camp at Tamu is a transit point for different rebel groups. East of Tamu there is a joint camp of PLA and UNLF at Euchu and 15 kms south of Tamu is an UNLF camp at Ahlaw.

According to the sources, there is an UNLF camp at Phaisat, across the Churachandpur - Chandel border in Myanmar and another at Chikka, opposite the Manipur - Mizoram border. From the latter, the rebels could cross the international border and enter Mizoram, where security forces are not present, and use it as a transit route to reach Manipur.
The sources do not rule out the possibility of the Ukhrul ambush being in retaliation against Operation Summer Storm launched jointly by the army and the police in Loktak Lake, killing 12 Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak rebels.

UNLF and Prepak are reported to be members of an umbrella organization called Manipur Peoples Liberation Front.