Northeast rebel groups are headed to China?

Guwahati, May 20, 2019:

The Northeast rebel groups in India's neighboring country Myanmar are facing a crisis ever since the Myanmar army (Tatmadaw) started a crackdown against the groups carrying out operation on Myanmar soil.

The taking over of the NSCN (K) headqaurters in Sagaing was perhaps the herald for more grim things to come for the rebels camped out in the jungles of Myanmar. Consequently, Myanmar army operations against the rebels such as ULFA (I), and NDFB (S) continued, and they were driven out from their camps where they had also maintained farms and were training their cadres.

This crackdown has come after the rebels had already been uprooted by Bhutan and Bangladesh - Ulfa and NDFB had shifted their bases to NSCN (K) camps in Myanmar after the Bhutan operation in 2003-2004 and Bangladesh’s action in 2009-2010 against the groups. Meanwhile, the NSCN (K) too is facing extreme pressure from the Myanmar Government for harboring the rebels. NSCN (K) have a ‘conditional ceasefire’ with Tatmadaw, but have been accused of proving shelter, supplying arms and providing training in their Myanmar camps to other groups to carry out their ‘struggle for independence’ in the Northeast. This has not gone down too well with the Northeast groups.

After the jail terms given by a Myanmar court to 24 Northeast-based militants on Wednesday, security officials here believe that the first such sentencing has given a body blow to the separatist groups.

After the operations, several cadres of NSCN (K), Ulfa (I), NDFB (S) and KLO had reportedly fled Myanmar and got in touch with security agencies to surrender. Security forces, however, stepped up operation along the India-Myanmar border in Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal and have nabbed at least 22 rebels belonging to many outfits. Moreover, many rebels have crossed the borders and have given up arms.

After these setbacks, it is safe to assume that the Northeastern rebels are seeking a new sanctuary, and India's most powerful neighbor China is expected to be the next country they seek asylum in.

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