Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has said that activists of the Biswanath group of the outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) are openly moving around in Aizawl of neighbouring Mizoram where they have set up seven camps.

''I have definite intelligence inputs that NLFT (B) faction has their camps in Mizoram and they openly move around in Aizawl,'' Sarkar told reporters on July 3.

''But I do not believe that the Mizoram government has indulged them in setting camps. They might have set up the camps without the knowledge of the government,'' said Sarkar, who holds the Home portfolio.

When scribes pointed out that Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga had already denied existence of insurgent camps in his state, Sarkar said, ''He is a politician. He can say many things for political cause but I do not want any confrontation with him because he is my personal friend.''

Sarkar said it first came to limelight in the meeting of the heads of the security forces in the state including Border Security Force (BSF) and Assam Rifles on May 28 last year when intelligence reports regarding the camps were placed with evidence.

He said Chief Secretary V Thulasidas had chaired the meeting, who later informed the Mizoram Chief Minister and the Union Home Ministry regarding the camps.

PTI