Moreh (Manipur border): Myanmar authorities are yet to take any offensive action against insurgents from North East Region of India based in inaccessible terrains in upper part of that country, an Indian Army official said today (Jan 11, 2004).

The official on condition of anonymity told reporters that Myanmar Army had neither taken any action to flush out insurgents from North East India nor uproot their camps in upper part of that country.

He said it was difficult for the Myanmar Army personnel to destroy those camps because they were located in most unfavourable and inaccessible areas in upper part of the country bordering Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur.

Official sources said National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang faction) and some Manipur-based separatist groups have set up camps there for imparting training to insurgents of these groups.

The official, attached to Assam Rifles at this border town, said efforts were on to construct fencing along the Manipur-Myanmar international border.

The Army official said security measures had been tightened at interior areas of Moreh which falls under Chandel district because leaders of various insurgent outfits were likely to hold a meeting tomorrow (Jan 12, 2004) at Khongtal village in the district to discuss various issues including the offensive measures taken by Royal Bhutan Army against Indian insurgents in that country.

As security forces could not reach Khongtal which is about three days journey on foot in hill areas from Moreh, he said forces would do its best to prevent various insurgents from reaching there at different entry points.

The Army official, however, said insurgent leaders of different Manipur-based groups, now living in Bangladesh, Myanmar and other areas had already arrived there (Khongtal) for tomorrow's meeting. Khongtal is right at the Manipur-Myanmar border in State's Chandel district.

He said India and Myanmar authorities had already reached an understanding to flush out Indian insurgents based in that country but added that no action had yet been taken so far.