Tuesday, September 12 2006 17:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: With the reports of northeast insurgent groups operating from Myanmar, India will press for measures to flush them out like Bhutan's crackdown on ULFA at the Home Secretary-level talks between the countries beginning here tomorrow (Sept 13, 2006).

Steps to curb smuggling of arms and ammunition and illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances will also be discussed at the four-day talks.

Sources in the security establishment say that insurgent groups from Manipur and Nagaland like ULFA, UNLF, PLA, NSCN(K) and NSCN(IM) are operating from Myanmar and New Delhi will utilise the opportunity to demand for flushing them out. They also cited instance of killing of some Assam Rifles personnel by insurgents a few months back.

Though Bhutan launched 'Operation All Clear' to flush out ULFA nearly three years ago, Myanmar has not so far agreed to similar action against Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs).

Effective border management will also figure at the meeting which is held annually to discuss issues related to maintenance of peace and tranquility along the border.

India shares 1,643 km border with Myanmar, and Arunachal Pradesh alone accounts for 520 km followed closely by Mizoram 510 km. Manipur shares 398 km of its international boundary with Myanmar and Nagaland another 258 km.

However, boundary dispute was very minor as only nine border pillars, all in Manipur, were points of contention. It was decided to put up a 10-km fence at Moreh in Manipur but work is yet to begin.