Tripura to step up counter insurgency operations

Agartala: Counter insurgency operations would be intensified by the Tripura government following a notification by the Centre on link up of two insurgent groups with those outside the state, official sources said on Friday.

The banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) have established links with the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and Meitei extremist outfits of Manipur, they said.

"If there is no immediate curb and control of the NLFT and the ATTF, they will take the opportunity to mobilise their cadres for escalating secessionist, subversive and violent activities and indulge in killings of civilians and target police and security personnel," a gazette notification, dated October three, by the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

The state government extended the terms of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) for another six months to deal effectively with the insurgent outfits, they said.

A total of 74 persons mostly tribals were kidnapped by the NLFT and ATTF, they said. Last year, 114 people were kidnapped by ultras and 121 in 2009.