Less than a week after peace talks between the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the Burmese government ended unsuccessfully, the Burmese army began a large scale troop redeployment, sending fresh soldiers to relieve those already based at the Kachin frontlines, the Kachin News Group learned.

Troops from Light Infantry Division No. 99 based in Meiktila in Mandalay division, who were fighting the Kachin Independence Army’s battalion 1, 12 and 27 in the Manwin, Nam Hkam and Manje area, were recently replaced with fresh troops from Military Operation Command (MOC) No. 1 based in Kyaukme and MOC No. 16 based in Theinni (or Hsenwi), said a senior official from the KIA.

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From guns to roses, life for close to 700 militants from nine separatist groups in Assam turned full circle on Tuesday when they laid down arms to join the mainstream in the presence of Union home minister P Chidambaram.

In one of northeast India’s biggest surrender ceremonies in Assam’s main city of Guwahati, a total of 676 militants laid down weapons and in return received roses from the home minister.

“Leave the past behind and look at the future positively. We assure that each one of you would be treated equally and be able to lead a life of dignity and honour,” Chidambaram said.

The nine groups are part of two major ethnic groups - the tribal Kukis in eastern Assam and the Adivasis inhabiting the northern and western parts of Assam.

Among the major groups that surrendered were the Kuki Revolutionary Army, the Hmar People’s Convention, the Birsa Commando Force, and the Adivasi Cobra Militant of Assam.

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Thirteen policemen including the officer-in-charge of Bhandaria police station were killed and two constables were injured in a landmine blast triggered by suspected CPI (Maoist) at Salho jungle in Jharkhand’s Garhwa district.

Confirming the casualties, Jharkhand police spokesman IG RK Mallik said that the blast was triggered by Maoists when the police team along with the block development officer (BDO) was returning after clearing a road blockade near Badgarh. The BDO who was travelling in his own vehicle is safe.

At the time of the blast, 15 policemen including the driver were in the anti-landmine vehicle.

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Armed groups affiliated to al-Qaeda calling itself as “the Islamic Jihad Group” took over on Saturday night a archaeological town of Rada’a and captured the famous castle of Alamiria and its mosque, local sources affirmed.

Local sources said that armed clashes between the militants and residents are still going, pointing out that the number of casualties are unknown.

Flocks of militants flow to the town, some 150 km southeast of the capital, Sana’a, amid fears of residents who worry of turning their town to a conflict battlefield, added the sources.

Yemeni analysts said al-Qaeda attempts to expand its control on Yemeni areas, pointing out that the capture on Rada’a will help al-Qaeda reach other Yemeni strategic areas.

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The New Mon State Party (NMSP) will not meet with Burmese Minister of Railways Aung Min this month to discuss a ceasefire between the armed group and the central government, as the Tatmadaw continues with its military offensive in Kachin State, according to Mon sources.

“We have no plans to meet Aung Min because they [the Burmese government] have ignored our demand to stop fighting in Kachin State,” said Nai Hong Sar, the secretary of NMSP.

Aung Min requested a meeting with leaders of NMSP during the peace talks in Sangkhlaburi, Thailand, on December 23.

“Our policy is based on the decision of the UNFC [United Nationalities Federal Council]. We will not enter into a ceasefire alone. Instead of having an advantage, we are worried that we will have a disadvantage if we take the ceasefire individually,” said Nai Hong Sar.

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