Illegal arms in North East: The Chinese connection

There has been much speculation about the “exit” of NSCN (IM) General Secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah from the scene that characterises the Indo-Naga conflict. Gossip has it that it would be either V S Atem or Anthony Shimray who will replace Muivah. But while it is not known as to how the scenario will shape up once the succession takes place, it is important for a profiling exercise of at least one of the front liners. NSCN (IM)’s present Political Commissar, Anthony Shimray is both an influential person in NSCN (IM) as well as an individual who has had quite a past, especially as it concerns the Chinese. Shimray was apprehended in a “snatch operation” by Indian sleuths in October 2010 while he was in a arms procurement mission for NSCN (IM). The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India has stated that a case was lodged against Anthony Shimray, T R Calvin, Hangshi Ramson Tangkhul and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for allegedly conspiring to procure huge quantities of arms and ammunition from foreign countries, primarily China. The NIA alleged that these arms were to be used for committing terror activities and waging war against the Government of India. The accused had allegedly negotiated with arms dealers in Thailand and China for the purchase of the arms. In any event, Anthony Shimray was later released and, as aforesaid, is one of the frontrunners for the post of NSCN (IM)’s general secretary after Muivah. While only time will tell whether Anthony Shimray’s admission to the NIA will unearth newer facts about the source, route and connections about the proliferation of illegal arms in India’s eastern seaboard, especially in the North East, one aspect that seems to be clear is that at least ninety per cent of the arms were of Chinese origin. However, what is not clear is whether the arms bazaar in the Sino-Myanmar border has Beijing’s official patronage. Indeed, it seems that the arms are manufactured by the Burmese United Wa State Army (UWSA) after having received “contracts” from Chinese ordnance factories. The Chinese connection with the Was, a Mon-Khmer tribe, dates back to the late nineteen sixties when China was exporting communism, and the Communist Party of Burma (CPB) was one of the prime beneficiaries. The Was made up the bulk of the foot-soldiers of CPB, and consequently after its break-up, UWSA, with over 15,000 soldiers became the biggest rebel army in the region. Presently, UWSA and three other former CPB militias—having brokered peace with Yangon—control large territories along the Chinese border, turning the area into a virtual buffer between China and Myanmar. But, Chinese ordnance factories like NORINCO are state-owned, and, therefore, it can be surmised that at least a section of the Chinese officialdom is involved in this illicit arms trade. It is also believed that in the Chinese PLA’s drive to make itself into a leaner-meaner army, it is undertaking a massive modernisation exercise. The surplus—or in Chinese parlance, obsolete—arms, such as the Automatic Kalashnikov, therefore, find their way into the markets in places such as Tachilek, opposite Mae Sai in Thailand. The modus operandi that comes into play then is: Insurgent outfits who seek weaponry place orders, the Was manufacture the weapons or procure them directly from arms dealers in Yunnan, who are more often than not former PLA personnel or Chinese businessmen with military connection. Delivery is then made on payment. Even if it is the case that Beijing is not officially involved in this illegal business, it is almost impossible that it is unaware that such trade is taking place. The Was, moreover, enjoy cordial relations with the Chinese MSS, whose presence is increasing in the Sino-Myanmar border even as the Myanmar elections draw near, and to that end, it would be quite impossible that the Chinese intelligence is not aware of what is happening. In this context, it would be of interest to note that on 15 August 2000, surrendered ULFA leader, Lohit Deury informed this author of an arms conduiting agency in Yunnan where ULFA chief of staff, Paresh Barua and he visited. He referred to it as the “Black House.” Protracted research by the author could not unravel the attribution until recently when a source translated the words “Black House.” In Mandarin, it translates into “Hei Shehui,” which simply means “Black Market.” Indeed, the appropriate word that should be used for such business in the setting that has been described above is “Grey Market,” given that at least a semi-official component is present. Apparently, there is yet another dimension to the Chinese connection. It seems that Chinese arms brokers are “constructing” front companies in Hong Kong and Macau in order to carry out arms transactions. However, these are fly-by-night concerns, and they simply disappear once a transaction is complete. The manner in which such operations are carried out would come to clearer light after the expected disclosures of Anthony Shimray (as also that of now surrendered UNLF chairman, Rajkumar Meghen who was also apprehended in Bangladesh, even as he was on an arms procurement mission), but analysis has it that one of the biggest arms seizure in recent times originated in Hong Kong. Reference was made to the 2 April 2004 Chittagong arms haul. Shimray apparently negotiated a deal with the arms brokers in Yunnan’s Kunming with the help of UWSA. The shipment was then sent to Hong Kong, which was then sent by ship to Chittagong via Singapore. But for a tip-off to the Bangladesh Police, ostensibly by Indian interests, led to the seizure, the consignment would have reached the NSCN (IM) and ULFA. The Awami League government (despite the fact that it is in election mode) continues to actively investigate the case, details about DGFI, NSI and BNP-Jamaat elements complicity coming to light. Confessions of one Hafizur Rahman had clearly implicated Anthony Shimray and Paresh Baruah, and former NSI heads, Maj Gen (Retd) Rezzaqul Haider Chowdhury and Brig Gen (Retd) M Abdur Rahim, who reportedly aided the process, have been arrested. But why is a group like NSCN (IM) which is in a ceasefire mode with the Indian government procuring huge quantities of arms? Are they expecting to open hostilities if the dialogue is to fail? It is this author’s contention that that is not the case. At any rate, the Naga group has enough weaponry inside Camp Hebron itself—not to talk of the arsenal they possess in their other areas of operations including Myanmar’s Sagaing Division. The peace dividend with NSCN (IM) has paid off, and Phizo’s men are not going back to the jungles. Their strategy could just be to work the Naga movement from within Nagaland by utilising the safeguards that are guaranteed by the Indian constitution and, of course, the ceasefire rules. The inventory of the weapons, which included RPGs, indicates that the consignment was for a group or groups that were preparing for serious war. Indeed, the arsenal may well be making its way into the hands of the Meitei and the Kuki groups even as they continue with their relentless war. Even ULFA has not used such weapons. Its strategy was (when it had the capability) to primarily set off explosions. The heavy weaponry is now being palmed off for the VBIGs and the Suspension of Operations Group. Indeed, it is this modus operandi that NSCN (IM) and groups such as ULFA are concentrating on, naturally with Chinese aid. These groups are purchasing cheap arms from the various “Grey Markets” of South East Asia that seem to bear Chinese origin and are now being sold away at throw away prices. The long wars (or, in the case of the NSCN (IM), prolonged ceasefire) have not led the NSCN (IM), of which Anthony Shimray could well be Muivah’s successor, to gain any considerable yields apart from a game of “wait and watch” in the unfolding Manipur war game. This is perhaps one of the reasons that they have goaded themselves to turn to “middlemanship with decisive Chinese aid.” The writer is a conflict analyst and bestselling author. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the  Latest News,  Trending News,  Cricket News,  Bollywood News, India News and  Entertainment News here. Follow us on  Facebook,  Twitter and  Instagram.