Arunachal Pradesh Police Bust Militant Recruitment and Arms Trafficking Network
In a major crackdown, the Arunachal Pradesh Police announced on Thursday that they have successfully dismantled a network involved in militant recruitment, arms trafficking, and cross-border illegal activities within the state. The network is reportedly linked to the National Socialist Council for Taniland (NSCT) and its armed wing, the United Tani Army (UTA).
According to a senior police official, five cadres associated with the UTA and NSCT have been apprehended on charges of recruiting youths from marginalized communities into militant groups and engaging in other unlawful activities, including violations under the Arms Act. The arrests come after months of investigation, triggered by the circulation of threatening videos and letters on social media, allegedly issued by the self-styled NSCT commander, Anthony Doke. The police took suo-motu cognizance of these materials in January and initiated a thorough probe.
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The investigation revealed disturbing details about the recruitment of young boys from economically weaker sections, particularly from the Tarasso region in Papum Pare district, who were trafficked to a militant training camp in neighboring Myanmar. The camp is located across Arunachal Pradesh’s unfenced 520-km border with Myanmar, making it susceptible to cross-border insurgent activity. Three boys from Itanagar were reportedly coerced into joining the UTA, but two managed to escape and returned to their families. They recounted to the police and their parents the brutal conditions they faced, including physical and mental abuse during their forced induction.
Authorities said that the crackdown was part of an ongoing effort to curb insurgency and cross-border militancy in the northeastern state. The police have registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA). The detained individuals are currently being interrogated to uncover further details regarding the network’s operations and affiliations.
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Anthony Doke, the prime accused, remains at large and is wanted in connection with at least 20 criminal cases. Security forces are actively pursuing leads to apprehend him. Police sources indicate that Doke has been instrumental in radicalizing and mobilizing local youths, using social media to spread his ideology and recruit followers for the NSCT and UTA. Intelligence reports suggest that Doke’s network is particularly active in areas bordering Assam, where tensions over the demand for a separate ‘Taniland’ continue to simmer.
The NSCT and UTA are among several groups demanding the creation of ‘Taniland’ for the Tani tribal community, a group primarily inhabiting northeastern Arunachal Pradesh and some bordering areas of Assam. The quest for an autonomous region has fueled unrest and militant activities in recent years.
In a related development on April 30, police arrested a person linked to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Khaplang-Yung Aung (NSCN-KYA) faction. The suspect was allegedly involved in extorting money from local contractors and traders. During interrogation, the detainee revealed the existence of an arms trafficking network based in Itanagar, which has links to various insurgent groups in Nagaland. Further investigations also exposed the network’s ties to a narcotics operation within the state capital and surrounding regions.
The Arunachal Pradesh Police have intensified their surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts to dismantle the arms and narcotics racket. Senior officials believe that a consolidated effort involving both state and central agencies will be crucial in rooting out insurgent activities and ensuring stability in the region.
Residents of affected areas have expressed relief at the recent arrests, hoping that the crackdown would lead to long-term peace. Community leaders have urged the government to address the root causes of radicalization, particularly the socio-economic challenges that make vulnerable youths susceptible to militant recruitment.
The state administration has reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order while addressing the socio-economic disparities that contribute to insurgency. Local officials are also working with community organizations to support rehabilitation programs for rescued youths and prevent further recruitment.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are hopeful that dismantling the recruitment and arms trafficking network will weaken the insurgent groups operating in Arunachal Pradesh and reduce the threat posed by cross-border militancy.
