China based arms smugglers supplying weapons to North East insurgents

NEW DELHI: Arms smugglers based in China are supplying weapons to insurgent outfits in the northeastern states through Myanmar or Bangladesh, Defence Minister A K Antony informed the Lok Sabha today.

"There are reports that insurgent outfits operating in the northeastern states have been procuring arms through arms smugglers based in Yunnan province of China, Myanmar and Southeast Asian countries," he said in reply to a written query.

"These weapons in small consignments are transported either via Myanmar or Bangladesh," he said.

The Defence Minister said "concerns" in this regard have been raised by the Government with China, Myanmar and Bangladesh from time to time through diplomatic channels."

"In order to prevent smuggling across the Indo-Myanmar borders, an MoU has been signed between India and Myanmar in January, 1994 for maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas," Antony said.

The Defence Minister said vigilance and surveillance have been stepped up along the border areas to check these activities.

"Security forces along the border have been suitably sensitised regarding arms smuggling by insurgents and regular patrolling along the border areas is being carried out," he said.

Answering another query, the Defence Minister said in the last two years, a "total of 24 air space violations by aircarft of foreign countries have taken place."