Author: From our Correspondent
Publication: The Statesman
Date: March 19, 2002
The ruling CPI(M) in Tripura is
worried over the nexus between a section of the church and militant organizations
in the north-eastern region. The party has brought serious charges against
the churches working in the region.
In the political and organizational
report adopted in the Tripura State conference of the party held recently,
the CPI(M) said in no uncertain terms: "A section of the church is abating
insurgents. Some churches are even being used by the insurgents as shelters."
The party has identified at least a church whose leaders are accused of
working as liaison among various insurgent outfits active in the region.
"The leaders of the north-eastern branch of Evangelical Church (Baptist)
are maintaining links with militant outfits of the region, specially the
National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM) and the National Liberation
Front of Tripura. They are even having links with the notorious CIA and
the ISI," the report said.
In its brief reference on Muslim
fundamentalist forces, the report has said that Muslim fundamentalists
are active in Dharmanagar, Sonamura and some other parts in the State.
The report has further said that these forces have stepped up their activities
after the change of guard in Bangladesh.
On the Hindu fundamentalist forces,
the report has said that though these forces are active in the State, they
have failed to make any headway. The Hindu fundamentalist forces got a
boost after the formation of the BJP-led coalition at the Centre, the report
has said, adding that some Hindu fundamentalist organizations like the
VHP and Vanabashi Kalyan Ashram are trying to expand their activities among
the tribals, tea garden workers, employees, women and students. The report
has further said that several Union Ministers visited the State to expand
the activities of Hindu groups, but failed to make much headway due to
sustained campaign by CPI(M) cadres.
The report has also not taken kindly
to AICC president Sonia Gandhi's meeting with the leaders of the Indigenous
People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), which, according to the CPI(M), is the
fountain head of the NLFT. The report has even gone to the extent of equating
the Congress with the Amra Bangali, an outfit run by the Ananda Margis.
