Three United Tani Army (UTA) operatives have surrendered along with pistols and live ammunition. They were identified as Jonali Basumatary (corporal), Jummik Riba (lieutenant, finance secretary), and Seng Seng Thowmoung (sergeant major, eastern zone commander).
All three had received military training in Myanmar, where the UTA’s self-declared chairman, Anthony Doke, is currently based. The operatives fled NSCN camps in Myanmar, where they had been involved in fighting for the Myanmar Army in the ongoing civil war. According to the police, the state police encouraged their return and facilitated their comeback from Myanmar last month.
Two other UTA operatives, Techi Nera and Tok Takin, had surrendered in July, while four more were arrested this month for extortion activities.
Two of the arrested individuals have reportedly been associated with Anthony Doke for a long time. Riba had worked as an overground worker for the erstwhile National Liberation Council of Taniland, while Basumatary was involved in running a restaurant with Doke.
The government needs to keep a close watch on the activities of the UTA. If they have been able to reach these operatives – who appear to have held important positions within the group – then Doke should not be too far behind.
Another important aspect is that the group does not seem to limit itself to people from within the Tani community. This suggests that there are followers and recruits from outside the group as well.
The work of the state police has widened considerably. It now needs to collaborate not only with other state police forces but also with international agencies if it seriously intends to curb the activities and growth of the UTA.