ASSAM TRIBES IN REVOLT

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31001, 5 March 1966, Page 15

ASSAM TRIBES IN REVOLT

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

NEW DELHI, March 4.

Police-State tactics were alleged in Parliament in New Delhi yesterday as Government troops went into action against rebellious tribesmen in the jungle-covered Mizo hills of the South Assam State.

The troops were flown in by helicopter to help halt fighting between the tribesmen and the Government. However, the member for Assam, Mr G. G. Swell, speaking on a censure motion, criticised the Home Minister’s announcement that helicopters were rushing troops to the Mizo area to restore order. “Are you going to show the world you are a police State?” he asked. Mr Swell complained that India had done nothing to give the Mizos drinking water systems, food, roads, higher education or a fair share of Government jobs. After the debate a voice vote was taken on the censure motion and it was lost. Reports reaching New Delhi said that an initial force of

60 soldiers was put down by helicopter in the district headquarters town of Aijal. The town, 76 miles south of Silchar, had been cut off and was under intermittent sniper fire all day, it was said. It appeared that Aijal was the focal point in the tribal uprising. More troops are to be flown into action by helicopter today as the roads have been blocked by the rebels. The tribesmen, who for generations have struggled against all outside rule and practised banditry, revolted on Sunday and thousands of raiders armed with rifles and machine guns struck at Government and police posts. The Government said the revolt will be put down—regardless of cost.