Deported Myanmar rebels face death, says India NGO

GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) – A non-governmental organizationin northeast India urged the government on Wednesday not todeport around 40 Myanmarese insurgents to Myanmar, saying theywould be executed by the ruling junta.

The insurgents were arrested after Indian forces destroyedone of the largest Mynamarese rebel bases in India, deep in themountainous jungles of the remote northeastern state of Mizoramat the weekend.

“We have rounded up 40 Myanmarese militants and searchoperations are on to locate the others hiding in differentparts of the state. All the rebels will be handed over toMyanmarese authorities,” L. Sailo, police chief of Mizoram,told Reuters.

About 200 guerrillas and supporters living in the ChinNational Army camp near the border with Myanmar fled todifferent parts of the state before the attack. There were nocasualties.

“We have asked the government not to deport them becausethey are likely to be killed by the Myanmarese army once theyare pushed across the border,” a Young Mizo Association (YMA)spokesman told Reuters by phone from Aizawl.

Founded by Welsh missionaries in 1935, the YMA has morethan 350,000 members — a third of the population — and rivalsthe church as the most powerful organization in Mizoram.

The Chin army has fought a low-level rebellion since 1988for more autonomy for the mainly Christian Chin in Myanmar’snorthwest, where Myanmarese troops have been trying to forcethem to convert to Buddhism.

The Indian operation began several days ago, part of anagreement by both countries to wipe out rebels on their soil.

Indian rebels fighting for autonomy for northeastern statesshelter in the jungles of Myanmar.

Rights groups and analysts estimate the size of the Chinarmy at 800-1,000, including about 500 actual combatants. ))