Arunachal Pradesh Militant Extortion: NSCN (K-YA) Demands Rs 20 Lakh from Oil India Limited

ITANAGAR: The fragile security situation in Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district has intensified with a fresh extortion call from the insurgent outfit NSCN (K-YA).

The outfit has aimed at Oil India Limited (OIL), a giant petroleum company operating in the rich Manabhum reserve forest, demanding Rs 20 lakh by December 10, 2024.

Situated over the Changlang and Namsai districts in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, the Manabhum reserve forest is a significant operational base for OIL. The company's wells in the region are yielding around 100 kilolitres of crude oil daily. Therefore, it is an essential component of India's energy sector. This economic value would have attracted the attention of insurgent groups like NSCN (K-YA) for financial exploitation.

The demand was communicated through a middleman and was handed directly to OIL's office in the Manabhum reserve forest. The extortion note bears the signature of a self-proclaimed Major Tha Aung, a senior militant outfit member, and puts a strict deadline of December 10, 2024 for payment.

This demand has caused waves of fear in the region, particularly among the officials and workers of OIL, who are becoming more anxious about their security. It marks an alarming change in the scale and audacity of extortion by militant groups in Arunachal Pradesh.

This is not an isolated case. Over recent years, the NSCN (K-YA) and similar groups have expanded their extortion operations targeting a range of victims, including local businessmen, contractors, traders, and even villagers. Such activities not only disrupt economic stability but also create a climate of fear and insecurity in the region.

Security forces responded quickly to the newest threat by escalating operations in the area. Enhanced patrolling and gathering intelligence, along with a more coordinated approach, will put pressure on the insurgent groups and protect the most sensitive infrastructure, such as that of OIL.

The continuing extortion campaign is also an example of the persistent problems for Arunachal Pradesh in maintaining peace and security. Being close to the international border and having topography, the state long suffered from insurgency.

So, the latest development reveals that a coordinated approach through government agencies, security forces, and local stakeholders is more in need to address not only the immediate threat but also the underlying causes.

The situation in Changlang district remains tense as the December 10 deadline looms. The demand by NSCN (K-YA) is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by industries and communities in insurgency-affected areas. Resolving this crisis will require not only robust security measures but also long-term strategies to promote stability and economic development in the region.

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