Dibrugarh, June 29: Undeterred by Delhi’s refusal to provide additional paramilitary companies, Arunachal Pradesh has mobilised a 3,000-strong force on its own to launch the first major counter-insurgency operation in its territory.

The Centre turned down the Mukut Mithi government’s request for additional forces to start Operation Hurricane, meant to flush out militants from Tirap district, by citing “logistical problems”.

The response fuelled speculation that the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government did not want to antagonise the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), which has a base in Arunachal Pradesh.

The counter-insurgency force lined up by the Mithi government comprises police, CRPF and India Reserve Battalion personnel.

An official in Khonsa, the headquarters of Tirap district, said “surplus” security personnel had been withdrawn from all districts, except Tirap, for the anti-militant offensive.

If everything goes according to plan, Operation Hurricane will begin in a couple of days. “All arrangements, including positioning of security forces, have been made,” the official said.

Another source said the operation would be led by deputy inspector-general (eastern range) T.N. Mohan, who is camping in Khonsa. It is estimated that over 250 NSCN (I-M) members, led by “lieutenant colonel” Absalom Tangkhul Rockwang, are based in Tirap. Changlang district, too, has the same problem but militant activity is more pronounced in Tirap.

The concentration of security personnel is expected to be at Kanubari, the trijunction of the Assam-Nagaland-Arunachal Pradesh border, and Panchau, bordering Myanmar. An officer of the rank of inspector and 50 security personnel will conduct a house-to-house search operation in each big village.

Tirap deputy superintendent of police T. Amo said over phone from Khonsa that security forces would try to cut off supplies to the militants and prevent the NSCN (I-M) units in Nagaland from sending reinforcements. All entry and exit routes have been sealed.

Operation Hurricane was planned in May, after the Election Commission postponed the panchayat poll in Tirap fearing interference by the NSCN (I-M). The outfit had asked village chiefs of the district not to support any candidate without its consent, triggering mass withdrawal of nominations.

The chief minister and the governor visited Tirap recently to assess the situation. Tirap, with a population of over one lakh, is the easternmost district of Arunachal Pradesh. Its tryst with militancy began in the late Nineties with the Khaplang faction of the NSCN setting up a base there. The NSCN (I-M) moved in soon after and established itself as the dominant group.