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05/19/2005: "Army officer suspended for 'conniving' with NSCN"

19 May Thursday 2005
Army officer suspended for 'conniving' with NSCN By Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, May 19 (IANS) An Indian Army commander in Assam has been suspended and a probe launched to investigate charges that he was masterminding kidnappings for ransom in collaboration with tribal separatists, officials Thursday said. An army spokesperson said Lt. Col. Chandra Mohan Shukla, commanding an artillery regiment in the northeastern state of Assam, was charged with organising abductions of tea planters and businessmen with the help of militants belonging to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). The abductions were reported during the commander's five-year stint spread over two terms in southern Assam's Cachar district.
"The court of inquiry is looking into specific charges of Lt. Colonel Shukla's alleged involvement in several incidents of kidnappings for ransom," the army spokesperson said. "If proved guilty, he will face severe punishment."
Shukla allegedly worked in tandem with some NSCN rebels and staged several abductions of tea garden managers and owners, besides affluent businessmen, from southern Assam. "Once a tea planter or a businessman was kidnapped, it was Shukla who negotiated with family members or the garden management for securing the release of the abducted person in lieu of hefty ransom money," a senior Assam police official said. The fraud came to light after a tea garden owner filed a complaint with the police accusing Shukla of being involved in the kidnapping of their manager.
"A planter was kidnapped by the NSCN and taken to their hideout sometime in 1999. Shukla managed to get him released after some unknown amount changed hands," the police official said. "After the manager was released, he gave some hints about Shukla's fishy dealings, prompting us to investigate his role and subsequently informing senior army officials."
This is the latest in a series of controversies to have rocked the army. In October last year, a colonel was dismissed and a major suspended for faking killings by splashing tomato ketchup on civilians and passing them off as dead separatists - in the hope of being awarded. Colonel H.S. Kohli had faked the killing of some separatists in the same Cachar district of Assam by making some civilians pose in photographs as enemy casualties after splashing their bodies with tomato puree. "The colonel tried to use the photographs to back his claim for a gallantry award and was subsequently tried and found guilty in a court martial," the army spokesperson said. "The colonel lost his job while a major, who connived with his superior in the fake saucy encounter, was suspended for five years."
According to new norms, army officers are graded and awarded promotions and bravery awards on the basis of the number of terrorists they capture and kill.
Rio supports truce extension OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kohima, May 18: The Nagaland government has decided to recommend an extension of the ceasefire between the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) and Delhi, never mind the militant group’s cynicism about the progress of the peace talks. Chief minister Neiphiu Rio today said the people of Nagaland had “explicitly expressed their desire for peace”, making it mandatory for the NSCN (I-M) and Delhi to continue the truce and the dialogue in spite of glitches along the way. If not renewed, the ceasefire agreement will lapse on July 31. Rio announced his government’s stand on the issue after a newly-inducted minister was administered oath of office at the Raj Bhavan.
On NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah’s assertion that Nagas should be “prepared for any eventuality”, Rio said he was not pessimistic about the peace process unlike the insurgent leadership. “There are the expected hurdles, but that does not mean there is a deadlock,” he said. The chief minister, however, admitted that his government was unaware of how far the negotiations had progressed. “We play the role of only a facilitator,” he said. Defending the performance of his government, Rio said there was no law and order problem in the state except for “some factional clashes”. He urged the NSCN (I-M) and the Khaplang group to adhere to the ground rules of the ceasefire. Earlier in the day, the chief minister reshuffled his cabinet, inducting Phek MLA Kuzholuzo in the 12-member government. The new entrant was given the agriculture portfolio. Two parliamentary secretaries, Kihoto Hollohon and Neiwang Konyak, were sworn in, too.
The reshuffle follows the removal of K. Therie from the post of finance minister. Rio took over finance and handed over the home portfolio to Thenucho, who was the health minister. The health portfolio went to T.M. Lotha, a doctor. Former education minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu got back the planning and urban development portfolio, while Imkong Imchen was relieved of the power ministry and made minister for school education. On his problems with Therie, the chief minister said that contrary to what many had insinuated, omitting him from the government was a “painful decision”. He promised to investigate allegations of misappropriation of money during Therie’s tenure.The government has been under fire from the Congress, which claims to have evidence of the finance department misappropriating the Rs 365 crore that Nagaland had received as a “peace bonus” from the erstwhile National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre. Rio said Therie had tabled a white paper in the Assembly and more details would be presented soon.
Therie failed to produce White Paper: Rio Source: By Oken Jeet Sandham (NEPS)
Kohima, May 18 (NEPS): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has today categorically stated about the failure of former Finance Minister K Therie in producing "White Paper" on the utilization of the controversial central grant of Rs 365 crore. "When the questions were raised by the Opposition Congress about the utilization of the central grant of Rs 365 crore, Therie did not lay it (White paper) on the floor of the House," the Chief Minister told reporters here at Raj Bhavan today after the swearing-in-ceremony of the newly inducted Cabinet Minister Kuzholuzo.

"If the people are ignorant, we have to make them understood," Rio said adding he had directed Therie to produce the "White Paper" when the Opposition Congress intensely demanded. And because of his (Therie) failure to produce the "White Paper," the Opposition Congress at last went up to the extent of submitting memoranda to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohna Singh and State Governor Shyamall Datta, the Chief Minister said. But regrettably the former Finance Minister did not pay any heed to it, he added. The Chief Minister however, without elaborating much, explained the axing of Therie was not only related to Rs 365 crore issue but some other issues as well. On Opposition Congress’ remark that dropping Therie from the Ministry would not solve Rs 365 crore issue unless "White Paper" is produced, Rio said he had just taken over the Finance Portfolio and needed some time to examine.

Earlier, NPF MLAs K Holohon and Neiwang Konyak were sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary in Chief Minister’s Banquet Hall. Governor Shyamall Datta administered the swearing in ceremony of the newly inducted Cabinet in Raj Bhavan while the Chief Minister to the newly inducted two Parliamentary Secretaries in his Banquet Hall. The 2-week long political drama in Nagaland following the dropping of K Therie from the Rio Ministry has ended today with the induction of Kuzholuzo (Azo) as a Cabinet Minister. Kuzholuzo and Therie hail from Phek district and they both belong to Chakhesang tribe.
Neighbours in boundary thaw - Assam, Nagaland agree on status quo A STAFF REPORTER
Guwahati, May 16: Assam and Nagaland today agreed to maintain status quo along their disputed boundary in a bid to ease escalating tension on either side of the periphery. The decision was taken at a meeting attended by the chief secretaries of the two states. The talks were held against the backdrop of a recent flare-up along the border in Golaghat district of Assam and Wokha in Nagaland. The meeting decided to put in place an effective monitoring mechanism to deal with the complaints of violation of border agreements. “Regular meetings between the officials of the two states will be an effective deterrent to misunderstanding between the two neighbours, which often leads to tension and border skirmishes,” said a Nagaland official after the meeting. He said such meetings would strengthen the monitoring mechanism.
A chief secretary-level meeting will be held every three months to take stock of the situation along the boundary and to resolve complaints, if any, of violation of the agreement to maintain status quo. It was decided that the two states would exchange complaints of violation of the agreement and discuss these at the quarterly meetings of the chief secretaries. Assam chief secretary S. Kabilan, his Nagaland counterpart Talitemjen Ao and several senior civil and police officials of both the states attended the first meeting, which was held in the presence of Union home ministry official Rajiv Agarwal. Assam border secretary H. Narzary said the meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere and it was able to “break the ice”.
He, however, clarified that the purpose of the meeting was not to find a permanent solution to the decades-old boundary dispute between the two states.
“This is an attempt to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border and to ensure that status quo is maintained,” the bureaucrat said. A case is pending in the Supreme Court on the dispute between the two neighbours. Hundreds of policemen were killed in Merapani in the mid-Eighties when they exchanged fire over the territory dispute. The CRPF has since been patrolling the disputed belt in the capacity of a neutral force. Apart from quarterly meetings involving the chief secretaries of the two states, deputy commissioners of the border districts will meet every month. Meetings at the level of inspectors-general of police and directors-general of police (border) will be held every two months. Both states have agreed to go ahead with repair of border infrastructure built prior to 1979.
A decision on the infrastructure developed after 1979 will be taken during the next chief secretary-level meeting. Interim border agreements between the two states were signed in 1972 and 1979. In accordance with these agreements, both states were to withdraw their police personnel from the disputed zone within a stipulated time. The agreements also prohibit any new settlements or construction in this zone.
Rio claims victory on boundary- ‘Row settled out of court’ OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kohima, May 18: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio claimed victory today, saying Assam had agreed to an out-of- court settlement on the Nagaland-Assam border dispute.
Rio, briefing the media after the swearing-in of a new minister at Raj Bhavan today, said Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi had said this at a home ministry meeting in New Delhi recently. “Tarun Gogoi agreed to an out-of-court settlement when we met during an internal security meeting in Delhi,” he said. The two states have been locked in a court battle for the past three decades for the disputed oil-rich belt along the inter-state border.
A recent meeting in Guwahati ended with a decision by both sides to maintain status quo on the border. A chief secretary-level meeting will be held every three months to take stock of the situation along the boundary and to resolve complaints, if any, of violation of the agreement to maintain status quo.The meeting has reaffirmed the promise of maintaining status quo, made in the interim agreements of 1972. “We have not decided on any other issue but only on maintenance of status quo,” said additional chief secretary and commissioner T.N. Mannen. The dates for the next meeting have not been fixed, nor has a date for the next Supreme Court hearing come up, said Mannen. Sources said both states are treading carefully as the situation on the border has been tense for the past few months. “None of us want a replay of the gunbattle between the police forces in the 1980s,” said an official. Rio said Nagaland has always been in favour of settling the border dispute amicably and is in favour of a boundary commission that can be constituted by the Centre. A recent idea of a judicial commission was not acceptable to the state, as it would deal with a “constitutional boundary”. Nagaland has demanded a solution on the basis of historical perspective and ground reality while Assam insists that it will accept only the apex court’s verdict. As a result, the dispute is stuck in a deadlock that prolongs in a string of court cases.
Thousands of Bangladeshi migrants flee Assam By Biswajyoti Das
GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) - Thousands of Bangladeshis have fled Assam following threats by anonymous groups against migrants and a campaign asking locals not to employ foreigners, officials and residents said. The unidentified groups in the troubled state's Dibrugarh district have circulated leaflets and sent text messages on mobile phones in the past week, warning Bangladeshi nationals to leave immediately or face unspecified action. Mobile phones in Assam are being flooded with text messages saying, "Save the nation, save identity. Let's take an oath ... no food, no job, no shelter to Bangladeshis" while leaflets seeking an "economic blockade" of the migrants are also being distributed. "Many labourers working in brick kilns, rickshaws pullers and construction workers have fled in the past one week due to the threat," said P.C. Saloi, superintendent of police in Dibrugarh.
Over the years, hundreds of thousands of illegal Bangladeshi migrants have swamped the tea-growing and oil-rich state in search for work and food. Over two years ago, the government estimated there could be up to 20 million illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India, and labelled some of them a security risk. In the early 1980s, the powerful All Assam Students Union launched a bloody campaign to push Bangladeshis back to their homeland. Thousands of Bangladeshis, including women and children, were massacred across the state by indigenous people who feared they would be reduced to a minority in their own land. The government and the students union signed a pact in 1985, but clauses on the deportation of foreigners have still not been implemented. The campaign against the Bangladeshis has mushroomed into a full-fledged uprising against New Delhi's rule and many rebel groups are still battling for independence.
BORDER FENCE
India has fenced parts of the 4,000-km border with Bangladesh, but officials say this has done little to deter migrants bent on leaving one of the world's poorest countries. Assam shares a 272 km porous border with Bangladesh, a vast stretch of which is unfenced. "Fencing along the border with Bangladesh in this sector has started to prevent illegal infiltration," said federal Home Secretary V.K. Duggal.
"Legal and judicial measures have also been adopted to deport illegal Bangladeshi settlers from the country."
The lush paddy fields and the sandy, shifting plains of the mighty Brahmaputra river that divides the countries are natural transit routes. Hundreds take rickety boats across the river, which at some places is 15 km wide, into India. The migrants become farmhands or river fishermen in villages. In towns they are often construction workers or rickshaw pullers, and the women work as maids. Since the latest campaign against Bangladeshis began, rickshaw pullers in Assam have gone off the road, maids have stopped coming to work and there is a shortage of eggs and chickens as most vendors were Bangladeshi. Brick kilns have been closed due to shortage of labour. Though there are no officials figures of actual numbers of Bangladeshis in Assam, locals say their population could be six million of the state's 26 million people. "Every day around 6,000 illegal infiltrators cross the border and enter the state," said an intelligence official in Guwahati, the state's main city. Police said most of the fleeing Bangladeshi have now moved to districts close to the border with Bangladesh. "The police have been put on maximum alert and instructions have been given that no genuine citizens are harassed and no communal clashes take place in disturbed areas," said Rockybul Hussain, Assam's minister for home.
Governor report on Bangladeshi migrants baseless: Gogoi By Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, May 19 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Thursday termed as baseless Governor Ajai Singh's report that thousands of illegal Bangladeshi migrants were entering the state. The local media had quoted a report by Singh to the central government that up to 6,000 illegal infiltrators were entering Assam and other states in the region daily.
"The governor's report is baseless and not according to facts. Such reports only add to the confusion and tension in the state," Gogoi told reporters here. "We do not give any importance to the governor's statement. The previous governor, S.K. Sinha, too gave such a report. We do not care about such reports," he said.The chief minister, however, clarified that there was no move to seek Singh's removal. "I do not want to seek his dismissal or removal at this point of time," Gogoi said.
KYKL unearths fake appointment scam The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 18: Exposing more dirt in the state education department, the underground Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, KYKL, has nabbed three officials who were allegedly involved in the unauthorized appointment of dozens of fake teachers in the department. A statement issued by the KYKL identified the three officials as DI/DDO Thangkholet Haokip, of Salbung village, currently posted in Henglep subdivision of Churachandpur district, DI Takhellambam Promeshkumar, of Ningthoukhong ward no. 13 and AI Takhelambam Shantikumar Singh, of Ningthoukhong ward no. 6.
The three have confessed to being involved in the fake appointment of altogether 49 bogus teachers in the department, on payment of bribes ranging from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 2 lakhs, the KYKL stated.
A total amount of Rs. 42 lakhs was obtained by the three as bribes, the KYKL statement further charged, stating that Shantikumar obtained Rs 24 lakhs, Thangkholet Haokip Rs. 12 lakhs, and Prameshkumar Rs. 6 lakhs.

Shantikumar was involved in the fake appointment of 29 teachers, the outfit said, identifying them as T Manitomba Singh, of Ningthoukhong ward no. 6 (as a teacher at Vungbuk Jr H/S), L T Zami, of New Lamka (Vunhao Jr H/S), T Bangkimchandra of Ningthoukhong ward no. 5 (Tokpa Kabui Jr H/S), T Jagatchandra of Ningthoukhng ward no. 5 (Ningthiching Jr H/S), M Mohenkumar of Ningthoukhong ward no. 9 (Thingkeu Jr H/S), Romita Devi of Ningthoukhong ward no. 5 (M Tampak Jr H/S), RK Mina Devi of Ningthoukhong ward no. 5 (Tokpa Kabui Jr H/S), RK Kishorjit of Ningthoukhong ward no. 5 (Tokpa Kabui Jr H/S), L Krishnadash of Ningthoukhong ward no. 13 (Thingkeu Jr H/S), M Pramodini Devi, of Ningthoukhong ward no. 4 (Chingphei Jr H/S), S Khomdonbi Devi of Ningthoukhong ward no.2 (Ningthiching Jr H/S), Th Surjit Singh of Thinungei (Ningthiching Jr H/S), Th Indubala Devi of Thinungei (Chingphei Jr. H/S), M Nilakomol Singh, of Ngaikhong Khunou (Chingphei Jr H/S), Premila Devi of Ningthoukhong ward no. 6 (M Tampak Jr H/S), M Romibala of Ningthoukhong ward no. 8 (Ningthiching Jr H/S), Th Rasheshori Devi of of Ningthoukhong ward no. 10 (Henglep Jr H/S), RK Ranjana, of Ningthoukhong ward no. 10 (Tuining Jr H/S), T Netajit of Ningthoukhong ward no. 5 (Mata Lambulane Jr H/S) RK Manorishi, of Ningthoukhong ward no. 10 (Leiren Jr H/S), M Sandhyarani Devi of Moirang (Parvachom Jr H/S), Th Nidira Devi of Ningthoukhong ward no. 14 (Kha Aimol Jr H/S), Th Sushila of Ningthoukhong ward no. 10 (T Kaizakhup Jr H/S), Rk Thoithoi Devi of Ningthoukhong ward no. 10 (Nguljapum Jr H/S), T Haricharan Singh of Hodam Leirak, Imphal (Ngariyan Jr H/S), T Ito Singh of Hodam Leirak, Imphal (Ngariyan Jr H/S), O Sanjit of Ningthoukhong ward no. 6 (Hanship H/S), Th Thoiba Singh of Ningthoukhong ward no. 10 (Hanship H/S), and Khambi (Leisen Jr H/S).

The outfit further charged that Thangkholet Haokip was involved in the bogus appointment of seven persons, identified as Leikhopa, of Salbung village (Chingphei Jr H/S), Ngakholhing, of Kholmun village (Chingphei Jr. H/S), Robert Kholmun of Churachandpur (Vungbuk Jr H/S), Neikholam, of Chengkon village (Chingphei Jr H/S), Lamjakam of New Lamka (Ningthiching Jr H/S), Hoinu, of Bijang village (Thingkeu Jr H/S), Darthankhum, of Molvaiphei village (Vungbuk Jr H/S), and Margaret of Lamka (M Tampak Jr H/S). Two other persons were also given fake appointments as the share of the previous ZEO and cashier, the statement further said.

As for Parmeshkumar, he was involved in the fake appointment of seven other persons, it charged. The fake appointees were identified as RK Memota Devi, of Ningthoukhong ward no. 13 (Vungbuk Jr H/S), T Deepa Singh of Ningthoukhong ward no. 13, K Suresh of Kumbi bazar, Purnima Devi of Ningthoukhong ward no. 10, Kh Prema Singh, of Ningthoukhong ward no. 13, RK Inaocha Singh of Radha Mandop (Saibol Jr H/S), Basanti Devi of Ningthoukhong ward no. 13 (Hanship H/S), and Kh James Singh of Moirang Patlou.

Stating that all of the above were given ‘appointments’ without holding the requisite DPC, the statement noted that the fake teachers drew on average Rs. 7,500 per month without ever performing their duties. Further, out of the salaries, amounts varying from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000 were paid monthly to the officials involved in the appointment.The officials have also admitted that huge amounts have been paid to higher officials and the vigilance department to cover up the fake appointments at the time of making transfer and postings. Stating that the three officials were nabbed after about six months of investigation by the KYKL’s ONK, the statement said the outfit has identified other officials involved in the fake appointments scam. The statement further said the three erring officials would be disciplined by shooting in the legs, while the persons who secured fake appointments through them would be banned from taking up any job related to the education department.

The outfit further said the bribes obtained by the three officials would be confiscated for the KYKL’s activities. Maintaining that the education department was a sink of corruption, for which the top officials and ministers concerned must bear responsibility, the KYKL said the outfit would continue to take steps to discipline the department. Warning that the death penalty would be awarded in case milder forms of punishments proved ineffective, the KYKL also warned the concerned officials against trying to thwart the group’s mission.

AFSPA review committee report likely in a few days The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 18: The five member committee set up to review the provisions of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 is expected to submit its report to the Central government within the next few days. Reliable sources said the committee, headed by Justice BP Jeevan Reddy, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India is racing to complete its report and would be submitting it within in a few more days. It may be mentioned, the committee, appointed on November 18, 2004 in the wake of wide-spread protests against the AFSPA in Manipur, was told to submit its report within a period of six months. Meanwhile, a meeting today of the special operations group, headed by the state chief secretary, held detailed discussions on the question of continuation of the ‘Disturbed Area’ status of the various parts of the states which have been so declared under the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. It may be mentioned, all areas of the state, except for those falling within Imphal municipality, bear the Disturbed Area tag. This however is due to expire on May 31 next.

Sources said the SOG meeting today also discussed the law and order situation within the Imphal area from where the Disturbed Area status has been lifted by the government last year in the wake of wides-read public protests. While details of the discussions were unavailable, sources said they would have a strong influence on any decision taken by the state government on whether to continue with the Disturbed Area status in various parts of the state. Today’s meeting, attended by top officials of the CRPF, Assam Rifles and the Army deployed in the state, also discussed the current status of counter-insurgency operations taken up by the state and Central security forces. Sources also said the meeting also discussed the provision of security cover for the BRO to enable it to start work on construction and repair work on NH-150 and NH-53.

India, China to reopen Stilwell Road
BEIJING, May 18 – China and India are actively working on plans to reopen the Stilwell Road through Myanmar which would reduce the distance between the two nations from 6,000 km to just 1,300 km, the state media reported today, reports PTI. The Stilwell Road, a strategic supply route between Assam and China’s Yunnan province via Myanmar built in the World War II by Chinese and American troops, will soon reopen. Yunnan province, which benefits greatly from trade with India, has played a vanguard role in the rebuilding of the Stilwell Road. An Indian survey team arrived in Tengchong in Yunnan province for a field investigation on the entire length of the road to be commenced this month, the official Xinhua news agency reported.Yunnan and Assam have agreed to begin a joint exploration on the Stilwell Road at the end of this year, it quoted a senior official with the Yunnan Provincial Council for Promoting Trade with Foreign Countries as saying.

According to the latest field investigation, the section from Ledo in India to Kunming in China’s Yunnan Province on the Stilwell Road is only 1,300 km. The current trading route to ship most of India’s export to China, by contrast, is as long as 6,000 km, going around the Malacca Strait and the Indian Ocean. Chen Tiejun, a research fellow of the South Asia Research Institute under the Yunnan Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, said the road is a junction point of east, south and southeast Asia. The regions are home to three billion people, half of the world’s total population. Consequently, the road possesses geographic importance in linking the three regions, Chen said. China’s foreign trade with India now makes up only one per cent of its total import and export value, though bilateral trade volume increased from 200 million US dollars in the 1990s to 13.6 billion dollars in 2004.

Chasing India’s Look East dream — RC Saikia
Some months ago Rajiv Sikri, Secretary (East) in the external Affairs Ministry said in a forum at Guwahati, “The ‘Look East’ policy emirsages the northeastern region not as the peripherg of India, but as the Centre of a thriving and integrated economic space linking two dynamic regions with a networks of highways, railways, pipelines, transmission lines crisscrossing the region”. His hopes, as he said, is that it would be possible some day to drive from Guwahati to Bankok or Yangon in a couple of days time. There is reason for the Northeasterners to be happy and compliment the new approach of India which would bring to bear on a subject which is of that importance for the region. Closer relation with South East-Asia will open up significant possibilities for the North East. Apart from the ambitious proposal of a 1,360 kilometre trilateral highway from Moreh in Manipur, connecting MaeSoi in north Thailand via Bajan in Myanmar, more modest scenarios that come to the mind are that North East supplying hydro electric power to its cross border Asian neighbours, and tourists from the Asia-Pacific region coming in through the eastern doors. This is certainly an attractive proposition. With the ‘Look East’ policy is now a summit level partner of the ASEAN and is making impressive headway. Trade between India and ASEAN countries is expanding fasts. There is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Thailand. A Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement (CECA) with Singapore is in the process. By 2011 there will be an FTA each with Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, and by 2016 with the remaining countries like Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. These countries will present a strong trading bloc for India that will have more than 600 million people and a combined economic output worth a staggering $1000 billion. Their Individual economies will attract investment in industries in that region with Singapore as the leader in several services industries. The bloc would have a wide range of economic activities from biotechnology to consumer electronics.

Is this the beginning of India’s globalisation fever? Indeed, the data and the mood suggest that. For those who donot understand the larger strategic picture, it is rather confusing for India, a close economy, doing this with ASEAN, an open economy. India has some compulsions. It has to address the pressing problems of unemployment and poverty reduction, and at the same time there is the need for greater participation in the international trades, exchange of services and capital. For all these, the reform process of the economy has to work. There is no alternative but to open up the economy to global market if India is to gain from the global economic system. There is now increasing realisation that FTAs are signal to the outside world about the outward orientation of a country, even though the direct economic benefits may not be very large India’s FTAs with Thailand and Sri Lanka are precisely that. However, despite the problems FTAs can provide opportunities to Indian companies to globalise and become full fledged MNC. Today, over 70 per cent of the world trade is through FTAs and India’s share is minuscule. It is only natural that in the tussle between economic diplomacy, domestic concerns and the urge to transform Indian companies into global players, some companies or sectors are bound to get hit. For instance, India’s FTA with Thailand is changing the dynamics of doing business in India in several sectors. Since the FTA entails minimal or zero import duty on Thai products, it has become cheaper for Indian firms to procure goods from Thailand or, even better to produce them there and export to India. For many companies in India, setting up production bases in Thailand is a lucrative option by which they can go global. Thailand is an up coming global export base, it exports 90 per cent of its auto-components and over 80 per cent of the electric goods it makes. Globalisation has threats and negative fall-outs like this. However, economic co-operation between developing countries is a way to jointly counter the threats of globalisation. There is not much of a choice today under the WTO regime than coming into the global economic system.

Now the north eastern region is envisaged as a “thriving and integrated economic space,” linking the mainland India with the neighbouring South East Asia, in India’s “Look East” policy. But mainland India’s ties with South East Asian countries have traditionally been maritime. Even today, India finds it cheaper and easier to trade with South East Asia by sea rather than by land. Is there danger that the policy may get de-linked from the vision of North East as a gateway? Whether the “Look East” policy envisages the North East as a “periphera” or not, it cannot ignore a robust continental thrust with a thriving North East linking the country’s economic role to a daynamic South East Asian economy, otherwise it will be disastrous not only for the North East but for India’s diplomatic ambition as well. There is no alternative to confronting the domestic and foreign policy choices and to debating them with the vision of the North East as a gateway in mind, otherwise, the gateway metaphor will soon begin to sound like another broken promise. The North East has not quite been playing the role of a gateway during all these years nor is it about to. Now there is an Action Plan made out for formulating a vision document with a 15 years perspective as to ‘NER 2020’. Inaugurating the 50th meeting of the North Eastern Council Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had suggested for people’s involvement in drafting the vision document as a people’s plan which would give them a glimpse of their future being planned. Indeed, the participation of the people of the region in the process is very much crucial. The concept of turning the North East into a thriving economic region and as the gateway will have to be the focus of a grand project involving the governments, the civil societies as all as corporates and other agencies. Projects with clear backward and forward linkage will have to be designed and their social, environmental and economic impacts carefully assessed. It is not just money that is needed, there has to be investment of political, economic and intellectual energy as well. These are serious challenges, and choices have to be made among many things for the North East to fulfil the potential as a gateway.

The cultural affinity between the people of North East India and South East Asia should make the task easy to build bridges with South East Asian nations. The provincial government of China’s Yunnan province and institutions like the Yunnan Academi of Social Science are playing very active roles in China’s efforts to build bridges with South and South East Asia. Unlike other States, the North East states are privileged with a DoNER ministry and a development council as the NEC to look into the developments and the problems of the region. With the good intention and meaningful support from the Prime Minister of the country, North East should have been able to put things in place to fulfil rising expectation of the people. Perhaps, responsiveness only to money and position is the major reason for widespread avoidance of duty and a host of abuses intending growing corruptions in the regions. In this rand effort, the media must don a special role for dissemination of every bit of information—the momentum, the direction and the analyses to mobilise popular response and to move forward the vision NER 2020 to its most logical level, otherwise the danger of delinking of the ‘Look East’ policy from the vision of North East as a gateway will exist. And if that happens the North easterners will continue to experience the hazards of ordinariness.

Everybody is a dictator in our State By Jangmang Haokip
In our state everybody has become a dictator in his or her own way by discarding the principle of democracy for his or her own downfall. An incident of a person becoming a military dictator or a group of people or despotic miller is seen here and there in the world but the whole citizens of a state becoming dictator in their own ways and conveniences is a wonder of the world. We have hundreds of social organizations and student bodies who are real dictators causing innumerable hardships for themselves as well as for others a number of times in the past and present. Any tiny grievances of these bodies are big enough to call bandhs and strikes of different magnitudes pulling back the state backward every day. Some time some organizations are more militants than the real militants in their action in trying to achieve their objective by using distinctive means. On the other side, there is an insurgency problem putting all the things into a stand still, not permitting anything and everything move forward. There are kidnaps for ransom, abduction for not obeying, warning for failure to pay heed to their diktat, intimidation, demands, threats and punishment, some time even to the extend of maiming or killing a person for a small misconduct. Thus curtailing every free movement of action and thought of the people. In fact it is quite suffocating for many people but what to do, except keeping mum. Again, in the military front, reports of countless number of Human Rights violations upon the innocent people in the hands of security forces who are here to protect the same. Not only the army but state forces also contributed a lot in Human Rights violations. They took full advantage of the not so good law & order situation and let loose a reign of terror to the public in several occasions. This heartless actions have indeed eroded the dignity of the security people to great extend. Now the people are equally afraid of the militants and the security forces. This has tarnished the image of the security forces as a whole and the faith in them too vanished all together.
On top of all these, the elected Govt we have is all the time weak to the possible extend which is incapable of handling serious problems and issues. To add an insult to injury, the people are not so cooperative to the Government but had developed the habit of heaping blames on the head of the government by openly neglecting their duties. At this unfortunate situation, some politicians are always on the look out to exploit the already bad situation for their selfish gain thereby pouring fuel to the burning fire. The Govt came out with clear plan to reduce the menace of insurgency but some prominent politicians are the real insurgency masters. As long as these big shots are hand in glove with the militants, poor security forces will be in no position to achieve anything substantial but their heavy arms will continue to be felt by the helpless citizens, instead of the target groups. This is what actually happening in our state much to the misfortune of the public. On the other hand, the so many development schemes, are no where to be seen except on papers. Contractors, engineers, elected members, some time joined by militants, have judiciously combine their abilities and finished off everything swiftly. Many village chiefs might well be a party to it. That was how most of our developmental minds have been managed by our dear people in position. Thanks for their genuine concern for the public. Thus, all said and done, we, the people of Manipur must change our attitude if we want to have peace and development. Other wise peace, prosperity and security will vanish in thin air altogether and we will only create a hell like situation to live in. For improving our lots, we must first shed our colour of dictatorship. Then only we can put our heads together for the overall round advancement of our society.
Sangma criticizes Center’s insensitiveness North East Press Service
Guwahati, May 19 (NEPS): Meghalaya MP and former Union Minister, PA Sangma criticized the UPA Government at the Center for not paying any heed on the burning illegal immigrant issues in the region. Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, the veteran politician from the region lamented on the Center’s lackadaisical attitude to the burning illegal immigrant issues of the region. He said immediate attention should be paid to the issues by the Center and the process should be initiated soon to identify genuine Indian citizens by issuing multi-purpose identity cards. Such steps should be done on the basis on Assam Accord, he added.
Sangma also said he expected more positive responses from the current Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohna Singh to the burning illegal immigrant issues as the latter is the representative of Assam State . But this does not happen, he regrets. On the northeast insurgency front, Sangma said the Center should come forward and initiate dialogues with those militant groups that have shown interests in negotiations. And at the same time, ongoing parleys should be speeded up.
Rio: Gogoi ready for out-of-court settlementBorder disputes
KOHIMA, May 18 (UNI): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has agreed to an out of court settlement of the Assam-Nagaland boundary dispute. Addressing mediapersons at the Raj Bhavan here after the swearing-in ceremony of newly-inducted minister Kuzholuzo Nienu, Mr Rio said Gogoi agreed to the proposal during the internal security meeting of the north-eastern States held at Guwahati recently, with the condition that the Union Home Ministry must intervene in the matter. He also informed that the Union Home Ministry had expressed concern over the inter-State boundary dispute between Assam and Nagaland and asked both the States to settle the issue at the earliest. Rio had earlier offered an out of court settlement to solve the problem which was rejected by Gogoi.
It’s outcome of latent sentiment: AASU By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, May 18: Breaking its silence over the exodus of suspected Bangladeshis from Dibrugarh in thousands, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) today said that the latest development on the foreigners’ issue in the State was, in fact, the result of the national sentiment which remained latent over the years. "It is indeed a positive development that the sentiment, at last, got its vent, that too, in a democratic and sobre way," said AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya while talking to The Sentinel today. He said that the people of the State, including activists of the Chiring Chapori Yuva Mancha, were now doing one of the most important tasks which the Governments, both in the State and at the Centre, and political parties had failed to accomplish over the years. "All those who entered Assam from Bangladesh before March 25, 1971 should leave the State on their own, and when they don’t, the onus of their deportation lies on the Government," he said, and appealed to all organizations and parties, who had been providing protective shield to Bangladeshis in the State, to refrain themselves from the ‘misdeed’. Reiterating the AASU’s stand that all those from Bangladesh who had entered Assam after March 25, 1971 should be expelled from the State, he appealed to the people of the State, specially those belonging to the minority community, who had entered Assam before the cut-off date or who were sons of the soil not to panic.
Deportation of Bangladeshis a must’ Influx a threat to State economy: Tasa From a Correspondent
JORHAT, May 18: Deportation of Bangladeshis from all the districts of Assam has become an urgent necessity as the Bangladeshi population has brought about a demographic change and affected the local economy. It has also caused disunity and lawlessness in the society, stated Kamakaya Prasad Tasa, president of the BJP’s Assam Pradesh Tea Cell in a press communique here. "It has become imperative to evacuate the illegal migrants not only from the districts of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh, but also from all over State so that our people get their due rights and can avail of the opportunities which are being snatched away by the aliens," he stated. Tasa, on the other hand, assured the indigenous Assamese Muslims not to fear as the public awareness against the Bangladeshis had nothing to do with them and the deportation of lakhs of illegal migrants residing all over the State would benefit them too in the long-run. Praising the mounting public opinion against the trespassing of Bangladeshis on Assam soil, Tasa said that this was required to put pressure on the State Government and the district administrations to do something in this regard. Criticizing the government and the district administrations, Tasa said, "They are doing nothing in this regard and it is high time for them to act if they do not want this to become a problem of momentous proportions."
Kamakhya Prasad Tasa was hopeful that the public awareness would also motivate those with vested interests — like the contractors and the politicians — not to shelter Bangladeshis in the better interest of the State. However, he expressed doubt that whether those who left Dibrugarh recently had actually left the country for good. "They may have gone and got holed up in some sensitive areas and it is now upto the State Government to flush them out and send them back," he said. Tasa further advised the people to get ready for a full-fledged agitation if nothing is done in this regard.
BLTWS debunks WBNCD peace rally as politically motivated Concern over infighting among leaders; BSS to hold peace rally From our Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, May 18: The Ex-BLT Welfare Society (EBLTWS) and the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) have expressed serious concern over the infighting among a section of the Bodo political leaders and urged them to maintain peace and bonhomie for the overall development of the Bodos. Terming the peace rally organized by the World Bodo National Conference Durbar (WBNCD) recently as useless, the Society has said that this type of rallies would not solve the interest of the Bodos. Meanwhile, severely criticizing the WBNCD for organizing the rally, Kabi Ranjan Brahma, secretary of the EBLTWS said that the rally was politically motivated. It may be mentioned that the WBNCD organized the peace rally on May 16 at the Kokrajhar Government HS and MP School playground. "The WBNCD should keep themselves away from such activities which may put the fate of the Bodos in jeopardy," the Society said, criticizing the State Election Commission (SEC) move to hold fresh election in No 9 Banargaon and No 8 Dotma ST constituencies. Meanwhile, the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) has decided to organize a peace rally at all district headquarters under the BTAD on May 20. Urging the people, including the members of the democratic organizations of the State, to join the rally to bring back peace and tranquillity in BTAD, the BSS in its central executive committee meeting held at Guwahati recently, also expressed grave concern over the unrest among the Bodos. The BSS further feels that the infighting among a section of the Bodo leaders will affect the development of the Bodos. Meanwhile, the Sabha has also urged the Government of Assam, Ministry of Home Affairs and the police personnel in particular to maintain the law and order strictly. The BSS has also appealed to all the concerned party supporters to restrain themselves from engaging in violent activities in future. It may be mentioned that the EBLTWS has welcomed the Bodo Sahitya Sabha move to organize peace rally in BTAD.