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05/25/2005: "Defection continues to rock IM boat"
Defection continues to rock IM boat
DIMAPUR, May 24: A lot of ruckus is expected to be kicked up in the days to come with AZ Jami, who once held the post of Deputy Prime Minister of NSCN-IM recently defected to the rival NSCN (K) reportedly threatening to expose all the “bad deeds” of the NSCN-IM. AZ Jami has been participating in most of the talks held between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM. The former NSCN-IM leader also participated in most of the “behind the door” meetings of the NSCN-IM.
Reports have been rife that the former NSCN-IM Deputy Prime Minister had deserted the IM camp following differences with his colleagues on various matters. Top NSCN-IM leaders informed Newmai News Network today that AZ Jami, who belongs to the Lotha community, had been under the scanner for his alleged attempt to assassinate his fellow tribesman M Kikon sometime back. Reports said that M Kikon had been inducted as a member of the Steering Committee (highest decision making body of the NSCN-IM) to which AZ Jami opposed tooth and nail. Jami along with his bodyguards had also reportedly raided M Kikon’s house in Dimapur earlier.
Following the complaints the NSCN-IM had instituted an investigating committee to look into the matter and hence, the investigation had been carried out. Reports from reliable sources said AZ Jami is now in Mon district of Nagaland. Mon district is the stronghold of the NSCN-IM. Jami had reportedly fled from the NSCN-IM “camp” along with his followers who were NSCN-IM cadres. Immovable and movable properties of Jami had been seized by the NSCN-IM in Dimapur following the defection of the leader to the NSCN-K camp.
Since AZ Jami was a prominent leader among the NSCN-IM hierarchy, he knows all the ins and outs the outfit. Given this picture, the NSCN-I M has reportedly reorganized its set-up in Dimapur and its adjoining areas with regard to the security reason, according to the sources.Dimapur has long been a “gold rush” for the various Naga underground organisations. As of now, the NSCN-IM has its grip on the commercial hub of Nagaland. The NSCN-IM top ranks and files including Kilonsers (ministers), deputy kilonsers, tartars (MPs) and its Steering Committee members had held its marathon meeting yesterday at camp Hebron with regard to the latest development. (NNN)
Konyak Union meets NSCN-IM leaders From Our Correspondent
DIMAPUR, May 24 – Although there was no concrete assurance from the NSCN-IM’s leadership to the visiting nine-member Konyak Union’s Advisory Board delegation in regard to their demand for handing over of the ‘commander’ responsible for the March 18 killing of two Konyak youths, the apex tribal body is hopeful of getting justice vis-a-vis its demand.
The meeting, on May 14 at the Hebron Camp near here, was held in response to the NSCN-IM’s invitation to the KU to discuss the ongoing peace process, unification of all Naga underground factions and the issue of the killing of two Konyak youths by cadres of NSCN-IM, sources said.The apex body of the Konyaks had earlier served an ultimatum to the NSCN-IM demanding handing over of its commander, responsible for the killing of the youths to them.
Besides this issue, the KU during the meeting appealed to the NSCN-IM leaders to work towards bringing about reconciliation and unification among all Naga underground factions for a permanent solution to the long-pending Naga political issue. The Union, at their meeting with NSCN-IM Ato Kilonser, Thuingaleng Muivah at Hebron, also conveyed its strong support to the present peace process for solution to the Naga issue. In a release the KU said that although it had a strained relationship with the NSCN-IM for sometime over the killing incident, its delegation met the NSCN-IM leaders leaving aside all “domestic issues” mainly to discuss the Naga political issue. The Union expressed hope that the meeting would bear fruits of reconciliation.
Students demand probe into University appointments Dimapur | May 24, 2005 2:23:45 PM IST webindia.com
Registering strong condemnation of the rampant malpractice spreading across the administrative chain of the Nagaland University, the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) today issued a memorandum appealing to the Chief Rector of the varsity to look into the rot eating away into its vitals. Citing several cases of appointment through dubious certificates involving teaching and non-teaching staff, NSF president V Phushika Aomi and vice president Imchatoba Imchen expressed alarm over the rapid slump in the system.
Citing a case of breach of rules, they pointed that one of the standing criteria for appointment of Controller of Examination (CoE) was that the candidate should not be on probation. But, the release pointed, Prof CS Mishra was appointed as the CoE on August 10, 2004, before he completed the probation as a Professor in the Commerce Department. Another case cited by the Federation was that of Prof RP Kachhara being chosen for an EDUSAT training. The NSF said it did not see any wisdom in his nomination as he would retire soon after completion of the training. On conduct of interviews for teaching staff outside the state, the NSF urged the authorities to ensure that such interviews were held in the state. Moreover, the federation urged the Chief Reactor to take immediate measures to check malpractices and corruption from the university.(ANI)
New Delhi to sign truce with NDFB rebels By Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, May 25 (IANS) The Indian government is Wednesday expected to announce cessation of military operations against a tribal separatist group in Assam by signing a formal ceasefire agreement, officials said. A home ministry official said a truce with the leaders of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) was signed in New Delhi Tuesday night in the presence of senior Assam government officials and will be announced Wednesday.
"The truce could ultimately pave the way for holding peace talks and eventually an end to nearly two decades of violent insurgency in the region," the home ministry official told IANS by telephone. The NDFB is a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe since 1986. At least five senior NDFB leaders Tuesday held a meeting with home ministry officials in New Delhi to finalize ceasefire ground rules and other modalities for peace talks.
"Almost all the formalities were already worked out and we hope the ceasefire agreement comes into effect from Wednesday," the official said. The decision by New Delhi to end military operations and begin peace talks comes after the NDFB in October last year offered a unilateral ceasefire. The NDFB is one of the region's dreaded rebel groups with an estimated 1,500 fighters, who largely carry out hit-and-run attacks. The Bodos, a primitive tribe most members of which are now either Hindus or Christians, account for about 10 percent of Assam's 26 million people and are settled mostly in the western and northern part of the state. Initially, New Delhi was dithering on formally reciprocating to the NDFB's ceasefire offer, prompting the rebel leadership to issue a warning to call off the truce.
"The formal ceasefire with the NDFB will help usher in a new era of hope and peace in the region," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told IANS. The state's other frontline rebel group, the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) too has offered to hold talks with New Delhi, although the outfit wants that their main demand of sovereignty or independence be discussed in such negotiations. New Delhi is yet to respond to the ULFA's peace overtures. More than 10,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Assam during the past two decades.
Separatist Bodo rebels to sign ceasefire with govt Reuters
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Separatist rebels from the troubled state of Assam are to sign a ceasefire with the government for the first time in two decades, the news agency PTI reported on Tuesday, quoting unidentified sources. The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) will sign a ceasefire on Wednesday with both the central government in New Delhi and the state government of Assam, in northeastern India, PTI said in a report monitored by the BBC. PTI said NDFB leaders were expected to meet Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Wednesday before signing the ceasefire accord.
The breakthrough follows a peace offer from Assam's chief minister, Tarun Gogoi, about eight months ago, after which the NDFB called a unilateral ceasefire and put out peace feelers to the central government, leading to talks in New Delhi, PTI said. Some 10,000 people have been killed in Assam in the past 20 years in clashes between security forces and separatists seeking independence, more tribal rights or autonomy. The NDFB, which is fighting for a separate homeland for ethnic Bodos, and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), demanding independence for Assam, are the biggest of some two dozen separatist groups in the area. Northeast India is rich in tea, timber and oil, and separatists have accused New Delhi of plundering the region's resources and neglecting the local economy. Security agencies believed the NDFB and ULFA had been weakened by a Bhutanese military offensive against their hideouts in Bhutan last October, but they later regrouped and carried out new attacks.
Truce pact with NDFB likely today From Our Staff Correspondent
NEW DELHI, May 24 – In what could mark a formal end of Bodo militancy, outlawed NDFB, the Centre and the Assam Government today agreed to end hostilities by signing a ceasefire pact for a year effective from June 1. The pact, however, is likely to be formally signed and announced here tomorrow, highly placed sources said. All loose ends were tied up at a high-level meeting attended by representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Assam Government and the NDFB here today. Those present in the meeting included Joint Secretary (N-E) Rajeev Agarwalla, State Home Commissioner BK Gohain and five NDFB leaders who arrived here today accompanied by IGP (SB), Khagen Sarmah.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil is likely to give the final nod before the formal signing of the pact. Patil is also meeting the NDFB delegation here tomorrow. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, meanwhile, arrived in the capital here this evening ahead of the formal signing of the agreement.The pact is expected to be followed by a formal dialogue. The NDFB, unlike BLT, is fighting for cessation from India and demanding a separate Bodo nation.
Panel report on AFSPA repeal by next month From Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, May 24 – The Review Committee set up to study the provisions of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the backdrop of the intense agitation demanding its repeal from the North-east region is set to finalise its report by the beginning of next month. Sanjoy Hazarika, a member of the team while speaking to a local daily here in Imphal said that its recommendation is most likely to be finalised next month and added that an overwhelming majority of the people of the region have voiced their demand for the repeal of the Act. Hazarika, however, explained that there were inputs from some quarters which do not want the Act to go and added that Armed forces in particularly are for the continuation of the Act to enable them to perform their duty effectively.
Some on the other hand want some changes in the Act to give it a more humane face, he added. Hazarika however refused to comment on what are the likely suggestions the Review Committee may come up with and explained: “How can I say anything now when the report is yet to be finalised.”
When reminded that a news agency had carried a report which stated that the Review Committee is most likely to recommend the repeal of the Act, Hazarika dismissed it and countered, “How can anyone know what the Committee will suggest while the preparation of the report is yet to be finalised?”
The Committee was set up in November last year after an uproar was raised against the alleged custodial death of Th Manorama. The Prime Minister had announced that six months is the outer limit for the team to submit its report.
UPDS warns KLNLF on Timung killing By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, May 24: The United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) has denied hand in the killing of Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) general HS Timung. "The accusations by the KLNLF against us for the killing of Timung and his family members are baseless and malicious and figment of their imagination, " UPDS publicity secretary Tung-eh-Nongloda told The Sentinel. The outfit has warned the KLNLF to desist from such a campaign and mislead the people by calling a bandh. The KLNLF on Sunday had charged the UPDS of killing Timung on April 29, and called a bandh in Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts from May 27 to May 31.
"The people of Karbi Anglong cannot be blackmailed, and we demand of the KLNLF to clarify its stand. Otherwise, the UPDS will be forced to initiate drastic action," Nongloda warned.
He said that the KLNLF is indulging in a blame game to divert the attention of its own cadres from the internal crisis of the outfit. "There had been fear of eruption of bloodshed within the KLNLF during the past a few months over the leadership issue," he said. Nongloda also said that having forced to announce the death of Timung by a section of their own cadres after failing to hide the killing, the KLNLF is trying to blame the UPDS to avoid contradictions within the organization. "KLNLF chairman P Dilli announced that Timung and his family members had died on April 29. On the other hand, ‘Lt’ Thong Teron, in a statement issued on May 3, said that he had a telephonic talk with Timung. These contradictory statements are enough to prove that the outfit is trying to hide something from their cadres and the public," he said.
BJP to cooperate in peace talks Staff Correspondent
DIBRUGARH, May 24: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will extend its cooperation towards the proposed Centre-ULFA peace initiative, said Bijoya Chakraborty, senior BJP leader and former Union minister talking to Miliki Barua, the 71-year-old mother of ULFA ‘commander in-chief’ Paresh Barua. Chakraborty, during her recent tour to the upper Assam districts of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia, visited Paresh Barua’s native village, Jeraigaon and talked to Miliki Barua. During her visit, Chakraborty enquired about her health and shared with her views on various other subjects. Barua alleged that no political parties has shown any sincerity towards the proposed Centre-ULFA talks.Among others, Umesh Dutta, president in-charge, Pradanta Phukan, vice-president, BJP Dibrugarh district unit, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, president of BJP tea cell accompanied Chakraborty during her tour.
Assamese will have to leave their homeland soon: Dhankard From a Correspondent
JORHAT, May 24: Expressing serious concern over the unabated Bangladeshi influx to the State, BJP central observer for Jorhat district, Haryana MP and general secretary of Rashtriya Krishak Morcha of the party Om Prakash Dhankard said that the day is not far away when the indigenous Assamese will have to leave their homeland. "One day in our own country we will be living like the Red Indians of America," Dhankard said, adding that the Europeans had overrun most of the States they conquered, with the aboriginals turning into a minority. However, the Haryana MP, while addressing the media here said that it was the people who should ensure that the Bangladeshis leave the State, and not be dependent on the Government to take the initiative. Severely criticizing the Congress-led State Government for trying to protect the Bangladeshi nationals to keep their vote bank intact, he urged the people to take the upper hand in driving away the illegal migrants from the State.
Meanwhile, to strengthen the organizational base of the party in the State for the forthcoming Assembly polls, the BJP high command has stationed 24 central observers of the MP rank in various districts of Assam. The central BJP observer for Jorhat further informed that during the last few weeks, he was analysing the political scenario of the State and studying the key issues, including unabated Bangladeshi influx, etc. Coming down heavily on the State Government for failing to provide adequate facilities to farmers, MR Thankar, general secretary of the Rashtriya Krishak Morcha said, "Lack of proper electrification, irrigation system, markets, roads, etc., have turned to be major obstacles for the farmers of the State."
Assam is green, but it is not the greenery of agricultural crops, he said. Diganta Sharma, State observer and Assam BJP secretary was also present during the programme.
CBMs planned along India-China border Statesman News Service
NEW DELHI, May 24. — The visiting Chinese Chief of General Staff, Gen. Liang Guanglie, and the three Indian Service Chiefs today held wide-ranging talks aimed at enhancing cooperation and implementing a new set of confidence-building measures along the border. Gen. Liang, who was accorded an inter-services guard of honour, held extensive talks with his Indian counterpart Gen. JJ Singh. He was also given a briefing on India’s security perspectives and concerns. Gen. Liang, who is member of the powerful Chinese Central Military Commission, also held talks with the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee and Naval Chief Admiral Arun Prakash and Air Chief SP Tyagi. The issues discussed included holding more flag meetings, dealing with inadvertent border crossing into each others territories, measures to deal with air-space violations, boosting military to military exchanges along the McMahon line and stepping up exchanges in each other’s military training institutes. The Chinese military chief is accompanied by an 18-member team from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). His visit is being viewed as a move towards building up the momentum in defence ties gained during Chinese Prime Minister Mr Wen Jiabao’s visit to India earlier this year.
