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05/28/2005: "Naga Hoho new team headed by Horangse Sangtam"


28 May 2005 Saturday
Naga Hoho new team headed by Horangse Sangtam
KOHIMA, May 27: Horangse Sangtam was elected as the president of Naga Hoho here at Kohima on Friday.
Meanwhile a press release issued by election commission Naga Hoho informed that the following were declared unopposed president- Horangse Sangtam, vice president Keviletuo Kiewhuo, general secretary- Neingulo Krome, finance secretary- C.Daipao, publicity secretary- P. Chuba Ozukum, speaker-HK Zhimomi and assembly secretary Kenyuseng Tep. Hoho, M. Vero president steps down after a span of seven years.

Commentary Another brick in the wall: Ceaseless peace-talks By Donn Morgan Sangai Express
For the past eight years, the Government of India (GoI) and the NSCN (IM) negotiators have had just about a crack at every window of opportunity to end fifty years of armed insurgency. However, despite the unprecedented long period of ceasefire-agreement for peaceful ending of hostilities, things just have not worked out as extravagantly expected in this marriage of two opposite minds. And there is no politico-diplomatical guarantee that there would be swift solution for a family get-together and a ceaseless honeymoon at Thailand's Pattaya Beach. As of now, there exists no avenue in these ceaseless rounds of talks to put an official ink to any paper. In short, the stalemate will most probably remain another frustratingly tactical stalemate. But promises and offensive 'verbal responses' in this abstract war of words will be order of the day in years to come. It would need at least 5 to 10 years of open talks with a tri-party representation in the form of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam to peacefully lay out a 'Road-map' and its implementation. Since the ongoing talks directly relates to territorial unification of all Naga-inhabited areas in the NE States, especially that of Manipur, as the primary objective, the GoI and NSCN(IM) negotiators can ill-afford to ignore the interest and honour of the neighbouring States of Nagaland. Any 'hocus-pocus' deal would certainly not be celebrated as pompous statehood-day observation by the neighbouring side-lined States and their citizens. The open-secret conditions and pre-conditions of the on-going peace talks have repeatedly, and understandably, jittered the citizens and public leaders of Manipur. And rightly so, because any official bargaining would mean the present 'controlled-area jurisdiction' of the tottering O. Ibobi's administration would be 'revised' State of Manipur. With the 'Kukis' problem' totally ignored by the State Govt for God knows how long a period, the ball is on the court of Manipur's Govt to safeguard the interest and territorial integrity of Man-ipur as of very this period. With even the Sadar hills autonomous district issue being kept under tons of files and reactive red-tapi-sm, there is no way for the Kukis to have anything to say or do over this GoI-NSCN(IM) ceasefire territorial limits. It is worth mentioning that the two new districts of Manipur, i.e. Sadar hills and Imphal-East, were officially slated to be opened and recognised on the same day and date. Unfortunately, what really happened after assurance of the decree was never made public. Perhaps, some shouting brigades of the State Assembly hall and listening wise King Davids had had mistaken the Sadar hills issue as some sort of 'Kukiland'. What a tragedy!! May God save Manipur.
With the preparation for the June uprising observation in progress, the timing of another GoI-NSCN (IM) peace talks would not have come at the worst time. Since the issue of sovereignty or total independence of Nagaland is out of the equation, the primary agenda and the pre-conditioned demands are crystal clear. And that exactly is the burning point. However, there is no such thing as a specific or appropriate time for any negotiation as long as it brings peaceful solution to any problem. Transparency is the need of the hour for all parties concern. Truth and honestly have never harmed anybody's interest. However, the waiting and wearing out game has taken a visible toll on the part of the NSCN(IM) leadership. Since chronological time is not on their favourable side, the ageing NSCN(IM) leadership is very keen to have a commanding footholds over the promised agreements as soon as possible. They are eager to be a part of the 'Unique Naga history' as the most prominent figures in their 'successful' 50 years of struggle. They simply do not want to leave anything left undone for every hard-works they had done, certainly not to the younger brigade. They already left out the demand for independence in exchange for unification of all Naga-inhabited areas. They want something quick, real quick; they want to fulfil their hard earned bloody struggle for one united State of 'Nagalim' in their lifetimes. And this exactly is where they might stumble, if not tripped, in their quest for fast tract solution. The stalling game played by the GoI negotiators, keeping in mind the interests of other three neighbouring States, can go for a long time and wear out the determined minds of Naga representatives down the years. The GoI can afford to wait till hell freezes over but the ageing NSCN(IM) cannot wait till heaven comes down. This is the reason why the NSCN(IM) supremo, Th Muivah, minced no words when fielded well-volleyed questions as to what the Nagas rebels should do in case of any underhand play by the GoI this time around. The tone of his response has shown the critical stage of waiting and dealing game is under enormous pressure. He has repeated his stand what he had made crystal clear in his interview with the then BBC South-East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head, on BBC's Asia Today on 5th July, 2001.
Asked if the NSCN(IM) would be prepared to go back to armed struggle if the GoI had to make some adjustment to the agreed terms of ceasefire, he candidly replied: “We are bound (to), there is no other option. If the Indian Govt would betray us, we cannot honour them and there is no solution whatsoever. We honour their own commitment. Then there can be mutual trust between us, so the peace process would go smoothly. Otherwise, it's meaningless. Naturally, we will be forced to go back to square one”. Fortunately, better sense prevailed after the deletion of 'without territorial limits' aftermath the 18th June Uprising in Manipur. And when asked by Jonathan Head, if he accepted that the ceasefire agreement might have to be modified (readjusted) to allay the fears of neighbouring States, Muivah replied: “We have been fighting or resisting the Indian invasion for more than 50 years, and at last, they came out with a declaration that a military solution is no longer possible. So, they made their part to seek a peaceful solution (and thus) we agreed to it'. So, a peaceful solution it has to be, no further violent. When asked if he could rule out any changes to the existing borders of Nagaland in order to reassure people in neighbouring States by the BBC, the NSCN(IM) supremo retorted: “(The) Nagas don't claim territory belonging to any other people. The Nagas living in the 'so-called Manipur' that is their territory of themselves (sic), they have been there from time immemorial. So, they don't claim any part of the Meiteis (land). That has been the land of the Nagas and no others. From Assam also people may talk (sic) that we are claiming (their land). We don't claim, our people have been living there since time immemorial. That is a fact, not a claim”. A fact indeed it might be, but a real problem, a gigantic socio-geopolitical double-problem for the GoI. With such a Gordian Knot waiting to be untied by unarmed negotiators, a peaceful socio-political environment is not on the offing in the near future as long as an open or semi-confidential four-party parallel talks are sincerely initiated by the relatively new Manmohan Singh administration on trial basis to act as a 'safety-valve'. For any peaceful solution, all available avenues must have to be sought after. Nothing good comes out without sweat, toils, pain and hard-bargaining with every available resource. And nothing is too costly when it comes about peace, understanding, sincere unity and absolute harmony. It would be the best interest of one and all if the on-going talks is limited to what had been negotiated upon the last time around. Truth alone triumphs, falsehood never. Let there be peaceful understanding amongst all sections of our society when the clarion calls.

NSUI helpline for NE students
NEW DELHI, May 27: With students from North-East increasingly coming under attack in the Capital, NSUI Delhi State unit has set up help line services for students from the Region. Admission process of DU opens from June 1 and thousands of students from the North-East are expected to throng the Capital seeking admissions into various courses. On an average about 1,000 students arrive in Delhi and have to rough it out. This year with the incident of rape of a Mizo girl and molestation of a Khasi student within a span of one week rocking the Capital, all focus is on students from North-East. General secretary of Delhi State unit of the NSUI, Subramitra Gogoi said that through the help line numbers they propose to provide all necessary information to the students from the Region including location of colleges to admission formalities to accommodation facilities. He said students and parents who accompany them often are taken for ride in the Delhi and face lots of hardship. The help line would try to solve the problems by giving the students and parents the necessary information. Even post admission the help line may be used to gather information about accommodation, hostel facilities and rents, Sri Gogoi said. The three help line numbers (9313903096, 9811090923 and 9899458679) would become operational on June 1, he disclosed. Over 1 lakh students from all-over the country rush to Delhi seeking admission in 79 colleges under DU. An approximate 43,000 seats for undergraduate courses and 5,000 seats for professional courses are on offer. The DU authorities have introduced some special features in admission forms. All enquiries can be directed to DU web site www.du.ac.in. Forms may be filled and submitted from June 1 through June 15.

Highway inspection team arrives in state The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 27: A high level team of the Union of ministry of road transport and highways led by TK Vaidya, regional officer arrived at Mao Gate at around 10 this morning for a physical inspection of the Manipur sector of NH-39, a report said. The team reached Mao after completing inspection of the Dimapur-Kuzama section of NH-39 in Nagaland. Inspection of the Mao-Moreh stretch of NH-39 by the team has already started with escorted by a team of Manipur Rifles personnel, it said. In the meantime, around 81 loaded trucks including 5 carrying LPG, 5 filled oil tankers and the remaining loaded with essential commodities were reported to be stranded at Mao Gate awaiting the arrival of security escorts from Imphal. The reports also stated that security escorts for the stranded trucks are likely to be provided tomorrow morning as security escorts are available only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays along the route. However, 17 inter-state passenger buses left Mao Gate for Imphal without any security escorts, it added.

Central team to inspect NH-39 The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 25: A high level team of the Union ministry of road transport and highways is scheduled to visit the state later this week for physically inspecting the condition of NH-39 in the Manipur sector, according to reliable sources. The team, led by the regional officer, TK Vaidya, of the ministry is scheduled to arrive at Mao by road from Dimapur on May 27 after completion of physical checking of the Dimapur-Khoizuma section of NH-39 in the Nagaland sector. The team is expected to conduct a thorough check of the road surface condition, and verify whether the authorities responsible have been carrying out necessary maintenance and improvement work. After an overnight stay at Mao, the team will travel the entire length of the highway from Mao to Moreh. They will return to Imphal from Moreh on May 30. he government has reportedly initiated security measures for the team’s visit, with the DGP, Manipur recently issuing instructions in this respect to the police stations located along the route. In the meantime, in view of possible attacks on loaded truck coming into the state along NH-39 by underground elements, security measures have been stepped up along the route in the last few days. However, due to provision of security escorts only three times a week, many loaded trucks headed for Imphal have been forced to halt for one or two days at Mao, reports said.
Tomba :Our Meiteiland will not be prosperous as long as we Meiteis use NH 53 and NH 39 which pass through Nagalim. We need alternative highway through Churachanpur (the so-called Northern Territory, Zomiland). Before long the Nagas will strike with utmost determination and the people of Meiteiland should start thinking properly before it is too late.
Indian government invites ULFA for talks By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, May 28 (IANS) The Indian government has invited the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) for talks in a bid to make peace with the last major insurgent group still active in the country's northeast. An Indian home ministry official in New Delhi said a formal letter was sent from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Friday to ULFA. "The letter signed by National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan was addressed to ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa," the official told IANS by telephone. The letter from PMO was handed over to Assamese writer Indira Goswami, who has been requested by ULFA to mediate in the peace talks with New Delhi.
"I do not want to disclose the contents of the letter but I can say it is very encouraging and is a positive move forward," Goswami also told IANS by telephone from New Delhi. "I have e-mailed the letter to the ULFA chairman and I hope they respond positively."
The PMO's letter is in response to a letter from the ULFA chairman to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh two months ago in which the group offered to hold talks if New Delhi discussed its main demand for 'sovereignty' or independence. "We are hopeful of a breakthrough. From our side we are ready to extend whatever is required to facilitate negotiations with ULFA," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said. On Wednesday, Indian home ministry and Assam government officials signed a ceasefire pact with the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in New Delhi, another powerful tribal rebel group in Assam. "If ULFA too joins the peace process like NDFB, we hope to bring the curtains down on one of the most violent insurgencies in the northeast," Gogoi said. In the past two days, ULFA triggered a series of explosions targeting power transformers and road bridges, besides attacking an army convoy and injuring at least four soldiers. The ULFA has been fighting for an independent homeland in Assam since 1979 and is considered one of the most organised rebel outfits in the northeast.
ULFA reply to invite: More strikes Even as the Union Home Ministry sent a letter inviting the ULFA for talks, the militant group killed a district-level Congress leader and blew up a bridge on NH-52, among other acts of violence. Meanwhile, reports from Bangladesh said six ‘‘Indian rebels’’, believed to be members of the ULFA, were today shot dead in a joint operation conducted by Bangladesh Rifles and Rapid Action commandoes of the Bangladesh Army. The reports said the six ‘‘Indian rebels’’ were killed in Maulavi Bazar area of Kamalganj district, bordering Tripura. In a letter to ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and commander-in-chief Paresh Barua, the Home Ministry has indicated that the Centre would consider extending a ceasefire with the outfit. The letter, which was handed over to noted Assamese writer and Jnanpith winner Indira Goswami, was forwarded to the ULFA today. Confirming this, Goswami told The Indian Express that she was hopeful the ULFA would respond to the government’s offer. ‘‘I do not want to disclose the contents for obvious reasons, but it is one to which I am sure the ULFA leaders will respond positively,’’ she said.
Official sources here confirmed that ULFA militants exploded a powerful bomb, badly damaging a bridge on NH-52 that links Tinsukia in Upper Assam with Changlang in Arunachal Pradesh. Militants also blew up two electricity transformers under Kakapathar police station in Tinsukia late last night, while a district-level Congress leader was shot dead in Jorhat, the home town of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Amrit Barua, president of Dergaon Block Congress Committee, was shot from close range inside his office at Dhekargorah under Jorhat police station yesterday, even as the Congress government organised a series of celebrations statewide to mark the completion of four years in office. In another incident yesterday, suspected ULFA militants attacked an Army convoy in Pengeri of Tinsukia district. Three jawans of 16 Grenadiers were injured in the attack.
Centre sends formal letter to ULFA for talks
NEW DELHI, May 27 — Government of India has formally extended invitation to the outlawed ULFA to come for talks without any pre-conditions. A letter to this effect has been despatched from the PMO to the ULFA chairman, Arabinda Rajkhowa. The letter signed by National Security Adviser NK Narayanan is the first formal communication between the Union Government and the ULFA. The government’s letter was formally handed over to Jnanpith laureate Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami by officials of the Home Ministry this evening. Dr Goswami today forwarded the letter through e-mail to the ULFA chairman. She told this newspaper that the core concerns raised by ULFA has been sought to be addressed by the Union Government. “Some words cannot be used under the present circumstances,” she said. Further, she added that the contents of the letter cannot be disclosed but said that the letter was “very encouraging”. She expressed her happiness at the development hoping that the ULFA leadership would respond positively.
Former rebels call Manipur strike Statesman News Service
Imphal, May 27. — Former militants who had surrendered under the government’s surrender scheme, hoping to join the mainstream, have called a state-wide indefinite general strike from 30 May, following the failure of the state government to accommodate them in the newly raised Indian Reserve battalion. The surrendered ultras were hoping to get enlisted en masse in the 4th Battalion of the IRB which is being raised by the Congress-led SPF government with Central assistance. However, none of the surrendered ultras — numbering nearly 100 — figured in the results announced on 25 May for the recruitment. Peeved at the government for going back on its word, the former rebels have given the Manipur government time till 29 May to assure their recruitment. Speaking to the media, one leader said that despite the government assurance of accomodating them in government jobs as far back as in 2002, and despite the personal assurance by the chief minister that they would be accommodated in the 4th IRB, the government had gone back on its word. “The government has also so far not rehabilitated any ex-militant,” he said. “We have neither been paid for the weapons we surrendered nor paid the stipend of Rs 2,000 per month as was promised,” he complained.
KCP asks doc to surrender
IMPHAL, May 27: Kang-leipak Communist Party (KCP) has asked Dr Lousingam Ibobi Singh of Luwangshangbam, who works in JN Hospital Porompat, to surrender to the outfit within June 1 on alleged charge of neglecting his duty and fleecing the patients after calling them to his clinic.
Despite getting more than Rs 20,000 as salary from working in JN Hospital, Dr Ibobi Singh has been asking all his patients to come either at his Catholic Medical Centre at Koirengei or at his clinic Kangla View Pharmacy for treatment and charging huge amount of fees from them, charged publicity secretary of KCP (P) Leingak Leima Chanu in a statement.
Although Dr Ibobi did not know them, KCP cadres have been gone to his clinic pretending to be patients many time to find out his real nature, the statement said, charging Dr Ibobi with giving cold shoulder treatment to patients who could not couch up the fee he demanded.
The outfit has investigated and found out that Dr Ibobi spend more time at his clinic than in attending to his patients at the Hospital where he is employed, the statement said, while informing that Dr Ibobi Singh remains at Kangla View Pharmacy from 8.30 am 10 am and from 2 pm to 4 pm at Catholic Medical Centre and again from 4 pm to 6 pm at his clinic. Recalling the earlier deadline set for surrendering another doctor of JN Hospital, KCP said that Dr Ibomcha should remember the deadline. Otherwise, he might also same fate like that Dr Salam and Dr Ibomcha.

A thought on the term ‘Manipuri’ (letter to the editor) Sir,
The editorial comment in the Sangai Express daily (23rd May, 2005) about the term “Manipuri” is an interesting topic. In fact, over the past decades, the term “Manipuri” has always been associated with only the Meiteis. Yet, in those days, no one complained or debated about why the tribals were not covered by this term. For instance, when Manipur was declared a Disturbed area in the 80s, army personnel would ask the youths whether they were Manipuri or not. The tribals would respond in the negative and made to go free. The tribals had no hard feelings against the term Manipuri but they knew they had to differentiate from their Meitei brethren in the presence of the Mayangs. Note that the hills were relatively peaceful in those days. The point here is whom should we blame for acknowledging the ‘Mani-puri’ as a term meant only for the Meiteis?
The reason for such incident is obvious. Whenever we talk about Manipuri the mainland Indian automatically visualises only the Meitei cultures, language and history. Because, whenever we demonstrate the “Manipuri” cultures to the outside world, we generally launched only the Meitei dances and folk-songs. This trend has been going on since decades ago. And the tribals still remain indifferent all this while. Come the nineties, everyone is starting to realise the importance of its respective identities. Gradually, the term “Manipuri” remains as it was and the tribals became more stubborn and ambitious and separatism was born. The Meiteis too realise the importance of maintaining ethnic integrity and launched the integrity movement. Some even opined changing of the term ‘Manipuris’ into ‘Manipuries’.
Even cultural festivals of Manipur nowadays include tribal programmes regularly. Well, it’s better late than never. Yet, these tribal programmes are still to be described as “Manipuri tribal dances” to the outside world. And what the tribals complain is that their Meitei brethren are too dominating judging by their habits and style of functioning. And yes, there’s something about the term ‘Manipuri’ which puts off the mainland Indians and tribals at home. And it’s for us to discover that. Yours faithfully
PR Shyleyn Chothe Old Lambulane, Imphal West
No need to be euphoric over NDFB truce
The expected has happened. What could happen might well be unexpected. The outlawed National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) has—belatedly but expectedly—signed a ceasefire agreement with the Government. To begin with, the truce is to go on for a year, starting June 1, unless extended further. That, of course, is a foregone conclusion, unless the Government or its agencies carry out major goof ups. Now, it’s pucca that the ground is prepared for the beginning of peace talks between the NDFB, fighting since October 3, 1986, for an independent Boro homeland, and the Government. The media, as usual, has been more euphoric about the latest truce than, perhaps, many major players in the Bodo heartland. For the record, the NDFB’s arch rival, the cadres and leaders of the former Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT), have welcomed the ceasefire between the NDFB and the Government. Take a look at what the former BLT boss, now chief of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), had to say as a response to the truce: Hagrama Mahilary, in New Delhi to monitor the signing of the ceasefire, said the truce will bring peace in the Bodo areas and even offered all cooperation to achieve that end. But, make no mistake, Mahilary, the former rebel chieftain, urged New Delhi to work for a solution without disturbing the existing BTC. After all, all that the erstwhile BLT got in lieu of giving up its armed campaign is the BTC, a politico-administrative structure, and a Rs 100 crore annual allocation from the Delhi durbar. Of course, a few hundred of its cadres got sucked into the paramilitary forces.
Mr Tarun Gogoi, like anybody else, is human, and may make, or may have already made, very many errors in judgement during the four years that he has been ruling Assam. But, I like the way he decides to be candid on occasions, unlike the approach adopted by many of his predecessors holding that unenviable gaddi of the Chief Minister. On this occasion, the latest truce that has been inked, Mr Gogoi bluntly said that there is no question of conceding a separate state to the Bodos. If Mr Gogoi’s word ultimately turns out to be the final word, or the ultimate position of the Assam Government and the Centre, NDFB supremo Nabla Daimari and his comrades-in-arms will have to extract something within the territorial boundary of Assam, but something more than what their bitter foe, Mr Mahilary of the BLT, backed by the All Bodo Students’ Union and others, have already got. The BLT-ABSU combine managed three new districts, control over some departments and so on.
Now, what can the NDFB bargain for? A union territory for the Bodos, or a new autonomy package? Will that mean New Delhi could scrap the agreement with the BLT and sign a fresh Bodo deal? Can there be a new Bodo accord without disturbing the one in terms of which the BTC has come into existence? No player in the murky Bodo political arena has a clue. And, I won’t be surprised if New Delhi or Dispur has no clue either. Clue or no clue, a solution will have to be found at the end of the day. It will be argued that all the Bodo ‘nationalist forces’ will have to be accommodated and made to operate within the available or existing political space in the Bodo heartland. Talk of all Bodo forces working hand-in-hand will be heard. But, we don’t need any further proof to tell us that the Bodo political class cannot see eye to eye even amongst themselves. The elections to the BTC that led to clashes between ex-BLT supporters and the ABSU or former ABSU leaders, have demonstrated how things actually are on the ground. Under the circumstances, it will be indeed difficult for yet another player, newly entering mainstream politics, to join the power game. If the BLT, I mean the erstwhile BLT, cannot work in tandem with the ABSU or the All Bodo Women’s Welfare Federation and other Bodo forces despite agitating jointly to achieve maximum autonomy for the Bodos, can anyone expect them to work hand-in-hand with a force they have opposed all along? Unlikely, unless a major chunk of the current Bodo mainstream forces decides to change colours. If that doesn’t happen, chaotic developments are bound to unfold in the Bodo political arena. Nabla Daimari’s statecraft will now come to be put to test. (Feedback: Wasbir@yahoo.com)
Blasts rock Tinsukia, road link to Arunachal snapped ULFA is ‘back to basics’ Our Bureau
DIBRUGARH/ GUWAHATI, May 27: Continuing its subversive activities in upper Assam, the proscribed ULFA carried out a series of bomb blasts since last night disrupting power supply and surface communication between Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh and Tinsukia in Assam. There was no casualty or injury in any of the blasts. Two IEDs went off in Choto Dirak and Dirak Chariali areas near Kakopathar in Tinsukia district at 10.30 p.m. and 11 p.m. last night, damaging the electric transformers nearby. The entire region plunged into darkness after the blasts. However, there were no reports of any casualty. It may be mentioned here that Kakopathar was once a stronghold of the ULFA. The outfit deserted the area during the Operation Bajrang in the 1990s. The wooden bridge at Maithong on the National Highway 52, which connects eastern parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, was blown off by the ULFA in an IED blast early this morning. Meanwhile, the jawan of 16 Grenadier, who had been seriously injured in the IED blast at Pengeri yesterday, succumbed to his injuries today. Intelligence sources told The Sentinel that this stepping up of activities by the ULFA is nothing but a pressure tactic to force the Centre to include ‘sovereignty’ as a pre-condition for talks. There are also reports that the ULFA will continue with their subversive activities without targeting the general public.



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