[Previous entry: "Greater Nagalim’ Central issue: Apang"] [Next entry: "No compromise on territorial integrity issue, vow SPF legislators"]

06/02/2005: "Panicky Marou villagers flee village as AR tells NSCN(IM) to vacate camp"

Panicky Marou villagers flee village as AR tells NSCN(IM) to vacate camp The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jun 1: Fearing the possibility of armed clashes between cadres of the NSCN(IM), and the Assam Rifles posted in the area, villagers of Marou and neighbouring settlements in the Phungyar subdivision of Ukhrul district have started fleeing their homes, according to a reliable report. The situation has arisen after the Assam Rifles served an ultimatum to the NSCN(IM) to shift their camps located in the area. The deadline set by the AR was May 31 (yesterday), according to the report, though another report says that this has been extended till June 2 (tomorrow). A military spokesperson however says no such deadline has been set. Since the last few days, several residents of Marou village have left their homes for safer places as their village is located very close to one of the NSCN(IM) camps. Sources said that in view of reports that the Indo-NSCN(IM) talks were not progressing well, and the possibility of the ceasefire breaking down, AR posted in the area had reportedly warned the NSCN(IM) to vacate their camps located in the district. The AR units posted near Marou village had reportedly set a deadline of May 31 for the NSCN(IM) to leave their camps, but the latter has made no move to do so. While the exodus of the Marou residents has not taken place on any large scale, there is strong apprehension among the villagers of the occurance of untoward incidents.Reports said the NSCN(IM) originally located at TM Kasong. After being pressurized by the AR to shift as it was too close to the AR’s posts, the camp had been shifted to Langdong village. With the AR raising fresh objections, the NSCN had again shifted their camp to a spot located between Mate and Marou villages. The NSCN appears to be sticking to their stance not to shift camp again, the sources added.

Newmai News Network adds: In Dimapur NSCN-IM deputy home minister V.Horam told NNN this afternoon that the diktats of the Assam Rifles were true. Horam categorically stated that the Assam Rifles had no business in the affairs of the NSCN-IM as they have been in Ukhrul district following the cease-fire agreement between the government of India and the outfit. The NSCN-IM leader said that his cadres were strictly obeying the ground-rules of the cease-fire agreement but the Assam Rifles in the name of maintaining law and order problems had been meting out unnecessary harrasments to the NSCN-IM cadres and the general public. On the other hand, military authorities in Imphal told NNN this evening that the speculations were not correct. Lt. Col. S.D. Goswami who is the Army PRO said that the Assam Rifles, on learning that the NSCN-IM cadres were trying to make camp or hutmen at Marou village in Ukhrul district, had only asked the NSCN-IM cadres not to make any camp or hutmen at the village. Goswami said that there were no such things as giving deadline or issuing diktat to the NSCN-IM cadres. The officer also said that he had contacted to the Asam Rifles Inspector General to confirm but there were nothing of that sort and dismissed the whole thing as just a speculation.
KLA commander-in-chief joins NSCN-IM kuknalim com
KOHIMA, June 1: The ''commander-in-chief'' of Kuki Lawnpi Agnlaikam (KLA) has reportedly joined the NSCN-IM. According to a release of the ''Ministry of Information and Publicity'' (MIP) of NSCN-IM, ''KLA commander-in-chief S L Thadau has joined the organisation to support and strengthen the ongoing Indo-Naga political talks under the collective leadership of Isak Chishi Swu, Khodao Yanthan and Th Muivah.''
NSCN hails KLA Chief's entry
KOHIMA, June 1: The NSCN (Isak-Muivah) has hailed the Kuki Lawnpi Anglaikam (KLA) commander-in-chief’s joining the outfit as a boost to the peace process. A statement released by the NSCN (I-M) yesterday said S.L. John Thadau has joined the Naga outfit to support and strengthen the peace talks. The release quoted Thadau as saying that the NSCN (I-M) was the only “authentic organisation which has the mandate of the people to bring a negotiated, acceptable and honourable settlement”. The news comes days after the defection of senior leader A.Z. Jami jolted the Isak-Muivah faction. The move to welcome the Kuki rebel is said to be aimed at getting the support of Kuki militants even as speculation about a fragile ceasefire permeates. The NSCN (I-M) said Thadau’s coming into the fold would also serve as a reassurance that the NSCN (I-M) was willing to accommodate everyone. “We will accommodate and take care of the minorities too,” said Kraibo Chawang, the deputy kilonser (minister) for information and publicity. Chawang said there was no animosity between the Nagas and other communities in the region. Chawang said they expected other diverse groups to join and strengthen them.
NSCN-AR on collision course Newmai News Network
Imphal/Dimapur, Jun 1 : The cold war between the Assam Rifles and the NSCN-IM is gradually turning uglier with one party accusing the other of issuing unwarranted diktats against the other followed by series of public outburst in Ukhrul district of Mani-pur. Based on the speculations doing the round that the Assam Rifles had served the NSCN-IM deadline to close their camp in a village in Ukhrul by tomorrow (June 2) or else the Assam Rifles would start “shooting” the UG cadres, investigation was conduc-ted by the media. In Dimapur NSCN-IM deputy Home Minister V Horam told Newmai News Network this afternoon that the diktats of the Assam Rifles were true.
Horam categorically sta-ted that the Assam Rifles had no business in the affairs of the NSCN-IM as they (NSCN-IM) have been in Ukhrul district following the cease-fire with the Government of India.
The NSCN-IM leader said that his cadres were strictly obeying ceasefire ground rules but the Assam Rifles in the name of maintaining law and order had been meting out unnecessary harassments to the NSCN-IM cadres and the general public. Ilustrating his point Horam said in 2003 when the Manipur police commandos had arrested NSCN-IM leaders including it's Home Minister AK Lungalang near Kangpok-pi, the then Union Home Minister LK Advani had directed the Manipur Gover- nment to release all the arrested leaders and were subsequently released.”
The Assam Rifles cannot threaten us just like that and we are not going to get cowed down by such threats”, quipped the NSCN-IM leader. On the other hand, the Assam Rifles authority in Imphal told Newmai News Network this evening that the speculations were not correct. Lt Col SD Goswami who is the Public Relation Officer of the Assam Rifles said that the Assam Rifles, on learning that the NSCN-IM cadres were trying to set camp at Marou village in Ukhrul district, had only asked the NSCN-IM cadres not to make any camp at the village.Goswami said that there were no such things as giving deadline or issuing dik- tat to the NSCN-IM cadres. The officer also said that he had contacted to the Assam Rifles Inspector General to confirm but there were no sort of thing and dismissed the whole thing as just a speculations. Meanwhile, various social organisations in Ukhrul district have alleged that rampant harassments meted out by the Assam Rifles on the public have been going on in Ukhrul district. Tangkhul Long, Tang-khul Sinao Long, TNWL, TMNL, Tangkhul Katam-nao Long and TSL in a rele- ase made available to NNN today, have stated that about 200 Assam Rifles personnel have been camping at a village called Marou under Phungyar sub-division for the last two weeks or so for unknown reason. The release said that lots of harassments and humiliations had been incurred on the people—free moveme-nts of the general public were restricted, cases of torturing rising and the villa- gers were fleeing from their homesteads.
The release specifically pointed out that one old man identified as AS Pamlei of Marou village was threa-tened to shoot by the Assam Rifles personnel without any reason. Three youths identified as Ng. Elija, Ng. Thotreing-am and Lovejoy were slap- ped by the Assam Rifles personnel, said the release adding Lovejoy is a Govt employee in the veterinary department. This is the examinations time but everything has been under halt, said the release adding that teachers and students had fled from the area in fear. There had been total failure of administration in the district, added the release.
Arunachal BJP demands CBI probe into graft From Tage T Tara Assam Tribune
ITANAGAR, June 1– Opposition BJP legislator Kipa Babu, in a letter to the State Governor, has alleged ‘gross excesses and rampant looting of the State exchequer by certain Ministers and bureaucrats’. He also demanded a probe into the graft by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“On December 16, the State was having a deficit budget of approximately Rs 42 crore. But within a short span of five months of your Governorship, the deficit (overdraft) of the State has skyrocketed to Rs 242 crore after the financial year ended, and that has completely jeopardized and shattered the financial health” of the State, he alleged.
“It seems that the Government is recklessly spending public money without any developmental planning and budgetary support as per the whims and fancies of the bureaucrats, technocrats, and ministers and MLAs. This is clearly indicative of a politician-criminal-underground-bureaucrat nexus to swindle the State exchequer” he further alleged. While welcoming the investigation of corruption cases, Babu expressed his reservations at the constitution of Special Investigation Cell (SIC). He stated that the SIC has no proven credibility to bring justice. He further stated that institution of SIC is merely an eyewash. Demanding an investigation by the CBI, instead of Special Investigation Team (SIT) or the Special Investigation Cell (SIC), he pointed out: “In the past, SIT-lead investigations had stopped when they reached the doorsteps of the Ministers and bureaucrats.”
Stage set for fourth ‘Great June Uprising’ From Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, June 1 – Gearing up for the observance of the fourth ‘Great June Uprising 2005’, a joint meeting of the representatives of United Committee Manipur (UCM) and Transport Societies/ Association was held at the construction office of the committee at Kekrupat in Imphal.
During the meeting, the transporters assured all possible assistance from their side in ensuring the success of the function scheduled to be held on June 18 at the sacred Kekrupat memorial site where the mortal remains of the 18 martyrs who had sacrificed their lives to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur were laid to rest, informed the convenor of the publicity subcommittee of the fourth ‘Great June Uprising Day’ observance function, A Hemchandra, in a statement to the press here. Accordingly, the transporter societies/associations will be extending cooperation in ferrying people from different parts of the State to enable them to pay tributes to the 18 martyrs, the statement informed. The meeting further decided to hold another joint meeting ahead of the function to discuss the routes and other necessary transport arrangement to be made. It will be held on on June 15.
Hemchandra has appealed to all concerned to collectively observe the Day and demonstrate unity besides concern for the territorial integrity among the people instead of arranging separate functions.
ULFA seek US intervention NET News Network North East Tribune
Guwahati, June 1: The proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has asked for United State’s intervention to dissolve the Assam-India political conflict. This was informed to media through an e-mailed copy of the letter addressed by outfit’s chairman Aurobindo Rajkhowa to US President George W Bush. The letter dated May 11, 2005 has requested US President to intervene and find a solution to the long-standing “freedom struggle” by ULFA. Calling counter-insurgency operation in Assam and Northeast India as a camouflage for arms oppression by Indian army, the outfit has termed US as the only country that can apply its influence and bring a solution to the Assam-India conflict. The US has designated the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) as a terrorist organization. The State Department, in its "2004 Country Reports on Terrorism" released on April 27, 2005, added ULFA to the Other Selected Terrorist Organisations (OSTO) List. Groups on the OSTO List are terrorist organisations that do not target the national security of the US or its citizens. Referring to ULFA as the most prominent insurgent group in India's northeast, the report noted its use of extortion to finance military training and weapons purchases and that it reportedly procures and trades in arms with other insurgent groups in the northeast. The report said the outfit might have linkages with other ethnic insurgent groups active in neighbouring states, and receives aid from "unknown external sources".
ULFA seeks US help on Assam insurgency By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service Guwahati, June 2 (IANS) The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has sought the intervention of the US - which calls it a terrorist organisation - to bring an end to more than 25 years of insurgency in India's northeastern state of Assam. The ULFA, in a letter addressed to US President George W. Bush, said the people of Assam and other northeastern states were being subjected to Indian military repression in the name of countering insurgency. "We sincerely believe that the United States is the only country that can use its influence to bring about a satisfactory solution to the Assam-India conflict and therefore appeal for Your Excellency's intervention in the matter of resolving the conflict," ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said in the letter, a copy of which was received on e-mail by IANS. The ULFA is a rebel group fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979. The group recently offered to hold talks with New Delhi. The Indian government also formally invited the outfit to come for peace talks. The ULFA was in April bracketed as a terrorist organisation by the US. The US State Department in its "2004 Country Reports on Terrorism" added the ULFA to the Other Selected Terrorist Organisations (OSTO) List. Groups on the OSTO List are terrorist organisations that do not target the national security of the US or its citizens.
Bodo rebels go from guns to peace By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Kokrajhar (Assam), June 2 (IANS) Until recently, young Mohan Basumatary knew nothing but the language of violence - wielding an AK-47 assault rifle and going on a shooting spree. He was among hundreds of guerrilla fighters belonging to the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe in Assam. But today Mohan is hoping for a new dawn of peace in the troubled region. A yearlong ceasefire pact between the NDFB and the Indian government began Wednesday after the two sides signed an accord last week to pave the way for ending nearly two decades of violent insurgency in Assam. The first day of the ceasefire was marked by a peace procession in western Assam's Kokrajhar district, about 240 km from the state's main city of Guwahati, where up to a thousand NDFB militants and supporters took to the streets to welcome the truce. Kokrajhar district has been the stronghold of the NDFB since the group was formed in 1986. "We are all happy to come out of the jungles and hope the ceasefire will help in bringing about a permanent solution to our demands and grievances," Mohan, 25, told IANS. After shaking hands with villagers and addressing impromptu roadside meetings, NDFB leaders also played a football match and celebrated the ceasefire by participating at a community feast Wednesday night. "We need to forget the past and shed all differences with fellow community leaders and other groups to build an atmosphere of peace," NDFB leader J. Jwmwisar said.The mood was upbeat with local villagers a much relieved lot. "Whenever there was an NDFB attack in the past, security forces would enter our villages and start harassing and even torturing local youths under the pretext of carrying out anti-insurgency operations," said S. Brahma, a community elder said. "Now we hope, we all can stay in peace without fear from either militants or the military." Under the ceasefire agreement, all NDFB cadres will lay down arms and stay in specially appointed government run camps. The ceasefire will be monitored by a committee of government officials and rebel leaders.
"The process of laying down arms will take place soon," a senior police official said. The Bodos, a primitive tribe who are mostly either Hindus or Christians, account for about 10 percent of Assam's 26 million people and live in the western and northern parts of the state.More than 10,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Assam during the past two decades.
Bodo ceasefire begins in Assam By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service Guwahati, June 1 (IANS) A yearlong ceasefire between the Indian government and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in Assam began Wednesday amid hopes of ending nearly two decades of violent insurgency in the region, officials said. An Assam government spokesman said the ceasefire with the outlawed tribal separatist group came into effect with the military calling off its operations against the group. "The ceasefire has begun in right earnest with security forces halting their operations and very soon we expect the NDFB cadres to disarm and live in designated camps as per the truce pact," Assam Home Commissioner B.K. Gohain said. The Indian government and top NDFB leaders last week signed a ceasefire accord in New Delhi that is expected to bring the curtains down on a violent campaign for a homeland for the Bodo tribe in Assam that has left thousands dead since 1986.
"Under the ceasefire terms, the NDFB is to end all kinds of guerrilla attacks and the government soldiers on their part are to respect the truce," Gohain said. A senior police official said NDFB leaders would soon give a list of names of rebel cadres to enable them to lay down arms and stay in specially-appointed government run camps. The ceasefire will be monitored by a committee of government officials and rebel leaders. "Once the process of disarming takes place, the two sides will work out modalities for holding peace talks," Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told IANS. The Bodos, a primitive tribe who are mostly either Hindus or Christians, account for about 10 percent of Assam's 26 million people and live in the western and northern parts of the state. New Delhi has also invited the state's other frontline rebel group, the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), for peace talks although the outfit wants four of their jailed leaders to be released as a precondition for the negotiations. "The ULFA's latest demand could be a stumbling block in facilitating talks. Let us see what can de done," the chief minister said. The ULFA is a rebel group that has been fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979.
Prospects of solution to NE militancy brighten By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, June 1 – The prospect of solution to the problem of insurgency, not only in Assam, but also in the entire north-eastern region is looking up and the level of violence has also come down drastically. Security sources pointed out that after the NSCN, which was the guiding force for the insurgent groups of the region, came forward for talks, other groups are also expressing their desire to come for talks for peaceful solution of the problem. Sources also pointed out that apart from the PLA and UNLF of Manipur, the other major groups are showing inclination for talks, while, no major new group has cropped up in recent years. Sources pointed out that after a sudden spurt of violence in October last year, in which more than 40 persons were killed in Assam, the level of violence has come down in the State and the scene is looking up after the signing of a cease-fire pact with the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), which was considered to be one of the most dreaded of the militant outfits of the entire region. Security sources pointed out that though the ULFA is putting new conditions for talks with the Government of India, the outfit has not outright rejected the prospect of talks and in fact, the outfit has shown inclination for coming to the discussion table. After the United States Government included the ULFA in its list of foreign terrorist organisations, the pressure on Bangladesh to take action against the ULFA men taking shelter in that country would definitely increase in the days to come. The Government of Bangladesh has been refusing to pay heed to India’s requests to take action against the militants taking shelter in the neighbouring country but with international pressure mounting on Bangladesh, the Government of the country would be forced to take action. Sources also claimed that the Bangladesh Government had, at one point of time, promised to hand over ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia to India after the completion of his jail term in Dhaka, but the promise was not kept. Sources also alleged that the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) of Bangladesh is well aware of the presence of the leaders of the Indian militant outfits in Bangladesh, but as the DGFI is influenced by ISI, it is giving direct or indirect support to the militants.
Will illegal migrants outnumber the people of North-east India in 20 years? Presstrust
If Assam Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajay Singh’s statement that about 6000 illegal Bangladeshis are entering Assam daily is correct, then the fate of the north-east people are terribly at stake. If 6000 illegal Bangladeshis infiltrate into Assam daily, it will be 1, 80,000 Bangladeshis in a month and 21.6 lakh annually. The State will have 21.6 million illegal Bangladeshis by 2015, outnumbering the entire population of the region excluding Assam and the whole northeast will be reduced to a minority in 20 years time. The complexity involved here is that this country has over 100 million genuine Indian Muslims, about one-fifth of the whole population. Besides the Government has earlier estimated 20 million illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India. Though there are no official figures of actual numbers of Bangladeshis in Assam, locals say their population could be 6 million of the State’s 26 million people. This means a little over one-fourth of the State’s population is Bangladeshi immigrants. And the State alone produces over one-third Bangladeshi immigrants in the country.

Although Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi rejects the Governor’s seemingly inflated claim, the fact is the illegal immigrants from across the international border have been infiltrating into the State unabated over the years. The Chief Minister while talking to press in Guwahati however admitted that infiltration from Bangladesh had not stopped. “Effective steps have been taken to check infiltration,” Gogoi said. “Anybody found crossing the border is pushed back and those entered after March 25, 1971, as per the Assam Accord would be detected and deported.”
It may be mentioned that the powerful All Assam Students Union (ASSU) had launched a bloody campaign to push Bangladeshis back to their land. Indigenous people who feared they would be reduced to a minority in their own land massacred thousands of Bangladeshis, including women and children, across the State. The Government and the Students’ Union signed a pact in 1985, but clauses on the deportation of foreigners have still not been implemented. Though there are genuine Assamese Muslims and mainland Muslims, the present influx of illegal Bangladeshis in the State has not only affected the demography of the State but also the entire region, leading to serious threat to the survival of the region’s people and the country’s internal security as well. Tripura is a gone case and Nagaland is the next target because large number of these Muslims has been swarming the State. In the last few years, there is a dramatic change in the socio-economic feature of the State. The lack of work culture, easy money, easy life style, etc are the main causes that these Muslims mostly coming from Assam have taken opportunities to stay in Nagaland. All the manual works, construction of houses, taxi driving, rickshaw pulling and cultivation are mostly done by these Muslims today. They also run almost half of the shops in Dimapur, the biggest commercial hub of the State and the capital, Kohima. But historically speaking, the people of Nagaland do not have any connection whatsoever with the Muslim community---be it mainland Muslim or Bangladeshi Muslim and Assamese Muslims.

However, Manipur has its Muslim communities who had come there in the middle of the 16th century. It was recorded in the history that large number of Muslims started entering Manipur from Sylhet in the 17th century during the reign of King Khagemba (1597-1652) at the invitation of Prince Sadongba. Prince Sadongba had planned to dethrone his brother King Khagenmba with the help of these Muslims. In many wars in the past, Manipur Kings used the services of Muslim soldiers who were considered skilled fighters. In King Pamheiba’s period in 18th century, Muslim soldiers in Manipur defended the combined attacked of Burma and Tripura. Many Muslim soldiers also lost their lives when Manipur suffered in the hands of the Burmese in 1758 Burmese-Manipur war. In the famous “Seven-year-devastation” of Manipur from 1819 to 1826, the Burmese soldiers had taken many Muslims to Burma while many escaped to Assam and Bangladesh. Even when the British defeated Manipur in 1891, many Muslim soldiers were also killed and some were deported to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. But the Bangladesh Muslims mostly coming via Assam in recent times could not attempt to settle in Manipur despite Manipur Muslims are there. Because these illegal Bangladeshis are mostly economic-driven people and will have least chance to do the lowest paid jobs in Manipur. One will find how all the odd manual works are done by the Manipuris in Imphal city. One will find hardly any Bangladeshi Muslim used for any job in the State.

However, the logic in argument is that most of the Muslims in Nagaland or Assam or Arunachal Pradesh or Tripura or Meghalya are not mostly from mainland India. 95% of Muslims in Nagaland are coming from Assam claiming to be the banafide citizens of that State (Assam). If the size of the Muslim population in Nagaland is from Assam and not from mainland India, then the matter is questionable. How can Assam have such a huge Muslim population spilling over into other parts of the region unless coming from across the international border?

The long stretch of Assam forest bordering Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh has over the years disappeared and been systematically occupied by the illegal immigrants. The trouble is most of these illegal settlers are well equipped with valid land holding documents issued by the Assam administrations. Sources say most of the State’s reserved forest in the border areas has vanished and its now settled by the illegal immigrants and not by the real Assamese people. The Nagaland Government often alleges that these illegal immigrants have even occupied the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) that leads to frequent border skirmishes. Various intelligent agencies have been warning of serious consequences if immediate attention is not paid. Unfortunately, these illegal migrants have been given legal protection with resident certificates, pattas, etc for narrow political mileage. As a result, the real Assamese people have been reduced to minority in most of the border districts and they are now voiceless. The recent exodus of Bangladeshi suspects from upper Assam following threats through SMS and leaflets by some unidentified people is evident of the illegal Bangladeshis’ presence.

Region’s economic underdevelopment coupled with Center’s prolonged negligence and the continuous insurgency and the chasm that existed between the people of the region and the mainland people are some of the reasons that have given room to the illegal immigrants and outside elements to exploit maximum advantages. There is certainly genuine mainland Muslims in the region like Tamils, Keralites, Bengalis, Punjabis, Marwaris, etc. But the mainland Muslims will have least interest to come and settle in the region and their influx is out of question. The illegal Bangladeshi infiltration into Assam and elsewhere in the region has changed its (region) demography and now it has become a serious threat to the future survival of the region’s people and also the internal security problem for the nation. To identify the illegal Bangladeshis will not be very difficult once the citizens are properly educated about their natures. Assam has larger role to solve the illegal immigrant issues and the actions taken there will have maximum impact in other parts of the region.
So long, illegal immigrant issue of Assam remains unresolved; there is no point for other States in the region to think of. Because most of these supposed to be illegal migrants who are coming to other States of the region are well equipped with domicile certificates issued by Assam administrations.

A foreigner in our own country By Jason Wahengbam kuknalim com

You cannot say a Delhitte is more patriotic than a north-easterner just because of their looks. Looks don’t define patriotism. It’s all about the love you have for your country and the willingness to defend it. A north-easterner celebrates as much as any Indian does, when the Indian cricket team wins and cries when they lose. When Pakistan attacked Kargil, the wave of patriotism could be felt through out the northeastern states of India. Many brave soldiers from the northeastern part of the country lost their lives in the war. The northeasterners are as patriotic as any Indian can be. But in the mainland India, there is a big misconception about the northeasterners. Because of their Mongoloid features they are mostly seen as foreigners but hardly as Indian.

The step-motherly treatment meted out to the NE-ers (Northeasterners) doesn’t stop in the mainland India but continues throughout the northeastern states. The states are being ignored by the centre for quite a long time. Unemployment is on the rise. The youths are compelled to take up arms. Instead of solving the insurgency problem through peaceful negotiation, the centre is trying to curb it with brutal force. The entire area has become a war zone with security forces everywhere. And the atrocities committed by them are innumerable. The centre is turning a blind eye to the whole situations. Because of the prevailing situation in the NE states, most parents prefer sending their children to the metropolitan cities; particularly Delhi. Who would have thought that the capital city, which is supposed to be the safest city in the country, would turn out to be so unsafe?

Every day is a struggle for the NE-ers in Delhi. The problem starts from the railway station when they arrive in the city and continues on. Right from the porters to the auto drivers, fleece them to the hilt. The melee doesn’t stop here. Searching for a house to stay is another headache. The property dealers who are always on the lookout for an easy prey find them as free fodder for exploitation. The landlords are more concern about the rents than the safety of tenants. The rents are hiked on a regular basis. There is no system or organization to check the ever-increasing rent, which the students find it hard to cope up with. One of the biggest problems the N-E students face is the language problem. Most of the people in the capital try to take advantage of it, be it the landlord, the shopkeepers, the auto drivers or sometimes-even people whom the NE-ers consider friends. It’s hard for them to trust anyone in the city. There are instances in which even the police are not willing to help the students. The recent rape incident, which occurred in Dhaula Kuan, was just a tip of the iceberg. More than 95% of the incidents that happened in the capital city went unreported. Snide remarks are made everywhere the NE-ers go. Girls are often teased or molested and guys are intimidated which often leads to fight. And when a fight takes place the locals are likely to side with the intimidator. They hardly see who is at fault. What they see is a foreigner fighting an Indian. The NE-ers are always seemed to be at the receiving ends.
The northeasterners have been labeled as uncommunicative and reticent by some section of the public, which is utterly wrong. The truth is, we are as friendly as anyone can be, but when people starts taking advantage of your friendship you stay away from him or her. That’s what most of the northeasterners are doing. Some of the NE-ers have had very bad experiences regarding being friendly with other people. For instance, a northeast student had a Delhitte friend from college. He used to confide almost everything to him until one day when his so-called friend’s true intention came to light. His Delhitte friend wanted him to be introduced to N-E girls. Not only his friend had dirty intentions but also he was talking bad things about the northeasterners to his local friends. This is just one example; there are several similar stories. This is the reason why the NE-ers prefer staying in their own circle. The locals also perceive them as party animals, which is totally baseless. It may be true with some students but it will be completely wrong to generalize the whole community. “Every tree has some bad leaves and you don’t cut down a tree just because of some bad leaves”.
The NE-ers treat women with utmost respect. Cases like molestation and rape hardly take place in the northeastern states. There are several outsiders residing in the NE states and they are treated with equal respect. Incidents of rape or molestation of non-NE women are unheard of. Women are treated equally, no matter from where they come. On the contrary, the northeast women are mostly seen with contempt, elsewhere. The media should play an important role in bridging the gap between the locals and the northeasterners. The misconception and misunderstanding should be cleared. There should be unity among the student unions. Help line should be established to aid the students in distress on time. Better cohesion with powerful, responsible NGOs and human right agencies is a must. Strong tie-ups with concerned government bodies and lawmaking units will be another big boost to them. Last but not the least the students themselves should be wise and aware enough to avoid such kind of social malice. jasonwahengbam@yahoo.com

Call to market NE to attract tourists By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, June 1 — The Italian Ambassador to India, Antonio Armellini, has stressed the need for marketing Assam and the North-East in the right perspective if the region was to attract more tourists. “There still prevails among outsiders, including Italians, a perception that the North-East is a troubled spot - which, however, is not the correct picture, as I have found out during my very first visit to this most beautiful region,” Armellini told newsmen on Tuesday night. Armellini, who is on a three-day tour to the North-East, said that it was time for the region to shrug off its tag of being a volatile area, and to showcase its potential to a worldwide audience. “The press in particular, has a crucial role in dispelling the myth that the region is a disturbed one,” he added.

The Ambassador, who earlier had a meeting with the Governor, the Chief Minister and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here, assured that he was keen to bring a team of reputed tour operators from Italy to the North-East. “I had talked to the Chief Minister about that,” he said. According to the Ambassador, tourism apart, there existed other equally important areas that held promise for greater Indo-Italian cooperation, and in which the North-East could also be a major player.

“Agro business, food processing, leather industry and infrastructure are the key areas that can witness mutual cooperation between the two countries,” he said, adding that organic food, which grew abundantly in the North-east, could cater to the great demand that it had in Italy. Recalling Italy’s traditional ties with India since the 19th century, Armellini said that it was gaining in strength with the passing years. “The recent visit of the Italian President was accompanied by a 600-strong business delegation including members from top corporate houses as well as small and medium enterprises,” he said and added that future business prospects between the two countries looked very optimistic.
Kukis insecure, terrorized :Touthang
GUWAHATI, June 1 (PTI): The Kukis have demanded setting up of an autonomous council as they felt "insecured and terrorized" under the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council administration. Addressing a press conference here yesterday, the Kuki National Assembly (KNA) general secretary Tongthang Touthang alleged that Kuki girls were being raped and villagers terrorized by Karbi militants in the hill district of Karbi Anglong. At least 70 innocent Kuki villagers, including women and children have been killed recently by the militants belonging to the United Peoples Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) and the Karbi Anglong district administration has remained a "silent spectator", Touthang alleged.
According to Touthang, there are nearly 36,000 Kuki tribals in 115 villages in the district living in a composite and contiguous area where the Kuki Tribes’ Autonomous Regional Council should be formed under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The Kukis are also being harassed by the Forest Department officials who charge them for encroachment, he alleged. Touthang said that KNA had also sought the Assam Governor’s intervention in resolving their ongoing fight with the majority Karbi people in the State. A six-member delegation of the KNA had recently met the Governor and submitted a memorandum seeking an early end to the hostilities between the Kukis and Karbis in Assam, he said.