[Previous entry: "Panicky Marou villagers flee village as AR tells NSCN(IM) to vacate camp"] [Next entry: "BJP mulls panel on territorial integrity"]

06/03/2005: "No compromise on territorial integrity issue, vow SPF legislators"

No compromise on territorial integrity issue, vow SPF legislators The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jun 2: Reacting swiftly to allegations that some Cabinet ministers had endorsed the formation of a greater Nagaland, as demanded by the NSCN(IM), the ruling SPF legislature party has in an emergency meeting held today reiterated its commitment to preserve and protect the integrity of Manipur at any cost. The emergency meeting, chaired by the chief minister and attended by all but one of the 40 legislators of the SPF alliance, reiterated that the territorial integrity of the state cannot be compromised at any cost. All those who attended the meeting, cutting across party and ethnic lines, strongly condemned any move to undermine the integrity of the state.

The emergency meeting was called in response to allegations raised by the United Committee, Manipur, UCM, that at least two Cabinet ministers, along with a number of Opposition and Ruling MLAs, had submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister endorsing the formation fo Greater Nagaland carving out portions of Manipur and other states of the North-East. Today’s emergency meeting passed a resolution reiterating its stance, and a copy has been dispatched to the Prime Minister.
The resolution reads:
‘The Secular Progressive Front reiterates its stand that the territorial integrity of Manipur will not be compromised and all members of the SPF leglsiature Party belonging to different ethnic groups are committed to preserve, maintain and protect the Territorial Integrity of the state at any cost. Further, it is resolved to promote social harmony and peaceful co-existence amongst the different socio-ethnic groups in the state by preserving its territorial integrity.’
In a covering letter addressed to the Prime Minister, the chief minister O Ibobi stressed that the SPF government and the people of the state are united in their desire to preserve and protect the state’s territorial integrity, and expressed confidence that the Central government will continue to understand and support the desires of the people of Manipur on this issue. The resolution was signed by all MLAs of the SPF alliance, except for RK Theko, who is out of station.
Italian Ambassador on a two-day visit to Nagaland NET News Network
Dimapur, June 3: Italian Ambassador, New Delhi Antonio Armellini accompanied by his wife and Political Councellor is currently on a two day visit to Nagaland. The Italian Ambassador will be calling on Nagaland Governor, Shyamal Datta and State Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio during his stay in Nagaland.
Ukhrul villagers send SOS to authorities to end Assam Rifles-NSCN(IM) standoff The Imphal Free Press

Ukhrul, Jun 2: A team of pressmen today confirmed the report that fearing confrontation between cadres of the NSCN-IM and the combined personnel of Assam Rifles posts at Litan and Kamjong, villagers of Marou and Shingta in Phungyar subdivision of Ukhrul have vacated their villages. Assam Rifles authorities in Ukhrul district had reportedly set a deadline for the NSCN-IM cadres holed up at Mapithel to pull out from the area by June 2 warning them of dire consequences. On the other hand, NSCN-IM cadres have refused to budge unless an order is issued from its higher commanders.

The few villagers remaining at Marao told visiting mediapersons that on April 19, troops of 1st AR led by Lt. Col. Dev Nath entered Marou village and apprehended five villagers who were identified as NSCN(IM) sympathisers. The personnel stationed themselves in the homes of some villagers and the village chief and beat up several of the residents they alleged. Among the injured were the son of village headman AS Philips, one Thotreingam, 25, village church treasurer, Pamlei, 60, two women - Wungthimla, 40, and Manaola, 30.
On April 22, the arrested villagers were used as human shields by around 100 AR personnel to enter an NSCN-IM camp located at Mapithel hillock, villagers said. The AR personnel then held a parley with the NSCN-IM commander Thotmathing during which the AR personnel asked the latter to vacate the camp by May 31. During the parley, both sides in an apparent show of strength opened fire in the air terrifying the nearby villagers and prompting them to flee.

Again on May 28, the AR personnel entered Marou village and organised a meeting with the villagers of Marou and adjoining Shingta and Shikap warning them to remain alert. After the meeting, the AR personnel sent the villagers to the NSCN-IM camp to inform them the previously set deadline had been extended to June 2. The AR personnel also reportedly took away the seals and documents belonging to village authority secretary and union of the village students after breaking down their deserted houses. Commander Thotmathing of the NSCN-IM, in an interaction with mediapersons upheld the reports of the ultimatum by the AR. He however stated that until an order comes from his higher commanders, his men would stay put. The camp commander also rubbished clarifications of the Army PRO Lt. Col. SD Goswami that such an ultimatum had not been served.

On the other hand AR authorities at the nearby camp declined to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, the villagers incured heavy losses as their crops remained unattended. Students have also not been attending classes, the villagers lamented and appealed to authorities for an amicable and early solution to the imbroglio.
Commentary: Edmund Kom Nagalim :The Cabinet Ministers and MLAs have done the right thing in sincerely supporting the rights of the Nagas to live together in one home. UCM (Unwanted Criminal of Meiteiland) is shamelessly saying that Nagas, Zomis, etc. were with the Meiteis of Meiteiland in opposing Naga integration. What a lier! Naga will never compromise on their national decision to defend every inch of their Nagalim, and the Meiteis of 800 square miles Meiteiland have no choice but to respect this decision. Self-styled Lt Col Dev Nath of the so-called 1st Assam Rifles (one of the main inhuman tools of Indian occupation forces) should not allow himself to be used by the Meiteis in their attempt to perpetrate the illegal Meitei empire which, for some centuries, has led to the death of innumerable Nagas, Zomis, Kukis etc. India is poor. Meiteis are making POOR India to serve them.
NPF hits out at Congress OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, June 2: The ruling Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) today accused the Congress of “going beyond the limits of democracy” by kicking off a poster campaign against the state government. A communiqué issued by NPF press secretary, R. Paphino, said while a political party is at liberty to express feelings and views in any form, the Congress has subverted democracy by crossing the limit. “The Congress has lost rational balance and is charging like a wild bull at the government with unsubstantiated propaganda,” the NPF release stated. Two days ago, the Congress carried out a poster campaign, accusing chief minister Neiphiu Rio of running a “one-man democracy”. The Opposition party also submitted a memorandum against the government to governor Shyamal Datta. The NPF termed the accusations in the memorandum as “the Congress’s figment of imagination”.
Urging people not to be carried away by the alleged propaganda, the NPF release said the Congress members should brush up their knowledge about politics by studying the subject properly. The Congress has started a major offensive against the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government, highlighting the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
“We cannot fathom why the Congress is making a mountain out of a molehill. In fact, the situation was at its nadir when the Congress was at the helm of power,” the NPF release said. Defending the DAN government, the NPF said it was trying to improve the situation in the state. The release accused the Congress of making the situation volatile in the state when it was in power. The Congress is believed to be in touch with some allegedly dissident legislators within the government to return to power. A coup, however, has been made difficult for the Opposition by the 91st amendment to the Constitution, which prevents defection of less than two-thirds members of a political party. The DAN coalition comprises the NPF with 32 members, BJP with seven, Janata Dal (United) with two and four Independent legislators. On the other hand, the Congress has 15 legislators.
Naga Cong fires twin salvos at Rio OUR CORRESPONDENT the telegraph
Kohima, May 31: The Nagaland Congress today submitted a memorandum to governor Shyamal Datta against the functioning of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government. It also launched a poster campaign across the state blaming the ruling coalition for the worsening law and order situation. In the three-point memorandum submitted to governor Shyamal Datta, the Congress once again raised its demand for a white paper on the utilisation of the Rs 365 crore peace bonus granted to the government last year. The Opposition claimed that the unceremonious exit of former finance minister K. Therie from the council of ministers was proof enough that the money, granted under the initiative of former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, had been misutilised. The delegation of urged the governor to direct the government to bring out a white paper on how the sum was spent.
“Nagas want a people’s government, not the present proxy government,” read a poster, alleging that the incumbent Neiphiu Rio government functioned on the directions of the NSCN (I-M). The Congress has been attacking the government on this issue consistently over the past two years. The Congress’ major offensive, though, was on the law and order front. The party accused the government of failing to check the high incidence of rape, murder and extortion in the last two years. The Opposition alleged that the hands of the administration were tied in this matter. “Far from taking care of law and order problems in the state, the political masters direct the administration look the other way as the crime rates spiral in the state,” the party alleged. Leader of the Opposition, I. Imkong, asked the government to step down if it could not control the “lawlessness” in Nagaland.
“We know they will not resign. But at least our campaign will give the people some food for thought about the Rio government’s misrule,” Imkong said over phone from Shillong.
Referral Hospital will now be Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR); CMC joins as partner, Dr Lotha appeals for cooperation By Oken Jeet Sandham
Kohima, June 1 (NEPS): The dream of commissioning the much awaited Nagaland’s only “Referral Hospital” that will be now called as “Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) has become clearer with the State Government entering into a fresh “Tripartite Agreement” on May 27 last in Vellore. Talking to NEPS here today, Nagaland’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr TM Lotha, who led the State Official team for the “Tripartite Agreement” said the CMC of Vellore had agreed to be a partner in running the much awaited “Referral Hospital/Medical College (now known as CIHSR) in the State.” “Some section of people wanted to have CMC in the venture and accordingly, we have drawn up for a Tripartite Agreement to revitalize, set up, manage and administer the 500-bedded Referral Hospital and Medical College and other health and allied health services at Dimapur,” Dr Lotha says. And finally the Government of Nagaland, CMC and EHA have entered into a Tripartite Agreement on May 27, 2005 in Vellore, he added. He points out that the State had already entered into MoU with the EHA on January 25, 2005 and now it would be a consortium with CMC coming in as partner in running the administrative affairs of the CIHSR. The Minister however says initially it will be run as a hospital and then later as a “medical College.”
Describing as “landmark” the signing of the “Tripartite Agreement, the Minister says the Naga people are fortunate to rope in the CMC as a partner in the administrative affairs of the CIHSR. Because, he explains, the CMC is internationally renowned Health Institute. The CMC having its Christian background coming to Nagaland to be partner in running the affairs of the CIHSR will be a part of the missionary work to the Naga people, the Minister says. He quoted the CMC Director as saying “We have taken the responsibility to make the project as part of the missionary work through health services.” Dr Lotha further says once it is commissioned, it will not only benefit the State of Nagaland but also will cater the need of the whole of northeast. “It will be another CMC in the region,” he adds. “The hospital would later become a center of attraction for the whole of Northeast.”
He also says two Engineers from UK are coming to oversee and plan out the progress of whole hospital construction. The Minister hopes that with the fresh trilateral agreement, “we will be able to commission sooner than later” and further appeals to all section of people to extend fullest cooperation with the Government in its sincere attempt to complete the much-awaited “Referral Hospital (now CIHSR) in the State.”
SPF pledges to protect State's boundary Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 02: Members of the Secular Progressive Front Legislature Party in an emergency meeting held today have once again resolved to protect and preserve the territorial integrity of Manipur at any cost. The emergency meeting which was presided by the Chief Minister was held following the publication of a news report in several local dailies today regarding the submission of a memorandum by some MLAs to the Prime Minister on May 27 2005 endorsing the formation of Greater Nagaland. Members present at the meeting cutting across party and ethnic lines unanimously resolved to protect the territorial integrity of the State besides promoting social harmony and peaceful coexistence amongst the different socio-ethnic groups in the State by preserving its territorial integrity.

A copy of the resolution taken by the SPF MLAs present in the meeting today was also sent to the Prime Minister. All the forty MLAs of the SPF Government, except for RK Theko who is out of station, attended the meeting. The partners of the SPF include the ruling Congress party and its allies the CPI. Meanwhile, Federal Party of Manipur president Dr L Chandramani has today stated that the submission of a memorandum to the Prime Minister endorsing formation of Greater Nagaland by some MLAs is nothing but a renewed threat to the territorial integrity of the State.

As the matter is very serious, a meeting of the Opposition DPA's partners will be held very soon, he added. The stand of the Federal Party of Manipur to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur is very clear and it will not hesitate to take up any challenge if the State's boundary is threatened, he said.
ULFA VC Pradip Gogoi hails Centre's peace talks offer Ani
Guwahati, June 3 (ANI): Vice Chairman of ULFA, Pradip Gogoi, today said that the time was opportune for resolving differences with the Centre and the talks hold potential to pave way for peace in the region. "The situation right now is fine and I am hoping positive and want that the Centre should also show its sincerity towards the talks," he said. While talking to media persons before the hearing of a case against him in a TADA court in Guwahati, he hailed the efforts of Dr. Mamoni Raisom Goswami towards paving the way for the peace process between the Government and ULFA. Gogoi urged the people of Assam and the State Government to give their due support to this move for the attainment of fruitful result of the problem the State has been facing for the last 27 years. He also demanded from the Government to release ten of top ULFA leaders, including him. When asked for a justification of the release of the top ULFA leaders, Gogoi said, "The decision towards the peace talk is by no means a small matter and so it cannot be taken or made without the presence of the executive members of the outfit. (ANI)
ULFA runs hotels in Bangladesh, says BSF Shillong, June 3 (ANI):
The Border Security Force (BSF) today claimed that the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is running seven hotels in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet in Bangladesh. Inspector General of BSF S.C. Srivastava told reporters that the outfit has three bank accounts in that country. According BSF officials, Ulfa is running seven hotels of international standards in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylet in Bangladesh and also operating three bank accounts in that country. Srivastava said they have three hotels in Dhaka, Surma International on Taj Mahal Road, Hotel Mohammadia in Mirpur and Padma International in Banani. He said the hotels were being operated by Subal Barua alias Ahmed Satish Sharma alias Kamal and Ashish Deka alias Hossain. In Sylhet area, the militant group has two hotels, Keya International in Zinda Bazar area managed by one Dulal Roy alias Saidul and Yamuna in University Road managed by Anil Dey alias Sohal. Another two hotels, Basundhara managed by Subhash Deka alias Humayun and Raj King managed by Kanailal Barman alias Rubel are located in Chittagong's Halishahar and Pahartali areas, said Srivastava. "All the managers of the hotels were "cadres of the proscribed outfit", he added. Srivastava said the intelligence agencies have traced three bank accounts's in Arab Bangladesh Bank's Farm Gate branch in Dhaka, Zinda Bazar branch in Sylhet and Al-Barakah Bank's Pahartali branch in Chittagong. (ANI)
Centre silent over HNLC’s peace overtures Assam Tribune From Our Correspondent
SHILLONG, June 2– Although the banned Khasi Hills-based Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has at last responded to the government’s repeated appeals to come forward for talks, the Centre has been maintaining a curious silence over the issue. Revealing that the HNLC had offered to hold talks in January this year, the outfit’s emissary Rev PBM Basaiawmoit said he had sought an audience with the Prime Minister but was denied the same. Subsequently, however, he was allowed to meet the Union minister of state for home at New Delhi on February 8 last but the home ministry is yet to respond to the HNLC’s offer for talks.

“Since last December, the Subsidiary Bureau of Intelligence (SIB) has been approaching me to contact the HNLC and find out whether they wished to hold talks. Yet, when I went with a letter of positive response from the Organisation to New Delhi, I was discouraged from personally meeting the prime minister in the name of procedure and protocol,” the Church leader rued. The HNLC has laid down a six-point charter of conditions for holding talks with the government, Basaiawmoit said at a media briefing here today. These include lifting of the ban, declaration of ceasefire by the security forces, provision of general amnesty and safe passage to its cadre, holding talks at a ‘neutral’ country and allowing the outfit to appoint a person of its choice as its chief negotiator.

Perturbed with the lackadaisical attitude of the home ministry, Basaiawmoit wrote to PM Manmohan Singh on May 4 seeking yet again an audience with him. “On behalf of the HNLC, on behalf of myself and for peace, I hope that you will positively and favourably respond and I am ready to meet you and discuss some o the finer points so as to expedite matters,” he wrote. Stressing that the HNLC has been insisting on official acknowledgment of its letter to the prime minister, Basaiawmoit regretted the fact that no official response from New Delhi has been forthcoming in “black and white” till date.

“Without official acknowledgement, it becomes difficult to convince the Organisation of the Government of India’s genuine and sincere desire for peace and reconciliation,” Basaiawmoit explained. “I feel humiliated by this attitude of stone walling by those who desire my cooperation in brokering peace,” Basaiawmoit wrote to the PM, adding: “It pains me very much and my credibility is even questioned and suspected.”

ULFA’s new condition Assam Tribune
Militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has given another twist to the ongoing drama of talks by putting yet another pre-condition, that is release of the arrested leaders before the outfit takes a decision on coming for talks with the Government of India. This new condition may pose problems for the Government and though Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi reportedly told the media that the Government might consider the demand of the banned outfit, it remains to be seen whether such a demand is accepted by the Central Government. Such a demand for the release of the arrested leaders is nothing unusual after the signing of a cease-fire pact, but it might be difficult for the Government to release the arrested leaders even before the ULFA announces its decision to come for talks. The ULFA commander in chief Paresh Baruah recently called up newspapers of Guwahati from an undisclosed place and said that of the 16 members of the central committee of the outfit, only six- chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, he himself, Raju Baruah, Chitraban Hazarika, Sasha Choudhury and Jiban Moran are at large and the full council would have to meet to take a decision on the issue of talks with the Government of India. If the outfit announces its decision to come for talks, it would be easier for the Government to concede to the demand of the outfit, but releasing the arrested militants before such an announcement may lead to such demands from other militant groups of the country.

In fact, the Government of India is not in a position to give an assurance to the ULFA for ensuring the presence of all the 16 central committee members of the outfit in one place for taking the decision of coming for talks. The Government of India can, of course, take a decision regarding the release of the leaders like ULFA vice chairman Pradip Gogoi, adviser Bhimkanta Buragohain, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimari and others who are in jails in the State, but the general secretary of the ULFA, Anup Chetia was arrested in Bangladesh and the Government of Bangladesh, despite repeated requests by the Government of India refused to hand him over after he completed his jail term in Dhaka. Now the Government of India cannot take a decision about Chetia to enable the ULFA to hold the central committee meeting. Similarly, other central committee members of the ULFA including Asanta Baghphukan , Robin Neog and Benning Rabha are reportedly missing since the operation launched by the Government of Bhutan against the outfit in 2003 and the Government has claimed time and again that it is not aware of the whereabouts of these militants. Under the circumstances, it will not be possible for the Government of India to ensure that all the central committee members are freed before the outfit takes a decision to come for talks.

The Chairman of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), Nabla Daimary, in a newspaper interview, had also demanded release of the arrested leaders before talks. But the outfit had declared a unilateral cease-fire to express its willingness to come for talks more than six months before the signing of the formal cease-fire agreement. In fact, the vice chairman of the outfit Dhiren Boro is still in Sikkim jail and the whereabouts of the high profile publicity secretary of the outfit, B Erakdao, who was also missing since the Bhutan operations, is also not known as yet. If the NDFB, which was considered to be one of the most dreaded of the militant outfits of the State and had maintained close ties with the ULFA for years, can come for talks without demanding the release of the arrested leaders, there is no reason for the ULFA for imposing such pre-conditions. Of course, the ULFA will always have the option of demanding the release of the arrested leaders before the formal talks, but such demands at this juncture when the outfit has not even taken the decision to come for talks, may pose hurdles in the way of the much-awaited talks.
ULFA running seven hotels in Bangladesh: BSF NET News Network
Guwahati, June 3: The proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is running seven hotels in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylet in Bangladesh and also operating three bank accounts in that country, the Border Security Force said today. Three of the hotels Surma International were located in Dhaka - Taj Mahal road, Hotel Mohammadia in Mirpur and Padma International in Banani, BSF Inspector-General of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland (AMMN) Frontier S C Srivastava informed media in Shillong today. The hotels were managed by Subal Barua alias Ahmed Satish Sharma alias Kamal and Ashish Deka alias Hossain, he said.
In Sylhet, the militant group has two hotels. Keya International in Zinda bazar area managed by Dulal Roy alias Saidul and Yamuna in University road managed by Anil Dey alias Sohal, he said. Another two - Hotel Basundhara managed by Subhash Deka alias Humayun and Raj King managed by Kanailal Barman alias Rubel - were located in Chittagong's Halishahar and Pahartali areas. All the managers of the hotels were "cadres of the proscribed outfit", the IG said. The three accounts were traced to Arab Bangladesh Bank's Farm Gate branch in Dhaka, Zinda Bazar branch in Sylhet and Al-Barakah Bank's Pahartali branch in Chittagong. Srivastava also confirmed that the Bangladesh authorities have carried out a massive crackdown on Indian insurgents based in that country. However, the BDR has not provided information as to the number of ultras arrested during the operation, he added. Accordingly, the crackdown took place from May 24 to May 30 in Rangpur, Kurigram, Sherpur, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Kagrachari, Rangamati and Moulavi Bazar areas of Bangladesh.
Myanmar rebels give support to YMA NET News Network
Aizawl June 3: A report has stated that the Chin National Confederation, a group from Myanmar fighting for their independence, announced its support to the Central YMA's campaign against drugs and said the organisation would take initiatives to control Myanmar nationals. The report, which came out in today's evening paper "The Aizawl Post" quoted the vice president of the CNC Fungkung as saying that the CNC would extend all possible help to the Supply Reduction Service (SRS) of the CYMA in controlling the drug menace. Apaprt from this, Fungkung was reported as saying that that any Myanmar national who has come to Mizoram would come under the organisation's scanner and any anti-social elements found among them would be punished severely, even to the extent of meting out death sentences. The CNC, however, was careful to underscore that the organisation has absolutely no intention at all to create problems for the people of the state. The CNC was established only very recently, in 1999, and has around 200 members. It is one of the two Chin rebels in Myanmar fighting for the independence of the Chin state there. Recently, the founder-president of this organisation, Tialkhala, was dethroned by his followers for breaking numerous privisions in the CNC's constitution. Presently led by Fungkunga, the CNC would be holding an election for the top post soon, the report said. The Chin National Front is the other organisation fighting for an independent Chin state in Myanmar. Chins are close brothers of the Mizos and they still share many common traits, among them traditional customs and the language.
Zoramthanga's advisers draw Cong flak NET News Network
Aizawl, June 3: The Mizoram Pradesh Congress Committee has raised another criticism on Chief Minister Zoramthanga through his advisers in a recent press release where the Zoramthanga ministry was accused of incurring unnecessary expenditure. In a bid to reduce government expenses, the Centre had passed the 97th Amendment Act of 2003 following which Chief Minister Zoramthanga also "reluctantly" downsized his ministry by sacking three ministers, the Congress said. "However," the release added, "Zoramthanga has taken in five advisers with ranks of ministers of state which is only a waste of government revenue." The Congress further stated that Mizoram government's debt has crossed Rs 2,198.53 crore which implies that each citizen, from a newborn baby to an old aged person, has a debt of more than Rs 24,700. The Congress accused that the chief minister uses his advisers' posts to consolidate his political position.
B’desh forces shying away from ULFA: BSF ‘ULFA invested in hotel industry and medical sector in B’desh’ From our Staff Correspondent
SHILLONG, June 2: The huge investment made by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in Bangladesh is helping the proscribed outfit to escape the wrath of the neighbouring country’s security forces. This was stated by the Inspector General of the Border Security Force (Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur frontier), SC Srivastava, while addressing a group of newsmen here today. "The Bangladesh authorities have informed us about the ongoing crackdown on suspected insurgent groups of the North-east with camps in their country and also asked us to be vigilant on the international border," Srivastava said. Informing that an alert has been sounded in all the bordering areas to prevent militants from entering the country, Srivastava said, "According to information received, the crackdown is being carried by the Bangladesh Army and the BDR in Rangpur, Kurigram, Sherpur, Sylhet, Myemensing, Kagrachari, Rangamati and Moulvi bazaar along the Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya borders." But the details of the militants apprehended or killed in the operations have not been shared with the BSF by the Bangladesh forces, Srivastava added. Srivastava maintained that the joint patrolling by the BSF and the BDR along the border will boost the confidence of the people living on both sides, but he was sceptical of its role in containing infiltration of militants into India blaming the porous border as one factor. Talking about the ULFA, the BSF officer said that the Bangladesh Government is benefiting from the investments made by the ULFA in that country. The ULFA has primarily invested in areas like the hotel industry and medical sector in Bangladesh. The affinity of the Bangladesh Government towards the banned outfit can be gauged from the luxurious houses being provided to Paresh Baruah, Arabinda Rajkhowa and Anup Chetia by it.
While The Sentinel had earlier published the list of the names of the Indian insurgent groups with their base in Bangladesh, another exclusive report included the names of hotels owned by the ULFA in that country. The three hotels in Dhaka includes Hotel Surma International with Subal Baruah alias Ahmed as the manager, Hotel Mohamaddia with Satish Sharma alias Kamal as the manager and Hotel Padma International with Ashish Deka alias Hussain as the manager. In Chittagong hill tracts, the hotels owned by the ULFA members include Hotel Basundara with Subhash Deka alias Humayun as manager and Hotel Raj King with Kanailal Burman alias Rubel as the manager. In Sylhet, the hotels include Keya International with Dulal Roy alias Saidul as the manager and Hotel Yamuna. The bank accounts being operated by the ULFA in Bangladesh includes the account (No. 025401/08) of Zinda Bazaar branch of Arab Bangladesh Bank, Sylhet, the account (No. 5266709/15) of Farm Gate branch, Arab Bangladesh Bank, Dhaka and the account (No. 09/229472) of Phartali branch, Al Bakarah Bank, Chittagong. Meanwhile, as part of the measures to extend the joint patrolling, the Sector Commander of Assam and Garo Hills Frontier had a meeting with his Myemensingh counterpart today. The outcome is not known yet.
We want peace, not war: Mech Sentinel By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, June 2: Welcoming the effort of noted writer Mamoni Raisom Goswami to bring the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) to the negotiation table, Captain Ramu Mech, a top leader of the proscribed outfit who is in jail, and whose release has been demanded by the ULFA along with other nine top leaders, has said that the outfit do not want any talks for the sake of it only. "Negotiation should commence in the right spirit and towards a solution acceptable to all," he asserted, while talking to newsmen in the SDJM court premises here yesterday. "We also want peace, not war," he added. Mech made it clear that he has full faith in the ULFA leadership. However, he declined to comment on the Centre-NDFB ceasefire. Mech said his left eye has been considerably damaged and the right one, as well, has started troubling him since January last. Despite instruction given by the court and a suo moto case filed by the Assam Human Rights Commission, the jail authority has been depriving him of the necessary treatment on the excuse of lack of escort force, he alleged. It is worth mentioning here that Ramu Mech alias Prabin Konwar, was arrested from a Dibrugarh nursing home on September 21, 2003.