[Previous entry: "No compromise on territorial integrity issue, vow SPF legislators"] [Next entry: "NSCN threatens to return to jungles if demands not met"]
06/05/2005: "BJP mulls panel on territorial integrity"
BJP mulls panel on territorial integrity the Telegraph OUR CORRESPONDENT
Imphal, June 4: The Manipur unit of the BJP has proposed the constitution of a co-ordinating committee to counter disruptive designs. The committee will comprise representatives of all political parties of the state and resist any attempt to compromise Manipur’s territorial integrity. The BJP’s proposal came after allegations that some Naga ministers and MLAs had submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office last month, supporting the integration of all Naga-inhabited areas under one administrative unit.
“As the threat to the territorial integrity of Manipur still exists, political parties should come together and form a co-ordinating committee to protect, preserve and maintain the state’s boundary. Territorial integrity is a very sensitive state issue and parties should rise above political and ethnic affiliations,” Thounaojam Chaoba Singh, former Union minister and president of the BJP state unit, said.The ruling Secular Progressive Front (SPF) had condemned the alleged memorandum. Chaoba Singh said condemnation was not enough. “Since the government has collective responsibility, Ibobi Singh and his council of ministers should resign on moral grounds.” Ibobi Singh convened a meeting on Thursday to discuss the allegations. The meeting, attended by 39 of the 40 ruling party members, condemned the alleged memorandum and reaffirmed the government’s stand against the breaking up of Manipur. A copy of the resolution bearing the signatures of 39 members was sent to the Prime Minister the same day. A statement issued after the meeting neither confirmed nor denied the involvement of any Naga minister or ruling member in submitting the memorandum.
“The Ibobi government condemned the Naga memorandum. It did not deny the alleged involvement of Naga ministers. This means the allegation is true, which is a very serious matter,” Chaoba Singh said.BJP office-bearers and MLAs, including a Naga legislator, held an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss the alleged threat to the state’s territorial integrity. The meeting reaffirmed the BJP’s stand to protect the state’s territory and demanded the Ibobi Singh government’s resignation. The BJP today sent copies of the resolutions to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, home minister Shivraj Patil, AICC president Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee. The Federal Party of Manipur (FPM), the largest opposition party, also expressed concern over the development. Former deputy chief minister and FPM president L. Chandramani Singh said the opposition parties would soon hold a meeting to discuss the matter. The controversy has come at a time when the United Committee, Manipur, is preparing to commemorate the 2001 agitation against the extension of ceasefire between the NSCN (I-M) and the Centre beyond Nagaland.
Keep strict vigil near Assam-Nagaland border: Dr Lohta Press Trust
Nagaland Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr T M Lotha has appealed to the people living near the Assam-Nagaland border to keep strict vigil so that there should not be any violation of status quo, as agreed by both the states. Dr Lotha said the people living in the border areas, have a crucial role and responsibilities towards solving the border problem with neighbouring Assam. ''So long as you are active and alert in the border areas, things would not go wrong as your activities in the border would be the hard evidence for our right'', he said. The Minister said the border issue was already in the Supreme Court. He expressed hope that there will be a solution which should be acceptable for the people of both states. He also called upon the people to know how to demand their rights in a democratic society, not forgetting their rightful contribution to the society. Dr Lotha said that the state government is doing its best to bring honourable settlement to the border problem with Assam and stressed the importance of people's participation for the all-round development of the state.
NSCN (K) claims Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 04: NSCN (K) has today claimed responsibility for the gunning down of Hangjibe at Kandihang village on June 1. Interacting with mediapersons somewhere in Imphal, NSCN (K) Zeliangrong Region's spokesman said that Hangjibe was killed for working for the NSCN (IM).
Stating that Zeliangrong Students Union (ZSU) which has been vocally protesting the killing of Hangjibe does not exist, he said NSCN (K) knows only a student body called All Zeliangrong Students' Union (AZSU) (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland).
He also asked all the office bearers as well as the president of ZSU to surrender to the outfit immediately failing which stern actions will be initiated against them. The spokesman informed that a letter was recovered from Hangjibe directing NSCN (IM) cadres and its allies to attack NSCN (K) camp with the help of AR troops and added that the public may see the letter if they desire. The spokesman also charged that the Marao villagers have fled their homestead due to the high handedness of the NSCN (IM). So they should be held responsible for any eventuality, he added categorically.
Chaoba seeks govt’s head over Greater Nagaland memo The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Jun 3: The president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Manipur Pradesh, Th Chaoba Singh, has called for the collective resignation of the O Ibobi Singh led SPF ministry on moral grounds over the allegations that two Cabinet ministers were signatories to a memorandum purportedly sent to the Prime Minister endorsing the creation of Greater Nagaland. The BJP chief, addressing mediapersons in connection with the allegations raised by the United Committee, Manipur to this effect, maintained that the response of the SPF alliance to the allegation was unsatisfactory, and accused it of duplicity on the matter. Chaoba charged the state government of working against the interests of the people of the state, and called for constitution of an all-party committee on the issue of protection of Manipur’s territorial integrity. He said the BJP on its part strongly condemned the submission of such a memorandum impinging on the integrity of the state. An urgent meeting of office bearers, MLAs, and special invitees of the BJP was held in this connection today, he informed.
The meeting reiterated the party’s firm commitment for maintaining the territorial integrity of the Manipur, and its firm stance against any move from any source for disturbing the existing territorial boundaries of Manipur, Chaoba said. While minutely discussed the decisions adopted at the meeting yesterday of the SPF legislators, the meeting noted that the resolution adopted at the SPF meeting concealed the particulars of the ministers who had supported the demand for greater Nagaland.
Chaoba further pointed out that the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had during his tenure made it clear that no re-organisation of states would take place in the north-east and territorial integrity of Manipur would not be disturbed. He added that the minutes of the meeting today would be sent to the Prime minister, Union home minister, the BJP leadership, and the Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Lt. Col. H Bhuban Singh observed that the extension of ceasefire with the NSCN(IM) ‘without territorial limits’ in 2001 had led to the June 18 tragedy. He reiterated that the ongoing ceasefire with the NSCN(IM) does not extend to Manipur, and supported the reported action by the Assam Rifles to evict the NSCN(IM) from their camps located in Ukhrul district.
Commentary:
Land-grabbing Meiteis' Meiteiland_basher :Meitei thirombas of 800 square miles Meiteiland or Kangleipak are seriously thinking of going back to the ancestral homeland in Sylhet district of Bangladesh from where they came to the land of the great Nagas. Meiteis have been stealing the shares of the neighboring mountain people and fattening themselves for decades now. A time will soon come when everything will be vomited out.A_Patriot :UCM should have publicly unmasked the identity of those two Traitors who are elected legislator of Manipur but secretly works for the disintegration of the state, so that the public in large would decide what should be done with them. Tribal areas are never a nation state(Country) in itself but always an undisturb part of a nation state, for the simple fact that they are tribals. The claims that Manipuri Nagas have always lived in their land is true but they belong to Manipur throughout history cannot be ignored. That the Manipuri kings have defended the territory of Manipur which includes all these areas should not be lost in their minds as this has to potential to erupt into a civil war.A REAL NAGA from NAGALAND :WE are betteroff without 2nd class citizen of Manipur aka Tankhuls or other tribles. They are really lazy people and their contribution in
in their land Manipur is Zero in any sphere of development, thats why they remain as second class people. Now they wanna change their name from Tankhul to Nagas. We don't want any lazy fake nagas. The honest advice from the people of Nagaland to Manipuri Tankhuls (fake nagas) is that: WORK HARD AND COMPETE WITH YOUR MEITEIS AND LIVE LIKE A FIRST CLASS CITIZEN OF YOUR LAND.
Akong Zeliangrong Nagalim :There is no Smaller or Greater Nagaland. The Naga people have only one land called Nagalim. Likewise, Meiteis have one land called Meiteiland. The Naga Ministers and MLAs have done the right thing in sending a memorandum to Delhi for the integration of all the Naga-inhabited lands. Nagas do not oppose the integrity of Meiteiland. Why are Meiteis shamelessly claiming a part of Nagalim? India will die because of the Meiteis.
BJP asks SPF to quit Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 03: The State unit of the BJP has demanded that the Congress led SPF Government should step down from power on moral ground as it has been confirmed that two Cabinet Ministers are in hands in gloves with the party which is working for the disintegration of Manipur. Speaking to media persons at the Old Lambulane office pf the party this evening, BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba said the State Government should announce the names of the two Cabinet Ministers and other MLAs who endorsed the formation of Greater Nagaland and put their signatures on the memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister in this regard. Even though the matter was discussed and strongly condemned by the SPF Legislature Party meeting yesterday, Chaoba said the SPF Government should resign on moral ground contending that the Government has collective responsibility for any act of commission or omission committed by its Ministers and MLAs.
Chaoba also charged the State Government with failing to take up action against those involved in the fraudulent withdrawal of crores of rupees from the Education Department as arrears for head masters in-charge, fake appointment, misuse of over Rs 9 crores meant for distribution as relief to people affected by Natural Calamities, etc. Earlier during the day a joint meeting of the party MLAs and office bearers and special invitees was reportedly held with Chaoba in the chair to deliberate upon the new political development in the State. The meeting recalled the assurances given by former Prime Minister and party’s Central leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee not to disturb the existing boundaries of North Eastern States without a political consensus of all those concerned and to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur. The meeting also re-affirmed the stand of the party to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur besides demanding resignation of the ruling SPF Government on moral ground.
It was also decided that the resolutions taken during the meeting would be submitted to Prime Minister, Home Minister, BJP National President and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee among other Central leaders.
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.
Press Statement I.Imkong Leader of Opposition, Nagaland June 5, 2005 Kuknalim. com
When the Opposition Congress attempted to highlight the importance of people’s democracy as opposed to the “One-man-democracy and despotic and dictatorial regime of DAN,” the ruling NPF party has come out openly in support of the regime and gone astray.The reaction of the NPF on the Congress’ campaign to restore democracy can be simply summed up as an attempt to “murder democracy”.
The Poster campaign launched by the Congress party against the “one-man democracy” in Nagaland, the deteriorating law and order situation in the State and demand to the DAN Government to fulfill the promise they made to the Naga people to bring a solution to the vexed Naga political problem, to produce utilization of Rs 365 crores one time peace bonus, are being termed by the NPF as “crossing all limits” Such reactions have only vindicated our stand. Because ‘just’ democratic protest and campaign are normally suppressed in the land of “dictatorial and despotic and the so-called one-man-democracy regime.”
The recent dropping of the Finance Minister K Therie by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on the failure to produce “White Paper” on his utilization of Rs 365 crores peace bonus has proved beyond any shadow of doubt where the DAN is heading for. This is an admission of the Chief Minister’s failure. Is it not enough for the Chief Minister to resign owning moral responsibility? The Opposition in Nagaland has been consistently fighting to cleanse the corrupt DAN Government and restore democracy and after about 2 and ½ years struggle, Chief Minister could only drop his Finance Minister although he knew about the disappearance of the peace bonus from the beginning. We have not demanded dropping of the Finance Minister but to produce the “White Paper” on the utilization of Rs 365 crores. In fact we had demanded the sacking of the then Minister (Horticulture) for his gross mismanagement of the department and allegation of rampant corruption under his nose.
The Opposition has taken up deterioration of law and order problem in the form of democratic campaign but the ruling NPF party refuses to accept the reality. What is the outcome of the twin bomb blasts that shook the region and killed over two-dozen innocent civilians in Dimapur? What is DAN Government doing on the unabated kidnappings, rapes, murders and other daily crimes in the State? Where is the development in the State except a few in Kohima and Dimapur? What are the findings of Dr Maongwati shooting case? Who killed Thongo Konyak? What is the DAN Government doing on the allegation of corruption in the NPSC? What is the DAN Government doing on the unprecedented group clashes and fratricides in the State? What has gone wrong with policy of equi-closeness and about NPF’s CCP? What is the “right direction” the Chief Minister has been saying wherever he goes? Sometimes he would say his Government is Advani’s and on the other, Nagas were not fighting for sovereignty? Is he part of the group negotiating the peace process and then what kind of “facilitator” is he? Was it not right to call him the ‘most confused’ Chief Minister? When former Finance Minister K. Therie admitted that DAN government was confused and had wasted 2(Two) years, it cost him his chair. These are just the tip of iceberg and when the Congress in Nagaland tried to bring a people’s government through a silent democratic means, the NPF had attempted to throttle the democratic movement. They are murdering democracy in Nagaland but the Congress and the people of Nagaland will never allow a despotic and dictatorial regime to continue. The NPF should learn the difference between democracy and ‘despotic and dictatorial regime’. They should also not shy away from admitting the prevailing deterioration of the law and order problem, monumental corruption practices, and failure to produce White Paper of Rs 365 crores ‘peace bonus’.
A senior leader like Dr Shurhozelie who is also President of the NPF has found the truth exposed by the Congress party as a bitter pill for him to swallow and this only goes to show how shallow and narrow an outlook he has. As far as my declaration that I will bring “Christmas Gift” to the people of Nagaland, it was made during the by election campaign and that paid dividends when the Opposition Congress bagged 2(Two) seats out of three seats, which is a record by itself in Nagaland. And this is politics!! A veteran politician that he is should understand what politics is all about.
The adage---“power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”---is very true in this context.
Italian ambassador assures better funding for Sneha Bhavan The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Jun 4: On the last leg of a tour of the north-eastern states, the Ambassador of Italy to India, Antonio Armellini, with his wife and an Italian embassy official, arrived in Imphal by road from Kohima this afternoon. Soon after their arrival at Imphal, the Armellini, along with his wife Maria Giovanna Ceriani Sebregondi, and the political counsellor at the Italian embassy in New Delhi, Paolo Trucilo, visited the Sneha Bhavan, a home for destitute women and children located at the Airport Road. Charmed by his reception by the smiling children of the home, the Ambassador expressed gratification at the manner in which his government’s funding is being used. He promised to apprise his government of the story of the Sneha Bhavan, and to work to secure more funding for the house.
The Sneha Bhavan, it may be mentioned, is run by funds provided by various international funding agencies through New Delhi. The Bhavan was set up in August 1994 with the objective of rehabilitating chemical-dependent young women. There are around a hundred inmates at present, including 17 children below the age of ten years. Its present site was donated by the Salesian Sisters, of the Little Flowers School, Imphal. Colourful tribal shawls were presented to the foreign visitors by the Sneha Bhavan inmates. A representation was also submitted to the Ambassador by the Sneha Bhavan authorities listing the activities of the house and outlining the problems faced by it. After visiting the Sneha Bhavan, the Ambassador called on the Governor of Manipur Dr SS Sidhu, and chief minister O Ibobi. He also attended a cultural programme at the Johnstone Hr. Sec School in the evening.
No NSCN (IM) camps in Ukhrul dist: IGAR The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Jun 4: ‘There are no NSCN (IM) camps in Manipur particularly in Ukhrul district and NSCN (IM)-GOI ceasefire is meant for Nagaland state’. This was stated by IG Assam Rifles (south) Maj. Gen. BS Ghotra in a telephonic interview with the IFP today. Setting up camps if there are any has to be in tune with the ground rules of the NSCN(IM)-GOI ceasefire and as such the NSCN (IM) has no business in Manipur, he said. However there are attempts by cadres of NSCN (IM) to set up camps in Ukhrul district illegally and instances of the NSCN (IM) cadres mingling with villagers are encountered. Some two months back the cadres made an attempt to set up their camp in Lamlang, south Ukhrul and very recently in Marao village.
Highlighting on the attempts by the NSCN (IM) to set up camps in Manipur, the general said that the outfit wanted a camp in the state to gain some strategic advantages. First, to make their presence felt and smear the image of security forces and second to provide logistic support in terms of training, weapon and ration to valley insurgent outfits they are having nexus with. Earlier, KYKL and UKLF cadres were held from where NSCN (IM) cadres hang out and rations meant for PLA were seized, the general said. General Ghotra also said there is no question of the AR going soft on outfits taking up antisocial activities with the state. In this regard, the NSCN (IM) attempt at Lamlang to set up a camp was foiled by Assam Rifles and persuasion was done to stop constructing some hutments by NSCN (IM) nearby the hilly area of Marao village recently. No harassment and camping of AR personnel in Marao village took place in this connection as reported in the local media, he said.
He also said there is no escalation of tension and the villagers are gradually returning back to their homes. At least five families returned to their homes today and more are going to follow tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the general took a tour of Ukhrul district since June 3 to look into the situation and had interactions with various social groups of Ukhrul including Dr. Minthing, director TTA, Shiela Jajo, NGO representative and Ramthing, president TNL besides others to assure that Assam Rifles is the friend of hill people. Discussions on various issues of development, social upliftment and MCA projects were made during his interactions, he added.
Commentary: Nagalim :Self-styled Major General BS Ghotra is a Hindu terrorist. It was under his brutal leadership that terrorists from Assam and Nepal killed many innocent Naga farmers. May he go to hell!
NSCN(K) says it killed Hangyibe for treachery The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Jun 4: The NSCN (K) has claimed responsibility for the killing of Hangyibe, 38, son of RK Luiheng, of Old Mandiu village under Tousem subdivision of Tamenglong district on June 1.
A spokesperson of the NSCN (K) Zeliangrong region while addressing a press conference today somewhere in Tamenglong district said that Hangyibe was killed for his repeated activities against the outfit at the instigation of the NSCN (IM).In the meantime, villagers of the Tamenglong district headquarters enraged over the killing of Hangyibe stopped PHED minister K Govindas, touring the district headquarters and asked him to visit the morgue where the dead body of Hangyibe was kept.
The villagers also demanded that the minister should give a written assurance to fulfill the demands of Tamenglong people before he leave the district.
Later in the evening, the PHED minister after his tour of the district to inspect water supply schemes, met with the public and assured that their demands will be taken up with the chief minister. He also donated an amount of Rs. 10,000 to provide interim relief to the family of the deceased. Pacified at the minister’s assurance, the public agreed to receive the dead body to perform the last rites. The demands of the memorandum include flushing out of UNLF/MPA cadres from the area whom they hold responsible for Hangyibe’s killing, setting up of a security post in the area to stop such incidents in future and providing an ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakhs to the family of the outfit. It may be noted that another person Dichuraing, 29, who was picked up along with the deceased at Kandihang village was also severely beaten up by the outfit responsible for the killing of Hangyibe. Further, more than 60 persons from Kandihang village who are taking shelter at Tamenglong district cooperative headquarters since February last after fleeing their homes due to UG clashes and harassment stated that they will not return to their village until cadres of NSCN (K) and UNLF shifted their camps from their area.
Around 40 people from Old and New Mandiu villages were also taking shelter at ADM quarter, medical gate at the district headquarters. Meanwhile, the NSCN (K) spokesperson addressing mediapersons said that Hangyibe defied several warnings to stop his anti-NSCN (K) activities. He was caught on June 1 afternoon from Kandihang village along with one Dichuriang Zeme and two letters belonging to a valley outfit and another from NSCN (IM) were seized. The letters established an understanding between the security forces and the NSCN (IM) and its valley allies to conduct military operations against the NSCN (K) operating in the Zeliangrong region. He further charged Hangyibe of mobilising support for NSCN (IM) against the NSCN (K) and as a result capital punishment had to be meted out to him while his companion Dichuriang was released after a stern warning.
Reacting to reports in some section of the media under the caption ‘ZSU decries killing’, the spokesperson also said that there is no Zeliangrong Students Union in the Zeliangrong region. However only an organisation by the name ‘All Zeliangrong Students Union, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland is recognised in the area and the claims by the so called ZSU are not authentic. ZSU cannot be formed in the interest of some persons and they have to surrender to the NSCN (K) at the earliest for creating confusion to the public. Failing which, the ZSU leaders will face the same punishment meted out to Hangyibe, he said. The spokesperson also said that Zeliangrong people in the region should not attend any meeting convened by the NSCN (IM) and anybody found doing so will be given severe punishments. Commenting on the recent AR-NSCN (IM) confrontation at Marao village of Ukhrul district, the spokesperson also said that AR personnel are now acting after realizing that NSCN (IM) is violating the agreed ground rules of the ceasefire in Manipur. Many unauthorised designated camps of the NSCN (IM) are being set up in the state thereby causing unnecessary problems for the Naga people. The NSCN (IM) should be responsible for any untoward incidents happening with the Naga people in the state, he added.
Commentary: Mukherjee :After reading this article I checked some information and, to my amazement, found that two-thirds of Manipur are inhabited by the Nagas since time immemorial. No wonder, the Meiteis are teaming up with the Assam Rifles and terror group of Burmese Khaplang to wipe out the Nagas from the Zeliangrong Region of Nagalim. Meiteis of 800 square miles Meiteiland are fools who are doomed.
Official stamp
The Ukhrul incident at Marao village tells two things distinctly. The first is that the 8 years of cease fire between the Indian Government and the NSCN (IM) has not been able to wipe away the deep fear psychosis that has gripped the mentality of the people of Manipur and the second point is the fact that designated camps of the NSCN (IM) do exist in Manipur. As reported in all section of the press in Manipur, the people of Marao village in Ukhrul's Kamjong Assembly Constituency have fled their homesteads fearing a clash between the Assam Rifles and the NSCN (IM). The fear of the villager is not unfounded for the Assam Rifles is understood to have given the marching orders to the NSCN (IM) to pack up and vacate their camp at Marao village by June 2. On the other hand the outfit is of the opinion that the Assam Rifles has no business to tell them to shut up camp for it is a matter between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) and the Deputy CO of the camp has even gone on record and stated that his men will fight till the last man to defend their camp. Clearly a no win situation for the villagers. Moving to safer climes seems to have been the next best thing to do and this is what the villagers have precisely done. The Naga people are no longer strangers to the brutalities and excesses of the security personnel and their decision to leave everything and go somewhere until matter cools down a bit is a telling commentary that the bonhomie that had developed between the villagers and the security personnel during the last 8 years was as fragile as the peace talk between the NSCN (IM) and Delhi. So much for the fear psychosis and innate lack of trust on the security personnel.
The stand off between the Assam Rifles and the NSCN (IM) has also given an official stamp to the fact that there are camps of the outfit opened in the hill districts of Manipur. Yes, the ceasefire between the Centre and the outfit is limited only to Nagaland and does not cover other parts of the country but this is only on paper and the quit notice served on the IM group by the Assam Rifles is a telling commentary of how Manipur has come under the cease fire pact, unofficially of course. We have nothing against peace reigning in the hills of Manipur and are in fact all for it, but the matter of greater import here is the question of whether Delhi or the Naga outfit are adhering to the ground rules of the cease fire pact. Opening camps in Manipur, where the cease fire is not enforced officially will surely violate the cease fire ground rules and it is this that both the parties should study and try to understand. For the peace talk between the IM group and Delhi to arrive at its logical conclusion, it is important that both sides observe and strictly adhere to the agreed rules and regulations. Violating any of the clauses in the cease fire pact will mean that both the parties still do not trust each other and that is certainly not the way to pursue a solution to the decades old Naga political problem. The villagers of Marao have been forced to leave their homes and hearths and it is right that both sides introspect and try to sincerely answer the question of whether they are being faithful to each other or not.
ULFA leaders to be freed if they come for talks By Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, June 4 (IANS) The Assam government says it will release senior leaders of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) if it agrees to open peace talks with New Delhi. The outlawed ULFA Monday demanded the release of the four as a precondition to holding talks with the Indian government.
"From our side we are ready to release some jailed ULFA leaders if we get a formal letter from the outfit," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told reporters here. "We are prepared to walk the extra mile to facilitate holding of talks with ULFA," he added. The Indian government last week formally invited ULFA for talks aimed at ending more than 25 years of violent insurgency in the region.
"We require at least 10 members of our Central Committee to discuss New Delhi's offer for talks. Right now, only six members are free and the rest are in jail," ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah said in a statement.
"We want four of our Central Committee leaders to be released unconditionally to enable us to sit together and discuss the government's offer for talks." There are at least 10 top ULFA leaders currently in jail. They include its vice president Pradip Gogoi, publicity chief Mithingia Daimary and cultural secretary Pranati Deka. "We are offering safe passage to all ULFA leaders to enable them to come for talks. We do not want to put any hurdle and want them to come to the negotiating table," the chief minister said. The ULFA is a militant group fighting for an independent homeland in Assam. It is considered one of the most organised rebel groups in the northeast with an estimated 3,000 fighters. Last week, Indian National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan sent a letter to ULFA chairman Arabinda Rakhowa asking the group to come for talks to end the dragging insurgency in Assam. "There is a definite forward movement in the peace process. This is the first time ULFA has softened its stand and talking of holding peace negotiations," said Gogoi.
Bangladesh rejects media report on Indian rebel outfit By Farid Ahmed, Indo-Asian News Service
Dhaka, June 4 (IANS) Bangladesh Saturday rejected a media report alleging that a prominent Indian rebel outfit - United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) - was running seven hotels and operating three bank accounts in the country. Bangladesh Inspector General of Police, Abdul Quayyum, said: "We reject the allegation as we don't have any such information."
A media report had Friday quoted S.C. Srivastava, inspector general of the Indian Border Security Force of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland, as saying at a news conference in India that the ULFA-run hotels were located in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet. He had said ULFA runs three bank accounts which 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. A senior official at the ministry of home affairs, denying the media report, said Dhaka did not have any such information.
"We haven't received any such allegations from India," he told IANS. Three hotels in Dhaka named by Srivastava are: Surma International on Taj Mahal Road, Hotel Mohammadia in Mirpur and Padma International in Banani. According to Srivastava, these hotels are managed by ULFA cadre members Subal Barua alias Ahmed, Satish Sharma alias Kamal and Ashish Deka alias Hossain. He said the ULFA has two hotels in Sylhet - Keya International in Zinda Bazar area managed by Dulal Roy alias Saidul and Yamuna on University Road run by Anil Dey alias Sohal. Two other hotels Srivastava named were Hotel Basundhara managed by Subhash Deka alias Humayun at Halishahar and Raj King by Kanailal Barman alias Rubel at Pahartali in Chittagong.
Assamese youths hunt for Bangladeshis at night By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Jorhat, June 5 (IANS) An anti-Bangladeshi phobia has gripped Assam, with groups of youths hounding people out of their homes. As dusk sets in, groups of youths numbering 15 to 20 move around the lanes and by-lanes looking for Bengali-speaking people and warning locals against letting out their houses to those people.
"Please ask these (Bengali-speaking) people to vacate the houses immediately or else we will come and set your house on fire," the group warned a house owner in Jorhat, 310 km east of Assan's main city of Guwahati in India's restive northeast. The tenants, most of whom were daily wage earners, began to pack up and leave in no time after the threat. "We do not know where they have gone," says Tilak Das, the landlord. Soon after, a police van went around the area, with an official assuring landlords and tenants they had nothing to be frightened about. "If you are Indian citizens, you should be bold enough to stay put and not flee. If someone tries to scare you, just report the incident to the nearest police station," the officer said as people gathered around the vehicle. But the police presence failed to enthuse middle-aged Nal Banu, a mother of two.
"My brother was hit on his head by some youths, saying we were Bangladeshis. We are very much Indian and my grandfather was the village headman in Dhubri (Assam) district and received a government pension," Banu said as she prepared to leave Jorhat out of fear. Assam is currently witnessing a massive anti-alien campaign with thousands of people thought to be Bengali-speaking migrant workers fleeing their workplaces from at least a dozen Assamese towns and cities after an unidentified group distributed leaflets asking them to leave or else face "action". The group has also stuffed leaflets in letterboxes and sent messages on mobile phones, telling people not to employ "illegal foreigners". Many of these Bengali workers were engaged in brick kilns, pedalled rickshaws or performed menial jobs. The Assam government has ordered a probe to ascertain if the fleeing workers were actually Bangladeshi migrants. The police were also asked to be on alert to prevent the outbreak of communal clashes.
"We shall not tolerate if someone tries to take the law in their own hands. We are also committed to providing security to all," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said. "We cannot say for sure that there are no Bangladeshis at all. But to say all Bengali-speaking people who practise a particular religious faith are illegal migrants will be wrong," he added. Assam shares a 272-km border with Bangladesh, much of it unfenced. Indian officials claim that large-scale infiltration threatens the region's demographic profile. There are no official estimates of the number of migrants in Assam. Dhaka denies allegations that it encourages people to enter India illegally, and the volatile issue has often sparked violent clashes between border guards on both sides.
‘No ULFA hotels in Bangladesh’ Assam Tribune
DHAKA, June 4 – Bangladesh today dismissed as “unfounded” reports of ULFA insurgents running hotels and having bank accounts in the country. “Bangladesh does not allow its territory to be used by any insurgent or extremist groups against neighbouring countries, or any other country for that matter,” a foreign ministry spokesman here said.
“It is unfortunate that these allegations are being made when Bangladesh is taking positive steps on many fronts,” the spokesman said adding, the position of Bangladesh on the issue of insurgents was well known. Bangladesh Inspector General of Police Abdul Qayum had earlier said his country would investigate India's claim that ULFA was running seven hotels of international standard in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet. “We don’t have any such information ... It seems incorrect to me,” Qayum said. However, he said they would check out the information. BSF Inspector-General of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland Frontier S C Srivastava had yesterday said that ULFA was running seven hotels of international standard in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet district, besides operating three bank accounts in the country. – PTI
Joint BSF-BDR patrolling along Garo Hills sector of int’l border From Our Correspondent
TURA, June 4 – In a major thawing of relations between the Border Security Force and their counterpart the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), it has been decided that a joint patrolling of the border will begin from this month to boost relations between the two paramilitary forces. This decision was taken at a high level meeting between officials of the Border Security Force (BSF) and theBangladesh Rifles (BDR) that took place in the Garo Hills sector, for the first time, on Thursday morning at Beldoba border, 4 km from Mahendraganj town in West Garo Hills. While Tura Sector Commander and DIG of BSF, R C Colney led the BSF delegation, the BDR delegation was led by Sector Commander H M Maqbool Hossain. The closed-door meeting, which was cordial in nature, discussed the need to have a joint patrolling of the border, the problem of influx and crossing to and fro by intruders (read militants), cattle lifting, and ways to tackle the large-scale smuggling racket of timber, food items and contraband all along the border. The next such meeting is to take place in Bangladesh side of the broder in September. As per the signed agreement of the meeting, the joint patrolling will take place within this month itself in which there will be two patrol parties. A patrol party of BSF and BDR will meet at the Zero Line after the exchange of pleasantries. Both parties would patrol a similar route, the BSF on their own side and the BDR keeping to their side of the border.
The cutting of the border fencing in certain pockets by Bangladeshi nationals to enter India was also intimated to the BDR Sector Commander Mr Hossain, who claimed to be unaware of it. Following complaints by the BSF of such incidents in many parts of the borderline, the BDR delegation agreed to “educate” their nationals to refrain from committing such crimes. The BSF delegation also informed their counterparts that such happenings, which occur during the night, could lead to casualties of Bangladeshi nationals because most parts of the border have a night curfew imposed by the respective district administrations and it also enforces the BSF to open fire on intruders. As a first step to put an end to fence cutting, the BSF has entrusted this work to the picket checking parties who will monitor the fencing morning and night. Smuggling of timber and contraband and cattle-lifting were also raised by the BSF authorities who urged the BDR to clamp down on the perpretrators. However, when it came to North-east militants taking shelter inside Bangladesh territory the BDR delegation outrightly denied the presence of any militants and their camps. The BDR delegation informed that a massive operation, which began last week, is continuing throughout the border belt to arrest “gun runners” and destroy their bases. Intelligence agencies monitoring Bangladesh, however, reveal that the ongoing BDR operation to arrest gun-runners inside Bangladesh and claims of several arrests and killing of Indian militants is only a media propaganda.
Gogoi ready to give ULFA members free passage NET News Network
Guwahati, June 4: In an important development, Assam Chief minister Tarun Gogoi today announced that his government is ready to give free passage to the jailed ULFA central executive members if such a proposal came from the outfit or the Centre in the larger interest of the state. ULFA C-in-C Paresh Barua recently demanded freedom of its ten imprisoned members of the 16-member central executive council so that the Centre's recent invitation for talks could be discussed. Gogoi also pointed out that the government could free only those in Assam jails, but had no authority to set ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia free from Bangladesh jail. It was for the central and state governments to create a congenial atmosphere for the talks and prove their sincerity by releasing the imprisoned ULFA top leaders, Gogoi said.
Jun 18 victims’ families cry for unity among all
IMPHAL, Jun 4 : Members of the "Victim Family 18 June 2001" has today appealed to the all the organisations to observe the upcoming "The Great June Uprising" together at Kekrupat. Speaking to media-persons this after-noon, "Victim Family 18 June 2001" convenor G Rajen said that the obser-vation should be held at Kekrupat as the graves of all the martyrs who sacri-ficed their lives during the ceasefire agitation lay at Kekrupat. He also said that organisation's desire for observing the "The Great June Uprising" at Kekrupat has not been influenced by any organisation.
LFA term: PMO for date with Gogoi By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, June 4: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will contact the Centre on the release of ten jailed ULFA leaders as demanded by the outfit so as to enable it to take a decision on the PMO’s invitation for peace talks. Noted writer Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami told The Sentinel over telephone from New Delhi today that National Security Advisor MK Naranayan had telephoned and asked her to contact the Chief Minister to convey the message that the Narayanan wanted to talk to him. Later Dr Goswami contacted Gogoi. "The Chief Minister told me that he would contact Narayanan soon to discuss the issue of releasing ten ULFA leaders to pave the way for peace talks," she said.
Meanwhile, the bearer of the hard copy of the letter of the PMO to the ULFA inviting it for talks had crossed the Indo-Bangladesh border to reach the outfit’s hideout in Bangladesh, she said. Sources said that the copy of the letter is being taken to a joint camp of the ULFA and the ATTF located in the Satsari area of the neighbouring country.On the other hand, in a press conference held today, Gogoi said that the State Government was ready to free ten central executive members of the ULFA if such a proposal comes from the outfit in the interest of the proposed peace talks.
SJMA for multilateral talks with NDFB, round-table talks on autonomy By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, June 4: The Sanmilita Janagosthiya Mancha, Asom (SJMA), a united platform of various organizations spearheading the anti-Sixth Schedule ‘movement’ in the State, has suggested for multilateral talks in the proposed negotiation with the proscribed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). Meanwhile, a delegation of the SJMA is leaving for New Delhi on Sunday next to meet the President and the Prime Minister to submit a memorandum urging them to hold a round table conference comprising all the ethnic communities of the State to find out an all-acceptable solution of the vexed autonomous issue. The Mancha also believes that granting territorial autonomy to some ethnic groups under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which was allegedly done by the State Government to ‘boost its narrow electoral politics’, only has created division among the various communities of the State. Brajen Mahanta, chief convenor of the Mancha, while talking to The Sentinel, said that large-scale violence in the recent BTC election has proved the futility of the decision of creating the BTAD in the name of ‘peaceful solution of the Bodo problem’ by ignoring of the opinion of the majority non-Bodo people living in the area. The Mancha will continue to oppose the creation of the BTAD under the Sixth Schedule, he said. A proposal in this regard has been passed in the recent executive meeting of the Mancha. The meeting, presided over by Mahanta, was attended by among others by Sushil Patowari, Mahsin Alam, Nipun Bora, Hareswar Barman, Manoj Gogoi, Prabhat Sarma, Mukut Singh Chutia and Sapon Bora. The meeting also decided to stage a demonstration at Guwahati in protest against the alleged Sixth Schedule ‘politics’ of the State Government. It has expressed concern over the State Government move to grant councils, harnessed with ‘more power’, to the Rabhas, the Tiwas and the Misings, said Mahanta. According to him, the State Government has declared on the floor of the State Assembly that the Autonomous Council with ‘more power’ will be given to the Rabhas, the Tiwas and the Misings after June 9, which cannot be accepted. Meanwhile, the Mancha has demanded that before granting such autonomy to any ethnic community, the State Government should clarify publicly about the significance of the term ‘more power.’ It may be mentioned that the Mancha has threatened to launch a mass movement, including calling of Assam bandh from the very day of the proposed granting of such autonomy.
Hagrama blocking peace among Bodos: ABSU From our Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, June 4: "Hagrama Mohilary has the maximum responsibility to bring in a congenial atmosphere within the Bodoland Territorial Council, but his irresponsible approach and ambiguous statements are blocking the peace process for reuniting the separated Bodo leaders," said ABSU president Rwngwra Narzary while talking to this correspondent recently. Narzary said that the unification move would not yield any positive result unless Hagrama Mohilary shows positive response. The student leader alleged that the Congress Government did not want to make Bodo leaders united. It would use the NDFB as a divisive force in the forthcoming Assembly election, he stated. Narzary hoped that the newly-formed Council would work for the progress of the people.
