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06/10/2005: "Fresh AR-NSCN confrontation in Ukhrul, four reported wounded"

Fresh AR-NSCN confrontation in Ukhrul, four reported wounded The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL/Ukhrul, Jun 9: Just a few days after the highly charged situation in Phungyar subdivision of Ukhrul district owing to a confrontation between Assam Rifles troops and NSCN(IM) cadres, an armed clash took place between the two sides at Kachai Phungthar village, in Chingai subdivision yesterday afternoon, in which at least three AR personnel and one NSCN(IM) cadre were reportedly injured. To add to the animosity of the two sides, the NSCN(IM) has also accused the Assam Rifles of being involved in ganja smuggling. Initial reports said troops of the 13th Assam Rifles, based at Tolloi, were headed towards Khamason on patrol when they were fired upon by suspected NSCN(IM) insurgents yesterday afternoon at around 1 pm. At least three Assam Rifles jawans sustained minor injuries in the incident, top Army sources said when contacted. The sources however said that it has not been confirmed that the attackers belonged to the NSCN(IM). The sources also disclosed that an AK-47 rifle with a magazine and 18 live r2ounds was recovered by the AR personnel.

On the other hand, when a team of mediapersons, including IFP correspondent John K Kaping visited the site, villagers said an NSCN(IM) cadre was wounded when AR personnel opened indiscriminate fire inside the village yesterday afternoon.
Villagers said around 32-35 AR personnel commanded by a major came to the village in the early afternoon in a civilian Shaktiman truck without registration number, covered in blue plastic. The AR personnel stopped at the headman’s house, and at that time, they spotted a NSCN(IM) man standing outside with an AK-57 rifle. The AR personnel, led by their officer, then opened indiscriminate fire, wounding the NSCN cadre, the villagers said. The officer also chased after the cadre and wrested the AK-47 rifle from him but the latter managed to escape into the jungle.

The AR personnel thereafter conducted a house search, physically assaulted the villagers, and detained four of them. The latter were however released after detention at their camp, the villagers informed. When the village womenfolk demanded arrest memos for the detained villagers, the AR officer made them sign a statement saying the NSCN had opened fire at them first, the villagers charged. In the meantime, the NSCN(IM)’s crime suppression department’s southern zone commander, Angam Kagingnmei, charged that the AR with involvement in ganja smuggling in the area, stating that right after the incident yesterday, villagers saw ten loaded jeeps passing through the area. He also maintained that similar incidents have happened in the past, in one of which an NSCN(IM) cadre, one Isaac, was shot in the shoulder. The NSCN representative also charged that the AR had taken away a sum of Rs. 25,000 from the house his cadres had occupied, apart from documents, photographs, uniforms, and a licensed shotgun. Leaders of the TNL, TKS, NPMHR, TMNL also visited the spot and condemned the ‘terrorising acts’ of the Assam Rifles, and said these acts would be taken up at the highest levels.

Therie un-satisfied DAN performance on peace process, worried on fragile peace process Oken Jeet Sandham

Kohima, June 9 (NEPS): Former Finance Minister K Therie has today expressed serious concern on the 8-year old fragile peace process between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM). He says there is no headway in the talks between the two parties, while widening more and more the gulf among the factions leading to serious threat to the peace process. Talking to NEPS here at his official residence on Thursday, the former Finance Minister explains that the Government of India had entered into a truce pact with the NSCN (IM) and also with the NSCN (K) to find a durable and permanent solution to the protracted Naga political problem. “But the trouble is both factions cannot come down from their stand and positions because that have become a prestige issue for them, “ Therie says. “In the process, they have developed hatreds and suspicions each other leading to senseless fratricides.”

In order to secure a “negotiated settlement” to the longstanding Naga political problem, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) had gone to the people with a Common Minimum Program (CMP). Therefore, it is the duty of the elected representatives to play an effective and responsible role to build up strategies to fulfill what was committed in their CMP, Therie says. “We have also adopted the policy of equi-closeness, which means, we are supposed to maintain equi-relation with all the factions---so that there can be free and frank discussions,” the former Minister states and further asks “What is the difficulty sitting with brothers and share the truth and reality of the Nagas.”

He is however is not satisfied with the performance of the DAN Government with regards to its role as per the CMP. “I sometimes doubt whether we are really for the solution or for the chair,” he questions.
Therie says peace is really expensive for the people of Nagaland because after 22 years of Shilling Accord, they have ceasefire. He recalls how they had persuaded late Rajiv Gandhi when he came to Dimapur in 1990 for election campaign to initiate talks with the Naga underground leaders without any pre-condition. Rajiv promised to the Naga people that he would take up the matter, but unfortunately, he was killed in Tamil Nadu the next day while campaigning.

“Then again when late Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao came to Dimapur, we reiterated him to fulfill the commitment of Rajiv Gandhi,” Therie says adding, “Rao initiated and NSCN (IM) leaders had positively responded to the call.” “We are happy today that we have this costly ceasefires after so many years and making many sacrifices,” the former Minister points out. “Therefore, if the ceasefire is abrogated without any headway, I think the State Government is also equally held responsible,” Therie asserts. “Because we have gone to the Naga people with a commitment enshrined to our CMP to secure a negotiated settlement to the long-drawn-out Naga political problem.”

The former Minister also asserts they should not let the golden chance at hand slip off because once the ceasefire is abrogated, it will take a generation to have another ceasefire. “I don’t know how many people will live to see such another arrangement of ceasefire for talks,” he adds. On the NSCN (IM) allegation that he met NNC president Adino Phizo in London and for which he should not be in the Rio Ministry, Therie asks why should they (NSCN-IM) prevent him from meeting his “brothers and sisters.” Then anybody meeting Khaplang or Isak or Muivah should also not be inducted in the Ministry, he argues. Regretting on the recent incidents in Tobu, the former Minister avers the Government has so far not paid serious thought to put an end to the recurrence of the incidents. No serious attempt was made in the past and organizing temporary team at the time of incident will not help unless the Government formulates long-term plan by studying the ground. “If we are ruling, the primary duty is to protect the lives and properties of the citizens,” he states.

National Security Advisor Steps In To Save Naga Talks kuknalim.com
NEW DELHI, June 8: National security adviser M.K. Narayanan today stepped in to save the Naga peace talks by holding a late-night closed-door meeting with Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of the NSCN(I-M). The peace talks are gridlocked with both sides having apprised the other of their respective points of view over more than eight rounds of discussions and showing no signs of budging from them. The Nagas are believed to have put forward their position in a logical and clear manner. They are unwilling to go beyond what they have offered in their last memorandum — a re-negotiated federal relationship with India that cannot be changed by either side unilaterally.

However, the Centre is unable to concede re-negotiation of the federal relationship between itself and Nagaland for fear of opening a Pandora’s box. It also finds it difficult to agree to the integration of the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh with Nagaland though the NSCN (I-M) is ready for a two stage process — recognising the legitimacy of the Naga demand for integration in the first stage and then finding an instrumentality for integration in the second. The government is, however, encouraging the NSCN (I-M) leaders to hold discussions with political leaders from these states. To that end, Muivah recently held a meeting with the Naga legislators from some of these states in New Delhi. Meanwhile, some in the government are questioning the wisdom of inviting the top leadership of the NSCN (I-M) to India if no concessions are to be made to the militant organisation whose desire for peace has been apparent for quite some time. Since the formal talks are not moving forward, a realisation seems to be dawning that if there is to be any breakthrough then it would possibly come through informal talks — the meeting with Narayanan being the first such step.

Informal meetings are also to be held between Muivah and Oscar Fernandes, minister of state for programme implementation, who is leading a three-member team of ministers in the peace talks. Fernandes is likely to hold informal talks with Muivah after he completes the process of the Congress’s internal elections, as he is chairman of the party’s central election authority. The process of election or nomination is likely to be over in the next few days. - M. Bhushan

‘Great Uprising’ misplaced, say Nagas Athili KOHIMA/IMPHAL, JUN 9 (EMN) Eastern Mirror

Even as the Government of India (GoI) prepares to take on critical issues with the NSCN(IM), its leading paramilitary force has continued to play its role as partners in maintaining the ‘territorial integrity’ of the North Eastern states.
Director General Assam Rifles (DGAR) Maj. Gen. BS Ghotra recently stated that the Naga Ceasefire is confined to the State of Nagaland, thereby toeing a predictable line and ensuring that the counter insurgency ‘experts’ receives support from the Imphal valley.
With the AFSPA Review Committee set up by the GoI having submitted its report, Naga observers say the reiteration by the Assam Rifles is a double-edged sword to appease those who demand the total repeal of the Act widely considered ‘draconian’ and ‘extra-constitutional.’
The Meitei success in reclaiming the Kangla after more than a 100 years from Assam Rifles occupation is seen as a great victory for their people.
However, on other crucial issues, Nagas appear perplexed that the mainstream Meitei intelligentsia has not been able to move any step forward to allow the tribals to decide their future and has gone on overdrive again with June 18 approaching.
It may be recalled that 18 people lost their lives four years ago as they protested the extension of the Naga ceasefire ‘without territorial limits’.
Today, June 18 has been declared a holiday and the Government of Manipur observe it as ‘State Integrity Day’.
While the commotion in 2001 was restricted to the Imphal valley that make up just about 10 percent of the total land mass, the Naga hills witnessed an exodus in magnitude never seen before. The emotional upsurge saw an exodus from the Imphal valley never experienced witnessed here in such proportions in history here. Though most tribals have returned to their businesses and settlements in the valley, many stayed back in the districts to start a new life.
What has hurt the Nagas is the Government of Manipur not acknowledging, till date, that there was any displacement or movement of people to the hills following, what the Meitei press calls, the Great Uprising. Separate preparations are underway by the AMUCO and the UCM to commemorate the day. Meanwhile, in what is seen as a positive step by the Kukis and the Nagas in Manipur, a Caucus started today at Churachandpur, the district headquarters of the former under the theme ‘Reasoning Our Rights Together’. Hosted by the Churachandpur District Students’ Union at Lamka town, the meeting is being attended by representatives of all Nagas and the Kukis.
Ground realities in Nagaland Webnewswire
Although both the Naga underground factions have entered into ceasefire agreement with the Centre, the ground situation in Nagaland is far from encouraging. Reports of fratricidal killings, factional clashes, kidnappings and extortions are pouring in every day from almost all the parts of the State. Fed up with such a rise in factional feuds by exploiting the ceasefire agreement, various Naga organisations have asked both the groups to stop killing each other and unify to find an amicable solution to the vexed Naga problem through negotiations with the Government of India. The worst affected places due to the ongoing factional feuds in Nagaland are Tuensang and Mon. Armed cadres of both the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) are camping in these two places to eliminate each other. Regular exchanges of fire between the two groups have made the life of the common people miserable. Moreover, the so-called 'freedom fighters' do not waste any opportunity to harass the people and the Government officials. The sense of insecurity prevailing in those areas provoked the leaders of Chanh, Yimchunger, Sangtam, Khiammiungan and Phom tribes to take a tough stand against the insurgents. These tribes have threatened non-cooperation if the ultras do not pay any heed to their sincere appeal. The Konyak Union of Nagaland has also condemned the fighting among various underground groups.The union has appealed to all the groups to shun violence.

In such a situation, the NSCN (IM) recently held the Centre responsible for tardy progress in the ongoing political negotiations between the sides. The underground outfit accused the Centre of being insincere towards solving the Naga problem. On the other hand, the NSCN (K) claimed that a meaningful dialogue to solve the Naga problem would take place only after the withdrawal of ban on the outfit and abrogation of all draconian laws such as Armed Forces Special Power Act. There is nothing new in the allegation made by the NSCN (IM) against the Centre. Since long, this insurgent outfit is maintaining that solution to the Naga problem remained elusive because of lack of sincerity on the part of the Indian Government. But, quite interestingly, the outfit never bothered to amend its acts. Since the beginning of ceasefire between the IM group and the Centre, it has indulged in large-scale killing of felow Nagas, who did not adhere to their diktats. The NSCN (IM) went into killing spree in such a fashion that it seemed that ceasefire had given it the licence to kill.

Reeling under the fratricidal killings, the Naga society then appealed to both the factions to stop violence. Various Naga NGOs met the top leadership of both the factions with this appeal. But NSCN (IM) leaders Isac Swu and T. Muivah were unrelented. They categorically stated that the NSCN (IM) was the sole representative of the Nagas and any one who dare not to accept the fact would have to face the consequences. But the common Nagas, all along advocated that a meaningful solution to the problem could be achieved only after the unification of various Naga underground groups. The events following the declaration of ceasefire between the NSCN (IM) and the Centre clearly proved that it was the underground outfit, which was not sincere. If it was sincere enough, it should have shown respect to the wishes of the Naga people. Instead, it went on to establish their supremacy over the Naga people through the strength of guns. On the other hand, the NSCN (K) too had acted against the wishes of the Naga people. After entering into the ceasefire agreement with NSCN (IM), the security forces declared unilateral ceasefire to all the Naga underground factions. The NSCN (K) reciprocated the unilateral declaration of ceasefire by the couple of Armymen. Until they suffered heavy loss at the hands of the Myanmar Army, the Khaplang group of the NSCN never showed any intetions for a negotiated settlement of the Naga problem. There is no harm in talking to both the groups of the NSCN separately to find an amicable solution of the Naga problem. But the underground organisations should be asked categorically to stop factional feuds and killings. As the popular support is with the Centre, it should not allow any factions to make a mockery of the ceasefire agreement. The ground rules of the ceasefire agreement must be adheared to strictly and any violations of the ground rules would invite action. Otherwise, the derailment of the ongoing peace process in Nagaland is inevitable.

Withering away of ULFA

Political movements, which do not have strong ideological base, have a limited life span. These movements in the nascent stage make strong inroads in the psyche of the populance by appealing to their sentiments. However, in the absence of any strong ideology, the support base of these organisations withers away, as the true and hollow nature of these organisations becomes clear with the passage of time. This happened in Tamilnadu in the late sixties, Punjab in eighties and started happening in Assam in late nineties. Today, ULFA is facing resistance from inside the organisation as well as from outside and it may not take too long for it to completely break down. In the second week of February 2000, some of the cadres holding vital posts deserted the organisation. The reason behind these desertions is said to be the frustration of the cadres with the way of functioning of the organisation. At present, no activity is going on except extortion in the name of the organisation. Extortions have been going on from poor village cultivators and general public. The cadres who had joined ULFA in the hope of serving the people are finding themselves engaged in looting, extortions and kidnapping their own people. The cadres are mentally upset and are increasingly getting addicted to liquor. The people, who used to support them and give them shelter, have backed out. They are no longer willing to be a party to the violent acts of ULFA terrorism.

The last part of 1999 saw a revolutionary change in the attitude of people of Assam towards ULFA. With the arrest of four ISI agents working for ULFA, the ULFA-ISI nexus was confirmed, which triggered the process of ULFA losing mass support. Before this revelation, the sympathisers of ULFA were not aware that in the guise of a social reformist organisation, the group had established contacts with the Pakistani intelligence agency. ISI, in fact, has been supporting majority of the militant organisations in the North-Eastern region including the dreaded NSCN-IM. After its failure in Kargil; ISI has plans of cutting the entire north-east from the rest of the country. It has intensified its operations in the narrow sector between Srirampur in Assam and New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, which is also called 'chicken's neck' and is the only road link between entire north-eastern region and the rest of India. ISI has been extending training to ULFA cadres apart from helping them in procuring arms from Bangladesh.

Another factor, which counts in the eroding base of ULFA, is the discovery of mass graves at Ghogabeel, in November 1999. The reaction of the people was intense. The people of Kalitapukhri, Goghabeel have long been suspecting something foul going on at the deserted area, from where, they have been recovering unclaimed human objects and hearing human screams. The operation of uncovering of mass graves, which was joined by thousand residents of Bistupur, Dihjani, Barghopa, Sagakuchi and Katakuchi brought forth the inhuman and barbaric tendencies of ULFA and shattered the myth of ULFA as an organisation working for the people. The process has been continuos. The murders of Sanjoy Ghosh and Ratneswar Sharma , noted scholar, expose the ideologies of ULFA, which is interested in killing people, who are opposed to its ideas. The insurgent outfit even killed its own cadres, who questioned its proximity to ISI. In January 2000,134 ULFA and BLT militants surrendered before the common people in Assam. There was nothing official about it. Neither was there any Central dignitary present nor the Governor, Chief Minister or somebody from Army top brass. The surrendered cadres said that they had realised that their path was wrong. Binoy Rava, Commander of ULFA's Western command, who was among them, admitted that he had been awarded death penalty by the ULFA because of his opposition to some of their activities. The feelings of these cadres reflect the change in attitude of these boys towards the organisation and may result in more surrenders in near future.
We will not jump parole, say jailed ULFA leaders By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, June 10 (IANS) Top jailed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) leaders in Assam say they will not jump parole if the government frees them to facilitate holding of peace talks with New Delhi.
"If the government is sincere in its intentions of bringing in peace, they should release us to pave the way for holding talks," ULFA vice chairman Pradip Gogoi told IANS outside a local court in Assam's main city of Guwahati. "We are not going to flee or repeat the strategy that we adopted in the past."
In 1992, a group of five senior jailed ULFA leaders were freed and taken to New Delhi for initiating talks with then prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. After holding one round of talks, the leaders jumped parole. "The situation then was quite different from now with the people of Assam clamouring for peace and our leadership, too, is equally keen to resolve the conflict through negotiations," the ULFA leader said. Last week the outlawed group, which has been battling for an independent homeland in Assam since 1979, demanded the release of four jailed leaders as a precondition for holding talks with the government.
"Our (ULFA) constitution clearly states that no important political decision can be taken without a quorum in the central executive. It will be in the interests of peace that the government first release us from jail," said another top woman ULFA leader Pranati Deka. In a statement earlier, ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah had demanded the release of some of the outfit's jailed leaders, saying they require at least 10 members of their central committee to discuss New Delhi's offer of talks.
"Right now, only six members are free and the rest are in jail," the rebel statement said. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had earlier announced that his government was prepared to "walk the extra mile" to facilitate holding of talks with the ULFA. "We have no problems in releasing the jailed ULFA leaders if that helps in ushering in peace," the chief minister said.
PM flexible on holding talks with ULFA: Gogoi By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, June 10 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has agreed to adopt a flexible stance on the government opening talks with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), says Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
"The prime minister is ready to do whatever possible to initiate the peace process," Gogoi told IANS on telephone from New Delhi Friday. "We are happy to find the central government so very sincere in opening talks with the ULFA and hope to see a breakthrough soon."
Gogoi met the prime minister and India's National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan in New Delhi Thursday night to discuss the ULFA demand for the release of some of its jailed guerrilla leaders as a precondition for holding peace talks with the government. "I am told that the central government will respond to the ULFA's demand only after it receives a formal reply to a letter from the PMO (Prime Minister's Office) inviting the rebel leadership for peace talks," Gogoi said.
The letter signed by Narayanan was handed over last fortnight to noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami, formally inviting the ULFA leadership to come for talks aimed at ending close to three decades of violent insurgency in the region. Goswami had been sought by the ULFA to mediate for peace talks with the central government. "I believe the ULFA leadership has received the letter by now and am sure they will respond very soon," Goswami said on telephone from New Delhi. Last week, the outlawed group, which has been fighting for an independent homeland in Assam since 1979, demanded the release of four jailed leaders as a precondition for talks with the government.
"Let them (ULFA) first respond to New Delhi's letter and from our side we have already committed to removing all obstacles to the pave the way for holding talks," Gogoi said. "We have no problems in releasing the jailed ULFA leaders if that helps in ushering peace in the region."
Six extremists held with arms The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, June 8: A militant of the underground KYKL has been arrested by a combined team of the CDO Thoubal and Imphal west from Sagolband area during a search operation conducted this morning from 12.05am to 10.30am. The arrested militant has been identified as Loktongbam Bedanta Meitei alias Dinesh alias Deva, 27 of Sagolband Moiranghanuba Leirak. One Norinco 9 mm Pistol No 213-B of China made along with one Magazine containing six live rounds and a sum of Rs 15000 in cash was recovered from the possession of the arrested militant. Meanwhile, the Imphal east police has also arrested one activist of the NSCN(IM) during a cordon and search operation conducted this morning around 7 am at Nagaram. The arrested militant has been identified as Harvalong Wungnaoshang, 25 of Chatric Khunoum, Ukhrul.

Later, the same police team also arrested one member of the UNLF during a cordon and search operation conducted this morning around 8.30 am at Khurai Leirikyengbam Leikai. The arrested militant has been identified as Sanjrambam Inaoton Meitei alias Babu, 29 of Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai, according to a release. A combined team of Imphal west district police commandos and personnel of 4 Assam Rifles conducted a cordon and search operation at Takyel Khongbal and arrested an activist of UNLF. The arrested UNLF activist is identified as Laishram Chaoba Singh alias Tonjao, 20, of Keirak Yawabung Leikai. Further, the Imphal west commandos arrested two members of Kuki Liberation Army, KLA identified as Jamkhohao Haokip alias Haopu, 28, of Nongmaiband, Senapati district and Sagolsem Binodkumar Singh, 33, of Takhel Mamang Leikai near the gate of CADA office while they were coming out after serving a demand letter of Rs. 50,000 to the EE, CADA at about 3.30 pm today, the release said. It also stated that the two arrested cadres have delivered many demand letters to Moreh Tata Sumo Owners’ Association and Moreh Bus Owners’ Association. Further, the duo have visited the director of education (s) in connection with upgradation of work of Pungkhothang High School, Churachandpur. The estimated amount of work for the upgradation is Rs. 2 crores, the release added.

Release of ULFA leaders likely From Our Staff Correspondent Assam Tribune

NEW DELHI, June 9 – The Centre is keen to carry forward the peace process with the ULFA but till today no communication has been received from the militant outfit in response to the Centre’s last letter, said Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh at a meeting with Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi this evening. Talking to this correspondent after the meeting, Gogoi said that the State Government made its stand clear on the issue of parleys with the ULFA and “we don’t want to stand in the way of talks and the demand for release of senior ULFA leaders may be considered sympathetically.”

The Chief Minister also requested the Prime Minister to play a positive role for the early setting up of the gas cracker project. The Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) should be entrusted with the job of setting up the project, and the Assam Government has already given the concessions requested for by GAIL. The Prime Minister has assured him that he will take up the matter with the Petroleum Ministry soon to resolve the impasse.
The National Security Advisor, MK Narayanan, was also present in the meeting. Meanwhile, earlier in the day Gogoi met HRD Minister Arjun Singh and requested that the funding pattern of the Sarba Siksha Abhijan Mission should be changed to 90 per cent grant. Singh told him that the HRD Ministry has already forwarded such a proposal to the Planning Commission.

PTI adds from Guwahati: ULFA vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi today said the proposed peace talks between the government and his outfit depended on the creation of a ‘conducive atmosphere’ by the Centre and release of ten jailed members of its central executive committee.
“We have done our part. The Assam Government has also done all it can. Now, it is for the Central Government to show its goodwill and sincerity for the talks and decide when to start,” he said. By conducive atmosphere he meant unconditional release of 10 jailed ULFA central executive committee members who, along with six other members, could take decision on the invitation from the Prime Minister's Office for talks. Gogoi was talking to PTI at the Designated Court here where he was produced in connection with a TADA bail case On June 3, Gogoi had told reporters that both the State and Central Governments should respond to ULFA commander-in- chief Paresh Baruah’s demand for freeing the incarcerated leaders. Asked how the ULFA all along was taking decisions on its activities without the presence of the 10 jailed members, he said ULFA had a standing committee which had earlier taken certain decisions on its activities. Gogoi said both the people of Assam and ULFA want the talks and peace. “We want a satisfactory solution to the impasse.”
Asked if his outfit was agreeable to autonomy for Assam instead of pressing with the core issue of sovereignty, the number two in the ULFA leadership hierachy said, “The issue of autonomy has not come up with the ULFA”.

China for more trade points with India Assam Tribune
BEIJING, June 9 – Seeking to give a further push to bilateral economic ties, China today expressed its readiness to open more border points for trade with India even as it said the two countries should handle the boundary issue with “prudence”, reports PTI. “If the Indian side agrees, we are ready to open more border points,” Wu Dawei, Vice-Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said during an interaction with a delegation of Indian correspondents on a host of issues, including the boundary problem, Tibet and India’s bid for a permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
“We take a positive attitude in promoting bilateral trade,” said Wu, who emphasised that, at present, both nations were seeing “one of the best periods of India-China relationship”.
Asked about promoting the trade between the Ladhakh region in Jammu and Kashmir and western Tibet in China, he said, “I have not conducted any serious study on it. If necessary, we will do it (the study)”.

On the vexed boundary issue, Wu said the signing of the agreement by India and China on guiding principles on the border issue during Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao’s recent India visit, had provided a “critical guarantee” for settlement of the problem. The agreement, Wu said, enables both countries to proceed smoothly in addressing the boundary issue. “The two governments have to handle this issue with prudence”.
Noting that further meetings will be held between the Special Representatives of both sides in the near future, Wu, who had been involved in the earlier negotiations, said: “To adjust the boundaries clarification of LAC (Line of Actual Control) is what both sides will do as a next step.”

NDA to discuss Advani issue Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, June 9 – NDA convener George Farnandes today said the alliance would be meeting within a day or two to discuss the resignation of LK Advani as BJP president in the wake of his remarks on Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah, reports PTI. Pointing out that the Jinnah issue was not an NDA issue but a BJP one, Fernandes said, the NDa would be meeting within a day or two to discuss the Advani issue (resignation).
“All of us are talking about a national discussion to correct history that has been twisted so long”, he told reporters adding that “I will defend Advani to the end.”
To a query on Tehelka expose, the former Defence Minister asked” is it journalism to throw money at army officers’.
During his visit here since yesterday, Fernandes said he had interacted with Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader and told them that every one should ensure to dislodge Congress government from the state in the Assembly elections due next year.
Army upset with PLA intrusions in Arunachal NET News Network
Guwahati, June 9: The Indian Army has taken serious note of seven “perceived violations” of the LAC by the Chinese PLA in the last six months in the Sikkim-Arunachal Pradesh sector, the last in Arunachal Pradesh in April which China strenuously denied. The government could take up the LAC violations with China shortly, and seek regular sector-level contacts between the two armies, and India will also protest the temporary shelters and marking stones put up by visiting PLA patrols, whose per unit strength has increased from eight to twenty men. With Bhutan, despite having a demarcated border, a Chinese road network is violating fifty kilometres of its territory, and China has recommenced the road-building after temporarily halting it following Bhutanese protests.
Centre unhappy over ULFA’s response NET News Network
Guwahati, June9: Expressing unhappiness over ULFA’s response to PMO’s letter, the Centre today stated that the outfit instead of going public should have responded in a formal way. In an important meeting held today which was attended by the Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh, PM’s National Security Advisor M. K Narayanan, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Commissioner & Secretary to Assam CM, impression was expressed that this was not the ideal way to respond to PMO’s letter.
“ The outfit instead of expressing their feelings through media should have replied through formal letter,” a source close to PMO informed northeasttribune.com. The ULFA’s C-in-C Paresh Baruah demanded the release of 10 of its jailed leaders to participate in the outfit’s central executive meeting to come at a consensus to the PMO’s invitation for talks. Meanwhile, two top brass ULFA leaders Pranati Deka and Pradip Gogoi who were produced in court today unanimously felt that center should create an amicable atmosphere for peace talks. While the Cultural secretary of the outfit Pranati Deka said that ULFA leadership is ready for talks provided all the members of the central executive committee are freed, the No 2 man in the outfit Pradip Gogoi stated that the Centre should pressurize the Bangladesh government to release its senior leader Anup Chetia so that he can participate in the executive meeting.
Formal letter from ULFA on release of leaders soon: Mamoni PM adds formality tag From our Correspondent
NEW DELHI, June 9: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the latest developments regarding the ULFA’s demand for the release of its 10 jailed central executive members, a demand raised by the rebel group so as to take a decision on the PMO’s invitation for the peace talks. Later, addressing the press here Gogoi said that the Centre is yet to receive the demand of the outfit in black and white, and as such, the future of the talks could not be ascertained immediately. Hinting at a positive response from the Centre, Gogoi said, "We do not want to stand between the ULFA and the Centre. We just want to sort out all the issues relating to the State before the Assembly elections".
Meanwhile, when contacted by The Sentinel, Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami felt that a formal reply from the ULFA will come soon and "when it comes, peace initiative will certainly take place." "All the formalities will have to be initiated by the State and the Centre," she added. Gogoi further informed that the Centre is contemplating to revive the Gas Cracker project shortly and that GAIL is understood to have taken action in this regard. Sympathizing with the inability of the State Government to provide its allotted 25 per cent share to the Sarba Shiksha scheme, the Centre has decided to revise the share to 90% (Centre) and 10% (State), the Chief Minister said. Gogoi said that he had requested the Prime Minister to add an extra 550 km to the 764 km of the East-West corridor in the State. He also briefed the Prime Minister on the influx issue during the meeting in which National Security Advisor NK Narayanan was also present.
Movement of ultras along Assam-Arunachal border on; Govt a mute spectator
ULFA rejuvenating base in Jonai From our Correspondent
JONAI, June 9: The movement of ULFA militants along the Assam-Arunachal border continues with impunity. In the aftermath of the arrest of some hardcore ULFA activists, including the Dhemaji blast kingpin Rashid Bharali in early May, ULFA men in numbers have started sneaking in to the area and spreading their base. Quoting an Intelligence report, highly-placed police sources informed this correspondent that some members of the rebel outfit’s 28 battalion have holed up in the area to give effect to subversive activities, including extortion. According to the report, the ULFA militants hiding at Poba Reserve Forest and adjoining forest cover of the State border have resumed extortion from selected businessmen here, including some Forest officers.
Sources have claimed that the ultras, taking advantage of the withdrawal of the armed forces from the area, amid the talks of a dialogue between the Centre and the ULFA, have consolidated their bases. The ULFA has been adopting guerrilla-strategy to rejuvenate itself after successive reversals in the past few months. It may be mentioned that limited commandos have been posted at Jonai subdivision to keep vigil at the State border and in some sensitive and vulnerable pockets in the area. However, atrocities by the commandos, in the name of search operations for ULFA ultras, have been reported from different places in the subdivision leading to the rise in public anger. Meanwhile, the decision of the State Government to withdraw the Army from Dhemaji and Jonai has evoked sharp reaction among the conscious citizens here who have felt that the area is still in need of additional forces to tackle the rise in insurgency-related activities.