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06/16/2005: "Manipur Govt, NSCN(K) bans Rally. UNC to move on with the rally"


Manipur Govt, NSCN(K) bans Rally. UNC to move on with the rally
IMPHAL, June 16: The Manipur Govt as well as the NSCN(K) have imposed a ban on the UNC proposed Naga Unification rally on June 16 in four hill districts of Manipur. The Manipur state government has decided to ban the UNC proposed Naga Unification rally on June 16 next in four hills district of Manipur apprehending confrontational situation. In another decision too, the UCM sponsored observation come into government tiding that only 'tarpan' will be allowed to performed but rallies and meeting will not be allowed. The state cabinet decision came during a marathon meeting at the chief minister secretariat this morning. In connection with the directive, the DGP has been asked to assess security arrangement for any eventuality. All nine district of Manipur will be clamped with CrPc 144 from June 16 next.
According to a home department statement, though the state government has acknowledged June 18 as State Integrity Day and declared the day as a holiday, but as regard to public participation in the said function, the government has directed district administration to allow only offering of tarpon and floral tribute. However rallies/processions will not be allowed.
Stating that the state government has now received report that certain organisation in the valley have undertaken large scale mobilization of the people and are planning rallies/procession on the day, attention has been drawn to the announcement made by certain organisation in the hills district for holding public rallies on June 16, 2005 to protest the declaration of June 18 as a holiday. Taking consideration of the both UCM and UNC that has been issuing statement highlighting apprehensions about Manipur's territorial integrity and aspirations of Naga Unification respectively.
In such a circumstances, the state government is of the firm view that these statements, which have no basis in any initiative, action of either the central and state government, are likely to create a confrontational situation. Having viewed the situation in grave concern and find them detrimental to peace and tranquility, the state government has issued instruction to prohibits all rallies/processions with immediate effect and until further order, the statement reads. Meanwhile, NSCN (K) has put a blanket ban on the UNC sponsored Naga Unification Rally on the ground it will instead disintegrate the Nagas more and sow hatred more to various communities of the state.

Talking to media somewhere in Senapati district today, the outfit spokesman said, if the idea behind the unification rally is genuine, why it cannot be held in Imphal where it could encompass more participation from other Nagas inhabited areas of Bishenpur and Imphal. The motive seems sowing more hatred among communities. Lambasting the UNC of acting as a puppet of the other rival faction NSCN (IM), the spokesman noted that in the last fifty year of the freedom struggle, has the political dialogue between the GoI and NSCN (IM) given any noteworthy development and solution either. The NSCN (K) also lambasted the high profile life style of Thuingaleng Muivah at the expense of people sweat. Taking into account of all these factors, the NSCN (K) will ban rallies, meeting and bandhs(on June 21 next) sponsored by the UNC and if they still persist on it, whatsoever consequences/ outcome will be the sole responsibility of the UNC, the spokesman added.
Meanwhile, despite Manipur governments order to ban rallies, the UNC sponsored Naga Unification rally will be held as planned tomorrow. The rally will be a peaceful one and if the government wants a jail bharo rally, it will oblized, said UNC president Puni Madoli. Talking over phone from Senapati, Puni Madoli said the rally would be taken out as planned before from 10 am onwards in four hill districts of Manipur. All preparation of a peaceful rally has been taken care off. Though the reactions with regard to the state government putting up ban to the rally, the general moods was disbelief rather anger. However former UNC president Paul Leo condemns the state government decision, as it violates the rights of the peoples in a peaceful rally. In Chandel district headquarter, the UNC has appealed to all resident to take part in the rally. Cultivation, hunting, fishing will be not allowed tomorrow for public full participation. Shop has been asked to remain shut, according to a report.
In Ukhrul, the rally is schedule to begin at 10 and later converged at Town Hall for a public meeting.

Fragile peace process worries Therie Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, June 15 – Former finance minister K Therie has expressed serious concern over the eight-year-old fragile peace process between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM). He said there is no headway in the talks between the two parties, while the gulf between the factions is widening more and more, leading to serious threat to the peace process. Talking to NEPS at his official residence here recently, the former finance minister explained 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 stands because that has become a prestige issue for them”, Therie said. “In the process, they have developed hatred and suspicion between each other leading to senseless fratricides. In order to secure a “negotiated settlement” to the long-standing Naga political problem, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland had gone to the people with a Common Minimum Programme. Therefore, it is the duty of the elected representatives to play an effective and responsible role to build up strategies to fulfil what was committed in their CMP”, Therie said.
“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”, he said and further asked: “What is the difficulty sitting with brothers and share the truth and reality of the Nagas”.

He is, however, not satisfied with the performance of the DAN government in regard to its role as per the CMP. “I sometimes doubt whether we are really for the solution or for the chair”, he questioned. Therie said peace is really expensive for the people of Nagaland because after 22 years of the Shilling Accord, they have ceasefire. He recalled 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. Then again when late Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao came to Dimapur, “we asked him to fulfil the commitment of Rajiv Gandhi”, Therie said, adding, “Rao initiated and NSCN (IM) leaders had positively responded to the call. We are happy today that we have this costly ceasefire after so many years and many sacrifices”. – NEPS

India lacks the will, we have the way: Muivah
‘Talks with Centre stuck, question mark over ceasefire’ Newindexperess

After six months and 12 rounds of protracted negotiations between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) leadership, the Naga peace talks have hit a hurdle. NSCN (I-M) General Secretary, Thuningaleng Muivah, speaking to The Indian Express said that India lacks ‘‘political will,’’ ‘‘seriousness’’ and imagination to solve the issue and believes ‘‘evading’’ core issues would solve the problem. What is even more pertinent is that Muivah is uncertain about the renewal of the ceasefire between the Centre and the NCSN(I-M) that expires on July 31.
Without spelling out that the peace talks have reached a stalemate, Muivah said that talks ‘‘are stuck’’ because the Centre is unwilling to address the core issue: a ‘‘special federal relation’’ with India and integration of Naga-inhabited areas. ‘‘We (the Nagas) have come a long way’’ to understand the problems of India and appreciate it but India till date has filed to return the gesture. There is a big gap between us. We have been patient and are willing to wait but do not read this as a sign of weakness’’ he said. He said said that the ceasefire can be renewed only if there are ‘‘positive steps’’ taken by the Centre to ‘‘show’’ that it is ‘‘serious’’ to solve the issue. He, however, did not specify what steps he expected from the Centre to save the talks. The last round of talks were held on May 9. Under this, the NSCN (I-M) proposed that Nagaland be jointly protected by the Indian armed forces and the Nagas. ‘‘We understand India’s problem and its apprehension about security and we have tried to come close to India, but India never tried to understand the Naga people or our history,’’ Muivah said adding that ‘‘Nagaland can be best protected by the Naga but we also appreciate India point of view.’’
Besides this, the NSCN (I-M) has also proposed that it has a role to play in the external affairs policy of Nagaland. ‘‘Please understand history, Nagaland was never a part of India, India should respect our history and we can assure you that it will be respected in return’’ he added. Muivah also said that they have not given up their demand for a sovereign Nagaland. What has upset the NSCN(I-M) most is the Indian delegation’s constant reference to Constitution of India. The UPA government is violating the terms on which it was agreed that talks would be held, he said. ‘‘We don’t want the Indian Constitution, we have our own Constitution. Do you think that we have fought for 50 years to surrender? And, if you do not appreciate this we better go away,’’ he said.
Govt decision peeves DPP Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 15: Questioning the motive behind the restrictions placed on the proposed rallies to be organised by UCM on June 18 and UNC on June 16 by the Government by equating the two, Democratic People's Party (DPP) has stated it is not the people but the elected representatives who are fomenting communal tension in the State. Addressing a press conference at Hotel Excellency here this afternoon, DPP president Udhoi Thongam said despite numerous assurances given to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur, every decision and action of the Government indicate that there are MLAs in both the Ruling and the Opposition who would like to see a disintegrated Manipur.

If the stand of the Government to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur as well as its stand against the demand for formation of Greater Nagaland is strong enough, it should oppose the proposed ‘Solidarity rally towards Naga integration’ being planned by the UNC in the hill districts of Manipur, but it should not have any objection to the peace and integrity rally being organised by UCM.
With the question of boundary commission coming up, the State Government also needs to take a definite and responsible stand on the matter, he said, while ruling out the need for setting up a boundary commission in case of Manipur. Asserting that the existing boundary of Manipur was not defined in accordance with Constitution of India, Thongam cautioned the State Government to act with a clear understanding of the pulse of the people. Otherwise it would only invite the wrath of the people, he observed. He maintained that with formation of Greater Nagaland becoming the main agenda of the ongoing peace talks between the NSCN (I-M) and the Government of India on one hand and the reports of existence of designated camps of the Naga rebel outfits on the soil of Manipur on the other, it is high time for the State Government to act tough. All the designated camps of the NSCN (I-M) should be busted and cleared from the soil of Manipur besides initiating action against those involved in the matter, Thongam demanded.

UNC defiant, to go ahead with solidarity rallies The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jun 15: Despite the state government resolving not to allow holding of the proposed ‘Naga unification’ rallies in four hill districts tomorrow, and despite a similar ban imposed by the NSCN(K), the United Naga Council, UNC, has made it clear that the rallies would go ahead as planned. Following a meeting of its working group held at Senapati district headquarters, the UNC issued a statement expressing strong resentment against the decision of the Manipur Cabinet not to permit the the rallies to be carried out. It said there is nothing in the Constitution of India which prohibits mass expression through peaceful means and reiterated that the peaceful really will go ahead as planned In this connection, the UNC said it was up to the state government ‘whether our expression should be vent through peaceful or non-peaceful means’.
Reports said the UNC meeting, attended also by representatives of ANSAM, NPMHR, and NWUM, resolved that there would be no change in the programme scheduled for the rally, to be held at the Senapati district headquarters. It also strongly condemned the imposition of prohibitory orders under sec 144 of the CrPC by the district administration. Reports also add that volunteers are conducting intense publicity campaign for the rally from Senapati to Mao, and all shops and other establishments have been told to stay shut for the rally tomorrow.

Another report from Ukhrul said several buses plying on the Imphal to Ukhrul route have been requisitioned by the rally organisers in the district to ferry people for the rally, even as there is no move evident on the part of the district administration to prevent the rally from being taken out. According to the report, the rally is planned to begin at two places, one from Ukhrul IOC junction and the other from Ukhrul Jessami junction, which will converge at the Ukhrul Naga Long ground for a public meeting. Similar preparations have been reported from Chandel district, where rallies are planned to be taken out at the district headquarters as well as at Tengnoupal subdivisional headquarters. A report from our Tamenglong correspondent adds that the district administration today convened an emergency meeting and appealed the public leaders present to defer the proposed rally in view of the order issued by the chief secretary late yesterday evening.
Tamenglong sub-divisional magistrate Thaikhui Rongmei, who is presently in charge as district magistrate has also issued a notification today not to hold the rally as it is likely to have repurcussions. However, Zeliangrong social leaders have made it clear they would take out the rally as planned tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. from Mini stadium Tamenglong and converge at DC Tamenglong's office. They reportedly maintained that only the UNC has the right to call off or defer the rally. The Tamenglong based Zeliangrong Union, Zeliangrong Youth Front, Zeliangrong Women's Union and the Zeliangrong Students'Union have asked all citizens to come forward and show their solidarity towards finding peaceful and permanent settlement to the Indo-Naga conflict.
In the meantime, according to a highly placed source, following instructions from the state government, all district admininstrations have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC effective from 11 am this morning prohibiting the assembly of five or more people, including for the purpose of conduct of rallies etc. State police, MR and IRB units, as well as Central paramilitary forces have also been placed on alert in the various districts.

REPORT ON THE SOLIDARITY RALLY TOWARDS NAGA UNIFICATION AND IN SUPPORT OF ONGOING INDO-NAGA PEACE TALK: CHANDEL

Solidarity Rally Towards Naga Unification – The United Naga Council (UNC) organized the Solidarity rally on the 16th June 2005 at Chandel District Headquarter. At 10.00am sharp, Rev. W. Roel, President Chandel District Christian Forum invoked the Almighty God for the success as well as to formally launch the rally of more than 30,568 (Thirty Thousand Five hundred sixty eight) mostly Nagas and Non-Nagas (especially Meitei, Muslim, Mayang/Mias, Chin Kukis, Mizo) from Chandel and other districts of Manipur. The magnanimous gathering of the people from different walks of lives was so enthralling and exciting that the strong welcome speech given by Mr. D. Ringo, President CNPO may not be valued/big enough to commensurate the overwhelming response. Then turn-by-turn strong Naga leaders from different mass-based civil organizations like Mr. S. Khojohn (Tribunal General ANSAM), Mr. W. Hangshing Maring (Speaker NSF), Mr. Paul Langhu (President ANSAM), and Mr. M. Tolkham Maring (Secretary Social & Culture UNC) delivered strong massages on why the Peace Rally as such has been organized at this juncture. On taming/controlling the presumed disturbance in law and order situation in the valley, the Manipur State Government imposed Cr.PC144 in four Naga Hill districts in Manipur just to curtail and shudder the proposed Peace Rally Towards Naga Unification. No matter what, for the Nagas, what could be more important than their aspiration to live together as one and towards this, the Nagas are ready to face any consequences and eventualities and that has been proved beyond doubt by the massive turn out for the Rally. Towards the success of the rally business community in and around Chandel District closed down their shops and business institutions; villagers restrained themselves from going for hunting, fishing, or any kind of professional/occupational activities. Buses and others commercial vehicle owners took off roads their vehicles in entirety of the Chandel district. Education institutions both government and private were closed in solidarity to the Rally. Precisely the turned out from the Anal Naga tribe was 9500 strong; Maring Naga tribe: 9400 strong; Chothe Naga tribe: 2500 strong; Lamkang Naga tribe: 5000 strong; Monsang Naga tribe: 1750 strong; Moyon Naga tribe: 1700 strong; Tarao Naga tribe: 450 strong; Komrem Nagas from Komrem Region of Churachandpur: 60 strong and others like the Meitei, Muslim (Pangan), Mayang and Chin Kuki Mizo: 208 strong. The mass procession while going to submit the Memorandum to the Prime Minister of India through Shri W. Ajit Singh, Deputy Commissioner Chandel was the first of its kind. The peace procession lined up without break from the ground where public speeches were made till the DC office under humid weather of the day. Prominent placards read:
1. Justice delayed is, justice denied.
2. We do not want endless Peace Talk.
3. No unification No solution.
4. Stop provocative statements.
5. We support Peace Process.
6. We demand sincerity from GoI.
7. We want Peace to prevail.
8. Do not provoke the Nagas.

Matters of the Poster campaign reads:
1. Respect Historical Facts and ground reality.
2. Stop Indian Military adventurism against the Nagas.
3. Unification of the Naga Homeland is our birthright.
4. Nagas will decide their future.
5. “PEACE” like war must be waged.
6. Ceasefire between GoI and NSCN- IM is indispensable.

Banners read:
1. Naga Unification does not mean Meitei disintegration.
2. Nagas shall never accept the imposition of Meitei’s interest on Nagas.
3. Respect each other’s dreams and aspirations.
4. Resolved Indo-Naga issue through peaceful means.
5. Honoring of rioters as “Patriots” by the government of Manipur is a legacy of Neo-Colonialism.
6. We condemn declaration of 18 June as “Integrity Day” by the government of Manipur.
7. GOI must demonstrate their political will to resolved Indo-Naga issue.
8. Nagas wants to live under one political roof.

Selected leaders consisting of Mr. S. Khojohn (Tribunal General ANSAM), Mr. M. Tolkham Maring (Secretary Social & Culture of UNC), Mr. Paul Langhu (President ANSAM), Mr. W. Hangshing Speaker (NSF), Miss K. Merigold (Vice President NWUM), Mr. D. Ringo (President CNPO), Mr. R.L. Angdang Pakan (President NSUC) and All Presidents of Seven Naga Tribes of Chandel, Presidents of Seven Naga Students Unions and Presidents of Seven Naga Women’s Organization were present during the submission of the Memorandum addressed to the Honorable Prime Minister of India. Mr. S. Kho John, Tribunal General ANSAM read out the Memorandum before handing over to the DC Chandel District (to be submitted to the Honorable Prime Minister of India) in the presence of Superintendent of Police Chandel, SDO Chandel, and other leaders.
After the submission of the Memorandum, the Peace Rally continues all around the Chandel Town before they dispersed around 2.00pm.

Tamenglong ready for solidarity rally Newmai News Network
Tamenglong, Jun 15 : Despite repeated appeals and threats from the State Government and the NSCN (K) the Zeliangrong Naga people here are all set to go on with the proposed Solidarity rally tomorrow, the 16th June 2005.
Zeliangrong social leaders said they will take out the rally tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. from Mini stadium Tamenglong and converge at DC Tamenglong’s office.
Tamenglong based Zeliangrong Union, Zeliangrong Youth Front, Zeliangrong Women’s Union and the Zeliangrong Students’ Union have asked all concern citizens to come forward and show their solidarity towards finding peaceful and permanent settlement to the vexed Indo-Naga peace process.
‘The rally will be peaceful, said D. Dikambui, president Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) adding, the Union have to abide by the instructions of the United Naga Council, UNC which is organizing the rally in the Naga dominated four hill districts.
The district administration today convened an emergency meeting and appealed to the public leaders present to defer the proposed rally in view of the order issued by the Chief Secretary late yesterday evening.
Tamenglong Sub-divisional Magistrate Thaikhui Rongmei, who is presently taking the charge of District magistrate has also issued a notification today not to hold the rally as it is likely to have repercussions.
However, the leaders are adamant to the pleas and orders and decided to stick to their stand saying only the UNC has the right to call off or defer the stand.
The organizations spearheading the rally said that all necessary arrangements have been made.

No public rally planned on June 18, clarifies UCM The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jun 15: The United Committee, Manipur, UCM, has clarified that there is no proposal to hold any kind of rally next Saturday as part of the observation of the 4th anniversary of the June 18, 2001 tragedy. As in previous years, the observation of the Great June Uprising Day will be held in a peaceful manner, the UCM president, Sapamacha Jadumani told mediapersons today.

Describing the chief minister’s assertion yesterday that the UCM was conducting mobilisation for holding a rally as part of the June 18 observations as erroneous, the UCM president said so such preparations have been made by the organisation. He also denied that the UCM was forcibly requisitioning buses for mass transportation of people for the observations, clarifying that various UCM units were making their own individual arrangements.
Appealing to all sections of the public to attend the observation, he said many state VIPs are also expected to attend, and disclosed that the Governor of Manipur, Dr. SS Sidhu has also been invited.
Reiterating that the observation would be held in a peaceful manner, Jadumani lamented that the chief minister’s observation yesterday came as a complete contradiction after the state government’s move to declare June 18 a general holiday.
Regarding the proposed rallies sought to be taken out tomorrow in four hill districts in support of ‘Naga unification’ Jadumani expressed concern over the diktat reportedly issued in Chandel district to all sections to attend the rally, charging that the NSCN(IM) was behind the imposition. Jadumani further stated that with the talks between the NSCN(IM) and the Indian government, still unresolved, it was vital for the people of Manipur to remain united and ever vigilant. The June 18 observation is planned to begin with Yakairol at 3 am, with religious rituals and community prayers to begin from 6 am onwards. At 9 am, a general salute would be presented, and offering of floral tributes by invitees, civil society leaders and the general public would begin after observing two minutes silence.
A public meeting is also planned to begin from 9:45 am at the venue, though there is a question mark over this after the government decision not to allow any kind of mass gathering.
Don’t repeat 1991, ULFA warns government NET News Network
Guwahati, June 15: The proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) today warned government not to make the present process to begin a ‘dialogue’ a repetition of 1991.
“In 1991 ULFA agreed to sit for talks for which response the GOI also agreed to release some imprisoned members of ULFA. But the Indian Govt. took the opportunity and killed those members of the organisation soon after releasing them,” alleged the outfit in its latest edition of mouthpiece “ Freedom”.
The mouthpiece carried on to accuse the government of trying to create “ confusion and suspicion” within the outfit by arresting or killing “devoted, mature and experienced members like Capt. Hirak Jyoti Mahanta, Anirban Hazarika, Deudhai Phukan, Jishnu Sharma, Shankar Saikia etc” during the period. Though government has been blaming ULFA for the derailment of the process since the last 14 years, the outfit vowed, “But now we have unearthed the whole truth. This will be made public in due course of time, though we are withholding it in the larger interest of the dialogue process”.
Recognising the hopes of “entire indigenous peoples of Assam” to see the Indo-Assam political conflict resolved through dialogue the outfit pointed out, “ Dialogue must be the medium for resolving the conflict sincerely and magnanimously, and should not be used as a trap to demolish the leadership of the struggle. This is the only road to lasting peace in this part of the world without shedding blood any more”. The warning and doubt came on the wake of, “Regular and occasional incidents in operations against ULFA members in Assam, Arunachal, Meghalaya and elsewhere of cold-blooded murder of its members and torture of innocent civilians”.
Governor raises red flag on ULFA talks Indian Express
Assam Governor Lt Gen Ajai Singh today cautioned the Centre on its proposal to engage the ULFA in peace talks. Addressing the Governor’s conference here, Governor Singh opposed the release of 10 ULFA members, as sought by the Assam government and the banned terrorist outfit ahead of the proposed talks. ULFA chief Paresh Barua had earlier responded to an invitation from National Security Advisor (NSA) M K Narayanan by demanding that the state should ‘‘unconditionally’’ release his colleagues to enable the outfit’s central committee to meet on talks.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gagoi, who faces elections next year, had backed that demand during a visit to New Delhi recently. Governor Singh, however, suggested that the Centre should give ULFA leaders a ‘‘safe passage’’ to Guwahati where they could discuss the talks proposal with their arrested colleagues at the state prison. According to Lt Gen Singh, the Government should first ensure that organisations, such as ULFA, are serious about talks. The Governor pointed out that the ULFA had rejected peace initiatives in the past and added that the organisation, presently in disarray, may use the peace initiative to regroup. Senior Home Ministry officials are also understood to be sceptical about Gogoi’s backing for the ULFA demand. They feel that pressure should be maintained on such organisations.
Concern over quit notice to Karbis Assam Tribune By A Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, June 15 – Several youth organisations including the Karbi Students Union, the Karbi Students Association, All Assam Tribal Sangha, the Karbi Youth Organisation and the Karbi Technical Unemployed Youth Association today expressed serious concern over the quit notice given to Karbi people living in Meghalaya by the Joint Action Co-ordination Committee. Deploring the action of the JACC, at a press conference held here, the Karbi student leaders said that such action was not a justifiable response to the removal of encroachers from the protected forests of Karbi Anglong that has been carried out by the Forest Department. “The eviction that has been taking place against encroachers in Karbi Anglong was guided by a Supreme Court order. Moreover, people belonging to the Khasi community were not the only ones who were being evicted. There were Karbi, Nepali, Bihari people who were also asked to relocate to other places. In this context the quit notice served on Karbi people residing in Meghalaya is highly deplorable and distressing,” said a Karbi student leader.

The members of the Karbi student community blamed some vested interests for trying to destabilise the age-old harmony that has existed between the Karbi and the Khasi communities. They also mentioned that a particular Khasi newspaper was publishing malicious reports about Khasi people being persecuted in Karbi Anglong. The members of the various Karbi youth organisations urged the JACC to withdraw the quit notice served on the Karbis residing in Meghalaya and stressed that measures to improve ties between the Karbis and the Khasis should be taken immediately.

KRA claims responsibility for kidnapping Assam Tribune From Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, June 15 – It is almost a week after their abduction on June 6, the outlawed Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) came out with an announcement that they are responsible for the kidnapping of seven tractor drivers in Manipur. The announcement of KRA came out after repeated appeal from the driver’s community. The seven tractor drivers, mostly Nepalis, were abducted on June 6 afternoon from a place near Taphou Kuki village in Senapati district, 60 km north of state capital, on their way back to Imphal from Guwahati along the National Highway 39.

Justifying the abduction, KRA said that they were abducted because the Manipur Diesels had not heeded its monetary demand. The outfit also warned that if their ‘demand’ is not met within June 15, the drivers will be awarded the death ‘sentence’. KRA also further warned against any rescue operations that the security forces might contemplate and added that if any search rescue operation is launched, they will find only the lifeless bodies of the drivers. KRA also stated that all those who have been intimidating and harassing sympathizers and civil workers of the outfit and said that if this does not stop they will retaliate. Manipur Diesels, Mantri-pukhuri, the premier Bajaj authorized distributor in Imphal and owner of the tractors which were presently kept at Senapati district police station remain silent over the development. However, the wives of the seven drivers have requested the All Manipur Road Transport and Motor Workers Union in tracing out and safe release of the Drivers from the hands of the abductors.

No win situation Sangai Commentary
We agree it is a no win situation, but then it need not necessarily mean a lose, lose situation either, provided the Government applies itself to the task at hand with a little more foresight and of course if the people on either side of the Greater Lim divide learn to see things in its correct perspective and not fall prey to insidious designs hatched by some elements, who are hell bent on rocking the boat. The SPF Government has already decided to ban both the rallies proposed by the United Naga Council and United Committee Manipur on June 16 and June 18 respectively and while there will be debates on the pros and cons over the decision of the Government, what should not be forgotten is the plain fact that the social divides sowed by the seeds of the Greater Nagaland concept have begun to take firm roots and this is what should be worrying us more than the proposed rallies or the decision of the Government to ban both the rallies. Ironic as it may sound, the people on either side of the divide have claimed that the both the rallies are for integrity. The UNC rally is for integrating the Naga inhabited areas while the UCM rally is to protect the integrity of Manipur. Again the view points on either side run along a similar line, with the Greater Lim proponents calling their aspirations a step towards realising the peace talk between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, while on the other hand, the proponents of a united Manipur have raised the slogan of peaceful co-existence amongst all the communities living in Manipur. Both the parties seem to talk in the same dialogue but what should not be forgotten by anyone is that the stake here involves the future and fate of Manipur and ignoring this at the pursuit of another goal will be self defeating.
The decision of the State Government to ban both the rallies will not go down well at all with either side, but we should remember that the Government is not here to please all but to ensure that the rule of law prevails. We only hope the Government took the decision after due consideration and was not a knee jerk reaction to the developments taking place in the days ahead of June 18. In the four hill districts, the matter will not end on June 16 but can fester for days and it would be prudent for the Government to work out some contingency plans to deal with any undesirable developments that may arise in the next few days. June 18, 2001 and the days that followed demonstrated the non-communal stand of the people of Manipur. During the numerous protests, dharnas, stand off with the police, meira rallies, curfew defying protests etc, there was not a single communal tone during the said period and this says something about the maturity and the level headedness of the people. Now four years down, there is again tension in the air over the same issue. The first test is of course the June 16 rallies in four hill districts. The Government has banned the rallies, but this is no reason to think that the UNC and its supporters will not try to defy the standing order of the Government. The test now is for the UNC to show its maturity and level headedness to ensure that nothing communal comes out of the rallies or in its bid to stage the rallies. This is our sincere prayer.
Advocating True Democracy for Common People By Nava Thakuria

Guwahati, June 15 (NEPS): 2005Maintaining the political (military) relationship with the army rulers of Rangoon is nothing but an example of maintaining “double standard” by New Delhi towards Burma. Being the largest democracy in the world, India should not continue relationship with the junta, which has smashed all democratic norms in Burma, said a senior Assamese journalist D.N. Bezboruah. Addressing a distinguished gathering in Assam capital of Northeast India, Mr Bezboruah also observed that the civil societies of India supports the pro-democracy movement led by the NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi, presently under house arrest in Rangoon, but the government in New Delhi has been maintaining military relationship with the juntas of Burma. The government of India, which is expecting few thousand cubic meter of gas from Arakan province of Burma and promise by the junta to chase away the anti-Indian militants taking shelter in northern Burma, should not initiate any step that helps the military rulers to continue their dictatorship, argued the English college teacher turned journalist Mr Bezboruah.

Advocating democracy for the benefit of the common people, Mr Bezboruah also said, “There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that it (democratic system) is a better political system than monarchy, oligarchy, dictatorship, totalitarian systems and so on. I am reminded of the interesting comparison made between democracy and monarchy. It is said that being a subject in monarchy is like being on an ocean liner like the Titanic. The going is very good as long as it lasts. But when the ship hits an iceberg, there are few survivors. Democracy is like a raft. The citizens never have a comfortable voyage; but they know they will never drown because it is so difficult to sink a raft. Obviously, these are oversimplifications of something that is very complex and convoluted and something that is still evolving and getting refined.”

Delivering the first L.N.Phukan Memorial Lecture on June 11 in Guwahati on “Aberrations of Democracy”, Mr Bezboruah claimed that the available administrative structure in today’s India never concerns about the aspiration and mandate of the people. “There are countries like Canada, Sweden and Britain that call themselves monarchies even though they have democratically elected parliaments and practice liberal democracy. By contrast, we have a situation in India where every elected representative of the people regards himself as a monarch ! We must pause to introspect on how we have deserved such an administration and how our expectations of democracy have been so cruelty belied,” lamented Mr Bezboruah. The former editor of “The Sentinel”, a Guwahati based English daily, Mr Bezboruah also criticizes the politicians keeping a large population illiterate and that way deprive them from the benefits of real democracy. “In India we have had the unique vested interest of politicians wanting to keep as much of the population illiterate for as long as possible so that people would always fail to look too closely at how democracy was faring as well as to understand that it was different from monarchic or feudal rule. It will take the poor Indian many more decades to realize that the people are the real masters in a democracy, because he sees something very different in real life,” observed Mr Bezboruah. Mentionable that late LN Phookan was a talented and committed journalist, who also excelled as a poet and writer. Served as the editor of “ The Assam Tribune” for 25 years (1939 to 1964), Phookan won the Sahitya Akademi Award (of India) for his collection of biographies “Mahaatmaar poraa Rupkonwaroloi”. Organized by the Ace Institute Guwahati, the program was also attended by many distinguished Assamese scholars including Tabu Taid, D.K. Barua, Nilamani Phukan, Shiva Prasad Baruah, R.M. Bhagawati, Eli Ahmed, Nikhilesh Barua, Sunil Nath with Diwas Phookan and Dorin Hazarika.
KLNLF a spent force, says UPDS Our Staff Correspondent Sentinel
SHILLONG, June 15: Claiming to have an undisputed hold over Karbi Anglong District, the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) has delineated its rival Karbi Longri National Liberation Front (KLNLF) as "a spent force". Talking to The Sentinel, UPDS joint secretary W Mukhrang said: "The KLNLF is a spent force which is engaged only in fratricidal killings."
Refuting the charges that the UPDS was involved in killing of its rival group’s leaders, Mukhrang said: "We are aware of the fact that we will be blamed for that. But it is the Hashan Timung group of the KLNLF which actually killed the ‘c-in-c’ W Timung, and in vengeance, the groups owing allegiance to the murdered ‘c-in-c’, killed the general secretary."
The statement came in the backdrop of the allegations that Mukhrang and his men had gone to Bangladesh and killed Timung. "We have verified the facts from the KLNLF deserters, who joined our group recently. There is a constant fear amongst the cadres of the outfit," said Mukhrang, adding, "many of their men have even joined our group." Amidst the persistent rivalry between the two rival outfits in Karbi Anglong, the UPDS leader claimed that "there is no challenge to their supremacy in their areas of operations". "I can assure you, from west to east Karbi- Anglong, we have got total public support," asserted Mukhrang , claiming that the KLNLF’s hold is minimal, which, the UPDS thinks, is not a force to reckon with.
Christian body warns KAAC, Karbi plea on Our Bureau
GUWAHATI/DIPHU, June 15: The Karbi Students’ Union (KSA), the Karbi Students’ Association (KSA), the Karbi Youth Organization (KYO) and the Karbi Technical Unemployed Youths’ Association (KTUYA) have appealed to the Meghalaya-based Joint Action Coordination Committee (JACC) of Meghalaya once again to withdraw the quit notice which it had served to the Karbi people living in Meghalaya. Meanwhile, the United Christian Forum of Karbi Anglong warned the district administration that the eviction drive in Block-II area might take a communal colour. The area is dominated by Christians. A meeting was held by the Karbi bodies and representatives of the All Assam Tribal Sangh (AATS) yesterday at the Tribal Rest House here to discuss the situation arising out of the quit notice by the JACC to the Karbis as a sequel to the eviction drive that had been carried out by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and the Assam Forest Department to free the Umjagini reserve forest in Baithalangsu area under disputed Block II area along the Assam-Meghalaya border from encroachment.
Talking to newsmen here today, KSA president Sarthe Kramsa said that as per the Supreme Court directive, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, along with the Assam Forest Department, had evicted as many as 35 families belonging to Khasi, Karbi, Nepali and Hmar communities. "As a consequence of this eviction drive, five houses of Karbi people living in Meghalaya were burnt down in Sohliya, Sarsing Ronghpher, Rongmesek, Umsawnoldhi and Umang," he said. KSA president Bhugeswar Teron said that on behalf of Karbi people, the student bodies urged the Assam and the Meghalaya Governments to take appropriate steps to bring the situation under control. "The victim families in Meghalaya should be compensated," he demanded. It may be mentioned here that there are as many as 60,000 Karbi people in Meghalaya. On the other hand, there as many as 5,000 Khasi people in Karbi Anglong district in Assam. Meanwhile, the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) has also called upon the JACC to withdraw the quit notice in the interests of peaceful coexistence between two of the oldest tribes—Karbis and Khasis— in the region.
Gogoi-led Govt is the ‘most worthless’ Govt : Borgohain From our Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, June 15: With less than a year left for the Assembly elections, the political parties are gearing up to win the hearts of the electorate. The CPI virtually kicked off its campaign by holding a mammoth convention of party workers of Sivasagar district at Betbari under the presidentship of the veteran CPI leader Ranganath Gogoi recently. Addressing the convention, veteran CPI leader and a number of the national executive of the party Promode Gogoi elaborately discussed the resolutions, plans and programmes of the CPI adopted at the 19th national congress of the party held in March this year at Chandigarh. The CPI leader and the former Flood Control Minister of Assam said that all the grassroots-level workers of the party in the State would be enlightened about the messages of the party congress which was attended by representatives of the Communist party of the various countries of the world.
Gogoi reminded the party workers that those who were thinking that Communism had been a spent force and was irrelevant in the context of the current international political scenario were in reality living in a fools’ paradise. He said that the present unipolar power system in the world is only a temporary trend and it would be reversed soon. The CPI leader lambasted the UPA Government at the Centre for its failure to implement the common minimum programme (CMP) in full and cautioned the UPA Government that its survival would depend on the full implementation of the CMP. He also spelt out the various measures taken to strengthen the party in the country and added that Socialism and Communism would alone protect the interest of the 90 per cent poor, unprivileged and underprivileged people of the country.
Criticizing the UPA Government at the Centre, Drupad Borgohain, a veteran CPI leader and a former MP of the Rajya Sabha spoke about the anti-people and anti-poor aspects of the various plans, programmes and policies of the UPA Government which are, he said, clear violation of the CMP. He said that CPI would launch a massive agitation across the country to put pressure on the UPA Government to implement the CMP. Talking about the political scenario in the State, the former Rajya Sabha member Borgohain termed the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress Government in Assam as the "most worthless" Government the State has ever had taking into consideration the mounting corruption at all levels. He said that the poor people in the State have found themselves in a most suffocating condition. Referring to the serious unemployment problem in the State, Borgohain said that solution of this problem must be sought through various avenues of trade, commerce and industries. But most unfortunately, Borgohain said, the present State Government has been failing to create the necessary infrastructure for all these and also the necessary congenial and healthy climate. Phani Chetia, secretary, Sivasagar District Council of the CPI also addressed the convention.



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