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07/28/2005: "SMALLER STATES, HAPPIER PEOPLE"


SMALLER STATES, HAPPIER PEOPLE XAVIER P. MAO
The indefinite economic blockade launched by the All Naga Students Association of Manipur against the state government’s decision to declare June 18 as State Integrity Day has snowballed into a fight for integration of contiguous Naga-inhabited areas. But the root of the problem is yet to be reviewed.
The desire of ethnic, linguistic and religious communities to live together may be as old as mankind, but it has become more pronounced in the modern age. The democratic and political value of individual dignity, that the individual and the community should be left alone to decide their fate, has been recognized in this age. This is not peculiar to India; the demand of the Nagas to live together in a Nagalim is the manifestation of such a universal aspiration. A.Z. Phizo was the first one to make the statement that Nagaland became a part of India neither by conquest nor by consent, but was annexed to India. Phizo believed that the Indian government had forcibly occupied Nagaland, and must vacate it. Leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose and M.K. Gandhi acknowledged that Nagas are ethnically and culturally different from Indians.
Constitution says
With time, however, the Nagas have softened their stand. The idea of a sovereign and independent Nagaland outside India and the Indian constitution has been all but given up. This is the most opportune moment for the Centre to solve the six-decade-old Naga problem. But the neighbouring states of Nagaland must cooperate. The Nagas want the integration of Naga-inhabited areas of the adjoining states to be integrated with Nagaland. Article 3 of the Constitution provides for the alteration of areas and boundaries for the formation of new states. But Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have not been able so far to appreciate the true import of this. It has also been said that any integration of Naga-inhabited areas is sure to result in “bloodbath” in the whole of the North-east. But what India needs today is smaller states, and before there is popular demand for them, the government should implement this idea. It took ages for Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttaranchal to be separate states. Now it is the turn of Telengana, Vidarbha, Gorkhaland and Bodoland?
Centre cannot hold
It is on record that the Nagas in Manipur are being exploited and discriminated by the majority Manipuris (Meiteis). No visible development work has been undertaken in the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur. The Nagas have also been discriminated against in matters of employment and admission to professional colleges. The apprehension that after the four Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur are merged with Nagaland, Manipur will be pauperized has no basis whatsoever. If anything, the Central assistance to Manipur will be reduced in case of a split, but it will be proportionate to the population. Laloo Prasad Yadav had once said that Jharkhand would come over his dead body, but that did not stop the state from coming into existence. It is true that hundreds of tribes, sub-tribes and ethnic groups in the North-east are demanding either separate states or autonomous areas. The Karbis, Dimasas and other small groups are demanding separate states from the government of Assam, which is not willing to acquiesce. But this kind of recalcitrance of a democratic government is worrying. Politics is the art of the possible and there cannot be a fixed agenda for all time to come. The Centre should not delay the merging of Naga-inhabited areas with Nagaland. Neither should it fight shy of granting independent statehood or autonomy to ethnic groups in the North-east, if they so want.

Mysterious questionnaire on Nagalim trouble villagers The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Jul 27: A questionnaire, seeking feedback on the issue of merger with Nagaland, are being distributed to the public allegedly by security forces in some parts of the hill districts, according to a report reaching here. A copy of the questionnaire which has a set of 10 questions, was made available to the Imphal Free Press by a Kuki students group. This particular questionnaire according to them was found distributed to village chiefs of the Saikul area. The development is seen as highly significant in the context of the present state of the India-NSCN(IM) peace process, and particularly against the backdrop of the ANSAM-sponsored economic blockade, and the forthcoming ceasefire extension talks in Amsterdam between Central government representatives and the NSCN(IM).

The questions carried in the questionnaire include:
1. Is Nagalim practical reality?
2. Should Naga dominated districts of Manipur merge with Nagaland?
3. What will be the status of other ethnic minorities in Naga dominated hill districts if merged with Nagaland?
4. In case Nagalim becomes a reality should it remain part of India or seek independence?
5. Is economic blockade of the Manipur State by ANSAM right step towards bringing the Naga cause in the forefront of State and National politics?
6. Do you support burning of district administrative offices as part of the economic blockade/non-cooperation movement?
7. Will resignation of Naga MLAs help the Naga cause in Manipur?
8. Do you feel you will be better off as part of Nagaland?
9. Do support the extension of between the security forces and NSCN(IM)? (sic)
10. Do you support the ethnic cleansing of non-Nagas from the hill districts of Manipur?

Two-man central team for Naga parleys in Amsterdam Indo-Asian News Service New Delhi, July 27 (IANS) Hoping to pick up the threads from an extended dialogue that failed to yield anything tangible, a two-member official team will leave for Amsterdam Friday to hold peace talks with major rebel Naga group, Nationalist Social Council of Nagaland (I-M). The two-member team comprising Centre's interlocutor for Naga talks, K Padmanabhaiah and Intelligence Bureau chief E.S.L. Narasimhan will hold talks with NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah along with Indian embassy officials in Amsterdam. "We cannot disclose the nature of talks at this juncture but hope to carry the dialogue process forward," Padmanabhaiah told IANS. Muivah left for Amsterdam earlier this month after staying here for five months as the government failed to concede to the NSCN's main demand for reunification of Naga dominated areas, an issue strongly opposed by other northeastern states.

The NSCN (I-M) wants the creation of a "Greater Nagaland" by slicing off parts of neighbouring Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh that have a sizeable Naga population. Before his departure, Muivah was critical of the government's "intransigence", hitting out at the intervention of "bureaucrats" who did not understand the significance of their long-standing demand. Muivah also said the outfit would think twice before extending support to the ceasefire that ends July 31.
A ministerial delegation led by Oscar Fernandes, minister of state for statistics and programme implementation was tasked with the responsibility of holding talks with the NSCN (I-M) at the political level. Meanwhile, the Centre has reportedly extended by one year the ceasefire between the security forces and NSCN (I-M). The ceasefire came into force in 1997. --Indo-Asian News Service

Global Fund approves Rs 564 cr for free AIDS drugs The Hindu
New Delhi, July 28.(PTI) A global NGO has agreed to provide Rs 564.27 crore for distribution of free AIDS drugs in the six high prevalence states and Delhi, Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. The government had submitted a proposal for provision of the money to Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria which it has approved, Minister of State for Health Panabaka Lakshmi said in a written reply. These states are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland and Tamil Nadu, besides Delhi, she said. The project, to begin from August 1, 2005, is for five years - till July 31, 2010, she said. Release of funds for the first year is expected shortly, she said adding the funds would be then disbursed to the concerned states. The Global Fund would release funds on yearly basis in installments, she said.
ANSAM still insisting on outside-Imphal venue The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 27: Despite both the ANSAM and the state government indicating their willingness to hold talks to resolve the current imbroglio, the venue of the talks remain a sticking point with the agitating student body insisting that the talks should be held outside Imphal. Reports said the federal assembly of the ANSAM in an emergency meeting held today at Senapati, has endorsed the stance of the student body’s executive council that talks should be held in any of the hill districts of Tamenglong, Senapati, Chandel and Ukhrul or outside Manipur. The federal assembly meeting was reportedly attended by representatives of 11 out of 13 federating organisations of the ANSAM.

While reiterating the unanimous desire of solving the present imbroglio between the ANSAM and the Manipur government, the assembly decided that it would continue with its economic blockade and non-cooperation movement until an amicable solution is brought. Meanwhile, a report from Dimapur said around 117 goods-carrying trucks bound for Imphal proceeded towards the Manipur border this late afternoon with a security escort from the Nagaland police. The vehicles crossed Khuzuma just before midnight and are expected to reach Imphal tomorrow morning. At the time of printing, no untoward incident had been reported. Meanwhile, a truck carrying life-saving drugs has reached Imphal this afternoon from Mao without facing any impediment along the route.

On the other hand, traffic on the NH-53 was disrupted this morning, as emergency repairs had to be carried out on the Barak bridge, after its condition worsened due to the large number of trucks crossing it during yesterday. Traffic however resumed late today. A report from Jiribam said that around 59 goods laden trucks had arrived from Silchar side since yesterday afternoon and were parking in front of the Jiribam police station waiting for security escort. Most of the trucks are loaded with essential commodities, sources said.

Student bodies for UN intervention The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 27: The All Manipur Students Union, the Manipuri Students Federation and the Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur have drawn the attention of the secretary general, the United Nations, to the deprivation of right to life of the people of Manipur due to the imposition of the economic blockade on the highays by the ANSAM, according to a release. In a joint communication to the secretary general, United Nations, the three student bodies pointed out that Manipur has been effectively been cut off from the outside world for more than 37 days owing to the blockade, prices of essential commodities have risen sky-high, and lifesaving drugs and medical supplies are in acute shortage. The economic blockade has deprived the people of the most basic and fundamental human right to food and health, it maintained. Despite repeated appeals from organisations all across the north-east, the ANSAM has not lifted its blockade, the communication stated, and charged that the blockade is being imposed at the behest of the NSCN(IM).

It also maintained that Indian security forces are playing a dubious role in connection with the blockade, citing the instance of the destruction of two vehicles at Lairouching after being denied protection by the Assam Rifles and the destruction of the Irang bridge on National Highway-53 despite the heavy security deployed in the area. Stating that the patience of the people of Manipur is drying up and there is a real possibility of breakout of ethnic clashes if the blockade is prolonged, the statement went on to say that the student bodies have lost faith in the way the Indian government is handling the situation, and called for the urgent intervention of the United Nations to ensure maintenance of peace and security and prevent escalation of further violent conflict in the region.

Mizoram student body appeals to Naga students to withdraw economic blockades Oken Jeet Sandham
KOHIMA, 28 July: The Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), an apex students' body of Mizoram has requested the Naga Students Federation (NSF) for the withdrawal of ongoing economic blockades imposed on 2 national highways in Manipur by ANSAM. In a lettered addressed to the NSF, the MZP President C. Lalrokhuma said, "It is our due responsibility to inform you that the people of Manipur are now facing extreme hardship in their daily life which affects not only the politicians, but the common man including innocent women and children, not to mention the students."
Although it had appreciated the solidarity and unity shown by Nagas, the Miroram student body stated the time might have come to end the blockades as the message they wanted had already been sent across the world. And therefore it was no longer necessary to let innocent people suffer, it pointed out.
Bringing out an example of a blockade once faced by Mizoram from the people of Cachar district, the MZP explained the suffering caused to the public by this kind of blockade was unimaginable and should not be subjected to anyone on humanitarian grounds. The Mizoram student body requested the Naga students to end the blockades and further called upon them to settle the matter across the negotiating table.

High Court rules blockade illegal, directs state and Centre to act The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Jul 27: In a significant ruling, the Gauhati High Court, Imphal bench, has declared the imposition of indefinite economic blockade along the lifelines of the state as unconstitutional and illegal, and directed the state and Central governments to take all necessary measures under the law to immediately remove the blockade. A division bench of the Gauhati High Court Imphal bench, ruling on a public interest litigation filed in this connection by a Khangabok based organisation, has also directed the issue of a show cause notice to the All Naga Students Association, Manipur, as to why a writ of prohibition should not be issued restraining it from imposing the economic blockade.The notice has been made returnable within four weeks. The PIL was filed by the president and secretary of the United Development Association, Khangabok, praying for issue of a writ of prohibition restraining the ANSAM from imposing the economic blockade, as well as for directing the state and Central governments to discharge their public duties for preventing the blockade.

The court, in its order, stated ‘we are satisfied that as a result of the said indefinite economic blockade, there is no longer free trade, commerce, etc along the two National Highways. We are also convinced that consequent upon the said economic blockade, lives and livelihood of large sections of the people residing in this State are jeopardized apart from causing insurmountable hardships and inconveniences to all sections of people in the State. We are of the opinion that imposition of indefinite economic blockade along the said two life-lines of the state is unconstitutional and illegal. The court also issued an interim directive to the state of Manipur, the DGP, Manipur, the addl DGP, Manipur, the IGP (law and order), Manipur, the IGP (intelligence), Manipur and the Union of India to take all the necessary measures under the law immediately for removal of the indefinite blockade along the two national highways. The PIL was heard by a division bench comprising of Justice MBK Singh and Justice TNK Singh. Newmai News Network adds: The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur, ANSAM is yet to react officially with regard to the Gauhati High Court's order declaring the economic blockade as unconstitutional. However, ANSAM spokesman Ngachonmi Chamroy expressed unhappiness on some organisations based in Manipur valley for "lacking understanding of the problems".
Speaking to Newmai News Network on learning the High Court's order, the ANSAM spokesman said that "it is very unfortunate that some valley based NGOs are only concerning about the effect of the economic blockade while choosing to stay insensitive to the crux of the problem".
Ngachonmi Chamroy, however appreciated some valley based social organisations for "realising the reality". Elaborating his point, the ANSAM spokesman stated that "some sections/NGOs of the Meitei community have realised the futility of imposing the concept of Manipur territorial integrity on the Nagas. While some of them are appealing to ANSAM to talk with the state government ,they are, in the same breath pressurising the Manipur government not to revoke the June 18 declaration as state holiday".
khuman :Three cheers to Judicial Body of India.Maybe the GOI and Manipur Govt. can now declare Naga Student union as illegal and act harshly against them so that everyone learns a lesson from this event.Maybe Naga are fated to be in trouble for going illegal way for protesting.Finally, three cheers to Judges and hopefully, govt. can do something using this as the platform.Also, three cheers to the guy who do PIL.
Human "some sections/NGOs of the Meitei community have realised the futility of imposing the concept of Manipur territorial integrity on the Nagas. While some of them are appealing to ANSAM to talk with the state government ,they are, in the same breath pressurising the Manipur government not to revoke the June 18 declaration as state holiday".I do not believe any valley NGO has supported the disintegration of manipur's territory. It is a ploy on part of ANSAM to create animosity and chaos amongst the non-naga population.

Blockades internal matter of Manipur: NPCC Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, July 27 – The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has reiterated that the ongoing economic blockades on Manipur by the All Naga Students Association of Manipur (ANSAM) as an “internal matter of Manipur” because it (blockades) happened as a result of that Government (Manipur)’s declaration of June 18 as State Holiday. In a statement issued here, NPCC president Hokheto Sumi said the Nagas of Nagaland joining the ongoing economic blockades by ANSAM would surely “create a bad impression on the minds of the other communities which, in the long run, will result in our making more enemies than friends”.
“It is not that if the blockade continues, our demand for integration would be met,” Sumi said, cautioning, instead of creating “goodwill with other communities, we could very well find ourselves creating ill will amongst the different communities by our actions”.
The NPCC president further pointed out they had no comment on the decision of the Manipur Government declaring June 18 as State Holiday as it was purely an “internal affair of the Government of Manipur.” And, therefore, when the economic blockades were in Manipur, what was the logic about the destruction spree in Nagaland, he asked. He said, “If Nagas of Nagaland were to show their solidarity with their fellow Naga brethren of Manipur, it would be more than symbolic if volunteers could go to Manipur and join the Naga protestors there.”

Asking those Naga NGOs which represented several tribes of Nagaland not to have “double standards”, Sumi asserted that “on one hand, they (Naga NGOs of Nagaland) say they are concerned about the difficulties and inconveniences that the people living in Imphal valley have to undergo because of the economic blockade, but on the other, they support the agitation here in Nagaland which is accentuating the plight of the people in Manipur.” The people could see “through this crocodile-tears attitude and may not hold much regard for such organizations in future”, the NPCC chief explained. Describing unfortunate the more divisions cropped up on tribal lines as a fallout of the ongoing agitation as was evident from the non-participation of two major tribes of Nagaland in the Solidarity Rally in Dimapur last week, the NPCC chief said, “If we do not let political wisdom and foresight guide our actions or plans, it would appear that instead of integrating the Nagas, Nagas are on the verge of being disintegrated.”
Pointing out that Nagas should not be swayed away by “emotions since emotions tend to blind,” Sumi averred their sensitiveness should be within the “limits of rationality”. “We should never be insensitive nor should we be over-sensitive to political or administrative issues,” the Nagaland Congress chief said. “A common aspiration of the Naga people is to live in peace – with themselves and (also) with all neighboring communities – and no individuals or organizations should deviate from this aspirations or try to insult anybody’s intellect.”
Stating that the NPCC was a political organization of the State of Nagaland, hence it would speak for the people of Nagaland only and could not speak on behalf of any other people, Sumi stressed that the welfare of the people of Nagaland was the “prior concern of the NPCC and as a mature political party, it considers the repercussion, ramifications and implications of its words and actions.” – NEPS
Meinya for immediate Central intervention Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, July 27 – Manipur MP Dr T Meinya Singh yesterday expressed serious concern on the situation arising out of the ongoing impasse between the State Government and the agitating All Naga Students Association of Manipur (ANSAM) with regard to the ongoing economic blockades in the State. Raising the current Manipur blockade issues in Zero Hour on the floor of the Parliament on Tuesday, the MP from Inner Manipur said the ongoing economic blockades, which enter for the 38th day today, on two national highways – 39 and 53 connecting the State – by the ANSAM had given maximum hardships to the people of the State. He informed the Parliament about the acute shortage of essential commodities in the State thereby escalating the prices and even at the midst of this terrible situation and already charged atmosphere, the Irang bridge was blown off making a complete cut off from the rest of the country.– NEPS
Zeliangrong outfit floated Sangai
IMPHAL, Jul 27 : Announcing the formation of a new outfit, christened the Zeliangrong Revolutionary National Front, it chairman, KS Guangsilung said that the outfit will start operation from today (July 27) in the interest of the people. Highlighting its agenda, the newly floated outfit, in a statement said that the Front will work against the designs perpetrated by certain elements to annihilate the smaller communities. Training its guns on the NSCN (IM), the statement said that the Zeliangrong people have had to suffer the atrocities of the IM group during the height of the Naga-Kuki clash about ten years back. The NSCN (IM) is also responsible for leading a good number of Zeliangrong youths to the wrong path and for bringing the pangs of separation and deaths to a good number of families of the Zeliangrong community, charged the Front. However today, the newly floated outfit will fight and defeat the agenda of the NSCN (IM), which is against the interest of the people of Manipur, said the statement. The NSCN (IM) is responsible for sowing the seeds of distrust and animosity amongst the people of Manipur who have been living peacefully together for ages, for exposing the people to extreme difficulties by master minding bandhs and blockades and even dismantling the Irang bridge, further charged the Front. The Zeliangrong Revolutionary National Front will leave no stone unturned to defeat the attempts of the NSCN (IM) to drive a wedge amongst the different communities of Manipur for their own selfish gains, said the statement, urging the people to extend their full support to the endeavour to defeat the agenda of the IM group.
NPCC sees no link between blockade and integration Sangai
Kohima, July 27 : Maintaining that it is not against integration of all Naga areas into a single administrative unit, the Nagaland Congress has said the indefinite blockade in Manipur has nothing to do with the integration and Nagas should abstain from imposing blockade of highways.
''It is not that if the blockade continues our demand for integration would be met,'' NPCC president Hokheto Sumi said in a statement here yesterday. ''The Nagaland Nagas joining the blockade would surely create a bad impression on the minds of other communities which in the long run would result in making more enemies than friends for the Nagas,'' the statement said. The state-ment was issued after the apex tribal council, Naga Hoho, castigated the Con-gress on its stand on Na-ga NGOs of Nagaland su-pporting the highway bloc-kade in Manipur. — PTI
Court jolt to ANSAM blockade HC asks Centre and State Govt to check economic blockade By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 27 : Acting on a Public Interest Litigation, a division bench of the Gauhati High Court, Imphal has today asked the Centre and the State Government to take up all necessary measures under the law to stop the economic blockade imposed by the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur for more than a month now. Justices MBK Singh and TNK Singh issued the directives following a PIL filed by N Mohon Singh, president of the United Development Association, Khangabok and two office bearers of the Association. Significantly, Khanga-bok in Thoubal district is the home Constituency of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh. Referring to a number of news items which appeared in the National dailies and State dailies, the PIL said that ANSAM has been imposing the indefinite economic blockade for more than a month now to protest the decision of the State Government to declare June 18 as State Integrity day and State holiday. The PIL also mentioned the dismantling of the Irang bridge on NH-53 by ANSAM volunteers to intensify its stir. Any action in the guise of demanding some claim by any organisation that deprives the public of their fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 19 and 21 of the Constitution is illegal and unconstitutional, contended the PIL.
The PIL further said that a large number of organisations have come out against the economic blockade and lamented that the Centre and the State Government have not been able to do anything to check the economic blockade. The petitioners also recalled the recent verdict of the Kerala High Court which ruled that bandhs called by any political party or organisations to demand anything amounts to deprivation of the fundamental rights of the people and is thus unconstitutional. The Kerala High Court ruling was later upheld by the Supreme Court. Stating that it is the responsibility of the Centre to protect the highways, the PIL said that National Highway Protection Force should be provided as per the National Highway Act, 1956. The Centre also has Constitutional obligations to protect the citizens of the land by invoking the relevant provisions of law. After hearing the PIL, the Court observed that due to the economic blockade, there is no longer any free trade along the highways.
“We are also convinced that consequent upon the said indefinite blockade, lives and livelihood of large sections of the people residing in the State are jeopardized apart from causing insurmountable hardships and inconveniences to all sections of the people in the State,” the Court observed.
“We are of the opinion that imposition of the indefinite blockade along the said two lifelines of the State is unconstitutional and illegal,” added the Court. The Court also asked its registry to convey to the respondents to reply within one month time. The listed respondents in the case include the president of ANSAM, Paul Langhu, vice president Ngachonmi Chamroy and the State represented by the Chief Secretary, DGP and other senior police officers as well as the Union of India represented by the Home Secretary. Advocate Maibam Hem-chandra appeared in favour of the PIL petitioners. Sacked
Mahanta to form new party in Assam By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service Guwahati, July 28 (IANS) Former Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta is set to form a new political party next month after being sacked from the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a regional party he founded two decades back. Mahanta, who was unceremoniously expelled from the AGP last month for alleged anti-party activities, said Thursday that he and his supporters will form a new regional party, the Pragatisheel Gana Parishad, in mid-August.
"I tried by best to make the AGP leaders reconsider their decision to remove me from the party. But they did not," Mahanta told IANS. "I cannot sit tight and so decided to form a new party for the greater interest of Assam."
At least half-a-dozen senior AGP leaders who held key ministerial positions during Mahanta's regime are likely to join the Pragatisheel Gana Parishad party. "We shall take anybody into the party keen to work for the development of Assam," the former chief minister said. Driven into political wilderness since the Congress routed the AGP at the 2001 assembly elections, Mahanta's image dipped to an all time low after he was removed as party president on an alleged bigamy charge. Mahanta, however, denied the allegations. After being sidelined from the party, he continued to mobilise support in select constituencies and time and again ridiculed the functioning of the AGP under the new president Brindaban Goswami. If Mahanta floats a new party, the AGP will be the biggest loser with elections scheduled for early next year. Analysts say the split in the AGP could further weaken the regional party that won only 23 of the 126 assembly seats during the 2001 elections. During the 2001 assembly polls, the AGP had a pre-election tie up with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - a move that cost both the parties dear with the Congress winning with an absolute majority. Political equations in Assam ahead of assembly polls could further change with the Left parties and certain smaller regional conglomerations trying to work out a third front.
"Once a third front is formed, we shall analyse the situation and see if we support the AGP or Mahanta's new party," said state Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Promod Gogoi. The proposed third front apart, political leaders belonging to the Muslim community are also contemplating a united front. "The political situation will become very fluid and votes will get polarised making it difficult for any party to get a majority in the upcoming elections in the event of so many new permutations and combinations," an analyst said.
ULFA firm on ‘independent’ Assam Assam Tribune By A Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, July 27 – The banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) today reiterated its resolve to carry on its campaign for an “independent” Assam with the outfit’s chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa claiming that there are lakhs of people in the State who are still ready to sacrifice themselves for the cause of freedom. On the occasion of the outfit’s martyrs’ day today, Rajkhowa said through an e-mailed statement that lakhs of Assamese people are ready to sacrifice themselves for the sake of an independent Assam where there would be unity and equality.
Clearly showing that the outfit has no intention of accepting the Indian Constitution, Rajkhowa called on the people of the state to mentally discard the Indian Constitution and laws, the Indian political system and Indian citizenship from this very day. He described the Indian system as exploitative and aimed at destroying the identity of the Assamese people with scant regard for human rights. The practice of inviting leaders of national parties to the state, as if they were leaders of Assam, and listening to their speeches should be stopped from today, he suggested. “Everybody in Assam should dump Indian politics,” Rajkhowa exhorted while calling on the people of the state to help the ULFA intensify its struggle. “Everybody should try to bring about unity among the Assamese people overcoming differences of community, religion and caste,” he said. Rajkhowa said that the “battle for truth and justice would be successful one day”. “Victory is inevitable,” he reiterated.

KYKL lays bare the ‘facts’ Sangai By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 27 : Reacting to the allegations of the Apunba Nupi Lup of Luwangshangbam, the proscribed KYKL today said that the proprietor of Mamta Restaurant, Langam Umakanta was awarded the capital punishment on July 18 as he was using his restaurant to allow youngsters to indulge in immoral activities. In a statement, the outfit said that Umakanta was killed after verifying facts and not on any flimsy ground. Detailing, KYKL said that on the fateful day, two cadres of the SOG went to the restaurant posing as customers and asked Umakanta if two rooms may be provided with privacy. At this Umakanta replied that there was only one room available and asked them to wait for some time if they wanted two rooms with privacy. While the conversation was going one of the cadres managed to peep inside the room which was occupied, said the statement and added that inside the room he saw a young man and a young woman in a compromising position. This message was conveyed to his other companion, said KYKL and added that the second cadre also peeped inside the room and confirmed what the former had just seen. The two cadres then contacted their commander on the next course of action to be taken and in accordance with the earlier decision taken by KYKL, the commander asked them to award Umakanta the capital punishment, said the statement.
It is unfortunate that the Apunba Nupi Lup of Luwangshangbam still refuses to believe that there were curtains inside the Mamta restaurant. KYKL took up the extreme course of action only after verifying the facts and countered whether the members of the Apunba Nupi Lup kept any daily watch over the restaurant. If this is the case then why weren't there any members of the Nupi Lup when the two KYKL cadres checked the restaurant. Making it clear that KYKL can never accept the allegations that Umakanta was innocent and that what the outfit had done was wrong, the statement said that it would be highly unfortunate if the women folks are acting at the behest of anyone to tarnish the image of the outfit. Umakanta was killed as per the decision announced by the KYKL earlier that it would launch a crack down on all seedy restaurants, said the statement and urged the women folk to realise that such action was taken up to save the future generations of Manipur.

ANSAM blockade : Whom should we fix the onus? By Ashinpou Gangmei Sangai
For last one month issue ANSAM has launched its indefinite economic blockade on both the National Highways i.e NH-39 and NH-53 from the midnight of the 19th June 2005, we have seen many appeals being pouring in from various NGO's including State Govt of Manipur that appeared everyday in local dailies, AIR, ISTV, DDK etc. We have also seen the issue being one of the most debated one in the last monsoon session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. However, none of them hit the jackpot. And we have some unanswered question such as:
a. Why this economic blockade?
b. Who created this blockade?
c. For what reason it is called?
d. Who should be responsible?
e. And whose onus to resolve it?
These are the underlying questions/issues that we all need to ponder together and give our judicious thoughts, comments and appeal thereof so that our appeal carries meaning and merits to its solution at the earliest.
A. Why this economic blockade?
ANSAM has launched the ongoing economic blockade on the two National Highways from the midnight of 19th June 2005 (till date) in protest against the Govt of Manipur declaration of June 18th as the State Integrity Day and holiday. In fact, the June 18th 2001 Uprising was against the extension of the Indo-NSCN (IM) ceasefire without territorial limit. In the said uprising in Manipur valley, important institutions including the lone Manipur Legislative Assembly buildings, MLA's, Ministers Quarters, Govt offices, vehicles and properties worth crores of rupees were burnt down by the enraged mob. Even we have also seen the Indian National Flags being were burnt on the streets during that mob. On the one hand, the apprehension of our Meitei brothers that extension of Indo-NSCN (IM) ceasefire without territorial limit in Manipur would disintegrate Manipur was the immediate cause of that uprising. Indeed, it's overreacted on the part of our Meitei brothers because that even cost 18th innocent lives. On the other hand, however, ceasefire for the war-fatigued Nagas, it is a hard earned gift/opportunity from the GOI after fighting with bloodshed with mighty Indian Army for the last 50 years (or more now). Many revolutionaries fighting for their cause have died and many surviving have also separated from their families, beloved parents, siblings, wives, children and friends for decades together. And they have been hiding in the jungles spending sleepless nights, without food and drinks for days and weeks for the last 50 years. It was an opportunity for them to have reunion with family members and relatives after spending decades in the inhospitable jungle. Some of them could not recognise their family members when they came back home after 30/40/50 years hiding. If you go to Naga village in Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul and Nagaland State you will find many widows, orphans, handicapped/disabled people for life due to brutal harassment and torture to third degree treatment meted to them under the so called draconian law, Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958. Thousands of innocent Naga have been slaughtered during those years. It is pertinent to question that is peace for the Naga an offence to our neighbour? Ceasefire in fact is a breathing space for all of us and that does not necessary mean to disintegrate Manipur. When this hard earned ceasefire was sabotaged tooth and nail by our Meitei brothers, many Nagas felt deeply hurt and thousands of them silently shed their tears. It was just like compelling the Nagas of Manipur to continue to lead the path of violence and not giving them a chance to live peacefully with others even after thousands of them had already sacrificed their precious lives. Many Naga village, houses, granaries and other properties were burnt into ashes during those days in the name of counter insurgency by the mighty Indian army.
Many girls and women were being raped and they went unreported to the media and authorities concerned since Indian Army committed their heinous crimes in remote hill villages and the army warned them of dire consequences if reported. It was also an opportunity for many battle fatigued Naga guerillas of a peaceful home coming to share the fruits of ceasefire with their long lost family members other relatives and friends. They also want to lead peaceful life like you and me, but their cherished dream compelled them to continue to fight those days. Therefore, many Naga of Manipur deeply hurt their sentiment when the peace process was vehemently opposed and many of them cannot heal that wounds in their general psyche. This is also one of the reasons why emotional integration is lacking between the people of the hills and the plain today. I feel our Meitei brothers had also over reacted in June 2001 that cost 18 innocent lives. Declaration of June 18th as the State Integrity Day and holiday without Cabinet tag to its order by the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has now been reacted by the Nagas. Manipur being a heterogeneous State what is acceptable to a group of people is sometimes not acceptable to others. And our decision makers should take into account that aspect before the Govt takes any major decision. The June 18th being observed by our Meitei brothers is not objected by the Nagas, but they are against the declaration of it as the State integrity day and holiday by the Chief Minister. Now, he needs rethinking to bring the burning State into normalcy.
B. Who created this blockade?
The Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh is the creator of this ongoing economic blockade why because of the following reason. He had not consulted his Cabinet colleagues, therefore, there is no Cabinet decision to declare 18th June as State Integrity Day and holiday. Th. Debendra Singh Minister Works on the floor of the House disclosed this fact on 29th June 2005 while replying to the opposition.
Ibobi himself admitted that there is no Cabinet decision to include June 18th in the list of State holiday, but he has declared it on his discretion as a Chief Minister every year. My question to him is that if it is not in the list of State holiday, what is wrong in revoking it than being an issue of discord between different communities. This kind of myopic decision has made common people to suffer beyond expression. It is also pertinent to note that any holiday that falls both under the Central and the State Govt should be declared in compliance with the provisions of the Negotiable Instrument (NI) Act and that should also be approved by a Cabinet memo because thousands of employees under the State Govt should not lost their wages on that day due to public holiday. In this regard O Ibobi Singh has taken law into his own hand like Luis XIV of France who proclaimed himself 'I am the State'.
C. For what reason it is called?
We all know as ANSAM has repeatedly stated/ clarified that the ongoing economic blockade is not against any community but against the wrong decision of the Chief Minister of Manipur. Here we may quote Gandhi, 'Non Cooperation Movement is not against the Governor General but against the action of the Governor General'. Similarly, ANSAM has also taken up this extreme step against the wrong decision of the Chief Minister of Manipur. Now, it is time for the people of Manipur to pressurize the Chief Minister to rescind his earlier decision that has led us all into the present crisis and hardship. I would also quote from Blake, 'The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water and breeds reptiles of the mind'. If Ibobi continues to steadfast to his wrong decision it will create more problems.
D. Who is responsible?
Again and again it is Chief Minister of Manipur who is the epicentre of the present impasse that brought both the common man of hill and plain into his hardships. Here, I quote John F Kennedy, “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich”. The common people who are the daily bread earners of both hills and plan are at the receiving ends. When the State cannot protect them, how can we expect the safety of the affluent groups in the near future. Because, Gandhiji said, 'hungry man is angry man', surely a time will come that millions of daily bread earners would take to the street to pressurize the State for immediate solution to this ongoing crisis. Would the CM wait for that doomsday?
E. Whose onus to resolve it?
We have seen the charter of demands submitted to the Govt of Manipur by the ANSAM as it was also published in local dailies. We also know that ANSAM has demanded with an option to the State Govt either to revoke June 18th or declare it as a restricted holiday and it has not demanded for blanket ban of that controversial holiday. That ANSAM has respect the sentiment of our valley brothers too because they have also lost 18 innocent precious lives on that day. Now, it is a spark neglected that burnt the house, the Chief Minister and the GOM should have rescinded its earlier decision before the issue reaches saturated point. On the other hand imposition of a decision/order which is not acceptable to a group of people tantamount to violation of human rights that the Chief Minister and the GOM should understand clearly so that they don't commit this kind of blunder which may hurt the sentiment of any group of people in the State in the near future. — to be contd

Catch 22 situation Sangai
It is not easy to be the Chief Minister of a State like Manipur which have numerous communities and even more interest groups each pulling in different directions and the discomfiture that Chief Minister O Ibobi must be feeling right now can only be imagined. It is now more than a month since the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur launched its economic blockade to demand the revocation of the State Integrity day and State holiday status granted on June 18 and even as the people are reeling under the impact of the blockade a good number of civil societies such as the United Committee Manipur, HERI-COUN and United Peoples' Front have made it more than clear that rolling back the decision would invite greater turmoil. With ANSAM unlikely to back off now and with organisations like the UCM opposed to any roll back decision, the Chief Minister is clearly caught between the devil and the deep sea, to borrow an old English saying. Standing between these two extreme school of thoughts, we have an organisation like the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation, which has said that granting the status of State Integrity day on June 18 does not mean that the integrity of the State would be strengthened. In the same vein, AMUCO has gone ahead and stated that rolling back the status of June 18 will not mean disintegration of the State as the integrity of Manipur can only be ensured by the ties that bind the people together. Interestingly a vernacular daily, Ereibak, has gone ahead and sought the opinion of the people on June 18 and as per the responses received by the paper, majority of the respondents are of the view that there should be no roll back of the June 18 declaration
The deadlock is clear. The Chief Minister is clearly caught between two diametrically opposing view points and one wrong step at this juncture will plunge the State into more chaos and confusion and prudence is the need of the hour. Civil societies in Manipur, on either side of the June 18 divide, need to interact with each other more and share their views and opinions instead of merely stating their case through the newspapers. This is also not the time for any political party or political leaders to try and take political mileage out of the situation. The Chief Minister needs wise and mature counselling. We can do without the likes of Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency MP Mani Charenamei, whose agenda is clear to the people. This is not the time to take political pot shots at each other, for it involves the welfare of the people, nay their very survival. This is also not the time to indulge in rhetorics. As the position of the Chief Minister is clear to all, perhaps the time has come to shift the focus on non State actors to come out and see where a solution may be worked out, without hurting the sentiments of anyone. The Church, for example, may play an important role and they may serve as the bridge between the two opposing sides to share their views and opinion and see where something concrete may be worked out.
Minh’s fine, but where’s dad
Rwimali Mochahary (L), wife of NDFB leader B Erakdao, and Shyamoli Gogoi, wife of Prakash Gogoi of ULFA, seen with social activist Anjali Daimary (R) at the Press Club in the city on Wednesday. Sentinel By a Staff Reporter GUWAHATI, July 27: The ideals of the revolutionist Ho Chi Minh had inspired surrendered ULFA cadre Gyanama Dihingia alias Shyamoli Gogoi to think up a name for her daughter that would echo the ideals of Minh and Vietnam. Vernisa, the three-and-five-month-old child, doesn’t know what happened to her father after December, 2003 when he was handed to the Indian Army by the Royal Bhutan Army. Taking up the issue of Vernisa’s missing father and 18 other ULFA and NDFB members whose whereabouts is still unknown after the ‘Operation All Clear’conducted by the Royal Bhutan Army, the North East Coordination Committee on Human Rights today threatened to launch a worldwide campaign against the violation of human rights by India and Bhutan. Terming the non-disclosure of the whereabouts of the ULFA and NDFB members who were handed over to the Indian Army by the Royal Bhutan Army, as a gross violation of human rights, Lachit Bordoloi, secretary of NECOHR, expressed that the families of such missing ultras were passing through an agonising phase on account of the uncertainty over the fate of their dear ones.
Narrating her experiences at the Bhutan camp when the combing operations started from December 15, 2003, Gyanama said that the first casualties of the attack were captain Rahul Dutta from Jorhat and his child Munna. "Like rain the mortars fell all around," said Gyanama who went without food and water for three days with her daughter mounted to her back along with the batch of women cadres.
It was the same tale of excruciating pain and suffering that Rwimali Mochahary, wife of Emmanuel Basumatary alias B Erakdao, the missing information and publicity secretary of NDFB, had been undergoing. Talking to newspersons she expressed her present distressed condition with her minor child and appealed to the concerned authorities to furnish information about her husband.
According to Gyanama, her husband Poonaram Dihingia alias Prakash Gogoi, senior ‘second leutenant’ was last seen at Deothang Army camp on December 24, 2003. "A child has every right to know what happened to the father," voiced Bordoloi who alleged that the Indian Army was actively involved in the Bhutan operation and the first victim of the joint operation was a child. He further said that international human rights organizations and the Red Cross should be allowed to visit the jails in Bhutan to gather information about the ‘untraced’ leaders. Referring to a recent comment by ULFA ‘c-in-c’ Paresh Barua, Bordoloi said that the missing ultras might be in Samser Jail in Bhutan.
Cong responsible for ULFA problem’ From our Correspondent
CHABUA, July 27: AGP MP and former president of the AASU Sarbananda Sonowal has come down heavily on the Congress party and blamed the Centre for its indifferent attitude towards solving the ULFA problem. "Only due to the apathy of the Centre, the State insurgency problem is yet to be solved," Sonowal said in a public meeting organized by the Chabua unit of the AASU at DDR College, Chabua to felicitate him recently. "Even after getting so much time, the Centre is yet to solve the ULFA problem," the man who has been regarded as the most popular political figure in post-SC verdict on the IM(DT) Act in Assam regretted after accepting a warm felicitation during the programme. Expressing gratitude to the people of the State for welcoming him after announcement of the apex court verdict, Sonowal has also urged every Indian to keep a strict vigil on the movement of the Bangladeshi nationals. He also blamed the Congress party for trying to protect the Bangladeshi nationals to keep their vote banks intact. Allaying the apprehension of some minority organizations that minorities would face harassment during the detection and deportation of illegal migrants, Sonowal said, "No indigenous Indian will be harassed under any circumstances." Earlier, hundreds of AASU activists welcomed Sonowal after his arrival here.
Thailand, ASEAN and the "Burma Problem" Eight Long Years of Disgrace
"To cope with the Burma problem, ASEAN accepted and adopted the Thai proposal calling for “constructive engagement.” As with many other political lexicons, "constructive engagement" is Orwellian: it is neither constructive nor a form of engagement." Mr. Surapong Jayanama, a former spokesperson of the Thailand's Foreign Ministry
Historical Background
The event in 1988 was the starting point that catapulted Burma into the center of the international community's concern. Under the iron grip of General Ne Win, the Burmese military dictatorship massacred thousands of citizens who were demanding democracy, an atrocity that was heavily condemned by the international community. Only the Thai government, then under the Chatichai Choonhavan administration, openly expressed sympathy for the Burmese junta with a straight face.
Subsequently, the Thai government sent General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (then Army Commander in Chief) to Rangoon to discuss matters with the Burmese military junta. General Chavalit promptly returned to Bangkok with a number of highly lucrative fish and timber concessions to redistribute to powerful cliques in the Thai business community that were close to the government. General Chavalit's trip to Burma at that time served as a prototype for designing a foreign policy that is geared toward pampering vested interests and that privileges trade and investment at the expense of other considerations, especially the national interest. Successive Thai administrations, including the present one, have closely adhered to this policy. Let us call this policy "politics for business or commercial interests." It can be argued that Thai foreign policy toward its neighbors, especially Burma and Cambodia, has transmogrified into a mono-dimensional policy whose agenda is dominated by business or commercial interests with other considerations being relegated to the back burner. It is a foreign policy that is based on the logic or illogic of "politics for business or commercial interests". But it undermines the good image, credibility, and trustworthiness of the country. And since 1988 Thai foreign policy toward Burma has always helped to shield, nurture, and legitimize the Burmese military junta despite its unsavoury human rights record. ASEAN eventually followed suit, opening its arms to Burma's membership in July 1997. Therefore, Burma has been able to benefit from the positive image and international standing of ASEAN. For the past eight years, the Burmese military junta has attempted to accumulate the greatest benefits in every possible way from its ASEAN membership.
Its ultimate objective is thus: to foster the stability and enhance the survivability of military dictatorship in Burma. Burma has used ASEAN as its protective shield in its foreign relations. Put differently, the Burmese military junta has successfully transformed its conflict with the inter- national community into a conflict between ASEAN and the international community. Other ASEAN member states, in particular Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines, are thus lingering in a nauseous condition deriving from their inability to digest the 'Burma problem.'
Since 1997 Burma has created numerous problems for ASEAN—far more than when it was not a member of this regional organization. Undeniably, the good image and credibility of ASEAN have been considerably tarnished. Many Malaysian and Indonesian MPs have voiced their concerns about the situation in Burma, about how Rangoon is backpedaling on democratization and thereby deteriorating ASEAN's relations with its international partners such as the US and the EU.
In an interview, the Singaporean foreign minister expressed likewise. They all have encouraged ASEAN to consider these negative developments seriously as well as to develop contingency plans if relations with international partners get even worse as a result of further setbacks in Burma's democratization process. They have also encouraged the legislative wings in all ASEAN member states to devise ways to convince their governments of the harms that Burma is doing to ASEAN due to its refusal to seriously pursue democratization and national reconciliation. Thus far Burma has made only cosmetic changes to appease or fool the international community. Additionally, they recently demanded the governments of ASEAN states to include this matter in the agenda of the ASEAN Retreat, which was held in the Philippines during 9-10 April 2005. These are efforts to persuade Burma to think about the ASEAN interests as a whole. And if Burma still adamantly refuses to change its course, at the very least it should step down from the chairmanship of ASEAN and allow another ASEAN state to assume this role in the 2006 meeting between ASEAN and its international partners.
It is unclear whether or not Burma will yield to these demands. But if we take into consideration its actions in the past eight years, the likelihood that Burma will sacrifice some of its 'particular' interests for the collective benefit of ASEAN is slim or non-existent. And the likelihood that other ASEAN member states will take drastic measures against Burma is equally improbable. [Mizzima News]


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