[Previous entry: "Naga people forced to work for Burma junta"] [Next entry: "NSCN-IM suspends erring member"]
09/15/2005: "Naga leaders reiterate on integration and reconciliation"
Naga leaders reiterate on integration and reconciliation Morung Express News DIMAPUR: The Naga Hoho, Tribal Leaders, Women Hoho, and Student Leaders today held a meeting at the Naga Council Office today. The meeting reviewed the resolution that was recently made with the collective leadership of NSCN- IM during the 5th consultative meeting at Bangkok. Addressing to gathering Savi Legesie, President Naga Council, Dimapur highlighted some of the resolutions made during the consultative meeting. He said that the General Secretary of the NSCN-IM Th. Muivah had reiterated that they would stand true to the Nagas but without the masses’ cooperation, he said that they will not be able to realize the desired results.
During the recently concluded meeting at Bangkok, Th. Muivah was reported to have admitted the involvement of some of their cadres with various State leaders for political gain, for which he lamented. When asked by the members representing the Nagas about the taxation patterns that is presently enforced in Nagaland, the General Secretary assured that taxation would be streamlined and also that no tax was being levied on new entrepreneurs. The President of Naga Hoho, Horangtse Sangtam at the meeting urged the Naga leaders to be firm in their stand. He put forwarded challenged the leaders that if the Nagas can make a cease fire agreement with the Government of India then why should not an understanding among the Naga leaders of various political factions be reached at.
Adding to it, H.K. Zhimomi, Speaker of the Naga Hoho, appealed to all the Nagas to be patient and added that the issue (integration) was not a simple one but was the biggest- a political one. The Naga Hoho clarified that they were not in favor of any particular under ground faction but the peace process to resolve the Naga political issue.
Rio allocates Rs 11 cr for scholarships OUR CORRESPONDENT the Telegraph
Kohima, Sept. 14: The Neiphiu Rio government has decided to release Rs 11 crore from the state exchequer towards post-matric scholarships following non-release of funds from the Union tribal affairs ministry. The government was forced to take the decision after students boycotted classes yesterday in protest against the government’s inability to give scholarships. The All Nagaland College Students Union had also threatened to call a statewide bandh on Friday. Following today’s decision, higher education minister Shürhozelie Liezietsu appealed to the students’ union to call off the agitation. “The amount has been cleared by the government and when the students’ demands have been met, there is no point in agitating,” he said.
Students from Nagaland, studying in 125 institutions within the state and 516 institutions outside, benefit from the centrally-funded scholarships. Chief minister Neiphiu Rio blamed the Centre for its “deliberate attempt” at harassing students from Nagaland. There were alleged irregularities in payment of some scholarships which has delayed the release of funds, a source said. Rio said there was no point in holding back scholarships of 31,000 students for the sake of an inquiry. While the Rio government is trying to save the situation by releasing funds from the state exchequer, Congress leaders, including Opposition leader I. Imkong, met Union minister for tribal affairs P.R. Kyndiah in Delhi and asked him to expedite the release of funds. “How can the Centre release funds when the government has not produced a utilisation certificate previous year?” a Congress source asked.
Ganja seized Source: The Sangai Express
Dimapur, September 14: Nagaland police seized 14,000 kgs of contraband ganja from two trucks (NL-010-5416 and AS-25-7257) coming from Manipur at 7th Mile, Dimapur, in the wee hours today and arrested four persons in this connection, reports NNN. This is said to be the second biggest seizure of ganja in Nagaland. The biggest seizure was made by the North Police Kohima. The international market value of the consignment is reportedly Rs 4.2 crore. According to police, the contraband, destined for markets outside the State, was neatly packed in several gunny bags and concealed under pieces of pine timbers.
The accused were later identified as Kangba Talo, son of Kangoi, Pungti Jobson, son of Tubia, M Daniel Poumai, son of Maikho and S Sosii Poumai, son of late Eapuni, all from Tadubi in Senapati district of Manipur. The drivers of the two trucks, however, managed to give a slip when the vehicles were being frisked by the police personnel. Police seized two small vehicles in which the four accused were travelling. The two trucks were also seized.
Cannabis worth Rs.150 mn seized in Nagaland:- (IANS)
Dimapur (Nagaland) | September 15, 2005 2:55:14 PM IST
Cannabis worth Rs.150 million ($3.4 million) has been seized from four people, including a tribal separatist, near here, police said Thursday. Two trucks loaded with about 15 tonnes of cannabis were seized Wednesday near Dimapur, Nagaland's commercial hub, a police spokesman said. The drug consignment originated from the adjoining state of Manipur. "The trucks containing the drug consignments were being escorted by a person who claims to be a rebel leader of the Isak-Muivah faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) and three more people. We have arrested all the four accused," Dimapur police chief Bidur Shekhar told IANS. Intelligence officials said this is the single biggest haul of drugs in the northeast in recent years and could possibly unravel links between militants and drug dealers.
The NSCN-IM has been operating a ceasefire with New Delhi since 1997 and is holding peace talks to bring an end to close to six decades of insurgency in the region. "The cannabis was neatly packed and wrapped in plastic bags and placed in the trucks with sacks of dry fish on top of the packets to give police the slip," Shekhar said. "We are interrogating the accused to find out where the consignment was destined," the police official said. Farmers in the northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland grow cannabis in remote areas although there is a government ban on such cultivation. Police in Assam last week seized 10 tonnes of cannabis in a similar raid on three trucks. Twelve smugglers, dressed as border guards, fled after being challenged.
"Some rebel groups in the northeast have taken to trading in drugs to raise funds. This is a disturbing trend and we need to focus on this aspect seriously," an intelligence official said.
Police register biggest ganja haul in Nagaland Morung Express News
DIMAPUR: In the biggest ever ganja haul in Nagaland, Police personnel today seized two truckloads of contraband ganja near the Saw Mill, 7th mile, Dimapur. The trucks bear registration numbers AS-25 7257 and NL-010-5416.The total weight of the seized cannabis has been put at 14, 000 kg. Pungti Jobson, Deputy Secretary, Defense Ministry, NSCN-IM and a first class PWD contractor by the name of Daniel Poumai besides two others going by the names of Banul Poumai and S Sosii Poumai have been arrested in this connection. All of the four hail from Tadubi, Senapati district, Manipur. The consignment was neatly packed in bundled plastic sheets and cleverly concealed under logs of wood. Shreds of dried fish were sprinkled on top of the bundles in an attempt to reduce the stench of the ganja. This was done so as not to arouse suspicion. According to Police, Daniel and Jobson were in a Maruti 800 car bearing registration number MN-O1K- 5832 and a Maruti Zen bearing registration number NL-O1-C-4592 respectively, while escorting the two trucks. All four vehicles are in the custody of Police. Police investigations into the case are on.When contacted, Kilo Kilonser (Home Minister) of the NSCN-IM Ahao Raising said that the culprits should be given stringent punishment as they were maligning the image of the outfit for their personal gains. He further added that the NSCN was carrying out operations against such nefarious activities. According to reliable sources, the marijuana consignment was meant for a ganja kingpin by the name of Paki Mia and was probably coming from Senapati district, Manipur. A kilo of premium ganja, such as the one seized today, costs about Rs 1200 per kg in Dimapur. The same will fetch about Rs 5000-Rs 6000 in Delhi, according to sources.
NSF against raising age bar for retirement Morung express
DIMAPUR, Sept 14 (MExN): Taking serious note of information that some organizations were prompting a move to raise the age limit for superannuation from the present 57 years to 60 years, the NSF has strongly warned any organizations as well as the Government from taking such a step. NSF President V Pushika Awomi, made it clear that the federation would not tolerate any alteration of the present age status while reminding that there was a clear Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the NSF and the Nagaland Government as a result of an agitation by the former in 1991. "It should also be clear that the NSF undertook the issue of superannuation purely to safeguard the interest of our increasing number of unemployed youths" Pushika stated.
The NSF also reminded that "raising even a year on the age of superannuation would reduce thousands of unemployed Naga youths under the over-aged category thereby invalidating their qualifications for any government service". It also stated that the first MoU was based on two system of retirement – 33 years of service or 57 years of age "whichever is earlier". However due to the CANSSEA’s writ petition, the Court gave a ruling to it for an option for which the government service body chose the years of age as the basic clause for superannuation. "However over the years it has been proven that this option has resulted in numerous cases of age-tampering and manipulation of birth certificates". NSF will now submit a representation to the Government in this regard and public opinion would be sought as to whether the years of age or the years of service should ‘prevail.’
UNLF against ban on digital films The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Sep 13: Terming films as one of the most popular performing art forms and a medium through which propagation and promotion of culture, customs and traditions and identity of a particular community or group can be done extensively, the underground UNLF has said that imposing complete ban on filming and exhibition of films made in digital format will not be a right step.
Spelling out its agenda on digital film making and the existing new trend being practised in the making of such films, the UNLF in a statement issued by its senior publicity secretary Ksh Yoihenba stressed the need for making constructive changes in making of digital films keeping in view the promotion and propagation of our culture, customs and identity.
It also expressed strong concern over increasing adoption of foreign culture and customs in digital films being made nowadays which are completely irrelevant to the rich customs and traditions of the Manipuri society.
Most of the celluloid and digital films made in Manipur are either adopted or picturised in line with Hindi films made in Bollywood, which has had a severe impact on the Manipuri society, the UNLF statement said and further stressed the need for making constructive changes in the making of such films and appealed to film producers, directors, script writer and artists to desist from copying other cultures.
Even though a lot of changes are needed in making digital films, imposing a complete ban on it however is not advisable as it would not bring a solution and instead amount to a great loss for the Manipuri society.
Instead of hindrances, we should rather allow our creative film producers to flourish and make original films of their own.
Keeping in view the increasing threat being posed to the Manipur society by outside influence particularly through entertainment medium, the UNLF also stressed the need for formulating a unique cultural policy for Manipur, not separately for digital films and video albums. This however has to be done with collective thinking of experts in the field and the general public, it added.
Regarding the ban to be imposed in filming and exhibition of digital films from September 16 by the underground KCP(P), the UNLF said it would be wrong to impose a complete ban, but the particular outfit needs to be appreciated for taking such a step.
Massive fire at Assam oil well; Russian experts summoned (LEAD) Ians By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, Sep 15 (IANS) A massive fire broke out Thursday at a crude oil well in Assam that was spilling oil for the past three days and fire fighters were battling to put out the towering blaze described by oil experts as the worst ever in the region. A spokesman of the state-owned Oil India Limited (OIL), the country's premier oil exploration firm, said they have summoned a team of Russian oil experts to control the blaze and plug the flow of oil gushing out of the well near Dikom tea garden, about 520 km east of Guwahati.
'This could be the worst ever fire with the blaze rising at least 35 to 40 feet creating a thick blanket of black smoke in the area,' OIL spokesman Prassanta Barkakati told IANS on telephone from near the fire site.Fire fighters were having a tough time trying to move closer to the well with the fire raging rapidly. 'The fire is visible from a distance of about five kilometers with the smoke almost blanketing the sun,' police official B. Das said. Police said hundreds of tea garden workers and villagers living in and around the oil well have fled to safer areas.
'There is panic in the area as there is a fear that the fire might spread due to a gentle breeze sweeping the area,' Das said. At least 25 fire engines have arrived at the location with the fire breaking out in the well at around one p.m. Thursday. 'We have requisitioned several fire engines from nearby areas and also from the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) to put out the blaze,' Group General Manager of OIL, J. K. Talukdar, said. 'A team of foreign experts are arriving Friday to completely kill the well so that the leakage is stopped.'
Witnesses said the gushing crude oil had spilled over to the tea garden.
'Along with crude, natural gas was coming out of the well and hence the intensity of the fire,' Talukdar said. OIL officials have asked locals not to remain near the area fearing health hazards.
'Oil well fires create health hazards because the smoke contains many ingredients such as soot, liquid, aerosols, mercury, sulphur, nitrogen, dioxins, and furans. The particles can be carried by the wind,' said T. Sharma, a retired OIL engineer. 'If the fire is not put out soon it could endanger both the local people and the wildlife. The tea garden is likely to be hit as the heat generated from the oil well fire and the crude spewing onto the plantation could affect the tea leaves.' India produces over 30 million tonnes of crude oil annually with Assam accounting for five million tonnes.
ULFA may walk out of peace talks From Our Staff Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Sept 14 – In what may turn out to be a major setback, the ULFA has threatened to walk out of the peace process in the wake of the Army allegedly gunning down 12 of its cadres, including two top leaders, at Saikhowaghat. The ongoing Army operations have evoked sharp reactions of the People’s Consultative Group (PCG) and one of its convenor, Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami got in touch with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to convey the displeasure of the outfit.
Dr Goswami told newsmen here that it has been reported to her that the Army killed at least 12 cadres including two senior leaders in operations. The heavy exchange of fire is reported to be on in which the Army allegedly used mortars, the mediator said. The Army action has led to sharp reactions among the ULFA leadership and they have threatened to withdraw from the peace initiative. “At a time when the peace process is on how can the Army launch such actions,” they have asked, she said.
Meanwhile, sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that they are not aware about the killings as alleged by the outfit. “Though we are aware about the ongoing operations against the militants in border areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, there are no reports of such killings,” sources said. However, reports from the State prompted the MHA to check with the Army. But the Army has also denied killing of 12 cadres in the past two days, sources said. Officials suspected that the reason behind the hue-and-cry could be that some top leader of ULFA may be holed up in the area and may be trapped because of the operations. The Ministry nonetheless is keeping a close watch on the developing situation.
Our Staff Reporter adds: The People’s Consultative Group (PCG) formed by the ULFA to pave the way for talks with the Government of India, has threatened to resign in the wake of the reported killing of 12 cadres of the outfit in the Dibru-Saikhowa reserve forest area in Upper Assam.
The group has taken serious note of the reported killing of ULFA cadres in the reserve forest area and expressed the view that such incidents at this juncture would jeopardise the peace process. The Group pointed out that the ULFA did not resort to any kind of violence in the last few weeks and the Government must reciprocate by suspending operations to create a congenial atmosphere for the talks.
One of the members of the group, Hiranya Saikia said that if the Government does not stop operations, there is no point for the group to continue. After years of preparations, the ULFA finally announced its willingness to come for talks but actions of the Army would jeopardise the entire process. He said that on one hand, the Chief Minister assured full cooperation to the group to take the peace process ahead but on the other hand, cadres of the ULFA are being killed without any provocation.
Strike affects normal life in Manipur From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Sept 14 – Ten Manipuri Muslims, mostly women, sustained injuries when police tried to disperse a group of strikers using tear gas shells and smoke bombs at Hatta Minuthong on Wednesday morning. The injured have been admitted to neaby hospitals. Normal life in the state has been paralyzed partially due to the 24-hour general strike of the All Manipur Muslim Students’ Organisation (AMMSO).Demanding a separate reservation policy for the Muslim community, the students’ body in the state has been imposing the strike which is scheduled to conclude Wednesday midnight.The strike was quite successful in Lilong, Haoreibi and Sangomsang in Imphal West and Thoubal district. Functioning of government institutions as well as business establishments were also affected due to strike as most of the employees and general public failed to turn up for their normal business at their respective destinations including market places. All forms of transport services except the air service were suspended during the day.
“Chief Minister Ibobi should consider our demand if Congress really cares for the problems of minorities,” Abdul Haque, a prominent Muslim leader told this correspondent. A confrontation was also erupted between the strike supporters including the Muslim womenfolk and police commandoes at Sangomsang area, about 12 km south of Imphal under Thoubal district following the blocking of National Highway 39 at Sangomsang area at around 7.30 am on Wednesday.
Positive development assam Tribune editorial
Formation of a people’s consultative group by militant outfit United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to clear the way for talks with the Government of India is definitely a positive development and both the ULFA and the Government should adopt a give and take policy for an amicable solution to the problem of insurgency, that has been affecting Assam for more than 25 years. As a fall out of the initiative taken by noted writer Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami, who has taken the lead to bring the ULFA to the negotiation table, letters between the Prime Minister’s office and the militant outfit were exchanged and finally the ULFA formed the group to hold initial talks with the Government of India. Dr Goswami will act as a facilitator of the group, which includes journalists, one lawyer and others. On his part, the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi assured all possible cooperation to the group to pave the way for bringing the ULFA to the negotiation table, but at the same time, he was non-committal on the possibility of the Government declaring a unilateral cease-fire to create a congenial atmosphere for talks with the ULFA.
The group members, in their first meeting, decided to seek the opinion of cross sections of people of Assam on the issue of talks, which is a positive development, as success of talks would depend largely on the support of all sections of people of Assam. The group has called upon the people of the State to send their opinion, but at the same time, the group should try to approach prominent persons of the State to seek their opinion instead of waiting for the people to voluntarily send the same. The group decided to meet the Chief Minister to discuss the issue and one hopes that Gogoi would keep his promise of extending all possible help to the group including fixing appointments with the senior officials of the Prime Minister’s office to expedite the process. Of course, the Chief Minister will definitely like the talk to start before the next Assembly polls due early next year as this will give a big boost to the electoral prospects of the ruling party considering the fact that the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) has also come forward for talks with the Government of India during the tenure of the present Government and a cease-fire agreement between the Government and the NDFB has already been signed. The group also criticised the reported statement of the Director General of Assam Police, who asserted that the operations against the ULFA would continue. Of course, the Police will have to continue operations till the Government decides to go for a cease-fire, but at the same time, the Government officials must refrain from making any public comment which may affect the peace process.
The success of the peace process will depend on the sincerity of both the Government of India and the ULFA and it remains to be seen what guidelines the ULFA offers to the group to hold initial talks with the Government. The group can at best clear the hurdles in the way for talks, but sooner the ULFA leaders themselves come for talks is better for the entire State. The ULFA should also not adopt an adamant attitude on pre-conditions, as it might be difficult for the Central Government to publicly announce that it would talk on the issue of sovereignty and both Government and the ULFA should sit on the negotiation table without any pre-condition. Though there have been demands by some organisations for suspension of operations against the ULFA for creating a congenial atmosphere for talks, it will be difficult for the Government to do so till the ULFA gives an assurance of not indulging in any kind of violence during the suspension of operations.
8 Karbis shot dead From our Correspondent Sentinel
DIPHU, Sept 14: As many as eight people, all Karbis, were shot dead by suspected Kuki militants at Kangburatisso village in the Thekerajan area under Diphu police station, 18 km from Diphu town, in the trouble-torn Karbi Angloing district last night. The dead were four men, three women and a one-month-old baby. Security forces rushed to the spot today and hunt is on for the fleeing militants. It may be mentioned here that there had been such clashes between the Karbis and the Kukis in the hill district earlier also.
