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10/01/2005: "Nagas, Centre to resume talks in Bangkok"

Nagas, Centre to resume talks in Bangkok Sujit Chakraborty | October 01, 2005 Rediff.com A fresh round of peace talks between the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) and the federal Group of Ministers is all set to begin in Bangkok, Thailand, in the second week of October. Disclosing this in an exclusive interview to rediff.com, Mani Charenamei, member of Parliament and a Naga leader from Manipur, said the 'Greater Nagaland' issue will certainly be the top agenda during the discussion.
Muivah: I am not happy with India's response Charenamei asserted that he was working as a facilitator between the government and the Naga underground outfit, headed by its General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and Chairman Issac Chishi Swu. He also urged different Manipuri underground outfits to form a common platform and resume peace talks with the Centre. The NSCN (I-M), on the other hand, is operating from South Asian territories since nearly four decades. It had entered into a ceasefire agreement with the government in 1997.The government, on its part, has extended the ceasefire period for another six months after the earlier ceasefire agreement expired on July 31 this year. While the NSCN insists on its one-point agenda -- the unification of Naga-inhabited areas of the northeast -- the Group of Ministers argue that since the Nagas were never under one administrative area it was not practical to reunite them, or to redraw the region's boundary.
The NSCN (I-M) and their followers want a 'Greater Nagaland' to be created by slicing off four districts from Manipur, (Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul), two from Arunachal Pradesh (Tirap and Changlang), and large parts from Assam, including the areas inhabited by the Karbi tribe.
Why talk with a banned outfit: NSCN However, a majority of people from the three states have strongly reacted against any such move, as they feel that such an attempt would further disintegrate the region and widen the gap between the Indian mainland and the remote northeast. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi along with his counterparts Ibobi Singh and Gegong Apang, from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh respectively, reiterated, "There can be no compromise on territorial integrity, and we will not accept any formula of sharing even an inch of our land." Another issue the Group of Ministers is pushing forward is the unification of various Naga factions before arriving at any mutually acceptable formula to end the nearly six-decade-old Naga underground movement.
The NSCN (Khaplang) faction, mainly based in Myanmar, is yet to give its nod to the NSCN (I-M) faction's unification demand. The Khaplang faction has limited influence in the Mon, Tuensang and Makokchung districts of Nagaland. NSCN general secretary Muivah, a Thangkhul Naga, belongs to Somdel village of Ukhrul district in Manipur. Issac Chishi Swu, the faction's chairman, is a Sema Naga from Dimapur. On the other hand, S S Khaplang is a Naga from Mynamar and his group has a good following among the Konyak, Ao, Sema and other Naga clans. This has been a major roadblock towards the unification of different Naga clans on a single platform. In fact, Naga society is divided over the leadership issue. Ao and Angami, the two major Naga tribes of Nagaland, are not very keen on having a Thangkhul Naga of Manipur as the supreme Naga leader. It is an irony that while the NSCN (I-M) insists on achieving a 'Greater Nagalim' by redrawing the northeast boundary, it has so far failed to achieve unity among the different Naga groups.
NPMHR constitute research panel for Naga homeland The Morung Express Kohima, Sept 30 (MExN): The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has constituted a 7 member Committee ‘for a Unified Naga homeland’ to undertake research, documentation, explore creative strategies to mobilize, democratize and strengthen people’s movement through non-violent actions tools. The Committee Members include Kekhrie Yhome, Paul Leo, Lanusashi Longkumer, Dolly Kikon, N.Venuh, Elias Lotha and Mhonlumo Kikon. Meanwhile, NPMHR in its Assembly session took up a wide range of issues namely participation in the process of North East Peoples Initiative to discuss, debate and understand the peoples’ struggle in the region at a ‘people to peoples’ level; the ‘landmine’ war against Nagas by inimical forces in Manipur and Northwest Myanmar; the ‘discriminatory attitude of Arunachal Pradesh Government making mandatory the requirement of ILP for Nagas entering Tirap and Changlang; Intrusion of vested interest into the public domain through unregulated information dissemination to create confusion and division of public opinion; Separation of Executive from Judiciary and its impact on the customary courts; the question of IRB combating Naxalites in Chattisgarh; anti-privatization struggle on the home front on the issue of justice; Solidarity with media fraternity in the struggle for democracy and justice; Initiating youth dialogue; Strengthening institutional development support to communities in the frontier areas; Accountability of participation in different regional and international Forum on behalf of Nagas; nomination of new member to the Executive Council and appointment of new secretariat staff personnel.
NPMHR concludes General Assembly The Morung Express KOHIMA SEPT 30 (MExN): The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) concluded its two day General Assembly (28-29, September 2005) which was held at the NPMHR Secretariat Kohima with 19 members participating from Guwahati, Delhi, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel and Kohima. The General Assembly also condemned the recent alleged murder attempt and rape by Vekheto, a head GB on 15th September 2005 near Rengmapani. The NPMHR demanded that the concerned authorities immediately investigate and initiate action on the perpetrators. It also resolved to initiate an independent study group on the issue of ‘women and children’ to undertake case studies on the recent cases of violation against women and children. In this connection, a committee was formed with Coordinator Ayo Jajo Aier and Members, Mhonlumo Kikon, Aloto Kiho, Gina Sangkham, Lanu Longkumer, Niengriechon, Sharon and Dolly.
The NPMHR also took strong exception to a news article by Kartyvenkataraman (IndianExpress) which appeared under the Caption "The Greater Naga problem" in the front page of the Nagaland Page (26th September 2005) wherein he wrote quoting on an unnamed senior academician in Kohima that ‘Nagas of Manipur, excepting the Tangkhul Nagas, are originally Kuki tribes who have been brought under the Naga banner’. The NPMHR viewed this as factual misrepresentation of the Nagas currently administered under Manipur and their antecedents as a serious assault to the Naga dignity. It urged journalists to cross check the facts as expected of any credible investigative journalist and desist from indulging in any sensational reporting which might breed further confusion and endanger the fragile political process.
The NPMHR also took note of the acknowledgement made by the UNLF chief RK Meghen in a recent press interview to Tehelka carried exclusively by The Morung Express dated 23 September 2005, about the "past wrongs committed by the Meities on the Nagas and others Hill Peoples under the imposed territory of Manipur". Reasserting the right to self-determination of every people, the NPMHR stated that it was a basic human right and that neighboring communities should appreciate and respect the many decades struggle of the Naga people for a unified homeland. "The past misadventure of the dominant forces has done great injustice by dividing the Naga homeland through imposed boundaries for their colonial and neo-colonial interests which must be redressed if Just-peace is to be achieved" the NPMHR stated reaffirming "our stand that it will be the people who will determine the territory and not ‘the imposed’ territorial entity defining the future of a people."
NSCN factional clashes continue Hindustan Times Tuensang (Nagaland), September 30, 2005 Even as the Centre has for some years now attempted to arrive at a negotiated settlement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), the ceasefire in force in the state has failed to prevent the two factions of the outfit from battling each other. In the latest instance, the residents of Yakur village in the Tuensang district of the state have expressed deep concern over the free movement of armed underground cadres and the frequent factional clashes involving he two factions of the NSCN.
A delayed report reaching here said an NSCN (IM) cadre was seriously injured in an encounter with rival NSCN (K) near Yakur village on September 26. The report said the incident occurred when a group of 40-45 NSCN (IM) cadres led by a 'lieutenant' was ambushed by a group of NSCN (K) cadres.
Villagers of the area have meanwhile accused the law-enforcement agencies of siding with a particular faction against the other though police officials have denied the allegations. According to the villagers the administration had even provided vehicles to the faction. Fratricidal clashes have been a major concern among the people of Nagaland with hundreds of cadres from both the Isak-Muivah and Khaplang factions being killed in the clashes over the years.

Dr Lotha questions motives on NDA’s PIL North East Press Service

October 2: The Nagaland Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr TM Lotha has today questioned the motives behind the filing of PIL in the Court by some individuals in the Nagaland Doctors Association (NDA). He was speaking at the farewell function organized for the outgoing Director of Medical Services Dr Kepelhusie here at Directorate of Health and Medical Services today. The Minister said a few individuals in the NDA filed PIL challenging the tripartite MoU of State Government, EHA and CMC, Vallore. He said some people in the NDA did not fully understand about the tripartite MoU for running the affairs of the Dimapur Referral Hospital. They continued to insist not to have outside agencies for running such Hospital in the State, knowing fully that the State alone would not be able to run such multi-purpose hospital projects, the Minister pointed out.

“This means they don’t want the State to have a medical college and nursing college,” Dr Lotha asserted. “Their actions indicate that they are trying to sabotage the novel venture and dream of the people of the State to have a Medical College and Nursing Collage of their own after 42 years of Statehood.” The Minister said the State Government had already spent about Rs 82 crore for the construction of the Dimapur Referral Hospital. He further warned that if they delayed the process of running the Hospital for another 5 to 6 years by the actions of the few NDA people, whatever remained now would be collapsed. He also wondered as to how the Drug Dealers and Medicine Distributors came in support of the PIL. The entire episode looked “linked” between them, he alleged.

Asking why some NDA people should file PIL against the tripartite MoU instead of resolving whatever differences they had with the State Government, he appealed to medical professional in the Department to rethink about the matter and urge them not to allow some vested interest in the NDA to go against the wishes of the people in the State. The Minister also expressed unhappiness on the failure to come understanding between the NDA and NMGA. Urging the two to settle the differences as the matter was in their court now, the Minister said he was always ready to help for the development of the department. Dr Lotha also lauded the outgoing Director Dr Kepelhusie for his uncompromising principle during his tenure as Director of the Medical Services Department in the State. Wishing him a very happy retired life, the Minister said Dr Kepelhusie had left indelible imprint in the areas of development in the Medical sectors in the State.
Nagaland’s ‘communitisation’ The Statesman
In 2001, the Nagaland government launched an innovative programme which sought to improve its grassroots service delivery network, based on an unique communitisation approach. This sought to pool the government’s extensive resource base with the rich social capital of Naga society.
This led the Nagaland government to enact the Nagaland Communitisation of Public Institutions and Services Act, 2002, creating the legal and institutional context for the communitisation process to take off. Since the passage of the law, communitisation has been introduced in three government sectors, viz, elementary education, grassroots health services and power utilities. Communitisation consists of a unique partnership between the government and the community involving transfer of ownership of public resources and assets, control over service delivery, empowerment, decentralisation, delegation and building capacity with the aim of improving the delivery of public utility systems. It involves:
n Transfer of ownership of government assets to the community; n Empowerment of community through delegation of governmental powers of management and supervision in the day-to-day functioning of employees in village committees; n Ensuring accountability of government employees posted in villages at service-delivery level to local communities through resource devolution to village committees for payment of salaries to the employees and nControl of government assets by village committees including the responsibility for maintenance, amelioration and augmentation of assets.
The government would have to learn to relinquish the unquestioned powers and control they exercised over the services. The community would have to be empowered to grow into its new role of co-owners who are in charge of and responsible for providing public services being communitised ….
An essential component of the communitisation scheme is to provide training in respect of both skill and capacity building as also bringing about attitudinal changes in the community and among government employees. Communitisation focuses on a Triple ‘T’ approach: nTrust the user community; n Train them to discharge their newfound responsibilities and n Transfer governmental powers and resources in respect of management.
An Impact Assessment Study was conducted by independent consultants in 50 villages from seven districts, on a purposive sampling basis, ensuring coverage of 10 per cent of each of the three communitisation programmes.
Summary of findings (Education)
n Significant improvement in teacher attendance and elimination of unauthorised absence
n Discernible change in the attitudes of teachers towards teaching and greater attention to student discipline.
n Improved attendance of teachers has led to improved attendance of students. Importantly, improved punctuality of teachers has led to improvement in punctuality of students.
n Increased student enrolment, transfers from private schools, reduced dropouts and higher passing percentages.
n Improved teaching in classroom has led to more home study amongst children, rated as the most important benefit by parents and beneficiaries.

Positive impact on teaching quality
n Well received by the village community and the teachers.
n Village Development Boards (VDBs) have made financial contributions to repair, refurbish and extend infrastructure.
n Village Education Committees (VECs) have made efforts to improve the schools.
nAdded an increased sense of ownership of schools and the transformation process by VEC members and the community have been augmented. In many villages this is reflected in local community contributing material and labour to repair schools and to provide additional teachers and coaching classes.
n Better education opportunities for the poor, particularly the girl child.
n Parents have moved from being passive recipients to active players through the VEC, thereby positively impacting the quality of education imparted.
n Shown as a credible option for community initiatives to revitalise the school system.

Specific findings
n Enrolment of both boys and girls has improved in all communitised schools studied with 0 per cent drop-out rate in 23 of the 28 villages covered.
n Teacher attendance improved to about 90 per cent in 18 of the 28 schools studied; 80-90 per cent in five schools; and 70-80% in the remaining eight of the 28 schools in the seven districts. The district with the best teacher attendance rate is Zunheboto.
n Unauthorised absence has been totally eliminated in 17 of the 28 villages covered, with all the four villages in Zunheboto witnessing complete elimination.
n Impact of improved attendance of teachers, reflected in improved attendance of children in schools ranged from 70 to 100 per cent in the seven districts covered.
n Passing rates of children improved from 75-100 per cent in 24 out of the 28 communitised schools covered in the study. Hundred per cent passing rates were recorded in Rusoma village of Kohima district and Chingmelen village in Tuensang district. This reflects the impact of improved supervision and monitoring by VECs.
nData from 17 of 28 villages showing a trend of children shifting from private schools to government schools indicating growing confidence in the government schools and reflecting growing assurance that their children will get good education and coaching.
n One private school in Rusoma village of Kohima has closed down owing to students preferring to shift to government schools!
n Improved availability of textbooks with almost 100 per cent of government allocation to each school being received by schools within time.
Nagaland Governor walks with eldersKohima | October 01, 2005 Webindia Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta today walked with the elders in and around Kohima on the occasion of World Elders Day. The elders congregated at the Razhu point alongwith the Governor and walked via Assembly secretariat junction and arrived at the 2nd Assam Rifles ground, where Mr Datta called upon the elders to advise the younger generation with their experiences and knowledges. Earlier, on the eve of the Elders day, Mr Datta greeted the elders of the state and said that though India has a young population, it is poised to become home to the second largest number of older persons in the world with the number of 60 plus persons projected to increase to 100 million in 2013 and to 198 million in 2030.
''We are indeed fortunate to belong to a society that respects its elders,'' he said. He said the wisdom and experience of elders provide is an invaluable asset in any society and communities that respect and care for their elders are better placed in meeting the challenges of the future. UNI AS TJP RD 1113
Indian soldiers seize explosives By Subir Bhaumik BBC News, Calcutta Indian troops say they have seized a huge cache of explosives from a railway station in the town of Dimapur in the north-eastern state of Nagaland. Troops made the find when they stopped a local tribesman on the tracks. More than 40 people were killed when Dimapur station and a nearby market were bombed in October last year. There has been separatist violence in Nagaland for 50 years but despite last October's bombing it remains relatively peaceful amid an eight-year ceasefire.
Disappeared Two soldiers say they challenged a tribesman pulling a heavy bag across the tracks at the station. The tribesman ran, dropping the bag. Later an auto-rickshaw driver reported that someone had hired him and left a bag in his vehicle. "We opened both the bags and found 710 gelatine sticks, 800 detonators and 60 metres of fuse wire," said RS Dadwal, commandant of the 31st Assam Rifles battalion. He said soldiers chased the tribesman before the man disappeared into the market. "The tribesman negotiated a rate with [the auto-rickshaw driver] for a few minutes before leaving a bag and going back to the station to get his second bag," the commandant said. He said soldiers were unable to fire because the area was very crowded and civilians may have been hurt. The commandant said the tribesman had disembarked from a train coming from the town of Lumding in Assam and was heading for Upper Assam's Tinsukia town. Last year's twin explosions in Dimapur left 44 dead on 2 October. It is still not clear who carried out the bombings. However, Nagaland remains relatively peaceful because both factions of the separatist National Socialist Council of Nagaland are negotiating with the Indian government and a truce has been holding for eight years. The separatist leaders are nevertheless unhappy with what they describe as a "lack of progress" in talks.
NPMHR to study violence against women, children Kohima Webindia The Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has decided to make a study on recent cases of violation against women and children. In a statement here today, the NPMHR said the decision to initiate an independent study group to undertake the studies on the recent cases of violation was taken in its general assembly. Members from Delhi, Guwahati, Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Nagaland were present in the meeting. The assembly also called upon the neighbouring communities to appreciate the decades-long struggle of the naga people for a unified homeland. It strongly reaffirmed its stand that it will be the people, who will determine the territory. The general assembly also constituted a committee on the movement for unification to undertake research, documentation and explore creative strategies to 'mobilise' democratise and strengthen the people's movement through strategic non-violent action, the statement added.
Top-level appointments of army commanders NT News Desk The Nahvind Times Panaji Sept 30 : Two seniors officers of Indian Army are taking over the rein of two important units on October 1, 2005. Lieutenant General Daljeet Singh is being appointed as the army commander of the Western Command at Chandimandir near Chandigarh whereas Lieutenant General K S Jamwal has been entrusted the rein of army’s Training Command at Shimla. While Western Command is responsible for the strategically important areas, which have in the past witnessed decisive battles along the Indo-Pak border. Lt Gen Daljeet Singh is from the Armoured Corps and was commissioned into 8th Light Cavalary. In the rank of brigadier, Lt Gen Daljeet Singh has been on staff of a Strike Corps. As a major general, he served on staff of HQ Western command. He has also commanded an Infantry Division. Till recently he was the Corps Commander of 3 Corps in Nagaland, where he has handled the insurgency situation in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and South Assam. His motto in profession has been ‘Beyond Excellence’. A keen golfer, he also enjoys swimming. He takes over from Lt Gen S Patabhiraman, who moves as Vice-Chief of the Army. Gen Jamwal has been the recipient of the coveted ‘Sword of Honour’ and also the Gold Medal on passing out from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
He joined the Corps of Artillery on commissioning and commanded 14 Field Regiment. Lt Gen Jamwal was also selected to do other prestigious courses including Higher Command Course and National Defence College Course and had a two-year tenure of UN peacekeeping at Angola where he was awarded UN Force Commanders Certificate. Lt Gen Jamwal has been honoured with Vishisht Seva Medal twice and also the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for his services during the Kargil war when he oversaw the operations in HQ Northern Command. Lt Gen Jamwal takes over from Lt Gen Deepak Kapoor who has taken over as the Northern Army Commander.
Bardhan indicts NSCN (IM) for illegal tax levy UPA Govt committed to Manipur’s territorial integrity under CMPNewmai News Network September 30 IMPHAL: Alleging that the NSCN (IM) cadres were collecting taxes from trucks and other transport vehicles, the Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary A.B. Bardhan today demanded that New Delhi should immediately stop this illegal activity. Bardhan was addressing the main function of the 109th birth anniversary of Hijam Irabat, a communist leader of Manipur at Imphal’s Khuman Lampak main stadium today.
"I got information that the NSCN (IM) is taking advantage of the ongoing peace talk with the government of India and collecting taxes from trucks servicing along the national highways. This is illegal and the Centre should check this problem. The government is the only authority to collect taxes," the CPI General Secretary said. Bardhan further said that he would inform Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union home Minister, Shivraj Patil of the illegal activities by the NSCN (IM) along the national highways and would strongly press for checking this. He said that NSCN (IM) was collecting Rs 4000 per loaded trucks. On the question of Manipur’s territorial integrity the CPI General Secretary said that Manipur’s territorial integrity should be protected as committed by the UPA government in its Common Minimum Programme.
The CPI leader also expressed concern at the activities by other underground groups in Manipur. He appealed to such groups to come to the negotiating table and hold talks with the government to find a solution to the problem of insurgency. Peace talk is the only solution to the problem, he said. Bardhan also appealed to both the Centre and Manipur government to complete the ongoing repairing work of the national highway. He said that the Centre had given the fund for development of the national highways in Manipur and the state government should pay more attention to the highway development activities. The national highway-53 is being developed as double lane for using it as an alternative supply route for the state. The national highway 39 (Imphal-Dimapur road) is disturbed frequently due to bandhs, blockades and landslides.
Troops deployed in Tura after police kill protesters GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) - Troops were deployed in Tura town of Meghalaya on Saturday, a day after 10 students were shot dead by police in protests for better schooling. Soldiers patrolled the deserted streets of Tura, a small town 400 km west of the state capital of Shillong, where hundreds of students hurled stones at police and broke through bamboo barricades on Friday. "Lots of soldiers being brought in and no one is allowed to move out of their homes as the curfew is still in force," Purno Agitok Sangma, a member of parliament, told Reuters by phone. A senior state official said six students died at the scene of Friday's rally and four died in hospital from bullet wounds. Five more students were in a critical condition and another 15 injured from the shooting. In total around 50 people, including students and police, were hurt in the violence. Local residents complained the bodies of the 10 dead students had been kept in the hospital morgue and not handed over to their families.
"The administration here is in a terrible mess. The situation is still tense and there is no help forthcoming at all from the administration," Alva Sangma, a local journalist, said by phone.
Garo Hills erupts as 11 die in police firing Firing was pre-planned: Sangma NET News Network Shillong, Sept, 30: Curfew was clamped and the army and para-military forces were called out tonight after eleven persons were killed in firing by the police and CRPF and 89 injured in violence in Meghalaya's Garo Hills region today. The sources said troops were called out to contain the fallout of the violence during student rallies at Tura in the West Garo Hills district and Williamnagar in the East Garo Hills district. Curfew has been clamped in both the towns. Six persons, including an elderly person, were killed in Tura, about 300 km from here, where 64 people, including 36 police and security force personnel, were injured, the sources said. Five persons were killed when the police and CRPF fired in Williamnagar, about 350 km from here, they said adding 25 people, including eight security personnel and state officials, were also injured.
An Additional Superintendent of Police and an Additional District Magistrate were injured in brickbatting. The violence erupted almost simultaneously in the two districts around 10 a.m. after students and others gathered at the call of the Garo Students Union defying prohibitory orders. The police and security forces used canes and teargas shells but when this proved ineffective they opened fire, a police source said. The police also fired two rounds in the air to disperse a mob, which attempted to take bodies of those killed to Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Mukul Sangma's residence in Tura. Meanwhile, an unconfirmed report informed that irate mob set ablaze Congress minister Deborah Marak’s residence in Williamnagar. Police reinforcements were air-lifted from Shillong to control the situation. The sources said magisterial enquiries have been ordered into the violence in both the districts. The government announced an ex-gratia of Rs one lakh to the next of the kin of each of the dead, they said.
Chief Minister D D Lapang said the state government has instructed the district administration of Garo Hills and other parts of the state to ensure that the situation was handled with "tact and firmness" to pre-empt untoward developments and restore public peace and tranquility. Appealing to people for restoration of peace and amity in the larger interest of all sections of the community, he said in a statement that he was deeply anguished by the events which unfolded in the Garo Hills districts resulting in loss of precious lives and injuries to others. Those killed in Tura have been identified as Singran Sangma (42), Dipok Shira and Jentil Marak and Benedick Marak. Meanwhile, reacting sharply to the incident former Lok Sabha speaker and NCP leader from Tura, Purno A Sangma describe the act of the police as barbaric and uncalled for. He said that incident could have been avoided, the police could have controlled the angry mob by resorting to lathi charge if necessary. “ The police has used AK- 47 rifles on the students this is draconian. This is brutality. There was no justification of firing as it was a peaceful rally. It is totally unprovoked,” he explained.
Condemning the incident, the veteran Garo leader and MP from Tura said the firing was 'pre-planned' as the police did the same 'simultaneously' in Tura (West Garo hills district headquarters) and Williamnagar (East Garo hills district headquarters). Tension prevails in the area. “ We are have demanded a judicial inquiry. An emergent meeting of the NCP leaders has been called to discuss the situation arising out of the shoot out. The Meghalaya government has mismanaged and mishandled the entire situation. Deputy Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma should resign owing moral responsibility for the incident,” he said.

10 killed in Garo Hills police firing From Raju Das Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, Sept 30 – Ten persons were killed and scores including women were injured after police opened fire on protestors in separate incidents in Tura and Williamnagar in Garo Hills, following which curfew has been clamped in the two districts and additional troops has been airlifted to the affected districts to contain the situation. In Tura the protestors gathered at the Chandmari ground and started ‘pelting stones’ at security forces injuring several police officials who later opened fire killing four protestors. While in a similar incident in Williamnagar at Ronjrengre play ground the police faced with similar heavy stone pelting, retaliated and opened fire on the crowd, resulting in the death of six persons and injuring several others. Home Minister, Mukul Sangma said that the ‘situation is being reviewed’ adding that the police opened fire only after ‘heavy pelting of stones on security personnel and the district magistrate, in which ‘many senior police officers were injured. The Director General of Police, WL Marbaniang stated that as per initial report “three people died while five others were injured,” in the police firing, adding that reports leading to the firing are still being gathered. According to initial reports, the district administration had clamped section 144 CrPC and prohibited holding of rally called by the JAC in protest against the State Level Committee to ‘revamp and restructure’ the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE). The JAC President, Rabben Sangma met the district administration on Thursday last to pursue with the authorities to allow holding of the rally. The district authorities turned down the request ‘fearing disruption in law and order situation’.

ULFA asks Mamoni to exercise restraint From Our Staff Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Sept 30 – With revival in the peace process after the Army called off the operations at Dibru-Saikhowa Reserve Forest, ULFA has cautioned Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami against talking to the media. At the core of the latest direction is a letter send in sealed covers by ULFA addressed to the Prime Minister. The letter, the content of which is ‘secret’ is on its way along with the list of the names and addresses of Peoples Consultative Group (PCG). According to sources, two letters have been despatched by ULFA one of which is a formal communication to Government of India about deputation of a group by the outfit. It is the content of the second letter that is sought to be kept away from the media glare.The letters are being send to Dr Goswami, who is planning to go over to the Prime Minister’s Office to personally hand them over to National Security Adviser, MK Narayanan.This morning Dr Goswami was called by a top leader of ULFA to request that henceforth she has to be very discreet and restain herself from talking to the media. Dr Goswami has been named as one of the coordinators of the Group along with Rebati Phukan.The Jnanpith Awardee has been the most visible face in the media ever since the peace process started.

A ray of hope Assam Tribune Editorial
The suspension of Army operations in the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is likely to create a congenial atmosphere for breaking the deadlock in the way of peace talks between the Government of India and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) for a peaceful solution to the problem of insurgency. A hue and cry was raised in the State over the operations in the National Park and the problem aggravated because the common people living in the area were subjected to harassment and the Army authorities also failed to come out with the details of the operations, which added to the confusion. The ULFA claimed that 12 of its cadres were killed in the operations in the National Park, but the Army denied the report but in launching the operations, the Army should take care to reduce harassment of innocent people and it is high time, the Army authorities come out with the details of the operations. The reported statement of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who claimed that he did not know the details of the operations, is not acceptable as being the Minister in charge of the Home Department, he should know the details of such a major operation. The statements of the Union Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, who categorically ruled out the possibility of suspension of operations, also created confusion and in future persons in responsible positions should refrain from making any statement, which may affect the peace process. A 12-hour bandh was observed in Assam on September 29 in response to a call by the People’s Committee for Peace initiative, formed with representatives from 18 organisations to create a congenial atmosphere for talks between the Government of India and militant outfits, demanding suspension of hostilities by the security forces. However, it may be difficult for the Government to suspend the operations till the ULFA gives an assurance that it would not indulge in any kind of violence during the suspension of operations. In the past, the Government announced safe passage for the leaders of the ULFA to enable them to visit their relatives, but such gestures failed to yield the desired results. But this time, the ULFA has shown its willingness to come forward for talks and after exchange of a series of letters between the Prime Minister’s office and the ULFA, the militant outfit finally formed a People’s Consultative Group (PCG) to pave the way for talks. This is indeed a positive step and the Government should take advantage of the situation to initiate the process of talks in the interest of restoration of peace in Assam.

The PCG has sought the views of the people of Assam on the issue of talks between the Government and the ULFA and the response is reportedly very positive as cross sections of people expressed their views on the issue through letters and e mails and the PCG is planning to submit the same before the Central Government. The Chief Minister has assured full cooperation for initiation of talks and he should play his part for the success of the PCG in paving the way for talks by fixing appointments of the PCG with the Prime Minister’s office as soon as possible so that the deadlock can be broken. The main bone of contention is the demand of the ULFA to include the sovereignty of Assam as the core issue for talks and the Central Government has not accepted the demand. The PCG can play its part by persuading both the sides to sit in the negotiation table without any pre-condition. The group can also brief the Centre about the ground reality and the sentiments of the people of Assam , who want the process of talks to start immediately for creating a violence-free atmosphere in the State. This is the best possible opportunity in years to bring the ULFA to the negotiation table for the restoration of peace in Assam and one hopes that the State and the Central Governments would play their parts to ensure that the opportunity is not lost.

KNA camps busted, razed to the ground Police personnel setting on fire the hut used by KNA cadres Sagaing Express
IMPHAL, Sep 30 : A combined force of Imphal West police commandos, Imphal East police commandos and IRB personnel today busted two camps of the Kuki National Army at Wakan village under Saikul police station in Senapati district today and razed the camps to the ground.
A fierce gun battle ensued between the police personnel and KNA cadres before the camps were overrun. Acting on a tip off Imphal East police commandos led by its OC Inspector Mobi and Imphal West police commandos rushed to Wakan village today at about 8 pm, said reports from the site of the incident. The KNA cadres did not easily give up the fight but engaged the police to a fierce gun fight before taking to their heels. There was no report of casualty on either side. As the police team was proceeding towards Wakan village, the KNA cadres who were holed up atop Gobamkot hill just opposite to the village opened a fusillade of fire. As the gun fight raged additional forces including personnel of 2nd and 3rd IRB and Imphal East police team led by its Additional SP also rushed to the spot. Heavy guns including mortars were used in the encounter. After the gun fight, the police team stumbled upon two houses used by the KNA cadres and set them ablaze. One kitchen was also set on fire. Cash book, register for money account, rules and regulation register, ammunition pouch, UG uniform, socks, combat shoes, KNA monogram, name plate, letter heads of KNA were found at the camp and they have been seized by the police. Two persons who had provided them shelter and cooked for them were rounded up by the police for interrogation. They are identified as Henkholal (43) and his daughter Ningneimem (18).S

Double-standards on double-dealings for peaceful solution By Donn Morgan Sagaing Express Editorial
The recent shadow-boxing and the outright rejection of the New Delhi-brokered Joint Ceasefire Agreement with some prominent hill-based UG militant outfits openly summarised the dirty double-games played by both the State and the Central Governments all these years. It would be an under statement of the year to say that Governments of Manipur, especially the present O Ibobi Administration, have unlawfully kept the citizens of Manipur in the dark and repeatedly duped the local media personnel for their own interests, disregarding their honourable duties and compromising the powers vested upon them by the people. The State Govt and its law enforcement agencies have shove, side lined and wilfully mislead the general public on vital or sensitive issues by means of disinformation and spin-doctoring the elements of key subject matters. It is most unfortunate that the general media and public regularly bought all the dirty crude contents rationed generously by the State Govt lock, stock and barrel, no question ask, no answer given and none credible ones expected.
It is a big big 'Koubru blunder' on the part of the State Cabinet Council of Ministers to give negative ethnic colour to any burning issue pertaining to the administrative welfare of hill areas - in short, the plight of the Chin-Kuki-Mizos (CHIKIMs) ethnic group. The perfect example of this socio-political injustice is the sabotaging of the temporary Joint Ceasefire Agreement incredibly worked out between the Govt of India (GOI) and KNA/KNF(MC)/ KNF (Z)/ KLA/ KRA/ ZRA plus KNF (P). The ground rules are quite similar to that of the GOI-NSCN(IM) ceasefire Agreement; though the territorial limits of GOI-NSCN(IM) is unclear in real geographical sense.
All those armed confrontation took place in the State of Manipur about four and half years after the deletion of 'without territorial limits; aftermath the June 18th Uprising, 2001. Then came the worse economic blockade in the history of Manipur when the decision made by the CM O Ibobi and his cotorie, to declare 18th June as a State/general holiday was promptly ambushed by the ANSAM. This is called law and order in plain English. Instead of being charged and arrested by the Ibobi Govt for tearing apart the law and order, it was the ANSAM 'student leaders' who actually summoned the CM for talks in Senapati district. Outrageous as it might seemed, the State Govt officially sent some powerful Ministers and bureaucrats for a parley! It was unbelievable, absolutely ridiculous. However, for a peaceful solution and bloodless confrontation, the Council of Ministers broke the law of the land in order to established a temporary law and order in the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur. Even this unlawful approach by O Ibobi's Govt failed to make any impact on encore agenda of the ANSAM.
According to the law of the land, the standard procedure was to bring them (economic blockade leaders) in after issuing arrest warrants and listen to their point of view in the court of law; after all there is and was indeed an elected Govt to uphold the security and economy of the State. Instead, State Govt mediators even went to New Delhi to negotiate a State subject with the ANSAM leaders. Now, then, what on earth is all about the cry of rape over the Joint Ceasefire Agreement between the CHIKIMS UG outfits and the GOI? This is the same spineless Council of Ministers who were summoned to New Delhi by unarmed student outfit who refused to enjoy a one day State holiday - a State subject which cannot be discussed at, with or by New Delhi. These were the same Ministers who released 13 NSCN (IM) leaders along with their unlicensed firearms so apologetically under the telephonic 'order' reportedly made by the then Dy PM LK Advani. It was not unjustifiably alleged that the telephonic call taken by the CM, O Ibobi, actually came from the GOI's cease-firing monitoring officials from Dimapur with the blessing of New Delhi and not personally from LK Advani. There is a matter of truth in this particular 'Whodunit?' episode. Need we hardly stress, it is so much easier to fool the wisemen of Manipur than the guardians of Mahabali forest. How could the prize catch the State's police commandos at Turibari, IT road, in the form of 13 NSCN(IM) armed activists be countermanded and their fate decided by the Central Govt over a law and order matter exclusively put under the State list? Here, we now crystal clearly see the double standard played the O Ibobi in compliment with the double-dealings of the Central Govt. Who gets killed, sacked, hacked or duped is not the duty of the public or the media personnel to argue upon in armed insurgency movements and CI Ops. But, what the Govt does for peaceful purpose is; the media and the general public must see to it that all decision taken or resolved by genuinely concerned authorities must have to be consistent, justifiable and equal in nature. There is no such thing as sensitive or delicate issue in this bloody insurgency and counter-insurgency campaigns. The indifferent attitude of the majority public in dealing with vital socio-political problems has encouraged just about any institutions or organization to initiate violent anti-public activities on some matter which is not the real issue itself. And the unequal treatment of persons or organization by the spineless O Ibobi Administration on non-CI Ops criminal subject matter is unconstitutional. For example, Meelal activities, AMSU, AMUCO, UCM leaders were smoked out by the State Police for subversive or anti-Govt activities and duly slapped them with or under the National Security Act (NSA), which, of course, is in the Union list. However, none of the ANSAM or KSO (GHQ) leaders has ever been booked under the NSA, or even arrested for taking up the same anti-Govt activities - sabotaging, burning of Govt offices, files, vehicles etc. (This is not a demand for arresting the said student leaders, it is just a matter of reference on law and order procedure). This is the perfect case presentation of the double-standard politics played by the present State Govt and a classic example of unequal justice at the highest level. Well, now what's the indignant hue and cry over the Joint Ceasefire Agreement (JCA) between the hill-based UG outfits and the GOI? Is the State Government really disinterested in putting on temporary halt on the daily killings, extortions, indiscriminate gunbattles, costly CI Ops in Manipur? If yes, why so? The State wisemen, without wisdom and proper education, ruling Manipur ought to keep in their thick head that the armed and sometimes bloody activities of the CHIKIMs' UG outfits took place even in the heart of Imphal areas, not to mention the valley areas where real encounters repeatedly occurred. Hill-based need not necessarily signifies violence armed activities only in the hill areas. In a multi-ethnic State like Manipur, people of all ethnic groups settled in valley areas. It is most unfortunate that the State Council of Ministers prefers to bloody CI Ops and internecine killings in hill areas than responsible ceasefire observation just for the sake of political game of by-passing plays. These dishonourable law-makers of Manipur ought to keep in their diseased mind that they are literally playing the game of death by proxy. And seriously speaking, they themselves are liable to it, if not a party to it. There is no time to indulge in Centre-State political stand-off amidst the ever increasing overflow of bloods and spilling of guts. As a responsible custodians of the State's ever deteriorating law and order system, surely and sincerely, they must welcome every available solution or initiative to bring forth peace, secure and socio-political stability. In actual sense, there cannot be such divisive term called 'Hill-and valley-based UG militant outfits' in an undivided State of Manipur. This politically motivated expression undoubtedly shows the existence of two socio-geographically contrasting entities, which geo-politically compromises the existing territorial integrity of Manipur. Need we say more?
Herein now there are two entities in our mindset one of which refused to enjoy a full cool general holiday and the other one which refused to enjoy the cool wind of non-violent and peaceful environment. One thing is crystal clear over the hasty outright rejection of multi-party ceasefire initiation by the State Govt. Most of the senior Cabinet Ministers have their own A/Cs cleared off the AFSPA, the other half had already signed a memorandum of territorial integration outside their own patch against the interest of Manipur; the left overs have no audible voices and the courage to mumble a word or two for the interest of their people. By failing to work for the overall general interest of the multi-ethnic citizens of Manipur, the O Ibobi's Council of Ministers have shamefully fail themselves miserably as the guardians of law and order. Even if they do not know the basic provisions of the Union, Concurrent and State lists and the finer points of the Constitution of India, they ought to keep the good faith. More importantly, every successful solution to bloody problem has always a shaky beginning. Law and order is not made in heaven in full form. It is most advisable to reconsider the validity of prospective solution which is on win-win situation. Testing of peaceful solution never hurts but outright rejection does. It's a golden opportunity. And if it's a killing they want, the bloody show must go, and on and more on. For God's sake, let there be an avenue for peace and communal harmony.