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10/04/2005: "‘Political solution should be permanent’"


‘Political solution should be permanent’ The Morung Express
KOHIMA, OCT 3 (NEPS): The Naga Hoho said any solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political problem should be a durable and permanent one and it should not be piece-meal. Talking over phone to NEPS from Dimapur here today, Naga Hoho President Horangse Sangtam said the Naga political problem was "sixty years old" and it would certainly take time for finding solution. Sangtam also clarified that the Naga Hoho was not supporting any group-be it NSCN (IM) or NSCN (K) or Federal. "But we are supporting the issue concerning the Naga people," he explained. Since the political dialogue between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) was on the issue of the Naga people, the Naga Hoho was supporting it.
"And therefore our supporting the issue of the Naga people such as the talks between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) should not be misconstrued as supporting the NSCN (IM)," he asserted. On the continued factional clashes between the NSCN factions, Sangtam said it was only for the leadership issue between them. They still engage in factional clashes despite having the same objective for the betterment of the Naga people.
Tea success story brewing in Naga hills JAHANSHER FIROZE The Telegraph-
Imbued with Darjeeling-like flavour, Nagaland tea set to make debut at auctions Dimapur, Oct. 3: Rich, naturally flavoured tea produced in the picturesque hills of Mokokchung in Nagaland may end up on breakfast tables in the West this winter. Tea produced at the sprawling N.I. Jamir Tea Estate at Sichung is set to go under the hammer at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC), where brokers pick the best tea for export to lucrative markets across the globe. Located 20 km from Mokokchung, the tea estate recently set up a state-of-the-art factory with technical support from the Jorhat-based Tocklai Tea Research Centre. According to sources in the auction centre, the tea produced in the estate is already as good as any in terms of freshness, strength and flavour.
“We recently met officials of the GTAC and brokers to explore the market and decided to send our tea to the auctions,” Sungkum Jamir, proprietor of the tea estate, said. Though the estate has been producing tea in small quantities only, the favourable response from brokers and other experts has raised hopes of success at the auctions. Nobody is ready to guess what price tea produced in Mokokchung will fetch, but analytical reports suggest the returns
A worker plucks leaves in a small Darjeeling garden, the likes of which are sprouting in Nagaland will be good.
“Plantations in Mokokchung are located at an altitude of 4,500 feet and above. More importantly, the climate there is ideal for tea cultivation. All these factors indicate that tea produced there will have a flavour similar to that produced in the hills of Darjeeling,” said Golaghat-based tea entrepreneur Samir Phukan. Phukan, who owns Radha Tea Company, had visited N.I. Jamir Tea Estate to offer technical and marketing advice. Jamir said he was constantly learning how to improve the quality of tea. He already is a role model for the growing band of tea growers of his small hometown. In the few years that he has been in the business, Jamir has not only made rapid strides but also inspired local farmers to shift from the ecologically disastrous culture of jhum farming to tea cultivation.
“Today, there are more than 150 small tea growers spread over five villages. Compared to the diminishing returns from jhum cultivation, growing tea is an immensely profitable exercise,” said one of the converts.
Naga Hoho unhappy over NDA’s PIL The Morung Express
Kohima, Oct 3 (NEPS): The Naga Hoho has reaffirmed its earlier stand of supporting the tripartite MoU of the State Government, EHA and CMC, Vallore for running the affairs of the Dimapur Referral Hospital. Talking to NEPS over phone from Dimapur here today, the Naga Hoho President Horangse Sangtam said all the civil societies including the Naga Hoho had already endorsed the tripartite agreement of the State Government for managing the affairs of the Dimapur Referral Hospital. He however expressed serious concern on the recent development wherein some alleged members of the Nagaland Doctors Association (NDA) went up to the extent of filing PIL against the Government’s tripartite agreement with the EHA and CMC, Vellore. The Naga Hoho Chief explained that the PIL filed by some alleged sections of the NDA would not bring any benefit to the common people in the State. "And since we are for the interest of the people in the State, any step which were going against the interest of the people in the State would be objected," he stated. Asked if the alleged few leaders of the NDA still stick to their gun, Sangtam cautioned that if they continued to go against the spirit of the tripartite agreement, the civil societies could also go against them. "We would not allow money oriented hospital in the State but life-saving hospital and the tripartite agreement of the State Government was in that direction," he pointed out. "They should not go against the wishes of the people."
It may be mentioned that on Saturday, State Health Minister Dr TM Lotha had fired on a few leaders of the NDA for filing the PIL against the State Government tripartite MoU. He had questioned the motives behind the filing of PIL in the Court by some individuals in the Nagaland Doctors Association (NDA) and even charged them of 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."
Naga Hoho unhappy on NDA’s PIL North East Press Service
Kohima, Oct 3 (NEPS): The Naga Hoho has reaffirmed its earlier stand of supporting the tripartite MoU of the State Government, EHA and CMC, Vallore for running the affairs of the Dimapur Referral Hospital.Talking to NEPS over phone from Dimapur here today, the Naga Hoho President Horangse Sangtam said all the civil societies including the Naga Hoho had already endorsed the tripartite agreement of the State Government for managing the affairs of the Dimapur Referral Hospital. He however expressed serious concern on the recent development wherein some alleged members of the Nagaland Doctors Association (NDA) went up to the extent of filing PIL against the Government’s tripartite agreement with the EHA and CMC, Vellore. The Naga Hoho Chief explained that the PIL filed by some alleged sections of the NDA would not bring any benefit to the common people in the State. “And since we are for the interest of the people in the State, any step which were going against the interest of the people in the State would be objected,” he stated. Asked if the alleged few leaders of the NDA still stick to their gun, Sangtam cautioned that if they continued to go against the spirit of the tripartite agreement, the civil societies could also go against them.
“We would not allow money oriented hospital in the State but life-saving hospital and the tripartite agreement of the State Government was in that direction,” he pointed out. “They should not go against the wishes of the people.”
It may be mentioned that on Saturday, State Health Minister Dr TM Lotha had fired on a few leaders of the NDA for filing the PIL against the State Government tripartite MoU. He had questioned the motives behind the filing of PIL in the Court by some individuals in the Nagaland Doctors Association (NDA) and even charged them of 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.”

'Revival of work culture in Nagaland is an urgent need' The Hindu Kohima, Oct. 4 (PTI): It is a wake up call of sorts for Naga youth who are becoming increasingly lethargic and shy away from doing manual work, resulting in flight of crores of rupees to non-Nagas, according to official studies. Concerned over the declining work culture in the state, politicians, government officials, professionals, entrepreneurs and NGO workers recently put their heads together to find ways and means to revive work ethics and dignity of labour in present Naga society. A call for reforms in the present Naga way of life and a return to the values of their forefathers, has been sounded loud and clear as participants in the meeting insisted on a change of attitude and mindset among young Nagas. The participants at an official launch of the "Awareness drive for revival of dignity of labour in Nagaland" pointed out the present Naga society was basically a consumerist one without producing anything and giving way to lethargy and corruption to invade the tribal society and the trend needs an urgent change.
Due to decline in work culture among Nagas and too much dependence on others for all kinds of manual work, the Nagaland Government has been losing around Rs 275 crores annually by way of payment to non-Nagas for work which the local tribes feel below their dignity to do. Every year crores of rupees have to be given away to non-Nagas as Nagas do not want to do work which others comfortably do, lamented Development Commissioner Lalhuma. Based on a study, the Commissioner revealed at the recent workshop, jointly organised by the state government and Labour Union of Nagaland, that Nagas were losing out by depending on outside labour forces for all types of manual work.
Depicting Tribal Cultures of India by S Verma The Nahvind Times IT is an unusual museum — not confined to brick and mortar structure. Although a part of the museum is housed in a building, the main museum is spread over a vast area of picturesque open land. Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Man) is indeed a unique place to visit. The tribal cultures of India which have been presented here in an imaginative manner not only enrich one’s knowledge about ancient tribes and their cultures, one also wonders at their survival instinct when put in contrast with predator modernity.However, the museum is not divorced from reality. The tribal habitats have been re-created so perfectly that there is no illusion between the actual and the re-created entities. There is no dividing line between the real and the unreal. The whole setting — the tribal homes, the artifacts, earthen and wooden wares — turn into a living habitat. The whole tribal ethos has come alive amidst the captivating green expanse of Shamla Hills, Bhopal. If you want to have a close encounter with the tribal cultures of India at one place there is no better site to visit than Manav Sangrahalaya. The dwelling houses have been built by the tribal families themselves. Some years ago the tribal families from 15 states were called here to make their dwellings. Every year they come down to Bhopal for doing maintenance work in their respective dwellings, take a sojourn for a few weeks and leave for their native places.
One marvels at their skill of construction and the elaborate lifestyle presented there. For an example, in every dwelling unit there is separate kitchen and sitting room or drawing room. The outer walls ofthe dwellings are decorated with paintings. Some drawings are the most imaginative. Their choice of colour and lining work immediately attracts our attention. The paintings are enchanting and similar to modern miniature work. The high-dome thatch roof made by Toda tribe of Tamil Nadu is one of the finest examples of architectural skills of the tribals. There are dwellings of the following tribes — Murung, the youth dormitory of Ao Naga tribe of Nagaland, dwelling complex of Warli tribe of Maharashtra, Todas of TamiL Nadu, Bodo-Kachari of Assam, Kota of Tamil Nadu, Saora tribe of Orissa, Rathwa of Gujarat, Chodhary of Gujarat, Agaria of Madhya Pradesh, encampment complex of Birhor tribe of Bihar, Shrine of Maoli Mata worshipped by Maria tribe of Madhya Pradesh, dwelling complex of Tharu tribe of Uttar Pradesh and Khalihan (barn field) of Maria tribe of Madhya Pradesh.—WFS POLICY/DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS, PEOPLE AND HUMAN INTEREST PERSPECTIVE
PERSPECTIVE Road map towards Naga integration Top Draw Ao Yemen Chang The Moring Express
Every thinking and reasoning human being has different views on different issues, it converges after thorough deliberation and brainstorming; taking into account the various point and accommodating the interest of the majority views. As such, let me share my view on Naga Integration according to my understanding. Integration to my understanding is the state of wholeness and oneness and unity in purpose to achieve a common objective. To pursue such a lofty goal and objective the basic structure and groundwork is of utmost importance. Let’s ponder and rethink whether we are striving for it and working for it from the right direction or not. Time and again it has been mentioned that for the Nagas to achieve such goal, a collective approach is needed. Maybe, all of us are shouting hoarsely for the integration neglecting the basic groundwork and I feel that it is like crying in the wilderness.
So, the few thoughts that I would like to share are: Firstly, We should have a common language as I feel that it will create affinity, closeness and bonding amongst us. When one studies the many languages of the Naga tribes it is found that all the tribes have similar words having the same meaning. So, to integrate the Nagas the first and the foremost practical step is to evolve a common Naga language gleaning all the similar words from all the tribal dialects which will help in removing the barrier of language and create homogeneity.
Secondly, social and cultural bonding of the Nagas would be brought about by frequent cultural exchanges between and among different tribes. For, when one meets someone we tend to like them and become good friends and develop closeness. The division of the Nagas on tribal lines is of recent origin. Our forefathers seemed to have migrated from a common place so extensive and exhaustive research on the migration of the Nagas employing new scientific method needs to be carried out in order to trace our roots. Of course, Integration rally, shouts and speeches too plays an important role to announce to the world our intention and objectives. However, when we clearly observe it, it is found to be devoid of any basic structures. So, unless we return to the basic, I feel that the integration issue will cause moré harm to the Nagas than a positive result.
The moot point I would like to share is on the issue of the selection of the Naga Hoho President. As per my observation, it was an ill-conceived plan to break up the TMPO, a social organization fighting to safeguard the rights of the most backward tribes. Had it been taken up in an open manner, it could have strengthened the Naga Hoho and the Nagas but the manner in which it was carried out has led to open dissensions even among the members of the Naga Hoho itself. What has it achieved? Instead of unity it has created a breached and a feeling of mistrust. If the policy of Divide and rule are concealed under the façade of unification and integration then no tangible result is foreseen in the near future. Instead of helping the less privilege brethrens in order to march ahead hand in hand if ulterior motives are employed it will definitely backfire as has happened now. For the information of fellow Nagas even the reservation provision which has been viewed and raked up time and again is only a paper tiger as negligible percent of the backwards are benefited and recruited under that quota. It is quite obvious that if you visit a directorate or any directorate you will find hardly 5 to 10% of the employees from the backward tribes where there should be at least 30%. As per the 33.3% reservation meant for the 60% of the population of Nagaland. So, disparity in education, economy and employment can also be detrimental to the integration process. As such these issues should be taken into consideration and addressed. My humble opinion on integration is laid bare with all frankness for the fellow Nagas to digest. If we really want a unified, integrate Nagaland a deep soul searching exercise is the need of the hour. As Nagas, it is our fervent wish to live together under one umbrella where all of us have equality, fraternity and prosperity.
(Readers can write in their suggestions)
Once in a lifetime chance Looking back into history, we Nagas seems to be repeatedly missing the bus in our political journey. We have no doubt many a time taken the right decision at the right time - notably being the Memorandum to Simon Commission, meeting of Mahatma Gandhi and timely Declaration of Naga independence, Naga plebiscite etc. But one also cannot help feeling that some of the important misses were rejection of Coupland Plan, and more recently, missing the opportunity to seat across the table in Atlanta, premature dissolving of the Naga Reconciliation Commission set up by Naga Hoho etc. Under this backdrop, many of our Naga brothers from Manipur reportedly missed the Naga Integration Rally at Kohima on 31.8.05 due to delays caused by Army frisking. This is the second bus they have missed. The first being during the Nagaland State creation, when they were left outside the present State boundary due to whatever reason. In this regard, it is not only the Nagas in Manipur, but all Nagas presently outside the State’s boundary. But let me confine myself to Nagas in Manipur.
I think the Meiteis were very smart in managing to foil the hundreds of Nagas from Manipur from reaching Kohima in time for the rally. Why should we blame the Indian Army or our enemies for our own failings? Many delegates and participants even from within Nagaland had reached a day ahead of the rally. Fully knowing the attitude of the Meities, why our Naga brothers from Manipur could not take some extra pain to have done the same? If accommodation was a problem, they could have camped in the local ground creating a festive atmosphere. Don’t music and sports fans camp overnight in front of ticket counters just for buying a ticket for a concert or a match? For such an important rally, why our Nagas were found wanting? Let us not blame India for our factionalism also. Why should they not take advantage of our own weaknesses and greed? Ask any wood cutter. Ask any stone cutter. Will they not hit the wood at the weakest spot in order the split the log? Will they not hit the stone at the fracture line to break it? Let us not blame anyone else for our failings. Let us not blame the Indian Govt. for the split of NNC, neither for the split of NSCN. We split them ourselves and were split by our greed, lack of trust, selfishness, leadership struggle and ego. Why is TMPO refusing the join the Naga Hoho? Are they honest to themselves? While Naga Hoho as the larger body should be more sensitive and treat all constituents with equal respect, I feel TMPO should also not be oversensitive. To join the Naga Integration Rally, TMPO says they did not get a formal invitation. Why should one wait for a formal letter or request to help one’s own brother in times of need? Is an anguished cry not sufficient? Who is affected the most and who will benefit the most from Naga integration? Is not TMPO equally affected and will they not be equally benefited? Let them also not miss the bus.
Coming back to the Nagas in Manipur, to reach the political goal of Integration, I feel that the third and the last bus is on the way. They cannot afford to miss this; otherwise, they may never reach their destination. The third bus will be in the form of action against or by the Naga MLAs/MPs in Manipur and Arunachal, as a result of the August Rally. If required, yes, let them all resign and don’t allow any candidate/party to fill the vacancy. Create a political vacuum of the Naga MLA/MP seats in Manipur/Arunachal Pradesh. This will be the final and the litmus test for Naga integration. The NSCN, whether they are IM or K, think or claim that they are freedom fighters. But are they? They are now reduced to street hoodlums, hired gunmen, extortionist etc. This is sad because by the action of a few, the organization is blamed as the organization does not seem to take action against excesses committed by its cadres - including rape and murder. Since civilians cannot directly retaliate against them, they take it out indirectly by refusing to support even common issues such as Naga integration. Who is the loser? We all are. This generation shall not forgive the erring NSCN (either IM or K) cadres for damaging the cause and the leadership for not taking action. The NNC/FGN is a closed chapter. NSCN (IM) has achieved much. They have saved the Naga resistance movement and is its backbone. But I fear, unless there is a genuine repentance and turning to God, all its achievement can overnight turn to zero and the present generation of
NSCN (either 1M or K) shall not live to see an Indo-Naga solution. The NSCN may wither and God will allow only a new generation of Nagas to reach a solution. When God says "not by might nor by power but by my spirit", the NSCN manifesto says, "Power flows from the barrel of the gun". This is directly challenging God’s authority. This is also contradictory to "Nagaland for Christ" which even the NSCN holds, under its banner. Under such circumstances, God shall harden the hearts of Indian leaders and even of our neighbors and the NSCN cannot bring a solution. God will not allow it. Let the NSCN publicly and formally acknowledge the supremacy of God over the barrel of the gun and over all affairs of the Naga Nation. Let the NSCN immediately discard its present manifesto and constitute a new one with the mandate of the people and bending to God’s will. This will be a wonderful opportunity and will pave the way for an honorable solution. Please don’t miss this bus. We can’t afford it. For repentance and to change course from man’s will to God’s will, may God’s grace, wisdom and understanding dawn upon our people. M. Aier, Dimapur
Nagaland govt bans pig to prevent encephalitis New Kerala
Kohima: The Nagaland government has banned bringing pigs and its by-products from outside the state to prevent the spread of Japanese encephalitis. According to a communique issued by the State government the ban comes into force with immediate effect and will continue till further order. The ban has been imposed in the greater interest of the public health, as pigs were the carriers of the dreaded disease, which spread through mosquitoes from pigs to humans, the statement said.

There were also reports of several deaths of pigs. Pork is popular dish among Nagas and most of the pigs were being brought, epecially from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The state government has ordered the police to keep strict vigil at all entry points and check gates so that no pig or its by-products could be smuggled in.
NE documentary film festival to be held in Mizoram from Oct 8 New Kerala
Aizawl: A four-day North East documentary film festival will be held here from October 8. The festival will be jointly organised by Directorate of Information and Public Relations and Institute of Environment Management and Social Development. The best documentary film and state winners of the NE region, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, will be screened during the festival. A competition for the best documentary film in Mizoram will also be held during the festival. Mizoram Governor A R Kohli is likely to inagurate the festival.
Police arrest second accused in explosives smuggling New Kerala
Kohima: Police in Nagaland today said they have arrested yet another person in connection with the seizure of a huge cache of explosives from Dimapur. The main accused Lalunpui Hmar had been arrested yesterday. According to officials here, Mhondamo, a retired constable of Nagaland police, was arrested from his residence in Nepali Kashiram area of Dimapur for reportedly financing the smuggling of the explosives. Another co-accused, Kumlin, is still at large and a manhunt is on for him.

The Assam Rifles Personnel deployed at Dimapur railway platform had seized 800 detonators, 710 gelatine sticks and six bundles of cordex wire, each ten metres long, from a train passenger on October 1. The main accused, Lalunpui, when challenged by the police to open his bag, had fled and was later arrested. Sources said Mhondamo had paid a sum Rs 30,000 to Lalunpui and Kumlin to fetch the consignment from Mizoram and Rs 1,700 as fare. The gelatine sticks were reportedly purchased at Rs 30 each and were to be sold at Rs 100 per stick to the local fishermen involved in illegal fishing in the rivers.
ULFA sends letter to PMO The Morung Express
NEW DELHI, OCT 3 (PTI): Amidst speculation that it has expressed its readiness for talks with the Centre, the banned ULFA has sent a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office formally responding to the government’s offer. ULFA’s response for the proposed peace talks came almost a week after the Army called off its operation against the militant outfit in Upper Assam’s Dibru Saikhowa reserve forest on September 27. "A letter containing the names and addresses of People’s Consultative Group (PCG) members was formally handed over to the PMO on Friday evening," noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami, who has been mediating between the Centre and ULFA told PTI today. However, she declined to divulge much details about the contents of the letter saying that the peace initiative has reached a "crucial stage" and "we all needed to be very careful." There was also no official confirmation whether ULFA has offered its readiness for talks.Asked about when the talks between the PCG and Centre would start, Goswami said, "we will get to know about this within a day or two."
Meghalaya government clueless on firing incident Newmai News Network October 3
Shillong: The Meghalaya government is clueless as to who gave the firing orders to security personnel in Garo Hills on Friday last, which left nine persons dead and scores critically injured, even as a judicial inquiry to probe into the circumstances that led to the bloodbath would be instituted. Meghalaya Chief Minister D.D Lapang when queried during a press briefing about the officials who gave the firing orders in Garo Hills, said "It is a big question as to who gave the orders, we are also getting conflicting reports". "The judicial inquiry would find out what went wrong," Lapang said, adding that the Meghalaya government would write to the Chief Justice for his ‘suggestion of names to head the judicial inquiry.’ Blaming ‘vested interest and unwanted people’ who may have fanned the situation on Friday that led to the firing, Lapang said that the district authorities in the two affected districts were trying to zero in upon those people.
Lapang who was with his some of his cabinet colleagues during the press briefing which included his two deputies, Mukul Sangma and Donkupar Roy added that a ‘team of ministers’ along with him would visit Tura and Williamnagar on Tuesday. The chief minister stated that the district authorities would arrange meetings with concerned groups to bring back normalcy in Garo hills. "Everyone is open to come and discuss to diffuse the crisis and bring back normalcy, including the Garo Students’ Union", he said. Further ruling out any decision to call back the Deputy Commissioners of the two districts, Lapang said, "DCs will not be changed, it’s not practical as it will send the wrong signal’. The government has also announced a ‘special financial assistance’ to the families of those victims who died on Friday. Moreover, free medical treatment by the government would be provided to all those injured, he said.
ULFA encircled, Cong does an Andhra in Assam: gets Govt to call off Ops The Indian Express
In acts reminiscent of the flip-flop in Andhra Pradesh where operations against Naxalites were called off after its top brass had been cornered in the Nalamalla forests, the Government has allowed ULFA extremists in Assam to get away after they were encircled by the Army in the Tinsukia forests.
A brigade-level Army operation against the extremists was called off under intense pressure from those who hope to bring the ULFA to the negotiating table. It’s learnt that Army operations were called off after Indira Goswami, who has been playing the ULFA emissary, Congress leader Veerappa Moily and Minister of State for Defence and Jorhat MP B K Handique stepped in. Moily, in fact, wrote letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, impressing upon them the need for a dialogue with ULFA. Goswami does not want to comment, saying it will jeopardise plans for talks with ULFA. Reached for comments, Veerappa Moily confirmed that he had written a letter to Sonia Gandhi and briefed Prime Minister on the ground situation following the Tinsukia operations. Moily is the chairman of Congress Committee in charge of implementing the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) in Assam.
The Army maintains it has not suspended operations inside the Dibru-Saikhowa national park. ‘‘Operation Balwan has been on for a month. Troops found no further activity, so it has been tapered off. There is no ceasefire or understanding yet with the ULFA,’’ said an Army spokesman.
Letting them get away
• In 1991, security forces picked up ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia from a Kolkata guest house but he was not arrested as he ‘‘promised’’ he would bring ‘president’ Arabinda Rajkhowa and ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Barua from Bangladesh for talks with Centre. Chetia was given safe passage • When ULFA cadres claimed they were interested in talks, the Centre ordered then Tezpur Corps Commander Lt Gen Ajai Singh, now Assam Governor, to suspend Op Rhino against ULFA for three months • Chetia is now in Bangla custody. Rajkhowa and Barua are also in Bangladesh But official sources confirmed that at least 25 ULFA cadres managed to escape the dragnet of the 181 Brigade from the Tezpur IV Corps. They were said to have fled in the direction of Myanmar. Before the operations were called off, the Army managed to kill six militants and eight others surrendered. Significantly, Army Headquarters instructed the Tezpur Corps to stop the counter-insurgency operations on September 29 afternoon—a day before the ULFA sent a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that it was ready for a dialogue with New Delhi.
While dates for the Centre-ULFA dialogue are being worked out, officials confirmed that an 11-member pro-ULFA People’s Consultative Group is likely to meet National Security Advisor M K Narayanan around October 14-15. The ULFA has asked the interlocutors to convey to the Centre that any talk should include the issue of sovereignty. What is causing concern in the security establishment is that the Centre squandered an opportunity to destroy the ULFA camp in the Tinsukia forests. Security agencies have been repeatedly making the point that the ULFA is not interested in any serious dialogue and is simply buying time. The official explanation for calling off operations is that the Army movements were hampering food and supply lines of 25 villages near the forest. Assam CM Tarun Gogoi has been privately pushing for operations against the ULFA but is worried that a tough public stance could affect poll fortunes next year.
Minorities float new party, rules out alliance with Congress, BJP NET News Network
Guwahati, Oct 3: Brushing aside allegations from various quarters, the Core Committee of Minority Organizations (CCMO) today formally announced the formation of a new political party that was christened as United Democratic Front (UDF) under the presidentship of Jamiat- Ulema-E-Hind president Badaruddin Azmal. Minutes after the party name was announced, the party presidents Azmal pronounce an all out attack against the ruling Congress Government saying that the Congress will pay price very soon.
“Our main aim would be to defeat Congress and BJP in the ensuing polls and barring these two parties we are open to all like minded parties”, disclosed Azmal. “We will put every possible hurdle to ensure that Congress who played with the sentiments of the minorities of the State do not comeback to power”, added Azmal who was specifically terse on the Congress. “It is the answer to the Congress betrayal against the minorities”, added Azmal. Meanwhile, the newly elected president of UDF has entrusted a committee with the job of preparing guidelines for the overall structure of the party including the decision on party flag and symbol.
The Political convention of the Core Committee of the Minorities saw the participation of around 20 minority organizations. The new party, according to Azmal is open for all irrespective of caste and creed provided one takes keen interest in serving the cause of minorities.
Lapang asked to axe four ministers, Judicial probe ordered into Garo Hills firing By: Raymond R Kharmujai NortEeast Express
Shillong, Oct 3:Eleven legislators including Congress and UDP has written to Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang asking the resignations of four Congress minister from Garo Hills owning moral responsibility for the Garo Hills tragedy on September 30. The minister concerned are Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of Home, Mukul Sangma, Health and Family welfare Minister Sayedullah Nongrum, PWD minister Brening A Sangma and Tourism Minister Deborah Marak. Meanwhile, the Congress led State Government in Meghalaya has today decided to institute a judicial probe on the ‘Friday’s atrocities” at Tura and Williamnagar that led to the “barbaric killing” of nine people by the security personnel. The decision came up during the emergent Cabinet meet this morning to review the prevailing situation in Garo Hills after a lapses of three days of the “gory twin incident” in the Western part of Meghalaya. Earlier, the District Administration at Tura and Williamnagar had instructed the respective Additional District Magistrates to effect magisterial enquiry and to submit their reports within 15 days.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister, D.D.Lapang who is scheduled to leave for Tura and Williamnagar to take stock of the situation tomorrow told media persons here that the government has requested the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court to name a panel of sitting judges to head the commission of enquiry. He further stated that it would not be correct to blame anybody now and it is only after the enquiry that the Government would be able to take action against the culprits. Lapang, who will be accompanied by his deputies - Dr. Mukul Sangma (in charge of Home) and Dr. Donkupar Roy Lyngdoh (in charge of Finance) and other senior minister’s and government officials will visit the injured and will also meet the members of the bereaved families.
Lapang also announced special financial assistance of Rs. Five lakh to the family of the nine deceased persons. Earlier, soon after the incident, the government had sanctioned an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 1 lakh to each family of the deceased persons. In order to save the government’s image, the Lapang led ministry, which is being criticized, from all the corners of the state and the region as a whole has also directed District Administration of East and West Garo Hills to ensure proper medical treatment for all the injured persons at the government’s expense. Lapang further asserted that he is ready to meet any NGOs leaders including the Garo Student’s Union (GSU) leaders to sit across the table in order to sort out their grievances. Meanwhile, the GSU President, Andreas T Sangma said the Union will hold discussion with the Chief Minister provided it is ready to meet the Union and Garo Hills Citizens Forum leaders in Garo Hills, revoked arrest warrants issued against all the GSU leaders and shoot at sight order in Garo Hills and unconditional release of the arrested GSU activists.
Over 1 pc of pregant women found HIV positive By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Oct 3 : A joint team of UNICEF, NACO and State officials who toured different parts of the State from September 19 to 22 to review the progress of PPTCT programme being taken up to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS transmission from mother to child has submitted recommendations to the State Government for dealing with the problem effectively. Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, Dr L Kokindro, MD of State Reference Lab, JN Hospital, who is also the VCCTC in-charge said that the progress of the PPTCT programme has been reviewed by the joint team taking serious note over the increase of HIV infection among the pregnant women in the State. So far, out of the 35,000 blood samples tested at Voluntary Confidential Counselling and Testing Centre (VCCTC) at the hospital, 12,000 pregnant mothers have been confirmed HIV positive, he disclosed, adding that the total figure might be around 20,800 if the datas available at the Centre at RIMS is also counted. On an average 15 to 20 would-be-mothers are coming daily voluntarily for the test at the Centre of JN Hospital, he informed. More than one percent of the pregnant women in Manipur have been affected with HIV/AIDS, Dr Kokindro said.
He expressed concern over the fact that although spread of HIV/AIDS among the Injection Drug Users (IDUs) has come down, the spread of the deadly virus through sexual contact between man and woman, between man and man, commercial sex workers, etc has been on the rise at an alarming rate.
He said that newly born child could be saved from falling prey to the deadly virus if 200 milligrams of Nevirapine dose is given to the would-be-mothers as soon as they start having labour pain and another 2 milligrams of Nevaripine dose per kg of its weight to the newly born child within 72 hours of giving birth.
The success rate of saving the newly born children from the deadly virus with the use of Nevirapine is 50 percent, he added. However, he went on to say that most cases of delivery are not done in Government Hospitals where such facilities are available. Specially in remote areas and villages, the delivery is done at their respective homes with the help of midwives. Dr Kokindro informed that the rate of using Nevirapine by the would-be-mothers at States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala has reached 80-85 percent and 41 percent at the neighbouring State Nagaland while it is only 35 percent in Manipur.
In view of lack adequate medical facilities and other infrastructures in most of the health care units in the State, the joint team of the UNICEF and NACO has recommended to the Government for extending the Nevirapine facilities to private hospitals/clinics as well as for imparting training to the midwives on administering Nevirapine. With the proposal for involving the private hospitals in the PPTCT programme, the Manipur States AIDS Control Society (MACS) has started also taking up measures for providing the requisite facilities/materials at Shija Clinic Hospital at Langol, Dr Kokindro added.
Meet on plebiscite Sangai Express By Our Staff Reporter A resource person addressing the public meeting held on plebiscite issue at Wabagai Lamkhai.
IMPHAL, Oct 3: A public meeting jointly organised by seven different organi-sations of Thoubal district at Wabagai Lamkhai Bazar today has endorsed holding plebiscite to resolve the Manipur-India conflict peacefully. The meeting attended by president of Thoubal District United Women’s Development Organisation Kangjam Ongbi Thasa- na Leima, chief of Purum Tampak Village, Chandel district Y Mohonsing Chothe; secretary of Litan Villa- ge, Chandel district Jeme Kom; president of Leimarel Leishem Lup,. Thoubal district Th Premila and Chief of Purum Pantha Village, Cha-ndel Kotoi Lamkang as presidium members also unanimously resolved to submit the copies of the resolution to the representatives of UN and India Government for taking up necessary action. The meeting was jointly organised by United people Administrative Council, United Women’s Development Organisation, Thou- bal, Leimarel leishem Lup, Khongjom Circle meira Paibi Forum, Green Friendship Organsiation, UCM Heirok Unit and Nongpok Sekmai Circle Meira Paibi and participated by thousands of people.



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