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10/11/2005: "Naga talks end on optimistic note"

Naga talks end on optimistic note Bangkok | October 11, 2005 6:41:25 PM IST
Naga insurgents concluded two days of talks here today with main Indian negotiator Oscar Fernandes, raising hopes of a forward movement towards resolving India’s longest running insurgency. Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isaac-Muivah), who led the Naga delegation to the talks with Mr Fernandes, said this was the first time that both sides have shown seriousness about the main issues.
''We are very happy to have the talks with the Indian representatives because both sides are now more serious about all the issues,'' the NSCN supreme told UNI after the talks. However, he added that a resolution would take a long time and has to be based on recognition of the ''uniqueness of Naga history'', namely that the Nagas were never subject to alien rule.
On the positive side, this was the first time an Indian government has acknowledged Nagaland’s unique past, he pointed out. The NSCN (IM) has proposed having the next round of talks in November this year, which will again be held outside India. UNI XC PK DB1816
NSCN-IM raises issue of ceasefire violations on first day of talks Bangkok | October 10, 2005 9:40:39 PM IST Webindia
Indian government representatives and leaders of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isaac-Muivah) (NSCN-IM) ended the first day of their two-day talks here today with New Delhi promising a probe into allegations of ceasfire violations by security agencies.
''They have raised very serious issues and concerns and we have assured them that we will go into the matter in detail. We have also asked them to cooperate with us by giving us the information,'' Minister of State for Programme Implementation Oscar Fernandes said after the two sides emerged from the talks in a Bangkok hotel late this evening. Mr Fernandes who is one of three-member team of government ministers engaged in the political-level negotiations with the NSCN (IM), is accompanied by the government's special representative K Padmanabhaiah. NSCN (IM) leader Thuingaleng Muivah is heading the 11-member Naga negotiating team, the largest NSCN (IM) delegation sent to the talks so far.
Expressing optimism on the direction of the latest round of talks to end India's oldest insurgency, the NSCN (IM) supremo said that ''as long as there is determination to go forward, both sides can take steps.'' Mr Fernandes later told UNI that there was a willingness on both sides to move forward. The NSCN team in particular raised the issue of the recent killing of a group of Nagas by security agencies during an encounter in Meghalaya. They showed photographs of the dead men in support of their case that the men were wrongly gunned down. Mr Fernandes disclosed that he had discussed this particular incident with the Prime Minister before leaving for the talks. He had also obtained more information on this incident during his visit to Meghalaya to investigate an earlier incident where nine people were killed in the state in firing by security forces.
''They have given us the photographs of the people killed. This will help us to get to the bottom of the thing,'' he said. The minister conceded that there could be a lack of coordination between the various agencies involved in administering the Naga cease-fire. ''India is a vast country and we do our best to have a fair bit of coordination,'' he said. UNI XC VD VC2115
Khaplang advice to rival NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph
Kohima, Oct. 10: The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) has “advised” the rival National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) to revoke the ongoing ceasefire with the Centre. The Khaplang faction opined that if there was no progress in talks, the ceasefire should be abrogated. “If there is no progress, it means there is no need for a ceasefire,” senior kilonser (minister) of the faction, Kughalu Mulatonu, told The Telegraph over phone from an undisclosed location. There has not been an abatement in the fratricidal rivalry between the two factions and one of the NSCN (K) cadre was recently killed in a factional clash in Mon district. The Khaplang faction does not want to talk to the Centre till the NSCN (I-M) is engaged in dialogue. The Khaplang faction says the rival faction is compromising on Naga sovereignty. Reacting to the Meghalaya incident in which three NSCN (I-M) cadre were killed, Mulatonu said the cadre were smuggling “raw uranium to Bangladesh”.
“Meghalaya is not a Naga territory. What were they doing there?” he asked. However, the uranium smuggling story of the faction differs from the version of Meghalaya police, who have said the slain rebels were going to Jaintia hills for extortion. Sources here alleged that the NSCN (K) story was devised to malign its more powerful rival. The Khaplang group has been marginalised over the last two years following their ouster from Mokokchung by the local people in 2003 and later from Zunheboto by the rival NSCN (IM).The faction now has Mon and pockets of Tuensang as its remaining bastions. Chairman of the outfit, S.S. Khaplang, rules the roost in parts of Myanmar adjacent to Nagaland.
NSCN-IM denies 'demand letter' to Nagaland Minister New Kerala
Kohima: The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) today strongly denied having demanded Rs 10 lakh as ''loan'' or otherwise from Nagaland Urban Development Minister Shurhozelie and two social workers. In a release here, NSCN-IM deputy home 'kilonser' V Hora said the demand letter, served in the name of NSCN with its letter head, did not belong to the organisation and directed to the 'central administrative officer' of the outfit in the Angami region to apprehend the real culprit immediately.
Asserting that the NSCN did not operate in such manner, he said, ''we know who are behind this.'' Meanwhile, police registered a case on the demand letter to Nagaland Minister that was pasted yesterday on the notice board of Khedi Baptist Church and the investigation on the case was continuing.
The letter from a group claiming affiliation to NSCN-IM demanded the Minister and two others to provide a 'loan' of Rs ten lakh, promising to return the money within exactly one month. However, the 'request' came not without a warning. ''If you are not willing to do what we have said or try to give any excuse, then your children's lives will be in danger,'' the letter had said.
Sumi-Khiamniungan meet reconcile The Morung Express DIMAPUR, OCT 10 (MExN): An inter-tribal meet cum cultural exchange program was held between the Sumi and Khiamniungan community on October 7 at Noklak town under the aegis of the Sumi Hoho and Khiamniungan tribal council, according to a joint press communiqué issued by representative from both the tribe. The meet adopted a memorandum of understanding. As per the MoU, it unanimously resolved to reconcile past wounds that may have been committed by forefathers in the true spirit of forgive and forget while resolving to maintain and uphold the fraternal relationship between the two tribes.
In the event of any misunderstanding that may arise between individuals belonging to these two tribes, it resolved that such cases will never be taken on tribal line. It also resolved to cooperate and support one another in socio-economic up-liftment to every extent possible and resolved to continue such inter-tribal meet triennially for furtherance of bilateral ties. The four point MoU was signed by the President Scato H Rotokha of Sumi Hoho and P Pongom of KTC. The meet also appealed to all factions not to commit fratricidal killings in order to create conducive atmosphere for closer understanding in the interest of peace and tranquility.
Oscar Fernandes to grace NSUD meet The Morung Express DIMAPUR, OCT 10 (MExN): Oscar Fernandes, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Head of the Group of Minister (GoP) in the Indo-Naga political talks and Wangyuh Konyak, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), will be the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour respectively during the inaugural function of the five days Naga Students’ Union, Delhi (NSUD) annual Freshers’ Meet-cum-Cultural Programme beginning on October 11 at Shah Auditorium, Rajniwas Marg, Civil Lines, University of Delhi (DU), North Campus. On October 15, T.R. Zeliang, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, will grace the cultural programme. All the 18 Tribal Units of the NSUD and other Students’ Union have also been invited. A press communiqué issued by S. Sebastian Kamei and Chitho Nyusou Preisdent and General Secretary respectively of NSUD also informed that all the Naga tribes from Burma, Arunachal, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur will take part in the event.
Describing the "NSUD WEEK" in Delhi as significant in terms of the Nagas’ journey from the ancient times to the 21st Century, the statement pointed that bitterness in minds and hearts could be healed only when the Nagas’ aspiration of living under one political system is to be respected by the Governments of India and Burma. "The issue of Nagas aspiration to live together in their own homeland is more relevant even today because the Indo-Naga political talks have reached a crucial stage to arrive at a political solution to the long drown out conflict. In arriving at for a political solution, the "Unique History and Situation of the Nagas" has to be taken into consideration", it stated. The NSUD informed that programme was being organised not only to welcome the freshers who have come to Delhi for their higher education, careers and different pursuits but also to seriously engage with Indian and Foreign intellectuals who have been invited through constructive literary debate on the burning issue on integration of Naga areas as the first step towards resolving the Indo-Naga political issue.
"We will demonstrate our competitiveness through folksongs, dances, extravaganza, and to showcasing our unique, distinctive and rich cultural heritage to the student community and the whole world that the present post-modern days could be made more people-oriented by blending with the traditional socialism the Nagas have been practising since the ancient times". The NSUD also acknowledged the service rendered by the Media on different occasions towards the students’ welfare in particular and the Naga community in general.
Situation tense after factional clash: KSU Kohima October 11, 2005 Webindia
The Konyak Students's Union (KSU) has claimed that the situation in Lapa Lampong village of Mon dishrict remained tense following last week's clash bewteen the rival factions of NSCN. In a release issued here today, KSU president Manpong Konyak said the situation remained tense after the clash, which left 52 families were displaced and damaged buildings, plantations and vehicles.
Normal classes in the village schools have also been disrupted. The KSU has also taken strong exception to the remarks made by the ADC and demanded his expulsion. When asked about the situation, the ADC had reportedly replied that it was a political problem, which the centre and state government cannot solve. He also allegedly termed the visiting KSU team as a "non-entity".
"Such remarks made by an officer is uncalled for as he is supposed to deliver goods to the public," the KSU president said. The KSU also alleged that the ADC was in an inebriated state when the factional fighting was on. Meanwhile, the people of Pfutsero town in Phek district took out a protest rally yesterday against the fratricidal killings on October 6 last at Rukizu ward of the town where the NSCN-IM and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) engaged in a gun battle.
The rally condemned the "anti-people" activity of the groups for having violated the plea of the people not to camp within the town with arms for the security of public life. The rally also lamented that the government "failed to intervene and curb the internal disturbances." UNI AS MS AKP1105
Ethnic rivalry triggers arson in Assam By Indo Asian News Service
Diphu (Assam), Oct 11 (IANS) At least a dozen homes were torched in separate incidents of ethnic rivalry in violence-hit Karbi Anlgong district of Assam as reinforcements arrived to assist troops in stepping up vigil in the areas concerned, officials Tuesday said. Clashes between the Karbi and Dimasa tribals in the district have claimed 31 lives in the past week. 'Six of the houses burnt down belonged to Karbi tribal villagers and the rest were set ablaze in retaliatory attacks on a tribal Dimasa village Monday night,' a police spokesman said in Diphu, the district headquarters of Karbi Anglong, 290 km from Assam's main city of Guwahati. Troops were called in Monday to quell the weeklong violence between the two rival ethnic groups. 'The situation is tense but gradually coming under control with no overnight reports of killings or major attacks,' Karbi Anglong district magistrate D.D. Tripathi told IANS.
The Karbis and the Dimasas have been engaged in a bitter turf war for many years with the situation turning violent last week with armed militants of both the tribes attacking rival community members and torching about 400 homes.
On Tuesday, additional police and paramilitary troopers arrived in the district as reinforcement to assist army soldiers in stepping up vigil in vulnerable areas. 'Army and paramilitary soldiers backed by the local police have fanned out to remote areas and we hope to bring back the confidence of the people,' Tripathi said. The majority Karbis bore the brunt in the recent attacks with armed Dimasa militants belonging to the outlawed Dima Halom Daoga (DHD) killing 23 villagers. Karbi rebels in retaliatory strikes shot dead eight Dimasas, including five on Monday. The continuing ethnic violence has made thousands of people from both the communities to flee their homes fearing attacks. 'We have about 8,000 people now lodged at various makeshift relief camps. Most of these people are those whose homes were burnt down or have fled their villages out of fear,' the district magistrate said. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who visited the trouble-torn district Monday, asked the authorities to take firm action against the attackers.
'Anybody found indulging in such attacks will be dealt with sternly,' Gogoi told IANS.
Quakes may be devastating in NE By R Dutta Choudhury Assam Tribuene
GUWAHATI, Oct 10 – The recent disaster in North India and Pakistan following a major earthquake should act as an eye-opener for the Governments of the North Eastern states as these states, falling in zone V of the seismic map of India are vulnerable to major quakes and massive urbanisation, unplanned construction of highrise buildings, criss-crossing of the oil pipelines, etc, added to the risk. According to a report prepared by the Centre for Natural Disaster Management, in 1950, when the last major quake hit the region, only a single refinery was operating in the State and over the years, more refineries have been established and oil pipelines crisscrossing the Brahmaputra valley have been laid. Continuous flow of highly inflammable products cross the entire length of the narrow valley having thick population and this is a matter of serious concern in case of a major quake hitting the region. Moreover, the pipelines cross major railway lines, bridges and culverts and any disastrous event can have serious impact on the communication network.

The report pointed out that earthquakes do not kill but the unsafe buildings do and said that the high vulnerability of the buildings that turns hazards to disasters. The construction of high rise buildings in Guwahati and other towns and cities of the region are taking place haphazardly without following the rules of the BIS codes and excessive urbanisation of the entire region added to the threat. When the last major quakes of 1897 and 1950 hit the region, the entire region was sparsely populated and urbanisation did not take place and the death toll was relatively low. But if an earthquake of the same magnitude hit the region now, the situation would be totally different and the loss of life and property would be much more. The report said that considering the seismic risk, the height of the buildings should be taken into consideration to mitigate the damages. The report pointed out that another aspect which needs to look into is the fact that Guwahati is surrounded by hills with a fragile ecosystem and a major quake can result in a catastrophe because of landslides. It may be mentioned here that death of people in landslides during the rainy season has become a common phenomenon in the last few years and one can easily gauge the gravity of the situation if a major quake triggers of a massive landslide from the hills. Time and again, the concerned authorities have called upon the people living on the hills to move to safer places, but so far no concerned effort has been made to evict the encroachers from the hills around the city.

The report said that ensuring operational and structural safety of the buildings need immediate attention and the guidelines issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for construction of buildings in the seismically active zones should be strictly adhered to. The States should make it mandatory to strictly adhere to the BIS rules, but unfortunately these have been violated frequently because of poor enforcement, lack of awareness among the people, etc lead to violation of the rules. The report said that a major disaster results in a major economic impact and affects the pace of development as the resources available for development activities have to be diverted for making up for the losses. A World Bank report on “catastrophes and development” noted that in most cases, catastrophes are not incorporated into the economic projections and if the impacts of the disasters are not anticipated, the scarce financial resources affect the relief and reconstruction efforts. The poor countries depend mostly on the international assistance to make up for the losses but such funds are also limited.
Death toll increase as KA burns, ABSU, DHD cry for peace NET News Network Guwahati/ Kokrajhar, Oct 10: The Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today toured the strife torn Karbi Anglong district and urged the people of both Dimasa and Karbi community to shun violence. Gogoi also assured to install additional police pickets in sensitive areas to prevent further loss to life and property in the ongoing disturbances in the area. Meanwhile, the region continues to be ravaged by fratricidal killing with the death of five more people in Kheroni village in Diphu-Manza road this morning. According to report, a group of 100 people including 40 in army fatigues attacked the village at around 7 this morning and killed five persons. The mob also set ablaze 63 houses and two rice mills in the area. The victims have been identified as Ruhila Difusa (35), Achinda Hansu (31), Saibidi Doulaguza (40), Rongsing Difusa (75) and Thimpai Ram (60).
Meanwhile, another unconfirmed report indicates of huge Dimasa casualties in Hojaipur area in Diphu-Lumding road when suspected UPDS militants attacked the area at around 12 this afternoon. Army today staged flag march in the sensitive areas. Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) today while flaying the recent killings carried out by the KLNLF in the Dimasa village has appealed to the people of both Dimasa and Karbi community to restrain themselves from any violent activity for the greater interest of the region. In a release issued to media this evening, publicity secretary of DHD stated that the killings would not fetch any benefits to either community rather it would hamper brotherly relationship between the two communities. “We appeal all the concerned including administration, security forces and media not to give any meaningless statement without proper clarification”, the release added. It can be mentioned that the tension is at its peak between the Dimasa and Karbi community in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam.
Meanwhile, the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) expressed deep concern over the ongoing communal clash between the Karbis and Dimasas in Karbi Anglong district which claim many innocent lives and property. In a press release ABSU secretary Goutam Mushahary said ‘the communal clash seems like running out of control’. Referring Karbis and Dimasas as the genuinely tribal brothers living since time immemorial, the ABSU urged both communities to shun violence and refrain from engaging in totally blunder acts of cruelty which could only bring stagnant to human and social developments. The clash would bring nothing but only fatal destructions of innocence lives and property.
‘The people of lower Assam witnessed one of the worst ethnic violence in 1996 between the Bodos and Adivasis and the massive lives loss and material destructions still appears to be like nightmares for many people and could not come into normalcy till now, Mushahary said adding therefore ‘the ABSU feels that the greatest loss out of this kind of violent situation is to total break down of cohesive ties of brotherhood and age old good social relationship that simultaneously bring about misunderstanding, mistrust and loss of faith between the communities engaged in riot. We know that this is very much irreparable loss for irrespective of any community living in the trouble torn areas. The ABSU also requested the state govt to deal with the situation tightly and instruct the concern authorities to gear up impartially stopping the violence before it takes the shape of epidemic.
Shift DHD designated camp from Dhansiri’ Karbis hit back, kill five Dimasas Our Bureau
DIPHU/GUWAHATI, Oct 10: At least five Domasas, including women, were shot dead and 63 houses burnt down by miscreants in Kheroni village, about 12 km from here, in Karbi Anglong district early this morning. The dead have been identified as Rasila Diphusa (40), Oshinda Hasnu (30), Saibodi Doulagajau (63), Ronga Sing Diphusa (65) and Themram Doulagajau (60). According to sources, a group of about 20 armed militants, accompanied by over 200 villagers armed with sharp weapons, attacked Khenori village and shot dead by the five besides setting ablaze 63 houses. Meanwhile, the UPDS has demanded the State Government to shift the designated camp of the DHD located in Dhansiri subdivision in Karbi Anglong district to NC Hills so as to bring back peace in Karbi Anglong. According to sources, over 10,000 people have taken refuge in relief camps set up by the district administration.
Meanwhile, two bodies were recovered from Longsing Engti village last night, sources added. When contacted by The Sentinel, UPDS publicity secretary Tong-Ehh-Nonglogda said: "DHD cadres staying in its designated camp in Dhansiri subdivision in Karbi Anglong district are responsible for the current spurt in violence. The camp inmates move freely with arms and resort to extortion and other illegal activities in the nearby areas." He demanded of the State Government to shift the designated camp of the DHD from Karbi Anglong. "Whenever we want to settle disputes through talks, DHD leaders only assure us of meeting us but they never turn up for meetings. They only talk to political leaders of Karbi Anglong," Nonglogda said. The DHD, on the other hand, denied the allegations levelled against it through the media. In its bid to contact DHD chief Dilip Nunisa in his cell phone, The Sentinel found the outfit’s organizing secretary Ron Siling , who denied the allegations levelled against the outfit in the media outright. "Whenever there is violence in Karbi Anglong, everybody points his or her accusing fingers towards the DHD. Everybody, including the Government, knows the reason behind the current violence in Karbi Anglong," Siling said but refused to divulge anything in detail.
5 Dimasas killed in fresh ethnic violence Sangai Express
Diphu (Assam), Oct 10:There has been no let up in the ethnic violence in Upper Assam, where about 40 Karbi speaking men in army uniform allegedly killed five Dimasa tribals, including two women, in an early morning attack in Kheroni village and set ablaze 63 houses and two rice mills. With this, the death toll in the current round of ethnic violence between the two tribes in Karbi Anglong district since Saturday last has risen to 19. District Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Sarma told PTI that more than hundred Karbi speaking people with 40 of them in army uniform and armed with sophisticated weapons, attacked Kheroni village under Diphu police station at 7 am and set fire to 63 houses and two rice mills.
The attackers then fired indiscriminately killing five persons on the spot and fled the scene after the army, police and CRPF personnel who were patrolling the nearby areas rushed to the spot. The victims have been identified as Ruhila Diphusa (35), Achinda Hasnu (31), Saibidi Doulaguja (40), Rangasing Diphusa (75) and Thimpairam Doulaguja (60). Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is scheduled to visit the violence hit district today while IGP (Law and Order) D K Pathak and DIG (Central Range) L R Bishnoi are camping here.
Eight Karbis were hacked to death and 150 houses set ablaze by Dimasas yesterday while six others, including a three-year old girl, were killed and over hundred houses of both Karbis and Dimasa tribes were burnt down on Saturday.PTI
KNF remembers founding father Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Oct 10: Kuki National Front (KNF) wo-uld be observing the 12th death anniversary of its founding president Nehlun Kipgen on October 13 and has appealed to all the people to observe the day in prayer and remembrance of the departed leader. In a statement, information and publicity secretary of the outfit LH Stephen said that it was on October 13, 1993, that the founding father Pu (L) Nehlun Kipgen laid down his life in the hands of the Indian security forces for a cause in which he and all the Kuki people believe in. Nehlun sacrificed his life for the cause of betterment, prosperity and upliftment of his people in every aspect of life, the statement said, while requesting all the people to observe his 12th dead anniversary which falls on October 13 with prayer and remembrance of the departed leader.
KNF further appealed to all the educational institutions and Government offices for declaring half holidays on the said day so as to allow the people for taking part in the prayer and meditation and prayed for the unity and understanding among all revolutionary groups among the Kuki community and realised their cherished dream of a separate government.
Sonia reprimands Gogoi over UDF, Army operations From our Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Oct 10: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has reprimanded Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for stopping the Army operation against the ULFA in the State. At the same time she blamed the CM for not being able to keep the minorities united. It may be mentioned that the Army operation in the State has been slowed down owing to the intervention of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in order to push the peace initiative taken by the banned outfit. Speaking at the Congress chief ministers’ conclave in Chandigarh, Gandhi demanded of all the CMs to submit their report card on the overall development taking place in the Congress-run States. She also asked Tarun Gogoi to order his cabinet to submit individual report cards to her by the first week of November.
Expressing dissatisfaction on the formation of the new political party by the minorities in Assam with the help of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Gandhi said that the minorities are the vote bank of the Congress and the party has to work hard to keep them happy. She also reprimanded Digvijay Singh along with Ahmed Patel for failing to brief her about the formation of the United Democratic Front (UDF). Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary and in charge of the party for Assam, Digvijay Singh, said that the Congress is the only party which can bring stability in Assam. Speaking to The Sentinel, Singh said that the Congress is the only party which can and will safeguard the interest of the minorities in the State. Refuting the charges that the party has failed to keep the minorities united, he said, "It is not correct that the party has failed in its mission to keep the minorities united. We are a national party and our top agenda is to keep the country united. We will safeguard the interest of the minorities at any cost. It is unfortunate that some unsatisfied minority groups with the help of some Congressmen have formed a new party."
Welcoming the ULFA’s decision to form the People’s Consultative Group (PCG) for talks with the Centre, Singh said that his party has always believed in talks across the table. "Violence will lead nowhere. I appeal to the ULFA to come for direct talks with the Centre so that peace prevails in the region," said Singh. He also praised Tarun Gogoi saying that he was doing a ‘fine job’. When asked about the Congress prospect in the forthcoming election, Singh said that his party had a very good chance of regaining power again in the State. "The people of Assam have seen the good work done by the Congress government. They are intelligent enough to decide under which party they can be happy," said Singh. Meanwhile, leader of the Opposition and BJP president LK Advani criticized the Congress for failing to deal with the deteriorating scene on every front. Rubbishing the objective of the just concluded Congress chief ministers’ conclave in Chandigarh, the former Deputy Prime Minister said the UPA government had no right to look into the ‘so-called report card’ of the party chief ministers. "Sonia Gandhi has no right to ask for Congress chief ministers’ report cards since the performance of the UPA government itself has been dismal so far. In 16 months of its tenure, the Government has invited three serious judicial indictments. First, the Supreme Court judgement on IMDT where the court had said that it failed to stop the silent invasion on the country. The second indictment came in the form of Allahabad High Court’s judgement on reservation for Muslim students in Aligarh Muslim University and the third, of course, is Bihar. These three indictments had blackened the face of UPA government," Advani said.
Much-vaunted Bodo unity in a shambles, top leaders continue war of words Hagrama washes BPPF’s dirty linen in public Our Correspondent
GORESWAR, Oct 10: What has been so far the worst-kept secret in Bodo politics came out in the open officially when BPPF supremo Hagrama Mohilary accused the ABSU president Rabiram Narzary and veteran Bodo politician U G Brahma of trying to conspire to unseat him from the BTAD leadership. In a public meeting held here at the Goreswar Town LP school on Saturday, Mohilary said that Narzary was using the influence of the ABSU to vault ahead in BTAD leadership race. He said that both Narzary and Brahma were responsible for the instability in Bodo politics. Mohilary said whereas people of Bodoland wants his leadership in the BTC based on the verdict of the massive electoral support it got in the polls, Rabiram Narzary was out to disregard the electoral verdict. He said that the progress of the Bodoland would continue with or without Rabiram.
He unequivocally stated that there was no question of leaving the post of the chief of BTAD based on veiled threats from the Rabiram ‘gang’. He acknowledged that there were too many problems for the newly-born BPPF. He further said that the absence of a constitution, an emblem and even the registration of the newly-born BPPF were some of the areas that needed to be looked into. Rama Kanta Basumatary, president primary unit of Goreswar was in the chair. A memorandum with 16 demands was also submitted to Mohilary for development of Goreswar. Maheswar Basumatary, executive member of Goreswar constituency, also addressed the gathering dwelling on various problems facing Goreswar, particularly in the field of communication, agriculture, medical facilities and education. Addressing the gathering, Jagadish Sarkar, joint secretary of the BPPF urged the public to cooperate with the party in the interest of all-round development of the areas under BTC. Mukut Basumatary, Umesh Chandra Boro, Mani Ram Boro, Anjima Narzary, Binod Narzary and many other top leaders and intellectuals were also present in the party workers’ meet.