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10/24/2005: "PM CONDOLES DEMISE OF J. B. JASOKIE Government of India Press Release"


PM CONDOLES DEMISE OF J. B. JASOKIE Government of India Press Release
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has expressed grief at the demise of the noted Naga leader, Shri J. B. Jasokie. The Prime Minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the people of Nagaland and the family, friends, admirers of Shri Jasokie.

In his message, Dr. Manmohan Singh said, “It is not often that our nation is blessed to have men of Shri Jasokie’s idealism and commitment at the helm of affairs. We were truly blessed to have him guide the destiny of the Naga people.

I was deeply distressed to learn of the sad demise of Shri J.B.Jasokie. A patriot, a nationalist, a true son of India, Late Shri Jasokie was a revered leader of the Naga people. After a promising academic carrier in Kohima and Shillong, Shri Jasokie took part in the Second World War. He was also a keen sportsman. Shri Jasokie entered public life as an active member of the Naga Independence movement, but took a principled view on the use of violence in seeking a political objective. He was truly opposed to achieving his political objective through violent means. Shri Jasokie organized the Naga People’s Convention and was elected General Secretary of NPC with the formation of Naga Hills Tuensang Area (NHTA) and later the full fledged State of Nagaland. He also piloted the discussion during the October 1959 Naga Peoples Convention, which arrived at a decision regarding the formation of the state of Nagaland under the constitution of India.

As an elected Member of the Interim Body, as a member of the legislative Assembly and later Minister and Chief Minister, he served the people of Nagaland with dedication and commitment. Shri Jasokie’s passionate commitment to the ideals of the Indian Republic encouraged him to join the national mainstream and participate actively in the governance of the country. I salute his memory and convey my deepest and sincere condolences to his family, his friends and admirers and the people of Nagaland.”

DHD leader in NSCN (IM) custody NET News Network
Guwahati, Oct 23: Close on the heels of Assam Governor’s report indicating involvement of NSCN (IM) in the recent carnage in Karbi Anglong district, Chairman of Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) sensational revelation regarding 14 days captivity of his home secretary in NSCN (IM) Hebron camp has added fresh substance to the report. Dilip Dimasa while speaking exclusively to northeasttribune.com informed, “ Our home secretary Kanto Langthasa who went to NSCN (IM) Hebron camp on October 7 was kept on captivity till October 20”.
Though Langthasa’s driver along with the vehicle he traveled was set free but home secretary was kept locked in a small cell, informed the driver to his senior leaders. “ I informed about this to Rajiv Agarwal, Joint Secretary of JMG along with a copy to IGP, Assam Police (special branch) Khagen Sarma,” added Dilip. Langthasa according to Dilip was allowed to move freely in Hebron Camp only after he spoke to NSCN (IM) leaders about the incident. Though repeated request was made for his freedom in view of the emergency situation in Karbi Anglong, the Naga leaders mysteriously denied to free Langthasa, informed Dilip.
The incident gained importance after a local vernacular daily Amar Asom on Sunday published news quoting an intelligence report indicating involvement of DHD (anti-talk) faction in the killings of three Dimasas on September 26 in Manza. The incident seen as the root cause of subsequent ethnic frenzy in the district was designed by NSCN (IM) to fuel DHD-UPDS clash, added the report. It may be recalled that the three bodies were dumped in a Karbi village to put the responsibilities on UPDS. The report substantiating the finding added that NSCN (IM) after the Misibailang episode where an Assam government magistrate died over Assam-Nagaland border dispute, desperately wanted the Dhansiri camp of DHD to be dislodged. The DHD cadres reportedly supported the Assam police officials in maintaining vigil in the said stretch of border. Media after the Misibailang incident reported about involvement of NSCN (IM) cadres from Hebron camp in the entire episode.
BJP demands judicial inquiry The Hindu Special Correspondent
"Centre neglecting tribals affected by violence"• Congress is responsible for the violence, says Ahluwalia
• He alleges missionaries doing relief work are using the opportunity to convert the victims to Christianity.
• A "conspiracy" seen to divert attention from main poll issue of scrapping of the Illegal Migrants Determination by Tribunal Act
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded a judicial inquiry into the violence in Karbi Anglong district of Assam by a sitting judge of a High Court and immediate relief and compensation to the victims. A 10-member BJP team led by Rajya Sabha MP and in-charge of Assam political affairs, S.S. Ahluwalia, returned here after a two-day visit to the affected areas. Addressing presspersons on Friday, he charged the Government with "focussing on the victims of the earthquake in Jammu and Kashmir and neglecting the tribals affected by the violence that has left 79 persons dead".
Mr. Ahluwalia alleged that the Congress could be behind the violence because the chairman of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council was a Congressman as were the MP and MLAs of the area. But to a question, he said he did not think the same logic could apply to the 2002 Gujarat riots when a BJP Chief Minister and a BJP Prime Minister were in place.
He said the Autonomous Council should be dissolved and the Governor should directly takeover relief and rehabilitation. A three-page memorandum was submitted to the Governor.
Relief work He charged the missionaries doing relief work in the area with using the opportunity to "convert" the victims to Christianity. "I saw chains with crosses around the necks of some victims," he said. Yet another suspect in the BJP's eyes was the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isaac Muivah) since the Karbi Anglong district touches Nagaland and this area "was part of the NSCN-IM demand for a Greater Nagaland".
The party said that Karbis and another tribe in the area, Dimasas, had "lived peacefully for centuries" and that it would not be correct to blame the Dimasas for the violence as they constituted a "small three per cent minority". The violence, he said, was the result of a "conspiracy" to divert attention from the main poll issue of scrapping of the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act. The Assembly elections are scheduled for April next.
Nagaland BJP disowns Alhuwallia' statement
Kohima | October 24, 2005 12:51:09 AM IST Webindia
The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) state unit has condemned the statement made by BJP's Assam in-charge S S Ahluwalia, regarding the involvement of NSCN in the ethnic clashes of the Karbis and Kacharis in Karbi-anglong district of Assam.
State party President M C Konayak and spokesman O Mozami Nqullie in a joint statement said the involve in statement made by Mr Ahluwalia was his personal view.
The BJP appreciated its Assam unit for its effort to resolve the ongoing violence in Karbi-anglong. The party also appealed to the concerned authorities and organisations to come forward and extend their help in ending the turmoil.
UNI AS PC RD PM AR RK1808
Vatican Ambassador to visit Nagaland today The Hindu
Kohima, Oct. 24. (UNI): Nagaland is all set to accord a grand welcome to his Excellency Rev. Pedro Lopez Quinatana, the vatican ambassador and Apostolic Nuncio to India, who will arrive at Mao gate here on a three-day visit to the state today.
According to church sources, the Vatican Ambassador will arrive at Khuzama from Imphal by road, where he will accorded a rich welcome by the catholic religious leaders. From Khuzama he will proceed to Jakhama at the St Joseph's College, where a cultural extravaganza will be presented in his honour.
Khonoma will be first "green village" of Nagaland New Kerala
Kohima: The historic Khonoma village will be the first "green village" of Nagaland when Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will inaugurate the gate of the village tomorrow.

According to official sources here today, the Khonoma is a favourite site to visit for hundreds of tourists, both foreign and national because of its early forays as a resilient village against the Britishers and the legendary leader of naga movement A Z Phizo.

The Khonoma gate at Keyaba will be first inaugurated by Mr Rio, while the green village will be declared open at Dzusie.

A joint venture of the Khonoma Tourism Development Board and the Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland, has augured well for both the residents and those promoting a culture of conservation and ecological balance.

Sources said the village was now equipped to handle tourists more effectively following an improved form of village administration, replete with sanitation methods with toilets and dustbins all around.
Naga rights body demands state women's commission
New Delhi | October 24, 2005 6:15:01 PM IST IANS

The Nagaland Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPHMR), Delhi, has criticised the Nagaland government for its failure to set up a state level commission for women. The human rights organisation condemned a controversial letter written by the secretary to the Nagaland government to Dr. Girija Vyas, chairperson, National Commission of Women (NCW), on the inability to establish such a commission, citing "acute financial constraints" as one of the reasons. The letter read: "The state is predominantly tribal where women in general enjoy a fair amount of equality with men in the society and also do not suffer severe disabilities and discrimination on grounds of sex."
However, M. Kikon Convenor, NPMHR, Delhi claimed the letter was a predictable response of any patriarchal, self-glorifying chauvinistic society. To support its contention, the letter cited the relative absence on atrocities against women in Nagaland and stated that problems such as the dowry system, child marriage and caste distinctions as prevalent in some of the other states were not practised in Nagaland. It said the unique social and customary practices in the Naga Society were protected under the Constitution.
But the human rights group said the debate over women's rights had always been negated by many people from the perspective of relativity and called for a fuller debate with participation of all women groups and parties concerned. It also demanded that the Naga Mother's Association, the apex body of Naga women in the state, be involved in the debate.
Nagas take to prayer in wake of quake alert OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Oct. 23: With the devastating earthquake in Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir fresh in their minds, more than 13 lakh Nagas prayed to God to tone down an earthquake, if it did occur in the region. The people were responding to an appeal by the Nagaland Baptist Churches Council to pray in the wake of a warning of a major earthquake in the region. The council’s appeal stated that Jesus had predicted earthquakes when the end of the world was near. “If the world had been destined that way, perhaps our prayers may not be able to stop the quake coming to us....but one thing we are sure is when we pray, God can moderate the intensity of the occurrence and save the people.” The council asked people to repent for their sins and humble themselves before God. “Pray anywhere, anytime,” it said.
The earthquake will be the focus of prayers as part of Sunday services all November. The council’s general secretary Zhabu Terhuja said the Asian tsunami had raised concerns in Nagaland, but the quake in Pakistan had alarmed people. The appeal said an Indo-American joint study in 2001 had predicted a major earthquake in the Northeast. “Moreover, our unrepentant way of living stands to attract the wrath of God,” it said. At the City Church here today, the pastor read out the council’s appeal and called for a minute’s prayer.
“We call upon the civil authorities to immediately take some steps in the area of information sharing and disaster management, so that should anything happen, people might be able to face it and respond appropriately,” the council said. The Nagaland government has conducted workshops on disaster management, but has no foolproof plan in the event of such an occurrence.
RSS sets down ground rules for its BJP president HEMENDRA Singh Bartwal/Lemuel Lall Chitrakoot (MP), October 23, 2005 Hindustan Times
BJP leaders queuing up for L.K. Advani's job as party president need to polish up their Hindutva credentials if they want the RSS to consider their application seriously. The change of guard happens in December when Advani bows out as per his own announcement earlier. The Sangh wants his replacement to be someone who will toe the line completely. It also wants the party to step on the pedal as far as reforms are concerned. The RSS wants the party going in the "right directions" and without delay. On the last day of the RSS's national executive on Sunday, general secretary Mohanrao Bhagwat said the replacement would be someone who would stick to the five-point agenda suggested by the Sangh: the primacy of Hindutva, strengthening the organisation, training cadres, ethical conduct and consultative mechanism in the party.
Also, the BJP leadership will have to be a collective one, not personality-driven. Bhagwat said the Sangh favoured the principle of collective decision-making and "team work" in the party, as they formed the basis of a democratic system. The RSS also made it clear who called the shots in the saffron family. It said that its business was to ensure that the BJP was moving in the "right direction" and any deviations by its leadership would be dealt with firmly. "The Sangh is firm on its ideological stand and all swayamsewaks are bound by it," he said. Though he claimed that issues like BJP-RSS relationship and the Uma Bharti episode did not figure at all in the deliberations of the national executive, it is believed that the matters have been discussed in separate closed door meetings of a few top leaders of the Sangh, VHP and BJP like himself, K.S.Sudarshan, Madan Das Devi, Suresh Soni, Ashok Singhal, Pravin Togadia and Sanjay Joshi. But Uma Bharti appears to be in trouble. On her letter criticising joint general secretary Suresh Soni, Bhagwat indicated that it was an attack on the Sangh leadership when he said that no single person in their set-up was responsible for any particular decision as it was a joint consultative process.
Meanwhile, the RSS concluded its three-day national meet with a call to its cadres to wage a war against caste hatred, conflicts and untouchability that "are hindering Hindu unity and social harmony". To this end, RSS Sarsanghachalak Madhav Sadashivarao Golwalkar, Guruji, would hold national, regional and block level seminars and functions from February next. Guruji was RSS chief between 1940-1973. RSS shakhas, numbering around 50,000 nationwide, would constitute committees to hold conferences and functions to spread message against caste hatred and untouchability and factors causing social disharmony.
Talking to presspersons, Sangh Sarkaryavaha Mohanrao Bhagwat said the organisation was working for nation building since last 80 years. The RSS also condemned the UPA Government for what it called minority appeasement and blamed the foreign hand and the Church for violence in some parts of the Northeast. The meet passed resolutions in this regard. On the other hand, the Sangh leaders lauded recent court orders including the Supreme Court directive for bridging a gap between minorities and the majority and the Allahabad High Court order in connection with the Aligarh Muslim University’s status. The RSS leaders expressed concern over reports that the UPA Government was considering setting up a ministry for minority welfare, special recruitment drive for Muslims in the Army and Islamic banking.
The resolution also flayed the Centre’s alleged move to provide reservation to Muslims nationwide akin to that in Andhra Pradesh. Another RSS resolution held foreign hand responsible for greater Nagaland movement in Northeast. The foreign hand and the Church are causing conflict among Hindu tribes to achieve their nefarious designs, it added. As a result, hundreds of the people belonging to Karbi and Dimasa tribes have lost their lives, it alleged. The Church was instigating conflicts among the Hindu tribes and then helping victims to turn them Christians, charged the resolution. The Sangh called on its cadre to build public opinion among Hindus against the minority appeasement and the ‘Church- sponsored’ violence in the Northeast.
The Sangh also dubbed the communal violence in Mau (UP) as a one-way attack on Hindus. Sangh spokesman Ram Madhav alleged that the local Muslim MLA was inciting violence there. He said according to reports the MLA was seen in a jeep during the riots.
'Rebel' MLA 'backtracks'
CHIEF MINISTER Babulal Gaur today warned that he would remove ministers who did not have faith in his leadership. His warning came soon after party MLA Phulsingh Mewada denied signing the memorandum that dissident MLAs submitted to the party's central leadership demanding a BJP legislature party meeting. Gaur issued his threat to ministers while addressing reporters in Alirajpur, Jhabua district. Announcing that he would seek to make Alirajpur a district, Gaur said: "I will remove such ministers, who do not have confidence in their chief minister and are involved in dissident activities, from the cabinet."
Gaur was, however, willing to grant an opportunity to the ministers, stating that that some ministers had sought pardon from him in writing. The Uma camp, however, discounted this. Reacting to Mewada's statement, MLAs close to Uma Bharti said Mewada had not signed the memorandum in the first place. A copy of the letter attached with a related "news item" had been released to the Press today. The letter written by the MLA from Shujalpur constituency, however, does not bear the addressee's name and date.
Or, perhaps in the photocopy it has been deleted deliberately. The “news-item” also does not bear the sender’s name and address. The MLA has in the letter on his letterhead said his signature on the memorandum was nothing but a fraud. He had not signed any such memorandum. Mewada has also expressed his surprise and anguish over his ‘signature’. He says in the letter that he has full faith in the BJP leadership and the Chief Minister. The campaign launched by disgruntled elements is condemnable and this would adversely affect development works going on in the State, he says. When asked how he came to know about his signature on the memorandum when it is available with the central party leadership only and has not been made public as yet, Mewada said he came to know from some persons. Hence his clarification. In reply to a question he said he had written the letter to Chief Minister Babulal Gaur who spoke to him in this regard about three days back.
An Uma camp member leading the campaign against Gaur said since the MLA’s signature did not figure on the memorandum at all the support expressed was meaningless. Moreover, he added, expression of support of one MLA to Gaur who had not even signed the memorandum, two days after their campaign was postponed, only vindicated their stand on the change of guard.
Face consequences if govt continues naxal killings: Gadar Manarama on line
London: Warning the Centre and Andhra Pradesh government of "serious" consequences if they continue to "eliminate" naxalites, balladeer Gadar has alleged that the State was acting like a "terrorist" which treats naxalism as a law and order problem while it has larger dimensions. The naxal sympathiser also did not see any difference between various political outfits which ruled the Centre and state as they dealt naxalism with "highhandedness".

"The State is acting like a terrorist...They are not understanding the seriousness of the situation," Gadar, who was one of emissaries of CPI-Maoist which held talks with Andhra government, told the BBC Hindi service Sunday night. "Though the authorities are talking about the issue as a socio-economic one, both the Centre and the Andhra government want to deal with it as a law and order issue," he said. He warned the government of "serious" consequences if they pursued the "dangerous" policy of "eliminating" naxal cadres.

Finding "no difference" between various dispensations in their dealing of the issue, Gadar said that though the "faces and caps" in the ruling establishment changed, their "politics and policies of highhanded dealing remain unchanged." "Whether it was the NDA government at the Centre and Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra earlier, it is the UPA and Congress governments now, there is no change in the situation at all," he said.

Asked why the Maoists supported the Congress in the last Assembly elections, Gadar said, "We had appealed to people to root out Chandrababu Naidu and NDA. This much I accept and concede."

"However, we had urged the people to ask congress about its attitude towards the separate Telangana state. Would they deal with naxalite issue as a socio-economic issue and a blanket no for the World Bank entry in the state," Gadar said. The 56-year-old engineering drop-out said that during the last Assembly elections people were "promised the moon" on all the three issues, "but after a year and half, the reality seems otherwise."

When pointed out that the naxalites were opposed to pro-poor steps like free distribution of two lakh acres of land in the state, Gadar said that the gesture was meaningless when a huge bulk of land was still under the custody of government. "Look at the government figures itself. It tells us that one crore twenty lakh acres of land is available for distribution among the landless poor. Now out of that you choose a meagre two lakh acres. Then why do you expect us to support such meaningless decisions," he said.

Gadar rejected charges that the naxalites were resorting to killings of innocents in various parts of the country. "Let us not forget that those exploiting the poor are indulging in the worst form of violence. Poor and tribal people resort to use of force when their democratic rights are suppressed by use of force by governments," he said.

Asked why naxalites were supporting separatist movements in different parts of the country, Gadar said: "In our view it is America and the World Bank which are trying to break India. It is wrong to say that people of Nagaland or Mizoram are trying to break the country."
Assam census in ‘Naga bastis’ irks NSCN-IM Sentinel
‘The census in Naga villages is a serious development aimed at creating confusion and to frighten the Nagas’.
KOHIMA, Oct 23 (UNI): NSCN-IM has flayed the recent deployment of Assam Government officials to conduct the census in Naga villages in Aghunaqa area in the form of 5th economic census house-list by Deputy Commissioner and Chairman, District Monitoring Committee, Golaghat. Viewing the census as a serious development aimed at creating confusion and to frighten the Nagas, the NSCN-IM said it had created tension and civil disorder among the public in border areas. It asked the neutral forces to wisely understand the ethics of neutrality and maintain harmony between the two conflicting parties. It asked all the conflicting parties and neutral forces to maintain a peaceful atmosphere to carry out the talks smoothly and bring about a final solution between the Centre and the Nagas.
An appointment letter which was made available to the press showed the Golaghat Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the District Monitoring Committee has appointed Mr Doipen Gogoi, Assistant teacher of Betoni Tinable, as the enumerator to conduct the fifth economic census in the district of Golaghat.
50,000 in Karbi Anglong relief camps The Morung Express
(l)A traumatised child’s friend at a relief camp looks on while she is cajoled by volunteers distributing relief material at the Chandara Sing Teron High School, Diphu. Victim of society: (centre) This innocent cherub, one of triplets ,had to depart with her siblings who died in a hospital. (r) OTS students of Dimapur hand out clothes to displaced children roughing the uncomfortable living conditons. (MEx Pix)
Displaced persons in need of massive support Thannganing Hungyo
Dimapur (MExN): Around 50,000 people are in desperate need of proper relief in the strife-torn district of Karbi Anglong in Assam. Some have also fled to the nearby North Cachar Hills. According to official statistics, 89 people have been killed in the ongoing ethnic flare-up. However, hundreds more are believed to be missing and feared dead. Caught in the crossfire are innocent villagers who are not even aware of the political issues enveloping them. Scores of them have taken refuge in schools, community halls, playgrounds and other makeshift establishments. 49 relief camps have been erected in Karbi Anglong, as per the Deputy Commissioner’s list. Three relief camps are also said to have been set up at Dimapur, near Rangapahar. Many have fled from their homes due to fear. Some of those in relief camps at Diphu, and belonging to both the Karbi and Dimasa communities, recounted how they narrowly escaped from bullets and machetes.
Crops have also failed as the villagers, whose primary occupation is agriculture; have not been able to go to the fields. "We will have to go hungry for a year," related an inmate in one of the relief camps at Dikrong, a village which lies on the Dimapur-Diphu road. The immediate needs of those who have been displaced from their homes are warm clothing, medicines, nutritious food and round the clock counselling. Incessant rains during the last few days have added to the miseries of the campers. Adding to the trauma they have experienced, some of those sleeping on playfields are finding it extremely difficult to even get four hours of sleep because of lack of proper shelter, mattresses and blankets. The most important need of the hour, however, is constant care and support as most of these villagers are illiterate. Some of those who have taken ill were reported to have swallowed whole doses of medicines with the notion that they would be cured overnight. Jamie Momin, a doctor from Tura, and who is presently working with volunteers, told The Morung Express, "Malaria, diarrhoea and skin infections are what we’re mostly dealing with." He also said more trained nurses and doctors were required to tend to the sick and the needy. Further, Government doctors have been said to be insensitive towards the inmates. "They come to the camps, ask a few vague questions, keep the medicines, and then leave," a relief worker said.
Sanitation has also become a major concern. "Since these villagers are not accustomed to the life here, volunteers have to constantly remind them of basic sanitation and hygiene practices," said a Catholic nun based in Jirsong Asong, a training centre under the Catholic diocese which is situated at Diphu. More temporary bathrooms are also needed, she said. This reporter noticed a cooking place in very close proximity of a latrine. Phenyl and DDT have been administered but the onus on the volunteers is to impart basic awareness on personal hygiene. The biggest fear, as of now, is the possibility of the outbreak of an epidemic.
Though the Assam Government is providing the inmates with rice and dal, healthier food is what the inmates require. Sanjay, a volunteer who has driven to Diphu from Shillong said, "What they really could do with is protein rich food such as soyabean," and continued, "Some of the children are suffering from malnutrition due to deficiency in their diet."
Peace still in beckoning in Karbi hills The Morung Express
Though peace committees have been set up in various pockets of the district, clear headway is yet to be made between the Dima Halam Daoga and the United People’s Democratic Solidarity. The warring groups are not even willing to meet the members of the peace camps. An observer made his comments on the present state of violence: "The UPDS and the DHD are not in a mood to talk to each other. Unless they sit across the table and discuss their differences, people will not be able to go back to their respective homes without being wary for their safety. To bring permanent peace to Karbi Anglong, all militant groups operating in the area have to carry out dialogues."
While some are of the speculation that the Black Widow, a breakaway faction of the DHD, is responsible for the mayhem, none of the local populace which this reporter met could pinpoint a specific source. However, all are of the opinion that ‘certain politicians’ are working behind the scenes so as to disrupt harmony in the region. Six month old babies have been massacred without any remorse. Photographs of those hacked to death are not for the faint-hearted. The brutality involved is indescribable and beyond measure. A disturbing trend which portrays the involvement of a ‘third party’ is the chaos arising out of ethnic clashes yearly. A definite pattern can also be observed. There was the Hmar-Dimasa clash. What followed was the Karbi-Kuki conflict ensued by the fighting between the Karbis and the Khasi. However, this year’s clashes have been far more devastating than the previous ones. "Never has violence to such an extent been witnessed in Karbi Anglong," a relief camper said. All clashes in the past have also occurred during the Puja holidays when college students return home and before harvesting season. Out of the nine who became victims to the bullets of the DHD on Thursday, one of the deceased has been identified as a school student of Class Ten. Among those killed are college students. "The whole massacre could have been averted if the Government had immediately arrested the perpetrators to the first killing incident on September 26," an elderly man said.
‘Tough task for Assam to make ULFA talk peace’ The Morung Express NEW DELHI, OCT 23 (PTI): As the civil society of Assam converges in the capital to address the three decades-old insurgency problem with the Centre, its main endeavour would be how to bring the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to the negotiating table.
"We are not ULFA but members of the civil society. Our main endeavour is to bring the outfit into negotiating table for the sake of bringing peace in Assam," ULFA-selected Peoples’ Consultative Group member and editor of leading Assamese daily ‘Asomiya Pratidin’ Haidor Hussain told PTI over phone from Guwahati on the eve of their scheduled meeting with National Security Advisor M K Narayanan on Wednesday. "We will try to remove everthing that comes as a hurdle to direct talks between the Government and the ULFA," he said.
Another member of PCG and advocate of Gauhati High Court Arup Borbora said that the eleven-member group would sit for talks with the National Security Advisor without any "preconceived notion". "We will hold talks without any preconceived notion. Let’s see what comes on to the table," Bobora, son of former Assam Chief Minister Golap Bobora, said. Hussain said the PCG wants the talks with the government to be held in a harmonious atmosphere so that both sides can express their views freely and exchange their ideas. He, however, made it clear that so far the PCG has not got any guideline or directive from ULFA leadership.
Russia resumes talks on building Myanmar n-facility The Morung Express
Guwahati, OCT 23 (AGENCIES): Russia has resumed talks on helping Myanmar build a nuclear research facility even as the biggest Russian arms trader is firming up plans to set up an office in capital Yangon, according to Burmese media reports. Russia’s atomic energy ministry, or Minatom, has that it has resumed talks with Myanmar’s military government on developing a nuclear research facility at Kyaukse in Mandalay division, The Mizzima Journal available here reported. Plans for the facility, to be built by Minatom, were shelved early this year after Russian officials said Myanmar’s generals could not afford the project.
Meanwhile, Russian arms trader Rosoboronexport plans to open an office in Myanmar before the yearend, Mizzima, a journal published by Myanmarese dissidents in India, said in a separate report. The state-owned company had announced its intention to have an office in Myanmar in November last year when its director general Sergei Chemezov told reporters that new offices in Belgium, Myanmar, Italy and Venezuela were on the cards. A spokesman for Minatom told Mizzima final discussions were being held on the price and financing of the nuclear research facility. "The government of Myanmar has enough money I think, so we will continue our negotiations," the spokesman said. Minatom will not be involved in building the 10MW pool-type nuclear research reactor but will supervise and provide necessary fuel for it. Myanmar’s plans to build the facility were first announced in 2002 when former foreign minister Win Aung told BBC the country planned to build the reactor for medical purposes. Most Asian countries have at least one research reactor - only Burma, Laos and Cambodia do not possess such facilities.
Mizzima, however, reported many international observers, including the International Atomic Energy Agency and the US were reportedly worried about Myanmar’s ability to maintain such a facility to international safety standards. Myanmar has had a long history of arms trading with Russian companies, buying fighter jets and hand-held weapons from various Russian dealers.
A re-definition of the word ‘Violence’ in the context of the Indo-Myanmar-Naga conflict The Morung Express Kaka D. Iralu
The word "Violence" and its opposite "Non-violence" have been so grossly misused in the context of the Indo-Myanmar-Naga conflict. Now a word as volatile as the word "violence" can be grossly misused, if the context in which it has been used is not carefully studied.
For example if a wild bear attacks my family and I violently react to its attack and stab the bear to death, would I be guilty of violence to the bear? On the other hand, if I had done nothing to protect my family and instead allowed the bear to tear my family to pieces, then can such an act be acclaimed as "A noble non-violent act"?
In the context of the violent Indo-Myanmar-Naga conflict, those Nagas who stood up to defend their families against the grisly attacks of the Indian and Myanmarese bears have been condemned as "The violent villains of the conflict." On the other hand, those Nagas who ran away from the roaring attacks of the bears and sought refuge in the bear’s dens have been acclaimed as "The non-violent heroes of the conflict." They have even been acclaimed as the fine gentlemen of Nagaland who are the foundation and even the "Bedrock of Naga Society."
In the light of these distortions of truth, I would like to ask every Naga this question: "Are those who ran away from the bears, the heroes and those who stood to fight the bears, the villains of present Naga history?" Now, if those who ran away are the "Heroes" then the noble word "Heroism" and the opposite ignoble word "Cowardice" should have no further meaning in Naga society and culture.
This would become the case, because those who stood to fight were very badly mauled; whereas those who fled, found comfort and wealth in the bear’s dens. In fact those who stood to fight were not just physically mauled but even mentally devastated so much so that some of them even went insane from their tortures. For an example read the story of Tsorielie of Mezoma village. Nagaland and India, the blood and the tears, p.329. (Besides Tsorielie, I have also seen many bullet scarred faces and tortured cripples in my research works).
On the other hand, many of those who fled to the bear’s dens are today millionaires in Naga society. Also, in regards to Naga violence against India, much have been said by the Indian Press as well as the State Press about Phizo and the NNC’s violence against India which compelled the Indian army to enter Nagaland in order to restore law and order in Nagaland.
Now, whatever the distortions of historical facts our adversaries may resort to, let every Naga know the actual facts that it was not the NNC but the Indian Government and her army that first resorted to violence and provoked counter violence across the length and breadth of Nagaland. Here remember that on August 27, 1948, it was not the Nagas who fired on the Assam Rifles; but the Assam Rifles who fired on the Nagas and shot to death Asüsü, Modo and Mahrili, when they, along with other thousands of Nagas were on a peaceful march to protest against payment of house tax to the Manipur Government. This peaceful march was staged to affirm that Naga territories did not belong to the Manipur Government or the Indian Government.In this peaceful march, besides the three dead, another four were seriously injured.
Also remember that on October 18, 1952, it was not Zasibeito Nagi who shot the Assam Police officer but the Assam Police officer who shot Zasibeito to death. Zasibeito was shot to death when thousands of Nagas were marching in Kohima town to protest against the brutal beatings of a Sema boy in Dimapur by the Assam Police. As for the accusation of violence against Phizo and the NNC, even as late as December 29, 1951 - that is - after the successful conduct of the Naga National Plebiscite of May 16, 1951, the NNC had even offered the following proposal: "To allay the fears and suspicion of India, Nagas on their part will agree to accept an Indian national to be President of Independent Nagaland for a stated period."
(Quoted from Phizo’s letter to the Prime Minister of India, dated; December 29, 1951).
In the light of these historical facts, far from starting the violence, Nagas resorted to armed counter attacks on the Indian army only when the Indian army provocations became humanely intolerable. Note the following provocative incidents for example: From 1948, Indian troops had started killing Naga civilians in the Tuensang Division. On November 15, 1954, sixty three villagers of Yongpang village were beheaded which included three top NNC leaders. (This was an Indian instigated attack led by some Pangsha villagers). Again on November 27, 1954, the NNC village of Chingmei was destroyed by bombardment assisted by one battalion of Indian paramilitary forces.
The Indian army further attacked Lenyu, Wei, Changtonyia, Longkhum, Chungtia, Mokokchung, Changlangsü and Chinkhao villages between January and March 1955. Many Naga civilians were killed and also raped in these attacks. As a result, "Self Defence Violence" erupted all over Nagaland from this period onwards. Therefore, let it never again be said by any Indian historians or their Naga collaborators that the Indian army was called into Nagaland in order to restore law and order over the violence caused by the NNC. Nothing can be farther from the truth. In conclusion, in any outbreak of violence, it is the aggressor who is guilty of violence. Here the "Self Defender" cannot be condemned as the perpetrator of violence. In other words, it is the BEARS that are guilty of violence and not the father who fought back to defend his family, his home and his land. Also in the present internal factional violence, let every Naga judge who the aggressor is. Let every Naga speak out as to which faction is refusing to offer ceasefire; which faction is refusing to sit down and talk with the other groups and who is attacking who? Let the Naga public know this fact that the one who fights back in "Self defence" is not the aggressor and therefore cannot be accused of indulging in violence against his own brother.
Karbi Anglong in Human Terms The Morung Express
In the aftermath of the recent ethnic killings in Karbi Anglong district of Assam, there is every possibility that the region may turn out to be a fertile ground for human traffickers and where women and children in particular will become vulnerable to exploitation by criminal elements seeking profit from their misery. The government machinery including civil, police, military and medical personnel along with the NGOs must take prompt measures to prevent another tragedy from occurring. This aspect needs to be made an integral component of relief operations. Enforcement agencies in Assam and also neighboring States of Nagaland must immediately alert themselves in order to detect and deter trafficking cases.
The Assam Government needs to do more by issuing the necessary guidelines in order to minimize the risk of human trafficking in and around camps where displaced and homeless people are gathering now. Registering people in camps and ensuring security during their stays; ensuring proper security for the residents of the camps, especially women and children; and increasing the general awareness of relief workers would go a long way to spoil the designs of human smugglers.
The human tragedy unfolding in the aftermath of the ethnic strife in Karbi Anglong has every possibility to be used as the perfect business opportunity by any number of human traffickers stalking the region in search of gullible victims. It has to be remembered that though political factors may be behind the crisis, at the end of the day for ordinary people who are usually the worst affected, it boils down to the basic issue of food-shelter-clothing and about daily survival. Concerned people whether in the administration, police, human rights group, churches, and NGOs need to closely monitor the affected areas and in particular the relief camps which are usually the soft targets and where the ground situation in Karbi Anglong provides the perfect setting for trafficking networks to cash in. Here the media should play an active role in educating about the issue of human trafficking and presenting the problem in human terms. The regional media both in Assam and Nagaland would hopefully assist in illuminating the problem which very often is typically shrouded in darkness. Further, as independent observers journalists are in the best position to visit some of the affected areas and try in unearthing the truth because—as is currently happening in the local media—by depending on news agencies or telephonic reporting the media may not be able to do justice to its role in such a crisis situation where people want to read and know the truth.
PM to join talks with ULFA representatives By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, Oct 24 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will himself lead the government side for talks with representatives of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Wednesday, giving a boost to the process aimed at ending three decades of insurgency in Assam.
'The Prime Minister's Office has confirmed that Mr Manmohan Singh will be present during the inaugural session of the talks with the ULFA representatives,' noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami told IANS over phone from New Delhi. Earlier, National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan was scheduled to head the central team at the talks with the People's Consultative Group (PCG) nominated by the ULFA.
'The meeting is now taking place at the prime minister's residence,' said Goswami, who is a leading member of the PCG. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will also participate.
The 11-member PCG is a team of representatives drawn from Assamese civil society and chosen by ULFA to begin preliminary discussions to work out the process leading to the formal declaration of a ceasefire between the rebels and the government. ULFA is a rebel group fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision to attend the meeting has boosted the morale of civil society leaders in Assam.
'The decision by the prime minister to be part of the talks is in itself a big thing and we all are very happy,' said Ajit Bhuyan, editor of the Assamese daily Aji and a member of the PCG. Bhuyan along with nine other PCG members arrived in New Delhi Monday for the talks. 'We are going for the talks with a positive frame of mind to facilitate and prepare the ground so that a ceasefire can be worked out and then direct talks between the ULFA leadership and New Delhi can begin,' said Haider Hussain, another PCG member and editor of the leading Assamese daily Asomiya Pratidin. The PCG includes prominent journalists, a footballer of yesteryears, human rights activists, an engineer, a lawyer, and a doctor. The central government last week formally invited the PCG for talks following a letter from ULFA offering the outfit's desire to begin formal negotiations to facilitate a bilateral ceasefire. 'I look forward for a fruitful and positive discussion with the group in a constructive spirit,' Narayanan said in the letter inviting ULFA representatives for the talks. The road to peace may not be an easy one, but analysts here are hopeful that the talks could help end the dragging insurgency in Assam. 'This is a step forward in the right direction and if the two sides are sincere in their approach and show certain amount of flexibility, it could pave the way for direct face-to-face negotiations between ULFA leaders and government negotiators at a later stage,' an analyst said. There is a general sense of optimism across Assam with people wishing both the government and civil society leaders luck in the talks.
'We are flooded with best wishes from the Assamese people and we hope we are able to break the ice and see the peace process comes to its logical end,' said Dilip Patgiri, another PCG member.

President’s Rule in 3 NE States demanded Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, Oct 23 – BJP Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Punj today demanded President’s Rule in three north-eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura, alleging that the respective State Governments had failed to contain violence. Citing large scale violence in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, militant atrocities in Tripura, and “unprovoked firing” in Meghalaya over the state Board of School Education (MBoSE) issue, Punj, also the chairman of the party’s intellectual cell, said the states should be brought under Central rule to control violence. Strongly denying RSS hand behind the continuing violence in Karbi Anglong, Punj said: “It (RSS) is a nationalist organisation. It cannot do this. I strongly deny the allegation.”

Criticising the Congress Government for failing to protect the lives and property of people in Karbi Anglong, the BJP leader said people of the region would give a ‘befitting reply’ in the next elections. Attacking Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan for seeking a Muslim Chief Minister in Bihar, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Punj today said religion or caste could not be the criteria for heading a government.

“Chief Ministers are elected by the MLAs after the elections on the basis of his efficiency and not on caste, creed or religion. These factors are irrelevent,” Punj, head of BJP’s intellectual cell, told reporters here. Pointing fingers at both RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav and LJP chief Paswan for allegedly seeking votes from the Muslim population by accompanying a ‘look-alike’ of Osama Bin Laden in the election meetings, he wondered whether supporting Laden would become ‘secularism’ in their (the Bihar leaders) standards. Alleging that Union Minister Jaiprakash Narayan Yadav had used his official position to secure illegal release of his brother and RJD candidate, the BJP leader, who was here to attend the party’s silver jubilee function in Meghalaya, said this type of incident compounded the party’s apprehensions of having “tainted” ministers in the UPA Government.
Earlier, Punj felicitated some of the old workers of the earstwhile Jan Sangh in Meghalaya and addressed a workers meeting at the party office. – PTI
Assembly Speaker contradicts Gogoi on Red Army NET News Network
Guwahati/Diphu, Oct 24:Declining to term the bloodshed in Karbi Anglong as ethnic violence, Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Prithibi Majhi today asserted that he during his visit did not come across anything like ‘Red Army’. This observation by the Speaker came as a jolt to Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and his junior Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma who were highlighting the existence of ‘Red Army’ behind the Karbi Anglong carnage. Majhi further said that the two militant outfits, DHD and UPDS can only normalize the situation while adding that the involvement of third element, however, cannot be ruled out.
Majhi visited the trouble torn district along with an 11-member team of State Legislative Assembly on Oct 21 and 22 last. Majhi further opined that there is a need of reorganizing the district into different sections because of its vast area, which makes it even more difficult to douse such violent activities. In the context of disarming the two militant outfits Majhi said that the Union Government would take decision in this regard whenever they feel the necessity. As far as violation of cease-fire ground rules is concerned, Majhi said, “There must be some sort of violation otherwise such a carnage would not have taken place”.
“The bloodshed was due to the placement of DHD camp at Dhansiri and it has been wrongly portrayed as ethnic clash”, confirms the Speaker. However, he did uphold the problem of lack of adequate security forces in the strife torn district. Meanwhile, Bijoy Krishna Handique, Union Minister of State for defence, today said that the Government is discharging its duty and more security forces would be deployed in the district if the circumstances demand so. He opined this during his visit to Diphu and also added that both DHD and UPDS should stay at their designated camps. ASDC, KSA and CPI (ML) have also submitted memorandum demanding that both outfits must follow the cease-fire ground rules, camps should not be located in sensitive areas with one camp being allowed in one district, compensation of 5 lakhs and free ration to the family of deceased and affected. The memorandum flayed the State Government for the carnage while a CBI enquiry was also sought.
Take note of Army chief’s view, PM urged
PCG leaves for ULFA talks today By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Oct 23: On the eve of its talks with the Centre slated for October 26, the ULFA-picked People’s Consultative Group (PCG) has expressed strong exception to the remarks aired by Army Chief General JJ Singh that ULFA leaders and cadres should lay down their arms first if they were serious about their talks offer. "The reported remarks by the Army chief is absolutely untimely and unwarranted and contradictory to the spirit of the peace initiative taken by the PCG," said Arup Borbora and Lachit Bordoloi, members of the PCG, in a statement here.
The nine-member PCG was scheduled to leave for New Delhi tomorrow to take part in the preliminary discussion with PMO officials at 4 p.m. on October 26, said Borbora, while talking to The Sentinel. He, however, said that it was beyond the knowledge of the PCG that whether Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi would take part in the ensuing talks or not. Another source said that Chief Minister’s participation in the first round of talks was unlikely. "This discussion is to do the ground work for direct negotiation between the Government and the ULFA," the source said.
The PCG urged the Prime Minister to take note of the Army chief’s statement made on October 21 at New Delhi and to see that the ‘congenial atmosphere for the proposed talks is not affected by such remarks from responsible authorities.’ The nine-member body, however, thanked the PMO for extending a formal invitation to it and assured that it would do everything possible to facilitate the peace process. According to PCG sources, the ULFA was scheduled to give it a detailed guidelines on various issues to be raised by the members during their talks with the PMO. Sovereignty, ULFA’s ‘core issue’, is expected to come up for discussion in the talks.




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