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10/26/2005: "Vatican ambassador for peace in Nagaland"

Vatican ambassador for peace in Nagaland New Kerala
Kohima: Visiting Vatican Ambassador and the Apostolic Nuncio Rev Pedro Lopez Quintana has urged Nagas to be preachers of peace and communal harmony.

Addressing a gathering at the cathedral here yesterday, Rev Quintana said the world was full of violence, hatred and division, and called upon the people to work for peace.

Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta said that the state has been a victim of conflict, hostility, animosity and bitterness and added the people have realised that violence cannot solve problems.

State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said Christianity does not believe in the separation of the state and religion.

''We cannot divide life between religious life and mundane life.

Christianity integrates and harmonises both. It is therefore essential that we practice in our home and our workplace what we preach as God loves and protect us, we must love protect one another,'' he added.
UNLF takes digs at NSCN (IM) Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Oct 25 : Sharply reacting to the purported statement of Isak Chisi Swu and Th Muivah of the NSCN (IM) that Meiteis and Nagas will become one when freedom is won, the proscribed UNLF today said that the statement issued by the two leaders of the IM group is nothing but an attempt to misguide the different communities of Manipur.
In a statement, UNLF made it clear that their stand is against the policies of the NSCN (IM) and not against the Naga people and reiterated that UNLF has always and will always respect the Naga people.
On the allegations raised against the UNLF by Muivah and Swu, the statement said that ‘bad politics’ as described by the two were and are being pursued by the IM group and not by the UNLF. It was the IM group which was responsible for the Kuki-Naga clash that led to the death of hundreds and the Paite-Kuki clash. Not satisfied with this the IM group is trying its best to sow the seeds of suspicion and hatred between the Meiteis and the Nagas, said the statement. It is the agenda of the NSCN (IM) to ignite a clash between the Nagas and the Meiteis, it added.
UNLF has never ever tried to play one community against the other and will never do so, said the statement.
To the statement that Meiteis and Nagas will become once freedom is attained, UNLF countered with “How about the other communities.”
Muivah and Swu may shout that the Meiteis and Nagas will become one but their real agenda is to ignite a clash between the two communities, charged UNLF and added that the recent 52 days economic blockade imposed at the instigation of the IM group is a telling example.
The people of Manipur however did bot fall prey to the machinations of the IM group, observed the statement and added that the real agenda and aspirations of the UNLF is for all communities to co-exist peacefully with each community maintaining its distinct identity and culture.
On the other hand the IM group has been supping with the Assam Rifles and even joining hands with the common enemy in targeting the UNLF, charged the statement. The UNLF will never adopt such a policy, claimed the statement.
Making its stand clear, UNLF said that it is against the IM group, which is an organisation but is not against the Naga people at all. UNLF has been and will always respect the Naga people, asserted the outfit.
Nagas and nature have common destiny-Datta New Kerala
Kohima: Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta has called upon the people to maintain its age-old practice of respecting nature and rekindle the harmony between nature and human being.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the 3-day workshop on "communities and bio-diversity" at the Administrative Trainihng Institute (ATI) near here yesterday, Mr Datta expressed concern over the wanton wiping out of forests and wildlife.

In his keynote address, Mr Ashish Kothari, Kalpavriksh, Pune, said that for the people outside of North East, posed a stereotype views like home of many tribes, who practice hunting and persue primitive lifestyles.

Besides, being a place where insurgency was dominant factor and nigthmare for conservation, as everything that moves was hunted, he added. But if someone visits the places of the state, will realize that there were excellent initiatives across Nagaland, Mr Kothari pointed.

Chairing the function, Nagaland agriculture production Commissioner Alemtemshi Jamir advocated for amendment of the forest laws. He informed that only 11 per cent of the total forest of the state was belonged to the government and the rest 89 per cent belonged to the communities, where forest laws and bio-diversity act can not be implemented as other parts of the country.

The workshop aimed at to address various issues and provide a platform for different categories of people to take stock of the community conserved areas, so that the process of conservation was strtengthened and a state specific policy was evolved.

The workshop would also look into the existing legal and administrtative framework of conservation of bio-diversity such as the biological diversity act, the wildlife act, the village and areas act, as also the state bio-diversity board so that a comprehensive traditional community based programme was decided upon.
Women decry Rio govt’s stand on panel OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Oct. 25: Women’s organisations in Nagaland have alleged that the state government’s decision not to set up the mandatory state women’s commission due to paucity of funds was unjust.
The state government had recently written to Girija Vyas, chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), stating its inability to set up the women’s commission in the state.
It also stated that the situation prevalent in the state did not immediately warrant setting up of the commission at the state level. “Nagaland is predominantly a tribal state where women in general enjoy a fair amount of equality with men and also do not suffer severe disabilities and discrimination on grounds of sex,” the government argued.
Nagaland and Manipur are the only states in the country which have not set up the mandatory state commission for protecting women’s rights. Nagaland also does not have a single woman in the 60-member Assembly.
Rosemary Dzuvichu, an expert member from Nagaland in the NCW, said the government’s argument was not only unjust and ridiculous but also insulting to women in the state.
She accused the policymakers in the state of being gender insensitive and also questioned the government’s argument of paucity of funds for protection of women when it could “spend crores on everything else.”
Rosemary said contrary to the government’s claim that there was no discrimination against women, there were scores of cases of atrocities against Naga women. “Domestic violence has become common these days,” she added.
Led by Rosemary, a women’s team submitted a memorandum to governor Shyamal Datta on Monday. They made a strong case for implementing the mandatory state policy for women as per the national policy for women empowerment that was drafted three years ago.
She has the support of several other women’s organisations, including the powerful Naga Mothers’ Association.
The association’s president, Kheshili Chishi, criticised the government for neither setting up a commission nor implementing a policy for women.
They said the government had implemented some half-baked actions like setting up a women’s department.

NSCN (IM) trying to mislead Meiteis: UNLF
The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Oct 25: The United National Liberation Front, UNLF, has strongly refuted the NSCN(IM)`s statement that the Nagas and Meiteis would remain as one once the freedom movement got success.

Reacting to a statement made by Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah of the NSCN(IM) which was published in the October 22 edition of a local vernacular, UNLF`s senior publicity officer, Ksh Yoiheiba said the NSCN(IM)`s statement was made only to mislead the Meitei community.

Observing that the NSCN (IM) statement was made specifically to put blame on the UNLF, Yoiheiba further said that it is natural for disguised and disheartened leaders like Isak and Muivah to put blame on the UNLF for the dirty reactionary politics being played by NSCN(IM).

Yoiheiba`s statement further maintained that the UNLF stood by its principles and the people of Manipur are with the party.

The people of Manipur understand that the UNLF has never indulged in any activities which could create communal hatred and its bid was to bring unity amongst all the underground organisation, Yoiheiba said adding communal politics is rather being played by NSCN(IM) and it is being understood by the people.

Ethnic clashes amongst the Nagas and Kukis and between the Kukis and the Paites which led to large scale violence and loss to human lives were all handiworks of the NSCN(IM), Yoiheiba said adding people of Manipur fully understood that the NSCN(IM) has been trying to provoke and take advantage of a communal clash amongst the Nagas and the Meiteis.

Ridiculing the observation made by the two NSCN(IM) leaders, Yoiheiba`s statement also asked whether other indigenous communities inhabting in Manipur will leave when the Meiteis and Nagas happen to remain as one.

The NSCN (IM) claims to be very cordial, but in reality the outfit has been making every possible effort to sow the seeds of hatred amongst Meitei and Nagas and subsequently to start a cummunal clash between the two communities, Yoiheiba said in the statement.

Citing an example, the UNLF statement said the 52 day long road blockade along the national highways were done under authoritative command of the NSCN(IM) only to put the people of Manipur on their knees.

However, the people of Manipur fully understood the move and the NSCN(IM) had to retreat from their stance, the statement said. Apart from this the NSCN(IM) has turned out to be a collaborator with IOF by extending support to the Assam Rifles and waging war against the UNLF, it said.

The UNLF would never indulge in dirty politics being played by the NSCN(IM) as the outfit gives equal treatment to all the communities.

Yoiheiba`s statement however maintained that this particular observation is being made relating to the NSCN(IM) only and it is not made against the Naga community as a whole. The UNLF may have contrasting ideology and conflict with the NSCN(IM) but there is no ill will or enmity between the UNLF and the Naga community, it said adding aspiration and will of the people cannot be suppressed under the behest of a few leaders.
Jasokie guided Nagaland's destiny: PM
New Delhi | October 26, 2005 6:50:54 AM IST Webindia

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has condoled the death of former Nagaland Chief Minister J B Jasokie, stating that he had guided the destiny of Naga people.
''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 salute his memory and convey my deepest and sincere condolences to his family, his friends and admirers and the people of Nagaland,'' Dr Singh said in a message to the family of the late leader and the people of the state.
The Prime Minister said he was deeply distressed to learn of the sad demise of Mr Jasokie, who was a patriot, a nationalist and a true son of India.
Mr Jasokie was a revered leader of the Naga people. After a promising academic carrier in Kohima and Shillong, he took part in the Second World War. He was also a keen sportsman.
Mr 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, the Prime Minister said.
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. Mr 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, Dr Singh said.
Former Nagaland Chief Minister John Bosco Jasokie died on October 19 at his residence in Kohima following prolonged illness.
He is survived by wife, two sons and three daughters. UNI SN RP AR PM1917
Khonoma: India’s envy, Nagaland’s pride Sano Meru The Morung Express October 25
Khonoma, (MExN): Much to India’s envy, the Western Angami hamlet of Khonoma was officially inaugurated as the country’s first Green Village by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today.
Nestled among the picturesque hills of God’s very own country, Khonoma is renowned for its glorious past of valiant warriors and victorious battles, each a testimony against the mighty British Empire besides being the native birthplace of Late AZ Phizo, the most renowned Naga revolutionary apart from other prominent Naga leaders.
The Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio addressed a mammoth gathering after inaugurating the village gate in the presence of high profile dignitaries such as Assembly Speaker Kiyanielie Peseyie, Minister PHED and Land Revenue P Longon, Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Excise, Dr. TM Lotha, Parliamentary Secretaries Kaito, MC Konyak and R. Khing, MLA Vatsü Meru, Commissioner and Secretary (Tourism), Khekiye K. Sema besides other top government officials. The Chief Minister said that Khonoma was a blessing for Nagaland to be proud of. Thanking the villagers for extending full cooperation towards the implementation of the Government’s programmes and policies, Rio said that Khonoma Village had added another historical feather to its cap by becoming a model village for other Naga villages to follow.
Implying that Communitisation was basically about community participation in the Government’s functioning, the Chief Minister called upon the people to extend their fullest support towards achieving maximum results.
Khonoma is the first ever Green Village in the entire country and hence, he called upon the people of the village to maintain the status that it has achieved. Urging the people to adopt a work culture, the Chief Minister also said that with the advent of technology and its related studies to which Nagas were no strangers, it would be highly beneficial if the qualified and educated people utilized their knowledge and work for the betterment of the State. Maintaining that tourists talk only about the Naga War Cemetery, Rio said that the Naga people should be environment-conscious by preserving and developing the rich natural flora and fauna in order to turn the tourists into ambassadors of the beauty and aesthetic culture of Nagaland.
"We should uphold the traditions of our forefathers and preserve our rich cultural heritage. Tourists only talk about the War Cemetery when they visit the state capital. It is a shame because Nagaland is endowed with natural beauty in itself. So, it is up to us to develop our God given gifts for other people to talk about," Rio said.
Taking the example of Sikkim’s beauty, the Chief Minister said that Nagaland should also develop a similar attitude. He said that the declaration of the year 2006 as the ‘Year of the Farmers,’ besides other factors, would also be for the beautification and enrichment of our natural environment.
Expressing full satisfaction with the Khonoma Public Commission, Rio was appreciative of the Cardamom plantations, Tragopan Sanctuary (supposedly the only one in the world) besides the high level of civic sense that the villagers have. Besides, the uniqueness of the Khonoma Green Village Project lies in the fact that it is the only one of its kind to have gone through the Environment Impact Assessment Study done by the famed Centre for Environmental Education, India.
A number of the dignitaries present at the function also addressed the gathering. Earlier in the programme, a number of colorful cultural items were presented by the villagers. A Construction Report of Khonoma Gate was also tabled by Er. Kevisekho Kruse while Khonoma Tourism Development Board (KTDB) Treasurer Kolachalie Seyie gave a brief report of the Green Village Project. Lady Wife of the Chief Minister Kaisa Rio also spoke on the topic ‘Nature’s Utopia’. Besides felicitation of the dignitaries, short speeches were also delivered by village and tribal leaders. The function was followed by a grand community feast hosted by the Rho-u Kuotsu Kikramia. It may be mentioned that the entire cost of the project came to the tune of Rs 3 crores sponsored by the Union Ministry of Tourism and Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland.
Release of ULFA leaders, Ceasefire to figure in talks today The Morung Express
GUWAHATI, OCT 25 (AGENCIES): Setting the agenda for the much-awaited talks with the Government, the ULFA-selected Peoples’ Consultative Group (PCG) tonight said it would raise the issue of release of jailed leaders of the banned outfit and a ceasefire with the security forces.
"We will raise the issue of release of nine top leaders of the ULFA languishing in jails in India and Bangladesh so that they can convene a Central Committee meeting," PCG member and Guwahati High Court advocate Arup Borbora, who was named the official spokesman of the group, told media persons in New Delhi.
"Achieving ceasefire between the banned ULFA and Government of India forces is what is basically aimed at by the PCG at this opening round of talks so that a conducive atmosphere could be created for direct talks between the ULFA and the government," a member of the group informed. The PCG has been provided with basic guidelines for discussion by the ULFA leadership. The preliminary round is aimed at clearing ‘hurdles’ to pave the way for a direct talks between two sides in a later stage to find solution to the 26-year-old insurgency problem.
The negotiations will start with a meeting with the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi is supposed to be present during the meeting with Dr Singh and the 11-member PCG to be led by Delhi-based Assamese novelist and writer Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami.
First Naga Presidential Candidate appeal (Independent) JNUSU Election 2005-06) The Morung Express Yaronsho Ngalung
To enlarge the democratic space in JNU Election Manifesto
I am contesting this election as an independent candidate for the post of President. However, being an independent candidate does not mean that I do not have any political understanding.
I would like to share with you my social and political concerns and if I can persuade you that these concerns are genuine and need to be addressed urgently then perhaps I can persuade you to give your valuable vote. I have just one request. Please read this Manifesto carefully and give serious thought to the issues it seeks to raise. I am very proud to belong to JNU, as almost every student is. I think ours is a unique campus because it has a long tradition of democratic debates and discussions and exchange of views between students and also within the classrooms.
However, have you ever thought that perhaps there are some voices that never get heard? We read history of India but it does not include any history of the North east; we read political science but we are not taught about the democratic institutions of indigenous peoples that have survived and evolved; we learn about the women’s movement but I wonder how many students know that Manipur has been celebrating women’s day (NUPI LAN) and it is an official holiday. It is not only the North east which is missing from the syllabus. There is almost no mention of the socio-economic and political movements representing the aspirations of the religious minorities such as the Muslim, the movements for self-determination in the Naga areas, Assam and in other North east areas, Kashmir or even Tamils, and voices of Dalit movement or even the women’s movement are all missing from our formal academics. I think it is imperative that we should re-evaluate the syllabus so that the view of India or the world is not confined to studying the world or India from an elite perspective. My immediate concerns will be:
1. Implementation of the XIth plan which includes expansion of numbers of hostels, new shopping complex and new cafeteria etc.
2. Setting up an Action Committee to look into the grievances of students belonging to Scheduled castes and Scheduled Tribes, especially the problem of the women students.
3. Ensure greater transparency in the admission policy so that the SCs/STs students get their fair share of seats and fight against insidious dereservation policy.
4. Merit-cum-Means scholarships for all needy students including students belonging to the SCs/STs and to PH categories. MCM should be extended to PH.D students as well.
5. Enforce the scheme for fellowships for SCs/STs students at the M.PHIL and PH.D under the Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship programme
6. Ensuring the CSIR fellowships are disbursed in time.
7. Addressing the special problems of foreign students.
8. Supporting and promoting awareness about issues arising from gender discrimination and human rights violation.
9. Promoting innovative and creative dialoque between students from different regions and religions.
10. Promoting awareness about the special vulnerability of Muslim students, especially Kashmris students in the context of the war against terrorism and Islamophobia.
11. Initiating rain water harvesting to make the campus more eco-friendly.
12. Ensuring more books in the libraries and computers in the centres.
13. Look into the condition of the migrant labours in the campus.
14. Promoting transparency, accountability and good governance in the University.
KUKNALIM
ULFA team to talk with ‘open mind’
A total end to military operations against the ULFA and the Centre’s willingness to discuss ‘‘core issues’’ are top priorities for the 11-member People’s Consultative Group (PCG) that will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow. The PCG was nominated by the ULFA to fix the modalities of the peace talks between the government and the outlawed militant organisation. Speaking to reporters, PCG member Arun Barbora said that the group would be meeting the Prime Minister with an ‘‘open mind’’. ‘‘The government will naturally want to know our mind and we would also want to understand what the government is thinking,” he said. “The issue is 27 years old and ULFA wants a dignified solution to Assam’s strife through a political dialogue.’’ He added, ‘‘Our job is to frame the basic structure for a dialogue between the conflicting parties and resolve the issue amicably. We will also try to remove all hurdles coming in the way of direct talks between them and try make them fruitful.’’ This is the first time in over a decade that the Centre is engaging the ULFA in talks. The earlier peace initiative failed when key ULFA negotiators Arabinda Rajkhowa and Anup Chetia slipped away to Bangladesh leaving beind an embarrassed Centre and a peace process that was all but dead. The duo have since been operating from within Bangladesh along with Paresh Baruah, ULFA’s supreme commander. Barbora said the fact that civil society of Assam had been involved in the current peace process indicated ULFA’s seriousness. He said the PCG was only concerned about ‘‘bringing the two sides to the negotiation table’’. He refrained from giving any timeframe within which the ULFA and Centre would start negotiations. ‘‘No time should be wasted. At the same time, it also depends on several factors,’’ Barbora said. He said the PCG “will discuss things as they come. We are not anticipating anything’’. The ULFA formally responded to the Centre’s invitation for peace talks only after the Army suspended its operation in the forests of Tinsukia. On its part, the ULFA claimed it had suspended its own operations because of the peace process. Road to talks
• Dec 6, 2004: PM urges ULFA to give up violence, go for talks
• Sept 7, 2005: Noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami informs Centre that ULFA is ready for a dialogue. ULFA announces 11-member People’s Consultative Group that will meet Central negotiators. Goswami to be main interoluctor
• Oct 21, 2005: Centre formally sends invitation to People’s Consultative Group for talks in Delhi
ULFA talks to begin amid killings in Assam By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati/New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) Two militants of the outlawed United iberation Front of Asom (ULFA) were killed by police in Assam ahead of landmark peace talks between the central government and representatives of the rebel group Wednesday in New Delhi.
A police spokesperson said the two ULFA militants were killed in a shootout with security forces in Mowmari village in northern Assam's Darrang district Tuesday. 'The two were on an extortion bid when police on specific information challenged them and in the ensuing encounter both of them got killed,' a senior police official said. The encounter came on the eve of the talks in New Delhi Wednesday where a group of civil society leaders chosen by the ULFA are to begin negotiations to bring an end to three decades of insurgency in Assam.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to attend the inaugural session of the talks that are scheduled to begin at 3.30 p.m. at his 7, Race Course residence in New Delhi. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi would also participate in the proposed talks.
The ULFA, a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland since 1979, last month nominated an 11-member People's Consultative Group (PCG), a team of prominent civil society members with noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami as their leader.
'No contentious issues would be raised by us and the aim of the talks is to set the peace process moving,' Goswami told IANS. The ULFA representatives include prominent journalists, a footballer of yesteryears, human rights activists, an engineer, a lawyer, and a doctor. The government last week formally invited the PCG for talks following a letter from the ULFA offering the outfit's desire to begin formal negotiations. 'Our aim is to see that the peace process gets rolling and then the government could think of a ceasefire,' said Goswami, who was acting as a mediator between the ULFA and New Delhi. The central government team was earlier scheduled to be led by National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan. It was upgraded at the last moment with the prime minister now chairing the talks. 'We want to see the ULFA leaders holding direct face-to-face talks with the government at a later stage when their demands and other grievances could be taken up. Now we are trying to prepare the ground for peace,' PCG spokesperson and senior Gauhati High Court lawyer Arub Borbora said in New Delhi. There is tremendous hope and optimism in Assam over the talks.
'I sincerely hope there is some positive forward movement so that the ULFA could come for talks and solve the issue peacefully,' said Milika Baruah, octogenarian mother of ULFA's self-styled commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah. The ULFA military chief has not visited his home since he and five others formed the outfit 27 years back.
In 1992, a group of five senior ULFA leaders were freed from jail and taken to New Delhi for initiating talks with the then Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. The leaders went underground after holding one round of talks.
'The situation then was quite different from now with the people of Assam clamouring for peace. Our leadership, too, is equally keen to resolve the conflict through negotiations,' jailed ULFA leader Pranati Hazarika said.
The ULFA is one of the most organised rebel outfits in the northeast where more than 30 militant groups operate with demands ranging from independence to greater autonomy.
At least 15,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Assam since 1979 when ULFA, the state's first rebel group, was founded.
3 kids die in Karbi camps
ASDC seeks NHRC’s intervention From Our Staff Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Oct 25 — The Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) today moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) while the CPI-ML staged a demonstration highlighting the recent violence in Karbi Anglong district. The ASDC delegation that called on the NHRC today asked for its intervention in the clashes that left over 70 dead and thousands injured. They demanded that NHRC should send a team to take stock of the situation in the trouble-torn district.
Meanwhile, the CPI(ML) today started a 50-hour hunger strike-cum-dharna against the Tarun Gogoi Government and the UPA Government’s inaction in containing the political turmoil leading to ethnic strife in Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills. The hunger strike is being led by politburo member and Uttar Pradesh State secretary Akhilendra Pratap Singh. Central committee member and secretary of the Delhi State Committee of the party Rajendra Pratholi and Delhi State Committee members VKS Gautam, Surendra Panchal and Ardhendu Roy are also sitting on hunger strike along with Singh.
The CPI(ML) has called for intervention of the President, besides constitution of an inquiry commission comprising sitting judges, preferably from the Supreme Court, which should also investigate into the role of the State government in Assam as well as the role of the monitoring committee set up to monitor the ceasefire agreement with these warring outfits by the Central Government, to bring the truth before the nation.
The party demanded urgent steps to review and revamp the ceasefire mechanism and immediate shifting of camps designated for the DHD from Karbi Anglong. They also demanded that only one designated camp per militant group in their own respective areas be allowed and they not be allowed to move to other areas with arms, as is being done at present.

PM to lay foundation of biggest thermal project in NE Assam Tribune
AGARTALA, Oct 25 – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will lay the foundation of a 750 MW gas-based thermal project - the biggest thermal project in the north-east - at Palatana in South District of Tripura on October 29. The estimated cost of the project to be set up by the ONGC will be Rs 5,200 crore.
Security has been beefed up here and Udaipur subdivision of South district in view of this visit, official sources said. All the police stations have been put on alert and Border Security Force (BSF) has been asked to be vigilant along the 856 km-border with Bangladesh to thwart subversive activities.
State Education minister Keshab Majumder said work for construction of a temporary helipad at Palatana was in progress. Heavy rain in the last few days had impeded work. Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh will also be coming, the sources said. The Prime Minister will be leaving for Imphal the same day. – PTI

Manipur relief team in Karbi Anglong From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Oct 25 – A joint team of four civil societies of Manipur, namely, United People’s Front (UPF), Ethnic Heritage Council (HERICON), IPSA and National Integrity Protection Commitee (NIPCO) has left Imphal on Sunday to provide relief to victims of Dimasa-Karbi feud in Karbi Anglong district of Assam.

Sources in Imphal said that the team will distribute relief materials in the form of cash and kind to the victims stationed at relief camps. It added that the team would put its best efforts to bring normalcy and peace in the strife torn region. The conspiracy and instigation undertaken by a major insurgent group (at present undergoing peace talk with the Union Govt) is a dangerous ploy against the causes of the whole North-east, a press statement of UPF said, adding that the Centre’s inaction and negligence is quite unfortunate and has jeopardised the lives of neutral Meitei community living in the region.
In another development, All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) has confiscated about 100 mobile telephone forms issued by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) from different places. AMSU had earlier announced that they would seize mobile phone application forms until and unless the services of the Cellone is not improved in Manipur. The vice-president of the students’ body E Ratankumar informed the media the development. He also warned that if anybody is found selling mobile forms or if the mobile section of BSNL is found issuing SIM cards, they must be held responsible for any undesirable developments.

AMSU also strongly condemned the BSNL’s one-sided focus on money rather than paying attention to providing efficient service, stated the student leader. According to reports, BSNL had already activated around 8000 SIM cards issued to the Cellone mobile phone subscribers in Manipur which is said to be above the capacity of the present network services. AMSU has also appealed to all concerned not to hike prices of commodities in the wake of various festivals like Ningol Chakkouba, Diwali, Id and Christmas.
ULFA wants dignified solution to Assam insurgency: PCG "Our job basically is to frame the basic structure for the ultimate dialogue between the conflicting parties and resolve the issue amicably.’’ From our Correspondent & PTI
NEW DELHI, Oct 25 : Ahead of the much-anticipated meeting between the Centre and the ULFA-constituted PCG, the PMO today hinted at the possibility of the Centre declaring an unilateral ceasefire with the outfit if the first round of talks ends in a conducive atmosphere. Meanwhile, on the eve of scheduled peace talks with the Government, the Peoples’ Consultative Group (PCG) today said the banned outfit wants a "dignified" solution to Assam’s three-decade-old insurgency problem. "We want peace in Assam. The ULFA wants a dignified solution to the 27-year-old conflict," PCG member and Gauhati High Court advocate Arup Borbora told reporters here after a close-door meeting of the group here to finalise their strategy for tomorrow’s meeting with National Security Advisor MK Narayanan which will also be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"Our job basically is to frame the basic structure for ultimate dialogue between the conflicting parties and resolve the issue amicably. We will also try to remove all hurdles coming in the way of direct talks between them and make it fruitful," he said after the meeting which was held at the residence of mediator Indira Goswami. When asked whether the banned outfit would honour decisions which may be taken in the course of discussion, Borbora, son of former Assam Chief Minister Golap Borbora, said cryptically, "We are in actual communication."
About the agenda of the proposed talks, he said: "We will discuss the things as they come. We are not anticipating anything. Definitely the Government of India would like to know our point of view." "It is for the first time that members of the civil society are being involved in talks. This it self proves that the ULFA is very much positive about the whole process," said Borbora.
Sources in the PMO revealed that the Prime Minister has himself taken the initiative to sit in the talks and has specifically instructed the PMO to invite the Assam Chief Minister. The Prime Minister is expected to meet the Group ahead of the formal talks with the National Security Advisor MK Narayanan. On the recent statement of Chief of Army Staff, General JJ Singh, Borbora said that such comments may create misunderstandings. "People should refrain from making such comments at such an important juncture," Borbora added.
In Karbi Anglong, dejection persists amidst uneasy calm By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Oct 25: The aftermath of the 24-day strife that left 87 dead and thousands homeless in the State’s largest district —Karbi Anglong — is no better even as the hill district is slowly limping back to normalcy. While those at the helm of affairs are engaged in mud slingging at each other, there lay a dejected lot languishing in the 56 relief camps across the district.
The worst ever spell of violence in the State in recent days has left these victims, around 44,900 in number, bereft of even the minimum requisites to lead a healthy life. What has hit these refugees most is severe scarcity of potable water and no wonder that fear of epidemics looms large in the peripheries of the relief camps. Official sources said that rice, pulses, chira and salt are being supplied to the camps but the supply is yet to be streamlined. Crisis of food supply in the coming days cannot be ruled out, official sources indicated. Worse, thousands of children and pregnant women sheltered in the camps are facing the brunt of the problem due to the absence of specialist doctors. Symptoms of sundry diseases have already started appearing in the children, especially the infants. Besides, diarrhoea and skin diseases have also affected a considerable section of the refugees. Meanwhile, the district administration has launched a peace mission from today. A team comprising representatives of political parties and NGOs will visit the camps to re-instill confidence among the tribals and restore peace in the hill district.
Delhi, Dispur sowing seeds of mistrust: Haliram Terang ASDC says Govt involved in Karbi clashesv By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Oct 25: The Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) yesterday joined the chorus of demand for the dismissal of the State Government for its alleged role in, what it called, the ‘greatest tragedy of the century’ faced by the Karbi and Dimasa people. Besides, it has demanded an impartial inquiry by a panel of sitting Supreme Court judges into the entire episode of the recent genocide in the hill district. "Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Chief Executive Member of the Autonomous Council who swore by the Constitution and the law of the land have to be dismissed," said Haliram Terang, ASDC president, while addressing a joint press conference here yesterday. He said more than 90 people had been killed while more than 50,000 people had been rendered homeless in the recent violence. "There are enough circumstantial evidences to show the involvement of the Government or its complicity in the murders and mayhem," he alleged.
Terang said that before the recent ‘artificially-created clashes’ two hill districts had witnessed three major tragedies owing to clashes among Hmar, Dimasa, Karbi and Kuki during the tenure of the present Congress Government. He suspected that the governments at Dispur and Delhi were sowing seeds of mistrust and schism among the people to prevent them from coming together and fighting for their rights. He said that the comments made by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi that these kinds of killings can happen in jungle was an "insult to Karbis and Dimasas as well as the people of the North-east." The ASDC also demanded deputation of adequate security forces in the vulnerable areas, launching of mopping-up operation in the militant-infested areas and patrolling of Karbi Anglong’s border with NC Hills, Nagaon and Nagaland. The role of the NSCN-IM in the violence could not be ruled out, they alleged.
The ASDC leader also demanded sufficient relief materials, including food, water, clothing, medicine and baby food to the victims languishing in the relief camps. Citing government officials, he said that since the government confirmed the involvement of the UPDS and the DHD in the clashes, the fact that leaders of the two outfits were roaming free was beyond comprehension. The assistant general secretary of the Dimasa Students’ Union (DSU) Koibolal Hagjer also demanded the resignation of the Hill Area Development Minister GC Langthasa and dissolution of NC Hill Autonomous Council. The Karbi Students’ Association (KSA) general secretary Biren Ingty was also present in the meeting.