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10/29/2005: "PM likely to talk with Nagas, Meiteis"

PM likely to talk with Nagas, Meiteis New Kerala
Kohima: To push forward the Naga political problem, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is likely to meet the joint delegation of leaders of NGOs of Nagaland and Manipur before the next round of talks between the NSCN-IM and the Centre.

According to official sources here today the meeting of the Prime Minister and the NGOs is likely to be held in New Delhi in mid November, where both the parties along with some senior bureaucrats would sit across the table with the Naga and Meitei leaders to hammer out differences among the two communities, particularly on Naga integration issue. Dr Singh would analyse the views and opinions of both the groups before pushing in his views in the next round of Naga talks, probably in Bangkok.

Sources said before the crucial meeting in Prime Minister's office Mr Oscar Fernandes, chief interlocutor to the naga talks, would also convene a meeting of leaders of Naga NGOs not only to exchange the views to futher peace process. But to analyse the outcome of last Bangkok meeting where both New Delhi and NSCN-IM leaders have expressed their satisfaction over the progress of the negotiation after a gap of eight years.
Khekiho calls for Naga unification New Kerala
Kohima: Reiterating the call for unification of Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit, Nagaland industries and Commerce Minister Khekiho Zhimomi said the best thing for the Nagas would be to stay together. Inaugurating a council hall in the Sugarmill village in Dimapur yesterday, Mr Zhimomi described the fight for unification as ''our dream, our fight, our demand and our right''.

He said regionalism was the answer to all questions of the Nagas as well as the whole region on every aspect of politics, social and economic development. He asserted that the regional identity of the nagas cannot be safeguarded by national parties as they have, within their parties, multi-layered chain of command systems where even the Chief Minister of a state was not secured about his position. He can be removed any time at the whims of the party high command. On the Naga peace talks, he said, ''we must put in our efforts for the successful outcome of the talks so that the more than 50-year old political problem can be settled at the earliest possible time.
Rio asks youth to be more professional
Kohima | October 29, 2005 5:41:42 PM IST Webindia
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has exhorted the youth to be more professional and try to compete with the other parts of the country for their career, instead of seaching for white collared jobs in the state.
Unveiling the silver jublee stone of the Zunheboto Government College at Zunheboto town yesterday, Mr Rio lamented that the Naga youth of today were losing work culture and giving way to lethargy and stressed the need for reorientation of the educational system in the state to be more job- oriented.
''Government jobs have reached a saturation point. As per the Centre's directive, '' We can no longer create vacancies and as such the youths of Nagaland should no longer depend on government jobs alone but also look for job opportunities outside the country,'' he said.
''We have been talking only of political sovereignty and not of economic sovereignty. We have to be self- sufficient, self-reliant and economically sound. But we are not producing anything and for this the adoption of work culture among the youth is the urgent need of the hour,'' he said. He said as part of the declaration of the year 2005-2006 as the year of youth empowerment, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government has been selecting youths for training in different place of the country and even abroad to help them find employment in different fields. UNI AS KK SS ND1418
One jawan killed, five injured New Kerala
Silchar: An army jawan was killed and five were injured during the counter-insurgency operation in Jiribam sub-division of Manipur this week. Army sources said the encounter between the troops of 57 Mountain Division and militants of United Liberation Front of Manipur (UNLF) claimed the life of an Army jawan, while another was injured on October 24. During the operation four more jawans were injured. The injured Army personnel were being treated in Masimpur military hospital near here.

Six UNLF militants were also injured in the operation, Army sources claimed.

Sources said counter-insurgency operation continues in Jiribam sub-division of Manipur with troops of 57 Mountain Division all out to sanitise national highway 53 of militants. The NH connects Silchar in Assam with Imphal. The Manipur government had announced the NH-53 as the second life-line of the state following recent economic blockade on NH-37 via Dimapur. The part of NH-53 that runs through Tamenglong district of Manipur is dominated by militant outfits including: United Liberation Front of Manipur (UNLF) and National Socialist Council of Nagalim -Khaplang (NSCN-K) etc.

Meanwhile, Brigadier S S Rana 57 Mountain Division today told reporters in Mashimpur that operation was continuing along NH 53 and Army has become successful to clean the road of militants. '' Not only is the NH, but also the whole Manipur state is now safe,'' he said. He said political negotiation is needed to solve problem of militancy permanently in Manipur.
Nbcc flays RSS allegation New Kerala
Kohima: The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) executive committee has refuted the news report in which the RSS had alleged that the recent carnage in Karbi Anglong was the handiwork of the Naga Churches in an attempt to divide the north east region. In a press communique here today NBCC General Secretary Rev Zhabu Terhuja, on behalf of the executive committee of the NBCC, challenged the RSS to name the church leaders who were involved in such conspiracy. It said this was not for the first time that the RSS in its related organizations had attacked the Naga church without any reason.

''We love people as god loves them. But as an organisation, we abhor the RSS which has been continually sowing seeds of communalism,'' the communique said. Maintaining that the RSS often accuses the Naga church of forced conversion, the NBCC said as a people engaging in the mission of god, ''We proclaim a message, a message of hope and life''. Besides that ''we never convert anybody'' it stated and said that ''conversion is the work of god-- the holy spirit''.

Ibobi urges rebels for talks- Chief minister cites Naga, Assam outfits as examples OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Imphal, Oct. 28: Bolstered by protests against militant groups, Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh today urged militant groups to follow the footsteps of those which have shunned violence and opt for a dialogue. “Most of the militant groups of the Northeast have realised the futility of violence and come forward for talks. The insurgent outfits of Assam and Nagaland started the peace process. This is because they have realised that the future generation will blame them for tardy development. The outfits in Manipur should also realise these facts and come forward for talks,” Ibobi Singh said while laying the foundation stone of a new office building of the state directorate of information and public relations here today.
The appeal came shortly before officials of the Manipur health directorate and teachers and students of the Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy, Imphal, staged sit-in demonstrations separately today to protest against threats and extortion by militant groups. The demonstration held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital complex was attended by nearly 100 employees, including doctors, nurses and other workers.
The demonstration was organised by the joint committee of three employees’ organisations of the medical directorate and family welfare department. A similar dharna will be held tomorrow at the complex of the medical directorate. Joining in the protests were the Manipur newspapers, which decided to suspend today’s publication following alleged “pressure” and interference from militants. A 600-strong group of officials, teachers, students of Imphal’s Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy and their guardians also staged a similar sit-in on National Highway 39 here from 10.30 am to 4 pm. Vice-chairman of the academy Leimapokpam Damodar Singh said eight armed groups of the state have slapped extortion notices on the academy. “Apart from the demand for money, we are facing various other kinds of disturbances. The government should look into the academy’s problems and take action,” he said.
The chief minister, however, said so far the employees have not lodged any complaint with the government with regard to their problems. “We will look into their problems if the employees report to us their specific grievances,” he told mediapersons on the sidelines of the foundation stone-laying function.
Plea to confer statehood on Pondy Chenna on line
Pondicherry, Oct 28: Statehood with special category status should be conferred on Pondicherry, Congress MP V Narayanaswamy said today.
Pondicherry is situated close to Sri Lanka and there is possibility of the Union Territory facing terrorist threat and hence for strategic reasons special category status should be conferred on the Union Territory as was available for Nagaland and Mizoram, he told reporters on arrival from Delhi after attending a meeting of the standing committee of the Union Home Ministry. He said he had placed before the committee the need for conferment of statehood with special category status. (Agencies)
Army launches major operation on Manipur-Assam border Prime Minister arrives in Manipur The Morung Express
IMPHAL, OCT 28 (AGENCIES): The Army has launched a major operation to flush out Manipur insurgents near Jiribam, where ultras of Manipur People’s Army, the armed wing of major insurgent organisation United National Liberation Front (UNLF), were operating, according to informed sources. This operation follows an attack on a security camp near this border town in Imphal East district, and comes in the wake of the two day visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Tripura and Manipur. The Prime Minister will be in Manipur on Saturday.
Army personnel of different units have reportedly surrounded Barak circle area near Jiribam. Sources said MPA insurgents first attacked a security camp on October 22 by using rocket launchers and other highly sophisticated weapons but did not confirm whether the troops suffered any casualty or not. After the attack, heavy exchange of fire between insurgents and army personnel was reported and the encounter was still on today, the sources said. Insurgents in large numbers were reportedly operating from tri-junction of Manipur, Mizoram and Assam at Barak circle area, about 230 kms west of the Manipur capital, Imphal, the sources said.
Sources said army personnel in three columns entered Barak circle from Mizoram, Bhubon Ching on Assam side and National Highway 53 on Imphal-Jiribam side and were now dominating the area where insurgents were operating. Media persons posted at Jiribam town were not allowed to visit the spot where the exchange of fire was taking place. Sources said several civilians at Barak circle area were paraded before the security forces for identitification. Advanced equipment and motorboats were being used to surround the area and to detect movement of ultras on Barak river, the sources said adding: casualties, if any, on the side of the MPA are not known.
Assam for CBI probe on Karbi killings Newmai News Network October 28
Guwahati : Assam government has decided to refer to the Centre the proposal to have a a CBI inquiry into the recent Karbi Anglong crisis that had so far claimed about 80 people, both Karbis and Dimasas, and rendered several thousand of people homeless in the district. The development came after the Chief Minister, some of his cabinet colleagues and senior bureaucrats met the Karbi and Dimasa delagations from the troubled torn Karbi Anglong district at the Janata Bhavan on late Thursday evening.
The Assam Chief minister Tarun Gogoi informed the development here today and added that the apex bodies of Karbi and Dimasa communities, during a discussion with the state government here on Thursday had demanded a CBI probe into the killings. "The state government doesn’t want anything to hide, we agreed to the demand for a CBI probe and accordingly the proposal would be sent to the Central government,"said Tarun Gogoi. Simultaneously, the judicial inquiry instituted by the state government would also continue, the Chief Minister said.
The bone of contention between the Karbi ultras--UPDS and Dimasa militants--DHD, who are on the rampage in Karbi hills, is the truce-time designated camp of the DHD located at Dhansiri area of Karbi Anglong. The UPDS wants this camp to be shifted from Karbi Anglong areas.
Nagaland state to have its own Co-Operative Laws The Moring Express DIMAPUR, OCT 28 (MExN): The Nagaland State does not have its own Co-operative Societies Act even after 42 years of statehood and till date the Assam Co-Operative Societies Act (1) of 1950 & Rules were enforced by the state, stated S.Sale, Managing Director of Nagaland State Co-Op Bank Ltd(NSCB). Taking the importance of enacting states’ own Co-Operative Societies Act, stated S.Sale,the state government has taken decision to appoint ProfessorK.Elumalai Phd.Law,a veteran academician and legal expert from Vaikuntha Mehta National Institute of Co-Operative Management, Pune for drafting of the state Acts.
He informed that ProfessorElumalai had a sequence of meetings with Parliamentary Secretary(co-operation), Principal Secretary, Law & Justice, Secretary Co-Operation and meeting with CRS and his Officers on October 24. In this regard a joint meeting was organized on October 25 at NSCB Conference room Dimapur by the Registrar of Co-Op.Societies, Nagaland where seniors officials of Co-Operation Department and the state/district level organization Viz:NSCB, MARCOFED, WAFED, NSCU, KOMUL, Urban Bank and Medziphema LAMPS etc had interaction and shared their views to Professor Elumalai and V. Kehie, RCS, Nagaland presided over the meeting said Sale.
Chief Executives and senior Executives of various Co-Op. Institutions offered their views in the meeting. S.Sale, M.D, NSCB, Imtila Jamir, Addl.RCS & M.D, MARCOFED, L.Ghosito, Chairman Urban Coop. Bank, Niza Angami, President NSCU, Aotoshi, G. M, Kumol, Lhozheto Sema, JRCS, Keviyanei, Chairman Medziphema LAMPS, T. Bangerloba, Chief Executive Officer NSCU,B.K.Thadani, GM NSCB,T.Imkonglemla Longkumer, CEO, UCB, B. Haque, Education Officer, NSCU and G.B. Chetri, Addl. RCS offered the vote of thanks said the Managing Director.
UNLF claims killing of 10 army men, dead body found Newmai News Network October 28
Imphal: The banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has claimed that it’s Manipur Peoples Army (MPA) gunned down ten army personnel in an attack at Laltinkhal, about 15 kms from Jiribam town of Manipur’s Imphal East district on October 22. In a statement released, the UNLF said that following three columns of the army launched an operation at places like Vangai, Bekra and Laltinkhal and encounters continued till yesterday. However, there was no casualty on the side of the MPA, the statement issued by Ksh. Yoiheiba, senior publicity officer of the UNLF said. The army’s public relations office in Imphal however said there was no confirmation of casualty on both the sides. The PRO Lt. Col. SD Goswami said the army authority has not given any information on the operation. He however said that the report of the encounter was true.
The operation is still continuing. The PRO further said that some militants were either killed or wounded in the encounter. The state police also do not have any information on the encounter. A reliable source, however, said that one army personnel died and some others injured. Meanwhile, one dead body was recovered from Yairipok Ningel under Yairipok police station of Thoubal district this morning. The man identified as Md. Sahid (30) was shot dead by unidentified persons last night. Police suspected Peoples United Liberation Front behind the attack.
Rethinking our Concept of Church ashi Jamir The Morung Express Commentary
Prelude "Where are our Naga churches?" "Why are our churches so silent to the suffering of the people?" Aren’t we supposed to act justly and show mercy to our neighboring brothers and sisters who are victims of unknown reasons?" "Are our churches merely concern about the extension of the church building?" These were some questions that were raised by some profoundly anguished and touched students of Oriental Theological Seminary as they reflect on the recent suffering and pain borne by the Karbi and Dimasa ethnic people. The visit by the ABF/OTS team on 22nd and 23rd of October, 2005 to the relief camps in Diphu which was caused by the current conflict between UPDS and DHD gave the opportunity to many students as well as the teachers to recommit their lives and visions align with that of our master Jesus Christ. These questions that were raised by the students are some serious questions and it requires serious reflection on the part of the Naga churches. A time has come for the Naga churches to re-think and re-orient our understanding of church.
Mapping the Problem Apparently Nagas understand "church" as either the building in which they meet, or the denomination to which they belong. We have reduced the understanding of church and its services to a merely theatre audience, where one or several paid actors act on the stage while everybody else is looking on. To go to the church for many Nagas means to go to a big house filled with thousands of people and sit, perhaps, with sleepy eyes for one hour and return home. Many a times Nagas go to church just to go through the motion of singing, offering tithes, praying, and preaching.
Church for the Nagas has become an exclusive place for some elite group of people. The elite group consists of all the people who are not alcoholics, drug addicts and poor (those who have no money to buy some decent clothes to enter the church!). Just imagine the recent church—colossal and beautiful—built by Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (DABA). If there is any qualm about this massive church then it is the intention behind building this church. The church was built to accommodate more people and, therefore, today it can hold some five thousand to six thousand people. But now the serious question is; how will it accommodate those fifteen to sixteen thousand Aos living in Dimapur!? Does it have any concern for those unchurch people? This is not just being skeptic about our church rather this question comes with deep concern of our understanding of "Church." No doubt, for many Nagas, we have a cheap understanding of Church. We have condensed the church to a Sunday activity, a non-relational gathering, gathering of people without any proper intention and conviction. As a result of this, our churches are cold, superficial and perhaps a place for catharsis where we ventilate our guilts that are collected during the six days of a week.
However, a time is coming when our Naga churches cannot survive with such cheap understanding of the meaning of church. For long Naga churches have domesticated the hungry and restless minds of the Naga people. However, there are many young married couples who are beginning to ask why they have to give tithes and offering, there are many young people moving from one church to another in search of the missing element in their lives. These are not just signs of another shallow and illiterate people screaming and demanding logical reasons for theirs acts. But these are profound queries bubbling out of people’s mind and heart who are craving to have meaningful reasons in things that they engaged. Little wonder it is time for the Naga churches to re-think and re-orient our concept of Church.
A Response to the Problem Acts 2:42:47 provide us with a glimpse of how the early biblical church was and how we today’s church should be: They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers…All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Let us first clarify the word "Church." Church does not simply mean the church building or the denomination to which we belong. In fact, the most important meaning of the word "church" means "people of God." Therefore church means "you" and "I" who are the people of God. If church means "you" and "I", and if "you" and "I" are the people of God, then our fellowship should be relational. In other words, church should be a place where we should be able to share our joys, sorrows with one another. It should be a place where we can build intimate relationship. This relational intimacy is vividly portrayed in the early biblical church.
Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish Christian thinker purports that the church is not a limited company whose members are accountable to one another only to a certain degree. Certainly church is not limited to merely asking question like, how are you? Or make such an action packed sentence, "Jesus loves you" to a mere cliché. In fact, we never get to the bottom of our selves on our own. We discover who we are face to face and side by side with others in work, love, and learning. A church should be relational accommodating people from all walks of lives—old, adult, young, children, addicts, alcoholics, and poor. Their relationship should transcend the superficial greetings and involved in sharing one another’s problem. A church should be a place where we find ourselves not independent of other people and institutions. This is not trying to spiritualize the understanding of church. But this is what the first century Christian churches practiced and today if the church wants to fill the void of many young people who are wandering to fill the vacuum in their lives then this has to be considered imperatively. Our churches cannot afford to miss this element.
There are many addicts, alcoholics, poor and HIV patients in Nagaland. If Nagaland is statistically 95% Christian then the addicts, alcoholics, poor and HIV patients must be members of the Naga Churches. However, these sections of people in our Naga society are considered as the down caste, lowly and lesser human. What is the response of our churches to these people? Church should exist for the sick and suffering of the society (Matt. 9: 12-13). At least in terms of legislating Nagaland as a dry state by the Nagaland churches, it has been successful though it cannot be said equally in terms of its execution. As usual the law and governing body is there to be blamed for the inability of the law to carry out. However, here the church has to acknowledge her failure. Alcohol, drugs and any abusive substances are in itself not sin or things that produce sin. Usually people fall into this vicious trap only out of curiosity or frustration. Missing out the in-depth relational aspect of the church actually paralysis the only powerful tool to fight against such a mighty phenomenon. Because being committed to have a relationship with our fellow Christians means, "you become my responsibility and I become yours." In other words, it means such a responsibility to become to each other what Christ is to us.
Once our churches are rooted in such a relational foundation then the understanding that the better off should necessarily help those who does not have anything becomes the mandate (1 Tim. 5: 16). In fact our God does not want empty sacrifices but wants justice, love and mercy (Micah 6: 8). Naga churches should actively get involved in such work not to show off of our richness or power but because that is what God wants and therefore, this is what our theology should be. To make our theology real and immanent we need to see Jesus in our "neighbor’s" eyes. Once we see Jesus in our neighbor’s eyes we will empathize with the sufferings, marginalized, and victims of unknown reasons. Many young couples will not hesitate to give tithes and offerings to the church. Our Naga churches have a role to play and that is to make her members see Jesus in one another and beyond. Perhaps the sort of Church that I am talking is not possible in such existing mega churches but in a small church where people actually gather with intention and conviction to know Christ and to strictly live out the teaching of Christ in praxis. This is the imperative need in our context rather than having massive churches with people gathering without any proper intention and conviction whatsoever. If needed and if we are serious about having a relational church we should not hesitate to split our churches into smaller churches! This is not heresy but this is a quest to find meaning in our worship. Splitting our churches into smaller unit does not mean having enmity with one another. Rather it is a serious attempt to practically follow the teachings of Christ. Of course, having smaller churches do not necessarily mean having acquired relationship among the member of the churches. Even if we split the big churches into smaller churches and continue to have the understanding of church as a massive non-relational building then it is not a remedy but chaos. This is because we still need to have right intention and proper conviction in order to have relational churches. However, splitting the churches into smaller units would certainly give the impetus to create the right environment for a relational church. Let us remind once again that our Naga churches must transcend our understanding of church from that of a building, denomination and non-relational to that of Church as people of God, relational that demonstrates our commitment to Christ and displays love, mercy and justice.
‘Rehabilitation package for violence-hit in KA soon’
ULFA-Centre truce soon, says Gogoi By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Oct 28: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today expressed his hope that a ceasefire agreement between the Centre and the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) would be signed soon paving the way for direct peace talks between the Centre and the rebel group.
Talking to newsmen in the city today, Gogoi said: "Dr Manmohan is the first Prime Minister of India to have taken part in the first round of peace talks with a rebel outfit, and it is the ULFA. This itself shows the degree of seriousness on the part of the Centre to solve the insurgency problem in Assam." He said that the talks between the Centre and the ULFA-picked PCG was cordial and both the sides were sincere in their approach. On the continuation of Army operation against the ULFA in this changed situation (after the PCG-Centre talks ending with a positive note), Gogoi said: "It’s not a one-way traffic. If the ULFA exercises restraint there is no point on the part of the Government not to reciprocate it with a similar gesture. I have been assured of this by the Centre." According to Gogoi, the ultimate goal of the ULFA and the Government is the same— both want development and peace in Assam—and the only difference is the means. "While we want to stay with the Government of India, the ULFA wants to go out of it," Gogoi said.
He thanked the PCG and peace facilitator Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami for their peace efforts.
On the ethnic flare-up in Karbi Anglong district, Gogoi identified the DHD’s designated camp in Dhansiri subdivision as the bone of contention between the two tribes. "The Government is trying to find out an amicable solution," said, adding that the first duty of the Government was to erase the mistrust between the Karbis and the Dimasas. He said that a rehabilitation package for the violence-affected people of Karbi Anglong would be announced soon and educational institutions being used as relief camps would be vacated within a fortnight. On the incentives given under the North-east Industrial Policy, which is going to expire in 2007, Gogoi said that he had appealed to the Centre for the extension of the incentives. The Centre’s response, according to Gogoi, was also positive in this regard. He further said that the Ministry of Textile was actively considering to set up a national institute of fashion technology in Assam. Gogoi had appealed to the Ministry towards that end.
Placards hailing ULFA fly high Centre will convene next meet soon, hopes PCG Sentinel By a Staff Reporter
Fifteen years after the ULFA was banned, placards greeting the outfit appeared in the open at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport here today even as security personnel and top police officials stood guard all the time.
GUWAHATI, Oct 28: Fifteen years after the ULFA was banned, placards greeting the outfit appeared in the open at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport here today even as security personnel and top police officials stood guard all the time. Hundreds, mostly MASS and AJYCP workers with flagcards greeting the Centre, State Government and the ULFA, thronged the LGB Airport to give a rousing welcome to the PCG team which returned from Delhi today after a positive start to the till-recently floundering peace process.
"Now, our work is to bring the ULFA to the negotiation table with honour," PCG spokesperson Arup Borbora said in a press conference here. Flanked by other members of the PCG, Borbora said that the group would sit within a few days to chalk out its future strategy."During the meeting with the Prime Minister, we discussed elaborately the role to be played by the Centre and the State Government in the peace process," Borbora said, adding that the PCG’s date with the PMO was the first step towards a political solution to the 27-year-old ULFA problem. Acknowledging the initiative of the Prime Minister, Borbora said that the Centre would convene the second meeting with the PCG soon.
KA refugees returning to their homes From our Correspondent Sentinel
HOWRAGHAT, Oct 28: With Karbi Anglong slowly limping back to normalcy, people of Tacheng Apom, Kangrongwe, Chinjan, Tacheng Rongkeleng and Rongkimi villages who have been taking refuge in the Jirikindeng forest are returning to their homes.
Over 3,028 affected people of 28 villages have been taking shelter in the 23 relief camps in the area following the spell of violence in the hill district. About 503 villagers of Lungkur area of NC Hills have also been taking shelter at Jirikideng relief camps. The refugees of NC Hills have reportedly refused to go back and told Chucheng BDO Abdul Motin that they should be allowed to live in Karbi Anglong. Meanwhile, refugees have complained of insufficient relief in the camps. Meena Phangcopi (25), who gave birth to a baby in a relief camp on October 18 told The Sentinel, "I could not bring cloths and I am facing lots of difficulty with my tender baby." "What shall I do now? It’s getting cold," said Meena who named her new born "Reliefson".
Sangma blames it on Govt
Karbi-Dimasa ethnic clash From our Correspondent Sentinel
DIPHU, Oct 28: NCP leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno Sangma, accompanied by state NCP vice president Prof. Probin Sharma, legislators Abdul Jabbar and Alok Ghosh and Akhya Rajkhowa, general secretary, NCP, Assam unit yesterday visited the strife-torn Karbi Anglong district and interacted with the media at the Circuit House. Mr Sangma termed the recent outbreak of communal riots in the district between the Karbi and the Dimasa as ‘unfortunate’ and uncalled for. The party alleged that the district administration and the police failed to curb violence raging in the district since September 26. Sangma, in his visit, held the district and the State administration responsible for the recent killings and arson. Mr Sangma, in his interaction with the pressmen, expressed concern that constant occurrence of inter- tribe conflict might lead to serious threat to the security of the North-east and stated that subversive forces might take opportunity to destroy the tranquil atmosphere generally prevailing in the region. Sangma suggested that confidence-building measures should be taken by the government to restore harmony between the two communities.
Sangma also echoed views aired by various organizations regarding shifting of DHD-designated camps from Dhansiri to NC Hills. He called it "the need of the hour". He also disclosed to the media that a parliamentary fact-finding team would be constituted to conduct inquiry into the clashes and to take remedial measures. He demanded that the Assam Government pay Rs 6 lakh as compensation to the families of those killed in the carnage. Earlier in the day, Sangma and his team visited the relief camps set up by the district administration.