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11/02/2005: "Left rubbish RSS, BJP, defends UPA government"

Left rubbish RSS,BJP, defends UPA government New Kerala
New Delhi: Rubbishing the BJP and the RSS' assertion that the UPA government is soft on terrorism, the Left parties today defended the Manmohan Singh government, saying, ''the government is alert and police doing its duty but people should also be vigilant.'' The CPI and the CPI(M) said they were aware of the political circumstances and there was no question of compromising with the terrorists and the subversive elements.

The BJP and RSS had blamed the government's soft policies against terrorists for the serial bomb blasts on Saturday. The demand for Greater Nagaland is another sign of malady in the North East, they had said.

CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan said the government was alert and the police was also doing its duty. ''But besides this, people should also be vigilant.'' On Jammu and Kashmir, the CPI leader said the priority at the moment is relief and rehabilitation in the earthquake-affected areas. ''As the earthquake's epicentre was near the LOC there has to be cooperation and coordination between India and Pakistan.'' On Nagaland, he said, ''The Left always opposed the demand for greater Nagaland. The present bounderies of the Seven sisters should not be changed at all.'' Mr Bardhan said any change or violation of the boundaries would not lead to peace and tranquility there rather the move will help escalate tension.

CPI senior leader and Parliament group leader in the Rajya Sabha Nilotpal Basu said the BJP is unnecessarily politicising the issue of great human tragedy.

He said, ''there is no question of the government compromising with the terrorists.'' The CPI(M) senior leader said but unlike the previous BJP government, the present government was not ''sensationalising'' the event.

''We are aware of the circumstances and we all want the political solution both in J and K and Nagaland,'' he added.

While the quest for finding solution to these vexed problems should continue, the vigil against the terrorists should not be reduced. ''We have to wait for the enquiry report.'' He said the Left wanted that the people responsible for such nefarious and inhuman activties, should be nailed and punishment meted out to them.
Nagaland chief minister calls for better town planning
Kohima | November 02, 2005 12:37:15 PM IST Webindia

Concerned over the haphazard construction of residences in the towns of Nagaland, state chief minister Neiphiu Rio has advocated for proper urban planning so that man-made town could become better place to live in.
Inaugurating the silver jublilee celebration of the Tuensang Twon Committee (TTC), about 235 kms from here, Mr Rio said yesterday that the Tuensang town was an example of integration and communal harmony, where different faiths and communities lived made the town a better place to live in peacefully. He stressed the need for creation of better civic amenities and maintaining them. " One should not only speak about rights but he or she should also be careful about the duty, as the rights and duties go hand in hand".
Mr Rio announced that Rs 20 crore would be spent for creation of 4000 employment opportunities in Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire in the field of sericulture. Another Rs 15 crore would be provided to the department of underdeveloped areas in the coming year. He also informed that the prime minister's package of Rs 70 crore that has just been sanctioned to the state for development of road connection at Mon, Tuensang and Wokha for next 18 months.
Maintaining that relative peace has been prevailing in Nagaland following ceasefire between the authorities and the under ground groups, Mr Rio opined that the condition has paved the way for development of the state.
Nagaland Public Health Engineering (PHE) minister P Lomgon released a souvenir of the TTC on the occasion. UNI AS PC AKP1148
'Total picketing' of Dimapur BSNL by NESO on Nov 9 Kuknalim.com
DIMAPUR, Nov 01: The North East Students' Organisation (NESO) will commence its second phase of agitation with 'total picketing' of the Dimapur BSNL office on November 9 in support of their charter of demands. Addressing a press conference, NESO general secretary N S N Lotha said their demands, which includes cent per cent job reservation in the 'D' category of BSNL service, were ignored by the authorities.
The BSNL also failed to provide central billing system for the facility of the subscribers, he added.

Alleging that the union government was 'not concerned' about the problems faced by people of the region, he warned central leaders that they would be solely responsible if mass unrest began in the region as a result of such 'policy of alienation'. When pointed out that the BSNL was spending huge sums for the state, he accused some BSNL officials of setting up illegal PCOs in connivance with locals. He also demanded that there should be a separate taxation policy for the north east in view of its unique topography. He said the agitation was started in all the states of the north east with similar demands. All state offices of the BSNL had already given written reply assuring cent per cent job in 'D' category of BSNL to local youths. NSF president Phushika Aomi, who was also present in the press conference, said his organisation had extended full support to NESO.
Rural health mission for northeastern states New Kerala
New Delhi: The chief ministers of India's eight northeastern states will come together at an event here next week to launch the National Rural Health Mission for enhancing health infrastructure in the region.

Under the mission, the central government has decided to provide additional funds for the northeastern states and increase outlay for public health, an official statement issued Wednesday said.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramadoss will formally launch the health mission where the chief ministers of all the eight northeastern states will be present.

Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Panaba Lakshmi will also address the conclave in which the chief ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura will make their presentations.

The northeastern region has been identified as one of the priority areas of the mission, as it requires special attention to improve the health infrastructure, the statement said.

The central government has chalked out special strategy to cater to the needs of the region. This includes annual state action plans for utilising funds earmarked for the region, setting up of empowered groups to examine the state action plans and setting up of a regional resource centre in Guwahati.

The government plans to run pilot projects before launching the programme in a big way, the statement said.

At the conclave, all the chief ministers will explain their special needs, while delegates from central departments related to drinking water, sanitation, rural development and North Eastern Council (NEC) will also attend the conclave.

CONCLAVE OF NE CMS FOR NRHM LAUNCH PTI
Governementnof India release
All the eight Chief Ministers of the North-Eastern States will come together after a long time at the launch of the National Rural Health Mission for the region in Guwahati next week. The Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss will be formally launching the Mission. North-Eastern region is one of the priority areas of the Mission, as it requires special attention. Hence special strategy has been chalked out to cater to the needs of the region. The conclave will be addressed by all the Chief Ministers explaining their special needs in view of the typicality of the region. The Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Panaba Lakshmi will also be addressing the conclave.

At a technical session, The Chief Ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura will be given a presentation on the progress of the National Mission in North-East. The delegates will have a open session and other Central Departments relating to Drinking Water and Sanitation, Rural Development, North Eastern Council etc. will also speak of the programmes and strategies to achieve the goal.

The Central strategy for North East include Annual State Action Plans for the utilization of the North East Funds/component, Empowered groups to examine the State Action Plans and the setting up of Regional Resource Centre at Guwahati. Pilot runs would be made on experimental basis before launching the programme in a big way.

There has been a shortfall in health infrastructure as per 1991 population and 2001 census. To enhance this, the Centre has decided to provide not only additional funds but also increase outlay for public health in the region. VKS/NSK/SKS
Naga homeland demand dragged into KA violence The Morung Express News DIMAPUR: The ‘Greater Nagaland’ demand has been alleged to be the core reason behind the killings in Karbi Anglong. The Janajati Faith and Culture Protection Forum, an organization which has its office in Paltan Bazar, Guwahati, while stating that the present turmoil in the region was not a result of ethnic differences said in a press note that the Karbi Anglong district of Assam and its population is by and large against the concept of ‘Greater Nagaland’. "The motive behind spreading large scale violence is to divide the people of Karbi Anglong on communal lines and thereby to create Kashmir like situation and to compel the native people to leave the place permanently," the release said. The organization stated that it had made its own enquiries and had then realized that the violence was not based on ethnic grounds but had resulted because of an "external" or "third" force. The senior sections of both the Karbi and Dimasa communities have also been lauded for curbing the violence. "Some foreign powers, who have their own agenda for their selfish interest, are working behind the forces, whose aim is to achieve the goal of an independent and sovereign Nagaland," the release further said. As such, the organization has called for a CBI enquiry to investigate and pinpoint the direct and indirect involvement of the "external force" behind the violence and bring the culprits to book and punish them as per the law.
ULFA terms talks with government ‘historic’ The Morung Express News GUWAHATI, NOV 1 (IANS): The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Tuesday described the first talks between its representatives and the government as a "historic event" that could eventually pave the way for peace in Assam.
"It was indeed a historic event as this was the first time that our main issue of Assam’s sovereignty or independence was officially raised before the Indian government," ULFA said in its monthly Assamese language newsletter Swadhinata (Freedom).
"We would like to be very clear that if our demands are accepted, then we see a road to peace or else we shall intensify our armed struggle," it said.
This was the first formal reaction from ULFA, which has been fighting for an independent Assam since 1979, after the recent talks in New Delhi on October 26.
The talks between PCG and government negotiators were aimed at preparing the ground for a bilateral ceasefire and direct talks between the ULFA leadership and the government at a later stage.
Black Widow denies charges From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
DIMAPUR, Nov 1 – Close on the heels of denial by NSCN-IM, the Black Widow has also denied having any involvement of theirs in the recent ethnic clashes in between the Karbis and Dimasas in the neighboring Karbi Anglong district of Assam.

Black Widow, a breakaway faction of the Dimasa outfit – DHD – was formed in the wake of Hmar and Dimasa clashes in 2003. The outfit claims to fight for safeguarding the identity of the Dimasa, is trying to spread its dominance in the North Cachar Hills district of Assam.

A senior functionary of the outfit categorically denied having his organization’s hand behind the recent bloody ethnic feud in the Karbi Anglong district.

The outfit accused DHD chief Dilip Nunisa of hatching conspiracy to malign the image of Black Widow by dragging its name into the ethnic bloodshed. The senior cadre said, “We have no differences with the Karbis. The Karbis and Dimasas have been living peacefully in North Cachar Hills. Only the Dimasas of Karbi Anglong are clashing with the Karbis”.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi recently alleged that Black Widow, along with the Red Army of the CPI-ML and former Union Defence Minister George Fernandes, could be behind the ethnic violence which claimed nearly 90 lives and rendered thousands homeless.
Naga Hoho to attend Peoples Convention at Senapati The Morung Express SENAPATI, Nov 1 (MExN): The Naga Hoho has decided to attend the Naga People Convention called by the United Naga Council (UNC) at Taphou Naga village community hall, Senapati on November 4. This was stated through a press release issued by the UNC, Senapati. The release also stated that all Naga media persons have been identified under the ‘concern Naga citizens’ and are requested to attend the function. It may be mentioned that the UNC has expressed its inability to permit media coverage of the proceedings of the meeting due to unauthorized reasons.
The UNC has called the meeting to seek the opinion of the Naga people on the future course of action to be taken up by Naga people in Manipur.
NNC/FGN condemns ‘murder’ of its members Morung Express News
Dimapur: The NNC/FGN Wung Region, while condoling the death of Eno Ningam a.k.a. Angam, the General Secretary of its Wung region and his companion Eno Leishikham (Akham) has vehemently condemned the act. According to a release issued by Eno W Chaim, the Rali-Wali Secretary, Wung Region of the outfit, the deceased were abducted from a residence at Tangkhul Avenue, Imphal at around 11:30 am today.
"They were evilly muffled, tortured and then murdered," according to the release. It further sated that its Chief Commissioner, Wung region accosted the "Christian Nagas to embrace humanity rather than to dictate fellow human beings." The NNC has further called for the condemnation of the act from all quarters of the society.
Late Eno AS Angam joined the NNC/FGN on April 4 and served as the general Secretary of the outfit till he breathed his last on October 29, the release said.
"The true sacrifice made by him for the nation will always remain alive in the history of the Naga nation," it added.
The NNC has further stated that it is the only established Government of the Naga people in Nagaland. On the departed souls, the NNC stated, "may their souls rest in peace and may God provide peace to the bereaved families and relatives."
Companies to develop AIDS defense for women (Reuters) Maggie Fox The Morung Express
Two big American drug companies have signed agreements to develop a treatment called a microbicide -- a gel or a cream that a woman could use to protect herself from AIDS, advocates said. Merck & Co., Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb have signed separate license agreements with the International Partnership for Microbicides to develop such a product, long sought by doctors and advocates as away for women as well as some men to prevent infection.
Many such compounds are in development but all are experimental, and this is the first time a very big drug company has signed on to help make one. "The search for an effective microbicide is crucial to providing women with more options to protect themselves against HIV infection," said Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of the United Nations AIDS organization UNAIDS.
"Worldwide, nearly half of all (HIV) infections are in women," Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, Chief Executive Officer of IPM, told reporters in a telephone briefing. In sub-Saharan Africa, the region by far the worst hit by AIDS, half of all people infected with the AIDS virus are women and young girls, she added. "Existing HIV prevention strategies include sexual abstinence and the use of male and female condoms," Rosenberg said. But many women are infected by husbands or through forced sex, and few have power to demand the use of a condom.
More than 39 million people, most of them in Africa, are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. More than 25 million have died. There is no cure for the infection. Combinations of drugs can help control the virus and keep people healthy -- if they can get the drugs. Doctors agree that a vaccine is the best way to control AIDS, which is mostly transmitted sexually but also through blood, shared needles and from mother to child during birth and while breast-feeding.
While a vaccine is being developed, which will take decades, prevention is the best way to fight AIDS. So groups like IPM have been lobbying for the development of a microbicide. So far, funding has been limited. Merck and Bristol are separately licensing to IPM the rights to develop a new class of drugs called entry inhibitors to try to develop into a microbicide.
It is a new approach, said Dr. Helene Gayle, who heads AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria funding for the philanthropic Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. "The earlier microbicides that were being developed were very nonspecific," Gayle told the briefing. Some merely make the vagina less hospitable to a virus. "This second generation of microbicides are much more specific in their action."
So far only one potential microbicide has been tested in large groups of people -- the spermicide nonoxynol-9. It disappointed researchers because it not only failed to protect women, but in women who used it heavily, such as prostitutes, it in fact raised the risk of infection. Merck and Bristol-Myers Squibb have licensed their experimental drugs to IPM without royalties -- payments usually taken by a drug’s developer if it licenses a proprietary compound.
Merck’s CMPD 167 and Bristol-Myers Squibb BMS-378806 can protect monkeys from infection with a virus similar to HIV. A study published in the journal Nature this week by Dr. John Moore of the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Dr. Ronald Veazey of the Tulane National Primate Research Center found that four of six monkeys were protected from SIV if treated with a microbicide two to six hours before being given the virus.
Goswami focus on ceasefire, PCG NET News Network
Guwahati, Nov 2: Peace mediator Dr. Mamoni Raisom Goswami today said that she may urge both United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the Union Government to resort to cease fire before the second round of talks which is expected to be held somewhere near the PM’ visit to Assam in the last part of November.
The noted litterateur further said that modality of the talks between the Centre and the ULFA would be decided in the near future while asserting that the government, if feels necessity, can introduce few more members in the People’s Consultative Group (PCG).
On being asked, if the second round of talks between the Centre and the ULFA would be held in Assam, Goswami said that she is not aware of any such developments and reiterated that her job is to ensure that both the parties sits for a discussion to yield a positive result for the betterment of the State and its people.
“I am very optimistic about the development of the peace talk so far specially with the effort of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who seems to be very keen in having a solution out of the talks”, said the Jnanpeeth award winner.
Goswami opined this while briefing the media regarding the 2nd International Ramayana Conference in Guwahati in the month of November next after it was hosted in the Guwahati in 2003.
Speaking about the association of epic ‘The Ramayana’ with Assam, Goswami said that it was here where the epic got its birth in the modern Indo-Aryan era.
“It is unfortunate that no one from this part of the country took the lead in translating the epic with all that historical background of the state”, added Goswami.
“I am going to make the publication board as well as the Assam Sahitya Sabha aware of the situation very soon”, informed Goswami while informing that the second International conference on Ramayana would be able to project Assam in the global map.
“Ramayana was more vibrant in Assam than any other region”, continued Goswami.
It can be mentioned that Ramayana scholars from across the globe would be participating in the conference.
UNLF exposes detenue-jail employees nexus By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
The Nando connections being produced before mediapersons
IMPHAL, Nov 1 : Close on the heels of clamping ban on activities of the underground Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) factions the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) today paraded three persons before media-persons and accused of aiding KCP (P) activist Nando, who is currently imprisoned at Sajiwa Jail. The three persons accused of passing extorted money to Nando and paraded today in a Senapati district area include an Additional SP in-charge of Jail Phanitphang Tangkhul (46) s/o (L) Suisa and husband-wife duo of Wayenbam Ingocha (48) s/o (L) Pishak and Nameirakpam ningol Sana devi (40). The latter two are from Kangla San-gomshang. As per statement of the Addl SP, Ingocha and Sana Devi made persistent appeal to make a deal with Nando in solving a case involving Dr Tondon and Dr Indra who were under constant threat of being exe- cuted by KCP (P) cadres.
Even though Nando initially declined to entertain the doctors' appeal the detenue after being told that the medical practitioners constantly approaches him (Addl SP) to arrange a settlement finally demanded Rs Two lakhs each, said Phanitphang. In compliance with the deal an undisclosed amount of money was handed over to him (Addl SP) by Ingocha and Sana that was subsequently handed over to nando, he maintained. To queries from the newspersons on modus operandi of nando pertaining to statements released from jail Phanitphang confessing of not knowing much on the matter however suspected involve- ment of a jail staff identified as Ksh Prakash of Kwa-keithel.
Prakash is currently detained in jail under NSA for providing shelter to KCP (P) activists at his residence.
While informing that acknowledging slip of receipt of the doctors' deal was handed to Ingocha and his wife, Phanitphang nevertheless said he knew no- thing on how and from where Nando got hold of the cash receipt book and floated a theory that either visitors or security personnel on duty after nightfall may have arranged Nan-do's access to the receipt book and press release as well.
The Addl SP also asserted that in handing over the money to nando he had no ulterior motive of aiding Nando inspite of being accused in the killing of Lungnila Elizabeth or as an KCP (P) figure but in consideration for safety of the two doctors. He also revealed of a Ha-vildar identified as T surjit being barred from interior jail duty following reports by the Imphal East Commando OC Mobi regarding Surjit's association with the KCP (P) group.
On the other hand, the husband and wife who were also produced by an investigation team of the UNLF dis- closed of the doctors' mo-ney being passed to Nando at the behest of two persons named Tondonba and Boi of Soibam Leikai. Informing that they (Husb- and-wife) were associated with the KCP organisation when the outfit's late leader Bhorot was still alive, Ingo-cha and Sana confessed they got involved in the doctors' case after being contacted by Boi and Tondonba. Tondonba is said to be a distant relative of Ingocha and Sana. Continuing their disclosure of links with the KCP (P) they further informed of handing over Rs 10,000 to one Ishen, whose whereabouts was informed by a KCP conduit called Ibohan-bi from Yourabung, to settle another demand case involving Dr Motilal.
Even though the said amount had been handed over another person identifying self as Suresh and claiming to be a prominent member of the KCP (P) demanded that the remaining amount (Rs 90,000) served to Dr Motilal be handed over to him. Suresh is also in jail. On settlement of the Dr Motilal problem, Tondo-nba and Boi again approach Ingocha and Sana to solve similar matter concerning dr Tondon and Dr Indra, they said. Contrary to the Addl SP's contention, Ingocha and Sana alleged that the police officer had demand-ed Rs 5 lakhs to convince Nando condone the two doctors. As a deal was struck for Rs 3 lakhs after some hectic negotiation the issue was finally over with the handing over of the agreed amount at the lamphel quarter of Phanit-phang, they added. Speaking to the mediapersons a spokesperson of UNLF's investiga- tion team asserted that after close scrutiny and culling adequate information the husband-wife and Addl SP were picked by the outfit. describing the KCP (P) group as gangsters whose main intention is collecting money from the public through threat and intimidation, the spokesperson disclosed of the UNLF having already formed task forces to track down KCP (P) activists in order to eliminate the organisation.
referring to the involvement of Jail staffs and official in assisting the 'gang', he said such conduct clearly reflects object- ive of Indian intelligence agencies to smear the revolutionary movement and sought cooperation from the general public in rooting out destructive elements. The three persons who were in UNLF custody had been release after a stern warning to rectify their conduct.
ULFA greets PCG for opening talks
October 26 will remain a red-letter day in the history of North-east politics: ULFA By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Nov 1: The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) today greeted the People’s Consultative Group (PCG) for opening the peace process with the Centre and raising the matter of sovereignty in the meeting.
In its monthly newsletter, Swadhinata, the ULFA today ‘patted its own back’ for being able to raise the issue of sovereignty in the very first meeting with the Centre. The rebel group claimed that it was the only militant organization in the North-east who could raise the issue of sovereignty with the Centre, albeit through an interlocutor and a group picked by itself. This, according to the rebel group, is itself a history.
"So far, peace talks means announcement of ceasefire, setting up of ceasefire ground rules, rehabilitation militants, surrender of arms and formation of some council. While doing that, the main objective of sovereignty gets its place in the back burner," the ULFA mouthpiece said on ‘peace talks’ which other rebel groups of the region were carrying on with the Centre so far. On the Prime Minister’s assurance to the PCG that the Centre was ready to discuss all issues to be raised by the latter, the rebel group further said that democracy-loving people should respect the democratic process through action rather than verbal assurances. "Acceptance of the PCG’s proposals will pave the way for peace talks and their rejection will make the struggle more vigorous," the ULFA said, adding that October 26 would remain a red letter day in the history of North-east politics as it was on this day when it had raised the issue of sovereignty with the Centre through the PCG.
Sounding positive, the ULFA termed the PCG as like-minded but did not say anything specific about the peace process. They only repeatedly took satisfaction for being able to raise the matter of sovereignty before the Prime Minister.