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11/08/2005: "Naga NGOs blow hot and cold"

Naga NGOs blow hot and cold Newmai News Network
Kohima, Nov 7: In the backdrop of the NSCN (IM)’s threat to back out from the ongoing ceasefire and peace talks, various Naga organizations opined that there was no point in continuing with the talks and the ceasefire with Government of India if a tangible solution cannot be worked out. However, at the same time, they felt ceasefire and talks should not be broken so easily, according to Dimapur based newspapers.
The dailies reported that the Naga Hoho, the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) and the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) were unanimous in agreeing that there was no point in continuing with the peace talks if that fail to find a solution and if the Government of India is playing the delaying tactics to divide the Nagas.
Th Muivah has every right to be angry as the ongoing ceasefire and talks had been dragging on for the last eight years without any concrete solution, said Naga Hoho general secretary Kevilietuo. “Both the NSCN (IM) and Government of India are two entities in the talks and if the latter tries to dominate and play delaying tactics to divide the Nagas then NSCN (IM) leaders have every right to be angry,” Kevilietuo said.
“If the talks cannot solve the problem, there is no point continuing with the ceasefire and the dialogue,” he said and regretted that by now some core issues should have been solved. But at the same time, the Naga Hoho leader felt that ceasefire and peace talks should not be broken so easily.
Sharing similar views and expressing confidence in the NSCN (IM) leadership, NMA president Khe- shili Sema said there must be reasons for Muivah to make the statement.
She, however, said the ongoing ceasefire and peace talks should not be broken so easily. “God forbid, such thing does not happen…we do not want that to happen, because the innocent public will suffer,” she added.
Kheshili urged the NSCN (IM) leadership to take the views of the Nagas first before breaking the ceasefire. Her point was that the ongoing talks were not for the NSCN (IM) but for the Nagas and therefore the Naga public have a say on the fate of the talk.
ANSAM bans Imphal Free Press in Naga areas Newmai News Network
Imphal, Nov 7: The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has announced that from November12 onwards, the Imphal Free Press daily newspaper will be banned in the Naga areas. Detailing the reason that has prompted the Naga students to ban the daily, ANSAM general secretary Robert T Maram said that the "chauvinistic attitude" of the editor of the daily had been the main reason behind the ANSAM move.
"ANSAM values the freedom of expression of any individual or community and is not against the freedom of expression of the fourth estate but the manner in which the editor of Imphal Free Press consciously disagreed to publish a rejoinder issued on October 13 by the ANSAM information & publicity secretary is an indication of the editor’s chauvinistic attitude towards the Nagas and other minority groups," Maram said. He added that the act of the editor of that daily was to curtail the freedom of expression of the Nagas.
Maram further stated that the constituent units and subordinate bodies of the student association during its second presidential council meeting held on October 17 at Senapati had deliberated on the "prejudiced attitude" of the editor and subsequently served show cause notice to the editor of the daily on October 18 "clearly asking him to clarify his injudiciousness and rudeness" to the Naga student body and "his un-parliamentary language used against the ANSAM president over phone on the night of October 15 at 9:45 pm". The students body had given till October 25 for the editor to respond. The ANSAM leader further urged upon the readers to bear with the Naga student body for the inconvenience created.
UNC grateful to Naga leaders Newmai News Network November 6
Imphal: The United Naga Council has expressed its gratitude to all Naga elders and leaders for attending the Naga Peoples Convention held on November 4 at Taphou Naga village, Senapati.
In a statement issued by the UNC, information and publicity secretary, S.Milan said that it would like to especially mention Naga Hoho president and his team, Outer Parliamentary MP Mani Charenamei,sitting and former MLAs and ministers, tribal hoho presidents, Naga Women Union, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, ANSAM, South Nagas Union of Nagaland State, Naga Employees Federation, All Manipur Christian Forum, village chiefs and all those individuals for their active participation and in-depth deliberation to reiterate the declaration on the political stand of the Nagas living in the present state of Manipur taken in the last Naga Peoples Convention on August-8 and 9, 2001 at Senapati. The UNC further expressed special thanks to Naga Peoples Organisation (NPO) for co-hosting the convention and the Taphou Naga village for the hospitality offered to the participants.
Manipur Govt's policies are discriminatory to the Tribals
By V.R. Horam Sangai Express
Successive Governments in Manipur have been formulating policies after policies to suit the interest of the people in power during their respective period. For every interview or DPC held for filling up any Govt. vacant posts, a new RR is drafted to suit the candidate(s) he/they have in mind. For these powerful people, there is nothing to stop them from doing what they want whether it is right or wrong. What they want is right for them.
Very often in this kind of free power exercise, the most underprivileged people, the Tribals and the minorities become the victims. In a very skilled manipulation, the reservation quota of the Scheduled Tribe & Scheduled Caste are systematically looted by the people fall in the general category. This becomes possible because their people are in the top position in almost all the departments. Even among the policy makers in the Govt. including the Legislative Assembly and the Cabinet.
To have a clear understanding of the matter, some incidents may be cited. In the 100 point roster, 1/3 is reserved for the ST and 1-2% for the SC. If 10 vacancies are to be filled up there has to be three seats minimum reserved for the ST candidates. In order to deprive the ST candidates of their share, the manipulators notify only 5 vacancies. In this case, there will be only one reserve seat for ST. After some time another 5 vacancies are notified in the same condition. This way, one reserved quota of the ST is systematically taken away by the generals. If the vacancy is four they notify for two at a time, and claiming that it is not reserved as the number is less than three. Later, they notify for the remaining two vacancies in the same manner resulting in total violation of the tribals rights. This way all the appointments and promotions of Govt. Departments are filled up by the generals even in most of the tribal reserved posts. This is amply proved by the present number of employees serving under the Govt. Departments are filled up by the Generals even in most of the tribal reserved posts. This is amply proved by the present number of employees serving under the Govt. of Manipur.
According to the 100 point roster, if all the appointment process followed, minimum 1/3 of the total employees of the State should be tribals and 1-2 percent SC. But due to the expert manipulation, today, out of the total 98,000 plus employees, only less than 14,000 are tribals. If 1/3 reservation policy was followed there should have been not less than 32,250 tribal employees.
To add salt to the already bleeding wound, the State Govt. also manipulates maximum when they conduct entrance exams for Medical, Engineering etc. to be selected as Govt. nominees. A clear example which remains very much alive till date is that of the 2003 exam. for selection of MBBS/BDS courses.
The Manipur Govt. through its concerned department had invited application from prospective candidates vide their Notification No. 104/1/2003-DHS dated 10/6/2003 under the relevant provision of Manipur MBBS/BDS Entrance Examination Rules 1993. The last date for receipt of application was 21st June, 2003 and the entrance test was held on 29th June, 2003.
In the mean time, the manipulation nature of the State Govt. became active again and initiated for amendment of the then existing Rules of 1993. The newly manipulated rules, 2003 was then published in the Gazette on the eve of the entrance exam dating back as 25th June, 2003. In the manipulated rules, they added two clauses which were never the practice in any of the earlier exams. which say that the minimum qualifying pass mark for the generals - 50% and 40% for the ST. The 2nd and more discriminating manipulation of the new rule was that the reserved seats of SC/SC candidates fail to secure 40% marks in the entrance test/exam and vice-versa.
What is the meaning of saying dereserving ST reserved seats and vice versa? Fully knowing that the tribals will not secure more marks than the Generals owing to the educational background, facilities etc. the manipulative words “Vice-versa” was added.
As a result of this great manipulation, when the results were declared, the generals tried to claim all the 17 reserved seats on the basis that they secure higher marks than the tribal candidates. Through this manipulative new rule that was notified much against the provision of the then existing rule under which rule the entrance exam. was notified, the majority people wanted to do away with all the tribal candidates. They wanted to nominate all the MBBS/BDS seats that is allotted to Manipur States all by one single community.
Thanks to the timely intervention of the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM), the State Govt. was made to change its stand on the question of negative marking. After signing an MoU between the ATSUM and the Chief Minister, the 17 reserved seats for the Tribals were filled by the top 17 tribal candidates and nominated to various Medical Colleges as State Govt. nominees beginning from 2003-2004 session. Now they have completed upto 4th semester and studying in 5th Semester out of the total nine Semesters for the course.
Even at this point, some strong General people are trying to cut off the future of these 17 ST students by going to the courts even up to Supreme Court claiming for their rights. Well, the tribal people are never against anyone who has the merit as long as they do not encroach in to the quota of the tribals. What worries the tribals are the manipulation and violation of tribal peoples' rights by the people who claim to be the custodian of our rights that has been enshrined in the Constitution of India.
The majority people shout very load and clear that Integrity of Manipur should not be broken in any way. They say they will go to any extend to safeguard its territories that plain and hill people are brothers and sisters, children of the same mother Manipur.
If that is the case why all these manipulation? Why snatch away almost all the shares that belong to the tribals? Why is it that all the Development funds meant for the hill areas are diverted to programs in the valley alone? Why is it that no Maths and Science teachers want to teach in the Hill Schools inspite of the fact that they are appointed against ST quota under the manipulative condition that “no qualified ST candidates were avaialble”? Why those teacher who were posted in the hill schools are transferred to the valley schools? Why is it that there are 12-14 Maths and Science teachers in a high school in the valley whereas not a single Maths and Science teachers are available in most of the hill schools ?
This manipulative policy of the successive Manipur Govt. is not healthy. This have hurt the sentiments of the hill people to the extreme. If this trend continues, I'm afraid, that the tribals will come out openly on the streets and demand for separate administration altogether, nothing to do with the valley people. It will be wise on the part of the State Govt. and the majority community to think and mend their past mistake by filling up backlog vacancies in the Govt. jobs otherwise, they can expect for the most unexpected and strongest, protest from the usually simple and uncomplaining tribal people.

Parijat spells out happy tidings from PM Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 07: Agriculture Minister Ph Parijat has stated that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has given an assurance to the Congress led SPF Government to provide all the required fund in taking up developmental works in the State. Addressing the inaugural function of the 80th anniversary celebration of CPI at Irabot Bhavan here this afternoon, Parijat informed that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has given the official confirmation on the visit of the Prime Minister to Manipur in the last week of November.

To discuss the necessary arrangement to be made ahead of the scheduled visit of the Prime Minister, a meeting attended by Ministers and top officials of various Department was held with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in the chair at the CM’s Secretariat today, the Minister informed. Parijat, who is one of the two CPI representatives in the coalition SPF Ministry claimed that the UPA Government at the Centre cannot survive and take independent decision without the support of CPI, CPM and other Left parties.

This shows the emerging power and strength of the Left parties, the Communists, he said, adding that the interest being taken by the Centre towards development of Manipur is a gift of the Communist parties. Elaborating, he recalled that during regime of the BJP led NDA Government preparation had been made for spending around Rs 50 lakhs for the proposed visit of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. But instead of coming to Imphal, Vajpayee returned to Delhi from Kohima after announcing a huge economic package for the BJP-ruled Nagaland.

At that time, the financial position of the SPF Government was so bad that it could not even pay salary for three months to its employees. However, with the coming to power of a Left-supported UPA Government at the Centre, the financial difficulties of the Government have been solved, Parijat claimed. Observing that undue interference from some quarters has delayed completion of the flyover bridge construction at BT Road, the senior CPI leader said CPI has been taking keen interest in the reconstruction of the Khwairamband Bazar.

Chairman State Control Commission, State Unit CPI H Ibohal Singh and State unit party secretary B Sharma were also present during the function as presidium members. Mass awareness campaigns and public rallies to highlight the issues of unity between the hill and valley people, corruption, democratic rights of the people, devolution of power to the Panchayat, Common Minimum Programme, etc would be taken up in different parts of the State during the month-long anniversary celebration which would culminate on December 26.
People warned of activities of NSCN(IM)
Imphal | November 07, 2005 6:45:52 PM IST Webindia

The North Imphal United Clubs and Meira Paibi organisation (NIUCAMO) has warned the people of Manipur against the efforts of some of the frontal organisations of the NSCN(IM) to divide them.
The organisation also urged the people not to take seriously the threat issued by the United Naga Council (UNC), a frontal NSCN(IM) outfit, that the Nagas should pay their taxes directly to the Centre.
It termed unfortunate the announcement made by the UNC during the Naga People’s Convention that the Naga should not work together with the Meitei. The decision did not reflect the desire of the people, the outfit claimed. So far, there had not been any conflict between the people of the hills and the plains, it added. The NIUCAMO alleged that the NSCN(IM) was pursuing a divisive agenda and has climbed down from its original demand of sovereignty to form a Greater Nagaland.
The United Naga Council had also decided not to take any help from the Manipur government from the next financial year and to desist from associating with the Meitei community. The meeting was held on November 4 at Taphou Naga village, Senapati. UNI NS BA YA HT1430
NPSC scam investigation report submitted to Govt. NSF to use info act for anti-corruption drive The Morung Express News November 7
KOHIMA: The State Vigilance Commission has submitted its report and findings of the investigations launched into the Nagaland Public Services Commission (NPSC) bribery scam, to the Government of Nagaland, a government official on condition of anonymity told this paper. According to latest information, the report includes indictment of eight persons including a high ranking NPSC official whose hand was "confirmed" in the scandal. Further details were not divulged.
Meanwhile the Naga Students Federation has expressed its commitment to using the "good weapon of the Right to Information Act (RTI) against the NPSC and the Vigilance" if the latter failed to come up with the report as demanded by the students’ body for which a deadline, November 10, was set. The federation informed that till now no response to the demand for tabling of the investigations finding/report have been submitted to it. NSF president Pushika Awomi told this paper that the RTI Act was a people-friendly act and since the people have the right to know, they should not hesitate to use it against corruption and manipulations from corrupt agencies. ‘We are ready to use the Right to Information Act against the NPSC and the Vigilance Commission in regard to the NPSC scam" Awomi said adding that the "good Weapon" would be used to the fullest advantage against other corrupt agencies.
The President was speaking on the sidelines of a seminar organized by the NSF on the RTI Act. The resource persons were Hekani Jakhalu, Lydia Yeptho, Khetho Yeptho, Angelika, Allen and Yanren from the Youthnet. Apart from discussions and group interactions, various implications of the RTI and its usage were deliberated upon. The proceeding included Identification of issues, applicatory processes, as well as identifying departments/agencies to approach for procuring information.
"We want this to be a youth movement, where the youths and students are motivated to engage in taking up issues of corruption apart from other social issues" said Hekani Jakhalu, resource person at the Youthnet RTI seminar. She said that till now Baptist College and Kohima Science College have been engaged with the RTI workshop adding that more colleges would be initiated to involve in the dissemination of the objectives laid out in the RTI Act. Jakhalu also said that as of now such workshops and seminars were being organized from personal resources and that a partnership with the government was being hoped upon.
'Govt soft on terror to appease minorities' Press Trust of India Posted online: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 at 1237 hours IST
New Delhi, November 8: VHP today accused the Congress-led government of being ‘soft’ on extremist forces to appease minorities and demanded a crackdown on Islamic seminaries in the country, claiming they were breeding terrorism. The present internal security scenario is the ‘worst’ since independence and the government should adopt a pro-active approach to ward off another round of terrorist attacks, VHP secretary Surendra Kumar Jain told reporters.
Claiming that several states are under the grip of various shades of terrorists, he said the situation is such that the Prime Minister had to ‘plead’ before Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to stop ‘exporting’ terrorism.
"Several states in the country, especially Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland and Mizoram are in the grip of either jihadi, Christian-driven or Maoist militancy," he alleged. Referring to the October 29 blasts in Delhi, he said nothing has come out of the investigation even after ten days of the attack. "Security agencies had been talking about intelligence inputs, but not even a single arrest has been made so far. Either their efforts are flawed or they know everything and are not acting."
He alleged that Saharanpur and Muzaffarnagar districts in Uttar Pradesh, Kishanganj in Bihar and some parts of Delhi have become the hub of terrorist activities and asked the government to take strong action curb such disruptive forces. "Government should rein in madrassas as these are terror factories. Even foreign countries have acted against Islamic seminaries while our government is silent," the VHP leader said.
Meira Kumar denies rise in girl trafficking in NE
Shillong | November 08, 2005 5:35:48 PM IST Webindia

Union Minister for Scoial Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar today denied reports suggesting rise in girl trafficking in Northeastern region saying police had been asked to be on alert to foil any such attempt.
Ms Kumar currently on tour of the Meghalaya capital rather claimed that the trend had decreased. ''Except for two or three such cases (girl trafficking) in the past few months there was no fresh report on such crime,'' she said. Earlier this morning, she visited some NGOs where she interacted with victims of rape, prostitution and drug abuses. Asked what she thought were the reasons of high rate of drug abusers in this region, she mainly attributed it to ''family problems''.
She refused to agree to the point that unemployment and related depression led the youth to indulge in drugs and justified her point saying during her interaction with many victims it was found out that family problem was the main reason. The minister said the UPA government was taking up various schemes to give more and more to unemployeed and referred to minimum employment gurantee programme in this regard.
In another interactive session held this evening, Dr Manjul Khanna of UNODC brought home the point that about 90 per cent people from the NE region were aware of drug and its ill affects against national average of 76 and expressed wonder that despite it rate of drug users was high in this region. Dr Khanna said Northeast was very much vulnerable as it shares border with Bangladesh and Myanmar and sitting very close to Golden Triangle. She said very high quality drugs worth millions of rupees in the international market cross through Champhai (Mizoram), Moreh (Manipur) and Phansa (Nagaland) giving the youth easy access to the menace. UNI PRS TJP DB1651
Bird FLU-NorthEast ATANU PHUKAN KOHIMA, NOV 8 (PTI) Outlook express
Alarmed by the spread of bird flu from East Asian countries to Europe and considering the vulnerability of the region, authorities in North Eastern states have stregthened preventive measures to check possible spread of the avian influenza.
As the vast network of wetlands and rivers of the entire region is a suitable home for winter winged guests and the major flyways for migratory birds, the North-East is comparatively more vulnerable for possible spread of the flu.
Moreover, its proximity to South-East Asian countries is a major concern because poultry birds are imported from Myanmar through Manipur and Mizoram, said a veterinary expert.
Alarmed over the spread of H5n1 virus causing avian influenza to both wild water fowls and domesticated birds in 11 Asian countries and Europe, wildlife wardens and veterinary departments in NE states have already issued certain guidelines to the villagers as preventive measures.
In Nagaland, the department of veterinary and animal husbandry has asked villagers to follow the guidelines issued through departmental subcentres and media and requested them to inform nearby offices of veterinary or civil administration if anybody comes across a dead wild duck or any other water fowl.
The department also asked villagers to report immediately to veterinary out-posts, centres or officers whenever there is heavy mortality suddenly involving a particular flock of domesticated poultry bird and not to touch and handle the dead birds, said N Meyase, Nagaland director of veterinary and animal husbandry.

In Assam, chief wildlife warden M C Malakar has alerted field level staff in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to keep vigil on migratory water fowls and adopt necessary measures so that domesticated ducks do not share the same wetland for feeding. Migratory birds mainly come to India and other warmer areas from vast Siberian landscape, Tibet and Eastern China mainly to avoid the severe winter but not for breeding purpose, said Prof Paramesh Bhattacharya, noted ornithologist of Guawahati University.
"The North-East India falls under two major highways or flyways of the migratory birds. We have two migratory routes- Central Asian-Himalayan flyways which cover NE India and other parts of India, and East Asian-Austrilian flyways which also touch NE India," said Prof Bhattacharya.
In the process, the North-East gets a large number species during bird wintering which are important in global context. Around 35 major species are coming to the region which are endangered and critically endangered, he said.
As Kaziranga is a suitable home to many migratory species which start arriving by October end, the park authority alerted its field staff and veterinarians to monitor signs of bird flu in water fowls.
Following recent reports of hundreds of bar-headed geese perishing in South-Eastern China, the park authority has taken extra care and sent a veterianrian to Kolkata for training on avian influenza because thousands of bar-headed geese and graylag geese visit Kazirang every winter.

Scared of possible spread of bird flu, authorities in Manipur and Mizoram cautioned people living around wetlands and poultry rearers to follow the 'dos and don'ts' issued by the government departments. In Mizoram, veterinary department reimposed ban on import of poultry and pigs from Myanmar and Bangladesh and a state-level disease emergency committee headed by the chief secretary has been formed.
Alarmed by the death of a red legged falcon at Barak river in Tamenglong district recently, the authorities launched a campaign in Manipur to make the people aware of avian influenza.
As hunting is a favourite passtime, particularly during winters, among the people across the region, the authorities in each North Eastern state asked the villagers not to hunt water fowls and relish them.
An NGO worker associated with conservatio n campaign pointed out that while restricting people from killing of birds and monitoring movement of domesticated ducks is feasible in and around protected areas there are many wetlands and sandbars in rivers in the region which are suitable habitats for winged guests but do not come under the vigil of forest staff.


KATIE RAUSCH • The State News
James Reaves, left, an officer with the Supervisory District Adjudication of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, looks at Windylyn Rigor's license before handing her the paper formally declaring her American citizenship. Rigor, a resident of Belleville, and her husband were sworn in, along with other immigrants, on Monday at the Howell High School Freshman Campus auditorium, 1400 W. Grand River Ave.
New U.S. citizens take oath


By Amy Oprean
Special to The State News
Bernadetta Kozakiewicz, 32, smiled as she walked up the aisle of the Howell High School Freshman Campus auditorium on Monday — in hand, a certificate declaring her a citizen of the United States.
"I wanted to feel important too," said the dental assistant, who lives in Auburn Hills. "Not that I don't feel important in Poland, but here there is more security. Over there, you don't know what tomorrow is going to be like."
A lawfully admitted U.S. resident since moving from Poland 13 years ago, Kozakiewicz took an oath of citizenship with 189 other people from 54 different countries and is now eligible to vote and apply for a Social Security number and U.S. passport. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, was among the speakers at the event.
"These new citizens played by the rules, studied hard to learn how American government works and what their responsibilities will be as citizens and waded through tons of paperwork to get to this date of celebration," Rogers said in a written statement. "They will realize their dream of being Americans, able to vote and participate in a democracy that is envied around the world."
Swearing-in ceremonies are held weekly at Detroit's District Court, usually consisting of about 70 people, with larger ceremonies held around the state, said Keli Bonner, a contract employee of Perot Systems Government Services.
Life in the United States has been a change of pace for Saginaw resident and new U.S. citizen Lumpeny Hall, 34. In her case, it was a shift toward peace compared to her home in Nagaland, an area in northeastern India frequented with rebel shootings and bombings.
"The Indian army is constantly stationed there," said her husband Todd Hall, 36. "Every now and then they have skirmishes. There were shootings a mile away from where we stayed the last time we were there."
It was the couple's pen-pal relationship rather than the violence, however, that led Lumpeny Hall to move across the globe.
"It started with a Bryan Adams fan club," said Todd Hall, explaining how he first struck up a correspondence with his future wife. "It took me six trips (to India) to convince her to marry me, even though I asked her on the second."
The couple has two children, Evelyn, 2, and 15-month-old Brenan and live in Michigan because of Todd Hall's family business, Glastender Inc., in Saginaw. Even though she made her home here, Lumpeny Hall still misses Nagaland.
"Before we had kids, I'd visit my parents twice a year, but that's not really possible now," said Lumpeny Hall, who is of Mongolian descent like many people from Nagaland. "I miss the food and I miss family."
Also taking the oath of citizenship, after moving to the United States for a future spouse, was University of Michigan geological research scientist Josep Maria Pares, 44. He said he moved to Michigan seven years ago from Spain after meeting his then wife-to-be Debra when he was visiting a scientist at the university.
Pares said the United States has a different concept of how to enjoy life than Spain.
"I kind of miss the way people spend so much time outdoors there," Pares said. "The way people make a point of getting together and seeing each other."
For Kozakiewicz, the transition has been relatively easy because she is able to maintain Polish citizenship and has family members who have moved back and forth between Poland and the United States since World War I.
"We celebrate everything that's Polish here," she said. "I'm never going to give that up."
ARMY FAILS TO SUBMIT REPORTS OF ARMS SEIZED WEAPONS TO POLICE Neps
Imphal, Nov 7: Despite a standing order of the Supreme Court of India that the Army authorities should report to the nearest police station about the seizure of weapons before Magistrate, the matter has come to light that a total of 77 weapons arms seized during operations at Churachandpur in January this year and at Kairang in October this year have not reported to the police so far. Subsequently the police have not registered any FIR with regard to the arms seizure.
Matter came into light when some local scribes nosed around for information related to arms seized by the central security forces operating in the state and whether the reports of arms being seized are reported to the nearest police station as directed by the Supreme Court.
According to a ruling issued by the Supreme Court on August 17, 2001, the Army authorities should report to the nearest police station about the seizure furnishing at the same time a list of all seized articles and an undertaking to produce the same before the Magistrate concerned. It shall also be necessary for the army authorities to thereafter obtain orders from the concerned Magistrate, for custody of the seized articles comprising their interim custody. The custody of the seized property by the Army authorities shall however be on behalf of the police concerned and the same shall be produced by the Army authorities as and when required by the Court.

On January 15 this year, Army personal under 57 Mountain Division seized mm 74 arms suspected to be belong to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) during search operation at Theigothang in Churachandpur Dist. The seized arms were displayed before media at the Army head quarters at Leimakhong where even newsmen from outside were airlifted from Guwahati by a helicopter for the high profile display of the seized arms.