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11/11/2005: "Eco blockade threat resurfaces Ansam"

Eco blockade threat resurfaces Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 10: Possibility of All Naga Students' Association Manipur (Ansam) resuming the suspended economic blockade on the National Highways could not be ruled out as a meeting held at Kohima recently is understood to have endorsed the lifting the stir suspension.

Representatives of ANSAM and Naga Students' Federation (NSF) jointly convened the meeting in which intense debate was held with the issue of economic blockade dominating the session, said a prominent Naga activist, who preferred anonymity. ANSAM had been demanding revocation of State Government's declaration of June 18 as State Integrity Day and Holiday. The meeting held on November 8 also featured issues pertaining to a bribery case in the Nagaland Public Service Commission.

Unlike the earlier stance of the ANSAM that insisted on talks be held either at a Naga dominated place or outside the State the student body is informed to have agreed for meeting anywhere in the State based on two conditions including joining of NSF representatives during negotiation and security provision from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The source disclosed of the State authorities expressing certain reservation on NSF members being a party to the talks while insisting that security cover would be provided by the State forces only.

Iterating that ANSAM had only suspended the agitation on completion of over 50 days after intervention of the Prime Minister and taking into account hardships faced by the general public due to scarcity of essential items, the Naga activist cautioned that ANSAM could proclaim resumption of the economic blockade anytime in case State Government continues to ignore demands placed by the student organisation. It is pertinent to mention that ANSAM and Government representatives had held a meeting at Leimakhong Army headquarters but so far there is no worthy breakthrough on the impasse. Regarding the recent UNC sponsored Naga People's Convention resolution to launch non-cooperation movement against the Government, the source conveyed of UNC's constituent bodies having discussed ground reality and preparation on the matter. The source claimed of MLAs like RK Theko, Samuel Jendai, Z Mangaibou and Wungnaoshang Keishing and MP Mani Charenamei taking part and addressing the UNC session. The convention had decided to rename rivers and important places with indigenous Naga nomenclatures and to cease house tax payment to the State Government.

It also worth mentioning that during the tumultuous economic blockade period many vehicles were burnt and a Senapati district denizen sustained bullet injury when State security force personnel opened fire at the district headquarters. As a consequence Government institutions were burnt down by enraged mob to protest the shooting.
NSCN (IM) condemns Assam Rifles actionThe Morung Express News Dimapur: The NSCN (IM) in a release made available today said that a joint meeting of its steering committee executive members and the cabinet kilonsers on November 8 condemned the actions of the 14th Assam rifles and the 38th Assam Rifles and termed such "callous act as inclinatory moves to derail the peace process."
According to the release, the 14th Assam Rifles on October 13 last intercepted Akhuan Rongmei, Dy.Kilonser of Kilo. Affairs, GPRN, at around 6:00 A.M at Handbag, Senapati District, while he was on his way to Tamenglong on official duty and arrested him and his personal body guard and also seized their arms which include an AK Rifle and an M.20 pistol. They were later transferred to the custody of the Kangpokpi Police station and later again shifted to Imphal Police station, where they were detained till November 8, the release said. Citing another instance, the release further said that on November 2, the 38th Assam Rifles rounded a village at Khoupum area where the command group of NP Battalion, Naga Army led by Captain Rambo (David) and 2nd Lt A.Adani as 2nd in-command were stationed with their party. The Naga Army was invited by the Assam Rifle to meet them, whereby all their arms numbering 11 were seized by them.
"Such unbecoming acts of harassment and obstinate dispositions of the Indian Armed agencies despite the existent Cease-Fire between the NSCN/GPRN and the Gol with official recognition of the NSCN as an entity in dialogue with the revocation of ban on it, it is a complete disregard for the latter and outright manifestation of intent to fracture the on going peace talks," the NSCN said. The NSCN has called upon the Indian government to restrain its agencies from such acts of disregard and disrespect but rather promote better relationship and respect for each other. The NSCN has also impressed upon Delhi to immediately return the arms seized by its agencies.
NBCC appeals NSCN to lift blockade Kohima | November 09, Webindia
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has appealed to the NSCN-IM to lift the economic blockade at Tuensang district of Nagaland. In a release here today NBCC Director of Peace Affairs Reverand Kari Longchar said people have exprienced miseries due to imposition of the economic blockade. Communication had been cut-off. He said the NBCC considered such expression was unhealthy which would not have any positive impact.
The release said Khiamniungan people were suffering due to this blockade by NSCN-IM and appealed to the concerned party to lift it. UNI AS JYN BA RD 1409
A WORKSHOP ON NATURAL RESOURCES, WATER AND ENVIRONMENT NEXUS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH IN NORTH EAST INDIA Ministry for Development of North-East Region
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) in association with the World Bank is holding a Workshop at Guwahati, Assam on November 10th and 11th, 2005 on ‘Natural Resources, Water and Environment Nexus for Development and Growth in North East India’. The objective of the Study is to develop a road map for the development and management of water and related natural resources/environmental issues in the North East for sustainable growth. The Study is also expected to complement ongoing work and activities relating to the Northeast being carried out by different GOI Institutions. The Study is being carried out in two phases. The first twelve month phase will focus primarily on water resources issues. The second phase will be carried out from July, 2006 onwards and will cater water, other natural resources and environmental issues.

The workshop in Guwahati is being organized by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region in association with the World Bank for consulting the eight States of the North Eastern Region namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. The participants in the Workshop will also include the concerned Central Ministries/Departments such as Ministries of Water Resources, Power, Environment & Forest, Tribal Affairs and the Planning Commission. Experts in various fields will be presenting Papers on specific subjects such as Water Resources Management and the Brahmaputra – History, Challenges and Options; Flood and Erosion Management; Biodiversity in Northeastern India and; Forest and Hydropower.
The workshop is expected to provide the platform from which the basic framework for management of water resources in the region is expected to emerge.
NSCN-IM condemns Hesso’s killing The Morung Express
Dimapur, Nov 10 (MExN): The Kilo Kilonser of the NSCN (IM) has in the strongest of terms condemned the dastardly killing of Late Hesso Mao the former DGP, Nagaland Police on November 8 at Kohima in his residence.
A release issued by Shahini, the Secretary, Ministry of Information Publicity, GPRN reads, "A family has not only been deprived of a loved one, the Mao people have not only been dispossessed of a leader but the Naga people at large have been endowed the loss of a leader who in his capacity of experience and knowledge had been and could have contributed immensely towards the Naga people’s nation building cause." The NSCN/GPRN conveys our heartfelt and deepest condolences to the bereaved family and shares their sorrow of bereavement on the untimely demise of their loved one, whose life was inhumanly snatched away from their midst by treacherous element promoting terrorism. We pray that the departed soul rest in eternal peace.
Naga jawans in Chhattisgarh accused of human rights abuse The Morung Express News
DIMAPUR: After the allegation that the 9 NAP battalion in Chattisgarh is killing more dogs than militants, a more serious charge has been leveled against the Naga jawans. The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), a powerful human rights organization founded during the emergency period said in an appeal that an Anganwadi worker named Sonia was beaten by the jawans of the Naga battalion, tied up with ropes at the ankle, dragged in this condition to the police station and forced to spend the night in the lock up along with men, all on the suspicion that she was a Naxalite supporter. Similar stories of excesses committed on women by Police, CRPF, and Naga forces have been recounted by NGO activists from Dantewara, according to the PUCL.
"There has been a phenomenal increase in the Police and CRPF presence in Bastar including Dantewara in the recent past, and the latest addition to this force is a contingent of the Naga battalion, notorious for its excesses on the civilian population in the North-East," the appeal said.
Dr Binayak Sen, the General Secretary of the PUCL Chattisgarh chapter and who is also the national Vice President of the organization PUCL, India has appealed to all human rights organizations in the country as well as to intellectuals and all democratic forces with regard to the deteriorating human rights situation in the state of Chhattisgarh. "The situation is fast reaching an explosive point and we request your support and urgent response," Sen said and maintained that the questions of Maoism and Naxalism in the tribal areas of the state cannot be seen as a law and order problem but must be seen in the overall social, economic and political context.
NSCN (IM) abduct Pastor, Chairman, 5 others The Morung Express News Dimapur: The pastor of the Chakhesang Mission Centre Church Nuvosaye Vese, the Chairman of the Pfutsero Town Council (PTC) Dingulo Khutso, SIS Pfutsero Chikhro Khutso, Government GB Pfutsero Puneru, a public leader and former PTC committee member Vehushu, another former PTC chairman Yekhuse Tureng and Khuzuhu were today abducted by armed cadres of the NSCN (IM).
Informing of this development, a CBCC source said the abductors barged into their mission compound at around 9 am today from where they whisked away the pastor. Reports have it that the abductees are presently in Hebron Camp, the council headquarters of the most powerful insurgent group in the northeast. Reportedly, Athong, the town commander of the outfit entered the mission compound with two armed bodyguards before taking Vese into custody.
The seven abducted persons were summoned to Zhamai Village by the NSCN and were then taken to Hebron via Mao Gate, according to reports. The source revealed that the probable reason behind the abduction could be a repercussion of the rally which was staged following an incident of factional violence in Pfutsero town recently. All the seven abducted persons reportedly took a leading part during the public rally. The protest rally it may be recalled was held against the spate of armed clashes between the NSCN (IM) and the FGN. Meanwhile, a protest rally as a demonstration against the abduction will likely be held tomorrow. Sources informed that the Governor of Nagaland and Ceasefire Monitoring Group Chairman Lt Gen (Retd) RV Kulkarni besides the State government have been briefed of the abduction.
Meanwhile, the Chakhesang Baptist Church Council has vehemently condemned the incident wherein three armed cadres had entered the premises of the Church while frisking away the Pastor of the Chakhesang Mission Centre Church.
KYKL responsible for Imphal blast Newmai News Network
Imphal, Nov 10: The proscribed KYKL has claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s Imphal market blast which claimed two lives and injured18 others. Another victim succumbed to injuries today at one of the hospitals. In a statement issued to the press today, KYKL stated that the outfit had actually intended to attack a shop identified as Aman Enterprise at Allu Gali in Imphal’s Thangal Bazar on the day but missed the target which had then incurred on the general public instead.
The outfit while giving reason for the attack said that the KYKL was trying to teach a lesson to Aman Enterprise for unwillingness to pay tax due to the outfit. KYKL has apologized for the act and said that the outfit shares the pain and sorrows of the bereaved family members and also of those injured. The KYKL also stated that the outfit would compensate monetarily the next of kin of those killed and pledged to bear medical expenses for the treatment of those injured. The outfit said that it had never committed such a big blunder before and would try its best not to repeat such mistakes in future.
Voices against Hesso’s killing Naga Students’ Union Delhi
Today Nagas are at the cross road and striving for Peace. It indeed came as a shock when Mr Hesso Mao succumbed to the bullets of assassins after he was shot at by unidentified gunmen inside his New Police Reserve Residence Kohima at around 4:00-4:30 pm on 8th of November. The Naga Students’ Union Delhi strongly condemns this kind of inhuman act and urge the people to stop this kind of action in future.
NSUD will not tolerate this kind of murderous act and urge the responsible person to be booked and give assurance to the Nagas that this kind of act will not happen again. The culprit should be answerable to the people for what he did and give a satisfactory explanation. Nagas can no longer tolerate bloodshed of innocent people. It is high time that the Nagas come together and weave our aspiration together. The Nagas are not murderer, miscreant and rebels but this cowardly act will really prove to the world that the Nagas are what the enemies have coined us. The murderous attack will not bring any solution to the Nagas issues, so we appeal to all the people to refrain from such kind of activities in future. We extend our support, condolence and comforts to the grieving families and to the relatives.
Kuknalim.
Sebastian Kamei, Chitho Nyusou
President & General Secy, NSUD
Feminist theories and critiques of the public and private sphere (Continued from previous issue)Dolly Kikon
Concepts and practices of equality continue to exclude women. Yeatman points out that a gender division of labour which would generally consist of space, responsibilities and the boundaries of the public and the private sphere involves a cultural construction of sex difference and thus varies according to the particular socio-cultural context in which it is placed. Taking the case of social science Yeatman states that the most fundamental challenge (meaning the concerns and standards of relevance in this academic field) to the ruling paradigms in contemporary social science comes from requiring them to accommodate the distinctive world of women (domestic life, family life, or, personal life). Since there is already an established history of modern family within contemporary social history this claim may appear odd. Yet her point concerns about the nature of this accommodation. Women in their distinctive domestic role and the domain of the domestic or personal life are accommodated but at the expense of being located as the lesser part of a dual ordering of social life. While the other part concerns the public aspects of our social existence, a world with which men are still more identified than are women. Accordingly, economy is placed in the centre of the theoretical space which social science constructs, while love is consigned to the margins if it receives a place at all (Yeatman: 1987. 158-159).
Thus, do cultural constructions shape the formation of the socio-political societies or do they take place simultaneously? Koelsch describes the classical distinction between the public and the private realms, arguing that the formulation of the distinction implicitly denigrated women and excluded personal concerns from political legitimacy. She states that historically, the public sphere is the realm of necessity. It is concerned with the creatureliness of persons, the producing of the persons and things required to sustain us as creatures. It is both cyclic and dualistic. Cyclically, there is the perpetual recurrence of events-seasons, patterns of growth and deterioration-even the body has its own daily cycle of energy fatigue, hunger and satiation. Dualistically, the cyclic aspect is often experienced as the alteration between two opposites-birth and death, sickness and health. It was in large part because of the extreme physicality of this realm that the ancient Greeks regarded it with disdain. The relationships in the private sphere were inevitably hierarchal, it was seen as natural in relations like father-son, husband-wife, and master-slave. Thus this sphere was fundamentally inequitable and authoritarian.
However, the realm of the polis, the political sphere, was distinguishable by its apparent escape from the realm of necessity. The political realm was unconcerned with the satisfaction of specific and constant creaturely needs. The real existence of the polis was predicted on the fact that those who participated in it were in a position that freed them from the creaturely concern for themselves. Only those persons who did not have to labor to meet immediate creaturely needs would be able to take part in the life of the polis. Hence, freedom from such material concerns was the condition, not the consequence, of participation in political activity. In contrast to the hierarchal relations of the household, persons in the polis were ostensibly equals. The individual was distinguished by his actions, particularly the act of speech making. Immortality of a kind came to an individual as that individual was remembered for speeches and actions. Koelsch emphasizes on two points. Firstly the emphasis laid on freedom. The condition of the political required that non-free persons provide the care and commodities, the necessities, for the free and publicly active persons thus the polis was then contingent upon the productive and reproductive labor of persons who could not participate in it. Secondly, given the biological fact of the essential and inevitable labor of female reproduction, women not only were de facto excluded from the activity of the public realm but, were graphically tied to the realm of necessity through the physicality of pregnancy, birth, and nursing. Consequently women, as a biologically laboring class, were devalued (Koelsch: 1986. 12-13).
The Habermas model of the bourgeois public sphere besides creating an exclusionist arena also contains cultural construction which continued to more rigid and hierarchal conceptions of a male-dominant public sphere . For instance, the salon culture in Europe (a culture that was in opposition to women generally) passed down historically to signify a meeting place for petty bourgeois political discussions. The clubs where private persons assembled to discuss matters of public concern or common interest had usually rules which did not accept women as members. But most of all, the promotion of a new, austere style of public speech and behavior was promoted, a style deemed ‘rational’, ‘virtuous’ and ‘manly’. In this way masculinist gender constructs were built into the very conception of the public sphere. Classical traditions were imbibed that cast femininity and publicity as oxymorons (Fraser: 1993. 114). Moreover, because the liberal public sphere demand that the only way for marginalized groups to gain legitimate entrance into it is by adopting its mode of communication, so-called processes of integration is infact assimilationist and normalizing, rather than being truly democratic (Rabinovitch: 2001. 348).
The stories of the origins of civil society found in the classical social theories revels that it is a patriarchal or a masculine order. Thus, the meaning of ‘civil society’ here is constituted through the original separation and opposition between the modern, public-civil-world and the modern, private or conjugal and familial sphere: that is, in the new social world created through contract, everything that lies beyond the domestic (private) sphere is public, or ‘civil’, society (Pateman: 1989. 31-32). However, there are attractions of the modern civil society despite its gendered positioning. If one considers civil society in its characteristically modern meaning – as a way of interfering to the terrain of voluntary associations that exist between economy and state – there are two reasons why feminism should be attracted to the politics associated with this. Firstly, feminist perspective is readily pluralist, and that pluralism flourishes more readily in the associations of civil society than in either family or state. Secondly, some of the associations that spring up in civil society have looseness, even an indeterminacy that makes them particularly hospitable to feminists (Phillips: 2002. 76-77).
Feminists use the phrase ‘civil society’ when discussing women’s confinement between (all) the public and the (really) private, because feminism is less interested to draw the line between civil society and state. This leads to two things. One, feminists adopt a broad definition of civil society and secondly feminists consider the civil society as one that expands to include family as well. Thus, they tend to highlight the intersection of private life with public existence, and demonstrate that the familial or domestic are not separate from the rest (Phillips: 2002. 71-75). Eley questions whether the ‘public sphere’ is a purely ‘political’ matter in the narrow sense of government and public administration, for instance, or should the legitimate reach of political intervention extend to other more ‘private’ spheres like the economy, recreation, the family, sexuality, and interpersonal relations as well. She lays down the feminist version which brings the principle of democracy to the center of the private sphere in a qualitatively different way. It systematically politicizes the personal dimension of social relations in a way that transforms the public/private distinction in terms of family, sexuality, self, and subjectivity (Eley: 1993. 317-318). The construction of the term ‘civil society’ excluded the presence of women. Therefore, the tasks of feminists have been to dismantle the patriarchal dominant architecture of ‘civil society’ and reformulate a women approach towards the understanding of politics through democratic processes.
Habermas overlooked and failed to examine the other competing public spheres. It is within such contexts, that feminist writers like Fraser have documented and written extensively about the elite bourgeois women who were involved in building a counter civil society of alternative, women-only, voluntary associations, including philanthropic and moral reform societies. Women creatively used the ‘private’ idioms of domesticity and motherhood as springboards for public activity. Meanwhile, for some less privileged women, access to public life came through participation in supporting roles in male dominated working-class protest activities. Thus, the public sphere was not a space bereft of class, culture, domination and inequality. There existed the subaltern counter-publics. The members of this subordinated alternative group constituted of women, workers, peoples of color, and gays and lesbians who repeatedly found it advantageous to constitute alternative publics. The emergence of these counter publics in response to exclusions within dominant publics, have enabled in expanding the discursive space. In general, the proliferation of subaltern counter-publics means a widening of discursive contestation (Fraser: 1993. 115-125).
Considering all the debates put forward by feminist scholars, one questions what should be the ideal public sphere. This question brings forth challenges and stimulates significant discourse among women. It is pertinent for women to participate in civil societies from the aspect of confronting issues of patriarchy and gender exclusion from the public sphere. However, true integration and solidarity in public arenas can be achieved through consistent incorporation of ideas and politics. Such processes can initiate a common framework which can be characterized by civility, which is one of the pertinent bases of civil society.
Protestors disrupt World Bank meet in Assam By Indo Asian News Service
Guwahati, Nov 10 (IANS) Protestors Thursday stormed the venue of a World Bank meeting in Assam's main city Guwahati and disrupted proceedings alleging exploitation of locals in the name of development. A group of about 70 odd protestors carrying placards barged into the conference room at a city hotel where World Bank officials were holding a workshop organised by the union ministry for Development of Northeastern Region (DONER).
The workshop was aimed at charting out strategies for development and management of water resources in the northeast for sustainable growth. A police official said angry demonstrators broke a security cordon and entered the conference hall forcing the officials to temporarily suspend the meeting. 'The protest was to make our views known that we can survive without any World Bank aid as they are interested in exploiting our natural resources in the name of granting us funds,' said Dolly Kikon, leader of the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights.
The demonstrators included several pressure groups in the northeast opposed to globalisation, which they say largely benefits wealthy people at the expense of locals.
'We do not want World Bank Aid,' 'World Bank Go Away', 'We Are The Owners and Not Stakeholders', were some of the slogans on the placards. Senior police officials intervened and pacified the protestors. The workshop was delayed by a couple of hours. World Bank's water resources specialist for South Asia Karin Kemper was present when the protest took place. An estimated three percent of the World Bank's total fund for India is allotted to the northeast with the focus on management of water and forest resources in the region.
The World Bank is of the view that improved water and forest resource management and development would boost the region's power sector and help in industrial growth. 'In reality all such promises are hogwash with locals exploited to the core,' Jiten Yumnam, leader of the Manipur-based Forum for Indigenous Perspective and Action, a civil rights group, said after the protest.
The World Bank is currently funding a Rs.12 billion highway project in Assam in the first phase and another Rs.15 billion in the second phase. The project, covering about 1,200 km of roads, involves replacing all timber bridges with concrete ones, besides developing the main road network in the state.

NE organisations boycott WB-DONER meet By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Nov 10 – Nearly twenty organisations of the NE region boycotted the two-day consultative meeting held here from today by the World Bank (WB) and the Union Ministry for Development of North-Eastern Region (DONER) on a study on the natural resources, water and environment of the NE region. They also staged a demonstration against the alleged attempt of the WB and the DONER at ‘clandestinely selling out the NE region to the multinationals’. The demonstration was staged in front of Hotel Pragati Manor—the venue of the consultative meeting. The participant organisations also demanded that the WB should move out of the region and threatened that all the future engagements of the Bank in the region would be facing serious challenge from the region’s people ‘at all levels’.

It may be mentioned here that the consultative meeting of the WB and the DONER, which began here today, is the third in a row since 2004. The organisations, which included Forum for Indigenous Perspectives and Action, People’s Movement for Subansiri-Brahmaputra Valley, Freedom Project, Shillong-based Alternative Space, Arunachal Citizens’ Rights, River Basin Friend-NE, Kshatriya of Dhakuwakhana, Citizens’ Consent for Dam and Development, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, North-eastern Social Research Centre, Karbi Students’ Union of Kamrup, All Rabha Students’ Union, Saint Xavier’s Educational Foundation and Naga Students’ Union of Guwahati, among others, were of the opinion that the DONER with its activities since its inception as an independent Ministry for the development of the NE region, was not acceptable to the NE people.

For, they alleged, the Ministry had never consulted the experts or the indigenous groups of people, human rights groups, civil society organisations, and the NGOs from the region to evolve a strategy for the region. Instead, the Ministry has been approaching the WB directly for developing such a strategy. The WB concept paper on the topic is not at all a concept paper. For, the mandarins who prepared the concept paper do not know anything about the region. Moreover, the approach of the DONER and the WB in preparing the concept paper is totally undemocratic, colonial and therefore, uncalled for, said the organisations.

The concept paper is also full of distortions and wrong information concerning the NE region and its natural resources, they alleged. Reasoning, they said that the concept paper had treated water resources of the region as different from the natural resources. This, they alleged, was done only with the design to facilitate the long-cherished plan of the Union Government and the WB to build large numbers of dams in the region.

The WB tried to push funding for the Middle Siang Hydro-electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh in 2004, but it could not succeed. It is now trying to push such projects in the region with such concept papers, alleged the organisations. On the other hand, the organisations alleged, NE, which consists of the best forest regions in the whole of India, which are also the sources of livelihood for a large number of people, is going to be sold to the multinationals at the instance of the WB. The approach of the concept paper in this regard is not only contrary to the national policy of India but to all the underprivileged people of the so-called third world countries.

The approach is a replica of the United States of America’s bid to impose a quota system on carbon trading defying the Kyoto Protocol on climate and threat of global warming, which is facing vehement opposition from the countries like India. The concept paper has repeatedly advocated this approach and has even tried to lure the NE states to accept it, alleged the organisations and they demanded an explanation from the Indian members of the WB on it or their resignation from the WB. The organisations also feared that there might be some clandestine directive of the international financial institutions like the WB and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the formation of the DONER as a special purpose vehicle for the international financial institutions.

Meanwhile, noted social scientist BK Roy Burman has described the DONER –WB concept paper on study of natural resources, water and environment issues for development and growth in NE region as ‘ basically a strategy document for fulfilling a political agenda’.

In a note on the concept paper, which is made available to the media here today, Burman said that the problems mentioned in the concept paper were the ‘problems of governance faced by almost all states all over the world in the context of hegemonic globalisation and free play of techno-bureaucracy’. This is a global problem and should be addressed to in global terms, not with reference to India in isolation, said the noted social scientist.

Bandh hits normal life in Imphal From Our Correspondent Assam Tribube
IMPHAL, Nov 10 – The busy Imphal town today wore a desolate look as a women’s organisation imposed a 24-hour bandh in protest against Tuesday’s bomb blast at Alu Gali, a busy market area in Imphal, killing one lady and injuring 19 others. Except a few nationalized banks, all the business establishments as well as commercial market places remained closed for the whole day since early morning as Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup imposed a 24-hour bandh. Responding to the call of Manipur Keithel Nupi Marup, the women vendors and shopkeepers at Khwairamband Bazar shut down their shutters after the blast in protest against the violent incident. The women’s organisation demanded the identity of the groups behind the blast and asked them to meet the medical expenditures of all the victims. Many social bodies including the political parties condemned the incident. Chief Minister O Ibobi had termed the incident as an inhuman act during an interaction with media after visiting the injured civilians at the hospitals. He also assured that necessary financial help will be given to the injured persons presently hospitalised in and around Imphal.
KYKL claims blast, appeals for clemency By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Nov 10 : Claiming responsibility for the November 8 bomb blast at Thangal Bazar (Alu Gali) and seeking public apology for injuries and casualty caused to civilians the underground KYKL asserted that the youth gunned down by police commandos on the same evening has no connection to the blast as claimed by the police. according to a statement issued by deputy secretary of the outfit's publicity and research Apabi Mangang the attack carried out by military operation team of KYKL's Central Division was targetted at Aman Enterprises for defying tax/monetary demand of the KYKL.
The attack was launched to teach a lesson to outsiders doing businesses in Manipur on consequences for defying 'Kanglei law', said the statement. Under no circumstance had the military team intended to hurt the public but error resulted in missing the target and the hand grenade blast occurred at crowded place for which KYKL earnestly appeal to the public for forgiveness, it mentioned.
Other than the humble and sincere apology KYKL has no other alternatives, said Apabi Mangang while stating that such mistake had never been committed in the past nor would it happen in the future.
Conveying of sharing solidarity to suffering and sorrow of the bereaved family and the injured, KYKL assured all possible assistance to the victim's family and bear treatment cost of the wounded.
On slaying of one Khundrakpam Raju alias Zenith (32) of Kumbi Kangsoibi Mapan by police commandos at Thangal Bazar area hours after the Alu Gali blast the UG outfit rubbished the encounter theory and linking the slain person to the blast as flimsy.
Pvt Raju and one Laishram Sanatomba (30) of Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai were stopped by four motorcycle borne persons identifying themselves as UNLF member at Ghari area on November 8 around 2.30 pm while the duo were travelling on a Yamaha Crux (MN01-M8480).
Even as Sanatomba was set free the motorbike riders whisked away Raju with the Yamaha motorbike subsequently leading to the fake encounter and being branded as bomb blast suspect, alleged the KYKL.
Killing after capture of armed undergoing organisation activists and creating friction amongst revolutionary groups through manufactured comments is an old ploy being devised by police commandos in their endeavour to remain in the good books of higher authorities, charged the KYKL.
Cautioning the police commandos of appropriate response for the custodial killing, the KYKL also conveyed of condoling demise of Kh Rajen and sharing the sorrow to the bereaved family.
KSO threatens to hold five-day agitation in the state Neps
Imphal, Nov 10 (NEPS): The Kuki Student Organization (KSO), an apex students’ body of the Kukis have expressed serious concern on the indifferent attitude of the State Government on the C Upendra Commission report to the killing of three Kuki students by police on October 25, 2004.
Disclosing this in a statement, the students’ body said it would organize a five-day agitation under the banner “KSO for Justice” beginning November 15 in all the district headquarters. The KSO said it would withhold its plan of holding five-day agitation if the State Government gives satisfactory response to their demand within five days from today.