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11/20/2005: "'K' warns centre of dire consequenses if ceasefire is abrogated"
'K' warns centre of dire consequenses if ceasefire is abrogated Kuknalim.com KOHIMA, Nov 19: The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) today vowed to “fight to the finish” if Delhi abrogated their four-year ceasefire agreement.
The Union home ministry is understood to be reconsidering the truce with the NSCN (K), citing repeated violation of the agreement by the group. The immediate provocation is the killing of former Nagaland director-general of police Hesso Mao.
“It is totally upto the government of India. We will fight till the last drop of blood of the Nagas is left,” said Jami, who was a senior member of the rival NSCN (Isak-Muivah) until last year.
The Naga Hoho, which is the apex organisation of the Naga tribes, expressed disappointment over the development. “If the ceasefire agreement is broken on the basis of a single incident, it will be unfortunate. The consequences of this abrogation will not be good,” Naga Hoho vice-president Keviletuo Angami said. Jami, too, said it was surprising that Delhi was thinking of abrogating its truce with the NSCN (K) after one incident — Mao’s killing — but was allegedly turning a blind eye to rampant violation of a similar agreement with the NSCN (I-M). “I was there when the ground rules of the ceasefire with the NSCN (I-M) were framed. There has been rampant violation of these rules, to which the government of India has not been reacting at all.”
Another NSCN (K) leader, finance kilonser Kughalu Mulatonu, said news of Delhi’s strategy could actually be a rumour. “The NSCN (I-M) has killed hundreds of innocents and yet the ceasefire is intact. So the government of India has no reason to abrogate the ceasefire (with us).”
The NSCN (K)-Delhi truce took effect in 2001, four years after the NSCN (I-M) signed an agreement with the government. The NSCN (I-M) has since taken the upper hand both in terms of visibility and area of influence, but the NSCN (K) still is a force to reckon with in the Nagaland districts bordering Myanmar. It has alliances with other outfits, including Ulfa, the People’s Liberation Army and the United National Liberation Front of Manipur. NSCN (K) chairman S.S.Khaplang lives in Myanmar and is said to even enjoy state protection.
The militant group’s opposition to the integration of all Naga-inhabited areas of the Northeast has distanced it not only from the NSCN (I-M), but also some Naga NGOs.
The NSCN (K) described Mao’s murder as “capital punishment” for an incident that took place in 2000, when there was no ceasefire in place. (Telegraph)
Assam Rifles chief warns NSCN factions Karaiba Chawang The Morung Express KEZOMA (MExN): In the wake of the heightening tension spreading to all nook and corners of the State due to factional feud between the two NSCN factions, Inspector General Assam Rifles (IGAR)-North and GoC Nagaland, Maj. Gen. S. S Kumar today warned that the security forces would not hesitate to react to any situation that endangers the life of common people.
The GoC said that the security force was exercising utmost restraint in handling the volatile situation arising out of the clashes between different factions and cautioned that they would not hesitate to take action against those threatening public safety.
At a tete-a-tete this afternoon after inaugurating the new building of St. Mary’s School at Kezoma Maj. Gen Kumar further warned the factions against frequenting or residing in civilian-populated areas. The GoC maintained that he has been restraining his jawans, but added that they were trained soldiers and their patience was running out. “If this goes on, we may have to confront them for the safety of the common people”.
He also claimed that the security forces in the state are strictly adhering to the ceasefire ground rules. Making evasive reference to the recent threat made by NSCN leader Th. Muivah of pulling out of the ceasefire, the GoC said the security forces were prepared to face any eventualities. “Such comments from top NSCN leaders only encourage their cadres to move about freely perpetrating fear in the society and we have to be prepared and we are preparing”, Maj Gen Kumar added while reacting to the Muivah’s comment.
The IGAR Chief also admitted that the over all situation in the State was in bad shape, especially in Athibung under Peren district, Tizit under Mon district and Noklak under Tuensang district following factional feuds. “However, security forces are aware of the movement of underground cadres and are taking stock of the situation”, he said. Meanwhile, the General also hinted that the military’s intelligence network has found some leads with regard to the twin blasts in Dimapur last year. He however declined to comment further. He also did not rule out the presence of ISI agent stating that certain inimical forces are at work especially in Dimapur.
NSCN (K) make damning charges against ex-DGP The Morung Express DIMAPUR NOV 19 (MExN): Continuing its tirade against former State DGP Late M. Hesso Mao, the NSCN (K) stated that there were more ‘unraveled tales’ of what it described as the role of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ played out by the former DGP. “The NSCN presented the wolf (Hesso Mao) who has succeeded to remain in sheep’s clothing (skin) for more than a decade” according to a statement issued by Kivi Kips, Secretary-in-charge, MIP, GPRN.
The group claimed that the crime “syndicate” of the former DGP got a boost and flourished during his term as Additional DGP and DGP respectively where he minted crores of rupees by successfully escorting any type of contraband, especially ganja from Manipur and other states. The NSCN (K) claimed that “Mrs. Hesso Mao was no less better than her husband that almost all the smuggling networks were conducted under her supervision”.
It also stated that there was an instance of capturing a truck full of Ganja by “some police officer” at Dimapur ‘some years back’ but instead of being applauded, it invited the wrath of the DGP since the contraband belonged to Hesso’s wife herself.”
However, Mr. Hesso Mao was kind enough to only transfer the personnel to different corners but not of their likings,” Kips stated. Also, the NSCN (K) alleged that Hesso Mao was a driving force behind the NSCN (IM) excelling in anti-social activities.
During the time of DGP Lukhei Sema, the group stated, SS Agrawal was kidnapped by the NSCN (IM) for which Hesso Mao took a major initiative for his release. “But all that Mr. Hesso Mao could afford to help is press SS Agrawal to give up hope of other alternatives and end up by paying crores of rupees for his safe release”.
At the same time, Hesso was tossing over the mission accomplished and became richer with his share of booty shared with the Isak gang” the statement claimed adding that only during the present DGP’s time some breakthrough had been made in checking smuggling of different kinds of drugs. The NSCN (K) in response to “some NGOs” reacting to the assassination of former DGP late M Hesso Mao, asserted that Nagas have thus far stood the test of time to cleanse the society by doing away with criminals and “it will still be carried on even in future”.
The NSCN (K) cautioned Nagas to be clear that whosoever condemned Hesso Mao’s death “were condemning themselves and their own posterity”.
Security force alert in Nagaland Kohima | November 20, 2005 Webindia
Inspector General of Assam Rifles, north, Major General S S Kumar has said the security force in Nagaland was strictly adhering to the cease-fire rules but warned the underground outfits that it would not hesitate to react to any situation that endangered the life and property of the common people. Inaugurating a school building at Kezoma village, about 40 kms from here yesterday the IG warned the underground factions against frequenting the populated areas threatening the public safety.
'' While we have exercised utmost restraint in using force against the warring factions, we will not hesitate to take action against those threatening the safety of the public'', the general said. Reacting to a recent statement of the NSCN-IM leader Th. Muivah of pulling out of the ceasefire, he said the security forces were prepared to face any eventuality. Such a comment from top NSCN leaders would only encourage their cadres to move about freely perpetrating fear in the society, he added. Mr Kumar also admitted that the overall situation in the state was not satisfactory, especially in Athibung under Peren district, Noklak in Tuensang district and Tizit under Mon district following frequent factional fights. However, the security forces were aware of the movement of underground cadres and were taking stock of the situation, he said. The general also hinted that the military intelligence network has found some clues with regard to the twin bomb blasts in Dimapur on October 2 last year. But declined to give details as the investigations were on. UNI AS PC RA BS1136
Highlighting human rights The Statesman
Miki Fujii puts the spotlight on Indian filmmaker Gopal Menon whose documentaries focus on oppression and violence ‘Indigenous people have the answer to war, they don’t destroy civilisation and population...’
Indian filmmaker Gopal Menon, who makes documentaries about violence, communalism, human rights and the environment, hoped to highlight issues on the subcontinent in Japan during his September. The 31-year-old native of Kerala State in India, was invited to Japan as part of a human security studies project funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and endorsed by Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, to speak at the screenings of his films.
In Naga Story: The Other Side of Silence, Menon depicts the plight of indigenous people in the northeastern state of Nagaland, India. The Nagas are a racially distinct group with their own culture, beliefs and social rules that differ from mainstream Indians, yet they live under the control of the Indian armed forces. Menon decided to produce a documentary on Nagaland after meeting Naga students.
“I didn’t know what India had done to the Naga people, nor do most Indians,” he said. “Yet Naga students were so nice to me. Without hatred, they told me what the Indians did to them in their nice way and I was so shocked.
“Indigenous peoples have the answer to war. Indigenous people don’t destroy civilisation and population and they have the solution to human conflicts.
“We have a lot to learn from them. They also have answers to economic globalisation.”
Another of his films, Hey Ram! Genocide in the Land of Gandhi, examines the large-scale organised violence against Muslims in Gujarat in western India in 2002. It became the first film on the Gujarat riots to be widely screened in India and several other countries even as the violence raged. The film contributed to raising awareness of communal violence and the need to support the victims, particularly women and children. During the filming of the second part of the film in 2003, Menon was attacked by Hindu fundamentalists in Kerala. Despite facing numerous restrictions and threats during the filming and screenings, Menon continues to depict the serious consequences that result when people suppress others. —The Daily Yomiuri
AIDS: Wake-up call for N-E’s politicians From Anirban Bhaumik
DH News Service Guwahati: Deccan Herald
It’s time politicians of this country woke up to the menace of AIDS, which is fast assuming epidemic proportions in the North-East, according to the chief of the United Nation’s AIDS programme.
“North-East India is an exceptional region. Hence, it needs an exceptional strategy to combat the HIV/AIDS problem,” Dr Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, said on Saturday. He was addressing a conclave of chief ministers, MPs and MLAs of the seven North-Eastern states in Guwahati. Dr Piot said countering AIDS was fundamentally a “political challenge” and had to be looked into at the highest level in each state. “AIDS must be the focus of political will. But it needs to be kept above politics. Leaders of all parties should come forward to initiate a strong and united programme against AIDS,” he said. The conclave, organised by the Parliamentary Forum on AIDS, came two weeks after the Government of Australia announced promised US $ 8 million to fight AIDS in India’s North-Eastern region. UNAIDS is likely to set up an office in N-E to monitor implementation of AIDS projects. “Our top priority is to utilise the money in the best possible manner,” Dr Piot said. The National AIDS Control Organisation has already put three North-Eastern states — Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram — under the “high-prevalence category”. Manipur alone accounts for almost 71 per cent of AIDS cases in the region. All three states share borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh. Experts believe the region’s proximity to drug dens such as Laos, Myanmar and Thailand makes youths here more prone to drug addiction and AIDS. “AIDS knows no borders and the North-East exemplifies it, ” Dr Piot said.
NACO Director Dr S Y Qureishi said the growing number of AIDS cases detected among security personnel deployed in North-East was a major cause of concern. Assam Rifles (AR), an elite para-military force deployed for counter-insurgency operations in several North-Eastern states, had a few months ago realised the fact that it loses more men to AIDS than to the militants’ bullets. Altogether 118 AR soldiers have been diagnosed HIV+ and 32 of them have died till now.
Elected representatives of Northeast sign AIDS declaration Sushanta Talukdar The Hindu
Guwahati: Elected representatives of the Northeast on Saturday signed a "Guwahati declaration" resolving to draft legislation guaranteeing universal access to treatment of AIDS and ensure that people infected or affected by the epidemic are not subject to discrimination. The declaration was signed here at the "Northeast Convention of Elected Representatives" organised by the Parliamentarians Forum on HIV/AIDS. The Chief Ministers of Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim were present. The declaration called for creating a standing committee of the legislative houses of the region to be chaired by the Chief Minister to review and monitor the State's response to the epidemic. Project Director of the National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) S.Y. Qureishi said alarm bells have been sounded in the Northeast as three States — Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram — are in the high prevalence category.
Tribesmen torch 12 houses in Assam By Indo Asian News Service
Guwahati, Nov 19 (IANS) Suspected Karbi tribesmen torched at least a dozen homes of a rival tribe Saturday in Assam's Karbi Anglong district where bloody ethnic clashes last month killed 90 people.
Armed miscreants attacked Monhanjua village, about 310 km from Assam's main city of Guwahati, and torched around 12 houses of the Dimasa tribe.
'There were no casualties as the houses were abandoned with the villagers residing in makeshift shelters after they fled their homes during the clashes last month,' a police official said.
Police and paramilitary reinforcements were rushed to the area and a hunt was launched to nab the attackers, the official said. More than 30,000 people of the two warring tribes are still staying in refugee camps set up by the government.
The majority Karbi and the Dimasa tribesmen have been engaged in a bitter turf war for many years with the situation turning violent in recent weeks with armed militants of both the tribes attacking rival members. The Karbis had borne the brunt of the recent attacks.
Implement projects to fight AIDS, says UNAIDS chief By Indo Asian News Service Guwahati, Nov 19 (IANS) The UN Saturday made a global appeal to implement the various projects for battling the dreaded AIDS/HIV and ensure that funds meant for combating the disease reached the affected people.
'There is a crisis over implementation of programmes in defeating HIV/AIDS and our response is to mobilise political momentum globally and to see that the fruits of investment help in checking new infections,' Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS, said. 'Out top priority is to make the money work and ensure that funds reach the people on the ground and best used,' he added.
Piot was speaking at a summit for 'Elected Representatives in India's Northeast on HIV/AIDS' organized by India's Parliamentary Forum on HIV/AIDS in Guwahati.
'AIDS has become one of the greatest leadership challenges of our time worldwide and the need is to have a vibrant political leadership that could take bold decisions to contain the epidemic,' Piot said.
'Today the issue of AIDS is in the same category of global warming or global terrorism and it is no longer an infectious disease alone.'
He said stigma was a major hindrance in controlling the epidemic.
'Stigma and discrimination all over the world has been a major obstacle in HIV prevention and treatment and we need to tackle it upfront,' Piot said.
'Instead of billboards warning against AIDS, a warm embrace by the chief minister or an elected representative to a person living with HIV could make all the difference and extremely productive in breaking stigma in the society.' India accounts for about 5.1 million HIV-positive people, next only to South Africa. India's northeast has been declared as one of the country's high-risk zones with close to 100,000 people infected with HIV. India's northeast lies on the edge of the heroin-producing 'Golden Triangle' of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand and independent estimates have put the number of regular intravenous drug users in the region at 300,000 -- a key cause of HIV infection here.
'The UNAIDS is committed to supporting measures in fighting the disease in India and especially in the northeast as the region is surrounded by international borders that is more vulnerable,' Piot said.
14 houses torched near Diphu Assam Tribune
DIPHU, Nov 19 – Unidentified militants ambushed a police party and set afire 14 Dimasa houses in Karbi Anglong district of Assam today. The ultras in two groups of about 25 each simultaneously ambushed a police party and set ablaze 14 houses at Lower Mohan Dijirwa in Diphu police station area at 5.10 am, DIG (Central Range) L R Bishnoi said. Armed with sophisticated weapons, the militants dressed in battle fatigue engaged the police in a fierce exchange of fire for over an hour, the DIG said adding, none of the securitymen were injured. A Chinese-made grenade, two magazines of AK-47 and 60 rounds of catridges of AK series were recovered from the site, Bishnoi said. The other insurgent group set 14 Dimasa houses on fire. –PTI
PREPAK rejects encounter theory, warns of response By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Nov 19 : Offering revolutionary salute to Yumnam Akaba alias Bhume (23) of Thoubal Kiyam tangjeng Heibong Leirak, the proscribed PREPAK alleged that the UG group’s senior army cadre was killed after arrest by Bishnupur district police commandos. Bhume was arrested from thinungei Mayai lei-kai residence of one maimu on november 18 morning and killed the same day as severe torture to extract information from the lance corporal (Army No 70254) failed, contended a PREPAK statement issued by its department of publicity and propaganda. Rejecting police claim of Bhume being slain in an encounter, the outfit clarified that the senior army cadre did not possess arms or documents when arrested.
the AK-57 rifle claimed to have been seized by the commando personnel after the fake encounter is the one recovered on November 9 during an operation launched in Thanga lawai area, it charged.
in case Bishnupur police had not produced the wea-pon to cover their extra ju- dicial conduct the same arm would have been handed over to gang members working under the patronage of police commandos, the PREPAK maintained. Stating that common people have realised involvement of commando personnel in nefarious activities, the statement cited general masses’ perception that only way to acquire wealth is to befriend commandos to substantiate its allegation. PREPAK warned of fitting response to the commandos’ high-handedness. It also expressed solitary to the suffering of the bereaved family.
Rebels ambush police party, torch 17 houses near Diphu From our Correspondent Sentinel
DIPHU, Nov 19: About 50 unidentified militants ambushed a police party and set afire 17 houses in Karbi Anglong district today. The militants in two groups of about 25 each simultaneously ambushed a police party and set ablaze 17 houses at Lower Mohandijua under Diphu police station at 5.10 a.m. Armed with sophisticated weapons, a group of the militants dressed in battle fatigue attacked a police party and engaged in a fierce exchange of fire with them for over an hour, while the other group started firing at the village headman’s house forcing the residents of the area to desert their houses. Taking the advantage, the militants set afire as many as 17 deserted houses.
According to eyewitness accounts, instead of going on the offensive, the police personnel preferred to stay in their defensive positions and continued firing. Two of the militants sustained injuries in the half-an-hour-long gun battle. The fleeing militants dragged away their injured colleagues. A PTI report adds that a Chinese grenade, two magazines of AK-47 and 60 rounds of catridges of AK series were recovered from the site. Later in the day, police and paramilitary forces launching a massive search operation to nab the militants encircled the militants as they tried to come back and enter the villages in the interior areas, police source said, adding, exchange of fire was on. Meanwhile, the All Dimasa Students’ Union, in a press release today, condemned the violence in Karbi Anglong despite the Dimasas have been maintaining maximum restraint.
Govt not reciprocating ULFA gesture: Patgiri From our Correspondent Sentinel
JORHAT, Nov 19: Though the United Liberation Front of Asom has not indulged in any offensive activities since September 8, the Government is not reciprocating in the same measure and continuing to gun down members of the outfit. This was the opinion expressed by Dilip Patgiri, one of the members of the ULFA-constituted People’s Consultative Group, while talking to The Sentinel here today. The Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba-Chatra Parishad adviser had come to attend a conference on the "demand of full autonomy for Assam" organized by the youth body today.
"Peace is a two-way process," Patgiri said. He reiterated the need for cessation of all hostilities between the Centre and the ULFA to push ahead the nascent peace process. Despite the restraint exercised by the ULFA, the security forces have killed its cadres at Bilasipara, Mangaldai and Pengeri in the recent days, the AJYCP adviser pointed out. On the second round of talks between the Government and the PCG to prepare the ground for a peace dialogue with the ULFA, Patgiri said that it was likely to be held next month. He pleaded ingnorance on the venue (Delhi or Assam) of the talks. The PCG member revealed that the panel would meet next week to sort out the agenda for the second round of talks with the Government. The State Government will perhaps spell out its own agenda in the coming days, Patgiri said.
The AJYCP adviser, however, stopped short of disclosing any details about the proposed issues to be taken up in the meeting of the PCG. "Our chief coordinator, Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami and coordinator Rebati Phukan will decide on this," he said. In any case, these are early days, Patgiri said, adding that everything is at a tentative stage at this point.
ADSU condemns KA violence Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Nov 19: The All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU) has condemned the continuing violence in Karbi Anglong despite the fact that the Dimasas are exercising utmost restraint. After a lull in the violence, the Karbis have again started attacking the Dimasas and burning their houses, one recent in the series being the burning of the house of Bhagyalala Jidung at Diphu on November 16. The ADSU has also condemned the quit notice issued to the Dimasas in Karbi Anglong, especially to those living in Amulapatty area of Diphu town, by a little known outfit, Karbi Solidarity Troops. It termed it as the brain child of UPDS. This is a clear indication that the Karbis are bent upon keeping the flames of violence and hatred alight with the ulterior motive of driving out the Dimasa and also to usurp the land and homes of the Dimasas in Diphu. The DHD has, in its release, cautioned the other tribes of Karbi Anglong of the danger that might befall them if, what it said, the Karbis succeed in their nefarious design. "At a time when the situation has become almost normal, the quit notices issued to the Dimasas are intended to keep the embers of violence alive," it said. Moreover, the recent kidnapping and killing of two Hindi-speaking people at Salijan under Bokajan police station was to put the blame on the Dimasas and turn the Hindi-speaking community against the Dimasas, it added. The DHD alleged that even the district civil and police administration failed to identify the culprits or arrest them. The quit notices have already created panic among the Dimasas in Karbi Anglong and if the State Government does not take timely action the situation may again go out of hands, the statement warns. The ADSU has appealed to the Government of Assam and all concerned to look into the matter urgently.
DSCG warns retaliation against ‘quit notice’ Sentinel
DIPHU, Nov 19: The Dimasa Students’ Community of Guwahati (DSCG) has expresses deep regret over the quit notice served on the Dimasas living in Karbi Anglong by the newly-floated Karbi militant outfit, the Karbi Solidarity Troops (KST). It has called for immediate arrest of those concerned who are behind the quit notice, a press release stated. The DSCG warned those behind the quit notice to refrain from such provocative moves and irresponsible statements on a sensitive issue. It said that although the Dimasas are a minority community in Karbi Anglong, they are strong enough to protect themselves.
It alleged that the Karbi Solidarity Troops (KST) has been floated by some Karbi chauvinistic elements with the sole aim of cleansing the indigenous Dimasa community. It said that the statements of the newly-formed Joint Coordination Committee, a joint venture of 13 Karbi organizations reflected their double standard. One the one hand they were talking about peace and on the other they were keeping mum on the quit notices served against the Dimasas on November 10, it added. Karbi groups and other Karbi organization initially alleged that the conflict between the Dimasas and the Karbis was not an ethnic clash but an evil design by a third party. But now they claim that the Dimaraji demand of the DHD was the root cause of violence.
NHRC mulls team to KA Sentinel
NEW DELHI, Nov 19: Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Justice AS Anand yesterday assured the Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) of seriously considering sending a NHRC team to Karbi Anglong. The NHRC had already issued directions to the Government of Assam to submit reports of the clashes in Karbi Anglong to the NHRC by December 7, a press release stated. A delegation of Asian Centre for Human Rights met the NHRC chief yesterday and informed him about the violations of international humanitarian laws by the DHD and the UPDS in Karbi Anglong and the failure of the State Government to take adequate measures to protect innocent lives. "The situation has further worsened because of sub-human conditions of the displaced Karbis and the Dimasas, the inability of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to keep his words on providing compensation of Rs 3 lakh each to the relatives of victims killed in violence, failure of the State Government to announce any rehabilitation package and the failure of Dispur to initiate the judicial inquiry to identify the culprits," said Suhas Chakma, director of ACHR.
Dead migrant bird sets off Bird Flu alarm in Nagaland Nagarealm
Kohima, November 20 : A dead migratory bird recovered in Phekerukriema village in northern Angami area of Kohima district has set off Bird Flu alarm among authorities in Nagaland. According to official sources here today, the dead black migratory water bird was found in the vicinity of Phekerukhiema village and was handed over to the state veterinary department on November 14. The species of the bird is yet to be identified due to absence of an ornithologist in the state. The veterinary department confirmed that it was a water bird.
Departmental sources said the samples of blood, mucus and serum of the dead bird had been sent to Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), veterinary section, Barapani in Meghalaya for preliminary laboratory test. Meanwhile, the doctors from state veterinary hospital, Kohimaon collected samples from a migratory Egret caught by some people at the outskirts of the capital town by a team of doctors led by Dr. Simon Ao.
They allayed fears among the people of the state and said so far bird flu has not been detected by testing the bird. Superintendent of Dr. Imkongliba Memorial hospital, Mokokchung, Dr P Medem and civil surgeon Dr. Yangerla also confirmed that the death of nine persons in mysterious fever in Mokokchung district was not due to avian flu. They said out of the 79 patients admitted in the hospital till November 18, 15 cases were diagnosed with malaria, 13 cases with typhoid and 51 cases with fever. The medical officers urged the people of the state not to panic report cases of any dead bird to the authorities. He also appealed to the public to stop hunting birds, specially migratory water birds as it may lead to spread of the bird flu disease.[UNI]
