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11/21/2005: "Nagaland CM meets Patil, wants Naga issue settled soon"


Nagaland CM meets Patil, wants Naga issue settled soon NEW DELHI, NOV 21 (PTI) NAGALAND-PATIL Outlook India
With Naga militant outfit NSCN (IM) building pressure on the Centre to settle the vexed Naga issue quickly, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio tonight met Home Minister Shivraj Patil urging an early resolution be worked out. "Both sides should be sincere and should try to resolve the issue soon. It should not take too long," Rio told PTI after meeting Patil at the Home Minister's residence here.
Rio said they discussed the law and order in Nagaland and "also the political situation related to the peace process." NSCN (IM) General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah had recently threatened to call off peace talks with the Centre if New Delhi failed to reach a final political settlement of the vexed Naga issue within the current spell of the ceasefire.
"No one should take the Nagas for granted. This is the last tenure of ceasefire we will have with India. Unless Delhi can reach a settlement within this date, they will have to take responsibility for breakdown of the talks," Muivah had told BBC from Bangkok. The current spell of ceasefire between the Centre and NSCN (I-M) expires on January 31.
Peace talks between NSCN(IM) and the Centre had started more than seven years ago and Rio said there was "frustration" among the people because of the delay in working out a resolution.
"I think they have come much closer but discussions are stuck on some major issues. But I am hopeful," he said. Patil showed interest in resolving the issue soon, the Chief Minister said.
SF on the alert against IM Newmai News Network
Dimapur, Nov 20 : The security forces seem to be on full combat-alert as the six-month duration of cease-fire between the government of India and the NSCN-IM is nearing its end. The current term ends on January 31, 2006.
While the NSCN-IM has been threatening to break its cease-fire with India if the ongoing dialogues are going to be further prolonged, the security forces, on the other hand, have signalled that they are ready for combat as indicated by GOC (Nagaland) Major General SS Kumar.
The Major General said yesterday in Nagaland that the security forces are prepared to face any eventuality while referring to the threat of NSCN-IM supremo Th Muivah that it will pull out of the current cease- fire and the cadres will go back to the jungles to restart the armed conflict.
On November 3, NSCN-IM general secretary Th Muivah in an exclusive interview with the BBC, had expressed his frustration by threatening to end the current cease-fire.
According to reports carried in today’s edition of Dimapur based dailies, the GOC also came down heavily on the NSCN factions. In an obvious reference to the two warring factions, particularly in the wake of heightened tension prevailing in parts of Nagaland due to clashes between the two factions, IGAR (North) and GOC Nagaland, Maj Gen SS Kumar yesterday warned that the security forces would not tolerate any situation that endangers the common public and that security forces would not hesitate to arrest or engage in combat against any person threatening the safety of the ordinary citizen.
“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 by engaging in combat in public places”, the General said at a tete-a-tete after inaugurating the new building of St. Mary’s School at Kezoma in Nagaland on Saturday. He further warned the factions against frequenting or residing in civilian- populated places. Expressing his dismay over the recent clashes between the warring factions in populated areas, the Major General said, “I’ve always been restraining my jawans against engaging with them but they are trained soldiers and their patience is running out. If this goes on, we may have to confront them for the safety of the common people”.
He also insisted that the security forces in the state have been strictly adhering to the ceasefire ground rules.
Meanwhile, the Major 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.
NEHRU’S LESSONS FOR MANMOHAN Twenty-Twenty / Bharat Bhushan The Telegraph Virtually every Naga knows the story of their elders who went to Gandhi in July 1947, demanding independence. Gandhi apparently told that he believed that the Naga Hills belonged to India just as much as to the Nagas, but nobody could force them to accept this. When the Nagas complained to him about the veiled threat of force against them, Gandhi declared, “I will come to Kohima and ask them to shoot me before they shoot the Nagas.” As for Nehru, he is alleged to have threatened that he would plant a soldier for every tree in Nagaland to ensure that the Nagas do not get independence. However, a letter marked “secret and personal” written by Nehru to the second chief minister of Assam, Bisnuram Medhi, available in the archives, shows Nehru’s understanding of the Naga issue was far more sympathetic than popularly believed.
Nehru described the Nagas as a people who were “sensitive and proud”. He urged Medhi to recognize that these were tough people who had “internal democracy and sense of discipline.” He said that the government had to be “careful” in dealing with them “lest we produce a problem which may pursue us for long years later.”Arguing against the use of force, Nehru wrote: “I am sure that...our approach should be friendly and not coercive. The latter approach will not succeed easily and will be a tremendous burden to India.”
The letter may have several lessons for the present Congress leadership on how to deal with the Nagas. Our present leaders seem to believe that there ought to be a uniformity of administration for all people and all states of India, and the aim should be to reduce the exceptions to the rule. This is contrary to the asymmetric federalism of our Constitution. Consider what Nehru had to say to Medhi: “...I am against any hurried attempt to absorb such areas into what is called the normal administration. Such tribes have a definite culture and way of living of their own and any attempt to break it might well lead to a rapid disintegration of the tribes”. He noted: “The British treated them as anthropological specimens to be kept for museum purposes and not interfered with. That was an extreme way of dealing with the situation which is not desirable, though it had some virtue in it. The other extreme way is to begin to treat them like any other citizen. This sounds democratic and good. But in effect it puts a tremendous burden on them because they are totally unsuited to compete with the acquisitive economy of other regions and other persons who exploit them and oppress them.”
Nehru, therefore, advocated a “middle way”. He suggested three principles for doing so: Interfere as little as possible with their natural way of living and customs; protect them from the exploitation; and open out ways of advance to them through educational and other social methods. However, he warned, “There should be no attempt to break up their social structure and adequate protection should be given to them from aggressive elements in other regions. Thus their land should be protected and such tribal democratic customs that they might have should be allowed to function. They must have a definite sensation of not being interfered with and at the same time of help being available.” “In other words”, Nehru concluded, “They should have a considerable measure of autonomy within large limits.”
When the NSCN (IM) talks of re-negotiating a federal relationship, how different is it from Nehru recommending — “autonomy within large limits”? The crucial difference is that Nehru was talking of autonomy within the Union of India. The Naga militants in negotiations with New Delhi have not come around to accepting a settlement within the Union and talk of a “close partnership between Nagaland and India.” Ultimately, the relationship could be equivalent to that of a Union but that the Nagas have not said this clearly remains a hurdle for New Delhi.
What is equally noteworthy is that Nehru was not advocating a rigid constitutional approach. New Delhi today, by contrast, wants the Nagas to settle within the Constitution, as it exists now. Nehru saw the Constitution as a citizen’s charter, which was flexible. Thus he wrote: “The present position is that Sir Akbar Hydari and (Gopinath) Bordoloi gave their assent to a nine-point agreement with the Nagas and signed it...This agreement does not wholly fit in with the Sixth Schedule. Personally, I think, this is not a very important matter. If necessary we can even make a special provision in the Constitution, provided we consider it desirable.”
He underlined the importance of commitments given and criticized attempts to wriggle out of the nine-point agreement, which he said was seen by the Nagas as a charter. He argued, “They would consider it a breach of faith on our part. It is true that the government of India never agreed to it and subsequently we passed a new Constitution. But this argument will not convince the Nagas in the slightest.” However, Nehru was clear that the Nagas could not get independence. “We are anxious to preserve as a large a measure as possible of their autonomy and their way of living and have no desire to interfere with it. Our desire is to help. But to talk of independence has no meaning and we cannot accept it.”
Nehru’s advise to Medhi, valid even today, was very clear: Do not try and absorb the Nagas too quickly into normal administration; recognize their unique situation and traditions of democracy; follow a friendly and not a coercive policy towards them; do not make them feel that an attempt is being made to submerge them in the sea of humanity that is India; honour all commitments made to the Nagas; and follow a visionary policy that thinks not “only of today’s problems but of tomorrow also and the day after”.
If the Manmohan Singh government were to follow these basic principles and the flexibility of Nehru, a settlement can be reached with the Nagas in a couple of years. The talks with the NSCN (IM) are at a critical stage. One false step can lead to the abrogation of the ceasefire and the insurgency can begin again. Yet, if the right decision is taken, a momentum would gather for a permanent resolution of the problem. Perhaps both Muivah and Manmohan Singh should re-read Nehru in the month of his birth anniversary.

TKS interim council reacts Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 20: The charges levelled by some vested interest against Naga Students' Federation (NSF) and its president and published in some Manipur and Nagaland based daily papers is very unfortunate, expressed TKS Interim Council.
A statement issued jointly by the Council's chairman Shokkai Khayi and secretary Vareiyo Shatsang described the charges as character assassination of not only the NSF president but an attempt to malign image of the apex students’ organisation of the Nagas.

The interim council having been constituted under Art 19 (4&5) of the NSF’s constitution to monitor the affairs of the Saklong for a period of one month within which time a new full fledged executive council would be installed by popular mandate, the statement said.

Stating that the interim council has been functioning effectively in the larger interest of the Tangkhul Katamnao in particular and the Nagas in general, they also urged all organisations of Ukhrul district to extend co-operation
Overall HIV cases still on rise in India: UN report NEW DELHI, NOV 21 (PTI) Outlook India Although levels of HIV prevalence appeared to have stabilised in some states in India, the overall situation continued to be on the rise due to increase in the infection among "at-risk population" in several states, a UN report released here today said.
"Diverse epidemics are underway in India, where an estimated 5.1 million Indians were living with HIV in 2003," the `AIDS Epidemic Update' brought out by UNAIDS and WHO said.
Although levels of HIV infection prevalence appear to have stabilised in some states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra, it was still on the increase in at-risk population groups in several others, it said adding "as a result, overall HIV prevalence has continued to be on the rise." However, state-wide prevalence among pregnant women was still very low in the poor and densely-populated northern states of UP and Bihar, it said warning even relatively minor increase in transmission could translate into huge numbers. The report said a significant proportion of new infections were occurring in women who are married but have been infected by husbands who frequented sex workers. While commercial sex (along with injecting drug use in Nagaland and Tamil Nadu) served as a major driver of the epidemic in most parts of the country, HIV information and awareness among sex workers appeared to be low, especially among those working in the streets, it said. "Surveys carried out in various parts of India in 2001 found that 30 per cent of street-based sex workers did not know that condoms prevent HIV infection and in some states such as Haryana, fewer than half of all sex workers (brothel and street-based) knew that condoms prevent HIV," it said.
Resignation of Naga MLAs on the cards Nagas begin non-cooperation against Manipur government Karaiba Chawang The Morung Express KOHIMA (MExN): The Manipur State government is reportedly putting a halt to all developmental initiatives for the four Naga inhabited districts, Tamenlong, Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel citing that it would be of no use in developing the districts as it will form part of another State. A reliable source also disclosed that Naga MLAs are contemplating to resign as they were frequently being tormented by the MLAs in the valley over the Naga integration issue.
“Their resignation will be a reality sooner than later and it is only a matter of when and the timing which is yet to be decided”, said a senior Naga leader from the region on condition of anonymity. He added that once the public and the civil society groups make a decision to this effect, the Naga MLAs will be recalled by their respective voters.
As per the latest information a delegation of MLAs from Manipur including those from the Naga community are now in Delhi with endless speculations doing the rounds.
Meanwhile, amidst skepticisms from various quarters over its effective outcome, Nagas in Manipur have begun their non-cooperation movement against the Manipur government as per the resolutions adopted at the Convention on November 4 last at Taphou, Senapati district.
However, two major resolutions namely cessation of paying house tax and non-acceptance of central funds through Manipur Government have been kept in abeyance for implementation in the coming year. United Naga Council sources said that Nagas had started boycotting Manipuri movies, songs and scripts and government activities in all the Naga districts as an initial step.
Process has also been initiated to stop using names of villages, places etc, which was earlier, christened in meitei dialect, and will be changed into indigenous names soon. However, since it requires certain procedure to adopt new names respective tribe hohos, students’ body and social organizations are still conducting the ground work. UNC president Puni Modoli disclosed that leaders of all Naga tribes in Manipur would meet again on March 31 next during the Lui-Ngai Ni festival to make a final declaration on the two main resolutions which need more time for consultations. At a convention held on November 4 last, Nagas in Manipur had decided not to accept any central fund through Manipur Government and had resolved to ask New Delhi to either send developmental funds either directly to the districts or to channelize the funds through the Government of Nagaland. A UNC delegation is expected to meet the Indian Prime Minister and submit a memorandum, after which the actual non-cooperation movement will begin.
Security Forces target ANSAM leaders The Morung Express
Kohima, Nov 20 (MExN): After the June 19 All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) sponsored economic blockade, Naga students in Manipur have become the target of Security force. ANSAM source told The Morung Express that student leaders were being frequently harassed by the security force after the blockade and were not so safe for them to move freely. Expressing unhappiness over the attitude of the security forces, an ANSAM leader also disclosed that there were 13 check gates just in Tamenlong alone, which caused absolute inconveniences to the people, especially the commuters. “Every few kilometers there are check posts. We are unhappy about the way the security forces act”, said ANSAM president Paul Langhu.
‘Rhakho not FGN’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, Nov 20 (MExN): Terming as “shameless” the title of GOC used by TM Rhakho in a press statement issued earlier, Major General Zao Nagi, the Deputy C-in-C of the Naga Army, Federal Government of Nagaland informed in a release that Colonel Thupuneyi alias TM Rhakho was dismissed from the outfit’s hierarchy on April 24, 2003. Rhakho was relieved from duty for his involvement in the “Indian puppet state elections in February, 2003,” according to Nagi. Rhakho is said to have resorted to use of violence. He is also reported to have snatched seven arms from the possession of the 15th battalion, 5th Brigade, S/C Naga Army for the very elections. Stating that the Article 15 of the FGN’s Yehzabo (Constitution) reads that no title shall be recognised without the approval of the “Government,” Nagi said, “Therefore the title he (Rhakho) is using is without the recognition of the FGN is only a disgrace to him; and the FGN will never allow him to mislead the Naga people.”
Meitei text in Naga areas causes uproar Newmai News Network November 20
Imphal: Come 2006, Manipur is going to witness a whirlwind change for good or for worse. The Nagas living in Manipur will definitely start implementing some of the agenda resolved in the November-4 Senapati Naga Peoples Convention. Meanwhile, the Naga students have started implementing its ban of Meetei Mayek (Scripts) training programme in the Naga inhabited areas in Manipur. The ANSAM is spearheading the banning of the script training programme which is being sponsored by the Manipur government’s education department. However, the releasing of text books in Meitei script for replacing Bengali script in all the schools in Manipur from the next academic session by Manipur Education minister Francis Ngajokpa yesterday in Imphal would mean to say that more turmoil is ahead in this regard when the script is introduced early next year.
The text books will be introduced in class one and two from the next academic session. Yesterday the minister also released Manipuri text books in Roman script for students who want to avoid learning the Meitei script. Majority of the tribal students in Manipur are expected to opt for romanised text books. Altogether 12 text books were released in the function held at the conference room of the Manipur Board of Secondary Education Manipur.
With the introduction of the Metei script and romanised text books Bengali script which is being used in Manipur for nearly three hundred years would be replaced in a phase wise manner.
Kisama all set to host Hornbill Festival Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Nov 20: Nagaland is wearing a festive look these days as the state-sponsored Hornbill Festival is knocking at the door. The festival which normally kicks off from December 1 every year
and continues for five days will continue for a week this time, official sources here said. The Hornbill Festival, which coincides with the state inauguration day, will be held at the Naga heritage village in the hills of Kisama, around 10 km south of the state capital from this year onwards.

Elaborate arrangements are underway at Kisama to meet the December 1 deadline .It has become customary for the Governor Shyamal Datta and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to open the curtains to the festival. According to official sources, this year’s festival is likely to draw record number of tourists from different parts of the country and abroad. One of the major highlights of the festival this year is expected to be the hornbill music festival, which will stretch throughout the seven days. The state is also awaiting the state sponsored ‘Year of the youth empowerment culmination programme’ which is scheduled in the later part of December this year under the aegis of Youth Resources and Sports department. The three day youth festival will be marked with events in sports, music, fashion and beauty, cultural exchanges etc, sources added.

Kohima, the state capital, is likely to witness a complete festival atmosphere as the municipal council will be calling upon all business houses to keep shops open till late into the evening.
The next event on the cards include the much-awaited 20th North East Sports Festival which is scheduled to be held at the new Indira Gandhi Stadium at Kohima after Christmas.
Assam Rifles Inspector General warns underground factions Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Nov 20: 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
Britain launches education road show in northeast Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service Guwahati, Nov 20 (IANS) Britain Sunday launched a road show in Assam as part of a weeklong drive to attract students for higher education in that country.
'More than 16,000 Indian students went to the UK last year. We expect the number to increase to about 21,000 during the next academic session,' said British Deputy High Commissioner in Eastern India, Andrew Hall.
Hall Sunday flagged off a bus named Education-UK here. It will halt at various schools and colleges in the city and in adjoining Meghalaya state. 'Our staff members from the British Council and the British High Commission in India will interact with students, guardians and teachers to talk about the opportunities for higher education in the UK,' said Sujata Sen, director of the British Council in eastern India. The British government has announced a 10 million pounds package for promoting academic links with India.
'There are lots of scholarships available and our staff members will help the students get an idea of what is on offer,' Hall said. 'Compared to other counties, education available in the UK offers shorter value-packed courses that ensure quicker employment guarantees, besides being extremely cost efficient,' he said. Most Indian students in Britain were pursuing courses in business studies, law, medicine, humanities and social sciences, design and creative industries, the diplomat said. The road show has become an instant hit, with hundreds of students and parents making enquires about prospects of studying in Britain.
'Foreign education is today at our doorsteps and all we need to do is to grab the opportunities,' said Ankur Barman, a young medical graduate aspiring to go for higher studies to Britain.

Tirap festival to showcase Arunachal Assam Tribune
ITANAGAR, Nov 20 – The scenic little township of Khonsa in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh is gearing up for what promises to be an unprecedented cultural extravaganza –Tirapfest 2005. Tirapfest, a youth integration programme with ‘Breaking barriers, building bridges’ as theme, is an initiative of the District Administration Department of Tirap and Changlang, along with Don Bosco Youth Centre, Khonsa and other NGOs. The event is expected to bring together over 1,500 youth to Khonsa for the three- day live-in programme starting December 15, a Press release said. Although most of the youth delegates will be from the Northeastern States, groups of youth from outside the region, even distant Andaman, will participate in Tirapfest 2005.

Sudhir Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, who is also the chairman of the festival, said the primary objective of the programme is to promote values of peace, brotherhood and communal harmony among the youth of the nation.
Tirapfest 2005, said Kumar, is also meant “to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Tirap and Arunachal in particular and Northeast India in general.” According to Don Bosco Father Cyriac, Director of Don Bosco Youth Centre, Khonsa, and the organizing secretary of Tirapfest 2005, youth groups from about 50 various ethnic groups have confirmed their participation. The list of dignitaries expected to attend the programme include Governor of Arunachal, Chief Minister of Arunachal and Director General (Assam Rifles) Shillong. A series of instructive sessions on topics like HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and peace are also lined up for the participants of Tirapfest 2005. The HIV/AIDS campaign “Know AIDS for No AIDS” will be animated and spearheaded by the UN Office for Drugs and Crime under the aegis of the DG (AR) Shillong and Dr Colonel Khanna (Retd).

The organizers of the mega event have also assured that the youth will have a wonderful time on the entertainment front. Reputed fashion designer Abhijit Sinha of Miss Mega NE 2005 fame, who is currently getting ready for a show in Paris, will choreograph an ethnic fashion wear show at Tirapfest 2005. The magnitude of the plans and the gigantic scale of preparations currently underway seem certain to make Tirapfest 2005, a milestone in the history of Arunachal. The organizers point out that there has been tremendous enthusiasm and interest in the event among all sections of people. The pristine glory and grandeur that Arunachal is, awaits to enthral the youngsters with its leaf-fringed legends, mountains and waterfalls. The hills do beckon, “Come to this riot of color and culture, drums and dances.”
Dimasa Students’ warns of severe consequences NET News Network
Guwahati, Nov 21: The All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU) today warned that if the violence against Dimasa people do not stop immediately, then massive democratic movements like road blockade would be launched and added that they would go to any extent to protect the life and property of the Dimasas. The students’ Union further asserted that the Karbi miscreants continued violence even after the appeal of State Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and that too after the security forces were employed. “ The Dimasa people continues to be the victim of Karbi chauvinism and it is very unfortunate that the State Government has failed to take appropriate action”, informed Prafulla Hafila, president, ADSU.
Hafila also lambasted the newly formed Karbi Solidarity Troops (KST), who served quit notice to the Dimasas living in KA, though it was withdrawn later on but warned the Dimasas to refrain from aiding DHD, which, according to ADSU, is a clear intention of neutralizing Dimasa community. ADSU also condemned the incident of grenade lobbing at the residence of Sailen Hasnu at the heart of Diphu town on Sunday last.
“The restraints maintained by Dimasas should not be taken as our weakness “, continued Prafulla while pinpointing the ineffective role of the civil societies of KA. The Students’ body has demanded the arrest of Pradip Singnar, George Malik, executive members of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council besides urging the arrest of A.R Choudhury of KST. Meanwhile, the student body is initiating a series of civil massive movement on Nov 28 in city’s last gate area in protest of government’s inaction in protecting life and property of Dimasas.
Education UK’ bus rolls in city By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Nov 20: To boost the bilateral relationship between India and the United Kingdom, the UK-India Education Initiative which was launched by British Prime Minister Tony Blair at New Delhi a few weeks back, would be strengthened and made more extensive. This was stated by Dr Andrew Hall, British Deputy High Commissioner, Eastern India, while interacting with media persons in the city today. Dr Hall said that the UK continues to be the top destination for Indian students going abroad for higher education. "Flexible teaching systems, shorter, value-packed courses ensuring quicker employment, plenty of scholarships for meritorious students, are some of the reasons why students from India opt for the UK," he said.
It may be mentioned here that a delegation from the British High Commission is currently in Guwahati to promote the UK-India Education Initiative in the city and Shillong. This would be done through a ‘Mobile Roadshow’ wherein the branded Education UK bus will visit several schools, colleges and universities in Guwahati and Shillong. Information and counselling would be provided to students interested to pursue their education in the UK by the staff travelling in this special bus. Sujata Sen, Director, British Council, East India, while addressing the media persons said that several programmes highlighting the education facilities in the UK have been lined up for the students in the city. An interactive seminar for the students would be held at Vivekananda Kendra on November 25, and a teacher training workshop would be held on November 24. According to officials of British Council, the objective of the workshop is to orientate the teachers in the teaching of communicative English. Meanwhile the Roadshow bus was flagged off by Dr Andrew Hall and renowned singer Zubin Garg.
Opening of Stilwell Road demanded From our Correspondent Sentinel
TINSUKIA, Nov 20: Under the auspices of All India Youth Federation, Ledo regional unit, a public meeting was organized at Ledo Railway Club with Ranajyoti Neog in chair. Speaking on the occasion, Subhas Dutta, joint secretary of AIYF state unit, said that the centre should open the Stilwell Road for socio-economic development of Assam. While explaining the objective of the meeting, Jitu Gogoi, highlighted the need for opening up the Stilwell Road for creating an international market directly linking Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.
The meeting decided to organize a citizens meeting on December 20 for a wide ranging discussion and creation of public opinion for extending the proposed express highway up to Lekhapani and opening up of the Stilwell Road. The meeting also decided to form a Stilwell Road Express Highway Development Demand Xamity with former MP Dhrupad Borgahain as president and Ranajyoti Neog and Jitu Gogoi as joint secretaries for the above mentioned demands.


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