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12/26/2005: "Now, Centre for mid-January Naga talks"


Now, Centre for mid-January Naga talks
BHAVNA VIJ-AURORA NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 22: Keeping the government on tenterhooks, the NSCN(I-M) has refused to extend the six-month ceasefire, whuic will expire on January 31 2006. Even the government’s offer of granting them an autonomous status has failed to break the ice.

The government has convinced NSCN(I-M) leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah for another round of talks in mid-January to discuss extension of ceasefire. Centre’s emissaries, minister for planning and programme implementation Oscar Fernandes and K Padmanabhiah, had gone to Bangkok for talks last week only to return without assurance of ceasefire extension.

The talks with NSCN(I-M) were stuck over Greater Nagaland or Nagalim and granting of limited sovereignty. The emissaries tried to convince them that neither the Prime Minister nor the Centre could accept their present demand. Things must be within Constitutional framework, said a senior official.

Subsequently, they were asked to consider the autonomous status under Article 244A. The rebel leaders, however, did not relent and were insistent on their demand for the unification of all Naga inhabited areas, many of which were in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

‘‘Even the suggestion of unifying the areas is enough to create unrest in the neighbouring states. The Centre cannot take any chances and is therefore, treading cautiously,’’ the official added.

Moreover, there can also be no give on NSCN(I-M)’s demand for limited sovereignty, whereby they are insisting on a special federal arrangement in which the Nagas will have to be recognized as an independent entity.

‘‘This is not acceptable, specially since NSCN is not even willing to consider an autonomous system under which defence, foreign affairs, currency and communications will be New Delhi’s responsibility, while other subjects will be under the state’s jurisdiction. The Centre’s emissaries would be flying out again on January 13 for another round of talks in a bid to convince them.

‘‘Even they are under pressure to create unrest and force a migration of the local population,’’ sources in the government added.



NSCN (K) turns tables on GoI, fires at IM group
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 19: Taking strong exception to the hue and cry and the threat of abrogating the cease fire over the killing of former Nagaland DGP, Hesso Mao, the NSCN (K) today said that unlike the IM group it has not made any political commitments with the Government of India.

In a statement, the NSCN (K) today said that since it has not made any political commitments with New Delhi, the GoI is free to pull out of the cease fire any time.

Likewise the NSCN (K) too is free to break the cease fire anytime.

However as the IM group has committed itself politically to the GoI it cannot abrogate the cease fire under ordinary circumstances said the statement.

Referring to Clause C of the cease fire pact signed between the outfit and the Government of India, the statement said that some people have misinterpreted the cease fire ground rules.

On the other despite the clear cut ground rules, the GoI has been allowing the IM group to carry on rampant extortions, threats, intimidations, attacks and killings without any restraint, charged NSCN (K).

The NSCN (K) has been witnessing the excesses of the IM group with restraint but the silence of the GoI has exposed its irresponsibility and hypocrisy, charged the statement.

Making its stand clear, NSCN (K) said that it entered into a cease fire pact with the GoI under pressure from Naga NGOs like the Naga Hoho, NSF, NBCC, NPMHR etc and at the direct and indirect requests from the GoI.

The NSCN (K) leadership accepted the cease fire proposal to give peace a chance and expected constructive overtures from the IM leadership and GoI, asserted the outfit.

However Isak Swu and Th Muivah let loose a reign of terror towards all section of the Naga people and hoodwinked the people with talks of Solution, Integration, Independence and Sovereignty, said the statement.

Countless sittings have been conducted between the IM leaders and GoI during the eight and half years, said the statement and added that if sovereignty for Nagaland had been realised then the NSCN (K) would have accepted it as this is the objective of all.

However the Naga people have been betrayed by the IM leadership by climbing down from sovereignty and talking separate State and autonomous councils, which the Naga people already have since attaining Statehood many years back.

Today the stand of the IM group is Naga territorial integrity whereas the stand of the NSCN (K) is integration after settlement.

The stand of the IM group is settlement and then unity which means that all sections of Nagas will be united through coercion and killings which is nothing but a manifestation of hatred, said the statement.

On the other hand the stand of the NSCN (K) is unity before settlement which means accomodative spirit and goodwill, added the outfit.

The stand of the IM group is that all factions or sections of Nagas should surrender to them while the stand of the NSCN (K) is unity through reconciliation with the spirit of forgive and forget without digging up the crimes of Muivah and Swu, asserted the statement and added that these are the striking differences between the NSCN (K) and the IM group.

NSCN (IM) blacklists peace process ‘saboteurs’ Ceasefire may be extended for interim period The Morung Express News December 22

DIMAPUR: The NSCN (IM) has not only blacklisted the names of ‘saboteurs’ playing a negative role in the peace process but has also expressed resentment over the alleged connivance of Indian intelligence agencies such as the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the Intelligence Bureau with the NSCN (K) and the NNC/FGN.
While underlining that it had pinpointed four such persons including a senior Cabinet Minister in the UPA government and ‘others’ serving in various top level official capacities, the NSCN (IM) however refused to divulge the names at this juncture.
Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with this paper, a top NSCN (IM) official who has been involved in most of the peace parleys said the three main points which need further deliberations between the negotiating sides are, “joint defence, integration and some matters related to external affairs. Other points are more or less negotiable.”
The NSCN (K) and “Indian agencies” have also been alleged of attempting to cause a dampener in pushing forward the peace process and relaying false propaganda through the media to mislead and confuse the people. According to the official, secret meetings are arranged between the outfit headed by SS Khaplang and intelligence agencies.
Back from Bangkok only recently, the NSCN (IM) leader who works in close proximity with the Collective Leadership said there may be an interim period of ceasefire after the expiry of the same as made in the declaration during the last people’s consultation meet in Bangkok.
“The decision does not rest with NSCN (IM) alone”, the official said and also disclosed that Delhi does not want the ceasefire to expire.
A revelation made was that, after holding talk sessions, the NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th. Muivah keeps all crucial documents to himself and does not make them available even to Special Emissary to the Collective Leadership VS Atem. Blue prints demarcating the borders of ‘Nagalim’ have reportedly been outlined by both the NSCN and the Centre. Further, Muivah’s earlier statement in BBC’s ‘hard talk’ where he had said that no solution should be arrived at within the Indian union or constitution was reiterated.
Relating as to why Michael van C Praag, a council member of Kreddha, the Dutch-based non-profit organization earlier proposed to act as a ‘facilitator’ had gained importance in the peace process, the NSCN official had this to say:
“Michael understands the Naga problem. He has been deliberating with both India and the NSCN (IM). After the Indian government had recognized the ‘unique history’ of the Nagas, Padmanabhaiah (the Centre’s chief interlocutor in the peace talks) had made a statement that Manipur and Assam had unique histories as well. In response, Muivah had said that the NSCN (IM) would be withdrawing from the peace talks.
The interlocutor had then asked Michael to intervene to which he did. ”
Earlier, Deputy Kilonser of the NSCN (IM) Kraibo Chawang rubbished the allegation of rival faction NSCN (K) that Muivah and Atem had secretly submitted proposals to the Centre.
The NSCN (K) had alleged that its rivals had proposed the formation of Naga Inhabited Areas within the purview of the Indian Constitution. “The so called secret proposals do not belong to us but is the game plan of the Indian intelligence to confuse the Naga people and we have already condemned the so called document”, Chawang strongly reiterated.

Political Affairs
The gist of the matter: Differences of opinion from within the Union government over Naga issue
Hard talk: Muivah says no solution within the Indian union or constitution, NSCN (IM) claims of nexus between intelligence agencies, rivals
Delhi’s core concerns: Joint defense proposal seen as national security threat, will face flak if integration demand is met

NESO demands joint boundary panel

DIMAPUR, Dec 22: North East Students Organisation (NESO) has demanded that the Centre constitute a joint boundary commission involving all the NE states...

for an early and honourable settlement to the inter-state boundary disputes.

The apex students' body of the region in its two-day session at Dimapur in Nagaland on December 17 to 18 also adopted an eight-point resolution demanding Jammu and Kashmir-like status to the region, according to a press communiqué issued here today by All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) general secretary Gumjum Haider, who attended the session with a delegation.

Some of the important resolutions adopted include granting of land right and its natural resources to the people of the region, expediting political negotiations with different armed groups within a time frame, scrapping of the provision 3 (1) (A) (B) of the Indian Citizenship Act to prevent citizenship rights to descendents of illegal foreigners in NE, curbing ISI activities and establishment of administrative centre for the Look East Policy within the region, the communiqué informed.

NESO also decided to hold dharna in front of each Raj Bhawan of the seven Northeast states seeking immediate intervention of the Centre in tackling the problems confronting the region, the communiqué added. (UNI)

Independent living and living together: the right of the Nagas The Morung Express

DIMAPUR, DEC 20 (MExN): The General Secretary, South Nagas Union of Nagaland State (SNUNS) on behalf of the union has congratulated the United Naga Council (UNC), Manipur team for their successful trip to New Delhi under the dynamic leadership of Puni Modoli, President UNC.
C.D.Pao, General Secretary SNUNS stated that the UNC has taken the right steps at the right time and added, “this is the aspiration of the Naga people in Manipur in particular and Nagas in general”. Nagas in Manipur state are living in their own land since time immemorial which was given by God stated Pao and added that the Nagas never occupied others land. Asserting that land and people are inseparable, he stated, “The land where they (Nagas) are living belongs to them and them alone”. While pointing out the rights of the Nagas to be independent and to live together in their own land according to their will and aspiration, he stated that there could not be any compromise on the issue of unification of all Naga inhabited areas.
Stating that it was up to the centre to take appropriate step now, to bring about solution acceptable to all, Pao stated, “Otherwise none of the insurgencies in the North-East could be addressed through peaceful means”.
The SNUNS while conveying their sincere gratitude to Mani Charenamai, MP for his service to the Naga people and the role played in the Indian Parliament and in the UNC team at New Delhi, stated, ‘Naga people need true and real leader like him at this juncture’.

Nagas consolidate demand for a unified Naga political set up KOHIMA, (PTI) Outlook India

The demand for a unified Naga political set up gaining momentum amidst hopes of an early settlement of the vexed Naga conflict and unearthing of major irregularities in appointmetts in public service commission and school education department were major high points in Nagaland during the year gone by.

The year 2005 began on an optimistic note when the Naga peace process got a major boost with the arrival of top NSCN(I-M) leaders in Delhi and holding of discussions with Indian leaders to find a mutually accepted solution to the protracted Naga political problem.

The NSCN (I-M) leaders were also engaged in consultative meetings with representatives of various Naga groups during their stay in Nagaland and declared no solution could be found without integrating Naga-inhabited areas of the region in a single administrative unit.

Following the declaration, various Naga NGOs and churches spearheaded the campaign for Naga integration and rallies were organized in Naga-inhabited areas across Nagaland and Manipur. Both ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) ang opposition Congress expressed solidarity with the Naga integration rally organized by apex tribal council Naga Hoho at Kohima.

At the end of the year, the peace process appeared little uncertain when NSCN(I-M) threatened to back out from peace process if the conflict is not resolved within the current spell of the cease-fire which expires in January. But representatives of Government of India and the underground outfit held negotiations in Bangkok and decided to hold another round of talks next month.

Reports of intermittent armed clashes among rival underground groups, killing, kidnappings and extortions were received from various parts of the state during the year vitiating the comparative peace for which the naga people have been yearning for years.

The year also witnessed a bitter rivalry between the two tribes in the border district of Tuensang arising out of prolonged land ownership disputes. The rivalry reared its ugly heads in April after rival underground groups were involved in the dispute.

But the government brought the situation under control and engaged tribal councils to sort out their differences.

The ruling alliance also received a major setback when chief minister Neiphiu Rio sacked his once close confidante and Finance Minister K Therie for his alleged anti-party activity. On the other hand, Congress continued to corner the government on utilization of Rs 365 crore special Central grant and rejected the official white paper on the same.

After pressure mounted by students bodies and opposition Congress, the DAN government constituted special investigation teams (SIT) which unearthed major irregularities in appointments in Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and school education department. Many senior government officials were arrested in this connection.



Nagaland's Hornbill festival continues to be a fascination for all New Keraa
Kisama (Nagaland) : People of Kisama village in Nagaland had fun and frolic when several tribesmen from all parts of Nagaland showcased the best of their indigenous arts during the Hornbill festival hel this month.

The grand display of the Naga culture was a colourful event celebrated by tribesmen who arrived here from all parts of Nagaland.

Started in the year 2000, the Hornbill festival is aimed at bringing all the locally popular art forms and traditions on one platform. The mega event fascinates many tourists who come here from across the country and abroad to witness this extravaganza.

"The Hornbill Festival was started in 2000 to attract tourists because Nagas have so many festivals but they are all celebrated in different regions. So, the Hornbill festival was evolved to bring all these festivals together at one location and ensure maximum participation from all tribes of Nagaland," says K J Thomas, Assistant Director of Tourism of the Nagaland Government.

Paintings, woodcarvings, sculptures made by the Naga artistes were on display during the festival. The Naga troupes sang folk songs and perform traditional dances. One can enjoy indigenous games and sports. The evenings were rich with music concerts that make it a lively atmosphere.

Tourists found the festival charming. "We came here before and saw wonderful people live in Nagaland. The richness of culture and colours, all that folk tradition we see here is really fascinating. It feels really nice to experience others' culture like this. It is (something) that makes us come back all the time, " said Alder Hoppe, a visitor from Switzerland.

"It is true that such festivals are possible only because of the harmony that comes with peace. I think this should be made into a year long festival, something on the lines of Delhi Haat," said Virendra Sharma, a tourist from Dimapur in Assam.

The festival is named after the hornbill, a widely loved bird that feature up in the folklores of most of the Nagaland's tribes. Of the sixteen major tribes the notable amongst them are the Angamis, Aos, Chakhesangs, Konyaks, Kukis, Kacharis, Sumis, Changs and the Lothas.

GPRN details IM's 'secret document' to Centre
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 21: Asserting that the NSCN (IM) had submitted a secret proposal to the Government of India for settling the Naga issue, the GPRN reiterated charges upon the IM group of abandoning the cherished goal of the Nagas sovereignty.

A GPRN statement issued by its sectional officer C Obed Lotha detailing on the secret representation handed over to GoI officials in February 2005 at new delhi by Th Muivah and his emissary VS Atem cautioned the nagas on alleged sinister design and clandestine affairs of the NSCN faction. Contrary to the GPRN still holding dear Naga sovereignty the IM duo compromising the spirit and aspiration of the Nagas relied more on formation of ‘Naga inhabited areas' (NIA), said the statement and pointed out that ‘NIA is an effort from the Naga people to resolve their issue within the framework of the Indian Union' contained in the memo as belittling the blood and toil of the Nagas.

Another passage said to have been extracted from the secret document include the IM's assertion that ‘Naga history of British resistance be treated as a part of the Indian freedom movement and as the first organised revolution against British oppression as a part of the school and collegiate education in all the schools...'.

Divulging further details on contents of the documents, the GPRN cited the IM insisting that its proposals are needed for maintaining integrity of the masses to revitalise a new spirit, national level competitions and championships which will be set open in the State in the next five years.

Moreover, the IM duo's proposal covered developing a cricket team to play at Ranji trophy level as well as priority on preparing football team for participation at national level, C Obed added.

Informing that the GPRN had published texts of IM's ‘secret proposals' in booklet form which could be accessed from NSCN offices, the sectional officer referred to another section of the document which suggest that constitution of Naga Inhabited Areas ‘is to effectively marginalize and nullify the armed conflicts in the region and to silence other factions'.

Another passage implying that the IM group is willing to accept the Constitution of India relates to the document favouring Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution that guarantees special provision to Nagaland, said the GPRN.

It also observed that such contentions highly contradict the four point resolution adopted on September 4, 1974 at UN Sethi located near Ighanumi which borders Sumi and chakeshang regions.

Elaborating on the resolutions in which Th Muivah was the sessional secretary with Zashei Hurie as the sessional chairman, the statement cited the gathering endorsing unalterable historical facts of Nagaland being neither a part of India nor of any other country with the firm assertion that compromising rights of the Nagas would tantamount to misleading the people.

Based on ‘Nagaland for christ' the said session envisaged attaining the political freedom of the ‘country' only by pursuing the truth and through securely safeguarding the sovereignty of Nagaland at all cost, contended the GPRN statement.

It further conveyed of the UN Sethi congregation resolving to stiffly oppose any attempt to revise the national policy or deviate from the national right and stand while asserting that compromise of the cherished doctrines would ne construed as an act of treason and betrayal to the people.

Citing the above grounds and accepted pledges, the GPRN called upon the Naga people to understand not only of the IM group belittling the cause of the Nagas but to be wary of the NSCN faction trying to create divisions amongst various communities inhabiting in the region.

“The secret proposals of Th Muivah and his confidantes means exploiting people Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland as well under the pretext of creating NIA administration by injecting fear psychosis in the minds of the people exactly what Tangkhuls and their cohorts are doing today,” C Obed charged.

Ulfa camp busted in Assam New Kerala
Guwahati, Dec 22 : Assam Police and CRPF in a joint raid today busted a United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) camp in Assam's Golaghat area bordering Nagaland today.

A huge quantity of arms and ammunition, including two kgs of RDX explosives, was recovered from the site.

About eight insurgents, who were operating from the camp, however, fled after about two hours of encounter.

Camp was raided around 1615 hours. There was no report of casualty on either side. Police suspect that two militants were injured in the gun battle.

It was the first such encounter after the banned outfit showed its interest to come forward for talks with the Union government.

Nagaland too far, too remote, too unconnected Commentary Morung Express

I had never seen the shades of green that unraveled before my eyes as the car revved up the winding mountain road. It was a verdant world of greenest of green and bluest of blue. Pillows of white fluff were thrown here and there for cloud which ran along with me all the way from Kohima to Chizami.
Nagaland. A small state tucked away in the North East which is too far, too remote, too unconnected. Ask anyone, your neighbour, your chemist, your mechanic. Chances are it has never crossed their mind. Only exception is when momentarily the eye glides over news headlines; NSCN, ceasefires, protests, demands for Nagalim. On the cultural front there is greater recall; Naga costumes in brilliant colours, dances, war hoops and war cries. This essentially is all we urbanites know about Nagas.
But I was more fortunate. Not only Kohima and Dimapur I had the good fortune of visiting Chizami.
It is situated ninety kilometers from Kohima through a winding mountain road. I don’t like mountain roads; have never enjoyed car journeys to hill stations. But had I gone on a chopper I would never have seen the slender bamboos rising through dense forest cover and the plethora of colours splashed on green foliage; poinsettias, hibiscus, bougainvilleas, and scores of varieties of orchids. I recall when I was a small girl my brother in law, a brigadier in Indian army, was posted in a place which I could hardly locate on the map. My sister wrote inland letters to ‘Kohima’. Fifty years later I was to travel to that very place. Visit to Nagaland completed my parikrama around the North East.
My friend Monisha Behal had been regaling me with stories about Chizami for two years. She had started working in Nagaland with women and youth on issues of health. She had a small core group of women Chizami Women’s Society, women who dreamed of improving the lot of their people. They worked from homes. Then someone gifted them a piece of land. A resident of Chizami, N. Lohe had watched them working for two years. Their dedication and commitment won his trust. He had a piece of land on the hillside. North East Network Resource Centre, Chizami thus came into being. Villagers of Chizami donated materials and labour. Seno a woman from the village became the focal point and moving spirit. The building came up like a crest rising from the mountains—inspiring, promising.
Its sight is pleasing. With sloping roof and cheerful façade it is an emblem of ‘communitization’ a new concept of community ownership which has taken root in Nagaland. The careful arrangement of rows of marigolds lining the various paths which led up to the main building is a visual feast. The place was buzzing as if it was the centre of the universe. Momentarily, that universe was also mine!
Chizami is all about the President of India’s theory of PURA (Provision of Urban facilities in Rural Areas). Bringing urban facilities to rural hinterlands is to give youth a level playing field and incentive to stay on instead of flocking to cities like Kohima and Dimapur. It is a centre for village youth where they can work and play; where they can get involved with village development—from health and education to handlooms and handicrafts. No magic mantra, just simple common sense of engaging young men and women in development, giving them a sense of ownership and responsibility. This is what I saw as the spirit of Chizami. I saw many 12 to 14 year olds called ‘green volunteers’ rushing around. These were kids from the village who had come to the centre to offer their services and be part of the grand endeavor.
I learnt that villagers had to cut 139 trees to construct the centre but had already started planting tree for tree. 43 had been planted already and the rest will be planted soon, all fruit trees. The building has been carefully designed by a young woman architect; she designed a structure which would include many existing trees and plants. We sat on a platform built entirely of green bamboo. Our audience, villagers of Chizami, sat on the mountain slopes, a unique natural amphitheatre. Boys and girls appeared in their Chakkesang regalia. Music and dance seemed to flow down the slopes. A Naga skit told the story of a dying mother with three sons, each wanting to be her heir. The dying woman was Earth and her three sons were Tiger, Devil and Man. She did not want her inheritance for her tiger son who would eat everything in sight, or her devil son who would trick, mislead and spread canard. It was only her man-son who could preserve the heritage and save the earth. So man inherited the earth. What he did with it was beyond the scope of the skit. The point of the play was respect for environment and ecological consciousness of Naga youth.
Members of the Village Development Board accosted me. ‘In November we are going to commission our very own hydro electric project which will generate 200 kvs. After our needs are met there will be surplus. Will you help us to set up a mini industrial park for the youth of Chizami? It will give them skill development. We can teach them woodwork, food processing, granite, even gems…’ Big plans were unfolding before me. I looked at the young girls and boys rushing around the campus, bright faces full of laughter and fun. Just the right age to learn and benefit from these schemes being devised by their elders!
At lunch I was served the best Black Forest cake I had tasted anywhere in the world. ‘There was no oven. So we used hot sand to bake’. Athsole confided. I marveled at their innovativeness.
I left Chizami, laden with jams, preserves, juices made by young women and men from local pineapples, guavas, passion fruit, amlas, with help of Zinobia Schroff of Mumbai. It was 4 PM. In the east the sun sets early. Mountains wear a different look. Happy faces lined the hillside to wave goodbye. I left with regret which stems from being wrenched away too soon when you are having a good time! I decided then to remain linked with these people, women and men who aspire to bring development to their village without disturbing their equation with their natural surroundings.
Courtesy: Real Politk, New Delhi.
(December 2005 issue)
(Dr. Syeda Hameed is a Member, Planning Commission of India)

Gandhi's teachings to find place in Northeast institutions By Indo Asian News Service

Guwahati, Dec 21 (IANS) Mahatma Gandhi's teachings on peace and non-violence could soon form part of the curriculum for students in insurgency-hit northeast, a region that has witnessed a massive outflow of youths to other parts of India for further studies.

'We are currently involved in drafting a curriculum with help from a team of experts to include the subject of peace, mainly to teach students from Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography My Experiments with Truth,' noted Assamese writer and a professor at the Delhi University Indira Goswami said Wednesday.

'We would soon be submitting the draft curriculum to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for approval,' she said at a peace dialogue organised by the Centre for Development and Peace Studies, a think-tank based in the city, with support from the British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.

Goswami, a Jnanpith award winner, in her paper titled 'Northeast India: The Education, Militancy and Peace Linkage' said there was need to include 'the subject of peace and the ideals of Gandhi' to help the northeast get out of the conflict mode in the future.

'This new curriculum would be introduced in schools, colleges and universities to help the youths understand the Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence in a better perspective,' she said.

'People have almost forgotten Gandhi and only recently did the Delhi University introduce a subject on peace in its curriculum.'

Citing various reports and personal interactions with youths from the northeast studying outside the region, Goswami said a highly 'disturbed security situation' has forced many of them to venture out for further studies.

'Many of the students from the northeast live in extremely unhygienic conditions in and around the Delhi University campus but they still want to study outside as the situation back home is not conducive in terms of security,' she said.

'Moreover the syllabus in most of the colleges and universities in the northeast is outdated and needs to be revised.'

She said it hurt the sentiments of the people in the northeast when their 'rich traditions' did not find a place in history books taught in educational institutions.

'The 600-year-old Ahom rule in Assam deserves a place in Indian history books and it is a shame the syllabus has not been revised,' Goswami said.

CIA fomenting trouble in northeast: Tripura chief minist By Indo Asian News Service

Guwahati, Dec 21 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has accused the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of backing Pakistan's Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) to foment trouble in India's northeast.

'It's not only ISI but also CIA that is responsible for aiding and abetting rebels in the northeast,' Sarkar, who heads the state government led by his Communist Party of India-Marxist, told reporters Tuesday after the passing out parade at the North Eastern Police Academy near the Meghalaya capital Shillong.

'ISI is still active in Bangladesh and continue to back rebels of the northeast with CIA's support,' Sarkar was quoted as saying by Guwahati-based news portal northeasttribune.com.

'The main objective of this assistance is to destabilise the country,' he said.

Sarkar said he had informed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about this and also the existence of anti-India rebel camps in Bangladesh.

The Border Security Force and the central government have submitted a list of rebel camps in Bangladesh to Dhaka and urged it to dismantle them. But Bangladesh has denied the presence of such camps on its soil.



Package in the offing for Garo Hills From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
TURA, Dec 22 – The Meghalaya Government appears to have finally woke up to the reality that Garo Hills is extremely under-developed and much needed to be done to regain the people’s confidence. A high-level meeting was called by the Meghalaya Chief Secretary with the Deputy Commissioners of the three districts of Garo Hills and all heads of departments posted in the region recently.

The meeting is aimed at bringing forward a series of developmental schemes and projects targetted at the Garo Hills.

The meeting which began at the main secretariat in Shillong on Monday morning discussed at length ways to hasten the developmental works and creation of fresh proposals for the neglected parts of the region. The West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner P Sampath Kumar has also taken with him a number of schemes and proposals for clearance by the government.

Cash-for-query’ scam: 10 MPs held guilty, face expulsion Assam Trubune
NEW DELHI, Dec 22 – Ten Lok Sabha members, caught on camera accepting money for raising questions, were today held guilty by a House Committee which recommended their expulsion but the BJP dissented on the punishment being given “without” following “proper procedure”, reports PTI. The five-member Committee headed by senior Congress MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, held the continuance of the membership of the ten accused as “untenable”, but BJP member VK Malhotra appended a note of dissent to the report.

The 10 members are Narendra Kumar Kushwaha (BSP), Annasaheb MK Patil (BJP), Manoj Kumar (RJD), Y G Mahajan (BJP), Pradeep Gandhi (BJP), Suresh Chandel (BJP), Ramsevak Singh (Cong), Lal Chandra Kol (BSP), Rajaram Pal (BSP) and Chandra Pratap Singh (BJP).

“Considering the totality of the facts and circumstances of the case, the Committee is of the opinion that the allegation of accepting money by the ten members have been established,” it said in its 38-page report tabled in the Lok Sabha today.

As a follow-up action for implementing the Committee reccomendation, a resolution is likely to be moved in the Lok Sabha tomorrow, last day of the current winter session, for expelling them from the House.

If the House adopts such a course of action, the BJP would be the biggest loser as its strength would deplete by five from 136, followed by three of BSP (18) and one each of Congress (147) and RJD (24).

“In the Privileges Committee the tainted members will have a right of cross examination, arguments, defence etc., which is necessary for natural justice,” Malhotra said.

In its recommendation, the panel said that “howsoever harsh it may sound, the continuance of these members as members of Lok Sabha will be untenable”.

“The Committee accordingly recommends that the House may consider the expulsion of the ten members from the membership of the fourteenth Lok Sabha”, the 38-page report said.

The Committee said considering the “totality of the facts and circumstances of the case, it is of the opinion that the allegation of accepting money by the said ten members have been established.

“The Committee further notes that it is difficult to escape the conclusion that accepting money had a direct connection with the work in Parliament.

The Committee felt that such conduct of the said members was “unbecoming” of Members of Parliament and also “unethical”.

“The Committee is, therefore, of the view that their conduct caused for strict action,” it said adding stern action also needs to be taken against the middle-men, touts and persons masquerading as private secretaries of MPs since they are “primary responsible” for inducing members for such activities.



KNF condemns killing
IMPHAL, Dec 22: The Kuki National Front (KNF) has strongly condemned alleged cold- blooded murder of its defence secretary Mangoi Kuki by Imphal West police commandos.
In a statement, information and publicity secretary of the outfit LH Stephen informed that Mangoi was arrested by the commandos from Paona Bazar area on December 21 at around 11 am. The commandos then telephoned his (Mangoi) wife to pay Rs 3 lakhs for his release within three hours. His wife arranged the money and paid the said amount to the commandos. But instead of re- leasing, the commandos took him to Kangchup area where he was shot dead at around 3.30 pm of the same day, the statement alleged.
Condemning the killing, the outfit has appealed to the authority concerned to punish guilty securitymen while warning that KNF would no longer restrain from striking State security forces if such acts continue in the future.
While informing that the slain defence secretary was on a mission for the last several months for a peaceful negotiation with the Indian security forces, the outfit lamented that Mangoi was killed even as the KNF is currently negotiating on ceasefire agreement with both the Central and State Governments. It also conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.

Plebiscite meet By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Dec 22: A public meeting held at Kakching Khunou Bazar today has endorsed the proposal for holding plebiscite under UN supervision as proposed by UNLF to resolve the Manipur-India conflict.
The meeting jointly organised by All Kakching Khunou Meira Paibi Wel-fare Association, Progres- sive Youth Club and United Youth Club, further resolv-ed to exert pressure on the Government of India and other authorities concern-ed for taking up necessary measures in this connec-tion.
All Kakching Khunou Meira Paibi Welfare Association president S Keina- hal, secretary Kh Mema, ex-chairperson Th Bimola, Kakching Khunou College principal Kh Ibetombi, social worker Ibobi Meitei, Councillor Kh Kunjo Mei-tei, social worker S Sanahal, social worker Th Bhorot and Thoubal District Unit-ed Women’s Development Organisation president K Thasana Leima were presidium members of the meeting. Prof Ch Priyoran-jan of Economics Dept, MU; UPF president Y Dev-adutta, National teacher awardee Th Rameshwor and All Kakching Khunou United Clubs’ Organisation secretary Kh Ranjit were among those who spoke as resource persons during the meeting.




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