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12/30/2005: "NSCN (IM) denies setting up Lineof Actual Control inside Assam"

NSCN (IM) denies setting up Lineof Actual Control inside Assam The Morung Express News December 29
DIMAPUR: Despite Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s repeated assertions that “Not an inch of Assam land would be given to Nagaland”, there are allegations over the unabated encroachment and atrocities triggered by Nagas reportedly at the behest of NSCN (IM), where over 1.4 lakh acres of Assam land all along the six sectors of four districts have come under the dominance of Nagas currently. According to news report carried in The Sentinel, a leading Assam based news daily, besides allegations of Naga atrocities like assault on transport operators and grazers, it was also pointed out that on December 7, armed Naga ultras had intimidated the villagers of Grazing village (Mogroi), 32 km from Jorhat to quit the village.
As per the news report, Assam Forest Department sources also disclosed that ‘Government of People’s Republic of Nagalim’ is contemplating to set up an LAC on Assam soil —engulfing 18 encroached Naga villages of Dessoi Valley, Dessoi and Tiru Hills reserve forests of Jorhat district. It also alleged that two subdivisions of Nagaland already exist on Assam soil —Newland in B Sector (Golaghat) and Tizit in F Sector (Sivasagar).
Assertion of a tacit deal and prior understanding between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) that the latter’s demand would be conceded at the cost of the three neighbouring States of Nagaland are also doing the rounds. Not to be left out, the Nagaland Government has also been charged of making concerted moves to set up an administrative subdivision of 60,875 acres of land in Doyang.
The NSCN-IM on its part maintains that at present, Naga areas have been subdivided by the Government of India into four different administrative units in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland. Likewise, Myanmar too has claimed parts of Naga areas and has divided it under two administrative units of Kachin State and Sagaing division. A map of Nagalim, released by the NSCN-IM, claims the Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills District of Assam. Besides, the map is also shown to include parts of the districts of Golaghat, Sibasagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, and Jorhat. It also includes Dibang Valley, Lohit, Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh and significant parts of the four of the seven districts of Manipur – Tamenlong, Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel.
Meanwhile, denying the statement that it was contemplating on setting up a Line of Actual Control on Assam soil, the NSCN (IM) today said that there was no question of such a move being undertaken. “Recognition of traditional territory of the Nagas is an integral part of solution,” an NSCN (IM) home ministry source said. “The people and the land can never be parted,” the official said. The outfit’s stand that there is no greater or smaller Nagalim was reiterated.
Interestingly, there have been reports that the Government of India had offered during the peace talks an autonomous status under Article 244A. As per the said article Parliament may, by law, form within the state of Assam an autonomous state comprising all or any of the tribal area specified.
30 AR reaches out
to recovering addicts

Colonel Sanjay Kapoor of 30 Assam Rifles extends his hand of friendship with a recovering addict at Care Counseling Centre, Mokokchung.
DIMAPUR, DEC 29 (MExN): 30 Assam Rifles as a good will gesture went out to celebrate Christmas with inmates of Care Counseling Centre on December 28.
Besides cakes and eats, Col Sanjay Kapoor, Commandant took a host of gifts items like DVD player, chairs, volley ball set, badminton set for four, bed sheets, towels and other toiletry items. He also presented medicines, bags of rice, flour, sugar, refined oil. “These items were presented by the Commandant after knowing the desire of the people when he had met them on December 15 at the centre itself,” a release said.
Speaking on the occasion, Col Sanjay Kapoor mentioned that we should not discard drug addicts and look down upon them and rather condemn the drug abuse as such. Efforts should be made by the society in general to bring these people to the main stream of the society; it was mentioned in the release. Centres like these are doing a noble job and we should all come forward and get emotionally and materially involved for the cause and make positive contributions.
He promised frequent interactions and looking after the centre in future also. He played indoor games with the inmates. As a return gift the inmates promised that they would never ever indulge in drugs again, according to the release.
KIM hails Hoho call
IMPHAL, Dec 29: Saying that it was an apt Christ-mas message in as much as Christ came into this world to reconcile the sinful world with God, the Kuki Inpi, Manipur has hailed the statement of the Naga Hoho and the Church leaders which pleaded for the extension of the Naga ceasefire beyond January next. A statement issued by KIM observed that continua-tion of the talk would be in the interest of both ‘our spiritual and material well being.’ It also pledged its support in finding an amiable solution to this vexed problem of Naga insurgency while conv-eying their wish for a happy and prosperous New Year. However it cautioned that attempts to impose the will of Nagas alone would defy all probable solutions.
2nd NSF Federal Assembly in Jan
KOHIMA, Dec 29: A Press communique released by NSF Speaker W.H Maring notified all all the Federating Units and Subordinate Bodies of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF)
that the 2nd Federal Assembly shall be held on the 28th January 2006 at Conference Hall, Naga Club Building, Kohima.

He also added that many important issues needed to be seriously discussed for which all units were informed to attend the meeting without fail.
Naga political set up, appointments irregularities, high point of 2005 in Nagaland NET News Network
Kohima, Dec 30: Demand for a unified Naga political set up gaining impetus, hints of early settlement of the Naga conflict and the unearthing of major irregularities regarding the appointments in the Public Service Commission and School Education Department stands as the high points in Nagaland during the year 2005.
The year 2005 took off on an optimistic note with the Naga peace process getting a boost up after the top NSCN (I-M) leaders arrived in Delhi to participate in the discussions with the Centre to find a mutually accepted solution to the protracted Naga political problem.
This was followed by NSCN (I-M) leaders engaging themselves in consultative meetings with representatives of various Naga groups and reached on a consensus that no solution could be found without integrating Naga-inhabited areas of the region in a single administrative unit.
After this declaration, various Naga NGOs and churches spearheaded the campaign for Naga integration. Rallies were organized in Naga-inhabited areas across Nagaland and Manipur.
The ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) and opposition Congress expressed solidarity with the Naga integration rally organized by apex tribal council Naga Hoho at Kohima.
The peace process, at the end of the year, received a jolt when NSCN (I-M) threatened to opt out from peace process if the conflict is not resolved within the current spell of the cease-fire, which expires in January.
Representatives of the Centre and the underground outfit held negotiations in Bangkok and decided to hold another round of talks scheduled for next month.
Reports of intermitted armed clashes among rival underground groups, killings, kidnappings and extortions were received from various parts of the state during the year.
The year, 2005, also saw a bitter rivalry between the two tribes in the border district of Tuensang cropping up out of the long-drawn-out land ownership disputes. The rivalry erupted again in April after rival underground groups were found 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.
Whereas, 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.
With pressure mounted by students bodies and opposition Congress, the DAN government constituted special investigation teams (SIT) which exposed major irregularities in appointments in Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and school education department
DATELINE Guwahati/Wasbir Hussain Secrecy and the politics of mediation Naga talks Sentinel
Predictably, there has been a deadlock in the Naga peace talks. But, the one thing that both the Government of India and the NSCN(IM) shares in common is the lack of transparency in so far as the content of the negotiations is concerned. It has been eight years since the two sides started talking. Still, one is not aware if the NSCN(IM) has agreed to work out a solution by giving up its demand for an independent Naga homeland or if New Delhi has actually indicated at a solution by merging the Naga areas in the North-east into the State of Nagaland.
Lack of transparency leads to confusing signals. Take the instance last week of news reports that had quoted a middle-ranking NSCN(IM) leader as saying that both his group and the Government of India had agreed to utilise the services of Dutchman Michael C. Van Praag to take the Naga peace process forward. A local English daily had a news report to this effect in its December 24 edition. It quoted NSCN(IM) ‘Deputy Information Minister’ Kraibo Chawang as saying that the two sides had agreed on a ‘third-party mediation’ during the last round of talks in Bangkok earlier this month, and that Praag was going to be the ‘pointsman.’
For journalists and observers, it was breaking news and much more. The question being asked obviously was whether New Delhi has actually relaxed its stand against any third-party or international mediation in its internal affairs. If that was so, it was big news indeed. It took a full four days for New Delhi, its negotiators on the Naga issue in particular, to react.
Union Minister Oscar Fernandez, who is heading the Naga peace talks on behalf of the Government of India, made two points while dismissing the news reports: that news about Praag’s role as a mediator was ‘baseless’ and that ‘the question of appointing a mediator does not arise.’
When this writer spoke to a top NSCN(IM) leader on Wednesday to ascertain the facts, he said that no decision has as yet been arrived at to utilise the services of Praag to give a momentum to the peace talks. ‘Michael Praag has been associated with the talks since 2001, but no decision has been taken officially yet to have him as a mediator,’ RS Raising, NSCN(IM)’s ‘Home Minister’, reached on his cellphone somewhere in Nagaland, said. Raising said Praag is a ‘well wisher of the Nagas’ and a ‘good friend’ of both his group as well as the Government of India.
Now, the latest statement from Raising has added to the confusion and has raised doubts on whether the matter of Praag’s role was meant to have been a secret and whether it was premature on the part of the NSCN(IM) spokesman to have disclosed it at this stage. New Delhi has denied Praag’s role, but that is not enough. What Oscar Fernandez has not clarified (at least in the bit that has appeared in the media) is the claim by Chawang (as also by Raising in his conversation with this writer) that Praag was mediating unofficially since 2001. Chawang was even quoted as saying that Praag’s ‘contribution towards salvaging the peace process has been acknowledged by both sides (NSCN-IM and New Delhi).’
Now who is Praag? He is the Executive President of Kreddha (an Indo-European word meaning ‘to place trust’), an international NGO committed to ‘prevention and resolution of violent conflicts between population groups and states.’ He was a former General Secretary of the Unrepresented Nations and People’s Organization (UNPO). Van Praag, according to a latest article in the South Asia Intelligence Review, has been one of the international promoters of the cause of ‘Naga independence’ and was instrumental in securing some international exposure for the NSCN-IM by its inclusion in the UNPO in 1993. The article says that it was during his tenure (1991-98) as the General Secretary, that the UNPO passed a resolution, in January 1995, condemning the Indian and Myanmar Governments for their military action against the group and for what was described as their ‘forceful invasion and continual occupation of Naga territory and their rampant violations of human rights.’
Raising said the next round of talks will be held in Bangkok in the second week of January. ‘We (NSCN-IM) are not going to say anything new to the Indian negotiators as our stand is clear. The ball is in New Delhi’s court to give the desired momentum to the peace process,’ he said. From New Delhi’s point of view, the top priority during the forthcoming talks in Bangkok will once again be to work out an extension of the ceasefire that is to expire on January 31. And in getting the truce extended, the Indian negotiators might give certain indications that could make the NSCN(IM) leadership agree to carry on with the truce. In fact, the Nagas want peace and a unilateral snapping of the prevailing truce by the NSCN(IM) is easier said than done. That’s a different story though. What is needed is some amount of transparency in the entire Naga peace process for it to remain on track. (Feedback: wasbir@yahoo.com)
GOC Eastern Command visits Nagaland New Kerala
Kohima: Lt. Gen. Arvind Sharma, GOC-in-C, Eastern command has paid a two-day visit to Nagaland.

Defence sources said here today Lt.Gen. Sharma, who arrived at Dimapur on last Tuesday, came here by helicopter.

He was received by Maj. Gen.S.S.Kumar, Inspector General of Assam Rifles (IGAR) at the helipad, who briefed Gen. Sharma on the prevailing situation of the state.

Gen.Sharma also called on Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta on Tuesday and visited Tuensang districts, where he was briefed by the commandants of the Assam Rifles posted in the districts.

He left for Kolkata yesterday, sources said.
Police seize drugs in Nagaland New Kerala
Kohima: Kohima police has seized 61,000 Spamo Proxyvon capsules at Khuzama check gate yesterday and arrested one person in this connection.

Official sources said today the capsules, which have high demand among the drug addicts, was carried by one Alauddin (39) from Lilong under Thoubal district of Manipur in an Imphal bound bus.

The accused were arrested and a case has been registered under section 13 of Drug and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Investigation was on to ascertain the source of supply of the drug, sources said.
Army operations in Arunachal against ULFA By Indo Asian News Service
Guwahati, Dec 30 (IANS) Indian soldiers have launched a massive crackdown on United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) rebels in Arunachal Pradesh - one of the few peaceful northeastern states, officials Friday said.
Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Jarbom Gamlin said the military operations that began Thursday were aimed at nabbing rebels and uprooting the bases of the outlawed ULFA.
The ULFA is a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland in Assam and has recently set up bases in bordering Arunachal Pradesh.
The offensive is currently on in a thickly forested area in the state's Lower Dibang Valley district, about 800 km east from state capital Itanagar. The area of operations borders eastern Assam's Tinsukia district.
'Army soldiers along with state police commandos are jointly carrying out the operations in an attempt to flush out ULFA rebels taking shelter in our territory,' the home minister told IANS.
'We shall not allow our land to be used by any militant group as a safe haven.'
Arunachal Pradesh, bordering China's Tibet region and Myanmar, is among the few northeastern states that do not have any militant group.
'We cannot allow this oasis of peace to get vitiated. Some of the local people in the Lower Dibang Valley area are giving shelter to the ULFA out of fear,' Gamlin said.
'So far we are yet to get details of the operations but we are hopeful of getting positive results soon.'
The ULFA is one of the most organised militant groups in India's northeast, where more than 30 rebel groups operate with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy.
The minister said ULFA rebels were taking advantage of the 'hostile terrain' in Arunachal Pradesh to set up temporary shelters to carry out their hit-and-run guerrilla strikes in adjoining Assam.
'We are not sure as to the exact strength of the ULFA cadres inside our territory but then they have been taking shelter in the area prompting us to launch operations,' Gamlin said.
'Our reports suggest that the ULFA is yet to set up major bases in our land, but then their cadres are scattered in the forests.'
The ULFA had earlier operated out of well-entrenched bases in Bhutan before the Himalayan kingdom evicted the rebels in a massive military offensive in 2003.
The rebel group is currently negotiating for peace with New Delhi with the authorities in Assam announcing that it had 'scaled back' operations against the ULFA following peace overtures. The ULFA in October nominated an 11-member group of civil society leaders to begin talks with the Indian government.
The ULFA designated civil society group on Oct 26 held the first round of talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi to prepare the ground for a bilateral ceasefire and then direct talks between the rebel leadership and government peace negotiators at a later stage. Singh later said he was ready to discuss 'all issues relating to the ULFA'.
More than 15,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Assam since ULFA's inception in 1979.
Gogoi urges PM for direct talks with ULFA NET News Network
Guwahati, Dec 30: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to initiate the process of "direct talks" with the banned ULFA for bringing a permanent solution to the vexed insurgency problem of the state.
"I have requested the Prime Minister to initiate the process of direct talks with the ULFA so that ceasefire could be declared as a first step to bring a lasting solution to the problem," Gogoi told reporters in New Delhi after emerging from a meeting with Singh.
"The Prime Minister has assured me that he will discuss the issue with National Security Advisor M K Narayanan for taking a proper decision on the matter," he said adding, "but we all know that such a process always takes time." The government so far had held one round of talks with ULFA-selected Peoples Consultative Group with the aim of bringing the outlawed outfit into the negotiating table. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Singh, Chief Minister Gogoi, NSA Narayanan and 11-member delegation of PCG.
In the October 26 meeting, the Prime Minister had said he was willing to discuss all issues bothering the people in Assam within the framework of the Constitution.
Gogoi also requested the Prime Minister to use his good office for creating a Legislative Council in Assam for proper representation of ethnic communities.
"I have also invited the Prime Minister to visit Assam for inaugurating 250 MW Bongaigaon Thermal Power Project," he said.
Integrity, what for? By K Leuho
(Contd from previous issue) Sangai Express commentary
If the Meetei way of thinking that, “to cheat someone of his wealth is wise”, is not rectified, then the woes besetting the State can never end. More and more innocent tribals may be cheated but that will worsen the social entropy of the people of Manipur. Naga integration or no integration, social unsatisfaction with the Meeteis is one important factor for the tribals to do away with the Meeteis and the State of Manipur if and when possible. Like it or not, that’s the truth.
If we take a deep introspection on Manipur, Imphal is the only place liveable. The rest is horrible. All modern amenities are found only at Imphal. Imphal, being the capital, should be developed but that is not an alibi for neglecting the rest. Sports developments and facilities, stadiums, TV, Radio, postal services, drinking water, Telegram, phones, hospitals, electricity, internet etc should also be a part of the life of the tribals. These things, I guess we are not asking for the moon.
Actions needed:
If we are truly a man of will and action, nothing is impossible or impossible is nothing, both are true. Men have climbed the highest mountain; men have gone down to the abyss of the seas. We have conquered the moon, we have conquered the atoms. We have calculated the universe to seconds just after the big bang. In certain field much progress is made but in certain fields, all is still in the dark. It is not that they cannot be learnt, but it is that we are not trying enough. If we invest our efforts a little more, then things here in our part of the world can also improve. Things are bound to change. No force can stop changes but if we are wise we can direct the changes to something positive. The wind of change can be destructive but can also be constructive by tapping the energy for something good for one and all. For all the evils of our State, I am 100% sure that corruption is the root cause. Much has been written about the corruption practices in Manipur but things are not improving. To strike where it is most effective, can be one practical way to reduce and ultimately control corruption. The first and foremost step is to abolish contract system of work in state departments. The departments where contract works are given to contractors have become the haven for all the infamous politicians and workers to cash upon for their next election. Insurgency is a, blessing in disguise to the politicians, workers, contractors etc. Insurgent groups may be easily blamed for all the failures & missing account in the State records. Nobody is losing; everybody is in a win-win situation. Only the poor, unconne-cted, hard working, sincere people are left helpless. Democracy in Manipur is a license for the contractors, politicians & their workers to loot the public and the State’s coffer.
In the meantime, we, the public should also realise that unfair means during elections are breeding mo-re corruption in the higher ups. We should start clea-ning our rot by tracing wh-ere the entire politician’s money has come from. Once contract system of work is abolished, the political allure would fade among the younger generations. Thus the energy of the youths can be diverted to other useful productive works. If political allure loses its lustre, youths will be automatically inclined to work and produce. Dignity of labour will find a new meaning otherwise dignity of labour is nonsense with respect to the present chaos.
Bureaucrats in the State is painted with political colours. This is most unfortunate. If State machi-neries are apolitical, then one can expect something fair, but if they are used in such a way as one political party sees it fit, things are bound to go from bad to worst.
— to be contd

SKA’s worry over fresh violence in KA Sentinel
DIPHU, Dec 30: The Somindar Karbi Amei (SKA) has expressed deep concern and apprehension over the incident of burning of houses at Pupsilputa Belaram village under Bakolia police outpost by some miscreants, and said that the atmosphere in Karbi Anglong is turning out to be such that it is becoming hard to heal the wounds of the victims of the most unfortunate and uncivilized incidents occurring in the recent history of the State.
The SKA has strongly condemned all acts of violence perpetrated upon the innocent villagers or civilians by miscreants which has jeopardized the normal life of the common people, stated a press release.
The SKA has also expressed its reservation over the allegation levelled by Rosling Dimasa, the organizing secretary of the Dima Halem Daoga (DHD) in an interview in the NE TV channel on December 28, 2005, against the Karbi social organizations in general, terming it as unfortunate, continued the release.