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01/05/2006: "Deadlock in talks blamed on Indian hardliners"

Deadlock in talks blamed on Indian hardliners The Morung Express News January 4
Amsterdam based NISC asks NSCN (IM) to keep ceasefire going
DIMAPUR: In the backdrop of news reports doing the rounds of a major deadlock in the peace parleys between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM), serious allegations have surfaced of divisions at the policy decision making set-up of the Indian Government between the hard line elements out to stall any design aimed at placating the Nagas and the moderate section working for a negotiated political settlement.
In a startling disclosure the Amsterdam based Naga International Support Center, NISC attributed the present stalemate to the lack of direction on the part of the Government of India to usher in a negotiated settlement and threw light on the differing voices within political parties besides what it termed as “hardliners strongly opposing solution seekers” as a result of which the talks were continuously disrupted by backtracking of the Indian government. “This latest backtracking now is the cause of the deadlock”, the NISC stated in a press communiqué issued from Amsterdam.
The NISC has however urged the NSCN (IM) not to end the cease fire as that would mean that India would resume its war of subjugation. In case the deadlock continues, the NISC called on the NSCN (IM) to do all in its power to restrain itself and to keep the cease-fire going so talks for peace will remain possible and bloodshed will be averted.
Meanwhile, seriously viewing that the current cease fire and peace talks was at jeopardy, the NISC called on the Government of India to work out a policy that remains accountable in order to end the Indo-Naga conflict.
Pointing out that the root of the present deadlock dates back to what it termed as “the implicit vision of the Indian Government to forcibly make Nagaland part of India”, the NISC stated that lack of a coherent policy resulted in stalling for time and in the process making the Nagas responsible for coming up with proposals for a solution that would accommodate India.
“Consequently the lack of a consistent policy has led to unresponsive decision-making. In turn lack of decision making has led to the fear of being held accountable by the hawks in the Indian Society”. The NISC further disclosed that though the talks had been conducive, “the unwritten policy of embracing the constitution of India hangs as a sword of Damocles over the talks”.
Further, terming the British government as the original accountable power, the NISC called on it to take post-colonial responsibility and correct what has been left undone.
Drawing the attention of the United Nations of the Nagas declared independence one day ahead of India which was conveyed through a telegram, the NISC pointed out that though the UN acknowledged the reception of that declaration it did not act on it. “The Naga international Support Center calls on the United Nations, as the body of the international community to intervene in this long standing conflict on the basis of the right to self determination”.
Terror Network The Morung Express Today's Editorial
The December 31, 2005 shoot-out at the heart of Dimapur involving Islamic Militants suspected to be from the People’s United Liberation Front (PULF) raises serious concern over the prospects of Nagaland’s commercial capital being turned into a haven for terror networks. In the backdrop of terror activities mushrooming along the periphery of the region what remains to be seen is how cooperative and effective the law enforcing agencies in the north-eastern states would be, in dealing with what is seemingly turning out to be an internal security threat. With intelligence reports pointing to Bangladesh as the new found breeding ground for discontent and hostile groups to emerge, the entire northeast region has been exposed completely. If strong measures are not taken immediately, there is every possibility of massive infiltration across the large tract of porous border. The geography of the region is such that infiltration into a particular State poses a danger to the other States in the region as well.
The visit of Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to the two sectors along western Assam’s Dhubri district on the Indo-Bangladesh border though long overdue, should therefore come as a huge relief. Civil society groups in the region particularly the students’ body such as the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and the Northeast Students’ Organization (NESO) had been constantly demanding that the borders be fenced as the porous frontiers were allowing large scale infiltration of illegal Bangladeshis into Assam and from there on to other States including Nagaland. New Delhi cannot remain a mute spectator and should take immediate steps to confront the growing crisis before the situation goes out of control.
As far as Dimapur goes, its spatial and economic growth has propelled it into a major conduit point for illegal activities notorious for illegal trade, drug- and human trafficking, prostitution, illegal migration, and a breeding ground for criminal and other anti-social activities. Against this backdrop, the State government needs to enhance security measures with a complete overhaul of the security machinery. For this more funds would have to be allocated as it would require major up gradation of technology, improving intelligence network and other modernisation plan for the police force.
One of the growing challenges of managing internal security in Nagaland in the near future would undoubtedly be in the area of border management or else there is every possibility that the State will plunge further into an array of problems, disturbances and even the probability of another catastrophe like the twin blasts that rocked Dimapur looms large. Several suggestions had been made earlier by various organizations, including by the NSF, to improve the management of the State’s borders. Tight vigilance along the State’s border has to be taken up at the highest level of policy making given the fact that a major terrorist attack has already occurred within Nagaland’s border.
Maintain status quo in disputed areas: AAPSU New Kerala
Itanagar: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has appealed to the people living in the border areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to maintain cordial relationship and avoid conflicts.

The apex students' body of the state, led by its general secretary Gumjum Haider and Dhemaji district unit president of All Assam Students' Union (AASU) recently visited the disputed border areas in West Siang district and reassured the people on both sides that this issue would be taken up by both the organisations.

The North East Students' Organisation (NESO), the apex students' body in the region of which AAPSU and AASU are members, had resolved to constitute a boundary commission during its meeting at Dimapur in Nagaland recently. Many incidents of violence were reported in the border areas of Assam and Arunachal recently. Talks were held at various levels between both the state governments but without any permanent solution, they added.

Meanwhile, the AAPSU has suspended the proposed dharna of NESO at the office of BSNL general manager here today following assurances from the authorities to solve its two-point charter of demands within January 15.
However, the union decided to go ahead with the dharna if the BSNL authorities failed to respond within that time.
Northeast hopes for peace despite violence GUWAHATI: Doha Times Asian News Service Peace and hope were the catchwords as people in the otherwise scenic but restive northeastern region of India welcomed the New Year with a sense of great optimism.

The states of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura - popularly referred to as the seven sisters - are besieged by a myriad of problems, mainly ethnic conflicts and armed insurgencies.
Barring Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and to some extent Meghalaya, the other four states have for long been battling some 30 odd rebel groups operating in the region with demands ranging from secession to autonomy.
But there is a ray of hope this New Year with New Delhi trying to broker peace with some of the frontline militant groups.
There is every possibility of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) coming for peace talks with the Indian government soon.
The ULFA is one of the most organised militant groups in the northeast and once this outfit talks the language of peace, there is a chance of many smaller rebel groups coming forward to join the peace process.
Another silver lining could be a possible breakthrough with the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) - talks are underway between the rebel group’s leadership and government peace negotiators.
“We hope to see a permanent solution to the Naga problem this year,” a senior NSCN-IM leader said.
Considering the fact that insurgency is the biggest roadblock to development in the northeast, there are many positives one may expect in the New Year.
At least eight prominent separatist groups in Manipur are holding informal negotiations with the central government and one may expect a formal announcement by these groups about cessation of violence sometime this year.
“Once the government brings some of the top militant groups to the negotiating table, the region would automatically see all round development and peace,” said Aniruddha Das, a retired college teacher.
Politically the region may also witness some dramatic developments this New Year with assembly elections in Assam scheduled sometime in April. For the regional Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) this would be a severe test with its founder and former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta severing ties with the parent party.
“The relevance of regionalism would be tested in this election and if the ruling Congress comes to power again, this could well be the end of the road for the AGP,” an analyst said.

NH-39 bandh deferred till Jan 8 Kuknalim.com
IMPHAL, Jan 04: The proposed bandh which was due to commence from today along the NH-39 organised by the Southern Angami Public Organisation, Kohima demanding handing over of the culprits involved in...

the killing of a van driver, Vilhoukho Phira along with the recovered vehicle to them has been deferred till January 9.

It may be noted that the dead body of Vilhoukho of Kikwema, Nagaland was recovered from Saiton Khunou of Moirang police station on December 4 last year. In the aftermath of the incident, the Bishenpur police had arrested two persons allegedly involved in the killing along with the van. They are now lodged at the Imphal jail.

According to reports, the bandh was deferred after the Nagaland government appealed to the organisation to give them some more time in dealing with the case and for approaching its counterpart the Manipur government.

As a response to the Nagaland government appeal the organisation has given the government time till January 8. The bandh will come into effect from 6 am the next morning if the government fails to take any action.
TIFP

Amidst all the hopes are some apprehensions, with simmering tension between ethnic groups in Assam and Manipur taking an ugly turn in the past year.
The violent ethnic clashes between Karbis and Dimasas in Assam took some 110 lives, besides maiming hundreds more during organised pogroms by both communities. Rebel groups representing the two tribes also slaughtered people at will.
There are fears the turmoil in Assam’s eastern Karbi Anglong district could well spill into the New Year.
But despite the uncertainties, people in the northeast are craving for an end to all forms of bloodshed and ushering in a new era of hope, and in the New Year the sole mantra is peace and stability. – Indo-
ULFA slams media report NET News Network
Guwahati, Jan 5: Slamming media reports that the Centre would sit for talks with proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) only after they quit arms and rule out sovereignty as a issue of discussion, the outfit today said that these views are propagated by a section of anti peace-talk people.
“We have formed the People’s Consultative Group (PCG), which was later duly accepted by the Centre to pave the way for the talks and if there is at all any such development, then it is the duty of the Centre to inform the PCG about it”, informed a release issued to media this evening.
“Peace initiator Mamoni Raisom Goswami and PCG member Mukul Mahanta are also not aware of any such developments and until and unless we get it to hear from the PCG member we will not consider it”, maintained the release while adding that some of the vested interested people are influencing these reports to mess up the whole peace process.
The outfit urged the people not to pay any heed to these baseless reports.

New year brings unity among factions of PREPAK NET News Network
Imphal, Jan5: The proscribed PREPAK has worked out its internal differences with its faction and has come under one entity heralding the coming of a new year. PREPAK outfit bifurcated into two factions from August 2003 till the end of 2005.
According to an outfit Central Committee statement circulated said that for long PREPAK has been able to serve as the linking centre for the revolutionary movement and its Red Army has been able to take a major role in the armed movement, but the split within itself meant that there were internecine killings which diluted the image of the outfit and situation had come to such a pass that there were apprehensions that PREPAK may lose its identity as a revolutionary outfit.
The statement added that its leaders realised the futility of disunity and internecine clash and started to work towards a reconciliation process. Differences were brought out and discussed between members of the Central Committee, cadres and Red Army and going through the issues and it was agreed that the outfit will not split within again.
So in future the leadership of PREPAK will work under the principle of one body, one idea and oneness. It will also work out political objectives, military works and diplomacy.
It can be mentioned that during its bitter fued among PREPAK faction, several cadres have lost theirs lives.
In the meantime, the Manipur Peoples' Liberation Front (MPLF) and United Kuki Liberation Front, UKLF has welcomed the reconciliation of PREPAK and has said the action will enhance the revolutionary movement.

Two Manipur towns reeling under bandh From Sobhapati Samom Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Jan 4 – Churachandpur and Moreh towns in Manipur are reeling under bandh since the past few days.However, Churachandpur district headquarter has slowly limped back to normal life though there is no vehicular movement along the Imphal-Moreh and Imphal-Churachandpur town till today.

Churachandpur wore a desolate look since the past four days after the killing of State Inspector General of Police PT Thangthuam and his escort commander on the eve of New Year, both natives of Churachandpur district.

Hours after the reports of the ambush at Oinam bazaar in Bishnupur district on Saturday spread some residents of the town erupted in anger against the killing.

Besides damaging seven passenger buses, they also set ablaze one motorcycle in the town. Three persons were also severely beaten up by them. The District Magistrate had to immediately impose prohibitory orders to avoid any unwanted incidents.

In another development, Moreh, the border town located along the Indo-Myanmar border is also reeling under total bandh since Monday which severely hit the normal border trade. Protest is still unabated in this town demanding safe and unconditional release of one youth Sarangthem Jayenta alias Arun of Hiyangthang even as ten women activists suffered slight injuries during scuffles with security personnel at the entrance gate of the 24 Assam Rifles yesterday, a late report reaching here said .

A large number of womenfolk from Moreh Bazar holding placards and raising slogans squatted at the AR gate from around 8 am on Tuesday demanding information on whereabouts of Jayenta, who Moreh public alleged was picked up on January 1 night by personnel of the Assam Rifles unit.

Trouble broke out when a two vehicle convoy comprising of a Maruti Gypsy and an ambulance with a patient drove out of the Assam Rifles unit’s gate even as the women agitators, made up of Meira-Paibi organisations of the border town, were locked in verbal duel with security men manning the gate. A public meeting was held in front of Moreh police station wherein several resolutions were adopted including condemnation on failure to hand over Jayenta to the nearest police station, non-disclosure of the youth’s whereabouts. Other resolutions decided to intensify the agitation till the youth’s safe release, formation of JAC and formal apprisal to relevant authorities including the Chief Minister of Manipur and Manipur Human Rights Commission representatives.

However, the 24 Assam Rifles’s Commanding Officer Colonel KS Kadian categorically rejected accusation against his unit over the arrest of Sarangthem Jayenta.