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01/10/2006: "Naga rebels kill seven Myanmarese soldiers in gunfight"

Naga rebels kill seven Myanmarese soldiers in gunfight
Guwahati | January 10, 2006 Webindia

Tribal separatists of Nagaland state in India's northeast Tuesday claimed to have killed seven Myanmarese soldiers while losing three guerrillas in a heavy gun battle in Myanmar. A spokesman of the S.S. Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) said fighting broke out Saturday between the guerrillas and soldiers of the junta in a thickly forested area of Myanmar's northern Sagaing Division.
"We have killed seven Myanmarese army soldiers in the gunfight. Three of our guerrilla fighters were also shot dead in the fight that is still continuing inside Myanmar," a senior NSCN-K leader told IANS by telephone from somewhere close to the India-Myanmar border. The NSCN-K is an influential rebel group fighting for an independent tribal homeland in the northeast. The NSCN (K) has at least 50 camps with some 7,000 rebels entrenched in fortified bunkers in Myanmar. "The soldiers overran one of our key bases in the area and seized a number of small weapons, ammunition, and other important documents from the camp," the rebel leader said.
"Our leader Khaplang is very much safe."
Myanmar launched a massive military offensive backed by a brigade of about 3,500 soldiers in December to evict Indian separatists based in Sagaing Division. The NSCN-K had claimed to have lost three of their cadres in the first round of military assault last month, besides two of their camps being demolished by advancing soldiers. "They had also captured three of our leaders in a raid last month. We do not know if they are dead or alive," Mualtonu said. There is no independent confirmation of the clashes from the Myanmarese authorities. At least four other militant groups from India's northeast, where numerous tribal and ethnic groups are fighting for greater autonomy or independence, have training camps in northern Myanmar's thick jungles - all of them sheltered there under the patronage of the NSCN-K.
Prominent among the Indian rebel armies operating out of Myanmar include the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK). The NSCN's Khaplang faction has been observing a ceasefire with New Delhi since 2001 although peace talks are yet to begin.
Myanmar in January last year killed at least 20 Indian rebels, most of them from the NSCN-K, in a similar military offensive in the same area. Myanmar had repeatedly assured New Delhi that the junta would not let Indian rebels operate from its soil. The first time Myanmar launched a military operation against the Indian rebels was in 2000 when at least a dozen separatists were killed. There were similar operations last year as well. India and Myanmar share a 1,640-km unfenced border, allowing militants from the northeast to use the adjoining country as a springboard to carry out hit-and-run guerrilla strikes on federal soldiers.
The rebels say they are seeking to protect their ethnic identities and allege the union government has exploited the resources in this mineral, tea, timber, and oil-rich region. More than 50,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in the northeast since India's independence in 1947. (IANS)
K lays down rider for talks with GoI Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, January 09: Making its stand clear for the first time, the NSCN (Khaplang) on Saturday announced that it would not enter into any political negotiation with the Government of India as long as the talks between rival NSCN (IM) and the Indian Government continue and maintained that it entered into the present ceasefire with India only due to pressure from Naga NGOs, according to Dimapur based newspapers.

Interacting with a team of senior journalists from Nagaland at its Mon town headquarters, top leaders of the NSCN (K) made a startling revelation when they stated that no agreement to have negotiations was made when the ceasefire agreement was signed and claimed that this was just a ploy to facilitate the talks with the NSCN (IM), said the dailies in today's editions.
“We had no intention to enter into a ceasefire with the Indian Government. We were pressurized to do so against our will by Naga NGOs”, senior leader and MIP Kilonser AZ Jamir told the visiting journalists.
“The ceasefire between the NSCN (K) and the Indian Government is very different from the one with the NSCN (IM).While the NSCN (IM)'s ceasefire with India has political obligations, we have no such obligations”, Jami asserted.

“This is the NSCN (IM)'s time as they are having negotiations with India and at this stage we prefer the wait-and-watch policy. We are merely watching the progress of the ongoing talks between the NSCN-IM and the Indian Government and we will not enter into negotiations while the dialogue between them is on”, the senior leader said. Some of the NSCN (K) leaders also commented that the talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Indian Government were still going on at an eye-to-eye policy rather than a heart-to-heart policy, reported the newspapers.

“If sovereignty is brought about, we will join.

However, Muivah has openly declared that he has given up the demand for sovereignty and is instead harping only on integration – so much that he let the integration issue supercede sovereignty in the talks”, Jami, who defected from the NSCN (IM) just recently, maintained. Taking another dig at NSCN (IM) supremo, Thuingaleng Muivah, NSCN (K) firebrand leader Kughalu Mulatonu, who is also finance Kilonser, said Muivah had lied when he had declared during his last visit to Nagaland that he would never betray the Nagas and their cause and accused him of playing games through Naga NGOs without a thought for the future.

He also accused the NSCN (IM) of trying to impose its will forcibly, said the newspapers. Terming Muivah as a dictator, Jami claimed that Muivah was trying to impose his will forcibly among the Nagas and even using NGOs to realize his ends. Jami, who occupied top posts including Kilo (Home) Kilonser and Convenor of the NSCN (IM)'s Steering Committee before he defected to the NSCN (K), insisted that he had abandoned the NSCN (IM) camp after being disillusioned with Muivah's dictatorial policy and lack of transparency and trust.

“Apart from Muivah and chairman Isak Chishi Swu and perhaps Rh Raising and VS Atem, none of us were taken into confidence about the progress of the peace talks with the Indian Government. In fact, I can challenge any leader in the NSCN (IM) camp now if they claim to have some knowledge about the real position of the talks”, he asserted. Ruling out any reconciliation between the two groups, the NSCN (K) leaders pointed out that the NSCN (IM)'s stand is 'settlement then unity' whereas the NSCN (K)'s stand is 'unity then settlement'.

Also, claiming that the NSCN (K) is exercising maximum restraint, Jami stated that the NSCN (IM) is also on the offensive while the NSCN (K) is always forced to be on the defensive, added the Dimapur based dailies. Meanwhile, Jami also appealed to the Nagas not to have any apprehensions about the leadership of chairman S.S Khaplang stating that he is an understanding man who knows what is going on. “Contrary to what some think, Khaplang hails from Shangnyu village under Mon and he has real Konyak blood and not otherwise”, he stated.

Among the NSCN (K) leaders who participated in the interaction included Finance Kilonser Kughalu Mulatonu, convenor of the Council of Kilonsers, Tangpan Konyak, other kilonsers, deputy kilonsers, tatars and secretaries. The visiting journalists and the NSCN (K) also held a mass prayer for peace and unity in the Naga homeland and wisdom to the Naga leaders to bring about a solution, reported the dailies.
NSCN (K) food for Myanmar’s weapons Karaiba Chawang The Morung Express
The joint military operations of India and Myanmar against the northeast insurgent groups, especially the NSCN-K, hiding in the Myanmar jungles along the international border is heading for a serious set back as the Myanmarese army conduct flushing-out operations in exchange of arms and ammunition for foodstuff.
Sources said despite the launching of heavy operations by the joint force of India and Myanmar against them (NSCN-K), the northeast insurgent groups, especially the Nagas, are benefited by the operation in terms of arms and ammunition.
Harsh conditions along the international border make the Myanmar army vulnerable to such barter system as their communist government often fails to deliver them food and other essentials commodities in time due to inaccessible thick jungles and rugged terrain.
NSCN-K said though they have already suffered heavy casualties by the operations, they are profited on the other hand as the Myanmar army often comes for operations on bare foot, and without proper clothing and other items needed for warfare.
Food is so dear in the jungles that the Myanmar army don’t hesitate to exchange even sophisticated weapons like rocket launchers, radio sets, bomb, etc for food, said the NSCN-K cadres.
“Scarcity of food in the border is the main hurdles in flushing out the insurgent groups”, said Joseph Sumi, NSCN-K Defence Secretary. He said that they often lured the Myanmar army to surrender their arms and ammunition with food and clothes, to which the latter consented to readily.
The army not only suffers on the war front, but even at home, hardship dogs them. Their salaries are very low because of Myanmar’s poor economy, besides other facilities that the army requires. Above all, the military government makes their life tough.
When compared to Indian currency, the Myanmar soldier gets only a meager sum of Rs 300 as salaries, the source said.
However, NSCN-K cadres, who had experienced the Myanmarese jungle, disclosed that the junta is quite sturdy and skilled in guerilla warfare. They can move anywhere, even if there is no road, said one cadre.
Often, due to short supply of food, the operations are curtailed. When the junta could not meet their journey with hunger, they compromise their arms and ammunitions for food.
NSCN-K source also said that they kept food ready for such opportunities, and after the bargains are settled, they supply food to the famished army in exchange for arms.
Naga lady finds seat in UN office The Morung Express News Kohima | January 9
Good News! A Naga lady has found a place in the reputed office of the United Nation. She is Dr. Joyce Angami, Project Director Kripa Foundation, Nagaland. She has been appointed as project officer for project G.86 and Project 1.49 at the prestigious office of the United Nation-Drug and Crime.
“We (Kripa Foundation staff) are all proud of you but at the same time we are going to miss your presence and your dynamic leadership,” said Kripa Foundation coordinator Abou Mere in a congratulatory note made available to The Morung Express.
Let this prove to be a stepping stone for further success in your career in social work, the release said adding Dr. Joyce’s entry into the United Nations office “will surely highlight our Naga problems in the national and international level.” The Foundation also wished her all the best in her future endeavours.
Dr. Joyce Zinyu Angami, MBBS, MRCOGI, UK is an experienced nurse and has been often described as a social worker with a difference. Besides steering the Kirpa Foundation, Nagaland since 1994 she is also the Honorary Secretary of Indian Red Cross Society, Kohima. She is also serving as NGOs advisor to Nagaland State AIDS Control Society and the NE Regional Headquarter of Bharat Scouts & Guide.
Further mention may be made that Dr Joyce was earlier working as Registrar in Gynecology at Ormskirk & District general Hospital, UK, Registrar in Venereology at St. James Hospital, Birkenhead and Senior House officer at UK for 6 years.
Countdown to ceasefire expiry begins Sothing W A Shimray The Morung Express Ukhrul
THE COUNT down to the remaining days left for the expiry of the Indo-Naga ceasefire is nearing with only 21 days to go and against this backdrop, the NSCN (IM) had a massive public interaction convention at Ukhrul Town hall today to lay bare the current status of the peace parleys with the Government of India. The interaction was addressed by a host of high ranking NSCN (IM) officials led by the Emissary of the Collective Leadership to the peace talk, Gen (Retd), V. Atem.
Highlighting the current status of the peace talk, Gen (Retd) Atem, without mincing words categorically stated that the NSCN had done what was needed to be done on behalf of the Nagas and that it was now up to New Delhi if peace was to continue and an amicable solution is to be arrived.
He laid bare to the public that the Indian government had remained silent on the issue of unification of all Naga areas and on federal relationship which the NSCN (IM) had proposed. He clearly said that if New Delhi remained silent on the issue than definitely there will be no extension of ceasefire which is going to expire on January 31.
The public listened with rapt attention to the speech of Gen. Atem regarding the current status of the Indo- Naga peace talk and the NSCN cadres’ readiness to go to the jungle.
The public unanimously supported the NSCN move if the Government of India continued to feign ignorance to the inherent rights of the Nagas. Gen.Atem also appealed to the public to be ready for the consequences if at all the ceasefire is to expire on January 31.
However, it is unlikely that the ceasefire is going to be ended abruptly with the third forces led by UNPO and some European countries pressuring both NSCN and Government of India to go for further extension of ceasefire to find an amicable solution to the Indo-Naga issue, it was learnt.
NSCN (K) plans to wipe out rival faction from Tamenglong Newmai News Network January 9
IMPHAL: The NSCN-K of the Zeliangrong Region while claiming responsibility for the January 7 Lukhambi/Khumji killing of a man, has pledged to wipe out the NSCN-IM from Tamenglong district by June this year.
The NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region, in a statement issued to NNN by its spokesman Felix gave reason for the Lukhambi/Khumji killing. The statement said that the man identified as one S.K. Kumar s/o Chunjinnang of Khumji Part-3, was killed for acting as a spy for the NSCN-IM.
Felix alleged that S.K. Kumar was an ex-NSCN-IM cadre while Chunjinnang (the deceased father) is presently the chairman of Khumji Part-3.
The statement said that two months ago the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region had convened a public meeting comprising 30 villages from Noney/Longmai areas in which villages’ chairmen, elders and public leaders of the villages attended the programme. In that meeting the leaders were convinced not to work for the NSCN-IM or to serve anymore as sympathizers of the NSCN-IM to which the people in the meeting agreed upon. The NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region had warned in that meeting that death penalty would be given to those who defy the agreement, said the statement. Money was distributed to the leaders in the meeting, said the statement from Felix. “However, S.K.Kumar defied the agreement and continued to work for the NSCN-IM for which reason capital punishment was awarded to him,” said the statement. It further said that the village chairmen, leaders and elders were the witness to the warning.
“The villages’ chairmen and elders told us that poverty had compelled them to work for the NSCN-IM, so on hearing this thing, we distributed money,” said the statement of the NSCN-K.
The statement further said that at present only the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region had been fighting the NSCN-IM in the whole of Manipur as cadres of the other regions had gone on central deputations to outside states mainly in Nagaland. The NSCN-K statement said that before the rainy season comes this year, the NSCN-IM would be wiped out from the Tamenglong district.
America- NSCN (IM) nexus alleged The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JAN 9 (MExN): Stating that NSCN (IM) cadres of higher ranks are living “lustful and luxurious lives,” a Dimapur citizen named K Kath said the outfit’s cadres have turned extortionists. Thuingaleng Muivah, the NSCN (IM) supremo has been said to have shortened the ceasefire period to six months in an effort to create additional psychological pressure on the Centre and to show his capacity of returning to war. “Most of the NSCN (IM) cadres are married and enjoying happy life,” an article submitted to this office by post said. “But innocent Naga people are paying the price. They are subjected to extortion and humiliation,” it added.
Alleging that with the help of the USA and the UK Muivah has opened several offices in the USA, UK, the Netherlands, Bangkok and many other countries, Kath said a person going by the name of Grace Collins, “a registered foreign agent of Nagaland and believed to be working for the NSCN (IM) in US, drafted a speech for Senator Barbara Boxer, Chairperson of US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.” The speech was also furnished. It talks of the need for the US to support right to self determination of the Nagas and freedom from their oppressors. The senator is said to have attended the opening of an NSCN (IM) office in Washington. “In similar tune, former President of US, Jimmy Carter has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to push the peace dialogue with NSCN (IM) in order to bring about an acceptable solution which would assure the rights of Naga people.”
“Does GoI know that there is a nexus of two nexuses, One- that of America, Britain and the other- Church (Baptist and Catholic both), NSCN (IM) and Neiphiu Rio Govt. of Nagaland,” it was stated. Citing that America is eyeing to exploit the natural resources of Nagaland, Kath said that the only super power in the world was aiming to bring about Christianity in Asia through means of “Bible (forced conversions), Booze (destruction of youths by preaching the philosophy of hedonic consumerism) and Bullet (the way NSCN-IM works). The article further stated that several eyebrows were raised on the visit of the Vatican Ambassador Pedro Lopez Quantana and also of the Southwick Christian Community Church, England.
Stating that Michael C van Walt van Praag’s mediation would prove disastrous, Kath said social organizations and churches operating in Nagaland are “forced invitees or hired people.” Further, it was alleged that “NSCN (IM) cadres are on spree of encroachment of Assam lands.”
“In view of the facts stated above, the Govt. of India should concede to their (NSCN-IM) economic demands and reject their political demands with a clear message to Muivah that no international or no foreign power will be allowed to meddle in the internal affairs of the country.”
Lalu to visit Nagaland after Assam polls New Kerala
Kohima: Union Railway minister and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav is likely to visit Nagaland after the Assam Assembly elections, scheduled for April. This was informed by Harish Mahapatra Rastriya Janata Dal (RJD) national secretary and NE in-charge at Dimapur yesterday. He is visiting the state in connection with the reconstitution of the party branches. Addressing a press meet yesterday, Mr Mahapatra said, after the elections in Assam, the RJD would concertrate on Nagaland to broaden its base in the state and also acquaint itself with the problems facing the state. He proposed that the NE regional RJD headquarters be set up at Dimapur. He informed that the party's regional convention would be held at Guwahati on January 22 and Lalu Prasad would attend the same.
Plea to raze rebel camps OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Shillong, Jan. 9: The Meghalaya government has reiterated its appeal to New Delhi to mount pressure on Dhaka to dismantle all the camps set up by Northeast militant groups in Bangladesh.
Speaking to reporters after the inauguration of a new media centre at the secretariat here today, chief minister D.D. Lapang said he had requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Delhi last week to urge the Bangladesh government to initiate a crackdown on the rebel bases.
Lapang had last urged Singh to take up the issue with Bangladesh in November after the BSF disclosed the presence of new camps close to the Indo-Bangladesh border along Meghalaya.
The state shares a 443-km-long border with Bangladesh and most of it is highly porous. Several local militant outfits like the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council and the Achik National Volunteers’ Council cross over to the neighbouring country for training from West Khasi Hills and Garo Hills districts.
“We want the reports of the security agencies to be taken seriously as we do not want any kind of disturbance to our improving law and order,” Lapang said.
A.K. Ghosh, the BSF inspector-general for Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland frontier, had disclosed in November 2005 that there were 192 camps of various militant outfits from the Northeast in Bangladesh. Saying that some old camps had been removed while some new ones had come up, he identified Mymensingh, Sherpur, Rangamati, Moulvi Bazar and Chittagong Hill Tracts as the areas where the new camps had cropped up.
Sources said Singh has asked for a report of the interactions and meetings held between the home secretaries of the two countries over the past few months. Lapang said he had also taken up the issue of completion of border fencing with Bangladesh with Singh. He, however, requested the Prime Minister to consider keeping the fencing in abeyance in certain areas till some land controversies were sorted out.
Lapang also met defence minister Pranab Mukherjee during his Delhi visit and urged him to “facilitate exchange of defence land in Shillong with land outside the city” for its expansion.
Nokyan clash toll rise to three New Kerala
Kohima: Casualities in the factional clash between the NSCN rival factions - NSCN-IM and NSCN (K) - at Nokyan village in Mon district of Nagaland on Saturday has risen to three. Two NSCN-IM cadres and one NSCN (K) cadre were killed while one cadre of the Khaplang faction was injured.
Official sources said here today two NSCN-IM cadres were also injured in the clash which took place under Tizit sub-division, situated on the Nagaland-Arunachal Pradesh border. However, the NSCN (K) claimed that at least seven rival cadres were killed and three others seriously injured during the attack. They verified that one of their cadre was killed, identified as one Tonbho from Myanmar.

Official sources said the 20th battalion of the Assam Rifles, deployed near the attack site, had failed to reach the area despite instructions from Mon Deputy Commissioner's office due to poor road connectivity. The Nokyan area has a high concentration of cadres of both the NSCN factions who operate on both sides of the inter-state border. Sources said tension ran high in the area as reinforcements of both the factions were advancing towards the area and the villagers anticipate a fierce gun battle in the vicinity, which could lead to loss of civilian lives.
Gunmen opens fire in front of minister's house
Kohima: Unidentified gunmen opened fire in front of Nagaland Transport and Communication minister Imtilemba Sangtam's residence in ministers' hill area here last night. Official sources said today about four to five ultras came to Mr Sangtam's residence and demanded money from a local area development fund. When the minister refused to pay, one of the cadres fired in the air and fled the spot. However, the guards at the minister's residence did not retaliate. Kohima Superintendent of Police Martin Peinyu rushed to the spot. Police has started frisking operations at all vulnerable points of the town. However, no arrest has been so far reported.
Dr Angami appointed project officer in UN office New Kerala
Kohima: Dr Joyce Angami, social worker and project director of Kripa Foundation in Nagaland, has been appointed as a project officer of the United Nations' Drug and Crime office. Kripa Foundation sources said here today Dr Joyce had been selected for project G.86 and 1.49 in the UN.

Dr Angami, a medical practioner with a degree from United Kingdom, had served as a Registrar in Gynaecology at Ormskirk district general hospital. She is also the Honorary Secretary of the Indian Red Cross Society here and advisor to several NGOs, including the Nagaland State Aids Control Society.

Intelligence and Terrorism News Copyright 2006 by United Press International
Negotiated end to insurgency in India`s northeastern states closer
In a big step towards a negotiated end to the long-running insurgency in India`s northeastern states, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday made a tentative ceasefire offer to separatists. The offer -- to the banned United Liberation Front of Assam, or ULFA -- is conditional on the group respecting a 'safe passage' offer permitting insurgents to visit their families during the an upcoming festival.
The Times of India reported Gogoi as saying, 'I am extending my hand and asking them to also come forward. Ceasefire is a two-way traffic. It is an agreement between two parties. If they respond to the safe passage offer then we can go for ceasefire from both sides. I appeal them to make a ceasefire agreement and come for direct talks with the government.' The Chief Minister cautioned reporters, 'Though there is no positive response from the ULFA yet to my offer for them to visit their families during the Assamese Magh Bihu festival, but I have no problem in extending the time to facilitate them to visit their dear ones.'
The Indian government proscribed the separatist group under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which was instituted soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but subsequently repealed in September 2004. ULFA was formed on April 7, 1979, by Bhimakanta Buragohain in Sibsagar to establish a 'sovereign socialist Assam' through an armed struggle. The group considers itself a 'revolutionary political organization' engaged in a 'national liberation struggle' against the 'occupation by India' striving to establish and independent Assamese state, claiming that Assam was never formally a part of India.
According to Indian analysts, following military operations in Bhutan in December 2003 most of ULFA`s leadership operates from Bangladesh, but is relocating its camps to Myanmar, Nagaland`s Mon district, Meghalaya`s Garo hills and Arunachal Pradesh`s Tirap and Changlang districts. More than 10,000 people have been killed during the insurgency in Assam over the past two decades.
In a big step towards a negotiated end to the long-running insurgency in India`s northeastern states, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday made a tentative ceasefire offer to separatists.
The offer -- to the banned United Liberation Front of Assam, or ULFA -- is conditional on the group respecting a 'safe passage' offer permitting insurgents to visit their families during the an upcoming festival. The Times of India reported Gogoi as saying, 'I am extending my hand and asking them to also come forward. Ceasefire is a two-way traffic. It is an agreement between two parties. If they respond to the safe passage offer then we can go for ceasefire from both sides. I appeal them to make a ceasefire agreement and come for direct talks with the government.'
The Chief Minister cautioned reporters, 'Though there is no positive response from the ULFA yet to my offer for them to visit their families during the Assamese Magh Bihu festival, but I have no problem in extending the time to facilitate them to visit their dear ones.' The Indian government proscribed the separatist group under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which was instituted soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but subsequently repealed in September 2004.
ULFA was formed on April 7, 1979, by Bhimakanta Buragohain in Sibsagar to establish a 'sovereign socialist Assam' through an armed struggle. The group considers itself a 'revolutionary political organization' engaged in a 'national liberation struggle' against the 'occupation by India' striving to establish and independent Assamese state, claiming that Assam was never formally a part of India.
According to Indian analysts, following military operations in Bhutan in December 2003 most of ULFA`s leadership operates from Bangladesh, but is relocating its camps to Myanmar, Nagaland`s Mon district, Meghalaya`s Garo hills and Arunachal Pradesh`s Tirap and Changlang districts. More than 10,000 people have been killed during the insurgency in Assam over the past two decades.
Delhi top human trafficking destination: Study Indo-Asian News Service New Delhi, January 9, 2006
Delhi leads in the number of women and children being trafficked and a majority of the victims were brought for commercial sexual exploitation below the age of 16, says a study.
The first-ever survey, titled "Trafficking of Women and Children in India", was brought out by the Delhi-based Institute of Social Sciences (ISS). It was conducted in 12 states across India over a two-and-a-half-year period with interviews from over 4,000 respondents, including 160 traffickers, 412 brothel owners, 582 clients and 929 victims of commercial sex exploitation (CSE).
The study shows that human trafficking is a borderless crime and maps the trafficking patterns, which brings to light the high rates of inter-district trafficking in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Delhi and Goa are on top in the inter-state trafficking rate while Andhra Pradesh tops the list of the "source" states.
Scanned police records for 1999-2002 reveal that 31 per cent of the victims rescued from brothels in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata were from Nepal with a high incidence of Bangladeshi victims in Kolkata.
It also emerges from the study that the situation is worse in areas that are underdeveloped with trans-border trafficking patterns in the northeast being a serious issue.
Pangsa and Dimapur in Nagaland, and More in Manipur are major transit and demand centres. Women and children from Assam and Bangladesh were trafficked to Myanmar and other countries in South East Asia through the Golden Triangle via More.
Of the 510 interviewed children trafficked for non-sex purposes, 14.7 per cent were in the 6-10 age group, 21 per cent in the 11-12 age group, 27.6 per cent in the 13-14 age group and the rest in the above 15 years category.
The study establishes that trafficking is a low risk and high profit venture with the failure of the law in arresting exploitation in brothels.
Of the 412 brothel owners interviewed, 34.5 per cent have never faced any police action during the preceding year, while 53.4 per cent of them avoided arrest by bribing police officials and 29.1 per cent of the respondents revealed that police officials had a share in their income.
The study revealed a new trend of sex tourism going up with the growing importance of tourism. The factors responsible for the growing phenomenon of child sex tourism include the anonymity of tourists, easy access to trafficked children and lack of interest shown by law enforcement agencies.

SECURITY&TERRORISM Tue. January 10, 2006 UPI Intelligence Watch by John C.K. Daly
Jan 9, 2006 WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2006 (UPI) -- Poland's government continues to send conflicting signals about the presence of its troops in Iraq beyond the current deadline of December 2006. Defense Minister Radek Sikorski hinted Friday during an interview with Rzeczpospolita that the timetable could be modified, as Poland is committed to the mission's "full success."
"Everything depends on the situation's development and what the Iraqis and our American allies will ask us for," Skorski said. "We've put in so much money and political capital that we want to be able to say that Poland contributed to the rise of an Arab democracy and a better Iraq. Our goal is to hand over the Polish zone to well-trained Iraqi troops."
Last week, the southern Iraqi zone overseen by 1,400 Polish troops based in Diwaniyah shrank from three to two provinces as U.S. troops took over one of them. Poland has lost 17 troops and 4 civilians, including two Polish TV correspondents, in Iraq since its military first deployed there in September 2003. Poland now has the fourth largest contingent of military forces in Iraq after the United States, Britain and South Korea.
Since 2003, numbers of non-U.S. forces belonging to the "coalition of the willing" have declined from a high of 38 nations and 50,000 troops to a current level of 28 nations and about 20,000 soldiers. In March the Polish contingent will be reduced to about 900 troops and their task will shift from stabilizing the security situation to training and advising the Iraqi Army's new 8th Division. On Jan. 2, Sikorski named Gen. Edward Gruszka, who previously served as commander of Polish troops in Karbala in central Iraq, to command Poland's sixth troop rotation to Iraq. When asked whether Polish troops could still be in Iraq in 2007, Sikorski replied, "one could well imagine that our forces could link up with the NATO training group."
In a big step towards a negotiated end to the long-running insurgency in India's northeastern states, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday made a tentative ceasefire offer to separatists. The offer -- to the banned United Liberation Front of Assam, or ULFA -- is conditional on the group respecting a "safe passage" offer permitting insurgents to visit their families during the an upcoming festival. The Times of India reported Gogoi as saying, "I am extending my hand and asking them to also come forward. Ceasefire is a two-way traffic. It is an agreement between two parties. If they respond to the safe passage offer then we can go for ceasefire from both sides. I appeal them to make a ceasefire agreement and come for direct talks with the government."
The Chief Minister cautioned reporters, "Though there is no positive response from the ULFA yet to my offer for them to visit their families during the Assamese Magh Bihu festival, but I have no problem in extending the time to facilitate them to visit their dear ones." The Indian government proscribed the separatist group under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which was instituted soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but subsequently repealed in September 2004.
ULFA was formed on April 7, 1979, by Bhimakanta Buragohain in Sibsagar to establish a "sovereign socialist Assam" through an armed struggle. The group considers itself a "revolutionary political organization" engaged in a "national liberation struggle" against the "occupation by India" striving to establish and independent Assamese state, claiming that Assam was never formally a part of India. According to Indian analysts, following military operations in Bhutan in December 2003 most of ULFA's leadership operates from Bangladesh, but is relocating its camps to Myanmar, Nagaland's Mon district, Meghalaya's Garo hills and Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap and Changlang districts.
More than 10,000 people have been killed during the insurgency in Assam over the past two decades. In light of surging handgun violence in Toronto and other municipalities in Canada some Canadians have begun to speculate whether the nation's border with the United States is a contributing factor. In 2005, Toronto Police Service's gun and gang task force investigated a record 52 gun-related homicides, all but one involving a handgun. Toronto's most recent death occurred on Dec. 26, when 15-year-old Jane Creba was shot and killed in front of a crowd of shoppers.
Canoe news agency reported that Anne McLellan, Liberal MP for Edmonton Center, suggested that the surge in violence had deeper social causes. McLellan said, "I can take all the guys with guns and in gangs and put them in jail, but unless we figure out why young males are (using guns) in the first place, there'll be a kid tomorrow to replace every one." Toronto police are now seizing more than 2,000 firearms off Toronto's streets annually. WSome Canadians are now wondering if the porous 3,976- mile-long U.S.-Canadian border might be a contributing factor. According to the Globe and Mail, of Canada's more than 70 million annual visitors, Canada Border Services Agency employees question less than 5 percent at the country's 119 border crossings. Canada also has 232 unsupervised cross-border roads, hundreds of private marinas and numerous small airports and rail crossings with minimal security. Canada also receives 26 million courier shipments annually.
Levels of firearm violence still remain far below those of its southern neighbor. In 2004, a total of 2,730 Canadians died in traffic accidents versus 622 homicide victims. In 2005 a gun amnesty exercise in Toronto received 261 guns and 1,500 rounds of ammunition. Customs Excise Union president Ron Moran sees a direct correlation between the availability of firearms in the United States and rising Canadian homicide rates. Moran said, "The experts -- the people who've worked on joint initiatives and so on -- have consistently concluded that about half the weapons in the hands of criminals come from robberies and half have been smuggled into the country."
John C.K. Daly is a UPI International Correspondent Copyright 2005 by United Press International
NE States told to emulate EU model Newmai News Network January 9
SHILLONG: The eight Northeastern states should emulate the European Union in burying their differences and come out with a common economic policy for the overall development of the region, stated PP Srivastava member, North East Council.
Speaking at the inauguration of a three-day workshop on export organised jointly by the NEC and CIPLEX, Srivastava said, the EU has managed to come out with a common currency despite differences of opinion for overall economic benefit of the people.“The Northeastern region should come together”, Srivastava said. “All the states should come and work unitedly to develop the region with a common economic policy” he suggested.
The NEC member stated that individual states in the region may have deficiencies. But if they come together such deficiencies can be overcome unitedly.
Srivastava also said the north east should take advantage of the ‘Look East Policy’. He added products found in the north east should be ‘value added’ so that maximum benefit is generated.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Meghalaya Economic Developmental Council RG Lyngdoh during his inaugural address stated that the NE states needed ‘team work’.
Naga Areas: ‘Nehru Midwifed the Birth of Nagaland through a Caesarean’ contd. from previous issue...
Revolt in Manipur Hills
The Nagas leader who strongly advocate for the integration of Naga areas of Manipur with Nagaland was Rungsung Suisa of Somdal Village, Ukhrul district. Popularly known Uncle Suisa. The other leaders includes like Athiko Daiho from Mao, Teba from Tamenglong (Usham, Dhananjoy. 2005. “Nagas’ demand for integration: A historical perspective”, The Sangai Express, 24 & 31 August, 15 & 21 September). In course of British Empire to withdrawal from India sub-continent, an inevitable political turmoil took place in Imphal valley particularly in the administration reform of Manipur Maharaja.
Maharaja of Manipur, Bodh Chandra Singh set up of Constitution Making Committee (CMC) composed of officials to draft a Constitution for the State of Manipur. The representatives for the valley were returned by indirect election held in five Tehsils and those for the hill were sent up by the President Manipur State Darbar (PMSD) in whose special responsibility lay the then administration of the Hills. The Chairman of the CMC was F. F. Pearson. Mr. Suisa was one of the five Hill leaders nominated by the PMSD as members of the CMC. Other hill representatives include Athiko Daiho (Mao), Teba Kilong (Tamenglong), TC Tiankham (Churachandpur) and Thanyoupao Kipgen (South East Area).
The committee passed the draft Constitution on 8th May 1947 under the Maharaja of Manipur, Bodh Chandra Singh. However, in the Clause-wise discussion there were huge differences emerge between the hill leaders and valley representatives. On August 13, 1947 a meeting was held under the Chairmanship of R. Suisa of hill leaders demanding that the hill areas should be allowed to secede from Manipur after five years if they so desired. From this very meeting, the hill representatives declared as, “The Principal of equality and freedom as applied to all without distinction of caste, creed and race shall include the right of any section of the Hill Peoples to secede at the end of the five years period should condition within the Constitution not be satisfactory”. Mr. Daiho and Mr. Tiankham made it clear that if such a clause was not incorporated they could not be part to the Constitution. The Chairman of the CMC F.F. Pearson drew the personal attention of the Manipuri Maharaja to the dissension of the Hill people. However, it was not followed accordingly.
The Nagas and other tribal groups categorically assert that they will not remain in Manipur since the Manipuri Maharaja had never conquered them and declared that it would be impossible to preserve the best of their culture, tradition, customary laws and political practices. The Naga National League (NNL) headed by Mr. Athiko Daiho, in September 1946, was organised to consolidate Nagas of Manipur in order to bring together Naga people separated by colonial boundaries. According to Usham, Dhananjoy (2005), “…the two Mao leaders drew the attention of the Government of India, the pernicious policy of divide and rule on the Nagas by the British for decades and sought for the initiation of Nagas in free India. They also called a number of meetings of all Nagas particularly in Manipur namely Zeliangrong, Tangkhul, Kom and Anal to join hands with Mao Maram on the question of unification movement, among which the one (meeting) held in Tungam (Khumai in Mao or Shokhama in Angami) was a decisive one.
Tangkhul leader R. Suisa, however spoke actively in favour of the cause, refused to join hands in the non-co-operation movement against the Government of Manipur.” Further Usham mentioned, “Naga National Council (NNC) extended their moral support and traditional passion with the promise to come to their rescue when they fall into difficulty.”
The movement expressed their strong desire to merge with the Nagas Hill district of Assam (now the present Nagaland state) through the boycott of the preparation of the electoral rolls in the Naga areas and the election to the first Legislative Assembly of Manipur in 1948. However, PC Deb, Returning Officer declared R. Suisa elected uncontested from No. 7, Talloi Hill vide notification dated 30 June 1948 (Manipur State Gazette June 30, 1948 Part III).
A campaign led by the NNL was launched during the Capt. Priyo Batra Singh (Younger brother of Maharaja Bodh Chandra Singh) who is the Dewan and Chief Ministership and Major Khathing (Bob) as Minster of Hill Affairs. The symbolic expression was “No House Tax Payment” to the Government of Manipur, but they decided to pay the tax to the Deputy Commissioner of the Naga Hills District in Assam. The NNL also sent a memorandum to the Deputy Prime Minster and Minster-in-charge State highlighting their legitimate demand to merge themselves with Nagas of the district of Naga Hills based on their affinity (socially, culturally and traditionally). Manipur Government with the help of Assam Rifles along State Police took severe action against the revolting Nagas. There was indiscriminate firing by the Gurkhas of Assam Rifles to the volunteers of Mao-Maram Tribal Council. In which three persons were killed, thirteen others received serious bullet injuries while many people ran helter-skelter and fell flat on the ground trampled one another to get out of Mao Gate. Later Athiko Daiho, Ng. Modoli, Shibo and Kaokho Dili were arrested on 27 August 1948 and imprisoned at Imphal Jail and the two were shifted to Dum Dum Central Jail, Calcutta.
16- Point Memorandum: “An Instrument of Accession”
From the first initiation, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru strongly objected to the concept and practicability of an overall independent Nagaland. However, He consented to the demand for a separate Naga administration that would no longer be part of Assam (But Nagaland under Central Government). The Naga Hill-Tuensang Area Act, 1957 was passed by the Parliament of India. According to this Act, from 1st December 1957, the NHD of Assam and the Tuensang Frontier division of NEFA were constituted into a single administrative unit.
The Naga People’s Convention (NPC) with the traditional representatives of different Naga groups belonging to the Naga Hills as well as Tuensang area and also from other Naga areas was organised and held the Convention in Kohima 1957. Nine members Naga delegation met Mr. Nehru and presented the convention’s resolution. Nehru assured Nagas to accommodate the proposal through necessary Constitution amendment. On 11 and 12 December, 1958 member of Drafting Committee met to deliberate a 16-Point Plan to establish a Nagaland State within the Indian Union. The Convention under the Chairmanship of Imkongliba unanimously endorsed to constitute a single administrative unit under the External Affair Ministry of the Government of India. This was followed by Mokokchung Convention held in 1959, wherein the Sixteen-Point Memorandum was adopted. And the Clause 13 of 16-Point Memorandum stress for the “Consolidation of contiguous Naga areas”. It read as, “The delegation wished the following to be placed on record: The Naga leaders expressed the wish for the contiguous areas to join the new State. It was pointed out to them on behalf of the Government of India that Article 3 and 4 of the Constitution provided for increasing the area of any State, but that it was not possible for the Government of India to make any commitment in this regard at this stage”.
Such adoption initiates and enhances the Nehru sense of urgency to rush up the creation of Nagaland State. However, the Governor of Assam was continuing to object. Nehru told him: “When a limb has become gangrenous, for God’s sake cut it off at once before the whole body is infected. Can’t you see you will be doing yourself more harm than good by trying to cling on to the Nagas?” So, Nehru midwifed the birth of Nagaland through a caesarean (Narayan, Ram and Laxmi Murthy .2002. Four Years of the Ceasefire Agreement).
Longkumar, Lanu (2004) in his Seminar Paper “The Geo-Political Dimensions of Nagas Nationalism and Integration” comment that, “Formation of the Naga People Convention by some Civil Servants and few self centered educated Nagas have noticeable caused a setback in the history of Naga political struggle. Out of the 16 Charter of demands placed by the NPC to the Government of India, a state of Nagaland was created, resulting further fragmentation of the Naga within the four states in India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) and causing more confusion and delusion among the Naga society.”
The infamous “16-Point Agreement” between the NPC and GoI (under the Ministry of External Affairs) open a new political corridor for the absorption to the Indian Constitution. In other word, it is the road of “accession”. With this agreement, the Prime Minster Nehru introduced the Nagaland Statehood Bill on 28 August 1962 in the Lok Sabha. The Bill entered as the Thirteenth Amendment of the Indian Constitution. The article was inserted namely 371(A)- Special Provision with respect to the State of Nagaland and accommodate many aspects of the 16- Points submitted by the Nagas delegations led by Imkongliba. For instance, “no Act of Parliament in respect of- religious, social practices, customary law and procedure, ownership and transfer of land and its resources…” Unfortunately, the so-called 16-Point Agreement just turns into a mere “Proposal”. The GoI do not adequately honour all the Points. The important issues like “Naga areas under the Ministry of External Affairs”, and issues related to land and Naga integration (Consolidation of Forest Areas and Consolidation of Contiguous Naga Areas) is totally ignored by the government.
Imkongliba was assassinated before the “caesarean birth” of Nagaland State on 20 August 1961. President Dr. Radhakrishnan, formally inaugurated Nagaland State (The Sixteenth State of the Indian Union) with P. Shilu Ao as Chief Minster on 1 December 1963.
Remarks
Indeed, documents clearly proved that the areas now claimed by the Nagas traditionally belong to the Nagas. Former ruler deceitfully and forcibly deprived the Nagas of their land and place into different administrative unit (for their convenience) and divided the Nagas into different territories. Nagas either in Assam or Manipur were political uneasy. In Manipur state, the Naga movement for the unification is utterly misread and playing unkind territorial politics resulting ethnic animosity between the Nagas and the Meiteis. Also, Assam Government harassing the innocent Naga villagers living in these areas. Indeed, Nagas’ demand for unification is nothing to do with the Indian Constitution provision because Naga issue is not constitutional crisis but purely political crisis.
NPC record on Consolidation of Contiguous Naga areas understood on the line of Indian Constitution Article 3 and 4. Nagas are not demanding to unify and integrate under the Constitutional provision but restore the historical rights and traditional areas/territory to them. Land itself is the Naga history. The colonial dissection and post-independent division of Naga areas is now making a complex territorial politics. Fast track adoption of NPC’s 16-Points proposal and abnormal birth of Nagaland state through caesarean is creating divisive force among the Naga society (now, the state’s machinery and media creating artificial “territorial-political” identity like “Nagaland Nagas,” “Manipuri Nagas,” “Assamese Nagas,” “Burmese Nagas”…so on to the Nagas).
Being aware of the problem, Nagas needs to strengthen the unification of Naga territories that has been dissected at the difference stages of the administrative restructure processes and state re-organisation. And Nagas’ blunt political mistake and accession to Nehru’s “divisive policy” inevitably weaken Naga territorial integration and unification process. Today, such crucial politics must put in the correct perspective and sustain to the best.
U A Shimray
(concluded..)