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01/13/2006: "Burma resumes crackdown on Naga guerillas"

Burma resumes crackdown on Naga guerillas
Submitted by Bill Weinberg World war report
Naga separatist guerillas in India's remote northeast are once again being hunted down by the authorities in neighboring Burma (Myanmar), where they had previously been granted refuge. This appears to be leading to a two-front insurgency in which the Naga separatists are seeking an independent state straddling the current Burma-India border. On Jan. 10, Naga guerilla leaders claimed to have killed seven Burmese soldiers while losing three rebel fighters in a heavy gun battle in Burmese territory.
A spokesman of the SS Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) said fighting broke out Jan. 8 between the guerrillas and Burmese government troops in a thickly forested area of Burma'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 the Indo-Asian News Service by telephone from an undisclosed location near the border.
The NSCN-K is said to have at least 50 camps with some 7,000 fighters entrenched in fortified bunkers in Burma. "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 guerilla spokesman said. "Our leader Khaplang is very much safe."
Burma launched a massive military offensive backed by a brigade of about 3,500 soldiers in December to evict Naga 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, with two of their camps demolished by advancing soldiers. There was no confirmation of the clashes from the Burmese 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.
Among the Indian separatist armies operating out of Burma are 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.
This is the third major Burmaese crackdown on the Naga guerillas. The last was early last year, when NSCN-K camps were routed and several Naga fighters killed. The first was in 2000, when at least a dozen guerillas were killed. India and Burma share a 1,640-km border in remote, forested and mountainous territory, allowing separatist guerillas from the northeast to use the adjoining country as a staging ground. The rebels say they are seeking to protect their ethnic identities and accuse the Delhi government of unfairly exploiting the timber, mineral and oil resources of the region. More than 50,000 people have lost their lives to fighting in the northeast since India's independence in 1947. (IANS via WebIndia123.com, Jan. 10)
Peace talks postponed to Jan end The Morung Express News Dimapur | January 12
The peace parleys earlier scheduled to be held on January 15 has been deferred to a later date. Kilo Kilonser of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) Rh Raising today said that talks would in all probability be held in the last week of January due to the Centre’s inability to attend the same before Republic Day celebrations. Special Emissary to the NSCN (IM) Collective Leadership VS Atem and Education Kilonser of the outfit Tongmeth Wungnao will be present at the negotiations. “Representatives from our home ministry are yet to be announced,” Raising said. The talks will be crucial as the current term of the ceasefire expires on January 31.
Raging fire ambush Dzukou Valley; Rio sends SOS to Delhi The Morung Express News Dimapur / January 12
CHIEF MINISTER Neiphiu Rio has sent out an SOS message to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, asking for immediate assistance to douse the raging fire at Dzukou Valley. Rio has expressed serious concern over the uncontrollable fire which has been blazing for the past five days, and which has destroyed about 10 sq km of the valley, along with its precious bio-diversity resources, which will be very difficult to be restored, a release said. The Chief Minister has condemned in the strongest of terms those culprits responsible for the outbreak of the fire.
“A massive forest fire is raging in the Dzukou and Japfu mountains since the last five days. The fire has destroyed about 10 sq kms of the area along with its precious biodiversity resources”, the Chief Minister stated in the letters for assistance addressed to Union Ministers Shivraj Patil and A Raja of the Home and Environment Ministry respectively.
Rio said, “The State Government has attempted to control and put out the fire, but with little success due to the difficult terrain, lack of adequate fire fighting equipments, and accumulation of huge dry biomass fueling the fire.” Assistance from the Centre has been sought for immediate aerial survey and to chalk out strategies to combat and put out the fire on emergency basis.
Forest Secretary, L Kire further informed The Morung Express that the villagers and the department are making intense efforts to douse the spreading fire.
Considering the grave situation engulfing the southern areas of the district, the Southern Angami-II constituency MLA, KV Pusa underlined that the Government should play a bigger role by providing necessary infrastructures and assistance to bring down the fire. While informing that no casualty has been reported till now, Pusa said that the fire is raging rapidly and destroying the ecological beauty of the valley. He further suggested that if the need arise, the government should provide choppers to evacuate the villagers under danger to safer grounds.
“So far we are not able to pinpoint the culprits however; strong action would be taken against the offenders if caught. The destruction will not only affect the ecological balance of the place but the people will be the worst affected”, the MLA informed The Morung Express.
It may be mentioned that Dzukou Valley is about 30 kms south of Kohima, at an altitude of about 2438 metres behind the Japfu ranges. Over the years, Dzukou has come to be called the ‘valley of eternal charm’ because of its beautiful landscape and rich floral diversity. It is also considered one of the best trekking spots in the State.
Release appeal Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 12: Refuting the allegation of Nagaland police that the eight persons arrested by them are cadres of an UG group, the All Manipur Light Vehicle Owners’ and Driver’s Union has clarified that all of them are innocent persons and not related with any UG group.

A statement issued by the Union informed that of the arrested persons, Md Aziz is a member of the Union while appealing for their unconditional release at the earliest on humanitarian ground.

Hurt in mishap: A 45 year old man identified as Mayengbam Manihar Singh of Maiba Khul Mamang Leikai was injured when the cycle he was driving was hit by a Tata today at about 6 pm near BSF gate at Koirengei.

The man admitted to RIMS hospital is in critical condition as the Tata had c

Bandh called on Jan 15 over Indrasen killing The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jan 10: Coming on the heels of the general strike called on January 16 in protest against the North AOC shooting incident, the joint action committee formed against the murder of Indo-Myanmar Friendship Chamber of Commerce president M. Indrasen by the PULF has called another state-wide general strike on January 15.

The state-wide general strike will last from 6 pm of January 14 to 6 pm of January 15.

The decision to call the general strike was taken at a public discussion held today at Samurou bazar organised by the JAC and participated by representatives of a large number of social organisations, clubs and meira paibi groups belonging to different communities.

The meeting also reiterated the JAC`s call for rooting out the PULF from the soil of Manipur, and made an open appeal to the organisations involved in the `national liberation movement` in Manipur to take necessary steps in this direction. In this connection, the meet urged the organisations concerned to make public their stance at the earliest.

The meet also put on record its disenchantment with the government for its indifferent attitude towards the depredations of the PULF for a long time.

Speaking at the gathering, M Indraakumar, son of the deceased Indrasen, denounced the PULF as a terrorist gang. He said that though the demand for Rs. 6 crores was not possible to meet, the family had arranged around Rs. 1 lakh as ransom. But the PULF rejected the offer, not only using filthy language in the presence of his mother, but mocking them by promising to send back his father`s dead body so that the family could observe the shradha jointly with that of his grandmother, who had passed away after learning of the abduction.

Indrakumar also informed that the OC, Pallel police station had given the family the name and telephone number of the PULF contact in connection with his father`s kidnapping, and questioned whether the state forces were involved in the incident.

Other speakers at the gathering observed that there were too many underground groups in the state, and the public were in dire straits owing to their activities. If the underground groups do not come to their senses on their own, there is every possibility of the public rising in wrath against them, they said.

The meeting also reiterated the demand for the safe release of Indrasen`s associates who were kidnapped along with him, namely Ayo Tangkhul, Huidrom Sharat, and driver Shiva.

Representatives of TIPS, HERICOUN, AMUCO, IPSA, MSF, MAPI Council, UPF, AMICO, NIPCO, THANIL, IMMA, FREINDS, CLK, Human Rights Alert, MAFYF, ICRO, PLMPAL and several other organisations and meira paibi groups participated in the meeting.

It is worth mentioning here that Moirangmayum Indrasen was kidnapped by the PULF cadres on December 21 near the Pallel forest checkpost while returning from Moreh. The outfit, which had made a demand of Rs. 6 crores for his release, later gunned him down on January 2 at Yairipok Malom Lamkhai.

Bandh in Moreh over pastor`s abduction and shooting A Lalit Kangla on line

MOREH, Jan 10: Life in the border town of Moreh was paralysed today following a lightning bandh called by the Moreh Pastor Fellowship in the wake of the abduction of the pastor of the Moreh Hindi Baptist Church, Mohan Lal, and the church secretary, Kishan Yadav, by unidentified persons today.

While the kidnapped men were released shortly before noon, pastor Mohan Lal was shot in the left hand by his abductors and had to be hospitalised.

Pastor Mohan Lal, 45, and Kishan Yadav, 26, were kidnapped this morning around 9 am by two unidentified persons at Moreh ward no. 3. The armed men reportedly accosted them near the JS Photo Studio, and at gunpoint bundled them into an autorickshaw.

In the wake of the abduction, the Moreh Pastor Fellowship called a lightning bandh that lasted from 9 am till 4 pm. A rally, participated by some 500 people, mostly Christians, was also taken out through Moreh town to protest against the incident.

In the meantime, the two kidnapped men were released by their abductors at around 11:30 am today. While Kishan Yadav was unharmed, the abductors shot pastor Mohan Lal in the left hand. The latter was given first aid at the Moreh community health centre upon his release, and was later referred to the RIMS hospital in Imphal.

Owing to the bandh today, nearly all shops and business establishments in the border town stayed shut till the evening, and the roads were deserted. No buses left the town for Imphal today, while buses coming from Imphal had to wait at the Moreh small town gate till the end of the bandh.

Relating their experiences, Kishan Yadav said their abductors, who were altogether five in number, had accused them of frequenting the local Army camp and acting as informers. They were also told to leave Moreh, Yadav said.

He said the abductors had taken them to the Chavangphai area, where they were given a beating. However, when he clarified that he had come to Moreh only two years back and was serving as staff at the Hindi Baptist Church, he was allowed to go unharmed. The abductors spoke both in Manipuri and Hindi, Yadav said.

In the meantime, the Moreh Pastor fellowship chairman, reverend Thongam, has issued a press release strongly condemning the kidnapping, and the shooting of pastor Mohan Lal. The release demanded a clarification on the reasons behind the incident, and further appealed to all underground groups not to harass religious workers in future.
Campaign against Assam's 'bandh' culture gathers pace Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, Jan 12 (IANS) 'Say no to bandh' (general strike) is the latest catch phrase in Assam with some eminent citizens trying to drum up public support to prevent frequent strikes that hit normal life.
Thought the campaign against the 'bandh culture' in Assam is gathering momentum, it is yet to be seen if it has the backing of the government workforce that invariably keeps away from offices during any strike call.
A group of prominent citizens recently formed a platform called 'Bandh Birodhi Samiti Asom (strike opposition front) and launched a series of meetings and awareness drives to stop this practice of groups or political parties resorting to strikes to air their grievances.
'This practice of calling bandhs is not only illegal but a serious curb on an individuals right to freedom,' veteran journalist D.N. Bezboruah said. Poster campaigns and public meetings apart, the group has decided to oppose and resist any calls for future strikes in Assam.
Last month, the Gauhati High Court admitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on all strikes in the state.
The court had issued notices to the state and union governments, All Assam Students Union (AASU), Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the Bharatiya Janata Party and 14 other respondents including the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and the newly-floated Asom Sena as to why strikes should not be declared unconstitutional.
The petitioners argued that there were 63 general strikes enforced in Assam last year thereby incurring heavy financial losses to the state and its people.
According to the petition, the state loses around Rs.411 million ($9.2 million) for every bandh, besides the adverse impact on the overall education system with students losing vital study hours every year due to such strikes.
The petition also pleaded for a penalty to be imposed for calling any strike in future.
'Poor people like the daily wage workers, vegetable vendors and others who live a hand-to-mouth existence are the worst sufferers when there is a bandh. Such bandhs need to be banned,' said Anurag Das, a retired schoolteacher.
But government employees are generally found to be supportive of such strike calls and refrain from attending office.
'The protest should come from the government employees as well and they should set an example by attending office during bandhs,' said Abhinav Bora, a college student.
'We are sick and tired of such strikes and the newspapers should also avoid publishing statements about any bandh call by any organisation,' he said.

UPA partial attitude towards NE: Khasi students
NET News Network
Shillong, Jan 12: Notwithstanding, Meghalaya Chief Minister D.D.Lapang decision to temporarily suspend barbed fencing in some area of the Indo-Bangla border, the Khasi Students Union (KSU) has castigated the ruling Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government policy to fence the international Indo-Bangla border without proper demarcation of the boundary line.
The KSU went hammer and tongs against the UPA government on the fencing of Indo-Bangla border apprehending that more land will be parted to Bangladesh territory.
The Union Home Ministry has allotted the fencing work to the National Building Construction Company to barbed fence the porous border from 150 yard from the zero line.
“In Jammu and Kashmir, the centre is pouring crore of rupees and deployed large number of troops during Kargil war to ensure that not an inch of land goes to Pakistan, but in the North east they are ready to give our land to Bangladesh,” said the KSU President Samuel Jyrwa addressing a public rally at Dawki in Jaintia Hills opposing fencing of the Indo-Bangla in Meghalaya sector.
The KSU President also listed parts of Muktapur, Dawki, Pyrdiwah, Jaliakhola and other village in East Khasi Hills District and Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya. Jyrwa said that fencing work can start only after a fresh demarcation of the international boundary line.
Three frontal organizations opposed to fence the Indo-Bangla- the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front, Federation of Khasi, Janitia and Garo Peoples and the Federal Council of Ri War Mihngi Welfare Organisation under the banner of Co-ordination Committee on International Boundary (CCIB) on Tuesday claimed that the Chief Minister D.D.Lapang has ordered Deputy Commissioner of Jaintia Hills, Frederick Roy Kharkongor to direct the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) to temporarily keep in abeyance the barbed fencing in some part of the Indo-Bangla border.
Another killing rocks Moreh From I Ibobi Sangai Express
MOREH, Jan 12 : The border town of Moreh which has been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons is again on the brink of another upheaval following the killing of a man by 24 Assam Rifles personnel under contradictory claims.
The incident took place at Chavangphai yesterday at about 8.30 pm and the deceased has been identified as Jangkhotinmang Hao-kip.
Chairman of the Hill Tribal Council TT Haokip has already lodged a complaint with the Moreh police and a case has been registered.
According to locals, the incident took place when 24 Assam Rifles personnel in civvies came to Chavangphai last night at about 8.30 and started beating up some people.
The victim who was warming himself by a fire at the court yard of one Holngam Mate got alarmed and rushed inside his house. The Assam Rifles personnel fired towards the house and the victim received a bullet wound on the right thigh which penetrated through and got lodged on the left thigh, said the local people.
Though injured the victim was also beaten up by the security personnel, they charged and added that he died while he was being taken to Imphal for treatment.
When this correspondent contacted the CO of 24 Assam Rifles, the officer replied that he himself led a team to Chavangphai to launch an operation after receiving specific information.
The CO said that as they approached the residence of Holngam Mate they saw 7/8 persons in suspicious manner.
“Some of them who were armed surrounded our vehicle while others were on alert at the courtyard of Mate,” added the CO.
They however ran away when they realised it was the Assam Rifles, explained the CO and added that his men opened fire when they did not heed the warning to stop. One single barrel gun was also recovered from Haokip, he claimed.
However the Kuki Movement for Human Rights in an open letter to the Chief Minister alleged that Jangkhotinmang was killed after arrest.
Demanding immediate action against the AR personnel, the rights body said that a judicial inquiry should be ordered to probe the matter, to pay life long pension to the young widow of the late man and to provide free education to the two children of Haokip till they graduate. The rights body further accused the CO of Assam Rifles of refusing to take the grievously injured Haokip to Imphal, insisting that it would be done so the following day. Relatives and KSO leaders then hired a vehicle to take the injured man to Imphal, but he passed away on the way at about 11.30 pm, asserted KMHR.
Lapang urges PM to move Dhaka over ultra camps Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, Jan 12 – Meghalaya Chief Minister DD Lapang has requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take up with Dhaka about dismantling of militants camps located in Bangladesh.

During his recent visit to New Delhi, he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and made this request, Lapang told reporters after inauguration of a new media centre at the Secretariat here.

The Chief Minister said that he requested Singh to consider keeping the Indo-Bangladesh border fencing in abeyance in certain pockets till some land controversies were sorted out.

Lapang, however, is in favour of early completion of border fencing. Lapang, who was accompanied by Union DONER Minister PR Kyndiah during his meeting with Singh, thanked the Prime Minister for his intervention in the release of Meghalaya’s three Foresters arrested by Bangladesh.

Voicing concern over the inter-state boundary dispute with Assam, the Chief Minister also requested Singh to facilitate solving of the matter involving four states in the region –Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. – PTI

11 films from NE to be screened at MIFF Assam Tribune
KOLKATA, Jan 12 – India’s Oscar-nominated venture Little Terrorist, a first-time package from Iran and a panorama of films from the North East would be the main draw of this year’s Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) featuring 500-odd entries from over 40 countries.

The ninth edition of MIFF scheduled between February 3 and 9 in Mumbai would have maiden documentary entries from Iran made mostly by the country’s young woman film-makers, MIFF director Raghu Krishna told reporters here today.

“We will have a package of Iranian films spanning nine hours at the festival this time alongside India’s Oscar-nominated entry Little Terrorist by Ashwin Kumar,” Krishna said.

The north-eastern States would be amply represented with 11 films – Drummers of Koihati, Where the Tallest Grass Grows, Prayers for New Gods, And Silently the Drums Wait, The Dance of the Lai Haraoba, Binding Threads, Sons of Abotani: The Misings, And the Bamboo Blooms, The Haven of Peace, and Wet Dessert.

The festival, to be inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, would screen retrospectives of jury members Lasse Naukkarinen, John Akomfrah, Sato Makoto and Lisa Goldman.

The competitive festival would give away Rs. 28 lakh in total prize money, Krishna added. – PTI

Gaan-Ngai kicks off amid razzmatazz By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jan 12 : Gaan-ngai - the grandest annual festival of Zeliangrong community formally began with pomp and traditional fervour at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre today.
Opening ceremony of the State level celebration organised by All Zeliangrong Arts and Cultural Organisation (Azaco) was held with MLA Z Mangaibou and general secretary of Zeliangrong Religious Council Chaoba Kamson as the chief guest and functional president respectively while social activists Amrik singh Pahwa, Anoubam Rajen, Gaibon Kamei and general secretary of Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak (TRC) M Leirenjao graced the occasion as the guests of honour.
Offering of ‘holy wine’ and lighting of celebration lamp with the sacred fire produced in the traditional manner marked the start of the festival at BOAT where Zeliangrong people in large number and of all ages converged.
Appreciating the State Government for granting recognition to the customary celebration of the Zeliangrongs, the chief guest described as fortunate the opportunity provided by the State to exhibit the traditionally rich and vibrant custom of the community to other entities. Mangaibou, who had em-braced Christian faith when he attained 12/13 years, shared his childhood expe-riences of family elders re- ligiously advocating and celebrating Gaan-Ngai festivities.
Zeliangrong tribes are not only the second largest community of Manipur after the Meiteis, but adds to the richness of the State’s multi-ethnic societal composition, he said and affir- med that in the absence of Zeliangrong or any other community Manipur’s shine and gloss would be dimmer.
The chief guest called upon the people, cutting across religious barriers to contribute their might towards promotion of peace and tranquillity in the State.
In his address, Amrik Singh Pahwa desired that the people advocate forget and forgive principle as weeding out feeling of enmity that might had cropped up due to circumstantial constraints is the only way to strengthen bond of oneness amongst various com- munities.
Highlighting that India is making huge strides towards economic self- sufficiency compared to Manipur still stuck in the quagmire of law and order and under-development, he desired that inspite of multi-pronged problem besetting Manipur the people should make relentless efforts in bridging the economic disparity. he also presented shawls and carry-bags to the festival organisers.
speaking on the occasion, Anoubam Rajen poin- ted out similarity between Meiteis and Kabuis pertai-ning to religious and tradi- tional practices followed since time immemorial.
Presenting the presidential address, Chaoba Kamson recalled indelible effort and contribution of former Minister Prof Gang-mumei Kamei resulting in recognition and subsequent declaration of Gaan-Ngai festival as a State holiday.
Meanwhile, Zeliang-rong Union (Assam, manipur & Nagaland) conveying of ‘Chakan Gaan-Ngai/Chaga Ngi’ being celebrated by Zeliangrong people of the North Eastern India also informed that the celebration was marked by traditional gaiety, sports and religious rites in accordance with the rich legacy of ancestors and their glorious past.
Under the aegis of ZU a symbolic Gaan-Ngai festival celebration was held at Zeliangrong House, imphal with traditional practices of ‘ginger dedication’ (gucheng phaihmei), ‘reading pigs’ splint’ (gakpai jaomei) and offering of sacred wine to the almighty (zoupan keimei) administered by Tarung Khullakpa Pou Gaichunglung Panmei followed by igniting of sacred fire (maih lapmei) by Pou Bikram Golmei of Sawombung-Sairem and blowing of fire (maihlamei) by ZU, imphal Zone chairman Pou R Chandra Haomei, said a release.
Speeches on the festival, group songs and pre- sentation of cultural items were the other highlight of the celebration, it added. Among others vice pre-sident of Zeliangrong Cul- tural Council Pou Paijai-rung Thaimei, ZU vice pre- sident Pou Adi Riamei, re-presentatives of Amuco, AZSU, ZSUM, ZFY, KMA and many prominent social workers attended the func-tion. The ZU wished the people peace, prosperity, goodwill and happy Cha-gan Gaan-Ngai/Chaga Ngi.
Fencing not even half along B’desh border From our Staff Correspondent Sentinel
NEW DELHI, Jan 12: The step-motherly treatment by the Central Government meted out towards the north-eastern States has once again come to the fore. The progress of the border fencing with Bangladesh has not even reached the halfway mark. The recent data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have revealed that only around 49 per cent of the work has been completed till date. The border fencing with Pakistan, on the other hand, has nearly been completed.
The data released by the MHA shows that out of 1,759 km of fencing with Bangladesh, only 833 km has been completed, whereas out of the 2007.63 km of international border with Pakistan, 1752.42 km has already been completed. Speaking to The Sentinel, a highly placed Home Ministry official said that the work was progressing well. "The phase-I of the Indo-Bangladesh border work consisting of construction of 857.00 km of fence (including Bengal) has almost successfully been completed. The Phase-II of India-Bangladesh border consisting of the construction of 2429.00 km of fence is progressing extremely well. Additional agencies have been engaged for expeditious completion of fencing along Indo-Bangladesh border," said the official.
The total international fencing with Bangladesh, including Bengal, is 3286.87 km. But only 1961.314 km has been fenced. The report says that in Assam out of 223.81 km, 153.594 km has been fenced. Out of 399.06 km in Meghalaya, only 255.60 km has been fenced. In Tripura, out of 736 km, 414.59 km has been completed. The work progress in Mizoram has been the worst compared to all the NE states. Only 9 km of work has been completed out of the total 400 km.