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01/16/2006: "NSCN threatens to pull out of ceasefire Indian Catholic"

NSCN threatens to pull out of ceasefire Indian Catholic
Dimapur (ICNS) -- Peace in northeastern India seems bleak as the top Naga group threatened to pull out of a nine-year-old ceasefire.The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) today threatened to call off the truce if the Central Government fails to meet its demands.

Explaining the reasons for the threat, RH Raising, a senior leader of the most influential tribal separatist in northeast, told reporters that his group made the truce to find a permanent solution.

“There is no meaning in simply extending the truce," he said adding, "People are getting impatient and anything may happen if the ceasefire breaks down at this stage.”

The outfit, led by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, entered into a ceasefire with New Delhi in August 1997. It is to expire on Jan. 31.

Oscar Fernandes, Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs, had said in New Delhi that he would hold talks with the NSCN-IM leadership in Bangkok after Jan. 26 in an attempt to extend the ceasefire.

Dates for the talks are yet to be finalised but it is expected to take place between Jan 27 and 31.

Raising said his groups would think of extending the truce, if the Central government has “some definite plans to solve the problem and we find their attitude positive, the ceasefire could be extended.” He said they would wait to see the government response before deciding their future course of action.

The two sides have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks to end the insurgency that has claimed an estimated 25,000 lives since 1947.

The region has some 30 major rebel groups. The NSCN, the most powerful of them, wants to create a Greater Nagaland out of Nagaland by slicing off parts of neighbouring Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh states that have Naga tribal population.
The governments of these states have already rejected the NSCN-IM's demand.
India-NSCN-Ceasefire /GNR/ Islamic republic news agency
Indian Naga separatist group threatens to pull out of ceasefire
Guwahati, India, Jan 15 -- An influential tribal separatist group in India's northeastern state of Nagaland Sunday threatened to pull out of a nine-year-old ceasefire if New Delhi fails to meet their demands, a rebel leader said.
"The objective of having the ceasefire is to find a permanent solution. There is no meaning in simply extending the truce," R.H.
Raising, a senior leader of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) said by telephone from Nagaland's commercial hub Dimapur.
"People are getting impatient and anything may happen if the ceasefire breaks down at this stage."
The NSCN, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, and New Delhi entered into a ceasefire in August 1997 with the ongoing truce expiring on January 31.
India's Minister for Overseas Affairs Oscar Fernandes said in New Delhi he would hold talks with the NSCN leadership in the Thai capital Bangkok after January 26 in an attempt to extend the ceasefire.
Dates for the talks were yet to be finalized but is expected to take place between January 27 and 31.
"If the Indian government has some definite plans to solve the problem and we find their attitude positive the ceasefire would be extended," the rebel leader said.
"We need to wait and see how the Indian government responds." The two sides held at least 50 rounds of peace talks to end one of South Asia's longest running insurgencies that claimed an estimated 25,000 lives since India attained independence in 1947.
The NSCN, one of the oldest and most powerful of about 30 rebel groups in India's northeast, wants to create a 'Greater Nagaland' out of Nagaland state by slicing off parts of neighbouring states that have Naga tribal populations.
The three regional governments of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have already rejected the NSCN's demand for unification of Naga-dominated areas.
"Simply prolonging the talks and extending the ceasefire would create doubts in the minds of the Naga people," Raising said.
"We trust the leadership of India but we need to see if they are really sincere in fulfilling the commitments and assurances given to us."
Delhi NPMHR, NSUD condemn The Morung Express
Dimapur, Jan 15 (MExN): The Naga People Movement for Human Rights Delhi (NPMHR) and Naga Student Union Delhi (NSUD) strongly condemned the recent act of Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) where five elders of the Nagas from Zeliangrong Community were severely harassed. On January 11, Zeliangrong elders were traveling along Imphal Tamei road and were stopped and the KRA took them to an isolated area and physically assaulted them. It was learned that this is not the first instance where Nagas were harassed in the area from Imphal to Tamei Road.
NPMHR Delhi demanded that harassing innocent people should be stopped for the peaceful co-existence of the two communities. NPMHR Delhi also condemned the Government of Manipur for failing to give attention to such kind of problem. NPMHR Delhi is also concern that Nagas are frequently harassed in this particular highway. Manipur Government should ensure the safety of the Naga people in that area and pay medical compensation to the five elders who have suffered, at the earliest.
NPMHR Delhi has expressed its solidarity to those people who are victimized. “NPMHR Delhi will not rest till Justice will be given to the Naga People”, stated a release issued by the Convener and President of NPMHR Delhi Unit and NSUD respectively.
ASEAN delegation to visit Nagaland tomorrow New Kerala
Kohima: A ten-member South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) delegation, accompanied by the chairman of the Centre for North East Studies (CNES), would be visiting in Nagaland tomorrow.

The delegation would call upon Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Governor Shyamal Datta and visit the industrial growth centres and the Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) at Geneshnagar.

A meeting with the state government and various NGOs would be also organised.

The team would visit the Kohima War Cemetery and the Kisama Heritage Village on January 19.

The members of the delegation include Prof Mya Than and Prof Maung Zarni from Myanmar, Prof Shigeru Tsumori and Seko Masato from Japan, Johnson Davasagayam Paul, T Murugaiah Rajarethnam and Shamini Rajarethnam from Singapore, Karuna Jha from Russia, Surin Pitsuwan from Thailand and others.
20 sq kms forest burnt in Dzuko valley fire
Newmai News Network

Kohima, Jan 15: With the fire at Dz?alley in the Manipur-Nagaland border,still raging beyond control, forest officials, carried out an aerial survey and taken aerial photographs of the valley to assess the damage caused by the fire that has been raging for the past one week.

Forest department officials said that the Union ministry of home affairs had dispatched a helicopter following an SOS by Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio.

According to the survey team, the fire has already consumed about 20 square kilometers, mostly of dwarf bamboo-covered slopes of the valley. However, fortunately, the intensity of the fire is decreasing, the sources said.

The Indian Air Force had surveyed the valley yesterday. As the IAF has the expertise to douse the fire, the state government has decided to seek the assistance of the IAF through the Union ministry of home affairs. The home ministry is very concerned about the fire and has made it clear that the fire should be put out under any circumstances, the sources disclosed. The Government of India has already assured to bear the expenses of the exercise to put out the fire, they revealed.

Nagaland DGP J. Changkija has already briefed the Union Home Secretary about the situation in Dz?alley, the sources said adding the Ministry is constantly in touch with the State Government.

The team was already in the process of making the report of the survey and would be forwarding the report to Chief Secretary P. Talitemjen Ao for approval after which it would be sent to the Home Ministry.

A preliminary report has already been sent to the Ministry, the sources added.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Mao Council (MC) said an eight member team headed by its vice president Mr. L. Nepuni visited the Dzuko range to take stock of the fire on January 11. The MC expressed its utmost concern over the extensive damage of ecology in the area and at the ever increasing alarming spread.

The statement said thick smoke from the fire was seen on the Sunday morning of January 8, 2006 even at the distant Mao, Maram and Poumai villages.

The Mao Council lamented that while the AIR Imphal and the AIR North East News Shillong has been broadcasting the initiatives and action taken up by the district administration Kohima and the government of Nagaland in connection with the raging fire, but nothing have been heard, done, said or written seriously by the Manipur people`s representatives, nature lovers, concerned ecologists, the administration and the news media.
Assam rebels demand Rs 5b from India's ONGC Guwahati, India, Jan 16, IRNA India-Assam-ONGC
Fear and panic has gripped workers of a premier Indian oil exploration firm in the northeastern state of Assam following a Rs. 5 billion extortion demand by a powerful separatist group, officials Monday said.
"We are indeed worried with panic gripping officials and workers in the organization following the extortion demand," a senior official of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) said.
"The militants warned of dire consequences if we fail to pay the money," the official, who wished not to be identified, told IRNA.
An Assam government official said senior officials of the state- owned ONGC had formally intimated the authorities about receiving the extortion demand from the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
"ONGC's offshore chairman, A K Hazarika, and security adviser, T N Mishra, formally told us about the ULFA's extortion demand and had requested full proof security for its workers," a senior state official said, requesting anonymity.
The extortion demand by the ULFA was followed by a powerful crude oil pipeline blast late Sunday.
A police spokesman said suspected ULFA militants triggered the explosion on an oil pipeline belonging to the Indian Oil Corporation near the village Palasguri in the western Chirang district, about 220 kilometers from Assam's main city of Guwahati.
The ULFA, a rebel group fighting for an independent Assamese homeland, is yet to claim responsibility for the explosion.
Supply of crude oil to the Bongaigaion refinery in western Assam was disrupted due to the blast, although restoration works were on.
The ONGC produces about 1.6 million tons of crude oil annually in Assam.
The ONGC was earlier forced to shut down exploration works in the adjoining Nagaland state after tribal guerillas in that state demanded money.
"There were several incidents in the past where rebels had targeted oil installations, kidnapped and killed oil executives, and even slapped huge extortion demands. This is not good for the oil industry," a police official said.
The ONGC earlier this month decided to invest a whopping Rs. 33 billion this year to nearly double its annual production of crude oil in Assam by drilling new wells and associated pipelines, besides revamping existing facilities.
India produces about 30 million tons of crude oil annually, with Assam accounting for about five million tons of the total. Oil India Limited (OIL) produces about 3.5 million tons of crude in Assam annually.
Assam has over 1.3 billion tons of proven crude oil and 156 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves of which about an estimated 58 percent of these hydrocarbon reserves are yet to be explored.
‘India a haven for child sex tourists’
India is slowly turning into a centre for child-sex tourists, says a path-breaking study on trafficking, while calling for a global battle against child sex. “In India, the abuse of both male and female children by tourists has acquired serious dimensions,” said the study called “Trafficking in Women and Children in India”, sponsored by the National Human Rights Commission.
“Unlike Sri Lanka and Thailand, this problem has not been seriously tackled or discussed openly (in India) and has remained more or less shrouded in secrecy, making the likelihood of child abusers being caught and punished very low,” it said. “The silence of the community and its unwillingness to speak out and openly discuss the issue has further compounded the problem.”
The study quoted investigators as saying that hoteliers in areas like Alleppy and Ernakulam promoted sex tourism “because such services bring in extra income. Victims are often projected by agents as college girls in search of fun and excitement or wanting to earn an extra buck. “In places like Alleppy houseboat sex tourism has become a new and thriving concept. This is a safe method, as there are hardly raids on houseboats.”
Enforcement agencies, the study said, “have turned a blind eye to this problem and cases have seldom been registered.” It mentioned that many children had sex with a varied range of tourists for Rs.50 to Rs.200. “It is hard to measure the incidence of child sex tourism as it is difficult to conduct quantitative research on such a clandestine and illegal industry,” the study said. “There is also evidence that over the last few years, increasing numbers of sex offenders, particularly from Western countries, are shifting to less developed countries due to increasing vigilance and action against paedophilia in their own countries.
The study researched by the Institute of Social Sciences and funded by USAID, calls for greater international battle against child sex tourism. “There is a need for global cooperation to fight the menace of child sex tourism. This is an internationally organised crime and a global perspective and coordinated plan of action are necessary to deal with it. The destination countries need to enact and enforce stringent laws and punish the exploiters and their collaborators.”
ABSU wants PM to look into Bodo accord promises The Morung Express
Kokrajhar , Jan 15 (UNI): The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) today urged Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to remove all ambiguities regarding the power plant of which he will laying the foundation stone tomorrow.
Welcoming the arrival of Dr Singh, ABSU President Rwn Gwara Narzary said confusion over the status of the existing Bongaigan Thermal Power Station (BTPS) and the upcoming thermal plant of the NTPC should be removed.
The state government sought to revamp the ailing BTPS, but the ministry favoured setting up of a new unit by NTPC. But confusion remained over the status of the BTPS and detailed project report of the NTPC.
“We welcome the initaitive but would like to know the fate of the BTPS,” said Mr Narzary on the eve of Dr Singh’s visit.
The ABSU also wanted a statement from him on the inclusion of Bodo-Kacharies in Karbi Anglong and N C Hills districts, establishing of Central Institute of Technology at Kokrajhar with a status of central university, special rehabilitation for relief camp inmates in Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon district due to ethnic violences, apart from recruitment of Bodo youths in army and para military forces, as these form essential clauses of the last concluded Bodo accord.
Why Manipuri Muslims need armed outfit? The Morung Express
It is unthinkable, at least in Manipur, that the Manipuri Muslim underground outfit could assassinate a Meetei for refusing to comply with their ransom of Rs 6 (six) crore. The People’s United Liberation Front (PULF), a Muslim militant organization of Manipur, had abducted Morangmayum Indrasen of Samurou for a ransom of whooping Rs 6 (six) crore and later killed him for not being able to meet their demand.
Unlike others, the Muslim communities in Manipur enjoy considerable rapport with the Meeteis over the centuries. They had the Royal patronage because they were brought in Manipur in the 6th Century by the then Manipuri King to use their skills in defense of the land. Over the decades, the Manipur Muslims have produced excellent leaders including a Chief Minister who was perhaps the only one resigning from the top post honoring the sentiments of the masses unlike the present leaderships.
Except for a brief tension with the majority Meeteis in the State in early 90s, there is hardly any issue that strains relationship between the majority Meeteis and minority Manipur Muslims. The Meeteis also do not take them as outsiders but as their own blood. But such historical bonds that have been going on over the centuries have been damaged beyond repair when the so-called PULF took the generosity and humbleness of the Meeteis for a ride by encroaching into their territories, which they should never have done it.
The people of Manipur have really suffered enough due to the ongoing conflicts between their over a dozen underground outfits and the Indian security forces. Although all these organizations have at least one common agenda that is to liberate Manipur from the clutches of the Indian occupational forces, the emerging of the PULF in the State as an armed outfit and their recent activities have really harmed to the overall revolutionary movement in the State.
The question remains to be asked is that for what purpose the Manipuri Muslims need such an armed organization if not for extorting the citizens. It is no wrong to form any group if it is something to do with their particular community but it would surely be counter productive if they indulge in abducting, killing and intimidating the people especially those majority Meeteis who are nurturing them as their own blood over the centuries. If they are interested to liberate Manipur from the clutches of Indian colonialism, why can’t they join UNLF, PLA, KCP, etc?
Is it legitimate demanding such a huge amount of money from a person like Indrasen? The accusation the PULF has hurled against the victim that the latter was Indian agent just because he contested Indian election was irrelevant and also one wonders as to how they dare asking such questions to Meeteis in Manipur. Are they controlling the Meeteis in Manipur? This is a serious point to be thoroughly deliberated upon by the people especially the Meeteis in Manipur.
It will be better for the Muslim civil organizations in the State to prevail upon this particular PULF before the masses go all out against them thereby affecting those innocent Muslims in the State. The people should not support any group that has been terrorizing them and people like Manipuri Muslims are free to join any Meetei underground organizations. But they should not be allowed to run any armed outfits such as PULF because it will only spoil the liberating struggle movement in the state.
Jiten Likmabam Manipur Basti, Guwahati, Assam
ULFA unrelenting, despite talks with Centre By Gaurav Shrivastava Ani
New Delhi, Jan. 16 (ANI): While talks initiated by the Centre with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to bring peace in Assam is moving in a right direction, the ULFA has stated that the 'Liberation of Asom' is the inherent right of the people of the State.
The rebel outfit stated that mutual abandonment of certain conditions by both ULFA and Indian Government is a must to end the deadlock in the ongoing parleys.
The newsletter released by ULFA publicity department has appealed the people to resolutely uphold their demand of 'freedom'. The rebel outfit's adamant attitude may affect the entire peace process as people of the insurgency-hit State are eagerly waiting for an end to the decade-old violence.
Resolutely upholding the right to freedom and sovereignty of Asom, the outfit has also severely criticized a section of intellectuals for their opinion that ULFA should abandon violence as a means of their struggle.
"They argue that for restoration of peace in Asom there must be some mutual abandonment of certain conditions between ULFA and Indian Government. Combative intension must be discarded. We have repeatedly said that there cannot be any neutrality on the issue of national liberation struggle of Asom. These intellectuals have suggested we renounce our aim of the struggle when we have agreed to drop two out of three conditions for talks in perspective of political solution," the statement said.
Ridiculing a section of Assam intellectuals, who suggested the outfit to abandon the combative intension, the outfit said, "They have witnessed the deliberate procrastination of the Indian Government towards the endeavour of PCG (People s Consultative Group) but has asked ULFA to sacrifice the aim of the struggle."
The rebel group reportedly having base in Bangladesh also castigated the intellectuals for aiding the 'Indian rulers' in the name of neutral stance.
Coming down heavily on the alleged attack on People s Consultative Group (PCG) members nominated by the outfit for talks with the Centre in Dibru-Chaikhowa reserve forest in Assam, the hard-hitting statement further added that the view of the 'colonists' for military solution is proved by their ignorant attitude towards the PCG to make it gradually trivial.
"Their point of view establishes the relevancy of armed solution by ULFA. Not only ULFA everyone wishes that Indian colonialists should shun the military option of solution," the outfit added.
The ULFA, a major rebel outfit in the northeastern part of India, has been fighting for a sovereign Assam for the last two and a half decades.
The outfit had constituted an 11-member PCG in October 2005, including noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami, to initiate talks with the Indian Government. The 11-member group held the first round of talks with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on October 26 in New Delhi, which ended on a positive note.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has also offered a safe passage to the ULFA cadres on the occasion of Magh Bihu, a harvest festival, to come over ground to meet their kith and kin.
Earlier, the ULFA had ruled out holding direct talks with the Centre unless the government releases some of its senior jailed leaders. (ANI)

ULFA blast ahead of PM's Assam visit By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, Jan 16 (IANS) Separatists blew up a crude oil pipeline in Assam ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's two-day visit to the state beginning Monday, officials said.
Suspected militants of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) late Sunday triggered a powerful explosion on the oil pipeline near village Palasguri in the western Chirang district, about 220 km from here, a police spokesman said.
'The pipeline belonging to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) was damaged in the blast and two fire tenders fought for nearly an hour to bring the blaze under control,' police official A. Das told IANS.
The district magistrate of Chirang, Jiten Borgoyari, said the blast was suspected to be carried out by the ULFA to make their presence felt ahead of the prime minister's visit.
The ULFA is yet to claim responsibility for the explosion.
Supply of crude oil to the Bongaigaion refinery in western Assam was disrupted due to the blast although restoration works were on, an IOC official said. Army soldiers late Sunday recovered at least five kg of explosives in the eastern district of Tinsukia.
The prime minister is visiting Assam to launch a series of development projects in the state, besides laying the foundation stone of a Rs.30 billion, 500 MW thermal power plant at western Assam's Salakati -- close to the site of Sunday night's blast.
'Security forces have been put on high alert across the state in view of the blast and the prime minister's visit,' Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told IANS.
The prime minister has earlier said he was ready to discuss 'all issues relating to the ULFA'.
'We are expecting the prime minister to make certain bold statements to solve the ULFA problem soon,' the chief minister said.
The prime minister is to inaugurate a sports complex, lay the foundation stone of an open university in the city, besides addressing a Congress party workers meeting.
On Tuesday, Manmohan Singh is scheduled to inaugurate a 'crafts village' at a symbolic function here before leaving for Margherita in eastern Assam where he will formally hand over three coalfields of Coal India Limited to the National Thermal Power Corporation.
'All the projects expected to be launched by the prime minister reflect the sincerity of the central government towards the state and also shows how we are working in tandem to bring in all-round development,' Gogoi said.
The prime minister's visit comes ahead of assembly elections in Assam that are due in April. 'Singh's visit would give the Congress party a major boost ahead of elections,' a senior Assam Congress leader said.
The prime minister leaves for New Delhi Tuesday evening from Dibrugarh in eastern Assam.
Editorial Identity Politics Sentinel
Assam has a peculiar history. As a state of the modern kind, it was organized only by the British after they came to this area in 1826 as a result of a treaty with an occupational Army of the Burmese King. After taking over the Ahom Kingdom, known as Assam, from the occupational forces, the colonial masters gradually spread their wings and arrived at a situation in which they could give shape to a composite state which included not only the territories of the erstwhile Ahom Kingdom but also the homelands of a large number of hitherto independent hill tribes of areas like present Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya. These areas had never been parts of the Ahom Kingdom, and eventually they attained separation from Assam. And, therefore, the clamour for separation seen here from time to time is also not unexpected. But the area once included in the Ahom Kingdom, or what historians often call the Assam proper, has been a homeland to a large number of small communities who, despite their own distinct cultures, gave birth to a new community by adopting the Axomiya language. This community was growing initially under the patronage of Ahom kings and the latter gained strength from the contributions of great men like Shankardeva, Madhavadeva and their followers. Till the fifties of the last century, smaller communities like the Bodo, Karbi and the Mishing, while maintaining their own identities at one level, were so assimilated that many leaders of these communities were proud members of the Axom Xahitya Xabha. By late fifties, however, some of these communities began asserting their linguistic identities for public purposes. The Bodos were one of the earliest to assert such an identity. And the others followed. The assertion of each community coincided with the emergence of an educated elite of its own. These elites mobilized their own communities for demanding community homelands. A new process of community-based identity politics came to the fore in Assam. All these elites saw in the Assamese a big brother with expansionist designs. But the politics of ‘identity assertion’ now began with the assertion of the Assamese linguistic identity itself. As reflections of aspirations of smaller communities, those assertions were definitely democratic but the interest articulation of the educated elites soon degenerated to such opportunism that now factional politics within the communities are threatening to become fratricidal wars. The recent developments in the Deuri community clearly depicts this trend. The community was offered autonomy but the question of exercising power within that autonomy led to serious infighting. The demands for homelands have turned out to be demands for spoils for the elites. The opportunism of the elites, claiming to represent particular communities, has become rather common in Assam. The divisions within the leadership of the various communities, be it the Assamese, the Bodos, the Karbis or the Deuris, may be seen as attempts to monopolize the scarce resources acquired through the politics of identity. Unless the general public understands this and intervenes democratically to restrain their respective elites, we may have hard times ahead.