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01/20/2006: "A need for mediating a Political Roadmap between the GoI and the NSCN by an International Third Party"

Naga's local music hits new high Aniruddha Maitra CNN-IBN
Kohima: Music has always been important to the people of Nagaland. And for the first time, the state is seriously promoting its own music.
Local music in Nagaland is fast becoming a full-fledged industry thanks to the efforts of music lovers in the state.
While music may have always been part of Naga life, the state has recently witnessed a sudden growth of pop bands and folk music groups.
Lead vocalist of Wave, a local band, Theja says, "I think this a step in the right direction."
With a huge following already in their home turf, many of these bands are also performing outside the state.
The state government is chipping in by forming a special task force for music. The task force will monitor and promote the state's music industry including identifying fresh talent and showcasing them in various events.
(With Deborshi Chaki in Kohima)
DAN dissolves Sub-Committee for Peace New Kerala
Kohima: The ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government led by Neiphiu Rio has decided to dissolve the Sub-Committee for Peace, constituted to facilitate the peace process with the NSCN factions.Official sources said here today that a Joint Legislators' Committee for Peace would be formed to broaden representation of all political parties, including the main Opposition Congress.

The decision to dissolve the Sub-Committee was a part of the four-point resolutions adopted during the meeting of the Consultative Committee for Peace (CCP) and the DAN Sub-Committee for Peace here yesterday. The meeting also resolved to appeal to the Centre and the NSCN to extend the cease-fire agreement and expedite the peace process. The meeting further resolved to place on record its appreciation of the Nagaland Assembly Speaker for convening a special meeting of the Legislators.

It also appreciated the churches and the NGOs for their active support to the peace process. The meeting appealed to all sections of people to desist from issuing provocative statements that may jeopardize the peace process.
Northeast rebels call for Republic Day boycott New Kerala
Guwahati: At least six separatist groups in India's northeast Friday called a 17-hour general strike Jan 26 to protest the Republic Day celebrations. Troops have already taken up positions at vulnerable areas across the northeast, and are conducting aerial surveillance over vital installations.

"We are not taking any chances and are prepared to thwart all plans by militants to sabotage the Republic Day celebrations," said an army commander engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Assam. A joint statement by the six rebel groups said: "For us this is the day (Jan 26) when the constitution of India was imposed on us 56 years ago, legalising Indian colonial occupation in the region.

"Therefore, in the above spirit for unity, this solidarity statement calls upon all the freedom loving peoples of the region to boycott India's Republic Day and also to prevent any such celebrations from being held in our region."

Among the militant groups party to the strike call were the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), Tripura People's Democratic Front (TPDF), United National Liberation Front (UNLF), People's Liberation Army (PLA), and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK). The statement said the strike would be from 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan 26 in the states of Assam, Manipur and Tripura. Rebel groups in Meghalaya and Nagaland have not called for a boycott and Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh do not have any insurgency problem now. Militants in the insurgency-hit northeast have for years been boycotting the Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations to protest New Delhi's rule over the vast region rich in oil, tea and timber.

The run-up to the events has usually been violent, with rebels striking at vital installations like crude oil pipelines, trains, roads and rail bridges, besides targeting the security forces. On Thursday, police in Assam arrested three ULFA rebels with arms and ammunition from the state's main city Guwahati and claimed they were part of a team sent by group's leadership to create violence. Last year, rebels triggered two powerful blasts at the main Republic Day parade in Guwahati though no one died.
Joint operation stepped up against NSCN-K Asian Tribune Lamka/Moreh |
THE MYANMAR and Indian armies have started using armed helicopters against National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Khaplang rebels in Myanmar.
The move marks a stepping up of a new campaign against the NSCNK, a rebel group fighting for greater independence from India and Myanmar believed to have several camps in Myanmar’s Sagaing Division.
The two armies launched massive joint operations against the group last week resulting in heavy casualties. Reports have said both Myanmarese troops and Naga rebels have been killed with some placing the death toll at 50.
Sources in India’s Ministry of Defense told “Asian Tribune” helicopter fire has caused serious injuries among rebels hiding in Burma’s dense jungles.
Ambit of peace forum to go beyond political parties Morung Express News
Dimapur FOLLOWING THE decision of the Neiphiu Rio led DAN Government to dissolve and replace the Sub-Committee for Peace; the proposed new forum will now have a broader representation of all political parties including the main Opposition Congress.
The Joint Legislators’ Committee for Peace will also consist of members from frontline Naga NGOs to attain a greater level of transparency and effectiveness in its role as a facilitating entity in the Naga peace process. The Consultative Committee for peace would remain the umbrella entity under which the Joint Legislators’ Committee for Peace would append, State Legislators informed.
The decision to dissolve the said sub-committee was part of the 4-point resolution adopted during the scheduled joint meeting of the Consultative Committee for Peace and the DAN Sub-Committee for Peace held yesterday at the Chief Minister’s Residential Office.
Nagaland Minister for Industries & Commerce H. Khekiho Zhimomi said that the Joint Legislators’ Committee for Peace was a “healthy suggestion” from the Opposition Congress to include all parties and Naga tribal organizations irrespective of political affiliation or ideological leanings.
“An encompassing forum such as the Joint Legislators’ Committee for Peace was a healthy suggestion from the Opposition Congress party which we accepted. Even the government felt the need to include all parties irrespective of their stand or political affiliations in the peace process so the Sub-committee (for Peace) was dissolved to pave way for the legislators’ committee to facilitate more transparency and effectiveness,” Minister Zhimomi said.
To a query on whether the position of the Consultative Committee for Peace after the dissolution of the sub-appendage would be annulled or dissolved, the Minister disclaimed any such possibility and said that the CCP was still relevant and would continue to be the umbrella ‘organization’ to oversee the Joint Legislators’ Committee for Peace. “No, it is not been dissolved or its position annulled. The CCP is, in fact, the umbrella organization under which the legislators’ committee will function” Zhimomi informed, adding that the modalities for the official instatement of the newly formed body was underway. He also expressed confidence that the new committee would serve its purpose effectively ‘just like the sub-committee had done earlier.’
Minister for Urban Development Dr Shurhozelie also welcomed the development and stressed on the Committee’s stated purpose to achieve a greater level of productive effort by including all political parties and Naga civil societies in the state. However he cautioned against being too ‘emotional’ and ‘fighting’ issues in newspapers. “We know the Naga NGOs are playing a very important role but we should not be too emotional since the Naga issue is a common issue. Paper fights will not help the situation. All of us should act responsibly” he said.
One State Legislator, on condition anonymity, expressed unhappiness with the Naga Hoho and the Naga Students Federation (NSF) for being partial in its approach to the Naga Peace process. “The Naga Hoho and the NSF are going beyond their line. They should approach the Naga Peace process with a holistic approach and not isolate one group in favor of the other” the Legislator said adding that the Government was facing problems due to the NGOs identifying themselves ‘too much’ with only the NSCN (IM) and that other Naga underground groups were being isolated from the ‘ambit of the peace process.’
Army hopeful of peace in NE Morung Express News
Agartala, Jan 19 (ANI): The Director General of Assam Rifles, Lieutenant General Bhopinder Singh on Thursday said that more and more insurgents from rebel groups in the North East would surrender, leading to peace in the region. Addressing a news conference at the 21 sector head quarters in Agartala today, Lt. Gen Singh said that militant activities in the north-east would also come down significantly.
“The entire country is looking at the insurgency situation in Manipur. I can say with lot of confidence that everyone prefers peace. Peace is not impossible. The pressure is high on them,” said Lt. Gen Singh, DG Assam Rifles, adding that in the coming days, Manipur will be militancy free. Gen. Singh said that the pressure on the militant outfits was increasing day by day due to the co-ordinated pressure and counter insurgency operations by the security forces. He also hinted at operations going on the other sides of the border from where the militants have been operating.
He said that the rising barbed wire fence between northeast and India’s neighbouring countries would prevent the militants from operating from both sides of the border. Also, they will have no other option but to surrender, as they shall, no more be able follow their technique of hit and run, he said. “The basic fear is that they will take shelter in the neighbouring country. That will be stopped because of the speed with which the border fencing is coming up,” Gen. Singh added He said he saw a silver lining in the peace talks between the Centre and the NSCN.
PM blames states for NE under-development Kuknalim.com
NEW DELHI, Jan 19: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has said that the people of the region should question their governments for under-development in the Northeast...

if they do not bring proper results despite generous dose of assistance from the Centre.

Talking informally to newsman at the Editors' Conference on Social Sector here at the PM's official residence on Thursday,Dr Singh dismissed suggestions that despite having Northeastern Council and an exclusive Ministry for the region, the Northeast had hardly developed. He said if it was so then the people in the region should learn to question those responsible.

The Prime Minister, who hosted a tea for the visiting Editors from different parts of the country marking the end of the two-day conference, observed that merely by Central assistance no progress can be achieved.He said vigilance on the part of the people themselves and spirit of enterprise were the key to development.He made no bones about his feelings that the media should play a watch dog's role in norder to make all concered accountable. He admitted that often the target groups were denied their share of the cake by the vested interests.

Dwelling on the below par standard of education at the primary level, Dr Singh said there was a great need for strengthening the primary education system in the region, particularly in the tribal areas, with added emphasis on Mathematics and Science.Referring to the extortion demand of ULFA from ONGC, Dr Singh made it plain that such actions would only retard the process of peace in in Assam. "They must make up their mind whether they want peace or not", he said adding that the ULFA sympathisers should talk to the militants for restraint. (Agencies)

ASEAN team assures help to Naga students
Kohima | January 20, 2006 12:45:39 PM IST Webindia

Former Thailand Foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan has said the ASEAN Dialogue Society was ready to extend help to Nagaland students eager to learn South East Asian languages.
Mr Pitsuwan was responding to the Nagaland Chief Minister's request for sending students from the state to study SE Asian languages. The Thai leader was a part of the delegation of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Dialogue Society which was here to attend a seminar on ''North East as a Regional Market and Economic Zone: Going Beyond the Look East Policy''.
Mr Pitsuwan, a member of the Thai Parliament, pointed out that knowing each other's language was one way of bringing the people of the region together. He said the ASEAN Dialogue Society had been trying to push forward steps to ensure greater cooperation in the socio-economic front. Prosperity and development could be achieved only through human bonding, he added. The seminar deliberated on wide range of topics with the state government and the NGOs to further the initiatives of the ASEAN for socio-economic cooperation. UNI AS SG JYN AB 1212
A need for mediating a Political Roadmap between the GoI and the NSCN by an International Third Party

By-Yaronsho Ngalung/ Ph.D/Centre for political Studies/School Social Sciences/JNU

The aspiration of the Nagas to live as one people in a single political unit is a historico-political necessity as far as the Nagas as a political community is concern. Historically speaking, Nagas have been living in a contiguous geographical domain since the ancient times. The size of the Naga ancestral territory (Nagalim) is 120,000 sq. kms. located in the tri-junction of China, India and Burma. Out of 120,000 sq. kms, 63,493 sq.kms. Naga territory is in India while 56,507 sq. kms Naga territory is in Burma. The present article confines only within the Naga territory in India as it falls within the scope of negotiations in the present political talks to which the Burmese Government is not a party. The colonial powers have made this indigenous land a space for colonial experimentation of expanding their empire for commercialization, power and control. To this end the indigenous land of the Nagas was divided, demarcated and transferred between nations and states (India and Burma). The subsequent outcome is that the Nagas are forced to live in different states, such as, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland states in India and Sagaing division and Kachin State in Burma without the people’s consent and agreement. Such colonial designs only culminated into destroying the dignity, unity, people hood, human rights, self-determination etc. of the indigenous Naga people. The only ways and means left to the Nagas to protect their rights was to stand up in resisting the imposed political system and artificial geographical boundaries in the form of peoples’-based political movement. The Nagas’ resistance movement is based on the universal principle of equal attainment of political right to self-determination of peoples and nations whether large or small.

The Naga national movement’s ideology is termed “National Socialism” or “Christian Socialism” which is drawn from the traditional Nagas’ way of existence and the modern values. This ideology believes in liberating the Naga people from colonialistic/expansionist imposition and manufactured geo-political system. And the aspiration of the Nagas for integration of all Naga areas is part and partial of deconstructing these colonialism and expansionism from their land because the Nagas would be the last people to tolerate any kind of domination and subjugation. The spirit of living an honorable and dignified lives have kept alive the Naga national movement till today, which is rooted to the legendary leaders who have built and injected strong foundation of nationalism in the blood of the Naga people. The history of conflict between the Indian and Burmese States and the Nagas revolves around the question of forceful occupation of Nagalim by the Indian and Burmese States after the British left the sub-continent and the subsequent resistance by the Nagas. It is in this backdrop that integration of all Naga areas becomes a crucial condition historically and politically for a final solution to be arrived at between the negotiating parties- Government of India (GoI) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN).

Historically, integration of all Naga areas is necessary because the Nagas have been living in their own contiguous land and to this effect the memorandum submitted to the Simon Commission by the Naga Club in 1929, Point 6th of the Nine-Point Agreement of 1947, Independence declaration by the Naga National Council (NNC) on 14th August 1947, Point 13th of the 16-Point Agreement of 1960, Point 2nd of the Four-Point Resolution of the 4th Naga People’s Consultative Meeting held on 20-21 January 2005 at Camp Hebron etc. have not failed to re-emphasise its necessity. Moreover, resolutions have been passed four times by the Nagaland state Assembly. At the same time, Naga leaders were also making efforts to integrate the Naga areas of Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul in Manipur and the Naga areas of Assam and Burma. A symbolic expression of non-cooperation in the form of “No House Tax Payment” to the Manipur government was launched by Naga National League in 1947-48 to this end. The Joint Agreement for the merger of the United Naga Integration Council with the All India Congress Committee signed on 4th August 1972 was also in line with the aspiration of the Nagas. Two Naga MPs and 11 MLAs from Manipur had submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India on 27th May 2005 for the same. The leading civil societies, such as, Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA), United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) etc. have submitted a number of representations to the GoI for integration of all Naga areas in addition to several rallies being taken out in the streets of Nagalim, New Delhi and other Indian cities. All the above initiatives are historic in nature which calls for a matured political dealing on the part of the GoI.

It is, undeniably, true that the GoI is well aware and understood in great dept the historicity of the Nagas’ aspiration because of which the GoI officially recognized the “Unique History and Situation of the Nagas” on 11th July 2002. Importantly, what the GoI needs to do is to turn the official recognition into practicability for the same. The GoI’s indecisiveness on the issues has led to the present stalemate between the Indian Government and the Nagas. The indecisiveness of the Indian Government is a deliberate policy to prolong the ceasefire so that spirit of Naga nationalism takes a negative turn. Instead of democratizing the peace process the GoI has kept the issues within the bureaucratic and ministerial level. It is a clear strategy of depoliticisation and desensitization of the issues to the people. This is the reason why the people in India have not understood the importance of integration of all Naga areas. Instead the GoI was very excellently good in making a lot of excuses citing this or that reason. The Indian Medias have been consciously shaping the public opinion in the way the GoI wanted it to mould. As such Indian Medias has been suffering from State’s control and manipulation because of which the Indian Medias do not democratize the peace process. So far almost all the Indian intelligentsias have remained mutes spectators to the issues. If at all some have raised their voices were mainly statist in approaches. Some eminent scholars have suggested a non-territorial solution to the Nagas’ genuine cause. But what these scholars have failed to underscored the point is the fact that they are not in a position to critic the colonial construction of the artificial boundaries. The reason why they have failed to critic the colonial construction of map and colonial states’ expansionist policy is simply because they are beneficiaries of the colonial states.

The Indian State’s attempted move to create political crisis on communal line on many occasions during the peace process among the Meiteis, Assamese, Nagas and the rest peoples in the Northeastern region has been quite successful in terms of protests and oppositions coming especially from the three Northeastern states, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur, against the Nagas’ aspiration to live together in a single political entity. The three Northeastern states Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have been dancing to the tune of GoI’s music in delaying the peace process by always opposing the Nagas genuine aspiration. But it is not their fault alone for they are parts of the big Indian State. But they should be aware that there is a limit for everything and it is high time the three states think reasonably that peace without justice is meaningless. Towards this line of reasoning there could not be peace devoid of justice without integration of all Naga areas. It is expected of the three states in the days to come that they be reasonable and civilize enough to respect the aspiration of the Nagas. The present political context favours for establishing a good neighbourliness among peoples in all the Northeastern states. The Nagas are for establishing such a relationship not only with the GoI but also with all the communities in the Northeastern region for prosperous future. One needs to clearly note that Nagas are not against any community there. Nagas has been envisioning a realistic politics of a friendly neighbourhood with all the communities. The Nagas respects the rights of all the communities for which the the Naga people also hope of a positive reciprocity and cooperation from them. Respect each other’s rights is the call of the time.

In this context, it should be pointed out unambiguously that the lands of the Nagas in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur have to be respected as indisputably belonging to the Nagas by the Meiteis, Assamese and Arunachalese. The fact that integration of all Naga areas is partial and partial of the whole process of such a relationship as mentioned above should also be respected by the three states. At the same time what belongs to them should also be respected by the Nagas. All the communities should, on pragmatism, direct their attention towards such a future engagement instead of always opposing each other for the sake of opposition. The time would tell how things unfold in the future. Let there be peace with justice and truth among the Northeastern peoples as neighbours. To materialize such a harmonious future relationship, the GoI, as one of the largest democracies in the world, should explore all democratic means and policy mechanisms without any further delay.

A concrete and definite proposal/action plans which will not undermine the aspiration of the Nagas to live in one political unit and other substantive issues from the GoI’s side has become a political necessity in the aftermath of the NSCN’s calls for ending the almost 9 years of the Second Indo-Naga Ceasefire Agreement if such a proposal/an action plans from the GoI is not coming forth before 31st January 2006. This is the real challenge facing for both the entities. The question is what should be the political steps that need to be taken by both the negotiating parties towards finding a permanent political settlement to the 59 years of conflict. There have been strong pressures to the NSCN for extending the ceasefire not only from the GoI but also from different corners including International, Indian and Naga civil society organizations. Joint Consultative Legislators’ Committee on Peace in the Nagaland state Assembly had asked both the GoI and the NSCN for extension of the ceasefire. It should not be out of place to suggest some points to the GoI and the NSCN so as to save the hard-earned ceasefire agreement. It is hope that in the coming talks which is slated to be held between 27th and 31st January will somehow move towards saving the peace process. It is also expected of the GoI of sincerity and transparency in this talk.

It is felt by many ardent observers and analysts on the issues as highlighted above the need to have a crystal clear “Political Roadmap” between the GoI and the NSCN which would be mediated by an International Third Party for an early political solution. If such a Political Roadmap could be mediated through the facilitation of an International Third Party, then, the stalemate prevailing between the negotiating parties can be done way with. The United Nations Organization would be the right body for mediation into the Indo-Naga political dialogue. However, at present, as Mr. Michael C van Walt van Praag, the President of Kreddha International Council of Peace for peoples, states and minorities, has been involving in the peace process since 2001, would be the best choice to act as an International Third Party Mediator. The two dialoguing parties should have no reservation for such improvement is the peace process as the internationally recognized neutral Third Party Mediator will only help reach an amicable and acceptable political solution. This Political Roadmap is imperative in the sense that there has been a long log-jam between the two parties for failure to put such a policy in place. Such a Political Roadmap should visualize for a time-bound implementation, say, to be implemented on 25th December 2006 when Jesus Christ was born as an indication of heralding a new relationship between GoI and the Nagas, which would have equal binding on the actors.

Some points are too important to be excluded from the Political Roadmap, such as, integration of all Naga areas and transferring of absolute rights of sovereignty to the Nagas on land and its resources, Indian security system should be strengthened, Joint defense of Nagalim, securing good neighborliness between the Nagas and the rest of the Northeastern states, having a strong economic, finance and communication interdependency between the GoI and the Nagas, the constitution and the flag of the Nagas to be recognized by the parties, nationality of the Nagas should be nurtured for an honourable and dignified existence and the right of Nagas to establish their offices for official purposes in all the countries to be recognized and respected by all the nations including the GoI.

In can be rightly concluded that if such an understanding for mediating a Political Roadmap between the GoI and the NSCN for final political settlement could be reached, then, we are not far from witnessing the truth of those songs “We shall overcome some day” “We shall walk hand in hand” on 25th December 2006 within the Political Roadmap timeframe, which were sung during the Christmas’ Cake cutting celebration in the last talks on 16-17 December 2005 in Bangkok in Thailand. May the Lord, the Prince of Peace, prevail upon the leaderships of the Nagas, the Government of India and the International Community in their efforts to bring an everlasting political solution in the Indian sub-continent!

Four outlawed outfits including ULFA boycott R-Day Grenade attack on Guwahati refinery, five injured NET News Network
Guwahati, Jan 20:Security has been tightened across the state after suspected ULFA militant lobbed grenade at Guwahati refinery this evening injuring 5. The incident occurred at around 6:45pm.
The militants lobbed grenade at the CISF jawans stationed in front of the refinery main entrance. Among the five injured, three are CISF jawans and two civilians.
Meanwhile, reports have poured in about death of an ULFA militant at Kakopathar in Tinsukia district of Assam during an encounter with security personnel.
Meanwhile, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) along with Kamotapur Liberation Organization (KLO), Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF), Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF) and Tripura People’s Democratic Front (TPDF) has called for a general strike on 26 January 2006 from 1 am to 6 pm throughout the region to boycott all the Republic Day celebration.
In a statement issued to media this evening, the four banned organizations termed the 56 years of independence as the imposition of Indian constitution to fragment region on ethnic lines devoid of any historical vision for interdependent unity.
Open Indo-Bangla border to boost bilateral trade’ NET News Network
Shillong, Jan 20: India should open up its border with Bangladesh as is being done with Pakistan, said the Chairman of Japan Development Institute (JDI) Shoichi Kobayashi.
A five member team of JDI, a consultancy company is on a visit to Meghalaya after having discussions with Bangladeshi officials feels that both sides would gain ‘economically’ by such ventures. JDI has been working on Regional Development Programme in North East Region of India.
Kobayashi said Bangladesh is deficient in cement and need not less then ‘8 million metric tones of cement’’ annually for its domestic consumption. Bangladesh is currently import clinkers and limestones from South East Asian countries.
“Meghalaya which has abundant limestone and so Meghalaya can set up a cement plant and exported it to Bangladesh,” Kobayashi said adding that their target is production of cement targeting both the domestic market and export to Bangladesh.
Incidentally, Lafarge a French cement company has set up a cement plant in Chattak, Bangladesh. The Plant depends solely on the limestone import from Shella and Nongtrai areas of Meghalaya.
“If such manufacturing units are set up in Meghalaya state it will generate a lot of local employment. This will also value add to the limestone instead of export them in the raw form”, Kobayashi stated.
Bangladesh Industry secretary, Naseruddin did have consultations with JDI officials recently, and was ‘optimistic that bilateral trade would benefit both sides’. “We got a positive response from the Bangladeshi officials of our various proposals”, Kobayashi said.
Kobayashi also said that JDI is also interested to develop a coal thermal power plant of 600 MW, thus, shall be integrated with the cement production.
Kobayashi stated that Japanese companies would also be interested in investing in the Tourism sector in Meghalaya.
Hmar refugees still pouring in from Manipur NET News Network
Aizawl, Jan 20: The rift between the HPC (D), a Hmar underground group and the UNLF, a Manipuri underground outfit has seen hundreds of Hmar refugees pouring into the state who have been given shelter in Mizoram villages located on the boundary with Manipur in northeastern Mizoram.
Latest reports reaching the state capital said more than 800 refugees have been given shelter at Vaitin, Khawpuar, Sakawrdai and New Vervek villages.
According to the police, the villages in which these Hmar refugees have sought shelter are already beginning to face a food crisis as a refugee situation had not been anticipated and no food stocks had been kept. Meanwhile, an unconfirmed report said a village in Manipur called Lungthulian had reached an agreement with the UNLF cadres. It was in this village that UNLF cadres had next laid hands on villagers on the night of January 16 terrorizing villagers of Parbung village on January 6. The police have, however, confirmed that there is very little possibility of the Manipur underground outfit coming after the refugees and into Mizoram as the Assam Rifles had sprung into action as soon as the trouble between the two underground group stated a few days back. Police reports said apart from police personnel being deployed in the area, the Assam Rifles have also entered Manipur side.
Speaking on the telephone from Manipur , Joseph Hmar, vice-president of the Hmar Students Association said chief minister I. Ibobi Singh had assured them that a chief minister level talk would be held with his counter in Mizoram s well as between the chief secretaries of the two states.
"Chief minister Ibobi Singh assured us that he would contact chief minister Zoramthanga for the welfare of the refugees and to provide all needed relief materials. The Manipur government will reimburse this later," Joseph Hmar said. He also said the Manipur government had sent in the army who will approach the Tipaimukh Constituency from two sides - on land from Churachandpur and by river from Cachar.
Nagaland forest fire brought under control Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, Jan 19 – A major forest fire at Dzukhu valley in Nagaland’s Kohima district, raging for the past one week across an area of 70 sq km, was brought under control today, forest officials said.

The fire, which extended upto Manipur’s Senapati district, was contained by state forest department personnel who reached the area along with villagers from nearby Souhern Angani yesterday, after walking for eight to ten hours as the valley is inaccessible to vehicular traffic.

Though the bio-diversity damage could not be assessed immediately, the fire turned the valley - dotted mostly with dry bio-mass, dwarf species of bamboos, thatches, grasses and bushes - into an endless black patch, the officials said. Nagaland Forest Secretary L Kire during the day briefed the state cabinet about the damage wreaked by the fire.

The State Government has roped in Botanical Survey of India to study the bio-diversity loss in the valley, famous for wild lilies, which bloom during the monsoon.The fire was believed to have been caused either from cigarette butts or embers from make-shift kitchens used by picnickers who visit the place during winter months. Meanwhile, a Central team is arriving here tomorrow to assess the damage caused by the fire. Earlier, the disaster management department, under Union Home Ministry, asked Indian Air Force (IAF) to explore ways to douse the fire. Accordingly an IAF chopper made an aerial survey over the inaccessible valley. –PTI
Assam Rifles refutes sodomy allegations By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jan 19 : Reacting to the news item published in this paper under the caption, “Sodomy slur casts on AR,” in the January 19 edition, PIB Defence Wing quoting AR authority, said that the news item “is false, baseless and written with malicious intent.”
In a statement, PIB said that N Chaoba was arrested in broad day light from a hotel at Moreh on January 16 following specific information.
During questioning Chaoba confessed that he is the finance secretary of PREPAK, Moreh, claimed the statement and gave his rank as S/S lance corporal with 12460 as his number.
Moreh police was informed about his arrest and the local meira paibis were assured that he would be released if found innocent.
An officer of 24 Assam Rifles was present during the questioning and he was not subjected to any maltreatment, said PIB and added that as per norms he was handed over to Moreh PS before within 24 hours after an all okay medical examination by the medical officer.
The militant did not complain of any maltreatment, even at the CHC, Moreh, said the statement.
“The allegation is an after thought with malicious intent that the individual has resorted to such baseless aspersions on AR,” said the statement and added that “AR is people friendly and cannot even think of such things.”
Moreh highlights 24 AR excesses to Dr SS Sidhu By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jan 19 : Highlighting the excesses committed by personnel of 24 Assam Rifles at Moreh during the last many days, the Women Joint Action Committee, Moreh has submitted a memorandum to Governor Dr SS Sidhu through the Chandel DC, urging for the removal of 24 AR from Moreh and from the Pallel-Moreh route.
Detailing the series of excesses committed by the AR men, the memorandum said that on January 1, one man was picked up by the AR personnel while he was watching a Shumang Lila at the Moreh police campus.
When the women folk went to the AR camp the next day to demand an arrest memo, they denied making the arrest. The same story was repeated on January 3 again said the memorandum and alleged that the women folk who had gone to demand the arrest memo were beaten up.
Despite the earlier denial, the arrested man, Jayenta alias Vicky was handed over to Imphal police on January 4.
On January 1, just after arresting Jayenta, the AR troops raided the residence of one Md Pishak and demanded that his son be produced. When told that the son was out of station, the AR men severely beat up a mentally challenged son of Pishak. The AR men also took away Rs 2500.
In the night of January 11, AR men in civvies shot dead a social worker Mang-cha Haokip, at Chawang Phai, said the JAC. Listing the other excesses of AR men, the memorandum said that on January 15, arrested a waiter of Gee- tanjali hotel at Moreh bazar (ward number 6) and deman-ded that he supply them women. The next day the waiter was again called out and threatened with dire conse- quences if he fails them to provide women, charged the JAC.
A large number of women folk were also severely assaulted when they demanded an arrest memo when the AR men tried to arrest one N Chaoba from Hotel Broad-way at Moreh on January 16 at about 3.30 pm, charged the JAC further.
On January 17, the arrested man was handed over to Moreh police station wherein he complained that he was sodomised in the custody of Assam Rifles, further said the memorandum.
All these excesses and human rights violations are intolerable, said the memorandum and urged the Governor to remove 24 Assam Rifles from Moreh as well as from the Moreh-Pallel route too.
In place of the 24 Assam Rifles disciplined forces like Madras Regiment and Ku-maon Regiment be deploy- ed at Moreh, it added.
Meanwhile help and assistance has been provided to the women folk who were injured in the assault by 24 AR men when they deman-ded an arrest memo while the troops were trying to arrest Chaoba on January 16 at Moreh' Broadway hotel.
Addressing reporters at the office of AMESCO today, general secretary of Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Lamjing Lup, Y Jotila said that they can no longer bear the excesses of the Assam Rifles men at Moreh and added that either the people will be killed by the AR men or they have to commit suicide.
The Committee on Human Rights has also strongly condemned the excesses of the AR men.
Members of AMUCO, COHR and Poirei Leimarol Apunba Nupi Lup will take part in the protest rally scheduled to be held at Moreh tomorrow.
Hmar refugees flood Mizoram Sangai Express
Aizawl, Jan 19 : With more refugees flooding to Mizoram due to intimidation by the insurgents, North-eastern part of Aizawl district adjoining neighbouring Manipur now host around 800 refugees.
Police said that Hmar refugees lodged themselves in their relatives' houses in Vaitin, Sakawr-dai, Khawpuar, New Vervek and surounding villages.
The refugees fled to Mizoram from Lungthulien and Sihpuikawn villages in Manipur's Churachandpur district after they were physically intimidated and assaulted by armed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) militants since Monday last.
They said that 20 to 30 armed insurgents entered the villages and assaulted the villagers without sparing anyone.
The rebels, on January seven, shot dead two militants belonging to the Hmar People's Convention-Democrats (HPC-D) and a civilian at nearby Parbung village. PTI