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01/24/2006: "NSCN (I-M) likely to mount pressure for Nagalim"

NSCN (I-M) likely to mount pressure for Nagalim Kuknalim.com
NEW DELHI, Jan 23: As the government prepares for talks on extension of the ceasefire with NSCN(IM) this week, the Naga outfit has indicated it will seek to mount pressure for their key demand of unification of Naga-dominated areas during the parleys, reports PTI. “I cannot say anything now. Everything will depend on what the government of India offers in the next round of talks,” convener of NSCN(IM) Ceasefire Monitoring Cell Pungthing Simrang told PTI over phone from Nagaland when asked what would be the group’s stand in the proposed talks. The next round of talks between the government and Naga groups will take place between January 27 and January 31 when the six-month ceasefire ends.

“Let’s see something comes out from the talks. We hope for the best,” Simrang, the top leader of the Naga group in the State, said. Fernandes, part of a three-member ministerial group involved in dialogue with Naga insurgents, last week had said that he was hopeful that the ceasefire would be extended as “everyone wants peace”.

The Minister said the government was ready to discuss development with the Naga groups but their focus was mainly on territorial issues. (PTI)

NSCN (I-M) likely to mount pressure for Nagalim Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Jan 23 – As the government prepares for talks on extension of the ceasefire with NSCN(IM) this week, the Naga militant outfit has indicated it will seek to mount pressure for their key demand of unification of Naga-dominated areas during the parleys, reports PTI. “I cannot say anything now. Everything will depend on what the government of India offers in the next round of talks,” convener of NSCN(IM) Ceasefire Monitoring Cell Pungthing Simrang told PTI over phone from Nagaland when asked what would be the group’s stand in the proposed talks.

The next round of talks between the government and Naga groups will take place between January 27 and January 31 when the six-month ceasefire ends.

“Let’s see something comes out from the talks. We hope for the best,” Simrang, the top leader of the Naga group in the State, said.

Fernandes, part of a three-member ministerial group involved in dialogue with Naga insurgents, last week had said that he was hopeful that the ceasefire would be extended as “everyone wants peace”.

The Minister said the government was ready to discuss development with the Naga groups but their focus was mainly on territorial issues. – PTI
Next round of IM talk likely on Sat Newmai News Network
Dimapur, Jan 24: The next and the crucial round of talks between the NSCN-IM leaders and the Government of India is likely to be held on Saturday.
Highly placed sources from the NSCN-IM set up in Dimapur informed Newmai News Network today that most probably the talks would begin from Saturday and would decide the fate of the cease-fire between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM which has been going on since August 1,1997.
The sources said that the duration of the talks may be just two days but can well be extended if the necessities
arise.
Meanwhile, editorials in the Nagaland based newspapers have started analysing and speculating the outcome of the proposed next round of talks.
An editorial write up in Nagaland Post in today’s edition reminded the public’s desire to extend the current term of cease-fire between the GOI and the NSCN-IM after it expires on January 31.
Naga NGOs want the current cease-fire term to be extended and bring an early solution.
The Sumi Hoho has today urged for an honourable and early solution of the vexed Naga issue.
The grim fate of the ongoing peace process as perceived by the general public,is due to the NSCN-IM general secretary Thuigaleng Muivah’s threat to pull out from the ongoing peace-talk and dump the cease-fire with the Government of India if a solution is not worked out within the current cease fire period.
The NSCN-IM leader had served this ultimatum in an interview with the BBC on November 3 last year at Bangkok. The venue of the next round of talks has not been disclosed as yet nor the names of those who will be representing the NSCN-IM at the moment.
But it is quite obvious that Th Muivah,Tongmeth and VS Atem will be representing the NSCN-IM side while Union Minister Oscar Fernandes will lead the Indian team in the talks.
Tuesday Centre-NSCN ceasefire may be extended January 23, 2006 11:12 IST Rediff India As the central government prepares for talks on extension of the ceasefire with Nationalist Social Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) this week, the Naga militant outfit has indicated it will seek to mount pressure for their key demand of unification of Naga-dominated areas during the parleys.
"I cannot say anything now. Everything will depend on what the government of India offers in the next round of talks," NSCN(IM) Ceasefire Monitoring Cell Convenor Pungthing Simrang told PTI when asked about the group's stand in the proposed talks.
The next round of talks between the government and Naga groups will take place between January 27 and January 31 when the six-month ceasefire ends.
"Let us see something comes out from the talks. We hope for the best," Simrang, the top leader of the Naga group in the state, said. Oscar Fernandes, part of a three-member ministerial group involved in dialogue with Naga insurgents, last week had said that he was hopeful that the ceasefire would be extended as 'everyone wanted peace.
"The bone of contention is the demand for a Nagalim (Greater Nagaland)," Fernandes said, referring to the insurgents' demand to unify the all Naga-dominated areas in the Northeast.
Fernandes, however, said he believed that the insurgent groups too did not want violence. "It is the Nagas who will be affected by violence, which no one wants," he remarked. Last month, Fernandes and K Padmanabhiah had visited Bangkok for talks with the NSCN(IM) leaders but returned without any assurance from the insurgents over ceasefire extension.
More than 150 people rendered homeless in Dimapur inferno Kuknalim.com
DIMAPUR, Jan 23: At least 52 houses were gutted and more than 150 people rendered homeless in a major fire at D Colony, Half Nagarjan, Dimapur on Monday evening at 5 pm., Though some people managed to escape with minor injuries, no casualties were reported in the incident till filing of the report. Property worth several lakhs of rupees was destroyed by the blaze. The fire was believed to be caused by candle light or kerosene stove. At least six LPG cylinders burst in the impact of the fire.

Seven fire-tenders from Dimapur were deputed to douse the fire, but initially they could not enter the site due to narrow routes leading to the locality. A mini truck belonging to the Fire Brigade also got stuck on a muddy road. The water pipe released from there was not enough to cover the places affected by the fire.

Scarcity of water also made it hard to battle the fire. Local people had to use drain water while trying to extinguish the inferno. Some of the IRP personnel were seen helping the Fire Brigade personnel and local people in preventing the fire from spreading further by demolishing adjoining thatched houses.

Meanwhile, Dimapur DC K. N. Ngullie and DMC chairman Y. Vikheho Awomi rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. Among others, who visited the spot, were SDO (Civil), Dimapur, general secretary, NPF, Dimapur, SDPO, Dimapur, and SDPO, Niuland. The district administration has entrusted the Lions Club of Dimapur with the task of providing blankets to the victims.

The victims, who do not have alternative place to stay, have been accommodated at the Government High School, Half Nagarjan, Dimapur. DMC member H. Tovihoto Ayemi under whose ward (8) the fire occurred, donated 158 blankets to the victims immediately after the incident. He assured them of further help the next day. Besides medical staff, the Red Cross Society and the Bharat Sewashiram also distributed food and blankets to the fire victims. (NPN)
One killed, 70 houses razed in Dimapur fire Nagarealm
Kohima, JAN24 : One person was killed and 70 houses were reduced to ashes in a devastating fire that broke out in D Colony in Nagarjan area of Dimapur town last evening. Official sources here today said about 300 families were rendered homeless by the fire.

Most of the houses in the area were thatched and bamboo-roofed, which led to the fast spreading of the fire.Five firetenders, with the help of the Indian reserve battalion, fought for over two hours to douse the inferno.

The cause of the fire was not yet known, police said. However, it was suspected that it was caused by a short-circuit. The extent of damage was yet to be ascertained, sources said.

Dimapur Deputy Commissioner Nzimongo Ngullie and municipal council chairman Vikheho Awomi visited the site and arrangements were made to provide relief materials to the victims. [UNI]
Ethnic homeland or myth? Calcutta Telegraph
Are ethnic homelands possible? This question was flagged by one of the authors at the peace dialogue organised by the Centre for Peace and Development Studies, Guwahati, in December last year. It was of course left unanswered because, the author said, she did not have an answer and only wanted to pose the question so that it could elicit many more debates. Considering that the demand for homelands (separate states) by several ethnic groups within the Northeast has led to political conflicts and armed insurgency, the topic merits serious debate so that the groups themselves learn to appreciate whether their demands can be implemented practically or whether they are mere ideological arguments that are aimed at keeping the pot of political discourse boiling.
The Northeast presents an amazing array of peoples and races. It is not possible to be precise about the number of ethnic groups inhabiting the region because new ones keep surfacing. Among the Nagas for instance, there are 26 major tribes and many more sub-tribes. Each sub-tribe constitutes an ethnic group.
So one might ask, “What is an ethnic group?” Sociologists define an ethnic group as one with a common cultural tradition and a sense of identity, which exists as a sub-group of a larger society. The most important aspect is their feeling of identifying themselves as a traditionally distinct group. The term ethnic group normally applies to a minority group. However, if there are several culturally distinct groups in a society, sociologists would also apply the same term to the more dominant cultural group.
Diverse groups
Nagas, therefore, constitute an ethnic group even though there are several sub-groups with different dialects and cultural practices under that banner. Although some groups among the Nagas such as the Ao, Angami, Sema, Lotha, Chakesang are much more advanced in terms of education and have made substantial economic progress, there are others like the Konyaks who have remained in the periphery of development. I have intentionally refrained from mentioning the Tangkhuls, Mao and Zeliangrong tribes who also call themselves Nagas but whose living space is within the state of Manipur. All these tribes are exceedingly enterprising and innovative and many have moved out of their habitat to carve out successful careers for themselves. But there are still many more tribes in Manipur who have just come out of their amorphousness and are claiming to be Nagas. By implication, therefore, the word Naga is inclusive and the number of tribes affiliating themselves to that banner seems at this point of time, almost infinite. Nagalim or Greater Nagaland, therefore, seems to grow bigger in population and that perhaps gives the leaders of the NSCN (I-M) more teeth to negotiate their terms with the Centre. These smaller, hitherto amorphous tribes also believe they have a brighter future under a dispensation, whose performance they are yet to see, rather than being governed by a government, which has all but failed to deliver.
‘Eldorado’
Since the future is something conjured in peoples’ minds, they have also learnt to build their hopes and dreams on it. Anyone who attempts to shatter that hope is seen as the enemy. Nagaland’s longest serving chief minister S.C. Jamir, for instance, has all but debunked the notion of Nagalim, terming it an “Eldorado”. An astute statesman, he probably understands better than many, that political negotiations in the 21st century are not about the breaking of states but of the coming together of even the most unlikely entities. The European Union is an example of economics dictating politics. Germans, French, Swiss, Italians may be passionate about their identities but the reality of a strong Euro obliterates those human passions. The need to survive in a cruel, demanding market environment acts like a deterrent to all those romantic dreams of independent homelands with little reason for interdependence.
Should Nagalim become a reality, there will be too many contenders to political power. Politics is a selfish game of takers only. It would be a romantic notion if Nagas were to believe that the leaders of the NSCN (I-M) would step aside once their agenda is achieved and make way for younger politicians to lead the country. T.H. Muivah has been running the organisation by remote control for years. He is hardly likely to play the role of an elderly patriarch and step aside in the larger interest of his people. Political ambition and power is what sustains people like Muivah. And indeed, if one is to delve deeper into the Naga question, one cannot but detect a strong political drive among its leaders, which unfortunately the Naga people are unwilling to admit.
Selfish motives
This demand for a homeland is very often not the battle cry of the man on the street. It is fuelled by those with political ambition or those who need to create a political platform for themselves. There is no dearth of self-styled political wannabes among small ethnic communities. These leaders use their educational backgrounds and oratorical skills to brainwash people. They speak of an ideological homeland, where the future will be brighter and where there will be fewer people to share resources. Whether the demand for a homeland becomes a reality is immaterial. In the intervening period, these self-styled leaders accumulate a lot of political clout. They are catapulted to a position of leadership and are invited to the negotiating table to bargain for a better deal for their people. By the next parliamentary or state legislature election these “pretenders” are in the fray, contesting elections on the plank of a “separate homeland for our people”.
Realisation
Sometimes, as in the case of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland, homelands are granted through some stroke of political magnanimity or expediency of the Centre. But does a homeland necessarily mean a better deal for the common man? None would know better than the people themselves that their sufferings have increased tenfold after a homeland was granted to them. Not even a fraction of the population has gained from the change. The only ones who profited most are politicians, their family members, bureaucrats and businessmen. For ordinary mortals the dreams have already turned sour. I think it is a fallacy to believe that politicians would work for the greater good of the people. A homeland is useless if the resources within it are not shared equally and if the opportunities for economic upheaval are replaced by deals and scams.
For a region with so many ethnic groups, some numbering only a few thousand, it is time to think of practical alternatives. Ethnic transpositions or the exchange of people between two or more cultures, where each is assimilated into the original culture of the other, would be more meaningful and more abiding. In Tamil Nadu, there are many merchants of Gujarati or Rajasthani antecedents. Today, all of them speak Tamil and live like Tamilians. They stand to gain by doing so than by creating Gujarati or Rajasthani ghettos. Political expediency dictates that politicians pick out differences among peoples and highlight those as reasons for incompatibility. Ordinary citizens who have nothing to gain from divisions and mindless ethnic assertions should get together and thwart the selfish motives of those who thrive on divisions. Ethnic homelands are not possible. The earlier people accept this, the better. Then we would not lose precious time chasing a mirage. What we could do instead, is consolidate our strength as a region, push for sound economic policies and demand good governance from the rulers.
Nagaland power supply affected by ULFA blasts New Kerala
Kohima: Nagaland has been facing acute power shortage since yesterday followed by the blowing up of gas pipelines of the 294 MW Kathalguri Gas Thermal Power Plant by the ULFA.

According to official sources here today, there would be a complete blackout in the state on January 28 due to maintenance works by the power grid.Nagaland has been facing shortage of power supply since December due to the festive season.
Decorative lightings in houses, shops, business establishments, banks, government offices and also street corners has led to heavy loadsheddings throughout the state, the sources added.

Sources said the North East Regional Load Despatch Centre in Shillong, was not optimistic of immediate improvement of the power scene till the Republic Day.
Zeliangrong Hoho to take consensus decision on Peren District HQ Morung Express News Dimapur | January 22
TAKING THE Peren district headquarter selection issue to an elevated plane, the people of Peren under the aegis of the Zeliangrong Baudi (Hoho) will be meeting at the Jalukie Town Hall, January 25 to decide on a particular area for the district headquarter. The matter has seen much controversy ever since the DAN government decided on creating a ‘model district headquarter’ in Peren.
President of the Zeliangrong Baudi (Hoho), Dennis Elung told The Morung Express that since the issue has dragged on for long, it was time for the people themselves to arrive at the consensus which the State government cannot at all refuse. “After the proposal for New Peren as district headquarter was rejected by the people, it was felt that a general mandate be taken up and a consensus arrived at to choose the best place” he said adding that if it could be reached, the Government would not refuse the wishes of the people.
To the query on what the next step would be if a feasible ‘consensus’ failed to emerge from the meeting for reason of Peren being inclusive of different areas each with its own distinct claims, Elung said “the matter would be referred to the Government to decide for us.” The Hoho president said that the decision would then be submitted to the Government for approval. “But the Government cannot refuse the wishes of the people. It will be final and binding”, he added while maintaining that the controversy regarding the selection has delayed developmental works for long. In this regard the decision will be taken through public consensus from the said meeting, the President said.
Meanwhile sources informed that apart from Village authorities, GBs, and local leaders, people from around 80 to 90 villages in Peren would attend the meeting. Meanwhile, sources from the government said Friday that the Cabinet was still interested in Jalukie as the new district headquarters. Even the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was reportedly showing interest in Jalukie for what the sources maintained was for its proximity to service-towns like Kohima and Dimapur, which would be cost-effective and required lesser investment for development.
Controversy has dogged the creation of Peren headquarter ever since the NPF-led DAN Government decided to upgrade Peren sub-division. Keeping in mind the grand nature of the initiative, the government had constituted a Site Verification Committee to decide on a suitable site. It is pertinent to mention that the site verification officials, Mikha Lomi DC Peren, Ken Keditsu Chief Town Planner, J Arem Aier Joint Development Commissioner and K.Theunuo EE Commissioner’s Office, visited the proposed sites New Peren and Lamhai Dungki on July 2 2005.
100 days of peace rattled The Morung Express
Guwahati, Jan 22 (IANS): The last 100 days were perhaps the most peaceful in Assam during the three decades of violent insurgency in the region. But it seems it is not going to last that way.
Since October, the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) had refrained from staging any attacks, giving peace a chance.
The lull in the otherwise violent-ridden state was broken Jan 15 when suspected ULFA rebels blew up an oil pipeline. Then there were reports of ULFA slapping a whopping Rs.50 billion-extortion demand on the Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC).
And Friday night militants, again suspected to be from ULFA, triggered a powerful explosion at the Guwahati refinery complex wounding 10 people, besides calling for a boycott of India’s Republic Day celebrations.
The stepped-up attacks are seen as an attempt by ULFA to warn New Delhi and the Assam government that its gesture for peace was not getting a positive response.
ULFA is fighting for an independent Assamese homeland. In October it nominated an 11-member team of civil society leaders to begin preliminary talks with New Delhi.
ULFA designated the People’s Consultative Group (PCG) to hold the first round of talks with the prime minister Oct 26 to prepare the ground for a truce and then direct talks between ULFA and government peace negotiators.
Manmohan Singh said he was ready to discuss “all issues relating to the ULFA”.
But since then there has been no forward movement. The central government is virtually silent on initiating the second round of peace talks with PCG.
Manmohan Singh, during his two-day Assam visit earlier in the week, was a trifle unsure about the status of the peace talks with ULFA.
“We are ready to continue the peace process with the ULFA representatives,” he said.
The PCG leaders have time and again been urging New Delhi to begin the second round but the government is yet to announce fresh dates.
“The delay in holding more talks is making ULFA restless and hence the attacks in recent days,” noted Assamese writer and leader of PCG Indira Goswami told IANS by telephone from New Delhi.
“The home ministry is unnecessarily trying to delay the peace talks. ULFA believes this is an insult to them since it is ULFA which on its own came forward to initiate the talks.”
People across Assam are also blaming New Delhi for forcing ULFA to revert to the path of violence.
“If the central government was sincere they should have expedited the peace process and kept ULFA on the right track. Now it seems ULFA is being compelled to use the language of the guns,” Asom Gana Parishad leader Dilip Saikia said.
The onus is now on the central government to announce fresh dates for the second round of talks to help Assam enjoy its long spell of calm.
“We are sick and tired of all this violence. For the interest of the people, both the government and ULFA should try and settle the problems amicably without any delay,” said Ronen Deka, a retired police official.
Cast off the works of darkness The Morung Express
As human nature, we have common sense to believe and accept that the educated and advance people will lead the nation in a good manner so as to promote and lift up our nation to a greater height like other civilized nations of the world. But is a regretful thing to say that, in Nagaland the advance and educated communities, who had firstly converted from Naga animism to Christianity, are destroying the Naga nation by playing dirty policies, communalism and anti-Christ activities and keeping Nagaland in chaos.
Have we gained anything through practicing isms by the Naga national workers, so called state politicians, NGO leaders and Church leaders? Have the Naga national workers gained for the Nagas by robbing, extortion and terrorizing our own Nagas? Can we (national workers) achieve Sovereignty by building up our luxurious lives with the extorted money from the public?
From 1980-2005, some Nagas who claimed themselves as national workers have been killing their own Nagas for the interest of their own aggrandizement and benefit. Their appearance might be like an angel and their voice like honey, but in their mind they have full of evil tactics and poisonous serpents. In the past 25 years, they have robbed all Naga peoples’ wealth and destroyed Naga society. So, they became the sworn enemy of the people and with the help of Delhi government, they have been destroying Nagaland.
Even then, they were not satisfied and thus took another step to sell out the entire Nagaland to India, and have been holding secret negotiations with the Delhi government for selling Nagaland. Truly, selling Nagaland to India can never be a solution to the Indo-Naga conflict, and the selling process will not be a peace process for the Nagas, but indeed it is taking another step for more bloodshed in Nagaland.
Therefore, it is right time for all Nagas to come out from the darkness to light and save Nagaland from the hands of sellers. Let it no more deceive us by lies, telling us that they will bring a solution. But know the truth that, the solution to the Indo-Naga conflict does not lie in the hands of traitors and murderers, but it is in the hands of the true citizens of Nagaland who fears God. We shall never allow traitors to sell out our nation. For god has His own purpose on the Nagas and His spirit declared “Nagaland for Christ” So we believe that we will achieve our national goal in God’s own time. The Bible, Romans 13:11-12 reads as follows: “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.”

R.R.Salouni Rekhwelo, Tatar, FGN.
Moreh women continue stir despite signing of MoU Sukham Nanda Kangla

MOREH, Jan 23: Despite the signing of a memorandum of understanding between representatives of local civil society organisations and government and Assam Rifles officials this afternoon, the ongoing stir at no-man`s land on the international border remained unresolved with a significant section of protestors opposing the agreement.

Representatives of the AMSU, Chandel district, Meitei Council, Moreh and Women`s JAC, Moreh, met with MLA Bijoy Koijam, Brig RA Lewis, commander, 26 sector, Assam Rifles, DIG range-II, Christopher Doungel, the ADC Moreh, and the CO, 24 Assam Rifles, Col. KS Kadian this afternoon at the Moreh police station. After detailed discussions on the prevailing tense situation in Moreh, the memorandum of understanding was adopted wherein it was agreed that an inquiry be instituted immediately against major Atul Yadav of the 24 Assam Rifles, and his `accomplices` who were involved in various excesses. It was also agreed that Mj. Yadav should be immediately transferred from Moreh. The AR authorities further committed themselves to strictly follow the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court while conducting security operations.

Significantly, the MoU said nothing about the original demand of the agitators for the removal of the 24 Assam Rifles from Moreh and its replacement by another force. As a result, when the MoU was later read out before the agitating womenfolk at no-man`s land by MLA Bijoy Koijam and MCM president L Imobi Singh, chaos ensued.

With sharp differences of opinion arising among the womenfolk on the issue, there was some brief tension at the no-man`s land. Some of the womenfolk elected to end the protest and go back to their homes. Others, contending that the MoU has been arrived at without their consent, are continuing to camp in no-man`s land, supported by the AMSU and some leaders from Imphal. Sources said the latter intend to intensify their agitation from tomorrow, with plans reportedly on the anvil to attempt entry into Myanmar territory if the authorities do not fulfil their main demand for the shifting of the 24 Assam Rifles from Moreh.

The salient points of the memorandum signed today include: An inquiry to be conducted immediately against major Atul Yadav of 24 AR and his accomplices who were involved in the crimes as stated in the memorandum submitted to the Governor of Manipur;

Maj Yadav to be transferred out of Moreh - Brig Lewis agreed to take Yadav with him when he leaves Moreh;

Security forces deployed at Moreh to follow guidelines of the Supreme Court laid down in DK Basu vs state of West Bengal AIR 1997; All security personnel to be in correct uniform and properly identify themselves while conducting operations; no unregistered or unmarked vehicles to be used by them forthwith;

Army/paramilitary forces to be invariably accompanied by civil police personnel during CI operations; arrest memos to be invariably issued while picking up suspected persons;no security force should occupy shrines or campus of any place of worship. On the other hand, the situation in Moreh town remained unchanged since the last three days with the indefinite bandh called by the AMSU, Chandel bandh still continuing. Entry and exit points on the international border remained closed, while Namphalong market is still deserted.

Highly placed sources also expressed fear that cross border trade through would be seriously affected, given the prolonged closure of the border gates for the last two weeks, first in the wake of the Namphalong market blast of January 8 that killed two persons, and thereafter owing to the current agitation in Moreh.

Students call strike today in support of Moreh stir The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jan 23: In support of the ongoing agitation at Moreh protesting against the excesses of the 24 Assam Rifles, the All Manipur Students Union, AMSU, jointly with the Manipuri Students Federation and the Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur, has called a 16-hour state-wide general strike on Tuesday, beginning from midnight tonight. The student bodies have also announced its decision to boycott the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations unless the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is removed forthwith.

Student volunteers meanwhile burnt effigies of the state chief minister, O Ibobi Singh, and Union home minister Shivraj Patel in connection with these issues this afternoon at the DM College campus western gate.
E Ratankumar, AMSU vice-president, speaking to mediapersons in Imphal today, said the people of Moreh have been forced to leave their homes and seek sanctuary in no-man`s land unable to bear the atrocities of the Assam Rifles and the general public cannot remain silent on the issue. As such, the AMSU, along with MSF and DESAM has decided to call a state-wide general strike, to commence from midnight tonight and end at 4 pm tomorrow. Only essential services would be exempted from the strike, Ratankumar said.

He also pointed out that the AMSU president, S Prakash, in solidarity with the protesting womenfolk at Moreh, was camping with them on no-man`s land. Deploring the Indian establishment`s attitude towards indigenous communities, Ratankumar lamented that under Indian rule, countless atrocities have taken place, while the state government was acting as the Centre`s puppet.

He said the AMSU viewed it seriously when over 1500 women were camping on the international border in protest against security forces` atrocities, top Army generals were feigning ignorance on the matter.

Ratankumar further said that unless the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 is removed forthwith from Manipur and the entire north-east, the student bodies would boycott the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations.

The National Identity Protection Committee, NIPCO, has in the meantime extended full support to the general strike called by the In the meantime several leading civil society organisations of the state have extended their support to tomorrows`s general strike called by the students bodies. The organisations extending support to the strike are United Peoples Front, National Identity Protection Committee, the Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN), All Manipur Anti-Drug Association, All Manipur Sinai Lamjing Lup etc. Extending support to the strike, a statement by United Peoples Front said the people of Manipur are yet to gain their democratic rights even as it merged with the Indian union 55 years back.

Another statement issued by the HERICOUN said security forces deployed for giving protection to civilian are still continuing with their act of giving harassments, torture to innocent people and the people of Manipur should give fitting reply to excesses of the Indian Army. The HEICOUN further warned of another intense agitation of the Manipuri people like the one did after the rape and murder of Manorama. In the meantime, the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) has strongly condemned action of the Assam Rifles unit based at Moreh saying the AR unit is continuing with their act of giving harassments to innocent people.

Expressing condemnation on firing of rubber bullets, mock bombs and tear gas upon protestors at Moreh, the civil society organisation also alleged that such action of the state police have clearly indicated that Manipur government is in support of Assam Rifles` excesses.
One killed as ULFA rampage continues in Assam Guwahati, Jan 23(ANI):
The proscribed insurgent outfit, United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), continues its subversive activities in Assam and in the latest series of bomb explosion, at least one person killed and ten other injured on Tuesday. According to Police sources, suspected ULFA militants triggered a powerful blast in the Guwahati s Ganeshguri area at around 6:40 PM, killing one and injuring three others.
"The victim was suspected to be the ULFA cadre who was carrying the explosive," added sources.
The incident occurred near a lane below the Ganeshguri flyover. The injured have been taken to Guwahati Medical College Hospital. Earlier in the day three policemen were severely injured while they were inspecting an abandoned sack lying near a power transformer at Dimow town in eastern Assam's Sivasagar district. The explosion also damaged the transformer which caused a power breakdown in the area, said sources.
Also, in an another incident, insurgents detonated explosives inside a toilet in front of the Chaygaon police station in the lower Assam injuring four persons and partially damaging the circle officer s residence. The explosion took place on Tuesday afternoon. Earlier, on yesterday night, an explosion damaged the office of Doomdooma Circle officer followed by another explosion in an oil pipeline at Kakotibari under Sibsagar district. Also, police recovered a hand-grenade from Jorhat district of Assam on Monday. Though on Monday, Central government announced February 7 for the second round of peace talks with ULFA constituted People's Consultative Group (PCG), the insurgent group continues its violence in the state. Janpith award winner Indira Goswami, also a member of the 11-member PCG, which was constituted by the ULFA to initiate dialogue with the Government, has appealed the outfit the stop violence. Meanwhile, the state police have arrested three ULFA cadres suspected to be the masterminds behind the January 22 Guwahati blasts from the city outskirts and also recovered two hand grenades from their possession. In the past few days the state had suffered at least 20 blasts so far, most of which were planted targeting the gas and oil installations and power facilities. ULFA and five other insurgent groups of the north east region of India have called a 17-hour general strike from 1 a.m. on January 26 to protest the Republic day celebrations of India. (ANI)
Women folk returns home after three days of agitation NET News Network
Imphal, Jan24: Womenfolk of Moreh who have agitated days and nights for the last three days at the 'No Mans Land Zone' dividing India and Myanmar have returned to theirs homes on Monday midnight. Border gate swung opens from today. As a welcome relief for the Moreh resident, gate number 2(where the women had protested) swung open today. However, shop on the Indian side of the border remains closed as consequences of the statewide general strike called by three students' body AMSU, DESAM and MSF. The strike, which was enforced to the cause of the Moreh resident issue, ended 4 pm today without any major incident being reported.
The new development came after MLA Bijoy Koijam along with some public leaders of Moreh and Assam Rifles 26 sector commander; Brig.RA Lewis struck a deal during meeting at Moreh Police station yesterday evening. However some section of the protesting womenfolk were against the deal (MoU) being struck and continued protesting, but finally persuaded at midnight. DIG Range II Christopher Doungel, Moreh ADC Th Chothe, Brigadier of 24 AR KS Kadian also took part. MCM president L Imobi, MCM organisation secy M Thoiba and AMSU Chandel dist committee president Sunil Agarwal attended.
The six points in the MoU included, inquiry into the sodomy charge leveled against Major Atul Yadav and his men and assurance to transfer the Major from Moreh, security force at Moreh to observe the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court, security personnel to identify themselves and desist from conducting Counter Insurgency Operations in civilian clothes, SF not to drive unregistered vehicles, issue arrest memo at the time of any arrest.
To make a final decision, a meeting was convened today at Moreh Kondong Lairembi temple where MLA Bijoy Koijam, Brig.RA Lewis and womenfolk took part. Bijoy Koijam on his part had assured womenfolk that the matter pertaining to the shifting of 24 Assam Rifles from Moreh would be referred to state government where in it can be reported to Union Home Ministry.
Hmar students’ stands against UNLF NET News Network
Aizawl, Jan 24: On the same day that the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) denied atrocities against Hmars causing them to flee to Mizoram, the Hmar Students Association joint headquarters based in Aizawl and pointed finger at the UNLF for all the troubles that Hmar people are facing. While the UNLF had accused the Hmar insurgent group HPC (D) of causing the Hmar exodus to Mizoram through their imposition of taxes, the HSA said the UNLF had been the cause of all troubles for Hmars living in southern Manipur what with UNLF cadres shooting at Mizoram police from Manipur and then taking shelter in Hmar villages inside Manipur.
"It is the same people who shot at the Mizoram police outposts at Vaitin and New Vervek who are presently causing hardships for the Hmar people living inside Manipur. Terrorising women and children as well as beating up a pastor, they have derogatorily asked the villagers to call down their Christian God to help them. They have also told Hmar villagers to go to Mizoram since they call themselves Hmar Mizos. It is high time that ethnic Mizo groups unite as unity is strength," a statement issued by the HSA yesterday exhorted. The statement also said since Hmars have had trouble with Dimasas in Assam in 2003, which had also caused an exodus towards Mizoram, and with the present trouble inside Manipur for Hmars, Hmars should understand fully that they are part and parcel of the Mizo umbrella under which they can gather strength.
"'Zohnahthlak' (ethnic Mizo tribes) should unite as it appears that Mizo tribes living outside Mizoram will face persecution in times to come. We should remember we have our main House (Inpui) in Mizoram," the statement said in an apparent exhortation to the other main Mizo tribe living outside Mizoram, the Paites. The HSA statement also mentioned that it was the UNLF that had killed Manipur police IGP P. Thangthuam on December 31, 2005. The IGP was from the Paite tribe. Manipur is distinctly divided into three demographic zones of which the central zone, or the plains, is occupied by the original Manipuris, the Meiteis. The northern zone is mainly occupied by Nagas, which has become part of the claim for a Greater Nagaland. Ethnic Mizo tribes occupy the southern zone, such as Churachandpur district and Tipaimukh area.