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01/25/2006: "PM likely to visit Ukhrul"


PM likely to visit Ukhrul Morung Express News Dimapur | January 24
PRIME MINISTER Manmohan Singh reportedly expressed his willingness to visit Ukhrul after the United Naga Council (UNC) delegation invited him to do so. The delegation had recently called on the Prime Minister at Delhi with a list of grievances of Nagas inhabiting the hill districts of Manipur. “I would like to see with my own eyes the discrimination (meted out to the Nagas),” Manmohan is reported to have said.
Speaking to The Morung Express, UNC President Puni Modoli said that they had invited the Prime Minister to attend the Lui-Ngai-Ni festival at Ukhrul as Chief Guest. Lui-Ngai-Ni is a festival of sowing which the Naga community celebrates on February 15 every year. Social gatherings, songs, dances and rejoicing highlight the festivity.
According to Modoli, Manmohan said he would like to come to Ukhrul after referring to his itinerary. The UNC President was optimistic of the Cambridge alumni’s visit while stating, “The Government of Manipur may discourage the PM’s visit.” He said they were now waiting for a confirmation.
Further, it was alleged that the Manipur Government was mishandling the funds meant for the people of the hill districts. “Out of the hundred rupees you send us, we receive only five rupees,” Modoli is said to have told the Prime Minister. All of Manipur’s 60 MLAs receive funds for developmental activities under the Tribal Welfare Fund. However, it was alleged that the actual beneficiary receives only a miniscule amount after ‘deductions’ are made. It was because of this reason we asked the Centre to either implement the schemes directly or to pass on the funds to Kohima, Modoli said. “We have the people’s cooperation in this regard and a positive response from the Centre,” he said.
The UNC supports the extension of the ceasefire and feels that peace should always be given a chance. “We will pressurize the Government of India and at the same time appeal to all factions to usher in peace,” Modoli said.
Ukhrul rallies behind NSCN - 5000 Nagas march for integration Kuknalim. com
IMPHAL, Jan 24: It was a silent rally that spoke a thousand words. In a huge show of solidarity for the NSCN(IM) leadership, 5,000 men, women and children marched through Ukhrul...

Manipur’s Tangkhul-dominated district, demanding an “early” and “honourable” settlement to the ongoing peace negotiations with New Delhi.

With only six days to go before the ceasefire between the outfit and the Centre expires and the next round of negotiations slated for later this month, the rally, held in NSCN (I-M) leader Thuingaleng Muivah’s hometown, clearly sent out the signal that the people are fully behind the collective leadership.

The latest round of talks is crucial both for India and the outfit in view of the threat by the collective leadership of the rebel group to return to the jungles, accusing India of not having the will nor the commitment to resolve the Naga political issue.

Organised by the Ukhrul residents, nearly 5,000 Naga men, women, students and children began their march from two places — Hundung and Kharasom — on the outskirts of the town simultaneously at 11 am. The processions converged at the public ground in Ukhrul town, where a meeting was held. The rally also made it very clear that Nagas would not accept any solution without integration of the Naga-inhabited areas.

The rally was silent and peaceful. The processionists carried banners which read “Rally for early solution” and placards saying “No integration, no solution,” among others.

At the end of the public meeting, the organisers took a resolution reposing faith in the collective leadership of the NSCN (I-M). The resolution expressed the hope that the Indian side would keep its commitment to settle the Naga issue. Another resolution strongly demanded that the problem be settled at the earliest.

The district administration had also made elaborate security measures to prevent any untoward incident during the rally. All shops, commercial centres, business establishments, government offices and educational institutions were closed for the day. (Telegraph)
Eastern Nagas on unification Morung Express News
DIMAPUR, JAN 24 (MExN): Stating that Eastern Nagas are discriminated against, the Eastern Naga Students’ Association (ENSA) retorted to the statement made by ‘Mass movement for entire Naga inhabited Areas Integration Unity and Solidarity Front’ (MMFEN IAIUSF) which appeared in the local dailies on January 19. While asserting that Nagas of Eastern Nagaland are treated as “second class citizens,” the ENSA stated that since Eastern Nagas are not included in the integration issue, this reminds them of the 1975 Shillong Accord. “Therefore, we the ENSA request the Western Nagas to solve the western Naga (issue) first without the Eastern Naga promise made by integration committee,” a release said. The ENSA questioned that if the MMFEN IAIUSF is as genuine body it should come to meet face to face. While humbling itself the Naga students said that since that they were not taken into confidence, the Eastern Nagas are not for integration if not wanted. Further, the ENSA has clarified that neither its executive members nor the Eastern Naga public were in attendance in the memorandum presented to the chief minister by the MMFEN IAIUSF. President of the ENSA, Michael Kaita has, in this regard, questioned when he was elected as joint secretary in the larger organization. “Without my concern and knowledge why did you put my name in your memorandum?” Kaita has queried.
Ukhrul rally calls for early Indo-Naga peace
S Johnson and J Kaping

UKHRUL, Jan 24: A silent rally urging for an early solution in the Indo-Naga peace process was taken out today in Ukhrul district, being organised by HUNPHUN.

The rally, attended by several thousand people, kicked off from around 11 am from two different starting points, the Hundung Dungrei Junction and Kharason junction, and came together at the Wino Bazar public ground where a public meeting was held later.

Shops in and around Ukhrul bazar were also closed for the day.

At the public meeting, five declarations were adopted:

First, that the people reaffirmed their confidence in the collective leadership of the NSCN, and would continue all-out support to it till the resolution of the political issue between the Naga people and the government of India;

Secondly, that the people are determined to achieve self-determination which is a fundamental right of every person and every nation;

Thirdly, that the people will never waver nor wear out under any circumstances till an honourable solution between the Naga people and government of India is arrived at;

Fourthly, that the people stood by the resolution of the Tangkhul people taken on September 23, 1946 for the unification of all Naga areas;

Fifthly, that the government of India should demonstrate its commitment of sincerity and reality.

During the rally, partiipated by 2000 as per official estimates, but 30,000 claimed by organisers, carried festoons and banners saying `Don`t employ negotiation as a forum for dividing the Nagas`, `Integration and solution are inseperable for Nagas`, `Nagas will judge the GOI/Indian leaders by their actions and not by words`, `We want early solution`, `Abandon repressive solutions`, `Down with anti-solution forces`, `A change of tone is not a change of policy,` etc.

Ir is worth mentioning that the ongoing ceasefire between the Indian government and the NSCN(IM) is due to expire on January 31, 2006, though talks are expected within the next few days for extension of the ceasefire.

People present at the rally strongly condemned the Indian government`s repressive policy towards the Nagas, and also warned that the government of India must heal the wounds it has caused the Nagas.
General strike affects life in Manipur Morung Express News
Imphal, Jan 24 (PTI): Routine life came to a standstill in Manipur following a 16-hour “lightning general strike” called by three students’ organisations from midnight last to protest alleged atrocities on civilians by personnel of 24th Assam Rifles battalion, official reports said.
Markets, shops and business establishments remained closed in response to the general strike while transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states and those within the state were also cancelled, the reports said.
Attendance in government offices was reported to be nil in view of the general strike called by the All Manipur Students Union (AMSU), Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DSAM) and Manipur Students Federation (MSF).
The organisations said in a joint statement that the strike has also been called to support the ongoing agitation of over 1500 women demanding immediate shifting of 24th Assam Rifles personnel from the border town of Moreh for committing atrocities on civilians there.
The reports said most of the important roads in the valley districts wore a deserted look as people preferred to remain indoors in response to the general strike.
Over 1500 women who launched a sit-in protest at no man’s land near Manipur-Myanmar international border to press for shifting of the 24th Assam Rifles personnel from Moreh concluded their stir late last evening following assurance from the authorities that their demand would be looked into.
Army authorities under whose command the central para military forces were operating assured people and civil organisations that no excesses would be allowed by security personnel deployed at Moreh area, the reports said.
The Future? Today's Editorial Morung Express News
The process of nation-building is greatly influenced by intergenerational perspectives and opinions. Issues surrounding how different generations approach this are critical in the making of a nation. While older generations feel they have earned the right to determine the course of the future because they have lived the past, younger generations feel they are better equipped with current realities to decide what is best for their own future. What is needed is a process of consistent in-depth dialogue between different generations. An attempt to close the generation gap is always fundamental in the re-examination of any situation.
Can there be an honest and free inter-generational dialogue amongst Nagas? Are Naga elders only too concerned about their own experiences that they give little or no room for the youths to take ownership of their future? Are Naga youth indifferent to the experiences of their elders? An interesting observation reveals how elders so wish to make their own personal experiences that of the youth as well. If not put into perspective, it could have detrimental consequences on the youth. Perhaps the task is to facilitate a space where both elders and youths can share their experiences and create a common experience that will propel the people into the future.
When envisioning the future, Nagas are compelled to not just wish for freedom, they need to think about how they will exercise their freedom. In the final analysis, the question of how one exercises freedom is essential for the survival of a people. A realistic shift of focus from ‘status’ of right towards ‘exercising’ of right is required to fully experience and live out the values of freedom. It may therefore be helpful to start a public discourse on how do Nagas exercise their freedom? We need to start wrestling with the many issues concerned with nation-building, so that there is at least an iota of preparedness and conscious awareness that will prevent any misuse of freedom.
In a new world-order of monoculturalism, militarism and globalism it will take enormous will and resolve for Nagas to march undeterred. It will require a clear vision to reorganize and evolve policies and structures around values of democracy, human rights and self-determination that are comprehensively woven into the process of nation-building and governance. Can the Naga vision carry the beacon of the human spirit to live in freedom, dignity; respect and to stand for the liberating truth founded on a worldview that recognizes the indispensability of common humanity? At this core lies the need for trust. In creating trust it helps remove fears of uncertainties. It is told that great changes have occurred only when people believe it was for the better. Indeed to build a dignified future, one is required to shed the feelings of mistrust, suspicion and hate that they carry within themselves, and to take the profound risk of believing and trusting one another. Can Nagas do that?
Arrangements made for R-Day celebrations
Kohima | January 25, 2006 11:39:45 AM IST Webindia

Arrangements have been made for celebration of Republic Day tomorrow in the state capital and all district headquarters of Nagaland. The main function would be held at the Secretariat ground, where Governor Shyamal Datta would hoist the Tri-colour. Tableaux of various government departments, drills by police and security forces and cultural programmes by various tribes of the state would be part of the day-long programme, official sources said.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up throughout the state.
Although there was no threat from any rebel outfit of the state, there were apprehensions that militants from Assam might enter the state following the mounting pressure by the security forces there after the series of bomb blasts in that state.
Dimapur Superintendent of Police Bidhu Shekhar has ordered a tight security blanket in and around the town and at the Dimapur railway station.
Police said entry points from Assam in Wokha, Mokokchung and Mon districts have been put under strict vigilance. UNI AS SG SP RD 1120
No clues yet on missing men
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 24: Even after five days of a complaint being lodged about the four persons from Manipur who have disappeared after they were picked up by men in security force uniform from Chumukedima on January 19, Dimapur police still do not have any clue on the whereabouts of the four persons.

The four persons who have gone missing after they were picked up by suspected security personnel include two sub-contractors of Northern Agency and they had gone to lift rice and sugar from the FCI godown at Dimapur.

The other two had gone to Dimapur on private business.

When The Sangai Express contacted the SP of Dimapur police today to inquire about the progress of the case, the SP said that security force have informed the police that they are not involved in the arrest of the four persons.

Even under ground outfits operating in Nagaland have also washed their hands off the incident, said the police officer.

All army units have been contacted and most of the units have denied arresting the four persons, informed the SP.

Replies from some Army units are being awaited, he added.

Though eye witnesses said that the four were picked up by security personnel, the police do not have any clue till date, admitted the SP.

On being questioned whether they may have been abducted by militant organisations, the SP said that when contacted, the underground outfits, which are engaged in talks with the Government denied picking up the four persons.
Security forces gun down four PLA militants in Manipur
Imphal : Four suspected cadres of the banned People Liberation Army (PLA) were killed in an encounter with combined team of police commandos and 7 Assam Rifles personnel at Sandankhong in Bishnupur district on Monday evening.

Following a tip-off about the presence of militants, the security forces rushed to the Sandankhong area of the district where the ultras, who were in a Tata Sumo, started firing on them, said police sources.

The combined team of security personnel retaliated and in the ensuing exchange of fire which lasted about 15 minutes, four suspected PLA ultras were killed.

Three AK 47 rifles, three magazines, 24 bullets and six bombs were recovered from the spot.

Later, the bodies of the ultras were sent to Regional Institute of Medical Science Hospital in Imphal for post mortem, sources added.

The police sources said that the ultras were planning to attack security personnel deputed there.

PLA which is known for its continuous subversive activities in Manipur is the armed wing of banned Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF) which has been raising a separatist movement in Manipur.

The PLA ultras had recently killed Manipur Inspector General of Police (intelligence) Tunglut Thangthaum, along with havildar Khamkhan Jam in an ambush in Bishenpur district on December 31, 2005. PLA's this act was widely condemned in Manipur.

The PLA was established under the leadership of N. Bisheswar Singh on September 25, 1978.

In 1989, the PLA formed a political body called the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF). RPF runs a government-in-exile in Bangladesh.

The banned outfit aims to organise a revolutionary front covering the entire Northeast and unite all ethnic groups, including the Meiteis, Nagas and Kukis, to separate Manipur from India.

PLA, which is basically a Meiti outfit, claims itself to be a trans-tribal organisation seeking to lead the non-Meiteis as well.

PLA recruits were initially trained in guerrilla warfare by the then united National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) at its headquarters in Challam, beyond the Somrah Tract, in north Myanmar during the 1980s.

The PLA now comprises four divisions—Sadar Hill West areas of the Valley of Manipur, Sadar Hill areas in the eastern Valley, the entire hill areas in Manipur and the entire Imphal. Each division has a commander, lieutenants, sergeant and lance corporals in its ranks. PLA activists are equipped with sophisticated arms. The group has also been reportedly involved in widespread extortion operations.

In Bangladesh, the PLA has set up a number of bases in the Sylhet district. Two camps in Myanmar and five camps in Bangladesh are currently known to exist, where about 1,000 recruits have received arms training.

PLA is also reported to have contacts with Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

The ISI s nexus with the PLA came to notice through a document recovered in January 1991 from Biren Singh alias German, the Finance Secretary of the RPF.

Reports of fleeing villagers propaganda, says UNLF
The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jan 24: The United National Liberation Front has said that reports about Hmar and Paite civilians fleeing Parbung and Tipaimukh subdivision in the interior area of Churachandpur district is nothing but a cheap propaganda unleashed by Indian intelligence agencies to undermine the image of the paty and to severe the ties that the outfit has developed with the people.

Refuting the report, a statement issued by the party`s outfit`s publicity officer Ksh Yoiheiba said UNLF, since its inception, always stood by the principle of peaceful coexistence and harmony amongst different communities by respecting each others identities.

Reiterating its reason for launching its revolutionary movement, the UNLF said the it has been fighting to regain freedom of the oppressed people of Manipur from the shackles of India and maintained that it will continue to carry on with the struggle.

Maintaining that the struggle can only be achieved with a united effort, Yoiheiba`s statement further said that it was with this vision in mind that the outfit provided monetary help and arms to outfits formed on ethnic lines like HPC(D) and the same was also extended to like minded groups of the Kukis and Paites.

However, recently at Parbung and Tipaimukh area, the HPC(D) teamed up with the Indian Army and started launching attacks upon UNLF cadres, it charged and went on to say the HPC(D) even went to the extent of threatening village chiefs not to provide shelter to UNLF or face dire consequences. It was because of this reason that a numbers of villagers fled their homesteads, the statement added.

The UNLF has always been extending help to villagers who have been neglected and harassed for long by India. The outfit has been providing food, grains, medicines and other basic necessities to villagers for years and deep bond developed between the local people and the cadres of the outfit. It is because of this long association that local villagers still stood by the UNLF today, the outfit claimed.

Further, the outfit maintained that false propaganda spearheaded by India and their stooges like the HPC(D) and the ZRA will never succeed. It also asked the HPC (D) and ZRA to think over their action and not to fall into India`s dragnet.
Security tighted along Indian borders ahead of Republic Day By Peter Alex Todd/Vipul Goyal/Bilal Butt
Guwahati/Siddarthnagar/Gorakhpur/Srinagar, Jan.25 (ANI): India has tightened security along all of its international borders, including in several strife-torn northern and northeastern states ahead of the 57th Republic Day celebrations to be held on Thursday.
In recent years, celebrations around the country have been targeted by Islamic militants opposed to Indian rule in Kashmir, Maoists rebels fighting a class war in some poorer states, and separatist insurgents from the troubled northeast.
They have blown up railway lines, attacked key economic infrastructure and raised tensions across the country.
A security ring has been thrown around Assam capital Guwahati after four persons were grievously wounded in an explosion on Tuesday.
Police said that the rebel United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) had killed two policemen and blown oil and gas pipelines in the region in the run up to the celebrations.
The ULFA has called for a general strike across the region to boycott Republic Day.
"In Guwahti city itself, we have divided the city into sectors and sub sectors. All senior officers are on the street carrying out intensive searches at suspected places. Other measures have also been taken. We have decided to remove all unauthorized vehicles (from roads) specially buses and other abandoned vehicles," D.K.Bora, Inspector General of Police, Guwahati.
Sniffer dogs have been deployed in India's northern border town of Siddharthnagar to check movements along the Indo-Nepal Border. BSF personnel have been deployed in extra numbers after recent reports that Maoists operating in the area were planning attacks during the Republic Day celebrations.
"We have deployed extra troops along the international border with Nepal. Along with this, we have involved the dog squad for patrolling," H.S. Dev, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gorakhpur, said.
Meanwhile, the paramilitary Border Security Force is carrying out intensive patrolling in Tripura capital Agartala and along the state's international border with Bangladesh.
In Jammu and Kashmir, separatist groups observe the day as a "Black Day" and normally busy streets are deserted as a strike takes hold. Soldiers in the state's summer capital, Srinagar, have stepped up identification checks, especially outside the Bakshi stadium, which is venue of the Republic Day celebrations.
"Sometimes the threat perception is more and sometimes it can be less. Currently, we percieve a very high threat perception. So accordingly, we have deployed more personnel to rule out any problems," Farooq Ahmed, Deputy Inspector General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, said.
Indians celebrate Republic Day in style every January 26, with lavish parades in all major cities marking the founding of the Republic in 1950.
The main event though is held in New Delhi, where the president takes the salute from the armed forces amid much pomp and ceremony.
Adding to the jitters this year are "certain intelligence inputs" about threats to the security of the ceremony's chief guest, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, police said.
Security will be especially tight in New Delhi with one of the worst terror strikes the capital still fresh in the memory. On October 29, 2005, 66 people were killed in three bombings, two at popular markets. The attacks were blamed on a Pakistan-based militant group.
Major airports in the country have also been put on high alert.
India gained independence from Britain in 1947 and officially became a republic three years later when the Constitution was ratified and its first president sworn in. (ANI)

AIDS cases increasing in North East From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
AGARTALA, Jan 24 – A recent study has revealed that drug addictions along with the number of AIDS patients have increased in the State as in the entire North-east region.

The North-east India Harm Reduction Network (NEIHRN), a research organization of Imphal, has conducted a study about drug addictions and AIDS in entire North-east and submitted their report in a seminar of Voluntary Health Association of Tripura (VAT) on Monday in Agartala.
The study report has revealed that AIDS infection has drastically gripped the entire NE region and it is the most alarming issue of region.
NEIHRN researcher Sundar Daniel informed that they collected and examined 47,307 blood samples from Assam in December 2004 last, and found among them 750 persons infected with HIV.

In April 2005, NEIHRN examined 20,230 blood samples from Mizoram and 1117 samples were detected with the presence of HIV. Among the 1117 HIV infected persons 496 persons were addicted to drugs by using injection syringes. In Nagaland, 2440 HIV infected persons were detected after 40,143 samples had been examined in the period of December 2004.
In the year 2005, the NEIHRN also collected 17,664 blood samples from Meghalaya and detected that 70 persons were infected with HIV. In Sikkim, 34 persons were detected among the 7800 samples.

The NEIHRN also informed that altogether 94 persons were detected with HIV infection in Tripura in December 2004. The addiction of drugs among the youths has gradually spreaded specially in Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. The reports said that in Tripura specially the street children always use ‘Dandrite’ for addiction and young generation uses banned cough syrups like Phensydal, Corex along with various sleeping pills.
The NEIHRN and VAT has appealed to the general people of State along with NGOs and administration to take up the issue seriously and start the campaign of anti-drugs awareness. Officials of security forces, officials of state AIDS Control Society along with representatives of 20 NGOs of state were also present in this seminar.




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