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02/04/2006: "Do not procrastinate on Naga issue, Centre told"


Do not procrastinate on Naga issue, Centre told

The Morung Express News
Dimapur | IN THE 25 minute meeting which took place between the Centre’s Parliamentary Standing Committee Union on Home Affairs led by Member of Parliament Sushma Swaraj and frontal social organizations of Nagaland, the need for an early settlement to the long-standing political negotiations figured prominently. Besides, the unification of the ‘Naga homeland’ was also deliberated. Dr Lanusashi Longkumer, Convenor of the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) in a phone conversation said the interaction was brief but interesting.
Swaraj, in her concluding remark, is said to have touched the core issues of the peace process and integration. She conveyed the Centre’s message that they were making close observation and that they were extending solidarity and support in ‘positive development.’
Longkumer further disclosed that representatives of political parties in Nagaland were also present during the meeting. During the course of the discussions, development aspects related to the State is also said to have taken place. A gentleman from the Nagaland Congress raised the slogan that the ‘Look East’ policy should be realistic and should benefit the people, the NPMHR Convenor said.
A joint representation submitted to Swaraj by the Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Students’ Federation and the NPMHR states that the political negotiation “must come to the logical conclusion without any more procrastination and that unification of Naga Homeland must precede any agreement that may be arrived at.”
Asking Delhi not to delay the peace process wagon from moving forward any further, the representation states, “The efforts put in during the past eight and half years may be wasted if the Government of India fails to take a timely bold and decisive step.” The history of the peace talks was also recounted.
It may be mentioned that the Parliamentary Standing Committee Union on Home Affairs is one among the 17 Departmentally Related Standing Committees. Among other things, the Committee functions by way of taking consideration of national basic long term policy documents presented to the House i.e. Parliament.
“With the emphasis of their functioning to concentrate on long-term plans, policies and the philosophies guiding the working of the Executive, these Committees will be in a very privileged position to provide necessary direction, guidance and inputs for broad policy formulations and in achievement of the long-term national perspective by the Executive”, according to information obtained about the working of the Committee.
Earlier, the 18-member Pariamentary Standing Committee visited Arunachal Pradesh where discussions on internal security and infrastructure development took place. As per an official source the delegation will arrive at the border town of Moreh from Kohima on February 4.
Indira Goswami optimistic of ULFA-Centre talks Kolkata Feb 3 The Morung Express News
(PTI): Noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami, mediating in dialogue between the Centre and the banned ULFA, today said both parties were equally keen on arriving at a solution that would bring lasting peace in Assam.
‘’Obviously, the ULFA wants a dialogue. I think (Prime Minister) Manmohan Singh is equally keen. After all, he is the first PM to sit with the ULFA for talks,’’ Goswami told PTI here.
Terming the second round of talks scheduled between the Centre and ULFA in Delhi on February seven as ‘crucial,’ she said the Centre has agreed to discuss all issues, including the core issue of self-determination of the Assamese people.
‘’It will be a very crucial meeting. Much of the progress of the ongoing dialogue would depend on the outcome of the talks on February seven,’’ she said.
When asked whether the Centre would accept the core issue raised by the ULFA, Goswami said, ‘’I asked many politicians in Delhi. They told me that was no harm in discussing it.’’ To a question, Goswami said that she was in touch with the exiled ULFA chief Paresh Barua but declined to specify where he was.
‘’Over the years, he has matured. Now, he favours a dialogue. But we must not forget that he sacrificed his youth for a mission. He is very loyal to his cause,’’ she said.
Earlier, in a function organised by the Sahitya Academy at the Kolkata Book Fair, Goswami read out a poem by a rebel now lodged in the Guwahati Jail.
Check on illegal immigrants high on NSF list Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 3
PREPARING ITSELF to combat malpractices, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) says it is packing its armour to address issues which are pivotal to cleansing Naga society. An Inner Line Regulation Committee (ILRC) will be taking up measures towards effectively checking influx of illegal immigrants “into our land.”
In a bid to tackle the practice of age tampering to prolong employment period “prevalent in our State Government Services,” the students in a meeting held recently resolved to take up the superannuation/age tempering issue on a war footing. “This is an injustice directly affecting many educated Naga youths,” a release said.
The house had also discussed the agenda put up by All Naga Students’ Association of Manipur on affiliation of schools/colleges in Manipur to NBSE/Nagaland University. “A Committee shall be instituted for this matter and shall be pursuing for materialization of the same from this academic session.”
On the protracted NSPC issue, the students feel that the response from the Government of Nagaland is not satisfactory. “NSF Executives Council shall pursue the matter further,” the release says. If necessary, the suspended phases of agitation are to be resumed. “The house also seriously noted the circular issued by the Border Magistrate/SDO (C) Ralan Circular where anyone desirous of pursuing trade and commerce in the border market were directed to procure permission from both Nagaland and Assam Border Magistrate.”
To efficiently execute these moves, the NSF seeks the support and cooperation of the public. “The NSF was formed way back in 1947 with objectives to kindle all-round progress of the society. In all its efforts, the NSF needs support and cooperation from every walk of life.”
Challenges ahead in India-Naga deal New Kerala
By Syed Zarir Hussain, Dimapur (Nagaland): Indian officials may be celebrating after convincing Naga separatist leaders to extend their nine-year-old ceasefire until July 31. But the road to peace in Nagaland could prove to be bumpy.

After the Bangkok meeting between Indian negotiators and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), New Delhi faces bigger challenges in preparing a definite road map to address core issues related to Nagaland before the truce expires in six months.

The NSCN-IM adopted a belligerent posture this time in staggered talks lasting four days in the Thai capital.

The group, led by guerrilla leaders Thuingaleng Muivah, refused to agree to a ceasefire extension beyond Jan 31 unless the Indian government consented to meet their demands within a definite timeframe.

Indian Minister Oscar Fernandes and New Delhi's chief negotiator K. Padmanabhaiah led the government side at Bangkok.

The scheduled two-day talks failed and the two sides took two extra days before the rebels agreed for a six-month ceasefire extension.

At one stage, the NSCN-IM even threatened to return to war by pulling out of the truce signed in 1997 if New Delhi failed to come up with a firm commitment.

For now, the government has clinched one more ceasefire extension.

A joint statement signed by NSCN general secretary Muivah and Padmanabhaiah Tuesday stated: "Both sides recognise that there has been insufficient progress in the talks."

It was therefore decided to carry the political negotiations forward taking "new initiatives".

The question is: whether New Delhi's strategy of buying time and extending the truce can really solve the problem?

The Nagas are clearly getting restive, and the rebels' adamant posturing is enough indication that they believe the government is having a game plan: drag the peace process without a concrete plan or agenda.

The NSCN-IM, one of the oldest and most powerful of about 30 rebel groups in India's northeast, wants to create a "Greater Nagaland" by slicing off parts of three neighbouring states which have Naga populations.

The governments of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh states have already rejected the demand. Will it be easy for New Delhi then to concede to the Naga demand?

The answer is known to both New Delhi and NSCN-IM - it would be a tough proposition as any move to merge Naga-inhabited areas in the northeast could lead to a rebellion in the neighbouring states.

The NSCN-IM is also on a sticky wicket. After having climbed down from their demand seeking an independent Naga homeland outside the Indian union, the rebel leadership now is harping on the theme of "Greater Nagaland".

"There is no option left other than demanding a 'Greater Nagaland'. The NSCN-IM leadership too is answerable to its people and their cadres," an analyst said.

Indian officials believe that unless the Naga insurgency, the country's longest running, is resolved, peace will permanently escape the northeast.

So it is New Delhi that has to come up with some formula to resolve the impasse. Or else July 31, when the truce expires, could bury Nagaland's peace.
Country’s first community-built power plant in Nagaland
KOHIMA, Feb 3 – Moving a step further in consolidating the unique community strength in Nagaland, the country’s first community-constructed mini-hydro-electric power plant has been successfully commissioned at Chizami village in Phek district.

Funded by Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources, the 100x2 KW power plant was jointly set up by the village councils of Chizami village and nearby Sumi village with the technical assistance of Nagaland Renewable Energy Development Agency.

“It was for the first time any Ministry under the Government of India sent directly the cheque worth Rs 1.29 crore to the village council for setting up of the project without routing through the State Government,” MNES secretary A M Gokhale, who visited the project site recently, said. Gokhale, who had earlier served as Deputy Commissioner of Phek district in late seventies, exuded confidence that the two village councils would run the plant efficiently and urged the state power department to make arrangement for evacuating surplus electricity from the hydro-electric project.

Later, Gokhale inaugurated another community managed gassifier unit in Pfutseromi village under the same district where firewood is used to generate electricty.

Only after getting assurances from the villagers that they would ensure continuous flow of firewood to the power plant from the tree plantation instead of colleting the same from forests, the Ministry had sanctioned the projects, said Rural Development Department officials. Villagers in Phek district have taken up large-scale plantation of trees after introduction of Canadian-funded environment project through economic development and other aforestation schemes initiated by state forest department, wasteland development department and grass root level statutory bodies, such as village councils and village development boards. The Ministry has funded seven such gassifiers in Nagaland and out of them four have already been completed and three are on the verge of completion, said Rural Development secretary Toshi Aier.

Gokhale told visiting newsmen that the Ministry made sustained endeavour to harness immense potential of renewable or non-conventional energy sources in the country and India has emerged as the fourth largest producer of wind energy in the world. Gokhale, who was also a former Nagaland chief secretary, pointed out that since chances of big companies entering into power generation in the north-east in immediate future were remote, the hill states of the region should make serious efforts in capitalising on its immense potential of mini hydro-electric plants and small gassifier projects.
“There is no dearth of money in my Ministry and there are thousands of rivulets and streams and abundant firewood in the north eastern state,” Gokhale, said. – PTI
Ukhrul bash up row takes new turn By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Feb 3 : The Ukhrul DC assault case is likely to snowball to a larger issue following another incident of workers of MLAs Danny Shaiza and W Keishing bashing up a staff of the officer.
DC Mohan Lal Meena has raised a written complaint providing details of the incident to the Chief Secretary. The letter dated January 31 said that the act of the MLAs ‘was to show their power and to prove that they care neither for the Rule of Law nor for anybody’.
After he was allegedly assaulted by worker of MLA A Aza on January 28, the other two MLAs Danny Shaiza and W Keishing came to his residence to meet him on January 30 at around 10 am while he was about to leave for the office, the DC recalled in his letter.
As soon as they entered his drawing room, the two MLAs asked for S Phanit-phang, UDC/Planning who deals with BADP scheme and he (DC) told them that Panitphang might be at the office. Danny Shaiza then send his men to pick up the UDC. As they brought him, the men of the two MLAs began beating up the UDC and asked to bring all documents relating to BADP scheme. When the UDC brought the same, they asked him to prepared the cheques in the names of their chosen persons, the letter said.
"These directions were giv-en to him at my residence and I was helpless because of my family’s presence as on January 28 I was already assaulted, which has left my family in trauma’, the DC lamented.
The behaviour of the MLA was not dignified and they were trying to provoke him (DC) by assaulting his staff in his presence and asking him not to interfere in anyway, the letter said, adding that he has been receiving threat calls.
‘Even one caller threatened me that only because of possible visit of Prime Minister to Ukhrul that I was not shot dead and after the visit I will be taken care off’, the DC disclosed.
The DC requested the Chief Secretary to take immediate action against ‘this anarchy unleashed by the elected representatives and to take every possible step to uphold the Rule of Law and Government machinery, and to protect the lives of me, my family and other Government servants’.
On being interviewed at his Imphal office residence, a broken Meena, who is on leave and under medication, said his wife and little child who witnessed the whole horrific incidents suffered from fear psychosis and have left the State.
‘I guess they will never return here’, the Deputy Commissioner added. ‘Now I will explained everything to the Chief Secretary personally and let the authorities take up appropriate action’, he said, adding that the Chief Secretary might be arriving at Imphal on February 5. On his assault by MLA Aza’s workers, the district administrator said that upon the advise of the Chief Secretary ‘I had tea with MLA Aza’.
Naga peace and Sholokhov The Statesman Open Forum By Pradip Phanjoubam
Despite all the brinkmanship and the worries that things may go wrong, the outcome of the Bangkok talks between Government of India representatives and the leadership of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim was as expected.
The nearly nine-year-old ceasefire between the two parties has been extended by another six months on the day it was to expire, and there did not seem to be any other course it could have taken.
It is not a surprise that the welcome accorded to the news, both in Nagaland and in Manipur, was rather subdued. People heaved a sigh of relief, but showed little or no excitement, apart from lack lustre prayers that something would happen to make things happen.
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council, for instance, welcomed the truce extension but expressed disappointment that the ceasefire was becoming an end rather than a means. It also called the NSCN(I-M) to be realistic and broadminded, while also rapping its rivals for not going beyond close-ended criticisms.
This spirit was generally echoed in most other statements. Hopefully, indeed, a resolution will be reached at the end of this current leash, but it is still unimaginable how this can be so, considering the issues are so entangled.
What is perhaps needed is a completely new approach to the problem, like redrawing the paradigms altogether. Certain things are simply not possible and to think that the impossible is possible — it must be acknowledged by the parties concerned — is being unrealistic.
Perhaps, it will also be good for the parties involved to reflect on not just how to remove the hurdles before their visions, but more importantly, why these hurdles are there at all. How otherwise could nine years of negotiations have culminated in nobody moving from square one, and as the reports of this round of talks at Bangkok were testimony, there were nothing more than exchanges of allegations that either side was not playing by the rules.
But whatever else may have happened, at least the suspension of hostilities, if not peace, received another chance, and this is welcome. The distinction between peace and suspension of hostilities is essential, for peace is much more than just the absence of overt violence, as latent violence, intimidation and other factors are also significant.
No one will disagree that the suspension of violence must be the first step to ushering in comprehensive peace.
The NSCN(I-M) leadership surely must be realising that the longer the stagnation remains, the deeper its problems would become.
If not for anything else, then for the fact that peace, even if partial, can be alluring and has a way of taming fighting men. No one can be more convincing in arguing this point out than the winner of the 1965 Nobel Prize for literature, Mikhail Sholokhov, in his celebrated short story, The Foal.
The story tells of the effect a foal born in battlefield to a mare amongst the steeds of a Russian cavalry during a campaign to suppress rebellious Cossacks, had on the troops. The cavalry commander wanted the foal shot for he feared the sight of the little one would remind his soldiers of home and soften them but none among the war-wearied soldiers succeeds in pulling the trigger.
In the days ahead, the foal – naughty, innocent and vulnerable – grows into the hearts of all, including the commander. They even go about protecting it from danger.
In the climactic scene, during a river crossing amidst a pitched gun-battle, a soldier tries to rescue the drowning foal. To everybody’s surprise, the foal had the same effect on the enemies and nobody fired from the other side of the river while the rescue was on, except a single bullet that escapes the rifle of a nervous young Cossack which rips the chest of the rescuer, much to the horror of both sides.
Nine years is a long time to be home with the family for any man or woman of war. A young NSCN(I-M) guerrilla who might have married at the first scent of peace in 1997, would be with schoolgoing children today. He or she may not fear going back to the jungle again, but it is not so much fear that would be difficult to resolve. It is the memory of the warmth of home and hearth that will put a haze in her eyes.
Sometimes, hate is far easier to tackle than love. As the foal did to the Russian troops, the unspoken beckoning of children have the reputation of overriding the commands of commanders.

(The author is editor of The Imphal Free Press.)
Tension continues in Athibung town New Kerala
Kohima: Tension continued at Athibung town in Peren district of Nagaland following heavy exchange of firing on Thursday between rival NSCN factions.

State Home minister Thenucho, in a statement here, said the situation at Athibung was tense but under control.

He informed that two companies of the state police force, including an IRB company, had been deployed in the town.

An Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) jawan was seriously injured in the cross firing.

The NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K) had ignored repeated requests by the Assam Rifles (AR) unit deployed near the site of the gun battle to stop the firing at the civilian area.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the NSCN(IM) 'deputy kilonser' alleged that AR personnel were protecting the NSCN(K) cadres who have raised hundreds of bunkers in and around Athibung town.

He said they have already invited chairman of the cease fire monitoring group Lt Gen. R V Kulkarni to see for himself the ground realities.

NIUCAMO flay UNC's remark Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 03: North Imphal United Clubs and Meira Paibees Organisation (NIUCAMO) has flayed the recent remarks of United Naga Council (UNC) president that a formal announcement to the effect of renaming the four hill districts of the State and payment of house taxes in the hills to Nagaland or to Delhi through Nagaland Government would be made on the occasion of Lui-Ngai-Ni festival to be celebrated at Ukhrul on February 15.

In a statement, NIUCAMO president S Kulla Singh said such mindset of the UNC is irrational and amounts to committing treason against the State Government.

Kulla asserted that instead of levelling wild allegation against the State Government for the lack of development in the hill areas of Manipur, the UNC should first of all understand who are responsible for underdevelopment of the hills.

During the first 34 years of attainment of Statehood, Rishang Keishing and Yangmaso Sheiza were Chief Ministers of Manipur for 20 years and Md Alimuddin who belonged to minority Muslims for another five years.

Moreover, the portfolio of the Tribal Development Department has always been kept reserve for the Tribal Minister, Kulla pointed out, while asking what have these people did for the development of the hills.

NIUCAMO has been always for the development of the hill people and it would be commendable if UNC could extend its support in teaching a lesson to all those pseudo-public leaders for the sake of peaceful co-existence among the people.
IM-K exchange fire, IRB jawan injured Source: The Sangai Express
Kohima, February 03: Clashes between members of Naga outfits NSCN (I-M) and NSCN (K), which have signed ceasefire agreements with the central government, continued in Nagaland, police said today.

One India Reserve Battalion (IRB) jawan was injured in crossfire as the rival groups clashed for about two hours yesterday at Athibung in Peren district, the sources said.

The jawan was admitted to the Assam Rifles Hospital near here.

Both the groups held each other responsible for the gun battle yesterday in the town, about 180 km from here.

The NSCN (K) said their cadres killed six NSCN (I-M) activists and injured six others, a claim denied by the other group.

The police did not have any confirmation about this, the sources said.

Tension has gripped Athibung town because of intermittent clashes between the two groups for over the last two months.

Last month two NSCN (I-M) cadres were killed in a gun battle in the town.

NSCN (I-M) information and publicity in-charge Kraibo Chawang alleged that NSCN (K) raised a number of bunkers with arms and ammunition in the populated area of the town.

On the other hand, NSCN (K) claimed that its rival group in connivance with security forces had been hunting down its cadre in the guise of ceasefire.

Our Staff Reporter adds: To ascertain report of gunfight between armed cadres suspected to belong to the NSCN (IM) and another UG outfit in Kasom Khullen area of Ukhrul district yesterday morning a team of unarmed personnel from Kasom Khullen police station has been sent to the encounter site.

According to press source the actual place where the clash took place might be in Saibol area of Chandel district located near the Ukhrul district border.

On the otherhand, police source maintained that the clash report could not confirmed as till late evening identity and number of casualty figure could not be authenticated

. Naga cultural troupe sharesstage with celebrities at Kolkata

Members of Riju Sporting and Cultural Club, Diphupar who represented Nagaland in the recently concluded, “Haldia Utsav 2006”, Kolkota pose for a lens with Alem Pongener, the team leader (extreme left, standing) and executive members on February 3. (MExPix)
DIMAPUR, FEB 3 (MExN): The hard work and the sweat of the pioneers of Riju Sporting and Cultural Club, Diphupar Dimapur are being steadily paid off with the growing popularity of the club. Recently, 21 members from the Club represented Nagaland at the, “Haldia Utsav 2006” one of the largest festival held at Kolkata from January 15 to 26. The troupe was arranged and sponsored by Alem Pongener.
Briefing the experience of the festival, Alem said the Government of other states takes utmost importance in organizing festivals to promote and preserve culture and to provide a platform for the young.
Citing the example of Lakshman Seth, MP of West Bengal who is also the President of the Utsav and Hemanshu, a film director and the Secretary of the Utsav, Alem lamented that the Government of Nagaland should also take up and organize such program where the culture of the people is preserved and promoted.
The Nagaland troupe performed cock fights, hornbill dance, a short play on how the Ao Naga celebrates Moatsu festival etc which lasted for 1:20 hours to complete the whole items, said Alem and added that the troop attracted the maximum number of crowd at the festival.
The troupe also shared the same stage with Adnan Sami, the famous pop singer on January 26 said Alem and the other celebrities present at the function were actress Amisha Patil, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan etc.
The organizers while appreciating the troupe from Nagaland invited them to cultural festival to be held in April said Alem.
Imti Ao, Treasurer Riju Sporting and Cultural Club while briefing on the history of the club said that the main aim of forming the club which was formed in 1993, was to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Ao community in particular and the Nagas in general.
While pointing out the difficulties faced by the club, Imti said that the club is looking forward for help from the government. Some of the festival the club participated outside are Kaziranga Centenary Celebration 2004-05, Darjeeling Tea celebration, Imphal Dance Festival etc.
AASU warns ULFA for mispresenting facts Newmai News Network
Guwahati: The All Assam Students Union (AASU) today warned the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) for making false statements against the student organization.
The ULFA alleged that the AASU was interfering in the peace process at the behest of the intelligence agencies in lieu of indirect funding.
While addressing a news conference here today AASU adviser Dr Samujjal Kr Bhattacharya said, “We warn the ULFA against making such shallow statements against the AASU which doesn’t require a certificate from anyone to prove its patriotism and concern for the people of Assam. We have been fighting for the cause of Assam and Assamese people for the last three decades and will do so relentlessly,” said Dr Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharyya, the advisor of the AASU. “We neither believe in ULFA’s ideology nor support its demand for sovereignty. But we want peace. We want that there should be discussion between the ULFA and government of India for restoration of lasting peace,” he added.
Bhattacharyya further attacks, ‘’The ULFA must tell why they are silent on continuous infiltration from Bangladesh, on the ISI activities inside Assam and on the fundamentalist organizations of the state. Is it because they are taking shelter at Bangladesh and taking dictation from the ISI? We do not need lessons of patriotism from ULFA,’’ said AASU President Shankar Prasad Ray.
The ULFA leveled the allegation following a statement made by the AASU general secretary Tapan Gogoi reiterating the students body’s consistent opposition to violence and the militant group’s demand for an ‘independent Assam’.
In a public meeting organized by a group sympathizer of the ULFA here on 30 January last, the AASU leader called upon the banned group to stop its violent activities for the greater interests of peace.
Dr Bhattacharya also accused the ULFA of resorting to rampant extortion all over the state in the of the peace initiative and stated that the ULFA should noy try to bully the AASU.
This is for the first time the ULFA was taken to task with such ferocity even as the ULFA nominated People Consultative Groups (PCG) members are fighting against one another as only four members are invited for talks on February 7 next by the PMO, which has caused much heartburn.
Army launches anti-insurgency operation The Morung Express
Imphal, Feb 3 (UNI): The 57 Mountain Division has launched ‘Operation Dragnet’ to sanitise Churachandpur district of militancy, specially National Highway 150, Parbung and Thanlon areas.
Governor S S Sidhu had also made an aerial survey of the places and assured posting of civil and police officials in all the sub-divisions of the district.
The PIB (Defence Wing) informed that Maj. Gen. G G Dwivedi, GOC of 57 Mountain Division, visited the villages.
Civil administration had been restored and more than 63 IEDs, allegedly planted by the militants, were removed so far, it was further informed.
A meeting, to be presided over by Deputy Commissioner of the district K Sinha, would be held today to discuss deputing officials to the areas affected by insurgency.
Mr Sinha has asked all officials to attend office regularly.
Functioning of offices had been affected due to a stir by four students’ bodies, demanding regular power supply and implementation of agreements reached earlier with the government to increase the pace of development in the district.
Tight security, hectic arrangements on eve of MPs` visit to Moreh
Sukham Nanda

MOREH, Jan 3: Tight security arrangements have been made in the entire border town of Moreh with the countdown for the scheduled visit of the team of members and officials of the department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs led by its chairperson MP Sushma Swaraj to Moreh to oversee the law and order situation as well as the border trade relationship between the two neighbouring countries, Myanmar and India.

In the meantime hectic preparations in various government departments at Moreh town are still on to accord a warm welcome to the visiting Parliamentary team at Moreh tomorrow.

All the employees posted at various departments located at Moreh were seen attending to every minor details and involving in the renovations and repairs as well as white washing their respective departmental offices.

The heads of the various departments especially the state department of industries and commerce were stationed at Moreh town in connection with the scheduled visit of the Parliamentary team here.

In the meantime, minister industries and commerce, N Mangi Singh who is now stationed at Moreh town along with the officials of the department said that all the necessary arrangements for the visit of the Parliamentary team were complete.

Besides, the roads leading to the Inspection Bangalow, IB of different departments were being kept neat and clean by the concerned departments.

The team will arrive by helicopters and land at the Army helipad at Moreh.

Thereafter they will inspect Moreh trade center, community health centre, Yatri Niwas and international gates No.2 and No. 1 where the exchange of trade between the two countries takes place.

It may be mentioned that there is at present border trade between Myanmar and India in 22 items. Besides the state government has already proposed to increase the trade items to 41 items and the same proposal will be reminded again to the visiting Parliamentary team by the state officials for further recommendation to the central government during their visit to Moreh town tomorrow.

The team will leave Moreh town tomorrow afternoon after having lunch here with the officials of the state government at Moreh trade center.

Meanwhile, the security arrangement in Moreh town in view of the Parliamentary team`s visit has been tightened up with heavy reinforcement of security personnel called in from different district police headquarters including police commandos, IRB and Manipur Rifles. In addition to this, three companies of CRPF were also deployed in the entire Moreh town from this morning to assist the civil police. Security measures including frequent patrolling and checking of the visitors at Moreh had also started from this morning as a precautionary measure.

Efforts were on to plug any loopholes in the arrangements for the visit. It can also be mentioned that the Parliamentary team may not be satisfied with regard to the existing road condition at Moreh town and closure of markets at Namphalong Market on the Myanmar side where most of the trade activities is concentrated due to the stoppage of services by commercial vehicles including passenger services of all kinds since yesterday. The Joint Action Committee of Transporters Association had cancelled their services unable to bear the increasing monetary demands by various organisations from the transporters along this route.

Meanwhile, DC Chandel, Nobert Disnang, DIG Range II, Christopher Doungel and SP Chandel, G Bimolchandra Sharma also arrived at Moreh town this morning to take stock of every aspect of the situation at Moreh.
A medical team from the state health department consisting of one Sergeant, one anaesthesist and their subordinate staff also arrived at the Moreh community health centre today to assist the staff there in case of any emergency during the parliamentary team`s visit.
The medicos were also accompanied by medicine worth Rs. 75,000.
AASU warns ULFA on frivolous statements ‘Why silent on ISI, influx?’ Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Feb 3: Taking a stern note of the accusations made against it by the ULFA, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) today turned counter-offensive and questioned as to why the outfit was silent on the alarming infiltration from Bangladeshi into the State.
On Sunday, in its mouthpiece Swadhinata, the ULFA had alleged that the AASU was playing into the hands of ‘Indian intelligence agencies’ and thereby opposing the outfit’s demand for sovereignty.
Warning the banned outfit of making any such ‘frivolous’ statements in future, AASU president Sankar Prasad Rai said in a press conference here that the student body had always struggled for the cause of the indigenous people, and he asserted that the ULFA had made the allegations “to hush up its own shortcomings”.
Rai said that the AASU would continue to oppose the sovereignty demand and there would be no second thought on it.
AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya said that the student body would go ahead with its war against the government—from Dispur to Delhi — till a secured future is guaranteed. “There is a solution to every problem within the geographical territory of India,” he said. “Unlike the AASU, the ULFA has resorted to arms struggle and is demanding sovereignty,” Bhattacharyya said, adding that the objectives of the student body and its ways to achieve them were quite different from those of the rebel group.
At a time when a positive development is in sight with the peace initiatives progressing and the AASU supporting the move, Bhattacharyya said: “the ULFA should not have made such a comment.”
He said: “It is the question of upholding the Constitution. Whatever demands whoever has, that should be within the purview of the Constitution.”
Questioning as to why the ULFA was silent on the ISI and fundamentalist groups being active in the State and illegal Bangladeshis living in Assam, AASU general secretary Tapan Gogoi, whom the ULFA had personally attacked, said: “Let there be discussions on the sovereignty issue and the solution has to be found out through talks.”
Reacting to the outfit’s allegations, Gogoi said that he did not require any ‘certificate’ from the ULFA.





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