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02/18/2006: "Restore pre-1925 boundary, Nagaland tells GoI"

Restore pre-1925 boundary, Nagaland tells GoI The Morung Express

THE NAGALAND State Government today categorically said that it wants the Government of India to restore all the land from the then Nagas Hills which were transferred by the British to Assam in 1925 for economical and administrative convenience, and which was agreed upon by the latter through series of agreements like the 9 Points Agreement, Sixteen Point Agreement etc.
“This will only resolve the age old boundary dispute between the two sisters’ state of Assam and Nagaland”, said Nagaland Commissioner, TN Mannen in an exclusive interview with The Morung Express.
“I am waiting for the Supreme Court order”, said Mannen, referring to recent media reports, wherein the Apex Court had asked the two states to form a boundary commission within three weeks time.
“But I doubt Supreme Court order will do justice to the issue. It will surely ask for the formation of a local commission and if it is a local commission the verdict will go in favour of Assam”, Mannen said.
The Commissioner pointed out that the main bone of contention is that the Nagaland government wants the Government of India to resolve the dispute by restoring the land of the then Nagas Hills, which were transferred by British to Assam in 1925, while Assam wants to go in for a proper demarcation of the existing boundary.
Mannen disclosed that the Government of Nagaland had suggested that a Boundary Commission be formed to go into the nitty-gritty of the boundary dispute, and settle the dispute mutually without the involvement of the court.
A number of correspondences had been made to the government of India through the Chief Secretary and Chief Minister reiterating the urgent need for such a commission.
“We want the dispute to be settled once and for all, amicably”, said Mannen.
However, Assam favours the settlement through court, said Mannen, although cautioning that settlement through the court may further escalate the situation in the dispute areas, as it will involve a winner-loser situation. The Commissioner made it clear that Nagaland will never accept if the settlement comes according to the existing boundary line.
Morung Express News

(The second part of the story will be carried in tomorrow’s issue including the list of transferred Reserved Forests from the then Naga Hills District)
Nagaland-type dialogue demanded for Kashmir by JKLF The Morung Express
NEW DELHI, FEB 17 (AGENCIES): The separatist outfit Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) under the leadership of Yaseen Malik favored initiation of a Nagaland-type dialogue with Kashmiris. Much of the talks were held in a third country between representatives of NSCN (IM) and the government and there was no discussion with the state chief Minister, Malik said.
Earlier today, as part of his efforts to widen the dialogue process in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks with a two-member team of the JKLF led by its Chairman Yaseen Malik.
The JKLF chief is the second leader after Peoples Conference’s Sajjad Lone to be invited by the Prime Minister for talks on the Kashmir issue. Lone had held the talks with Singh last month.
The JKLF chief has been maintaining a low profile since infighting erupted in the separatist conglomerate Hurriyat Conference over its control and he remained away from both -- Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and hard-line Syed Ali Shah Geelani groups.
Meanwhile, Syed Ali Shah Geelani-led faction of Hurriyat Conference has rejected the invitation for next week’s round table conference on the Kashmir issue. Geelani argued that the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan and talks between the Centre and some Kashmiri leaders have not brought about any change in the ground situation, the spokesman told PTI.
“This makes us believe that such exercises are fruitless. We are not participating in this exercise,” he said, according to the spokesman.
Geelani said New Delhi is “yet to exhibit any flexibility over Kashmir, especially by not revoking the 1995 resolution passed by Parliament stating that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India”.
Unification of Naga areas ‘route’ to solution: Rio Nagaland Post
New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio Friday said the "route" to solution to the five-decade-old Naga insurgency problem lay in unification of Naga areas of the North East, a demand made by insurgent group NSCN(IM).
"Intregation or unification of Naga inhabitated areas is the route to the solution," Rio told PTI here when his reaction was sought to the Naga group's key demand on the sideline of a function.
Admitting that the peace process between the Centre and the NSCN(IM) "has not taken pace as it should have been", the Chief Minister said "the Government and the NSCN(IM) should try to find out a solution during the six-month ceasefire" extended recently.
Union Minister Oscar Fernandes had led the government delegation at the four-day talks with NSCN(IM) leaders in Bangkok last month where the ceasefire was extended for another six months.
The Nagaland Chief Minister is in the national capital to attended the 52nd meeting of the NEC.
NSCN factions clash at Yoruba village Our Bureau Nagaland Post
KOHIMA/Dimapur, FEB 17 (NPN): Rival NSCN factions were locked in a heavy gun battle at Yoruba village in Phek district on Friday morning. Though NSCN (K) claimed that two rival cadres were critically injured in the gun fight, there was no confirmation on this from the NSCN (IM).
According to reports received here, the encounter took place when a group of NSCN (IM) men came face to face with NSCN(K) cadres at Yoruba village in Phek district at 8:20 am today. The NSCN (IM) cadres were moving towards Yoruba village from Khetsuma side when they encountered the NSCN (K) cadres who were coming from the Tesuru river side. Both the sides opened fire at each other leading to a heavy gun fight.
Later, the villagers intervened in the confrontation, asking both the sides to stop the fighting. The NSCN factions complied with the villagers' plea and the situation was thus brought under control.
Talking to Nagaland Post over phone, Isak Sumi, spokesman, Naga Army, claimed that two NSCN (IM) cadres were "carried away by the public due to critical injuries caused by the NSCN (K) cadres" after the clash that lasted for at least one hour. "The NSCN (IM) cadres were forced to retreat. But finding no safety, they used the public, including children, in Chozuba as human cell while marching back", he said, adding "The NSCN (K) men refrained from firing upon the NSCN (IM) cadres to avoid innocent public casualties."
When contacted, NSCN (IM) did not confirm that two of its cadres were injured in the factional clash at Yoruba village.
Burden of History Today's Editorial The Morung express Feb 18
There is a Russian proverb which says: “Dwell on the past and you’ll lose an eye; forget the past and you’ll lose both eyes.” This insight possibly best illustrates the dilemma that confronts the choices we make when it comes to engaging our past. It is quite evident that that we can either choose to address our history – no matter how pleasant or unpleasant it may be – in a healthy and positive way, or we can choose to pretend to forget it and by denying it, we unwittingly allow ourselves to be taken further away from the center of our being. In the final analysis, the most fundamental question at hand is, what do we do with our history; and how do we address it in a manner that will allow us to build a future?
Indeed the task of addressing our history is a painful task; but not to address it would only cause more pain and distortion of our humanity. Its no wonder that people of great faith have stated that “The struggle of people against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.” Therefore no human has the moral authority to say ‘Let bygones be bygones,’ after all common experience indicates that the past, far from disappearing or being forgotten, is embarrassingly persistent and will return and haunt us unless it has been dealt with adequately. Archbishop Tutu reminds us that unless we look the beast in the eye we will find that it returns to hold us hostage.
There is no doubt in my mind that we must begin to address the legacy of our history and create space to affirm and celebrate its positiveness while also acknowledging and correcting where it has gone wrong. It is therefore essential to address the burdens of our history in a meaningful and just manner. Hence, the questions of acknowledgement, self-criticism and transformation should be defined in individual and collective terms with a sense of responsibility, dignity and compassion.
Therefore, for the sake of the future I believe that when Nagas have effectively regained control of its destiny, a process must be initiated wherein hurts and wrongs committed by Nagas on Nagas in the name of the Naga people must be addressed in a meaningful and substantial way. This may symbolize a significant step of a long process to address political hurts within the Naga socio-political fiber so that we can begin a process of healing collectively as a people. Similarly, economic justice must be addressed and poverty be removed. Those who have wrongfully profited out of the conflict must be held accountable and the gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have not’ must be genuinely addressed in a manner that would facilitate the growth of an egalitarian society.
The process needs courage and political will with a vision while making space for God to change hearts because the process of transformation is not reasonable – it needs something more than reason to evoke it – it needs grace, grace that comes from our Creator.
One killed, four injured in army, UNLF clash UNLF lies do not add up to truth – army The Morung Express
IMPHAL, FEB 17 (AGENCIES): Clashes between the security forces and Manipur Peoples Army (MPA), military wing of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) spilled over from Chuarachandpur to neighboring Chandel district with the MPA cadres engaging in a three hour long gun battle with troops of the Assam Rifles near Sajik Tampak yesterday afternoon.
One MPA militant was killed while four Assam Rifles personnel including one JCO were injured in the clashes that begin at 2 pm yesterday. The army authority claimed that one MPA cadre was also injured in the gunfight.
Reports said a group of well armed MPA cadres mounted an attack on a group of Assam Rifles at Aigyeng village. The troops also retaliated the fire. Four personnel of the Assam Rifles were injured in the encounter.
The Assam Rifles based at Sajik Tampak rushed reinforcement on getting information of the encounter. The reinforcement team ran directly into another group of MPA, who ambushed the reinforcement team. Another encounter took place resulting in the dead of one MPA cadre. The Assam Rifles launched a search operation at the surrounding areas till today. But there is no report of further clashes today.
An army source said the attack by the UNLF on the Assam Rifles has indicated that the rebel group entered Sajik Tampak areas again after the army pushed them back in late 2004. For the first time the army moved into the Sajik Tampak in Octoebr 2004 and claimed to have captured the Sajik Tampak from militants.
In another incident, one 12 year old girl was injured in an encounter between the Assam Rifles and suspected NSCN (K) cadres at Nungba area of Tamenglong district on the adjoining night of February 12 and 13. The injured girl identified as Kasangaailiu Gonmei of Muktina village has been admitted to the RIMS.
G. Poukhinlung, chairman of Nungba Areas Village Authorities Association in a statement today appealed to the Assam Rifles and armed groups not to indulge in gunfights in inhabited villages.
Meanwhile, the army Refuting a press release issued by UNLF, countering Army’s claim about the situation in interiors of CC Pur district, which was published in the newspapers of 14 Feb 06, the office of the GOC 3 Corps has pointed out that the claims made by the proscribed outfit belie the situation on ground.
The UNLF has admitted that they have beaten “tactical retreat” in areas of Bekra, Henglep and recently from Thanlon and Parbung area as a sequel to Operation ‘DRAGNET’. This was the very aim of the Army. The UNLF had to be prevented from subjugating the unfortunate villagers of those areas. It is pertinent to mention that during the Army operations, UNLF/MPA have suffered heavier physical and moral reverses than admitted by them. Its cadres have lost local support, scattered into interiors and are on the run. Mopping up operations and sanitization of IEDs are now being carried out. A total of 79 IEDs have been neutralized in the area. These could have inflicted grievous injuries to the locals.
The skirmish on 08 Feb 06 between UNLF cadres and troops of Army at Sengiel village near Naopanglon occurred during the mopping up. The outfit has admitted that one of its cadres was eliminated in the encounter. It has not admitted that two cadres SS Sergeant Major Laikhang, had been killed and their bodies hastily buried. There was no casualty on the army side. One AK-47 rifle and three filled magazines have been recovered from the encounter site. In another incident on 09 Feb at Lailong Lamsapo village, one Army jawan suffered splinter injury in the leg due to IED laid by UNLF.
The journalists who visited Thanlon had to be airlifted because of constraints of time and poor conditions of NH-150. It is worth mentioning that Sh Songechinkhup, MLA Thalon along-with DC Churachandpur and his staff moved all the way upto Tipaimukh on NH-150 last week by road.
As regards harassment of local population the villagers of the subdivisions of Henglep, Thanlon and Parbung had themselves narrated to the press in Thanlon their harrowing tales of abuse and intimidation by UNLF cadres during the past several years when the outfit dominated these areas.
It is also important to note that UNLF has claimed responsibility for the IED blast at Ningthoukhong bazaar on 08 Feb in which one civilian and an Army person lost their lives. Till recently UNLF has been falsely asserting to the media that it had not been laying IEDs and blamed security forces for the numerous incidents which resulted in a number of deaths and grievous injuries to civilian. The loss of face and consequent desperation of the outfit after a series of setbacks are the real reasons for its blatantly false propaganda.
Gang rape slur on Assam Rifles in Tripura The Morung Express
Dimapur, Feb 16 (MExN):In his condolence message, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has expressed profound shock and sorrow over Tsubongse’s death. “In his passing away, the State has lost a veteran public leader, who championed the cause of the poor and underprivileged.” Rio sends his condolences to Tsubongse’s wife Lipongla and other members of his family and prays that God give them strength and courage to bear the tragedy.
Leader of the Opposition, I. Imkong while expressing shock over the sudden and untimely demise of Tsubongse described him as a prominent public leader spanning over three decades. “He was a highly respected leader among the people of Tuensang and Mon districts in particular and the Nagas in general. His passing away has created a void which will be difficult to fill”, Imkong stated in his condolence message.
Meanwhile, SC Jamir, Governor of Goa also expressed shock over the sudden death of Tsubongse Sangtam. “Even though we belong to different tribes, traditionally we belong to the same clan and as such, we treat each other as family members. Our relationship is not of recent origin but a continuation of traditional relationship. I knew him for the last more than four decades as he was one of the most active political figures of the then undivided Tuensang”, stated the Governor in his condolence message adding that “His untimely demise is a great loss to the people of Tuensang and Mon in particular, and the people of Nagaland in general. His zeal for the cause of the Nagas shall ever remain green in the hearts of his contemporaries who knew him intimately. My wife joins me in sending our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.”
Letters to the editor of the Morung Express New President for Naga Hoho
At the outset, it would be in order to pay homage to Late Mr Horangse Sangtam, a son of the soil, a good leader and a great human being, who worked tirelessly for his fellow Nagas, although his election and tenure as President Naga Hoho remained extremely controversial and unacceptable to many sections of the Naga society. May his soul rest in eternal peace with the grace of Lord Jesus Christ.
But the vital question now is who will be the next President? Although this inevitable answer has to be found sooner than later, certain important basic issues before are to be thought of before we arrive at the final decision.
Naga Hoho was meant to be the most important tribal body for the Nagas that could be looked up to for any and every issue of importance. Not so any more. Controversies have creped up and reservations have regularly been expressed over the personal and institutional / group affiliations of those holding responsible positions in the general body and apex body, earlier by the public and tribal bodies, and recently even by leaders like I K Sema and the CM himself.
The elections in April postponed, enabling manipulations, and the end result far from satisfactory and many tribes opposed / rejected the same unanimously. How many Nagas does Naga Hoho truly represent today, and how well it faired in its duties? Keeping people in the dark, partial behaviour, distinct leanings and a secret agenda are too glairing to be overlooked. Sangtam’s expelled Horangse, and NSCN (IM) prevented USLB meetings. Is there a link? Even a layman understands such simple issues. The persistent demand of Nagas of Nagaland for a separate Nagaland Hoho was driven by these compulsions only and the demand is still justified. The credibility has reached its lowest ebb, and Naga Hoho needs thorough cleaning to rebirth itself and live up to what it was designed for.
The least we Nagas can now expect and hope for is a new President and a new Team comprising of appropriate persons, duly considering the say of the people, leadership qualities, regional representations and a vision to lead the Nagas pragmatically and smoothly through these turbulent times. The President and his team have to be respected and accepted by all, to avoid frictions and usher in true unity and reconciliation in the Naga society. Instead of misleading the people, there is a clear need to bring in transparency, accountability and sense of respectability. The Reconciliation Commission which had been a debacle earlier also needs to be revived. Another long pending issue that needs visiting is a fair representation for women in this apex body. It is my humble appeal and I hope it does not fall on deaf ears. The selection of the new President has to be fair, and the individuals’ sort listed should be respected citizens who are above petty politics and capable to deliver the goods and carry the entire pack together. The election process should not be held behind closed doors in a secret manner, and all the tribal bodies need to play an active role.
It is also my appeal to all my dear Naga brothers to awaken from their deep slumber and not take things lying down. Only then will such bodies respond to what the common mans wants. The people have done enough favours (and suffered damage) by keeping quiet and not pointing fingers. Let’s all stand up and get counted, before the world laughs at us and vested interests turn our Hoho to their plans.
Asiba Sangtam Dimapur
Nagaland or ‘mafialand’?
• Sir-As one wakes up in the morning and reads a newspaper, it is horrifying to find reports on abductions, killings, intimidation etc as if they have become the in thing in day to day life. Majority of the articles are of those killings committed by the rival groups who claim themselves to be national workers, who probably want to express their superiority over the other, least realizing that these heinous and brutal acts are playing in the minds of the simple common Naga by inducing a sense of terror, preventing them to work freely for the development of the state. An inherent fear that some group may abduct and kill him /her accusing them to be having links with their rival group lingers in their minds.
Injuries were sustained by two young innocent ladies on 27 January in Longleng when few NSCN cadres of the Khaplang group---entered the house of their rival and fired indiscriminately. In a similar incident in Shamatore on 08 February some cadres of NSCN (K) and FGN entered the village and fired few shots in the air and thereafter killed the cadre of the rival-faction. Similarly the NSCN (1M) cadres abducted AKD Angami of NSCN (K) and killed him along with his body guard in cold blood. Where are we heading for by fighting amongst ourselves?
One Naga killing another and then we talk like fools about integration when we ourselves are not one and united. These heinous acts are gradually creating resentment amongst the local population. Condemnation by the various NGOs such as PPC, Phoms Students Conference, Church bodies, NPC and CPO are glaring examples of the rising resentment and hatred towards the activities of the so called National workers.
National workers have drastically fallen from an ideology based stance to a Bombay type mafia, and terror and intimidation are the cornerstones of this new approach. Why can’t we stop killing each other like animals? As it is tourism is suffering due to these terror activities. Do you want Nagaland to be called as “The Human Abattoir of the North East”? James Meren Dimapur
Global protest against scribe assault in Assam By Indo Asian News Service
Guwahati, Feb 18 (IANS) An international press freedom group Saturday condemned a police assault on a journalist in Assam while scribes in the state announced a series of anti-government protests here.
'It is shocking that reporters are beaten up just for doing their job,' Reporters Sans Frontiers, a worldwide press freedom organisation, said in a statement from Paris.
'We demand that those responsible be punished.'
Police had attacked Robin Dhekial Phukan from Assamese daily Asomiya Pratidin Friday at Kakopathar in eastern Assam's Tinsukia district, the scene of a bloody massacre on Feb 10 when nine people died in police firing.
Asomiya Pratidin management said Phukan was covering the visit of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to Kakopathar Friday afternoon when he was beaten up by police and taken to a police station.
'Phukan is now at the Dibrugarh Medical College hospital and is still in a critical condition,' said Manjot Mahanta, executive editor the Asomiya Pratidin.
The Journalists Action Committee (JAC) of Assam Saturday decided to boycott government functions and government-related news stories for two days beginning Sunday.
'No news relating to the government will be published in any of the newspapers in Assam published on Monday and Tuesday,' JAC member Sanjiv Phukan said.
The meeting also decided to take out protest rallies across Assam Tuesday to condemn the incident.
The chief minister Saturday told reporters here that the assaulted journalist was more an activist than a scribe.
'I don't approve of journalists being attacked, but this journalist was instigating the crowd,' Gogoi said.
Denying the charges, the newspaper management said the journalist should have been booked if he had committed a crime and not attacked.
Assam governor may be recalled? By Indo Asian News Service
Guwahati, Feb 18 (IANS) The Assam government may soon consider requesting President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to recall Governor Lt. Gen. (retired) Ajai Singh following mounting differences over vital policy matters. 'I will definitely take up the matter with the appropriate authority,' Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told reporters Saturday on asked if the government was seeking a change of the governor.
'We have many differences in opinion and the governor's views on certain things differ from what we think.'
The chief minister was reacting to questions posed by journalists on whether the army was being guided by the governor in carrying out anti-insurgency operations independently bypassing the state government in recent weeks. The possibility of the governor being recalled has heightened with assembly elections round the corner. Relations between the governor and the chief minister have worsened in recent months. On the eve of the Republic Day, the governor had told journalists that holding peace parleys with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was a meaningless exercise. Instead of talks, the rebels should surrender and join the mainstream or else face the military.
'They (ULFA) should surrender and seek rehabilitation or should face the security personnel,' the governor had said.
'What is there to talk? There is nothing to be discussed with militant groups. They use these talks to regroup and come back.' Gogoi lashed out at the governor for his views. 'We do not give much importance to the governor's personal views on talks with the ULFA and other militancy-related issues,' the chief minister said. Singh's statement is contrary to New Delhi's policy of tackling insurgency through peace talks in Assam and the other northeastern states. He had earlier locked horns with Gogoi over the issue of illegal influx of Bangladeshi nationals into Assam, saying some 6,000 people enter through the border daily.

Avoid fund cuts for NE development: Kyndiah Staff Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Feb 17 – Under pressure of the North Eastern States, Union Minister for DoNER and chairman of North Eastern Council (NEC). PR Kyndiah today said both the Planning Commission and the Finance Ministry needed to avoid huge fund cuts to prevent the development process from faltering in the region. Kyndiah, inaugurating the 52nd meeting of the NEC this morning touched the raw nerve that has been troubling most of the Chief Ministers. The annual meet was attended by Chief Ministers of all the North Eastern States (NES) barring Assam Chief Minister, Governors and top officials of the DoNER and NEC.

“I am aware of the heightened expectations of the State Governments from the revitalised NEC. The Council has made substantial investments in infrastructure and other projects in the region and it has invested about Rs 7,000 crore since 1972 in the region,” the Minister informed. Asserting that the issue of adequate resources availability for the 11th Plan needed to be addressed comprehensively, he said imperatives of much larger plan investments in NER have to be fully appreciated. “At the same time, both the Planning Commission as well as, the Finance Ministry need to ensure that a huge gap does not exist between originally agreed plan outlay for the 10th plan and funds actually allocated under successive annual plans,” he said.

According to recommendations of the last NEC, proposals for the revised plan estimate of Rs 1,136 crore and annual plan (2006-2007) of Rs 1,337 crore has been submitted to Union Government complete with proper and strong justifications for the hike, said Kyndiah, adding that he has taken up the issue with the Prime Minister, Planning Commission and Finance Ministry. However, one of the arguments against raising NEC Plan outlays has been that the State have large unspent balance of funds released earlier by the NEC, the Minister said.

The priority in the NEC’s development plan for the region needs a hard look. The primary sector, which concerns majority of the population of the region and the HRD sector, which relates to the development of human skills deserve to be accorded top priority, opined the chairman of the Council.

Reminding that NEC has assumed the role of a mini Planning Commission, Kyndiah listed the projects funded by the Council. NEC has funded 97 road with the length of 7700 km at an investment of Rs 1,867crore besides footing the 60 percent of the bill for up grade of the airports investing s 143.12 crore.

The NEC has made an allocation of Rs 175 crore as subsidy to Alliance Air, of which Rs 140 crore has been released. The Minister, however, hinted at the review of the agreement with the Alliance Air that expires next March. In the last meeting, it was decided to explore the possibility of establishing a dedicated airline for the region. A study has been commissioned, Kyndiah added.

The Minister further listed NEC’s investments in diverse sectors line power, health, infrastructure besides educational institution. The Minister, however, did not forget to remind the member States not to ignore the security aspects. The Prime Minister has also observed that NEC could not ignore the security dimension, which is also a part of its mandate. There is an intrinsic link between development and security, he said.
A Steering Committee on security and border trade related issues has been constituted under the chairmanship of Union Home Secretary, he informed.

Cry against AFSPA rends Tripura air AR refutes rape charges; police probe on
From Our Correspondent Sentinel
AGARTALA, Feb 17: Voice against Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) has gained momentum across North-east with another instance of alleged gang rape of a pregnant tribal lady in Tripura by Assam Rifle jawans last week.
Most of the political parties of the region barring the Left have taken up the cudgels, while the outlawed insurgent outfits have launched a massive campaign among tribals against AFSPA.
According to villagers, 36 BN AR jawans went on a rampage, molesting a tribal women and gang raping three on February 10 last in Chowmanu area of North Tripura. Husband of one of the victims, filed a complaint with police that his wife’s pregnancy had to be terminated after rape.
The lady is battling it hard with the shackles of death in hospital after being allegedly gang raped by Assam Rifles jawans while they were carrying out a search operation in the tribal hamlet that triggered panic and lead to exodus. Reportedly, about 50 tribal families left their homes and were taking shelter in nearby schools and public buildings.
State Home Department has deployed police in the areas to provide security to the villagers. Hill people of North-east are not happy with the activities of paramilitary forces as there is a series of allegations against the personnel that they have committed crime against women taking the advantage of AFSPA.
Assam Rifles was withdrawn from Manipur following similar incident where a Manipuri lady Manorama Devi was gang raped and later killed by the AR jawans last year.
Meanwhile, Assam Rifles has refuted the charges and termed it as a propaganda to tarnish it’s image. Besides police investigation, Assam Rifles has also ordered an enquiry into the case.
The powers given by the AFSPA to armed forces personnel are clear violation of the several Constitutional rights of the citizens of the country, and contravenes both Indian and International law standards. It is still operational in 27 of the 52 police station of Tripura since February 1997. Several women bodies have condemned the incident and demanded exemplary punishment to the culprits.