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03/05/2006: "Eastern Nagas’ plight"

Eastern Nagas’ plight Correspondent Nagaland Post
Kohima, March 4 (NPN): The alleged harassment and torture being meted out to Nagas in Myanmar by the country's military junta is reportedly on the rise at present.According to reports, the Myanmerese military personnel of late unleashed a reign of terror on the Nagas under the command of one Maj. Thaithunnai of 22 Battalion, Myanmar Tatamdo.
Giving an account of the assault and humiliation being meted out to the Nagas, Y. S. Hangya, a resident of Myanmar's Pangmi Region, alleged that the "torture and brutalities" perpetrated on the Nagas could not be seen in other parts of the civilized world.
Narrating an incident, he alleged in November last year, after Pastor Kamyung of Wakka Chopkao Baptist Church was beaten up mercilessly, the Myanmar military junta came to Chumnu village and instead of giving a reason for the assault directed the villagers to collect tax for the junta. They also allegedly demanded money from the villagers. Again in the second week of December, Hangya alleged the Myanmar Army beat up Pastor Rokwe of Chawang Baptist Church and bound him up for three days. Thereafter, he alleged the military personnel forced the Christians of Chawang village to undergo conversion into Buddhism and only then the Pastor was released and sent to his native village Papung. However, it reportedly took five days for the victim to reach his village as he had to walk the distance. "In the first week of December, Rev. Chaida, Pastor of Chawang Nukwak Village Baptist Church and on Christmas eve Pastor Mongap of Catholic Church, Lumnu Village, were beaten up and detained," Hangya alleged. He said he himself was detained for three days in a prison cell from November 10 but managed to escape on the 4th day. The Myanmar Army allegedly beats up villagers and compels them to work for them which include fetching water and firewoods and carrying loads from village to village since there is no vehicle in those areas.
NSCN (K)-Junta battle leaves 17 dead Zoland News Network Chumsa (BURMA)| March 4
At least 12 Burmese soldiers and five Naga rebels have been killed in clashes that started in Sagaing Division on Tuesday, a Naga spokesman said. Kughalo Mulatonu of the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland told Zoland News Network the group’s bases at Chumsa and Tenuk were under attack from the Burmese military. He said while the rebels were holding Burmese troops off, the intensity and scale of the attacks was increasing.
“A full Burmese light infantry battalion, more than one thousand troops, have encircled our bases and launched a full scale attack with mortars and machine guns. We have beaten back the first few waves on Tuesday but the fighting is getting intense as the day progresses,” Mulatonu said. The fighting is likely to continue with one Indian military official telling Zoland News Network wireless messages had been intercepted that showed both the rebels and the Burmese army were calling for reinforcements. Mulatonu said while he was confident the NSCN’s 52nd, 229th and 347th battalions would be able to hold off the Burmese army, he confirmed they had called for backup. “It seems [the Burmese army] are drawing more reinforcements from their brigade headquarters at Hkamti and Lahe,” Mulatonu said. No confirmation of the attacks was available from Burmese military sources. India and Burma have developed close military relations in the past two years. India has forced Burmese rebels from Arakan and Chin States out of northeast India and the Burmese army has launched intermittent attacks on Indian rebel bases in Sagaing Division.
NSCN(IM) accuse rivals of harrassing villagers Nagarealm.com
Dimapur, Mar03: The Zeliangrong Region, NSCN-IM has accused the rival NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region of harrassing the Naga villagers under Sardar Hills, Senapati district. Secretary of the Zeliangrong Region, NSCN-IM Takamwangbou alleged that the NSCN-K cadres along with the cadres of its MPA alliance led by Sangthonnang Abonmai had come to Puilong village located under Sardar Hills on February 22 and had beaten up seven prominent members of the villagers including the village authority chairman.The NSCN-IM alleged that the MPA cadres numbering about 25 entered Puilong village and demanded animals to be slaughtered for meals and also demanded all sorts of commodities/rations and then beaten up the village leaders.
The hands of the village authority chairman and the front teeth of another village leader were broken,according to the secretary of the Zeliangrong Region, NSCN-IM.Takamwangbou further alleged that villagers were not even allowed to go to their fields/farms to do their daily chores adding that school children are even more affected as they could not go to their respective schools."The villagers are worried a lot today that next year what they would eat as they could not do their farming properly this year," stated the secretary of the Zeliangrong Region, NSCN-IM.
He then stated that the Zeliangrong Region, NSCN-IM condemned in the sternest term to the activities of the NSCN-K cadres and its MPA alliance for harrassing the villagers. [NNN]

House discuss UG issues, IM peace talks By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Mar 4 : In a significant development the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh asserted that a group of prominent citizens have been formed in an effort to establish contact with leaders of non-Naga underground organisations operating in hill areas of the State and to prepare ground rules for a negotiated settlement to the insurgency problem.
The chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio made the announce- ment in the assembly yesterday in response to a joint private member resolution raised by the Opposition leaders RK Dorendra singh of BJP and MPP's Dr Nimai-chand Luwang.
The CM also shared with the House members of his firm belief that the Central Government would invite comment and entertain viewpoints of State Government and its citizens in connection with the ongoing talks between the Cen- tre and NSCN (IM) leaderships.
The CM's assertion came in response to the BJP and MPP legislators' insistence that Central authori- ties be prevailed on including State representatives in the ongoing political dialogue towards solving the decades old Naga insurgency issue.
The two citing reports of the GoI-NSCN (IM) talks nearing a solution highlighted to the State Govern- ment on need to include a State representative in the ongoing peace process so as to ensure that solution to the Naga problem do not materialise at the expense of Manipur's territorial integrity.
Despite favouring a peaceful end to the Naga problem, the two legislators nevertheless termed as serious matter NSCN (IM)'s pursuit for amalgamation of Naga inhabited areas under a single administrative unit and mooted not only Mani-pur's participation in the peace parleys but also desired inclusion of represen- tatives of other North Eastern States whose bounda- ries would be affected in case Centre endorses IM's demand.
They also commented that IM's pursuit for Greater Nagaland should neither lead to anti-Naga feeling nor should the Naga public harbour any ill-will against other communities.
For lasting peace in the hill areas of Manipur it is equally important that open dialogue be held with other insurgent groups operating the State, said the Opposition leaders and expressed that Central Government should ensure a conducive atmosphere for peaceful negotiations. On UNLF's insistence for plebiscite RK Dorendra and Dr Nimaichand Lu-wang opined that the Cen- tre need to consider the proposal with all seriousness.
Observing that common public had been drawn and made to suffer due to the Indo-Manipur conflict they prevailed upon the members that Manipur Legis- lative Assembly adopt a re-solution and apprise the decision to the Central authorities to endorse the ple- biscite call.
Replying to the duo's comments, the Chief Minister said non stone would be left unturned to convince non-Naga UG groups operating in the hill areas of the State to come to the negotiating table for which a group has been formed to prepare the ground rules for dialogue.
reacting to reports of Army authorities and some Kuki underground outfits having arrived at a consensus to cease hostilities, O Ibobi revealed that he has no qualms against the truce but lamented the way the agreement was signed without taking the State Government into confidence. The reluctance of the State Government to endorse ceasefire agreement between the Army and the Kuki outfits concerns non disclosure of the truce contents and side-lining the State Government on such a serious issue, said the CM.
welcoming the ongoing Centre-IM peace parleys and highlighting UPA Government's common minimum programme to preserve status quo of North Eastern states' boundaries, he nevertheless affirmed that there is no room for laxity as IM's demands might contain other agenda that might be detrimental to overall interest of Manipur. Conveying to the House of Centre's emissary in the ongoing peace talks Oscar Fernandes assuring that State Government and people of Manipur would be taken into confidence before a final settlement, he expressed confidence of the Centre inviting State representatives if and when necessary.
The Chief Minister also made a fervent appeal to all the NGOs and social organisations for concerted effort and cooperation to the Government in bringing those UG groups with strong holds in the valley areas leave the path of violence and find a peaceful solution to the insurgency problem. Expressing satisfaction at the Chief Minister's observation on Centre's assurance to involve people of Manipur in solving the Naga insurgency problem and citing public interest, RK Dorendra declared annulment of the private member resolution.

Rio allays fears on laws OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, March 3: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio today indicated that the state would soon witness a complete separation of executive and judiciary. Rio said separation of judiciary and executive was mandatory, while adding in the same breath that the customary law practices of the state would be saved and propagated. The section to be convinced before separating judiciary and executive in the state is gaon buras or village elders, who still resolve cases in villages and towns. Rio was speaking at the inaugural ceremony for the Kohima Town Gaon Bura Union Court at Dak Lane here today. As of now, local cases are being settled by them in respective colonies of the town but unresolved cases could not be brought to a higher level. The court will solve this problem, as it will take up the unresolved cases at a higher level. Naga customary law is being practised by the gaon buras and there has been fear that separation of executive and judiciary may destroy customary practices. However, both Rio and his cabinet colleagues have been driving home the point that even the Supreme Court has taken cognisance of customary courts in Nagaland. Sources close to the chief minister said the separation is “in process”. The issue may find mention in the budget session of the state Assembly later this month. In Nagaland, there has been opposition earlier to the separation ostensibly because of fear in politicians of losing power vested in the administration. The chief minister said customary law of the Nagas was unlike the Constitution, but similar to the system prevailing in the UK. Yitachu, law and justice parliamentary secretary, said the gaon buras’ court is the “real” judiciary system for Nagaland and is inalienable to the people. “Even if the judiciary and executive are separated, the customary law practices will never be affected because they are upheld even at the country’s highest level of judiciary,” he said. Yitachu echoed today what Justice H.K. Sema had recently said at a seminar here. Sema said the separation was essential and, if implemented, would not affect customary law and practices.
Pattersons celebrate 100 years of Baptist work in Nagaland Nagarealm.com FORT WORTH , Texas (BP) – They were once warriors who settled disputes with headhunting. The Naga people are now a nation of Baptists, thanks to the endeavors of American Baptist missionaries a century ago. Baptists in Nagaland , India , celebrated the centennial anniversary of the Baptist faith in their country Dec. 3-7. Today, fully 80 percent of the nation's 2 million Nagas are Christians. Celebrating with them were Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth , Texas , and his wife, Dorothy. The couple brought greetings from Southern Baptists in the United States .
Patterson preached before a gathering of 12,000 Sumi tribesmen in Zunheboto in central Nagaland and to more than 8,000 additional Sumis congregated in Dimapur in western Nagaland. A third group from the Sumi tribe, numbering almost 5,000, gathered at a third location. Rev. Hevukhu Achumi, director of missionary work among the Naga people explained that “there were simply too many Naga Baptists to have all the Naga Baptists meeting together.”
Several hundred tribesmen made professions of faith in Christ as Patterson extended invitations. Mrs. Patterson presented her testimony at the gatherings. She encouraged Naga women to study Scripture, reach other women and give themselves faithfully to the highest calling of being a wife and mother.
Patterson praised the Nagas for their incredible growth but challenged them to avoid becoming too comfortable in their obvious success. “This Baptist island, this evangelical paradise is surrounded by strong Hindu, Buddhist and even Islamic forces. What a marvelous opportunity God has given the Naga people,” Patterson said. He also said that he was delighted in the presence of about 10 Naga students at Southwestern Seminary.

Two of those students received doctoral degrees during the seminary's 206th commencement ceremony Dec. 12. Both students plan to return to Nagaland to teach and work among the Baptists there. Mrs. Patterson confessed amazement at the large gatherings of Baptists. “They never failed in any assembly to express gratitude for the American Baptist missionaries who brought the message of Christ to them 100 years earlier,” she said. She also said she was astounded at “the general happiness of these oppressed people” and that she was “overcome by their love and hospitality.”
Located in far East India with Myanmar to the south, the mountainous terrain and dense jungle of the province make Nagaland one of the most inaccessible locations on the face of the globe. The only airport in the province is located in Dimapur.

Winding, pot-marked narrow roads -- often no more than mud trails -- are the primary means of transportation 250 miles to the east to Mon, the eastern most city. Nagaland remains remote because of its geographical terrain, but also because the Indian government strictly regulates visits from foreigners. Only in the last seven to eight years has armed Naga resistance to what they consider Indian occupation of the country lessened. The presence of Indian soldiers is always noticeable, Patterson said.
The people are generally poor and long to be free, Patterson said, but “for all of that they are the happiest, most contented people I have seen anywhere.”
“What happened in Nagaland is a high tribute to the American Baptist pioneer missionaries who created a genuine church planting movement, and in so doing demonstrated that you can have a Baptist church planting movement,” Patterson said. [Gregory Tomlin, SWBTS]
Nagaland Baptists an inspiration in church planting by Gregory Tomlin Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) – When Paige Patterson became president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he was surprised to find that 10 of his students were from Nagaland, India. Once a nation of headhunters, the Naga people are now almost all Christian. The story of missionary work in Nagaland began 100 years ago. American Baptist missionaries ventured into the mountainous region, knowing that they might pay for their journey with their lives. “These were real men and committed women. They were everything missionaries ought to be. And they were Baptists who left behind in less than 30 years a nation of Baptist churches. Their names are little known in history, but I have an idea that they sit close to Jesus in Heaven's throne room,” Patterson said Patterson participated in the centennial celebration of Baptist work in the Indian province Dec. 3-7. He said that he had always desired to see the Naga Baptist phenomenon for himself. “I became acquainted with Rev. Hevukhu Achumi, a leader among the Naga Baptists, when his daughter came as a student at Southeastern Seminary. Then when we came to Southwestern we discovered 10 to 12 students from Nagaland here. Rev. Achumi was kind enough to invite Dorothy and me about three years ago,” Patterson said. Patterson said that he went to Nagaland with high expectations, and was astounded at the number of Christians in the area. “For the most part I would have to say that half of the story has not been told. Arriving in a land surrounded by hostile faiths, every time you go around a curve there is a Baptist church. There are 1,300 of them in all. Some of them have 12,000 or more members.”
Patterson said he and his wife, Dorothy, stopped to see a pastor in a small, remote village on a mountaintop. A large church building was the most prominent building in the village.
“When I asked how many the pastor preached to on Sunday, he replied, ‘About 2,000, but that does not include Tuesday and Saturday services.' Even all the government ministers are born-again believers. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio gave his testimony one night in Zunheboto . It was as vibrant as any I have ever heard.” Nagaland has, however, experienced its fair share of troubles, Patterson said. He said that the government of India fears a possible independence movement and, as a result, oppresses the Naga tribes. The people also face economic woes. “Remember that only 100 years ago, these people were headhunters, illiterate and hostile. … They are very poor but copiously determined workers who provide for all their own basic needs. As far as I could tell, there are not more than a handful of well-to-do business people in all of Nagaland.”
In spite of their circumstances, Patterson said the people are still happy and give generously. “Several times I wished I had not taken Dorothy. Nagaland is mountainous, and what can be euphemistically called ‘roads' are not for wimps,” he said. “It took us a perilous eight hours to drive 120 miles. The food was outstanding but for queasy American stomachs each bite was an adventure with possible short and long term, shall we say, challenges. “We had little hot water during the full week there. Once while we ate, just outside in clear view, they slaughtered a member of the bovine species for supper. Roads were littered with pigs, chickens, goats, dogs and fiercely cornering over-stuffed busses. But even the bus drivers had painted ‘Jesus Saves' on the front and back. Our hosts gave the best they had, so much so, that as Americans we were shamed by the comparison of their generosity with ours.” As successful as Baptist work has been among the Naga people, Patterson said the people group might face difficult days ahead. Their support system, the American Baptist Missionary Society, was “swamped by the encroaching typhoon of theological liberalism among American Baptists.”
“What an incredibly sad ending to one of the greatest mission societies in history. How easily the same thing could happen to us. It may not be good news to some, but I returned more the opponent of anything other than orthodoxy than I have ever been in my life.” Patterson also said that the Naga people are vulnerable to charismatic teachings “imbibed from some television preachers in the West.” He said that Southern Baptists should pray that the Nagas are not too heavily influenced by such elements. “Because they are so vital to reaching the unsaved population for thousands of miles around them, they must remain pure in doctrine and practice, and we must pray that India will not restrict them.”
The watermills are back The Hindu
Watermills set to light up villages in northeastern India
Dehra Dun: Watermills, in use in the mountains since time immemorial, will now remove darkness in India's northeastern region. In an ambitious plan, HESCO, a voluntary organisation based here, will install them in Nagaland and Manipur as part of its `technology-for-peace' programme, in association with the Indian Army. The watermill is an eco-friendly device that can harness water power to grind wheat and generate 5 to 8 kW of electricity. There are two lakh watermills in the Himalayan region. According to an estimate prepared by HESCO, they can generate 2500 MW of power in the Himalayan region. This is also seen as an answer to big and expensive dams which often uproot thousands of people. HESCO director Anil P. Joshi has devised a simple, inexpensive and environment-friendly technology kit that can upgrade watermills into micro-hydel projects.
HESCO is running a training centre at Mehuwala here. People from Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have been trained in watermills. "We are now focussing our attention on Nagaland and Manipur... We will install watermills in these States," Mr. Joshi said. HESCO has expertise in watermill technology. Jointly with the Army, it has installed nearly 360 watermills in the border villages of Jammu and Kashmir. — PTI
Watermills to light up power deficient Nagaland Press Trust of India Dehradun
After lighting up border villages of Jammu and Kashmir, watermills, which had been in use in the mountains since time immemorial, would now remove the darkness in India’s North-eastern region. In an ambitious plan, Hesco, a Dehradun-based voluntary organization, would install watermills in Nagaland and Manipur as part of its ‘Technology-for-Peace’ Programme in association with the Indian Army. The watermill is an eco-friendly device that can harness water power to grind wheat and generate 5 to 8 KW of electricity. At present, there are two lakh watermills in the Himalayan region. According to an estimate prepared by Hesco, watermills can generate 2500mw of power in the Himalayan region which is also seen as an answer to big dams which often uproot thousands of people and are very expensive.
Hesco director Anil P Joshi has devised a very simple, inexpensive and environment-friendly technology kit that can upgrade these watermills into micro-Hydel project to produce electricity. Hesco is also running a training centre at its office at Mehuwala area of Dehradun. Already, people from Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have taken training in watermills. “We are now focusing our attention towards Nagaland and Manipur which are also remote states of the country. We will install new watermills in these states,” Joshi said. Hesco has acquired expertise in watermill technology. Already, the organisation, in a joint venture with the Indian Army, has installed nearly 360 watermills in border villages of Jammu and Kashmir. Most of the areas are badly hit by terrorism. Villages in areas like Kupwara, Barmulla, Kargil, Batalikdrass, Poonch and Rajouri had benefited by watermill campaign, Joshi said. Last month, Hesco installed its first watermill at haipe village of Arunachal Pradesh. “This watermill is working very well,” Joshi said, adding more watermills would be installed in near future.
Imphal burns for police misdoing The Morung Express

Security forces/IRB personnel clearing road blockages put up by bandh supporters at New Checkon area in Imphal this afternoon. (Photo: Newmai News Network)
IMPHAL, MARCH 4 (PTI): A government office was gutted and police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators during the 18-hour general strike called in Manipur today to protest the alleged molestation of a woman in police custody.
Strike supporters set ablaze a community development block office at Langmeidong, about 45 km southeast of here, in Thoubal district at around 11 am and the government office was completely destroyed in the fire, officials said.
They said police used tear gas on strike supporters who blocked the road at Kwakeithe area here but no casualty was reported. Protestors also burnt question papers of Class XII examinations of Manipur Higher Secondary Council at many places, they said.
Markets, shops and business establishments were closed in Imphal district and transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states and within the state were cancelled in view of the “lightning strike” since midnight against the alleged molestation of a woman by police commandos. Attendance in government offices was thin in spite of a government order warning of disciplinary action against those who fail to report for duty.
Indo-Burma border road construction from March Zoland News Network
CHAPI : Construction of the 12 kilometre motorable road connecting Sabawngte village, Matupi Township, Chin state and Chapi village of Mizoram, India will be underway by March 15. The bulldozers to be used will be supplied with fuel by the Indian authorities, said a Chapi resident.
“The project materialized after army officials of India and Burma held a meeting. An Indian Army official told us about the project. However, it is not known whether the fuel has been delivered,” he added.
The Second Commanding Officer, Major Tin Moe of Burma’s Infantry Battalion (IB) 304 led a 10-member army team on February 20 from Sabawngte Village to Chapi Village and met an Indian Army team led by a Major of Assam Rifles from Lunglei, the second capital of Mizoram. The decision to construct the road was taken at the meeting. The transportation of fuel from India is yet to be worked out. Meanwhile Sabawngte villagers have reportedly presumed that force labour would be used for the transportation of fuel.
A villager from Sabawngte told Zoland News Network, “How will the fuel reach its destination if the people are not forced to transport it? The Burma Army will never transport the fuel by themselves.”
Commenting on the construction of the trans-border road, a Chin National Army (CNA) commander said, “The proposed road is about three furlong from the old headquarters of the CNA which was evacuated in June 2005.”
He added that the road had been proposed a long time back. It did not materialize as the CNA camp was located nearby.
About four feet wide of the trans-border road was constructed with forced labour of villagers of Sabawngte in the past four years. Now, the road will be reconstructed and expanded to a motorable road.
Travel limits in north-east to be eased Nagaland Post
New Delhi, March 4 (IANS): India's northeast would soon witness an upsurge in tourists from Southeast Asian countries after the process to ease travel restrictions in the region is completed, Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said Saturday.
"The tourism ministry is in consultation with the ministries of civil aviation, railways, home, environment, northeast affairs and others for eliminating hurdles faced by foreign tourists," Ambika Soni told reporters here. Some of the regions in the northeast, touching the international border with China, require tourists to have prior permission from authorities.
Ambika Soni said special arrangements like visa on arrival and visas for destination areas are in the pipeline. "Tourism is a major area that can make the northeast a gateway for tourists from Southeast Asia," she said.
The minister said the government had already written to the UNESCO to confer the World Heritage Site status to the Majuli Island in Assam, the world's largest riverine island. She said her ministry is promoting and marketing tourism in the northeast in a very intensive manner.
"There are other ministries as well that are giving greater emphasis and incentives on infrastructure in the northeast, including hotels, tourist destinations and roads," Ambika Soni said. The North Eastern Council (NEC), an apex body for development programmes in the region, had last month announced that it would frame a new plan by May to boost economic growth and commerce in the eight states.
The "Vision NER: 2020" document will provide the basis for boosting efforts in the northeast to make the region a gateway to markets in Southeast Asia in line with India's "Look East" policy to engage neighbours like Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. The NEC also decided to set up the Northeast Tourism Development Council to develop tourism in the region.
Cultural extravaganza on northeast in Delhi Kuknalim.com
NEW DELHI, March 04: Folk music and dances, literary events, theatre and films from the northeastern states would figure in Octave 2006...

an eight-day festival showcasing the diverse and rich heritage of the region.

More than 600 artistes from the northeast of different art forms - ranging from folk, tribal and traditional music and dance to theatre and rock music - will participate in the festival to be inaugurated Tuesday by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said Tourism Minister Ambika Soni.

Screening of award-winning films, literary symposiums, poetry reading and book and art exhibitions are the other features of Octave 2006, she told reporters here Saturday.

According to Ambika Soni, the festival was part of the "several initiatives of the central government for the promotion and marketing of tourism in the northeast in a very intensive manner".

She said the culture department under the ministry of tourism plans to make this festival an annual affair. Octave 2006 will see the participation of the eight northeastern states - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. Chief ministers of these states have been invited to be the chief guests during their states' participation, Ambika Soni said.

A total of 18 films, including those by award-winning directors like Aribam Shyam Sharma of Manipur and Jahnu Barua, Sanjeev Hazarika, Santwana Bordoloi, late Bhabendranath Saikia and Manju Borah would be screened.
A symposium on "Literature Of The Northeast - Language, Tradition And Identity" will focus on the traditions of the region and examine the question and linkages with diverse traditions. It will feature noted litterateur Indira Goswami of Delhi University and other scholars from the northeast.

An art exhibition "Call of the Bamboos" will see more than 50 exhibits by artists of the northeast. IANS

Stray violence marks strike call By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Mar 4 : Piling of debris, smouldering tyres and road blocks restricting traffic flow, snatching and burning of question papers and damage of some vehicles marked the 18 hours general strike called by several civil organisations to protest alleged atrocities committed against Maibam Naobi Chanu by police commandos.
The general strike came into effect from mid-night of March 3 and ended at 6 this evening. Govt offices were thinly attended but flight service were normal.
according to reports suspected general strike supporters swooped at the HSSLC examination centre in MM Higher Secondary School located at Wangkhei and after snatching the question papers set them on fire.
Despite the agitators burning the Education and Management question papers the examination reportedly resume after a delay of about 25 minutes.
Moments after the incident took place Imphal East SP along with additional security force personnel arrived at the exam centre to review security arrangement.
Secretary of Council of Higher Secondary Education is informed to have per- sonally arrived at the scene with new set of question papers to facilitate resumption of the day's exam.
The office of the SDO, Sawombung has also been set aflame by suspected general strike supporters at around 4.40 pm today. The office had been substantially damaged in the fire.
By the time personnel of Fire Services arrived at the scene at around 6.15 pm, the fire had engulfed almost the entire building. Furnitures and files kept inside the office rooms have been reduced to ashes.
The office of the Registrar Co-operative Society located at Lamphel has also been torched by some unidentified persons at around 7.45 pm today. Timely arrival of the Fire Services personnel prevented the fire from causing any major damages.
According to reports, the general strike had its full impact at Yairipok area.
Responding to the strike call many womenfolks came out to enforce the strike at Yairipok bridge where they put up Phaneks to stop the passers-by.
Volunteers of Young Pioneers’ Club and Bright Youth Club, Angtha also blocked the road during the general strike.
Sporadic incident of traffic disruption also took place particularly in Tiddim Road and Indo-Burma road near Yumnam Leikai area where wind shields of some two and three wheelers were damaged by strike supporter.
Security personnel had a busy day clearing road blockades particularly at Porompat Ayangpalli Road where strike supporters piled logs and rocks to disrupt traffic flow.
Women activists burnt effigies of the Chief Minister, police commandos and Chief Judicial Magistrate, Thoubal at Keishampat area at around 4.45 pm.
The impact of the strike call affected normal activities in most of the valley districts while the hills suffered in the form of absence of inter-district passenger bus services.
According to reports, shops remained open in Churachandpur town and light private vehicles plied as normal.

Raping Manipur Sangai Express
The tense situation and the sense of outrage indicates that Manipur is going to burn all over again. M Naobi Chanu is free and today she is alive to tell the story of the humiliation, the torture and the molestation she had to undergo at the hands of Thoubal police commandos. Stripped naked, pawed all over and sexually molested is the story that was narrated by the young woman after she was released by the Judicial Magistrate, First Class, Thoubal on March 2 after the police failed to substantiate the charges levelled against her. In a sense this means Naobi is innocent and she was picked up on concocted charges. The sense of outrage is palpable and numerous voluntary organisations have joined hands to call a general strike from midnight of March 3 till 6 pm of the next day. What will happen after the general strike is anyone's guess, but the situation is charged with tension and suspense and it remains to be seen whether Home Minister O Ibobi who also happens to be the Chief Minister will wake up to the gravity of the situation or pretend that everything is alright. Today it is M Naobi Chanu and yesterday it was Lungnila Elizabeth and Th Manorama. Tomorrow it can be anyone. In short, the Government has failed miserably in discharging its duties and there is no reason why Mr O Ibobi should continue as the Chief Minister. It is time he went and fast. We can understand when fear and intimidation is generated by non-State actors but when the very custodian of the law takes the law into its hand and starts to behave as if they are above the law, then it is time to send the Government packing for it shows that it has failed to protect its citizens and rein in its armed forces.
The State police commando is an elite fighting force raised for the very purpose of containing the activities of militants. In other words, it is something of a killing machine and the assassination of its role model N Lokhon must have dealt a cruel blow to the morale of the other police commandos. However the fact stands that they are Government servants and they are bound by the law of the land. The horror and the nightmarish experience that M Naobi had to undergo at the hands of the police commandos is damning proof of how the elected Government and the higher placed police officers have given them the freedom to do and act as they like. In other words it is a symptom of the complete failure of the State Government to control its armed forces. It also means that the police commandos have for long been given the liberty to do as they please and walk away with anything. Heads must roll starting from the Chief Minister himself. In many ways the story of M Naobi Chanu is also the story of the ravaged people of Manipur and is an ugly manifestation of how security personnel perceive women as toys to be played around. It is also a telling commentary that the rule of the law does not apply to the men in uniform. How else does one explain the fact that no case was registered for days after a young woman was picked up in broad daylight ? How else does one explain the fact that though there were procedural lapses when Naobi was picked up, no action has been taken up ? Mr Chief Minister, we do not need any sort of inquiry. Prima facie, the commandos are guilty. The Chief Minister talked about freeing Naobi if she is found innocent by the Court. We would like to question whether she was picked up in accordance with the rule of law or not ? Why should someone who was picked up flouting the law of the land be tried to see if she is innocent or not. We cannot have two sets of law, one for the police and another for the civilians.

Protesters set afire Manipur govt office Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, March 4 – A government office was gutted and police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators during the 18-hour general strike called in Manipur today to protest the alleged molestation of a woman in police custody.

Strike supporters set ablaze a community development block office at Langmeidong, about 45 km southeast of here, in Thoubal district at around 11 am and the government office was completely destroyed in the fire, officials said. They said police used tear gas on strike supporters who blocked the road at Kwakeithe area here but no casualty was reported.

Protesters also burnt question papers of Class XII examinations of Manipur Higher Secondary Council at many places, they said. Markets, shops and business establishments were closed in Imphal district and transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states and within the state were cancelled in view of the “lightning strike” since midnight against the alleged molestation of a woman by police commandos.
Attendance in government offices was thin in spite of a government order warning of disciplinary action against those who do not report for duty. – PTI