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03/10/2006: "Nagaland CM Rio positive about Indo-Naga political solution"

Nagaland CM Rio positive about Indo-Naga political solution New Kerala
By Sanjay Kumar, New Delhi: All Naga issues, including the contentious issue of greater Nagaland, can be resolved only through negotiations, said Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. He was addressing a seminar in the capital lately.

The topic of discussion was “Governance in Troubled Times - The Nagaland Experience”. This provided a perfect platform for the Chief Minister to have a candid discussion with the intelligentsia and the media in Delhi. For those attending the seminar it was an opportunity to know and understand the state government's position as well as elicit answers on some of the contentious issues.

One question came up: “Mainstream political parties are talking in terms of historical settlement historical lands they have been occupying but when you keep on talking in terms of that, how do you think of getting a solution when other neighboring states are not willing to part with their land?”

Replying to the query Rio said: “In a negotiation there is a give and take. There is always a meeting point so we should handle it out. Otherwise if you get stuck up one way, I get stuck up one way, then there is no way. And the Nagas realize the only way to resolve this issue is through negotiations and through negotiations anything can be settled.”

The vexed Indo-Naga political issue, according to chief peace negotiator Oscar Fernandes, has become a logjam in the nine years of the Naga peace talks. The Nagaland Chief Minister believes that over the years a change of mindset has taken place among the people of Nagaland, and this change is best reflected in the overwhelming desire for peace in the state.

“The present mood of Naga people indicates an overwhelming desire for peace and development. There is a growing realization among the Nagas both over-ground and underground that the ongoing peace process and the political dialogue are the best options available to the Naga people today. And that we should make the best use of these opportunities rather than cry hoarse of the lost opportunities,” Neiphiu Rio said with a positive note.

The centre's interlocutor for the Naga peace talks, K. Padmanabhaiah, despite some hiccups in the talks with the NSCN (IM), is hopeful of reaching a solution to the decades old problem. He feels that peace and development come together and Nagas have seen that how the situation has improved since 1997 post-ceasefire. So the weight of the people's expectations, he feels, will carry the talks to fruition.

“Shall I tell you 1964 the ceasefire was there, the ceasefire lasted eight years exactly eight years from 1st September to 31 st August 1972... eight years. So these things take time. They cannot be done overnight. They are such complex situations,” said K. Padmanabhaiah.

“It could succeed. There are chances of success. The point is one need to thrash out these things. The issues are known on both the sides it is a question of finding solution. There are good chances of finding solution,” added the optimistic Padmanabhaiah.

The People of Nagaland too are hopeful that there would be a solution. After all they have tasted the fruit of normalcy. The buzzing market place, the freedom of movement without fear, fresh air of globalization and liberalization- all have rejuvenated the Naga spirits. The youth, who have started moving out to New Delhi and other places for studies and job, represent these societal changes and reflect the desire to leave the past behind and explore the emerging new world.

To make governance more effective Nagaland government has empowered village communities through village council act. This has strengthened community bonds and reaffirmed their traditional role of arbiter of change and progress. Guilt of Liberation

I-card diktat flayed Nagaland Post
IMPHAL, March 9: Many non-Nagas staying in Nagaland have taken strong exception to the casual manner in which Nagaland Chief Minister Nipheiu Rio brushed aside the widespread collection of "identity card fees" by students. The Chief Minister said that he was not aware of collection of the fees, The Hindu reports.
"We are not aware of such things and shall look into the matter," the Chief Minister was quoted as saying in newspapers.
The NSCN (I-M), the insurgent organisation which has been holding peace talks with the Centre, has announced that all non-Nagas staying in Nagaland should possess identity cards, on payment of Rs.120 each. However, reports said that some students' organizations have been extorting Rs.250 each from the outsiders.
Some police officers are reported to have said that there was nothing objectionable to the issuance of the identity cards in this manner. They contended that the NSCN (I-M) was not a banned underground organisation. Since it was running a "government," it had to earn revenue.
There is a constitutional clause which says that non-Nagas cannot own land in Nagaland.
"Anybody who is a non-Naga must have an identity card issued by us by paying a fee. This has been done to check illegal immigrants from settling in the state," a senior NSCN-IM leader said.
"This is unfair. The students or the NSCN-IM has no right to issue identity cards as we already have inner-line permits issued by the government allowing us to stay here as per the law of the land," said Binoy Das, a trader from Assam who had set up a grocery shop in Dimapur to IANS. "I decided to leave Dimapur and returned to my home state Assam, unable to bear the constant humiliation."
DAN compelled govt officials to take part in celebrations: Congress New Kerala
Kohima: The Nagaland Pradesh Congress today alleged that the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government had compelled officials to attend the celebration of its completion of three years in office.

Pradesh Congress president Hokheto Sumi claimed that the chief secretary and the additional chief secretary were made to deliver the welcome address and chair the March six function, which was political in nature.

He pointed out that as per service rules, no government servant should involve themselves in activities of political parties in any form.

The party urged the governor to intervene and take stringent measures to restrain government officials from taking part in activities of political parties.
Guilt of LiberationSource: IMPHAL FREE PRESS Posted: 2006-03-10

The just concluded seminar on “ethnic identity and egalitarian society in the northeast”, co-sponsored by the Indian Institute of Advance Study, Shimla, and the Manipur University Philosophy Department, at the Physics Department conference hall, was eye opening to say the least. It is encouraging to see Manipur has more than a couple of Frantz Fanons in the making, marked by a characteristic intellectual intensity and sharpness, coupled with the backing of some extremely well-stocked libraries on past and current thoughts. The only trouble with this brand of political thought is, you have to really believe you are oppressed, deprived of rights, dignity, your identity threatened etc by an overbearing, manipulative, sinister and menacing colonial “other” to truly appreciate it. Maybe our situation is all this. But on the other hand, in all fairness let us also spare some thought, maybe it is not. The trouble again is, those who have honestly tried, many of them with success, to liberate themselves from this frame of mind to begin thinking in terms of bartering real problems with real solutions, are expected to feel guilty of having betrayed a common, perceived or imagined predicament of victimhood. The burden of the cross, we suppose, as a Catholic priest once put it. But the non-sinner Christ when he took on this burden, it was with the intent of redeeming the world of precisely this burden. In our case, we get the uncanny feeling there is a perverse gratification in perpetuating this sorry status at the intellectual level, however fine and rounded that intellectual reasoning may be. It is a peculiar situation in which you begin to actually believe you are under colonial shackles because Frantz Fanon said you are.

This guilt of the liberated self, it is noticeable, is pretty widespread and happens at very many different levels not just in the binary opposition between the Centre and the Northeast. It happens in the hill-valley divide in Manipur or on the question of Greater Nagaland to name just two. In the latter case for instance, quite without doubt, many are driven to join the issue by the force of this guilt. Especially in impressionable, hot-blooded young men and women, it may be so strong so as to warp their rational selves to make them begin honestly to believe in the cause. We fail to see how otherwise would somebody in Keikhu village or Sawombung village or Kakhulong, most of whom have no other home than the valley, align with the campaign for Greater Nagaland. We are not faulting anybody who might have, for the compulsions of the guilt is likely to have shown up as a strong challenge that unless you tried to radically suppress your moderate self, you feel like a coward and betrayer. This guilt, as we have said, shows up at so many other crucial issues in the life of Manipur and the northeast, and the best crop of our intellectuals, it is our feeling, are not helping one bit in showing a healthy channel for starting the atonement process. Hence predictably, our problems are destined to be ours for much longer. For while tangible problems can have tangible solutions, unfortunately there cannot be anything as intangible solutions for intangible problems.

Is there then a way of making the intangible tangible? Can we begin this quest with some very simple and fundamental self-questioning – do I honestly feel oppressed? Am I the “Wretched of the Earth” under the present dispensation? If yes, why, and more importantly, how can I address the issue and what are the tools available to do so? Allow us to address the last of the questions to the brightest of the stars in the three-day brainstorming, Dr. Bimol Akoijam of the Centre for Studies of Developing Societies, New Delhi. Supposing the answer was no, I do not feel like the wretched of the earth and I can relate with my neighbours, near and distant, as peers and do not feel threatened by them at all, must I feel guilty about it? Must I feel duty bound to pass on the burden of the cross to the coming generations, beginning with my children? Should liberation of the mind be about volunteering to bear the cross or help shed it for everybody?
Pawar to attend Naga agri expo OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, March 9: Union minister for agriculture Sharad Pawar will visit Nagaland during the first-ever North East Agri-Expo, 2006, to be held in Dimapur from March 27 to 31.
Pawar will also visit Medziphema on the Dimapur-Kohima National Highway 39 to inaugurate a horticulture research centre, sources said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was tipped to be the chief guest at the exposition earlier.
However, he cancelled his visit.
The agri-expo will be the first major programme by the Neiphiu Rio government to kick off the “Year of the Farmer” as declared by it earlier.
Various committees have been set up to take care of accommodation, transportation and reception of the delegates as well as construction of the main venue for the five-day programme. A high-level meeting under the chairmanship of chief secretary Lalhuma was held here earlier this week to monitor the preparations.
With only 20 days left, the meeting discussed problems in providing accommodation to top officials from various Union ministries and departments and delegates from the seven northeastern states, government mouthpiece Naga News reported.
Departmental guesthouses will be utilised to do away with the accommodation problems in Dimapur.
The chief secretary and agriculture production commissioner Alemtemshi Jamir urged the departments concerned to renovate their guesthouses immediately.
Sources said there were initial hiccups in the preparations for the grand event as agriculture department officials had reportedly displayed sluggishness in creating awareness among farmers.
The expo will showcase the potential of the Northeast in agriculture, horticulture and food processing. Besides, it will also project the areas in which the private sector can get involved.
Various Union ministries and departments will set up 34 stalls at the expo.
Industry delegates from Voltas Ltd, FI Industries Ltd, Tinplade India Ltd, Global Agri Systems Ltd, FMC Hong Kong, Transact Agri Tech Ltd and others will participate in the event, official sources said.
Host Nagaland will display its agricultural products to attract investors from outside and persuade them to play a role in marketing as well.
PMHR press statement on Sexual harrasment case
NEW DELHI, March 09:Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights- In the midst of the Indo-Naga Political Talks when Nagas are looking forward to have a lasting peace and solution
People from North East are being alienated and treated as second class citizen of India and the call for joining mainstream is being conveyed to them by the Government of India. The Northeast women are Targets for the Indian as an object for sexual harassment and they are sexually exploited in other cities of India and as well as back home with Armed Forces Power Act as the shield for the Indian soldiers. Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights Delhi notes with serious concern as the level of harassment and exploitation is rising daily at a very high rate. It is also important to consider that it has always been the motives of the Government of India to harass the people from Northeast where-ever they are.

The Government of India have been emphasising over the years the need for the people of north east to join the mainstream for better kind of developmental work and the Education system. It is not this kind of policy that the people from the Northeast yearn for. Is this the price that we have to pay? (For the better interest of the so-called
mainstream people Northeast people have to suffer.) The Northeast people are harassed, exploited, discriminated and have to live with social stigma in other parts of India. It is a fact that Northeast women are not safe in other cities. It was presumed that Northeast women in other cities were harassed mainly outside their residence but
now it has come to our notice that they are equally vulnerable within the four walls of their home.
On the 25th February 2006 evening in Gurgoan the landlord of the house sexually harassed a woman who happens to be a Naga in a house where the Northeast boys were residing. She had gone to her friends place with one of her cousin searching for a rented house. The Landlord implicated the girl with false allegation that she is a prostitute and she should stand Naked and the other boys were pushed out of the room. When he tried to forcefully pull down her shawl that she was wearing the boys tried to intervene but they were beaten up badly with cricket bat. The next Morning the Landlords son along with his friend beat the boys up again threatening them to end the matter there or to face dire consequences. The youths were not able to get over the trauma for the past three days. It is a fact that every Northeast woman is seen as a prostitute by the Indians and boys are considered as some cheap pimps who ought to be beaten up at every instance they get chances to lay their hands upon.
It is a pain to know that women from Northeast have to face hostility at every step they have to take, in other parts of cities in India. It is also important to remember that many rape cases and harassment cases are still not yet taken up and their complaints have gone into the dustbin.
On 28th of Feb 2006 they approached the Naga Student Union Delhi and Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights for help. They were advised to file an FIR at the earliest. So they went to police station the next day where they were denied even the basic right to file FIR. On 2nd March two of the student activist accompanied them and submitted the application for filing FIR against the culprit. It was a shocked to the
student that the police threatened them instead of helping them out. ASI Adarsh Singh of Qutab Enclave police station was the person who was behind denying the victim even to seek protection under the law. Till today they are not allowed to file the FIR forget about the many hours of begging and requests required to convince the police to put a stamp over the application. Why is it that the people from Northeast are even
denied the rights to file FIR? Isnt the law above every citizen of India and where is Indian democracy that they take so much pride in being the largest democratic country in the world.

Let us recall the incidents that had occurred in and around Delhi, where action was not taken up and ignored list is growing day by day. One of the incidents took place in Mahipalpur, Delhi on 25th December 2005, where 5 Nagas were badly beaten up which included a woman and a physically handicapped male. In the Medical Report, it was shown that two of them got serious injuries in their heads and their spinal cords
were severely damaged. Even after FIR was filed, the S.H.O of Vasant Kunj, Delhi Police has not yet taken up any action since the victims are from Northeast who are considered as third class citizen.

All these years, we have been living in fear under the shadow of the tyranny of Indian army in Northeast. Are we supposed to go on living with fear even outside the jurisdiction of Arm Forces Special Power Act? How long do we continue to remain as a mere spectator to all these prejudices, abuse, harassment and exploitation? Isnt it the right time for us to gather our courage and raise these issues? The police and the
Indians citizen are hand in glove in discriminating the Northeast people. It is a case of racial discrimination, attempts to rape, murder, molestation and harassment. NPMHR Delhi calls upon all the people of Northeast to stand up and fight for their rights.
Violation of human rights in any parts of the world is a threat to the human race as a whole and protection and promotion of human rights anywhere is a concern for all.

R S Mayori Convenor
Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights Delhi (NPMHR Delhi)
Vasant Enclave Janta Flat
New Delhi-57.

Rules flouted in RIMS PG MD/MS entrance exam' Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 09: Resentment against the premier medical institute of the whole North-East, the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) has been increasing day by day.

Strong reactions of disapproval are being made concerning the entrance exam of PG MD/MS courses conducted by RIMS on February 26.

A well placed source in RIMS informed that many prospective candidates for PG courses in the institute have been crying foul that the entrance exam was conducted beyond the rules laid down by Medical Council of India (MCI) and alleged that some officials are openly exercising corruption, nepotism and favouritism in utter disregard of the rules and norms.

In the recently conducted entrance exam for 20 different subjects, 500 medical practitioners appeared in the exam as against the 76 available seats which included 13 in open category.

Of this, number of sponsored seats for Manipur was 7, RIMS (in service) 5, 7 seats each for Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and 6 for Tripura.

Out of the 13 open seats, 3 seats each were reserved for Manipur and Tripura while 2 seats each were allotted to Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

The entrance test of February 26 commenced at 11 am even it was scheduled to begin from 10 am.

Unlike other states or AIIMS, selection of answers was directed to make with a simple encircling rather than by a thick bar or darkening which provided ample room for manipulation.

In other states, question papers is provided to the candidates as according to a directive of the Supreme court but no question paper was provided at the RIMS conducted exam.

Moreover any student was allowed to venture out of the exam hall and come back again during the examination which is unheard of in other states, mentioned the source.

Further, many relatives of RIMS officials appeared in the said exam while the RIMS officials were given exam duty which all the more enhanced suspicion on conformity to established rules.

The source alleged that the ruling of the Supreme Court which forbids double benefit other than ST quota facility to scheduled tribe candidates has been deliberately flouted by reserving three seats for ST candidates.

If the candidates of general category seats fail to score 50 percent mark for RIMS (in service) seats, the seats should be opened to all, but serious doubts have been cast of grace marks being given to some candidates so as to make them pass the exam with 50 percent or more marks, noted the source.

Consequent upon the 24 general strike called against the torture of Naobi on February 27, severe inconveniences were caused to many candidates as the Counselling was scheduled on the same day.

A candidate who secured 3rd position in the entrance exam but failed to arrive on time for the counselling due to the general strike has been left unable to admit in the subject of his choice, added the source.

Even though second chance for counselling is provided in other states, no such chance is provided by RIMS.

Moreover RIMS permit change of subjects for students selected after counselling which is again a breach of rules.

Such change of subjects is a deterrent in producing qualified specialists in various fields of medical science, it remarked.

Medical practitioners have expressed serious concern on such flouting of rules and called upon the authority concerned to look into the matter so as to avoid such irregularity in future.
Non-Nagas resent identity card fees Nagarealm.com
IMPHAL, MARCH09 : Many non-Nagas staying in Nagaland have taken strong exception to the casual manner in which Chief Minister Nipheiu Rio brushed aside the widespread collection of "identity card fees" by students. The Chief Minister said that he was not aware of collection of the fees. The NSCN(I-M), the insurgent organisation which has been holding peace talks with the Centre, has announced that all non-Nagas staying in Nagaland should possess identity cards, on payment of Rs. 120 each. However, reports said that some students' organisations have been extorting Rs. 250 each from the outsiders.

Police contention
Some police officers are reported to have said that there was nothing objectionable to the issuance of the identity cards in this manner. They contended that the NSCN(I-M) was not a banned underground organisation. Since it was running a "government," it had to earn revenue.
There is a constitutional clause which says that non-Nagas cannot own land in Nagaland. Besides outsiders do business in the State in the names of Nagas. Outsiders entering Nagaland for some days will have to obtain permit from the authorities on payment of a nominal fee. But it is seen that such permits are liberally issued and some non-Nagas are found possessing many permits. Non-Nagas of the north-eastern region or serving in Nagaland in Central and State Government offices are exempt from such permits. However, in the past, such employees and their family members had been bundled and carted away from Nagaland by some overenthusiastic students. [Iboyaima Laithangbam, hindu]
Between Hopes and Possibilities March 10 Today's Editorial The Morung Express
At the heart of indigenous people’s existence is its collective critical consciousness; provided as an alternative to the dominant culture and one that refuses to accept the interpretations of reality as defined by dominant. The consciousness that results of a dialogue, needs to lead towards understanding; an understanding which is the understanding of differences. Such a dialogue should realistically struggle with problems and attempt to find solutions to the issues by developing a feeling of critical awareness of the situation and creating a culture of self-assertion that originates from a common heritage of shared values, common experience of oppression and a common envisioned future.
Perhaps the journey should begin with fostering “critical solidarity.” Critical solidarity is the power that comes through recognizing and respecting dignity of all and understanding that they are united in opposition to the injustices they face by embracing the richness of humanity. It involves creating a common vision where there is withdrawal of consent to existing established institutions and participation from all power structures of domination. It should lead to the empowerment of peoples and provide an alternative vision of the world that involves the active transformation of both humans and structures till they are able to enter into right relationship with one another.
Critical solidarity requires strong leadership based on indigenous values; leaders that must engage with people as “communicators” and not “commentators” with the ability to emancipate human reason from State structures and the consumerist culture. Critical solidarity therefore demands reestablishing links with a past from which the people often feel that have been cut off and they must now seek to rewrite their history as makers and not objects. The interplay between leaders and the people is often complicated and complex especially when it seems that consumerism has created societies in which truth does not matter any more, it’s the personal feelings that count.
Therefore, a leader who confines his or her role to the people’s feelings may create a situation of stagnation while a leader who transcends his or her people’s feelings to uncover the truth runs the risk of being misunderstood. The complexity is compounded furthermore when in times of crisis and upheavals, a leader who confines to the feelings of the people may acquire temporary popularity, while a leader who gets too far ahead of the people may become irrelevant. Hence, a leader must be an educator that involves building a bridge between the feelings of the people and a vision in which truth is prior to the feelings. It is a process which embodies the relationship between leadership and governance. It implies educating the people on what they need to know and not what they want to hear.
Al Mubarak al-Mili describes the importance of the historical quest as: “History is the mirror of the past and the ladder by which one rises to the present. It is the proof of the existence of a peoples, the book in which their power is written, the place for the resurrection of consciousness, the way of their union, the springboard for their progress.” The leadership must educate to arouse critical consciousness and enable people to locate themselves in the relentless movement to reclaim their humanity and the realization of their values. History, to these leaders is of the essence and their dynamic singularity stems from their ability to discern challenges that are not yet apparent to their contemporaries. The leadership must embody the truth of indigenous values and challenges by constantly working to meet the growing aspirations of people with the capacity to guide and persuade the people in the spirit of preparedness and respect. To succeed, the leadership should be able to evolve the movement from resistance, reform and restoration to transformation that is rooted in today’s resistance that transforms institutions at every level.
Indigenous aspirations are about new life; it is about creativity and originality that brings to public expression the yearnings and aspirations and “collective imagination.” It is about ensuring the essential ingredients for this to occur. Indigenous leadership and governance are only a part of a wide ranging dialogue on the fundamentals of redefining concepts of institutions, rights, duties and democracy that is generated by the grassroots. Peace, therefore for indigenous peoples refers to a vision that recognizes that there can be no peace without justice. In reality, it states that there is no road that leads to peace, for Peace itself is the road, which begins to emerge only when all forms of injustices that destroy human dignity are removed and when people have regained ownership to be self-determining entities. Peace demands addressing all forms of injustices through fairness and righteous means and necessitates the transformation of all unjust systems to ensure that the injustices are not committed again. Peace is not a single vision; it is a way of life that involves a complex process in which many elements are converging to form a new vision that is united in action in challenging the powers by moving from resistance to transformation.
Are Naga leaders willing to assume the role and responsibilities that are being demanded of them by time and history?
Bid to forge closer ties with Myanmar, Talks held on trans-border movement Nagarealm.com
New Delhi, March 8: India and Myanmar have begun discussions for signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate the trans-border movement of people living along the international border. There is already an understanding between the two neighbours which allows visa-free movement of people from both sides. But while India allows Myanmarese citizens to travel upto a distance of 40 km inside the border, Indian citizens are permitted to venture upto only 16 km.

“An MoU on the above issue is currently being discussed by the two countries,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh informed the Lok Sabha in a written statement in reply to a question by Mahadeo Rao Shiwankar and Ashok Kumar Rawat.

Singh, however, did not specify a time frame within which the pact may be sealed.

As part of the Look East Policy, efforts are on to establish a closer relationship with Myanmar. Several projects to improve connectivity in the country through construction of roads have already been taken up by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which is in addition to plans to set up more trade marts in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

The need for a visa-free regime is mainly due to the fact that the same tribes like Nagas and Kuku-Chin-Mizo communities are found inhabiting the border region. The interaction between them is both economic and social which necessitates frequent visits from both sides.

An agreement could also help resolve disputes that arise from time to time involving the border communities. Not long ago, Myanmarese security forces allegedly committed atrocities on the residents of Ukhrul in Manipur.

Singh said Myanmar has agreed to a suggestion offered by India regarding facilities for joint interrogation and consular access to Indian insurgents apprehended in the neighbouring country.

Singh added that both sides have agreed to furnish details of Myanmar and Indian nationals arrested on drug-related issues immediately after their arrest so that follow-up action could be taken up simultaneously. [telegraphindia]

KSO misleading people : KLA By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Mar 9 : Accusing some Cabinet members of the Kuki Students' Organisation of misleading the people, the Kuki Liberation Army today stated that such a policy adopted by the student body will not prove positive.
Speaking to reporters somewhere at Sadar Hills today, the information and publicity secretary of the outfit, Malsawm Vaiphei said that the KSO should stop trying to tarnish the image of the KLA.
Stating that some Cabinet members of the KSO are misleading the people and trying to portray the KLO/KLA in the wrong light, Malsawm said that instead of doing their duties as students, they are being backed by a militant outfit and carrying out a propaganda to mislead the people. The people should also be aware of their agenda.
Warning that no one should try to take the credit of the good work done by KLO/KLA, the information secretary asked all concerned to reform.
The rally organised by the KSO at Kangpokpi was nothing but to tarnish the image of KLA, he charged and accused KSO of not acting like a student body.
The door of the KLO/KLA is always open to all Kuki armed groups to hold meaningful talks, he added. Meaningful talk is the only way to iron out any differences, said Malsawm and appealed to all Kuki armed groups to reciprocate and come forward for the talk.

Kukis rally against abduction of Lunkim By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
Kpi, Mar 9 : Over five thousand people on took to the streets of Kangpokpi in Senapati district today to demand the safe release of Kuki Church leader Reverend T Lunkim , who was abducted allegedly “for ransom” by the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) on January 17 this year.
Similar rallies were also staged at different parts of the State at Saikul ( Senapati district) , Moreh ( Chandel) and in Churachandpuur district headquarters, Kuki leaders said.
KLA is demanding a total amount of Rs one crore “as fine” from the family of Lunkim, who is the administrative secretary of Kuki Christian Church at Deulalane charging him of tarnishing the image of the outfit.
As disclosed by some Kuki leaders KLA accused Lunkim of taking Rs 9 lakhs from the Centre pertaining to the suspension of hostilities between the army and KLA.
Talking to the media, president of Kuki Students’ Organization, general headquarters Tonghen Kipgen said following the allegation of KLA, leaders of various Kuki social bodies set up a fact finding committee to inquire into the charges.
The committee contacted the Army authority and the Centre besides other Kuki underground outfits and found that Lunkim was innocent.
“He had nothing to do with the allegation,” Kipgen said adding that report of the committee was also furnished to KLA leaders but no positive response has been received till date.
If he is not released within the next couple of days then “we will intensify our stir in a democratic manner by holding a meeting with all Kuki civil society organizations”, Kipgen added.
The rallyists mostly school students held placards reading “We demand the safe release of Dr Lunkim”, “We reject baseless allegations”, “We reject jungle raj of KLA”, “Abduction of pastors defiles Christianity” and “Captors like KLA should be banned”.
The rally jointly organised by Kuki Inpi, Kuki Movement for Human Rights, Kuki Students’ Organization, Kuki Christian Leaders’ Fellowship, Kuki Women Union and Kuki Mothers' Association began from the ground of Salem Academy school Kangpokpi and proceeded towards the office complex of Additional Deputy Commissioner.
Leaders of the Kuki civil society organization then submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi through the Sub –Divisional Collector Jeevan Limbo demanding the State Government to take necessary action to secure the release of Dr Lunkim for the prevalence of peace and justice.
During the rally vehicular traffic along NH-39 (Imphal-Dimapur route) was halted and all business establishments at Kangpokpi bazar and educational institutions were closed. On Feb 16, C Lun-kim , wife of T Lunkim submitted a representation to the Assam Rifles’ authorities saying her husband was abducted on false charges. Stating that her husband is in- nocent and does not deserve physical and mental torture at the hands of KLA, she requested the AR authority to influence the KLA at the earliest by “any possible means so that my husband can come home soon and safely”.

ULFA fears crackdown if AGP, BJP win Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, March 9 – The insurgent outfit ULFA has alleged that if AGP and BJP is voted to power in the coming state assembly elections it feared operations against its cadres, reports PTI. “If an AGP and BJP government comes to power in the state, there will be a spate of secret killings and operations against the ULFA cadres will reach new heights,” ULFA chairman Arabindo Rajkhowa said in an email to a section of the local media.

Rajkhowa charged the erstwhile AGP government was involved in ‘secret killings’ while the then BJP-led NDA government at the Centre was responsible for operations against ULFA in Bhutan. He accused former Union Minister Arun Shourie of making efforts for an alliance between opposition BJP and the Asom Gana Parishad for the assembly elections in Asom.

The ULFA supremo also criticised Shourie’s reported remarks that Congress came to power in the last elections with the help of the outfit. “There is no nexus between Congress and ULFA. We will not tolerate such irresponsible statements and also cannot remain silent when such baseless allegations are being made against us,” Rajkhowa said. The ULFA leader accused BJP leader Pramod Mahajan of trying to drive a wedge between different communities in the state.


India, Myanmar sign accord on petroleum Visiting President APJ Abdul Kalam seems to be amused by a young child meeting him with a teddy bear at Shwe Dagon Pagoda at Yangon on Thursday. — UNI Assam Tribune

YANGON, March 9 – Taking bilateral cooperation to a higher plane, India and Myanmar today signed three agreements in petroleum, space and education sectors in the presence of President APJ Abdul Kalam and Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe here, reports PTI. The Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Petroleum Sector pertains to transport of natural gas from Arakan port of Myanmar either through a pipeline Via North East or Bangladesh.

India has been pressing to build a pipeline from Myanmar through Bangladesh to meet a yawning energy supply gap.

The option of converting the gas into Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) for shipping it is also under consideration as it would be cost-effective, considering that the distance was not too much. The MoU was signed by Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Prabh Das and Director-General of Energy Planning Department of the Ministry of Energy of Myanmar, sources said.

Another MoU on cooperation in Buddhist studies was inked by Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran and Brig General Thura Aung Ko, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs, Myanmar.

A Framework Agreement on mutual cooperation in the field of Remote Sensing was concluded for setting up of a ground station in Myanmar. The station will receive remote sensing data from IRS satellite for various uses including agriculture purposes like survey of soil and minerals. The documents were signed on the second day of the three-day visit of Kalam to Myanmar, the first-ever by an Indian head of state.
Relations between Myanmar and India began warming up rapidly since late 1990s. India has strengthened cooperation with Myanmar in a number of fields including the military sector.

On the economic front, India remains committed to achieving the target of increasing bilateral trade to one billion US dollars with Myanmar by 2006. Trade between the two countries has expanded significantly over the last few years. New Delhi is also considering a proposal for setting up a rail link with Myanmar through the North-Eastern states and a feasibility study has already been completed by the Indian Railways.