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03/12/2006: "Nagaland mushrooming with illegal collections’ STATE TO OBSERVE CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY"

Nagaland mushrooming with illegal collections’ STATE TO OBSERVE CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY Morung Express News Kohima | March 11

Along with the rest of the world, Nagaland will observe World Consumer Rights Day by next week. In observance of the occasion and as an indication of public organization’s commitment and sincerity towards protecting the interest of the consumers in the state, the Nagaland Voluntary Consumer Organisation (NVCO) and Angami Public Organisation (APO) would jointly organize a public meeting on March 14 at 10:30 AM at Hotel Japfu, Kohima. The meeting will discuss on how to ensure consumer rights (Consumer Protection Act, 1986) to citizens as every one is a consumer with the topic “How to fight against illegal collections in the state.”
“Nagaland has become a place mushrooming with illegal collections of money, taxes by registered/unregistered union, association, organization, federation/group/ students union/ public organization/ police, several government department etc,” said NVCO and APO in a joint release.
It also stated that the topic – ‘Fighting against illegal collections’ is being chosen as the general public cannot tolerate this menace anymore just the fact that the illegal collections of money/taxes leads to the spiraling rise in price of essential commodities and goods and ultimately all these collections are realized from the general public.
“In Nagaland we do not produce anything except agricultural products and almost everything have to be imported from outsides, “said NVCO president Kezhokhoto Savi APO president Mhiesizokho Zinyu in a joint release. Earlier, the NVCO has served a final notice to the state government to remove all the illegal tax collection counters and put a stop to the collection of illegal taxes by whoever are the offenders. The GB (Village Chief) Federation has also submitted a memorandum to the Governor Shyamal Datta to initiate immediate action against the illegal collection of unauthorized taxes, especially from trucks carrying essential commodities. The following bodies have been asked to attend the proposed public meeting on March 14- Naga Hoho and all tribal Hohos including Kohima Unit under the banner of Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Council, Dimapur, GB Federation, Naga People Movement for Human Rights, Kohima Chamber of Commerce, Media, Press Corps of Nagaland, Kohima Press Club, Dimapur Press Club, Contractors and Suppliers Union, Business community, Youth, Nagaland Baptist Churches Councils, church workers, Bar Association (Lawyers) and concern citizens. “This public meeting is convened solely for the interest of public and justice,” the release added.
After wind and water, fire destroys Morung Express News
RED HEAT: Fire completely engulfs shops at Khermahal, Dimapur on the evening of March 11. (MExPix)
Dimapur Wind, water and fire today made quite an impact on Dimapur. First came the winds. Howling its way through the streets, it picked up dust along its route much to the irritation of passers-by and two-wheeler riders. Then the rains came lashing down. But just when Dimapurians were welcoming the much-awaited shower from the heavens, the third element struck. Fire. It started in a hardware store at Khermahal, Dimapur and blazed its way to nearby shops. The storage of chemicals in the form of paint thinners and other flammable liquids added fuel to the fire, literally. The exact cause of the fire could not be ascertained because Dagga’s hardware store was closed at the time when the fire began. Some attributed the fire to an electrical short circuit while some supposed that the cause of the fire was from a candle left burning. Police said the owners of the shops were not around at the immediate moment. “They may have been scared,” a Police official said. Thorough investigations will be carried out tomorrow.
Eyewitnesses said fire fighters arrived between 10-15 minutes after they were contacted. Traffic jams at the busy hours of the evening did not actually help in timely arrival, a fireman said. After intense negotiations between the water hose and the licking flames, the blaze was brought under control at around quarter past seven.
Water alone could not contain the fire which had the highly combustible liquids on its side. Firemen had to employ foam to douse out the fire. Each of the seven fire brigade vehicles carried two packets of foam but even these ran out. More had to be asked for from their store. A large crowd gathered to witness the real-life drama but had to be shooed back by Police whenever they came too close to the fire or were disrupting the movement of fire-fighting vehicles. An electric post was also said to have collapsed.
Besides personnel of the fire department, the Army lent a hand by helping in dousing the inferno, eyewitnesses said. “Their help is much appreciated,” a bystander said.
Nagaland Cong raises ‘Govt Servants Conduct Rules’ The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, MARCH 11 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) in a counter rejoinder issued today said it was compelled to react to a rejoinder issued on March 10 by the Nagaland People’s Front claiming the DAN Government’s programme celebrating the completion of 3 years in office was a Government function where the Chief Secretary delivered the welcome address and Addl. Chief Secretary chaired the function on March 6 in Kohima.
The DAN, while celebrating 3 years of Achievement, had involved two senior most State Government officials in their Party programme which is a violation of Government Servants Conduct Rules, NPCC Spokesperson TL Merry replied.
“However, when the two Government officials who participated in the Political Party programme remain silent on the issue, the NPF came out sharply (‘acting on behalf’) to justify that the DAN conglomeration’s celebration of the completion of 3 years in office is a Government function.”
The Congress pointed out that the ‘Government Servants Conduct Rules’ which apply to all Government servants “to maintain absolute integrity, maintain devotion to duty and do nothing which is unbecoming of a Government servant”.
Under the Rules, “no Government servant shall be a member of, or be otherwise associated with any political party, nor shall he take part in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner in any political activity”.
NSCN factions mass for gunfight Correspondent Nagaland Post
Tuensang, March 11 March (NPN): A fear psychosis has gripped the denizens of the four "backward" districts of the State following reports that several groups of armed NSCN cadres were camping in their areas. According to the reports, several groups of NSCN cadres are camping in Tizit, Namsa and Hamphoi areas in Mon district, Thonoknyu and Noklak sub-divisions in Tuensang district and in areas in Longleng district.
The reports said the situation was most serious in Longleng district leading to disturbance of peace. Following such developments, the residents were apprehensive about eruption of fresh clashes between the two factions if urgent measures were not initiated. They have appealed to the State government to take immediate measures to bring the situation under control.
Meanwhile, no solution is apparently in sight in the dispute between the Yimrep and Chimonger villagers over the recent fire incident leading to prevalence of a tense situation in the two villages. According to reports, the two villages could not settle the dispute even after several sittings between them with the latest being held on Saturday. The next meeting has been scheduled for Monday.
It may be mentioned three persons, all women, died and altogether 175 houses were gutted in a devastating fire at Yimrep village on February 28.
The fire broke out when the Chimonger villagers were burning jungles for jhum cultivation. Meanwhile, the Chimonger village has threatened to impose road (economic) blockade in its area in protest against the Yimrep villagers' demand for land as compensation for the houses burnt. It was learnt although the Chimonger villagers promised to construct houses for the victims of the fire yet the latter were demanding land.
Integration and Federal System : Tezenlo Thong Nagareal.com
Is the Present Naga Socio-Political Condition Ripe for Integration And/Or Federal System? By Tezenlo Thong
Anyone, cautiously analyzing the worrisome status quo and concerned with the deteriorating events ominously unfolding among Nagas, will be careful to conclude that integration of various Naga inhabited areas and/or attainment of a “federal system” will miraculously pull the Nagas out of the seemingly endless quagmire. Put it differently, the prevalent Naga intertribal and interfactional existential realities, characterized by an extremely tense and highly charged social and political atmosphere, do not warrant pursuing integration and/or a federal system at this juncture. At this point in history, not even an absolute political freedom or sovereignty will do any good for the Nagas. Certain vital issues need to be confronted with and resolved before we can even venture to talk about the above mentioned goals. One such urgent and imperative issue pertains to unity among warring factions, in particular, and the Nagas, in general.

The contemporary Naga society is fiercely fragmented and permeated with passionate hatred and violence that we should be pulling together and expending all our energy and efforts to bring about communal healing and unity. In other words, the present socio-political condition is not ripe or conducive for us to pursue anything other than communal harmony amongst the people. This is, however, not to claim that neither integration nor federal system is possible if the Nagas are not united. The crucial question is “What consequences might ensue or be in store for us if integration and a federated relationship with India are achieved amidst the violent, vengeful and bitterly divisive circumstance?”

Let us hypothetically create a scenario, say, Scenario I, and ask, “What if one or more factional groups resented the idea of a federated system and/or integration and started to violently oppose it?” (This foreseeable situation or scenario can, in fact, no longer be treated as an unlikely supposition, because there is a clear hand-writing on the wall for all to see. As a matter of fact, the future is already a present reality in this matter.) In the absence of a nation-wide consensus and unity among the Nagas on what we want to pursue/achieve or what our priorities are, it is not surprising that a barrage of scorns and insults are being exchanged with regard to the issue of integration and federal system, especially among the feuding factional groups.

If the past is any indication, striking a deal with India and delivering to the Nagas any sort of “solution” without having the consensus and blessing of all concerned is likely to exacerbate the ongoing imbroglio and will probably sound the ultimate death knell for the cause of the Nagas. In the past, for instance, signatories of the Sixteenth-Point Agreement and Shillong Accord might have erroneously thought that their arbitrary actions would bring an end to our elusive pursuit and yield a permanent peace. Hindsight tells us, however, that their mistakes lie in their failure to seek consensus among the Nagas on what they thought was in the best interest of all, which only served to escalate carnage among the Nagas. Such consequential historical events stand as a testament to the fact that any group that professes to work for the people, but does not work with the people cannot be a harbinger of hope or good news for the masses. Therefore, we need to be rightly advised that “those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Judging from the heated exchange of insults and contempt going the rounds already, one feels that there is a weird sense of déjà vu looming in the horizon.

Scenario II: Again, let us ask, “What if one or more tribes declared their intention of not joining the newly achieved federated or integrated entity and wanted to be separated from it?” Factional feuds and endless cycle of senseless fratricide among the Nagas have dreadfully accentuated the ugliness of “tribalism” among the Nagas, and the so-called “freedom movement” has now come to don forms of tribal rivalry and antagonism, with each factional group headed and dominated by one or two tribes. Because the idea of integration and federal system is perceived as the brainchild of a single factional group, tribes and factional groups that remain antagonistic to the patron of this idea will, in most likelihood, refuse to join or may even demand and vie for separation.

Until the factional feuds and irrational fratricide emerged among the Nagas, the question of who is a Naga and who is not was a nonsensical one. Today, however, there are fierce and passionate claims and counter-claims on this preposterous and delusive matter, which simply is one of the symptoms of senseless killing and hatred among us. As a result, unless we work on and achieve communal healing and harmony among the Naga tribes that are dangerously at odds against each other, the much sought after and desired integration of the Nagas will boomerang on us.

Scenario III: Finally, what if there was a civil war or ceaseless and deathly chaos among the Nagas subsequent to attaining integration and/or federal system and India or one of the neighboring countries decided to intervene in the form of military occupation in order to restore peace or on the pretext of humanitarian grounds? India has in the past “successfully” intervened in similar situations, for instance, in East Pakistan’s (Bangladesh) crisis, in Sikkim’s uprising for freedom and in Sri Lanka’s internal war, and it is not certain that India will not repeat it, because some learn from history while others like to repeat it – again and again. If, in the aftermath of the third scenario, it was persuasively conveyed to the world that Nagas are incapable of living together in peace unless reined in by a brutal outside force, we will not only lose our case eternally, but also our sympathizers, and regaining our freedom will go down the drain forever.

Any of these scenarios could become a more painful reality if we pursue anything without having reached first communal harmony or unity amongst the Nagas. At this crucial juncture, attainment of any goals by a single party is likely to further exacerbate the already tense and highly charged atmosphere and push the Naga society to finally fall apart at the seams. Therefore, all Nagas, especially those representing NGOs/civil and religious organizations, should strive for healing and unity rather than ostensibly endorsing or supporting a single group. Extension of such imprudent support will only drive a wedge between the already divided sections of our society and result in losing credibility and confidence on the very entities that we look up for resolving conflicts and fostering communal harmony. The efforts of all organizations must be to encourage and foster unity among the Nagas, not to unwisely accentuate the chasm further.

The term “permanent solution” has been the catch word since the inception of our freedom movement. At this crucial moment of our history, however, one feels the need to ask, “Do we continue to truly desire for a permanent solution? If our goal is finding a permanent solution, will ignoring communal harmony or circumventing unity and striking a permanent peace with India yield permanent peace for or among the Nagas?” A permanent peace between the government of India and the Nagas cannot be equated with a permanent peace among the Nagas. They are two completely different things, and any solution between India and the Nagas that does not produce the same effectual or intended result among the conflict-ridden Nagas is simply a farce and undesirable. A solution that further escalates the carnage among the Nagas cannot qualify to be called a solution or achievement. After all, what good is a just and permanent peace with India that would worsen the already deplorable state of our society? Nobody wants such a solution with India, although desirable as it is, that would provide the Nagas with the opportunity and ammunitions to destroy ourselves. Thus, any solution that is not based on national consensus and communal harmony is no permanent solution for the Nagas. Unity among the Nagas must precede any other pursuits.

What we are pursuing is a colossal task, and it is not wise to let such a mammoth undertaking be placed in the hands of one or two groups or a band of “leaders”, to decide and determine for all. A united effort and consensus among the Nagas in such a gigantic task cannot be over emphasized. Traditionally, most Nagas societies went beyond the process of democratic decision making. We Nagas always sought and practiced consensus, which was one of our core communal values. The Naga Plebiscite of 1951 is a classic example of this invaluable practice, an event we have always emphasized and underscored as the main basis for “the desire of all Nagas” to be free from the clutch of India. Any future decision making or action, therefore, should take cognizance of this very important claim. Otherwise, there is an impending potential that the history or past mistakes could be repeated, which might finally become the coup de grace of our pursuit for our inalienable right, for which we have sacrificed countless precious lives and suffered for ages.
Assam alliance Nagaland Post
Guwahati, March 11 (IANS): Assam’s main opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) Saturday forged an alliance with four parties to challenge the ruling Congress in next month's assembly elections. The AGP apart, the new formation comprises the Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Samajwadi Party and the Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC), a tribal-based party in Karbi Anglong district. "The alliance partners met separately over the last few days and we have agreed to fight the polls jointly," a senior AGP leader said. A formal announcement is likely to be made Sunday. Assam goes to the polls to elect a 126-member legislature April 3 and 10. There was speculation that the two Left parties might decide against going with the AGP. "There were some hitches with the CPI-M and we have sorted out these amicably," the AGP leader said. The Congress seems unperturbed by the AGP-led alliance. "In 2001 the Left parties failed to open their account, the Samajwadi Party won one seat and ASDC two seats.
Assam refugees victims of govt lethargy Nagaland Post
KARBIANGLONG, MAR 11 (AGENCIES): The thousands of refugees who have been victims of one of the worst ethnic riots in Assam are slowly rebuilding their lives. But that's without any help from the government. No wonder, most of them say they won't be voting in the coming elections.
"In the relief camps, whatever daily jobs we got we earned money [working] and now we are building our homes," said Nayaran Engti, a Karbi refugee. "What we expected from our leaders earlier was development. Now we just want to live," he added. In the adjoining Dimasa camp, there is the same atmosphere of fear, hunger and anger.
We have been here for three months but you are the first person to visit us. We have no rice or food. Our homes were burnt and our paddy destroyed," said Handel Hashmi, another refugee. Not only is Assam isolated from the rest of the country, the men who run the state are equally isolated from the people they rule.
The Dimasa relief camp in Karbianglong district was set up on Dec 12 last year. No representatives from any political party has visited this camp so far.
But come elections, and Tarun Gogoi's pictures will be up on the walls.
Centre’s apathy hits NE air connectivity From Our Staff Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, March 11 – The winds of change blowing across the country in civil aviation sector may bypass the North Eastern region (NER), as the key agencies are dragging its feet on changing the Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDG) within a specific time frame. The Region not exactly a sought-after destination for the private operators, may have to wait a while before air connectivity improves. And it’s not only the private air operators but our own Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is also at fault.

“Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture fails to understand the nature and reason for the inordinate delay by DGCA and that of the Civil Aviation Ministry, of over nine months to come out with a specific time frame for making suitable change in the RDG,” observed a report in the Parliament.

The RDG issued by the Government in 1994, require all scheduled airlines to deploy at least 10 percent of the capacity deployed by them on major trunk route on routes to and from North-east and Jammu and Kashmir besides Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Out of the total capacity so deployed in CAT-II routes, 10 per cent of the capacity is required to be deployed for connectivity with the areas. Further, the airlines are also required to deploy 50 percent of the capacity, deployed on CAT-I routes on non-trunk routes called CAT-III routes. The DGCA monitors the compliance with the RDG on a monthly basis.

The Central Government set up a Committee under the chairmanship of DGCA in 2003 to review the existing RDGs. The Committee submitted its report last year, which was officially stated to be under consideration of the Government. In its reply to the Committee the government stated that the concern expressed by it would be considered before taking a final decision. The private airlines are also being appraised about the concern for appropriate action. The Civil Aviation was told that because of the difficult terrain and inaccessibility of the NER by road, there existed a strong requirement for more flight connectivity to the States, though some of the airports are non-profit making destinations.

Accordingly, the Panel recommended that the private operators should also share the social obligation and provide more flights to all destinations instead of just fulfilling the existing minimum requirements of RDGs. An issue that also was focus of attention of the Parliamentary Panel was the issue of payment for security at non-operational airports. It was recommended that in addition to profit and loss accountability, there should be value audit and development audit. The Committee also asked for detail break-up of security related expenditure and development expenditure at various airports in the NER.
However, the data furnished by the Ministry was not to the satisfaction of the Committee. Whereas, the security related expenditure gave the actual amounts incurred, the details under the development expenditure were tentative estimates relating to ongoing development works.

“The lack of correlation between the data under the two heads exhibits the non-serious attitude of the Ministry. The Committee expresses its unhappiness on the casual approach of the Ministry towards the development of the aviation sector in the NER of the country,” commented the Parliamentary Panel. The need for reflecting the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the respective regions through airport building would be mandatory while modernising the existing airports in the Region albeit with private participation and also while commissioning new airports in public or private sector in the country, it was recommended.
ELECTION 2006: POLL FEVER GRIPS THE STATEs Assembly Poll 2006 Congress candidates lobbying hard for tickets in Sivasagar From a Correspondent Sentinel
SIVASAGAR, Feb 9: With only a week left for the finalization of the list of candidates of the Congress for the Assembly polls, the ticket aspirants of the six Assembly constituencies of Sivasagar district are lobbying hard for inclusion of their names in the list.
The Congress presently holds all the six Assembly seats of the district.
Dr Hemo Prova Saikia, MLA from Nazira LAC and who is the Minister of Handloom and Textiles and Sericulture and Anjan Dutta, MLA from Amguri LAC and who is the Minister of Transport and Industries represent the district in the Tarun Gogoi Cabinet. Sarat Borkataky, MLA from Sonari LAC and Debananda Konwar, MLA from Thowra LAC were also Cabinet ministers in the Tarun Gogoi Cabinet before being dropped on various charges.
As far as party nomination is concerned, it is expected to be a cakewalk for Anjan Dutta and Dr Hemo Prova Saikia in their race for the Congress ticket from Amguri and Nazira respectively. However, both of them are expected to face stiff competition in the polls from their opposition candidates, mainly Dhrupad Borgohain of the CPI in Nazira and Pradip Hazarika of the AGP in Amguri. Sarat Borkataky’s candidature from the Sonari Legislative Assembly seat has been stiffly challenged by the dissident group within the Congress party.
The group which includes Samudra Prasad Borua, Madan Tanti, Bishnu Tanti and Sushil Suri has sprang out as a formidable force and has demanded the party ticket for any one of them from the constituency.
Sushanta Borgohain, General Secretary of the All India Youth Congress, Purnananda Mohan, president of the Sivasagar District Congress Committee and Gunaram Konwar have submitted their applications seeking the party ticket from Thowra constituency. With the sitting MLA Debananda Konwar, seen by many as a high-handed politician, not in a mood to leave the seat aside, it would be interesting to see if Tarun Gogoi can cut his wings here too like he did a couple of years back when Gogoi dropped Konwar from his Cabinet.
The Congress has also joined the race recently in the Sivasagar constituency with Pranab Gogoi, the sitting MLA and Kalyan Gogoi lobbying hard for the party ticket.
The party has already been divided into two groups due to the infighting that has been going on for the last few years between the two. With the CPI already intensifying its poll preparations and its candidate Pramode Gogoi all geared up to provide a tough fight, it remains to be seen how the Congress party, with declining popularity and continuous infighting prepares its poll strategy.
Sarat Saikia, sitting MLA of Mahmora constituency, is perhaps facing the toughest challenge in his quest for the party ticket. Saikia has been facing stiff opposition from Ahom organizations and groups and they have been demanding an Ahom candidate for the party ticket, as more than seventy per cent people belonging to the community inhabit the constituency. Moreover, rampant corruption charges against Saikia disclosed recently by various quarters are expected to lessen his chances in his quest for the party ticket.
The block Congress committees of Lakwa and Disangpani have forwarded the names of Dr Prabin Konwar, Lalit Shyam, Kali Borua, Nripen Borgohain and Tulsi Gogoi besides Sarat Saikia to the APCC. Saikia is expected to face a tough fight for the party ticket from Dr Prabin Konwar, who is known in party circles as an influential politician.
Four PLA cadres and a woman killed in AR-Army offensive at Khoibu Khullen The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, March 11: At least four cadres of the proscribed People Liberation Army, PLA and one civilian woman were killed during an encounter with a combined team of the Assam Rifles and the Indian Army near Chingkhan Yonyer village some 38 km east of Tengnoupal police station of Chandel district today. A minor boy, said to be the child of the slain woman, was also wounded.
The security force recovered three AK-47 rifles and one AK-LMG from the slain cadres.

Reports from the spot of the incident said a group of underground cadres were ambushed by the combined security team while they were moving along a jungle trail near Chingkhan Yonyer village. Four of the suspected underground cadres were killed in the attack, while the rest managed to escape. The reports said the underground cadres were around 10 in number.

The bodies of the slain PLA cadres were recovered in a search of the area afterwards, along with the weapons. The bullet-riddled dead body of the civilian woman was also recovered from a house in the vicinity of the encounter. A minor boy, aged some two years, was also found injured near the body of the woman. The boy was evacuated to the 18 Assam Rifles unit hospital at Tengnoupal this morning.
The deceased woman was later identified as Maikham Singlai, 30, wife of Ningthui, Singla of Laisam Khullen village, while the injured boy is identified as Damoingam Singlai, her son. Both were apparently hit by stray bullets during the encounter.

Police sources said the bodies of the deceased UGs as well as the civilian women were deposited by the security forces at Tengnoupal police station this morning, but the recovered arms have not been handed over. In the meantime, local villagers, speaking to IFP over the telephone, said most of them had fled their homes before the encounter ensued, otherwise there would have been more casualties.
Asked if they intent to launch an agitation over the civilian death, they said it was unlikely since there is no proper village authority to make decisions. Chinkhan Yonyer, it may be mentioned, is a tiny hamlet, with less than 20 houses. On the other hand, in the wake of today`s incident, the SDO, Moreh, with subordinate staff rushed to the spot this afternoon to take stock of the situation. The local MLA, DK Korungthang, is also expected to visit the spot tomorrow. Earlier reports had said following intelligence reports of a setting up of a temporary hideout by underground cadres at Khoibu Khullen, located some 30 km from Tengnoupal police station, 33 Assam Rifles and Army troops launched a counter-insurgency operation after surrounding the village since early this morning, in the course of which an exchange of fire took place with the underground cadres lasting from around 9 am till around 11 am. The four cadres along with the civilian woman were killed in the firing, the reports had said.

Two PULF extortionists killed by commandos The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, March 11: Two persons including a rickshaw puller, who police claimed were armed militants who were collecting money from the public, suspected to belong to the People`s United Liberation Front, PULF, were killed by a team of Imphal east commandos today at around 9.45 am at Hatta Golapati under Porompat police station. The incident took place at the house of one Md. Hannan of Hafix Hatta who runs a shop, Loha Association, at Hatta Gollapati. The two youths died inside the house. Police claimed recovery of one revolver and one demand letter of the PULF addressed to the secretary, Loha Association, for an amount of Rs. 5,00,000. A paper with a list of mobile nos. 9436069947, 9856156085 etc. was also found from the possession of the slain youths.
Eyewitness accounts said that a team of police commandos suddenly rushed to the spot and cordoned off the house of Md. Hannan. The police also asked the people to leave the area. Thereafter the sound of a bomb explosion was heard followed by some rounds of gunfire. When the firing stopped, the two youths were found dead in the house, said the locals. Later, the identity of one of the slain youths was established as Md. Hassan, 30, son of Md. Tomba of Phundrei Sabal Leikai, Thoubal presently residing at a rented house at Hatta Golapati. According to a family source he was a rickshaw puller and is survived by his wife and two daughters. The family source further said that Hassan along with his family was about to leave the rented house today and return to his home at Phundrei Sabal Leikai for a break during Yaosang festival. He had gone out from home this morning to call on one of his friends. A police source said that a team of Imphal east police commando unit led by its OC, acting on reliable information about some armed militants moving in and around Hatta Golapati area with an intention of committing some criminal activities rushed there and conducted search operation in the area.

When the team was about to enter the gate of the house of Md. Hannan, the militants hurled one hand grenade which exploded at the side of the corridor of the ground floor of the house. In reply to the challenge from the militants the police fired towards the armed militants. After around 5 minutes, when the firing ceased, the two militants were found dead with bullet injuries, the police said. Police also claimed that preliminary inquiries at the locality, revealed that both the slain youths belonged to PULF and one of them was the main finance collector of the organisation in Hatta Golapati area who disguised himself as a rickshaw puller. The dead bodies have been deposited at RIMS morgue by the police after collecting them from the spot. Porompat police also registered a case for further investigation into the incident.