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04/07/2006: "Three killed in factional clashes in Nagaland"


Three killed in factional clashes in Nagaland New Kerala
Kohima: Factional fight among Naga underground groups has claimed three lives in Nagaland's Phek district, which has become the happy hunting ground for three major outfits of the state out to establish their supremacy.
Official reports received here from the district said the three died yesterday in gunbattles, which sparked off tension in the areas as underground actvists hunted down each other.

The reports said two cadres - one of NSCN(I-M) and another of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) were killed in an exchange of fire at Porba village under Chizami rural development block of the district. In another incident, one NSCN(K) cadre was killed at Wazeho in a clash with rival NSCN(I-M).
The outfits appear to have turned a deaf year to repeated appeals by tribal NGOs, political parties and churches to exercise restraint and adhere to ceasefire ground rules.

Meanwhile, FGN in a statement has accused NSCN(I-M) of launching an attack on its member at Porba village and said killings among the Nagas would not bring any good.
FGN assistant secretary Thinu Khamp held NSCN(I-M) general secretary Th Muivah responsible for on-going fratricidal killings on Naga soil for the past two decades.

IM-FGN clash claim two Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Apr 6: Informing that NSCN (IM) activists in-truded into Porba village at around 4 am today and attacked Federal Naga army, assistant secretary of FGN said one IM man belonging to the Tangkhul community and a Chakeshang Federal army have been killed in the skirmish.
Expressing strong resentment that frequent reminder on futility of clashes among the Nagas have not been reciprocated positively by adversaries, the FGN accusing Th Mui-vah of instigating blood- shed in Nagaland since 1979 deman-ded that the NSCN (IM) leader should stop killings among Nagas. Maintaining that continued bloodshed have yield- ed nothing positive for the past 25 years Muivah should confess that floa-ting a new organisation was a mistake which is the only recourse to save ‘his’ face at the last moment, asserted the FGN assistant secretary in a statement.
Meeting on Indo-Naga peace process organized The Nagaland Post

Senior NSCN (IM) functionaries at the meeting on Indo-Naga peace process held between the organization and the public and NGOs of Mokokchung.
Dimapur,April6 (MExN): A meeting with the public organized by the NSCN (I-M) Ao region was held at Mokokchung Town hall from 9.30 AM with General (Retd) V.S. Atem and special Emissary to the collective leadership along with a host of Kilonsers and tatars in attendance.
The meeting attended by NGO’s, Ao Senden, Watsu, AKM, Ward representatives, Village representatives, was packed to capacity and was chaired by Chuba Pongen, Under Secretary. The resource people in the meeting were Tongmet, Education Kilonser, V S Atem and Angaikam, Kilonser- Art and culture. The first speaker Tongmet expressed happiness to be in an organization which he said was fighting for the protection of the Nagas. The second speaker V.S Atem started with a Bible passage Isaiah 55 verse 8 onwards. In his speech he said the Aos were the first to be educated and are the chosen tribe among the Nagas to lead the Nagas, and ‘if Aos do not withhold the purpose and mission of God, he may take it back.’ Therefore he called upon the community to think reminding that freedom will not come like a 'hailstorm' from heaven but earned through peoples’ participation with dedication involving blood, tears, strength, sweat, Sacrifice and mind.
The General also said that the Shillong Accord or 16 point agreement was not the decision of the people and therefore it was a failure. However, the NSCN (IM) is working towards bringing a decision for the Naga People. Nagas are being betrayed by the Indian Government for so many years after having Peace talk, so the need of having a third party to bear as a witness arise he said adding that India had recognized the uniqueness of Naga History and today the Nagas need unification and integration of all Naga inhabited areas under one umbrella. He said this would be the first step towards Naga Sovereignty. He said the Nagas’ fight for Sovereignty had got overwhelming support from International communities while reaffirming that the organization will never betray the Nagas.
At the meeting the President of the Ao Senden and the AKM spoke on behalf of the public. The event was attended by people from different tribes residing at Mokokchung.
Justice after 60 years PANKAJ SARMA The Telegraph
Guwahati, April 6: It was a legal battle that lasted only three years but a struggle that began over 60 years ago.
The Kohima bench of Gauhati High Court gave back the Kinghens what is rightfully theirs — a plot of land and a house, which was bought and built by N.L. Kinghen way back in the forties but under the illegal occupation of Nagaland police since 1945.
The court also ordered the Nagaland government to pay compensation to the Kinghen family.
The judgment, passed by Justice I.A. Ansari, directed the Kohima deputy commissioner to assess the amount of compensation payable to petitioner David Kinghen within two months. It also asked the Nagaland government to pay the compensation amount, when it is fixed, within four months.
After Nagaland police took over the property in 1945, Kinghen senior moved from pillar to post before the government on December 6, 1973, fixed Rs 53.34 as rent per month with effect from January 1, 1946.
However, the order stayed on paper and the family was never paid any rent. Eventually, the Kohima superintendent of police on December 18, 1973, requested the inspector general of police, Nagaland, to move the state government to accord formal sanction for payment of the rent. N.L. Kinghen passed away in 1978, his mission unaccomplished. Though his family did receive some rent in 1979, it stopped in the following years despite repeated representations to the government. Kinghen’s wife also died a few years later.
In 2003, David was shocked to hear that Nagaland police had dismantled the house his father had built and were constructing residential quarters for the force. David then moved court under Article 226 seeking appropriate relief. The court said under Article 300, every citizen of the country is assured that he would not be deprived of his property except by authority of law. Unable to defend the police action, the government advocate did not dispute that the petitioner has been the owner of the plot of land but sought six months’ time to determine the amount of compensation.
Slow NDFB peace process irks Absu P. BRAHMA CHOUDHURY The Telegraph
Kokrajhar, April 6: The influential All Bodo Students’ Union (Absu) today expressed its displeasure over the Centre’s alleged dilly-dallying in starting peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB).
“Though the NDFB had come forward for a ceasefire, the government is yet to initiate the peace process,” Absu president Rwngwra Narzary said. “On the other hand, the government has started its process of holding peace talks with the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) through the People’s Consultative Group (PCG),” he added.
“The Centre should make the move to start talks with the NDFB for finding a peaceful solution to the issue. Until and unless a solution was found in this regard, there cannot be total peace in the region. So we want the Centre to initiate the peace process to find an early solution for total peace and harmony in the region. The union considers it a national problem and wants an acceptable solution through meaningful dialogue,” Narzary told the media here.
The NDFB, which entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Centre on May 26 last year for a period of one year, is also upset over the delay in getting an invitation from Delhi for start of formal negotiations. NDFB chairman Ranjan Daimary alias D.R. Nabla had recently said, “If no initiative comes from the Indian government’s side, what is the meaning of going for a ceasefire? We had declared a ceasefire for starting peace negotiations with the government. But so far we have not seen any initiative from their side. What more could we do from our side? The initiative should be taken by them (the Centre).”
Daimary had said the extension of ceasefire could largely depend on the information of whereabouts of the seven missing NDFB leaders. “It could be one of the criteria for continuation of the ceasefire. We have been asking the government through the media and other means to give straightforward information on the whereabouts of our leaders. We have already said that unless the Centre provides information on the whereabouts of the missing leaders, we may not be able to proceed with the peace process.”
The list includes publicity secretary of the outfit B. Iraqdao, organising secretary D. Derhasa, assistant organising secretary B. Fwjoukhnag, judicial secretary B. Jwkrub, deputy army chief W. Onsula, commanding officer of 2nd battalion B. Habrang and sergeant major S. Udla. Both the Rabiram and Hagrama factions of the Bodoland Peoples’ Progressive Front have also focused on the ongoing peace process with the outfit in their manifestos.
Indian Ambassador to Myanmar in town By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Apr 6 : The Indian Ambassador in Myanmar Bhasker Mitra has left for the border town of Moreh today to assess the prevailing situation arising out of boundary disputes on the indo- Myanmar international border. according to an informed source, the Ambassador arrived at Imphal from new Delhi yesterday and after an overnight stay at the Mantripukhri base of IG Assam Rifles (South) left for Moreh this morning.
Soon after his arrival at the State capital Bhaskar Mitra is reported to have had extensive talks with higher officials of Assam Rifles whose men are substantially deployed and actively involved in guarding the indian side of the international boundary.
The Ambassador’s itinerary include discussion with civil and top security officials during his stay at Moreh where he would also take part in a meeting between delegates of the two neighbouring countries on matters concerning border affairs.
A reliable source informed that a team of Myanmar Army officials may visit the State from April 19 to 23. The Ambassador's visit comes ahead of the Indo-Myanmar Border Level meeting which is scheduled to be held on April 19 and 20 at Rangapahar, Dimapur.
A military campaign to flush out the militants from the border areas cannot be ruled out as army authorities are determined to launch a final assault on militant hideouts in the same way massive CI OPs were launched at the interior areas of Chandel and churachandpur districts, mooted the sour-ce while adding that the Ambassador also called on the Governor Dr SS Sidhu last evening. It may be recalled that a recent agreement reached between India and Myanmar paved the way for fencing over 12 kilometre porous border in between Moreh and Tamu. Unanswered Questions
* Was the State Govt informed about the Ambassador's visit ?
* If the visit was to over see the boundary, then will there be similar visits to Nagaland and Mizoram as these two States also share border with Myanmar ?
A noble concept to inspire Naga youths in social issues Newmai News Network
Kohima, April 6: A four-member team of dedicated young men have come up with a noble concept to inspire young people of Na- galand to dream and excel in their chosen fields, to go be-yond the ordinary, to deli- ver and to make a dent.
Under the concept, ‘XL’, these daring young men aim to reach out to the young people through the medium of music by organizing road shows using Na- ga musicians as also to provide them with a platform to showcase their gifts and inspire other young Nagas to have a purpose in life.
The first phase of the XL’s mission, which it has dubbed ‘Season One’, would be formally launched on April 8 by Governor Shyamal Datta at the Indoor Stadium here at 5:30 p.m. During the launch, the Governor would also be inter- acting with the audience. Season One will witness six shows which will be held on the last Saturday of each month till August, the XL members said while briefing the media this evening at Dream Café. While first phase will be confined to Kohima district, the XL plans to spread to all the districts of the state in the ensuing phases.
Apart from this, the team also plans to take up social issues such as dignity of labour, AIDS, work culture, etc in each show by delivering messages and having interactive sessions with the young people. The road shows will also be taken to colleges and schools, and other avenues that are identified with young people.
Events such as guitar fest, jazz nites, music workshops, etc are also in the offing.
Apart from Governor Shyamal Datta, a galaxy of other luminaries are expected to participate in the shows and interact with the audience. The XL also announced plans to invited Indian Soccer star Bai-chung Bhutia to participate in the initiative and deliver messages to the youth of Nagaland. The initiative is pure non-commercial and a social service with the sole aim of reaching out to the youth,they said. The theme song of XL is ‘Believe’, written by ‘Wave’ band.
“We believe we can start a movement”, said Abu Metha, the brain behind the concept. The initiative, with the motto, ‘Believe You Can’, is being sponsored by Eastern Mirror and managed by Dream Café. The XL team comprises of Abu Metha as producer, Theja Meru as Director, Wenitso Kapfo as consultant and Ababe Ez-ung as secretary in charge of media and publicity.
No compromise on foreigners Sonia blames AGP, BJP for insurgency problems and non-development of Assam The Morung Express
GUWAHATI, April 6 (Agencies): Congress President Sonia Gandhi campaigned in Assam on Thursday for the second time in a week. She said that there would be no compromise on the issue of illegal foreigners but gave an assurance that no genuine Indian citizen would be harassed during the detection process.
“Foreigners have to go but genuine citizens of the country will not be harassed. The Foreigners Tribunal Order is being amended to ensure that the rights of genuine citizens are protected,” she said. She claimed that even after the scrapping of the IMDT Act, the Congress government in the state had ensured that no citizen suffered injustice due to its repeal. “If the decision during elections goes wrong, not only the country but the state too is taken backwards by several years and problems for the people increase,” she said, appealing to the people to vote Congress.
Meanwhile, Sonia has blamed Assam’s main opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for failing to tackle insurgency or boost development in the state.
Gandhi, who is on a daylong visit to the state to campaign ahead of the second phase of the assembly poll April 10, told a rally in Mangaldoi, 70 km from the capital Guwahati: “During AGP’s five-year rule when the BJP was ruling (India), insurgency peaked in the region and all development works came to a halt.”
The party chief, who addressed the meeting amid pouring rain, contrasted the AGP rule with that of the Congress.”In our last five years of rule in Assam, the state has witnessed tremendous development, especially in rural roads, providing drinking water facilities and primary health care.” Referring to the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, she said her government would try and provide at least 100 days of work for people living below the poverty line. “Already, about 200 districts in India are covered by this new legislation. Very soon, I assure you that all the districts in India will be covered under this scheme.”
Gandhi, who had earlier addressed meetings in Nagaon, promised to build a new Assam with the help of the youth if the Congress was voted back to power in the state.
Speaking at Mangaldoi, a Muslim dominated area, the Congress chief said her government was against any infiltration and assured that no genuine Indian would be harassed in the name of deportation of illegal migrants.
A total 482 candidates are in the fray for the 61 constituencies. At least eight million voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in Assam April 10.
Assam Rifles action creates fear in villagers mind Newmai News Network
Imphal: Panic has gripped villagers of Saiton area of Manipur’s Bishenpur district after some army personnel in civil dress barged into a house and took away a youth late last night. Fear spread in the neighbourhood as the incident occurred just two days after a youth of the same locality who was arrested by joint team of the police and Assam Rifles was gunned down allegedly in custody.
Reports reaching here said army personnel who came in two vehicles barged into a house at Saiton Leitanpokpi around 10 am and took away a youth identified as Khaidem Nabachandra Singh (22) without issuing any arrest memo.
Before the incident a combined team of the Assam Rifles and the commandos killed a youth from the locality identified as Hemam Naocha Singh (18) in the early hours of April 4 at Saiton. The security team also killed one PLA cadre along with Naocha.
Villagers claimed that the security forces arrested the two from Lai Haraoba (a religious programme) venue of Saiton before midnight of April 3. They charged that the youth was killed in custody. The Assam Rifles, however, said that the two were killed in an encounter.
Panic stricken villagers, mostly women put up a road block at Kangvai along the Imphal-Churachandpur road this morning. Fearing that Nabchandra could be also killed in custody the women protestors blocked the road demanding release of the youth. The youth was finally handed over by the army to the Moirang police station in the morning claiming that Nabchandra Singh is a member of the PLA. The army also submitted a report to the police station in this regard. Police said the youth would not be immediately released. Investigations would be launched to verify the army claim, police said.
The road block was however relaxed after the arrested youth was handed over to the police. However, Saiton villagers have demanded punishment of the personnel responsible for the killing of Naocha Singh. They also demanded an inquiry into the alleged custodial killing case and payment of ex-gratia.
For a democratic law Today's Editorial 7 APRIL The Morung Express
As it is common knowledge, when indigenous people were colonized, colonial administration changed the basic informal general ethical code of conducts in the indigenous way of life and worldviews into a more formal institution of what is now commonly referred to as ‘customary law.’ The conduct of life was essentially founded on ethical philosophies that served to guide the people on a day-to-day basis. The concepts of egalitarian, restorative justice and collective interdependence were the foundations of the ethical framework that provided the reference for general conduct - in effect ‘customary law.’
With the introduction of rigid state structures on indigenous societies, the ‘customary law’ became more institutionalized and legalized under the state legal system. As a result of which the tenet of ‘customary law’ ceased to reflect the ethical philosophies and values. With institutionalization and legalization, ‘customary law’ has frozen in time and rather than promoting the values and principles of the society, it has come to effectively limit and fracture the ethical framework of the society.
Due to its now static character, its now fails to meet the needs and engage with the issues of the present day. Rather than being a facilitator of a dynamic ethical framework, the institution of today’s ‘customary law’ has come to represent a static parochial view of reality. An indigenous friend said that “customary law has allowed itself to be manipulated by people in power to protect their own interests.” Eventually it has stopped facilitating restorative justice as it discriminates women, younger people and people of lesser privilege. In most indigenous societies, rigid ‘customary law’ has come to represent the power of a selected few that seeks to impose their will on the community.
As a result the ‘customary law’ of today contradicts the very values and democratic principles that nurtured its existence. In fact, it is one of the institutions that have come to promote hierarchy and the disempowerment that compounds oppression of women. Simultaneously, the state legal system is neither meeting the needs of the people. It remains alien and un-understandable to indigenous people, and dwells on a very rigid and impersonal structure of retributive justice in which the state is defined as the aggrieved party. Consequently, one needs to dispel the myth that indigenous peoples can find justice within a colonial legal system for it has been designed to encourage calmness even in the face of blatant injustice.
‘Cultural dislocation has led to despair, but the real deprivation is the loss of the ethic of personal and communal responsibility.’ Thus, it is imperative to rethink and transform the concept of ‘customary law’ within the ethical framework of democracy, restorative justice and equality. It implies that the old institutions of ‘customary law’ must be replaced with a new system that embodies the needs and aspirations of the present.
Therefore as indigenous people, where do we go from here? For a moment lets echo the words of Luigi Guissani, “traditions are not handed over to us so that we become fossilized with them. Like our ancestors, we should be able to develop tradition, even to the point of profoundly changing it.” However, in order to develop the capacity to transform traditions one must ‘act with’ what one has. This means using tradition critically, filtering it through ones own praxis and identifying and embracing the positive elements from both ‘customary law’ and state legal system.
A new democratic law should cover inclusive aspects of existence defining the full continuum of how one interacts and restores relationships with other human beings, land and nature. It needs to reflect a living and evolving system of norms and practices, regulated by a structure that will facilitate its fulfillment. Such a democratic law can be realized only when all forms of discrimination and gender bias are removed and the abuse of power is checked. Fundamentally, it applicability and relevance must be rooted in today’s aspirations based on restorative values that embrace the richness of humanity.
It is imperative that Nagas put in their perspective of laws, conducts and institutions within the ethical framework of democracy, restorative justice, equality, respect and dignity. As Sankara states, ‘we must be able to take from our past from our traditions - all that is good, as well as all that is positive in foreign cultures, so as to give a new dimension to our culture.’
Office of Profit The Morung Express Perspective Vaprumu Demo
Just as we, the Nagas, are getting (perhaps over) used to terms like unique, special or exceptional’, we seem to be heading towards a unique system of parliamentary democracy. This time our popularly elected representatives are attempting to do away with both the leadership of the ruling and leadership of the opposition, which is a dangerous threat to the existence of democracy. The reason being that both the leadership are holding office of
Profit. Whereas the ruling leadership is attacked for holding offices’ of profit, other than the office of the Chief Minister, the leadership of the opposition is dissimilarly attacked as an office of profit (if at all the statutory position he holds is an office). Now that the controversial office of profit has assumed a national concern awaiting the decision of the
Parliament, the question whether the offices the Chief Minister is holding constitute the office of profit or not will be determined later. Our concern here is whether the status given to the opposition leader constitutes the ‘office of profit’. The Constitution of India is silent on the role, position and privilege of the Opposition Leader and the Nagaland Legislative Member (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1964 does not exempt the Opposition Leader from disqualification. But the fact remains that statutory recognition to the Opposition Leader to that of a Cabinet Minister since 1977 and same statute has been maintained in Nagaland Legislative AsserAb1y since 1964. It is claimed by the English that the institution of opposition embodies the greatest contribution of the 19th Century to the art of parliamentary government Statutory recognition was accorded in 1937 when the practice of paying salaries to the Ministers the practice of paying salary in the same way to the Opposition Leader was layed down. In the democracy of the Westminster pattern, the official opposition has been accepted as equal and opposite to the Cabinet Government. That is, the position of Opposition Leader is forma1ized in stature. The popularly known name of the ‘Shadow Prime Minister’ or the ‘Shadow Government’ or the ‘Shadow Formation’ aptly brings out the importance of the opposition in parliamentary system of Government. Gerhard Kunz, a member of German Bundestag says ‘Parliament in the material sense usually means the opposition’. Opposition is the life blood Parliamentary government. The Janata Govemment in the year 1977 recognized indispensability of the Opposition by recognizing the Leader of the Opposition Y.B. Chavan, who led the Congress Parliamentary Party. He was paid a salary from the exchequer and was given the status of a Cabinet Minister. The Congress I ruling party did not abandon this practice and it is well trenched now.
As mentioned earlier in the latter part of Para 1, the Constitution of India has not defined the role or position of Opposition Leader both of the Parliament and the State Legislature. But it has categorically defined the ‘office of profit’ for both the Parliament and the State Legislature under Article 102 (1) (a) and Article 191 (1) (a) respectively. It may also be noted here that the disqualification for membership of a State Legislature as laid down in Article 191 are analogous to the disqualification laid down in Article 102, relating to membership of Parliament. Here the analogous implies similarity or equivalent, by which we interpret that what is applicable to Parliament applies to State Legislature as well. We have, only one parliamentary system in India and not differently in the Central and in the State.
Eminent expert on the Indian Constitution have thoroughly delved with the subject matter embodied in Article 102 and Article 191 and relevant comments and opinion are extracted here for Our purpose of understanding the constitutional provisions pertaining to the disqualification of membership. Before we proceed further for details it will be most pertinent to understand the basic principle behind Article 102 (1) (a) and, Article 191 (1) (a) of the Constitution of India. The legal view point of D.D, Basu is quoted here for our reference; ‘the object of enacting Article 102 (1) (a) and Article 191 (1) (a) is that there should be not conflict between the duties and interest of the elected members and that such elected members can carry on freely and fearlessly his duties without being subjected to ‘any kind of governmental pressure (emphasis ours). These Articles are intended to eliminate the possibility the conflict between duty and interest so that the purity of the Legislature is unaffected’. Three legal implications of these Articles to determine whether’ an ‘office’ is an ‘Office of profit’ to constitute disqualification are discussed below:
1. Office of profit: (a) in order to attract disqualification under these Articles the person must hold an ‘office’ and that office must be an ‘office of profit’ , (b) ‘Office means a position or place to which certain duties are attached, ( c) in order to constitute an ‘Office’ there must be a permanent substantive position which exist independently of the holder of the office; (d) an ‘office of profit’ is an office which is capable of yielding a profit or pecuniary gain, (e) ‘profit’ mean any pecuniary gain(f) it need not be a payment in money, (g) the truth test for determining whether a person holds an office of profit depends upon the degree of control the Government has over it .
2. Under the Government ;( a) in order to attract disqualification the ‘office of profit’ must be held under the Government (constitutional experts have repeatedly stressed the term ‘under the Government’), (b) the expression ‘office of profit under the Government’ in this Article is wider than the expression ‘post or service under Government) (c)- it is the power of appointment and removal and not the source of remuneration paid that constitute the test of office being held under the Government or not .
3. Other than an office… holder; By this is rneant the State Legislature is competent to lift the disqua1ification in the case of the person even though his office would otherwise come within the meaning of Office of profit’.
Then who is not a holder of office of profit and which not an office of profit? Firstly a person shall not be deemed to hold an office of profit other the Government of India or the Government of any State by reason only that he is a Minister either for the Union or for such State. Secondly office under a statutory body is not an office under then Government. Thirdly states which has passed such laws declaring certain offices to be offices the holding of which will not disqualify its holder for being a member of Legislature of the state.
A careful observation of the comments mentioned above still give us further questions as to whether the opposition leader is holding the ‘Office of profit under the government’. (1) Can we say the Opposition Leader is holding an ‘office of profit under the Government because he is paid the salary from the State exchequer and provided the facilities equivalent to that of a Cabinet Minister? (2). When a statutory body is not an office under the Govemment, can the Opposition Leader, who is accorded statutory recognition by Parliament, attract disqualification? (3). If that of the Opposition Leader is an Office is it existing independently of the holder of the Office? (4). what are certain duties attached to him besides his responsibilities as Opposition Leader? (5). finally what is degree of control by Government and how is he accountable to Government for holding the ‘office of profit’?
These are serious questions the ordinary publics like the Legislature to clarify.
There is a big difference between the terms ‘office of profit’ and misuse of office ‘for profit’. From the description given the Opposition Leader has relentlessly pursued the Speaker for hiking of his salary and allowance equivalent to that of a Cabinet Minister. It is best known to the Speaker whether the Opposition Leader was entitled such provision. In the first place whether the Speaker has accepted the appointment of the Opposition Leader ,and whether the status of Cabinet Minister was duly acknowledged by the Legislature. If the Opposition Leader is not entitled of such provision, what he has done its sheer misuse ‘of his position, as is done by almost all the leaders. In which case he could have been charged and, penalized under relevant laws of the land. If the office of the Opposition Leader was, exempted by the Nagaland Legislative Members (Removal of disqualification) Act, 1964, perhaps the pioneering legislators at that point of time had adopted the statutory recognition given to Opposition Leader by Parliament. Incidentally at the time progenitor of the Congress Party, the NNO, was in power but the regional Opposition Leader or the Party did not raise objection. Again when S.C. Jamir was the Chief Minister of Congress Government he also held the Chairmanship of States Sports Council; but the regional opposition party did object. Today the regional party-led Government is in power and the opposition Congress Party after many years of ruling is struggling to assert the identity of Opposition Leadership. Whatever the outcome is, this a healthy fight for progress and development. The fight between factions is destructive in nature but the fight between legislators, in this context is constructive in nature.
Sonia slams AGP, BJP Nagaland Post
Dhula (Assam), April 6 (IANS): Braving heavy rains, Congress president Sonia Gandhi Thursday stormed into one of Assam's Muslim-dominated areas with a pledge to protect the interests of minorities and to boost development.
Gandhi, on a daylong visit to Assam to campaign ahead of the second phase of the assembly polls April 10, blamed the opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for failing to tackle insurgency and boost development in the state. Assuaging the minority Muslim community, she said: "Our UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government is totally against any kind of infiltration from Bangladesh. "But there is no need for any worry, no genuine Indians will be harassed in the name of detection and deportation of illegal migrants," Gandhi told an election meeting here amid loud applause. Dhula, a village about 70 km north of Assam's main city Guwahati, is surrounded by a cluster of hamlets dominated by Bengali-speaking Muslim settlers. The Congress, which now rules Assam, has been wooing the minority community to return to power. Partially drenched as she made her way from a makeshift helipad to the podium amid heavy showers, Gandhi received a tumultuous welcome from the estimated 20,000-strong crowd. Wiping her hands and forehead before waving at the crowd, Gandhi played to the gallery.
"I am really moved seeing you all waiting patiently despite such heavy rains," she said. The second and final phase of voting involves 61 assembly constituencies. The first phase of balloting for 65 seats concluded Monday. For elderly Munir-un-nessa, who stood firm at the venue despite the rains, it was worth the trouble waiting to hear Gandhi. "We came to this rally with a purpose," Munir-un-nessa said as she tried to protect herself from the downpour by hiding under a tree. "Sonia Gandhi's assurance that we would not face harassment in the name of detection of Bangladeshis is very positive."
Munir-un-nessa said there were rumours spreading in her village that after the elections, Muslims might face problems from the authorities. "We are not Bangladeshis and have been in Assam for generations. Still people say a lot of things about us," she said. In her speech, Gandhi also launched a frontal attack on the AGP and BJP, saying the two parties were responsible for the heightened insurgency and lack of development.
"During the AGP rule, insurgency was at its peak and development came to a halt. Interestingly, the BJP was leading the central government at that time and the AGP was its ally," she said. Gandhi pointed out there were many parties trying to divide the people on religious lines. "There are parties and forces working to divide the people on communal lines. We must be on our guard to defeat such plans," she said. Exuding confidence that the Congress would be able to form the next government in Assam, Gandhi appealed to youths to strengthen the party.
"We want to build a new Assam with the help of the youths. Violence is no answer to any problems," she asserted. A vast majority of the crowd was, however, more interested in having a close look at the helicopter that brought Gandhi. Men and women ran towards the helipad before she could finish her speech so that they could watch the aircraft take off, and police had a tough time keeping them at bay. "It was like a dream come true to have seen both Sonia Gandhi and the helicopter from so close," said Habibur Rahman, a local youth.
India gets Myanmar’s nod to fence Moreh border From Our Staff Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, April 6 – In a sign of growing bonhomie between India and Myanmar, the neighbouring country has finally given the green signal to fence 10 km area along the international border in Moreh sector in Manipur, ostensibly to check drugs trafficking and smuggling. A spate of high level engagements that culminated in return visit by President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam to Myanmar early this month and that of senior General Than Swe to Delhi last year has led to thawing of the ice.
Last year, the eleventh national level meeting between the Home Secretaries of India and Myanmar concluded in Yangon on a positive note with the two sides agreeing to joint interrogation of drugs and arms smuggler and insurgents. Myanmar has also been reiterating that it would not allow negative elements to use its territory for carrying out hostile activities against India. It also agreed to intensify action against arms smugglers. The Myanmar Army has since mounted three major operations against the North-East militant outfits based in the country.
According to a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) report the Government of Myanmar has now agreed to allow fencing in Moreh sector after leaving ‘No Construction Zone’ of 10 meters. The fencing in the sector sanctioned two years back could not be undertaken owing to non-resolution of issue of ‘disputed border pillars and no construction zone with the Myanmar Government. The decision to fence the 10 km area along the international border was in keeping with the recommendations of the Group of Ministers.

Both India and Myanmar allow free movement of local people across the international border because of ethnic and cultural similarities, though the two countries have no bilateral agreements to support this.However, the two countries now propose to restrict the free movement. A draft agreement is under negotiation to regulate free movement regime for tribal people living near the international border by restricting their movement to 16 km instead of the current practice of 40 km.

Meanwhile, the Home Ministry report has acknowledged that the Indo-Bangladesh border continue to be marked by high degree of porosity and checking illegal cross border activities has been a challenging proposition. India proposes to fence 3,286 km of the international border in two phases. Out of this 2,129 km of fencing work has been completed and the entire project is scheduled to be completed by 2006-2007 barring the Mizoram sector. A pilot project of flood lighting fences along 277 km of the international border has been taken out of which 123 km has been completed so far, the report said.
To expedite the construction of fencing, Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Border Road Organisation (BRO), National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC), Assam PWD, Tripura PWD, Engineering projects Limited have been engaged, the report said.

About Bhutan border, the Report said that Indo-Bhutan Group on Border Management and security has proved to be very successful in assessing threat perception from militant outfits like ULFA, NDFB, and Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) attempting to take advantage of the open border. The Bhutan Army’s operation against the militant outfits in 2003-2004 has checked the menace, the report noted. The Centre has since handed over the border to the SSB. The Force has been providing escort to Bhutanese civilian convoy transiting through India.




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