04/09/2006: "Truckers` JAC threaten strike over abduction"

Truckers` JAC threaten strike over abduction The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Apr 8: The JAC formed in connection over the disappearance of truck driver Md Salimuddin and and a minor companion in Nagaland in January this year has threatened to call a 24 hours general strike from 5 pm of April 15 if Manipur government fails take appropriate action to trace the missing persons and recovery of the truck. The decision to call the general strike was arrived in a public meeting held today at Yairipok Changamdabi, in which leaders of the several prominent civil society organisations of the state participated.

Md Salimuddin and a minor boy namely Arif Shah, both hailing from Yairipok Changamdabi who were driving a truck bearing registration No. MN-01-5781 went missing in the vicinity of Dimapur on January 24 earlier this year.

The JAC had earlier served an ultimatum to the state government for taking necessary action to find out the missing persons and the truck. However, the government has ignored the JAC demand. Expressing strong dismay over government`s inaction on the matter, the several civil society organisations and Meira Paibi based in Yairipok staged a massive sit-ins at Yairipok Bazar, amidst which the public meeting was held.
The public meeting was attended by several prominent leaders of the civil society organisations including AMUCO, UCM, AYUCO, AMMSO, AMSU, NEMSU, IPSA, CHITWA. They also assured to extend all possible help to any action taken up by the JAC regarding the matter. Speaking at the meeting, secretary of the All Manipur Drivers and Motor Workers Union, Hamom Kulamani, narrating details about his visit to Dimapur to trace the missing persons and the truck, said there is no clue about the missing driver and the minor boy, but the truck is in the custody of NSCN(IM)`s crime branch. Kulamani went on to said that the truck was reportedly detected by some cadres of NSCN(IM) from Diphubar area of Dimapur on February 25 and has been in its custody since then.
Integration will also be a failure: FGN The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, APRIL 8 (MExN): Responding to the reported statement made at Mokokchung by NSCN (IM) Emissary V.S Atem that “the Shillong Accord or 16-point agreement was a failure”, which had appeared in Nagaland dailies on April 7, FGN Assistant Secretary Thihu Khamo in a press release pointed out the Atem was going around Nagaland for campaign to get support from the Naga people for “Greater Nagaland” or integration within the Indian Union.
“This is not a new chapter but demanding for the implementation of 16-point agreement, clause 13”, the FGN stated. Mentioning that the Nagas under the leadership of NNC/FGN rejected the 16-point agreement 46 years ago and continued to fight against what it called the aggressor India, in defence for the sovereignty of Nagaland, the FGN stated that the NSCN (IM) leaders should not expect that the Nagas will change their mind after 46 years and extend to support the implementation of 16-point agreement in this 21st century. “Therefore, Mr Atem’s campaign for greater Nagaland or integration of some Naga areas under the Indian Union is only a tamasha (bogus) campaign. Because, as he said “The Shillong Accord or 16-point agreement was a failure, a solution for integration will also be a failure”, the FGN stated.
NSF to launch Project CARE The Morung Express
Dimapur April 8 (MExN): The Naga Students Federation (NSF) will be launching on April 12 at the Zonal Council Hall Kohima, the proposed Project CARE (SSA and NSACS) on Intensive Enrollment Drive for Elementary Education and Involvement of Youth in Combating HIV/AIDS. It was informed that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio would be launching the initiative as Chief Guest. Minister for School Education Imkong L Imchen and Temjen Toy, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, H&FW, will also be delivering speeches on the occasion. NSF General Secretary K Elu Ndang informed federating units that the launching programme will be followed by two-day training for Regional Coordinators on April 12 and the 13th at Kohima itself. In this regard all the Regional Coordinators were informed to report to the NSF by 12:00 noon on April 11 for signing an undertaking committing each to task till completion . The Core Committee has also reminded every Regional Coordinator to come prepared with a list of villages under his/her region to be submitted at their arrival. It further requested all presidents and secretaries (education) of respective federating units to attend the launching program compulsorily while extending invitations to all well-wishers and concerned individuals and organizations to attend the programme.
Inter village cultural song competition held The Morung Express

Angami students from a Northern Angami Students Union (NASU) affiliate competing in the Inter-Village Cultural Song competition held Saturday at the Kohima Village Council Hall. (MExPix)
Kohima, April 8 (MExN): The Inter Village Cultural Song Competition was held today under the aegis of the Northern Angami Students Union (NASU) at the Kohima Village Council Hall with the theme” “Reminiscence on cultural melodies.” Several affiliated units of the NASU vied for top honours in group song, tati and yelling. Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Er. Vikuotuolie Suohu, Chief Engineer, Road and Bridges, Nagaland called upon the younger generation to know their culture and tradition before it is too late.
Maintaining that Nagas were blessed with the distinct cultural heritages, Er. Suohu said people ‘must learn to acknowledge our rare traditional attires and traditions.’ He also urged upon the students ‘not to forget their rich culture’ while marching ahead with the rest of the world in this technology age. Er. Suohu also lauded the initiation taken by NASU to preserve and popularize the rich cultures and traditions and look forward their ceaseless effort in this respect. Earlier, the programme was chaired by Kethoneizo Rutsa, social and cultural secretary, NASU while Rev. Dr. Neiliezhu Usou, senior pastor MHBC said a prayer. Dr. Kethsukietuo Dzuvichu, president Kohima Village Students Union delivered welcome address while Octave choir entertained the gathering with special number. Meguo-o Mechulho, Dr. D. Kuolie and Theyietuonuo Rutsa were acted as judges for the competition.
A noble concept to inspire Naga youths in social issues Nagarealm.com
Kohima, April 09: A four-member team of dedicated young men have come up with a noble concept to inspire young people of Nagaland to dream and excel in their chosen fields, to go beyond the ordinary, to deliver 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 Naga 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 interacting 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 Baichung 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 Ezung as secretary in charge of media and publicity.
Indo-Myanmar meet at Dimapur Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
Dimapur, April 8 (NPN): A team of Myanmar Army officials are coming to Nagaland on April 19 to take part in an Indo-Myanmar border level meeting at 3 Corps Headquarters, Rangapahar, Dimapur. According to sources, the meeting will be held on April 19 and 20 where the Indian side will be represented by top Army officials based in the north-east. Although there were no details about the agenda of the meeting, sources said the two sides during the meeting might chalk out strategies for a combined military offensive to flush out the militants of norht-east India from the border areas.
Sources said the Myanmerese military personnel could also visit Manipur during their stay in India. It may be mentioned Myanmarese Military Junta and the India Army had jointly launched a massive counter-insurgency operation along border areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur recently. The NSCN (K) had earlier claimed that it had killed several Myanmerese military personnel and lost some of their cadres in the offensive. It may be mentioned a recent agreement reached between India and Myanmar paved the way for fencing over twelve kilometres porous border between Moreh and Tamu.
NGOs politicizing rape issue; UNLF Newmai News Network April 8
Imphal: The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has said that enough is enough with regard to the Churachandpur’s alleged mass rape incident. In a statement today the UNLF said that the outfit was constrained to observe that the “activities of certain outside based NGOs on the issue of alleged rape and torture allegedly committed by the cadres of MPA and KCP in the Churachandpur district has crossed the limits of rationale tolerance”.
The UNLF stated that the recent rally in New Delhi organised by NGOs is one such example. The outfit stated that the NGOs’ activities are more interested in politicising the issue with the ulterior motive of creating ethnic tensions.
“This was the reason for blocking the sincere efforts of bringing out the whole truth in either way,” stated the outfit. The outfit further stated that those NGOs activities had further established that they (those NGOs) have been working for the Indian intelligence agencies knowingly or unknowingly whose long term colonial interest has been to keep Manipur or the whole region divided on ethnic lines as part of counter strategy to suppress “our national liberation struggles.”
The outfit called upon such NGOs to stop indulging in divisive activities. The UNLF also stated their cadres who were camping at Purbung area did not commit such crimes as alleged by some NGOs. It however admitted that its cadres had beaten up some people who were collaborating with the IOF. Stating that the outfit respect the sentiments of the Hmar women and that it had pledged to give capital punishment to its cadres if found guilty by a fact finding team of civil society bodies. UNLF was ready to produce the cadres of MPA-KCP before the fact finding team but that could not be materialised because of the “irrational obstructions which tantamount to suppression of truth from some interested NGOs, is known to all.” “Now also if at all the concerned NGOs are interested in finding the truth out which is imperative despite the sensitivities of matter to ensure justice to all, the ICRC may be appreciated to help in the matter and if so the UNLF will make all the necessary arrangements for the ICRC team to record the statements to those MPA-KCP cadres allegedly involved in the incidents. Otherwise doubtful standard of shouting for justice on one hand and suppressing the truth on the other should stop,” stated the UNLF.
TM Lotha addresses NGBF session Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR: The eight general session of Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) was held on March 28 at Lotha Tribal Hall, Wokha town, with Dr. T M Lotha, minister of Health Family Welfare and Excise as the chief guest. The chief guest appreciated the GBs for their tireless and selfless services rendered towards the welfare of the Naga public, both in the villages and in towns, though the GBs are not government servants or paid salary and allowances. He also stressed the need to strengthen the customary law and practices and urged GBs to shun violence and maintain peace and unity among the factions as well as Naga society.
Meanwhile, NGBF has thanked all those who have contributed towards the success of the function. Further a new team of office bearers was elected for the tenure 2006-11 with K. Vikuto Zhimomi as president, A. Taku Longkumar as general secretary, Shalem Konyak (Mon), Baso Chang (Tuensang), Chubakumzuk (Mokokchung) as general secretaries, N. Nzambemo Lotha (Lotha), Lagabu (Kiphire), Kegwange (Peren), Kaenia Rengma (Tsuminyu), Zachilu (Phek) as joint secretaries, Shitovi Sumi (Dimapur) as publicity secretary, Pukolie Angami (Rio colony, Dimapur ) as treasurer.
Assam ready for final phase of poll battle The Morung Express
GUWAHATI, April 8 (IANS): The stage is set for the second and final phase of voting in the Assam assembly poll on Monday with political parties making a last ditch effort to woo voters. “We are all prepared for the final stage of voting,” Assam’s Chief Electoral Officer JP Prakash said. The first of the two-stage elections to the 126-member assembly concluded April 3 with an estimated 68 percent of the 9.2 million voters exercising their franchise in 65 of the 126 constituencies. A total of 515 candidates contested in the first phase. On Monday, some 8.2 million voters will decide the fortunes of 482 candidates in 61 constituencies on Monday. The battle lines are drawn with the Congress party taking on the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) for political supremacy. The Congress is harping on the theme of peace, development and protection to genuine Indian minorities, while the opposition is trying to whip up the sensitive issue of Bangladeshi illegal infiltration. “Our main issue is to expose the Congress party, which is trying to protect the interests of Bangladeshi infiltrators,” said president of the Assam unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indramoni Bora.
The Congress, on the other hand, is trying to hijack the mother of all issues - the dragging insurgency problem. “This is the first time in two decades when we are having a violence free poll with people having already voted fearlessly in the first phase of elections,” Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said. “It is the Congress government that has restored peace in Assam by opening talks with the militant groups.” Three of Assam’s most dreaded rebel outfits, the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT), are engaged in peace now.
The ULFA formed a group of local community leaders to initiate peace talks with New Delhi last year. Two rounds of talks have already been held and ULFA has said it will not “interfere” in the polls this time. The NDFB, too, declared a ceasefire last year, while the BLT has signed a peace accord with the Indian government. “Can the AGP or the BJP take credit for this sincere effort in solving insurgency,” the chief minister asked.
The AGP is fighting the poll on the same issue as the BJP although the regional party is dogged by internal revolts after suffering a vertical split last year with its founder and two-time chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta forming a breakaway faction after being expelled for alleged anti-party activities.
Among the prominent candidates whose fate would be decided Monday include the leader of Assam’s main opposition AGP Brindaban Goswami, being projected as a chief ministerial candidate. “I am confident of the AGP winning the poll and forming the next government,” Goswami said. Other prominent players in the electoral battle are the BJP and the newly floated Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF), a Muslim-based party.
The last few days of electioneering for the final phase saw a host of important leaders campaigning aggressively to win the support of the people.
From Congress president Sonia Gandhi to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and several high profile actors like Jaya Bachchan thronged Assam.
“The Congress is the only party that can provide peace and stability to the state,” Gandhi told an election rally. The opposition, however, accused the ruling Congress in Assam of failing on “all fronts” and encouraging corruption. “The Congress is trying to hoodwink the people by telling a pack of lies. Their promises are hollow and their performance was near zero,” said AGP leader Apurba Bhattacharyya.
Advani a hypocrite, says Gogoi Nagaland Post
Guwahati, April 8 (IANS): Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Saturday accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani of being a hypocrite, saying his National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ignored pleas by the Congress government to tackle infiltration.
"Advani is a great hypocrite as he ignored and failed to take any steps to check infiltration when he was home minister despite our written requests to him," the chief minister told journalists here. Gogoi was reacting to Advani's statement Friday in Ahmedabad during his Bharat Suraksha Yatra (Save India Campaign) where he accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi of being "dishonest" with regard to tackling the Bangladeshi influx into Assam.
"I can challenge Advani as we have written records where we asked the then central government to erect Punjab-type barbed wire fencing in the border areas, reducing the distance from border outposts and putting up floodlights in the borders," the chief minister said. "But Advani simply sat on our requests and did nothing. He never came once to visit the Bangladesh border and today the same man is pointing fingers at us."
He said the Congress government took adequate steps to check infiltration with Home Minister Shivraj Patil personally visiting the Bangladesh border for an on-the-spot review of border fencing work. Both Singh and Gandhi in their election speeches in Assam earlier this week said there cannot be any compromise on infiltration and that no mercy would be shown to anybody taking shelter here illegally.
The issue of illegal infiltration is the major election plank for both the BJP and Assam's main opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). The first of the two-stage elections to the 126-member assembly concluded April 3 in 65 constituencies. Voting in the remaining 61 is scheduled for Monday.
"Now the BJP is trying to shed crocodile tears and saying that infiltration from Bangladesh is assuming the role of external aggression and could lead to another partition," Gogoi said. "I would like to tell the BJP that there would be no partition."
But senior BJP leader and former civil aviation minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said the Congress government in Assam did not cooperate with the NDA government when it came to tackling infiltration effectively. "The Congress government did not cooperate with us and for effective checking of infiltration the central government cannot on its own take steps without the support of the state government," Hussain told IANS here.
Garo Nokmas told to assert their position
SHILLONG, April 8 – Meghalaya State Commission for Women chairperson Biloris Lyndem has asked the women ‘Nokmas’ to assert their position and not to allow their husbands to officiate for them as being done generally.

‘Nokmas’ are the women of Meghalaya’s Garo tribe vested with an authority to manage the clan’s land. Speaking at a seminar on ‘women’s reservation in the local councils and traditional institutions held in Tura, the district headquarter of West Garo Hills district yesterday, Lyndem recalled a recent government notification for having more women members in the village development councils/committees.

She, therefore, asked the women organisations to go to villages and find out the number of women who were members of such bodies. “More women, particularly those of substance should come forward and have their place in decision making and move ahead with positive attitude,” Lyndem said. West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner P Sampath Kumar said many women were now participating in the developmental process through the self help groups and called for formation of more such SHGs in all villages as it was the only way of empowering women and upgrading standard of living.

Sponsored by the National Commission for Women, the seminar’s main objective was to bring women together, create a awareness to the issues affecting them and become better equipped to fulfil their need.
Second phase of polls Assam Tribune Editorial
The stage is set for the second phase of polls to 61 constituencies of the Asom Legislative Assembly on April 10 and one hopes that with heavy security deployment, the entire election process will be completed peacefully. The first phase of the polls to 65 constituencies passed off peacefully on April 3, but the administration and the security forces should not be complacent and take all possible measures to ensure free and fair polls. The administration should remember the fact that the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts will go to polls in the second phase and with the districts witnessing ethnic clashes and activities of the militant outfits in recent past, the security forces must take extra care to ensure violence-free polls. Same is the case in Kokrajhar district with reports of minor skirmishes among the supporters of the rival Bodo factions during the run up to the polls and the administration should remember the clashes that took place in the last polls to the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) while executing security measures in the Bodo dominated areas of the State. With all the major political parties making last ditch effort to win the polls, the possibility of clashes between the supporters of the rival parties also cannot be ruled out in other parts of the State also and to prevent any untoward incident, the security personnel deployed for poll duty should remain alert till the election process is over.

With the candidates who contested in the constituencies which went for polls in the first phase becoming free, campaigning for the second phase was much more vigorous than the first phase, but the strict model code of conduct imposed by the Election Commission and heavy deployment of security forces prevented any major untoward incident during the campaign trail. As in the case of the first phase of the polls, campaigning for the second phase was also highlighted by the frequent visits of the high profile leaders of the political parties. Congress president Sonia Gandhi along with other senior leaders of the party visited the State to campaign for the Congress candidates for the second time, while, senior leaders of the BJP and NCP also frequented the State. Not to be outdone, the AGP roped in leaders of the National Conference, Telegu Desham, and Samajwadi Party for campaigning. Whether the visits of the Central leaders can bring in votes in favour of the candidates for whom they campaigned will be known only on May 11 when the counting of votes will take place, but by bringing in celebrities and high profile leaders, the political parties tried to show their strength before the people of the State.

What is unfortunate is that some of the high profile personalities roped in by the parties for campaigning are not aware of the ground realities and the problems facing the people of Asom and very often they cut a sorry figure while facing questions from media persons on the key issues concerning the state. One fails to understand what the political parties stand to gain by bringing in political personalities or celebrities who are not aware of the ground realities and even if they are roped in to woo the voters, why they were not properly briefed by the state units of the political parties. The people of the State also have every right to question the seriousness of such persons about the development of the State as they inevitably fail to visit the State when the people of Asom face serious problems including floods and they also fail to raise the issues concerning the state on the floor of the Parliament. The voters of the State should force the political personalities, who come to Asom only during the polls, to give an assurance that they would raise the issues concerning the State on the floor of the Parliament or else the leaders of the political parties will keep coming to the state only during the polls with scant regard to the issues concerning the people for the next five years.
Bengal CPI(M) chief blames foreign forces for terrorist activities Assam Tribune
‘There may be a conspiracy by forces within and outside the country to destabilise West Bengal and it may be a part of even bigger conspiracy to destabilise the entire country’ Sentinel
AGARTALA, April 8 (UNI): CPI(M) polit bureau member and the party's West Bengal unit secretary Biman Bose has blamed reactionary forces within and outside the country for rising in terrorist activities in some parts of north and south Bengal.
In an interview with local party mouthpiece Daily Desher Katha during his recent visit to Tripura, Mr Bose alleged that even some of the anti-left political parties had been encouraging these terrorists groups for narrow political gains.
''There may be a conspiracy by forces within and outside the country to destabilise West Bengal and it may be a part of even bigger conspiracy to destabilise the entire country,'' he told the newspaper.
Mr Bose said, ''Some of these forces, who were linked with the Trinamool Congress, the Congress, the BJP and the Jharkhand Party, had been working for the Maoists and trying to create anarchy in West Bengal.'' ''Even in north Bengal,'' he said, adding ''the propagators of greater Cooch Behar movement, who were backed by the KLO and supported by the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, had been trying to unleash terrorism and create division among the people.
''It has now become our responsibility to isolate these forces from the people,'' he pointed out.
The leader said it had now become evident that these terrorists had been getting direct and indirect support from outside. ''It is also evident from the fact that these terrorists had been repeatedly threatening the people to quit CPI(M) and join any other political party. This is like advertisement campaign of biscuit companies. Out of competition, these companies urge people to consume biscuits of respective companies. But such competition cannot hold ground in politics,'' he observed. Exuding confidence that the ruling Left Front would return to power after the five-phase election in West Bengal, Mr Bose said though there was no alliance among the opposition parties at the official level but there had been continuous efforts to forge an alliance at the grassroot level.
NLF ready for Red Cross intervention The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Apr 8: The underground United National Liberation Front, UNLF, while reiterating its stance that the issue of `rape and torture` by cadres of the MPA and the KCP is being manipulated to create ethnic tensions in the region, has suggested that the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC be approached to settle the truth once and for all.

In a statement issued to media offices, the UNLF said the NGOs which have been harping on the issue should either accept this suggestion, or end their double standards of shouting for justice on the one hand, and suppressing the truth on the other.
The UNLF, citing the recent protest rally in New Delhi as an example, said the activities of these NGOs on the issue have crossed the limits of tolerance. Their activities have all the more confirmed that they are more interested in politicising the issue with the ulterior motive of creating ethnic tensions. This is also the reason for blocking sincere efforts to bring out the truth, either way, the UNLF said. The proscribed group also reiterated its charge that these NGOs are working either "knowingly or unknowingly at the behest of Indian intelligence agencies whose long-term interest is to keep Manipur divided on ethnic lines as part of India`s counter-strategy to suppress the national liberation struggles of the region."

In this context, it appealed earnestly to these NGOs to desist from indulging in these divisive activities any further. The UNLF, while reiterating its stance that none of the MPA or KCP cadres who were camping in the Parbung area at the relevant time had committed any such crime, "except beating up some collaborators, noted that giving the benefit of the doubt and respecting the sentiments of the Hmar womenfolk, the group had declared that any MPA-KCP cadre found guilty of rape by a fact finding team of civil society organisations would be given capital punishment."

To this end, the group said, it had been prepared to produce those MPA-KCP cadres before the proposed fact-finding team. However this could not materialise because of irrational obstructions, which amount to suppression of truth, from some interested NGOs.

If at all the concerned NGOs are interested in finding out the truth, which it noted is imperative to ensure justice to all, the UNLF said the ICRC may be approached to help on the matter. If so, the UNLF will make all the necessary arrangements for the ICRC team to record the statements of the MPA-KCP cadres alleged to be involved in the incidents, it said. Otherwise, the double standard of shouting for justice on the one hand, and suppressing the truth on the other should be stopped, it said.

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04/09/2006: "Truckers` JAC threaten strike over abduction"