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04/30/2006: "Sunday BBC journalist narrates uneasy quadrangle in troubled"



Sunday BBC journalist narrates uneasy quadrangle in troubled Media persons from both print and electronic media seen here with Subhir Bhaumik of the BBC (in yellow) at the 'Highway 39,' Padam Pukhri, Dimapur on the sidelines of the Panos South Asia-Morung Foundation initiated orientation and media study tour. (Pix: Pradeep Pareek)
Morung Express News | April 29
DIMAPUR: To bring together a platform for journalists of the seven sister states, Panos South Asia and the Morung Foundation today began their initiative by setting into motion their study tour for journalists. An orientation was delivered by Subhir Bhaumik of the BBC at the conference hall of ‘Highway 39’, Padum Pukhuri, Dimapur. Drawing from his wide experiences, Subhir told assembled journalists from Nagaland, and a few from the other states in the region, to transcend their identity barriers and to put on their thinking caps in the face of duress. He asked journalists to ask themselves, “How can I maintain balance and fairness in a surcharged situation?”
Subhir is BBC’s correspondent for India’s eastern and northeastern states. He had this to say of his working years in the region: “It has often meant ‘operating like a guerilla’ – illegal border crossings, dealing with intelligence agents, druglords, smugglers and ruthless rebels, snooping on corrupt politicians and government officials with illicit links to rebels and druglords.”
He maintained that when on the field the best judge is the reporter himself. His word of advice to every newsman present was to check and recheck a story before presenting it. What he kept repeatedly telling them was not to succumb to political pressures and not to become ‘somebody’s man.’ His paper presentation was titled, ‘Soldiers, scribes, spies and rebels: The uneasy quadrangle in a troubled region.’ The orientation was an opportunity for journalists to understand and relate to issues akin to the region by way of dialogue so as to generate stories which emanate from the people’s perspective. Later, former General Secretary of the Naga Hoho John Murry and Principal of the Oriental Theological Seminary Rev Dr Wati Aier interacted with reporters.
The scribes were given a gist of the Naga issue where the central theme dwelt on the necessity of dialogue and how to facilitate understanding between people. Exchange programmes for journalists of the region, it was informed, are in the offing. This would help them realize and be acquainted the complexities involved in different issues across the region which in turn could enlighten their audiences to a larger extent.
Rio pleased with law and order Nagaland Post
Dimapur, April 29 (NPN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the peaceful situation prevailing in the State had enabled the government to speed up various developmental activities.
Rio, who returned from his three-day visit to Tuensang and Kihpire districts on Saturday, said this while addressing a public gathering at Noklak town on Thursday. He claimed the overall improvement in law and order situation in the State had enabled the leaders in the government to travel to every part of the State for inspecting various developmental activities initiated by the government. During his address, Rio also highlighted various developmental activities being taken by the DAN government in the backward districts.
Inaugurating the newly-developed and expanded playground at Noklak town, he said the government was ready to provide scholarships to sportspersons, who were good enough to compete at national and international levels. Rio had also inaugurated two new bailey brides of Lang and Langnyu under Noklak sub-division besides the Pangsha-Wonsoi road, the Sanglao-Choklangan village road and a play ground at Sanglao village.
Later, during his visit to the Yimrup village, which was gutted in a devastating fire on February 28, he assured the victims of government assistance for rebuilding of the village. Further, he oversaw various works being undertaken by different government departments and district administration in the village. The chief minister appreciated the people of the village for their patience and courage to rebuild a new model village.
The chief minister was accompanied by PWD Minister Tokheho, PHE Minister P. Longon, Agriculture Minister Azo Nienu, Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board Deo Nukhu, MLAs Naiba Konyak and Tarie Zeliang, IGP, O. Alem, Chief Engineer Vikoutuolie Angami, Central NPF leaders CM Chang, Dr. Kath, Penyimthung Lotha, Among Ao, NPF women and youth wing leaders, other senior civil and police officers.
Western Sumi Hoho celebrates silver jubilee Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR: The silver jubilee celebration of Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) was held on April 28 and 29 on the theme "Peace and Unity" at Chekiye Village Baptist Church. Gracing the occasion as chief guest here on Saturday, Minister, H. Khekiho Zhimomi who unveiled the jubilee memorial stone (monolith) at WSH office, Chekiye, paid tributes to past members of the WSH.
Khekiho who was also the first general secretary of WSH, said Western Sumis have reached a milestone, adding they have to march ahead with the good things left behind by their forefathers to live in abundance. "Today when the world is trying to do away with gun and war culture and violence, WSH should try to solve any problem and confusion that may arise in days to come," the minister said. While congratulating the WSH team under whose tenure the silver jubilee was celebrated, Khekiho appealed to all to retrospect the past and rectify the shortcoming to bring unity among various communities. Parliamentary secretary, Hewoto Awomi in his exhortation called upon the gathering to set good examples for others to regard the community in good ways and likewise. Former chief minister KL Chishi who graced the function as guest of honour said people should come together to retrospect the past and make commitments for the future on such an occasion. Basing on the Hoho's theme "peace and unity" he said "If we lack the spirit of togetherness we will not have peace and unity."
Yevishe Chopi, general secretary, WSH delivered the welcome address, while, Huqheli Tsashika, president WSTH chaired the programme. Rev. Phughoto Aye offered dedication prayer. Other highlights of the programme included cultural extravaganza presented by various villages under Western Sumi. Following the cultural presentation, the function was held in the Church where WSH president, Hokishe Sumi delivered welcome address and introduced the dignitaries present. The morning function was attended by MLAs Khutovi and Huska, NSF president V. Pushika Awomi, former chief minister K.L. Chishi, DMC chairperson Tovihoto Ayemi and hosts of government officials, public leaders and GBs. Earlier, in the inaugural function on April 28, Kihoto Hollohon, parliamentary secretary, Social Security and Welfare, attended the function as the guest of honour. Speaking on the occasion, the guest of honour called upon Sumis and elders to bring peace, unity and understanding and set a good example to other communities.
He also released the jubilee souvenir. L.K. Achumi, DC Judicial, Dimapur, in his jubilee message, dwelt on the genesis of the Hoho. Sumi Sheshu presented special and patriotic numbers while Chekiye villagers presented the jubilee song.Vice president WSH, Izheho Zhimomi chaired the function and Rev Vitoshe, executive secretary, WSBAK pronounced the invocation prayer.
Fake surrendered cadres release demanded Sit-in-protest held; 20 hours general strike called in Manipur from May 2 midnight Newmai News Network | April 29
Imphal: A Joint Action Committee formed by residents of Laimanai of Thoubal district against alleged fake surrender drama of five youths of the area enacted by the Assam Rifles last month has called for a 20 hour general strike in Manipur beginning midnight of May 2.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the JAC leaders and representatives of other civil society organizations at Laimanai today in support of the demand for immediate release of the five youths from the police and Assam Rifle custody without any condition. The five youths are identified as Heikurjam Ingo Singh, Heikrujam Govin Singh, Heikrujam Lemba Singh, SAgolsem Govin Singh and Heikrujam Momocha Singh.
The parents claimed in a petition filed to the Imphal bench of the Gauhati High Court that the Assam Rifles paraded them as surrendered militants last month after one “agent” of the Assam Rifles took them promising job in the Assam Rifles. Following the court directive the force handed over S. Govin and H. Govin to the Heingang police station while Lemba and Ingo were produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chandel. The court released the two on personal bond of Rs.10,000 each.
The JAC is demanding release of all the five persons, ranging from age 17 to early twenties without any condition. The bandh call came close on the heels of Ibobi Singh’s refusal to release them without any condition. Protestors today held a sit-in-protest at Lngmeidong of Thoubal district demanding unconditional release of the youths. Another sit-in-protest was held at Laimanai yesterday by the villagers. Meanwhile, UNLF has asked the Assam Rifles “agent” identified as Yengkhom Somananda from Laimanai village and his two accomplices to surrender to the outfit or face death penalty for “collaborating” with the security forces in the fake surrender drama. In another development parents of one of the supposedly surrendered youths identified as Md. Hussain also filed a habeas corpus demanding release of his son who is in the custody of the Assam Rifles. Hussain is also one of the nine supposedly surrendered militants.
Office of Profit Today's Editorial The Morung Express
The May 10 Parliament session set to deliberate on the office of profit issue is already generating country wide interest with the Election Commission doing its own bit of awareness campaign by putting up on its website the names of over 200 MLAs and a list of 43 MPs whose disqualification has been sought. That the EC has officially listed these names would only mean that the references made by the President and Governors of different States still stands and the MPs and MLAs under legal scrutiny should in no way consider themselves as being cleared of the charges. It will be highly interesting to observe the stand being adopted by the various political parties on what is essentially a constitutional dilemma that legislators from every party across the length and breadth of the country are being confronted with.
While the moral debate over Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s resignation as MP over the issue has long subsided, more MPs and MLAs will now find themselves in a moral dilemma on whether to quit or hold on to the offices of profit, something that is barred under India’s electoral laws. There is no doubt that the ambiguity in the present definition of the term office of profit is partly to be blamed for the current mess. And while it is accepted that a more clear and definite legal injunction needs to be injected into the term ‘office of profit’, it should also be absolutely clear that politicians should not be allowed to circumvent the letter and spirit of the constitution.
Any intent of political parties out to make changes in the present law to protect their office and the profit accrued from it, should not be allowed. It would also be incumbent on the judiciary to intervene if at all any new act is aimed at diluting the spirit of the statute. For parliament and the politicians who occupy its seat of power, at best they should define more clearly those offices that needs to be exempted by law without in any way being motivated to protect the membership of MPs/MLAs who are holding offices of profit.
The Election Commission on its part will have to maintain consistency as per the meaning of the law after its recommendation to disqualify Jaya Bachchan from the membership of the Rajya Sabha. The Supreme Court may likewise have to step in at some point of time and assist in the clarification of the term “office of profit” under the Centre or the State Government and also enlighten under what situation or circumstance a person is deemed to be holding an office of profit. For the moment though, Parliament as the highest law making body of the country will have to be given the first opportunity to address the present constitutional dilemma. How honestly they are able to do their work remains to be seen. At the end of the day, the supremacy of the constitution will have to be upheld.
Nagaland Peace Centre welcomes truce extension Sentinel
KOHIMA, April 28 (UNI) Nagaland Peace Centre (NPC) has welcomed the extension of cease-fire between the Centre and the NSCN-K for another one year which promised an opportunity of peace to the struggling Nagas and the Centre.
In a release here today NPC chairman N Theo and executive director Lhusi Iralu said the NPC was confident that the contracting parties will strictly adhered to ceasefire terms in letter and in spirit. The NPC also tendered their best wishes to both the parties that they may begin the political talks and hoped that a forward can be found that will shape the political realities towards a just solution. The NPC further appealed to both the NSCN factions to carry out peace within the Naga people and with the Government of India and International communities. It should mean protecting the peaceful and innocent Nagas from the cruel hands of cease-fire violators, the release added.
Stir hits Assam oil operations Nagaland Post
Guwahati, April 29 (IANS): Hundreds of student protesters in Assam stormed crude oil and natural gas installations Saturday, forcing a disruption in operations, officials said. Three influential student groups in Assam launched a 72-hour oil blockade from 6 a.m. Saturday seeking a Rs.4 billion economic development package from India's premier exploration firm, Oil India Limited (OIL). "The protest is becoming stronger with our operations hit in many places. The students are forcing us to shut down work at a number of oil installations," OIL spokesperson Nripen Bharali told IANS by telephone from its headquarters at Duliajan in eastern Assam.
"There is every possibility of oil production being affected due to the protests."Police and OIL officials said at least half-a-dozen oil collecting and gas compressor stations were forced to shut down after groups of students numbering 100-150 stormed the installations. "The shutdown would lead to financial losses, although we cannot immediately quantify the loss in terms of money," Bharali said. "The production loss, if any, could be ascertained later as we are in the process of getting reports from remote areas about the protests and subsequent shutdowns."
India produces about 30 million tonnes of crude oil annually, with Assam accounting for about five million tonnes of the total. OIL produces about 3.5 million tonnes of crude in Assam. "Most tankers carrying crude from our installations have stopped plying due to the protests and this is hampering our normal operations," Bharali said. The All Assam Muttock Yuba Chattra Parishad, All Tai Ahom Students' Union and the All Assam Moran Students' Union have jointly called the strike. "Local unemployed youths are being deprived by OIL in jobs and contracts. Also, the company is not doing any community development works in the area where their oilfields are located," said Dilip Bora, a student leader.
"We want an economic package for all round community development."
OIL officials deny the charges of discrimination in employment and say the company is committed to carrying out development work in the region. "We have all along been doing various community development works in the state. The demand for a Rs.4 billion economic package is rather absurd as we have been pumping in lot of money towards development in the region," said Prasanta Barkakati, a senior OIL official. Assam has over 1.3 billion tonnes of proven crude oil and 156 billion cubic metres of natural gas reserves, of which about an estimated 58 percent of hydrocarbon reserves are yet to be explored. The state produces about five million cubic meters of natural gas annually. Frequent protests and strike calls by student groups and separatists have severely hampered crude oil production in the insurgency-hit state.
SF refutes UNLF charges By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Apr 29: The security force authorities refuting the allegations of UNLF published in section of the State dailies termed the accusations as baseless and malicious intent on tarnishing not only image of security forces but also to intimidate those 'Good Samaritans' involved in encouraging misguided youth to opt for the mainstream Manipur society.
In a statement issued by the PIB (DW) it said, 'regarding the release and subsequent statement given on camera in Hotel Excellency by Heikrujam Gobin and Heikrujam Ingo, it is clarified that since identity of the said cadres were revealed, it was safer for them to make a volte-face rather than face the wrath of their leaders'. In case of Mantri Singh, efforts of vested parties of producing false 'father' in court has fallen flat, said the PIB and pointed out that the individual refused to identify mr Nilachandra as his 'father' since his real father Chouba Singh passed away years ago. It is to be noted here that identification given by the said surrenderee before the CJM, Chandel regarding his name, father's name and age totally matches with that mentioned as fictitious name in the writ petition filed by Nilachandra, which shows that the individual is the same whose release has been sought in the writ petitions and who had surrendered voluntarily before the AR, asserted PIB. While terming as 'interesting' UNLF leadership inordinately taking a long time to realise that some of their sur- rendered cadres did not belong to the organisation, PIB said 'disowning own comrades at difficult times has been a common practice with the outfit'.
Dismissing report that H Ingo and Heikrujam Lemba were respectively made to pose as Ravi Kumar and Y Basanta, the statement said the duo had themselves spelt out their names in the court of CJM, Chandel on April 27, 2006. It further maintained that security forces as Government agency had always endeavoured to encourage misguided and subverted youth, who joined UG groups wanted to return back to the mainstream due to disillusionment, by surrendering before Government agencies.
security forces have been meticulous in strictly following existing policies and guidelines regarding surrender and have accepted the surrenderees only with weapon and ammunition produced by them, continued the PIB and clarified that there is room for foul play by the Assam Rifles as alleged. Turning the table against the UG group, it said surrender of their cadres giving a severe blow to the organisation, resorting to such fake propaganda is understandable.
apart from heavy losses suffered at the hands of security forces in the recent past, an inquiry is in progress on involvement of UNLF cadres in mass rape in south Manipur which had consequently eroded support base of the outfit thereby compelling UG group to rely on such malicious campaign, contended the SF release. further maintaining that desertion among the rank and file of the outfit are on the rise which had led to the organisation launching concerted manhunt to eliminate their deserters, the PIB statement also observed that the matter being sub-judice the final conclusion would be better if left to the prerogative of the legal institution.
Students' protest in Assam hits oil production By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service Duliajan (Assam), April 30 (IANS) Hundreds of student protestors in Assam forced several key oil installations in the state to shut down Sunday, hitting crude oil production severely, officials said.
Three influential student groups in Assam launched a 72-hour oil blockade from Saturday seeking a Rs.4 billion economic development package from premier exploration firm Oil India Limited (OIL).
'The entire transportation of crude oil through tankers from oil collecting stations has come to a halt and this in turn would affect the operations,' OIL spokesman Nripen Bharali told IANS from the headquarters at Duliajan in eastern Assam.
'The protests have hit hard our operations, and the production loss till late Friday is estimated to be about 1,200 to 1,500 kilo litres. The entire operations is likely to be severely affected today (Sunday) with the protest becoming stronger,' Bharali said.
India produces about 30 million tonnes of crude oil annually, with Assam accounting for about five million tonnes of the total. OIL produces about 3.5 million tonnes of crude in Assam annually. The All Assam Muttock Yuba Chattra Parishad, All Tai Ahom Students' Union, and the All Assam Moran Students' Union have jointly called the strike demanding a fair deal from OIL.
'We shall intensify the protest and make sure no one is allowed to work in the oilfields,' Dilip Bora, a student leader, said. Police said protestors damaged at least half-a-dozen vehicles carrying OIL officials for work Sunday. 'We have put additional security forces in vulnerable areas and in other key installations,' a senior police official said requesting anonymity. The student groups accuse OIL of depriving locals of jobs and contracts, besides charges that the company was not doing any community development works in the area where their oilfields are located. OIL officials deny the charges of discrimination in employment and say the company was committed to carrying out development works in the region. 'Most of the charges levelled by the student groups are baseless. The demand for a Rs.4 billion economic package is rather absurd as we have been pumping in lot of money towards development in the region,' Prasanta Barkakati, a senior OIL official, said. Assam has over 1.3 billion tonnes of proven crude oil and 156 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves of which about an estimated 58 percent of these hydrocarbon reserves are yet to be explored. Assam currently produces about 5 million cubic meters of natural gas annually. Frequent protests and strike calls by student groups and separatists have severely hampered crude oil production in the insurgency-hit state of 26 million people.
Militants in Assam have often targeted oil and gas installations - at least a dozen crude and gas pipelines were blown up by rebels of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in the run-up to this year's Republic Day celebrations Jan 26. The ULFA in January slapped a whopping Rs.5 billion extortion demand on the state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), India's most valuable listed company. The company refused to pay the extortion money. ONGC produces about 1.6 million tonnes of crude oil annually in Assam.
Blockade hits OIL operations Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, April 29 – Oil India Ltd’s drilling operations in Assam were hit by a 72-hour ‘Oil India Ltd operations blockade’ from today called by three student bodies affiliated to the AASU, reports PTI. OIL senior advisor for strategic planning Nripen Bharali told PTI that the blockade had sporadic impact in the various oil fields spread across Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts, particularly at Chabua installations.

The crude oil flow through the pipelines to the refineries, however, remained unaffected by the blockade, Bharali said. The movement of oil tankers for carrying the drilled crude from the oil fields was halted at many places along the highways, he said, adding in case the storage tanks at the drilling sites reached full capacity then the connected oil wells reaching them would have to be shut down to prevent overflow or bursting.

Asked if the shutting down of the oil wells would cause crude shortage for the oil refineries, the OIL official said it is too early to shut down the wells as the storage tanks were yet to reach their full capacity. The three student bodies — All Tai Ahom Studens Union, All Assam Moran Students Union and All Assam Matak Chatra Sanmilan — called the blockade to protest against the “betrayal of the OIL in providing employment to the local youth” from the three communities which compromise more than 80 per cent of the total population in the area.

The student organisations also protested against the alleged ‘poor response’ of the OIL in uplift of the area and its people. The students demanded that the OIL restore its now halted practice of hiring vehicles from the local youths.

Work in OIL offices was also disrupted due to picketing by the students and the oil workers union extending support to the blockade call, official sources said. Meanwhile, a senior OIL official said that 100 per cent reservation of the job work tenders for the locals as demanded was not possible as the company was an all-India one and tenders needed to be called from across the country. Regarding appointment of locals in OIL, he said there was already an accord for such appointments in the grade three and four category jobs in the oil major.

Ibobi not afraid of militant threats! From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, April 29 – Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, for the first time, announced that he does not care about the threat on his life from underground activists for having expressed displeasure on their undue interference in the developmental works being taken up by the government. Ibobi while speaking at the inaugural function of a one-day political advocacy on HIV/AIDS at Congress Bhavan yesterday said he has been receiving threats from various underground organisations for criticising their activities which have hampered developmental activities in the State.

“They are threatening to kill me and asking how long would I live with security cover. But frankly I don’t care about such threats. Because death is inevitable and all of us are going to die one day even if I do not fall to the bullets of the underground activists”, said Ibobi philosophically. Turning the table on his opponents, the Chief Minister dared all those who are accusing him of corruption and partiality to prove the charges.

“I am a Chief Minister, and though I have been elected from Thoubal Assembly constituency it does not mean that I would be pouring all the fund to develop my own constituency”, he said

Freedom of Press Assam Tribune editorial
The journalist fraternity in Manipur has shown exemplary courage in putting up a brave front before pressure tactics of gun-toting militants who have shown scant respect to the Freedom of the Press. The tendency reflected in the attitude of Manipur based militant groups mustn’t be tolerated by the Press for its own meaningful existence in a conflict zone. The Press in Manipur, basically those based in the capital city of Imphal has shown the way to overcome occasional hazards posed by ultras. Because of the united stand taken by the journalists and media organizations based in Manipur, the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) has been forced to express regret over its outrageous act of detaining six editors of Imphal-based news organizations on the night of April 16 last. The editors were held because the newspapers or the local TV channels they represented did not carry a statement issued by the KCP on its 26th Foundation Day. It was enough to gauge the degree of highhandedness of militants who desperately wanted the media to sing to their tune sans using its own judgement – a gravely dangerous trend as far as the Fourth Estate is concerned. The outfit also showed audacity to impose a three-month ban on a popular English Daily, The Imphal Free Press. The ban was later lifted after the media had opposed it united. The KCP also gave reason for its action. It stated that it was not the first time that media had refused to entertain its statement.

What was heartening was that the Press there instead of being cowed down by the threat posed by the militants, decided to fight back and finally emerged victorious in the process. The journalists staged a rally in Imphal on April 18 last in protest against the militants’ threat forcing the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh to assure all possible help to ensure safety and security of the media community. On April 19 last the newspapers published from that state decided to go blank to highlight the gravity of the situation. It was really a shocking incident. One should take note of veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar’s comment on it. Mr Nayar while describing it as a shocking incident expressed concern over the studied silence maintained by Manipur state government over the issue.

Everybody is now relieved for the time being that the KCP has regretted its action and pledged to respect the rights and freedom of the Press in future while putting a rider that the media too should view all organizations equally irrespective of their strength. However, what has happened definitely raised concern over the security to lives of journalists working in conflicts ridden areas in the region including Manipur. It is not the first time that journalists from the region are exposed to such threat. Situation is no better in Nagaland where insurgents do not expect the media to question their action. In such a situation it will be wise on part of the media of the region to set up close coordination transcending state boundaries. The more united the media remain, the more empowered it becomes to thwart such threats. The media in the region should make it a point to highlight all incidents of harassment on journalists working in all nooks and corner of the region irrespective of however minor those incidents may be. It is essential to send a signal about the power of the pen to those wielding the gun. The state governments of the region too have responsibility to provide adequate security as far as possible to media persons working in potentially dangerous situations. There should be special mechanism to take care of security to lives of media persons and everybody concerned needs to storm the brain to evolve a security mechanism suiting the way of functioning of the newsmen especially those basically working in the field and stand vulnerable to threat from militants and other anti-social elements.


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