05/02/2006: "Rio faces heat of rebel clashes"

Rio faces heat of rebel clashes OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, May 1: Tension is simmering in Nagaland’s Phek district following skirmishes between various armed outfits. The Neiphiu Rio government has faced a great deal of flak from citizens’ groups over the factional feuds. At least three rebels have been killed over the past month in the district. Not only is the peace being disturbed, farmers cannot go to their fields. The local populace is annoyed by the obduracy of the rebel groups and the lip service being paid by the state government and paramilitary forces in the area to the cause of peace. Both factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland and the Federal Government of Nagaland (NNC-Adinno) have strongholds in Phek. Over the weeks, there have been skirmishes and face-offs are frequent, disrupting normal life in rural areas and small towns.
Activists of the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) penetrated the district last month and clashed with the rival FGN in Porba as well as the NSCN (Khaplang) in the Chozuba area. Clashes have occurred in Porba, Yoruba and Wazeho areas between the NSCN (I-M) and the FGN or the NSCN (K). The Khaplang and Adinno Phizo groups do not fight each other. The Chakhesang Mothers’ Association has officially complained against the factions, asking them not to slug it out against each other nor disturb life in general.
Despite such appeals, however, face-offs continue and a clash occurred last week near Jessami between the NSCN (I-M) and the FGN. “Movements of rebel factions continue and we don’t know what the fallout will be,” said a police official. “Unless the state government has the guts to ask the groups to abide by the ceasefire ground rules, this will go on. The state has to act as an upholder of law and order,” asserted K. Therie, former finance minister in Rio’s government and legislator from Pfutsero in Phek district.
According to the state government, its consultative committee for peace has asked the factions to reconcile. Therie countered the government claim, arguing that if the government was really willing, then the factions would certainly reconcile. However, he added that the solution cannot be specific to Phek but must apply to the entire state.
‘16-point agreement no final solution to Naga political issue’ The Morung Express
Mokokchung, May 1 (DIPR): Minister for School Education, Imkong L. Imchen reitereated that the 16-point agreement was not the final solution to the Naga political issue. He was speaking as the chief guest of the Moatsu celebrations at Mokokchung.
The Minister said that the 16- point agreement is not the final solution to the Naga political issue and it is therefore very important to support the present on going peace talks for a lasting peaceful solution. He also stated that the State has prospered during the past three years of DAN Government due to various schemes and programmes initiated by the govt. He further enlightened the villagers that the government has declared the year 2006 as the ‘Year of Farmers’ to benefit the farmers under Agri and Allied sectors. DC. Mokokchung and President NPF Mokokchung, Lanukaba also spoke on the occasion. Presentations of cultural songs and dances were the other highlights of the celebration.
AZSU meet wraps up in Cachar Odidkumar Laishram Kangla Express
BINAKANDI, Cachar (Assam), Apr 30: The 19th general conference of the All Zeliangrong Students Union, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland held over three days here at Binakandi in Cachar district of Assam wound up today. The theme of the general conference, attended by over a thousand delegates from three states of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland was `history for justice and peace.`

The inaugural function, held on April 28 was attended by Mani Charenami, MP Lok Sabha as chief guest, while N Disnang Hau, ex-president, All Zeliangrong Students Union, presided over the function. The DC, Tamenglong, T Pamei acted as guest of honour and representatives of the AMSU and DESAM were also present at the inaugural function.
Speaking at the inaugural function, chief guest Mani Charenamei observed that the Naga people is one of the biggest tribal groups in north east India and said they should come together and shift together and resolve problems in a civilised manner. This is the only way we can bring peace for the Naga people, he said. Reiterating the need to bring together the Nagas under one administration, he said the Nagas should sit together and discuss about their unity. We should not hesitate to unfold any facts of the past as we ought to be mature enough to accept the worst for better co-existence, he stated. The chief guest also unveiled a memorial stone erected on the occasion of the 19th general conference of the AZSU.
In his address, the functional president observed that history is the soul of the past and its uniqueness should never be distorted. Stating that Zeliangrongs as an ethno-cultural entity is a valid concept, he noted that Zeliangrong people are the descendants of a common ancestor while the Nagas as a whole share the same origins belonging to Mongolian stock.

Recalling the Ahom invasion of 1228 and British intrusion in 1832, he said Nagas have never recognised surrender to any alien conquering, but were ready for friendly terms. He lamented that the Zeliangrong people and their lands are left fragmented in three states and elsewhere by the alien powers. One rich culture has been submerged in the sea of alien culture, he said.

In the closing function today, Dinesh Prasad Gaola, minister for PHE, law and legislative affairs, government of Assam acted as chief guest, and donated a sum of Rs. 26,000 to the organisers. On the occasion, the AZSU submitted memoranda to MPs Mani Charenamei and TR Zeliang, Rajya Sabha MP from Nagaland, as well as to Dinesh Prasad Gaola.
The memoranda in particular highlighted the problems faced by the Zeliangrong Naga people in Cachar and Hailakandi districts in terms of political, economic and development disadvantages, and urged to provide equal rights and facilities with other tribes of Assam.
Hills set to jive to a new beat: Howey Rap - First indigenous music fest in Nagaland promises new genre, artistes and melodies NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph
Dimapur, May 1: Come Wednesday and the Northeast will give the world of music a new genre, Howey Rap. New music, new artistes and even a new instrument will be brought to the fore when the first indigenous music festival of the Northeast — Echoing Hills — gets under way at the Imli Yanger Memorial Centre in Dimapur. The daylong festival is being organised by Abiogenesis, a Nagaland-based band, the art and culture department of the state and the Northeast Zonal Cultural Centre. Moa Subong, a veteran musician and a member of Abiogenesis, said: “Howey is the key sound of Nagaland’s music and it can be identified by all music lovers of the region”.
Perong J, a young rapper from Nagaland, will present rap the indigenous way. “Instead of the western yo, it will be ho,” the long-haired rapper said. From Assam, a young group called Melting Point will present indigenous Assamese music as well as fusion while Naga singer Reuben Mashangva will present Naga folk fusion. Artistes from Manipur will also perform at the festival. Another attraction of the festival will be bamhum, a new instrument devised by Subong. “Bamhum is a bamboo pipe with ‘rattlers’ inside. One has to hum into it to produce vibrations and sound akin to the snake charmer’s flute,” the musician said, adding: “It is the easiest instrument in the world.”
The bamhum was unveiled last year at the international bamboo festival, Bamfest, held in Shillong. Subong was inspired to design a new instrument as none other could produce the right rhythm for indigenous Naga music. Subong and his wife Arenla, who was appointed “guru” at the Northeast Zonal Cultural Centre to teach indigenous folk music, have decided to promote indigenous music on a bigger scale. They plan to participate in the annual event of the Northeast next year. Abiogenesis members will present six compositions to the accompaniment of the bamhum. “Saramati tears...”, one of the compositions, is a moving piece sung to gentle strums of the guitar and the bamhum. It will be the band’s first big performance in years after Magnasound cut their album Rapture way back in 1979.
The festival promises to be a big leap forward for indigenous music. Abiogenesis guitarist Alem, who has a solo album to his credit, feels indigenous music could be a saviour for those who wish to take up music as a profession. “We (Nagas) are not good with Hindi so I think the alternative is to work hard in this area.”
Church role in conflict Northeast Echoes PATRICIA MUKHIM The Thegraph
In the northeastern frontier, and more so in the predominantly tribal states like Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya, the Church has played a key role in shaping the world view of its adherents. Tribes have abandoned many of their primordial values to adapt and assimilate what they have been told is a more progressive faith, divorced from superstitions and the worship of nature and of deities. In their enthusiasm to imbibe the values of Christianity, the tribes have somehow jettisoned their priceless value systems which are based on a deep respect for truth, justice and an attitude of mutual helpfulness. Also left behind in the dustbin of human history is the respect for human life and all that it symbolises. There is an unceasing desire to possess all the good things of life. The negatives are what have created a muddle in our present societies. They have caused a spiritual vacuum even as the race towards materialism and creature comforts is assuming a frenetic pace. Since the human person is not just all flesh but encompasses the spiritual and mental as well, he is very often unwillingly drawn into periods of introspection. This reflection causes a kind of spiritual spasm that twitches at the soul and the conscience. An inner conflict like a raging storm begins to torment our souls. If we have time to listen to our conscience and unravel the mysterious, muddled thoughts, the result would be a better human being. Sadly many of us are afraid of silence. Nor are we ready to disentangle the spiritual knots for fear that we might have to face up to some of the harsh realities of our negative actions. As a result, we shut up that voice before it becomes too jarring.
The inner voice
Moral science lessons we learnt as youngsters say the still small voice is our conscience telling us to shun the path of cruelty and criminality and to do what is right. It guides us on the path of reason and humanity. That voice is not the exclusive brand equity of Christians alone. Every human being possesses it. But whether every person listens to that voice is another matter. The pursuit of wealth and “happiness” (almost as if wealth is equal to happiness) somehow detracts us from daily introspection, which is integral to our holistic development as wholesome human beings.
Mahatma Gandhi had a schedule of evening devotion where he would reflect on his daily actions. Perhaps that is what gave the Mahatma the strength to shun political ambition and to reflect instead on social liberties such as the emancipation of dalits and others who were at the lower rung of the social ladder. Iconoclasts, and there are many in this new age, would pooh-pooh such ideas. But the fact is that all new-age gurus, including those with a huge following like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, have always stressed meditation as an antidote to the poison that we accumulate in our daily interface with the world
NSCN leaders Isak Chisi Swu (left) and Thuingaleng Muivah in front of their parliament house after a Christmas prayer meet at Hebron in Nagaland. Picture by UB Photos around us and the conflict within our inner selves.
Introspection involves not just a recognition of our sinful nature but also of making reparation for the wrongs we have committed.
‘Silent’ response
A thought that often comes to mind is whether Christians have enough time for introspection or whether church services have become noisy, verbose affairs that do not convict the sinner but are palliatives to the troubled conscience. How else does one explain the fratricidal killing among the Nagas when every militant camp has a regular ritual of prayers, Bible reading and exhortation? Christians are often very condescending towards people who follow other religions. Non-believers are called gentiles. The more supercilious rightists would even label non-Christians as “idol worshippers” who are doomed to hell.
With that kind of argument, you would think that Bible-thumping preachers would be shaken at the number of murders that are committed in Nagaland on a daily basis. You would expect the Church to be indignant and to protest and consider some kind of positive action against this tendency. But the Church seems to have lost its voice of prophecy. Are church leaders also afraid of reprisals from one or other militant camp? Or is the Church indirectly aligned with one militant group and therefore acquiesces with what that group does for fear of offending it? If that is the case, can the Church still call itself the united body of Christ? Most of the wrongdoings such as factional killings and extortion, which are grievous acts of criminality even by common state law, seem to have been condoned by the Church. Otherwise, why should the Church not speak up and exhort people to resist extortion and rise against the gun culture.
Naga exodus
Despite the ceasefire, militants are roaming around with weapons in many districts of Nagaland and Manipur in a manner that is meant to intimidate and to extract compliance from businessmen or government officials who are targets of extortion.
Is this the kind of climate that the Naga people want indefinitely? Do they want their young to leave their hearths and homes and seek mental peace elsewhere because the atmosphere is too dense with gunpowder? Almost every commercial establishment in Delhi today has one or two Naga girls as shop assistants. Although this is not a bad thing to happen and Nagas are integrating very well into the “Indian” milieu, the question is whether they do so out of choice or because of economic and other compulsions. Is it fear that is driving them away to safer environs?
Free platform
Every Naga youth is of course eagerly awaiting the day when the ongoing peace process ceases to be merely a process but becomes a reality. But no one is really sure if that day will come soon. In fact, no one really knows what is actually transpiring between the NSCN (I-M) and Union government. Does every Naga know what the NSCN (I-M) leadership aspires for? Does that aspiration include the dream of every Naga right down to the last man in the hamlet of Mon or Tuensang districts?
With the Naga Hoho having become almost defunct and its various wings totally co-opted by the NSCN (I-M), it is time for the Church to raise its prophetic voice now or never. Hopefully the Church, one hopes, is not co-opted by any of the factions and therefore free from all encumbrances and obligations. The Church must provide the platform for the faithful to speak up and say what they want. This free platform for liberal ideas has never been raised in the past. People do not say what they feel in their hearts for fear of getting a bullet. In this climate of tension and intimidation, how can people breathe peacefully leave alone hope for peace now or in the future? The Church has a role in disarming all those who stand in the way of true peace, which frankly speaking, does not hinge on the NSCN(I-M)-Centre talks.
True peace comes from within the heart and it reigns only when guns are silenced and people learn to appreciate and give space to dialogue and dissent. At the moment, the Church seems to be the only body that can bring sanity and peace in the long run. It can do that not by silencing believers into acquiescence but by empowering them to speak the truth that is in their hearts.

Self-sufficiency in food production required: Azo Chizokho Vero May 1 The Morung Express
Kohima (MExN): Nagaland’s Agriculture Minister Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu asserted that he wanted to see Nagaland turning into a self sufficient producing state rather than a consuming state in view of the declaration of the year 2006 as the “Year of Farmers.”
Since 85 per cent of the people in the state engage in agriculture, the government was of the idea that our farmers should be trained up and to create awareness so that our state can become self sufficient, the Minister told The Morung Express.
He, however, regretted that the State is yet to net surplus in any agricultural produce where all money is going to others as a result of this dependency.
Nienu maintained that the government had received well-deserving response from the farmers relating to the “Year of Farmers.
“So far, the participation of the farmers is extremely good”, Nienu added.
Justifying that the “Year of farmers” has been designed to enhance the agriculture production as well as boosting the economy of the people, Nienu asserted that the Government was serious and will implement the same in letter and spirit.
Urging the farmers to be sincere and avail the opportunity, Nienu said “Without the full participation of the farmers, the programme will be a failure.”
The Minister also revealed that the state government was planning to open more wayside marketing places across the state. This will certainly encourage the farmers to sell their products, he said.
Reiterating that the government will continue to carry out the ‘buy back policy’, the minister assured to make the Agricultural Product Marketing Committee (APMC) even stronger as well as formation of Village Marketing Committee (VMC) to help the farmers in selling their products.
A salute to uncle Yongkong The Morung Express Kaka D.Iralu
As it was in the case of my grand uncle A.Z.Phizo; so also in the case of my uncle Yongkong; though I have lived fifty years in this world, and though his village is just a few kilometres from my own village, I never ever saw this grand Naga gentleman anytime in my life. The simple reason for this non-acquaintance was because of the Indian invasion of our sacred lands. Uncle Yongkong joined the Naga national movement in the same year that I was born (1956). And that means, he was faithful to that cause for the entire duration of half a century.
Now, on his death, what shall I say to his living relatives, fellow villagers and the Ao community to which he belongs? I am at a loss for words. But this much at least, I wish to say, “Uncle Yongkong. I salute you with the 18,250 days of my life for being faithful to the cause of my future freedom on earth.” I also hope that all Angamis join me in this salute, because the Ao community also gave the highest honour to our grand uncle A.Z.Phizo when he expired on April 30, 1990. In this salute, I also wish to add that though Uncle Yongkong might not have been as prominent as A.Z.Phizo; yet in terms of sacrifices - physical, mental, social and otherwise - his sacrifice was not in any way inferior or lesser to that of A.Z.Phizo’s. He too, like A.Z.Phizo gave his all and his best for our national cause. Here, giving one’s best, I believe is what counts in the sight of God.
To my generation of Nagas, I wish to say this: As Nagas, someday, when we are finally free, it will be our bounden national duty to bring back the bones or even the ashes of these national heroes and bury them in our beloved lands. At least, that much we owe them, because they all gave their “Best yesterday” for our “Better tomorrow.”
Let us never ever forget that many of their bones still lie even unburied in many foreign countries like the jungles of Myanmar, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, etc. Yes, it is our bounden duty to bring back their remains and bury them in our lands with full Naga military and national honours.
But here, we must also remember that we cannot just monumentalise their sacrifices and our history by just erecting huge stones to their memories. No, the battle for our freedom is still not over.
After all, so long as the foreign Indian and Burmese national flags flies in our lands; and so long as Indian and Burmese soldiers roam our highways, streets and footpaths- and so long as our own Naga brothers have to die in foreign Chattisgarhs and Kargils fighting for somebody else’s security - that long we are still not free and independent. And so long as we are not INDEPENDENT, that long we are still DEPENDENT and subject to foreign whims and orders that can exploits our lands and even send us to our deaths.
In the light of these dark and oppressive realities, may the silenced heart of uncle Yongkong re-awaken the hearts of the living Nagas to the unfinished task ahead. May his death - and the sacrificial deaths of many others like him - never ever be in vain. KUKNALIM.
Spirit of Naga: Penalty of ignorance The Morung Express H. Lolly Bashu
Ignorance is bliss. A person who does not know anything has nothing to worry; and a person without an aim is sure to hit the target. Ignorance may be a blessing in the divine natural setting of things, but it is a virtual crime in the world of politics. Indian Reserve Battalion is under the dictate of the Government of India (GoI), Ministry of Home Affairs even as the Indian state of Nagaland is under the direct control of the Central Government of India. Nagaland state and its government cannot say no to any directive issued by the Indian Central Government, according to the constitutional provisions of the Indian Union. If any state government in India dares, it can, by giving-up power first to disobey the directive. It’s sad that the state of Nagaland which we pride in is actually a disgrace to the spirit of Naga as it accepts the lordship of India, to be under their rule.
India thinks the rights of the people of Nagas as law and order problem or as a developmental issue for which the Indian armies are entrusted as the best deliverer. Thus frequent recruitment rally for is conducted for employment opportunity and as the solution for maintenance of law and order and thereby to develop the poor innocent Naga parents with the meager salary that their son gets at the risk of life in the army. Then our boys are trained to defend to fulfill another country’s partition policy over the Nagas. As a matter of fact, in India, army as a profession is the least preferred job among most of the job-seekers. On the contrary, in Nagaland, campaigning and advertisement is an everyday headline in the media, portraying the Indian armies as one of the most sought after and respectable jobs.
Perhaps, with huge deployment of soldiers; cease-fire in place with the NSCNs and protests over repealing of AFPSA voiced from all corners, their purpose is found wanting, thereby as a face saving mission developmental appeasement policy is practiced by the India army. Yet it’s negligible as elected state government is there to take care of that obligation. Few years back, passengers were cruelly checked all along the highways after ordering innocent bus passengers to stand in queue. Decades back, its history. Today, traffic along the highways with army vehicle will suffice to prove how much the Indian arn1ies care for our lives and how much we envy them.
Nagas are looked down upon by the Indian civil society as race of people under their rule. And whether we like it or not, for that fact, we can never be a dignified human until such time of self-rule. A large country as India is, she has her own pressing needs to address and what can we expect India to develop the Nagas when her civil society take advantage in ruling our people and our land resources. After all, democratic India will act rationally according to mindset of her civil society. Even in the bureaucratic ranks and files of the Indian administration, Nagas or for that matter North-easterners are ill respected as inferiors!
Indian civil societies are what the GOI think Nagas are. The only positive gesture the GoI has shown in the spirit of Nagas is the recognition of our unique history by then P.M of India, Mr. Vajpayee. In right earnest response, history of the Nagas is officially integrated in the school text book by Nagaland Board of School Education by Neiphiu Rio government. Of course on that basis of positive gesture, peace talks have been prolonged. The outcome is yet to be seen.
However indications are that, the GOI is changing its stand towards peace and development and maintenance of law and order as the end because it serves their partition policy to divide and rule the Nagas rather than keeping up her commitment to find a political solution.
Padmanabhaiah, when asked about the progress of Naga-Indo peace talk was quitc complacent as a negotiator. According to him with the onset of cease-fire, peace ushered in and development is taking place in Nagaland. He has nothing to worry because he is ignorant of the rights and history of the Nagas. Yet, he retorted not to be argumentative when asked about the peace and development of Nagas living outside Nagaland state over the span of eight and half years of cease-fire with the NSCN. This clearly points to the change of direction as to where the peace talk is heading. ‘A person without an aim is sure to hit the target’. To perpetuate their ruling on our divided land and people and thereby to weaken our national spirit is the accepted policy of the GoI. That’s the sure target to hit for a man like him who pretends ignorant of our rights.
The partition of the Nagas is the result of our ignorance and weakness. Our ignorance and weaknesses are effectively monitored by the agents of GoI to handicap our National Movement. Infightings among our Naga brethren is chiefly due to the partition of Nagas into different states under the rule of Indian constitution. And that’s what I call ignorance as a virtual crime in the world of politics in the Naga context. Though we fought as headhunters in the past, the root cause of our present situation is due to the interference and imposition of the Indian minds on our people.
For Nagas, we cannot rejoice when dead body arrives from Chhattisgarh. We cannot rejoice when recruitment rally into Indian army is conducted almost every month to serve a foreign land by our boys. We cannot when our simplicity is maneuvered to serve the enemies faithfully out of our ignorance. We cannot rejoice when our young talents are accredited to another nation. We cannot rejoice when some of our Naga brethren are neglected and marginalized to suffer due to the division of our land by a greater force- the India army. We cannot rejoice until we come to realize that we have our own Naga Nation to defend.
Each of us has to be a Naga army not necessarily by joining the NNC or the NSCNs but be a Patriot and a Nationalist at heart. A Patriot will not compromise on his/her right to be free from foreign yoke. A Nationalist can never bear to see deaths of his/her countrymen due to ignorance.
The penalty of ignorance- we had been paying it with precious lives for too long. Let us be aware of GoI policies and game plan being implemented to divide the Naga family forever. Because eight and half years cannot still convince the GoI that Nagas have the right to live together and determine our own future. Nagas wish to live together, to restore normalcy and peace politically is not a violation of their constitution, after all. I wonder and question the sincerity of the GoI at the call of various groups to give up arms and come to the negotiating table when Nagas and GoI have been negotiating for that long and still solution far from reach.
Though the out come of talk is not certain, let us be certain that we will never compromise on our rights to be free. Let us never tolerate deaths caused out of our own ignorance, due to the pre-paid plan of the enemy in order to defeat the spirit of Naga Nationalism.
ULFA using Delhi sex workers for extortion By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service Guwahati, May 2 (IANS) The outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has been using call girls from Delhi as baits to extort and kidnap businessmen in Assam to raise funds, police here said Tuesday. A police spokesman claimed they foiled such an attempt in Assam's main city of Guwahati by arresting a top ULFA leader along with two New Delhi-based sex workers over the weekend.
'This is the latest modus operandi of the ULFA - luring businessmen with the help of call girls and then extorting money from them,' Rajen Singh, additional police chief of Guwahati, told IANS. The ULFA is a frontline rebel army fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979. A local court remanded the three arrested people to 10 days' police custody. 'Interrogations of the arrested trio have revealed plans being hatched by them to kidnap some businessmen from Guwahati for ransom,' Singh said. 'This is the first time we have come across such tactics by the ULFA for extorting money although they failed due to our timely intervention.'
The arrested ULFA rebel, Ajit Das, is believed to be an explosives expert and was allegedly involved in a number of extortion cases. 'The two women, arrested along with the ULFA leader, are New Delhi-based sisters involved in some sleazy activities,' Singh said. There were no immediate comments available from the ULFA. An official investigating the case said the two sisters were being especially flown in from New Delhi by the ULFA for carrying out extortions in Guwahati. 'The two sisters would first become friendly with the businessman and then the ULFA militants would use them as tools to extort money. There were plans to kidnap at least seven to nine businessmen who refused to pay the extortion amount,' the official who wished not to be identified said. Intelligence officials said the cash-strapped ULFA was looking for ingenious methods to extort money following stepped up vigil and anti-insurgency operations by the security forces in Assam.
'We have been able to choke their fund flow and hence the outfit was trying to resort to some clever ploy to trap unsuspecting people using call girls,' the intelligence official said. Police in the neighbouring state of Tripura had last year unravelled a racket where tribal separatists made pornographic films using their women cadres for raising funds. Police in Tripura said the shocking revelations were made by some surrendered rebels of the outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), a rebel group fighting for an independent tribal homeland in the state bordering Bangladesh. Several CDs featuring tribal women from Tripura in the films with explicit sex scenes were seized by police. The films were then sold in various parts of India and other adjoining South Asian countries with the rebels making a huge profit. The money was used for running an armed guerrilla campaign against Indian security forces.
The northeastern region is home to some 30 odd rebel groups with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy with the various insurgent movements claiming an estimated
Parties skipped sovereignty issue: ULFA By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, May 1 – The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) today said that the electoral politics of India overlooked the main political issue of Asom and none of the political parties raised the issue of India-Asom conflict. In its monthly mouthpiece Swadhinata, the ULFA said that the political parties and their candidates failed to raise the issue of sovereignty of Asom and even in the conditions put forward by the political parties to support each other to form the next government, the resolution of the Asom-India conflict is not a key issue. The militant outfit said that in the 1996 polls, most of the candidates of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) promised to raise the issue of the right to self-determination, but after being elected to power, they totally forgot about the same.

The ULFA reiterated its allegation that the Prafulla Kumar Mahanta Government in the State were directly involved in secret killings and alleged that a police official identified the family members of the ULFA publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, who were the victims of the secret killers. A journalist, who identified the family as a target, was later given the post of publicity secretary of the AGP and he is now working in an Assamese daily, the ULFA said.

The militant outfit said that Mahanta did not kill the family members of the ULFA members himself, but it is a well-established fact that the killings took place at the directive of his Government. The outfit alleged that AGP leaders like Bhadreswar Buragohain, Chandra Arandhara, Chandra Patowary, Pradeep Hazarika, Padma Hazarika, Hitendra Nath Goswami, Utpal Dutta, Phani Bhushan Choudhury, Dilip Saikia etc did not take any positive step to stop the secret killings. The outfit said that the brother of Sasha Choudhury could not have been killed without the support of Patowary, while, Pradeep Hazarika went a step further to form a force to resist the ULFA.

DoNER preparing report on trade potential of NE From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, MAY 1 – A report on the NE State Trade and Investment Creation Initiative is expected to be finalised within June 2006, after consultations with the North Eastern states, the NEC, the Planning Commission and the concerned Central Ministries, by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region(DoNER).

The technical assistance from the ADB seeks to develop a trade and investment framework that will enable North Eastern India to better position itself to participate in global and regional markets and to reap the considerable gains from specialisation, agglomeration of economies and globalisation.

The project seeks to build on the locational advantage of the NER which borders five countries viz. Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Bhutan and Nepal. The products in which the NER has a comparative advantage and the trading points through which trade can be promoted will be identified. The project also seeks to identify policies, legal and constitutional constraints hampering trade and develop an export facility.
UNLF demands surrender of ‘recruiting agents’ Sentinel
IMPHAL, May 1(Agencies): The proscribed United National Liberation Front, UNLF has asked three individuals, who lured some innocent youths to take part in the controversial ‘fake surrender’ ceremony of the Assam Rifles recently to make clarification to the people regarding their activities and surrender to the outfit. On failing to do so, the outfit will term all of them as anti-people and arrive at the extreme step of awarding capital punishment, UNLF’s senior publicity officer Ksh Yoiheiba said in a statement, and also termed the three individuals as collaborators of the security forces acting as ‘recruiting agents’ of the Indian Army.
The names of the individuals said to have lured some youths to taking part in the ‘surrender drama’ organized by the Assam Rifles on the occasion of the second anniversary celebration of the IGAR (S) at Manatripukhri on March 13, 2006 were Yengkhom Samananda of Laimanai Makha Leikai, Ranjit hailing from Luwangsangbam and one Hemba. Clarifying that no entries could be found in the UNLF’s enrolment register in the names of Thokchom Nanao alias Nganba, Moirang and Ravikumar son of Selong, Kwakeithel Konjeng, who took part in the fake surrender ceremony, the UNLF statement also maintained that the names were fictitious and such individuals were never ever lived in the localities mentioned. The fictitious names were given to Heikrujam Govind and Heikrujam Ingo, both hailing from Laimanai, Waikhong. The outfit also said that the surrender drama unfolded and came to the knowledge of the public as families of the five youths who took part in the fake surrender ceremony filed a petition to the Gauhati High Court seeking release of the youths. Showing their treacherous design, the Assam Rifles even went to the extent of threatening the families to withdraw the PIL filed in the court. Finding no alternatives, the AR finally produced the youths before the law court, in which two have been released on PR bond, Yoiheiba said. However, out of three youths produced before the law court, one posing as PREPAK militant with the name Thangjam Mantri son of Chaoba was again detained in the custody of Assam Rifles, Yoiheiba’s statement said. Despite launching major offensive with their large numerical strength, the security forces are unable to tackle freedom movement launched by various underground groups in Manipur, Yoiheiba said and asserted that the ‘Surrender Drama’ was being played to cover up failure that the IOF incurred during the course of their offensive. It also said that GOC of the 3 Corps Lt Gen ZU Shah was the producer of the new drama. The outfit however maintained that it was not surprised over the security forces’s new drama as numerous such mischiefs had been done in the past purportedly to mislead the people and to save their image.
Public meet endorses plebiscite proposal Sentinel
IMPHAL, May 1 (Agencies): In two separate public meetings held yesterday at Laipharok Maring village, and at Yaiskul in Imphal, the public have endorsed the proposal for a plebiscite to bring an end to the armed conflict existing in Manipur.
The plebiscite meeting held at Laipharok Maring Village, Ngarian, was organized jointly by the All Manipur Progressive Farmers Association, the Laipharok Maring village authority and local clubs and organizations K Angrung Maring, Laipharok Maring Village authority member and his colleague, S Marou Maring, acted as chief guest and functional president respectively. Social workers Joy Nongmaithem and Basanta Kumar acted as resource persons.
The meeting adopted resolutions to the effect that people of the hills and valley both were in favour of holding a plebiscite to resolve conflict with the Centre, and also to urge the United Nations Organization to bring pressure on India to conduct a plebisite in Manipur.
The meeting, attended by around 400 people, also resolved that the village will extend all cooperation on the plebiscite issue. Another public meeting, held at Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai yesterday evening also resolved that the people of Manipur should be allowed to exercise their democratic rights to decide their own future in the form of a plebiscite. The resolutions adopted in this connection are to be sent to the Indian Government and world bodies.
Kh Tombi and columnist Elabanta formed the presidium for the meet while Khoirom Loyalakha, editor, Naharolgi Thoudang, Y Devadutta, president, United People’s Front, and social activist Th Mangi acted as resource persons. Devadutta, in his address, observed that the talks between the Government of India and the NSCN(IM) had made little headway over the past several years, and contended that the underground groups of Manipur should wait until there was a definite outcome in the Government-NSCN talks before coming forward for negotiations.

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