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05/04/2006: "UNC rally ahead of Amsterdam talks"


UNC rally ahead of Amsterdam talks The Morung Express

Imphal, May 3: In view of the Indo-Naga political talk scheduled to be held from May 18 to May 20 at Armsterdam,the United Naga Council (UNC) is organising a massive rally in support to the peace process, on May 13 in the four hill districts of Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel.
“At this history-making period, we sincerely appeal every Naga citizen and church member to participate in this rally, in all the four hill districts.
We also appeal to all the churches to have a special prayer programme on this Sunday May 7 for honourable solution on Naga issue. Let us unite together in prayer”, said the UNC statement.
Newmai News Network
Kilonsers inducted, 4 join NSCN (IM) The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, MAY 3 (MExN): The NSCN-IM today inducted 2 new Kilonsers and 3 Deputy Kilonsers at a joint council meeting held at Camp Hebron. Although, the release did not make a mention of the portfolio allotted to the new kilonsers, the new faces in the list included A.P Shimrah (Kilonser), Yanger Pongener (Kilonser), Hokugha (Dy. Kilonser), Lima Chuba (Dy Kilonser) and BC Ezung (Dy. Kilonser). Qhevihe, Convener, Steering Committee administered the Oath of allegiance to them, said the release by its Kilo Secretary Bohoto Kiba.
The same release also said that NSCN-K Deputy Chaplee Kilonser, Imkong Wapang along with its former Trade & Commerce Kilonser, Hriini, ST Konal, Tatar, and Mayang Sucha Jamir, PS to Chaplee Dy. Kilonser has joined their fold. Terming the joining of the rival leaders a home coming, it said that the four leaders were accorded a warm welcome today after the oath of allegiance ceremony to the newly inducted Kilonsers.
The release also further said that the four leaders of the NSCN-K has cited dissatisfaction over the ‘callous and wrong ideology’ and the prevalent indiscipline within its rank and file as the main reason for their defection.
The function was attended by the joint council members and other GPRN officials, while it concluded with mass prayer.
Letter to the editor
Nagaland is swelling with funds The Morung Express
• Sir-Nagaland is swelling under funds with two categories of people. And these categories of people are called Bureaucrats and politicians. Most of them are amassers and irresponsible. Why? They never arrive in time. They think keeping people waiting gives them a felling of importance or power. They fight for promotions based on length of service not on performance. They form committees and sub-committees for shifting responsibilities. Whenever in scam or misuse they are looking to make someone a scapegoat. Many times we hear our people say our people need time to grow up. But how, when the Govt. machineries are afflicted with cancerous corruptions, can we see people grow up? “Unjust governance is organized crimes”.
Starving people jailed for their minor stealing, where as when lakhs and crores of public money is extorted or stolen by the freedom fighters, Govt. officials and political leaders, there is no law to bind them. The Holy Bible is being used by the criminals as their scapegoat and the law and order of the land is only for the innocents. The term of ‘Corruption’ in Nagaland is the use of public office for private gain; Corruption is anti-people, anti-poor, anti-development. Political parties are personality centered rather than visionary centered. Politicians have created plenty of shields to protect themselves so that they are not held responsible for their misdeeds.
Entering to political game is seen as an opportunity to make money. Today, we see two kinds of honesty! A kind of honesty is one who takes bribe and does the work. The other dishonesty is the one who takes the bribe and doesn’t do the work. It is a fool, who does your work without taking any bribe. One should know always that a person bought by you will also someday be bought away from you.
Who or what can heal the swelling of the Nagas? Patriotic and trustworthy people must hold the position of leadership, and then only the swelling of Nagas with funds will be healed. Christianity condemns bribery, stealing, cheating and killing. Why don’t we practice what we believe in? Our Holy Bible prohibits double standards. Our compelling situation is to wage a war against bribery, killing and corruption.
The greatest evil in any society is when the government/leaders do not do their jobs properly. Knowing what’s right and not doing it is lack of commitment. Not knowing what’s right and, hence, not doing it is ignorance. Excusing such ignorance’s can be a source of great pain, misery, and loss not only for us, but also for the coming generations.
Eno. Imti John
Director, Reformation Ministry of Nagaland
Kohima green meet urges brakes on jhum OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, May 3: The increasing damage caused to forests by rampant jhum cultivation was discussed at a national afforestation and eco-development board meeting held here yesterday. Attended by officials from across the country, the meet discussed problems specific to Nagaland, in addition to the chalked-out agenda of covering ecological challenges faced by the country as a whole. A forest officer said that while sustainable jhum could offer a solution to the problem, rampant felling needed to be stopped immediately.
Over the last two months, forest areas have been cleared and burnt down along the arterial Dimapur-Kohima-Imphal National Highway 39. This, in spite of the government announcing a penalty of up to Rs 50,000 for burning down forests.
“We are helpless and the respective deputy commissioners have not penalised anyone. Who will bell the cat?” asked a senior forest department officer. An example is a burnt patch of land left with foot-high tree stumps on the outskirts of Kohima, carries a board — “Banana and passion fruit project 2005-06, department of horticulture”. In Nagaland, nearly 85 per cent of the forest area is community-owned. The state government and chief minister Neiphiu Rio have made repeated appeals to jhum cultivators to conserve the rapidly depleting forest cover, but in vain. In areas like Mon district, barren hills stretch for miles, while Kohima and Phek are rapidly losing their green wealth. In several areas of the state, jhum cycles have been reduced to less than 10 years from the earlier 15 years. The afforestation board has seven centres across the country, headed by university professors. The chairman of the board is an inspector-general of forests from New Delhi.
Rio, Wangyuh, State BJP express sorrow over Mahajan's demise Kuknalim.com
DIMAPUR, May 3: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Lok Sabha MP Wangyuh Konyak and the BJP, Nagaland unit have mourned the demise of BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan at Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai on Wednesday evening. In a condolence message issued to the press, Rio expressed shock and sorrow over the death of Pramod Mahajan after being shot at by his brother on April 22.

"He (Mahajan) had a long innings of three decades of political career, beginning as an ordinary RSS worker in 1978 and ending up as one of the most influential leaders, who was calling the shots within the BJP party. He was also popularly recognized as the best election manager of the BJP," Rio said. He said Mahajan's death was a great loss to the nation, and the people of the country lost a prominent political figure and a man of the masses, adding "The vacuum created by his death will be difficult to fill in."
In a separate condolence message, Lok Sabha MP Wangyuh stated that he was shocked to hear the news of Mahajan's death after being shot at by his brother on April 22.

"The passing away of Pramod Mahajan is a great loss not only to his family and the BJP but also to the nation. Though he is no more with us, his deeds will be remembered in the days to come," he said. He, on behalf of the BJP, Nagaland unit, conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family. Meanwhile, the BJP, Nagaland unit, has expressed deep grief at the untimely death of former Union minister and the party's national general secretary Pramod Mahajan on Wednesday.

At an emergency meeting of the party held today, State BJP president M. C. Konyak, general secretaries O. Mozamo Ngullie and Ato Yepthomi, BLP deputy leader Dr. T. M. Lotha, treasurer Basu Damani, all BJP legislators and office bearers expressed grief at Mahajan's death and prayed to God to be with the bereaved family at this hour of pain.
The State unit of the BJP termed the death of Pramod Mahajan's as an irreparable loss to the party. M. C. Konyak said BJP had lost "its most jubilant and energetic leader who has become immortal for the party and will be remembered for all the times to come."
The BJP, Nagaland unit, has asked all its district units to call condolence meetings and organize charitable services in memory of Late Mahajan. Meanwhile, the BJYM Nagaland led by its president Imkong Imchen and general secretary V. Shikuto Sema have also condoled the death of Mahajan who, BJYM said, was "one of the brightest stars in the BJP firmament." (NPN)
Catalyst for Peace The Morung Express Today's Editorial
India’s feel good factor over Kashmir—what with a democratically elected government in Srinagar, a peace process with Pakistan well in place and positive vibes with the world’s only super power the United States—is now turning sour with the level of violence gathering storm in the Kashmir valley, epitome to India’s secular credentials. The killing of thirty-five Hindus this week by militants is not only horrifying as in the way the massacre occurred but the act itself is most despicable for the mere intent to cause bloodshed on religious lines. Combined with the kidnapping and killing of a Hindu Indian engineer in Afghanistan by the Taliban, there is increasing apprehension that such incidents will only further divide people on ethnic and religious lines. This is a dangerous mindset to operate politics from, given the bitter experience of partition and communal violence across the Indian sub-continent.
That the stepped up violence has occurred only hours before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was to hold the second round of discussion with the leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) only adds to the fear that there are forces inimical to peace out to stall the process for their own vested interest. There is no reason to doubt that the stepping up (or down) of violence inside Kashmir on a dual basis seems to be a de-facto policy plan from within the establishment in Pakistan, most notably the handiwork of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Such patterns of generating violence from across the Line of Control (LoC) should not come as a surprise although it is most disappointing to know that violence has come to pass once again even after the amount of time invested by both New Delhi and Islamabad on the peace process.
While there is a growing opinion gaining ground that the government at the Centre should de-rail itself from the peace process with Pakistan, such a response by New Delhi can in no way guarantee peace to flourish either. Rather than take the exit route, India should continue to pursue a peace settlement in the region. For this, there is no reason why the momentum of the peace process should not be given a push. Both India and Pakistan must realize that the bilateral talks must lead to change in the ground situation. For Islamabad this entails that it stops the covert support to cross-border terrorism. This will put less pressure on New Delhi to address the core issue of Kashmir. A belligerent tactic by Pakistan will only push the UPA Government into taking a rigid posture as a face saving formula.
Although, no two countries in the world have so much in common, the human tragedy caused by political violence has diminished goodwill of people on both sides of the border. The political leadership in both the country must realize that their futile path of confrontation has deprived people an opportunity for genuine social and economic development. For this reason, both New Delhi and Islamabad needs to give priority in developing and stabilizing mutually beneficial interaction while realistically taking full measure of the obvious political complexities involved. The large constituency for peace drawn up in both countries should not be allowed to dwindle. At the end, this may be the only catalyst to sustain a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
How Long? The Morung Express

How long will it be before Nagas realize that there are ways of settling differences of opinion other than just resorting to the use of force and violence? Evidently it seems like the hammer is perceived as the only available tool for resolution, and everything else seen as nails, to be hammered upon. What then is the difference between political actions and criminal acts?
How long will one turn a deaf ear of indifference to the voices that echoes from the past, reminding the futility of the arrogance of power? Indeed the chasm of the being has reached a point where any possibility of dialogue for understanding is being broken down by the vicious nature of violence within. Tragically, how long will it take for grace to reach the hearts of humankind?
How long will it be before the people challenge their politicians to work for the future of the next generations and not their next election? How long will it take for the bureaucrats to make policies effective in paper as well as in the hearts and lives of the people who are faced with the consequences of their decisions? Indeed how long will it take to weave freedom with responsibility, service with humility, concern with courage and to act with fairness and equity? How long?
How long will it take before one realizes that with every act of violence; the pain and anger, the hurt and alienation it caused, is being passed on from one generation to the next? How long before one acknowledges that the chasms within is only destroying the very foundation of what one envision to build? How long will it take to recognize that with every missed opportunity for understanding, the chasms only widens and engulfs the drowning voices for freedom?
How long will it be before there one overcomes mistrust, transcends prejudices and stereotypes? How long will it take to put aside pride and reach out to fellow humans with compassion? How long will it take for one to look beyond the façade and concede the truth? How long before one comes to a point where one cannot remain indifferent to the principalities of evil that is eating away the core of human life?
How long will it be before the society is able to take responsibility for their actions and to take criticism responsibly without having to feel the need to issue rejoinders? How long will it take before civil religion is questioned and transformed into a prophetic voice of hope and compassion? What will it take before people can express their yearning without having to feel ashamed about it? How long will it take before empathy breaks down the walls of hatred, yes how long?
Indeed, how long before every gun is silent, injustices corrected and the human endeavor to live a life of purpose and fulfillment accomplished? Indeed, how long until there is realization that change needs to begin in the consciousness of challenging the status quo of the mind?
But then, how many are out there actually listening and wondering, How Long?
Tribal bodies tell AMSU, DESAM, KSU to lay off Newmai News Network. Sangai express
Imphal, May 3 : Even as the teachers recruitment under Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) has raked up some contentious issues from AMSU, DESAM and Komrem Students' Union, the All Colleges Tribal Students Organisation Manipur (ACTSOM), Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland), Movement for Tribals People Rights Manipur (MTPRM) and Sadar Hills Youth Union (SHYU) in a jointly signed statement said that the memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Government of Manipur and MTPRM in the year 2003, and accordingly local qualified candidates were appointed/recruited on adhoc basis to meet the immediate needs of teachers under Autonomous Distric Councils.
The organisations said “the statement of AMSU, DESAM and Komrem Students Union published in the local newspapers on May 3 is nothing but to create disturbances and derail the teachers recruitment process for the schools in hill districts”.
It said that the time frame of advertisement for enrolling local candidates was published in their respective employment exchange offices and also in the newspapers and added “AMSU, DESAM, and Komrem Students Union have limited knowledge regarding Autonomous District Councils administration since there are no junior high schools under ADCs as mentioned in their statement.
Meanwhile, the four hill based organisations appealed to DESAM, AMSU and Komrem Students Union to stop disturbing the recruitment process and warned that the hills based organisations will not remain silent spectators.
At the same time, ACTSOM, ZYF (AMN), MTPRM and Sadar Hills Youth Union also appealed the Government of Manipur to recruit only local qualified candidates as per the MoU and with the recruitment rules of primary teachers.

Surrender’ bandh cripples normal life By Our Staff Reporter Sangai express
Imphal, May 3 : The 20 hour long general strike called by the JAC Against Fake Surrender which came into effect from midnight yesterday and enforced till 8 pm today concluded without much untoward incidents.
It nevertheless affected normal lives in the State. All commercial establishments and markets remained closed, no passenger vehicles plied on all the major roads and highways, all educational institutions remained closed and attendance of Government offices was nominal. Khwairamband Bazar wore a deserted look.
In other district HQs of the State, as all inter-district transport services were suspended, business transactions were severely affected even though a few shops opened their shutters here and there.
Moreover suspected strike supporters torched the effigy of IG AR (South) BS Ghotra strongly condemning the alleged fake surrender drama stage-managed by AR authorities.
The strike was called in protest of the ‘forced’ surrender of five youths as cadres of different UG outfits by luring them with jobs in Assam Rifles.
Volunteers of AMSU, AMKIL and THANIL extending their support to the JAC torched the effigy of IG BS Ghotra besides shouting slogans against the stage managed fake surrender drama.
Even as 24 tourist buses and trucks left Imphal today, not a single bus or truck arrived at Imphal during the general strike. It is reported that the strike was almost total as many organisations showing solidarity to the JAC imposed road blockades in several parts of the State.

‘Surrenderees’ recount ordeal in AR custody By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
The ‘surrenderees’ after they were released from AR custody
Imphal, May 3 : Two youths who were allegedly compelled to act as surrendered militants after being lured with offer of jobs in the Assam Rifles have revealed their bitter experience while in the military custody.
Judicial Magistrate First Class Imphal East released the two, Heikrujam Gobin, (20) and Sagolsem Gobin (19) today on their execution of a surety bond and a personal bond of Rs 10,000 each.
Short after their release the duo said they along with Heikrujam Ingo (18), H Lemba (18) H Momocha (17) all of Laimanai village in Thoubal district were lured and taken to different AR camps on the promise of giving them job in the Assam Rifles by one Yengkhom Somananda of the same locality on different dates.
They (both Gobins) were kept at the AR camp at Mantripukhti. During their stay some AR men threatened them to introduce themselves as surrendered militants before senior army and AR officers.
They were also given fictitious names, they said. Out of fear they acted as surrenderees before the officers, the two Gobins said.
During their stay they also found another two youths who introduced themselves as real surrenderees belonging to two different Kuki underground organizations.
“I along with eight others were compelled to put on camouflage fatigues and laid down arms one after another before an army officer in a surrender ceremony held recently at Mantripukhri with our faces masked,” a frightened H Gobin recalled. S Gobin, however, did not join the ceremony, he added. Both Gobins also flatly rejected the police statement submitted before the court that they in collu-sion with some persons including Somananda pro-cured arms and surrendered the same to AR authorities with the intention to get job under the surrender policy.
An emotional S Kumar father of S Govind said, “ I’ll never succumb to any false promises of giving job to my son. I’ll support his earlier cultivation works”.
CJM Chandel on April 27 released Ingo and Lemba on their execution of personal bonds. Till now the rifles has not produced Momocha for which his father filed a miscellenaous application before the High Court to free the youth.
Following the revelations of Ingo that two more youths - Md Hussain of Paobitek in Thoubal dist and Taorem Hemanta of Matai village in greater Imp-hal -were kept inside the rifles’ camp at Leikun -pa-rents of the duo filed two fresh habeas corpus peti-tions before the High Court to secure their release. A statement issued by the army said Md Hussain was produced before the CJM Chandel on Tuesday but he had volunteered to stay with the Assam Rifles for further rehabilitation.
Hussein of the banned RPF surrendered along with arms on February 25 and he took part in the “Home Coming Ceremony” held on March 13 this year at the headquarters of IG AR(S) at Mantripukhri, the statement quoting AR sources said. Following the stand of Hussein, the CJM of Chandel today issued an order that he be sent to the Assam Rifles camp. Md Sanahal has already been through the initial screening process as per the Surrender cum Rehabilitation policy of the Govt.
“It is clear that the father of the said surrenderee was probably instigated by some with vested interest to file a writ petition with baseless allegation to tarnish the image of the AR”, it said.

Burma’s probability: Wooing China and India By Nehginpao Kipgen Editorial Sangai Express
As Burma strategists and political planners are pooling in the ballroom, varying thoughts and approaches are excogitated. Noting that multifarious engagements can help evolve a durable solution, there is an urgency of the critical importance of the two Asian giants – China and India – intrinsically demanding and inseparable to the impetus of a realistic democratization process in Burma. However, this emphasis does not convey that the pivotal roles of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), European Union (EU), United States (US), and the United Nations (UN) are underrated. Analyzing the precarious politics of Burma, the writer is reflecting strategies that are probable to engendering amicable solutions.
In line with their esteem for democratic values, the ideals and principles of democracy are seen embedded inherently in the politics of the United States of America and the United Kingdom Governments among others. Conversely, People’s Republic of China (PRC) is emphatically projecting its communism to be efficacious governance than other administrative systems. This is a question that often raises the eyebrows of some observers and politicians: “if communism does better than democracy.” Let us inject a comparative study to suffice the dilemmatic spectrum of the two.
China’s communism is neither a replica of Burma’s military junta nor the democracy of its traditional rival India. Nonetheless, the shadow of a single party dominated communism is not ulterior to the standing image of Burma’s military dictatorial regime. Administration is convenient and decision-making is easier in a communist Government. Though marred by human rights abuses and religious persecution similar to Burma, China proves to be thriving economically and militarily than India. On the other hand, India, which is the world’s largest democracy, is basically a country of public opinions. Checks and balances at the three branches of Government – legislative, executive and judiciary squarely matter in all administrative units. Although legislative changes and constitutional amendments may be seldom, if happens, they are representatives’ mandate, which is an essential practice in a democratic institution.
China toward Burma
The steady emergence of PRC economically and militarily has immensely effected changes both regionally and globally. While the western world is propagating for the spread and burgeoning of democracy around the world, China is exuding its result-oriented communist ethos. There is no doubt about the implications of China on other countries with its myriad imports and exports. Burma’s markets and households are overwhelmed with cheap but impressive Chinese products ranging from essential commodities to bulky merchandized goods. China has succeeded in ingraining its cultural and financial influences on Burma. Many of the well-to-do families and businesses have rested on the shoulders of the Chinese community. In other words, China has proven itself to be one of the biggest Burma’s trading beneficiaries and partners thereby entailing to be one of its strategic ally.
Sanctions from western countries, particularly the EU and US on Burma, are yet another incremental mileage for China. While Burma is largely seen cornered and isolated by the international community, China extends its soft hands to the hierarchy of the regime by offering variant incentives. This cemented diplomatic cordiality serves as one hardest substance to penetrate the periphery of the ruling regime. The hardening of this rigidity is augmented by the renewed Burma-Russia relationship. Both China and Russia status as permanent members at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is even a greater challenge when it comes to dealing with Burma.
India toward Burma
Had China not been aggressively advancing in the region, India might have taken a different road map toward the perplexed Burma. While seeing China as a traditional rival and potential threat to its territorial integrity, India cold-shoulders to the hue and cry for a democratic change in Burma. Economic interest is another important factor. The world’s biggest institutions of communism and democracy are on hot pursuit for regional influence and international presence. This is one of the reasons why Indian politicians and decision makers seemingly have contradicting statements when they are in the opposition camp and once ascended to power. The bottom line here is that national interests and security matters most for individual countries.
Moreover, the racial diversity of India also has a tremendous weight in shaping its foreign policies. Majority of the people in the eight sister states of the northeast India are racially of mongoloid stock of people, different from majority of the Indian population. A sense of being foreign to Indian mainland and an alleged step-motherly treatment from the Indian Government to people of these States have resonated with insurgency campaigns ranging from statehood demand to secession. Curbing the activities of these insurgents, many have bases in the soil of Burma, necessitates their cooperation. In reciprocation, India needs to extend a goodwill gesture to appease the Burmese military leaders. This may also pertains to the launching of India’s “Look East” policy.
Despite the low ebb enthusiasm, India appears to be more considerate and concerned over the Burmese democratic struggle than China. Thousands of both registered and unregistered refugees from Burma are allowed to settle in the country through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ New Delhi office and some local Non-Governmental Organizations. Privileges and opportunities given to the Burmese community in India by the Government is by and large less significant than those of the Tibetans, yet this is one evident example construed to be India’s discreet solidarity to the Burmese democratic struggle. In the calculations of many world political analysts, these actions are apparently too little to help resolve the decades’ old Burmese political problems.
Probable solutions
Different political strategists may conceptualize on how to bring forth a genuine democracy in different perspectives. Here, “genuine democracy” connotes a type of democracy that can mutually be acceptable to all sections of the peoples of Burma. Probable solutions to the ongoing political imbroglio in Burma, according to the writer, may be achieved primarily in two different ways – Intervention and Popular Uprising.
Intervention
In resolving any political conflict involving two opposite groups, the intervention of a third party is one of the most viable solutions. Noticing the different levels of interventions such as diplomatic intervention, economic sanctions, and military intervention, let us study if these interventions are probable solutions for Burma. Diplomatic intervention and economic sanctions have been unevenly used in the past 10 plus years by the international community, particularly by the EU, US and the UN. — to be contd

ULFA out of US terror list From Kalyan Barooah Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, May 3 – In a reflection of the changing insurgency scenario in the North-East, particularly Asom, the US State Department has taken the ULFA off the list of Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTO). The latest Country Report on Terrorism 2005 and Patterns of Global Terrorism released last week by the State Department makes no mention of ULFA, which was declared as an FTO last year. The same Report last year had described ULFA as North-East India’s most prominent ethnic secessionist insurgent group.

“The ULFA’s kidnappings, killings and extortion led New Delhi to ban the group and start a military offensive against it in 1990, which forced it to go underground. ULFA began to lose popularity in the late 1990s after it increasingly targeted civilians, including a prominent NGO activist. It lost further support for its anti-Indian stand during the 1999 Kargil War. ULFA trains, finances and equips cadres for a “liberation struggle” while extortion helps finance military training and weapons purchases,” the US State Department had commented.

The Report had created sensation last year with the ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa writing to the US President pleading their case. The US act had landed the outfit into grave difficulties more so because an Interpol Red Corner Alert notice was already out against the chairman and commander-in-chief, Paresh Baruah among others. Listing of ULFA in the FTO had also put Bangladesh in a tight spot as most of the leadership are operating out of the country.

The US action last year came after the outfit went on a killing spree, the most gruesome of which was the Dhemaji blast in a school that left over six children dead and 21 others seriously wounded on the occasion of Independence Day celebrations. It has been learnt that ULFA’s bid to engage the Government of India in talks through the Peoples Consultative Group (PCG), besides stepping down of violence have prompted the US to take it off the list of FTO.

The Report this year added the aliases Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JUD) and Idara Khidmat-e-Khalq (IKK) to the Specially Designated Global Terrorist Designation (SDGT) of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). The action under Executive Order 13224 blocks all property, and interests in property, of JUD and IKK that are in the United States, or come within the United States, or the under the control of US persons.

US law requires the Secretary of State to provide Congress, by April 30 of each year, a full and complete report on terrorism. This annual report titled ‘Country Reports on Terrorism’ was previously called Patterns of Global Terrorism. The report covers developments in countries in which acts of terrorism occurred, countries that are state sponsors of terrorism. It also provides information on terrorist groups responsible for the death, kidnapping, or injury of Americans, and reports on all terrorist organisations on the FTO list. Meanwhile, in its Report this year, the US had had very little to say about the violence in the North-East, though the Home Ministry’s annual report said that violence level in the Region has gone up. “The most prominent terrorists groups are violent extremists separatists operating in J-K, Maoists in the ‘Naxalite belt’ in eastern India, and ethno-linguistic nationalists in India’s north-eastern States,” the Report said.

However, the Report came down hard on India on other fronts. India’s counter terrorism efforts are hampered by its outdated and overburdened law enforcement and legal systems. The Indian court system is slow, laborious and prone to corruption; terrorism trials can take years to complete. Many of India’s local police forces are poorly staffed, trained and equipped to combat terrorism effectively. Despite these India scored major successes including numerous arrests and seizure of hundreds of kilos of explosives. The Indian Government has an excellent record of protecting its nuclear assets from terrorists and is taking steps to improve further the security of its strategic systems. But perhaps the most-hard hit by the Report was Bangladesh. The country witnessed the emergence of a dangerous terrorist group. Jamaat-ul-Mujhedin Bangladesh (JMB) launched coordinated nationwide attacks on ‘un-Islamic’ persons and facilities in pursuit of its goal of a fundamentalist Islamic society. Bangladesh has limited success in countering JMB’s escalating acts of terrorism, underscoring the government’s serious institutional resources and political constraints. Porous borders, and endemic corruption continued to undermine the government’s broader counter terrorism posture. Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia regularly condemned terrorism at domestic and international forums. The government has renewed bans on JMB, Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh and Harkatul Jihad-I-Islami – Bangladesh as terrorist organisations. The Report also noted there was good cooperation between law enforcement agencies on several cases relating to domestic terrorism.

Centre asked to initiate NDFB peace talks By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, May 3 – The pressure is building up on the Centre to initiate talks with the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB). After the All Boro Peace Forum (ABPF) made public its decision to hold Statewide demonstrations on Friday in a bid to pressurise the Centre to start formal talks with the outfit immediately, Rajya Sabha member Urkhao Gwra Brahma has written to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to start the talks without delay. The NDFB is presently in a ceasefire agreement with the Centre. The one-year agreement is set to expire on May 31. Since the ceasefire began, however, there has been little progress in starting formal talks with the outfit. It has led to concern that the outfit may go back to its violent ways if nothing is done soon. The outfit, in the aftermath of violence during its recent Asom bandh, had accused the government of violating the ceasefire agreement by arresting its cadres. The arrest of eight of its men in Guwahati was the reason behind the bandh call.
In his letter to the Home Minister, Brahma pointed out that the inordinate delay in formal peace talks between the Centre and the NDFB is causing a “disturbing situation” in the state, particularly the Bodoland area. The outfit has entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India a year back and since then the official talk on the issues raised by them is being demanded by various political and social organisations of the state, he said.

“The peace process will remain as unfinished task in the state and Bodo area in particular unless the NDFB issue reaches its logical conclusion,” Brahma stated. The government’s steps to settle the problem and its present move of entering into a truce with the outfit had brought some “ray of hope” about establishing permanent peace, he said. “But the present growing resentment within the NDFB against the government’s apathy in initiating official talk, which is still a non-starter, have again created apprehension in people’s mind that whether much awaited peace talk of the government and the NDFB will really be initiated,” the former student leader said.

“Under the above circumstances, I strongly urge upon your honour to start the formal dialogue with the NDFB without any pre-condition.” Brahma also urged the government and appealed to the militant outfit to stop any kind of hostility towards each other and to build a cordial atmosphere so that the peace process is not disturbed in future. Brahma’s letter to Patil comes in the backdrop of the NDFB itself starting to complain about the delay in beginning the talks. It is reportedly circulating leaflets in the Bodo dominated areas to drum up support for its cause and pointing out the Centre’s lack of initiative to start the talks. The State Government, it may be mentioned, is also keen that the talk process be started soon.

Border trade paralysed in North East From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, May 3 – Border trade relations with Bangladesh and Myanmar came to a standstill today following the indefinite suspension of border trade called by the Central Customs and Excise Employees Welfare Association (CCEWA). The CCEWA decided to suspend trade at all the 32 Land Customs Stations in the region in protest against the abduction of Ghasuapara Land Customs Superintendent and Inspector, Dharani Bora and Mrinal Sharma.

Bora and Sharma were abducted by a group of armed United A’chik National Front (UANF) militias on April 26 from Baburambeel in South Garo Hills district. The two officials are said to be taken to UANF hide-out in Haulaghat area under Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. Police officials on condition of anonimity told this correspondent here that the UANF chairman Nemosh Marak has demanded a ransom amount of Rs. 1.50 crore for their release.
“The Association has decided to open all the Land Customs Stations in the region only after the UANF militants released Bora and Sharma”, said the president of CCEWA, Lily Shangpliang. Commissioner (Customs), North Eastern region, Ringzing S Negi told newsmen here today that the sudden indefinite closure of Land Customs Stations in North East has paralysed border trade in the region. Negi said that New Delhi had aprised Dhaka about the presence of the two Customs officials in its territory and has urged the Bangladesh Government to rescue the two UANF hostages. He said the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has also sought a detailed report from the Meghalaya Governmnent on the abduction of the Customs officials.


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