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05/06/2006: "Naga militant factions exchange fire in Imphal"

Naga militant factions exchange fire in Imphal Press Trust of India
Imphal, , 2006Heavy exchange of fire between two Naga militant factions -- NSCN-IM and NSCN-K -- was on Friday reported from Manipur's Senapati district bordering Nagaland but casualty if any, was not immediately known, official sources said.
The gunbattle in Tinkhai Khulen area began at around 8 am and lasted for several hours, the sources said. Police forces have rushed to the spot, about 35 kms south-west of Imphal, they added. Hindustan Times
Datta stresses good relations between Nagaland, Asom Kuknalim.com
DIMAPUR, May 5: Responding to the rousing reception at Nokpu, an Ao Naga village under Mokokchung district, Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta has urged the Naga people to take to agriculture for overall development of the State’s economy.

The answer to the economic backwardness of the State lies in agriculture. Gone are the days when the best thing to go after was government jobs, said Datta while addressing a gathering at Nokpu village, bordering Assam, comprising mostly of Ao Nagas. The Governor was in the village to participate in the celebration of Moatsu, the premier festival of the Aos. Datta became the first Governor of the State to visit Japukong Range where Nokpu is located.

Conveying Moatsu greeting at the colourful celebration, the Governor asserted that Nagaland has enormous resources in the agricultural sector. What is required is to have an organized effort from the State Government, villagers and neighbouring States, particularly Assam, for the connectivity so that the surplus produce could reach markets outside Nagaland.

Commenting on the short drama, ‘Moina’ depicting the 17th century Ahom-Nokpu Naga relationship through the marriage of Sentishila, girl from Nokpu village to the Ahom King Godapani, staged during the occasion, the former IB chief said the play portraying the age-old neighbourly relationship between Ahoms and Nagas in particular and for all people in general is the need of the hour today. He lauded staging of the drama as it underscores the need for good neighourly relationship for mutual benefits and peaceful co-existence between the two communities. There is an urgent need for building good ties between the people of Assam and Nagaland for the prosperity of both the States.
MLAs refute NSCN (K) allegations By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, May 5 : Strongly refuting the allegations of the NSCN (K) that he had paid a sum of Rs 10 lakhs to the NSCN (IM), FPM MLA from Tamenglong Assembly Constituency, Samuel Jendai today said that the allegation is baseless and politically motivated.
In a statement, the MLA said, “It is mentioned that I have paid a sum of Rs 10 lakhs only to the NSCN (IM) which receipt is stated to be in the hands of the NSCN (K), Zeliangrong Region.
“I strongly deny this allegation, it is baseless and seemed to be politically motivated by somebody working against me,” said the MLA.
Throwing down the gauntlet, the MLA said, “ I also would like to challenge that on the day NSCN (K) Zeliangrong Region substantiate their allegation and authenticate it, I would tender my resignation from the membership of Manipur Legislative Assembly. The outfit is further apprised to come out with authentic documental evidence within no time.”
Making his stand clear, Samuel Jendai added, “Further, it is my sincere appeal to any underground group not to involve in local politics. And this kind of indulgence in local politics will not bring any good result to the people, rather it would create confusion in the minds of the general public in the future.”
On May 4, the spokesman of the Zeliangrong region of the NSCN (K) had accused the MLA of giving Rs 10 lakhs to the NSCN (IM) and had alleged that the outfit has the receipt to prove this.
The receipt was recovered from a camp of the NSCN (IM), the spokesman had asserted.
MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam against whom the NSCN (K) had raised an allegation that he had set up an armed outfit in cahoots with the NSCN (IM) has also dubbed the allegation as baseless.
Committees to speed up Kashmir dialogue The Morung Express
From left, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Hurriyat leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Abdul Ghani Bhat talk before a meeting in New Delhi, in this May 3 file photo. (AP Photo)
Srinagar, May 5 (PTI): To accelerate the dialogue aimed at resolving the Kashmir problem, India, Pakistan and the Hurriyat Conference will set up separate committees to discuss the issue, Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said today. The committees will remain in touch with each other and discuss the Kashmir issue more frequently, the Mirwaiz told a Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid here on his return from Delhi following a meeting with the Prime Minister.
The Mirwaiz, who led a six-member team that held talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday, said the Indian government’s committee will be headed by Home Minister Shivraj Patil while former Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat will lead the three-member committee of the grouping. The Pakistan government has also been asked to set up a similar committee, Mirwaiz said. He said the Hurriyat committee would be assisted by constitutional and economic experts who would give their expert advice. The Mirwaiz welcomed the opening of the Srinagar- Muzaffarabad route for trade by India and Pakistan, saying Islamabad had proposed not to tax goods exported from Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
He hoped New Delhi would reciprocate by exempting imports from across the Line of Control from any levies. The Mirwaiz reiterated a demand for opening all routes between the divided parts of Kashmir that existed as on August 14, 1947.
UNLF claims success strike at Tml By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, May 5 : The proscribed UNLF has claimed that its MPA cadres inflicted heavy losses on a combined force of the Indian security force and the NSCN (IM) in two gun fights near Joujangtek in Tamenglong district and at Tingkhai Khunou. A spokesman of the UNLF informed the press that a fierce gun fight ensued between a combined force of the Indian security personnel and NSCN (IM) cadres and MPA cadres near Joujangtek at Tamenglong district yesterday at about 12.30 pm. The gun fight lasted for about half an hour. Another encounter ensued at Tingkhai Khullen today at about 7.30 am, said the spokesman and added that while one MPA cadre died in the two day encounter, at least five security personnel and NSCN (IM) cadres were killed. Many others were also injured, claimed the spokesman. The spokesman further said that the MPA cadre died in the encounter today at Tingkhai Khullen. In today's encounter three members of the combined force lost their lives while many more were injured. The MPA cadres numbered only seven, said the spokesman and added that they dealt a heavy blow on the combined force. One of them passed away in the encounter while the remaining six have returned safe and sound, added the spokesman. The two day encounter ensued when the combined force of Indian security force and NSCN (IM) cadres sneaked up on the place of the MPA from the side of Nungba through Laphura-kom, Lamdangmei and Charoi Panthang village.
The situation is still tense and another round of encounter may occur any time, said the spokesman and added that the MPA cadres are on high alert. Additional security force of the Indian Army have arrived at the sites of the encounters, disclosed the spokesman further.
Meanwhile villagers staying at the periphery of Tingkai Khullen reported hearing the loud reports of gun fire and bombs at about 8 am today. Police also received reports about the sound of gun fire and bombs but did not proceed to the area as they were not sure of the exact location of the encounter. The loud reports of gun fire and bombs triggered fear and alarm among the local people.
Malaria claims 7 more lives in Karbi Anglong From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
DIPHU, May 5 – Malaria has claimed seven more lives in Karbi Anglong during the last couple of days. According to information two persons died in Phuloni area, two in Bokolia area, one in Howraghat area, one from Kheroni and one from Borthoiso village near Baithalangso died of Malaria. While the number of people of the district suffering from the killer disease is still rising.
On the other hand, Joint Director, Medical and Health, Karbi Anglong claimed that the death due to malaria in the district is nil. There are 30 DDT squads which have been pressed into service. He also revealed that there are adequate medicine to meet any eventuality. Interestingly people from the interior areas alleged that DDT hasn’t been sprayed as of yet.
Campaigning begins for Imphal municipal elections
Warm up for Manipur Assembly elections Sentinel
IMPHAL, May 5 (UNI): Campaigning has begun for the Imphal Municipal Council elections scheduled to be held on May 31. The Congress is organizing series of meetings in various constituencies to prepare for the elections. Elections will be held for 27 wards of Imphal Municipal Council (IMC). A meeting was organized today at GM hall Imphal and another meeting of the Congress party will be held at Ukhrul tomorrow. The municipal elections are of importance as the General Assembly Elections are scheduled to be held within six or seven months. Congress leaders said they will field candidates in all the 27 wards and there will be no pre poll alliance. The Communist Party of Inida (CPI) is a partner of the Congress-led secular progressive front Government hence there will be a friendly contest it was added. The other political parties like the National Congress Party (NCP) will also field some candidates party sources said. The Manipur People’s Party (MPP), Democratic Revolutionary Peoples’ Party (DRPP) and Federal Party of Minipur (FPM) have announced that they will merge to form a strong regional party and a meeting will be held on May 9 to discuss about the modalities of merger. The three parties may also put up common candidates.
A Callous ASEB Sentinel
The power situation in Asom is so dismal and intriguing that one wonders whether there exists any board to cater to the most vital need of the people in this century. Electricity — not of the kind that the people of the State are used to — is what developed societies or even the developing ones unfailingly strive for as far as uninterrupted power supply is concerned. This is not to say that such societies are absolutely free of bottlenecks, for electric power is a requirement that seems to be forcing people to have more of it as they diversify themselves into different entrepreneurial ventures in this age of technology. Back home, in Asom, it has been a case as though the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) — that is supposed to supply power, not hinder it — has gained a contract of sorts to see to it that the people suffer. By people, we mean those who are otherwise powerless, their voice stifled by the callous order of the day, but who definitely have reasons to believe that a ‘happening’ State would provide them the very basic need — electricity. In fact, they are also the ones who depend on uninterrupted power supply to earn their livelihood. Or, does the ASEB think that they too should commit themselves to unfair means in order to have some alternative arrangement for electric power, since the Board has ‘other’ things to cater to?
That members of the the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) had to be caned by the security personnel on Thursday as the student activists protested against the ASEB at its head office in Guwahati for the utter inefficiency of the Board, is a grim reminder of the fact that one has to first prepare for police atrocities — the ASEB could have averted Thursday’s incident had it been a bit more sensible as an organization in a functioning democracy — before embarking on any dissident course. The ASEB has, in a classic illustration of its callousness, conveniently chosen not to explain its oft-repeated excuse of the so-called distribution and transmission losses. What is, however, not lost even on the man on the street is that these transmission and distribution losses are what account for the pilferage of electricity — called power theft in simple language. As we reported on Thursday, the distribution and transmission ‘loss’ of the ASEB to the tune of 46 per cent in the Barak Valley against an all-India average of 20 per cent — the average figure in the State is 33 per cent — ought to provoke one into thinking as to what the Board has done to make up for the so-called loss which, to a large extent, seems to power theft.
Having said this, one must understand that the lackadaisical attitude of the ASEB has much to do with the failure of the media to project one of most dismaying failures of the State — supply of electric power to the people in this age. In a democracy as ours, that boasts of it being a trendsetter amid the impediments of the day and where the media, given its freedom, ought to follow the trail of the unholy, the worst that the media can do is not be with the people. The point is pretty simple: people are suffering due to erratic power supply, thanks to an irresponsible ASEB, and so the media ought to anchor — and relentlessly fight for — the people’s cause. The ASEB cannot be allowed to take the people for a ride, and its lame excuse of ‘loss’ falls flat on everyone with eyes to see and mind to think. Does the ASEB think that it can still remain a typical government Board as to have protesters — against its abjectness — beaten up by those who are supposed to defend their legitimate rights?
Of Failed States Sentinel
The survey conducted by the US-based Foreign Policy magazine and the Fund for Peace think-tank, that sought to rank nations as failed states on the basis of 12 indicators, has brought forth stunning results in regard to South Asia. Pakistan, ranked 9, is among the world’s top 10 failed states; the main factors attributable to this are its failure to tackle tribal areas and rising ethnic tensions, as also the devastating earthquake last October in Kashmir that it failed to deal with. One must note that Pakistan was ranked 34 last year. It remains to be seen how Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf would react to his state’s abysmal fall; this, despite his arrogance as to Pakistan’s so-called leap into the fold of global economy, and as to its claim for parity with India. India, on the other hand, has a reason to cheer for its being ranked 93 — a rise from last year’s 76 — leaving China at 57, a decline from 75 last year. The authors of the report believe that India does have the potential to surpass China in the long run in terms of key parameters that define a state’s inherent capabilities to take giant leaps forward. The advantage that India has is that it is a functioning democracy where sane voices are heard and heeded, unlike China that is still politically totalitarian. But as a whole, it does not augur well for South Asia that five of its nations are among the world’s top 25 failed states — Pakistan (9), Afghanistan (10), Myanmar (18), Nepal (20) and Sri Lanka (25). All this means that these countries need to initiate radical measures to attack the malaises of uneven development, failing security apparatus and dismal human rights records.
Naxalism and the Poor, the Lowly and the Lost MV Kamanth Sentinel
In the last 40 years, Naxalite (Maoist) insurrections have spread like a forest fire from just one village to 170 districts in 13 States. The ‘‘Red Corridor’’ has penetrated into the heart of India from the Nepal border through Bihar (30 out of 38 districts), Jharkhand (15 out of 22 districts), Orissa, Chattisagarh and Andhra right down to a few districts in Maharastra and Karnataka. In a note submitted to a recently held JRD Tata Memorial Seminar, Mr A D Moddie pointed out that the Naxalite fire has spread faster since 1990, with the neglect of rural India after liberalization, the Naxal movement getting better armed with Kalashnikovs, land mines, wireless and country -made weapons. It is an open question how such weopons have been amassed through which sources, though one always has the example of the Virappan villain to go by. What is shocking is that State governments seem utterly insensitive to what is going on within their boundaries. According to Mr Moddie, the general causes for the fast spread of Naxalism is the failure of land reforms, the plight of poor peasants and tribals, lack of participative development and alienation of tribals towards sarkari development which has dispossessed them of their land and livelihood.
According to Mr Moddie, some 50 million people have been affected by the construction of big dams alone. The figure is disputed, but is believable. Thus, a study conducted under the auspices of the Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR) in 1994 noted that about 321.3 million people had been displaced between 1950 and 1990 to make way for mines, dams, industries and wildlife sanctnaries. It is a frightening figure, considering that it does not include the number of people displaced in urban areas. Mr Moddie can conceivably be right because more people have been displaced since 1994 or some 12 years ago.
Very little is heard about them. The significance of the number of displaced people in India is better understood when one realizes that out of 195 member countries of the United Nations, as many as 112 have a population of less than 50 million, and that includes Argentina (38 million), Canada (31 million), Ghana (30 million), Kenya (31million), Myanmar (49 million), Poland (39 million), and Tanzania (35 million). Australia has a population of 20 million and France 59 million. There are several countries like Belgium (10 million), Denmark (5 million), New Zealand (4 million) that pale into insignificance in the face of the number of people merely displaced in India. If that is not frightening, what else is? The tragedy is that the number of tribals and Dalits displaced is disproportionately high. According to Usa Ramanathan, an honorary fellow of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies writing in The Hindu (14 April), in West Bengal alone about 70 lakh (7 million) had been adversely affected by projects between 1947 and 2000, of whom 30 lakh had been physically displaced and only some three lakhs had been ‘‘resettled’’. Fancy 36 lakh people having to fend for themselves without any help whatsoever from the state. It is a matter of disgrace. Tribals made up 20 per cent of this number and Dalits 30 per cent. 31 lakh lost their land and livelihood without being physically relocated. In the same period, in Assam, around 25 lakh people were deprived or dislocated. We speak of them as ‘‘people’’ when they are our fellow human beings and deserve every help they can get. Usha Ramanathan mentions other instances that are soul-wrenching. On January 2, the police opened fire on tribals who were preventing the take-over of their land for setting up industries in Kalingangar in Orissa. A total of 634 families were displaced from the site of the Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd, but only 50 persons apparently got employed. Some 430 families were displaced for Visa Steel but no more than 42 were given employment or approximately one individual in ten families. If Usha Ramanathan is to be believed and there is no reason why she should not be, the State Government bought the land from the tribals at Rs 35,000 an acre and sold it to the industry at Rs 3.35 lakh an acre. That is some business deal at the cost of the tribals.
The State Government must have thought that even in giving Rs 35,000 an acre, it was being charitable to the poor landowners. Officially, in Orissa, 81,176 families from 1,446 villages have been displaced due to development projects between 1950 and 1998 which required acquisition of 14,82,626 acres of land. When the Hirakund Dam was built between 1948 and 1957, as many as 285 villages were affected, of which 248 were in Orissa. Around 4,744 families, all belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, were forcibly displaced of whom, it is claimed, 2,185 families were resettled in 17 rehabilitation camps. Nobody knows what has become of them.
One of the phonic words in the English language is ‘‘rehabilitation’’. It can mean anything. What needs to be remembered is that the state is not doling out charity to these ‘people’. Displacement can be very painful. People are removed from their natural environment which can be emotionally draining. They are pushed from one natural surrounding to another which can be totally alien and disturbing. And then there is the process of having to make a living and getting adjusted to a totally new way of life. It is inhuman to treat tribals and Dalits that way. Given this, is it any wonder that Naxalism is thriving, and what is more, spreading throughout the country? Admittedly, violence cannot be tolerated, but do we ask why there is violence in the first place? And to think that some 50 million people have been displaced, fancy throwing out the entire population of Canada, Australia and New Zealand in order to satisfy the demands for industrial or agricultural development. How thoughtless — and inhuman — can one be? The public must speak up for the lowly and the dispossessed, and demand that justice be done to them. That is the only and most sensible way of fighting Naxalism. Fighting violence with counter-violence does not meet the ends of justice. Think of 50 million people thrown out to streets by callous State governments and greedy industrialists. Their rehabilitation should be the concern of every decent citizen in this great country, and not just of the Narmada Bachao Andolan. We need many more Medha Patkars, howsoever much we may regret her decision to fast into death for a good cause. There cannot be a better cause.