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05/08/2006: "Border lull broken"

Border lull broken The Telegraph
NISHIT DHOLABHAI Geleki (Sivasagar), May 7: Familiar signs of conflict sent alarm bells ringing on either side of the disputed Assam-Nagaland boundary after the detention of 15 Nagas in Sivasagar district for an alleged motorcycle theft. Sources in Nagaland accused Assam police of targeting the Nagas in retaliation to alleged arson by Naga villagers in a small tea plantation on this side of the boundary. The arsonists had set the plantation office ablaze.
Shoppers at Naga Haat (market) in Singribil village, also in Sivasagar district, were taken aback when a police team rounded up 15 Nagas on Saturday for their alleged involvement in a motorcycle theft. Warned by their Assamese friends, many Naga shoppers and vendors scurried back to their villages, leaving behind their cane baskets.
Small traders like Jabbar from Kolgaon closed shop two hours before time. “Aji Naga nai to bikri bhi nai (there are no Nagas today and no business either),” he said. The prime accused in the motorcycle theft was identified as Dadul, a resident of Geleki and married to a Naga woman.
“We have only held them back, not arrested them. The idea is to pressure the Nagas to hand over the accused to us,” said R. Moran, officer-in-charge of Geleki police station.
L. Nokdang, a former villa-ge council chairman from Soyimlenden in Nagaland, rea-ched Geleki soon after to sec-ure the release of three youths from his village. “This is like blackmail. You cannot ask us to do the police’s job everytime,” he said, urging Assa-mese villagers to form a group of volunteers to apprehend the real culprit if he happened to be “in Naga territory”.
A 25-strong mob had raided Nyjung tea estate just two days earlier. Villagers on either side of the boundary said a section of the plantation was on Naga territory. Some villagers accused the administration of issuing a patta (ownership document) to the tea estate owner despite knowing that the land was part of the Disputed Area Belt. At Anaki Yimsen village in Nagaland, elders said the conduct of Assam police and tea estate owners on the other side of the boundary was a threat to peace in the area.
“We have been involved in jhum (shifting) cultivation for ages and everyone knows this is our land. But when we let the forests grow, the tea estate owners extend their plantations and encroach on our land,” said Chuba Ao, a Naga villager. Residents of several Naga hamlets, including Anaki, Anaki Yimsen and Kangtsung, said they had excellent relations with people in Singribil and Geleki. Tea garden worker Bhupen Kurmi admitted that the owner of Nyjung tea estate had encroached on Nagaland’s territory.
One village, twin identities - Naga village in Assam combines the best of both worlds PULLOCK DUTTA The Telegraph
Saripora (Sivasagar), May 7: You would expect Saripora’s Naga past and Assamese present to be the recipe for another identity crisis in a region of myriad communities, cultures and aspirations. But residents of this village straddle both worlds with ease. Every member of the 700-odd families residing at Saripora, in Sivasagar district, has two names — one Naga and the other Assamese. Everyone in the village is as attached to the Naga shawl as to the Assamese gamocha. Each villager is as faithful to the traditional Konyak Naga customs as he or she is to the adopted culture of the Assamese community.
“We are a part of Assamese society and we are Nagas, too,” says Sayang Konyak, the earnestness in her voice compelling you to believe her.
Saripora’s history dates back to the 16th century, when a group of Nagas followed the Ahom king Gadadhar Singha, who had been forced to temporarily take shelter in Nagaland to escape persecution in Assam, to this small village. Four centuries later, Saripora remains an odd mix of identities but comfortable in its own skin. There is no conflict between the past and the present or the Naga shawl and the Assamese gamocha. “In our village, we are known by our Naga names. Outside it, everyone calls us by our Assamese names,” says Pongtai Konyak, a higher secondary student. The name Pongtai is only for his village mates. Once in school, Pongtai is Utpal to his Assamese classmates. Like Pongtai, Yonguo is Pradip and Hamkai is Bipul to their friends in school. Do their dual identities ever leave them confused?
“Never,” says Pongtai. Attempts to hold on to the tradition of their forefathers are, however, visible all over the village, be it in a school that teaches girls to make traditional Naga shawls or at home, where adherence to traditional Konyak rituals is strict. Sayang, who recently opened the school to teach the village women the fine art of making Naga shawls, says her motive is not commercial gain. “I don’t wish to make money from this school. The training is free. My aim is to keep our heritage alive. Our shawl is what the gamocha is to an Assamese.”
Unlike in Nagaland, where the majority of the people are Christians, the Nagas of Saripora are Hindus. They ostensibly converted after being blessed by the satradhikar (head monk) of Moiramoria Satra, Debananda Mahanta, decades ago. “We have taken up Hinduism, but we still follow the religious traditions we inherited from our forefathers,” says Watai Konyak, the 105-year-old gaonburah (village elder).
Watai still wears the traditional headgear worn by Naga chieftains and speaks Konyak. The village even has a Morung Ghar (a traditional community hall), where animal sacrifice and feasts are common. “The only major change is that we no longer have stringent rules against inter-caste marriage,” says 95-year-old Wanchui.
NNC reacts to NSCN-IM statement The Morung Express
Dimapur, May 7 (MExN): The Naga National Council (NNC) has reacted sharply to the statement of Romeo Maring, which appeared in local dailies on May 5, terming the statement as misleading the general public as he is confused with the concept of the Naga Nation.
NNC member Samuel in a release said that the Nagas from southern part of Nagaland like the Tangkhul, Zeliangrong, Shepoumaramth etc are making a mockery of the National movement by supporting the so-called ongoing peace process between NSCN (Isak-Muivah) and Government of India.
He also said that the NSCN-IM have forgotten their own words and are holding talks with India for solution within the Indian Union which is in India’s favour, as such the peace process is the selling process of Naga’s national right, added the release.
Fresh factional fighting in Nagaland claims three lives Newmai News Network

Kohima, May 7: Two NNC/FGN cadres were killed while three other cadres were injured in a pre-dawn raid launched by NSCN (IM) cadres in the wee hours of Saturday at Phek Village of Nagaland at around 2 a.m.

According to highly-placed Nagaland police sources, `ss` Pvt. Nukuzo Lohe of Yoruba village was killed on the spot while L/Corpl. Veto of Chozuba village, who sustained grievous injuries, died on the way to hospital. Four other FGN cadres – 2nd. Lt. Vesapra of Dz��mi village, Sgt. Maj. Nuvotso of Thurutswu, L/Corpl.Ravota Vasa of Sathazu and Pvt. Rukuzo Khesoh of Chozuba village, sustained bullet injuries and were admitted at Phek district Civil Hospital.

Narrating the sequence of events, the sources said the raiding NSCN (IM) party surrounded the FGN camp at around 2:15 a.m. where around 12 FGN cadres were housed and fired at the FGN cadres. The NSCN (IM) cadres also lobbed three hand-grenades, out of which only one exploded.
The bodies of the deceased were later handed over to their native villages for final funeral rites and burial. According to the sources, the raiding NSCN (IM) party left later at around 5:30 the same morning for their camp, reportedly located at Lozaph��der Phek district. Chairman, JVC.
Border dispute is of governments, not of peoples’ Thannganing Hungyo Merapani/Geleky Morung Express News
The Assam-Nagaland border dispute is not an argument between the people but one between governments. A large section of people living in border areas, both Nagas and Assamese alike, reverberatingly echo this statement. The larger Merapani area comprising both Nagaland and Assam is situated in what is called the Disputed Area Belt (DAB), which falls under the D Sector and the Doyang Reserve. People settled here by clearing forestland. All occupants are living minus heir pattas. ‘Old man’ Rokhemo Ngully, 88, is the oldest surviving member of the Merapani Foothills Village, a Lotha Naga village that falls under the DAB.
The aged contours of his face crease to show visible pride as he displays a certificate dated December 1 1963, asking him to receive an inauguration medal during the Nagaland Statehood inauguration ceremony. People, whether Ahoms or Nagas, do not have any animosity among them and are part of a family where disagreements from time to time occur, which is but natural, he says. Rokhemo takes the name of an old friend, Kulai Saikia, who resides on the “Assam side” across the Sibang nullah, barely a five-minute walk from the Naga village. “There are no tensions between the people because of Kulai,” the octogenarian informs.
Kulai, from Sibangpar village, two years junior to Rokhemo, has handed down the legacy of holding the title of gaonbura to his son Muninder. Whenever an argument between the two peoples erupts, Kulai intervenes to sort out the problem. The Nagas were not in fault when they cleared forests to grow food, he says. His skin wizened by the sun, Kulai points out that the Assam Government had not taken care of its resources and had not established a proper border. He laments for the incident in 1985 where a big clash had taken place between the people.
“To solve the border dispute, the people should arrive at a mandate through understanding,” he advocates. The governments of Assam and Nagaland have to take into account the desires of the people, who are living reality on the land, he implies. RD Meena, the commandant of the CRPF Company stationed at Merapani says there are no conflicts as such between the people. Whenever a disagreement arises, members of peace committees of both identities arrive at the Central Police camp to resolve their differences. Security forces in the area bring peace, he says. Conflict resolution researchers are however of the view that militarising borders creates confusion in the minds of the people, as highlighted recently during a programme in Dimapur.
One cannot define the ‘technical’ border. Families of different communities intersperse and intermingle freely, devoid of a hostile scenario. Trade is carried out and ‘understandings’ for economic benefits are prevalent. Porters on bicycles transport bamboo from the “Nagaland side”. Stone and other resources also figure in the business list. Naga villagers on the other hand come down to the plains to purchase meat, vegetables and other household items.
DAN Cabinet decision on Peren draws flak The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, MAY 7 (MExN): The state cabinet’s decision on selection of Peren district HQ has drawn flak from three apex bodies of Jalukie, the Whole Jalukie Council, the Jalukie Punling Nko and Jalukie Village, for its decision arrived at earlier in total disregard of the people’s mandate which the cabinet had promised to honour, a joint statement issued by the three bodies alleged.
In an open letter to the state Chief Minister, the three bodies said that the state cabinet decision to place the district headquarter at New Peren, in disregard to the consensus of people’s choice of Jalukie is “visionless and tyranny and has failed to see the internal crisis and has not visualized beyond the political party”.
Amidst lots of controversies and speculations, the Zelianrong Baudi in its general meeting decided to place the district headquarter at Jalukie, after they were given the mandate to do so by the people. However, in a dramatic twist to the issue, the state cabinet out of the blue selected New Peren for the district headquarters, adding more malice to the issue, it was alleged.
It said that the Peren District HQ site selection was done by the Zeliangrong Baudi, on the mandate of the people with support and contribution from the Government team in verifying and surveying the land.
Giving the detailed account of how Jalukie became the consensus choice, the three bodies said that the first preference proposed by PDC & FC and recommended by the Baudi was invalidated at the general meeting of January 25, 2006 and the house endorsed the Baudi to jointly initiate with the Government in selecting a new site. Accordingly, the Baudi team selected and proposed Jalukie as the best site, it stated.
The Government team along with the Baudi and Jalukie landowners then had a meeting on 13th March 2006, wherein it was agreed upon for establishment of Peren District HQ site at Jalukie, it informed. “And so, the Jalukie People gave free hand to the Government. Unfortunately, unprincipled intervention of political hands distorted and left the matter to return to the site disposed by the people for reasons that supersede all merits and advantages”, the three bodies stated.
It further pointed out that the decision of the Baudi is final and any other decision will go against the people and which is a crime, “whether it be individual or party or Government. We as Nagas believe that ‘there is no power that is above the mandate of the people”, the appeal to the Chief Minister stated.
The three bodies alleged that the state government has fallen victim to the political pressure of few individuals. However, it is only for short gain, the three bodies stated.
“No compromise of principle on ground of politics, wealth or money. It is unfortunate and pitiful on the part of the present Government to run its course on emotion, overlooking the human principle for the sake of immediate short gain and political name, never considering the wishes and needs of the people’s choice”.
The three cautioned that the state government will be held responsible for any consequences arising out of the cabinet decision. “Your honour is requested to reconsider the Assembly decision on ground of justice and benevolence and see that the decision of the people is made final”, said the letter signed by Heiyieying, Chairman, WJC, Namgaukum, Chairman JPN.
A Man of Integrity TODAY'S EDITORIAL The Morung Express
The Naga cause is very clear, but it is the people that complicates it, was an insightful declaration that Uncle Yongkong kept reminding. It was in one of the metro stations of London that I first met Uncle in the summer of ‘99. He was smartly and neatly dressed and had come to the station to take us to his home for food, lest we get lost in the busy London metro. As a student, I was on my way to attend a month-long study program in Europe and had the good fortune to be able to transit in London and meet Uncle.
Compact in stature, Uncle Yongkong’s personality stood out amongst all others in the busy metro station, and it was not difficult to locate him even though I had never seen him before. It was his eyes that reflected and spoke with gentleness, the integrity and dedication for a cause he fought and died for. His calm determination epitomized the resilient resistance in which his generation of Naga nationalist pursued the freedom of the Naga nation.
Uncle Yongkong led a disciplined life; a life rich with experience and sharpened by the realities of struggle, that bore scars of human suffering which yearned for freedom. In his core, Uncle was a man of duty. His strong sense of duty for a cause that called for the liberation of a people was what sustained his spirit in times of loneliness and anguish. He lived life passionately and was an intense storyteller, and would take ones imaginations into the many experiences of hope and courage.
Uncle lived not for himself, but for the future of the Nagas. His desire to see that the future of Naga generations secured in freedom and peace was at the center of his existence. He felt despair and pain with the brokenness of Naga cohesiveness and was deeply worried about its consequences. He strove for the need for Nagas to find understanding from their common struggle and vision, and emphasized on the need for unity in purpose. He often said that a nation without a vision would perish.
In spite of severe pain from arthritis, he continued to write letters, some of which would even take days to complete. This was the kind of man he was. He was deeply concerned for the well-being of younger Naga generations, who he felt were isolated from their history and had little or no knowledge and understanding of the Naga cause. He underlined the need for young Nagas to learn their history and to love their people and land and to steadfastly hold on to Truth.
With Uncle Yongkong’s death, we are witnessing the near-end of a generation that proudly defied the yoke of oppression and zealously pursued freedom. It is because of their stand and contribution, that there is a story to share today. In his death, new life has been found with the knowledge that many more Yongkongs have arisen, inspired to carry on the torch, lit by the elders many years ago.
Rio, Azo Israel-bound Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
Dimapur, May 7 (NPN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Agriculture Minister Azo Nienu will figure in a high-level Indian delegation that is leaving for Israel on May 8 to take part in the "Agritech 2006 Conference" to be held at Tel Aviv in Israel. According to a source, Rio and Azo, who left for Delhi on Friday for the five-day tour, would also visit Greece and Kairo. The five-day visit of the delegation is aimed at looking into possible areas of cooperation with Tel Aviv. The delegation, to be led by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, will meet Israeli Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon.
Apart from Pawar, Rio and Azo, the other members of the delegation will include the Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Gujarat, Vasundhara Raje and Narendra Modi respectively. Agriculture Ministers of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana will also participate at the tri-annual event. Pawar will be meeting Simhon and other senior officials during the three-day visit.
"There is a tremendous potential for cooperation between India and Israel in the field of agriculture and the high-level delegation from India reflects this potential," a spokesperson for the conference told the news agency. FICCI is also sending a large delegation consisting of several businessmen, she said. India is keen on looking into possibilities of cooperation in various areas including irrigation equipments and drip irrigation, agro-technology, seeds production, agro-processing and agro-marketing.
Parliament to discuss ‘office of profit issue’ Nagaland Post
New Delhi, May 7 (IANS): After a prolonged recess, Parliament will resume next week and grapple with the issue that caused much consternation in the country's political circles - the office-of-profit controversy. During the session beginning Wednesday, the government is likely to introduce a bill to amend the Prevention of Disqualification Act that led to Congress president Sonia Gandhi's resignation from the Lok Sabha after actress-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan's expulsion from the Rajya Sabha.
Gandhi resigned as Lok Sabha member and National Advisory Council (NAC) chairperson March 23 after being accused of holding an office of profit. The controversy began when the Election Commission disqualified Samajwadi Party leader Bachchan on the ground that her post as chairperson of Uttar Pradesh Film Development Corporation was an office of profit. The office-of-profit controversy has dogged all political parties whose members are holding offices at the central or the state levels that disqualify them from being lawmakers/legislators.The government has made its intentions known and hopes to arrive at a consensus because of the everyone-is-in-it situation among the elected members, including Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee. The other significant issue that the government wants to take up is an amendment to the law to ensure that witnesses do not turn hostile. This follows a number of recent cases, including that of Zahira Sheikh, the star witness in Gujarat's Best Bakery massacre trial, and the case of shooting of model Jessica Lal.
The parliament session ended abruptly March 23, when the opposition prevented any work over the office-of-profit issue on the last day. It charged the government with trying to save embarrassment and eventual disqualification of Gandhi.
Between March 23 and May 10, it was the longest recess within any budget session during which the Standing Committees met only perfunctorily and could not take up the Demands of Grants.
The whole idea behind constituting these committees is to ensure that budgetary allocations and other functions of the government are scrutinised closely by smaller parliamentary committees since the two houses have limited time. This has not been done adequately this year. This session will have just 10 working days. Of them, the first day would be marked by obituary references and adjournment. The Lok Sabha lost two members - Mehboob Zahidi and former union minister from West Bengal A.B.A. Ghani Khan Choudhury. The Rajya Sabha lost Pramod Mahajan, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary. Speaker Chatterjee will be meting leaders of parliamentary parties Tuesday to make his customary appeal - which goes mostly unheeded - for the smooth functioning of parliament.
NNC/FGN and betrayals- Colum Nagaland Post
We, the Naga people are in-herently a sovereign independent people and a distinct nation. Therefore, the Naga people democratically formed the Naga national Council (NNC) on February 2, 1946. Hence NNC is the only mandated national council in Nagaland. Then the Naga people through federation proclaimed the federal government of Nagaland (FGN) on March 22, 1956 to govern the Naga territories at the extent of the Yehzabo (constitution) of Nagaland as a sovereign nation. Thus the FGN is the only legitimate government in Nagaland. So our people have solemnly acknowledged in the preamble of our national constitution. The preamble says,: we, the people of Nagaland, solemnly acknowledge that the sovereignty over this earth and the entire universe belongs to Almighty God alone, and the authority of the people to forefathers, the national workers and our people through the years of trial, and having our attachment to the truth of popular sovereignty as declared on March 22, 1956 and…..wherefore our people must steadfastly stand on our own pledge as a democratic people and a true Christian. Lest God will curse us.
The unauthorized Naga People Convention (NPC) led by some educated nagas first betrayed our nation in 1960 by signing of the 16 point agreement with India and sat the chairs of sin against the patriotic blood and tear of NNC/FGN and Naga patriots. Thus the 60 Naga MLAs, 2 Naga MPs and their followers are still sitting on the same chairs as anti-Naga nationalist and consuming the lives, rights and properties of our people and nation.
Besides, by the grace of God and through the prayerful mediation of the Nagaland peace council (NPC) of the NBCC, an international ceasefire agreement was signed after heavy fighting between the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) and the government of India (GOI) in 1964.
Two governments of the two nations and not UG or else. We are a nation as true as that of the other nations in the world. We have our national sovereignty and freedom, our national constitution (Yehzoba), our national flag and everything. We have nothing to do with Indian constitution, Indian integration, Indian federation or any status of the aggressors. Any Naga who has a slave’s mentality wants to live under the constitution of the enemy. Some betrayers say" statehood is not the final". Then what is that fraud and what kind of Satan is that?
Also a revolutionary group in collaborating with India formed in 1968, fought against NNC/FGN to destroy our nation. But later they surrendered to Indian in 1973 and buried itself. Then India again operated in our country with all acts of evil and terrorism. However, Shillong Accord was signed on November 11, 1975 between India and five individual Nagas (on behalf of the representative of nameless underground organizations) and restored peace in Nagaland. India, the largest democratic country in the world did sign the Shillong Accord so madly or foolishly with five individual Nagas without the name of any underground or organization. The people and nations in the world will laugh and accuse India. It is the political game of the signatories of the two sides. Let us leave it to them. There is no NNC, FGN or Nagaland in the Accord. Therefore Zashei Huire, the then president of the federal government of Nagaland (FGN) had made a statement on 30/12/75 and clarified clearly about the Shillong Accord according to the decision of the federal emergency meeting held on Novermber 29-December 2, 1975 at Dihoma as the meeting disapproved it.
The government of India also in its first Lok Sabha session in 1976 flatly rejected the Shillong Accord as India knew that she was defeated in the Accord and the Accord was useless for her. Hence, Gandhi, the then PM of India sent a senior officer of RAW and convinced Th. Muivah and Isak (deserters) to settle the Naga case on the line of Suisa'a proposal. So the Myanmar international news (MIN) of February 1981 clearly said, "… Muivah and Isak were contacted and recruited by Gandhi's administration through Research Analysis Wing (RAW) ……" Moreover Dr. A. Z. Phizo to a press man said, "NSCN was created by India and India will settle it". As a result division, extortion and killing began in our land with the formation of the NSCN and now NSCN-IM as Muivah sowed such poisonous seeds. It is now quite clear and we have nothing to confuse or fight each other for the propagandas of the enemy and its agento.
Th. Muivah was arrested on January 19, 2000 and again rearrested on January 30, 2000 by Thailand government. But easily Muivah was released from Bangkok jail within a year on the request of three former PMs of India and Muivah was taken to Amsterdam with the passport of RAW (India) in the pretext of talks and solution and traveling still with the passport of the enemy's intelligence (RAW) to distort the history and reality of our nation. But everything will be opened now. Peace with enemy and war against the Nagas is the enemy of the Nagas. Any organization organized by itself without the knowledge of the Naga people is not the organization of the Nagas and the Naga people have nothing to face any eventuality for sake of such group. They are anti-democratic, anti-national and anti-Nagaland for Christ.
We, Nagas are one. God has given us a blessed land with all our needs to serve Him. Let us leave every bitterness behind and let us reassemble in the original home and complete building the nation for Christ. And that day will be the day of real peace and unity of our people with final victory to praise the Lord. Eno. Wepetshii Kapfo, CCM, NNC. Eno. Rinso Tangkhul,
Army rejects UNLF claim By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, May 7: categorically rejecting the success claim of UNLF in the Tingkhai Khullen clash as baseless and uncorroborated the Army authorities countered that out of 15-17 UG cadres involved in the gun-fight one got killed and blood trails indicate injuries sustained by few others.
PIB (DW) in a statement quoted army authorities as saying that an operation was launched since May 2 in interior pockets of Ta-menglong district and on May 5 morning came under fire from UNLF cadres resulting in an encounter and subsequent casualty inflicted upon the UGs.
Search of the area led to recovery of one LMG, one AK-47 rifle, another AK-56 rifle, 18 IEDs, 17 detonators, 12 rucksacks and numerous incriminating materials, PIB maintained.
Negating UNLF's claim of one casualty and the remaining six reaching their location safely, the Army authorities ridiculed the contention pointing to recovery of the rucksacks which clearly establishes that presence of UGs far exceeded the claimed numbers.
further clarifying that neither did the army personnel suffer any casualty nor were NSCN (IM) cadres involved in the counter offensive as alleged by the UNLF, the statement said the UGs hardly resisted the army onslaught as they fled into the thick jungles leaving behind weapons and other war-like stores.
In a separate incident, another column of troops whi-ch was operating in Marangching area, located about four kilometres north east of Tupul, busted a temporary hideout of the UNLF and recovered 17 rounds of latho-de, one uniform and incriminating material, said the PIB statement further insisting that several setbacks suffer-ed by the UG group in the recent past is compe-lling the outfit to resort to false propaganda through the media.
NDFB threatens rethink on ceasefire From Kishore Sarkar Assam Tribune SAGARFENA, May 7 – “The NDFB is fighting for liberation and freedom of the Boro people for about last 20 years and it will not come down from its objective,” said NDFB secretary general Govinda Basumatary here today. He further said that “the NDFB is awaiting to reciprocate positively to any formal invitation from the Central government which is yet to reach us”.

At the same time, he also warned Central government that NDFB might reconsider the ongoing ceasefire if the government did not show its intention of solving the Boro problem, in which case, the result may be fatal and the Central government must take the blame for the same.

Attending the last rites of the NDFB martyr Dwithun Mushahary, allegedly killed by police firing at Sapatgram during the 24-hour NDFB bandh on April 25 last, at his native village Sagarfena under Tipkai police station in Dhubri district, Basumatary along with the top brass of NDFB, ABSU, BSS, ABPF and others paid floral tributes to the late martyr. They also met the bereaved family members. It may be noted that this matryr joined NDFB only three years back.
In this connection, a public meeting was also held at the same place under the presidentship of Sarbeswar Basumatary, secretary of ABPF, Kokrajhar district unit. Thousands of people from Kokrajhar, Udalguri, Chirang, Bagsa, Bongaigaon, Sonitpur and Karbi Anglong thronged the venue to salute the martyr and also to substantiate the demand of NDFB for an early negotiation with the Central Government as the ceasefire will conclude by the end of this month.

Addressing the mammoth gathering Gautam Mushahary, secretary, ABSU said that 50 per cent of the problems of Boros had been resolved with the historic Bodo Accord, 2003 with the BLT and it was urgently necessary for the government to expedite the peace process through immediate talks to restore absolute peace, development and prosperity of this area. Members of other leading Boro organisations also spoke in the public meeting supporting the NDFB’s call for talks.