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07/07/2006: "Naga Student Federation cautions State Government"

NSF cautions State Govt Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 06: Contending that Manipur Government has been discriminating and imposing their will on the students of hill districts, particularly the Nagas, the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) asserted that it is fully prepared to face any consequences in thwarting the discriminatory policy imposed on the minority Naga students of Manipur.

In a statement issued from its Kohima head office, NSF cited preference of Nagaland Board of School Education prescribed text books by Naga students of manipur's hill districts as an outcome of Manipur Government's decision to impose Meetei Mayek on the minority students.

the historical facts and rights of the people cannot be undermined by any force as long ethnic people exists and live in their own land, the NSF affirmed while alleging that Nagas and other minority ethnic groups of Manipur have suffered long enough in the hands of the majority Meiteis in different areas. Moreover, cultural imposition by the Meiteis under the pretext of school syllabi deserves utmost condemnation by the entire ethnic people of the world, the statement issued by its president V Phushika Aomi maintained.

NSF also prevailed upon the Nagaland Government to find and amicable way in accommodating over 40,000 students to address grievances of the hill district students of Manipur who, NSF claimed, have rejected text books of BSEM on their own volition. The NSF has also deputed a team to meet Human Resource Development Minister on the issue of discrimination of minority by the Meiteis with high hope that India will address the issue without further delay and reaffirmed itself (India) as the largest democratic Nation in the world, added the statement.
Naga Hoho Federal Assembly on July 14 Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, July 5:: Federal Assembly of the Naga Hoho, the apex body of all Naga tribes of Nagaland, Asom, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, will meet here on July 14...

Secretary of the Naga Hoho Federal Assembly Keny Tep in a statement here today said the last session of the Naga Hoho Federal Assembly, which was held here on June 27 last remained inconclusive, for which Naga Hoho had to reconvene it on July 14.

Mr Tep informed that the Federal Assembly will discuss on the Search Committee Report for the Presidential candidate of the Naga Hoho, which remained vacant following the death of its President Horangse Sangtam at Bangkok few months back.

He further requested all the units to come with proper consultation with their tribes and present the feelings of the people in the discussion. This is important because the Naga Hoho has to carry out its activities based on the people's aspiration and support, he said. (UNI)

ANSAM joins chorus in refuting text books report Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 6 : The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has said that it outrightly rejects the report in a newspaper in the July 3 edition which said that some organisations and NGOs are forcing the private schools and their authorities to prescribe the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).
ANSAM termed the reports as “the vile and cheap propaganda of the Government of Manipur (GOM) to confuse and misinform the general Naga people as reported in an Imphal based newspaper on July 3, 2006".
The Naga students said that it was very unfortunate to learn that the Government of Manipur is directly challenging the aspiration of Naga people by curtailing the right to education of their choice.
“The Government of Manipur’s attempt to intimidate the private schools by threatening to de-recognize them should they opt for NBSE syllabi is unfortunate. The Naga students are prepared for the worst,” said ANSAM.
The ANSAM statement issued by its information and publicity secretary Sounii Khapa said that the right to free choice of education is an unquestionable democratic right.
Even Article 30 of the Indian Constitution provides for the rights of the minorities to establish and administer the educational institutional institutions of their choice, said the ANSAM statement, adding “and we have every right to choose the Board/University of our choice whe-ther inside or outside the state.
In Delhi, many schools/institutions are affiliated to foreign Universities. And some schools/institutions in the state of Maharastra have opted for syllabi of another state”.
The Naga students’ body further stated that Naga organizations or NGOs have, at no point of time, forced any school/institution in the four Naga districts of Manipur to use other syllabi. We are only expressing our desire to have a common educational administration.
The Government of Manipur and its machineries should realize the imposition of BSEM syllabi upon the Naga students denies the democratic right to education of the Naga people, said ANSAM in a statement.

Civilian killed as NSCN(K) begin Tml `counter-ops` The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 6: The underground NSCN(K) claims to have launched a counter offensive in Tamenglong district to drive out cadres of the rival NSCN(IM) out of the district, even as it expressed regret over the killing of a civilian at Tamei in the process.

In a statement, information and publicity in-charge, Zeliangrong region, NSCN(K), said the counter operation has been launched in view of the failure of the NSCN(IM) to vacate Tamenglong within the month of June despite the warning it had issued earlier. The operation, in which the NP battalion of the NSCN(K) is taking part began from 11 pm last night.

Apart from the death of a civilian, NSCN(K) cadres captured a sergeant major of the NSCN(IM), identified as Agai, son of Damchuilung, it said.

Referring to the death of the civilian, the statement said the NSCN(K), prior to the launch of its counter-operation, had asked civilians not to venture out of their homes after 10 pm at night.

It said the deceased, identified as Kabenbou s/o late Winibou of Tamei, was spotted venturing out very late at night. He was asked to stop but failed to do so, and he was killed when the NSCN(K) cadres opened fire. The statement expressed the group`s deep regret over the death.

Reiterating that the NSCN(K) does not want bloodshed, the statement further said the captured NSCN(IM) sergeant major has been released unharmed after giving some friendly advice.

It also reiterated its appeal to the general public not to venture out of doors after 10 pm at night, and further urged civilians who are going hunting in the jungles not to wear camouflage uniforms.

It said the counter operation would continue for as long as the NSCN(IM) cadres remain in the district. Newmai News Network adds: The Liangmai Naga Katimai Raungdi (LNKR) an apex student body of the Liangmai today strongly condemned the killing of Kabenbou (25) on July 5 at Tamei Bazar under Tamenglong district. The statement issued by its president C.L Pouramjonbou said that Kabenbou was shot dead by NSCN(K) at around 12:30 am of July 5 at Tamei Bazar.
Further, the group urged not to continue such kind of inhuman act in future.

Drugs enter India though this small town Sumanta Ray Chaudhuri
KOLKATA: Chandel, a remote one horse town in eastern Manipur has caught the attention of the United National Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which has identified it as the hub for entry and distribution of drugs across India. Though enforcement agencies do not have a definite peg, it is estimated that the trade in brown sugar, heroin and marijuana through Chandel could be anything in the range of Rs 20 crore a month.
A report prepared by UNODC in association with the Union ministry of empowerment and social justice, points out that Chandel, located on the Manipur border with Myanmar, is the principal entry point of narcotics coming from Myanmar and focal distribution centre for north eastern states and Bangladesh. The report states that National Highway (NH 39) is the favourite route for drug traffickers to send illicit consignments to different destinations in India.
A copy of the report has been circulated among the different security and law enforcement agencies. The agencies have been directed to immediately crackdown on the drug operators on the route. UNODC monitors trends in drug smuggling, drug consumption and drug-related crimes in different parts of the globe and also advices different government on how to combat the menace of narcotics. The UNODC report has suggested that huge consignments of drugs reach Chandel mainly from the nearby Tahan and Falam towns in Myanmar. Subsequently, these drugs are loaded in trucks at Chandel and taken to the Manipur capital of Imphal through NH-39 via Tengnoupal and Thoubal districts of Manipur.
It is learnt that the second and the most vital point of distribution starts from Imphal. At Imphal, the drug operators in Manipur retain their share for the purpose of distribution in different parts of the state. The remaining consignment then makes its way to the the Nagaland capital of Kohima through NH-39 via Senapati and Tadubi. The operators in Assam and Tripura also smuggle a portion of their share of the consignment to neighbouring Bangaldesh.
The report has further pointed out that because of the easy availability, the average daily expenditure in drug consumption in northeastern states is 55 to 60 per cent higher than the national average. It is learnt that that in Nagaland and Manipur, a minimum amount spent by an addict daily on consumption of narcotic drugs is Rs 300 and on the maximum side the amount is as high as Rs 1,200.

Militancy eroding State’s development, says CM By Our staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 6: Chief Minister O Ibobi has claimed that Manipur can be developed into a progressive State within a short period provided militancy does not exist in the State.
At Manipur Information Centre, New Delhi today, Ibobi disclosed that the Centre is concerned with many developmental sche-mes in Manipur. Further the Centre has approved many more projects for the State, conveyed a press release issued by DIPR.
The Centre is intent upon further provision of development funds provi-ded previous projects are implemented effectively and work completion reports submitted in time, in- formed the Chief Minister.
He asserted that the vo-latile law and order situation in the State has been posing a major hurdle to effective implementation of development projects sponsored by the Centre.
He disclosed that a number of machines for sericulture project sponsored by Japan have been stranded at Guwahati thereby causing undue delay to operationalisation of the project.
Moreover, the State Go-vernment's plan to develop BT Park and Pologround before August 13 (Patriots' Day) this year so as to provide a recreative space to the elder citizens of Imphal could not take off on account of interference from various quarters, disclosed Ibobi. According to the plan, BT Park would be developed and fenced with see-through iron mesh at par with recreation parks in other States of India, he mentioned.
Taking into account of the ever-increasing population in the State while agricultural land has been shrinking year after year, a Bill would be introduced in the next sitting of the State Assembly to prohibit construction of houses, mills and factories on agricultural lands, he said.
Peace talks with ULFA evoke sentiments in Assam By Peter Alex Todd
Guwahati, July 5, (ANI): The ongoing discussions with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) have evoked sentiments in Assam and people are hopeful that peace and tranquility would return to the state, bearing the brunt of insurgency.
The Centre will consider the release of five ULFA cadres. This was decided after the third round of talks between the Central Government and the ULFA appointed civil society group, People's Consultative Group (PCG), in New Delhi last week. ULFA, in turn, has to show restraint and desist from violence.
At the end of the two-and-half-hour long marathon talks, the Central Government decided to consider one of the main demands of the PCG that is the release of cadres on the condition that the insurgent group change its violent character. The meeting was held in New Delhi the backdrop of series of blasts in Assam last month. Police in Assam believes that the blasts were the handworks of ULFA, while the insurgent outfit has denied such charges in a statement issued by its chief.
The joint statement issued after the talks say that the release of the five ULFA cadres is a possibility. But the ULFA in turn will have to ensure peace in the region by desisting from violence. If this happens then the direct talk with the insurgent groups can take place. So for direct talks restraint by the ULFA is a must.
Assamese were elated after the positive outcome of talks. The common people of Assam want a peaceful life and they don't want their life to be at the receiving end of the insurgent groups violence and depredations.
"Peace and tranquility should be there. Peace brings progress in all cases economic front, educational front and social front," said Dr. B C Kalita, Professor, Cotton College, Guwahati.
"The common man wants peace. We want that direct talks are held between the ULFA and the government so that there is peace and the state moves towards development," said Mala Lama, a local resident.
"I am very hopeful about this peace process and hope a quick and positive result," Bhushan Sharma, a local resident expressed optimism.
People in Assam appreciate the efforts on both the sides. The Assamese people, who are yearning for peace, want that the insurgent groups operating in the state should shun the path violence and come to a negotiating table with the Government of India.
"The peace talks between the ULFA and the government is a good process. There should be a direct conversation. Releasing the ULFA prisoners would be a good step," said Preeti Majumdar, a local resident.
The winds of change are blowing in Assam. With the younger generation going out for studies in various metro cities of the country, they now want peace and prosperity in Assam that lost development opportunities to the hands of insurgency.
The young blood of Assam feels that violence and uncertainty has affected the growth of the state. They know that that only through talks and democratic means any grievance or for that matter any development can take place. Recently journalists in Assam also came out against the ULFA for issuing threat to some media persons for publishing a survey showing ninety five percent of the Assamese disapproval for sovereignty. (ANI)
ULFA serves extortion note on RBI director By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, July 6 – Though the Government of India and the People’s Consultative Group (PCG), appointed by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) stressed the need for maintaining restraint by both the sides in the last round of meeting, the militant outfit has slapped an extortion notice on the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which caused concern among the security agencies. Interestingly, the extortion note addressed to the Regional Director of the RBI, was handed over to the security guards of the RBI colony three days back by a messenger and the RBI authorities have already taken up the issue with the highest level of police, police sources said. Police sources said that it is for the first time in the history of insurgency in the State such a note was issued to the Reserve Bank.

The letter, signed by the Commander of the 709 battalion of the ULFA, Hira Sarania, asked the Regional Director of the RBI to contribute an amount of Rs 15 lakh for the ULFA. The letter was signed on June 25 and the police has authenticated the signature of the ULFA leader as Sarania was allegedly involved in a number of attempts of extortion by the ULFA in recent days.

The letter of Sarania was accompanied by another letter written by one Vikram Singh, who identified himself as the platoon commander of 3rd platoon of B Company of 709 battalion of the ULFA. Singh said that he was entrusted with the task of keeping in touch with the RBI in connection with the “request for contribution”. He said that the RBI should pay the amount sought for in the interest of carrying forward the revolution and warned that if the demand was not complied with, the outfit would be forced to take stringent measures. The letter further asked the Regional Director of the RBI to maintain the confidentiality of the letter to “ensure safety of you and your family.”

Interestingly this was the second major attempt of the ULFA to extort money from a prominent Central Government organization as the outfit had demanded an amount of Rs 500 crore from the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation limited a few months back, forcing the police to tighten the security of the installations and officials of the oil company.

Highly placed police sources said that the matter is being investigated and the senior officials of the RBI have been provided with personal security officers and the security measures would be reviewed again if found necessary.

Nathu La reopens to brass bands and handshakes
After 44 yrs, green flags waved on Silk Road Sentinel By Wasbir Hussain

Chinese traders walk on Indian territory after crossing the China-India border at the 15,000-feet (4,545-metre) Nathu La Pass, in Sikkim, on Thursday. AFP
NATHU LA, July 6: Indian and Chinese leaders today shook hands and cut ribbons in the freezing Himalayas to mark the reopening of border trade through the 4,300 metre high (14,000 foot) Nathu La pass, putting behind bitter memories of a blistering war the two Asian giants fought 44 years ago.
Watched by scores of mountain villagers, including civilians and soldiers from the Chinese side, Pawan Kumar Chamling, Chief Minister of Sikkim, and the Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Champa Phuntsok, cut a ribbon to re-start the trans-Himalayan trade through the fabled Silk Route that dates back to the 19th century.
“The resumption of border trade reopens a major point of cultural, social and economic contacts between India’s Sikkim state and China’s Tibet region,” Chamling said during the hour-long inaugural ceremony on a road itself right on the border, watched by a host of dignitaries, including the Chinese Ambassador in India Sun Yuxi.
From across the border, Tibetans, which included women and children, clapped as Phuntsok finished delivering his address after officials from both sides were introduced to each other through an interpreter.
Shortly after the visiting Chinese leaders were seen off after a tea party at an Indian Army base, more than 80 traders from Sikkim queued up, crossed the gate and were driven in buses to Renqinggang, the designated trade mart on the Chinese side, a distance of 17 km from Nathu La.
Sun Yuxi, who had come from New Delhi for the ceremony, crossed the pass and drove inside Tibet, becoming the senior most Chinese official to take the Nathu La route to enter his country in recent memory.
Soon thereafter, 100 traders from the Chinese side were driven into India, to the Serethang trade mart, where Chief Minister Chamling addressed the visitors and guests.
Trade through Nathu La will be duty-free but export is restricted to 29 commodities, mostly food items like rice, flour, tea, vegetable oil, spices, molasses etc.
The 15 items in the imports list includes yak tail and hair, goat and sheep skin, wool and herbs.
“Today, memories of my trading days in Yatung have come alive. Mule trains would carry our wares ranging from car parts, cycles, building materials etc.,” Motilal Lakhotia (80), one of the Indian traders who was among those who crossed over, said.
“Like most people in Sikkim, I am excited at the resumption of trade through the ancient route that can still be the bridge to Central Asia and Europe. I am crossing over into Tibet for the first time since my last visit in 1961,” Lakhotia, now an affluent businessman in Gangtok, Sikkim’s capital, said.
Overland trade across the 3,500-kilometre (2,185-mile) Sino-Indian border is limited now to two little-used crossing points with poor infrastructure.
In terms of numbers, trade through Nathu La won’t be dramatic at first. Annual bilateral trade with India now totals almost US $20 billion, according to Chinese figures.
The Sikkim Government estimates that by 2015, trade through the pass will hit US $3 billion annually. Locals in Sikkim, a small Himalayan enclave that was a semi-independent monarchy until it officially became a part of India in 1975, are both happy and apprehensive over the reopening of trade through Nathu La.
“I am happy because I may now be able to drive to Tibet to see my relatives, but in the long run, it could be possible that people from across the border would be heading our side in large numbers,” Karma Yeshi Yonten, a 83-year-old Tibetan monk, who is among an estimated 1000 Tibetan refugees in Sikkim, told this writer.
Indian authorities sought to dispel apprehensions about illegal migration through Nathu La and also about cheap Chinese goods flooding Sikkim.
“We have mechanisms in place to ensure that there is no illegal migration into Sikkim. The fear of dumping of goods is exaggerated,” BB Gooroong, Adviser to the Sikkim Chief Minister, said.
Such fears have been drowned in the enthusiasm and symbolism attached to the reopening of trade through Nathu La.
“The resumption of trade is not just a handsome confidence building measure, it can also broaden the scope of cooperation and friendship between two Asian economic powerhouses,” Chief Minister Chamling said.
‘Trade not just symbolic, we’re serious’ Sentinel
NATHU LA, July 6: Chinese Ambassador in India Sun Yuxi today said that his country was not regarding the reopening of trade through Nathu La as only a symbolic event, but taking the business “seriously.”
Talking to this writer before the inauguration of the border trade, the Chinese Envoy said: “Today’s event is symbolic no doubt, but we are taking the trade very seriously.”
Sun Yuxi said Beijing has earmarked an amount of 300 million Yen to set up the infrastructure for trade through the fabled Silk Route.
“Within two months, we are going to pave the road from Lhasa right up to this border and make it fit to handle container traffic,” the Ambassador said.
He hoped that the border people on both sides would be able to take maximum benefit out of the resumption of border trade. Sun Yuxi later drove into Tibet along with a few Chinese officials who had accompanied him from New Delhi. By Wasbir Hussain