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07/19/2006: "NSCN (IM) cautions people on deceptive propagandas The Morung Express"

NSCN (IM) cautions people on deceptive propagandas The Morung Express

DIMAPUR, JULY 18 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has once again cautioned against what it termed as “deceptive propagandas doing its round to mislead and confuse the Naga people” and that since 1975 ‘defunct nationalists’ in recent times have been “breathing out from their hibernation of around thirty years of deep slumber with falsified and anti-Naga mindset to mislead the people”.
“This trend of capitulated mindset has resurged with no regret or evaluation of its consequences but only to dislodge the peace process for finding a lasting solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political conflict”, stated a four page long press communiqué issued by the MIP.
The statement pointed out that if one had to proclaim oneself as a true patriotic nationalist, they would work selflessly for the Naga cause rather than subduing it.
“When one is engaged in subversive activities, paper wars based on falsified accusations and destructive inclinations only rather than constructive contributions, is it not a profession of inimical elements”, the NSCN (IM) questioned.
“Can shedding crocodile tears on peace and unity, attacking the NSCN, branding own brothers as meitie brothers or slaves, calling the Nagas from outside the present Indian Nagaland State as outsiders, appealing to the GoI to book NSCN under POTA, calling NSCN as terrorists, gang etc., be recognized as a freedom fighter?”
The MIP statement pointed out that it would be appropriate if the NSCN (K) came out in the open with what they have been doing all these years for the freedom of the Nagas besides “cheap paper wars, senseless killings, extortions, intimidations, threats, condemning international supporters, false propagandas, divisive designs and other subversive activities”.
The NSCN (IM) further alleged that ‘adverse elements’ have been wrongly trying to mislead and confuse the Nagas by saying that the current peace process is only for integration and under the Indian constitution, which is totally untrue.
“The NSCN shall never betray the Nagas and abandon our national principles and will continue to uphold the will and aspiration of the Naga people.”
The NSCN (IM) also welcomed all form of constructive and contributive approaches to the Indo-Naga issue but stated that it could not accept anti-Naga agendas.
“Nagas can expect nothing but only negative solutions through people with negative traits only. It is high time that the Nagas shed away negative elements and positively confront facts to rescue peace and a lasting solution to our problem”.
Meanwhile, the NSCN (IM) also stated that despite the odds, it singularly continued to espouse the Naga people’s cause by voicing the inalienable rights as a people suppressed by an occupying nation to the outside world. “The NSCN led the Nagas against all odds and affiliated our nation’s membership in the Unrepresented Nation People’s Organization (UNPO) at The Hague, Netherlands”.
Among the other several achievements the NSCN (IM) pointed out that it succeeded in a breakthrough when the UN Commission on Human Rights granted it the opportunity to speak during its 54th session from March 16-April 27, 1998. The NSCN IM) informed that in pursuit of realizing the Naga people’s aspiration, it was continuing to ceaselessly work and garner support from friends and well wishers from around the world. “We have been able to open our support offices at Netherlands, Thailand, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, South Korea, Australia, England, Philippines, Sweden, Belgium and the United States of America”.
Meanwhile, on the recent firing incident near the Chief Minister’s residence, the NSCN (IM) has clarified that it was not that its members were allowed to go Scot free and the NSCN (K) cadres arrested as accused, but because the NSCN (IM) members were “
”unarmed and unnoticed while those apprehended were in arms to disrupt peace”.
The NSCN (IM) also stated that while trying to put a stop to anti-social activities On July 13, the rival NSCN (K) cadres fired upon them whereby Lt Corpl Zubenthung Tsopoe was killed by their bullet. “But contrary to what happened, the Khaplang people spun a wrong accusation with hope to divert the killing upon our cadres, whereas, one of their cadre who was present during this incident there has recently joined the NSCN fold and remains to be the living proof of their usual misadventures of wrong accusations”.
The NSCN (IM) further pointed out that the cold blooded murder of Lt Mayarping at Kohima recently and falsely implicating the NSCN (IM) had been revealed “after their cadre, Sgt Maj Khehoto who was in Kohima command during the incident of the killing and has joined the NSCN fold and unfolded the facts”. The NSCN (IM) alleged that the NSCN (K) through the command of 2nd Lt. Amento and Toshika orchestrated the brutal murder of Lt Mayarping, an innocent Naga public, with the intent to flare up division within the Naga family.
Naga Hoho resolves- Nagaland Post
In continuation of the Emer-gency Federal Assembly of the Naga Hoho which was adjourned inconclusively on the 27th of June 2006, the house resumed its session on the 14th of July 2006 at Kohima Tourist Lodge with a very impressive attendance, which was specifically summoned to discuss amongst others, on the ongoing Peace Process with its federating tribal organizations bringing in their various understanding and suggestions to the deliberation on the specified agenda and co-related issues.
And after thorough debate and discussions the house unanimously re-affirmed and resolved to :-
• Pursue more vigorously the integration of all Naga areas and that this issue is not-negotiable under any circumstances, whatever may be the nature and terms of negotiation in the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks towards finding a negotiated settlement.
• Continue to extend its fullest support to the Peace Process for which the house further recommends the extension of the Ceasefire for further period to facilitate continuation of a congenial atmosphere towards the peace negotiations.
• Re-iterate its commitment to stop all kind of fratricides amongst the Naga national workers in particular and therefore appeal in the strongest term, for immediate cessation of all kinds of hostilities.
• Urge the Government of Nagaland to expedite the process of affiliating all the Private Schools of the Naga Hills district under the present state of Manipur to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).
• Enable the payment of all Hill House Tax 2006, to the state of Nagaland vis-à-vis the Government of India in further consultation with the United Naga Council of Manipur.
• Further urge the Government of Nagaland, to implement the Pre-1972 Status, guaranteed to all Naga citizens residing in the present state of Nagaland.
• Express its deepest concern for the army and other militant group atrocities that are committed on innocent Naga civilians in the Naga areas at Haflong and adjoining vicinities of the North Cachar Hills under Assam, and demands adequate security be provided to the Naga population. Neingulo Krome, General Secretary, Naga Hoho.
NPMHR cautions ‘rumour mongers’ Nagarealm.com
DIMAPUR, JULY18 [NPN] : The Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights has alleged that "there are elements attempting to cause confusion in the minds of the public by engineering rumors" about the organization, while clarifying that the NPMHR is a democratic organization and there is no place for "divisive politics" in it.
Reacting to the statement issued to a section of local dailies on June 24 by some "posing as members of NPMHR, Delhi Unit", the NPMHR clarified that the four-point allegation leveled against the organization had no basis and "it was only a game plan to create misunderstanding and friction within the organization and with others and to malign the image of the NPMHR."

The NPMHR took serious note of the above press statement, forcing the Executive Council, Kohima Secretariat, to adopt a resolution in this regard on July 1.

"The matter has been carefully examined collectively and we find that there is no authenticity in it. We are not aware of any such press release issued by any of the NPMHR sectors", said a release issued jointly by Nepuni Piku, Lanu Longkumer, Neikesanuo Sorhie and Phamring Sengul Anal, secretary general, NPMHR Secretariat, convenor, NPMHR Nagaland state sector, co-convenor, Delhi sector, and convenor, NPMHR South, respectively.

The release said the NPMHR, Delhi (Sector) was made non-operational since December 24, 2005 in "the democratic interest of the NPMHR collective", adding the matter was resolved on June 4, 2006 basing on the collective wisdom of the organization which was subsequently made known to the public through newspapers on June 14, 2006.

The NPMHR appealed to the public not to be swayed or confused by "such vested intentions" as the organization would continue to be committed to the rights of the Nagas and all those whose rights were suppressed or under threat.

"It is most unfortunate that the said press release has also attempted to strain our relationship with organizations that have shown commitment to the cause of the Nagas", the release said.

"In the larger interest of the Nagas' cause and humanity, we have built and extended mutual solidarity with struggle-based mass organizations. It has taken us decades to build trust and solidarity with the Indian civil society and it will go a long way in realizing our common goal," the release added.

According to the release, the NPMHR is a human rights movement independent from any political affiliation. It thrives on the spirit of understanding, good faith and

consensus. This is the established tradition in the working of the organisation. The NPMHR works under established working guidelines with its Secretariat, headed by a secretary general, and in the coordination of the convenors of the three existing sectors -- Delhi, South and Nagaland state.

The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the NPMHR. The Executive Council is formed by a seven-member EC nominated by the General Assembly to facilitate the implementation of the GA decisions and it is empowered to take decisions on urgent matters of the organisation in between GAs. It also works with other organizations with similar vision, but based on specific issues.

"Minister's office is more of a profit than MLA's corporation": Imkong Imchen By Oken Jeet Sandham – Asian Tribune
Kohima, 19 July, (Asiantribune.com): Nagaland Minister for School Education Imkong L Imchen said the “controversial” Office of Profit Act should be done away as it lacked clarity. Imkong L Imchen: "The Minister's office is more of a profit than MLA's office of corporation."
Talking to “Asian Tribune” here at his office chamber on Tuesday, the Minister said if an MLA or an MP was disqualified for holding the post of Chairmanship of Corporations as they enjoyed salaries and other perks as per the Office of Profit Act, there was no reason why the Chief Ministers, Ministers or for that matter even the Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers should not be disqualified.
“I am as a Minister getting salary, bungalow, vehicles and many more whereas an MLA as Chairman of a Corporation gets peanuts,” Imchen explained. “And you said he (MLA) should be under the scanner of the Office of Profit for enjoying his salaries as Corporation chairman while Ministers who in fact enjoyed much more than him was not within the purview of the Act.”
“The Minister’s office is more of a profit than MLA’s office of corporation,” Imchen termed the Act as “diametrical to democracy.” He further argued that as elected legislators, they should be allowed to hold any public office. Otherwise, election itself had no meaning, he pointed out.
The Minister said the Members of the Parliament should have the wisdom to debate on this “un-pragmatic Act” and they should strike it off at the earliest as it had created more confusion. - Asian Tribune -
Look East vision blurred: Rio The Telegraph
KOHIMA, July 18:: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has accused the Centre of not allowing the Look East policy to move forward, giving the excuse of insurgency in the northeastern states as a pretext...

Rio said Delhi did start off on the policy, but did not do anything worthwhile to take it further.

“Whatever the Centre might claim, it has still not sanctioned the Rs 400-crore plan of four-laning the highway from Dimapur to Kohima, which was announced by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in October 2003,” Rio told The Telegraph in an interview.

Hopes were pinned on the four-laning of the road from Dimapur to Kohima. The highway project is in cold storage with the National Highways Authority of India. The Centre has taken few steps, though the state, too, is experiencing land acquisition problems.

Rio said the Look East policy did not find a mention in the introduction paper at the recently-held North Eastern Council (NEC) meet in Shillong. It was attended by Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Asked if he thought that political problems related to insurgency in the region need to be resolved first, Rio said he would leave such decisions to the wisdom of the Centre.

Delhi has been pushing trade access from Bangladesh and finalised the road via Silchar and Mizoram to Myanmar, along with facilities for trade at Sittwe port in Myanmar. However, Nagaland does not figure in the scheme.

On the other hand, Rio has been frustrated by complaints from ministers and bureaucrats alike that “files don’t move without money” in Delhi, sources said. Without accusing the Centre, Rio observed: “For the projects, we have to visit a thousand temples.”

The Rio government is hinting that the Congress dispensation at the Centre is responsible for the slowdown of development schemes in Nagaland.

The ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland is a coalition of a regional party — the Nagaland People’s Front, the BJP, the Janata Dal (United) and Independents. The Congress is in the Opposition.

Asked about prospects of growth in Nagaland, Rio was optimistic, but said the state was still at the stage of creating basic infrastructure. Nagaland’s contribution to its own revenue is only six per cent, leaving almost no cash for maintenance of roads and basic infrastructure, complained Rio. Thus, avenues for generation on its own are limited to agriculture or horticulture.

“We are now planning horti-forests so that we can conserve the forests and reap the fruits as well,” he said, taking a cue from a successful agricultural expo in January.

Rio said his government was advising youths to take up whatever work that was available without making a fuss. He has asked NGOs and the Church to influence the youth in a positive way. (The Telegraph)
BSEM info now available on new website The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 18: Students of the schools affiliated to the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur, BSEM need not travel any more to the board office for collecting any information directly from the office. They can now avail all their required information from time to time from a nearby internet point or NIC centre as a new website has been launched for the board.

Anyone can find all required information from time to time on www.manipur.nic.in at an internet centre like CIC centre which is open in most of the sub-division and district headquarters of districts of the state. According to the secretary of BSEM, Ph Nandakumar the board has launched the website considering the grievances of the students in the far flung areas who have to travel all the way to the office for obtaining any kind of information, specially for collecting application forms for their school transfer, mark sheets and other certificates.

Talking to the IFP, Nandakumar went on to say that the board can understand the problems faced by the students from the far off remote areas, mostly students from the hill areas while coming up to the board office. As for instance if a student seeks transfer from his earlier school to another, he or she has to obtain permission from the board.

As per the norm of the board, the student first has to collect the application form available with the board office at Imphal. After collecting the same he has to go again to the school where he or she is studying for the signature of the head master or the head of the institution which is a must while applying for the board`s clearance. As such the student has to waste time travelling to and fro several times.

With the launching of the website, the BSEM secretary said such problems will not occur in future as the students can now download the application forms directly from the website from a nearby CIC or internet centre and after signature of the concern head master or the head of the institution and completing all the formalities, can directly come and get the permission. Hence the whole process will be completed in just one journey to the board office.

Apart from this students can download their mark sheets, certificates, admit cards etc. directly from the website.

Regarding the row over affiliation of private schools in the four hill districts of Manipur to the Nagaland Board of Secondary School Education (NBSE), Nandakumar reiterated that the law binds the board of a state to the jurisdiction of the latter.

Apart from this he observed that as under the syllabus prescribed by Nagaland board, a student has to choose one of language from among Bengali, Hindi, Angami (Tenyidie) Aao, Lotha and Sema as compulsory subject at class-VIII to X level as their first language. No language spoken by the Nagas of Manipur are among those recognized as first language by the Nagaland Board of Secondary School Education (NBSE)`. This may create difficulty for the students, he further observed.

Board official sticks to stand 'Meet agreed that each board should stick to its area of jurisdiction' Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 18: Sticking to his guns, Secretary of the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur, Ph Nandakumar today said that the members present at the 4th Zonal Meeting of the NE Zone of the Council of Boards of School Education in India, held at Guwahati on July 13 agreed that each Board should stick to its area of jurisdiction. This was also corroborated by the Deputy Secretary of the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur, Babudhon Sapamcha.

Speaking to The Sangai Express separately the two senior officials said that the area of jurisdiction of each Board was discussed during the meeting at Guwahati and both asserted that the meeting agreed that each Board will stick to its area of jurisdiction and not impinge on another. The BSEM Secretary Nandakumar said that during the meeting he personally brought up the subject of the text book burning incident during the meeting and produced newspapers reports.

None of the members objected or raised complaints when the matter was raised during the meeting, said Nandakumar and added that all agreed that each Board should stick to its area of jurisdiction. After it was agreed that each Board will stick to the rules of sticking to its area of jurisdiction, the Secretary of COBSE, DV Sharma asked for a copy of the Manipur Secondary Education Act, 1972, said Nandakumar and added that a copy was duly given to the official.

DV Sharma will submit the copy of the State's Act to the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development for due discussion, said Nandakumar. The Deputy Secretary of the CHSEM, Babudhon Sapamcha said that the meeting first deliberated on the frame work of the National curriculum after which the jurisdiction of each Board was discussed.

All members present including representatives from Nagaland had agreed on each Board sticking to its area of jurisdiction, said Babudhon.
The resolutions of the meeting are yet to be circulated, he added. A letter sent to the president of the COBSE, Ashok Ganguly by its general secretary DV Sharma mentioned that the demand in some hill districts of Manipur to use text books of Nagaland Board was raised during the meeting.

In this connection, the general secretary of COBSE (DV Sharma) had pointed out that it is an inter-State issue and the matter has already been referred to the Department of Education, Ministry of HRD and it is for the Government of India to take a stand on the issue. As the letter shows, the issue was discussed during the meeting.
Ibobi rushes emissaries to defuse Moreh crisis Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 18: The Manipur health minister, D.K. Korungthang and Congress MLA Bijoy Koijam today rushed to Manipur’s border trade centre of Moreh in Chandel district as chief minister O. Ibobi Singh’s emissaries to hold talks with the striking traders.
Moreh town remained closed since Saturday following alleged atrocities on innocent civilians of the area in retaliation to an attack by militants on July 13 near border gate No. 2.
The post commander of the Assam Rifles was killed while a woman was injured in the firing incident. Ever since the alleged assault of civilians the town remained closed and border trade remained suspended. The traders are also demanding release of two persons picked by the police and the Assam Rifles following the ambush. Before leaving Imphal Bijoy Koijam, who is very popular among traders of Moreh said that the government team would meet all sections of the people and discussed with them to maintain peace in the border town.
The team will also meet officials of the Assam Rifles and civil officials to defuse the explosive situation there. Before they left for Moreh the two had a meeting with the chief minister.
The Assam Rifles, however, strongly refuted the allegations that the jawans beat up innocent civilians. However, the traders claimed that the jawans did not spare Myanmarese nationals who came to Moreh for trade. They quoted one Nepali Myanmarese national as having said that the military junta in the neighbouring country did not act in the manner the Assam Rifles personnel were behaving. Meanwhile police said that the two arrested persons were brought to Imphal this morning for further interrogation.
The Army PRO earlier said that the arrested persons were working for militants over ground. However, the Moreh residents denied the charges. The UNLF also clarified that the arrested persons were nor related to the organisation in any way. It slammed the Assam Rifles for targeting the innocent civilians.
Naga Hoho Mantle TODAY'S EDITORIAL | July 19 The Morung Express
The Naga Hoho appears to be back slowly on its feet after a period of lull in which the apex tribal body has had quiet but serious and welcome deliberations on a wide range of issues including the election of a new President following the untimely and sad demise of Horangse Sangtam. It has to be appreciated that the Naga Hoho leadership has shown great patience and perseverance in the past few months of uncertainty and despair over many unwanted incidents as it has not been the best of times. Hopefully, the Naga Hoho would have been the first to admit this fact and therefore it was only in the fitness of things that it sat down for some serious deliberation. By taking this time out, the Naga Hoho would hopefully have been in a position to honestly assess its own performance over the last few years and identify the areas that need rectification or a mid course correction. Hopefully with the leadership issue within the Naga Hoho settled, it will now be in a position to start afresh with renewed vigor on the difficult challenges lying ahead.
The decision of the Naga Hoho recommending the extension of the Ceasefire for further period to facilitate continuation of a congenial atmosphere towards holding of peace negotiations is welcomed as it will give a comfortable timeframe for the talks to come to its logical conclusion and without having to rush into any hasty decision. Now that enough time and hard-work has been invested into the peace process, abdication at this juncture will not be worth the years toiled for peace. That however does not mean mere extensions of ceasefire but rather using this period to take up all substantive issues and to give a real push towards a political settlement that honors the historical rights of the Naga people.
For the Naga Hoho, one of its mandated task would be to ensure that any solution coming out of the peace process would have to be first explained and given due publicity before anything is committed in writing by negotiators on the Naga side. The Naga people must be taken into confidence before any final agreement is signed. To make this task easier and less painful, the prevailing discord among the national groups has to be alleviated. And this is not possible unless a sense of unity prevails among the 50 or more Naga tribes. Every organization including the political parties, mass based organization and the Church will also have to work in unison. It would also require that the Naga Hoho remain independent to be able to carry the confidence of the widest spectrum of people on its shoulder.
The new President of the Naga Hoho will also be required to use his diplomatic skills in order to reach out and negotiate on several fronts with different players and to act as a bridge over long distances in reconciling differences. Most importantly for the new President, it will be equally challenging to lead the umbrella organization of the Naga people and how well he does this will depend on keeping the Naga Hoho itself relevant and as a legitimate and credible institution in the eyes of the people.
ULFA using Garo Hills as hideout : ANVC From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, July 18 – The banned United Liberation Force of Asom (ULFA) is using Garo Hills as their hideout, said the banned Achik National Volunteers’ Council (ANVC).

The ANVC publicity secretary Arist Sengrang Sangma said over phone from Tura that ULFA cadres were taking shelter in Garo Hills but ‘not disturbing’ the locals there so far.

“So far the public has not lodged any complaint (of ULFA’s harassment). If they complain, we will act against them (ULFA) also,” warned Sangma.

In 2002, the ANVC issued quit notice to its close ally, the proscribed NDFB to leave Garo Hills following public outcry against its illegal activities, Sangma said.

He said, since ANVC was under a tripartite ceasefire agreement with the State and Central Government it had “no control over ULFA’s illegal activities” in Garo Hills. “It is up to the government to evict them (ULFA),” Sangma maintained.

Sangma added not just the ULFA but other banned militant organizations too were using Garo Hills as their base and hideout ‘store house’ for dumping their weapons.

Recently, in a joint operation carried out by the army and the State police, four top ULFA cadres were gunned down in Garo Hills.

According to police sources, the militants had crossed over to escape arrest from security force carrying out operations in Asom.

The Minister in-charge of Home RG Lyngdoh in a recent statement made it clear that the Meghalaya Government would ‘not go soft’ on any militant outfit including the ULFA.

Hmar refugees refuse to return to Manipur Assam Tribune
AIZAWL, July 18 – With the deadline for return of the Hmar refugees from Manipur, now lodged at a relief camp in Mizoram, expiring today, majority of them have refused to return unless the government of their home State guaranteed their safety.

The refugees had sent a memorandum to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to extend their stay in Mizoram and also to increase the rehabilitation and resettlement package offered to them, Chairman of the Hmar Refugees Advisory Board L Thualuai said today.

Hundreds of Hmar refugees fled Manipur’s Parbung and Lungthulien villages after the United National Liberation Front militants attacked the villages in the early part of this year.

Thualuai said only 117 refugees belonging to 42 families have returned to Manipur while 629 Hmars belonging to 104 families refused to go back unless their safety was guaranteed by the Manipur Government.

“The main issue, of course, is our safety. The Manipur Government offered Rs. 5,000 for each family and free ration for four months, but could not ensure safety of our lives and properties,” Thualuai claimed.

He said they intend to remain in Mizoram even if the government discontinued the relief provisions as they still dare not return to their home State.

The National Commission for Women, which conducted an independent inquiry found that at least 25 girls, some of them minors were raped and molested by the Meitei militants. – PTI

Indefinite bandh at Moreh to protest alleged excess by Assam Riflesmen
From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, July 18 – Many Indian citizens including a Myanmarese were among those who faced the wrath of the Assam Riflesmen at Moreh in an apparent reprisal for the gunning down of a Junior Commissioned Officer of 24 Assam Rifles on July 13 by United National Liberation Front cadres.

The victim fifty year-old Myanmarese Nepali informed that though Myanmar is under the military junta such excesses of the security personnel are not witnessed there.

He said, if the Assam Rifles troops did not want any Myanmarese to cross into India they could have said so instead of beating up the innocent people.

The troops led by one Major Sati of 24 Assam Rifles also forced the shops and commercial establishments in and around the Moreh gate No. 2 bordering Myanmar’s Namphalong market to shut down, reports reaching here said.

It added that the troops scattered the goods being sold by womenfolk and lined up all the male traders who were returning from Namphalong market with goods and made them take off their shirts while the troops went about beating up all and sundry.
Five other persons were also arrested from Moreh Ward No.7 Heinou Makhong area and handed over to the Police. Apparently they planted live bullets on two of them. One of them was given a grenade.

The Assam Rifles claimed in the arrest memo that four of them were UGs. The Meira Paibis are demanding the release of the boys by withdrawing the charges.

Even media persons based in Moreh had to bear the brunt of the excesses of the Assam Rifles personnel. The force warned the pressmen who came to cover the incidences of the alleged excess of dire consequences.

Protesting the excesses of the Assam Rifles, the womenfolk of the border town in association with other civil societies has clamped an ‘indefinite’ Moreh bandh.

In view of the excess, the traders who were stranded at Moreh town are afraid to cross the border to fetch the goods from Myanmar which severely hit the border trade since the past 48 hours.

The Army Public Relations Officer (Defence Wing) posted here, however, refuted the report that the AR men went berserk and added that the bandh has been called with unterior motive.

He explained that trouble has been cooked up as the troops have rounded up five suspects in connection with the July 13 incident and added that valuable information have been extracted from the five suspects. No one was beaten up today, he claimed.

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi while interacting with mediapersons on the sidelight of a function in Imphal said that a Ministerial team will be going to Moreh to pacify the people.

“Legal action will be taken up against the guilty personnel”, he said adding that his government had already intimated the Army authority so as to resume normal life in the border town.