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07/23/2006: "NSCN-IM threatens to end ceasefire Nagaland Post"

NSCN-IM threatens to end ceasefire Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, JULY 22 (IANS): The NSCN-IM Saturday threatened not to extend the nine-year-old ceasefire accord beyond this month-end if New Delhi fails to modify truce ground rules. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), led by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, and government peace negotiators are due to meet for peace talks in Bangkok July 28. The latest ceasefire expires July 31.
"There are lots of ceasefire ground rule violations by the Indian Army, besides serious charges of security forces either smuggling weapons seized from our cadres or providing such seized arms to one of our rival factions," NSCN-IM spokesperson Kraibo Chawang told IANS.
"The very question of extending the ceasefire beyond July 31 is now at stake if the government does not clarify the issue of scores of missing weapons seized from us and also modifying certain ambiguous clauses of the ceasefire ground rules as sought by us."
The NSCN-IM has been struggling for nearly six decades to create a 'Greater Nagaland' by slicing off parts of three neighbouring states to add to the mountainous Nagaland state. The NSCN-IM and New Delhi entered into a ceasefire agreement in August 1997 that has been renewed regularly. Central Minister Oscar Fernandes will be leading the talks with the NSCN-IM in Bangkok. "We hope to know if there is a solution or something definite in another two to three rounds of talks," Fernandes told journalists Friday at Kohima. The rebels and the government have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years to end one of the longest running insurgencies that has claimed around 25,000 lives since 1947.
"The ceasefire is definitely not going well at this moment with the Indian government found to be a little insincere in its approach," Chawang said. The demand for a 'Greater Nagaland' that would unite 1.2 million Nagas has been strongly opposed by the surrounding states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
Thai police question Muivah at Bangkok airport The Imphal Free Press
Kohima, July 22 : Top Naga guerrilla leader Thuingaleng Muivah was questioned by the Thai police at the Bangkok airport earlier this week, a rebel spokesperson said Saturday. Police and immigration officials interrogated Muivah, general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), on July 17 immediately on his arrival from The Hague. The Thai police allowed him to leave the airport after a few hours. Details of the interrogation are not immediately known.

"We have lodged a protest with the Indian government. We believe the Thai police were instigated by RAW (Research and Analysis Wing - India`s foreign intelligence agency) officials to question our leader when he arrived from The Hague," NSCN-IM spokesperson Kraibo Chawang told IANS. The top rebel leadership has been living in self-imposed exile for the past 38 years with Muivah shuttling bases from Bangkok and Amsterdam and other South Asian cities. The chairman of the NSCN-IM, Isak Chishi Swu, is also in self-imposed exile and operates out of some South Asian cities. Indian peace negotiators have been holding talks with the NSCN-IM in Bangkok and the Netherlands for the past nine years. In 2000, the Thai police arrested Muivah at the Bangkok airport on charges of travelling on a fake Thai passport. He was released after New Delhi intervened as the peace talks were threatened at the time. Central minister Oscar Fernandes will meet Muivah and other top NSCN-IM leaders for talks in Bangkok on July 28.
NSCN (I-M) rejects NSCN (K) charge Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR: The Kohima Town Command, NSCN (I-M), has termed as "a total lie" the NSCN (K) charge that the killing of NSCN (I-M) Corporal Zubenthung in Lerie Colony was the handiwork of his own men. Major Ape of the NSCN (I-M), through a release issued here, alleged that Corporal Zubenthung was killed by NSCN (K) cadres at the house of Shikato in Lerie Colony.
"It is a known fact that Shikato of Lerie Colony used to shelter NSCN (K) cadres. He let SS Lt. Vitoi in his house for a year. When the town command of NSCN (I-M) went to enquire about the presence of the NSCN (K) cadres in his house, Shikato denied their presence. After talking with him for 10 minutes, the NSCN (K) cadres from the window shot corporal Zubenthung," the release said. The release also stated that there was a government white Maruti gypsy parked behind Shikato's house at that time, adding it was "used by the NSCN (K) cadres."
Meanwhile, the Kohima Town Command, NSCN (I-M) has warned that all those, including government servants, public, student or any organizations, found collecting tax or extorting money on behalf of the NSCN (K), would be dealt with capital punishment. "Anyone providing shelter to NSCN (K) cadres shall also be dealt with the same punishment", the release added.
Rio calls for interim agreement Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network Shillong, Jul 22: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today advocated for an 'interim agreement' to keep the Naga peace process alive. Ahead of the scheduled Naga peace talks on July 28, Rio said, "If an immediate settlement becomes too difficult, an interim agreement must be evolved. This issue should be handled step by step," Rio said during a visit to Shillong. Exuding optimism that the Naga problem would be resolved, Rio said, "all human problems have a solution and this issue is no different".
Refusing to divulge any formula that Nagaland may suggest to the centre and the NSCN on the peace process, Rio said, "the state govt is a facilitator and would not like to intervene directly in the peace talks between the centre and NSCN".
Rio informed that the chief interlocutor Oscar Fernandez has also visited Nagaland and met members of the civil society including church leaders.
"This was done to elicit their opinions prior to the next round of talks," Rio stated. When asked, Rio said, the present crisis faced by the Naga community was 'disunity'. "There are many players in the state and there is disunity which is causing problems for the state".
On the issue of integrating Naga-dominated areas, Rio said, his govt was 'not forcing' anyone to integrate with Nagaland. "Anyone wishing to integrate with Nagaland is welcome".
Peace-talk points to remain secretive Nagaream.com
Kohima, July21 [NNN] : Dealing a blow to the demand for publication of ongoing Indo-Naga talks' outcome, Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation and also the head of the Indian Govt's ministerial team in the Indo-Naga peace talks, Oscar Fernandes today disclosed that both the sides have agreed not to make public the points that the two sides have agreed upon out of the NSCN (IM)'s 30-point charter of demands.

These will be made known to the public only after a final settlement is arrived at and a deal is signed, he said while addressing newspersons at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima this evening. Noting that the Govt of India has no desire to further prolong it, he claimed that major progress has been made while reasoning that more rounds of dialogue would be needed before final settlement is arrived at.
"We have discussed every point in the NSCN (IM)'s charter of demands and we have agreed on some points but we need to discuss more on some points", he said.
On the law and order problem in Nagaland as a result of continued factional clashes in various parts of the state, the Union Minister mooted strengthening of the monitoring mechanism with more powers and facilities.
Naga rebels threaten not to extend ceasefire Monsters and Critics.com - Glasgow,UK
Kohima, July 22 (IANS) A dominant tribal Naga separatist group in Nagaland Saturday threatened not to extend a nine-year-old ceasefire accord beyond this month-end if New Delhi fails to modify truce ground rules, a rebel leader said. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, and government peace negotiators are due to meet for peace talks in Bangkok July 28. The latest ceasefire expires July 31. 'There are lots of ceasefire ground rule violations by the Indian Army, besides serious charges of security forces either smuggling weapons seized from our cadres or providing such seized arms to one of our rival factions,' NSCN-IM spokesperson Kraibo Chawang told IANS.
'The very question of extending the ceasefire beyond July 31 is now at stake if the government does not clarify the issue of scores of missing weapons seized from us and also modifying certain ambiguous clauses of the ceasefire ground rules as sought by us.'
The NSCN-IM has been struggling for nearly six decades to create a 'Greater Nagaland' by slicing off parts of three neighbouring states to add to the mountainous Nagaland state. The NSCN-IM and New Delhi entered into a ceasefire agreement in August 1997 that has been renewed regularly. Central Minister Oscar Fernandes will be leading the talks with the NSCN-IM in Bangkok.
'We hope to know if there is a solution or something definite in another two to three rounds of talks,' Fernandes, who is now in Nagaland's capital Kohima, told journalists. The rebels and the government have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years to end one of the longest running insurgencies that has claimed around 25,000 lives since 1947.
'The ceasefire is definitely not going well at this moment with the Indian government found to be a little insincere in its approach,' Chawang said. The demand for a 'Greater Nagaland' that would unite 1.2 million Nagas has been strongly opposed by the surrounding states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Rebels threaten to stop ceasefire From correspondents in Guwahati
SEPARATIST rebels in India's remote northeast threatened Saturday not to extend their ceasefire, accusing the army of supplying weapons to a rival rebel outfit to provoke a "fratricidal war." The Australian
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), the main rebel group in Nagaland state, is due to meet in Bangkok on Friday for talks on the ceasefire, set to expire July 31.
"(We have) serious charges of security forces either smuggling weapons seized from our cadres or providing such seized arms to one of our rival factions... in a bid to create a fratricidal war," said a NSCN-IM spokesman.
"The very question of extending the ceasefire beyond July 31 is now at stake," the spokesman, Kraibo Chawang, told AFP by telephone from Nagaland's commercial hub of Dimapur.
The Indian army denied the rebel charges. "The charges leveled by the NSCN-IM are totally unfounded," an army commander in Nagaland said, requesting anonymity. The original Nagaland rebel group split in 1988 into two factions. The main NSCN-IM outfit is led by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah. The other rival National Socialist Council of Nagaland led by guerrilla leader S.S. Khaplang struck a ceasefire with the government in 2001 although no formal peace talks have yet been held. The two sides regularly clash for territorial supremacy. At least 200 members of both outfits have been killed in turf battles in the past five years.
The main group led by Muivah and Swu is seeking a "Greater Nagaland" that would unite 1.2 million Nagas, a demand strongly opposed by neighbouring Indian states. The other group is seeking an independent tribal homeland. India and the NSCN-IM have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years to end one of South Asia's longest-running insurgencies that has claimed around 25,000 lives since the country's independence in 1947.
The Mulatonu syndrome- Nagaland Post
It is a shame for the Nagas to own a person like that of Mulatonu who is not ashamed of incessantly weaving lies of accusations based on illogically false defamations upon responsible figures. As always proper senses will prevail over all illusive accusations upon all the Naga Civil Societies, Intellectuals, Leaders, Churches, individuals, etc. for everyone is well aware of this gentleman's desperate insanity.
Without any compunction or remorse Mr. Mulatonu and his likes with their lunatic syndrome have been propagating fictitious allegations and discourtesies upon Naga leaders, International friends, Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers Association (NMA), Naga Students Federation (NSF), Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), Council of Nagaland Baptist Churches (CNBC), All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM), United Naga Council, Naga Democratic Movement of Myanmar (NDMM), intellectuals and all other Church bodies as well as organizations throughout Nagalim. Can anyone deny that they have not been falsely accused or charged by the so-called self-proclaimed 'freedom fighters'? The baseless, senseless or illogical accusations and allegations by an insane person do hardly require a response unless one is also insane. For every one knows the fool in the circus arena is dancing to the tune of our adversaries' policy to dislodge the peace process and with intent to continue with their ordeal of blood suckling the Nagas in the name of their aim-less freedom of illusion. The Nagas are familiar with the Khaplang and NNC members who are the tools of the GoI's agencies to stigmatize and subdue the on-going Indo-Naga political talks, and that the Nagas cannot be swayed by false and shameless accusations. The Khaplang group's illusion to be representing the Nagas is the greatest lie of the 21st century. When they are against the people they claim to be representing, whom do they think they are representing? Can anybody tell which people based Naga organization, leader or intellectual figure they have not challenged or gone against? They represent only the 'Mulatonu syndrome' and not the Nagas. The Nagas will no longer succumb to divergent and divisive maneuvers of falsifications. Our historical facts will also remain intact against all distortional elements for the future generations to establish the traitorous elements in our freedom movement that tried to stifle Naga people's aspiration but failed. Some Food for thought: To gauge what the Khaplang group and adversaries have achieved during all these years in their fight against the Naga freedom, they have Throughout their existence of so many years, the Khaplang group in working as a tool of the Indian agencies have done nothing but only continued to paint wrong ugly images of the Nagas, incite division within the Naga family, issue threats and accusations upon genuine Naga people's representatives and organizations for supporting the Indo-Naga peace talks for an honorable settlement, baseless and illogical defamations, collected taxes and extorted money in the name of Naga people's freedom; cheap campaigns of falsely based media hype to confuse and mislead the Nagas, etc. Mr. Kughalu, the false self-proclaimed freedom fighter with intent to mislead the people through his immature and impulsive whims of accusations, allegations, defamations, libels, derogatory statements, etc., have been vying to enunciate a bad image of the Nagas.The Naga people are no more susceptible to be misguided by a novice of such mentality and personality, and such endeavor to hijack the Indo-Naga peace process or to divide the Naga family will be futile. Disgracefully inculcated with naIve, ignorant and irrationally knowledge of the Naga movement, the gentleman has been professing his illogical, adverse and unfounded ideology and philosophy aimed only to fill their (Khaplang) private coffers by serving their paymasters i.e., 'the Indian Government Agencies'. These inimical elements' desire to prolong the national struggle, during which they may continue their acts of terrorisms, innocent assassinations, extortions and various other anti-social acts. Coming to the context of 'terrorism' that has been repeatedly vocalized by the gentleman in the media, time and again, it is not to the wishes of the GPRN to be arguing with a person of his caliber, who is taken to be out of his mind dwelling on his non-stop irrational and illogical baseless press- statements. As the saying goes- "A person who argues with a fool is himself a fool'. But to dispel misguidance and deceptions disseminated through these anti-Naga propagandas to incite unpleasant seeds of Tribalism and distrust in within the Naga social fabric, the facts have to be understood.
The usual accusations of- Indian Mujahedeens, Americanism, Bushist, terrorist, Meitie slaves, Meitie brother, Miyas, gang, National Indian Sponsored Cannibals, Non-Nagas, canines, etc., is the only language and work they are contributing to the Naga National cause. One should know that the NSCN is not that cheap to stoop down to debate with the likes of Mr. Mulatonu against his dirty and dishonorable accusations, for the Nagas are being led not by unprincipled people but by leaders of firm moral characters and integrated principle. Naga people are completely fed up of silly fabricated and false tales and allegations treacherously generated by the negative whims of a psychopath. But to our dismay and the amusement of our adversaries, the clown is performing the comic stint on stage of the Naga history; a slapstick comic jester on the arena of the Naga freedom legacy, foolishly humiliating the Naga people on the stage to the eyes of the world. It disgraces not him but the Naga family. (To be continued)Issued by: MIP: GPRN (IM)
Rishang dismisses ‘liberation movement’ By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 22 : Cocking a snook at the various underground organisations operating in the State, Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing today asked the people not to come under the illusion that the ‘liberation movement’ will bear fruits.
Addressing the Congress Workers' Conference at Ukhrul Town Hall today, the veteran Congress leader urged all the concerned to stop the struggle and instead come to the negotiating table and hold meaningful dialogues so that amenable solutions may be worked out within the Indian Constitution. Expressing grave concern over the violence perpetrated in both the hills and plain of Manipur by underground organisations, Rishang appealed to all to settle their differences peacefully so that the people may enjoy the fruits of peace. Exhorting all Congress workers to work fearlessly for the upcoming 9th Assembly election, Rishang advised them to be ready to meet any elements who pose a threat to the peaceful conduct of the election.
Apparently referring to the text book issue, Chief Minister O Ibobi in his address said that the future of the children should not be jeopardised by trying to get another State involved in areas which are under the jurisdiction of the State Government.
On development, the Chief Minister assured that there will be no dearth of funds for development programmes in the hill districts. Ibobi also pointed out that numerous contract works have been garnered in the name of underground organisations with no work being executed and urged the people not to encourage such trend. The Chief Minister further said that though there are Graduate Teachers vacancies for ST , the problem being faced by the Government is dearth of qualified candidates. It would be wrong to appoint anyone as teachers without ascertaining their qualification minutely, he said adding that the stake is the future of the students.

Rio for ‘interim agreement’ to keep peace process alive From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, July 22 – Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today advocated an ‘interim agreement’ to keep the Naga peace process alive.
Ahead of the scheduled Naga peace talks on July 28, Rio said, “If an immediate settlement becomes too difficult, an interim agreement must be evolved. This issue should be handled step by step,” Rio said during a visit here. Exuding optimism that the Naga problem would be resolved, Rio said, “all human problems have a solution and this issue is no different”.

Refusing to divulge any formula that the State may suggest to the Centre and the NSCN on the peace process, Rio said, “ the State Government is a facilitator and would not like to intervene directly in the peace talks between the Centre and NSCN”.
Rio informed that the chief interlocutor between the Government of India and NSCN parleys Oscar Fernandez have also visited Nagaland and met members of the civil society including church leaders. “This was done to elicit their opinions prior to the next round of talks,” Rio stated.
When asked, Rio said, the present crisis faced by the Naga community was ‘disunity’. “There are many players in the State and there is disunity which is causing problems for Nagaland”.
On the issue of integrating Naga-dominated areas, Rio said, his government was ‘not forcing’ anyone to integrate into the territorial boundary of Nagaland. “Anyone wishing to integrate with Nagaland is welcome”.

Inter state bus service to stop from July 23 The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, JUL 21: Around 110 buses of the All Manipur Inter State Bus Association (AMISBA) connecting Imphal to Guwahati, Dimapur and Shillong will go off the roads from July 23 for three days.
The decision of the association is related with unbearable monetary demands from insurgent outfits, NGOs, civil societies and unlimited harassment received by the drivers, handymen and passengers, AMISBA president A Buddha Luwang said speaking at a press conference today.
“There seems to be no government. We are threatened to close down our association. We had complained to the chief minister and the state transport department on June 11, but no action has been taken till now,” he said
He appealed to the state government to take action against the rampant monetary demands, threats to the association members and harassment of drivers, handymen, passengers, etc.
He further appealed to the state government to take action for ensuring smooth services of the buses along NH-39 and protection from the illegal taxes and other harassment.
With the monetary demands from different NGOs and civil society organizations based in the state increasing, Buddha also appealed to the NGOs and other organizations to stop making unreasonable demands and not to harass the association members. Saying that the association is serving the people, the president urged the 18 different insurgent organizations that are making regular monetary demands not to make demands that are beyond the capacity of the association.
The Association has been serving the people of north east for over 15-20 years with thousands coming to and going out of Manipur. The Association has been plying regular bus services with 80 buses presently on road along the NH-39 amidst the numerous threats to life, illegal tax, etc imposed by the illegal organizations, he went on to say.
In Nagaland alone the buses are checked six times by the police, thus causing wastage of time and unnecessary mental harassment to the passengers, drivers and handymen. The president appealed that such checks be less frequent by checking twice, at the first and last gates. He said that checking is done only once in Manipur and Assam. He said that often loots and extortions are carried out in Nagaland.
The secretary general of the association, Th Krishnan also appealed to the people to cooperate in the recent move for price hike to ensure continued smooth service of the buses.
A memorandum was also submitted to the Assam transport minister on June 24, 2006 requesting for allocation of land near Guwahati Railway Station for bus parking, opening ticket counters, etc for the AMISBA, the president stated adding that often the bus owners from Manipur faced problems due to lack of proper independent offices for the state’s bus owners.

Manipur transporters to launch 3-day strike Assam tribune
IMPHAL, July 22 – The All Manipur Inter-State Bus Association (AMISBA) will launch a three-day strike from tommorrow to protest the “unbearable monetary demands” from insurgents and NGOs.
Some 110 buses that carry thousands of people daily between Imphal and other state capitals in the northeast will not ply during the stir, AMISBA president A Budha Luwang said here today.

“There seems to be no government. We are threatened to close down our association. We complained to the chief minister and transport department on June 11 but no action has been taken till now,” he told reporters. Appealing to authorities to protect transport services on the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar highways, Luwang said the government must take steps to prevent monetary demands by insurgent outfits and NGOs.
Narrating the threats issued to AMISBA members and the harassment of drivers and passengers by armed persons, Luwang said the government must ensure smooth transport services along National Highways in Manipur. Luwang appealed to about 18 insurgent organisations operating in Manipur not to make demands that cannot be met by transporters. He said that in spite of numerous threats to transporters as well as the imposition of an illegal tax on them and the harassment to drivers, the association has been serving the people of the northeast for over 20 years. Official sources confirmed that militants, mainly in the hill areas of Manipur, had been collecting huge amounts of money from transporters in the name of “road tax” and “vehicle tax” over the years as the authorities could not provide adequate security along the highways. – PTI

World Bank study on NE’s natural resources — HN Das Assam Tribune editorial
Many people in Assam, including experts of the relevant disciplines, probably are not fully aware about the significance of an important report on “Natural Resources, Water and the Environment nexus for Development and Growth in Northeast India”, which the World Bank has been commissioned to prepare. The draft report is ready and is under circulation. The Assam Tribune has done a signal service by publishing a front page item on the salient points of the report in its issue dated July 4, 2006. We in Asom normally do not take notice of such matters at the appropriate time and then raise a hue and cry that we were neglected or discriminated against. Some times we start an agitation against supposed step-motherly treatment. Now that the facts are clear we should study the World Bank report carefully and make our views known as soon as possible. The draft report was discussed in a well attended seminar recently. The concerned state governments sent their representatives whose views were listened to and copious notes were taken. Asom was represented by a delegation led by the Minister in charge of Water Resources. I happened to be invited on my own. I did not represent any government or any organization. There were a few other specialists and institutional heads from Asom who also participated in the seminar.
I personally felt that the strongest presentation on the occasion was made by the Chief Minister Gegong Apang who very candidly, almost bluntly, asserted that Arunachal Pradesh’s upstream rights must not be ignored while sharing the benefits of projects based on water resources of the rivers which flow through that state. He actually used the word “belong” while speaking about these rivers. He, however, conceded that these rivers originate in the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China. One of the priority activities identified in the World Bank draft is to “create an appropriate institutional framework for river basin management, including a regional river basin organization with a clear mission and mandate”. The World Bank, therefore, “strongly support the plans outlined by India’s Prime Minister to develop a new river basin management institution that would work across the entire Northeast and to which decision making powers would be devolved with strong participation by the states.”

To this seminar the World Bank invited experts from the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Grand Coulie Dam on the Columbia river covering both Canada and USA and the country of the Amazon river, that is, Brazil. These people have experience and technical knowledge of managing gigantic dams, hydro-electric installations and river valley projects in their respective countries. They made excellent presentations. Some of the points appeared relevant to the extant situation in the North East. Actually the World Bank is envisaging to base their recommendations on the proposed river management authority on the experience and expertise of these countries.

One discordant voice that was heard was that of Gegong Apong. He was strongly of the view that his state should have a river valley authority of its own and he said that for this purpose he has already initiated steps to bring in a state legislation. He however did not elaborate how such a legislation would fit in with the Prime Minister’s vision of one river management authority for the entire North East. The seminar did not discuss the related question of how to cope with the problem if the other states also followed the Arunachal Pradesh model.

Beside water resources the World Bank has given elaborate attention to the other important problems of flood and erosion management, hydro power, inland water transport and forest and bio-diversity management. Special presentations were made on all these areas and the relevant points were discussed thoroughly. Similarly presentations were made on tourism also.

What I liked most about the draft report is its emphasis on the expectation that “the natural resource curse does not need to become a reality in the North east “. It has rightly surmised that “thousands of young Northeasterners are waiting for a chance to productively contribute to their home region”. The draft report expressed the hope that “with some of the changes advocated here (i.e. in the draft report) taking place, a process would be set in motion that could support them (the Northeasterners) in this endeavour”. The draft report, therefore, finally concluded that “it is vital that this process includes mechanisms for equitably sharing the benefits to be derived from development and focuses not only on the big-ticket items that support broad based, long-term growth but also on those complimentary activities that have immediate impact on poverty reduction at the community level”.

I made the point that while the Prime Minister’s idea about a regional river valley management authority would be welcome it must be shorn of the defects and shortcomings of the Brahmaputra Board. I also asked that the states must be given due representation and their views must be given due weightage. While emphasizing the need for international co-operation with China, Bangladesh and Bhutan I made the point that any decisions taken in this regard must not be prejudicial to the interest of the people of the states concerned.

Many experts touched on the vexing problem of compensation to the people uprooted by water management projects. I made the point that in the past only monetary compensation was paid to those from whom land and property had been acquired. They were also paid for other immoveable property as per the zirat. I did not find this method satisfactory. In order to elaborate on this point I cited the example of those whose land and property had been acquired for Oil India Limited in Dibrugarh. These people had utilized their compensation amounts on current consumption. Consequently they had become paupers. By the time I was posted as the Deputy Commissioner of the erstwhile Lakhimpur district with headquarters at Dibrugarh I found these people agitating for further compensation and for jobs in the late 1960s. It took me quite some time to amicably resolve the matter. This system of monetary conpensation continues even to-day. But some modification has been achieved when the alternative system, that of rehabilitation, was introduced. This, however, could not satisfy everyone who had lost their hearth and homes. This is evident in the Narmada dam and other projects where prolonged agitations have been mounted. In China I have seen people with landed property who had been uprooted by development projects being compelled to shift to cramped accommodation in highrise apartment houses specially in the city of Shanghai. Many of these people suffer from mental and physical illnesses.
I submitted that the geographical isolation of the North East and the transport bottleneck which this region suffers from can be eased to some extent if an agreement can be reached with Bangladesh whereby railway wagons, goods containers and inland water transport holds are locked on the Indian side, rolled or tugged through Bangladesh without interference and are then opened on the other side of the Indian border. A fixed amount may be paid to Bangladesh for each such consignment, beside the passage expenses, in lieu of any incidence of customs duty.

In the British days extensive dredging was resorted to in order to facilitate plying of floats and vessals on the Brahmaputra river. Even in the 1970s two dredgers, owned and operated by the Government of Assam, used to clear the silt in some of the navigational channels in the extremely braided river. For unknown reasons the dredgers were sold to the Government of Gujarat. The reintroduction of this practice may be once again seriously considered.
The NE region is susceptible to very frequent tectonic activity and it has been officially included in the extremely high seismic zone. In fact as many as 15 earthquakes of more than 7 on the Reichter scale and more than 350 earthquakes of more than 5 on the Reichter scale have occurred in the Arunachal Pradesh - Asom area in recent times including the two great earthquakes of June 12, 1897 (8.7) and of August 15, 1950 (8.6). Great damages have been wrought by these earthquakes. As a consequence enormous changes occurred in the Brahmaputra river topography. This led to bank erosion and scouring of embankments. I, therefore, pointed out that in recommending high dams in the soft soil formations of the Sub-Himalayan region very deep examination of seismicity will be required. Finally, I suggested that before finalizing the recommendations extensive and in depth discussions should be held with all stakeholders so that the recommendations become generally acceptable and do not founder on the rocks of non-involvement and apprehension of loss to any of the stakeholders.
[ The writer was Chief Secretary, Asom during 1990-95.]

What prevents the Government from fighting corruption? By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, July 22: Setting up of a number of investigating agencies in the State like the Chief Vigilance Commission (CVC), the Chief Minister’s Vigilance Cell and the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Cell etc, bears little meaning in a State like Asom where the investigating agencies have to wait for years to get the mandatory prosecution sanctions from the Government against corrupt officials, thereby, allowing them (corrupt officials) to go scot-free, and corruption a free run. Though investigations into allegations of corruption against a number of top-level officials have been completed and charge-sheets prepared by the investigating agencies, yet the agencies are not in a position to submit the charge-sheets before the court since the Government, for reasons best known to it, prefers to hold back the mandatory prosecution sanctions. Some of the officials against whom charge-sheets have been prepared by the investigating agencies have already retired and they are getting all retirement benefits since the Government is reluctant to give the prosecution sanction against them.
Spending crores of rupees in these investigating agencies simply seems to be waste of public money since the expensive investigations against corruption and the findings are being kept under the wrap by the Government. Take the case of the office of the Director General of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, which is manned by the full strength of staff including the IG, DIG, SP etc. The Cell could successfully send only one corruption case to the court since its inception. The accused in the particular case was Khadi and Village Industries Board Marketing Officer Sarbeswar Das who was later convicted by the court. This does not mean that the investigating agencies are inefficient and they cannot pursue cases. The agencies do investigate the cases and prepare the charge-sheets, but they cannot submit the charge-sheets before the court since the Government seems to be too lenient towards the corrupt officials.
Take the example of former APSC chairman and now Sarupathar MLA Tara Pada Das. During his tenure as the APSC Chairman, Income Tax officials had raided his residence and seized lakhs of rupees in cash and other assets. The Government of Assam too had asked its Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Cell to investigate the allegations of corruption against the former APSC chief. After investigation, a case (No 13/2001 u/s -13 (1) (e)/ 13 (2) PC Act, 88) had been registered against him. Acting on the case, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Cell prepared the charge-sheet and sought the prosecution sanction from the Government way back on March 10, 2005. As the Government is yet to give the prosecution sanction, the former APSC chief has been going scot-free, and he made it to the State Assembly twice as an independent candidate. When the charge-sheet against Das has already been prepared by the investigating agency, why is the Government so lenient towards him? Is the investigation just an eyewash?
The investigating agency has also completed its investigation of the case (No 1/2004 u/s 13 (1) (e) /13 (2) PC Act, 88) against IPS officer PK Roy who had corruption charges against him during his tenure as the Commandant of the Home Guard Civil Defence. The Cell framed its charge-sheet against the IPS officer and sought the prosecution sanction from the Government on March 29, 2004, but the plea fell to the deaf ear of Dispur. Now the IPS officer has got promotions, which would have been blocked had the Government given the prosecution sanction at the right moment.
RN Sarma, IAS, too had a corruption case (No 5/2000 u/s-409/468/471/120 (b) IPC R/W Sec. 13/2 PC Act, 88). The charge-sheet had been prepared and the prosecution sanction was sought way back on February 23, 2001, but the Government’s nod is still awaited.
This is not all. There are 19 other such cases in which the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Cell prepared the charge-sheets but the Government is reluctant to give the prosecution sanctions. The situation in the other two investigation agencies — the CVC and the Chief Minister’s Vigilance Cell — is no better either.