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07/27/2006: "Many students, women hurt in confrontation with AR at Noney The Imphal Free Press"

Many students, women hurt in confrontation with AR at Noney The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 26: Many villagers of Noney in Tamenglong district, mostly school students and women, suffered injuries in a crackdown today at around 11.30 am by the 38 Assam Rifles personnel at Noney post. Some of the seriously injured people were brought to the RIMS hospital in Imphal. Among them the condition of some students were stated to be serious.

At least four jawans of the Assam Rifles of the post also sustained injuries in the confrontation, the AR authority claimed. Reports said that the incident occurred when villagers of Noney including women and social organizations of the areas and students of different schools marched to the Assam Rifles camp demanding release of a youth said to be a NSCN (IM) cadre.

Many civil organizations of the area charged the AR of excesses on the civilians while the Assam Rifles authority denied the charge stating that the Assam Rifles personnel were only preventing the mob from marching forward to the camp.A youth identified as Simeon Kabui, 22, of Tousang village presently residing at Noney, said to belong to the NSCN (IM) was apprehended by troops of Assam Rifles in civil dress yesterday along with another youth, Alfrin Kabui, who was released later, on the charge of extorting money. An official source said that the AR personnel recovered Rs. 600 in cash along with a lot of demand letters from Simeon`s possession.

A PIB source said that Simeon was handed over to the Noney police formally yesterday itself but the police told them that they had no lock up facility. However, the police formally received him on the understanding that the police would physically take him over today for further transportation to Imphal, he said. Top police officials of Tamenglong district including the SP himself rushed to the area and are camping there, reports said. As many as around 500 people converged on the AR camp today with their demand for unconditional release of Simeon. A confrontation between the mob and the AR reportedly took place as people approached the post`s main gate. In order to thwart the people from further proceeding toward the camp, the AR personnel started assaulting them resulting in a tussle between the two sides. Six persons including five students in their school uniforms who suffered serious injuries were admitted to RIMS hospital. They reached Imphal at around 5.40 pm.

They were identified as Tarileo Kabui, 45, wife of Kuthui Kabui, Abel Kabui, 15, son of Tomba Kabui, Bouchui Kabui, 15, daughter of Ramboi Kabui, Gracy Kabui, 15, daughter of Akhul Kabui, Lalthuileo Kamei, 15, daughter of Chaoringboi and Esther Kabui, 15, daughter of Paokhuigai Kabui. All are residents of Noney and the five students belong to Children`s Training School and Sharon English School located at Noney.

In the meantime, the zeliangrong Youth Front has expressed strong condemnation of the excesses meted out by the 38 AR personnel. According to a spokeperson of ZYF, the 38 AR`s treatment to the unarmed villagers particularly to the students was inhuman. He also added that the detention of Simeon is against the directive of the Supreme Court which stated that security personnel should hand over a person arrested by them to the nearest police station within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the PRO defense wing said that the incident occurred when the AR personnel tried to foil an attempt by the mob to burn down the AR camp there. The people received injuries during the course of tussle, he said. Referring to the Assam Rifles authority statement, the PRO recalled that at the initial stage the huge crowd converged and surrounded the camp. Then they started stoning the camp, he said. As a result of it four personnel received injuries, he added.

He further clarified that no excesses were committed on the villagers except efforts for self defense. He went on to say that the incident was witnessed by the president, Zelaingrong Union (Manipur, Nagaland and Assam along with SDPO, Nungba.
SP transferred in Manipur Iboyaima Laithangbam The Hindu
IMPHAL: The Manipur Government has transferred the Superintendent of Police in Ukhrul district following the escape of four Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) insurgents from custody. Two police officers have been placed under suspension.
Personnel of 13 Assam Rifles busted an illegal jail complex run by NSCN (I-M) insurgents at Ukhrul. Five civilians were set free and four insurgents with guns nabbed. The insurgents, handed over to the police, were being taken to the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate on Monday to secure police remand. However, about 40 insurgents, armed with sophisticated weapons, overpowered the police and escaped along with the prisoners.
The NSCN (Khaplang) has said the Naga non-governmental organisations' demand that books prescribed by the Nagaland Board of School Education be taught in private schools in the four districts of Manipur has driven a wedge among the different communities.
In a statement, the Naga NGOs asked the people not to oppose the demand. Their representatives called on Human Resource Minister Arjun Singh on Saturday to demand the introduction of books prescribed by the Nagaland Board.
‘Stop killings now’, Church to factions Morung Express News
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) today pointed out that it believed that as the DAN government had a policy of equi-closeness, it will give importance to all national groups to bring what the NBCC termed as respite to the ‘suffering population’. This was reportedly stated during the consultative meeting of the Consultative Committee for Peace (CCP) with representatives of various church organizations, church representatives and elders of Naga society on the Naga political issue.
The NBCC General Secretary Rev Zhabu Terhuja is reported to have presented a four-point observation of the current situation during the day long meeting in which more than twenty people spoke. The NBCC is reported to have told the gathering that reconciliation and understanding among the faction is a must and took the line that the peace process and reconciliation must be simultaneously pursued. “Hatred and bloodshed cannot build a house. Killing must be stopped right away”, the Church leader reportedly told the meeting.
The NBCC also stated that no matter the division, the different factions must recognize the sacrifices laid by the other groups in the building of the Naga house. “Past mistakes, wrongs, hurts must be admitted and addressed properly in truthfulness for healing and for the next healthy step”, was one of the point of observation. The NBCC also appreciated the interest and initiatives of the State Government for a settlement of the Indo-Naga political problem.
Meanwhile, a release issued by V Abu Metha, Press Secretary to the Chief Minister stated that Neiphiu Rio addressed the meeting that was held in the State Banquet Hall and chaired by Home Minister Thenucho. The CM appreciated the presence and views expressed by various churches and organizations. The meeting was mainly of consultative nature on the opinions over the ongoing peace process.
AR accused of provoking Nagas The Morung Express
IMPHAL, JULY 26 (NNN): The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) have accused the Assam Rifles saying that the latter has been provoking the Naga people on the eve of the crucial round of talks between the NSCN-IM and the government of India in the Thai capital starting from coming Friday.
The two Naga social organisations wrath came at the backdrop of today’s incident where the cadres of the NSCN-IM and the Assam Rifles exchanged gun fires at Leingang Ching under Chandel district which resulted in the killing of a civilian. ANSAM and NPMHR said that even though cease fire has been going on for the last nine years, the Indian security forces have been provoking the Naga people to play the spoil sport with regard to the Naga peace process. The two Naga organisations strongly condemned today’s incident of Leingang Ching in Chandel and expressed their condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased identified as S.N.Premson.
Meanwhile, a late report said that the Leingang Ching Village Authority has directly accused the 21 Assam Rifles for the killing of S.N.Premson. The village authority said that it has been the Assam Rifles that had killed Premson and nobody else. The village authority said that unless the Assam Rifles give reasonable clarification the dead body of S.N.Premson would not be taken by the villagers and the family members.
NSCN-IM says troops violating truce Nagaland Post
DIPHUPAR, JULY 26 (REUTERS): The NSCN-IM on Wednesday said it was running out of patience as government forces had killed dozens of its cadres in violation of the 1997 ceasefire agreement. The comments by a top rebel leader came before peace talks with Indian government ministers in Bangkok later this week and the expiry of the ceasefire, due on July 31. The NSCN I-M has stepped up pressure in the run up to the talks, saying sovereignty was the key issue.
"They have killed around 116 of our boys in cold blood and arrested about 200 of them in the recent past," Phunthing Shimrang, a NSCN (IM) "brigadier" who heads the rebels' ceasefire monitoring cell, told Reuters. "Our patience is running out," he said, adding that this was in violation of the truce agreement not to kill each other or confiscate arms.
But there has been little progress on the central rebel demands -- unification of Naga-dominated areas in northeast India, which is fiercely opposed by other ethnic groups in the region, and ultimately independence. Security analysts say peace with the Nagas is crucial for a broader peace in the remote northeast, seven states connected to the rest of India by a thin strip of land and home to dozens of insurgent groups. Indian security officials said NSCN cadres moved around in battle fatigues and carried arms, making it difficult for troops to distinguish them from other militants in the region.
"They are acting as a law enforcing agency in the Naga areas, which is a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement," a security officer said. The NSCN (IM) runs a parallel government in the Naga inhabited areas. The rebels say hat between 1991 and 1996, they snatched more than 800 weapons from soldiers in attacks and ambushes.
"Now that we have agreed to stop fighting, they are trying to snatch the weapons back from us," the rebel leader said. "More than 100 weapons have been taken away from us."
NSCN (IM) condemns AR attack The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JULY 26 (MExN): Terming it as an act of gross violation of the ceasefire ground rules, the NSCN (IM) has out rightly condemned the attack on its personnel by the 21 Assam Rifles, killing an innocent Naga public and abduction of another innocent civilian in the Khurmi region under Chandel District of Manipur. With the expiry of the ceasefire by July end and talks scheduled for July 28-29, the NSCM (IM) has termed the latest incident as the insincerity of the Government of India to solve the protracted conflict.
“The GoI should declare its approach responsibly rather than undertaking a double standard policy to the Indo-Naga issue”, an MIP statement commented and appealed to the UN Human Rights Group, civil societies to condemn such insincere acts. The MIP in a statement clarified that on being informed of anti-social elements’ activities trying to create disturbance in the Khurmi region had deputed some of its personnel to check and contain such from taking place. The NSCN (IM) pointed out that despite sending a message to the 21 Assam Rifles of the formers presence and which was acknowledged by the AR Commander, it was alleged that the AR attacked the NSCN (IM) and killed the innocent public Lt. Sn. Premson Lamkang and abducted the ex-army man, SK Thamthung Lamkang who had been earlier send by the NSCN (IM) to relay the message to the AR.
NSCN (I-M) cadre free militants in ambush By Indian Express Thursday July 27,
Militants of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) today attacked a police party to rescue four of their cadre on their way to the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Ukhrul.
The four had been arrested a day earlier by the Assam Rifles for running an illegal "detention centre" in Ukhrul.
The attack comes three days before the next round of talks between the NSCN (I-M) and the Centre in Bangkok.
According to reports, the armed militants appeared in civilian clothing and took away their comrades without a single shot being fired and no resistance from the police escort.
The militants also snatched away the arms and ammunition earlier seized from the four detainees.
The state government has suspended Inspector R Jonah and ASI K Yangla of Ukhrul police station. Ukhrul SP G Kabui has been transferred to the police headquarters in Imphal.
Naga bodies disapprove interference in affiliation matter Newmai News Network

Imphal, July 25: The United Naga Council (UNC),the Naga Women`s Union Manipur (NWUM),the Naga People`s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and All Naga Students` Association Manipur (ANSAM) have urged the valley NGOs not to interfere in the Nagaland Board of School Education affiliation process. According to a joint statement issued to Newmai News Network this evening signed by UNC president K.S Paul Leo, NWUM president Grace Shatsang,NPMHR (south sector) co-convenor S.Phakhami and ANSAM president Paulring Langhu 163 private schools in the "four Naga hill districts" of Manipur are in the process of getting affiliated to Nagaland Board of School Education.

"Unfortunately, there are some people/organisations that simply cannot accept the reality. The hon`ble CM of Manipur O. Ibobi Singh is one such,"the statement said. With regard to the statement made by the Manipur CM which said that "the education is a state subject and the state government will never agree to such a proposal" meaning the affiliation of the private schools to NBSE, the Naga NGOs termed it as just a political gimmick to save his chair.

"However, at the back of his mind, O Ibobi Singh knows it fully well that the decision of the Union government prevails, on any subject - be it on the state or on the concurrent list. O Ibobi should not attempt to stifle the democratic aspirations of the minorities by stooping to cheap gimmicks unless he is a mere pawn in the hands of some organisations of the valley community with vested interests,"said the frontal Naga social organisations,adding, "we respect his democratic right to expression, but he should not expect the modern public to be so gullible as to easily believe his lies."

Further, it said that the Naga people in the four "Naga hill districts" of Manipur are just expressing their democratic aspirations by deciding to get affiliated to NBSE wherein they find their cultural expression. The Naga frontal organisations then asserted that they have always respected the aspirations of other communities and expected that others should reciprocate.

The Naga NGOs then directed the social organisations of the valley community such as MAFYF, AMSU, NIPCO and Jiribam Development Council to desist from creating irrational violence to interfere in the NBSE affiliation process. The Naga NGOs termed the attitude of the valley community based social organisations as "dominant and dictatorial"and added that such attitude cannot prevent reality from taking place - their hue and cry (arson and burning of effigies of Indian leaders) in the Manipur valley will not in anyway halt the affiliation process which is already in full swing. The Naga NGOs have been silent spectators for too long and time has come to answer the call,concluded the statement.

I did not give any commitment to naga students: Arjun singh From Manipur Information Centre, New Delhi Kangla express

NEW DELHI, July 26: Dr. T Meinya Singh, Member of Parliament from Manipur, personally met the Union minister for human resources development, Arjun Singh in the Parliament here yesterday to seek a clarification pertaining to the claim made by some Naga students of Manipur that the Union minister had conceded to their demand of adopting the syllabus of Nagaland state board which is different from that of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur.

The Union minister categorically clarified that he met a delegation of Naga Students from Manipur but he did not give any commitment or endorsement to their demand. After all, the state government decides such issues, he further added.
Nagaland Police under fire for disregarding shot comrade The Morung Express Fulfillment of commitments made to deceased’s family demanded
Dimapur, July 26 (MExN): The Nagaland Armed Police (NAP) is under fire from organizations allegedly for not rendering proper tributes to Tongpang Ao, a bodyguard of former MP Imchalemba who was shot dead by fellow bodyguards on the night of July 22 at around 10:00pm at the ex-MP’s residence. It is charged that NAP authorities failed to observe even minimum formalities taken during demise of uniformed personnel.
According to a civil society, the Dimapur Longjang Senso Telongjem, no guard of honor was given to the deceased, no uniformed personnel represented the force during the funeral service and no wreath or even a ‘simple condolence message’ were received to console the bereaved family etc.
Tongpang Ao, a constable of the 7th NAP was murdered on the night of July 22 at around by 10:00pm allegedly by two fellow bodyguards identified as Home Guards Yoknei Konyak and Jako Konyak who used their service arms to shoot the deceased at the ex-MP’s private residence.
The Dimapur Longjang Senso Telongjem while condemning the act of murder, expressed resentment at what it termed the callous attitude displayed by the concern NAP authority who failed to display the minimum formalities for a fallen comrade. “The union condemns the callous attitude displayed by the concern NAP authority who failed to display the minimum formalities as normally observed during the demise of a uniformed personnel : no guard of honor, no uniformed personnel represented officially during the funeral service, neither a wreath nor a simple condolence message was received to console the bereaved wife and minor and three children in lieu of the deceased’s person’s service to the uniformed cadre till the time of his death” a condemnation issued by the union through its president T Lanu Imchen stated.
However, according to the union, the Dimapur District administration and law enforcement authorities had given certain commitments in written, in the presence of the Naga Council, the AO Senden, Ao Union Dimapur, Asetkong Union Dimapur and women representatives for which the Longjang Senso Telongjem of Dimapur appealed to the concern authorities to fulfill at the earliest.
“In the event of failure or any slackness shown in awarding a befitting punishment to the concern culprits, particularly the murderers, shall be viewed seriously and that the Dimapur Longjang Senso Telongjem shall take up the matter as per customary law” warned the union.
Also, the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur has condemned the killing of Tongpang AO, one of its members. The union called upon all right-thinking citizens to condemn the crime which according to the Telongjem, is contrary to the nature and traditions of the peace-loving Nagas. “The union while calling upon the government and law-enforcement agencies to award befitting punishment to the culprits also request for immediate fulfillment of the commitments made to the family of the deceased” Vice president R Bendang Yaden and General Secretary T Panger Tzudir stated in a condemnation.
Naga NGOs peeved at MP’s statement Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 26: The Un-ited Naga Council (UNC), the Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM), the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NP-MHR) and the All Naga Student Association Mani-pur (ANSAM) termed as unfortunate the speech ma-de by veteran Congress lea- der and Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing at Ukhrul on July 22.
The joint statement of Naga frontal organisations said that “at a time when the GoI and NSCN (IM) are persistently holding talks on the 3 conditions i.e. at the highest level, uncon-ditional talks and talks in a third country, it is very un-fortunate that veteran Con -gress leader and Rajya Sa-bha MP Rishang Keishing, while addressing the Cong-ress Worker’s Conference at Ukhrul Town Hall on the July 22, urging all concer-ned to stop the liberation struggle and instead come to the negotiating table and hold meaningful dialogue so that amicable solution may be worked out within the Indian Constitution” and termed the statement as condemnable by all Naga citizens.
Further, they pointed that as an MP he is working under GOI and the GOI has acknowledged the uniqu-eness of the Naga history.
“The UNC, NPMHR, NWUM and ANSAM se-riously view and strongly condemn his irrational com-ments”, it mentioned.
The statement further stated that “Rishang Kei-shing must realize that the authority engaged in the present talks is none other than the GOI whom he is a servant to, and the GOI has acknowledged the unique-ness of the Naga history. Therefore, Rishang Keishing has no right to belittle the GOI and NSCN (IM) effort unless he feels being left out of the limelight, or he is trying to gain some political leverage out of the issue,” adding, “Rishang Keishing has bartered his own nation, yes, his own people for a political chair, which, ironically, is being pulled away from under him. He is a politician who is out of touch with reality and is to be pitied”.
Letter on Ulfa demands sent to Centre Nagaland Post New
Delhi, July 26 (PTI): A mediator negotiating with the Centre on behalf of the banned ULFA today sent a letter to the Government seeking clarification on the outfit's three key demands, including release of five top jailed leaders. Assamese writer Indira Goswami told PTI here that she had written in the letter to Union Home Secretary V K Duggal about the ULFA's main demands.
"I sent the letter as the government had wanted that I should give the ULFA's demands in writing," said Goswami, who had spoken on phone to National Security Advisor M Narayanan and Duggal about the group's demands on Monday. The demands include the release of five top ULFA leaders held in prisons in Assam, a written assurance that sovereignty for the state would be part of peace talks, and efforts to trace ULFA cadres missing since the Bhutanese Army launched a crackdown against the group in 2003.
Earlier this week, she had received a letter from ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa asking her to ascertain the government's stand on these demands. Goswami said she, in her letter, had reminded the government about a promise made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his meeting with the ULFA-nominated People's Consultative Group to discuss "all issues" to resolve the insurgency in Assam. "I have written in the letter that the government should send a letter to ULFA mentioning its stand on the three issues raised by the outfit," she said.
A similar letter was also sent today by the People's Consultative Group, of which Goswami is a member, to National Security Advisor Narayanan.
Release leaders before talks: ULFA From Our Staff Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, July 26 – The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) today informed the Government of India that it would be difficult on the part of the ULFA to name its team for negotiation with the Government unless the five prisoners were released ahead of the talks. This was conveyed by Dr Mamoni Roisom Goswami to the Union Home Secretary, VK Duggal. The author, who has been the mediator in the peace process, conveyed three preconditions set by the outfit to the Government in the letter that was formally handed over to the Home Secretary today.

It was Dr Goswami’s contention that the ULFA expressed its inability to name its team for talks unless the five central committee members were released. The Centre had earlier asked the ULFA to name its team and spell out its agenda for the peace process. The other two conditions were that the discussions must be on sovereignty and the whereabouts of the missing ULFA leaders during the Bhutan operations in December 2003.

Meanwhile, the People’s Consultative Group (PCG) has also faxed a letter to the National Security Adviser, MK Narayanan, today reiterating these three points besides reminding the Centre of the decisions arrived at last meeting on June 22.

Commandos gun down two suspected KRA cadres The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, July 26: Two militants suspected to belong to the Kuki Revolutionary Army, KRA were shot dead by a team of Imphal west police commandos today afternoon at around 1.20 pm at Langol Laimanai village under Lamphel police station.

According to the police the two were gunned down as they hurled a hand grenade towards the police team when challenged to stop. The two slain persons were talking with two motorcycle borne youths. The police team was there on routine patrolling in the area. The two motorcycle borne youths however escaped from the hands of the police.

Later, a team of the state police bomb squad disposed of the hand grenade that failed to explode.

The unidentified dead bodies were collected by the Lamphel police from the spot and deposited at the RIMS morgue for official identification.

In an unrelated incident, miscreants early last night gunned down an unknown youth near the Naorem Birahari College, Khundrakpam under Heingang police station under, Imphal east district.

A local report said that some miscreants brought the youth there in a maruti van and shot him dead last night at around 11.30 pm.

Police retrieved the dead body and deposited it at the morgue for official identification.

When the dead body was recovered, both hands and legs of the person were found tied with a cloth and he was blindfolded also. He received one bullet on his head.