[Previous entry: "Muivah for joint panel of experts Bharat Bhushan Bangkok"] [Next entry: "Press Release Questioning ideology and vision Recommending measures and calling for Unity"]

09/25/2006: "Muivah accuses Delhi of derailing peace process Bharat Bhushan Bangkok The Morung Express"

Muivah accuses Delhi of derailing peace process Bharat Bhushan Bangkok The Morung Express

Even as he left for the Netherlands early this morning, discreetly escorted by Indian Embassy officials through immigration control, Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), seemed preoccupied with the events unfolding in the Naga areas. Expressing apprehension about escalating violence among the Nagas, he alleged that “the Indian government” had once again started pouring arms and money “to foment violence” in Nagaland. There has been a fresh spurt of violence in the state with clashes between the NSCN (I-M) and its rivals.
“The main issue is that disgruntled Naga elements are being used by the Indian government to undermine the peace process. Does it make sense to weaken the party with which you are negotiating peace?” asked Muivah. The Naga leader felt that whenever a peace process gathered momentum, “there are bound to be groups and individuals who feel marginalised,” and differences get exacerbated. Those feeling threatened by the peace process would desperately search for some kind of role for themselves, he said. But why should they be encouraged by New Delhi to act against a peaceful settlement, he wondered.
“I say it with full seriousness and responsibility that the government of India has started pouring in arms and money into Nagaland. This is happening when the Nagas are serious about seeking a peaceful solution. Does their conscience not tell them that what they are doing is wrong?” he asked. Muivah alleged that this year automatic rifles running into a couple of hundred and ammunition to go with them have suddenly been acquired by groups opposed to the NSCN (I-M), especially the NSCN (Khaplang). He also claimed that the Khaplang group moves around escorted by the Assam Rifles in their vehicles.
He also alleged that those belonging to the “Federal Government of Nagaland” and owing allegiance to the Naga National Council, which had signed the Shillong Accord in 1975, have apparently started moving out of their peace camps and are on the offensive. Ruling out the hand of the home ministry, which is facilitating the peace talks, Muivah claimed that this was the handiwork of some “other Indian agencies”. He argued that this was not possible without the consent of the people at the highest level in the government.
“If someone says this is not so, then does the left hand not know what the right hand is doing in India? Should we assume that this is because of mere incompetence? We keep saying that the Indian leadership has shown wisdom in seeking a peaceful and mutually acceptable settlement with the Nagas. But what kind of wisdom lies in sabotaging the search for a peaceful settlement?”
If this was being done to “condition” the peace process, Muivah claimed that such hopes would be belied. “Nobody should think that we can be frightened into submission,” he said. It is not as if the NSCN (I-M) consists of people who are wedded to non-violence and have never killed their rivals. There is no ceasefire between the Isak-Muivah and Khaplang groups of the NSCN. However, the Naga leader claimed his organisation had shown patience by not retaliating in full measure.
“We have been in the peace process for nine years now and we do not want to spill any more Naga blood. That is why we have desisted from retaliatory action. But there is a limit to our patience. If India does not appreciate this, then it should be prepared to take responsibility for the undesirable consequences that follow.”
Claiming that Naga peace was indivisible, Muivah said, “There will be peace dividend for all the Nagas. That is why the entire Naga society supports the peace process. So why does the Indian government want to plunge us into violence once again?”
Reasonings raised against quit notice By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Sep 24: Observing that it would be a gross mistake to take the majority group in Manipur as synonymous with the State Government and that the Meiteis of Churachandpur district do not represent the Government of Manipur, a public meeting organised by Meetei Youth Organisation, CCpur at Khuga Tampak today has resolved to appeal to all communities of the State not to target and victimise people of any community when they demand their rights and share from the State Government.
A statement issued by the Meetei Youth Organisation, CCpur informed that the public attended by hundreds of Meira Paibis, local club volunteers and senior citizens was presided by Hemam Kulla Meetei.
President of Meetei Society Yaipha Yumnam, president of Ima Leimarel Apunba Lup K Ngabi, President of Social Women Reformation and Development Samaj, CCpur branch Ashangbi and president of Meetei Youth Organisation H Brojen were the presidium members.
The public meeting also hailed the condemnation, even though it was a little late, made by Hmar Inpui, Hmar Youth Organisation, Hmar Students' Association, Hmar Christian Leaders' Forum and Hmar National Union against the diktat of Hmar National Army as published in the local media. While appealing to all the groups and organisations not to undertake any activity that may undermine and strain the relationships among the different indigenous communities of Manipur, the meeting further resolved to stand united and firm against threats from any quarter to the age old tradition of peaceful existence of all the ethnic groups in the State, conveyed the statement.
Another resolution adopted during the meeting was to extend cooperation and sharing of thoughts among all the communities at times of crisis and social issues.
The meeting also unanimously agreed to extend all possible cooperation to State level civil organisations and go in line with the initiatives taken up by civil society organisations in response to the quit notice served by HNA against the Meeteis of Churachandpur.While reiterating their strong condemnations against the quit notice served by HNA, the public meeting demanded withdrawal of the quit notice within the deadline given by HNA themselves. It also decided to impose public curfew further in Meitei localities until a notification from competent authority.
To appeal to all the ethnic groups of the State not to raise any demand detrimental to the integrity of Manipur was the final resolution adopted during the meeting, concluded the statement.
Revoke ceasefire with IM, NSCN-K tells GOI The Morung Express
Dimapur, Sept 24 (MExN): The NSCN-K has insisted that the Government of India must revoke the ongoing ceasefire with the NSCN-IM and that “the Black Man” Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, be removed on grounds of corruption and abetting the latter organization. The NSCN-K also made it clear that the ‘Quit Notice’ issued to the Tangkhul community would not be ‘revised’ “in another thousand years to come”.
Expressing strong disapproval at the “Isak-Khodao terrorists” indulging in “comedian media campaign” and that the NSCN-IM has been defeated and “castrated” by the NSCN and the Nagas, the NSCN-K in a release issued by Lt.General Kumchok Pangmi, GSO-I, insisted on revocation of the GOI-NSCN (IM) ceasefire. “The government of India must revoke the bilateral ceasefire with the Isak-Khodao terrorist and declare them as terrorist organization” and operate against them as per the Indian law and international law and thereafter hand them over to the NSCN to try them in Naga courts” the NSCN-K stated. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has also to ‘get out’.
“Shri Neiphiu Rio will be recorded as ‘the Black Man” in the Naga history and that’s the NSCN’s business but Government of India must remove him on the grounds of corruption, bribery, extortion and financing the Isak-Khodao terrorists” it made clear adding that it is not time to boast and try to accuse SS Khaplang, N Kitovi Zhimomi and General Kholi but time to repent. “The so-called ongoing talks are scraps and will go to the Indian ‘Harik Mal’ business. Return to the NSCN, the home of the Naga sovereignty. The longer you delay, the more you’ll be sorry and left” the organization advised its rival.
The NSCN-K also asserted that for more than a decade the NSCN-IM has terrorized the Nagas and therefore ‘misled’ Nagas swaying to the tunes of the latter must realize their grave crimes and “for which the NSCN will be compelled to treat the entire MIP nothing lesser than the Tangkhuls”. “The Isak-Khodao terrorist is not a political or Naga organization and hence it must not wrestle the Herculean NSCN. There’s time for everything according to the Ecclesiastes and accordingly, today’s Nagaland and Nagas have reached a time to banish the Tangkhuls from the Naga inhabited areas and there will be no revision on this decision in another thousand years to come” it made clear.
The NSCN-K also advised its rivals to stop throwing accusation against NSCN leaders as “it would not help you” nor will it pave way “for you to escape links with the Al Qaida and other terrorist organizations”. It also stated that very shortly monetary transactions made with the Government of India and Neiphiu Rio by the NSCN-IM would be publicized. “If you do still remember your own crimes of 1979 then there can be no greater truth than you yourselves simply admitting your terrorisms from 1980 to 2006. Very shortly, the NSCN will also be publicizing what amount of money and assistance you took from the Government of India, Neiphiu Rio and how many days, months and years you were aided by the Indian Assam Rifles per the arrangement of Lt General Nanavatty and VS Atem from 1997” it stated.
Further, the NSCN will be investigating the “undeclared relationship between Brig (Retd) GB Reddy” with Muivah’s and Swu’s wives from 1987 “that led to the split in 1988 and the recent genocide”.
The NSCN (K) has also stated that the Kukis will never forget how their 400 villages and its inhabitants were massacred in Manipur and hundreds of innocent and 12 villages in Nagaland destroyed. “The Nagas will not fail to charge you (IK terrorists) with the post-Shillong Accord, split in 1988, 1997 joint operation against the NSCN, bomb blasts in Dimapur train station, Hongkong market, assassination of NSCN leaders, your links with the terrorist organizations and the recent bombings in Dimapur which are acts of terror, genocide, fratricide arson and violations of human rights in Nagaland”, the NSCN (K) alleged against its rival.
NSCN (K) refutes charges; blames rival for unrest The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, SEPT 24 (MExN): Refuting allegations leveled against it by its rival, the NSCN (K) has instead alleged that all the recent killings and series of blasts in Dimapur and Kohima were the handiwork of the NSCN (IM) and its agents and termed them as responsible for all the subversive and terror activities. “The NSCN, hereby states to make its stand clear, thereby remove all doubts and apprehensions of the involvement of the NSCN in such terror activities for all concerned”, a communiqué issued by the MIP stated.
“While on the other hand, they (I-K) are responsible for all the recent armed clashes, killing on innocent public as well as Naga national leaders, they are singing choruses of peace and reconciliation with the band of their cohorts and NGO leaders, who are in their payroll all along, to cover up their immense crimes and shamelessly brand the Naga national workers as anti-Nagaland peace and as terrorists”, the NSCN (K) stated.
On the latest gunbattle at Old Chalkot Town, the NSCN (K) claimed that it had confirmed that there were ten casualties on the side of their rivals. While terming this as unfortunate, the NSCN (K) described it as a ‘divine avenge’ for many crimes committed by the NSCN (IM) in the same area and town. “One among their many misadventures is the killing at Chalkot town in 1992, where they lined up and mowed down 12 FGN men including their wives and children”, it alleged and added that it was time for peace loving citizens to introspect and judge who are the true Nagas or the anti-Nagas and also to seriously go through its previous write-ups highlighting the reasons leading to the serving of the quit notice.
NSCN-K bans oil exploration Kuknalim.com
GUWAHATI, Sept 24:: The NSCN-K on Sunday banned the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) from carrying out any exploration work in Nagaland.

"We shall not allow the ONGC to extract oil or carry out other exploratory works in Nagaland with immediate effect," NSCN-K spokesman Kughalo Mulatonu told IANS by telephone from an undisclosed location. Nagaland is virtually sitting on a multi-million dollar oil reserve with rough estimates indicating that the state has the potential to yield some 600 million tonnes of petroleum.

"The government of India must treat the NSCN faction led by Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah as terrorist organisation or else the ban on the ONGC would remain," the rebel leader said. The NSCN-K accuses the rival faction of banning ONGC's operation in 1994 and selling all their equipment.

"Let the Indian government file a lawsuit against the NSCN-IM for the loss incurred by the ONGC. We want ONGC to come and work here so that our people get employment. But then we want the government to first book the NSCN-IM and until such time the ban on the ONGC would continue," Mulatonu said. The ban comes after the Nagaland government recently assured the ONGC of all support and security cover to resume operations in the state. The ONGC, India's leading oil exploration firm, were forced to withdraw from Nagaland in 1994 after threats from the NSCN-IM and other tribal bodies. ONGC had earlier carried out exploratory works in Nagaland's Wokha district and now plans to work in Mon and Dimapur districts.

There is no immediate reaction from the ONGC on the NSCN-K ban. The NSCN-IM too welcomed the Nagaland government's decision to allow the ONGC to resume operations saying the state want to become self-reliant. (IANS)
Those who defy mayak ban in Naga to be delt with iron hand : ANSAM The Imphal Free Press

Imphal, Sept 24: Parlours in the Nagas areas have discarded cassettes/CDs of both video and audio in Meitei language since September 17, according to the ANSAM sources. Diclosing this to Newmai News Network this afternoon, ANSAM information and publicity secretary Sounii Khapa said that after the Naga students` body had issued notification to ban the CDs and cassettes in the particular language from September 17, parlours have stopped immediately selling and lending the commodities. ANSAM termed the ban as very effective in the Naga areas.

With regard to the Meitei Mayek banning by the ANSAM in the Naga areas, Sounii Khapa said that as of now ANSAM volunteers have been detaining vehicles having the script in their number plates and elswhere and then released them after erasing the script vis-a-vis giving warning to the owners/drivers not to come in the Naga areas with the script.
The ANSAM leader announced that more drastic actions will be meted out on the vehicle owners/drivers who defy the Naga students directives.Sounii Khapa warned to those elements using the banned script/Mayek in any form in the Naga areas would be dealt with iron hands.

He then said that volunteers beloning to subordinate bodies/constituent units of ANSAM in their respective Naga areas/districts are on the prowl taking up the Meitei Script banning measures.
NSF to oppose ‘political’ students union in Naga areas The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, SEPT 24 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has taken strong exception to reports of political parties attempting to set up students’ unions and organizations along party lines and cautioned that any such move goes against the spirit of an NSF resolution passed during the 4th Federal Assembly held on October 28, 1998.
In the backdrop of the menaces and evils of having politically backed students’ unions the NSF Speaker WH Maring has in a press communiqué reminded that keeping in view the need to preserve educational institutions as a “temple of learning”, the NSF resolution had after thoroughly examining the pros and cons impacts to our society by such political branch students’ union/organisations strongly resolved that, “NSF shall not allow any political party(s) students’ union/organisation to initiate, organise and function in any educational institution within the Naga Areas.
Further it was stated that in order to expedite and execute this resolution, the house endorsed the Federating units to keep vigil and check in their own level and jurisdiction. In addition to this the Federal units have been empowered to recall their member(s) those who have already joined political students’ union in the educational institutions.
“The wisdom in passing this resolution cannot be questioned because the Federation is well aware of the evils of having politically backed students’ unions in the society. Election of Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) can be one very clear example of the evil of involvement of politically backed students’ unions like the NSUI, ABVP, AISF Etc.”, stated Maring. Pointing out that every election is marred with violence during which many innocent students’ lives are also lost many times, it stated such electioneering in campuses subsequently affected students’ careers. “It is also very clear that the political parties don’t hesitate to spend crores of rupees for their candidates. Money is widely used to rig the election for their favor”.
As such, the NSF cautioned that student unions are misused for their own political gain and that it had a much more wider ramification of negative influences into students’ careers in particular and the society in general and added that the main objective of formation of students’ union will totally be negated if at all this was allowed to happen in the Naga societies. The NSF Speaker pointed to recent rumors that National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) is being established in some Naga District of present state of Manipur. “If it is true, whoever is involved in formation of the same shall be doing it at his/her own responsibilities”, the NSF cautioned and reminded the Federating units and subordinate bodies of the Federation to uphold the standing resolution by keeping vigil of such developments, which is against the desire of the Federation in particular and the Nagas in general.
ULFA imposes tax on ‘Indians’ The Morung Express

Guwahati, Sept 24 (Agencies): The banned United Liberation Front of Assam has imposed ‘tax on every Indian’ living in Assam, throwing the peace initiative to wind, even as the Army resumed counter-insurgency operation in the state on Sunday.
ULFA commander in chief Paresh Baruah, in a statement issued over phone to a section of local media in Guwahati on Saturday night, announced the group’s decision to impose ‘mandatory tax on Indians’ living in Assam. The militant leader sought ‘voluntary donations’ from the ‘indigenous people’ of the state.
By ‘Indians’ the ULFA commander referred to people from outside the Northeast who are earning their bread in Assam and by ‘indigenous people’ he meant sons of the soil from Assam and other Northeastern states.
It is for the first time the ULFA, which took root in the state in April 1979, has made such an attempt to impose mandatory tax on the populace although extortion demands served by the militant group on people from different walks of life has been a common knowledge.
The state government has taken strong exception to ‘imposition of tax’ by the banned outfit. Assam government spokesman and a cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sharma made it clear that the government will not allow any organization to collect tax of from any citizen in the state. “Every citizen of India living in the state has equal rights,” he said on Sunday morning.

Independence is the first priority : RPF chief –I By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Sep 24 : Greeting the people of Manipur on the eve of the 28th raising day of the PLA, the president of the RPF, Irengbam Chaoren today said that RPF stands for independence, true democracy and an egalitarian society and added that though the three are inter-related, the all important task of the revolutionary struggle is the independence of Manipur.
In a message to the people, the RPF chief said that Manipur can become a developed and peaceful country only when she becomes independent and added that as development and peace cannot be separated from the indepen- dence of a country, the fruits of progress and development will not reach Manipur as long as her independence is not attained.
Manipur is today lagging behind all other independent countries, noted Chaoren and added that the reason for the backwardness is the continuation of Indian rule. Therefore in order to develop Manipur as an owner of its land and resources, first of all she has to become independent and free, said the statement.
However unfortunately, instead of having faith and confidence in the ongoing revolution some people support India, said the RPF leader and added that such people not only stand against the revolutionary cause but also strive to harm the revolutionaries and eliminate them. This is one of the main reasons for the internal strife leading to the people of Manipur killing each other.
Such people should realise that the revolution is an outcome of the annexation of Manipur and the revolution will continue until the final goal is achieved. Standing against the revolutionary movement is therefore an act of ignorance of one's own identity as well as a distortion of the meaning of patriotism.
Asserting that the independence movement cannot move forward without an armed struggle, the RPF leader said that this is precisely the reason why the PLA has been waging an armed struggle relentlessly.
On the talks being held between some armed groups of the NE States with the Government of India, RPF reasoned that holding talks is against their belief because the talks instead of taking the struggle forward will become more of a reason for the defeat of the revolutionary struggle.
Referring to the Mizo National Front, Chaoren said that the efforts to bring the issue of sovereignty through dialogue with India resulted in the MNF abandoning the principles and ideology of revolution as well as Mizo Nationalism and ultimately surrendered to India.
The talks were held at Thailand, Afghanistan, Iran, Switzerland, Germany, and Rome to internationalise the movement of the MNF, recalled Chaoren. However in the end, MNF leader Mr Laldenga had to come from Geneva to New Delhi to sign the Mizo Accord which substituted their goal of struggle.
This example is proof that any effort made by the revolutionaries to attain sovereignty by negotiating through dialogue with a much stronger ruler before the revolution gain maturity and strength is doomed to be a failure, observed the RPF leader.

Merger of Manipur with the dominion of India By Waikhom Damodar Singh
Contd from last Saturday
In this way, unlike any other Native State of India, Manipur began very bold-ly and distinctly to exist as in independent democratic state of her own under an elected Government formed by the majority of the members elected by the people, the election of whom and framing of her own required constitution even 'preceded' than that of the general election of the Independent India and framing and introduction of her new Constitution.
However, with the connivance of the State Congress Party, the Govt of India quite hurriedly, untactfully and intriguingly abolished the Mani-pur Assembly and dissolved the lawfully elected people's Government and the State was merged with the Dominion of India. The merger so taken place was done mainly based on the secret reports submitted by one BN Mullick - then a Deputy Director of the Intelligence Bureau of India - on 16 September, 1949 and also by the Manipur State Congress Party to the Congress leaders of India and firmly pinning on the grounds thereof which run as:
1. The incapacity of the Government of Manipur under Maharaja to maintain law and order.
2. The apprehension of immediate escalation of the activities of the communists revolution from Burma to Manipur. The report in this regard must have been based on the fact that towards the later part of 1948 Neta Hijam Irabot Singh was successful in building up strongholds of Communist resistance in Manipur as well as in Cachar district of Assam where there lived quite a sizable number of Manipu-ris and also in creating an awareness of cohesive identity among some 12,000 Manipuris living then in Mandalay (Burma) under whose Arakan area the insurgency activities of the Communists were very rapidly growing influenced greatly by the success of the Communist party in China.
3. The integration of Manipur into India would bring peace and development.
In fact, it was the State Congress which aroused political consciousness and the spirit of democratic rule in the State and hence brought pressure upon the Maharaja to introduce representative Go-vernment in Manipur as there was no legislative and proper elective institution yet. It was therefore their 'firm stand', under Sinam Krishnamohan Singh - brother-in-law of Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh - as the President, Laishram Jogeswar Singh and Ngangom Tompok Singh as general secretary and secretary respectively along with other eighteen staunch members of the party to 'dethrone' Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh and 'abolish' the 'age-old Pakhangba's Gaddi' at any cost to achieve their objectives of bringing Mani-pur under the working of a full-fledged democratic Government though the Royalist group including all the hill people and their MLAs who formed then the majority of the 'anti-integration bloc' vehemently opposed the move of the State Congress party. In pursuance of a decision of their meeting held on 30 June, 1949 the State Congress party launched a vi-gorous Satyagraha movement demanding immediate abdication of the Maharaja and integration of the State with the Centre. Later Sinam Krishnamohan Singh, the President of the State Congress Party and Sougaijam Somorendra Singh, the leader of the opposition in the State Assembly were sent to Delhi and apprised Sardar Bhallavbhai Patel of the harmful effects of Maharaja's rule along with his puppet cabinet. The Hill MLAs opposed the Congress' stand and under the Presidentship of S. Luney, the Chief Whip of the Government party decided to unite against the Congress move for safeguarding their interest. The Communist Party of Manipur too disapproved the integration move and advocated for 'status quo' as they feared that Central administration would prove to be detrimental to their party interests. The Communists then had their stronghold in the areas of Nambol, Utlou, Sekta, Pundongbam and Lamlai.
Incidentally and most surprisingly, the splinter group of the Manipur State Congress party which, later on, became the Socialist party of Manipur with (late) Laishram Achou Singh as its Secretary and in which joined, later on, Rishang Keishing, RK Do-rendra Singh, (late) Ireng-bam Tompok Singh as staunch members of the party, advocated for the merger of Manipur with Assam and the party consistently worked for it with the connivance of Debe-swar Sarma, a politician hailing from Assam and was then Dominion Agent of Manipur during the interim period. Debeswar Sarma was removed soon from his post for his partisan and active involvement in trying to bring about a merger of the entire State with the neighbouring province of Assam, beginning with the hill areas in connivance again with the Chief Minister of Assam - Gopinath Bordoloi who also wanted to tighten Assam's control over Manipur. He was also taken to task by Sardar Bhallavbhai Patel for his taking narrow provincial view of the State of Manipur which was very much against the wishes of the Congress Government of India.
However, the stand for integration of Manipur with India was ultimately approved by Sardar Patel, the Union Home Minister as it was considered to be good strategy to boost the Congress organisation in Manipur and hence the very hasty action of the Congress Government of India got the Merger Agreement signed, though quite 'forcibly', by Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh on 21 September, 1949 at Shillong who did so 'not on behalf of the people of Manipur, but, with some meaningful facts hidden behind, on behalf of himself, his heirs and family members'. The Maharaja had signed in this way as he was, perhaps, forced to do so in the line of what the Governor of Assam, Shri Prakasa had told him earlier that the Government of India did not recognise either the Manipur State Council or the State Assembly in the matter of negotiation about its political future and that the Maharaja alone would be allowed to speak on behalf of the State, even though the Maharaja initially and firmly argued saying that - 'now that the sovereignty of the State has been vested in the people it would be in the fitness of things to hear the people's voice and learn their sentiment so that the line of action may not in any case be unconstitutional' - to which the Governor of Assam argued that the Government of India have, throughout, dealt with the Maharaja directly as the ruler of the State and were not prepared to make any deviation from the procedure hitherto followed. This was of course the policy of the Government of India in their dealings with other princely States of India. The Maharaja then argued very rightly that the direct dealing with the Maharaja was 'feasible when the sovereignty was vested in him', but after the introduction of the State Constitution Act, 1947 the sovereignty and administration of the State came to be vested on the people', based on full responsible Government with a fully elected House based on 'adult suffrage and joint electorate' - the highest form of Government of democracy which Manipur, not to speak of any other native State but even of the whole of India, had preceded in adopting it immediately after they had attained the independent status from the yoke of the foreign power. In fact, perhaps never before in Manipur's long history, also for that matter in the history of any country of the world, a single individual was called upon to decide the fate of his country so lonely and isolated even from friends and family as Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh was forced or compelled to undergo so during those most humiliating days of his stay in Shillong.
The transfer of Kabaw valley of Manipur comprising of an area of some 7000 sq miles in 1834 by the British to Burma had led to the sudden demise of Maharaja Gambhir Singh on 9 January, 1834 - the same day on which the transfer of the very precious land was effected - out of great shock and unbearable desperation due to the 'enforced loss' of the very valuable and pre-stigious piece of his land.
The surrender by Maharaja Bodhchandra under duress in 1949 also had many weeping quite helplessly, and the good hearted and noble king, not fully recovered from the great shock he received at Shillong in September 1949, renounced his worldly life and led a 'Yogic-ascetic' life by remaining almost all of his last days of life in the premises of Shiva Maha-deva's temples at Tho-ngam Mondum, near Kak-ching Khunou, Baruni Hills etc in deep mediational services for the Lord's blessing for which he came to be known and called as 'Yogi-Raj Bodh-chandra'.
The last ruling king of the great Pakhangba's dynasty of Manipur 'breathed last' in his 'palace Ashram', a very simple hut of thatched roof construc-ted just nearby the Govin-dajee Temple on the northern side, in the early morning of 9 December 1955. He was cremated in the evening of the same day with full State honours by taking the mortal body of the deceased king from the palace to the traditional Kangla Royal Cremation ground in a grand procession consisting of hundreds of 'mourners' - royal family members and relatives, high officials and other civilian personnel including the several hymn singing sankirtan parties of the palace led by the contingents of the 4th Assam Rifles and the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles with their arms in reversed order marching grandly to the 'slow steps marching tunes' of the military bands. in stoic silence thousands of people with sullen faces distinctly reflecting their deep sorrow watched the Maharaja's departure. The people turned up and lined up on both sides of the road from Imphal palace to Kangla - among whom the writer was also one in his prime age of 26/27 years - with tears 'streaming down' in their eyes as had been greatly saddened in their silent hearts by the parting of their beloved last reigning king. They were also greatly 'touched' in their hearts by the hearing of the most pathetic and highly emotional poetic words flowed out from the weeping mouth of the well known veteran-actor, (late) Mei-tram Bira Singh of the Imphal Rupmahal Theatres who with his party followed the most gracefully and spectacularly designed and decorated 'Royal Coffin' - Keiren Keijao in Manipuri version carrying the mortal remains of the king, which is a very special type of coffin used only for the cremation of deceased kings and very high ranking nobles. —to be contd
A one-line letter that pushed Assam to turmoil By IANS Monday September 25
Guwahati, Sep 25 (IANS) Belligerent posturing by both the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and New Delhi over a one-line letter of commitment needed to hold direct peace talks has pushed Assam to bleed once again. The central government on Sunday resumed military operations against the rebel outfit by calling off a six-week-old ceasefire, blaming the group for stepped up attacks in the state and extortion demands.
'It is very unfortunate that the peace process has suffered a major setback. We appeal to the ULFA to refrain from all violent acts and at the same time want the government to reconsider calling off the truce to give peace a chance,' said Sammujjal Bhattacharyya, leader of the influential All Assam Students' Union. There was tremendous optimism when on Aug 13 New Delhi announced a unilateral ceasefire against the ULFA for 10 days despite the rebels triggering a string of explosions ahead of Independence Day.
A week later, the ULFA reciprocated the government's 'goodwill gesture' by announcing cessation of hostilities for an indefinite period. There had been an absolute lull since then with the ULFA-chosen People's Consultative Group (PCG), a group of 11 civil society leaders, meeting government negotiators to facilitate direct talks with the rebel leadership. The ULFA had set a precondition for the direct talks by seeking the release of five of its jailed leaders, saying it was important for the group to have their imprisoned central committee leaders freed in order to chalk out strategies for the face-to-face negotiations. The government responded positively saying that the jailed leaders would be freed, but insisted the ULFA commit in writing to come for direct peace talks. The militants, who have been fighting for an independent Assamese homeland in the resource-rich state, said they cannot give such a pledge until the jailed leaders are freed. The two sides stuck to their stand and the peace process started faltering over the last fortnight.
The ceasefire from the government's side lapsed last Wednesday, but it did not announce resumption in anti-insurgency operations. Instead on Friday it once again asked the rebels for a formal letter as a condition for renewing the truce. The letter did not come and things started looking ominous. And what was not expected happened Friday - the ULFA killed a policeman in eastern Assam in a gunfight and the following day cadres of the group shot dead a plantation manager for refusing to pay extortion money. The sudden spurt in attacks and extortion demands prompted New Delhi to call off the truce. 'That the ULFA took advantage of the ceasefire to extort money and step up attacks is enough indication that they were not sincere in holding talks and just wanted to bide time,' said an army commander who wished not to be identified.
People in general are unhappy over the turn of events. 'The ULFA shouldn't have broken the wishes of the people of Assam who were craving for peace. Now Assam will be in turmoil once again,' said Arun Madhab Sharma, a retired police official, blaming the rebels for the ceasefire breakdown. Questions are being asked as to the role of the PCG - whether the ULFA representatives had failed to rein in the rebel leadership so that they do not indulge in anything messy while the truce was on. 'I would appeal to the ULFA for restraint. I know this is a very difficult phase. At the same time I shall try to ensure that the peace process doesn't get derailed,' Indira Goswami, noted Assamese writer and PCG leader, told IANS.