[Previous entry: "Press Release Comedians with guns are dangerous goons because they are not guided by conscience Standards of the Naga National Council and the K-Group questioned on sincerity"] [Next entry: "NSCNs prepare decisive battle in Zunheboto Nagarealm.com"]

09/29/2006: "Complicated legacy for Nagas Confusion reigns among youth on issue of sovereignty kuknalim.com (The Telegraph)"

Complicated legacy for Nagas Confusion reigns among youth on issue of sovereignty kuknalim.com (The Telegraph)

KOHIMA, Sept 28:: “I don’t see how things will be different if Nagaland manages to get sovereignty,” says P. Tulumatsung Longkumer as he busily fills up a form on the Internet at a computer centre in Mokokchung district. A graduate from St Anthony’s College, Shillong, Longkumer is more interested in his next career move.

A few yards from the computer centre, at a grocery-cum-telephone booth, Kareena Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai look seductively out of two posters. “Kareena is my favourite,” beams the teenaged shopkeeper. Interestingly, there is no sign of posters of any Naga icons.

“We are happy with India but sovereignty is still a must for Nagaland,” says the youth. When asked what he will gain from sovereignty, he only smiles.

As the NSCN (I-M) leaders continue to pitch for sovereignty, the ground reality in Nagaland barely reflects the fiery patriotism of a “nation” seeking self-determination.

“The tribes of Nagaland are unique and to preserve this uniqueness we need sovereignty,” says Temjemkaba, Ao Senden president, in between sips of beer at the Assam Rifles base in Mokokchung. For the younger generation, however, which has absorbed the concept of global citizenship as much as the inherited demand for “sovereignty”, the question of identity seems overshadowed by the more immediate concerns of livelihood.
Even as they voice their desire to form a separate nation, villagers have to depend on the “Indian” security forces for basic amenities like roads and drinking water.
“People are tired of extortion and violence. Though the general atmosphere is congenial towards us because of our military civic projects, they are afraid to say so out of fear for the underground groups,” claimed Maj. Gen. S.S. Kumar, IG, Assam Rifles.
Documents seized by the armed forces during various operations reveal the extent of extortion.

An “information” sheet signed by the “deputy general accountant officer” of the Government of the Republic of Nagalim — a parallel government run by the NSCN (I-M) — announces that “employee tax will be 24 per cent of the total emolument of a month’s salary of the employee”.

An equally detailed “tax” form, signed by “Lt Col Meyu, Naga Army” and addressed to village heads, specifies the exact amount each household needs to pay.
“Ration tax per household shall be Rs 120, non-negotiable,” says the information sheet.

“All mission workers, widows/widowers, handicaps whose financial/economy are stable shall not be exempted,” the document adds. The common man can only bear this “tax” in silence.
Caught in the crossfire between ideology and ground reality, of the army and the NSCN, of peace and uncertainty, “sovereignty” seems too complicated a concept to chew on. (The Telegraph)
NSF hails Rio decision on syllabus Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Sept 28:: The Naga Students Federation (NSF) has welcomed the decision of the Neiphiu Rio government to allow the Naga students from the four hill districts of Manipur to take their exams under the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE)...

However, the federation said last evening’s cabinet decision was not enough and that all private schools of Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Chandel should be affiliated to the Nagaland board.

The NSF general secretary, K. Elu Ndang, said the government’s decision was half-baked.

The cabinet last evening decided to allow some 4,000 students from the four hill districts to take their High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) under the NBSE from Nagaland.

The cabinet said the decision was taken on account of the “extraordinary situation” and on humanitarian grounds.

The government has instructed the education department to direct the Nagaland board to make all the necessary arrangements.

The decision came into effect as a follow-up to a meeting of the officers of the school education department and other organisations.

The move is seen as a welcome gesture. (The Telegraph)
Church calls on warring Naga factions The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, SEPT 29 (MExN): Hundreds responded to the Church’s call for healing and reconciliation to be fostered among warring Naga groups, as prayers for peace were today offered at the Covenant Hall in Dimapur. The Nagaland Baptist Church Council’s road map to ushering in peace was also made known through a booklet which seeks to generate consciousness and conversation on the Naga struggle among different sections of society.
Addressing socio-political problems as products and by-products of sin, NBCC General Secretary Zhabu Terhüja announced that the Church has taken the initiative in bringing about citizen-participation in the process of reconciliation. The wounds have to be identified for an understanding to be reached at, he said. “We are not saying forgive and forget; we are saying forgive and remember it well,” he told congregants. In the national struggle, houses have been divided among tribal lines, he said. “We are not saying this (the Church’s proposal) is the only way,” the Reverend expounded.
It was also highlighted that the Church has no political agenda. It is only seeking to break the ice between factions who do not see eye to eye. What the Minster wishes to accomplish is the acceptance of ‘each other’ even if factions do not come under a common umbrella.
Upholding its commitment to reconciliation, the Naga Hoho by way of its President, Bendangmayang Jamir, said political differences have to be resolved in a realistic perspective. He urged leaders not to divide Nagas and said the aspiration for integration has to be strengthened. The Hoho called for an end to division, bitterness and armed confrontation. “Naga people, as a nation, should have the courage to speak the truth,” Bendangmayang said. To remain in silence would mean encouraging a lie, he pressed. He told national workers to shun using Christ’s name “if they continue violence.”
Appreciating the initiative of the NBCC, a representative from the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization said the peace project had taken some time in the coming but asserted, ‘It is time for us Christians to stand up.’
Father Abraham Lotha of the Catholic Church outlined that instead of bloodshed and division, “our differences should help us build respect for one another.” He quoted Paul Boese: “Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.”
Making an ‘intrusion’ into the proceedings, Nagaland’s Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner, TN Mannen, made the suggestion that whenever indications of an armed conflict arise, the Church could lead the public in preventing clashes from occurring. A ‘peace tree’ was planted today and saplings were distributed to branches of the Church. The stemming of the plants is to determine the activeness of the Church’s units in different areas. NBCC executives later said this time’s reconciliation gesture would hold more ground as modalities have been entered in their booklet. The Peace Committee of the Council is looking forward to an appointment with NSCN (K) leaders at Mon on October 5. NBCC proposes Kilonser-level roundtable talks
Final reminder on quit notice: NSCN (K) The Morung Express
DIMAPUR SEPT 29 (MExN): The NSCN (K) has issued a final reminder to all Tangkhuls whom they termed as ‘criminals and perpetrators’ to leave Nagaland without much commotion as they felt that peace loving Nagas need to realize their dreams. “In consonance with the resolution adopted by the Council of Kilonser, GPRN following the formal implementation of ‘Quit notice’ served to Tangkhuls, the NSCN (K) has henceforth termed its rival as Isak-Khodao (I-K) rather than Isak-Muivah (I-M) for all purposes as stated earlier” stated Secretary, MIP/GPRN who further added ‘Tangkhuls have renewed their killing campaign zealously as evident from the recent killing of an innocent child & injuring a pregnant woman as well as at Zunheboto on September 29, 2006.
The NSCN (K) has also informed all concerned, particularly the media, to adopt these political arrangements and to act accordingly as they felt the Tangkhuls have no connection with the Nagas in the Naga freedom movement.
No shying away from Quit Notice – FGN The Morung Express
Dimapur, Sept 29 (MExN): The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) while admitting that serving quit notices to “one another and a particular community” is “very undesirable”, stated that “so also thrashing the age old values of our ancestors is more unfortunate”.
“In a civilized society serving ‘Quit Notice’ to one another and a particular community is very undesirable and unfortunate. So also thrashing the age old values of our ancestors is more unfortunate” stated L Pishen, Deputy Secretary, FGN while asserting that Nagas will no longer suffer like ‘silent lambs’. Yet in the Naga society, the FGN stated, the Tangkhul community has in the guise of Naga nationalism shown least care for this values which is the essence of the Nagas’ identity among the world community.
Asserting that they have spread divisive doctrines to survive by victimizing others, the release asserted that this would not be tolerated. “Under such circumstances how can human endurance bear the onslaught of satanic dominance and rule. It is more precious to defend the sacred freedom of one self than to shy away from serving a ‘quit notice’” the FGN asked and asked the community to understand that Nagas are freedom-loving people “who do not rely on them for survival”.
“Nagas will no longer suffer like silent lambs in their hands shying away from quit notice to
13 points to form basis of discussion Morung Express News Dimapur | September 29
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has come out with a definite framework to facilitate a ground for the factions and for this purpose, has mooted a series of round-table talks, at the level of Kilonsers in a place to be proposed by the Church. While presuming that all the factions will not be able to agree with one another so easily at first, nevertheless the NBCC pointed out that the first step required was to accept one another for a start. The NBCC is hopeful that once this series of round-table talks begin, topmost leaders of all groups would be able to sit down together later. The proposal of the NBCC is contained in a booklet titled ‘Proposal for healing and reconciliation of the Naga people’, which was released as part of the ‘Healing and Reconciliation movement’ beginning today.
The NBCC pointed out that if the various factions assented to this framework, then it would do its best to follow it up. “The NBCC is not obliged to participate as a party to the political discussion, but is willing to facilitate the ground for the factions to come. At best, if so desired by others, it can also offer pastoral services”, the booklet mentions. As part of the round-table talks, the NBCC also proposes that representatives from each group set aside some days for prayer and Bible study, and listening to stories of other national reconciliations. The different groups must also agree that there would be no more killing among them.
If at all the above mentioned round-table talks begin, the NBCC also proposes to help national workers “walking through the history of Naga political movement”. This will require several sittings where sharing of hurt and grievances, confession and forgiveness shall take place, according to the NBCC while proposing that 13 specific points will form the basis of discussion.

It may be mentioned that the 13 points highlighted by the NBCC in the booklet includes ‘The launching of the Naga struggle for nationhood’; ‘The co-operation option’, ‘Creation of the State of Nagaland’; ‘The first ceasefire with India in 1964’; ‘The revolutionary government and its withdrawal’; ‘The Shillong Accord’; ‘Naga National Council (opposed to Shillong Accord)’; ‘The formation of NSCN by Isak Swu, SS Khaplang and Thuingaleng Muivah’; ‘The spilt of NSCN into the Isak-Muivah (IM) and Khaplang (K) factions’; ‘The ceasefire of 1997 and the new rounds of talks between NSCN (IM) and Government of India and the consultations in Bangkok and Nagaland’;
‘The ceasefire between NSCN (K) and Government of India signed in 2001’; ‘The issue of integration’; ‘The inability to stop the continuing killing of Nagas by Nagas and the oppressive legacy of lawlessness’. “It is anticipated that these 13 points would lead to further areas of contention and healing”, the booklet states.
The NBCC also stated that Nagas urgently required the restoration of trust and relationship while pointing out that restoration required confession however painful it may be. “The divine way of restoration involves admission of guilt and responsibility. It makes no attempt to blame others. Until this happens, healing does not take place”, the NBCC booklet states.
The booklet released today also encourages people to use this paper as a platform to hear what people say and also freely express what they know is true and right. The NBCC also points out that since the Church has taken the initiative, the tribal leaders work out the reconciliation process. All the different national groups are to also give adequate hearing to the voice and conscience of the public. “The Church shall intensify its prayer effort”..
A Naga International Support Center , NISC, www.nagalim.nl

A human rights organization
Press Release
Amsterdam, 28 September 2006

Standards of the Naga National Council and the K-Group questioned on sincerity

Comedians with guns are dangerous goons because they are not guided by conscience

The Naga International Support Center is shamelessly called by the Khaplang Group ‘the Neo International Satanic Organization’. That of course is a witty acronym and good fun when plaster is needed on a wound that needs to be healed. Granted, comedians have a way with words but they are all meant to sharpen the senses, to make aware and to show what is disruptive and insincere. To call someone a prostitute could similarly be meant to show how blatantly corruptive and money minded some people or organizations are. Granted again, but NISC is not amused but surprised. NISC is also taken aback, not because of criticism on its policies but on the below the belt standards of both what the K-Group and the NNC are showing.

The allegations by both organizations are not witty, they are demeaning because what they are accusing of is gutter language and it lowers the standards of themselves. For other than creating havoc against their own people, the Nagas, what have these remnants of the NNC and the K-group to show for?

After the Shillong Accord did they fight against aggressor India ? The answer is absolutely no!

After Khaplang split off from the NSCN, did he and his men continue fighting the Indians on behalf of all Nagas to create a free Homeland for all? The answer is absolutely no. So, who are they to quit on any Naga tribe? What do they do for the Naga Nation in the making? Nothing but negative and disruptive acts that serve the interests of the adversaries

If the Khaplang group is really sincere and the NNC along with them, then NISC dares both organizations to come out and swear off the support they receive from India . To be true and sincere to the Nagas is to show that they are the true representatives. Who else can be the true representatives but those who fight to be free?

Consequently, those who exist because of the support of India are comedians who try to confuse the Nagas, but are really only tools of the Indian secret agencies.


So, in order to reconcile on the basis of sincerity NISC calls


- on the common sense of leaders of both organizations based on the plebiscite of 1951, the desire of all Nagas to be free.

- on being true representatives of the people instead of persisting in acting like comedians with guns,

- on reconciliation based on truth for the Naga stand, the issue is no longer with either organization they have to abandon it.


Until and unless they abandon their support from India , the adversary of the Nagas, they remain the enemies of the Nagas.
For The Love Of Language - Karnataka's Language Policy And Indian Integration September 27, 2006 Shantanu Dutta Desicritics.org
There has been a lot of news coverage for the decision by the government of Karnataka to shut English medium schools in the state if they do not switch to Kannada at the primary school level when schools reopen after the Dusshera holidays - if they follow the state board syllabus that is. The policy was notified in 1994 but was largely dormant till now, and at last count the revived policy had affected at least 2000 schools. The press might be taking a larger note of events in Bangalore, because in the IT hubs of the country, if a tree is cut or a man sneezes, someone will write a blog on it, and someone will send a TV camera over to cover the event.
But even as the country tries to integrate at one level - "One India", etc., and even attempts to integrate it's economy with the global economy, fissures keep appearing at another level. The Karnataka and Kannada issue is by no means the only divisive issue active in India today. For months now, the schools in the four Naga dominated districts of Manipur - Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong are being pressured into adopting the textbooks and syllabi of the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education and eventually to affiliate with the Nagaland Board. This obviously is the precursor to the districts being eventually asked to be part of the greater Nagaland that is being demanded.
One of the dangers of the "One India" or the "One World" phenomena is the great insecurity that it creates in minority people groups as cultures and languages get swallowed up and there is a struggle for minorities to keep their identities alive. There is a report from Peru's Summer Institute of Linguistics that 30 of the 100 basic languages in Peru have disappeared in the last few decades and another 12 or so are about to disappear. As monolithic cultures take shape and global languages like English increasingly take over the language stage, the smaller and less spoken languages will gradually disappear or fall into disuse.
Different entities are reacting to the need to preserve their identity in different ways. Countries like Australia have recently decided that even within the English speaking world, they need to preserve their own Australian culture and norms and have recently decided that to become a citizen of Australia, it will no longer be enough to just be a speaker of English - one will need to know according to the Prime Minister, John Howard "a good deal more about Australia and about Australian customs and the Australian way of life."
It is important in a diverse country like India to preserve the delicate balance of culture and prevent hegemonies from developing. Many of our people, our tribes are small, dwindling groups with fragile, shaky languages, cultures and identities. They are struggling to keep afloat as a people. It is so easy for them to be swamped completely and obliterated out of the anthropological map. The Kannadigas are large enough in number to be able to speak for themselves and fight for the preservation of their culture. But the lesson we should perhaps learn from these linguistic movements like the one in Karnataka( and now ULFA again in Assam) is the need to always to strive to maintain the complex balance between avoiding chauvinism and preservation of threatened identities. Shantanu Dutta is a doctor by training and a development professional by vocation. He is an onlooker on events happening in India and the world in the realm of society, politics and the many intangible events that populate our lives.
Night supers with Meitei Mayek script smashed at Senapati The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Sep 28: Wind shields of at least two Imphal bound inter-state passenger buses coming from Guwahati were broken in stoning early today by two miscreants at a spot between Senapati and Karong in Senapati district, allegedly for defying the ANSAM warning against number plates with Meitei Mayek (Manipuri) script.

After smashing the windshields, the youths who came in an auto-rickshaw from Senapati side also warned the drivers that their vehicles would be set ablaze if they came with Meitei Mayek script on their number plates in the Naga areas in future, according to eyewitness accounts.

Reports said that the two night supers bearing registration nos. MN01-1551 and MN01-1524 belonging to Royal tours and Travel plying in collaboration with Deeps Travel were proceeding from Guwahati to Imphal with passengers this morning. The miscreants stopped the buses between Senapati and Karong and smashed their wind shields with stones.

The front and rear windshields of the two vehicles were broken in the incident. The two miscreants, eyewitness accounts added, showed one Imphal based English edition newspaper of September 25 carrying an news item regarding ban of Meitei Mayek script in Naga areas to the drivers and left the spot after threatening to burn down the vehicles if they came with the banned script, a report said.

It may be mentioned that ANSAM volunteers have been detaining vehicles having the script on their number plates and elsewhere and erasing the script and warning the owners/drivers not to come in the Naga areas with the script. The association also claimed that they have confiscated cassettes/CDs of both video and audio in Meitei language since September 17.
Delhi’s Hogwash The Morung Express Editorial
Not for nothing, the ULFA and now the People’s Consultative Group—nominated to hold direct talks with the Government of India—are feeling betrayed by Delhi’s insensitivity. Slighted, the ULFA has now stepped up its tirade by even going to the extend of accusing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of launching a “false propaganda” against the ULFA and blamed his government of adopting double standards on the issue of talks. The line of criticism is that New Delhi had shown “false interest in talks with ULFA” and then managed to hold polls in Assam and then again staged a drama by suspending operations against the outfit to ensure peaceful celebration of Independence Day. And now when it has gotten what it wants, the Government of India has pulled the carpet from underneath and virtually dislodging the peace process and thereby the hopes of the people of Assam. What is also disturbing in this entire development is that the old ploy of creating differences within people’s resistance movement continues to remain a ‘hidden’ agenda.
On the face of it, this latest debacle clearly goes to show that the Indian establishment does not genuinely care to establish permanent peace but rather to keep a conflict situation under ceasefire for its advantage. This only discredits the civilian government in Delhi in the eyes of people in the region. One of the major problems seems to be that the elected government at the Centre appears to be ill advised by military generals and home ministry hawks that see the problem merely through the narrow prism of their security paradigm. The manner in which the ULFA problem has been handled over the last few months simply gives the impression that it is the military establishment and not the civilian government which has been given the power to veto. Such a development is extremely unfortunate. For the ULFA nominated People’s Consultative Group in particular, the recent development will be no doubt discouraging and they have every reason to feel insulted by Delhi’s retracting from its commitment made over the last three rounds of talks to find a political solution to the conflict.
While there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that the suspension of military operations reciprocated by ULFA was indeed a golden opportunity to push forward for direct peace talks, at the end it is the Tarun Gogoi led Congress government in Assam failing to act as a genuine facilitator for peace and also the elected government in Delhi not taking control of the peace initiative and thereby virtually giving the military establishment the power to decide. In this sense, it is the democratically elected government at the Centre and in Assam which has failed the people’s genuine desire for peace. On hindsight, it was also a wrong policy shift for the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to completely pull itself out of the negotiations and to allow the Union home ministry to take over the Assam peace process. In future, the Home Ministry should be allowed in only after all the ground modalities have been worked out under the PMO as there is greater chance of peace initiatives surviving under this process.
Aspiration of the unrepresented communities of ManipurBy R Yangsorang
Sangai Express
As a result of which, there was an improvement in the road network in the valley, and all the district headquarters started shining with modest infrastructures, leaving the ethnic minorities as cheerful people so long as they had enough to eat and drink, but without basic amenities. The idea was wrong. No village or town can be developed without Governmental support. When hundreds of crores of rupees were pumped into the state’s developmental programmes, the unrepresen-ted lots also wanted to get their villages developed. Coming to the very point of ethnic aspiration and to uncover what it will look like really is rage. They are feeling the kind of rage which is a mixture of anger and hopelessness when they are unable to enjoy all those privileges and facilities the select few are getting.
It cannot be an irresponsible statement that speaks of hatred. Their aspiration also includes big brother’s role of the political personalities and their self-less service which will earn their respect and love. They want the kind of leadership for the progress and growth of all communities of the state of Manipur, and hence a leader of even national standing. As a matter of fact, there are some from bigger communities who are not without the feeling of great sympathy and great admiration for the minorities for their courage and hard-work for sustenance of livelihood. These people are reasonably sympathetic for the problem and suffering of other people, but unfortunately, they are not the policy framers of the state, and they are less influential.
During the last 33 years of its attainment of statehood, it underwent experiences which would have all but shattered a state with less inner strength, being unable to register progress in many areas. In the political sphere, the traumatic experience at the birth of a new state within Indian union was that of explosion of the state which led to communal carnage of unprecedented proportions resulting in hundred deaths and rendering thousands homeless in 1993. The hasty creation of autonomous hill district councils in 1973 without adequate preparation and provisions of safeguards of the minorities led to greater mistrust between the hills and the plain, and on the one hand between the minorities and bigger tribes. And not less than four brief communal clashes but eventful clash-es occurred successively to blacken the history of the state. When it had been riven by old feuds and one scam after the other always, the future of the state was sombre. In the mayhem, the unrepresented tribal minorities were always the victims finding it hard to survive with no hope of their future.
To show certain degree of solidarity with the underprivileged of the state, separate fund can be allocated in the state’s bud-get for the development of their dialect, folk-Iores and folk-songs; for their health-care; for construction of village roads; for supply of safe-drinking water; for construction of village youth club’s building; for construction of community hall and playground; for adult literacy; for setting up of village museum; for external excursion; for village information centre; for rearing of cattle, poultry and piggery; for improvement of handloom products; and for development of their culture and customs. This is all because of the fact that the Tribal Sub-Plan’s developmental schemes have failed to cover them effectively is well known. Against all the odds, the state of Manipur must march ahead and make progress, gaining ground for the prosperity of all communities.

Centre should carry forward peace process By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Sept 28 – Renewed political initiative on the part of the Government of India is the need of the hour to carry forward the stalled peace process to bring the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to the negotiation table, observed noted political scientist and former Vice Chancellor of the Gauhati University, Dr Debo Prasad Barooah. Talking to The Assam Tribune here today, Dr Barooah expressed the opinion that the problem is not beyond solution and the Government of India must launch fresh political initiative and implement the decisions taken in the third round of meeting with the People’s Consultative Group (PCG), which was chaired by the Union Home Minister. He pointed out that the Army and the bureaucrats should implement the decisions taken by the political leadership and they should not act on their own. He admitted that the PCG, which yesterday announced its decision to withdraw from the peace process, might have reasons to feel frustrated because of the failure of the Government to implement the decisions taken in the last round of meeting on June 22, but at the same time, he expressed the view that the PCG should continue in the interest of carrying forward the process.

Dr Barooah pointed out that over the years, the Government of India lacked political will in dealing with the political issues raised by the militant groups and those problems were viewed as a law and order problem. But after long years, the Government came to realize the need for political dialogue to solve the problems and bowing to public pressure, the ULFA also formed the PCG to hold initial parleys with the Government. The formation of the PCG proved the willingness of the ULFA to come for talks and though the group was formed in September, the Government delayed the process of talks. However, as per news reports, three rounds of talks between the Government and the PCG were held in a very cordial atmosphere and in the first round itself, the Prime Minister made it clear that the Government of India was ready to discuss all issues. However, he asserted that the decisions taken in the third round of talks should be implemented by the Government without further delay to carry forward the stalled process.

Referring the decision of the Government to resume the operations, which were suspended on August 13, Dr Barooah said that there was no need for launching a fresh operation as it only complicated matters. He also expressed the view that there is no harm is releasing the jailed central committee members of the ULFA as demanded by the outfit in the interest of carrying forward the peace process.

Dr Barooah expressed the opinion that there should not be any harm in discussing sovereignty as demanded by the ULFA. If the Government is strong in its arguments, it should not feel jittery in discussing the issue of sovereignty, he pointed out. He also warned the Government not to play the divide and rule policy of the British rulers. He pointed out that such an attempt in 1991 failed miserably and a section of the surrendered militants created social trouble in the state. Some SULFA men were also reportedly involved in secret killings, he pointed out.

However, despite the present situation, Dr Barooah is still optimistic and said, “ no problem is insoluble. There may be hurdles in the way and those hurdles are to be removed for the political solution of the problems.”