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10/01/2006: "Talks with NSCN holds key to peace in Manipur: Minister Sushanta Talukdar The Hindu"

Talks with NSCN holds key to peace in Manipur: Minister Sushanta Talukdar The Hindu

Imphal: Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh on Saturday said that negotiations with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) holds the key to peace in Manipur.
Addressing a press meet here, Mr Ramesh said the time was not for redrawing geographical boundaries but to create new economies. He said the Constitution of India and the country's territorial integrity are "sacrosanct and non-negotiable."
"Only territorial autonomy can be negotiable," he added. Asked if the Centre has taken steps for bringing insurgent outfits of Manipur to the negotiation table, the Minister said that the Government of India was ready to talk to anyone who gave up arms.
He said that people's support was the key to winning the war against the underground elements in Manipur. The people's support could be ensured only by taking more and more development work, he said.
"When people decide enough is enough and realise that underground elements are the enemies of peace and development then they would extend their support in the war against the underground," said the Union Minister.
Development works Mr Ramesh said that "far too much corruption and far too much extortion" have been hindering development in Manipur and other States of northeast. He expressed hope that development work initiated by the Okram Ibobi Singh-led Government in Manipur with the support of the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre would help win people's support in the war against the underground.
Imphal-Ukhrul road blockaded over student`s arrest The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Sept 29: Protesting the charge of the 4 Assam Rifles posted at Chingarel that Sarangthem Tomba, 14, son of S Ibobi of Sawombung Thongkhong, who was deatained yesterday by the forces, belonged to the underground PLA, angry locals today blockaded Imphal-Ukhrul road for about 2 hours this evening. Sit-in protests were also held by local women at Sawombung waiting shed and also at Biramangol College gate, attended by students of Biramangol College and Sawombung High School.

Tomba`s mother Apabi told the IFP today that on the night of September 27 around 9 pm AR personnel came to their house in search of Tomba, who was resting in his bed after studies. Before the AR personnel came in, a youth accompanying the AR personnel pointed out Tomba from outside the house.

The AR personnel numbering around three or four then forced their way into the house kicking the doors and targeting him without giving any reason. Tomba was the ex-games and sports secretary of the school.

On that night some womenfolk went to the AR post at Chingarel and asked for the release of Tomba but in vain and they returned home empty handed. The AR authorities did not give any arrest memo on that day. But it was given on the next day when his mother and some locals went there again.

Tomba was produced today at CJM Imphal and remanded till October 3 in the custody of Lamlai police station.

Condemning the AR allegation on the Class X student, many people turned out and blockaded the Imphal-Ukhrul road at Sawombung today disturbing the traffic for about two hours. The blockade started from about 1.30 pm and ended at around 3.30 pm after taking into consideration the problems faced by the commuters.

The local clubs and meira paibis however appealed to the concerned authorities to release the arrested student immediately threatening to launch an agitation otherwise.

Nagaland Cabinet rejects NBSE exam centres outside State Sentinel
IMPHAL, Sep 30: After a long wait students of the four Naga dominated hill districts of Manipur may finally get some relief as the Nagaland government has finally decided to allow enrolment of students of these districts to the schools of Nagaland.
A Cabinet meeting of the Rio Government, in one of its decisions on Wednesday reportedly approved the enrolment of around 4000 students from Manipur to both Government and private schools of Nagaland affiliated to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). However, the call for opening of HSLC examination centres in the four hill districts of Manipur to allow 4000 students to appear in the ensuing HSLC Examination 2007 under the NBSE, was rejected by the cabinet.
The Nagaland Cabinet has arrived at the decision in order to make the students eligible to appear in the HSLC exams under NBSE, a report from Kohima said, quoting a release of the chief minister`s secretariat, adding that the students are to make their own arrangements. The cabinet decision was taken following a meeting of the officers of school education, NBSE, director SCERT and representatives of the NSF, ANSAM, All Nagaland Private Schools Association, Naga Hoho, United Naga Council Manipur and All Private Schools Forum of Manipur in the office chamber of the Nagaland education minister. The meeting discussed the representations submitted by the NSF, ANSAM and All Private Schools of Manipur, the official release said. The decision of the Nagaland Government was arrived at keeping in view the rules and regulations of the NBSE, and the opening of the examination centres in other states beyond the jurisdiction of the NBSE was rejected. (Agencies)

Oil exploration - Another exploitation or a benefit? By Yanpvuo Kikon and Lovely Ayemi Mumbai, 1st Oct, 2006.Kuknalim.com

The Nagaland government had agreed to the return of the oil giant ONGC to resume oil exploration and extraction in the state. While the debate on banning the oil extraction continues...

between the governments and the factions; on our part, we as concerned young naga citizens need to raise our opinions on this issue as tons of oil may be sucked dry from our land. Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution clearly states how the central acts cannot apply to Nagaland state unless the Legislative Assembly by a resolution so decides; when it is an issue of our land and resources. So, without prior consent of the nagas, our land and resources cannot be exploited or touched. Till today, Nagaland is solely dependant on the centre for its funds. It is high time we start focusing on ‘Nagaland development’ and woo investors from outside the state to boost its revenue.

Before internal combustion engines which run on petroleum and its products are replaced by alternative sources of fuel like hydrogen which is very likely in the near future with all the advancements in technology, we need to explore our oil resource before the value of petroleum dwindles with time. This could be a wake up call for the nagas to take every advantage of the various potentials which our land is blessed with when opportunity calls. This oil exploration can either turn out to be exploitation or a boom to our state economy. It solely depends on the agreements laid between the parties concerned. If at all the green signal is given for the extraction, the mandate issued by the state government to the ONGC should be conditional, based on public interest. Conditions should be made such that when it comes to the employment opportunities, thousands of unemployed naga youths should be given the first priority. Here, the role of student bodies like NSF can also make a difference. For instance, with regard to the technical work force, there are hundreds of fresh qualified naga engineers; they should be employed as freshers or junior engineers instead of freshers from other states.

In today’s world of commerce and technology, all business dealings are based on give and take policy. So we cannot expect to take everything from them and give them nothing in return. We trust our leaders that on their part they would be very cautious in laying down the terms and agreements keeping in mind the welfare of the nagas in general. The public would also very much appreciate if the government could maintain transparency to avoid individual gains.

(This article has been e-mailed in the interest of young nagas who hope for a developed Nagaland.)

Police recovers cash from UNLF ultrasFrom Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, Sept 30 – Altogether five United National Liberation Front (UNLF) militants were apprehended by Meghalaya police on September 27 and Rs. 21 lakh in cash along with incriminating documents and extortion notes were recovered from them.

SP, East Khasi Hills, AR Mawthoh said that the ultras were on their way to Bangladesh when they were nabbed by the Special Operations Team.

The militants were on their way to Bangladesh via Dawki. The police also recovered many Sim cards of Bangladesh Grameen Mobile company from those nabbed.

All the militants belonged to UNLF’s finance wing. The police also busted the finance wing office of the outfit at Cleve Colony here. Those apprehended are: Somen Singh, Thomba Singh, Premjit Singh, Manoj Kr. Singh, and Alfred Ryngksai.

AGP calls for release of five ULFA leaders From Our Spl. Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Sept 30 – Calling for a bold initiative, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), while slamming the State Government’s handling of the situation, has called for release of the five ULFA leaders to resolve the ULFA crisis. In a communication to the Prime Minister, who incidentally left for South Africa today, AGP MP Sarbananda Sonowal said due to the closure of the peace dialogue process with the ULFA and resumption of army operation in Asom, an atmosphere of insecurity prevailed. “Every day incidents of violence has been occurring in the state, particularly in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts,” he said.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Sonowal urged the Prime Minister to take a positive and bold initiative in the greater interest of the people of Asom, to reactivate the dialogue process with the ULFA, without imposing any pre-condition, to give peace a chance afresh .

The Government of India may make a good gesture by immediately releasing the leaders of the ULFA, who are under detention, to ensure restoration of peace process. He further appealed to the ULFA leadership to maintain restrain and to equally extend their positive cooperation in the peace process.

The State Government of Asom, on the other hand, has miserably failed to maintain the congenial atmosphere conducive for continuity of the peace dialogue. This has worsened the prevailing situation, he claimed.
‘Independent Asom’: ULFA for public opinion By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Sept 30: With the Army launching an offensive following reports of extortion carried out by the ULFA on one hand and the outfit refusing to give a written commitment to join the talks directly on the other, the outlawed outfit has given a new twist to the peace process seeking a public opinion on its demand for independent Asom.
In an e-mail sent to some select citizens, ULFA ‘c-in-c’ Paresh Barua said while the government is persistently maintaining that the people of Asom do not support its “struggle”, it is imperative as of now to seek a public opinion on its demand for independent Asom.
Describing its activities as a “struggle” and not a “war against India”, Barua stated even if the outfit sits across the table with the government, it would continue with its struggle until its “objectives are achieved”.
While the ULFA-constituted PCG, which pulled out of the peace process on Wednesday, refused to comment on the e-mail, the intelligence department of the State police has confirmed that the e-mail has been sent by the ULFA.
Meanwhile, PCG member Lachit Bordoloi has said even though the group, which was constituted by the ULFA exactly a year back, has pulled out from the peace process, the talks would be a success.
“A couple of years back, even the MASS favoured a public opinion on the demands of the ULFA, but the spotlight then was on political solution to the problem,” Bordoloi added.