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10/27/2006: "NSCNs battle for supremacy Zunheboto comes under heavy fighting The Morung Express"


NSCNs battle for supremacy Zunheboto comes under heavy fighting The Morung Express
Kohima, October 26 (MExN): Heavy fighting between the two warring NSCN groups was reported from Zunheboto town, amidst conflicting report over the number of casualties.
While NSCN-K sources claimed to have killed three cadres of the rival group, NSCN-IM said only one of its cadre identified as Corpl. Abel was killed in today clash.
NSCN-IM source further claimed that they have surrounded the residence of some rival leaders and has asked them to surrender before them. NSCN-IM also claimed to have captured Zunheboto town following today’s fighting.
However, Deputy Commissioner Zunheboto said that the casualty if any from either group could not be ascertained as the police could not go to the place of the clash.
The DC said that the clash started at around 9:30 am and continued till 6:00 PM. He also said that the clash took place when heavily armed NSCN-IM cadres attacked the rival camp which has been there for the last 4-5 months under the command of Brig Nikki.
“We thought of going to the clash site with Red Cross uniform, but some of us don’t want to take risk so we abandoned the idea”, DC said.
In spite of the fervent appeal made by the public, churches, GBs and Dobashi, both the groups are still determined for an armed show down, the DC said, adding that the clash might occur again anytime.
It was also learnt that the NSCN-IM cadres resorted to road blockade during the clash, so as to restrain the movement of rival cadres. The public of the area are caught in a most helpless situation as both the groups refused to heed to even the order issued by the DC and call of the people to move out of the town.
Sources also said that the Assam Rifle has ceased to patrol the area on the instruction of the IGAR north. It is learnt that IGAR (N) has instructed the AR jawans to remain confined to their camp and not to meddle in the ongoing factional feud.
Meanwhile, the residents of Amiphoto colony have fled to other places to take shelter owing to fear and tension. Today’s clash also affected vehicular movement, particularly vehicles bound for Satakha, Kohima and Dimapur.
Strengthen peace process, affirms Naga Hoho The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, OCT 26 (MExN): Following the one-day ‘perspective dialogue’ held on Wednesday in the backdrop of what it termed as the prevailing “precarious scenario of the Naga situation” and in an attempt to set things in order, the Naga Hoho has observed that the Indo-Naga peace process needs to be further strengthened.
“This can come about through a more comprehensive approach of progress dissemination and cohesive representation of various constituencies so that a concrete decision adopted also contributes towards facilitating a permanent solution through the mandate of our people”, stated Naga Hoho President I. Bendang Jamir and General Secretary Neingulo Krome in a press communiqué.
On reconciliation, the Naga Hoho admitted that there were difficulties in the healing process but appreciated and expressed support to the initiatives taken by the Nagaland Baptist Council of Churches (NBCC) in the process of building true peace.
“While fully aware of the difficulties the Nagas are put in today, the Naga Hoho expresses the need for an internal introspection and healing of acrimonious memories which war ravages upon in order to build a sustainable nation”, it stated.
“The Naga Hoho also takes into deepest consideration the dimension of social wounds and historical hurts accrued upon by treating a member(s) of the Naga family with most unbecoming threats. We strongly express our solidarity with all the Naga communities in expressing our fraternity with the affected members of the family”, it stated in an obvious reference to the ‘quit notice’ issued by the NSCN (K) to the Tangkhul community. The Naga Hoho appealed for better understanding amongst the Naga family through interactive dialogue and confidence building meetings periodically.
The Naga Hoho also called upon the Naga national leadership to “rationalize its self-alienating attitude by severing of relationship with any Naga civil society organizations” and reiterated its position that there was “no issue of lop-sided approach to our political future” and committed itself as a facilitating body for the enhancement of an early and honourable solution.
The Naga Hoho also expressed anguish and shame, with particular reference to the roles that the Naga IRB battalion has reportedly played in Chattisgarh.

“The Naga Hoho expresses its unqualified apologies to the affected people of Chhattisgarh and the Adivasis in particular, as we hang our heads in shame”, it stated while pointing out that these blatant violations of human rights on fellow struggling communities under any pretext or circumstances cannot be condoned in any way.
The Naga Hoho also viewed the deployment of Naga IRB in Chhattisgarh as amounting to ‘engaging one people against the other’ and termed this as a deliberate policy of the “powers that be” and alleging that it was aimed “to discredit the legitimacy of the on-going Political Negotiations in the face of the large majority of the Indian civil population”.
Mention may be made that the Naga Hoho organized a Dialogue on “A Perceptive dialogue on Naga state of affairs” at Kohima on the October 25. Participants drawn from various tribal organizations, mass-based social organizations and the Church and many concerned individuals freely shared their views on the current situation.
Thenucho appeals to NSCN factions The Morung Express
Dimapur, Oct 26 (MExN): In the backdrop of the standoff between the NSCN factions at Zunheboto, Nagaland Home Minister Thenucho has made a fervent appeal to both the factions to vacate civilian areas and to confine themselves to their respective designated camps while stating that this will facilitate peace initiatives and also remove the fear and tension from the minds of the people.
The Home Minister expressed deep concern the ongoing impasse at Zunheboto town covering specifically Amboto colony, where the factions have both totally disregarded the security and safety of the people of Zunheboto town and the neighboring villages, despite repeated pleas made to both the groups.
In a press communiqué issued late this evening, Thenucho pointed out that the increasing incident of killings and armed encounters amongst the factions in various parts of the State was contrary to the objectives of the peace process and Cease fire agreements and such incidents went against the interest of the general public of the State.
Reiterating DAN Government’s support for a peaceful resolution of the Naga political problem, Thenucho stated that till today the government had supported all the initiatives being taken in the peace process between the Government of India and the NSCN. “Towards this effort we have also constituted the Consultative Committee for the Peace and we have been encouraging the participation of the Civil Societies, NGOs and the Church in helping build the proper social environment for the success of the peace process in the state”, he maintained.
While reiterating the government’s commitment to the peace process the Home Minister also made it clear that the DAN government was committed to protecting the safety and security of the people of the state.

Despite the fact that the Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG) is the agency to regulate the cease-fire ground rules, Thenucho maintained that the continued stay of armed cadres in populated areas such as Zunheboto Town and villages was a clear violation of the Cease-Fire Ground Rules. The District Administration is responsible for the protection of members of the public and it is within its powers to order the removal of any person who is likely to disturb the public peace within its jurisdiction, the Home Minister stated.
Thenucho appealed to leaders of both NSCN factions to appreciate the trauma and tension that is being created by them in the normal lives of the people of the State, through their factional fights and particularly the public of Zunheboto town and the neighbouring villages.
NSCN-K on NSCN-IM blaming Jami The Morung Express
Dimapur, Oct 26 (MExN): Reacting to the NSCN-IM Lotha Region’s “shifting blame on AZ Jami as a display of their childishness”, the NSCN-K stated that “we know very well that you are startling even at the faint noise of a falling leaf from a tree because you are fully aware of your own fate”. Maj. (Retd). RM Lotha, Senior Kilonser stated in a release that he was with the NSCN-K long before AZ Jami joined and “we know who is who”. “AZ Jami was a single person while he was in the I-K group. He could not be everything and everywhere. He did his only part. Likewise, now in the NSCN/GPRN, he can not be everything and everywhere. He is doing his part as a single person” RM Lotha stated. Referring to several instances of killings and excesses that have been committed in the Lotha region RM Lotha asserted “we know very well who had done so”. “We have stories when AZ Jami confronted the then I-M authorities for their excesses in Lotha region, when he was in the I-M. Even if you move heaven and earth to conceal or erase your crimes, it would be a futile exercise” RM Lotha stated while adding that the crimes would remain in the minds of the people.
Imkong on Naga issue Correspondent Nagaland Post
Kohima, Oct 26 (NPN): School Education Minister Imkong L Imchen on Thursday blamed the Congress at the Centre for "insincerity" in solving various problems confronting the nation including the Naga political issue.
Talking to media persons here, Imkong said he was pessimistic about a solution to the Naga problem and that the negotiations appear to be a wastage of time and energy on both sides. He justified that even more than nine years of talks has not yielded anything so far.
Blaming the Centre for refusing to realize the waning of trust and confidence of the Nagas, the minister said "time can't be the best healer, it is rather inviting loss of trust and faith between each other".
He opined that if the Government of India was sincere about the Naga issue in the early fifties or sixties, the Naga political issue could have been solved long back.
Another opportunity was lost during 1974, he observed.
He said the Government of India, especially the Indian National Congress were not prepared to bring about final solution on various problems including the Naga issue.These missed opportunities led to lingering of the problems which confronted the nation today.
Imkong said there were two levels of inputs for policy making such - politicians and bureaucrats. Generally politicians go by the views of bureaucracy whereas bureaucracy does not have the courage make decisions. He felt politicians should take inputs from bureaucrats in order to effect solutions. He also blamed the Nagas for the impasse in being too proud of the Naga issue without understanding what others think of them.
He also pointed out that all major Naga factions and the politicians were only interested in one upmanship games enjoying the fratricidal killings. He said the factions and the political parties were neither sincere nor dedicated to solve this problem in a meaningful way till today.
Factions clash in Zunheboto Correspondent Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, OCT 26 (NPN): Zunheboto town reverberated to the sound of continuous firing and pounding of mortar shells and rocket launchers as rival NSCN factions clashed at Amiphoto colony in Zunheboto town Thursday leaving at least three dead.
Sources said the NSCN (I-M) under Col Samson Aye, the operation commander, with a deployment of around two hundred men mounted a two-pronged offensive from BOC area and AR check gate to after entering Zunheboto town. The attack began at 9 a.m. and the ensuing gun battle lasted till 6.30 p.m.
The NSCN (K) withstood the attack and held on to their base at Amiphoto colony.
Meanwhile, NSCN (K) said re-enforcement have already arrived from various areas to strengthen its the one hundred-odd men in Amiphoto colony. The sources also revealed that more fighting could be expected in the coming days.
Reliable sources put the total casualty at three, with two from the NSCN (I-M) side and one from the NSCN (K). However, NSCN (K) sources claimed that three NSCN (I-M) men were killed when a mortar landed in a bunker occupied by them, and at least another seven NSCN (I-M) men injured in the clash.
The NSCN (K) source also said one of their men, identified as one Ghotoi Sumi, sustained minor injury on his hand in today's attack by the rival faction.
Several houses caught fire due to the explosives including the residence of Kihoto Hollohon where a shell exploded causing damages.
Sources alleged that IRB, district administration and civil societies remained immobilized throughout period of the clash as they were not allowed to intervene by the NSCN (I-M). It was learnt that residents of Amiphoto colony had already vacated their homes before the exchange of gun battle following an earlier directive from the NSCN (I-M).
When contacted, a prominent leader of an NGO said "this shows the fall of popular elected government, and the law enforcing agencies in this case were told to back off."
In a note of exasperation, he said, "houses have been destroyed and lives lost. Residents of Zunheboto have now got used to the sound of guns…if we are told not to interfere, let them decide their fate."
Our Tuensang correspondent adds: The NSCN (K) spokesman Kughalu Mulatonu has alleged that the rival faction had fired at least 10 mortar shells in two populated areas in Thursday's attack at Amiphoto Colony, just as it did at Sukhalu village on October 16 after the failure of talks with India.
Claiming that some weapons of NSCN (IM) cadre have been seized, Mulatonu said "unless some forces of Neiphiu Rio aid, the NSCN (K) is sure of victory."
Referring to the CIA's visit in New Delhi to tackle terrorism, the NSCN (K spokesman said "India cannot complete this mission without dealing with NSCN (IM) faction."
DAN govt. should resign, says Chishi Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Oct 26 (NPN): Former chief minister and Congress leader K.L. Chishi has lambasted the DAN government led by Neiphiu Rio for total failure through willful neglect in maintaining law and order in the state amid continued factional clashes and has demanded that it resign on moral grounds or be dismissed in the interest of the people of Nagaland.
In a statement here, Chishi said the DAN government was totally unconcerned about the plight of the people in Zunehoto town in the light of the fiercest gun battle between rival factions that raged at Amiphoto colony from 9 a.m. till 6.30 p.m. Thursday.
According to Chishi, even the chief minister Neiphiu Rio when urged to intervene by one minister in the DAN ministry, expressed total helplessness instead.
Also when the matter was reported to the Home Minister Thenucho by the administration, the former advised use of the Red Cross to contact the factions and to plead with them to vacate the town, Chishi said. He also said Thenucho had himself admitted that the government's incapability to deal with the situation despite having the armed police force. Chishi pointed out that the DAN government chose to deal with the continuing threat by withdrawing a company out of the two, from Zunheboto when it was clear that more forces were required by the district police and administration.
Chishi flayed the DAN government's 'equi-closeness' policy as it was one of abdicating its responsibility and giving the underground factions a free hand to perpetrate lawlessness. He also hauled up the Assam Rifles for refusing to intervene on the plea that the directive had to come from the IG Assam Rifles.
The gun battle in Zunheboto has caused several damages to properties and buildings due to bombardment with 3" mortar and rocket launchers said Chishi adding even the building of Kihoto Hollohon was bombed and suffered extensive damage.
Chishi charged that since the DAN government has confirmed on many occasions, that it has failed to maintain law and order, it has no right to continue in office any longer and therefore, the sooner it goes the better for the people.
Plight of the Nagas Nagarealm.com
Reading the news article "Nothing wrong with Quit Notice...." shocking! We seemed to have gone too far; Can we really have a turning point? Hatred is creating such a havoc in our land that reason is no longer reasonable and compassion is out of place
Tribalism is deeply rooted to the extend of disowning one another, one would just wonder if there is any space for oneness, and nationalism for that matter. Prejudice is what we need to keep in check but today all that we claim and blame one another is nothing but a steriotypic standpoint.

I have never heard of a sweeping campaign against illegal migration/Indianisation in Nagaland except for some awareness campaigns by students' bodies. Today, the Tangkhuls are being hunted for a thousand and one reasons that they are nuisance to Nagaland state. The worse part is the statement of disowning; Can Bangladeshis become Nagas because they are seemingly harmless? or,are Tangkhuls no long Nagas? It's not a matter of wishes or choices.

The quit Notice may have many serious implications, more dangerous than the security of the particular tribe. I am wondering what the public leaders and the state govt.are doing, other than just making slight condemnation against it.
Poll divides Edirorial Sangai Express
In many ways the forthcoming Assembly election will be a litmus test for a number of political parties and political figures. To a certain extent it will also be a test for Manipur and to many other non-State actors, the outcome of the election will be loaded with meanings. This observation stands true in the light of the numerous developments, social, political and economical during the last few years. As it has been witnessed in the last few elections, especially after the peace parleys between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India started in 1997, the territorial integrity of Manipur will be the calling card for quite a large number of political parties but this time there could be a new twist to the issue at hand. That a number of Naga MLAs and even the Rajya Sabha MP from the State had appended their signatures to the demand for the formation of a Greater Lim is today old hat but this is precisely one reason why there could be a twist in the run up to the election. We can definitely expect some vocal Naga public leaders to campaign for the formation of a Greater Lim during the election, which in other words mean a strong opposition to the principle of protecting the territory of Manipur. With the demand to integrate the Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit growing more and more audible, we can expect a polarisation of views and stand on the matter during the run up to the election and with so many power players expected to carry out their agenda, behind the scene, this issue is likely to occupy centre stage in the election campaign especially in the Naga dominated areas. The valley areas, or rather the ACs dominated by the Meiteis have already made its stand known over the issue and it remains to be seen what strategies are adopted to counter the growing Greater Lim voice in the Naga areas.
The Congress has already made it clear that it is looking ahead to forming the Government on its own, though this may prove to be a bit tough. The CPI on the other hand has also made it clear that they would not join the Government if the Congress manages a majority on its own, but would extend support from outside. This may mean that the SPF experiment may not be followed when the time to form the next Government comes. One of the interesting developments recently has been the coming together of a number of political parties, namely the FPM, MPP and DRPP under one common roof and retaining the name of the MPP for the new political entity. The real motive and agenda for the coming together of these political parties have not been spelt out very clearly, though the usual talk that the regional forces need to come together to take on the National parties has been doing the round. On the other hand the hills too have witnessed some interesting developments, especially, the formation of two new political parties. Whether these new political forces can upset the apple cart of the National parties or not remains to be seen, but a message has already been rung out by the formation of these new political bodies. The recent meetings convened by the United Naga Council in connection with the election is also interesting and could be a pointer to the agenda being planned in the Naga inhabited areas under the slogan of a Greater Lim.
Thenucho’s plea to NSCN factions Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, OCT 26 (NPN): Voicing grave concern over the increasing incidents of killings and factional clashes in various parts of the state, Home minister Thenucho has appealed to different underground factions to vacate public inhabited areas and confine themselves to their respective designated camps.
Thenucho said DAN Government had, from the very beginning, advocated peaceful resolution of the Naga political problem and with the same spirit had till today, supported all the initiatives being taken in the talks between the Government of India and the NSCN.
"Towards this effort, we have also constituted the Consultative Committee for Peace and we have been encouraging the participation of the civil societies, NGOs and the Church in helping build the proper social environment for the success of the peace process in the state," he added.
The Home minister in an appeal, while reiterating the government's commitment to peaceful solution of the Naga issue, also said the government was equally committed to protecting the safety and security of its citizens.
Citing the latest factional clash between the rival NSCN factions that took place Thursday at Amiphoto Colony in Zunheboto town, Thenucho said the factions have totally disregarded the security and safety of the innocent civilians despite pleas made by the district administration and the public to the factions to vacate public areas.
On the argument that a directive to vacate public areas and confine themselves to designated camps, should come from the chairman of the Cease-fire Monitoring Group (CFMG), Thenucho said "while it a fact that the CFMG is the agency to regulate the cease-fire ground rules, it is also a fact that the continued stay in populated areas such as Zunheboto town and villages, is a clear violation of the ceasefire ground rules."
The Home minister also said the district administration was responsible for the protection of members of the public and that it was well within the powers of the administration to order the removal of any person likely to disturb the public peace within its jurisdiction.
Thenucho appealed to both NSCN factions to save the public from the trauma and tension created due to factional clashes.
Govt to probe Naga jawans’ excesses in Chhattisgarh Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Oct 26:: Expressing concern over allegations of excesses committed by Naga police jawans deployed in Chhattisgarh to contain Naxalite violence, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has assured a probe into the issue...

“Reported excesses committed by jawans of India Reserve Battalion (IRB), 9th Nagaland Armed Police, in Chattisgarh is news not good for anybody. The State Government will conduct an inquiry after verification of the full report,” he said yesterday at a function in Dimapur.

Human rights activists and civil society organisations after visiting Naxal-affected areas of Chattisgarh had accused the IRB jawans of committing atrocities on civilians, liquidation of villagers, rape of tribal women and burning down of houses. The findings of these bodies such as PUDR, PUCL have been published in local dailies in Nagaland.

“We have no information, and no agencies have filed a complaint to far. These are all allegations (levelled against the Naga jawans),” the Chief Minister asserted.

As per Centre’s directive, the 9th battalion of IRB from Nagaland was deployed in Naxal-infested Dantewala region of Chattisgarh in 2004 to contain the extremists there.

The reports also alleged that IRB jawans along with ‘Salwa Judum’ – a people’s movement against Naxalite violence – unleashed atrocities on innocent villagers by resorting to burning of houses, forcible evacuation of people to camps, rape of tribal women and stealing of animals like cats and dogs. Meanwhile, reacting to the reports of excesses, Nagaland Home department has asked State police headquarters to seek an urgent clarification on the allegations levelled against the IRB from its counterparts in Chhattisgarh. Nagaland Home Minister, Thenucho told newsmen that there was no complaint so far against the battalion from the Chhattisgarh Government or other agencies, adding that “the whole thing (allegations) is nothing but an attempt to tarnish the image of the force.”

The Minister said such allegations could demoralise the IRB and pointed out that as the battalion was serving under the command of Chhatisgarh police, the complaints, if any, should have come from the government of that State.

He made these observations during a day-long deliberation on the present situation of Nagaland that was organised by the apex tribal council Naga Hoho. Various Naga organisations had opposed the State Government’s decision of sending the Naga battalion to Chhatisgarh. – PTI
Nagaland - an abode of peace and beauty, a state rich in tradition, culture and values. Nagaland Post
One doesn't need to spend a long time in Nagaland, to be mesmerized by the honest, clean and straight-forward looks in the eyes of each and every Naga citizen, young or old, man or woman. This speaks volumes of the fact that in the world of corruption, crime and materialism, the people of this beautiful state are very close to Godliness and spiritualism.
The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Mr Neiphiu Rio, echoed the words of Swami Vivekananda in his speech - "May I be born and reborn again and again, and suffer thousand miseries, if I am able to worship my God the wicked, my God the afflicted, my God the poor of all races."
"I respect all religions. I shall go to the Mosque of the Mohammedan, I shall enter the Christian's Church and kneel before the Crucifix …… I shall enter into the forest and sit down in meditation with the Hindu."
And the essence of these words can be visibly felt as omni-present in the entire state of Nagaland. Assimilation and not destruction, harmony and peace, and not dissension - is the motto of all the Naga people.
They continue to practice their festivals so that they do not allow their rich traditions to be wiped out completely by the changing face of today's modern world. They have managed to strike the right balance of preserving their culture and traditions, and at the same time, pursue their religion, while taking the path of progress and development.
One of the strikingly unique selling points of the Naga people is their rich culture and tradition. People from all over the world love to come to their land and join them in their festivals, not only to be part of the festivities, but also to get a glimpse of the old world.
To the western and the developed world, they present a glimpse of a rich culture which is a blend between the old world and the modern society. If we look back at our history, we find that our Naga people have moved from an era of head-hunting to the computer age in a little over a generation. For the Nagas "it has been a thousand years in a life time." Perhaps, no race or society has taken such giant leaps towards progress within a very short time. Naga people are a case-study for the rest of the world. Their intellectuals, thinkers and leaders have been ensuring that in this process of giant leaps, their society is guided in the right direction.
The Naga people strongly believe and follow that only lively and meaningful culture can produce lively, meaningful and vibrant people what is good, is tapped, preserved or promoted and made to serve them, and what is not, is let go or refined to make their society a richer and happier place for them to live in. The beautiful state and its hospitable, caring and humane people will bring you back to this heavenly part of our country, again and again and, and they know how to make you feel 'at-home'.
Lt Col Nirupam Bhargava Public Relations Officer (Ministry of Defence) Kohima.
Women trafficking on the rise in Asom Nagaland Post
GUWAHATI, OCT 26 (UNI): Women from Asom continue to be illegally trafficked to all parts of the country due to poverty and unemployment. On an average 250, female adults and 200 minor girls go missing from Asom annually. The all-India figure is as high as 22,480 women and 44,476 children. More alarmingly, almost half of them continue to be untraceable in Asom. The country-figure of untraced women and children stood at 5,452 and 11,008 respectively.
As the security forces are more occupied with law and order problems, specifically -insurgency operations in Asom, combating human trafficking has taken a back seat. About 40 per cent police officials in the country are not aware of the issue of trafficking a meager 6.6 per cent have undergone any sort of trafficking sensitisation training. These startling statistics were presented yesterday at a seminar by the National Media Consultation on Human trafficking, HIV/AIDS and Drug Trafficking here by IGP (CID) Gunottam Bhuyan. He is also the nodal officer of the anti-trafficking section in the state. A vast majority of the missing women and from the state are sexually exploited, A UN report stated that 18,000 - 20,000 women and girls were introduced in the flesh trade in the country annually.Mr Bhuyan 268 female adults and 319 minors were registered to be missing best year. The figures of those traced were yet to be compiled, he added.
Trends in the previous year of success rate of locating missing women are not very encouraging. Of the 347 women and 349 girls who went missing in 2004, 269 women and 231 girls remained untraced, Mr Bhuyan informed. In the figures the IGP presented, the ratio between traced and untraced women and girls since 1996 to 2005 continued to decrease and since 2002, the number of untraced victims far exceeded those who were rescued. He informed that 65 girls had been rescued so far from outbound trains in the state this year against zero success in the previous years.
Quoting a NEDAN foundation study of about two lakh people in 25 relief camps in Kokrajhar district of the state, Mr Bhuyan said 107 young women were found missing. The report suggested that they had been sold or temporarily married. The senior police officer said poverty stricken girls were areas as trafficked women and girls. However, poverty alone was not the prime reason, he added. He said, ''Many are lured by promises of better future, jobs and marriage proposals.'' The char areas, refugee camps, girls from poor families, from broken homes and widows, among others, remain the most vulnerable group, he added. He also maintained that unemployment among the male population of the state was also a serious cause for girls opting for inter-state marriages, where they most often were exploited.
The ''Look East'' policy with its focus on the North East could further aggravate the situation, he added. Mr Bhuyan said counter-insurgency operations were the priority with the armed personnel as little resources at disposal for conducting anti-trafficking operations. Moreover, lack of awareness among the people leads to many cases going unreported. He informed at only nine cases had been registered under the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act till now this year.
Mr Bhuyan urged greater vigilance among the people and more involvement of grassroots level NGOs to tackle to problem. ''The Village Defence Parties operating across the state have helped a lot in combating the issue,'' he added. He informed Crime Against Women Cell had been opened in the state CID and police officials were being sensitised in a phased manner on the issue. Mr Bhuyan said rehabilitation of the rescued women proved to be a problem as society and family view such women with suspicion and humiliate them.
Human and drug trafficking Assam Tribune editorial
The recent national media consultation of human trafficking, HIV and drugs in Guwahati touched upon three critical issues which have threatened many parts of the North East. Unlike similar other efforts, this one received better publicity because media persons were involved in the proceedings. The fact that all the participating stakeholders seemed to agree was that these were issues, which needed to be talked about and deserved highlighting in the media in a manner that was sensitive and fair. The consultation facilitated a sharing of experience among the media, voluntary organisations, police and the legislature, and that by itself was a good opportunity to appreciate different perspectives on vital issues. For instance, the media was made aware that the State political leadership recognised the seriousness of the trafficking problem. An informed Chief Minister even stated that poverty and illiteracy could not be the only factors behind human trafficking and underlined the need for an attitudinal change among the people. Workers of frontline NGOs highlighted how a proactive media could help empower society and victims, a trend that manifested in more police cases being registered even in remote areas. On HIV and drug trafficking, resource people brought out the linkages in sharper focus and stressed that measures would have to be taken fast.

It was realised that one of the main stumbling blocks in realizsing the magnitude of the problems related to trafficking, HIV and drugs was a lack of sufficient data. The media’s limitation in such a context is far less when compared to the difficulties faced by law enforcing agencies, along with the social and the health sectors. It is time that the North Eastern States started building up a comprehensive database and only then take necessary steps. It was further felt that the media must come up with a better response to issues and incidents related to trafficking, HIV and drug trafficking. A constant sharing of information among members of the local media and national media was considered an ideal strategy. A more sensitive police and judiciary were identified as another weapon to tackle the menace of trafficking, sans which the victims would continue to invite the wrath of the law. A senior police official, while acknowledging this fact said that many Governments were training police personnel to handle cases of violence against women, and that more emphasis was being laid on punishing the traffickers.

Even though the consultation dealt at length on a range of issues, there is much that remains to be done. It is no surprise that there are media persons who are inclined to believe that issues like human trafficking, HIV and drug trafficking have been blown out of proportion by certain circles like NGOs active in the social sector. However, there are dangers in such a perspective, not the least of which is one that brings in a sense of complacency. Taking a view of happenings in high-risk States, the precautionary principle has to be adopted and necessary steps must be taken by all the stakeholders right from the grassroots activists to those who formulate policy. The media clearly has a role to play in this context, and the first step of course would be keep the public informed about the ground reality. The other part the media could play is to exert a constant pressure on the government agencies to take note of issues and incidents and to monitor their response. By acting as a medium connecting the grassroots with policy makers it could act as a potent catalyst for change, that could eventually build the edifice of more safe and secure communities.


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