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11/01/2006: "Naga talks on but no prying The Telegraph"

Naga talks on but no prying The Telegraph OUR BUREAU

New Delhi,: The Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) have said that the Naga peace talks will continue despite hiccups along the way, but there will be no more updates for the media on what is being discussed. Delhi’s interlocutor in the peace talks, former home secretary K. Padmanabhaiah, met Union home minister Shivraj Patil today to discuss the government’s strategy for the next round of parleys.
NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah had sent a note to Padmanabhaiah recently, asking for the next round of talks to be convened before the winter session of Parliament. Since the session has been advanced to November 22, the government is contemplating dates that do not clash with the schedules of the Group of Ministers involved in the dialogue.
“Talks might be held within a month,” Padmanabhaiah told The Telegraph. The Group of Ministers, headed by Oscar Fernandez, is expected to meet soon to set the agenda for the talks.
Fernandez has accused a section of the media of falsely reporting that the process of dialogue is on the verge of breaking down. There is “neither a deadlock nor a failure of talks”, he said. The minister also said that both sides have decided during the last round of talks not to go to the media with statements on the negotiations. The last round of talks involved the Netherlands-based Kreddah, too. But sources clarified that Kreddah has been involved in the talks “on the fringes” and not as a party. Both sides had previously agreed that the Constitution would be studied in line with the NSCN (I-M)’s demand that a separate one be worked out as part of the “special federal relationship between two entities”. Padmanabhaiah said no “snap decision” was possible on major decisions. “We are inching towards reconciling,” he said.
Centre to deliberate on Naga peace process Kuknalim.com
NEW DELHI, Oct 31:: The Group of Ministers on the Naga issue headed by Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes will meet soon to deliberate on sensitive issues thrown up during talks between Indian officials and NSCN-IM leaders in Amsterdam two weeks ago.
"The GoM will meet very soon, most probably within a month," K Padmanabhaiah, the interlocutor for the Naga talks, said after meeting Home Minister Shivraj Patil here on Tuesday.

The GoM, which will be briefed on deliberations at the Amsterdam meeting held during October 17-19, would deliberate on the issues raised there, he said. Rebutting reports that the last round of talks had made no headway in resolving the six decade-old Naga problem, official sources said there were bound to be "minor aberrations" in finding a solution to the dragging issue.

There are many ups and downs in every peace process and the government is looking for a "package" rather than a "piecemeal" solution to the problem in Nagaland, they said. However, all efforts would be made to resolve these questions, the sources said, without elaborating on what these issues were. Reports have suggested that the NSCN-IM has been insisting on a separate constitution for Nagaland that would give the Naga tribals a greater say on key issues like the exploitation of natural resources. (Agencies)

Is honeymoon with peace over in Nagaland? Syed Ali Mujtaba Indolink
Somehow, the northeastern part of India seems to be never in the news radar. The situation in Nagaland seems to be getting complex by the day. Over 4,000 people have fled their houses in Zunheboto district in the state after a gun battle broke out between the rival militant factions — National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak Muivah) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Khaplang). Reportedly about 160 cadres of NSCN (IM) and about 100 cadres of the NSCN (Kahplang) engaged themselves in a fierce battle using rocket launchers, mortars, AK-47, AK-56 and snipers that killed two Khaplang faction cadres.
The situation in Zunheboto was brought to control after leaders of local NGOs of the powerful Sema tribe negotiated with the commanders of the warring factions. Following the negotiations the militants belonging to the two factions vacated their pitched positions in the residential areas of the town. The NSCN (Khaplang) called the retreat as honoring to the wishes of the Naga people. The recent infighting was a direct fall out of the killing of a senior NSCN (IM) functionary Tatar Hoho by the Khaplang faction that had served quit notice to all Thangkuls living in Nagaland accusing them to be supporter of the IM faction. The threat took a serious turn when the Khaplang faction targeted some persons from Thangkul community following, which both groups attacked each other in different parts of Nagaland and Manipur.
Government of India called this infighting a systematic violation of the ground rules of the ceasefire agreement by both the factions. It had also appealed them to end the battle "peacefully and amicably' failing which it said it reserves the rights to use force to flush out all such militants.
The NSCN (IM) has been accusing New Delhi of tacitly helping the Khaplang faction to weaken their strength. They blamed the Indian army for the supplies of automatic weapons to the Khaplang faction that has led to their recent resurgence. The Indian army has stoutly denied all such allegations. Nagaland is a mountainous state in the northeast of India bordering Myanmar with a population of nearly two million people that are predominantly Christians. Nagas are culturally and ethnically different from the rest of India. They are divided into 32 warring tribes. Nagas till a century ago were ‘Headhunters.’ It was under the British rule and due to the influence of American Baptist missionaries that Naga’s forged a strong sense of nationhood in the 19th century based on common traditions and Christian faith.
The Nagas were the first ethnic group in the northeast to revolt against New Delhi’s rule. Legendary Naga leader Angami Zapu Phizo and his Naga National Council (NNC) on August 14, 1947 asserted that the Nagas were never a part of India and demanded the status of a sovereign nationhood. The NNC in May 1951 demanded a referendum to determine their future as a free nation claiming that 99 percent of the Nagsa support the idea of the right of self-determination. However, New Delhi summarily rejected their demand that marked the beginning of the long haul of the armed struggle in Nagaland. By 1952, the NNC launched a guerrilla movement, attacking villages and Indian security posts. In 1956, Phizo formed a parallel government called the Naga federal government (NFG) and its armed wing, Naga federal army (NFA).
The Indian government in April 1956 launched a military crackdown on Naga insurgents and Phizo sneaked into then East Pakistan and then to London. He led the NNC from there until his death in 1990. India made efforts to broker peace with the NNC and in 1963 and gave statehood to Nagaland on September 6, 1964. A ceasefire was signed between the Indian government and the NNC. But despite the truce, the Naga rebels continued their offensives that made the government to abrogate the truce in 1969. However by then chinks had appeared in the Naga struggle. Members of the powerful Sema tribe broke away and in 1968 formed the revolutionary government of Nagaland (RGN) led by self-styled ‘General Kaito’. In 1971, India banned three prominent Naga groups; the NNC, NFG and NFA and Indian troops also launched a massive anti-insurgency operation. In 1973 for the first Army action forced the guerrillas to surrender. On August 14, 1973, the RGN, under the leadership of General Zuheto Swu, joined the Indian mainstream and a number of its cadres were inducted into the Border Security Force.
Then came the Shillong Accord that was signed on November 11, 1975. The Naga rebels led by Kevi Yally, the younger brother of Phizo, accepted the Indian constitution. However some people within the NNC opposed the accord and prominent among them were T. Muivah, Isak Swu and S. Khaplang. Muivah was then NNC general secretary and Swu a senior minister. Khaplang, a Burmese Naga, was president of the Eastern Nagaland Revolutionary Council, a wing of the NNC formed to protect Naga interests in Burma.
There was another twist in the Naga tale when the trio of Muivah, Swu and Khaplang decided to sever ties with their parent body and formed the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) in 1980. Swu was made the chairman, Khaplang the vice-chairman and Muivah the general secretary. The NSCN emerged as the most powerful and radical rebel army in Nagaland, sidelining the NNC and NFG.
The NSCN-led insurgency became bloody over the years. But soon the NSCN was mired in internal problems, with leaders differing on major policy issues on clan and tribal lines. The NSCN split in 1988 with Khaplang forming a parallel NSCN (Khaplang). By 1992, the two NSCN factions were engaged in a fratricidal war over territorial supremacy. The two Naga rebel groups then signed a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government in 1997. Since then the NSCN (IM) have been engaged in negotiations with the government of India. The main demand of NSCN-IM is to create a ‘Greater Nagaland’ by uniting 1.2 million Nagas through the unification of Naga-dominated areas in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh states. Nagas second demand is to draft a separate Constitution, independent of the Indian constitution. They are ready to incorporate some important sections of the Indian constitution but would still like to have their own constitution. The government of India has serious objections to both the demands. It’s not in favor of redrawing the boundaries of its northeast states for the territorial unification of Nagaland. The affected states have already rejected to entertain any such idea and there were protests against it in Manipur some time back. The Indian government is also not ready to concede anything thing on sovereignty issue least a separate constitution for Nagaland.
India and the NSCN-IM so far have held more than 50 rounds of negotiations in the past nine years but have made no substantial progress in a in a bid to solve one of the oldest disputes in South Asia that has so far claimed more than 25,000 lives. Given the facts and the hard realities on the ground one wonders whether the honeymoon with peace in Nagaland is over.
GoM to discuss Naga talks Sangai Express
New Delhi, Oct 31 The Group of Ministers on the Naga issue headed by Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes will meet soon to deliberate on sensitive issues thrown up during talks between Indian officials and NSCN-IM leaders in Amsterdam two weeks ago.
"The GoM will meet very soon, most probably within a month," K Padmanabhaiah, the interlocutor for the Naga talks, told PTI after meeting Home Minister Shivraj Patil here today.
The GoM, which will be briefed on deliberations at the Amsterdam meeting held during October 17-19, would deliberate on the issues raised there, he said. Rebutting reports that the last round of talks had made no headway in resolving the six decade-old Naga problem, official sources said there were bound to be "minor aberrations" in finding a solution to the dragging issue.
There are many ups and downs in every peace process and the government is looking for a "package" rather than a "piecemeal" solution to the problem in Nagaland, they said.
However, all efforts would be made to resolve these questions, the sources said, without elaborating on what these issues were.
Reports have suggested that the NSCN-IM has been insisting on a separate constitution for Nagaland that would give the Naga tribals a greater say on key issues like the exploitation of natural resources. The Amsterdam parleys, held between NSCN-IM leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah and Padmanabhaiah and Fernandes, focussed on "substantive" issues and the question of a special federal relationship between the Centre and the Nagas.
The issues included unification of Naga-inhabited areas in the North East and greater rights over
natural resources of the region.
Top NSCN-IM leader Khreibo Chawang told PTI last week that "no headway" had been made in the Amsterdam talks amid a "tug of war" between the two sides.
But he maintained there was a "positive" side as there was better understanding between the government and the Naga leadership, with both promising to carry forward the peace negotiations.
"The talks have entered the deepest stage. Hopefully, something concrete may come out in the next two to three rounds of dialogue on substantive issues," Chawang had said. PTI
Rio breaks silence on Zbto, IRB and Congress’ ‘invitation’ Pfoshuo Ariicho The Morung Express
Dimapur Reacting to the Congress’s allegation on the prevailing “war like” situation in the state, Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minster of Nagaland today said that the government is playing its part and that the people should point out the weaknesses of the government. Rio, retaliating against the opposition’s demand for imposition of President’s rule alleging complete breakdown of law and order in the wake of recent bloodletting by rival NSCN factions, said that law is not a state problem but a national problem and that it should be taken up jointly by the state and the central government.
Rio, referring to the Independence Day issue at Tuensang district headquarters said it was a minor issue ‘compared’ to Manipur where the national Flag was burnt, the constitution destroyed, and government offices burnt down. “DAN Government policy is a peaceful approach but adversaries wants to create more problems to the law and order situation in the state,” said Rio while clarifying to allegations of ineffective measures taken by the government in the recent factional clashes in Zunheboto town. “The government wanted to see if the so called national workers listen to the voice and plights of the public and they did so and vacated the place” said Rio. “That is success” of the government, added Rio while congratulating the district administration, police, NGOs and public for resolving the issue without bloodshed.
Reacting to Leader of Opposition Imkong’s statement that Rio is also trying his best to return to the Congress party and Congress ‘open door’ policy to Rio and present NPF MLA, K Therie, Rio said “Therie was expelled but I resigned from the Congress. I took the righteous path and I’m comfortable where I am.” Terming the tenure of DAN Government as smooth sailing and stable, Rio advised the Congress not to worry about DAN government but to worry about their own. The Chief Minister, commenting on the allegations of atrocities meted out to tribals of Chhattisgarh by the Naga IRB said, the clarification given by the government of Chhattisgarh and the DGP is enough that the boys are doing well. There are always someone who sympathizes with the affected with false propaganda and allegations but, said Rio “We are positive people and we sympathize the negative-minded” he said.
NSCN-K’s call to Dimasa and Karbis Dimapur, Oct 31 (MExN): The NSCN-K has asserted that the Dimasas and the Karbis should join hands with the Naga people to expel the Tangkhuls “from our respective habitates”. “Dimasas and Karbis on one side and the Nagas on the other side lived at peace as good neighbors since long time back. There was no record that at any certain point of time there existed bitter enmity or discord between the Nagas and Dimasas-Karbis” according to an MIP/GPRN release. It maintained that the relations between the two peoples have been strained due to the presence of “Tangkhul terrorists” who migrated to Nagaland “under the cover of the Naga freedom movement”. “Now, Dimasas and Karbis should join hands with the Nagas in expelling the Tangkhuls from our respective habitats’ it stated adding that otherwise would mean they (Dimasas-Karbis) will face a worse situation of suffering ‘like the Nagas are suffering today.’ “This piece of information is given to leaders of our Dimasas and Karbis friends to study seriously” the released added.
NSCN (K) on Zunheboto armed encounter The Morung Express

DIMAPUR, OCT 31 (MExN): The NSCN (K) today has refuted its rival report of disclosing the killing of only one of its cadre instead of three cadres killed during the three days gun battle at Zunheboto. A press communiqué received here from MIP NSCN (K) stated that it had killed three of its rival group’s one each from Tangkhul, Sumi and Zeliang in view of the public and injured many. The NSCN (K) also stated that around 260-270 of its rival group gathered together and attacked their position at Zunheboto and added that on their (NSCN-IM) withdrawal from the scene of fighting only 200 of its rival cadre were seen.
“The public of the area wonder as to where those 50/60 members of the I-K terrorist have gone. Have they gone to Alee command or to heaven? It is a matter of great surprise for one and all,” the NSCN (K) lamented. The NSCN (K) further asserted that its rival group was expert in hiding their casualties every time adding that they will profit nothing by hiding their casualties. Hiding their casualties was a sheer display of hypocrisy and weakness, the NSCN (K) added. “The media is expected to reveal the truth without fear or favour, in all matter; however they (Media) seem to shy away from their responsibilities. It will be nice if the media fully understand the falsehood of the I-K terrorist,” a press communiqué from the NSCN (K) stated.
FGN Pochury disassociates from transit Peace Camp The Morung Express
Dimapur, Oct 31 (MExN): The FGN Pochury Region held a meeting on October 13 and took several resolutions. The resolutions included disassociation from the Transit Peace Camp and to work under Kedahge Brig (retd) S Singnya. The region resolved to work under the principle of the NNC and the FGN upholding the independence declaration of August 14, 1947 and plebiscite of 1951; work under the leadership of FGN Kedahge Brig (Retd) S Singnya; work under the leadership of Adinno Phizo, President of the NNC; disassociate with the Transit Peace Camp and lend full support to “Operation Freedom” being carried out by the joint force of the Eastern Command and Southern Command of the Naga Army, according to a release issued by Y Lutsutu, President of the Pochury Regional Council (NNC) and Victor M Fithu, Midan Peyu
.RJD ridicules Thenucho on Zunheboto debacle The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, OCT 31 (MExN): The RJD Nagaland unit has expressed shock over the unexpected response of Thenucho, Home Minister when the entire public and its properties were at stake due to factional clashes in public inhabited areas.
A statement issued by Akuto A Tuccu, General Secretary (Media Cell) stated that Thenucho who is holding a responsible post should not just simply make an appeal to any elements that may threaten the security of the public. Akuto asserted that a rule of law must be enforced so as to safeguard the public and for which the state machineries are at the disposal of any ruling movement adding but ‘it is very surprising when our own Home Minister himself is helplessly making an appeal and advising the NGOs to approach the factions to restrain from such clashes in public inhabited areas’.
“Our Home Minister should know that any such clash that threatens the lives and properties of the public is a law and order problem. Had it not been for the intervention of the NGOs and public of Zunheboto more damages and casualties would have been caused,” the RJD lamented. The RJD also ridiculed the DAN government which failed to intervene when the situation was its worst and assessing the damages and casualties after the situation was controlled by the public. The RJD further reminded the DAN government that a single drop of human blood is much more precious than the chairs they are holding and further added that if the government cannot safeguard the security of the public they should honourably step down and let the capable leaders do the job.
Dr Lotha’s challenge to Congress MLAs? Bring PM’s package to Nagaland! The Morung Express
Dr TM Lotha, Minister for Health & Family Welfare addressing Mokokchung district BJP executives and workers at Tourist Lodge, Mokokchung Monday. (DIPR)
Mokokchung, Oct 31 (NEPS): Nagaland Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr TM Lotha challenged Congress leaders and its 16 MLAs in Nagaland to ‘show their love and concern for the people of Nagaland.’ They should prove to the people of Nagaland by deeds and actions and not by mere lip services.
Addressing a Mokokchung district BJP executive meet held here at the Tourist Lodge on Monday, the Minister, who is also senior leader of the BJP, said no Prime Minister of the country had so much love and concern for the people of Nagaland as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then NDA Prime Minister, did. It will be recorded in the annals of Nagaland’s history that Vajpayee was the only PM of India who had given a huge economic package of Rs 1050 crore to Nagaland when he visited the State in October 2003. “His decision to come from Dimapur to Kohima by route is the living testimony as to how a head of this country was so concerned for the people of the State,” the Minister told party workers.
Dr Lotha said the 7 Nagaland BJP MLAs, which is less than half of the present Congress legislators’ strength, could play crucial role in impacting the then NDA Prime Minister’s economic package amounting to Rs 1050 crore to Nagaland. “I challenge the 16 Congress MLAs in Nagaland to convince their Central leadership, which is now at the helms of affairs at the Center, to give some PM’s economic packages to the State for development,” the Minister challenged.
“Let them give even Rs 100 (one hundred) PM’s package to Nagaland, I don’t mind,” the Nagaland BJP leader said. “But where is the reality that they are concerned for the State.” Political leaders could speak sweet words and their rhetoric would be intensified since “elections are approaching but this will not work as actions speak louder than words,” he asserted.
Seeing two and half years Congress-led UPA rule at the Center, Dr Lotha observed that “It is either the State Congress leaders and their MLAs have lost the confidence of their Central leadership or their leaders who are reigning the power at the Center are not interested in the people of Nagaland.”
He said the Naga people had suffered enough due to unresolved political issues. The Naga people have given sufficient time to the Congress party in the State for 20-30 years but they failed terribly to make any headway in the political issue he said. “I think their (Congress) era is over,” he added. The Government of India’s genuine seriousness on the Naga issue started when Vajpayee as PM invited for the first time the collective leadership of the NSCN-IM to India. The former PM even allowed the collective leadership of the group to have wide range of discussions with all the opposition political leaders including Congress President Sonia Gandhi. “Because Vajpayee told the duo that a time would come when he would be requiring supports of all political leaders irrespective of their affiliations,” Dr Lotha said, adding, “This shows the sincerity of BJP-led NDA Government and the BJP leadership toward finding a permanent solution to the protracted Naga political issue.”
Had the BJP-led NDA Government remained in power the next term, by now the people would be seeing ‘some tangible solution to the Naga political issue,’ he pointed out.“Unfortunately, we lost power at the Center” he said however, urging that the people should not to be discouraged by this ‘as the party was still the largest in the country and any time it might come back to power at the Center.’ Dr Lotha also blasted the Congress-led UPA Government at the Center for total disregard to the Naga issue. He said the Center should be held responsible for the present turmoil and chaos prevailing in the State due to continued factional clashes and killings. “Nagaland Ministerial team including myself went to Delhi and urged them the urgency to rectify the defective ground rules in the ceasefires they are maintaining with the two NSCN factions,” the Minister stated.
Interestingly, even Union Minister Oscar Fernandez and members of the Army’s top brass had even admitted the flawed ground rules in the ceasefires. They had even assured rectification of the grey areas in the ground rules. “But whenever we enquired if they have taken any steps to rectify, their answer is: ‘it is under review,’” Dr Lotha said. “How long they would keep these faulty ground rules under review, when dozens of cadres belonging to both NSCN factions are killing each other, disturbing the peaceful environment in the State. Who is responsible for the prevailing situation in the State if not the Center?” he questioned. Clarifying on the Anti-Conversion Bill of Rajasthan, the Minister said this had got nothing to do with Nagaland because it was ‘local issue.’ “Supposing if we pass our Naga Costmary Law in Nagaland, can we impose it on Rajasthan?” he queried. “All these are local issues and have got nothing to do with us or vice versa. In fact, the BJP is a political party with a difference and there is no discrimination in the party. All are treated equal,” he pointed out. Later, the Minister also addressed a huge public meeting at Mongsenyimti Village and donated Rs 80,000 (eighty thousand) to the Mongseyimti Village Council. V Satish, Northeast BJP In-charge, Mokokchung BJP in-charge Aosanen, Mokokchung district BJP leaders Temjen and Arenla also spoke on the occasion. State BJP leader Ato Yepthomi and Dimapur District BJP Leader James Vizo were among others who were present in the function.
Rio blames NSCNs, Cong for violence Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, Oct 31 (NPN): A day after Opposition Congress demanded the dismissal of DAN government and imposition of President's Rule over government's failure to contain violence in the State, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday said the factional clashes were "politically-related issues". Addressing media persons at the Agri Expo site here, Rio said law and order problems were created owing to the political issues.
Accusing the two NSCN factions and Congress of hatching a plot against the DAN government, Rio said "We are not going to fall in their traps. Congress wanted to bring problem to the government but DAN government is committed to withstand all forces."
On the demand for dismissal of DAN government and imposition of President's Rule, Rio categorically said "imposing of President's Rule does not arise".
He clarified that the government had deployed the IRB, police and paramilitary forces at Zunheboto during the recent three-day clash at Zunheboto but that the forces exercised restraint as they did not want to confront the two insurgent groups. "The NSCN (K) and NSCN (I-M) call themselves as fighting for the nation (people) so we wanted to know if they are listening to the public. We have a clear mind that the public should be given a chance," Rio said.
The chief minister described as "success" the restraint shown by the administration and armed forces and the eviction of the two factions from Zunheboto area by the public and appreciated the administration and police for resolving the stand-off without any bloodshed. Further, he lauded DC, Zunheboto, for bringing out a clear version of the series of incidents at Zunheboto. The chief minister also downplayed the August 15 incident at Tuensang where the district administration was not allowed to hold Independence Day programme at the designated site by the public.
He referred to the incidents that took place in Manipur where the national flag and the Secretariat building were burned down and said "Nagaland incident is a minor issue". To a query, Rio said "Nagaland Congress should worry for themselves and not for me. I am comfortable with NPF and DAN government which is sailing smoothly". He also said that unlike Therie, who was expelled, he had resigned by himself and "walked out with dignity choosing the righteous path".
To another query, Rio said the elite 9 IRB deployed in Chhattisgarh was doing well as reported by the Chhattisgarh government and police but that some sympathizers of the Naxalites launched a "propaganda campaign" against the force.
Fresh Naga forays on Asom land, petrol pump reopened in Jorhat Usurpation in Dissoi Valley forest reserve From our Correspondent Sentinel
JORHAT, Oct 31: In the latest snub to the Asom Government, neighbouring State Nagaland has reopened the petrol pump it had built last year in the Dissoi valley forest reserve area along the inter-State border in open violation of all norms.
Taking advantage of Asom’s adherence to all standing agreements with respect to the border row in letter and spirit, the Nagaland authorities have also set up two brick kilns. The Nagas are understood to have enlisted the cooperation of individual entrepreneurs in doing so.
A team of the Jorhat district administration today visited the border areas and witnessed these Naga business establishments for itself. It may be mentioned here that the work on the petrol pump was halted last year after objections were raised in this regard by the Jorhat district administration. How the Nagaland Government managed to give permission to the parties involved in the setting up of the petrol pump as well as the brick kilns is mysterious. This is because only the Forest Department is entitled to give no-objection certificates in this case.
The Jorhat district administration is supposed to pursue this matter with its counterpart in the Mokokchung district of Nagaland. Forest Department sources reiterated that a legal recourse would be sought, if necessary. However, observers feel that by the time this is done, it may be too late. The Nagas would have already usurped on land which belongs to Asom. Whether the State Government will react to this in all urgency remains to be seen.

Dimasas and Karbis- Nagaland Post
Dimasa and Karbis on one side and the Nagas on the other side lived at peace as good neighbors since long time back. There was no record that at any certain point of time there existed bitter enmity or discord between the Nagas and Dimasas-Karbis.
This time the relations are in one way or the other strained due to the presence of Tangkhul terrorists who recently migrated to Nagaland under the cover of Naga freedom movement. Now, Dimasa and Karbis should join hands with the Nagas in expelling the Tangkhuls from our respective habitats. If not, they (Dimasa-Karbis) will certainly face worse situation and suffer at the hands of the blood thirsty Tangkhuls than what the Nagas are suffering today. This piece of information is given to the leaders of our Dimasa and Karbis friends to study seriously. Secretary, MIP/GPRN, NSCN (K).
UNC dubs Theko a betrayer of Nagas Newmai News Network
Imphal, Oct 31: Coming down heavily on the Congress MLA from Mao Assembly Constituency RK Thekho, the United Naga Council (UNC) has dubbed the MLA Judas Iscariot for selling out the Nagas’ political rights. According to the New Testament of the Holy Bible Judas Iscariot was a disciple of Jesus Christ who betrayed him.
The tongue lashing of the UNC on the sitting Congress MLA from Mao Assembly Constituency came as a reaction to the recent MLA’s statement to the press with regard to the forthcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly Election which is scheduled to be held after three months.
Congress MLA RK Thekho had told the media in the Nagaland capital, Kohima, that the NSCN-IM was trying to wipe out the Congress from the Naga dominated areas of Manipur and added that Naga militant group was issuing threats through the United Naga Council (UNC).
This statement of the Congress MLA has already been published in The Telegraph.
In a statement issued to Newmai News Network today by its information and publicity secretary S Milan, the UNC pointed out the reason for RK Thekho’s outburst and claimed that the main reason for the outburst was because the MLA had lost his support base.
“Let it be known to all and sundry that RK Thekho has already become a persona non grata in his village Tungjoy. On the Ocotber 14, 2006 when the Tungjoy public gathered to decide on the candidature for the general election, RK Thekho stormed out of the Village Asembly before it concluded knowing fully, he had lost his support base. Under this compelling circumstances, he has changed his strategy towards NSCN (IM) and started UNC ‘bashing’ so that he can be in the good books of the high command and retain the Congress (I) ticket for the forthcoming General Assembly Election to be held in February/March 2007,” charged the UNC statement.
The UNC then said that RK Thekho had attended the Naga Hoho’s dialogue on October 25 at Zonal Council Hall, Kohima which was well participated by over 30 Naga civil societies and eminent Nagas—a platform where all the many prominent Nagas were invited to express their opi- nions on the present state of affairs of the Nagas .
“Instead of addressing his fellow Nagas RK Thekho left the meeting halfway and willfully chose the media to vent his frustration in the form of a ‘lone’ spokesperson of the party he represents,” alleged the UNC.
“It is anyone’s guess that a private member Bill may/will be defeated on the floor of the House over the unification/integration of the broken homeland of Nagas. But as a signatory to the UNC’s undertaking at Senapati on 7th February, 2002 , it is a bounden duty of RKThekho and rest of the Naga MLAs to express the resolved of the Naga people to live as one people. The same private member Bill was defeated in Arunachal Pradesh in 2003-04. If they (Naga MLAs in Arunachal) can table it, why not ours?,” questioned the Naga civil body while adding, “when over 50,000 Naga students career from Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul were in high stake over the shift of affiliation from the Board of Secondary Manipur (BSEM) to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE), RK.Thekho and his ilks did not speak a single word in support of ANSAM’s and NSF’s endeavuor for affiliation except BD. Behring, Wungnaoshang Keishing, Danny Shaiza, Henry Paotei and Samuel Jendai (all Naga MLAs) and the rest is history!”
The UNC then termed Thekho’s allegation that the NSCN (IM) was using the UNC to wipe out the Congress (I) from the Naga dominated areas of Manipur as just the MLA’s illusion and without any foundation.
Recalling the past the Naga civil body reminded that RK.Thekho was one the former presidents of the UNC. “We held him in high esteemed. He was our leader but now his true colour has emerged beyond any doubt. Therefore, we can say in the least that, he is in the process of making yet another Judas Iscariot at the cost of the Naga’s political rights”, rued the United Naga Council. Thekho accusing the UNC of having special rapport with the NSCN holds no water at all since all the Naga Civil Societies including the UNC is fully supporting and backing the ongoing Indo-Naga Peace process for bringing about an honourable and acceptable solution, concluded the UNC.
Affiliation resurfaces Nagaland Post
Shillong, Oct 31 (UNI): Nagaland Education Minister Imkong Imchen today said they would not remain silent on the issue of affiliating the Hills Schools in Manipur to Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).
"We will continue to pursue with the Centre of either having a separate Board for the Hills Students in Manipur or otherwise get them affiliated to NBSE," Mr Imchen told UNI here. Mr Imchen was attending the North East States Education Ministers Conference held here, today.
So far, he said, the Centre has not taken any decision on the demand of the Naga people residing in the Naga-dominated Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Senapati and Chandel districts of Manipur. "It's not the Nagaland government; it is the people of the four Hills districts in Manipur who wanted their schools to be affiliated to our Education Board," the Minister said, adding that the Nagaland Cabinet had agreed to affiliate the schools provided the government of India permitted.
Since, ''Education is on the concurrent list, we need the Human Resource Development Ministry to endorsed our decision'', he said. "Last year, the Manipur Government made the Meitei language a compulsory paper in the Manipur Board of School Education affecting 163 private schools.' They (Manipur government) should not have imposed the Meitei language on the Naga people,'' Mr Imchen resented.
Police chief defends Naga IRB jawans Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Oct 31 :: Chhattisgarh director general of police (DGP) O.P. Rathor has dismissed reports of atrocities allegedly committed by Naga India Reserve Battalion (IRB) jawans in the Bastar area.. In a letter to the Nagaland DGP, Rathor said there was absolutely no basis for the allegations, as the rule of law is strictly followed in Chhattisgarh.

Rathor was reacting to allegations by certain NGOs who have reportedly accused Naga jawans of committing various atrocities such as rape, murder and other human rights violations. The DGP said in every operation the special police officers (SPOs) accompany security forces. “These SPOs would never permit such atrocities against their own people,” he added.

He said there are no complaints against the jawans and the people are happy with the Naga IRB’s presence. The jawans have even launched several public welfare camps under ‘Operation Medico-admn-Police’, which is a popular public grievance redressal scheme. They have also contributed medicines, clothes and food to the Salwa Judum relief camps. Rathor also lauded the “toughness” of the Naga IRB in combating Naxalites and Maoists in the Bastar region. and charged the Maoists and Naxalites with trying to malign the jawans as part of their usual tactics.

He urged the Naga people not to be misled by such reports. The Chhattisgarh government has also invited journalists from Nagaland to the region to evaluate the situation. The Nagaland government has instituted an inquiry into the alleged atrocities by the jawans. (The Telegraph)
Senseless fratricidal killings Zakie Khate In Focus the Morung Express
One-day future generation of Nagas will look back at the present times and say that it was one of the darkest periods in the Naga History. They would say that the present time was the most senseless period. They would mark this as a period of hate, anger and violence. An era of mindless fratricidal killings and a period when even an insane man would think that Nagas went insane during this period.
Whenever a cadre of any faction die in factional clash, it is often expressed that the soldier sacrificed his life for the Nation. How contented would the dead be to hear the fact that they died for nothing but just mere family war. Their deaths are worthy of something greater. It is a rueful dream that they died not for patriotism. They died combating their very own brothers. It may offer as a consolation for the living but the dead soldiers are shamed and disgraced. To the living, they may not have died in vain for their gain but as for the dead, they died in vain.
Unquestionably, many soldiers in either group earnestly stand for the noble duty to the call of ultimate patriotism. They stand to fight for what is good and right for the Nagas to attain the Rainbow vision. Many are prepared to sacrifice even their dear lives to secure this rainbow. However, the soldiers are fully at the unassailable service of their commander. They pay attention to the command whether to advance or retreat, shoot or not to shoot. They do this without asking a single question. The commander serves as the driver and director of all effort. Yet, what occurs when the commander orders his soldiers to shoot their own brethrens? Perhaps, here is where the plant of patriotism withers and dies. Alternatively, maybe, as this is true in our situation, the answer is simply in the process of experimentation.
Hence, I ask this question to NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) and FGN, what right have you to say that a Naga soldier sacrificed his life for me and my Nation when his own brothers shot him. Is shooting or being shot by a Naga brother an ideal of patriotism? Zunheboto phobia has clearly exhibited the factual logic of a brother killing a brother. It is a shameful patriotism whatever good reasons maybe or might be as Nagas have eliminated Nagas. And, in the judgment of the Nagas, whichever faction one cadre belonged to does not count. The count is simply as long as he is a Naga. The supremacy feuds are noticeably demonstrating what you are standing for and not what you should be standing for. What a pathetic war is this. What a horrible future you are bequeathing us, your children. For how long will this insanity continue? Another 30 years? Never forget that Zunheboto is not a theatre of war and Nagaland not a playground. Nagas are not some footballs to be kicked around!
Naga cause is not as cheap as the senseless war of supremacy, fame and wealth. It is a noble cause and it is Naga pride! Do not desecrate it with more Naga blood!
Police chief defends IRB jawans The Telegraph
Kohima, Oct. 31: Chhattisgarh director general of police (DGP) O.P. Rathor has dismissed reports of atrocities allegedly committed by Naga India Reserve Battalion (IRB) jawans in the Bastar area. In a letter to the Nagaland DGP, Rathor said there was absolutely no basis for the allegations, as the rule of law is strictly followed in Chhattisgarh.
Rathor was reacting to allegations by certain NGOs who have reportedly accused Naga jawans of committing various atrocities such as rape, murder and other human rights violations. The DGP said in every operation the special police officers (SPOs) accompany security forces. “These SPOs would never permit such atrocities against their own people,” he added.
He said there are no complaints against the jawans and the people are happy with the Naga IRB’s presence. The jawans have even launched several public welfare camps under ‘Operation Medico-admn-Police’, which is a popular public grievance redressal scheme. They have also contributed medicines, clothes and food to the Salwa Judum relief camps. Rathor also lauded the “toughness” of the Naga IRB in combating Naxalites and Maoists in the Bastar region. and charged the Maoists and Naxalites with trying to malign the jawans as part of their usual tactics.
He urged the Naga people not to be misled by such reports. The Chhattisgarh government has also invited journalists from Nagaland to the region to evaluate the situation. The Nagaland government has instituted an inquiry into the alleged atrocities by the jawans.
Corruption undermines quality of public service: Vigilance Commissioner The Morung Express
Nagaland Vigilance Commissioner, Metongmeren Ao, IAS (Rtd) releasing the Commission’s souvenir at a function marking the observance of Vigilance Awareness Week at the Vigilance Commission Conference Hall on October 31. (DIPR)
KOHIMA, OCT 31 (DIPR): Vigilance Commissioner, Nagaland, Metongmeren Ao, IAS (Rtd) reminded that corruption undermines quality of public service and destroys the fabric of every institution. He called upon all sections of the society, especially public servants, to rededicate themselves towards fighting corruption and come forward and expose those found involved in corrupt practices. The Commissioner was speaking to a gathering at a programme marking the observance of Vigilance Awareness Week at Conference Hall of the Vigilance Commission October 31.
Metongmeren Ao, in his speech also highlighted how the State Vigilance Commission was created in April 1976 and how since then it has been fighting corruption at various levels of the Government. He enumerated some major achievements of the Commission including the unearthing of the Pension Scam, Pre-Retirement Consequential Benefit Scam, Police Pension Scam, House Building Advance Scam and the latest NPSC Scam.
Metongmeren regretted that corruption has become institutionalized and that there is an elaborate system surrounding it which has made the common man lose confidence in the government and makes him feel that only evil can combat evil resulting in an environment of blackmail and arm-twisting. Responsible citizens of the state have every right to demand transparency and accountability from public servants, the Commissioner reminded and called on all concerned to work for a corruption-free state so that the people can progress and develop.
The Vigilance Commissioner also released a souvenir of the department on the occasion. The function was attended by several senior officers and Deputy Commissioners of of districts who also participated in the programme by offering suggestion and sharing experiences in their areas.
The programme was chaired by Secretary Vigilance Commission, T Kiheto Sema who also gave the welcome address. Messages from the State Governor and Chief Minister were read out by SP Vigilance JI Yaden while the vote of thanks was offered by TDP Vigilance Commission, Hukato Swu.
ENSF demands cell connectivity in ‘Eastern’ areas The Morung express
Dimapur, Oct 31 (MExN): The Eastern Nagaland Students Federation (ENSF) has endorsed a memorandum to the BSNL for installation of cellular connectivity in Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator.
The ENSF lamented that desired attention for cellular connectivity and services are not being given to remote areas particularly ‘Eastern Nagaland’ in spite of appeals from all sections. The federation strongly appealed to the BSNL to give “intensive attention to bridge the gap in Eastern Nagaland by providing all accessories for better communication”. It took cognizance that although a high tower was erected at Kiphire almost a ‘decade’ back it remains bare and defunct due to non-installation of the required accessories as well as lack of manpower. The ENSF called attention of the BSNL for positive measures within a stipulated time “as it is a matter of impending progress in a district”.
The ENSF also informed of the situation at Noklak. “Now the Noklak tower had been erected strategically at a wrong place and above all no initiative had been carried out so far to avail facilities and to meet the needs of general public in the area. Recently trucks loaded with materials had reached to Noklak but to public dismay and anguish it is informed that it had wrongly headed to Noklak in other words materials were to be unload at Tuli” stated a letter from ENSF General Secretary P Methna Konyak while demanding immediate installation of connectivity at Noklak without delay.
The federation informed that the situation at Shamator is the same as Noklak’s “where progress is on halt due to improper planning and works on the part of telecom department in the state”. The ENSF felt that fair and equal opportunity should be given to the stated areas. Taking into account all these, the ENSF has called for immediate measures to address the same and “in any manner to squash the immediate demands” of the federation, it shall not hesitate to take “into account for the welfare of Eastern Nagaland”.
Huge arms haul from ULFA in Assam IANS Times of India

GUWAHATI: Police in Assam on Tuesday made one of the biggest arms seizures in recent years by arresting three dreaded rebels of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) while they were trying to smuggle weapons and explosives from Bangladesh.

A police spokesman said the arms consignment was seized during a well-planned operation near Jorabat on the outskirts of Assam's main city of Guwahati. "The three rebels were carrying the weapons and explosives in a vehicle bound for Guwahati from Shillong when they were intercepted by a team of police commandos," a senior police official said.

The arms haul includes eight M-20 pistols, 15 Austrian-make grenades, 450 rounds of ammunition of AK-47 assault rifles, and 18 M-20 pistol magazines, besides other explosives.

"This is by far the biggest arms haul in recent years. The rebels said during interrogations that the consignment came from Bangladesh and was meant for cadres to carry out attacks," the official said. India's eastern frontiers, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh, have become a flourishing arms bazaar with separatist groups from the northeast offering a ready market to scores of South Asian gunrunners. The porous international borders, thick with forests, along the north-eastern states of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura have been used by an illegal weapons syndicate to smuggle small and medium arms and ammunition for at least 30-odd rebel armies operating in the region. India and Bangladesh shares a 4,095-km long border of which the north-eastern states account for more than half. More than 70 percent of the border is unfenced with concrete pillars separating the two countries. The region's separatist groups have long purchased arms from the port town of Cox's Bazaar in Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh police last year seized a huge cache of weapons from the Chittagong Hill Tracts with both Indian and Bangladeshi authorities suspecting the consignment was meant for at least four separatist groups in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.
Gogoi wants ULFA to come for talks By IANS Wednesday November 1
Guwahati, Nov 1 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Wednesday urged the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to respond to the government's peace initiatives. 'The doors for peace talks are still wide open and New Delhi is ready to hold direct negotiations if the ULFA responds positively,' Gogoi told IANS here. The Indian Army is engaged in a massive military operation against the ULFA after New Delhi in September called off a six-week ceasefire blaming the outfit for stepping up attacks and extortions. The talks were deadlocked with ULFA demanding the release of five of their jailed leaders as a precondition for holding direct talks with the government. Indian negotiators wanted a commitment in writing that the ULFA leadership would come for negotiations if their jailed comrades were released. The group refused to give a written commitment. 'I still believe the peace process is not completely derailed and hope the ULFA respects the wishes of the people of Assam to come for talks and solve the problem,' Gogoi said. Talks between ULFA representatives and the Indian government formally broke last month after the People's Consultative Group (PCG), a civil society team appointed by the rebels to mediate for talks, pulled out of the peace process blaming New Delhi for calling off the truce. There were three rounds of talks between the ULFA-chosen PCG and the Indian government. The chief minister said his government's objective of ushering in development for the welfare of the people was very much similar to that of ULFA. 'My government's objective and that of ULFA is very much the same so far as the overall development of the state is concerned,' Gogoi said at the inaugural ceremony of a two-day meet of security heads of the northeast, West Bengal and Sikkim to work out a joint strategy to combat insurgency and Islamist terrorism. 'The only difference is the means through which this goal can be achieved. While ULFA is adopting violent means, my government is trying to develop the state through democratic means,' he said. Gogoi said the ULFA's support base in Assam was on the downslide in recent years, with people clamouring for peace and an end to all forms of violence. 'This is a good sign with the mass support base of ULFA is now eroding. People in general are against all forms of bloodshed and want to see Assam develop economically,' he said. He cautioned security forces engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Assam not to harass civilians in the name of tackling militancy. 'Dignity of individuals should be respected and security forces should always try to be sensitive not to indulge in excesses,' Gogoi said.
Meet on joint strategy to combat northeast insurgency By IANS
Guwahati, Nov 1 (IANS) Security heads in India's northeast as well as West Bengal and Sikkim Wednesday called for a coordinated strategy to combat the twin threats of separatist insurgencies and Islamist terror in the region. 'There is need for an effective counter-insurgency operation having full synergy between all security forces to deal with the many insurgencies in the region, besides the serious threat from fundamentalist pan-Islamic groups,' Assam police chief Dipak Narayan Dutt said. Dutt was addressing a two-day conference of police chiefs of the seven northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. The meeting, which opened Wednesday in Assam's main city Guwahati, also saw participation of the police chiefs of West Bengal and Sikkim, besides top army, paramilitary, intelligence and home ministry officials. 'Smuggling of arms and explosives, narcotics and counterfeit currency notes is another area of serious concern,' the Assam police chief said. India's northeast, wedged between Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Myanmar, is home to more than 30 odd rebel groups with demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy. More than 50,000 people have died in violence since 1947. 'The need of the hour is to have a joint approach among regional states to fight insurgency, besides sharing intelligence and other vital inputs,' Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said inaugurating the meet. Most rebel groups network among themselves in the northeast and take shelter in adjoining states to escape security offensives in their area of operation. 'If we are to make a dent in the insurgency front, it should have to be a joint fight rather than individual states trying to combat the problem,' Assam's chief secretary S.K. Kabilan said. At present different state governments in the region are dealing with insurgency without much coordination. 'The idea of this conference is to work out a comprehensive strategy to fight insurgency and other issues,' Amod Kant, police chief of Arunachal Pradesh, told IANS. The two-day meeting is expected to come up with a strategy where security forces in the states share intelligence inputs and jointly carry out offensives as and when required. 'Of late we have noticed that northeastern militant groups are using Sikkim and West Bengal as transit or to cool their heels. So we need better coordination with security forces in these two states,' a home ministry official said.

No separatist movement in India will ever succeed : CM The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Oct 31: Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh has said no state in the country have ever been successful in their attempt to secede from India. Speaking at the Rashtriya Sankalap Diwas (National Rededication Day) function held at 1st Manipur Rifles Parade Ground today to mark the 22nd death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the chief minister said the former Prime Minister had laid down her life for the integrity of India.

Regardless of whether the secessionist movements in various parts of the northeast succeed or not, these have certainly brought misfortune and sorrow to the people of the region, he observed.
Acknowleding the fact that violence has hampered developmental activites in the state, the chief minister said democratic ways should be adopted in fighting for a cause.

Mizoram was once a strife-torn, insurgency-hit state, but today, it is the most peaceful state in the region where smooth developmental activities are being carried out, he added.

Recalling Indira Gandhi`s contributions to the country, he said the former Prime Minister was a great world leader and India is very fortunate to have been blessed with leaders like her. Preserving or protecting one`s religion, tradition and culture without causing any disturbance to that of others is reasonable but a desire to dominate other communities will pose the biggest threat to national integrity, he observed. Though India is a land of diversity in many aspects including religion and ethnicity, it is a secular and independent country with a collective identity and no attempt to disintegrate it will be tolerated, he added.

Agricutlure minister Ph. Parijat, who presided over the function, said to secede Manipur from India and to disintigrate Manipur are both near to impossible. Stating that no religion teaches hatred, the minister said in the absence of peace Manipur is lagging far behind in the race for development. TN Haokip, RK Theko, A Aza, Nabadwip, Y Mani and E Biramani were among other dignitaries who attended the function.

Arms en route to Tinsukia seized ULFA cadre, said to be kin of Sadiya MLA Bolin Chetia, arrested By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Oct 31: Amid the frequent ULFA strikes in the twin upper Asom districts of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh, the City Police last night notched a major breakthrough when they seized a huge consignment of sophisticated arms at Jorabat here.
The arms were seized from a Bolero car (with registration number AS-23-E-1560) that was coming from Cherapunjee in Meghalaya to the city. The City Police, acting on a tip-off, intercepted the car at Jorabat here at around 9.30 p.m. The seized arms include 15 Austria-made hand grenades, 9 Spain-made M20 pistols, 18 magazines, 415 bullets, 80 M20 cartridges, 7 kg of explosives and 10 cleaning rods. The hand grenades, police say, are powerful than RDX bombs.
The driver of the car, Birendra Mahato, and a suspected ULFA cadre Prabal Chetia, who was also in the car, have been arrested. Based on information revealed by the arrested militant, police has also arrested one Basanta Deka from the Japorigog area here. Originally from Makum, Deka is charged with sheltering ULFA cadres in his Japorigog residence. City SSP Nitul Gogoi told reporters that the consignment was being taken to Tinsukia on instructions of the commander of the ULFA’s 28th battalion. The arms were brought from Bangladesh via Cherapunjee and Shillong, he said. Sources said Prabal Chetia, who has a criminal background, is a kin of Sadiya MLA Bolin Chetia. The Bolero car belonged to one Ashok Mahato of Tinsukia, police said.
Arunachal CM leads high-level team to Chinese border ‘Border trade to create employment’ Sentinel (UNI)
Kibithu, Oct 31: For the 273 odd denizens of Kibithu, a tiny hamlet in Anjaw district of Arunchal Pradesh, near the Indo-Sino border, it is a day to cheer as the place is poised to turn into a major trading hub. State Chief Minister Gegong Apang, heading a high level delegation yesterday, arrived here to show the area to the central government officials and apprise them about the potential of border trade in this area. “Arunachal Pradesh will serve as the gateway of India to the South East Asian countries, inhabited by world’s 50 per cent consumers, if border trade with neighbouring China, Bhutan and Myanmar is opened through this trade route,” Apang commented. The ‘Look East’ policy should be implemented in this Himalayan State which has traditional trade ties with Bhutan, China and Myanmar through its 160 km, 1080 km and 440 km border routes respectively. New Delhi should take the initiative to begin trade through head load and on mule back with China to benefit the people of both sides of the border, he advocated.
“Union DoNER Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar should visit the border area soon to translate the ‘Look East policy into a reality as it will earn revenue for the Centre as well as State Government, Apang emphatically said. Apang said, “India had strong cultural and literary bonds with China since the time of Harsha Vardhan and Huan-Tsang which will be strengthened through trade links”, Apang added. Arunachal with its vast natural resources and suitable agro-climatic condition could take up horticultural, agricultural activities, grow medicinal and aromatic plants and send products across the Chinese border in exchange of commodities required by the Indian villagers, he added. This will open a new vista of employment opportunities for the Arunachlees looking only for white-collar jobs and spruce up the economy of the hitherto neglected border areas, Apang told the accompanying Central Government officers. “This will be the greatest blessing of the Centre to the hitherto neglected border areas of the State,” Apang opined. “I am convinced that border trade will give an impetus to industrialisation and facilitate export particularly as the Chief Minister has been taking initiative.” commented A S R Nair while assuring to follow up the matter with New Delhi. Briefing the team earlier, Anjaw Deputy Commissioner P S Lokhande highlighted the tremendous trade potential with China, as road to the frontier, land and other infrastructure were satisfying. Low altitude and moderate snow fall keeps the communication open round the year, he said, adding a rail head if developed up to Parsuram Kund, which is about 200 kilometre from here, would increase the scope manifold.