11/13/2006: "Tangkhul Naga found murdered in Kohima Assam Tribune"

Tangkhul Naga found murdered in Kohima
From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Nov 12 – One more Tangkhul Naga was found murdered near Kohima after being abducted from his house on Sunday afternoon.

Reports reaching here said that around three to five unidentified gunmen abducted Enos Shalai(34), a resident of Kohima who ran a video CD library, in the morning and his dead body was later recovered from a spot near Jotsoma by-pass near Kohima town.

Enos, a Tangkhul businessman who hailed from Manipur’s Phunton village in Ukhrul district, had been living in the Nagaland state capital for the past few years after getting married with an Angami wife. They have three children.

Sources said the reason behind the killing was yet to be ascertained. Police have registered a case. This incident is the third of its kind in the past few months after NSCN-Khaplang faction served ‘quit notice’ to the Tangkhul tribe in Nagaland.
Quit Notice gets nastier, one more killed Newmai News Network
Kohima, Nov 12 : One Tangkhul man indentified as Enoch was killed by the NSCN-K in Kohima yesterday. Nagaland Police recovered the body at around 5.30 pm along NH-39 and Jotsoma road. Enoch Tangkhul, aged around 30, son of SC Tangkhul, received two bullet injuries— one on his head and other on the chest. The deceased reportedly hailed from Chakama village under Senepati district of Manipur State, police informed.
Police said that he was abducted from Jail colony, Kohima at around 11 am and the police were informed later about his abduction. According to a Dimapur based newspaper, the NSCN (K) has claimed the killing of Enoch Tangkhul, while alleging that he was an informer of NSCN (IM) .
Further the NSCN (K) also warned the Tangkhuls and disclosed that the killing was in continuation of the “Quit Notice” and asked them to leave the Nagas alone “as their intrusion into Naga politics has brought about irreparable setbacks in our National aspirations to unite Nagas under one banner and to attain our cherish dreams to live as one people and Nation”.
The Tangkhuls are being asked to leave the “Nagas and the Naga country” by the NSCN-K, according to the Dimapur based newspaper. Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM has strongly con- demned the killing of Enoch. NSCN-IM deputy kilonser for MIP Kraibo Chawang informed Newmai News Network tonight that the charges of the rival NSCN-K were ridiculous.
Chawang said that the statement of the NSCN-K is self contradictory. The NSCN-IM leader said the NSCN-K's statement said that Enoch Tangkhul was killed for being an informer of the NSCN-IM and again the same statement said that the killing was a follow up of the Quit Notice served on the Tangkhuls. “Was Enoch killed for being an informer or the Quit Notice follow up?” countered Kraibo Chawang to the NSCN-K statement. He then alleged that some overground politicians are using some NSCN-K leaders behind the Quit Notice served on the Tangkhuls.
Factional clash is law and order problem: NPCC The Morung Express
Dimapur, Nov 12 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today strongly reacted to the statement of Sate Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who had dismissed the Congress party’s demand for President’s Rule in the state.
Reasserting the Congress party’s old stand that factional clashes comes under the preview of law and order problem, the NPCC in a press rejoinder issued by its President Hokheto Sumi stated that factional clashes is a law and order problem when the innocent peoples lives are put at stake and added that it was the State government’s responsibility to maintain law and order in the State. The Government cannot simply term factional clashes to be a “political problem” and shift its responsibility to the Central Government, Sumi stated.
Implying a failure of the policy of equi-closeness, the Congress chief sarcastically pointed out that the government’s policy of equi-closeness has brought the two factions so close to each other that they are now fighting in the heavily populated areas of the towns. Cementing their claim on the law and order issue, the release stated that the public anger which greeted the Home Minister and his entourage during their visit to Zunheboto after the NSCN gun battle showed the public desperation at the government for their failure to provide security to the people.
Also coming out strongly against the Chief Minister’s alleged statement that deployment of forces to tackle the Zunheboto situation would be misuse of power, the release stated that Rio’s attitude of running the state of affairs is against the principle of a welfare state and blasted the Chief Minister’s alleged remark that the government could diffuse the Zunheboto problem with the help of civil societies. Hokheto pointed out that the Zunheboto public took great risk to chase the NSCN factions from the area.
In the light of all this, the release also made mention of the DAN government’s pre-election promises of finding a solution to the vexed Naga political problem within three months if voted to power. The Congress President stated that the DAN government is now facing complete law and order breakdown after they took over the Government in the State. The frequent factional clashes is causing so much untold miseries and suffering to the innocent people where the DAN Government is terming it to be a “political problem” and “not Law and Order problem”, added Hoketo. The NPCC President also lambasted the Chief Ministers alleged statement that the situation in other states is far worse than Nagaland adding that this showed the immaturity of the Chief Minister. Taking note of the government sending rice and money to affected areas, the release questioned how money and rice can play a positive role in diffusing the situation in the affected areas.
Making a clarification on why the Congress party did not join the Joint Legislator’s Consultative Committee for Peace (JLCCP), Hokheto stated that the Congress party first wanted to know the modalities for formation of the JLCCP, but still the DAN Government remained silent on the issue and yet Rio is alleging the Congress Party for not joining the JLCCP, he added.
Taking a dig at Rio’s claim about the regional parties being the best platform to highlight and focus on the identity of the Nagas, the release stated that the NPF leaders are not working as a team. Alleging some difference of opinion in the NPF party, Hokheto alleged that when it comes to factional clashes, the Chief Minister is appealing to the underground factions not to fight, while on the other hand the NPF President Dr. Shürhozelie is saying the underground factions go out to do anything they want and speak anything they like. “The top rankings in the NPF seem to have different views on the underground factions, and as such, the regional party like NPF may not serve the right platform to highlight the “Naga identity”, added the Congress President.
Further the NPCC also demanded Rio to substantiate his allegations that “the two NSCN factions and Congress are hatching a plot against the DAN Government” and take proper action against the alleged parties.
Cong blames DAN Govt for factional clashes The Morung Express
Kohima, Nov 12: The Congress today castigated the ruling DAN alliance in Nagaland accusing it of failing to maintain law and order, reports NNN.The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) in a statement issued by its president Hokheto Sumi alleged the State is now facing complete breakdown ever since DAN came to power.
“The DAN policy of equi-closeness is bringing the underground groups too close to each other and as a result, they cannot stop the factional clashes which are taking place in thickly populated areas. The frequent factional clashes is causing so much untold miseries and suffering to the innocent people while the DAN Government is terming it to be a political problem and not law and order problem,” the party said.
The NPCC claimed factional clashes come under the law and order situation, as far as when the lives of the innocent are put at stake. The responsibility of the State Government is to ensure that, the law and order situation is under their control and the welfare of the people is safeguarded, the party said. It added the Government cannot simply term factional clashes as “political problem” and shift its responsibility to the Central Government.
“The immaturity of Rio is highlighted when DAN Government could not handle the law and order situation, he makes comparison with other neighboring States that, the situation in those States are worse than our State. It is interesting to note that, the DAN Government is tackling the law and order situation by sending rice and money to the people in the affected areas. But it is yet to be ascertained, how far rice and money can play a positive role in helping the people and defuse the situation in those affected areas.”
The Congress said the public’s ex-pression of anger to Home Minister Thenucho during his recent visit to Zunheboto town after three-day factional clashes and seizure of arms of the Minister’s security personnel were signs of their protest against the State Government’s inability to provide security to the people during the factional clashes. The NPCC further demanded from Rio to substantiate his reported allegations that “the two NSCN factions and Congress are hatching a plot against the DAN Government” and take proper action against the alleged parties.
Naga NGOs in Manipur condemn killing The Morung Express
Dimapur, Nov 12 (MExN): Various civil societies based in Manipur, namely the UNC, NPMHR (South), NWUM and ANSAM today strongly condemned the killing of Enoch Shinglai by unidentified gunmen and called upon the perpetrators to denounce the ‘random targeting and killing of a particular community in the name of Naga nationalism’. A joint press statement signed by the UNC President, KS Paul Leo; Paulhring Langhu, President of ANSAM; Grace Shatsan, President of NWUM and Phamhring Sengul, Convenor of the NPMHR South stated that counting the heads of a particular community is not a solution to the vexed Indo-Naga conflict and urged the state government to take proper security measures to control criminal activities in the state.
Expressing their distress at the present law and order situation in the state, the NGOs questioned how the Government of Nagaland can remain a mute spectator to the prevailing law and order problem when the criminal elements have openly claimed that they have butchered the innocents. At the same time, it made a fervent appeal to the underground factions to put an end to the random taking of innocent human life.
Pointing out that the escalating criminal acts in the land have increasingly projected a wrong impression of the Naga society, the release stated that such inhuman atrocities within the Naga family has created a social imbalance which hinders the efforts to bring about understanding in the society through prejudicing the respect for human rights and human values, added the release.
Making a point that such calculated crime threatens the ethical values of human existence the Naga NGOs appealed to all sensible Naga citizens to play proactive role to prevent such criminal activities in the land.
The Naga NGOs in a humane tone stated that the Naga people as a mother or father or as children should not remain insensitive to the mindless executions of innocent public as it creates a lot of devastated and broken homes of widows and orphans.
The release further conveyed their profound condolences to the family members of the deceased.
NSCN (IM) condemns killing The Morung Express Newmai News Network

Dimapur, Nov 12: The NSCN-IM has strongly condemned the killing of Enoch. NSCN-IM Deputy Kilonser for MIP Kraibo Chawang informed Newmai News Network tonight that the statement of the rival NSCN-K was ridiculous.
Kraibo said that the statement of the NSCN-K is self-contradictory. The NSCN-IM leader ridiculed the NSCN-K’s statement that Enoch Tangkhul was killed for being an informer of the NSCN-IM and again that the killing was a follow up of the Quit Notice to the Tangkhuls.
“Whether Enoch was killed for being an informer or the Quit Notice follow up?” questioned Kraibo Chawang to the NSCN-K statement. He then alleged that some overground politicians are using some NSCN-K leaders through the Quit Notice against the Tangkhuls.
Confronting Monologue! The Morung Express Editorial
One reason why Nagas in recent times find themselves in a perpetual state of arrestation is because of the manner in which ‘monologue’ has become so embedded into the ethos of daily life. Indeed the healthy and dynamic practice of dialogue which was central to the Naga way of conducting human affairs has over time become into a dialogue between monologues. As a result, the monologues have only widened the possibilities of understanding because people are no longer listening to each others point of views. Consequently, each monologue only hears its own voice and because they are no longer listening to the other voices, they are unable to determine and identify the opinions which are found to be common. Is this not the reality of today’s time?
If only Nagas could patiently and actively listen to each others opinions and perspectives, perhaps the differences of views could be addressed meaningfully. However, the culture of monologue which has become the norm of the day prevents any process that resembles genuine dialogue. The culture of monologue feeds into the cycle of power where each voice asserts itself to drown other voices, and rather than being reflective, it assumes a form where it primarily takes the position which is reactive, defensive and self-righteous. This monologue is eating away the spirit of understanding and definitely undermining the ethos of democratic participation and ownership.
The culture of monologue is now prevalent in all spheres of Naga activity and it has infected all forms of human organization in the Naga realm of life and how it conducts it human affairs. Because Nagas have stopped dialoguing with each other, the monotone and bankruptcy of ideas and staleness of thoughts are setting into the psyche and preventing the creative realization of what the human mind can achieve. No wonder one finds that we are constantly repeating ourselves and actually have little or nothing new to say or do anymore. It’s like a music cd that has been overplayed.
Nagas must break out of this monologue and find new meaning and purpose of life again. While building on the legacy of what the elders have handed down to the present generation, we must ensure freshness to life. The existing monologue must be confronted and transcended so that the destiny of a people’s existence is no longer ambiguous, but one that gives people a reason to have hope. Overcoming the existing monologue demands a new consciousness and a way of life which is reflective and representative of a new system of conducting human affairs.
There is an imperative need to shift from a monologue to a dialogue, a dialogue which brings to public expression the issues that are essential towards defining the purpose and existence of life; and one that embodies an understanding, which embraces the understanding and acceptance of differences. Unless, Nagas as a people are able to search deep down within themselves to live again as a dynamic and creative political entity, the cycle of monologue will eat away the Naga capacity to exercise its ability to define and determine itself.
Think of what you can contribute to the society': Shurhozelie Kuknalim.com
WOKHA, Nov 12:: Minister for Planning and Co-ordination, Dr. Shürhozelie graced the parting social and prize distribution function of Mt. Tiyi College (MTC) Wokha on November 10 as the chief guest...

Speaking on the occasion, Shürhozelie urged the students to become responsible citizens and maintain self-image. He encouraged them to think of what they can contribute to the society. Shürhozelie also cited the efforts of Martin Luther who sacrificed himself to free his people from suppression and said that black Americans are dominating the silver screenss and the army today.

He dwelt on the present situation of hatred and killing of brothers in Naga society. He said that ‘we cannot allow fear and hatred to dominate the entire society.’ On the developmental side, Shürhozelie assured provisions for construction of the main building of the college during 2007-08. Later, Shürhozelie inaugurated a classroom building of the college and gave away the prizes.

Director, Higher Education, Piketo Sema gave a short speech and Principal MTC, Chubatola delivered the introductory speech. Dr. Z Ovung and friend presented a special song while vote of thanks was proposed by Vice Principal, MTC, Abeni Kithan.
A host of government officials, public leaders and well-wishers attended the function. (DIPR)
Nagaland Cong castigates DAN Govt Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Nov 12:: The Congress on Sunday castigated the ruling DAN alliance in Nagaland accusing it of failing to maintain law and order...

The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) in a statement issued by its president Hokheto Sumi alleged the State is now facing complete breakdown in law and order situation after DAN had come to the saddle. "The DAN policy of equi-closeness is bringing the underground groups too close to each other and as a result, they cannot stop the factional clashes which are taking place in thickly populated areas. The frequent factional clashes is causing so much untold miseries and suffering to the innocent people where the DAN Government is terming it to be a political problem and not law and order problem," the party said.

The NPCC claimed factional clashes come under the law and order situation, as far as when the lives of the innocent are put at stake. The responsibility of the State Government is to ensure that, the law and order situation is under their control and the welfare of the people is safeguarded, the party said. It added the Government cannot simply term factional clashes as "political problem" and shift its responsibility to the Central Government. (NNN)
Violence would be the lifeblood of Naga politics? Kaka D. Iralu The Morung Express Perspective
Of late, there have been attempts to twist Naga history in favour of the moderates of yesterday’s NNC leaders. In the attempt, A. Z. Phizo and all our courageous leaders of yesterday are being projected as some violent Naga leaders who were out and out for a violent confrontation with India. The other moderate leaders are projected as the saner and more practical leaders whose voice of caution about impending consequences went unheeded by the violent Naga mob under the leadership of the extremist NNC leaders. In this projection, A.Z. Phizo had even been accused of saying that “Violence would be the lifeblood of Naga politics”. (These words were stated by Nirmal Nibedon in his book, Nagaland, the Night of the Guirillas, page 66).
Here, though self-appointed, as a Naga historian, I feel duty bound to set the record straight so that future generation of Nagas will be able to know the truth. I also make this clarification so that the deaths of the thousands of our national heroes who died in violent self-defence actions would not be marred by dishonourable conclusions. To begin with, from its very inception on February 2, 1946, the NNC adopted a non-violent policy for the pursuit and achievement of its political goals. This policy was followed both in letter as well as in practice from 1946 until March 24, 1954. (The first Naga counter attack against the Indian army was launched on this day at Huker and Panger villages by the Yimchungers). The following chronologically arranged events will show that the NNC followed a non-violent policy until this date.
1. From 1946 to 1953, all the important political actions like the declaration of Naga independence on 14th August 1947 or the announcement of a sovereign Naga state on December 30, 1949, or the conduct of the national plebiscite of May 16, 1951, or the non-participation in the first Indian general election of 1952 were all done in a non-violent manner. In fact, after the plebiscite, the NNC had even offered that they were ready to be under an Indian President in a independent Nagaland for a stated period. At this point of our history, non of the NNC leaders were moving around with armed escorts nor was there any talk of an armed uprising. Also up to March 30, 1953 (visit of Nehru and U Nu to Kohima), there were no two opinions about Naga sovereignty and independence among the Nagas. The whole Naga independence movement was up to this stage, a united Naga national movement.
2. This non-violent movement went on despite violent provocations from the Indian side. For example, three Mao Nagas were shot to death by the Assam Rifles on Aug 27, 1948, when the Mao Nagas were on a peaceful march refusing to pay house tax to the Manipur Maharaja. In this shooting another four were also seriously injured. Two other Nagas were also killed in Tuensang in the same year. Then again, when some Nagas were on a peaceful march in Kohima protesting against the gruesome torture of a Sema boy in Dimapur, Zasibeito Nagi a Judge of the Kohima Court was shot to death on October 18, 1952.
3. In the midst of all these non-violent activities, the coming of Nehru and U Nu to Manipur and Kohima on March 30, 1953 changed the whole peaceful atmosphere. Nehru and U Nu, in defiance of all the wishes of the Nagas came to survey and divide the British bequeathed Naga lands between themselves. They came with great confidence in themselves because for the first time, after nearly two hundred years of oppression and subject-hood, they were now independent nations equipped with many arms left behind by their former oppressors. They perhaps thought that it was now their turn to oppress and rule. To them, the Nagas were only some wild tribesmen whose lands they could occupy without any problem.
Their confidence and arrogance were rudely shattered when the Naga delegation walked out from the Kohima local ground in protest against their arrogance. Following their departure from Kohima, arrest warrants were issued to all the NNC leaders. The Naga freedom movement from thenceforth went underground. Now the non-violent NNC leaders were compelled to keep armed bodyguards around them. On March 30, 1953, Khonoma, the village of the NNC President was raided. This was followed by the raid on Longkhum, the village of the NNC Vice President. Unable to hide anymore in and around Kohima or Mokokchung, many of the NNC leaders including A.Z. Phizo slipped into the Tuensang division to hide in the Yimchunger, Chang, Konyak and Khaimuingan regions of Free Nagaland.
4. While hiding in these regions, the NNC leaders along with the active participation of the regions declared the first Naga Hongking Government on September 18, 1954. Following these events, the first violent act by the Indian Government was unleashed on the Nagas when under India’s instigation, on November 15, 1954, sixty-three villagers of Yongpang in Tuensang area were killed. Most of these villagers were beheaded. Taka Temjen, the youth promoter of the NNC and some of his colleagues were also killed in this attack. Next, on November 27, 1954, the NNC village of Chingmei was destroyed by bombardment assisted by one battalion of paramilitary forces. Between 1954 and January 1955, several NNC strongholds in these regions were attacked by Indian forces especially in the Lemnyu and Wui areas. Between January and March 1955, the villages of Changtongyia, Lungkhum, Chungtia Mokokchung, Changlangshu, Chingkhoa etc in the Nagaland side were also attacked. In these attacks, many villagers were raped, tortured and even shot to death.
5. By March 31, 1955, the Vice President of the Naga National Council had sent the following cable message to the United Nations, with copies to the government of India and all foreign ambassadors in New Delhi. “Reports reaching Kohima say that more ten thousand men, women and children in the free Naga areas believed to have been killed by the Indian troops within last few days of whole scale massacre… urgently appeal to you in the name of humanity to intervene and stop killings…”
In the light of all these historical facts, for the any Naga writer to infer that A.Z. Phizo and the moderate Naga leaders of the NNC parted ways in 1956, due to Phizo’s insistence on violence is sheer nonsense. In fact, far from any co-operation talk, the Indian army was already wantonly massacring Naga citizens even as early as November 15, 1954.

In this context, the only co-operation proposal agreed to by the NNC was the Akbar Hydari Agreement of June 1947. But even this agreement was not honoured by the Indian government. In fact, right after the signings of the Agreement, Akbar Hydari had threatened the NNC that would be used against the Nagas if they did not agree to become a part of India. In the later part of 1955, Nehru’s agent (and often, Nehru’s critic), Mr. Purwar is purported to have brought some co-operation proposals behind the NNC’s back. These proposals were however never disclosed or discussed with the NNC leadership. Hence, any proposals for co-operation with India at this stage was secret and without the NNC’s knowledge.As for the accusation that Phizo and his colleagues were for a violent confrontation with India, neither Phizo nor Zushei Huire or Thongti, etc, were imbeciles who could foolishly think that Nagas could win their independence through violence. These NNC leaders had all seen the devastation of South East Asia through the Second World War between 1943-1944. They also knew that India and Burma were militarily well equipped enough to destroy Nagaland in a few months.
The actual fact at this stage of Naga history was one where a non-violent and just political movement had been attacked unbelievable violence. The Indian army had already unleashed that violence as early as November 15, 1954. Hence, the inference of a serious debate on violence and non-violence raging in the NNC camp in January 1956 can be only a fiction of the imagination. Far from such a fiction, the horrifying reality that was confronting the NNC leadership then, was one of whether to surrender all the Naga political rights to the Indian army violence or to defend those rights with counter self-defence measures. At stake was the proud history of the Nagas and their hope for better future. The choice was one of whether the Naga Nation would surrender themselves to become a mere district under Assam or to defend their already declared Nationhood. Faced with such a dilemma and despite all the overwhelming odds facing them, these brave Naga leaders nevertheless chose to defend their history and their future.

Now, after 59 years of heroic defence of our rights where thousands upon thousands of our young men have sacrificed their lives, who are these Nagas of today who are accusing the leaders of yesterday as being guilty of violent dispositions which has led the Naga Nation to ruins?

Let the Nagas get this fact very clearly into their heads that violence was never something we initiated or were bent on unleashing. On the contrary, despite all our efforts for a non-violent recognition of one anothers’ rights with Indian and Burma, violence was forced on us by them. When this violence was unleashed upon us, we resorted to counter measures because we could not stand by and watch our villages burnt to ashes and our women raped to death. In the counter measures some over two hundred thousand Naga have perished.
On the other hand, some less honourable Nagas treacherously co-operated with India and bought an Indian state into Nagaland. Here please do not try to project those Nagas who ran away from the fight for Naga independence as the non-violent heroes of the past 59 years of bloody Naga history. No, no, they are not the heroes and even what they got from the Indian government was not because of the heroic non-violent stand. Let every Naga know this fact that even the Nagaland State that we got as a political bargain, was because of the thousands who sacrificed their lives to defend Naga independence.
In conclusion, at the end of 50 years of blood and tears, let no Naga ever think that we have brought this violence upon ourselves. It is indeed true that in the violence that engulfed our hills and mountains, many of our “moderate” leaders also perished. Among them, I also weep for T. Sakhrie, the visionary dreamer of an independent Nagaland. I cannot but hold my breath, when I read his writings or sing the songs that he composed. I can only think that perhaps it was the romantic and poetic spirit in him that made him to recoil and walk away from the violence that he saw was coming to engulf his Naga dream. As for his untimely death, he did not deserve to die like that, when he had so eloquently done so much in laying the foundation of the Naga Nation.
However, since his clansmen had already graciously chosen to forgive those who had killed him, let us also lay his soul to rest in peace. Indeed, let us lay to rest the souls of all our heroes who died in the violence that have engulfed our lands for the past half a century. As for the living, let us continue to fight until freedom is finally achieved so that our dead would not have died in vain. As for violence or non-violence, let us remember that despite all our efforts at non-violence, we were inflicted with violence by India and Burma. God forbid that we accuse that violence on one another or worst still, inflict that violence on one another through fratricidal killings.
Nothing is impossible Nagaland Post Editorial
In corruption as in politics, everything is possible and in Nagaland, nothing is impossible. Take only one specific case where the arithmetic is so mind boggling that it seems almost impossible. What can any sane person with a conscience say when the estimate for a project that has been prepared by highly qualified engineers who had based their cost on the rates prevailing in a specific period, turns out to be totally wrong or grossly inaccurate? When the state Police Engineering Project in Nagaland prepared its estimates for construction of the battalion headquarters for the 9 India Reserve Battalion at Saijang, the project cost was Rs.39.94 crore as per the schedule of rate for the year 2004. The original estimate of Rs.39.94 crore has jumped to Rs.72.30 cr in 2006 after a hefty 85 percent was accepted over the Schedule of Rate(SOR)for 2004.In reality, the aggregate average rise in cost of cement,steel,sand,bricks and labour between 2004 and 2006 was a maximum of 40 percent whereas the rate approved showed that a hefty 85 percent was accepted as the difference for the same period. This is more than double the aggregate rise in terms of percentage between 2004 and 2006.This alone indicates that the engineers are totally out of touch with the prevailing market rate or that they have used a faulty calculator. However, this is not the end of the insanity that has become the hallmark of government projects. It was disclosed by the local contractors union that in practical terms, the rate approved for the particular firm belonging to a non-local contractor turned out to be 140.93% above the Schedule of Rate(SOR)2004 though the rate quoted and accepted was supposed to be 85% above SOR for 2004.From zero to 85 percent to 140.93 percent rise is surely not impossible in Nagaland. What is more, the scandalous case also revealed a conscious decision to favour the firm with a rate that is Rs.2246.45 per square feet as against Rs.932.40 per square feet approved for local tribal contractors at the same site. Over and above, the firm has also been given an additional 4 percent in terms of tax which the government is to pay and this further raises the project cost to Rs.75.19 cr from its original estimate of Rs.39.94 crore. The government, in this case the police department, has also agreed to pay price escalation after a certain period. These impossible features have become the rule and not the exception.It is not surprising that almost all mega projects in the state have far exceeded their original estimates by almost 200 percent. The percentage is phenomenal because everyone is involved in the vicious cycle. The criminal nexus between corrupt politicians-officers-contractor mafias is the bane of development in Nagaland. This criminally corrupt practice has spread the virus to every facet of the government and also society. In fact it is a multi-faceted evil, which gradually kills a system and nurtures the anti-social phenomenon. Indeed the people have shown remarkable tolerance beyond reasoning in this land.
ULFA blows up Assam gas pipeline The Morung Express
GUWAHATI, Nov 12 (Times News Network): Separatists belonging to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) blew up a natural gas pipeline in Assam’s Dibrugarh district late Saturday causing extensive damage, officials said on Sunday. The attack, the latest in a string of explosions in the state that have killed 17 people and injured 46, comes even as a two-member ULFA team is due to meet National Security Adviser MK Narayanan in New Delhi on Monday for fresh peace talks. Militants of ULFA triggered a powerful blast late Saturday at a pipeline transporting natural gas near the Bhekulajan tea gardens in Dibrugarh district, about 470 km from Guwahati.
“The blast caused extensive damage and there was a very big fire soon after the explosion,” said a spokesperson of the state-owned Assam Gas Company Ltd. Fire fighters took about three hours to douse the flames and the supply of gas to tea gardens and other commercial units stopped immediately.
Security forces on Saturday shot dead an ULFA rebel in eastern Assam and arrested one more as part of a massive anti-insurgency offensive launched in the state after twin explosions killed 15 people and injured 40 on November 5. Rebels also killed two paramilitary troopers and wounded six in a landmine explosion Friday in a grenade attack in eastern Assam. Police in Assam have blamed the blasts on ULFA, which is fighting for an independent homeland since 1979.
The group had claimed responsibility for the attack on the paramilitary convoy although it denied its involvement in the Guwahati blasts. The ULFA pulled out of peace talks after New Delhi called off a six-week truce September 24 blaming the outfit of stepping up attacks and extortions.
Peace 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.
The ULFA wants the release of five of their jailed leaders as a precondition to holding peace talks. New Delhi in return wants the rebel leadership to commit in writing that they would come for direct negotiations if the jailed militants were released. The ULFA was not willing to do so leading to the collapse of the peace process.
Ulfa blows up IOC pipeline Nagaland Post
Guwahati, Nov 12 (IANS): Separatists Sunday blew up an oil pipeline of the world's oldest operating refinery in Assam, officials said. Rebels triggered a powerful blast at a pipeline of the state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) near Makum in Tinsukia district at 7.15 pm.
"The blast tore apart the pipeline carrying high speed diesel and there has been a massive oil spillage," senior IOC official Wasik Rahman Borbora told IANS over phone from Digboi. The pipeline transports oil from the world's oldest operating Digboi refinery, established in 1901. Oil experts and fire fighters are on way to the blast site, located in a thickly forested area.
"We have shutdown the pipeline although normal operations at the refinery was on. The immediate task is to repair the pipeline," Borbora said. Police blamed the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) for the blast.
"We understand there is no fire yet although locals in the area were collecting the oil in buckets and drums," said Tinsukia district magistrate Absar Hazarika. Police Sunday defused a powerful bomb planted between a gas and an oil pipeline close to Makum. On Saturday, suspected ULFA rebels blew up a gas pipeline near a tea garden in eastern Assam's Dibrugarh district causing extensive damage.
"There was a big fire in the area soon after the blast and it had led to disruption of natural gas supply to tea gardens and other industrial units. We are repairing the pipeline," a senior official of the Assam Gas Company Limited said.
This is the latest in a string of explosions in Assam in a week. Two powerful blasts Nov 5 killed 15 people and injured 40 others in Guwahati. Rebels also killed two paramilitary troopers and wounded others in a landmine explosion Friday. ULFA had claimed responsibility for the attack on the paramilitary convoy although it denied its involvement in the Guwahati blasts.
Meet to revive Assam peace process Nagaland Post
NEW DELHI, OCT 12 (PTI): Two key mediators will meet National Security Advisor M K Narayanan here tomorrow in an attempt to revive the peace process in Assam, which has suffered a setback due to stepped up violence by the ULFA. Noted writer Indira Goswami and Rebati Phukan will meet Narayanan to submit modalities for direct talks between the Centre and the banned group.
"We will meet Narayanan to submit proposed modalities for possible direct talks between the ULFA and the government," Goswami told PTI. The meeting will be the first between the mediators and the Centre after twin bomb blasts in Guwahati on last Sunday, blamed on the banned group that killed 15 people. Goswami, who has played a key role in efforts to bring the ULFA to the negotiating table, said both the insurgent group and the Centre had never closed the door for talks. She said she was still hopeful of a positive outcome.
On Thursday, government extended the ban on four militant outfits in the Northeast, including the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). The other organisations, declared as unlawful associations, are Achik National Volunteer Council, Hynnietriep National Liberation Council and National Democratic Front of Bodoland.
Perspective analysis of election in democratic polity
By Ngamkhohao Haokip Contd from last Saturday Sangai Express
Otherwise, socio-political problems like the one we are experiencing in the north eastern states are more on the way.
Having taken into account the circumstantial courses, as discussed above, electioneering in India has been traversing under several laws, follow-ing points may be worth considering, at least for theoretical discussion:
1. Deployment of security forces during election bears only a little effect, as was again, recently promised by N Gopalaswami, the Chief Election Commissioner. This measure can be warranted to ward off large-scale disturbances, only and in case, some elements posed challenge to the sovereignty of the country. Election Commission should not assume that such deployment of security forces would guarantee free and fair election. Never!
I have personally seen during the last 3/4 general elections that the concern of security forces is only the peaceful conduct of election. Unfortunately, under their nose, the strong and powerful supporters of a particular candidate would indeed vote ‘peacefully’. If any party or individual dare to question such irregular voting they became nuisance in the eyes of the security forces who prevent them from negotiating for the right cause.
2. Polling stations should not be made permanent. Permanent status of polling stations is always unruly used by antagonist supporters and tribesmen for monopolizing voters with muscle and money power. Allotting of polling stations is done under the influence of either incumbent MLA or heavy weight politicians. In hill villages, polling station is considered the monopolistic positive feature of the village in which it is.
3. Polling agents of candidates/party should be armed with powers that are more stringent that can meet any foul practices in the process of casting of votes etc.
4. Necessary laws should be enacted to the effect that at least one contesting candidate each from two opposing national parties stands in every constituency. — to be contd

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11/13/2006: "Tangkhul Naga found murdered in Kohima Assam Tribune"