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11/14/2006: "Don’t kill innocents in the name of nationalism, NSCN-IM to rival"

Don’t kill innocents in the name of nationalism, NSCN-IM to rival The Morung Express

Dimapur, Nov 13 (MExN): The NSCN-IM has strongly condemned the killing of ‘terrorist cold-blooded killing of harmless, blameless innocent people’ in the name of nationalism, stating that no justification can supplement the killing of the innocent.
An NSCN-IM MIP release stated that the NSCN-K’s “ominous claws of communalism have once gain cast its shadow over innocent people”. It strongly condemned the November 11 abduction and subsequent killing of Enoch Shinglai from the Tangkhul community, by what the NSCN-IM stated was by the NSCN-K by falsely accusing him of being an informer. The MIP release clarified that the victim was never associated with the NSCN-IM in any manner or way “but has become an innocent victim of the blood-thirsty Khaplang outfit in their intent to spread fear psychosis, disrupt peace, sow division on communal lines and dislodge the efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the vexed Indo-Naga political issue”.
It stated that no justification can supplement the killing of the innocent for no fault of theirs but for simply belonging to a Naga community. “The pretext ‘informed is just one of the false labels branded on the victim to give reasons for their cold-blooded murders. There subsists murky days ahead unless the psychotic mania of barbarous resort is stopped. Analyzing the causes of this vicious cycle of cold-blooded killings by Khaplang outfit, no valid grounds or rationality can be deduced” the NSCN-IM stated. It further asserted that respecting the voice of the Naga people, the NSCN-IM had extended “to Khaplang’s invitations sent mediators with letters of good-will and various other feelers in all sincerity with the spirit of forgive and forget, reconciliation and unification several times”. However, all these efforts were responded in outright negativity on the pretense of ‘this or that’ in all callousness, the NSCN-IM asserted while maintaining that in addition to the rejection, the NSCN-K “enhanced their association” with the enemy and indulging in anti-Naga campaigns. “Following their stubborn and obstinate response and continuation of engaging in divisive and disruptive activities of senseless killings, threats, permeation of social insecurities, vitiations of peaceful atmosphere and the other sinister anti-Naga stratagems, the NSCN/GPRN was spared with no other options but to confront the challenges posed in defense of our national principles and in safeguarding our de jure rights as a people” it asserted.
Further, the NSCN-IM asserted that the NSCN-K, “stranded in their Khaplang dilemma and situation created by their egoistic and recalcitrant selfishness, bereft of any other political agenda to obstruct the peace process or to disintegrate the Naga family”, is now venting their frustration on the Naga public. It warned that the perpetrators would be penalized for their crimes as was done to war criminals of the World Wars. “The crimes committed in the name of nationalism today will not go unpunished tomorrow but tried accordingly for justice has to and will be delivered to the dead and the living. It is also to be understood that killings of innocent Nagas will betroth to us nothing but deep hatred and shameful ugly image” the NSCN-IM added.
NSCN-K questions students’ admission in NBSE The Morung Express
Dimapur, Nov 13 (MExN): The NSCN-K taking note that nearly four thousand “Manipur students” have enrolled in Nagaland schools as Class-X candidates from Nagaland Board of School education (NBSE), asked if the students are “real candidates” and that the trend would be “damaging” for the younger Naga generation courtesy the DAN government’s “unwise decision”.
“Are they real candidates or much more proxies in which corrupt practices they Manipuris are more adept to? And NSCN-K MIP release stated. “The students as per news reports are only from the private schools and also only from the four hill districts of Manipur. Then how many Class –X candidates are there in the entire Nagaland? How damaging consequences would be for the younger generations of Nagas because of this unwise decision of the DAN government” it stated. According to the release, there have been “many quarrels” between school authorities and students over admission “but today how come such free and relief admissions of students of other states in Nagaland schools”. It stated that one man’s wise decision benefits “several generations” while one man’s “evil decision” ruins the society and the people. “Nagas should not criticize and blame the NSCN/GPRN” but watch out for consequences, the release added.
Delhi hands off Naga schools Arjun Singh not to intervene in affiliation imbroglio Kuknalim.com (The Telegraph)
KOHIMA, Nov 13:: Delhi has decided not to intervene on the question of affiliation of schools in Manipur to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). Yet, more than 3,660 students from four hill districts of Manipur are getting ready to appear for their High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examinations from Nagaland.
Nagaland school education minister Imkong L. Imchen said Union human resource development minister Arjun Singh has sent a letter to this effect, mentioning the Centre’s inability to address the imbroglio between Nagaland and Manipur over the affiliation of schools to the NBSE.

“I have just received a letter from Arjun Singh stating that the matter should be resolved between the two states,” Imchen said. He added that the Union minister’s missive was in response to the state government’s repeated requests to either allow the schools of Manipur’s four hills districts to obtain affiliation to the NBSE or create a separate board for them.

The Union minister has asked the Nagaland government to resolve the impasse with the Manipur government. The minister said the matter would be discussed again in the cabinet to chalk out the next course of action on the issue. He also expressed surprise over the reply of the HRD minister since the issue is serious in nature and involves the fate of the students.
The Nagaland minister also mentioned that the matter of affiliation has not been officially discussed with the Manipur government but through unofficial channels. He, however, said the Neiphiu Rio cabinet would decide whether to discuss the matter with its Manipur counterpart.

Even as the impasse on the issue continues, certain forces, like the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) and the state Congress unit, have expressed their scepticism. The outfit has stated that the Nagas of Manipur were trying to hijack the Nagas of Nagaland while the Congress has accused the government of taking a hasty decision without going into the nitty-gritty of the issue. But the school education minister today said the students are being allowed to appear for their examinations in view of the situation in Manipur. “This was a collective cabinet decision, taken after examining all aspects,” he said. Without mentioning any party or group, he alleged that some people were trying to politicise the issue. Over 3,660 Naga students from Manipur’s hill districts have enrolled in various schools in and around Kohima and Dimapur.
NSCN (K) cadre arrested for extortion bid The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOV 13 (MExN): One NSCN (K) cadre issuing demand notes at MP road, near the busy Hongkong market area was reportedly arrested by a mobile police squad. There were however conflicting reports from the police and the NSCN (IM). Police identified the NSCN (K) cadre as 2nd Lt. Khetoka Kinnimi son of Ilhovi Kinnimi of Thilixu village (Atosa). According to the police, the accused was trying to collect money from the shop when three unidentified persons suspected to be from NSCN (IM) chased and fired at him. “While he was trying to escape, a police mobile squad arrested him. A case has been registered and the investigation is still going,” SDPO Dimapur said.
Meanwhile, a press note issued by the NSCN-IM MIP informed that the NSCN (K) cadre was one Sergeant Hekato who had come from Athibung to Dimapur and was demanding money at gunpoint from business enterprises at Murgi Pati, Dimapur and later intercepted by the Dimapur Town Command, Naga Army.
According to the version of the NSCN (IM), the Khaplang cadre apprehending the approach of the Naga Army drew his gun, which was retaliated by blank firing to avoid public casualty. “It was through this wise reaction of the Naga army that prevented a shoot-out”, the MIP informed. The extortionist reportedly dropped his weapon and fled. One .32 pistol belonging to the extortionist was recovered by the Town Command. Giving details of today’s incident, the MIP stated that the Dimapur Town Command personnel pursued the extortionist, who entered the West Police Station Dimapur, thus preventing the Town Command from apprehending the culprit. The NSCN (IM) pointed out that in the interest of the general public and in maintaining a peaceful law and order situation, it was maintaining its responsibilities to this end. “But it becomes questionable on the part of the Nagaland Police in harboring this anti-Naga element under their wings and enabling them to continue engaging in various inhuman and anti-social activities”, the NSCN (IM) alleged while informing the public that any encounter with such elements should be immediately informed to the concerned authorities to prevent and curb such anti-social activities.
NSCN (I-M) condemns killings- Nagaland Post Opinion
The Khaplang's ominous claws of communalism have once again cast its shadow over innocent people in mounting their terror of ethnic cleansing. On 11 Nov. 2006 again the Khaplang cadres abducted late. Enoch Shinglai, an innocent Tangkhul Naga public from Jail Colony, Kohima falsely accusing him of being an informer of the NSCN/GPRN and cold bloodedly murdered him at Jotsoma road along the NH-39 at 5:30pm. It is for the clarification to one and all that the victim was never associated with the NSCN/GPRN in any manner or way, but has become an innocent victim of the Blood-thirsty Khaplang out-fit in their intent to spread fear psychosis, disrupt peace, sow division on communal lines and dislodge the efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the vexed Indo-Naga political issue. No justification can supplement the killing of innocent for no fault of theirs but for simply belonging to a Naga community. The pretext "informer" is just one of the false labels branded on the victim to give reasons for their cold-blooded murders. There subsists murky days ahead unless the psychopathic mania of barbarous resort is stopped. Analyzing the causes of this vicious cycle of cold-blooded killings by Khaplang out-fit, no valid grounds of rationality can be deduced.
Respecting the voices of the Naga People and in understanding the unification of Nagas to be our priority before pursuing any initiative for a final solution to the. Indo-Naga political conflict, the NSCN/GPRN extended to Khaplangs' invitations sent mediators with letters of good-will and various other feelers in all sincerity with the spirit of forgive & forget, reconciliation and unification several times, but all efforts were responded in outright negativity on the pretense of 'this or that' in all callousness to our utter dismay. In addition to the rejection of our earnest and sincere solicitation and hopes for reconciliation and unification, the Khaplang group enhanced their associations and collaborations with our adversaries by indulging in reckless anti-Naga campaigns. Following their stubborn and obstinate response and continuation of engaging in divisive and disruptive acts of senseless killings, threats, permeation of social insecurities, vitiations of peaceful atmosphere and the other sinister anti-Naga stratagems, the NSCN/GPRN was spared with no other option but to confront the challenges posed in defense of our national principles and in safe-guarding our de jure rights as a people. In keeping at pace with the on-going Indo-Naga political talks, the NSCN/GPRN in the process of involving every Naga in the peace process necessitated inter-actions and consultative meetings with Nagas from all walks of life throughout Nagalim.
But certain pockets and regions faced obstructive and disruptive hazards, posed by adverse elements on the path to undertake this effort to allow participation of all concerned for arriving at a common consensus towards achieving an honorable and acceptable solution to the Indo-Naga political imbroglio. These circumstances compelled the NSCN/GPRN to curtail these elements, and so the Khaplang remnants were pushed away towards the Myanmar border in the Mon District and the NNC/FGN confined to their designated area. The Naga people unitedly rallying behind the collective leadership of the NSCN/GPRN, with obstacles diminished in undetermining the Naga peoples' aspiration, the Indo-Naga political talks foresaw positive and good signs towards ending the impasse, and the materialization of an early amicable and acceptable political solution .With the Khaplang out-fit cornered and reduced to the brink of incapacitation, our enemies with tools of 'divide and rule' to undermine the Naga peoples' aspiration resurfaced with its hands of logistical, financial and arms assistance to the demoralized detractors to resuscitate and and renew divisive forces in within. The Khaplang group has been drifting like a ship without a rudder in troubled waters, without any political manifesto or political vision and has been serving as puppets by dancing to the tune and designs of our enemies. Stranded in their (Khaplang) dilemma and situation created by their egoistic, and recalcitrant selfishness, bereft of any other political agenda to obstruct the peace process or to disintegrate the Naga family, they have now recoursed their frustration and desperation upon innocent Naga public. The cowardly and senseless targeting of innocent Tangkhul community is nothing but the perpetrators' despairity and bankruptcy of all sane approaches upon their dead politics. The NSCN/GPRN condemns in the strongest term such cowardly and dastard acts of Terrorists' brutal cold-blooded killings of harmless, blameless and innocent people in the name of false nationalism. The NSCN/GPRN warns the perpetrators that the perpetrators of war- crimes in the First World War, Second World War or Post - Second World War are tried in the International Criminal Court of Justice, Hague, the Netherlands even today, after the lapse of many, many decades, and penalized according to their crimes. Their children and grand children are endowed with the shame of being the progeny of criminals in the society. Similarly, the crimes committed in the name of nationalism today will not go unpunished tomorrow but tried accordingly, for justice has to and will be delivered to the dead and the living. It is also to be understood that killings of innocent Nagas will betroth to us nothing but deep hatred and shameful ugly image. The NSCN/GPRN appeals to the International Human Rights Commission, all Civil societies and all right thinking people to keep on record of the Khaplang cadres' gross violation of of human rights. It is urged upon all right thinking people to vehemently condemn such prevail over the lunacy of the perpetators and further irrational innocent blood spared from the clutches of their psychosis.
Issued by MIP/GPRN, NSCN (IM)
If Nagas have minds- Nagaland Post Opinion
As per newspapers reports nearly four thousand Manipur Students have enrolled in Nagaland schools as candidates of class X examinations from NBSE. Are they real candidates or much more proxies in which corrupt practices they Manipurs are more adapt to? The students as per news reports are only from the private schools and also only from the four hill districts of Manipur. Then how many class X candidates are there in the entire Nagaland? How damaging consequences would be for the younger generations of Nagas because of this unwise decision of the DAN government. There have been many quarrels between school authorities and the poor parents of students regarding admission issues of even genuine Nagaland Naga students in the schools of Nagaland when many are denied admissions on one pretext or the other. But today, how comes such free and relief admissions of students of other states in Nagaland schools.
Neiphiu Rio is the chief minister of Nagaland and not of Manipur. If the Nagas, specially the youths have minds to think, ears to hear and eyes to see, the bodies of Neiphiu Rio and Imkong Imchen have been, by this time thrown to the streets and their flesh eaten by Dogs and Vultures. How destructive and treacherous these men are?
Secretary MIP, NSCN(K)/GPRN
Cong wants bureaucracy not democracy – Imchen The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOV 13 (MExN): State Education Minister Imkong L Imchen while defending the government’s position on the Naga political issue expressed unhappiness on the callous attitude of the Indian bureaucracy pointing out that the Naga issue had been stretched for over 60 years demonstrating clearly that, the government was interested only in ‘talking’ but not in bringing about a ‘settlement’, and having little concern about the loss of human lives.
While clearly blaming the bureaucratic establishment in New Delhi, Imchen also used the occasion to hit out at the Nagaland Congress pointing out that the recent outcry over the law and order and political situation are deliberate attempts to mislead the people so as to dismiss the DAN government and impose President’s Rule in the State. “There is no other reason or excuse for them in this regard. They want bureaucracy but not democracy”, Imchen stated in a press communiqué received here. “They cannot wait even for 5 years of people’s mandated DAN Ministry and remain as dignified opposition”, Imchen stated.
Continuing the war of words with the Opposition Congress on whether factional fighting is a law and order or political problem, Imchen refuted the statement that factional feuds are a state law and order problem. Imchen said that even in the last Congress regimes there had been continuous factional fights and killings, but it was never viewed as law and order problem of the state. If NPCC opines that the Naga freedom movement is only a mere state law and order problem, then they should come out openly negating even the declaration of the then Prime Minister Lt PV Narasimha Rao in 1996 at Dimapur, who said that the Naga issue is political and has to be politically solved, Imchen told the Congress.
He also said that for the last several years all the organizations and concerned individuals have been appealing to all Naga underground groups to stop fighting and killings and have put sincere efforts forunity, but till today it is unfortunate that there is no positive response from them.
“According to me political parties in the state should set aside their inherent differences and come together at least in this vital issue and put efforts to find a common ground so that, this political issue is put into better shape”, Imchen said. The Minister also went on to state that because of the state political parties engaging in mudslinging, the Naga issue was aggravated and today it is ‘difficult to find its beginning.’
Above all, Imchen said that it is the ‘blistering’ everyday media war amongst the different groups, which he termed as another foolishness, adding that this specter of rivalry in media should be restrained immediately and better channels of communication be devised.
NSF sets new deadline on CBI probe The Morung Express

DIMAPUR, NOV 13 (MExN): On the state government failing to comply with the demand for handing over the NPSC bribery attempt case to the CBI on or before November 12, 2006, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) had a meeting on November 13 at Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) office and seriously discussed the matter. “The Government has done nothing towards fulfillment of the demand and its statement that the matter will be discussed by the Cabinet at the earliest possible time could not convince the NSF”, stated a press communiqué issued by Imchatoba Imchen and Daniel Tep, Vice-President and Assistant General Secretary respectively of the NSF.
However, on the request tendered by the Government to desist from taking its own course of action while the matter will be discussed by the Cabinet at the earliest possible time, the meeting unanimously decided to extend the deadline till November 25 failing which the NSF would initiate its own course of action for which the NSF will not hold responsibility for any eventuality, it stated. The NSF also informed its federating units and subordinate bodies to get ready for ‘one more war against social evil’ that has been seriously haunting the NPSC in particular and the Naga society in general. “We also take this opportunity to appeal all the Nagas to extend fullest cooperation to the student community in their fight against social injustice/evil. Truth prevails and we shall overcome”, the NSF stated.
Destroying ourselves- Nagaland Post Opinion
The much talked about peace, unity and reconciliation amongst the Nagas and the hopes and expectations of the people for a new dawn appears to have evaporated in thin air. Factional killings and current paper wars between the factions have dampened the prospects of better days for the Nagas. The political scenario in Nagaland manifests political bankruptcy. Organisations which are supposed to be fighting for the cause of the people are fighting among themselves to finish each other. Instead of defining or redefining their national principles or objectives, all of them are unnecessarily engaged in digging out the past to take political mileage. They don't realize the irreparable damage being done to the Naga political movement by exposing all the internal differences, feuds and weaknesses in the organization. Enemies of the Nagas will take full advantage of the divisions and weaknesses of the political organizations which are engaged in political dialogue with the Government of India. They themselves have thoroughly exposed themselves to the public and the world at large that they are rotten and despicable. They have not only been washing their dirty linen in public, they have also exposed their nakedness to the public. Instead of concentrating their time and energy on vital social or national issues they are frittering their energy on inconsequent issues.
Another very peculiar phenomenon of the present political scenario in Nagaland is the intolerance of others' points of view on any issue. It shows the deplorable political health of the organizations which cannot and do not digest even a small dose of difference. They tend to over react to anything said or spoken which is not pleasing to their ears. It should be remembered that to the Nagas national principles would mean democratic principles and the people have a legitimate right to have a say in determining their political future. To the Nagas, national political objective would mean a future that is beneficial to the people at large. Any political framework which will protect their identity and secure their life and property and make them equals with the rest of the world will be acceptable to them. Unfortunately, the people of Nagai and are witnessing a conflict which is completely devoid of these imperatives. Of late, there have been quite some allegations and clarifications between the NSCN and SC Jamir, Governor of Goa and veteran politician. As stated by Jamir in one of his recent press notes, he has been associated very closely with almost all the political and historical events of the State of Nagaland and no wonder, he is in the eye of the political storm effected by the NSCN factions. Most of the points raised by the NSCN such as payment of crores of Rupees to NSCN (IM)'s V.S Atem, Bedrock of Naga Society, the "Oku Shilu letter", Peace Offensive and Quit Notices, Rs 103 crore of rupees which was supposed to have been channeled to the SC Jamir ministry to suppress the Naga aspiration etc, are allegations raised several times in the past and have been amply replied to by SC Jamir himself.
However, the recent tirade against Jamir by the NSCN (1M) has raised some new points which have to be considered in depth without any bias by the Naga people. The NSCN (1M) has alleged that SC Jamir aspires to "push the Naga national movement into the coffin and bury it under the Indian Constitutional Cemetery." Now, what is the position of the NSCN (1M) vis-a-vis the Constitution of India? The July 30, 2006 talks at Bangkok between representatives of the Government of India and the NSCN (1M) leadership, more or less revolved around the "framework" proposed by Michael Van Walt, head of the Dutch NGO called Kreddha.
This framework seeks to set up a Naga Constitution "within the framework of the Constitution of India" and that it would be done "in a separate chapter"! Apart from the federal relation that the NSCN (1M) has been saying all this while, the basic idea behind the Van Walt Framework is a separate Naga Constitution within the Indian Constitution. The 30 points Charter of Demands/Competencies talk about what has been termed as an "asymmetrical federalism" and this has been amply clarified or made known to the people by VS Atem in his interview to CNN-IBN and which published in the local papers on October 3, 2006: "We have never been trying to secede from India... where is the question of secession? Yes, we have our own Tatar Hoho and we will continue to have it No compromise on that.
So naturally after the solution, the Government of India must be responsible for our development morally, politically responsible. Indian Government cannot just wash off its hands and go away. We don't hesitate to tell the Indian leaders - yes, we have confidence in the Indian currency." For all practical purposes, the negotiations between the Government of India and the NSCN (1M) are concentrated on changing the contents of Part XI of the Constitution of India which deals with the relations between the Centre and the States. No matter what the NSCN (1M) calls it, whether "asymmetrical federalism" or "sharing of competencies", the talks appear to be confmed to the change in the items in the three lists, namely, the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List. Therefore, the allegation that Jamir is trying to bury the Naga national movement in the Indian Constitutional Cemetery implies that he, Jamir had authored these "substantive issues" and that the NSCN (1M) leadership has been negotiating with the Government of India to push the Naga national movement into the coffin of the Constitution of India according to the lines designed by Jamir! Can one therefore, assume that there is a secret understanding between Governor of Goa SC Jamir and the NSCN (1M) leaders to bring the Naga people to the mainstream of the Indian Union?
AU these years, the one-point agenda of the NSCN (1M) has been SC Jamir. He has been criticized for aU the ills of the Naga society and things came to such a pass that Jamir himself revealed in quite a few public meetings when he was the Chief Minister of NagaI and that for him, these criticisms were like vitamins - they keep him going. Is there any secret pact between the NSCN (1M) and SC Jamir to present a larger-than-life Jamir to the world? Did Jamir, as the then Chief Minister of Nagaland give a ftee hand to the NSCN (1M) during the last Assembly Elections in 2003 with the understanding that they, the NSCN (1M) would rule Nagaland and Jamir would be rewarded with an appointment to the gubernatorial post he holds now?
This may sound absurd to many but let us consider a few issues. Why is it that the NSCN (1M) is making it seem like Jamir was the author of the 16-point Agreement? Jamir was nowhere in the picture when the Naga People's Convention was formed in 1957. He joined the NPC as the Joint Secretary only in 1958 and worked with Naga leaders who were much older and more experienced than him. But somehow, the NSCN (1M) is making the people start to think that Jamir was the founder of the NPC and also the author of 16-point Agreement and ultimately the father of Nagaland State. Then again, whenever there is a temporary absence of Jamir's name in the news, the NSCN (1M) tends to bring out one issue or the other to ensure that Jamir's name remains in the minds of the people. For instance, the "Oku Shilu" letter of 1963. Is it the intention of the NSCN (1M) to keep on reminding time and again that Jamir, who was only 32 then and who was the then Parliamentary Secretary to Nehru, was able to change the mind, and ultimately the political outlook of the great man Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru himself with regard to the Naga political issue by making him, Nehru, rephrase his statement on the floor of Parliament that he was wiling to meet the Naga leader AZ Phizo in consultation with the Government of Nagaland? Is this "Oku Shilu" letter published time and again to defame Jamir or to glorify him? To my mind, this glorifies Jamir because no man on earth had openly gone against Nehru and changed Nehru's mind except Jamir. At least, no one else that we know of had gone against any statement of Nehru and change his mind set!
And then again, the NSCN (1M) has said that the Government of India had channeled funds to the tune of Rs 103 crore to Jamir to suppress the Naga movement. Is this their way of glorifying Jamir? Is Jamir really that influential in the country to convince lhoodwink the Central Government, and that too, a BJP-Ied Government to channel ise such a huge amount of money secretly? Consider this again: Jamir's Chazouba function was properly highlighted by the NPF and in the process, Jamir got more publicity than any of his spin-doctors could ever bargain for! But just as the issue was dying down, the NSCN (1M) brought out their "missive" against Jamir and ensured that his name hogged the limelight again. The NSCN (1M)' s obsession with Jamir is getting more than a wee bit suspicious. It appears that slowly, the connection between Jamir and the NSCN (1M) is being revealed and that the paper wars between them are stage managed for their mutual gain!
Bendang Ao, Arkong Ward, Mokokchung.
Ulfa talks not derailed: Centre Nagaland Post
New Delhi, Nov 13 (Agencies): The central government Monday said talks with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) have not derailed even as an explosion rocked a busy marketplace in Guwahati Monday injuring one person. National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan conveyed this to Indira Goswami and Rebati Phukan - the two mediators named by the ULFA to hold talks with the government.
"The government expressed its willingness to hold talks with the ULFA as soon as the group provides it with a date for discussions," Goswami told IANS. "But the government has also called upon the ULFA to immediately cease its subversive activities," she added. New Delhi had announced a major offensive against the ULFA after two powerful explosions last weekend in Assam's main city of Guwahati killed 15 people and wounded 40. The group, however, has denied its involvement in the attacks.
"I also conveyed to Mr. Narayanan (ULFA chairman) Arabinda Rajkhowa's denial (of the ULFA role in the blasts)," Goswami said. She acknowledged that they had mandate of the banned organisation and conveyed to the Centre that ULFA had not carried out the Fancy Bazar (Guwahati) blast on November five which left over 10 people dead. Asked whether ULFA had a hand in the second blast outside Guwahati refinery in the same day, Phukan said "we don't know. We have been only asked to convey that the Fancy bazar blast was not carried out by them".
Peace talks between ULFA representatives and the government broke down last month after the civil society team - People's Consultative Group (PCG) - pulled out of the peace process criticising New Delhi for calling off the truce.
There were three rounds of talks between the PCG and the government peace negotiators. The ULFA wants the release of five of its jailed leaders as a precondition to holding talks. In return, New Delhi wants the rebel leaders to commit in writing that they would come for direct negotiations if the jailed militants were released. The rebel outfit is not willing to make written commitment, leading to the collapse of the peace process.
"It's time the ULFA cling on to this opportunity and come forward," Goswami said. This is Sahitya Akademi winner Goswami's last try for brokering a solution before she leaves for her native Assam next week to continue her literary pursuits. Meanwhile, the explosion in Guwahati took place near Fancy Bazaar area.
"A person was injured in his face and a parked vehicle was damaged. We are investigating the matter and not sure about the nature of the explosion," an Assam police official said. On Sunday night, rebels blew up a pipeline of the world's oldest operating Digboi refinery. "It would take us another two days to repair the damaged pipeline," an Indian Oil Corporation official said. The ULFA rebels have stepped up attacks after New Delhi called off a temporary six-week ceasefire on Sep 24 amid deadlocked peace talks with the group's representatives.
Rishang flays UG threats to Congress candidates Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Nov 13: Taking strong exception of the threats issued by UG elements against Congress candidates in the hill constituencies of Manipur, seasoned politician and Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing noted that the people of Manipur, being citizens of a democratic country need not follow their diktats. Speaking at the Congress workers' conference organised by Sekmai Block Congress Committee at Kanglatongbi Mandir ground under Sekmai Assembly constituency today, the former Chief Minister appealed to the people not to pay heed to the call of UG elements not to cast votes in favour of Congress candidates in the hill constituencies of the State. He observed that UG groups did not have the strength to block the elections. Apart from asking people not to support Congress candidates, UG groups have been working to ensure success of the candidates put up by them, charged Rishang. He asserted that these UG groups who did not believe in the democratic system of India have been sponsoring their own hand-picked candidates with the ulterior motive to earn easy money after elections. Appealing to the people not to take the words of UG groups, the MP called upon them to study the candidates sponsored by the UG groups. Noting that the prevailing situation in the State was disheartening, he flayed the short-sighted and self-seeking attitude of the political activists in both the hills and valley. Taking a dig at the boycott call made against the visit of the President of India and the proposed visit of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and AICC president Sonia Gandhi, the veteran Congress leader contended that whatever development visible in the State was made possible by the money provided by the Government of India. He further questioned those people calling for boycott if they had done anything for the welfare of people.
Conveying strong disapproval at the economic blockade imposed by ATSUM along the National highways, Rishang observed that frequent imposition of bandhs and blockades only brought untold miseries and hardships to the people of both the hills and valley.
Taking part in the political conference, the former candidate of Sekmai A/C Kh Amujao asserted that even as little development activities were taken up in the constituency because of its MLA being in the opposition, the Congress party has been doing all it can to bring development in the Assembly segment. The conference was also attended by MPCC president Gaikhangam, Tourism Minister TN Haokip, MLAs W Brajabidhu, Radhakishore and A Aza.
Ops to stop only after written commitment from ULFA: Centre The Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Nov 13 – Toughening its stand against ULFA, the Centre today conveyed to the Peoples’ Consultative Group that operations against the banned group would be stopped only after they gave a written commitment for holding direct talks with the government, reports PTI. “The Centre has asked for a written commitment from ULFA about the date of holding talks,” Assamese writer Indira Goswami told reporters after an hour-long meeting with National Security Advisor MK Narayanan. Asked whether there was any demand from ULFA for ceasing of operation launched by Army and police against its cadres in Assam, she said “they will automatically cease once ULFA comes for talks.”
Ball now in ULFA's court for talks, says Goswami By IANS
Guwahati, Nov 14 (IANS) Top rebel mediator and noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami has appealed to the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to positively respond to New Delhi's offer of peace talks.
'I request the ULFA leadership to give a letter mentioning the date and time for holding peace talks with the Indian government,' Goswami, sought by the ULFA to mediate for talks, told IANS over the phone from New Delhi. Goswami's appeal comes in the wake of an unconditional offer by Indian government peace negotiators to hold talks with the ULFA. The latest offer for talks was made by India's National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan during a meeting late Monday in New Delhi with two ULFA representatives - Goswami and Rebati Phukan.
'The ball is now in the ULFA's court as the fresh offer for talks by the government has no preconditions unlike in the past. 'The government is now simply asking the ULFA to give them a letter mentioning the time and date for holding talks,' Goswami, who teaches modern Indian languages at the Delhi University, said. The Indian government Sep 24 called off a six-week ceasefire and resumed military operations blaming the ULFA for stepping up attacks and extortions. In the past one month, the ULFA, fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979, has triggered at least two dozen explosions, killing at least 25 people and wounding some 50, besides blowing up oil and gas pipelines. 'I faced a very hostile government team of negotiators in the meeting and was in a very delicate situation in view of the attacks going on in Assam. I never faced such a situation before,' Goswami said.
'But the one positive thing that emerged out of the meeting was that the government is still hoping to get the peace talks on.' 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. There were three rounds of talks between the ULFA chosen PCG and the Indian government peace negotiators. The ULFA wanted the release of five of their jailed leaders as a precondition to holding peace talks. New Delhi in return wanted 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 give it in writing, leading to the collapse of the peace process. 'I personally think that it is a big climb down by the government as they simply want the ULFA to give the date and time for talks with no other conditions like in the past,' Goswami said.
The ULFA is one of the 30 odd rebel armies operating in India's northeast, where insurgencies have claimed more than 50,000 lives since 1947.
Certainly not 'our boys' By Indian Express
The twin explosions that rocked the Assam capital on November 5, leaving 15 dead, has brought three significant aspects to the fore. One, militants can strike at will, notwithstanding the beefed-up security that the authorities talk about. Two, that the ULFA still has the capability to do great damage, even after being considerably weakened after the Operation All-Clear was carried out by the Royal Bhutanese Army in December 2003. Three, that Assam's civil society is yet to speak out against violence and terrorism, even though people are getting increasingly disenchanted with violent ideologies. Every time militants strike, the routine follows predictable lines: a security review is ordered, an announcement is made of 'renewed' operations as well as more coordination and intelligence sharing among the security forces. This is followed by statements about the strength of the ULFA, stories about their desperation, and about how some of its cadre are anxious to surrender. Finally, there are some retaliatory killings, like the one that left a 5-year-old boy dead at Pengeri in Upper Assam on Wednesday. The pattern on the ULFA front is also the same: it prefers to remain silent if the casualty figure is high, or it may sometimes deny involvement or even blame the government for the incident. In the latest case, too, it has kept quiet, except for one statement made by its vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi - who has been in jail for over seven years now. Gogoi maintained that the ULFA was not involved in the Guwahati blasts. The outfit had behaved similarly, when ten innocent children were killed in an explosion at Dhemaji, in Upper Assam, during school Independence Day ceremonies two years ago. People are certainly outraged by such attacks, but the government has repeatedly failed to capitalise on this and turn public opinion against violence and terrorism. Interestingly, the public response after the Guwahati blasts has been fairly subdued and the reason for this is simple: people believe that there are too many powerful interests which do not want insurgency to end. Look at the changing pattern of ULFA's activities. The outfit was more into gunning down individuals until, say, 2001. The year 2002 saw a significant shift in the pattern in violence since the ULFA's inception in 1979: the outfit started using explosives for the first time. While it caused 18 explosions in 2002, the figure went up slightly the next year. But what has been happening since 2004 is indeed noteworthy: the group caused 103 explosions that year, which went up to 121 in 2005. This year, the ULFA has also caused a 100 explosions. If intelligence reports are to be believed, the strength of the ULFA has also come down significantly, from around 4,000 during its peak in 1990-91to just about 800 now. Although these figures can be misleading, official records also maintain that while over 11,000 rebels have been arrested since 1991, and about 8,500 have surrendered, at least 1,100 have died in encounters with the security forces. Going by recent arrests, it has been proved beyond doubt that the ULFA has, like most other armed groups, started recruiting young boys to carry out their activities, including planting explosive devices and throwing grenades. Significantly, the outfit has been consistently losing public support. There was a time when a large section of society was quite happy with its activities, especially since it had managed to create a Robin Hood image for itself - helped by friendly media coverage. But a lot of water has flowed down the Brahmaputra in the past two decades, and public attitudes have also changed significantly. People across the state are now increasingly taking out processions and organising meetings to protest against killings by the ULFA. Subscribing to the ULFA's argument that the region has been long neglected by New Delhi is one thing; supporting the ULFA's violent acts quite another. And as far as explosions, killings, abductions and extortions are concerned, the average Assamese has already gathered courage to fight them. What is disappointing is that there is little support for them in this battle - either from political parties, civil society organisations like the Assam Sahitya Sabha, or the government. That is the present tragedy of Assam.

Arunachal is Chinese land: envoy Courtesy: The Hindu Nagarealm
New Delhi: Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese territory, Beijing's envoy to Delhi has said ahead of the country's President's visit to India on November 20. In an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN, Chinese Ambassador Sun Yuxi reiterated his country's claim to the strategically important state and said the border dispute with India was complicated and would take time to resolve.
“In our position the whole of what you call the state of Arunachal Pradesh is Chinese territory and Tawang (district) is only one place in it and we are claiming all of that-that's our position,” said Ambassador Sun Yuxi. Sun Yuxi avoided a question on China wanting India to give up nuclear weapons. "Unfortunately, we have five nuclear weapons powers in the world. That number should be reduced. We will be very happy if we can give up our nuclear weapons and are working for an international agreement on elimination of nuclear weapons," he said.

Long march to settlement China cites the Tawang Monastery, one of the last vestiges of Mahayana Buddhism, as evidence that the mountainous district of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh once belonged to Tibet and that India should hand it back to help settle the row. The dispute over the 3,500-km India-China border led to the 1962 war. New Delhi disputes Beijing's rule over 38,000 sq km of barren, icy and uninhabited land on the Tibetan plateau, which China seized from India in the 1962 war. China, for its part, claims 90,000 sq km of territory in Arunachal Pradesh.
Within that disputed area is Tawang and its monastery. The neighbours have held several rounds of talks since 1981 to resolve the dispute but have so far failed to make progress. Last year, they agreed on an 11-point roadmap to settle the border row in light of booming bilateral trade and growing ties. The proposal was seen as an attempt towards accepting the status quo and hammering out a swap whereby China would give up claims in the east in return for India's recognition of Chinese sovereignty in the strategic Aksai Chin area in the west.
Although both sides seemed amenable to such a deal, Beijing's demand for Tawang - and India's refusal to part with any populated territories - has created a stumbling block.