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01/29/2007: "Myanmar crackdown puts NE ultras on the run"

Myanmar crackdown puts NE ultras on the run Zee News
Guwahati, Jan 29: A major military crackdown by Myanmar has sent Northeast separatists fleeing and left a growing death toll, a rebel leader told a news agency. The junta had burnt down the general headquarters and two camps held by the SS Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K). "Heavy fighting is going on with a brigade (about 3,000 men) of the Myanmarese army using mortars and rocket launchers, launching a massive assault on our cadres since the weekend," senior NSCN-K leader AZ Jami said by telephone. The NSCN-K, fighting for an independent homeland for Naga tribal peoples in the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland, has at least 50 camps with some 5,000 guerrilla fighters in Sagaing, northern Myanmar.

"We have lost three of our cadres and as many wounded in the attacks. In retaliatory strikes, our boys killed more than 12 Myanmarese soldiers and injured many more," the rebel leader said.
"About 60 of our cadres who were at the general headquarters during the raid managed to flee the camp."

The offensive comes a week after India`s Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited Yangon and sought the junta`s help against rebels from the northeast who have sought refuge across the border.

"The offensive by the military junta has the backing of the Indian government with most of the weapons used in the operation supplied by New Delhi," another senior rebel leader said, asking not to be named. Mukherjee`s trip followed reports that hundreds of rebels from Assam escaped into Myanmar after India launched a military operation against the guerrillas earlier this month.

Authorities in Assam blamed the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) for violence that saw 86 people killed -- mostly Hindi-speaking migrant workers. At least four other militant groups from India`s northeast, including the ULFA, have training camps in Myanmar`s jungles.

There was no confirmation of the military offensive from Myanmar. The NSCN`s Khaplang faction has observed a ceasefire with New Delhi since 2001 although peace talks have not started.

Myanmar had last year also launched a military operation against the NSCN-K and overran several of their bases. India and Myanmar share a 1,640-kilometer (1,000-mile) unfenced border. More than 50,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in the northeast since India`s independence in 1947. Bureau Report

Naga bodies hail peace proclamation Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, January 28: The frontal Naga organisations have expressed happiness over the recent proclamation for peace reconciliation and forgiveness made by NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu and the subsequent announcement of NSCN-K Prime Minister Kitovi.

"This is one of the brightest moment in our history. Many dedicated Nagas have been praying for understanding and reconciliation among the Nagas, may God name the praise," the statement of the Naga frontal organizations said.
The United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Peoples Mvement for Human Rights (NPMHR-South Sector), All Naga Students Association, Manipur ( ANSAM ) and Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM) issued this statement to Newmai news Network which said that they were overwhelmed by the gestures of both the leaders.
"This is the glorious pre-beginning for the Naga people and appreciate the wisdom of the leaders of both the factions for taking peace initiation in our land".
May the blessing of love and forgiveness ignited by the two leaders on behalf of their respective factions braved the warm that was desperately needed in the Naga society," stated the Naga frontal organisations.
It is worth noting that while NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu had called for "reconciliation, forgiveness and compassion to ring all over Nagalim", NSCN-K prime minister Kitovi called for collective wisdom that "we must renew our aspects in all walks of life to integrate the restricted boundary to the zenith of rationale living".
Junta overruns NSCN-K base - Leaders flee but Khaplang stays put OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Jan. 28: Barring the reclusive S.S. Khaplang, all top leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) have fled Myanmar in the wake of a military attack on its general headquarters in that country. The raid on the NSCN (K)’s camp, which also harbours Ulfa, came days after the junta assured external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee of complete support in flushing out Northeast militants from its territory.
The militant group’s information and publicity kilonser (minister), A.Z. Jami, confirmed the military raid on the camp, located about 60 km from the Nagaland town of Mon. “Nearly 100 of our members were at the headquarters when the soldiers attacked it. They held on to the base for about two hours but were outnumbered,” he said. Jami claimed that there was no casualty on the NSCN (K)’s side. “Three of our boys were wounded in the attack, but there was heavy casualty on their side.”
Official sources, however, said the militant group lost several of its men and that only Khaplang did not flee to adjoining Nagaland. Jami admitted that several “smaller camps” were destroyed in the operation by Myanmarese troops over the past few days. “Some Ulfa camps have also been overrun,” he said. On whether Khaplang was still in Myanmar, the NSCN (K) spokesman said there was no threat to the council headquarters where the militant leader is holed up. “Although the scale of the operation is big, there is no threat to Khaplang.”
Jami said the NSCN (K) was expecting another wave of military raids and would be better prepared to repulse the troops. The Myanmarese army is reportedly advancing towards the fortified council headquarters of the outfit. Although NSCN (K) and Ulfa militants have sneaked into Nagaland to escape the operations, security forces on this side of the border have been held back by the truce between the Centre and the two factions of the NSCN .
Supported by Delhi in terms of military equipment and financial assistance, the Myanmarese army claims to have killed hundreds of NSCN (K) members since 2001. But the Naga group continues to stick to Myanmarese territory. Jami said Delhi was trying to smoke the NSCN (K) out of Myanmar on the pretext of flushing out Ulfa militants.
Accusing the government of being insincere, he urged the “collective leadership” of the outfit to do a rethink on persisting with the truce agreement. “I urge our leaders to pull out of the ongoing ceasefire to salvage our organisation.”
Jami said both Khaplang and general secretary Kitovi Zhimomi had told him that they would wait some more time before taking a decision on whether to call off the truce. Delhi has been engaged in dialogue with the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) for several years but talks with the Khaplang group have not even begun.
NSCN(K)'s final quit note Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 28: The Khaplang faction of the NSCN has once again asked all the Tangkhuls to leave Nagaland within one week's time, reports NNN from Dimapur dated Jan 28.While issuing a statement to this effect tonight, the NSCN-K said that this will be the 'Final Quit Notice' to the Tangkhul community to leave Nagaland.
The deadline given to the Tangkhuls to go away from Nagaland this time is February 5.The NSCN-K further stated that it has asked its cadres to make sure that the "directive is implemented in letter and spirit." While warning the Tangkhuls in Nagaland, the NSCN-K said that that after February 5 if any unpleasant action is inflicted on the Tangkhul community in Nagaland it would be counted as "self-inflicted punishment and no Naga organization or NSCN/GPRN (Khaplang faction) can be blamed." The "Final Quit Notice" signed by deputy kilonser, MIP/NSCN (K), Seochem Sangtam stated it is already more than seven months now that the Tangkhuls have been asked to leave Nagaland.
"But instead of leaving Nagaland, the Tangkhuls are doing more harm to the Nagas. The best example is the recent killing of Vikuto alias Neon Sema at Hebron. He was skinned alive and his fingers cut, all his bones broken and his flesh all bruised. However, bad or enraged Naga people would never ever commit such satanic acts. It is the Tangkhuls who commit such beastly acts," the NSCN-K charged.
NNP releases manifesto Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 28: The election manifesto, handbills and photo posters of Naga National Party (NNP) was released at the Nagaram, Imphal residence of 43 Phungyar A/C candidate Valley Rose Hungyo on January 26, informed an NNP release.

Earlier, the party's flag was also hoisted by its president Ng Hungyo. Moreover, January 26 was also observed as 'Silent Protest Day' during which two minutes' silence was observed praying against all the ugly and unwanted happenings among the Nagas in the entire Nagaland/Nagalim.
Army nabs Assam massacre perpetrators Nitin Gokhale :NDTV
Barely three weeks after the ULFA attacks in Assam, in which over 60 people lost their lives, the army says its has nabbed some of the people responsible for the massacre of workers of Bihari origin. NDTV's Nitin Gokhale was in Assam and he pieced together the story of how the ULFA struck and what their real objective has been. For over two weeks after the killings, Mengal was on the run, hiding in the nearby jungles. In the meantime the army had nabbed his mentor Tarun Mahanta. The troops were all over the place and the pressure on Mengal was unbearable, surrender seemed the only option. So two days before the Republic Day Mengal gave himself up to the army. Now he regrets being involved in the killings. "I didn't like the way ULFA targeted the Biharis. I didn't fire the gun myself. I don't want to be part of the campaign that targets non-Assamese speaking people. That's why after assurance from the army and appeal from my own people I have decided to come out," said Mengal Moran, surrendered ULFA cadre. The missing pieces of the early January carnage in Upper Assam are now falling into place. The 28th battalion of the ULFA, considered its strike force, had deputed two groups to carry out the killings.

School dropouts One of the groups was active in Sibsagar district. Three of the killers ran into an army and police roadblock, two of them were killed in the skirmish.
The killings forced another support group to flee towards Nagaland, led by a woman cadre Mitu Deka. This group was arrested in Nagaland. The group was on its way to Myanmar where the ULFA's 28th battalion has its main camp. A majority of these cadres in their early twenties are school dropouts. They now form the backbone of the ULFA's network in Assam while its top leaders continue to operate from the bases in Bangladesh.
Nearly 28 years after it was formed, the ULFA is now mainly focused on collecting huge amounts of money through extortions. A young and relatively new cadre like Mengal Moran himself had collected Rs 50 lakh in the past one year alone. "We are a constant target of ULFA. They call us threaten us, many people are paying up, but no one admits to it," said a trader in Upper Assam.

Extortion nexus Officials of the Indian Oil Corporation in Digboi, the collieries in Margherita and tea companies all are forced to pay up, although very few admit paying. The January killings were mainly aimed at instill a sense of fear among traders and outsiders so that they would continue to pay.
"Our main challenge is to stop extortions, but no one comes forward willingly. We cannot protect everyone. The ULFA's main function in these areas is to collect money," said Col Vijendra Vats, CO, 19 Kumaon of the Indian Army. It is this money that is used to purchase arms that are finally used in attacks like the killings of labourers from Bihar.
Operations against ULFA in Upper assay are mainly concentrated on breaking this extortion nexus. In 2005 the ULFA had collected over Rs 180 crore. In 2006 this figure was close to Rs 100 crore. If extortions can be stopped, the army believes, much ULFA strength will diminish.
Naga frontal groups laud top NSCN leaders The Morung Express

Imphal, Jan 28 (NNN): The frontal Naga organisations have expressed great happiness over the recent proclamation for peace, reconciliation and forgiveness made by NSCN-IM Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and the subsequent announcement of NSCN-K Prime Minister Kitovi. “This is one of the brightest moments in our history. Many dedicated Naga homes have been praying for understanding and reconciliation among the Nagas, may God’s name be praised,” the statement of the Naga frontal organizations comprising the UNC, NPMHR-South Sector, ANSAM and Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM) stated.
UNC-Cong face-off in Naga Hills Newmai News Network
Imphal It’s heading for the lock-horning of the Congress candidates and those from the United Naga Council (UNC)’s ‘Consensus Candidates’ that will be dominating Manipur’s 9th Assembly Election events in the four hill districts of Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel. Although the UNC is yet to declare the names of the ‘Consensus Candidates’ for the Assembly Constituencies of Tengnoupal, Chandel, Tamenglong and Nungba, highly placed sources said that things are almost ready now and it is likely that the UNC will be announcing the names of candidates for the four remaining constituencies anytime from now.
Of course, there are other independent candidates and also candidates from some other political parties other than the Congress party who will be in the fray in these four hill districts. Some independent candidates who had signed the UNC’s declaration paper on January 16 at Senapati but who were not included in the list of those ‘Consensus Candidates’ have also been campaigning.
In the overall scenario, this time it is quite dull when compared to the past Assembly Elections in the four hill districts. One main factor for the present trend could be the UNC’s prohibition on election related feastings, merry making, partying, holding concerts in the four hill districts which is otherwise noisy time for any general election.
But it will be wrong to conclude that the election atmosphere is somber in these districts. There are under-currents and strong push-pull electioneering activities. The tempo among the people can be read as very high and it is just that different factors have changed the course of the stream for good or for bad.
However, it has been just that the old election parasites are missing the pork and the feasting smoke billowing up from the political camps are things of the past.
‘Muivah, Swu’s visit quashed Nagas’ hope for peace’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, Jan 28 (MExN): The Nagas had high expectations when NSCN-IM Chairman and General Secretary Th. Muivah arrived in Nagaland, that a halt to the killings would be made and “bring peace”. Rather, their arrival is only a reflection of the NSCN-IM ridding of anyone who opposes socialism, says the Naga National Council (NNC).
“It was indeed the Naga people have an expectation that Isak and Th. Muivah would show a good gesture to stop killing and to bring peace among the Nagas when they returned home with desperation” NNC member Thomas stated with the regret that when the rival camp was attacked January 8 2007 killing one NSCN-K cadre “which took place as soon as Isak reached home”.
Taking note of this, the NNC termed the peace proclamation of Chairman Swu –“whosoever has committed crime against the people and the NSCN (IM) is forgiven, in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and to glorify His name” – as indeed a trick to kill more Nagas. When Muivah landed Dimapur on January 9, the NSCN-IM abducted one Lichumthung Ezung and killed him on the same day and also when Isak and Th. Muivah were fasting and praying, two of Konyak youths were abducted on January 12 and killed them the next morning in Kohima.
In a lengthy statement, NNC member Thomas gave a “profile” of Chairman Swu and General Secretary Th. Muivah:
In April and May, Naga national leaders had thorough discussions on new formation of Isak-Muivah’s ministry, which was formed in 1976. Leaders like T Venuh, Mayanger and Ngathingkhui Ahum pronounced the “new formation of 1976 was a gross violation of Nagaland Yehzabo”; that Isak-Muivah possessed no authority to summon a Tatar Hoho (Parliament assembly) or to form a new ministry, since they were only a Minister of the FGN and General Secretary of the NNC (respectively); that since the beginning, the NNC and FGN had two entity heads. Therefore, these two offices cannot be put on a single head; that the office of the President, FGN should not be in a foreign land “lest our national Government be an exile Government.”
It was also averred that socialism should not be adopted. “If we adopt it another division among the Nagas will be taken place and the blood of Nagas will flow like a river. The living way of Nagas is traditional democracy and also now 95% of Naga people are Christians. Therefore, they will never accept socialism” the leaders are said to have opined “When the revolutionary government was formed in 1968 we faced a setback, and if another division is take place among us we will face a setback again. We have to first maintain and consider for the national unity and integrity, and therefore we should not adopt socialism and neither should we try to overthrow the leadership of Phizo” the statement pointed out. However, Th. Muivah rejected the advice of the leaders and refused to meet senior Naga national leaders who were staying in Kohima while they were trying to meet Isak and Muivah for mutual understanding.
“They branded every Naga who opposed their socialism as Accordist and condemned as traitor and killed them. But now Isak-Muivah group is openly and diligently involving in the Indian elections by sending its own candidates. And even Muivah stated in no uncertain terms that “We have come down from our demand of absolute sovereignty and stand for a special federal relationship with India...to whom they blame for such self-defeat?” the NNC wondered. Sovereignty of Nagaland is God’s gift and the Nagas have at no point of time dreamt to sell out their sovereignty and will never be and “reconciliation with God is to repent and confess our sins” the NNC asserted. Politically reconciliation means to relinquish wrong policies, divisive attitude, sectarianism and reunite with the parent political body or national mainstream. To reconcile among the brothers is to bury all rancor, enmity and to forgive each other” it stated adding that Nagas know which is their parent body “and national mainstream” and would stick with the NNC/FGN.
“Also, at all cost the Nagas will defend and maintain their traditional democracy, which handed down to them by their ancestral fathers. They will never allow to substitute it with terrorism, socialism and dictatorship of Isak and Muivah. No one can stop the Nagas to defend their sovereignty and traditional democracy. And, no power of the world can resist the force of the people” it added.
Naga National Party clarifies The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JAN 28 (MExN): Replying to the United Naga Council, the Naga National Party today clarified that it is not educating people with “ulterior motives” in mind, as against a report carried in The Morung Express. A press release issued by S Muinao, General Secretary of the Party, said the NNP has been working for the last eight years, from its formation, to bring awareness on “Naga identity, Naga integration, Naga on-going Peace Process and other Naga common aspirations and interests as well as peaceful co-existence and ‘good-neighbourhood’” with peoples of the North East.
Muinao said the NNP is not making allegations and false charges against MLAs/ex-MLAs mentioned by UNC President Paul Leo for contesting the elections but “rather we are questioning how and why NGO like UNC have selected those MLAs to be their consensus candidates against their election mobilization campaign, and against their paper circulation.”
Holding their stand that they are not against any candidate including present MLAs, the NNP stated that on the contrary, UNC issued ‘cautious warning’ to the candidates and political parties but not to their independent candidates. Maintaining that NNP is a ‘true’ Naga party that stands for common issues of the Nagas, the release said the Party’s stand for Naga integration “as even before we resigned from the Samata Party and we stood firmly for the same till today.”
The NNP has reiterated that it wants “solution of Naga political issue rather than meaningless election.”
Pointing out that the UNC, as a social organization, is not expected to involve in active electoral processes, the NNP appealed to all Nagas in Manipur not to allow any Naga non-political organization to participate in the 9th Manipur legislative election campaign for any party or candidate “otherwise their action would be depriving the democratic rights of the people.” The release further clarified that NNP President Ng Hungyo had not mentioned the names of ANSAM and NMA during a telephonic conversation with this newspaper, the news of which appeared on January 25.
It is “Vini, Vidi, Vici” for Governor Oken Jeet Sandham Perspective The Morung Express
The Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta who is completing his term as Governor in next few days is one who has really contributed his part for the growth of the State. He was closely involved in the peace process while he was IB Director. He was busy setting things right for smooth discussion of the NSCN-IM and the Government of India. He was present in number of talks between the leaders of the outfit and the representatives of the Government of India held at various parts of the world.
Sending him right after his retirement from the IB Chief as Governor of Nagaland by the then NDA Government at the Center was mainly to help expedite the ongoing peace process and see the grounds for strengthening the process and create peaceful environment. And it is no wrong choosing a man who is high profiled and has vast knowledge in the country’s issues and problems to become Governor of Nagaland. It is rare having such a man who has the knowledge of the Naga issue as Governor, although he, as Governor, might have limited role to play but when he himself knows the subject of the ongoing peace process, it carries sense and those players in the theater cannot undermine him.
Governor Datta’s first media interaction, to which I was also present, soon after his taking over the reign at Raj Bhavan Kohima, was significant. He was quite frank, on the contrary of the press persons’ initial assumption that he would be hard nut to crack at being a man from country’s elite intelligent club. He tried his best to quickly shed his tough posture to invite the frankness from the media herd. He wanted to know many things from the media side about the prevailing situation in Nagaland and also equally interested to know how the local media had been functioning in the State. On the other hand, the media persons instead of asking his reaction to his new assignment as State Governor were more interested to know his past experience as IB Chief. This had taken him rather by surprise and he candidly and quickly admitted that working as IB Chief of the vast country like ours had a lot of tasks. He narrated the highly complicated and compartmentalized working system in IB set up. The system itself made him solitary and interaction with the public was extremely rare. Then he admitted quickly with the huge difference he would now carry on as a Constitutional custodian and fly off at a tangent.
He was thrilled knowing at the high rate of newspaper readership in Nagaland and English as Official language of the State. And in fact, Datta still maintains his classic English in all his public addresses and interactions even to the lower level. At one occasion, which was oddly dominated by the mainland people, he was requested to speak in Hindi. But he politely refused and started addressing in English. Datta came to Nagaland as Governor when SC Jamir was the Chief Minister of Nagaland and the present Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as Home Minister. He must have had fewer headaches and more relief then because Jamir’s Congress Ministry was literally without opposition except one Independent MLA Mavil Khieya, who at times acted as Opposition, keeping the 60-Member House a good-humor atmosphere. His gubernatorial experience actually began when Jamir Ministry was dethroned by the NPF-led DAN coalition. No sooner had Rio Ministry been formed than he started receiving memorandum after memorandum from Opposition Congress Party demanding even dismissal of the Government. Truly, Governor Datta is not in Congress-led UPA Government’s good book, although he could develop excellent rapport with then Chief Minister Jamir and his (Jamir) Congress Ministry.
During his time, Datta also could see his friend Jamir becoming as a second Naga to occupy the similar seat of power he has been holding in Nagaland. He was always receptive and trying to understand the issues. I was lucky to have two interactions personally with him during his stint as Governor of Nagaland. He never hid anything and was always open and was happy the way I encountered him on the Naga political issue. He was deeply concerned on the prevailing factional clashes and killings and I could see him so pained and at times his voice chocking with his painful feelings on the killings that frequently took place in the State, threatening the peaceful environment. He kept lecturing in many public functions the futility of violence, while the younger generations were continuously actuated by his genuine approach to imbibe and restore the aged old work culture. He is a man of pragmatism not living in theocratic society, yet he is a truly God-fearing man. Leaders come and go, so as Governor Shyamal Datta. He has come to Nagaland as Governor, as custodian of the Constitution and ultimately become part of the Naga family. He is fully acquainted with the Naga way of life. He has now won the hearts of the people of Nagaland that will remain as an inedible imprint in the history of the Nagas.
He may forget many State journalists one day after settling down to his native place but some of us, as journalists, will continue to quote his many inspirational sayings till we remain in the profession. It was the most touching for the Governor as well as the cultural troupes on the occasion of 57th Republic Day Celebration at Secretariat Ground on January 26, 2007. He couldn’t help but danced around with every troupe and one could read him devastating on that historic moment, as he knew he would be living the land and people so dear to him. Au Revoir and Bon Voyage Mr Governor.
Myanmar crackdown on northeast rebel bases kills 15 By IANS
Guwahati, Jan 29 (IANS) A dozen Myanmarese soldiers and three militants died in fresh fighting when Myanmar launched a massive military crackdown to evict anti- India guerrillas from its soil, a rebel leader said here Monday. A spokesman of the S.S. Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) said Myanmar's military junta had burnt down the outfit's general headquarters and two other camps in that country's northern Sagaing Division.
'Heavy fighting is going on with a brigade (3,000 personnel) of the Myanmarese army with mortars and rocket launchers in a massive assault on our cadres since the weekend,' A.Z. Jami, a senior NSCN-K leader, told IANS by telephone. The NSCN-K, fighting for an independent homeland for the Naga tribe in the north-eastern Indian state of Nagaland, has at least 50 camps with 5,000 guerrilla fighters entrenched in fortified bunkers in the Sagaing Division.
'We have lost three of our cadres and as many wounded in the attacks. In retaliatory strikes, our boys killed more than 12 Myanmarese soldiers and injured many more,' the rebel leader said.
'About 60 of our cadres who were at the general headquarters during the raid managed to flee,' he added. Myanmar's offensive comes a week after India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited Yangon and sought the country's help in cracking down on rebels from India's troubled northeast who are seeking refuge across the border.
'The offensive by the military junta has the backing of the Indian government with most of the weapons used in the operation supplied by New Delhi,' another rebel leader said. Mukherjee's visit came after reports from Indian security officials that hundreds of rebels from Assam have fled to Myanmar since New Delhi launched a military operation against the guerrillas earlier this month. The Assam government blamed rebels from the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) for a recent wave of violence in the state that killed 86 people, 61 of them Hindi-speaking migrant workers. At least four other militant groups from India's northeast, including the ULFA, have training camps in northern Myanmar's thick jungles. 'There could be ULFA camps here and there that might have come in the way of the military attack in Myanmar but we are not very sure,' Jami said. 'We too have positioned our cadres and would repulse the offensive.'
There has been no immediate confirmation of the military offensive from Myanmar. The NSCN's Khaplang faction has been observing a ceasefire with New Delhi since 2001 although peace talks are yet to begin. Myanmar had earlier pledged that the junta would not let Indian rebels operate from its soil. Myanmar last year launched a military operation against the NSCN-K and overran several of their bases. India and Myanmar share a 1,640-km (1,000 mile) unfenced border, allowing militants from the northeast to use the adjoining country as a springboard to carry out hit-and-run strikes on federal soldiers. The rebels say they are seeking to protect their ethnic identities and allege the central government has exploited the resources in this mineral, tea, timber, and oil-rich region. More than 50,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in the northeast region since India's independence in 1947.
Change of truce monitoring chief may affect Naga peace process Kuknalim.com
NEW DELHI, Jan 27:: The tardy peace process with the NSCN (IM) may soon have to overcome another hurdle if the plan to replace Lt Gen R V Kulkarni (Retd) as the chairman of the crucial ceasefire monitoring cell in Nagaland becomes a reality. The NSCN (IM) has said it would not accept a new incumbent as it would further complicate the ongoing negotiations.

Sources explained that the home ministry is in touch with some officials, the most prominent being a police chief from the South, who could be considered for the post. The chairman’s task in Nagaland is to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire ground rules with both the factions of NSCN — IM and K — and submit regular reports to the Centre.

Kulkarni took charge in 2001 after his predecessor P P Srivastava was removed following objections raised by the NSCN (IM). The outfit is of the view that the post should be given to a person who is able to maintain “objectivity” in monitoring the ceasefire ground rules and conversant with the ongoing conflict in the state. Top NSCN (IM) functionaries were of the view that replacing the current incumbent would result in more friction between the government.

“We have also been hearing that some efforts are on to replace Kulkarni on health grounds. But it should not be done without our consent,” said Punthing Shimrang over the phone from Nagaland, a senior official of NSCN (IM), and added that the replacement would not be accepted.

The chairman’s post, which is renewed every year in August, assumes importance in view of the increasing clashes between the two factions. Last year, even mortars were used against each other at Zunehboto in the state that resulted in an agitation among the local population. The NSCN (K) incidentally has begun lobbying hard for Kulkarni’s removal and senior cadres have reportedly contacted some retired army officials to gauge if they would be interested for the post.

Sources pointed out that the next round of talks with the NSCN (IM) was likely only after the assembly polls in Manipur that concludes on February 23. The two leaders— chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah — who are currently in Nagaland, wished to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon after their arrival in the capital but could not owing the PM’s busy schedule. (The Indian Express)

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Western tourists enjoy showing a digital image to a Naga tribesman in Myanmar (Burma). In spite of security concerns, their rich culture still attracts tourists from around the world.
Political activities in full swing in Nagaland Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Jan 28:: All the political parties in Nagaland have swung into action following the appointment of a new Governor on February third. The Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF), major alliance partner of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), had called for a meeting of the Central Office bearers here on Wednesday. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio would address the meeting, while NPF working president I K Sema would be presiding over the meeting.

The meeting would discuss all the matters related to the impending delimitation of Assembly constituencies, prevailing law and order situation, impact of developmental programmes of the DAN government and several other issues. Meanwhile, the Congress have also called for the Congress Legislature Party meeting here on Wednesday. (UNI)
NSCN (I-M) flays rival’s actions Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, JAN 28 (NPN): The NSCN (I-M) has alleged that its Regional Security Informer Hekato of Kekheshe village was not released by the NSCN (K) on January 26 as claimed by the rival faction but instead he was "forced into the Khaplang fold." While rejecting the claim of the NSCN (K) that Hekato was released under "certain agreed terms and conditions", the NSCN (I-M), said, "It was surprising that Hekato neither reached home nor could he be contacted, but later it was learnt he was forced into the Khaplang fold."
The NSCN (I-M) further accused the rival of "getting carried away" by its "acquired trademark that they feel confident enough to once again fool the Nagas." "The Khaplang ways of misleading the Nagas and concealing their true colour by propagating falsehoods have been their trademark", the release said. The NSCN (I-M) refuted the NSCN (K) statement and asked if it was true "then where is Mr. Hekato, who was abducted on January 26 ?"
The NSCN (I-M) also charged the rival with trying to "imitate the goodness of the NSCN of releasing the three arrested K cadres, of which the K group is not made for the kind." Meanwhile, in a separate release, the NSCN (I-M) said it was ashamed of being related to the Khaplang group by "ill fate" of being Nagas by blood and by birth. Stating it did not want to "stoop so low" in interacting with the rival in a paper war. The NSCN (I-M) said it was bound to do so in order to "save our people from being misled and their mind being polluted." It said this was since "we cannot bear to lose even a single Naga because they are our strength and we stand for them."
The NSCN (I-M) opined that the present situation would not have been in its "present stigma" had the rival group been better organized. It also criticized the NSCN (K) cadre for being bereft of "ideologies and principles" to guide and discipline its members. The NSCN (I-M) said the NSCN (K) resorted to "killing and minting money from their own brethren" as it had no place on the international platform. It said the NSCN (K) was like a "dust bin" for accepting every cadre member into its fold even if the defectors had "multiple black marks in their service record". The NSCN (I-M) described them as "parasite who accuse,malign or damage the image of the NSCN thus sucking our blood for sustenance." The NSCN (I-M) also renewed its demand to the NSCN (K) to withdraw the Rs.5 lakh bounty announced by the latter for "capturing or killing the duo".
It said "Targeting an individual or individualizing government action is never a sensible act", while clarifying that 'maj' Ape Chakhesang and Kakuho Assumi have "never done anything for personal gains" but only carried out orders while discharging their duties It also condemned the January-24 incidents in Chumukedima where members of the NSCN (K) cadre "forcibly" made use of local taxis (NL-07/T-0101 and NL-07/T-0137) for their "heinous acts" against the NSCN. IT also asked the taxi owners/drivers to be aware about such unlawful utilization of their vehicles in future".
Experts Call for Improved Health Care along Burma’s Borders Nagarealm.com International health experts meeting in Bangkok have called for greater efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases prevalent in border areas of Burma. Chris Beyrer, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told a concluding press conference on Friday that the current health problems in border areas, exacerbated by a humanitarian crisis, had significant implications for countries neighboring Burma.

The press briefing followed a two-day conference titled "Responding to Infectious Diseases in the Border Regions of South and Southeast Asia," which was organized by The Human Rights Center at the University of California Berkeley, the Center for Health and Human Rights at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Global Health Access Program.
About 200 government medical experts, local NGOs, health workers, representatives of health donors and researchers gathered to discuss and share information on the health situation on Burma’s borders with Thailand, Bangladesh, India and China. Discussion focused on HIV/AIDS, malaria, avian influenza, anthrax, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, as well as the issues of drug use and human rights abuses that affect health, such as rape and forced relocation by the military.

Beyrer said some ceasefire groups in Burma were producing methamphetamines, causing “higher sexual disease risks and social problems in neighboring Thailand." Tom Lee, of the Global Health Access Program, told the conference that in the India-Burma border regions of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur, about 8 percent of pregnant women suffered from HIV/AIDS, higher than anywhere in India. Lack of information made prevention and treatment difficult, he said. Voravit Suwanvanichkij, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University, said about 10 percent of ethnic people living in the border area between Burma’s Karen State and Thailand’s Tak Province were suffering from malaria because they had been forced to flee to the forests by the Burmese military.

The situation along the Burmese-Chinese border was better than elsewhere, he said, because China’s provincial Yunnan government and local Kachin ethnic organization were working together systematically to combat HIV/AIDS. Speakers complained that restrictions imposed by the Burmese government, and a lack of co-operation, hampered the work of aid groups in border areas, making it difficult to assess the true situation. Local people were being denied a basic human right by being denied access to medical treatment, they said. "Everybody should have the right to access medical services," said Beyrer. The press conference concluded with a call for more surveillance and information- collecting, collaboration and resources, with funding from international donors and governments. Speakers called on the Burmese government to open up the country to aid groups and researchers. The issue should also be of concern to the UN Security Council and Asean, they stressed. [Sai Silp/Bangkok, irrawady]
Manipur Endless Terror in Chandel Paokholal Haokip Research Assistant, Institute for Conflict Management
In the shadow of persistent bewilderment and neglect, both at Imphal and New Delhi, Manipur continues to suffer from an unending cycle of violence, year after year. Each of Manipur’s nine Districts has been severely affected by militancy, but the hilly District of Chandel has witnessed one of the most persistent campaigns of violence unleashed by Valley-based militants, in particular the United National Liberation Front (UNLF).
Initially called Tengnoupal, the Chandel District was created on May 13, 1974. Spread over 3,313 square kilometers, Chandel is the fourth largest District of Manipur, and lies in the south-eastern part of the State, bordering Myanmar on the south, Ukhrul District on the east, Churachandpur District on the south and west, and Thoubal District on the north. With a population of 1,22,714 (as per 2001 Census), Chandel is the third most sparsely populated District in the State. Close to 86 per cent of the total population are tribals from about 20 different tribes, prominently consisting of Anal, Lamkang, Moyon, Monsang, Chothe and Maring (collectively known as old Kuki), Thadou and Zou, as well as some Meitei. Nearly 88 per cent of the population lives in a total of 361 villages. The District is divided into three sub-divisions: Tengnoupal, Chandel and Chakpikarong and seven police stations: Tengnoupal, Moreh, Chandel, Chakpikarong, Pallel, Machi and Molcham. The District headquarters, located at Chandel, is just about 64 kilometres from the State capital, Imphal, connected by National Highway 39 and State Highway 10. In spite of its proximity to the centre of political and administrative power in the State, Chandel remains one of the most backward Districts of Manipur. The reach of the district administration to the scattered hamlets, often consisting of no more than 50-60 houses, separated by hills, bamboo thickets and streams, remains rather limited.
A significant proportion of the blame for the state of affairs goes to the raging militancy in the District. A total of 38 militancy-related fatalities were reported from Chandel in 2006. Eight civilians, seven security force (SF) personnel and 23 militants were killed in separate incidents. The proximity of the District to Myanmar, which has been used by the Valley based militants as a safe haven for years, has been the bane of Chandel. These militant outfits frequent the District en route Myanmar. The UNLF and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) remain the most dominant militant groups in the district. In 2006, the UNLF accounted for 15 fatalities, including two civilians and five SF personnel, while PLA-related incidents claimed 11 lives, including two SF personnel. Significant incidents of violence involving these groups in 2006 included:
• January 14: Two Assam Rifles personnel and an unidentified PLA cadre were killed at the Khoibu Maring village under Tengnoupal police station.
• February 16: One UNLF cadre, L. Nganba alias Khagemba, was killed and four SF personnel wounded, in two separate encounters between SFs and cadres of the Manipur Peoples Army (MPA), the armed wing of the UNLF, at Eigyang near Sajik Tampak.
• March 11: Four unidentified PLA cadres and a woman, Maikham Singlai, were killed and a two-year old child wounded, in an encounter between SF personnel and militants near Chingkhan Yonyer village under the Tengnoupal Police Station.
• June 14: Three PLA militants are killed and four others wounded in an ambush laid by the SF personnel at Wakshu under Tengnoupal Police Station limits in the Chandel District. Three AK-47 rifles, along with a huge cache of ammunition and incriminating documents, were recovered from the site of the incident.
• July 13: UNLF kills a Junior Commissioned Officer of the Assam Rifles, T.B. Pun, at Moreh town.
• August 11: Three UNLF cadres were killed while two others sustained injuries following an exchange of fire with the SF personnel at Semol.
• August 13: SF personnel killed two UNLF cadres during an encounter at Laibi under Tengnoupal Police Station jurisdiction.
• September 9: One SF personnel was killed and two others sustained injuries during an encounter with the UNLF at Khenjoi under the Molcham Police Station jurisdiction.
• November 18: A civilian, Khuraijam Shingajit, was shot dead by an unidentified militant at Pallel Bazaar.
• December 6: Two security force personnel were killed in an encounter at an unspecified place between Phaijol and Khengjoi ranges and the UNLF, subsequently, claimed responsibility for the attack.
• December 29: UNLF militants attacked the Border Security Force post at Aigijang near Sajik Tampak, using mortar shells, though no casualties were reported.
Chandel’s Khengjoi-Dingpi area, located in the south-eastern part of the District and consisting of about 40 hamlets, is an example of the virtual free run that the militants enjoy in parts of the State. Attacks on the tribal population by valley-based militants in Khengjoi-Dingpi date back to 2001 and most of such attacks have remained unreported in the media. In 2001, subsequent to an encounter with the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) near Aibol-Joupi Village, UNLF militants assaulted the villagers. A penalty of INR 100,000 and INR 50,000 were reportedly imposed on Aiboljoupi and Hollenjang villages.
In the complete absence of the state machinery, moreover, it is the militants, who ‘govern’ the region and, in order to increase their acceptability, they are known to have constructed water tanks and few community halls. They have also periodically intimidated the civilian population, and some cases of sexual assault on tribal girls have also been lodged with the local police.
The major influx of the Valley-based militants into Khengjoi-Dingpi areas began after security posts at Sehlon and Phaisanjang, in place since the Kuki-Naga ethnic clashes of the 1990s, were removed in 2003. The area assumed further strategic importance for the militants after SF operations flushed them out of the ‘liberated zones’ in the Sajik-Tampak area in 2004 and from Henglep following ‘Operation Dragnet’ in early 2006. On December 15, 2006, SF personnel claimed to have cleared several villages in the Khengjoi-Dingpi areas, during a week long counter-insurgency operation. Operations reportedly began after Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during the latter’s one-day visit to Imphal on December 2, that Khengjoi range was the only remaining place in the State where militant camps still existed. During the operation, the UNLF militants are known to have forcibly used villagers of Molcham and Tuileng as human shields against the SFs. On December 18, at least 471 villagers from six villages in the Khengjoi areas, who had fled to Moreh due to the counter-insurgency operation, were escorted back to their respective villages by the SFs. SFs claimed to have recovered and later defused 61 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during the operation. The SF claims that the area had been cleared were, however, quickly dispelled with an ambush by the UNLF on December 22, 2006, in which one SF person was killed and another five injured, in the Khengjoi range. Further on January 8, 2007, the UNLF claimed to have killed two SF personnel near Hengshi. Again on January 9, a stray bullet wounded an old man during an exchange of fire between UNLF cadres and SF personnel at Kamphajal village.
Key to the success of the security forces in the Khengjoi-Dingpi area is the construction of the Tengnoupal Samtal Road, which is projected as the future lifeline for the backward areas in which no state machinery presently exists. Once completed, the road will allow SF personnel easy access to the area. Unsurprisingly, the militants have been using all their powers to stall the project. Intelligence sources indicate that, while the outfits have already intimidated the Border Roads Task Force (BRTF), which is in charge of the project, they also have employed able bodied civilians from 40 odd villages in the area to keep a watch on SF movement. Failure to obey the militants’ diktats is known to invite severe punishment, including death.
Planting of anti-personnel landmines and IEDs by groups such as the UNLF, in order to deter the movement of the SFs, has been a constant in the militancy in Chandel, with areas like Khengjoi-Dingpi most affected by the phenomenon. Thus, on January 7, 2007, at least 71 IEDs were recovered and later defused by the SFs in the area. A number of civilians have been killed, injured or maimed in landmine/IED explosions over the years. Some of the incidents involving landmine/IED explosion in 2006 included:
• January 9: A civilian, Sokhotinthang Guite, an alleged SF informer, was strapped with a claymore mine and blown to pieces by UNLF militants at Thopikot near Sehao village.
• March 11: A woman identified as Hoinu Haokip, was killed and three others sustained injuries in a landmine explosion at TNS road between Sehao and Hollenjang village.
• October 30: A woman Phallam Khongsai, was severely injured when she accidentally stepped onto a landmine.
• November 16: A civilian, Evan.Thangkhomang Touthang, was killed and another severely injured in a landmine explosion at the Inter village road between Molkon and Jangoulen.
• December 2: A woman, Nemneikim, was killed in a landmine explosion at Aibol -Jamkhomang village.
• December 9: A civilian, Yamkithang, was killed in a landmine explosion in his paddy field in New Samtal.
The militancy in Chandel reflects the near-complete administrative breakdown and the retreat of civil governance that afflicts much of Manipur. Regrettably, the increasing public distress and popular concerns are yet to find reflection in an adequate official policy to address the unending crisis of militancy in the District.
NCC cadets in a march past during the CM NCC rally jointly organized by the NER NCC Directorate, Shillong and the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare, Asom at Judges’ Field in the city, on Sunday. (Sentinel)
Government dole to ULFA? No and never, says Himanta By a Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Jan 28: Is there any secret understanding between the Congress and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)? Has the Tarun Gogoi-led Government in the State doled a hefty amount out to the rebel group so as to persuade it not to boycott the 33rd National Games slated from February 9 in the State? These two questions have been doing the rounds in various fora, including political parties, in the State since ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa did a volte-face by announcing that the group might review its call to boycott the National Games.
Though nobody in the State has so far come out with any authentic evidence buttressing the alleged Congress-ULFA nexus and the payment of a hefty amount (in crores of rupees) to the ULFA by the State Government, yet the sudden and mysterious silence being maintained by the ULFA on the National Games has raised many an eyebrow among various circles in Asom. This apart, the Chief Minister’s recent visit to Kolkata straight from Silchar, where he had been on an official tour, has added much spices to the khichiri that is being cooked in the oven now. There are allegations that during Gogoi’s recent Kolkata visit, a third party paid a hefty amount to the ULFA.
There are also allegations that before the last Assembly election, the Congress and the ULFA clinched a deal, in accordance with which, the party had to dole out a hefty amount to the rebel group before the poll as its first instalment. The party, according to the allegations, however, failed to pay the second instalment that was supposed to pay after coming to power, and that made the rebel group hostile to the Government.
Meanwhile, when asked Asom BJP president Ramen Deka told newsmen on the allegation of Government-ULFA nexus that the people of the State were suspecting that the Government was using the rebel group from time to time and in elections. Deka, who briefed the press in the city today, said that the silence being maintained by the Government on the allegation proved beyond doubt that the allegation held much water in it.
There is yet another allegation in a section of the press today that Asom Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his recent meeting with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, informed the latter that the Congress in the State had clinched a deal with the ULFA, and as such the rebel group would not boycott the ensuing National Games in the State.
Meanwhile, Asom Government spokesman Himanta Biswa Sarma today said: “There is no sort of understanding between the Government and the ULFA. Had there been an understanding between the Government and the ULFA, the rebel group might have come for direct talks by now.” On the media report that he had informed Sonia Gandhi of the understanding between the party and the ULFA, he said: “I have not met Sonia Gandhi for the last five months. Nobody in the party can meet Sonia Gandhi in a clandestine way. One has to seek prior appointment to meet the UPA chairperson.” He said that the Congress had never paid to any rebel group in the past, and it would not pay in future. He added that it was a propaganda by vested interests to demoralize the Army that was carrying out an operation against the ULFA.