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02/17/2007: "NSCN(K) confirms Myanmar army action Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune"

NSCN(K) confirms Myanmar army action Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Feb 16 – Battle-wary NSCN (Khaplang) today said they were preparing for a drawn battle against Myanmar Army that has left over 10 of cadres dead in recent clashes. Confirming that the Army action was on, Kilonser Education, A.Z.Jami told this newspaper over telephone from somewhere in Nagaland, that they expect the current round of offensive to continue till the onset of the rainy season. The first attack was in January,” he said.

What is significant is that outlawed ULFA, which was also caught in the crossfire, has started shifting bases from Sagain Division in Chin Stat. Jami, however, declined to divulge further. “We don’t live together so I can’t say where they have shifted,” he said, replying to questions.

“They have hide outs in Myanmar but we never shared our camps with them,” he claimed.
Stating that attacks came in waves, the NSCN (K) leader, who is also the convener of the Kilonser alleged that the Myanmar Army was attacking them with weapons and ammo supplied by the Government of India. The militant outfit and New Delhi has a ceasefire pact in place though political dialogue is get underway.
Jami said they have retaliated and there has been casualties on both sides. He revealed that they have lost some of their outposts and about 10 of their cadres besides sustaining casualties.
“As for the current status, he said there was no action going on right away, but they have placed their cadres in maximum alert. We will not counter attack and exercising maximum restraint,” he claimed. Reports with agencies, however, tell a different story. The Naga rebels were reported to have maximum damages, with their general headquarters having been blown up by Army using heavy artillery. Most of the NSCN (K) cadres have fled towards India, as has the ULFA cadres.
According to sources, there were some 300 ULFA cadres holed up in Myanmar.
Naga talks to resume in March The Morung Express
NEW DELHI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): The government has decided to resume Naga peace talks with visiting leaders of the NSCN (IM) Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah in the first week of the coming month. “The government was waiting for the Manipur Assembly elections to be over before resuming talks with the Naga leaders. Now since the results of the elections would be announced on February 27, we have decided to continue the talks in the first week of March,” a government source said. At present both the Naga leaders are having their sojourn in Nagaland and as the talks had not been possible before the Manipur elections, the government, through its interlocutor M Padmanabhaia, continued to be in touch with them, the source said.
Phek Town public meet resolves for peace, tranquility Morung Express News
Kohima Residents of Phek town, irrespective of ethnic affinity, political affiliation and personal feelings, do acknowledge the political aspirations of the Nagas that “we belong to a race of unique entity separated and independent from any external control. Towards this objective, we remain true, loyal and committed with perseverance.”
This was among the many resolutions adopted by the general public of Phek town in its meeting held in the town today. “We strongly believe and advocate that reconciliation and unity of Naga brethren through the spirit and foundation of forgiveness alone can bring about the ultimate fruitful solution to our national cause,” a copy of the resolutions received here said.
Henceforth, it said the public shall not be held to ransom or as human shield by any group/faction. Unauthorized collection of money from shops and other business establishments in the name of any group/faction shall not be tolerated, it added. While upholding the CPO resolution, the public reiterated that no cadre of any faction or group shall be allowed to set up camps, run mess or move about in combat uniforms with arms and ammunition in any civilian populated area, it said adding that citizens of all the colonies/wards shall remain vigilant and immediately report to the nearest concern authority in case of any violations of the public’s wishes. “Practical experience of confrontations and terror caused to the peace-loving Nagas has proved beyond doubt that the presence of any faction/group in a particular territory is detrimental to the peaceful atmosphere of the society as this converts public living areas into battlefields,” the resolution reads. The public vehemently condemned the objective of groups/factions “to achieve territorial domination and subjugation, all forms of provocations to the extent of hit and run operations which vitiate the atmosphere.”
“Leadership of any human society reflects the pulse of the people it represents. Expression or utterance of any view is done so out of compulsion and sheer pressure. Therefore, targeting any individual personally or causing intimidation shall be considered as a direct challenge to the general public. This shall not be tolerated and replied to in unison and in a befitting way,” the resolution said. Henceforth, it said “any group/faction that fails to comply with the wishes and sentiments of the general public shall be seriously viewed as been inimical to our interests and shall be opposed by any means.”
Further, the resolution stated that Phek Town Council chairperson on behalf of the general public “apologize for vandalism and verbal abuse of DC in front of his official residence and also assaulting of the SP by some persons.”
3 FGN men killed Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, FEB 16 (NPN): Three FGN members were killed in an ambush laid by suspected NSCN (I-M) men Friday evening near Pfutsero town in Phek district. According to sources, around four to five suspected NSCN (I-M) men waylaid and fired upon the FGN members (Non-Accordist) numbering more than ten at a place some 3-4 kms away from Pfutsero town at around 4 p.m. Sources also said one of FGN members was reported missing.
The bodies of the three FGN members, all in their late twenties or early thirties, were later kept at Pfutsero Police Station.When contacted, Pfutsero Police said the identity of the three deceased could not be ascertained so far and added that the three were in civilian dress. Police also said they did not recover any weapons from the deceased.NSCN (K) sources said none of its men were involved or killed in the ambush. Meanwhile, a public leader told the Post over phone that public assisted by administration and police had Friday night conducted a search for the reported missing FGN man, but was unsuccessful due to darkness. He said they would resume the search Saturday morning.
Phek Cong demands DAN’s dismissal The Morung Express
Dimapur, Feb 16 (MExN): Phek district Congress demands dismissal of the NPF-led DAN government for what it said is for failing to protect the fundamental rights of the people as well as failure to address the ‘complete’ breakdown of law and order in the state’. The Phek Congress also demands an unconditional apology from Law and Justice Parliamentary Secretary Yitachu for his “irresponsible statements”.
The unit had an emergency meeting on the 15th at Kohima where the law and order situation in Phek was reviewed vis-à-vis the recent public outburst in Phek coming as a consequence of factional feud between the various Naga underground groups. The members expressed dismay at what the Congress said is ‘step-motherly’ treatment “with indifferent attitude” of the DAN government to students in Phek’s areas. The students are appearing for their HSLC, HSSLC and degree examinations “by risking their lives without security” the Congress stated, with strong affirmation that the blame for students securing “poor results” would have to be borne by the state government.
“The DAN’s policy of ‘equi-closeness’ has become divisive in its approach and factional clashes in Phek town is the result of the ‘divide and rule’ policy of the legislators” Phek Congress president Vekhosa Puro stated. The party maintained that ever since DAN took over the reins in Nagaland, public life has been subjected to threats, killings extortions which have been going from bad to worst.
The party also took a shot at legislators from Phek district: “The present (Legislators) from Phek district are so inactive and have the least concern for the welfare of Phek district. Mr Yitachu’s irresponsible statement appeared in local dailies is a clear indication that he does not care about the lives and property of the public and therefore he should tender his unqualified apology to the people of Phek district. Maintaining that all along DAN government had turned a deaf ear and “intentionally avoided their responsibilities” towards the plight of the people. “And that we have good reasons to doubt their (DAN’s) integrity and sincerity towards the safety of public” it stated.
“The DAN legislators had totally failed in their constitutional responsibilities and moral obligations to protect the fundamental rights of its people and that as a consequence there is complete breakdown of law and order in the state. We demand immediate dismissal of DAN government in the interest of the public” the Congress made clear.
Another fruit of Isaac’s peace proclamation- Nagaland Post Opninion
Yet another fruit of Swu Isaac's peace proclama-tion, Naga people should now open their eyes and ears to perceive. On February 6' 2007 two (2) Chang youths were killed by IK group at Tuensang town. On February 8' 2007 IK group led by Tsilumthung former CAO of IK and one Alo killed 7 (seven) members of a family at Zanger village near Pungro town. Again on February 10' 2007 a land mine planted by IK group at their earlier camp at Chalkot old village at the spot.
In this connection, it is to be noted here that the IK group had signed some years back the "Geneva Call" agreement banning anti-personnel land mines to show that they are peaceful people. But the signing of the agreement was only a mockery. The IK group will adopt any means to kill people Naga people should understand that Th. Muivah is a re-incarnation of Idi Amen of Uganda and Isaac Swu is a reincarnation of Mahummad Bin Tuglak, the fooling king who once ruled India. These two men see other man's deeds and never see their own sins and crimes Ame Konyak, U/Secretary, MIP, NSCN (K).
Rani Gaidinliu in the context of modern Naga society “Invasion by foreign religion and foreign culture will pose danger to Naga identity. Beware of this danger”. —Rani Gaidinliu had said. By Tasile N. Zeliang Organiser
Rani Ma was kept in Yimrup village of Tuensang district nearly 300 km away from her people. See the fate that our own Zeliangrong persons who had been converted to Christianity spied against her and helped British army to arrest her from Poilwa village near Khonoma. They hatched a plan to kill her. Several of her Naga army sepoy were killed in the fierce battle. What was the guilt of Rani Ma? The only “crime” Rani Ma did was that she pioneered her forefathers’ religion, eternal culture, customary laws and traditional village institutions.
The day of January 26 is of national significance because it is the Republic Day of our country. This day has an additional importance for the Naga society because this is also the birthday of legendary Naga lady, Padma Bhushan Rani Gaidinliu.

Rani Gaidinliu, popularly know as Rani Ma, is the highly revered Naga lady for her selfless services to Naga society and fight for freedom of the country. She was a committed lady for the preservation, protection and promotion of her forefather’s religion, eternal culture, customary laws and traditional village institutions. She organised Naga army and challenged British empire. British Government declared her as “terror of north east” and had awarded life imprisonment to her. When Pt. Nehru approached the British government to free her, they refused to oblige on the plea that if Rani Gaidinliu was freed, the revolt against British empire would spread like wildfire. She came out of Shillong prison when the country got Independence on August 15, 1947. But the travesty is that she was not allowed to visit her people for whose freedom, religion and culture she sacrificed her prime of youth. Same reason was given that if she was allowed to return to her Heraka people, the movement for preservation, protection and promotion of her forefather’s religion and eternal culture would catch-up momentum.

A section of our own Naga society who was under deep influence of church, was opposed to Heraka movement and Rani Gaidinliu. Rani Ma was kept in Yimrup village of Tuensang district nearly 300 km away from her people. See the fate that our own Zeliangrong persons who had been converted to Christianity spied against her and helped British army to arrest her from Poilwa village near Khonoma. They hatched a plan to kill her. Several of her Naga army sepoy were killed in the fierce battle. What was the guilt of Rani Ma? The only “crime” Rani Ma did was that she pioneered her forefathers’ religion, eternal culture, customary laws and traditional village institutions. She advocated in no uncertain terms that the fate of Nagas lied with India. She demanded the integration of all Zeliangrong areas in one administrative unit on the plea that this integration would accelerate the economic development of Zeliangrong people and fulfil their political aspiration.

The files in Union Home Ministry started moving in favour of integration of whole Zeliangrong areas with Nagaland. Rani Ma, Pau N.C. Zeliang and Prof. Gangmumei Kamei of Imphal were toiling hard to ensure that aspiration of Zeliangrong Nagas for integration was fulfilled. But this success was turned into failure by our own people on the plea that neither Rani Ma nor Pau N.C. Zeliang nor Prof. Gongmumei Kamei was Christian and the credit of achieving this integration should not and must not go to any person other than a Christian. And it should never, never go to a person like Rani Gaidinliu. She clearly and fearlessly preached among her people that a society whose forefather’s religion, culture, tradition, village institution and customary laws are destroyed, becomes weak and vigourless. In due course of time indiscipline and chaotic situation prevailed in that society. Rani Ma and Pau N.C. Zeliang reverberated this doctrine repeatedly. Unfortunately, Naga leaders—political, social or of church, preferred to ingnore.

The Naga society has been led on wrong path. As a result, we are killing each other. This killing is justified in the name of “Nagaland for Christ.”

I, once, read an article written by an ISKCON sanyasin of American origin. The title of the article was—“How I was saved from being saved”. The author, herself had narrated in that article how she protected herself from being converted to Christianity by saviours of the soul. “I pray Lord Tingwang, O Lord Tingwang! Please save our Nagaland from (the so-called) saviours of Nagaland.”

The volcanic situation created by our own Christian brothers in the early sixties against the Naga’s religion and culture in Zeliangrong areas compelled Rani Gaidinliu to hold gun again in her hands and adopt the jungle path to protect her people from forcible conversion at gun point. The second resumption of guerrilla warfare was not directly against foreign forces but against those who were destroying the Naga traditions and values and also against those who were preventing the Naga youths from following the values set-forth by our forefathers and who were breaking the traditional control of village elders over village community particularly youths.

The image of the Naga society in length and breath of the country was (i) that cent-per-cent Nagas have converted to Christianity (ii) that all Nagas were anti-Hindu and anti-India and (iii) that all Nagas were wild, savage and raw meat eaters.

In America, Britain and other Christian countries, Nagas were described as wild, savage, naked, head-hunters and with no religion. I have visited several mega cities in the country and have lived with several Hindu families. When Hindu hosts came to know that I was a Naga girl, they whispered. They could not believe that a Naga person could be so refined in all respects. It was not the mistake of the Hindu hosts. It was the mistake of our own since we allowed foreign Christian missionaries to propagate that we Nagas were wild, savage, heathen, naked, head-hunters and raw-meat eaters. This propaganda is still made in foreign countries.

Rani Gaidinliu and later, Pau N.C.Zeliang opposed this malicious propaganda against the Naga society. For this deed, both of them were cursed and victimised. Rani Ma toured the country, established close contacts with the Hindu organisations and cleared the cloud of misconception against the Nagas from the mind of the Hindus. Earlier Rani Ma, later Pau N.C. Zeliang and now Shri Ramkui Wangbe Newme, President of Zeliangrong Haraka Association, have been telling us that any Naga who is neither Christian nor Muslim, falls under the category of Hindu religion.

Due to their untiring efforts, the image of Naga society is improved and brightened in the country. The ‘terrorist’ image of the Nagas dampening and fading away and prudent and prowess image of the Nagas is emerging fast. If the current events in Naga society pertaining to revival of their religion and eternal culture, the war of supremacy in different factions of underground organisation and unbecoming behaviour of some church leaders are any pointer, the doctrine of life for Nagas propounded by Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu and advanced by Pau N.C. Zeliang appears to be the best in modern context. Alas! the Naga youths could understand this and save retrograde Naga society from kissing its doom and decadence.

(The author can be contacted at Org. Secy. Zeliangrong Heraka, Pailei Baudi, Nagaland Tening)
Sonia rejects; AICC appeals to Hokheto Morung Express News
Dimapur Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has refused to accept the resignation of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) President Hokheto Sumi and requested that he continue to carry on with the activities as NPCC President. Hokheto had tendered his resignation to the party high command in New Delhi Wednesday following the decision to issue the Congress party ticket for the Dimapur-I Assembly seat to Aheto Yepthomi. “I have to appeal to you on behalf of the All India Congress Committee not to press for the resignation”, stated Oscar Fernandes, in-charge of Northeast in a letter addressed to Hokheto.
As earlier reported, the NPCC President had taken the extreme step of stepping down following differences over choice of candidate for the prestigious Dimapur-I Assembly Constituency seat. Sumi was reportedly unhappy over the choice made by the party high command and also the stand taken by some of the influential State Congress leaders for opposing the choice of senior leader KL Chishi. Meanwhile, in a separate letter addressed to the NPCC President, Fernandes officially informed of the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi’s decision to approve the candidature of Aheto Yepthomi for the Dimapur-I seat. For the Tuensang Sadar-II (ST) A/C, the party high command approved the candidature of Kijong Chang.
While there has been no official confirmation on whether Hokheto will pay heed to the appeal made by the AICC, informed sources said that the NPCC President has taken back his resignation and will abide by the decision of the party high command. Former Chief Minister KL Chishi whose name had come up as one of the three persons recommended to the AICC had reportedly turned down suggestions that he contest as an independent candidate. Chishi has reportedly expressed the need for supporting the Congress nominee at this juncture.
MANIPUR ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS NO MEITEI-NAGA CONVERGENCE Tehelka The divide Naorem Ashish Teresa Rehman
Nagas want the unification of the Naga-majority hill districts in Manipur. Meities, Kukis and others oppose any such move. But everyone in the state agrees the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has to go
Guwahati in the Manipur society is likely to be reflected in the outcome of the ongoing Assembly elections in the state. On the one hand is the Naga agenda of unification of all the Naga-dominated areas in Manipur into an “integrated homeland”, on the other is the Manipur valley’s Meitei population’s steadfast opposition to compromise on the state’s “territorial integrity”. which includes the Nagas Meitei’s — who are predominantly Hindus — constitute a majority in Manipur, but five out of its nine districts, namely Senapati, Tamenglong, Churachandpur, Chandel and Ukhrul, have a large concentration of tribal population
Last year over 3,000 Naga students from Manipur got affiliated to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education.
The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of the Nagas in the state, which is spearheading the campaign for the integration of Naga-inhabited areas, has fielded 11 independent candidates in the four-Naga dominated districts of Manipur — Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong. The 11 candidates have come together under the United Naga Democratic Front with the twin objectives of intensifying their agitation for the integration of Naga-inhabited areas under one administrative unit and mobilising support for talks between the Centre and the Isaac - Muivah faction of the militant separatist National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN I-M). “After a series of discussions on the ongoing peace process with people from all walks of life, we decided to take a proactive role in the ninth general elections… We decided not to support any national or regional political party as they have taken no resolution in support of the peace process,” said KS Paul Leo, President, UNC.

NSCN (K), the Khaplang faction of the separatist group, has different views on the unification of Naga dominated hill districts of Manipur. Kughalu Mulatonu, supervisor of the ceasefire supervisory board of NSCN (K) told Tehelka that his group will not participate in the Manipur elections. “Our rival group NSCN (I-M) had set up the Neiphiu Rio government with 60 seats in Nagaland but they could make no headway with the peace process. What will they now do with 11 seats in the hill districts of Manipur? We are not an organisation for unification or integration. Our first priority is sovereignty and the rest will follow.”
Brigadier Phungthing, convenor of the ceasefire monitoring committee of the NSCN (I-M) told Tehelka, “Our views are very clear on the issue of the greater Naga homeland. We are fighting for what is rightfully ours.” Last year, over 3,000 Naga students from the hill districts of Manipur opted to affiliate with the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education (NBSE). The Union Human Resource Development Ministry remained silent on the issue. However, NSCN (K) is opposed the Nagaland government’s decision to allow the students to affiliate to the NBSE and warned that it will not allow the pupils to appear in the High School Leaving Certificate Examination. “The NSCN (K) feels that the syllabus issue is not related to the Naga sovereignty issue,” says Paul Leo. Kughalu Mulatonu, supervisor of the ceasefire supervisory board of NSCN (K) called the shifting of affiliation as an “anti-Naga virus”. “If they want the support and blessings of the Naga people, they should go ahead with a rightful approach,” he said.
The first phase of Assembly polls in Manipur held on February 8 went off peacefully, barring some minor incidents. Polls were held in Ukhrul, Senapati and Thoubal districts for 19 of the 60 seats in the Assembly and close to 70 percent of the six-lakh-strong electorate cast its votes.
The second and third phase are scheduled for February 14 and 23. The Okram Ibobi Singh-led Congress government has been the first one in Manipur to last its full-five year term. In view of the prevailing law and order situation, at least two units of central paramilitary forces have been deployed in each polling booth.
‘We are not against Naga unification but we want the territorial integrity of Manipur to be intact,’ says MPP’s Shivachandra
One issue on which all political parties in the state, including the ruling Congress party, have a unanimous stand is the repeal of the detested Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. The death of a man in what is widely believed here to be a fake encounter in Lamlai in Imphal East, hours after the first phase of polling ended has shifted the focus back to the Act. A 24-hour bandh was observed on February 11 all over Manipur.
The Manipur People’s Party (MPP), the oldest regional party in the state, has the repeal of AFSPA as its main poll plank. RK Shivachandra, General Secretary, mpp, told Tehelka, “We want the repeal of the act. We want to emphasise that the insurgency problem is not a law and order problem. Its an armed conflict which has to be resolved politically.” He also stressed the need to not tinker with the hill districts’ current status. “We are not against the issue of Naga unification but we want the age-old territorial integrity of Manipur to be kept intact,” he says.
Politicians cutting across party lines have been visiting the homes of two women who epitomise the fight to repeal the AFSPA — Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been on a fast-unto-death for six years now — and Thangjam Manorama Devi, who was allegedly raped before being shot dead while she was in the custody of Assam Rifles in July 2004.
Members of Irom Sharmila’s family have not exercised their right to franchise since 2000. Her brother, Irom Singhajit, currently at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi keeping a vigil over his sister says, “I asked my family members not to cast their vote since we did not like the political atmosphere and no political parties can fulfill our expectations.”
Sapancha Kangleipal, a member of Apunba Lup, a joint front of 32 civil society bodies, is camping at Delhi with Sharmila. He is critical of the role of the political parties. “It is very unfortunate that the political parties are using this issue to their advantage. We don’t adhere to any regional or national political party who have double faces and try to gain sympathy from the innocent Manipuri people,” he says. The non-Naga tribes who reside in the four hill-districts, including a majority among the Kuki tribe, refute the Nagas’ claims that they are the dominant tribe there, and are likely to oppose the UNC. Buried under these politically charged and emotionally volatile issues, common everyday civic issues like water, electricity, health and education have taken a backseat in the electoral manifesto of the political parties. rteresa@rediffmail.com
ULFA hardcore, doctor arrested in Sibsagar Times of India

SIBSAGAR: One hardcore ULFA militant and a homeopath doctor suspected to be a contact of the outfit were arrested by the police in Sibsagar district on Friday.

The militant was arrested from Kanhubari area along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh-Nagaland border with the help of CRPF, police said. He had come from the camp of the outfit situated in Arunachal Pradesh for getting medical treatment in Assam when he was arrested. The doctor Govind Handique was picked up by the police on the suspicion that he was an ULFA contact.

Kolkata-Dimpapur flight by Air Deccan, offers Rs 1 ticket Zee News Bureau Report

Kolkata, Feb 16: As part of its strategy to expand its network in the north-eastern parts of the country, low-cost airline Air Deccan on Friday announced the launch of its Kolkata-Dimapur flight with fare starting at Re one. The daily flight to Dimapur, the commercial capital of Nagaland, would start from March 26 with a stop-over at Manipur capital, Imphal, and this would be first-ever air connectivity between the two cities, an Air Deccan release said.

The airline expects to attract good number of tourists and nature-lovers apart from the regular travellers as Dimapur is also acclaimed for its spectacular locales comprising hilly treks, abundant lakes and waterfalls. The bookings for the Kolkata-Dimpapur flight started today and the fare for the sector starts at rupees one (taxes extra), the release said.
"Low fare air connectivity is the enabler for cities to emerge as economic power houses. Air Deccan's new flight will not only provide a convenient and affordable travel option to scores of people traveling between these two cities but will also spur economic activities," Air Deccan Managing Director Capt. G R Gopinath was quoted as saying in the release.

ULFA insists on sovereignty The Morung Express
GUWAHATI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): The United Liberation Front of Assam on Friday denied that there was any Track-II negotiation with the Centre and insisted that only sovereignty will be discussed in future negotiations. In a statement, ULFA Commander-in-Chief Paresh Baruah said, “ULFA has not entered into any kind of negotiation with the government of India. Our only specific pre-condition is that the issue of restoration of Assam’s sovereignty should be on the agenda for talks.”
Baruah’s tough stand has nipped in the bud any possible chance of fresh attempt of peace.
Regarding referendum or plebiscite, the ULFA leader said, “In principle, the ULFA is ready for a plebiscite and not referendum, under international supervision. ULFA called off the ban on National Games by showing respect to the appeal of legendary sports personalities and sport-loving people of Assam, not because of any love for Indian colonial rulers.”
“However, a section of people have tried to give impression to the masses that this gesture is ULFA’s weakness. Since the day ULFA banned the National Games, the flatterers of India condemned ULFA. They left no stone unturned to derive public opinion for holding the Games by stating it as a great event to uphold Assam’s dignity,” Baruah said. “To make the National Games a great success, they created an awesome situation in Assam, attacking Hindi-speaking people and increasing immensely the number of security forces to build up strong anti-ULFA campaign in Assam. The plan to choose Assam as a host for the Games is to strengthen the logic that the state is an indispensable part of India,” he observed. “The puppet government of Assam was trapped in this crafty plan and did not hesitate to victimise the masses of Assam. ULFA received the dead body of Biplob Sangmai as a reward for the regard shown to boost sports in Asom,” said Barua, himself a reputed footballer who in fact represented the state in his younger days. The ULFA’s decision of withdrawing the boycott call was welcomed by all irrespective of party and organizations. Notable sportsmen, sports-loving masses, various politicians, political parties, conscious citizens and social organisations called it a ‘time- honoured’ decision and put forward various explanation. Meanwhile, the intelligence agencies are apprehending serious outbreak of violence for the closing ceremony of the National Games on Sunday next. Last time too, ULFA struck in a big way within hours of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visiting Upper Assam.

Bangladesh hardens stance on rebels The Morung Express
GUWAHATI, FEB 16 (AGENCIES): Indian rebel groups, especially the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), are said to be on the defensive as the caretaker government in Bangladesh is adopting a tough stance with regard to terrorism and rebel outfits. A senior government source here said on Thursday: “Within days of taking over last month, the Chief Adviser (Fakhruddin Ahmed) declared that his government will not tolerate terrorism against India from the soil of Bangladesh. Our reports from Bangladesh say in the current crackdown by Bangladeshi security forces against corrupt politicians, most of ULFA’s local godfathers have been arrested on serious charges, including support to terrorism”. Reliable Indian government sources told IANS that ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Barua has asked his cadres in Bangladesh to lie low for sometime.
“The ULFA leadership in Bangladesh seems to be increasingly becoming jittery. Analysts are of the opinion that ULFA is trying to buy time and regroup at a later stage,” the source, who did not want to be identified, told the agency. According to the source, the ULFA’s decision to withdraw their boycott call to the National Games in Assam on the pretext of appeals from Assamese sportspersons like Monalisa Barua who represented India was a sign of a climbdown. The ULFA has also offered to hold dialogue with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi recently. According to security expert KPS Gill, the ULFA leaders, especially its commander Paresh Barua who operates the ‘command headquarters’ at Dhaka, has over the years “turned the movement into a virtual mafia industry”.
“One of their key demands in the early days was to prevent illegal immigrants from Bangladesh into Assam and deportation of such immigrants who had settled in the state. This is no longer the demand of ULFA as its leaders are guests of Bangladesh,” Gill told the agency. Sources said that of late the ULFA is also strengthening its links with Islamic radical groups in Assam like the MULTA (Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam). The MULTA has contacts with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) of Bangladesh. The ULFA headquarters in Bangladesh has been working not only with intelligence agencies of Bangladesh, Pakistan and China, but also with Islamic extremists forces, the source said. “The international conspiracies to foment dissidence in India’s Northeast are neither new nor localised. Paresh Barua has been living in Bangladesh for a decade and a half. There have been Western interests, the Chinese involvement since the 1950s starting with the Naga movement, and the Pakistani intelligence operations with the help of successive governments in Dhaka,” the source said. “This would also include the Awami League rule from 1996 to 2001. The worst period was the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) rule from 2001 to 2006 when Bangladesh’s security agencies were thrown open to Pakistan’s terrorist operations against India,” the source said. “ULFA was given a pride of place in these operations. ULFA leaders regularly visited Pakistan for consultations on Bangladeshi passports. Similarly, ULFA cadres were sent to Pakistan for training. One of passports held by Barua is in the name of Kamran Khan,” the source said. Like many revolutionary groups that start with an ideology and purpose, ULFA has veered off its cause for which it was created 27 years back. The recent senseless killings of Bihari migrants, most of them poor, in Assam have again raised questions about the agenda of ULFA, which claims to be fighting for a sovereign Assam.
Infeasibility of plebiscite in Manipur By Dr Mohendra Irengbam Sangai Express Contd from previous issue
But the Maharaja of Manipur, Bodh Chandra Singh had already signed an ‘Instrument of Accession’ with the Government of (British) India on August 11, 1947. He agreed the merger along the same clauses in the treaty of other monarchs that defence, external affairs and communications would be looked after by India after August 15, 1947. We know that prior to Indian independence, Bodh Chandra under pressure from political parties especially the Manipur State Congress set up Manipur Constitutional Making Committee (MCC) with FF Pearson, President of Manipur State Durbar as Chairman to draft a Constitution for the State. Manipur Constitution Act was passed on May 8, 1947. A democratically elected Government was formed with a Council of Ministers and late MK Priya Brata as Chief Minister. He died in 2004 at the age of 94. I knew Captain Priya Brata, a real aristocrat and gentleman. Years ago, I accompanied by Khuraijam Dhiren (IHS) and late Nongthombam Nishikanta of Moirang-khom went to his house to donate Rs 1,000 towards the erection of a stone monument for the Khongjom war of April 27, 1891. Bodh Chandra gave an emotional speech using a loud speaker from the old Telegraph office. I went to listen but I did not understand much, I still remember his reference to someone “ngaranda tai pulamba toktuna...” (only yesterday he was wearing a tie but today)
Then in October 1948 Manipur State Assembly was inaugurated with the Maharaja as the Constitutional head. In mid-1949, the Governor of Assam, Sri Prakasa sniffed trouble in the air that Manipur might not be integrating with the Union of India. He went to see Sardar Patel who was then staying in Bombay, for advice. All that he said to Prakasa was “isn’t a Brigadier stationed in Shillong?’ - meaning a Brigade of Indian troops was sufficient to bring Manipur to heel. Within a few days, true to his word Maharaja Bodh Chandra was coaxed to go to Shillong to have a discussion with representatives of the Government of India, under pressure from Akhil Manipur Hindu Sabha (its architect Atombabu Sharma made my father untouchable for a while under the mangba-sengba diktat) and the Manipur Congress party. He was also flummoxed by the Dewan (Political Agent) of Indian Government. He left for Shillong accompanied by his advisors and Private Secretary, late Sanasam Gourahari. My eldest brother, late Irengbam Gokulchandra was also among the retinue. On the first day of the meeting with Prakasa in the Government House on September, 18, 1949 the Governor and his advisor Rustomji asked the shocked Maharaja to sign on the dotted line of the pre-prepared Merger Agreement. He refused and Prakasa did not press on. He returned to his Redlands Residence, only to be ringed by Indian troops with the tacit approval of Sardar Patel. While still under house arrest and after three days Bodh Chandra signed the Agreement on September 21,1949. He was threatened with the ultimatum that if he did not sign it Manipur would be integrated either with a new ruler to replace him or with military might. He signed the Merger Agreement -worded as “HH Maharaja Bodha Chandra Singh of Manipur, on behalf of himself, his heirs and successors and Vapal Pangunni Menon, Advisor to the Government of India in the Ministry of States and Sri Prakasa, Governor of Assam of the Government of India.”
Under the provision of that Agreement Manipur became an integral part of India with effect from October 15, 1949 when it was officially announced by MK. Velody, secretary in the Ministry of States, Government of India. For various reasons the agreement was kept secret by both parties until then. In Manipur, Major General Rawal Amar announced the annexation on the same day at the 4th Assam Rifles’ parade ground in Imphal. The official ceremony to end the 2,000 year old kingdom by dissolving the elected 1948 Ministry took place in Imphal on October 15, 1949. The Manipur administration was taken over by New Delhi. All that was required was a Battalion of Gurkhas of the 4th Assam Rifles to stand by just in case of political trouble. Not even a brigade.
At that critical juncture no one among the Meiteis vehemently objected to the merger, which reduced Manipur to a shameful Part C State. Congress was over the moon. A brilliant man Athiko Daiho from Mao and a few others prominent tribal leaders objected to the merger. He formed the National Naga League in September 1946 for separate Naga inhabited areas. He got into hot water. Though ‘a rebel’ upfront, he was prevailed upon to become a minister in the then Manipur Administration. I knew of him as his brother Sibou, Waikhom Damodor, Shongkhahao Kipgen and I studied together in Darjeeling. He used to live at Paona Bazaar. The polemics of the Manipur integration impugnment is partly the aftermath of a long term neglect of Manipur by successive Indian governments and partly the emotional disintegration of Meiteis as part of the Indian nation. Many now have come to feel that the merger was forced and unconstitutional. They have begun to long for an independent pre-1891 Manipur. A socio-cultural process of dis-Indianisation has begun with a ban by the insurgents on screening Hindi films in cinemas. The young generations have discarded the pseudo-Rajput surname of Singh or Devi. Many have changed back from Hinduism to the indigenous Sanamahi religion with its custom of burial rather than cremation of dead bodies. A new Meitei identity has been brought into a sharp focus, consequent upon Naga expansionism and ‘Central colonialism. In the context of a plebiscite the Indian Government might view that Manipur was not an independent sovereign State on August 15, 1947 when India replaced British India in as much as four days before the declaration of Independence, the Maharaja signed the Accession and the Standstill Agreement (status quo) to merge with the dominion of India on August 11, 1947. And therefore it had the same status as any other princely state of India. If there was an internal political change prior to British hand over it did not matter. Even if it did, the UN Security Council could not interfere as India would proclaim that it is an internal matter, as it has been doing in the political drama in Kashmir.
Moreover, Manipur signed two agreements with the Governor of Assam on July 1 and 2, 1947 at Imphal. Among the few clauses, it was agreed that Manipur should immediately declare to join the Constituent Assembly (Hindusthan). Another argument in favour of Delhi could also be that following the brutal partition of the sub-continent by rivers of blood, engineered by Muhammad AIi Jinnah, a Gujarati from Bombay, there was no time for adroitness and adult franchise in such matters of political integration as will later be seen in the case of Junagadh, Hyderabad and Kashmir. The contention of the Government of India thereby would be that Manipur was part and parcel of Indian Dominion when the British left the undivided India. As the common man in the street is unaware of this undercurrent of franchise, it would be testing the temperature to predestine voluntarily by an opinion poll of a cross section of Manipuris as to whether how many want to live in an Independent Manipur. Angami Zapu Phizo (NNC) did such an exercise in a head count in Nagaland in May 1951 when it was reported that 90% voted for independence. But it was not a complete representation. He covered only the districts of Kohima and Mokokchung. — to be contd