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03/15/2007: "Four NSCN-IM rebels killed in Nagaland Times of India IST IANS ]"


Four NSCN-IM rebels killed in Nagaland Times of India IST IANS ]

KOHIMA: At least four tribal guerrillas were killed in a gang war between two rival separatist groups in the north-eastern state of Nagaland, officials and rebel leaders said on Wednesday.

A police spokesman said militants of two warring factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) on Tuesday clashed in Naginimara town in Mon district, about 280 km northeast of Kohima.

"Four rebels of the NSCN's Isak-Muivah group were killed in the shootout carried out by cadres of the rival group headed by guerrilla leader SS Khaplang," a senior police official said.

A leader of the NSCN (Khaplang) faction said the rival group challenged their cadres, when they tried to flush them out from the area.

"The Isak-Muivah cadres were roaming around carrying weapons and collecting taxes and extorting money from the locals. Our boys tried to chase them out when they were challenged and in the ensuing shootout four of their cadres were killed and two weapons recovered," AZ Jami, senior NSCN (Khaplang) leader said.

Both the NSCN factions are operating a ceasefire with New Delhi, the NSCN-IM headed by Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu is holding peace talks after the group entered into the truce in 1997. The NSCN (Khaplang) is yet to begin formal talks with New Delhi although the group signed a ceasefire pact with the Indian government in 2001.

The two warring factions are engaged in a bitter fratricidal war for territorial supremacy with at least 200 cadres killed during the past five years. The violent insurgency in Nagaland has claimed around 25,000 lives since the country's independence in 1947

Kalam touches down today The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, MARCH 14 (MExN): Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, the eleventh President of India, makes his second visit to Nagaland today. Elaborate security arrangements have been made and drills have been conducted to ensure the safety of the President who touches down at Kohima helipad, a senior Police officer said. SPG personnel from Delhi who will jointly coordinate with the local Police during Kalam’s stay have already arrived, Inspector General of Police LL Doungel informed. The SPG men, who are trained like US Secret Service agents, usually arrive a day or two before a VIP’s visit to inspect arrangements and give suggestions to local Police if measures are found to be wanting.
According to his itinerary, Kalam should reach the Secretariat’s premises for the Nagaland University convocation by three in the evening. Kalam will also be visiting the Government Higher Secondary School Kohima on the same day and will have interaction sessions with the students at 5 pm.
He will put up for the night after interactions with schoolchildren and NGOs before he attends the banquet in his honour. On March 16, the President leaves for Shillong, Meghalaya’s capital, to attend the Assembly Session there.
Shoot at sight order for stray dogs, pigs Kohima, MarCH 14 (MExN): In view of the visit of the President of India to Nagaland on March 15 and 16, the Kohima Deputy Commissioner in an office order directed citizens of Kohima town to control, not to let loose their dogs and pigs in the town area with immediate effect. In case of violation of the order, the stray dogs and pigs will be shot at sight by a team of police personnel, Kohima DC R. Ramakrishnan, IAS said in a release.
Open letter to Kalam; FGN ready for talks Says ‘mutual respect and dignity’ should form basis The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, MARCH 14 (MExN): The Federal Government of Nagaland today said that India can be assured of the goodwill of the Naga people on a talk with “mutual respect and dignity.” In an open letter to President APJ Abdul Kalam, L Kaiso, FGN Vice President and W Shapwon, NNC Joint Secretary, stated, “The Federal Government of Nagaland and the Naga National Council stand for definitive talks at any time if India explores for a meaningful and honorable exit from Nagaland.”
Reminding Kalam of the open letter which was published when he had voluntary visited Nagaland on October 26, 2002, and of which original copies were posted to his ‘agent’ in Kohima and his office in New Delhi, the FGN said “the letter was meant for you to acquaint yourself of the irrefutable facts on Indo-Naga relations as you hold the highest honour of your country.”
According to the FGN, the voice of the Naga people apparently continued to be falling into deaf ears. “It may possibly be able to prolong the sufferings of the Naga People, because India is mighty and Nagaland a tiny nation.”
Asserting that today’s world can no longer accept that ‘might is right’, the open letter reiterated that “Nagaland is not for sale and India’s interference in the internal affairs of Nagaland is insulting Naga people.”
Peace Crusaders to meet NSCN (K) The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, MARCH 14 (MExN): The Pukreila (Tangkhul women married into other tribes) and Peace Crusaders based at Kohima will soon be journeying across the border to meet Kitovi Zhimomi, Ato Kilonser of the NSCN (K) and his cabinet members, a press note today said. “Also we shall be taking the messages of NSCN (IM) leaders and convey to NSCN (K) leadership.”
Asking for prayer support, the Pukreila and Peace Crusaders through Serino Chophi and N Pheirim said they had sought and received prayers for their objectives from the Kohima Baptist Pastors Fellowship. The objectives include revocation of Quit Notice, peace and reconciliation among all factions, healing of the wound inflicted among 3 rival factions, not to close down Tangkhul Baptist Church, Kohima due to the Quit Notice, God’s protection to the Pastor of Tangkhul Baptist Church and its members and meaningful dialogue in the present peace process by God’s intervention.

The release said they would make their plea to the NSCN (K) leadership based on the above mentioned points.
Mentioning that the Almighty had answered their prayers after they had personally approached the NSCN (K) leadership for revocation of Quit Notice “on humanitarian ground in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour”, the release said the appeal for smooth conduct of NBSE examinations for students coming from the four Naga districts of Manipur had also not fallen on deaf ears. “God answered our prayers and till today there is no victimization of innocent Tangkhul and exam of NBSE was allowed to (be conducted) peacefully.”
The Pukreila and Peace Crusaders have also been working as go-betweens of the factions and conveying their messages.
“Please pray for our safe journey and also for our leaders of various factions that they may humble down before God so that the cry of Naga Public for Peace and reconciliation in finding Naga political solution under forgiveness of the past is the revelation of God.”
MEx exclusive with Akuonuo Khezhie, Miss India finalist Morung Express News
Nagaland’s very own Akuonuo Khezhie has been selected as one of the top 25 finalists to vie for the Femina Miss India 2007 crown, to be held in Mumbai on the 31st of March. While the official declaration of the finalists will be made only at a press conference on the 20th of March, unofficial sources have informed that Akuonuo has already been selected into the top 25.
Standing at 5 feet 8 ½ inches, 23 year old Akuonuo is one of the few people who is blessed not only with beauty and brains, but with a beautiful and humble personality that has already won over many of the Miss India judges, and is going to make all Nagas proud. “She is already a favourite”, said one source about Akuonuo.
On her return this morning from Lucknow, where she was on a photo shoot for a L’Oreal commercial, Akuonuo received a call that she had been selected as one of the 25 Miss India finalists. “I am very happy and excited!” said this statuesque and strikingly beautiful girl to The Morung Express in a telephonic conversation. She also shared about her excitement, as well as the suspense that she’s had to go through ever since she decided to take part in the contest. “The past few days have been just filled with suspense for me,” she said.
Born and raised in Kohima, Akuonuo studied in Don Bosco School. She completed her Higher Secondary Studies in Mezhür Higher Secondary School, and went on to do her graduation at Delhi University. In 2000, Akuonuo walked away with the Miss Nagaland crown, and went on to win the Miss North-East in 2002. At her father’s advice, she decided not to enter for any more beauty contests, but wait until she graduated from college.
And indeed, after all the waiting, this year seems to be the right time for Akuonuo. After seeing a small advertisement for Miss India, she decided to give it a try; and much to her surprise, her picture was short listed from among the thousands of entries.
And after rounds of interviews, and grueling selection rounds, Akuonuo is now heading to Mumbai, where she will begin the rigorous preparation for the Miss India contest. On being asked what she would be wearing, Akuonuo said, “Definitely Naga!” and added , “I am really happy that I am able to, in my own way, open the door for Naga people to come to the forefront, and to make our people stronger and more confident even through me, …and irrespective of whether I win or lose, I want my whole stay in Mumbai during the contest to be related to who I am as a Naga”.

Akuonuo also added that this contest would be a great opportunity for people to know more about not just Nagaland, but the whole of the North-East, and to enable people to remove the misconceptions they may have about the region.
As for her selection to the top 25, there has been a mixture of reactions. Hemant Trivedi, one of India’s top designers who has designed for most of the Miss India contestants, and who himself is one of the judges for this contest, told Akuonuo, “You are the first person from your area”. While a journalist from a Delhi based national paper said to Akuonuo that while she could be selected to the top 12, she may not make it to the top 5, because of her non-Indian looks. But the girl is unfazed, and with good reason. Akuonuo is already slated to be one among the top favorites. “But whatever it is, I want to give my best, and in the end, I have equal chances of getting in or getting out because of my looks. And this is what I want to stress upon during the contest- What about our Unity in Diversity?” she said positively.
Having had many experiences as a model for various brands and national magazines like ELLE, Cosmopolitan, FNL, Akuonuo is no stranger to the glamour world. But the fact that she has maintained her level-headedness and down-to-earth qualities has often endeared her to whoever she comes in contact with. “Pray for me”, is what she has to say to the Naga people. “And remember that nothing is impossible if you dare to go for your dreams. And if it can happen to me, an average girl from a small town, everything is possible for anybody”.
Come 31st March, and the world will see the girl from Nagaland, Akuonuo Khezhie, vying for the crown of Femina Miss India. And for Nagas everywhere, she is already a winner and an ambassador.
NPF counters Imkong on poll verdict The Morung Express
Dimapur, March 14 (MExN): The Nagaland Peoples’ Front today strongly refuted the Opposition leader, I Imkong’s statement that the people have lost faith in the DAN government as a political rhetoric to earn cheap political gain for the Congress party.
The NPF press secretary, R Paphino, in a press release stated that the NPF won the Bye election in Dimapur-I A/C by a big margin of 3656 votes over the congress candidate and pointed out that this shows that the people still have faith in the DAN government.
“Is this thumping support given by the voters to the NPF (DAN) a sign of lost (losing) of faith on the DAN government by the People?” the release questioned and added, “Let our people have their own judgement on the issue”.
With regards to the defeat in Tuensang Sadar II bye election, the release stated that the NPF (DAN) government, basing on its commitment, has done so much for the people of Tuensang, and added that the people are well aware about the welfare programmes and developmental activities being carried out in the areas. The release alleged that the NPF candidate in Tuensang Sadar II last the bye election just because of ‘unscrupulous people who ruled the roost in Tuensang Sadar IIA/C’. It may be mentioned that the CLP leader, I Imkong on March 13 said in New Delhi that the bye elections results shows that the people have lost faith in the DAN government as there is total chaos in the state where killing is the order of the day.
Kalam to visit Shillong to Friday Times of India PTI ]

SHILLONG: Security has been tightened in the Meghalaya Capital town for President APJ Abdul Kalam's day-long visit to the state on Friday. Barricades have already been put up on both sides of the road to be taken by the President during his third official visit to the state, official sources said on Thursday. During his trip, Kalam will address the legislators of Meghalaya and interact with the students of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU).

He would arrive at the IAF helipad at 10.30 am from Nagaland and go to the assembly to address the MLAs. Kalam would then travel to the other side of the city to interact with a group of selected students of the university.
The President would spend 45 minutes with the students and the faculty before going to the Raj Bhawan for lunch with the MLAs. He would leave in the afternoon, the sources said.

An appeal to the Indian Army- Nagaland Post Opinion
The undersigned youth of Kiphire District, who had participated in the recently concluded Army recruitment rally would like to draw the kind attention of the higher authority of the Army to have concern for the youth of Kiphire District in rendering their services in order to join the prestigious Armed Force.
We are thankful to the 33 Assam Rifle of C-Company Camp, Kiphire Headquarter for availing their tireless services by giving pre-Military training, so that many of the Youths of this District would be recruited. However to our dismay, 99% were recruited despite their assistance.
With the afore-mentioned the undersigned individual(s) were much dismayed with the recently concluded rally held on 17th Feb. 2007 at the Kiphire Town, where 200 to 300 youths came forward and participated, from which only 27 Youth, with average percentage were selected in the next test round.
However, to our surprise, when the rally concluded at Kiphire Headquarter, we were again taken down to the Chakhabama for the Medical and written examination which was held on 21st Feb. 07 and 25th Feb. 07 respectively. And in which again 11(Eleven) of us were selected in written exams. There, after the written examination from Kiphire District ended only 4 (Four) of them got selected as per the result declared on 8th March.07 published in the local medias.
Therefore, it is our humble approach to the higher authority that, the recruitment rally held at Kiphire Headquarter was just in name, when the medical and written test were held elsewhere out of Kiphire District. And above all, Kiphire being the District seat requirement meant for us should be mentioned if it is to be held outside Kiphire District. Or else holding outside Kiphire District without its quota, we will be left with less opportunity and hardly handful of Kiphire youth shall be selected just like the recent concluded rally.
Hence, we shall be grateful if the recruitment rally for Kiphire District could be held at our district. By doing so, it shall ease the burden of the youth and parents in general. Many of our parents were trooped in order to opt for your discipline, which is not the first time. Knowing our backwardness and economic condition, this genuine appeal should be taken into deep consideration. Further, we the undersigned plea for sympathetic prayer for the Kiphire District youth through the realm of the Indian Army by enhancing the recruitment rally at Kiphire District too.
Jai hind !
1. T. Atsa Sangtam Roll No.22 2. Akito Sumi Roll No. 6
3. Seliba Sangtam Roll No. 4 4. Pioli Sangtam Roll No. 5
5. Rekho Yimchungre Roll No.23 6. Thsipise Sangtam Roll No.19
Traffic Regulations for President’s visit The Morung Express
In view of the visit of His Excellency, the President of India to Kohima on 15/03/2007 and in accordance to powers conferred U/S 115, 116 and 117 MV Act, 1988 and Govt. notification vide No. TPT/MV – 8/98 Dt. 20/09/01, the following traffic rules and regulations are issued for regulating vehicular traffic in Kohima in public interest.

(1) The routes from RAJ BHAVAN and CMs RESIDENCE to NEW SECRETARIAT OFFICE, from GOVT. HIGH SCHOOL to HIGH SCHOOL JN. and from 26 AR JN to PHOOLBARI JN. shall be closed to vehicular traffic 30 minutes prior to VVIP motorcade movement on 15/03/07. No vehicle except police and security forces on duty shall be allowed to park along the designated VVIP routes till the functions are over and the VVIP returns to Raj Bhavan.
(2) All vehicular movements in the BY LANES leading to the above mentioned routes (at Sl. No. 1) shall be closed/stopped at a distance 100 feet from the VVIP route 30 minutes prior to VVIP motorcade movement on 15/03/07 and 16/03/07.
(3) Vehicles with Car Passes to be issued for the occasion only to VIPs, Senior State Officials and Invitees shall be permitted to ply along the above mentioned routes during the timings when vehicular movement is closed to normal traffic.
(4) All City/Mini Buses shall be shifted towards I.G Stadium w.e.f 0500 hrs (5 AM) on 15/03/07. For public convenience they will be allowed to ply in the town areas along their designated routes till 1300 hrs. (1 PM) but shall not be permitted to park except to stop for picking up/dropping passengers in the designated Mini bus pick up points within the town. The same shall remain in force from 5 AM on 16/03/07 till the departure of the VVIP.
(5) All designated LOCAL TAXI parkings shall be temporarily shifted and stationed at Local Ground, Kohima w.e.f 5 AM on 15/03/07. They will be allowed to ply in the town till 1300 hrs. (1PM), but shall not be permitted to park in the town areas. The same shall remain in force w.e.f. 5 AM on 16/03/07 till departure of the VVIP.
(6) The designated ZONAL TAXI parking at Bank of Baroda and Kezieke area shall be temporarily shifted to Landslide Area below Naga Hospital towards Dimapur on NH-39 w.e.f. 5 AM on 15/03/07 and from 5 AM on 16/03/07 till the departure of the VVIP .
(7) The Southern Angami bound Sumos (Taxis) currently having pick up point at PHQ Jn. shall be shifted to the road (NH-39) below South PS w.e.f. 5 AM on 15/03/07 and from 5 AM on 16/03/07. (8) All the Western Angami bound Sumos (Taxis) currently having pick up point at PHQ Jn. shall be shifted to the Agri/ forest colony parking areas above Agri Jn. w.e.f. 5 AM on 15/03/07 and from 5 AM on 16/03/07. (9) All vehicle owners/drivers are directed to remove the abandoned/ off-road vehicles along the above mentioned routes (as in Sl. No. 1) on or before 13/3/07 failing which such vehicles shall be towed away by traffic police and the owners/drivers penalised as per law. (10) To regulate smoother traffic, diversion of traffic shall be resorted to by Traffic Police at diversion points as and when required.
(11) All invitees and participants of the University convocation function are requested to be seated at the Convocation Hall an hour before the function at New Secretariat Kohima.
K. MARTIN PIENYÜ Superintendent of Police, Kohima, Nagaland.
“Diminishing Democracy” U A Shimray Letter to the editor Morung Express
In Nagas society, leisure is entertained in the form of activities like hunting, fishing, Morung and gossip platform. Among these, gossip platform is considered important place where people debate and gossip [Gossip platform is a kind of open platform constructed by wooden logs and planks elevated at certain height with a large log placed for sitting]. In the morning and evening people sit in-group and indulge in all kind of gossip, and also discuss serious matters, sharing news and smoking pipe. In fact, the philosophy behind raising such platform was based on basic human instinct that one should meet others and talk and discuss and even quarrel when one fails to understand the viewpoint of the other. Even serious debates also take place, but informally. There is a saying, “those who do not go to platform are those who do not love wisdom.”
The ethics of gossip platform endorses that Nagas have a tradition of public debate and reasoning. And such system correctly alludes to the ubiquity and intensity of public discussion. Unfortunately, today the quality of our [Nagas] public debate is deteriorating lacking its essence and accountability. This composition attempts to examine briefly about the quality of our contemporary public discourse and the absence of a political and social culture of public reasoning in the premise of democratic domain.
When examine the present Naga public debate, I don’t see a great deal because the basic fundamental nature of healthy discussion, constructive discourse and criticism, opinion sharing and intellectual inputs find no space. Rather it is becoming one-sided view of deliberation and imposition. Such observation is more conspicuous in the current decade. For instance, time to time United Naga Council (UNC) came out certain declarations tagged with “Terms and Conditions.” Here, Manipur elections are favourable citable example. This time, UNC moved away from their traditional activism [“Naga Want Solution, Not Election,” “Expedite Peace Process”…] and involved directly the 9th Manipur General Election under the theme of “Lead Kindly Light.” UNC’s political reasoning is something to do with “National Interest” and to voice “Naga Integration” in Manipur Assembly. However, the query here is there any public debate and reasoning on this drastic political stand and paradigm shift?
Forgetting past policy and activities, now UNC finds so-called “consensus candidates” and formed an alliance, christened as “United Naga Democratic Front” (UNDF). This political front emphasis to work outside the house for “Common Identical Programme” and interest of the people… Is UNDF bears Nagas’ Mandate? Or the apex UNC shedding its grassroot activism and orient towards State politics. Moreover, the reasoning of the phrase “national-interest” fails to present competent explanation of what it translate for. Also, certain forceful apparatus were utilised to capitalise the so-called “national interest.”
Today, the trend of Nagas’ democracy has been overlap with a tactic of “imposition” apparatus [without given justification to the public]. Such tactics grossly violates one’s fundamental principle of respect for others. In recent Manipur election, UNC tactically “request” people to vote for their Independent Candidates [certain miscreant activities also witnessed]. Conscience and reasoning is not comprehensible…Is the political debate and Naga issue just submerge into the mere Indian electoral process? That also, to a mere 11 [Eleven] numbers of Manipur elections…[Do we have to skip the number 60 in Nagaland Assembly!]. But short listing out of 60 contenders [Is Naga women not important in Naga politics!] as “Blessed-One” is not democratic ethics but rather autocratic imposition manifesting civil hegemony. Democracy believes in principle, liberty and freedom not to “terms and conditions.”
The Editorial, The Sangai Express [9 February 2007] wrote: “It remains to be seen how effectively the UNC has been able to ‘influence’ the Naga people in choosing their elected representatives, but the message has already been rung out and that is, everyone should toe the line of what the UNC thinks is right and best for the people.” Now, one can question the “influence” and “accountability” of the civil organisations [suppose to be non-political organisation] in the society. In democracy, people carry the same value. Indeed, the briefest moment of reflection on our political debates will reveal a polarization based on prejudice masquerading as argument.

Remarks
Baruah (2005: 19) writes “democratic elections take place and the press in the region is relatively free, many aspects of political life on the ground are rather distant from the substantive values associated with democracy. In terms of respect for basic freedom, the rule of law and principles of accountability and transparency, there is a significantly diminished form of democracy…[Durable Disorder. New Delhi: OUP]
Individual freedom, clan-communitarian participation and socialisation are the inherent principle of Naga socio-political setup. However, when there is “impose-democracy,” one’s freedom become unfreedom and such can breed socio-political unfreedom. The tradition of healthy debate, democratic set up, value system and its spirit is slowly diminishing. There is no wrong to say that Naga society is in the stage of labyrinth crossroad of socio-political dilemma. The dilemma includes how to tackle the political perception in the democratic domain. In other word, the beauty of Naga traditional values is at stake. Naga political attitude of tolerance, accommodation, principle, dignity and accountability is changing in the midst of “mistaken-democracy.” And such mistaken emerge due the influence of money culture, power and greed. Of course, the present money power and gun culture pose major detrimental factor to social and political development.
Indeed, the credibility of civil societies is essentially important in the democratic exercise. At the same time, the organisations should uphold its objectives and principles. Good politics strengthens democratic values and carry social harmony but when such essence is lost in the socio-political discourse would invite blunder. In fact, sense of politics as a collective enterprise, underpinned by the idea of a common good. Quality public debate is based on respect for others and followed from that, respect for their opinions. If respect is not possible or forthcoming, it requires at least tolerance as a minimum condition of the civic relationship. However, when the public discourse is “coup” then it would be difficult to asses the validity of democracy.
Blast at Assam market, one killed and five injured New Kerala
Guwahati, March 15: One person was killed and five wounded Thursday in a powerful explosion at a crowded marketplace in Assam. A police spokesperson said the bomb went off at the daily vegetable market at Sonari town, about 390 km east of Assam's main city of Guwahati. The blast took place at 8 am. "The market was crowded when the blast took place.

"According to initial reports one person was killed and five others injured, most of them either shoppers or vendors," N. Rajkhowa, a senior police official, told IANS by telephone from Sonari.

The injured were shifted to local hospitals with multiple wounds.

"There is panic in the area soon after the blast," the official said. Police said they suspected the separatist United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was behind the attack. The blast comes on the eve of ULFA's 'army day' on March 16 - the day the outfit's armed wing was formed after the group was founded in 1979. This is the fourth attack blamed on the ULFA in the past one week - two bomb explosions earlier in eastern Assam killing one person and injuring 24 and the gunning down of a Congress party leader.
The ULFA, which has been fighting for an independent homeland since 1979, was blamed for a string of attacks in January that killed about 80 people, 61 of them Hindi-speaking migrant workers in eastern Assam. The ULFA in recent weeks offered to hold talks with New Delhi although there is no response yet from the central government. More than 10,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency in Assam during the past two decades. --- IANS

Sheltering rape accused’ slur on AR; women folk, scribes thrashed
18 yr old girl raise rape cry, protesting women thrashed, many condemn
By Our Staff Reporter SanGai Express
IMPHAL, Mar 14 : Adding injury to insult, personnel of A Coy of the 38 Assam Rifles deployed at the Kotlien post brutally thrased a large number of women, who were demanding that a jawan of the unit, who has been accused of raping an 18 year old girl be handed over to them today.
Tension gripped Veitum Khullen in Senapati district under Sapermeina police station when an 18 year old girl was allegedly assaulted and raped by an Assam Rifles personnel yesterday at about 10 am.
The rape victim is identified as Nengneikim Haokip (18) daughter of Themang Haokip. She is a student at a local school.
The young girl who narrated her ordeal to a team of media persons said that she had gone to a nearby spring to wash clothes yesterday at about 10 am. At that time all the men folk and the adult members of the village had gone to the field for the day's work.
While she was washing her clothes, a jawan of the Assam Rifles identified as Nungthui Gangmei of Jalukie in Nagaland came near the place where she was washing clothes and started drinking from a bottle.
Not suspecting anything the girl continued with her chores.
However after some time, the jawan grabbed her from behind while she was washing the clothes, recalled the young girl and added that she raised a cry.
At this the jawan, gagged her mouth and as the struggle continued, he picked up a large stone and hit her thrice on the head and the waist, after which she lost consciousness.
The girl then added that when she regained consciousness after some time, she found that she had been completely disrobed with her clothes being thrown away. The jawan was also still sitting there drinking, said said.
The media persons who were taken to the place where the rape allegedly took place found blood stains all over. Her clothes were also blood stained.
Recalling her ordeal, the girl said that after regaining consciousness she realised what had happened and started crying.
The AR man tried to stop her from running away, but she somehow managed to dodge the jawan and ran all the way to her home, fully naked.
On reaching home, she put on a set of fresh clothes and accompanied by her mother went to the AR post at Kotlien to report the matter. Dressings were provided for her injured head.
Dried blood cakes were still visible on the bandage on her head and other parts.
Later, the girl along with her parents were taken to the 38 AR Bn Hqs at Noney where she was again given some minor treatment.
As news of the rape spread, angry villagers along with AR personnel launched a search for the rape accused yesterday but he could not be found.
The rape accused was seen coming out from the house of one Tika Ram in a nearby Nepali village this morning. The village chief of Neitum Khullen Songshomang Haokip along with another person identified as Henkhulun managed to over power the rape accused and brought him to their village.
At the village, the rape accused was handed over to the women folk. However the jawan managed to escape and took refuge at the AR post at Kotlien.
Armed with sticks, the women folk then descended on the post and demanded that the rape accused be handed over to them. As their demand was not met, the women folk started attacking the AR gate.
After some time, the Assam Rifles personnel charged out from the post and armed with sticks and bamboo poles started brutally thrashing the women folk. One woman fainted in the middle of the road while many were injured, some of them seriously. The Kuki Students has already informed the matter to the SP of Senapati over the phone. However no police team arrived at the spot today. Meanwhile the National Identity Protection Committee has stated that it will not take the rape lying down and added that the assault of the media persons is something which has no place in a democracy.
AR men show their heroism by assaulting scribes By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Mar 14 : Obviously not satisfied with showing off their gallantry by bashing up hapless women folk, personnel of 18 Assam Rifles posted at Kotlien turned their wrath on a team of reporters who had gone to the spot to cover the story of the rape as well as the protest launched by women folk today.
Our staff reporter who had personally gone to cover the incident has this to say : After the women folk were dispersed at about 3 pm today, the Assam Rifles men turned towards us and asked “Who are you ?”
We identified ourselves as reporters, but were instructed, or rather ordered to go inside the post and meet their Saheb.
As asked, we proceeded towards the post but were told that we could go. We had started walking quite a distance when we were again called to come to the post.
Even as we were making our way towards the post, one AR man with a long sharply pointed bamboo pole came charging at one of us. He was however stopped by the other personnel. However that did not stop the AR men from targeting us.
Cameraman of ISTV, G Gagan Sharma was slapped by one jawan across his face, while Th Brojen of Ereibak was also similarly assaulted. The slap left Gagan dazed for a while and he had to sit down to recover fully.
Once inside the post, the Officer-in-Charge of the post asked or rather ordered us to erase the pictures which we had captured on our cameras.
I suggested that the OC first talk to the PRO of PIB, Rajesh Misra and offered him my mobile. After a short conversation the topic of erasing the pictures was dropped.
When we conveyed that we wanted to leave, we were told that the Officiating CO of 38 Assam Rifles, Col Goleria was on his way and asked us to meet him.
Col Goleria arrived after about one hour and the first question that he shot at us was, “How are you going to file your report.”
I replied, “Let the PRO of PIB come as he is on his way. We also need to discuss the matter with our Editors.”
Apart from such a crude question, the Colonel then accused us of instigating the villagers to protest !
Finally the PRO, Rajesh Misra along with the president of AMWJU and other members of the Standing Committee of the Union arrived and after some time, we were allowed to leave.
Meanwhile the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union has strongly condemned the assault of the two scribes by AR men posted at Kotlien today.
In a statement, the Union said that an emergency meeting of the Standing Committee of AMWJU was held today evening, where the incident was strongly condemned.
A special meeting has also been convened tomorrow at 11 am at the Manipur Press Club premises to discuss further course of action. All journalists have been asked to attend the meeting without fail.
AMWJU has also strongly condemned the assault of Aaj Tak correspondent M David near his residence at about 10 pm on February 7 by unidentified persons.
The Kuki Students' Union, Sadar Hills has also strongly condemned the Ar for thrashing the women folk and informed that 8 young girls were seriously injured. The student body also decried the assault and detention of media persons by the AR.
Annexation(?) of Manipur By Lt Col H Bhuban Singh (Retd) Contd from previous issue Sangai Express
But time was running out and pressure of Delhi was mounting. Sri Prakasa was in a fix. He had known the Maharaja since August 1934, when he was young and Yuberaj as well. Bodhchandra was banished by his father for attempting to ascend the throne through the worship and grace of a sylvan deity, when the father, His Highness Maharaja Sir Churachand Singh KCSI, CBE, was away on pilgrimage to Nabadwip. Yuberaj Bodhchandra Singh spent about three years in exile under the patronage of Sri Prakasa, a nationalist politician of Benares, now known as Varanasi. The relationship between Governor Sri Prakasa and Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh was like that of a father and son. The Maharaja addressed Sri Prakasa as Baba.
Suddenly, the Governor decided to cash on this relationship and made up his mind to pay a lone and private visit to the Maharaja. Though he sent a note to Rajbari that he would come around 5 pm, he went earlier without escort and personal staff. When the Governor arrived at Red Lands Rajbari, the Maharaja was enjoying his afternoon nap.
The Governor told the servants not to wake up the Maharaja. He waited in the Gol Kamara (round room). When Bodhchandra came in, His Excellency stood up and lovingly said, “Hai, Bodhchandra”, not “Your Highness”. The Maharaja replied, “Haa, Baba”. Sri Prakasa continued “I have come as your Baba, not as Governor”.
Then, Sri Prakasa requested the Maharaja to send all his officers out of the room so that he could have a heart to heart talk. He told the Maharaja that New Delhi would not permit any delay. Sri Prakasa told the Maharaja that he was prepared to resign his Governorship, but a new Governor would forcibly affect the merger under terms and conditions more harmful to Manipur and to the Maharaja.
The Governor said, “Mein bhig mangne aya (I have come to beg)”. Then the Maharaja agreed to sign the Merger Agreement. They stood up and embraced each other. The Manipur Merger Agreement was signed on the next day, 21 September 1949, and Manipur got officially merged into India on 15 October 1949.
Now, in a topsy-turvy manner, let us examine if Manipur was, indeed independent at midnight of 14-15 August 1947. The Indian Independence Act, 1947 passed by the British Parliament on 18 July 1947, allowed the setting up of ONLY two independent Dominions in India to be known respectively as India and Pakistan. There was no room for a third Dominion.
If any ruler wanted to be free, he would be inviting that blessed thing called ‘war’. Indeed, war was actually fought over Nizam’s Hyderabad, a war-like show of force was displayed over Junagadh (in Gujarat), a public outcry with an impending use of force over Travancore and an on-going, three times fought Indo-Pakistani War, over Jammu & Kashmir. In sum, the Instrument of Accession, 1947 and the Standstill Agreements, 1947 decided the fates of Princely States as regards which Dominion they had to join and the Merger Agreements were simply for transfer of administration from Native Rulers to the concerned Dominion, like Chief Commissioner etc.
As for me, I want to be a citizen of the strongest nation of the world. I want to feel as proud as the Americans are now, or as the Chinese are beginning to feel, recently. Though I am no lover of Punjabis, but instinctively, I feel very thrilled when Jeev Milkha Singh does well in international golf circuit. The bond of love between Jeev and me are our Indianness. Similarly, I shed exhilarating tears when our Manipur contingent picks up medals in National Games. Let us all be good human beings and hope that we will soon belong to the greatest and most powerful nation of the world. — Concluded

NE ultras not trying to form new country Our Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, March 14 – The Centre has discounted reports about the Northeast- based insurgent outfits preparing to form a new country like Bangladesh. In a Rajya Sabha reply, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, S Reghupathy said that there were no reports to suggest that terrorist groups of NES are paring to form a new country. Most of the insurgent outfits in the North-east including ULFA have been demanding sovereignty. He also denied that Maoists were active in the NER.

Meanwhile, in reply to a separate question, the Minister said Government of India has approved a proposal submitted by Government of Assam to establish 21 additional foreigners tribunals in addition to the existing 11 in the State. According to the State Government 27 tribunals are already functional, the Minister said.

Mediamen face AR wrath for covering rape incident The Imphal Free Press

Imphal, Mar 14: The ugly face of the Assam Rifles was once again displayed today at its Kotlien post where journalists covering an incident there were beaten up by the security men. The All Manipur Working Journalists Union has strongly condemned the assault on the journalists by the 38 AR, A-coy posted at Kotlien on NH-53 under Senapati district. The media men had gone there to collect information on a reported sexual assault of a 18-year old girl by a personnel of the post.

An emergency meeting of the standing committee of the union was held this evening in this regard. The meeting expressed strong exception to the intimidation by the AR personnel and further appealed to all journalists to attend a special meeting called in this regard tomorrow at 11 am at the Press Club.
The media team was physically assaulted and detained at the said post for nearly two hours and were asked to erase all the photographs which captured the excesses of the AR personnel.

However, a team of the standing committee led by the president of the union along with the PRO PIB (DW) brought back the journalists detained at the post. Among the assaulted journalists, Gagan, a reporter of the ISTv was threatened first with a large wooden piece, then with a pointed bamboo stick and afterwards slapped by the attacking jawan. on the other hand, Brojen of the Ireibak was also threatened with a gun butt and dragged by his collar. He said that the AR personnel charged the mediapersons of instigating a mob while the truth was that womenfolk had been protesting in front of the post since 10 am today, demanding that the rapist be produced before them.
The AR jawans reportedly also lathi charged the protestors in which many women were injured. A woman was seen lying on the ground in great agony while many others were also brutally beaten, Brojen added. Meanwhile, a statement of the KSO strongly condemned the act of the AR personnel, revealing that the lathi charge seriously injured the protesting womenfolk leading to grevious injuries to eight minor girls. The KSO also lauded the bravery of the journalists who had gone there to extract the truth and safeguard human lives at their own risk.


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