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04/02/2007: "Militants steal cops’ thunder - Manipur seeks Delhi intervention in kidnap-murder case OUR CORRESPONDENTThe Telegraph"

2 April 2007 Monday
Militants steal cops’ thunder - Manipur seeks Delhi intervention in kidnap-murder case OUR CORRESPONDENTThe Telegraph
Imphal, April 1: Manipur police and Naga militants are engaged in a tug-of-war for custody of the three men who allegedly kidnapped and killed schoolboys Muheni Martin and Hriini Hubert.
Under fire for failing to save the boys, the government faced more flak and embarrassment when reports confirmed that the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) had caught the main accused before the police could even figure out their identities. Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh has now sought Delhi’s help in getting custody of the accused. “I have urged Delhi to intervene in the case and hand over the prime accused, now in the custody of the NSCN (I-M), to Manipur police for interrogation,” he told the media today.
Ibobi Singh said he was sure Delhi, which has a ceasefire agreement with the NSCN (I-M), could end the impasse by talking directly to the outfit’s leadership.
The chief minister’s anxiety stems from the tense situation in Senapati district, where the incident occurred. The distraught parents of the victims have yet to accept the bodies, found in a gorge not far from their homes on March 27. Martin and Hubert were kidnapped on December 14 last year and killed despite their families reportedly paying ransom. Superintendent of police Nishit Kumar Ujjwal said over phone from the district headquarters that Martin and Hubert’s parents had refused to accept the bodies unless the killers were brought to book. “The deadlock persists. The bodies are at Senapati police station. Negotiations with the NSCN (I-M) are under way,”
Two members of the militant group visited Senapati on Friday to speak to representatives of NGOs campaigning for “justice” to Martin and Hubert, who were students of Class III in the same school. The men who allegedly kidnapped and murdered them — Manikho Mao, Brown Tangkhul and Adai — are at the outfit’s headquarters, Camp Hebron near Dimapur.
All three accused are Nagas. A source said Senapati-based NGOs were encouraging the NSCN (I-M) to “punish” the accused rather than bank on the police and the judiciary to mete out justice. The militant leaders who visited Senapati went back after assuring the NGOs that there would be a “proper investigation” and the culprits would be “punished as soon as possible”.
There are conflicting claims about the identities of the persons behind the crime. While a senior NSCN (I-M) functionary said Brown and Manikho were the masterminds, another leader from Camp Hebron reportedly told the victims’ parents that Manikho was the only culprit. On the other hand, the Khaplang faction of the NSCN accused members of the rival Isak-Muivah group of kidnapping and murdering the boys.
Rejoinder to NSCN (K)- Nagaland Posy Opninion
The Khaplang terrorists of Lotha region should stop prattling and making a fool of themselves in the interest of the Lothas. Let me remind you that a wise man talks less to avoid exposing his ignorance and weakness. It is very interesting to see that you claim to work for the Lothas but on concocted allegations issuing threat to innocent people and business community. It reveals your evil mindset that is fit for the gutters. How can you claim to work for the people when you are not even in their district? You have to be with them to know their problems and lend a helping hand when needed. Maybe your gang has remote control.
The GPRN have been sacrificing for the people and care for them. When terrorists like you sneak around like wolves in sheep clothing, the peace loving people informs us. They have realized that we are for them and have bestowed confidence upon us. Joseph Lotha, supervisor and Chichamo Lotha , secretary-in-charge Lotha region of NSCN (K) renegades are experts in concocting stories like they do in their write ups. Maybe your idea of working for people means sneaking around at night like criminals resulting in the murder of dedicated and innocent people like Late Nchumbeni Lotha of Tsungiki Village on March 27,2007.
The Lothas are disgraced by your usage of foul and abusive language while casting false aspiration against your own tribesmen Wobemo Lotha, region secretary GPRN. It is a clear revelation of your uncivilized mindset. It is a clear indication that you have been brainwashed by criminal elements. If not, then one does not use foul words for public consumption. With your present set of mind, how can you lead people and how can they follow you?
If you have sufficient knowledge, you will understand that the Lothas and Tangkhuls belong to the same linguistic family. A clear sign that they came from the same forefather.
Lotha region GPRN(NSCN-IM)
People best judge for DAN's performance: Dr Shurhozelie North East Press Service

Kohima, Apr 1 (NEPS): Nagaland Minister for Planning and Urban Development Dr Shurhozelie said the DAN government in its four years of rule had done lot of developmental works in the state. "Our people are the best judge for the performance of the DAN government during its last four years of rule in the state," the minister said. Talking to NEPS here, the minister agreed to the opposition Congress' claim that major projects like IG Stadium, Referral Hospital and Police Headquarters were started during their time. "There is no dispute on this but the question is if the Congress remained in power, these projects would remain as a white elephant," he stated.

Dr Shurhozelie recalled that late Rajiv Gandhi laid the foundation stone of the IG Stadium and for many years, it remained like that if not no progress was there in the stadium. It was only after the DAN ministry came to power, Rs 10.50 crore was pumped in 2003 and completed the First Phase of the Stadium. "Our contractors also worked day and night and in October 2003, a Civic Reception of the then NDA Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was held at this very ground," the minister added. "Buoyed by the developments in the stadium, the Prime Minister gave Rs 18 crore to complete the Second Phase."

The minister also denied the opposition charges that it did not take up any major projects in the state. He said the government started Sainik School Project in the state and completed it in record time and admission already started for the academic sessions. "We have initiated many projects and many are also in the pipelines," he disclosed.

Dr Shurhozelie also said he started small programs for town development, as in the past, there was nothing for the town. The RD department was only for the villagers and the VDB used to get their shares, while leaving nothing for the town dwellers. At the same time, heavy migration to the towns increased and the urbanization became very fast. "To mitigate this problem, I have taken up some programs for the development of towns in 2005-6 and provided Rs 2 crore," he stated. "In the meantime, we received so many demands.'

Again for the current financial year (2006-7), they got Rs 8 crore. "In order to do justice, we have also selected 66 towns that included all district HQs, SDO HQs, EAC HQs," he said. He however pointed out that EAC HQs should be having population of 2000 and above but in some cases they had to consider like in the case of Alongtaki that had no town, so they included Longchem.

To avoid misappropriation of funds, the minister said they had prepared a guideline and also asked all the 66 selected towns to set up Local Development Committee (LDC). "It is only a small amount as some may get Rs 10 lac or 5 lac," he said. "But once it is judiciously used, it is big amount."

Assuring that he would not put his hand as the LDCs had been empowered to prepare their projects for the approval, Dr Shurhozelie said he asked the Committee to use the funds judiciously as "it is their pride only."
The Morung Express
Both the NSCN-K and NSCN-IM claim the slogan “Nagaland for Christ.” How can they lift up that slogan alongside statements that threaten others because of ethnic or political affiliation? How can they claim to stand for Christ when they are willing to kill others who bear the name of Christian? How can they claim to be following or speaking for Jesus as their Lord when Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” “Love your enemies,” and “Forgive seventy-seven times.”
I have listened to factional leaders over many years. I have read countless denunciations, page after page of accusations, and interpretations of the Naga story that make one’s own side out to be those remaining steadfast to the cause and the other group being the blood-thirsty betrayers. I’ve seen enough evidence, and the Home Minister’s tally also bears witness, that there is blood on all hands.
As a brother in Christ and a minister of the Word of God, I would humbly challenge all who are serious about claiming “Nagaland for Christ,” to begin to act Christ-like, or at least act like one who desires to follow Christ. To do so will lead to words of confession and sorrow not words of threat and arrogance. To do so will lead to offers of forgiveness not proffers of self-justification. To do so will lead to “seeking peace and pursuing it” as in Psalm 34.14 charges us, not seeking political advantage and domination. We need to see leadership for a moral makeover that goes far deeper than whether one drinks alcohol or not. We need to see leadership for a moral makeover to seek “the things that make for peace” (Luke 19.42).
Nagaland - A Collage Nagaland Post
This morning as usual, before I started my day's work at office I opened our online dailies. It has become a ritual for me to first read the news about Nagaland and the state it is in. Being away from home, the websites provide the much needed information. I must admit our State is in a sad condition. Nagaland for me has become a collage of contradictions and deceits outlined with religious sentiments, morality and non-stop bloodshed in the name of liberation.
For the benefit of those who do not know what collage is- Collage is an assemblage or an artistic composition of materials and objects pasted over a surface often with unifying lines and colours The result will vary depending on the images or the colour composition used, but on the whole it's a piece of art and it's beautiful. The word Nagaland used to conjure beautiful images of people, places and virtue. Sadly today it only invokes a vague memory of those happy days when as a child I used to think of Nagaland as paradise.
I say Nagaland is in a sorry state not only because of the insurgency issues, corruption or the inability of our churches to portray itself as the body of Christ but also Nagaland is in a sorry state because of the people. We tend to forget that we are part of the whole collage; we form the Nagaland collage with our unifying custom, tradition and sadly our selfish ways. We tend to forget that if we keep ourselves out of the whole composition there will be a part missing and being apart (or a separate piece of image) we cannot call ourselves a collage. I am illiterate about Nagas history, the agony that our grandfathers went through under the Indian Army, nor do I know about our present so-called 'freedom fighters' nor am I aware of their ideology or what are they really fighting for.
But, one thing I know-Nagaland is deteriorating. Many Naga students who are studying outside Nagaland and for those who have found a job in the cities do not want to go back to Nagaland, reason- there is nothing in Nagaland, "corruption he bhorta", "aru underground khan kot jabo", there is no value for virtue and even those who are good soon falls prey to the norms of the day. It's heart breaking to acknowledge these statements as true, because it is. What good is it if our own land becomes the predator? There is corruption, back door policy, murder, bloodshed and theft everywhere. No modern society is exempt from these social evils. But, the difference is, in other parts of the country there is progress and development. There is chance for hardworking people to get on to the next available higher official position, whereas in Nagaland, one has to be a Minister's relative, Director's in-laws or be a part of any insurgent group to get a job. "Get a government job!" that's what my parents keep telling me, "atleast you'll have security in the future". The thought that the Government would secure my future gives me a very insecure feeling. Our "freedom fighters" seem to be struggling for freedom not for people but for themselves.
They seem to have taken the term "freedom fighter" literally and not conceptually. They will fight against anyone who opposes them, anyone who gives a critical stand against their action, they will fight against anyone who has the gut to be free in speech, action or in written form.
Yes, they are "freedom fighters"- they fight freedom. Ironic though, Nagas should be grateful to the numerous insurgent groups for providing employment to the many uneducated and educated but unemployed youths. Sadly "Insurgent Associate" or "I am working in an Underground Company" or "I just shifted to this Insurgent Company as the offer was better" does not hold any office of regard or respect these days. Gone are the days when people were proud to be part of such Insurgent group. I still proudly tell my friends that my grandfather was actively involve in freedom struggle because he forsake his family, went underground, was tortured by the Indian army but never stole or deceived his fellow villagers. But, these days nobody openly acknowledges that one of their family members is an underground activist. When asked what their occupation is, the common response would be, "Oh! He is into some business but it's not working out that well." "You know na, these days Government and Underground threats".
I wonder why we have to justify their stand or occupation. Why is it so hard to tell others that a particular relative or cousin or sibling is an underground activist? Although people from the same locality, town or village know about who is into what and their job profile, nobody dare say they are underground activist. My dear fellow youths, it's time to think and act. We cannot act unless we think. We say there is nothing in Nagaland but the truth is, there is so much Our Land has to offer us. Have you ever wondered why we think of Nagaland whenever the weather gets too tough in cites, why we think of Nagaland every time natural calamites strike somewhere in the world?
For so many petty and unknown reasons we think of Nagaland because it is our land and it's where we belong. Do I care whether we are part of the Indian Territory or whether we become a separate Nation? I'm afraid the answer has drastically changed from Yes to No over these years.
But I care when my people kill each other and treat each other with distrust. Considering the amount of killing happening it won't be long before Nagas become a lost race.
I care if Nagas become a remnant of relationship turning sour among families. Nagaland is a beautiful collage and spectator sees us as a whole. But on closer look we, as an individual image should also try our best to keep the beauty of this whole composition. Let us not distort it with our hatred and dishonesty. Let us not take Nagaland to the similar fate of Dorian Gray, the protagonist of Oscar Wilde's only novel 'The picture of Dorian Gray'-who remain youthful and beautiful but with every crime and deceit his portrait became more and more distorted.
Until atlast when he saw his true self in his portrait he could not take it anymore and kills himself. Pier Paolo Pasolini, a gay Italian self professed atheist and filmmaker once said, "If you know that I am an unbeliever, then you know me better than I do myself.
I may be an unbeliever, but I am an unbeliever who has nostalgia for a belief." I don't want "belief" to be nostalgia. I believe there is hope for Nagaland because there is unrest in the hearts of many Naga youths today. I am an unbeliever of Government, Freedom fighter's ideology and Church policy but I am a believer of my people, the innate compassion and wit of Nagas. And, I also believe Nagas as a race of courage, honesty and optimism.
Chubala Jamir, Hyderabad
Manipur seeks custody of accused From Sobhapati Samom Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, April 1 – Manipur government has been pressuring the Central Government in New Delhi to hand over three persons involved in abduction and murder of two boys to the state authority after getting them released from the custody of the NSCN-IM. Chief Minister O Ibobi told this to the media in a brief interaction on the sidelights of a function held here on Sunday afternoon. The proscribed NSCN-IM had admitted that three persons believed to be involved in the kidnapping and gruesome murder of two school boys, Hriini Hubert and Muheni Martin in Senapati town were under their custody.

Deputy kilonser of the ministry of information and publicity of the outfit, Kraibo Chawang had informed local media that the three persons in their custody were Monikho Mao, Brown Tangkhul and Adai. Meanwhile the rival underground NSCN-K has alleged that NSCN-IM was directly and indirectly involved in the kidnapping and murder of the two Senapati school children. Mention may be made here that the skeletal remains of the two school boys were recovered last Tuesday from a Senapati jungle after they were kidnapped on December 14 last year. A senior spokesman of the NSCN-K alleged that NSCN-IM cadres and sympathisers had kidnapped the two boys and subsequently killed them after collecting ransom from their parents even after the dead bodies of the children were found.

He also contended that the boys were killed as they would have revealed the nscn-im’s involvement in the kidnapping had they been released alive. He further charged that even after the murder of the children, the nscn-im tried to provoke communal tension by giving a false indication to the public that the kidnappers had taken the children towards a Zeliangrong village in the Makhan area. While talking to mediapersons in Senapati district the NSCN-K leader claimed that NSCN-IM has been encouraging the culture of kidnapping of children for ransom, recalling the episode of the kidnap and murder of Lungnila Elizabeth, daughter of then Manipur minister Francis Ngajokpa. Though the NSCN-IM had the main suspect in the Lungnila Elizabeth case, James Kuki, in its custody, it had not delivered justice, he pointed out, and charged that the NSCN-IM had taken the lion’s share of the ransom received from the minister. He called upon the Naga public to constitute a fact-finding team to investigate and take the statements of the alleged suspects.
NDFB raises voice against disruptive forces Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
UDALGURI, April 1 – A situation of peace and serenity among the Boro people started to prevail at the initiative of the NDFB after they signed the ceasefire agreement with the Government of India. The Boro people who had to face fear and uncertainty for the last four-five years due to fratricidal killings have started to heave a sigh of relief. This was stated in a leaflet published by ministry of information and publicity of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) here on Thursday at Udalguri.

Reacting sharply to the public liasion office attack at Medaghat in Baksa district on March 26 last, the NDFB leaflet accused Hitesh Basumatary, EM of BTC administration of being behind the ‘gruesome incident’ where an NDFB cadre was killed and several others injured. The NDFB also said that it has proof that Hitesh Basumatary was directly involved in the incident at Medaghat. At the end of the National Highway bandh called by the BPPF (H) on March 21 in protest against the deservation of Kokrajhar constituency, Hitesh Barumatary along with his groups of goons entered into the NDFB’s public liasion office at Medaghat and threatened the NDFB cadres with dire consequences unless they leave the place, the NDFB leaflet alleged.

Criticising the ruling BPPF (H), the NDFB said, peace has been elusive and short lived due to the antagonistic and mindless activities of some power-drunk Boro leaders who have no concern for peace, legitimate right and development of the long-suffering Boro people except hankering after power and money.
Appealing to the Boro intellectuals and organisations, the outfit observed that some fifth columnists are working among the Boro people who claim themselves to be the saviours of the Boro people but in reality they are working against peace and unity for the fulfillment of their ulterior motives. It is time for all intellectuals, Boro organisations having identifying with the cause of the Boro nation in particular and Boro people in general to identify those Boro leaders who in the guise of the wolf in the sheep’s skin are leading the Boro people towards uncertainity.

Condemning the Medaghat incident, the NDFB urged all the Boro people to condemn it unanimously. The leaflet also criticised BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary for trying to shield the heinous crimes committed by Hitesh Basumatary. The NDFB also held the State government and Union government responsible for being inactive against the anti-social forces in the region.
Now, fencing along Indo-Myanmar border Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, April 1: In the wake of North-east militants sneaking into Myanmar and setting up their bases in the neighbouring country, the Centre has decided to put up fences along the Indo-Myanmar international border. Besides militants, this will also prevent smugglers and other antisocial from moving across the border. At present, heroin is being smuggled inside the country from the infamous golden triangle after sneaking through the porous international border.
The border areas create problems for security forces in tackling insurgency and smuggling activities despite heavy presence of men in uniform along the border. The north-eastern region shares about a 1,643-kilometre border with Myanmar.
The 25 Border Roads Tasks Force (BRTF) stationed at Imphal would take up the task of barricading the international boundaries shared by Chandel, Churachandpur and Ukhrul districts of Manipur. In Asom too, the Border Roads Organization (BRO) will take up the matter.
Since the two countries have not taken up proper survey of the boundaries owing to protracted disputes, the forces are yet to take up the fencing exercise.
Recently the two neighbouring countries signed an agreement to conduct joint survey, and constant interaction is on in this connection.
Following a two-day deliberations on the matter, representatives of the Survey of India and the Surveyor of international boundary along with their Myanmarese counterparts resolved to conduct a joint inspection, restore, repair, reconstruct and maintain boundary pillars. A senior official of the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the MHA had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for survey work along the international border. If authorities of the two countries complete the survey work, the fencing will begin by May. The same fencing structure erected along the Indo-Bangladesh border with rolled barbed wires would come up in the Indo-Myanmar border, the official said.
Centre blamed for delaying solution Sentinel
IMPHAL, April 1: India wants military solution to the conflicts in the north eastern region and not a political solution they always talk about. This is clearly revealed by the increasing militarization in the region, speakers at the annual general assembly of the United Committee Manipur, UCM held today said. Prof Arambam Lokendro speaking as an invitee at the UCM‘s general assembly, held today at the MDU Hall, Imphal, observed that deployment of security forces in the north eastern region has been increasing in the last few years. In Manipur, in 2005 India deployed one armed security man for every 60 heads of the Manipur population but now there is one security man for every 16 heads, he said.
Speakers at the general assembly also called the people in the north eastern region of the country in general and particularly the civil societies to be aware of the ‘hidden agenda‘ of the Indian government to achieve Indianisation of the region through the use of military power.
People must understand what India is doing to create conflict among the communities of the region, and adopt a united stance to prevent the elimination of the indigenous people of this region through various policies which are taken up in the name of development, they observed.
The assembly reaffirmed the stance of the UCM to meet all challenges to Manipur‘s integrity squarely, and also endorsed the steps taken by the UCM central committee for undertaking development work in the interior areas of the state.
Today’s meeting also unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the murder of the two Senapati school children, and the gruesome killing of Laishram Chinglenkhomba of Khagempalli on March 12 last. Sapamcha Jadumani, founder president of the UCM, called for public vigilance against the increasing trend of crimes targeting children, and raised the question of complicity of the NSCN(IM) in the Senapati killings. Pointing out that the NSCN(IM) had claimed to have the people responsible for the crime in its custody, he questioned why the group has stayed silent for so long, and why the suspects in its custody have not been interrogated to find the truth. He recalled that in the case of the kidnapping and murder of Lungnila Elizabeth also, the main suspect James Kuki was supposed to be in the custody of the NSCN(IM), but till date there has been no clarification of his actual role in the crime. (Agencies)