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04/10/2007: "Militancy and Political Trends in North East Rahul Bhonsle Decritics org"

Militancy and Political Trends in North East Rahul Bhonsle Decritics org

The North East remains a complex miasma of politics and violence as militants continue to blow hot and cold. A review of activities in three states, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur in March will indicate these trends.
In Assam, ULFA activities resumed during the month with the focus on Upper Assam districts of Dhemaji, and Sivasagar. Guwahati witnessed a bomb blast on 16 March in the busy AT Road. The intensity of counter insurgency operations in Assam is evident with over 30 ULFA cadres arrested and 19 killed during the first two months of the year. The rebirth of ULFA in 2007 has been assisted by bases in Arunachal Pradesh particularly in Tirap and Changlang districts which are the two eastern most districts of the state in close proximity of Upper Assam, ULFA's stronghold and the Myanmar border. Located on the Indo Myanmar fault line, these districts provide the ULFA easy access to both the areas. The 28th Battalion, the operational wing of the outfit active in Upper Assam is located here. Apart from this other groups also have hideouts in the jungles. The Army will have to launch Operational All Clear II to neutralize the ULFA in this area.

ULFA held the State Government responsible for breakdown of the talks in an article in the organisation's news paper, Swadhinata. The ULFA also asked the government to hold a plebiscite on its demand for sovereignty. ULFA has been accused by Strategic Forecasting (Stratfor), a U.S. based strategic forecasting organisation, of contributing $6 million (Rs 26.4 Crore) to support candidates in Bangladesh backing both the Awami League as well as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. (Indian Express, 3 March 2007). While the amount may be beyond ULFA's funding capability even if provided by the ISI, there are grounds to believe that the group would have invested in leaders in Bangladesh to ensure that it receives favourable treatment in Dacca whichever party comes to power. Reports indicate that ULFA top leadership is ensconced in posh colonies in Dacca and are supported by the Director General Forces Intelligence or DGFI in Bangladesh as well as the ISI. Stratfor has also accused Paresh Barua, the ULFA commander in chief of being a, "wealthy racketeer" having businesses worth approximately $110 million across India, Bangladesh and the Gulf. While Barua is said to be under the influence of the ISI and is stridently against talks with the government, Rajkhowa is supposed to represent a softer face of the outfit.
The ULFA, in a message on the so called "Army Day" of the organisation indicated that it would not give up violence before talks with the government. It claimed that it was undertaking a freedom struggle against colonial injustice by Delhi. Prominent statements were given by Paresh Barua, the Commander in Chief and Arabinda Rajkhowa the Chairman. The issue of handing over cadres by Royal Bhutan Army to Indian authorities after Operation All Clear in December 2003 was also raised by the ULFA as the Guwahati High Court ordered the government to submit original documents of the period.
The perils of insurgency in Assam are impacting development and investment in the state. The Oil and Natural Gas Commission had proposed to upgrade the infrastructure comprising of old pipelines, crude gathering stations and other drilling machinery worth Rs 4000 Crore. The ONGC's plans have hit a road block as it is not able to muster enough security cover to operate in the remote areas.
Two rounds of talks were held between the NSCN (IM) and the central government interlocutors during the month. The first round was held on 3 March. This was followed up by a fresh round in New Delhi on 29 and 30 March 2007. The key issue discussed was increase in frequency of clashes between the two NSCN factions IM and Khaplang. The Khaplang group is reported to have kidnapped cadres of the IM which has raised the ire of the IM leaders who are likely to ask the government to clamp down on the K faction claiming that it is not likely to have the requisite power to act due to the cease fire. The Naga position on Nagolim would also be clear after the Naga leadership has had opportunity to discuss these issues with the people during the recent visit of the NSCN (IM) leadership to Nagaland.
The NSCN (IM) was also facing pubic protests over reports of kidnapping and killing of two youth, Muhenii Martin and Hriini Hubert of Senapati district, allegedly by two of its cadres. The people of Senapati district were extremely agitated and sought interrogation details of the two suspects. The NSCN (IM) confirmed that suspects were in custody but did not disclose further action.
The Congress Party returned in majority in the Assembly elections in Manipur winning 30 of the 60 seats, increasing its tally over the previous elections by 10. The complexity of issues in Manipur was evident when election results were announced at the beginning of the month. Issues of development and credibility of the candidates appeared to be upper most in the minds of voters rather than aspects such as Nagolim or repealing the AFSPA. Thus United Naga Council (UNC) which had supported integration of the Naga hill districts of Manipur with Nagolim could win only six of the eleven seats it contested. In other areas it had to face a tough contest. As indicated by A. Bimol Koijam of the Centre for Study of Developing Societies, Khantuanang Panmei who was forced to renounce participation in the elections by the NSCN (IM) contested from Tamenglong and won with a large margin. Koijam ascribes these diversities to the factor of stability. People in Manipur as per him want stability and hence have been voting for the party which is in power in the centre. Thus parties which evoked regional sentiments such as the Manipur People's Party also did not fare well during the elections.
Rahul K Bhonsle is a veteran soldier and security analyst based in South Asia, specializing in strategic risk prediction, future warfare and human security. His web site is www.security-risks.com and can be contacted at rkbhonsle@gmail.com
Arunachal: Coping with refugees Hindustan Times
Dorjee The problem in Arunachal Pradesh is that of the influx of Chakma-Hajong refugees. The All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) is spearheading a movement against the settlement of these refugees in the state.
Chief Minister Mukut Mithi has recently expressed concern that the demography of the areas having Chakma-Hajong people as settlers has completely changed as their number increased to more than 60,000 in recent times. He has extended all support to AAPSU on the issue.
The move has the support of almost all the political parties of the state.
However, the Chakmas denounce this misinformation campaign terming it as an attempt to create xenophobia in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Chakma Hajong refugees enjoy the support of ISI, Bangladesh based Shanti Bahini and Bodo Security Forces.
Another issue which has created problem in this state is the demand for 'Greater Nagaland', which means if implemented certain areas of Arunachal Pradesh will become part of Nagaland.
Arunachal Pradesh echoes the voice of Manipur and Assam that the Centre should not disturb other states while trying to find a solution to the Naga problem. The National Socialist Council for Nagalim (Isaac-Muivah), after a recent meeting with the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani in New Delhi, has reiterated their demand for a "Greater Nagaland". On January 24, 2003, NSCN(I-M) leaders Isaac Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, re-stated their demand that the Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, be brought under one administrative unit, implying the formation of "Nagalim'' meaning "Greater Nagaland".

The NSCN(I-M) has staked claim to the four Manipur districts of Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong, and Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The Congress(I) government in Arunachal Pradesh, wants the Centre to convince the Naga leaders to set aside their demand for more territory.
Khandu to be next Arunachal CM Hindustan Times
India's longest serving Chief Minister Gegong Apang steps down and proposes Khandu's name as the new CM. The problem in Arunachal Pradesh is that of the influx of Chakma-Hajong refugees. The All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) is spearheading a movement against the settlement of these refugees in the state.
Chief Minister Mukut Mithi has recently expressed concern that the demography of the areas having Chakma-Hajong people as settlers has completely changed as their number increased to more than 60,000 in recent times. He has extended all support to AAPSU on the issue. The move has the support of almost all the political parties of the state. However, the Chakmas denounce this misinformation campaign terming it as an attempt to create xenophobia in Arunachal Pradesh. The Chakma Hajong refugees enjoy the support of ISI, Bangladesh based Shanti Bahini and Bodo Security Forces.
Another issue which has created problem in this state is the demand for 'Greater Nagaland', which means if implemented certain areas of Arunachal Pradesh will become part of Nagaland.
Arunachal Pradesh echoes the voice of Manipur and Assam that the Centre should not disturb other states while trying to find a solution to the Naga problem. The National Socialist Council for Nagalim (Isaac-Muivah), after a recent meeting with the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani in New Delhi, has reiterated their demand for a "Greater Nagaland". On January 24, 2003, NSCN(I-M) leaders Isaac Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, re-stated their demand that the Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, be brought under one administrative unit, implying the formation of "Nagalim'' meaning "Greater Nagaland".
The NSCN(I-M) has staked claim to the four Manipur districts of Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong, and Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The Congress(I) government in Arunachal Pradesh, wants the Centre to convince the Naga leaders to set aside their demand for more territory.
Apang ousted; Khandu to be new Arunachal CM The Morung Express
New Delhi, April 9 (PTI): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang has stepped down as the second-longest serving chief minister of the country on Monday in the face of dissidence by a majority of ruling Congress MLAs. State Power minister Dorjee Khandu, a Monpa Buddhist of Tawang, was elected the new leader of the Congress Legislature Party. He is likely to take oath as the new Chief Minister later on Monday evening.
The change of guard came about at the end of a week-long tug-of-war for power. As many as 27 of the 33 Congress MLAs in the state had revolted against what they called “corrupt” and “autocratic” functioning of Apang and moved the Congress high command seeking his immediate replacement. Congress high command met top party leaders to sort out the issue on Thursday night and summoned the Apang and state Congress President Omen Deuri to Delhi to explain their side of the story. Apang, who met the Congress high command on Friday, had reportedly denied any rebellion among the MLAs.
The dissident group, which was camping in Delhi to hear the verdict of the party high command, had meanwhile elected Khandu as their leader and forwarded his name to the party president through the Congress in-charge for Northeast Oscar Fernandes.
Sonia Gandhi had advised Apang and the state party chief to summon a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party for a virtual trial of strength for Apang and Khandu. At the meeting, hardly five to six Congress legislators reportedly expressed support for Apang, who has ruled the state for a total of 23 years. Emerging from the meeting, Dasmunshi told reporters that Apang himself proposed Khandu’s name. Later, Apang accompanied by Khandu and Fernandes went to Raj Bhawan and submitted his resignation.
Akuonuo says,“Thank you” Morung Express News
Dimapur In a telephonic interview with The Morung Express, Miss India finalist Akuonuo Khezhie expressed her gratitude to the Naga people for all the support that was given to her during the contest. “Whatever little I could achieve was because of our people. Thank you so much for all your support. I wish I could have got the crown for you.” she said.
She also thanked the Naga people for enabling her to win the ‘My Miss India’, Sony Entertainment title.
Akuonuo also said that she has learnt much from the contest, and that the contest had opened her eyes and “see how the real world moves.” She also added that “as Nagas, we must stress on equal opportunities, as there is still so much discrimination towards us”. And that she said was what she found disappointing in the contest. Sources revealed that one of the winning contestants had made a passing remark with racist overtones directed towards her.
Sources further said that during the pre-judging round, which was held on the day of the contest, Miss World 2000, Priyanka Chopra, who is also a former Miss India, said publicly to Akuonuo, “You deserve to win. You are the only person who spoke from the heart”. But the irony was that the names of the 10 finalists were already pre decided by the organizers before the actual contest even began.
Nevertheless, Akuonuo is taking everything in her stride. ‘At the moment, all I can think of doing is to come home to Nagaland, and relax”, she said. Due to her winning the subtitles, Akuonuo has had to sign contracts with The Times of India and Pantaloons for a period of 3 years. Interestingly, Akuonuo was the only sub-title winner who was not in the top ten.
Deanne Pandey, the official fitness expert of the pageant, whose husband is popular Bollywood star Chunkey Pandey, today made known that Akuonuo had lost some four kilograms during her stay in Mumbai, as she could not get to terms with the diet offered there. Speaking to The Morung Express, Deanne said the Naga lass had to be put on the drip on one occasion.
She revealed that Akuonuo was very upset with the way things worked out during the contest but added that she had a very good body and “she speaks very well.” Deanne, who voted Akuonuo for ‘Miss Fresh Face’ said, “She’s got a lot of scope.”
For her, the Kohima girl has a chance of winning even the ‘Miss Asia’ contest. Akuonuo was also one of the favourites of Munish Purii, National Director, Pond’s Femina Miss India, Dianne said.
Naga model excels in Gladrags contest Dimapur, April 9 (MExN): Naga model Ethiel Konyak made it to the top 15 at the Gladrags Megamodel Contest 2007 held in Mumbai on April 7th last. She bagged the Miss Congeniality sub-title.
STAR ONE will telecast the contest on the following dates:
First Curtain raiser 13th April 1800-1900 hrs Second Curtain Raiser 14th April 1800-1900 hrs
Main event 14th April 2200-2400 hrs Main Event (Repeat) 16th April 00.30-0230 hrs
Main Event Repeat 22nd April 1500-1700 hrs
A Tourist in Mon Abraham Lotha Column the Morung Express
When foreign tourists sign up to visit Nagaland to experience cultural tourism, their first choice of place to visit within Nagaland is usually Mon district to see the exotic Konyaks in their unspoilt natural state (‘Naked Nagas’) popularized and romanticized by anthropologists such as Fuer-Haimendorf and Hutton in the early part of the 20th century. For me, I had heard much about the Konyak Aoleang festival and boundary insanity like the one at Lungwa. So I decided to visit the area during the Aoleang festival with these interests in mind.
From Dimapur, I took the Sumo taxi. I had seat number ten and that meant we were packed like sardines. The old man on the extreme left of the back seat played traditional Konyak songs on the cassette recorder that he had been carrying very carefully. Two men explained the social context of the songs. “In the old days, unmarried girls would gather in the dormitory in the evenings. Then young men would come and serenade and try to woo their lovers. Men also sang songs to each other, but most often it is to the young women that men come and sing to win the love of the young girls,” they explained to me. Then the older men in the Sumo teased the two girls who were sitting in the middle row. Some lovemaking innuendos were also said in reference to the songs. Everyone joined in the laughter. The girls took the jokes in good spirit. “Nowadays, the deacons in the churches have banned such behaviours and as a result, it doesn’t happen anymore,” said one of the travelers. “Those days were satan days,” commented another. “But what is happening now is even worse,” he added. So I remarked, “Now it is double satan.”

I didn’t know what to expect in Mon. It was 17 years since my last visit. Unlike last year, there was no common Aoleang celebration at Mon this year. Instead, people were having celebrations in their own colony. So I decided to see the celebrations in different villages. I chose Lungwa and Shangnyu.
The road to Lungwa was better than I had thought. There were lots of road construction works going on along the way. Most of the vehicles we met on the way were trucks belonging to the Border Roads. Except for a few spots, the major stretch of the road to Longwa is mettled. At some places the BSNL people were laying fiber optic cables. It took us two hours and twenty minutes to reach Longwa.
As luck would have it, when we turned into the village, there were many people gathered in front of a house. I thought the Aoleang celebrations were going on. But, no, they were about to pull the new logdrum up to the morung above the road. All the men folk seem to be involved in pulling the logdrum. I was excited. This is only the second time (the first time in Chomi) that I have taken part in pulling a logdrum. I introduced myself to the people and they were very welcoming. Some of the kids saw me with the camera and they said, “Foreign, foreign.” “Nai, Kohima pura ase,” I told them. I took plenty of photographs. Finally when the pulling of the logdrum began, I also joined for some time.
It would take another few hours to get the new logdrum into the morung so I decided to see the morung. In one corner, a few people were busy cutting meat and cooking. So, here was some remnant of traditional culture still being practiced by the people. The morung was still being used. I was glad to see the woodcarvings inside the morung even though they were less than I had expected. Naga woodcarvings have been of interest to me so I was glad to see the woodcarvings in places where their symbolism and meanings are alive. One person came and asked me if I had seen the carvings outside. He took me out to the eastern front of the morung where there was a huge woodcarving piece. It was shaped in a curve with many symbols engraved on it. Mistaking me for an antique dealer, the man, Mancham, told me that the village was going to sell that woodcarving piece. I asked him who was going to buy it, and how much they were willing to sell it for. He didn’t tell me the price. Should that piece be sold? I asked myself. Why shouldn’t they keep it in the morung even if it rots away? Or would it be better, instead, to preserve it in a museum or other institution?
Then I went to the Angh’s house. His name is Longam Konyak. Some of his family members were there smoking opium when I went in. After about five minutes, the Angh came in. I greeted him. “Don’t go empty handed when you go to meet an Angh. It is our custom,” my Konyak friend from Mon town had instructed me. After giving him the small gift we sat down and chatted – about the village, his household.
The best example of British arrogance and insanity (also not understood by India and Burma) is the arbitrary border drawn between India and Burma. The border between India and Burma runs through the entire length of the Angh’s house. The hearth and the pillars in the middle of the house divide the house into India and Burma. It is ridiculous. More Nagas should visit this place to see how Nagas were not consulted by a colonial power in the mappings of nations.
I then proceeded to meet the Deputy Angh, who is also the Chairman of the village. It seems he had been waiting for me but by the time I reached his house he had left for Mon for an urgent meeting but he left word with his men for me to sleep in his house. As I had to get back to Mon, I went and joined in pulling the logdrum for sometime and then returned to Mon.
Next I visited Shangnyu. The main celebration for the Aoleang festival was to be held that day. Because of that many were dressed in the traditional attires. We passed by one of the houses where a man was getting dressed. He wore a nice necklace so I asked him if I could take a photograph of him. “Yes, but you give me money” he said. I told him, “You are dressing for a festival and it is not a Naga custom to charge money for a photo during a festival” I told him. He finally allowed me to take his picture after someone in his group admonished him.
We proceeded towards the playground. One boy of about 9 years old brought a necklace with wooden skulls and wanted to sell it. “Five hundred rupees” he shouted. Immediately I knew that this kid learned this from the tourist culture.
We then passed by one of the morungs. I decided to go in and have a look. There was nothing spectacular or unusual about the morung. The usual logdrum, a few carvings on the beams but other than that, the morung was not even traditional because it was constructed in concrete with tin roof. As I was taking a picture of the logdrum, one man came and said, “The morung in charge said to pay Rs. 100 or Rs.200 for taking picture of the morung.” “But I am not a foreigner. I am a Naga and have come to see your village and your festival,” I told him. “Then you can collect from the foreigners and give us,” he said, mistaking my friend from Darjeeling for a Western tourist. “But there are no foreigners” I replied. I had been to other Konyak villages and been inside many morungs, and people were very happy to show us around the morungs; in Wangti the villagers even beat the drum for two different styles of beating. But I had never encountered such cheap commercialization of Naga culture as in Shangnyu. So I walked out of the morung with a bad taste.
As we went to the site of the famous woodcarving piece, the escort told us to meet with the Angh, explain the purpose of our visit, and pay some money for the upkeep of the heritage museum. The Angh was not feeling well so we only met his wife. After signing the register, the Angh’s son took us to see the famous woodcarving. We signed the register and were taken inside the museum.
The Shangyu sculpture, a huge and unique piece of woodcarving measuring about 18 feet long and 12 feet tall at the top end is attributed to a mythical man called Honnu. He had exceptional skill in hunting and carving and he attributed the skill as a gift from god. Since Honnu did not like to work in the fields, his father banished him to the forest. And it was in the forest, helped by some supernatural beings, that Honnu carved this sculpture.
The woodcarving piece itself is very impressive. It stands about eighteen feet long and at one end about twelve feet tall, all carved out of a single piece of wood. Engraved on the wood are replicas of two rainbows, two gibbons dangling from the branch of a tree, some human heads, a snake, a cock, replicas of two tigers (one of them only the lower portion of the body), a woman (in heat?), a couple making love, two warriors with erect penis that are bigger and longer than life size ones (they are apparently the star attraction among the engravings), and a few one or two other figures that are difficult to decipher, and on the other side, a miniature wooden vat, and some human heads. There are also other artifacts in the room such as brass gongs, mithun heads, buffalo heads, wooden figures, even an Angami headdress, two elephant tusks, a big gun, and some antique daos.
Apparently Shangnyu village is getting many foreign tourists who have more money than domestic tourists, and the villagers, including the kids, are developing the bad habit of asking money for anything. It is true that some tourists don’t have any respect for local people. When they see an ‘exotic’ Konyak, they will go up to the face of the person and click, click, click their cameras with big lenses and then go away. Since such instances happen regularly during the tourist season, the ‘exotic’ Konyak will naturally feel demeaned. But then one of the main reasons tourists come is to Mon is to see the ‘exotic’, formerly-naked Nagas and every tourist –foreign and domestic – is not so sensitive and ‘civilized.’ There is the problem of walking a fine line here. In this regard local tour guides have a lot of responsibility to inform the Nagas as well as the tourists.
There were other villages that I visited but for now I shall go on to give some suggestions to the Tourism department and the Naga villages frequented by tourists.
Suggestions:
1. The State Government with the North East Zone Cultural Centre and the Shangnyu villagers have done well to preserve the piece well as a heritage. Instead of just “any donation” (some unsuspecting tourists were told to ‘donate’ a certain amount), the villagers could do well to charge a certain amount as an entrance fee that even domestic tourists can afford and also place a box inside the museum for goodwill donations. I have no problem in paying some kind of fee for the maintenance and upkeep of the heritage museum, but the fee system has to be done better. The Angh’s son was honest enough not to receive the donation. “If I get it, I will spend it anyhow,” he said and was happy that the donation was given to his mother. I actually wanted to find out the arrangement for the management and utilization of the donations - if all the donations were going to the Angh or to the Village Council or a Trust – but couldn’t because the Angh was not well.
2. Asking money from tourists should be discouraged. It will only give a negative image of us. Instead of following tourists all over the village to sell an item, we should encourage the people to set up small shops where replicas of important artifacts or newer artifacts can be sold. This will also give some sort of self-employment to the people. Some kind of mechanism has to be put in to check selling of important heritage artifacts, e.g. the woodcarving piece lying outside near the eastern entrance of the morung where the new logdrum is kept at Lungwa. Villagers need to be conscientized about the value of these artifacts.
3. The Anghship is an important institution among the Konyak Nagas, and the Anghs, as chief of the village(s), are held in great respect by the people. For most tourists, the Angh is just another object of curiosity. Some of the tourists will not be respectful of the Anghs and this important Naga institution. At each Angh’s house that tourists visit, the Angh can designate someone to be a tour guide. Instead of asking donations from tourists, some kind of nominal (entrance) fee can be charged for a tour of the Angh’s house. The Anghs’ dignity should be maintained; they should not be made into cheap tourist objects. If tourists want to meet with an Angh, besides the tour of the Angh’s house, it should be done only with some sort of an appointment or permission. In such cases, as in the Konyak custom, tourists should be encouraged to present the Angh with a gift, however small, as a token of respect and honor.
4. We should educated our people to be genuinely courteous and welcoming to the tourists. After all, don’t we Nagas pride ourselves to be hospitable people? This same hospitality should be extended not only to the tourists – foreign and domestic – but also to the tour guides. Remember, the tour guides are the ones who bring the tourists (and their money) to our society. Nagas tend to give a preferential hospitality to Western tourists and be indifferent to domestic tourists and tour guides. This kind of bad habit should be stopped. Our hospitality should have no color barriers.
5. If there happens to be a festival going on, such as the Aoleang, it would be a very Naga custom to invite even the tourists to share in the community meal. Those are some of the ‘exotic’ experiences that they will live to tell.
6. Tourists may read about the Nagas before they come to Nagaland, but don’t expect them to know all about our customs and culture. If some of them over step their boundary, explain to them politely there and then. In that way, there are no grudges harbored. Many of them will be thankful for informing them of our customs.
7. To the Naga tour guides and hotel operators, I’d suggest them to go at least to Bangkok (cheaper than going to Bombay or Delhi from Nagaland) and learn how the hospitality industry in Thailand operates. As of now, our claims for Nagaland as a tourist haven are rather pretentious.
PM’s pledge for NE Nagaland Post
Lepetkata (Assam) April 9 (IANS): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh Monday pledged New Delhi's support for rapid industrialisation of the north-east, saying the region requires investments to help ease its spiralling unemployment problem.
"Rapid industrialisation and development of the northeast has been the topmost priority and unshakeable commitment of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government," the prime minister said here. Manmohan Singh was speaking at a massive public rally at Lepetkata, 520 km east of Guwahati, after laying the foundation stone for a Rs.5461 crore gas cracker project - the Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Ltd. "This is a historic day for not only Assam but also for the entire northeast. This project would herald an era of economic growth, peace and prosperity for the region.
"This gas cracker project would open up new productive employment for the youth of Assam. I am told some 100,000 people would get direct or indirect employment opportunities," he said. He added that the north-east could become a potential investment zone with the central government announcing a new industrial policy for the region.
"We have raised capital investment subsidy to 30 percent in the new northeast industrial policy. India is marching ahead and we want the northeast to prosper in terms of economic growth and industrialisation," Manmohan Singh said. The gas cracker project is to be implemented by the Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) with 70 percent equity participation in five years time. The remaining 30 percent equity would be shared equally among Oil India Ltd (OIL), Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) and the Assam government. The mega project is being set up at Lepetkata.
"Some 8,500 people would get direct employment while some 100,000 people would get employment opportunities as a result of investments in downstream plastic processing industries and allied activities," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told IANS. According to preliminary estimates, at least 500 plastic processing industries are likely to come up in the region when this project becomes operational. "There would be plastic parks in the area as part of the project and would surely benefit the people of Assam in a big way," Gogoi said. The petrochemical complex would comprise a cracker unit, downstream polymer and integrated off-site utilities plants.
A clarion call for Christians’ principles- Nagaland Post
Much difference of opinions and strong stances has been taken by various stake holders of Naga tribes and districts with the issue of Delimitation of Assembly constituencies in the recent days and weeks. As a senior citizen and conscientious member of the church in Nagaland, I feel it is my bounden duty as a citizen to share my concerns without malice and gains for any political mileage. Without going into the details of the statehood history and its consequent ramifications upon the socio-political life of the Nagas, it is common knowledge that the statehood has ushered in many good things for the Nagas and also wrought havoc into our ethic, principles and cultural values of our people. Introduction of electoral politics has eroded our value systems to a large extent. Greater collective welfare which was held supreme by all the citizenry have been relegated to the rear and greed, selfish interest, immediate political gains and ambitions took the better of us.
The constitutional exercise of Delimitation of Assembly Constituencies undertaken in every 25 years in India, to which Nagaland is no exception, is a classic example of how our selfishness has overtaken our greater common welfare. The last delimitation exercise carried out in 1973 witnessed political machination and manipulation. Innocent and voiceless people were deprived of the rights and entitlements. Going by the present trend of the Delimitation exercise, it appears that the situation is not going to be different if census 2001 is taken as the yardstick for determining the delimitation because there seems to be a pre contemplated manipulation by some sections of Naga society during the enumeration of 2001 census for delimiting constituencies. The census 2001 which suffers from gross anomalies and negates completely the rationale of biological birth rate cannot be used as the bench mark for delimiting the representation of the public.
The right decision taken by the Government of Nagaland to reject the census 2001 on accounts of anomalies is commendable. This is in the true spirit of upholding Christian principles and tenets. Nagas being mostly Christians, every citizen is called upon to uphold Christian tenets and principles. Whenever, any deviation from these principles take place, we should not remain as silent spectators. The delimitation exercise, which attempts to be fair and just should be rightly implemented in letter and spirit and not based on fallacious and erroneous statistics of population which are demeaning, shameful and unbecoming of a Christian.
The state proposal to the Government of India to increase the existing 60 Assembly Constituencies which was provided under the framework of the erstwhile 3 hill districts when Nagaland was declared the 16th state of the Indian Union on 1st December 1963, to that of 80 Assembly constituencies in the present 11 districts of Nagaland is reasonable and justified for the present state leadership to pursue the dispensation. Should the Delimitation Commission of India impose its arbitrary will to the contrary of the State Government and public aspiration, by delimiting constituencies on the basis of 2001 census, it will be detrimental to the progress of vibrant and healthy democracy and will not be acceptable to any right conscientious democratic citizen. Rev Dr. V.K. Nuh
Secretary General, Council of Naga Baptist Church, Kohima.
Investment best answer: Aiyar• NE Business Summit Kuknalim.com

NEW DELHI, April 9:: Major investment in the North-East is the best answer to the problem of insurgency in that region, according to Minister for Development of Northeastern Region Mani Shankar Aiyar. Addressing a press conference here Monday on the eve of the two-day Third Northeast Business Summit here, Aiyar said, "Any significant investment will reduce security problems in the northeast. Major investment is the best answer to the problems of insurgency in that region."
Inviting the private sector to invest, he said that a very substantial part of the region is free of security problems. The business summit, to be held here April 10-11 and being organised by the Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER) and the Kolkata-based trade body Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), will showcase the strengths of the northeastern region and present significant business opportunities. Several union ministers, chief ministers of northeastern states and other stakeholders are expected to participate. The summit will be inaugurated by Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Elaborating on the investment opportunities in the northeast, Aiyar said the infrastructure sector has the best potential.
"The infrastructure sector holds the highest capacity for corporate participation. Road construction is a major area. In the next five years, around Rs. 50,000 crores will be invested for road construction in the northeast," he said. Aiyar added, "Thai companies successfully constructed roads in that country in terrain similar to the northeast. Those companies have now become major global companies. In the same way, Indian companies and even small companies in the northeast can grow by investing in road construction in the northeast." The Minister said that air connectivity with the northeast had improved significantly with as many as 226 flights operating in a week.
"However, intra-northeast air travel remains a problem. We are awaiting a report from a committee that went through this problem and action will be taken on the basis of that report." As for rail connectivity, Aiyar said that the railway ministry was paying special attention to the region. About other sectors, he said the power sector in the region holds a lot of potential for investment. (Agencies)

Mamoni’s move to revive ULFA talks By A City Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, April 9 – Eminent writer and Jnanpith Awardee Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami has expressed her willingness to work for re-starting the peace process between the Central Government and the proscribed ULFA once again, this time through ‘Nagarik Shanti Mancha’, a nascent forum consisting of social representatives, headed by Goswami herself. “The draft of plans to renew the peace process will be finalized within a few days,” said Goswami talking to a group of reporters today. Reacting to the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s denial to hold talks on the issue of sovereignty she said that instead of nullifying the possibilities of peace talks, all the peace-loving forces must try to find out the silver lining. “There must be some way out of this problem and that is certainly through dialogues,” she said adding, “intellectuals throughout the world are of view that peace cannot be brokered through gun barrel and many eminent writers conveyed this message through me to the country in the recent SAARC writers’ conference.

“I will continue raising the core issues of Assam, including its problems on any national or international forum,” she maintained.
On the issue of fasting ULFA wives in the city she said that it is a tragic incident and Chief Minister should visit the ladies and make his government’s stand clear on their demands.”

Magisterial inquiry ordered into Kwakeithel killings The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, April 9: The state government today instituted a magisterial inquiry into the shooting of three youths by Manipur police commandos on Friday morning at Kwakeithel. The state police authorities have also effected the transfer of six police commandos who were involved in the incident. In turn, the families of the deceased claimed the bodies of the three youths which have been lying at RIMS morgue since the incident.
The steps were taken in line with an agreement signed between government representatives and the JAC formed in connection with the incident last night at the office chambers of the IFCD minister Phungzathang Tonsing, who is in charge of the duties of the chief minister.

The state government during the talks also assured that appropriate action would be taken against the police personnel involved in line with the findings of the magisterial inquiry.

In compliance with the MoU, the state home department this afternoon issued an order asking the district magistrate, Imphal west, A Ibocha Singh, to conduct an inquiry into the facts and circumstances leading to the death of the three youths, and to suggest remedial measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents in the future.
The inquiry is required to be completed and the report submitted within a period of one month.

In a related development, the director general of police, Manipur also issued an order transferring six personnel of the Imphal west police commandos who were involved in the incident, including the OC, Imphal west police commando unit, Th Krishnatombi, who will now take over as OC, Imphal east police commando unit. The other personnel, namely constables P Lokendro, S Rohitkanta, A Langamba, Yuro Theko, and D Samson Maring, have also been transferred to the Imphal east commando unit. The OC, Imphal east police commando, inspector Ksh Manihar, replaces inspector Krishnatombi as OC, Imphal west CDO. In the meantime the bodies of the three slain youths namely Sapam Paka Singh, 25, of Changangei, Taorem Bobo, 26, of Changangei Uchekon, and H Thangkhenmung, 30, of Sangaiprou were collected by the family and representatives of the JAC this morning from rims morgue for conducting the last rites.

It may be mentioned, in the wake of the shooting of the three youths at Kwakeithel Heinou Khongnembi Laishram Leikai on Friday morning in what was described as an encounter, the JAC had called a 11 hour state-wide bandh on April 7 in protest. In the meantime, the Threatened Indigenous People`s Society, TIPS, has issued a statement strongly condemning the shooting of the three youths as an unacceptable excess on the part of the police, and appealed to the concerned authorities to take appropriate steps to ensure that such excesses do not recur.

PREPAK disowns arrested cadres The Imphal Free Press
imphal, apr 9: The central committee of the underground PREPAK has clarified that none of the four high ranking cadres claimed to have been arrested at Imphal airport and in Kolkata on April 7 were connected to the party.
In a statement, the PREPAK central committee said all four were members of a gang led by one Shanti who has been relieved of his party-related duties for anti-party activities and indiscipline.

The statement went on to warn all concerned not to associate with the gang that Shanti has constituted in violation of party directives, and said anyone continuing to do so would be dealt with severely without further warning. It however said the restrictions against Shanti can be removed if he adheres to party discipline. It may be mentioned, the Army authorities, in a statement yesterday, had claimed that the four persons held on Saturday in Kolkata and Imphal in a coordinated operation between the Army, the Manipur police, military intelligence, and the Kolkata police were high ranking cadres of the Shanti faction, which it described as a splinter group of the PREPAK. The statement identified the two held at Imphal airport as Y Sanjay Singh, finance secretary and Laishram Ibolbi, political secretary, of the faction, and other two, who were arrested in Kolkata as Leishamba alias Rakesh, fighting group commander, and RK Dhaneshwar, defence secretary and chief of organisation committee.
In the meantime, another statement issued by one Tiger on behalf of Chinglemba Mangang, PREPAK finance secretary, said all four were civilians who had no connection to the party.

Sanjoy is a student studying computers in Kolkata, while L Ibolbi is a simple tailor, the statement said, adding that Leisemba alias Rakesh had also left the party in the year 2000. It said the accusations against the four appear to have been levelled by some vested interests, and said the party would not tolerate such efforts to harm its reputation.