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04/19/2007: "NSCN-IM issued 7-days deadline Punishment demanded for youth’s death The Morung Express"

NSCN-IM issued 7-days deadline Punishment demanded for youth’s death The Morung Express
Dimapur, April 19 (MExN): The NSCN-IM has been issued by various civil organizations a 7-day deadline to submit an action report on the April 17-18 torture and the subsequent death, of one youth in Dimapur. Two of the deceased’s friends who were also assaulted by the cadres are currently recuperating under medical treatment.
The youth, Vilasilie Angami, aged around 27 years, died due to severe injuries inflicted on him by one “Maj” Meide along with two other cadres at Bade village. Vilasilie was taken into “custody” with two of his friends over a quarrel the three had with a person, around Sunday late evening. The person, identified to be one Chacko Romeo, reported to the NSCN-IM cadres against Vilasilie and his friends, leading to the incident. The “reporter” is said to be missing since the uproar and concerns are being raised by organizations over his welfare. According to officials from the Chakhroma Public Organization, the “Defense” Kilonser of the NSCN-IM, Zarsie Pochury, has assured punishment to the three erring cadres. The organizations led by the CPO demanded that investigations should be undertaken and the action-taken report should be submitted within 7 days with immediate effect. A CPO official said that the demand has been accepted with the assurance that the three cadres would be awarded befitting punishment. The official also informed that initially the NSCN-IM authorities had decided only on termination of “Maj” Meide’s “service.” However, following the rejection of this decision and intense pressure from the aggrieved and the public, the NSCN-IM assured that all culpable cadres would face appropriate action.
The Naga Council Dimapur, the Western Sumi Hoho and the Chakhesang Hoho Dimapur and other likened civil organizations also expressed solidarity and support to the demands, the official informed. Mention may be made here that throughout April 18, various civil organizations and public from Selouphe and neighboring villages had set up a road-blockade of the road leading to the NSCN-IM’s HQ, Hebron Camp. The body of Vilasilie was placed on the road by the angry public demanding that the cadres be produced to the public. Until and unless the culprits are produced, the body was not to be shifted or buried. However around late night, the NSCN-IM authorities acceded to the public’s demands after which the deceased was taken to his native village, Razuphema, under Dhansiri Sub-division, for burial.
The deceased’s two friends who were also tortured are identified as one Menguzetuo of Seluophe village and Pelesavi of Chiechama village. Both are undergoing medical treatment. The deceased died of his injuries on way to Dimapur after being released on a “compromise” reached between the victims’ parents and the NSCN-IM, it was informed. Meanwhile, the organizations have expressed expectation that the NSCN-IM would put to action their assurances that the erring cadres would be awarded appropriate punishment within the 7-day dateline.
Sumi Hoho displeased with NSCN (IM), State govt. The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, APRIL 19 (MExN): The executive committee meeting of the Sumi Hoho including all the Sumi frontal organizations held its meeting on April 18 and expressed unhappiness against the NSCN-IM cadres for causing much inconveniences and hardship to the Natha New villages. The cadres have occupied the entire village since April 13, 2007 till date, sending villagers fleeing in fear of being caught in crossfires in the factional fighting. The meeting expressed strong reservations over the ‘cold attitude’ of the State government towards the suffering public, due to the presence and continuous factional conflict.
The meeting also strongly condemned the damage caused to the house and property of the private residence of N Kitovi Zhimomi, Ato Kilonser NSCN (K) at Amiphoto Colony on April 15 by NSCN-IM cadres. It stated that such senseless action on private properties and attacking kin of any Naga national leaders should be condemned by all.
In a press communiqué issued by HS Rotokha, president Sumi Hoho and Aheto V. Yepthomi, general secretary, Sumi Hoho, it was informed that the meeting resolved to apprise the Government of Nagaland that the tormented village and area should be immediately visited and Natha New villagers be suitably ‘helped’ by the Government of Nagaland. The Sumi Hoho further resolved that the damage so caused to the house and properties be immediately and properly assessed and compensated reasonably and also that the wounded civilian (s) be given financial assistance for their medical expenses.
Lawlessness heightens; NSCN-K kills 2 rival leaders Kunalim.com
KOHIMA, April 18:: Nagaland teetered on the brink of lawlessness as the Khaplang faction of the NSCN gunned down two leaders of the Isak-Muivah group to avenge the seven casualties inflicted by rival militants four days earlier. Public anger and frustration over the continuing saga of tit-for-tat killings was stoked by the death of a civilian youth in another incident involving militants. People poured onto the streets of Dimapur, the state’s commercial hub, and blocked the highway leading to the NSCN (I-M)’s council headquarters after news spread about the youth’s death following an assault by militants today.

Carrying the youth’s body, the protesters demanded that the NSCN (I-M) members responsible for the incident be turned over to them for instant justice. The chastened militant group, which operates from Camp Hebron near Dimapur, promised an “impartial inquiry”.

The Khaplang group, on the other hand, gloated about how it was trying to end “terrorism” in Nagaland. Its first target was Vihoto Sumi, the NSCN (I-M)’s former “central administrative officer” for the Sumi region. Ironically, the militant leader was on his way to a funeral service when NSCN (K) bullets felled him at Police Colony in Dimapur. Another team of hitmen shot dead the NSCN (I-M)’s “deputy secretary” Maotoshi Ao in Mokokchung town, about 150 km from the state capital, this morning. The NSCN (K) later issued a statement saying that the attacks on rival leaders were “part of a campaign to cleanse Nagaland”.
Both factions of the NSCN have been at each other’s throats since the parent group split, but fratricidal killings have increased during the period of ceasefire in Nagaland. The NSCN (K) argued only yesterday that the ceasefire agreement was with Delhi and not between the factions.

On Sunday, NSCN (I-M) militants fired mortar shells and rockets at the residence of Kitovi Zhimomi, general secretary of the rival faction, in Zunheboto town. Six NSCN (K) members died in the attack and another was killed near Kohima the next day. Chief minister Neiphiu Rio convened an emergency meeting of the Consultative Committee for Peace. As on previous occasions, the meeting merely appealed to the factions to shun violence and foster peace and unity. The NSCN (K) responded by calling the Rio government a “puppet” of the NSCN (I-M).

A strong statement from the London-based Naga Solidarity Group heightened the drama in Nagaland. It warned Delhi and the militant groups against making any attempt towards “systematic, ethnic cleansing” of any Naga tribe. (Telegraph)
NSCN-IM ‘ASO’ opines on mistakes and blame The Morung Express
Dimapur, April 19 (MExN): Maintaining that “a person not willing to admit his silly mistakes is committing the greater mistakes,” Robin Tongsin, “ASO” of the NSCN-IM MIP feels it is not political or organizational differences but the unwillingness to admit mistakes and the tendency to blame others which is causing Nagas’ unrest today.
According to an opinion in a note from Tongsin, the turmoil in the Naga nation today is neither due to differences between organizations or ideologies but the “rigidity” to admit mistakes as well as the tendency to blame others. “…in this Naga world of today, falsification of facts and false propaganda, hatred coupled with killings etc have become like a stable food to us” he stated.
“The main cause of this, I believe, is neither the differences of organizations we belong to nor the different political ideologies we imbibed. But it is due to the rigidity to admit our mistakes and our tendency to blame others for the mistakes committed by us” he stated. The “ASO” also mentioned a couple of articles in the local dailies “distortion of revolutionary philosophy” and “IK terrorists’ misadventure” which he stated are instances of the point made above.
“It is very pleasant to identify someone’s mistake but when we do so, t boomerangs back at us in the same amount for no one in this world is eluded of mistakes; when we point out somebody’s fault, it should be also remembered that our faults are being exposed” he reminded.
NSCN-IM condemns killing Dimapur, April 19 (MExN): The NSCN-IM condemns what it stated is the ‘dastardly assassination’ of two of its cadres in separate incidents at Mokokchung and Wokha, April 18-19. According to the NSCN-IM MIP “section officer” Moatoshi of Kinunger village was abducted from his residence and later shot dead “by some Khaplang gunmen” on Wednesday. Then this morning, Leacy Khutovi of Woji Old under Ao Region was killed by two unidentified persons in his residence “in the presence of his family members.” These acts of renegades should be condemned by one and all, the MIP note stated reminding that the merciless killing “not only affects the organizations but also renders a family fatherless and a wife widow.” Paying highest homage to the fallen cadres, the NSCN-IM also extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed that the Almighty God would grant them solace as well as rest to the departed souls.
Letter to the leaders of GPRN/NSCN- Nagaland Post Column
We the Nagas were lucky to have such charismatic leaders in our society who works selflessly for the liberation of the people. Our political issue has been an important view in the international level, and is being in a good process with your dedicated works. I really thank God and praise Him for giving such charismatic leaders in our society. Through this column, sir, I would like to share some few hints about our national workers and leaders in our present situation.
The situation is very critical and corruption among leaders has been the order of the day. They work as leaders for the nation, while on the other hand, they are involved in doing many evil things in the eyes of the peoples. Many leaders and national workers are crazy after money and they lack the quality of leadership. Leaders of today do not work for the nation but for their own self benefits. Though our government is a people's government, cadres have effort many plots, vehicles and constructed building which is far bigger, costlier and far better than any other state or union ministers.
This is not fair in the eyes of the public as our government is a people's government and a public contribution government. Though many prayer meeting and fasting programme have been conducted constantly, this becomes fruitless and meaningless. So, in my opinion in order to be a good leader, sincerity and honesty is a must to lead the public. Today, as the situation has worsened day by day, only few leaders who work sincerely can be found in our society.
Many leaders can be tempted easily by money. So let us not go on with all these evil things, but let us look forward to brighten the future for our next generation. If we want cooperation from the public and make our people as one, let us try to erase all these evil things from the minds of our leaders or workers. We are fighting for our rights but all these cannot do for it. So, respected sirs, kingly see through all these matters and try to overcome evils through your effort.
Kazheche Shephe Senior citizen of Nagaland
Naga truce watchmanunder glare - Cloud on Kulkarni tenure OUR SPECIAL
New Delhi, April 18: Concerned over the fratricidal war between the two NSCN factions in Nagaland, the Centre is unlikely to extend the tenure of the chairman of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism, Lt Gen. (retd) R.V. Kulkarni.
“The situation will improve after he is replaced; the orders must have been issued,” a senior Congress leader from Nagaland quoted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as saying. If Gen. Kulkarni is replaced, it will be the first major development since the last round of peace talks with the NSCN (I-M) here, early this month.
In March, soon after home secretary V.K. Duggal’s retirement, speculation was rife that former Andhra Pradesh director-general of police Swaranjit Sen would replace Gen. Kulkarni. Sen’s crackdown on the Naxalites in Andhra Pradesh was cited by sources as one of the reasons for his possible post-retirement posting in the Northeast to rein in the insurgents there.
A delegation of Congress Legislature Party, led by leader of Opposition I. Imkong, had called on the Prime Minister on Monday. A senior state Congress leader said his team did not raise the issue. Singh mentioned it in passing though he did not name who would replace Gen. Kulkarni, he said. Gen. Kulkarni, however, said he did not know of any such development. The home ministry has been tightlipped on the issue. Gen. Kulkarni has been under fire mainly from the NSCN (K), which accuses him of being biased in favour of the rival NSCN (I-M) faction.
Earlier, the NSCN (I-M) had made it clear that it would not talk to the new chairman of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism who would replace Gen. Kulkarni, if the Centre made the appointment without consulting the outfit. In a letter written by NSCN (I-M) leader V.S. Atem to Duggal, the outfit asked the Centre to clarify its position on reports about the replacement. The outfit suspected the Centre of having a “hidden agenda” in replacing Gen. Kulkarni. The retired general has been in Nagaland for the last five years and his tenure ends in August. The home ministry has reportedly expressed concern over the prevailing situation in the state. Congress leaders apprised Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi of the situation. CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
IGAR (N) advises villagers to stay neutral from feuding UGs /Newmai News Network
Dimapur, April 18: Visiting the NSCN factional clashes ridden villages of Medziphema in Nagaland today Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) Maj. Gen. KS Sethi appealed the villagers to be neutral to all the underground factions. The Assam Rifles officer was interacting today with the village elders of the Bungsang and Molvom villages at Medziphema in Nagaland where the factional clashes have been going on off and on these few days.

The Assam Rifles Major General while expressing optimism on the ongoing peace talks between the Government of India and NSCN (I-M) then stated the peace talks had "reached a height" and that "even a solution is possible".

He also stated that "the Government of India, especially the Ministry of Home Affairs, is much concerned about restoring peace in Nagaland and therefore, peace must prevail here," .

The Assam Rifles officer also said that although there have been a constraints of the security forces personnel since they are being made to carry out their duties under the ceasefire ground rules we had been able to "curtail" the movement of armed underground elements in Nagaland.

KS Sethis urged the villagers to be neutral to the underground factions and take steps collectively to rein in the movement of the armed activists inside their villages to avert clashes. Further, the IGAR insisted on furtherance of the existent ceasefires and unity among the various tribes of the Nagas for their prosperity. On the Zunheboto clash, the Inspector General Assam Rifles (N) said Assam Rifles had sent about 900 personnel to the affected areas for restoring normalcy and that the situation was under control though tense. Sethi then disclosed that the Khaplang group has been trying to enter Dimapur.
''We have already informed this development to Nagaland Government", said the IGAR.

Kuki body's SOS to Centre Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 18: Concerned with the casualties suffered by Kuki villagers due to escalation of tension/stand-off between rival groups of the NSCN in Nagaland, the Kuki Movement for Human Rights has drawn the attention of the Central Government to intervene and save the life of the Kuki people. In a letter addressed to the union home Minister, the rights body highlighted the frequent clashes between the armed cadres of NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) in kuki inhabited villages in Nagaland in the last few years causing panic and uncertainty amongst the the Kukis.

Pointing out that gun-fights took place as recently as April 11 and 16 at Serima Kuki village, the KMHR representation quoted reports of two civilians being wounded in the clashes and currently hospitalised besides burning down of seven houses.

Since yesterday (april 17) cadres of NSCN (IM) occupied Molvom Kuki village while the NSCN (K) activists are holed up in the nearby Bungsang Kuki village with full preparations to engage in a bitter gun battle, said the rights body. Alleging that Indian Army is remaining as silent spectators, the KMHR informed the Centre that the Kuki villagers are fleeing their homes with some unlucky ones detained as hostages. The rights body fervently appealed to the Central Government for prompt action to avert human casualties and save properties of the villagers.
Malik questions invite to pro-Indians NASEER A GANAI Greter Kashmir on line

Srinagar, Apr 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front declined New Delhi’s invitation on Wednesday for the third roundtable conference on Kashmir being held on April 24, thus virtually rendering the exercise ineffective in the absence of pro-freedom groups.
Displaying the invitation which he said was handed over to him by the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, the JKLF chairman Yasin Malik told reporters at a news conference here that he failed to understand the logic of inviting pro-India groups who don’t question Kashmir’s accession to India to the roundtables.
“When New Delhi could talk to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (that fights for separate homeland for Nagas) why in Kashmir it has different yardsticks? In Nagaland there are other parties as well which participate in elections, there is a Chief Minister and others but they are not included in talks.”
“One fails to understand why in case of Kashmir everybody should be on board irrespective of his or her beliefs and political ideologies,” Malik wondered as he made it clear his party won’t attend the roundtable in New Delhi. Malik, who recently returned from Pakistan, also announced his “Safar-e-Azadi (Journey for Independence)” from May 6. He said the 5-6 months journey, starting from Daksum village of south Kashmir’s Islamabad district would take him and his colleagues to far off places of the Valley.
“The campaign is named ‘Peace in South Asia: Kashmir First and Kashmiri First.’ Through this sustained campaign our objective is to pressurize India and Pakistan to involve Kashmiri ideological leadership and the Mujahideen into the peace process,” he said.
“And if after the campaign the Indian and Pakistani governments fail to respond (to) the popular demand, then an agitation will be launched,” he warned. “If anything untoward happens during those agitations, the governments of both the countries will be responsible.”
The people of Kashmir, according to the JKLF chief, have every right to know and be part of the process apparently aimed at deciding their future. “Everyone here wants to know whether the peace process is for resolution of the dispute or it’s a process to dissolve it. And if India and Pakistan presume they could settle on a dissolving process then they should also understand that peace will elude South Asia,” he said. Malik said different tactics like corruption and the massive suppression have had failed to fatigue the Kashmiris and “kill the popular sentiment for freedom.”
“(The sentiment) is there and it’s so deep that those who swear by the constitution of India even try to cash on it…And I tell you (the) spirits haven’t died down. New generation is coming up and they will not bear all this and could turn even into Fidayeen (suicide attackers). Recent examples clearly show it,” he said. On demilitarization, Malik said the issue has been politicized so much that it has lost its meaning. He said if India was serious about demilitarization, it could achieve it in 24 hours. “They have to involve the Mujahideen leadership and with it the demilitarization will take place within 24 hours,” he added.

Nagaland on alert after six die in clashes Gulf Times

GUWAHATI: Hundreds of security forces were deployed yesterday in the restive northeast state of Nagaland after six people were killed in gunfights between rival separatist groups, police said.
Three people were shot dead yesterday in retaliation for the killing of three others on Monday, police said. The outbreak of violence between two rival factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) occurred despite a ceasefire between the government and the separatists.
“Security forces have now been fanned for area domination to bring the situation under control. We are still not out of the woods,” L L Doungel, deputy inspector general of Nagaland police, said by telephone. The official said heavily-armed militants of the Isak Muivah faction of the group (NSCN-IM) clashed with the rival Khaplang group. At least half a dozen Khaplang rebels were injured in the attack.
“In one incident NSCN-IM militants attacked and killed three members of the rival Khaplang group. In retaliatory strikes, cadres of the NSCN-Khaplang faction killed three of their rival members,” Doungel said.
“Armed NSCN-IM rebels shot dead three members of the rival faction and then attacked the residence of Kitovi Zhimomi, the general secretary of the Khaplang faction,” another senior police official said.
“They (NSCN-IM) also shot at the legs of a civilian and set ablaze five houses belonging to local villagers in an incident near Dimapur,” Kughalo Mulatonu, a senior NSCN-Khaplang leader, said.
Both the groups have observed a ceasefire with New Delhi for the past year, but are now engaged in a fratricidal war for territorial supremacy.
“The attacks are nothing but a gross violation of the ceasefire ground rules and vindicates our stand that the Nagaland government is in hand in glove with the NSCN-IM,” Mulatonu said.
“The frequent clashes do not bode well for the future of ongoing peace process. People in general want peace and an end to all forms of bloodshed and killings,” said N Krome, president of the Naga Hoho, the apex tribal council in Nagaland.
Tribal leaders allege that the government has failed to restrain the two NSCN factions from attacking each other.
“There is a ceasefire on and no one should be allowed to roam around with weapons. It seems the government has failed to control the situation,” Krome said.
“We are doing our best to reach out to the two sides and help bridge the differences in the interests of peace in the region,” he added.
Authorities have warned of harsh action against the NSCN-IM.
“We have sent reinforcements to Zunheboto and Dimapur to ease tensions and bring the situation under control,” a police official said. Violent insurgency in Nagaland has claimed around 25,000 lives since India’s independence in 1947. Tribal separatist groups in the state demand the creation of a “Greater Nagaland” to unite 1.2mn Naga tribals living in the region. But the demand, which would involve slicing off parts of three neighbouring states is strongly opposed by New Delhi. Meanwhile, six tribal separatists from the neighbouring state of Meghalaya have surrendered after fleeing their camps in adjoining Bangladesh, officials said. A government spokesman said the six militants, including two women, from the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), surrendered before Border Security Force (BSF) officials at Panisagar.
“The rebels abandoned their Bangladeshi hideout and sneaked into north Tripura on Monday before they surrendered,” BSF spokesman B K Thakur said. The HNLC rebels would be handed over to a Meghalaya police team. “We were forced to leave Bangladeshi soil after security forces of that country launched a massive operation against the outlawed and armed miscreants,” the HNLC guerrillas said after the surrender.
“We have also learnt that the Bangladeshi security forces have launched an operation against the Indian militants taking shelter in their territory,” Thakur said, quoting reports from across the border. A total of 25 militants of various outfits have deserted their camps in Bangladesh and surrendered before authorities since March 12. – Agencies

Centre urged to revamp Naga truce ground rules The Hindu
Kohima, April 19 (PTI): Expressing serious concern over the NSCN factional violence, the Consultative Committee for Peace (CCP), a government constituted mechanism to facilitate the on-going peace process in Nagaland has urged the Centre to revamp the ceasefire ground rules with proper identification of designated camps for militant groups.
The CCP in its meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio observed that the factional fightings between two rival groups of NSCN escalated in recent past because the underground groups were not staying in the designated camps. The meeting held yesterday here demanded that the designated camps be identified immediately and the underground cadres be asked to stay inside the camps by the Centre with a clear cut ceasefire implementing mechanism without delay so that truce could be implemented in letter and spirit.
CCP observed that "although there is a monitoring mechanism for ceasefire ground rules, there is no such implementing mechanism for the same," a press communique issued by Principal Secretary Home and CCP Member Banuo Z Jamir said today.
The frequent factional fighting amongst the Naga underground groups in civilian populated areas was one point of serious concern raised during the CCP meeting. The meeting, which took place at the Chief Minister's residence, strongly condemned the killings and appealed to the underground groups to stop the senseless bloodshed and all forms of violence.
The CCP also made an appeal to the Centre and the NSCN (K) to consider further extension of ceasefire between them which is to expire on April 28, 2007. It also strongly voiced against all forms of extortion, illegal tax collection and abduction and said that such activities must be condemned by all. While appreciating the efforts being made by the civil societies, churches, NGO's, civil administration, police and paramilitary forces in maintaining law and order, the committee further appealed to one and all to do their utmost towards maintaining peace and tranquility in the state so that the peace process in the state is not hampered in anyway.
The CCP also observed that the issue of delimitation of assembly constituencies was being used by some people to launch agitation on tribal lines thereby affecting adversely the law and order situation and the ongoing peace process. Requesting all sections of the Naga society to respect the unanimous resolutions passed by the state assembly political parties and the decision of the cabinet on this issue, the committee made an appeal to refrain from any form of agitation on the issue as everybody would be given an opportunity to be heard by the Delimitation Commission before finalising the delimitation exercise.
Rio seeks support for power plan OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, April 18: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio today released the source book for the Nagaland Empowerment of People through Energy Development project, titled Adding Value to Shifting Cultivation, Nagaland. Addressing the gathering, Rio said the project was a novel concept, through which his government would seek to empower the people of the state, especially those in the rural areas. The venture is expected to cost nearly Rs 5.32 crore, of which Rs 1.5 crore will come from the state’s coffers.
The state plans to install a total of 364 hydrogers for the scheme, of which 196 have already been procured. Micro-hydro projects have been launched in 20 site models. Rio, however, said the success of the venture would depend on the response it evoked from the public.
“The government is only a facilitator and so the participation and sense of ownership must come from the people,” he said, urging the officers to motivate and instil a sense of confidence in the people. “The government’s policy on information technology, with community information centres at the district and sub-division levels and all its expensive gadgets and financial investments would be a futile exercise without power,” Rio said.
He said power thefts and problems related to transmission cost the state exchequer Rs 50 crore annually. The new project could mitigate this, and at the same time augment power supply. In Meghalaya, the government, today allayed apprehensions that power supply to industrial units should not be at the cost of domestic consumers, adds PTI.
Deputy chief minister, in-charge of power, Mukul Sangma, told the Assembly that the government’s priority was to improve the energy scenario in the state. Sangma said the government would soon encourage investment in sector.
ULFA behind FCI’s NE head kidnapping, demands 21 crore Newmai News Network
Guwahati The banned ULFA has been behind the abduction of the FCI executive Director, PC Ram on April 17 evening and has demanded Rs 21 crore as ransom to secure his release.
Confirming this claim, the Assam police today said that the hands of ULFA militants behind the kidnapping of FCI’s head of operations in the northeast PC Ram is visible and added the banned outfit has demanded Rs 21 crore for the release of Ram. The police also claimed that they have recovered the office vehicle of Ram from Rangia on Wednesday evening. Director General of Assam Police RN Mathur told that Ram’s son has received a call on Wednesday from the abductors demanding Rs 21 crore for safe release of Ram. “We are told by Ram’s son Pravin that the abductors had demanded the amount for his release,” said the DGP.
“The callers identified himself as ULFA cadre and demanded the amount of Rs 21 crore as ransom. We are investigating the matter,” said Mathur.Senior Superintendent of Police (City) SN Singh today said that there are clear evidence of ULFA’s involvement in the abduction and said that the Rangia police have recovered the official vehicle of Ram (registration no. AS01V 1353) parked in front of the State Bank of India branch at Rangia town.
“The vehicle was locked and it was standing there since 4 pm. Local people intimated this to the Rangia police and the vehicle was recovered accordingly,” he said and added that the driver and Ram has still been missing. “Ram called up the family member in Delhi and Guwahati from BSNL and Aircel phone numbers. The two numbers have been used by suspected ULFA cadres,” Singh said while adding that as per the information the captors must have kept the duo somewhere in and around Barama in Bagsa district. Ram called up his son Pravin Goutam in Ghaziabad on the midnight of Tuesday and informed that he has been kidnapped. Similarly Ram called up his adopted daughter at his Srinagar residence on Wednesday from these cell phones and told her about the abduction. He had also asked them not to worry.
“Based on information, police team had also conducted some raids last night at Barama but we have not received anything so far. Our investigation is on and we hope to make some breakthrough soon,” said Singh. Meanwhile, the executive director (Vigilance) of the FCI who rushed to Guwahati from Delhi on Wednesday evening to take stocks of the situation and held series of meetings with the staff. On contacted, General Manager (NE zone) of the FCI RP Singh only said that the whole machinery is activated and that they have been cooperating with the police to get the abducted officer released soon.
Looking beyond the chicken’s neck Surekha Sule Column The Morung Express
The economy in the North East is still largely based on subsistence-oriented farming. There is plenty of frustration arising out of inability to meet modern aspirations.
What are the options for people to engage in productive work and earn more money?
Think of the North East (NE) and thoughts that spring up in the mind are about ULFA, the Naga insurgency, killings, abductions, bomb blasts and floods. The reasons can be found easily. It is a media-made picture of this far flung part of India, almost as if nothing good is happening here. People in the NE too feel alienated from the mainland India and utterly neglected by New Delhi.
It has been observed that the economy in NE is largely based on subsistence-oriented farming. Still, absolute food security is not a problem except among extremely distressed people like the Bangla-speaking Muslims and Meishing tribals living in the disastrous flood prone areas. However, livelihoods problems are aplenty here, with inadequate cash incomes and frustrations arising out of inability to meet modern aspirations. In future, farm incomes will most likely prove to be grossly inadequate to even meet the subsistence needs and there is a pressing need for timely action towards livelihoods enhancement for a majority of the people.
Some donor agencies have been looking at the NE for interventions that would improve the situation. The Sir Ratan Tata Trust, jointly with International Water Management Institute (IWMI) initiated IWMI-Tata Programme (ITP) some six years ago. The ITP was to research the questions of water and land in the NE and the link to livelihood enhancement. Last year, the Trust gave a mandate to ITP to ‘incubate ideas’ in the NE for interventions which could later be translated into reality through grants.
Dr Sanjiv Phansalkar, ITP Director, says this mandate opened a front for researching the region. Considering the shortcoming of the researchers from the mainland who do not know or understand the NE that well, Phansalkar decided to tap into researchers in the NE itself. First a consultation was organized in Guwahati during 3-4 October 2006 inviting leading educational and social institutions such as IIT-Guwahati, leading environmentalists, and social sector functionaries. Here many macro issues such as recurrent flood problems, environmental degradation, dam and displacements and terrorism were discussed in emotionally charged sessions. However, nothing concrete came up on enhancing livelihood options for the people.
Thereafter, Santanu Ghosh and Mayuri Hazorika from Phansalkar’s team went on a long tour traversing the length and breadth of the NE. They meet a cross section of people, identifying who is working where, what are the kind of issues, what are the things dominating the public agenda, what is on the minds of people and so forth. They list a large inventory of issues people have been talking about. But concrete ideas for livelihood enhancement did not emerge. Instead, everywhere people talked of social strife, alienation, tribal/land alienation, encroachment of forests, environmental issues.
After looking at secondary research (published work) and preparing a concept note, Phansalkar – a seasoned development professional himself - undertook a different research approach, and involved a team of members local to the NE. This team interacted with people over their current livelihood activities and whether these needed to be improved. This engagement finally produced results that earlier attempts did not. Several new livelihood possibilities did emerge out of which, six water related options were considered since ITP’s core competency lies in water and land.
These were 1) popularisation of Systems of Rice Intensification (SRI) 2) popularising intensification in mostly single cropped regions 3) intensification of fisheries in private and common water bodies 4) intensification of production in the backyards of homes 5) strengthening of the livestock sector and 6) popularisation of orchards.
According to ITP researchers, SRI in ahu (Jan-May) season in most of the places and in sali (kharif, June-Oct) season in regions which are not affected by floods has an excellent potential in enhancing livelihoods. There is excellent potential for intensification of fisheries in riverine regions. Piggeries offer excellent opportunities for strengthening livelihoods for the tribal and the socially backward people in mid-lands and in hilly regions. Development of orchards has a good potential in much of the hilly region. Systematic effort for redesigning habitat has huge potential for stabilising livelihoods of the flood prone people. Finally, wherever security concerns are manageable, there is potential for developing eco-tourism and ethnic tourism in the region. “It is perhaps more prudent to launch support to a portfolio of appropriate options for a region among these rather than restricting to only one,” opines Dr Phansalkar.
These ideas emerged out of overall interactive process after consultation with local people during field work conducted by local organizations/activists. So it was not as if some external agents like ITP with external perspective came up with six livelihood options that need to be ‘pushed’ in NE, says Phansalkar. In conducting this research, ITP decidedly did not take people from reputed research organisations but picked up people who work on the ground in NE and told them what ITP was looking for. This was done on three grounds. First, they are closer to the reality and are in a far better position to understand the intricate details of the social-regional complexities which exist in that region. Such embedded research exploits the researchers’ familiarity. Second are language and the various dialects in which only local people can best communicate. Third is to create process of buy-in; i.e, if some development oriented action is to be taken, then the people obviously need to buy into the idea. Involving the local people, getting ideas from them and putting into back into the process was helpful. Phanasalkar says “we were not worried too much about the purity of research methodology which can follow after getting the first cut of robust and very close to the ground picture of the whole place.” He designed the central framework and shared it with them. The final structure was interactively decided after they commented on what will work and what not. 21 studies were done, and virtually all of them by the people there. ITP also looked at other work done in NE like Entrepreneurs Associates in Kohima, Nagaland which is helping Naga youth to start small businesses, Rural Volunteers Centre (RVC) in Akajan, Dhemaji, Assam which is helping flood affected communities to manage lives despite devastating floods, Dabalipara Fish Cooperative in Barpeta, Assam which is helping community to manage logistics and market, Treadle pump intervention in NE by International Development Enterprises which promotes and mass market treadle pumps through a supply chain, Sipajhar Diamond Club Community Centre, Darrang, Assam which helps SHG formation and in micro credit, Dongs by Bodos in Assam which has been an age-old traditional water management system, International Fund for Agricultural Development’s (IFAD) horticultural project in Meghalaya and lastly Tata Tea’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) project which runs a programme for community upliftment in their tea estates. After those studies and analysis, it emerged that there is substantial amount of resource slack (untapped resources) which could be use to create livelihood options for the people. A simple illustration: scores of Assamese have backyards where they grow all food items like yams, papaya, banana, arecanut, coconut, etc., only for domestic consumption and do not make full use of the potential resource for cash income through its sale. A large number of plantations like pineapple, kiwi and livestock rearing are possible in the backyard. So using up the resource slack is first important issue.

The challenges However, implementation is where the challenges lie and this was documented by the ITP project. It is well known fact that the NE region has absolutely hopeless infrastructure. The last eight slots out of 28 states ranked by infrastructure facilities are occupied by 8 NE states. It takes five hours to travel 60 km even for a fairly decent vehicle. “Here there is no way one can produce in NE and sell in Delhi,” says Phanaslkar. So the options should be for products that are demanded locally. But then if there is local demand then why was it not met through local production if it was possible? “Trade is certainly not controlled by the local people but is in the hold of Marwari communities. Also the rent-seeking (bribing by police and extortion by other elements) is rampant and infrastructure is bad. If one wants to sell in the Guwahati market, one has to pay to Police and certainly to extremist outfits,” observes Phansalkar. The people in control of trade and the extremists groups seem to have an understanding. Thus local people have no way to capture local market, even if they are able to produce. There are other issues regarding productivity. For one, there is a tradition of free grazing after kharif which means there is no second cropping. Secondly, the people’s own mindset has been such that if there is enough after a kharif rice crop, then why take on a second crop? This is subsistence-oriented farming and there is absence of a market-oriented production tendency. Also, even if one wants to produce beyond household consumption to sell in the market for higher cash income, one does not know how to produce because of lack of skills, technology and information. So ITP’s observation is that while there is demand for food and food related items in any 20 km radius, it is either met through outside supplies or people go without it. The challenges may be many, but the ITP research did result in a deeper understanding of the livelihood problems in the NE. Researchers conceptualised the NE into three geographic regions: Upper Assam, Lower Assam and Hill States. Each of these regions was again seen as high lands or hilly lands, mid-lands and riverine flood prone lands, thus giving nine sub-regions. The project came out with sub-regional papers which looked at the social and economic situation of the sub-region, summed up past livelihoods enhancement efforts in the region and undertook an ex-ante assessment of the selected six livelihoods options. Any agency that wishes to intervene can now look at these options after deciding in which region and among which communities they want to work. “Of course selection out of these six options is not the last word and there may emerge other suitable options,” admits Phansalkar. However, Phansalkar and his team have set a fine example of embedded research worth emulating by research fraternity in India. Surekha Sule is a freelance journalist and environmentalist based in Mumbai, and a Media Fellow of the Ministry of Water Resources of the Government of India
Door to peace talks closed, says ULFA Sentinel
GUWAHATI, April 19: Even as Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today appealed to the ULFA to sit for talks with the Government, the banned militant organization said the recent killing of eight of its cadres by security forces in Arunachal Pradesh has closed the door to the peace process.
“The mass slaughter of our cadres, including two women, has practically closed the doors for peace,” the ULFA said in the latest edition of its mouthpiece Freedom e-mailed to the media here today.
The e-mail alleged that the killed ULFA cadres were not carrying any military weapon, but were sleeping when they were woken up, tortured and killed.
It regretted that the Centre always “stands in the way of the peace process for which the ULFA cordially prepares the environment. People of the State must realize its double standards”.
“These operations are only to stop the mass upheaval of protests against the authorities, but we warn them that such arrogance cannot solve the political conflict,” it claimed. PTI