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04/21/2007: "‘NSCN-IM committed to peace proclamation’ The Morung Express"

‘NSCN-IM committed to peace proclamation’ The Morung Express
KOHIMA, APRIL 21 (MExN): The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) said that the rival faction, NSCN-K, is taking undue advantage of its chairman, Isak Chishi Swu, proclamation on peace and reconciliation.
Referring to the recent killing of its several functionaries by the rival NSCN-K at Kohima, Mokokchung and Dimapur, a high functionary of the organization, who didn’t want to be named said that its cadres have been maintaining total restraint, respecting the reconciliation proclamation of its president, however, the cadres of the rival group have taken advantage of this restraint and is on the killing spree. “We still respect and honour the proclamation of the president. However, we may be compelled to counter-back in self-defence and to safeguard the Naga cause,” the functionary said. “We are on restraint, yet, Naga people should know who is doing what,” the Official also added. The leaderships of the NSCN-IM has decided to suspend all military offensive against its rival group some months back as a peace and reconciliation offer, but was rejected by the latter, official also added.
Meanwhile, a town commander of the NSCN-IM also said that there has been strict orders for total restraint from their higher ups. He disclosed that they have been given order not to commit any offensive against the rival group unless they are first attacked upon, since the reconciliation proclamation made by its president.
But there is a general air of uncertainty amongst the cadres of the NSCN-IM as the rival group continued to haunt down their comrades, he said. A commander also said that they are totally handicapped by the order, whereas the NSCN-K cadres are on a killing spree and cautioned that patience is running out amongst the cadres due to the offensive activities of the rival group.
'Nagas destructing Nagas': NBCC Kuknalim.com
DIMAPUR, April 19:: The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has said both the "overground" and "underground' Naga political organizations who were supposed to wield power and authority have lost their respective capacities to control the multi-headed monster of corruption and lawlessness.
"The result is the destruction of Nagas by Nagas, which now seems unstoppable," said NBCC in a press release issued by director, Peace Affairs, Rev. L Kari Longchar, and citied the recent killings in Mon, Zunheboto, Athibung, Kohima, Dimapur, Medziphema, Sirhima, Bade, Mokokchung and other places, as "clearest manifestations of the takeover of our society by the same monster."

While hinting that the earlier distinction between the Naga "underground" and "overground" have become blurred because leaders of both the groups seemed to share the same values and interests, NBCC however said the leaders alone cannot be blamed.

"We all have helped in our different ways to bring about the present moral, spiritual and political bankruptcy resulting in the birth of the monster," the release added. NBCC said bold, honest acceptance of moral responsibility of the kind shown by the Biblical Jonah was the urgent need of the hour: "Throw me into the sea and the storm will calm down. I know it is my fault that you are caught in this violent storm." (Jonah 1:12) Meanwhile, NBCC disclosed that the Church was developing a modality to get the people to help the "leaders" so that if the leaders wisely respond to the people, the way will be shown to them to achieve honourable reconciliation together.
"With reconciliation and acceptance of one another, the search for a political settelement acceptable to all Nagas will become productive," NBCC said.

NBCC said it believed that the best service the Naga churches could give to Naga leaders "at this dangerous hour" was to provide a trusted platform to the people to encourage them to 'freely express what they believe is true and right' so that 'the voice and the conscience of the public' would be heard by the leaders. It may be mentioned the NBCC Peace Committee met on April 18 and 19 at Kohima to review the recent spurt in factional-related killings.
Rio’s Mon road show in pre-poll mode Minphong Konyak Aboi (Mon) | The Morung Express
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s official tour of Mon district ahead of the Assembly election early next year looked every bit an NPF road show aimed to bolster the party’s chances in what is believed to be a crucial assembly segment for the party. Rio accompanied by his number two Noke Konyak, Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Wangnyuh Konyak and other Cabinet colleagues laid the foundation stone at Aboi today for the new 6th NAP battalion. Seen as a historic event for the locals in the area, hundreds gathered despite the inclement weather to witness and bless the new endeavor for the development of Aboi in particular and Nagas in general. The present Battalion at Tizit will shift to Aboi when construction will be over, which is informed to take some time. After inauguration of the foundation stone at Aboi this morning, the Chief Minister’s entourage left for Mon on way to Tiru to visit Tiru Coal Mine.
While appreciating the generosity and farsightedness of the people, Rio conveyed that the DAN Government “does not speak much but works more for the poorest and the depressed.” “We are a regional party, the party of the people rooted to their identity”, Rio said in his address. Elucidating the government’s achievement on the development front, Rio said that the present government had created the 11th and 12th IRB battalions providing employment for young Nagas. He added that the battalion at Aboi too is intended to create job opportunities for many, adding that the government aimed to uplift Mon district. Regretting the absence of Nyeiwang, local MLA Aboi, who is presently under treatment at Delhi, Rio termed the Aboi project as “Nyeiwang’s brainchild” pointing out that he had come to fulfill the ardent wish of Nyeiwang. He urged the people to thank the government but mainly Nyeiwang for this great achievement
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio along with Lok Sabha MP Wangyuh Konyak and other ministerial colleagues after inauguration of the foundation stone for the 6th NAP battalion at Aboi, Mon district on Saturday. (MExPix)
Talking on the occasion, senior Minister Noke Konyak, thanked the people of Langmeang and Ngangching villages for providing their ancestral land for developmental purpose. Talking about the work done by DAN government, he said that when regional party is in power it works for the region. “During Vizol’s time lots of additional fund directed to uplift the grass root levels of the Backward Section, like Backward Fund, 33% Reservation, VDB Fund, Compact Area Fund, etc, were introduced to boost and create a balance between the different sections of Naga society,” he said. In the state-level, he said that it is the regional government that has introduced the grant of pension to MLAs, MPs, which has been adopted by other states in the country. He further added that the ‘Regional Government’ had also created DUDA, declared the Year of Farmers, Youth and Women Empowerment, created 11th and 12th IRB battalion etc, which should be proof enough to show that regional party is the party of the people.
Earlier, State DGP Changkija thanked the DAN government and the people of Langmeang and Ngangching villages for making it possible to lay down the Foundation Stone. He conveyed that the government has been generous to the jawans by providing funds, rations, equipments etc., wherever approached. “I thank the government for providing fund for the establishment of New 6th NAP battalion Head Quarter at Aboi though government fund is in great constrain,” he said. Meanwhile he also urged both the battalion and the neighboring villagers to maintain a good rapport so that development and goodwill will arise out of this historic undertaking.
Today’s programme was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Mon. Angh of Langmeang Village, Chairman Village Council Nganching and Vice Chairman Aboi Town Committee thanked the DAN government for realizing their great dream. The programme was followed by cultural presentations.
Survival comes before integrity for Senapati`s border villages Sapam Aruna laii shirafei/chingmai khunou(senapati dist) Kangla
Visiting Laii Shirafei village, located on the state`s border with Nagaland, all the rhetoric we hear in Imphal about protecting Manipur`s integrity souinds strangely hollow. This, may it be said, is not because of any animosity that the people of this village may feel towards their fellow Manipuris, but because of the simple needs for sheer survival.

Long neglected by successive governments in Imphal, and handicapped by poor connectivity with the rest of the state, the people of Laii Shirafei have been looking towards Nagaland for meeting their basic needs, for education for their children, healthcare for their sick, markets for their products, even husbands for their girls. Moreover, with better roads and a better power situation, their Nagaland neighbours, particularly the villages of Chizami, Lasami and Zhamai, offers models of prosperity to aspire for, on the one hand, and envy on the other.
All in all, the situation obtaining in the village provides powerful support to the argument that Manipur`s integrity can be assured only when the state government actively and conscientiously try to meet the needs and aspirations of all sections, particularly those living in the remote and interior areas, rather than shouting about integrity and unity from the rooftops in Imphal.

Laii Shirafei, village council chairman, at thaizei, points out that for years, no one in the state capital has given their village a second glance, let alone taken care of their needs.

`We have developed close ties with our Nagaland neighbours primarily for the sake of survival,` he says. Offering a contrast between the situation in their village and that of their neighbours across the inter-state boundary, he says, at night, our neighbours` homes are aglow with electric lights, while we have to make do with podons.
With extremely poor roads connectivity to other parts of the state, and no efforts from the state authorities to provide market outlets, Laii Shirafei, located some 52 km from Tadubi, sends most of its local products, including potatos, cabbage, vegetabes, poultry, pigs, fish from the Langi river, handicrafts to markets in Nagaland. `Our local products are much in demand in Nagaland, because of better soil conditions here, and they are even sold in Kohima,` thaizei says.

It is also a fact of life here that the village womenfolk look for husbands mostly in Nagaland, because Nagaland men are on average better-off that their local suitors, something which is attributed to the measures taken up by the Nagaland government for the welfare and prospertity of its citizens. For some reason, Nagaland women on the other hand are reluctant to marry into households on this side of the boundary line, quips thaizei. The village possesses a lone lp school, where there are just two teachers for the 82 students enrolled. It has no school building, and classes are often held combined with those of a private school. There are no health facilities to speak of, and villagers routinely take those who fall sick to Nagaland for treatment.

Chingmei Khunou, another village in the same area, but somewhat bigger, faces much the same situation. The village, with a population of 4,600, has a UJB school which teaches upto class V. For further schooling, the children of the village head to Senapati, Kohima and Dimapur An interesting wrinkle here is that when the All Naga Students Association, Manipur, insisted this year that Naga students should appear their matric examinations under the Nagaland board, many of the students belonging to Chingmei Khunou ended up appearing in the examinations conducted by both the Nagaland board and the Manipur board. Villagers informed that the ANSAM`s insistence placed students and their parents in a quandary, as it was felt that it might affect their careers. Finally, many students decided to appear for the examinations of both the two state boards. Villagers also said the ansam paid fares and provided fooding for students to appear under the Nagaland board in Nagaland, but most families and students are not satisfied.

There is a phc at Laii Khunjao for their health needs, but the doctor posted there is usually to be found doing private practice at Senapati bazar. The nurse posted there also turns up only occasionally. The roads linking the village to the rest of the state are strictly fair-weather, and completely impassable by vehicles whenever it rain. Most of the village`s products, including the well-known Mao potatoes are mainly sent to Dimapur and Kohima. Sending their products to the rest of the state is difficult because of transport problems, and the frequent general strikes, bandhs and economic blockades make it unattractive.

Centre blamed for Asom-Nagaland differences Nagarealm.com
Guwahati, April20 [NPN]UNI) Rights activist groups of Asom and Nagaland today held the Centre and state governments responsible for creating differences between the people of the two states and joined hands to resolve the disputes. They decided to create coordination between the different democratic and civil society organisations in the two states and to also approach the underground factions if the need arose.

Representatives of the People's Committee for Peace Initiatives in Assam (PCPIA), a conglomerate of 27 groups actively pursuing the resumption of peace talks between the government and the ULFA, and the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) met here and decided to take steps for strengthening of age-olsd bond between the people of the states. The two bodies stressed on the historical ties between the people of the entire North-East region and said they had lived in perfect harmony for centuries. Chief coordinator of the PCPIA Lachit Bordoloi said the disputes that cropped up had been created by third parties, who stood to gain by creating division among the people of the region. He said, ''The governments have also at various points of time tried to divide the people by imposing boundaries and instigating them.''

He alleged that the row over the boundary between the two states was largely created by the government, saying that even the borders fixed by separate commissions appointed by the government differed. ''The people along the border areas live in perfect harmony. The government is itself unsure where the actual border should be drawn as the people have no disputes between them,'' Mr Bordoloi added. The PCPIA and the NPMHR, in a joint statement issued after the meeting today and signed by Mr Bordoloi and Dr N Venuh, secretary General of the NPMHR, informed that the PCPIA would send a delegation to Nagaland in May to interact with like-minded groups there. Mr Bordoloi said they would also get in touch with the militant factions, including both the factions of NSCN, for facilitating resolution of the disputes as the outfits had earlier shown interest in the matter. The members of NPMHR also called on the 12 activists of the PCPIA who had been on a hunger strike since April 6, to press the government for resumption of peace talks and as a mark of solidarity for the fasting wives of 'missing' ULFA leaders. They also expressed concern over the deteriorating health condition of the ULFA leaders wives, who had been on a fast-unto-death since March 21, demanding the whereabouts of their missing husbands since December, 2003.
Top NSCN (K) man nabbed Nagarealm.com
Imphal, April20 [TSE] : Imphal East District Police have arrested the finance in-charge (Imphal) of the outlawed NSCN (K) from Paomei Colony, Sangakpham during a search operation launched today. According to SP of Imphal East K Kailun, the operation was launched based on specific information. The arrested finance in-charge of the NSCN (K) is identified as Ason alias Bimol Hungyo (22) s/o Ningam Hungyo of Pungpun village of Ukhrul district. One 9 mm pistol along with a magazine loaded with two live rounds of ammunition and a polythene bag containing three receipt books and 80 blank demand letters of the outfit have also been recovered from the possession of the arrested underground activist, the SP disclosed in a statement, adding that each of the receipt books contain respectively 79, 79 and 68 leaves. During the course of preliminary interrogation, Ason disclosed that he joined the outfit in 2001 under one Winner and had undergone military training at eastern Nagaland. At present, he is working as the finance in-charge of Imphal area to collect fund from tribal people mainly Nagas to drive fund for purchasing arms and ammunition under the command of one kilonser Joseph. His army no is 3036.

Naga Solidarity Group appeals- Nagaland Post
Sensing the volatility of the political situation and the fragility of the peace process, the Naga Solidarity Group after serious deliberation made these observations:
1. After 10 years of ceasefire and political talks between the Indian State and Nagaland, the Indian Government has failed to win the confidence of the world community.
2. The Indian state has not steadfastly addressed Naga people's sovereignty which is shown in its insincerity to tackle Naga's human and political rights. This is now the germinating point for further instability and escalating violence for which the Indian Government will be held solely responsible;
3. The international community will not tolerate acts of intentional and needless discrimination. Consistent with the United Nation's resolution against systematic annihilation of any ethnic group or race, the Naga Solidarity Group, in the strongest terms, opposes any policy aimed at 'ethnic cleansing' of any Naga tribe. This resolution applies to both the Indian state and any Naga group that is responsible for 'ethnic cleansing', as they will be brought before the International Criminal Court;
Over time, all Naga national groups have contributed to the problem by making serious human mistakes which have cost the people dearly. These groups are asked to initiate corrective steps and to seek forgiveness from those whom they have wronged; Sovereignty for all Naga people must remain the focus. In order to legitimize the Naga political rights in the world community, Naga national groups are encouraged to resolve their differences through peaceful means all the while maintaining this focus.
Dino Latiri, Italy, Thomas Labadie, FranceRosalinda Cameron, USA
Jacob Grebel, Germany, Thomas Johansen, Denmark, Julie Rickart, UK
Klaartje Koenig, The Netherlands, Marcus Betz, Germany, Carlotta Bellini, Italy
Sophia Kennell, Switzerland, Konrad Simons, Austria, Elizabeth Kapu, Zimbabwe
Danny O'Sullivan, UK, Brian Cuthburt, Australia Jacqueline Holmes, Canada
Ricardo Torres, Chile Georgette Brown, USA Esteban Arelleno, Mexico
Juan Guitterez, Columbia Seiku Young, Hong Kong Lena Ulrich, Germany
Natasha Katz, Belarus David Anderson, USA Michelline Formby, Rwanda
Connier Mahoney, UK Arturo Mannet, Switzerland Mustapha Sowah, Sierra Leone
Cynthia Oo, Hong Kong Katie Ehrisman, Argentina Chutima Goldman, Thailand
Paul Dobson, South Africa
On Behalf of theNaga Solidarity Group
Where angels fear to tread By: Oken Jeet Sandham Kangla
Where angels fear to tread? It sounded nice when the Government of Manipur moved the Court and obtained arrest warrants against the NSCN-IM's Kilo Kilonser (Home Minister) Puni and Deputy Kilonser Kraibo Chawang with regard to the kidnapping and the subsequent murder of the two Senapati children Hriini Hubert and Muheni Martin. It also obtained the arrest warrants against the two of the three suspects in the crime Brown and Manikho. Interestingly, the whole exercise, according to Manipur Government, was done with the instructions and advice of the Union Home Ministry.

For quite some time, the issue of the abduction of the two minors remained relatively quiet and many were still confused if they were still alive. It was also reported that the suspects in the crime had been in the custody of the NSCN-IM.

Unfortunately the recovery of the skeletal remains of the two children had taken many by surprise. Nobody believed initially that such a degree of crime on the children would take place although child kidnapping and murder has become a phenomenon, threatening the entire society in Manipur today. And no one, at any cost, should allow our children to be preyed upon and in fact our underground organizations should unwaveringly protect the interest of the children and show their humane touch to the citizens especially our children. It is extremely painful even to imagine that a child is kidnapped for ransom but it is simply unimaginable taking away the lives of the innocent children after the ransom has been paid.

Just before the recovery of the skeletal remains of the two minors in Senapati district, a drug addict in Imphal had murdered a child after taking away his gold earnings. The residents of the locality took to the streets demanding arrest of the culprit but the next day, the proscribed RPF caught the culprit and executed summarily after producing him to the publics. However, many analysts expressed certain reservation on such execution, saying killing the killer is not proper without observing the laws of the land. Arguably, it is a valid point but broadly speaking nobody would support and hardly have any mercy for any child killers for whatever reasons.

In the Senapati incident, the NSCN-IM has claimed that the three suspects are in their custody and further investigation is on, while promising the Senapati publics for early judgment.

At the same time, the Manipur Government has also claimed that they have arrested some suspects and explained their inability to pursue the matter further as the main culprits are in the custody of the NSCN-IM. But confusion arises when they have secured arrest warrants against the two leaders of the NSCN-IM and also the two suspects. Because the outfit (NSCN-IM), as expected, came out against such decision even terming it as trying to sabotage the "Naga peace process." "Why did the Manipur government straight away issue arrest warrant against us," asked Kraibo Chawang, deputy kilonser of the outfit. Things should be officially done and that matter should be discussed officially and not just simply issuing arrest warrant to get the accused, he added. He even said the matter would be tabled in their next round of talks with the Government of India.

The outfit's explanation needs examining critically. The Manipur government knows the government of India is currently holding peace talks and maintaining truce with the NSCN-IM. That was why they had to hand over 13 NSCN-IM persons including then Kilo Kilonser (Home Minister) AK Lungalang to the Chairman of the Cease Fire Monitoring Group Lt Gen (Retd) RV Kulkarni after their arrest in Manipur some years back---of course, as a goodwill gesture to the ongoing the peace process. As such, they, instead of listening to the instructions and the advices of the Union Home Ministry for issuing arrest warrants against the NSCN-IM leaders, should have insisted that they (Home Ministry) handle the matter and prevail upon the leaders of the outfit to hand over the suspects being kept in their custody to them in view of the ceasefire and peace process they have with the outfit.

We know the law and order is State subject but what happened in Nagaland where both NSCN factions continue indulging in bloodiest factional clashes and killings and even publics were killed including the ex-DGP. The state government could not take any action against the culprits even after their claim of executing persons like ex-DGP as they continue to clarify that such actions do not come under the purview of the existing ceasefire ground rule. Now the state government (Nagaland) is saying factional clashes and killings are political issue and action against them could not be initiated because of the ceasefires they (factions) have with New Delhi. Whereas the Center is saying prevailing factional clashes and killings in the state is a law and order issue, hence the state subject.

One might say the current ceasefires are confined to Nagaland. Theoretically true but in reality it is not. The recent Manipur general election has the telltale story. In one way, it is also a sign of weakness on the part of the government of Manipur for failing to present the true picture of the prevailing situation in the Hill areas of the state. Therefore, it will be only appropriate for the government of Manipur to take the matter as a responsible state government with the Government of India. This is perhaps the NSCN-IM leaders meant to say "official level." Whether the NSCN-IM is obeying the order of the Government of India is a different matter but certainly New Delhi can play convincing role and even discuss the matter in their next meetings. The Manipur government should first wait that response and they should not be easily browbeaten by Delhi. There are many ways to settle the present crisis. Otherwise, even going with the weapons of arrest warrants will have no meaning as one can see the helplessness of that state (Nagaland) on many stages. It will be like treading where the angels fear to tread.
The Cancerous Conscience Nagarealm/com
The Kuki students protest in Delhi on March 23, 2007 against the abduction of more than 400 Kuki villagers near the Indo-Burma border, destructive menace posed by planted Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in villagers frequented routes, paddy field and forest in the hills of Manipur, and the massively silenced hurdles the villagers are made to bear in their abnormal life bring forth yet the same old denials of truth, which already failed to find a space in our society, by and large, today.

When truth failed to occupy that special space, justice for the wrong done ought to be indeed unexpected. Of course, truth will remain truth but justice turns injustice. The expectancy of such a deserved and demanded justice also withers as time passes, which is precisely what the perpetrators of crimes and their acquaintances sought. Look at the denied justice to the rape victims of Tipaimukh.

Doing right what has been done wrong has become a far cry. Probably, the tugging at the other end, opposite the conscience of humanity is far too stronger and greater. We may ask, could this really be happening and be possible? Why not, after all this is Manipur, the land of shambles, isn’t it?

The protest rally of March 23, 2007 held in Delhi that turned violent resulting in the serious injury to more than 20 participant students, around 20 Delhi police personnel, detaining of more than 130 student protesters by the state police, the brutality and inhumane treatment of the protesters of both sexes by the police personnel, sexual assault and molestation of women protesters, the vengeful tactics applied by the police personnel in dispersing and arresting the students, the ugly face of racism that controls the state machinery, false charges forcefully labeled on the detainees – all reflects the seriousness of things gone wrong in a state and non-state governance. The governed are forced to face the brunt of all the things ugly.

From the psychological perspective of distraught victims the peaceful protest turned violent can be attributed to a long endured frustration and muffled voice, at last shouting to be heard. Enough is enough! We want to be heard of our sufferings. Yet in spite of the number of hospitalised and arrested protesters during the rally (could as well be recorded as the largest by people from the Northeast region in the capital of India), apprehension is reserved on whether justice would be delivered still. As ever expected, the government will remain unmoved and would continue to be a mute and silent spectator.

Nevertheless, the rally, however, reflects what is being felt of the government indifference and deliberate ignorance to the plights of the victimised peoples in the hills of Manipur. And as we cry out against the brutality and cases of molestation of women by the policed state in the capital city during the protest rally, we also need to be concerned of the unnoticed but same brutality that is being confronted in the far-flung hilly areas of Manipur both by the policed state and non-state actors. How do we try justifying the unvoiced violence the people in those areas are going through? There can be no word of justification. It does not even come near to our humane conscience.

Disturbing voices passed along talked of a recent visit of an MLA, along with the CM of Manipur, to the seriously injured hospitalised protesters at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in Delhi. It has been quoted that this MLA (who incidentally was in Delhi during that time, for an official visit probably) while speaking to the injured actually blamed the students for the high-handedness they received from the state police during their protest. He was also reported to allegedly call the hospitalised students as terrorists. If the unarmed and innocent protesters, of a just cause for an abused people, were so easily tagged as “terrorists”, what labeling would be most appropriate for the armed state and armed non-state actors, and the peoples’ own irresponsible representatives and corruption infested government? Who are now the deserving terrorists?
Moreover, in an interview with the Asian News International (ANI), the MLA when asked of the circumstances that led to this ugly incident replied by squarely blaming the students for their excessive behaviour during the protest. It was also said that the MLA advised the students to concentrate more on their studies, for which they are in the capital city, and not to destroy their career by participating in protest rally and demonstrations.

I have to admit, the MLA is right to a certain extent in his concern. At the same time, it would be advisable to go beyond that point of concern, where every issues is in shambles with no available solution to the pitiable condition the people are made to live through years and years. Bravo to our elected public leaders for creating such a pathetic situation for us.

Would the fatherly conscience of the elected representatives fare well when faced with such an innocent question as to what they are doing in the face of the lurking threats to their own people’s survival? Are they busy flipping and playing with some dirty money, again?

What has subjected the bright-careered students to come out to the streets in protest against the inhumane treatment their fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters are facing at home? If they had not voiced their concern through such protest rally, would an armed struggle or just a mere receiving of a degree from some colleges or universities save their people from different forms of discrimination? If not them, then who is going to ask for justice? What significance does their careers and achievements make when their people and land are left to rot and vanish? If we put up an argument saying that it is not the job they should be involved in, then whose job is it anyway? Does those entrusted with the “job” do what they had to do?
The protest rally was, as I see, a social awakening to revolutionalise our dying and ailing society. There is a need to question the accountability of our elected representatives and also to hold them responsible for not doing what they ought to do for long time gone.

Is it not a discriminatory excuse saying that victimised villagers in the remote areas are to be blamed for the state of affairs they are currently confronting? Do we lamely put it this way that they are getting what they fittingly deserved at the first place? Do we tell the poor, lecturing them that they are so because they are merited to be? When does the poor’s thumb impressions become important? Why are ballot boxes filled up and for what reasons? What is being expected from those elected representatives? We cannot just let life go on this way forever. Should we? How long should we? So many answerable but unanswered questions lurking around. I am reminded of the Black Eyed Peas number – where is the love?

Conscience, conscience, where are you? Let us glimpse a bit of you! At least to dream on for the far, far away justice we longingly craved. [Elf Hmar]

BSS in job to help ex-BLT, NDFB sink differences Our Correspondent Sentinel
KOKRAJHAR, April 21: Representatives of the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), the Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS), the All Bodo Women Welfare Forum (ABWWF), the ABEF, the DUBHA, the DUBAA and ex-BLT leaders, in a meeting held here yesterday, empowered the BSS to act as a buffer between the NDFB and the ex-BLT and arrange a patch-up talks between the groups so as to bring back peace in the Bodo community as a whole, and in Bagsa district in particular.
The meeting decided that NDFB cadres should stay only in the designated camps set up for them by the Government so as to maintain peace. The meeting, held with BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary in the chair, was attended, among others, by ABSU president Rwngwra Narzary, Brajendra Kumar Brahma and others. It may be mentioned here that there had been clashes between NDFB cadres and ex-BLT members leading to the death of a cadre of the former in Bagsa district recently. Tension prevails in Bagsa after the incident.