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05/09/2007: "Th Muivah out to annihilate us, says NNC Nagarealm.com"

Th Muivah out to annihilate us, says NNC Nagarealm.com
Imphal, May07 [NNN] : Coming down heavily on NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and the Government of India, the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN/NNC) of the Zeliangrong Region has said that while Muivah has now turned towards the Zeliangrong people in order to subjugate under his control, the government of India sees the Nagas as sub human beings. Issuing a statement to Newmai News Network today, FGN/NNC Tartar (member of parliament) of the Zelianrong Region Tanngam has expressed "anguished and vehement displeasure" for the reason that many Zeliangrong people have been suffering because they are following Th Muivah. The FGN/NNC statement alleged that Th Muivah had abandoned the struggle for the Naga freedom the moment he had left the Naga National Council (NNC).

The FGN/NNC Zeliangrong Region further alleged that Th Muivah had perpetrated terrorist activities and thereby he had killed countless Naga army and civilians "in an attempt to annihilate the Naga National Council (NNC), the founding body of the Naga freedom struggle". It said that Th Muivah would not be able to kill the NNC even though he will be able to kill its workers.

The statement further alleged that Th Muivah made himself a leader by using violent means and had calculated elimination of the Naga outstanding leaders. The FGN/NNC of the Zeliangrong Region also said that Zeliangrong leaders and the lower ranking NSCN-IM cadres had been completely victimized and their rights had been suppressed by Th Muivah.

"The UNO should intervene soon as the Indians attitude towards the Nagas as sub-human beings has been felt by the Nagas themselves. Nagas by birth are independent and sovereignty is inalienable. NNC as the only common apex body of the Nagas shall continue to fight for total sovereignty as in the beginning Britishers ruled over a larger part of Nagas (save Tuensang) for 67 years since 1880 (though the alien forces penetrated into Naga areas in 1832 first) and on 14 August, 1947 Nagas declared themselves Independent but India captured Naga areas for the last 60 years ever since 1947 itself," said the FGN/NNC of the Zeliangrong Region statement.

It then alleged that India has been financing Th Muivah for Indianising the Nagas and also that the ten years long ceasefire between the GOI and the NSCN-IM has failed miserably and hence India is gaining its ground while Th Muivah has "fallen headlong into the trap of India as Muivah has become mad for monetary power and leadership." It then urged that the NSCN-IM hegemony should be eradicated from the soil of the Zeliangrong Region and shun bloodshed among the Nagas.

Khaplang warms up to NSCN unification - Naga leader wants Swu and Muivah to affirm stand on peace in writing OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, May 8: S.S. Khaplang, chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, has said that he was not averse to unification between the two NSCN factions, provided NSCN (I-M) leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah wrote to him directly. Reacting to the recent call for peace, reconciliation and unity among the NSCN factions by Swu and Muivah, Khaplang said sending feelers and writing an indirect letter for unification were a mockery.
The rebel leader, in a recent statement, said the unification should be based on the “principle of sovereignty.” Swu and Muivah must write directly to him citing reasons for unification of the two NSCN outfits, he added. Khaplang also wants the NSCN (I-M) leadership to “withdraw their charter of demands which has been submitted to New Delhi for federal relationship between the India and Nagalim”.
Regarding the quit notice the outfit had issued on the Tangkhuls in February, the NSCN (K) chairman felt that the activities of the Tangkhul members in the NSCN (I-M) “might necessitate” the NSCN (K) council of kilonsers (ministers) to take the drastic decision of branding all the community members a partner in “criminalisation”.
Khaplang also said the community was a victim of its “own terrorism” and called upon all the right-minded citizens of the tribe to raise their voice against such forms of terrorism. He said Naga leaders of all factions should think afresh for ways to quell the hostility among the Nagas.
He also asked Naga youths to stop killing “their comrades for cash and promotion.”
Khaplang also urged the Naga NGOs to realise “their mistake” of extending one-sided support to the NSCN (I-M) in their peace talks for the past 11 years.
“The talks have been “in vain and will achieve nothing even in 100 years unless all the Nagas stand united,” he said. Khaplang’s deputies, however, are strongly opposed to the idea of unification with the NSCN (I-M). Senior kilonsers Kughalu Mulatonu and A.Z. Jami and Kitovi Zhimomi want unification, but minus the Tangkhuls, who are dominant force in the NSCN (I-M) hierarchy.
Eastern Naga Students' Federation slams DAN govt Nagarealm.com DIMAPUR, MAY08 [NPN] : The Eastern Naga Students' Federation (ENSF) has expressed resentment over the State government for "its exploitative policies" over its demand that 33 percents reservation should have been reserved for the backward tribes and the reserved quota to be filled through NPSC even among backward classes.

ENSF in a representation addressed to the State chief secretary signed by its vice president, Awan N Konyak and joint secretary T Likhumse, in persuasion to its memorandum of November 23, 2006 which alleged that 70 percents of appointments for the "post of LDA at New Secretariat was done through the back-door instead of recruitment through NPSC."

The federation also charged the government that "advertisement for the existing vacancies was not made known to the public" and alleged that "appointments were made under the aegis of the politicians and bureaucrats in the state".

ENSF asked the "higher authorities" to "revoke the appointments" to avert confusions at the earliest and hand the case to NPSC in "the larger interest of the public." Further, ENSF cautioned that on failure to meet their "genuine demand" they would be compelled to take its own stand.

BJP increasing, not vanishing: MC Konyak North East Press Service

Kohima, May 8 (NEPS): Senior BJP MLA and Parliamentary Secretary MC Konyak termed as “ridiculous” the statement of the NPCC President Hokheto Sumi that BJP would be vanishing in the coming general elections in the State. He said, “It is increasing and not vanishing.”

Sumi on Monday, while reacting to the earlier statement of Konyak that the BJP would win around 15 seats in the coming general elections in the State, said the party (BJP) would be rather vanishing in the coming general elections in Nagaland.

Talking to NEPS here on Tuesday, the senior BJP MLA wondered as to how the NPCC chief was provoked when he only stated about his party’s (BJP) increasing phenomenon in the State. “I didn’t target nor challenge any single political party but only wanted the people to know that the BJP is growing,” he said. “I am surprised the way my esteemed Congress President took it (my statement) as against his party (Congress).”

“Let us see if BJP is vanishing or growing,” Konyak stated. “I don’t want to debate further, because the Naga people know very well how the party (BJP) has been sacrificing for the state.” Regarding party’s defeat in the last by-elections, he maintained that his party had learned a lot from it.

While agreeing to Sumi’s claim that the state fully depended on the Center for its developments, Konyak said it was true for any Government in the State. But the most important thing was that any government in the state should first have full understanding with whichever party was there at the Center for its developments. At the same time, they should implement whatever projects at their hands in right earnest as per the guidelines and complete them in the stipulated time as they (DAN) had been doing in the last four years, he stated. “In this, I only reflected the fact that no chief minister in the past had done so such developments especially for the backward districts of the state like DAN chief minister Neiphiu Rio did in the last four years rule,” he pointed out.

The former BJP chief also disclosed that in the last four years, the BJP had been playing “positive role” for the benefit of the Naga people, although they were second major partner in the DAN coalition. “If any Naga leader or citizen forget the magnanimity of the Atal Behari Vajpayee, we are not truthful to ourselves,” he asserted.

Stating that the BJP would continue to play positive role without any bias---be it economic issue or political issue, Konyak predicted that in coming Lok Sabha election in 2009, they were quite confident that the BJP-led NDA would come back to power at the Center and the Naga people would get another opportunity of development economically and politically.

DON?T SEND THE NAGAS AWAY EMPTY-HANDED Twenty-Twenty / Bharat Bhushan


Lessons in friendship
On February 2, we are likely to witness the beginning of a substantive and sustained dialogue for peace with the Nagas. The expectations from the dialogue are high but its success depends almost entirely on the attitude of New Delhi. There are likely to be three major obstacles to successful negotiations with the Nagas: the attitude of those directing the peace process on behalf of Delhi ? especially to federal relationships; sticking to impractical bottom-lines; and not learning from the Congress party?s own history on dealing with the Nagas.
The untimely demise of J.N. Dixit, and the exit of Ajit Doval as the intelligence chief of the country by the time the talks begin, could prove to be a setback to the peace process. Institutional memories and mechanisms in India are weak and, therefore, the role of individuals assumes exaggerated importance. Dixit viewed the Naga issue in a political perspective and was liberal in his approach to settling insurgencies. In his short tenure, Doval had developed an excellent relationship of trust with the Naga leadership. The Naga leaders saw in him someone who was not interested in doing them down but was genuinely keen to settle the dispute. With his exit, they will lose a guiding hand.
If those directing the Naga peace talks now continue with the openness of mind required, there may be nothing to worry. Any reversion to a hard line, no-concessions approach is likely to be counter-productive. If we have policy-makers who believe that India made a mistake in Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 by agreeing to a special status for the state, then they cannot resolve the Naga issue.
A flexible approach to the Naga negotiations and recognizing the immense possibilities of Indian federalism could become a model for settling other northeastern insurgencies. One must not, therefore, try to tire out the Nagas through prolonged negotiations and to beat them down hoping that eventually they would settle for something acceptable to New Delhi.
The Nagas are not politically na?ve and cannot be easily fooled. There is no point, therefore, in arguing that the negotiations must begin with the easier subjects first. Some initial understanding can, of course, have a positive impact on more intractable issues in the subsequent negotiations. However, if there is no understanding on issues of crucial importance to the Nagas, then agreement on peripheral subjects is meaningless.
It is imperative, therefore, that the Nagas be assured that whatever the ultimate contours of their relationship with India, there would be institutional mechanisms to protect their distinct identity.
They must also understand that a close relationship can be forged with them, based on a mutually acceptable division of competencies ? that is, a division of the subjects of governance by re-allocating the sub- jects that would be under the purview of the Central and state governments and those that would be governed jointly.
At one extreme, this might mean that the Centre would only keep with it key subjects like external affairs, defence, currency and communication ? the rest could go to the state. If there are Naga interests to be protected which impinge on foreign policy, then the state would naturally have to be consulted; for instance, the rationalization of boundary with Myanmar along areas that have Naga population. Similarly, it might be worthwhile to explore whether the state?s interests may also be affected by the Centre?s policy on defence or communications.
One common refrain in New Delhi is that the Naga demand for integration of territories cannot be conceded. This is a stupid slogan which people love to repeat unthinkingly. If anyone believes that Naga peace can be achieved without accepting, even if in principle at this stage, the desire of all Nagas to live together in a single administrative unit, then New Delhi can forget about peace. The Nagas living in the area contiguous with Nagaland will have to be given a time-bound process to decide whether they want to live together or whether they are happy where they are.
The United Progressive Alliance government works, however, through a mechanism of lowest common consensus. It has committed itself in its common minimum programme to not changing the boundaries of the north-eastern states. Narrow political interests have managed to tie the government?s hands down even before negotiations began with the Nagas.
The constitution of a second states? re-organization commission can provide the process by which not only the Nagas outside Nagaland but also the other ethnic groups and states which might be affected by the integration of Naga areas can argue their case. Such a commission must be time-bound and its tenure must not exceed two to three years. This is the only democratic way of taking decisions. It is also a way out of the present impasse.
Most importantly, there would have to be a transitional agreement that would usher in an interim government into power. This transitional agreement in effect would be an instrumentality for implementing the final Naga settlement.
Only when some broad understanding is reached on these crucial issues can negotiations on other subjects make any sense. Indian negotiators may claim that there are no roadmaps for dealing with such situations, but vibrant democracies make their own roadmaps.
Yet, the government would do well to delve into its institutional history of dealing with the Nagas. It might like, for example, to refer to the final round of negotiations between the then prime minister, Indira Gandhi, and the Naga delegation led by Kughato Sema ? which included Isak Swu, the current chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah). This was the culmination of a peace process initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru before his death.
Indira Gandhi had told the Nagas that she was willing to settle all differences on the basis of friendship and unity with India. In the last meeting of the Naga leaders with Indira Gandhi on January 2, 1967, the Indian prime minister told them that if they left key subjects like defence, external affairs, currency and communications entirely to the Central government, she would be happy to leave the governance of other subjects entirely to the state.
The meeting with Indira Gandhi was followed by a more detailed discussion. Indira Gandhi?s external affairs minister, Dinesh Singh, home secretary L.P. Singh, external affairs secretary T.N. Kaul and joint secretary to the prime minister, S. Bannerjee represented the Indian side. From the Naga side, Z. Ramyo, Zashie Huire and Megamato Angami participated in discussing the division of subjects in the Union list, the state list and the concurrent list of the Constitution.
Surely the minutes of these meetings would be available in the archives of the ministry of external affairs that handled Naga affairs at that time. Our present policy pundits may be able to learn a thing or two from them. Some Nagas, including Thuingaleng Muivah, the general secretary of the NSCN(I-M), blame factionalism within the underground for rejecting the proposals made by Indira Gandhi in 1967. However, today there is an opportunity for the government of India led by a Congress prime minister to revive the Indira Gandhi proposals instead of listening to overly cautious advice about the disastrous consequences of re-negotiating division of competencies.
Missing children Insurgency-affected Manipur faces another serious problem: the kidnapping of children for ransom. IBOYAIMA LAITHANGBAM Frontline
THERE has been an appalling rise in kidnappings and killings of children for drug money in insurgency-affected Manipur, where law and order has touched rock-bottom. The State police, who are engaged in round-the-clock counter-insurgency operations, have little time for normal policing duties such as tracking down criminals. The police believe that organised mafias are earning huge ransoms from widespread kidnappings. Terrified families are paying the money demanded without leaking information about the kidnappers.
Two incidents that came to light recently shook the State. Moheni Martin and Hrini Hubert, two 10-year-old tribal boys from Senapati, were Class III students at Don Bosco School, Maram. On December 14, 2006, they were whisked away by persons known to them. In each case the parents paid Rs.5 lakh as ransom. However, instead of releasing the boys, the kidnappers demanded more money. When the parents insisted on listening to their sons' voices, no further contact was made. The bodies of the boys were left in a creek. Their skeletal remains were found by some urchins on March 27. There was a wave of popular anger and the houses of the suspects were torched. The suspects fled to the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isaac-Muivah) camp in Nagaland. The organisation admitted that the suspects - Adai Paomei, Manikho Mao and Brown Tangkhul - were in its custody and said that the charge was being checked.
A core committee under the chairmanship of Vienon Solomon galvanised a flurry of demonstrations. Tribal women demanded that the suspects be handed over for summary trial under tribal laws. The core committee asked the government to book the suspects. Since the NSCN(I-M) would not give them up, the State government issued non-bailable warrants of arrest against two NSCN(I-M) "ministers". The incensed leaders threatened to lodge a complaint with the Indian government arguing that this amounted a to bid to sabotage the peace talks.
Elizabeth Luingamla, 12, daughter of the then Cabinet Minister Francis Ngajokpa and a pupil of Little Flower School, was kidnapped on April 11, 2003. Usually a hired van took her to and from school. But that day, some persons she was familiar with gave her a lift. A chloroform-sodden handkerchief rendered her unconscious. Ngajokpa paid a ransom of Rs.10 lakh, which he borrowed from friends, but the girl was not released. Some days later, her body was fished out of a pond, stuffed in a barlap bag. The girl had already been murdered when the ransom was collected. While the police investigation made no breakthrough, angry people badgered the main suspect, James Kuki. He fled and took shelter at the NSCN(I-M) camp at Hebron in Nagaland. The NSCN(I-M) maintained that the charges against Kuki were being examined. Another suspect was arrested and jailed by the Manipur Police. But it was learnt that the suspect had reduced the cell to his operational office and made jail officials his errand boys. No clarification from jail authorities on this was given.
The first known case of kidnapping for ransom was reported in the State in the early 1980s. A stationery merchant was kidnapped and Rs.50 lakh was demanded. The family decided to inform the police. Since all the family members were shadowed by the police, the kidnappers could not collect the ransom. After some days, the family inserted advertisements in local newspapers asking the merchant not to be afraid and saying efforts were on to secure his release. However, a wrong message was semaphored to the jittery kidnappers that rescue attempts were being made. The merchant was shot dead. The kidnappers left his gold chain and other valuables untouched.
After this, families of other kidnapped businessmen never took the police into confidence and simply paid the ransom. The police say almost all kidnappings now go unreported and people learn of them only when bodies are recovered. Deepak Jain, a businessman's son and student of the Manipur Public School in Koirengei, was kidnapped when he was leaving his school. He was forced to write a note to his father asking for ransom. The boy managed to scribble the registration number of the van used in his kidnapping. The non-Hindi-speaking kidnappers became aware of it only when the police offensive began. They killed the boy. The police tracked down three suspects at Jiribam on the Assam border. On the way to Imphal, the suspects wanted to relieve themselves. The police shot them, alleging that they had tried to escape.
On a sunny morning in March 1987, five-year-old Takhellambam Momocha was playing in the courtyard of his home at Singjamei. Two "uncles" whom the boy recognised lured him out with the promise of "sweets". They were drug addicts who picked up a pair of secateurs and a carving knife on the way. At a secluded place, they stabbed the child to death and removed his gold earrings, which they sold for Rs.330 and used the money to buy heroin. The two men were rounded up the same evening. One of the accused was convicted. He was released recently after a jail term. Ten years later, the situation has only become worse. On March 12, 2007, eight-year-old Laishram Shankerdev took out his new bicycle to pick up his sister from school. On the way he was accosted by a neighbour, Mayengbam Bungthoi, 23, who was a drug addict. Bungthoi lured the boy to a nearby hillock, let him play there for some time and then gagged him and stabbed him in the throat with a pair of scissors. According to an eyewitness, Bungthoi washed the blood on his hands in a nearby stream. He removed the boy's gold earrings and fled on the bicycle. He left the bicycle in an acquaintance's house, sold the earrings for Rs.1,040, and bought drugs with the money. While the police groped for clues, some insurgents of the People's Liberation Army took away the culprit. Identified by a witness, Bungthoi confessed to the murder during interrogation. He was produced before the media and he gave a blow-by-blow account of his bone-chilling act. The same night he was shot dead. On March 24, 2007, Akoijam Amujao of Patsoi was lured by a drug addict to the Iroishemba hillock near Imphal and his gold earrings were removed. When he was about to be killed he screamed, attracting the attention of some passersby. The drug addict fled. But some students chased and caught him. He confessed.
The most sensational kidnapping was that of a German national, Heinrich Wolfgang. He and his compatriot, Edda Kirlies, arrived in Manipur on March 21, 2003, to inspect some projects undertaken with German funding. While Kirlies went to inspect another project, Wolfgang and some local officials left for Moirang Purel Phuramakhong, on March 23. Some armed Kuki militants intercepted them. They asked the local functionaries to return and took away the German national. The police merely registered a case.
There was criticism in the media about the way the case was handled. Since the case had international ramifications, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, who is also in charge of the Home portfolio, made a statement. He said the police knew where the German was held captive but did not launch rescue operations fearing for his safety. Reports said that the militants had demanded Rs.10 crore as ransom. The German Ambassador to India reached Imphal on March 26. It was made clear that if the German national was harmed a crackdown would be launched under international pressure. He was released on April 8. It was not known if any ransom was paid.
Some other non-local officials were kidnapped in the mountains. During detention, the vegetarian hostages were made to eat smoked crabs. In some instances, the kidnapped persons overpowered the gunmen and escaped after snatching some weapons. Indrasen, president of the Indo-Myanmar Traders' Association, was kidnapped by an Islamist militant organisation, which demanded Rs.1 crore as "tax" from the Association. Indrasen offered to pay Rs.2 lakh as his own "tax". The kidnappers disagreed, and he was shot dead. There was a public outcry against the militant group. But the campaign was withdrawn as it threatened to acquire a communal colour. It is no accident that all Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior civil officials and police officers and rich people in Manipur now send their children outside the State for education.
Destination Thailand for Naga handicrafts Longrangty Longchar The Morung Express Thailand could become a market for handicraft products from Nagaland, so long as the demand and supply factors, pricing and local resources is utilized properly, according to the Counsellor (Commercial), of the Royal Thai Embassy.
The Thai Embassy Counsellor (Commercial), Tharadol Thongruang, addressing the workshop on green technologies and services in North East-High returns and global opportunities’ at the Police conference hall at Chumukedima here today, he said that to sell any product in Thailand, entrepreneurs will have to keep two important things in mind while looking for the Thai markets: demand and supply of the product.
Thongruang, while elaborating supply factors, said that the specified products have to be of high quality in design and packaging, be reasonably priced and add value to their products as the buyer, in a competitive market, tends to compare the product with others.
Thongruang also said the demand side of the factors in the demand for a product in the market and also the image of the products are equally important to be successful in the Thai market. He said, with these factors in mind, Naga handicrafts and other products can penetrate not only the Thai markets but will also be able to reach other markets in Europe etc.

‘One village, one product’ The Thai Embassy Commercial Counselor, Thongruang also called for the ‘region’ to adopt the policy of ‘one village, one product’ like in Thailand. He said Nagaland possess a lot potential with ‘so many resources to develop the handicraft sector of the state.’ He said the Thai government has formulated a policy of ‘one village, one product,’ where one village was encouraged to specialise in the production of an item mainly to help and push the rural people economically. He said the Thai government has appointed a committee comprising of members from the ministry of commerce, agriculture, industry and banking sector to help the rural people. In this respect, he encouraged the government of Nagaland to also set up a similar committee to help and identify the villages to help and produce the handicrafts, which will not only help villagers but also help the tourism sector of the state.
Thongruang, while giving his opinion about the handicrafts, said local artisans should not try to imitate and depict other cultures; rather, they should put in ‘something Naga’ in their products so they can be unique and thus, promote Naga culture. Besides, the Thai Embassy official said entrepreneurs need to carry out a market survey about demand and supply. For the survey, the Thai official suggested to the participants to either visit Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, or read books or browse the internet.

‘Handloom village’ However, after all the inputs from the Thai Commerce Counsellor based in the Thai Embassy, Nagaland Chief Secretary, Lalhuma, who was also present at the workshop, had better ideas. He presented a case study of a Naga village where handloom was encouraged to be produced on a large scale in Touphema, the native village of state chief minister, Neiphiu Rio.
Lalhuma said handlooms produced by the Touphema villagers are marketed even in foreign countries, which has made Touphema village more or less a ‘handloom village’.
He said Naga villages now have a fixed deposit which has reached 47 Crores.
Lalhuma also said, besides, all the inputs from the Thai Embassy official, what was also important was letting other people to know about Naga products and the Naga people as a whole.
Lalhuma said that through the encouragement of such policy, the villagers will go off from jhum cultivation which will be more profitable for the villagers.
Hardwired to Militancy, Plugged into the World Nagarealm.comThe northeast’s insurgent groups may not all be prosperous or high-profile, but they know how to make themselves heard over the Web, reports Teresa Rehman

In The year was 1989. The banned militant outfit, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ulfa) had procured its first computer, an Apple Macintosh, for the exorbitant sum of Rs 1.5 lakh from the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka. The prized acquisition was kept in a ‘safe house’ and junior cadres were not supposed to know of its existence.

Back then, says Sunil Nath, alias Siddhartha Phukan, the outfit’s publicity secretary who surrendered in 1991, ulfa used to send its cadres as couriers to deliver press releases or extortion notes. Now its publicity wing regularly e-mails statements and newsletters to mediapersons all over the world. In the Northeast, the cyber boom has assisted the region’s numerous militant groups, which, with few exceptions, are little more than rag-tag bands of disgruntled youth. Most of them are far from prosperous, but they can all operate from cyber cafes. Many even have their own websites.

Wasbir Hussain, director of the Centre for Peace and Development Studies in Guwahati, feels that communicating with the media is vital to these groups as it acts as a force multiplier for underground outfits for whom coverage is otherwise hard to come by. “The Internet has enabled them to bridge the distance,” he says. Moreover, they can easily access Internet editions of newspapers and read what has been written about them. “Earlier, they had to depend entirely on print editions which sometimes were not available in remote areas. And news sites also provide them tip-offs about impending army operations,” Hussain adds.

A relatively well-off outfit like the National Socialist Council of Nagalim -Isaac Muivah (nscn-im) has a full-fledged ‘official website’ — www.nscnon-line.org. The outfit started using the Internet around 1990 and their site is designed and uploaded by one of their coordinators Reipam Apam, based in Bangkok. Samson Jajo, secretary to the collective leadership, says the organisation has nearly 50 laptops and almost the same number of pcs. Some cadres have been specially trained in information technology. “It is very important to communicate with the outside world for it to know the cause of the Naga people,” he says.

The Khaplang faction of the nscn, under ceasefire since 2001, boasts of having three computer engineers among its cadres and claims that it has not less than 100 laptops, desktops and notebooks. Kughalu Mulatonu, who heads the ceasefire supervisory board and is the outfit’s ‘finance minister’, says the nscn-k has trained all its literate cadres in the use of computers and the Internet. “E-mail is the ideal way to communicate. We use gprs or data cards and we have access anywhere,” he says. The faction does not have a website and does not appear interested in making one — perhaps to set itself apart from its rival, the nscn-im. Mulatonu claims, “We do not want to be copycats. Also, we have not yet decided to communicate with the global community. Moreover, Nagas cannot have multiple political identities. What the im faction has displayed on its site and what it is discussing with the government of India are diametrically opposite.”

The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (ndfb), another outfit under ceasefire, used to have a website which it has not updated for some time. Gobinda Basumatary, its general secretary, says that his organisation started communicating via e-mail from 1999. However, sometimes poor Internet connectivity and network problems proved a hindrance to communication. Basumatary, 56, says though he is not adept in handling computers, he recognises that “things became much easier with the Net. Otherwise it was very risky for our cadres to personally deliver messages.” he adds. But even now they prefer to send messengers personally when they have to contact their chairman Ranjan Daimary, whose whereabouts are a closely guarded secret. So much so that even the army has started using satellite images from the controversial Google Earth to change the nature and scale of counter-insurgency operations in the region. But the moot question remains: what if the militants turn Google Earth to use against the army itself?

The police department is also trying to keep pace with the techno-savvy militants. There are plans to introduce wireless connectivity in the Assam Police headquarters in Guwahati. But it is true that a new space has evolved for the militant outfits. Breaking all geographical barriers, the Internet has become their latest tool to communicate with the world outside and seek solidarity for their cause.

CM says situation warrants continuation of AFSPA The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 8: Manipur is not the only state affected by insurgency, yet the amount of disturbances and interferences to developmental activities by insurgents seen in Manipur are unheard of in other states. Stressing on the need for prioritizing police modernization on the floor of the Assembly today, Chief Minister O Ibobi, who is in charge of Home, said that the insurgents have not spared any of the developmental activities, including construction of drains, thus hampering any development from taking place.

The CM said, "We are living in one of the most unfortunate atmosphere. So strengthening of police for proper maintenance of the law and order is the priority of my government." He said that none of the companies from outside are willing to take up any of the construction works. He lamented the inability to maintain quality in the works being taken up.

Speaking on the presence of army and other central Para-military forces, the CM said, "The government does not want to impose AFSPA for a single minute, but the situation warrant it. If there were no threats to the country`s integrity, there will be no army and other central Para-military forces in Manipur except for few battalions to guard the border."

He observed that since the law and order situation in the state is increasingly deteriorating, effective measures are being taken up by the state government for overall strengthening of the police force. He said that every week security review meetings are held with high officials of the security forces. After thorough discussions and deliberations, the House today passed a total amount of Rs 240,06,68,000 including demands for grants amounting Rs 219,84,18,000 for police, Rs 85,15,000 for vigilance, Rs 287,22,000 for fire protection and control, Rs 777,81,000 for jails, Rs 777,96,000 for home guards and Rs 100,36,000 for rehabilitation.

Earlier, moving a motion for token cut in the demand for grants for police on account of failure to improve public-police relations, opposition member O Joy said that there is a lack of concerted effort towards developing public-police relation in the modernization of police. He said that the conduct and morality of the police department has come under much criticism in recent years.

He said that modernization of police cannot be equated to procuring sophisticated weapons, bulletproof equipment, and killing one person daily. Recollecting the Kwakeithel incident where three youths were shot dead by Commandos in broad daylight and it was later alleged that they had grenades in their possession, Joy said that the common people dread police like the legendary Churanthaba. Substantiating Joy, RK Anand said that police modernization should focus on developing public-police relation which is highly strained to enhance the credibility of police. He raised the need for controlling and curtailing the excesses of the security forces. The CM, in his response noted that in order to improve the conduct of the state police forces, Manipur Police Bill has been framed. He further added that to address any irregularity or excess, the state complaint authority will be established and under it district complaint authorities will be set up.

For better law and order, Ibobi said that there are plans to upgrade some of the police outposts at strategic routes like Bishenpur, Thoubal, Moirang, Kumbi, Moreh, Sugnu and Waikhong to full-fledged police stations. The CM also highlighted that as part of police modernization 693 brand new wireless sets are procured and un-intercept transmission wireless detector costing around 400 crores are installed in the district police headquarters. Responding to a query raised by MLA Dr Ng Bijoy on the rehabilitation of the former insurgents, the CM said that as per the surrender policy under the government of India guidelines, Rs 2000 are paid to the surrendered person for a period of three years. He said that during the course of three years, the occupational rehabilitation of the surrendered people is worked out. He said that in Manipur, due to security reasons, the surrendered personnel preferred to be absorbed in the forces service.

Sharmila makes her stand clear to all By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
Irom Sharmila Chanu before the media persons
IMPHAL, May 8 : Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been on a fast unto death agitation demanding revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur for more than six years now has explained that her struggle is not for receiving awards but to spread mass awareness and encourage people to participate in it collectively.
Speaking to mediaper-sons this afternoon at the security ward of JN Hospital where she has been kept confined, Sharmila said she has heard about her selection for the Gwangzu Prize Human Rights, 2007 but no official intimation has been received in this connection.
“What I want is not the award but mass participation of the people in the struggle for withdrawal of the draconian Army Act”she said emphatically, adding she might not be in a position to go and receive the award personally and to send a representative to collect it. This will be the better option, she observed.
Sharmila further said that she would not accept the award if it is given by North Korea, which is very proud of its nuclear power but would accept it if it is given by South Korea.
Sharmila disclosed that she got an intimation from the Additional SP of Jail on the Court summons to appear at the Delhi Metropolitan Court.
“When I would be taken has not been told and kept confidential. But they (jail authority) have been consulting with the doctors of the Shija Hospital and Research Institute who conducted operation on me to find out whether I can leave or not,” she informed.
“Even if the Delhi police claimed that they did not arrest me while I was carrying on my agitation at the Delhi , I was made to sign on a bail application at the time returning to Imphal’, Shar-mila said. While informing that New Delhi based publisher Mira Jori had request- ed her to write a book on her struggle, Sharmila said she has send a poem consisting of about 1010 lines written after coming to Imphal through Deepati Malhotra, who is a writer and lecturer in the Lady Shri Ram College, when the latter came to Imphal. Sharmila also showed a banner of the signature campaign launched by students of the college in support of her struggle.

China denies allegation of incursion into Arunachal Sentinel
BEIJING, May 8: China today dismissed as “groundless” allegations of an incursion by its troops into Arunachal Pradesh, stressing that the Sino-Indian boundary remained peaceful.
“It is groundless,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said reacting to allegation made by BJP MP from West Arunachal Pradesh Kiren Rijiju that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army had moved 20 km inside Indian territory.
Talking to PTI here, he stressed that the Sino-Indian border areas maintained peace and stability.
The Indian Government has also denied that Chinese forces have made any incursion into Arunachal Pradesh.
The special representatives of the two countries held the 10th round of boundary negotiations in India from April 20-22.
At the latest round, National Security Adviser MK Narayanan and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo continued their discussions on a framework for the boundary settlement on the basis of the agreement on political parameters and guiding principles.
The talks were held in an “open, friendly, cooperative and constructive atmosphere,” official sources said while maintaining silence on the negotiations.
Sources said that Dai, who called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, conveyed that China is ready to cooperate closely with India to work out a framework of solutions to the border issue at an early date that is fair and reasonable, and acceptable to both sides.
Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to China Nirupama Rao has expressed confidence that both India and China can find a mutually acceptable framework for the boundary settlement which will serve the national interests of both the nations.
“It is a matter of optimism and hope that our two governments are also, while encouraging and promoting the expansion and deepening of relations in various spheres, focusing constructively on the resolution of the outstanding boundary question between India and China,” Rao said in a recent speech at the Shenzhen University in Shenzhen, a booming southern Chinese city.
Rao, who participated in the latest round of negotiations between Narayanan and Dai, noted that 10 rounds of talks have been held so far between the special representatives of the two prime ministers, which have yielded historic agreement on the guiding principles and political parameters that can chart the way to formulation of a mutually acceptable framework for a boundary settlement.
“In these crucial negotiations, both sides have stressed their sincerity and desire to reach a boundary agreement that would signify lasting peace, friendship, coexistence and cooperation between our two nations,” Rao said.
“A fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable boundary settlement will serve the national interests of both countries as we move forward to achieve comprehensive economic and social development,” she said. The Indian Ambassador also pointed out that measures already in place to ensure peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and for confidence building measures in the same areas, as per the bilateral agreements of 1993 and 1996, have worked well. PTI