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05/24/2007: "NSCNs stand-off as tension runs high in Kohima The Morung Express"


NSCNs stand-off as tension runs high in Kohima The Morung Express
Kohima, May 24 (MExN): Tension runs high in Kohima as both the factions of NSCN have brought in reinforcement to combat each other showing their power since last night.
Official sources today confirmed that around 5 rounds were fired in the air allegedly by armed cadres of NSCN (K) moving in a vehicle near TCP gate at around 8:10 pm last night however no recovery was made. Subsequently, NSCN (IM) Care Taker, Angami Region, K. K. Angami has disclosed that his fully armed cadres have been surveying the nooks and corners of the rival hideouts and places they are residing in Para Medical, PR Hill colony and the adjacent areas since last night and they have been successful in locating the rival places.
However, this evening while the NSCN (IM) cadres were still looking for more hideouts of the NSCN (K) and had not made any move of attack, the Paramedical Panchayat and PR Hill Panchayat intervened requesting the IM cadres not to do so in public places, he disclosed. Following the public leader’s request, he said, “our cadres did not make any attack thinking about public safety even though we got several chances today.”
K K Angami has however warned that the public should not allow the NSCN (K) cadres to occupy any public houses while also alleging that the rival cadres have been taking shelter in public places without even thinking of public safety. “If the NSCN (K) cadres are sent away then we’ll also leave without creating any situation,” he quipped. Meanwhile, official sources said it is learnt that the Police and Para Military forces are also on high alert since Thursday evening while the Angami Public Organisation has also approached both the factions to vacate public places.
ANSAM congratulates Naga candidates The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, May 23: The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has congratulated the six succesful Naga candidates in the civil services examination of the 2006 conducted by the UPSC.

On the success of Chiphang Worchuiyo Arthur, Kesonyu Yhome, Ningshen Worngam, M.C.Homi Ningshen, Themsu Naro and Gaithaolu Thaimei hailing both from Manipur and Nagaland, the ANSAM said, "your achievement through hardwork and determination is a source of inspiration and encouragement for the younger Naga generation.

Meanwhile, the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) while extending its congratulation to the succesful candidates of the HSLC examination, 2007 from the private schools of Tamenglong, Chandel, Ukhrul and Senapati conducted by the NBSE, has expressed its hope and expectation that the students from these four hill districts of Manipur will improve in the years to come.
Delimitation enters final stage; Status quo unlikely Delhi directs State to provide population figures tribe-wise The Morung Express
Dimapur, May 24 (MExN): While various Naga tribal organisations give their standpoint with regard to the delimitation of assembly constituencies in Nagaland, the Delimitation Commission of India may finally go in for a population figures tribe wise for all districts as per the 2001 census.
A letter addressed to CJ Ponraj, the Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland by the Delimitation Commission of India, signed by BC Shengh Under Secretary, directed Ponraj to look into the recommendation of the Delimitation Commission calling for population figures tribe-wise for all the districts for formation of Assembly Constituencies and for maintaining tribal compositeness and ethnic integrity.
In this regard, the under Secretary requested the CEO to collect and supply the population of tribe-wise figures to the Commission at the earliest.
“The Commission requests that the population figures tribe-wise for all the districts along with location of all such tribes in the various administrative units may be collected and supplied to the Commission on priority basis to enable the Commission to take further in the matter” stated the Under Secretary.
According to reliable information received by this daily, the Delimitation Commission is likely to finalize the complete list of the reorganized Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies in the country by September. This was reportedly made known by the Chief Election Commissioner, N. Gopalaswami. The Commission has reportedly completed public hearing on the delimitation of constituencies in 22 States so far.

Meanwhile, on being asked about the letter from the Delimitation Commission, Ponraj said that since the former is an independent body, it will present a draft proposal and will decide for itself on the future course of action. Besides that Ponraj declined to comment on the implications about the Commission or divulge further information with regard to delimitation saying that the issue is very sensitive.
However, State Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner TN Mannen, about the directive said that the Commission’s direction means that the assembly constituencies in the state will go according to tribal population and if it is implemented then the present ‘status quo’ which the government has been maintaining will have to undergo a change, unless the state gets a stay order from a High Court which Nagaland does not have. However, TN Mannen, as a matter-of-factly, said that nothing can stop delimitation and added that the delimitation exercise has to go on.
Mannen also cleared that he is a member of the national level Delimitation Commission and added that what ever delimitation that has to take place is up to the government of Nagaland.
On being asked about the consequences of the latest direction by the Delimitation Commission of India, Mannen realistically said that if tribe wise population figure is implemented, he said that the tribal equation, the equation of constituencies will have to change. However Mannen was not sure about the possible reaction of the people, and said that he cannot tell about it till the people react to it.
Congress Denial Editorial The Morung Express
Months of speculation about a looming crisis in the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Party (NPCC) came out in the open recently when this newspaper reported on the demand calling for a thorough revamp of the party organization. Besides this, the other voice emerging is that former Chief Minister and present Goa Governor SC Jamir return home to lead the Congress party for the forthcoming elections. This was made known by several Congressmen but many of them expressed difficulty in taking a public stand except for a few like former Minister Dr Kakheto Zhimomi who openly stated that there are differences on the leadership issue though they do not want to show it. Dr Zhimomi even went to the extent of saying that there are no ‘leaders’ in the party at the moment and that unless Goa Governor, SC Jamir, returns to state politics then there is no chance for the Congress party winning in the coming state general elections.
Interestingly, the NPCC President during a tour to Phek with AICC Secretary Ranjit Thomas had advised party leaders not to listen to rumors. He was obviously referring to some of the news report mentioned above. Whether it is out of sheer ignorance or not, the NPCC must also take into account the petition made by the DCC (I) Mon to the visiting AICC Secretary demanding the recall of SC Jamir as party leader. If such a petition whether officially or otherwise had been made, what rumor is the NPCC President referring to? And if at all some of the news report carried by this news paper cannot be corroborated, then it is left to the wisdom of the NPCC to ignore them and get ahead with the task of preparing the party in the best way it thinks, so that at least it has the organizational strength to pose a serious challenge to the ruling NPF party.
From the independent assessment of this column, the State Congress clearly appears to be failing in projecting a single political personality who can, not only lead the party from the front like Neiphiu Rio for the NPF but also someone who can keep the party together and one who is able to garner broad based support within the party organization. Failure to address the leadership issue will cost the party dearly in the coming polls. If at all the Congress is serious about coming back to power, as claimed by the AICC Secretary and the CLP Leader recently, it will require more than just relying on the Congress led UPA Government in the Centre. More importantly, the party will be required to go into retrospection mode and come out with some bold thinking. It is not going to be how well Congress President Sonia Gandhi or Prime Minister Manmohan Singh campaign for the party in Nagaland but rather how strong the party is at home. Nothing illustrates this better than the recent UP elections and the dismal performance of the Congress State unit there. At the end even Sonia blamed the party organization for the dismal performance in UP despite Rahul Gandhi leading the poll campaign. Leaving aside the denial mode of the present State Congress leadership, at least hopefully, the AICC Secretary Ranjit Thomas will have greater political wisdom to see the writing on the walls.
Delimitation on basis of 2001 census unconstitutional: Ao Senden
Dimapur, May 24 (MExN): Even as the proposed delimitation exercise has been given a stay order by the Guwahati High Court, the Ao Senden, apex tribal organization of the Ao community today, after an emergency meeting of the Senden at Mokokchung Town Hall, termed the 2001 state census as ‘bogus census’ and that the proposed delimitation of assembly constituencies in the state on the basis of the 2001 census is a violation of constitutional provisions.
A press release issued by the president of the Ao Senden, Temjenkaba stated that the Ao Senden, in its series of meetings, seriously debated on the exercise of delimitation in the state and its consequences. Also, after thorough deliberation of the matter in today’s emergency meeting at Mokokchung, seriously observed that the proposal of the Delimitation Commission of India to exercise delimitation in the state at ‘this’ juncture on the basis of 2001 census is not only against the will of the people, but an attempt violating constitutional authority. Such proposed exercise will create serious consequences in the state, the Ao Senden president cautioned.
Giving reasons for their standpoint on the 2001 census, the release stated that the Senden has found that there are anomalies in the said census; and therefore the census should not be taken as the basis for exercising delimitation in the state. The Senden further observed that the proposed exercise of delimitation on the basis of such ‘bogus census’ is a clear violation of constitutional provision. In view of the above ‘facts’, the Ao Senden is compelled to seek justice through court of law, it added.
Ceasefire Supervisory Board Office In Zunheboto Nagarealm.com
Kohima, MAY23 [NPN] : A day after a meeting of the Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB) held at Mon on Tuesday, the NSCN (K) Wednesday shifted its CFSB office to Zunheboto from Mon. According to sources, almost all senior NSCN (K) leaders, including the Supervisor of CFSB Kughalu Mulatonu, moved to Zunheboto on Wednesday following shifting of the office of CFSB.

The sources said a decision towards shifting of the office was taken earlier when a delegation of the Ministry of Home Ministry (MHA) visited Mon and took part in a meeting with senior leaders of the NSCN (K). The delegation also visited Zunheboto to select the site for setting up the new office of CFSB.Meanwhile, reacting to reports that a section of the people of Zunheboto expressed apprehension earlier over proposed shifting of the office of CFSB, a source from the NSCN (K) told this correspondent on Wednesday that "it was a matter between the Government of India and the NSCN (K) for expediting the ongoing process of ceasefire".

It may be mentioned the NSCN (K) entered into a ceasefire with Government of India in 2001. To a query, the source said shifting the CFSB office from Mon was necessitated owing to "communication gap".
Meanwhile, a meeting of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) with officials of the MHA will be held in New Delhi on May 24. According to reports, the Chairman of CFSB and CFMG Lt. Gen. (Retd) RV Kulkarni and the Convenor of Ceasefire Monitoring Cell "Brig" Phungthing Shimrang were in the national capital on Wednesday to take part in the meeting. The IGAR (North), Maj. Gen. K. S. Sethi, was also scheduled to attend the meeting.
ATSUM bandh paralyses Manipur Newmai News Network
The All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) sponsored 24 hours general strike/Manipur has almost paralysed all parts of Manipur with no vehicular movements in the hill districts and shutting down of business establishments for the day in the valley.
The bandh which was supported by various other students organisations like the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO), Zeliangrong Students Union,Manipur (ZSUM) and All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM),and Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) was very effective in all the five hill districts of Tamenglong, Churachandpur, Chandel, Ukhrul, and Senapati while in the valley there have been minimum vehicular movements with all commercial establishment down their shutters. Petrol pump becomes a temporary bus stand with rickshawalah and passenger busying for non-functional due to ATSUM's economic blockade and sunsequent 24 hours bandh today. (Photo:NNN)
The districts of Chandel, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Senapati and Churchandpur remained ghost areas for the day affecting normal activities with no vehicular movements.
Since the agitating ATSUM had announced earlier that education related activities would not be banned, schools functioned as usual in the whole of Manipur.
Amidst the earlier economic blockade and subsequent bandh in Manipur, 72 oil tankers and 42 LPG laden trucks were stranded between Mao and Khuzama (Nagaland) waiting for the security escorts and bandh to be over, according to official sources.
Due to economic blockades and subsequent bandh in Manipur, the general public of the state are facing acute shortage of oils for the last two days with soaring prices of petrol and diesel since most of the petrol pumps have been shut down. The tribal students body has been demanding from the state government to look into the matter with tribal interest in the Tribal Development department, Manipur University functioning, Panel List and Backlog for Scheduled Tribes and the administration of the education department in the state.
Meanwhile, the All Manipur Student Union (AMSU) has directed all the petrol pumps to open for the public consumers. It also warned that failing to open or make available for the general public will bring strong action against the petrol pump owners.
AMSU further said that it will take up a drive to check the availability of oil in their respective depots and take up appropriate action against the erring petrol pump owners.
Congress having nexus with ULFA: Assam BJYM The Morung Express
Guwahati, May 24 (NNN): Political parties in Assam have started a “blame game” on the current crisis of mobile SIM cards allegedly used by the members of Assam’s powerful militant outfit United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA).
“Members of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) must have some nexus with the banned ULFA militants”, alleged Bharatiya Janata Yuba Morcha (BJYM) Assam state President Dilip Saikia in Guwahati during a media conference.
Depending on the recent media reports in the vernacular media, BJYM president alleged, “The recent media reports on use of mobile SIMs which were bearing address of Rajiv Bhawan (APCC head office in Guwahati) clearly indicated that some of the APCC members are having nexus with ULFA.”
It is to be mentioned here that the lead news of a vernacular daily published from Assam had broke the story this week. Later on, it took a different political angle with the reactions of the opposition parties in the state.
BJYM, the youth wing of BJP has reacted that they have raised the ULFA –Congressmen nexus issue earlier, informed Dilip Saikia, BJYM state president.
Meanwhile, the opposition lobbies of the Assam assembly both Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) already condemned APCC for this alleged nexus with the militant outfit in the state.
According to report, some of the ULFA militants were actively using SIMs of mobile service providers of Assam for money extortion. This information came to light, after it was leaked to the media.
But on the other hand, Amol Narayan Patoway, Secretary of the APCC Media cell, whose mobile phone number is also enlisted as one of the mobile phone numbers (9864074538) of “SIM nexus with ULFA” list, has cleared his stand before the media showing his “Service Bill of 2006.”
“My mobile phone is never used for any anti social purpose. I feel some one who has enmity with me put my mobile number in the list.”- declared Patowary during a media conference in Guwahati today.
“If any of the APCC members is involved in this SIM nexus with militants, the party will take necessary action against them.” ,reconfirmed Meraj Wasiqur Rohman, Press Secretary of APCC president who also accompanied Patowary during his media conference.
Whether it is Congress, BJP or AGP, a blame game starts taking momentum in Assam’s recent politics after the Rajya Sabha election.
AR organizes educational tour Nagaland Post
Dimapur: An educational tour to Delhi organized by 26 Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (N) was flagged off by Brig H G V Singh, Commander 5 Sector, Assam Rifles on Thursday.
A group of 24 children along with three escorts will undertake the tour covering Delhi and Agra from May 25 Jun 4.
Speaking on the occasion, the Commander of 5 Sector expressed his view that 26 AR has undertaken a noble cause by giving an exposure to the children of Rashtra Bhasha Pracher Samity to visit places of historical and educational interest.
The Brigadier was hopeful that all the children would extract maximum benefit out of the tour and share their memories and information with others back home.
A team comprising a JCO and two jawans will be accompanying the party as guide and will be conducting them all along the tour. Assam Rifles will be organizing a warm welcome on return of the party on Jun 5.
Ibobi calls for peace in Manipur Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, May 23 – Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has called for a concerted effort in fighting and ending terrorism so that development work in the region could be expedited.

Speaking on the occasion of anti-terrorism day here on Monday, Singh also reiterated his appeal to insurgents operating in the State to come to the negotiating table for a lasting solution to the decades-old insurgency problem.

Violence can bring nothing, he said adding that the situation in Manipur could be settled through political dialogue.

He said insurgency affected States like Punjab and Mizoram had now returned to peace after realising that violence had no place in a democratic set-up and added that Manipur could follow such an example.

Official sources said some major insurgent organisations have been fighting for an independent Manipur for some decades by waging armed struggle. Some of them were United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), Kanglei Yawol Kann Lup (KYKL) and People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), sources said. – PTI

Our Shillong Correspondent adds: The Assam Rifles (AR) observed Anti-terrorism Day on Monday last to mark the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

During the occasion, a pledge taking ceremony was held here which was attended all officers, combatant and non-combatant staff.

Lt. General Paramjit Singh, Director General of Assam Rifles reiterated that AR would continue to fight forces inimical to the nation and endeavour to bring peace and harmony in all the North Eastern states of the country.

A fresh look at Human Rights Sangai Express Editorial
The report of Amnesty International which has slammed both the Governments and armed groups for violating human rights all over the world is extremely relevant in a place like Manipur which is home to a number of armed organisations and where the Government and its agencies function under the cover of acts like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. Any discussion or talk on the armed movements in Manipur would be incomplete without referring to the allegations and cases of human rights violation committed by the security forces under the immunity granted by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act but the report of Amnesty International has opened a new vista where the role of the various armed groups vis-a-vis human rights can be studied and even debated. As we understand it, human rights is more than basic rights such as right to life, right to speech, right to education etc but encompasses the principle of letting people live as dignified human beings. It is about not shackling the thoughts and ideas of anyone and respecting individual rights, of course under the principle of ‘our rights end where the rights of the other begin.’ Significantly, whenever we talk about human rights, it has always centred around the conduct of the security forces and Government agencies while leaving out the conduct of non-State actors, who nevertheless have a profound impact on the lives of the people. This is where we find the report of the Amnesty International interesting for their report is not only about the acts of the Government and its agencies but also about the conduct of armed groups. The thought process that human rights should focus on the conduct of only the legally installed Government and its agencies for they have an obligation towards its citizens may be passe' now.
No one will dispute the fact that the people of Manipur have been at the receiving end of not only the security forces but also other armed groups for long and the report of Amnesty International may be seen as the perfect opportunity for all concerned to extend the noble concept of human rights to all players. Arbitrary execution by armed groups, extortion, kidnapping and abducting for ransom, imposing writs and diktats on the people by different armed groups as well as other non-State actors impinge on the rights of the people and there can be no two ways about this. The rampant collection of taxes on the National Highways connecting Manipur with the rest of the country, deciding what people should watch and listen to, forcing people to toe the line and beliefs of certain organisations etc are all instances of violating the basic rights of the people and many non-State actors cannot feign innocence on this count. The grim reality is that the people of Manipur not only have to face the atrocities of the security personnel and other Government agencies but have to also walk according to the beats of a number of armed groups and this is the tragedy. In as much as the Government has the responsibility to ensure that the rights of the people are not trampled upon, armed groups, especially those which have come up under a certain well spelt out ideology also have an obligation to respect the sentiments of the people. Let the report of the Amnesty International be the beginning of a new look at what human rights is all about.


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