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05/26/2007: "Naga Hoho peace committee a long awaited dream’ The Morung Express"

Naga Hoho peace committee a long awaited dream’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, May 25 (MExN): Extending its full support to the initiative by the Naga Hoho to bring about peace and reconciliation among the Nagas, the Concerned Citizens Forum of Mokokchung today termed the Naga Hoho initiative as a long awaited dream and therefore called upon the tribal Hohos to carefully nominate their representatives so that the people can repose their trust and confidence in them.
A press release received here from the CCFM Convenor, Tsupong Longchar and Co-Convenor, Moa Longchar, stated that constituting the committee for peace and reconciliation among the Naga national organisations as well as among the civil society organisation is a long awaited dream of all the Naga people irrespective of affiliation and inclination to any Naga people organisation.
Saying that it is time for all the Nagas to set aside all the destructive instruments of tribalism, vested interest of sectionalism and factionalism and to stand for a true vision, the CCFM called upon the Nagas to retrospect and stand united in this trying time. The CCFM, in this regard, called upon all the tribal hohos to come boldly and carefully scrutinize their representative so that a person having moral uprightness, integrity, and honesty, and one who is non-controversial and a true Naga who can stand and sacrifice for the people may be nominated.
“Let us give our concerted effort and send the right person whom we can repose all our trust and confidence,” urged the CCFM to the tribal hohos.
The CCFM further cautioned the Nagas not to repeat the action of the Reconciliation Commission 2003, and said that ‘divisive agents’ cannot be allowed to play with the people for all time and thus called upon the people to extend all possible help and co-operation so that the peace and reconciliation committee under the aegis of Naga Hoho can bring about positive development and the most desired reconciliation among the Nagas.
About the Naga Hoho peace and reconciliation committee, the CCFM stated that the Concerned Citizen’s Forum of Mokokchung welcome and extend its unstinting support to the bold and timely initiative taken by the Naga Hoho and the endorsement by the Eastern Naga People Organisation in such a crucial time to heal ‘our nation’ and to mend the broken relations endured for decades among the Naga brothers due to divisive policy of India and its machineries in the state.
“We have only one history and we will uphold that to make one history unitedly,” the CCFM further stated.
It may be mentioned that the Naga Hoho had during its fourth Federal Assembly held at Dimapur on May 18 resolved to constitute a peace and reconciliation committee comprising of representatives from tribal Hohos. The last date of submission of nominees is June 10.
FGN support American Baptist peace call The Morung Express
Dimapur, May 25 (MExN): The Chakhesang region of the FGN has extended full support to the endeavor of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America for peace and unity. The FGN held a meeting recently decided on extending full support to ‘peace and unity’ moves through which a permanent solution can be brought about under the principle of the NNC.
“The region therefore, supports the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America in its endeavor in this regard” stated a copy of the resolution from Shevohu Kethi, Tatar and Zhelhilo, general secretary.
It also observed that without peace and unity among the Nagas, cease-fire with India and entering into any form of dialogue is meaningless. “The Chakhesang region stands committed to the NNC and the FGN and disassociates with peace camps set up under Shillong Accord which was disowned by late Zashei Huire, the then president of the FGN and endorsed by the Midan Peyu of Chakhesang Region, Federal Government of Nagaland on 24th February 1997” it stated. The region also expressed support to the RUF. “…that following the outcome of the peace convention at Thuvopisu village on June 21, 1997 and the Chakhesang Peoples’ Co-ordination meeting at Losami village on September 31997 resulting in the formation of the Interim Council for the administration of the Re-unification Front (RUF) of Chakhesang region national workers is fully supported” it stated.
Rio for inter-tribe marriage for Naga unity New Kerala--- UNI
Ungma (Mokokchung), May 26: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has stressed the need of inter-tribe marriage in the state as the development works could not be undertaken because of factionalism.

Inaugurating the Rs 1.79 crore Ungma Water Supply Project yesterday, Mr Rio lamented that much development works could have been accomplished in Nagaland, had it not been for factionalism.
To prevent discord in the Naga society, he encouraged the inter-tribe marriage as the initial step.

He said, ''Everybody has today realized that peace must prevail so that development can progress at a faster pace and that good days would come to Nagaland when peace would prevail.''
NSCN (I-M) fomenting tension: NSCN (K) Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, MAY 25 (NPN): The NSCN (K) Friday accused the NSCN (I-M) of fomenting tension among the people of PR Hill and Para Medical Colony, Kohima, while asking the rival faction to go back to its own area to help return of normalcy in the region.
Talking to Nagaland Post over phone, Isak Sumi, Military Spokesperson, NSCN (K), said tension prevailed in the areas of PR Hill and Para Medical Colony, Kohima due to the presence of members of the NSCN (I-M).
He said the NSCN (K) had been maintaining peaceful relations with the public without any objections from any factions as well as the colony.
Isak alleged tense situation prevailed after NSCN (I-M) cadres, clad in IRB uniform, had entered and occupied public residences in PR Hill Thursday night.
While saying NSCN (K) men were already based at Para Medical Colony, Kohima, Isak asserted that the rival cadres should go back to their own area.
"The NSCN (I-M) has no authority to decide where the NSCN (K) cadres should stay," he said, adding, "the NSCN (I-M) would be held responsible for any eventuality in future."
Referring to recent media reports on reconciliation and unification of both the NSCNs, Isak pointed out that Nagas should not be misled by such "mindless propaganda."
SP plea to NSCN
The Superintendent of Police, Kohima Martin Pienyü has asked both the factions of the NSCN to vacate civilian-populated areas in Kohima Town to avoid creating tension among the public.
The Untold Story of the Naga Unpo
The Hague, 25 May 2007 – UNPO has played proud host to the launch of two new books on Naga history and culture, written by Dutch author Mr. Frans Welman. The UNPO headquarters in The Hague, decorated by Mr. Welman’s extensive photography of the Naga people and their unique culture, gathered journalists for an introduction and discussion of his two latest books; Out of Isolation and Beyond Twilight.
Out of Isolation is a rare attempt to document the volatile history, heritage, and conflict of the Naga people, based largely on Mr. Welman’s remarkable work in gathering testimonies and accounts from the Naga people themselves.
Beyond Twilight is an effort to present the Naga struggle from a different angle, written in the form of an intense political thriller, leading from Nagalim, to the streets of Manila, and finally to the UNPO offices in The Hague.
UNPO General Secretary Mr. Marino Busdachin welcomed Mr. Welman with great pleasure, noting his remarkable record of promoting the rights of the Naga people, one of the 69 members of UNPO, amid often difficult circumstances.
Mr. Busdachin emphasised that the Naga conflict, ongoing for over 50 years, has seen over 200,000 people killed, making it one of the most distressing, though under-reported, humanitarian situations in the region.
UNPO has welcomed therefore the fact that during the last eight years Indian and Naga authorities have finally started a process of negotiation, though a final solution capable of bringing peace and stability to Nagalim appears still to be a way off.
Mr. Welman’s presence offered participants and journalists a rare first-hand account of this struggle, though he noted also with irony the fact that he is now forbidden from entering India, often described as the largest democracy in the world. “I’m not even allowed to go to India to present my book,” noted Mr. Welman, who recounted also some of the numerous difficulties he has encountered during his past travels in the region.
The Naga themselves face similar difficulties. As most do not hold passports, they find it difficult to travel beyond their own territory. Mr. Welman has in the past described Nagalim as a “Forbidden Land”, a reference to the fact that Indians are themselves denied access to the area.
Despite however the harsh conditions within which the Naga live, Mr. Welman underlined that they are extremely “hospitable and respectful”. Perhaps surprisingly, Mr. Welman emphasised also that the Nagas state emphatically that they have nothing against the Indian population, despite their difficult relationship with the Indian state.
Questioned about the nature of Beyond Twilight, Mr. Welman noted that although the characters are fictitious, they stand for something and can therefore be read as a comment on the ongoing challenges facing the people of Nagalim. “I’d like the public to read the novel”, he states, “because although it is entertainment, I believe that if people are inspired, we all can contribute to solution of this conflict.”
The UNPO General Secretary also applauded Mr. Welman’s innovative approach to reaching readers who might not normally hear about the Naga, thanking him especially for including UNPO in the novel’s dramatic plot.
The Forgotten Struggle of the Nagas
Having hosted peace talks in Amsterdam, and with new negotiations on the verge of bearing fruit, the Netherlands have been once again the centre of attention for the people of Nagalim. On 24 May 2007 Dutch writer Frans Welman introduced his two latest books in The Hague, shining a spotlight once again on the victims of one of India’s longest and most intransigent conflicts.
Situated between India, China and Burma, Nagalim has been plagued by conflict for more than fifty years. During this time some 3 million Nagas have struggled first with British, then with Indian administrators, in a quest to preserve their autonomy, culture, and way of life.
Globe-trotting photojournalist Frans Welman is one of the few Europeans to have entered the land of Nagalim - a land forbidden to Indians themselves by federal authorities. His two new books attempt to capture what he has learnt during his many visits, giving visibility to the forgotten victims of this largely unreported war. Through his photography, to be exhibited during the event, Mr. Welman does justice also to the complexities and beauty of the entrenched Naga culture.
The Event featured Mr. Welman presenting previews of his forthcoming book; Out of Isolation - a rare attempt to document the volatile history of the Naga people. Based on Mr. Welman’s own years of remarkable work collecting the testimonies and stories from the people themselves, it represents a unique view of how the ordinary people of Nagalim view the conflict, the way in which it affects their lives, and their outlook on the possibility of a conflict-free future.
Featured also was the official launch of Beyond Twilight; a breath-taking political thriller which brings this remarkable history to life. Intrigue and a mysterious murder leads us from Nagalim, to the streets of Manila, to the headquarters of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) in The Hague.
UNPO has a long history of promoting the rights of the Naga people and its offices were therefore an ideal site for the presentation of these two exciting new books. The event featured a discussion with the author, readings from both works as well as an exhibition of Mr. Welman’s photography.
I’m a Congressman, Therie speaks out The Morung Express EXCLUSIVE Bonnie Konyak

Dimapur Amidst growing speculation over the next political move of the suspended NPF MLA and former Finance Minister in the DAN Ministry, K. Therie today in an exclusive interview with The Morung Express communicated in clear terms, his affinity to the Congress party when he said, “basically I am a Congressman”. Explaining the delay in his decision for the coming polls despite the open door policy of the Congress, Therie said that it was not yet a “matured time”. Therie also took care to explain that he had not left the Congress on his own accord but the situation had arisen due to differences over the Naga Political issue.
Though still evading a straightforward answer, Therie echoed the popular sentiments of the Congress party of “One Government, one tax” policy, which he opined needed to be established by the elected leaders. “Nagas cannot afford to suffer like this; we need to change the Government. And we will change the government”, he asserted. Asked about his opinion on the demand calling for S.C. Jamir to return to state politics, Therie said that it would be a good move for the Congress, since he was the most mature and able leader that Nagaland had so far produced.
Therie also lashed out at the ruling DAN alliance for having deviated from their Common Minimum Draft. He said that the Draft had stated that DAN would work towards securing a negotiated settlement of the Naga issue and not about facilitating the negotiation between the GoI and the Underground groups, as they were now publicising. While lauding the Chief Minister for admitting to a break down of law and order during the inauguration of Peren Model District Headquarter, Therie said that in such a situation, Rio should hand over the government to “people who are more capable”.
The MLA also shared that since he had been a member of the Common Minimum Drafting Committee, he had been keen to work in the true spirit of the Draft towards a solution but he regretted that the DAN had failed in its mission. Talking of his trail without suspension by the NPF party, Therie said that the party’s intension was to paralyze him without really expelling him lest he started talking against them. “Though technically I am still an NPF MLA, they take me as an opponent”, Therie said. On being asked if he would rejoin the NPF if the invitation was issued, Therie smugly replied, “that will be my decision. It is not upto them now”.
Replying to a query on possibility of rallying together a ‘Third Front’, Therie said that a third party was not necessary at this point since the present parties were enough.
Theire also expressed deep concern for the Naga political issue which needed a solution based on plebiscite, centered around the people. He regretted that on the Naga issue, the elected representatives were in fact playing a minimal role of facilitating the negotiation. Saying that in a democracy the people must have the upper hand, Therie said that even the undergrounds may have to listen to the mandate of the people.

Therie also lambasted the UPA Government for the casual nature of the negotiation of “two nation”. He questioned, “After 54 meetings, is there anything more left to be said?” The MLA lamented that the Ceasefire agreement which was recognition of a parallel government, was without a funding support mechanism, which was why the undergrounds had to collect taxes to sustain themselves, leading to the fight for area dominance between the factions.
Therie added that his visit to Delhi following the meeting of the Resurgent India, had been to seek clarification on the UPA report which claimed substantial decline of violence and extortion in the North East. He said that this report had been prepared from the angle that no security personnel had been killed or extorted by the insurgency when in reality; the economy was being strangled by insurgency. Development in the state was only possible if peace could be brought with a solution of the Naga political issue. “The very principle of negotiation means give and take and so the solution must be one that is ‘givable’ for the Indian Government and honourable for the Nagas”, Therie analyzed.
Summing up the different factors of the Naga political unrest, the MLA said that there was a poverty, of courage in the leadership. “The people cannot continue to pay four taxes. We need to change and we will change”, he summarized on a confident note.
Encourage inter-tribal marriages: Rio Limalenden Longkumer The Morung Express
Mokokchung Discouraging tribalism and factionalism in the state, Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio today said that the Naga people must encourage inter-tribal marriages in the state. He reminded that much development work could not be undertaken because of factionalism and tribalism.
Inaugurating the Ungma village water supply project here at the village, Rio encouraged the Nagas to encourage inter-tribal marriages, which he opined would go a long way in curbing tribalism.
Rio regretted that much developmental works could have been accomplished in Nagaland had it not been for tribalism and factionalism. However, he also said that everybody has today realized that peace must prevail so that development can progress at a faster pace. He added that good days have arrived and relative peace is prevalent and that the pace of development is improving in Nagaland today.
Proving his views about the relative peace in the state as true, Rio said that had there been no peace, and law and order, the very water supply project at Ungma inaugurated today would have been impossible.
While speaking about Ungma Village which is the native village of present Goa Governor and former chief minister, Dr SC Jamir, Rio regarded the village as one of the biggest villages among more than the thousand villages in Nagaland, which has produced many leaders. He said that these leaders are not only leaders of Ungma nor of Aos alone but are leaders of the Nagas as a whole. He said the leaders of the village ought to work for all the Nagas so that the village will be blessed.
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio is acknowledged by Ungma citizens, while inaugurating the water supply project at Ungma village today. (MExPix)
Speaking about friendship between Ungma and his village Touphema, Rio said that the two villages became friends when Dr SC Jamir visited the village when Dr Jamir was the chief minister.
The Chief Minister said that though he and S.C Jamir are from different political parties, serving in different places as of now, and upholding different ideologies, Ungma and Touphema has no differences and that their friendship remains. “In good or in bad times, the bond of friendship between the two villages should remain”, said Rio and added that the bond of friendship between the two villages is to be regarded as a message that not only Ungma and Touphema, or Aos and Angamis, but also that Nagaland as a whole is one.
He also wished that the kind of friendship between Ungma and Touphema, and the kind of development going on in Ungma village, will spread across the whole of Nagaland. He called upon the people to pray for it.

The Chief Minister also said that he was overwhelmed with joy that Ungma village is provided with water supply, even more so because this project was a commitment he had made to the Ungma villagers some time ago which has materialized today. In this regard, Rio said that, as a Naga leader, one should not make commitments to the people of things one cannot do, but materialize it if any commitment is made to the people, by any means otherwise one will lose the trust of the people, he said.
The Ungma Village Water Supply Project, which is said to have taken eight months to complete and costing an estimated one crore seventy nine lakhs, is pumped from an area which is 24 Kms away from the village and falls under the territorial jurisdiction of Longsa and Sapotomi villages. It is reported that the two villages of Longsa and Sapotomi has consented to let Ungma village pump the water from their territories “unconditionally, until the river run dry”.
The day was marked by various cultural items presented by various troupes during the occasion. Among a host of dignitaries at the function, also present were Minister Imkong L.Imchen, Minister, Parliamentary Secretaries Kipili, Toheshe, Lewang Konyak, Kaito, and MLAs Kotovi and C.Apok Jamir.
No permit issued, says State govt‘More oil found? ONGC undertakes illegal exploration in Wokha No permit issued, says State govt Al Ngullie The Morung Express
Dimapur In the midst of strong indications that more crude-oil reserves have been discovered in the southern belt of Wokha district, a team of Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) surveyors was ejected by the Wokha administration on May 14 from the Lower Wokha areas for undertaking survey works illegally. And the state government has expressed ignorance of any permit issued to the ONGC to ‘survey’ Ralan and Liphayan areas.
Observers have strongly indicated the existence of an oil reserve-belt in the Governor’s Camp Liphayan and Ralan rang areas, under Wokha district. Till date, Champang HQ – also under Wokha administration, is the only area established to be a crude-oil reserve.
A team of ONGC surveyors was found undertaking survey and drilling works in Ralan on May 14 and later, in Governor’s Camp Liphayan. Acting on complaints from Ralan’s citizens, the Wokha administration promptly stopped the ‘explorations’ and demanded from the ONGC team that their presence in the area be justified by license/permits from the state government. The team had none, leave alone explain the reason for undertaking drilling works in Ralan.
SDO (Civil) of Ralan Yanpuvthung Kikon confirmed of the illegal survey work by the ONGC. “We asked them if they had permission from the state government for the ‘survey.’ They did not have any license, permit or documents. We asked them to pack up and leave,” SDO Kikon informed. Interestingly the team was led by a local, Kikon said. He was acting as a ‘Mohori’ (a Labor broker). The SDO said to have informed the deputy Commissioner of the matter. Request for confirmation of any authorization, if any, issued to the ONGC has been dispatched to the state government. The same is awaited, Kikon said.
Further, the same day itself, the Wokha administration received reports that another ONGC team was in Governor’s Camp Liphayan going about drilling works. The team too had no permit issued to them by the state government. Doubashis (DBs) have been deployed to Liphayan to enquire of the matter and submit the report to the Deputy Commissioner, source informed.
Deputy Commissioner of Wokha Mikha Lomi said no permit could be found with the team. He has already instructed the administration to enquire of the activities of the ONGC team and report promptly. If the corporation has been granted permission it is ‘OK’ but for now the matter is subject to confirmation from the state, Lomi said. Investigations are on.
Sources said the team arrived in two trucks. Fifteen of the ONGC team was observed to be the main functionaries supervising the entire drilling and survey task. The very fact that the ONGC should even be undertaking survey works, leave alone drilling, is an indication that an oil belt has been discovered, observers opined.
On the government’s side, it is not aware of any permit issued to the ONGC. Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Lalthara said the team most probably is from the Assam chapter of the ONGC and not Nagaland’s. They may have been in the area unaware that it is a disputed range (or Disputed Area Belt), Lalthara said while confirming that no permit was issued to the corporation for the Ralan/Liphayan areas.

The most interesting aspect about the recent development is the ONGC’s presence in the said areas – Ralan and Liphayan are to the far south of Wokha district far removed from ONGC Champang HQ which is to the extreme North-west of Wokha.
On related matters, a surprised Lotha Students Union (LSU) has demanded immediate clarification from the state government, particular to issuance of any exploration-license to the ONGC or any other mining company. President of the LSU Nzanthung K Yanthan told this daily that the team should be arrested since no legal permit was produced. The president also appreciated the timely intervention of the Wokha administration, particularly the SDO (Civil) of Ralan. The LSU has warned individuals or groups ‘who go against the popular wishes of the people.’ The government is also urged to take necessary action the ONGC survey team for the illegal activity.

China's outrageous claim on Arunachal The Morung Express
New Delhi, May 25 (Agencies): The Indo-China border dispute is threatening to erupt once again, this time amidst reports that the Prime Minister’s Office cancelled a cross-border study programme for 102 IAS officials after the Chinese government denied a visa to a bureaucrat from Arunachal Pradesh, saying he did not need one as he was a Chinese citizen. Beijing is understood to have granted visas to all the other Indian bureaucrats who were to leave for China on Saturday (May 26).
The programme, an initiative by the Prime Minister, was designed for the officers to interact with the local administration and study policy initiatives taken for infrastructure growth.
China sticks to its stance
China has been consistently maintaining that 90,000 sq kms area in North Eastern India which includes parts of Arunachal Pradesh, is part of its territory - but the most recent visa rejection opens up a can of worms and seems to suggest tha`t far from just a portion of the state, in Beijing's view the entire state is disputed.
It is evident that for the Chinese, the question is not just about the Line of Control and whether it should be north or south of a certain hill – but the entire state belonging to China.
In fact in an interview to TIMES NOW by Chinese Ambassador Sun Yuxi made precisely this claim over the whole of Arunachal Pradesh.
“If any Indian citizen wants to go to visit China, all are welcome, but this province – or so-called state is in a disputed area, any state official would be difficult for us to accept as an official,” he had said.
So far, China has been consistent in its stance on AP, and given no indication either officially or publicly that it would be willing to accept the state as part of India in future.
In the past, state officials and legislators including then chief minister Gegong Apang have been unable to travel to China since they were told by the Chinese government that no visas would be required. It is well known and even the Ministry of External Affairs has said Chinese maps clearly show the whole of Arunachal as a part of the Peoples’ Republic of China.
No government confirmation of report
As far as the recent cancellation of the study programme is concerned, there have not been any clarifications from the government on whether it was due to an oversight or merely procedural. The Department of Personnel has also not commented.
Meanwhile to gauge Arunachal Pradesh’s response to these reports TIMES NOW tried to contact the state Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, but he was unavailable. There have been unconfirmed reports, that he has called a meeting in his cabinet on this issue. There are also rumours that the Central government may have contacted the Chinese to ask for an explanation. This is the third instance in as many years that officials from AP would have been denied visas to China – after Apang, some legislators who were to attend a Bamboo Conference there were unable to visit.
AFSPA gets six more months leash in state The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 25: State cabinet in its meeting late this evening has approved the extension of the Armed Forces Special Power Act for another six months in the state from June 1 next.

The Cabinet, in its meeting chaired by chief minister O Ibobi, considering the chaotic law and order situation due to the insurgency, decided to extend the `disturbed area` status of the entire state, except for the Imphal municipal area, for another six months, reliable sources indicated.

The application of the AFSPA in the state was supposed to end its May 30 next.

Reliable sources further said, state cabinet today also approved for retaining the services of 170 graduate teachers appointed as ad-hoc teachers on contract considering their services and sacrifice for the state.

The source further disclosed that state cabinet also approved for appointment of primary teachers in the hill districts so as as to meet the shortages of teachers in various schools in these districts.

The source also mentioned that cabinet minutely discussed the losses caused to the state economy due to frequent bandh/blockade in Manipur, and decided to made a keen appeal to all the apex and social organisations and students bodies of seperate communities to avoid taking up of bandhs and economic blockade and similar forms of agitation in future.

The Cabinet meeting further decided to hand over responsibility for engagement of contractors for transporting rice for the public distribution system to the concerned district DC so as to ensure that basic amenities provided by the state government through the PDS reach their intended beneficiaries.

NDFB ultras arrested From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
DIPHU, May 25 – The Dokmoka police arrested three NDFB cadres from Dokmoka area under Howraghat PS in Karbi Anglong on Wednesday.

The NDFB ultras arrested on the charge of extortion are Saikhong Brahma, Ranjan Basumatary and Maithang Basumatary. Police sources said that according to their confession two of them are newly recruited cadres which is violation of cease fire ground rules.

Guwahati: Blast near hospital, 7 dead By IBNlive.com
New Delhi: Seven people were killed and at least 18 others injured when a high-intensity blast took place close to a hospital in Guwahati, on Saturday morning.

According to initial reports reaching here, the bomb went off in a crowded market in the Athgaon area of the city. The explosives were packed in a three-wheeled auto-rickshaw, CK Bhuyan, the district administrator, said.

He said there was no immediate claim of responsibility even though the finger of suspicion has been pointed to the banned ULFA militant outfit.

The magnitude of the blast was high as a combination of improvised explosive devices and an LPG gas cylinder were used to carry out the attack. Top police officials have rushed to the spot.

The ULFA has been trying desperately to stay in news by carrying out sporadic attacks ever since a peace initiative started by the Centre collapsed midway and militant operations were relaunched in the state.

While the anti-insurgency operations have been largely limited to the Upper Assam areas in the past few months, the militant outfit has of late been trying to shift the attention to the Lower Assam areas and the state capital.
ABSU holds rally despite all odds By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, May 25: Thousands of All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) activists thronged the Sonaram HS School field in the city where the students’ body organized a rally by ignoring the road and rail blockade called by the Ex-BLT Welfare Society. The ABSU alleged that the police created hurdles at different entry points in the city.
Reservation of Kokrajhar parliamentary constituency for ST, implementation of the Bodo Accord in letter and spirit, early talks with the NDFB, cancellation of the Pagladia Dam project at Thalkuchi in Baksa district and fulfilment of 26 charter of demands of the students’ body were the demands discussed by the ABSU in the rally.
A memorandum to the Chief Minister was handed over to CK Bhuiyan, ADC of the Kamrup (Metro), by ABSU president Rwn Gwra Narzary.
The ABSU president made it clear that the students’ body would not compromise on its demands and cause of the Bodo people. The State Government will be responsible if the situation in lower Asom turns volatile due to the alleged neglect by the State Government, he said.
The students’ body alleged that about 100 Gauwahati-bound buses and other vehicles were stopped by the police at various places like Baihata Chariali, Changsari and Amingaon. There was a clash between the students and CRPF personnel on the approach road to the Saraighat bridge.
The police reportedly restored to lathicharge to control the activists who were repeatedly detained by the police in various places. Several persons of both the sides sustained injury in the clash, and at least six vehicles coming from Baksa and Sonitpur districts were damaged.
Toren Boro, vice-president of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha, said that the ABSU was compelled to stage the rally at Guwahati due to the prolonged inaction of the State Government to address its demands. He said the recent draft delimitation paper reflects a conspiracy to deprived the Bodos of their political rights.
“The intellectuals the Asomiya society have been maintaining a silence over the conspiracy,” he said. Demanding that the reservation of Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies in the BTAD should be on the basis of population pattern, Boro said the question of compromise on the issue does not arise.
ABPF hits out at BPPF(H) By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, May 25: ABSU president Rwn Gwra Narzary said that the proscribed NDFB and the Ex-BLT members expressed their willingness to sit together to bridge the differences between them.
Narzary was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the mass rally organized by the students’ body at Sonaram HS School field here today. He, however, said that the date and venue of the proposed talks were yet to be finalized, and the Bodo Sahitya Sabha was in touch with the two sides.
Meanwhile, the All Boro Peace Forum (ABPF) today vehemently condemned the demand for quashing the ceasefire agreement with the NDFB, and termed the demand as a strange act on the part of the BTC chief and ministers from the BPPH(H).

ABSU: Design to allot tribal land to ‘minorities’ Our Correspondent Sentinel
KOKRAJHAR, May 25: A section of politicians and their henchmen, including an AUDF MLA, are out to allot over 22 bighas of fertile land under tribal belts and blocks in Parbotjhora subdivision of undivided Dhubri district to as many as 34 minority families of doubtful nationalities, sources here alleged. The process of handing over the land, according to sources, is at an advanced stage. The tribal belts and blocks in question are Panbari, Rangamati hills area, Bwinaguri, Datsuka etc.
According to a source from Parbotjhora subdivision, BTC, the process for handing over of 22.5 bighas of land in tribal belts and blocks at Rangamati hills in Panbari under Bagribari Revenue office to 34 minority families of doubtful nationalities is at an advanced stage.
According to sources in the subdivision, there are over 1,470 bighas of fertile land — Dag No. 13 (old) and 3 (new) — at Rangamati Hills at Panbari under Bagribari Revenue Circle that falls under the BTAD. Dhubri DC Ganesh Kalita, according to sources, asked the assistant settlement officer (ASO), Bagribari to look into the matter. The ASO, on his part, sent a proposal of allotment of the over 22 bighas of land to the minority families to the DC, and a copy of the proposal was also sent to the Parbotjhora SDO (Civil), sources said, and alleged that AUDF MLA of West Bilasipara, Basir Kasim, was actively involved in the lobby.
Official sources from Bagribari Circle office said that the Government had already handed over seven bighas of land to the minority community in the name of burial ground at Rangamati and land to as many as 13 minority families in the area. Now the community members have been demanding the entire area.
Meanwhile, talking to The Sentinel, Kazigaon anchalik ABSU unit advisor Deba Kanta Brahma said that influential politicians, including AUDF MLA Basir Kasim, were literally out to grab tribal land for minority people. He also said that a number of suspected Bangladeshi families occupied tribal land in the area without any obstruction from the administration.
Kazigaon ABSU unit president Kamal Kumar Brahma said that the ABSU had chalked out a plan for a massive plantation of trees for environmental balance in the area. The students’ body is also going to set up the Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Social Foundation in the area.