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07/08/2007: "Rebels, not govt, run the show hereHindustan Times"



Rebels, not govt, run the show hereHindustan Times

Every single citizen of Manipur pays “taxes” to the Underground militants directly or indirectly.
Neelesh Misra Ukhrul/Kohima
and Nagendar Sharma

There is no pomp just a house with a tin roof, lost behind rows of shops selling stationery, meat and groceries. But in Manipur’s Ukhrul town, this inconspicuous house is far more powerful than any office of the central or state government.
This is the office of the Underground. Rebels, not the government, run the show in Manipur and several other areas of the northeast. Largely ignored by the national government and media for decades, the region is home to some of the world’s longest running insurgencies, the most complex web of militancy in India.
“It is an open secret. There is a parallel government running in Manipur because people are not getting what they expected of the government,” said LM Ngaranmi, a Naga community leader in Manipur’s Ukhrul district bordering Myanmar.
In Ukhrul, the face of the Underground is the man known to most by his position the “Chief Administrative Officer”. He was travelling to Dimapur, the rebel headquarters, when HT sought a meeting. Among his many jobs is collecting “tax”.
In Manipur, government employees have it deducted at source by the rebels’ agents at the workplace. Across the region, hundreds of thousands of contractors, traders, shopkeepers and most people with any sort of stable income pay hefty cuts to the Underground. Abductions for ransom and killings are frequent.
Even the governor admits the State has been invisible in many areas. “When I came to Manipur (in 2004), there were six sub-divisions totally under Underground control for 10 years. A 10-year-old boy had never seen the face of a police constable,” Manipur Governor Shivinder Singh Sidhu told the NE TV channel. Not much has changed; in fact the rebels’ influence is even more sweeping.
According to police estimates, the United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) makes hundreds of crores of rupees annually from extortion. Central intelligence officials say that the NSCN (IM), the main Naga insurgent group that has a cease-fire with the government, has been passing its annual budget of between Rs 20 crore and Rs 25 crore from taxes each year. There is no way to independently confirm the figures.
Across the region, insurgency exists to some degree in almost all the eight states of the northeast Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Almost 5,700 militants attacks have taken place since 2003 killing almost 4,000 people, mostly suspected militants and civilians.
In Manipur, nearly all consumer goods being sold in shops from torches to cars cost substantially higher because all vehicles coming into the state have to pay extortion money at Dimapur in Nagaland, headquarters of the NSCN (IM), the main Naga rebel group. “It is not possible for any government to prevent this (extortion) completely,” Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio recently told the State Assembly.
“Money comes from different departments of Manipur. And the IM is taking annual taxes transport tax, godown tax, and so on. It is becoming quite unbearable,” said Yumnam Joykumar, the Manipur police chief.
Cadres of the NSCN-IM mostly teenagers and men in their 20s roam the streets of Dimapur, checking if vehicles have the receipts they get after paying tax to the ‘Government of People’s Republic of Nagaland’.
Any vehicle without the receipts is burnt or damaged. Some face a worse fate. Ramesh, a trader’s son who declined to give his surname, fled the state after his father was killed in daylight, publicly.
“We had a flourishing shop and used to get letters from the rebel groups, including both factions of the NSCN for donations. My father paid these people, but when demands became unreasonable he refused, and had to pay the price,” he said. Worse, there is deep alienation between New Delhi and the northeast, adding to the churning.
A police officer recalls the day when he was summoned for official work to Agartala by aides of a High Court judge from outside the state. The next morning, the judge summoned the officer to his room and said he was not pleased with the state government’s arrangements. “But Agartala is the capital of Tripura, it does not come under Assam, your honour,” the officer said.
On the other side of the divide, are citizens like those on a recent flight from Dimapur from Kolkata, who muttered: “So many Indians on the flight today!”
NSF calls for peace Nagaland Post
Dimapur: The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) Saturday condemned the latest incidents of violence along Assam-Nagaland border.
In a statement, NSF president Imchatoba Imchen said at a time when efforts were being made for maintenance of peace and tranquility among the different communities in north-east, "such random accident of intrusion or infringement" would lead to escalation of communal conflict.
The Federation called upon the citizens to condemn such act of "barbarism" for peaceful co-existence. It suspected that the perpetrators were "instigated or managed by our adversaries" and the "third parties" infiltrated into the border areas.
"It is evident that the adversaries of the North East Indigenous people apply all means to keep its age old people divided and apply their convenient policy to rule as their subject. We, the north easterners, need to know this sinister design of the third party by not defending the illegal immigrants in the border".
The NSF urged the state law enforcing agencies to examine the cases and implement all necessary measures so as to maintain peace and harmony in the borders areas. "The states Government should immediately deploy either IRB/ NAP in the sensitive border areas, so that the peace can be maintained and goodwill prevails among people of Assam and Nagaland".
Further, the Federation called upon the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) to restrain itself from resorting to agitation and apply the joint declaration methods of resolving any disputes through people to people dialogue as declared earlier.
Morning mayhem on borderOUR BUREAU The Telegraph
July 5: Armed Naga encroachers raided three Assam villages today in the manner of medieval invaders lusting for new territory. The 45-minute raid left a trail of two bodies, charred cattle corpses, razed houses and strained relations between two governments that have idled over their boundary dispute for nearly four decades.
Official sources said the encroachers entered Assam through the unguarded inter-state border in Sivasagar district with war cries on their lips and targeted Sonapur, Dhekiajuri and Borholla villages. All three villages are under Geleki police station.
Two persons, Sarafat Ali of Sonapur and Min Bahadur Chetri of Borholla, were shot dead. Another villager, Kamal Bahadur Chetri, was critically injured when he stepped on a landmine planted by the raiders before they returned to Nagaland.
“There would have been more deaths and injuries had villagers not fled their homes after hearing war cries at a distance. The raiders were in a murderous mood,” said Abdul Gafar Ali of Sonapur village.
The three villages are inhabited mostly by Nepali and tea tribesettlers, as well as Muslims who were drawn to the area by the fertile land. The combined population of the three villages is around 2,000, official sources said.Huts and cattle sheds were razed to the ground in all three villages. Several heads of cattle were charred when the marauders torched houses.
Sonapur, Dhekiajuri and Borholla are all located within a five-km radius of the inter-state border.
The attack provoked the All Assam Students’ Union to clamp an indefinite economic blockade along the Naginimora-Mokokchung road, a part of which is in Sivasagar district. It also declared a district bandh tomorrow to protest the government’s failure to protect life and property in the border villages. The organisation threatened to block all roads leading to Nagaland if more such incidents occurred.
The commanding officer of the 1st Assam Police Battalion based at Ligeripukhuri in Sivasagar district, A. Kuddus, described the morning’s mayhem as a “planned attack by a large group of miscreants from across the border”. He said the landmine was planted to prevent Assam police from following them. Abhishek Singh, the deputy commissioner of Mokokchung district of Nagaland, led a delegation to a meeting at Sivasagar Circuit House later in the day.
Officials of the Sivasagar administration said Nagaland must arrest the culprits and hand them over to Assam for trial. The boundary dispute between the two neighbours has been festering since 1968, when Nagaland police attacked Assamese villagers at Doyang forest reserve. A similar incident occurred at Rengma forest reserve of Karbi Anglong on January 5, 1979.
The worst clash was on June 4, 1985, when over 100 people died in firing between Assam and Nagaland police at Merapani. That incident led to the states signing an interim agreement to maintain status quo on the boundary. The first sign of trouble along the Sivasagar stretch of the boundary in recent months was Nagaland police setting up a border outpost at Chengibil. It was dismantled when Assam police set up an outpost just in front of it. A year ago, a butcher was shot at and wounded by a Naga youth at Namtola market on the Assam side. On May 29, an Assam police team shot dead an alleged criminal from Nagaland in the same area.
Murdered students’ case 1999: Ugly truth revealed Guwahati HC condemns Dimapur ADC (J)’s verdict Morung Express News
Dimapur |The terrible ghost of the year 1999 killing of two students in Chumukedima by bodyguards of the then Nagaland Minister of Roads & Bridges I Imkong has finally risen from its grave today with an ugly revelation: Both strong direct and circumstantial evidence established beyond doubt that three of the five accused police personnel were guilty of shooting dead two students and maiming another, without any provocation on May 29, near the Patkai bridge, Chumukedima. But they – constable naiks Ato Yimchunger, Akaho Sumi and Mayang Ao – were acquitted on the ground that the “prosecution failed to prove the case.” The three students were traveling toward Kohima in a Maruti Zen that fateful day. The police personnel had even admitted to the crime, documents show.
Extensive investigative documents and court minutes accessed by The Morung Express show that the three students Atina Suokrie (shot dead, on spot), Michael Mary (succumbed to bullet wounds) and Pangertemsu Ao (maimed, right arm amputated) were chased down near the bridge and sprayed with as many as 19 rounds of bullets, shot point-blank from two Ak-47s and an M-22; that the three students ‘firing with a small arm’ was unsubstantiated; that the shooting was undeniably unprovoked and motiveless except to satiate the guards’ anger after being shouted at when the speeding police escort Gypsy nearly collided with the Maruti Zen.
Seven years later, today, the Guwahati High Court has come out with an order flaying the judgment of the then ADC (J). The high court has minced no words in its observance issued on May 17, 2007. It has severely castigated the judgment of the ADC (J) Dimapur as ‘serious infirmities’ and “demonstrated complete lack of knowledge of criminal trial procedures,” “against the evidence on record,” and that the ADC (J) has “betrayed knowledge of even fundamental principle of criminal jurisprudence and procedure of law.” This must be reflected in the service record of the ADC (J), K Chophy, declared the Guwahati High Court’s order (sic) issued on May 17 this year.
Records show critical evidence (including a corroborative forensic testimony), which, according to a lawyer, is enough to prosecute all the accused ‘to hell.’ But they were let off scot-free without punishment by the then ADC (Judicial) of Dimapur, on the ground that present Congress Leader of Opposition I Imkong’s bodyguards “acted in self-defense.” The records show hardly any reference – either investigative or direct proof – regarding the “self-defense” aspect except a note that no arms were found on the students, leave alone even any indication that they fired upon the ministers’ bodyguards as claimed by the accused. In the minds of the prosecution and even the defense attorneys, the mystery lives on why the Dimapur judge would let off the five accused – all free men today – even when presented with critically indisputable evidence. The question of political pressure or duress is not being ruled out.

The fateful day: 5:00pm, May 29, 1999.
(The established events as recorded by the documents and in the observance of the Guwahati High Court and the verdict of the Dimapur ADC (J)) The minister on the fateful day is traveling to Dimapur from Kohima. Around 5:30 pm, at 6th Mile, Dimapur, a near collision takes place between the pilot escort vehicle (a Maruti Gypsy) of the minister and a Maruti Zen (NL-01/2552) with three youths inside. The three shout back at the escort party.
At the minister’s residence, the police personnel SI Lipok Ao, constables Ato Yimchunger, Akaho Sema, Mayang Ao and Yeangphong Konyak and driver Onen Ao take leave of the minister saying that the next day is Sunday and their arms have to be deposited to the quarter-guard (in Khopanalla, near Dimapur). The accused then, instead of leaving for the quarter-guard as claimed, proceed towards Chumukedima in search of the Maruti Zen.
Some distance from the iron bridge near Patkai Christian College, the accused find the Maruti Zen parked alongside the road. The occupants are resting. The escort Gypsy then swerves to the Zen’s front, blocking any escape route. When the Zen tries to reverse, Constables Ato Yimchunger, Akaho Sumi and Mayang Ao open fire point-blank, spraying the vehicle and its three occupants with as many as 19 rounds of bullets. Atina Suokrie dies instantly from a bullet each in the head, right elbow and thighs. Michael receives a bullet each in the abdomen and right arm. Pangertemsu is shot in the right shoulder, critically. His shoulder is shattered.
The accused party then proceeds down to Diphupar police station. The guards report that occupants of a Maruti Zen had fired on the police escort. The escort party then retaliated with their weapons upon the youths, Diphupar police station is told. The party then reached 4th mile “but could not locate the Maruti Zen.” (The shooting took place near the iron bridge, Chumukedima.) Later, the police find the Maruti Zen near the site of the incident. The dead body of Adina is still inside the vehicle. The other two are not found. Blood, shattered glass and about 12 entrance bullet holes are found on the Zen.
Later it is established that the seriously injured Michael had manage to drive to a nearby students’ hostel, Valley View Hostel, within Patkai Christian College area, for help. Still in the car are Atina’s dead body and Pangertemsu. Michael and Pangertemsu are bleeding heavily. This takes place around 6pm. No body is there in the hostel.
By the time the warden of the hostel arrives, the Maruti Zen has left. Later it is established by the surviving victim’s account that after leaving the hostel, Michael had stopped the car near the bridge, since he could not drive any further. Shortly, a person picks up the two and is admitted into medical care. Owing to the severe conditions of the critically injured, Atina’s body is left behind in the car. Later, Michael would die from his bullet wounds while undergoing treatment in Delhi while Pangertemsu’s right arm would be amputated from the shoulder.
• Forensic investigations (ballistics from Guwahati in this case) reveal that constables Ato Yimchunger and Akaho Sumi fired 8 rounds each from their AK-47s, while Constable Mayang Ao fired 3 rounds from his M-22 rifle.
• SI Lipok Ao, Constable Yeangphong Konyak and driver Onen Ao did not fire.
• In the documents, it is found that the only contention of the defense/accused is that they ‘acted in self-defense’ and that the escort was fired upon. No proof given.
• No firearm found on the victims; claim of the accused that the occupants fired at the escort is unsubstantiated. Documents say this claim is “unbelievable.”
• Accused persons actually admitted to shooting the three.
• ADC (J) Chophy claims ambiguously in the verdict that the “post mortem report” is one of the major irregularities. Does not specify what irregularities, the verdict shows.
• There is a doubt “which bullet” hit which of the three victims, the then ADC (J) observes.
• All accused acquitted.
• Seven years later, Guwahati High Court notices the verdict. Examines the case.
• Finds severe ‘infirmities’ in the judgment of ADC (J) K Chophy.
• Has remanded the case back to the court of Dimapur ADC (J) for examining the accused.
Border row stretches the limit Morung Express News Travelers face the brunt
Dimapur The tension gripping the Assam and Nagaland relationship following the killing of two persons at a disputed border area on July 5, took a turn for the worst, with reports of harassment to the people of Mon district. It was disclosed that since the incident, Assam students have completely blocked passage of any vehicle passing through Sivasagar district to Mon district. However after intense negotiations, the passengers have been allowed passage but at the cost of their luggage. Travelers said that they were allowed to pass but had to forfeit their entire luggage to the students who were maintaining strict patrol in the area.
The long-maintained relationship between these two district of Sivasagar and Mon is under serious test due to this new activity. All route to Mon, Tizit and Naginimora, which passes through Assam has therefore been almost cut off, and the Mon night super called off its trip tonight. These activities of the Assam students is said to be carried out in the name of economic blockade, according to sources from Assam.
The Konyak Union slammed the Assam public for the harassment meted on the passengers of Mon district saying that the people of the district were in no way responsible for whatever injustice that may have been done to them. The KU has also alleged the district administration and police for conniving with students in the harassment. The executives of the union revealed that the Officer in Charge (OC) of Sonari had assured the people of a safe travel but they were later subjected to the same treatment.
Meanwhile it has been learnt from reliable sources that the Assam security forces including the Army, have started setting up bunkers in the disputed area near Anaki village. It was also learnt that the Nagaland has also sent reinforcement of just one battalion to the area.
NSCN (IM) warns Manipur CM Nagaland post
DIMAPUR: Apprehending sinister game plan of Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh on putting a 'new colour' to Moreh, NSCN (IM), has warned him not to act precipitously.
The release issued by MIP, NSCN (IM) said that the commercial importance of Moreh should not be exploited at the cost of tribal values.
"Any step to upgrade the status of Moreh town-ship must be done respecting the tribal ethos", the release added.
The release also stated that to introduce anti-tribal culture in the garb of development will not be allowed and would also be termed as intrusion to dilute tribal cultural values.
The NSCN (IM), felt that in regard to the proposed steps to upgrade Moreh into Municipality status was not a positive development from the tribal point of views.
"Moreh should not be treated as an extension of any township in the valley. The tribal interest has to be honored and respected in the course of introducing any development-related projects. And that is to maintain the status of Moreh as the biggest commercial hub of the tribal with international importance", stated the release.
NSF demands security in border
In reaction to the recent ‘repulsive but tense development’ surfacing in the border area of Assam and Nagaland, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has demanded from the state government deployment of state security forces in the border. The NSF mentioned the IRB and the Nagaland armed Police for the purpose and has also urged the All Assam Students Union (AASU) to restrain itself from resorting to agitation. Rather dialogue should be pursued. According to NSF’s chief Imchatoba Imchen, the recent instance of killing and arson between the two neighbors “cannot be expected to happen between the indigenous peoples.” “The state(s) government should immediately deploy either IRB/ NAP in the sensitive border areas, so that the peace can be maintained and goodwill prevails among people of Assam and Nagaland” the Federation demanded.
While conveying deep condolence to the lives lost, the Federation reminded the state law-enforcing agencies to examine the cases and initiate necessary action so that peace is maintained in the border areas.
Condemning the recent upheaval president Imcha cautioned that while best efforts are on to maintain peace and tranquility amongst the communities within the Northeast people, (such) random instances of intrusion “towards” the two neighboring states will tantamount to the greater escalation of communal conflict. Civil citizens are urged to condemn such ‘act of barbarianism’ to maintain fraternity-pledge in trust and mutual respect.
The Federation is convinced that the recent incidents are being instigated by “our adversaries through the third parties infiltrated in the border areas” It is evident that the adversaries of the North East indigenous people are applying all means to keep its old-age family divided “We the north easterner need to know this sinister design of the third party by not defending the illegal immigrants in the border” Imcha reminded.
The Federation also urged the AASU to restrain itself from resorting to any agitations. Rather they apply resolving any disputes on the principle resolving through people-to-peoples dialogue as declared March 22, 2004 at Merapani after a public rally witnessed by North-East Students’ Organization’s chairman, Dr Samujjal Bahattachrya.
NSCN (I-M) leader releases book Nagarealm.com




Dimapur, JULY07 [NPN] : The president of the GPRN/NSCN (I-M), Isak Chishi Swu has released the on "Naga Homeland in Danger", the politics of constitution making in Myanmar at the council headquarters, Hebron during the first day session of joint council meeting of the GPRN. The book is produced by the ministry of information & publicity (MIP) of NSCN (I-M).

A press release issue by the MIP of NSCN (I-M) stated that the book was produced in the backdrop of the denial of human and political rights in Eastern Nagalim (Myanmar). It stated that the book gives a vivid account of the plight of the Nagas in Eastern Nagalim under Myanmar divided by the British imperialist from the western Nagalim in total violation of the Nagas' right to live as one political body. The manner of exploitation against the Nagas is nothing but unfair and inhuman as the boundary are made to ran through villages, fields and even homes, it pointed out.

The release further stressed that the political plight of the Nagas and gross injustice being done to the Nagas by the successive governments in Myanmar (Burma) can no longer be tolerated by the Nagas in general and the NSCN in particular. The book was brought out in this regard, it stated, to expose to the world on what the military junta is doing to further divide Naga homeland and to drive home the point that the world should no longer remain silent to the act of treacherous imposition by slicing away Nagas' land in the guise of creating a Naga state but which excludes most important townships and mineral rich areas.

The book also exposes the condition of the eastern Nagalim under coercive control of the Myanmar military junta who commits excessive human rights violations. It also stated that book points out the dirty politics or game plan of drafting a new constitution putting the Nagas at the receiving end. The book also describes about what exactly is the national convention and its implication on the Nagas. The book also exposes what Nagas in Myanmar vis-avis their political aspirations and the historical basis of Nagas' claim for the homeland in Myanmar and how the natural resources of the Nagas are being destroyed in the name of development.

Military offensive must stop for genuine political solution: KNU Nagarealm.com


Kohima, JULY06 [MNS] : If the Burmese military junta is serious about solving the political problems which besiege the nation, the Burmese Army "should stop attacking us", the Karen National Union said today.
KNU, the rebel outfit, which has been fighting the military dictatorship in Burma for over five decades, the longest period of insurgency, said it had been attacked nearly 2,000 times during a span of just one year. The KNU, citing a recent survey of deaths and clashes, said, it suffered nearly 2000 onslaughts during June 2006 to June 2007 and at least 450 Burma Army and 20 members of the Karen National Liberation Army, its armed wing, died. Another 20 were injured during the conflict.

Pado Man Sha, General Secretary of KNU, said in order to find a genuine political solution and to initiate a free and fair dialogue, all offensives must stop forthwith. "More over they [the junta] should release all political prisoners, and should not try to control political parties. Then we can start heading towards political reconciliation. But what is happening is just the opposite. They are doing whatever they want and launching sporadic attacks. So, we can see that the junta is not changing its ways" Man Sha said.

In the latest series of attacks, last night at about 10 p.m. the 907th battalion of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), which is frequently reported to have aided the Burma Army in its offensives, attacked a village, located under the control of the KNLA Brigade 6, which is based about 10 kilometres from Myawaddy, a Thai-Burmese border town. While the DKBA's attack was targeted at the KNLA Brigade 6, Man Sha said there were no members of the KNLA brigade 6 present there. Since February 2007 till date, the KNU faced at least 20 attacks, where at least 30 DKBA troops and three KNU soldiers died with three more KNU members wounded, Man Sha said. [Than Htike Oo]
AASU asks Govt for permanent solution By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, July 7 – The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) today urged the State Government to expedite the process of finding a permanent solution to the vexed boundary issue with the neighbouring Nagaland, and said that the life and property of the people must be accorded foolproof protection. A delegation of the AASU comprising its advisor Dr Samujjal Bharttacharya and general secretary Tapan Gogoi called on the Chief Secretary today and submitted a memorandum highlighting the inaction and indifference of successive State Governments that had been at the root of the anarchic situation prevailing in the border areas.

“It is precisely due to the apathy and inaction of the State Government that the situation at Geleki could deteriorate to the present alarming extent. The people residing in these border area are leading a life of utter fear due to depredations by Naga miscreants. It is high time the Government came up with concrete steps to resolve the border dispute once and for all,” the AASU leaders said.

Urging the authorities to set up a border police outpost at Sonapur in Geleki area, the AASU said that the violence-affected people must be compensated and rehabilitated immediately.

The AASU leaders said that the Chief Secretary assured the delegation of setting up a temporary border police outpost at Sonapur at the earliest, which would later be converted to a permanent post.

It may be recalled that raids by Naga miscreants left two persons and a large number of livestock dead besides destroying houses and property at Geleki on Thursday. Aggression by Naga miscreants has been a recurring phenomenon along several border areas for decades.
Priest beheaded in Manipur From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, July 7 – In a shocking incident, a priest was abducted and killed by beheading in a tribal village in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on July 5. The All Manipur Christian Organisation has strongly condemned the abduction and eventual beheading of Rev Pauzakhen Tawnbing.

In a statement issued by its publicity and information secretary Wanbe, the organisation said such heinous crime has shocked the conscience of God-fearing people as it means taking away the life which belongs to God alone.

A late report said that the beheaded body of Rev. Tawmbing, who hails from a Myanmar border village, was recovered early Wednesday morning at Tangnuam village, about five kms south-west of Churachandpur district headquarters.

Police authority posted at Churachandpur district has registered a case. However, they claimed that the reverend was not from Burma but from a Manipur border village.

When asked, police said they are conducting probe to asceratin the identity of the persons responsible for the killing. Local sources said Pauzakhen was a Reverend of the Upper Myanmar Evangelical Lutheran Church and the village Chief of Khenman, a border village of Myanmar. He arrived in Churachandpur town on June 3 and stayed with his married daughter in the hill station’s village called Gouchinhup Veng, New Lamka. But in the evening he was summoned by some youths and he went missing since then.

His dead body was recovered on the following day from a paddy field. None of the outfits operating in the district claimed the responsibility for the killing till the filing of this report.
British firm strikes gas in northeast India By IANS
Guwahati, July 8 (IANS) A British oil and gas exploration firm has struck natural gas in India's northeastern state of Assam, the second such success in the area in two months.
The London-based Premier Oil, a leading independent oil and gas company with producing interests in Britain, Indonesia, Pakistan, Africa and Southeast Asia, has found gas at a drilling block at Pechadhar near Silchar in southern Assam, about 320 km from the state's main city Guwahati. 'We experienced gas pressure while drilling at a depth of 3,998 metres. We are quite confident that this area has a huge reserve of natural gas,' a company official told IANS requesting not to be named. Premier Oil began work in Assam's Cachar district in January.
'We shall be carrying out several tests now before we begin extracting gas,' the official said. The Cachar block covers 2,570 square km, and lies adjacent to large gas discoveries in eastern Bangladesh. 'Our company has interpreted very large structures on satellite and seismic data, indicating significant gas and oil potential for this area,' the official said. The company would drill two more wells in the adjoining Hailakandi district soon. India's premier oil exploration firm, Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), had already struck gas in the area in May - known to be a high potential zone for oil and gas.
Assam has over 1.3 billion tonnes of proven crude oil and 156 billion cubic metres of natural gas reserves of which about an estimated 58 percent of hydrocarbon reserves are yet to be explored. Assam currently produces about five million cubic metres of natural gas annually.
Meanwhile, oil giants ONGC and Oil India Ltd have started importing technology to revive production of crude from aging oilfields in Assam.
'The prime objective of the project is to reverse the trend of declining oil production from the aging fields of Assam,' an ONGC official said. ONGC has earmarked a whopping Rs.40 billion for boosting production from drying wells.
'There are some 2,000 wells in Assam that have stopped producing oil for more than a decade. But experts are of the opinion that these aging wells have the potential to yield oil. Efforts are on to revive such non-functional sites,' Assam Industry Minister Pradyut Bordoloi told IANS.
Assam is home to the world's oldest operating oil refinery at Digboi, established in 1901. The state occupies an important position in the history of oil industry in India and accounts for nearly 50 percent of the country's on-shore crude oil production.
'Assam has the highest success ratio in the world with 70 percent of the exploration sites yielding oil and we are sure our new company would be able to exploit the situation to find new oil and gas reserves,' the minister said.
Ram kin at Sonia door A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, July 7: The bizarre case of P.C. Ram, who was given up for dead, continued with its strange twists and turns today.A day after a man claiming to be Ram spoke to his family, the abducted Food Corporation of India (FCI) official’s kin today moved Delhi for securing his freedom. They urged the Centre to release two Ulfa leaders from jail, as demanded by the outfit.
Ram’s son Pravin and a close family friend, Valakram, also sought an appointment with Congress president Sonia Gandhi to seek her help for ensuring the release of the FCI official. “Not only Soniaji, I will knock on every door, wherever there is any hope,” Pravin said over telephone from Ghaziabad this evening.
Sources close to the family said the Rams have appealed to the Union home ministry to accept Ulfa’s demand. After the body believed to be that of Ram was recovered on June 28, Ulfa had claimed that the FCI’s Northeast head was still alive but they would not release him unless two of their senior leaders — Mrinal Hazarika and Pallab Saikia — were freed.
Pravin disclosed that residents of Ram’s village Ittora in Maunath Bhanjan district of Uttar Pradesh are planning to organise a dharna in New Delhi if the Centre does not respond to pleas to ensure his safe release. Pravin said he and his mother were now certain that the voice over the telephone at 4.15pm yesterday was that of his father. He went on to add that they were “101 per cent sure”.
He said he might have made a mistake in identifying the body as it was in a semi-decomposed state and was highly mutilated. “The government has already failed once. Now it should grab the chance and not fail again. There have been instances of terrorists being freed to secure the release of VIP hostages. Why can’t the same be done for ensuring my father’s release?” he asked. An Assam police team today collected blood samples of Pravin and Ram’s elder brother Ramjanam Ram for conducting a DNA test to ascertain whether the body recovered was that of Ram’s. The police team will leave for Hyderabad to carry out the test.
Regarding the demand for the release of two Ulfa leaders, Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Dispur “will take into consideration the possible impact of any such decision on the law and order situation, both in present and future contexts.”
Ulfa had stated that the body recovered from Baksa district on June 28 was not that of Ram but of an army informer. Unconfirmed sources said the body was that of one Chouhan, a laboratory technician at the army’s 151 Base Hospital at Basistha. The base hospital, however, denied this.


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