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07/15/2007: "DISCRIMINATION! Delhi police profiles northeast students Akangjungla Longchar The Morung Express"

12 July 2007 Thursday
DISCRIMINATION! Delhi police profiles northeast students Akangjungla Longchar The Morung Express
Dimapur Student Community of the Northeast region in Delhi are in a state of disbelief and anger over remarks made in a booklet issued by West Delhi Police: ‘Their (North East) women don’t cover up enough, they mix with no one and their food smells so awful that it is a threat to public order’. What the Delhi Police label as “Words to Seven Sisters (the seven northeastern states)”, written by the deputy commissioner (West Delhi), Robin Hibu, an IPS officer who is himself from the Northeast, has only made Northeast different from India.
The booklet talks about ‘scantily dressed women’, immorality of northeastern women, smelly traditional dishes and the booklet claims that it comes as a means of civilizing the people from the northeastern region. No wonder, this particular booklet has left many concerned people from the north eastern region struck with surprise and disbelief.
Naga Students Federation’s president, Imchatoba disagrees as he believes that Northeastern people are more civilized than any other Indian States and it cannot be comprehended as to why such step motherly treatment is meted towards Northeasters.
MP Wangyuh Konyak opines that when India is a ‘land of diversity’ than why such discrimination for the Northeast people. “We should not interfere in other’s culture and others should also leave us alone”, the MP staunched in his say.
Grace Guite, president of the Paite Students’ Organisation in Delhi, said the booklet implied that women from the region had “loose morals”. She added that while food habits should be a personal affair, the reference to “ruckus in the neighbourhood” only showed how unsafe the capital was for anyone.
NESO Chairman, Samujjal Bhattacharyya said the separate code would only alienate the student community from the region. “It is not a healthy move. Why isn’t there a separate booklet for other states or region of the country? The manner in which the issue has been tackled will only see the feeling of alienation grow. Food and dress are personal choices and there should not be any imposition,” he said.
Abu, a Research Student says that the key person is trying to be a moral policeman. “I am totally disturbed and frustrated by this booklet because it is projecting Northeastern women very cheap” Abu said while expressing her disagreement with the booklet
Convenor of NPMHR, Delhi Unit Chon says, “It is a very serious issue. They have failed to understand our culture and from the type of culture we hail we are very tolerant people. But the question here is how about us tolerating them. The Police officer should be acting as a defender instead of issuing this very, very biased guideline”. Joyson a Freelancer in Delhi also agrees to this and say that it is not something objective or constructive; it only implies the negative points that students from Northeast are always having fun and indulge in immoral activities which are not always true.
However, Mughato, Convener, Northeast Students’ Coordination Committee has a totally different stand. According to him there is nothing to object in the booklet. Also, National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) secretary in charge of the Northeast, Bengal and Jharkhand, S. Gogoi, says “It is a welcome step. It is an eye opener to those planning to study and visit Delhi. It is for our security. Nothing much must be read into it.”
Ironically, the title of the booklet reads ‘Security Tips for Northeast Students/Visitors in Delhi’, it has drawn a line between the people of the northeastern and mainland Indians, in a discriminatory way by non other than the Delhi police.
This police’s code of ‘security’ tells the 45,000-odd Northeasterners living in and around the capital how to dress and what not to eat. The booklet on dressing states “Dress code: When in Rome do as Roman does, Revealing dress be avoided. Avoid lonely road/bylane when dressed scantily. Dress according to sensitivity of the local populace,”
As for food habits, “bamboo shoot, Akhuni and other smelly dishes should be prepared without creating ruckus in neighbourhood”. Bamboo shoots feature in the cuisines of most of the northeastern states while the akhuni, made from fermented soya bean, is a Naga staple.However, this is not the first time that such discrimination has been meted out to the northeastern people, though such open discrimination by a law enforcing agency in the capital might be the first. Term it as an attack on democracy or individual rights or discrimination, but it surely calls for collective response and a strong public debate to bring about a concrete answer.
Morung Express News
Non-cooperation tears down unity committee The Morung Express
Dimapur, July 11 (MExN): Faced with some Naga tribes’ “inability” to recommend and submit the requisite names, the Naga Hoho has decided not to constitute the proposed committee on unity and reconciliation. The decision was taken at the extraordinary Federal Assembly of the Naga Hoho held July 11, Kohima.
The proposed committee was decided against “in view of the inability on the part of some Naga tribes to recommend and submit the names of their representative for the constitution of the proposed Unity and Reconciliation Committee within the stipulated time-frame of June 10, 2007.”
A minutes of the assembly expressed appreciation for the initiatives taken by the Nagaland GBs Federation and Nagaland DBs Association to stop the various forms of violence among the Naga “national” groups. The Naga Hoho acknowledged the positive responses of both the NSCN (K) and the NSCN (IM). It, however, was decided not to constitute the proposed Unity and Reconciliation Committee of the Naga Hoho “notwithstanding the failure to procure the requisite names from the concerned Naga tribes, to avoid any kind of over-lapping in this common area of concern which may jeopardize the GBs and DBs noble pursuit towards reconciliation as a common Naga peoples endeavor.” However, the house in the same spirit expressed its whole-hearted support ‘while side by side appealing to all Naga people to extend their co-operation to the Naga GBs and DBs wherever and whenever required.’
Further, expounding on the submission and observations made by the Sumi Hoho on the present Assam-Nagaland tension, the house re-iterated its commitment made with the civil society of both Assam and Nagaland earlier in June 2007, that all disputes will be resolved on traditional boundaries of the people of Assam and the Nagas “based on mutual respect and trust.” The Naga Hoho urged both the governments of Assam and Nagaland to handle the situation with utmost care and not to aggravate the situation by any kind of provocative measures. Such are most often created by law-enforcing agencies without taking peoples’ sentiment into consideration, the Hoho observed.

“The present initiatives of both the civil society and students organization of the two states must be supported and appreciated by all concerned citizens and Government agencies” it added.
The assembly concluded with sharing of experiences from the 2006 Bougainville civil society delegates and made a pointing reference to the on-going political negotiations between the Naga “national” leaders and the Government of India “which is somehow falling short of people’s expectations.” The assembly also urged both the sides to expedite the processes in its correct perspectives which must be honorable and acceptable by all concerned. The Hoho also implored upon the people “for whom the political negotiations are held,” to be more accountable in their various responsibilities, so as to have more sense of ownership in the making of their political history.
Economic Blockade fosters Naga solidarity The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JULY 11 (MExN): Expressing solidarity with fellow Nagas of Mon district the Ao Senden out rightly rejected the lifting of the “so called economic blockade” imposed on Mokokchung while the same economic blockade against Mon remained. In its executive meeting held today, the apex body of the Ao Naga tribe condemned the malicious actions committed against the Nagas “time and again” by the settlers of Assam and terming it as provocative and enticing enmity between the two states. As such as a safeguard against its birthright, the union has given a clarion call to every Ao Naga to be ready to face any eventuality.
Likewise, a Joint Forum of Konyak Students’ Union (KSU), Ao Kaketser Mongdang (AKM) and Phom Students’ Conference (PPC) submitted a letter to the Editor of Assam Tribune stating that the “Temporary Suspension” of the blockade by the AASU does not hold any ground when the AJPYP, Assam Gorkha Students’ Union, Assam Tea Tribe Students’ Association and Assam Adivashi Students’ Association were continuing blockade “and provoking unwanted activities”. The letter added that after five days of suffering, time was past understanding and patience and they cautioned that if the four groups did not lift the blockade, they might be compelled to take up some reprisal measures against them.
Furthermore infuriated over Assam’s habit of flexing of its economic muscles the Joint Forum have decided to explore the scope of an inter-district market system.

The students of the three worst hit districts of Mon, Mokokchung and Longleng have convened a meeting at Tamlu Town tomorrow to jointly discuss further course of action. An inter-district market is one of the agendas anticipated to be discussed in the meeting. Though acknowledging the fact that they may be in for an enormous task, president of AKM, Aodangnok said that an inter-district market may be the best solution to resolve the border issue. He added that they were taking the economic blockade as a “blessing in disguise” where a permanent solution can be arrived at. “We have survived on yam and tapioca (Naga produce) and we can do it again” re-enforced Manpong, President of KSU.
Meanwhile the Konyak Union has blamed the Konyak legislators for the lack of initiative on their part to alleviate the situation and slammed them for having no sense of accountability.
Kuki rights body demands judicial enquiry The Morung Express
Dimapur, July 10 (MExN): The Kuki Movement for Human Rights demanded a judicial into a number of alleged killing and attempted murder on kuki IRB personnel by IRB jawan on different occasions in the month of June.
A memorandum addressed to the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission by Dr T Lunkim, Chairman of Kuki Movement for Human Rights demanded the judicial inquiry into the death of L Jamkholen Haokip Kuki, an IRB personnel allegedly shot death by his own IRB personnel on June 11, alleged life attempt on Mangjang Kipgen Kuki, IV IRB Assistant Commandant, by his own VI IRB personnel on June 29 by seriously injured him and also the alleged life attempt on Laksmi Prasad Chhetry, C.O. IV IRB on June 29.
The letter pointed out that the above incidents of killing and attempted killing took place at Moreh Hill Tribal Town, Chandel District, Manipur.
On this connection, the chairman of the Kuki Movement for Human Rights, Dr T Lunkim alleged that ever since O Ibobi Singh Meitei becomes the Chief Minister of Manipur, the Manipur valley based Meitei underground personnel and banned organizations have entered Manipur Hill Tribal lands, Chandel and Churachandpur Districts and are torturing the innocent tribal people, particularly the Kukis.
Dr Lunkim alleged that lanmines have murdered over 30 people and maimed many others, raped over 20 innocent women, illegally occupied the lands and making the unarmed people live like slaves.
Dr Lunkim said that the Kukis have lost confidence in the ruling ministries, as several Memoranda have been submitted to both State and the Central Governments, for which remedial steps have not yet been taken up.
Dr Lunkim also alleged some nexus between the Manipur Chief Minister and the underground organizations.
“O Ibobi, the Chief Minister, is suspected to using the valley based Meitei militants, because he lately declares his sinister design to take over tribal town Moreh, by saying that Moreh problem, created by him as Chief Minister, will be solved by upgrading Moreh Hill Town as Municipal Council against the Constitution of India Article No. 371,” said Dr Lunkim
On this regard,
Dr Lunkim requested the immediate action in order to remove communalism and bring about peace and harmony in Moreh Hill Town, hill districts in Manipur State under the provision of the hill tribal areas protection.
Love sours after clash - Growing mistrust pushes border market towards closure OUR BUREAU The Telegraph
Sivasagar/Guwahati, July 11: Centuries ago, Ahom prince Gadadhar Singha took refuge in a Nagaland village to escape persecution by the evil king Lora Roja. There, in the Naga hills, the prince fell in love with Dalimi, the daughter of the village headman. He later married her.
A series of skirmishes, verbal duels between the two governments and a recent bloody clash later, there is now no love lost between Assam and Nagaland. The mistrust runs so deep that it is pushing a 100-year-old market situated along the border to the brink of closure.
The Geleky-Athkhel Naga Bazar on the Assam side is a meeting place for villagers residing on both sides of the border. The weekly market had to wind up this Saturday since villagers from Nagaland did not turn up out of fear of a backlash.
“The recent border incident, when Naga thugs attacked three Assam villages and killed two persons, has taken its toll on the market, which is much more than a business hub. It is a symbol of our cordial relations with the Nagas,” said Bamon Ali, a resident of Geleki in Sivasagar district, a frequent visitor to the market.
The All Assam Students Union (AASU) clamped an economic blockade, stalling movement of trucks carrying foodstuff to the two Nagaland districts of Mon and Mokokchung. The students’ body withdrew the blockade yesterday, but some other organisations have decided to continue the embargo.
There was another ancient border market at Singibeel, also near Geleki, but it has already shut down, a victim of the growing mistrust between the Assamese and the Nagas.
“Naga villagers stopped coming to the Singibeel market about a year back, Now they will keep away from the Athkhel market as well. How will the market run then?” asked Ali.
The Geleky-Athkhel is the main market for the people of Anaki C, Yenchen, Kenchang and Anaki villages in Mokokchung district bordering Sivasagar in Assam. People from these Naga villages congregate at his market every Saturday not only to buy essential items but also to mingle with people from Assam.
In the early days, villagers from Nagaland brought venison and vegetables, which they exchanged for salt, rice and pulses.
“It is not that the Geleki-Athkhel is the only market where Naga villagers go shopping. The Tuli market inside Nagaland is almost the same distance as the Geleki-Athkhel but the Nagas come to the border market just out of habit. After all, they have been coming here for the past 100 years,” said Nyushitho, additional deputy commissioner of Nagaland’s Mokokchung district.
Lalit Bora, a former schoolteacher in Simaluguri near the Assam-Nagaland border, said he has seen since his childhood Naga villagers climbing down the hill to Athkhel market every week, carrying goods on their back. Naga villagers also visited Assam villages to sell or exchange their products. “Neither did they feel insecure nor were we afraid,” Bora added.
A sub-divisional officer at Sonari said Geleky-Athkhel is a very popular market since mostly locally grown and pesticide-free products were available. “But the market will lose its sheen if the Naga villagers stop coming. Maybe it will close down one day.”
Naga Hoho lauds GBs, DBs Nagaland Post
Dimapur, July 11 (NPN): An “extra-ordinary Federal Assembly” of the Naga Hoho, held in Kohima on July 11, appreciated the initiatives taken by Nagaland GBs Association and Nagaland DBs Federation to stop various forms of violence among the Naga underground groups and further acknowledged the positive responses made by both NSCN (K) and NSCN (I-M).
A press release issued by Naga Hoho Federal Assembly secretary, Kenyuseng Tep, said the House decided not to constitute the proposed “Unity and Reconciliation Committee” as of now in order to avoid “any over-lapping in this common area of concern which may jeopardize the GBs and DBs noble pursuit towards reconciliation as a common Naga peoples endeavor”.
Expressing its wholehearted support to the initiative, the House appealed to the Nagas in general to extend their co-operation to the GBs and the DBs.
Further, expounding on the submission and observations made by Sumi Hoho on the prevailing flare-ups and tensions along Assam-Nagaland border, the House reiterated its commitment made to various civil society organizations of both Assam and Nagaland that all disputes would be resolved on traditional boundaries of the people of Assam and Nagaland ”based on mutual respect and trust”.
The Naga Hoho urged the Assam and Nagaland governments to handle the situation with utmost care and not to further aggravate the situation by any kind of provocative measures, often created by law-enforcing agencies without taking into consideration the sentiment of the people.
The Hoho emphasized that the citizens as well as government agencies of the two States support and appreciate the present initiatives of the civil society and students’ organizations of the two neighbouring States.
The Federal Assembly pointed out that the ongoing political negotiations between the “Naga national leaders and the Government of India were falling short of people’s expectations”.
It urged both the parties to expedite the process in its correct perspectives – which must be honorable and acceptable by all concerned. Further, the House called upon the people, for whom it said the political negotiations were held, to be more accountable in their various responsibilities in order to have more sense of ownership in the making of their political history.
The Naga Hoho convened the extra-ordinary Federal Assembly in view of the inability of some Naga tribes to recommend and submit the names of their representative for constitution of the proposed “Unity and Reconciliation Committee” within the stipulated time-frame of June 10, 2007.

Patil apprised of tension along Assam-Nagaland border Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, July 11 – Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil was yesterday apprised of the escalating tension along the Assam- Nagaland border and the resulting economic blockade after an attack by Naga encroachers in Assam’s Sibsagar district.

Union Labour Minister and AICC general secretary Oscar Fernandes, who visited Nagaland in connection with the ensuing presidential elections, apprised Patil and sought his intervention to quell the tension and restore normalcy. CLP leader I Imkong said Fernandes also spoke to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his Assam counterpart Tarun Gogoi over phone on the prevailing situation in border areas, particularly Mokokchung and Mon districts in Nagaland and Jorhat and Sibsagar districts in Assam.

Gogoi assured Fernandes to de-escalate the prevailing tension and restore normalcy in the Assam-Nagaland border, Imkong said.

The Nagaland PCC appealed to the State Government to initiate steps to make available essentials in affected districts and to villagers living on both sides of the inter-State border to desist from any provocative act.

While Assam Police maintained armed Naga encroachers killed three persons and torched several houses in three border villages under Geleki police station in Sibsagar in a pre-dawn attack, authorities in Mokokchung claimed unknown persons ransacked houses in the jurisdiction of Anaki-C village under Tuli police station. Both the States claim the area in question has been a disputed tract on the inter-State border. – PTI
Three people arrested with explosives in Guwahati Times of India
GUWAHATI: Three persons, including a human rights activist, were arrested and a huge cache of arms and explosives allegedly for supply to the banned ULFA was seized, a senior police official said on Thursday.

DIG (Central Western Range), G P Singh said here that police had received information that the trio had received the consignment at Mankachar in Dhubri along the Indo-Bangla border and were going to Mangaldoi with it.

The vehicle was intercepted between Rangiya and Baihata Chariali in Kamrup district. The rights activist and general secretary of the Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti (MASS) Darrang district unit Shyam Sharma, a contractor Dipul Deka and the driver of the vehicle Maju Ali were arrested by the police last evening, he said.

The consignment contained 18 sticks of RDX explosives weighing five KGs, and eight Programmable Time Devices, eight grenades and two mobile phones.

Singh said that the arrest of the MASS activist and the seizure of the arms and explosives proves the "deep rooted links between the ULFA and the MASS".

The explosives recovered were similar to those used in the various bomb explosions that rocked Guwahati and different parts of the state during the last few months, he said.
The consignment was expected to be handed over to the commander of ULFA's 27 Battalion, active in Lower Assam, somewhere in Mangaldoi, Singh added.
From Arunachal, the ‘illegal lot’ descends to Asom How long will Asom tolerate such exodus? Our Bureau The Sentinel
NORTH LAKHIMPUR/ GUWAHATI, July 11: Around 10,000 people of suspected nationality have entered Asom since yesterday from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh after the Nichi Students’ Union and the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union issued quit notices to all staying in the State without inner-line permits. Both the unions, the influential students’ bodies of Arunachal Pradesh, served the quit notice on July 5 and set July 15 as the deadline.
“Around 6,000 people entered Asom until yesterday through Bandardewa Gate apprehending possible attacks,” a senior police official said from Lakhimpur, adding that most of the people were of ‘suspected nationality’.
“Crossing the gate, they scattered out to different areas in Lakhimpur like Naoboicha, Bongalmara, Laluk, Arunabari etc and to other districts like Barpeta, Dhubri and Tezpur. All these people had been working in Arunachal Pradesh as vendors, labourers, drivers etc” he said. Following the incident, the Lakhimpur unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called an indefinite road blockade at Bandardewa from 6 am today and did not allow anyone to enter Asom. The AASU activists also extended support to the blockade.
On the other hand, around 4,000 panic-stricken people came down to Asom today through the Bandardewa Gate — the entrance to capital Itanagar — and they were prevented by the BJP workers from entering Asom. “The district administration picked up around 50 BJP workers for staging the protest,” said Asom BJYM secretary Chandan Sarma.
Local people alleged that the Lakhimpur district administration has helped the people fleeing Arunachal Pradesh by letting them enter Asom without checking their identity.
Meanwhile, an eyewitness said that the intrusion to Asom started on July 5 and the figure would be around 50,000. On the other hand, following the road blockade, areas like Sijusha, Itanagar, Naharlagun etc are facing crisis of essential commodities.
The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has asked the State Government to take the matter seriously. “We don’t want any harassment on indigenous people living in the North-east,” said AASU advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya, adding: “If the Bangladeshis have entered Asom, then the State Government should take action.”
The BJP has blamed the State Government for the entire issue and said that the stand of the Government on illegal immigrants was creating a dangerous situation.
In a statement issued here today, BJP president Ramen Deka said: “The Government must come up with the latest figures about the entry of illegal immigrants to Asom. It should also clear its stand about the steps it would take to deport those people from Asom.” The district unit of the BJP has called a 12-hour Lakhimpur bandh tomorrow.
On the other hand, when contacted, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) general secretary Manoj Baruah refused to comment anything on the matter.
Back to blockade on another border OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Dibrugarh, July 11: Arunachal Pradesh is paying the price for rubbing a geographically better-positioned neighbour the wrong way, just like Nagaland did throughout last week.
Residents of Sadiya subdivision of Tinsukia today began an indefinite blockade of the road leading to Lower Dibang and Upper Dibang districts of Arunachal Pradesh in retaliation for the attack on people from their area yesterday. A group of villagers from Sadiya had entered the valley to “rescue” a boy from the clutches of alleged criminals, only to be fired upon. Ten people were wounded in the firing by police and some local residents.
“We want the culprits to be arrested immediately and also disciplinary action against the government officials who were involved in the incident. The blockade will continue until and unless we get a positive response,” said Jatin Baruah, adviser to the Sadiya unit of the All Assam Students’ Union. Protesters converged on the inter-state border checkpoint in Santipur this morning and squatted there with banners and placards. A Central Reserve Police Force unit and police personnel kept watch on either side of the border.
Baruah said the Assam government had always been soft towards Arunachal Pradesh, despite repeated “atrocities” on residents of this side of the border by “miscreants” from that state. “Enough is enough. How long do we have to bear with these thugs?”
The Asom Jatiyatibadi Yuba Chatra Parishad and the All Assam Tai-Ahom Students’ Union are backing the blockade.
Nagaland has faced a similar blockade in Sivasagar and Jorhat, contiguous to Mon and Mokokchung districts, after people eyeing land along a stretch of the border attacked three villages. The intruders killed two persons and set cattle and houses ablaze.
The blockade ended yesterday with a warning from the AASU leadership that Nagaland should ensure that such incidents do not recur. The deputy commissioner of Lower Dibang Valley, P. Hosai, said the firing that triggered the second economic blockade in the region in as many weeks was not totally unprovoked. “Arunachal Pradesh police opened fire because there was heavy stone-pelting by people from Assam.”
Initial reports from Arunachal Pradesh had suggested that only local residents were responsible for the firing. “Some antisocials from Assam snatched the service revolver from my personal security officer. They even attacked SP Issac Pertin and he had was injured. We demand that Assam police arrest the culprits and hand them over to us,” the DC said.
Sadiya subdivisional officer (civil) Arup Arandhara said Assam had sent word to Arunachal Pradesh that “we want to see the miscreants (from that state) punished”.
Kohima disowns intruders OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, July 11: The situation along the inter-state border remained tense today with Nagaland dismissing Assam’s claim that the people involved in the July 5 incident at Geleki were Nagas.
While admitting that Assam police have submitted a list of 10 people who were allegedly involved in the Geleki incident, the Nagaland government today claimed that there were no such residents at Anaki C village. The names of the 10 persons submitted by Assam police are Marlemba, Tiatemsu, Omen, Lipen, Hamyang, Yimlong, Lima, Sutsung, Imtisangba and Meyikumzuk. The subdivisional police officer of Mokokchung, Sania Verma, visited Anaki C village yesterday to verify the names but found the claim “bogus”. “No persons by those names ever lived in Anaki C village,” the administration said.
Verma is camping in the village to oversee the situation in the wake of the threat issued by the Assam government to cross the border into Nagaland to search for the killers.
Though the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) withdrew the economic blockade yesterday on “humanitarian grounds”, the Assam Jatiy-awadi Yuva Chatra Parishad decided to continue the blockade. In fact, supported by the All Tea Tribes Union, Adivasi Students’ Union and Gorkhas Students’ Union, the AJYCP today extended the blockade to Jorhat district and hinted that it would be extended to Golaghat district.
The six-day blockade has resulted in the shortage of essential commodities in six districts of Nagaland — Mokokchung, Mon, Tuensang, Zunheboto, Longleng and Kiphire.
The Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industries yesterday said it was making alternative arrangements to combat the crisis.
Hundreds of Phom and Konyak tribals are said to have gathered at Yonglok Phom village near Anaki C village, ready to raid the border towns and villages in Assam if the economic blockade was not withdrawn immediately.
Union minister for labour and AICC general secretary in-charge of the Northeast, Oscar Fernandez, expressed his concern about the deteriorating situation along the Assam-Nagaland border. Hehas already requested Union home minister Shivraj Patil to intervene. He has also spoken to Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and state home minister Thenucho.