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08/15/2007: "NSCN-IM hints at truce rift The Telegraph"

NSCN-IM hints at truce rift The Telegraph

Tsiemekhuma (Kohima), Aug. 14: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) has hinted at abrogating the ceasefire if the Centre fails to reciprocate its overtures for peace. V.S. Atem, emissary to the collective leadership of NSCN (I-M), said the current ceasefire may end anytime if the Centre fails to accept the outfit’s offer to chalk out an acceptable solution to the Naga political problem.

He said the ceasefire, which has been extended indefinitely since July 31, indicates that all in not well with the Naga peace process. “We are trying to find a meeting point, but Nagas can’t compromise anymore,” Atem said this afternoon, while addressing around 10,000 people at Tsiemekhuma, 45 km from Kohima on the occasion of “Naga Independence Day”. Atem said Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah have categorically told representatives from the Centre that if they continue to insist that the outfit accept their terms, there would be no solution to the problem. He said there is no point in extending the truce. “If there is no progress in the talks, Nagas have every right to walk out,” he added. He quoted the Centre’s officials as saying that the demand for “sovereignty” was the main obstacle in a resolution to the Naga problem. But Atem said a clear picture would emerge only in the next round of talks, which will be held in the first week of September, where they would ask the Centre to spell out a specific solution to the Naga problem. “We will ask what steps the centre can take to resolve the problem,” he said. The aspirations of the Naga people have been placed before New Delhi and now it is up to them to decide, Atem added, accusing the Centre of “misusing” the truce to undermine the Naga political issue. He alleged that the Centre is yet to create a conducive atmosphere for the Naga peace process. Chief guest at the function, A.K. Lungalang, speaker of the parliament of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim, read out the message of the outfit’s chairman Isak C. Swu. (Source: the telegraph)

GPRN celebrates Naga I-Day Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 14: The Government of the People's Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) celebrated the 61st Naga Independence Day today.

According to a statement issued by the ministry of information and publicity, GPRN, though the main function was held at CHQ, Hebron, the Day was also observed in all the regions and brigades/battalions spread across Nagalim.The Angami Region-Rengma Region combine with VP Battalion of Naga Army celebrated at Tsiemi-khuma (VP Battalion Hqs) near Kohima with AK Lungalang, Tatar Hoho Speaker as chief guest and Lt Gen (Retd) VS Atem, emissary to the Collective Leadership, GPRN as guest of honour.

Almost all the Angami-Rengma civil societies turn up in large numbers to participate in the celebration.

In Tamenglong district, the Zeliangrong Region and NP Battalion, Naga Army at Bunning (NP Bn Hqs) celebrated the 61st Naga Independence day with Zeliangrong Region CAO Longchaibi Golmei hoisting the Nagalim flag.

In the celebration held at CHQ Hebron, representatives of Naga Hogo, UNC, Naga Council, DMC, GB Federation and DNSU were present.

To make the event more lively from the cultural point of view were cultural troupes of Sangtam, Dimasa, Chikiye village folk song, Gorkha dance and National workers' elders' wives.

The ministry of information and publicity, GPRN has expressed its happiness to all the participants in making the celebration a grand success.
NISC on Naga Independence- Nagaland Post
The already 60 years old Naga Declaration for independence is very much alive today.
As the celebrations of the Naga Peoples are gaining momentum and the people throughout the Naga Hills joyously feast their independence from Great Britain, they know very well they are not free. Though the United Nations acknowledged the reception of the declaration of independence on August 14 1947, it did not act upon it. Consequently India abusively interpreted this as that it could annex Nagaland. After some preliminary negotiated steps, leading to the rejected 9 point agreement and to the turnaround of the first Prime Minister of India, in 1954 Jawaharlal Nehru decided to invade Naga Hills he had declared 'no-man's land' before. Because the Naga Peoples did not submit to the Indian Armed Forces but instead defended themselves against this aggression, the war had begun.
The International Community headed by the United Nations did not intervene but concluded that this war was a domestic conflict. Till today the United Nations has remained tacit as it did not elaborate officially on granting or denying the Nagas and other peoples of the Northeast of India the full independence they deserve.
Yet in its Covenant, article 1. It states and India as a member of the United Nations ratified it:
All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. United Nations
From the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly of the United Nations resolution 2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966 entry into force 3 January 1976, in accordance with article 27.
The Naga International Support Center stresses that this incongruence in thinking and acting has led to much oppression and resulted in anguish, torture, rape and outright murder and concludes that this sore on the flesh of mankind should be addressed properly.
Consequently: The Naga International Support Center calls on the International Community, the International Press and Media and all Human Rights Organizations:
To on the basis of its own Covenant urge the United Nations to look into the Indo-Naga conflict seriously and to repair what has been left undone for some 60 years now. Let the Nagas indeed determine their own future and make sure that those who have occupied their land for so long will leave in peace. Then real celebrations can begin and we will all be able rejoice with the Nagas of Nagalim.
NISC, Amsterdam.
Peaceful celebration of I-Day in Nagaland The Hindu
Kohima, Aug. 15 (PTI): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio appealed to the people to follow the path of reconciliation in true spirit of forgive and forget and join the process of transformation that was taking place in the state.
Hoisting the tricolour at the civil secretariat ground here, Rio said Nagaland has been part of the country's achievement in different fields since Independence and was today poised for a period of all round development and growth.
Paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for attaining independence, he said the Nagas also stood up against the might of the British colonial power and laid down their lives in defence of the country.
Highlighting the achievements made by the state in various fields, particularly during the tenure of the present alliance government, Rio expressed satisfaction that more and more Naga youths were coming forward to avail opportunities for self employment in different areas of economic activities.
He also highlighted certain schemes and projects being undertaken by the government during the current year, but expressed dismay over the continuing factional rivalry among the underground groups.
Welcoming the recent indefinite extension of ceasefire between the Centre and NSCN(I-M), the chief minister appealed to the armed groups to stop fighting and join hands for finding a lasting solution to the vexed Naga political conflict through peaceful means.
NSCN (IM) Kuki Affairs observe Naga I-Day Morung Express
Dimapur, August 14 (MExN): The NSCN (IM), Kuki Affairs today celebrated the ‘61st Independence Day of the Nagas’ at Phanjang village under Peren district with Deputy Kilonser, Hukavi and Tatar, Haolim Kuki as the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively. A pres release received here from the GPRN/NSCN (IM), Kuki Affairs said that the Deputy Kilonser, Hukavi Yeptho, while delivering the presidential speech and Tartar Haolim Kuki, exhorted the gathering about various topics concerning the Naga national movement and the political scenario and briefed about the support and cooperation that the NSCN (IM) have garnered from around the world in the struggle for ‘Naga nation’.
“Besides, he also focused upon the past history of the Kukis in the struggle for Naga nation starting from formation of the Naga club till to these days,” said the release, and added that ‘he’ urged upon the gathering to have and cultivate a cordial and good relationship with their fellow neighbors so as to bring unity and peaceful co-existence ‘which is the main essence in the fight for a nation’.
The release disclosed that besides the two guests of the day, several VIPs and staffs of the GPRN/NSCN (IM) and also several GBs and leaders of Athibung area attended the function. The function ended with a grand feast, the release added.
‘Urra Uvie’ resounds on Naga I-Day Morung Express
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 14 (MExN): The term “Urra Uvie”, coined by none other but legendary leader AZ Phizo reverberated across the field where celebrations of the 61st “Naga Independence Day” was held at Camp Hebron today. “Our land belongs to us,” NSCN (I-M) General Secretary Th Muivah quoted in English Phizo’s words that have gone down in Naga history. “Brothers and sisters do not forget the history of our nation.”
Muivah owed “our history” to the Naga National Council and thanked ‘uncles’ Phizo, Imkongmeren and T Sakhrie for “not making mistakes when the world was turning. We owe our existence to their wisdom. We respect them.”
The ‘Ato Kilonser’ of the NSCN (I-M) also echoed T Sakhrie’s words: “If I would be given to make a choice from the creator, I will choose Nagaland again and again.” He said Nagas are “proud people” because they can defend their land. “No one should be allowed to encroach upon our land. We will not allow the world to confuse us.”

NSCN (IM) ‘national workers elders wives’ sing a folk song during the ‘61st Naga Independence Day’ celebration at Council Headquarters, Herbon in Dimapur on August 14. (MExPix) Paying homage to all Nagas who have fallen in their struggle, he encouraged widows and orphans by telling them that their husbands and parents had sacrificed their lives “for our today and tomorrow.”On the present peace process, Muivah sounded his assurance that “we will not negotiate with anyone at the expense of our national rights.” He asked the Nagas not to falter in their fight to determine their own fate and future. Apologizing for mistakes committed by their cadres, Kilo Kilonser (Home Minister) of the organization, Azheto Chophy, urged youngsters to take the blessings of the Church and elders from their villages before joining them.
On behalf of the Naga Hoho, Speaker H K Zhimomi read out a solidarity message. “As a matter of fact, Naga Hoho is firmly committed to facilitate towards bringing honorable and acceptable solution to the vexed Indo-Naga political problem once and for all. Furthermore, we urge upon both the entities to be truthful in the political dialogue in the spirit of two nations, two people.”
However, the Naga Hoho also sounded a clear message that “Naga people are not happy at all to witness the celebration of ‘Naga Independence Day’ in different places under the aegis of various groups/organizations under the banner of Nagas struggle freedom. We are also surprised to see interdefection with the famous phrase – ‘mainstream’ which has become every day affairs. Enough is enough to witness the fratricidal killings in different nooks and corners of Naga areas.
“The time has come for us to overcome petty differences and reciprocate one another with the feeling of one people, one struggle.”
NSCN-IM mounts pressure on GOI as next talks approach Morung Express News Tsiemekhuma
With the next of round peace talk scheduled for first week of September, the NSCN-IM appears to be stepping up pressure on Government of India as the organisation today categorically reiterated that it will not hesitate to pull out of the truce if the decade-long dialogue fails to make any headway, and the Government of India fails to check the ‘ground situation’.
“Anytime ceasefire will break, we should not be excited over its indefinite extension. It can be broken anytime”, said VS Atem, Special Emissary to the collective leadership, while interacting with a large gathering at Tsiemekhuma village during the celebration of the 61st “Naga Independence Day” today, adding that the indefinite extension is subject to the progress of the talks.
Atem also accused India of being dichotomous in their approach to the Naga issue even after a decade of dialogue, as its various agencies ‘do different things while the government speaks another thing.’ Another round of talks will be held in the first week of September and the NSCN-IM is going to exert pressure on the Government of India to spell out the concrete step that India is going to take in the next rounds of talks in order to bring solution to the Naga political problem.
NSCN-IM will accept Indian currency, however, it will not compromise on national flag and constitution, Atem said. “Earlier currency is a symbol of sovereignty, but with globalization it is not so these days, therefore, we will accept Indian currency”, Atem asserted.
NSCN-IM also said that it had clearly made known to the GOI what the Nagas want and the uniqueness of the Naga struggle during the ongoing ceasefire period.
It said that the organisation will not fall back on its demands as put forth before the Government of India. If they do so, it will be same as the infamous Shillong Accord, Atem said.
He said that ground situation is always disturbed by Indian army and its intelligent wing. “If GOI fail to checked ground situation, ceasefire will break”, Atem warned.
NSCN-IM also alleged that Indian security forces are providing transportation, logistics support and food to its rival factions. This issue came up in the last meeting and the GOI representatives assured to check such kind of misuse of ceasefire in the days to come, Atem said. To reassess the ground situation the two sides will hold a review committee meeting in Delhi next week. The GOI side will be led by Home secretary while the NSCN-IM side will be led by the Special Emissary to the Collective Leadership. A decade of peace dialogue failed to bear any fruits because of the NSCN-IM demand for sovereignty and the Government of India insistence that the Nagas remain within the Indian Union.
Perhaps, the Indo-Naga conflict is one of the longest South Asian Conflict, and the ten years of unfruitful dialogue has earned the title of world longest political dialogue, which is still stuck in a deadlock. On reconciliation with the rival factions, the NSCN-IM leader reiterated that it will not reconcile if it is going to sell out the Nagas rights, and is to accept the Constitution of India.
“We will forgive and forget the past. But not at the cost of Nagas rights”, Atem added.
Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM today commemorated the 61st Naga Independence Day at Tsiemekhuma village of Kohima district. At a simple but impressive function, AK Lungalang, Speaker of the Tatar Hoho, who was the chief guest, read out the Presidential speech. Other highlights of the programme included cultural dances from Chiechama village, Tuophema village, Tseminyu Youth Organisation, PKR Youth Organisation and folk songs from Sendenyu village Women, Phenshiinyu village women and Viswema village.
A group from Kohima village and Tsiemekhuma village choir enthralled the crowd with their special numbers. Flag hoisting, parade pass by the cadres, and community feast were other highlights, besides the cultural items. Hundreds of people joined the commemeration programme inspite of the bad road conditions and inclement weather. The programme was organized by Angami-Rengma VP battalion combine.
Muivah pays tributes to Naga pioneersStaff Reporter
DIMAPUR, AUG 14 (NPN): NSCN (I-M) Ato Kilonser, Thuingaleng Muivah on Tuesday paid rich tributes to the pioneers of the Naga nationalism led by Dr. A.Z. Phizo, T. Sakhrie and Imkongmeren for having reasserted Naga rights by declaring Naga independence after refusing to join the Indian Union in 1947.
Speaking as chief guest on the occasion of the 61st Naga independence day on August 14 at Hebron, the NSCN (I-M) council headquarters, Muivah said it would be a pity had there been no such leadership among the Nagas.
Quoting Dr. A. Z. Phizo - ‘Ura Uvie’ (our land belongs to us), Muivah said, “what belongs to us is ours and what belongs to them is theirs.”
He also rephrased T. Sakhrie’s tatement, “If I would be given to make a choice, I will choose Nagalim and Nagalim again.” Muivah said that the pioneers had enlightened the Nagas through the national movement.
He also paid rich tributes to those who had laid down their lives for the national cause.
On the current talks with the Government of India, Muivah said that, “we will never negotiate at the expense of our rights” and added that the NSCN (I-M) would not betray the cause and rights of the Nagas.
He also asserted that Nagas were not in confusion and would not allow the world to confuse the Nagas as the way to salvation was clear for the Nagas.
He said Nagas were clear about salvation, homeland and their birthright.
Muivah said that God has given the Nagas salvation, homeland and even the right to determine their own fate and future. “God has not forsaken us,” He has given us the best, Muivah said. When God opens the door, there is none who can shut it, he affirmed.
Muivah said the right of the Nagas can never be taken away by anybody and the right of the Nagas was to determine their own destiny.
He also asked the gathering not to have any “doubts” of God’s purpose for the Nagas and also called upon the gathering not to forget the history of the Nagas who had passed through things beyond description.
The celebration was attended among others by members of the Naga Hoho, United Naga Council, DMC, Naga Council, GBs Federation, DNSU , invitees, villagers and the rank and file of the NSCN (I-M),
Earlier, Muivah unfurled the Naga National flag.
Kilo Kilonser, Ajeto Chophy who was the guest of honour in his brief speech appealed for support of the Naga people and also thanked and appreciated the leaders for their efforts.
Representatives from Naga Hoho and UNC also spoke on the occasion.
Other highlights of the programme included, a homage to martyrs, which was led by R. S. Alum, secretary Keya, songs and cultural presentations.
Bohoto Kiba, secretary Kilo Affairs proposed vote of thanks.
Moderators for the programme were Wungmarung Shimray, secretary education and David Mero, secretary FEM.
A feast was also organized to mark the occasion.
The MIP, NSCN (I-M) in a press release while thanking all concerned who had made the day successful, said that had Mahatma Gandhi not been assassinated “too early” the history of Nagalim would have been different, and Naga Independence Day celebration could have been celebrated in a different dignified sovereign status. It also said that the Day was celebrated in all regions of Nagalim with participations from civil societies.
‘Stop killing Hindi-speaking people’ The Morung Express
Guwahati, August 14 (PTI): The Centre today asked the Assam government take all possible measures to stop violence particularly against Hindi-speaking people, 29 of whom were killed by militants in the state over the last weekend.
This was conveyed by Union Minister of state for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal when he met Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and reviewed the law and order situation in the state. The Unified Command structure of army, paramilitary forces and the state government had held a review meeting here yesterday to take stock of the law and order situation.
Meanwhile, Assam was put on high alert for tomorrow's Independence Day celebration following the boycott call by North East militants and killing of Hindi-speaking people by ULFA in Karbi Anglong district. Director General of Police R N Mathur said precautionary steps for peaceful holding of Independence Day celebrations have been taken.
''Whatever steps need to be taken to prevent violence has been taken and all efforts are being made to ensure an incident-free Independence Day celebrtions'', he said. and instructed the state government to Patrolling has been intensified and security strengthened in areas around vital installations, including oil refineries, gas pipelines, railway tracks and other vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, security at the Judges Field, where the main Independence Day function will be held, has been enhanced with close-circuit television cameras (CCTC) scanning the parade ground in view of stepped up violence by the ultras.
Assam bandh total but peaceful Newmai News Network
Guwahati
The 12 hour dawn to dusk Assam bandh called by two Hindi-speaking organizations—Bhojpuri Yuva Chatra Parishad and Bihari Chatra parishad on Tuesday passed of peacefully without any incidents of violence. The two organizations called the bandh to protest against the killings of innocent Hindi-speaking people living in Karbi Anglong district by the KLNLF cadres. Later several organizations including 12 political parties have supported the bandh. The bandh remained total in almost all the districts of the state and there were no reports of any untoward incidents reported from anywhere of the state. The business establishments remained closed in almost all the places. In Guwahati and other towns of Lower Assam almost all the business establishments, schools, colleges and the financial institutions remained closed for the day and vehicular traffic were also seen remaining off the road during the bandh hours.

A security personnel walks past as Hindi speaking migrant laborers sit in front of a closed shop in Fancy Bazar, the main commercial place in Assam during a twelve hour general strike on the eve of India's Independence Day in Gauhati, India, Tuesday, August 14. Opposition parties and other organizations have called for a twelve hour state wide strike in protest against the killing of Hindi speaking migrants in the past week. (AP Photo)
In Karbi Anglong district, where the violence took place since August 8 last and killed more 29 Hindi-speaking people so far, too situation remained under control and the bandh was peaceful. In Upper Assam too the bandh remained total and vehicular traffic remained off the road for the whole of the day. There is no untoward incident reported from any place in Upper Assam, which also has a sizable number of Hindi-speaking population. The long route buses, to Upper Assam and Lower Assma districts remained off the road and the Adabari, the main terminus of Lower Assam bound buses wore a deserted look. However, the bandh did not hit the train and air schedules and almost all the outbound and inbound trains and flights maintained their regular timings.
12-hr shutdown in Guwahati over Hindu killings By ANI
Guwahati, Aug 14 (ANI): A twelve-hour shutdown has begun here to protest the killing of Hindi-speaking people in Assam's Karbi Anglong District by banned militant groups.
Twelve parties, including the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP-P), Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF), Communist Party of India (CPI) and the CPI (Marxist) are sponsoring the shutdown.
The apex business body of Assam, the Kamrup Chamber of Commerce (KCC), is also lending support to the shutdown.
Representatives of various political parties will meet the State Governor, Lt General (retd) Ajai Singh, to apprise them of their concerns regarding militant-related violence, and later would visit the district.
Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal will also undertake a visit of the trouble-torn district today. Jaiswal will visit Howrah Ghat and Bakolia, and is scheduled to attend a meeting of senior district, civil and police officials.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, senior State Government officials, and Army and Central security agency commanders will also brief the Minister.
Since Saturday, 25 people have been killed by ULFA and Karbi Longri National Liberation Front (KLNLF) rebels. The deceased reportedly hailed from Rajasthan and Bihar, and had been residing in Assam for years.
The ULFA and other rebel organisations have urged people in the region to boycott this year's Independence Day celebrations.Since January, at least 70 Hindi-speaking workers have been killed in Assam, notably in areas like Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Dimow Districts.
Around 75,000 paramilitary forces have been deployed in the State to counter the rebels. (ANI)
Kyndiah: No time-frame for ST status to Koch-Rajbongshis
From our Correspondent Sentinel
NEW DELHI, Aug 14: Union Minister of Tribal Affairs PR Kyndiah today informed the Lok Sabha that the Government of Asom had sent a copy of the report regarding the social status of Koch Rajbongshis, Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Matak and Tea and Ex-Tea communities living in Asom recommending their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list of the State. Kyndiah was responding to an unstarred question from Dr Arun Kumar Sarma who wanted to know from the minister whether the Asom Government had furnished a report in 2005 regarding the inclusion of the six communities in the Scheduled Tribe list of the State as required by the Registrar General of India (RGI) and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Replying to another question from Sarma whether on earlier occasion the Government of Asom, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, the Registrar General of India and the Parliament selection committee and the standing committee concerned also recommended for inclusion of the Koch Rajbongshis and other communities into the ST list, the minister said: “In 1993, the Asom Government had recommended the specification of Koch Rajbongshi as a Scheduled Tribe, but the report appended to the State Government’s recommendation was found contradictory and the RGI had rejected the claim. Later the State Government sent a revised report, on the basis of which in 1995 the RGI supported its inclusion in the list, without connecting it to the earlier report”. Kyndiah further told the House that an Ordinance effecting the inclusion of Koch Rajbongshi in the list of ST list of Asom (excluding the autonomous districts of the State) was promulgated on January 27, 1996. “The ordinance was repromulgated on March 27, 1996, June 27, 1996 and January 9, 1997. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, (Amendment Bill, 1996 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 12, 1996, and referred to the select committee of the Lok Sabha on August 2, 1996. The select committee submitted its report on August 14, 1997, and the report was circulated among the State Government, the Registrar General of India, the National Commission of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The State Government and the RGI had recommended the inclusion of Koch Rajbongshi into the in the ST list of Asom, but the National Commission for Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste did not favour its specification as a Scheduled Tribe. However, in 2002 the National Commission changed its stand and recommended the inclusion, and referred the case to the RGI for justification for inclusion, but then the RGI rejected the claim of the Koch Rajbongshi community”.
When asked by when the Koch Rajbongshi is likely to be included in the ST list, Kyndiah said: “As the modalities require consent of the State Government concerned, the RGI and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes for modification in the list of Scheduled Tribes and this takes time, therefore, no specific time-frame can be mentioned at present”.
30 relief camps to be set up in KA ‘ULFA supporting KLNLF’
ULFA operating from 3 KA camps, says Assam Police DIG (Central Range) LR Bishnoi From our Correspondent Sentinel
HOWRAGHAT, Aug 14: “The proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is providing logistic support, mainly in the form of providing arms and ammunition, to the Karbi Longri Nationalist Liberation Front (KLNLF) in carrying out the recent orgy of violence which has seen more than 30 Hindi-speaking people gunned down by the Karbi militant outfit,” said LR Bishnoi, DIG, Central Range, Assam Police.
Interacting with mediapersons here, Bishnoi said the district has six police stations in total under which lie 18 police outposts, besides 10 temporary CRPF camps, the Assam Police DIG said, adding that four additional companies of the BSF have also been deployed to tackle terror in the district.
Three extra companies of the Army have also been called in to assist counter-insurgency operations, Bishnoi added.
He said quoting intelligence agencies that the ULFA had set up two base camps at Shingasan range and Deopani hill and a transit camp at Samelangso. A 100-member group of the ULFA is providing support to the KLNLF, he added. Meanwhile, the district administration is mulling over the setting up of 30 relief camps to shelter Hindi speakers of the district.
It may be mentioned here that according to official records, 80,000 Hindi-speaking people live in the district. At least 100 people of the community have been gunned down in militant attacks since 2000. Altogether 38 persons, including six policemen, have lost their lives to militant-orchestrated activities in the district in the past three months. Besides, it is also reported that every family of Hindi speakers, coming mainly from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, who take up odd jobs besides working in farmlands of the local farmers, is forced to pay as much as Rs 1,000 to the KLNLF as tax every year.
Court drama snarls Myanmar-India romance Indo Burma News
August 15, 2007: (Asia Times) On nearly all counts, India-Myanmar bilateral relations are on the upswing, with fast-growing military, trade and investment links. All, that is, but on one count: the unsettling revelations emerging from a case being heard in an Indian court about the infamous 1998 Operation Leech sting.
Ever since India's Ministry of Defense claimed nearly a decade ago to have captured what it referred to as an "international gang of gun smugglers" linked to 34 ethnic-Arakan and Karen rebels who were fighting against neighboring Myanmar's military government, the follow-up investigation into the charges has led to one embarrassment after another for the Indian defense establishment.

Many of the details of what transpired on India's Andaman Islands on February 8, 1998, are still unclear. However, court observers say the more credible version of that evening's events has come in defense of the rebel Karen National Union (KNU) and National Unity Party of Arakan (NUPA).

According to the defendant rebels, they traveled overnight from southern Thailand, where they had procured arms from unknown dealers, to India's Landfall Island for a scheduled rendezvous with Indian military and intelligence officials. The two insurgent groups were in the process of moving more than US$2 million worth of arms and ammunition on to the island, where they claim Indian intelligence officials had offered them storage facilities.

They also say the same Indian officials had provided them similar clandestine support for years, but for still-unknown reasons that abruptly changed that evening in an intelligence sting operation now famously known as Operation Leech. After mooring on the island, six NUPA leaders were immediately apprehended and led away by Indian officials, while the other accompanying 28 rebels were disarmed, shackled, and held in a different area.

According to their court testimony, some of them soon thereafter heard the sound of gunshots in the distance. The six NUPA leaders, witnesses say, have not been heard from since. The detained rebels have spent the past nine years in legal limbo, and no formal charges were filed by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) until December 2004.

The CBI and Ministry of Defense had reportedly squabbled internally for years over how to proceed with the case, and critics have made suggestions of a state cover-up. By the time the case was finally transferred to a sessions court in Kolkata, several lawyers who had agreed to represent the rebels said they had been harassed by Indian officials and refused access to the defendants. One legal counsel, T Vasandar, died in mysterious circumstances, according to their defense lawyers.

Meanwhile, because of lack of evidence, the CBI was forced to drop one of the initial charges that accused the rebels of attempting to wage war against India. During the proceedings, state prosecutors have reportedly failed to produce significant pieces of evidence requested by the defense, including the ammunition seized that evening, according to Siddharth Aggarwal, the rebels' lead lawyer. Aggarwal has also complained that the court allowed three military officials allegedly involved in the sting operation to testify via video link without cross-examinations by the defense.

Conflicting claims
According to Aggarwal, his clients' defense is simple: "They were called to Landfall [Island] by the Indian authorities with the promise that ... they [would] be armed by the Indian Army in their quest for freedom against the military junta" in Myanmar. The prosecution has denied the claims, insisting that the Indian military's only contact with either rebel group was for the purpose of conducting the sting.

Whether or not the Indian military had deeper ties to the NUPA and KNU is still in dispute. But the allegations raised at the trial have nonetheless been a public relations disaster for New Delhi, crucially at a time when several big business deals with Myanmar's military junta hang in the balance.

When the rebels were first arrested in 1998, the trial and its revelations would have been less problematic for India. Back then, New Delhi hadn't yet launched its diplomatic charm offensive toward Myanmar's generals, and then-defense minister George Fernandes openly supported and even provided sanctuary in his personal compound for exiled Myanmar pro-democracy student groups situated in India.

With India's "Look East" diplomatic strategy, which includes securing new regional sources of fossil fuels, now in full swing, the trial has highlighted the still-conflicted nature of the two sides' budding bilateral relationship and the difficulty India is having cutting ties to its past policy of at least tacit support for Myanmar's pro-democracy and rebel movements.

Beginning in the late 1990s, India slowly moved to change its position and engage Myanmar's military regime, toward the strategic aim of curbing China's growing influence in the neighboring country. Indian defense officials were and remain vexed by Yangon's agreement to allow Beijing to build a listening post at Coco Island in the Indian Ocean.

India's new policy toward Myanmar has arguably paid economic and strategic dividends for both sides, though at the expense of India's previous foreign policy that emphasized democracy promotion. Myanmar's generals have been able to diversify with a competing power their past reliance on China for arms, aid and trade. At the end of last fiscal year, according to official statistics, India-Myanmar trade had reached US$650 million, making India Myanmar's fourth-largest trading partner after China, Singapore and Thailand.

Military-to-military ties have in particular strengthened. A number of leading Indian defense officials have recently visited Yangon and, in return, junta leaders General Than Shwe and General Maung Aye have been given what the Indian press referred to as "red-carpet welcomes" on their arrival to New Delhi. India's arming of Myanmar's military has helped it crack down on other separatist groups fighting against New Delhi that in the past have operated from remote territories along the two countries' border.

That has meant the sale by India of a wide range of military hardware, including surveillance aircraft, T-55 tanks and 105mm artillery pieces. While that has certainly improved Myanmar's military capabilities, it has also raised concerns among international rights groups, which claim the arms sales will help Myanmar to fight against the same rebel groups India is accused of in the past clandestinely supporting.

In apparent exchange for the arms deals, India is vigorously lobbying Myanmar to award it the rights to natural-gas blocks in the Shwe fields off Myanmar's Arakan state. India reportedly sweetened its offer last week by proposing to develop a major new port in Arakan territories that would pave the way for more efficient fuel exports. China is also reportedly competing for the gas rights.

Some political analysts say the revelations emerging from the Operation Leech trial, including Delhi's alleged past support for rebel groups who operate in the very areas India is now bidding to develop for energy exports, have compromised its negotiating position vis-a-vis Myanmar. The KNU and NUPA have both claimed in court to have received support from Indian intelligence operatives for years before Operation Leech was launched.

Independent researchers working on Myanmar's western borders told Asia Times Online that Indian intelligence operatives likely spent years cultivating ties with rebel groups fighting Myanmar's military in the late 1980s and early 1990s and that they had made several offers of logistical support to the Arakan and Chin insurgent groups operating in Myanmar's remote western border regions.

So far these courtroom claims have not spread much further than the presiding court in Kolkata. "If the trial goes on for too long, the Indian military's contacts with Burmese rebels will be revealed ... That's why they killed the six leaders. It was because they knew too much," said David Htaw, a KNU official monitoring the case.

Brahma Chellaney, a senior Indian military analyst attached to the New Delhi-based Center for Policy Research, believes that despite the damning nature of the claims, the overall upbeat relationship between India and Myanmar is unlikely to be hurt by the trial. He contends that Myanmar's military, condemned for its repression in the court of international opinion, is now basking in its association with the world's largest democracy.

"Despite all this, the relationship between the two countries just keeps improving," Chellaney said.

Jessicah Curtis is a freelance journalist based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Myanmar to sell gas to China - India minister
by admin — last modified 2007-08-15 05:23
August 14, 2007: (Reuters) New Delhi, Myanmar has picked PetroChina to sell gas to China via a pipeline from two blocks in which Indian firms have stakes, India's junior oil minister said on Tuesday, dashing the hopes of bringing the gas to India.
In February, Myanmar decided to sell gas from its A1 and A3 offshore blocks to China, and in March it told the partners in the block, Dinsha Patel said in a written answer to a question in the Indian parliament.
India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp. owns 20 percent of each block, while Indian gas transmission company GAIL (India) Ltd. has 10 percent of the two assets.
South Korea's Daewoo International Corp. operates the two blocks with a 60 percent stake, and Korea Gas Corp. owns the remaining 10 percent.
"GAIL impressed upon the partners and Myanmar Government that GAIL's pipeline offer was still the most competitive and offered optimum value for them due to proximity of India to these fields. However, Myanmar government stuck to their decision to sell the gas to China," Patel said.
Despite the country's political isolation and Western sanctions, Myanmar's offshore natural gas fields have become a hotly contested commodity as neighbours seek stable, secure sources of cleaner fuel for their fast-growing economies.
Patel said on Tuesday the Myanmar government had signed a memorandum of understanding with India in March 2006 acknowledging GAIL as preferential buyer of gas from A1 and A3 blocks.
In August 2006, Myanmar invited bids for 15.8 million cubic metres a day of gas from the two offshore blocks through a pipeline, he said. GAIL submitted its bid.
"Subsequently, Myanmar government reviewed their decision to sell this gas through the pipeline route and invited bids for sale of 3.5 million tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas. GAIL again submitted its bid," Patel said.
India would continue to make efforts for import of gas from all possible sources including Myanmar to achieve energy security for the country, the minister said.