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08/23/2007: "Naga Vigil disbands; David Ward resigns Morung Express News"

Naga Vigil disbands; David Ward resigns Morung Express News

Dimapur Naga Vigil Human Rights Group has been disbanded and its International Co-ordinator David P. Ward has resigned. Making his statement public, Ward in a press communiqué received here stated that henceforth he would discontinue his activities in the territory of Nagaland.
“These are for purely personal and not political reasoning and should not be misconstrued as disaffection to the Naga national cause for which I have sacrificed the best part of 18 years service”, Ward stated in a one page statement emailed from his home in Edinburgh Scotland (United Kingdom).
While informing that he had served for 3 years and 3 months in the home front in an underground capacity and 2 years 2 months as a prisoner of war, Ward in his parting note wished the national workers well in their endeavours to secure liberty for the people and bring all Nagas closer together to face the challenges ahead.
“I will always retain an undying admiration for the Naga people and the endearing qualities that I am fully aware of. Not least of which is their unbridled hospitality, sincerity and courage, it has been my pleasure and privilege to witness at first hand and close quarters”, Ward stated adding that he had “lived, fought and faced many seemingly insurmountable odds together as one family”. Ward also tendered his “apologies” for the sentiments of anyone who may have been hurt through his actions.
Citing personal reasons for his decision, Ward pointed out that some “may see it as an act of surrender at least in principle”. “It is not and in this regard should a single Naga demand it I will return my warrior’s necklace and dao without question”, he maintained.
Ward also informed that “the Naga national archives may be collected with the prior approval of Federal Government of Nagaland’s Kedahge, Brigadier S. Singnya Khiamniungan and NNC Regional President, Mr. Zhopra Vero Chakhesang as soon as practically convenient”. “For security reasons these are not housed under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom and sufficient time ought to be allowed to secure them”, he stated.
Ward affirmed that he will continue to provide humanitarian relief in the form of medicines to Eastern Nagaland from his own earnings within his individual capacity. In his parting shot, Ward wished all Nagas well in achieving their cherished goal. “When we are at the base of Mount Saramati we may approach to climb it from different directions and the distance from each other seems great. However, as we near the actual summit we become closer and finally at the peak we are one people of one nation with the same objective”.
NSCN (IM) ridicules UCM charges The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 22 (MExN): Reacting to the accusations made by the United Committee of Manipur (UCM) that the NSCN (IM) was sheltering criminals, the latter has clarified that it was a ‘people based movement’ and always at the call of people’s aspiration—be it political or social problems. “And based on its own justice delivering system legal actions are initiated after doing the rounds of investigation”, stated a press note issued by the MIP NSCN (IM).
The NSCN (IM) stated that its intelligence wing was able to arrest the culprits behind the Dimapur bomb blast while the State police came a cropper and legal actions taken against the culprits.
In the case of Lungnila Elizabeth, the NSCN (IM) tracked down the kingpin James Kuki and released him on parole. “The CBI arrested him in Dimapur while the NSCN was doing its own business to complete the case. Further investigation was obstructed thereby”, the NSCN (IM) clarified.
With regard to Mohini Martin and Hriini Hubert, it was clarified that the case had been taken up in the manner demanded and legal action taken against those involved in committing such inhumane crime.
The NSCN (IM) further stated that the recent Senapati case of Late Manmaya alias Manju is also going in the right direction and very soon legal action shall be taken against the murderer Kahokamang alias Hormi Ningthoukaba.
It was also disclosed that with regard to the kidnapping of Mohini Martin and Hriini Hubert the NSCN (IM) strongly suspect that one of the valley based underground groups were in search of two kidneys to be transplanted for their survival. “It is our assumption that the two kids were kidnapped to serve the purpose”.
The NSCN (IM) also ridiculed the UCM by stating that the latter came into existence in Imphal Valley as a “panic reaction of the Meiteis to the Indo-Naga peace process” and that the real elements behind the formation of the anti-Naga UCM were also an open secret. The NSCN (IM) as such stated that the accusations against the NSCN (IM) for sheltering criminals were a manifestation of the “discomfort and nuisance created by the UCM underground masters in Manipur”.
“Taking potshots at the NSCN at this juncture of Indo-Naga peace process is therefore not surprising at all”, the NSCN (IM) stated adding that other than to smear the face of NSCN and to organize all sorts of anti-Naga programme, the UCM had no meaning or basis for existence other than to be a false nomenclature confined in Imphal valley.
Naga Hoho appeals for calm, reason The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 22 (MExN): In the backdrop of recent violent incidents and tension at Tuensang and Kohima, where three NSCN (IM) members were killed by a mob from the custody of the police and the attempt on the life of the former ASU President allegedly by the cadre of NSCN (K), the Naga Hoho has described as “sad and unfortunate for the Nagas to behave” in an uncivilized manner. The Naga Hoho while condemning any form of violence which disturbs the congenial atmosphere of co-existence among the Naga family has called upon every individual or group to restrain oneself from indulging in such act and appealed for creating “space to accommodate each other so that all our differences can be sorted out with the feeling of brotherhood and avoid abomination towards Naga fellow”. “We have learnt enough from the past experience from our social upheaval that our misadventure had done great damage to our image as well as to our principle and goal, if we fail to learn from these experiences”, stated an appeal note issued by Keny Tep, Federal Assembly Secretary of the Naga Hoho. The Naga Hoho also demanded that all unwanted activities of all the faction should stop at once; thereby giving chance to reason while pointing out that it was “high time for the Nagas to understand things together and correct ourselves for the brighter perspective of life”. It further appealed to the public of the two districts and the NSCN of both the factions to be accommodative so that a “mutual understanding is arrived at in these critical situation”.
Meanwhile, a Joint Meeting of the Tuensang based Tribe Units held today decided that the injury caused to the police personnel was a result of extenuating factors and the subsequent killing of the three NSCN (IM) cadres by a mob was an unfortunate outcome. The joint meeting organized by the ENPO held that the incident of August 18, had ‘absolutely no tribal undertone or colour’ and has requested the organizations under the ENPO to refrain from issuing press releases/statements that may lead to communal tension. While appreciating the maturity shown by the NSCN (IM) authorities by restraining and containing the situation from further escalation, the joint meeting appealed to the district administration to look into the matter judiciously. The house also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and also wished the injured police personnel a speedy recovery. The tribal units present in the Joint Meeting consisted of Sangtam Union, Tuensang Town, Khiamniungam Union Tuensang Town, Yimchunger Union Tuensang Town, Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS), Eastern Nagas Students’ Federation (ENSF), Tuensang District Mothers’ Association, GBs and Tuensang Town Standing Peace Committee and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation.
A personal view on the issues at stake in the present Angami youth agitation Kaka D.Iralu The Morung Express

As a concerned Angami and Naga writer, I attended the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) and Angami Students Union (ASU) meeting held on August 22, 2007. Youth leaders from all Northern Angami, Southern Angami, Western Angami and Chakhro Angami expressed the reasons why they were agitating. Inspired by what they expressed, I am herewith writing this article over thoughts that came to my mind as I listened to these youth leaders. I have not been delegated by the AYO or ASU to write this article on their behalf. These are just thoughts that I believe are the motivating factors behind the present Angami agitation. On my part, I am ready to accept any correction or even censure from any quarter, including WASU and ASU..
I would like to put the issues at stake in the present Angami agitation under the following points:
1. The issue of territorial integrity and Angami honour.
2. The religious and moral issue on the value of human life.
3. The political issue of truth and falsehood.
4. The economic issue of earning one’s livelihood without extortions.

1. The issue of territorial integrity and angami honour:
Within the God given territories of Nagaland, the Angamis also have their distinct territories that have been occupied and defended by Angami ancestors from time immemorial to the present times. These traditional Angami lands were recognised and respected by other Naga tribes throughout Naga history. Even the British records, during their 67 years of occupation and administration; clearly demarcates these boundaries. Within the Angami tribe (or region), every Angami village clearly know the boundaries of their village territory and lands and have always zealously defended these territories with their lives. As such, there are no Angami lands that can be classified as “No man’s land” and therefore can be occupied by either Manipuri kings, the British Government, the Indian Government or even any other Naga tribes. This is an undeniable fact of Angami history which is also a universal fact of Naga history in relation to other Naga tribes too- be they Sema, Rengma or Ao ancestral and traditional lands.
Now in the name of Naga nationalism and in collaboration with foreign governments, many traditional Angami lands have been occupied by other Naga tribes. On top of this, many brilliant Angami leaders have been murdered in the name of Naga nationalism. All Angamis, irrespective of age profession or education are now fed up with these heinous crimes inflicted on the Angami tribe and community from 1980 to date. In this context, the AYO and ASU are not just reacting against one Sema and one particular Faction but against injustices meted out against the Angami community for so many years. In the light of these historical facts, the Angami youth, spearheaded by the AYO and ASU are rising up in protest to defend their lives and their honour. This present agitation was sparked off by the (yet again) life attempt on the lives of two of our youth leaders in the very heart of our Angami lands - Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. In this present agitation, all youth from every Angami villages are participating to defend Angami honour and self respect.

2. The religious and moral issue on the value of human life:
In this present agitation, there are bigger and wider issues at stake than just Angami honour and self respect. This is because noble words like honour and self respect are related to higher moral and religious principles. In the religious and moral dimensions, the issue at stake is whether human life has value in the sight of God who is the giver of life. Here the word of God is very clear that God, the giver of life values the life that he has given. This is clearly stated in Genesis 9:6: “Whosoever shed man’s blood; by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God, He made man” (Amplified Bible). Also, in relation to the first murder in human history, when Cain killed Abel, this is what God said: “…What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground” (Amplified Bible). In today’s Nagaland, human life seems to have no value at all. “Mari phelai dibi” (Kill him and throw him away) has become a byword for many of the factional cadres as well as some high ranking officers. By the way the words spoken to Medo Yhokha as the NSCN K cadre entered his shop were: “You are an NSCN IM sympathiser, I’ll shoot you and send your dead body to Hebron camp.”
The Angami youth are today agitating because they value human life. Their agitation is a symbol of their mourning for their many tribesmen who have been killed like pigs and dogs. They want Kohima town - the centre of all Naga political activities – to come to a standstill for one day so that every Naga can ponder over this religious and moral issue of the value of human life.

3. The political issue of truth and falsehood:
In this political dimension, the issue is one of whether our factional cadres can extort our money, buy arms, uniforms, vehicles and then shoot us to death with those arms if we disagree with their revolutionary ideologies and strategies? After all, besides the yearly taxes, the whole Naga public are paying many indirect taxes because the prices of all commodities from dry fish to cement to vehicles have shot up because of underground taxes levied on the suppliers of these essential commodities. By the way, Medo had paid all his yearly taxes to all the factions. On top of this when a recent factional clash took place outside his shop, his car as well as his shop was badly damaged. He had to repair everything at his own expense. He had therefore refused to pay any extra extortion money when Yehokhu came the previous day before the incident, demanding more money from Medo.
Here, I fully agree that a legitimate government has the legal right to tax its citizens for running the affairs of that legitimate government. However, in the context of Nagaland, the next question that immediately surfaces is the question as to which one among the many factions is the legitimate government of the Naga nation? After all, without the sanction and mandate of all the Naga tribes, some few Naga tribesmen from certain tribes cannot just appoint themselves as Naga national leaders and impose their self appointed authority on the whole Naga nation and tax them right and left. Also there is no precedent in human political history where the citizens of a nation has to pay four five taxes to four five governments from within a nation.
These are issues that the Angami youth are grappling with in their present agitation. They are resolved to pay taxes only to the legitimate Naga people’s mandated government.

4. The economic issue of earning one’s livelihood without extortions:
Under Naga, as well as international law, every individual of every nation has not just the right to life but also the right to earn a livelihood. In the case of Nagaland, the occupational Indian Government nullified our Naga right to life through promulgation of heinous laws like the Armed Forces Special Power, etc. Now on top of this, some of our Naga national leaders with their foreign imported ideologies seem to be bent on nullifying Naga economic rights to earn a livelihood with their exorbitant taxes and extortions. Are these Naga national leaders trying to make Nagas into a nation of beggars, forcing them to roam the streets of Assam, Kolkata and Delhi with their begging bowls because they can no longer live in Nagaland and earn a livelihood for themselves and their families?
These are the economic issues for which the Angami youth are agitating so that the dignity of human labour and the economic right to earn a livelihood without extortions can be re-established in every nook and corner of Angami territory.

Conclusion: What the Angami youth are today trying to do is not just restoration of Angami honour and self respect. Realising that ultimately, everything in life is interrelated, where one cannot compartmentalise religion from politics or economy from politics, the AYO and the ASU are agitating for their rights to live in freedom and liberty within the boundaries of their ancestral lands. They are inspired and motivated by a spirit of duty and obligation to moral, political and economic principles. One hopes that the whole Naga public, including leaders from every Naga factions will appreciate and lend their moral support to what the AYO and ASU are trying to do.
Assam: The epicentre of infiltration, student bodies begin push back drive
By J.L. Choudhury Organiser
Realising the potential threat of this Bangladeshi influx, Nichi Students’ Union and All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union issued quit notice to all the suspected migrants and set July 15 as the deadline, Around 30,000 Bangladeshis from different places of Arunachal Pradesh descended down to Assam and scattered away in the districts of Lakhimpur, Banpeta, Dhubri and Tejpur.
The Centre and the State governments of north-east might play dirty political game with Bangladeshis who continue to pour in as 60 per cent of the border is still porous. The ground reality can hardly be ignored. After Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalya and Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh is feeling the heat of illegal migrants. The Bangladeshis are not only topsy-turving the demographic structure of the region rapidly but also pushing up the crime-chart, besides adding grist to the mill of extremist and Islamic militant forces, jeopardising the security and integrity of the region as a whole.

Realising the potential threat of this Bangladeshi influx, Nichi Students’ Union and All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union issued quit notice to all the suspect migrants and set July 15 as the deadline. Around 30,000 Bangladeshis from different places of Arunachal Pradesh descended down to Assam and scattered away in the districts of Lakhimpur, Banpeta, Dhubri and Tejpur. AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharjee said, “It is the responsibility of the Assam Government to take action to deport these people from the state.”

Quite pathetic is the condition of two pushes back centers located at Mahisasan in Karimganj and Mancachar in Dhubri manned by one ASI and three constables. These deportation centers lie neglected without proper communication and other facilities. Yet they are the deportation points for Bangladeshis detected in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura. In fact, records show almost all the deported Bangladeshis come back through other open border areas.

The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh has gone on record to say that since his state has no border with Bangladesh, illegal migrants enter the state through Assam, often with fake documents. He spelt out the threat to the state since several ISI operatives “are carrying out activities under the cover of such migrant people.”

In fact, Nichi Students’ Union was outraged at the kidnapping of Teru Yalaong (27), wife of Gaonbura Teru Check of Gaipuring village under Balijan PS in the district of Papunpuro, by Jasimuddin Barbhuiya, who brought her down to his nation village of Lakhimpur under Lala police station. Teru Yalaong was ultimately rescued by Assam police and handed over to their counterpart of Arunachal Pradesh, 22 days after her kidnapping.

The Jorhat District Students’ Union slammed Gogoi Government for its weak-knead policy in the identification and deportation of persons of doubtful nationality, thereby offering Assam land to Bangladeshis on a platter. The wake up signal from Arunachal Pradesh sent rumblings in the hills of Nagaland too where the Students’ Conference gave clarion call on July 19 that illegal migrants from Bangladesh should leave the state immediately and the Nagas who harbour them in their houses would be treated as traitors. The student body has warned, “Trade permits are issued to locals only and therefore local businessmen employing Bangladeshis as their salesmen or renting out their permits will be dealt with accordingly.” Hordes of Bangladeshis have begun to leave Nagaland through Mariani-Mokokchung road. The Students’ Conference clarified that the campaign against Bangladeshis christened as ‘Survival-2007’ is to protect the identity of Nagas. But enough damage already has been done. Bangladeshis have infiltrated deep inside the State. Politicians are seen bringing Muslims in trucks and mini buses from Karbi Anglong areas of Assam to vote for them illegally in elections. In return, they are provided patronage and allow them to have conjugal relationship with Naga girls, creating a hybrid race, now being classified as Nagamia, Semia, Angamia, Aomia and Zeliangmia.

Quite serious is the fact that illegal migrants hounded out of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland are either melting away with floating Bangladeshis or taking shelter in safe havens. As a specific instance, around 1,000 persons surfaced in Bhotgaon and Kashipara in Kokrajhar district of Assam and raised makeshift camps overnight. All Bodo Students’ Union and All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Students’ Union issued an ultimatum to the government to shunt out the Bangladeshis from Kokrajhar district immediately, otherwise “We will take our own course of action.” Joining hands with the student unions, Hagrama Mohiliary, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief, said, “No foreigner will be allowed to settle in the BTC area at any cost and under any circumstances.” It was later on revealed that these illegal settlers were backed by the All Bodoland Muslim Students’ Union. Rajya Sabha MP U.G.Brahma hit out at Gogoi Government for being soft on the serious issue.

It was a coincidence that Mizoram faced with the silent but sinister invasion of aliens too was boiling against Bangladeshis, triggered by the murder of a Mizo youth in the bordering district of Cachar in Assam on July 18. Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) and Mizo Students’ Union (MSU) imposed ‘Vais- curfew’ (curfew against outsiders) throughout Mizoram, demanding capital punishment to the killers of Lalkapliana and grievous injury to his friend Lalrian Thanga. The accused identified as Abdul Kalam Barbhuiya, Samsudin Laskar and Saleh Ahmad Laskar have been dubbed by MZP and MSU as Bangladeshis. In the wake of the curfew, hundreds of persons of doubtful citizenship descended down to Assam from Mizoram. MZP president P.C.Lalthansanga in a statement in the capital Aizwal said, “Bangladeshis will have to leave Mizoram.” Lalremroata, a MZP leader, was more strident in asserting,” Muslims will have no access in Mizoram.” He said like Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, “Our State too has become a trouble-spot of Bangladeshis.”

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in their oust-Bangladeshi drive is handing over people of doubtful nationality to the authorities concerned for identification. State BJYM vice-president Nabarun Medhi lashed out at Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) led by Badaruddin Azmal for dubbing their movement as ‘parochial and communal’ said, “AUDF won ten Assembly seats with Bangladeshi votes and our drive will continue till 70 lakh Bangladeshis in the State are detected and deported.” Badaruddin Azmal in a letter to the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, has termed thousands of Bangladeshis deported from Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram as Indian citizens and sought his intervention to ensure their security and safe return to the three states in question.

It is, in fact, influx within influx as pushed back illegal migrants from the neighbouring states are entering Assam, a dumping ground. “It is easy for these illegal migrants to mingle with the huge Bangladeshi population of Assam and be safe,” observed Samujjal Bhattacharjee, North-East Students’ Organisation president. “AGP like the Congress can’t raise their voice for fear of antagonising the Muslim vote. Both the political parties have already turned Asam into Bangladesh,” said State BJP president Ramen Deka. The Chief Secretary of Assam P.C. Sarma admitted before the Union Government and the AASU at the tripartite talk held at Guwahati in June that only 54 people could be identified as Bangladeshis and they too had vanished. Even with visas, Bangladeshis vanish in Assam. Ministry of Home Affairs has put the number of such Bangladeshis in the state at 5,000. These Bangladeshis with legal papers pose a more serious threat to the state and the country as a whole. Intelligence agencies have umpteen times cautioned the Center and the state of Asam how Bangladeshis after crossing over to Karimganj, Dhubri, Goalpara and Cachar move to Manipur and Nagaland. Late Hiteswar Saikia, Congress Chief Minister of Assam, one still remembers, after admitting on the floor of the State Assembly about the presence of 30 lakh Bangladeshis, somersaulted on being threatened by his own Cabinet colleague Abdul Muhib Mazumder, architect of the infamous IM(DT) Act, to pull down the government in ten minutes. Tarun Gogoi, prefers to sideline the serious issue as of no consequence. The reality is that Assam has not become a dumping ground for Bangladeshis but also their epicenter to spread across north-east. What catastrophe awaits for the region in the next two decades can be best imagined.
Patil takes stock of NE violence From Our Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Aug 22 – With the situation in the North-East heating up, the pressure is on the Prime Minister to intervene and take charge of the internal security matters. Leaders from the North-East who have met the Prime Minister in the recent past have been pressing the Prime Minister to directly monitor the situation, as violence threatens to spiral out of control. The stalemate in negotiations with the militant outfits including the NSCN (I-M), the NDFB and other smaller outfits like DHD, UPDS and ANVC have led leaders to knock on the doors in South Block. These leaders were unhappy with the way additional central forces were being deployed in the trouble-torn states.

Significantly, as if on cue, the Ministry of Home Affairs has changed gears and there has been flurry of activities concerning the North-East. Today, Joint Secretary (North-East), Navin Verma held meeting with Assam’s Home Commissioner to review the security measures in Karbi Anglong. The Centre has spelled out a list of measures to tackle the situation in the State in the aftermath of the violence in the district. They include creation of two police districts, new police stations, rushing of additional forces and relocation of Hindi-speaking people into clusters of 200-300 families. Home Minister, Shivraj Patil has in the last couple of days met a number of Governors and Chief Ministers of the North-East. Yesterday, he met Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, after meeting Manipur Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh and his Home Minister. Governor of Meghalaya also met him.

Today Patil had separate meetings with Chief Minister of Nagaland, N Rio and Governor of the State. Tomorrow, Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga is meeting him, as is the Governor of Manipur. On Monday, Home Secretary chaired a high-level meeting, on the security situation in Manipur. The meeting was chaired by the Union Home Secretary, Madhukar Gupta was attended by Chief Secretary and DGP of Manipur. Top officials of the Army, Central para-military forces, BRO and Ministries of Panchayati Raj, Railways, Food and Civil Supplies, Petroleum and Finance also attended the meeting

The officials of Manipur Government were summoned to Delhi by the Prime Minister’s Office after rebels were captured from houses of Congress MLAs. The Centre has been alarmed by the sudden spurt in violence level in the North-East, with violence level in Naxal affected areas showing no sign of abating, the internal security scenario has the UPA Government worried. In the Rajya Sabha, the Government today conceded that violence level in the North-East has been on the rise. The number of violent incidents last year was at the same level as that of 2005. However, this year till July, compared to relevant period last year, there has been some increase in violence. This is primarily due to the step up in violent activities by ULFA in Assam and Meitei militant outfits in Manipur, Minister of State for Home Affairs, V Radhika Selvi said.
Encounter sparks mob fury in Diphu OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


Students in Diphu town on Wednesday. A Telegraph picture
Nagaon, Aug. 22: Student rage singed the streets of Diphu town of Karbi Anglong district today over the death of a collegian in a disputed encounter with security forces three days ago.
Police burst teargas shells, caned the 3,000-odd protesters and ultimately fired in the air when the mob would not stop attacking everything in sight — from shops to vehicles passing by.
It all began when the protesters, mobilised by the Karbi Students’ Association (KSA), were marching from the Diphu Sports Association playground to the deputy commissioner's office to hand over a memorandum seeking a high-level inquiry into the death of Singh Timung, 21, on Sunday.
The students turned violent when the police stopped them near the town’s main marketplace. They threw stones at shops that were open and vehicles parked by the side of the road. When caning and teargas failed to disperse the mob, superintendent of police Anurag Tankha ordered his contingent to fire in the air. The street fight, however, did not end until deputy commissioner M. Angamuthu reached the scene of action and accepted the memorandum.
A team of police and CRPF personnel killed Timung at Ingleng Kiri village, where he was allegedly hiding with a group of militants of the Karbi Longri North Cachar Liberation Front.
Additional SP (headquarters) Nityananda Goswami insisted that the youth, a higher secondary student at Diphu Government College and president of the Borlangfar unit of the KSA, had links with the militant group. Ulfa and Karbi Longri militants killed 29 Hindi-speaking people across Karbi Anglong district two weeks ago. The police officer said Timung and a group of “five to six” Karbi Longri members fired at the search party when it reached Ingleng Kiri around 10.30pm on Sunday. “The other members of the team fled under the cover of darkness when our team retaliated. We found Timung’s body, a .22 pistol and some explosives in the hideout.”
The KSA refuted the police’s claim. “It was cold-blooded murder. We demand a judicial inquiry into the killing and immediate action against the police officials involved in the incident,” the president of the union, Sarthe Kramsa, said.
The union declared a 12-hour Karbi Anglong bandh from 5am tomorrow to force the government to initiate action against the police. The nascent Karbi Human Rights Watch rallied behind the students and said it would approach the National Human Rights Commission.