09/06/2007: "UNC and NWUM condemn August 28 incident Newmai News Network"

UNC and NWUM condemn August 28 incident Newmai News Network
Imphal
The United Naga Council (UNC) and the Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM) have expressed their strong condemnations over the August 28 arson incident at Jalukie Zangdi village under Peren district of Nagaland. The UNC and NWUM in a joint statement have "seriously noted the manner in which houses and granaries of Jalukiezangdi of Jalukie division had been burnt down". The two influential Naga organisations stated the decision to burn down houses of the Zangdi village lacks to consider the hardship of innocent villagers who are the one to suffer more. "Nagas are proud of traditional laws and customs and therefore, one cannot accept to such method of delivering justice of punishment which directly threatened the survival of existence. The incident is most unfortunate and condemnable", fumed the UNC and NWUM joint statement.
It further said that the two Naga organisations regretted the incident which had occurred on that day. "Our deep sympathy goes to the suffering people by sharing physical and mental agonies," console the UNC and NWUM. The UNC and NWUM then urged the authority concern "to dry up tears" of the victims by compensating them adequately and correct within. The statement of the two organizations also appealed everyone not to take any advantage out of the situation that might disturb the Nagas which are living as one big family.
Retrospection on September 3 rally The Morung Express letters to the editor
Much have been written and heard about the recent happening in J alukie Zangdi. The incident on 28th August 2007 where houses and granaries were burned down by the NSCN (IM) was blatant and barbaric. However, notwithstanding the ugly episode, the Government of Nagaland did not bother the crack down of law and order in the state. Moreover, on the 3rd September 2007, we the Zeliangrong people proceeded toward the Hebron camp, in good spirit, to submit our memorandum to the collective leaders, because we believed they would honour our cause as we respect their leadership. But the situation that we were put into left us to wonder whether the whole “systems of our society” is indifferent to the Zeliangrong people. There are many questions that are ringing in our mind; why is the civil Government silent about the whole episode? Why did the I.R.B stop the peaceful procession instead of insuring security to the peaceful procession? Is it justifiable to stop a peaceful procession instead of disarming those villagers who were boycotting the rally with arms on the way to Hebron Camp had they known it would be such a situation? Don’t the Zeliangrong people have the right to go for procession against her opposing interest to any destination within the state and do not the Home Ministry have the obligation to ensure security to such a move? We cannot accept “the timely intervention” (as the media stated) of the I.R.B when they have curbed our procession. Moreover, the lathi charge, firing of guns and exploding the tear gas bomb to exploit the unarmed civilians was a mean action.
On the other hand, why does the collective leadership not want to welcome the Zeliangrong people? Is it Zeliangrong that people are unwelcome when we are injured most? Thousands of us flogged towards Hebron camp with much hope that the collective leaders would welcome us, but what has happened to our hope? We even wonder how the NSCN (IM) have given rooms to those barbaric villagers with arms to block the road on the way to Hebron camp especially when the legitimate people who are an integral part of Nationalism had come for a peaceful submission of memorandum. Apart from that we even wonder why the Zeliangrong region, instead of escorting us to Hebron camp, stopped us from going further. Is the Zeliangrong region just a puppet and do not maintain status quo with other region? There is a time to listen and there is a time when one should understand one’s own people’s sentiment.
The crisis that has erupted on the whole is because of the failure to ensure law and order on the part of the Government. It is the obligation of the state government to solve or demarcate any land dispute if any and the authority to demarcate boundaries does not rest upon any other party apart from the Government. It is not wise on the part of Monglumuk village to take the issue to NSCN (IM) because they are not for land dispute but for National freedom and more so, it is too small a thing for the Nationalist to be bias over a disagreement between two villages.
The 28th August 2007 arson and its subsequent development is a challenge to the whole Naga Society. Today we seem to be unmoved but if any group of people is dissatisfied with the existing social system the whole society will be affected. Therefore, it is not only wise but an imperative to stand for what is just and right.
Rampau Michui, Namheu Khate Poilwa Village
KLA flays NSCN (I-M) Correspondent: Nagaland Post
Imphal, Sept 5: The Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) has charged the NSCN (I-M) with killing ten members of the former in “cold blood” in Ukhrul district of Manipur on Wednesday.
Strongly reacting to the incident, the KLA in a statement alleged the NSCN (I-M) had killed the ten activists soon after a meeting with the slain activists. It said the meeting was convened to discuss some “internal matters”.
The KLA alleged moments after the meeting, the NSCN (I-M) members suddenly opened fire killing ten the activists on the spot. Two others, however, managed to escape. The KLA demanded that NSCN (I-M) return the seized weapons within September 7.
The outfit cautioned that if NSCN (I-M) failed to realize the demand, then it would follow the policy of an “eye for an eye.” The statement said the KLA team led by “home secretary” Timothy Kuki had gone to the village after getting a go-ahead signal from “captain” Ajo Tangkhul of the NSCN (I-M).
It said the KLA and NSCN (I-M) met at the village and stayed together for two days. Later, both parties agreed to leave the village on Monday morning for which two jeeps were hired by the KLA. “The NSCN (I-M) men were in the first jeep and the KLA in the second jeep. When all the KLA cadres had taken their seats, one sergeant major of the NSCN (I-M) ordered his men to open fire”. Though ten KLA men died on the spot, KLA “home secretary” and one of his aides managed to escape. Meanwhile, a Manipur-based daily quoting a reliable source said altogether 11 weapons with several ammunitions including two AK 47 Rifles, one US carbine, one G 3 Rifles, one M-16 rifles, one SBBL gun, one LMG with magazines containing full live rounds which belonged to the slain cadres were taken away by the NSCN (I-M) after the incident.
Requesting anonymity, a senior police officer told Reuters "The trouble started when the KLA cadres attempted to hijack a vehicle carrying passengers to the village and NSCN members tried to prevent them".
"When the KLA cadres refused to pay heed to the NSCN cadres’ plea, they were gunned down on the public ground in the village," the officer added.
NSCN-IM ensures Kulkarni’s stay Nagarealm.com
|New Delhi, SEPT05 [TI] : The chairman of the ceasefire monitoring cells dealing with two Naga militant outfits, Lt Gen. (retd) R.V. Kulkarni, has been granted another six months’ extension, scotching rumours that the Centre was looking for his replacement. Gen. Kulkarni is chairman of both the ceasefire monitoring group and the ceasefire supervisory board, meant for the two NSCN factions, the Isak-Muivah and Khaplang. The re-appointment ended speculation that the former Andhra Pradesh director general of police, Swaranjit Sen, was to take over as chairman. The rumours had begun to swirl last year and resurfaced around the time Gen. Kulkarni’s term was coming to an end on August 31.

Sources said the NSCN (I-M) has had a role to play in Gen. Kulkarni’s extension and managed to have its way with the Centre. The NSCN (I-M) has persistently asked the Centre to review ceasefire ground rules amid accusations that the Centre uses the Khaplang group against it. Gen. Kulkarni has been the mediator between the two rival factions, which have been fighting ever since a split in 1988. While the Khaplang faction has opposed Gen. Kulkarni since he took over in 2001, its rival sees him as amiable. “They listen to him,” said a source. The sources said the home ministry received a letter from a top general last year expressing the army’s disapproval of Gen. Kulkarni as chairman of the two truce monitoring groups. It is not clear why the proposal was not cleared by the home ministry. Another time on the eve of former home secretary V.K. Duggal’s retirement in April, Sen’s name started doing the rounds. The NSCN (I-M) quickly stepped in and strongly opposed the purported attempts to remove Gen. Kulkarni. This time, the outfit urged the Centre not to make changes and continue with the general as they can “talk to him”. Sources said Gen. Kulkarni’s term has been extended indefinitely along with the truce with the NSCN (I-M). Soon after taking over as chairman of the ceasefire groups five years ago, Gen. Kulkarni listed some 14 designated camps, seven each for the two outfits. For a couple of years the militants lived in the camps but many continued to move out with firearms and in uniforms.

Gen. Kulkarni’s biggest challenge will be to rein in both outfits and improve the situation. “Now, the challenge is to convince these groups to return to their designated camps,” Kulkarni told The Telegraph over phone from Kohima. Inter-factional killings rose from 70 in 2005 to 116 in 2006, home ministry sources said. The home ministry has also noted that the NSCN (K) and NNC (Adinno) combine “continued their offensive against the NSCN (I-M) in different parts of the state”.
Centre seeks clash report - KLA asks Naga outfit to pay fine - Ceasefire chairman granted six months’ extension OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

The bodies of those killed in the clash on Monday. (Reuters)
Imphal, Sept. 5: The Union home ministry has asked the Manipur government to submit a detailed report on the clash between the NSCN (I-M) and Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) in Ukhrul district on Monday.
The NSCN (I-M) men gunned down 10 militants of the KLA in an encounter at Tangkhul Hundung, nearly 70km south of Litan police station in Ukhrul, home of NSCN (I-M) leader Thuingaleng Muivah, on Monday. The NSCN (I-M) men also took away the weapons from the slain KLA militants.
The district police have registered a case and said they were trying to identify the NSCN (I-M) men involved in the killings. The KLA has asked the Naga outfit to return the snatched weapons and pay fines according to tribal laws. The attack on the KLA has angered the Kuki community. The Kuki Inpi, Sadar Hills, Kuki Chiefs’ Association, Kuki Movement for Human Rights and Kuki Students Organisation strongly condemned the attack.
“The Centre has taken a very serious view of the incident and wants a detailed report from the state government. A report would be sent in the next few days,” an official source said today.
The director general of police, Y. Joykumar Singh, reviewed the situation yesterday and asked the district police to submit a report on the incident for forwarding it to the Centre. The latter is reportedly worried that the incident could trigger a rerun of the nineties’ communal clash between the Nagas and the Kukis. Turf war between the two militant outfits had led to a communal clash in the nineties, resulting in the death of hundreds of people. The Union home ministry has also directed the state government to take all possible measures to prevent a rerun of the communal clash.
An official source, however, said chances of a communal backlash in the wake of the Monday’s killings were remote. However, measures have been taken to prevent any eventuality, he said.
While the NSCN (I-M) is holding talks with the Centre for the past 10 days, the KLA is one of the 10 militants outfits set to sign a truce. The KLA had entered into a suspension of operations agreement with the security forces in August 2005. The Okram Ibobi Singh government is about to join the suspension of operation agreement between the security forces and the tribal militant outfits, mostly belonging to the Kuki communities.
The militant groups are Zomi Revolutionary Army, Hmar Peoples Convention (Democratic), Kuki National Army, Kuki Revolutionary Army, Kuki Liberation Army, Kuki National Front (Samuel), Kuki National Front (Military Council), Kuki National Front (Zougam), Kuki National Front (President) and United Kuki Liberation Front.
NSCN-IM ensures Kulkarni’s stay NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph
New Delhi, Sept. 5: The chairman of the ceasefire monitoring cells dealing with two Naga militant outfits, Lt Gen. (retd) R.V. Kulkarni, has been granted another six months’ extension, scotching rumours that the Centre was looking for his replacement. Gen. Kulkarni is chairman of both the ceasefire monitoring group and the ceasefire supervisory board, meant for the two NSCN factions, the Isak-Muivah and Khaplang.
The re-appointment ended speculation that the former Andhra Pradesh director general of police, Swaranjit Sen, was to take over as chairman. The rumours had begun to swirl last year and resurfaced around the time Gen. Kulkarni’s term was coming to an end on August 31. Sources said the NSCN (I-M) has had a role to play in Gen. Kulkarni’s extension and managed to have its way with the Centre. The NSCN (I-M) has persistently asked the Centre to review ceasefire ground rules amid accusations that the Centre uses the Khaplang group against it. Gen. Kulkarni has been the mediator between the two rival factions, which have been fighting ever since a split in 1988. While the Khaplang faction has opposed Gen. Kulkarni since he took over in 2001, its rival sees him as amiable. “They listen to him,” said a source.
The sources said the home ministry received a letter from a top general last year expressing the army’s disapproval of Gen. Kulkarni as chairman of the two truce monitoring groups. It is not clear why the proposal was not cleared by the home ministry.Another time on the eve of former home secretary V.K. Duggal’s retirement in April, Sen’s name started doing the rounds. The NSCN (I-M) quickly stepped in and strongly opposed the purported attempts to remove Gen. Kulkarni. This time, the outfit urged the Centre not to make changes and continue with the general as they can “talk to him”. Sources said Gen. Kulkarni’s term has been extended indefinitely along with the truce with the NSCN (I-M).
Soon after taking over as chairman of the ceasefire groups five years ago, Gen. Kulkarni listed some 14 designated camps, seven each for the two outfits. For a couple of years the militants lived in the camps but many continued to move out with firearms and in uniforms. Gen. Kulkarni’s biggest challenge will be to rein in both outfits and improve the situation. “Now, the challenge is to convince these groups to return to their designated camps,” Kulkarni told The Telegraph over phone from Kohima.
Inter-factional killings rose from 70 in 2005 to 116 in 2006, home ministry sources said. The home ministry has also noted that the NSCN (K) and NNC (Adinno) combine “continued their offensive against the NSCN (I-M) in different parts of the state”.
Nagaland honours her school teachers Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Sept 5:: The belief that teachers are the ‘pillars of society, the builders of nations’ have been accepted by one and all. Grateful former students and present students all over the state organized a befitting Teachers’ Day programme in different places in honour of their teachers. In the state capital Kohima, Chief Secretary Lalhuma graced the state-level teachers’ day celebration at the local ground and called upon the teachers to give extra effort, adding when teachers teach with love, compassion and dedication, they ‘bring out good students.’ He quoted “Best teachers teach from the heart not from the book”.

He also urged upon the students to take a pledge to respect and obey their teachers and “follow whatever they teach us.” “If the students don’t honour the teachers, education can never improve”, he added. Elaborating on effectiveness of teachers, Nagaland University (NU) Vice Chancellor Prof. K. Kannan, quoted Dr. S. Radhakrishnan’s words, ‘an effective teacher will take great pains to create a non-threatening environment in his/her class room. A friendly atmosphere in the class room makes learners address their concern.’

Kannan said that an effective teacher leaves the student engaged in academic activities most of the time, becomes a facilitator but not a dictator and manages students’ behaviour, student’s learning, using a variety of methods and constantly generating alternative methods. Kannan said that an effective teacher resists every attempt at ‘spoon-feeding’ since it is self defeating. Calling for self-empowerment, Kannan said, “Let us march on towards building a meaningful teaching- learning environment by empowering ourselves and empowering our learners in return. Let empowerment be the keyword on this Teachers’ Day. I look forward towards my teachers being effectively empowered.”

Naga Students Federation (NSF) president Imchatoba in his speech said that teachers are role models for all the students ‘as they shape and mould them.’

Governor K. Sankaranarayanan in his message called upon the teaching fraternity to strive harder to make children achieve higher standards in education. Stating that Nagaland is a mountainous land-locked state located in the north east region with its own problems of connectivity, the Governor said “the best investment we can make is in the education of our children.”
‘We must not forget that the foundation of the character of our students is laid by our teachers,’ he said adding that a good teacher not only imparts sound knowledge and skills but also inculcates the spirit of inquiry and helps develop the sense of right and wrong. Also extending warmest Teachers’ Day greetings to all the teachers across the state, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in his message said teachers should continuously strive to uphold the image and prestige of the teaching profession.

Rio stated that a very important and challenging task of the teacher is “to inculcate the thirst for learning in the students, so that they are eager to drink at the fountain of knowledge.” Pointing out that teachers occupy a special position in the society as they mould future leaders, scientists and responsible citizens, Rio stated that teachers have been revered from time immemorial and that it would be difficult to imagine a world without teachers.
“They (Teachers) are indeed the nation builders”, he stated and referred to great scientists and scholars like Dr S. Radhakrishnan, CV Raman, Dr JC Bose and Prof Amartya Sen while informing that they were all once teachers themselves. “This should serve as an inspiration for all teachers, reminding them that theirs is an honourable profession”, Rio stated.
Further, the Chief Minister reminded the teachers that “they have chosen this noble profession on their own volition, and therefore, they must prove themselves worthy of this noble profession by living an exemplary life, that will inspire and motivate the students to become good citizens.”

Messages from the President of India, Ministry of Human Resources were read to mark the event. Earlier, the function was chaired by E. Ezung, IAS, Secretary, Department of School Education. Special items, entertainment, a tribute of teacher, short recitation, honouring of teachers, reading of messages also marked the occasion. Later, the Chief Secretary Lalhuma presented Nagaland Teacher’s State Award to 34 teachers for their meritorious services. Vote of thanks was tendered by Nipusilie Angami, Additional Director (HoD), School Education. (Morung Express)
LAEF seeks NSCN-IM help to regroup Nagarealm.com
SHILLONG, SEPT05 [TST] : The LAEF, which suffered a body blow in the death of its "C-in-C" Peter Marak, is trying to regroup with the help of some other top militant groups of the region including the NSCN-IM. Police sources said some cadres, who had fled to Dimapur, were in constant touch with NSCN (IM) leaders and making effort to reorganise the outfit in the Garo Hills.

It was learnt that Drong Marak, brother of Peter Marak, has taken over the reins of the insurgent outfit. "He is taking the lead in strengthening the base of the organisation in the region," sources said. Meanwhile, police are on the hunt for LAEF chairman Remsu Rema alias Chingkam Though holice had the information of Remsu's presence at several places of Garo Hills on several occasions, his identity could not be established as yet. Besides the chairman, the outfit now has a number of secretaries making the total strength around 70, according to sources.
NSCN factions clash in Tamenglong, two killed Daniel Kamei

TAMENGLONG/IMPHAL, Sept 4 : Two cadres of the NSCN (K) were killed in a fierce gunfight between the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) that took place at Khumdong Part II, Tamei Sub-Division, Tamenglong district yesterday. According to reports, heavy exchange of fire between the two factions started at about 11:00 am and continued till 2:00 pm. The two slain cadres of NSCN (K) has been identified as Pvt Gamrong 19 of Akhui Village of Tamenglong district and Cpl Kanepou 25 of Mukti Village under Nungba Sub-Division.

While admitting the death of its two cadres the NSCN (K) has also claimed to have recovered 90 live rounds of AK-47, two commandos bags and two equipments (parts) of AK-47 Rifle from their rival.

Narrating the circumstances leading to the incident, a spokesman of NSCN (K), Zeliangrong region said the incident occured when their cadres who were earlier at Puchi Village were told by troops of Indian Army on a foot patrol to shift their location from the area in order to avoid misunderstanding with them, which the NSCN (K) cadres complied and started shifting towards the neighbouring Khundong Village where cadres of NSCN (IM), already positioned for an ambush provoked the firefight, a heavy encounter which lasted for about four hours, resulting in killing of two of their cadres.

Three injured cadres of the rival faction were also seen being carried away by their cadres when heavy reinforcement of NSCN (K) arrived and occupied the Khundong Village the same day, it added.

On the other hand, the NSCN (IM) has revealed that it suffered no casuality in the encounter.

Meanwhile, a police team led by SP, Tamenglong AG Kabui and two sections of 5 MR stationed at Khongjaron has left for the the encounter site to retrieve the two death bodies this evening.

In the mean time, a meeting of the Zeliangrong Union (Tamenglong Zone) and Zeliangrong Women Union, Tamenglong District held today at Zeliangrong House, Tamenglong condemned the incident and expressed its discontentment over the animosity and factional fighting of the NSCN during the course of peace talks. The meeting further condemned the torching of 30 houses of Zeliangrong people at Jalukeizangdi Village by NSCN (IM). Meanwhile, the meeting also appealed to the Zeliangrong Students` Union to suspend its picketing of government offices in the district from September 6. It also expressed serious concern over the indifference of the state government to the stir of the students body despite completing 30 days of office picketing and further asked the government to meet the demands of the students` body and leave the people of Tamenglong from such form of harrassment.
Canoro ready to dig oil Nagaland Post
Guwahati, Sept 4 (Agencies): Canoro, a Canadian company which has been operating in Sivasagar, Golaghat and Jorhat areas of Assam with an investment of Rs.45 crore, is now in the process of procuring oilfield in Nagaland.
“Our discussions with the Nagaland Government are heading towards right direction and we will be launching our operation soon,” highly-placed official sources told an Assam based daily. The sources also informed that Canoro was trying to expand its wings to other parts in the region.
In a bid to explore the oil and gas sector, several foreign companies have lined up a series of projects in the north-east. These companies have entered the region under the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP).
According to official statistics, the total foreign investment in the oil and gas sector during the last five years stands at around Rs.150 crore, of which Assam has received a lion’s share from foreign investment.
British company Premium Oil, which has invested around Rs 30 crore, has been exploring in Cachar area. Premium is also keen to venture into the new areas in the region. Another French company — Geo-Empro — has made an investment of Rs 70 crore in Arunachal Pradesh.
It is learnt GeoPetrol, a French company, will soon launch operation in the Northeast with a huge investment. The company has already procured necessary license from the Petroleum Ministry to start operation.
Expressing satisfaction with the flow of foreign investment, the leading trade body Federation of Industry and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) said that it is a good sign for the region. “We always welcome private participation in the oil and gas sector considering its potential, but at the same time these companies should properly handle the local issues like employment and environment,” FINER CEO Ajoy Borthakur said.
told this Correspondent today. He further said that the entry of foreign companies would boost the growth of ancillary industries. “Oil and gas sector in the region is still untapped for which more companies should come to this region,” he added.
The size of Indian oil and gas sector is estimated to be around $90 billion. The oil and gas sector is also one of the largest contributors to central and State Government exchequer amounting to $13.58 billion.

6 new PSs, 13 outposts in Karbi Anglong soon Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Sept 5 – As part of the security revamp initiated by Assam Government in Karbi Anglong district, six additional police stations and 13 additional police outposts are proposed to be created. The move comes in the aftermath of the killing of the Hindi-speaking settlers in the district last month that led to an uproar. During the current year 61 Hindi-speaking persons have been gunned down by ULFA including 28 in Karbi Anglong last month.

Sources said that the State Government has sanctioned creation of additional police stations and outposts. Additional Central forces have been deployed to assist the State Government in dealing with the situation and intensify operations against militants. The State Government has also been authorised to engage 2,000 ex-servicemen to strengthen the overall security arrangement in the State, sources added.

The State Government have shifted about 4000 Hindi-speaking settlers living in isolated and remote areas to safer locations. The existing Unified Command headquarters has been strengthened and the Chief Minister now chairs the meeting, sources said.

It was further added that Assam Government and security forces have intensified counter insurgency operations, patrolling, cordon and search operations. The Ministry of Home Affairs has remained in close and continuous contact with the State Government and has reviewed the security situation on a regular basis. Meanwhile, Congress MP, Nikhil Kumar today tabled a Short Notice Question in the Lok Sabha seeking Centre’s response to the violence in Karbi Anglong district. Last week, another Congress MP Santosh Bagrodia had raised the issue through a Special Mention in the Rajya Sabha.

The Lok Sabha witnessed a Zero Hour discussion on the killings last month, when UPA allies and Opposition parties raised the issue. Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil came to the defence of the State Government and listed out measures taken by the Government to protect the Hindi-speaking settlers.
KLA warns NSCN(IM) over killing of Kuki cadres From Sobhapati Samom Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Sept 5 – Expressing serious concern over the gunning down of their 10 cadres in Ukhrul village, the Kuki Liberation Army has asked the NSCN-IM leadership to clarify the reason for the killings. The outfit contended that the cadres were killed ‘without any reason’.

Addy Kuki of the KLA said in a statement that the NSCN (IM) should clarify the reason for the killings while KLA’s Information and Publicity Secretary Malsawm Kuki warned that the outfit will follow the policy of ‘an eye for an eye’ if their condition is not followed by the NSCN-IM. On September 3, 10 cadres of KLA were gunned down by the NSCN-IM team at Tangkhul Hundung village, around 60 km north-east of Imphal.

The statement claimed that a 12-member KLA team went to the village after getting the permission from the NSCN-IM on August 31 and held a meeting to discuss ‘an internal affair’ between the two parties at Hundung Khunou village. Cadres of both the groups even stayed together for two days, says the statement and added that when the KLA cadres wanted to leave, the IM cadres assured to drop them by two jeeps.

The first jeep was occupied by the KLA cadres with the NSCN-IM cadres sitting in the second jeep. Suddenly, a team leader of the NSCN-IM group ordered his men to fire and 10 KLA cadres were killed in cold blood, alleged the statement. Luckily the Home Secretary and one of his men managed to escape the attack, said the statement. Demanding an explanation for the killings, the Kuki militant group asked the NSCN (IM) to return the seized weapons within September 7 and added that the killing should be compensated according to Kuki customary law. The NSCN-IM is yet to come out with its version. Meanwhile, the bodies of nine of the slain cadres have been brought to RIMS morgue here on Tuesday evening. The deceased include Joanah Kipgen, Lewis of Assam, Jampao Khongsai of Kamu Lamlai, Tilsei Khongsai of Saijang, Lelet Lupheng Zilkhai of Saikul, Vikum Lhanghal of Churachandpur, Papao Lhanghal and Jimmy Vaiphei, reports added.
Ulfa used LPG in blast A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Sept. 5: A city-based gas agency found itself in the dock after police confirmed that Ulfa had illegally procured liquefied petroleum gas cylinders from the Blueflame Agencies to use them in the Bamunimaidam blast. The gas agency’s warehouse in-charge Mahananda Ojha, 45, was arrested today for unauthorised sale of LPG cylinders.
The police had initially believed that an LPG cylinder had exploded in a nearby eatery under the impact of the bomb blast. However, interrogation of two prime accused, Ulfa linkman Kamaleswar Das and his accomplice Joon Jyoti Sarma, revealed that the cylinder was used by the militants to create a double impact. The duo confessed to have kept the LPG cylinder in the auto van in which the bomb was strapped. Das said he had purchased five LPG cylinders from the agency by paying Ojha Rs 1,800 per cylinder.
The Blueflame Agencies is an LPG distributor of Assam Oil Division of the Indian Oil Corporation and is located on Zoo Road near Rajdhani Nursery.
Deputy inspector-general of police (central-western) range G.P. Singh said: “ The Ulfa linkman had procured the cylinders without producing any documents and without having a gas connection. The employee of the agency who allegedly sold the cylinders at a higher price has been picked up for questioning.”
Singh said they were investigating whether the gas agency was also involved in selling LPG cylinders in the grey market. “Action will be taken against the Blueflame Agencies if its involvement in the irregularities is proved,” he added.
Manager of Blueflame Agencies Rajesh Choudhury blamed Ojha for the anomalies. “We had no idea that he was involved in such irregularities. The agency has no role in it.”
A source in the state food and civil supplies department said some gas agencies include fake names in their list of registered customers. They collect LPG cylinders from the IOC against these names and then sell the illegally collected cylinders in the grey market at an inflated price.
The IOC has fixed the price of a new LPG connection at around Rs 1,000, including Rs 500 as security deposit for the cylinder. It has fixed the price of gas at Rs 255. A person is required to produce proof of his identity and residence to get an LPG connection.
“However, unscrupulous people, in connivance with the gas agencies, sell the cylinders for anything between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 in the grey market, without taking the purchaser’s identity or residence proof,” the source alleged. The chief area manager (LPG) of the IOC’s Assam Oil Division, Ashim Kalita, could not be contacted for comment.
Extortion rerun spurs sit-in - Agitation to follow, warn Manipur health employees OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Imphal, Sept. 5: The extortion threats that led drugstore owners in Manipur to shut shop sometime ago today forced the state’s health department employees to stage a sit-in in front of their directorate’s office. Coming together under the banner of the Directorate of Health Services Employees Welfare Association, the employees warned of an agitation that could affect health services if monetary demands made by militants were not withdrawn within 15 days.
“The demand is huge and it is beyond our means to pay,” a senior employee of the department said. The employees, however, did not name the militant groups that served the demand notice. The sit-in is likely to continue for the next couple of days.
“Our dharna is meant to voice our concern that in this situation we cannot function normally,” an employee said. The decision to launch the three-day dharna was taken at the district and directorate-level meetings on August 30.
“We reviewed the pressures and threats being faced by health employees in all the districts. We are left with no alternative other than launching an agitation,” a member of the department said.
The employees appealed for the withdrawal of the in order to maintain a peaceful working atmosphere where they can provide better healthcare to patients in hospitals and health centres.
“First, we decided to highlight our problem democratically. But if the situation continues like this, we may launch an agitation that could affect the functioning of hospitals and health centres,” an employee said. A delegation of employees also met health minister P. Parijat Singh this afternoon to apprise him of the problem.
The minister reportedly assured them that the matter would be looked into. The agitation comes close on the heels of a medicine scarcity that hit Manipur last month after 200 pharmaceutical companies stopped sending drug supplies following extortion notices from a militant outfit. Supplies resumed in the last week of August, following an appeal from the Manipur government and medicine stores.
Barak rebel gangs in faction feud OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Silchar, Sept. 5: The gunning down of a founder leader of the United Liberation Front of Barak Valley by his gang members has raised hopes that the Bru outfit, dreaded in south Assam’s Hailakandi district, might split and disintegrate. Police sources in Hailakandi town said last night that Thakurmani Reang, 40, was shot dead in the morning at Balinala, 25km south of the town near Jamira police outpost. Reang, the sources said, had spent the previous night at the house of his sister-in-law, Gadar Singh Reang. He reportedly did not sniff any trouble when members of his outfit came calling in the morning to inform him of a meeting summoned by commander-in-chief Panchau Ram Reang. They shot him just 500 metres from the house.
Intelligence agencies said Panchau Ram had, of late, been disturbed that Thakurmani would mastermind a rebellion in the outfits’ ranks.
An official of the district administration said intelligence reports suggested fresh feuds within the outfit. He said this was why the government did not accord much importance to Panchau Ram’s letter, sent to the administration, expressing the gang’s willingness to surrender.
KRA expresses shock, salutes By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Sep 5: The Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) has expressed shock on the gunning down of 10 KLA cadres by the NSCN (IM) at Tangkhul Hundung some days back.
interacting with media persons at a KRA base camp today, information and publicity secretary of the armed group Th Misao said KRA had been relentlessly striving for cordiality among armed organisations operating in the north East region in general and Manipur in particular.
Saying that KRA desires all underground organisa-tions to shed parochial objectives and attitude to work in a unified manner in achieving the common goal, Misao prevailed upon all revolutionary groups that rivalry on communal ground and enmity towards one another would not only hamper the ongoing movement but reaching the goal will surely prove futile.
He further asserted that there is no laxity on the part of KRA organisation in working for peaceful co-existence among armed groups and cited a recent intimation from the KLO/KNA seeking assistance of the KRA for an internal operation in Thoubal area.
in addition to honouring KLO/KLA’s missive KRA also relayed to commanding officer of the NSCN (IM)’s Kaqchimun battalion Paiso Tangkhul to assist in the said operation which was jointly launched by the three organisations, the KRA functionary confided.
Recounting that after the joint operation, KRA asked all its men who took part in the campaign to report to base camp, Misao said cadres of the KLA and NSCN (IM) moved together to hole out at Tangkhul Hundung area. Insisting that the massacre of the 10 KLA cadres were carried out by the NSCN (IM) men under the pretext of escorting KLA cadres, he said the incident is unimaginable and that KRA could not contemplate under what compelling circumstances the killing had to take place. Terming the killings as felonious, unjustifiable and woeful, Misao also conveyed KRA’s solidarity to suffering of families of the slain KLO/KLA cadres besides offering KRA’s revolutionary salute to the 10 deceased.
Hands-off ‘apartheid’ policy towards Sadar Hills By Haokholala Thangjom Sangai Express
Shri JM Raina, former Chief Commissioner of Manipur conceptualised to create three districts in Manipur in the early part of 1962-63, namely, the Central District comprising the entire valley area, the North District comprising the present Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong districts. The proposed North District faced problem emanated from political exigency raised by the Naga leaders including late Rani Gaidinliu. Thus creation of more districts in the tribal areas became unavoidable.
Prototype Districts: In suppression of Order No. 18 of the office of the Chief Commissioner, Manipur, under reference No. A-1-3424-29, dated the 18th January 1950, whereby Manipur was ordered to be a single district under Manipur (Administration) Order, 1949 and with a view to introducing a more efficient system of administration in the Union Territory of Manipur, Shri Baleshwar Prasad, Chief Commissioner (Administrator), Manipur created five districts in Manipur, vide the Notification of the Government of Manipur Secretariat: Planning & Development No. 20/36/69-D, dated the 14th November 1969. The names of the five districts were:-
1. Central District with head-quarters at Imp-hal.
2. North District with headquarters at Ka-rong.
3. South District with headquarters at Chu- rachandpur.
4. East District with headquarters at Uk- hrul
5. West District with headquarters at Ta- menglong. The population of the four districts in the tribal/hill areas in Manipur according to the census of the year 1971 were:
1. North District - 1,80,000
2. South District - 98,000
3. East District - 62,000
4. West District - 46,000
President of India’s Order, 1972: In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 371-C of the Constitution, Shri V.V. Giri, President of India issued an order in respect of the Hill Areas Committee and in the First Schedule thereto the names of the four revenue districts remain intact and Chandel, Chakpikarong and Tengnoupal revenue subdivisions were in the Central District.
But after the Assembly Elections in 1974 the alliance of the Manipur People Party and the Hills Union Party secured majority and formed the United Legislature Party (ULP) with the defection of a few Hills Union MLAs led by late Shri Y. Shaiza created political uncertainty. As a ‘realpolitic’ bonus Ten- gnoupal Revenue was inaugurated by late Shri Alimuddin, the then Chief Minister at Chandel on the 13th May 1974 making a total of five Revenue Districts in the tribal areas. According to 1971 Census the population of the new district was 43,000 only. Later on the name of the district was changed to Chandel District.
Autonomous District Councils: Central leaders at the time of demand of Autonomy or Autonomous District councils is a “cementing force” of the integrity of Manipur. At present Autonomous District councils are functioning in all six hill districts including the Sadar Hills as stipulated in sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971. Therefore, it is a very simple syllogism of logic. The syllogism is
“Autonomous District Councils are in hill districts.
Autonomous District Council is in Sadar Hills. Therefore, Sadar Hills is a District or a full-fledged district under the relevant Act. Population Factor: Coming to the factor of population, the following informations from the Statistical Abstract, Manipur, 2005 published by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Manipur:
1. Senapati District - 2,83,621
a). Mao Maram Sub-division- 69,13
b). Paomata -- 27,065
c). Purul -- 30,912
Total- 1,27, 108
i). Sadar Hills West- 60,945
ii) Siatu Gamphazol - 44,130
iii) Sadar Hills East - 51,438
Total - 1,56,513
Besides the breakups of population of Senapati District, “the population of the four Hill Districts are given here below:
1. Churachandpur District- 2,27,905
2. Ukhrul District- 1,40,778
3. Chandel District- 1,18,327
4. Tamenglong District- 1,11,499
It is an undeniable fact that the composition of the population of some districts in the hill areas like Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Churachandpur show the preponderance of a certain community or tribe which providence decreed. Admittedly, in the Sadar Hills also preponderance of a certain community like the Kukis will not become a taboo in the administration.
The Sadar Hills as many as three Assembly constituencies which stands par with Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Senapati proper unlike Jiribam which has a single Assembly constituency. With the strong political will and synergic effort of the District Demand committee and the elected representatives of the Autonomous District of Sadar Hills the final victory will be a certainty.
When we met late Shri Y.B. Chavan, the Home Minister in 1970, the tribal delegates were rebuffed by him saying, ‘Do not compare yourselves with Nagaland State which was a special case.’ I retorted, ‘Sir, is there any special reason for not granting Statehood to Manipur’. It made him grumpy.
So, I said, ‘Is there any special reason for criteria for not granting full-fledged district status to the people of Sadar Hills who are not “political leper” or plebeians among the citizens of our State.
Let the Government hands-off. Apartheid policy towards the people of Sadar Hills.
KIM demands NSCN(IM) clarification on KLA killings The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Sept 5: The Kuki Inpi Manipur, expressing its shock and condemnation over the unprovoked killing of 10 KLA cadres by the NSCN(IM) at Tangkhul Hundung Khunou village, has demanded an urgent clarification from the NSCN(IM) leadership before the situation deteriorates.

A statement issued by the KIM said an emergency meeting has been held to take stock of the situation arising out of the unprovoked killings which could further lead to unwanted consequences in the already fragile relationship between the Kuki and Naga communities.

It expressed shock over the bloodbath in which the NSCN(IM) had slain the KLA cadres without provocation after staying two days with them at the NSCN(IM)`s own invitation at Hundung Khunou village. The meet strongly condemned the unprovoked killing, and demanded a clarification from the NSCN(IM) as why it had resorted to the cold-blooded slaughter at a time when mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence is the need of the hour.

It should be known that such kind of unprovoked and pre-meditated murder could trigger another communal flare-up, the statement said. The act is considered very much detrimental for both Nagas and Kukis which could result in mutual distrust and disharmony, it said. The KIM also wanted the GoI-NSCN ceasefire monitoring cell to look into the case whether it goes against and negates the terms and conditions of the ceasefire or whether it is beyond the purview of the ceasefire.

It further urged the NSCN to clarify and clean up their act at the earliest possible in the interest of peace and harmony. The KIM has also appealed to all UG groups to refrain from any retaliatory action which could escalate the situation and produce further undesirable consequences.

The Kuki Students Organisation, general headquarters, Kuki Inpi, Sadar Hills, Kuki Chief`s Association, Sadar Hills, and the Kuki Movement for Human Rights have also issued a joint statement strongly condemning the senseless and cold blooded murder of 10 KLA/KLO cadres by the NSCN(IM), terming it as a renewal of the ethnic cleansing the NSCN had pursued in past decades. the statement demanded that the leadership of the NSCN(IM) should clarify to the general public the reasons behind the barbaric act of executing the KLA/KLO cadres after inviting them to the village.

It has also demanded a clear cut clarification from the chairman of the monitoring cell of the government of India whether there is room for such inhuman activities in the ground rule of the cease fire while talks are going on between the government of India and the NSCN(IM). The statement also reminded the leadership of the Tangkhul Naga civil society, and the NSCN(IM) to cautiously handle the fragile relationship with the Kuki people.

Welcome but Doubtful Source: IMPHAL FREE PRESS Editorial

The current buzz that militant movements amongst Kukis and Kuki aligned tribes are set to draw to a conclusion through a negotiated settlement with the government is welcome but doubts remain as to how successful the project would be. This may not be so much on account of the Kuki groups themselves, but of the unchanged environment that spawned militancy in the state, and in this particular case, amongst the Kukis. The rise of various ethnic insurgencies in Manipur (and so too the rest of the northeast), has followed a pattern of chain reaction. When one group gets aggressive in its assertion of group identity, it almost without fail causes insecurity amongst neighbouring communities prompting militancy amongst the latter as well. Manipur’s history of militancy in the past two decades, which incidentally must rank as one of the most explosive, will stand proof. We had observed in an earlier editorial how the bloody Naga-Kuki clashes in which Kukis suffered the majority casualties in the 1990s led the Kukis to arm themselves. In turn, the rise of Kuki militancy lead to insecurity amongst Paites and other aligned groups and thus the Kuki-Paite clashes even as the Naga-Kuki feuds concluded. Similar cycles of violent insurgencies exist, as in the case of the Meitei-Pangal friction, and now Meitei-Kuki conflict of interests etc. All these may be demonstrations of a kind of “domino theory”, a term American President Dwight D Eisenhower used to describe the scenario in East Asia after Communist victory in China, and America’s own insecurity that this momentous event would start off the collapse of more regimes in other Asian countries to Communism. The “domino theory” fear in Asia was what ultimately forced America to intervene in Korea and more famously and controversially in Vietnam.
The “domino theory” may not be too accurate an analogy of the picture of interrelatedness of ethnic insurgencies. Here, it may be, on the other hand, a question of a natural tendency to balance off power equations. And this power equation is complex and as multi-pronged as there are ethnic groups in the region. Hence, we are not at all sure how anybody can imagine a scenario whereby Meitei insurgents would agree to lay down arms without the Nagas and Kukis doing so, and vice versa. The incident in Ukhrul district three days ago, where 12 Kuki Liberation Army, KLA cadres were executed allegedly by NSCN(IM) men, for instance would have driven home this point even stronger amongst those caught in this maddening maze of conflicts. The Moreh clashes not so long ago also told the same story. The inevitable conclusion seems to be, there can be no piecemeal solution to insurgency, especially in a multi-ethnic situation. The challenge then is of taking on all or none, either in peace or war. There are two other ways out of this unhappy entanglement as we see it. The first will be if all the various insurgencies begin to see their goals are similar and decide to come under some broad but secure unity. But as they say, such a scenario although theoretically not impossible, would be with equal certainty, not probable. But if this were to happen, it will depend a lot on internal discourses, both at the civil society level as well as at the level of the insurgent establishments. And if this does become reality, approaches to peace or even war, would become a lot more comprehensible and fruitful. The other way is for the government to exercise what may be called, again in an exaggerated way, an “egoistical sublime” to use a literary term. This will entail the government to establish its control authoritatively, sending out the message that for the good of the people, it is ready for peace or war, whatever it takes. That whatever the case may be, and whatever the situation demands, it would remain the sole boss. Again its confident pledge must be, in peace or war, it would remain nonpartisan and refrain from playing sinister zero-sum-games of pitching off one group against the other. Unfortunately, it is in the area of exercise of this governmental will that the shadow has been the darkest. At least on this count, we hope we are wrong, and the “domino theory” of war becomes applicable to peace and a peace train sheds inertia to begin chugging back to life.

Nagalim.NL News

09/06/2007: "UNC and NWUM condemn August 28 incident Newmai News Network"