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09/11/2007: "Blame shifts from Kukis to Khaplang OUR BUREAU The Telegraph"
Blame shifts from Kukis to Khaplang OUR BUREAU The Telegraph
File picture of security personnel with the body of a slain KLA activist
Kohima/Imphal, Sept. 10: The Isak-Muivah faction of the NSCN today named its bitterest rival, the Khaplang group, as the culprit in the murder of a pastor, his wife and three of its members on Saturday night rather than the Kuki outfit it antagonised in Manipur.
The Naga militant group’s statement came after it lost another member in a clash with a combined force of NSCN (K) and Naga National Council militants near Kiphire town, about 400km from Kohima.
Nagaland had been abuzz with speculation about the Kuki Liberation Army killing P.K. Stone, a pastor at the NSCN (I-M)’s council headquarters, his wife Mairela and three members of the outfit — Nganshamkhui, Easternlite and Ahenmi — to avenge the Naga attack in which 10 of its activists died in Ukhrul district of Manipur on September 3.
Many predicted that the two incidents would lead to a situation reminiscent of the nineties, when Naga-Kuki clashes would break out at the slightest hint of provocation from either side.
Leaders of the Kuki Inpi, Manipur, and the United Naga Council met in Imphal yesterday to defuse the tension. “We discussed the recent developments in a very cordial manner and agreed to maintain peace between our communities,” the president of the Kuki organisation, Holkholun Lungdim, said today. Some Kuki organisations of Manipur had constituted a fact-finding committee to investigate why the NSCN (I-M) targeted members of the Kuki Liberation Army.
The Kuki Inpi president said both communities needed to realise that fighting one another “will not do them any good”.
Leaders of either community hailed the peace initiative. “Any dispute between communities should be settled through peaceful means. So the UNC’s coming to meet the Kuki Inpi leaders is a good sign,” said Satkhokai Chongloi, vice-president of the Kuki Movement for Human Rights.
Sources said the organisations may issue a joint statement calling for restraint and peace. In Nagaland, an NSCN (I-M) spokesman said a battalion of the outfit was attacked this morning. He said the member who died in the firing was a “corporal”.
The outfit said its patience was running out in the face of constant provocation by the Khaplang faction. The deputy kilonser (minister) for information and publicity in the organisation, Alezo Chakhesang, said “Khaplang’s boys” committed the ultimate crime by killing the pastor’s wife. “Killing a woman was too much.”
The Khaplang faction issued a denial even before the NSCN (I-M) took its name.
Rift in Cong over Jamir’s comeback Al Ngullie Morung Express News
While strong affirmation of party unity is being claimed, the reported return of Dr. SC Jamir to politics has the Nagaland Congress clearly divided into three camps: Those who support the Goa Governor’s return to “save the party,” from an internal leadership tension; those opposing for fear that their position would be usurped and thirdly, those fearing an NSCN-IM backlash owing to the perceived stand of Jamir on the Naga political issue. The latter two sections feel Jamir’s return “will be disastrous” and so “I have advised him not to come back.”
In fact, a very senior Congress leader, when contacted over phone, disclosed to this daily that he had personally told the Goa Governor “not to come back or it will be disastrous for us.” Interestingly, the Congress stalwart refused to be named. However, if at all he should be quoted, then “first tell us who said Jamir is coming back and you can quote me.”
“I have told him not to come back; it will be disastrous for us; we do not subscribe to such; I have advised him not to come back” the leader said. To the query if he should be attributed the quotes, the Congress leader said to be identified only after the Congress sources who first claimed of Jamir’s comeback, identify themselves.
EXCLUSIVE FILE PHOTO: Former Chief Minister SC Jamir seen here with senior Congress leaders ET Ezung (extreme left), Chingwang Konyak and former Lok Sabha MP Asangba Sangtam during an election campaign in Wokha during the last MP election. The leader also said that the people were against Jamir’s “personality.” “When he was the Chief Minister, people were against his personality and not the Congress” he maintained. He also said that any official intimation from the Goa Governor has yet to be received, if at all. The leader, however, aired his displeasure that this newspaper is the ‘instigator.’ He asserted “you are instigating the issue; you are the instigators.”
Even as this news report was being filed, sources from the State Congress informed that recently, public leaders and a few Congress leaders from Tuli area had a closed door meeting on September 4-5 at the Goa Governor’s residence in Kohima. In fact, in this meeting Jamir had confirmed of his return, a source said. This ‘confirmation’ was the reason why some state Congress leaders are lobbying for a seat for Jamir to contest from.
A district unit leader also informed that when Jamir was in Chumukedima in May-June this year, he had called for strengthening the party’s leadership since it was ‘fractured.’ It implied that Jamir wanted to use this to his advantage and “become the Chief Minister.” While the details could not be confirmed, it was also informed that, Dimapur, apart from Tuli, was being ‘lobbied.’ Within the state Congress leadership an obvious, but undeclared tussle for leadership is on, a leader said. In fact there are about four of the senior state leaders who ‘want to head the Congress and become Chief Minister if the party comes to power.’
Jamir is understood to be waiting for the UPA government to relieve him as Goa’s head. Till this is done, Jamir cannot make public his ambition. Other Congress legislators and senior leaders remain tight-lipped. Congress legislator from Mon Chingwang Konyak simply repeated “no comment for now” while MLA KV Pusa who informed to be out of station, refused to make any comment except that only the “high command” can make any remark. Senior Congress leader (and former Nagaland CM) KL Chishi opined that that the matter is with the “high command and it will take its decision”. Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee chief Hokheto Sumi did not return repeated calls made to him.
A senior leader of a major district unit, also on condition of anonymity, said Jamir’s return will not only jeopardize the Congress “credibility” build over the last few years but also invite the ire of the NSCN-IM. The leader admitted that state Congress leaders are “afraid” that Jamir’s presence would make the NSCN-IM target the party “again,” like the outfit did during the last state assembly elections. The NSCN-IM is against Jamir for his stand on the Naga issue and not the Congress, “who enjoys the people’s confidence,” the leader opined. However the Congress cannot do anything if at all the Goa Governor decides to join the party, he said.
He further disclosed that the Congress high command is suffering from “leadership problems” and for now there is yet to be a singular, decided leadership. The lack of singular leadership might be the reason Jamir desires to come back to take advantage of the situation, the leader said adding that “this will jeopardize (CLP chief) Imkong’s position” and “he (Jamir) will become Chief Minister.”
In the same vein, a congress worker from Tuli in a letter to this paper expressed fear that Jamir’s return would “end the era of the Congress in the state.”
“… we must be aware that in Nagaland we are faced with issues and most importantly the Indo-Naga political issue where we cannot at all undermine the underground factor in elections and if my memory is not short the Congress walkover in 1998 election by going against the call of Naga NGOs and undergrounds and for which we the Congress had to pay the price by bringing back only 21 MLA in 2003 election” the worker wrote. The Goa Governor is appealed to by the worker to “save the Congress in the State from further ruining by not coming to Nagaland if at all you love the Congress family.”
‘Jamir should review before return’ KL Chishi speaks out on Cong prospects, leadership Bonnie Konyak Morung Express News
Dimapur In the backdrop of the recent buzz of Goa Governor, SC Jamir’s return to State politics, former Chief Minister KL Chishi today became the first senior Congress leader to openly express his view on the growing opinion surrounding Jamir’s reported return to State politics. Queried for confirmation of Jamir’s return, Chishi said that Jamir might have aspirations to return but it depends on the Congress High Command and added, “Jamir should judge before making a decision, whether his return would bring the Congress back to power or prove counter”, during an interaction with the local media at his private residence.
Pointing to the history of the former Chief Minister’s fading popularity, Chishi said that Jamir had started out with 59 Congress legislators but ended up with a mere 21 Congressmen in the 2003 election and still out of them, 7 had defected to the NPF. This post-election defection, Chishi thought was not merely due to the ambition for ministerial positions in the ruling NPF government but it might just be because they did not want ‘somebody’ to become the leader. “He (Jamir) is a veteran, he should be able to read between the lines”, Chishi said adding that Jamir’s leadership had been tested and perhaps people now wanted to see the performance of someone new.
Chishi, who is also a former Chief Minister, diagnosed the main issue in the Congress saying that in the run-up to the election the party should “earmark the campaign leader”. “Nagas are not hero worshippers but people will like to look up on somebody in order to cast their votes”. In reply to a query, Chishi said that it would be a lie if he said that he did not aspire to be Chief Minister and continued that as one of the senior leaders and a former CM, he declared that if he won the election, he would also aspire for the coveted chair of the Chief Minister.
On the obvious contender for the same post in the CPL leader, I Imkong, Chishi conveyed that being the Leader of the Opposition did not give anyone the license to be the Chief Minister. Chishi however maintained that the Chief Minister would be selected by the elected members of the party and emphasized that the NPCC president, Hokheto was the party chief who would have a major say in the matter.
On being questioned about his decision to contest in Dimapur I in the forthcoming election, Chishi said that he wanted to render his service to all sorts of people on ‘this side’ – not dwelling on ‘isms’. Stating that he had rendered his services to the hilly areas for about 30 years, Chishi said that he thought it was time to shift this side and deal with a larger community. Commenting on the last bye-elections, Chishi said that the party had missed him and he had missed the party.
At the risk of the declaration being termed as election propaganda, Chishi said that a lot of DAN Legislators had approached the Congress party for tickets for the coming election but at the same time added that the party was not able to comply with many because the Congress had ‘winnable’ candidates in almost all the constituencies. He also affirmed that NPF suspended K Therie was in touch with the party with intentions to come back to the party. He said that since Therie had been suspended for six years from the Congress, the High Command would have to first waive his suspension before he could be inducted into the party’s active membership but added that he had a good chance of a ticket because as yet there was no strong contender of the party in Pfutsero.
Chishi denied any disunity within the Congress saying that there were some differences of opinion on some issues but a national party like the INC had it own way to sort out minor differences. He said that the present Congress was doing very well and the enthusiasm of the people had been aroused. He was confident that the party would come to power in the coming election with absolute majority but also did not rule out the idea of a coalition with the other parties. On being questioned, Chishi said that the Indo-Naga issue was first recognized as a political issue during the Congress regime by PV Narashima Rao, the then Prime Minister and thereafter successive governments had pursued the matter.
Zeliangrongs withdraw support to Nscn (IM) Morung Express News
Jalukie The Zeliangrong Baudi, the apex tribal organization of the Zeliangrongs, in their general assembly held today at Jalukie Town Hall resolved to stop support to the NSCN (I-M) and also abstain from paying ‘taxes’ till the Jalukie Zangdi village issue is settled.
A memorandum will also be forwarded to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio asking for compensation for the families whose structures were razed and also for those who were injured during the rally held on September 3 when IRB personnel resorted to lathi charge and tear gas. The Baudi will also submit an ultimatum to the Nagaland government, pressing upon the latter to evict encroachers at Intangki National Park. An order to this effect was passed on July 25 by the government.
The house also decided to form an organization named as the Zeliangrong People’s Convention comprising of members from Assam, Manipur and Nagaland to take up common issues in the future. Taking note of demarcation of boundaries that have yet to be clear-cut, the house insisted that traditional district boundaries should be respected. “There should be no artificial boundaries,” a public leader said. The general message sounded by several speakers was that the Zeliangrongs were unhappy with the treatment meted out on them while they were peacefully marching towards Hebron, the Council Headquarters of the NSCN (I-M).
Making their stand clear, the Baudi decided that if at all the Collective Leadership of the armed organization wishes a meeting they have to come personally to Peren district, giving the reason that enough memoranda have already been submitted to the NSCN (I-M) as well as the Nagaland Government on their grievances. The Baudi says their pleas have gone unheeded.
About 90 villages from Peren district attended the meeting.
NSCN (IM) alleges rival’s hand in ‘gruesome’ killing The Morung Express
Dimapur, September 10 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has come out openly alleging that its rival the NSCN (K) was behind the “cold blooded killing of five NSCN members on September 8 at a spot between Jotsoma and Piphema. “The Khaplang group will go to the extent of targeting NSCN anytime and anywhere, because the nature of its helplessness after having failed to make any political meaning of its existence despite the signing of ceasefire with the government of India in the footstep of NSCN is forcing them to resort the most sadistic killing that any rude less human being can conceive”, stated an MIP press note received here.
Informing that the five were on the way to Dimapur from Ukhrul and after crossing Kohima they were waylaid along with the Bolero they were traveling. They were taken to the spot to ascertain their individual identity. “Major PK Stone identity as Chaplain GHQ was established beyond doubt. Closely was his wife Maireila, a mother of four children was also clearly identified. The other members, Lance Corporal Ngashankhui, Pte. Ahenmi Sareo and Pte. Eastern Light Raikui were also all identified as Tangkhuls”, the MIP stated adding that it was “the most inhuman killing let loose on the five innocent victims”.
The NSCN (IM) expressed shock that a person attached with the God-given assignment as Chaplain, and the treatment normally given to fairer sex and a mother was just not given any respect. “She was just a mere housewife like most other woman with special attachment to the care of the young growing kids who are in need of the mother’s care in the most loving manner”, the MIP stated.
Pointing out that “we are all Christians, including Khaplang group and that prayer is a part of daily Christian life”, the NSCN (IM) stated that a “Chaplain in Christian life performs the motivating role to make a meaning of a meaning of God worship”. “Forget about human animosity, but God-given figure ought to have been given the last respect and departing dignity”, the MIP press note stated. Stating that “human judgment may fail but God’s judgment never fails”, the MIP pointed out that by “Naga tradition and going by the nature of God, to disgrace a woman and his servant never emerge a winner in the ultimate scheme of things”.
AZSU seeks Guv’s intervention Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, September 10: While acknowledging that the ongoing agitations of office picketing carried out by the Zeliangrong Student Union Manipur (ZSUM) in Tamengong is genuine, its apex body, the All Zeliangrong Students Union of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland (AZSU-AMN) felt that the agitating students’ body and the State Government should also understand that the people of Tamenglong district are facing hardship due to the agitation.
The AZSU-AMN appeals to the Governor of Manipur for his intervention saying that since the AZSU demands for handing over of road infrastructure works to the BRO/BRTF are in the interest of the public, the Govt should pay heed to the ZSUM’s demands.
The AZSU said that the ZSUM has been agitating with the benign cause which is for the betterment of the Tamenglong district. However, AZSU-AMN felt that due to the prolong agitation of ZSUM, the general public in the Tamenglong district are facing immense problems.
AZSU urged the concern authorities to bring settlement demanded by the ZSUM in the larger interest of the Tamenglong public Meanwhile, fed up with the factional killings between the NSCN-IM and the NSCN-K in the “Zeliangrong region,” the All Zeliangrong Students Union, of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland (AZSU-AMN) expressed its deep resentment over the matter.
The apex Zeliangrong students’ body while pointing to the recent factional killing between the two NSCN factions at Khundong village in Tamenglong district, has stated that the periodic outburst of fratricidal killings of the NSCN-IM and the NSCN-K in the Zeliangrong region have not been the wishes of the entire peace loving Zeliangrong community. All these blood lettings are against the wishes of the Zeliangrong people which have been going on inspite of the repeated pleadings from the Zeliangrong civil societies and the churches, said the AZSU-AMN.
KLA clarifies, demands apology By Our Staff Reporter Sasgai Express
IMPHAL, Sep 10: Offering revolutionary salutes to its 10 members eliminated after a joint exercise of the KLA, KRA and the NSCN (IM) on September 3 at Tangkhul Hundung village by one Paiso and his followers for the sake of weapons and to avenge kidnapping of Victor Keishing, alleged son of the NSCN (IM) godfather, the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) has clarified on the gruesome incident and their viewpoints with hard facts.
A statement issued by the KLA Information and publicity secretary Armstrong Kuki asserted that the NSCN (IM) has been scheming to disintegrate the States of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh with the help of some other armed outfits of the North East region.
As much as the KLA is against bloodshed and disunity amongst UG groups of Manipur and Nagaland for they all share the common goal of liberating the neglected people from the alleged oppressive Government, the outfit deemed it necessary that the public should know the truth so that they can make their own judgement about the incident in which the 10 cadres of the KLA Internal Affairs Administrative Unit were done to death on some flimsy and irrational grounds by the NSCN (IM) cadres just to cover their misdeeds and the alleged direct involvement of their treacherous Kuki followers.
Noting that all the clarification and explanations furnished by the NSCN (IM) on the massacre were childish and baseless, the KLA maintained all citizens should know that all the victims were called for a friendly talk with the KRA and were brutally murdered after letting off the KRA cadres.
It was a pre-planned trap just to rob the weapons of the KLA. Regarding the accusation of taking taxes and hijacking, "the NSCN (IM) are the master of extortion, hijacking, kidnapping and burning of motor vehicles" , countered KLA. They survived through extortions by unleashing reign of terror all along the National highways, it said while challenging the NSCN (IM) if they can deny their indulgence in extortions, kidna- pping for ransom and unlawful tax collections in all hill areas of North East India. Asking if the NSCN (IM) can corroborate their allegation that the KLA has no support or sympathy from the Kuki and other Naga and Meitei societies, the KLA asserted that the "NSCN (IM) from Manipur are the most unwanted and hated persons in Nagaland itself at present. The truth is there for all to see. The killings of over 20 IM cadres in Kohima and Tamenglong recently and the attack on IM cadres in Wungram co-lony and the Hebron Camp to drive out IM cadres from Ukhrul district are best examples". There is no enmity or hatred among Kuki and Naga UG groups. There mi-ght have been repeated misunderstanding between KRA and the Naga UG gro-ups but there was no inter- action between KLA and NSCN (IM) in the past. Hence all other UG groups should be on guard when dealing with the NSCN (IM).
All Naga militants of a particular Naga tribe have been driven out both by the Zeliangrong and the peace loving Nagas of Nagaland for their alleged high-handedness. "If they are fighting for Naga people, why did they kill Yangma-sho Shaiza, the first tribal CM of Manipur and attempted the life of the then Nagaland CM SC Jamir and murdered many other Naga leaders?", asked the KLA. Moreover, the inhuman liquidation of 105 innocent Kukis at Joupi and Gelnel on September 13, 2003 by the NSCN (IM) was broadcasted by the BBC and CNN all over the world. Though the official record of the nu-mber of innocent Kukis sys- tematically liquidated by the NSCN (IM) in Manipur during May 12, 1992 till July 10, 1996 stands at 551, the whe-reabouts of 225 men, wo- men and children assumed killed by the NSCN (IM) remained untraced nor their mortal remains found.
In addition, more than 300 innocent Kuki villagers in Nagaland, Assam and border areas of Burma had been murdered. In Manipur alone, 300 Kuki villages we-re completely devastated while over 200 Kuki villages were attacked, burnt down or deserted as a result of NSCN (IM)'s ethnic cleansing. Yangmasho Shaiza, the first tribal Chief Minister of Manipur was brutally assassinated for his refusal to support the design of NSCN (IM) to disintegrate Mani-pur, alleged the KLA. "We want revolutionary for this political crime against humanity. We challenge no one, we challenge nobody or any fellow UG group in the past, present and we will not challenge any organisation in the future without revolutionary reasons. We are Kuki Liberation Army fighting till the last bullet to liberate our Kukigam" concluded the KLA.
Outlook on Zeliangrong rally- Nagaland Post
The proposed rally held on September 3 by the Zeliangrong people was peaceful in nature whose sole intention was to submit its representation/ memorandum regarding the arson of Jalukie Zangdi (on 28th August '07) to the collective leaders of the NSCN (I-M). However, the situation turned out worse only when the encroachers and their supporters blocked the rally by putting vehicles as barricades on the road, awaiting the rallyst with weapons at the so called Kiyoto village. Here is something to ponder! Who are out for an onslaught or a massacre whether people armed with daos, spears and guns or unarmed people with placards? It is ironical that the state government and GPRN should have given full security protection for the peaceful rally, but, they went against the rallyst, instead of disarming the Sumis and Kacharis who were all out armed with daos and spears for a massacre. It is obvious that the state govt. had not only failed to protect Naga Zeliangrong people but also has shown that they are for the encroachers. How biased it was, a mere nepotism!
The intervention and action taken by the IRB is totally wrong and need to be condemned by every right thinking people. IRB- use your blank firing, lathi charges, shelling of tear gas and those well trained ugly kicks for the armed people and not to the unarmed people. The IRB had yet again earned another priceless medal to their berth by targeting the defenseless and innocent people. It was foolish and a shameful act done on the part of IRB that they chose to fight against the descent and peaceful rally. The IRB clearly demonstrated cowardice!
It seems inevitable that the Zeliangrong people have been compelled to seek their own survival. The rally indicates that they would not remain mute spectators but fight till justice is delivered. Getting justice based on truth, whether from the state government or GPRN is out of question. The arson of Wungram colony was carried out right under the nose of the district administration and the IRB who did nothing except gaze at for more than five hours and even worse, the culprits are still on rampant. Again, despite being well aware of the tense situation, the state government allowed Jalukie Zangdi to be burnt down and this time, sided the encroachers by committing the atrocities upon the unarmed people.
From time immemorial, every Naga tribe has their own respective traditional boundaries which need to be respected and honored in order to maintain peace and harmony amongst Nagas. As per the report in the newspaper, that dear Sumis are dragging into picture the other communities so as to instigate and provoke them too, what a pity!! We should not allow a few vested selfish individuals to hijack the national interest. Fellow Naga brethren should not only take note of the situation, but also realize the high handedness of the encroachers and should step out from their comfort zone to fight in unity against the invaders who are trying to fragment and sabotage the Naga identity and creating a division among the peace loving Naga family. So far, the media had done their job well but as a precautionary tip they could be more careful than before with what to be reported, because as seen in one of the local dailies stating "to face the onslaught of Zeliangrong" which is totally blatant as how can people with mere placards go for onslaught. Therefore, any misleading word or sentence should be avoided which can add more fuel to the already tense situation. It is our wish that every Naga have the wisdom and discernment on the fact of the situation.
The Zeliangrong people had done a great a job by starting with a peaceful rally which is not the end but the beginning of a new chapter, standing on the right foot-hold in protection of our God given birthright which will be written down in the Naga history for generations to come.
Akualiu, president, Liukeng, secy, Liangmaipui Union, Dimapur.
Kuki Rights Body warns Ibobi over killing reports The Morung Express
Dimapur, September 10 (MExN): The Kuki Movement for Human Rights today sternly warned the Manipur Chief Minister not to send any report to the Centre without consulting the Kuki community, saying that in the past, many false and fabricated reports has been send to the Central Government without proper consultation of the Kuki people which has resulted in the sidelining of the Kuki problem till date.
The warning by the Kuki Movement for Human Rights to the Manipur Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh, comes in the backdrop of the reported news carried in The Telegraph that 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 September 3 last.
In this connection, the KMHR sternly warned the Ibobi Singh not to ‘commit the same mistake again by sending any report to the Centre without consulting the victim community’.
“The past history of Kukis witnessed many false and fabricated reports sent to the Centre Government without a proper consultation of the Kuki people and as a result the Kukis problem has been sideline till today,” the Kuki Rights body asserted. “The recent Tangkhul Hundung village massacre must be minutely investigated leaving no stone unturned to bring in peace and tranquility,” the KMHR maintained.
The Kuki Rights body said that the ‘Fact Finding Team’ has been constituted and therefore no fabricated report has to be sent without the knowledge of the Team. The KMHR demanded a copy of the report from the government if it has already sent the report to the Centre.
The Rights Body also invited everyone to help and find out the full truth for justice to be done in a proper forum for peace.
Saying that a civil war is inevitable if the state government remains apathetic, the Kuki Rights body demanded that the state government should take the matter very seriously to usher peace and social harmony in the state, nonetheless, the KMHR warned that the state government would held fully responsible for any recurrence of untoward incidences. The KMHR alleged that the state government has been protecting the Tangkhuls only amongst the Nagas in the state and that no protection has ever been given to the Kukis.
The Kuki Rights Body maintained that the Kukis have recorded all ‘these false and partiality Government of Manipur State till now’.
The killing of ten KLA cadres in Ukhrul district of Manipur by the NSCN (IM) has sparked fresh tension between the Nagas and the Kukis, with fears of a return of the Naga Kuki ethnic clashes of the early nineties.
Police seek return of NC Hills border posts A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Sept. 10: Police in North Cachar Hills district have moved Dispur to reinstate border outposts (BOPs) that were withdrawn in the nineties. In a report to the state government, the police said all the 14 border outposts, which were withdrawn in a phased manner between 1992 to 1994, should be set up again to prevent the district from being used as a corridor for inter-state movement of militants. A senior police official posted in the district said the first Dimasa outfit, the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) was formed in 1993, soon after the dismantling of the outposts started.
The DHD was formed with the help of the NSCN-IM which, along with its rival NSCN-K, is regularly using the district as a corridor to travel from Nagaland’s Peren district to Manipur’s Naga-inhabited Tamenglong district. Various militant groups use the district as a transit route for sneaking into Bangladesh via the Barak Valley and Meghalaya. The official said the district is strategically located for militants based in the state as well as in neighbouring Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya.
“The militant groups from outside have always tried to misguide our youths and lured them to insurgency. If we can stop the inflow of militants from outside in the district, it will be easy to establish peace here,” the police official said
The official said the outposts had helped keep tabs on the movement of militants along the inaccessible border areas. “It is difficult to conduct regular patrols along the border because of the remoteness and inaccessibility of one place from another. It is, therefore, imperative to have permanent border outposts for keeping vigil,” he said.
The withdrawal of the outposts had also reduced the police presence in the district significantly. The 14 outposts had 14 companies of police. At present, the district has three companies of state police, four companies each of the CRPF and the BSF, apart from one battalion of the Assam Rifles and two battalions of the army.
National conclave on democracy begins The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Sept 10: A two day national conference on the theme of `Lived Democracy: Reflections on Dignity, Development, Dissent and Decision` began today at Tampha Hotel in Imphal. The conference is organised jointly by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi, and the Centre for Manipur Studies, Manipur University. It is intended to examine issues such as, whether democratic polity has been able to ensure a life of dignity for citizens, the correlation between democracy and economic development, the place of dissenting ideologies and opinions in a democratic polity, and the nature and extent of influence that the public can exercise on the process of governance and governmental decision-making.
Vice chancellor of Manipur University, Prof C Amuba Singh was the chief guest of the inaugural function while Prof Peter de Souza of the centre for the study of developing societies delivered the keynote address. The conference is being attended by a cross-section of people from across the country. Beside academics, the conference has legislators from arunachal pradesh, meghalaya, nagaland and manipur, the chairperson of the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women, activists, journalists and others.
The first dialogue and academic session of the conference was on democracy and dignity. Prof Gopal Guru spoke on the theme, `political morality and right to act: on democracy and dignity`.
The second session was on development and democracy, in which Prof Amar Yumnam presented a paper entitled, `Democracy and development: linear approach to non-linear problems`
In the third session there was a panel discussion by three legislators from Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland, on the theme, `Representing people: myth and reality.` The discussion was chaired by TN Haokip, minister IPR. The second day of the conference will have sessions on dissent and democracy, and decision and democracy.
Human Rights activists to protest AFSPA in Manipur
Imphal, September 10: Hundreds of human rights activists from all over the country as well as from neighbouring Asian nations will assemble in Imphal, the capital of Manipur, from September 13 to 15 to protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA), and in support of Irom Sharmila Chanu’s ongoing struggle against the law.
Sapamcha Jadumani, president of the Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF), said that the solidarity fast is being organised to demand the complete repeal of the AFSPA and to garner support for Sharmila. Thirty-seven-year old Sharmila is a woman activist of Meitei Manipuri community, and is known for her campaign against the controversial AFSPA.
Sharmila had gone on hunger strike on November 2, 2000 demanding the repeal of the AFSPA, after soldiers of the Assam Rifles allegedly killed ten young Meitei men in Malom. Three days later, police arrested Sharmila on charges of "attempted suicide", because suicide or attempted suicide is a criminal offence under Indian law. She was later remanded to judicial custody. To keep her alive, she was forcefully fed a cocktail of vitamins, minerals, laxatives, protein supplements and lentil soup through the nose with a rubber pipe.
Eminent social scientist and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Dr Sandeep Pandey will also attend the three day protest, organised by the ‘National Alliance of People’s Movement’ and the ‘Manipur Forward Youth Front’ (MAFYF). One of the founder members of ‘Asha’ (a non-profit organisation for Education), Mr Pandey was awarded with the Asian Nobel in 2002 in the category of Emergent Leadership for his work towards the uplift of the poor and the underprivileged in India. An engineering graduate from the prestigious University of Berkeley, Pandey later used to teach at IIT Kanpur, but he soon shifted his endeavor to bring hope for the underprivileged sections of the society. Dr Sandeep Pandey will also attend an interaction programme with the journalists at the Guwahati Press Club on September 12, informed GPC secretary Nava Thakuria.
Several human rights organisations from across the country, as well as NRI groups from abroad, are also backing this programme. The ‘Peace Coalition of People of South Asia’, ‘Friends of South Asia’, ‘NRIs for a Secular and Harmonious India’, Pakistani organisations, ‘People’s Development Foundation’, ‘Indus Valley Theatre Group’, and ‘Institute for Peace and Secular Studies’ have endorsed the solidarity protest.
Among Indian organisations, the ‘Asha Parivar, ‘National Campaign for People’s Right to Information’, Right to Food Campaign,’ ‘Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons, JK’, ‘National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights’, ‘Ekta’, ‘People’s Union for Human Rights’, ‘Gene Campaign’, ‘Insaf’, ‘Lokraj Sangathan’, ‘Hind Navjawan Ekta Sabha’, ‘All India Catholic Union’, ‘All India Progressive Women Association’, ‘All India Students Association’, ‘Forum for Democratic Initiatives’, and ‘Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)’ have extended their support. (merinews)
Arms smuggling rising in NE India-Burma News
Guwahati, Taking advantage of porous border and lack of security personnel, arms and ammunition smuggling is on the rise in the North East. The two States Mizoram and Manipur , bordering Myanmar have become major points of smuggling in which security forces have made several seizures during the current year.
According to official statistics, Mizoram Police has made 18 big seizures while in Manipur the figure has been recorded at seven. What is more alarming is that these arms and ammunitions are brought from Myanmar across the border and then sent to different locations as per demand of the people. This can be gauged by the fact that during the current year Mizoram police has arrested several Myanmar nationals while trying to smuggle arms and ammunition along the border.
These arms are basically pistols, 315 rifles and AK series weapons. The demand for these weapons is increasing among the underground groups and the people who are generally involved in drug trafficking. “We have seized several small arms and ammunition in the bordering areas and arrested Burmese nationals in connection with the arms smuggling,” a senior police official of Mizoram told this correspondent today. According to him these arms and ammunition are generally brought from Myanmar across the border and then sent to different locations as per demand. To substantiate his claim, the official said that two arrested Myanmar nationals–Niwanaw and Lalrammawia– during questioning admitted that arms and ammunitions were brought from Myanmar across the border through hilly routes.
According to information, small arms and AK series weapons are brought from Tamu, Mandalay and Yairipok areas of Myanmar with the help of local people and then the consignments are sent to various locations. Ukhrul district of Manipur, bordering Myanmar is said to be the most sensitive route in which security forces have made several seizures.
The official also informed that the demand of small arms in the North East is increasing day by day. “ For the past several years Myanmar and other South East Asian countries have seen massive proliferation of small arms in view of growing underground problem in the North East. Most of the small arms are brought from these countries”, he said.
On the other hand the two districts of Manipur -Ukhrul and Churachandpur have become focal points of arms smuggling. The Manipur Police have seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition during the current year. The undulating hills and forests are helping the arms racketeers to run their business without any hindrance in the North East.
