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09/28/2007: "NSCN-K game for no-mine treaty NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph"

NSCN-K game for no-mine treaty NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph

New Delhi, Sept. 27: The landmine-infested areas of Manipur’s Churachandpur and Chandel districts can draw hope from what is happening in neighbouring Nagaland. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) is heading towards a no-mine treaty with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), a Nobel prize-winning organisation.
The Naga outfit is known to be close to the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the Meitei outfit that is accused of planting landmines in Manipur. Both groups have bases in Myanmar.Next month, the NSCN (K) will have one more round of talks with ICBL officials in Hong Kong. Its rival, the NSCN (Isak-Muivah), signed the treaty as a non-state party in 2003. The ICBL co-ordinator in India, Balkrishna Kurvey, has been in touch with various militant groups of the Northeast to make them signatories to the no-mine treaty.
“The UNLF has made it known it is not open to negotiations on this,” he told The Telegraph today. This would mean that the UNLF has admitted to planting mines in parts of Manipur. Khengjoi block in Chandel is one such area from where people fled last year for fear of landmines.
Dominated by Kukis, community leaders have been trying to convince the UNLF to clear the area of landmines, which have already maimed several people. With the NSCN (K) entering into negotiations for a no-mine treaty, there is now a slight chance of the Manipur outfit following suit. Kurvey said the ICBL was trying to get as many outfits of the region as possible to sign the treaty. The Kuki National Organisation has already done it and talks with the National Democratic Front of Boroland are in progress, he added.
However, negotiations with the NSCN (K) could be tougher because the outfit wants to take the issue “to the people”. Moreover, the Khaplang group may also not want to spoil relations with its Manipur ally.
“We are against civilian casualties, but whether to sign the treaty or not is up to these groups who, like us, are fighting the mighty Indian nation,” NSCN (K) leader A.Z.Jami, who is negotiating with the ICBL, told The Telegraph over phone from near the Indo-Myanmar border.
India itself is not a signatory to the no-mine treaty and has lost as many as 1,776 army personnel to landmines so far. The government has no data on civilian casualties in landmine explosions.
Jamir refutes allegations OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Sept. 27: Former Nagaland chief minister S.C. Jamir today fought allegation with counter-allegation. Stung by National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah)’s statement that he was the stumbling block in “Naga nationalism”, Jamir said the outfit was dancing to the tune of some self-centred state politicians.
“This is tragic because in spite of the high moral ground it (NSCN-IM) has been taking these years, it is being used, misused and abused by vested interests — the sacred Naga movement is being used as a smokescreen by individuals for their own selfish purposes,” he said over phone today.
Jamir said these hackneyed issues have been amply discussed and clarified several times but they are “invariably and predictably raised on the eve of every election in Nagaland in a vain attempt to flagellate a dead horse for some petty and cheap political mileage”.
He said elections were an integral part of parliamentary democracy and the people of Nagaland have been participating peacefully in the elections since 1964.
Earlier, his political detractors used to raise these issues, but now it appears that the NSCN (I-M) has taken upon itself to do the work on behalf of some fissiparous politicians, he added.
Jamir was voted out in the 2003 elections after the NSCN (I-M) and non-Congress parties accused him of trying to distort the Naga issue before the Centre. Congress leaders, on the other hand, have been accusing chief minister Neiphiu Rio and other non-Congress political parties of being too close to the NSCN (I-M).
“On the eve of every election, all the political parties prepare their manifestos and present them before the people. This time, too, all political parties in Nagaland must be preparing their manifestos. Ironically, the NSCN (I-M) also seems to have prepared its manifesto for the general elections, 2008.”
Jamir said Nagas are politically very conscious and that they are acutely aware of the genuine and counterfeit elements, be it underground or overground politics.
The Goa governor said he had no regrets about the political decisions that he has taken. Rejecting the statement that he was an obstacle in the Naga political movement and was pro-Khaplang, Jamir said only a united Naga voice can bring an honourable political solution.
Intanki forest-No man’s land- Nagaland Post
1. The Intanki forest is no man's land since British time i.e. it is not any single tribe's land.
2. It was transferred to Nagaland Government from Assam Government in the year 1891. This transfer was not made to any individual/any single tribe but from Assam Government to Nagaland Government.
3. Intanki forest belongs to all Naga tribe and not to any particular tribe.
4. Before the arrival of Britishers, Intanki was called/named as "Dhanki" which means the place where wild Mithun was killed in Kachari dialect. But when the Britishers arrived on this land and inquired about the name of the forest and they were told that the name of the forest was Dhanki, the Britishers without knowing the actual meaning of the forest recorded it as Intanki, which is officially being used till today.
The history of this is well known by the Kacharis. New Bieurumpuikan is situated beyond 5 (five) Kuki villages. And old Bieurumpuikan is situated after crossing the following Kuki villages viz, 1) Old Pechang 2) Pechang (B) 3) Pechang New 4) Old Vongkithan 5). New Vongkithan 6) Old Chancha 7) New Chancha. Such is the actual location of these two villages and, as such, how can they say that this land belongs to them.
5. The Bieurumpuikan villagers were settled in Lilen village land but the disputed arose between them and a case was filed in the court. The judgment passed by the Court was in favor of Lilen village and the people of Bieurumpuikan village lost their rights and could not settle there anymore. The judgment and order passed by the Court between Beiurumpuikan and Lilen village was in the year 1985.
After they lost their rights to settle/ stay in the southern side of Dhansiri river in the year 1992 but the state government evict them. Therefore, with regard to the judgment and order passed against them in settling/staying at Lilen village land how can the question of change of land by New Buierumpuikan and the Forest Department arise? The Forest Department have committed great mistake in exchanging the land with Bieurumpuikan village. The Forest Department has till date not issued No objection certificate (NOC).
The Government has rightfully not issued the NOC and the map to the Bieurumpuikan village. The Forest Department had ignored the mistakes committed by Bieurumpuikan village but they had harassed and tortured the other villagers without proper investigation/reasons. Therefore the Forest Department has to compensate the publics who have been harassed/tortured by way of evictions for about 22 times.
6. Since the Government had without proper investigation harassed/ tortured the innocent public, the people living in this area will leave/vacate the areas if only the government is planning to evict all the public irrespective of tribes and convert it to government's land. But it can be done or made possible only under the condition that even in generations to come no single tribe can settle in this land/area.
When the government evicts some people/tribe and allowed the others to settle in this area, then it shows that the government is putting division among the tribes and encouraging to wage civil war between one tribe to another. Therefore, it is hereby notified that in the event of any such situation arises, the public will not be hold responsible but the Government shall solely be held responsible for any eventuality.
Hevito, Hd G.B G.B's, Council Chairman, members and General Public. Inavi Village.
Pochury, Zeliangrong, Chakheshang students demand for reservation review Oken Jeet Sandham – Asian Tribune
Kohima, 28 September, (Asiantribune.com): Pochury Students Union (PSU), Zelaingrong Students Union, Nagaland (ZSUN) and Chakhesang Students Union (CSU) have, in a public rally held yesterday, here at Old MLA Hostel junction, demanded the State Government for a “total review of the existing 33% job reservation to the 9 backward tribes of Nagaland.”
In a joint representation submitted to the Governor after the public rally, the three student bodies sought the intervention of the former for a total review of “33% job reservation in consonance with the change of time and situation, so as to update and remove disparities.”
Expressing that they were compelled to seek the Governor’s intervention to the reservation issue as the State Government had totally ignored their democratic request to dispense justice and equality to the citizens, the three student bodies explained that the existing reservation policy had placed the Naga tribes into two simple categories (advance and backward). They further stated the existing policy of 33% job reservation for the 9 backward tribes in the State vides APPT-18/6/67 dated 6-7-1973 and No. AR-8/9/976 (pt-II) dated, Kohima, the 16th August 1979 was running without any major review for the last more than 3 decades, which otherwise required review at the interval of every 10 years to update in consonance with changes to fully realize the target and help those tribes that were educationally and economically very backward and had insignificantly represented in the services, so that they too could come at par with the advance tribes. It pointed out that without looking in to the grass root situation and empirical realities, it was not fair to categorize the entire citizens of a linguistic division or tribe as backward or advance. The review Committee of BT Job Reservation should be directed to investigate conditions of socially and educationally backward areas and examine the grass root situation of different areas in the State so as to deliver fairness and justice to the citizens, it said adding, and the decision of the state Government could not override the “fundamental rights of its citizens.”
NSCN (I-M) targets Jamir, Alemtemshi Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, SEPT 27 (NPN): The NSCN (I-M) has declared former state chief minister and Goa governor Dr. SC Jamir and alleged co-author of the booklet “Bedrock of Naga society,” Alemtemshi Jamir as “anti-people and anti-national” with immediate effect. A copy of the ‘Declaration’ of the joint council meeting of the NSCN (I-M) steering committee and council of kilonsers held on September 25 at Camp Hebron, issued by chief principal secretary to the GPRN/NSCN (I-M), Samson Jajo, said both SC Jamir and Alemtemshi would be dealt accordingly as per the “standing azhas of the NSCN.” The declaration also stated that in the interest of maintaining peace and social order, SC Jamir has been barred from all kinds of social interactions and restricted entry into Naga soil. “All his accomplices who attempt to bail him (Jamir) out shall also be strictly monitored,” the NSCN (I-M) cautioned. Alleging that the “destructive role” of SC Jamir in the last six decades had caused great damage and irreparable loss to the Nagas and their nation, the NSCN (I-M) further said Jamir’s “all out effort to crush the NSCN and the Naga national resistance movement is a national crime of the highest order.”
AR refutes NSCN (I-M) Nagaland Post
IMAPUR, SEPT 27 (NPN): Reacting to the NSCN (I-M) allegation that the Assam Rifles were violating the ceasefire ground rules by indulging in “some highly dubious military practices” in the immediate vicinity of an NSCN (I-M) “designated camp” at Sukhalu in Zunheboto district, the Assam Rifles has clarified that Sukhalu was not a designated camp.
PRO IGAR (N) Maj Pallab Choudhury in a press release said that even the chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) Lt. Gen (Retd.) Kulkarni had conveyed the same and instructed the NSCN (I-M) men to vacate from the “unauthorised location.”
“The concentration of cadres at Sakhalu is a ceasefire violation and this issue was raised with the Chairman CFMG on numerous occasions,” the release said and added that the presence of NSCN (I-M) men was not only causing harassment to civilians but also vitiating peace in the area.
JD(S) to field candidates for Nagaland Assembly polls The Hindu Special Correspondent
Guwahati: The Janata Dal (Secular) has decided to field its own candidates for the Assembly polls in Nagaland due in February next year. It planned to explore electoral understanding with other parties barring the Congress and the BJP, JD(S) secretary general K. Danish Ali told reporters in Dimapur on Thursday. Inaugurating an office of the party state unit, he said the party would give final shape to its poll strategy in November when party chief and the former Prime Minister, Deve Gowda, was scheduled to visit Nagaland. He appointed the former Nagaland Minister, Tokeheho Sema, as the chairman of the State parliamentary board of the party. To a question on the ongoing Naga peace process, he said that it was Mr. Gowda, who as the then Prime Minister, had initiated the peace process.
Free Burma Editorial The Morung Express
The decision of the United States to tighten economic sanctions against the military junta government in Burma needs to be welcomed. The strong words used by President George W. Bush terming the human rights abuses in Burma as outrageous and the direct accusation against the military junta for imposing “a 19-year reign of fear” is but a clear testimony to the prevailing situation and popular sentiments on the streets of Rangoon —the mass anti-government protests and the fact that the oppression of the junta, most notably the denial of basic freedoms of speech, assembly and worship has now been completely exposed in front of the world media. It will be important to follow what impact the new U.S. sanctions on Burma will have in addressing the resurgent pro-democracy movement. This is clearly an opportune time for the international community to rally together in support of peaceful change. In order to help break the political stalemate that has clouded Myanmar for 17 years, the military junta should be pressured to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners and subsequently reconvening Parliament.
The reaffirmation of solidarity with the oppressed people of Burma—led by the US, EU and UK—and the underlining need for restoration of democracy, will be a testing time for India, the world’s largest democracy. New Delhi more often than not has shied away from this issue as it found itself drawn more and more towards the economic logic of trade and the strategic consideration of flushing out Indian rebel groups. Such a policy course of engaging the military regime undermines India’s democratic standing at home and abroad. While a course correction is long overdue, it would be in the interest of the region as a whole if India can use its influence in the region to push for the restoration of multi-party democracy instead of merely playing to the tunes of a few vested interest power mongers within the military establishment.
Likewise, the historic opportunity to work closely with Washington, London and the European Union to push for reform of Burma’s political structure presents itself for India. The earlier statement emanating from the Indo-US agreement for encouraging democracy and providing assistance to countries asking for such help would now have to be spelt into joint initiatives from both countries. Further, given that India’s strategic ties with the US is on an upswing especially the all important civilian nuclear deal close to becoming a reality, New Delhi must take a more assertive stand on the Burma issue in tune with the changing power-equation and its own aspiration to great power status in the region and beyond.
Decade of Peace: Some Reflections U A Shimray The Mortung Express perspective

The editorial of Economic and Political Weekly [August 4, 2007] mentioned: “At the same time, a new rhetoric of development now binds the centre and the north-east into a fresh relationship that does away entirely with the earlier involvement of the local community. For instance, the Democratic Alliance government of Niephiu Rio, elected in 2003, has pursued development aggressively. Recently a multi-product 400 hectare special economic zone was cleared for Nagaland. And the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, in alliance with the Canadian firm Canaro, announced its decision to resume exploration activities in the state 13 years after it was first driven out by the NSCN-IM on grounds that exploration could not continue without the consent of local communities.”
Indeed, the neo-liberal economic ‘reforms’ in India saw a rapid increase of mass protests against the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) is one case. For instance, Raigad (Maharashtra), Jhajjhar (Haryana) and Nandigram (West Bengal) cutting across all sections of people rose up in protest, with Nandigram recording the worst casualty of at least 14 deaths in police firing on 14 March 2007. Such protests came in the wake of growing struggles against land acquisitions for industries (SEZS). Way back in 1965, the SEZ has its predecessor called the Export Processing Zones (EPZs). The EPZs which are ‘industrial zones with special incentives to attract foreign investment in which imported materials undergo some degree of processing before being exported again’ [The International Labour Organisation, 1998]. “EPZs emerged in response to the emergence of finance and global capital as the major economic players, the rapidly accumulating capital that seeks to move out to invest, the growing competition between developing nations to attract foreign direct investment and the thirst of capital to have an unfettered play in the pursuit of profit” [Bijoy, “Special Economic Zones: Profit At Any Cost,” Memo]. The SEZs are nothing but the upgraded version of EPZs based on the “success” model of China. Through SEZs, the Indian state gives further free hand for the market to operate. The giving of primacy to industries over agriculture is part of growth driven development. As a result of this policy there is a bee-line for acquiring fertile and non-fertile agricultural lands. This in fact robs people from their subsistence livelihoods by displacing them permanently.
Remote eastern frontier states are also touched by the wave of so-called “globalisation.” Hitherto, the wave is coming in the form of market and resource extraction. As now the State is poaching natural resources like mineral wealth [including uranium], hydro-power, oil, natural beauty [so-called eco-tourism] relentlessly in the North Eastern region. Moreover, the region is seen as “hot-spot” to promote economic investments through multilateral agencies including World Bank and Asian Development Bank and also, proposed Asian railways and Trans Asian highway to the East Asia. Such trends of investment inevitably would change the very face of the region.
In this backdrop, recently, Mr. Rio’s led Nagaland government invited multilateral agencies and trustees like Ratan Tata Trust to the Naga Hills. Nagaland is the first state that was registered on the map of upcoming SEZs in India from the North Eastern region. Right now, Mr. Rio’s government approved two SEZs. First one is to be developed by M/S H.N. Company in Dimapur. Second proposed SEZ is related with Specific Agro Food Processing Special Economic Zone and to convert the existing Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) at Ganeshnagar, which is to be promoted by Nagaland Industrial Development Cooperation Limited (NIDC). Mr. Pillai, Commerce Secretary said: “The multi-product zone proposed in Nagaland will come up over 400 hectares and land is in possession of the developer” [Expressindia.com, July 12, 2007]. Coincidently all these developments took place during the present interim period of Naga peace process, which in turn creates doubts over the veracity of the ceasefire reached between New Delhi and NSCN-IM.
If the trends continue to materialise, the region of Naga Hills is going to experience economic growth based development. It is direct fallout of globalisation as globalisation demands the integration of markets. In this process the subsistence economies of livelihoods would be destroyed in the name of growth induced development. As a result Naga community will be alienated from their cultures, economies, polity due to displacement. This kind of trend will only result conflicts and tension.
With regards to the Naga Hills, a new economic incentive is rather observed as “unhealthy” trend. The basic deliberation here is Naga Hills are really on the way of “economic-shining,” that would be based on market economy. On the other hand, market has potential tools that will create social classes based on economic assets [so-called middle-class/upper class]. In fact such trend could detour support base of the any socio-political movement in the region. Nevertheless, economic policies driven by the neo-liberal economic process would undermine or rather dilute the Naga political process. Or, can economic investment “rescue” Naga political imbroglio. This invite serious thought.
Not only SEZs, but Nagaland indicated positive nod to the ONGC and Canoro Resources Ltd., to extract crude oil from Champang, under Wokha district. According to the report [“Champang Oil: US$ 115 million for Nagaland govt,” The Morung Express, 31 August 2007], the Canoro president is in touch with the NSCN-IM. Canora further said that the Naga underground outfit has expressed support if the company’s oil ambitions are consonant with the ‘wishes of the people.’ Also the company would consider the history of the Naga people, it is imperative that the people’s sentiments as well as of the government, be kept in focus. The report mentioned that the stakeholders include Nagaland government, local public, Naga outfits and ONGC.
Sometimes reflections cause “uneasy.” Calcutta base national daily The Telegraph [April 12, 2007] under the caption of “Armoured for Big Business- Defense equipment firm chooses Nagaland over Malaysia,” writes: “By the end of this year, Nagaland might well be exporting ballistic body armor and load-bearing equipment to Baghdad and Washington.” The report claimed that the Armour would acquire about 50 acres land near Dimapur to prepare armored vehicles and bullet-proof vests. Mr. Rio’s government is obviously ecstatic as the project promises initial employment for at least 100 people, not to speak of the potential for growth of ancillary units. No doubt, the products manufactured here been earmark for use by the US Allied Forces in Iraq. Indeed, to produce mass destructive equipments in Naga Hills is a shameful thing. Nevertheless, it is total insult to those Nagas who protagonist against war.
Certainly, such emerging of economic incentive [policies] in Naga Hills is astounding. Either SEZ or extraction of oil are in contrast with the special status warranted to the state Nagaland under the Indian constitutional where- “no Act of Parliament in respect of- religious, social practices, customary law and procedure, ownership and transfer of land and its resources…” The Morung Express [31 august 2007] reported: “...a group of ministers set up to finalize a relief and rehabilitation policy today decided in Delhi to give state governments a discretion to acquire 30 per cent of the land required for an industrial project or special economic zones provided the developer has acquired the balance. State governments can now acquire 30 per cent of the land on behalf of the project developer if the company has already taken 70 per cent of the land in possession.”
In such juncture, one can reflect Tibet scenario. The recent N.Ram’s article “Future Tibet” [Frontline, July 27, 2007] concludes as: “…the future of the Tibet Autonomous Region and the extensive Tibetan autonomous areas that form part of four major provinces will be- in their differentiated and distinctive ways- with one China.” China’s policy in Tibet claims that Chinese government developed the region within a short span of time. The whole article proclaimed a good work done for the Tibet by the Chinese. Indeed, this is how the Chinese intrinsically maneuver to divert the Tibetan’s political aspirations. New Delhi seems to be emulating the Chinese model not only in the case of SEZs, but also in dealing political aspirations of the struggles for self-determination. Moreover, such market based inducement which will in the long run undermine the Naga political movement.
Big Guns Under Fire Nagarealm.com
By hitting at the very core of ULFA's fighting capabilities and pushing ahead to choke off the cadres of its '28th battalion', the security forces have assumed a position of strength. But it may not yet be the beginning of the end of ULFA.
The military bosses of Northeast India's most potent separatist group, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), have clearly come in the line of fire of security forces (SFs) engaged in counter-insurgency operations. The ease with which the Assam Police, on September 17, 2007, captured Prabal Neog, the 43-year-old 'commander' of the ULFA's dreaded '28th battalion', fancifully called the 'Kashmir Camp', is a case in point. Neog was apprehended along with his wife and son, near Tezpur in the Sonitpur district, 180 kilometres north of Assam's capital, Guwahati. This was, at once, a 'prize catch' and an easy one, and there lies the irony.

The entire security establishment agrees that the '28th battalion' is the core strike force of the ULFA and is, by itself, a power-centre within the rebel group. This is largely because it is the only unit, among the ULFA's four so-called 'battalions', that is not dependent on Bangladesh for refuge, to escape the counter-insurgency heat. The '28th battalion' has remained active in the Assamese heartland of eastern Assam, in the Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sivasagar districts, and has staging areas in the dense jungles of Arunachal Pradesh, in addition to bases in Myanmar's Sagaing division, across the village of Mynakshu, in the Mon district of Nagaland.

The 'commander' of the '28th battalion' is, consequently, the ULFA's most powerful military leader actually directing operations in Assam. Prabal Neog (real name Benu Bora), has risen from the ranks, having joined the group way back in 1989, and received arms training in Assam and Myanmar. In recent months, it was Neog who was believed to have planned and executed the massacre of more than 100 Hindi-speaking migrants across eastern and southern Assam. It was Neog's crack hit-squads that had targeted these poor migrants, who were drawn mostly from the Bihar State. As a unit that is regarded as the 'life blood' of the ULFA, its commanders are obviously expected to be close to the group's military chief Paresh Baruah.
It is, indeed, surprising how such an important rebel commander--personally in charge of up to 600 men of the '28th battalion'--fell so easily into the police dragnet. How is it that he was traveling in a car with his wife Purabi, a former ULFA militant, and son Rajdeep, with a sense of near impunity? This was not the first time that a 'commander' of the '28th battalion' has been trapped by the SFs. A little over a year ago, on May 18, 2006, the then '28th battalion' 'commander', Mrinal Hazarika alias Plaban Phukan and three other ULFA militants were nabbed by the Police from two different hotels in West Bengal's Siliguri town. An active satellite phone, two regular mobiles bearing Guwahati numbers and a 9 mm pistol loaded with two rounds of live bullets were seized from them.

The ease with which the 'commanders' of this most potent ULFA fighting unit have fallen into the security dragnet has given rise to speculation over whether internecine feuds within the '28th battalion' are behind these surprise detentions. Immediately after Neog's arrest, reports were doing the rounds that a prominent company commander of the '28th battalion', Jiten Dutta, was actually keen on assuming the top post. Questions are now being raised on whether someone from within the unit tipped off the SFs regarding Neog's travel plans. Apparently, Neog had also lost faith with a section of the ULFA leadership over his stand against Bangladeshi infiltrators, contrary to the silence among most of the group's leaders on this, Assam's most talked-about subject. In the absence of confirmation from sources within ULFA, these inferences will remain mere conjectures.

Irrespective of what the internal scenario within the ULFA, the fact remains that the Army's 2nd Mountain Division, based in Dibrugarh district and responsible for counter-insurgency operations in eastern Assam and up to 20 kilometres inside Arunachal Pradesh, has gone hammer and tongs against the '28th battalion.' Since September 24, 2006—when a temporary truce between the authorities and the ULFA ended—until September 19, 2007, soldiers from the 2nd Mountain Division have killed 51 ULFA militants and captured 95 others. 31 rebels from the group have also surrendered. A senior Army officer told this writer: "The 177 ULFA militants that we have neutralized since September 24, 2006, includes one battalion commander (Rajiv Kalita of the '27th battalion'), four company commanders, ten action group commanders and seven experts in improvised explosive devices (IED). "

What is important to note here is that more than 90 per cent of the militants who have been neutralized, according to Army sources, belong to the '28th battalion.' The Army's determined pursuit of the '28th battalion' is demonstrated by the fact that, on Independence Day 2007, the 2nd Mountain Division created history by bagging a total of 89 awards, including one Kirti Chakra (Lt. Pankaj Kumar, 7/11 Gorkha Rifles) and three Shaurya Chakras. It is remarkable that, besides normal military means, the Army is also trying to get locals on its side. In eastern Assam, for instance, the Army has a budget of more than INR 20 million for certain social welfare programmes under what it calls Operation Sadbhavna (Goodwill) and Operation Jugajog (Contact). What counter-insurgency strategists perhaps envisage is a weakening of the ULFA by hitting at the very core of its fighting capabilities to create conditions within which the government can initiate peace talks with the rebel group from a position of strength. This is not a particularly new strategy or something that has not been tried time and again in the country's theatres of insurgency. What appears to be new, however, is the focused manner with which the SFs, particularly the Army, are pushing ahead to choke off the cadres of the '28th battalion'. In recent months, the Army has put enough pressure on the outfit in the Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, a favoured rebel transit route on their way to Myanmar. Now, the rebels are being forced to take a circuitous route from Myanmar to enter Assam, through Tizit in Nagaland. Moreover, the medicine supply lines to ULFA camps are said to have been snapped by the Army, causing major problems for the rebels in the malaria-prone jungles.

Does this mean that this is the beginning of the end of ULFA's strike potential? The honest answer must be a straight no. The ULFA has repeatedly demonstrated tremendous capacities to resurrect itself from such crises. The manner in which the group sprang back to life after the reverses it faced in the wake of the Bhutanese military blitzkrieg in December 2003 is a case in point. Though it is 'advantage SFs' in Assam, as of now, there is no room for complacency. [WASBIR HUSSAIN, Outlookindia]

Wasbir Hussain is Member, National Security Advisory Board, India, and Associate Fellow, Institute for Conflict Management, New Delhi. Courtesy, the South Asia Intelligence Review of the South Asia Terrorism Portal

Koch-Rajbongshi body to stage stir By A City Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Sept 27 – Lambasting all the political parties for shedding ‘crocodile’s tears’ on the issue of non-inclusion of the Koch-Rajbongshis along with other tribes in the list of Scheduled Tribes, the All Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union (AKRSU) has decided to launch a massive stir to make the Central and State governments listen to their demands. Under the Kamatapur rescue movement – as they have named it, the Union has planned a 300-hour National Highway blockade from 5am in the morning of October 17 to October 29, which includes the three days of Durga Puja, celebrated in the State with much pomp and gaiety.

Not restricting to it, the students’ body will also block the railways for 35 hours from the morning of November 10 till November 11 evening. “The Koch-Rajbanshi community is demanding the ST status from 1967, but due to sheer ignorance, the Central and the State governments have turned a deaf ear to our demands,” said the president of the AKRSU, Biswajit Roy. “But all the political parties, during the time of the Assembly or the Lok Sabha polls, decorate their political agenda with a promise to provide ST status to the indigenous tribes of the State,” he added. Recalling the hullabaloo over the statement of Central Minister for Tribal Affairs, PR Kyndiah, regarding the denial of scheduling of the six tribes, including the Koch-Rajbanshis, he said that after the minister had made his statement in Parliament, political parties like BJP, AGP, CPI and CPM tried to create an uproar through press statements, but everything ended up like the ripples in water within a few days.

“From September 28 to the end of December, the AKRSU along with the Chilaray Sena and All Koch-Rajbanshi Mahila Samity will go on strike and hold public meetings to mobilise the masses in different parts of the State,” he said. The 8th biennial convention of the AKRSU will be held at Bongaigaon in the third week of December and in the last week of January 2008, a huge public convention would be organised, said the Union leaders.
Two KRA men killed in shoot out with KLA By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Sep 27: A fierce gun battle ensued between suspected Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) cadres and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) cadres at Khupibung village near Khamenlok under Saikul police station at about 10 am today. It is reported that two KRA cadres were killed in the shoot-out while three others sustained severe injuries. According to information received by press, about 45 KLA cadres were patrolling on foot at Khupibung which is said to be its operational area when KRA cadres numbering about 25 opened fire towards them. Immediately, the KLA cadres took position and cordoned off the area and retaliated. The gun battle during which both sides used lathode bombs and automatic rifles continued till 1 pm. Talking to the villagers after the KLA cadres have flushed out KRA men, they conveyed that two KRA men were slain in the gun battle while three others were taken away by their companions with severe injuries. Later searching the area, the KLA cadres discovered bloods spilled over in some places besides recovering some weapons. Consequent upon the heavy exchange of fire, students of one Catholic school located in Khupibung could not go home for a long time after the school hour was over. They went home only in late afternoon when the firing was completely over.
India breaks silence on Myanmar, hedges its bets Nagaland Post

NEW DELHI, September 27: India may have broken its silence on Myanmar with a carefully nuanced call for political reform, but New Delhi has shown little sign of abandoning the military regime despite growing pressure and protests.
Officials said the Indian government felt it had to speak up and call for national reconciliation on Wednesday as Myanmar troops fired on protesters, and as the United States and Europe asked the U.N. Security Council to consider sanctions.
"It is like hedging one's bets," an Indian foreign ministry official said. "I really don't think there has been a major shift in our position.
"We probably kept quiet all this while because this regime was not faltering so far. But after yesterday, it is all up in the air. There is also the pressure of the EU-U.S. resolution."
In 1988, India was one of the staunchest supporters of Myanmar's pro-democracy movement, but a new, pragmatic approach to foreign policy saw those ties cut in the early 1990s.
Desperate to get its hands on Myanmar's gas to meet its growing energy needs, and determined to counter Chinese influence, India has instead courted Myanmar's generals.
It has also sought their help in tackling insurgent groups from India's remote northeastern states which have bases in the jungles of neighbouring Myanmar.
In June, Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee was quoted as saying that it was up to the people of Myanmar to struggle for democracy, as India had its own interests to defend.
Those interests were underlined this week when Petroleum Minister Murli Deora visited Myanmar, even as the protests were reaching a crescendo there, to talk about energy cooperation and witness the signing of a deep-water exploration deal. (Reuters)
ULFA to Jaswal: Work for a political solution By our Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Sept 27: The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) today said that 4 Corps GOC Lt Gen BS Jaswal’s call to the parents of ULFA cadres yesterday proved beyond any doubt that the Indian Army had no respect for any human rights. It may be mentioned here that Lt Gen Jaswal, at a press meet at Narengi in Guwahati yesterday, appealed to the parents of ULFA rebels to persuade their kin to give up arms or else they would have to receive the mortal remains of their militant kin. In a statement issued to the press today, ULFA’s military spokesman Raju Baruah said that the statement of Lt Gen Jaswal was highly against the dignity of the people of Asom. “We appeal to the Army officer to engage himself to find out a peaceful political solution to the Asom-India clash instead of going for a military solution,” the statement said.
Mukherjee meets Rice
NEW DELHI, Sept 27: In the backdrop of the Indo-US nuclear deal facing stiff opposition from Left parties, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee met US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice here to review bilateral issues. Meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, the two discussed “a gamut of items of cooperation” and international issues of concern, a release issued by the Indian Permanent Mission here said. However, the release did not make any mention of the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal coming up for discussion. The 123 agreement to operationalize the deal must be completed in the life of the present US Congress. PTI
2 more Asom girls rescued
Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Sept 27: The Delhi Police today rescued two Asom girls — Punam Rabha and Moni Rabha (names not real) — from the clutch of sex workers today. The breakthrough came close on the heels of the rescue of Puja Rabha (name not real), who could reach the Assam House giving the sex racket a slip. The police conducted raids in a number of places based on the statement of Puja Rabha, and spotted Moni Rabha at Srishti Placement at Punjabi Bag where Bitu, an agent involved in women trafficking, was also arrested. The confessional statement of Bitu led to the rescue of Punam Rabha from Nalbia Nagar in South Delhi. All have been brought to Chanakyapuri police station.
Musharraf files nomination
ISLAMABAD, Sept 27: As Pakistan Supreme Court braced up to deliver a make-or-break verdict on the petitions against his dual post, General Pervez Musharraf today filed nomination for the October 6 Presidential poll amid strong protest by the opposition. PTI n See page 12
HC directive to GMC, GMDA By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Sept 27 : A full bench of the Gauhati High Court headed by Chief Justice Jasti Chelameswar has today directed the GMC and the GMDA authorities to identify the corrupt officials involved in issuing permission for building construction illegally. The court has also directed both the authorities to submit their action-taken report before the court by December 6. The other judges of the bench were Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice BP Katokey.
BSF busts KLNLF camp
SHILLONG, Sept 27 : The Border Security Force (BSF) has busted the hideout of Karbi Longri National Liberation Front (KLNLF) and nabbed its ‘lance corporal’ Snatra Rongpi from Deori Hills in Asom’s East Karbi Anglong, a BSF statement said today. BSF troops carried a search operation in dense forest of Deori Hills and busted the militant hideouts. UNI
India urged to condemn the killings in Burma Indo Burma News
September 28, 2007: Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) New Delhi, Today stated that the statement of Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee on the prevailing situation in Burma fails to censure the military Junta for the human rights violations against the peaceful protestors. ACHR urged India to condemn the killings of the monks and other civilian protestors, respond to the demands of the international community and ask the government of Burma to agree to the United Nations mediation for national reconciliation and roadmap to democracy.
“It is never late to wake up,” – stated Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights, while describing India's blind support to the junta. “If India can speak up for individual freedom and fair trial of former Bangladeshi Prime Ministers, Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia, who have been accused of corruption, there is no reason why India cannot condemn the killings of the monks and other peaceful protestors” - added Mr Chakma further.
Commenting on the US$ 150 million deal signed by Petroleum Minister Murli Deora with the junta on 24 September 2007 for exploration of gas off the Rakhaine coast of Burma, Mr Chakma stated, “it is a crude gesture towards pro-democracy movement and exposes the failure to learn from past experiences. It was only in August 2007 that Burma sold the gas to PetroChina from the A-1 and A-3 blocks off the Rakhine coast of Arakahan in Burma in which GAIL and ONGC Videsh had 30 percent stake but India still expects to get oil from the junta”.
ACHR further stated that national security cannot be an issue for not speaking out against the junta. India is having peace negotiations with most of the armed opposition groups in Indo-Burma border and despite its pampering of the generals, there are credible reports of cooperation between the Burmese army and Indian insurgent groups.