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10/12/2007: "NSCN-K to hold talks with Centre today OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph"

NSCN-K to hold talks with Centre today OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

Kohima, Oct. 11: Officials from the Union home ministry and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) will meet in New Delhi tomorrow to streamline the existing ceasefire ground rules. A senior NSCN (K) minister, Kughalu Mulatonu, said from New Delhi that they would discuss how to give more teeth to the existing ground rules. He, however, said there would be no political talks yet, as the rival group was engaged in talks with the Centre at present.
Mulatonu said tomorrow’s talks would focus on ceasefire violation by the NSCN (I-M) and how to check activities that are detrimental to the ongoing ceasefire between the security forces and the NSCN (K). The truce is on since April 2001. The two sides will also discuss setting up of designated camps in Nagaland. Until recently, the outfit was setting up designated camps in Suruhoto, around 200km from Kohima and in Tizit, around 400km from here.
However, the NSCN (K) has said it will not allow any of the rival group’s camps to exist in any parts of Nagalim. The Centre has already directed the NSCN (K) to set up its designated camps in Wokha, Zunheboto, Kiphire, Peren, Longleng and Mon districts. Mulatonu, who is also the supervisor of the ceasefire supervisory board of NSCN (K), said they would also raise several issues pertaining to the rival group indulging in terrorist activities. It is not known whether the outfit’s general secretary, N. Kitovi Zhimomi, who is also in Delhi, will take part in the talks.
The NSCN (I-M)’s ministry of information and publicity today said the talks with the Centre yesterday were cordial.
Un-Ending Talks Morung Editorial Kuknalim.com

The Government of India-NSCN (IM) peace process, which completed another round of ‘inconclusive’ talks at New Delhi, is in need of a serious push. The talks appear to have reached a stalemate with both sides ‘sticking to their stated positions’.

It is obvious that if it had not been for the role of third party mediators, the peace talks would have run out of steam by now. Earlier it was through ‘mediators’ that the peace talks was kept afloat although New Delhi does not want to officially acknowledge this. But for all practical reasons, the presence of international third party groups and individuals is a reality although at the end, decisions would have to be theirs and no amount of expertise can aid the process if the parties refuse to budge or do not demonstrate reciprocity or the political will to resolve the problem.
As agreed upon in the historic ceasefire talks held at Circuit House Dimapur in July where both sides decided to extend the ceasefire in Nagaland ‘indefinitely’ subject to progress made in the talks, the premise to move expeditiously discussing all substantive issues must be honored. Both sides are reported to have agreed on a broad framework to resolve the Naga issue politically. However Delhi is taking too long to take decisions and this is not helping the peace process. It also raises concerns about the Government of India’s sincerity in bringing about an honorable solution based on the unique history and situation of the Nagas. If push comes to shove, the NSCN (IM) should seriously contemplate putting a clear timeframe for Delhi to reach a settlement.

The Government of India should be reminded once again that having traveled the peace road thus far, and having drawn in the Naga people as co-owners and partners to this journey, an added responsibility now rests on India’s shoulder to see to it that this cause for peace and friendship does not go in vain. Likewise the basic premise on which the process itself began—which was to find an honorable-negotiated-peaceful-political -settlement to the over 50 year long problem—be attended to without anymore delay.
Patience is running out for the people who are losing faith in the peace process. It goes without saying that both New Delhi and the NSCN (IM) must now work within the understanding arrived at—indefinite ceasefire extension subject to the talk’s progress—whatever that may mean which only the two parties can interpret. The Government of India must also be reminded that the Naga people’s commitment and investment on the ten year long peace process should not be allowed to go in vain. Failure to acknowledge this will bring to naught whatever goodwill has been generated by the peace process.

Centre, NSCN (IM) resolve to find honourable solution Naga talks back on track Nagarealm.com
New Delhi [PTI] : Giving a fresh impetus to the ongoing Naga peace process, the Centre and the NSCN (IM) on Wednesday resolved to expedite their negotiations to find out a peaceful and honourable solution to the six-decade-old insurgency problem in Nagaland.
In a meeting held here, both sides resolved to work in close coordination to find out an "amicable, peaceful and honourabl" solution to bring peace into the north eastern state.

"The discussions were held in a cordial atmosphere. Both sides exchanged their views very frankly. The substantive issues also figured in the talks," an NSCN (IM) spokesman said. The Naga outfit's general secretary Thungaleng Muivah is understood to have told the government team, led by Union Minister Oscar Fernades, that "NSCN (IM) is committed for peace. Therefore, the government should work for an honourable solution".

The issue of recent clashes between NSCN (IM) and its rival faction also figured in the discussion and the group asked the Centre to "control" the members of Khaplang faction for maintaining peace in Nagaland.

Both sides agreed to meet again soon, possibly later this month or early November. Muivah, who has been camping in Dimapur ever since his return to India from Europe in December last year, is likely to leave the country again. NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu has already left India.

Both the Government and NSCN (IM) on July 31, decided to extend the ongoing ceasefire indefinitely "subject to progress of peace talks" between the two sides. Apart from Fernandes, Union Ministers Prithiraj Chavan and S Regupathy and Centre's interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah took part in the meeting while eight top leaders represented the NSCN-IM.


Naga support to Myanmar rebels Kohima, ANI] : Nagarealm.com
Hundreds took part in a protest rally in Nagaland against the violent military crackdown in Myanmar.
Myanmar has seen a large number of Buddhist monks protesting in the country for the last few weeks, calling for democracy and an end to the military government. The rally, called by the 'Nagaland People's Association for Human Rights' saw the participation of hundreds of people protesting against the killing of monks in Myanmar. Several protestors took part in the protest on Wednesday.

The Secretary General of the Nagaland People's Association for Human Rights accused the military of torturing people who went against the Government . He wanted the world to support the people of the country who want to live in peace.
India shares a 1,645-km border on its east with Myanmar and relations between the two countries go back centuries, to the time Buddhism was born in the sub-continent and spread across the region.

New Delhi initially supported Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy. It, however, had to maintain cordial relationship with the military regime in the 1990s and later.

Around 3,000 people are reported to have been killed since the crack-down by the military 19 years ago.

The current protests in Yangon were sparked off against the fuel price rises, but developed into a mass uprising against 45 years of military rule, led by monks considered the moral core of the Buddhist nation. Malaysia Sun

GRIM PICTURE The Telegraph
Even governments have no option sometimes but to give away the truth or part of it. When the Union home minister, Shivraj Patil, says that the security situation in several states in the Northeast is grim, there is no reason to doubt the truth of his statement. Both the people and the local authorities in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland would have been rather surprised if Mr Patil had sought to tell a different story. The sense of insecurity is so intense in Manipur that dozens of government officials are forced to flee their homes for the safety of the state government’s guesthouses in far-off New Delhi. In Assam, the collapse of the government’s peace talks with the United Liberation Front of Asom has led to the militants resuming their strikes. In Nagaland, the law and order situation continues to be a matter of concern despite the Centre’s ceasefire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, led by Thuingaleng Muivah and Isaak Chishi Swu. Given the inability of the state administrations to uphold the rule of law, there is little hope of the security situation getting any better in the region. On the contrary, the breakdown of law and order in one of these states seems to embolden the insurgents in all the others.
However, Mr Patil’s remark, at last week’s conference of the state police chiefs, stops short of capturing the whole truth. It says little of the failure of the government’s security strategy for the region. And this is not a failure for which New Delhi can blame the state governments alone. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act has long been in force in Manipur, Nagaland and parts of Assam. The governments, at the Centre and in the states, seem to be in a constant dilemma about how to use the army and other forces in the fight against insurgency. The army’s hands are often tied by the politicians who would periodically try to negotiate with the rebels. The result in most cases is a show of indecision and inaction that demoralizes the army and helps the militants re-group and re-arm themselves. It is time New Delhi settled for more decisive strategies. A beginning could be made in Assam, where the army reportedly wants a free hand in the battle against the Ulfa. The outfit’s rejection of the peace talks should leave Dispur with no illusion about its true intentions. Half-measures do not help, either in war or in peace.
Kuki leader joins NSCN (IM) Newmai News Network
Dimapur In a significant development, a Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) leader D.T.Haokip has joined the NSCN-IM on October 10, according to the MIP. Calling it as an important development, the NSCN-IM said today that the latest development “rendering credibility to the reality of establishing peace in Nagalim under the banner of NSCN the Finance Secretary of Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) Mr. D.T. Haokip joined the NSCN on 10th October 2007”.
The NSCN-IM further stated that on joining the Naga outfit Haokip made it very clear that he bears no grudge against the KRA. “But he is more concern of the future of the Kukis and is confident that the Kukis will be assured of their identity by aligning with the Nagas under the NSCN.”
Haokip had joined the KRA in the year 2001 and ever since has been playing an important role within KRA to shape the Kuki interest. “Haokip’s joining the NSCN is in direct response to the ‘Peace and Reconciliation’ initiated by the Collective Leadership of NSCN,” said the NSCN-IM while adding, “Haokip believes that he has taken the correct step and other Kukis belonging to different groups should ponder seriously keeping in mind to Kukis overall interest”.
Wangyuh reminds students of their good fortunes The Morung Expres

W. Wangyuh Konyak addressing students on the Salt Christian College 17th Freshers cum Social Parting at Town Hall on October 11. (MExPix)
Dimapur, October 11 (MExN): “I thank God for bringing me to this position; I remember I went naked to school on the first day!” said Wangyuh Konyak, MP Lok Sabha speaking as the Chief Guest and reminding students of their good fortunes, at the 17th Freshers cum Parting Social Day of Salt Christian College. He said “I am an MP today and I have worked very hard to come this far. There may be future ministers among you, so obtain quality education and imbibe leadership qualities in you.” Wangyuh also the highlighted on the symbolism of ‘Study’ saying “S stands for sincerity, T stands for temperament, U stands for unity and D stands for discipline. If you uphold all these, you will definitely be a winner.”
He further added “College is the training ground for the future. Learn to build up your character and make good use of your time because one has only limited time to build a career”. Wangyuh also requested the teachers, Principal and administration to provide quality education to the students.
Also speaking on the occasion was the Guest of Honour, Tokavi Achumi, SDPO Niuland. He encouraged the students to focus on life, “you should know where you are going; follow the path that leads you to your goal” he said. He added that one must venture out for varied profession saying “don’t only focus only on government jobs. It’s a big world out there and a whole lot of opportunities waiting for you”.
He encouraged freshers to gain as much knowledge as one can during their time in college and further advised the outgoing students to learn to shoulder responsibilities and follow the right path to success. There were speeches on behalf of the freshers and outgoing students. Later in the programme, Mr. & Miss Freshers were chosen followed by extravaganza.
Message of ‘forgive and forget’ to NSCN (IM): CPO The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 11 (MExN): Expressing serious concern over the ‘Azha’ passed on Dr. S. C Jamir and Alemtemshi terming them as “anti-people” and “anti-national” by the NSCN (IM), the Chakhesang Public Organisation today called for the spirit of ‘forgive and forget’.
While appreciating the concern of the NSCN (IM) over the controversial issue raised in the booklet ‘Bedrock of Naga Society’, CPO President Yesonu Veyie in a press release stated that ‘No amount of difference is beyond reason to resolve in the spirit of ‘forgive and forget.’
Talking about the importance to respect the right to freedom of thought, speech and expression, CPO President said that ‘The view and opinion expressed by any group or individuals are the inherent culture and traditional ways of life and should be considered positively.’ The CPO therefore, asks the NSCN (IM) to respect the customary and traditional knot enjoyed by the respective community and revoke the ‘Azha’ in the larger interest of the Nagas.
As observed, the release added that the issue have been closed and put to rest by the NPCC both in the public and in the State Legislative Assembly in the session. However, the CPO further expressed in the release that it fails to understand the intention of the NSCN (IM) for dragging Alemtemshi Jamir’s involvement in the book as well as in the whole issue.
Rival's camp at Sukhalu village a threat to NSCN (K) Nagaland Page
Kohima, October 11: Officials from Union Home Ministry and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) will meet on October 12 in New Delhi to streamline the existing ceasefire ground rules which has so far failed to discipline the cadres.
A senior NSCN (K) minister, Kughalu Mulatonu told Nagaland Page from New Delhi that they would meet officials of Home Ministry and discuss about how to give more teeth to the existing ground rules. However, he said there would be no political talk as of now as the rival group is engaged in the talks with the Centre.
Mulatonu said October 12 talk would basically deliberate on the ceasefire violation by the NSCN (IM) and how to check such activities, which are detrimental to the ongoing ceasefire between the security forces and the NSCN (K). The outfit has been observing truce with the security forces since April 2001. The two sides would also discuss on the setting up of designated camps in Nagaland, as due to the attacks by the rival cadres so far the outfit could not maintain its designated camps as it should be.
Until recently the outfit is in the process of setting up designated camps in Suruhoto some 200 km from Kohima and in Tizit around 400 km from here. But the rival group said they would not allow any of the rival camps to exist in any parts of Nagalim. The Centre has already directed the NSCN (K) to set up its designated camps, one each in Wokha, Zunheboto, Kiphire, Peren, Longleng and Mon districts.
The NSCN (K) leader said they would also ask the Centre for immediate removal of all unauthorized camps of rival group, particularly one of the camps in Sukhalu Village near Zunheboto town. He said NSCN (IM) cadres have illegally constructed camp in Sukhalu and are unleashing terrorism in the area. "NSCN (IM) should leave Sukhalu village as it is an illegal camp," Mulatonu said.
But for the NSCN (IM) it is one of their legal camps. Even the security forces and the Centre have asked the NSCN (IM) to vacate the unauthorized camp at Sukhalu.
The key reason for both the security forces and the NSCN (K) why the NSCN (IM) cadres should not be in that area is that recently the Khaplang faction has shifted the Ceasefire Supervisory Board office from Mon to Zunheboto. But most importantly the present camp at Sukhalu is just 4 km away from the Amiphoto colony where the permanent residents of NSCN (K) general secretary N Kitovi Zhimomi and Kughalu Mulatonu are located. Without removing the rival cadres from the neighborhood of the town, the faction is expected to have less peace of mind. At least on 2 occasions, not long ago, NSCN (IM) battered the Amiphoto colony and an attempt to force out the rival cadres. Mulatonu, who is also the supervisor of the Ceasefire Supervisory Board of NSCN (K) said they would also raise several issues with the Home Ministry officials, pertaining to the rival group indulging in terrorist activities.
"No political talks as NSCN (IM) and Government of India have not closed the talks," Mulatonu said.
On rival group's charges that the outfit is the key ally of Indian agencies and security forces to undermine the Naga political issue vis-à-vis the ongoing Naga peace process, Mulatonu counter alleged that the rival faction is being aided and supported by the Centre and the present state government and therefore, there was not an iota of truth that Centre was helping them. He said presently NSCN (IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah is in Delhi with foolproof Indian security forces.
It is not known whether the outfit general secretary, N Kitovi Zhimomi who is also in Delhi would take part in October 12 talks. But A Z Jami, a senior minister of the outfit also said there will be no talks till the rival is engaged in dialogue with the centre. "We'll not hold talks with government of India till the NSCN (IM) wind up their talks" Jami told the Nagaland Page from his hideout somewhere in Mon district. He said sovereignty will be the basis for the talks with the Centre and that without that there would be no point to sit across the table with the Indian policy makers. (Page News Service)
No Burmese drug money in NE: UN The Morung Express
NEW YORK, OCTOBER 11 (AGENCIES): A top UN official said Thursday there is no evidence to show the money raised through illegal drug trade in neighboring Burma was used by terrorist organizations and insurgents in the India’s northeast.
This even though there is strong evidence to show that the opium production - and its alarming rise in production in Burma this year - is being used by the Burmese ethnic minorities and insurgent groups to fund their armed struggle against the government.
These views were expressed by Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drug and Crime after releasing a UN report on ‘’Opium Poppy Cultivation in South East Asia - Laos, Myanmar and Thailand’’ at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Costa said the situation in Burma was alarming as this year the country has experienced an increase of 29 percent this year. The increase, he said is mainly due to increase in demand in the regional market, high price and most importantly some of the ethnic groups that use opium to fund their operations are now back in its supporting.
‘’No, we do not have any indication of the money generated through illegal opium trade in Myanmar landing into the hands of the terrorist networks in North East India,’’ Costa said in response to a question.
He said though the amount of money was huge from the Myanmar standards, it was not big from international perspective. It was just $450 million, which is one-tenth of that in Afghanistan.
Moreover the opium production in Burma was more towards its eastern side as a result there was a buffer zone of a few Burmese states between this region and India, he said.
Media protest against interference by armed groups Newmai News Network
Imphal The newspapers' publications based in Imphal have stopped since today following another case of the interference of a militant group in the working of the journalists. Its once again the Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK). Not long ago the Media bodies in the state have resolved to stop publishing indefinitely.
The decision in this regard was taken during the joint meeting of the Editors' Forum Manipur (EFM) and the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) held today at Manipur Press Club in Imphal. From tomorrow onwards the journalists fraternity will begin its first leg of the protest against the interference of the militant outfit in the working of the media houses.
Holding of rallies, sit-in-protests and other forms of agitations will be initiated in the course of agitations. The general body meeting of the journalists bodies held today regarding the problem arising out of the two factions of People Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) one led by N. Nondren group and the other led by Chinglenba Mangang Shanti group. Earlier, both the factions of the underground group agreed upon not to interfere into the freedom of press even though there was no written statement. However, one of the factions threatened the media fraternity to award capital punishment wherever they are found reporting in the fields, according to the general secretary of AMWJU. After the threadbare deliberation, the EFM and AMWJU unanimously resolved to condemned both the factions of the proscribed outfit and will stop publishing newspapers indefinitely unless further development come-forth from both the factions which should be satisfactory by the media organisations. The general body meeting also decided to carry out various forms of agitation including rallies and will stage sit-in-protest during the time of cease work strike on a daily basis at Manipur Press Club in Imphal beginning from tomorrow 10 am till 4 in the afternoon.
Battle of nerves in Assam's rebel strongholds By IANS
Guwahati, Oct 12 (IANS) Rebel strongholds in Assam are witnessing a battle of nerves with locals protesting on the streets, accusing the army of excesses including rape and molestation, and soldiers rejecting the charges, saying it was a 'new technique' adopted by insurgents to pit civilians against them. On Tuesday, residents of more than a dozen villages in the eastern tea and oil-rich district of Dibrugarh laid siege at the local magistrate's office in Tengakhat town. They threatened to launch a stir if the state government did not 'rein in the army', engaged in sustained counter-insurgency operations in the area, a known stronghold of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
The latest round of street protests was triggered by the alleged molestation of a mother of two at village Tipomia by soldiers of the 11 Guards Regiment, who were accompanied by some surrendered militants. The police have since registered a case against a soldier after a complaint from the housewife. The army, however, says a soldier by that name does not exist in its rolls.
'The complainant has given the name of the soldier as Raju but the army unit concerned says there is no one in its ranks by that name. We have to look for other clues,' local police officer Mrinal Kumar Das has been quoted as saying.
The army has been quick to counter the allegations this time round. A statement issued by officials under the 2nd Mountain Division said: 'The new technique is being adopted to prevail upon the women folk to stage demonstrations on national and state highways, causing disruption in the flow of traffic, by casting allegations of molestation and rape by security forces.'
It added: 'In order to sensationalise the whole issue and to malign the image of security forces, the ULFA has started framing baseless allegation of crime against women in areas where there is extensive demonstration by the security forces and where the ULFA's extortion activities have been adversely affected.' There have been excesses by the army in the area, including custodial deaths of ULFA suspects or supporters, but a surge of civilian protests and allegations against the soldiers is also seen whenever counter-insurgency actions against the insurgents peak.
The army has said the recent surrender of seven top notch ULFA cadres at the Laipuli Army Camp, apprehension of Prabal Neog, the commander of the group's '28th battallion', by far the most potent strike force of the ULFA, and elimination of many of its senior leaders in the past six months has led to frustration in the group. The ULFA, fighting for an independent homeland since its inception in 1979, has been facing major reverses since the Bhutanese military assault in December 2003, but by far its biggest setback has been the capture of Neog on Sep 17.
During the past 12 months, beginning September 2006, the army's 2nd Mountain Division, based in eastern Assam, has neutralised scores of ULFA militants. 'We have neutralised 177 ULFA militants since Sep 24, 2006, including one battalion commander (Rajiv Kalita of the '27th battalion'), four company commanders, 10 action group commanders and seven experts in improvised explosive devices (IED),' said a senior officer.
Army cautions people against falling prey to ULFA designs
From Our Staff Correspondent Assam Tribune
DIBRUGARH, Oct 11 – Terming the alleged crime against women by the Army in Lezai Barua Gaon, Tingkhong, Tengakhat and Bordumsa as baseless and concocted, the Army sources today cautioned the people of Upper Assam against falling prey to the designs of the ULFA.

Brigadier Binoy Poonen, Commander of Counter Terrorism Operations in Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts said that a sustained effort was being made by the ULFA to malign the image of the security forces in the terrorism-affected districts of Upper Assam. He said false allegations were being framed by the over ground sister organizations of the banned outfit.

“A new technique is being adopted to prevail upon the women folk to stage demonstrations on national highways and state highways causing disruptions in the flow of traffic by casting allegations of molestations and rape by the security forces”, the Commander said.

In a press statement issued to the media, Brigadier Poonen made an appeal to the peace loving people of Upper Assam to rise to the occasion and assist security forces in eradicating the menace of terrorism. Portraying ULFA as a mere ‘criminal establishment working for self-interest and money, the Commander held that ULFA was not an organization working for the betterment of the society. The Brigadier claimed that the recent surrender of the seven top notch ULFA cadres at the Laipuli Army Camp, arrest of Prabal Neog, the self styled battalion commander of ULFA’s 28 battalion, elimination of many senior leaders of the outfit and arrests of hundreds of linkmen and overground workers in the last six months had left ULFA in total disarray and state of frustration. He reiterated that security forces would continue with its efforts in the state with same vigour and enthusiasm.

IT centre launched: Underlining the fact that the booming information technology is capable of providing instant jobs to the computer professionals, the catholic diocese of Dibrugarh launched a full-fledged St. Joseph’s Institute of Information Technology (SJIIT) in Bishop’s House on Monday. SJIIT is established with the twin motives - to build professionals and produce hi tech communicators to make them better placed in the IT sector, said Joseph Aind, the Bishop of the diocese while invoking blessings upon the new institute. “Computer knowledge has become the qualifying criteria for every job”, Bishop Aind said and made the clarion call to the young.

Ashutosh Agnihotri, the deputy commissioner (DC) of Dibrugarh who formally inaugurated the newly erected institute hoped that SJIIT would strive to produce purposeful and meaningful professionals so that they are well prepared to meet the service challenges in the expanding market. Notably the SJIIT will be run under the technical and administrative support of the nationally renowned ICIPL. The acronym stands for Infotech Consultancy (India) Private Limited. ICIPL has received accreditation from DOEACC society, an autonomous body under DIT, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Government of India. It is the only company authorized to impart diploma, degree and post graduate degree courses under distance education mode from Annamalai University.

Centre for Development in Advanced Computing (C-DAC), a scientific society under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Government of India is another partner in implementing the Programme for Advancing Computer Education (PACE) that seeks to offer varied certificate and diploma courses through SJIIT. Amongst others, Abraham Thomas, managing director, ICIPL; Ram Chandra Borkotoky, regional coordinator, (C-DAC), Fr. Joy Pallikunel, Vicar General, Dibrugarh diocese and Fr. Paul Thettayil, the financial administrator, Dibrugarh diocese were also present during the ceremonial opening of the institute.
Lives of detained Burmese at risk, if deported by India: AI Mungpi Mizzima News October 11, 2007 - The three Burmese nationals, arrested on the Indo-Burma border state of Manipur earlier this month, are likely to be tortured by the Burmese junta if they are deported by India, Amnesty International said today.
Given the Burmese military junta's appalling human rights record and the lack of international standards in conducting fair trial, the lives of the Burmese nationals will be at risk if deported by the Indian government, AI said on Thursday in a statement.
The three Burmese – Habibulde, Haroon and Rashid – were arrested on October 2, by troops of the 24 Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force, during a security check of vehicles in Khudenthabi near the border town of Moreh in Manipur. They were handed over to the police in Imphal capital of Manipur. The Imphal police then charged the three with illegal entry into the country and later transferred them to the Moreh police station. On October 9, the three men were produced in court and were remanded to judicial custody for 15 days.
While a few media reports have suggested that the three fled Burma in order to escape the Burmese junta's relentless crackdown on protesters, who joined the Buddhist monk-led protests in September, the reason for their entry into India is still unclear.
Crackdown Continues Following the brutal suppression of last month's protests, that posed a direct challenge to military rule, the Burmese junta has continued arresting activists and protesters. The junta continues searches, surveillance and harassment of individuals, who took part in the protests, and threatening family members and neighbours of those who it believes had joined the protests. Sporadic protests began in mid-August, when the junta increased fuel prices. With the Buddhist monks taking the lead on September 18, the modest protests snowballed. But the junta, which initially exercised restraint, began its brutal crackdown by opening fire into the protesting crowds on September 26.
Several demonstrators were killed and arrested and the junta followed it up with midnight raids in monasteries and residence of activists. At least 6,000 including 2,000 monks have been arrested and more than 200 have been killed during the crackdown, activists said. Amid widespread fear of arrest, many people including a few key activists are in hiding. Reportedly, several protesters, in order to escape the rampant arrest and torture, have fled to neighbouring countries including India and Thailand.
Border closed While many Burmese protesters, who are fleeing from the crackdown, are likely to view India as a safe haven, Indian authorities have intensified security arrangements along the Indo-Burma border to prevent a possible influx of refugees from Burma. With the Indo-Burma border gates remaining closed, security has been stepped up with ground patrolling and aerial surveillance with unmanned small aircraft along the border, sources on the border said.
Besides tightening the security apparatus along the 398-kilometer Manipur-Burma border, Indian intelligence agencies are also on the look out for information regarding a possible influx of Burmese people to India. An intelligence officer in New Delhi on Wednesday requested Mizzima to keep them informed of the possibility of Burmese people fleeing to India. However, the officer in contrary to the ground situation on the Indo-Burma border, said, "We have to arrange accommodation for them [Burmese refugees]." Amnesty International said it fears that other Burmese may have been detained in the increased Indian security response on the Indo-Burma border, and more people are likely to be detained, and at risk of being deported if they cross the border in the coming weeks.
India forms Parliamentarians' Forum for Democracy in Burma Indo-Burma News The first-ever Indian Parliamentarians' Forum for Democracy in Burma-comprising twelve Members of Parliament from various political parties in the upper and lower houses-was established at the India International Centre in New Delhi yesterday.
The first-ever Indian Parliamentarians' Forum for Democracy in Burma-comprising twelve Members of Parliament from various political parties in the upper and lower houses-was established at the India International Centre in New Delhi yesterday.
Nirmala Deshpandey, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), was tapped as the forum's chief patron, while Robert Kharshiing, MP (Rajya Sabha), will serve as convener. The parliamentarians belong to both ruling and opposition parties such as Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Samajwadi Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Nationalist Congress Party, among others.
"We have…created this forum for people to address the principal issues of the early release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, and the restoration of democracy and human rights in Burma," said Ms Nirmala Deshpandey. She also said that other members of India's Parliament are expected to join the forum in the next several days. Concurrent with the activities of the forum, the Indian Parliament will also address issues on Burma and consider sending members to meet Suu Kyi and other top leaders in Burma, she added. "We are no longer a weak country, and we can convince politicians in other countries to take up this noble cause," said Robert Kharshiing. "I think we can manage something because in world affairs today, nothing is impossible."
He added that the forum appreciates the public statements by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for national reconciliation and the restoration of democracy and human rights in Burma. Prime Minister Singh said recently that he had conveyed New Delhi's desire to Burma that Suu Kyi should be freed immediately. Members of New Delhi-based Burma Campaign India which has been lobbying for formation of such forum for some months attended yesterday's meeting of the forum. Thanking the Indian parliamentarians at the meeting, U Thar Noe, a Member of Parliament from Burma who was elected in 1990 elections, said the peoples of Burma expected India to help Burmese democracy movement as it enjoys a democratic system. "I appeal the Members of Parliament both houses to join the forum and to do whatever you can to support the Burmese peoples' struggle for democracy and human rights in Burma", he added.