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10/15/2007: "A HISTORICAL AND SOCIO POLITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE NAGA POLITICAL STRUGGLE AND ITS PRESEN IMBROGLIO Kaka D. Iralu"

A HISTORICAL AND SOCIO POLITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE NAGA POLITICAL STRUGGLE AND ITS PRESEN IMBROGLIO Kaka D. Iralu

The historical analysis: The very just and legitimate Naga struggle for self determination and independence, launched with clear objectives and gaols and firmly grounded on concrete political and historical facts has now come to a grinding standstill. From 1947 to 1964 (Declaration of Independence to the first Ceasefire) it was a virile movement with clear objectives and goals. It then had a legally established peoples mandated Government called the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN). This Government in turn was guided by a people’s mandated Constitution called the Yehzabo of Nagaland. The political destiny of the nation was also guided by the legally established Naga National Council (NNC) under able leaders like A.Z Phizo (President) and Th. Muivah (General Secretary) and many other able leaders.
With the exception of some Naga collaborators with Indians who brought an Indian State into Nagaland in 1960, the rest of the Naga population fought on for Naga Independence with one mind and one body. The movement was a throbbing and living organization supported by the people right from the grass root village levels all the way to London where the then President of the NNC had established his headquarters.
A severe blow was however inflicted on the NNC and FGN when the Revolutionary Government was formed on November 2nd 1964 and surrendered to India on August 6, 1973. A still more severe blow was inflicted on the NNC and FGN when, six years after the signing of the Shillong Accord of November 11, 1975, a new socialist form of Government called the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) was formed on January 31, 1980. The NSCN was formed on the allegation that the NNC and the FGN had betrayed the Naga nation through the signing of the Shillong Accord.
Actually, the irony of the Shillong Accord was one where, whereas the Shillong Accord resulted in the release of over six hundred Naga Political prisoners who had been languishing in Indian prisons for six, seven years and whereas the Shillong Accord resulted in the withdrawal of all Indian military operation in Nagaland and also the re-imbursement of over Rs. 3 lacs to villages who had been fined for assisting the national struggle; some of our own leaders using the Shillong Accord as a scapegoat unleashed a reign of terror leading to the deaths of over 2500 Naga souls.
In the subsequent events, something far more terrible and more horrible then the Shillong Accord was unleashed on the total Naga population and the Naga national struggle.
Today, because of all these tragic events, the Naga national struggle has been brought to a crushing standstill with the NNC and FGN unable to make any substantial progress and the NSCN locked in a seemingly deadlocked dialogue with India for the past ten years. Meanwhile the fratricidal killings go unabated with many innocents still falling victims to its suicidal designs. In order to save ourselves from such an internal suicide, we must redefine the goals and objectives of our struggle so that future generation of Nagas will not hold us responsible for destroying our noble national struggle by our own folly.
The socio- political analysis: In this process of analysis and redefining our struggle; let me begin by saying that the Naga freedom struggle is not a revolution. The crux of the issue here is one of invasion by India and Burma. The Naga struggle is therefore a geo- political issue and not an ideological issue. The issue is not one of whether we shall have a Revolutionary Socialist form of government or a Secular Democratic Republic. The issue is how to drive away the invasion and occupational forces from our land and re-establish our freedom, liberty and dignity. Once this is achieved, the Naga public will decide whether we shall have a Socialist form of government or a Democratic one. This issue will be decided through fair and free elections and not through self appointment or terror tactics in the name of Naga nationalism. What form of government the Naga people desire to have can never ever be imposed on the Nagas by a few Marxist indoctrinated individuals from one tribe or even two tribes. Nagas are perhaps the most democratic people (Nation) on earth. And this age old democracy of the Nagas can never be trampled and desecrated by a few so called educated Nagas. In a post Independent Nagaland, if some Nagas want to have a Socialist party in the Tatar Hoho, they should be given full liberty and freedom to do so. However, this truth and fact must be very clear in every Naga head that a few Nagas can never be allowed to impose their Marxist Socialist ideology on Naga democracy while our country is still under foreign invasion and domination.
In the context of the Indo-Naga-Myanmar war, one must understand that wars are fought for different reasons. Firstly, there are religious wars where adherents of our religion try to impose their religion on others within their own nation or even on that of other nations. For example, Hindus and Muslims of India fought many such religious wars among themselves. Today, Muslim extremists are fighting with many other nations in an attempt to establish a Pan-Islamic world.
Then secondly, there are those ideological wars where adherents of a certain political ideological group try to impose their political ideology on others within their own nation or even on other nations. The French, Russian, Chinese and Cambodian revolutions are examples of such wars. Most of these revolutionary wars were fought to topple monarchies in order to establish socialist and communist forms of governments. Presently, Nepal is one of the most recent examples of such a revolution with Cambodia and Vietnam not far behind. In the larger picture, Communist Russia tried to impose a Pan-Communist world during the period of the Cold War era. All such ideological wars and revolutions are bloody wars. To name a few, in Russia, it left 40 million dead, in China, 18 million and in the recent Cambodian revolution 1 million dead.
Then thirdly, there are those geo-political wars which are fought for territorial expansion and imposition of one’s nationality on another. The whole 2nd World War was fought on those lines. For example, Germany, humiliated in the 1st World War, wanted what they called; “breathing spaces” in Poland, Czechoslovakia, France and Russia etc. Japan on the other hand tried to expand their empire into the whole of South-East Asia, while Italy also wanted to expand into Europe.
Besides these three main causes of wars between nations, in some exceptional cases, countries have gone to war even over football matches!
Coming to our own context, the Indo Naga Myanmar war is a geo-political war where India and Burma are trying to expand their territories into our lands which never belonged to them in history. These two countries are trying to occupy our God given lands so that they can exploit our mineral wealth as well as use our land for their own security.
In this act of aggression and invasion, the Naga patriots have been fighting a most honourable and valorous war of self defence against overwhelming odds. In this connection, the true Naga patriot is one who out of reverence for God’s laws and love for one’s own country risks everything to defend Nagaland’s history, sovereignty, honour and future. The universal patriotic phrase “For God and for Country” has been coined to express this patriotic zeal and duty.
In the Bible, King David was one such patriot who, when Goliath challenged the Israelites said: “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that should defy the armies of the living God” (Isaiah 17:26). Joshua, Gideon, Nehemiah etc were all such God fearing patriots. In the case of us Nagas, I have come across many such God fearing patriots who are still carrying on the fight despite a lifetime of hardship and sacrifice. However, into this heroic war of self defence, some educated Nagas brought in an ideological warfare and totally sabotaged and also confused the noble war of self defence fought for the love of our country. The resulting confusions that emerged as a result of mixing an ideological war with the war of invasion are as follows:
1. Whereas, formerly, the Indo-Naga-Burmese geo-political conflict was correctly denounced as an invasion issue, these new leaders termed the Naga freedom struggle as a “Revolution”.
2. Whereas formerly, Naga soldiers were rightly called “Freedom fighters”, these leaders renamed them as “Revolutionary patriots.”
3. Whereas formerly, the only enemies that the Naga soldier had to face was the Indian and Burmese soldiers, now the Naga soldier has to fight even his own fellow brothers because these new leaders started killing their own comrades as “Reactionary forces”.
4. Anybody who disagreed with their new leadership’s ideology of so called” Correct policy” and “Correct strategy” were mowed down as traitors to the nation. As a consequence, the Naga freedom fighter was now faced with not just two enemies but many enemies even from within.
Total mayhem and confusion overtook the noble national struggle when this ideological warfare was introduced into the geo-political war. Now, what we are doing to one another today is sheer political insanity.
After all, would it not be absolute lunacy on the part of invaded countries like Poland, France, Norway etc. if, in between 1939 to 1945, when their countries were invaded by Germany, these countries started revolutionary wars among themselves over issues of different political ideologies? Surely an ideological war can have no place among a people when a geo-political war of invasion remains unresolved.
Nagas must immediately stop this insane ideological war among ourselves. We must redefine our struggle to its original purpose and reunite so that we can finally achieve our goal of a united free and sovereign independent Nagaland. In this connection, our national objectives and goals are already clearly stated in our Yehzabo. This Yehzabo was fully endorsed by all the Naga tribes way back in January 1956. To disregard or deviate from this Constitution is to let over 200000 Nagas die in vain and bring Nagaland into subjugation of another country.
Therefore, in our struggle for the freedom of our country, we must not allow any Naga individual or small groups to dictate on the whole Naga nation with their personal ambitions of trying to grab political power with terror tactics so that they can rule Nagas and Nagaland. Here, any Naga who, in the name of Naga nationalism is killing any fellow Naga is not a Naga patriot. He is in fact a parasite far worse then the real enemy. The Naga Government and the Naga Army should enrol only soldiers and volunteers who have a love for God and the love for Nagaland and not soldiers and politicians with personal ambitions for political powers.
Govt trying to verify NSCN(IM) rice scam claim, says minister Staff Reporter Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Oct 14: The state authorities in quick response to the NSCN (IM) claims of busting a big racket in selling of rice from the food and civil supplies department outside the state has started investigations into the matter.
“The deputy commissioner of Tamenglong district has been asked to provide detailed information regarding the owners of the vehicles, names of the agents of the FCS etc. Two officials of the state FCS have been instructed to collect all the relevant documents and information regarding withdrawal of the rice from the FCS godown,” informed, food and civil supplies minister Y Erabot a few days back.
Meanwhile, the NSCN (IM) has released all the 10 trucks which were detained by the outfit and forced them to return to Imphal. The outfit had detained the trucks for allegedly trying to illegally carry rice to Assam. The vehicles were detained between Longmai and Nungba while they were heading towards Assam along the NH-53 on the night of October 8.
All the trucks were again detained at the Nungba police station after they were released by the militant outfit, an official source said. The FCS minister said that as the investigations were in the initial stages, it could not yet be established if the claims of the militant outfit were true. However, he admitted that earlier also there had been cases of disappearance of rice meant for distribution under PDS.
“It’s a delicate issue as many cases of disapperance have been detected in the last few years,” Erabot said. There were discrepancies in the withdrawal of rice for Churachandpur and Senapati districts during the year 2006 also, he said.
Mention may be made that the case of missing rice quota for Churachandpur district was related with the submission of un-authentic utilization certificates and the rice vanished without reaching the actual beneficiaries while in the case of Senapati district the withdrawal of the rice quota from the FCS godown at Imphal took place using forged signatures of the agents.
Without the permission of the state authorities, rice from the state can not be exported outside the state but can be imported by any person into the state, the minister said.
“Whatever it may be the state government does not issue permission to export rice from Manipur,” the FCS minister said adding that currently the state is facing shortage of rice.
The shortage could not be supplemented by the rice received by the state government from the Food Corporation of India, FCI under various Centrally sponsored schemes, Erabot revealed. The state is still short of 1,42,673 MT even after adding the state quotas from various sources, said that minister adding “it’s very unfortunate if the rice was exported from the state illegally.”
Elaborating, he said the total annual requirement of rice for the state was estimated at 5,59,400 MT (metric tonnes) at 210 kg per head per year and based on the latest census report. Out of this total requirement the state’s own production was only 2,95,000 metric tonnes indicating a shortage of 2,64,440 MT. The state received a total of 1,21,174 MT of rice from various sources like the Mid-Day Meal under SSA and schemes under SGRY schemes sponsored by the Central government. The state is facing shortage of 1,42,673 MT, he estimated.
Daniel Kamei adds from Tamenglong: Even as all the 10 truck drivers were released a few days back one driver has been held back by the NSCN (IM) without any explanation. The names of more agents involved in the diversion of the FCS rice were also revealed today by the outfit.
As per the CAO, L Gonmei, further investigation into the FCS rice racket has revealed the names of seven more agents to take the number of agents involved to 12. The other seven agents are Ibocha of Nagamapal, Rajen of Tera, Kamal of Mantripukhri, another Kamal from Singjamei, Bijoy, Lalal and Babul. The outfit apart from refusing to disclose the name of the driver who is still in their custody also did not mention the places where the last three agents hail from.
The CAO further speaking to IFP said that following the statement of the drivers, they came to know that the agents bought the rice from the source, FCS at Rs. 3 per kg and sold it at Rs. 4.30 to the persons involved in taking the rice outside the state. The CAO also hinted at the involvement of high officials of the FCS department in the rice racket.
Restore unity and communal harmony- Nagaland Post
Today, communalism and tribalism is very dangerous form and alarming proportions in society. By killing each other in mindless, we are in fact killing ourselves, killing our own larger family, our glorious culture heritage. This disastrous factor is weakening the stability, pride and patriotism of the people. Tribalism and inter-communal enmity not only weakens the structure of brotherhood but also confuse the people. To attack and murder an innocent human being is the worst form of enemy in democratic society. Today due to acts of omission or commission of few other members of the same community is because he belongs to another community. This leads to criminalization of politics and ism. The prevailing ideology or political differences leads to opposition.
The structure of human relationship is delight in killing, whether it is in the name of religion, politics or nationalism. So if we think deeply and study all sides of the matter, everyone reflect how our Naga ancestors once lived together in oneness without violence. Therefore, let us realize that the only future for Nagas and her people is only through tolerance, unity and co-operation. Those who put up barriers among the society do not serve tile cause of Naga culture. Moreover, it is the fundamental right that every Naga have his own people in their respective region. However, a self-righteous arrogance, hypocrisy and narrow-minded people raise different issues for his or her own benefits. Infact, it is we the people who creates a catastrophe out of a single mistake. Therefore one thing we should remember is that one who thinks and seeks his selfish ends without thinking of common good will lead to disintegration of the society in the long run. Above all, there is a need for a massive re-awakening of citizens in all walks of life to restore unity and communal harmony of the society.
Z. Rikhum Yimchunger, Tuensang, Nagaland.
Healing the Future for the Present The Morung Express Editorial
Considering the profound pain and hurt caused in the past, it is very unlikely that a nation – any nation can begin the process of healing and building a political consensus over a deeply divided past. There is no doubt that the past – no matter how painful or ugly – needs to be addressed, and yet lessons from history has proven that the process need not necessarily start from the past or the present, it could start from the future by envisioning a shared destiny. And perhaps by negotiating a consensus of the future, it would then create opportunities to constructively address the burdens of the past.
So often initiators of well intended processes fall short of its objectives, essentially because they fail to fully appreciate how conflicting parties have over a period of time rallied and internalized around very different and polarized perceptions over the same past. This poses an extremely difficult and sensitive situation to develop a consensus of understanding, when the very act of framing a shared perception itself is challenged by polarized energies. These complexities gives rise to varying and diverse emotions, and it has been experienced that any process that begins with either the past or the present will only result in further polarization and personalization of differences. This perhaps was the difference between South Africa and East Timor when it came to addressing and reconciling with their own burdens of the past and their envisioned future.
I remember how in the 1990s, the builders of South Africa as they were transiting between Apartheid and Freedom, advocated and rallied around a public consciousness for a New South Africa. They focused around building a new Rainbow Nation, which with the dismantling of the Apartheid System, would be replaced by a new system where all peoples would be treated equally. And it was in the building of this new South Africa the much divided African National Congress and the Zulu led Inkatha party put aside their differences, which had spilled over to hatred; and forged a political consensus that would enable a new South Africa.
It was in this process that they also realized that for them to have a dignified future, they had to heal from the past. The shared understanding of building a common future was the persuading factor that compelled the whole of South Africa to discern and implement a process of healing. From my view point it was the approach of moving from the future to the past and present that enabled a new South Africa to begin a new journey of hope. This I must say was quite different from the East Timorese approach that assumed a more straight forward praxis which assumed that change would occur in the linear time frame of moving from the past to the present to the future.
Neither approach is absolute. The question here is not which is better, but which approach responds favorably within a particular context. After all what works in one context, may not work in the other; nonetheless there are lessons to be learned. I have always believed that there is a third way. It has never been good politics to be stuck only to ones perception of understanding. After all if the collective aspiration of a nation yearns for transformation of all life, it is only natural that one must explore all possible processes to see that the end result is realized. There must be a co-relation between the process and the end. In this case the approach that turns to the future is more process oriented, while the approach that turns to the past is more result focused.
In the Naga context, I believe Nagas must first turn to the future rather than the past. The past inspite of all its richness and valuable contributions has been politicized to the extent of polarization, while the future provides possibilities and new hope. I favor the future approach because I believe Nagas in general aspires for a shared future that will empower a people to exercise their natural rights with dignity and humility. It is a future which demands the participation of every Naga individual and organization to contribute, because without any one of them, this future would not be complete. In other words, turning to the future is a more inclusive process that brings and binds people together for a shared humanity, and it is in this shared future, that we need to evolve ways to address the burdens of our past.
For too long now, we have only turned to the past for answers, only to return disappointed, tired and more divided. Perhaps it is time for us to discern news ways and directions for seeking, and this could well demand the imperative need for us to turn to the future and then work our way to the present. It may well be that by developing a shared future we will find unity in purpose!
Kisama: tourists dismay; revelers favorite delight Morung Express News
Kohima Overgrown hedges, crumbled morungs, litters of all kinds from fast-food packages to water bottles and human excreta – is the first sight of Kisama Heritage village that greets the visitor. Although, the much hyped Naga Heritage Complex, commonly known as Kisama, is a not tourists’ favorite haunt at this time of the year, it has become a hot spot for local revelers, picnickers, carousers, and above all young “lovers”. “On weekdays, visitors are less, but on weekends it is always crowded”, said Naro, who runs a small shop at the Complex. But what desists the prospective habitué’, especially, the tourist from outside the state, is the lack of maintenance, she rued.

Morungs at the Kisama Heritage Complex are in a shabby condition as they are overshadowed by grass and weeds due to sheer negligence and lack of maintenance. (MExPix)
‘Is this Kisama all about? tourist often wonder in dismay, Naro recounted. She also said that the local visitors are indisciplined and unhygienic as they tend to be care-less about the cleanliness and beauty of the site. “It is high time visitors keep such places clean by themselves”, she said. With nothing left to watch, play or relish upon, unlike during the seven days gala hornbill festival in December, visitors have to content themselves with the tranquil ambience the site offers. Overlooked by tall saturnine hills, with dissipated morungs, and overgrown hedges at the base, as desolate and dismal as a mere jungle spot, this Naga Heritage site offers no special attraction for tourists at this time of the year. Kisama was constructed in 2003, when the present DAN came to power, with the aim of attracting foreign and domestic tourists by showcasing rich Naga traditions- cuisine, attires, dances, songs during the state Hornbill Festival, which was earlier celebrated at the Local ground. Every year, the state government spends a whooping Rs 36 lakhs from its coffer to organize this annual Hornbill Festival. In return the tourism department also gets a fair amount from taxes levied on stalls, pavilions, vehicle parking, entry pass and others. Though this returns have never been made transparent.
But, sadly after the Hornbill festivity, this heritage is usually forsaken, left to rot at the mercy of weather. As the toilets are always kept locked, visitors have no other choice but are often constrained to respond nature’s call in the nook and corners, or among the hedge and grasses making the site appear even more filthy. The tourism department has appointed five persons as caretakers, but these people are never seen around, except on rare VIP visits, said Chalezo, who now acts as caretaker. He collects Rs 5 per visitor to meet the maintenance expenses.
Chalezo also said that he had planted about five thousand Rhododendrons, and an equal number of Poinsettias to beautify the place, but the department never remunerated him for the work, though it was promised to him. Adding problem to the dismal conditions is that the water supply has been stopped by the villagers from the source since two months back, source said. The villagers are demanding for jobs from the department, which is a common thing in Nagaland.
Thieves also appear to be having a hey day at the site, as the light bulbs, switch boards, wiring and other construction materials were left un-spared from pilfering. What is abominable is that earlier, the Science and Technology department had installed solar lightings, understandably at a great cost, but these were pillaged off within a month of installation. But the state government, inspite of these odds, doesn’t appear to have given up. Seven thousand capacity galleries, children’s park, Horticulture Park and museum are under construction, although a slow pace. This, at least proffers a sign of hope on the future of this Heritage Complex.
Burma affect: India splits views Special Correspondent
Guwahati, Northeast India: The government of India may find it difficult to condemn the Burmese junta for its suppressive actions on the peaceful demonstrators in Burma, but the civil societies and rights groups of the largest democracy in the globe remained critical of New Delhi's junta appeasing policies. While various newspaper editorials and media columns sternly condemned the Burmese junta for its suppressive attitude, the New Delhi-based rights body, Asian Centre for Human Rights has appealed the UN to be more aggressive towards the Burmese regime. Even the ruling Indian National Congress (its Left ally CPM) and the main opposition, the Rightists' wing Bharatiya Janata Party came out with condemnation statement against the junta. More over, India's former Prime Minister IK Gujral, former Defence Minister George Fernandes and a group of Members of Parliament termed New Delhi's Burma policy as a disgrace.
More precisely the civil societies based in Northeast India that is adjacent to northern Burma had united in supporting the democratic movement going on in the military ruled country. The public meetings and demonstrations in the region, which is otherwise alienated from mainland India have resolved expressing serious concern at the suppressive measures adopted by the junta to deal with the unarmed Buddhist monks and common Burmese. Those were unanimous in raising voice for immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with all other political prisoners in Burma. On October 6, the region witnessed some major public shows highlighting the common concern for the agitating Burmese and condemnation in strongest words against the ruling State Peace and Development Council (of Burma). The civil society groups of the northeastern states namely Meghalaya, Nagaland and Assam observed the global day of action for free Burma. People from different sections in the society had rubbed their soldiers to demand New Delhi for changing its Burma policy.
Nearly 20,000 people assembled at Mawphlang, near the Meghalaya state capital, Shillong on Saturday and condemned the junta for its brutal crackdown on monks and peaceful protestors throughout Burma in the recent past. The local peoples' parliament also called on New Delhi to start supporting the pro-democracy movement in Burma.
"We urged the Union government (of India) to intervene in the Burmese crisis and apply diplomatic pressures on the junta for starting dialogues with the democratic forces there," said Robert Kharshing, a Member of Parliament elected from the state and one of the organizers of the public meeting. Speaking to Asia Sentinel from Shillong, Mr Kharshing, who happens to be the convener of Indian Parliamentarians' Forum for Democracy in Burma stated that the people of Meghalaya wanted New Delhi to withdraw the present policy on Burma and support the democratic movement led by the Nobel Laureate Suu Kyi. In Nagaland, a Burma bordering Indian state, indigenous people took out a rally demanding tougher action against the present Burmese group of Generals led by Senior General Than Shwe. Organized by the influential civil society groups like Naga Hoho, Naga Students' Federation, Naga People's Movement for Human Rights, Nagaland Baptist Church Council with others, the rally also raised voice for immediate intervention by the United Nations on the prolonged Burmese crisis. Hundreds participants showcased placards reading 'Stop breakdown on the peaceful demonstration in Burma', 'Free Burmese people from the Junta', 'Do not repeat 1988 massacre' etc.
Similarly in Guwahati, the capital of Assam in Northeast, hundreds participated in a Candle Light Vigil to express solidarity with the struggling Burmese people. Organized by North East Peoples' Initiative (for Peace, Justice and Demilitarization), an umbrella organization of various socio-political forums in the trouble torn region at the heart of the city, the programme attracted few more hundreds to spread the message of support for restoration of democracy in Burma.
Of course, New Delhi has repeatedly argued that engagement (not alienation) with the Burmese junta could only yield specific results. The Indian foreign minister, Pranab Mukherjee, in a recent visit to Guwahati of Northeast, reiterated that India had been involved 'in a variety of projects with Myanmar (Burma) in diverse fields such as roads, railways, telecommunications, IT, science and technology, and power'.
Delivering a lecture on 'India's Look East Policy - Challenges for Sub-Regional Cooperation' on October 7, Mr Mukherjee also observed that New Delhi was 'aware of the geo-economic potential of the northeastern region (of India) as a gateway to East and Southeast Asia'. The soft spoken minister, while interacting with foreign journalists recently, was quoted as saying on India's role in Burma, "As a close and friendly neighbour, India hopes to see a peaceful, stable and prosperous Myanmar, where all sections of people will be included in a broad based process of national reconciliation and political reform."
ULFA breached NE airstrips By R Dutta Choudhury Assam tribune
GUWAHATI, Oct 14 – Though the security of all the airstrips, particularly those in the Northeast region, is a matter of serious concern, it is evident that hardcore militants belonging to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) managed to breach the security easily, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. Highly-placed police sources said that Prabal Neog, the acting commander of the 28 battalion of the ULFA, the strongest wing of the militant outfit, who was arrested in Tezpur recently, admitted during questioning that he had travelled in helicopters between one part of Arunachal Pradesh to other on several occasions, which proved that the militants easily managed to get into airstrips. Sources said that in recent times, Prabal Neog travelled from Pasighat to Itanagar in regular helicopter services at least on three occasions and he managed to obtain a fake Inner Line Permit (ILP) to facilitate his free movement in the neighbouring State.

Sources pointed out that if Prabal Neog, one of the most wanted of the ULFA leaders, who masterminded the killings of Hindi-speaking people in the upper Assam districts as per the directive of the commander in chief of the outfit, Paresh Baruah, can travel freely in regular Government helicopter service, any militant can easily sneak into the high-security airstrips, which are always considered vulnerable to militant attacks. The free movement of the arrested ULFA leader in the neighbouring State also proved that the Inner Line Permit system in Arunachal Pradesh is not a deterrent for the militants, who often take shelter in the neighbouring country. It may be mentioned here that the ULFA militants often take shelter in the neighbouring States and the ULFA reportedly have several hideouts in the Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. To deal with the problem of militants sneaking into other States whenever the operations against them are intensified, the recently concluded meeting of the heads of police forces of all the States of the country stressed the need for better coordination and sharing of intelligence between the police forces of the Northeast.

Meanwhile, police sources said that the ULFA suffered severe setbacks during the counter-insurgency operations in the State in recent times as a number of middle level leaders are either arrested or killed, forcing the outfit to press into service untrained and raw cadres in its operations. Sources said that more than 60 ULFA members were killed and more than 170 others were arrested in the counter-insurgency operations so far this year, which is much higher than the last year when around 30 were killed and about 115 were nabbed. Sources said that the arrest of Prabal Neog was a major blow to the outfit as he not only headed the most effective and dreaded wing of the outfit, but was also given the responsibility of strengthening the organization in the hill district of Karbi Anglong.

Sources revealed that at present, among the hardcore middle level leaders, only Hira Sarania is active in lower Assam district as he masterminded most of the operations of the outfit along with Akash Thapa, while, Jiten Dutta is now heading the 28 battalion, which is responsible for the operations in Upper Assam districts after the arrest of Prabal Neog. In recent times, the ULFA lost a number of key men as dreaded members of the outfit including Charan Majhi, Amar Tanti, Utpal Borsaikia, Rubul Ali, Biplab Sangmai, Swadhin Rabha and others were killed in the counter-insurgency operations, while, several top leaders including 28 battalion commander Mrinal Hazarika, organizing secretary of the 28 battalion Sashanka Baruah, 27 battalion commander Pallab Saikia and others were arrested. In fact, Hira Sarania recently had a narrow escape, while; Akash Thapa was once arrested but later released on bail.