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10/19/2007: "Naga struggle should not be reduced to factional clashes Morung Express News"

Naga struggle should not be reduced to factional clashes Morung Express News

Kohima | “We will give our best, and if we too fail, what God has in store for Nagas we don’t know”, was the final words uttered today by GB Federation President K Vikuto Zhimo at peace-march of the Kohima district GB Federation and DB Association held in the state capital.
The peace march, which culminated into a crucial meeting at the Kohima Indoor Stadium, reaffirmed support to the earlier GB/DBs’ peace resolutions. A clear warning was sent out that the Naga “national” movement could crumble within a decade, in manner of the Tower of Babel, if the insidious factional feud is not put to stop immediately. The meeting conveyed fear that the Naga movement which has already been reduced into a factional movement could further reduce to inter-tribal conflict if the fratricidal killing is not contained well in time.
Addl. Chief Secretary and Commissioner TN Mannen, who was the main speaker at the meeting, said that about 95% percent of the Nagas have lost interest in the movement because of the factional antagonism. “It is not an independence movement any more. It has become a factional movement as such people have forgotten the independence. What they are concerned about now is peace and security”, Manned reminded. Referring to the ongoing talks between the government of India and the Naga undergrounds, Mannen said that if Nagas miss the opportunity again this time, it will take a long time to come up again.
“Naga struggle should be a whole Naga movement, it should not be faction alone”, Mannen also said, reminding that unity among the faction is must if it has to achieve its objective. GB Federation Vikuto also lamented “We send our sons for independence. But killing will not be allowed.” He added that for twenty years, Nagas have been astray instead of fighting for their rights. Gaonburas and Doubashis gather at the old MLA Hostel junction before proceeding for a peace-march in Kohima today. (MExPix)
Kohima Deputy Commissioner Sachopra Vero also called upon the GBs and DBs to give more effort to bringing permanent peace amongst the factions. He urged the GBs to pass on the information immediately on any unwanted activities of the UGs so that situations can be prevented. Sachpra opined that GBs and DBs have been the custodians of customary law and can penalize cadres of any faction if the latter violates a decision. The meeting also strongly reiterated that hungry and sick cadres of any faction will be taken care of by villagers, but any factional clash, extortion and intimidation will not be tolerated.
Convener Taku Longkumer urged the gathering not to politicize the move of the GBs and DBs in the forthcoming election.
The Naga Hoho and the Nagaland Baptist Church Council along with other civil society and NGOs have tried their best to bring about peace and reconciliation amongst the warring underground factions. However, their efforts have not yielded any result. Angami Public Organization, Angami Women Organization and several others also spoke during the meeting.
Earlier, on June 6 this year, the Joint Forum Working Committee of the Nagaland GB Federation and Nagaland DB Association has adopted a five-point resolution which included an appeal to shun fratricidal killing, to advocate understanding and conducive atmosphere amongst the different factions; to let all agreed for 6 months period of ceasefire and to launch a non-cooperation movement against any faction violating the resolution; to bring top leaders of the factions together during this CF period to establish a harmonious atmosphere for dialogue and to encourage them to find a peaceful approach to the Nagas issue.
All the factions had ‘accepted’ these resolutions.
Naga forum mulls peace overtures OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Oct. 18: A joint forum meeting of Kohima District Gaon Burhas Federation and Dobhashis (chiefs of Naga customary court) Association, Kohima, was held today at the Indoor Stadium with additional chief secretary and commissioner of Nagaland T.N. Mannen as the main speaker.
Mannen said the fratricidal killings and bloodshed among the Nagas of different factions and innocent civilians should be condemned by all and appealed for an end to acts of violence.
He urged the joint forum to take the initiative of bringing the leaders of all the factions together to thrash out differences and asked for a peaceful approach to Naga issues.
Earlier, the joint forum took out a peace rally from the old MLA hostel junction to the Indoor Stadium. The village headman, Thepfuvilie Solo, presided over the programme.
The traditional akangjungshi (friendship) programme between the dobhashis of Mokokchung and Tuensang district was held today at the Mokokchung deputy commissioner’s compound, with the minister for school education, Imkong L. Imchen as chief guest.
‘We will change the face of Nagaland’ Morung Express news
Dimapur | Strongly affirming that the DAN coalition Government in the state has brought about immense development in the state, Agriculture Minister Kuzholuzo (Azo) Neinu today assured that if the DAN Government is given another term in office, it would completely change the face of Nagaland.
Speaking to The Morung Express at the Great Kids Commission Academy here today, the Minister said that the farming section has greatly improved with the declaration of the Year of Farmers. He asserted that as far as the development of the state is concerned, no one can argue or compete with the DAN Government, because, the Minister declared, “Neiphiu Rio is the champion of development.” “If we are given another term then we will change the face of Nagaland,” Kuzholuzo asserted.
Interestingly, Minister for Agriculture Kuzholuzo opined that as compared to the other previous governments in the state, the law and order situation in Nagaland has improved. “In comparison to other previous Governments, the law and order situation in the state has improved. I am not saying that there is no killing or like that, but comparing to other governments in the past, the law and order situation has improved,” he claimed. On the DAN Government’s prospect in the next state general elections, Kuzholuzo said that the DAN coalition will form the next government. “Hundred and ten percent sure,” Kuzholuzo, “I won’t say hundred percent but hundred and ten percent (chances to form the next government).” Kuzholuzo said that the DAN Government has earned the love of the people of the state because of the developments and ‘improved law and order in the state’ brought about by the Government. “People are happy with this (DAN) Government,” he said. Kuzholuzo asserted that the DAN Government has fulfilled ninety percent of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) which was their pre-election promise to the people during last elections. “Maybe ninety percent...because only that issue about the payment to the Work Charge employees is still pending,” he added.
Ceasefire does not mean license to kill: Imchen Morung Express News
Mokokchung | Nagaland Minister of School Education, SCERT, S&T, IT and Technical Education Imkong L.Imchen today while speaking at the “Traditional Friendship” day between Dobashis of Mokokchung and Tuensang districts at Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner’s official residence defined the Dobashis as the “guardians of customary law” and as “judiciary officers.” With that virtue, he regarded the Dobashis as endowed with “judicial and executive powers.” He exhorted the “guardians of customary law of the districts of Mokokchung and Tuensang” to uphold their “traditional friendship” or “Akangjungshi” in speech and in action, during good and bad days, during times of adversities. “Office and dignity of Dobashi should be respected and preserved,” he said. He also cited Article 371 (A) and its provision for Naga customary law and its practices. While extending admiration for the “traditional friendship” arrived at between Mokokchung and Tuensang, he lamented that the two districts alone do not comprise Nagaland and encouraged the Dobashis to extend the bond of traditional friendship to the rest of Nagaland.
Bringing to the fore the underpinnings of his speech, Imchen said present day “gun culture” is just the same as the head-hunting culture during pre-Christian era. “There are ceasefire agreements with India, but not amongst Nagas… Ceasefire with Government of India does not mean that it is a license for the Nagas to kill among themselves,” he expressed with anguish. The 60 MLAs, leaders elected by the people in their office of five years does not pass without being warned and threatened by “them,” he said. “What kind of a Nagaland, what shape of Nagaland do they want to make after threatening all the leaders?” he questioned, “they” referred to here being the “underground factions” in his words. He alleged that “they” perpetuate fear psychosis and use it as a weapon to silence freedom of speech. “So many learned people of wisdom are refusing to speak out of fear. Some speak, and they are warned.” He alleged that even those who write in the newspapers are being warned.
He argued that guns silencing freedom of speech during struggle for freedom and human liberation never occurred through out history except in Nagaland. He was of the view that Naga movement is “misdirected and in the wrong path” and added that Nagas should change course. He regretted that any peace effort initiated by anybody is being “threatened by them” and wondered if peace initiatives should be left to the animals. He said that there is no meaning of human society and civilization if everybody wanted to take law in their hands. He reiterated that he is with the GBs and DBs in their effort to create “the right atmosphere.” “Since day one, I for one support the peaceful movement.”
“Today, my speech will appear in the newspaper. Tomorrow, I will get a warning from them,” he assumed. He then challenged the Nagas to continue to work for peace and unity, regardless of being threatened or not. He expressed deep satisfaction of two districts unifying, and advised them to win the confidence and trust of the rest of the districts. “We are against nobody. Let the Almighty God give His blessings in your unity. Let today’s bond turn to an eternal friendship,” he prayed, and quoted a Bible verse, “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God.”
NSF threat over SSA scam Correspondent Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, OCT 18 (NPN): The Naga Students Federation (NSF) has threatened to launch an indefinite economic blockade in the state as part of its third-phase agitation over alleged SSA scam in the Education department.
Disclosing this to newsmen Thursday evening, NSF general secretary Hetoi Chishi however said the federation was yet to take a decision in this regard.
Chishi said that according to information available with NSF, the Union government had sanctioned Rs. 60 crores for SSA projects in the state during 2006-07, out of which the Education department could utilize only Rs. 34 cores and Rs.26 crores had “lapsed” due to the department’s incompetency. Meanwhile, as per the directive of the NSF, the Angami Students Union (ASU) on Thursday locked the offices of DEO, and DIS and School Education directorate in Kohima. ASU made it clear that the union would not allow anti-social elements to take advantage and vowed to wipe out corruption prevailing in the Naga society.
“We need upright leaders and not corruptors to manage or control our future,” said Zhasavilie Kehie, ASU secretary, health, environment and sanitation. It may be mentioned that the NSF Thursday launched its second-phase agitation by picketing and paralyzing the School Education directorate and locking up offices of DEO and DIS in all district headquarters.
The agitation was launched in protest against the state government’s failure to meet the federation’s twin demands - setting up of state level independent inquiry commission to probe into the alleged SSA scam and suspension of the erring officials involved in scam.
The NSF had earlier on August 28 launched its first phase of agitation by staging a sit-in dharna outside the State Secretariat.
NSF vice president Charles Lotha said the sudden strike, picketing and shutting down of School Education directorate was to embarrass the department and the government and to alert the public on the issue.
The federation’s education secretary Ahito Achumi also said the NSF would go all out to eradicate corruption in the Naga society.
Consortium to pump $100 mn into Assam, Nagaland oilfields The consortium claims to have discovered new oil reserves in these blocks—Amguri near Jorhat in Assam and AAON-7 in Nagaland Wall Street Journal Gayatri Ramanathan
Oil exploration and production activities in Assam and Nagaland may receive a boost with Assam Co. Ltd, the country’s oldest oil exploration company (it began oil exploration in 1892), and Canadian firm Canaro Resources Ltd deciding to invest $100 million (Rs395 crore) in exploring two blocks—one in each state. The consortium claims to have discovered new oil reserves in these blocks—Amguri near Jorhat in Assam and AAON-7 in Nagaland. The Directorate General of Hydrocarbon, the government arm that ratifies oil and gas finds and assesses whether they are commercially viable, has ratified these finds.
“We have struck oil in one of the new wells in the Amguri block which is giving us about 1,000 barrel oil equivalent (BOE) a day. In another well, Amguri 11, we have found two new reservoirs, which we estimate could gives us close to 3,100 BOE a day,” said Abhay Chawdhry, director and chief financial officer, Assam Co. That volume of output makes the two very small finds. Assam Co. is the third oil firm to report a discovery in Assam this year. Earlier, Premier Oil of UK and the state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd (ONGC) reported gas finds in the state. Premier found gas at a block at Pechadhar near Silchar in southern Assam, about 320km from the state’s main city Guwahati, and ONGC struck gas in the Cachar area of the state.
Assam has more than 1.3 billion tonnes of proven crude oil and 156 billion cu. m of natural gas reserves. Of this, an estimated 58% of the reserves are yet to be explored. The state currently produces about five million cu. m of natural gas annually. One barrier to exploration has been insurgency in the state.
The average per-day yield for producing fields in the Assam-Arakan basin In which the two blocks are located is around 300-400 BOE a day.
The Amguri and AAON-7 blocks were awarded to the Assam Co-Canaro consortium in the pre-new exploration and licensing policy (Nelp) rounds. In pre-Nelp round blocks, the government takes its share of the oil or gas only the after the contractor has recovered twice its investment. Assam Co. holds 40% and 35% stake in the Assam and Nagaland blocks, respectively, while Canaro, which holds 60% and 65% stake,respectively, is the operator for both blocks. Assam Co. is part of the Kolkata-based Duncan Macneil group. The larger issue for oil companies in Assam is the scalability of the finds, said Arvind Mahajan, head of energy practice at KPMG, a global audit and consulting firm. “When you look at the scale of operations in Bangladesh where Cairn Energy Plc. is producing around 50,000 barrels of oil a day, these finds look small. The important thing here is that more than 50% of Assam’s oil potential is still unexplored. But it will only attract the smaller foreign players. The big boys will come only if these discoveries are found to be scalable to a level that sustains their interest,” he added.
ONGC served notice over oil sludge in Nagaland The Assam Tribune
New Delhi Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) may have ambitious plans for the North Eastern Region, but the State Pollution Department’s ultimatum to clean up the oil fields in Nagaland has left the Oil giant in a tizzy. Top official of ONGC said that the Company has been served with a notice by the State Pollution Control Board to clean up the sludge and muck around the drilling sites in the State. The sludge was left over of what remained of the drilling site after Naga militants blew it up.
The official said they are still willing to mount a clean up operation which is spread over a wide area, provided the militants allowed them to do so. The agreement signed with the N. Rio Government has not eased the situation and operations continue to be in the limbo in Nagaland.
Officials said a Canadian Company Canaro Resources Limited had been hired but they too have failed to convince the militants. However, he conceded that the Canadian Company has been somewhat successful. Recently, the NSCN-K had warned the Canadian Company against conducting any operations in the State. Canoro was hired by ONGC to resume exploration work jointly in Nagaland. The two companies had signed a Joint Study Agreement (JSA) for exploration, development and production activities in six blocks in Nagaland.The official said Changpang block was high-yielding oil field before the Naga militants stopped all operations in 1994. The entire area is floating in oil. After ONGC suspended its operations in the State, it was forced to sell its drilling equipments as scrap.
ONGC had already paid a royalty of Rs 33.83 crore against crude extracted from the Changpang field in Nagaland. In addition, as a goodwill gesture, the company had agreed to pay a one-time goodwill grant of Rs 67 lakh to Nagaland.
It was last week that Union Petroleum Minister, Murli Deora had told a Parliamentary Panel that the ONGC has chalked out an Assam Renewal Project with an investment outlay of Rs 4,000 crore. ONGC plans to invest Rs 2500 crore in total revamping of old installations and pipeline net work to reduce the surface bottleneck and improve production. There is a plan to invest Rs 1500 crore to drill hi-tech wells and optimisation of artificial lift. ONGC has engaged internationally reputed Halliburton for production optimisation, reservoir management and to enhance oil production in major oil fields of Assam Assets, the Minister had said.
A. Z. Jami refutes PTI’s reports- Nagaland Post
Very often press men or news correspondents, both local and Indian national papers, contact me enquiring about the situations and political developments of Nagaland. We have nothing against such overtures. Rather we are indebted to them for giving out the news about Nagaland to the people all around. But, I have been at pain to see that every time I have been misquoted and sometimes they used to miss out the important matters/issues I tell them. But I have ignored those mistakes or misquotations which I feel are not politically significant This time also, a PTI correspondent misquoted me on various points which are politically harmful, as published in the local dailies on October 17. The correspondent asked me about the issues to be discussed in the recently concluded CFSN meeting between our representatives and those of GOI in Delhi.
I told him that they would discuss about the designated camps, shifting of CFSB office from Mon to Zunheboto and the unchecked activities of the IK group as per the provisions of the cease fire ground rules by the government of India. But the papers have added many things which I had not actually said and missed out some important matters which I have said. As a matured man and a seasoned Naga freedom fighter, it is my conviction that I would not utter a single word which would create negative political implications in the body politics of Naga sovereignty issue.
I never said that the Government of India gives us a "step motherly treatment" or "we are sidelined". These two are belittling and very much humiliating phrases. We are not working in an ordinary institution or establishment or a broad or committee of an area that we should make such pleas. We are not begging anything or nay help from India and its leaders.
We are fighting against India to leave us alone as a sovereign people and nation, the status of which the Nagas maintained from time immemorial. The NSCB/GPRN never asked the Government of India for 'motherly treatment' or special considerations'. Therefore there is no scope to use the phrases like "step motherly treatment' and 'sidelined' in the Indo-Naga political conflict. These phrases are politically very much harmful. Moreover, the use of the terms, 'security forces' is politically injurious. In these places, we use the terms, 'occupational forces' or simply 'Indian Army'. I am a proud descendant of a brave and wealthy Naga chieftain who risked his life in resisting the British forces who entered into his domain. I on my part will not tolerate any humiliation without a cause. I may be killed or dead or retired from active service due to old age, still my cherished goal and principle will always be "sovereign Nagaland". Thousands of Nagas had already sacrificed their lives and their everything for the sovereignty of Nagaland, and I have been suffering for the same cause for the last fifty two years. I for one will never, never and never betray my comrades who had already pre-deceased me for the cause of the Nagas. Their spirits are watching us from their graves. Every professed Naga freedom fighter should keep this in mind.
A. Z. Jami Senior Kilonser GPRN NSCN(K)
ZU rift patched up Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, October 18: Finally, better sense has prevailed upon the Zeliangrong Union leaders that the internal war of the Union has got over now for good. The Zeliangrong Union, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland (ZU-AMN) was rocked in recent times followed by series of media war between the factions. According to ZU-AMN general secretary Kalotdi Kamei, a programme christened, "Unity and Re-conciliation Programme," has been planned on October 25 at ZU-AMN office at Paona Bazar in Imphal at 11 a.m. Kalotdi Kamei said that a Good-Will talk had been held recently and that in the meeting all the leaders of the ZU-AMN had resolved to work together unitedly for the unity and solidarity of the ZU-AMN in particular and the Zeliangrong community in general.
The real evidence of Naga Independence The Morung Express Perspecive
As per the Leangyu village resolution adopted in the August 14, 1954, some more than five hundred strong warriors gathered at Y. Anner Village and voted with voice vote to M- Lakhum Yimchunger to be the war leader. Therefore, all the scholars, educationist, historians, journalists, tribal elders, Reverends, Pastors, Churches, Associations, Naga Hoho, Beaucrates, Human rights, Tribal elders and all the elders of the state of Nagaland should wisely open your eyes and be clarified thereof.
As per the resolution adopted as stated above, the freedom for Naga Independence was not started in the form of society or union or n nay false allegation, but it I through the conscious of war Elders that it was formed for the Naga Independence through the bloodshed so, why are the people of Nagas treading in the wrong direction?
1. The first NNC meeting was held on July 25 1954 at Tuensang Town. In the meeting the important discussion was resolved to collect the NNC fund in which the collectors in-charge was given to M. Lakhum Yimchunger under Yimchunger Region to mobilize fund rising, and as per meeting resolution, the fund was collected from twenty three villages. The amount was handed to Imkongmeren Ao, Vice President NNC on July 31, 1954. Only the NNC officially set up and free Naga in the Tuensang Area declared the “Sovereign Republic Free Land Country” on September 9154.
2. In the second round, A.Z. Phizo’s intervention to the Yimchunger Land reached on August 8, 1954, he crossed through the Huker village to Shiponger village and rested overnight, the next day he proceeded to Sangmutong village and took rest overnight thee too after where he proceeded to Leangnyu village, there he called for NNC meeting on August 1954, where all Tuensang Free Area respective authorities had gathered at the Leangnyu village. In the meeting many important discussions and resolutions were made. But the most important issue was that A.Z.Phizo appealed to the Tuensang Regional Authorities. He said that Kohima and Mokokchung areas are under the clip of Assam state, for which, he said, Tuensang is Free Area and “they (you) should move the Naga Independent movement, we ask to be taken under ‘unclipped Wings’ “. And led by your warriors, we will be free from India tyranny. He repeatedly said, open the gate for (Kohima and Mokokchung) because Tuensang is only free to do any cause
M. Lakhum Yimchunger, Lord- Com- President, Naga National Council, Bloodshed No. 1
Defining a forest Business Standard





New Delhi/ What is a forest? Odd as it may sound, the country does not have an unambiguous concept of a forest. Neither the Indian Forest Act, 1927, nor the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, defines what a forest is though they bar all non-forestry (read economic) activities on forest land. To compound the ambiguity, the Supreme Court ordered in a landmark decree that the dictionary description of forests, which in itself is vague, be used for determining forest land. Though the ministry of environment and forests has started evolving a uniformly applicable definition of forests, its draft definition only makes matters worse. Its note on the subject, circulated to the states for their comments, describes a forest somewhat tautologically as “an area notified as forest in any Act or recorded as forest in any government record”. What makes this absurd is the explanatory addendum that avers, inter alia, that even water bodies and deserts will fall in the sway of this definition.

This is not a matter of semantics. Such a twist to the concept of forests will extend the forest ministry’s ambit of control over a vast additional area, rendering all of it out of bounds for any economic activity. Besides making it hard to get land for industrial and development purposes, it will jeopardise the livelihood of the forest-dependent population, fanning the fires of Naxalism. The area that will be most affected is the already troubled north-eastern region, where the bulk of the land is traditionally community-owned but which would become “protected” forest land under the new definition. More than 90 per cent of the geographical area of Nagaland falls in this category. From this stand-point, the new definition will also conflict with the objectives of the tribal rights Bill, passed by Parliament in December last year, which grants full rights to forest dwellers, mainly tribal, over the land and produce of the forests in which they have traditionally lived. Though the new interpretation of forests excludes plantations meant primarily for the paper and pulp industry (which will seem strange to many), it is bound to be inimical to many other segments of the economy and especially of agriculture, including the upcoming horticultural sector. The result of defective semantics will be heightened conflict between the objectives of conservation and livelihood sustenance, on the one hand, and between national and local interests, on the other. It will also add a new edge to the longstanding rivalry between the revenue and forest departments, and also lead to conflict between the Centre and the states over who controls the land.


Army to go back to barracks if ULFA comes for talks The Morung Express
Tezpur, October 18 (PTI): The army will stop operations against militant outfit ULFA in Assam if it comes to the negotiating table without any preconditions, Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor said here on Thursday. “If the ULFA comes for talks without any terms and conditions then the army is willing to go back to the barracks”, General Kapoor told reporters at the army’s four corps headquarters here. The army chief said Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI was active in the region. He said ISI may be involved in the recent bomb blasts in Guwahati and other places of Assam. “Under the direction of Muslim fundamentalists the ISI is becoming active in Assam which is a cause for concern”, Kapoor said.
The army chief said if the Bodoland Liberation Tigers and the National Liberation Front of Bodoland (NDFB) could come to the negotiating table “then why not the ULFA”. On the ongoing problem with China along the border with Arunachal Pradesh, General Kapoor said two rounds of talks between the Indian and Chinese forces were held so far. “The talks have been cordial and we expect to solve the border problem very soon”, he said.
Nagaland gets over Rs 8 cr for tourism Morung Express

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 18 (MExN): As part of the ambitious programme to create world class infrastructure in the country so that existing tourism products can be further improved and expanded, the Ministry of Tourism Government of India during the current financial year already sanctioned so far Rs.323.00 crore for various projects throughout the country. This includes sanction for development of tourist destination at Khensa at a cost of Rs.4.58 crore in Nagaland and another project for development of Tizu Kukha as ‘Adventure Destination’ in Nagaland for Rs.4.99 crore, informed official sources to The Morung Express.
New Look at North Eastern History Required The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 18 (MExN): The participants of a two-day workshop on Conflicts and Peace in the Northeast organised by North Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati, concluded that the writing of a comprehensive history of the Northeast can be an important step towards solving the ethnic conflicts in the region. The participants coming from five States of the region decided to work towards it during the next 12 months. In the reflection that followed the presentation of papers, they felt that each ethnic group rewrites its history in order to claim to be the first inhabitants of an area and claim exclusive rights over all the resources as its indigenous people. This process is intrinsic to ethnic conflicts in the Northeast.
At the inaugural session on the October 15, Dr Nanigopal Mahanta of Gauhati University identified homeland politics, immigration and underdevelopment as three main areas around which conflicts arise. He criticised temporary arrangements such as the sixth Schedule and conflict resolution and suggested conflict transformation through new initiatives such as an NE Ethnic Council to negotiate the ethnic conflicts. Dilip Padgiri a member of PCG said that the Prime Minister showed interest in a dialogue with ULFA when the PCG first visited him. This desire got diluted after the Kakopathar incident. Based on it he asked whether some had a vested interest in the conflict and tried to prevent a solution. Inaugurating the workshop, Dr Thomas Menamparampil, Catholic Archbishop of Guwahati spoke of the importance of an all-inclusive alliance of the youth, civil society and religious leaders to work for peace with justice. Cultural autonomy and justice have to be central to the journey towards peace.
Dr Sanjay Barbora of Panos South Asia dwelt on the Assam-Nagaland boundary dispute as arising from two different views of land, as sustenance and as commodity. Dealing with immigration which is a major cause of conflicts, Dr Chandan Sharma of Tezpur University gave the history of immigration in the Northeast, the new forms it took under colonialism and the present exclusive focus on the Bangladeshi. Discussing the 1996 Boro-Santhal conflict, the ABSU leader Promode Boro said that a third party engineered it but both the communities were deceived by those who wanted to give a different direction to the Bodoland movement. Bulu Terang and Joseph Damzen spoke in a similar vein about the conflicts in Karbi Anglong. Thomas Mangazhathude of Jirsong Ason, Diphu spoke of land, identity, the international arms trade and unemployment as the major sources of conflicts in the Northeast. Dr Deben Sharma described various peace initiatives in the region and pleaded for networking in order to strengthen the voices working for a new Northeast. Babloo Singh of Human rights Alert, Imphal described how every individual has many identities but in case of conflicts, one identity gets exclusive focus and the rest are ignored. Then the individual identity is submerged with the community and is put in opposition to other communities. Conflicts grow from it.
Dr K. Debbarma of NEHU described the processes that resulted in massive influx of Hindu immigrants from Bangladesh into Tripura and loss of 60 percent of tribal land to them. It is the main cause of insurgency in Tripura. P. J. Joseph from Agartala dwelt on peace initiatives in the State. Amrit Sangma of NERYC analysed the Garo-Khasi conflict centred on the reservation policy and the demand for Greater Garo Land. C. P. Anto of Peace Channel, Dimapur described the efforts for peace being made in Nagaland.
Director Dr Walter Fernandes in a release said that an exclusive identity formation because of economic shortages and attack on culture emerged as the major causes of conflicts. In this context every community rewrites its history in order to claim exclusive rights over the resources in an area. The participants therefore decided to begin reflection on these issues at the grassroots level as support to peace initiatives. They will finally bring peace activists, historians and other social scientists of the region together in an effort to look at the possibilities of writing a comprehensive history of the region.
ULFA attacks feared By A Staff Reporter Assam tribune
GUWAHATI, Oct 18 – Recent intercept of a message of the top leaders of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to the cadres on the ground has kept the police and security forces on their toes and all the district police forces have been directed to take adequate precautionary measures to prevent any attempt of the militants to create disturbance. Highly placed police sources said that the security forces recently intercepted a message to all the three companies of the 28 battalion of the ULFA, which said that the outfit should launch fresh attacks. Sources said that the order from the top leaders of the outfit clearly stated that no local people should be harmed during the operations. Though the ULFA cadres were not asked to create trouble during the Durga Puja festival, the possibility of the militants creating indulging in act of violence during the celebrations by taking advantage of the fact that the police personnel would be busy during these days cannot be ruled out. In the wake of the recent development, the police and security forces are apprehending fresh attacks on Hindi speaking people, sources said.

It may be mentioned here that the 28 battalion of the ULFA, which is considered to be the strongest wing of the outfit, is responsible for operations in the Upper Assam districts. But the 28 battalion recently received a major setback following the arrest of Prabal Neog, the acting commander of the battalion. Police said that the ULFA militants operating in the lower Assam districts and in Guwahati city are not as well organized as in upper Assam, which makes it difficult for the police and security agencies to know about the plans of the outfit. Sources said that the operations in lower Assam districts and in Guwahati city are carried out by only a handful of people, which makes the task more difficult for the police. Sources said that according to intelligence inputs, the flow of weapons and explosives from Bangladesh is still on and the 109 battalion of the outfit is responsible for transhipment of weapons. The 109 battalion now has only about 30 active cadres. Meanwhile, efforts are also on by the outfit to activate its 27 battalion and to strengthen the bases of the outfit in the districts located in the northern bank of the river Brahmaputra, particularly in the districts of Darrang, Sonitpur and Lakhimpur.
Symposium on ‘Sovereignty and the Assamese mind’ Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Oct 18 — A symposium was held on October 13 and 14 at Kaziranga on “sovereignty and the Assamese mind”. Organised under the aegis of The Kaziranga Group, a newly established association of young scholars, the symposium brought together young lecturers of colleges and universities from different parts of the State to debate the vexed issue of sovereignty. This was stated in a press release. The primary aim of the symposium was to convene a meeting of young minds, and form an association in order to regularly meet and debate issues that concern the State. In its maiden venture, The Kaziranga Group debated and discussed the important issue of sovereignty for Assam that has been demanded by certain separatist organisations like ULFA. The participants of the symposium were of the opinion that in its quest for ‘Swadhin Asom’, ULFA has not only waged war against the Indian state, but countless innocent lives have been lost as a result of the continued demand by the organisation not to come forward for dialogue. Participants were also of the opinion that sovereignty was an impossible demand, and was perhaps made only at the behest of forces inimical to the development of Assam. They were of the view that although NSCN and NDFB had not given up their demand for sovereignty, it had not prevented them from entering into a ceasefire with the State, ushering thereby a modicum of peace in their respective areas. The symposium’s participants wondered as to why ULFA could not follow a similar course of action, the release pointed out.
The symposium also stated that the question of sovereignty has never been adequately discussed in an academic manner. To that end, that they questioned whether proponents of ‘Swadhin Asom’ have studied the dynamics of the concept before it pronounced such a question. The group of young lecturers speaking at the symposium also questioned whether there was unanimity among the people of Assam for the concept, or whether the concept was being thrust upon them by a few. Examining the concept of sovereignty from a variety of angles, including history, geography and perspective of the ethnic population of Assam, participants examined the cartographical and geo-political realities of ‘Swadhin Asom’, and queried whether the concept would not, for instance, militate with the space sought by groups such as NDFB, UPDS and DHD. Would not a situation of internecine strife engulf the region as a result of the cartographical dissonance that would inevitably be encountered?

The conglomeration also questioned whether the proponents of ‘Swadhin Asom’ have taken into consideration the wishes and aspirations of the smaller ethnic groups and the minorities of Assam. It lamented the absence of a viable blueprint for ‘Swadhin Asom’ that could be placed before the people of Assam — economic, socio-political and geostrategic — and wondered whether the concept is a mere fantasy in order to continue an unnecessary conflict, where the worst sufferers were the marginalised people of Assam, the release informed.
Participants were also forthcoming in their censure of the State, which they felt had not paid adequate attention to the issues such as development, and was insensitive to burning problems such as flood and unemployment, issues that had probably led separatist movements to propound concepts such as ‘Swadhin Asom’. They appealed to ULFA to abjure all forms of violence, and immediately come for dialogue, without continuing to stick to its demand of sovereignty, which the participants felt did not even reflect the aspiration of 90% of the Assamese population.

They also made an appeal to the government to withdraw the black laws that are in force in Assam, halt all forms of repressive measures, ensure that human rights abuse do not take place in the name of military action against insurgency, begin a dialogue process with ULFA and seriously consider the possibility of returning the Army to the barracks for an experimental period of time in order to create a conducive atmosphere for a dialogue process to begin, the release stated. Participants of the symposium were lecturer Political Science, Dibrugarh University (DU), lecturer, department of History, DU, Chandan Sarma, assistant director, Indian Council of Historical Research, Uttam Bathari, lecturer Political Science, Gauhati University (GU), Surajit Konwar, lecturer, Political Science, Cotton College, Dilip Gogoi and lecturer, Political Science, Darrang College, Amardeep Pegu, among others, the release added.
UNLF refutes Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Oct 18 : Flatly refuting the claim that Salam Raju s/o S Ibomcha of Thangalawai Sabal Leikai was a sergeant in the proscribed UNLF, the outfit has denied any relation whatsoever with late Raju.
Raju was shot dead by troops of 7 Assam Rifles yesterday afternoon who claimed that the slain individual was a Sergeant in the UNLF. A statement issued by the UNLF’s Senior Publicity Officer Ksh Yoiheiba asserted that Salam Raju was an innocent civilian. There was no weapon of any sort with him when he was picked by the AR personnel posted at Moirang Khunou from a house in his neighbourhood. Salam Raju was shot dead in cold blood after subjecting him to severe torture, alleged the outfit. As for the alleged baseless allegation that Raju was a Sergeant in the UNLF and that weapons were recovered from his possession, Yoiheiba remarked that it was an inborn character of the security personnel. Such fabricated propaganda issued by the PIB that the slain man was killed in encounter, and weapons were recovered from his possession and that he was cadre of UG outfit is only an attempt to hoodwink the people and to cover up their cowardly misdeeds which is quite obvious to the people. The security personnel still cannot see that a day will come when the people rise up against their excesses to oust them from the land, alleged the UNLF.