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10/22/2007: "NE Support Centre & Helpline launched in Delhi Student bodies, social activists, politicians join to stop harassment The Morung Express"

NE Support Centre & Helpline launched in Delhi Student bodies, social activists, politicians join to stop harassment The Morung Express

DIMAPUR, October 21 (MExN): A North East Support Centre and Helpline has been launched in a joint initiative by social activists, lawyers, student organisations and journalists to extend help when required and take measures to preventing harassment and abuse meted to students and young workers from North East India employed in the National Capital Region.
The Support Centre and Help-line’s official launch out program at the Press Club of India today was graced by Rev. Valson Thampu, Principal, St. Stephen College, Dr. John Dayal, Member, National Integration Council, Dr. Udit Raj, Chairman, All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations, Mr. Pushpendra Kulshrestha, Secretary General, Press Club of India, and several political and civil dignitaries from the North Eastern states, informed Ms. Lansinglu Rongmei President and Mr. Madhu Chandra, Media Secretary in a press note received here.
The need for a NE Support Centre & Helpline has arisen because of the phenomenal rise in the number of young people coming to the national Capital and other cities in this region in search of Higher education, Professional Training and Employment. The massive increase in the retail trade and new businesses offers an attractive opportunity to the hard working youth of the now Eight Sisters states.
However, there are several issues that have also arisen, it stated pointing out that there have been instances of harassment at the work place, in the market place and in public transport systems. “There is need for sensitizing the Police and the authorities to these issues. The victims need immediate assistance, legal aid and counseling. Above all, they need an immediate response. This is what the Support Centre and Helpline proposes to do with the assistance of volunteers, NGOs and the existing Student groups from this region”. It was informed that the Support Centre and Helpline will also respond to emergencies affecting anyone else, including youth and working women from other Tribal Communities. Dr. John Dayal along with former Member of Parliament from Nagaland, Asangba Sangtam and Mr. Madhu Chandra, Regional Secretary of All India Christian Council, had met with Delhi Police Commissioner Mr. Y. S. Dadwal, IPS, in August this year and submitted a memorandum on the harassment of North East people living in Delhi. SC ST Confederation Chief Dr. Udit Raj extended support to North East people and criticized the Police singling out the North east people in Delhi by seeking to define their dress modes and food preferences. NE Support Centre & Helpline is supported by All India Christian Council, All India Catholic Union, All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations, United Christian Action and North East Students’ United Forum Delhi.
(The NE Support Centre and Helpline can be reached at 9868184939, 9818314146, 9868157066, and 9810554901. Helpline can be contacted at nesupportcentre@gmail.com and information will be made available at www.nesupportcentre.blogspot.com) .
NE girl molested, complaint lodged DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 21 (MExN): The North East Support Centre is already on it first case in the molestation and sexual assault of a girl from the North East today. It was reported that a girl from NE India was molested last night when she was returning home with her cousin sister after visiting their nephew in Malhipalpur, Delhi.
According to sources, the girl was waiting outside the public bathroom for her sister when some boys tried to take her photograph in the dark. This led to some confrontation and thereafter the boys began to abuse and molest her.
The North East Support Centre filed a FIR in the Delhi police station tonight under the ST/SC Atrocity Prevention Act. Regional Secretary of All India Christian Council, Madhu Chandra, informed that despite the presence of a Supreme Court lawyer with the activist, the police refused to lodge their complaint for two hours. However after being told that the Commissioner had directed the case, the concerned police officer took the endorsement but said that the matter would be discussed with his seniors before it was acted upon. Madhu Chandra also disclosed the intention of the Support Centre to talk to NDTV and CNN IBN and other media the following day on the said case.
Meanwhile the Nagaland State BJP president, Ato Yepthomi has condemned the incident and hit out at the Congress led Government in Delhi pointing out that the law and order was deteriorating the National Capital. He said that the Delhi Government was not doing enough to ensure safety of people from the Northeast. State BJP Treasurer Basu Damani in his response said that the Nagaland BJP was ready to take up such ill treatment if it were to happen in any of the BJP ruled States.
Inavi village speaks out on eviction The Morung Express
Dimapur, October 21 (MExN): Strongly lamenting their recent eviction from the Intangki Reserved Forest by the NSCN (IM), the Inavi village today hit out at the state government and also questioned the NSCN (IM) regarding the recent eviction of the Inavi villagers from the Reserved Forest. A press statement issued by the, Tribal Community Convenor, Inavi Village, Tsunthruba Yimchunger and Head GB, Hevito, demanded the government to treat the Inavi villagers on the same line with that of the Beisampuikam village. The release declared that the ‘so called’ Beisampuikam village was first established in Lilen Kuki area. However, in 1985, the Lilen Kuki village initiated a court case against Beisampuikam, in which the ‘court’ directed the Beisampuikam villagers to vacated the Lilen village area; the release added that in 1992, the same group of ‘Beisampuikam encroachers’ shifted to the Intangki reserved forest and established the present village.
Besides, the release said that certain mandatory provisions like proper verification and obtaining no objection certificates from the neighbouring villages, proper demarcation of the boundaries, which are necessary for a village to be recognized by the government has not been fulfilled while recognizing Beisampuikam village.
“The dubious question here is, how the Govt of Nagaland has given to the so called Beisampuikam village without following all these mandatory provisions? Where is the surveyed map and NOC (no objection certificates) especially from the Forest Dept that they are supposed to obtain? Overlooking all these, amongst other requisite formalities necessary for the recognition of a village, the Govt of Nagaland for reasons best known to them has recognized the so called Beisampuikam village,” the release asserted. Standing on those ‘facts’, the release demanded that the other Naga settlers be treated on the same line since the Nagas are entitled to enjoy the same status as to rights and benefits as that of Beisampuikam village.
Supporting the view that Inavi village does not come under the purview of encroachment, the release asserted that the Inavi Village is located within the ‘inhabited Intangki addition area which the Beisampuikam village is falsely claiming’. “It is outside of Intanki Reserved Forest and bounded by the Intanki river,” the release said.
The release also cited that the Inavi village does not come under the purview of the Gilgal meeting where the NSCN passed a resolution on April 2, 1996 that no villages would be permitted to be established after 1996. “Beisampuikam Zeliangrong village was established in 1992 and the other Naga settled at Inavi village was established on 23rd August 1995,” the release said and added that the resolution of the 1996 Gilgal meeting does not affect the establishment of the Inavi village in any manner.
However, the release lamented that the Naga settlers, excluding the Zeliangrongs, have been evicted for twenty three times both by the state government and the NSCN (IM). “The seed of division and partiality among Naga brothers by shielding one and evicting the other, when both stand on the same status enjoying the same universal birthright and human rights is despicable,” the release lamented and called for stopping of such form of biasness.
Anyhow, the release also strongly questioned the NSCN (IM) what their objective was behind the resolution of the Gilgal meet, 1996. “Is there a hidden agenda to target only some Naga tribes? Time and again, their action has revealed their intention and it has greatly hurt the sentiments of the victimized Naga tribes,” the release stated in this regard.
Nonetheless, the release affirmed that the evicted settlers bear no ill will against any particular tribe, individual or organization whatsoever; however, it put the blame on the state government over the whole issue. “It is the Govt of Nagaland that is solely to be blamed for their negligence and biased attitude of not properly verifying the documentary and historical facts of the disputed site. Where the disputed issue is concerned, the state Govt is always caught napping unawares,” the release affirmed and added that the evicted settlers have been patiently trying to undo and mend the communal discord and disharmony ‘created by the Zeliangrong tribe’.
The release proclaimed that it is a known fact to all Nagas and the state government, that the ‘Intanki reserved forest additional area’ in Nagaland does not belong to any particular tribe but to the whole Nagas in general. However, the release decried, that contrary to this fact, one particular village called as ‘Beisuumpuikam of Zeliangrong by distorting facts claim itself to be the sole owner of the entire stretch of Inatnki Reserved addition area through processions and rallies, one at Hebron and the other at Nagaland Legislative Assembly hall, Kohima respectively, demanding eviction of the other tribes settled at the reserved addition area’, as a result of which the NSCN (IM), bowing to pressure, evicted the other Naga settlers, razing everything to the ground.
“What the Zeliangrongs have done was in very bad taste and the bitter facts are hard to digest,” the release stated, “The Zeliangrongs, being aware of their misdoings are now hiding behind the NAP jawans fearing retribution. The presence of NAP jawans only proves the guilt they are feeling.” The release affirmed that the Zeliangrongs, after ‘sowing the seeds of division’ are further alienating themselves by taking the protection of the NAP jawans instead of accepting and rectifying their misdeeds.
Making a mention of the burning down of the Zeliang Zangdi village by the NSCN (IM), the release pointed out that the Zeliangrongs strongly demanded resignation of the NSCN (IM) Kilo Kilonser, Home Secretary and the Convenor of Steering Committee. In this regard, the release stated, “The Zeliangrongs seems to have such short memory span that they seem to have forgotten the 23 (twenty three) eviction drives carried out against the other tribes, because of their blatant lies and instigations. We could also have demanded resignations and withdrawals.”
Further, the release rubbished the Zeliangrongs’ claim that the entire stretch of ‘Intanki reserved forest additional land’ belongs to them and that the Sumis and other Naga tribes do not have an inch of land. “One wonders how such farfetched foreign utterances can be made by any true fellow NAGA,” the release wondered in this regard.
Nagas gearing up for February 2008 State Assembly poll From our ANI Correspondent
Kohima, Oct 21: Election to Nagaland Assembly is still four months away, but the people of the State are excited. They have already started assessing parties on the basis of their past performances. Nagaland, once known to be the hub of insurgency and violence, today is recognised as a success story of democracy.
Political parties -- both regional and national -- vie for space to woo the people.

More than 10 political parties are in the fray in the tiny State with just 60 Assembly seats. The ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) is a coalition of more than eight political parties, with Nagaland People's Front (NPF) being its major constituent. NPF State Secretary K G Kenya said: "Regionalism and regional party in Nagaland is of immense importance. We will continue to educate people. I am sure in future also it will hold importance to people."

Xavier, a local journalist, said: "Nagaland is marching towards a multi-corner contest, where national parties like Congress, BJP, NCP, RJD and the local parties, including Nagaland People's Front and some Independent parties may contest in upcoming February 2008 election."

Hopkheto Sumi, the President of the Pradesh Congress Committee said the grassroots preparations have already started for the poll. Besides Congress, the mainstream political parties like, the BJP and the JD(U) have made their presence felt in Nagaland.

V. Victor, state BJP Secretary, said: "We will work for peace in Nagaland, so that youth and the people can live in peace."

People vouch for democracy and want all the problems to be solved through dialogue and through people's participation. Vibilie Seyie, project co-coordinator of a business firm, said: "Democracy is the best form because only through it the voice of the people can be heard. For the development, peace is required and only non-violent methods can achieve it."
$100 m investment in Assam-Nagaland oilfields Sify Business News
Guwahati: An Indian and a Canadian exploration consortium will be investing $100 million in exploring two new reservoirs of crude oil and natural gas discovered in the northeastern states of Assam and Nagaland.

An Indian petroleum ministry official said the Assam Company Limited (ACL) and its Canadian partner, Canoro Resources Limited, have found oil and natural gas at two drilling blocks in Amguri near Jorhat in Assam and one at Changpang in Nagaland. According to preliminary estimates, the two reservoirs could yield up to 3,100 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) a day -- 1,200 barrels of oil condensate and 12 million cubic feet of gas per day. "The two reservoirs could thus yield a total of over 3,100 BOE a day and this is by far our most successful result to date," Rob McInnis, vice president of Canoro's corporate affairs department, said in a statement. Earlier this year, the company had reported discovery of 1,000 BOE a day in a different well in the Amguri block that is part of the oil-rich Assam-Arakan basin.
"The consortium has struck extremely high quality oil and gas at the two sites and according to plans they would pump in about $100 million in the two sites for exploration work," an Indian petroleum ministry official told IANS.
"This would greatly boost oil productivity in the region." The consortium would begin exploring about eight wells in the block in the first phase of the exploration work that is likely to begin shortly. "If the appraisal wells are successful, additional development wells would be planned in phase two of the programme," the Canoro statement said. The ACL has 40 and 35 per cent working interest in the Assam and Nagaland oilfields, while the Canadian company holds 60 and 65 per cent respectively in the two blocks. The Amguri oilfield (this includes Nagaland areas as well) spread over an area 52.75 sq km is believed to have an estimated oil reserve of 50 million barrels, besides associated free gas reserves.
Canoro is also involved in exploration works in the adjoining state of Arunachal Pradesh in collaboration with French and an Indian oil company. Earlier this year, there were two new oil and gas finds in Assam. London-based Premier Oil, a leading independent oil and gas company with producing interests in Britain, Indonesia, Pakistan, Africa, and Southeast Asia, have found gas at a drilling block at Pechadhar near Silchar in southern Assam, about 320 km from the state's main city of Guwahati.
Premier Oil began work in Assam's Cachar district in January. The Cachar block covers 2,570 sq km and lies adjacent to large gas discoveries in eastern Bangladesh.
The company will drill two more wells in the adjoining Hailakandi district soon. India's premier oil exploration firm, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, has already struck gas in the area -- known to be a high potential zone for oil and gas. Assam has over 1.3 billion tonnes of crude oil and 156 billion cubic metres of natural gas reserves of which an estimated 58 per cent of hydrocarbon reserves are yet to be explored.Assam currently produces about five million cubic metres of natural gas annually.
Landslides cut supplies to Kohima Nagaland Post Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCT 21 (NPN): Prices of various commodities in the state capital have spiraled upwards due to disruption of road link at Lalmati, about 15 km from the state capital on NH-39 since Tuesday last.
The shortages have given way to black marketing by unscrupulous elements who have hoarded items to sell at almost double the normal rate. For instance, onion is being sold at Rs. 50 per kg, potato Rs.20 per kg, tomato Rs.40 per kg, chillies Rs.80 per kg and egg at Rs.5 per piece.
Petrol and diesel which are currently available only in the black are being sold at Rs. 100 and Rs. 50 per litre respectively. Talking to this correspondent, Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) chairperson Menuovilie admitted that the municipal body was receiving complaints from public regarding rise received complaints, it seized goods of hoarders involved.
He also said KMC was keeping round-the-clock vigil in the markets to check such irregularities and added stern action would be taken against the black marketers.
“All petrol pumps were shut down and roadside vendors were selling petrol and diesel at Rs. 100 and Rs. 60 a litre respectively,” an agitated vehicle owner told this correspondent.
On Sunday,vehicles made a long queue at the only petrol depot in Kohima that opened for few hours.
“Kerosene is not available in the market,” said a Bihari kerosene dealer while informing that the vehicles carrying fuel could not proceed further from Lalmati due to landslides.
Officials were hopeful that the supply chain would be restored soon.
On the other hand, pig sellers disclosed that seven truckload of pigs had arrived Kohima Saturday evening and that there was no reason to panic on supply of pork in the market.
Meanwhile, the 15th BRTF personnel working overtime at the landslide area since Tuesday last, have been able to clear the road for the moment and vehicular traffic resumed Saturday evening.
However, officials working at the site admitted that now and then, big vehicles get stuck in the mudslides, disrupting the traffic flow from both sides of the highway. NH-39, the lifeline of both Nagaland and neighbouring state Manipur is under the charge of the Border Roads Task Force.
ULFA appoints new commander The Morung Express
DIBRUGARH, October 21 (AGENCIES): The outlawed ULFA has appointed hardcore leader Jiten Dutta, responsible for masterminding the killing of Hindi-speaking people in Assam, as the commander of its strike force 28th battalion following the arrest of commander Prabal Neog last month. Dutta, who was the commander of the battalion's 'C' (Charlie) company, was appointed due to his hardline stand, an ULFA spokesman said. Due to his hardline stand, not even his family or the Army have been able to persuade him to surrender, the spokesman said. Dutta, also the battalion's spokesman, was responsible for the killing of Hindi-speaking people and several bomb blasts in upper Assam along with Neog. The Army had raided Dutta's house several times and had recently urged his family at Digboi to convince him to surrender, but he has not heeded such appeals. Sources said the battalion has in recent times faced difficult times with its commander being arrested, a commander of its 'A' company Pranjal Saikia surrendering to the Army and its 'finance secretary' Ujjwal Gohain, accused by the group of misappropriating Rs 10 crore, escaping from house arrest. The ULFA has reportedly issued death warrants against Saikia and Gohain.
‘Insurgency poor excuse for Assam’s underdevelopment’ Nagaland Post
New Delhi, Oct 21 (IANS): Insurgency or terrorism cannot be given as an excuse for the lack of economic development in Assam, says renowned US-based management guru Dipak Jain. "I don't think insurgency can be cited as a reason for the lack of development in Assam. What we need is a change in the attitude of the people," Assam-born Jain, dean of the Kellogg School of Management, told IANS in an interview. Elaborating, he said, "We people in Assam are too self-contented. We seldom venture out and we do not let others come in too."
Jain's long career in education began as a student in Tezpur, Assam. After earning his bachelor's degree in mathematics and statistics from Darrang College, Tezpur, he earned his postgraduate degree with a gold medal from Gauhati University in 1978. He taught at the university for the next five years before leaving for Dallas in the US to pursue his PhD in marketing at the University of Texas.
When it was pointed out that people from Assam, especially students, are venturing out of the state these days, he said: "True, but that is more out of compulsion. However, I would say that coming out should not mean not returning. They should work outside, gather experience and then return home and use what they have learnt in the development of their home state."
Stressing that the people of Assam should encourage investors from outside to put their money in the state, Jain, 50, said: "Today, we are living in a globalised world. Countries are seeking out other countries as partners in progress. There is a great movement of people across the globe. So, how can you develop without letting outside investors come in?"
Jain, who was here to deliver a lecture on 'Branding India in the Global Context' at the Foreign Services Institute (FSI), said the working conditions in Assam were much better than in many other parts of the world.
"Look at the climate. Isn't it wonderful? And there is so much of human resource too."
When told that the law and order situation in the state was acting as a deterrent to investors from outside, Jain said that it was a "much over-hyped issue". "Insurgency and terrorism in Assam has been over-hyped by the media. I keep going to Assam to meet my family. I never felt insecure in anyway. It is not at all as it has been made out to be," he said.
Reiterating that insurgency cannot be a factor in keeping away investors, he pointed to Central American countries in this context. "Look at the countries in Central America racked by insurgency. But have they stopped overseas investors from coming in? In fact, working conditions in those countries are much tougher than in Assam. As I said, it is all about the attitude of the people." Jain had been an advisor to the vice president of El Salvador at one point of time.
Asked if he would take up an advisory role for the Assam government, Jain recalled an interaction with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi during the latter's visit to the US last month for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in New York. "We had a very good meeting. The chief minister is very receptive to new ideas," he said. The state government has to play a more active role in promoting the state to the outside world, said Jain.
"The government should hold events and invite investors from outside. If they are concerned about the law and order situation, they should be given security cover and taken on a tour of the beautiful state," said the Sandy and Morton Goldman Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at the Kellogg School.
Jain, along with four other Assamese residing in the US, has written to Gogoi, suggesting that a new set of educational institutions be set up in Assam. "It is actually an initiative of Jugal Kalita, an Assamese residing in Colorado. We have suggested that a group of new engineering colleges be set up in Assam which will also offer business management courses. It would be one of the best ways to harness Assam's human resources," Jain said.
Asked if he had any particular sector in mind that could be a thrust area, he said: "Tourism and establishing manufacturing bases. If developed and promoted well, Assam can be one of the best tourist spots in the world. And there is tremendous scope for establishing manufacturing bases."
He also lauded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Look East policy. "It is one of the best initiatives to be taken. Why look at the US and European markets when the Southeast Asian markets are so close by?"
When told that the Ministry of Development of the Northeastern Region has roped in Thailand as partner to help in the development of the region, Jain, who was appointed advisor to the prime minister of Thailand in 2003, said, "That is good. But don't forget Vietnam. Thailand is already developed. Vietnam is still developing and its situation is similar to the northeast. There can be mutual synergies between the regions if a partnership is struck." "But, above all," he concluded, "the people of Assam should learn to dream, to aspire. That is the best way to develop the state."
ANSAM decries proposed Ordinance Nagarealm.com
Senapati, OCT21 [NNN] : Irked by news reports that the State government is considering to issue an Ordinance to prevent affiliation of educational institutes in Manipur to any outside state, the All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) has asserted that the Naga students' body will not remain mute in the event of promulgation of such Ordinance.

"The minority Naga students enrolled in the private schools have demonstrated their desire to opt for suitable and preferable syllabus under Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) and have sought for affiliations," reasoned the ANSAM. The student body said it strongly supports 'initiative of the Naga students while rejecting reported statement of "an anonymous senior official of the state government" who was quoted to have favoured an Ordinance to ban affiliation outside the state and disallow opening of Exam Centres of any other Board of School Education.

ANSAM pointed out that it is an adopted norm and policy of India to guarantee the right and freedom of the linguistic, religious and culture minority to opt for educational establishments and administrations of their choice. While citing instances, ANSAM said West Bengal Board of Secondary Education is conducting Madhyamik or secondary examination annually and simultaneously all over the state of West Bengal and also in case of boards located outside West Bengal, elsewhere in India. "Is it an unlawful demand, when democracy in India provides space for the ethnic minority to opine and follow their will and aspiration to preserve and protect their language, identity, culture, tradition and history?," asked the Naga students' body.

Construing the SPF Govt move as an attempt to muffle aspiration of the Naga student community through coercive means with an intent on stifling intellectual growth to ultimately annihilate them altogether, ANSAM decried that the proposed Ordinance is being initiated to deny inherent rights of the indigenous minority tribal communities in the state. It also posed whether changing development in the hill districts makes the Manipur government panicky, frightened and to feel threatening. While calling the state government as dominant in attitude towards the tribals, ANSAM pondered reasons why the government is unable to work in the interest of the minority ethnic communities and it is exploring unjustified exercise to disrespect the hill people.

"Coercive persuasion of the state government will be a futile exercise without respecting the rights of the minorities educationally, socially, politically and economically," predicted the ANSAM statement. ANSAM on behalf of Naga students community announced it outrightly rejects the "blatant announcement" of the state decision considering the "discriminatory" Ordinance of state Cabinet. The ANSAM pledged that the students' body is prepared to face any eventuality in safeguarding rights of the minority ethnic communities and resort to any democratic form of agitation.

"The social chaos and volatile situation that may arise because of the irresponsible utterance and decision of the State Government to ban private schools seeking affiliation outside the state and to disallow opening of Exam Centres of any Board of School Education and then enacting penalty clause to deny job opportunity and other state privileges for the certificate holders of the Nagaland Board of School Education and other University," further cautions the students body. It finally said that these shall be viewed by ANSAM as the creation of the "dominant" State Government.
Indians express solidarity, Centre maintains distance on Burma Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
October 22, 2007 - Christians in India's northeastern state of Manipur began a prayer campaign on Sunday in support of Burma's democracy movement. They expressed their solidarity with political prisoners including Burmese democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Christians in over 100 churches in Churachandpur town of Manipur on Sunday began praying for freedom and restoration of democracy in Burma and for the release of detained Nobel Peace Laureate and other political prisoners.
Organizers said the prayer is the beginning of a campaign for Burma that called on all Christians in India as well as other parts of the world to join hands and express solidarity with the suffering people in Burma. Organized by the Myanmar Christian Fellowship, comprising Burmese Christians in exile, the campaign will include mass prayers every Sunday for Burma.
"The aim of this campaign is to pray for peace, restoration of democracy and for the release of all political prisoners in Burma," said Ko Lay, General Secretary of the MCF. Joined by over 20,000 Christians on Sunday, the campaign also prayed for "the Burmese military generals so that they change their mind and abandon their evil ways," Ko Lay added.
Despite India's inactivity regarding the political crisis in Burma, the people of India , particularly the northeastern states, have been voicing their concern over the recent protests and brutal crackdown in the Southeast Asian nation. In New Delhi, Indian supporters on Friday launched a 'Candle Light Vigil' for Burma. The new campaign will be conducted every Friday, as an expression of solidarity to the sufferings of the Burmese people and to garner more attention from Indians and others on the Burmese struggle for democracy.
Sahana Basavapatna, a leading organizer of the 'Candle Light Vigil' said, "This [candle light vigil] is in support of Burmese friends and basically also to ask the government of India to intervene in the Burmese issue and demand that the military junta release all political detainees."