10/24/2007: "Jamir should say sorry: NSCN (IM) Newmai News Network"

Jamir should say sorry: NSCN (IM) Newmai News Network

Dimapur | It is once again the NSCN-IM and SC Jamir. Significantly, the NSCN (IM) stated that “No Himalayan justification he made can rescue him unless he repent and come forward with humble ‘Sorry’.” Calling Goa Governor and former Nagaland chief minister SC Jamir ‘arrogant’ following the latter’s explanation on the Naga affairs which appeared in various newspapers today, the NSCN-IM said that in the context of “S.C. Jamir’s futile attempt to project himself as a Naga leader” with positive frame of mind vis-à-vis the Nagas’ political development, it will be of great interest for public to pass their own judgment as ‘we unfold the truth of the Naga history.’
“If SC Jamir recognized the positive contribution of Uncle Phizo why did he oppose the proposal of the then Prime Minister Nehru in 1963 to meet Phizo to re-open political dialogue,” questioned the NSCN-IM statement issued to NNN by its Ministry of Publicity.
The NSCN-IM also quoted SC Jamir’s letter to the then chief minister of Nagaland P.Shilu Ao which states, “Oku Shilu, If he starts negotiating with Phizo, I am prepared to come back because there is no use sitting here to be only laughing stock. I believe that we are also quite capable to create more troubles than the hostiles could do…………”, The outfit said that it is quite interesting to note SC Jamir addressing the “great Naga revolutionary leaders as Naga leaders which is a U-turn from his earlier stance as Naga hostile. In the comfort of his own sweet making he changes himself as chameleon”.
Dr. Imkongliba was S.C. Jamir’s leader in the true sense of the term fulfilling Jamir’s political dream by curving out a state of Nagaland which cannot be denied, alleged the NSCN-IM.
It may be recollected that Dr. Imkongliba Ao was the chairman and architect of NPC (Naga People’s Convention). He was a medical doctor by profession. “Because of his role in concluding the 16 Points Agreement which was against the wishes of the underground Nagas, he was assassinated in August 1961,” disclosed the NSCN-IM while adding, “whereas Imkongmeren was considered and given the stature of Naga National leader who stands to the last for Naga sovereignty. Now the ‘Sugar Coated (S.C) Jamir is appreciating Imkongmeren rather than his master Dr. Imkongliba. What is he trying to pull? Apparently, his dirty politics is at play again to pull the Ao national Workers especially the Longkhum people to his side”.
The outfit’s MIP statement then asserted that the allegiance of SC Jamir to the Indian Constitution needs no second question. Nagas’ fight for the past six decades, includes demand to have a separate constitution, and this is a part of the discussion in the present Indo-Naga Peace talks. It further added that even the Indian authority understands this core demand and it is being studied by the Sub-Committee comprising members from the Government of India and Nagas. “But Jamir vehemently opposes any move from the Nagas to stay distant from Indian Constitution which was forced upon the Nagas. How can Jamir keep on forcing the Nagas to agree with him?” asked the outfit.
While recalling the 1998 election the NSCN-IM claimed that it is still fresh in memory when 90% of the present Naga society including NGOs and political parties responding to the initiative of the NSCN-IM decided to stay away from “India held election” in order to facilitate smooth functioning of the Indo-Naga peace talks. “But Jamir jumped headlong into the election to champion himself as Chief Minister again. In the true political interpretation he forced everyone to be like him to stand by Indian Constitution,” alleged the outfit.
Coming on the much pronounced booklet, the Bedrock of Naga Society, the NSCN-IM said that, “Ironically, his ‘Bedrock (rather Badrock) of Naga Society evoked anger and dissidents within his Congress party. Because through this book he derecognized the Naga Nation, Naga sacrifices and all Naga values. He and his accomplice compiled and brought out the book in the name of the Nagaland Congress Members. That was the reason why persons like Therie, Neiphiu Rio and many others departed from his fold. Recently, he declared that as a party leader he himself prepared the book in the name of the party. Can any rational person tolerate such style of functioning?”
The NSCN-IM then opined that it is for the Naga people to decide who is fooling the Naga people and who is mixing Indian interests and Naga interests, freedom fighters and traitors and all this for his political wealth and glory.
The outfit while divulging some statistical picture, has alleged that Jamir’s home constituency constitutes a population of 3 to 4 thousands voters whereas in other constituencies it cross over 25,000 voters. “The differential ratio stands at 15:1. But in the allocation of fund this huge difference in population is not given any consideration,” the outfit continues its allegation. “The sugar-coated style of Jamir’s political functioning is thus all about betrayal, and public cheating for the last many years. The sooner Jamir realize his politics sans Nagas interests the better for the Nagas, particularly at this critical juncture. His arrogant politics of justifying himself will not take him far enough,” predicted the NSCN-IM while adding, “In the deeper analysis of his political career nobody can gainsay that Nagas have discovered Jamir as a devilish and anti-Naga national activist from the very beginning. And he showed himself with sheer madness.

NSCN-K claims ‘victory’ OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Oct. 23: The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) today scored some brownie points in its battle with the Isak-Muivah faction by claiming to have extracted an assurance from Delhi to dismantle all “unauthorised camps” of its rival. The supervisor of NSCN (K)’s Ceasefire Supervisory Board, Kughalu Mulatonu, said from New Delhi that officials of the Union home ministry assured him and other leaders that NSCN (I-M) members would henceforth be restrained from venturing beyond their designated camps in Nagaland.
The NSCN (K) team is in the capital to streamline the ground rules of the outfit’s ceasefire with the government and bargain for additional designated camps — Mulatonu said the outfit needed at least six more — in the state. The outfit recently set up two designated camps at Suruhoto in Zunheboto district, 200km from Kohima, and another near Tizit, about 400km from the state capital. Members of the rival faction are reportedly targeting two of these camps.
“We are ready to face the NSCN (I-M) anytime,” Mulatonu said of the danger looming over these camps. He declared that the NSCN (K) had “enough manpower to repress an assault by rival gunners”. One of the main grouses of the NSCN (K) is that Delhi has been ignoring it and holding talks with the Isak-Muivah group for a decade.
Burma minority ‘fleeing to India’ Subir Bhaumik BBC News, Calcutta
Hundreds of Burmese tribespeople have fled to India, saying they face huge fines if they fail to join pro-junta rallies, rights groups claim. Members of the largely Christian Chin group are entering the border state of Mizoram to escape the military regime. Cheery Zahau, of the Women's League of Chinland, said the influx began after the crackdown on anti-government protesters two weeks ago. Burma's generals face global pressure to halt the repression.

Ms Zahau, who is based in Mizoram's capital Aizawl, said: "We don't have a definite figure but we know hundreds of our people have come after the military crackdown. "And that is because the Burmese army is forcing our people to join rallies in support of them, and our Chin people don't want to do that."
There are more than two million Chins in Burma, and their leaders say they have suffered long persecution for being Christians and non-ethnic Burmese. Thousands have fled into Mizoram over the past two decades. Ms Zahau said many Chin women who have reported to her after crossing into Mizoram say the soldiers are forcing villagers to attend pro-government rallies or face heavy fines. "Every household, they say, has to pay up 10,000 kyats [$7] and that's a lot of money for poor Chins to pay. So they are leaving," she said.
Some Chins, including some Christian pastors who refused to march in pro-government rallies, have been arrested and taken to military detention centers, Ms Zahau claimed. Zosangpui, from another women's group in the Chin states, says the Burmese army has been using goons to force people to join the pro-government rallies. An organisation called Chiang Khai Phyu i (Pro-government Youth Movement) is dreaded by Chin villagers, she says. Their supporters are said to go around the villages in Chin states forcing people to join government rallies. Tialkhal, of the Chin National Front (CNF), says several such rallies in support of the military government have taken place this month in Hakka, Falam and other cities of the Chin states.
"But this support was forced, our villagers were compelled to join the rallies at gunpoint," said Tialkhal, whose group has waged an armed struggle against the Burmese generals since 1988.
The Chin villages have already being denuded of young people, many of whom have fled to India and then gone elsewhere, says researcher Chris Lewa who has worked on the problem of Chin migration. She says there are an estimated 100,000 Chin refugees in India - almost 70% of them in Mizoram. "The old people in the villages are too tired to resist anyway when the army or their henchmen turn up and force them to join rallies," said Ms Zahau.
She said that the Chin villagers are forced shout slogans in front of cameras of state-owned TV channels. "But you can see the faces and you will know that this is all trumped up," she said. The Mizos, who are ethnic cousins of Chins, initially welcomed the refugees when they first started coming after the 1988 military crackdown. But Mizo groups, like the powerful Young Mizo Association (YMA), now strongly oppose "unrestricted migration from Chin state" because they fear they may one day be outnumbered by them. Chins have often faced threats of a pushback by these groups after they entered Mizoram. Even one of their former parliamentarians, Zahleitang, was arrested by Mizoram police.
Burma says 10 people died during its crackdown on the protests, but diplomats believe the true figures are much higher. Hundreds of people are thought to be in detention. India has been accused of allowing its strategic and business interests prevail in Burma, and failing to put pressure on the generals.

Nagas oppose Manipur Govt. ordinance on school affiliation Edu News
Imphal: Strongly objecting Manipur Government's move to bring an ordinance on the school affiliation issue, the Nagas have threatened to organize protests against the Government's decision. As per the ordinance, any educational institute or school within the state of Manipur would not be allowed to be affiliated to any board of secondary education outside the state without the prior permission of the Government of Manipur.
The schools will have to seek a No Objection Certificate from the state government if they want to be affiliated with boards located outside the state. Furthermore, the Manipur Government has decided to impose penalties on schools defying its ban and affiliating with the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education (NBSE).

Former NSF President expounds election theme Morung Express News
Kohima An intending candidate for the forthcoming election from 37th Tiyi Assembly Constituency, NSN Lotha today said his theme of contest is ‘Back to the village”. NSN Lotha, who was former NSF president said that he has chosen this theme because village occupies a very significant and important aspect of life and bears the basis of every Naga’s identity and originality.

“The living standard of the villagers must be uplifted. Their economy must be made sustainable,” he said while interacting with media persons here at the Hotel Japfu this evening. Security of health and education should be addressed and there should be environmental protection, and all sorts of anti-social elements should be uprooted, NSN Lotha also said. The second theme of his contest Lotha expound is the ‘Investment on Brains’. Quoting Bill Gate, Lotha said that one’s best ability is to invest on brains. Today Naga youths are facing a different form of brain drain, he said, while adding that Naga youths are indulging in anti-social elements due to manipulation and nepotism in various form of selection process.
Lotha assured that he will be an exemplary of positive change in his profession as politician and work tirelessly for truth and justice and break the shackles of mistrust on the electoral politics. On selection of beneficiaries for various scheme, NSN Lotha said it should not be the old system of project based method but on the modern based concept of assessment of competence. Lotha said that this will help discovered the hidden talents and potential of youths and accuracy of an individual capability. As a young politician, NSN Lotha said Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is his role model, while Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu as the most honoured symbol of regionalism. Lotha also appealed to all his friends and well wishers to extend logistic support in his endeavour to serve the Naga society.
ITC to develop Naga chilli in northeast India Reuters
MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's ITC Ltd signed a pact with Nagaland government and the Spices Board to develop and market the Naga chilli, it said on Tuesday. The company would develop programmes to improve quality, productivity, and deploy customised infrastructure and also market development activities, it said.
The implementation of programme will be through non-governmental organisations that will mobilise self help groups to collect the produce from growers and undertake the grading and primary processing, the statement said.
In the first phase Nagaland, Manipur and Sikkim will be covered and the deal will be gradually be extended to other northeastern states, it said.
Naga chilli is hottest chilli in the world with 8,55,000 Scoville units. The chilli's pungency is measured by Scoville scale, named after Wilbur Scoville.

NSCN (K) slams NGOs, believers Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Oct 23 (NPN): The NSCN (K) has criticized the NGOs and believers of Christ for their silence over the eviction drive carried out by NSCN (I-M) at Inavi village.
In a statement, “Brig” Niki Sumi of People’s Army of Nagaland, NSCN (K), said the NGOs and the “believers of Christ” chose to keep mum despite a number of houses were burned down and granaries of innocent villagers razed to ashes.
He said this was in sharp contrast to the incident of arson at Wungram Colony in Dimapur where donations poured in from various quarters. “The Inavi village eviction raised just a few organisations’ sympathy. But despite all that Nagas have endured for years for the cause of a Naga Nation. A day will come when the Nagas will reap the harvest the seed that is being sown, removing the unwanted weeds and thorns,” “Brig” Nikki said.

Driver alive not dead, traffic resumes The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Oct 23: The drivers of the stranded trucks at Lalmati in Nagaland along the NH-39 decided to resume their services after confirming that the driver who was assaulted by the Nagaland police is alive.

Till yesterday late night, after the truckers were informed of the death of a Nepali driver from Manipur namely Rabi, who was badly assaulted by the police, the truckers refused to proceed with their vehicles to cross the landslide area at Lalmati near Keruphema some 16 kilometer towards Dimapur from Kohima.

The Imphal bound trucks started crossing one by one from this morning after the authorities cleared the mudslides in the area and the condition of the driver who was hospitalized at Kohima hospital gradually improved.

With the opening of the traffic many Kohima as well Imphal bound goods carrying heavy trucks crossed the landslide area today and proceeded for their respective destinations, a report received here said today. Mention may be made that hundreds of trucks both Imphal and Kohima bound were stranded beyond Lalmati towards Lalmati since October 16 after heavy landslides at Lamati. Round-the clock service of the 15 Battalion BRTF assisted by the Nagaland police personnel helped open the road for traffic once again since late yesterday evening.

33 rebels surrender in Assam (IANS)
Tamulpur (Assam), Oct 23: A group of 33 separatist rebels in Assam Tuesday surrendered along with a huge cache of weapons and explosives saying they were "frustrated" with the alleged high-handedness of their leaders. In the biggest surrender this year, 31 rebels belonging to the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), including two women cadres, and two militants from the group's tribal ally, the Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), gave up before top army, police and civil officials at an army base here.

"We welcome them (the surrendered rebels) to the mainstream of national life," Lt. Gen. B.S. Jaswal, general officer commanding of the army's IV Corps who heads the anti-insurgency operations at the Unified Headquarters in Assam, said at the function. Jaswal added: "We would like the ULFA to come forward for unconditional talks after laying down their weapons." The rebels deposited 19 Kalashnikov assault rifles, several pistols and revolvers and 6.5 kg of explosives.
Nagen Rabha, one of the ULFA militants who surrendered, said: "We are totally demoralised and frustrated at the high-handed attitude of our top leaders." Most of the ULFA rebels who have surrendered belong to its '709 battalion', based in the southern Karbi Anglong hills.
The ULFA and its Karbi ally, the KLNLF, were believed to have been responsible for the massacre of dozens of Hindi-speaking migrant settlers in Karbi Anglong district in recent weeks. Assam police chief R.N. Mathur and other senior police and civil administration officials were also present at the surrender ceremony.
Army officials said the surrendered rebels would be put up at an Army Rehabilitation Centre and given vocational skills to enable them to earn a living in the coming days.
They are also being given a monthly stipend.
During the past 12 months, beginning September 2006, the army's 2nd Mountain Division, based in eastern Assam, has neutralised scores of ULFA militants.
"We have neutralised 178 ULFA militants since Sep 24, 2006 including one battalion commander (Rajiv Kalita of the '27th battalion'), five company commanders, ten action group commanders and seven experts in improvised explosive devices (IED)," a senior army official said. Besides, several ULFA militants have been either killed or captured elsewhere in Assam.

Ulfa extortion ring cracked - Cops arrest 2 militants from Guwahati A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Oct. 23: City police today claimed to have achieved an important breakthrough in cracking Ulfa’s extortion racket, with the arrest of two hardcore militants who were harassing businessmen in the Assam capital. The arrests were made late last night and officially announced today. A police source said the two militants were on an extortion mission in the city, and were working under the instructions of the commander of Ulfa’s 709 Battalion, Hira Sarania.
According to the source, the two accused were identified as Socrates Choudhury alias Vishal and Umesh Das. Choudhury, 22, is a resident of the city’s Noonmati area while 21-year-old Das hails from Bijulighat in Nalbari district.
“We were on the lookout for the duo for some time in connection with several extortion cases in the city. But it was late last night that we received a tip, alerting us to their current location in the city. On the basis of that information, both of them were apprehended,” the police officer said.
Choudhury was picked up from Narengi while Das was apprehended from Beltola Tiniali.
“The duo used to identify potential targets for extortion and then serve demand notes, signed by Hira Sarania. Their targets included businessmen, professionals such as doctors and engineers, as well as government officials. The accused have confessed to serving ransom demands to several persons in the city,” the police officer disclosed. Senior police officials are now interrogating the two rebels.
“We will seek to remand the duo in police custody when they are produced in court tomorrow for further interrogation. We hope to extract important information from them about the outfit’s extortion machinery in the Lower Assam districts, particularly in Guwahati,” the officer added.
Among the duo, Choudhury was considered more dangerous as he has received arms and guerrilla training.
“Choudhury is suspected to have been involved in some recent bomb blasts here. He is also being interrogated for identifying the explosives suspected to have been stockpiled by Ulfa in the city,” the source said. “Though Das was also associated with the outfit for the past few years, we have not found any evidence of his involvement in violent activities,” he added. The police suspect the duo had collected a huge amount of money from the city and deposited the cash with their commander.
Over 20000 Christians gather in Manipur pray for Myanmar The Morung Express
A prayer campaign for freedom and democracy has been launched continuing to Sunday. Human rights groups are campaigning for India to recognise the status if Burmese refugees and urging New Dehli to put Human Rights ahead of commercial interests
New Delhi, October 23 (AsiaNews): More than 20 thousand Christians in over 100 Churches in the Churachandpur district and elsewhere in the north eastern state of Manipur, launched a prayer campiagn for freedom and democracy in Myanmar on October 21st expressing solidarity with the political prisoners and the democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The campaign, organised by the Myanmar Christians Fellowships (Mcf) 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," Ko Lay, General Secretary of the MCF said. He added the campaign also prayed for “the Burmese military generals so that they change their mind and abandon their evil ways”. Meanwhile Babloo Loitongban, Director of ‘Human Rights Alert’, in Imphal (Manipur), revealed to AsiaNews that “Three Burmese nationals from the Western side of Burma have been detained after the crisis in Burma by the Indian authorities and they are in custody. We are trying to also give some legal aid to them; we are also moving court to have them treated as refugees, as we are doing with other Burmese mainly students. Many union leaders from Myanmar have taken refuge in Imphal and we are also helping them”.
“In western Myanmar, which borders Manipur there were some attempts to protest against the military junta, but we were informed the number of protestors were rather few, this is largely due to the fact that in the border areas like the ‘Tamu town’ which is predominantly a ‘Traders town’ and the people there earn a livelihood by trading with Manipur and the rest of India, so the protest was not very strong. ”.
The group which organised a protest march in Imphal and a public encounter in Churachanpur district in solidarity with the people of Burma, “is very disappointed by the soft response of the Indian Government to this situation of democratic uprising in Burma” and believes that New Delhi is far too concerned with access to the nations energetic resources. “India –he continues– is respected in South East Asia, its is because of the values that India has stood for in the past, now if India wants to surrender these Values and become merely trade–oriented, I seriously foresee that even trade would loose in the long run. A relationship between neighbours based on Moral values is extremely important if India wants to maintain its respectability in South Asia and the international community at large. Economy and trade relationships should never take precedence over Human rights and Moral Principles”. “Manipur and Burma share not only a long border but also long history. Manipur history is very much tied with the Burmese history and we firmly believe that not only for Manipur, but for the entire North-East, an open and democratic society in Burma would serve to empower and develop –politically socially as well as economically the entire North East region”. “International pressure is important but much more crucial is the response by the neighbours- big neighbours like India China and Thailand is what is going to make a major difference in how Burmese military responds”, such as allowing access to the UN Observer and establishing dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi.
Look East Policy remains elitist: seminar From Raju Das Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, Oct 23 – The much-talked about Look East Policy remains an elitists’ policy matter and nothing concrete has translated on the ground, the Society of Informed, Conscious and Responsible Existence (ICARE) observed at a seminar here.

But Chief Minister DD Lapang addressing the one-day seminar suggested the setting up of a ‘nodal desk’ for trade related matters with ASEAN countries to realistically kick start the Look East policy and propel the North East to economic prosperity.

He said that Meghalaya should establish a single window interface for potential foreign investors and for trade related queries. He said, the single window should be equipped with all information for potential partners from abroad. This would also foster educational and academic exchanges between the State and the South East Asian countries, he maintained.

Observing that the Look East Policy was political and economic inevitability and would bring about globalization and integrate nations together, Lapang added that in such a cooperative framework it was natural for the North East to look eastward for economic development. While deliberating upon the Look East policy, Lapang urged the participants to be more accepting towards enterprise and investment from within the country. Later, Chief Secretary Ranjan Chatterjee pointed out that the Look East policy would be economically viable with the setting up of a Visa office for Bangladesh in Shillong and a bus service from Shillong to Dhaka. Chatterjee suggested that a delegation led by the Chief Minister should visit Bangladesh not only to bridge the gap but also to solve the problems of insurgency, as the neighbouring country has been a safe haven for misguided youths.
Lady ultras take peace vow By Our Correspondent Assam tribune
GUWAHATI, Oct 23 – There is only strength and inspiration to be drawn from those who use their pain, not to cause further destruction, but to heal and move ahead for a better tomorrow. One such woman is Ranima Khaklari hailing from Golaghat, who in spite of spending her best years of life with some of the dreaded leaders of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and having witnessed high-profile operations against the outfit in the form of ‘Operation All Clear’ in Bhutan, is now looking for a better future, not for herself but for all those who are vulnerable towards joining the grey route of violence, more out of compulsion than out of choice.

“When I joined the outfit in the year 1998, it was poverty rather than the ideology of the outfit that motivated me. Our financial condition was very deplorable, to say the least, and joining the ULFA seemed the only way out,” said the 32-year old lady, who today laid down arms in the Indian Army’s Red Horn division at Tamulpur. “Knowingly or unknowingly I earned the tag of an ULFA cadre because I needed money for the survival of my family. Same has been the case with a good number of cadres whom I met during the last few years,” she said.
“As I have laid down arms, I will be entitled to some packages, which includes a stipend of Rs 2,000. I would be happy if such things can be implemented at the grass-root level, where the need is much more than what they are entitled to,” she proposed.

“I have never been part of any operation directly but I have seen violence from close quarters including the Bhutan operation and other encounters with security forces. I have seen people disappear forever and believe me it is a depressing experience,” Ranima told this correspondent, while adding, “Twice the security forces apprehended me. Once during the Burma operations and the second time, it was in Nalbari.”

Having played hide and seek with the security forces for almost a decade, the women inside her has given a clarion call.

“ I want to settle down now. Though there are no immediate plans to get married but yes, it is there in my family members’ mind. My elder brother, who is a farmer got married some time back and now it is my turn. But, I would never allow my marriage to act as a hindrance to work for the society,” Ranima opined. “I would try to work in a way so that my contemporaries and the youngsters of the State remain aloof from such hazards, especially those who are facing the brunt of poverty,” she said. “Only a poverty-stricken family can know the pain of hunger, day in and day out. One might call them terrorists but given the kind of hardship they had to undergo due to extreme poverty, it could be anyone,” she rues.
In fact, Ranima is not alone. Surathi Rabha, who also hails from Goalpara district, is in a hurry to get back to the mainstream. “For me, it is enough and I can’t take the pain of staying away from my near and dear ones any further,” Surathi said.
Governor quizzes CM Ibobi, top officials on law & order; Killing spree continues in state; two shot dead, one hurt By Staff Reporter Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Oct 23: Two more people including one non-local believed to be betel leaf (mitha patti) vendor were shot dead while another person was shot in the leg by gunmen at separate places on Tuesday in escalating incidents of killing in the state.
At least eleven people including a woman were shot dead by suspected militants in the last one week leaving two including a woman with bullet injuries since October 17. The number does not include those killed by the security forces, which was five. Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Dr. SS Sidhu today convened a meeting with the chief minister and top officials of the state home department including the chief secretary and discussed the law and order situation of the state in the wake of increasing activities of insurgents in the state in the last couple of weeks.
Reliable sources said that the meeting took serous note of the increasing violent incidents like killing, shooting, attacks on the houses of bureaucrats and kidnapping etc. The Governor invited briefing of action taken reports from the state government side on the subject. The non-local was shot dead at an open space while the other person was killed at his bed by shooting at the head while sleeping. The injured person was also shot at his own house by the gunmen, reports said.
The man who was shot dead at his bed was killed while sleeping by gunmen in combat dress who intruded into his house at around 2 am today at Heituppokpi in Thoubal district while the other one, a non-local was shot dead this evening at around 6.20 pm at Kakching Ningthou Leikai. The last person was shot and injured at the leg at the veranda of his house at Irong Chesaba at around 7.40 pm. According to the locals, a 27-year old youth named Ninthoujam Raja son of N Selungba Singh was shot dead by some five to six gunmen in combat dress who entered the house last night while he was sleeping. Bullets pumped at the head of the deceased had totally mutilated the face and head of the youth.
Reports said, the gunmen who came in a vehicle knocked at the door of Raja in the wee hours today and first asked the mother of the deceased for drinking water and matches.
When the mother opened the door five to six gunmen in combat dress entered the house and shot Raja who was sleeping in his bed. Raja who was hit by several bullets died at the bed while the gunmen left the spot quietly without saying anything. A public uprising is feared as the family with the support of the locals refused to receive the dead body of Raja even as post mortem on the body was conducted at the morgue of the Lilong Primary Health Centre today.
The deceased Raja was once rounded up by the security forces some 10 years back on the charge of being an underground cadre. After release he married a woman but divorced her some six years back. Since then he had been leading a normal life by earning his livelihood from day to day available work. The motive behind the killing of Raja is yet to be known. Meanwhile, a non-local said to be a betel leaf vendor was shot dead by gunmen suspected to be militants this evening at around 6.20 pm at Kakching Ningthou Leikai under Kakching police station.
The deceased non-local was later identified as one Anil Sahu, 30, son of late Birbal Sahu of Ara district, Bihar. He was hit by three bullets at the face. Kakching police retrieved the dead body from the spot and took it into their custody. Police believe that he was killed in connection with the betel leaf business which was banned by a separatist group in the state recently. Mention may be made that one non-local named Prashad from Bihar was also shot dead by suspected militants last night at Toupokpi in Bishenpur district. Another youth named Md Akbar alias Ibungo, 22, son of Md Abdul Latif of Irong Chesaba under Lilong police station was shot at tonight at around 7.40 pm. He has been hospitalized at RIMS. He received three bullet injuries at the right knee. According to reports, Akbar was shot at by some miscreants when he was standing at the front veranda of his house after taking dinner. After shooting at him, the assailants left the place.
US women senators urge India to pressurise Burmese junta Mizzima News
Sixteen United States' women senators have urged the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh to join the chorus of international condemnation of the Burmese military junta for the ruthless suppression of its citizens. In a letter to Dr. Singh, sixteen US women senators including presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, urged India to use its influence to pressurise the Burmese junta to release political prisoners including Burmese democracy icon and Noble Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and to initiate a dialogue for national reconciliation.
The women Senators, members of the 'Senate Women's Caucus on Burma', in the letter on Tuesday voiced concern over India's relationship with the Burmese junta particularly highlighting the recent visit by Indian Petroleum Minister at the height of protests in Burma.
In September last week, when protests led by Buddhist clergy was snowballing, Indian Petroleum Minister, Murli Deora visited Burma to discuss energy cooperation and deep-water exploration. The senators said, while understanding India's concern for the threat posed by insurgent groups in the northeastern states bordering Burma, the current military regime will only aggravate the problem.
"We firmly believe that any support for Burma's current government will only aggravate these problems. A stable, representative civilian government in Burma will be the best ally in addressing these problems," the women senators said in the letter. The women senators urged India to join the US, which has already extended economic sanctions on the Burmese junta, in its effort to support the Burmese people by pressuring the junta to implement democratic changes in the country

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10/24/2007: "Jamir should say sorry: NSCN (IM) Newmai News Network"