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10/29/2007: "Reconciliation v/s Naga political issue- Nagaland Post"
Reconciliation v/s Naga political issue- Nagaland Post
1. Naga Reconciliation emerged with big 'Bang-bang' on 20th December 2001 at the combined Naga National Reconciliation Function held at Kohima with 132 NAGA leaders representing 35 Tribes/ Sub tribes from Manipur, Arunachal , Assam, including western Myanmar beside Nagaland . The leaders took a solemn pledge which read as follows:-
"On this historic day, the Twentieth of December, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and one before all Naga gathered here, representing our people from all the Naga country, on behalf of my tribe, I pledge that:-
i) Nagas are one and we are one family. We will work towards the Nagas growing as a people.
ii) I hereby state that we will start a process whereby we will truthfully examine the ways and areas in which we may have hurt others so that, the needed changes may begin with us leading to practical steps of restrictions to make healing lasting.
iii) I affirm that we will go beyond seeing only where others have hurt us and be ready to see where we too may have provoked them to hurt us so that forgiving and being forgiven will become possible.
iv) I shall undertake to enlist the full support of my tribe for the Naga Reconciliation Process. We will do all we can to strengthen it. So help us God."
And thus a need to form a committee was established.
2. After a lapse of one year, the second meeting (20th December, 2002) was a combined Naga national Reconciliation Anniversary Function attended by Naga Hoho, Church Leaders, Nagaland Christian Forum, Naga Students Federation, Naga Mothers Association, NPHMR etc., at Kohima. In this meeting it was proposed to authorize the Naga Hoho and NCF to draft a new committee to limit its size and to raise the status to Commission and they be answerable to Naga Hoho and NCF only, which was approved and the names of the following members appeared in Newspapers viz.; Mr. Niketu Iralu, Convener, Rev. Dr. Tuisem A.Shishak, Secretary, Rev. Kari Longchar, Rev. Dr. V.K. Nuh, Mr. Charles Chasie Rev. Shiwoto Sumi & Rev. Dr. Wati Aier. Thus Naga Reconciliation Commission came into form on 9th April, 2003. The mission statement of this commission issued on 23rd May stated "to realize the reconciliation among Naga people as declared on 20th December 2001". So the validity was renewed as it was to carry forward the original pledge as said in para 1.
The members met on 21st April, 2003 at Dimapur. Three Organizations viz., NSF, NMA and NPHMR withdrew. Thus one to one functional relationship between Commission and Naga Hoho. NCF closed in. The Commission asked for functional autonomy. Terms of reference were made and the first clause said, "The Commission shall have autonomy of functioning in close relation to the committee of the NH and NCF on reconciliation in matters of policy." The second clause allowed the expansion of Commission members by NH + NCF. The commission was duly commissioned on 24th May 2003 at a simple ceremony at the NBCC office in Kohima with solemn prayer for success. It built up lots of hopes for putting and end to mutual and internecine killings.
Non-Starter:-24th May, the Commission was commissioned and 26th May comes news from an NGO that Commission had done nothing and was a non-starter. On 26th May, 2003 the objection came from NSCN (IM) that no cooperation with the Chairman and Secretary would be given. Other five members' reposed faith in them and ultimately the Commission came to collapse and this is what it is today, with all members resigned. It is a big loss to the cause. The entire episode has reminded the happening of 1963 around the period of creation of Nagaland. Allegations and counter allegation leading to creation of Nagaland and elimination of star- personalities responsible for creation of Nagaland. Silver lining exists today in reconciliation effort that A.Z. Phizo is being taken as undisputed leader by all factions. The thread for unification can be picked up from here in a renewed effort without castigating or excommunicating of important personalities. The opportunity provided by CF situation must be fully exploited for free, frank and open consultation as to how to reach at an honorable political solution of this vexed problem. The march of events from the beginning have put the Naga tribes of various origins at a very respectable and enviable position. For the sacrifices of the national workers, pragmatic personalities we call them moderates and many church leaders we call them visionaries are worth recalling, than affixing blames on stray and sundry for the parts left unachieved. In the maters of negotiation, it is commonly understood that 'gives & takes' do take place. So the past leaders contributions need recognition than dumping them as reactionaries or traitors.
What is Reconciliation? It is to reconcile to accept, adjust to, resign yourself to, submit to facts the facts that revolve around truth. Truth is difficult to speak. It requires lots of moral strength to speak truth. It is true; it needs double the courage to accept the truth. And superlatively, it is extremely difficult to act on truth. And in this case chronology of events starting from British Rule has to be kept in mind. To quote an example, most of the Naga historians, political activists say Nagas were never under British Rule, but, in the current Zalukie Zangde Manglamukh land issue, village chief has upheld his authority on land allotted to him by a DC of Naga Hills in 1907, named as A.N. David or Davi as legal claim as appeared in local papers ex Dimapur.
" It appears most of the people have confused the reconciliation Process with the Peace Process Reconciliation has to do with forgiveness and healing, it is about repairing and restoring damaged relationship while Peace Process is about negotiation and settlement - the one is moral and spiritual , the other is political. The two are not synonymous although both the Reconciliation Process and the Peace Process will involve and include all the people. In a sense, it may be said that the two are two sides of the same coin. The reconciliation process therefore can only strengthen and affirm the peace process." It is therefore emphasized, political reconciliation may occur or may not, may take time as it is evident with Padmanabhaiah- Collective leadership talk, but reconciliation is to understand urgent need of the Naga among Nagas to stop killings which can be achieved if sincere efforts are put in by the Commission. But unfortunately they are not facilitated to work. It is just like putting horse behind the cart. How cart will move?
Conclusion Mutual doubts, suspicion, speculation apart, the qualification of members are extremely good and they are men of learning, understanding and integrity. Those who oppose may reconsider their stand in the name of peace and loyalties to solemn pledge taken by all Naga leaders. More members may be added specially those who can act as facilitators to bring leaders at different dissent closer. In any case what is so good about KILLINGS. In this age of globalization, can't we take a pledge not to kill as service to humanity in the name of Prince of Peace. Ego is good if it is constructive, but highly devastating otherwise. Chiten Jamir & Mr. Vero may be names worth consideration for adding in Commission. Atmosphere is needed to be created so that intellectuals can have exchanges of views in open and unsuspecting manner. Castigations, excommunications, doubting, casting aspersions will not bring people closer.
RS Jassal
WHO IS TO BE BLAMED? By S. PAMEI Voice of Conscience
Ever since the thrust of the Naga movement gain momentum with the emergence of NSCN taking reign of the National Movement the sinister game-plan of the Indian Intelligence agencies also started taking shape to create havoc in the Naga struggle by enforcing the ‘Divide & Rule’ policy in the most despicable form ever witnessed in the Indo-Naga political history. The vulnerable lots of the National Workers without the insight of the Naga political principle become easy pray to the mischief of the intelligence agencies resourceful as they are the Indian Intelligence Agencies find every little problem to hoodwink the Khaplang and the likes to start off a new insidious chapter to cause a terrible blow to the cohesiveness of the Naga National Leadership. Ever since the chapter was opened the intelligence agencies have nurtured this group with great show of deception and craft. But to the Nagas this group was used with great precision using its members as common fodder in its fight against NSCN. It was a demonstration of the intelligence agencies taking over as the defecto control of the Khaplang group.
The present scenario depicts a sorry state of existence for Khaplang as a person where he has been left high and dry in he remote area of his domain in the Eastern Nagalim without the normal respect he commands once upon a time. But his name has been hijacked to make a seeming presence as a part of the Naga National movement with the appearance as impressive in actuality as it did with others. The reality of the situation however indicates that the bonafide status of the group Naga National Struggle rest with the NSCN led by Isak Chishi Swu, Thuingalang Muivah and Khodao.
What is most apparingly bad as observed from close angle is the intoxication doctrine of the Indian Intelligence Agencies using the top echelon of the Khaplang group as a vital counterbalance to the growing power of NSCN that reflects Naga Peoples mandate and power.
The part history is reflective of the killings in Nagalim that has crossed 2,50,000 most of these killings were engineered by the Indian Intelligence Agencies and till the present moment the killings goes on unabated what is most apparently seen is the insincerity and hypocrisy of the Government of India after the singing of the ceasefire in 1997. Finding the chief negotiator of the Nagas in the person of NSCN General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah a hard nut to crack the sinister programme of the Government of India is getting very disturbing as seen by the spate of killings across Nagalim. These bloody incidents are not without reasons timed to create the impression that everything is not yet ripe to hasten the peace process and thereby to buy time and to counter negotiate to tilt the balance against the Naga interests. The Nagas as a whole are just fed up of the whole process focused on undermining the Indo-Naga Political issue.
Though Khaplang is no long factor in the Naga affairs as he has been discarded by his own members the horrible killings of 1988 including his own Pangmis and Konyaks reminds the Nagas how vulnerable are some of the Naga leaders like Khaplang when confronted by the Indian Agents to toe its line of action.
The seed of hatred and killings as witnessed today was sown by the Government of India through the agents trained for the purpose having decided or identified who is standing on which side the Khaplang group is maintaining a deceptive noise on the ceasefire and the peace talks with the Government of India. Thus standing on the same side of the fence with the Government of India talks on Naga issue has been put on cold storage and rather the intelligence agencies are prodding the Khaplang boys to go against the NSCN. This is the most unbecoming role indulged by India to counter the widening voice of NSCN as the mouth piece of the Nagas political aspiration.
But for how long the Government of India is going to go on experimenting to fragment the Nagas Political Programe spearhead by NSCN and mandated by the Nagas to bring to a close the long history of conflict with India?
Violence a part of Naga society: Rio Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, OCT 28 (NPN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said bloodshed and violence have become a part of Naga society and asserted that as long as Nagas practiced revenge, there would be no peace. Addressing the youth on the concluding day of the National Youth Carnival at Ao Baptist Church Dimapur, Rio said forgiveness was the ultimate answer to the problems of the society.
Dwelling on the Gandhian policy of non-violence, the chief minister said non violence could become an instrument of peace only to those with a forgiving heart.
Advising the youth to refrain from vengeful acts and discipline themselves in order to master others, he also encouraged them to uphold the Christian ways, armed with positive attitude and faith, for a peaceful society. Rev. Dr. Ngul Khan Pau in his sermon ‘Finding Freedom in Christ,’ affirmed that freedom in Christ meant liberation from all guilt, fear and shame.
He also said that spiritual freedom given by God was different from any other freedom as it was an integrated one.
“It is the foundation of all other freedoms,” he added. Pointing out the different kinds of freedom, Rev. Pau said positional freedom is the spiritual birthright of man given and made right by Jesus, while practical freedom is freedom in obedience, which in Christian life is a daily business.
He further said that real freedom is experienced only when one submits himself or herself wholly to God.
“We are either slaves of righteousness or unrighteousness, there is no middle ground,’ he affirmed.
Asserting freedom in Christ as opposite to the values and lifestyle of the world, he urged the youth to live for the right and to impress others not with their possessions but with their truthful living.
The result, he said, would ultimately lead to holiness and eternal life.
The last service of the carnival was marked by special messages in songs from the Mizo choir and Manipur Baptist Youth; worship dance by BOBBCA, Balasore, and praise and worship by Ao Baptist Church youth. The service was chaired by Iringtie Kauring. It may be mentioned that around 1500 youths from all over India assembled to celebrate the carnival. A gospel concert was also organized on October 7 last in aid of the carnival.
WSH serves ‘ultimatum’ to NSCN-IM The Morung Express
Dimapur, October 28 (MExN): The Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) and its frontal organizations in an emergency meeting today served an ‘ultimatum’ to the NSCN (IM) demanding either the resettlement of the Inavi villagers in the Intangki National Forest or the eviction of the Beisumpuikam village on or before November 4, failing which, it threatened to take its own course of action. An ultimatum served by the WSH President, Hokiye Yepthomi and General Secretary, Akavi Zhimomi, said that the then NSCN (IM) Kilo Kilonser, Rh Raising, inaugurated the ‘so-called’ Beisumpuikam on December 1, 1998, is in total contrast to the 1996 Gilgal National Hoho Declaration to preserve the Intangki Forest as a ‘National Park.’ The WSH asserted that the NSCN (IM) exposed its biasness when the Inavi villagers were evicted out of their village, while leaving the Beisumpuikam village unaffected.
“In the assumption of pursuance of the same Declaration, the NSCN (IM) carried out eviction drive only against Inavi village on 29th September 2007, the village which also falls within the same location as that of the so-called Beisumpuikam village totally exposing the total biasness of the NSCN (IM) Government,” the release stated. In this connection, the WSH pointed out that it had demanded the NSCN (IM) collective leadership to evict the Beisumpuikam village. But, after receiving a request from the ‘Chief Principal Secretary’ on behalf of the NSCN (IM) leadership, asking for time until the arrival of the collective leadership for necessary consultation, the WSH extended the dateline till October 26, it stated. However, the release expressed resentment at the NSCN (IM), for its disregard of the good faith as assured by the organization to the WSH.
“The GPRN have totally failed to fulfill the request of the Western Sumi Hoho,” the WSH stated. In this regard, the Western Sumi Hoho served an ultimatum to the NSCN (IM) to either allow the Inavi villagers to resettle or evict the Beisumpuikam village on or before November 4 ‘in the interest of the Naga people in general and to uphold the Gilgal Declaration in Toto’. The WSH warned that it would be constrained to take its own course of action in the event of the NSCN (IM) fails to carry out the ultimatum.
Jamir’s bastion in trouble; local youth wing threatens dissolution Limalenden Longkumer The Morung Express
Mokokchung | With still four months to go, no election campaign has officially been launched by any political party as yet, but Mokokchung is sensing election fervor lately, with 26 Aonglenden A/C, the bastion of veteran congressman Dr. SC Jamir, being the latest to turn to election mode.
In a switch of places, the sitting MLA from the constituency C. Apok Jamir is reported to contest the ensuing general election from 27 Urban Mokokchung A/C, presently represented by senior Congressman Nungshizenba, who will in turn contest from 26 Aonglenden A/C. Incidentally, another regular Congress party worker and an aide of former Chief Minister SC Jamir is also vying for the Congress ticket, a younger Imtikumzuk. Both are from Ungma village which makes up a major bulk of the total electorate of the constituency.
While the senior congressman Nungshizenba’s camp is still keeping calm, Imtikumzuk’s camp is already on the move. Several hundreds of the younger intending candidate’s supporters on Saturday organized a ‘picnic’ to Dikhu vicinity. It was reportedly resolved that the youth wing of the party in the constituency would dissolve en masse if their aspiration to have the Congress ticket granted to Imtikumzuk is not conceded. Youth workers from all seven ‘units’ of 26 Aonglenden A/C were present at the ‘picnic’. The intending candidate however could not make it to the ‘picnic’ reportedly because of “an important work in Kohima.”
The youth workers allege that a ‘recommendation letter’ submitted by the District Youth Congress to the District Congress Committee written in support of Imtikumzuk, which was supposed to be forwarded to the NPCC, was ‘misplaced’. A confidant source in the Congress youth wing disclosed that Imtikumzuk should win the party ticket. An official note from the youth wing is expected to be made available to the press soon. It was also disclosed that although the NPCC has earlier agreed in principle to grant tickets to all sitting MLAs of the party when Ranjit Singh was the AICC in-charge of Nagaland, the newly appointed AICC in-charge of the state, Margaret Alva has a different idea. Toshipokba, also from Ungma village, is reported to contest the next election from the constituency with the NPF ticket.
Two NSCN (K) militants killed in clash with troops of 57 Mtn Div The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Oct 28: A self-styled captain and a sergeant of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, (Khaplang), NSCN (K) were killed by the troops of Assam Rifles at Peaceland (Longmai or Noney part-II) under Nungba sub-division of Tamenglong district on Saturday evening, a delayed report said Sunday.
The NSCN (K) has said that their two cadres were shot dead after they were rounded up from the area and cautioned the Assam Rifles that a ceasefire was in operation between the outfit and the force.
The Assam Rifles also claimed recovery of an AK-56 rifle, one 9 mm magazine, assorted ammunitions, an IED along with some documents from the slain cadres. The slain cadres were later identified as self styled captain Zachariah, 31, son of Tousinglhung of Songrung village in Nungba and self styled sergeant Salempu, 24, son of Kaguisin Gangmei of Thanagong village in Khoupum valley. They were killed after a heavy exchange of fire when troops of 57 Mountain Division posted at Noneh launched an area domination patrol around 2.30 pm yesterday, the PRO, defence wing, Imphal said in a statement.
The patrolling troops were fired upon by the some underground elements in combat dress at around 3.45 pm when they reached Noneh part-II. The patrol observed about six to seven underground elements moving in the area.
An additional column of the troops blocked the exit routes of the militants and exchange of fire took place resulting in injuries to at least two militants. Taking advantage of the darkness, the militants managed to escape from the area.
The UGs used villagers as `human shield` to escape, the statement went on to say adding that the troops exercised extreme caution not to harm any of the civilians.
The two dead bodies belonging to the NSCN (K) cadres were recovered from the spot where the gunfight took place. Weapons, IED and assorted ammunitions were also recovered from the area.
The troops later revealed that armed cadres often indulged in extortion and forced the local villagers to provide food and shelter against their wishes, the statement said. However, the recovery of IED, the statement added points to more sinister designs as when triggered, apart from causing casualty to security forces, it could harm the civilians. It could also spoil the cordial relations between the troops of Red Shield Division and the locals, it said.
Meanwhile, talking over phone, the publicity and information secretary of NSCN (K), Loveson charged the Assam Rifles of the cadres after taking them into their custody.
He said the cadres of NSCN (K) were camping at the village in connection with a peace mission of the outfit in the area on October 26, a day before the incident occurred. The troops of Assam Rifles entered the village after all the cadres left the village.
The Assam Rifles taking advantage of the other cadres leaving the place rounded up the two cadres and killed them later in a very "cowardly" manner.
He admitted that the cadres were involved in a brief encounter with Assam Rifles but it occurred when the cadres came back to look for their captain and his accomplices, adding that it occurred after the captain and the other slain cadre had already been taken in the custody of the security force.
Reiterating that its cadres were there on a peace mission, Loveson went on to say that it was not them breaking the peace in the area but the Assam Rifles.
Meanwhile, the dead bodies were brought to Imphal today by the troops of Assam Rifles and handed over to the police.
According to the family sources, Zachariah joined the outfit some 10 years back while Salempu joined some five years back.
Our Tamenglong correspondent reported that the troops of Assam Rifles entered the area based on specific information that some cadres of a valley based militant group were camping in the area. The Assam Rifles troops turned back early Sunday as there were no signs of sheltering of valley militants in the area after yesterday`s encounter.
Naga women harassed for resisting sexual overtures The Morung Express
Dimapur, October 28 (MExN): Two Naga women, employed in a call centre in New Delhi, were victimized by their employer when they resisted his sexual overtures a few days ago. Informing this in a press statement, the Spokesperson of the newly constituted North East Support Centre & Helpline, Madhu Chandra said that the Centre received a complaint from the two women, aged about 23 were employed by Accurate Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO), Green Park Extension, New Delhi on September 4. However, the manager of the call centre made sexual advances to the two Naga women, which they resisted. Consequently, the manager stopped the transportation service for the two women.
“The women reported to the NE Support Centre & Helpline that the manager abused them in the office and told them not to attend the office anymore. The salary for the month of September has also been denied to the victims,” the statement disclosed. The spokesperson stated that the Support Centre & Helpline has not received any response from the Call Centre. Nonetheless, the release pointed out that racial discrimination in the national capital has increased in many forms, and women from the northeast and other tribal-dominated states such as Orrisa and Chhattisgarh, are victims of sexual abuses and harassment in work places. The release also mentioned the molestation case of a Manipuri girl by her tenant on October 21 and informed that the police had refused to register a case until the media intervened.
North East Support Centre & Helpline is a joint initiative of various human rights activist, social workers, students, journalists and lawyers seeking to prevent harassment and abuses meted out to northeasterners people and tribal communities.
Growing support for democracy in Myanmar Nava Thakuria The Statesman
NEW Delhi may be in a dilemma over whether or not to support the democratic movement in Myanmar, but civil societies in the North-east have come out openly for the cause of democracy in that junta-ruled country. Even after being criticised by international communities for maintaining ties with the military rulers, Delhi has sought to justify its stand.
External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee said in Guwahati recently that the government was involved “in a variety of projects with Myanmar in diverse fields such as roads, railways, telecommunications, IT, science and technology, and power”.
Speaking on India’s Look East Policy — Challenges for Sub-regional Cooperation, Mukherjee, however, stated, “As a close and friendly neighbour, India hopes to see a peaceful, stable and prosperous Myanmar, where all sections of people will be included in a broad-based process of national reconciliation and political reform.”
The civil societies and rights groups are, however, critical of New Delhi’s junta-appeasing policies. While various newspaper editorials and media columns sternly condemned the junta suppression, the public meetings and demonstrations in the region demanded the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners,
The Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (South Sector) in Manipur unanimously extended its solidarity and support to the people of Myanmar in their struggle for the restoration of democracy. At a solidarity meeting in Imphal on 2 October, political and human rights activists and others urged New Delhi to withdraw all kinds of engagement with the junta.
Later thousands of Christians in Manipur joined in a prayer campaign for freedom and democracy in Myanmar on 21 October. Organised by the Myanmar Christians Fellowships, comprising Burmese Christians in exile, it expressed solidarity with the pro-democracy icon, Suu Kyi. “The aim of the campaign is to pray for peace and the restoration of democracy in Burma. We also prayed for the release of all political prisoners, including Suu Kyi,” said Ko Lay, general secretary of the Christians Fellowships.
On 6 October, the civil society groups of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Assam observed a global day of action for a free Burma with different activities. The simultaneous demonstration in these states highlighted the common concern for the agitating monks and peaceful protesters who were brutally suppressed by the ruling Myanmarese Peace and Development Council.
“Nearly 20,000 people assembled in Shillong and urged the Centre to intervene in the Burmese crisis and apply diplomatic pressure on the junta for starting dialogues with the democratic forces there,” said Robert Kharshing, MP from Meghalaya, and one of the organisers of the meeting.
In Nagaland, a rally was taken out demanding tougher action against General Than Shwe. Organised by the Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, Nagaland Baptist Church Council and others, the rally also demanded immediate intervention by the UN. There were placards reading “Stop crackdown on the peaceful demonstration in Burma”, “Free Burmese people from the Junta”, “Do not repeat the 1988 massacre”, etc.
In Guwahati, hundreds participated in a candlelight vigil to express solidarity with the Burmese people. It was organised by the North East People’s Initiative (for Peace, Justice and Demilitarisation), an umbrella body of various socio-political forums.
The Journalists’ Forum, Assam, organised a meeting on 4 October and called upon New Delhi “not to remain silent on the happenings in the neighbouring country and do the needful within its powers to facilitate a peaceful transition to democracy”.
The Mizoram Committee for Democracy in Burma appealed to New Delhi to adopt a pro-active role in pursuing the Burmese junta to change its structure to a democratic set-up. In a press meet at Aizawl on 22 October, the committee asserted that it wanted democracy in Myanmar. Comprising civil societies, human rights activists, intellectuals and concerned citizens of Mizoram, it reiterated its stand for urging the Indian government to intervene in the present political crisis in the neighbouring country.
The anti-junta meeting in Mizoram assumes significance because the state has nearly 40,000 Chin refugees, who are yet to be recognised by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. They however feel safe in Mizoram as both Mizo and Chin tribes share similar linguistic accents and socio-religious morals.
India, which supported the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar till 1993, is concerned over growing Chinese influences in that country. New Delhi later changed its Burma policy and decided to engage the junta in greater economic cooperation. Another major concern of India’s is insurgency in the North-east. Armed groups are using the jungles of northern Myanmar for their training camps. India’s argument is it cannot ignore the junta since it is supporting its efforts in dealing with insurgents along the 1,600-km porous Indo-Myanmarese border.
(The author is a Guwahati-based freelance contributor.)
Another rebel in MLA home - Imphal VIP Colony is new militant hub OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Imphal, Oct. 28: A member of a banned militant group tumbled out of another Manipur legislator’s closet during the third police raid in two months on Imphal’s high-security VIP Colony.
Heikham Borajao Singh of the CPI, a partner in the Congress-led Secular Progressive Front government, was not at home when a police team came calling last night and found Khangenbam Milan, a member of the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, ensconced in the comfort that an MLA’s official residence offers.
Milan is the 15th militant to be arrested in a colony that is supposed to be the most secure in Manipur. The police found 12 militants in the quarters of MLAs and a former legislator at Babupara in the wee hours of August 17. Two more militants were caught a month later in a former MLA’s residence and a rented house in the same locality. None of the legislators in whose houses the arrests were made has yet to be charged with hobnobbing with outlawed groups.
Imphal West superintendent of police Clay Khongsai said today that Milan, 34, was arrested hours after two more Prepak militants — Achom Bedajit, alias Beda, and Wahengbam Roshan, alias Boiler — were caught in the capital town. The duo were on a motorbike when a police team stopped them for routine frisking and found a 9mm pistol. The militants tipped the police about Milan’s presence in Babupara and said they were working “under him”.
Borajao was unavailable for comment. His family refused to take questions from the media corps that thronged the official quarters after the police announced the arrest. Elsewhere in Manipur, two women were injured when the police fired rubber bullets on a group that was trying to prevent them from taking away two suspected militants. The incident occurred at Foudel in Thoubal district around 5pm. District police chief Th. Radheshyam Singh said the protesters tried to set a police vehicle ablaze in trying to prevent the arrests. In an unrelated development, the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), which is holding three engineers of the public health engineering department hostage, clarified that they were being held not for ransom but for “questioning on financial dealings”.
The outfit abducted executive engineer Laishram Ibomcha, assistant engineer Okram Meino and section officer Ningombam Upendro from Nongren in Imphal East on October 12. In a statement issued last night, the KRA said it was holding the engineers as part of its investigation into financial dealings of the department with a “deserter” of the outfit, D.T. Haokip. The statement said the department made large transactions with Haokip without the knowledge of the outfit’s finance cell. It said the engineers would be freed after the investigation. A pressure group formed by local clubs and meira paibis had set today as the deadline for the state government to rescue the hostages. Employees of the department have threatened to cease work from October 31 if the government fails to rescue the engineers by that time. The KRA was previously thought to have demanded Rs 1crore for the release of the engineers. No senior official of the department was available for comment on the allegations of financial transactions between the department and the former KRA member.
Manipur to ban Burmese made food, edible oil Subhaschandra M Mizzima News
October 29, 2007 - Officials in the northeast Indian state of Manipur said they are seriously toying with the idea of banning the import of 'unauthorized food items' from neighbouring Burma as several people consuming the food fell ill.
"We're discussing the matter seriously and once test results arrive, we will certainly take necessary measures," Yumkham Erabot, Food and Civil Supplies (FCS) Minister of Manipur told Mizzima.
Minister Erabot, who also looks after the Commerce and Industries Department, said his department had collected samples of various food items including Burmese made edible oil from the border town of Moreh for comprehensive tests.
The Minister along with officials of FCS and Industries department visited the border town earlier this month to oversee the situation and collect samples of food items for further tests. "Now we're trying to send the samples to nearest food laboratories for testing," Erabot said exhibiting the collected food samples. Following the opening of the Indo-Burmese border trade in 1995, Burmese made snacks and food flooded the major markets in Manipur state, bordering Burma.
While for several years the food items had passed through the state, authorities began taking precautionary measures following a report that said the illness among several children was caused by contaminated snacks and food from Burma. Local residents said Burmese made food products particularly, edible oil has no label carrying manufacture and expiry dates.
