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11/02/2007: "Army refutes violating ceasefire agreement with NSCN (IM) From our ANI Correspondent"

Army refutes violating ceasefire agreement with NSCN (IM) From our ANI Correspondent

New Delhi/Kohima, Nov 1: The Indian Army today categorically rejected allegations of violating the ceasefire agreement with Nagaland's NSCN (IM) faction as reported in some sections of the media by stating that the firing at Khatkhati in Assam by the Army was done in self defence after insurgents opened fire at them.
Terming the media reports as 'baseless and misleading', the Army said that it had received inputs of a scheduled arms deal between some unknown party and KLNLF terrorists and reached there.

When the vehicle with the miscreants, was about to be checked by the security forces, the miscreants opened fire, injuring one Army soldier and a civilian. In the retaliatory fire in self-defence, one civilian was killed and another injured, the Army stated. The security force also said that the retaliatory firing could not be termed as violation of the ceasefire since the incident took place inside Assam and not in Nagaland. Secondly the man killed and the injured civilians belonged to NSCN(IM), as claimed by media, it confirms the outfit's involvement in arms smuggling and trafficking to various insurgent and terrorist groups in Assam and Nagaland.

Moreover, the cadres were moving with weapons outside the designated camps, which are a grave violation of the Ceasefire Ground Rules, and is totally against the provisions, therein.

One 9mm sub machine gun, one 9mm Chinese pistol and a few fired cases of AK Rifle have been recovered from the site of the incident, the Army stated.
Six NSCN cadres killed, four injured The Imphal Free Press

Kohima, Nov 1: Factional clashes boomed in Nagaland in the last 24 hours. Six hardcore cadres of the NSCN were killed and four others including army personnel and a civilian were injured in four separate incidents during the last 24 hours in Nagaland.Official sources confirming the report revealed that two cadres were killed and three injured last night while three others were killed today.

In the fresh incident, four NSCN-K cadres were reportedly killed on the spot in an ambush carried out by rival cadres at Old Hospital Colony in between Khuthur village and Tuensang town under Tuensang district of Nagaland. Sources revealed that NSCN-IM cadres attacked NSCN-K cadres at around 4:30 pm today. Casualties on the other side, if any, could not be known immediately and further details were awaited till the time of filing this report. In the second incident, an NSCN-IM cadre was injured at High School junction area, Kohima at around 6:30 pm today. Police sources said that the victim after suffering bullet injury on his left thigh had managed to escape at least 500 ft. from the spot.

Police on receiving the information rushed to the spot and managed to shift the victim to hospital for treatment. However, the actual cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained, sources said. Further, heavy exchange of gunfire took place between the rival factions of NSCN at Aradhura area near Mental Hospital Kohima. The clash began at around 7:30 pm and lasted for half an hour but casualties on either side could not be known immediately.
South Police Station personnel have rushed to the spot but details could not be known till late.

Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday the first incident occurred in the state capital, wherein suspected armed cadres of NSCN-IM attacked rival cadres at BOC area at around 12.30 pm. Sources said that around eleven rounds were fired upon two NSCN-K cadres, one of whom managed to escape while another was grievously injured. The cadre identified as one `ss sergeant` Chandemo Humtsoe was shot three times on the neck and chest. He was rushed to the nearby private nursing home by the police but succumbed to his injuries at around 11 pm the same night.

The second incident occurred at United Naga village in Dimapur district, wherein the NSCN-IM Tatar (Member of Parliament) identified as Akato Sema was seriously injured while his bodyguard Imkongtemsu was killed on the spot by army personnel at the Assam-Nagaland border.

The incident took place at around 4.40 pm after the army personnel stationed at Diphu in Karbi Anglong district of Assam, chased the vehicle carrying the ultras from Assam to Nagaland, suspecting them to be arms smugglers. As the vehicle entered Nagaland, the army personnel shot at it, killing a cadre and injuring the Tatar of NSCN-IM, who was later shifted to hospital for treatment. The condition of the NSCN-IM tatar is said to be stable and out of danger after the doctors managed to remove the bullets from his thigh and arm. Sources in security forces confirmed that it was an operation from Assam and also informed that a jawan of the 5th Bihar Regiment and an army informer were injured in the shooting incident and they were shifted to Rangapahar Army Hospital.

NSCN-K makes points of “concern” The Morung Express
Dimapur, November 1 (MExN): While reminding the general public for better understanding that “bad people bring victory for the nations” the NSCN-K has expressed ‘concern’ over a number of points from student alcoholism to “hobowala,” to “misuse” of what the outfit claimed “good name of Naga national workers/NSCN.”
A note expressing this ‘concerns’ was issued by K Zhimomi, “secretary, public relations, NGOs & education” It noted students indulging in intoxicant such as alcohol “in the name of celebration during or after completion of their examinations, after declaration of examination results and also on getting their scholarship.” Maintaining that this habit “had already destroyed many Naga students” the underground outfit warned that any student indulging in such shall be doing so at their own risk.
Further the secretary expressed ‘pain’ that many precious lives have been lost “due to our Nagas casual attitude of ‘hobowala’ (Suspicion).” The outfit appealed to the Nagas to be “more informative” and “do away with the casual attitude of “hobowala.” It asserted that due to the “satanic attitude of the NSCN-IM, killing amongst the Nagas had started without any reservation from the very beginning of the split of the NSCN in late 80s.”
Further it expressed ‘concern’ that “anti-social elements” are “misusing the good name of the Naga national workers/NSCN for threatening others or for other vested purposes such as the recent incident of serving threatening letter in the name of NSCN in Kohima which was published in section of the local media.” Be it public or an underground cadre, such acts should not be repeated at all in future, it stated.
Also, the NSCN-K explained that “bad people brings victory for the nations; all those who pray are not good man so all drunkards are not bad man.” It also added what it explained as “any problem with any intellectual ultimately ends in friendship and better relationship but any problem with a lesser intellectual ends up in enmity.”
Denies hand in ambush The NSCN-K has denied any involvement in what it stated, an ambush in Tirap, Arunachal Pradesh on October 26 reported to be by the outfit’s cadres. An NSCN-K MIP asserted that the outfit is not involved in “such condemnable and anti-peace practices” and rather, it must be the handiwork of “some anti-NSCN elements who constantly tries to malign the image of the NSCN through their cheap propagandas.”
There are no NSCN-K cadres in Tirap district it claimed and asserted it will not bear under any circumstances “the blame thus being put upon the NSCN for this particular incident.” The outfit informed that it “mostly keep its troops in Chindwin confluence and parts of Nagaland.” As a party to the ceasefire with the GoI, it will “never” resort to “any such anti-agreement activities against any party at any point of time” it claimed. It also expressed regret that NSCN-K cadres were killed as reported in the media in Tamenglong, Manipur.
Naga rebels violating ceasefire, moving with weapons: Army Indo-Asian News Service industand Times
Kohima, Army authorities have accused the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) of violating the ongoing ceasefire by moving around with weapons and gunrunning "The cadres (NSCN-IM) were moving with weapons outside their designated camps which is a grave violation of the ceasefire ground rules and is totally against the provisions," said an army statement issued on Thursday.
The statement comes after the killing of an NSCN-IM cadre in Assam on Wednesday in an encounter with soldiers. The NSCN-IM has a ceasefire with New Delhi since 1997 with the two sides holding peace talks to end one of South Asia's longest running tribal insurrection.
Rights groups and the NSCN-IM reacted sharply, saying the army violated the truce by killing the cadre.But the army statement said: "When the vehicle with the miscreants was about to be checked by the security forces, the miscreants opened fire, injuring one army soldier and a civilian."
The soldiers retaliated by killing one NSCN-IM cadre and injuring two others.
"Recovery of one 9 mm sub machine gun, one 9 mm Chinese pistol and a few fired cases of AK rifle is testimony of the same and confirms the outfit's involvement in arms smuggling and trafficking to various insurgent and terrorist groups in Assam and Nagaland," the army statement said. The charges assume significance as peace talks between NSCN-IM leaders and New Delhi are due to resume later this month.
NSCN (K) cautions students- Nagaland post
The NSCN-K is highly concerned with the prevailing practice of students indulging in intoxicant such as alcohols in the name of celebration during or after completion of their examinations after declaration of examination results and also on getting their scholarship. This unhealthy practices prevailing amongst the Naga students has to be checked and stop by any means as it had already destroyed many Naga students.
The GPRN (NSCN-K) therefore warns that any student indulging in such practices shall be doing so at their own risk forthwith.
It also pained me that many precious lives have been lost due to our Nagas' casual attitude of "Hobowala" (Suspicion). Therefore, it is my humble appeal to all the great lovers of the Nagas to be more informative and do away with the casual attitude of 'Hobowala'.
So to say, factionalism is not even secondary or tertiary for the NSCN-K because our cause is for Naga nation. But due to the satanic attitude of the NSCN-IM, killing amongst the Nagas had started without any reservation from the very beginning of the split of the NSCN in late 80s. If anyone loves the Nagas, they should have great reservation on the Nagas as the NSCN-K does.
The NSCN-K is also concerned with anti-social elements misusing the good name of the Naga national workers/NSCN for threatening others or for other vested purposes such as the recent incident of serving threatening letter in the name of NSCN in Kohima which was published in sections of the local media. Be it general public or national worker, such act should not be repeated at all in future.
For better understanding of the general public, I would also like to remind that bad people brings victory for the nations.
All those who pray are not good man so all drunkards are not bad man. And any problem with any intellectual ultimately ends in friendship and better relationship but any problem with a lesser intellectual ends up in enmity.
K.Zhimomi, secy, Public Relation, NGOs & Education GPRN NSCN (K)
Support to INC- Nagaland Post
While welcoming the appeal of Margaret Alva, Chairman of coordination committee of NPCC, Nagaland to the former Congressmen of Nagaland to return to congress fold, I, Tiameren, former Minister of Nagaland appreciates the timely taken step of political wisdom of Indian National Congress and its leadership for the people of Nagaland in general and NPCC in particular.
My long years of political experience in various capacity and in different political parties as a worker reminded me that the INC is found to be the only political party in India having vast experience recognizing the problems / the mind set / need of the people of all section in the country in this vast country of unity and diversity is the need of the hour. INC is the only political party, which imbibes true Gandhian secularism in spirit and in action. I have realized with deep sense that no other National parties or the Regional parties in the State of Nagaland could fulfill the aspiration of the people of this State, be it political, social, economic and technological advancement of Nagaland. Regionalism politics is dangerous for the people of Nagaland in the 21st Century for a balanced growth development programmes, which has created a wide gap in our society.
A united and strengthened Congress party in Nagaland is the only possible answer if party discipline is maintained by realizing the past mistakes. The demand of ground realities in the grassroots level is recognized by the leaders of the political parties and I am convinced that INC is prepared to march in this particular direction of politics. I as one individual leader have decided therefore to rejoin INC of Nagaland Unit. I, therefore urge all the party workers to unite and give support to NPCC President Hokheto Sema and Imkong opposition leader for the victory of the party in the ensuing elections of Nagaland Legislative Assembly
Tiameren Former Minister, Nagaland
Revocation of Azha- Nagaland Post
Many have said and written for Dr. S.C. Jamir and Alemtemshi Ao who have been declared traitor and anti national by NSCN (IM).
It is also pertinent to recall the quit notice served red to Tangkhuls from Nagaland and Azha against Imkong L. Imchen by NSCN (K) for the reason best known to them.
This is a manifestation of hatred and revengeful attitude among the National workers. As a senior servant of God, I cannot remain silent against this ugly development among the Nagas. In all such episode, even anointed servant of God like Dr. Rev. T. Shishak was not spared who was excommunicated from his community for saying sorry for what had happened to the fellowmen.
I don't know in depth the magnitude of the mistake committed by our leaders. Whatever the case may be, I am sure no amount of wrong is unforgivable if we truly love God being redeemed by His blood. Nagaland is predominantly a Christian land. The essence of the follower of Christ is love and forgiveness and for bearing one another because no one is Holy and perfect.
We have committed enough fratricidal killing for all these years but it did not bring any solution, rather proved counter productive. Killing is revengeful "Whosoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed," Gen 9:6.
"The voice of thy brother's blood cried unto me from the ground" Gen 4:10. Thus before the blood of man, no man can run away. Targeting, excommunicating and banishing our own Kith and Kin from our community and from our land are all ungodly act. God is not happy and our people will not prosper with such national sin. Inspite of what we are, forgiving one another and accepting each other with our faults is the only answer for healing our land.
Rev. Yankey Patton Former state Chaplain Dimapur
NSF demands lifting ban on job creation The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 1 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has pointed out that the State Government’s blanket ban on the creation of posts has in fact given a great advantage to influential politicians and high-ranking government servants as every post created by the government is at the whim and fancy of this ‘influential group of people’. The NSF, with the stand to maintaining ‘equality and justice for all,’ has demanded that the State government should unconditionally lift the blanket-ban on creation of government jobs. The NSF also demanded that entry of upper-age limit ‘maybe’ enhanced to 35 years and that the superannuation age ‘may be enhanced’. Likewise in farther justification, the maximum stint in service should be 33 years, according to a press note issued by Hetoi Chishi, general secretary and Charles Lotha, vice president.
Expressing concern over the state of unemployment in Nagaland, the NSF termed it has reaching ‘saturation point.’ The NSF explained on the latest registration figures this year that there are about 50,000 educated unemployed youths registered in the employment exchange. Lamenting that unlike other States, Nagaland has yet to have any industry, factory or company that could resourcefully engage educated youths, the NSF was of the opinion that government jobs are the only avenues left for the educated unemployed as of now.
The NSF felt it is unfortunate that this ‘privilege’ can not be extended to the most-deserving. Rather, it has almost become an avenue for those who have favor and support of influential politicians and high-ranking government servants. “Consequently, many qualified and capable educated youths who are from poor background do not get the opportunities of being a government servant thereby depriving them of earning their livelihood”, the Federation lamented. These poor educated youths normally run from pillar to post seeking government job but to no avail as they do not have any influential people to support them, it said.
Observing that new posts are being created to manage the affairs of the government with passage of time, the NSF stated all these posts are being filled through the backdoor ‘without making it public.’ The NSF pointed out so long as the blanket ban on creation of post is enforced, the practice of backdoor appointments will be rampant and will go unabated. The most deserving ones will be denied and deprived of the opportunity of getting government jobs, it reminded.
The NSF also touched upon the social consequence leading to the haves and have-nots which will grip society and social tension will increase which the NSF felt would ultimately go out of control.
The NSF also stated that the ban on job creation was encouraging a great deal of manipulations in recruiting those in the lower echelons in lieu of the post vacated as a result of retirement of government officials on Superannuation. “Since the blanket ban on the creation of post is not yielding any results it has to be lifted and construed in a holistic manner”, the NSF suggested while giving an example that any category of vacant post caused owing to retirement of an incumbent government official should be interpreted as creation of new post and that subsequently these posts should be requisitioned to the appropriate competent authority for competition.
The NSF pointed out that the present system of retiring at the age of 57 years is making gross injustice to the most deserving aspirants as many employees remain in the office even after serving for 35 to 40 plus years in service. This, the NSF felt was because retirement was being determined through the academic certificate age wherein many cases do not tally the actual date of birth. “what is more unpleasant is a responsible officer/employees tampering their academic certificates in order to gain more service life without even an iota of feeling that many more educated youths seeking jobs for survival”.
“Another important aspect of this matter is the maximum age limit of entry age where the lower age limit for entry into service is fixed at 18 years and the upper age limit is fixed at 30 inclusive of five years relaxation for SC/STs. The NSF felt that this is also a point to be considered with all seriousness, as many educated youths are unable to get into service within this stipulated age limit due to shortage of government jobs thereby after crossing 30 years they become a liability for the society as they cannot try for any competitive jobs henceforth.
Considering all these aspects, the NSF has solicited the support of the general public and wanted the government to look into the above demands.
Peace cannot be bought by money Perspective The Morung Express
Killing among brothers, extortion and threat within the Naga family has become the order of the day: Factional killings among the Naga National workers has exceeded beyond the wildest dream of the enemy. It is high time Naga leaders, both over ground and under ground to realize that the Naga National cause can never be promoted by killing our own people. This was precisely the reason why A.P.O. in 1992 passed a resolution demanding the National workers/ faction to unit first before seeking for support.
In the backdrop of the above, yearning and yelling for peace is heard from every nook and corner of Nagaland. Hope is reunite when we see various Unions, Churches, Association including Hohos declaring commitment to work for peace. However, the attempts of various civil societies do not seen to go beyond appeal to shun violence and requesting the warring faction to avoid civil population, etc. This does not have any effects on the warring faction as more killings and extortions, violence and threats continue unabated. Clearly there is need to do than just calling for peace. We yearn for peace, we talk for peace, we called for peace and even pray for peace. But peace we did not get, may be because we are seeking peace in the wrong places and for the wrong reason. Peace cannot be bought by money, it cnnt be found in the jungle,Peace cannot be achieved through the barrel of guns. The Naga national objective of sovereignty and freedom will not come by removing one another. Being a chiristian state, we must understand that peace will come only from above. To him we must look and to Him we must pray that His will be done and not ours.
Recently a well- meaning Naga leaders have state factional killings among the national workers is due to “anger” raising above boiling point and went on to suggest that if we can dissolve anger, there will be peace. The wisdom is clearly discernible. The problem, therefore, remain I n how to dissolve this “anger”. Perhaps it will, shed more light to the problem if the root cause of “anger”, is clearly understood. We know that anger is caused by losing one’s position, power, standing, prestige, etc. all of which have to do with pride from our thoughts. Here the clarion call of God is say/ speaking to His people- “IF my people who are calling by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land”. This healing is clearly what we need today. In this context, seeking forgiveness and surrendering of pride is conditional to healing for peace. Therefore, the call is for all leaders and servant of both National and State, men and women to humble themselves before God and seek for the healing of our land. In humility there is no loss of prestige. In humility, there is no ground of argument, not to speak of brothers killing brother. In humility there is complete peace and freedom.
In view of the above, all the Naga leaders must obey God’s instruction and surrender to His will in humility. T.L. Angami, Founder and Advisor,GB, Village Chief Federation of Nagaland,
Camp- Industrial Village Razhüphe, Dimapur
Dozens of ULFA cadres surrender in Guwahati By ANI
New Delhi/Guwahati, Nov 1 (ANI): Sixty-eight insurgents, including 66 ULFA cadres and two cadres belonging to National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), surrendered with arms and ammunitions before the Assam Police in Guwahati today. The surrender was led by Ujjawal Gohain, one of the top ULFA leaders who had been operating in upper Assam region.
With this the total number of surrendered ULFA cadres have reached over 135 in last two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Army today apprehended four cadres belonging to Karbi Longri North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF) in two separate operations launched in quick succession based on specific intelligence in East Karbi Anglong and Nagaon District, respectively.
Cash receipt books and posters recovered from these individuals reveal their involvement in extortion and inciting the youth to join terrorism. Theses apprehensions are yet another blow to the terrorist outfit, which has been suffering heavy losses since the Army intensified their operations against them in Karbi Anglong since August 2007.
In the last two months, the Army has busted at least four camps, and a number of cadres have been killed or apprehended in the operations. (ANI)
Has ULFA been hit by 'conflict fatigue'? --- IANS New Kerala
By Syed Zarir Hussain, Guwahati, Nov 2 : Northeast India's most potent separatist group, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), appears to be on the back foot following a spate of surrenders of its cadres, indicating that like most people in Assam, the fighters in the outfit too could be hit by 'conflict fatigue'.
On Thursday, a group of 64 ULFA militants, including Ujjwal Gohain, 'finance secretary' of the group's crack fighting unit called the '28th battalion', surrendered to the authorities at an Assam Police base in Guwahati. In recent weeks, around 50 other ULFA rebels had given up, generally accusing the group's leadership of being 'autocratic' and failing to give the homeland movement a 'direction.'

The ULFA itself as well as groups or individuals supporting it would like to dismiss these surrenders as drama, stage-managed by government agencies. The fact, however, remains that the rebel group cannot ignore the development in view of the wide media coverage that such surrenders receive even if some of those who are shown as having surrendered could have been thrown out earlier by the ULFA itself.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has said that a total of 655 ULFA militants had surrendered so far since the peace process between the government and the ULFA-appointed negotiation panel called the People's Consultative Group (PCG) broke down in September 2006.

Gogoi, the army and police top brass in the state, as well as several surrendered ULFA rebels, have said the fighters of the group were giving up because of "lack of democracy" within the organisation and the "autocratic" behaviour of its leaders. What could actually be the case for an apparent disillusionment among the rank-and-file of the ULFA is the long absence of its topmost leaders from the insurgency theatre of Assam, resulting in the cadres on the ground suffering from a lack of direction.

Assam Police's intelligence chief Khagen Sharma has been quoted as saying the ULFA had held its last general council meeting way back in 1998. After that, the commanders operating in Assam may not have got any opportunity of interacting directly with the group's chairperson Arabinda Rajkhowa or commander-in-chief Paresh Barua, who are believed to be operating from Bangladesh. The surrenders cannot be ignored by the ULFA, not just because of the impact that they create in the minds of the people, but because of the quality of fresh cadres that it can hope to induct at short notice. Already, security agencies have been citing instances of the ULFA outsourcing to people to plant explosives and carrying out 'stealth bombings' to prevent exposing its own cadres to the risk of being captured or getting killed while planting the devices. What has been damaging from the ULFA's point of view is that its cadres are giving up although the peace process has not shown any sign of resuming just yet. However, analysts say this is only a temporary setback for the ULFA and that the government must actually try to resolve the conflict itself for lasting peace in the state of 26 million people.

But news about the surrender of rebel cadres by the dozen has the potential to raise doubts even among ULFA's diehard supporters in rural Assam about the capability of the organisation to achieve its objective - a "sovereign, socialist Assam", free from "exploitation by New Delhi".

The surrenders have come at a time when the sustained counter-insurgency offensive has prevented the ULFA from acting as the cohesive fighting force it used to be in the late 1980s. Besides, after the military blitzkrieg by the Royal Bhutan Army in December 2003, expelling the ULFA rebels from bases inside the kingdom, the group has lost its main staging area.

Following their expulsion from Bhutan, most of its top leaders have been reportedly operating from unspecified locations in Bangladesh. According to reports, ULFA has since relocated its camps to hideouts in Myanmar, Mon district of Nagaland, Garo hills of Meghalaya and Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Considering New Delhi's improving relations with Yangon, the ULFA cannot be complacent about the junta in Myanmar leaving them undisturbed. The spate of surrenders, as also the killing of more than 150 of its trained cadres in recent months, besides the arrest of several of its key commanders, goes to indicate that the government is at an advantage, at least as of now in the deadly cat-and-mouse battle across Assam.
More surrender but CM wary - 64 Ulfa militants lay down arms in third such ceremony in a fortnight A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Nov. 1: The trickle of “disillusioned” militants coming out of hiding to lay down arms at periodic intervals has turned into a spate, but Tarun Gogoi sees in this a reason to be anxiously vigilant rather than happily complacent.
“Watch out for retaliatory strikes by Ulfa and its jihadi collaborators,” the chief minister said after 64 Ulfa militants and two from the Adivasi National Liberation Army gave up weapons in the largest mass surrender in recent years. The line-up of militants at the surrender ceremony, organised at the 4th Assam Police Battalion headquarters in Kahilipara, included four “sergeants-major” and five “sergeants” from Ulfa’s 28, 109 and 709 battalions. The prize catch was Ujjal Gohain, the finance secretary of the 28 Battalion.
The surrender ceremony was the third in less than a month. As many as 42 Ulfa militants turned themselves over at the army base in Tamulpur under Baksa district on October 23. Another 13 militants surrendered at Laipuli in Tinsukia district last week. The militants who turned up at the police battalion headquarters deposited eight AK-56 rifles, five pistols, 10 revolvers, 11 grenades, eight AK-56 magazines, assorted ammunition, detonators, 5kg of RDX, RPG shells, gelatin sticks and switches of programmable timer devices that are fitted to bombs.
Gogoi said the developments of the last fortnight were as much an indication of law and order improving as the eagerness of the Ulfa rank and file to abjure violence. He cited statistics — 665 Ulfa militants have surrendered since the collapse of the peace process in September last year — as proof of the government’s strategy against the militant group succeeding.
Only 44 militants surrendered between August 2005 and September 2006, when the peace process was on, the chief minister said. “But we cannot afford to be complacent. There is a report that it (Ulfa) is trying to strike. Jihadi groups have also joined hands with Ulfa. There is a clear nexus between the two,” he added. Militants who surrender will be trained in various skills and be paid a stipend of Rs 2,000 per month for three years, apart from Rs 1.5 lakh as insurance.
“Sergeant-major” Bhaskar Bora, alias Rantu Gogoi, from Tinsukia district said Ulfa had discarded “democratic” values. “It has turned into an autocratic outfit with the leadership having no time to listen to the lower-ranked cadre,” he said in English during the ceremony. The inspector-general of police in charge of the Special Branch, Khagen Sarma, said the last general council meeting of the outfit was held in 1998. Baby Chetri, alias Manisha Sarma, said she gained nothing by joining Ulfa in 1999. “My father died when I was in jail. There is no news of my mother and brother. My neighbours refuse to provide me shelter,” the girl from Darjeeling said. Daughter of a railway employee posted in Maligaon, Baby was arrested in Bhutan. She came out of jail only a few days ago, only to discover that her mother and brother had deserted her. Director-general of police R.N. Mathur, the chief of the 4 Corps, Lt Gen. B.S. Jaswal, and principal secretary (home and political) S.C. Das were in the official contingent at the surrender ceremony. At least 35 more militants sent feelers to the security establishment yesterday about their willingness to surrender. “It was too late to accommodate them in today’s function. More surrenders will follow,” a senior police officer said.
Bodo education at the crossroads - BTC BELT OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph


NOTHING TO SING AND DANCE ABOUT
Nov. 1: Shortage of teachers, creaking infrastructure and delayed publication and distribution of textbooks — Bodo-medium schools may have long become used to these problems, but the apex literary organisation of the community is not ready to take it lying down. The president of the Bodo Sahitya Sabha, Brajendra Kumar Brahma, said earlier this week that a government in which the Bodoland People’s Progressive Front was a partner ought not to have ignored the needs of Bodo-medium schools and students. “Students of vernacular schools are losing out not only on amenities but also qualitative education. In some schools, the posts left vacant by teachers who retired several years ago have yet to be filled,” Brahma said.
The sahitya sabha — acknowledged as the bulwark of Bodo literature — was founded on November 16, 1952, at Basugaon in Kokrajhar. The Bodo language was introduced as a medium of instruction at the primary level in 1963 and then at the secondary level five years later. A post-graduate course in Bodo language and literature was introduced at Gauhati University in 1996. The sahitya sabha and the All Bodo Students’ Union (Absu) have long been urging the government to lift the ban on the appointment of new teachers and provincialisation of Bodo-medium venture schools . “The ban on appointments has stunted the growth of the language as well as Bodo-medium schools,” a member of the sahitya sabha said.
He said there was still no provincialised middle and high school in Golaghat with Bodo as the medium of instruction. “Even in Guwahati, there is no provincialised Bodo-medium school and the venture schools are either in a bad shape or dying a slow death.”
Brahma said the sahitya sabha and Absu had been working together for the development of Bodo-medium schools. The sahitya sabha has also been backing Absu’s Quality Mission, an education campaign.
Call for peace marks festival OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


A Kuki troupe performs a traditional dance at the kut festival in Imphal on Thursday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Imphal, Nov. 1: Peace was the order of the day as tribals in Manipur celebrated the kut festival today. Kut is a post-harvest thanksgiving festival of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi ethnic groups and is celebrated on November 1 every year all over the state.
The Union tourism ministry recognises the festival, which showcases the rich culture and traditions of the ethnic groups, as one of the main tourism festivals of the country. In fact, the festival has broken all ethnic and religious barriers and become one of the most popular festivals of Manipur.
The state-level kut festival was held at the parade ground of 1st Manipur Rifles here with chief guest Governor S.S. Sidhu inaugurating the programme. The festival drew huge crowds. It began with three young girls of the Evangelical College of Theology, Churachandpur, singing, “As the deer pants for water, so my soul longs after you (God)…”
Colourful dance and musical performances by different tribal groups marked the festival. Holkholet Khongsai, Kut Pa (father of kut) reminded the younger generation: “Our forefathers lived peacefully and unitedly. Let’s us forgive others’ faults and live peacefully as in old times for peace and prosperity”. “Let’s forgive and forget wrongs committed in the past. Let us live together peacefully,” the crowd echoed.
But it was tribal development minister D.D. Thaisi who won the hearts of the crowd by urging them to sow the seeds of harmony and have a “bumper harvest of peace”. While kut is a thanksgiving festival of the ethnic groups celebrated in November, Nagas celebrate the seed sowing festival of Lui-Ngai-Ni in February.
The “impressed” Governor said the kut celebrations could help spread the message of “peace, harmony, brotherhood, compassion and forgiveness”. A statement issued by the Kuki Liberation Army lifting its ban on the Miss Kut contest added to the festive mood.
The militant organisation had imposed the ban, saying the contest not only “polluted” the culture of the ethnic groups but also subverted the very essence of the festival. An organiser said today that the KLA informed the organisers about its decision last night. The organisers had suspended the Miss Kut contest last year after the same Kuki outfit imposed a ban.