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12/28/2007: "Naga ‘national issue cannot get polluted’ The Morung Express"

Naga ‘national issue cannot get polluted’ The Morung Express

Dimapur, December 27 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has alleged that in the name of unification “the most provocative things are happening in Dimapur” and that in the “greater interest of the Naga nation, maximum restraints and patience have been exercised” by the NSCN (IM) “because the national principle are not guided by communal interest but by national interest”.
“The national issue cannot be allowed to get polluted to serve the interest of the anti-Naga forces that has raised its ugly head in the form of Azheto Chophy and his mentor Khaplang”, stated a press note issued by the MIP, NSCN (IM) while adding that these anti-Naga forces were running after the cadres of the NSCN (IM) from behind to snatch away their arms and pointed out that this was indicative of the most provocative action that ‘armed forces’ of the ‘stature’ of the NSCN (IM) could “forbear for long”.
“This bears immense significance but with dangerous repercussion as such incidence comes behind the call of Naga unification initiated by Azheto and Khaplang group. Thank God the true story and the motive of the slogan of Naga unity is fast unfolding in a very transparent manner”, the NSCN (IM) stated and narrated how on Christmas night, Azheto and Khaplang’s forces stationed at Purana Bazaar snatched away two SLRs from two NSCN (IM) cadres namely “Corporal” Ninguang and “Corporal” Ireilung who were just moving around on “routine duty” near Purana Bazaar. The NSCN (IM) pointed out that when it asked them to surrender the two arms along with the cadres, it was flatly turned down saying the NSCN (IM) cadres can be taken back but not the arms. “Desperate to give reasons they charged the two NSCN cadres for having intruded into the residence of Tatar Vineho. This time too the nerve of the NSCN forces is tested again”, the MIP stated.
The NSCN (IM) pointed out that this was just one incident taking place behind the call of Naga Unity and further alleged that during the past one month of this “false unity call”, prominent businessmen have been kidnapped for ransom demanding crores of rupees and that “no doubt they have collected in terms of crores”. The NSCN (IM) stated that it was having knowledge of all such dirty dealings by Azheto and Khaplang forces, “giving the intolerable message that the patience of NSCN has been exploited to the limit”.
“It is however to be rightfully questioned by all the concern Nagas if such immoral and highly degrading criminal activities have anything to do with Naga Unity program. Where is the unity group under Azheto leading the Nagas to? Lest the Nagas are taken for a ride by this deceptive scheme, the NSCN is under obligation to forewarn the Nagas to exercise their conscience in order to uphold the greater interest of the Nagas and not the chauvinistic interest of any single tribe”, the MIP stated.

NSCN (IM) highlights incident The Morung Express
In another press note issued by the MIP, the NSCN (IM) pointed out that since the “high sounding but deceptive unification game plan was started a month back, interesting stories both good and bad are being encountered but only to reflect that everything happening within the unification group is far from what they are desperately trying to project”. The MIP press note stated that there were a “few die-hard Semas who have returned to the mainstream (in GHQ) after coming face to face with the motley group of Semas belonging to both NSCN and Khaplang group but who are confused as they are not getting the satisfaction of political conviction in the name of Naga unification”.
The NSCN (IM) also made mention of certain incidents being carried out by anti- national elements and referred to one such case where one Private Thangbemo Ngullie of Naga Army bearing Army No. AX-40310, was returning to his base camp (GHQ) on December 20, 2007, after attending his sisters wedding. “He was approaching the ticket counter at the Bus Stand at Super bazaar when he was encountered by three inebriated fellows who recognized him to be Naga Army personnel from GHQ, though he could not recognize them. Telling him that they are also on their way to camp, they boarded the bus together after he purchased the tickets for them also”.
Giving a detailed account of the incident the MIP press note informed that something started going wrong after the bus crossed the Assam Rifles Camp and that the bus was stopped on some pretext and Private Ngullie was taken some distance from the main road after which they forced him to handover whatever he is carrying in his person. When he resisted that he had just returned from home they forced him into an auto to take him back to the super bazaar near the bus stand where they were joined by six members of Khaplang group led by one Lieutenant, all engaged in alcoholic drink, the MIP informed. After this Private Ngullie was beaten black and blue with his hand tied, after which they forcibly took away his mobile handset worth Rs. 10,000/- and his wallet that had Rs.1400/- in it. “That enough, they took him for a circuitous ride of Dimapur and later on kept in a hotel and was made to sit on the floor for two days without food”.
The next day Private Ngullie was taken to the residence of one Kilonser Kiyekhu (Dy. Kilonser, Keya Affairs, GPRN) at 4th Mile. While he was waiting outside, many who came there asked him who he was, where he was going, his tribe etc. When he finally met Kiyekhu, he was asked to bring arms, promising him a reward of Rs.2 lakhs and promotion, the MIP note stated. “He was then taken back to his dungeon-like place in the hotel. He was released on the morning of 23rd Dec. at around 4am where he was dropped at Dhansiri Power house. The next morning after meeting the Chaplee Kilonser, he accompanied Operation Acceleration team to GHQ”, the MIP note stated while lamenting that it was “a tragedy of fate for the Nagas” and that such “dirty incident” was taking place at the hand of persons who claimed to be working for Naga Unification.
Sumis make stand on unity, Seyochung The Morung Express
Dimapur, December 27 (MExN): The Sumi hoho and the “western” Sumi frontals reaffirmed to “support” and “strengthen the unification process.” In a meting held today, the Sumi bodies appreciated and acknowledged the “contribution of all the Naga people” and tribal hohos in strengthening the “unification process.” The bodies also urged the people of Seyochung village to “restrain and maintain” age-old brotherhood and settle differences through peaceful dialogue.
In a related matter, the Sumi community of Seyochung village condemned the assault on “the Sumis” of the village by a mob from a particular community on Christmas Eve. Alleging that it was instigated by the village’s head GB, a note from the secretary of the Sumi community mentioned a GB, one Shivito who was severely assaulted. The note expressed surprise that the district administration has taken no action “so far.” The note stated that the incident was the result of a diktat issued that “not more than two Sumis should assemble together.” It claimed that the mob’s action was to deprive the Sumi community of celebrating Christmas. “The ugly incident should be condemned by every right-thinking citizen as this kind of incident reveals the savagery (sic) act of some narrow-minded persons” it stated and cautioned that if the issue is not resolved the aggrieved party will not remain silent but will take an own course of action.
Gunshots end lull on border - Garden worker hurt OUR BUREAU The Telegraph


Guwahati/Kohima, Dec. 27: A period of relative calm along the disputed Assam-Nagaland border in Sivasagar district was shattered today by suspected Naga assailants firing on tea garden workers.
Just as it had done when a mob from Nagaland pillaged villages in Assam a few months ago, the All Assam Students’ Union threatened to retaliate with an economic blockade that would cut off supplies to that state. Police said tea garden worker Bistu Ram Koiri and some colleagues had entered the Geleky reserve forest to collect firewood when two armed men accosted them and said they were “trespassing” into Naga territory. When the panicky workers ran, the duo opened fire from their countrymade rifles.
Koiri, 50, was admitted to a local hospital with bullet injuries on his leg. Although the incident was a minor one compared to what happened during the last round of violence — five persons on the Assam side were killed and several houses torched — it triggered fears of more attacks and prompted many residents of the area to flee their villages.
A Naga elder from Anaki-C Basti, just across the Geleky stretch of the border, said nobody from his village was involved in today’s incident. He accused villagers from Assam of encroaching on Naga people’s land with the help of police personnel stationed on the border. The AASU urged chief secretary P.C. Sarma to immediately complain to his Nagaland counterpart about the continued show of aggression from that side of the boundary. A police officer said the two men who fired at the garden workers crossed over by the time a team from Geleky police station reached the site of the incident. “The situation is tense. A police picket has been set up in the area.”
The president of the AASU’s Sivasagar unit, Kushal Dutta, said Nagaland was not sincere about restraining its citizens from eyeing Assam’s territory. “We have been assured by student unions of Nagaland and the state government of necessary steps to stop recurrence of such incidents, but what happened today has proved that they are not sincere. We will soon decide whether to enforce an economic blockade against that state.”
Nagaland and Assam have been disputing one another’s claims about territory for decades.
Factional current poses a dampener on Dimapur denizens Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, December 27: There is a possibility of bleak situation prevailing in the Nagaland commercial hub Dimapur following the strong under-current polarisation "among the NSCN factions".

According to the NSCN-IM, huge amount of money to the tune of crores of rupees has been collected from the businessmen in Dimapur by the NSCN faction led by Azheto Chophy and Khaplang in just one month's time. Azheto Chophy and C Singson are the two signatories of the November 24 Niuland Unity Declaration. The NSCN-IM then expressed with a serious tone that the "Azheto and Khaplang group" has tested the nerve of the NSCN-IM again.

The NSCN-IM said that the outfit has been exercising maximum restraint and patience in the interest of the "Naga nation".

"In the name of unification the most provocative incidents had been happening in Dimapur but for the greater interest of the Naga Nation, maximum restraint and patience have been exercised by NSCN, because the national principle are not guided by communal interest but by national interest. The national issue cannot be allowed to get polluted to serve the interest of the anti-Naga forces that has raised its ugly head in the form of Azheto Chophy and his mentor Khaplang," said the NSCN-IM.

The outfit alleged that running after the cadres of NSCN-IM forces from behind to snatch away their arms is indicative of the most provocative action that armed forces of the "stature of GPRN/NSCN could forbear" for long, stated the NSCN-IM today while adding, "This bears immense significance but with dangerous repercussion as such incidents come behind the call of Naga Unification initiated by Azheto and Khaplang group. Thank God the true story and the motive of the slogan of Naga Unity is fast unfolding in a very transparent manner".

The NSCN-IM narrated that on the Christmas night the "Azheto and Khaplang forces" stationed at Purana bazar in Dimapur snatched two SLRs from two NSCN-IM cadres identified as "corporal Ninguang and corporal Ireilung who were just moving around on routine duty" near Purana bazar. The NSCN-IM further alleged that the rival group refused to give back the arms although its cadres were allowed to be taken back. "Desperate to give reasons they charged the two NSCN cadres for having intruded into the residence of Tatar Vineho. This time too the nerve of the NSCN forces is tested again," said the NSCN-IM.

"This is just another story taking place behind the call of Naga Unity.

During the past one month of this false unity call, prominent businessmen have been abducted for ransom amounting to crores of rupees; no doubt they have collected in terms of crores.

The NSCN is in the knowledge of all such dirty dealings by Azheto and Khaplang forces, giving the intolerable message that patience of NSCN has been exploited to the limit," cautioned the NSCN-IM today. The outfit then opined that "it is however to be rightfully questioned" by all the concern Nagas "if such immoral and highly degrading criminal activities" have anything to do with Naga unity programme.

"Where is the unity group under Azheto leading the Nagas to?," asked the NSCN-IM while adding, "Lest the Nagas are taken for a ride by this deceptive scheme, the NSCN is under obligation to forewarn the Nagas to exercise their conscience in order to uphold the greater interest of the Nagas and not the chauvinistic interest of any single tribe".
Jamir, Kamat receive Prime Minister Nagaland Post
PANAJI: Goa Thursday become the first State in the country to have a truly converged wide area network when Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated the first phase of Goa Broadband Network (GBBN) soon after his arrival here on a two-day visit.
Governor Dr. SC Jamir, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and other dignitaries received the Prime Minister at Hansa naval base at Dabolim and flew with him by chopper to the State capital Panaji where they headed straigth to the Secretariat for the inauguration during which the Prime Minister interacted with people through videoconferencing from various district and taluka level headquarters.
All the district and taluka level headquarters have been brought under 10 GBPS connectivity, in the first phase of GBBN project. All the government and semi-government offices will also be linked through this project.
In all, 230 km of cables have been laid across the state as part of the project at a cost of Rs 50 crore, and the final completion of the project is expected to cost Rs 125 crore. Later in the evening, the First Lady of Goa Mrs. Alemla Jamir received the Prime Minister at Raj Bhawan where he is staying for the night.
The Prime Minister will be attending the 20th Annual Convocation of Goa University tomorrow. This is the first time that a Prime Minister is attending the annual Convocation of Goa University. During the Convocation "Honoris Causa" Doctor of Letters (D. Litt) will be conferred upon two internationally acclaimed citizens of India and luminaries associated with Goa, namely, Padma Bhushan Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India, and Bharat Ratna Sushree Lata Mangueshkar.
NSCN (I-M) flays Nagaland post
Dimapur, Dec 27 (NPN): The NSCN (I-M) has held the "NSCN Unification Camp" responsible for the latest anti-social activities occurring in and around Dimapur in the past one month.
Describing the unity call of the "NSCN Unification Camp" as "false", a press release issued by the MIP of NSCN (I-M) alleged the former had abducted a number of prominent businessmen of the town in the recent past and demanded huge amount of money as ransom.
The release said NSCN (I-M) would not allow the national issue to get polluted to serve the interest of anti-Naga forces led by Azheto Chophy and the NSCN (K).
The release also said snatching the weapons of NSCN (I-M) members was indicative of the most provocative action. The release said such acts bore immense significance but with dangerous repercussion as this came behind the call of Naga unification "initiated by Azheto and Khaplang group".
The NSCN (I-M) cautioned people to exercise their conscience in order to uphold the greater interest of the Nagas.
GPRN/NSCN (IM) on unification move- Nagaland Post
In the name of unification, the most provocative things are happening in Dimapur but for the greater interest of the Naga Nation, maximum restraints and patience have been exercised by NSCN, because the national principle are not guided by communal interest but by national interest. The national issue cannot be allowed to get polluted to serve the interest of the anti-Naga forces that has raised its ugly head in the form of Azheto Chophy and his mentor Khaplang. Running after the cadres of NSCN forces from behind to snatch away their arms is indicative of the most provocative action that armed forces of the stature of GPRN/NSCN could forbear for long. This bears immense significance but with dangerous repercussion as such incidence comes behind the call of Naga Unification initiated by Azheto and Khaplang group. Thank God the true story and the motive of the slogan of Naga Unity is fast unfolding in a very transparent manner. On Christmas night , Azheto and Khaplang forces stationed at Purana bazaar snatched away two SLRs from two NSCN cadres namely Corporal Ninguang and Corporal Ireilung who were just moving around on routine duty near Purana bazaar. When encountered by the NSCN forces to surrender, the two arms along with the cadres, it was flatly turned down saying the NSCN cadres can be taken back but not the arms. Desperate to give reasons they charged the two NSCN cadres for having intruded into the residence of Tatar Vineho. This time too the nerve of the NSCN forces is tested again.
This is just another story taking place behind the call of Naga Unity. During the past one month of this false unity call, prominent businessmen have been kidnapped for ransom demanding crores of rupees; no doubt they have collected in terms of crores. The NSCN is in the knowledge of all such dirty dealings by Azheto and Khaplang forces, giving the intolerable message that the patience of NSCN has been exploited to the limit. It is however to be rightfully questioned by all the concern Nagas if such immoral and highly degrading criminal activities have anything to do with Naga Unity program. Where is the unity group under Azheto leading the Nagas to? Lest the Nagas are taken for a ride by this deceptive scheme, the NSCN is under obligation to forewarn the Nagas to exercise their conscience in order to uphold the greater interest of the Nagas and not the chauvinistic interest of any single tribe.
Ministry of information and publicity GPRN/NSCN (IM)
Congress- The villain of peace in the Assembly- Nagaland post
The Congress party in Nagaland, which first mounted an assault on the Governor for refusing its bidding, is now training its guns against the Speaker for refusing to bite its bait. The Office of Speaker is a hallowed and respectable institution in our Constitution and the Congress party is laying down the condemnable tradition of bringing such an office under vituperative attacks.
December 13, 2007, the darkest day beacuse of Congress:
I agree with the NPCC's remark that December 13, 2007 will go down as the darkest day in the annals of Nagaland's history for the reason that the Congress murdered democracy within the very precincts of the House on that day. The Speaker was defied, all norms were thrown to winds, carols were sung in the House as though some pre-Christmas party was going on, public money meant for conducting the house was terribly wasted and the Bihar, UP and Parliament type of pandemonium was let loose by power hungry Congressmen inside the House. Any other Speaker would have used the marshals to throw all these (dis) honorable members out for their disorderly conduct. But the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly kept his cool and quietly tolerated their nonsense. His name will be scripted in golden letters in Nagaland Legislature's history for assiduously protecting democracy and the Congress would go down as villains of peace, progress and development the state and marauders of decency and decorum in the House. If at all anyone who murdered democracy on that day, it was the Congress party which was salivating for power by back door methods and arm twisting tactics. Can there be any parallel to a statutory functionary like the Leader of Opposition jumping into the well and announcing results of the vote by himself bypassing a duly elected Speaker? The State Congress is known for this confusion and their pastime is to disturb constitutionally elected Governments, traditions and foundations. The State of Nagaland is in the throes of all kinds of pains and sufferings because tile state congress cannot respect the mandate of the people and serve the people sitting in the Opposition, It wants to corner all the time all the opportunities for being in the saddle of power, even by desecrating the Constitution and its foundations. We are all Christians and we bear utmost respect to departed souls. On the 13th December, 2007, when the Speaker was making obituary references to two Naga public leaders, the Leader of Opposition and the entire Congress benches shouted slogans in the well of the House thereby causing deep disrespect to the departed souls.
Calling the Congress's bluff:
I have already clarified how constitutionally perfect the Speaker's orders are. The Speaker does not decide anything on his own under the anti-defection law. Only when a petition is filed before him, his office is activated. In the case of Independents, I pleaded that they should be disqualified because first they joined the NPF and then the Congress for the reasons cited in the petition. The matter is sub judice before the Speaker. Therefore, I would not allude to the merits of the case. But the Congress, without respect for the office of the Speaker, is discussing the merits of the case in the Press. If by joining NPF they ought to be disqualified, it is not the Speaker who would do the Congress's bidding. They have to file a petition for disqualification before the Speaker. Instead of filing the petition before him, they are joining hands with the alleged defectors, in their true and traditional style of reaping short-term gains for political expediency. We thought these independents are defectors and therefore we were the first to file petition for disqualification agai11st them,
As of now, the Speaker has not disqualified them. There is nothing called interim disqualification in law. But the Supreme Court and other Speakers in the country have passed interim orders restraining the members facing disqualification proceedings from exercising both their rights to participate and work in the house until the petition was finally decided. Several other Speakers did the same thing. A large number of Speakers passed such blanket interim orders just half an hour before Motions of No-Confidence were to be taken up. The Goa Assembly Speaker, a Congress Speaker, had passed an interim order against two Maharashtra Gomautak Party members imposing a blanket ban on their I participatory and voting rights in Goa Assembly. It is now before the Supreme Court. All the Nagaland Assembly Speaker had done in this case was restrain the three Independent Members from voting on the Confidence and No-Confidence motions, because he did not believe in a blanket order similar to orders passed by the other Congress Speakers in the country who stoutly believed in such blanket orders courtesy their fake faith in democracy. Our Speaker allowed the three Independent Members on all other occasions. Let the people of Nagaland decide whether the Congress Speakers in the country who passed the blanket interim orders have murdered democracy or the Nagaland Assemble Speaker who passed an interim order with all liberties to the members concerned but with a limited restraint.
Direction of Speaker:
I have clearly explained to the people that the Direction of the Speaker dated the 21st of. August, 2006 was meant to curb the mischief of defectors; the Nagaland Anti-defection Rules disqualifies a defector retrospectively that is from the date of violation of party whip. To synchronize the date of effect of the Speaker's disqualification order with the act of violation of whip by members, the Speaker had issued the Direction dated 21st August, 2006, stating that the votes of defectors will not be counted, If the number of legislators who violate the whip is two-thirds of the legislature party., this Direction will not apply. It also does not apply to members who have taken prior permission for violating the whip. While disqualification proceedings are optional, the removal of damage caused by defectors to Government whose stability the anti-defection law seeks to secure, is a compulsory exercise under the anti-defection law. The Speaker is the custodian of the said law and if there is any flaw or loophole in the administration of anti-defection law, it is the Speaker's moral duty to stamp them out. The Congress party in Nagaland wants the Speaker to close his eyes to reality and the naked violation of Constitutional scheme and principles by defectors, and, by the Congressmen who want to court them, because it suits their political greed and expediency.
Speaker has upheld a Constitutional scheme inaugurated by Rajiv Gandhi:
The State Congress leaders are oblivious of the fact that the Nagaland Assembly Speaker has only given perfect life to the noble Constitutional scheme grandly which is the brain child of Rajiv Gandhi himself to protect Governments against instability. These virtuous provisions in the anti-defection law were further fortified by the NDA Government by omitting the split provisions, by prohibiting emergence of factions and by prohibiting defectors from holding offices of Ministers and remunerative political posts. The Direction of the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly dated 21-E-2006 is a befitting tribute to the late Leader of the Congress party and a shot in tile arm for the political moralists who want the anti-defection law scheme to be generously effectuated.
It is time for the Congress party to face the people along with us.
Nagaland is a very fragile State. Let not what this party do this in other States, be repeated or replicated in Nagaland. Here, people have high moral values and. a unique culture, heritage and history. Let these precious treasures of the people of Nagaland be not defiled by the Congress's pursuit for power. Nagas are not so numerically illiterate even not to know whether 23 (excluding Speaker) are bigger or 19 is bigger. Nagas are also not so politically illiterate that they would not be able to separate the 17 Congress and 2 JD (U) from 2 NPF defectors and 7 ex-MLAs of NPF from the so-called 31 claimed by the Congress is illegal.
Dr. Shurhozelie.
Army gets China experience: - Soldiers gain from joint exercise with once unfriendly neighbour A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


Soldiers display a memento of their joint exercise with China after returning to Guwahati on Thursday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, Dec. 27: Four decades after Thuingaleng Muivah led a team of Naga National Council (NNC) members to China for training in guerrilla warfare, the Chinese army is helping India deal with militancy.
Brig D.S. Dadwal, the head of the Indian contingent that participated in the first joint military exercise between the two countries — Hand-in-Hand 2007 — said on his return today that the common aim of the neighbours was to eliminate the “scourge of terrorism”,
The contingent, drawn from the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry unit posted in Bishnupur district of Manipur, believes the experience of a joint exercise with China will help it conduct counter-insurgency operations better. “Such exercises definitely help you to hone your skills and use them at Ground Zero,” Brig. Dadwal said.
The five-day drill was conducted at the Kunming Military Academy in Yunnan province of China. Battalion commander Col J.S. Budhwar said a mock hostage rescue drill was conducted by launching a joint attack on hypothetic terrorist camps along the Sino-Indian border.
“Development of military-to-military relations was an integral part of the overall improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries,” he said. “The focus of the exercise was on how to tackle the growing menace of global terrorism.”
The Chinese team demonstrated its skills in martial arts and other self-defence actions, while the Indian troops taught them yoga, Col Budhwar said. Defence spokesman Col Y.K. Joshi, who was part of the contingent, said China also arranged for a display of its arsenal. The weapons on show included the QB295 5.8mm automatic rifle used to kill hostile live targets and destroy light armour, the QS292 9mm pistol designed for commanders and special forces to destroy live targets in short distance, and the QJB95 5.8mm machine gun used by infantry squads. Also on display were the QS B91 7.62mm dagger pistol weapon used in person-to-person combat, the QL287 35mm automatic grenade launcher, the PF98 rocket launcher, the QBU 5.8mm sniper rifle, the PP89 60mm mortar and a special vehicle for troop mobility and logistical support. China’s openness, Brig Dadwal said, was a pointer to the improvement of ties between the two countries.
The next joint exercise will be held in India next year.
Centre may free 5 ULFA men by Jan 26 Nagaland page

GUWAHATI, December 27: The Centre may free 5 top Ulfa leaders from prison by Republic Day to revive the peace process in the state. Congress and state government sources have given hints about this amid hectic parleys in New Delhi over the resumption of dialogue with Ulfa.
CM Tarun Gogoi, too, does not rule out such a possiblity. "I am not ruling it (the release) out. This may happen but not right now. There is still a month to go," he said, without disclosing the details. Ulfa has made the release of its leaders as a precondition for its presence in future peace talks. "The Centre will take a decision. I can always press for the release of Ulfa leaders. I am not in two minds about it. They should be freed if it comes in the way of the peace process," the CM said.
What has made politicians and activists hopeful is the interest shown by AICC general secretary M Veerappa Moily in the peace process. Moily, who looks after the Congress's affairs in Assam, is close to writer Indira Goswami, who was the chief facilitator in the last round of talks between the Ulfa-nominated People Consultative Group (PCG) and the Centre that collpased in 2006. (TNN)
Kaladan deal awaits Myanmar seal Indo Burma News
Eagerly waiting for Myanmar’s foreign minister U Nyan Win’s New Year visit to Delhi for finalising the $100-million Kaladan multi-model link project. The project envisages building of roads and waterway links to ensure the landlocked states’ easy accessibility to the Bay of Bengal through Myanmar.
The detailed report of the infrastructure development project was discussed at a meeting at the Prime Minister’s office in January this year. The project had already been granted financial approval by New Delhi and Yangon, said senior officials of the border trade department of the Mizoram government in Aizawl. Sources pointed out that the alternative road, river and sea access via Myanmar’s southwestern flank had been extensively surveyed over the past six years by engineers of the two countries. The cabinet is likely to give a final nod to augmentation of the project once Win lands in India.
Dhaka’s vacillation on providing transit facilities to Indian goods through Chittagong port has prodded the Centre to look for an alternative route to the sea from the Northeast.
An agreement for development of roads and the port on the Kaladan river for transhipment of goods up to Sittwe port in Rakhine state of Myanmar was reached by delegations of the two countries when petroleum minister Murli Deora called on senior leaders of the junta in Yangon three months back.
Sittwe port in Myanmar is nearly 12 hours from the sea port of Haldia near Calcutta.
As the Kaladan river also flows through Mizoram, transhipment of goods from Mizoram, particularly the state’s bamboo products and fruits to Calcutta and nearby towns, will be a lot easier.
For that, the roads stretching from Paletwa and Tiddim in Chin state of Myanmar close to Mizoram have to be developed as highways by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a wing of the Union ministry of roads transport and highways.
That requires signing of a separate agreement between the BRO and the junta after the government of the two countries give the go-ahead to the broad modalities. of the project.