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04/28/2008: "Killing of IRB jawan unfortunate: nscn-im morungexpress"

Killing of IRB jawan unfortunate: nscn-im morungexpress

Dimapur, April 27 (MExN): In the wake of the killing of an IRB personnel on April 25 in Dimapur, the NSCN (IM) today termed the killing of ‘IRB constable Hanji Konyak of 10 NAP (IR) as unfortunate’; however, it asserted that the police version of IRB being ambushed holds no validity.
An MIP press release received here today, while saying that the killing of the IRB constable was unfortunate, informed that ‘somewhere somebody committed the blunder to bring about this tragic incident’.
However, the release asserted that ‘on the part of the NSCN firing at the IRB constable, there is nothing deliberate’ and maintained that the exact identity of the victim as constable of IRB came to light after the incident.
“It was retaliation on the spur of the moment when they were fired upon. And for the mistaken identity under such pressing circumstances, the NSCN express regret and treat the matter as very unfortunate. We condole this unfortunate killing,” it stated.
However, it asserted that a ‘big question’ remains to be answered by the Nagaland Home Ministry and the state police authority ‘as to who gave the order to the IRB personnel to fire at the Naga Army of NSCN’.
In this regard, the release asserted that the “NSCN’s intelligence was in the knowledge of the Unification group moving around in the Dimapur disguised in IRB uniform”, and that the alarm bell had been sounded to the Town Command of NSCN to remain vigilant at all times and at all places.
“It was in the context of this suspicious atmosphere that the police authorities were also intimated and not to dispatch IRB personnel around the area where the NSCN were having meeting lest unnecessary provocation and firing takes place. This was the extent the NSCN went to avoid any unpleasant incident,” the release stated. However, it stated that it was under such heated atmosphere that the IRB personnel appeared on the scene in Diphupar ‘B’ and “fired at the NSCN”.
In this regard, the release maintained that “the police version of IRB being ambushed hold not validity,” and added that the questions that follow is whether the IRB is looking for NSCN that is in ceasefire with the government of India or “the illegal organization of the unification group that is functioning nothing less than rogue elements”. “What really provoked the IRB to fire at NSCN? If it is a case of mistaken identity the truth should has to be admitted and sincere apologies tendered to set at rest the public conscience. Because the rogue elements should not be place in the same footing with the legitimate organization as NSCN,” the release stated.
The NSCN (IM) also asserted that the IRB burning down of one Gypsy belonging to NSCN is not a thing to be appreciated.
“Law enforcing agencies are expected to exercise modesty when not dealing with anti-social elements. The Gypsy did not belong to rogue elements,” it stated.

‘Sgt Zaimi died a martyr’
Meanwhile, the NSCN (IM) has said that the ‘Sgt. Zaimi Hongray of Naga Army’, whose body was found on April 26 at Chumukedima village and Sukhavi village, was attached with the ‘Dimapur Town Command’ and that he was abducted on April 9.
“To die fighting is the normal course of life for any soldier. But to be abducted and killed in isolated place in the jungle, and left to rot as carcass, is inhuman- unbecoming of any military ethics around the world. Nevertheless, a place of honour is always reserved, and Sgt. Zaimi Hongray died a martyr at the hands of the traitors who respect no human norms that governs any army disciplinary set-up,” said an MIP press release.
It further informed that the mortal remain of Sgt. Zaimi was retrieved from the jungle near Sakhuvi village with the help of the Sakhuvi and Chumukidema villagers. The body of ‘Sgt’ Zaimi Hungray has been sent from Dimapur to Ukhrul to the bereaved family members, it added.
IRB react to second firing incident Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
Dimapur, April 27 (NPN): Blank firing by the IRB manning a Mobile Check Post (MCP) at Purana Bazar Sunday night spread panic in the locality and apprehension in Dimapur, as it came two days after the gunning down of one jawan of the 10 IRB at Diphupar ‘B’ by the NSCN(I-M).
According to police, some unidentified miscreants fired a few rounds at the IRB manning the MCP and in response the jawans resorted to blank firing.
SP Dimapur Liremo Lotha, disclosed that the shots were fired from the rooftop of a building, located opposite the DHB petrol pump. He claimed the IRB personnel were the target of the gunmen.
According to sources, around 20 shots were heard. However, there was no report of any casualty in the incident. Police and IRB personnel cordoned off the area and a manhunt launched in search of the gunmen.
As a consequence of the reported attack, the IRB jawans began frisking vehicles and during which, it was alleged that four persons including two females were assaulted.
According to the victims, they were riding on two bikes and returning from Chumukedima after dinner at a friend’s place when the IRB personnel intercepted and assaulted them.
One of the victims, Lanu Ao, son of K. Ali Ao, of Merangkong village, a Lance Naik in the 7 Assam Regiment (2nd Battalion) told this Reporter that even after identifying himself as an army personnel, the IRB personnel assaulted him, his friend Tali Ao, also an army jawan of the same regiment, along with the other female companions.
Earlier, altogether seven underground activists – four from GPRN/NSCN Unification and three from NSCN (I-M) – were killed while several were abducted in separate incidents in the town.
Despite the district administration having beefed up security, there was no let up in factional violence. On Thursday, the residents of Diphupar ‘B’ and Ikishe village averted a factional clash by chasing away members of the rival NSCN factions.
On learning about a stand-off between members of NSCN (I-M) and GPRN/NSCN (Unification), more than 1,000 public, mostly women and youth, chased away the activists from the area.
Press Release
28 April 2008

While NSCN would appreciate every effort to establish the much sought peaceful environment in Dimapur or Kohima, the civil societies must act with a sense of responsibility and must not be afraid to point out the root cause or the provocative causes in a very perspective manner. To feign ignorance or failing to point finger at the right direction is unbecoming of any civil societies that carry the stamp of concern for the Naga's socio-political interests.
The off shoot of rogue elements is directly linked to the infamous Nov. 23 episode when the then GPRN Kilo-Kilonser Azheto Chophy run away from CHQ, Hebron to announce his version of unification, a copycat of the Collective Leadership's proclamation of unity through reconciliation. But found devoid of any legal or moral sanction in keeping with the political exigency to bring unity, it was discarded as a sugar-coated unification call with other sinister program as the hidden agenda. And the present provocative style of functioning by this very group who calls for unity leave no room for doubt what exactly is their socio-political standing in the name of unification call. This is an insult to the Nagas by resorting to hegemonic political brinkmanship.

The responsibility also lies with the state government authorities for not playing the role in accordance with all legal proprieties to differentiate the role of the rogue elements and the recognized NSCN organization that is in ceasefire with the govt. of India; with the world at large keenly observing the ongoing Indo-Naga political peace talks that is running 11 years.

Issued by: MIP/GPRN
Bio-piracy rampant in Naga forests KT Thomas Rengma Citizen Journalist
The Paris Quadrifolia plant
Bio-piracy is something which many of us are not aware of, even if it is taking place under our very own noses. Herbs and plants are being smuggled out of the state by pharmaceutical companies by paying peanuts to middlemen and labourers who collect them and all from the wild.
Some years back, Panax Ginseng and Pseudo Ginseng, the local species of Ginseng, was almost completely rooted out from its natural habitats in Nagaland by local bio-prospectors who sold them in packed forms of various weights - both in raw and powdered forms. Some were even sold it in its various concoctions - at exorbitant rates for all sorts of ailments under the sky.
Taxus Baccata and Cephallu Taxus (Yew tree) – the taxol of which is used for treatment of cancer and both species of which grow in the wild in Nagaland were also pirated by smugglers who carted away its barks and branches in truckloads from Phek and Southern Angami area of Kohima districts. After that, bio-pirates from neighbouring Myanmar came and collected a type of local orchid from Phek and neighbouring districts by paying daily wages to local collectors and foragers and also buying them in kilo weights. The latest plant to fall prey to bio piracy is Paris Quadrifolia- a poisonous herb which is used in the manufacture of drugs.
Paris Quadrifolia has an extremely secretive appearance not just because it is always found in the shade of woods. A single stem emerges from the creeping root in spring usually with four leaves. The local species has more than four leaves in most cases. In May to June, this produces one flower from which a black berry is formed. The entire plant is very poisonous but the berry and the roots are most toxic. There have been cases of fatal accidents after children have consumed it thinking it to be an edible berry.
In the middle ages, the plant was considered to be one that could break witches spell. A berry was sewn into clothing. The same was done to ward off epidemics of the great plague. Today, Paris Quadrifolia is solely used in homeopathic medicines for nervous headaches and chronic respiratory and bronchial infections. It grows in damp woodlands on the hills throughout Kohima, Peren, Phek, Wokha and parts of other districts of Nagaland.
“Burmese drug companies are paying Nagas from neighbouring Manipur Rs 50 per Kg to come and dig Paris Quadrifolia from the districts of Phek and Kohima after they have practically extracted all from the Naga hills of Manipur state,” said D. Ngolo a local herbalist. “It is leaving for Burma border in truck and tata mobile loads”. “The women who were digging it told me that some Naga Scientist working for some organization in India are also paying them Rs 30 per kilo” added Ngolo.
Krovielo, Ngolo’s teenaged son, told this writer: “The women have dug out all the herbs above the Ministers Hill, Kohima, and you can still see the fresh tell-tale signs of the pilferage”. Ngolo confided to this writer that he has brought the matter to the notice of District Forest Officer, Kohima, who has appreciated his alertness. He has also informed the authorities in Land Resource Development Department have kept him as a local expert on herbs and plants. Ngolo hails from Khezakeno village, one of the migration points of the southern Nagas.

Naga body urges groups to end killings Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, April 27 – An influential Naga tribal body today called for ending factional killings, extortion, abduction and threats by Naga underground groups in Nagaland.

In a statement, Angami Public Organisation (APO) said, all underground groups should express willingness to sit together on an equal footing to resolve differences.

The statement came in the wake of recent armed conflicts between cadre of NSCN (I-M) and NSCN (Unification) to dominate areas in and around Dimapur. – PTI
THE TRUTH WE SHOULD ACCEPT. Nagaland Page
Repeatedly we have been stating the truth, yet none of the factional leaders believes it nor accepts it. But what have been happening in Nagaland since the formation of so-called NSCN in 1980 is eyewitness of all Nagas and that no one can deny.
We believe that God has bestowed the sovereignty of Nagaland and He is protecting it and leading the Naga nation. But the renegade leaders rejected the lead of God and attempted to lead the nation on their own interest and they even rejected the peace that God has brought to Nagaland in 1975. They misled young Nagas and made them to fight against their own Naga brothers.
As the sectarian leaders rejected God given peace, more fighting are taking place among themselves. Following the false propaganda of the sectarian leaders, the NGOs, GBs, DBs and even Church leaders who are working for peace among the Nagas ignored God given peace, so no peace at all even they work more for peace, instead more fightings are taking place among the factions. Hence, none of them can effort to bring peace among the Nagas.
They ignored the truth and justice, so they find no peace. They don’t want to admit their mistake, instead they are trying to justify their misdeed by telling lies and false allegation against innocent people. How can they have peace among them? Indeed God is working against them. That is, a fulfillment of what God told to Isak and Muivah in 1984 through Evangelist Athiu. God told them “stop killing and rejoin the NNC. If you do not obey me I will work against you”. So there will be no peace until or unless they accept the truth.
The truth to accept is that:
1. Nagaland is a sovereign independent nation and we are not demanding any political status from India or any other nation.
2. The NNC is not a faction or political party but it is a national institution of the Nagas and without which the Nagas have no way to claim as a nation. Beside the NNC the Nagas should have no other political organization as the Naga national Law enshrined on April 27, 1955 at Lakhuti village, Lotha Region.
3. The Nagas need not to have a new referendum or political solution, because the Plebiscite of 1951 was a solemn pledge and final verdict of the Naga people for their future.
4. All Nagas honour Dr. A.Z. Phizo, the father of Naga nation, so also all Nagas should follow his footstep.
5. And God our Lord is leading and protecting Naga nation. He brought peace to Nagaland in 1964 and restored it again in 1975 when India resorted to fight against the Nagas with her armed might. Thus, the Nagas need not to have another peace except God given peace. We have to follow the path that God is leading us from the beginning, and that is the leadership of NNC/FGN.
When we accept these truths, we will surely free from distrust, hatred and enmity.
Thomas, NNC Member.
Hope for peace talks with ULFA wanes--- PTI
Durba Ghosh, Guwahati, Apr 27: The much-hyped revival of the peace talks between the banned ULFA and the union government appears to have reached a dead-end with the centre expressing unwillingness to negotiate with an outfit which is still linked to extortion and violence.
The ULFA apparently keen to restart the peace talks has urged noted litterateur Dr Indira (Mamoni) Goswami to initiate the process with the government but the later has made it clear there can be no talks unless the outfit stops its anti-national activities.

The centre has communicated to the state government that the centre is not willing to negotiate with an outfit that is still indulging in extortion and criminal activities, a senior official of the Assam home department said.

Dr Goswami, however, made a fervent plea to both the centre and the state government to restart the stalled peace process and even met Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajai Singh urging him to take necessary steps in this regard.

"I have asked the Governor to do everything possible to ensure that negotiations are initiated and peace returns to the state", she said.

Another factor that has led to an impasse in the peace talks is the ULFA's reported unwillingness to compromise on the issue of sovereignty.

The ULFA, however, denied the allegations and claimed that the centre was not keen to hold talks to resolve the conflict situation through the process of dialogue. The outfit in the latest edition of its mouthpiece 'Freedom' alleged that the centre "is in no hurry to engage in dialogue but was applying all efforts for a military solution on the demand for a sovereign Assam".

The ULFA had set up the Peoples' Consultative Group (PCG) in 2005 because it wanted to bring about a peaceful political settlement to the conflict and the PCG tried to realise the hopes of the people of the state by holding three rounds of talks with the centre, the editorial said.

"During the third round of talks with PCG, a joint memorandum was published with the consent of both parties that specifies both the centre and ULFA would try to create a congenial atmosphere for dialogue but the centre did not honour the commitment", the outfit alleged. The editorial further alleged that the centre had adopted an unyielding stand and as "things stand today peace talks are nowhere in the offing".
UNLF refutes Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Apr 27: The proscribed UNLF has rubbished the report that Kabrabam Premjit alias Ebai of Hiyanglam Mayai Leikai and Elangbam Kanto also from the same locality, who were shot dead by 21 Assam Rifles in the wee hours of April 25 were members of the oufit. In a statement, UNLF said that the two were not in any related to the outfit or its armed wing the MPA. On the contrary, the claims of the family members that they were innocent civilians must be true, it asserted and added that the two were picked up from their respective houses on April 23 night and after subjecting them to severe torture for 24 hours they were taken to the Bufallo Farm at Kharungpat and shot dead. The action of the 21 Assam Rifles is another manifestation of the pogrom unleashed by the cowardly Indian security force, it said. The Indian security force had even killed Th Manorama after violating her chastity and came out with the cooked up version that she was killed while trying to flee, alleged UNLF. To the Indian security force all the people of Manipur are underground cadres, it said and added that such wanton killings will continue. The only way out for the people is to come out on the street and fight against the security force, said the outfit.
Release Burmese rebels from Indian jail: Solidarity Committee Indo Burma News
(Mizzima) New Delhi - Indian political parties including the Communist Party of India and the All India Forward Bloc today called on India to release the 34 Burmese rebels, who are now languishing in Kolkata's Presidency jail.
The call came in a message sent to a press conference held at Kolkata Press Club on Friday by the Solidarity Committee for Burma's Freedom Fighters, a group formed in solidarity with the Burmese rebels by Indian intellectuals, academicians, Human Rights activists and journalists.
Speaking to reporters, intellectuals, politicians and observers, Nandita Haksar, member of the Solidarity Committee, pointed to the loopholes in India's judicial system as it has failed to provide justice to the Burmese rebels, who have been detained in Indian soil for over ten years.
"It is not legal, we cannot detain people for eight years without charges," Haksar said.
The 34 Burmese rebels, who are currently languishing in Presidency Jail in Kolkata, were arrested by Indian security forces at Andaman & Nicobar Islands in February 1998.
The Indian defence establishment accused them of gun-running but they were detained at Port Blair with out a charge-sheet filed against them for eight years.
However, after Human Rights activists made appeals, the Supreme Court ordered the case to be transferred to Kolkata for a day-to-day trial.
"But even after eight years they (Burmese rebels) should have got day to day trial but the Kolkata court has violated this," Haksar added.
Haksar said, in solidarity with the Burmese rebels, who have long been deprived of justice, the Solidarity Committee in cooperation with West Bengal government, particularly the Sports and Transport Ministry is organizing a Bengali-Burmese friendly football match on Saturday.
"Certainly it is for this awareness that the Burmese freedom fighters are in jail in Kolkata and in fact the whole football match is organized by the sports department of the government of West Bengal," said Nandita, referring the Burmese rebels as 'Burmese Freedom Fighters'.
The Press conference also arranged an official introduction of the Burmese football team, which will play against India's premier football club Kingfisher's East Bengal on Saturday.
The Burmese football team will also play against Jadavpur University students on Sunday to highlight the plight of the Burmese rebels.
"We are saying that the most meaningful way to support the democracy movement in Burma is to first release freedom fighters in our own jail," Haksar said.
"It's no use just supporting Aung San Suu Kyi we must not have freedom fighters in our own jail," she added.