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07/09/2008: "Clashes take two more lives morungexpress"



Clashes take two more lives morungexpress

Dimapur, (MExN): After the battle at the “NSCN/GPRN” headquarter at Vihokhu and the surrounding village areas, the factional clashes are now moving towards the highway areas of Dimapur. Two “NSCN/GPRN” cadres were killed by suspected rival NSCN (IM) cadres at around 6:15 am somewhere in Diphupar village ‘L-Khel area’.
According to Diphupar police, the hands of the two slain cadres were found tied from behind; police suspect that they were captured by the NSCN (IM) cadres and killed. The two dead cadres have been identified as “ss captain” Khuzheto (50 years), son Loxeto of Kiyeto village and “ss Lt” Hokhey Yeptho (32 years), of Vihokhu village. Local eyewitnesses reported that at about 5:45 am around 10 armed cadres came in a Gypsy and surrounded a house belonging to a “captain” of the “NSCN/GPRN.”
Sources from the police department claimed that the “NSCN/GPRN” cadres at that time were outside the residence compound having tea. The source disclosed that when the gun battle sprouted into an intense battle, the besieged “NSCN/GPRN” cadres made their escape while two of their comrades are believed to have been captured, tied and then taken to a distance of about 100 feet before being shot death.
There are conflicting reports. Local witnesses said that at about 5:45 am a Gypsy with about 10 armed cadres surrounded the house and began firing upon the “NSCN/GPRN” cadres. It was also reported that two more cadres of the NSCN (IM) came in a van and joined the attack.
The “NSCN/GPRN” cadres at that time were outside the residence compound having tea, it was reported. Reports said that when the gun battle sprouted into an intense battle, “NSCN/GPRN” cadres made their escape while two of their comrades were believed to have been captured, tied and than taken to a distance of about 100 feet before being shot death. These reports could not be confirmed. Local witnesses also reported that there might have been casualties from the NSCN (IM) side since they heard ‘intense crying’ from one of the NSCN (IM) cadres and on the retaining walls, signs of blood were seen. However, it could not be confirmed from either the police or the NSCN (IM).
Niuland area bandh today Dimapur, July 9 (MExN): A 12-hour bandh from 6am to 6pm has been called by the Nihokhu Area Students’ Union, Sumi Totimi Hoho and the Nihokhu GB Association on July 10. The bandh will affect the entire area from Shouba to Hozhkuhe village in the main artery road of Niuland. There is also expected a public gathering and a mass-prayer at around 8am, where the area’s public is expected to submit a memorandum to the DC of Dimapur. The president of Nihokhu students’ union said that the bandh has been called on the basis of 4 points for which a memorandum has been prepared. The purpose is to bring attention to the authorities about the need for compensating the civilian victim Hetovi Ayemi’s family who died in the factional clash at S Hetoi Village. Late Hetovi Ayemi’s house was razed during the clash. He had a family of 7 members and now without a home the urgency was to look into the welfare of the dependents in his family. Also in the sprout of the clashes, a house of one Hetoli a widow was badly damage and a transformer destroyed leaving most of the villages affected in the area.
The union also mentioned that after the clashes, some cadres of the NSCN (IM) had taken provisions of food belonging to a team of S Hetoi villagers celebrating pre-Tulini festival. Accounting all this points and the consistent factional clashes, the area has called for a bandh.
Factions told to leave Diphupar Dimapur, July 9 (MExN): While condemning in strongest terms this morning’s firing incident which took place at L Khel of Diphupar village at around 6:10 AM, leading to the death of two persons, the Diphupar Village Council has asked all the underground factions to vacate the village. A press release issued by the council’s executives lamented that despite earlier appeals of the people of Diphupar to vacate the village and shun violence, the factions continue to make Diphupar village “a killing field and dumping ground of those killed”. Maintaining that such senseless acts not only endanger the lives of innocent residents of the village but also creates fear psychosis amongst the public, especially children. The village council has asked the underground factions to vacate the village and avoid bloodshed within its jurisdiction.
WSSU flays Human Rights’ violations morungexpress
Dimapur, July 9 (MExN): A bandh has been called on July 11 under the banner of the Western Sumi Students’ Union to protest against what the students’ organization said is gross violation of Human Rights. The WSSU in a note from its executives today stated that the bandh was called to apprise the state and central machinery “to wake up from their slumber” and heed to the call of the victimized masses.
Dimapur Bandh on July 11 Mentioning the United Nations Charter for Human Rights, the WSSU quoted it that ‘every individual must have some rights against the state of other public authority by virtue of his being a member of the family’ and that ‘Human Rights are based on the ancient doctrine of natural rights.’ To respect and honor the dead, of friends and foes alike, is the “foundation of human civilizations, the WSSU stated.
“Protection of the Human Rights is the basic duty of the state and national mechanism under its appropriate agencies. The recent chain of events of gross Human Rights violations occurring before the very eyes, observation and tacit approval of the state as well as central agencies has become a threat to the lives of all individuals irrespective of affiliation, tribe, clan or sex” the WSSU stated. The organization also accused the “state machinery with collaboration by central agencies” had “never lifted (sic) a finger” to safeguard the sacred rights of its citizens as embodied in the Human Rights charter.
The WSSU alleged that one “lt.” Viyito and “lt” Khatoi of “NSCN/GPRN” was tortured, killed and their dead bodies urinated upon; that one “capt. lt” Ikishe Sumi of “NSCN/GPRN” after his capture was inhumanely tortured to the extent of his ear being cut off and subsequently, he was killed; that one “lt” Nikheto Zhimo of the NNC was captured and his wrists, veins and arteries were severed while all his nails were pulled out. His body and stomach was mutilated by piercing, with a knife; that a civilian, one Hetovi who was bedridden, was pulled out from his house and shot dead and his house was razed.
“These instances are only the tip of the iceberg. No cognizance by the state machinery has been taken till date and no redressal (sic) with compensation (sic) or otherwise has been meted out to the victims’ families. The lackadaisical attitude of the concerned authorities have left the public to fend for themselves which will ultimately have far-reaching consequences” the WSSU added and appealed to every section of the society to take note of the Human Rights violations committed on the Naga people.
TCU grateful to NSCN (IM) morungexpress
Dimapur, July 9 (MExN): The Tenyimi Central Union (TCU) appreciates what it stated is the gesture shown by the NSCN (IM) “by respecting and honouring the request of the civil society so far in dealing with V Nagi, general secretary of NNC (Non–Accordist) whom it had taken captive from Oking Hospital, Kohima since June 23 last and kept him without any harm.”
With the gesture, the union stated in a note through its president ZM Sekhose that the NSCN (IM) “has so far displayed their maturity, understanding, brotherhood and respects towards their Naga brothers and sisters.” The union stated, “whatever differences or problems the NSCN-IM have with V Nagi or NNC (Non-Accordist) is not known to the TCU or the general public, but it is our ardent appeal that both the parties forgive each others.” Similarly, all the Naga underground factions “should forgive each other for the interest of the Naga society and Naga nation so that we can prosper together in harmony” it added. The TCU also expects the NSCN-IM to continue with “their same gesture” and unconditionally release V Nagi without any harm “as and when it had finish its discussions or for whatever other reasons he has been taken into captivity.” The union however feels that the sooner he is released, the better it is so that precedence is set and “we maintain our prevailing cordial relationship and built a healthier Naga society.”
Every Naga underground worker “whether big or small, should cultivate and display such attitude and quality, the union stated, for such acts “will earn them ‘medals’, ‘respects’ and ‘supports’ not only from the Naga general public but also from people across the globe”

NSCN (K) camp raided By NPN Nagaland post
| Dimapur A combined force of Assam Rifles, IRB, State Police and Peren district administration, raided the NSCN (K) designated camp at Athibung on Wednesday, NSCN (K) sources claimed.
Talking to Nagaland Post over phone, Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB), NSCN (K), member Hokato Vusshe alleged that the raiding party searched and ransacked the camp besides taking photographs of the bunkers and asking the number of cadres and arms in the camp.
According to the NSCN (K), the combined force raided the camp on the charge that the designated camp was sheltering some Northeast militant groups which did not have ceasefire with the Government of India. He said the combined force initially tried to raid the camp at around 9 to 10 a.m. but backed off when the NSCN (K) activists objected to it and fired some few rounds in the air. Vusshe said right after the first attempt to raid the camp, he rang up CFSB chairman, central joint secretary (Home), State Home commissioner and IGAR, and briefed them about the alleged violation of ceasefire ground rules (CFGR) by government forces.
“They assured to issue instructions as per the CFGR, but around 11 a.m to 12 noon, the combined force comprising of 30-40 AR personnel, 20-30 IRB personnel, State police and administration led by EAC Athibung, forcefully entered and raided the camp,” he said.
On charges of harboring other insurgent groups in the Athibung camp, he said the NSCN (K) had in the last CFSB meeting told the Government of India representatives that some NE insurgent groups willing to enter into ceasefire with GoI had approached the NSCN (K) to act as a “channel.” He however clarified that the NSCN (K) had already asked the insurgent groups to leave and that at the time of the raid, there was not a single cadre from other groups. Vusshe further said the CFSB members of NSCN (K) at a meeting held Wednesday took serious note of the “raid” and cautioned that GoI would be held sole responsible in case of any untoward incident relating to the camp.
Wangyuh refutes fraud charge morungexpress
DIMAPUR, JULY 9 (MExN): Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Nagaland, W Wangyuh Konyak refuted the allegations leveled by P. Khel council of Kohima village about forgery and fraud committed in the name of the said khel. In a press note, the MP clarified that due to some oversight the scheme was “inadvertently” written as “construction of community hall at P. Khel Kohima village instead of “construction of community hall at P Khel Jakhama village”.
Wangyuh said he had in fact already faxed a letter to the nodal officer for change in the nomenclature which is not by the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima as alleged by the khel. The MP said that the Kohima deputy commissioner has already informed and briefed the chairman of Kohima P-Khel on the changes and dispatched copies of it to the respective khels for information. The Lok Sabha MP further informs that MPLADS fund is under his disposal and regardless of any situation he can change or allot the scheme to anyone. However, he conveyed pain at the khel’s use of words like ‘forged and fraud’ adding that the allegations, even after ascertaining the facts from the Kohima DC’s office, amounts to personal defamation. Wangyuh, therefore, requested the village officials in concern to ascertain facts before releasing such press notes in future.
Meanwhile, the MP states that he has not received any formal request from the chairman of P. Khel, Kohima village, for the construction of a community hall at the village and suggests that a proposal be submitted if there is a need for such a construction.
NSCN (IM) condemns unwarranted killing MIP/GPRN
When it comes to the application of Human right it covers all human beings and to be honored and respected by all, including the security forces of both the central and the state governments. But this is far from truth in the hands of the trigger-happy-commandos of Manipur police force.
The point in focus is the unwarranted killing of NSCN’s Naga Army 2nd Lt. Ngazeklei. Ngazeklei was arrested by Manipur police on 02nd July from Namdulong, Imphal. But he was taken to Langol and shot dead there few hours later.
Ngazeklei is from Ringui village of Ukhrul district. He was to go to his new posting at NP Battalion, and was undergoing medical treatment before joining duty.
NSCN strongly condemn such deliberate killing without going through legal process. This is inhuman and absolute violation of human right. The fact that NSCN is in the serious process of bringing solution to the 60 years of Indo-Naga problem by entering into ceasefire for the last 11 years is never taken into consideration by the Manipur state. This is provocative and against the spirit of solving any political issue through political talks and not by violence.
The NSCN, condoles the death of 2nd Lt. Ngazeklei at the hands of the unruly Manipur police commandos who have taken law into their hands. He died defending the rights of the Naga nation and history will record his name with due honor. May God comfort the bereaved family members and take pride for having sacrificed a son for the cause of the Nagas.
Issued by: MIP/GPRN

Flush out operation at Seithekema (Page News Service)
Dimapur, July 8: Cadres of the NSCN (IM) were evicted from the populated areas in Seithekema, Seithekema Basa, Seithekema 'A' and 'C' by the joint team of Dimapur Police, IRB, 6th NAP and 42 Assam Rifles early Tuesday morning.
Sources said that Police, IRB and 6th NAP team had conducted operation near Patkai college after they were informed about the presence of armed cadres of NSCN (IM). They were also joined by 42 Assam Rifles, who are detailed for conducting patrolling in the same area.
Although there were rumours of "confrontation" between the NSCN (IM) cadres and the 42 Assam Rifles, police sources maintained that nothing as such happened in the area, as they were present along with IRB and NAP battalions. Sources informed that that ceasefire ground rules does not allow armed cadres to come out in populated areas, therefore the police and IRB had gone in the area to evacuate the armed cadres.
Sources further said that as per implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), the Army or the Assam Rifles should lead the operation, however, they always tried to push the IRB and the police forward in such situation.
According to a top police official, nothing serious happened today at Seithekima area and the claims about the AR having any sort of confrontation with the NSCN (IM) cadres were false.
NSCN (IM) to release NNC leader Nagi this week (Page News Service)
Dimapur, July 8: The NSCN (IM) would release V Nagi, General Secretary of NNC within this week after they finish their interrogation. This was disclosed by Kilo Kilonser Kedutsu Tsuzah.
Talking to media persons on the sidelines of the Tuluni Festival at CHQ Hebron, Kedutsu said that Nagi would be released within this week after his statement is recorded. He said that there are number questions to be asked and once those are answered he would be released. The Kilo Kilonser, however, did not elaborate what sort of questions they would be asking Nagi.
On a query as to why Tuluni celebration are being held at Hebron this year, Kedutsu said that this festival is being celebrated in various places, in villages etc but this year, they wanted the NSCN to join in Tuluni festival and partake the preparation also. If they are celebrating the festival in some villages, many of the NSCN functionaries would not be able to go, he added.
He further maintained that festival cannot be mixed with politics and therefore Tuluni is being organized to bring different Naga tribes together and make merry.
A Sumi NSCN (IM) functionary, however, said that they could not move out of the camp and attend festival due to security reasons. Stating that situation was not congenial for them to go out and enjoy with their tribesman, he said that they organized the celebration in Hebron camp to celebrate along with other people from different tribes.
On the establishment of 'designated camp' at Khehoi village by the rival group, he said that the NSCN (IM) is still opposed to it as it is an "illegal camp".
He said that even Government of India does not recognize the organization as well as their camp. A non-recognized organization making a camp is illegal, he said adding, this is being done under the influence of Azheto-K group.
Replying to a query as to why the NSCN (IM) overrun the Vihokhu unification camp on the day, when both the NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) were together at Chaingmai meet, the Kilo Kilonser said that the NSCN (IM) never had a double standard policy. He said Chiangmai meet is for reconciliation of the Nagas. "We are focusing for unity of Nagas and reconciliation among the Naga people," he stressed.
The NSCN (IM) authorities also categorically rejected to any proposals for "compromise" between the factions stating that there cannot be any compromise of principles.

The glaring differences between ancient Naga Democratic Socialism and modern Marxist Communist Socialism Kaka.D.Iralu in Morungexpress
If, as the dictionary defines, socialism means the equal sharing of a nation’s wealth where every citizen gets a share of the nation’s resources, then the Nagas are the most socialist nation on earth. From time immemorial, our forefathers had practiced and handed down to us a political and economic system of life where every individual, irrespective of family background has a share of the national land and its resources. We lived in communities of independent village democratic republics. In these tightly knitted communities – to put it in Dr. Tuisem’s words – we practiced “Community living, Community sharing and Community dying.” By this statement, Tuisem meant that we Nagas lived in individual private houses which were closely built together in clusters of circular or parallel patterns. The practice of sharing one’s bounty with one’s neighbors, whether it is a fish catch or the products of a successful hunt or a bountiful crop, was also a way of life in every village. Lastly when any individual in the village died, we practiced community mourning by not venturing outside the village but sharing the grief of the bereaved family collectively. This then was Naga socialism in all its unique grandeur and glory.
This village socialism was however never imposed by a Central authority or a so-called Collective leadership from within the village. Far from it, ours was a socialism that was voluntary, humane and egalitarian in nature. Here, we can perhaps call our socialist system as “Democratic Socialism”. This is because our socialism was guided and controlled by democratic principles. Under this democratic socialism, thieves, murderers and extortionists had no place in the village polity and were always excommunicated from the village.
Under this system, coming to ownership of land, every village had its own clearly demarcated boundaries. Within these village boundaries, every individual family or household had their own private lands in the form of a plot of land within the village where they could build their own private houses and gardens. Outside the village perimeter, every household had a plot of land where they could cut firewood for their hearths. (Angamis call these plots as “Seikha” meaning “my firewood plot.”)
Beyond this village perimeter, all the lands that belong to the village are equally shared in the form of private jhum fields or private terraced fields. In this sharing of lands, every individual family gets a share of land sufficient for cultivating the family’s grain and vegetable requirements. These village lands are jealously guarded by every citizen of the village and inter village wars or even inter-tribal wars used to erupt whenever these traditional boundaries are violated.
In this unique socio-political set up, not only neighborly love was practiced but even benevolent and magnanimous social acts were performed by individuals for the entire village. This was done in the form of a rich man feasting the whole village with his accumulated wealth, earning respect and titles for himself and his family in the process. Beyond this, entire inter-village feasts were also practiced by one village hosting another village. In this way, village alliances were established for common defense purposes.
In 1832, Captain Butler, the British army officer and anthropologist after seeing the Naga way of life described the Nagas as having the purest form of democracy in the world. With humility, I think we Nagas can also claim that besides possessing the purest form of democracy, we also have the purest form of socialism in the world.
However, in contrast to this Naga socialism, Marxist Leninist and Maoist communist socialism is an entirely different kind of Socialism. Their Socialism grew out of entirely different historical contexts and social circumstances. In the case of Marx, he was reacting against a very unjust social system created by the Industrial Revolution in the mid 19th century. In that era when he and Ingles wrote their Communist Manifesto, they were reacting against a social order where the rich capitalists, with the blessing of the church, were exploiting the masses for their own economic gains. In that historical context, the call and cry for revolution to set things right in Europe was quite justified.
In the case of the Russian revolution under the leadership of Lenin, the blunders of Tsar Nicholas 11 in the Russo-Japanese war of 1904 and the subsequent blunders committed in the First World War of 1918, led to heavy taxation of the Russian masses in order to support the war expenditures. These blunders led to famines and starvations of the Russian general public. As a result, the Marxist-Leninist revolution took place where the Tsar was deposed and later murdered and the Bolsheviks under Lenin took over power in Russia. In this revolution under Lenin and Stalin, over 40 million Russian were killed.
As for the Mao Zedong’s communist revolution in China (1949-59), the historical and social conditions of that period in that country was again entirely different. The revolution took place because of the misrule of the Qing Dynasty and the excesses of Chiang Kai-Shek’s national army that was supported by the western powers. In the subsequent revolution and social upheaval, more than 30 million Chinese citizens were butchered by the Maoist revolutionists.
In all these revolutions, though the revolutionists were in many cases justified in launching their revolutions in their peculiar historical and social context, these revolutions always led to the State becoming the supreme authority for conducting the affairs of the citizens of that particular nation. In other words those in positions of power within the State became the gods and goddesses of the nation. These political revolutionary ideologies led to the nullification of private land ownership. All lands of the nation became state property, leading to a strangulation of private enterprise and retardation of economic development. The Communist slogan of “From each according to his ability to each according to his needs” is a beautiful phrase, but when private property becomes state property, instead of economic equality and economic progress, the resulting consequences led to national economic disasters. This was true of Russia, China, Cambodia or North Korea. Further, the Communist state not only interfered in private property but even on private family affairs. The State even went so far as to dictate on how many children a couple could have and in many cases even indoctrinated Communist ideology into innocent children’s minds in order for them to spy and report on their own parents. Total chaos and anarchy descended on these nations when management of private property and private affairs became state affairs and subjects. The result was not the establishment of a utopian socialist system but the creation of state tyranny and dictatorship under dictators like Lenin, Stalin, Mao Tse Tsung and Kim Day Jungs.
But despite all these man made historical tragedies which many of us have seen with our own eyes, some of our own Naga National leaders have embraced this ideology of “Marxist-Leninist and Maoist thoughts as Scientific Socialism”. They are also insisting that national salvation for the Nagas can only be achieved by adopting these Communist Socialist systems. (See the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Manifesto and Polarization, published by the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland, Polarization p 43 and other preceding and following pages).
In this context, the pertinent question that must be asked here is what will happen if the individuals of a nation are reduced to a scientific discipline of Scientific Socialism? In such an event, their humanity and their moral identity as bearers of God’s divine image will be reduced to that of a material, chemical and physical entity. They become impersonal matter, no different from the stone, the wood or the galaxies. This is what the Marxist Socialist ideology has done to the dignity and honor of humanity. It has robbed humankind of its nobility and reduced him into a mere economic commodity of impersonal matter. Now for Naga leaders to import such a political ideology from such totally different historical and social contexts and super-impose such ideologies on the Nagas with terror tactics, murder and extortions is totally unacceptable. In fact, this invasion of our lands by this political ideology is far worse than the political and cultural invasion of our lands by the Indian and Burmese occupational forces.
In our historical context, we Nagas were not suffering under the unjust misrule of a Tsar, or a dynasty or an Industrial revolution for which a revolution was needed or warranted.
Fellow Nagas, God forbid that we surrender our own unique Democratic socialist way of life to a failed Marxist Leninist and Maoist ideology that has already been consigned to the dust of history by every sane person and nations.

Bodo Sahitya Sabha for early NDFB-govt talks Correspondent Assam Tribune
UDALGURI, July 8 – Amidst tight security, the 47th edition of triennial conference of Bodo Sahitya Sabha was held at Bihuram Boro auditorium hall at KB Hagjer High School premises here at Rowta Chariali in Udalguri district recently.

After a four hour long threadbare debate and discussion, a new body of the central committee of the premier Bodo literary organisation was formed in with Dr. Kameshwar Brahma, retired principal of Gossaingaon College as president and Kamala Kanta Mochahary of Guwahati as general secretary. The other office bearers of the central committee are Bisheswar Basumatary of Karbi-Anglong and Rajen Khaklary of Baksa district as vice presidents, Sobharam Basumatary of Goalpara, Upen Deury of Salpara and Bhajen Ch. Boro of Udalguri district as secretaries and Dinanath Basumatary of Kokrajhar as treasurer respectively.

Later, talking to this correspondent, Dr. Kameshwar Brahma, the newly elected president of Bodo Sahitya Sabha said that the BSS would try its best to establish peace and tranquility in the Bodoland region. When asked about the political influence in the BSS, the newly elected BSS president said that if it was so, it is unfortunate but he would try to keep BSS away from the political influence. He also said that the BSS would work for the peace initiative in the region and for this the BSS would not take any political patronage.

Regarding the problem of the National Democratic Front of Boroland, Dr. Brahma said that the BSS is in favour of early talks between the government and the outfit for the greater interest of the society. “The people of Boroland are now fed up with the ongoing fratricidal killings and it should be stopped for such killings yield nothing but loss to a nation,” he observed.

Earlier, the daylong last delegates’ session started with BSS flag hoisting by Brajendra Kr. Brahma, the outgoing president of the literary organization followed by floral tributes to the martyrs initiated by Gopinath Borgoyari, the outgoing vice president of the organization.

Out of 995 delegates from different parts and districts of the State who attended the 47th delegates’ session of the BSS who attended the last Dotma conference of the BSS from April 9 to 12 last, a total of 760 delegates of the organisation attended the Rowta session today.

It is to be noted that the last day (April 12) 47th triennial conference of Bodo Sahitya Sabha had to be postponed due to some unpleasant incidents at the delegates’ session and later on, the BSS requested the Udalguri district committee to arrange the incomplete delegates’ session at Udalguri and thus the Udalguri district committee of the organisation arranged the last delegates’ session at JB Hagjer HE school premises in association with the Rowta anchalik committee of the organization.

195th Bhanu Jayanti at Naapam : The Naapam Bhanu Jayanti Udyapan Samiti in association with the Sonitpur district committee of All Assam Nepali Students’ Union (AANSU) is going to celebrate the 195th birth anniversary of Nepali Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya at Naapam with a daylong busy cultural and literary agenda on July 13 next.

This was informed to this correspondent by Biju Khadka and Narayan Chetry, president and secretary respectively of the reception committee.

Among many other prgrammes, an exhibition of Nepali folk culture, food habit, folk dress, folk song and folk dance, cultural procession followed by Nepali poetry recitation, book release and open session will be held to mark the occasion.
Tinsukia endorses peace move - 5000 defy warnings by Ulfa to express support for pro-truce leaders RIPUNJOY DAS The Telegraph




Kakopathar, July 8: A sea of humanity defied an Ulfa warning and gathered at a Kakopathar auditorium to endorse the path of peace chosen by a section of the outfit’s most potent battalion.
A crowd of nearly 5,000 people, who had poured in from every corner of the district, waited patiently as Mrinal Hazarika and Moon Borah — the 28 battalion leaders who had offered truce last month — rose to reveal their plans for a peaceful Assam.
Hazarika, Borah and Joon Sonowal were expelled from the outfit yesterday for anti-organisational activities and for beginning talks with “colonial India”.
The Ulfa chairman, Arabinda Rajkhowa, had warned the people of Assam against extending co-operation to the pro-peace group in its initiative.
The crowd that assembled at the meeting organised by the Nirjatan Biruddhi Oikya Mancha today replied to the outfit’s warning by sending out a loud and clear message — that the people were no longer in a mood to abide by its diktats.
If the people defied Ulfa in action, Hazarika did so in words. He lashed out at the Ulfa leadership for its arrogant attitude, adding that merely issuing telephonic threats to the leaders and cadres who have voiced their desire for peace would no longer work.
The huge turnout during today’s meeting was only an indication of that, he said.
“We have noticed that some elements and forces have been constantly trying to derail the fresh peace initiative but let us make it very clear that our intention had never been to become leaders and sit for talks with the government. We have only tried to create an atmosphere for both our central leadership and the government to sit for direct talks so that we can have peace in our state,” Hazarika said at the meeting chaired by Lakhi Phukon, the president of the mancha.
Borah, alias Jiten Dutta, on the other hand, assured those gathered that they would never resort to factional clashes to drive home their point.
“Doubts had been raised by various quarters that there will be another round of clashes between the so-called pro-talks and anti-talks factions after the unilateral declaration of ceasefire and subsequent rejection of the same by our central leadership. We want to make a public commitment today that there will be no such fighting, at least we will never take any step towards that,” Borah said.
The meeting ended in a tearful family re-union, as Borah, Montu Sonowal, Chandan Dahotia, Riddip Neog and Rudra Gogoi hugged their relatives after decades.
“It has been almost two decades now since I have met these people…Moi aji aru eku kobo nuwarim (I will not be able to say anything more today), it is altogether a different feeling,” Borah said.
“I have come here with a dual objective of interacting with the people, as well as meet my family members. I have not seen them for almost 16 years. I cannot express the feelings. I met one of my sisters, who was a small girl then and is grown up now,” Sonowal said.
Among those present were sisters of slain Ulfa members Prafulla Hazarika and Oben Moran.
“Our brothers have gone, never to come back again. But our prayer to all is that there should not be any more bloodshed. Let us give peace a chance,” Moran’s sister, Abanti, said.



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