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11/05/2008: "Naga UGs decry 'terrorist' tag Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network"

Naga UGs decry 'terrorist' tag Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Kohima, November 04 2008: THE NAGA underground groups, locally better known as the "Naga National Workers" have taken strong exception and disapproved the October 31 news report, which included Naga National Council (NNC), National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) and National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) among the 174 terrorist/insurgent groups operating in India.

The NSCN led Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, in a statement issued by its 'Ministry of Information and Publicity' (MIP) said that there is no single case in the long history of Indo-Naga conflict to brand 'NSCN' as terrorist.

"NSCN is above any streak of terrorism and we shall never be in the days to come.
Rather, there is state-sponsored act of terrorism perpetuated in Nagalim," the NSCN asserted. Reacting to a news agency report, the Naga National Council (NNC) has termed the report, which included NNC among the terrorist/insurgent groups, as "outrageous" and far from the truth.

Stating that to the Nagas, the Government of India was the terrorist and not NNC, Joint Secretary, NNC, W Shapwon in a press release clarified that since time immemorial, Nagaland had never been a part of India.

"Therefore, the Nagas can never be an insurgent or a terrorist group in India. And the Nagas are not terrorizing India, but only defending the sovereignty of Nagaland since India shamefully invaded Nagaland in 1954," NNC said.

Maintaining that Nagas did not kill any Indian civilian or burn down Indian villages, NNC however said India had been terrorizing the Nagas in the form of burning down Naga villages, committing mass massacres, raping Naga women, destroying Naga properties and torturing the Nagas inhumanly for the past more than half a century.

NNC further reminded that till India withdraws her Armed Forces from Nagaland, the Nagas would have no peace, and that Nagas would continue to fight against India's "illegal occupation of our country".
ENSF hits out at ANSTA morungexpress
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 5 (MExN): The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation has slammed the news article submitted by Kepelhoutuo Chusi in the name of All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association (ANSTA) on October 29, 2008, saying that it was detrimental towards the ENSF. The Federation denounced the ANSTA president and his association’s wisdom and suggested that they understand the ground reality within the ENPO jurisdiction “before you poke the other nose.” The ENSF further reminded to “let’s mind one’s own business.”

Considering the said article as uncalled for and very injurious to their demands, the ENSF added that the association should realise that ENSF was not demanding anything from the ANSTA but from the government to provide 10 years’ relaxation from the purview of the New Teachers Recruitment policy for only six tribes of the four districts. Therefore, it asked the association not to be a stumbling block with their advice to the education department against fulfilling the ENSF’s demand and misleading the citizens without understanding the cause.
The press statement by ENSF’s general secretary, P Methna Konyak, lashed out that the ANSTA has no authority like the education department and the state government to appeal to the ENSF in any form while it was demanding for rights and equal opportunities in the employment sector. Stating that presidents are the ones who lead any organisation, the federation stated that he must have indepth knowledge of the pros and cons of the problem before passing any comments or making press statements. The general secretary made it clear that the ENSF demands would not be compromised since it was a clear and genuine problem, and added that it needed no contradiction from any group or individual.

The release further appealed to the president to come and serve in one of the interior villages under the jurisdiction of ENPO as a qualified teacher with requisite qualification, while also demanding that he visit all the village schools within the four districts of Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire and Longleng, to “witness the actual facts and problems” before saying anything to contradict their demands.

“The ENSF do not need advice from you and your association because the Federation have better advisors to advise us in any matter with all their wisdom,” stated the release while also adding that any advice from “advance person is not applicable for us as it does not match our views.”

The federation also explained that it was not demanding the said relaxation for the entire Naga populace, but for just the six tribes under its umbrella and added that it was up to the government to consider the whole Naga population. They, therefore, asked the ANSTA to direct their demand to the government if they did not want any relaxation, and not to the ENSF. The ENSF also stated that the ANSTA and its office bearers should realise and analyse properly the long-term policy and be realistic about the practical problems faced by the Nagas in general and not live in a dream world.

It went on to make it clear to everyone that the ENSF appreciates the New Teachers Recruitment Policy framed by the education department and conveyed its desire to push this policy into practice for better and quality education. However, at the same time, it asked for a relaxation of 10 years exclusively for the six tribes of ENSF so that the people of Eastern Nagaland might also “catch up with the advance people” in obtaining the requisite professional qualification within the said period. The release finally concluded with emphasis that the ENSF would never compromise on anything with regard to their demand for relaxation.
Manipur Tribals demand separate “Hill University” morungexpress
Dimapur, November 4 (Morung Express News): All tribal students' organizations from Manipur in Delhi have decided to demand a separate ‘hill university’ for tribals of Manipur. The Manipur hill university demand committee of Delhi today said a meeting was held November 1 at Nagaland Guest House at RK Puram. The members strongly felt the need to secure the educational rights of the tribals of Manipur and the earlier Manipur University as well as the present university has failed to serve the educational interest of the tribals of the state.

The attitude of the Government of Manipur as well as the authorities of the university has severely marginalized the tribals, which is evident in the area of education as well as other areas too’ the MHUDCD today said in a statement from its convener Yaronsho Ngalung. To pursue the demand of the Manipur tribals, tribal students' organizations from Manipur have constituted the Manipur Hill University Demand Committee, Delhi, it said. To redress the progressive rights and interest of the tribals, the committee said, as well as to secure their future from all ‘unwanted forces’ that the state machinery has “capitalized”, the tribals of Manipur should be granted a ‘hill university’ that will empower them as well as their constitutional rights.

The committee expressed strong condemnation for the authorities of Manipur University for segregating and discriminating the educational rights of tribals by exercising “all sorts of biasness and prejudices, which is unfair and unjust”. The committee censured the ‘attitude and actions’ of Manipur University authorities that resulted in the withdrawal of all tribal students from the university and surrendering their certificates. “While the university authorities should be sympathizing and empathizing (with) the grievances of the tribal students, the authorities deliberately resorted to remain insensitive and callous” the committee lamented.

“The attitude of the authorities of Manipur University under the Vice Chancellor has been negating the existence of the tribals of the state. The experience of the tribals in Manipur compels us to demand for a hill university exclusively for the tribals in Manipur. This is the only solution to address and redress the aspirations of the tribals in Manipur. The committee appeals to all like-minded organizations and individuals to stand up for justice and fairness and support the cause of the tribals of Manipur” the committee appealed.
Reconciliation Process Explore Peace Ways morungexpress

Turning Challenges To Opportunities: The Forum for Naga Reconciliation and the various Naga political groups met for the fifth time on November 4-5 in Dimapur, during which they “agreed to pursue creatively in overcoming hurdles and obstacles towards reconciliation.”
Dimapur, November 5 (MExN): The fifth meeting of the Naga “political groups” (factions) and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation was held November 4-5 in Dimapur. The meeting explored ways to create options and find ways to strengthen the ongoing ‘journey of common hope’, the forum for Naga reconciliation today said.

“In their continued commitment to reconciliation, 35 participants comprising the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and the various Naga political groups agreed to pursue creatively in overcoming hurdles and obstacles towards reconciliation” a statement from the forum today informed. According to the forum, in the recent meeting unlike the past ones, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and the Naga underground factions, the participants, spent overnight together in one house, engaging in formal and informal discussions and partaking in devotion and prayers.

Recognizing that the realization of Naga rights is the shared yearning that bonds all Naga people, the forum said, the participants upheld Naga reconciliation as a process to address and overcome various political differences, to safeguard and strengthen the historical and political rights of the Nagas.

“The Forum for Naga Reconciliation expresses our profound gratitude to the leaders of the Naga political groups (factions) for exercising their utmost restraint despite difficult circumstances; and for heeding to the Naga people’s call for reconciliation, unity and peace. The forum implores the leaders of the Naga political groups to continue exploring all possible non-violent options to resolve differences and to building a consensus on a common hope” the forum appealed. The two-day meeting which concluded today was the fifth occasion that the Naga factions were meeting together in Nagaland since the month of September. Unlike past meetings, the forum informed that “the participants spent the overnight together in one house, engaging in formal and informal discussions and partaking in devotion and prayer.”
AR Apprehend 3 NSCN(K) Cadres morungexpress

The AK-56 rifle and several live rounds of ammunition, in this image released to the media, recovered from the three NSCN (K) cadres apprehended by the 26 AR in Kohima on November 5.
Dimapur, November 5 (MExN): Three NSCN (K) cadres were arrested today toward the Kohima Cathedral area when a suspiciously moving white Bolero (NL 10-3685) was intercepted by a MVPC of the 26 Assam Rifles. AR personnel recovered one AK-56 rifle and 57 live rounds of ammunition from the three; they were later handed over to the South Police Station, Kohima. This was stated in a release by Maj. Pallab Chodhury, PRO, IGAR (N).

Assam Rifles have of late increased vigil within the state and round the clock watch is being maintained in all civilian inhabited areas to prevent any movement of armed cadres trying to vitiate peace and cause harassment to local populace. AR has issued instructions to all its Units to deal sternly with erring factional cadres found violating the cease fire ground rules laid down by GOI.

To thwart any attempt by factions to penetrate the security dragnet laid by the AR, there will be increase in patrolling, laying of MVCP’s, frisking of suspected vehicles and personnel will continue through out, AR informed.
Peace and conflict: A case study of Nagaland
"In any study of Peace and Conflict Resolution, it is the concept of Conflict which assunes the central position. Because a conflicting situation apart, a peaceful society also is characteraized by he presence of the shadow of conflict many atime, calculated peace materialized through Conclusion of Treatise, Agreements etc. Peace is however a doubled layer concept. Primary peace can be said to have established with the eradication of outward symptoms of conflicts. But long-term peace can be obtained only in a society where justice and equality prevail." -Dr Bolin Hazarika.
This article is written, keeping an eye on the present day scenario in Nagaland. The word PEACE and CONFLICT are two diametrically opposite words. One denotes calm, amity and harmony while the other implies strife, discord and hatred. It is not possible for someone to be both at peace and conflict at the same time. But this is exactly what we Nagas are today. We are at peace (Ceasefire with the Union Government since 1997) and conflict (factional killings since time immemorial).
Nagaland has witnessed enough of bloodshed since the freedom movement transformed into a violent one from the mid-50's. However, only the nature of violence and conflict has changed now. In the heydays of the underground movement of the conflict was mainly between the Indian paramilitary forces and the Naga underground group. Of course, harassment and torture perpetrated by the Indian army on the innocent Naga folks were reported on a daily basis. Now, fast-forward the button to the current millennium. Conflict still continues but this time it involves the differenrt underground factions. To top it all, the factional fight has shown an increasing trend since the 1997 Cease-fire. Now it is Nagas versus Nagas. Reasons are many" turf wars, tax collection, tribalism, land issues, vengeance etc. In between the factioal killings are kidnappings, thrats, intimidations, extortion and what not. Anti-social elements (with active support of lower rank cadres of various factions), thugs, goons, mafia like gangs have sprouted all over Nagaland particularly in Dimapur area. They have taken advantage over the frgile situation and are making hay while the sun shines.
Effects: - a/ Countless number of families have lost their loved ones due to factional clashes thereby causing misery to their family members. (b) Nagas as well as indeginous non-Nagas are gripped with fear and insecurity. (c) As a result, there has been an exodus of business community from Nagaland. This has created a vaccum and ultimately the illegal migrants who are waitng gleefully, will fill in the shoes of those people who have Nagaland for good. (d) Development has taken a backstage thereby placing Nagaland in the backward state category. For instance, many big time investors and industrialists who are willing to invest in Nagaand have second thoughts of investing in a trouble torn state.
What should we do: - Lately we have witnessed a good number of NGO's and semi-government NGO's (eg. Forum for Naga Reconciliation, GB & DB Union, Tribal Counsils) being actively working to bring peace and reconciliation amongst the various factional groups. The aboveNGO's are ding a fantastic job in trying to unite the various factions. Many highly qualified persons from diverse backgrounds are members of the Forum and they are burning the midnight oil to bring peace to our beloved land. However one question to be raised is "After reconciliation and unity, then what?" Should we start the freedom struggle once again or do we reach an Honourable Agreement with the Government of India. If we stick to the first option, then the wheel of violence and conflict comes to a full circle and Nagas will have to be prepared for a long bitter struggle. The fruit of "Independence" will not come cheap. USA or UN will not hand over Independence to Nagas on a platter. We will have to fight for it. Each of us will have to make some sort of sacrifices such as: - All government servants and politicians will have to give up their jobs as our salary is paid by the Indian government/Every Naga should give up or stop using anything that is Indian eg. Clothes, food and currency etc/ Each Naga families should be prepared to leave their homes and live in jungles or concentration camps (village grouping practiced in 1960s and 1970s by the Indian army).
I am not trying to paint a grey picture about the effects of an Independent struggle but this is exactly what other countries have gone through, when fighting against their colonial rulers. We (public and UG's) expect foreign countries like USA to help us but due to Geo-Politics they are least interested to come to our aid. The prime objective of the only Superpower in the world (USA) in their foreign policy is how to contain Islamic fundamentalism and terrorist organizations. For this purposethey need an ally in the South Asian region. India perfectly fits the bill. Over the coming years we will observe closer ties between India and the US. The Nuclear Deal is one such example. The last thing US wants is a destabilized and fractured India.
The other option lies in an Honourable solution which will keep both Nagaland and the Union Government satisfied. Forging an Honourable Agreement with the Govt of India does not indicate surrendering or sign of weakness. We need to be pragmatic and move along with the rest of the world. At best, we can extract the maximum benefits of what our country can offer us. Also signing an Agreement does not mean we re surrendering our freedom. Fredom does not necessarily imply Political freedom. As long as we are free from fear and death and as long as we have a sound education, health and social service system we can truly call ourselves "free" and Independent".
Features of an Honourable Solution (what Nagas should demand): -
1/ Empowering of Article 371(a) - we should demand for a J&K like status found in Article 370. Besides the retention of all the clauses under Art 371(a).
2/ Unification of Naga inhabited areas - Parliament should pass an Act wherein Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh should part and handover all Naga inhabited areas. India may face some resistance from the above states but it is a small price for a bigger bargain.
3/ Creation of Legislative Council - This will rovide avenues to the middle and senior rank UG leaders who wants to join politics.
4/ Return of all Reserve Forest Areas by Assam - These Reserve Forest were formerly in the erstwhile Naga Hills (Disai valley reserve, Nambar reserve, rengma reserve, Geleki reserve, Dhansiri reserve).
5/ Repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act and other Black laws from all Naga inhabited areas.
6/ Special Economic grant/package
7/ Creation of more IRB battalions - this will help accommodate all the lower cadre ranks
8/ Establishment of Engineering College, Medical College and a Indian Institute of Management.
9/ Separate Flag/Anthem.
These above demands are not sum total of all demands; more can be added or deleted after consultation with the public. However nothing will be successful if we nagas don't change our inner-selves. We need to discard tribalism, Advance tribe-backward tribe superiority complex, and the urgent need to develop a common language. The root of tribalism lies in the absence of a common language between the Naga tribes. Also each government servantand politician should inculcate a sense of belonging to our state and thereby contribute in advancement of Nagaland. (Read - reduce corrupt practices).
This article is written with utmost respect to all the National Workers and various individuals who are actively participating in the reconciliation process. It is not an attempt to belittle anyone or malign any organization. Being a Naga and living in Nagaland, I do have the right to express my thoughts and feelings. Some peole may agree with me while others may not. Ultimately, we will have to make the choice, either 'Conflic' or 'Peace'. I am sure there will be thousands of Naga brethrens who will choose the latter.
May the Almighty Lord grant us Wisdom.

Sd/-
T. WATI AIER, NCS,
DIMAPUR: NAGALAND.

SSB alerted govt on blast spots SAMIR K. PURKAYASTHA The Telegraph


The Ganeshguri blast site, about which the SSB had tipped off the administration
Guwahati, Nov. 5: The Sashastra Seema Bal, a central border force, had warned Assam police of a possible terrorist strike, pinpointing two of the three spots in the city and the exact locations in other places of the state where the serial explosions took place on October 30.
It had warned the special branch of the state police on September 17 — nearly one-and-a-half months prior to the blasts — of possible attacks at Ganeshguri, Panbazar and the Guwahati railway station in the city. The third blast took place at the chief judicial magistrate’s court.
Besides Guwahati, explosions also took place at Kokrajhar and Barpeta Road while another bomb was recovered from Bongaigaon. The recovered bomb, however, went off while being shifted by police to be defused.
A top SSB official today said the border force, while sharing information it had gathered from its “field operatives” with its sister agencies, had said that six Huji operatives had entered Assam from Bangladesh through Mancachar in Dhubri district and were taking shelter at Goroimari in Bongaigaon district.
The SSB’s “revelation” is contrary to chief minister Tarun Gogoi’s claim of not having “specific and actionable” information about the blasts.
Admitting that the police had information about a possible strike, Gogoi had told newspersons immediately after the blasts that it was not “specific” and hence action could not be taken to prevent the explosions.
The state police department, however, confirmed that the intelligence input was as “specific as it could be”.
A highly placed source in the special branch of the state police said, “The information we received from the SSB, as it finally turned out, was spot on. We cannot expect more specific information than what the SSB had provided,”
He said all superintendents of police and other officials involved in counter-insurgency operations were alerted after receiving the information received from the SSB.
Admitting that “it was an operational failure that led to the blasts despite having intelligence input”, he rued the “collective failure” of the Unified Command to prevent the tragedy. The three-tier security structure is headed the chief minister.
The GOC, 4 Corps, Lt Gen. B.S. Jaswal, had also told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the latter’s visit to the state about the prior information on the blasts.
A top home department official today said it had already started a post-mortem on possible “security lapses” which led to the blasts.
Army public relations officer Rajesh Kalia said the army had galvanised its troops and even neutralised several terrorists after the information was provided to it.
The SSB is a border force under the administrative control of the home ministry. It was set up in the early 1963 in the wake of the Sino-Indian conflict to inculcate a feeling of national belonging among the border population.
In 2001, following recommendations of the group of ministers on National Security System, the SSB was transformed into a border force and a leading intelligence agency along the Indo-Bhutan and Indo-Nepal borders.
Post-blast fear sears Bodo crops
- Anxiety over communal clashes keeps farmers from harvesting fields OUR CORRESPONDENT


A carpet of ripe paddy ready for harvest in Darrang. A Telegraph picture
Mangaldoi, Nov. 5: Having managed to water a few acres of crop from his refugee camp in Darrang, Patiram Mushahary had thought the worst was finally over.
That was before Thursday, when the series of powerful blasts in Guwahati and lower Assam blew away every grain of optimism and filled riot-hit Darrang and Udalguri districts with a renewed sense of insecurity.
That the explosions were triggered by Islamic fundamentalists compounded fears of more communal attacks.
“After the blasts in Guwahati, Kokrajhar and Barpeta Road, we are suddenly very afraid. We feel insecure to go out into the fields fearing that we may be attacked again,” said Mushahary, a resident of Punia village.
Two farmers from Ikirabari and Fakidia villages under Rowta police outpost in Udalguri were attacked last week.
Nearly 90,000 people are still living in refugee camps — 30,000 people in 19 camps in Darrang district and another 56,000 people in 31 camps in Udalguri after communal clashes singed the districts in early October.
Mushahary and his family of four live in Bhakatpara camp but he goes to his village, a few kilometres away, everyday and returns in the evening.
“I have to go home to feed the cattle and poultry. But we are not yet confident enough to return home,” he said.
The unguarded fields are now being plundered by thugs, leaving little to harvest.
Saheb Ali, a farmer from Dhanshri Khuti village in Udalguri, living in Burigaon camp, said he had heard from people of his village that his crop was ready for harvest. “I have raised paddy in four bighas of land. It is my only source of income. If I don’t harvest now, my family will have to go hungry. I am completely helpless,” he said.
“We are still not sure about the security provided by the administration,” said Samiruddin Ahmed, another inmate of Burigaon camp.
Darrang deputy commissioner Dhruba Hazarika, however, said “all possible steps” have been taken by the administration to remove any sense of insecurity from the minds of the people.
“We are also providing security in areas where farmers are harvesting crops. We are making all efforts from our end so that such people can collect their harvest without fear. We have also asked the villagers to inform us about the dates of the harvest so that security personnel can be deployed.”
The district police chief, Imdadul H. Bora, said the police were keeping a strict vigil in villages where harvesting is under way.
But the villagers are not convinced.
“There is still a strong undercurrent of tension among the communities,” said a teacher of a government high school. For now, while birds feed on the ripe crop, the Mushaharys and Alis can only watch on helplessly.
Post-blast fear sears Bodo crops
- Anxiety over communal clashes keeps farmers from harvesting fields OUR CORRESPONDENT


A carpet of ripe paddy ready for harvest in Darrang. A Telegraph picture
Mangaldoi, Nov. 5: Having managed to water a few acres of crop from his refugee camp in Darrang, Patiram Mushahary had thought the worst was finally over.
That was before Thursday, when the series of powerful blasts in Guwahati and lower Assam blew away every grain of optimism and filled riot-hit Darrang and Udalguri districts with a renewed sense of insecurity.
That the explosions were triggered by Islamic fundamentalists compounded fears of more communal attacks.
“After the blasts in Guwahati, Kokrajhar and Barpeta Road, we are suddenly very afraid. We feel insecure to go out into the fields fearing that we may be attacked again,” said Mushahary, a resident of Punia village.
Two farmers from Ikirabari and Fakidia villages under Rowta police outpost in Udalguri were attacked last week.
Nearly 90,000 people are still living in refugee camps — 30,000 people in 19 camps in Darrang district and another 56,000 people in 31 camps in Udalguri after communal clashes singed the districts in early October.
Mushahary and his family of four live in Bhakatpara camp but he goes to his village, a few kilometres away, everyday and returns in the evening.
“I have to go home to feed the cattle and poultry. But we are not yet confident enough to return home,” he said.
The unguarded fields are now being plundered by thugs, leaving little to harvest.
Saheb Ali, a farmer from Dhanshri Khuti village in Udalguri, living in Burigaon camp, said he had heard from people of his village that his crop was ready for harvest. “I have raised paddy in four bighas of land. It is my only source of income. If I don’t harvest now, my family will have to go hungry. I am completely helpless,” he said.
“We are still not sure about the security provided by the administration,” said Samiruddin Ahmed, another inmate of Burigaon camp.
Darrang deputy commissioner Dhruba Hazarika, however, said “all possible steps” have been taken by the administration to remove any sense of insecurity from the minds of the people.
“We are also providing security in areas where farmers are harvesting crops. We are making all efforts from our end so that such people can collect their harvest without fear. We have also asked the villagers to inform us about the dates of the harvest so that security personnel can be deployed.”
The district police chief, Imdadul H. Bora, said the police were keeping a strict vigil in villages where harvesting is under way.
But the villagers are not convinced.
“There is still a strong undercurrent of tension among the communities,” said a teacher of a government high school. For now, while birds feed on the ripe crop, the Mushaharys and Alis can only watch on helplessly.
Post-blast fear sears Bodo crops - Anxiety over communal clashes keeps farmers from harvesting fields OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


A carpet of ripe paddy ready for harvest in Darrang. A Telegraph picture
Mangaldoi, Nov. 5: Having managed to water a few acres of crop from his refugee camp in Darrang, Patiram Mushahary had thought the worst was finally over.
That was before Thursday, when the series of powerful blasts in Guwahati and lower Assam blew away every grain of optimism and filled riot-hit Darrang and Udalguri districts with a renewed sense of insecurity.
That the explosions were triggered by Islamic fundamentalists compounded fears of more communal attacks.
“After the blasts in Guwahati, Kokrajhar and Barpeta Road, we are suddenly very afraid. We feel insecure to go out into the fields fearing that we may be attacked again,” said Mushahary, a resident of Punia village.
Two farmers from Ikirabari and Fakidia villages under Rowta police outpost in Udalguri were attacked last week.
Nearly 90,000 people are still living in refugee camps — 30,000 people in 19 camps in Darrang district and another 56,000 people in 31 camps in Udalguri after communal clashes singed the districts in early October.
Mushahary and his family of four live in Bhakatpara camp but he goes to his village, a few kilometres away, everyday and returns in the evening.
“I have to go home to feed the cattle and poultry. But we are not yet confident enough to return home,” he said.
The unguarded fields are now being plundered by thugs, leaving little to harvest.
Saheb Ali, a farmer from Dhanshri Khuti village in Udalguri, living in Burigaon camp, said he had heard from people of his village that his crop was ready for harvest. “I have raised paddy in four bighas of land. It is my only source of income. If I don’t harvest now, my family will have to go hungry. I am completely helpless,” he said.
“We are still not sure about the security provided by the administration,” said Samiruddin Ahmed, another inmate of Burigaon camp.
Darrang deputy commissioner Dhruba Hazarika, however, said “all possible steps” have been taken by the administration to remove any sense of insecurity from the minds of the people.
“We are also providing security in areas where farmers are harvesting crops. We are making all efforts from our end so that such people can collect their harvest without fear. We have also asked the villagers to inform us about the dates of the harvest so that security personnel can be deployed.”
The district police chief, Imdadul H. Bora, said the police were keeping a strict vigil in villages where harvesting is under way.
But the villagers are not convinced.
“There is still a strong undercurrent of tension among the communities,” said a teacher of a government high school.
For now, while birds feed on the ripe crop, the Mushaharys and Alis can only watch on helplessly.