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11/08/2008: "Beauty pageant turns into nightmare Nagarealm.com"

Beauty pageant turns into nightmare Nagarealm.com

WOKHA, NOV06 [NPN] : The Miss Tokhu beauty pageant, a part of the Tokhu Emong celebrations in Wokha town, that was meant to showcase beauty turned out to be an nightmare for many as the show was marred by violence, forcing the organizers to cancel the pageant in the final moment Thursday night here at Wokha local ground.

According to sources, the pageant was in the final lap when there was some scuffle between some youths and security forces outside the venue, adjacent to the 41 Assam Rifles. Moments later, an officer of the 41 AR was heard telling his men in the camp over phone to open blank firing, in an effort to control the agitated crowd. Some AR jawans arrived and escorted their CO and his mother who were also watching the show.

After the blank firing stopped, the crowd and the AR personnel started pelting stones at each other, in which at least six people were injured. AR personnel resorted to another round of blank firing to quell the angry crowd. Sources said the crowd became more infuriated when the AR jawans reportedly apprehended some six youths and took them inside the AR camp. Minister for Agriculture Dr. Chumben Murry who graced the pageant as chief guest but left before the commotion started, had to return to the venue to pacify the crowd. Till the time of filing this report, a joint meeting between public, district administration and police and Assam Rifles was in progress at DC’s office, to bring about an amicable solution, sources added.

Meanwhile, IGAR media sources clarified that some youth in an inebriated state, had manhandled the Commandant of 41 Assam Rifles who was among the audience at the Miss Tokhu Emong contest on Thursday evening. When the Assam Rifles QRT intervened, some of the youth snatched the gun and some rounds went off, the IGAR sources claimed. Those injured were being given medical attention at the AR hospital in Wokha, the sources said.

AR ‘harass’ citizens As Wokha kick started the Tokhu Emong festival, festival goers were reportedly harassed by 41 Assam Rifles jawans in the guise of looking for underground activists, after a jawan was reportedly beaten up by some local youths at Hotel Ni-li on Wednesday. According to Wokha police who carried out a preliminary enquiry after a complaint was filed by proprietor of Hotel Ni-li, the AR jawan identified as Machs Singh along with two ladies had gone to the hotel Wednesday around 2 p.m and asked the manager for a room to stay.

When the manager told the AR jawan that all the rooms were booked for the day, the trio, instead of leaving, sat down in the hotel and started consuming liquor and after sometime the jawan again demanded a room, police said. As the manager reiterated his inability to allot any room, Singh reportedly started threatening the manager by saying that he would come back the next day. On hearing the jawan’s threat, an unidentified person beat up the jawan, who then left the hotel accompanied by the two women. However, around 4.30 p.m, a party of armed AR jawans including Singh came to the hotel in three vehicles and started harassing the lady manager of the hotel and beating up the occupants. It was also reported that the Assam Rifles jawans went to the local talent concert at local ground and harassed the onlookers in the guise of looking for underground activists.
State government and AR charged for “partisan role” morungexpress
Dimapur, November 6 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) today alleged “serious case of state government and Assam Rifles playing a partisan role” is “coming up in the open”. The outfit referred to the November 5 capture of three NSCN (K) cadres in Kohima from a white Mahindra bolero, said to be a state government vehicle.

The NSCN (IM) in a note from its MIP said that on November 5, the 26 Assam Rifles after intercepting a white Mahindra Bolero nabbed three NSCN (K) cadres along with sophisticated weapons and ammunitions from the Cathedral area, New Minister's Hill in Kohima. “What immediately draws our attention is that this is a state government vehicle. Who sanction this vehicle to be used by K-group for anti-social works? And who is the authorized owner of the vehicle? These two questions has to be answered by the state police and Home department, because crimes goes on unabated in Kohima and Dimapur in the hands of K-group. The abduction of four businessmen from Agri and Jail Colonies in Kohima on 5 November is just the latest case in point among many such cases (many cases not reported)” the NSCN (IM) stated.

Among the three apprehended from the state government vehicle, one was identified as one Isak Sumi, “the K-group military spokes person” the MIP said. However, the NSCN (IM) said, what matters most is the leniency extended to “any arrested cadres of K-group”. According to the NSCN (IM), “had the three been NSCN members NSA would have been applied” and “this is the tragic state of treatment meted out by state police in collaboration with AR and intelligence agencies against NSCN”. Recently, the outfit said, two NSCN members, one Akato Sumi and a Hureya Sumi, were apprehended from Dimapur and were booked under NSA.
“What further irked the NSCN is the manner of raiding the areas of suspected NSCN places in Kohima and Dimapur. But taking shelter in the false reports of its intelligence sources about the hideouts of K-group, raids are hardly conducted against the K-group.

When businessmen are abducted to be slaughtered if the demanded amount is not paid, what greater crime is the state government looking for that warranted immediate action under NSA? What manner of public security measure is the state government adopting to ensure public security, particularly the businessmen who have been placed at the receiving ends” the NSCN (IM) MIP added.
AR-public skirmish mark Tokhu Emong morungexpress
Dimapur, November 6, (MExN): Tokhu Emong celebrations in Wokha town tonight spiraled into chaos as a ‘running battle’ between the public of Wokha town and the town’s 41 Assam Rifles cantonment, started around 10:00 PM today. The Wokha district administration informed that about 200 rounds were fired by the Assam Rifles following a skirmish that broke out between a number of Wokha citizens and AR personnel. A stampede broke out in the ground leading to complete chaos as a ‘running battle’ between the AR and Wokha public ensued.

The 41 AR is reported to have caught about seven local youths and taken into the camp. The AR has refused to respond to contacts from the administration and public, sources said and the whereabouts of the youths are still yet to be ascertained. An administrative officer said that the citizens of Wokha are out in ‘full strength’. Organizers of the Tokhu Emong beauty pageant said at least 5000 people had gathered at the town’s only public ground. Also, the Tokhu Emong festival’s annual beauty pageant was being held and was already in the final rounds of question-and-answer when the chaos broke out. Chief guest of the pageant Dr. Chumben Murry who had left to attend a social engagement rushed back as soon as the firing and chaos commenced. The 41 AR cantonment is just adjacent to the public ground. One of the performing participants informed this daily that the contestants of the beauty pageants were left alone on the stage, screaming and huddling in terror as the firing commenced, scattering the gathered populace. A good extent of properties has been damaged in the stampede while an unascertained number of citizens were seen injured, the participant informed.

The cause of the entire skirmish is reported to have root in an incident yesterday. Reports said two Assam Rifle Jawans having liquor with local women were accosted by local youths after the jawans and the women were found to be searching for a place to ‘spend the night’.

This is believed to have led to an altercation which culminated in today’s night event.
Even while filing this report, firing and bedlam could be heard in the background. The Deputy Commissioner of Wokha said the administration is trying its best to control the agitated public. No casualties from the firing or stampede could be ascertained as yet. The Agriculture Minister Dr. Chumben Murry and the district administration were in meeting when this daily got in touch with the DC. It was informed that pelting and “attacks” were still on. No further details could be had for this matter.
Army to investigate into Tokhu Emong “battle” morungexpress
Dimapur, November 7 (MExN): The situation in Wokha town in the aftermath of the Tokhu Emong skirmish between public members and the 41 Assam Rifles is reported to be under control. No untoward incidents were reported today. However, the AR has expressed regret and an inquiry has been instated by the army authorities. The AR also did not provided details of the reported arrest of several Kyong youths who were said to have been taken into the AR camp following the “battle”. No contacts could be made with the authorities in concern in this regard. Expressing deep regrets for the entire untoward episode, the Assam Rifles today said to have instated a high-level inquiry in the fracas which was reported to have begun on the night of November 6 and one that ensued late into the night yesterday, Tokhu Emong’s eve.

Yesterday’s “running battle” between the AR and the public of the town had invited several hundred rounds of firing from the personnel and swiftly responded by stone-pelting public members. While no fatalities have been reported till yet, there are an unconfirmed number of injured persons. Most of the injuries happened during the stamped that took place late night yesterday when stone-pelting and firing from the AR ensued. Two persons were reported injured in the firing. Several thousands of the public had gathered at the main public ground to watch the annual Tokhu Emong beauty pageant before chaos broke out as gunfire announced.

IGAR (N) today issued a statement saying the Assam Rifles authorities had taken serious note of the incident that occurred on November 6 at “Wokha DC Ground”, adjacent to 41AR’s cantonment during celebrations of Tokhu Emong. The fracas left several persons injured and also damaged public property.

The DIG HQ Nagaland Range (South) personally visited the site today and interacted with civil officials and other prominent members of Wokha town for preliminary fact-finding and to take stock of the situation, stated the IGAR(N) in a note appended by Major Pallab Choudhury, PRO.

The Assam Rifles authorities have ordered a high-level inquiry to investigate into the entire episode and have assured that stern action will be initiated against the erring AR personnel, if found guilty. Major Gen J P Nehra of IGAR (N) has conveyed his solidarity to the Lotha community and expressed regrets about the unwarranted incident, the PRO said. “The army and Assam Rifles stand committed for the people of Nagaland .May the Almighty keep a benevolent eye on the Lothas and make the Tokhu Emong celebrations a grand success” the IGAR stated in its note.

The irony of Assam Rifles' action
Assam Rifles were forced to arrest three hardcore terrorists from New Ministers Hill, Kohima, on November 5 by people of the colony, but as K-group being the close associate of Indian security forces their names were concealed. Even South Police Station Kohima refused to disclose the names of those three terrorists involved in several crimes in Dimapur and Kohima.
But according to the information received by the NSCN Assam Rifles had arrested a hardcore terrorist Mr. Isak Sumi and his two accomplices. Mr. Isak is responsible for abduction of several non-Naga businessmen from Dimapur and Kohima and subsequently killed some of them. He had also involved in rampant extortions in these two towns.
Mr. Isak is also responsible for the killing of several people in Dimapur and Kohima, the latest being a civilian from Chandmari, Kohima.
Nagas must keep close vigil on this nexus between the Indian security forces, particularly Assam Rifles and the K-Group who are hellbend to destroy our society.
Lieutenant Hukato Yeptho
Naga Army, NSCN/GPRN

NSCN (IM) questions AR’s role Issued By: MIP/GPRN
A serious case of state government and Assam Rifles playing a partisan role is coming up in the open if the recent incidents are of any indications. In the first place one point has to be made clear vis-à-vis AR's projected duty in the name of dealing with erring factional cadres not observing Ceasefire ground rules and which goes against maintaining peace in the local area. NSCN will not stand against AR during doing its duty. But if the same yardstick is not applied for the same case then it become an issue that cannot be overlooked under any circumstances.
The story of state security forces not playing impartial role has to be unfolded to drive home the point without fault and blemish against NSCN, on 5 Nov. the 26 AR nabbed three NSCN_K cadres along with sophisticated weapon and ammunitions from Cathedral area, New Minister's Hill, Kohima, after intercepting a white Bolero bearing registration No. NL 10-3685. What immediately draws our attention is that this is a state government vehicle. Who sanction this vehicle to be used by K-group for anti-social works? and who is the authorized owner of the vehicle? These two questions has to be answered by the state police and Home department. Because crimes goes on unabated in Kohima and Dimapur in the hands of K-group. The abduction of four businessmen from Agri and Jail Colonies in Kohima on 5 Nov. is just the latest case in point among many such cases (many cases not reported).
Among the three apprehended from the state government vehicle one is identified as Isak Sumi, the K-group military spokes person. But what matters most is the leniency extended to any arrested cadres of K-group. Had the three been NSCN members NSA would have been applied. This is the tragic state of treatment meted out by state police in collaboration with AR and intelligence agencies against NSCN. Recently, two NSCN members, Akato Sumi and Hureya Sumi who were apprehended from Dimapur were booked under NSA. What further irked the NSCN is the manner of raiding the areas of suspected NSCN places in Kohima and Dimapur. But taking shelter in the false reports of its intelligence sources about the hideouts of K-group, raids are hardly conducted against the K-group.
When businessmen are abducted to be slaughtered if the demanded amount is not paid, what greater crime is the state government looking for that warranted immediate action under NSA? What manner of public security measure is the state government adopting to ensure public security, particularly the businessmen who have been placed at the receiving ends.
What I think of and what I want to say to our people Nagas Maj. Z.D. Akho
Since, when we were very small we all heard or we all knew that we, Nagas were fighting for our freedom against the occupational forces of India and Myanmar. When we were very young and small the first two things that our elders told about us and we believed were (1). The Nagas are a chosen people of God like the Israelites (2) . The Nagas are one of the bravest people and the fiercest fighters in the world. Simply believing in these two things we were full of confidence and felt no inferior to anybody. When we grew up, we heard or we learnt about big big world powers and countries but that did not deter us. We believe God and we believe in ourselves as a people. We know ourselves and we know our hearts that we are afraid of nothing, we are a brave and a freedom lover people.
Yes, when I was a small boy I love fighting as a brave Naga boy. I admired fighters, the fighters and the heroes of the people. When we read world history we learnt about many great men and heroes of the people and we wanted to become like them. The story of like Shivaji Maratha the great really inspired us, the story of Rajput Warriors were interesting and inspiring and the story of Ashoka the great how his heart was filled with remorse after seeing the enormous loss of innocent lives at the battle of Kalinga and made him a turning point in his life was a thing that touched and moved our hearts too.

While we were in schools we were not being privileged to read and learn of our own Naga history because it was not included in the text book. We learnt it when our elders narrated to us. When we heard the story of the many battles of Naga Army against our enemies we were unable to remain quiet and we waited for an opportunity to join the underground. The many learning of Indian history could not change our hearts and our mind. We read, we learnt and we wrote in our examination, Mahatma Gandhi as our National Father and Subhash Chandra Bose as our National Hero and many others about the Indian freedom movement. But instead of feeling and becoming Indian we avowed ourselves to become a freedom fighter of our own country Nagaland after learning and taking example from how they fought for their country.

So, even in such an adverse environment we boldly faced and grew up with full Nationalism spirit. We believed that the worthiest thing and the costliest life for us is to join underground and fight for the people and for our freedom. We did not care whether we live long or short, we did not care whether we would become big officers or just mere soldiers. We just wanted to be worthy son of our country, give our all for the Motherland. Just the name a brave and a truthful fighter was what we wanted to be.

When we first joined the National service we were completely ignorant of the rivals and animosity between some tribes among us. Either we did not join to fight for a political ideology whether it be socialism, communism, capitalism, monarchy system or anything it may be. The important thing for us is to fight for the people and for our freedom. We believed our leaders and we followed them. We believed our leaders like that of Mahatma Gandhi for India, Moses and Joshua for the Israelites etc.

But then today, our fighting is completely different from of what we dreamed and wanted to be. We fight and kill one another. Yes, in any country there used to be spies and traitors who work against their country for money. Those people deserved to be eliminated for the security of one’s country but our case of killing is not that. Yes, among the different underground groups some stand and politics may be higher than the others, one group may be little better than the other but then today, the fight between them is a fight of melee. Defection, attack and killing are almost a daily happenings and the reason of defection is just simple, some foolish and some were compelled. It is needless to say all of these, if I am to say in detail it will go too long. In short, they are all one and same, because NSCN –K cadres are the product of NSCN- IM and likewise IM cadres are the product of K.Similarly, NNC groups too are not exceptional. Even then the publicity department of each group claims this and that and make a paper war with make up stories. I can say there are some in the IM who actually hate IM and glad to hear the bad news of the IM and likewise there may be some in the K – Group. Very very funny things are there, everything is a joke. Defections and killings are all like jokes.

Then, who are to be blamed for the present situation? Whom shall we blame for the killing – the cadres who involved in the killing or the leaders who directed them to kill. Whom shall we blame for the defection – the cadres who make it a habit of defection or the leaders who are supposed to lead them. These are very important questions we need to ponder over. Too many precious lives had been lost in this mad war. Each factional group claims that they uphold the national rights and the national principle. Standing in their rights they keep on fighting and destroyed precious innocent lives without any qualm of conscience. In one of the Naga Hoho meetings, Father Abraham Lotha said, “Those who do not feel the pains of the people do not have the rights to fight for the people”. I came across it in the Newspapers. It really touched my heart, it pricked my soul.

Today, the question before us is: Shall we remain faithful and brave soldiers under those factional groups and continue on killing our own Naga people? No, it is impossible for me. I shall not be part of the policy and a group of the destroyers of our nation, again. How can we fight, kill or be killed like irrational animals? It is not the question that I am afraid to fight and die but it is impossible for me to fight and kill in such a mad war. As for me, whether I live or die it depends on how I live with God but I fear the sin of killing in such a war. I do not want the post of battalion commandership or the post of a powerful place in those factional groups. I do not covet the kind of “Award” that they earned from such battlefields. I prefer to be just a soldier, a truthful soldier of Nagaland that really fight for the cause of the people.

Therefore, today, I am a wanderer, wandering to find a place to fight for my people Nagas which I believe is God’s will for me in this world. As of now, I feel the best I can do for the Nagas is to stay away from such warring groups and be with the people. Especially I support and put my hope in the present ongoing efforts of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) to achieve a real Reconciliation, Unity and Peace among us. It is not the time to blame of one another, whatever it may be it is a time to come closer. Otherwise I am totally against the activities of the two NSCNs and I fail to understand why NNC groups justify ‘Shillong Accord’ and claim it as God’s given peace. But, who am I to speak of these things? I am nobody and I admit that I am the weakest.

The best is let all we underground realize our mistakes and humble ourselves before God and the people and ask for forgiveness. Time is not too late, the Israelites did foolish thing when they complained against Moses for bringing them out of Egypt. They did foolish thing when they made the Golden calf and even after they reached the promised land they did evil in the eyes of the Lord after the death of Joshua and the elders who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel. They served the Baals and the Asherahs, they followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. Because of their sins they were subject to the kings of other peoples around them. But the Lord is merciful and forgiving whenever they cried to the Lord He raised up for them deliverers.

Today, none of us should claim righteous and point fingers at others. We all have gone astray from God and we all have failed to carry out what we owed to the people and the Nation. The only way for our Naga Salvation is when all underground groups realize their mistakes and agree to come together under the umbrella of one organization and unitedly fight for our common goal. When such a good time (total unification) for the Nagas is arrived, the dictatorial style of underground government and the culture of dictating and ruling the people by the guns should be completely put to stop. The people should not throw to the underground alone the responsibility of “Fighting for our Freedom”, all Nagas should actively involve and shoulder the responsibility together. All tribes, villages should send their capable men to the underground as their representatives and the most capable persons and the God fearing leaders from among us should lead the National Movement so that there should not be question of a tribe dominating a faction or 2/3 tribers over another faction as it is now. There should not be murmuring again among us that, some tribes blaming others and some tribes taking advantage of their position.
Here, we have not enough space to mention all that, what we think important to change and do but we all must know that just bringing together all underground groups into one alone is not sufficient. Unless we are all changed, the people involvement and participation in the National Movement is greater than now, directly or indirectly and we walk righteously and put our trust in the Lord our God, our togetherness may not last long as we desire. And, if in case efforts to bring the Nagas together is not succeeded because of the underground groups, the Naga public must find a means and adopt a course of action to put it right. It is inevitable because of the love of Nagas and to strengthen ourselves i, e our fight for freedom. In my concluding words I would like to make a Call to our over ground Naga Leaders particularly the Public Leaders, Social Leaders, Church Leaders, Intellectuals, Student Leaders etc. Let the role of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Indian Nation in the India Freedom Movement be a reminder to all. He did not join early in the Indian National Congress as most of we Naga underground did. We joined at a very young age whereas the advent of Gandhiji in the political scene of India was in 1919 i,e after when he was about 50 year of age. He studied law and after qualifying himself for the Bar, he practiced for sometime in India, then he went to South Africa on contract for one year. Gandhiji was shocked to see the humiliating treatment of the Indians in South Africa on account of their race and colour. He started a struggle for raising the social status of the Indians there. He was a social leader as you are today, it was only when the situation compelled and on account of his love for the people of India he began to lead the India Freedom Movement.
Today, we look up to our over ground Naga leaders for guiding and leading us. If you really love the Nagas, if you really are concern for the Nagas and if you really believe the Nagas as a People, it is the time for you to rise up and lead us. It is the time for you to intervene and save us from the hands of our underground leaders, the leaders who some of them want to kill us and the leaders who some of them want us to kill others until we completely destroy ourselves.

Forensic tests to verify rape A STAFF REPORTER The telegraph
File picture of a protest against the rape at Rowta in Udalguri


Guwahati, Nov. 6: The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) here today started work on samples sent by Udalguri police to ascertain the veracity of the rape allegations levelled by two women against CRPF jawans. The police have sent samples of clothes worn by the women at the time of the alleged rape and also soil samples from where they were allegedly assaulted on October 19, soon after the riots in Udalguri and Darrang districts.A scientist at the FSL today said they had started the “investigations” and would be able to give the results very soon. “We had received the samples on Thursday, the day the blasts took place. All our men were busy investigating the blasts and work on all other cases had to be postponed,” he added.
The police decided to go for forensic tests after three medical tests on the “rape victims” turned out negative. The first test was conducted at Mangaldoi Civil Hospital, the second at the Gauhati Medical College Hospital and the third by doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, at Mangaldoi.
“We have also questioned several witnesses, but unless we have scientific evidence that the two women were indeed raped, there will not be much progress in the case,” a police official in Udalguri said. The two accused jawans, part of an eight-member group that had gone to Bhalukmari village in the district, are under detention at a CRPF camp, he added. The two were identified by the women during an identification parade. Although the women have been maintaining that they were raped by the two jawans, repeated interrogation of the accused has failed to yield much progress. “Both the jawans have been maintaining from day one that they had not committed rape,” the police official added. Doctors said vital clues could have been destroyed as both the women had bathed and washed the clothes they were wearing at the time of the alleged rape.
One of the women was allegedly raped in her house while the other was raped on a paddy field where she had gone to fetch her goat. The central paramilitary force said the charges levelled against the jawans appeared to be a “publicity stunt” to malign the image of the force. It has instituted a deputy inspector-general level probe. Several organisations are up in arms against the government, demanding stringent punishment to the guilty.
Social ills in Naga society surface morungexpress
Dimapur| November 6 : A plethora of social issues of common concern, for civil society organizations in Nagaland were brought to light at the FST (Foundation for Social Transformation) consultative meeting in collaboration with the NEZCC (North East Zonal Cultural Centre), held at NEZCC conference hall today. One of the curious findings that emerged was the startling information that certain politicians from the Mon areas are actually holding 10-20 pension cards meant for the destitute. This was unearthed by an NGO as presented in the day’s session.

FST along with YouthNet, YARD, Prodigals’ Home, Naga Women Hoho, Peace Channel, Bethesda, C-Cerp and several other NGOs based in Nagaland raised issues that are closely marked in Naga society and the need to address them. Apart from the many issues that were brought up, Prodigals Home’s startling data of “209 missing children” shed light on the problem of human trafficking, domestic servants and street children. All these issues were felt to have negative impact on the Naga society and with recent cases of girls being trafficked to places as far as Malaysia, the need to curb human trafficking was stressed upon.

Gender violence also roped in a heated discussion with several representatives pointing out the need to spread awareness on rights and addressing other gender-based issues. Work-related gender bias was highlighted in the discussion. Naga Women Hoho expressed the need for women in conflict resolution and participation of women in policy and public administration.

Drawing attention to the problem of stigma and discrimination, NGOs dealing with HIV/AIDS and drug addiction brought out the problem of fewer acceptances of former drug users into the society and also the lack of support from families.

Organizations like YouthNet and other like-minded organizations focused on the lack of “dignity of labour” amongst Naga youths and pointed out that youth empowerment schemes have failed due to political intervention. They also expressed deep concern for the rate of school drop-outs especially boys. An interesting finding presented by a Mon-based NGO working for the destitute revealed, politicians from that area were holding 10 to 20 pension cards meant for the destitute which was unearthed by the NGO.

Environmental NGO, C-Cerp pointed out that the hunting habits of the Nagas have led to extinction of many animals and bird species. While working against this, the NGO felt the lack of peoples’ cooperation. While issues were raised, suggestions to combat them were also put forward by several representatives. One of the felt needs was for NGOs to have research support documents to address issues and collect hard facts on existing situations.
The need for networking amongst the NGOs for better facilitation and approach to address issues was also suggested. Group discussions on the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of participating organizations brought out many areas that can be worked upon and views exchanged for better understanding of issues and the solutions to them.
7 suspects picked up - Riot of colours OUR BUREAU
Guwahati/Bongaigaon, Nov. 6: Investigators have trailed the October 30 serial blasts to Nalbari and Baksa districts in Lower Assam, with police picking up seven suspects, including a Kamrup district policeman, from the area. Nine blasts in Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Barpeta Road and Bongaigaon had rocked Assam last Thursday, killing 84 people and injuring over 300.
Calcutta-based artist Debasish Banerjee, who has been assigned by Assam police to draw sketches of suspects, has come up with a “face” for the Bongaigaon blast that resembles a tribal’s. Banerjee said he supposed the suspect was in his early twenties, measured about five feet in height and was stocky in build.
The special investigation team (SIT), constituted by Assam police to probe the blasts, is also examining the mobile phone call records of some of the suspects. According to them, one of them, Dinesh Boro, had allegedly made calls to a few foreign countries. Sources said the investigators are verifying and cross-checking the calls allegedly made by Boro for fresh clues on the blasts.

An artist pours her angst on canvas at a camp organised by the Guwahati Artists’ Guild and Fine Arts and Craft Society at Dighalipukhuri to protest against terrorism on Thursday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Police sources said all those detained today were suspected to be involved in the blast at the CJM court and were being brought to Guwahati for further interrogation. The seven have been identified as Arabinda Boro, Bhupesh Boro, Rajiv Swinary, Bhola Boro, Jatin Boro, Raju Boro and policeman Chandra Boro. The sources said Chandra Boro, 48, is serving as a constable in Kamrup district police. The detention of a serving policeman for his possible involvement in the blasts has come as a shock to the investigating team.
“Rajiv Swinary was picked up from Baganpara in Baksa district and the remaining persons were detained from Dhomdhoma in Nalbari district,” one of the sources disclosed. “The suspects were picked up during raids jointly carried out by the police and army troops in Nalbari and Baksa districts in the wee hours today,” he added. The sources said the accused were detained on the basis of “definite” clues picked up by the SIT from the blast site.
“So far, the investigators have got a whiff of their (the suspects) role in one of the blasts but they may also be involved in the other blasts that took place in the state on October 30,” he added. However, inspector-general of police R. Chandranathan, who heads the SIT, refused to comment on the progress of the investigation into the serial blasts.
Sources said with the detention of these seven persons, the possibility of “local group(s)” extending help to the bombers in carrying out the blasts could not be ruled out. “They (the persons picked up today) are suspected to have acted as conduits of the blast masterminds, who are believed to be from a neighbouring country,” a source said, declining to name any local outfit as investigations are under way.
Sources in the Bongaigaon district police said the sketch of the prime suspect made by Banerjee would be released only after getting the green signal from the SIT. A senior police officer said it was drawn on the basis of the versions of three eyewitnesses with whom the artist had a long interaction in Bongaigaon yesterday.
Centre firm on sealing Indo-Bangla border correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Nov 7 – Waking up albeit belatedly, the Centre has decided to expedite the process of sealing the Indo-Bangladesh border and asked the bordering States to act without further delay. The recent bomb blasts in Assam has brought home the realisation that the porous Indo-Bangladesh border spell disaster for the Region. The realisation has prompted the Centre to hold a series of discussions with the North Eastern States.

A meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrashekhar on border management has decided to impress upon the bordering States particularly Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura to complete the process of fencing the border.

Sources said the Meghalaya Government in particular has been asked to seal a vulnerable stretch of 160 km immediately. The Centre has decided to even compensate the State Government for shifting the population from near the international border.

The Centre’s decision came after Meghalaya Government expressed its reluctance to seal the border citing the stiff opposition of the local populace.

The Centre has pressed the alarm bells following reports that DGFI and ISI has trained its focus to the North-east and are working on a game plan to destabilise the Region. The Centre has identified 15 such groups of North-east, which has intensified its relationship with HUJI B and LeT off late. Meanwhile, State Government’s assessment of the recent bomb blast has virtually ruled out the involvement of local militant groups like ULFA in the blasts citing lack of expertise in assembling such powerful explosive devices. ULFA has considerably weakened after surrender of two companies of 28th battalion.

Further, ULFA arsenal has depleted by at least 50 per cent because of the surrender, the high level meeting that was chaired by the National Security Adviser was told. Interestingly, enough the State Government’s assessment also speaks of possible involvement of the HUJI B in the recent blasts.

Meanwhile, it has been concluded that the bombs used in Assam were the most powerful used anywhere in the country so far by the terrorists. The National Security Guard’s forensic report has been submitted with the Ministry of Home Affairs. At least six kg of RDX in each of the three bombs were used in Guwahati, besides the packing of two kg of RDX each in the remaining six bombs detonated across Barpeta Road, Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon. The explosives were a mix of RDX and ammonium nitrate, besides traces of other highly incendiary chemicals. Programmable Timer Device (PTD) using ABCD switches triggered the bombs.

Though PTDs and ABCD were used in the un-detonated Surat bombs, and is a popular device used by terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir and ULFA. In fact, ULFA had used PTD switches in a blast at Ganeshguri in January 2007.
Significantly, the composition and triggering mechanism of the bombs used at Agartala comprised mainly ammonium nitrate and fuel oil and were activated using mobile phones.

Mass rally for rehabilitation of Udalguri, Darrang riot-hit
Correspondent Assam Tribune
UDALGURI, Nov 7 – Around 32 organisations, including All Nishi Association of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam Metei Apon Balup, Young Horizon, NE Region, Karbi Students’ Association, of Karbi Anglong and All Dimasa Students’ Association brought out a joint protest rally on Wednesday from Udalguri-Nalbari playground to the Deputy Commissioner’s office premises shouting slogans against the alleged failure of the State Government in maintaining law and order, security of common people in everyday life, immediate rehabilitation of riot-hit people of Udalguri and Darrang districts, immediate arrest of the accused jawans of rape victims and immediate Army operation against the Muslim fundamentalists in the region.

The procession led by All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) was flagged off by Rabindra Moshahary, spokesperson of the students’ organisation and included local organisations like AASU, ARSU, AJYCP, AGSU, AAGSU, AANSU, Viswa Hindu Parishad, Vanavashi Kalyan Ashram, BPPF, Boro Peoples’ Forum for Peace and Rights, Assam Gorkha Sammelan, Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangha, BJP, AGP, All Boro Employees’ Federation, ABWWF, ABWJF, Bodo Sahitya Sabha, Asam Sahitya Sabha, Asom Nepali Sahitya Sabha and All Assam Santhali Sahitya Sabha among many others, including the common citizens who shouted slogans with banners and placards in hands and reached the DC office.

Most of the organisations submitted copies of memorandum to the President, Prime Minister and Union Home Minister demanding quick action against the jehadis involved in the recent serial bomb blasts in the State with institution of CBI inquiry to find out the culprits and immediate arrest of the accused jawans of Bhalukmari rape case etc.

State Mourning Day: Along with other parts of the State, all the government offices and other institutions of Udalguri district kept the national tri-colour at half mast on Wednesday as a token of homage to the departed souls of the serial bomb blast victims. On the other hand, the Udalguri district committee of Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF) organised a mourning programme at the Udalguri party office by lighting candles in memory of the blast victims and prayed for early recovery of the injured ones.