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11/20/2008: "Nagaland border maps still missing Merina Y. Chishi Morungexpress"

Nagaland border maps still missing Merina Y. Chishi Morungexpress

Dimapur | November 20 : The vital documents comprising details of boundaries of Nagaland state which had gone “missing” is yet to be recovered, said Nagaland Commissioner HK Khullu. Speaking to this reporter on the sidelines of a public function today, the commissioner disclosed that the Local Commission, which has been hearing the case between Assam and Nagaland, has been given unrestricted access to archives across the country in order to hasten the process of locating the original documents.

It may be mentioned that the original documents, which include a valid map of Nagaland, were kept with the Ministry of Home Affairs first and then the Assam Government but ‘could not be traced’ during the crucial meeting of the Local Commission hearing the decades-old Assam-Nagaland border dispute. The Nagaland government held the Assam government responsible for carelessness leading to the documents going missing while the Assam government claims that they were not “original” but photocopies.

Speaking to The Morung Express, Khulu was hopeful that the vital documents and maps containing details of Assam-Nagaland’s border would be found soon. Although there is no clarity of border demarcation, Khulu said the government has a firm footing on its retrieval and will definitely solve the long-pending border issue between the two states. As per available details, the Sundaram Commission had submitted an “unofficial report” on the borders of Assam and Nagaland where the 42nd annexure, containing the documents and some maps was sent to the Home Ministry.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has stated on record that the case of the missing documents was a serious matter “since Nagaland has to make claims before the local boundary commission for re-drawing of boundaries on the basis of those documents”. Rio had told the State Assembly earlier that if the documents remain untraceable, whatever claims to re-draw inter-state boundaries must be valid and legal. Even the Congress Legislature Party leader Chingwang Konyak had raised the issue on the floor of the Assembly terming it as serious.
TNL & “GPRN/NSCN” express will to Heal morungexpress

Signs of Common Hope: In a symbolic statement of determination and will for Nagas to be one, members of the “GPRN/NSCN”, Tangkhul Naga Long and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation share in a prayer, seeking wisdom and guidance from the Almighty. The “GPRN/NSCN”, Tangkhul Naga Long and Forum for Naga Reconciliation met today at Kahoi Camp and “expressed openness and demonstrated willingness to positively overcome differences and to address difficulties in the spirit of forgiveness.”

Dimapur, November 20 (MExN): In a significant step in the current reconciliation initiative, Tangkhul Naga Long leaders led by its president today met with the kilo kilonser of the “GPRN/NSCN” along with his colleagues at Kahoi camp.

The meeting is said to have taken place in the presence of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. They shared issues of common concern pertaining to reconciliation, unity and peace, said the Forum for Naga Reconciliation in a note today.

“Acknowledging the paramount need for Nagas to be united in common hope and in the interest of a better Naga future, the meeting sincerely expressed openness and demonstrated willingness to positively overcome differences and to address difficulties in the spirit of forgiveness, so that the yearning for Naga reconciliation is achieved” said the Forum for Naga Reconciliation.
Gprn/Nscn on insincere comments GPRN/NSCN
The support and appreciation of the Naga people to the ongoing Reconciliation process is genuinely visible and most certainly the Government of India must be watching very closely at the wind of change in Nagaland. Amid the thunderous applause, perpetual skeptics, however, continue to indulge in negative assumptions resultant of their stagnant revolutionary stand. V S Atem’s opinion which appeared in the local dailies on 12th Nov. 2008 is an indication that even top ranking officials at Hebron are ignorant of the fact that Naga people have evidently risen above the so called national principle of the IM. GOI has all the dirty instruments at its disposal to sow the seeds of enmity among the Nagas, yet to accuse and put GPRN/NSCN at the mercy of IB and RAW is very unfortunate. Whether or not the Sumi Hoho takes excommunication orders from notorious IB and RAW is for the Hoho to answer. If V S Atem thinks that the Churches in Nagaland have given space to IB and RAW to operate, it is likely that very soon Hebron camp is preparing to initiate a new accusation against the church. What V S Atem fail to understand is that the GOI is simply using IM as the bait and the so-called political talks as the medium to frustrate the younger Naga generation to a forced-assimilation into Indian culture, history and politics. It is highly regrettable that V S Atem has failed to grasp the practical reality of the Nagas towards the struggle. Accusing GPRN/NSCN of terrorism by men who initiates terrorist activities in Nagaland is uncalled for. In the name of National principle how many distinguished Naga men and women have been murdered in decades? V S Atem must know that Nagas can forgive but also possess decent memory too. He should look deep within and reconcile with the fact that solution to the Indo-Naga Political problem shall remain a mere wish until the Nagas come together. History is clear; a splinter group cannot represent entire Nagas. A reconciled and united Nagas is the only hope. If V.S Atem believes GOI is insincere to IM, Nagas know that IM is insincere to Nagas and insincerity is growing each day. On the day of the reconciliation football match on 13th Nov. IM boys raided the residence of Tokheho, U/secy, and GPRN/NSCN at Diphupar B Village at 5:30 in the morning, with a clear indication to harm the official, plenty of questions were sought from the family members, fortunately he was not at home. This is another abominable action on the part of IM cadres. Is the military above the civil administration at Hebron camp?
Khehoi designated Camp of the GPRN/NSCN is not backed by India in any manner and it harbors no terrorists. Designated camps exist simply to facilitate ceasefire mechanism between two entities. Many groups are trained at Hebron camp and Atem is simply parroting GOI by calling those he trained as terrorists. This is again dirty politics. GPRN/NSCN shares its solidarity with all struggling people across the globe that possesses historical and political right and shall continue to do so. At this juncture, GPRN/NSCN, with the rest of the Nagas, would sincerely prefer to look to the future with hope, a hope that heals as well as replenishes.

PUBLICITY CELL
GPRN/NSCN.

3 NSCN(IM) cadres arrested (Page News Service)
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 19: In a major break through in highway robbery case along the Kohima-Chakhabama road, Kohima Police managed to nab three NSCN(IM) cadres and a taxi driver for looting and extorting money from different vehicles near Chakhabama road, some 25 kms East of Kohima.
The three NSCN-IM cadres have been identified as 'ss assistant section officer' Kholi Athishü Mao, s/o Kota Mao of Chawanamai village, under Senapati district; 'ss private' Viphrezo Theünuo, s/o Neilakuolie Theünuo of Dihoma village, Kohima and 'ss private' Viliebeizo Keditsu, s/o Thepfuvei-o Keditsu of Zhadima village, Kohima while the Taxi driver has been identified as Neitho Solo, s/o Mengulie Solo of T. Khel, Kohima village.
Police sources said that the three of them were nabbed while extorting money from different vehicle using the taxi bearing registration number NL01-T-6401 and did not rule out involvement of the taxi. Police also seized an amount of Rs. 8,000 from their possession, which was reportedly extorted from five vehicles yesterday. However, no arms or weapons were found in the miscreants possession, police added.

Doubts over Assam Rifles role - Force fails to stop arms smuggling across Myanmar border NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph
New Delhi, Nov. 20: Arms smuggling across the Indo-Myanmar border has raised questions about the role of the Assam Rifles deployed there and the overall security in the area.Last month, Northeast-based insurgent groups smuggled huge quantities of sophisticated arms and ammunition across the border.
The NSCN’s Khaplang group displayed M-series rifles, AK-47 rifles, rocket launchers, RPGs and other ammunition at Zunheboto on October 26 and even issued a press release to this effect.
Home ministry sources told The Telegraph there were more than 30 AK-47 rifles, about 40 M-Series rifles and 200 grenades.
Intelligence reports said nearly 100 cadres, led by one Niki Sumi of the Khaplang group, transported the contraband to Nagaland with the help of Meitei outfits in Manipur. But the Assam Rifles took no action.
The NSCN (Isak-Muivah) is also reported to be in touch with Thai arms smugglers who get arms and ammunition transported through the Myanmar border with the help of local agents.
The Assam Rifles has been posted in Nagaland for decades now and has a good idea of the topography. It also has an intelligence network to inform it beforehand if such operations are planned. Moreover, the arms routes along the Indo-Myanmar and Indo-Bangladesh borders are well-known. This time round, their “peripheral security” seems to have floundered badly.
The home ministry is on the defensive. Officials argued that although Assam Rifles was a paramilitary force, it reported to the army and was thus largely the responsibility of the ministry of defence.
Although the Assam Rifles is a central police force, its officer cadre is on deputation from the army.
The intelligence bureau has informed Ashok Chaturvedi, the secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), as well as top officials of the directorate-general of military intelligence (DGMI) about the incident.
There is more concern as the home ministry has also learnt that Naxalites are purchasing arms from Northeast militants. One group from Chhattisgarh is believed to have collected about a dozen M-16 rifles from Calcutta recently.
Apparently, the guns were sold by a northeastern militant outfit, sources said.
“Security along the Myanmar border has been flagged several times and even fencing has been contemplated but execution has not been done yet,” a home ministry source said.
The fencing plan, however, is only for a 10km stretch close to Moreh town in Manipur. Moreh is the international checkpost and a haven for militants and smugglers alike who have “trade links” in the closest Myanmar town, Tamu.
Key accused elude arrest A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Nov. 20: The police investigation into the Ganeshguri blast, the deadliest among the three explosions that shook the city on October 30, has hit a stumbling block with four key accused — George, Rajen Goyari alias Ritikhan, Jitu Daimary and Tarun Boro — still absconding. Twenty days have gone by, but police are yet to lay their hands on these four suspects. Apart from Boro, the other three are NDFB members. Documents submitted by the police in court said Rajen Goyari alias Ritikhan, the self-styled commander of the NDFB’s 4th battalion, had masterminded the Ganesh-guri blast and then entrusted NDFB cadres George, Tarun Boro and Jitu with the task of executing the explosion.
The confessional statements of several persons — interrogated in connection with the serial blasts — have revealed that George had procured the Maruti 800 used in the Ganeshguri explosion through Tarun Boro, who is a taxi driver by profession with alleged NDFB links.
George, through Tarun Boro, bought the car bearing registration number AS-01 E/7747 about a month before the blast from Arun Patowary, who is a businessman and resident of Sorbhog in Barpeta.
Patowary had bought the used car from Himangshu Das about four months before the blasts but did not transfer the vehicle’s registration in his name and later sold it to Tarun Boro. Boro paid Rs 43,000 in cash to Patowary and told him that he would meet him later in order to transfer the vehicle’s registration in his name. According to Patowary’s statement, Boro never turned up.
Das was detained and told the police that he had sold the car to Patowary. The police then picked up Patowary who said he sold it to Tarun Boro.
Remand Pungkha Brahma and Pabitra Boro, accused in the blasts, were produced in the CJM court, Kamrup, today and remanded in 14 days’ judicial custody. The court also gave a green signal to conduct narco test on Bimal Mushahary, another accused, but refused a similar test on Brahma.
Ulfa Bravo leader in net - Joint team nabs Ram Sing in Moran The Telegraph
Dibrugarh/Guwahati, Nov. 19: One of Ulfa’s most-wanted leaders was arrested last night from a relative’s house in a Sivasagar village while trying to snatch a few moments with his wife and infant son.
The arrest of “sergeant major” Ram Sing, the second-in-command of 28 battalion’s B company, is being touted as the biggest success that the security forces have pulled off since the ceasefire of the battalion’s A and C companies in June. Sing, alias Mintu Borgohain, joined the outfit in 1987 and has been responsible for collection of funds in Sivasagar since 2005.
A joint team of the Moran-based 318 Field Regiment and police began raiding Bakhar Bengana village under Bokota Nemuguri police station late last night following specific information about the militant’s presence.
The 45-year-old Ulfa leader had come down from the outfit’s camp in Nagaland to see his month-and-a-half old baby, whom he had not had the chance to hold since his birth.
The security forces let his wife, Junti, and the baby go before searching the Ulfa leader for arms.
An M-20 pistol, 10 live rounds, a pistol magazine, three mobile phones and some incriminating documents were found on him.
Though Sing said his wife has no links with Ulfa, security forces also found a marriage certificate issued by the outfit’s leadership.
“Sing has direct links with the top leaders of the outfit,” Sivasagar superintendent of police, Shyamal Saikia, said.
The arrested militant told reporters in Moran today that the B (Bravo) company had extended moral support to the “ceasefire group” right from the beginning, but had opted out at the last moment since the leadership was against the unilateral truce.
“After the ceasefire was declared by the A (Alpha) and C (Charlie) companies, our leadership dismantled the 28 battalion. Now only the Bravo company cadres of this battalion are operating, with its headquarters in Myanmar and an advanced headquarters at Mon in Nagaland,” Sing said.
Jiten Dutta, a leader of the pro-peace group, however, played down the “arrest”.
“Ram Sing had no option but to come overground since he was ill and was desperate to meet his wife and son. He was in touch with the army for over a month now,” he said.
Sing, too, revealed that he and Mrinal Hazarika, a senior leader of the pro-peace group, had met the GOC of 2 Mountain Division, Maj. Gen. Jatinder Singh, in April at the army base in Dinjan in Tinsukia.
“The army had assured us of safe passage and we came to the Dinjan to discuss the ceasefire,” he said.
Hazarika was in jail at that time.
Defence public relations officer Col. Rajesh Kalia could not confirm the meeting since the GOC is out of station.
Dutta said it was a matter of time now before the leadership of the B company, too, followed its brethren.
“The commander of the company, Sujit Mohan, will come overground very soon,” he said.
Newspaper strike in Manipur over scribe’s murder Sentinel
Imphal, Nov 19: Newspapers in Manipur will be off the stands for an indefinite period from Thursday in protest against the killing of a young journalist by unidentified gunmen here on Monday, journalists said.
“Konsam Rishikanta, 22, a trainee sub-editor with our newspaper, was shot dead under mysterious circumstances. The killing needs a thorough investigation. Whoever committed the crime must be brought to light by the authorities,” Pradip Phanjoubam, editor of the English language Imphal Free Press told IANS.
The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) has decided to suspend publication and broadcast of news for an indefinite period from Thursday.
The decision to cease publication of newspapers was taken at an emergency general body meeting of AMWJU on Tuesday.
The union also decided to stage a sit-in protest till the killers were identified and booked.
“The information of the gunning down came too early, almost immediately. This indicated the unlikelihood of involvement of underground militants (because) normally when they commit such a crime, they would first scoot and only after they have reached the safety of their hideout, they would think of claiming responsibility,” Imphal Free Press said on its website.
The newspaper added: “Obviously the execution then was most likely to have been by some agency which did not have to run after the crime.”
Manipur has a dozen newspapers, including three English dailies. Several journalists have been killed by insurgent groups previously. Meanwhile, the All Manipur Working Journalists Union, Editors Forum Manipur and United People’s Front today condemned the killing of a journalist working in a local English daily yesterday.
To protest the killing of the scribe, the people of Ningomthong blocked National Highway 39 at Kakwa.
Later, state Information Minister T N Haokip came to the area and assured to probe the incident and nab those responsible for the killing.
Police had to resort to firing in the air as the irate mob attacked police personnel.
The AMWJU demanded a probe into the incident.(IANS)