[Previous entry: "Nagaland border maps still missing Merina Y. Chishi Morungexpress"] [Next entry: "First anniversary of Naga unification celebrated Morung Dilip Sharma"]

11/21/2008: "State BJP backs Naga unity move Kevi Soho EMN Eastern Mirror"

State BJP backs Naga unity move Kevi Soho | EMN Eastern Mirror

DIMAPUR, NOV 21: Reaffirming the party’s support for the ongoing reconciliation process initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), the BJP Nagaland unit has, in its executive meeting held at the party head office on Friday, appealed to all national workers to heed the voice of the people and cease all forms of violence.
Appreciating the steps taken so far by the Forum to bring the leaders of various groups together, the party has also urged the government to create platforms to involve the wives, family members and women for special get-togethers with a view to erase communication gaps and nurture respect for one another.
The party, moreover, lauded the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) for taking the sincere efforts of the DAN government forward to find a permanent and peacefully negotiated settlement and further urged the UPA government at the centre to expedite the negotiations and fulfil the aspiration of the people.
Coming down hard on the Congress-led UPA govt for its ‘anti-people policies’, the state BJP regretted that the special economic packages announced for Nagaland by former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has been withheld till date. It also blamed the Congress for inflation and expressed confidence that the people would stand up against the UPA by voting it out in the coming Parliamentary election.
On the role of the state Congress, the BJP accused it of trying to destabilise the government through baseless allegations and urged the NPCC to play a constructive opposition role and apprise the centre to give due attention to the state.
Meanwhile, rubbishing the rumours of differences among the BJP party bigwigs, senior party leader and Forest Minister MC Konyak sought to assure that all was well with the state leadership.
Interacting with media persons, the minister stated that ‘the party is stable and in safe hands; differences among individuals may be there, but that is only human.’
Also, attempting to clear its stance over the recent atrocities against the Christian community, the minister condemned the violence and was of the view that the state unit should not be diluted with the likes of fanatical organisations at the national level.
“State BJP unit is there to project the views of the Nagas through the national party platform to fulfil the wishes and aspirations of the people,” he commented.
On the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Konyak said people should elect the right person to represent them. “As a coalition government, we have to elect the right person who can be favoured with a Union Ministerial berth,” he said.
Moreover, he stated that party strength at the state level cannot be the deciding factor and asserted that the candidate selected should be in a position to blend with the new government at the centre so that the state can benefit.
The minister also expressed confidence that the BJP-led coalition would return to power.
NSCN (IM) clarifies on Nov 19 incident morungexpress
Dimapur, November 21 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has rebutted claims made by the “GPRN/NSCN” on an incident reported to have taken place on November 19 wherein one “GPRN/NSCN” cadre, identified as one Vekhoto of Yoruba village, was shot dead by NSCN (IM), about 2 km from Chizami town in Phek district. The MIP stated that the “treacherous game plan under the shadow of reconciliation and unity process can never be condoned with” and that the “NSCN never fail to react when placed under such situation”.

“Distorting the head and the tail of the incident, the so-call publicity cell of K-group (with confusion identity) is desperately trying to mislead the public by its habitual indulgence in false propaganda just for the pleasure of scoring a point over NSCN in the eye of the people. But the Naga people should know the substance of the story in order to pass correction assessment without prejudice”, stated a press note issued by the outfit’s ‘MIP’.

Pointing out that the Naga people cannot be misled, the MIP note clarified that on November 19 “self style capt. Vekheto of K-group made a telephone contact with Ihoshe battalion commanding officer about his desire to come over to NSCN mainstream along with one NNC member with three arms and ammunition”. Accordingly, one “maj” Thswetso was dispatched by one “lt. col” David, “CO” Ihoshe battalion, on November 19 to welcome the ‘home comers’ in the presence of the village council of Chizami, after the formality was done, the MIP stated.

“But no sooner had they started the drive towards Ihoshe battalion along with the home comers Capt. Vekhoto took out his 9mm, pointing towards Maj. Thswetso and forced the driver to take the vehicle back to Phek town. But in the quick turn of event, Maj. Thswetso outsmarted him when he took out his own pistol kept in readiness to face any act of treachery, and shot dead Capt. Vekhoto on the spot at Ehlumi Village at 5:30 pm”, the MIP note narrated. The other NNC member was also overpowered but made good his escape in the confusion that followed. Three arms, SLR A/No. 16258765 with one magazine and 97 bullets, one M21 A/008840 and one 9mm handmade with 4 bullets were capture from the deceased, the MIP note informed.

The whole incident was witnessed and testified by the villagers and village council of Chizami and the car driver hired by Vekhoto, it further stated pointing out that “there is no doubt of the game plan to enact ‘home coming drama’ to NSCN and kidnap Maj. Thswetso”. The plan however, went awry as everything boomeranged into a bloody ending, the MIP stated.

The MIP statement remarked that “resorting to treacherous game plan does not fit into the Reconciliation process, and the option for the NSCN in the face of such foolhardiness is to exercise quick presence of mind”. “What is the meaning of K-group offering its best possible co-operation in the interest of the Naga people and for the coming generation? Deceitfulness is now seen to be the only political philosophy of K-group and they love to dance with words they know no meaning when measured in the practical sense of its application. It is better not to make an issue out of nothing just to make cheap propaganda campaign against NSCN”, the MIP note stated.
‘End Insurgency for progress and prosperity’ morungexpress
Dimapur, November 21 (MExN): The Governor of Maharashtra Dr. SC Jamir today reminded insurgency in the north east must end if at all progress and prosperity is to be brought about. Addressing the inauguration of the cultural festival of northeastern states, ‘Octave’ in Mumbai on Thursday evening, Jamir said the north east region is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions in the country. But, he lamented, insurgency has taken its toll that while other regions are progressing and prospering “insurgency and violence are adversely affecting the progress of the Northeast region”.
“Northeast is one of the most beautiful and ethnically and linguistically diverse regions of the country. Unfortunately the region has been troubled by insurgency for the last few decades. While other regions of the country are progressing and prospering because of the atmosphere of peace, insurgency and violence are adversely affecting the progress of the Northeast region,”he said. In this connection, Jamir called upon artists from the Northeast to convey the message of peace to the people.
Octave is a five-day festival showcasing the culture and literature, theatre and visual arts and handicraft of the northeast. It is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur and the Directorate of Culture, Government of Maharashtra.
The governor said Indians should know India better. They can know the country by knowing its rich culture and traditions, Jamir explained. “Festivals such as the Northeastern cultural festival enable different people of the country to know each other better and create emotional integration of the nation,” he said and appealed to the people of Maharashtra to watch the beautiful artistic traditions of the Northeast to know the region better.
Jamir had earlier inaugurated the festival by beating the traditional drum and later witnessed the choreographed dance and music ensembles. Alemla Jamir, Ram Pradhan, former Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Ashok Chavan, Minister of Culture, Government of Maharashtra, Dr Vijaya Mehta, Director of National Centre for Performing Arts and Directors of Zonal Cultural Centres and a large number of people were present at the occasion.

Kohima, November 20 (MExN): On the invitation of the Anthura BV Company, one of the world’s renowned Anthurium growers based in the Netherlands, and from where Nagaland has imported about five lakh planting materials since 2004-05, officials of the horticulture department under the leadership of R Khing, Parliamentary Secretary for Horticulture, Rongsentemjen, Director of Horticulture, and Watienla Jamir, Joint Director of Horticulture, visited some important floriculture companies in France, Belgium and the Netherlands between October 31 to November 6 last.
The visit to the world’s biggest Flower Auction Centre at Aalsmer, Holland, was an eye-opener for the officials, a release received here said. “Here, 2000 truck-load of flowers from all over the world, including India, are put up for auction and disposed every single day,” the release stated adding that officials of the Auction Centre gave a warm welcome to the Nagaland delegates and spent about 3 hours giving an exhaustive tour of the facility.
The floriculture sector generates more than 3 billion Euro in Holland. After visiting the Elegant Orchids at Amsterdam, the prospect of introducing Phaelonopsis orchids to Nagaland in collaboration with the Company was discussed at length. Another profitable venture for Nagaland was found to be Foliages and Greens. Nieuwkoop De Kwakel BV, the largest importer and exporter of Green Plants in the world, with Green House totalling 29 hectare under one roof, the proprietor of the company showed keen interest in the tremendous treasure trove of Nagaland’s foliages in the near future.
Magnifiq Grenzeloos Organiseren, an organisation which ties up exchange tours of farmers to different parts of the world, also voiced their interest to visit Nagaland, not only for floriculture, but also other horticultural crops, especially vegetables.“On the whole, the visit was of great benefit for furthering the fast growing floriculture industry of the State of Nagaland,” stated Watienla Jamir.
Wangala festival celebrated with splendour morungexpress
Young Garo girls present their traditional dance at the Wangala festival celebrations at Ekranipathar village in Dimapur, on November 21. (Morung Photo/Zakir Hussain)

Dimapur | November 21: With much splendour and fun, the Garo community of Dimapur today celebrated Wangala, the post harvest festival of the tribe at Ekranipathar village. The festival, organised by the Garo Students’ Union Nagaland (GSUN) in coordination with the All India Garo Union, Nagaland Regional Unit (AIGUN), was graced by Albert Marak, vice-president of the All India Garo Union (AIGU) as the chief guest, and S K Khemprai, president of the Kachari Tribal Council, Nagaland (KTCN), as the guest of honour.

Marak, in his speech, stressed on the need to preserve and promote Garo customs and traditions and encouraged the younger generation to uphold the rich traditions at any cost. He added that ‘culture is identity’ so Garo people should follow their culture strictly. Referring to the Wangala festival, the AIGU vice president said that the festival was celebrated by Garo people to convey their gratitude, and to receive blessings from God, for the rich harvest.

He maintained that through Wangala, Garo people come together every year and renew their bonds and also develop the spirit of oneness. “It is also a festival of dance,” he added. Marak further greeted the Garo people of Dimapur on the eve of Wangala, which is one of the premier festivals of the Garo tribe.

Guest of honour S K Khemprai, while greeting the Garo people on the occasion, appealed to the elders and youngsters to preserve and protect the rich cultures and traditions of the tribe in the State. The programme was chaired by B Momin, general secretary of GSUN. Pastor Elpish Sangma invoked God’s blessings, while Rolina K Sangma, president of AIGUN, welcomed the gathering. Nikhil and his group presented the welcome song, followed by a brief speech on Wangala festival read out by Dinesh K Sangma. The vote of thanks was proposed by Budok K Sangma, vice-president of AIGUN. Pastor Barnard Momin pronounced the thanksgiving prayer. Other highlights of the programme included cultural songs and dances presented by the GSUN.

Revenge whiff in explosion A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Nov. 21: A businessman’s refusal to pay up an extortion amount to the National Democratic Front of Boroland may have led the outfit to trigger the blast in front of Choudhury Complex at Barpeta Road in lower Assam on October 30.
Police got the “revenge whiff” in the blast case when a linkmen of the outfit, Anup Kumar Boro, confessed that the outfit’s cadres had planted the bomb in front of the commercial complex to avenge its owner Bidyananda Choudhury’s refusal to pay money.
Choudhury is also the chairman of Barpeta Road Municipality.
The police recorded Boro’s confession under Section 164 of the criminal procedure code (CrPC) in the presence of judicial magistrate Rajneesh Bora at the chief judicial magistrate’s court in Barpeta town on November 13. The 24-year-old said he knew a number of NDFB members through his friend Mridul Gayari, whose brother, Ritikhan is the “commander” of NDFB’s fourth battalion. Ritikhan allegedly masterminded the blasts at Barpeta Road and Ganeshguri in Guwahati. Boro admitted that through his acquaintances in the NDFB he was aware of the militant group’s “activities”, including their funds collection drives in Barpeta district and nearby areas.
“Nearly three months ago, I met NDFB cadre Madai at Mridul’s residence at Barpeta Road. Madai told me that chairman of Barpeta Road Municipality, Bidyananda Choudhury, had refused to pay any donation to the NDFB and therefore, they will take revenge on him,” said Boro, a resident of Dologaon village in Barpeta district. He was arrested a few days after the October 30 serial blasts for his alleged links with the NDFB.
In his statement to the police, Boro said Madai told him that they (NDFB cadres) would carry out a powerful bomb blast in front of Choudhury’s three-storey commercial complex whenever they get an opportunity to avenge Choudhury’s refusal to pay up.
The bomb was kept on a motorcycle parked in front of the commercial complex. The bike, which belonged to Ranjit Ramchiary, was taken away by the NDFB two years ago.
Ramchiary surrendered before the police at his village in Anandbazar two days ago.
A senior police officer said the NDFB had served a demand note of Rs 25 crore to Choudhury about four to five months ago.
“When the businessman refused to pay, the NDFB climbed down from Rs 25 crore to Rs 50 lakh but Choudhury still refused to pay. This enraged the NDFB cadres who decided to teach him a lesson,” the officer said.
The progress of investigation into the Barpeta blasts now depends on the arrest of Ritikhan and Madai, suspected to have fled to Bhutan after triggering the blasts, he said.
Attack on ex-BLT militant OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Nagaon, Nov. 21: A former leader of the now defunct Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT), Rijen Basumatary, survived an attempt on his life late last night when a group of suspected National Democratic Front of Boroland rebels attacked his house at Langhin in Karbi Anglong district.
The NDFB rebels — who had taken up position around the house — rained bullets “from 10 to 12 automatic rifles” on the house but he was unhurt, police said.
The incident is certain to pile pressure on the NDFB, which is in the spotlight for alleged complicity of several of its cadres in the October 30 serial blasts in Assam.
Basumatary’s house is located at Sunarijan, a suburb of Langhin town under Dokmoka police outpost, around 185km from Guwahati.
Incidentally, 40-year-old Basumatary stays at a designated camp in the heart of Langhin along with 64 other former BLT rebels and had come home only yesterday to spend a day with his wife. His son and daughter stay in boarding.
Basumatary said over phone today that he and his wife Bibhuti, besides the PSO, were at home when the attack took place. “We hid under the bed to escape the bullets which,” he said.
He added that the PSO tried to retaliate but finally had to fall back and shield himself. “We counted nearly seventy bullet holes on the walls of the house,” D. Bordoloi, sub-inspector of the Dokmoka out-post, said.
This is the third such attack by rival NDFB on ex-BLT cadres in the district.
Basumatary is the district unit chief of ex-BLT Welfare Society since 2006 when two of the organisation’s senior leaders — former president Dankharu Basumatary and vice-president Bijoy Basumatary — were gunned down by the rival Boro group. BLT was disbanded on December 6, 2003, and the welfare society was formed the next day.
NDFB rebels had hurled a grenade and opened fire on people taking part in the cremation ceremony of the former BLT leaders at Langhin.
“After the 2006 incident we established a camp in the heart of Langhin town where all of us live together. Yesterday, Basumatary went home to spend a day with the family,” said welfare society secretary Jowahar Basumatary.
The welfare society secretary said they would submit a memorandum to Dispur tomorrow demanding additional security to former cadres, living inside as well as outside the Langhin camp.
Probe making headway, says Gogoi Staff reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Nov 21 – Asserting that the probe into the serial blasts were making headway, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the involvement of the ULFA and the NDFB apart, indications were there that some other forces from Bangladesh could have masterminded the terror attacks. “We have been able to identify those carrying out the serial blasts in Assam, except for Kokrajhar. But the needle of suspicion still points to some other forces operating from Bangladesh who might be the brains behind the terror attacks – something which we would take up with the Government of India,” Gogoi said at a press conference.

Gogoi said that so far 15 people had been arrested in connection with the serial explosions which established the ULFA and the NDFB’s links with the blasts. “But the source and funding for the terror attacks could have come from Bangladesh, as forces inimical to the interests of the country are using Bangladesh’s soil,” he said.

Gogoi said that there were reports of the ULFA trying to create disturbances, and the security forces had been kept on high alert.

Gogoi also came down heavily on BJP leader and the party’s Prime Minister designate LK Advani for its “politics of hatred and communalism”, saying that the latter’s fluctuating stands following the revelations of the Malegaon blast could have dangerous implications for the society.

“Following the arrest of Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Advani first stated that the law should take its own course, only to retract later and come out strongly in the defence of the accused. Having different yardsticks for terrorism on the basis of religion would have dangerous implications, as it can polarize the society on communal lines,” Gogoi said.

The Chief Minister said that one of Advani’s colleagues in Assam, a former Union Minister, was found to be instigating people to indulge in violence and playing politics with dead bodies immediately after the blasts in Guwahati on October 30.

Normalcy returning to Darrang-Udalguri Staff reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Nov 21 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the situation in the group clash-affected parts of Udalguri and Darrang districts were turning normal barring a few small pockets where fear still prevailed. “The situation is returning to normal, with only 54,374 people out of a total of over two lakhs now remaining in the relief camps. Compensation to almost all the victims has already been paid, and the rehabilitation process is starting with distribution of CI sheets for housing,” Gogoi said at a press conference.

Asserting that the Government was making peace initiatives involving different sections of the people and community leaders, Gogoi said that strict vigilance was being maintained in the remote and sensitive areas. “There were apprehensions of violence during the harvest season but nothing of the sort happened, which is a positive development,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that the process of paying compensation to the serial blast victims had been completed. “The death toll now stands at 88, while only 30 injured remain in hospitals,” he said.

Doubts over Assam Rifles role - Force fails to stop arms smuggling across Myanmar border indoadmin Sources: The Telegraph, India
November 21, 2008: New Delhi, 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.