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01/10/2009: "IM releases AR men Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network"
IM releases AR men Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, January 09 2009: AMID HIGH drama over the detention of an Assam Rifles Captain and four other jawans by the NSCN-IM cadres in Nagaland's Phek district yesterday, the Naga militants have released the jawans on the midnight of January 8 .
Tension ran high last evening as the Assam Rifles had accused the NSCN-IM of violating the ceasefire ground rules.The Assam Rifles also said that the security forces had been exercising restrain in view of the prevailing situation.
However, the NSCN-IM today alleged that on Thursday afternoon at around 1pm five security forces jawans from 33 Assam Rifles led by one captain S.Momo 'intruded' into the prohibited zone of Ihoshe Battalion of Naga Army near Pfuzero,in Nagaland's Phek district which is a designated camp.
"The Naga Army was left with no option but to exercise the military command of duty to defend its territorial rights as demarcated by the Indo-Naga ceasefire.
The five Assam Rifles personnel were over-powered by the alert Naga Army and detained for conducting interrogation.
The version of the Assam Rifles was that they were doing patrolling duty.
But, the question is, why at the gate of the designated camp? An official of the rank of Captain should know the rules that governed the ceasefire for the past 11 years," asked the NSCN-IM.
The NSCN-IM press statement issued by its information wing this evening said that in the light of this 'provocative episode it may be pointed out that there is more about Captain S.Momo than what meet the eyes'.
"His notorious movement in the Chakhesang area is nothing new.
He has been a source of social irritants for quite some time.But despite the unwarranted interference of this officer as witnessed by the authorities of the area including S.D.P.O.,C.P.O (Chakhesang people's Organization) Gaonburas (GBs) etc.
nothing was done to stop him from going overboard.
And this is just another repetition of his unauthorized intrusion into the area," alleged the NSCN-IM.
The NSCN-IM statement said that the five Assam Rifles personnel were compelled to undergo serious interrogation at the hands of the 'Naga Army', and they were not kept in 'Naga Army's custody' for more than what is required.
They were released on the midnight of January 8 after making the civil societies and district administration as witnesses.
Their weapons were also eventually released after the Assam Rifles admitted their mistakes, added the outfit in the statement.
Harping on the over-all scene of the ceasefire, the NSCN-IM said that the Indo-Naga ceasefire that was reached in August 1, 1997 bears historical significance because the long years of Indo-Naga conflict reflected the futility of seeking military solution by suppressing the Naga political struggle.
The Indian military generals realized this impracticality, which ultimately striked the political consciousness of the bosses in New Delhi, it added.
"The Nagas under NSCN was only defending its political right that has been intruded and suppressed.
The NSCN's endurance for more than 11years after ceasefire demonstrates its faith on political solution and not military solution.
Nevertheless, the Indo-Naga ceasefire was simply not signed on blank paper.
Certain obligations are attached to preserve the sanctity of the ceasefire and one of the obligations prohibits the Indian Armed forces from coming within the range of 1 Km of any NSCN's designated camps without getting prior approval from the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell.
Violation of this is therefore, against the ceasefire spirit as laid down," explained the NSCN-IM.
Nagaland moving on towards a rosy future ANI Thai-Indian News
Kohima,Jan.6 (ANI): Moving on the path of self reliance, Nagaland is all set to have a rosy future with the success of rose farming in the state and annual sales turn over in 2008 standing at of crores of rupees. Flowers like Lilium, Anthurium, Roses, dry flowers and Birds of Paradise recorded a gross turnover of rupees eleven crores, thirty four lakhs forty three thousand (Rs. 11,34,43,000) during the year 2004-05 to 2007-08.
Commercial rose cultivation was first introduced at Yisemyong village under Mokokchung District by the state government in 2004-05 on experimental basis. Seeing the positive outcome and the potential of rose cultivation, so far 35 units of green house spread over more than 500 square metres of land have been set up under active guidance of the state Department of Horticulture and technical know how of companies like Zopar Private Limited and Florance Flora.
Roses, anthuriums, lilium have found a place in the international market with consignments going to the metro cities and Dubai
The latest materials for cultivation are brought from Holland and Israel with a strict compliance to quality.
Watienla Jamir, Joint Director of Horticulture, says that the Yisemyong project served as an eye opener and model for entrepreneurs.
She also said that 20 SHGs are involved in the process and the income regenerated has been a great boost for them, adding that about 12 lakh stems have been cut till 2008.
The state government has also given a directive to all government departments to display freshly cut flowers in the office premises in a first of its kind venture in the country.
Talking on this line, she appreciated the government directive and said that Nagaland has a rosy future and found place in the international map of floriculture, becoming the main economic mainstay of Nagaland.
Yachubeiu says she was introduced to rose cultivation through the department and I am doing a project in Nerhema village.
“I got the first harvest a few months back and weekly I am getting at least 1000 roses from one unit,” she adds.
“The state government directive to display roses is a good encouragement to us beneficiaries, and I believe it would rope in good money and promote rose cultivation. An idle mind promotes anti-social activities and ill thoughts. So, I believe being engaged in whatever constructive activity would usher in peace in our land,” she says.
“Locally, we cater to demands or else we also supply outside according to demands of companies,” she adds.
Anungla from Zopar Exports Private Limited she joined the business in 2007.
“I encourage everyone to be a part of this as it is a profitable venture. It is going well so it is very good. Rose farms are spread over Kohima, Wokha and Mokokchung district in Nagaland,” she says.
“My name is Neisakuono. Rose has good market value as it is bought for all special occasion, to decorate houses, to gif others and in programmes. People buy a lot so it has a good market generating income.” (ANI)
PRESS RELEASE 6TH Jan 09. Issued By MIP/ GPRNIt is unfortunate that NSCN were compelled to arrest anti-social elements involved in tax collection or other illegal activities in the name of reactionary K-group. It is however to be made known that they are not kept in the custody of NSCN more than the period necessary for interrogation. Moreover the joy of festive season of Christmas and New
Year was not denied to them. And accordingly, all the arrested elements kept in GHQ were released without any condition in different period of time. The list shown below is indicative of the release beginning from January 2008 to Dec 23, 2008.
1. Mr Mhosevoyi Nikha s/o Mr. Felenii Nikha of Zasheyu Village, Region Ch'sang.
2. Mr. Hovito Zhimomi s/o Mr. Inaho Zhimomi of Kukidolong (Gaspani)
Region- Sumi d/o released-March 28, 2008.
3. Mr. Zakaito Zhimomi s/o Mr. Bohoto Zhimomi Zomti Village Region Sumi 02/04/
4. Mr. Herato Kinimi s/o Mr. Hugheto Kinimi of Zaphumi Village,
Region- Sumi d/o released- April 14,2008.
5. Mr. Akato Yeptho s/o Mr. Lali Kakheto Yeptho of Aghunato Village
Region Sumi 18,2008.
6. Mr. Ketoshe Zhimomi s/o Mr. Vinito Zhimomi of Kiyekhu Village
Region Sumi d/o released- April 18,2008.
7. Mr. Yimso Khiphruh s/o Late Mr. Shankar Khiphruh of solomi Village.
Region Bihar d/o released July 20, 2008.
8. Mr. Kevisehe Chishi s/o Lt. Tohenu Chishi of Guihakhu Village,
Region Sumi d/o released Dec 11,2008.
9. Mr. Stenhop Fithu s/o Mr. Yapoh Fithu of Regin Village- Pochury
10. Mr. Kasheho Shohe s/o Mr. Kohoshe Shohe of Awohomi Village, Region Sumi.
11. Mr. Lan Kamei s/o Mr. Atching Kamei of Nongba Village, Region ZLR
d/o released- Dec 04, 2008.
12. Mr. Nunghingthan Golmei s/o Thonsem Village Region- ZLR, d/o
released Dec 04, 2008.
Rebels take soldiers hostage in India's northeast
GUWAHATI, India, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Tribal rebels in India's troubled northeast kidnapped an army officer and five soldiers, saying they were angry that government forces were encouraging rival groups despite a ceasefire, officials said on Friday.
The soldiers were on a routine foot patrol in the mountains of Nagaland late on Thursday when they were captured by separatist rebels of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) (NSCN-IM).
The group is among the strongest of dozens of militant organisations fighting Indian rule in the state. The insurgencies have killed thousands of people over the last half century.
"Efforts are on to secure their release with the help of village elders," Lieutenant Colonel Nirupam Bhargav said in Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.
The kidnappers said New Delhi was encouraging rival groups to attack them and sabotage a decade-old peace process aimed at ending the longest-running insurgency in the region.
Nagaland is a mainly Christian state of two million people on India's far northeast border with Myanmar. (Reporting by Biswajyoti Das, Editing by Krittivas Mukherjee)
NSCN abducts officer, 5 jawans
A STAFF REPORTER
Guwahati, Jan. 8: Members of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) allegedly kidnapped an Assam Rifles captain and five jawans along with their arms and ammunition at Zhamai in Nagaland’s Phek district today.
Lt Col Nirupam Bhargav, a defence spokesman in Kohima, confirmed the abduction and said Capt. Shapam Momo had gone to Zhamai from Pfutsero town on a routine patrol with the five jawans when they were overpowered by a large number of NSCN cadres.
He said the abducted persons were kept in the nearby NSCN (I-M) designated camp at Kopamedzu and that negotiations were on with the help of village elders to seek their release.
None of the NSCN (I-M) leaders were available for comment till late tonight. The defence spokesman said the Assam Rifles team could be overpowered as it had restrained itself in view of the ceasefire with the outfit.
The rebels, however, did not bother about the ceasefire ground rules and abducted the Assam Rifles personnel, he alleged.
The NSCN (I-M) had recently claimed to have “arrested” several people in connection with extortions, abductions and ransoms as part of “a drive against antisocial elements” in and around Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland.
The information and publicity wing of the NSCN said many of the arrested persons were from its rival NSCN (Khaplang) faction who it later released.
This gesture is also to pave the way for the arrested NSCN (I-M) cadres by the rival group who are yet to be released.
State terror has foreign links: CM
Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Jan 9 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today emphasised that development held the key to resolution of the problems of insurgency and terrorism. He maintained that rise in the purchasing power of the common people was more important compared to the coming of the multi-national companies to accelerate development in the State. He was replying to the debate on the Governor’s address in the State Assembly.
He also reiterated that the problem of terrorism in the State had a foreign connection. Though he did not name any country in this connection, he said that the election of Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh would help the State resolve the problem.
To drive home his point on development, he said that terrorism and underdevelopment formed a vicious circle. Therefore, the State Government has attached top priority to development and unemployment and flood and erosion are rated the two bigger problems for the State. Terrorism comes only next to them.
The Government is spending 80 per cent of its funds on developmental schemes, he said, adding, terrorism is dominant in inaccessible areas like the border and char areas and hence these areas need special consideration. The Government has prepared special schemes for these areas, he said.
The growing stress of his Government on development has led to the rise in the growth rate to 8 per cent from the 1.75 per cent during the AGP rule. Similarly, the per capita income of the people has come up to Rs 22,000 now from Rs 10,000 in the previous regime, he said.
That 34 lakh of domestic tourists are visiting the State annually, compared to the 10 lakh in AGP’s time is also suggestive of the developmental activities taking place in the State, he said.
To make the youths fit for jobs, the Government is concentrating on their skill development, and, therefore, he said, training facilities are set up at the development block level, said Gogoi.
In reply to the allegation made by the Opposition members that the Central Government went on to hold talks with the NSCN (IM) despite it adhering to violence, he said that the NSCN faction had given up the demand for a sovereign Nagaland. Instead it has called for a Greater Nagalim, which is also opposed by the Assam Government, he said.
For holding talks with it ULFA needs to shun violence and give up the demand for a sovereign Assam. It should also send its top leaders to the negotiation. If the ULFA top brass comes forward to take part in the negotiation, the Government was willing to release the outfit’s five jailed leaders, he clarified.
In reply to the charge of the Opposition that the State Government had allowed the Pakistani nationals arrested during the AGP rule to go on bail, he said that two Pakistani nationals were still in jail custody.
He also dismissed the charge of the Opposition that the Union Home Minister had criticised the Assam Police for its role in containing insurgency as baseless. Moreover, the Union Home Minister never made any statement that the Central Government would tackle the law and order situation of the State, he said.
