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02/11/2009: "Fresh misery plagues standoff-scarred Siroy - Assam Rifles allegedly demands a ‘no damage claim’ certificate from villagers to avoid future hassles OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph"

Fresh misery plagues standoff-scarred Siroy - Assam Rifles allegedly demands a ‘no damage claim’ certificate from villagers to avoid future hassles OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

Imphal, Feb. 10: Siroy’s cup of woes seems to be overflowing. The latest worry being an alleged demand by the Assam Rifles for a “no damage claim” certificate from the village where the troops were recently engaged in a standoff with NSCN (Isak-Muivah) militants. Sources said the villagers had come under fresh pressure even before they could resume normal life, which was affected by the standoff that started on January 19 and ended on February 2.
No Assam Rifles official was available for comment. But sources said the security force had placed the demand following allegations by the Siroy Non-violence Committee that the troops had cut down trees from adjoining forests during the standoff and used these as firewood to keep themselves warm during the chilly nights.
The certificate would help the central paramilitary force to avoid any kind of hassles — legal or financial — in the future, they added.
The sources said the alleged demand had added to the woes of the villagers who were living in a state of “perpetual” misery. “First it was the standoff, then the fear of landmines, then fear of poor harvest and now this alleged demand,” one of them said.
The Assam Rifles had cordoned off the NSCN (I-M) camp on January 19, asking the 25-odd cadres to either surrender their weapons or return to one of the designated camps. The troops maintained that opening up of the camp at Siroy in Ukhrul district of Manipur violated ground rules. They finally escorted the cadres out of Siroy on February 2 morning.
“Though both the troops and the cadres withdrew, the villagers could not resume normal life as they feared that landmines could have been planted in and around the village during the stand-off. They started moving freely only a few days ago after the district administration declared that the area had been completely sanitised,” Artex Shimray, the spokesperson for Tangkhul Coordination Committee on Siroy Siege, said over phone from Ukhrul.
He said the villagers had started sowing seeds this year without the annual ritual and celebrations, which are held from January 27 to 31 every year. The villagers are “worried” that they will not have a bumper harvest this year because they have missed the seed sowing festival.
Shimray said the village was limping back to normality, but an uneasiness prevailed among the 1,500 villagers as troops continued to put pressure on them to sign the certificate. The village authority has been maintaining that it cannot sign the document without holding a meeting of the villagers. No date has been fixed for the meeting yet.
Forces crack down on ULFA, NSCN (AGENCIES
GUWAHATI, Security forces operating under unified command have launched operation in Tirap and Changlang districts of eastern Arunachal Pradesh which border with Myanmar to check cross border movements of terrorists from Assam and Nagaland to their bases inside Myanmar.
A security source informed that terrorists from the banned United Liberation Front of Asom, the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland factions set up transit camps in these two districts in Arunachal Pradesh on their way to Myanmar.
The unified command structure which operates against terrorists within Assam and parts of Arunachal Pradesh has launched an operation to bust such transit camps of the militants with the objective to prevent militants from entering Myanmar.
These transit camps are also used by the ULFA and NSCN factions to train other militants. Besides the Army, Police and paramilitary forces, personnel from Sashastra Seema Bal will also be involved in the crack down on militants’ transit camps located en route to Myanmar. The crackdown operation is expected to be over by the next round of parliamentary polls.
The unified command has launched the operation in tune with the Union Home Ministry’s tough posture against militants after the October 30 serial blasts in Guwahati.
A similar crack down on militants’ transit camps will be launched in Tamulpur, Darrang, Udalguri, Kajalgaon areas in North Assam bordering Bhutan where the banned ULFA and National Democratic Front of Bodoland used to have their headquarters that were evicted by Royal Bhutan Army in December 2003.
Security forces suspected that some militants of the banned ULFA and the NDFB might have sneaked into the southern part of the Bhutan.

Drug addiction, alcoholism ruining Nagaland’s youths morungexpress
Dimapur | February 10: Drug addiction and alcoholism is gradually tearing down the state of Nagaland, especially its youths. The use of drugs and alcohol is not confined to males alone, but females as well.
Lately, drug addiction and alcoholism have taken their toll on the youths, predominantly the student community, and this is turning out to be a major social predicament in the state. The majority of the students start taking drugs and alcohol simply for enjoyment. However, their use may be started because of class differences. If a student from an affluent family takes a drug, the one belonging to the middle class may be enticed to use it as well. Unemployment, poverty, frustration, etc. are also some of the main reasons for taking drugs and alcohol during youth since they feel that it can ward off tensions and worries.
The condition in Northeastern states of India, particularly in Manipur and Nagaland, is very disturbing. In a study of selected villages in Nagaland and Manipur, alcohol was found to be used by 74 per cent of the people above 15 years. Recently, a leading newspaper undertook a study on the consumption of alcohol in two states, viz. Nagaland and Manipur. As many as 10 crore bottles of country made liquor and 2 crores of those of beer were consumed in just one year in these two states.
“Drug addiction and alcoholism is a disease, so it needs proper treatment like any other diseases,” feels Velhou Koza, who is pursuing his Ph.D on the topic ‘Consequences of Drug Addiction and Alcoholism on Naga Society’, under the supervision of Professor Lanunungsang from Nagaland University, under the department of Sociology.
Koza informs that it is mainly affecting people in the age group of 15 to 30 years. However, he continues that teenagers are most prone to it. He adds that youths generally start taking drugs and alcohol due to family problems or lack of entertainment avenues, and most are school and college dropouts. He also discloses that there are many hidden female drug dependents in the state.
Making a mention that the increase in social crimes such as robbery, extortion, domestic violence, accidents, rape, etc. are all due to drug and alcohol, Koza opines that the state government will continue with its prohibition. Stating that these problems are widespread in all villages of the state, he says that drug and alcohol are affecting the individual, family and the society at large.
For Koza, the spread of HIV/AIDS is also attributed to drug and alcohol use since most people do not have the sense to practise safe sex under their influence. Conveying the feelings of some drug dependents and alcoholics, he says that most of them feel that they are neglected or looked down by the society.
To save the younger generation from these social maladies, Koza suggests that the society should understand the problems of drug dependents and alcoholics – the society should be made aware of its hazards and people should show concern for them instead of discouraging them. While expressing his hope, Koza says that social organisations must come forward to create awareness among youth regarding these two major problems.
Naga MLAs ask Union Home Minister to clarify on ceasefire in Manipur: Sentinel
IMPHAL, Feb 9: What if MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing, representing Phungyar Assembly Constituency in Ukhrul Disrict of Manipur, said is true, then we may as well expect another spell of trouble in the state. The MLA told a group of media persons at his official quarter at Babupara this evening that he along with two other Naga MLAs recently met the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram at New Delhi to seek clarification from him about the status of ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) in Manipur, whereas the Union Minister told them that the ceasefire is effective in all Naga inhabited areas.
“It covers anywhere,” Chidambaram allegedly told the Naga MLAs from Manipur. Divulging this astonishing information, MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing told the media persons that Chidambaram had told them that the ceasefire is in force in not only all Naga inhabited areas but also “anywhere.” The MLA along with W Morung Makunga, MLA from Tengnoupal AC and K Raina, MLA from Tadubi AC met the Union Home Minister on February 4 in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum to him.
In the memorandum, the three MLAs stated that Nagas in Manipur were very much upset over the dealings of the Government of India with NSCN and the peace process that has been dragged on for over 11 years without any tangible results. In the meantime, Manipur Government has come out again against the ceasefire between the GOI and the NSCN in Manipur, and the GOI also seems to be perplexed, the memorandum had mentioned. As people’s representatives of Nagas in Manipur, they were constrained to state clearly so that the confusion is done away once and for all.
The Naga people supported the ongoing peace process because they want negotiated settlementthrough peaceful means but if the Home Minister says there is no ceasefire in Manipur then, he was looking for War (violence and bloodshed) with the Nagas.
Moreover, it would be deemed as naked denial of the existence of Nagas in Manipur which the Nagas will never accept lying down.
The repercussion from the peple against Manipur Government and Delhi would be disastrous for which Nagas should not be held responsible, the memorandum stated. It further stated that it was a round reality that there is the cessation of militancy operation and confrontation between the Indian security forces and the Naga Army in the Naga districts.
There are camps of the Naga Army units in the area which are not disturbed by the security forces. The absence of confrontation between the two bring peaceful atmosphere in the Naga areas and it contributed to the success of the peace process. However, the memorandum added, the Siroy standoff was an unfortunate development.
It had caused consternation and tension among the people of the district, the three Naga MLAs expressed through the memorandum. They further reiterated that the Indo-Naga peace process should continue and both sides should ensure that the peace process is not disturbed, and they firmly believed that the confrontation between both sides should be avoided for the sake of peace. MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing told the media persons that the Home Minister had told the Naga MLAs that instructions had already been given to the paramilitary forces and the Naga rebels to avoid any unwanted situations.
He had also told them that there should not be factions among the Naga rebels and assured of accelerating the peace talk.
Assam Rifles & Common Man morungexpress
•Sir- Assam Rifles, the oldest Para Military Force in India has a history which is directly linked with the history of growth and development of the areas of complete NE region. Over a period of time it has evolved itself and has acquired the Army ethos and culture since all but few of its officers are on deputation from Indian Army. There is no denying the fact that Assam Rifles has participated with sincerity towards the development of NE region but at the same time there is a requirement within this organization to carry out an appraisal to judge where it stands today. I would like to throw some light on the scenario that exists in Nagaland since I have grown up here and have closely watched them since my childhood.
The factional clashes are a routine in Nagaland. It has claimed many innocent lives in the state. Assam Rifles units are directly or indirectly involved in the factional affairs. Many times when situation warrants they come forward to diffuse the situation but on many other occasions they turn mute spectators to the incidents and take advantage of the issue to score good marks within their own organization. The tendency to avoid taking responsibility on many occasions siting it as a law and order problem does not go well with the ethos of Assam Rifles which claim to be as the true “Friends of the Hill People”. It is also true that the State Govt is also accountable to the present situation in the state but Assam Rifles being the only Security Force in the state is duty bound to take responsibilities. If it is actually a ‘Friend’ to all of us it cannot just work all the time within the framework of useless Ground Rules. It has to rise to the occasion at all the times and act independently. We all know that most of the times the actions taken by it are only on papers (to please their bosses). It should now start acting with genuine concern for the people of Nagaland.
The inter personnel relationship of AR with civil population is generally healthy. But some of its men and officers take it a bit too far. The cases of them trying to take undue advantage of friendly people of Nagaland are on the rise. I have relatives who know of some Colonels and Majors of its Headquarters based at Kohima who spend more time and effort in civil colonies than their office. My own cousin was a trap to one of them. How can such officers and jawans be responsible? I am sure they don’t even know what Ground Rules are! It will not only spoil the mutual respect for each other but may result in cases like Manipur.
I wish to remind Assam Rifles through your esteemed News paper about their role and responsibility. We all want them to concentrate on saving the lives of innocent civilians rather than just pretending to do that.

K. Zhimomi
NSCN IM and Assam Rifles standoff resolved amicably ICT by ANI
Ukhrul (Manipur), Feb.10 (ANI): The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) NSCN IM and Assam Rifles recently had a standoff over the violation of ceasefire agreement.
The standoff began with the NSCN (IM) trying to set up a camp in the vicinity of Siroy village in Manipur, which was a step contravening the conditions of original ceasefire agreement.
Though the weeklong standoff between the NSCN-IM and the Assam Rifles at Siroy in Manipur’’s Ukhrul district has been resolved amicably, it badly affected the lives of those living in Siroy village.
Thousands of villagers were confined inside the village due to the clash. Farmers could not allowed to attend to their paddy fields and children were barred from attending schools and colleges.
Sit in protests were held in different Naga districts of Manipur against the standoff.
“People want peace and not violence. It is likely to disturb the peace talk while is going on. We want a peaceful solution. No confrontation is the main theme here. That’’s why we shall continue till the matter is solved at the higher level,” said Stephen Angkang of Shirui Village.
“The thing is that this may not be the right version because if it is not possible for them to stay here why did not they evict them in the previous years. Earlier they used to live peacefully. There was co-existence. But these days only they have started agitation,” said Ngachan Luirei, another villager.
Earlier, following the tension, the Assam Rifles rushed to the area and cordoned it off. Thereafter, the NSCN-IM cadres were given 72 hours to ”withdraw” from the camp at Siroy.
According the ceasefire agreement, the NSCN (IM) cadres are expected to stay in a designated camp in Hebron in Dimapur of Nagaland and not elsewhere. (ANI)
State Cong pushes for RAP relief morungexpress
Dimapur, February 10 (MExN): The state’s opposition Congress has sought from the Union Home minister, greater relaxation of Protected Area Permit/ Restricted Area Permit for Nagaland state. In a memorandum to the Home minister today, the opposition made the request based on contentions of building the tourism industry.
The state government had also, earlier, made the same request to the center, seeking relaxation of PAP/RAP from the current 10 days limit to 30 days. The Congress, in the memorandum said the relaxation would facilitate tourists interested in visiting “all the districts”. This is possible as the state is very small, the Congress stated. However, it added, poor communication systems in some districts hinder travelers from completing their travel within the current stipulated date. This is not convenient for tourists under the present permitted period of 10 days, the Congress explained.
The Congress also reiterated the state government’s request to the center, powers to issue PAP/RAP to any tourist desiring to visit the state “without restriction in the size of a tourist group, whether one or more”.
Thirdly, the Congress listed out, there is a special category of PAP applicants that need to be treated differently - foreigners who are married to locals and many of who are also PIO card holders. The Congress proposed that the state government may be empowered to issue PAP for a period of six months extendable up to one year. This may be with a provision for further extension with the approval of the central government, the memorandum suggested.
The Congress felt relaxing PAP/RAP to be necessary in promoting tourism and encouraging the people, especially unemployed youths, to participate in the industry. Otherwise, the tourism industry will not move forward under the rigid PAP/RAP system, the Congress added.
Meanwhile, the covering letter of the memorandum copy received here said the Home minister has assured to look into the matter.

PC’s comment a breach of agreement: NSCN-IM Nagarealm.com
DIMAPUR, FEB09 [EMN] : The NSCN-IM today said Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s comment that NSCN should present its proposals within the Indian constitution is ‘a breach of agreement and a total betrayal to the Nagas’. A press communiqué issued by the MIP stated that the Indo-Naga ceasefire signed in 1997 was done without any conditions placed on the NSCN.

“But after more than 11 years when Indo-Naga political talks was held for more than 60 rounds, the new Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram is uttering something new where he commented that NSCN should present its proposals within the Indian constitution,” the press release said, adding that this is a breach of agreement and a total betrayal to the Nagas.

It, moreover, said the commitment given by the earlier Prime Ministers, who had taken cognizance of the unique history of the Nagas and said that Indo-Naga political conflict should be given honourable solution, should not be set aside. “This will be a breach of trust that reflects P. Chidambaram's immaturity and perception on the political issue that NSCN and GoI has been trying to come for a mutual agreement,” it stated.

It may be recalled that the Union Home Minister, on his maiden visit to the state to review the situation on Feb 3 last, had said talks should come to a close soon and invited both the NSCN outfits to come up with proposals for settlement, which he stressed should be within the frame work of the Indian constitution. “The GoI is willing and looking for early settlement of the protracted indo-Naga issue, but it should be within the framework of the constitution of India,” he had stated.
Myanmar Mission of the Council of Nagaland Baptist Churches Missionaries set Hindu temple on fire Organizer
According to the complaints of Hindu Nagas, the Christian missionaries from Tamenlong in Manipur in collusion with their Barak Valley activists have been converting the Hindus of Ujan Tarapur through allurements and threats.
SILCHAR: Christian missionaries preach many things and quote the Bible in particular to say, “We do not hurt other denominations.” And behind the facade of this Biblical adherence lies the ugly face of their activities to take resort to illegal and fraud for conversion of the innocent and simple minded people by force, inducement and questionable means. It is now more than clear that it is these missionaries who create conflict and stoke the flame of religious bigotry and communal passion. Glaring example is Kandhamal.Laxamananda Saraswati was murdered because he had become a formidable force in the area against forced conversion of Hindus. His popularity and following in the area was rapidly increasing, scaring the Christian zealots.

The pseudo secularists and the media of that mindset blamed the VHP and the Bajrang Dal for the Kandhamal situation without making any ground study. Let them come to Barak Valley of Assam and have independent and objective look at the nefarious and provocative designs of the missionaries to convert the Hindus.

Christian missionaries as a part of their proselytisation drive after abortive attempts at conversion have again targeted the Hindu Rongmei Naga inhabited village of Ujan Tarapur, near Banskandi. Under the guidance of their pastor they attacked the temple of Goddess Kali and set the idol on fire, besides causing extensive damage to the temple.

On the basis of the complaint lodged with the Lakhipur police station by the Rongmeis, the police took prompt action and arrested Thuirangdin Rongmei (47), Pawhailung Rongmei (63) and Alum Rongmei (35). Thuirangdin is from the Tamenlong district of Manipur while two others are from Barak Valley of Assam. Another missionary involved in the crime identified as Miuri Rongmei is absconding.

Additional SP of Cachar Pradip Ranjan Kar, officer in-charge of Lakhipur Seva Singh and magistrate Ranjit Kumar Laskar rushed to the spot on receipt of information and arrested the missionaries who were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court at Silchar. These missionaries have been chargesheeted under sections 120(B), 153(A), 295(A) of 427/435/34 IPC.

According to the complaints of Hindu Nagas, the Christian missionaries from Tamenlong in Manipur in collusion with their Barak Valley activists have been converting the Hindus of Ujan Tarapur through allurements and even by threats. Zeliangrong Haraku Association (ZHA), an organisation of Naga Tribes—Zeme, Rongmei and Liyangmei—has taken serious exception to the decision of the Myanmar Mission of the Council of Nagaland Baptist Churches (CNBC) to evangelise the Nagas.

The Council at its last annual meeting held at Paren in Nagaland has adopted a resolution to conduct evangelisation programme. The resolution calls upon the Baptist churches to take positive steps in this regard.

Quite intriguing is the use of code and the organised efforts of the Baptist churches to work for the realisation of Myanmar mission. Details of this mission are not known. The CNBC has reiterated to “uphold this mission project in every possible way as a joint ministry in the world evangelisation mission.”

Gaifui Rongmei, Pinsingpoi Rongmei and Chinkudai Rongmei of Ujan Tarapur had complained earlier that “this proselytisation drive is not new.” Three missionaries have been frequenting their areas and forcing them to embrace Christianity. This process started in 1996 when copies of Bible were distributed among the 50 odd families of the village. Following year their visit was with questionnaires to all of them and particularly on the essence of the Bible and what they have learnt about Jesus Christ and Christianity.

Panicked villagers met Kalyan Ashram members who immediately took up the matter with the then deputy commissioner, Pawan Kumar Borthakur and SP Jeevan Singh as well as the subsidiary intelligence bureau officials. The villagers said the missionaries abused their gods and goddesses and advised them not to offer worship at their apoo ragwang (Shiva) and paimadiliu (Kali) temples. They also alleged that the missionaries not only resorted to coercive methods but also extorted money from 43 families.

ZHA in a statement at Haflong while advising the Zeliangrongs to preserve their tradition, culture and heritage has cautioned the missionaries against conversion for such a process would only create tension and conflict, fraught with disastrous consequences.
India asks Yangon to act promptly on info on N-E insurgents Pallab Bhattacharya, PTI
Mandalay, Feb 9 : Nursing serious concerns over operations of north-eastern insurgents, India on Sunday asked Myanmar to act promptly on information about their activities in its territory as the two sides agreed on a slew of measures to jointly tackle the menace.
"We stressed the importance of timely action by Myanmar on the information given by us on the insurgents in Myanmar territory," Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju told Indian journalists accompanying Vice President Hamid Ansari who arrived in Mandalay on the last leg of his visit to the country.
He said while the two countries already have an intelligence-sharing mechanism, what was important was timely and effective action by Myanmar in addressing India's security concerns.
Raju, who was a member of the Indian delegation led by Ansari in the talks with Myanmar's top military generals in the last two days, said India has already helped Myanmar by improving the infrastructure on its side of the border.
The Border Road Organisation (BRO) has upgraded the road on Myanmar territory and provided them with some communication equipment, the minister said.
Ansari, who is on a four-day visit to Myanmar, met head of the country's military junta Gen Than Shwe and other top leaders to give a fresh impetus to security, trade and economic ties between the two countries.
Replying to a question, Raju said there was no discussion on joint or coordinated action by security forces of India and Myanmar against the insurgents.
He said the two countries have agreed on the need for more frequent meetings at the field level to combat the insurgents and maintain peace at the border.
The meetings have been taking place but it was felt by both sides that there should be more frequent meetings between security forces of the two sides, Raju said.
The Minister said the action taken by Myanmar against the insurgents was showing results on the ground and both the sides hoped to keep up the momentum of cooperation on the security front. India strongly articulated its security interest the talks with Myanmar leaders, he added.
The remarks by Raju assume significance in the wake of reports that northeastern insurgents have begun to move to Myanmar from Bangladesh in the wake of a change of government in that country.
Than Shwe yesterday assured Ansari that Myanmar would not allow its territory to be used by the ultras to target India.
Ansari, who travelled here after offering prayers at the tomb of last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar in Yangon, will tomorrow inaugurate an optical fibre link between Moreh town and Mandalay.
The Vice President will visit the Mandalay Palace and a pagoda on Monday before returning to Delhi
Cops hurt as protesters go berserk OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Nagaon, Feb. 10: Two thousand villagers attacked a police station in Karbi Anglong and injured two constables today after a peace march to protest the killing of a teenaged girl in IRB firing yesterday turned violent.
The villagers, led by Karbi Students’ Association (KSA) and the local Congress unit, had planned a peace procession to demand a high-level inquiry into the IRB attack that killed 17-year-old Parboti Terangpi and injured five others in Phanglokpet village. The march began as scheduled after the villagers gathered at Bokoliahat-based Karbi Youth club. But by the time they reached Bokoliahat police station around 11.30am, the pent-up anger spilled over. Villagers went berserk, hurling stones at the policemen, injuring constables Gunendra Pathak and Ramesh Kramsa.
“She was a simple and honest little girl. I am here to seek justice for her. Tell me what was her fault? Why she was killed?” cried Parboti’s father, Hemari Teron, as he marched to the police station.
Parboti, an only child and a Class X student at Phonglokpet High English School, led a group to a temporary camp of the 22nd IRB last night after a few of their personnel allegedly beat up local youths during a religious festival.
The IRB havildar in charge of the camp, Nuruddin Ahmed, opened fire on the protesters, killing Parboti and injuring five others, including four women and a four-year-old boy.
Karbi Anglong police arrested Ahmed later that night.
The district superintendent of police, K.K. Sarma, said all the five injured, Kaseng Terangpi, Phulmoti Hansepi, Honsira Terangpi and Dalimi Terangpi and Babu Teron, have been shifted to the Dimapur-based army hospital for better medical care.
He said the district administration would give adequate compensation to the next of kin of the one killed and also to the injured.
“We promised the agitators that those found responsible for the incident will be brought to book and punished,” he said.
Last night, however, he had said that according to preliminary reports, the incident was triggered by a “misunderstanding”. The villagers today also submitted a memorandum to Karbi Anglong deputy commissioner S.N. Sahu demanding an inquiry and punishment for the culprits. The Karbi Students’ Association today said if the government failed to deliver justice, it would intensify the agitation.
“We will continue our agitation till the victims’ families get justice,” said the president of the students’ association, Sarthe Kramsa. The commanding officer of the IRB, Prasanta Sagar Changmai, who was away when the incident occurred last evening, today said he would look into the matter once he returned to his base.
“I will make a thorough inquiry into the incident separately and submit my report to the additional director-general of police, Sibabrata Kakoti, within the next 24 hours,” he said on his way to Karbi Anglong from Dhemaji. He confirmed that it had been reported to him that Ahmed was in an inebriated condition. “Such indiscipline cannot be and will not be tolerated. If (the charge is) true, then such officials must be punished according to the law,” Changmai said. The commanding officer, along with a team of Karbi Anglong police, will visit Bokoliahat tomorrow to take stock of the situation.