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04/18/2009: "Minor girl raped, murdered in Delhi The Sangai Express"

Minor girl raped, murdered in Delhi The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 17 2009: In an incident that was as abhorrent as it was shocking and chilling, a six-year old Naga girl was raped and murdered at Mahipalpur in New Delhi today. Police have arrested a suspect though another is absconding.

The victim belonged to Zeliangrong community. Her father, a businessman, is from Nagaland and the mother who is a nurse working there is from Manipur. According to spokesperson of NE Helpline Modhuchandra, the incident came to light at around 1.45 pm today after the mother of the girl went up to the terrace of the building in which they are staying to look for her daughter. The daughter had gone to the terrace to dry clothes at around 1 pm. But as she did not come down after a while, the worried mother went looking for her. After a thorough search, the victim was found inside a water storage tank located at another building. She was immediately taken to Spinal Injury Centre, a hospital at Vasant Kunj, where the doctors examined and confirmed the rape. Along with lodging a complaint with the Commissioner of Police, Vasant Kunj, police have started investigation into the incident. So far, a suspect who is a young boy staying in the same building has been arrested by the police and the hunt for an absconding Nepali boy is on.
Assam police refuses to vacate Naga school morungexpress
Dimapur, April 17 (MExN): In spite of repeated requests from the government of Nagaland, and even a directive from the Election Commission of India, a platoon of the Assam Police that occupied a school in Longleng has refused to vacate it. Assam Armed Police have forcibly occupied a Government Primary School building, a Nagaland-designate polling station, in Ladigarh, under Tamlu assembly constituency in Longleng. Because of the platoon’s refusal to vacate the school even after the Election Commission’s directive, polling could not be held at the station on April 16. The state went to polls for her lone Lok Sabha seat as well as to four assembly constituencies of the state.
The building was constructed in 1980 by the state government of Nagaland and was approved as a polling station. The polling station was approved during the early part of 1971 and residents of the Naga village have been exercising their franchise since then. Mention may be made here that even the Chief Electoral officer of Nagaland had issued a statement a few days ago that even in the past, polling activities were held at Ladigarh without hindrance. The Assam Police did not vacate the building in spite of repeated requests by the Nagaland government as well as directives of the Election Commission of India for which no polling was held, the deputy commissioner of Longleng CK Nihekhu Sema stated today in a message.
“The district administration and police of Sivsagar are doing it intentionally and by force without obtaining permission from deputy commissioner of Longleng or director of School Education, Nagaland” the DC said. The forcible occupation of the building by the Assam Police, which does not belong to them, is a clear case of trespass, the DC stated. For this reason, the DC added, the Assam police are liable to pay to the Nagaland government land rent and house rent “as much as we ask for”.
Army aid for Ao Kashiram village morungexpress
Col Ashwani Gupta, CO of 69 Engineer Regiment, in this image released to media seen here presenting a solar lamp to Temjen Jamir, chairman of the Ao Kashiram Village Council.
Dimapur, April 17 (MExN): Ao Kashiram village has been provided “infrastructural aid” as part of the overall plan for development of villages in Nagaland “as envisioned by Lt. Gen. R K Loomba, AVSM, GOC Spear Corps”.
Stating that the aid would ensure that “locals are provided basic necessities and amenities for better healthcare and living conditions specially in remote areas of Nagaland where basic necessities are nonexistent”, the 69 Engineer Regiment of the Spear Corps on April 15 donated solar lanterns, water filters, and high resolution searchlights and various other accessories to the villagers of Ao Kashiram. The OIC Media Cell of HQ 3 Corps informed in a press release that the contributions were handed over to Temjen Jamir, chairman of the Ao Kashiram Village Council, by Col Ashwani Gupta, CO of the 69 Engineer Regiment of the Spear Corps, on behalf of Gen Loomba. It was also informed that the Village Council chairman conveyed gratitude to Gen Loomba and the Army Engineers for extending their support “for upliftment of the Naga village in the larger interest of the people of Nagaland”.

Phased vote in Dhansa OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph


Cops to stalk red moves
Patna, April 17: Determined to provide their voters adequate security, Rohtas’s election machinery conducted polls at only three booths (out of nine) in Dhansa valley yesterday with maximum security present at the time of election.
The remaining six booths are slated to go to polls on April 19, a decision that was taken by the district poll machinery, headed by district magistrate Shravan M.
A request letter to his effect was forwarded to principal home secretary Afzal Amanullah who in turn forwarded it to the Election Commission.
Dhansa valley has as many as nine stations that are said to fall under the “liberated” zone of the CPI(Maoist) and have not witnessed polling in the past 20 years, with Maoists setting up their own police, executive and judicial system there.
This is the same place where on April 15 red guerrillas shot rocket launchers at a school and demolished it, beginning a four-hour gun battle with a BSF camp that was being put up there. The encounter killed 10 rebels and forced the Maoists to retreat to the surrounding forests.
The state poll authorities believe that April 19 — a poll-free day in the rest of the country — will be an ideal date as extra forces would be readily available. They are also hopeful that the election commission approve of their decision —which should arrive in the district by tomorrow morning.
Yesterday, Rohtas administration had deployed 130 companies of central paramilitary forces in the state that saw polls in most of its red zones yesterday. But, the officials felt that the Centre should have supplied at least 260 companies of the paramilitary forces.
Contrary to the perception that the politically conscious Bihar, where 46 per cent of its electorate cast their votes, saw a relatively low percentage of votes being cast (as against Kerala and Nagaland) authorities here are satisfied with the turnout.
“Nagaland is thinly populated and even if eight out of its 10 people cast their votes, the record shows as 80 per cent. On the other hand, Bihar’s constituencies have 13 to 15 lakh voters and given the concentration of the population 46 per cent voting is quite satisfactory,” said a senior official.
He added that ongoing harvest and wedding seasons may have stopped voters from joining in the process, along with the Maoist threat.
“Yesterday, Rohtas administration selected only three booths, out of nine, to conduct elections. Each booth had a police platoon (comprising 16 jawans) manning it,” said principal home secretary Afzal Amanullah. “People turned up to vote after almost 20 years.”
These three booths in Dhansa valley of Sasaram Lok Sabha constituency recorded 50 per cent of votes against Bihar’s total poll percentage of 46 in the first phase of polling.
Union minister and Congress nominee Meera Kumar is contesting to retain the seat from Rohtas.
“Yesterday’s enthusiastic turnout proved that the people still have faith in the democratic process,” the home secretary said, adding: “The administration has apprised the commission about its strategy of conducting phase-wise polls in Dhansa valley and has asked permission to conduct the second phase polls on April 19.”
Nagaland polled 90.21% morungexpress
Dimapur, April 17 (MExN): Nagaland recorded a voter turnout percentage of 90.21 for the Lok Sabha elections held on April 16, according to Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland, CJ Ponraj.
April 20 for 3 re-polls Kiphire district recorded the highest with 97.49% voter turnout while Kohima district recorded the lowest at 79.30%. Kiphire district recorded the highest percentage in the 2004 Parliamentary elections as well, with 97.97%. The others are Dimapur at 83.47 %, Peren at 91.60%, Kohima at 79.30%, Pughoboto at 93.66%, Phek at 94.12%, Mokokchung at 86.26%, Zunheboto at 93.58%, Wokha at 94.76%, Mon at 93.56%, Longleng at 96.49%, Tuensang at 96% while Kiphire registered a voter turnout of 97.49%. For the four assembly segment by-elections, the voter turnout percentage registered 3-Dimapur III at 82.88%, 17-Chizami at 91.40% and 41-Tizit at 83.42% while 54-Tuensang Sadar registered a voter turnout of 83.35%.

Re-polls for three stations The Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland CJ Ponraj has said that the Election Commission of India has ordered re-poll in three polling stations in the state, which will be held on April 20, Monday, from 7AM to 4 PM. Re-poll will be held at polling station No.16 of Thechulumi village ‘B’ wing under 17-Chizami Assembly Constituency for sssembly by-election and at polling station No. 8 of Tuensang village ‘A’ for both parliamentary and assembly by-elections. The ECI had ordered re-poll in the two polling stations following damage to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) by miscreants. Under Chizami, a miscreant identified as one Daniel has been arrested and a case has been registered, while at Tuensang, case has been registered against “the miscreants” and police are investigating the matter. The ECI has also ordered re-poll at Polling station 28 of Penkim village under 60 Pungro Kiphire AC on account of excess polling.

UK team meets, Governor, CM, (NPN)



GOC 2 UK Divison Major Gen. David Mc Dowall and his team with Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio on Friday. (DIPR)
DIMAPUR General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 UK Division, Major General Mc Dowall accompanied by some senior officers paid courtesy call on state governor, K. Sankaranarayanan and chief minister, Neiphiu Rio Friday at their respective official residence.
According to official bulletin the state chief minister while highlighting on the World War II Museum at Kisama to visiting team said that the government was coming up with a permanent structure for the Heritage village.
He further reflected on the Naga political issue and on the recently held Naga Consultative Meet and the resolutions passed during the Meet.
The General and his team informed the chief minister that a simple wreath laying ceremony in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, Kohima would be conducted on April 18.
“British people hold Naga people with great affection” said Major General and wished chief minister success in his endeavours.

NPF questions Church's neutrality Tells Church to 'uphold true Christian principles' (Page News Service)
Dimapur, April 17: In an unprecedented move, the NPF has questioned the "neutrality" of the powerful Church in Nagaland as well as questioning "the conduct" of some Church leaders.
The NPF was reacting to the statement made by the various Church bodies over the reported remark made by State chief minister Neiphiu Rio that "marrying and living with more than one wife is accepted in Naga society."
Terming the CM's remark as "deplorable", Churches in Nagaland had declared that polygamy is against Christian teachings and practices.
In a press release issued by its general secretary, Gonei-u Angami, the NPF Kohima Division said, "It is very unfortunate that Churches had taken hasty decision by approaching the press on this issue which posed serious questions about the conduct of some Church leaders." It urged the Church to "maintain its good image" and "neutrality" in order to uphold true Christian principles.
In its reaction to the CM's remark, the powerful Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) had said, "God sets the rules for marriage and therefore the church is against polygamy," while the Assemblies of God, Kohima said, "Since polygamy is not accepted in the church, any of its members involved in polygamy or propagates polygamy is unacceptable."
The Council of Naga Baptist Churches (CNBC) and Kohima Chakhesang Baptist Church also said upholding of polygamy and extra-marital affairs is "un-Biblical and damages sanctity and purity of Christian doctrines," while the Kohima Baptist Pastors' Fellowship (KBPF) said the CM's statement had hurt the sentiments of the Church "because it is totally wrong and misleading."
Maintaining that Rio is an active member of the Church, the NPF Kohima Division said the question of his integrity as a true Christian does not arise as alleged by the Church leaders.
"It has come as a shock that these men of God had made serious charges against him even without verifying the authenticity of the press reporter, thereby, damaged the good reputation of the Chief Minister in the eye of the public," it added.
Assault on freedom of the press Eastern Mirror
THE LATEST ASSAULT on a member of the press by an IRB jawan is shameful and calls for the strongest condemnation. The Mokokchung Correspondent of Eastern Mirror was covering a situation involving the IRB personnel when one of the jawans took umbrage at a photograph being taken and butted him with his assault rifle.
Harassment and assaults on media persons while on duty are not new and numerous incidents have taken place over the years. But what is most disturbing about such incidents is that the state appears almost indifferent at best and complicit at worst.
In this particular case, the Mokokchung Press Club filed an FIR soon after the incident and demanded that the district administration should initiate immediate steps to identify the guilty jawan and see that appropriate action is taken against him. It also asked that a public apology be tendered to the press fraternity as a whole.
Surprisingly, even after the passage of three days, no response has been forthcoming from the administration. It may be reminded that the incident had taken place inside the DC’s office complex itself. We also notice with a sense of incredulity that there has been no official reaction whatsoever from the IRB authorities.
We understand that the state machineries have been preoccupied with the election process. However, an election surely cannot be an excuse for lawlessness to rule the roost.
When it comes to the IRB, they hit the headlines too frequently for reasons one cannot be too proud of. But despite the compelling evidences that they had stepped outside the bounds of their authority in many cases, authoritative action by the state has been rare, except by the merest off-chance. We are having therefore a situation where impunity reigns to an extent that even a journalist is being targeted for doing his job.
The freedom that a journalist has to impart information remains precariously balanced in a place like Nagaland where many a conflict exists. With increasing impunity prevailing, this balance will become even more dangerously tilted. But high and lofty pronouncements on the right that a journalist has to impart information to the public are of little use when the deafening silence of the administration and concerned authorities sends out the message that it gives little credence to such abuse of the law.
On enquiring about the steps being taken on the FIR, the district police are said to have told the MPC that investigation will begin only on Saturday as they have been occupied with the election process. We wait in hope that they will now sincerely pursue the matter free from encumbrances of other vital duties.
We would also like to remind the State Government of the need for stern action to deter such blatant violation of the rule of law from occurring again in future.

More condemn assault on Mkg scribe
DIMAPUR, APR 17 (EMN): The assault of a journalist in Mokokchung by IRB personnel on the evening of April 14 outside the office of DC Mokokchung continues to draw condemnations from various organisations even as the district administration and the IRB authorities failed to initiate action or apologise on the third day following the incident.
An ultimatum served to the DC Mokokchung by the Mokokchung Press Club (MPC) demanding identification and punishment of the erring personnel, subsequent to the assault of Mokokchung Correspondent of Eastern Mirror, has failed to draw any response. Surprisingly, the members of MPC informed that no intimation and approach has been made by Commandant of 12 IR Bn regarding the assault.
Mokokchung-based journalists under the banner of MPC registered their protest against the incident by wearing black arm bands while covering the Lok Sabha elections. The MPC had also resolved to boycott all government functions and events if the demands made in the ultimatum were not fulfilled.
But, neither the ongoing protest of the MPC nor condemnations from different organisations have managed to spur the district administration into action to bring the guilty to book or apologise.
The MPC also filed an FIR on the assault but sources informed that investigation would begin only from Saturday as the regular files were stalled due to election.
The Dimapur Press Club, meanwhile, in a press release issued today said it was ‘astounded by the arrogance of the IRB authorities and the Mokokchung district administration who have not had the minimum courtesy to approach the MPC to apologize for the assault of a journalist on duty by an IRB jawan.’
The DPC conveyed its support of the MPC’s demand of identification of the erring personnel and follow up disciplinary action. It also felt that commandant of the concerned IRB battalion should tender an apology to the victimised scribe and the MPC for the misconduct of his personnel.
Questioning the intention of the district administration and the IRB authorities, the DPC has slammed the DC Mokokchung for making ‘light of a serious issue’ and failing to initiate action till date. ‘The highhandedness of both DC Mokokchung and commandant of 12 IRB is highly condemnable’, a DPC press release stated.
The Watsu Mungdang too condemned the assault on the news correspondent by an ‘indisciplined’ IRB jawan and urged that he be punished so that ‘such incidents do not occur in the near future.
‘It is universally known that the media persons selflessly sacrifice themselves to bring to the public the true picture of the happenings whatever the situation might be and therefore all cooperation should be meted out instead of assaulting them,’ the Watsu Mungdang stated in a press release issued by its president Supongla Lemdor and general secretary Imtila Lkr.
The Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) and Kohima Press Club had yesterday come out in condemnation of the incident.

Karbi rebels trigger blasts, 2 hurt A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


Guwahati, April 17: Two BSF jawans were injured when suspected Karbi militants triggered twin blasts in Karbi Anglong early this morning, a day after polling passed off peacefully in the trouble-torn hill district of Assam.
The incident occurred near Jampar Hansa village under Borpathar police station around 5.30am when two sections of BSF personnel were on their way to Borlaguri, Borlong and Arlongati to escort a team of polling officials back to Bokajan, which is about 105km from the three polling booths and nearly 75 km from the blast site.
Bokajan sub-divisional police officer Chitren Gogoi said the blasts took place when the BSF team approached Jampar Hansa after trekking nearly 20km from their base camp at Chokihola.
“The militants (suspected to be members of the Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front) laid an ambush in the area with one IED planted on a tree and the other on the dirt track the BSF personnel were travelling on. Both the bombs were triggered with remote control devices,” he said, adding that flexible wires were recovered from the area.
The splinters from the blasts hit head constable Darbar Singh and constable Hari Narayan, injuring them critically. The two jawans were taken to the Golaghat civil hospital. A BSF official based at Chokihola said, “The militants also fired at the patrol party soon after the blasts but fled when the BSF personnel returned fire.”
Security personnel, led by senior police officials, rushed from Bokajan to the blast site after the incident. Some of them, led by Gogoi, proceeded to escort the polling officials back even as the first BSF patrol returned to base.
“We trekked about 30km (from the blast site to the polling booths) to reach the poll officials, who were returning by then,” Gogoi said. He said the polling officials could not return last night after polling ended because it was not possible to travel on the dirt track deep inside the forests at night. Moreover, one has to travel 105km from the polling stations to Bokajan. He said though the polling officials had security personnel with them, the BSF had been asked to sanitise the dirt track passing through the deep jungles in the militant-infested district.
The BSF official said a combing operation had been launched in the area surrounding the blast site.
According to him, it is one of the most difficult tasks to conduct operations inside leach-infested rain forests of Karbi Anglong. “There is nothing apart from endless jungles in large areas of the district — no roads, no electricity, nothing that speaks of development. It is not easy to conduct counter-insurgency operations in these areas.”
Suspected militants of the KLNLF had also opened fire at a polling booth in Perkup on the Karbi Anglong-Nagaon border during the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections yesterday. They fired a few rounds but fled soon after the security personnel retaliated.
The outfit is also suspected to have triggered two blasts on the Howrah-Dibrugarh Kamrup Express route on April 12, four days before the polls. While the train reached Diphu safely, the pilot engine was derailed by the second blast. The outfit is also suspected to have lobbed four grenades on the houses of two Congress leaders in the district just ahead of the elections.
Mohilary pulls up cops over security OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Hagrama Mohilary


Kokrajhar, April 17: Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) president Hagrama Mohilary today accused the police administration of failing to provide security to the public.
Mohilary’s charge came after a mob assaulted three of his party workers, who tried to take shelter inside Serfanguri police station, fearing retaliation, on Thursday.
The attackers, who were participating in a protest rally, organised by the ceasefire-bound National Democratic Front of Boroland, were incidentally prompted by the outfit’s cadres. The rally was taken out in protest against the killing of NDFB cadre B. Ansula alias Arjun.
Trouble started after the unidentified men suspected to be from the NDFB camp, fired gunshots in the air. The public later thrashed the BPF party workers, who tried to seek refuge in the police station.
Accusing the police of failing to provide security to the people, Mohilary, who is also the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief, said the role of the police was passive.
“They (police) did not take any step to give them (his supporters) protection even at the police station,” he said.
Mohilary and other party senior leaders met the BTAD inspector-general of police A.K. Singh Cassyap, Kokrajhar superintendent of police P.K. Dutta and deputy commissioner Carol Narzary at the DC conference hall and discussed the matter. Assam panchayat, rural development and transport minister Chandan Brahma and sitting MP and party’s candidate Sansuma Khunggur Bwiswmuthiary also attended the meeting.
A memorandum was also submitted to the deputy commissioner demanding action against the people involved in the incident.
“It is strange how people seeking safety even in a police station cannot be provided security. Therefore, providing protection to public living in remote rural areas would be out of the question. The police administration has failed to provide security to the people,” Mohilary later told reporters.
The BTC chief urged the administration to take action to confine the NDFB in the designated camps complying with the ground rules of ceasefire.
In the same vein, party candidate Bwiswmuthiary said the administration must control the situation. The incident is a clear violation of the ground rules by the NDFB. He also demanded adequate deployment of security personnel, including the army personnel, on the day of the elections.
The Bodo heartland of Kokrajhar has been on the boil since the declaration of the election notifications. The clashes have so far claimed 10 lives and injured over 50 apart from causing damage to property.
“We are doing our best to provide security. We are trying to manage with whatever security we have. It is not practically possible to provide security in every village. More companies of paramilitary forces are expected to arrive in a day,” the inspector-general of police said.
Beheaded NDFB cadre buried From our Correspondent Sentinel
KOKRAJHAR, April 17: Beheaded NDFB cadre Bijay Basumatary alias B Beowaifwr (23) of Podumbil under Serfanguri PS whose body was recovered yesterday evening at Swrmanga river bank was buried today by the NDFB with military honour in the river bank. The 2nd Battalion Commander of the NDFB offered traditional Aronai at the body of Bijay.
Sources from NDFB said, the head of Bijay was not found till date. They said their cadre Bijay and B Onsula were taken away by BPF activists on April 14 last from Aflagaon while they were coming to their village from Serfanguri designated camp on the eve of Bihu.

Former AASU, AGP leaders join BPF in Darrang From our Correspondent Sentinel
MANGALDAI, April 17: Prior to electing Dina Nath Das, a resident of Tangla town in Udalguri district, as their candidate, the Hagrama Mohilary led Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) had no organizational activities in the areas of Darrang district outside the jurisdiction of the BTAD. But, all of a sudden the party led by Mohilary came closer to the voters of Darrang. Several recent meetings of the party evoked response from the voters.
Significantly, in areas like Kuruwa, Garukhuti, Janaram Chowka, Sipajhar, Bordoulguri and even in the heart of Mangaldai town earlier known as the strong hold of the AGP and Congress, the BPF has been accepted as the alternative to AGP as a good number of workers of the AGP have extended their support to BPF.
More significant of all is that Dr Jadab Chandra Nath, who took active part during the AASU movement and AGP, has taken over the poll campaign of BPF in Darrang district. Also Former AASU leader and AGP Udalguri District Committee former secretary Dalim Bayan has also joined the BPF while in a major set back to the BJP’s poll campaign, BJP Darrang District Committee secretary Prasanna Hazarika officially joined the BPF in an election rally held at Mangaldai on April 16 in presence of Hagrama Mohilary.
In Kharupetia, under Dalgaon LAC mostly dominated by religious minority community, BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary today for the first time addressed a large crowd while at Mangaldai and Sipajhar the BPF successfully organized two massive election rallies thereby throwing a big challenge to the Congress candidate Madhab Rajbongshi.
"Bodo movement was not against any particular community or religion and this is the reason that the Bodoland Peoples’ Front" (BPF) under the dynamic leadership of Hagrama Mohilary has been able to unite all sections of the society under one regional political platform and our only aim is to bring about a total change in the prevailing political atmosphere of the state with concentration of undertaking development works through community involvement with broader outlook and farsightedness and to restore the communal harmony and peaceful atmosphere" said BPF leader and Asom PHE minister Rihan Daimary in a crowded rally at Kharupetia, Bhebarghat in Mangaldai and Sipajhar.
Expressing utter shock over the poor performances of five sitting parliamentarians from Mangaldai Parliamentary Constituency –former chief minister Syeda Anowara Taimur who represented Dalgaon LAC for quite a long time, former minister and legislator of Mazbat LAC Silvius Condpan, former Union minister and Parliamentarian from Mangaldai Birendra Prasad Baishya, APCC president and former minister Bhubaneswar Kalita (all are now Member of Rajya Sabha) and BJP’s sitting Parliamentarian from Mangaldai Narayan Borkotoky– Daimary accused them of doing nothing for the development of Darrang and Udalguri district as they miserably failed to raise their voice in the house.
BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary making his first public appearance in places like Kharupetia, Mangaldai and Sipajhar while taking part in the election campaign for their candidate Dina Nath Das appealed to the people to support BPF only to usher a new era with the development work in the rural and backward areas of Mangaldai HPC and claimed that the BPF is the only regional party to undertake the development activities with total commit
ment to the sentiments of the people. Hagrama Mohilary accused AGP for their failure to field their own candidate though the AGP came to the power for two terms which has reflected that the AGP has lost their regional identity with their alliance with the BJP.
He also termed BJP’s candidate Ramen Deka and AUDF candidate Badiuj Zamal as imported candidate as both the parties failed to find suitable candidates from the constituency.
"You have already tasted the representatives from Congress, AGP and even the BJP only to have a bitter experience, now give the BPF a chance and see what development with peace and amity we can achieve within five years" said a confident Hagrama Mohilary over their victory in the election. BPF candidate Dina Nath Das, Rajya Sabha member Biswajit Daimary, Kalaigaon legislator Maheswar Boro, Mazbat legislator Karendra Basumatary and other senior leaders of BPF also attended the rallies and were successful in winning the minds of the people with their eloquence.
Apunba Lup castigates Army, govt for Loktak operation The Imphal Free Press

Imphal, Apr 17: The working committee of the Apunba Lup has strongly condemned the ongoing Operation Summer Storm by the armed forces in the surrounding areas of Keibul Lamjao National Park, blaming the army for making the surrounding people suffer, acting against international law of war, breaching the peaceful living, taking away their living rights and devastating the villages.

The Apunba Lup also said that the operation had caused various kinds of inconveniences for the people of Khordak, Nongmaikhong, Arong, Laphupat Tera and Ithai where the army forcibly made the male persons row boats and used them as human shield in the war field as well as used them as forced labour. It also added that the firing sounds of bombs and heavy guns frightened the women, children and older persons and even led to the death of some old persons. The operation doesn’t also allow them to earn their daily living and destroyed their properties which are used for fishing, it added.

The operation may also lead to the wiping out of the Sangai deers which are found only in the state and was an example of the Indian government’s apathy towards the people of the state. The Indian army in the name of facing militants fired bombs and heavy guns in residential areas and challenged international humanitarian and human rights laws, especially the norms on not to harm the public during war as stated in the Geneva Convention.
Considering all this the operation must be stopped immediately and the AFSPA repealed as it was the root cause of such crimes, it said. The Apunba Lup also appealed to the people to extend help to those people of Khordak, Nongmaikhong, Arong, Laphupat Tera and Ithai who were affected by the operation and were taking shelter in relief camps.