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05/12/2009: "Ethnic strife finger at NSCN-K OUR CORRESPONDENT Te Telegraph"

Ethnic strife finger at NSCN-K OUR CORRESPONDENT Te Telegraph

Silchar, May 12: A leader of the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland has been orchestrating the series of raids on Dimasa villages in North Cachar Hills in the past few days, police have confirmed.
The deputy inspector-general of police of south Assam, Dipak Kumar, who has been been camping in Haflong to supervise counter-insurgency operations in the district, named Dithar Jeme, the finance secretary of the NSCN (K), as the man behind the attacks.
The revelation came a day after three Naga-inhabited villages were set ablaze and three men gunned down by suspected Dimasa militants.
Derkilung Zeme, 40, who survived the attack yesterday at Guilung village, is undergoing treatment at Haflong Civil Hospital with bullet injuries on his left leg.
Dilip Nunisa, the chairman of the pro-talks Dima Halam Daogah (Dilip) had earlier pointed at the NSCN (K) for inciting the ethnic attacks. He said the Khaplang faction was trying to drive a wedge between Dimasas, who belong to the Bodo ethnic group, and other hill tribals.
Dimasa women and children are deserting their villages near Haflong, Mahur and Maibong towns and shifting to safer zones while the men are guarding their property. The Jeme Nagas live in Khepre and Laisong and other areas bordering Nagaland.
Dispur this evening directed the law-enforcing agencies to provide protection to villagers living in the vulnerable areas.
At a meeting at the residence of chief minister Tarun Gogoi, it was decided that the villagers would stay in clusters under the protection of security personnel.
Revenue minister Bhumidhar Barman and hills areas minister Khor Sing Engti have been asked to leave for North Cachar Hills tomorrow and camp there.
Thousands of villagers from Maibong today organised a peace rally at the heart of the subdivisional headquarters to protest the series of ethnic attacks.
The Zeliangrong Students’ Union and the Zeme Students’ Union today condemned the violence in the district and demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits.
6 Nagas killed in May 11 NC Hills violence: AZSU (EMN
DIMAPUR,): While strongly condemning the escalating law and order situation in NC Hills district of Assam, the All Zeliangrong Students’ Union of Assam , Nagaland and Manipur (AZSU) has said that six Zeme Nagas were shot dead in the Monday, May 11, incident wherein two villages were also set ablaze.
The Union, in a release issued on Tuesday, identified the victims as Ramsuiding, Keheuding, Sungbambe and Namgochung of Guilong village and Lungchung and Mrs Namgwale of Taloram village. They were gunned down by Dimasa militants when they torched the two Zeliangrong villages – Guilong Part A&B and Taloram – the release said. One Dikelung was also stated to have been critically injured while another Zeliangrong house was also burnt in Halflong town.
The Union has charged the district administration and the law enforcing agency of a lackadaisical attitude which was resulting in the steadily worsening region’s situation thereby hitting the innocent villagers hard.
Reminding that proposed change of nomenclature of NC Hills to ‘Dima Hasau Raji’ by the Dimasas had turned the district into a conflict zone, the release said one’s rights and any form of agitation should not be through means of violence leading to loss of lives and property.
The Union appealed to both communities to refrain from further violence and solve differences through democratic means.
It has also strongly urged the intervention of the GoI and the Assam Government to bring the situation under control at the earliest and halt further escalation of violence.

GPRN/NSCN, SKK settle May 2 case Staff Reporter KHEHOI (NPN):
(DIMAPUR With the GPRN/NSCN terminating two of its activists from active national service with immediate effect, for their involvement in the May 2 shooting incident in Dimapur injuring two Sumi student leaders and the All Sumi Students’ Union (SKK) extending gratitude to the former for the action taken, the two contending parties and other neutral parties have declared that the issue has now been settled.
“… the issue arising out of the unfortunate incident has been settled in the spirit of oneness and brotherhood,” read a joint declaration signed by representatives of the GPRN/NSCN, SKK, WSH, WSSU, DNSU, Sumi Community Dimapur and Eastern Sumi Hoho.
The two terminated activists were identified as AB-11584 ‘Lieut.’ Nixuyi Sumi and OB-13635 ‘Sgt.’ Vikai Sumi and have been kept under the GPRN/NSCN custody.
The SKK had earlier demanded the GPRN/NSCN to handover the culprits to the Dimapur district administration and their termination from the national service as its two-point charter of demands.
Publicity cell of the GPRN/NSCN in a statement said the termination was based “purely” on the need for disciplinary measures as envisaged in the ‘National Yehzabo.’
It said the termination was also in pursuance of the pro-people policy adopted and adhered to by GPRN/NSCN.
“The unconditional apology tendered … followed by the termination of the two Naga Army personnel is, however, not to be taken as a sign of weakness on the part of the GPRN/NSCN,” the publicity cell said. The GPRN/NSCN also said that it was a genuine attempt to forge a stronger understanding among the Nagas. The GPRN/NSCN however said the other demand of the SKK to handover the erring cadres to the district administration could not be met “due to Naga national issue.”
“How can we handover our soldier to Indian nation?” ‘Kilo Kilonser’ GPRN/NSCN, Azheto Chophy said while addressing a joint meeting with the SKK and other NGOs at its 2nd Brigade Hq, Naga Army, Khehoi designated camp, Tuesday. He said a Naga soldier stood for Naga nation and that the ‘Yehzabo’ or constitution did not permit handing over of their members to others.
He also said the GPRN/NSCN does not deny faults like other governments but accepts mistakes to ensure justice. Azheto reminded that the government had tendered apology for the incident and that it was punishing the culprits according to their own ‘Yehzabo.’
Incorporating into its two demands, the SKK had also demanded that action be initiated upon the officer on whose command the incident happened. To this, the ‘Kilo Kilonser’ said the officer was already under trial but did not disclose the identity of the officer under whose order the incident happened.
It may be mentioned that two student leaders, Benito Chisho, speaker SKK and Atoka Chophy, former president, KDSSU were shot and injured on May 2 near SBI Evening Branch, Dimapur by the GPRN/NSCN activists on “mistaken identity.”
Meanwhile, the SKK has appreciated the GPRN/NSCN government for owning responsibility in the May 2 shooting incident and also for delivering justice to the people by terminating the culprits involved in the incident from active national service.
SKK through its president Abeto L. Shohe and general secretary Mughato K. Swu also thanked the state government for intervening immediately and air lifting the victims to Guwahati and providing financial assistance to the victims. The SKK further extended ‘deepest gratitude’ to all the organisations and individuals for their support towards the union in the endeavour to bring justice.

‘Economic contribution of Naga women has reduced poverty’ \DIPR

Dr. Swapna Bist Joshi, project coordinator for HIV/AIDS and Gender Budgeting (UNDP), addresses senior officials of the state government as NWC Chairperson Sano Vamuzo looks on during the workshop on Gender Budgeting and Strengthening of State Plans for Human Development at the Civil Secretariat conference hall in Kohima, on May 12. (DIPR Photo)

Kohima, May 12 (DIPR): Chairperson of NWC, Sano Vamuzo, today addressed the inaugural function of workshop on Gender Budgeting and Strengthening of State Plan for Human Development here at the Secretariat conference hall. Addressing the function, Vamuzo encouraged the government to make policies and budgets gender sensitive and to assure that privileges reach them in time. She said that the government of Kerala has released its Women Policy on the concept of Gender Budgeting for women-orientated schemes and programmes.
The chairperson also declared that the economic contribution of women in Naga society has reduced poverty and spurred growth. She stressed on the aim for the workshop to put women concerns from budget on the centrestage and further insisted on the directive of the government of India to all ministries to establish Gender Budgeting Cells.
Project coordinator for HIV/AIDS and Gender Budgeting (UNDP), Dr. Swapna Bist Joshi gave the keynote address, while Chief Secretary Lalthara, and Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Alemtemshi, addressed the gathering at the inaugural function chaired by Additional Director for ATI, Lithrongla Chishi.
For the first time in the state, top officials, AHoDs and HoDs and Social Welfare Advisory officials are attending the workshop on Gender Budgeting and Strengthening of State Plan for Human Development and the attendance was encouraging. The two-day workshop is organised by the ATI, Women Development and Planning & Coordination departments.


State Government hand in violence, says JNH Sentinel From our Staff Reporter
SILCHAR, May 12: Citizen Right Protection Volunteers, the mysterious outfit which had claimed responsibility for burning three Dimasa villages, was actually formed by NSCN (K) with local support from the pro-talk faction of DHD and indirect patronization from the State Government, stated apex body of Dimasa society, Jadikhe Naiso Hosom (JNH) president Dithang Naiding.
Talking to The Sentinel over telephone, Naiding said the recent cases of arsoning were a deep rooted political conspiracy to unleash fratricidal blood bath among the various tribes of NC Hills. Accusing the State Government, the JNH chief strongly denied the role of Dimasa people in the burning of Guilong Basti, a village mostly inhabited by Nagas. Naiding also said at least 150 NSCN (K) militants had intruded into NC Hills from Manipur.
These Naga militants had secret nexus with pro-talk faction of DHD, the splinter group of Black Widow led by Bihari Dimasa and Dinob Dimasa as well as a section of security forces, he said. Naiding categorically alleged that just prior to the burning of Dimasa villages, security jawans were seen on the spots who reportedly chased away the Dimasa youths who were guarding their villages. Naiding asked all communities to maintain peace and harmony.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of Black Widow alleged that Special Task Force of Assam police IGP RN Singh had been playing a dangerous game in the NC Hills by instigating various non-Dimasa groups against the Dimasas. The spokesman further added that the recent incidents of arsoning was a conspiracy by the State Government with a motive to create communal riot in the NC Hills.
Meanwhile, RN Singh, who had been monitoring the situation from his temporary office at Haflong Circuit House, had reportedly denied the allegation. He however had earlier maintained that the security forces would launch an all-out operation against the Black Widow, which, according to him, was now a weak-kneed outfit.
Bodo theatrical body ‘Lwrgi’ formed Sentinel From our Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, May 12: A new Bodo theatrical body ‘Lwrgi– The Oar’ was formed at Vidyapith High School, Kokrajhar town on Sunday last with a view to bring a new twist to the society reviving the past glory of Bodo theatre which has almost diminished. Sanjib Kr Brahma and Alongbar Sargiary became the president and general secretary of the new body of ‘Lwrgi’ theatre group with 11 other executive members. Keshab Mashahary has been entrusted as Director of the theatre group while Thingku Goyary inducted as treasurer. A final year student of Indira Kala Sangeet Viswavidhyalaya, Chatisgarh, Keshab Mashahary who is an idealogue of formation of Bodo theatrical group, while speaking to The Sentinel said the motive behind the formation of theatrical group is to bring back new revolution in drama as what it was in 1960s and 70s among the Bodos. He said, a month-long workshop on drama would be organized by the new body at Kokrajhar from May 20 to June 20 in collaboration with Kokrajhar District Cultural Centre where renowned Bodo artists would be invited. The meeting of formation of the new body which was chaired by Swmdwn Brahma, Lecturer, DIET was also attended by former president of BSS, Brajendra Kr Brahma, Director of UN Academy, Krishna Gopal Basumatary, Vice-Principal of Janata College, Serfanguri, Subung Mashahary, artist Arup Gwra Basumatary, Chakradhar Narzary and others.
Congress is a failure in curbing ethnic conflict: KSA From our Correspondent

HOWRAGHAT, May 12: The Karbi Students’ Association (KSA) expressed serious concern over the ongoing ethnic conflict that is taking place between the Dimasa and Jeme Nagas in the NC Hills through a press statement.
The press statement was signed by chief adviser Biren Engti where KSA alleged that the ruling Congress Government has been planning to sabotage the historic-long relationship of the aboriginal tribal communities by hatching severe violence.
The Karbi student leaders while pointing out the conflict that took place among the Kuki-Karbi and Karbi-Dimasa in Karbi Anglong in the recent years further alleged that in the Congress regime, many lives and property of the Karbis were lost in the ethnic riots.
During those times too, the ruling Congress Government failed to establish permanent peace among the tribal people and now instead of taking prompt steps to stop the violence and killings of the innocent and common people, it seems to be waiting for the condition to deteriorate in the hills district.
The students body alleged that the government has completely failed to restore law and order situation in the said district, the press statement further added.
The Karbi students’ organization while condemning the rampant killing of innocent and common people demanded from the government to take immediate adequate security measures in order to stop the ongoing violence that is taking place between the Jeme Nagas and the Dimasa community.
AR makes counter charges against UG groups The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 11: In a scathing reply to the charges made by underground outfits like the UNLF and the RPF, the PRO IGAR (South) has said in a release that these groups continue with their sole agenda of extortion, intimidation, drug trafficking and smuggling which is proved by the fact that their leadership and their families are getting wealthier by the day.

These outfits have a number of so-called overground workers who are actually white collared terrorists sustaining terrorism by provisioning money and power to the banned organisations by fleecing the poor public and terrorising them, the release said.

On the the unwarranted allegations against the Assam Rifles by members of the society and proscribed outfits regarding the matter of apprehension of the UG cadre Kh Megha, the release mentioned that the Assam Rifles had been conducting operations based on information against people involved in insurgency and unlawful activities in the state.

Kh Megha who belongs to the PLA finance section was arrested from Moreh based on such information and after interrogation he was booked with the police accordingly, it said while specifying that the operational conduct of the Assam Rifles remains unaffected immaterial of whether the individual was earlier apprehended by any other agency and freed after questioning.

The allegation by the militants that the Assam Rifles were killing innocent civilians and using Kuki elements is aimed at misleading the general population from their own misdeeds and to cause rift between the major communities in the state, it said.

Such allegations showed the desperate bid to gain public support as well as to cause communal disharmony by making false allegations, the release added.
Border guard change proposal discussed by armed groups by Solomon Mizzima
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Burmese military junta’s proposal that the two ethnic ceasefire armed groups, the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) and United Wa State Army (UWSA) also reform their military structure along with other groups, is being discussed by the respective outfits.

The KIO and UWSA said they are holding meetings among themselves to discuss reforming their armies, which the military junta had proposed in late April.

An official of the UWSA, who did not wished to be named, said, “We have held discussions among ourselves last week, on how to respond to the junta. And our leaders will meet one of these days and take a final decision.”

The official, however, did not reveal what the UWSA members have decided but said most members do not agree to the junta’s proposal.

In late April, the ruling junta’s representatives -- Chief of the Military Affairs Security (MAS) Maj-Gen Ye Myint in Shan state met with various ceasefire armed groups including UWSA, Shan State Army (North) (SSA-N), Myanmar National Democratic Allied Army (MNDAA), and National Democratic Allied Army (NDAA).

In Kachin State, the Commander of the Northeast Command Maj-Gen Soe Win met KIO and New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K) on April 28. In a leaked secret document, a copy of which Mizzima obtained, the junta had outlined the structure for the armies of the ethnic ceasefire armed rebels. The document said all the armies of the rebels would be transformed into Border Guard Forces (BGF).

According to the document, each battalion of the BGF will include 326 soldiers including 18 in the rank of officers and 308 as private soldiers. In each battalion, the presence of the Burmese Army will be three per cent, which comes to 30 for each battalion.

The document, which apparently was given to leaders of the ceasefire groups, said the 30 Burmese soldiers that will be present in every battalion will serve mainly in the administration. But one out of the three officials of the rank of Major leading the battalion will be from the Burmese Army, the document said. The document also said that the BGF soldiers will be provided with salaries and other allowances same as other members of the Burmese Army, and will be allowed to base at their respective places.

The BGF soldiers will also receive training from the Burmese Army during which time it will provide assistance and allowances equal to that of other Burmese soldiers. As a phase of transformation, there will be three committees formed for the smooth transition of the armies, the document said. In order to delve into the junta’s proposition and to discuss the future prospects, the KIO on Monday began a two-day top level meeting in its headquarters in Laiza, along the Sino-Burma border.

KIO, which has a ceasefire agreement with the military junta since 1994, said they have completed consultations with their leaders in the armed group but will continue seeking the publics’ view before deciding on their future course of action.

“We have our members meeting on May 11 and 12. From May 13 to 14 we will have a public meeting,” said a KIO member, who wished not to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the press. “Most of the members are against the junta’s proposal. All of us did not accept it but we have not decided and the decision will be announced later,” he added.

Meanwhile, a Sino-Burma border based political analyst Aung Kyaw Zaw said, the Burmese military junta’s demand is too harsh for ethnic armed groups to comply with and it will trigger more tension between them.

“For decades, they have been into an armed struggle for their rights and autonomy. Changing the structure of their armies now would render meaningless their sacrifices of so many years,” said Aung Kyaw Zaw. “Reducing the strength of the army has a similar implication as surrendering, so it is not going to be possible to negotiate on this,” said Aung Kyaw Zaw. He also said the junta is unlikely to begin launching military campaigns if all the ceasefire groups unanimously reject the junta’s proposal, as they are concerned and will be preoccupied with their general election slated for 2010.

However, he said the junta might not be prepared for war if all ceasefire groups reject their demand because they don’t want to upset their general election in 2010.
Goods from Myanmarindoadmin Chitra Ahanthem
May 9, 2009: When India and Myanmar signed an agreement to form a free trade zone back in 1994, most of India's exports to Myanmar were in the form of medicines, spices and textiles, while its imports were mainly food, electronic goods and garments. (Article)
The grass roots perception among the people then was that trade with the neighboring country would mean easy access to market products of other South East Asian countries. While there will be a voluble endorsement of opening up free trade with Myanmar on account of a host of positive factors, it would also be pertinent to look at the larger picture and examine just how much of a positive environment has been created over the years.
The establishment of the free trade zone meant the official opening of a trade center at Moreh, the town on the Indo-Myanmar border that in any case, was the point of trade and commerce on an illegal basis. And while the official tag did take away the added cost of consumer products in the market at the inception, the growing specter of illegal tax imposed by various non-State actors along the Moreh-Imphal route has only led to price hikes over the years since.
Many, will stand up for consumer products coming in from across the border due to the difference in the prices as compared to Indian products but the quality of the goods speaks for itself. Starting from detergent powder to garments to tin fish, toys and electronic goods, the idea behind goods coming in to Manipur from Myanmar seem to have the catch-line of “use them, throw them” or else “try your luck”.
While the detergent powders make for more froth, the toll on hands and the cloths they are used on is proof of its quality. Electronic goods draw in customers because of the low prices but come with the rider that there is no guarantee in case of any defect after payment. But the most disturbing products are food items, which comes in with no specification of what ingredients have been used in a language (say English) that can be understood.
Manufacturing and expiry dates are conspicuous on such food items. There can be no denying the fact that for below average income groups the low cost household products that have now swamped the markets of Manipur are indeed a boon but the larger repercussions on the local economy and the environment needs a careful assessment.
The state known for its handicraft and handloom industry has taken a severe beating, which is ironical in a way. The opening of trade should have facilitated an opening for a greater market for them but the onslaught of cheaper and more attractive choices from across the border sounded their death knell.
To cite an example, mosquito nets woven on looms have more or less disappeared and in their place one sees more gaudy works that are now being sold in even the Ima market, beyond the Moreh market places. This in a way shows how traditional market forces and systems have been encroached and broken apart by the ravages of globalization. What remains unknown is of course, the plight of traditional weavers and artisans who have had their market usurped by new goods. Another Myanmar import that has become a permanent fixture in each and every household of Manipur is the wide range of plastic products: chairs, tables, mugs, even plastic sheeted wardrobes that can be dismantled and set up. Amongst plastic products, the wide array of toys need special attention given the lack of quality control.
This little thought of issue needs to be deliberated in light of the fact that even reputed brand names in the toy industry such as Mattel and Fischer Price recalled many popular products like Barbie dolls, Winnie the pooh sets, Thomas & Friends wooden railway vehicles in 2007 on the grounds that the content of lead used in the products were of a toxic nature. In late January 2009, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade imposed a six-month ban on toys imported from China.
This ban did not cover the toys that came in to Manipur from Myanmar and there has not been any in-depth study taken up in the state till date of the levels of lead based paint used in the toys which is a major source of poisoning that can lead to attention deficit disorder, anemia, damage to the brains, kidneys and the nervous and reproductive systems.
Low levels of lead poisoning can lead to learning, speech and behavioral disorders while high level poisoning can lead to retardation, convulsions and even coma. Perhaps, it is now time to educate people on the kind of consumer products they are using.
This aided by a stringent mechanism of quality control and a consumer redressal forum for goods coming from Myanmar should be in place or else, there may not be too many positive factors arising out of the free trade specter.