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06/05/2009: "Community policing to be launched in Nagaland Zee News"

Community policing to be launched in Nagaland Zee News

Kohima,: To check the growing menace of anti-social activities like extortion, a Community Peace Police (CPP) programme would soon be launched in Nagaland's commercial hub of Dimapur by the district administration.

In a meeting held yesterday between officials of district administration, police, municipal councils, village councils, gaon burhas (GBs) and representatives from different civil society organisations, it was decided to introduce community policing in all the 23 wards of Dimapur.

If the experiment, introduced for the first time in Nagaland, works well, it would be extended to localities beyond the municipal jurisdiction areas, officials said.

The introduction of community peace police (CPP) on the lines of Residents Welfare Associations (RWA) of Delhi was earlier mooted in several meetings and it finally took off yesterday after a charter of duties and qualification was laid down by Deputy Commissioner Maongwati Aier in the meeting.

The CPP would be formed in every residential colony with 8 to 10 members in all the 23 wards, which will work in close coordination with police and magistrate for sharing intelligence, keeping watch on potential trouble makers and arresting suspects/criminals whenever necessary.

It has been proposed that the CPP members should be permanent residents of the concerned colony and they should be included after consultation with village chairman, GBs and DMC member of the ward.

Rio writes to Dr. Manmohan Singh (NPN):
DIMAPUR State chief minister, Neiphiu Rio Thursday has sought Prime Minister’s personal intervention into the ongoing “organized violence” perpetuated against the indigenous Zeme Nagas of NC Hills, Assam by armed cadres of DHD (J), asking him to take immediate steps to restore “rule of law” and provide relief and rehabilitation to the violence affected people. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Rio explained that the violence has led to exodus of hundreds of families to the neighbouring Nagaland and Manipur. “At present the state Government of Nagaland is providing possible relief and rehabilitation to the exodus of families who are taking refuge inside Nagaland”, he said.
Asserting that several innocent people have been killed causing a humanitarian crisis due to “ethnic cleansing” in NC Hills, Rio said people were subjected to gross human rights abuses leaving them with no option but to flee to safety.
He also conveyed to prime minister about the anger expressed by Naga civil society, mass based organisations and human rights groups to the “planned and systematic targeting” of the Zeme Nagas. Stating that he had written two letters to Assam chief minister over the crisis in NC Hills, Rio said despite assurances from his Assam counterpart, the violence was continuing “unabated” as Zeme Nagas were being subjected to grave violation of human rights. He termed as “unfortunate” the lack of effective response from the Assam chief minister to the problems in NC Hills. Rio also alleged that instead of taking steps to bring the situation under control ,Gogoi was shifting blame to underground groups, which has the potential to further worsen the situation.

Status of Nagaland University HeadQuarters embroiled in controversy Limalenden Longkumer Morungexpress

Students of Nagaland University, Lumami campus, carrying classroom furniture from the present buildings to the newly-constructed block by themselves after the university’s authorities failed to shift it.

Mokokchung | June 5 : News from the Nagaland University headquarters Lumami is always bad. Well, more often than not. There is a push and pull game going on between Lumami and Kohima, if the words of some observers are to be taken into consideration. While the Lumami party wants the headquarters to be shifted to its rightful place immediately, those camping in Kohima, as can be construed, want to be based there. Kohima is the “interim headquarters” of the university at the moment. No concrete proof, however, is available with respect to this ‘game’ as no one has brought this out in public so far.
On the other hand, what remains on the surface is that the headquarters is not being shifted to Lumami as yet, because the ‘infrastructure’ remains incomplete. It may be mentioned that the university has engaged the Central Sector Organization, NBCC for implementation of the construction works at Lumami, with a total project cost of Rs.43.1 crores. This was for the construction of School of Sciences, School of Social Sciences, administrative building, a boys’ gymnasium, a girls’ gymnasium, a guest house and an auditorium. The project also included construction of lecturers’ quarters, professors’ quarters, vice-chancellor’s bungalow, pro-VC bungalow, registrar’s bungalow and the central library. Besides, the project also included construction of retaining walls, breast walls, approach roads and other works. It is learned that the NBCC was supposed to complete the constructions and hand them over to the university by March 31, 2007.
However, even after the lapse of more than two years, the construction works are still tagged under the status “in progress” in the university’s report, 12th edition. The Post Graduate Students’ Union (PGSU), Lumami, has been insisting that the construction works should be completed immediately and the headquarters shifted to Lumami without any delay. PGSU (L) officials say that the NBCC and the university officials “have a mutual understanding between them” and accused both. PGSU (L) indicts the delay in construction works by the NBCC as being done as a contrivance of some vested self-interested NU officials.
Following this, the PGSU (L) has written an ultimatum to the VC on the shifting of the University headquarter and the academic block to the new buildings before May 20 2009 so as to resume normal academic session from June 1 2009. The PGSU(L) did not get any positive response from the Vice-Chancellor on this regard, prompting the disappointed students to shift their class rooms by themselves to the new buildings, as a gesture of showing their intend, on June 1 last.
The PGSU(L) also say that the points purportedly made by the NBCC to the Ministry of Human Resources Development to substantiate on their position not being able to finish the construction works within the stipulated time frame, are “baseless excuses.”
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the incumbent Professor in-charge of Lumami Campus, Prof. T. Lanusosang has tendered his resignation to the University. It is also learnt from unconfirmed sources that the University appointed Prof. AK Singh as the Professor in-charge, but that he denied the post. In the mean time, the PGSU met with the Ao Students Conference (AKM) at the latter’s office late evening today, during which the “issue” was discussed at length. Along, a PGSU (L) office bearer told this correspondent on telephone that they have received a letter from the vice-chancellor, saying the University will comply with the PGSU’s demand, which is, shifting of the headquarters to Lumami, by the 8th of June. Along also said that if the Vice Chancellor backtracks on his words again, the PGSU will take its own course of action for which they must not be held responsible and that “the PGSU will not compromise.”
It may be recalled that the MHRD, Government of India, New Delhi has on January 14, 2009 directed the Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, Prof. K. Kannan, that the “University authorities and officers should make a time bound plan of action of shifting the office of Vice-Chancellor from its present location at Kohima to Lumami.”

Restore rule of law: Rio to PM morungexpress
Dimapur, June 5 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has written to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh drawing the latter’s attention to the continuing “organized violence” being perpetuated against indigenous Zeme Nagas of NC Hills in Assam by armed cadres of the DHD (J). Rio, in his letter pointed out that the violence has led to the exodus of hundreds of families to neighbouring Nagaland and Manipur. Rio has informed the PM that presently, the Government of Nagaland has been providing possible relief and rehabilitation to the families who are taking refuge inside Nagaland. Rio mentioned that already several innocent people have been killed and a humanitarian crisis was taking place due to the ethnic cleansing in NC Hills.
“The innocent people are being subjected to gross human rights abuses and the people have no option but to escape to the neighbouring states for their safety”, Rio stated while inforing the PM that the Naga civil society along with mass-based organizations and human rights groups have expressed their anger and outrage at the planned and systematic targeting of the Zeme Nagas.
Assam govt. not doing enough in NC Hills
Rio also informed the PM that he had already written two letters to the Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi expressing concern on the ongoing crisis in NC Hills. Both the letters were also enclosed for the PM’s reference. Rio stated that despite receiving assurances from the Assam Chief Minister, violence was continuing unabated and the Zeme Nagas were being subjected to grave violation of human rights. Rio also mentioned that the Assam Government was not doing enough and that people were still suffering due to the inadequate and poor security measures.
The Nagaland Chief Minister expressed regrets that instead of bringing the situation under control, his Assam counterpart had shifted the blame to the underground groups, pointing out that this has the potential to further worsen the situation. Rio also mentioned that as per the latest report, five more Nagas were killed and their houses destroyed on June 3. In this regard, newspaper clipping of Eastern Mirror and Morung Express dated June 4, 2009 were enclosed for the PM’s reference. Rio has requested the PM to personally intervene and to see that the process is brought to a halt and immediate steps taken to restore rule of law. Rio also asked for immediate relief and rehabilitation measures.
AZSU express concern and anguish over lawlessness Dimapur(MExN): The All Zeliangrong Students’ Union has expressed anguish over the deteriorating law and order situation in NC Hills even after the Union Home Ministry had reviewed the situation with deployment of adequate security forces to curb the ongoing violence. The AZSU of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland have now called for both national and international intervention. A press note issued by AZSU president Mirhu and assistant general secretary Nchaheing appealed to human rights activists in the state as well as for national and international intervention in view of the violation of human rights and lawlessness in the hills district and to help restore normalcy and peace in the region. It was alleged that even the district administration, law-enforcing agencies and Indian security forces were just mere spectators “with partial and inferior attitude towards the indigenous Zeliangrong Nagas”. The AZSU alleged that the Dimasa militants are being allowed to carry out atrocities even in their presence with different kinds of sophisticated weapons. It was also claimed that even after months of violence in NC Hills not a single perpetrator has been arrested so far. The AZSU also questioned the insincerity on the part of the Government of Assam in tackling the situation and claimed that it was “adding fuel to escalate the violence”.
The AZSU observed that the frequent atrocities and attacks carried out on the Zeliangrong Nagas by the Dimasa militant groups have been escalating day by day. It was stated that the DHD (Dilip) and DHD (Jewel) are both actively perpetuating the violence and blaming one another for the atrocities committed against innocent Zeliangrong Naga villages. This has led to loss of lives and properties, it said.
It was also stated that on May 28 two innocent villagers of Mabauram village were shot dead and 21 houses set ablaze. Further, on June 3, 54 houses were razed at Borochenam village, 15 houses in Ningairam (Limkai) village and 16 houses at Kampairam village, all by Dimasa militants. Three children below 12 years and two children above 12 years were shot dead, besides a 3-year old child was injured. On June 4 four houses at Longmang village near Haflong were torched by the Dimasa militants in the presence of the Assam Police, it said.
DHD Chief arrested, 'foreign secy' killed Nagaland Page(Agencies)
Guwahati, June 4: The security forces achieved one of the biggest success in the anti-insurgency operation in the Northeast when they arrested the Commander in Chief of the most notorious Black Widow group of militants and killed its foreign secretary today.
In an unprecedented operation, spanning over 4,000 km and 2 states, the Assam Police struck the most decisive blow the Northeast has ever witnessed in the recent past.
Jewel Garlosa, the self styled Commander in Chief of Black Widow, the militant group, which has been wreaking havoc in the picturesque North Cachar Hills distinct since the past two years, was arrested somewhere in Bangalore, police said at Guwahati.
Garlosa was arrested in a joint operation by Karnataka police and Assam police
His self styled 'foreign secretary' Frenkie Phangso was killed in a overnight operation in Kahilipara at Guwahati, while three of his accomplices managed to flee. Police confirmed that both the crackdowns were coordinated and at tandem.
The Bangalore operation was carried out by IGP (Operation) of Assam Police G P Singh himself, while his juniors raided the Guwahati hideout, police here said.
The state government is elated over the huge success and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today reiterated that there would be zero tolerance in the anti-insurgency operation. ''The operation would continue till the last militant is wiped out,'' he told mediapersons.
Subdued celebrations were on at Haflong this forenoon as the news spread. The district had been under the grip of terror owing to 200-odd militants of the group.
The Black Widow militants had turned the entire district into killing fields by forcing suspension of railway operations, stopping highway construction work as the political leadership of the tribal district council bought peace from them.
Rescued children return home (EMN
DIMAPUR, A little more than 3 months after their parents saw them off, from the small village of Samzuiram to Hyderabad, with heavy hearts but dreams of better lives, the 24 children were today brought back after a nightmarish ordeal in bruised and battered mental and physical health.
The twenty-four children, 15 boys and 9 girls, of Samzuiram village in Peren district, recently rescued by the Police of Andhra Pradesh from an orphanage and private homes where they were made to work as labourers, reached Dimapur this evening before proceeding to Jalukie.
The children were accompanied by a team of four officials from Andhra Pradesh led by a Revenue Inspector and handed over to officials from Nagaland at Guwahati Railway Station.
Officials informed that five others were brought back home earlier in grave physical condition.
The children who left their village with hopes of a good life had to undergo whipping, beating in the course of menial labour. Many were also inflicted burns with lighted bidi. The youngest of the group is 8-year old Mary.
On May 31, administration and police officials of Guntur and Nalgonda districts in Hyderabad rescued 22 Naga children from an orphanage, who were being used as labours. The children belonged to the age group of 8-14 years.
The rescue operation was carried out after the State Chief Secretary wrote to his counterpart in Andhra Pradesh informing them of the plight of the Naga children.
The news of the rescue operation told the tale of deceit and nefarious racket run by one True Light Healing Ministry run by Dr. Henri Rongmei and Ms. Sarah Thankhul of Manipur and Evangelical Association for Revival Education (EARE), a Tenali based NGO under Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.
A report received from Naga students of Hyderabad Central University and Zajamo Odyuo, Pastor of Naga Christian Fellowship (NCF), Hyderabad who went to Miryalguda, 160 km away from Hyderabad, to take stock of the situation after the rescue operation, gave detailed account of the ordeal.
Altogether 22 children, 9 girls and 13 boys, all hailing from Samzuiram village under Peren district were rescued by the Police in the first joint operation on May 31. 17 were rescued from the Srinivasanagar Orphanage School at Miryalguda while 5 were rescued after police raided the house of the EARE NGO promoter, Sudheer Kumar.
The Police also had in custody Ms. Asuina, a teacher in Srinivasanagar Orphanage School at Miryalguda.
There were also two other boys with them, Amon and Kambui, who had arrived from Nagaland on May 12 to take the children back after having heard of the appalling conditions they were in.
Two more boys were rescued from the house of one Pastor Krupadana in the town of Eluru following police interrogation of Ms. Asuina and her husband, who hails from Rajasthan and they were reunited with the other children on June 3 before the group boarded the train to return back home.
As the sordid tale unfolded, it was learnt that Dr. Henri Rongmei and Ms. Sarah Thankhul of True Light Healing Ministry convinced the Pastor of Liangmai Baptist Church of Samziuram village under Peren district that there is a good prospect for children to receive free education, accommodation, clothing and a scope to pursue theological studies under the care and guidance of EARE in Andhra Pradesh. Parents came forward happily once the Pastor informed his congregation of the ‘opportunity’ to ensure a good future for their children.
After registration of names, the children were reportedly given an injection and an amount of Rs.4000 each was collected from the parents as first instalment along with Rs.300 as charge for the injection. Rs.1500 was again reportedly collected from the parents after two weeks.
The children were taken from Samziuram village on March 2 by Dr Henri and Sarah to Purana Bazar in Dimapur and from there they boarded the train to Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The group reached Vijayawada on March 7 and taken to the Orphanage at Miryalaguda in Nalgonda district. The children claimed that since arrival they were not provided proper food or rest and treated harshly. The girls were made to do household chores and the boys made to work in the construction site of the school and steal firewood and vegetables for meals. They were also subjected to whipping, pricking with pins and burned with bidi. No medication was given when some of them fell ill. Officials and parents escorting the children this evening at Railway Station Dimapur informed that Rs.15, 000 each were demanded by the Orphanage from 2 of the parents when they went to claim their children after getting information of their plight.
Meanwhile, Nagaland Home Commissioner Mhathung Kithan conveyed gratitude to his AP counterpart for the prompt action taken.
The Naga students of Hyderabad Central University and NCF on behalf of Nagas in Hyderabad also lauded CH Srinivas (Tehsildar), D Sanjeeva Reddy (Revenue Divisional Officer), E Ravinder (Sub-inspector of Miryalguda sub-division under Nalgonada district), District Collector and DSP of Guntur District, Tajuddin, Research Scholar from University of Hyderabad and others who contributed free-will donations towards the cause of the children.
Arrested DHD(J) chief brought to Guwahati (Newmai News Network)
GUWAHATI, JUN 5: Jewel Gorlosa, the Dima Halam Daogah-Jewel supremo was brought to Guwahati today by the Assam police
from Bangalore. The DHD(J) is the breakaway DHD faction known as the Black Widow. Assam Police with the help of Karnataka police had arrested Jewel Gorlosa from Bangalore on Wednesday along with two of his aides.
Soon after his arrival at the LGB airport in Guwahati, Assam Police whisked away the chief of the Black Widow, who is wanted in a number of cases of killings and abductions, to an undisclosed location. Briefing the media, DIG (Central-West Range) GP Singh, who led the Assam Police team to the Karnataka capital, said that the arrested insurgent leaders were brought here on five days transit remand.
The arrested militant leaders are likely to be produced in the court on Saturday, IGP (Law and Order), B Mahanta told NNN. “We have subjected them to interrogation,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Black Widow claimed that the arrest of its chief would not hamper its organisational activities in any way.
In a statement, Black Widow vice president Daniel Dimasa said the struggle of Black Widow would continue like before. “He (Gorlosa) was living away for a long time and didn’t have any direct control over the organisation. Therefore, his arrest will hardly impact the organisation,” Daniel claimed. In the wake of Gorlosa’s arrest, Daniel indicated that one of their top leaders Niranjan Hojai could take over as the chief.
Observers feel that peace will not return to North Cachar Hills so long as Niranjan and other senior Black Widow functionaries such as Daku Dimasa, Maorong Dimasa and Daniel continue to enjoy a free run. The Black Widow has killed over 200 persons, including security personnel, ever since its formation in 2004.

UNLF cadre involved in killing spree held: police The Imphal Free Press

Imphal, June 5: The state police has established the identity of the suspects involved in the serial killings of non-locals in the state following the arrest of a sympathiser of the underground UNLF who was involved in the killing of a non-local barber this morning at Wabagai Lamkhai. The arrest was made during extensive operations conducted by the security forces in Wabagai, Hiyanglam, Laphupat Tera, Tokpaching, and Chingjao areas, after a brief encounter this morning.

Mentioning this, SP Thoubal, Clay Khongsai, during a press briefing at his office chamber at Thoubal district headquarter this evening disclosed that the Thoubal police had been on alert after directives from the state government over the spate of killings of non-locals in the valley districts.

He further said that a strong combined security team of Thoubal district police commandos and personnel of 21 Assam Rifles headed by the SDPO Thoubal, Nimai, after getting information on the shooting of a non-local at Wabagai Lamkhai bazar this morning rushed to the area and conducted cordon and search operations along the routes the assailants could have escaped.

He said a sympathiser of the underground UNLF identified as Elangbam Rojit Singh, 20, son of E Ibomcha Singh of Hiyanglam Makha Leikai, who was involved in the killing of the non-local at Wabagai bazar this morning was arrested from Hiyanglam around 9 am this morning,

The SP further mentioned that after extracting information from the arrested person, the security forces continued their search operations in the surrounding areas during which they got involved in a fierce encounter with armed militants at Tokpaching and Hilanmei areas under Kakching police station. The fighting lasted for more than seven hours.

The SP mentioned that there were no casualties on the side of the security forces but some casualties could have been inflicted on the opposing side.

Meanwhile, Rojit was paraded before the media in a press briefing at the office of the Thoubal SP. He disclosed to the media that he had been working as an overground UNLF member.

He said two other cadres of the UNLF identified as S/S Sgt. Samadram Jugol alias Thambaljao Singh, 31, son of Bihari of Thoubal Haokha and S/S Lance Corporal Keisham Herojit alias S Loktak, son of K Achouba of Heirok part-II Laishram Leikai visited him ealry this morning on a black colour Honda Activa bearing registartion No. MN04-B-2074 and informed him of their task of killing a non-local. Later, the trio reached Wabagai Keithel. S/S Sgt Samadram Jugol Singh carried out the shooting of the non-local barber at Wabagai Lamkhai bazar and thereafter they left the spot hurriedly on the same Honda Activa towards Hiyanglam area.

Jugol and Herojit fled towards the lake leaving the Honda Activa and he was suddenly arrested by the security forces while he was loitering at Hiyanglam area around 9 am, he said. The SP Thoubal further stated that the Honda Activa used by the assailants belongs to one Maibam Das, son of M Manihar of Wabagai Maibam Leikai.

Later, the SP Thoubal announced a cash reward of Rs. 50,000 to any individual or security personnel who can give information about the two absconding assailants who are cadres of the UNLF. Clay Khongsai, later observed that killing the poor non-locals would only brew communal hatred and put the state’s people in danger in various places in the Indian mainland. He said he expected those involved in these killings to understand this very obvious fact and put an end to the killings for the sake of the people of the state, if not for other reasons. He also asked the non-locals in the state to be on alert and report any suspicious persons to the police.

Junta launches fresh offensive against KNU by May Kyaw Mizzima
Chiang Mai (Mizzima News) – Burmese Army troops are preparing to launch an offensive against the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and heavy fighting is likely on Saturday, a Karen officer said. “It seems like they are preparing to attack. I think fighting is likely tomorrow [Saturday],” said Brigadier General Jonny of the KNLA. Soldiers of the Burmese Army along with its allies, Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA)'s battalions 999, 333 and 555 have jointly attacked the KNLA battalion 7, the armed wing of the Karen National Union, in Pa-an district. The KNU is an ethnic armed resistance group fighting for self-determination for more than 60 years.

The Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) on Friday issued a statement saying the impending conflict has forced about 700 Karen people ,who lived in Pa-an area, to flee to the Thai-Burmese border fearing for their lives.

While the Burmese Army has raided and tried to occupy the military camps in the area controlled by KNU, the longest operating revolutionary organization in Burma, a Karen splinter group, the DKBA has been expanding its troop strength.

Karen villagers flee to escape battlefront Usa Pichai Mizzima

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Several hundred ethnic Karen have crossed into Thailand as fears of fresh fighting between the Burmese Army and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) echo along the border.

Colonel Phadung Yingpaiboonsuk, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division of the Thai Army, has ordered military and administrative officials in Tak Province on the border of Karen State to look after 16 families, a total of 85 people, newly arrived in the Kingdom as asylum seekers. They are currently staying at Thammajarik Monastery and being provided with food and medical care in addition to 24-hour security. The Thai Army is also preparing an emergency plan for local Thai villagers in case the fighting spills over the border. Other groups of Karen are reportedly sheltering in the villages of Tungtham, Nong Bua, Mae Salid and Mae Usu after hearing that Burmese Army and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) forces are preparing to attack the KNLA's 7th Brigade near Thasongyang District, west of Thailand. The battleground is a mere three to four kilometers from Thai territory.

An official in Tak Province revealed that the Thai military has reinforced its troops along the border with Karen State after fighting between the KNLA and Burmese Army affected local villagers in the area.

“The villagers have crossed the Moei River by long-tail boat at several points in Tak Province's Thasongyang District. Thai authorities will take care of them and provide humanitarian aid. However, it is possible that the fighting will become more serious," according to a report in the Thai newspaper Matichon on Friday.

The current military campaign kicked off in April of this year, pitting the Burmese Army and its ally the DKBA against the KNLA, the armed wing of the Karen National Union. The Burmese Army previously burnt down several buildings in Wah Lay Kee Refugee Camp after overrunning the base. In April, the Thai Army twice submitted a Memorandum of Understanding in protest against the Burmese Army for discharging mortar fire that landed in Tak Province, injuring two Thai soldiers.

Additionally, about 200 Thai villagers from Phadee were temporality relocated for several days deeper inside Thai territory out of concern for their safety. Local authorities have since found a number of unexploded ordinances, including landmines, left in the village as a result of the fighting.