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10/06/2009: "NSCN(I-M) rebels kill six comrades in B'desh Manas Paul, TNN"

NSCN(I-M) rebels kill six comrades in B'desh Manas Paul, TNN

AGARTALA: BSF has nabbed four NSCN(I-M) militants who crossed over to India after killing six of their comrades in a fierce gunbattle at one of their camps in Bangladesh.

"Along with a Bengali cook, the militants were apprehended in North Tripura on Sunday. They admitted to killing six of their comrades at the outfit's Nonacherri camp in Moulabibazar, Sylhet, on Saturday night," DIG BSF A K Singh said here on Monday. The camp is located about nine km from the Satlang border outpost along the Indo-Bangla frontier.

The four claimed that the encounter was result of a showdown which happened after they tried in vain to convince the camp commander to surrender.

The apprehended militants were identified as Khomwng (21), a resident of Joliki in Nagaland, Nzau Chima (23), also of Nagaland, Kumar (24) and Sandai (21) of Sagang and Rukhumbi respectively in Manipur. They were escaping along with Ranjit Pal (25), the cook from Panisagar in North Tripura. The border guards found five AK-series rifles and a huge cache of ammunition on them.

"Technically speaking, the militants were apprehended and did not surrender. The BSF personnel manning the border spotted the rebels and asked them to stop. It was only after the militants stopped that our men rounded them up and disarmed them. But it's true that they were coming to surrender before authorities," Singh said.

During interrogation, the NSCN militants told BSF personnel that they were hiding in the Nonacherri camp since 2004. Sources said Ranjit, who is a resident of Ramnagar village in Panisagar, used to sell "paan" in the Khashiapunji area, not very far from the Nonacherri camp. Later, he got in touch with the Naga militants and used to cook food for them. Incidentally, it was Ranjit who was leading the four NSCN(I-M) militants to India in an apparent bid to surrender.

"We will produce the rebels before a court seeking police remand. If the court grants our plea, police and intelligence officials will interrogate them," said a police officer from North Tripura.

Sources said Nagaland Police has been informed about the incident and its officials will soon come to Tripura, interrogate the four rebels and take them in transit remand.

Three years ago, seven NSCN (I-M) militants had surrendered to the BSF in North Tripura district.
• Chidambaram voices concern over NE insurgency STAFF WRITER
Mumbai, Oct 5 (PTI) Voicing concern over leaders of various insurgent groups in the northeast taking shelter in neighbouring countries, Union home minister P Chidambaram today said they must be "exposed".

"Many of those leading the insurgency are hiding in Myanmar and Bangladesh and they must be exposed," he said, talking about the problem gripping several states in the northeast.

Delivering the 4th Nani Palkhiwala memorial lecture, the minister said government was already engaged in talks with a faction of Naga rebels and hoped peace would be restored in Nagaland.

Chidambaram said some rebels of Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel faction), active in north Cachar hills of Assam, had recently surrendered to join the mainstream and hoped other groups in the restive region would emulate them.

Talking about the threat of Naxalism, Chidambaram deplored that a section of the civil society romanticised left extremism.
Manipur crying for help By: Anil Bhat PTI
It is not very often that both the Prime Minister and the Union home minister express their concern over deterioration of security and the law and order situation in states ruled by the political party they represent. However, this is exactly what both Dr Manmohan Singh and P. Chidambaram conveyed about Manipur, Assam and Nagaland. On Tuesday, Mr Chidambaram singled out Manipur as the biggest problem in the Northeast and called it a blot in improving its picture.
Dr Singh asked the chief ministers of all the northeastern states to pay particular attention to the implementation of infrastructure projects. Instead of relying completely on Central paramilitary forces and the Army, Dr Singh emphasised the need to have more proactive police forces in all the northeastern states. He also urged all the states to ensure transparency while carrying out recruitments in their police force that should have representation from all ethnic groups and communities.
Manipur’s chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh highlighted the “problem of extortion by undergrounds” (UGs) in Manipur as a serious concern. He pleaded that it “could not be dealt without the intervention of the Union home ministry”, which, he said, should give “necessary instruction to the ministry of telecommunication for cancellation of prepaid mobile phone facility”. He also urged setting up a dedicated security force to prevent extortion activities of UGs along National Highways 39, 53 and 150 — lifelines for the people in the state — by making the Highway Patrolling Scheme operational.
Dr Singh, however, felt that the Manipur government must first put in place appropriate mechanisms for increased participation of people in developmental projects and pointed out that while resources for policing need to be enhanced substantially, the increased posts already sanctioned at the police station level remain vacant.
Terrorist-related violence in Manipur has trebled since mid-2004. The trend in 2008 indicated even further acceleration, which has been sustained this year.
With 388 deaths caused by terrorism in 2007 and 484 in 2008, Manipur remains the most violent state in India’s troubled Northeast, leaving behind the much larger Assam and Nagaland. Manipur, with just 8.52 per cent of the territory and 6.12 per cent of the Northeast’s population, accounted for as much as 47 per cent of terrorism-related fatalities in the region in 2008.
There are as many as 39 “underground” outfits/factions that are operating in Manipur. Six Meitei-based underground outfits, banned by the ministry of home affairs since November 10, 2007, are Kangleipak Communist Party, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, Manipur People’s Liberation Front, People’s Liberation Army, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak and United National Liberation Front (UNLF).
While the ban came quite late, the fact that home secretary G.K. Pillai visited Manipur after prolonged public protest following the killing of a suspected militant and a pregnant woman on July 23, 2009, had long discussions with Mr Okram Ibobi Singh and instructed Manipur’s home department to do more “home work” on these groups and other matters, indicated that the concern expressed by the Prime Minister and home minister is being followed up seriously.
High levels of corruption and lawlessness, along with the Ibobi government’s complete indifference to governance, has pushed Manipur into a state of anarchy.
The UG groups mentioned above have ruined the quality of life of the people of this state which is very rich in culture and its people extremely skilled in sports. Manipur is where Sagol Kangjei became Polo in the 1850s. Though Manipur has many potential Olympians, it has, as lamented by theatre maestro Ratan Thiyam, no playing fields for children. Instead, kids are often kidnapped or lured — even in the state capital — by terrorist groups for recruitment.
Many innocent people have been killed by terrorists; UNLF has planted made-in-China landmines and mass-rape of tribal women was reported in Churachandpur. And far too often Manipur is paralysed by “bandhs”.
It takes only Rs 3 lakh of bribe money to recruit a person in the state police or the paramilitary forces. As a result, there is a lurking danger that terrorist outfits with links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence, which has a base in Bangladesh, can penetrate the state’s security apparatus for a pittance.
Following the unprecedented level of protests after Thangjam Manorama’s killing in August 2004, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act was lifted from Imphal’s four districts and the Army was withdrawn. Thangjam Manorama, a 32-year-old women, was allegedly raped and killed by jawans of the Assam Rifles.
The four districts from where the Army was withdrawn — Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur — have now become notorious for extra-judicial killings, particularly fake encounters.
Manipur police’s special force is known as Manipur Police Commandos (MPC), but the term “commandos” is a highly misused term. There is no comparison between the MPC and the Army commandos. The training and conditioning is very different.
In 2008, there were 27 recorded cases of torture and killing attributed to the MPC. Earlier, the MPC conducted “encounters” in isolated places and now they do so in cities, in broad daylight. The killing of Chongkham Sanjit on July 23, 2009, is a case in point. Photographs of the alleged “encounter”, clicked by a local photographer that were published in a magazine, clearly contradict the official version. Sanjit was standing calmly as the police commandos frisked him, spoke to him, took him inside the storeroom of the pharmacy, shot him and brought his dead body out.
While New Delhi took note of the incident and some action was taken, much more needs to be done about all that has happened and is happening in Manipur.
In people’s eyes, the Ibobi government has lost all legitimacy. There are many instances that indicate the degeneration of the state’s political, security and administrative systems.
Manipur is linked to China and Pakistan (through Bangladesh), both of which — as brought out periodically by this newspaper — have India’s Northeast well within their sights to not only exacerbate existing problems but also to create as many more as possible.
* Anil Bhat, a retired Army officer, is a defence and security analyst based in New Delhi
History Important in the Quest for Naga Solution Nagaland Page
The Home Ministry’s announcement that Government of India would give its response on the Naga Issue by November and suggesting all Naga stakeholder groups to come together seems to have sent all Naga political groups, Overground and Underground, into individual sub-rosa confabulations even if their actual coming together is still far off. Various responses, muted and loud, individual or group, are beginning to emerge although still unclear. What is evident is a sense of imminence in the air!
Government of India’s recent announcement as a response to “Indo-Naga Talks”, after so many years, has been long overdue. The thought that GoI was either indecisive or unwilling to solve the Naga Issue was beginning to creep into people’s minds both within and outside the country.
What perhaps, many people did not expect was the sudden spurt in seeming decisiveness on the part of the Government of India (GoI). The Home Ministry’s announcement gave a time line of its own commitment and did away with the office of “Interlocutor”, thereby giving the message that GoI wants to have direct talks. Its suggestion that all Nagas come together and speak with one voice may sound patronizing but also a necessary condition for permanent settlement in present context of various opposing groups. All these indicated a new sense of purpose and determination, something Nagas had not seen in GoI’s attitude in decades.
This sudden promise by GoI to throw the ball onto the Naga side of the Court, without actually doing so, has come as a bit of a surprise to many. It seems to show the kind of confidence GoI has now acquired in dealing with the Naga Issue! Naga division had become a major hurdle to finding an adequate solution notwithstanding the allegations that GoI agents/agencies have manipulated and exploited such divisions. At the same time, the exploitative methods of GoI could only Contain and Control the Naga Situation without finding an adequate solution to the Naga Issue. If the present initiative is sincere enough and goes far enough, the Nagas may find that it may no longer be enough to blame GoI for non-solution of the Naga Issue! Much will depend on Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh. Both are respected for who they are. The Prime Minister also enjoys emotional attachment as an MP from the region.
Both sides know that the search for an adequate settlement of the Naga Issue has gone on for too long. One-upmanship and attempts to place oneself in a more advantageous position by force, at the cost of others, may not only lead to a lose-lose situation but also risk the possibility of leaders being cursed by future generations! The need is for win-win initiatives, if only for the sake of those they represent.
Win-Win Situation: It would seem that two main things and a lot of home-works are required for both sides before a win-win agreement could emerge.
i)Government of India needs to carry further the recognition of Naga History and remove it from the shadow of “secession” or even “insurgency” simply because these are not true. GoI, for example, after many decades of denial, and military action, is coming back to recognizing, if silently, the existence of the 9-Points Agreement, or Hydari Agreement, of June 1947. Moreover, it is not possible to talk about the 9-Points Agreement without also remembering August 14, 1947, and keeping at the back of one’s mind the Naga Memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929. Equating and comparing the Naga Issue with other militant groups in NE, in the name of “insurgency”, make `India’ look small! (Personally, I have never been comfortable with the term “insurgency” in NE context because I don’t think any of these groups, certainly not the Nagas, give much store to whether the Congress or BJP or any other party is ruling in Delhi). The history of any people, however seemingly insignificant, cannot be belittled. We are all aware of the few examples where history was attempted to be re-written. No one can really do harm to another without suffering some destruction oneself!
ii)On the Naga side, the Nagas should gratefully accept the History God gave them as a people, conscious of other ethnic groups of similar size, including in their own neighbourhood! This should help them, in Christian humility, to admit to faults that have been committed along the way. This is where the need for reconciliation, and moving on, comes in especially in matters intra-Naga. With healing, the Naga people would then have the needed space, even enlightenment, to envision the future of their people and how they could contribute. Without reconciliation and healing, there is real chance of the worst sides of Naga history repeating itself and also encouraging the emergence of the bad traits in others! No one wants these. Further, Nagas will need the goodwill and active cooperation of all their neighbours.
From above, it is quite clear that both GoI and the Naga side will have to do a lot of “homework” before an adequate final political settlement of the Naga Issue may happen.
Future Route: Both sides must recognize the following facts:- a)Regardless of whether a Naga is a Member of Indian Parliament, Minister in a State Government, senior GoI or State bureaucrat or employee, contractor, supplier, educationist, media person, ordinary villager etc. all Nagas recognize and accept the happenings of recent Naga political history such as Naga Memorandum to Simon Commission in 1929, Hydari Agreement of June 1947, Naga declaration of independence on August 14, 1947, Naga Plebiscite of 1951, etc. There is no dispute among Nagas where these above events are concerned.
b)Despite its military and economic strengths/powers, and exercising these through various channels, GoI has only been able to exploit and manipulate Naga divisions through Control and Containment policies. The central issue (because of such policies?) could still not be addressed and, instead, created more room for divisions/exploitation while removing possible solutions further afield. What the costs to Naga Society are of such policies have yet to be assessed.
c)Nagas must know and accept that it is now in their best interest to work out something tangible and honourable with the GoI. Nagas must accept, however painful, that they have missed several opportunities and there is a limit to how far they can blame others for these. Take two examples. (i) The Crown Colony concept, proposed by some British Colonial administrators, which was not far from sentiments expressed by Naga leaders. (ii) The historic visit to Kohima of Nehru with U Nu, his Burmese counterpart, was a great opportunity. Nagas may claim it was not their fault. The fact remains that Nagas were willing to jeopardize the future of their people because of the attitude of the then Deputy Commissioner, one individual!
d)The biggest hurdle to an adequate political settlement has always been the “political”. Economic issues, where most Nagas are concerned, will only be the icing on the proverbial cake! Without some face-saving concession on the political side the Nagas may not see any forthcoming settlement as “honourable”. This is the Catch-22 of the Naga Issue. The positive element, today, is that both sides agree that solution must come through “talks” and not military action.
e)Overwhelming majority of Nagas want solution. Three things are material here. (i) All Nagas want an “honourable settlement”. Much will depend on how far GoI is prepared to go to accommodate Naga aspirations and history. (ii) Any Naga leader/s or group/party playing spoilsport and standing in the way of an adequate settlement may, one day, regretfully discover that History is no servant to anyone and that it is best to pay healthy respect to it! Whether Overground or Underground, individual and groups interests must sub-serve the interests of the Naga people as a whole. (iii) The goodwill and active cooperation of all, especially those concerned and affected, third parties. Nagas must reach out and interact with neighbours. Nagas cannot expect satisfaction of their aspirations without also respecting the aspirations and sentiments of neighbours to the extent possible.
Forum for Naga Reconciliation: I had, on earlier occasions, written in support of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, headed by Dr Wati Aier because I believe he knows about healing and reconciliation. In December 2001, the orphan choir he brought to Kohima to sing “Healing in Our Nation” is still imprinted in the minds of Naga people. The FNR has also made much headway. Any positives must be appreciated and supported. Healing and Reconciliation will lay the foundations for the rebirth of the Naga people. They will also ensure that any future political agreement will have a chance to work/succeed.
But has the time come for the FNR to expand its base at home and grow to the stature it will need for next stage/s? A natural extension would be to sufficiently include, even make core partners, the Nagaland Christian Forum or at least the Nagaland Baptist Church Council. Such inclusion will not only provide the FNR with the needed pillars but will also be fitting in the light of peace movement history in Nagaland. A unified Naga Church will also inspire and give confidence to all Nagas.
Conclusion: It is said that nothing can stop an idea whose time has come. Equally true is that when the time has not come, it is of no use banging one’s head to force it to happen! Take an example. Just a few years ago, the idea of healing and reconciliation failed to make headway despite all the emotional as well as rational and objective explanations given out. Today, most Nagas, thank God, are going out full-throated for these same objectives! This gives hope for Naga healing and restoration, the only adequate basis from which something new and better may emerge for the Naga people!
For the above to fully happen, magnanimity and largeness of heart on the part of the Government and people of India will be required as well. Such magnanimity, one thinks, will also help Spiritual India to re-find her Soul which, in turn, could lead to India finding her true destiny?!
Charles Chasie
c/o Catholic Publication Centre
Kohima – 797001
Nagaland.

Attention Chief Minister Sir, Nagaland is encroaching on Jessami
Source: The Sangai Express
Jessami (Ukhrul), October 05 2009: Although the neighbouring Nagaland Government has encroached on the land of Jessami under Chingai Block of Ukhrul district and set up a post for its armed police personnel and constructed a rest house and fishermen's rest centre, the hapless unarmed Manipur police have not been able to do anything to stop these activities.

The people of Jessami have strongly objected to the encroachment, but at the same time they are left wondering what the Government of Manipur has been doing.

Talking to The Sangai Express in this connection, Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul district N Ashok Kumar has, however, assured that in order to take up appropriate action against the setting up of a police station on the soil of Manipur, the State Government would be writing to its Nagaland counterpart.

The activities of the Nagaland Government on the land of Jessami came to light during a joint inspection visit by members of Information Centre for Hill Areas of Manipur (ICHAM), Tangkhul Youth Council, Raphei Students' Association and mediapersons from October 1 to 3. After the proper demarcation of the boundary between Manipur and Nagaland in 1970, under some mutual agreement on the traditional village boundaries, villagers on either side of the boundary divide have been crossing over to each others' side to continue agricultural activities like plantation of rice, vegetables and fruits.




Nagaland police outpost (top) and Nagaland and rest house (bottom) set up on Jessami soil



At the time of demarcating the boundary of the two neighbouring States, it had been agreed that Challou and Teju rivers, which are running between Jessami in Manipur and Mellorie in Nagaland, would be the demarcating point.

Inspite of that the villagers of the two border villages continue to involve in border dispute over alleged inclusion or exclusion of land every now and then.

To settle the matter and in recognition of the traditional boundary of the two villages located along National Highway 150, villagers from Jessami can crossover to Mellorie to continue with their agricultural activities and similarly the villagers of Mellorie can also cross over to Jessami for similar purposes.

However, villagers of Jessami are not allowed to bring back their agricultural products by the Nagaland Village Guards and villagers of Mellorie.

When the joint inspection team visited Teju river, it was noticed that the Nagaland Government has constructed fishermen rest house and a rest house near Agash bridge on the Manipur side of the boundary apart from the agricultural and plantation works being taken up over an area of 50 hectares by the villagers of Mellorie on the Manipur side of Challou river.

The joint team also came across a post of the 5th Nagaland Armed Police set up atop the Tebunomelu hillock of Jessami, which is located at the end of the vast expanse of the scenic paddy field.

According to chairman of Jessami Village Authority, Kawi Wezakh, the post of the Nagaland armed police was set up around 4 months back and at that time the village authority had reported the matter to the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul district.

Questioning what the Government of Manipur has been doing to stop the activities of the Nagaland Government on Jessami land, Wezakh pointed out that apart from officials of civil administration and police, Ministers of Nagaland Government have been coming to visit the area but in case of Manipur Government no one have come.

Even the Deputy Commissioner send a Lambu instead of coming down himself, he lamented.

Stating ''We would not part an inch of our land'', the chairman informed that at the time of border dispute between the two neighbouring villages, the Nagaland Government utilised the service of its village guards and armed police to allow the villagers of Mellorie to carry on their agricultural activities.

"However, in our case, the police are unarmed.

So what do we do ?'', he questioned.

Resenting the conduct of the Nagaland Government, the villagers of Jessami have demanded the Government of Manipur to recruit Village Defence Force (VDF) volunteers, deployment of State force and to equip them with necessary arms.

When the inspection team visited Jessami Police Station, the entire complex was found with tall grasses growing all over.

The Officer in-Charge of the police station could not be met as he had gone to Imphal.

Out of the required total strength of 15 personnel in the said police station, only six of them were present as the rest have been attached to the district headquarters.

Interestingly, it also came to light that inspite of frequent border dispute and clashes, the police station has not registered any case dispute and clashes, the police station had not registered any cases and did not report anything about setting up of a post of the armed police personnel of Nagaland on the land of Jessami.

Interacting with the visiting team, the police personnel who were at the police station, disclosed that there is no arms and vehicle for them.

So they could do nothing but to watch when the armed police personnel of Nagaland descended at Jessami Bazar and beat up the local people.

As there is no necessary infrastructure for communication, the two wireless sets of the police station are also being kept at the post of Assam Rifles.

The police personnel also disclosed that BSF used to stay at the newly opened post of the Nagaland armed police.

The most surprising fact that came to light during the visit is that Nagaland Govt has been providing electricity to the people of Jassami and collecting taxes from them.

To bring about better administration of the border village comprising 500 households with a total population of 3000 people, villagers of Jessami have fervently appealed to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to implement the assurance of upgrading the existing SDC office to SDO at the earliest possible.

Red alert in BTC after killings A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


CRPF jawans try to pacify protesters at Bhimajuli on Monday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, Oct. 5: The Assam government today sounded a red alert in the entire BTC belt to prevent any spillover of violence after seven houses in a Bodo village in Sonitpur were set ablaze by a mob to avenge the killing of 12 people by the Ranjan Daimary faction of the NDFB last night.
Police said there was no report of any casualty in the village near Bhimajuli as the residents had already fled.
Soon after the village was attacked, security in the entire Bodoland Territorial Council area was intensified as a pre-emptive measure to prevent a rerun of last year’s communal clashes at Udalguri that killed 50 people and rendered more than 30,000 homeless.
Today there was, however, tension in the NDFB-dominated areas of Udalguri and Chirang districts.
Not willing to take any chances this time, patrolling, frisking and vigil in the sensitive pockets have been intensified. In certain areas the army has been deployed.
The Daimary-led NDFB’s breakaway faction was desperate to gain a support base in the Bodo-dominated areas as its split with the pro-talks faction had not gone well with the people, a police officer said.
“The People of Bodoland want peace and so they did not like the way the Ranjan Daimary faction disowned the peace process,” the officer said.
“It wants to create communal tension so that it can project itself as their protector and win back their support.”
Condemning the killings, the pro-talks faction of the NDFB said yesterday’s attack by its rival group was a ploy to derail the peace talks with the government. It urged the Centre to mount pressure on Bangladesh to arrest Daimary, who is believed to be in the neighbouring country.
The outfit’s publicity secretary, B. Sanjarang, said: “Ranjan Daimary is trying to derail the peace talks. With such senseless attack on innocent people, he (Daimary) is trying to prove that he is still strong and capable of striking anytime.
“Peace can never come by killing innocent people. Such senseless act will not solve any problem,” Sanjarang said.
The Bodoland People’s Front, Bodoland Peoples Progressive Front, Absu, BSS and Tribal Sangha strongly condemned the attack on innocent people.
BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary appealed to the people to maintain peace.
Message of a confused mind - Top cop reads Daimary’s intentions; security intensified to pre-empt communal backlash; a survivor’s account GUEST COLUMN The Telegraph
The writer is a former DGP of Assam and Tripura
Desperation of a confused and frustrated individual is what comes across clearly in the message of D.R. Nabla, alias Ranjan Daimary, the president of the anti-talks National Democratic Front of Boroland, to his followers, well-wishers and backers on the occasion of the outfit’s 23rd foundation day on October 3.
The tone and tenor of the message is both inflammatory and contradictory, tell-tale signs of a confused mind. But for the state, the security and intelligence agencies, the message provides useful insight into the mindset of those running the group and helps prepare an appropriate strategy to counter them effectively.
To start with, the written speech is a clear piece of evidence in the government’s hand to register a fresh case against Daimary and his bands of followers as it is tantamount to waging a war against the nation. It is also a good piece of evidence for Delhi as well to mount fresh diplomatic offensive against both Bangladesh and China so as to build international opinion against them to stop any kind of assistance to the group. His openly seeking support from these nations cannot — and should not — be ignored. It is clear indication that the group has been operating from Bangladesh.
That Daimary is contradicting himself is borne out from the facts that, on the one hand, he is seeking the support of Bangladesh and, on the other, his followers are killing immigrants from that country (remember Udalguri and Rowta riots).
Secondly, he is blaming home ministry official Naveen Verma for the failed talks between the NDFB and the Centre. But if he is so sincere about talks, why isn’t he joining his former colleagues (pro-talks NDFB) who have fought with him for 22 years? This only reflects his misplaced priorities.
All said and done, one has to admit that the Ranjan Daimary faction controls the guns of the NDFB and the pro-talks faction led by Govinda Basumatary has no impact on him. I have a feeling that this group of 200-odd cadres will indulge in mindless violence.
Last night’s killing in the village bordering Arunachal Pradesh is one such act. It is an attempt by the group to show to its cadres and whose vested interests he is serving that he is still going to fight, come what may.
It is generally seen that when such a group completes 15-20 years, it starts indulging in wanton violence. I have a hunch that this will only increase as the Daimary group is facing a crisis of identity, manpower, resources and, of course, a future.
The government of the day, therefore, has to take a tough stand against the anti-talks group by ensuring that the innocent people are not affected.
Centre rushes forces to Assam Eastern Mirror
NDFB massacre toll touches 14
GUWAHATI, OCT 5 (PTI): The Centre today rushed additional paramilitary forces to Assam to assist the state administration after last night’s massacre by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland
(NDFB) militants as the toll rose to 14. Five of the injured in the attack on Balichung Dimajuli village in Sonitpur district succumbed to their injures today while bodies of Duleswar Pradhan, a school teacher of Diring primary school, and Manju Devi an AASHA worker, were found, officials said.
Union Home Ministry sources said in Delhi that acceding to the request by the Assam government, CRPF personnel have been dispatched to Sonitpur district, but their exact number was not known immediately.
Assam DGP Shankar Barua was attacked by protesters armed with bows and arrows when he was returning to Tezpur after reviewing the situation with ministers, the sources said. Three persons were injured when the DGP’s security guards fired on the protesters, the sources said. The injured were admitted to the Tezpur civil hospital. Barua’s pilot car was partially damaged in stone throwing, they said. The angry villagers, demanding security, had earlier in the day attacked the Balichung police outpost set ablaze several houses and a vehicle of a magistrate besides blocking roads.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi who condemned the massacre by the anti-talk faction of the NDFB, announced payment of Rs three lakh as ex-gratia to the next of kin of those killed, Rs 50,000 each for the grievously injured and Rs 10,000 each with minor injury.
Gogoi in a statement said those responsible for such cowardly acts would be dealt with firmly and sought cooperation of the people to maintain peace and restraint.
Senior ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma, Bhumidhar Barman and Nurzamal Sarkar reviewed the situation with police and army officials after visiting the spot.
Army and police launched a joint operation to flush out militants from the nearby hilltops where they were suspected to be sheltering.