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01/13/2010: "Japanese man held for entering Manipur without valid documents IST Times of India PTI,"

Japanese man held for entering Manipur without valid documents IST Times of India PTI,
IMPHAl: A Japanese national was arrested here for entering Manipur without valid documents, police said.

The foreigner, identified as Hamada Takiyoshi (29), came to Manipur on Monday and was staying at a hotel here.

He was arrested on Tuesday for not having the Protected Area Permit (PAP), a document issued by the Centre or any officer authorised by the Central government to foreign nationals for entering the state, and was later produced at a local court, police said.

The Japanese youth would be sent back to Mao Gate bordering with Nagaland today, they added.

In the northeastern region, PAP is in force in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh
3 Comments on this story. Read them
What an irony! They have caught a Japanese and sent him back while they never catch bangladeshis and push them back.| Read By Satyam on 13/01/2010 at 04:24 pm
Globalisation. Apart from bangladeshis and nepalese now japanese are looking for jobs in india. No need to carry valid documents. Great effort u have come all the way from JAPAN.| Read By amit on 13/01/2010 at 04:12 pm
Through Nagaland, many foreign nationals are making entry to India unauthorisedly. The Manipur and adjoining states close to Nagaland need to be monitored properly. Otherwise many unwanted nationals | Read By A Venkatakrishnan on 13/01/2010 at 03:20 pm

Assam Rifles personnel not arrested, probe ordered PTI
STAFF WRITER
Shillong, Jan 13 (PTI) Assam Rifles today said three of its personnel, including a major, were being questioned by the Assam Police in connection with a kidnapping incident and have not been arrested as reported.

Reports said the trio, posted at Tuensang in Nagaland, picked up four youths from Duliajan last week and allegedly threatened to frame them as ULFA militants if they did not pay Rs two lakh.

The men, identified as Major Jagjit Sandhu, rifleman Monikant Sharma and Havaldar Yogesh Gurung, were reportedly arrested from Mariani in Jorhat district yesterday.

"It was a case of mistaken identity. The personnel were called for statements and were not arrested as reported in the media," an Assam Rifles spokesman told PTI.

"They have been let off," he said, adding that the Assam Rifles has instituted an inquiry into the incident.
Mission prayer walk for justice, peace and prosperity Morung Express

Dimapur, January 13 (MExN): The Mission and Evangelism department of the KBES (Kyong Baptist Churches Association) led by Rev. Dr. L L Kikon will be taking a Mission Prayer Walk from Wokha to Yampha village through Wokha-Bokajan road from January 13 to 15, 2010. A press note issued by Rev. Nzan Odyuo stated that the purpose of the walk is to promote justice, peace and prosperity by doing away with injustice and disharmony through prayer. Pastors, youth leaders and mission field staff will be participating in the prayer walk. The press note further requested churches and individual believers to pray for the success of the programme.

Nagaland veterinary council informs on test

Kohima, January 13 (MExN): The Nagaland State Veterinary Council has informed all those interested in studying Veterinary Science that the Veterinary Council of India will be conducting an All India Pre-Veterinary Test 2010 on May 8 this year to fill up 15% of the total seats in the veterinary colleges of India. According to a release issued by the Registrar of the Council, information, bulletin and application forms are available for sale between January 4 to February 15 at the Council’s office, Directorate of Veterinary & AH, Kohima, and at branches of Vijaya Bank. The release informed that the form costs Rs.800 for General/OBC category and Rs.400 for SC/ST category which will be payable by Demand Draft in favour of ‘Veterinary Council of India – Examination Fund, payable at New Delhi and to be submitted at Nagaland State Veterinary Council office, Directorate of Veterinary & AH, Kohima on any working day.

AR greets Chakhesang community

Dimapur, January 13 (MExN): Major General Sandeep Singh, VSM, IGAR (North) and all ranks of Assam Rifles have extended warm greetings to the people belonging to the Chakhesang community on the occasion of Sukrenyu festival. The AR also conveyed that they sincerely prayed to the Almighty to keep a benign eye on the ‘Chakhesangs’ and the people of Nagaland to bring peace, prosperity and tranquility in the days to come. They also wished for the tribe to prosper in all spheres and endeavour to push towards everlasting peace in the region.

Evangelistic Children Rally from January 15

Dimapur, January 13 (MExN): The education & communication department has informed the associations and churches in Kohima that Evangelistic Children Rally from January 15 to 17 at Kohima Lotha Baptist Church. The arrival and registration will be held on January 15 from 3:00pm. The fee for registration will be Rs. 50. Evangelistic March will be held on January 17 which will start from P.R Hill Junction at 12:30pm. The slogans for the rally will be ‘Salvation belongs to Christ, Salvation is the way, Salvation is life, Salvation brings Justice, Salvation brings peace, Salvation brings healing, Jesus is the King of Kings, Jesus is the Prince of Peace, Jesus is the Lord of Lords.’

Info Commissioner to visit Kiphire, Tuensang dists

Kohima, January 13 (MExN): State Information Commissioner, Rev. Dr. Ponsing Konyak will be visiting Kiphire and Tuensang districts between January 18 to 22 to monitor the implementation of the Right to Information Act 2005 in the districts. According to a release issued by the Commission, the Commissioner will be visiting Kiphire, Shamator, Tuensang and Longkhim during which he will hold interactions with heads of department, PIOs, APIOs, NGOs, VDBs, VCs, church leaders and women organisations. In this connection, the Commission has directed all officers under the two districts to be available at their posting places during this period.

Students’ conferences of different ranges under Mkg

Mokokchung, January 13 (DIPR): With the end of the festive season and the beginning of New Year students of different ranges under Mokokchung district are holding their annual conferences. Changkikong Range Students Conference was held on January 6 to 8 at Molungkimong village under the theme ‘Refine Colours’ where Rev. Dr. W Toshi was the chief guest. The Langpangkong Range Students Conference is underway from January 12 to 15 at Mongsenyimti village under the theme ‘At the Lead’ with Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development Pangnyu Phom as the chief guest. Also the 63rd Japukong Range Students Conference is also underway from January 12 to 14 at Longchenitang village under the theme ‘Human Development’. Minister for Home Imkong L Imchen, and Parliamentary Secretary for Housing, Labour & Employment Er. T Saku Aier were the chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

Antony dismisses reports of China grabbing land, (IANS):

NEW DELHI Stating that there had been no change in the India-China border, Defence Minister A.K. Antony Wednesday dismissed reports of China grabbing Indian territory and said there was just a difference in “perception”.
“There is no change in the Line of Actual Control,” Antony said while referring to the LAC that serves as a border between the two countries. “There is only a difference in perception,” he told reporters, referring to a meeting he held with the army corps commander in Ladakh Tuesday.
The minister’s clarification follows media reports that China was grabbing land along the Indian border.
China has occupied large swathes of Indian territory in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir over the years, said a note from the Leh district administration to the home ministry.
Anotony, who visited Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday, had also met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and administrative officials of the Ladakh Hill and Development Council.
“I told them (the army and administrative officials) to study the situation in detail,” he said.

GPRN/NSCN alleges tax collection from poor people Eastern Mirror
DIMAPUR, JAN 13 (EMN): At a time when entire Nagas, including National workers, are trying to build a bridge to walk on common ground, a group of misguided
Lothas at Hebron Camp, calling themselves Kyong Region, are continually issuing directives to the Lotha people, exhibiting criminal mentality and intent and collecting tax at Merapani area along Assam-Nagaland border even from families rearing just a chicken, ducks, dogs, goats, pigs, chairman, GPRN/NSCN, Lotha Region, Zaremo John Lotha alleged in a release. It said even a small amount of dried fish belonging to a poor fisherman heading towards the market is not spared.
Joseph Lotha and Opong H, the so-called Lotha Region CAO and secretary respectively, should not be allowed to hold Wokha town as well as Lotha people at ransom, GPRN said.
Questioning as to how could the Lothas allow these petty criminals to monitor public institutions that function smoothly throughout the year, Zaremo urged senior Lotha citizens, Lotha Hoho or student activists to ascertain the facts.
“Accusing me of collecting tax at gunpoint is unlikely since my job is not to collect tax. I go to my people with respect and pride. I belong to Lotha community and therefore at any point of time I can go to Lotha Region. I do not coerce anyone for territorial or monetary gain because my only desire is to see all Nagas coming together in unity and reconciliation,” he said.
While the rest of the Nagas are steadily but surly inching towards a common ground through unity and reconciliation, Lotha people are still being misled and threatened by these “renegades” who have little or no respect for the Naga reconciliation process.
Zaremo appealed to the Lotha people to remain vigilant against these elements who are trying to keep the Lothas divided and confused.
“We have a proud history behind us. Let none belittle us,” he added.
India, Bangla working on extradition pact Kalyan Barooah Assam tribune
NEW DELHI, Jan 13 – While treading cautiously on the issue of handing over top ULFA and NDFB leaders, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said India and Bangladesh are working on an Extradition Treaty. In an interaction with newsmen before her departure to Jaipur en-route to Dhaka, Hasina was very guarded on the ‘sensitive’ issue of the flushing out the militants of the Norh-east and evaded questions about the possibility of handing over Anup Chetia.

Replying to a volley of questions about Chetia, Hasina said she has not come to India to discuss about any individual. “I have come to discuss all bilateral issues,” she said.

However, she asserted that her government would go to "any extent" in cooperating against the menace of terrorism and organised crime. “India and Bangladesh signed as many as three pacts to combat terrorism. Both countries have decided to work together,” the Prime Minister said.

Describing her three-day tour as “total success”, she said the two countries need to stand against terrorism and can work together in a "friendly atmosphere".

"For Extradition Treaty, discussions are going on.... We have signed three agreements. Side by side, discussions are going on the Extradition Treaty," the Prime Minister said.

"To end terrorism, we want to cooperate. We can go to any extent to cooperate," she said while reiterating that Bangladesh will not allow its soil to be used for any terrorist activity directed at India. “I feel that these agreements are enough but if there is any problem we will discuss it,” the Prime Minister added.

Adding further, Hasina said that terrorists have no religion, no nationality, no border, they are simply terrorists and they should be dealt with iron hand.Bangladesh would never allow its soil to be used for terrorist activities.

“I cannot reply to what the previous government had done to contain terrorist outfits, they know it better,” she said, in response to a question on the free run enjoyed by the militant outfits in the neighbouring country.

“I myself had been victim of terror attack. I came under 12 grenade attacks at a public meeting in which 22 Awami League leaders, including Ivy Rahman, were killed,” she added.

As an elected government, Bangladesh cannot support terrorist acts anywhere in the region, she said.

The joint declaration signed by the two countries, said both Prime Ministers condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They noted that security remained a priority for both countries, as terrorists, insurgents and criminals respect no boundaries. Both leaders reiterated the assurance that the territory of either would not be allowed for activities inimical to the other and resolved not to allow their respective territory to be used for training, sanctuary and other operations by domestic or foreign terrorist and militant and insurgent organisations and their operatives,” the joint declaration said.

India and Bangladesh on Monday signed Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, On the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and Agreement on Combating InternationalTerrorism, Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

On the controversy surrounding Tipaimukh Dam Project, the visiting Prime Minister said that the Prime Minister of India has assured that India would not do anything that might harm Bangladesh's interests. She said such commitment of a leader of such stature should be taken in good grace.

Besides, she said, since there is no installation at the Tipaimukh site there is no point discussing it.

The 50-point joint declaration signed by the two countries may prove to be very significant for the North Eastern States as far as gaining transit access and use of ports, rail and road links.

India and Bangladesh agreed that Ashuganj in Bangladesh and Silghat in Assam shall be declared ports of call.

Bangladesh agreed to allow use of Mongla and Chittagong seaports for movement of goods to and from India through road and rail. Bangladesh also conveyed their intention to give Nepal and Bhutan access to Mongla and Chittagong ports.

It was agreed that the construction of the proposed Akhaura-Agartala railway link be financed by grant from India. A joint team of the railway authorities of the two countries will identify the alignment for connectivity.

NE ultras procuring Chinese arms R Dutta Choudhury Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Jan 13 – The Government of China is yet to extend cooperation to India to prevent militant groups of the North East region from procuring weapons from that country, while, reports of frequent visits of the militant leaders to China has also become a matter of serious concern. Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that the Government of India recently took up the issue with the Chinese Government and expressed its concern over the developments. But so far, the Chinese Government has not taken any step to prevent the menace. In fact, the Government of China has denied the fact that the militant groups are procuring weapons from that country, sources added.

Sources revealed that most of the militant groups of the North East procure weapons from the arms dealers in China. According to information available with India, the Chinese army is going through a process of modernization in a big way and the process includes upgradation of weapons. Sources said that in the process of modernization, the old weapons are often offloaded to the arms dealers and the militant groups take advantage of the situation to procure the same through the clandestine arms dealers.

Official sources pointed out that the weapons procured by the militant groups through the clandestine arms dealers include AK series rifles, LMG and MI 15 rifles. These weapons, mostly discarded by the Chinese army as a part of the modernization process, are still good enough for the militant groups, sources added. Along with the weapons, the militants are also receiving the ammunition from the same dealers.

Sources admitted that there is no proof of direct involvement of any Chinese official in such dealings, “but it is difficult to believe that such dealings of weapons are going on without the knowledge of any Chinese Government agency.” Intelligence inputs indicate that almost all the Manipur based militant groups, United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and other militant groups of the region are procuring weapons from the clandestine dealers who manage to get hold of weapons offloaded by the Chinese Army.

Frequent movement of militant leaders to China is also a matter of concern and according to information available, even NSCN (I-M) Chairman Issac Swu and another prominent leader of the outfit Anthony Shimrey visited China last year. “The NSCN (I-M) is under cease-fire agreement with theGovernment of India since 1997 and the purpose of their visit to China is yet to be ascertained,” sources added.

Sources said that the ULFA Commander-in-Chief, Paresh Baruah is now in China along with at least eight to ten of his close followers. “The intelligence inputs indicate that Paresh Baruah is in the Yunan province of China and he is frequently visiting Kachin area. The ULFA is also trying to strengthen its old ties with the Kachin Independent Army (KIA).

Paresh Baruah had to flee from Bangladesh after he was named as an accused in the 2004 arms haul case and he had to leave for China. However, the ULFA leaders arrested following the crackdown in Bangladesh admitted that the family members of the ULFA C-in-C are still in Bangladesh.