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01/22/2010: "The Naga Political Assertion & its impact on the Naga Society” Neingulo Krome Morungexpress"

“The Naga Political Assertion & its impact on the Naga Society” Neingulo Krome Morungexpress

Nagas also have to learn from our past mistakes and also try and think outside of our own narrow “Naga Box”!!

“Even if heaven falls and all the rivers runs red with blood, I will not allow Nagas to be Independent”, “I will station one Indian soldier for every tree in Nagaland and wipe them out within one week” says India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru when Nagas made their political assertion. Again another Prime Minister Mr. Morarji Desai said; “I will exterminate all the Nagas without any compunction” when Naga student leaders went to meet him and to ask him to solve the Naga political problem during his visit to Kohima. And we are experiencing those impact ever since and even today despite peace processes and political negotiations which are purportedly being held at the highest level, without conditions and in a third country.
My dear fellow Naga brothers and sisters, every time we meet on an occasion like this, we want to talk about the political history of the Nagas and question the possible outcome. Even when we eat and drink, things seems incomplete without some talks and thoughts on the Naga political issue. No wonder, this political assertion has all of us engaged with it in one way or the other. Some in support and some against it, but every single one of us are caught in the same impact, where for some people it may be for the better and for some others for the worse. And again there are many assertions, although the general assertion of the Nagas as a people may be only one, which is based on the historical and political rights of the Nagas for a free Naga Nation.
On the other hand, we also had few Nagas asserting the interests of the Government of India against Naga interest which impacted the Naga society much beyond repairable damages. One such assertion would be the signing of the so-called 16-Points Agreement of 1960 between representatives of the Naga People’s Convention and the Government of India. And this has gone down in the Naga political history as the greatest damage ever done to the Naga Political assertion which created the present state of Nagaland within the Indian Union. The Naga assertion for Political Independence suffered the biggest blow and the people paid the highest price then and are even paying now and will continue to pay the price of this mistake till cent per cent of the people’s assertion are achieved. God only knows how many of us in the present generation or the next will live to see that day. Even the present Peace Process which has now run into the 13th year and the earlier Peace Talks of 1960s are victims of this mistake.
We also had the Shillong Accord of 1975 which needs no elaboration, but which struck the last nails to the coffin of an undivided Naga National Council and gave birth to multi-national political groups resulting in “Nagas killing Nagas” in the name of “national cause or principles” while our enemies watch and instigate. This certainly was not an assertion but a by-product of an impact bereaved of visions to even see the terrible consequences that were clearly written on the walls.
These two events are altogether quite two different things, one by over-ground politicians and the other by “Underground Organization”. But there were two things in common. On both the occasions, the signatories were called and taken to Delhi and Shillong respectively for signing the documents prepared by the Indian Government. And on both the occasion 1 person each did not append their signatures, where in the first case the person who did not sign came back home in a coffin and in the second case, the person came home shouting; “if I ever sign such an Accord even the leaves of the trees in Nagaland will not spare me” or something of that nature as it was relayed in native language.
The third thing in common which supporters of the two events say is that, it was the best thing to have happened at that time. But we need not be judgmental about that but leave them to the best healer, which is “time” and move on without “crying over spilled milk”. There could be more similar impairment of political visions and assertions in a more than 60 years of political conflict which may not have reached the public ears, but they could be things that are best left unsaid. For some others, it may best be forgotten.
When the Government of India signed the first Ceasefire with the Federal Government of Nagaland in 1964 after installing the first Legislative Assembly in Nagaland, subsequent to the inauguration of Nagaland Statehood as the 16th State of the Indian Union, several rounds of talks were held, with the Indian Government offering “anything under the sun” except Sovereignty. This was reciprocated by the Naga leaders who would take nothing but Sovereignty. Both the Indian Civil society and the Naga public knew little on this developments and were not curious enough either. After 8 (eight) years of asserting their respective positions, the talks ended in a dead-lock and military options to crush the Nagas were re-enforced.
This time when the Government of India signed the second Ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, led by Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Th. Muivah, in 1997, the Naga Civil Society organizations took the lead to strengthen the hands of the negotiators and decided to create an “interference free space” for talks to take place. Towards this, a Boycott Call or rather deferment of elections under the slogan “Solution not Election” was given by the Co-ordination Committee of all Naga Civil Society organizations and Churches against the holding of the Nagaland State Legislative Assembly scheduled for 1998. Rather than proving sincerity to the Peace talks, the Government of India imposed its “Constitutional Obligations” and installed an Indian National Congress (Indira) led Proxy Government in Nagaland as all the other political parties refrained from contesting the elections to stand with the people for solution of the Indo-Naga political problem. What happened after that is within everybody’s knowledge and the DAN Government of Nagaland stands in power today as a living testimony of the people’s verdict.
But if you were to ask me, where is the Naga political assertion leading us to and what would be the impact on the Naga society? I would say; Nagas also have to learn from our past mistakes and also try and think outside of our own narrow “Naga Box”!! Today I stand before you as a humble member of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. But I also want to tell you that despite the many weaknesses and limitation that FNR may have, it has started to help the Naga people who are the managers of the Naga political assertions to think outside that narrow “Naga Box”. And that is why the leaders of the different political groups have started meeting and talking things out even within a new mechanism call the “Joint Working Group”.
Again for a moment I want to share the stories of other people who also live through very serious conflict situations, in conditions much worse than that of Nagas. One such case will be the Bougainvillien experience. But to make a long story short, let me just say, they have fought for their Independence from Papua New Guinea and in the process started killing each other just like us - Nagas. But then they said, “If we kill each other who will take care of Buogainville when it gets Independence”? So they decided to reconcile with each other and started talking with the Government of Papua New Guinea. And they entered into a Peace Agreement in 2005, in which they are given full Autonomy to run their own Country and Government for a period of 15 years. At the end of which will be a period of 5 years, during which time period they will decide whether they will choose to stay Independent or remain with Papua new Guinea.
Whereas in South Africa, after Nelson Mandela was release in 1990 and African National Congress (ANC) won the 1994 elections with Mandela as the first President of Post Apartheid regime, an Act called PROMOTION OF NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION ACT, 1995 was passed and the TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION (TRC) was established under this Act. Thereon, after conducting public hearing from both victims and perpetrators, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Chairperson of the TRC handed over their report to the President of South Africa on 29th October 1998 where about 22,000 individuals or surviving families appeared before the Commission. Those who confessed their crimes were granted Amnesty and others who were victims were granted reparations. But when some of us visited South Africa last month in December, we also saw that many did not appear before the Commission. Many of them out of sheer fear that they may not get real justice. But we also met with people who were both victims as well as perpetrators and we saw some real reconciliation where they even re-told their stories to us. And all of them had this to say; “we have forgiven each other but we shall not forget”. And when TRC finished its work and the Government approved its report, they did it on a two word commitment “Never Again”.
Nagas loves to talk big things, perhaps as we are doing now….but we have to put our fears behind us and confront our future with courage. We also should not shy away from our responsibilities both as leaders and followers or even as mere public and make decisions where it is due. Most of the time, we keep waiting for others to make decisions for us and by then the opportunity has gone away from us. While Nagas are talking about the talks, peace, unity and reconciliation etc for all this years, several struggling people who may not have fought even half of what we did, have already found solutions in one way or the other. And besides Buogainville and South Africa, East Timor, Aceh and Sarejevo etc. are a few examples. Out of this few countries, East Timor which got Independent on 20th May 2002, has only 14, 609 Sq. Kms in size and 1.1 Million in population as of the United Nations Census sources in 2009. This calls for us to start to stop talking and talking about the peace talks or others gossips, but live out our lives in action before even our own neighbors overtakes us. Already even in India the Jarkhand, Chattisgarh and now Talengana have overtaken us even though the nature of the problem may be completely different. The truth is, we are just too proud of our history and bask in the glory of the past without doing anything in the present. Other may not have histories that they can boast of, but they do what needs to be done in their present situations.
So let us wake up and walk together with Our Past Not Behind Us, But In Front Of Us so that we are constantly reminded of our past mistakes and not repeat them again.
This paper was presented by Neingulo Krome at the 51st Annual Conference cum Games & Sports Meet of the Tungjoy Youth & Students’ Organisation held at Tungjoy on the 22nd of January 2010.
Live under Rule of Law: Neiphiu Rio Morungexpress Kuzhovesa Soho

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio with MLA Deo Nukhu and ZSU president Musonyi Domeh during the ZSU golden jubilee celebrations in Zhavame village.

Phek | January 21: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said that in the early times, Naga people lived a life that was free and independent, and not governed by any law. However, with the change of times, he said, the people must now live under civilisation and its framed laws. To this, he underlined the importance of education. He was addressing as the chief guest the inaugural session of Zhavame Students’ Union’s golden jubilee celebration here at Zhavame village.
Terming education as a very important asset, the chief minister said, education is the process by which the society develops. It should be balanced well to deal with the modern world and even with traditions and cultures. Education is the ultimate result of proper reasoning and understanding, he said. Stating that Nagaland is also advancing in education and has a literacy rate above the national average, Rio urged the students to work hard and contribute to the process of uplifting the state.
Rio said that Nagas once lived a life with no rule and law and so were regarded as a literally “free” people. It was a time when Nagas were living a primitive and independent life. “Nagas were never defeated at any form,” he said, but added that with the coming of the Western civilization and Christianity, “we are now progressing ahead in all spheres especially in the field of education.” Urging the students gathered not to think as the “free Nagas” did, he urged them to live under the Rule of Law.
Stating that students of today are the hope of tomorrow, Rio said if one were to get proper education it would automatically bring about a bright future. The Chief Minister assured that his government was doing its best to uplift the educational system. He urged the students to acquire quality education to fight the evils in society.
Rio further highlighted the state government’s declaration of the year of ‘Youth Empowerment and Capacity Building’ and said that thousands of youths were being employed thus easing the employment problem in the state. Further, he broached the subject of sports and the policy adopted by the state government. He said the DAN government is exploring all possible means to uplift the Naga youths to compete with the rest of the world in the field of sports. Nagaland has been affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association.
Terming Phek a land of traditions with a rich culture and rich flora and fauna, the Chief Minister said Chakhesangs are hard-working, courageous, straightforward and of simplicity. Rio said the Chakhesangs are not only advancing developmentally but also progressing in the academic field by topping competitive tests as well.
Also speaking on the occasion, ZSU president Musonyi Domeh, in his presidential address, said the students were expecting the benefits that education would bring and for changes in the village. He said the people of Zhavame are the proud inheritors of a rich legacy that their forefathers have passed on to them.

AR-NSCN (IM) stand off in Ukhrul (NPN):


Women keeping vigil to prevent flare up between Assam Rifle and NSCN (IM) at Siraoy village in Ukhrul district of Manipur on Thursday. (EP)
Dimapur, Tension continues to remain high in Shiroi, 15 kilometers east of Manipur’s Ukhrul district headquarters, as the standoff between the 17 Assam Rifles and the armed cadre of the NSCN(I-M) continued for the third day.
The incident began on January 18 when the 17 Assam Rifles discovered the camp of the NSCN(I-M), occupied by several armed cadres, that is located within the residential area of the village. The Assam Rifles reportedly told the NSCN (I-M) that the cease fire agreement was not in force outside Nagaland state.
According to reports, the Assam Rifles reportedly ordered the armed occupants to vacate and surrender their weapons, since it was not a designated camp covered under the cease fire agreement. When the armed cadres refused, the Assam Rifles called in reinforcement and surrounded the camp since January 19 and not allowing any to leave or enter it.
Meanwhile, the Shiroi village, in separate appeals to the Prime Minister of India and the Ato Kilonser of the NSCN (I-M), said both sides were unwilling to give in and as a result of which a showdown seemed imminent “at any moment”. Shiroi (C/T) headman Wungchangam, headman Shiroi (C/K) A.W. Nganthingkhui and secretary H. Ngachonmi said “thousands of women” from Shiroi including nearby villages have been gathering in the “war zone” to prevent any bloodshed and causing loss of lives of innocent civilians.
The signatories urged upon the leaders to intervene and have both the Assam Rifles and NSCN(I-M) vacate Shiroi village within 24 hours w.e.f.12 noon of January 20 or if not, provide sufficient time for the villagers to vacate Shiroi village in the greater interest of the innocent villagers.
Further they cautioned that any loss of life, damage to properties or violation of human rights would rest solely with both parties who would also be liable for any consequences.
As tension in the village mounted, social organisations of Ukhrul today reviewed the situation at a meeting, convened by the Tangkhul Naga Long, the apex body of the Tangkhul community, at the district headquarters.

Security plea to check Naga rebels A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


File picture of cadres at Camp Hebron
Guwahati, Jan. 22: The Unified Command has urged Dispur to move the Centre and the Nagaland government to rein in Naga militants and stop them from venturing into neighbouring states.
The Unified Command is a three-tier security arrangement that plans and executes counter-insurgency operations in Assam.
Most of the constituents of the operations group contend that Naga rebels are not only frequently disturbing peace in Assam but also in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. They feel it is high time the NSCN leadership was told enough is enough in the greater interest of peace. The three states share their boundaries with Nagaland.
Sources said most of the constituents wanted the governments to act because the ceasefire with the NSCN factions would remain a mockery if those venturing into the neighbouring states were not checked.
They argued that if the NSCN factions were not checked now, militant outfits in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur could not be fully neutralised.
Though the estimated number of NSCN cadres in designated camps is not known, six camps of the Isak-Muivah and four of the Khaplang factions are functional as of today.
Sources said the ceasefire monitoring group takes up issues of implementation of ground rules with the NSCN (I-M) and the ceasefire supervisory board with the NSCN (K). They meet from time to time and try their best to enforce the ground rules with help from the outfit’s local leadership and administration.
“We are not blaming the entire NSCN but there are some elements which are basically out of control. If they are in ceasefire, how come they continue to fuel disturbances in neighbouring states? It’s high time Dispur and the army built pressure on Delhi and Nagaland to check these errant elements. You cannot keep your home peaceful and disturb the neighbourhood. NC Hills, Karbi Anglong, Tirap and Changlang districts are just a few troubled spots frequented by the NSCN factions,” one of them said.
However, there is another section within the Unified Command, which wants the rebels of all ceasefire outfits living in designated camps to be kept under effective surveillance.
“Why only the NSCN rebels? We want all pro-talks rebels to follow ceasefire ground rules. There are reports that some members of the pro-talks Ulfa, DHD and NDFB are also violating ceasefire ground rules. Only after we get our house in order, we can pursue the violation of ground rules by NSCN cadres convincingly and with vigour. We need to concentrate on the home front first,” another source said.
There are reports that a section of pro-talks rebels is indulging in extortion and intimidation.
The Unified Command has gone into an overdrive to thwart any possible attacks from the NDFB and Ulfa in the run-up to Republic Day and beyond, keeping strict vigil on important vital oil, rail installations, including airports.
The operations group of the Unified Command is headed by GOC, 4 Corps, Gyan Bhusan, while its the strategy group is headed by chief secretary P.C. Sharma.
Its constituents include intelligence, army, BSF, SSB, SIB, SB, police and CRPF personnel. It now remains to be seen how far Dispur and the Centre will go on this front.
Police sources said instances of violation of ground rules had started coming down. “One has to understand that some of the rebels take time to adjust to the new way of life. It will take some time. But things have started improving after the October serial blasts in 2008. We are talking out with their leadership,” he said.
‘GPRN/NSCN’ releases six detainees Staff Reporter), (NPN):
KHEHOI, (DIMAPUR All six NSCN (I-M) activists who were detained in the ‘GPRN/NSCN’ Khehoi designated camp since December 18, were released unconditionally Thursday at a simple function.
Those released included- Y.S.Yalem chairperson of the Nationalist Socialist Women Organisation of Nagalim (NSWON), her attendant Aren, MIP secretary Imcha Longkumer, Tatar Hutovi and two others- Aphi and Kuvei. The ‘GPRN/NSCN’ said they were detained on “political grounds” and released Thursday in the presence of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and various other NGOs.
A declaration jointly signed by the six NSCN (I-M) activists and representatives of the civil societies read, “The GPRN/NSCN … hereby release the detained officials of Hebron Camp unconditionally. This decision is taken so that Nagas could come together through genuine reconciliation and unity.” The declaration also said that the officials were released with all their belongings intact and in sound mind and health.
Convener, FNR, Rev Wati Aier who read out the declaration note said that there were “no strings attached” to the Declaration.He said the occasion at Khehoi Camp was to defy the notion of the impossible adding Nagas would draw hope from it and inspire them to move persistently towards the common goal. The FNR also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the GPRN/NSCN for paving the way for reconciliation.
GPRN/NSCN “Kilo Kilonser”, Azheto Chophy asserted that the group at Khehoi was not a factional camp but an assemblage working for peace and reconciliation and to stop bloodshed among the Nagas. “In view of Nagas” quest for peace and reconciliation, we are releasing our prisoners unconditionally”, he said. “Kilonser”, ministry of NGOs, Vitoyi asserted that detainees were not “our enemies” but detained only on “political grounds”.
NSCN (I-M)/MIP secretary, Imcha Longkumer, expressed deep gratitude to the GPRN/NSCN for the unconditional release and said they were all given “very good care” besides indicating he would share the experience after returning back to Hebron camp. NSWON, chairperson, Y. S. Salem also said they were given good treatment.
Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) president, Hokiye Yepthomi lamented that “unclean languages” were spoken against the Sumis after the Hoho paved way for broad based understanding among the Nagas.
On the release of the six detainees, Yepthomi said “Let this day be a lesson to the Nagas”. Representatives of the DBs and GBs forum, Tangkhul Long, Ao Union Dimapur, Naga Women Union Manipur, ENPO, NSF, Naga Mothers’ Associaition, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, and Western Sumi Totimi Hoho also spoke at the function and expressed gratitude to the GPRN/NSCN for unconditionally releasing the NSCN (I-M) officials.
Even as the function marking the release of the detainees were underway, the ‘GPRN/NSCN’ announced that its “deputy secretary” Finance, Heyito Lala was apprehended by the NSCN (I-M) Thursday at around 11 a.m. near Walford Colony. The GRPN/NSCN however said it would not go back on its assurance to release the detained NSCN (I-M) activists.

No hand in NC Hills unrest: NSCN-IM Eastern Mirror
DIMAPUR, JAN 21 (EMN): The NSCN-IM today, in a strong-worded statement, termed the inquiry report, which blamed it of instigating unrest in the NC Hill, as ‘malicious unfounded allegation of Assam government.’
The NSCN-IM asserted that it never intends to disturb the centuries old peaceful co-existence between the Kacharis/Dimasas and the Nagas or with any other community in the region and it has no hand in the present turmoil in NC Hills.
An independent inquiry report into the ethnic unrest in Assam’s North Cachar (NC) Hills submitted to Assam Governor on January 19 by Justice SM Soni, president of Justice on Trial and Justice MV Tamaskar, chairman of the fact-finding committee, held the NSCN-IM mostly responsible for the tension and for providing training to the DHD faction - Black Widow, which had been responsible for spreading terror in the district.
Reacting to the report, the NSCN-IM in a e-mail statement issued by MIP, said such ‘unbecoming and unscrupulous statement of the Assam government’ as highly ‘unfortunate and uncalled for that fails to carry any political correctness in restoring peace and normalcy in the trouble wrecked district but only adds insult to the injury that would not serve anything good, instead create further confusion, suspicion, misunderstandings and division among different ethnic groups in the area.’
‘It is totally unwise on the part of the government of Assam to make NSCN/GPRN scapegoat of its own failure and ineffectiveness to contain the situation coupled with the divisive policy of the government of India towards the region,’ the statement read.
The NSCN-IM reminded that the Assam Rifles failed to clarify and come out clean on charges against one Capt. Hemanta Singh of 45 AR who, the outfit claimed, was found working hand in glove with DHD outfit in attacking the Zeme Nagas when the ethnic clash between the Dimasas and Zeme Nagas was at its peak.
The NSCN-IM further strongly refuted the allegation that it was training and helping other revolutionary organizations in the North East, asserting that the ‘NSCN/GPRN neither has clandestine nor official relation with others to create situations in any part of India after signing of Cease-fire agreement.’
On allegations of initiating forced conversions to Christianity, the outfit stated ‘the principle of NSC/GPRN itself strongly prohibits imposition of one’s culture and religion on others and thus, the question of pressuring and forcing non-Christian to convert to Christianity does never arises.’
The NSCN-IM demanded the fact-finding Committee of Justice on Trial and Justice MV Tamaskar to come out with clear evidence to substantiate their claim to clear the air and to avoid any unwanted consequences.
Another extortion ring smashed in Dimapur Staff Reporter (NPN):



(Top) Dipankar Gosh (L), ‘ss’ finance secretary, PULF, Islauddin, Losu Mao and Lohrü in police custody. (Bottom) The seized pistol, mobile phones and cash.
DIMAPUR, A call made to the wrong person and number not only landed an extortionist reportedly the self-styled finance secretary of the banned People United Liberation Front(PULF), in police dragnet but also resulted in arrest of the entire gang involved in the crime.
The arrests took place at various locations within Dimapur within four hours after the call was made to the would-be victim of extortion. Among the arrested included a former assistant of a news agency(ANI),police said.
The sequence of events unraveled on January 19 when a caller identifying himself as a self styled finance secretary of the PULF had dialed the mobile number of SDPO Dimapur Shouka Kakheto believing that the latter was a businessman.The SDPO played along saying he was indeed the businessman from Hongkong market.
The caller demanded Rs.two lakh extortion money and without arousing suspicion and with presence of mind, Shouka told the caller to speak to his assistant and handed over the mobile to continue with the haggling.
Finally, the negotiation of the extortion amount went down from Rs.two lakh to Rs.80,000 with the caller asking the ‘manager’ that he would pick up the amount the following day. On the appointed day, the self –styled PULF finance secretary again called up and hiked up the extortion amount which was finally settled at Rs. 1 lakh.
On the appointed day on January 20, police in civvies were placed around the pick up location and at around 1 p.m. caught the person who had gone to fetch the money.Police identified the person as Losu Mao(28) a former assistant cameraman of the ANI.
When told that a person in Medziphema was involved, police made Losu Mao call up the person to confirm he had collected the cash. Police then arrested Lohrü at 5th Mile while on his way to Dimapur.
Acting on further information, police arrested another accomplice identified as Dipankar Ghosh(30) from Nagarjan and the fourth member of the gang identified as the self-styled finance secretary of the PULF,one Islauddin(24) from Dhobinala area.
Based on the confessional statement of Islauddin, police raided a place where he used to stay at Ghorapatty and recovered 9mm country made pistol along with four live rounds, five mobile handsets and Rs 38, 500 in cash.
Extortion has become the only industry in Dimapur with members of various outfits or criminals from outside the state, preying on the helpless traders and businessmen.
Uneasy calm prevails between junta and ceasefire groups Salai Han Thar San Mizzima
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Despite the refusal of armed ceasefire groups to favorably respond to the junta’s proposal to transform their armies into Border Guard Forces, the situation is tense but calm, according to observers.

Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Sino-Burmese border-based military analyst, told Mizzima on Tuesday that though there are no visible tensions between the junta and armed ceasefire groups, the junta continues to secretly prepare for their next move.

“They [junta] is currently silent. They are rethinking their strategy on how to break the ceasefire groups as it is not as easy as they initially thought,” Aung Kyaw Zaw speculated.

Burma’s military rulers, in April 2009, proposed that all seventeen armed ceasefire groups transform their armies into Border Guard Forces administered by the junta.


Ousted prime minister Khin Nyunt and UWSA supreme leader
Pau Yu Chang


Though a few groups including the New Democratic Army – Kachin (NDA-K) accepted the proposal, bigger armed groups such as the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) have rejected the proposal, leaving the junta’s plan stalled.

The junta earlier set a deadline of October 2009 for all ceasefire groups to make the necessary change, but following the rejection of numerous groups were forced to extend the deadline to the end of 2009.

“They [junta]…are taking time to rethink their strategy as they know they cannot just use brute force to attack the groups,” Aung Kyaw Zaw said.

Despite the deadline having expired, the situation between the junta and armed ceasefire groups, according to Sein Kyi, editor of the Thailand-based Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN), is calm with no signs of enhanced security from any of the actors.

“I don’t think the junta is giving up but it seems to me that they are stepping back in order to take a step ahead,” Sein Kyi said.

He said though the junta might not conduct a major military campaign against the ceasefire groups, the junta’s most obvious strategy will be to try and separate the groups so they can more easily be won over.

In August of last year, Burmese troops attacked the Peng Jiasheng-led Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), also known as the Kokang Army, after successfully dividing the group into two – a Peng Jiasheng-led faction and a Bai Souqian-led faction.

The junta then promoted Bai Souqian as the new leader for Kokang and termed Peng and his group fugitives. Observers said the incident was a typical Burmese junta tactic to bring down ethnic armed groups.

Following the incident, the junta was reported to be moving a number of its troops near UWSA controlled territory in northern Shan State, providing speculation that a massive war between the junta’s troops and the UWSA, the largest armed ceasefire group, would soon break out.

However, despite the preparations for war by both sides and the Border Guard Force issue left unresolved, the junta has not shown any signs of a military campaign against the UWSA or other ceasefire groups, Sein Kyi said.

“I think it is unlikely the junta will launch intensive attacks on armed ceasefire groups, as they are busy preparing for the 2010 general election. And they might want to deal with the ceasefire groups later, after they have completed forming a new government,” he added.

Similarly, Naw Din, editor of the Thailand-based Kachin News Group, said though the KIO has refused the junta’s Border Guard Force proposal, there are no signs of any impending war between the two.

“A military campaign would be the last option for the junta, as they are now busy preparing for the election. I think the junta wants to shelf it for later,” Naw Din explained.

But the junta is definitely not giving up on the ceasefire groups and will sooner or later resume tactics directed at imposing their authority, he added.

But on the other side, he continued, it will be difficult for armed ceasefire groups, particularly the KIO, to accept the proposal, as it would mean giving up on the cause of their decades-old struggle.

The junta’s proposal of a Border Guard Force would have 326 soldiers per battalion, including 30 Burmese soldiers, and would fall under the administration of the Burmese Army, with all remuneration for troops paid by the central government.
Northeast business summit to begin Friday in Kolkata
IndoBurma News Indo-Asian News Services
January 6, 2010: Agartala, A two-day business summit on north-east India will begin in Kolkata on Friday to attract investment to the region, Tripura Industry and Commerce Minister Jitendra Choudhury said here today.
The ministry of development of north-eastern region (DoNER) and the Indian Chamber of Commerce are jointly organising the summit, where investors from Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia are expected to participate.
"Investors and businessmen from different parts of India and abroad want to harness the region's untapped resources," Choudhury told reporters.
"Mineral and forest resources still remain untouched in north-east India. Tourism, healthcare, handloom and handicraft, agriculture, horticulture and food processing are also potential investment sectors," he added.
The region is adjacent to China, Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh, which Choudhury said was "an advantage for attracting foreign investment".
At least seven central ministers including Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, DoNER Minister B.K. Handique, Food Processing Minister Subodh Kant Sahay and Commerce Minister Anand Sharma are expected to attend the summit.
This will be the fifth business summit to promote the region's industrial prospect. Earlier, such meets had been held in Mumbai, New Delhi, Guwahati and Thailand.
"The central and state governments are providing several incentives, subsidies and tax holidays for ventures in the north-eastern region," Choudhury said.
The central government's incentive package scheme, first implemented in December 1997, was re-introduced as the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy in April 2007.
NDFB whiff in Rowta forest A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph
Guwahati, Jan. 22: Security forces have zeroed in on Rowta reserve forest in Udalguri district following reports that cadres of the Ranjan Daimary faction of the National Democratic Front of Boroland have set up temporary camps in the area.
The Udalguri superintendent of police, A.K. Tiwari, said security forces have specific information that the NDFB cadres are holed up in the reserve forest.
“The illegal settlers, mostly Bodos, on reserve forest land are providing logistical support to the NDFB cadres,” he said.
A NDFB cadre was killed in an encounter in the reserve forest yesterday. A source in the forest department said more than 70 per cent of the 7,652-hectare forest, bordering Arunachal Pradesh, has been encroached upon by illegal settlers over the years.
“There are hardly any trees left in the forest and there are about 12,000 families of encroachers, who settled before 1980,” a forest official said. Tiwari said most of these illegal settlers are from Goalpara, Dhubri and Karbi Anglong districts and from the Bodo community.
“The NDFB cadres are taking help from these families,” Tiwari said.
He said a large number of security forces, including the army, CRPF and Assam police personnel, have been deployed in the forest and are carrying out a house-to-house search operations for the past couple of days.
Udalguri has witnessed a series of bloody strikes by the NDFB cadres recently.
A couple of weeks ago, militants lobbed a grenade in the heart of the town, killing one person and injuring several others.
A source said the entire stretch of the reserve forest land both in Udalguri and Sonitpur districts, including parts of Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary bordering Arunachal Pradesh, have turned into a haven for NDFB cadres.
“The NDFB cadres carry out strikes and vanish into the reserve forest. It is difficult to catch them because of the inaccessible areas where they take shelter,” a police official here said. He said the army has been asked to provide help to keep vigil along the Assam-Arunachal border so that the militants cannot escape into the neighbouring state.
Following the NDFB threat in the run-up to Republic Day, the Udalguri administration organised several awareness meetings in the last couple of days, appealing to the people to help security forces thwart subversive attempts by the NDFB.
The Udalguri SP even announced his personal mobile number for any information on militants.
Blast triggers safety fear OUR BUREAU The Telegraph


People gather around the vehicle which got stuck in the crater formed by the blast at Garibangha in Assam’s Chirang district on Friday. A Telegraph picture
Kokrajhar/Guwahati, Jan. 22: Electronic eyes will keep vigil at Latasil playground in Guwahati, the venue of the Republic Day function, as a blast in the Bodo belt and recovery of bombs in three districts of Assam reinforced fears that the worst could be in the offing.
Two Bodoland Territorial Council members and some officials survived a bid on their lives when militants exploded a bomb on the path of their convoy at Garibangha under Bijni police station of Chirang district along the Bhutan border around 11am today.
The remote-controlled improvised explosive devices (IED) was planted on a subway, built to bypass a broken wooden bridge. Though no causalities were reported, a vehicle was partially damaged.
BTC members Daneswar Goyary and James Basumatary along with officials of various departments were on a spot-study tour to oversee the implementation of development schemes in the interior areas of Amteka when the explosion occurred.
The blast took place seconds after the vehicles, including the pilot vehicle and the one carrying the BTC members, had passed the spot.
The IED exploded in front of the third vehicle carrying a public relations officer of the BTC Assembly, Diganta Brahma Choudhury. The vehicle fell into the crater created by the impact of the blast
“As our vehicle passed over the subway, we heard a loud sound. I looked back and saw the next vehicle fall into the crater. Luckily, we all escaped unhurt,” said Goyary.
Sources said the escort team fired around 15 rounds in the air apprehending a follow-up attack. An official in the team said some villagers saw two persons, suspected to be the bombers, running away just after the blast. Besides, three IEDs were recovered from Goalpara, Dhubri and Dibrugarh districts today. In Guwahati, police have installed 14 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in and around Latasil playground.
“The CCTV cameras have been installed at all the entry points to keep a tab on the movement of people,” a police source said.
The venue, where Assam Governor J.B. Patnaik will unfurl the Tricolour on Republic Day, has been turned into a fortress and access control measures put in place to restrict the entry of any unauthorised person.
Adequate number of police and CRPF personnel have been deployed and doorframe metal detectors installed at all the entry points to the ground.
Anti-sabotage checks are being carried out with the help of sniffer dogs and deep-search metal detectors in and around the venue.
Manipur citizens’ bid to end insurgency OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph
Imphal, Jan. 22: Emboldened by the success as mediator between the Apunba Lup and the Okram Ibobi Singh government on the agitation against the July 23 firing, the Senior Citizens For Society of Manipur is set to resume the role, this time between the government and the armed groups.
The citizens’ body had successfully mediated between Apunba Lup and the Manipur government on the agitation against the July 23 firing, which led to the suspension of the six-month-long protest by the civil society organisations.
At its annual general body meeting held here yesterday, the society decided to approach both Imphal and Delhi and the armed groups for a political dialogue.
“We have resolved to approach both the governments and different groups of insurgents for a purposeful and meaningful solution to the insurgency problem through political dialogue,” Khaidem Mani Singh, the secretary of the society, said today.
He said a peoples’ committee would be constituted initially, comprising eminent citizens and public figures to find out ways and means for a meaningful political dialogue. “The society plans to approach both the sides for talks without any bias and pre-condition. It is the only way to bring peace and restore normality in the state,” he said.
Officially, Manipur has over 30 armed groups, fighting for causes ranging from sovereignty, separate state under the Constitution and protection of the interests of their respective communities. This is for the first time that a third party in Manipur has come out and announced the desire to play the mediator’s role. N. Binoy Singh, the president of the society, said the citizens’ body would make all-out efforts for a solution to insurgency.
Barring 20 splinter groups, 19 of them belonging to tribal ethnic communities, no major armed outfit responded to the call for peace talks made by both the Centre and state government. Nineteen tribal groups have already signed a suspension of operations agreement and the 20th one is ready for signing truce with the government.
The United National Liberation Front’s proposal for holding a plebiscite under the supervision of the United Nations to resolve the armed conflict in Manipur had been rejected by both the Centre and Manipur government. Delhi and Imphal have maintained that the talks should be held under the purview of the Constitution.