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01/24/2010: "Check Naga outfits: Unified Command NPN The Telegraph"
Check Naga outfits: Unified Command NPN The Telegraph
GUWAHATI, JAN 23: The Unified Command has urged Dispur to move the Centre and the Nagaland government to rein in Naga outfits 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-IM 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. (Courtesy The Telegraph)
Reconciliation meeting held in Ukhrul The Sangai Express Addie Chiphang
Ukhrul, January 23 2010: Wung sector of Tangkhul Committee on Peace and Confidence Building (TCP-CB) conducted a Naga reconciliation meeting at Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) ground here today.
More than 1000 people attended the meeting organised under the aegis of Forum for Naga Reconciliations (FNR).
The meeting was held on the theme 'a journey of common hope blessed are the peacemaker'.
The function was attended by 20 executive members of FNR led by its convenor Dr Rev Wati Aier from Nagaland and other political parties including Naga National Council NNC/FGN vice president Zubra Vero, GPRN/NSCN Ministry Secretary Eno Imchea and Kilonser Karaipou and convenor of Elders Forum Wung region and Chaplin Sekshim Kasar.
Dr Wati Aier in his speech said that right after the formation of FNR, 22 months back, the forum has been able to organise 22 meetings at different levels including the meeting at Chingmai, Thailand and other three Naga gatherings in September 2008 and twice in 2009 .
The FNR convenor further said that FNR was formed by 49 organisations of the Nagas from Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Southern Nagaland (Manipur) and Myanmar with solemn commitment for sincere and full co-coperation amongst the Naga brethren everywhere around the world.
In June 2009, convenient of reconciliation was signed by the three major political parties, ie chairman of NSCN(IM) Isaac Chishi Swu SS Khaplang Chairman of NSCN (K) and Vice President of NNC/FGN Brigadier Sheria with full commitment and indorsement towards Naga reconciliations.
Dr Wati Aier further said that inking of truce is not the end but it would pave way towards commitment working on the true essence of Naga integrity.
A committee was already formed by this three political parties represented by Vero of NNC/FGN, Singson of NSCN (K) and Atem Vashum of NSCN (IM) to resolve all the outstanding issues and bring about an early political solution on fraternal issues by demonstrating the collective and united will of the Naga people all over, Dr Wati Aier said adding that it would also resolve misunderstandings with the India Government.
The Missing Link morungexpress
The government of Nagaland continues to call out to investors to invest in agro and food processing sector in the state. The latest appeal was made during the 5th North East Business Summit of the Ministry of DONER and the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) held January 8-9 2010 in Kolkata. The focus of the summit was on Agro and Food Processing, IT, Tourism, Infrastructure Development in the North East and ASEAN-India FTA. As expected, Nagaland government went on to highlight the comparative advantages for setting up Agro & food processing industries in Nagaland. A good number of outside investors reportedly expressed keen interest to invest in sectors such as healthcare, education, food processing, tourism, IT, medicinal and aromatic plants etc. The problem however seems to be that on paper things look very good as far as the potential that Nagaland and its people has to offer. However when it comes to actually doing it, there is something clearly wrong. Not surprisingly even the Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner recently admitted during a public meeting that despite government’s effort to encourage entrepreneurship in the state, the result has been disappointing. Citing an example, the senior bureaucrat went on to disclose that the Nagaland Bamboo Mission had envisaged Rs.150 crores to be generated through entrepreneurship which however remained unsuccessful. He even went on to mention about certain factors, ‘the missing link’, which is hampering the growth of entrepreneurship in the state.
So what ails industry and entrepreneurship in Nagaland? The State government has been constructing infrastructure in the hope of encouraging young Naga entrepreneurs to step forward and take the initiative for various development activities, which will in turn lead to all round progress of the State. Most recently the Integrated Infrastructure Development (IID) Centre at Kiruphema, located along the NH-39 was inaugurated. Similarly the Ganeshnagar industrial facility in the outskirt of Dimapur has also been constructed for the purpose of stimulating industrial growth in the State. It is however anybody’s guess that most of the State run facilities have remained under used or turned out to become non-performing assets putting a strain on the exchequer. The other aspect that needs collective effort of all concerned is to help build up an atmosphere that is conducive for business and investment to thrive in. It is a known fact that businesses are made to pay exorbitant rates of extortion, whether it is to the State, underground or the countless of unions and other interest groups. This means we will have to clean up the internal problems that have worked to the disadvantage of the Nagas. The State government alone can do very little. Civil society must play a more pro-active role. People’s work culture and attitude must also change if we are to make the best use of any given opportunity. Our policy makers should likewise think outside the box so that we are able to create possible solutions to our unique problems.
I.Imkong on party, Jamir Staff Reporter Dimapur,Jan 24(NPN):
Article Newly appointed NPCC president I.Imkong said he has a daunting task ahead to revive the Congress organization in Nagaland following what he described as “ disaster” that had befallen the party during the 2008 elections.
Talking to Nagaland Post over telephone from New Delhi Sunday , Mr Imkong said his earlier schedule was to meet with the AICC regarding reorganization of the party in Nagaland.However in view of preoccupation of AICC president Sonia Gandhi, Imkong said his meeting would be rescheduled after January 26. According to Imkong, the Congress in Nagaland needed to be thoroughly revamped at the organization and therefore, it was imperative that the party also reflected the concerns of the people. Imkong said the Congress in Nagaland can be strengthened with inputs from various leaders and cooperation of its well wishers.
On what the party in Nagaland felt about the role that party veteran Dr S.C.Jamir, who had returned home after having served for more than six and half years as governor of Goa, Maharashtra (and acting governor of Gujarat), Imkong said the party would discuss the matter at the appropriate forum such as its legislative wing.
Imkong said it was necessary that the Congress legislature discuss the issue at length before deciding on arriving at a unanimous resolution to be submitted to the AICC regarding Dr Jamir’s role.
He also said Dr Jamir’s recent statement that he would work for the party by contributing towards strengthening it was welcome and positive.Imkong said the former Governor can play an important role in giving valuable advice to the party.
Protection for Intanki Ntl park Correspondent KOHIMA, Jan 24 (NPN):
Forest department officials with candidates at PCCF, Kohima. (NP)
Over 2000 candidates appear for Armed Protection Force recruitment
More than two thousand candidates appeared for physical test for the posts of Forester-I and Forest Guard here at principal chief conservator of Forests, Kohima. The physical test, which started on Friday, is a part of recruitment for Armed Protection Force for Intanki National park under forest department.
A total of 426 applicants appeared for physical test for the post of Forester-I while 1640 showed up for Forest Guard. There are 20 posts lying vacant for Forester-I and 66 posts for Forest Guard respectively.
The physical test is being determined by running a distance of 24 kms for male and 16 kms for female candidates.
Candidates recruited in the physical test would be sitting for written test on February 8 at Mezhür Higher Secondary School and Baptist High School.
Blast in Assam, trains suspended NPN
GUWAHATI, JAN 22 (AGENCIES): A grenade attack took place in Assam’s Chirang district Friday and the railways suspended night trains fearing rebel attacks even as a massive security alert was sounded in the restive northeast region ahead of Republic Day.
A police spokesperson said a grenade exploded near a market in Goilang village in Chirang, about 180 km from Assam’s main city Guwahati.
“Motorcycle-borne militants lobbed the grenade near a crowd of people, but it failed to hit the target with no casualties reported,” a police official said.
Police blamed the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) for the failed attack.
IED, explosives recovered
A powerful IED and huge quantities of explosives were recovered from two buses in Assam today during stepped-up patrolling ahead of Republic Day.
The IED, weighing more than 6 kg, was recovered from a bus on way to Dhubri in lower Assam from Coochbehar in West Bengal during routine search operations by a joint team of police and army personnel at Agamoni in Dhubri district, police said.
The bomb was later defused by a bomb disposal squad.
In another incident, a patrolling team of army and police recovered four gelatine sticks, three kg of explosives, about one kg of nails and five m of wire from a bus which was on its way to upper Assam’s Namrup town from Tinsukia.
Meanwhile, the Indian Railways Friday announced suspension of night train services in Assam from 6 am Jan 24 to midnight Jan 27.
“The decision to suspend running of night trains was taken keeping in view security aspects and safety of passengers,” said T. Hajong, railways spokesperson.
Five militant groups have called a general strike from 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Republic Day, Jan 26.
The five rebel groups that announced their boycott Wednesday through a statement e-mailed to journalists are the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF) - comprising several major militant outfits in the state - the Kamatapur Liberation Organization (KLO) and the Tripura People’s Democratic Front (TPDF).
These groups are active in Assam, Manipur and Tripura.
Militant groups in the northeast have for years boycotted national events to protest New Delhi’s rule over the region and stage violent attacks in the run up to the celebrations to make their presence felt.
Thousands of army, police and paramilitary troopers are standing guard in the northeastern states.
Blast, IED recovery in run-up to R-Day Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Jan 24 – Amidst beefed-up security arrangements across the State in view of the Republic Day celebration suspected cadres of the anti-talks faction of the NDFB triggered a blast on the railway tracks at Deka Mising Gaon in Dhemaji district, while security personnel recovered an IED weighing 15 kilograms from under the driver’s seat of a bus coming from Tangla to Guwahati at Mahilipara, around 18 km away from Mangaldoi in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, a panic situation was created at Mazbat railway station around 11:30 am following a bomb hoax.
Our Silapathar correspondent adds: A powerful time device exploded at the Deka Railway Bridge on the Rongia-Murkongselek metre gauge at 10:45 pm last night under Simenchapari outpost in Dhemaji district in spite of enhancedsecurity arrangements. The police also recovered three batteries and a wire about 100 metres long.
Our Mangaldoi correspondent adds: Ismail Ali, the driver of the bus bearing registration number AS-13-4272 was also arrested following the recovery of the 15-kg IED. The recovery was made during a joint operation by Army and police.
Staff Reporter adds: Following the blast in Dhemaji and series of explosive recoveries in the last couple of days across the State,security arrangements in and around the city has been reviewed, especially around the Latasil playground, the venue for Republic Day celebration.
Top police sources, while conceding that the militants belonging to NDFB and ULFA are trying to sneak into the city to create disturbances, said that police along with para military forces have been put on alert.
“We are leaving no stone unturned to avert any kind of subversive activities in and around the city and checking in all the entry points of the city is being done round- the-clock,” said SSP (City) Pradeep Saloi.
The SSP further stated that though there was a threat percept, security forces were confident of foiling any nefarious attempts of the militant outfits be it ULFA or the NDFB.
He also added that the security arrangement was being consistently reviewed.
Myanmar to help nab Paresh Baruah Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Jan 24 – Myanmar’s ruling junta plans to launch coordinated operations with India to flush out Northeast militants from its territories and has promised to help track down elusive ULFA ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah, reports PTI. The assurance toNew Delhi was given at a three-day Home Secretary-level talks between the two countries which concluded in Myanmar capital Nay Pay Taw on Thursday.
“Security forces of India and Myanmar will conduct coordinated operations in their respective territories in the next two-three months. The objective of the operations is that no militant can escape to the other side after facing heat in one side,” a Home Ministry official said.
Major insurgent groups of the Northeast like NSCN and ULFA have over two dozen camps and training centres along both sides of 1,650-km-longIndia-Myanmar border, which touches Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
ULFA ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah is also believed to have been hiding in the Kachin area of Myanmar. “We have conveyed to the Myanmar delegation that we have information that Paresh Baruah is hiding in their territory and they assured us to track him down if found in their territory,” the official said.
The security forces of both India and Myanmar will also intensify their vigil along the border to check smuggling of arms, narcotic drugs and other goods.
The Indian delegation, headed by Union Home Secretary G K Pillai, had held extensive discussions with the Myanmar contingent led by Brigadier General Phone Swe on issues like border security, cross-border movement of militants, border trade and cross-border projects.
“The meeting was very positive as Myanmar has assured us to address all our security concern and promised us to carry forward the cordial relations between the two countries,” the official said.
