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01/27/2010: "Centre tables 29-Point Proposal to resolve Naga issue Nagaland Page"

Centre tables 29-Point Proposal to resolve Naga issue Nagaland Page

NSCN demands Australia type solution
Kohima, January 26: The Union Government has tabled a federal relationship type of 29 point proposal before the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) to hammer out solution to the over 60 years old Naga political imbroglio.
Dr. Pelhoubeilie Mor, kilonser for religious affairs of the Government of the People's Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) said New Delhi has already handed over the 29-point charter of proposal to the NSCN and that discussion would take place in the last part of February in Amsterdam.
"The next round of talk is likely to be held in Amsterdam," stating that the top brass of the outfit does not want to backtrack from the pre-ceasefire agreement which stated that talks will be held at the Prime Minsterial level, in third countries without pre-condition. He said senior leaders of the group are still camping in New Delhi to pursue the Indian policymakers to hold talks at the highest level-outside the country.
Mor said they have received two invitations from the Ministry of Home Affairs for the talk on the Centre's proposals, but those have been turned down as the NSCN wanted to stick to the pre-ceasefire agreements.
"Until and unless we receive an invitation from the Prime Minister of India there will be no talks," he added. He said the 29-point proposals have also come from the MHA and not from the Prime Minister's office.
He, however, underscored the need to deliberate on the counter proposals of the Centre adding that talks at the Home Ministry level would not yield any tangible result. "We have nothing to deal with the Indian Home Ministry," the NSCN kilonser told Nagaland Page.
On the contents of the proposals, Mor does not want to divulge in detail but said the Centre's proposals contain financial facilities and special monetary benefits and status to tatars (member of Naga parliament), deputy kilonsers (ministers), kilonsers and top officials of the NSCN/GPRN. The proposals also wanted to induct all top officials of the NSCN/GPRN in the new federal system of government of Nagalim (Nagaland).
The NSCN kilonser further said his group wanted to hammer out solution based on the Australia and Canadian system of sovereignty where Queen Elizabeth of United Kingdom is still the head of the two states.
Mor said solution is nearing as the Government of India is agreed for common currency, joint foreign affairs and joint defence. He said Nagalim (Nagaland) has to depend on India to stand on its feet.
"Virtually they have agreed to the three proposals, but final agreement has to be reached," he disclosed. He said during the peace talks in mid 1960s between the centre and the federal government of Nagaland, Naga group wanted separate currency, foreign affairs and defence, but this time the demand of the NSCN is for common currency and joint foreign affairs and defence for the time being.
He however said integration of Naga contiguous areas has remained a tricky and contentious issue. He said integration is the biggest hurdle to take forward the peace process. He, however, said re-organization of state boundaries has been clearly mentioned in the Constitution of India and therefore the Centre should not hesitate to act upon it. (Page News Service)

Kashmiris, Nagas & Sikhs demand end to Indian Imperialism Nagaland Page
Dimapur, January 26: On India's Republic Day, a powerful joint appeal to the international community by key Kashmiri, Naga and Sikh leaders has highlighted the fundamental conflicts and contradictions at the heart of the Indian state, as well as the unwavering intent of their nations to secure freedom in accordance with their right to self-determination as enshrined in international law.
They issued a call to the international community to play a constructive role in dismantling India's unlawful hold on their territories, which has been maintained purely by military means at the cost of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives since 1947, and to restore fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law in the most volatile region of the world. The leaders included Syed Ali Shah Gilani, Chair of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference in Kashmir, Naga leader Th. Muivah, General Secretary of the NSCN-IM and Kanwarpal Singh of Dal Khalsa in Punjab. Their message was endorsed by leading organizations based in the respective Diaspora communities which are today holding demonstrations outside the Indian High Commission in London and elsewhere to once again publicly reject the Indian constitution as being applicable to their territories (India's annual Republic Day marks the imposition of that constitution in 1950).
Rubbishing India's claims to be a democratic, secular, peaceable state which complies with its international obligations, they pointed to the reality of a belligerent, militaristic state which oppresses the minorities and nations under its control, which has become a serial violator of international law and human rights.
They said Indian armed forces chief Deepak Kapoor's recent public comments about bringing both China and Pakistan to their knees within 96 hours of a war betrays the dangerous and aggressive mindset of the Indian establishment which has already conducted undeclared wars on the Naga, Sikh, Kashmiri and other nations using brutal means, systematically violating basic human rights, as routinely pointed out by the world's leading human rights organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty international.
They urged the United Nations to establish tribunals to conduct criminal prosecutions of Indian politicians and security personnel who have, over recent decades, committed genocide in order to silence, by force, lawful and legitimate struggles for national self-determination; impose sanctions on India to force it to withdraw the formal 'reservation' it has lodged with the United Nations which states that the right of self-determination does not apply to the nations and peoples within Indian occupied territory; and eject India from all the UN's humanitarian bodies until it improves its appalling record of mistreating its religious minorities.
Pending India's compliance with the international standards the Naga, Kashmiri and Sikh leadership urged the international community to robustly dismiss India's pretensions to a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. It would be the height of folly indeed to reward a serial violator of basic international norms by giving it the means to frustrate the one international body that can hold it to account, they stated.
They pledged to work together, along with their friends in the region and beyond, in order to promote a peaceful transition from the current unjust framework of Indian colonialism to a new order in South Asia where freedom, peace and security and justice would prevail.
The withdrawal of Indian forces from these occupied territories would be a pre-requisite for that transformation, they stated adding, instead of indulging itself in Republic Day posturing, India would do better to reflect on the crimes it has committed and its own inherent contradictions.
In the UK, Muhammad Ghalib, Chair of the All Party Kashmir Co-ordination Committee, Amrik Singh Sahota OBE, President of the Council of Khalistan, and the Naga Support Centre all pledged to continue their campaign to enlist international support for the peaceable implementation of their national rights.
Lord Ahmed, Chair of 'Parliamentarians for National Self-Determination', the cross party group at the Westminster parliament which promotes national self-determination, endorsed these demands.
Having been recently denied a visa to visit India specifically because of his support for these causes, he castigated the ongoing oppression of these freedom loving nations and urged the international community to hold India to account for its crimes.
Reflecting on India's refusal to grant him a visa, he noted the move was consistent with India's attempts to conceal its record by denying human rights groups, UN officials and independent observers access to conflict zones. He remarked that all this was futile - the true picture is becoming ever more apparent to the global community which will be forced to act sooner or later. (Page News Service)

Film on Naga people’s trauma during WW-II bags National Award (EMN)

DIMAPUR, JAN 27: The distant rumblings of a new breed of Nagas stomping into uncharted territories has now become more pronounced with a documentary film produced by a Naga lady staking claim to the prestigious National Film Award.
‘Distant Rumblings’ a film produced by Rongsenkala under the banner of Aka Communications has bagged the National Award in the Investigative Documentary Category recently.
Directed by Bani Prakash Das, the documentary film is based on the trauma and agony of the people of Nagaland during World War-II.
The 22.22 minutes documentary produced in 2007 had earlier won appreciation of critics in both national and international film festivals including the 10th Mumbai International Film Festival (2008), ViBGOR International Film Festival (2008), First International Video Festival (2008) and the 5th Bollywood & Beyond – Indian Film Festival at Stuttgart, Germany (2008). The ultimate recognition for Rongsenkala and those involved in the fascinating and passionate research into the war-ravaged North East, particularly remote villages along the Indo-Myanmar border of Nagaland, and the lives of those scarred by war and untouched by development, came with the film winning the National award as announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India on January 23, 2010.
Rongsenkala, daughter of L Kathang Jamir hails from Chungtia Village in Mokokchung. An arts graduate from Guwahati University, she has been working in the audio-visual media since her college days. Her first assignment was as associate director in the Doordarshan-commissioned documentary Morung—A Glorious Tradition in 2003. Soon she graduated as director in the documentary Heritage of Eastern Himalaya for Doordarshan (PPC-NE).
‘Distant Rumblings’ is based on the impact of the battle fought between the allied forces and the Japanese during the World War II in the North Easton the lives of the people in remote areas particularly along the Indo-Myanmar border.
The offensive was fully unfolded along the Indian frontier. North East India became the ultimate battle ground where staunchest stand of the allied forces stopped the Japanese march towards Delhi.
In a brief backgrounder of the concept and making of ‘Distant Rumblings’, Rongsenkala informs that the documentary started as a fact-finding mission in which ‘the attempt was to contribute information on a lesser known episode of the World War II to the broader discussion of the War.’
‘While traveling through a remote village in Indo-Myanmar border of Nagaland, with an eye for making a documentary on the Indo-Myanmar Border trade, I stumbled upon a rare sight - the wheel of an aircraft hanging from a tree. This belonged to a fighter aircraft destroyed in the World War II. From here began the Journey towards Distant Rumblings.’
‘The mission led us to a totally informative and emotionally charged lives and places of NE India. The task was quite difficult as the terrain and the people were in the same state as they were during the War in the remote border areas.’
According to the producer of ‘Distant Rumblings’, she along with Director Bani Prakash Das and other crew member uncovered a number of war wreckages in the form of hand grenades, rifles and even aircrafts from the thick jungle of the area but ‘the most important of all discoveries was the still aching selves of the civilian victims of the war.’
The film, as Rongsenkala puts it, ‘also emphasizes the significance of learning from our past blunders and pledge for a peaceful world on humanitarian grounds.’
Director and Researcher of ‘Distant Rumblings’ Bani Prakash Das has been associated with film industry since mid nineties. ‘From the Dawn-Lit Mountains – the Nishis,’ a documentary produced by him entered in the 5th Mumbai International Film Festival, 1998. Earlier, he also worked as production controller of the first-ever Assamese blockbuster ‘I killed him, Sir.’ He has produced and directed several documentaries, docu-features and news magazines for Doordarshan.
Naga violence has retarded Progress morungexpress
Dimapur, January 26 (MExN): Minister for Urban Development Dr. Shurhozelie today said the pace of progress in Nagaland has been retarded by the state’s long history of conflict and violence. While he appreciated that the Nagas have made a significant progress on the socio-economic front, the pace remains a concern.
“Nagaland has witnessed significant all round progress in the last six decades of our republic, but we are yet to cover much more ground,” he said addressing the Republic Day function at the DDSC stadium, Dimapur. He appreciated how despite great difficulties, Nagas have made a significant progress in socio-economic development. But the pace of progress, he felt, was retarded by Nagaland’s long history of conflict and violence.
Dr. Shurhozelie also felt that with the “Look East Policy”, NE Vision 2020 and other preferential schemes and projects given by the Government of India, Nagaland has the opportunity to come abreast with the rest of the country in the realm of progress and development. “However, for such growth and progress, we need peace,” he said.
Dr. Shurhozelie said that speedy development is also required along with the peace process and so the government has adopted the slogan ‘Peace for development and development for peace.’ To reach this goal, the government had declared the last two years as the “Year of capacity” and also conducted “road shows cum festivals” in various districts. These activities had brought a sharp focus on the Nagas’ rich heritage and the tremendous potential for tourism, he said.
‘Needs Peace process to advance’
The new tourism slogan “Nagaland the land of festivals” has thus been adopted to advertise the rich and unique cultural heritage, and to attract more domestic and international tourists, Dr. Shurhozelie said.
Also, the minister expressed appreciation to the sincere and concerted efforts put in by civil society, law enforcing agencies and Forum for Naga Reconciliation in relation to the ongoing Naga political dialogue. Dr. Shurhozelie said he was confident that with the continued efforts of all and the willing cooperation of the people, ‘an honourable settlement of the Naga political problem will become a reality.’ He also mentioned that the Government welcomes the recent signing of the ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’ by the Naga underground groups on September 23, 2009 at Chiangmai, Thailand.
The minister further said that after the commencement of the peace process, a semblance of normalcy, although fragile, has emerged. “On this auspicious occasion, I humbly urge the people of Nagaland to maintain this peaceful atmosphere and to take forward this peace process to secure permanent peace in the state,’ the minister appealed.

NSF demands university to stop non-teaching staff recruitment morungexpress
Kohima, January 27 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has demanded the Nagaland University (NU) to “immediately” stop the recruitment of non –teaching staff as the “notification letter vide No.NU-137/GENL-EST/99-3403 dated 22nd Jan. 2010 of the Nagaland University” does not fulfill the demand made by the NSF and ENSF. It has warned that failing to comply with its demand within a week time; the Federation will initiate an “aggressive form of agitation” where the concerned authority will be held solely responsible.
The NSF in a press note issued by its president and the general secretary stated that the it held a joint Consultative meeting at its Conference Hall on January 27, with Post Graduate Students’ Union of Lumami Campus, Kohima Campus, SASRD, All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) and Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) pertaining to the recruitment of non-teaching staff at NU.
It added that in accordance with the joint Memorandum submitted by NSF and ENSF on November 26, 2009 to maintain the “Reservation Quota for Schedule Tribes (ST) of Nagaland State” for any recruitment under the Nagaland University in terms of Government of India’s Official Memorandum (O.M) on July 5, 2005, wherein, it is clearly stated that 45% of the vacancies in Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ (non-gazzetted) category in Central Govt. Offices and Institutions located in Nagaland be availed to ST only.
In regard to that it claimed that unlike any other states, Nagaland constitutes 95% of population as ST, therefore the two Federations demanded that no reservation should be applied for reservation to Other Backward Class (OBC) and Schedule Caste (SC) in any category under the Nagaland University and also to re-advertise.

‘Nagaland has much to cover’ Our Correspondent Morungexpress


Governor of Nagaland Nikhil Kumar addressing the Republic Day celebrations in Kohima, at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Tuesday. (Photo/Sorei Mahong)

Kohima | January 26 : Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar today asserted that Nagaland has witnessed significant all round progress in the last six decades of “our Republic, but we are yet to cover much more ground.”
“The long history of conflict and violence in the state has been retarding the pace of progress. However, after the commencement of the peace process, the people of Nagaland have been fortunate to have experienced a relatively peaceful atmosphere during the last decade,” said Kumar. He was addressing the Republic Day celebrations here at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza. Through the committed efforts of civil society and the people, a semblance of normalcy, although fragile, has emerged, the governor said. The governor has urged the people of Nagaland to maintain the peaceful ‘atmosphere,’ and take forward the peace process to secure permanent peace in the state.
‘Dev., democracy meaningless to those untouched by progress’
“Let us also rededicate ourselves to the principles of democracy and strive to seek solutions to our problems in a peaceful manner,” he said.
He also asserted that ‘peaceful atmosphere’ that prevails today in the state has raised the expectations and aspirations of the people. Stating that democracy and development is meaningless to those who are not touched by the hands of progress, he said “Therefore, it is all the more incumbent on the government and all its functionaries to implement the development programmes most sincerely so as to ensure the welfare of every citizen, and thereby bequeath a proud legacy of an assured future to our children.”
“Let us all rededicate ourselves to work hard for peace and development, so that peace prevails, and the spirit of festivals continue in this Land of Festivals.” The Nagas, through their proactive participation in the peace process, have spoken loudly of their desire for peace and development, he said. “The people of Nagaland while preserving their unique cultural heritage are looking for opportunity to grow and prosper along with the rest of the nation,” Kumar reminded.
The governor stated that with rich natural and human resources and the opportunities available, the Nagas are poised to realize their aspirations as a developed and vibrant state. However, for such growth and progress, “we need peace.” Touching on the ongoing political dialogue, Kumar expressed happiness that “there has been sincere and concerted efforts, put in by all concerned, to find an honorable and acceptable solution to the long-standing Naga political problem.”
He said the 11th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, during its 5th session had unanimously passed a resolution on 27th November 2009, to set up the Joint Parliamentary Committee, irrespective of political party affiliations to carry forward the consensual views of the people to the negotiating parties on the issue of the Naga political problem.
“The government has always appreciated the tremendous effort put in by civil society and presently by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation to find unity in the Naga society so as to facilitate the political dialogue. The government welcomes the recent signing of the “Covenant of Reconciliation” by the Naga underground groups on 23rd September 2009 at Chingmai, Thailand,” the governor said. He also appreciated the tireless efforts of the law-enforcing agencies in bringing about improvement in the overall law and order situation.
“I am confident that with the continued efforts of all, and the willing cooperation of the people, an honorable settlement of the Naga political problem will become a reality,” he said.
He also side by side in the Nagas’ quest for a solution to the political problem, the government is also aware that speedy development will also add to the peace process. Accordingly, he said, “we have adopted the slogan “Peace for development and Development for Peace”. Towards such a goal, the government has been actively expediting the development process over the years, and the last two financial years have been declared as the “Year of Capacity building,” through which we have been able to help thousands of educated youth and entrepreneurs in finding self employment and employment in the organised sector.

Governor’s speech highlight

Forest: Department gearing up for a massive drive to create awareness among the people of the need for protection and preservation of natural forest, and for taking up extensive afforestation programmes. Shingphan Reserved Forest in Mon district declared as Wild Life Sanctuary.
Education: There has been improvement in the physical infrastructure and curricular aspect of primary education through the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. To meet the acute shortage of the teaching staff, recruitment process of teachers is on the verge of completion, and these teachers will be deployed very shortly.
Sports/Music: Through the state sports policy, the government is pursuing efforts to foster excellence in sports by harnessing the potential of our youth. Music Academy with state-of- the art infrastructure is coming at Kohima Science College campus Jotsoma.
Health: Physical infrastructure as well as service delivery has sown visible improvement with the effective implementation of National Rural Health Mission. Various health indicators of the state, such as birth and death rates, infant and maternal mortality rates are below the national figures.
PHED: 42 villages in Nagaland declared 100% sanitized and received National Award of Nirmal Gram Purushkar for clean and healthy villages.
Rural Development: Under the flagship programme of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission and its sub- missions, Kohima and Dimapur have been covered. Other town and urban habitations will be taken up in phased manner.
Power: To bridge the gap between demand and supply, the department is developing Hydro Electric Projects, both departmentally, and through Public Private Partnership mode wherever feasible.
Industries: To promote border trade with Myanmar, infrastructures such as marketing sheds, warehouse, administrative buildings and rest houses at Longwa, Pangsha and Avankhu are under construction.
Social Welfare: Department plans to deliver the Old Aged Pension to the beneficiaries at their doorsteps through their individual postal accounts.
Labor & employment: Successfully launched the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna in 2009 and bagged award for outstanding performance in programme implementation the North Eastern Region.
Tourism: A new tourism slogan “Nagaland the land of festivals” adopted to advertise our rich and unique cultural heritage, and to attract more domestic and international tourists.
NST: To enhance the safety and convenience of the passengers and to monitor the movement of the buses, the department initiated the process of installation of tracking devices in the buses.

Consensus thinking vital for development morungexpress

Chief Guest along with the village leaders at the newly constructed waiting shed of Diphupar ‘B’ village.

NREGA projects inaugurated at Diphupar ‘B’

Dimpaur, January 27 (MExN): A waiting shed, culvert and protection wall constructed under NREGA 2009-2010 by Diphupar ‘B’ village development authority was officially inaugurated today, January 27 by Hilo Semp, Project Director, DRDA Dimapur, Nagaland, who was the chief guest for the inauguration programme.
Addressing the village leaders in a function the project director said if funds are utilized properly the village will be well developed. He was of the view that it is the moral responsibility of all to co-operate for all round development of the village. He also urged the villagers not to have conflict amongst them but to have consensus thinking for the better of the village and not allow anti-socials to take place in the village, stated a press note received here issued by the chairman of the said village council.
The note also stated that the chief guest pointed out that development is a process and takes time but the villagers must focus on development of the village by utilizing the funds faithfully and having transparency. Any village misusing the development fund is always behind other villages, he added.
Moreover, Rev. N. Pomo, Evangelist, Nagaland Missionary Movement said dedication prayer of the completed projects. Delivering welcome address, Kakiho Achumi, Chairman, Diphupar ‘B’ village council also highlighted the difficulties faced by the village to the chief guest. Sashi Longkumer, Secretary, VDB Diphupar ‘B’ chaired the function while L. P. Therie, head GB, Diphupar ‘B’ proposed the vote of thanks, it stated.

‘Missing ULFA men were killed after Bhutan operations’ Sentinel
TEZPUR, Jan 27: Eleven ULFA members, including three top leaders, captured during Operation All Clear in Bhutan in 2003, were killed by security forces, a surrendered member of the group today claimed.
Kamal Nath, who is currently in jail for his alleged involvement in the killing of trade union leader Daniel Toppo in 2000, told reporters after being produced in court here that the missing members were taken to Shillong immediately after the operation and eliminated. The ULFA leaders killed, according to Nath, included the group’s central committee members Bening Rabha, Ashanta Bagphukan and Robin Neog, whose release their family members have been demanding for long. Senior police and security officials refused to comment on Nath’s allegation. PTI
Two Cdos hurt in twin bomb blasts on R-Day eve By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jan 25 : Two police commandos were in-jured in twin bomb blasts at Minuthong in Imphal West district today at about 7.30 pm, even as the Republic Day boycott call given by numerous militant organisa-tions came into effect from midnight today.
The KCP (MC, Lanheiba) has claimed responsibility for the bomb blast.
The twin blasts went off near the southern side of the transit camp of the Assam Rifles, located just opposite to the office of the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association.
According to police sources, the first blast went off at about 7.30 pm near the fencing of the Assam Rifles transit camp, on the road which leads to the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.
As soon as the bomb exploded, police commandos, who were put on high alert nearby ahead of the Republic Day, went to the spot where the bomb went off.
Even as the cops were scouting the area, another bomb exploded after about five minutes of the first explosion, said police. The two police commandos, belonging to Imphal West police were injured in the second blast.
The two injured police commandos have been identified as Longjam Somorjit (33) of Haobam Marak Keisham Leikai and H Binoy (28) of Oinampok.
Somorjit received injuries on the left shoulder and leg while Binoy received multiple injuries. The two blasts went off about 30 feet away from each other and outside the fencing of the transit camp of Assam Rifles.
The explosions left a crater of about four feet in width and two feet in depth.
The twin blasts impacted on the office of the Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association, leaving the window of its ventilator shattered.
The hoarding put up at the gate of the MMTA office was also found blown away by the impact of the blasts.
The attack came despite the heavy security bandobast in the face of the boycott call given by several underground organisations.
The boycott and general strike will come to an end today evening.
U.S. wants Burma to reach out to ethnic communities Mungpi Mizzima

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The United States on Tuesday said it would like to see Burma opening up its political process and reaching out to various the ethnic communities as the Southeast Asian nation gears up for a general election later this year, its first in two decades.

Philip J. Crowley, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, told reporters in Washington, “We’d like to see Burma open up its political process.”

“It’s important for the Government of Burma to reach out not only to those who wish to be politically active, but also to the various ethnic communities within Burma,” Crowley added.

But in response to news reports of the possibilities of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi being released when her sentence expires in November, Crowley said, “We have long demanded the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. We think that that should still be done and as quickly as possible.”

Media reports earlier this week quoted Burmese Home Minister Maung Oo as having said the Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate would be freed in November, and the Vice-Chair of her National League for Democracy party, Tin Oo, in February.

But observers interpret the junta’s plan could be to release the Burmese opposition leader only after or immediately prior to the general election, the fifth step in the junta’s seven-step roadmap to democracy.

“I think the idea that her release will conveniently come after the election is unfortunate, but we will continue to press the Burmese Government for her release,” Crowley added.

The U.S., since adopting a new policy toward Burma in 2009, has begun direct talks with junta officials, sending Assistant Secretary for State Kurt Campbell to Naypyitaw late last year, while continuing to maintain existing sanctions.

Villages burnt, Karen villagers hide in jungles Kyaw Kha

Chiangmai (Mizzima) - Villagers are being killed and houses being burnt to the ground in Karen state by the Burmese Army to occupy territory and to divert the attention of people opposing the proposed 2010 elections in Burma, the Karen Nation United (KNU) alleged.

On 17 January, 13 houses were burnt down and two villagers killed in Khae Dae village, Nyaung Lei Pin district, in eastern Pegu Division allegedly by Burmese soldiers of the Light Infantry Battalion 367 under the Military Operation Command.

Major Saw Hla Ngwe, Secretary I of the KNU told Mizzima that "KNU opposed the 2008 constitution and is determined to oppose the planned 2010 elections. It is our duty to oppose the elections. The Burmese junta is diverting the attention of the people so that they cannot oppose the elections".

The KNU is Burma's largest and longest continuing insurgent group fighting the Burmese regime.

"More than 1,000 Karen residents from 10 villages including Khae Dae villages have been displaced and are hiding in the jungle," he added.

The Free Burma Rangers (FBR), a volunteer relief organization working to help the displaced villagers in Karen State, said villagers, who fled to the jungle without extra clothes, are mired in difficulties. Baw Phoe, a member of FBR told Mizzima that shelter, food and health conditions are terrible. They are not getting enough and are making do with some aid from FBR. Saw Steve of a Karen relief group, the Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People said "we will be helping along with Free Burma Rangers refugees, who have been hiding in jungles, prioritizing those whose houses were gutted."

In Nyaung Lei Pin district, there are clashes between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) jointly with the Burmese Army. The KNU has accused the Burmese Army and DKBA of attacking villages in the area.

The KNLA is the military wing of the KNU. The DKBA broke away from the KNU in 1994 and has a ceasefire with the junta.

Burmese Army's Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) #363 and (LIB) #367 are operating in Kyaung Kyi Township in Nyaung Lei Pin district. (LIB) #365 and (LIB) #370 are based in areas of Mone Township.

There are about 4,000 refugees currently taking shelter in seven refugee camps in Tak Province, Thailand along the border with Burma after they fled exploitative abuse following joint military offensives by the DKBA and Burmese Army against the KNU forces in June last year.

The troops have been operating near the Ler Per Her camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Dta Greh Township, Pa’an District, according to a report released today by a Karen Human Rights Group. The group said that refugees continue to face serious obstacles in safely returning to their villages.