02/08/2010: "Naga forum bats for harmony OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph"

Naga forum bats for harmony OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

Kohima, Feb. 8: The Forum for Naga Reconciliation which is brokering peace and reconciliation among various rebel groups has sought a solution to the political problem based on “historical and political rights of the Nagas”.
Rev. Wati Aier, convenor of the forum which organised a public meeting at Zunheboto town last evening, said: “One of the fundamental truths of the Nagas today is the call for political reconciliation in pursuit of common interest based on the historical and political rights of the Nagas.
“Each country has its uniqueness and as such, what may function politically in one country may not be suitable for another country. Therefore, a Naga political model should be envisaged and discussed,” he said.
Aier said Naga political groups are “self-governing in its own right” but now, Nagas need to think of a government that would combine the strength of every political group.
“Reconciliation implies a new Nagahood. For this, our leaders have pledged themselves before God and the Naga people. We applaud their commitment and sincerity,” he added.
“We must bury many unrealistic hopes which were set in motion by the imagination of our hearts and the self-made myths enslaving us. In the process, our noble cause is broken. The life of the Naga nation is oppressed by division of our own making. The divided world, appeasement and imagination of our makings are no means of reconciliation,” Rev. Aier said.
“The scheme of the divided Nagas has eaten very deeply into our thoughts and feelings. It is our own anxiety which has taught us to hate the opponent. Remember the person who preaches hate has always anxiety. Today, Nagas must resolve not to let this happen among us,” he said.
Since January, the forum has been touring all Naga-inhabited areas. It is currently in Zunheboto, home district of Isak Chishi Swu, the chairman of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and N. Kitovi Zhimomi, general secretary of the NSCN (Khaplang).
The forum has organised public meetings at Senapati and Ukhrul in Manipur along with representatives of all the NSCN groups and the Naga National Council.
The NSCN (I-M), however, has strongly opposed peace talks between the Centre and other Naga rebel groups.
Muivah and other senior leaders of the outfit categorically stated that Naga reconciliation process would continue but Delhi should not initiate any peace process with other groups.
AR condemns (NPN):
DIMAPUR Assam Rifles has strongly condemned the act of the NSCN (I-M) in using “derogatory language” against it for arresting their CAO Chakhesang region in accordance with the laid down Cease Fire Ground Rules (CFGR). The NSCN (I-M) remark was carried in a local daily on January 26, 2010.
IGAR (N) in a statement said the disparaging remarks used by the NSCN (I-M) against AR personnel were “highly offensive and obnoxious and we objurgate the same.” It said the NSCN (I-M) has also used baleful language against the justified action which was not acceptable. AR clarified that the arrest of CAO of Chakhesang region was in accordance to CFGR in which movement of leaders with weapons without prior permission was not permitted. AR said it held the law of land at the highest esteem and that no action was taken in contravention to the existing Cease Fire Ground Rules.
It accused the NSCN (I-M) of habitually involving in the violation of Cease Fire Ground Rules signed by them. The AR said it would continue to work for the maintenance of peace and prosperity in the state and live up to its motto of “Friends of The Hill People.”

FNR calls for ‘Naga political model’ (EMN)
DIMAPUR he Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has stated that Nagas now need to think of ‘a government that would combine the strength of every political group’
while noting that this situation most possibly would necessitate Naga leaders to consider an option with strong provisions for common interests and actions.
Addressing a Naga public meeting at Zunheboto on Saturday, February 6, FNR convenor Rev Dr Wati Aier on behalf of the Forum applauded the commitment and sincerity of the leaders of the Naga political groups to the process of reconciliation and reminded that ‘there is no turning back’.
He said with the signing of the Covenant of Reconciliation and the rejection of ‘any form of conditional package offered to the Nagas by the Government of India’, it is logical that a united front of sorts is most desirable for common interests and actions of the Nagas. Stating that one of the fundamental truths of the Nagas today is the call for political reconciliation in pursuit of common interest based on the Historical and Political Rights of the Nagas’, the FNR convenor said any political model of government has to be focused contextually. “Each country has its uniqueness and as such, what may function politically in one country may not be suitable for another country. Therefore, in context, a Naga political model should be envisaged and discussed upon,” he asserted.
The FNR further maintained that ‘we must bury many unrealistic hopes which were set in motion by the imagination of our hearts and the self made myths that is enslaving us and in the process, our noble cause is broken’. Noting that the life of the Naga nation is oppressed by division of our making, the Forum’s convenor said ‘the divided world, appeasement and imagination of our makings are no means of reconciliation’. “It is only a means to survive,” he said.
Drawing attention to the phrase ‘All Naga Political Groups’ and reiterating that reconciliation is a process, the FNR reminded that ‘if all are not reconciled, in reality we are not reconciled’. Requesting all to understand some of the difficulties we each face, it called upon all ‘to be together’. “From this, we shall not divert,” it affirmed.
Minority groups endanger our security D. M. Hasan The New Nation Bangladesh
skills need recognition: talent needs appreciation. All these desire reach the climax if the desirer is sagacious educated and sensible. But there is always a very obvious difference between recognition and separation. Escape planned Asian highway to link up Asian countries for better development. India wants to utilize the opportunity for their Interest. Our govt. also permits the route on favor of Indian interest in the name of bilateral agreement. According to South Asia Terrorism Portal's report 231 of India's 608 districts were affected, at differing intensities, by various insurgent a terrorist movements. Terrorism in Jammu Kashmir (12 of the states 14 districts), in different states of the northeast (54 districts) and left wing extremism (affecting at least 165 districts in 14 states) Continued to pose serious Challenges to the country's security framework. It is high time we should re-mind about the Indian law & order situation.

India starts militia operation against insurgents in Lalgarh tribal region of the west Bengal, and also banned the communist party of India- Maoist, terming it a terrorist organization in the wake of fresh insurgency by the Maoist. The CPI-M came into existence following the merger of the Communist party of India (Marxist-Leninist), the people's War group (PWG) and the Maoist communist centre (MCC). Several stats including Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, had declared the CPI-M an unlawfull Activities (Prevention) Act. In these eastern reigns, Naxalties have established their writ running large hundreds of villagers.

The CPI-M is now clubbed with other banned terror groups such as the "Lasher-e- taiba" and the "Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam" (LTTE), with its offices and bank accounts sealed. In past, India has banned violent Hindu fronts such as the "Ranbir Sean" and the "Bajrang dale", while there is a continuing debate about king action against right wing Hindu political organizations such as the "Shiv sena" and the "Vishwa Hindu perished".

It clears that India would not take on Hindu extremist organizations because they can use them to create frenzy against any neighbors Country.

The Maoist rebels oppose the ruling Communist party of India (Marxist) government in Bengal. It is unfortunate that the US and the West do not see any threat of disintegration of India and threat of its nukes falling in the hands of insurgents, terrorists or Communists. In addition wide areas of the country appear to have 'fallen off the map' of good governance, and are acutely susceptible to violent political mobilization, lawless and organised criminal activity.

In this backdrop, one can conclude that India is awash with home-grown terrorist organisations and can implode from within with out any outside effort.

If the Indian leadership does not stop inhuman treatment to its minorities then there would be reaction from the insurgents and it will not be Possible to keep India united. At the time of independence India had 12 province s from which it moved to 28 states. When we look at India we find a lot of racial and ethnic groups for a separate identity. Usually these groups belong to the crushed segments of society and mostly they are the out come of the horrible caste-system of Indian Society.

Naxalites, Maoists, Salwa Judhum, ULFA, NSCN, and so many other separatist are operating successfully in the region. Some groups like Salwa Judhum are state sponsored.

They were created to counter some rival groups but with the passage of time such groups got out of the govt. control and started operating at their own. Asian center for human Rights on India reported that Indian Security Forces and state sponsored civilian militia "Salwa Judhum" cadres were involved in gross human violations in the name of counter insurgency operations.

The growing influence of all these terrorist groups has prompted Indian Prime minister Man Mohan Singh to declare them as the most serious threat to India's national security. According to the RAW (Research and analyze Wing), 20000 insurgents are currently in operation.

Ulfa - the United liberation front of Assam and NSCN the national socialist Council of Nagalim (ISAK-MUIVAH) are the most active among such groups. They are striving for theIndependence of Assam and Nagaland. These two organisations have been continuously trying to extend the spheres of their influence in the Northeast region through violence as well as by training a daring a large number of other terrorist and proxy groups.
According Indian news papers reference to their govt. sources in the past five months more than 181 security personnel have been killed.

The security Forces launched a full scale military operation using two companies of BSF, One company from CRPF, a platoon of Kolkata police Rapid action battalion , a company from west Bengal armed police, and a platoon of Indian Reserve Battalion(IRB). The Maoist enjoys considerable influence in Lalgarh and is still in control of the district.

The Maoist leaders say that their movement is a protest against oppression and exploitation of neglected tribes and landless farmer. They claim to fight for Indian prospect. All those matter made us worried that if Bangladesh allow India about proposed questioned Corridor in the name of Asian High Way and transite then Indian inner problem will spread to our country. Our Independence and Sovergeinty may at stake
Northeast Echoes
PATRICIA MUKHIM (The writer can be contacted at patricia17@rediffmail.com)

NSCN-IM cadres at a camp near Dimapur. Picture by Eastern Projections
Conflict & peace defined The Tlegraph
The history of conflict in the Northeast began with what the Nagas believe is termed by “India” as the Naga insurrection. The Naga people, never mind how the word “Naga” is derived, believe even today that their fight is genuine because India has failed to acknowledge their unique history.
Every ethnic group in the Northeast is grappling with its own history before Indian Independence and the narratives following the “imposition” of the Indian Constitution by rudely discarding their existing systems of governance and considering them as dispensable elements.
One of the first books to record the atrocities unleashed by the Indian army on innocent populations of Nagaland who allegedly gave shelter to the rebels from the Naga National Council (NNC) led by the legendary Naga hero A.Z. Phizo and later to the “national workers” of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) led by Isak Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, is written by Kaka D. Iralu, grandnephew of Phizo. Iralu spoke to men and women, many of them now old and fragile, who suffered on account of the army action and record their tales of woes.
In his foreword, Iralu says: “This book is not written with any assertion of cultural superiority but neither do I write with any inferiority complex. I write with a heart as big as Gandhi’s and Nehru’s as far as our national and human rights are concerned. India may be a hundred times bigger than Nagaland but that does not make Nagaland’s rights any smaller than the rights of India or for that matter, the rights of any nation on earth.”
Iralu writes with a passion that only one who has seen his family members perish from the bullets of the Indian army could. Iralu has spent over three years in research before putting the book together, but says he might have still failed to record some stories that were more horrifying and also more heroic than the ones he has written.
Perhaps Iralu’s arguments in writing what can be called an essentially one-sided account of the “52 years (of) war between India and the Nagas” is that while there are several accounts by retired army officers of the counter-insurgency operations in Nagaland, there is as yet not a single book to give the Naga side of the story.
For the tribes of the Northeast, history is largely an oral tradition. The problem with oral history is that romanticism replaces hard facts and every new generation tends to see its history in more glorious terms than the previous one. Another factor that makes ethnic communities of the Northeast so possessive and therefore subjective about their histories is because they see themselves and their communities under threat of being swarmed by the larger mainland “Indian” population which they perceive as being more intellectually and economically advanced.
Ethnic groups or tribes living within a larger state ruled by dominant non-tribal elite perceive a great deal of insecurity, hence the assertion for ethnic homelands. But this is also a form of political instrumentalism which the more advanced tribes use to appropriate the loyalty of the masses and get their support when they raise militias to make demands for autonomous homelands. Several states of the Northeast are today seen as conflict zones and each conflict is rooted in selective memory of history and selective amnesia about not very honourable aspects of the same history.
Conflict gives the nation state the legitimacy to ride roughshod over the human rights of ordinary non-combatants. The continued use and abuse of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act despite repeated appeals by a responsible section of society, shows up the iron fist that the state uses to suppress dissent to safeguard its authority.
Dead end
What Kaka Iralu terms as a war between Nagaland and India has transmogrified into an unidentifiable monster. Today, the Nagas and the Indian army are not at war. Indeed the guerrilla warfare is over but the guns are still trained at select individuals.
What the Naga national workers are doing today can no longer be considered an honourable expedition. Recently, a Naga gentleman speaking to this writer said he was confused about the situation in his state. The underground leaders, he said, had constructed palatial buildings around the Rangapahar area. These buildings are well secured and only select visitors are allowed. But what is surprising, he said, was that the “Indian” army officers are frequent visitors to these mansions.
So what is really happening? Often, the masses are unaware of the (mis)deeds of their heroes. They continue to support the extravagant lifestyles of the insurgent leaders through their hard-earned money paid as taxes. People still believe there is a pie in the sky at the end of the movement.
Recently, the NSCN (I-M) had categorically stated that no other groups should be included in the talks with the Indian government. This clearly is an attempt to appropriate the movement. Otherwise, one would assume that the more stakeholders there are in the talks the better and more transparent they would be. Inclusiveness is never a bad thing. It suggests large-heartedness and a democratic process at work. Exclusive talks mean that one group takes the decision on behalf of all the Naga people. Is that fair and just? What are the hidden agenda behind this need for exclusivity?
While appreciating the hard work that Kaka Iralu has done to document the blood and the tears shed by his people one also feels that the book requires several sequels. It would be a good idea to look at the movement from contemporary lenses. We have read what India has done to the Nagas. But what have the Nagas done to themselves today?
It is true that all ethnic groups are very possessive of their histories. It is also true to reiterate that the tribes of the Northeast live in a perpetual state of insecurity about losing out to the large, more populated plains people. This sense of insecurity prevents any objective self-criticism. If any member of the tribe even attempts to laugh at his/her tribe’s idiosyncrasies, that person is immediately labelled a black sheep and a traitor of the community’s historical heritage. Yet this honest self-appraisal is as important as the need to critique the wrongs committed by the nation-state.
History’s burden
Attempts to bring peace in the Northeast would also mean bringing in correct perspectives of history so that debates are realistic and steer away from subjectivity. The younger generation is no longer swayed by emotion and rabble-rousing. Many are academically astute and know history as it should be written; not as a romantic epic constructed by unreliable oral tradition but as a factual piece of work where the blame and honour are given where due.
This is not to undermine the great sacrifices made by the ancestors of the present generation of Nagas. History is often a documentation of ruthless acts unleashed by mighty despots on harmless populations. What the Indian state did in 1947 in forcefully subjugating the belligerent Nagas and other tribes of the Northeast cannot be called honourable by any yardstick. But will a nation state ever admit this? And can we go on waging war because we want the nation state to recognise our unique histories? There are so many unique histories in the Northeast. How will India deal with each of these if it decides to deal with one?
The choice is to either move forward or get stuck in a rut. Doing the former may seem like an act of treachery to our ancestors. But being stuck is worse because we are preventing the future generation from finding their legitimate space in these very challenging times. We are making them carry the psychological baggage that we are ourselves find too heavy to lug. Is it fair to dump on our youth the load of our guilt, pain and despair and thereby construct another gloomy future for them? The burdens of history must be jettisoned sooner than later.
The Journey of Common Hope Wati Aier Morung Express
I and the members of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation and the Joint working Group (JWG) greet you in Christ our Savior’s name. We are here on the Journey of Common Hope of the Nagas.
The FNR was born in February, 2008, through the Shisha Hoho prayer ministry, and it comprises of all the frontal Naga organizations, including the Council of Naga Baptist Churches (CNBC), and the support of the Nagaland Baptist Church council (NBCC) and the Nagaland Christian forum (NCF). Since the formation of the FNR 22 months ago, 24 different meetings both within and outside of Naga areas have been held. In all these meetings and gatherings, the Naga political groups and the Naga frontal organizations and the public have made solemn commitments to the process of genuine reconciliation, unity and peace among the Nagas and with confidence today, the Nagas can say, “there is no turning back.”
In June 2009, the “Covenant of Reconciliation” was signed by the Hon’ble Isak Chishi Swu, Chairman, NSCN/GPRN; Hon’ble SS Khaplang, Chairman, GPRN/NSCN; and Hon’ble Brig. (Retd) S Singnya, Kedahge (President), Federal Government of Nagaland. In September and December, 2009, the Joint Working Group (JWG), the signatories of the Covenant of Reconciliation, resolved to “Work together in the spirit of love, non-violence, peace, and respect to resolve outstanding issues among us.” Therefore, “We jointly reject any form of conditional package offered to the Nagas by the Government of India.”
With the signing of the Covenant of Reconciliation and the rejection of “any form of conditional package offered to the Nagas by the Government of India,” it is logical that for common interests and actions of the Nagas a united front of sorts is most desirable. One of the fundamental truths of the Nagas today is the call for political reconciliation in pursuit of common interest based on the “Historical and Political Rights of the Nagas.”
Any political model of government has to be focused contextually. Each country has its uniqueness and as such, what may function politically in one country may not be suitable for another country. Therefore, in context, a Naga political model should be envisaged and discussed upon.
Today, contextually, Naga political groups are ‘self-governing in its own right.’ But now, Nagas need to think of a government that would combine the strength of every political group, and this situation most possibly would necessitate the Naga leaders to consider an option with strong provisions for common interests and actions.
Let us be reminded once more that RECONCILIATION implies a new Nagahood. For this, our leaders have pledged themselves before God and the Naga people. We applaud their commitment and sincerity. We must also know that reconciliation is never static; it is a dynamic process. As our Naga political groups and their highest level of leadership and various organizations have supported and are committed to reconciliation of the Nagas, we are called to continually renew our-self to this noble mission by the Spirit of God. Whoever believes in reconciliation is in the first place Christ’s, and only in the second place are members of the group. For some of us, this may be difficult to accept. But from this truth we cannot divert.
In this, we should not shun from the truth of reconciliation - either through a rationalization flight backward or a dictum we often hear saying, “reconciliation is different and politics is altogether another thing.” Only through reconciliation, in its true meaning, can we be free from our neglect and downfall.
We must be vigilant and study the ground reality. Let us not assume nor make believe that the Naga people are behind divisive policies and a divided house. Yes, the average populace of the Nagas takes the word reconciliation with great distaste. Perhaps this is justified if one talks of reconciliation to others but do not themselves practice it concretely. Are we not inhibiting desire and deaden emotional states? To be sure, Nagas are for reconciliation of all and not for a particular group alone. Naga people have learnt the hard way that group-ism is limited no matter how convincing they are and in today’s context it is obsolete. In this let us learn to honor and give due respect to the Naga public.
We must bury many unrealistic hopes which were set in motion by the imagination of our hearts and the self made myths that is enslaving us and in the process, our noble cause is broken. The life of the Naga nation is oppressed by division of our making. The divided world, appeasement and imagination of our makings are no means of reconciliation. It is only a means to survive. Whenever a man/woman leaves their humanity and makes for themselves proud and doubtful idols of themselves and their neighbors, they become inhuman. They have anxiety before themselves and their neighbors. They can no longer love and consider others. They love and consider only themselves and misuse their experiences as absolute. In their anxiety they depend on transitory things that support their self-confidence.
Anyone who is anxious is controllable and can be extorted and exploited. Only liberation as a product of reconciliation can free a person from anxiety, from self made idols, and from hate for others who are different from our-selves. Reconciliation is not a religious cult for the righteous and the pious, to be kept within the confines of secrecy, but a justification of the so called “traitors,” “misplaced,” and “godless,” and the acceptance in the name of God their enemies.
Reconciliation is a grace from God to humanity. God is the subject and we are objects of reconciliation. Therefore, God is the basis and the power for reconciliation between people who are enemies. God is “for us” and therefore, we must be “with one another” and not against one another. In the context of the Nagas, reconciliation without a change in our broken relationships is a weak consolation. We must learn lessons from history that wanting change without reconciliation leads to witch hunts. Naga revolutionaries should recognize this today. For not until there is reconciliation can the evil circle of revenge be overcome. I have often mentioned, peace and freedom originates out of reconciliation and not of law and order.
The scheme of the divided Nagas has eaten very deeply into our thoughts and feelings. It is our own anxiety which has taught us to hate the opponent. Remember the person who preaches hate has always anxiety. Today, Nagas must resolve not to let this happen among us.
Men and women who hate, and fight each other, are reconciled in Christ. We and our enemies can be changed. Nagas can be changed. The world has itself become changeable world. God has made the impossible appear to be possible. Let us therefore already do today what shall be tomorrow.
Finally, a word is due vis-a-vis “All Naga Political Groups.” The FNR reiterates that reconciliation is a process. The truth is if all are not reconciled, in reality we are not reconciled. The FNR requests all to understand some of the difficulties we each face. All are called to be together. From this, we shall not divert.
We want to respond to this task with credible solidarity. We have to be willing to realize that coming together is not a technique, but a deep personal attitude which makes it possible to receive peace as a gift. Therefore, we are called today, to make a commitment to this task. After all, the voice of the people cannot be ignored nor silenced.

Wati Aier
Convener, FNR
The Art of Not Being Governed: An Anarchist History of Upland Southeast Asia ForeignAffairs.com.
Scott has put rural and marginal people at the center of his previous studies, and here he offers a history of the estimated 100 million people who live in a vast hill and mountain zone that runs across southwest China, northeast India, and parts of five Southeast Asian countries. Publisher Yale University Press Year 2009
Scott has put rural and marginal people at the center of his previous studies, and here he offers a history of the estimated 100 million people who live in a vast hill and mountain zone that runs across southwest China, northeast India, and parts of five Southeast Asian countries. These populations fled into the hills over the course of two millennia, he argues, to avoid the imposition of slavery, indentured labor, and taxes by expanding states. There they evolved languages, economies, and ways of life designed to keep the state at bay. Outside of Asia, too, such fugitive populations define the "ungovernable" territories and "minority" or "tribal" identities usually thought of as exceptions to the norm. Scott often returns to the complex example of Myanmar (also called Burma) to explain how states mapped terrain, classified populations, and acquired resources as they expanded -- and to show how the Kachins, the Hmong, and others resisted. He believes that the uplanders' strategies of avoidance are approaching an endgame as new technologies give the modern state a longer reach. But the news from Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as from Myanmar, suggests that these ungoverned groups may hold out longer than Scott thinks.

CM draws Centre's attention on porous border Manipur Info Centre
NEW DELHI, Feb 7: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh drew the attention of the Centre to the importance of effective management of the 367 kms long Manipur Sec-tor of the Indo-Myanmar border and urged the Mi-nistry of Home Affairs to give focused and sustained attention to the Indo-Myanmar border.
Delivering his speech at the Conference of Chief Mi-nisters on Internal Security at the Plenary Hall of Vigyan Bhawan here today, Ibobi pointed out that the almost unchecked trans-border movement of the Indian insurgent groups and the continued existence of their camps in Myanmar posed the real threat to internal security of Manipur and the North Eastern region.
He said, “It is no secret that most arms and ammunition used against our secu- rity forces and the State police forces are smuggled in from Myanmar. It is also known that whenever our army, Assam Rifles and the State Police launch operations, the militant groups seek and find shelter in neighbouring areas of Myanmar.”
He further stated, “Another serious angle is the active involvement of these insurgent groups in smuggling of huge quantities of narcotics like heroin. The proceeds are being used to finance in the procurement of sophisticated weapons and maintaining their leaders in foreign countries and their cadres in India.”
Stating that the Myan-mar Government has limited control on the border neighbouring Manipur, Naga- land, Mizoram and Aru-nachal Pradesh the Chief Minister called upon the Ministry of Home Affairs to consider deploying the Assam Rifles units closer to the border and advise them to set-up BOPs, like the BSF did, for effective surveillance and interception of the insurgents and other anti-national elements.
He emphasized the need for expediting the work on fencing of the most vulnerable 10 km stretch of the India- Myanmar border near Moreh town, another 10 km stretch south of Moreh town and certain other well-known cross-over points at Molcham and New Samtal in Chandel district, Behiang in Churachandpur and Kong-kan Thana in Ukhrul district.
Highlighting the positive outcome after the Home Secretary level talks from January 19-21 this year at Yangon in Myanmar, the Manipur Chief Minister asked the Centre to consult the Myanmar authorities for ascertaining the dates convenient for the first meeting within this month on the proposed meetings bet-ween the border liaison of- ficers which the Myanmar authorities agreed to.
He believed that the initiative should be carried for- ward to ultimately get the Myanmar side to dismantle camps of the Indian insurgent groups within their ter- ritory and choke their supply of arms and ammunition. He also hoped that by doing this, the insurgent groups would come to the negotiating table.
Referring to the streng-thening of State police for- ces, Ibobi said, “As advised by MHA, most of the vacancies in Police Depart- ment have been filled up. 3997 Constables, 1505 Constable Drivers and 2587 Ri- flemen have been recruited and are under training.”
He said, “Posts for one Mahila Indian Reserve Battalion, one Commando Bat- talion, the Loktak Operation Force and 21 new Police Stations with 58 personnel per Police Station have been created, and the State Government proposed for finan- cial support to the 13th Finance Commission for up- grading the training facilities and Police Stations.”
Ibobi expressed that the State Government had adopted a multi-pronged strategy, jointly with the Army, Assam Rifles, Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force to deal with insurgency in Ma-nipur. Through the Command Headquarters under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, the State Government had been coordina- ting with the Army, Assam Rifles, BSF, CRPF and SIB. Frequent meetings for coordination of counter insur- gency operations among security forces and the State police were held under the Strategy and Operations Group chaired by the State Chief Secretary. During the period from January to November 2009; 1368 UGs were arrested and 279 killed, 378 assorted weapons recovered along with 6936 assorted ammunition, 130 hand grenades, 105 lethod bombs, three IEDs, 123 detonators, 13.71 Kgs of explosives and seven wireless transmission sets. One hundred ninety one insurgents were detained under National Security Act and 11 surrendered.
The Chief Minister informed the meeting that in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the State Government had entered into tripartite agreements with Kuki Militant Groups namely KNO and UPF since August 2008.
The Joint Monitoring Group set-up to supervise the suspension of opera-tions had provided a forum for addressing the problem of extortions and other violations by the cadres. Ten designated camps were ready within March 2010.
Underlining the importance of securing National Highway-39, the lifeline of Manipur, the Chief Minister reminded to the MHA for expediting the proposal to the sanction of two additional Indian Reserve Battalions – one each for providing dedicated security to NH-39 and Loktak Downstream Hydro-Electricity Project.
He requested the Ministry, in the meantime, to restore the three BSF Battalions withdrawn from the State during election in Jharkhand for deployment along NH-39 and for pro-viding security for comple- tion of important develop-ment projects like Thoubal Multipurpose Project and the Dolaithabi Barrage Project.
Manipur Chief Minister expressed his confidence that working out together for an affective and practical strategy to tackle insurgency would bring peace and development to the people of Manipur.
Manipur Chief Secretary D.S. Poonia and Director General of Police Y Joyku-mar Singh accompanied the Chief Minister in the meeting.
In his inaugural address, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh listed various threats to the internal security in the country, including threats from across the border, Naxalism and insurgency in North-east.
“Each one of these threats requires determination, hard work and conti- nuous vigilance to tackle. These threats to our society and country constitute a challenge that we must and shall overcome at all costs,” the Prime Minister said.
Apart from coordinating efforts, Dr Manmohan Singh urged the Chief Ministers to create Special Intervention Units in their States to enhance the speed and decisiveness of the Quick Response Teams.
“The States may also like to develop specialized commando forces which could be deployed to act as a deterrent to terrorist acts. I would urge Chief Ministers to make full use of the scheme formulated by the Central Government to assist the Special Branches of States in strengthening their intelligence capabilities”, he said.
Referring to the statistical account of violence taken place in the country, he stated that in the North-East also, the number of incidents had gone down in 2009 as compared to 2008.

SoO signatory UG group charged of harassing Chandel villages The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Feb 7: Villagers of Leisan, Tengnoupal and T Bungmual, Chandel have strongly alleged that a Kuki underground group which is a signatory to the SoS with government has been committing atrocities upon villagers.

Taking serious count on the recent imposition of threats and atrocities committed by the KNA cadres to the villagers of Leisan Tengnoupal and T Bungmual village under Chandel district, Thangkhomang Mate, 29, son late of Haokhojang Mate village chief of Leisan Tengnoupal during the press conference held this afternoon at New Checkon Imphal disclosed that villagers of Leisan Tengnoupal and its neighboring villages have been suffering the atrocities and threats from the underground KNA which is among the SoO signed between the government at present. The village chief also asked government to drive out KNA cadres from the area.

The village chief who was amongst two victims of the atrocities committed by suspected KNA cadres at T Bungmual village on February 1 this month recalled the incident that he along with Ngamkhai Mate, 30, son of late Jamthong Mate of Leisan Tengnoupal village were returning from Moreh in the evening of February 1 around 4.30 pm. While both were travelling on a Yamaha motorcycle they were suddenly stopped by some well equipped cadres belonging to the KNA at T Bungmual village and assaulted severely without questioning.

The village chief further disclosed that they were treated at KCC Hospital at Dwelaland, Imphal. While answering to the queries made mediaperons the two victims disclosed that the KNA cadres numbering about 13 in combat uniforms did not mentioned the reason for thrashing them on the day.

The village chief further mentioned that it was very unfortunate for the villagers of Leisan Tengnoupal and its neighboring villagers who have been depending on the hill track passing through T Bungmual village for their livelihood.

The road happens to be a way to Myanmar border along with the KNA is active, the Leishan village chief said adding villagers in the areas have fear enough to face the excessive activities committed by the KNA cadres, who are collecting illegal taxes and other forms of extortions from the villagers.

Considering grievances of the villagers, the village chief of Leisan Tangnoupal and village leaders appeal state government to made possible initiative to take appropriate actions against the leaders of KNA for violating the ground rules of the Suspension of Operation (SoO).

Pak-based terror groups will be defeated: Chidambaram
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Nagaland page
New Delhi, February 7: India today described Pakistan- based terrorist groups as “dark forces” which are “implacably” opposed to the country and asserted that they would be defeated whenever confronted.
Home Minister P Chidambaram said militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, responsible for innumerable deadly terror strikes in India, held a meeting at Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir on Thursday and it was clear that these groups were “implacably” opposed to India.
“Their weapons are mayhem and violence; and their goal is forcible annexation of Kashmir. Let me make it clear that these dark forces will not succeed in their designs. We will defeat them whenever and wherever we confront them,” he said in his opening statement at the Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security here. (PTI)

Bangladesh cannot strike against ultras Correspondent, NPN
SHILLONG Despite the sense of positiveness within the Indian authorities that the new government in Dhaka led by Shiekh Hasina will crackdown on North East-based militants in Bangladesh, former Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) Chairman Julius K Dorphang, however, felt that as long the Bangladesh government is being remote control by the junta it will not initiate any action against the militants.
"Even though Hasina is known to be a pro-India, but her government cannot launch a massive crackdown against the Indian insurgents hiding in that country because of the influence of the military in any Bangladesh government," Dorphang said.
His statement assumed significance at a time when senior officials of the Border Security Force (BSF) said that Indian militants could run off the camps in Bangladesh due to pressure from the new Bangladesh government.
But for Dorphang who had spent 19 years of being a rebel leader in Bangladesh said authorities in Bangladesh would act positively against the insurgents holed up in that country only if the government fully runs on its own.
The former rebel leader, who had earlier waged war against India for an independent homeland for the tribal Khasis came overground due to ideological differences with his colleagues over the running of the organization in Bangladesh.
"Authorities in Bangladesh are aware of the existence of training camps of the Indian rebels. They had even raided and dismantled it. But we continue to set up our training camps due to tacit understanding with Bangladesh," Dorphang recalled.
The former rebel leader, however, felt that Dhaka would take serious actions against the North East militants only through diplomatic channels on trade and investments. "If the militants can spend money to Bangladesh authorities and to the local people why not India invests in Bangladesh," Dorphang said. He added: "Bangladesh is a banana country. I have experienced the level of poverty prevailing in Bangladesh. The only way to improve Bangladesh is to bring large scale investment from outside."

Home Ministry team to review execution of Bodo Accord
Correspondent Assam tribune
KOKRAJHAR, Feb 8 – As per official schedule, a team of Union Home Ministry led by GK Pillai, will reach Kokrajhar on February 10 to review the implementation of the Bodo Accord, inaugurate the newly constructed BTC Secretariat building and take part in a public meeting along with the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on the day, said Hagrama Mohilary, chief of BTC here on Friday.
Talking to mediapersons, Mohilary informed that the issues of declaring ST status for Bodo-Kacharis in Karbi Anglong, construction of a parallel National Highway along the Indo-Bhutan border, direct funding to BTC in respect of Centrally sponsored schemes, transfer of State Excise Department to BTC, finalisation and inclusion of additional 95 villages in BTCas per the agreement signed between the Government and BLT among others should also feature in the review meeting, he added.
It may be mentioned here that DoNER Secretary Jayati Chandra will also take part in the review meeting at Kokrajhar in which funds released by the Ministry of DoNER under the special package to the BTC and their utilisation will be under focus.
Meanwhile, the chief of BTC informed that brisk preparations are on to celebrate the 8th Bodo Accord Day on February 10 at Kokrajhar with a day-long programme.
He stated that many leaders of militant groups under ceasefire like ULFA, NDFB, DHD, Birsha Commando Force, Adibhasi Cobra Militants, etc., along with Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha, leaders of Darjeeling have been invited to the celebration of BodoAccord Day.
He further mentioned that tableaux of different departments of BTC and Central troupes of the region would be showcased on the occasion among many other events.

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