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08/14/2010: "Oil spill in Naga village The Telegraph"
Oil spill in Naga village The Telegraph
Kohima, August 12 (The Telegraph): Oil has been spilling from abandoned oilfields in a Wokha village for the past 16 years, contaminating soil and water and turning a cluster of little neighbourhoods into a combustible zone. The catastrophe did not look imminent when ONGC began a survey in Champang in 1963. The report indicated that there was sufficient hydro carbon (crude oil) deposit along the Nagaland foothills adjoining Assam.
This belt, geographically known as Schuppen belt, yielded results, and ONGC began production in March 1981. The oil giant estimated a geological reserve of 110 million barrels of oil with a recoverable reserve of approximately 1,600 barrels per day. Work, however, came to a halt in May 1994, following militant threats after extraction of a mere 7 million barrels of oil. Though production stopped and ONGC left Champang, fields continued to spout oil which seeped into the soil, rendering acres of farmland barren.
Rivers and streams in the lowland areas were contaminated, affecting aquatic life. With crude petroleum staining large swathes of Champang, villagers fear that even a splinter could lead to a devastating fire. The landowners of Champang said there has been unabated spillage of petroleum for more than a week. “But the state government has not done anything to contain the spillage and clean up the area,” M. Yanathung Ngullie, president of Landowners’ Union of Champang, said. The director of geology and mining, H.K. Chishi, said his department was concerned with the leakage and had sought immediate intervention by ONGC but his pleas had gone unheeded.
The state government does not have adequate technology to stop the leakage, he said. The roads and bridges leading to Champang are in such bad condition that ONGC finds it difficult to transport heavy machinery to the area, he added. Champang villagers have other grievances too. Very little of the oil royalty has gone into local development, they allege. ONGC has paid a royalty of Rs 33.83 crore to the Nagaland government, but of that only Rs 67 lakh reached the village. Talks, however, are on between the state government and ONGC to resume operations for exploration and production of petroleum products in Champang oil fields.
Nagaland, Arunachal step up security for I-Day Correspondent Assam Tribune
DIMAPUR, Aug 14 – Preparations to observe the 63rd Independence Day in Nagaland are almost complete with the police and security forces taking all precautionary measures to avert any disturbance from anti-social elements.
The main celebrations will begin at 9 am at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza in the State capital here with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio as chief guest.
Meanwhile, police sources said even though there is no threat to the celebrations by any underground group in the State, the police and security forces have taken all precautionary measures so that the occasion is observed in a peaceful atmosphere.
In view of the I-Day ban called by militant groups in the neighbouring States of Assam and Manipur, the entry points like Khuzama check gate at Nagaland-Manipur border and Dimapur check gate at Nagaland-Assam border have been tightened so that militants from outside the State are restricted free movement.
According to the Independence Day programme, the day will be begin with hoisting of the national flag in all Government offices/institutions/public and private buildings at 6 am.
Presentation of awards, mass drill display by students of local schools, cultural items by NEZCC, chicken dance, Zeliang dance, Singhi Chham dance from Sikkim and Bihu dance from Assam are some of the highlights of the programme.
Itanagar Correspondent adds: Tight security arrangements have been put in place in Arunachal Pradesh for smooth celebration of the 64th Independence Day.
Although the NE ultra groups have already announced an Independence Day boycott call, the police and para-military forces have been put on high alert to avoid any untoward happening and prevent anti-social elements from disrupting the celebrations.
The government has ordered a stepped up security arrangement for the commemoration of the I-Day though there is no boycott call from any organisation of the State.
Special security measures have been put in place at Indira Gandhi Park, the main venue of I-Day celebrations in the capital, where the Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu will unfurl the national tri-colour and take the guard of honour.
NSCN (I-M) flays AR over Sakok incident DIMAPUR, AUG 13 (NPN):
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Article published on 8/14/2009 12:41:12 AM IST
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Describing the firing incident at Sakok village, Ukhrul district, Manipur on Wednesday as a “deliberate violation” of ceasefire ground rules by the Indian armed forces, the NSCN(I-M) has termed it as “ill motives to demean the long earned peace process”. As reported, a firing incident took place between NSCN (I-M) cadres and 23 Assam Rifles personnel at Sakok village under Phungyar police station limits, Ukhrul district on August 12. The MIP of the NSCN/GPRN stated that the incident occurred when around 30 of its Naga Army were sent to Lairam Phungka, Ukhrul district , on receiving report that Manipur valley based armed cadres (UNLF and PREPAK) were camping at the village. The NSCN(I-M) Naga Army were on their way to Lairam Phungka as the “ life and property of the innocent villagers and people of the surrounding areas” were in danger due to the presence and rampant harassment created by the Manipur valley based armed cadres, it said. However, while on the way, the NSCN(I-M)Naga Army was waylaid at Sakok village by the Assam Rifles, who “without any provocation” opened indiscriminate firing and bombing. It maintained that 23 Assam Rifles was well aware of the presence of valley based armed cadres in that area. The MIP said its cadres had never intended to confront the Assam Rifles, being well aware of the cease fire with the government of India and had therefore attempted to escape with utmost restraint. However, it said , as a result of the firing, one Naga Army “Sgt. Maj.” Simon of Kota village received serious bullet injury but later died in the custody of Assam Rifles. The MIP release said late Simon was “tortured to death beyond human endurance” and that after his death and “against any humanity”, the Assam Rifles fired at the dead body. Further, the MIP/GPRN stated that all roads leading to the spot, were sealed off and all activities of public in that area were completely halted by AR. It said when civil societies and NGOs had wanted to inquire for verification of the incident and casualties, they were stopped by the Assam Rifles at Shangshak gate. The NSCN (I-M) also accused Assam Rifle of bringing in one “mask-man (Spotter)” in another incident, while raiding Wung-Tangkhul Region office located at Ukhrul district Headquarters, on the same day after the incident. The NSCN(I-M) said it seriously questioned the “intention of the Government of India for unwarranted action of Assam Rifles” and the use of a masked man, which was against cease-fire ground rules. However, it said that such “peripheral incidents” should not be a condition for obstacle in building mutual understating and respecting ceasefire ground rules. The NSCN(I-M) also pointed out that “blatant action” of armed forces should not be a hindrance in finding solution of Indo- Naga conflict. Meanwhile, the NSCN/GPRN has expressed grief and pain over the “inhuman murder” and death of “Sgt. Maj.” Simon “who boldly laid down his precious life for the cause of the Nation in the hands of the brutal and barbaric Indian army.” The NSCN (I-M) also conveyed its heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and prayed Almighty God grant eternal peace and rest to the departed soul. It asserted that his “extinguished service” rendered for the cause of Nation would be cherished and remain afresh in the history of Naga national movement.
Sikhs, Kashmiris and Nagas
re-affirm Freedom Struggles
India’s 63rd Independence Day: Joint Statement by leading Diaspora Groups
Representing a common front against Indian imperialism we join hands, on this 63rd anniversary of Indian independence, to re-affirm our unshakeable commitment to secure freedom for our respective nations and to call on the international community to dismantle the illegal occupation of our homelands by a terrorist state. Its militaristic modus operandi has now also become a danger to wider regional peace and security; the world community must counter the growing threat it poses and bring justice to tens of millions of oppressed people in the most dangerous part of the world.
Since 1947 India has forcibly denied our sovereign rights under international law; the rights to determine our own political status, to control our natural resources and to protect our populations and territories from human rights abuses amounting to genocide. It has blatantly told the United Nations that it does not even recognise the right of self-determination for those nations under its occupation, despite the clear provisions of international law and state practice - which have overseen the independence of many nations in recent years. It has brazenly ignored the UN Security Council’s own express resolution requiring a plebiscite in the disputed territory of Jammu & Kashmir. None of the catastrophic conflicts in Kashmir, Khalistan, Nagalim, Assam, Manipur and Bodoland are anywhere near resolution; responsible world opinion must ask why so many near-identical and intractable conflicts have arisen from a common source and how to now peaceably resolve them.
In its efforts to frustrate our national rights India has deployed the full might of its armed forces against civilian populations, casually killing hundreds of thousands in the process. The world’s pre-eminent human rights organisations have documented the systematic abuses in which pogroms, extra-judicial killings, disappearances, rape, torture, illegal detention and extortion have become routine, all supported by a clear policy of immunity for the perpetrators and ‘emergency laws’ which breach basic international humanitarian standards. Again, those who propagate the rule of law must ask why such massive state terror has been allowed to go unpunished for so long and how best to now hold those responsible to account.
In August 2009, the United States Commission for International Religious Freedoms put India on its ‘watchlist’ of states that fail to protect minority religious groups. Recent years have seen mass violence directed towards Christians, Muslims and Sikhs and their places of worship, with the connivance of security forces, disinterest of the courts and blatant instigation from Indian politicians who continue to hold high office.
It is both appropriate and necessary at this time to bring India in to line with international law and standards. Only the break up of this monolithic state, which has never served the interests of the peoples under its control, will offer the region genuine freedom, real security and equitable economic progress. The peaceful exercise of self-determination by our nations in our homelands should be overseen by the United Nations, which will need to promote that outcome by imposing stringent sanctions on an intransigent and increasingly menacing power.
The establishment of a special international criminal court to punish Indian genocide perpetrators and the ejection of India from the UN’s human rights bodies are urgently necessary measures if justice is to be delivered to the millions who have suffered the human misery of these completely avoidable conflicts.
Pending India’s compliance with fundamental norms of civilised behaviour we urge the international community to reject out of hand any notion of agreeing to India’s demand for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. It would surely be perverse to reward an aggressor and a serial violator of international law with a veto power that it would use to frustrate the one institution that can and should hold it to account. India’s refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, together with its massive spend on nuclear armaments whilst millions of its citizens live in poverty, demonstrates its belligerence which in itself should rule it out of contention for a permanent seat.
Unless India immediately stops its ongoing brutalities and agrees to international intervention to punish those guilty of rights abuses, we would urge Governments, athletes and spectators alike to boycott the 2010 Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in October in the Indian capital. India needs to be shamed not feted in the light of the atrocities it continues to commit on a daily basis.
At a time when South Asia is the likely flashpoint of any future major war, it behoves policy makers to remedy the errors of British de-colonisation in 1947 which are directly contributing to the current instability. India is not and has never been a nation; as an artificial construct it has simply become a failed state which merits no ‘independence’ celebrations. Britain has a special responsibility for correcting those historic mistakes and, as our members protest at the injustices of the last 63 years in London today, we call on our friends in Britain to take a lead in that process.
