02/03/2012: "Seven die in polling station shootout (UPI)"

Seven die in polling station shootout (UPI)

NEW DELHI Police in India's northeastern state of Manipur are blaming Naga rebels for violence during voting in which seven people were killed including a young girl.
Director General of Police for Manipur Ratnakar Baral said a suspected rebel entered a local polling station in Chandel constituency and asked officials to stop the voting, a report by The Times of India said.
When officials refused to stop the polling process, the rebel fired a pistol at them. Several Central Reserve Police Force officers rushed in and returned fire, killing the rebel.
"Six persons were killed on the spot," said Baral. "An injured person later died in hospital."
The dead were one police officer, four polling officials, a civilian and a 14-year-old girl who had accompanied her parents to the polling station, he said.
Police also said they believe two other rebels were in the polling station at the time of the shooting but escaped in the confusion, The Times of Indian report said. An identity card on the dead suspected rebel indicted he was a local teacher, police said. He is believed to be a member of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, one of several separatist groups in northeastern India.
In an attack at another polling station last week, two CRPF officers were killed, the Times said. Police also recovered a home-made bomb near the house of a worker for the Congress political party in an area of Imphal, the state capital. Turnout for polling in Manipur could reach as high as 86 percent. A total of 279 candidates, including 15 women, were running in the election for the 60-seat Manipur Legislative Assembly, a report in Manipur's The Sangai Express newspaper said.
The isolated and economically poor state is around 8,600 square miles and has a population of less than 3 million. Around half the population lives in villages outside main cities and towns.
Manipur also is in the heartland of an area comprising similarly small and isolated states which have been under attack by local rebels seeking more autonomy and a greater share of the wealth from natural resource exploitation. Manipur is bounded by Mizoram state to the south, Assam to the west and Myanmar, formerly called Burma, to the east. To the north lies Nagaland.
During the last Manipur state election in 2007, 16 police officers were killed in a rebel attack. To ensure security, the state has drafted in from other states 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel.
Manipur is the first of five states to have elections in the next several weeks. Results for the elections in Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Goa will be released in early March.
Elections in India's northeastern and eastern states are often marred by violence. Maoist guerrillas, also known as Naxalites after the village of Naxalbari in West Bengal where the group started in the late 1960s, are active in what government officials call the Red Corridor -- the mineral-rich but remote and poor eastern states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and northern parts or Andhra Pradesh.
© 2012 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Manipur: Violence Mars Election in Northeastern Indian State Palash R. Ghosh International Business news
At least seven people have killed in poll violence amidst an election in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur.
The Press Trust of India reported that while 82 percent of eligible voters turned out to cast their vote in local Assembly elections, the exercise of democracy was marred by the violence of separatist militants.
Deputy election commissioner Alok Shukla said that a militant, pretending to be a voter, walked into a polling station in the Chandel district and began shooting firing indiscriminately.
The shooter, who has not been identified, was himself shot to death by local policemen.
Manipur is one of five states in India which will hold elections over the next few weeks.
Moreover, bombs that are believed to have been planted by militants in several locales around Manipur were seized and defused by police prior to voting. There were also reports of mobs attacking polling stations and destroying electronic voting machines.
The bombings and violence are believed to be the work of The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), a separatist group which seeks an independent nation.
Must Read
Manipur is in the extreme eastern end of India, bordering Burma. The state is riddled with militant and separatist groups demanding independence from India, a country they view as a foreign colonial power.
Although Manipur has only 2.7million people, there are at least thirty separatist groups within its borders.
Formed in 1980, NSCN seeks to create a Maoist state for the Naga people, a tribe that lives in both northeastern India and western Burma.
To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: p.ghosh@ibtimes.com
To contact the editor, e-mail: editor@ibtimes.com
GPRN/NSCN tells GoI to ensure Assam Rifles do not cross limit Nagaland Post
Asserting that Nagas, for the last 60 years, have borne the “brunt of Assam Rifles (AR)”, GPRN/NSCN Thursday said Assam Rifles officers and men stationed in Nagaland “need not preach peace and harmony in Nagaland”.

Asking the government of India to ensure that the Assam Rifles do “not cross limit”, GRPN/NSCN MIP in a statement said track record proved that AR have “dented India’s image time and again” by employing “maximum brutality and harassment” upon the Nagas.

“The ceasefire exists but currently the actions on the Assam Rifles have left a lot to be desired,” the MIP said, and questioned that it if neutrality was being observed by the AR, “why was Naga Army forcefully evicted from Athibung designated camp and allowed the K group to send in arms and men from Kohima, Dimapur as well as from Manipur for reinforcement?”

GPRN/NSCN MIP in its statement demanded “neutrality and status-quo” be maintained in action and not in words.
Claiming that there were other groups operating all over Nagaland and beyond, within and outside the ambit of ceasefire, indulging in unauthorised possession and transportation of arms, MIP asked why it was “solely being targeted?”

GPRN/NSCN MIP further said it “out rightly rejected” if there was a directive from the Ministry of home affairs (MHA) to prevent entry and exit of GPRN/NSCN officials from designated camps and pointed out that movement of vehicles to and from designated camps should not be restricted, MIP asserted.

The prerogative was to communicate to the Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFSB), MIP said adding, unilateral action would not be accepted as it was violation of Cease-Fire Ground Rules (CFGR). MIP said Assam Rifles “need not teach GPRN/NSCN on CFGRs as it was keenly observed by every member.”

Stating that since the ministry of home affairs was aware that the officiating CFSB head was the IGAR (N), MIP pointed out that the ministry should direct the establishment to coordinate with conflicting parties in any situation rather than acting solely on the information received from subordinate officers.

Assam Rifles must stop assisting NSCN (K): GPRN/NSCN Nagaland Post
GPRN/NSCN Tuesday alleged that the Assam Rifles (AR) could not “guarantee safety and security” of its “authorities” against those who were indulging in “terrorist activities” in Nagaland. It stated that for peace to return to the state, AR must stop “assisting Khaplang group”.

In a statement, GPRN/NSCN MIP observed that the amount of “logistic support” offered to NSCN (K) at Mon and Kohima by AR was by no means an “adherence” to cease-fire ground rules (CFGR).

It said GPRN/NSCN has tried its best to uphold CFGR in “letter and spirit”. MIP further said when Athibung was about to be taken by “Naga Army”, on the request of AR, “Naga Army officers” stopped their advance.

It asked why did AR inflict “third degree tortures to the officers”. If IGAR (N) believed that GPRN/NSCN statement was “baseless”, they could come to the hospital where “tortured Naga Army personnel” were admitted, MIP added. It also demanded “vehicular movements” must not be disturbed along Khehoi designated camp and “responsible authorities” from the camp be “allowed to carry” weapons.

It may be mentioned that IGAR (N) Monday rebutted accusations that it violated CFGR by deploying personnel close to Khehoi designated camp. AR said it recovered explosive-contained mortar bombs and weapons from a GPRN/NSCN ID card holder for use against rival faction at Athibung area.

Nagalim: NSCN (IM) Leader Plans Hunger Strike The Times of India
As the detention of NSCN (IM) leader Anthony Shimray appears to hinder peace talks, he threatened to hunger strike for his release.
Jailed NSCN(IM) leader Anthony Shimray has threatened to begin a hunger strike at Tihar Jail, seeking his "unconditional release as he is also a member of peace talks."
In a letter dated January 18, the NSCN (IM) leader said the hunger strike is also for removal of every hindrance blocking peace. "Since the Indo-Naga peace talks is not under law/court of India, any member of NSCN involved in peace talks must not stand trial," he argued and asked the NIA to withdraw cases framed against him.
He stated that old-cases 1982 onwards must be cancelled in accordance with the agreement on peace-talks as framing charges against him for waging war against India cannot exist at the time of peace process and ceasefire.
Shimray was on his way to India to attend the next round of peace talks scheduled for September 29, 2010 when he went missing after landing in Kathmandu on September 27. He was later reportedly arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Recently, his bail petition was rejected.
Shimray alleged that instead of correcting the mistakes and strengthening the fragile peace process, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) dismissed his bail by opening old cases of 1982. "My detention under terrorist acts is a direct attack on the NSCN and an attempt to chain the Naga freedom movement under the law of India," he said.
He added that the NIA wants to convict and award him "life sentence" for conspiring and waging war against India. "In such a situation, I have no option other than going for a hunger strike. The cruel situation has compelled me take this extreme step," he said.
Last week, the NSCN(IM) said the ongoing peace process has been severely affected by the recent developments imposing conditions on the visit of the collective leadership of the NSCN(IM) to Nagaland by the Centre. "The directive has already affected the peace process. How can we move ahead without the support of the Naga people?" the convener of the steering committee of the NSCN(IM), Gen (Rtd) V S Atem said.
Addressing mediapersons at the Cease Fire Monitoring Group's (CFMG) office last week, Gen Atem slammed the Centre's directive imposing conditions on the collective leadership's visit to Zunheboto and termed it an "unjustified imposition".
"If the recent letter sent from the CFMG office has been written to us with the full sanction of the MHA, then the Centre has violated the spirit of ceasefire," he said.
He said the letter makes it clear that the Centre wants to keep the Naga people away from the NSCN(IM), which has been in a political dialogue for more than 14 years.
He said since the Centre was eager for an early solution, the outfit decided to call the collective leadership back to the state so the negotiations could be taken up on a 24x7 basis. "Since the talks have reached a crucial stage, we planned to interact with the people and apprise them of the progress of the talks and convince them about the outcome so they should give their full support to the solution," he said.
NSCN ‘interferes’ in Manipur polls Indian Express
The NSCN(IM), which sees parts of Manipur in its vision of a “Greater Nagalim”, is interfering in the elections there and even fielding some proxy candidates in some constituencies, a Home Ministry official said in Guwahati on Tuesday. Parties and voters in Manipur, too, have complained about this to poll authorities.
“The NSCN(IM) is openly interfering,” said the official, who sought not to be named. “Their leaders are proactively campaigning for some candidates, while a few proxy candidates have been also put up.”
In Imphal, Manipur chief election officer P C Lawmkunga said they have received a number of complaints of intimidation by cadre members and threats to people to vote for the one Naga party contesting, Naga People’s Front (NPF).
“We have alerted the Assam Rifles to ensure more protection in these areas,” Lawmkunga said. “We have requested the Home Ministry to ask the Defence Ministry to keep the Army ready in case the situation worsens. We have also requested that the Army increases patrolling.”
The complaints have been mostly from the hill districts of Senapati and Ukhrul, the CEO said. The NSCN(IM) has a strong presence in these and the other hill districts, Chandel and Tamenglong. Thuingaleng Muivah, the ‘M’ is the outfit's name, hails from Ukhrul.
The NSCN(IM) last week issued a statement of denial. It said there was no question of “interfering” because it was in no way interested in the “Indian” elections.
Along with Manipur’s Naga-dominated areas, it has been demanding unification of parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh with Nagaland for a “Greater Nagalim”. The Nagaland Assembly too passed a resolution to this effect a few years ago. This year, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Riu has toured such areas for the elections.
Nagaland seeks slice of global tourism pie TNN Times of India
KOHIMA: Nagaland is looking for ways to develop places of historical and religious importance in the state with a view to promote tourism. For a start, the government is planning to promote Chesezu in Phek district - where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose set up his last forward camp during World War II - as a destination for tourists. It said Bose chose this village because it was a vantage point overlooking all neighbouring villages and surrounding areas due to its high altitude.
The state is also looking to bring in religious pilgrims to the 135-year-old Molungyimsen village in Mokokchung district - known as the birthplace of Christianity in the state. This is the village where in December, 1872, American missionary Dr Edward Winter Clark established the first church of Nagaland and baptised 15 young Naga men of this village.
Speaking at the 14th cultural festival of Phusachodumi Youth Society in Phek district, parliamentary secretary of tourism Yitachu said that promoting pilgrimage and historical tourism in Nagaland would bring in numerous tourists round the year and generate a significant amount of revenue for the people of the state.
Citing a recent survey, which said that the number of tourists around the globe is about to cross 1 billion, Yiyachu said immense opportunities and revenue can be generated if Nagaland can pull in only just 0.1 % of these tourists. He said that most advanced countries depend on funds generated by the tourism industry, but Nagaland had failed to take make the fullest use of tourism activities and promote this industry.
Asserting that culture is the first learning process of human life, Yitachu He also stressed on importance of preserving the state's heritage and culture. "Our forefathers performed various rituals and festivals in the past, but we have come a long way since then. If we look at ourselves today, we will realize that how much social, cultural and religious transformation we have undergone over the years."
On declaration of 2012-13 as the year of Youth-cum-Tribal Festivals, Yitachu said youth festivals and road shows will continue round the year. He urged the tribal Hohos to take advantage of the platform that festival will provide and plan ahead of time to generate publicity and attract tourists.
Yitachu also emphasised on the importance of peace in tourism industry. "The environment in the state has to be peaceful; to attract tourists. And peace has to begin from within the family and people as a whole, and all these activities will be possible only through peace" he added.
NAGALIM FOR CHRIST
COUNCIL OF NAGALIM CHURCHES

Press Release
30th January 2012

AN APPEAL FROM CNC NSCN/GPRN

With the directive of the Collective leadership, Arshing Sankhil, General Secretary, CNC, is pleased to appeal and inform all the Brigades, Battalions and Regional Churches throughout Nagalim to observe the February 5th 2012, 1st Sunday the National Fasting and prayer Day with the theme on “REPENTENCE” is to obtain forgiveness from the wrath of God.

The steering Committee Members, Council of Kilonsers, Tatars, Heads of the Departments and all the National Workers are a must except those on duty assignments.

The Collective leadership, through CNC also would like to appeal to irrespective of all the Denominations and its Churches in Nagalim to kindly intercede once for the following prayers points in their respective Churches, so that, God may hear, forgive and heal our land as stated in II Chronicles 7:14.

Prayer Points:
1. For the sins of Nagas.
2. For the Government of India and its higher Authorities.
3. For the GPRN and its higher Authorities.
4. For the Civil Societies and Church leaders.
5. For early political solution.

Sd/-
Arshing Sankhil
General Secretary, CNC

Nagalim.NL News

02/03/2012: "Seven die in polling station shootout (UPI)"