Unification of Naga areas to dominate NSCN(IM)-Govt talks Chennai on Line
Unification of Naga areas to dominate NSCN(IM)-Govt talks Chennai on Line
New Delhi, Nov 3 Frustrated over the long delay in bringing a solution to the vexed Naga issue, the NSCN(IM) is likely to seek firm commitment from the Centre over its demand for unification of Naga-inhabited areas at the peace talks scheduled to be held this month in the Netherlands.
NSCN(IM) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah is likely to make it clear before a Group of Ministers headed by Oscar Fernandes that any compromise on the issue will not be acceptable to the Naga people.
"The issue is too hot, too sensitive," NSCN(IM) spokesman Vikiye Sumi told The NSCN-IM has been pressing for formation of a 'greater Nagalim' comprising all Naga-inhabited areas in the northeast. However, this has been opposed by Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
The peace talks will be held on the second week of November in the Hague after a gap of nearly a year and are being considered crucial as the rebels raised questions over the government's sincerity in resolving the six-decade-old Naga insurgency problem in the Northeast. The meeting will also review progress made since the NSCN(IM) submitted a 20-point charter of demands to the Centre.
In this charter, the NSCN(IM) had sought separate representation at the UN and greater rights over natural resources, finance, defence and policing, besides unification of Naga-inhabited areas.
In the last meeting, it was agreed to explore and discuss NSCN-IM's demand for a special federal relationship between New Delhi and Nagaland that allows Nagas' self governance and the issue will prominently figure in the forthcoming dialogue, a senior rebel leader said. A team of Naga leaders will also go to the Hague to take part in the peace dialogue along with Swu and Muivah, who are already abroad.
The government has held over 60 rounds of talks with the NSCN-IM both in India as well abroad to find an amicable solution to the Naga issue. NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have been observing a truce since August 1997. The ceasefire has been extended every 12 months since then except last year when it was renewed for just six months at the insistence of the rebels and further extended by another six months in February.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio last month had requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil to expedite the peace process, noting that the initial euphoria over Delhi's initiative towards resolving the issue was now being replaced by "scepticism" in public mind. Admitting that the dialogue process had reached a stalemate, both sides held each other responsible for it.
Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan and former Union home secretary K Padmanabhaiah had hold talks with the Naga leadership on several previous occasions.(Agencies)
NSCN (IM) set to strike tough pose: Unification of Naga areas to dominate talks Sangai Express
A purported map of Nagalim and inset Th Muivah
New Delhi, Nov 3: Frustrated over the long delay in bringing a solution to the vexed Naga issue, the NSCN(IM) is likely to seek firm commitment from the Centre over its demand for unification of Naga-inhabited areas at the peace talks scheduled to be held this month in the Netherlands.
NSCN(IM) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah is likely to make it clear before a Group of Ministers headed by Oscar Fernandes that any compromise on the issue will not be acceptable to the Naga people. "The issue is too hot, too sensitive," NSCN (IM) spokesman Vikiye Sumi told PTI.
The NSCN-IM has been pressing for formation of a 'greater Nagalim' comprising all Naga-inhabited areas in the Northeast.
However, this has been opposed by Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
The peace talks will be held on the second week of November in the Hague after a gap of nearly a year and are being considered crucial as the rebels raised questions over the Government's sincerity in resolving the six-decade-old
Naga insurgency problem in the Northeast.
The meeting will also review progress made since the NSCN(IM) submitted a 20-point charter of demands to the Centre.
In this charter, the NSCN(IM) had sought separate representation at the UN and greater rights over natural resources, finance, defence and policing, besides unification of Naga- inhabited areas.
In the last meeting, it was agreed to explore and discuss NSCN-IM's demand for a special federal relationship between New Delhi and Nagaland that allows Nagas' self governance and the issue will prominently figure in the forthcoming dialogue, a senior rebel leader said.
A team of Naga leaders will also go to the Hague to take part in the peace dialogue along with Swu and Muivah, who are already abroad. The Government has held over 60 rounds of talks with the NSCN-IM both in India as well abroad to find an amicable solution to the Naga issue.
NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have been observing a truce since August 1997. The ceasefire has been extended every 12 months since then except last year when it was renewed for just six months at the insistence of the rebels and further extended by another six months in February.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio last month had requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil to expedite the peace process, noting that the initial euphoria over Delhi's initiative towards resolving the issue was now being replaced by "scepticism" in public mind.
Admitting that the dialogue process had reached a stalemate, both sides held each other responsible for it.
Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Ooffice Prithviraj Cha-van and former Union home secretary K Padmanabhaiah had hold talks with the Naga leadership on several previous occasions. PTI
Government of India is terrorist not NNC W. Shapwon Morungexpress
The Naga National Council (NNC) is compelled to give a rejoinder to New Delhi, October 31, IANS news item which appeared in Nagaland Post on October 31, 2008 under the caption “174 terrorist, insurgent groups in India”. In this news article the Naga National Council (NNC) is wrongly included as one of the terrorist groups in India by the South Asia Terrorism Portal. This is outrageous as it is far from the truth. To the Nagas the Government of India (GoI) is the terrorist not NNC.
The NNC therefore would like to clarify in the interest of Indian people and the world at large that, since time immemorial the Nagaland was not and is not a part of India and it is not in India. Therefore, the Nagas can never be an insurgent or a terrorist group in India. And the Nagas are not terrorizing India, but only defending the sovereignty of Nagaland since India shamefully invaded Nagaland in 1954. The Nagas did not kill any Indian civilian or burned any one of India villages. However, India has been terrorizing the Nagas since her naked invasion on Nagaland such as burning down Naga villages, committing mass massacres, raping Naga women, destroying Naga properties and torturing the Nagas inhumanly in the past more than half a century. And now India has its own sponsored terrorist group in Nagaland and terrorizing the Nagas.
In the face of the world, India wanted to cover up her shameful and naked aggression on Nagaland and thus she is telling lies to the world as well as her people to make the Nagas appear as insurgents, underground, rebel or hostile groups of India. But the world knows the fact that the Nagas are not Indians and the conflict between the two nations is not a rebellion against India but it is a war between the two nations, and it is a case of aggression. As long as India occupies our country, India will continue to terrorize Naga people. Till India withdraws her Armed Forces from Nagaland, the Nagas will have no peace. And we will continue to fight against India’s illegal occupation of our country.
W. Shapwon. Joint Secretary, Naga National Council
UNC denounces ‘arson killing’, flays Govt Newmai News Network
Imphal, Nov 3: Infuriated over the October 23 incident of Loharijan in Assam where militants set ablazed a Guwahati bound passenger bus coming from Imphal claiming two lives, the United Naga Council (UNC) today expressed anguish over the ‘chaotic and unhealthy security in Mani- pur’ saying that the attitude of the Government of Ma-nipur is not on the track.
The UNC also dwelt on the reason to have the Suspension of Operation (SoO) signed between the Government and the various Kuki militant organizations.
The Naga apex civil organization in Manipur ridi- culed for signing SoO by the militants if inhuman act disrespecting human values are to be meted out on the civilians.
Without naming any particular Kuki militant outfit, UNC stated, ‘Despite the tangible approach of the State Government and the Government of India to ensure peace and security in the conflict zone of Mani-pur, SoO had been signed with various Kuki armed groups on August 23, 2008 within the framework of the Indian Constitution which was a tripartite mutual understanding that, besides other agreed ground rules, committed to refrain from violence or unlawful activities like killing, injuring, extorting taxes, fines, kidnapping for ransom, intimi- dating, carrying of arms in public, ambushing police and security personnel; prohibition to recruit fresh cadres or raising additional military, civil outfits, frontal organizations or trying to run a sovereign government, raid, sniping and not to launch offensive attack leading to death, injury, damage or loss of property against security forces, other group and the public; the State Government may terminate the SoO agreements with the recommen- dation of the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) in the event of the group violating the ground rules and even take appropriate action including usage of force against the group.’’
The UNC further stated that it was a recently venture peace effort that is reciprocated by all the parties involved for meaningful ending of conflict.
‘‘Much to the disappointment before the ink dried up, the inhuman arson of an inter-state bus causing human casualty to Mr. (L) Robert Golmei and Mrs. (L) Ginthailiu and injuring many passengers on October 23 at the border between Assam and Nagaland call for retrospection and condemnation. The perpetrated act of arson is in violation of the SoO,’’ claimed the Naga civil body.
It also stated that UNC was not convinced with the claims and counter claims of shifting responsibility up-on some individuals on the ‘satanic act’ of burning to death some innocent passengers as the particular transport agency was not responsive to the extortion demands of the outfit and termed it as a ridiculous mindset to disrespect human values at this era.
‘‘Sadden with the chaos and unhealthy security in the state, the UNC is infuriated at the attitude of the State Government who only sanitized and sensitized unethical social elements in papers and media is also losing its moral authority. Therefore, the State Government should proof its credibility as a Government to materialize their decision to unearth the truth about the incident and penalize the culprits who have claimed responsibility befittingly and ensure security to its citizens wherever they reside,’’ urged the UNC.
Further the assurance to comfort the victims and their relatives psychologically and physically remains a distant imagination and nothing appropriate measures have been translated to extend logistic support to the victims. This is a white lying and robbery act to dilute the security of the com- mon citizens, the Naga body said.
“This condemnable act of insanity should not repeat in future, and the arm chair administration of the State Government and the Government of India should act to deliver justice. Their ignorance and silence would hurt and harm the sentiment of the victims and the common people rather than heal the wound and injuries”, UNC added
Ukrhul echoes with Reconciliation cry morungexpress
Dimapur, November 2 (MExN): Keeping hope alive, planted on ‘A Common Journey of Hope’ for reconciliation, thousands of Tangkhuls on Sunday gathered at Ukhrul to pray for healing and reconciliation for the “Naga political groups” (factions). The prayers invoked strengthening the hope of unity among the Naga tribes through the unity of the Naga groups in particular and harmonious existence with all neighboring communities. It also sought to reach out each other through healing hands . The Naga Reconciliation Meet of Tangkhul sector was organized by Tangkhul Committee on Peace and Confidence Building (TCPB) as a follow-up of the series of Naga reconciliation meets initiated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation. The prayers were held also in the backdrop of the factional killings among the Naga underground factions.
Ukhrul has had its share of rallies and meetings over the Naga political movement and the peace process with the Government of India. However, nothing evoked more emotion than Sunday’s Naga Reconciliation meet when the public cried for all the past misdeeds and looked for a room for reconciliation and peace.The Tangkhuls’ desire for peace and unity through reconciliation was empirically expressed by the prayer program’s two main Speakers. Grace Thumra Shatsang, president of the Naga Women’s Union Manipur and Rev. Dr. Mingthing, director of the Tangkhul Theological Association highlighted the need for introspection to save the Naga nation from impending doom from factional clashes and self-annihilation.
As a pledge to work for healing through reconciliation of all the Naga tribes in particular and neighboring communities Rev. E. Shaiza, general secretary of the Tangkhul Naga Baptist Convention (TNBC) administered an oath to the public: according to a declaration of the reconciliation meet, every Tangkhul man and woman will work for the healing of spirits through forgiveness.
Sunday’s Naga reconciliation meet was attended by the headmen of all Tangkhul villages as well as pastors, students, youth and women leaders apart from others. The president of Tangkhul Wungnao Long (Tangkhul Headmen’s Association) Kaphungkan Shimray invoked the creator (in the Naga custom of yodelling) and appealed for “inroad of good things and the exit of bad things” from the Nagas. Among the thousands who attended the meeting today at Tangkhul Naga Long ground, Muivah’s fellow-villagers from Somdal marked a strong presence. Reiterating the Tangkhuls’ cry for healing through reconciliation among the warring Naga political groups, hundreds of balloons with a banner “Healing of Our Spirit” was released into the sky.
The Nagas’ and the Kashmiri parallel Longrangty Longchar Morung Express
Dimapur | November 2 : Its not every day, that Kashmiri journalists get to visit northeast India especially Nagaland where the longest running political conflict in South Asia is on. There is a parallel: both the regions are heavily militarized and have a long history of political conflict with India. The states of Kashmir and Nagaland recently had an unusual opportunity of opening up each other’s socio-political and economic situations during a Panos South Asia study trip of veteran Kashmiri journalists.
They visited the north-east, particularly Kohima, Mon and Lungwa village bordering Burma recently in October. The Kashmiri journalists did apparently draw a parallel between the Naga political struggle and the Kashmiris, much as there is a similarity there are stark dissimilarities.
The most significant difference that the Kashmiri journalists noted (with a sense of regret, in the context of politics) was that the Nagas are Christians while the Kashmiris are Muslims when it comes to political struggle. “Unfortunately we are Muslims,” said Khurram, a very eloquent and soft-spoken man who has lost one of his legs to a blast in 2002.
Nagas are very ‘diplomatic’ and ‘political’
Delving into the sense behind the lamentation about being Muslims, Khurram said there is a war on terrorism and the Muslims are being branded as ‘terrorists’. So world bodies like the USA are not keen to openly support the Kashmiri cause. However, this is not so with the Naga political problem as Nagaland is a Christian state and that any form of forceful repression would be strongly condemned by European countries and America. However, going by the international status of the conflict, Kashmir is on the upper hand as the United Nations Organisations has also recognized the dispute as an international issue.
“In no UN map, Kashmir is depicted as belonging to India or Pakistan…it is always marked in red…as a disputed area,” the journalists said. Khurram’s friend Hilal, attached with the Greater Kashmir daily said just like Kashmir, Nagaland is also a militarized state. However in Kashmir the ratio of soldiers and civilian is 1:14, he said. Khurram, who lost his leg during the last Kashmiri elections in 2002, asserts that the Kashmiris simply want “independence”. They don’t want to be with India nor with Pakistan. It’s simple as that. But the Kashmiri did display some admiration about the Nagas and said that the Nagas are very ‘diplomatic’ and ‘political’ when they talk about the Naga issue, which is not so with the Kashmiris. The Kashmiri are blunt to the point of being ‘brazen’, the journalists said.
The role of women in the Naga society also caught the attention of the Kashmiri scribes. They lamented that it is not so with Kashmiri women as they are not encouraged to take the lead, for Kashmir is a Muslim-dominated society. Though Kashmiri woman play a pivotal role in their political problems, yet they are discouraged to take the lead, unlike the Naga Mothers’ Association and such various Naga women organizations.
The rich culture of the Nagas did get the respect and admiration of the Kashmiri people who have only heard of the Nagas through the Media. It was a rare chance for the people of the two states to meet face to face and learn from each other during the trip which was closely monitored and followed by Intelligence Bureau agents. The Naga way of life, culture and tradition earned the respect of the Kashmiris who confessed to have never seen the Nagas in their lives.
Border vigil up for polls OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Silchar, Nov. 2: The Assam Rifles and the BSF, under instructions from Delhi and Aizawl, are keeping a close watch on the international border along Mizoram in view of the forthcoming elections in the state slated for December 2.
The move to step up security along the Indo-Mynamar and Bangladesh border was ordered in view of the intelligence inputs that the pro-liberation Chin tribals, active in south-west Myanmar and jihadi groups in Bangladesh might use the December poll for the 40-member Assemblyto whip up trouble.
Mizoram has a 404km border with Myanmar and 340km with Bangladesh.
Moreover, there are fears in Aizawl’s police headquarters that both the factions of the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT — Biswamohan and Nayanbashi) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) might carry out subversive activities in the state in the run-up to the elections.
The state chief secretary, Haukhum Hauzel, on instructions from the Election Commission in New Delhi, held discussions with the Assam Rifles and other security forces last week on the steps to maintain peace in the state.
A senior police officer in Aizawl today said the Mizoram government had asked the Union home ministry to send companies of the paramilitary forces to guard the 1,026 polling stations during the 10th Assembly polls as part of the exercise to maintain peace during the elections. The state now has a lone battalion of the IRB, three and two battalions of the BSF and the CRPF and three battalions of the Mizoram Armed Police, the official added.
Police officials are worried that Shinlung Tigers, a new gang of disgruntled Hmar tribals, might try some mischief, taking advantage of the elections. It is alleged that the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) government is soft towards this new militant group.
Hmar members in Mizoram are now split into two — Sinlung Tigers and the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) and the MNF is tilting towards the former group to forestall any anti-government move by the HPC (D), which sprang up an ambush on the Mizo troops in early September killing six policemen.
The HPC (D) has been pressing for the inclusion of the Hmar Christian tribal community within the ambit of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and formation of the Hmar autonomous district council.
The intelligence officials today confirmed that a delegation of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), led by its vice-president Lalchungnunga, recently called on Lalhmingthanga, the president of the HPC (D) and also the leaders of the Zo Revolutionary Army (ZRA) in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on September 19, to plead for the maintenance of peace during the polls. The YMA is the largest NGO in the state.
Bomb blasts bring biz to standstill As if the global meltdown were not enough, now the serial blasts in Assam have left channel partners in a state of panic Avishek Rakshit Ciol news
GUWAHATI, INDIA: Serial bomb blasts ripped through Assam killing over 70 people and leaving hundreds injured. The IT retail community has been hit hard with sales dipping at a record low.
As Guwahati continues to be the centre of IT retail in the entire Northeast region, the blasts have not only adversely affected the state of Assam, but have put a halt on other states also, mainly Tripura and Nagaland.
"Already sales were at an all time low this festive season due to the global slowdown, and now the problem has become acute. With security concerns becoming a major issue, progress in IT retail has been halted and other sectors in retail are also suffering," commented Swarup Sinha, Joint Director, Advantage Computers, Guwahati.
The blasts took place in major areas in Ganeshguri and Pan Bazar around 11am killing 32 people instantly. With the death toll rising, Guwahati was soon engulfed under curfew with people protesting against government inaction and failure of security forces in the state.
"There has been a failure on part of the security agencies to curb insurgency in the state. This is the biggest blast ever in the entire Northeast region. Not only has the state been affected but purchase orders from adjoining states, which comprises a major share of our revenue, has also been cancelled," said Aditya Jalan, CEO, Complete Solution, Guwahati.
While Assam tried to return to normal life with corporate offices and schools remaining open, the state was caught between civic tensions, with anti-government riots breaking up in Guwahati.
"There has been no relief even after the blasts. We expected the curfew to be called off today, but again Guwahati will be under curfew from 6:30pm today because of the protests with the police opening fire on protestors," Jalan added.
As major shipment and purchase order cancellations have become the order of the day in the Northeast with major companies backing off from the Seven Sisters, the blasts have worsened the situation. However, the channel community in Assam is expecting the aggravated situation to normalise in two weeks time.
"The situation in Assam and Nagaland is grave. I wonder how long we will be able to continue our business here when this region is under such threat. Sales have gone down drastically and now it'll worsen," said Ranjan Das, Joint Director, Elite Computers and Communication, Guwahati.
Assam: Confusion Confounded Bibhu Prasad Routray Research Fellow, Institute for Conflict Management
In the biggest ever strike in Assam’s long history of terrorism, on October 30, 2008, 81 persons were killed and over 350 injured, in nine near-simultaneous explosions that went off within a span of one hour in four Districts in the western part of the State, including state capital Dispur and conjoined Guwahati. As many as 45 deaths were reported from Dispur-Guwahati alone, where at least three explosions occurred in crowded places including markets and the District Courts complex. The western-most District of Kokrajhar accounted for 21 deaths in another three explosions and the Barpeta District witnessed two explosions resulting in the death of 15 persons. In the District Headquarters of Bongaigaon, 11 persons, including two civilians and nine Security Force (SF) personnel from the Police and the Army were injured in a single explosion, as they tried moving a motorcycle strapped with explosives to a safer location. The overall death toll is most likely to rise further, as at least 30 of the injured are said to be in critical condition.
All the explosions targeted the State and District headquarters and were set off at crowded public places – including popular markets, courts and Police Stations – with an apparent intention of maximising civilian fatalities. In Dispur-Guwahati, small cars laden with explosives were left in markets, while in the other towns, explosives were planted on motorcycles and bicycles. Forensic examination has confirmed that RDX and ammonium nitrate were used in at least two of the three explosions that rocked Dispur-Guwahati. By all accounts all the explosions were sophisticated, of a high intensity, and were the outcome of meticulous planning and substantial financial resources.
Within hours of the blasts, Assam’s most potent terrorist outfit, the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) sent e-mail messages to the newspaper offices in Guwahati denying any role in the blasts. Signed by Aanjan Borthakur of the group's ‘central publicity unit’, the statement offered its deep condolences to the family members of those killed, and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. The message blamed the Indian ‘occupational forces’ for the explosions, which it said were directed at "derailing the peace process". It is customary for ULFA to send out such denials and claims, especially when attacks claim lives of civilians. Significantly, no ‘peace process’ between ULFA and the Government is currently underway.
On October 31, about 30 hours after the explosions, a Guwahati-based private TV news channel reported that they have received a text message in which the ‘Islamic Security Force – Indian Muzahideen’ (ISF-IM) has claimed responsibility for the serial blasts. The message read, "We ISF-IM take the responsibility of yesterday’s blast. We warn all of Assam and India of situations like this in future. We thank all our holy members and partners. Ameen." The mobile number (9864693690) used to send the message was later traced to the Morigaon District, adjoining the Kamrup District where State capital Dispur is situated. A group called the Islamic Security Force of India (ISFI) was founded almost one and half decades ago and had perished without recording a single action worth note, and no prior information is available on any derivative of this group answering to the title of ISF-IM. The Assam Police has, however, claimed that the ISF-IM was, indeed, floated in the year 2000 in western Assam, basically to confront Bodo militancy.
Immediately after the explosions, a Cabinet Minister in Assam went on record saying that he suspects the role of the ULFA in the attack, an assumption that was, however, rather quickly challenged by others in the State establishment. The denial by ULFA appeared to have convinced even the Assam Police Intelligence chief, Khagen Sarma, who declared, "The needle of suspicion points to jihadi outfits who are behind subversive activities in the State… While investigations will go on, the Police have been zeroing in on Islamist fundamentalist forces which, of late, have been active in the State and the region."
Sarma was not alone. ‘ULFA can’t do this’–theories found ready takers among many analysts who extended their arc of understanding to blame the illegal migrants from Bangladesh and the Harkat-ul Jihad-al Islami (HuJI), which has been accused of orchestrating several terror strikes in urban centres across India, thought there is little evidence of their past activities or potency in the Northeast. Curious explanations exonerating ULFA and displaying a gross lack of understanding of the outfit’s activities over the past three decades and its present capacities, included phrases such as ‘attacks don’t suit ULFA’s interests’, ‘ULFA is much weaker now’, ‘ULFA does not attack civilians’ and/or combinations of these. Experts appearing on the televisions channels were also at great pains to explain how ‘a new group of ULFA’, ‘ULFA group based in China’, ‘HuJI and Jamaat’, ‘Bangladeshi migrants’, ‘external forces’ and even some ‘Bodo tribal groups’ who had been involved in the October clashes in two of Assam’s Districts, could also have played a role in the explosions. Organisations like the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and the Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) organised rallies condemning jihadi and fundamentalist forces.
As with terrorist attacks in the past, it is doubtful that a final and credible determination of responsibility will ever be made – Police investigations and declarations notwithstanding. Worse, the current proclivity to carrying out processes of investigation under the glare of the media severely undermines the already deficient credibility of state agencies, as every line of investigation, partial determination of fact, lead and, indeed, at least some wildly speculative nonsense, is reported as the ‘solution’ of the case. The sheer incoherence that is projected at this stage undermines the integrity of the investigative process and, in substantial measure, the sustainability of any prosecution that may eventually be launched.
It must be clear that investigations are, at this juncture, at no more than a preliminary stage. Five persons have been detained in connection with the investigations, but this has no definitive implications regarding culpability. Among these, Nazir Ahmed was arrested from Moirabari in eastern Assam's Morigaon District. It was Ahmed’s mobile phone that was used to send an SMS to a local television channel claiming the serial blasts as an operation executed by the ISF-IM. The mobile phone had reportedly been acquired on the basis of false identity documents. The owners of one of the cars and of a motorcycle used in the serial blasts were also arrested, but reports suggest that these vehicles had not been in their possession for some time. Two further arrests are also related to the acquisition of vehicles for the serial attack. A forensic examination of the explosives used suggests that a mix of RDX and ammonium nitrate variously involved in the blasts, which were triggered by timer devices. That, roughly, is all that lies in the present realm of ‘facts’ in this case.
A large body of precedent information, however, does provide a credible basis for an informed assessment of groups that have the capacity and intent to execute an operation reflecting the coordination and magnitude of the October 30 attacks. One thing is certain in this context: ULFA does not lie outside the circle of suspicion.
Contrary to several media reports suggesting that the October 30 attacks were the first instance of serial explosions in the State, ULFA had organised a chain of seven explosions across five Districts (Kokrajhar, Goalpara, Darrang, Tinsukia and Kamrup) on August 26, 2004, which left five persons dead and over 100 injured. As on the present occasion, ULFA had issued a note of denial at that time as well. More recently, ULFA is believed to have lent its hand in the serial explosions that rocked Agartala, State capital of neighbouring Tripura, on October 1, 2008, which injured over 70 persons. HuJI had emerged as the primary suspect immediately after the blasts, but subsequent investigations revealed that ULFA cadres in Bangladesh had trained All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) militants to carry out the explosions.
ULFA has been involved in numerous explosions in Assam since the very inception of the group. Indeed, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and grenades have been established as the dominant mode of attack by ULFA cadres. With a visible decline in its numerical strength, ULFA has, since 2005, also resorted to employing mercenaries for planting explosives in crowded places. The outfit has used sophisticated explosives like the RDX in a number of its attacks and is also known to have a sizeable stock of TNT (Trinitrotoluene) and a variety of plastic explosives, stored mostly in the Bangladesh, along India’s international border. ULFA has used explosive laden bicycles, motorcycles and cars to set off blasts on previous occasions. The first instance of a car bomb explosion set off by ULFA was on February 4, 2007, near the Pan Bazaar Police Station in Guwahati. In January 2008, two ULFA cadres responsible for the attack were arrested by the Assam Police. A sizeable majority of ULFA’s terror attacks have been directed against civilian targets, in complete contravention to the claims of the outfit and its overground advocates.
Significantly, all the four Districts that were chosen for the serial attacks on October 30 are known ULFA strongholds. Moreover, almost all the locations where explosives were detonated, including the specific locations in Dispur-Guwahati, barring the High Court premises, have been targeted by ULFA in the past. The Ganeshguri flyover, in the proximity of the State Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat, has been the scene of at least 30 explosions, in the past five years. Portions of the space below the flyover are used as a parking area for cars and two wheelers, as well as by street hawkers, and are an easy location to plant a car bomb.
Too much emphasis has been placed on the present debility of ULFA to argue that the outfit, being at its weakest since its inception, is operationally incapable of carrying out an attack at this scale, particularly after the defection and surrender of two companies of its principal strike force, the ‘28th battalion’ (one of the three active military formations of the outfit). While it is certainly the case that the ‘28th battalion’s’ defection and engagement with the Government has impacted significantly on ULFA’s capacities, it remains the case that other formations, including the ‘27th battalion’ [active in the Karbi Anglong and North Cachar (NC) Hills District] and the ‘709th battalion’ (active in the western Assam Districts), are almost intact. Crucially, the weakness of the ‘28th battalion’ has led to a significant reduction of the outfit’s activities in the eastern-most (Upper Assam) Districts of the State. But, no visible decline in the capacities of the other two battalions has been noticed. The ‘27th battalion’s’ activities have primarily remained confined to the hill Districts of Karbi Anglong and NC Hills and this formation is not known to have carried out any attacks in Dispur-Guwahati or any of the other locations which witnessed explosions on October 30. On the other hand, the ‘709th battalion’ has, in the past, has executed past operations both in Dispur-Guwahati as well as in the Districts of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon and Barpeta, where the recent serial explosions occurred. It is, thus, possible that the 709th battalion, which operates with steady support from Bangladesh where the top ULFA leadership is based, was the primary executing agency behind the present serial blasts, which have been concentrated significantly in its areas of operation. A major strike was, moreover, almost a dire necessity for ULFA, to demonstrate its surviving capacities in the eyes of both sympathisers and detractors, who are increasingly inclined to write the outfit off.
The finger of suspicion has also been directed at the role of the Bangladesh-based HuJI, which does share operational linkages with the ULFA (despite vociferous denials by the latter). HuJI, in the past, has managed several of ULFA’s training camps located in Bangladesh, especially in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), where cadres of both outfits have trained together. Intelligence sources in July 2008 have indicated that both outfits have reached an agreement to operate jointly in Assam. Both ULFA and the HuJI have remained closely linked to the Bangladeshi Directorate of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). However, while HuJI has been a common factor in many of the terror attacks in urban centres across India, its activities in Assam or across the Northeast have been negligible. A HuJI presence in Assam has, of course, been noticed in the recent past. Seven HuJI cadres were killed in the Dhubri District on September 26, and another two in Goalpara District on October 16, while entering Assam. The group has often used Assam’s porous borders with Bangladesh to gain entry into India, but there is little to suggest that it has the capacities to execute an operation of the magnitude of the October 30 attacks without significant local support. Lacking its own networks, it would need to rely on an existing local group with sufficient understanding and penetration of the target areas.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the State Government is presently exploring the possibility of a HuJI-ULFA link in the serial blasts, even as it examines the authenticity of the SMS claiming responsibility of the ISF-IM. Since this serial attack occurred in India’s perennially troubled and neglected Northeast, its impression is already receding in the national (read, Delhi’s) consciousness. Routine statements of sympathy with the victims and determination to ‘fight terrorism’ have, of course, been issued by suitable authorities on Raisina Hill, and Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, on October 31, promised that "stern action" would be taken against those involved in the serial blasts. It is useful, however, to recall that, just two days before the serial blasts, officials of the Assam Home Department, which is headed by Chief Minister Gogoi, were pleading with the Union Government to go soft on the ULFA and end Army operations so that more ULFA cadres could be brought into the ‘peace process’. As the dust settles further, Assam will, inevitably, revert to ‘politics as usual’. The October 30 bombings – the largest in Assam’s history, no doubt – are only the latest in an unending chain of terrorist attacks under a succession of inept administrations that have vacillated, deceived, politicized and undermined responses, but consistently failed to define and execute a coherent strategy to neutralize this unrelenting threat.
Assam blasts a blow to North-East’s image: FIPO PTI
Shillong, November 2 (PTI): Alleging lack of timely political intervention and mature efforts, Foreign Investment Promotion Organization (FIPO) has described the serial bombings in Assam as a fatal blow to efforts made to promote Northeast as a potential business destination.
“The unfortunate and tragic serial bombings in Assam is the most dastardly act designed to derail the positive progress the region has been making in the last few years,” FIPO Chairman I Nochet Imcha said in a statement here. The blasts, he said, was a very costly wake-up call and reminder for both the central and state governments that the prevailing strategy on terror needed to be refocused and bold political decisions taken if the region was to achieve its social and economic objectives.
Claiming that lack of timely political interventions and mature efforts facilitated avenues for anti-national elements to take advantage of the feeling of alienation among the people of the region, the FIPO said it was time for every government in the region to confront head-on the issues that threatened to tear apart the social fabric.
“To the outside world, Assam represents an overall image of the region and if the present trend of terror was allowed to continue, nothing could be more tragic for the entire region,” Imcha said. FIPO is an organisation that helps bring in foreign investments including in the north-eastern region.
Part I : Were Ancient Nagas a Dreaded Race? Mazie Nakhro Morung
The Nagas are one of the most misunderstood people groups in the world. Even the little people know about them is often distorted or at best superficial.
Where did they get their name?
Some assume that the name “Naga” came from the Burmese word “naka,” meaning “perforated ears.” Others believe that it is from the Kachari word “noka,” meaning “fighter.” But neither of these theories can be substantiated by existing literary evidence. And we have no historical basis of that oral usage among the Burmese or Kachari people in the past. Another very popular theory is that the name “Naga” came from the Sanskrit “nagna,” meaning “naked.” This theory, again, is certainly not descriptive of all Naga peoples.
In my estimation, the name "Naga" comes from the Sanskrit "Nag," meaning “mountain,” thus implying "hill people” or “Naga” as a generic term for “snake.”
Whatever the origin of the word “Naga” may be, one thing is conclusive: The appellation was given by outsiders and it must be interpreted from their perspective. This means that most hill tribes in north-east India could easily fit into that given name.
Are the Nagas tribals?
Since the British Colonial period, the Nagas have been branded as “tribals.” This is a classificatory label, having divisive and degrading effects; and it is loaded with negative meanings such as nomadic, forest-people, backward, uncivilized, ethnic minority, etc. But the Nagas are not rootless nomads; they are not a forest-people group who live in the wild; they are not even an ethnic minority in the sense of being placed from outside within an already existing dominant society.
Nagas are “tribals” only in the sense of belonging to a tribe and as in maintaining their ethnic identity without racial mixture. Perhaps the most accurate way to describe them is the term “hill people” (from “Nag”) or simply “Nagas” of native Himalayans because they are the original settlers still living sedentarily as the dominant group within their ancestral homeland from time immemorial.
Have Nagas known any civilization at all?
Without a doubt, the Nagas have known primitive living. And many of them are still unable to catch up with modern development. Their isolation has caused them to remain backward; their prejudice against cross-cultural union has kept them within their distinct tribal confines; and the love of their own hilltops has distanced them from urban civilization.
But in ancient times, the Naga ancestors wisely adapted to their mountainous topography and appropriately adopted some kind of rural civilization: They lived in isolated, self-sufficient village communities where each family owned a house often adorned with sculpture and paintings, a field for crops and some forests for firewood. Their governing system reflected superior democratic forms; their fighting skills were legendary; their terrace agricultural systems were well-designed; their embroideries were unique; and their costumes were finely decorated with beads, shells and ivory. They were builders of stone towers, stone monuments, and defensive gates of artistic design. They also displayed a profound understanding of ecological nature and herbal medicines.
Who are the Nagas ethnically?
As far as genetic affinity is concerned, the Nagas do not belong to the families of the Caucazoids, the Negroids, the Capoids or even the Austroids. They are from the Mongoloid stock. Some would say that one such sign is the Mongoloid birth-mark on their rear at the time of birth. Other visible features include high-cheekbones, narrow eyes, flat nose, straight black hair, and a light-brown complexion. So as a Mongoloid race, they could have been part of the ancient Mongol civilization anytime between 2000 BC and AD 1368 when the Mongol Empire extended to Europe and most of Asia.
Where did the Nagas come from?
Obviously, the Naga peoples were not migrating altogether at the same time and through the same route. Some of them could have taken the north-east Indo-Myanmar corridor. Others could have come through the more common north-western route into the lower Himalayas.
According to some Naga scholars, the Naga ancestors originally migrated somewhere from mainland China toward southern Myanmar where they lived near the seas for a period of time. They support their view by citing the Nagas’ liking of sea shells in decorating their traditional dresses. Some folktales and folksongs, according to them, imply that the Naga ancestors retreated to the north-west direction along the Salween River toward Irrawaddy and Chindwin Valley, where they must have lived for another period of time. And from there they eventually migrated in several waves along the Imphal River and Barak River to their present Naga Hills as early as the 300 BC or at the latest before the Ahoms entered Assam through the eastern hills in 1228.
Some Indian historians, however, believe that the Nagas were part of an aboriginal Mongoloid people who inhabited the eastern Himalayas for over 3000 years (Akshoy K. Majumdar, S.K. Chatterji, etc.). The Vedas called these Mongoloids as “Kiratas,” meaning “hillmen” (Shukla Yajurveda, ch. 30.6; Krishna Yajurveda, ch. 3.4, 12; Atharvaveda, ch. 10.4, 14). They were described as having a gold-like complexion, unlike the Nishadas or the Dasas, who were dark. They established their own dynasties. As warriors, they used elephants in battles (cf. certain Nagas use ivory armlets as emblems of their warrior status to this day). They were hunters of animals and enemies to the Brahmins. The Indo-Aryans considered them as degraded Kshatriyas, implying their ruling status or existing civilization (Manu's Dharmashastra, ch. 10.44; The Vayu Purana: Last Book, ch. 39. 28).
If so, the Nagas made their contribution to an early Indian civilization and possibly became admixed with other Indian populations. As it is, several DNA analyses confirm a wide admixture of Aryans, Dravidians and Mongols in the Indian population.
Now tracing all the way back to the beginning of human history, Satan has been always figuratively portrayed as a serpent in disguise. Even today, if we see a shrewd or dangerous person, we would say, “He is a snake!” Similarly, many ancient groups would call any adverse force as from a “serpent race.” In other words, the term “Naga” was not necessarily an ethnic name; rather, it was a common nickname in many cultures (e.g., Filipinos, Thais, Japanese, Indian, etc.).
The Vedas, The Mahabharata, The Ramayana, and The Puranas are filled with mythological stories but they are often presented within historical contexts. If we strip off the myths, we find some facts. For example, since the Rig Vedic period, the Naga kings and warriors were portrayed as a serpent race. They were depicted as mysterious creatures who could disguise themselves in many forms. But recent studies have shown that these Nagas could be an actual human race in historical times. In India, they were linked with River Iravati (“Irrawaddy”?) in Kashmir and were said to have settled in the lower Himalayas. After his visit to their land, Narada Muni declared it as more enchanting than the heaven. Even the Aryans described the Nagas as handsome and intelligent. Naga princesses were sought after as brides for the Indian princes. But they were crafty rulers, hated for their dangerous inhuman activities. A prominent Naga king known as Ahivritra (a Sanskritized rendering) was especially depicted as a sworn enemy of Indra, the Aryan God. These were possible reasons why the Nagas of Sanskrit were mythologized by the Indo-Aryans as a serpent race. Evidently, wars were fought against them. Their race in northern India was almost exterminated by Janamejaya, the Kuru king in Arjuna’s line, who conducted the massacre of the Nagas at Takshasila (The Mahabharata, Book I: Adi Parva, Sections 13-58). However, this genocide was stopped by Astika, a Brahmin whose mother was coincidentally a Naga.
So, who were these Nagas according to the Indo-Aryans? It seems apparent that the Nagas of Sanskrit were not an actual serpent race. Neither were they an ethnic group of snake worshippers nor a religious sect who practiced nakedness as a religious sign of worldly renunciation. Rather, they were dreaded rulers and warriors of a non-Aryan race who once lived in the lower Himalayas.
Could the Nagas of north-east India be one of the serpent races in the Indo-Aryan mythologies? Again, if at all the name “Nagas” was given by the Indo-Aryans, it must be interpreted from their point of view. After all, the Nagas of north-east India bear the same name. Otherwise, we must provide satisfactory answers to these questions: How would the Indo-Aryans give the name “Nagas” to the hill people of north-east India if the latter group has no connection to the so-called serpent race? Or if the Nagas of Sanskrit literature were actual humans, what was their racial origin? If the Aryans called them a serpent race, what did they call themselves? Since the Mahabharata (Book I: Adi Parva, Section 20) depicts the Nagas negatively and calls them “persecutors of all creatures” (animals?), were they even believers in the Indo-Aryan religion which is Hinduism? And if the Naga race was not completely annihilated, would there be a remnant still living somewhere in the Himalayan region today? If so, what people groups would best fit the description of this so-called serpent race?
Why did the Nagas end up in the Himalayan regions?
The prevalence of primitive living conditions among the Naga people in a not-so-distant past shows signs that they were starting life again.
Could it be possible that the Naga people faced a near ethnic extinction experience at the hands of a more powerful enemy at some point in history? Did the Indo-Aryans in the Plains reduce the “Naga race” to a point of near annihilation as implied in the Sanskrit literature?
Or did a much better equipped Chinese power force them to migrate further south in some distant past? For example, China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huangdi (221-206 BC) was known for his ruthlessness against certain ethnic groups. He burnt their books and executed more than 400 scholars. Using a forced labor of 700,000 troops and peasants, he built the Great Wall of China.
The fact that the Nagas eventually settled on the hills instead of living in the fertile plain suggests that they put self-protection as priority over economic prosperity. For them, protecting their kith-and-kin was everything. Their brutality against their aggressors was well-known. This protective spirit of theirs was evidently displayed in the fact that they resisted the British colonial power. They fought bravely against the Japanese who swept down through Malaya, capturing Singapore, and advancing through Burma into India, only to be stopped at Kohima, Nagaland, in 1944. The same spirit is also evident in their unwavering resistance against the Indian forces for the last half a century.
What’s next?
Admittedly, we have more assumptions than proofs to connect the dots about the Naga history. Perhaps, genetic science could point us to our closest biological link so that further research is in the right direction. And there may be some archeological evidence about the Naga ancestors still laying buried under piles of rubble in Mongolia, China, or somewhere within the lower Himalayas. There is also a very high probability that further light could be shed on Naga history through historical records written in Sanskrit, Mongol script, or the Chinese language. But who is willing do the hard work?
Terror acts linked to Bangla: Govt Correspondent Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Nov 3 – State Government spokesperson Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that every act of terrorism perpetrated in the State has its link with Bangladesh. However, he did not divulge any thing further reiterating that ‘investigation into the serial blasts is going in the right and definite direction and very soon something will come up’.
Speaking at a press conference, Sarma also stressed the need for documentation of extremist activities on the part of the law-enforcing agencies in the State.
Sarma further revealed that police has prepared the sketch of the suspects based on the inputs from the eyewitnesses.
“At first, we would have to match the sketch with the list of suspects, the security agencies presently have. But there are chances that the sketch might turn out to be of any of the victims. So we need to be extra-cautious,” Sarma pointed out.
The State Health Minister further informed that a team of doctors from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is arriving in the State to treat a select number of blast victims, who have developed severe complication in their ears.
“The audio-metric tests have been performed on six of these blast victims but the complications are still there, which is why, the State Government has decided to seek the help of the experts,” he stated.
Sarma further stated that the Government has started providing compensation and ex-gratia to the family members of the victims and the process would be completed within a week.
The State Government had announced compensation of Rs 50,000 to the injured and ex-gratia of Rs 3 Lakh to the next-of-kin of the deceased.
“The relief package (Rs 4 lakh to the next-of-kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the seriously injured) announced by the Central Government for the victims of the serial blasts would also be given very soon,” Sarma stated.
Informing that so far post-mortem of 78 bodies have been completed, Sarma informed that altogether 826 were injured during the serial blasts in the State, of which more than 180 victims are still undergoing treatment in different Government and private hospitals, of which the condition of three are stated to be critical.
The three blasts in Guwahati have so far claimed 47, while the blasts in Barpeta and Kokrajhar, till date, have taken lives of 11 and 20 persons respectively.
Sarma further informed that no missing case has so far been lodged with any one of the police stations concerned.
Centre urged for steps to prevent terror attacks in NE
SOBHAPATI SAMOM Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Nov 3 – Normal traffic in the heart of the town here and Indo-Myanmar Highway (NH 39) remained affected for almost an hour following detection of a red carry bag, suspected to be a bomb, in front of the southern gate of Raj Bhavan here today.
The suspected bomb which ultimately turned out to be a hoax, was detected by the security guards of the Raj Bhavan where the Governor Gurbachan Jagat resides.
The incident took place when the CRPF men who guard the Raj Bhavan detected the red bag containing some rice lying near their gate after an unknown person reportedly left it at around 11 am. Later, a bomb squad rushed to the area and seized the bag.
Meanwhile, functionaries of the United NGOs Mission Manipur and North East Dialogue Forum have appealed to all the organizations and both State and Central Governments to protect the lives of the people in the wake of recent terror blasts in NE particularly Assam.
UNMM and NE Dialogue Forum in a joint statement here said the people of NE are now becoming victims of violent acts due to the endless killings and catastrophic casualities.
OJ Metei, another representative said the time has come for a public uproar across the region as the serial unfortunate incidents target only the civilians. Mangsatabam Sobita, Secretary, Women Action for Development said that the time has come for the people of North East to fight together for a peaceful environment.
Frans on 11.03.08 @ 10:13 PM CST [link]
