Thursday, November 10th
Nagas' consent a must, says GPRN
Nagas' consent a must, says GPRN Kuknalim.com
DIMAPUR, Nov 09: The GPRN/NSCN (IM) today reiterated that any decision pertaining to the Nagas and their future would be taken only after consulting the Nagas...
A press release issued by NSCN (IM) Information and Publicity Kilonser Johny Dilbung said certain elements were trying to misguide and disunite the Nagas by issuing different forms of “misleading and distorted propaganda” but the media should play a constructive role by highlighting things that are based on truth for the welfare and well-being of the people in general.
The NSCN (IM) said its General Secretary Th Muivah had “vividly clarified” during the Hard-Talk show with BBC and also the collective leadership during several Naga Consultative Meetings that any decision towards arriving at a settlement to the Indo-Naga political problem would be taken only after involving the Nagas.
The NSCN (IM) said it would stick to this stand till arriving at a final solution to the political problem that was honourable and acceptable to the Nagas.
“This should be clearly understood by one and all and one should also be aware of certain sections that are trying to create misunderstanding and disunity within the Naga society and also contesting to dislodge the peace initiatives,” the NSCN (IM) said.
It said at present the Nagas were on the threshold of deciding their future and hence, there was no room for accommodating mistakes or allowing “adverse elements” to “hijack” the peace process.
The NSCN (IM) appealed to the Nagas not to be misled by “wrong propaganda” and further urged the media to demonstrate its “imperative role” in the effort to solving the Naga issue “harmoniously and diplomatically”. (NNN)
Naga youth shed inhibitions, become entrepreneurs
Once considered shameful, business is attracting an increasing number of educated youth in Nagaland who are finding encouragement from financial institutes PTI Mumbay Mirror
Kohima: Just five years back it was considered a shame here for an educated Naga youth to open a shop either at Kohima or Dimapur.
But now towns in Nagaland have witnessed a sea change and financial institutions find young entrepreneurs here more creditworthy.
It is not only the state government but the educated unemployed who have realised that job opportunity in public sectors have reached saturation point in Nagaland and the only alternative is entrepreneurship development among Nagas who depend on non-Nagas for all forms of business and trade.
A few educated youth formed the Entrepreneurs Associates (EA) in 2000 to inculcate a culture of micro-credit financing among first generation entrepreneurs.
Having supported over 300 first generation entrepreneurs and generating more than 450 meaningful employment, the EA mobilised over Rs 3 crore to disburse micro-credit to its members in the last five years.
Except in a few cases, credit recovery has been hundred per cent, EA coordinator Neichute Doulo said.
“In Nagaland, we do not see economic opportunities except from the government coffer. So our economy has become a ping-pong economy and players are migrants from outside. Consequently, all trade and commerce are controlled and managed by both legal and illegal migrants”, Doulo said.
“To us, entrepreneurship is also about good governance, peace, social harmony and stability, not just in Nagaland but in the entire north-eastern region,” Doulo said.
Impressed by effort the North Eastern Finance Development Corporation (NEDFI) has tied up with first generation Naga entrepreneurs to strengthen the micro-credit portfolio in Nagaland.
Rio condoles Narayanan deathKohima | November 10, 2005 Webindia
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has expressed grief over the demise of former President K R Narayanan, who died in New Delhi yesterday.
In a condolence message here today, Mr Rio said Mr Narayanan, the first Dalit president of the country, successfully upheld the dignity of the highest office in the nation.
''Mr Narayanan was one of the finest statesmen, who had a distinguished career in public service for almost half a century,'' Mr Rio said and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members. UNI AS BA VD GC1103
NESO suspends stir after BSNL's assurance
Kohima | November 10, 2005 11:38:57 AM IST Webindia
The North East Students' Organization (NESO) has suspended its agitation against the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) at Dimapur following assurance that their six-point charter of demands will be fulfilled.
Earlier, the NESO, alongwith the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) and the Dimapur Naga Students' Union (DNSU), had announced picketing in the offices of the BSNL, and the agitation began yesterday.
The Deputy General Manager of BSNL later met the student leaders in her office chamber and assured that the demands would be met in a phased manner.
Later, talking to media persons at the DNSU office, NESO General Secretary N S N Lotha informed that the DGM had assured better service between Shillong and Nagaland in a month's timeframe.
He further said the BSNL would give a time-bound assurance within which the demands will be materialised, in particular reference to the 150 jobs in the group 'C' and 'D' categories.
The NESO warned that upon failure to adhere to the agreed points of the meeting between the NESO and the BSNL, the student body would not hesitate to resume its agitation. UNI AS BA VD RK1105
BSNL assures NESO on charter of demands The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOV 9 (MExN): The Chairman and the General Secretary of the North East Students’ Organization (NESO) through a press communiqué has conveyed that the organization would suspend its course of agitation due to the assurance given to the NESO by the authority of the BSNL today during the process of BSNL office picketing at Dimapur.The NESO has stated that the BSNL authority has made it clear that it would give a written reply of the assurance to the office of NESO through Dimapur Naga Students’ Union on or before November 21with clear indication on the Charter of Demand put forward by the NESO and added that the BSNL has also assured that it would do so in a time bound manner within which the demand would be materialized. In particular reference to the 150 jobs in the group C & D category that was appointed by the BSNL over the last number of years for which the NESO had demanded that their appointment should be cancelled, the NESO has told that the BSNL has assured to put a halt to the regularization process of the 150 employees and to hold further meeting with the NESO which would be conducted at the earliest.
The NESO also informed that BSNL had handed over 500 forms to the NESO under the facility of WLL (TARANG) which has a special concession for the students to avail telephone facility. The NESO has expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the students’ volunteers of DNSU for participating in the picketing because of whom the picketing was successful. The NESO has also made it clear to the BSNL authorities that the Organization would have no hesitation to resume its suspended agitation at any point of time, if the BSNL failed to materialize the agreed points of the meeting between the NESO and the BSNL held today.
Nagaland’s geological wealth highlighted Sano Meru The Morung express
KOHIMA, (MExN): The Department of Geology, Nagaland University, Kohima organized a National Seminar on "Geology and Energy Resources of NE India: Progress and Perspectives" as well as its Annual General Meeting of the Geological Society of India at the auditorium of the Kohima Science College, Jotsoma.
Many renowned earth scientists from all over the country came to attend the workshop apart from students and faculty members of the Nagaland University.
Dr H.K Gupta, Vice President, Geological Society of India, addressed the august gathering in which he stated that since its 47 years of existence, the Geological Society has been growing from strength to strength.
The Geological Society he said, publishes monthly issues addressing specific issues as well as regional geology which is among the world’s most respected journal. Stressing on this, he recommended bringing out a book of such kind comprising of all the aspects of geology encompassing North East India.
He also highlighted some interesting features of the North East where he stated that the first oil discovery in India was made in this region more than 100 years ago.
Reinforcing this, he said that much more was needed in this present age on the prospects for oil, platinum resources, geothermal energy, hydro electric potential etc.
Shyamal Datta, Governor and Chief Rector of the Nagaland University delivered the inaugural addressed in which he stressed the need to maintain the balance between the economy and social development of the state, Nagaland being bound more towards security majors rather than development due to its unavoidable political scenario.
He also emphasized the importance of dialogue on the part of the earth scientist to help change the mindset of the people arising out of fear and uncertainty and help them understand the importance of exploring the natural resources for a better tomorrow. Professor R.P Kachhara, Advisor, gave a brief profile of the Department. NU Vice Chancellor Professor GD Sharma and ONGC Basin Manager Sahasrabuddhe also addressed the gathering.
The welcome address was delivered by Professor GT Thong, Convenor, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. BV Rao, Co-convener. Earlier, Reverend Dr. Neilezhü Üsou, Senior Pastor, MHBC prayed before the programme started. It may be added that the entire Geological society of India comprises of 2000 members.
Nagaland and NE sitting on precious minerals The Morung Express
KOHIMA NOV 9 (MExN): A National Seminar , under the theme ‘Geology and Energy Resources of NE India: Progress and Perspectives’ as well as the annual General meeting of the Geology Society of India will be held from November 9 to the 11 at the Auditorium, Kohima Science College, Jotsoma.
According to GT Thong and BV Rao, Co-Convener, National Seminar, an important geological feature of the region is the Ophiolite suite, which is a long narrow belt about 200 kilometers in length extending from Nagaland in the North to Manipur in the South along the Indo-Myanmar border.
The origin and economic importance of the Ophiolite suite of rocks have evoked great interest amongst geologists worldwide.
They have been proved potential sites for several mineral deposits and some more areas in the NE region have also proved to be potential sites for atomic minerals.
It was stated that the sedimentary basins of NE region are endowed with huge reserves of hydrocarbons." The proposed seminar on the geology of NE India would be a landmark contribution to the scientific community of the country engaged in exploring new horizons in geo-energy resources.
This endeavor will also inspire the younger generation to pursue tasks that are beneficial to the academic and scientific communities of the country" GT Thong stated.
Some of the country’s top experts would be taking part in the said seminar including India’s top Seismologist Professor Harsha Gupta, Former Secretary, Department of Ocean Development, Dr D.R Nandy, Director (Retd.) Geology Survey of India, Dr KR Gupta, Director (Retd.), Department of Science and Technology, Professor BR Arora, Director, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, Dr V Balaram, Scientist and Head, Geochemistry Division, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, Dr R Dhanaraju, Director (Retd.) Atomic Minerals Division besides many other scientists from the ONGC, OIL etc.
It was also informed that the Geology Society of India has accepted the invitation of the Department of Geology, Nagaland University, Kohima to have its AGM, 2005 in the department during which period, the National seminar would be held.
NSF’s final deadline to Govt Asa Seyie November 9 The Morung Ezpress
KOHIMA, (MExN): The Naga Students Federation (NSF) has set a deadline, today the 10th of November, to the Government of Nagaland to submit the report and findings of the State Vigilance Commission (SVC) to the Federation as deemed fit.
"Failure to submit the report, the NSF will also initiate its own business" a student leader told this paper. The Vigilance Commission when contacted said that on its part investigations and the necessary report has been done and submitted. It was now up to the State Government to do whatever it was necessary. The SVC officials refused to comment further on this issue.
Talitemjen Ao, the Chief Secretary, Nagaland, when contacted said that he had been out for the last several days and maintained ignorance of the latest developments regarding the matter as it stands now. He could not comment on the matter.
Feminist theories and critiques of the public and private sphere TheMorung Express
The dichotomy between the private and the public is central to almost two centuries of feminist writings and political struggle. Eventually the feminist movement and its critique is primarily directed at the separation and opposition between the public and private spheres (Pateman 1989: 118). The public sphere is referred to the activities outside the familial while the domestic sphere usually conflates at least three analytical distinct things: the state, the official economy of paid employment, and arenas of public discourse. The idea of the public sphere according to Habermas is a conceptual resource which designates a theater in modern societies in which political participation is enacted through the medium of talk (Fraser 1993: 110-111). The public sphere in its classical/liberal bourgeois guise was partial and narrowly based in that sense, and was constituted from a field of conflict, contested meanings and exclusion. The most consistent of these exclusions-preceding and out lasting is based on gender (Eley 1993: 1). This paper wishes to highlight some of the prominent feminist theories in the twentieth century which argued that the public arena portrayed power, inequality and domination. Most importantly, how feminist writers highlighted that the public sphere adopted a patriarchal role which rigidly marked the boundaries separating public and the private domain.
The discourse and the distinctions between the private sphere (understood as the sphere of the familial and domestic) and public sphere (understood as including what other traditions have demarcated as civil society or state) has been central to feminist analysts (Phillips 2002: 72). However critics have challenged both the possibility and the desirability of drawing boundaries between public and private, based on the suspicion that all such boundaries ultimately serve the purposes of exclusion, denigration, and domination over those designated as ‘different’. Phillips states that feminists adopt a broad definition of civil society whereby the patriarchal construction of an artificial boundary drops. For most women the private sphere is already a public realm. Thus feminism is more inclined to blur these distinctions. This reflects what has been an important theme in feminist thinking: the idea that conceptual frameworks are deeply flawed by the way they have dealt with gender and that most require fundamental revision (Phillips: 2002. 74). Generally women’s lives are deeply embedded in the household and the family. Household and family overlap and intermesh in ways that defy analysis. Yet, in common parlance, these two terms are used interchangeably. The household choices are in turn circumscribed by the larger socio-economic order.
Thus feminist writers point out that women’s position within the household is subject to the additional influence of the placement of the household in the social hierarchy (Krishnaraj 1989: 17-20). The kitchen has been often portrayed as a non-political space. It is not only a place of work for women, but it is also the hub of the household, the heart of the home and thereby becomes a metaphor for family life. Therefore, the ideal family was the conjugal family, whose male head represented the interests of the entire family in public life. The female, in contrast, remained silent in all public arenas. Ironically, household work and the processes of reproduction and child rearing went unnoticed. Rai highlights that such patriarchal norms have been pertinent in defining what ‘official’ work ought to be. Thus, the definition of labour markets has been traditionally problematic for women because their work, being unwaged, was excluded (Rai: 2002. 94). This is not the case with men. Take the role of the worker in a male –dominated, classical capitalist societies. This role is a masculine role-and not just in the relatively superficial statistical sense. There is a deep sense in which masculine identity is bound up with the breadwinner role. Masculinity is in large part a matter of leaving home each day for a place of paid work and returning with a wage that provides for one’s dependents. It is this internal relation between being a man and being a provider that explains why in capitalist societies unemployment is often not just economically but also psychologically devastating for men. It also sheds light on the centrality of the struggle for a ‘family wage’ which highlighted a struggle for a wage conceived not as a payment to a genderless individual for the use of labor power but rather as a payment to a man for the support of his economically dependent wife and children-a conception that legitimized the practice of paying women less for equal or comparable work. Ironically, women in the workplaces are seen differently. The masculine subtext of the worker role is confirmed by the vexed and stained character of women’s relation to paid work in male dominated, classical capitalism. Terms like ‘working mothers’ and ‘working wives’ that is, as primarily wives and mothers, who happen, secondarily to ‘go out’ as ‘supplemental earners’. These differences in the quality of women’s presence in the paid workplace testify to the conceptual dissonance between femininity and the worker role. This confirms the masculine subtext of that role. It confirms that the role of the worker, which links the private (official) economy and the private family in male-dominated, capitalist societies, is a masculine role (Fraser: 1989. 124).
One of the reasons that women were excluded from Habermas’s conception of the public sphere was because women did no conform to the qualifications of rational-critical discourse. In this context the Habermas model is incomplete and masculinist. His allegedly unbiased universal mode of democratic communication is re-cast as an ideal built by men in their own image and explicitly against the image of women. It is a model that continues to hide domination and mechanisms of exclusion…..in the name of universal means of communications, debate, and publicity (Rabinovitch: 2001. 348). There is a greater challenge for women since the boundaries of what is defined as ‘political’ and what is ‘non-political’ is largely at the hands of the state and the public sphere. For instance, in male-dominated, capitalist societies, what is ‘political’ is normally defined contrastingly over against what is ‘economic’ and what is ‘domestic’ or ‘personal’. In the same manner, domestic institutions depoliticize certain matters by personalizing and/or familiarizing them; they case these as private-domestic or personal-familial matters in contradiction to public, political matters. Fraser gives the example of wife battering. If wife battering is enclaved as a ‘personal’ or ‘domestic’ matter within male-headed restricted families and if public discourse about this phenomenon is canalized into specialized publics associated with family law, social work psychology of ‘deviancy’ then this serves to reproduce gender dominance and subordination (Fraser: 1989. 168).
Women’s attention has been drawn to the way in which one is encouraged to see social life in personal terms, as a matter of individual ability or luck in finding a decent man to marry or an appropriate place to live. Feminists have emphasized how personal circumstances are structured by public factors, by laws about rape and abortion, by the status of ‘wife’, by policies on child-care and the allocation of welfare benefits about the sexual division of labour in the home and workplace. However, the private or personal and the public or political are held to be separate and irrelevant to each other. Fraser points out to the ‘counter-publics’ around the nineteenth century where women creatively used the heretofore quintessentially ‘private idioms of domesticity and motherhood as spring boards for publicity. This process has been witnessed across the continents where issues of domesticity and the ‘private’ domain has been contested upon and challenged by various women’s movements, at times leading to policy makeovers.
Pateman extends the discourse and argues that women have been never completely excluded from public life. But the way in which women are included is grounded, as firmly as their position in the domestic sphere, in patriarchal beliefs and practices. For example, even many anti-suffragists were willing for women to be educated, so they could be good mothers, and for them to engage in local politics and philanthropy because these activities could be seen, as voting could not, as a direct extension of their domestic tasks. Today, women still have, at best, merely token representation in authorative public bodies; public life, while not entirely empty of women, is still the world of men and dominated by them. The role of the working-class wives having had to enter the ‘public world’ of paid employment to ensure the survival of their families is one of the most striking features of post-war capitalism. However, their presence only serves to highlight the patriarchal continuity that exists between the sexual division of labour and the workplace. It is ‘forgotten’ that the worker, invariably taken to be a man, can appear ready for work and concentrate on his work free from the everyday demands of providing, washing and cleaning, and care of the children, only because these tasks are performed unpaid by his wife. And as she is also a paid worker she works a further shift at these ‘natural’ activities (Pateman: 1989. 132).
Stivens underlines the ‘absence’ of gender dynamics in class politics. The British colonial regime left behind a legacy of large business and plantation. However, few accounts of class in Malaysia discuss women, apart from young women factory workers. Otherwise the discussion on class generally subsumes the women’s class situation in that of the household/husbands. An examination of rural society reveals the seriousness of this neglect. The role of female members of peasant households as producers and as holders of small landholdings is systematically ignored in much past writing on peasantries, which mostly assumed that the farmer was male. Moreover, the ‘family and domesticity’ has been highly politicized. There are frequent debates in societies about the new ‘working woman’ and about the pressures and costs of ‘juggling’ work and home. There is often a moral panic about the role of working mothers in producing delinquent children (Stivens: 2000. 20-26)(to be continued...)
(The writer is Executive Director, Wildlife Protection Society of India. The investigation was carried out with help from Debbie Banks, Senior Investigator, Environment Investigation Agency)
Chemistry of political equations
The silver lining threads which, binds the bond of ceasefire between the GOI and NSCN (IM) have become increasingly thinner. It seems, the GOI is not serious enough to the worthy cause of the Naga. Two three days back most of the local dailies newspaper base in Nagaland has widely publicized the interview of Th. Muivah the Gen. Secy. of NSCN (IM) with Subir Bhaumik the BBC news correspondent. Th. Muivah showed his tough stand and threatened to call back (off) the ceasefire if the GOI is not prepared to resolve the Naga issue within the given stipulate time 31st January next year which is approaching near to our door step. He commanded the Naga warriors to retreat back to the jungles for another round of bush war.
The Gen. Secy. of NSCN (IM) made a mitigate stand from full meal to piece meal as he understands the difficulties of the GOI. The proposal made to GOI to engineer the final settlement are special cohesive Federal relationship, joint defence, if necessary employment of Indian Army in Naga soil, Indian currency, Foreign affair (external affair) and unification of Naga areas. This piece meal doesn’t mean compromising the Naga sovereignty but it is a chemistry of political equation which will pave the way to get complete sovereignty one day or another day. So something is worthier than nothing.
Naga Integration or unification is the core issue for any political settlement. Nagas are settled in a unified geographical area and placed in different administrative units without their prior consent and knowledge. They have distinct traditional boundaries with the neighbouring States like Meiteis, Assamese and Arunachalese. Once the boundary commission is set up, it is not a difficult job to redraw the boundaries.
Today the GOI has the authentic and mandatory authority to unify the Nagas as they desire so. Even the British Government too also has every moral obligation to pressurize the GOI to unify the Nagas. When integration issue sprouts out the GOI seems to be uneasy, passive and tight lipped. But it is truth and a fact that the tiny fertile valley belongs to the Meiteis and the rest of the land belongs to the hill people. Since for long period Nagas were separated from their family, they deserve to live together as one family. Now the gigantic task to unify Naga inhabited areas and to settle down the worthy cause is in the arena of the Indian government.
We acknowledge the richness of the political wisdom of the Indian leaders, but they should cultivate political will to resolve the Naga issue. In case if the ceasefire is not fruitful and collapses, the sole responsibility will fall on the Indian government, the largest democratic country on the face of the earth. The GOI may suppress and crash the Naga revolution with it military might and strength. But before it, do they remember the 16th century dictum which was quoted by everlasting William Shakespeare, "O, it is excellent to have a giant’s strength; but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant". The Nagas are willing but the willingness too depend upon the GOI to meet at a common point.
Chache Lokho, MSU, Tribunal
PERSPECTIVE POLICY/DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS, PEOPLE AND HUMAN INTEREST PERSPECTIVE
Naga citizen & his duty to Nagaland Kaka D. Iralu
A public leader or politician, when elected to a public office, takes an oath of allegiance to uphold and defend his country’s integrity and constitution. Similarly, a soldier, when he has completed his training and commissioned, takes a similar oath of commitment to defend his country’s territories. But what about an ordinary citizen who is neither a politician nor a soldier? Does he owe no allegiance to his country’s constitution or defence of his country? Can he leave such duties to the politicians and the soldiers and pursue his own happiness without bothering about political duties or obligations to his country?
In the context of these questions, our Naga Yehzabo (Constitution) begins with these very profound and solemn pronouncements:
"We, the people of Nagaland, solemnly acknowledging that the sovereignty over this earth and the entire universe belongs to almighty God alone, and the authority of the people to be exercised on the territories is a sacred trust from God … having our attachment to the truth of popular sovereignty … to establish national institutions based on the common ideals of Democracy, Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity among the people…do hereby adopt the Yehzabo of Nagaland"…( Preamble to the Yehzabo of Nagaland pp1)
Now it is we, the Naga people (and not some others), who had pronounced and adopted these words and pledged our allegiance to our constitution and our country. As such, we, the Naga people definitely have a duty and a responsibility to uphold our Constitution and defend our territories as defined in article 1 of our Constitution. Article 1 of our Constitution states our territories thus:
"The territory of Nagaland shall comprise of all the territories inhabited by the indigenous Naga tribes and such other territories as the Tatar Hoho may by law admit on such terms and conditions as it may deem fit"
However, the tragedy and the most shameful thing that we Nagas are doing today, is the fact that; instead of defending our own country and our constitution, we are pledging our allegiance to the constitution of a foreign country called India. Here, just imagine an Indian pledging his allegiance to the constitution of Pakistan and then even sacrificing his life for the defence of Pakistan! That would be an absolutely absurd thing to do. And yet, that is just what we Nagas are doing today.
Now, if we do not have a country of our own, and if we also do not have a "unique history" of our own, then it would have been a different matter. But to have a country of our own, and a history of our own, and then pledge our allegiance to another country is the most shameful thing any nation can do. In fact, no nation on earth can stoop any lower than that.
That brings us to the question why Nagas are Nagas, and Nagaland belongs to the Nagas. Nagas are Nagas, and Nagaland belongs to the Nagas, because God made us Nagas and gave us our geographical land- NAGALAND- for our habitation. This fact is clearly spelled out in Acts 17:26, when the word of God says:
"And he (God) made from one (Adam) every nation of man to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation." (See also Deut 32:8).
Here, it is a universal fact that national identities or national land ownership rights, does not begin or belong to an individual or a nation. Instead, in it’s true essence, both national identities as well as national land ownership rights are bestowed by God to all the various nations of the world through God’s own goodness. This is a fact, because we are all born naked from our mother’s wombs. Also, when we were born, we did not bring even a single grain of soil (land) into the world. As for our national identities, our individual opinions were never consulted, when we were being formed in our mother’s wombs. The undeniable fact is one where: If we have a Naga father and were conceived in our mother’s womb, we become Nagas when we are born into the world.
The same truth is true of all individuals of all nationalities throughout all of human history. An exception to this universal truth would be a Naga deciding to become an Indian citizen or vice versa by volitional choice. Legally, this may be permissible, but biologically, such a person will still continue to be a Naga-Indian citizen. Therefore, national identity-wise, or geographical identity-wise, we can only be what God had pre-destined us to be. This means that both our national identity as well as our geographical identity are God given gifts – gifts given without any personal reference to our personal opinions.
This is why our Yehzabo states: "And the authority of the people to be exercised on the territory is a sacred trust from God…" Yes, our national identities as well as our geographical identity, are SACRED TRUSTS given to us by God. These identities therefore, cannot be bartered for doing economic business with India or Myanmar or any other nation on earth. Far from doing business with this ‘trust’, we instead have both a political as well as a religious(sacred) duty to defend our lands for the perpetuation and continuation of our nation’s heritage for all times to come. And yes, every citizen of Nagaland, who is, by God’s ordination called a Naga, has a duty to both God and country to defend what God has given to us as "our apportioned lands". To do anything less is to be a coward and to be unworthy of God’s gracious gifts. Here, if we are to surrender our country to another country, then we will not be just guilty politically, but even guilty of transgressing God’s divine ordinances and institutions.
When will this profound truth and the corollary political and religious duty connected to that truth, ever penetrate our thick foreign indoctrinated skulls and brains?
When will Naga Christians ever understand the truth that Christian religious duty is not just confined to giving one’s tithes and going to Church. When indeed will we finally comprehend the truth that Christian religious duty involves all other facets of one’s life, including that of political duty, economic responsibility, environmental concerns, etc, etc.
Long live Nagas and Nagaland
Human Evolution and Nagas Lemyao Shimray
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, men and women lived happily together and worked in harmony. The man would venture out each day into a hostile and dangerous world, his life as a hunter to bring food back to his woman and children. The woman’s role was equally clear, being appointed the child bearer she was considered sacred, magical, for she alone held the secret to giving life. Her day would spend caring for her children, collecting fruits, vegetables, and nuts and interacting with the other women in the group. Things were simple! He was the lunch- chaser, she was the nest -defender. Her success was measured by her ability to sustain family life and his, by how well he can provide food and defend his family.
Survival was different but relationship was easy. This was the way it was for hundreds of thousands of years. Men were not considered lazy and women were not seen as their oppressed handmaidens. This simple rituals and behaviours still exist among ancient civilisations in place like Borneo, Indonesia, Inuit’s and with some aboriginal Australians. Each sees other as uniquely contributing to the family’s survival and well being.
Then, one day came society where rules and a division of labour have to be made in order to survive, still men and women tried to live in harmony but later came where women were suppressed and started taking for granted. Men as a major defender of safeguard started making rules for their benefit. As in Nagas society, women were not allowed to inherit lands, women were not allowed to take part in any major discussion, Gone as a history where men appreciate women as a nest –defender .for men and women, who live in modern civilised world, these old rules have been thrown out and chaos, confusion and unhappiness have been in their place. Customs and laws were planted in communist society. Lost is the equality of our species even though they are not identical. Respects are reducing to dust which have been going on till now.
For the first time in the history of our species, in this changing world most men and women are confused about their job descriptions as new western culture influence and in the verge of having melting pot culture. For the first time ever, we are looking to our partners for love, passion and personal fulfilment because basic survival is no longer critical. Our modern social structure usually provides a basic level of subsistence through social security, national health, consumer protection laws and various government institutions.
An era of feminism has left all the stereotype idealistic philosophies and society a victim in claiming that men and women are the same. Differnces is not the opposite of equality. Equality means being free to choose to do the things we want to do and difference means that, as men or women, we may not want to do the same thing.
MEN and WOMEN are different. Not better or worse…just different. Bodies physically changed to adapt to their specific functions, so did their minds. All things are not equal, it shows the wiring of our brain in the womb and the effect of hormones will determine how we think and behave. Most since 1960’s which claim that government, religions and education systems have added to nothing more then a plot by men to suppress women is how it appears but it is partly false. It is just the opportunity grabbed to dominate by the dominator but it doesn’t mean that all the rights of women for right to equality should be abolished.
Men and women should be equal in terms of their opportunities to exercise their full potential, but they are definitely not identical in their innate abilities. Most are confused between equal and identical.
Since from the beginning, men and women change their rules and the way of life according to their convenience and for their living comfort. Nagas, the head hunters law which use to stone thief to death have change; many customary laws which we feel is barbaric have change after the arrival of Christianity, then why still there is hardly any change in the equality of women in our society? Why still the right to inherit for women has not been given? Why there are still more oppressed law for women in our society and lesser to men?
We are not to be blamed on neither education system nor the religion but if we traced back the history, the Christianity in Nags have brought so many hope and reformation in culture and custom as well as it brought an oppression to women to such extend that the beauty of opposite gender and respect were more reduced. It is not the religion but the interpreter that let to such result. Is it because almost all the interpreter is men and they don’t want to give up their enjoyment of dominating the other gender? Time do change, people do change as the customs that chain the women must change. Let there be change in Nagas customary law, let there be respect for each gender, then can only Nagas be brought to light and harmony as the true ancient Nagas.
Voices against Hesso’s killing NPMHR
The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has expressed immense outrage and has condemned the inhumane act of killing Late Hesso Mao, former DGP Nagaland Police at his personal residence by a group of assassins masquerading in the name of a certain armed Naga political group at Kohima on the 8th November 2005. NPMHR has voiced utmost concern over the extreme measures indulged especially in targeting and doing away with the life of a sincere and committed (retired) police official by some desperate elements especially during "this crucial moment of peace effort in Naga homeland." "We extend our critical solidarity and sincere empathy for the mourning family members of Former DGP Late Hesso Mao whose life has been shockingly snatched away by the cruel hands of hatred and evil design in this tragic event," a release said NPMHR has also questioned the serious ‘lapse of security’ on the part of the Government leading to the brutal murder of the former DGP of Nagaland Police which reflects a very alarming scene of callous vigilance even within the existing state security mechanism.
NPMHR demands that a judicious investigation be instituted to identify and arrest the perpetrators of this crime in the interest of Peace and justice. NPMHR also encourages the re-examination and necessary overhauling of the existing security matrix in order to retain the morale of the people who make hard and conscious decision to create a secured environment for the society in general besides restoring a semblance of dignity to the Nagaland Police Service cadres who will not be made vulnerable in their line of duty due to inadequate measure of security, the release added.
Poumai Tsiidoumai Me
The Poumai Tsiidoumai Me (PTM) has condemned the assassination of former DGP Hesso in the strongest terms and has asked the culprits to realize the folly of such a dastardly act. In a statement, the president of the student body has termed the act as an act of cowardice which is not justifiable under any circumstances. Stating late Hesho as a prominent figure in the Naga society who had contributed a lot, he called upon the Naga brethren to desist from such acts as the Nagas are entering into the most crucial juncture when Nagas cannot effort to lose lives. "Doing away with the life of a prominent figure is not helping our cause," he added and also called upon the almighty to console and provide solace to the bereaved family.The body also expressed their heartfelt sorrow and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members.
South Nagas Union of Nagaland State
The South Nagas Union of Nagaland State (SNUNS) has strongly condemned the ‘senseless killing’ of M. Hesso, retired GGP Nagaland while it expressed shock at the same. In a press release, CD Pao, General Secretary of SNUNS, stated that killing will not bring any solution but rather self destruction while it appealed to stop killing in the society. The release described late Hesso as a leader of very high calibre who had rendered his entire service in defending the rights of the Naga people and noted that his untimely death has left an ‘unfillable vacuum’ in the Naga society. The release also conveyed heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and peace for the departed soul was also prayed for.
Tangkhul Longphang
The Tangkhul community has strongly condemned the assassination of Hesso Mao, former DGP Nagaland and termed the act as a ‘most heinous and beastly act’. In a condemnation letter, N.A. Kasar, President of Tangkhul Longphang Dimapur, on behalf of the community, stated that the Nagas have lost one of its best sons and appealed to the concerned authorities to ‘gear up’ the required security measure throughout the state to avoid recurrence of such an unfortunate incident in future.
He further prayed for strength and solace to the bereaved family while praying for peace to the departed soul.
Malayali Samajan
The Malayali Samajan Kohima (MSK) has expressed its profound sorrow at the untimely demise of M. Hesso Mao (IPS) retired Director General of Police, Nagaland and also conveyed heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family. In a condolence message, the President of MSK stated that late Hesso was a highly decorated Police Officer and an able administrator. He further stated that Hesso’s death was not only a loss to his kith and kin but also a big loss for the society.
Dimapur District Badminton Association
Arep Chankija, President Dimapur District Badminton Association (DDBA) on behalf of its members has offered condolences to the bereaved family members of Late Hesso Mao, Rtd. DGP of Nagaland. In a release issued by the President DDBA conveyed their shock about such an amiable and friendly personality could fall victim to the mindless and cruel act of the criminals. Hesso Mao, besides being true to official responsibilities was a genuine and humane person and his active love for sports, the valuable contribution towards the promotion of the game of badminton in Dimapur District will always be an inspiration and remembered, the message said.
Chief minister visits injured, gives financial aid; Woman blast victim dies; SIB team from Delhi to investigate into blast Kangla
Nov 9: a high level team of the SIB led by its DIG, HN Mishra and SP, AK Sahai will come to the state from New Delhi to investigate into the bomb blast at Alu Gali, Thangal bazar yesterday evening in which one woman succumbed to splinter injuries and 20 others including 13 women, mostly street vendors selling their wares on the side of the road, sustained injuries, a highly placed source said.
Since planting and exploding of bombs in crowded areas has been occurring in the other cities of the country as well, the bomb blast at Thangal bazar is being taken as a serious one as far as the security of the country is concerned, the source disclosed and stated that the centre wants to investigate into the motive behind the incident so that any links with terrorists if they exist can be established.
The central government has also taken serious note of the blast as in the recent times ahead of the Diwali festival a series of bomb blasts had rocked the national capital, New Delhi killing atleast 65 people and injuring around a 100 people. The intelligence networks of the country had suspected that the blasts were linked to terrorists. The source stated that the team is likely to come in the coming two or three days and collect data regarding the activities of the underground organisations in the state.
The source further said that while they are in the state capital an independent investigation into the matter will be conducted. The source also disclosed that the bomb blast at Dharmasala at Thangal bazar on April 17 this year and the blast yesterday may be linked. During the SIB investigation, the authorities may seek detailed intelligence reports along with police investigation reports during their stay at Imphal. It is pertinent to mention that in the bomb explosion of April 17, 2005 inside the Dharmasala, Thangal bazar one woman died and 10 others including two police personnel sustained splinter injuries. The bomb exploded amidst a crowd gathered at Dharmasala on the occasion of a wedding. The city police had at that time registered a case under section 307/326 IPC section-A/UAP Act 204 and 3 explosive substances Act of city police. However, according to the source, the investigation is yet to advance to a satisfactory level.
Central authorities feel such apparent lack of initiative on the part of the state government was a big blow to the country`s security. This time also the state police has registered a case in connection with the bomb blast and started investigating the incident from different angles. The case has been registered under section121/121-A/307 IPC and 5 explosive substances Act and investigation is on mainly to detect any handywork of underground elements.
Meanwhile, among the injured victims of yesterday`s bomb blast at Allu Gali, Thangal bazar one woman identified as Babi Jasmin, 28, wife of Ayub Khan of Kairang under Heingang police station succumbed to injuries early this morning at around 1.30 am at the JN hospital. State chief minister O Ibobi Singh visited the hospitals where the victims of yesterday`s bomb blast are being treated. During his visit he also had direct interaction with the victims and provided monetary help to them.
Later speaking to media persons, expressing strong condemnation of the act of blasting a bomb in the midst of a crowded area, Ibobi stated that the incident was most cowardly and inhuman. Ibobi further stated that people of all sections should condemn the incident. He also assured all possible help from the state government`s side to the victims. Earlier, the chief minister arrived at the RIMS casualty ward and directly interacted with the victims. Then he went to the orthopaedic ward and enquired into the conditions of the three victims who are admitted there. The three victims at the orthopaedic ward are Meisnam Binashaki, wife of M Krishnakumar of Uripok Sinam Leikai, Ayub Khan, 35, son of Wangoi Paobitek and Arambam Debala, wife of A Subhas of Sagolband Meino Leirak.
The chief minister gave Rs. 3000 to Binasakhi as financial help.
While interacting with the media from her hospital bed, Binasakhi, who is serving as a teacher at the Ibotonsana higher secondary school stated that if the bomb blast was the handiwork of an underground organisation, it was an uncivilised act of the organisation. She also expressed worry that she may not be able to set the question papers for her school with examinations knocking at the door. Injured Ayub Khan got an amount of Rs. 4000 from the chief minister as help for his treatment. The chief minister also promised further help to the injured Ayub Khan, if he requires it in future. However, the chief minister could not meet with third victim, Arambam Devala as she was at the X-ray room for examination. After visiting the victims at RIMS, the chief minister went to Shija hospital and met the two other victims. There he gave Rs. 5000 to the family of one victim, Ch Ibomcha of Kshetri Awang Leikai who is now in the ICU room of the hospital and Rs. 4000 to one Rabiya Begum, another victim. The chief minister also went to Raj Polyclinic and enquired into the condition of the victims there and also gave them monetary help.
Meanwhile, several civil society bodies, students bodies and political parties have expressed strong condemnation over yesterday`s bomb blast saying it was a terrorist act and anti-people. In a condemnation note the All Manipur Students Union said it was a weakness on part of the security forces at the blast site to have failed to detect any suspicious activities in the area even though the place was heavily guarded by police and other security agencies. Expressing strong condemnation of yesterday`s bomb blast, the United Peoples Front said the bomb attack was a terrorist act and such incidents have severely undermined the Manipur society. It also expressed apprehension that yesterday`s bomb blast could be the handiwork of agencies which are trying to distort revolutionary movements being launched by several groups in Manipur. It also appealed to all concerned not to repeat such incidents in future. In another condemnation note, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Manipur state council said the state government should take up immediate action to stop all forms of terrorism in the state. It also demanded protection of civilian life and property.
The National Students Union of India, in a condemnation note said, the bomb attack in a crowded area was an act of cowardice and such action must be condemned by all civil societies. Condemning yesterday`s bomb attack, the Bhartiya Janata Party, Manipur Pradesh has appealed to all concerned not to repeat such acts in future. Regarding the killing of one youth in the aftermath of yesterday`s incident in Kalibari area, a BJP condemnation note said the police could have apprehended the youth and carried out thorough investigations to find out clues to yesterday`s incident. The National Identity Protection Committee, NIPCO also strongly condemned yesterday`s bomb blast saying it was an act of terrorism and every human should condemn such actions.
Student bodies blame govt for Karbi clashes By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Nov 9 – The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) today alleged that the Governments at Delhi and Dispur want disturbance in Assam to divert the attention of the people from the development issues. A joint team of the AASU, All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), Karbi Students’ Association (KSA) and All Dimassa Students Union (ADSU) visited ethnic riot hit Karbi Anglong district yesterday for distributing relief material among the affected people. The students’ bodies jointly collected cloths, blankets, candles, medicines and other materials for the affected people of the hill district.
Talking to newsmen after returning from the hill district, AASU adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya alleged that the situation in Karbi Anglong aggravated because of the negligence of the Government. He alleged that the Government failed to take steps at the right time to control the situation and expressed the view that as militant outfits UPDS and DHD are under cease-fire agreement with the Government, immediate steps should have been taken to hold meetings with the groups to defuse the tension. “There is no existence of the Government in Karbi Anglong. If a Government cannot bring the situation in only one district under control in more than one and half months, where is the existence of the Government,” he questioned.
Bhattacharya said that the Government failed to provide adequate relief materials to the affected people, who are still gripped by sense of insecurity. Shortage of cloth and baby food has become a serious problem in the relief camps and the Government totally failed in its duty of providing adequate relief to the affected people, which proved that the State Government is not keen on the well being of the indigenous people of Assam.
With a good number of schools of the district are being used as relief camps to provide shelter to the affected people, the students of the district are facing an uncertain future, particularly in view of the fact that the annual examinations and the High School Leaving Examination are approaching. The AASU demanded that immediate steps must be taken to shift the inmates of the camps to other places to reopen the schools.
Representatives of four students’ bodies visited the district twice to instil confidence in the minds of the people and Bhattacharya said that the district units of the students’ bodies would continue their efforts to bring peace. He also expressed the view that there was no enmity among the common people belonging to the Karbi and Dimassa communities.
CM joins condemnation outcry By Our Staff Reporter Samgai Express
Shops in the commercial area of the capital district remain closed to protest the bomb blast.
IMPHAL, Nov 9 : The Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh joined many individuals and organisations in condemning the bomb blast at Thangal Bazar area yesterday even as shopkeepers protested the dastardly act by downing shutters for the day.
A women organisation has announced imposition of 24 hour bandh tomorrow to denounce the bomb attack.
The CM termed the blast, that ripped through the heart of Khwairamband Bazar killing one person and wounding 19 others, as ‘an act of terrorism’.
Talking to media persons after visiting the injured persons at RIMS Hospital here today, Ibobi said such act of terrorism should not be condoned. The Government also condemns the inhuman act of unidentified persons triggering blast in crowded public place in the strongest term, he said, adding that every section of the society should condemn the incident as well.
When asked on his opinion on the incident two days after BJP National vice president Venkaiah Naidu charged the State Government with failure in contai- ning law and order, a nonchalant Chief Minister simply said ‘they would say that’.
Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said the Government has not been able to find out which group or outfit was behind yesterday’s bomb blast but efforts are on.
Chief Minister also assured that the Government would extend all possible assistance to families of the deceased and survivors of the blast.
Earlier, the Chief Minister went round the casualty and other wards of the Hospital where many of the blast victims are being treated and extended monetary assistance to them.
The attending doctors showed condition of one Ayub Khan, who was hit by about 22 bomb splinters to the Chief Minister. The CM reportedly gave Rs 4000 to Ayub Khan.
Minister of State for MOBC Allauddin Khan, PDA chairman K Ranjit and MLA Dr M Nara accompanied the Chief Minister.
All of them later went to Shija Hospital, where some of the victims are admitted and undergoing treatment. On the other hand, many social and political organisations condemned the blast at Alu Galli even as Khwairamband Nupi Kei-thel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup has announced its decision to impose a 24-hour bandh in protest tomorrow.
Responding to the call of Manipur Keithel Nupi Marup, the women vendors and shopkeepers at Khwai-ramband Bazar remained shut down from 9 am today in protest against the violent incident which left one innocent person killed and many others injured.
In a statement, secretary of Khwairamband Nupi keithel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup Kh Rani Devi said yesterday’s bomb blast at a congested and enclosed area like Khwairamband market was very unfortunate. While expressing sympathy to the victims, she also appealed to all the women-vendors and shop-keepers in and around the market area to extend their support and co-operation to the proposed bandh.
While condemning the incident, Manipur Keithel Nupi Marup demanded to know the identity of the groups responsible for the bomb blast and said the group responsible should met the medical expenditures of all the victims. The women’s body, however, said that the Khwairamband bazar would function normally tomorrow.
Joining the condemnation chorus, BJP Manipur Pradesh drew the attention of the Govt towards extending adequate compensa- tion to the blast victims.
Reacting to the shooting down of a suspect by the security forces minutes after the blast, the party maintained that it would have been better had the security personnel arrested him and given punishment after a proper interrogation.
AMSU, SFI (Manipur State Committee), NIPCO, Khwairamband Nupi Kei-thel Shemgat Shagatpa Marup, Khwairamband Ba-zar Stalls’ Assn, NSUI, Ma- nipur; Keirao Bidra Angan-wadi Workers and Helpers’ Assn, AMGHSLWA, AIYF, Manipur State Council, Tarahei Muslim Women Welfare Assn have also condemned the inciddnt.
Frans on 11.10.05 @ 03:47 PM CST [link]
Sunday, November 6th
NNC charges Muivah with ‘compromising’ on Naga issue
NNC charges Muivah with ‘compromising’ on Naga issue Source: The Sangai Express
Dimapur, November 05 (NNN): The Naga National Council (NNC) has condemned a recent statement of NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th Muivah in which he had allegedly “compromised” on the issue of Naga sovereignty.
A press statement issued by NNC general secretary Vizosielhou Nagi said the NSCN (IM)’s comprising on the issue of sovereignty had come out clearly and publicly from “Th Muivah's mouth” in the interview with BBC News that NSCN (IM) has come down quite a bit from their demand for absolute sovereignty compromising foreign affairs, defence and currency.
“NSCN (IM) federal relationship with India has come out clearly this time of their absolute compromised stand of the Naga sovereignty allowing Indian Army to stay in Nagaland is a total capitulation. It is volte-face and complete fall from the sublime to the ridiculous, from the Kuknalim to the Jai Hind!,” the statement said.
However, the NNC welcomed NSCN (IM)’s stand to break down the talks and ceasefire with India and return to the jungles after January 31 next in the event of Government of India’s failure to concede to the demands.
Reacting to a media report, the NNC made it clear to all concerned that it had never signed the “treacherous Shillong Accord of 1975”. According to NNC, the late Zashei Huire and his ministry signed the Shillong Accord in complete violation of the constitution.
“In reality, all the signatories were FGN officials,” it said. Further, the statement said, NNC, the Naga political institution established in 1946 and FGN, a government formed in the year 1956, were separate political entities and bodies.
“The FGN under the presidentship of the late Zashei Huire had signed the treacherous accord of 1975 but disowned it in the year of 1996,” the NNC said and asked all concerned not to be confused on this matter.
The NNC reiterated its stand for Naga sovereignty covering all Naga inhabited areas including eastern Nagaland and vowed to continue the fight towards this perspective.
‘From Kuknalim to Jai Hind’: NNC The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOV 5 (MExN): The NNC General Secretary Vizosielhou Nagi strongly condemned NSCN -IM General Secretary Th. Muivah and his organsition for what it termed as ‘compromising on Naga Sovereignty’. "This has come out clearly and publicly from Muivah’s mouth in the interview and the NSCN-IM has come down quite a bit from their demand for absolute sovereignty compromising on foreign affairs, defence and currency", Nagi stated in a press communiqué.
"It is a total capitulation. It is a volte-face; it is a complete fall from the sublime to the ridiculous, from the kuknalim to the Jai Hind", Nagi stated referring to the NSCN-IM federal plan with India. The NNC however welcomed the stand taken by the NSCN-IM to end talks and discontinue its ceasefire with India and ‘return to the jungles after 31st January 2006’.
The NNC in response to misleading reports in a section of the local daily has also made it clear that the NNC had never joined the Union of India and pointed to the declaration of Naga independence on August 14, 1947 and also the 1951 plebiscite as proof of it. Nagi pointed out that the issue was of India’s ‘invasion and occupation of Nagaland in complete violation of international law.
"Today, once again the NNC will make it very, very clear to all concerned that the NNC had never signed the treacherous Shillong Accord of 1975", Nagi stated while pointing out instead that late Zashei Huire and his ministry in complete violation of the constitution signed the Shillong Accord of 1975. Nagi defended the NNC by stating that all the signatories were FGN officials. "Not a single NNC official had signed the Shillong Accord of 1975", he stated and clarified that the NNC was a political institution established in 1946 and that the FGN was a government formed in the year 1956 as a separate political entity and body.
"Therefore, no one should be confused about this serious political matter anymore and should not blame the NNC in the matter anymore in the future. The NNC will not tolerate the wrongful blame made against the political institution of the Nagas by anybody in the future", Nagi cautioned. Nagi went on to reiterate the stand of the NNC for Naga Sovereignty covering all the Naga inhabited areas including ‘free eastern Nagaland’ while also stating that it would stand to continually fight for the international recognition of the Naga cause.
FGN on expulsion of Tatars The Morung Express
KOHIMA, NOV 5 (MExN): In reference to certain publications in the local media regarding the four Tatars of the Federal Government of Nagaland, namely Eno Er VK Mere Angami, Eno Zaleo Chakhesang, Eno P Puthai Khiamniungan and Eno K Pushuo Khianniungan, who were reportedly served with expulsion, the Secretary of Keya (Defense) FGN has clarified on certain matters regarding the same.
P Puthai Khiamniungan, the Secretary stated that it is understood that the FGN is the government of the people and that Tatars were the elected members different from an appointed authority. He, quoting the Article 71 of the Yehzabo which states that the Tatar Hoho shall have the power to expel any member(s) in the house if found guilty of commission of any offence against the house of the nation, stated out that it was necessary to point out the offence so committed by the said four Tatars which resulted in their expulsion.
He quoted article 24 that the Kedahge shall, after expiry of his term, continue to hold office until his successor enters upon his office and that article 27 stated "any person acting as Kedahge or discharging the functions of the Kedahge shall, before entering upon his office make and subscribe the following oath in the presence of the Nsa Midan (Chief Justice) of the Mayam Riyam (Supreme Court) or any person appointed in that behalf". In this context, the secretary asked that it be known when the so called new Kedahge General (Retd.) V Metha took charge of the office by taking oath in accordance with the provision of the national charter.
"The supposed to be 54 Tatar Hoho of the Naga Nation was held without the participation of all the Nagas but was a merely stage-managed show wherein General (Retd.) Metha was declared to be elected the New Kedahge of FGN. This was only a manipulation of the inmates of the Transit peace Camp at Kohima" the Defense secretary stated while terming the expulsion of four Tatars released in the name of one Alan, assistant secretary of Rali Wali as "funny". Puthai Khiamniungan questioned who this man was and which Region he belong to while stating that this was only an exponent of how the Transit peace campers functioned by claiming national responsibility and ‘cheating’ the Nagas. The Secretary further stated that solution to the Indo-Naga problem did not lie in claiming a name or clinging to an office of National authority so formed by "hand picking pedestrians in Kohima Town to represent their regions in any national meeting.
"Are the representatives of the said 13 regions who participated in the supposed to be 55 Tatar Hoho of FGN of his kind or are they true representatives of their people. Can their identities be made known?" he asked. He also added that the Kedahge of the FGN Brigadier (Retd.) Singnya had proclaimed National emergency for six months with effect from July 18, 2005 with a view to remove the prevailing inadequacies and install a responsible and legal national government to fulfill the aspirations of the people to defend their sovereignty. "On completion of the national emergency period, a National assembly shall be held accordingly, so let each and every Region be prepared to attend and participate in it," the Secretary of Defense stated.
Naga body to launch stir in Manipur Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Nov 5 – A local Naga organisation would launch a “non-cooperation movement” against Manipur Government to press for its demand of bringing the community-settled areas under one administrative unit.
The United Naga Council decided to launch the movement during a meeting at Taphou village in Senapati district yesterday, sources in the organisation said today.
They said non-payment of house tax to state government, changing of names of villages and hills to local Naga names, separation of Nagas from any organisation in which Meiteis were also involved, etc. would be part of the movement. The meeting also decided not to allow implementation of developmental schemes in the Naga-settled areas by the state government from next year. – PTI
NE, J&K VCs meet at Kohima Kohima | November 06, 2005 Webindia
Goa Governor S C Jamir would inaugurate the second meeting of the vice chancellors of the Universities of the North East and Jammu and Kashmir to be held here from December eight. According to official sources here today the meeting would be hosted by Nagaland university (NU) and matters related to specific problems of higher education in these region would be discussed. The theme of the meeting would be "Vision and Action Plan for Higher Education in North East and Jammu and Kashmir".
Sources said Prof.Atul Sarma of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. S.S. Baghel of Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat, Prof. S.C. Saha of Assam University, Silchar, Prof.P.C. Deka of Tezpur University, Tezpur, Dr. Gautam Barua, Director, National Institute of Technology, Silchar, Dr. Kulendu Pathak of Dibrugarh University, Dr.G.N. Talukdar of Guwahati University, Prof. G.D. Sarma of Nagaland University, Dr. Arvind K Sharma of Mizoram University, Prof. Mrinal Miri of North Eastern Hill University, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo of University of Jammu, Dr. A. Wahid of University of Kashmir, Prof., Anwar Alam of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Jammu, Prof. N K Bansal of Shri Mata Vishno Devi University, Jammu, Prof. A.K. Mukhopadhyay of Tripura university and Mr.L.C. Amarnathan of Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical and Technological Science, Gangtok would attend the two-day meeting. UNI AS TJP AKP1139
Sam Manekshaw serious, being flown to Army Hospital in Delhi LD MANEKSHAWNEW DELHI, NOV 6 (PTI)
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who has been suffering from acute pneumonia, is being shifted to the Army Hospital here from Wellington in Tamil Nadu. The 91-year-old Manekshaw had been undergoing treatment at the Military Hospital in Wellington and was being brought to the Army Research and Referral Hospital, Army sources said here. Born in Amritsar on April 3, 1914, Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw served as the 8th Chief of the Army Staff between June 1969 and January 1973, capping nearly four decades of military service.
An astute war planner, Manekshaw led India to victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, which ended with the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani armed personnel. He was among the first batch of cadets to pass out of the Indian Military Academy in October 1934 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army.
Decorated with the Military Cross for valour in Burma during World War II, Manekshaw was awarded the Padma Bhushan (1968) for handling the insurgency in Nagaland as the Group Officer Commanding in Chief of the Eastern Command. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972 after the 1971 war against Pakistan which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Manekshaw was conferred with the honorary rank of Field Marshal on January 1, 1973. He retired from the Army a fortnight later.
Former Arunachal Minister’s arrest demanded From Tage T Tara
ITANAGAR, NOV 5 (NEPS): A petty land dispute has snowballed into a major political crisis in this border state with the demand of arrest of former minister and Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Working President, Takam Sanjoy for his alleged role in assaulting Hollongi GB, Nabam Taring on Oct 24 last.
A team led by Arunachal Pradesh Papum Pare District Gaon Burah Welfare Association (APPDGWA) president, Nabam Apo here yesterday submitted a four-point memorandum to the State Governor, S K Singh urging him for immediate arrest of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Working President, Takam Sanjoy for his alleged role in assaulting Hollongi GB, Nabam Taring on Oct 24 last in a land dispute.
Apo, while talking to reporters here last evening, demanded the immediate suspension of Balijan Sub Inspector, R K Singh and Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC). Beside they should bear expenditure for Taring’s treatment. They also threatened to resign enmasse and hand over all the red coats back to the government if no prompt action was taken in a week’s time. Denying his involvement in the assault case, Sanjoy claimed that the land belonged to him as he had purchased from the owner. “It is a conspiracy hatched against me by my political adversary using the GB institution as the best option to malign his image”, Sanjoy said adding that he had filed a late FIR with the police against Taring, whose supporters had dismantled a newly constructed house on his plot of land on Oct 20. Police arrested Taring, he added.
Radio poll indicates fear of corruption rather than AIDS
Imphal | November 06, 2005 10:37:47 AM IST Webindia
Corruption and not HIV/AIDS causes more concern among Manipuris. This fact emerged following a radio poll conducted by the Regional News Unit(RNU) of the All India Radio(AIR), Imphal. Mr B B Sharma, in charge RNU, has said that the AIR conducted an opinion poll on HIV/AIDS and corruption in Manipur, to ascertain which of the two is the bigger issue among the listeners. The poll was launched on October 2 and gave 18 days to the respondents. Altogether 750 opinions were received through post, e-mail and hand post.
A representative cross section of the polls was received ranging from top bureaucrats, doctors, teachers to social workers, students, former MPs, Gram Panchayat members and editors. The opinion poll covered all the nine districts of Manipur. Response was also received from Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam as well.
The opinion poll showed that all the respondents were fully aware of the impact of both HIV/AIDS and corruption. It also indicated that awareness of the dreaded disease was quite high in Manipur, including preventive measures thereof. However, corruption loomed larger in the minds of listeners than HIV/AIDS. Of every six opinions received as many as five felt that corruption was more serious a problem for Manipur. Interestingly, out of every six doctors, one voted for HIV/AIDS while the remaining five, including a retired Additional Director, State Health Department, went in favour of corruption. Area wise, the poll represented the entire state of Manipur, Mr Sharma said. But the number of respondents of 750 represented a microscopic minority of the state having 24 lakh population. But the nature of the opinion, reasons and status of the respondents were such that they could be considered as opinion makers of various sections of the society.
The reasons given by the respondents were thought provoking. However, it could not be construed as a final verdict on the issues but it was certainly a trend which could not be ignored by planners, policy makers and stakeholders of the political leadership in the state. UNI NS PL AKP0959
Winning hearts essential to maintain peace and harmony From Our Correspondent Neps ITANAGAR, NOV 04 (NEPS): - Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh with its scenic beauty can hold the key to success for development of the state. Winning over hearts and minds of people is the most essential element to maintain peace and harmony in Tirap and that will boost the tourism industry in the state.
Assam Rifles has undertaken extensive psychological operations in the district to win over the hearts and minds of people living this border district. The series of psychological operations carried out by the Assam Rifles has been able to motivate two young insurgents of NSCN (IM) to surrender with their weapons. The surrender ceremony was organized at Khonsa under the 25 Sector Assam Rifles.
Sam Manekshaw hospitalised NDTV Correspondent Sunday, November 6, 2005 (Cunoor):
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the hero of the 1971 war and the Indian Army's first Field Marshal, is reported to be seriously unwell with a bout of pneumonia. He has been admitted to a hospital in Cunoor, and will now be flown into Delhi either today or on Monday, or as soon as his condition stabilises. Manekshaw, now more than 91 years, fought on the Burma front during the Second World War and was Army Chief during 1971 when the Indian Army liberated Bangladesh in what is described as its finest hour. He assumed charge of the Indian Army, as the 8th Chief of Army Staff, on 7 June 1969. Born in Amritsar, Punjab on 03 April 1914, he completed his schooling in Amritsar and Sherwood College, Nainital. He then joined the first batch of 40 cadets at Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehra Dun on 1 October 1932. He passed out of the IMA in December 1934 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army. He held several regimental assignments and was first attached to the Royal Scouts and later to the 12 Frontier Force Rifles.
Bravery on battle front: During World War II, he saw action in the Burma campaign on Sittang river and has the rare distinction of being honoured for his bravery on the battle front itself.
During World War II, he was leading a counter-offensive against the invading Japanese Army in Burma. As he charged forward with his men, a Japanese soldier suddenly emerged from the bushes and fired at him, wounding him seriously in the stomach. Fortunately, Major General DT Cowan spotted Manekshaw holding on to life and was aware of his valour in face of stiff resistance from the Japanese. Fearing the worst, Major General Cowan quickly pinned his own Military Cross ribbon on to Manekshaw saying, "A dead person cannot be awarded a Military Cross."
Having recovered from those near-fatal wounds in Burma, Manekshaw went for a course at Staff College, Quetta and later also served there as an instructor before being sent to join 12 Frontier Force Rifles in Burma under General (later Field Marshal) Slim's 14th Army. He was once again involved in a fierce battle with the Japanese, and was wounded for a second time. Towards the close of World War II, Manekshaw was sent as Staff Officer to General Daisy in Indo-China where, after the Japanese surrender, he helped rehabilitate over 10,000 POWs.
He, then, went on a six-month lecture tour to Australia in 1946, and after his return served as a First Grade Staff Officer in the Military Operations Directorate.Manekshaw showed acumen for planning and administration while handling the issues related to partition in 1947, and later put to use his battle skills during the 1947-48 Jammu & Kashmir Operations.
Tackling insurgency:
After command of an Infantry Brigade he was posted as the Commandant of the Infantry School and also became the Colonel of 8 Gorkha Rifles (his regimental home) and 61 Cavalry. He commanded a Division in Jammu & Kashmir and a Corps in the North East, with a tenure as Commandant of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in between. As GOC-in-C Eastern Command, he handled the tricky problem of insurgency in Nagaland and the grateful nation honoured him with a Padma Bhushan in 1968. Manekshaw succeeded General Kumaramangalam as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on 07 June 1969.
His years of military experience were soon put to the test as thousands of refugees from the erstwhile East Pakistan started crossing over to India as a result of oppression unleashed from West Pakistan.
The volatile situation got worse, and soon erupted into a full-scale war in December 1971. During the military campaign, Manekshaw showed uncommon ability to motivate the forces, coupling it with a mature war strategy. The war ended with Pakistan's unconditional surrender, and the formation of Bangladesh. For his selfless service to the nation, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972 and was conferred with the honorary rank of Field Marshal on 01 January 1973. He retired a fortnight later, on 15 January 1973, after completing nearly four decades of military service.
Some of his achievements as COAS are:
• Prepared the Army for a well-planned and a well executed operation against Pakistan in 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.
• As Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, he welded the Army, Navy and Air Force into a well-knit team.
• Taking of over 90,000 Pakistan POWs, thereby paving the way for favourable negotiations.
‘Nagas should worship Durga or Kali than Christ’ Dr. K. Hoshi The Morung Express
Durga Puja or Diwali are, as we all know, the two important festivals of India. They are celebrated everywhere on the country including Nagaland, the constitutional state.
There is nothing strange if these two festivals were celebrated in the state. What was so strange was that, this year, more Nagas than Indians, specially in Dimapur and Kohima celebrated the occasions. The celebration of Durga was marked by gambling where one could see Naga mahajans in every gambling table. While the Indians quietly celebrated Diwali, the festivals of light, by lighting candles, the Nagas celebrated the same by bursting the powerful fire crackers sounding boom and bang everywhere. As usual for Nagas drunkenness added to the flavour of the celebrations.
What a way to celebrate alien festivals when we are fighting for independence! In the fitness of the occasions, there is no doubt whatsoever that Nagas have become truly Indian, culturally. Another feather added on our so called enemy’s head for their successful psychological operation. Where has our national principle for freedom struggle gone?
To a good Christian, partaking in such celebrations amount nothing less to pagan worship, abominable before our God, Jehovah. While our Christian missionaries suffer torture in the hands of the Hindu fundamentalists elsewhere in the country, here we are, totally absorbed in their culture, alien to us. Little deed we realized that in the name of cultural fusion our religion has been slowly but steadily invaded.
For our God sake let us not say that as part and parcel of the country and its society there is nothing wrong for the Nagas to celebrate such occasions. If we have accepted paganism in the Christian context as cultural celebrations, the Nagas should rather worship Durga or Kali than Christ as their gods. It looks like the dooms day for the Nagas isn’t very far. The good Lord blesses our Church.
Hold talks with centre: Rishang to UGs
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Nov 5: "I respect the belief held by the different revolutionary groups ? be it Naga or Meitei ? that Manipur can exist as an independent nation, separate from India. However it is an impossible dream. I urge these people to hold talks with the government of India and demand what is possible within the bounds of the Constitution."
This was stated by the Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing who was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the 3 days sensitisation programme on HIV/AIDS, organised by Universal Caring Mission (UNICAM). The MP further observed that the people should speak out the truth boldly for a peaceful and developed future.
N Bijoy Singh, vice chancellor MU; Dr Paochungbou, president NGO Forum; L Romesh, president DESAM and S Nando, president UNICAM were the president and guests of honour respectively of the inaugural function held at the conference hall of UNICAM at Khurai Lamlong Bazar.
Rishang highlighted that among the different issues plaguing Manipur the three most prominent ones are HIV/AIDS, corruption and insurgency. The MP said that the three are closely linked with corruption being the breeding factor for the other two.
He said that HIV/AIDS should be faced head on and the most important weapons are preventive measures and research work to find a permanent cure. He expressed concern that the Ukhrul-Myanmar border might be infested with HIV positive people. He said that instruction have been given to the sate governments to institute a forum in the state assemblies with the MLAs as members to address different issues including HIV/AIDS. If such a forum is instituted, "each MLA can contribute their lot by working for HIV/AIDS in their respective constituencies", the MP added.
The MP also made it known that under the initiative of Rotary Club, northeast, and the MPs, heart patients between 3-30 years will be given free of cost treatment.
In the presidential speech, the VC said that though drug policy exists in Manipur a more specific policy which addresses the unique problems of Manipur is needed. He advocated a `quarantine policy` to curb the drug problem in Manipur.
In the keynote address, LC Somorendro, UNICAM`s secretary, said that the main objective of UNCAM is to help the widows living with HIV/AIDS find a way to become economically independent. He also highlighted that 2 years back the Shri Rishang Keishing HIV/AIDS Research Centre was instituted to carry out path-breaking research works in the field of HIV/AIDS. As part of the inaugural function, 42 challenging women were presented with simple gifts by UNICAM.
Assam to honour Scottish pioneers of tea By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Jorhat (Assam), Nov 6 (IANS) Assam has begun a hunt to trace descendants of two Scottish brothers to commemorate their contributions in discovering wild tea bushes in the country some 170 years ago.
The government is planning to honour family members of Robert C. Bruce and his brother Charles at a three-day 'Tea Tourism Festival' beginning Dec 4. The Bruce brothers are believed to have first discovered tea bushes in Assam with the help of some local tribal chieftains in 1823.
'We are in touch with our external affairs ministry to help us locate family members of Robert and Charles Bruce so that we can invite them for the festival,' said S.C. Panda, Assam's tourism commissioner.
'We want to felicitate family members of the Bruce brothers who were pioneers of tea in Assam,' Panda told IANS. The tea carnival to be held in this tea-growing town of Jorhat, 310 km east of Assam's main city Guwahati, is also expected to be attended by a host of foreign tourists.
'Apart from Assam's exotic wildlife, we see enough potential in attracting tourists to visit tea plantations,' Panda said. Long before commercial production of tea started in India in the late 1830s, tea plants were growing wild in the jungles of Assam with local Singpho tribal people eating the leaves as a vegetable with garlic, besides drinking the brew dipped in boiled water.
According to various historical records and documents, it was in 1823 that Robert Bruce, a British trader, first discovered tea plants near here with the help of a local Singpho tribal chieftain.
Robert died soon after and his plan to establish a nursery was followed up his brother Charles who was then an employee of the East India Company. It was sometime in the early part of 1830 that Charles set up the first tea plantation in eastern Assam's Sadiya town with the first 12 chests of manufactured tea from indigenous Assam leaf were shipped to London in 1838. Today Assam accounts for about 55 percent of India's total annual tea production of about 820 million kg. India is the world's largest tea producer.
'Tea tourism is still a virgin field and yet unexplored. It would be an exciting experience for foreigners to have fun amid tea plantations,' Dhiraj Kakoty, secretary of the Assam chapter of the Indian Tea Association, said.
PCG-Centre talks in November-end By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Nov 5 – The peace process to bring the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to the negotiation table will continue again later this month as the Union Home Minister and the officials of the Ministry are scheduled to have detailed talks with the People’s Consultative Group (PCG), formed by the militant outfit, in the last week of this month. The process formally got under way with a meeting between Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and members of the PCG in New Delhi on October 26, where both sides accepted the fact that political negotiation is the only way out to solve the issues raised by the ULFA. The Prime Minister also assured the PCG that the Government of India was prepared to discuss all issues concerning Assam, but at the same time, he made it clear that he was a “servant of the Constitution of India.”
One of the members of the PCG told this correspondent that the main aim of the proposed meeting between the Home Minister and the PCG would be to discuss in detail the steps needed to be taken to create a conducive atmosphere for talks between the Government of India and the ULFA. He said that the ULFA has not indulged in any kind of major act of violence since August 15 and the Government must reciprocate for creating a conducive atmosphere for talks. As this issue can be dealt with by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the next round of talks will involve the Union Home Minister.
The issue of release of the jailed leaders of the ULFA will also figure in the next round of talks. The ULFA desired that the central committee members of the outfit, who are in jails, should be released to make it easy for the outfit to take decisions regarding talks with the Government and this issue was raised by the PCG members during the talks with the Prime Minister and the issue would be discussed in detail in the next round of meeting. Several senior leaders of the ULFA including the vice chairman Pradip Gogoi, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, adviser Bhimkanta Boragohain and others are lodged in different jails of the State.
Moreover, several key members of the outfit are missing since the operations by the Royal Bhutan Army to evict the camps of the ULFA and NDFB from the territory of the Himalayan Kingdom in December, 2003 and the whereabouts of those persons are still not known. The PCG is likely to raise the issue in the next meeting so that the Government of India can take up the issue with the Government of Bhutan.
Art forms of NE hill areas vanishing: Giri Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, Nov 5 – Different art forms of the north-eastern hill areas were gradually vanishing or dying, according to Helen Giri, member of Sangeet Natak Academy.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the students of Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication (SIMC), Pune here, Giri said every hill area of the North-east has its own expression of art in the form of traditional dance, song or textile. But all these are vanishing or dying gradually.
Taking exception to the use of ‘tribal’ word before any art form, Giri, who heads the Centre for Cultural and Creative Studies at the North Eastern Hill University, said: “Why can we not use the word hill music or rural music?”
Stressing the need for having professionals to introduce music in visual media, Giri said originality was a must for working before the camera. If any visual was bereft of creativity, the viewer would not see it for the second time.
The day-long seminar ‘Footprints 2005’ titled ‘Telly wonder: news, music, career 24x7’ was to focus on emerging trends and career opportunities in news and music industry on television.
Inaugurating the event, eminent social worker Maya Ingty asked the budding scribes to be fair, judicious and follow the right path. – PTI
Garo ultra leaders shot dead From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
TURA, Nov 5 – The East Garo Hills police and the Army achieved a major success in its fight against militancy in the three districts of Garo Hills and adjoining border areas of Assam when it shot dead two hardcore ANVC deserters who had formed a new outfit recently.
They also succeeded in arresting two other militants from the same group at Bangsi- Minol village, under Mendipather police station early Friday morning.
This is a successful breakthrough because nine ANVC militants had fled from their designated camps at Samanda in East Garo Hills and Chokpot in South Garo Hills recently to form a new organisation. Six of the ANVC militants deserted their Chokpot camp on the October 1 last and prior to that, three other militants had also fled from their Samanda camp. These militants escaped with AK-47 rifles and SLRs and took away a considerable number of grenades and live ammo with them. The three militants who escaped from Samanda were led by one Nobin Sangma after expressing disillusion with the functioning of their former outfit. The splinter group from Chokpot was led by Rabi R Marak.
These members succeeded in coming together and recently formed the A’Chik National Liberation Front which had been instrumental in a series of extortion cases throughout the three districts of Garo Hills. They had abducted a businessman who was operating the weigh bridge at Depa Sarangma a few days ago and was demanding a ransom of over Rs 50 lakh for his release.
Following a tip-off, a combined team of the Army and the Meghalaya Police launched an operation at Bangsi-Minol during the wee hours of Friday morning that led to an encounter between the militants and the paramilitary forces.
In the ensuing encounter, the security forces shot dead two militants, identified as Rarik Sangma and Rabi Marak, both ANVC deserters, and arrested Kalthong Momin and Sengrak Momin. Police also recovered an AK-56 weapon with 20 rounds of ammo, three hand-grenades and an SLR with 17 rounds of live ammo.
It may be recalled that the six ANVC militants led by Rabi Sangma and Rarik Sangma of Bajengdoba had abandoned their camp at Chokpot on October 1 along with Onkang K Marak of Mendipathar, Santal Marak of Damra, Rakkam R Marak alias Rahul of Depa Sarangma and Silkang Marak.
Criminal case against 51 armymen for violating ESMA Arrest warrants issued Sentinel IMPHAL, Nov 5 (UNI): The Duty Magistrate has issued non bailable arrest warrants against an Army Captain and 50 other Army personnel for allegedly barging into the Yurembam power station and forcing the staff to cut off power supply to most parts of the State, specially in the Imphal areas on November 2. The arrest warrants were issued following a case filed by Chief Secretary, Manipur, Jarnail Singh against the Army personnel. The Manipur Government has taken up a criminal case for violating the Essential Services Maintenance Act.
Official sources said that the civil and police officials of the State convened a meeting to discuss the situation and most officials were peeved with the ‘high-handedness’ of the Army personnel posted in Manipur and described the act of Army as ‘uncivilised’. It was alleged that even the State Chief Secretary was badly treated by Army Captain Pillai of the Military Engineering Services of 57 Mountain Division, Leimakhong. The SP of Imphal West has been instructed to arrest all the Army personnel. On November 2, Cap Pillai along with 50 Army personnel went to the Yurembam power station. They barged into the control room overpowering the Indian Reserve Battalion guards and forced the staff to cut off power supply to the Imphal city and other areas. The Yurembam power station supplies power to the entire city area, including the residences of the Governor, Chief Minister and other high ranking officials. All hospitals also depend on the power station.
The power station had failed to provide power to the Army headquarters at Leimakhong due to breakdown of a feeder which was later restored. The Army action was due to the failure of the station to supply power. Chief Secretary, Jarnail Singh rushed to the power station when he heard the news and a confrontation ensued with the Army personnel. He and his Manipur police escorts were thoroughly checked by the Army personnel. Even when Mr Singh informed that operation works in hospitals would be affected due to the cut-off of power, the Army Captain refused to provide power and power supply was restored only after the Army team went away. Meanwhile, President of the All Manipur Bar Association Khaidem Mani has announced that legal steps would be taken up against the Army for cutting off power supply and displacing huge numbers of people by organising massive Operations.
Act of Goondaism Sangai Express
The manner in which some Army personnel led by a Captain showed off their muscle prowess at Yurembam power sub-station and forcefully shut down power for about 90 minutes on November 2 was nothing less than a naked show of brute force. What is more, the young Captain did not hesitate to engage the Chief Secretary of the State, who had rushed there to take stock of the situation, to a verbal duel. As reported in all the daily newspapers of Imphal on November 3, the Army personnel from the Military Engineering Service, led by a Captain stormed the Yurembam power station on November 2 morning and forcefully shut down the power supply to all the region of Imphal covered by the power sub-station. The reason for the naked show of force was the snapping of power supply to Leimakhong for about 15 hours. We agree that the power shut down for such a long time may have been due to negligence of the employees of the Electricity Department, but the manner in which the Army personnel stormed the power sub-station and shut down the power supply is something which cannot be accepted under any circumstances, whether there is the Armed Forces Special Powers Act or not. What was more galling was the fact that the Captain, a young and raw officer, had the temerity to get into a verbal duel with the Chief Secretary. In many ways, the Yurembam incident was a reflection of the manner in which security force conduct themselves. As we understand it, the Yurembam sub-station is a restricted area and the question therefore arises whether the men in uniform are above the law to enter such a site without getting the prior approval of the authority concerned. What is more, the snapping off of the power supply forcefully violates the right of the people to get power supply.
Understandably the Chief Secretary is believed to have taken a serious view of the incident and has already instructed the State Government to take up necessary steps to initiate a criminal case against the personnel. The PRO of the PIB (Defence Wing) too has assured that the Army authority has taken a serious view of the incident and assured that fitting action will be taken up against the guilty personnel. These are fine and in consonance with the rule of law, but the larger implications of the incident should not be lost on us. It is all about respecting the law of the land and if the men who are here to ensure that the law of the land prevails are going to violate it so non-chalantly then the top brass of the security force need some serious self studies. Discipline is the by word of the military. However what the Captain and his men did at Yurembam on November 2 defies all that discipline stands for. The question the Army authority should ask themselves now is, what were the factors that emboldened the Captain to act in such a high handed manner. Did his superiors give him any instructions to shut down the power supply as a retribution for the 15 hour black out at Leimakhong ? We certainly expect Army officers to act more responsibly. What happened at Yurembam was nothing but goondaism at its worst level.
USE of IEDs, MINES a CRIME against GOD By Comdt. (Retd) RS Jassal General. Neps
Right from the early civilisational records available, human beings in communes, villages, states evolutionised to nations, have been involved in securing its boundaries/borders by innovating various methods ranging from human calls, drum calls by log beats to manning EW (early warning) posts and associated other alarm systems by nature & compulsion depending on the nature of requirement, terrain & devices available. With advancement in war technology, the mines came into existence. Mines provided security to the troops at IB and acted as early warning to the troops in combat and forward posts. Mines are also used for channelising enemy troops to the selected killing zones by troops in defensive posts. Mine fields so created also slow down advance of raiding troops thus provide morale boosting doses to the defenders with sufficient warning to deal with attacking troops. In addition to mines, a new system of causing harassment, distraction, killing and devastating confusion to draw support system by militants in their resting points and hideouts against raids by SFs, called as IED, (Improvised
explosive device). It varies in components and scales of cordites, dynamites, gelignite, gun powder, TNT & so on. Depending on components, it causes corresponding damages. It can be ignited by manual control or used as
land mines through remote control or buried under ground, they can go off automatically by entanglement of human beings or animals and explodes with direct impact of weight by stepping over.
Explosives seized in Dimapur-Nagaland September 05
IED Specific: Till a few years back land mines of various shapes & marks were the only destructive devices known and used on live international borders. There laying and rolling up methods are handled by trained persons in the Armed Forces known as pioneers or by the Engineers Corps known as Sappers where intensity of operation so demands due high technological requirement say in tank war in covert war-fare, or in LIC by mercenaries; Sri-Lanka, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Iraq experience has brought out the wreckage impact what land mines and IEDs can create. In low intensity conflict zones (LIC) by insurgents of the origin of the same country like Maoists in Bihar, Andhra, ULFA/BODOS Assam, a host of militant organizations Kashmir and UNLF (with PLA &KNF) in Manipur, ATTF, BLTF Tripura & other parts of our country IEDs are used as integrated weaponry primarily against the state ¢ral Govt. armed forces but has left its indelible mark on the invariability of damage to civil population though pronouncedly not used against them. It is a new threat to human right & right to life.
What is IED? It is a short term given to IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE. Its contents can vary from tins, pipes, glass plastics boxes containers filled with explosives initiating mechanism, & dynamites with embedded nails etc. It can also be improvised from agri fertilizers like ammonium nitrate & so on. Explosives in short are highly dangerous, highly charged sensitive & volatile. Once set ignition is carried out by weight press, timer or remote, their results are unimaginable.
Types of IEDs Improvised Explosive Devices now popularly and commonly known as IED, in Manipur, Assam & Tripura are known to civil society pretty well who suffer from its menace though not at all party to the conflicts of State and none state actors. It has become almost every day feature in media news in the NE and Manipur in particular and causalities are on the increase day by day. So far known types of ignition used for exploding IED are: Water sensor, pressure switch pendulum switch, and touch sensor, pull switch, timer switch, and light operated sensor, release switch, ignition switch, without light sensor, relay switch and electronic timer. In fact it is difficult to bind them in definite terms as these can be used as flying saucers also in crowded places.
Types of injuries they inflict
* Blast mines: Usually hand-laid on or under the ground or scattered from the air. The explosive force of the mines cause foot, leg, and groin injuries and secondary infections usually result in amputation
* Fragmentation mines: Usually laid on or under the ground and often activated by tripwire or other means. When detonated the explosion project hundreds of fragments at ballistic speed of up to 50 meters resulting in
fragmentation wounds. Some fragmentation mines contain a primary charge to lift the mine above the ground (about 1 to 1.5 meters) before detonating which can injure an adult's abdomen, genitals and take off a victims head too.
Do landmines and IEDs obey the laws of war? No they cannot
The laws of war dictate that soldiers and their weapon discriminate between soldiers and civilians. Additionally, there is to be a balance between military need and consequences to the civilian's population. These two principles of the law of war discrimination and proportionality apply to the use of mines & IEDs in war or LIC situation
It is a fact that land mines and charged explosive (IEDs) do not discriminate the military and society as a whole. If it demoralizes the enemy psychologically and affects physically, it also damages terrorizes civilians in greater terms. The fear psychosis affecting military personnel ends with end of war or day to day ambush but impact on civilians goes much beyond till the mine IED is unarmed, destroyed or removed. Civilians those who survive with serious, minor or disability affect are made to spend balance of life in mute memories. The uses of IED in various forms and in the NE by militants of all hues are horrendous and terrifying menace to the civilians &SFs and even militants all. How many of them suffer while carrying, laying & even storing is known to militant leaders. SFs suffer losses while conducting mining &de-mining exercise or in combating insurgency in LIC (Low Intensity conflict) though SFs never lay it for civilians in LIC zone(s). Mines are boldly marked and fenced at IB by the BOPs.
A Child lost both legs
But underground terrorists do not do so while fighting with SF within our own terrority and with own SF's. No doubt, Mines play a great role in accomplishment of military tasks at IBs but it causes untold damage to own
people (civilians) when IED planted by militants is faced by them in jungle, fields in & around village. And if it is in populated areas, bazaar or main roads it invites back fire from SFs in ruthless manners as happened in the
past in Assam, Tripura, and Nagaland & Manipur.
Disturbing trends in Manipur:
During my Aug trip to Jiribam (NH 53) I was told by local leaders, CO 26 Assam Riffles that one Munniruddin Borbaniya of Ahmedabad village (please do not mix up with Ahmedabed of Gujarat, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh) near Bekra lost his left leg by amputation in Silchar Medical college. He had got caught in activation of an IED while returning home after fire wood collection which might have been laid by the militants for action against the SF's quite unmindful of its consequence on local people. It happened in early part of June 2005.GOC 57 Mtn Division and 26 Assam Rifles under his command provided all medical aid and Silchar Medical college provided him with a wheel chair. This is only one of the many cases of IED victims. Similarly there are many cases of summary killings of civil population by the terrorists in areas of Bekra - Vangai range and CC Pur interior left unaided and uncared for by the state and the UGs. Some data collected from HQ 57 Mountain division reveals that in CC pur village of Zangvakot (Khuttu), Diyalkhai, Mongon and Abitang adjacent to Thanlon, four villagers have died because of release of IED due human contact and four have been injured including two from Bukpi. In Chandel Dist Latkhuiier Kuki (28) of Sehhao Kuki village has been paralysed, five persons from Khullen have died and three have suffered multiple injuries. One each from Molcham village and
New Samtal have died and Nengriching 24 from Tuyon village injured. In Jiribam Sub Division four have been injured including Munniruddin who lost his leg as amputated they belong to Chhota Bekra Ahmadabad and Zangnom. This data pertains to period 25 Nov 04 to 12 June 05. The data collected from HQ IG AR (S) reveals there were total 16 blasts from 1 Jan 05 to 25 Oct. It details civilians died four injured one SFs died two and injured six. Most of the blasts against SFs could not cause any harm. A considerable number of IEDs were detected and neutralized. Recently three blasts have occurred in Moreh & Khudengthabi.
Civil psyche devastator:
IEDs if planted by militants on NHs or main /auxiliary roads for causing casualties to men and vehicle of SFs they do harm to vehicles and men as is experienced in the past by IRB personal Army/BSF/CRPF/AR but all the
incidents drew uncontrolled fire to same point or in the vicinity reinforced by punitive action by the provogated SFs in the brawl, hence have caused more casualties to civilians not involved in insurgency conflict at all. Breast fed children, convalescing persons unable to move away from the scene of incidence, school going children, persons wishing to attend social functions, ladies waiting deliveries have been seen suffered from after blast wrath of legally armed persons resulting in HR violations. As well at far flung places where no law exists & UGs writ rules. In the last two decades many have gone crippled, paralysed and suffered amputations and some
lost voice too due to traumatic shocks of seeing their near and dear one losing their lives from close by. No NGO or HR body is maintaining any record of such casualties other than holding workshop/seminars I am pained to say they do pretty little for such victims for whom they are meant to function. Of late, with proliferation of UG setups and to preempt each other or one another's attempt of attack or for early warning system against SFs on approach routes UGs are planting IEDs in the periphery of villages while resting which have caused casualties as brought out in previous paragraph too. SFs personnel have well co-ordinated system for evacuation, treatment and compensation where as civil casualties suffer in all bareness in all respects and thus leave many questions answered.
Suggestions
* Complete ban is the only answer other than by Army at IBs where absolute necessary in actual war notwithstanding what UN says.
* In context of Manipur, IB with Myanmar is a sleepy border. Due to frequent move of UGs to Bangladesh and Myanmar (ISI) camps, SF posts are established and removed as per requirement all over the state. In that case if mines and IEDs are used and left un removed by intent or other wise, damages to civilians including animals cannot be safe vouched hence it is offence against humanity for both SF and the insurgents.
* Consider complete ban on use of mines including IEDs in Manipur & other NE states. Manipur is having strong Meira Paibis (torch bearers against social evils) club systems, their potentials must be exploited to optimum to educate our society on devastating and in- human affect of abhorrent landmines and IEDs on human beings and animals including ecology since mostly activities are in jungle. We must change mindsets of non-state actors for humanitarian reasons. Why should they do that as it will erode their public base which is equally and more importantly needed by them?
* There is no denying the fact that whether UGs cause destruction or SF losses both side are our own kith and kin since there are personae from Manipur and NE very much on the active roll of the SFs too and civil society
base is common for both .
* Manipur Human Right Commission be activated to influence non state actors and civil society on the issue instead of politicizing their appointments.
* Purview of the subject apart, it is strongly felt youth who are the future care takers of our social concerns be educated with a suitable system & subject head on "Love, compassion, respect & care for humanity above self" introduced in educational curriculum to obtain equilibrium of mind and soul for the sake of the humanity beyond village, regional, national to state & international borders. It is the urgent need for nailing our ills.
Conclusion.
The impact of twin blasts in Dimapur in Oct last year needs studying. Who is gaining out of present conflict neither North Easterners nor the SFs; definitely a third party? It is not difficult to judge who this third party is. Interference of ISI operatives in the NE is now quite in the open. UNLF can gather more credence & support if its supremo considers to issue a complete ban on use of IEDs any where in the hill and valley. KNF/KNA also must consider this point seriously. Losses in Molcham, Moreh, and Khudengthabi are increasing day by day. If it is against SFs or opposing UG teams in hills, villages may be still acceptable, but there is no guarantee. And if it is around suburbs village in valley in a populated area or highway where SF's around it provides unlicensed lever to SFs to open fire at random. The brunt is borne by the civil societies. SFs state or center still have recourse to immediate evacuation medical treatment and compensation whereas a civilian does not have set procedure or compulsion for same as is demonstrated by Muniruddin case above. NSCN (IM) has already signed against
used of mines/IEDs in 2002. Other groups need its urgent consideration.
Frans on 11.06.05 @ 02:51 PM CST [link]
NNC charges Muivah with ‘compromising’ on Naga issue
NNC charges Muivah with ‘compromising’ on Naga issue Source: The Sangai Express
Dimapur, November 05 (NNN): The Naga National Council (NNC) has condemned a recent statement of NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th Muivah in which he had allegedly “compromised” on the issue of Naga sovereignty.
A press statement issued by NNC general secretary Vizosielhou Nagi said the NSCN (IM)’s comprising on the issue of sovereignty had come out clearly and publicly from “Th Muivah's mouth” in the interview with BBC News that NSCN (IM) has come down quite a bit from their demand for absolute sovereignty compromising foreign affairs, defence and currency.
“NSCN (IM) federal relationship with India has come out clearly this time of their absolute compromised stand of the Naga sovereignty allowing Indian Army to stay in Nagaland is a total capitulation. It is volte-face and complete fall from the sublime to the ridiculous, from the Kuknalim to the Jai Hind!,” the statement said.
However, the NNC welcomed NSCN (IM)’s stand to break down the talks and ceasefire with India and return to the jungles after January 31 next in the event of Government of India’s failure to concede to the demands.
Reacting to a media report, the NNC made it clear to all concerned that it had never signed the “treacherous Shillong Accord of 1975”. According to NNC, the late Zashei Huire and his ministry signed the Shillong Accord in complete violation of the constitution.
“In reality, all the signatories were FGN officials,” it said. Further, the statement said, NNC, the Naga political institution established in 1946 and FGN, a government formed in the year 1956, were separate political entities and bodies.
“The FGN under the presidentship of the late Zashei Huire had signed the treacherous accord of 1975 but disowned it in the year of 1996,” the NNC said and asked all concerned not to be confused on this matter.
The NNC reiterated its stand for Naga sovereignty covering all Naga inhabited areas including eastern Nagaland and vowed to continue the fight towards this perspective.
‘From Kuknalim to Jai Hind’: NNC The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOV 5 (MExN): The NNC General Secretary Vizosielhou Nagi strongly condemned NSCN -IM General Secretary Th. Muivah and his organsition for what it termed as ‘compromising on Naga Sovereignty’. "This has come out clearly and publicly from Muivah’s mouth in the interview and the NSCN-IM has come down quite a bit from their demand for absolute sovereignty compromising on foreign affairs, defence and currency", Nagi stated in a press communiqué.
"It is a total capitulation. It is a volte-face; it is a complete fall from the sublime to the ridiculous, from the kuknalim to the Jai Hind", Nagi stated referring to the NSCN-IM federal plan with India. The NNC however welcomed the stand taken by the NSCN-IM to end talks and discontinue its ceasefire with India and ‘return to the jungles after 31st January 2006’.
The NNC in response to misleading reports in a section of the local daily has also made it clear that the NNC had never joined the Union of India and pointed to the declaration of Naga independence on August 14, 1947 and also the 1951 plebiscite as proof of it. Nagi pointed out that the issue was of India’s ‘invasion and occupation of Nagaland in complete violation of international law.
"Today, once again the NNC will make it very, very clear to all concerned that the NNC had never signed the treacherous Shillong Accord of 1975", Nagi stated while pointing out instead that late Zashei Huire and his ministry in complete violation of the constitution signed the Shillong Accord of 1975. Nagi defended the NNC by stating that all the signatories were FGN officials. "Not a single NNC official had signed the Shillong Accord of 1975", he stated and clarified that the NNC was a political institution established in 1946 and that the FGN was a government formed in the year 1956 as a separate political entity and body.
"Therefore, no one should be confused about this serious political matter anymore and should not blame the NNC in the matter anymore in the future. The NNC will not tolerate the wrongful blame made against the political institution of the Nagas by anybody in the future", Nagi cautioned. Nagi went on to reiterate the stand of the NNC for Naga Sovereignty covering all the Naga inhabited areas including ‘free eastern Nagaland’ while also stating that it would stand to continually fight for the international recognition of the Naga cause.
FGN on expulsion of Tatars The Morung Express
KOHIMA, NOV 5 (MExN): In reference to certain publications in the local media regarding the four Tatars of the Federal Government of Nagaland, namely Eno Er VK Mere Angami, Eno Zaleo Chakhesang, Eno P Puthai Khiamniungan and Eno K Pushuo Khianniungan, who were reportedly served with expulsion, the Secretary of Keya (Defense) FGN has clarified on certain matters regarding the same.
P Puthai Khiamniungan, the Secretary stated that it is understood that the FGN is the government of the people and that Tatars were the elected members different from an appointed authority. He, quoting the Article 71 of the Yehzabo which states that the Tatar Hoho shall have the power to expel any member(s) in the house if found guilty of commission of any offence against the house of the nation, stated out that it was necessary to point out the offence so committed by the said four Tatars which resulted in their expulsion.
He quoted article 24 that the Kedahge shall, after expiry of his term, continue to hold office until his successor enters upon his office and that article 27 stated "any person acting as Kedahge or discharging the functions of the Kedahge shall, before entering upon his office make and subscribe the following oath in the presence of the Nsa Midan (Chief Justice) of the Mayam Riyam (Supreme Court) or any person appointed in that behalf". In this context, the secretary asked that it be known when the so called new Kedahge General (Retd.) V Metha took charge of the office by taking oath in accordance with the provision of the national charter.
"The supposed to be 54 Tatar Hoho of the Naga Nation was held without the participation of all the Nagas but was a merely stage-managed show wherein General (Retd.) Metha was declared to be elected the New Kedahge of FGN. This was only a manipulation of the inmates of the Transit peace Camp at Kohima" the Defense secretary stated while terming the expulsion of four Tatars released in the name of one Alan, assistant secretary of Rali Wali as "funny". Puthai Khiamniungan questioned who this man was and which Region he belong to while stating that this was only an exponent of how the Transit peace campers functioned by claiming national responsibility and ‘cheating’ the Nagas. The Secretary further stated that solution to the Indo-Naga problem did not lie in claiming a name or clinging to an office of National authority so formed by "hand picking pedestrians in Kohima Town to represent their regions in any national meeting.
"Are the representatives of the said 13 regions who participated in the supposed to be 55 Tatar Hoho of FGN of his kind or are they true representatives of their people. Can their identities be made known?" he asked. He also added that the Kedahge of the FGN Brigadier (Retd.) Singnya had proclaimed National emergency for six months with effect from July 18, 2005 with a view to remove the prevailing inadequacies and install a responsible and legal national government to fulfill the aspirations of the people to defend their sovereignty. "On completion of the national emergency period, a National assembly shall be held accordingly, so let each and every Region be prepared to attend and participate in it," the Secretary of Defense stated.
Naga body to launch stir in Manipur Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Nov 5 – A local Naga organisation would launch a “non-cooperation movement” against Manipur Government to press for its demand of bringing the community-settled areas under one administrative unit.
The United Naga Council decided to launch the movement during a meeting at Taphou village in Senapati district yesterday, sources in the organisation said today.
They said non-payment of house tax to state government, changing of names of villages and hills to local Naga names, separation of Nagas from any organisation in which Meiteis were also involved, etc. would be part of the movement. The meeting also decided not to allow implementation of developmental schemes in the Naga-settled areas by the state government from next year. – PTI
NE, J&K VCs meet at Kohima Kohima | November 06, 2005 Webindia
Goa Governor S C Jamir would inaugurate the second meeting of the vice chancellors of the Universities of the North East and Jammu and Kashmir to be held here from December eight. According to official sources here today the meeting would be hosted by Nagaland university (NU) and matters related to specific problems of higher education in these region would be discussed. The theme of the meeting would be "Vision and Action Plan for Higher Education in North East and Jammu and Kashmir".
Sources said Prof.Atul Sarma of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. S.S. Baghel of Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat, Prof. S.C. Saha of Assam University, Silchar, Prof.P.C. Deka of Tezpur University, Tezpur, Dr. Gautam Barua, Director, National Institute of Technology, Silchar, Dr. Kulendu Pathak of Dibrugarh University, Dr.G.N. Talukdar of Guwahati University, Prof. G.D. Sarma of Nagaland University, Dr. Arvind K Sharma of Mizoram University, Prof. Mrinal Miri of North Eastern Hill University, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo of University of Jammu, Dr. A. Wahid of University of Kashmir, Prof., Anwar Alam of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Jammu, Prof. N K Bansal of Shri Mata Vishno Devi University, Jammu, Prof. A.K. Mukhopadhyay of Tripura university and Mr.L.C. Amarnathan of Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical and Technological Science, Gangtok would attend the two-day meeting. UNI AS TJP AKP1139
Sam Manekshaw serious, being flown to Army Hospital in Delhi LD MANEKSHAWNEW DELHI, NOV 6 (PTI)
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who has been suffering from acute pneumonia, is being shifted to the Army Hospital here from Wellington in Tamil Nadu. The 91-year-old Manekshaw had been undergoing treatment at the Military Hospital in Wellington and was being brought to the Army Research and Referral Hospital, Army sources said here. Born in Amritsar on April 3, 1914, Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw served as the 8th Chief of the Army Staff between June 1969 and January 1973, capping nearly four decades of military service.
An astute war planner, Manekshaw led India to victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, which ended with the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani armed personnel. He was among the first batch of cadets to pass out of the Indian Military Academy in October 1934 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army.
Decorated with the Military Cross for valour in Burma during World War II, Manekshaw was awarded the Padma Bhushan (1968) for handling the insurgency in Nagaland as the Group Officer Commanding in Chief of the Eastern Command. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972 after the 1971 war against Pakistan which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Manekshaw was conferred with the honorary rank of Field Marshal on January 1, 1973. He retired from the Army a fortnight later.
Former Arunachal Minister’s arrest demanded From Tage T Tara
ITANAGAR, NOV 5 (NEPS): A petty land dispute has snowballed into a major political crisis in this border state with the demand of arrest of former minister and Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Working President, Takam Sanjoy for his alleged role in assaulting Hollongi GB, Nabam Taring on Oct 24 last.
A team led by Arunachal Pradesh Papum Pare District Gaon Burah Welfare Association (APPDGWA) president, Nabam Apo here yesterday submitted a four-point memorandum to the State Governor, S K Singh urging him for immediate arrest of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Working President, Takam Sanjoy for his alleged role in assaulting Hollongi GB, Nabam Taring on Oct 24 last in a land dispute.
Apo, while talking to reporters here last evening, demanded the immediate suspension of Balijan Sub Inspector, R K Singh and Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC). Beside they should bear expenditure for Taring’s treatment. They also threatened to resign enmasse and hand over all the red coats back to the government if no prompt action was taken in a week’s time. Denying his involvement in the assault case, Sanjoy claimed that the land belonged to him as he had purchased from the owner. “It is a conspiracy hatched against me by my political adversary using the GB institution as the best option to malign his image”, Sanjoy said adding that he had filed a late FIR with the police against Taring, whose supporters had dismantled a newly constructed house on his plot of land on Oct 20. Police arrested Taring, he added.
Radio poll indicates fear of corruption rather than AIDS
Imphal | November 06, 2005 10:37:47 AM IST Webindia
Corruption and not HIV/AIDS causes more concern among Manipuris. This fact emerged following a radio poll conducted by the Regional News Unit(RNU) of the All India Radio(AIR), Imphal. Mr B B Sharma, in charge RNU, has said that the AIR conducted an opinion poll on HIV/AIDS and corruption in Manipur, to ascertain which of the two is the bigger issue among the listeners. The poll was launched on October 2 and gave 18 days to the respondents. Altogether 750 opinions were received through post, e-mail and hand post.
A representative cross section of the polls was received ranging from top bureaucrats, doctors, teachers to social workers, students, former MPs, Gram Panchayat members and editors. The opinion poll covered all the nine districts of Manipur. Response was also received from Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam as well.
The opinion poll showed that all the respondents were fully aware of the impact of both HIV/AIDS and corruption. It also indicated that awareness of the dreaded disease was quite high in Manipur, including preventive measures thereof. However, corruption loomed larger in the minds of listeners than HIV/AIDS. Of every six opinions received as many as five felt that corruption was more serious a problem for Manipur. Interestingly, out of every six doctors, one voted for HIV/AIDS while the remaining five, including a retired Additional Director, State Health Department, went in favour of corruption. Area wise, the poll represented the entire state of Manipur, Mr Sharma said. But the number of respondents of 750 represented a microscopic minority of the state having 24 lakh population. But the nature of the opinion, reasons and status of the respondents were such that they could be considered as opinion makers of various sections of the society.
The reasons given by the respondents were thought provoking. However, it could not be construed as a final verdict on the issues but it was certainly a trend which could not be ignored by planners, policy makers and stakeholders of the political leadership in the state. UNI NS PL AKP0959
Winning hearts essential to maintain peace and harmony From Our Correspondent Neps ITANAGAR, NOV 04 (NEPS): - Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh with its scenic beauty can hold the key to success for development of the state. Winning over hearts and minds of people is the most essential element to maintain peace and harmony in Tirap and that will boost the tourism industry in the state.
Assam Rifles has undertaken extensive psychological operations in the district to win over the hearts and minds of people living this border district. The series of psychological operations carried out by the Assam Rifles has been able to motivate two young insurgents of NSCN (IM) to surrender with their weapons. The surrender ceremony was organized at Khonsa under the 25 Sector Assam Rifles.
Sam Manekshaw hospitalised NDTV Correspondent Sunday, November 6, 2005 (Cunoor):
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the hero of the 1971 war and the Indian Army's first Field Marshal, is reported to be seriously unwell with a bout of pneumonia. He has been admitted to a hospital in Cunoor, and will now be flown into Delhi either today or on Monday, or as soon as his condition stabilises. Manekshaw, now more than 91 years, fought on the Burma front during the Second World War and was Army Chief during 1971 when the Indian Army liberated Bangladesh in what is described as its finest hour. He assumed charge of the Indian Army, as the 8th Chief of Army Staff, on 7 June 1969. Born in Amritsar, Punjab on 03 April 1914, he completed his schooling in Amritsar and Sherwood College, Nainital. He then joined the first batch of 40 cadets at Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehra Dun on 1 October 1932. He passed out of the IMA in December 1934 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army. He held several regimental assignments and was first attached to the Royal Scouts and later to the 12 Frontier Force Rifles.
Bravery on battle front: During World War II, he saw action in the Burma campaign on Sittang river and has the rare distinction of being honoured for his bravery on the battle front itself.
During World War II, he was leading a counter-offensive against the invading Japanese Army in Burma. As he charged forward with his men, a Japanese soldier suddenly emerged from the bushes and fired at him, wounding him seriously in the stomach. Fortunately, Major General DT Cowan spotted Manekshaw holding on to life and was aware of his valour in face of stiff resistance from the Japanese. Fearing the worst, Major General Cowan quickly pinned his own Military Cross ribbon on to Manekshaw saying, "A dead person cannot be awarded a Military Cross."
Having recovered from those near-fatal wounds in Burma, Manekshaw went for a course at Staff College, Quetta and later also served there as an instructor before being sent to join 12 Frontier Force Rifles in Burma under General (later Field Marshal) Slim's 14th Army. He was once again involved in a fierce battle with the Japanese, and was wounded for a second time. Towards the close of World War II, Manekshaw was sent as Staff Officer to General Daisy in Indo-China where, after the Japanese surrender, he helped rehabilitate over 10,000 POWs.
He, then, went on a six-month lecture tour to Australia in 1946, and after his return served as a First Grade Staff Officer in the Military Operations Directorate.Manekshaw showed acumen for planning and administration while handling the issues related to partition in 1947, and later put to use his battle skills during the 1947-48 Jammu & Kashmir Operations.
Tackling insurgency:
After command of an Infantry Brigade he was posted as the Commandant of the Infantry School and also became the Colonel of 8 Gorkha Rifles (his regimental home) and 61 Cavalry. He commanded a Division in Jammu & Kashmir and a Corps in the North East, with a tenure as Commandant of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in between. As GOC-in-C Eastern Command, he handled the tricky problem of insurgency in Nagaland and the grateful nation honoured him with a Padma Bhushan in 1968. Manekshaw succeeded General Kumaramangalam as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on 07 June 1969.
His years of military experience were soon put to the test as thousands of refugees from the erstwhile East Pakistan started crossing over to India as a result of oppression unleashed from West Pakistan.
The volatile situation got worse, and soon erupted into a full-scale war in December 1971. During the military campaign, Manekshaw showed uncommon ability to motivate the forces, coupling it with a mature war strategy. The war ended with Pakistan's unconditional surrender, and the formation of Bangladesh. For his selfless service to the nation, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972 and was conferred with the honorary rank of Field Marshal on 01 January 1973. He retired a fortnight later, on 15 January 1973, after completing nearly four decades of military service.
Some of his achievements as COAS are:
• Prepared the Army for a well-planned and a well executed operation against Pakistan in 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.
• As Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, he welded the Army, Navy and Air Force into a well-knit team.
• Taking of over 90,000 Pakistan POWs, thereby paving the way for favourable negotiations.
‘Nagas should worship Durga or Kali than Christ’ Dr. K. Hoshi The Morung Express
Durga Puja or Diwali are, as we all know, the two important festivals of India. They are celebrated everywhere on the country including Nagaland, the constitutional state.
There is nothing strange if these two festivals were celebrated in the state. What was so strange was that, this year, more Nagas than Indians, specially in Dimapur and Kohima celebrated the occasions. The celebration of Durga was marked by gambling where one could see Naga mahajans in every gambling table. While the Indians quietly celebrated Diwali, the festivals of light, by lighting candles, the Nagas celebrated the same by bursting the powerful fire crackers sounding boom and bang everywhere. As usual for Nagas drunkenness added to the flavour of the celebrations.
What a way to celebrate alien festivals when we are fighting for independence! In the fitness of the occasions, there is no doubt whatsoever that Nagas have become truly Indian, culturally. Another feather added on our so called enemy’s head for their successful psychological operation. Where has our national principle for freedom struggle gone?
To a good Christian, partaking in such celebrations amount nothing less to pagan worship, abominable before our God, Jehovah. While our Christian missionaries suffer torture in the hands of the Hindu fundamentalists elsewhere in the country, here we are, totally absorbed in their culture, alien to us. Little deed we realized that in the name of cultural fusion our religion has been slowly but steadily invaded.
For our God sake let us not say that as part and parcel of the country and its society there is nothing wrong for the Nagas to celebrate such occasions. If we have accepted paganism in the Christian context as cultural celebrations, the Nagas should rather worship Durga or Kali than Christ as their gods. It looks like the dooms day for the Nagas isn’t very far. The good Lord blesses our Church.
Hold talks with centre: Rishang to UGs
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Nov 5: "I respect the belief held by the different revolutionary groups ? be it Naga or Meitei ? that Manipur can exist as an independent nation, separate from India. However it is an impossible dream. I urge these people to hold talks with the government of India and demand what is possible within the bounds of the Constitution."
This was stated by the Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing who was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the 3 days sensitisation programme on HIV/AIDS, organised by Universal Caring Mission (UNICAM). The MP further observed that the people should speak out the truth boldly for a peaceful and developed future.
N Bijoy Singh, vice chancellor MU; Dr Paochungbou, president NGO Forum; L Romesh, president DESAM and S Nando, president UNICAM were the president and guests of honour respectively of the inaugural function held at the conference hall of UNICAM at Khurai Lamlong Bazar.
Rishang highlighted that among the different issues plaguing Manipur the three most prominent ones are HIV/AIDS, corruption and insurgency. The MP said that the three are closely linked with corruption being the breeding factor for the other two.
He said that HIV/AIDS should be faced head on and the most important weapons are preventive measures and research work to find a permanent cure. He expressed concern that the Ukhrul-Myanmar border might be infested with HIV positive people. He said that instruction have been given to the sate governments to institute a forum in the state assemblies with the MLAs as members to address different issues including HIV/AIDS. If such a forum is instituted, "each MLA can contribute their lot by working for HIV/AIDS in their respective constituencies", the MP added.
The MP also made it known that under the initiative of Rotary Club, northeast, and the MPs, heart patients between 3-30 years will be given free of cost treatment.
In the presidential speech, the VC said that though drug policy exists in Manipur a more specific policy which addresses the unique problems of Manipur is needed. He advocated a `quarantine policy` to curb the drug problem in Manipur.
In the keynote address, LC Somorendro, UNICAM`s secretary, said that the main objective of UNCAM is to help the widows living with HIV/AIDS find a way to become economically independent. He also highlighted that 2 years back the Shri Rishang Keishing HIV/AIDS Research Centre was instituted to carry out path-breaking research works in the field of HIV/AIDS. As part of the inaugural function, 42 challenging women were presented with simple gifts by UNICAM.
Assam to honour Scottish pioneers of tea By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Jorhat (Assam), Nov 6 (IANS) Assam has begun a hunt to trace descendants of two Scottish brothers to commemorate their contributions in discovering wild tea bushes in the country some 170 years ago.
The government is planning to honour family members of Robert C. Bruce and his brother Charles at a three-day 'Tea Tourism Festival' beginning Dec 4. The Bruce brothers are believed to have first discovered tea bushes in Assam with the help of some local tribal chieftains in 1823.
'We are in touch with our external affairs ministry to help us locate family members of Robert and Charles Bruce so that we can invite them for the festival,' said S.C. Panda, Assam's tourism commissioner.
'We want to felicitate family members of the Bruce brothers who were pioneers of tea in Assam,' Panda told IANS. The tea carnival to be held in this tea-growing town of Jorhat, 310 km east of Assam's main city Guwahati, is also expected to be attended by a host of foreign tourists.
'Apart from Assam's exotic wildlife, we see enough potential in attracting tourists to visit tea plantations,' Panda said. Long before commercial production of tea started in India in the late 1830s, tea plants were growing wild in the jungles of Assam with local Singpho tribal people eating the leaves as a vegetable with garlic, besides drinking the brew dipped in boiled water.
According to various historical records and documents, it was in 1823 that Robert Bruce, a British trader, first discovered tea plants near here with the help of a local Singpho tribal chieftain.
Robert died soon after and his plan to establish a nursery was followed up his brother Charles who was then an employee of the East India Company. It was sometime in the early part of 1830 that Charles set up the first tea plantation in eastern Assam's Sadiya town with the first 12 chests of manufactured tea from indigenous Assam leaf were shipped to London in 1838. Today Assam accounts for about 55 percent of India's total annual tea production of about 820 million kg. India is the world's largest tea producer.
'Tea tourism is still a virgin field and yet unexplored. It would be an exciting experience for foreigners to have fun amid tea plantations,' Dhiraj Kakoty, secretary of the Assam chapter of the Indian Tea Association, said.
PCG-Centre talks in November-end By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Nov 5 – The peace process to bring the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to the negotiation table will continue again later this month as the Union Home Minister and the officials of the Ministry are scheduled to have detailed talks with the People’s Consultative Group (PCG), formed by the militant outfit, in the last week of this month. The process formally got under way with a meeting between Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and members of the PCG in New Delhi on October 26, where both sides accepted the fact that political negotiation is the only way out to solve the issues raised by the ULFA. The Prime Minister also assured the PCG that the Government of India was prepared to discuss all issues concerning Assam, but at the same time, he made it clear that he was a “servant of the Constitution of India.”
One of the members of the PCG told this correspondent that the main aim of the proposed meeting between the Home Minister and the PCG would be to discuss in detail the steps needed to be taken to create a conducive atmosphere for talks between the Government of India and the ULFA. He said that the ULFA has not indulged in any kind of major act of violence since August 15 and the Government must reciprocate for creating a conducive atmosphere for talks. As this issue can be dealt with by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the next round of talks will involve the Union Home Minister.
The issue of release of the jailed leaders of the ULFA will also figure in the next round of talks. The ULFA desired that the central committee members of the outfit, who are in jails, should be released to make it easy for the outfit to take decisions regarding talks with the Government and this issue was raised by the PCG members during the talks with the Prime Minister and the issue would be discussed in detail in the next round of meeting. Several senior leaders of the ULFA including the vice chairman Pradip Gogoi, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, adviser Bhimkanta Boragohain and others are lodged in different jails of the State.
Moreover, several key members of the outfit are missing since the operations by the Royal Bhutan Army to evict the camps of the ULFA and NDFB from the territory of the Himalayan Kingdom in December, 2003 and the whereabouts of those persons are still not known. The PCG is likely to raise the issue in the next meeting so that the Government of India can take up the issue with the Government of Bhutan.
Art forms of NE hill areas vanishing: Giri Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, Nov 5 – Different art forms of the north-eastern hill areas were gradually vanishing or dying, according to Helen Giri, member of Sangeet Natak Academy.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the students of Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication (SIMC), Pune here, Giri said every hill area of the North-east has its own expression of art in the form of traditional dance, song or textile. But all these are vanishing or dying gradually.
Taking exception to the use of ‘tribal’ word before any art form, Giri, who heads the Centre for Cultural and Creative Studies at the North Eastern Hill University, said: “Why can we not use the word hill music or rural music?”
Stressing the need for having professionals to introduce music in visual media, Giri said originality was a must for working before the camera. If any visual was bereft of creativity, the viewer would not see it for the second time.
The day-long seminar ‘Footprints 2005’ titled ‘Telly wonder: news, music, career 24x7’ was to focus on emerging trends and career opportunities in news and music industry on television.
Inaugurating the event, eminent social worker Maya Ingty asked the budding scribes to be fair, judicious and follow the right path. – PTI
Garo ultra leaders shot dead From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
TURA, Nov 5 – The East Garo Hills police and the Army achieved a major success in its fight against militancy in the three districts of Garo Hills and adjoining border areas of Assam when it shot dead two hardcore ANVC deserters who had formed a new outfit recently.
They also succeeded in arresting two other militants from the same group at Bangsi- Minol village, under Mendipather police station early Friday morning.
This is a successful breakthrough because nine ANVC militants had fled from their designated camps at Samanda in East Garo Hills and Chokpot in South Garo Hills recently to form a new organisation. Six of the ANVC militants deserted their Chokpot camp on the October 1 last and prior to that, three other militants had also fled from their Samanda camp. These militants escaped with AK-47 rifles and SLRs and took away a considerable number of grenades and live ammo with them. The three militants who escaped from Samanda were led by one Nobin Sangma after expressing disillusion with the functioning of their former outfit. The splinter group from Chokpot was led by Rabi R Marak.
These members succeeded in coming together and recently formed the A’Chik National Liberation Front which had been instrumental in a series of extortion cases throughout the three districts of Garo Hills. They had abducted a businessman who was operating the weigh bridge at Depa Sarangma a few days ago and was demanding a ransom of over Rs 50 lakh for his release.
Following a tip-off, a combined team of the Army and the Meghalaya Police launched an operation at Bangsi-Minol during the wee hours of Friday morning that led to an encounter between the militants and the paramilitary forces.
In the ensuing encounter, the security forces shot dead two militants, identified as Rarik Sangma and Rabi Marak, both ANVC deserters, and arrested Kalthong Momin and Sengrak Momin. Police also recovered an AK-56 weapon with 20 rounds of ammo, three hand-grenades and an SLR with 17 rounds of live ammo.
It may be recalled that the six ANVC militants led by Rabi Sangma and Rarik Sangma of Bajengdoba had abandoned their camp at Chokpot on October 1 along with Onkang K Marak of Mendipathar, Santal Marak of Damra, Rakkam R Marak alias Rahul of Depa Sarangma and Silkang Marak.
Criminal case against 51 armymen for violating ESMA Arrest warrants issued Sentinel IMPHAL, Nov 5 (UNI): The Duty Magistrate has issued non bailable arrest warrants against an Army Captain and 50 other Army personnel for allegedly barging into the Yurembam power station and forcing the staff to cut off power supply to most parts of the State, specially in the Imphal areas on November 2. The arrest warrants were issued following a case filed by Chief Secretary, Manipur, Jarnail Singh against the Army personnel. The Manipur Government has taken up a criminal case for violating the Essential Services Maintenance Act.
Official sources said that the civil and police officials of the State convened a meeting to discuss the situation and most officials were peeved with the ‘high-handedness’ of the Army personnel posted in Manipur and described the act of Army as ‘uncivilised’. It was alleged that even the State Chief Secretary was badly treated by Army Captain Pillai of the Military Engineering Services of 57 Mountain Division, Leimakhong. The SP of Imphal West has been instructed to arrest all the Army personnel. On November 2, Cap Pillai along with 50 Army personnel went to the Yurembam power station. They barged into the control room overpowering the Indian Reserve Battalion guards and forced the staff to cut off power supply to the Imphal city and other areas. The Yurembam power station supplies power to the entire city area, including the residences of the Governor, Chief Minister and other high ranking officials. All hospitals also depend on the power station.
The power station had failed to provide power to the Army headquarters at Leimakhong due to breakdown of a feeder which was later restored. The Army action was due to the failure of the station to supply power. Chief Secretary, Jarnail Singh rushed to the power station when he heard the news and a confrontation ensued with the Army personnel. He and his Manipur police escorts were thoroughly checked by the Army personnel. Even when Mr Singh informed that operation works in hospitals would be affected due to the cut-off of power, the Army Captain refused to provide power and power supply was restored only after the Army team went away. Meanwhile, President of the All Manipur Bar Association Khaidem Mani has announced that legal steps would be taken up against the Army for cutting off power supply and displacing huge numbers of people by organising massive Operations.
Act of Goondaism Sangai Express
The manner in which some Army personnel led by a Captain showed off their muscle prowess at Yurembam power sub-station and forcefully shut down power for about 90 minutes on November 2 was nothing less than a naked show of brute force. What is more, the young Captain did not hesitate to engage the Chief Secretary of the State, who had rushed there to take stock of the situation, to a verbal duel. As reported in all the daily newspapers of Imphal on November 3, the Army personnel from the Military Engineering Service, led by a Captain stormed the Yurembam power station on November 2 morning and forcefully shut down the power supply to all the region of Imphal covered by the power sub-station. The reason for the naked show of force was the snapping of power supply to Leimakhong for about 15 hours. We agree that the power shut down for such a long time may have been due to negligence of the employees of the Electricity Department, but the manner in which the Army personnel stormed the power sub-station and shut down the power supply is something which cannot be accepted under any circumstances, whether there is the Armed Forces Special Powers Act or not. What was more galling was the fact that the Captain, a young and raw officer, had the temerity to get into a verbal duel with the Chief Secretary. In many ways, the Yurembam incident was a reflection of the manner in which security force conduct themselves. As we understand it, the Yurembam sub-station is a restricted area and the question therefore arises whether the men in uniform are above the law to enter such a site without getting the prior approval of the authority concerned. What is more, the snapping off of the power supply forcefully violates the right of the people to get power supply.
Understandably the Chief Secretary is believed to have taken a serious view of the incident and has already instructed the State Government to take up necessary steps to initiate a criminal case against the personnel. The PRO of the PIB (Defence Wing) too has assured that the Army authority has taken a serious view of the incident and assured that fitting action will be taken up against the guilty personnel. These are fine and in consonance with the rule of law, but the larger implications of the incident should not be lost on us. It is all about respecting the law of the land and if the men who are here to ensure that the law of the land prevails are going to violate it so non-chalantly then the top brass of the security force need some serious self studies. Discipline is the by word of the military. However what the Captain and his men did at Yurembam on November 2 defies all that discipline stands for. The question the Army authority should ask themselves now is, what were the factors that emboldened the Captain to act in such a high handed manner. Did his superiors give him any instructions to shut down the power supply as a retribution for the 15 hour black out at Leimakhong ? We certainly expect Army officers to act more responsibly. What happened at Yurembam was nothing but goondaism at its worst level.
USE of IEDs, MINES a CRIME against GOD By Comdt. (Retd) RS Jassal General. Neps
Right from the early civilisational records available, human beings in communes, villages, states evolutionised to nations, have been involved in securing its boundaries/borders by innovating various methods ranging from human calls, drum calls by log beats to manning EW (early warning) posts and associated other alarm systems by nature & compulsion depending on the nature of requirement, terrain & devices available. With advancement in war technology, the mines came into existence. Mines provided security to the troops at IB and acted as early warning to the troops in combat and forward posts. Mines are also used for channelising enemy troops to the selected killing zones by troops in defensive posts. Mine fields so created also slow down advance of raiding troops thus provide morale boosting doses to the defenders with sufficient warning to deal with attacking troops. In addition to mines, a new system of causing harassment, distraction, killing and devastating confusion to draw support system by militants in their resting points and hideouts against raids by SFs, called as IED, (Improvised
explosive device). It varies in components and scales of cordites, dynamites, gelignite, gun powder, TNT & so on. Depending on components, it causes corresponding damages. It can be ignited by manual control or used as
land mines through remote control or buried under ground, they can go off automatically by entanglement of human beings or animals and explodes with direct impact of weight by stepping over.
Explosives seized in Dimapur-Nagaland September 05
IED Specific: Till a few years back land mines of various shapes & marks were the only destructive devices known and used on live international borders. There laying and rolling up methods are handled by trained persons in the Armed Forces known as pioneers or by the Engineers Corps known as Sappers where intensity of operation so demands due high technological requirement say in tank war in covert war-fare, or in LIC by mercenaries; Sri-Lanka, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Iraq experience has brought out the wreckage impact what land mines and IEDs can create. In low intensity conflict zones (LIC) by insurgents of the origin of the same country like Maoists in Bihar, Andhra, ULFA/BODOS Assam, a host of militant organizations Kashmir and UNLF (with PLA &KNF) in Manipur, ATTF, BLTF Tripura & other parts of our country IEDs are used as integrated weaponry primarily against the state ¢ral Govt. armed forces but has left its indelible mark on the invariability of damage to civil population though pronouncedly not used against them. It is a new threat to human right & right to life.
What is IED? It is a short term given to IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE. Its contents can vary from tins, pipes, glass plastics boxes containers filled with explosives initiating mechanism, & dynamites with embedded nails etc. It can also be improvised from agri fertilizers like ammonium nitrate & so on. Explosives in short are highly dangerous, highly charged sensitive & volatile. Once set ignition is carried out by weight press, timer or remote, their results are unimaginable.
Types of IEDs Improvised Explosive Devices now popularly and commonly known as IED, in Manipur, Assam & Tripura are known to civil society pretty well who suffer from its menace though not at all party to the conflicts of State and none state actors. It has become almost every day feature in media news in the NE and Manipur in particular and causalities are on the increase day by day. So far known types of ignition used for exploding IED are: Water sensor, pressure switch pendulum switch, and touch sensor, pull switch, timer switch, and light operated sensor, release switch, ignition switch, without light sensor, relay switch and electronic timer. In fact it is difficult to bind them in definite terms as these can be used as flying saucers also in crowded places.
Types of injuries they inflict
* Blast mines: Usually hand-laid on or under the ground or scattered from the air. The explosive force of the mines cause foot, leg, and groin injuries and secondary infections usually result in amputation
* Fragmentation mines: Usually laid on or under the ground and often activated by tripwire or other means. When detonated the explosion project hundreds of fragments at ballistic speed of up to 50 meters resulting in
fragmentation wounds. Some fragmentation mines contain a primary charge to lift the mine above the ground (about 1 to 1.5 meters) before detonating which can injure an adult's abdomen, genitals and take off a victims head too.
Do landmines and IEDs obey the laws of war? No they cannot
The laws of war dictate that soldiers and their weapon discriminate between soldiers and civilians. Additionally, there is to be a balance between military need and consequences to the civilian's population. These two principles of the law of war discrimination and proportionality apply to the use of mines & IEDs in war or LIC situation
It is a fact that land mines and charged explosive (IEDs) do not discriminate the military and society as a whole. If it demoralizes the enemy psychologically and affects physically, it also damages terrorizes civilians in greater terms. The fear psychosis affecting military personnel ends with end of war or day to day ambush but impact on civilians goes much beyond till the mine IED is unarmed, destroyed or removed. Civilians those who survive with serious, minor or disability affect are made to spend balance of life in mute memories. The uses of IED in various forms and in the NE by militants of all hues are horrendous and terrifying menace to the civilians &SFs and even militants all. How many of them suffer while carrying, laying & even storing is known to militant leaders. SFs suffer losses while conducting mining &de-mining exercise or in combating insurgency in LIC (Low Intensity conflict) though SFs never lay it for civilians in LIC zone(s). Mines are boldly marked and fenced at IB by the BOPs.
A Child lost both legs
But underground terrorists do not do so while fighting with SF within our own terrority and with own SF's. No doubt, Mines play a great role in accomplishment of military tasks at IBs but it causes untold damage to own
people (civilians) when IED planted by militants is faced by them in jungle, fields in & around village. And if it is in populated areas, bazaar or main roads it invites back fire from SFs in ruthless manners as happened in the
past in Assam, Tripura, and Nagaland & Manipur.
Disturbing trends in Manipur:
During my Aug trip to Jiribam (NH 53) I was told by local leaders, CO 26 Assam Riffles that one Munniruddin Borbaniya of Ahmedabad village (please do not mix up with Ahmedabed of Gujarat, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh) near Bekra lost his left leg by amputation in Silchar Medical college. He had got caught in activation of an IED while returning home after fire wood collection which might have been laid by the militants for action against the SF's quite unmindful of its consequence on local people. It happened in early part of June 2005.GOC 57 Mtn Division and 26 Assam Rifles under his command provided all medical aid and Silchar Medical college provided him with a wheel chair. This is only one of the many cases of IED victims. Similarly there are many cases of summary killings of civil population by the terrorists in areas of Bekra - Vangai range and CC Pur interior left unaided and uncared for by the state and the UGs. Some data collected from HQ 57 Mountain division reveals that in CC pur village of Zangvakot (Khuttu), Diyalkhai, Mongon and Abitang adjacent to Thanlon, four villagers have died because of release of IED due human contact and four have been injured including two from Bukpi. In Chandel Dist Latkhuiier Kuki (28) of Sehhao Kuki village has been paralysed, five persons from Khullen have died and three have suffered multiple injuries. One each from Molcham village and
New Samtal have died and Nengriching 24 from Tuyon village injured. In Jiribam Sub Division four have been injured including Munniruddin who lost his leg as amputated they belong to Chhota Bekra Ahmadabad and Zangnom. This data pertains to period 25 Nov 04 to 12 June 05. The data collected from HQ IG AR (S) reveals there were total 16 blasts from 1 Jan 05 to 25 Oct. It details civilians died four injured one SFs died two and injured six. Most of the blasts against SFs could not cause any harm. A considerable number of IEDs were detected and neutralized. Recently three blasts have occurred in Moreh & Khudengthabi.
Civil psyche devastator:
IEDs if planted by militants on NHs or main /auxiliary roads for causing casualties to men and vehicle of SFs they do harm to vehicles and men as is experienced in the past by IRB personal Army/BSF/CRPF/AR but all the
incidents drew uncontrolled fire to same point or in the vicinity reinforced by punitive action by the provogated SFs in the brawl, hence have caused more casualties to civilians not involved in insurgency conflict at all. Breast fed children, convalescing persons unable to move away from the scene of incidence, school going children, persons wishing to attend social functions, ladies waiting deliveries have been seen suffered from after blast wrath of legally armed persons resulting in HR violations. As well at far flung places where no law exists & UGs writ rules. In the last two decades many have gone crippled, paralysed and suffered amputations and some
lost voice too due to traumatic shocks of seeing their near and dear one losing their lives from close by. No NGO or HR body is maintaining any record of such casualties other than holding workshop/seminars I am pained to say they do pretty little for such victims for whom they are meant to function. Of late, with proliferation of UG setups and to preempt each other or one another's attempt of attack or for early warning system against SFs on approach routes UGs are planting IEDs in the periphery of villages while resting which have caused casualties as brought out in previous paragraph too. SFs personnel have well co-ordinated system for evacuation, treatment and compensation where as civil casualties suffer in all bareness in all respects and thus leave many questions answered.
Suggestions
* Complete ban is the only answer other than by Army at IBs where absolute necessary in actual war notwithstanding what UN says.
* In context of Manipur, IB with Myanmar is a sleepy border. Due to frequent move of UGs to Bangladesh and Myanmar (ISI) camps, SF posts are established and removed as per requirement all over the state. In that case if mines and IEDs are used and left un removed by intent or other wise, damages to civilians including animals cannot be safe vouched hence it is offence against humanity for both SF and the insurgents.
* Consider complete ban on use of mines including IEDs in Manipur & other NE states. Manipur is having strong Meira Paibis (torch bearers against social evils) club systems, their potentials must be exploited to optimum to educate our society on devastating and in- human affect of abhorrent landmines and IEDs on human beings and animals including ecology since mostly activities are in jungle. We must change mindsets of non-state actors for humanitarian reasons. Why should they do that as it will erode their public base which is equally and more importantly needed by them?
* There is no denying the fact that whether UGs cause destruction or SF losses both side are our own kith and kin since there are personae from Manipur and NE very much on the active roll of the SFs too and civil society
base is common for both .
* Manipur Human Right Commission be activated to influence non state actors and civil society on the issue instead of politicizing their appointments.
* Purview of the subject apart, it is strongly felt youth who are the future care takers of our social concerns be educated with a suitable system & subject head on "Love, compassion, respect & care for humanity above self" introduced in educational curriculum to obtain equilibrium of mind and soul for the sake of the humanity beyond village, regional, national to state & international borders. It is the urgent need for nailing our ills.
Conclusion.
The impact of twin blasts in Dimapur in Oct last year needs studying. Who is gaining out of present conflict neither North Easterners nor the SFs; definitely a third party? It is not difficult to judge who this third party is. Interference of ISI operatives in the NE is now quite in the open. UNLF can gather more credence & support if its supremo considers to issue a complete ban on use of IEDs any where in the hill and valley. KNF/KNA also must consider this point seriously. Losses in Molcham, Moreh, and Khudengthabi are increasing day by day. If it is against SFs or opposing UG teams in hills, villages may be still acceptable, but there is no guarantee. And if it is around suburbs village in valley in a populated area or highway where SF's around it provides unlicensed lever to SFs to open fire at random. The brunt is borne by the civil societies. SFs state or center still have recourse to immediate evacuation medical treatment and compensation whereas a civilian does not have set procedure or compulsion for same as is demonstrated by Muniruddin case above. NSCN (IM) has already signed against
used of mines/IEDs in 2002. Other groups need its urgent consideration.
Frans on 11.06.05 @ 02:51 PM CST [link]
NNC charges Muivah with ‘compromising’ on Naga issue
NNC charges Muivah with ‘compromising’ on Naga issue Source: The Sangai Express
Dimapur, November 05 (NNN): The Naga National Council (NNC) has condemned a recent statement of NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th Muivah in which he had allegedly “compromised” on the issue of Naga sovereignty.
A press statement issued by NNC general secretary Vizosielhou Nagi said the NSCN (IM)’s comprising on the issue of sovereignty had come out clearly and publicly from “Th Muivah's mouth” in the interview with BBC News that NSCN (IM) has come down quite a bit from their demand for absolute sovereignty compromising foreign affairs, defence and currency.
“NSCN (IM) federal relationship with India has come out clearly this time of their absolute compromised stand of the Naga sovereignty allowing Indian Army to stay in Nagaland is a total capitulation. It is volte-face and complete fall from the sublime to the ridiculous, from the Kuknalim to the Jai Hind!,” the statement said.
However, the NNC welcomed NSCN (IM)’s stand to break down the talks and ceasefire with India and return to the jungles after January 31 next in the event of Government of India’s failure to concede to the demands.
Reacting to a media report, the NNC made it clear to all concerned that it had never signed the “treacherous Shillong Accord of 1975”. According to NNC, the late Zashei Huire and his ministry signed the Shillong Accord in complete violation of the constitution.
“In reality, all the signatories were FGN officials,” it said. Further, the statement said, NNC, the Naga political institution established in 1946 and FGN, a government formed in the year 1956, were separate political entities and bodies.
“The FGN under the presidentship of the late Zashei Huire had signed the treacherous accord of 1975 but disowned it in the year of 1996,” the NNC said and asked all concerned not to be confused on this matter.
The NNC reiterated its stand for Naga sovereignty covering all Naga inhabited areas including eastern Nagaland and vowed to continue the fight towards this perspective.
‘From Kuknalim to Jai Hind’: NNC The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOV 5 (MExN): The NNC General Secretary Vizosielhou Nagi strongly condemned NSCN -IM General Secretary Th. Muivah and his organsition for what it termed as ‘compromising on Naga Sovereignty’. "This has come out clearly and publicly from Muivah’s mouth in the interview and the NSCN-IM has come down quite a bit from their demand for absolute sovereignty compromising on foreign affairs, defence and currency", Nagi stated in a press communiqué.
"It is a total capitulation. It is a volte-face; it is a complete fall from the sublime to the ridiculous, from the kuknalim to the Jai Hind", Nagi stated referring to the NSCN-IM federal plan with India. The NNC however welcomed the stand taken by the NSCN-IM to end talks and discontinue its ceasefire with India and ‘return to the jungles after 31st January 2006’.
The NNC in response to misleading reports in a section of the local daily has also made it clear that the NNC had never joined the Union of India and pointed to the declaration of Naga independence on August 14, 1947 and also the 1951 plebiscite as proof of it. Nagi pointed out that the issue was of India’s ‘invasion and occupation of Nagaland in complete violation of international law.
"Today, once again the NNC will make it very, very clear to all concerned that the NNC had never signed the treacherous Shillong Accord of 1975", Nagi stated while pointing out instead that late Zashei Huire and his ministry in complete violation of the constitution signed the Shillong Accord of 1975. Nagi defended the NNC by stating that all the signatories were FGN officials. "Not a single NNC official had signed the Shillong Accord of 1975", he stated and clarified that the NNC was a political institution established in 1946 and that the FGN was a government formed in the year 1956 as a separate political entity and body.
"Therefore, no one should be confused about this serious political matter anymore and should not blame the NNC in the matter anymore in the future. The NNC will not tolerate the wrongful blame made against the political institution of the Nagas by anybody in the future", Nagi cautioned. Nagi went on to reiterate the stand of the NNC for Naga Sovereignty covering all the Naga inhabited areas including ‘free eastern Nagaland’ while also stating that it would stand to continually fight for the international recognition of the Naga cause.
FGN on expulsion of Tatars The Morung Express
KOHIMA, NOV 5 (MExN): In reference to certain publications in the local media regarding the four Tatars of the Federal Government of Nagaland, namely Eno Er VK Mere Angami, Eno Zaleo Chakhesang, Eno P Puthai Khiamniungan and Eno K Pushuo Khianniungan, who were reportedly served with expulsion, the Secretary of Keya (Defense) FGN has clarified on certain matters regarding the same.
P Puthai Khiamniungan, the Secretary stated that it is understood that the FGN is the government of the people and that Tatars were the elected members different from an appointed authority. He, quoting the Article 71 of the Yehzabo which states that the Tatar Hoho shall have the power to expel any member(s) in the house if found guilty of commission of any offence against the house of the nation, stated out that it was necessary to point out the offence so committed by the said four Tatars which resulted in their expulsion.
He quoted article 24 that the Kedahge shall, after expiry of his term, continue to hold office until his successor enters upon his office and that article 27 stated "any person acting as Kedahge or discharging the functions of the Kedahge shall, before entering upon his office make and subscribe the following oath in the presence of the Nsa Midan (Chief Justice) of the Mayam Riyam (Supreme Court) or any person appointed in that behalf". In this context, the secretary asked that it be known when the so called new Kedahge General (Retd.) V Metha took charge of the office by taking oath in accordance with the provision of the national charter.
"The supposed to be 54 Tatar Hoho of the Naga Nation was held without the participation of all the Nagas but was a merely stage-managed show wherein General (Retd.) Metha was declared to be elected the New Kedahge of FGN. This was only a manipulation of the inmates of the Transit peace Camp at Kohima" the Defense secretary stated while terming the expulsion of four Tatars released in the name of one Alan, assistant secretary of Rali Wali as "funny". Puthai Khiamniungan questioned who this man was and which Region he belong to while stating that this was only an exponent of how the Transit peace campers functioned by claiming national responsibility and ‘cheating’ the Nagas. The Secretary further stated that solution to the Indo-Naga problem did not lie in claiming a name or clinging to an office of National authority so formed by "hand picking pedestrians in Kohima Town to represent their regions in any national meeting.
"Are the representatives of the said 13 regions who participated in the supposed to be 55 Tatar Hoho of FGN of his kind or are they true representatives of their people. Can their identities be made known?" he asked. He also added that the Kedahge of the FGN Brigadier (Retd.) Singnya had proclaimed National emergency for six months with effect from July 18, 2005 with a view to remove the prevailing inadequacies and install a responsible and legal national government to fulfill the aspirations of the people to defend their sovereignty. "On completion of the national emergency period, a National assembly shall be held accordingly, so let each and every Region be prepared to attend and participate in it," the Secretary of Defense stated.
Naga body to launch stir in Manipur Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Nov 5 – A local Naga organisation would launch a “non-cooperation movement” against Manipur Government to press for its demand of bringing the community-settled areas under one administrative unit.
The United Naga Council decided to launch the movement during a meeting at Taphou village in Senapati district yesterday, sources in the organisation said today.
They said non-payment of house tax to state government, changing of names of villages and hills to local Naga names, separation of Nagas from any organisation in which Meiteis were also involved, etc. would be part of the movement. The meeting also decided not to allow implementation of developmental schemes in the Naga-settled areas by the state government from next year. – PTI
NE, J&K VCs meet at Kohima Kohima | November 06, 2005 Webindia
Goa Governor S C Jamir would inaugurate the second meeting of the vice chancellors of the Universities of the North East and Jammu and Kashmir to be held here from December eight. According to official sources here today the meeting would be hosted by Nagaland university (NU) and matters related to specific problems of higher education in these region would be discussed. The theme of the meeting would be "Vision and Action Plan for Higher Education in North East and Jammu and Kashmir".
Sources said Prof.Atul Sarma of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. S.S. Baghel of Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat, Prof. S.C. Saha of Assam University, Silchar, Prof.P.C. Deka of Tezpur University, Tezpur, Dr. Gautam Barua, Director, National Institute of Technology, Silchar, Dr. Kulendu Pathak of Dibrugarh University, Dr.G.N. Talukdar of Guwahati University, Prof. G.D. Sarma of Nagaland University, Dr. Arvind K Sharma of Mizoram University, Prof. Mrinal Miri of North Eastern Hill University, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo of University of Jammu, Dr. A. Wahid of University of Kashmir, Prof., Anwar Alam of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Jammu, Prof. N K Bansal of Shri Mata Vishno Devi University, Jammu, Prof. A.K. Mukhopadhyay of Tripura university and Mr.L.C. Amarnathan of Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical and Technological Science, Gangtok would attend the two-day meeting. UNI AS TJP AKP1139
Sam Manekshaw serious, being flown to Army Hospital in Delhi LD MANEKSHAWNEW DELHI, NOV 6 (PTI)
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who has been suffering from acute pneumonia, is being shifted to the Army Hospital here from Wellington in Tamil Nadu. The 91-year-old Manekshaw had been undergoing treatment at the Military Hospital in Wellington and was being brought to the Army Research and Referral Hospital, Army sources said here. Born in Amritsar on April 3, 1914, Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw served as the 8th Chief of the Army Staff between June 1969 and January 1973, capping nearly four decades of military service.
An astute war planner, Manekshaw led India to victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, which ended with the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani armed personnel. He was among the first batch of cadets to pass out of the Indian Military Academy in October 1934 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army.
Decorated with the Military Cross for valour in Burma during World War II, Manekshaw was awarded the Padma Bhushan (1968) for handling the insurgency in Nagaland as the Group Officer Commanding in Chief of the Eastern Command. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972 after the 1971 war against Pakistan which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Manekshaw was conferred with the honorary rank of Field Marshal on January 1, 1973. He retired from the Army a fortnight later.
Former Arunachal Minister’s arrest demanded From Tage T Tara
ITANAGAR, NOV 5 (NEPS): A petty land dispute has snowballed into a major political crisis in this border state with the demand of arrest of former minister and Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Working President, Takam Sanjoy for his alleged role in assaulting Hollongi GB, Nabam Taring on Oct 24 last.
A team led by Arunachal Pradesh Papum Pare District Gaon Burah Welfare Association (APPDGWA) president, Nabam Apo here yesterday submitted a four-point memorandum to the State Governor, S K Singh urging him for immediate arrest of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Working President, Takam Sanjoy for his alleged role in assaulting Hollongi GB, Nabam Taring on Oct 24 last in a land dispute.
Apo, while talking to reporters here last evening, demanded the immediate suspension of Balijan Sub Inspector, R K Singh and Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC). Beside they should bear expenditure for Taring’s treatment. They also threatened to resign enmasse and hand over all the red coats back to the government if no prompt action was taken in a week’s time. Denying his involvement in the assault case, Sanjoy claimed that the land belonged to him as he had purchased from the owner. “It is a conspiracy hatched against me by my political adversary using the GB institution as the best option to malign his image”, Sanjoy said adding that he had filed a late FIR with the police against Taring, whose supporters had dismantled a newly constructed house on his plot of land on Oct 20. Police arrested Taring, he added.
Radio poll indicates fear of corruption rather than AIDS
Imphal | November 06, 2005 10:37:47 AM IST Webindia
Corruption and not HIV/AIDS causes more concern among Manipuris. This fact emerged following a radio poll conducted by the Regional News Unit(RNU) of the All India Radio(AIR), Imphal. Mr B B Sharma, in charge RNU, has said that the AIR conducted an opinion poll on HIV/AIDS and corruption in Manipur, to ascertain which of the two is the bigger issue among the listeners. The poll was launched on October 2 and gave 18 days to the respondents. Altogether 750 opinions were received through post, e-mail and hand post.
A representative cross section of the polls was received ranging from top bureaucrats, doctors, teachers to social workers, students, former MPs, Gram Panchayat members and editors. The opinion poll covered all the nine districts of Manipur. Response was also received from Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam as well.
The opinion poll showed that all the respondents were fully aware of the impact of both HIV/AIDS and corruption. It also indicated that awareness of the dreaded disease was quite high in Manipur, including preventive measures thereof. However, corruption loomed larger in the minds of listeners than HIV/AIDS. Of every six opinions received as many as five felt that corruption was more serious a problem for Manipur. Interestingly, out of every six doctors, one voted for HIV/AIDS while the remaining five, including a retired Additional Director, State Health Department, went in favour of corruption. Area wise, the poll represented the entire state of Manipur, Mr Sharma said. But the number of respondents of 750 represented a microscopic minority of the state having 24 lakh population. But the nature of the opinion, reasons and status of the respondents were such that they could be considered as opinion makers of various sections of the society.
The reasons given by the respondents were thought provoking. However, it could not be construed as a final verdict on the issues but it was certainly a trend which could not be ignored by planners, policy makers and stakeholders of the political leadership in the state. UNI NS PL AKP0959
Winning hearts essential to maintain peace and harmony From Our Correspondent Neps ITANAGAR, NOV 04 (NEPS): - Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh with its scenic beauty can hold the key to success for development of the state. Winning over hearts and minds of people is the most essential element to maintain peace and harmony in Tirap and that will boost the tourism industry in the state.
Assam Rifles has undertaken extensive psychological operations in the district to win over the hearts and minds of people living this border district. The series of psychological operations carried out by the Assam Rifles has been able to motivate two young insurgents of NSCN (IM) to surrender with their weapons. The surrender ceremony was organized at Khonsa under the 25 Sector Assam Rifles.
Sam Manekshaw hospitalised NDTV Correspondent Sunday, November 6, 2005 (Cunoor):
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the hero of the 1971 war and the Indian Army's first Field Marshal, is reported to be seriously unwell with a bout of pneumonia. He has been admitted to a hospital in Cunoor, and will now be flown into Delhi either today or on Monday, or as soon as his condition stabilises. Manekshaw, now more than 91 years, fought on the Burma front during the Second World War and was Army Chief during 1971 when the Indian Army liberated Bangladesh in what is described as its finest hour. He assumed charge of the Indian Army, as the 8th Chief of Army Staff, on 7 June 1969. Born in Amritsar, Punjab on 03 April 1914, he completed his schooling in Amritsar and Sherwood College, Nainital. He then joined the first batch of 40 cadets at Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehra Dun on 1 October 1932. He passed out of the IMA in December 1934 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army. He held several regimental assignments and was first attached to the Royal Scouts and later to the 12 Frontier Force Rifles.
Bravery on battle front: During World War II, he saw action in the Burma campaign on Sittang river and has the rare distinction of being honoured for his bravery on the battle front itself.
During World War II, he was leading a counter-offensive against the invading Japanese Army in Burma. As he charged forward with his men, a Japanese soldier suddenly emerged from the bushes and fired at him, wounding him seriously in the stomach. Fortunately, Major General DT Cowan spotted Manekshaw holding on to life and was aware of his valour in face of stiff resistance from the Japanese. Fearing the worst, Major General Cowan quickly pinned his own Military Cross ribbon on to Manekshaw saying, "A dead person cannot be awarded a Military Cross."
Having recovered from those near-fatal wounds in Burma, Manekshaw went for a course at Staff College, Quetta and later also served there as an instructor before being sent to join 12 Frontier Force Rifles in Burma under General (later Field Marshal) Slim's 14th Army. He was once again involved in a fierce battle with the Japanese, and was wounded for a second time. Towards the close of World War II, Manekshaw was sent as Staff Officer to General Daisy in Indo-China where, after the Japanese surrender, he helped rehabilitate over 10,000 POWs.
He, then, went on a six-month lecture tour to Australia in 1946, and after his return served as a First Grade Staff Officer in the Military Operations Directorate.Manekshaw showed acumen for planning and administration while handling the issues related to partition in 1947, and later put to use his battle skills during the 1947-48 Jammu & Kashmir Operations.
Tackling insurgency:
After command of an Infantry Brigade he was posted as the Commandant of the Infantry School and also became the Colonel of 8 Gorkha Rifles (his regimental home) and 61 Cavalry. He commanded a Division in Jammu & Kashmir and a Corps in the North East, with a tenure as Commandant of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in between. As GOC-in-C Eastern Command, he handled the tricky problem of insurgency in Nagaland and the grateful nation honoured him with a Padma Bhushan in 1968. Manekshaw succeeded General Kumaramangalam as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on 07 June 1969.
His years of military experience were soon put to the test as thousands of refugees from the erstwhile East Pakistan started crossing over to India as a result of oppression unleashed from West Pakistan.
The volatile situation got worse, and soon erupted into a full-scale war in December 1971. During the military campaign, Manekshaw showed uncommon ability to motivate the forces, coupling it with a mature war strategy. The war ended with Pakistan's unconditional surrender, and the formation of Bangladesh. For his selfless service to the nation, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972 and was conferred with the honorary rank of Field Marshal on 01 January 1973. He retired a fortnight later, on 15 January 1973, after completing nearly four decades of military service.
Some of his achievements as COAS are:
• Prepared the Army for a well-planned and a well executed operation against Pakistan in 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.
• As Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, he welded the Army, Navy and Air Force into a well-knit team.
• Taking of over 90,000 Pakistan POWs, thereby paving the way for favourable negotiations.
‘Nagas should worship Durga or Kali than Christ’ Dr. K. Hoshi The Morung Express
Durga Puja or Diwali are, as we all know, the two important festivals of India. They are celebrated everywhere on the country including Nagaland, the constitutional state.
There is nothing strange if these two festivals were celebrated in the state. What was so strange was that, this year, more Nagas than Indians, specially in Dimapur and Kohima celebrated the occasions. The celebration of Durga was marked by gambling where one could see Naga mahajans in every gambling table. While the Indians quietly celebrated Diwali, the festivals of light, by lighting candles, the Nagas celebrated the same by bursting the powerful fire crackers sounding boom and bang everywhere. As usual for Nagas drunkenness added to the flavour of the celebrations.
What a way to celebrate alien festivals when we are fighting for independence! In the fitness of the occasions, there is no doubt whatsoever that Nagas have become truly Indian, culturally. Another feather added on our so called enemy’s head for their successful psychological operation. Where has our national principle for freedom struggle gone?
To a good Christian, partaking in such celebrations amount nothing less to pagan worship, abominable before our God, Jehovah. While our Christian missionaries suffer torture in the hands of the Hindu fundamentalists elsewhere in the country, here we are, totally absorbed in their culture, alien to us. Little deed we realized that in the name of cultural fusion our religion has been slowly but steadily invaded.
For our God sake let us not say that as part and parcel of the country and its society there is nothing wrong for the Nagas to celebrate such occasions. If we have accepted paganism in the Christian context as cultural celebrations, the Nagas should rather worship Durga or Kali than Christ as their gods. It looks like the dooms day for the Nagas isn’t very far. The good Lord blesses our Church.
Hold talks with centre: Rishang to UGs
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Nov 5: "I respect the belief held by the different revolutionary groups ? be it Naga or Meitei ? that Manipur can exist as an independent nation, separate from India. However it is an impossible dream. I urge these people to hold talks with the government of India and demand what is possible within the bounds of the Constitution."
This was stated by the Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing who was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the 3 days sensitisation programme on HIV/AIDS, organised by Universal Caring Mission (UNICAM). The MP further observed that the people should speak out the truth boldly for a peaceful and developed future.
N Bijoy Singh, vice chancellor MU; Dr Paochungbou, president NGO Forum; L Romesh, president DESAM and S Nando, president UNICAM were the president and guests of honour respectively of the inaugural function held at the conference hall of UNICAM at Khurai Lamlong Bazar.
Rishang highlighted that among the different issues plaguing Manipur the three most prominent ones are HIV/AIDS, corruption and insurgency. The MP said that the three are closely linked with corruption being the breeding factor for the other two.
He said that HIV/AIDS should be faced head on and the most important weapons are preventive measures and research work to find a permanent cure. He expressed concern that the Ukhrul-Myanmar border might be infested with HIV positive people. He said that instruction have been given to the sate governments to institute a forum in the state assemblies with the MLAs as members to address different issues including HIV/AIDS. If such a forum is instituted, "each MLA can contribute their lot by working for HIV/AIDS in their respective constituencies", the MP added.
The MP also made it known that under the initiative of Rotary Club, northeast, and the MPs, heart patients between 3-30 years will be given free of cost treatment.
In the presidential speech, the VC said that though drug policy exists in Manipur a more specific policy which addresses the unique problems of Manipur is needed. He advocated a `quarantine policy` to curb the drug problem in Manipur.
In the keynote address, LC Somorendro, UNICAM`s secretary, said that the main objective of UNCAM is to help the widows living with HIV/AIDS find a way to become economically independent. He also highlighted that 2 years back the Shri Rishang Keishing HIV/AIDS Research Centre was instituted to carry out path-breaking research works in the field of HIV/AIDS. As part of the inaugural function, 42 challenging women were presented with simple gifts by UNICAM.
Assam to honour Scottish pioneers of tea By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Jorhat (Assam), Nov 6 (IANS) Assam has begun a hunt to trace descendants of two Scottish brothers to commemorate their contributions in discovering wild tea bushes in the country some 170 years ago.
The government is planning to honour family members of Robert C. Bruce and his brother Charles at a three-day 'Tea Tourism Festival' beginning Dec 4. The Bruce brothers are believed to have first discovered tea bushes in Assam with the help of some local tribal chieftains in 1823.
'We are in touch with our external affairs ministry to help us locate family members of Robert and Charles Bruce so that we can invite them for the festival,' said S.C. Panda, Assam's tourism commissioner.
'We want to felicitate family members of the Bruce brothers who were pioneers of tea in Assam,' Panda told IANS. The tea carnival to be held in this tea-growing town of Jorhat, 310 km east of Assam's main city Guwahati, is also expected to be attended by a host of foreign tourists.
'Apart from Assam's exotic wildlife, we see enough potential in attracting tourists to visit tea plantations,' Panda said. Long before commercial production of tea started in India in the late 1830s, tea plants were growing wild in the jungles of Assam with local Singpho tribal people eating the leaves as a vegetable with garlic, besides drinking the brew dipped in boiled water.
According to various historical records and documents, it was in 1823 that Robert Bruce, a British trader, first discovered tea plants near here with the help of a local Singpho tribal chieftain.
Robert died soon after and his plan to establish a nursery was followed up his brother Charles who was then an employee of the East India Company. It was sometime in the early part of 1830 that Charles set up the first tea plantation in eastern Assam's Sadiya town with the first 12 chests of manufactured tea from indigenous Assam leaf were shipped to London in 1838. Today Assam accounts for about 55 percent of India's total annual tea production of about 820 million kg. India is the world's largest tea producer.
'Tea tourism is still a virgin field and yet unexplored. It would be an exciting experience for foreigners to have fun amid tea plantations,' Dhiraj Kakoty, secretary of the Assam chapter of the Indian Tea Association, said.
PCG-Centre talks in November-end By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Nov 5 – The peace process to bring the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to the negotiation table will continue again later this month as the Union Home Minister and the officials of the Ministry are scheduled to have detailed talks with the People’s Consultative Group (PCG), formed by the militant outfit, in the last week of this month. The process formally got under way with a meeting between Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and members of the PCG in New Delhi on October 26, where both sides accepted the fact that political negotiation is the only way out to solve the issues raised by the ULFA. The Prime Minister also assured the PCG that the Government of India was prepared to discuss all issues concerning Assam, but at the same time, he made it clear that he was a “servant of the Constitution of India.”
One of the members of the PCG told this correspondent that the main aim of the proposed meeting between the Home Minister and the PCG would be to discuss in detail the steps needed to be taken to create a conducive atmosphere for talks between the Government of India and the ULFA. He said that the ULFA has not indulged in any kind of major act of violence since August 15 and the Government must reciprocate for creating a conducive atmosphere for talks. As this issue can be dealt with by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the next round of talks will involve the Union Home Minister.
The issue of release of the jailed leaders of the ULFA will also figure in the next round of talks. The ULFA desired that the central committee members of the outfit, who are in jails, should be released to make it easy for the outfit to take decisions regarding talks with the Government and this issue was raised by the PCG members during the talks with the Prime Minister and the issue would be discussed in detail in the next round of meeting. Several senior leaders of the ULFA including the vice chairman Pradip Gogoi, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, adviser Bhimkanta Boragohain and others are lodged in different jails of the State.
Moreover, several key members of the outfit are missing since the operations by the Royal Bhutan Army to evict the camps of the ULFA and NDFB from the territory of the Himalayan Kingdom in December, 2003 and the whereabouts of those persons are still not known. The PCG is likely to raise the issue in the next meeting so that the Government of India can take up the issue with the Government of Bhutan.
Art forms of NE hill areas vanishing: Giri Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, Nov 5 – Different art forms of the north-eastern hill areas were gradually vanishing or dying, according to Helen Giri, member of Sangeet Natak Academy.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the students of Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication (SIMC), Pune here, Giri said every hill area of the North-east has its own expression of art in the form of traditional dance, song or textile. But all these are vanishing or dying gradually.
Taking exception to the use of ‘tribal’ word before any art form, Giri, who heads the Centre for Cultural and Creative Studies at the North Eastern Hill University, said: “Why can we not use the word hill music or rural music?”
Stressing the need for having professionals to introduce music in visual media, Giri said originality was a must for working before the camera. If any visual was bereft of creativity, the viewer would not see it for the second time.
The day-long seminar ‘Footprints 2005’ titled ‘Telly wonder: news, music, career 24x7’ was to focus on emerging trends and career opportunities in news and music industry on television.
Inaugurating the event, eminent social worker Maya Ingty asked the budding scribes to be fair, judicious and follow the right path. – PTI
Garo ultra leaders shot dead From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
TURA, Nov 5 – The East Garo Hills police and the Army achieved a major success in its fight against militancy in the three districts of Garo Hills and adjoining border areas of Assam when it shot dead two hardcore ANVC deserters who had formed a new outfit recently.
They also succeeded in arresting two other militants from the same group at Bangsi- Minol village, under Mendipather police station early Friday morning.
This is a successful breakthrough because nine ANVC militants had fled from their designated camps at Samanda in East Garo Hills and Chokpot in South Garo Hills recently to form a new organisation. Six of the ANVC militants deserted their Chokpot camp on the October 1 last and prior to that, three other militants had also fled from their Samanda camp. These militants escaped with AK-47 rifles and SLRs and took away a considerable number of grenades and live ammo with them. The three militants who escaped from Samanda were led by one Nobin Sangma after expressing disillusion with the functioning of their former outfit. The splinter group from Chokpot was led by Rabi R Marak.
These members succeeded in coming together and recently formed the A’Chik National Liberation Front which had been instrumental in a series of extortion cases throughout the three districts of Garo Hills. They had abducted a businessman who was operating the weigh bridge at Depa Sarangma a few days ago and was demanding a ransom of over Rs 50 lakh for his release.
Following a tip-off, a combined team of the Army and the Meghalaya Police launched an operation at Bangsi-Minol during the wee hours of Friday morning that led to an encounter between the militants and the paramilitary forces.
In the ensuing encounter, the security forces shot dead two militants, identified as Rarik Sangma and Rabi Marak, both ANVC deserters, and arrested Kalthong Momin and Sengrak Momin. Police also recovered an AK-56 weapon with 20 rounds of ammo, three hand-grenades and an SLR with 17 rounds of live ammo.
It may be recalled that the six ANVC militants led by Rabi Sangma and Rarik Sangma of Bajengdoba had abandoned their camp at Chokpot on October 1 along with Onkang K Marak of Mendipathar, Santal Marak of Damra, Rakkam R Marak alias Rahul of Depa Sarangma and Silkang Marak.
Criminal case against 51 armymen for violating ESMA Arrest warrants issued Sentinel IMPHAL, Nov 5 (UNI): The Duty Magistrate has issued non bailable arrest warrants against an Army Captain and 50 other Army personnel for allegedly barging into the Yurembam power station and forcing the staff to cut off power supply to most parts of the State, specially in the Imphal areas on November 2. The arrest warrants were issued following a case filed by Chief Secretary, Manipur, Jarnail Singh against the Army personnel. The Manipur Government has taken up a criminal case for violating the Essential Services Maintenance Act.
Official sources said that the civil and police officials of the State convened a meeting to discuss the situation and most officials were peeved with the ‘high-handedness’ of the Army personnel posted in Manipur and described the act of Army as ‘uncivilised’. It was alleged that even the State Chief Secretary was badly treated by Army Captain Pillai of the Military Engineering Services of 57 Mountain Division, Leimakhong. The SP of Imphal West has been instructed to arrest all the Army personnel. On November 2, Cap Pillai along with 50 Army personnel went to the Yurembam power station. They barged into the control room overpowering the Indian Reserve Battalion guards and forced the staff to cut off power supply to the Imphal city and other areas. The Yurembam power station supplies power to the entire city area, including the residences of the Governor, Chief Minister and other high ranking officials. All hospitals also depend on the power station.
The power station had failed to provide power to the Army headquarters at Leimakhong due to breakdown of a feeder which was later restored. The Army action was due to the failure of the station to supply power. Chief Secretary, Jarnail Singh rushed to the power station when he heard the news and a confrontation ensued with the Army personnel. He and his Manipur police escorts were thoroughly checked by the Army personnel. Even when Mr Singh informed that operation works in hospitals would be affected due to the cut-off of power, the Army Captain refused to provide power and power supply was restored only after the Army team went away. Meanwhile, President of the All Manipur Bar Association Khaidem Mani has announced that legal steps would be taken up against the Army for cutting off power supply and displacing huge numbers of people by organising massive Operations.
Act of Goondaism Sangai Express
The manner in which some Army personnel led by a Captain showed off their muscle prowess at Yurembam power sub-station and forcefully shut down power for about 90 minutes on November 2 was nothing less than a naked show of brute force. What is more, the young Captain did not hesitate to engage the Chief Secretary of the State, who had rushed there to take stock of the situation, to a verbal duel. As reported in all the daily newspapers of Imphal on November 3, the Army personnel from the Military Engineering Service, led by a Captain stormed the Yurembam power station on November 2 morning and forcefully shut down the power supply to all the region of Imphal covered by the power sub-station. The reason for the naked show of force was the snapping of power supply to Leimakhong for about 15 hours. We agree that the power shut down for such a long time may have been due to negligence of the employees of the Electricity Department, but the manner in which the Army personnel stormed the power sub-station and shut down the power supply is something which cannot be accepted under any circumstances, whether there is the Armed Forces Special Powers Act or not. What was more galling was the fact that the Captain, a young and raw officer, had the temerity to get into a verbal duel with the Chief Secretary. In many ways, the Yurembam incident was a reflection of the manner in which security force conduct themselves. As we understand it, the Yurembam sub-station is a restricted area and the question therefore arises whether the men in uniform are above the law to enter such a site without getting the prior approval of the authority concerned. What is more, the snapping off of the power supply forcefully violates the right of the people to get power supply.
Understandably the Chief Secretary is believed to have taken a serious view of the incident and has already instructed the State Government to take up necessary steps to initiate a criminal case against the personnel. The PRO of the PIB (Defence Wing) too has assured that the Army authority has taken a serious view of the incident and assured that fitting action will be taken up against the guilty personnel. These are fine and in consonance with the rule of law, but the larger implications of the incident should not be lost on us. It is all about respecting the law of the land and if the men who are here to ensure that the law of the land prevails are going to violate it so non-chalantly then the top brass of the security force need some serious self studies. Discipline is the by word of the military. However what the Captain and his men did at Yurembam on November 2 defies all that discipline stands for. The question the Army authority should ask themselves now is, what were the factors that emboldened the Captain to act in such a high handed manner. Did his superiors give him any instructions to shut down the power supply as a retribution for the 15 hour black out at Leimakhong ? We certainly expect Army officers to act more responsibly. What happened at Yurembam was nothing but goondaism at its worst level.
USE of IEDs, MINES a CRIME against GOD By Comdt. (Retd) RS Jassal General. Neps
Right from the early civilisational records available, human beings in communes, villages, states evolutionised to nations, have been involved in securing its boundaries/borders by innovating various methods ranging from human calls, drum calls by log beats to manning EW (early warning) posts and associated other alarm systems by nature & compulsion depending on the nature of requirement, terrain & devices available. With advancement in war technology, the mines came into existence. Mines provided security to the troops at IB and acted as early warning to the troops in combat and forward posts. Mines are also used for channelising enemy troops to the selected killing zones by troops in defensive posts. Mine fields so created also slow down advance of raiding troops thus provide morale boosting doses to the defenders with sufficient warning to deal with attacking troops. In addition to mines, a new system of causing harassment, distraction, killing and devastating confusion to draw support system by militants in their resting points and hideouts against raids by SFs, called as IED, (Improvised
explosive device). It varies in components and scales of cordites, dynamites, gelignite, gun powder, TNT & so on. Depending on components, it causes corresponding damages. It can be ignited by manual control or used as
land mines through remote control or buried under ground, they can go off automatically by entanglement of human beings or animals and explodes with direct impact of weight by stepping over.
Explosives seized in Dimapur-Nagaland September 05
IED Specific: Till a few years back land mines of various shapes & marks were the only destructive devices known and used on live international borders. There laying and rolling up methods are handled by trained persons in the Armed Forces known as pioneers or by the Engineers Corps known as Sappers where intensity of operation so demands due high technological requirement say in tank war in covert war-fare, or in LIC by mercenaries; Sri-Lanka, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Iraq experience has brought out the wreckage impact what land mines and IEDs can create. In low intensity conflict zones (LIC) by insurgents of the origin of the same country like Maoists in Bihar, Andhra, ULFA/BODOS Assam, a host of militant organizations Kashmir and UNLF (with PLA &KNF) in Manipur, ATTF, BLTF Tripura & other parts of our country IEDs are used as integrated weaponry primarily against the state ¢ral Govt. armed forces but has left its indelible mark on the invariability of damage to civil population though pronouncedly not used against them. It is a new threat to human right & right to life.
What is IED? It is a short term given to IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE. Its contents can vary from tins, pipes, glass plastics boxes containers filled with explosives initiating mechanism, & dynamites with embedded nails etc. It can also be improvised from agri fertilizers like ammonium nitrate & so on. Explosives in short are highly dangerous, highly charged sensitive & volatile. Once set ignition is carried out by weight press, timer or remote, their results are unimaginable.
Types of IEDs Improvised Explosive Devices now popularly and commonly known as IED, in Manipur, Assam & Tripura are known to civil society pretty well who suffer from its menace though not at all party to the conflicts of State and none state actors. It has become almost every day feature in media news in the NE and Manipur in particular and causalities are on the increase day by day. So far known types of ignition used for exploding IED are: Water sensor, pressure switch pendulum switch, and touch sensor, pull switch, timer switch, and light operated sensor, release switch, ignition switch, without light sensor, relay switch and electronic timer. In fact it is difficult to bind them in definite terms as these can be used as flying saucers also in crowded places.
Types of injuries they inflict
* Blast mines: Usually hand-laid on or under the ground or scattered from the air. The explosive force of the mines cause foot, leg, and groin injuries and secondary infections usually result in amputation
* Fragmentation mines: Usually laid on or under the ground and often activated by tripwire or other means. When detonated the explosion project hundreds of fragments at ballistic speed of up to 50 meters resulting in
fragmentation wounds. Some fragmentation mines contain a primary charge to lift the mine above the ground (about 1 to 1.5 meters) before detonating which can injure an adult's abdomen, genitals and take off a victims head too.
Do landmines and IEDs obey the laws of war? No they cannot
The laws of war dictate that soldiers and their weapon discriminate between soldiers and civilians. Additionally, there is to be a balance between military need and consequences to the civilian's population. These two principles of the law of war discrimination and proportionality apply to the use of mines & IEDs in war or LIC situation
It is a fact that land mines and charged explosive (IEDs) do not discriminate the military and society as a whole. If it demoralizes the enemy psychologically and affects physically, it also damages terrorizes civilians in greater terms. The fear psychosis affecting military personnel ends with end of war or day to day ambush but impact on civilians goes much beyond till the mine IED is unarmed, destroyed or removed. Civilians those who survive with serious, minor or disability affect are made to spend balance of life in mute memories. The uses of IED in various forms and in the NE by militants of all hues are horrendous and terrifying menace to the civilians &SFs and even militants all. How many of them suffer while carrying, laying & even storing is known to militant leaders. SFs suffer losses while conducting mining &de-mining exercise or in combating insurgency in LIC (Low Intensity conflict) though SFs never lay it for civilians in LIC zone(s). Mines are boldly marked and fenced at IB by the BOPs.
A Child lost both legs
But underground terrorists do not do so while fighting with SF within our own terrority and with own SF's. No doubt, Mines play a great role in accomplishment of military tasks at IBs but it causes untold damage to own
people (civilians) when IED planted by militants is faced by them in jungle, fields in & around village. And if it is in populated areas, bazaar or main roads it invites back fire from SFs in ruthless manners as happened in the
past in Assam, Tripura, and Nagaland & Manipur.
Disturbing trends in Manipur:
During my Aug trip to Jiribam (NH 53) I was told by local leaders, CO 26 Assam Riffles that one Munniruddin Borbaniya of Ahmedabad village (please do not mix up with Ahmedabed of Gujarat, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh) near Bekra lost his left leg by amputation in Silchar Medical college. He had got caught in activation of an IED while returning home after fire wood collection which might have been laid by the militants for action against the SF's quite unmindful of its consequence on local people. It happened in early part of June 2005.GOC 57 Mtn Division and 26 Assam Rifles under his command provided all medical aid and Silchar Medical college provided him with a wheel chair. This is only one of the many cases of IED victims. Similarly there are many cases of summary killings of civil population by the terrorists in areas of Bekra - Vangai range and CC Pur interior left unaided and uncared for by the state and the UGs. Some data collected from HQ 57 Mountain division reveals that in CC pur village of Zangvakot (Khuttu), Diyalkhai, Mongon and Abitang adjacent to Thanlon, four villagers have died because of release of IED due human contact and four have been injured including two from Bukpi. In Chandel Dist Latkhuiier Kuki (28) of Sehhao Kuki village has been paralysed, five persons from Khullen have died and three have suffered multiple injuries. One each from Molcham village and
New Samtal have died and Nengriching 24 from Tuyon village injured. In Jiribam Sub Division four have been injured including Munniruddin who lost his leg as amputated they belong to Chhota Bekra Ahmadabad and Zangnom. This data pertains to period 25 Nov 04 to 12 June 05. The data collected from HQ IG AR (S) reveals there were total 16 blasts from 1 Jan 05 to 25 Oct. It details civilians died four injured one SFs died two and injured six. Most of the blasts against SFs could not cause any harm. A considerable number of IEDs were detected and neutralized. Recently three blasts have occurred in Moreh & Khudengthabi.
Civil psyche devastator:
IEDs if planted by militants on NHs or main /auxiliary roads for causing casualties to men and vehicle of SFs they do harm to vehicles and men as is experienced in the past by IRB personal Army/BSF/CRPF/AR but all the
incidents drew uncontrolled fire to same point or in the vicinity reinforced by punitive action by the provogated SFs in the brawl, hence have caused more casualties to civilians not involved in insurgency conflict at all. Breast fed children, convalescing persons unable to move away from the scene of incidence, school going children, persons wishing to attend social functions, ladies waiting deliveries have been seen suffered from after blast wrath of legally armed persons resulting in HR violations. As well at far flung places where no law exists & UGs writ rules. In the last two decades many have gone crippled, paralysed and suffered amputations and some
lost voice too due to traumatic shocks of seeing their near and dear one losing their lives from close by. No NGO or HR body is maintaining any record of such casualties other than holding workshop/seminars I am pained to say they do pretty little for such victims for whom they are meant to function. Of late, with proliferation of UG setups and to preempt each other or one another's attempt of attack or for early warning system against SFs on approach routes UGs are planting IEDs in the periphery of villages while resting which have caused casualties as brought out in previous paragraph too. SFs personnel have well co-ordinated system for evacuation, treatment and compensation where as civil casualties suffer in all bareness in all respects and thus leave many questions answered.
Suggestions
* Complete ban is the only answer other than by Army at IBs where absolute necessary in actual war notwithstanding what UN says.
* In context of Manipur, IB with Myanmar is a sleepy border. Due to frequent move of UGs to Bangladesh and Myanmar (ISI) camps, SF posts are established and removed as per requirement all over the state. In that case if mines and IEDs are used and left un removed by intent or other wise, damages to civilians including animals cannot be safe vouched hence it is offence against humanity for both SF and the insurgents.
* Consider complete ban on use of mines including IEDs in Manipur & other NE states. Manipur is having strong Meira Paibis (torch bearers against social evils) club systems, their potentials must be exploited to optimum to educate our society on devastating and in- human affect of abhorrent landmines and IEDs on human beings and animals including ecology since mostly activities are in jungle. We must change mindsets of non-state actors for humanitarian reasons. Why should they do that as it will erode their public base which is equally and more importantly needed by them?
* There is no denying the fact that whether UGs cause destruction or SF losses both side are our own kith and kin since there are personae from Manipur and NE very much on the active roll of the SFs too and civil society
base is common for both .
* Manipur Human Right Commission be activated to influence non state actors and civil society on the issue instead of politicizing their appointments.
* Purview of the subject apart, it is strongly felt youth who are the future care takers of our social concerns be educated with a suitable system & subject head on "Love, compassion, respect & care for humanity above self" introduced in educational curriculum to obtain equilibrium of mind and soul for the sake of the humanity beyond village, regional, national to state & international borders. It is the urgent need for nailing our ills.
Conclusion.
The impact of twin blasts in Dimapur in Oct last year needs studying. Who is gaining out of present conflict neither North Easterners nor the SFs; definitely a third party? It is not difficult to judge who this third party is. Interference of ISI operatives in the NE is now quite in the open. UNLF can gather more credence & support if its supremo considers to issue a complete ban on use of IEDs any where in the hill and valley. KNF/KNA also must consider this point seriously. Losses in Molcham, Moreh, and Khudengthabi are increasing day by day. If it is against SFs or opposing UG teams in hills, villages may be still acceptable, but there is no guarantee. And if it is around suburbs village in valley in a populated area or highway where SF's around it provides unlicensed lever to SFs to open fire at random. The brunt is borne by the civil societies. SFs state or center still have recourse to immediate evacuation medical treatment and compensation whereas a civilian does not have set procedure or compulsion for same as is demonstrated by Muniruddin case above. NSCN (IM) has already signed against
used of mines/IEDs in 2002. Other groups need its urgent consideration.
Frans on 11.06.05 @ 02:51 PM CST [link]
NNC charges Muivah with ‘compromising’ on Naga issue
NNC charges Muivah with ‘compromising’ on Naga issue Source: The Sangai Express
Dimapur, November 05 (NNN): The Naga National Council (NNC) has condemned a recent statement of NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th Muivah in which he had allegedly “compromised” on the issue of Naga sovereignty.
A press statement issued by NNC general secretary Vizosielhou Nagi said the NSCN (IM)’s comprising on the issue of sovereignty had come out clearly and publicly from “Th Muivah's mouth” in the interview with BBC News that NSCN (IM) has come down quite a bit from their demand for absolute sovereignty compromising foreign affairs, defence and currency.
“NSCN (IM) federal relationship with India has come out clearly this time of their absolute compromised stand of the Naga sovereignty allowing Indian Army to stay in Nagaland is a total capitulation. It is volte-face and complete fall from the sublime to the ridiculous, from the Kuknalim to the Jai Hind!,” the statement said.
However, the NNC welcomed NSCN (IM)’s stand to break down the talks and ceasefire with India and return to the jungles after January 31 next in the event of Government of India’s failure to concede to the demands.
Reacting to a media report, the NNC made it clear to all concerned that it had never signed the “treacherous Shillong Accord of 1975”. According to NNC, the late Zashei Huire and his ministry signed the Shillong Accord in complete violation of the constitution.
“In reality, all the signatories were FGN officials,” it said. Further, the statement said, NNC, the Naga political institution established in 1946 and FGN, a government formed in the year 1956, were separate political entities and bodies.
“The FGN under the presidentship of the late Zashei Huire had signed the treacherous accord of 1975 but disowned it in the year of 1996,” the NNC said and asked all concerned not to be confused on this matter.
The NNC reiterated its stand for Naga sovereignty covering all Naga inhabited areas including eastern Nagaland and vowed to continue the fight towards this perspective.
‘From Kuknalim to Jai Hind’: NNC The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOV 5 (MExN): The NNC General Secretary Vizosielhou Nagi strongly condemned NSCN -IM General Secretary Th. Muivah and his organsition for what it termed as ‘compromising on Naga Sovereignty’. "This has come out clearly and publicly from Muivah’s mouth in the interview and the NSCN-IM has come down quite a bit from their demand for absolute sovereignty compromising on foreign affairs, defence and currency", Nagi stated in a press communiqué.
"It is a total capitulation. It is a volte-face; it is a complete fall from the sublime to the ridiculous, from the kuknalim to the Jai Hind", Nagi stated referring to the NSCN-IM federal plan with India. The NNC however welcomed the stand taken by the NSCN-IM to end talks and discontinue its ceasefire with India and ‘return to the jungles after 31st January 2006’.
The NNC in response to misleading reports in a section of the local daily has also made it clear that the NNC had never joined the Union of India and pointed to the declaration of Naga independence on August 14, 1947 and also the 1951 plebiscite as proof of it. Nagi pointed out that the issue was of India’s ‘invasion and occupation of Nagaland in complete violation of international law.
"Today, once again the NNC will make it very, very clear to all concerned that the NNC had never signed the treacherous Shillong Accord of 1975", Nagi stated while pointing out instead that late Zashei Huire and his ministry in complete violation of the constitution signed the Shillong Accord of 1975. Nagi defended the NNC by stating that all the signatories were FGN officials. "Not a single NNC official had signed the Shillong Accord of 1975", he stated and clarified that the NNC was a political institution established in 1946 and that the FGN was a government formed in the year 1956 as a separate political entity and body.
"Therefore, no one should be confused about this serious political matter anymore and should not blame the NNC in the matter anymore in the future. The NNC will not tolerate the wrongful blame made against the political institution of the Nagas by anybody in the future", Nagi cautioned. Nagi went on to reiterate the stand of the NNC for Naga Sovereignty covering all the Naga inhabited areas including ‘free eastern Nagaland’ while also stating that it would stand to continually fight for the international recognition of the Naga cause.
FGN on expulsion of Tatars The Morung Express
KOHIMA, NOV 5 (MExN): In reference to certain publications in the local media regarding the four Tatars of the Federal Government of Nagaland, namely Eno Er VK Mere Angami, Eno Zaleo Chakhesang, Eno P Puthai Khiamniungan and Eno K Pushuo Khianniungan, who were reportedly served with expulsion, the Secretary of Keya (Defense) FGN has clarified on certain matters regarding the same.
P Puthai Khiamniungan, the Secretary stated that it is understood that the FGN is the government of the people and that Tatars were the elected members different from an appointed authority. He, quoting the Article 71 of the Yehzabo which states that the Tatar Hoho shall have the power to expel any member(s) in the house if found guilty of commission of any offence against the house of the nation, stated out that it was necessary to point out the offence so committed by the said four Tatars which resulted in their expulsion.
He quoted article 24 that the Kedahge shall, after expiry of his term, continue to hold office until his successor enters upon his office and that article 27 stated "any person acting as Kedahge or discharging the functions of the Kedahge shall, before entering upon his office make and subscribe the following oath in the presence of the Nsa Midan (Chief Justice) of the Mayam Riyam (Supreme Court) or any person appointed in that behalf". In this context, the secretary asked that it be known when the so called new Kedahge General (Retd.) V Metha took charge of the office by taking oath in accordance with the provision of the national charter.
"The supposed to be 54 Tatar Hoho of the Naga Nation was held without the participation of all the Nagas but was a merely stage-managed show wherein General (Retd.) Metha was declared to be elected the New Kedahge of FGN. This was only a manipulation of the inmates of the Transit peace Camp at Kohima" the Defense secretary stated while terming the expulsion of four Tatars released in the name of one Alan, assistant secretary of Rali Wali as "funny". Puthai Khiamniungan questioned who this man was and which Region he belong to while stating that this was only an exponent of how the Transit peace campers functioned by claiming national responsibility and ‘cheating’ the Nagas. The Secretary further stated that solution to the Indo-Naga problem did not lie in claiming a name or clinging to an office of National authority so formed by "hand picking pedestrians in Kohima Town to represent their regions in any national meeting.
"Are the representatives of the said 13 regions who participated in the supposed to be 55 Tatar Hoho of FGN of his kind or are they true representatives of their people. Can their identities be made known?" he asked. He also added that the Kedahge of the FGN Brigadier (Retd.) Singnya had proclaimed National emergency for six months with effect from July 18, 2005 with a view to remove the prevailing inadequacies and install a responsible and legal national government to fulfill the aspirations of the people to defend their sovereignty. "On completion of the national emergency period, a National assembly shall be held accordingly, so let each and every Region be prepared to attend and participate in it," the Secretary of Defense stated.
Naga body to launch stir in Manipur Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Nov 5 – A local Naga organisation would launch a “non-cooperation movement” against Manipur Government to press for its demand of bringing the community-settled areas under one administrative unit.
The United Naga Council decided to launch the movement during a meeting at Taphou village in Senapati district yesterday, sources in the organisation said today.
They said non-payment of house tax to state government, changing of names of villages and hills to local Naga names, separation of Nagas from any organisation in which Meiteis were also involved, etc. would be part of the movement. The meeting also decided not to allow implementation of developmental schemes in the Naga-settled areas by the state government from next year. – PTI
NE, J&K VCs meet at Kohima Kohima | November 06, 2005 Webindia
Goa Governor S C Jamir would inaugurate the second meeting of the vice chancellors of the Universities of the North East and Jammu and Kashmir to be held here from December eight. According to official sources here today the meeting would be hosted by Nagaland university (NU) and matters related to specific problems of higher education in these region would be discussed. The theme of the meeting would be "Vision and Action Plan for Higher Education in North East and Jammu and Kashmir".
Sources said Prof.Atul Sarma of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. S.S. Baghel of Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat, Prof. S.C. Saha of Assam University, Silchar, Prof.P.C. Deka of Tezpur University, Tezpur, Dr. Gautam Barua, Director, National Institute of Technology, Silchar, Dr. Kulendu Pathak of Dibrugarh University, Dr.G.N. Talukdar of Guwahati University, Prof. G.D. Sarma of Nagaland University, Dr. Arvind K Sharma of Mizoram University, Prof. Mrinal Miri of North Eastern Hill University, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo of University of Jammu, Dr. A. Wahid of University of Kashmir, Prof., Anwar Alam of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Jammu, Prof. N K Bansal of Shri Mata Vishno Devi University, Jammu, Prof. A.K. Mukhopadhyay of Tripura university and Mr.L.C. Amarnathan of Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical and Technological Science, Gangtok would attend the two-day meeting. UNI AS TJP AKP1139
Sam Manekshaw serious, being flown to Army Hospital in Delhi LD MANEKSHAWNEW DELHI, NOV 6 (PTI)
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who has been suffering from acute pneumonia, is being shifted to the Army Hospital here from Wellington in Tamil Nadu. The 91-year-old Manekshaw had been undergoing treatment at the Military Hospital in Wellington and was being brought to the Army Research and Referral Hospital, Army sources said here. Born in Amritsar on April 3, 1914, Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw served as the 8th Chief of the Army Staff between June 1969 and January 1973, capping nearly four decades of military service.
An astute war planner, Manekshaw led India to victory in the 1971 war against Pakistan, which ended with the surrender of over 90,000 Pakistani armed personnel. He was among the first batch of cadets to pass out of the Indian Military Academy in October 1934 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army.
Decorated with the Military Cross for valour in Burma during World War II, Manekshaw was awarded the Padma Bhushan (1968) for handling the insurgency in Nagaland as the Group Officer Commanding in Chief of the Eastern Command. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972 after the 1971 war against Pakistan which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Manekshaw was conferred with the honorary rank of Field Marshal on January 1, 1973. He retired from the Army a fortnight later.
Former Arunachal Minister’s arrest demanded From Tage T Tara
ITANAGAR, NOV 5 (NEPS): A petty land dispute has snowballed into a major political crisis in this border state with the demand of arrest of former minister and Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Working President, Takam Sanjoy for his alleged role in assaulting Hollongi GB, Nabam Taring on Oct 24 last.
A team led by Arunachal Pradesh Papum Pare District Gaon Burah Welfare Association (APPDGWA) president, Nabam Apo here yesterday submitted a four-point memorandum to the State Governor, S K Singh urging him for immediate arrest of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Working President, Takam Sanjoy for his alleged role in assaulting Hollongi GB, Nabam Taring on Oct 24 last in a land dispute.
Apo, while talking to reporters here last evening, demanded the immediate suspension of Balijan Sub Inspector, R K Singh and Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC). Beside they should bear expenditure for Taring’s treatment. They also threatened to resign enmasse and hand over all the red coats back to the government if no prompt action was taken in a week’s time. Denying his involvement in the assault case, Sanjoy claimed that the land belonged to him as he had purchased from the owner. “It is a conspiracy hatched against me by my political adversary using the GB institution as the best option to malign his image”, Sanjoy said adding that he had filed a late FIR with the police against Taring, whose supporters had dismantled a newly constructed house on his plot of land on Oct 20. Police arrested Taring, he added.
Radio poll indicates fear of corruption rather than AIDS
Imphal | November 06, 2005 10:37:47 AM IST Webindia
Corruption and not HIV/AIDS causes more concern among Manipuris. This fact emerged following a radio poll conducted by the Regional News Unit(RNU) of the All India Radio(AIR), Imphal. Mr B B Sharma, in charge RNU, has said that the AIR conducted an opinion poll on HIV/AIDS and corruption in Manipur, to ascertain which of the two is the bigger issue among the listeners. The poll was launched on October 2 and gave 18 days to the respondents. Altogether 750 opinions were received through post, e-mail and hand post.
A representative cross section of the polls was received ranging from top bureaucrats, doctors, teachers to social workers, students, former MPs, Gram Panchayat members and editors. The opinion poll covered all the nine districts of Manipur. Response was also received from Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam as well.
The opinion poll showed that all the respondents were fully aware of the impact of both HIV/AIDS and corruption. It also indicated that awareness of the dreaded disease was quite high in Manipur, including preventive measures thereof. However, corruption loomed larger in the minds of listeners than HIV/AIDS. Of every six opinions received as many as five felt that corruption was more serious a problem for Manipur. Interestingly, out of every six doctors, one voted for HIV/AIDS while the remaining five, including a retired Additional Director, State Health Department, went in favour of corruption. Area wise, the poll represented the entire state of Manipur, Mr Sharma said. But the number of respondents of 750 represented a microscopic minority of the state having 24 lakh population. But the nature of the opinion, reasons and status of the respondents were such that they could be considered as opinion makers of various sections of the society.
The reasons given by the respondents were thought provoking. However, it could not be construed as a final verdict on the issues but it was certainly a trend which could not be ignored by planners, policy makers and stakeholders of the political leadership in the state. UNI NS PL AKP0959
Winning hearts essential to maintain peace and harmony From Our Correspondent Neps ITANAGAR, NOV 04 (NEPS): - Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh with its scenic beauty can hold the key to success for development of the state. Winning over hearts and minds of people is the most essential element to maintain peace and harmony in Tirap and that will boost the tourism industry in the state.
Assam Rifles has undertaken extensive psychological operations in the district to win over the hearts and minds of people living this border district. The series of psychological operations carried out by the Assam Rifles has been able to motivate two young insurgents of NSCN (IM) to surrender with their weapons. The surrender ceremony was organized at Khonsa under the 25 Sector Assam Rifles.
Sam Manekshaw hospitalised NDTV Correspondent Sunday, November 6, 2005 (Cunoor):
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the hero of the 1971 war and the Indian Army's first Field Marshal, is reported to be seriously unwell with a bout of pneumonia. He has been admitted to a hospital in Cunoor, and will now be flown into Delhi either today or on Monday, or as soon as his condition stabilises. Manekshaw, now more than 91 years, fought on the Burma front during the Second World War and was Army Chief during 1971 when the Indian Army liberated Bangladesh in what is described as its finest hour. He assumed charge of the Indian Army, as the 8th Chief of Army Staff, on 7 June 1969. Born in Amritsar, Punjab on 03 April 1914, he completed his schooling in Amritsar and Sherwood College, Nainital. He then joined the first batch of 40 cadets at Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehra Dun on 1 October 1932. He passed out of the IMA in December 1934 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army. He held several regimental assignments and was first attached to the Royal Scouts and later to the 12 Frontier Force Rifles.
Bravery on battle front: During World War II, he saw action in the Burma campaign on Sittang river and has the rare distinction of being honoured for his bravery on the battle front itself.
During World War II, he was leading a counter-offensive against the invading Japanese Army in Burma. As he charged forward with his men, a Japanese soldier suddenly emerged from the bushes and fired at him, wounding him seriously in the stomach. Fortunately, Major General DT Cowan spotted Manekshaw holding on to life and was aware of his valour in face of stiff resistance from the Japanese. Fearing the worst, Major General Cowan quickly pinned his own Military Cross ribbon on to Manekshaw saying, "A dead person cannot be awarded a Military Cross."
Having recovered from those near-fatal wounds in Burma, Manekshaw went for a course at Staff College, Quetta and later also served there as an instructor before being sent to join 12 Frontier Force Rifles in Burma under General (later Field Marshal) Slim's 14th Army. He was once again involved in a fierce battle with the Japanese, and was wounded for a second time. Towards the close of World War II, Manekshaw was sent as Staff Officer to General Daisy in Indo-China where, after the Japanese surrender, he helped rehabilitate over 10,000 POWs.
He, then, went on a six-month lecture tour to Australia in 1946, and after his return served as a First Grade Staff Officer in the Military Operations Directorate.Manekshaw showed acumen for planning and administration while handling the issues related to partition in 1947, and later put to use his battle skills during the 1947-48 Jammu & Kashmir Operations.
Tackling insurgency:
After command of an Infantry Brigade he was posted as the Commandant of the Infantry School and also became the Colonel of 8 Gorkha Rifles (his regimental home) and 61 Cavalry. He commanded a Division in Jammu & Kashmir and a Corps in the North East, with a tenure as Commandant of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in between. As GOC-in-C Eastern Command, he handled the tricky problem of insurgency in Nagaland and the grateful nation honoured him with a Padma Bhushan in 1968. Manekshaw succeeded General Kumaramangalam as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on 07 June 1969.
His years of military experience were soon put to the test as thousands of refugees from the erstwhile East Pakistan started crossing over to India as a result of oppression unleashed from West Pakistan.
The volatile situation got worse, and soon erupted into a full-scale war in December 1971. During the military campaign, Manekshaw showed uncommon ability to motivate the forces, coupling it with a mature war strategy. The war ended with Pakistan's unconditional surrender, and the formation of Bangladesh. For his selfless service to the nation, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972 and was conferred with the honorary rank of Field Marshal on 01 January 1973. He retired a fortnight later, on 15 January 1973, after completing nearly four decades of military service.
Some of his achievements as COAS are:
• Prepared the Army for a well-planned and a well executed operation against Pakistan in 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.
• As Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, he welded the Army, Navy and Air Force into a well-knit team.
• Taking of over 90,000 Pakistan POWs, thereby paving the way for favourable negotiations.
‘Nagas should worship Durga or Kali than Christ’ Dr. K. Hoshi The Morung Express
Durga Puja or Diwali are, as we all know, the two important festivals of India. They are celebrated everywhere on the country including Nagaland, the constitutional state.
There is nothing strange if these two festivals were celebrated in the state. What was so strange was that, this year, more Nagas than Indians, specially in Dimapur and Kohima celebrated the occasions. The celebration of Durga was marked by gambling where one could see Naga mahajans in every gambling table. While the Indians quietly celebrated Diwali, the festivals of light, by lighting candles, the Nagas celebrated the same by bursting the powerful fire crackers sounding boom and bang everywhere. As usual for Nagas drunkenness added to the flavour of the celebrations.
What a way to celebrate alien festivals when we are fighting for independence! In the fitness of the occasions, there is no doubt whatsoever that Nagas have become truly Indian, culturally. Another feather added on our so called enemy’s head for their successful psychological operation. Where has our national principle for freedom struggle gone?
To a good Christian, partaking in such celebrations amount nothing less to pagan worship, abominable before our God, Jehovah. While our Christian missionaries suffer torture in the hands of the Hindu fundamentalists elsewhere in the country, here we are, totally absorbed in their culture, alien to us. Little deed we realized that in the name of cultural fusion our religion has been slowly but steadily invaded.
For our God sake let us not say that as part and parcel of the country and its society there is nothing wrong for the Nagas to celebrate such occasions. If we have accepted paganism in the Christian context as cultural celebrations, the Nagas should rather worship Durga or Kali than Christ as their gods. It looks like the dooms day for the Nagas isn’t very far. The good Lord blesses our Church.
Hold talks with centre: Rishang to UGs
The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Nov 5: "I respect the belief held by the different revolutionary groups ? be it Naga or Meitei ? that Manipur can exist as an independent nation, separate from India. However it is an impossible dream. I urge these people to hold talks with the government of India and demand what is possible within the bounds of the Constitution."
This was stated by the Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing who was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the 3 days sensitisation programme on HIV/AIDS, organised by Universal Caring Mission (UNICAM). The MP further observed that the people should speak out the truth boldly for a peaceful and developed future.
N Bijoy Singh, vice chancellor MU; Dr Paochungbou, president NGO Forum; L Romesh, president DESAM and S Nando, president UNICAM were the president and guests of honour respectively of the inaugural function held at the conference hall of UNICAM at Khurai Lamlong Bazar.
Rishang highlighted that among the different issues plaguing Manipur the three most prominent ones are HIV/AIDS, corruption and insurgency. The MP said that the three are closely linked with corruption being the breeding factor for the other two.
He said that HIV/AIDS should be faced head on and the most important weapons are preventive measures and research work to find a permanent cure. He expressed concern that the Ukhrul-Myanmar border might be infested with HIV positive people. He said that instruction have been given to the sate governments to institute a forum in the state assemblies with the MLAs as members to address different issues including HIV/AIDS. If such a forum is instituted, "each MLA can contribute their lot by working for HIV/AIDS in their respective constituencies", the MP added.
The MP also made it known that under the initiative of Rotary Club, northeast, and the MPs, heart patients between 3-30 years will be given free of cost treatment.
In the presidential speech, the VC said that though drug policy exists in Manipur a more specific policy which addresses the unique problems of Manipur is needed. He advocated a `quarantine policy` to curb the drug problem in Manipur.
In the keynote address, LC Somorendro, UNICAM`s secretary, said that the main objective of UNCAM is to help the widows living with HIV/AIDS find a way to become economically independent. He also highlighted that 2 years back the Shri Rishang Keishing HIV/AIDS Research Centre was instituted to carry out path-breaking research works in the field of HIV/AIDS. As part of the inaugural function, 42 challenging women were presented with simple gifts by UNICAM.
Assam to honour Scottish pioneers of tea By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Jorhat (Assam), Nov 6 (IANS) Assam has begun a hunt to trace descendants of two Scottish brothers to commemorate their contributions in discovering wild tea bushes in the country some 170 years ago.
The government is planning to honour family members of Robert C. Bruce and his brother Charles at a three-day 'Tea Tourism Festival' beginning Dec 4. The Bruce brothers are believed to have first discovered tea bushes in Assam with the help of some local tribal chieftains in 1823.
'We are in touch with our external affairs ministry to help us locate family members of Robert and Charles Bruce so that we can invite them for the festival,' said S.C. Panda, Assam's tourism commissioner.
'We want to felicitate family members of the Bruce brothers who were pioneers of tea in Assam,' Panda told IANS. The tea carnival to be held in this tea-growing town of Jorhat, 310 km east of Assam's main city Guwahati, is also expected to be attended by a host of foreign tourists.
'Apart from Assam's exotic wildlife, we see enough potential in attracting tourists to visit tea plantations,' Panda said. Long before commercial production of tea started in India in the late 1830s, tea plants were growing wild in the jungles of Assam with local Singpho tribal people eating the leaves as a vegetable with garlic, besides drinking the brew dipped in boiled water.
According to various historical records and documents, it was in 1823 that Robert Bruce, a British trader, first discovered tea plants near here with the help of a local Singpho tribal chieftain.
Robert died soon after and his plan to establish a nursery was followed up his brother Charles who was then an employee of the East India Company. It was sometime in the early part of 1830 that Charles set up the first tea plantation in eastern Assam's Sadiya town with the first 12 chests of manufactured tea from indigenous Assam leaf were shipped to London in 1838. Today Assam accounts for about 55 percent of India's total annual tea production of about 820 million kg. India is the world's largest tea producer.
'Tea tourism is still a virgin field and yet unexplored. It would be an exciting experience for foreigners to have fun amid tea plantations,' Dhiraj Kakoty, secretary of the Assam chapter of the Indian Tea Association, said.
PCG-Centre talks in November-end By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Nov 5 – The peace process to bring the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to the negotiation table will continue again later this month as the Union Home Minister and the officials of the Ministry are scheduled to have detailed talks with the People’s Consultative Group (PCG), formed by the militant outfit, in the last week of this month. The process formally got under way with a meeting between Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and members of the PCG in New Delhi on October 26, where both sides accepted the fact that political negotiation is the only way out to solve the issues raised by the ULFA. The Prime Minister also assured the PCG that the Government of India was prepared to discuss all issues concerning Assam, but at the same time, he made it clear that he was a “servant of the Constitution of India.”
One of the members of the PCG told this correspondent that the main aim of the proposed meeting between the Home Minister and the PCG would be to discuss in detail the steps needed to be taken to create a conducive atmosphere for talks between the Government of India and the ULFA. He said that the ULFA has not indulged in any kind of major act of violence since August 15 and the Government must reciprocate for creating a conducive atmosphere for talks. As this issue can be dealt with by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the next round of talks will involve the Union Home Minister.
The issue of release of the jailed leaders of the ULFA will also figure in the next round of talks. The ULFA desired that the central committee members of the outfit, who are in jails, should be released to make it easy for the outfit to take decisions regarding talks with the Government and this issue was raised by the PCG members during the talks with the Prime Minister and the issue would be discussed in detail in the next round of meeting. Several senior leaders of the ULFA including the vice chairman Pradip Gogoi, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, adviser Bhimkanta Boragohain and others are lodged in different jails of the State.
Moreover, several key members of the outfit are missing since the operations by the Royal Bhutan Army to evict the camps of the ULFA and NDFB from the territory of the Himalayan Kingdom in December, 2003 and the whereabouts of those persons are still not known. The PCG is likely to raise the issue in the next meeting so that the Government of India can take up the issue with the Government of Bhutan.
Art forms of NE hill areas vanishing: Giri Assam Tribune
SHILLONG, Nov 5 – Different art forms of the north-eastern hill areas were gradually vanishing or dying, according to Helen Giri, member of Sangeet Natak Academy.
Speaking at a workshop organised by the students of Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication (SIMC), Pune here, Giri said every hill area of the North-east has its own expression of art in the form of traditional dance, song or textile. But all these are vanishing or dying gradually.
Taking exception to the use of ‘tribal’ word before any art form, Giri, who heads the Centre for Cultural and Creative Studies at the North Eastern Hill University, said: “Why can we not use the word hill music or rural music?”
Stressing the need for having professionals to introduce music in visual media, Giri said originality was a must for working before the camera. If any visual was bereft of creativity, the viewer would not see it for the second time.
The day-long seminar ‘Footprints 2005’ titled ‘Telly wonder: news, music, career 24x7’ was to focus on emerging trends and career opportunities in news and music industry on television.
Inaugurating the event, eminent social worker Maya Ingty asked the budding scribes to be fair, judicious and follow the right path. – PTI
Garo ultra leaders shot dead From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
TURA, Nov 5 – The East Garo Hills police and the Army achieved a major success in its fight against militancy in the three districts of Garo Hills and adjoining border areas of Assam when it shot dead two hardcore ANVC deserters who had formed a new outfit recently.
They also succeeded in arresting two other militants from the same group at Bangsi- Minol village, under Mendipather police station early Friday morning.
This is a successful breakthrough because nine ANVC militants had fled from their designated camps at Samanda in East Garo Hills and Chokpot in South Garo Hills recently to form a new organisation. Six of the ANVC militants deserted their Chokpot camp on the October 1 last and prior to that, three other militants had also fled from their Samanda camp. These militants escaped with AK-47 rifles and SLRs and took away a considerable number of grenades and live ammo with them. The three militants who escaped from Samanda were led by one Nobin Sangma after expressing disillusion with the functioning of their former outfit. The splinter group from Chokpot was led by Rabi R Marak.
These members succeeded in coming together and recently formed the A’Chik National Liberation Front which had been instrumental in a series of extortion cases throughout the three districts of Garo Hills. They had abducted a businessman who was operating the weigh bridge at Depa Sarangma a few days ago and was demanding a ransom of over Rs 50 lakh for his release.
Following a tip-off, a combined team of the Army and the Meghalaya Police launched an operation at Bangsi-Minol during the wee hours of Friday morning that led to an encounter between the militants and the paramilitary forces.
In the ensuing encounter, the security forces shot dead two militants, identified as Rarik Sangma and Rabi Marak, both ANVC deserters, and arrested Kalthong Momin and Sengrak Momin. Police also recovered an AK-56 weapon with 20 rounds of ammo, three hand-grenades and an SLR with 17 rounds of live ammo.
It may be recalled that the six ANVC militants led by Rabi Sangma and Rarik Sangma of Bajengdoba had abandoned their camp at Chokpot on October 1 along with Onkang K Marak of Mendipathar, Santal Marak of Damra, Rakkam R Marak alias Rahul of Depa Sarangma and Silkang Marak.
Criminal case against 51 armymen for violating ESMA Arrest warrants issued Sentinel IMPHAL, Nov 5 (UNI): The Duty Magistrate has issued non bailable arrest warrants against an Army Captain and 50 other Army personnel for allegedly barging into the Yurembam power station and forcing the staff to cut off power supply to most parts of the State, specially in the Imphal areas on November 2. The arrest warrants were issued following a case filed by Chief Secretary, Manipur, Jarnail Singh against the Army personnel. The Manipur Government has taken up a criminal case for violating the Essential Services Maintenance Act.
Official sources said that the civil and police officials of the State convened a meeting to discuss the situation and most officials were peeved with the ‘high-handedness’ of the Army personnel posted in Manipur and described the act of Army as ‘uncivilised’. It was alleged that even the State Chief Secretary was badly treated by Army Captain Pillai of the Military Engineering Services of 57 Mountain Division, Leimakhong. The SP of Imphal West has been instructed to arrest all the Army personnel. On November 2, Cap Pillai along with 50 Army personnel went to the Yurembam power station. They barged into the control room overpowering the Indian Reserve Battalion guards and forced the staff to cut off power supply to the Imphal city and other areas. The Yurembam power station supplies power to the entire city area, including the residences of the Governor, Chief Minister and other high ranking officials. All hospitals also depend on the power station.
The power station had failed to provide power to the Army headquarters at Leimakhong due to breakdown of a feeder which was later restored. The Army action was due to the failure of the station to supply power. Chief Secretary, Jarnail Singh rushed to the power station when he heard the news and a confrontation ensued with the Army personnel. He and his Manipur police escorts were thoroughly checked by the Army personnel. Even when Mr Singh informed that operation works in hospitals would be affected due to the cut-off of power, the Army Captain refused to provide power and power supply was restored only after the Army team went away. Meanwhile, President of the All Manipur Bar Association Khaidem Mani has announced that legal steps would be taken up against the Army for cutting off power supply and displacing huge numbers of people by organising massive Operations.
Act of Goondaism Sangai Express
The manner in which some Army personnel led by a Captain showed off their muscle prowess at Yurembam power sub-station and forcefully shut down power for about 90 minutes on November 2 was nothing less than a naked show of brute force. What is more, the young Captain did not hesitate to engage the Chief Secretary of the State, who had rushed there to take stock of the situation, to a verbal duel. As reported in all the daily newspapers of Imphal on November 3, the Army personnel from the Military Engineering Service, led by a Captain stormed the Yurembam power station on November 2 morning and forcefully shut down the power supply to all the region of Imphal covered by the power sub-station. The reason for the naked show of force was the snapping of power supply to Leimakhong for about 15 hours. We agree that the power shut down for such a long time may have been due to negligence of the employees of the Electricity Department, but the manner in which the Army personnel stormed the power sub-station and shut down the power supply is something which cannot be accepted under any circumstances, whether there is the Armed Forces Special Powers Act or not. What was more galling was the fact that the Captain, a young and raw officer, had the temerity to get into a verbal duel with the Chief Secretary. In many ways, the Yurembam incident was a reflection of the manner in which security force conduct themselves. As we understand it, the Yurembam sub-station is a restricted area and the question therefore arises whether the men in uniform are above the law to enter such a site without getting the prior approval of the authority concerned. What is more, the snapping off of the power supply forcefully violates the right of the people to get power supply.
Understandably the Chief Secretary is believed to have taken a serious view of the incident and has already instructed the State Government to take up necessary steps to initiate a criminal case against the personnel. The PRO of the PIB (Defence Wing) too has assured that the Army authority has taken a serious view of the incident and assured that fitting action will be taken up against the guilty personnel. These are fine and in consonance with the rule of law, but the larger implications of the incident should not be lost on us. It is all about respecting the law of the land and if the men who are here to ensure that the law of the land prevails are going to violate it so non-chalantly then the top brass of the security force need some serious self studies. Discipline is the by word of the military. However what the Captain and his men did at Yurembam on November 2 defies all that discipline stands for. The question the Army authority should ask themselves now is, what were the factors that emboldened the Captain to act in such a high handed manner. Did his superiors give him any instructions to shut down the power supply as a retribution for the 15 hour black out at Leimakhong ? We certainly expect Army officers to act more responsibly. What happened at Yurembam was nothing but goondaism at its worst level.
USE of IEDs, MINES a CRIME against GOD By Comdt. (Retd) RS Jassal General. Neps
Right from the early civilisational records available, human beings in communes, villages, states evolutionised to nations, have been involved in securing its boundaries/borders by innovating various methods ranging from human calls, drum calls by log beats to manning EW (early warning) posts and associated other alarm systems by nature & compulsion depending on the nature of requirement, terrain & devices available. With advancement in war technology, the mines came into existence. Mines provided security to the troops at IB and acted as early warning to the troops in combat and forward posts. Mines are also used for channelising enemy troops to the selected killing zones by troops in defensive posts. Mine fields so created also slow down advance of raiding troops thus provide morale boosting doses to the defenders with sufficient warning to deal with attacking troops. In addition to mines, a new system of causing harassment, distraction, killing and devastating confusion to draw support system by militants in their resting points and hideouts against raids by SFs, called as IED, (Improvised
explosive device). It varies in components and scales of cordites, dynamites, gelignite, gun powder, TNT & so on. Depending on components, it causes corresponding damages. It can be ignited by manual control or used as
land mines through remote control or buried under ground, they can go off automatically by entanglement of human beings or animals and explodes with direct impact of weight by stepping over.
Explosives seized in Dimapur-Nagaland September 05
IED Specific: Till a few years back land mines of various shapes & marks were the only destructive devices known and used on live international borders. There laying and rolling up methods are handled by trained persons in the Armed Forces known as pioneers or by the Engineers Corps known as Sappers where intensity of operation so demands due high technological requirement say in tank war in covert war-fare, or in LIC by mercenaries; Sri-Lanka, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Iraq experience has brought out the wreckage impact what land mines and IEDs can create. In low intensity conflict zones (LIC) by insurgents of the origin of the same country like Maoists in Bihar, Andhra, ULFA/BODOS Assam, a host of militant organizations Kashmir and UNLF (with PLA &KNF) in Manipur, ATTF, BLTF Tripura & other parts of our country IEDs are used as integrated weaponry primarily against the state ¢ral Govt. armed forces but has left its indelible mark on the invariability of damage to civil population though pronouncedly not used against them. It is a new threat to human right & right to life.
What is IED? It is a short term given to IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE. Its contents can vary from tins, pipes, glass plastics boxes containers filled with explosives initiating mechanism, & dynamites with embedded nails etc. It can also be improvised from agri fertilizers like ammonium nitrate & so on. Explosives in short are highly dangerous, highly charged sensitive & volatile. Once set ignition is carried out by weight press, timer or remote, their results are unimaginable.
Types of IEDs Improvised Explosive Devices now popularly and commonly known as IED, in Manipur, Assam & Tripura are known to civil society pretty well who suffer from its menace though not at all party to the conflicts of State and none state actors. It has become almost every day feature in media news in the NE and Manipur in particular and causalities are on the increase day by day. So far known types of ignition used for exploding IED are: Water sensor, pressure switch pendulum switch, and touch sensor, pull switch, timer switch, and light operated sensor, release switch, ignition switch, without light sensor, relay switch and electronic timer. In fact it is difficult to bind them in definite terms as these can be used as flying saucers also in crowded places.
Types of injuries they inflict
* Blast mines: Usually hand-laid on or under the ground or scattered from the air. The explosive force of the mines cause foot, leg, and groin injuries and secondary infections usually result in amputation
* Fragmentation mines: Usually laid on or under the ground and often activated by tripwire or other means. When detonated the explosion project hundreds of fragments at ballistic speed of up to 50 meters resulting in
fragmentation wounds. Some fragmentation mines contain a primary charge to lift the mine above the ground (about 1 to 1.5 meters) before detonating which can injure an adult's abdomen, genitals and take off a victims head too.
Do landmines and IEDs obey the laws of war? No they cannot
The laws of war dictate that soldiers and their weapon discriminate between soldiers and civilians. Additionally, there is to be a balance between military need and consequences to the civilian's population. These two principles of the law of war discrimination and proportionality apply to the use of mines & IEDs in war or LIC situation
It is a fact that land mines and charged explosive (IEDs) do not discriminate the military and society as a whole. If it demoralizes the enemy psychologically and affects physically, it also damages terrorizes civilians in greater terms. The fear psychosis affecting military personnel ends with end of war or day to day ambush but impact on civilians goes much beyond till the mine IED is unarmed, destroyed or removed. Civilians those who survive with serious, minor or disability affect are made to spend balance of life in mute memories. The uses of IED in various forms and in the NE by militants of all hues are horrendous and terrifying menace to the civilians &SFs and even militants all. How many of them suffer while carrying, laying & even storing is known to militant leaders. SFs suffer losses while conducting mining &de-mining exercise or in combating insurgency in LIC (Low Intensity conflict) though SFs never lay it for civilians in LIC zone(s). Mines are boldly marked and fenced at IB by the BOPs.
A Child lost both legs
But underground terrorists do not do so while fighting with SF within our own terrority and with own SF's. No doubt, Mines play a great role in accomplishment of military tasks at IBs but it causes untold damage to own
people (civilians) when IED planted by militants is faced by them in jungle, fields in & around village. And if it is in populated areas, bazaar or main roads it invites back fire from SFs in ruthless manners as happened in the
past in Assam, Tripura, and Nagaland & Manipur.
Disturbing trends in Manipur:
During my Aug trip to Jiribam (NH 53) I was told by local leaders, CO 26 Assam Riffles that one Munniruddin Borbaniya of Ahmedabad village (please do not mix up with Ahmedabed of Gujarat, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh) near Bekra lost his left leg by amputation in Silchar Medical college. He had got caught in activation of an IED while returning home after fire wood collection which might have been laid by the militants for action against the SF's quite unmindful of its consequence on local people. It happened in early part of June 2005.GOC 57 Mtn Division and 26 Assam Rifles under his command provided all medical aid and Silchar Medical college provided him with a wheel chair. This is only one of the many cases of IED victims. Similarly there are many cases of summary killings of civil population by the terrorists in areas of Bekra - Vangai range and CC Pur interior left unaided and uncared for by the state and the UGs. Some data collected from HQ 57 Mountain division reveals that in CC pur village of Zangvakot (Khuttu), Diyalkhai, Mongon and Abitang adjacent to Thanlon, four villagers have died because of release of IED due human contact and four have been injured including two from Bukpi. In Chandel Dist Latkhuiier Kuki (28) of Sehhao Kuki village has been paralysed, five persons from Khullen have died and three have suffered multiple injuries. One each from Molcham village and
New Samtal have died and Nengriching 24 from Tuyon village injured. In Jiribam Sub Division four have been injured including Munniruddin who lost his leg as amputated they belong to Chhota Bekra Ahmadabad and Zangnom. This data pertains to period 25 Nov 04 to 12 June 05. The data collected from HQ IG AR (S) reveals there were total 16 blasts from 1 Jan 05 to 25 Oct. It details civilians died four injured one SFs died two and injured six. Most of the blasts against SFs could not cause any harm. A considerable number of IEDs were detected and neutralized. Recently three blasts have occurred in Moreh & Khudengthabi.
Civil psyche devastator:
IEDs if planted by militants on NHs or main /auxiliary roads for causing casualties to men and vehicle of SFs they do harm to vehicles and men as is experienced in the past by IRB personal Army/BSF/CRPF/AR but all the
incidents drew uncontrolled fire to same point or in the vicinity reinforced by punitive action by the provogated SFs in the brawl, hence have caused more casualties to civilians not involved in insurgency conflict at all. Breast fed children, convalescing persons unable to move away from the scene of incidence, school going children, persons wishing to attend social functions, ladies waiting deliveries have been seen suffered from after blast wrath of legally armed persons resulting in HR violations. As well at far flung places where no law exists & UGs writ rules. In the last two decades many have gone crippled, paralysed and suffered amputations and some
lost voice too due to traumatic shocks of seeing their near and dear one losing their lives from close by. No NGO or HR body is maintaining any record of such casualties other than holding workshop/seminars I am pained to say they do pretty little for such victims for whom they are meant to function. Of late, with proliferation of UG setups and to preempt each other or one another's attempt of attack or for early warning system against SFs on approach routes UGs are planting IEDs in the periphery of villages while resting which have caused casualties as brought out in previous paragraph too. SFs personnel have well co-ordinated system for evacuation, treatment and compensation where as civil casualties suffer in all bareness in all respects and thus leave many questions answered.
Suggestions
* Complete ban is the only answer other than by Army at IBs where absolute necessary in actual war notwithstanding what UN says.
* In context of Manipur, IB with Myanmar is a sleepy border. Due to frequent move of UGs to Bangladesh and Myanmar (ISI) camps, SF posts are established and removed as per requirement all over the state. In that case if mines and IEDs are used and left un removed by intent or other wise, damages to civilians including animals cannot be safe vouched hence it is offence against humanity for both SF and the insurgents.
* Consider complete ban on use of mines including IEDs in Manipur & other NE states. Manipur is having strong Meira Paibis (torch bearers against social evils) club systems, their potentials must be exploited to optimum to educate our society on devastating and in- human affect of abhorrent landmines and IEDs on human beings and animals including ecology since mostly activities are in jungle. We must change mindsets of non-state actors for humanitarian reasons. Why should they do that as it will erode their public base which is equally and more importantly needed by them?
* There is no denying the fact that whether UGs cause destruction or SF losses both side are our own kith and kin since there are personae from Manipur and NE very much on the active roll of the SFs too and civil society
base is common for both .
* Manipur Human Right Commission be activated to influence non state actors and civil society on the issue instead of politicizing their appointments.
* Purview of the subject apart, it is strongly felt youth who are the future care takers of our social concerns be educated with a suitable system & subject head on "Love, compassion, respect & care for humanity above self" introduced in educational curriculum to obtain equilibrium of mind and soul for the sake of the humanity beyond village, regional, national to state & international borders. It is the urgent need for nailing our ills.
Conclusion.
The impact of twin blasts in Dimapur in Oct last year needs studying. Who is gaining out of present conflict neither North Easterners nor the SFs; definitely a third party? It is not difficult to judge who this third party is. Interference of ISI operatives in the NE is now quite in the open. UNLF can gather more credence & support if its supremo considers to issue a complete ban on use of IEDs any where in the hill and valley. KNF/KNA also must consider this point seriously. Losses in Molcham, Moreh, and Khudengthabi are increasing day by day. If it is against SFs or opposing UG teams in hills, villages may be still acceptable, but there is no guarantee. And if it is around suburbs village in valley in a populated area or highway where SF's around it provides unlicensed lever to SFs to open fire at random. The brunt is borne by the civil societies. SFs state or center still have recourse to immediate evacuation medical treatment and compensation whereas a civilian does not have set procedure or compulsion for same as is demonstrated by Muniruddin case above. NSCN (IM) has already signed against
used of mines/IEDs in 2002. Other groups need its urgent consideration.
Frans on 11.06.05 @ 02:50 PM CST [link]
Saturday, November 5th
Nagas to disobey Manipur Government
Nagas to disobey Manipur Govt Newmai News Network
People’s convention resolve to pay tax directly to Delhi or Kohima
Senapati, Nov 4: The United Naga Council sponsored Naga Peoples Convention today declared the launching of non-co-operation movement against the Manipur government. This was decided during the Naga Peoples Convention held today at Taphou Naga Village in Senapati where Naga leaders from frontal social organizations conglomerated. The meeting was convened by the United Naga Council.
While reiterating the earlier Senapati declaration of August-8 and 9, 2001 which states "our identity and history have to be defended and preserved at all cost and the firm political stand of the Naga people for integration of all the Naga areas under one administration", today’s convention passed resolutions on five agenda which are to be carried out during the course of the non-co-operation movement against the Manipur government.
As part of the movement, the Naga village chiefs and authorities will be returning the red blankets issued by the Manipur government.
All the names of villages, hills/ranges, rivers, districts will be changed into indigenous names as another form of non-cooperation.
The Naga households will stop paying house tax to the Manipur government and will either pay it directly to New Delhi or to Kohima. Non-acceptance of any development fund/schemes through the government of Manipur with effect from April-1, 2006 (next financial year) was also decided upon.
As a form of insubordination, all the Nagas without exception will desist from associating themselves from any forum, platform or organisation with the Meiteis. Earlier in the day, the UNC convened meeting urged the government of India to demonstrate its political will towards resolving the Indo-Naga issue by carrying forward the peace-process to an acceptable and honorable settlement at the earliest.
A memorandum will be submitted to the government of India reiterating the political stand of the Nagas living in the present state of Manipur to uphold the resolution of the Naga people for integration of Naga areas under one administration and the declaration of the launching of the non-cooperation movement against the Manipur government.
The UNC Working Group will work out the modalities for carrying forward the non-co-operation movement.
Other courses of action will be communicated to the district organisations by the UNC.
Chandel meet resolves to support peace talks Source: The Sangai Express
Chandel, November 04: Representatives of Chandel district-based Naga civil societies, village chiefs, student bodies, women organisations, Church leaders and Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights etc during a meeting held on November 2 at Chandel Christian village reaffirmed support to the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process.
Pledging unequivocal support to the political dialogue between the NSCN (IM) leadership and Government of India, the meeting resolution included emphasis on sincerity of the Central authorities for a negotiated settlement to the issue and necessity for the latter to recognise the legitimate rights for the unification of Naga areas.
In addition of deciding to launch a series of non-cooperation movement, the Nagas of Chandel re-endorsed and upheld the declaration of the Naga People’s Convention held at Senapati district on August 8-9, 2001.
Other resolutions adopted in the recent Chandel session include payment of hill house tax either directly to New Delhi or in Kohima and return of red blankets to the Government of Nagaland by the Naga chiefs of Chandel district.
A joint statement of Chandel Naga People’s Organisation, Naga Students’ Union, Chandel and Naga Women’s Union, Chandel endorsing the meeting resolutions was also sent to the press.
On the other hand, the Joint Action Committee, Chandel strongly desired participation of leaders and representatives of organisations concerned at the November 7 meeting to be held at Lambung village, Chandel to settle the October 18 Pallel incident.
NSCN-IM threatens to call off ceasefire in Nagaland
[ Saturday, November 05, 2005 11:21:36 am IANS ] Times of India
DIMAPUR: The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) Saturday threatened to call off an eight-year-old ceasefire with New Delhi if its demands were not met by January, leaders of the guerrilla outfit said.
"There is no point in operating a ceasefire and holding talks without any solution in sight. If the Indian government fails to hammer out a solution within the tenure of the present ceasefire there would be no option but to probably call off the truce and fight back," R.H. Raising, a senior NSCN-IM leader, told IANS. The NSCN-IM and New Delhi entered into a ceasefire in August 1997, and the term of the ongoing truce expires on Jan 31 next year.
"We are still committed to resolving the problem through political negotiations but we cannot wait indefinitely There is a limit to everything," said Raising, self-styled home minister of the rebel group. The two sides have held at least 45 rounds of peace talks since 1997 aimed at ending one of the longest running insurgencies in the northeast.
"People are getting increasingly restive and impatient and we do not see any seriousness on the part of New Delhi to solve the problem. The government of India is simply giving us assurances and commitments without trying to work out a tangible solution," NSCN-IM spokesman Kraibo Chawang told IANS. The last round of talks between the NSCN and the central government peace negotiators ended in Bangkok last month.
"Fresh talks are due to begin later this month between our collective leadership and the Indian government and unless something positive emerges out of the deliberations there is no point in continuing with ceasefire," Raising said.
The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, is one of the oldest and most powerful of about 30 rebel groups in India's northeast and wants to create a "Greater Nagaland" by slicing off parts of neighbouring states that have Naga tribal populations.
The three regional governments of Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh have rejected the NSCN-IM's demand for unification of Naga-dominated areas. Local rebel leaders were holding meetings across Nagaland to apprise the people about their decision to return to the jungles if the talks fail.
"We are holding mass consultations in every village and telling our people that we may have to fight again if our rights and aspirations are not recognized by New Delhi," Chawang said.
Community leaders and tribal chiefs are worried that Nagaland might again witness a cycle of violence if the NSCN-IM decides to pull out of the peace talks. "It would be a nail in the coffin if the peace talks break down at this stage. Each and every Naga was hoping for a permanent solution and an end to bloodshed and killings," said T. Ao, a church leader.
DGAR visits Nagaland New Kerala
Kohima: The Director General of Assam Rifles (DGAR) Lieutenant General Bhupinder Singh yesterday paid a day's visit to Nagaland.
According to defence sources here today the DGAR was accompanied by his wife Winnie Singh, who is the president of the Assam Rifles Wives Welfare Association (ARWWA).
The general was briefed on the prevailing law and order situation in the state by Brig Brij Pal Singh, officiating Inspector General of Assam Rifles.
The DGAR also called on Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and governor Shyamal Datta and discussed matters of mutual interest.
Mrs Singh later visited the Kohima orphange, sources added.
Jamir stresses on economic development New Kerala
Kohima: Goa governor and former Nagaland Chief Minister S C Jamir has stressed the need for economic reforms in Nagaland in the context of changing global economic scenario to ensure preservation of the state's natural environment in harmony with the unique tribal culture.
Speaking as the chief guest at the silver jubliee celebration of the Ao Senden at Mokokchung yesterday, Mr Jamir outlined six thrust areas for building the foundation for economic development like tourism, handicrafts, horticulture, floriculture, sports and economic collaboration with the neighbouring states in the context of the Centre's ''Look East'' policy, which focussed economic development through commerce and trade with the neighbouring asian countries.
He expressed sorrow over the continued killings and violence in Nagaland and said it was time to confront the truth about the causes and factors that has plunged the Naga society under fear psychosis today.
The Goa governor said though nagas speak eloquently about unity and progress of all tribes yet on the contaary killings have been accepted as pride under the plea of continuing a political movement.
This has created a serious problem among the people, he added.
He said there is '' truth famine'' among the people and warned that if it continues to exist there can be no peace or progress.
Nagaland leader of the opposition I.Imkong also spoke on the occasion.
Jamir spells out vision statement for home audience The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOV 4 (MExN): In his vision statement for Nagaland Goa Governor SC Jamir, while advocating for peace stated that enough blood had been shed through wanton fratricidal killings and expressed concern that killing of Nagas by Nagas would benefit none but making us a disgrace in the eyes of all the communities in the country. The former Nagaland Chief Minister called upon the people to faithfully and honestly pray to the living God to guide and bless the Naga leaders who are engaged in the peace process to work out a durable solution to the political problem of Nagaland through peaceful and democratic means. "We know very well the kind of trouble we are in…let the present challenges be our future opportunities," Governor Jamir said. While recalling the developments leading up to the birth of the State of Nagaland, Jamir observed that in the last few decades, the Nagas had witnessed a huge transformation in the world outside, adding that developments in science and technology changed the world completely. "Nagaland has to move fast now, if it does not want to be left behind" he urged. He asserted that as the people marches ahead they have to understand that it was no longer economically or socially sustainable for Nagaland to remain isolated and that it was time to "come out of our shells and face reality". Jamir urged that the prevalent fear-psychosis has to be shed since the people had nothing to be afraid and urged them to let go of narrow-mindedness and suspicion. The Governor presented the people two options: "We can simply continue to be victims of violence or we can be progressive, liberal-minded and forward-looking and take Nagaland to the heights of economic glory that it is truly capable of".
On the economic front, the Governor has laid down a detailed six point agenda. The agenda includes promotion of tourism, encouraging the production of handicrafts, industrial growth, promotion of Sports, coordination and collaboration with other north-eastern states, and the use of education to develop among the Nagas an enthusiastic attitude towards learning and promotion of professional work ethics.
CAG pulls up Nagaland Power dept for funds diversion Dimapur, November 4, 2005 Hindustan Times
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pulled up Nagaland's Power Department for large scale of diversion of funds during the year ending March 31, 2004.
According to the report, the department is responsible for large scale diversion of funds, non-revision of issue rates, keeping idle stock, issue of supply orders at the request of the suppliers, reimbursement of excise duty to suppliers without production of documentary evidence, non-recovery of penalty from defaulting suppliers, and of offering undue financial benefits to suppliers, among others.
According to the report, the department procured 15 vehicles, including 13 Bolero Invaders and two Ambassadors between March and August 2004 at a total cost of Rs 76.45 lakh by diverting Rs 8.32 lakh from deposit work, Rs 54.63 lakh from rural electrification and Rs 13.5 lakh from the system improvement scheme without the approval of the Finance Department.
Similarly, of the Rs 2.67 crore sanctioned by the Government in October 2002 for procurement of store material under the Central Government's Accelerated Power Development Reform Programme, Rs 12.13 lakh was diverted in December 2002 by the stores division towards payment of salary of staff belonging to another division, the report pointed out.
These are only a few of the instances cited in the report. A random verification of supply orders placed with local suppliers by the chief engineer for procurement of steel poles revealed that the rates approved by the purchase board were much higher than the rates of the manufacturers quoted in their invoices issued to the local suppliers, the report noted.
NSF to launch its own website The Morung Express
KOHIMA, NOV 4 (MExN): The Federating Units and Sub-Ordinate Bodies of the Naga Students’ Federation would be holding the launching programme of its website on the 8 November at 10:00 AM at the conference hall, NSF. Lathara IAS will grace the occasion as its special guest. In a release issued by K. Elu Ndang, General Secretary, NSF, requested all the concerned units to be present on time and invited all the former leaders and well-wishers to be a part of the programme.
Ganja seized at Dimapur Source: The Sangai Express
Kohima, November 04: Sleuths from the excise department and NSCN(I-M) activists have seized 1,380 kg of ganja near Dimapur in a joint operation, police said today.
The consignment, captured at Chumukedima check gate yesterday, was despatched from Manipur's Senapati district and was meant for an unknown destination outside the north-east, they said.
One person was arrested and a vehicle registered in Nagaland was seized.
The accused is in the custody of the NSCN(I-M) while the contraband has been deposited at the ceasefire monitoring cell, police said.
On Wednesday, the Narcotics Cell of Nagaland police had seized 8,200 kg ganja at Chakabama and arrested five persons.
Apart from police and excise personnel, ganja transported through the two main routes of Nagaland is frequently seized by NSCN(I-M) and burnt in the presence of the district administration, public leaders and media.
Ganja shipments generally go up during this time, specially on NH-39, since harvesting is done during autumn in parts of Manipur and bordering Myanmar, police said. PTI
Corruption a larger evil: AIR opinion poll The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Nov 4: Even as awareness of HIV/AIDS and preventive measures thereof is quite high in Manipur, corruption looms large in the minds of the people of Manipur. This is as per an opinion poll conducted by the AIR Imphal of its listerners between October 2 and October 20. For the first time, the AIR Imphal conducted an opinion poll asking listeners to give their comment on the topic `Which one is bigger issue - HIV/AIDS or corruption.` The result of the opinion was declared today. Of every six opinions received as many as five voted corruption as a more serious problem for Manipur and only one out of six indicated HIV/AIDS as a serious problem A total of 750 opinions were received through post, e-mail and hand post including 110 females ranging from top bureaucrats to social workers, teachers to students, medical doctors to pharmacists, ex-MPs to Gram Panchayat members, editors to press compositors, retired IAS personnel to laymen, unemployed and housewives etc.
The opinion poll also represented all the districts of Manipur, the highest being 81 polls from Tamenglong district among the five hill districts. The opinions were also received from the North Eastern states of Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam. A cross-section of the people considered corruption as the major problem in Manipur. About 20 percent of the respondents said that corruption nips positivism while 14 percent of them said it is incurable as both the government machinery and the NGOs are ineffective. Another 13 percent said corruption blunts honesty and blurs transparency intractably while 12 percent of them opined that corruption destroys social fabric menacingly. Another 12 percent said that corruption frustrates development revoltingly while the remaining 29 percent opined that corruption is a sin or an intrinsic human default, comparable to uncontrolled nuclear fission, it renders all laws ineffective, and it prevents individuals from positive action. Out of 81 opinions polled from Tamenglong district, 65 viewed that corruption as the major issue in the district. The most striking reason given by respondents was that both the government machinery and the NGOs in Manipur are not free from the disease. Some government employees also narrated their woes as for instance, one widow narrated how much she suffered in the state secretariat in a die-in harness case of her husband.
The opinion poll showed that all the respondents were fully aware of the impact of both HIV/AIDS and corruption. The highest number of respondents 36 percent said HIV/AIDS kills but corruption does not while 19 percent of them said HIV/AIDS renders wastrels and impinges on future generation. Another 19 percent opined that HIV/AIDS is a worldwide epidemic but corruption is endemic only in some areas while 13 percent of the respondents said HIV/AIDS is incurable at least so far. Another 10 percent voted HIV/AIDS because it is more than an epidemic as the infected person is stigmatized in the society and the .03 percent considered that HIV/AIDS is inherent in a drug infested border area like Manipur.
Interestingly, out of every six medical doctors, one voted for HIV/AIDS while the remaining five, including a retired additional director, state health department went in favour of corruption. Amongst the hill districts, respondents from Ukhrul district expressed their serious concern over HIV/AIDS problem in the district. However, one welcoming trend was that there is a growing awareness of HIV/AIDS among the students and young women all over the state. The same trend was indicated among the security and police personnel. Area wise, the opinion poll represented the entire state of Manipur, but the number of respondents (750) represents a microscopic minority of the state having 24 lakh population. However, the nature of the opinion, reasons and status of the 750 respondents are such that they can be considered as opinion makers of the various sections of the society. The reasons given by the respondents were thought provoking. However, it cannot be construed as a final verdict on the issues but it is certainly a trend which cannot be ignored by planners, policy makers and stakeholders of the political leadership in the state.
Corruption more worrisome than HIV/AIDS : Opinion poll Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 04: It is no doubt an interesting topic,“ Which of the two is the bigger issue in the minds of listeners-HIV/AIDS or Corruption ?” And the opinion poll conducted by the Regional News Unit of the All India Radio, Imphal has given the mandate that corruption is no doubt the bigger issue of the two. Launched on October 2 this year, the listeners were given 18 days time to send in their opinions and as many as 750 opinions were received through post, e-mail and hand post, said a statement issued by AIR, Imphal today. The opinions were received from a cross section of society ranging from top bureaucrats to social workers, from teachers to students, from doctors to pharmacists, from former MPs to Gram Panchayat members, from editors to press compositors, from retired IAS officers to the common man on the street, from high ranking security and police officers to house wives. The opinions were received from across all the districts of Manipur, with Tamenglong emerging the biggest respondent with 81 polls.
Opinions were also received from North Eastern States like Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam. Out of every six opinions received, five voted corruption as the bigger issue confronting the State with only one opting for HIV/AIDS. The respondents gave a number of reasons for placing corruption on a higher index than HIV/AIDS. Detailing, the statement said that the highest number of respondents (20 percent) view corruption as being against any positive developments. Fourteen percent of the respondents said that corruption is prospectively incurable as both the Government mechanisms and NGOs are ineffective. Coming a close third, 13 percent of the opinions polled said that corruption blunts honesty and blurs transparency while another 12 percent were of the view that corruption destroys social fabric while another 12 percent said that corruption frustrates development.
The remaining 29 percent had different view points over corruption with some saying that corruption is a sin or an intrinsic human default, comparable to nuclear fission, renders all laws ineffective and prevents individuals from positive action. In Tamenglong where 81 opinions were polled, 65 were of the view that corruption is the major issue in the district. The few who viewed HIV/AIDS as the bigger issue also gave a number of reasons for their stand. Thirty six percent of those who voted for HIV/AIDS said that while AIDS kills, corruption does not. Nineteen percent said that HIV/AIDS poses a threat to the future generation, while another 19 percent felt that HIV/AIDS is a world wide epidemic but corruption is endemic only in some areas. Thirteen percent said that till date HIV/AIDS is incurable while another 10 percent said that HIV/AIDS is more than an epidemic as the infected person is socially ostracised and stigmatised. 03 percent were of the opinion that HIV/AIDS is inherent in a drug infested border area like Manipur. On a positive note, the statement said that the polls showed that the people of Manipur are fully aware of the impact of both HIV/AIDS and corruption on society. 750 respondents may represent only a minuscule part of the 24 lakh population of Manipur, but it can be considered as the opinions of a cross sections of society, said the statement and added that though it cannot be construed as a final verdict, it is still a trend which cannot and should not be ignored by planners, policy makers and stakeholders of the political leadership of Manipur.
Assam's ethnic mess Aditi Phadnis / Business Standard PLAIN POLITICS
With elections due in 2006, ethnic violence is on the rise. What’s CM Gogoi doing?
All the reports from the Congress Chief Ministers’ conclave in Chandigarh last month said Defence Minister and senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee warned Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi not to to play politics with ethnic groups because while politically, it may be profitable, it was dangerous business. Soon after, almost as if on cue, violence broke out on September 26 between the Karbi and Dimasa tribes of Assam’s North Cachar region. Between then and now, more than 70 have died. The hallmark of tribal violence — whether Kuki-Naga or between Karbis and Dimasas — is its extreme bestiality. Babies have been beheaded in Assam, whole families have been hacked to death in North Cachar and passengers in buses have been asked to get down and been killed. Thousands of families belonging to the two warring tribes have fled their homes and are living in relief camps. Dimasa families from Karbi areas have taken shelter in the adjacent Dimasa-dominated North Cachar hills, where they presumably feel safer among their own.
What on earth is happening in Assam? Like politics elsewhere in the north-east, in Assam too, community — especially tribal — loyalties rest close to the skin and are easy to stir up. Traditionally, as Dev Kant Barooah once put it, so long as he had the Ali (the migrant Muslim), the coolie (the labourers in the tea gardens) and the Bangali (Hindu settlers from West Bengal and now, Bangladesh), the Congress was home and dry in Assam. These communities continue to be the Congress backbone in the state. But new layers have been added to the support base of the Congress. And the race is now on, before 2006 when Assembly elections are due, to add more. The North Cachar Hills are, theoretically, under Guwahati’s administrative control but are ruled by an autonomous council. The seeds of this arrangement were sown by the British because of the martial and rebellious tradition in the region, where the Dimasas are the single largest tribal group in North Cachar Hills, accounting for roughly one-third of the district’s total population. Fratricidal violence among ethnic groups has been common in the district, spread over a 10,434-square kilometre area, half of which is covered by thick jungles. There have been clashes between Karbis and Khasis, Karbis and Kukis, and other ethnic confrontations in recent years. But the Karbi-Dimasa animosity has grown in intensity since mid-2004, when tension emerged in Dimasa-dominated areas. The area is close to Nagaland and the tension was over reports that parts of the area was under illegal occupation by Nagas. The Karbis, who thought the land belonged to them, charged the majority Dimasas of selling out to the Nagas. The Dimasa tribal leadership does not accept this accusation.
The region is close to Dimapur (Nagaland) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland Isak Muivah (NSCN IM) controls Dimapur. It has its own agenda — dreams of a Greater Nagaland, incorporating new and previously non-Naga inhabited areas. It was worrying enough that the NSCN IM was extending its hold to areas from where it had been absent. But that all the attendant problems — tacit political patronage to militant groups — were accompanying the NSCN IM’s gradual growth was worrying for New Delhi.
So when the violence mounted and Chief Minister Gogoi was asked by New Delhi to talk to the two groups — the Dimasas and Karbis — he did. In the past, the Congress has supported the demand of the Dimasa that a larger Dimasa state — Dimaraji — be created. This is the point Pranab Mukherjee was making: It was not the violence by small militant groups representing small communities that the chief minister needed to be concerned about. It was the patronage these groups got. How does this work? Not unlike the way DK Borooah spelt it out. An insecure chief minister does a deal with this or that militant group, promising to look the other way while they’re creating the fire, but rushing with fire engines to douse them, so that the “community in danger” theme can be exploited to the hilt. Gogoi has accused Janata Dal(U) leader George Fernandes of creating the disturbances in North Cachar. Fernandes has responded with a defamation suit.
The North Cachar problem is not the only ethnic issue besetting Assam. Gogoi and the Assam Governor, Lt Gen (retd) Ajay Singh, had an unseemly public argument recently over the governor’s observation: that 6,000 migrants were crossing over every day to Assam from Bangladesh. The last word on that controversy has not been said yet, but last month the Indian Army was told by New Delhi to call off a manhunt against militants in Tinsukia forests where more than 14 rebels were killed. The Army was responding to specific reports that the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), which had been flushed out of Bhutan in a historic operation in 2003, had been regrouping in the jungles. Why did Delhi feel the need to call Lt Gen Hardev Lidder (the General Officer Commanding in charge of the operations) unless Guwahati felt its political assets were threatened? When Atal Bihari Vajpayee was prime minister and a proposal was made to set up a unified command for the north-east, Gogoi was one of the chief ministers who opposed the proposal vehemently. For the record, he said he did not want to be saddled with a set-up that the BJP controlled. But there has been no talk of that even after the UPA has come to power.
The north-east is a smouldering fire of competing ethnic and economic identities and these are sharpened at election time. And a senior minister (and indeed one who’s seen it all) Pranab Mukherjee was telling the Congress in Assam not to make the same mistakes it has made all these years — exploiting ethnic identity to form a government in the state somehow. It has dangerous and long-term consequences.
PERSPECTIVE The Morung Express The litmus test of Naga sincerity
POLICY/DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS, PEOPLE AND HUMAN INTEREST PERSPECTIVE
Jonas Yanthan TNagaland is a land of great possibilities: be it development, resources, vibrancy of its populace and above all in the exercise of the benefits guaranteed in the constitution of India. Nagaland, as we all know, is not born out of population but purely on political reasons and therefore the pioneers of the statehood gave due importance to factors like tribes, topography, backwardness and other such considerations while creating the districts and effecting equitable share of seats to its constituent blocks right from the Interim Body arrangement with the sole aim for equal opportunities of development and benefits of funds in the state.
The three broad blocks created for administrative efficiency and for proper representation of the tribes are: A) Kohima block; B) Mokokchung block; and C) Tuensang block. Accordingly, these blocks were given 20 seats each in the total house of 60 Assembly constituencies. However, Tuensang Block reached their share of 20 only in 1974 when 8 seat more was allotted to its twelve seats of 1969. However, due to insincere distribution approach within the blocks, it led to sharp disparity among the districts, as we see it today. With the Delimitation exercise knocking at our door, this is an opportunity to correct the anomaly. We need to act fast and with an imperative sense of justice so that equitable distribution of seats may be effected among all the tribes in letter and spirit. Below is a graph of the block formula, which is very much within the constitutional purview as enjoyed by the state of Nagaland for serious deliberation by all the tribes to arrive at a majority decision for common good and commonly suggest to the Delimitation Commission of India for implementation in right earnest instead of clinging on to lame reasons like citing Jammu & Kashmir, 2001 Census, peace process or the Article 371(A) of the constitution which we find does not impress much on the centre for agreeable response as we have seen in the just recently effected downsizing of ministry in the state-to name one instance. Further more, requesting for exemption from a parliamentary Act is nothing but poverty of ideas rather, we should be devising the fairest exercise for the highest common good and forwarding it to the centre for positive implementation as this is also in the interest of the centre.
The Block method is based on the true spirit of creation of the state for equilibrium representation of all the tribes. Analyzing the districts block wise, Dimapur, under Kohima block is a ‘city district’ with hardly 927 sq. kms with an even topography largely occupied by rich Nagas while its huge population is mainly floating migrants that we all unanimously agree and also spelt out by Congress and DAN associate members to the Commission of India. Hence, allotment of seats to it can be rationalized accordingly. Phek, the single largest district in size and host to Pochury tribe, has suffered loss of a seat thirty years ago for nothing and that too by losing it to Dimapur in 1972 delimitation when its population stood at 44,594 while Dimapur was only a mere 28,884 (1971 census). Therefore, it cannot afford to lose further but addition. Kohima, being the capital district must be represented well for speedy development for the reasons that it is not only our mirror but also host to all tribes besides the fairly large Rengma tribe. Peren is getting its due share any how.
Under Mokokchung block, though Mokokchung district has numerous bureaucrats and leaders from there, many of its villagers are not better off from other tribes and hence cannot afford to lose three all on a sudden. With application of the block wise formula, the loss can be curtailed to two. Zunheboto district had the second highest seats next to Mokokchung under this block with seven including Pughoboto however recoup of one from the impending loss of two seats will be enlivening. Of the three districts the least privileged and underdeveloped is Wokha with 5 seats for two elections and only 4 seats for the last thirty years which was lost to Dimapur along with Phek despite having 38,297 a difference of 9413 population more than Dimapur. Besides, Wokha has the potential of oil, agricultural and horticultural production for revenue to the state including the most successful hydro project in the state and therefore requires sympathetic attention of the state for better treatment to the district.
Likewise, the Tuensang block may, free from outside interference, schematize the distribution of its seats of 20 among the four sister districts taking into consideration factors like area, backwardness, population etc to affect an equitable share of seats that is in the best interest of the block. As we see, the block wise exercise has less damage to the existing seat allocation than the delimitation as per Census 2001. Moreover, this is an opportunity for emergence of champions for social cause, be they politicians, bureaucrats, technocrats, church leaders or public. Naga Hoho, the highest civil authority, has a moral duty to initiate threadbare deliberation on the issue instead of leaving it to politicians whose main focus, as we know, is primarily power equations for partisan or own tribe’s interests and least for larger common interest. At the end of it all, politicians will come and go but the public will stay on either to suffer or progress as per the kind of decision is made.
The appeal to all leaders is not to view the delimitation issue from narrow political or partisan approach but from a wider social perspective for the sake of a just social order. The earnest appeal to the DAN government, as custodian of public welfare, is to exercise its highest impartial ruling on the majority suggestion in the best interest of all the tribes for equitable and fair delimitation of constituencies among the tribal districts, free from selfish politics.
Delimitation 2002 exercise, thus, remains as the most crucial litmus test of Naga sincerity, truthfulness and honesty including the credibility of the religion we profess because one can’t say one believes in Jesus and keep on being dishonest and treacherous against fellow tribes. It is a call for making a choice that is to determine the kind of future that the state will emerge in the years to come. Julius Nyrere, the former President of Tanzania aptly said, "to plan is to choose". In other words, planning is a road map to the future but the kind of future that we want shall be determined by the kind of choice we make today and therefore, choice is both responsibility and also demands sacrifice from personal interest for the sake of common good.
Hmar insurgents indulge in extortion in Vairengte NET News Network
Aizawl Nov 4: A source said the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic), an underground, has sent letters to several salaried people in Vairengte village demanding a cut from their salaries. According to the letters, which have been written in the Hmar dialect, said 5 percent of their October salary is to be given to the HPC (D) with the deadline set at November 15, 2005. The letters instrucvted the recepients to deliver the money to Ankhasou in Manipur. The letters, datelined Sinlung and signed by L.P. Hmar, 'commander HPC (D)', did not contain any threat but said the amount demanded should be paid in full and clearly written. Vairengte police officer in charge Sangbera has been quoted by the source as saying that though the police were not certain how many people received the demand letters, the police suspect most government employees of receiving the demand, including the the highest government official in the village, the SDO.
The police said the letters were posted from Vairengte post office. Sangbera was also quoted as saying that this kind of demand letters had been received by people residing in the Serlui and Tuirial areas. Among the recepients of the demand letter is the village council president Hmingthanga of the Vairengte VC II. According to him, the matter would be taken up at the next VC sitting. He also said they have not verified whether the letters were genuine or not and said this kind of demand letters had been received sometime back in the past.
"This is not the first time that we have received this kind of letter. Demand letters had been received by salaried people some years back. But I believe no one had paid up. We have not ascertained how many exactly received the letters this time," Hmingthanga said, echoing the Vairengtepolice OC. Hmingthanga also said the HPC (D) had issued the demand letters as this banned outfir considers Vairengte to be inside their area. HPC (D) is an organisation formed by the remnants of the HPC when this underground group came overground during Lal Thanhawla's tenure as the chief minister. The HPC (D) are still demanding a separate administration for the Hmars but are not very active inside Mizoram. Their main area of activity is Assam on tis borders with Mizoram.
DATELINE Guwahati/Wasbir Hussain
Insurgents, ‘counter-insurgents’ and a post-mortem Sentinel Ilike taking risks when there’s not much of risk involved! Therefore, I can say insurgents won’t strike in Assam, at least vigorously, for sometime now. No prizes for guessing why. Most of the rebel groups with the capacity to pinch hard are on a peace mode. That includes the outlawed ULFA and the NDFB. Yes, rebels of the Dima Halam Daoga (DHD), if Karbi leaders are to be believed, may have worked overtime in the past few weeks, moving out of their ‘peace-time’ camps to slaughter innocent Karbis. DHD chief Dilip Nunisa insisted, during a telephone interview with me, that his boys were not at all involved, but his room-mate in college, Tung-e Nongloda, publicity secretary of the rival United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), stuck to his position that DHD men were behind the serial killings in Karbi Anglong.
But still, Dispur is in a position to rein in the rebels if it wants to as both the DHD and the UPDS are on a ceasefire with the authorities. The Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) has been disbanded although the men who had been in it would like to take on the NDFB when the time comes to share power later. That when the NDFB signs a peace deal with the Government. On the whole, there should be a relative calm in Assam for sometime as all the major rebel groups are either on a ceasefire mode or are engaged in peace talks, or like the ULFA, testing the waters. This is not a bad time, therefore, to take stock of insurgency and ‘counter-insurgency’ in general, besides carrying out a post-mortem of the latest carnage in Karbi Anglong. Take the case of the ULFA. The rebel group’s growth may have been kept in check by the sustained military operations, but it has not really been marginalised. This, even after a sustained military offensive that began 15 years ago, from the night of November 27-28, 1990, to be precise. Any insurrection is an outcome of an idea, if not an ideology, and cannot be doused with military might. The fact that young boys continued to join the ULFA or that the ULFA could continue recruiting newer cadres goes to explain just this.
Most of the time, the so-called ‘counter-insurgency’ moves loses direction and fail to achieve the desired results: of keeping an insurrection under check. That’s another story.
Now, our Government and security establishment would perhaps do well to get rid of the term ‘counter-insurgency’ and describe drives against militancy as ‘anti-insurgency’ operations. We can call a rebel an insurgent. But, can we call a member of the police, Army or the paramilitary deployed for anti-insurgency duties a counter-insurgent? No. Sadly though, states like Assam had witnessed certain extra-constitutional acts, like assassination of militants’ kin or others by mystery men who have come to be popularly described by the media as ‘secret killers.’ That way, there existed, or still exists, counter-insurgents in Assam! In fact, the State Government, by instituting probe into a few deaths in the State by ‘secret killers’, have confirmed the existence, at least at one time, of such mystery men out to teach the insurgents and some others a lesson.
Well, it is heartening to see rebel groups in a peace mode, but one doesn’t know if the mystery killer gangs (better known as ‘secret killers’) would be prepared to lie low or allowed to do so.
Coming to Karbi Anglong: reporting from a conflict zone, or reporting on a conflict, is always tricky. During the first few days of the violence in Karbi Anglong, journalists, including me, were quick to surmise that what was happening there was an ‘ethnic war.’ But, facts when looked at carefully often presents a different picture. Take a look at the following official statistics: As on October 29, 2005, a total of 88 people were officially reported killed, of whom 76 belonged to the majority Karbi ethnic group. The others killed include nine Dimasas, one Bodo, one Nepali and one Assamese. A comparable pattern is visible in the break-up of people who took shelter at the 55 relief camps set up in the District in the wake of the violence: of the 44,747 people listed at the relief camps till October 24, 2005, as many as 37,604 were Karbis. There were 5,687 Dimasas, and 1,456 persons belonging to an assortment of communities. Significantly, the Karbis constitute about 40 per cent of the District’s population of 812,000, and the Dimasas just three per cent. Therefore, it won’t be correct to simply say the violence in Karbi Anglong was an ‘ethnic war.’ Things ultimately are not that simple and it is not really necessary to state as to why it may not be an ‘ethnic war’ but something else. (Feedback: wasbir@yahoo.com">wasbir@yahoo.com)
Frans on 11.05.05 @ 03:06 PM CST [link]
