Northeast Platform

By Oken Jeet Sandham 11 years is pretty long for the parties to at least produce something for publics to see. If the truce pact the two parties entered into was meant to pave way for finding some tangible solution, then by now some, some result should be shown to the publics. What is ceasefire after all? It is usually done between the armed groups. The present ceasefire is between the government of India and the NSCN (IM) and since they inked truce pact in 1997, they had more than 60 rounds of political talks elsewhere in the world. Initially, the people overjoyed hoping that there would be no more violence in their land and they would be free from any threats and intimidations from any underground elements and also from those security forces. The innocent civilians usually suffered when the insurgency reached at its zenith. Sometimes they were harassed by the undergrounds on charges that they were informers to Indian security forces. Similarly, the Indian security forces harassed the

Dimapur, June 27 (MExN): The joint statement issued from the Chiangmai Naga Peace Summit by rival NSCN leaders VS Atem and Wangtin Naga yesterday, is a reflection of their sincerity at pursuing peace and unity, says Home Minister Imkong Imchen. Expressing deep joy at the statement, the Home Minister today said in a message that the NSCN groups have “rightfully taken the weapon of forgiveness” in ‘their march for peace.’“I am deeply moved and overjoyed on the successful summit at Chiang Mai, Thailand, specially, on the joint statement from the Naga Peace Summit signed by Gen (Retd) VS Atem and Y Wanting Naga, Dy.Kilonser. This statement speaks volume how sincere and serious both the leaders are while searching for peace, reconciliation and unity amongst the Naga” Imkong said.According to the DAN leader, the most powerful and effective weapon for the human society and individual is the ‘weapon of forgiveness’ and both the NSCNs ‘had rightfully taken the weapon of forgiveness with a vie

Dimapur, June 27 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has urged for “urgent intervention” of the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil towards appointing a “full time” chairman of Ceasefire monitoring Group/Ceasefire Monitoring Board, “preferably” in consultation with the other parties of the ceasefire.In the letter addressed to the Union Home Minister, Rio sought to appraise Patil on certain new developments which “may threaten the current peace process” initiated by GoI through ceasefire with both the NSCN (IM) and the NSCN (K). He pointed out that the CFMG/CFSB was constituted under a chairman representing the Government of India to supervise the enforcement of Ceasefire Ground Rules and establish proper communication with both groups. naturally, the chairman has to play a vital role in the enforcement of ceasefire ground rules, stated the letter.Rio then mentioned the relentless inter-factional clashes between the NSCN groups during the last few months which had claimed many l

Imphal, Jun 26: The special general body meeting of the All Manipur Working Journalists` Union, AMWJU, which was held yesterday at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal has resolved to stand unitedly against any attempt of the state government to violate the norms and guidelines of the Press Council of India.The special general body of AMWJU was participated by members of both the electronic and print media yesterday and affirmed to follow the local code of conduct of the AMWJU and stand jointly against the violation of this local code of conduct.The AMWJU meeting also further resolved to appeal to both the government and the militant organisations not to put any kind of restrictions on the media which had a important role as mediator between the government and people in the state. The meeting further condemned the highly personal threats on some of the representatives of the AMWJU recently by one of the outfits and urged all organisations not to personalise issues related to the journalist

Imphal, Jun 26: At least 12 persons including two minor girls were hurt in a bomb blast after suspected militants hurled a grenade at some protestors staging a dharna against demands made by an underground group at the Ningthoukhong bazar under Bishnupur police station around 11.45 am this morning.The incident occurred when shop owners and vendors of Ningthoukhong bazar were holding a sit-in protest in connection with a demand made on every shop owner of Ningthoukhong bazar to provide two mobile phone hand sets each to a particular underground group. All shop owners and vendors of the areas had shut down their shops from 8 am this morning and were participating in the protest.During the course of the protest at the bazar, at around 11.45 am, three persons who came riding a Pulsar motorcycle and a NV scooter, suddenly hurled a hand grenade at the protestors which exploded after rolling into a roadside drain resulting in injuries to 12 persons.The injured persons were immediately evacua

Imphal, Jun 24: A high security alert has been sounded in the greater Imphal area this evening following another spate of beastly massacres of Hindi speaking non locals by unidentified gunmen.Four ended up dead and another two injured in today`s mindless bloodlust perpetrated by suspected militants at separate places this afternoon.The initial killings took place this afternoon around 1.45 pm at the foothills of Pourabi Huidrom Natum Ching, about 8 km west of the Lamlai police station in Imphal east district, as two non locals were shot dead and abandoned there by a lone unidentified gunman.According to the villagers, the two non locals were brought there on a motorbike by an unidentified person who proceeded with them to the foothills of Natum Ching at around 1.30. After some time the villagers heard two rounds of gunshots and saw the unidentified youth hurriedly leaving the spot on the motorbike towards Keibi village.The suspicious villagers went to the spot and found two bullet rid

Imphal, June 24: The inherent contradiction between policy and goal, the wide gap between theory and practice, the wrong priorities provoking opposition all round instead of fighting the common enemy together for a common goal, and the arrogant refusal to recognise the basic unity of the region by the NSCN(IM), the self-appointed `torch bearer` of the Naga struggle, stands fully exposed from their recent statements, mentioned Ksh Yoiheiba, senior publicity offcer of the proscribed UNLF in his statement.The statement further mentioned that the resultless 10-year old peace talks with the government of India had shown that there is no consistent policy of the NSCN(IM) to lead the Naga people onward to victory and these are the basic issues having a direct bearing on the Naga struggle.The statment also mentioned that no one in their right senses would even think of fighting a common enemy without a common purpose or goal. Because doing so, though punctuated by insincere rhetoric of unity

After a brief fourteen-minute speech on June 12, Nepal’s last King of the 239 year Shah dynasty, Gyanendra, departed from the side entrance of the Narayanhiti Palace to live out his days in the former summer home of his ancestors. “I have done all I can to cooperate with the government’s directives,” he said as the reporters and onlookers scuffled with each other to get a good shot of his momentous occasion. “The monarchy in Nepal has always been with the people of Nepal in good times and bad times.” At least in his departure the universally despised Gyanendra offered some humility, although the monarchy was generally the architect of the bad times while its members and their A-Class Rana bureaucrats enjoyed the good times.Not often do a people get the opportunity to elect to be a republic, to vote out their King. The tremor runs down the Himalayas. On March 24, in the tiny kingdom of Bhutan, the monarchy hastily conducted what these days passes for an election (two virtually identical

Dimapur, June 15 (MExN): The “NSCN/GPRN” today reflected on a number of aspects characterizing the Naga political issue. The outfit in a statement wondered about the end of the “peace” process. According to the publicity cell of the “NSCN/GPRN” the issue of Naga “sovereignty” “is about the future of the Naga people” and so any solution must reflect the will of the Nagas. Any solution must reflect will of the people: NSCN/GPRN“Historical documents clearly proves that Naga issue is not about integration. Its more than 6-decade of political struggle of the Nagas is turned into integration issue overnight, those responsible must be questioned” it stated and proceeded to mention NSCN (IM) general secretary Th. Muivah. He must seek “emotional integration” from the Nagas first “than demanding physical integration of Nagas from the Government of India” the outfit stated.The “national” movement “of the Nagas,” the publicity cell asserted, “originated from Nagaland and then spread to other are

DIMAPUR, JUNE 15 (MExN): A couple of days after walking out of the Cease Fire Monitoring Group meeting (CFMG), the NSCN (IM) today made their stand loud and clear by declaring that it would not accept ML Kumawat as chairman of the group. “We don’t have a chairman now” declared Phungthing Shimrang, convenor of the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell (CFMC) during a press conference in the CFMC office at Diphupar and also announced that the NSCN (IM) would not attend any meeting of the CFMG under Kumawat’s chairmanship. Shimrang said that the NSCN (IM) harbors no personal dislike for Kumawat but the fact that the NSCN (IM) views were not taken to consideration while appointing the new CFMG chairman. Shimrang said that the NSCN (IM) had made it clear to the Government of India that the new chairman would have to be selected on the basis of mutual understanding. He reasoned the imperative that any new incumbent have to be someone who understood the Naga situation so that continuity of the talks can

IMPHAL, Jun 14: Most underground cadres arrested by the police and security forces in Manipur end released without trials for their alleged crimes.The inability of the judiciary to get undergrounds to be convicted for their crimes was due to poor case documentation by the state administration and police, an official source in the state home department said.An approximate 1310 to 1480 cadres of different militant organisations, excluding the overground workers and the cadres in camps are actively operating in the state as per the latest "state of militancy" report of Manipur.In the state, more than 20 underground orgnisations are operating actively. Among them are four Naga based outfits, eight Kuki, two Zomi, two Hmar, one Muslim and five Meetei based outfits.The report estimated the number of NSCN(IM) from 350 to 380, UNLF from 300 to 350, PLA from 120 to 130, PREPAK from 40 to 45, KYKL from 70 to 80, KRA from 45 to 50, UKLF also from 45 to 50, KNA from 200 to 225, KLA from

IMPHAL, Jun 13: The KYKL and UNLF have imposed a ban on Heirok residents from going outside their locality with immediate effect for defying their warning and deciding to join as volunteers of the SPO.A joint statement of the two outfits also said the names of five persons who are in lead role in the move to appoint SPOs and obtain arms are now known, and announced that they would be awarded capital punishment.The statement also declared that some individuals including the chief minister O Ibobi Singh were `enemies` of the people.The statement signed jointly by Ningombam Ibochou, deputy secretary, organisation, UNLF and Langamba Mangang, secretary, publicity and research, KYKL reiterated the two outfits had already announced their final stand on the opening of SPOs and taking of arms from the enemy.After the announcement of the stand, the two outfits have found out the names and particulars of the five from Heirok who colluded in the move to open SPOs and procure arms.As per previous

IMPHAL, Jun 14: The self-righteousness of the NSCN(IM) in boasting about their “...magnanimity in helping out the various revolutionary groups of the region” and the assertion that “fighting with the common enemy unitedly does not necessarily mean fighting for a common goal” is a point for further debate so that concerned people can make their own judgment, a UNLF statement from Ksh Yoiheiba, senior publicity officer, has said.The UNLF’s belief in the composite interdependent unity of the Indian occupied region, has been its consistent revolutionary effort to develop fraternal relationship with all the revolutionary struggles in the region for unity against the common enemy. Believing in the fraternal interdependent coexistence of all the peoples in the region, UNLF tried to develop fraternal relationship with the Naga struggle from the time of undivided NNC, and also with the Mizo National Front, then leading the Mizo freedom struggle, the statement said. It was all in the larger int

Kohima/Dimapur June 11 : Barely five days left before the last date of filing nominations to the Rajya Sabha by-elections scheduled for June 26 next, both the ruling DAN and the opposition Congress seems to be unable to decide on their respective candidates.While there are so many contenders for the party ticket of the ruling NPF Party, there is no report of any contender from the opposition Congress so far. Party sources said that the Congress is deliberating ‘if it should contest the Rajya Sabha on its own or form an alliance with independent candidates and field a common candidate.’The Working Committee of the Nagaland People’s Front met on Tuesday afternoon to decide on the party’s official candidate for the by-election to the Rajya Sabha but could not come at a conclusion. The committee is scheduled to meet again tomorrow morning when it is likely to take a final decision. According to reports, as many as 17 candidates have applied for the NPF party ticket to the Rajya Sabha and

IMPHAL, Jun 10: The girl who was a victim of attempted rape at Lamshang Tharoijam has left her house even as the accused youth has been sent to jail by the police.Alleging that the accused youth was quietly handed over to the police who had concealed the same from the public, outraged villagers of Lamshang Tharoijam today stormed the Patsoi police station.Police lathicharged and used mob control ammunitions to disperse the villagers who were gathered at the Thaorijam club ground while discussing a follow up action.Later, the house of the accused person was ransacked.Mention may be made that on June 7 last, 24-year old Heirkrujam Budut alias Molecule, son of Chandramani of Lamshang Thaorijam Mamang Leikai, allegedly molested the 16-year old girl and attempted to rape her while she was taking bath in a pond near her house.The youth was also charged of attempted murder of the girl by submerging her in the water of the pond.While the villagers are demanding production of the alleged accus

IMPHAL, Jun 3: Pharmaceuticals shop owners near the Thoubal district hospital today urged the Manipur chief minister to protect them from atrocities meted out on them by PREPAK militants for not shelling out their extortion demand of Rs. 2 lakhs.In the meantime, labourers of the brick fields in Imphal west also commenced an indefinite sit-in protest today against closure of the brick fields due to heavy monetary demands on the proprietors.Another sit-in protest was also staged in front of the Lamlong High School at Khurai Lamlong by students of the school against serving of monetary demands on the teachers of the school.Pharmacies in Thoubal district, mention may be made, have been closed since yesterday owing to the threats given to them for not meeting the monetary demands served on a letterhead of the PREPAK dated May 17, 2008 signed by its finance co-ordinator for party funds.Today, the proprietors of the pharmacies called on the chief minister at his bungalow and submitted a repr

IMPHAL, Jun 3: A shopkeeper was severely wounded by splinters and six shops, including two on the opposite side, were badly damaged when a powerful blast at Chingmeirong Mamang Leikai, on the side of the NH-39, shattered the silent night at around 10 pm tonight.The bomb was so powerful that a pit of around five feet diameter with a depth of around three feet appeared at the site where the bomb was planted. It also destroyed four shops located adjacent to the site totally and also caused to the shutters of two shops located on the opposite side.However, only one shopkeeper who was inside his shop named Vim Doshnet, 30, son of Prem Bahadur sustained injuries by the splinters from the bomb. Police could not immediately confirm what kind of bomb was exploded.The severely wounded Vim was immediately evacuated to the RIMS hospital by the personnel of 39 Assam Rifles posted at Chingmeirong, not far from the blast site.He received injuries all over his body.According to the Assam Rifles who r

IMPHAL, June 3: A major difference of opinion has occurred among the public of Heirok village on the issue of establishing SPOs in the village with two separate groups taking up opposing and confrontationist stands on the matter.A group of people belonging to the families of those who have already joined the recruitment process for SPOs recently conducted by the state government at Heirok, with support from representatives and volunteers of local clubs and women`s organisations of Heirok villages convened a public meeting this evening.The meeting was totally against the resolutions taken during the public meeting held under the aegis of JAC Heirok at the residence of local MLA M Oken on June 1 at Heirok village, during which it was resolved to oppose the establishment of SPOs at the village.The public meeting this evening at the Ibudhou Ikop Ningkthou Umang Lai in Heirok Part-II was chaired by Elangbam Thethe, a village elder. After deliberations by the villagers including representat

IMPHAL, Jun 1: Tamnganba Meetei, propaganda, communication and technical officer, military council of the KCP has condemned the joint statement of the KYKL and UNLF which stated that the KCP(MC) was a masked proxy of the Indian security forces. The statement lacks clarity while blaming the KCP(MC), it said.The joint statement of the KYKL and UNLF signed by the publicity and research secretary, Langamba of KYKL and deputy secretary, organization, N Ibochou of UNLF respectively which stated that the bomb blast incident at RIMS complex was an act of terrorism was indeed worthy of condemnation, it said.It is too much to say that the KCP(MC) was not a revolutionary group but part of IOF, the KCP official said.It was unfortunate that the two respected organizations were dispatching statements through media which confused the people. It happens to give a great chance to the anti-revolutionaries, it said.Like the UNLF which was broken into two factions, UNLF (Meghen) and UNLF (Oken) which is

IMPHAL, May 30: The KYKL and the UNLF, in a joint communique to the press condemned the bomb explosion at the RIMS within the office complex of the institute`s director, Dr. Fimate, calling it an act of terrorism calculated to tarnish the image of the revolutionary movement in the state.The joint statement said, intimidating the sick and ailing is an unforgivable act of inhumanity, adding that under humanitarian norms hospitals are spared even during the most bitter wars.The two underground organisations said the pattern of these assaults by the KCP(MC) should have made it clear to everybody by now that the KCP(MC) is the masked proxy of the Indian forces with an agenda to alienate the revolutionary campaign waged by revolutionary organisations from the people.It however said this campaign by the "Indian Occupational Forces" would boomerang on it sooner than later.Explaining further, the two outlawed groups said the KCP(MC) is now holed up within the IG (AR) South headquarte

IMPHAL, Jun 1: Villagers who requested militants not to take a percentage from their wages for works done under the National Rural Employment Generation Scheme, NREGS in Churachandpur district were beaten black and blue by suspected cadres of the Kuki National Army, KNF(MC) leaving five of them with severe injuries.The Komrem Students` Union has, in the meantime, condemned the assault on the villagers by militants and also urged the state government to compensate the victims within 48 hours.Altogether 26 villagers of the Kangathei village were summoned by the cadres of the outfit yesterday morning for holding talks in connection with the deducting of percentage from their wages at Tuibeyang village where the cadres of the outfit were taking shelter.Late in the evening, they were left after being beaten badly as they allegedly refused to give a percentage from their wages, according to reports.Four of the severely injured villagers were referred to the RIMS hospital in Imphal early tod

Kohima, June 1 : As long as the Naga civil society and Church remain passive, the infighting among the various Naga factions will continue, said the newly elected Naga Hoho President Keviletuo Kiewhuo who asserted that the apex civil body shall work to be impartial. If all the Naga civil society remains neutral on issues, there’ll be nobody to point out or say who is right and who is wrong and the different Naga factions will continue to fight and killing among the Naga brothers will increase, the newly elected Hoho president told The Morung Express today.There are two phases of urgency confronting the Nagas today when it comes to the Naga political issue: ‘internal’ and ‘external’. Internal issue relates to the ongoing division and killing among the Nagas on factional line and tribal line whereas the external issue relates to the ongoing peace process with the Government of India, said the new Hoho president. He emphasized that the Naga Hoho should today give priority on the internal