Thursday, April 5, 2012
Five BNLF insurgents arrested
Agartala, Apr 6 Five insurgents of Bru National
Liberation Front (BNLF), a Mizoram based insurgent outfit have
been arrested by security forces at Baigunchherra, a remote
tribal hamlet in North Tripura district, the police said
today.
Acting on a tip-off, a contingent of Assam Rifles
launched a special operation in the area in Kanchanpur
sub-division yesterday and arrested the ultras.
Assam Rifles personnel seized two countrymade guns,
one pistol and two revolvers from their possession.
The ultras were identified as Pradip Piter (28), Juam
Jhara Bru (28), Psamani Bru (28), Routijoy Reang (26) and
Karanjoy Reang (22).
They were handed over to the Tripura police.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
NSCN-IM leaders leave for Delhi to solve Naga problem
DIMAPUR: NSCN (IM) leaders left for New Delhi on Wednesday to begin the next rounds of talks with the Centre for solving the decades-old Naga political problem.
Talking to the media at Dimapur airport, chairman Isak Chishi Swu said they had submitted a document to the Centre, which has been examined by the decision-making body. He added that they are going to expecting something positive.
Swu said they had met the Prime Minister and the home minister during the last round of talks in New Delhi and saw a positive attitude on their part to solve the Naga problem. However, the NSCN (I-M) chairman didn't disclose what kind of document they had submitted to the "decision-making body".
He said the Nagas have a lot of expectations from them, as every Naga wants a settlement. "All Nagas are longing for a settlement," he added. To a query whether the NSCN leaders would come back to people with the progress in talks, Swu replied in the affirmative saying that the Nagas want a solution. NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah, who has led the negotiations for the past 15 years, said there is no problem with the Nagas.
"The ball is in the Centre's court and we are waiting for the right time. Whatever decision is made would be based on the uniqueness of the Naga history and their rights," he said.
Though the dates for the next round of talks have not been fixed, Muivah said it would be held within the next 10 days.
It may be mentioned that in July last year, both sides had expressed that the "differences have narrowed" down indicating that talks were on in the right direction. However, the negotiating parties had said some of the proposals required further negotiations.
In a joint statement issued on July 18, 2011, Centre's interlocutor R S Pandey and NSCN general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said while the differences between the two parties have narrowed, some of the proposals would require further negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable solution.
Talking to the media at Dimapur airport, chairman Isak Chishi Swu said they had submitted a document to the Centre, which has been examined by the decision-making body. He added that they are going to expecting something positive.
Swu said they had met the Prime Minister and the home minister during the last round of talks in New Delhi and saw a positive attitude on their part to solve the Naga problem. However, the NSCN (I-M) chairman didn't disclose what kind of document they had submitted to the "decision-making body".
He said the Nagas have a lot of expectations from them, as every Naga wants a settlement. "All Nagas are longing for a settlement," he added. To a query whether the NSCN leaders would come back to people with the progress in talks, Swu replied in the affirmative saying that the Nagas want a solution. NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah, who has led the negotiations for the past 15 years, said there is no problem with the Nagas.
"The ball is in the Centre's court and we are waiting for the right time. Whatever decision is made would be based on the uniqueness of the Naga history and their rights," he said.
Though the dates for the next round of talks have not been fixed, Muivah said it would be held within the next 10 days.
It may be mentioned that in July last year, both sides had expressed that the "differences have narrowed" down indicating that talks were on in the right direction. However, the negotiating parties had said some of the proposals required further negotiations.
In a joint statement issued on July 18, 2011, Centre's interlocutor R S Pandey and NSCN general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said while the differences between the two parties have narrowed, some of the proposals would require further negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable solution.
Manipur power supply goes pre-paid
Power starved Manipur has became the first state in the north-east to get a pre-paid power supply system.
“The new power supply mechanism becomes operational today (Tuesday),” said T Ibochouba executive engineer in the state electricity department. “We’ve also started issuing pre-paid cards in Paona Bazar area. Like mobile recharge cards, pre-paid cards worth between Rs 503 and Rs 7,000 can now be purchased to buy power.”
Manipur CM O Ibobi Singh is likely to inaugurate the pre-paid cards counter at the department’s main building at Keishampat in Imphal.
In phase 1 the new system would be rolled out in core areas of Imphal city – Paona Bazar, Thangal Bazar and Khoyathong – having more than 3,000 consumers. Eventually the whole city would be covered, said Ibochouba. The pre-paid system will help both electricity suppliers and consumers in controlling power theft.
Besides trying to bridge the gap in power supply, checking theft of power is also necessary, as the state has a shortfall of 80 MW to 90 MW in peak hour requirement in winters. As a result, residents receive just three hours of power in daytime.
“The state’s power scenario has improved. We’re now getting three hours of power in the day time,” said a senior officer of the transmission division, who did not wish to be named. “This is the result of the power theft drive last year.” Around 60 people were jailed during the drive.
The state hopes once additional power supply from Lower Subansiri (Arunachal Pradesh), Bongaigaon (Assam) and Palatana (Tripura) starts, its power woes would be over.
“The authority is laying supply lines from the Jiribam side (Manipur-Assam border),” said the official. The construction is targeted to complete this year.
“The new power supply mechanism becomes operational today (Tuesday),” said T Ibochouba executive engineer in the state electricity department. “We’ve also started issuing pre-paid cards in Paona Bazar area. Like mobile recharge cards, pre-paid cards worth between Rs 503 and Rs 7,000 can now be purchased to buy power.”
Manipur CM O Ibobi Singh is likely to inaugurate the pre-paid cards counter at the department’s main building at Keishampat in Imphal.
In phase 1 the new system would be rolled out in core areas of Imphal city – Paona Bazar, Thangal Bazar and Khoyathong – having more than 3,000 consumers. Eventually the whole city would be covered, said Ibochouba. The pre-paid system will help both electricity suppliers and consumers in controlling power theft.
Besides trying to bridge the gap in power supply, checking theft of power is also necessary, as the state has a shortfall of 80 MW to 90 MW in peak hour requirement in winters. As a result, residents receive just three hours of power in daytime.
“The state’s power scenario has improved. We’re now getting three hours of power in the day time,” said a senior officer of the transmission division, who did not wish to be named. “This is the result of the power theft drive last year.” Around 60 people were jailed during the drive.
The state hopes once additional power supply from Lower Subansiri (Arunachal Pradesh), Bongaigaon (Assam) and Palatana (Tripura) starts, its power woes would be over.
“The authority is laying supply lines from the Jiribam side (Manipur-Assam border),” said the official. The construction is targeted to complete this year.
Manipur militants link up with local criminals
GUWAHATI: Manipuri rebels and militant leaders holed up in the Assamese capital are linking up with local criminal groups to earn money. According to police, while the ultras are provide arms and ammunition to local gangs of vehicle lifters, robbers and drug smugglers, the miscreants share their booty with the ultras in return.
"These ultras can easily mix in the crowd as the city has a sizable Manipuri population. They have been mixing with local gangs for money. They back these gangs with arms and get a handsome share in the money collected by then. Local gangs of car lifters, drug peddlers and robbers are now taking favoutrs in Manipuri ultras," said a police officer.
Police is also keeping an eye on some city-based courier services believed to be helping these militants in transferring money and drugs. "There are some courier services transporting money and contrabands for them. Once the ultras collect the money, they hand it over to a local agent who with the help of many courier services transfer the money to their families and bosses in Manipur," added the official.
At least four Manipur-based militant groups are operating in the city as of now. On Monday, the city police arrested one Haomom Seiles Chandra alias Boy, revenue officer of one such outfit - Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP)'s Nayan faction. He is said to be a kingpin of the money collectors for the outfit residing in a rented house here. The People's Liberation Army (PLA), People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and Kanglei Yawol Kann Lup (KYKL) are some of the Manipur based militant outfits that are presently active here.
"These ultras can easily mix in the crowd as the city has a sizable Manipuri population. They have been mixing with local gangs for money. They back these gangs with arms and get a handsome share in the money collected by then. Local gangs of car lifters, drug peddlers and robbers are now taking favoutrs in Manipuri ultras," said a police officer.
Police is also keeping an eye on some city-based courier services believed to be helping these militants in transferring money and drugs. "There are some courier services transporting money and contrabands for them. Once the ultras collect the money, they hand it over to a local agent who with the help of many courier services transfer the money to their families and bosses in Manipur," added the official.
At least four Manipur-based militant groups are operating in the city as of now. On Monday, the city police arrested one Haomom Seiles Chandra alias Boy, revenue officer of one such outfit - Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP)'s Nayan faction. He is said to be a kingpin of the money collectors for the outfit residing in a rented house here. The People's Liberation Army (PLA), People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and Kanglei Yawol Kann Lup (KYKL) are some of the Manipur based militant outfits that are presently active here.
Centre may accept Ulfa autonomy plea
GUWAHATI: The Centre has given clear indications to Ulfa's pro-talks faction that it is ready to accept all its demands, which includes constitutional amendments and giving more powers to Assam on the lines of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370. The pro-talks leadership, however, is skeptic about Parliament giving the nod to the desired amendment.
Led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, the faction, in its central executive meeting held here on Sunday last, had expressed doubts how the constitutional amendment would be viewed by Parliament when the government moves the amendment Bill. "As of now, there is no problem or differences between us and the government. Our executive committee members will go to New Delhi for talks with the government on April 9," said a top leader of the group.
He added, "We had several rounds of informal talks here with interlocutor PC Haldar and other government representatives and the indications are clear and strong about the government agreeing in principle to accept all our demands, including constitutional amendment to solve our problems."
Rajkhowa, along with vice-chairman Pradeep Gogoi, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, foreign secretary Sasadhar Choudhury, finance secretary Chitrabon Hazarika, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary and cultural secretary Pranati Deka will meet Centre's representatives on April 9 in New Delhi to formalize all discussions held with Haldar here.
The Ulfa group's "framework for discussions", submitted to home minister P Chidambaram on August 5 last year, broadly states, "The people of Assam today feel insecure in their own traditional homeland and have been left far behind. To achieve such objectives, Ulfa proposes that negotiations be initiated between India and the people of Assam to bring in measures, Constitutional and otherwise of wide scope, and that certain urgent political, economic, social and cultural arrangements be undertaken and completed within a reasonable timeframe by the Government of India to ensure a peaceful democratic solution of the historical Indo-Assam question."
The Centre agreed to start dialogue with Rajkhowa after the group dropped its primary demand for sovereignty. After the ground was laid, the group submitted its "framework for discussions" to Chidambaram. The Centre and the group have already signed the suspension of operation last year.
The group has further demanded constitutional and political arrangements, protection of the identity and material resources of the local indigenous population of the state besides financial and economic arrangements such as settlement of all royalties on mines, minerals, including oil, on a retrospective compensatory basis and rights of independent use for a sustainable economic development in future.
These apart, the group has also demanded discussions on illegal migration, its effect, impact and required remedies, including sealing of international borders, river patrolling, development of a native force to man the borders and ethnic issues. The group has also demanded a status report on missing Ulfa leaders and cadres.
Led by Arabinda Rajkhowa, the faction, in its central executive meeting held here on Sunday last, had expressed doubts how the constitutional amendment would be viewed by Parliament when the government moves the amendment Bill. "As of now, there is no problem or differences between us and the government. Our executive committee members will go to New Delhi for talks with the government on April 9," said a top leader of the group.
He added, "We had several rounds of informal talks here with interlocutor PC Haldar and other government representatives and the indications are clear and strong about the government agreeing in principle to accept all our demands, including constitutional amendment to solve our problems."
Rajkhowa, along with vice-chairman Pradeep Gogoi, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, foreign secretary Sasadhar Choudhury, finance secretary Chitrabon Hazarika, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary and cultural secretary Pranati Deka will meet Centre's representatives on April 9 in New Delhi to formalize all discussions held with Haldar here.
The Ulfa group's "framework for discussions", submitted to home minister P Chidambaram on August 5 last year, broadly states, "The people of Assam today feel insecure in their own traditional homeland and have been left far behind. To achieve such objectives, Ulfa proposes that negotiations be initiated between India and the people of Assam to bring in measures, Constitutional and otherwise of wide scope, and that certain urgent political, economic, social and cultural arrangements be undertaken and completed within a reasonable timeframe by the Government of India to ensure a peaceful democratic solution of the historical Indo-Assam question."
The Centre agreed to start dialogue with Rajkhowa after the group dropped its primary demand for sovereignty. After the ground was laid, the group submitted its "framework for discussions" to Chidambaram. The Centre and the group have already signed the suspension of operation last year.
The group has further demanded constitutional and political arrangements, protection of the identity and material resources of the local indigenous population of the state besides financial and economic arrangements such as settlement of all royalties on mines, minerals, including oil, on a retrospective compensatory basis and rights of independent use for a sustainable economic development in future.
These apart, the group has also demanded discussions on illegal migration, its effect, impact and required remedies, including sealing of international borders, river patrolling, development of a native force to man the borders and ethnic issues. The group has also demanded a status report on missing Ulfa leaders and cadres.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Naga rebel arrested in Arunachal
ITANAGAR: Security forces comprising personnel of 19 Assam Rifles (AR) andstate police have caught a self-styled cadre of the Naga National Council (NNC) from Deomali in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The 21-year-old cadre, identified as Khapwang Mema, was arrested on Sunday, an Assam Rifles communique said here on Monday. An amount Rs 15,600 and an extortion note addressed to market officials of Deomali on the letterhead of Naga National Council was also found in his possession.
Mema, a resident of Old Paniduria, was carrying out extortion in the town for the last couple of weeks. He had also threatened the locals with dire consequences if they fail to give him the ransom, the communique said. A couple of days ago, security forces arrested two NSCN cadres in the town.
The 21-year-old cadre, identified as Khapwang Mema, was arrested on Sunday, an Assam Rifles communique said here on Monday. An amount Rs 15,600 and an extortion note addressed to market officials of Deomali on the letterhead of Naga National Council was also found in his possession.
Mema, a resident of Old Paniduria, was carrying out extortion in the town for the last couple of weeks. He had also threatened the locals with dire consequences if they fail to give him the ransom, the communique said. A couple of days ago, security forces arrested two NSCN cadres in the town.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
GNLA ultras set ablaze 13 coal-laden trucks
Shillong: Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants burnt down 13 coal-laden trucks in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills district on Saturday, officials said.
About 10 heavily armed militants came and deflated the tyres before torching the trucks parked at a parking lot at Wageassi area under National Highway-62, police said.
Additional District Magistrate W D Sangma rushed to the spot to ascertain the damage caused, district police chief J F K Marak had also rushed to the scene, East Garo Hills district Deputy Commissioner Vijay Mantri told PTI.
He said security forces have tightened vigil in and around the area and a combing operation have begun to nab the militants involved.
The arson followed yesterday's firing by security forces when two highway robbers were shot dead on NH-62 in the district while they were looting coal laden trucks.
According to the district administrator, today's incident is a clear indication of the involvement of the GNLA militants as eyewitnesses said the men were carrying AK-47 rifles.
Declared as a terror organisation by the Centre in January this year, the GNLA is involved in killing of civilians, security forces, kidnapping and extortion in all three Garo Hills district in Meghalaya.
About 10 heavily armed militants came and deflated the tyres before torching the trucks parked at a parking lot at Wageassi area under National Highway-62, police said.
Additional District Magistrate W D Sangma rushed to the spot to ascertain the damage caused, district police chief J F K Marak had also rushed to the scene, East Garo Hills district Deputy Commissioner Vijay Mantri told PTI.
He said security forces have tightened vigil in and around the area and a combing operation have begun to nab the militants involved.
The arson followed yesterday's firing by security forces when two highway robbers were shot dead on NH-62 in the district while they were looting coal laden trucks.
According to the district administrator, today's incident is a clear indication of the involvement of the GNLA militants as eyewitnesses said the men were carrying AK-47 rifles.
Declared as a terror organisation by the Centre in January this year, the GNLA is involved in killing of civilians, security forces, kidnapping and extortion in all three Garo Hills district in Meghalaya.
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