By : A Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 17: A driver was hurt while the windshields of at least 20 trucks including oil tankers and LPG laden trucks were broken when suspected supporters of the ATSUM economic blockade stoned them while they were crossing Kangpokpi area along the Imphal-Mao section of the NH-39 with security escorts late yesterday night at around 9 pm, official reports said today.
The tanker driver who sustained injuries at the head was hospitalized in an unconscious state at a hospital in Kangpokpi, the reports said.
In the meantime, the All Manipur Tribal Students Union, Manipur has called off the economic blockade with immediate effect after an agreement was reached with the state government today.
Reports said that around 80 goods trucks including oil tankers and LPG laden vehicles, which were stranded at Mao gate due to the ATSUM economic blockade, proceeded for Imphal with heavy security escorts late yesterday evening.
The goods vehicles reached Kangpokpi at around 9 pm. However, when some vehicles started crossing Kangpokpi area, suspected blockade supporters started attacking the vehicles with stones.
As a consequence the wind shields of as many as 20 vehicles were shattered and a driver who was hit on the head by a stone fell unconscious. He was at once brought up to a nearby hospital and is lying unconscious there, another oil tanker driver said.
Despite heavy stoning, the security personnel from the Manipur Rifles did nothing, the drivers alleged asking whether they were sent only to witness the incident and not for the protection of the truckers.
Mention may be made that the ATSUM imposed the economic blockade on NH-39 and NH-53 passing through the state since May 2. The same was called for only 120 hours at first, but was later extended till 6 am of May 17.
Representatives of the striking students body called on the chief minister yesterday at the latter’s bungalow but the meeting could not reach any agreement and it was decided to meet again today before the state chief minister left Imphal for New Delhi.
Later today, the ATSUM in a statement announced its decision to suspend the economic blockade stating that the state government had given them a "time bound commitment" on the four issues raised by them related to the Autonomous District Councils, reservation in the Manipur University, teacher shortage and joint forest management.
The ATSUM said it deeply regreted the inconvenience caused to the public during the agitation. “It is in the interest of the public that the economic blockade is lifted and not because of any satisfaction with the government commitment to the tribal people,” it said.
It also expressed hope that the government would fulfill its commitments and not lead the ASTUM on the path of future agitation.
-----------------
No further violence, but situation tense in Dimapur
By : Newmai News Network 5/18/2008 1:13:36 AM
Dimapur, May 17: Although there have been no further reports of clashes between the warring NSCN factions today, things remained quite tense with most of the shops and other business establishments closed on Saturday as a fear psychosis gripped the people here.
With an uneasy calm prevailing in the Nagaland commercial hub, Dimapur looked empty on Saturday with few people venturing out in the open fearing further clashes.
Meanwhile, the NSCN(IM) in a statement indicated that Saturday’s mob was communal in nature.
Mention may be made that the mob had targeted houses belonging to a particular community on Friday after the clashes between NSCN factions took place with casualties occurring only on one side alone.
"Unprecedented in the history of the long Naga struggle, fanaticism and communal fang is displaying its ugly heads, a sheer madness of overbearing attitude by giving priority to communal and sectarian interests over Naga national interest," said the NSCN(IM) on Saturday.
The outfit said that the mob culture is a direct challenge and undermines the main issue of the Naga people under the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process. "This is also to be treated as an effrontery that will only boomerang. Because no communal force with its hawkish mindset will ever succeed in its futile attempt to put the Indo-Naga issue at the wrong hands of illegal organization. No sane Naga individual or society will take a step forward to make any alignment with such force that abused the Indo-Naga issue from communal angle," stated the NSCN(IM) in a statement today.
It also said that the tragic incident leading to the loss of precious lives would continue to haunt Azheto Chophy for a very long time to come, the real culprit in any sense of the term. "This is a fight between two rival groups, a reluctant fight back for the NSCN to teach Azheto group not to go overboard, sacrificing many souls for a lost cause," cautioned the NSCN(IM) statement.
The NSCN(IM) statement also said that riding roughshod over the Indo-Naga issue with uncivilized killings of innocent Nagas on communal lines was a shame that could not be erased easily. Significantly, making a communal issue of killing as a result of factional fight of serious nature provoked and started by Azheto was a mockery of highest order, added the outfit.
"Interestingly, human and inhuman way of looking at the killings is visibly seen, as hue and cry was raised for any killing falling on the side of NSCN's rival. But killing of public and NSCN members were just scorned at, and laughed away as if they were worthless animals. Is this not an act devilish deception that has come to exist under the shadow of Azheto?" asked the NSCN(IM) today.
It also said that a coward and hypocrite in the incarnation of 'national workers' or sympathizers under the stolen name of 'NSCN' had become the most dangerous element and history would judge the folly of this madness.
"There is no use focusing on the notoriety of Azheto with the usual hyperbole. The diversion of the Nagas' energy and time should not be headstrong but rational," affirmed the NSCN(IM) in a statement dispatched to the media in Dimapur on Saturday.
Tangkhul bodies appeal: Meanwhile, the frontal Tangkhul social organisations and the students of Ukhrul district along with the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), an umbrella body of civil societies, have shared the grief and sorrow of those killed and hurt in the Naga clashes yesterday and said they never expected things could come to such a stage among the Naga brotherhood.
The TNL made an appeal and prayed that such riots and factional killings end.
-----------------
Heirok JAC will go ahead with arming plan only if it gets public support, say members
By : A Staff Reporter 5/19/2008 1:38:44 AM
IMPHAL, May 18: The Heirok JAC is planning to take a new decision on the issue of putting up of SPOs at their village.
L Mandir, secretary, Heirok JAC, while attending a simple function W Rebika, the lone survivor of four wounded in the Heirok shootout on the night of March 24 at Kairenbikhok village who ended up blind, was presented with Rs 10,000 by the Royal Riders Manipur for her treatment, said it was unfortunate that two police officials from the state were sent to Jammu and Kashmir to study the modalities of the setting up of village guards which are also being used in counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
The JAC secretary further said the JAC was not demanding weapons to take part in counter insurgency operations in the state, but was demanding weapons only to protect their lives and properties and to restore a peaceful atmosphere in their village.
He also said that it was wrong on the part of the government to think that the arms were being demanded by the public of Heirok for fighting against insurgent activities in the state.
He further said the uproarious demands of the Heirok people for guns was only to highlight the need to end the existing gun culture in the state by all armed groups, including the government and non-government organisations, which was hampering the normal day to day life of the people in the state.
He said the matter had become so serious that the matter of the state government’s intention to utilise the proposed SPOs in counter insurgency operations had created a major misunderstanding between the public of Heirok and some civil organisations. Because of this the state government now needs to publish the actual guidelines for the SPOs and if the intention of the state government is stated to be utilisation of the SPOs for counter insurgency operations in the state, the JAC would withdraw the demands for guns and opt for other effective strategies to live in a peaceful atmosphere, he added.
Later, the JAC convenor S Thambal further mentioned that the demands of the JAC for guns and subsequent efforts of the state government to station SPOs at Heirok by recruiting them from the region may be taken as a good response from the state government. But the state government’s intention to appoint SPOs for fulfilling their own purpose was not supported by the JAC, he said adding that considering the changing scenario the JAC would be taking a decision after gathering the comments of the general public of Heirok and this decision would be taken as final, he added.
Further, both the secretary and the convenor of the JAC while participating in the cash donation function of the Royal Riders termed it as one of the valuable moments of sharing and understanding of human values initiated by the volunteers of Royal Riders.
They said the gesture of the Royal Riders was an eye opener for every social and civil organisation in the state which many civil organisations and societies of the state need to follow in a place like Manipur state where there was lack of security for the innocent public who are confronted by the problem of armed conflict.
They also praised the NE TV for telcasting news about the Heirok incident and the condition of the injured W Rebika, because of which the Shillong based Bwouri Netralaya Mission hospital had sponsored free treatment for her. According to them Rebika will be leaving for treatment at the hospital in Shillong tomorrow.
On the other hand, Rebika’s plight also marks the state government’s negligence towards the common people, the JAc spokespersons added.
SOURCE: THE IMPHAL FREE PRESS
IMPHAL, May 17: A driver was hurt while the windshields of at least 20 trucks including oil tankers and LPG laden trucks were broken when suspected supporters of the ATSUM economic blockade stoned them while they were crossing Kangpokpi area along the Imphal-Mao section of the NH-39 with security escorts late yesterday night at around 9 pm, official reports said today.
The tanker driver who sustained injuries at the head was hospitalized in an unconscious state at a hospital in Kangpokpi, the reports said.
In the meantime, the All Manipur Tribal Students Union, Manipur has called off the economic blockade with immediate effect after an agreement was reached with the state government today.
Reports said that around 80 goods trucks including oil tankers and LPG laden vehicles, which were stranded at Mao gate due to the ATSUM economic blockade, proceeded for Imphal with heavy security escorts late yesterday evening.
The goods vehicles reached Kangpokpi at around 9 pm. However, when some vehicles started crossing Kangpokpi area, suspected blockade supporters started attacking the vehicles with stones.
As a consequence the wind shields of as many as 20 vehicles were shattered and a driver who was hit on the head by a stone fell unconscious. He was at once brought up to a nearby hospital and is lying unconscious there, another oil tanker driver said.
Despite heavy stoning, the security personnel from the Manipur Rifles did nothing, the drivers alleged asking whether they were sent only to witness the incident and not for the protection of the truckers.
Mention may be made that the ATSUM imposed the economic blockade on NH-39 and NH-53 passing through the state since May 2. The same was called for only 120 hours at first, but was later extended till 6 am of May 17.
Representatives of the striking students body called on the chief minister yesterday at the latter’s bungalow but the meeting could not reach any agreement and it was decided to meet again today before the state chief minister left Imphal for New Delhi.
Later today, the ATSUM in a statement announced its decision to suspend the economic blockade stating that the state government had given them a "time bound commitment" on the four issues raised by them related to the Autonomous District Councils, reservation in the Manipur University, teacher shortage and joint forest management.
The ATSUM said it deeply regreted the inconvenience caused to the public during the agitation. “It is in the interest of the public that the economic blockade is lifted and not because of any satisfaction with the government commitment to the tribal people,” it said.
It also expressed hope that the government would fulfill its commitments and not lead the ASTUM on the path of future agitation.
-----------------
No further violence, but situation tense in Dimapur
By : Newmai News Network 5/18/2008 1:13:36 AM
Dimapur, May 17: Although there have been no further reports of clashes between the warring NSCN factions today, things remained quite tense with most of the shops and other business establishments closed on Saturday as a fear psychosis gripped the people here.
With an uneasy calm prevailing in the Nagaland commercial hub, Dimapur looked empty on Saturday with few people venturing out in the open fearing further clashes.
Meanwhile, the NSCN(IM) in a statement indicated that Saturday’s mob was communal in nature.
Mention may be made that the mob had targeted houses belonging to a particular community on Friday after the clashes between NSCN factions took place with casualties occurring only on one side alone.
"Unprecedented in the history of the long Naga struggle, fanaticism and communal fang is displaying its ugly heads, a sheer madness of overbearing attitude by giving priority to communal and sectarian interests over Naga national interest," said the NSCN(IM) on Saturday.
The outfit said that the mob culture is a direct challenge and undermines the main issue of the Naga people under the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process. "This is also to be treated as an effrontery that will only boomerang. Because no communal force with its hawkish mindset will ever succeed in its futile attempt to put the Indo-Naga issue at the wrong hands of illegal organization. No sane Naga individual or society will take a step forward to make any alignment with such force that abused the Indo-Naga issue from communal angle," stated the NSCN(IM) in a statement today.
It also said that the tragic incident leading to the loss of precious lives would continue to haunt Azheto Chophy for a very long time to come, the real culprit in any sense of the term. "This is a fight between two rival groups, a reluctant fight back for the NSCN to teach Azheto group not to go overboard, sacrificing many souls for a lost cause," cautioned the NSCN(IM) statement.
The NSCN(IM) statement also said that riding roughshod over the Indo-Naga issue with uncivilized killings of innocent Nagas on communal lines was a shame that could not be erased easily. Significantly, making a communal issue of killing as a result of factional fight of serious nature provoked and started by Azheto was a mockery of highest order, added the outfit.
"Interestingly, human and inhuman way of looking at the killings is visibly seen, as hue and cry was raised for any killing falling on the side of NSCN's rival. But killing of public and NSCN members were just scorned at, and laughed away as if they were worthless animals. Is this not an act devilish deception that has come to exist under the shadow of Azheto?" asked the NSCN(IM) today.
It also said that a coward and hypocrite in the incarnation of 'national workers' or sympathizers under the stolen name of 'NSCN' had become the most dangerous element and history would judge the folly of this madness.
"There is no use focusing on the notoriety of Azheto with the usual hyperbole. The diversion of the Nagas' energy and time should not be headstrong but rational," affirmed the NSCN(IM) in a statement dispatched to the media in Dimapur on Saturday.
Tangkhul bodies appeal: Meanwhile, the frontal Tangkhul social organisations and the students of Ukhrul district along with the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), an umbrella body of civil societies, have shared the grief and sorrow of those killed and hurt in the Naga clashes yesterday and said they never expected things could come to such a stage among the Naga brotherhood.
The TNL made an appeal and prayed that such riots and factional killings end.
-----------------
Heirok JAC will go ahead with arming plan only if it gets public support, say members
By : A Staff Reporter 5/19/2008 1:38:44 AM
IMPHAL, May 18: The Heirok JAC is planning to take a new decision on the issue of putting up of SPOs at their village.
L Mandir, secretary, Heirok JAC, while attending a simple function W Rebika, the lone survivor of four wounded in the Heirok shootout on the night of March 24 at Kairenbikhok village who ended up blind, was presented with Rs 10,000 by the Royal Riders Manipur for her treatment, said it was unfortunate that two police officials from the state were sent to Jammu and Kashmir to study the modalities of the setting up of village guards which are also being used in counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
The JAC secretary further said the JAC was not demanding weapons to take part in counter insurgency operations in the state, but was demanding weapons only to protect their lives and properties and to restore a peaceful atmosphere in their village.
He also said that it was wrong on the part of the government to think that the arms were being demanded by the public of Heirok for fighting against insurgent activities in the state.
He further said the uproarious demands of the Heirok people for guns was only to highlight the need to end the existing gun culture in the state by all armed groups, including the government and non-government organisations, which was hampering the normal day to day life of the people in the state.
He said the matter had become so serious that the matter of the state government’s intention to utilise the proposed SPOs in counter insurgency operations had created a major misunderstanding between the public of Heirok and some civil organisations. Because of this the state government now needs to publish the actual guidelines for the SPOs and if the intention of the state government is stated to be utilisation of the SPOs for counter insurgency operations in the state, the JAC would withdraw the demands for guns and opt for other effective strategies to live in a peaceful atmosphere, he added.
Later, the JAC convenor S Thambal further mentioned that the demands of the JAC for guns and subsequent efforts of the state government to station SPOs at Heirok by recruiting them from the region may be taken as a good response from the state government. But the state government’s intention to appoint SPOs for fulfilling their own purpose was not supported by the JAC, he said adding that considering the changing scenario the JAC would be taking a decision after gathering the comments of the general public of Heirok and this decision would be taken as final, he added.
Further, both the secretary and the convenor of the JAC while participating in the cash donation function of the Royal Riders termed it as one of the valuable moments of sharing and understanding of human values initiated by the volunteers of Royal Riders.
They said the gesture of the Royal Riders was an eye opener for every social and civil organisation in the state which many civil organisations and societies of the state need to follow in a place like Manipur state where there was lack of security for the innocent public who are confronted by the problem of armed conflict.
They also praised the NE TV for telcasting news about the Heirok incident and the condition of the injured W Rebika, because of which the Shillong based Bwouri Netralaya Mission hospital had sponsored free treatment for her. According to them Rebika will be leaving for treatment at the hospital in Shillong tomorrow.
On the other hand, Rebika’s plight also marks the state government’s negligence towards the common people, the JAc spokespersons added.
SOURCE: THE IMPHAL FREE PRESS
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