Dimapur | March 15 :In a startling disclosure, a fact-finding team of eminent lawyers, constituted to look into the working of the ceasefire in Naga areas, has pointed out that as far back as June 2005, former chairman of Ceasefire Monitoring Group Lieutenant General (Retd) RV Kulkarni had approved Shirui area of Ukhrul district as a camp of the NSCN (IM).
“There is a correspondence between the former chairman CFMG and the joint secretary (NE) Union Home Ministry Mr Naveen Verma which clearly shows that the Shirui camp was approved after all the relevant authorities had been consulted”, stated the finding. The report also disclosed that it had in possession a letter dated February 6, 2007 which clearly stated that the “new location of the NSCN (IM) camp stands approved”.
The fact-finding team also observed that the two recent incidents — one in Phek district in Nagaland state and the other at Shirui village, Ukhrul district of Manipur State — had threatened to break the ceasefire between the Government of India and the outfit. The study also noted that the incident at Shirui had led to communal tensions between the Nagas and Meiteis. It was only because of the “timely intervention of the Naga people and their leaders that prevented the incidents from escalating into a war” the report said.
“We have been shocked to discover that there is absolutely no transparency with regard to the ceasefire monitoring mechanism and there is no mechanism for enforcing transparency”, stated the lawyers. The four lawyers Nandita Haksar, Timikha Koza, Sebastian Hongray and Edward Belho who undertook the study pointed out that the “counter-insurgency operations” was leading to a “dangerous politicization of the armed forces”.
The month-long study pointed out that the two incidents threw up many “complex questions relating to rule of law, democracy and principles of good governance”. It was also informed that the team approached the issues “dispassionately”. In the course of its fact-finding work, the team had interviewed officers of the local administration, the Army and Assam Rifles’ PROs, villagers, eye witnesses to both the incidents and local leaders. Further, the team collected relevant documents, newspaper cuttings and memos.
On the all-important question of whether the Shirui camp was designated or not, the fact finding team went into details while attempting to find out facts of the matter. It pointed out that the “controversy over whether the Shirui camp was ‘designated’, ‘approved’ or ‘taken-note-of’ camp, had led to communal tensions between the Nagas and Meiteis”. For this matter the team decided to investigate.
The study team also said the NSCN (IM) had maintained Shirui camp to have been set up with the approval of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group chairman. After interviewing both local leaders and villagers besides the Assam Rifles with regard to the Shirui incident, the fact-finding team observed that the shifting of the camp to Shirui was done on the request of the Assam Rifles. In fact, it was found, the shift had taken place after negotiations, which involved the presence of the office bearers of the Tangkhul Naga Long.
It was also disclosed that the negotiation itself took place in the camp of the Assam Rifles from August 17 and the 21st, 2008. At the meeting, the report stated, the Additional DIG of the AR 10 Sector, the “CO” of the NSCN (IM) camp and the vice-president of the Tangkhul Naga Long were present.
The fact-finding team also observed that the Assam Rifles made “contradictory statements” on the Shirui camp (which were published in the media). For instance Major Shamsher Jung stated that the ceasefire between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India is applicable only to the state of Nagaland and did not extend to Manipur and so there could be no designated camps in Manipur. On the other hand Major Pallab Chowdhury, PRO of the Assam Rifles had told the fact-finding team that there were three camps called “location taken note of” in Manipur and this was the official position of the Union Home Ministry. However as far as the Indian Army and the Ministry of Defense was concerned there were no “taken note of” camps of the NSCN (IM) in Manipur. This was after the fact-finding team met Colonel Rajesh Mishra, PRO for the Indian Army stationed at Imphal, Manipur.
The team also met the chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group Lt Gen Mandhatha Singh at the Chumukedima Police Academy on March 10, 2009. On the Shirui incident the chairman told the team that his briefing did not include Manipur. He had also been told by the Ministry of Home that he had no jurisdiction over anything happening in Manipur “so he did not go to Shirui”.
NSCNs fight in Tirap district
Dimapur, March 15 (MExN): Reports have been received that armed cadres of the “NSCN (K)” undertook a ‘consecutive attack’ on rival NSCN (IM) cadres on March 12 in different places in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. Four NSCN (IM) cadres have been claimed as killed while two have been seriously injured according to a functionary who identified himself as a “deputy kilonser, MIP of NSCN-K.”
Informing this office in the evening, the “deputy kilonser MIP, NSCN (K)” P Tikhak said that the “NSCN (K)” cadres attacked the NSCN (IM) cadres ‘consecutively in Maktua, Lamchan, and Langpu and Tingsa villages ’in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. He maintained four casualties on the NSCN (IM), including a “raja peyu” identified as one Kepo besides seriously injuring two. He also said that they recovered 2 AK 47 rifles, 1 M 16 rifle and 1 LMG from the slain rival cadres, he claimed.
Giving a brief background behind the factional fight, Tikhak informed that the offensives against the NSCN (IM) cadres was in retaliation of the killing of one “political organizer” on December 1 at Nginu village in Tirap district. It was also in retaliation for the ‘rampant extortion’ being carried out in Tirap and Changlan districts of Arunachal Pradesh ‘even while there is the reconciliation process going on in Nagaland’.
“Either they will have to surrender…or they will have to leave,” asserted Tikhak, “We will clear the IM out”. He also said that around 160 “NSCN (K)” cadres are camping in Tirap area to challenge the NSCN (IM) cadres.
However, on the other hand, the NSCN (IM) has blamed on the “NSCN (K)” and asserted that the “NSCN (K) boys started firing upon the Naga army at Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh on 13 March 2009”. “Things were about to turn ugly had NSCN/GPRN higher authority not gave restraining order to the Naga Army respecting the wishes and aspiration of the people,” the NSCN (IM) asserted in a note issued through its ‘MIP’. Besides, the note stated, “the recent provocative actions of the K-boys against the Naga army are totally uncalled for when the Nagas from every nook and cranny are anxiously watching the Nagas reconciliation process”.
Factional clash in Bhandari area
Dimapur, March 15 (MExN): A factional clash between the NSCNs has been reported from Bhandari sub-division, Wokha, at around 8:30 this morning. However, there are no reports of casualties from the reported encounter. The situation is said to be tense but under control, with the civil society, especially the Kyong Hoho and the public taking active part in tackling the situation. The Superintendent of Police of Wokha this evening informed that the encounter occurred at Sankha village (under Bhandari circle in Wokha district). A detailed report on the factional fight could not be made available till filing of this report. Following the reported incident, the two NSCN factions issued separate press releases asserting their own point of view.
The “NSCN/GPRN” asserted that its cadres were attacked by NSCN (IM) cadres while resting at Yimkha village. The former were said to be on way to Chukitong designated camp. On the other hand, the NSCN (IM) maintained that the rival cadres “numbering around 30” were moving around in Wokha district ‘forcibly collecting tax for the last one week creating tension in the area’.
The NSCN (IM) maintained that the rival cadres on March 5 rounded up and searched the house of one Yanbemo Patton, a raza peyu in Old Ralan and also “kidnapped” one Nchubomo Ovung, raza peyu from Koro village under Wokha district on the night of 13 March. He is still said to be under their custody. However, the “NSCN/GPRN”, while claiming that its cadres were attacked ‘in the middle of the village while resting in the village’, termed “the latest provocative action of the IM, with little or no respect for civilian population, is a direct challenge to the interest of the Nagas and their quest for a shared future”.
Source: The Morung Express
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“There is a correspondence between the former chairman CFMG and the joint secretary (NE) Union Home Ministry Mr Naveen Verma which clearly shows that the Shirui camp was approved after all the relevant authorities had been consulted”, stated the finding. The report also disclosed that it had in possession a letter dated February 6, 2007 which clearly stated that the “new location of the NSCN (IM) camp stands approved”.
The fact-finding team also observed that the two recent incidents — one in Phek district in Nagaland state and the other at Shirui village, Ukhrul district of Manipur State — had threatened to break the ceasefire between the Government of India and the outfit. The study also noted that the incident at Shirui had led to communal tensions between the Nagas and Meiteis. It was only because of the “timely intervention of the Naga people and their leaders that prevented the incidents from escalating into a war” the report said.
“We have been shocked to discover that there is absolutely no transparency with regard to the ceasefire monitoring mechanism and there is no mechanism for enforcing transparency”, stated the lawyers. The four lawyers Nandita Haksar, Timikha Koza, Sebastian Hongray and Edward Belho who undertook the study pointed out that the “counter-insurgency operations” was leading to a “dangerous politicization of the armed forces”.
The month-long study pointed out that the two incidents threw up many “complex questions relating to rule of law, democracy and principles of good governance”. It was also informed that the team approached the issues “dispassionately”. In the course of its fact-finding work, the team had interviewed officers of the local administration, the Army and Assam Rifles’ PROs, villagers, eye witnesses to both the incidents and local leaders. Further, the team collected relevant documents, newspaper cuttings and memos.
On the all-important question of whether the Shirui camp was designated or not, the fact finding team went into details while attempting to find out facts of the matter. It pointed out that the “controversy over whether the Shirui camp was ‘designated’, ‘approved’ or ‘taken-note-of’ camp, had led to communal tensions between the Nagas and Meiteis”. For this matter the team decided to investigate.
The study team also said the NSCN (IM) had maintained Shirui camp to have been set up with the approval of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group chairman. After interviewing both local leaders and villagers besides the Assam Rifles with regard to the Shirui incident, the fact-finding team observed that the shifting of the camp to Shirui was done on the request of the Assam Rifles. In fact, it was found, the shift had taken place after negotiations, which involved the presence of the office bearers of the Tangkhul Naga Long.
It was also disclosed that the negotiation itself took place in the camp of the Assam Rifles from August 17 and the 21st, 2008. At the meeting, the report stated, the Additional DIG of the AR 10 Sector, the “CO” of the NSCN (IM) camp and the vice-president of the Tangkhul Naga Long were present.
The fact-finding team also observed that the Assam Rifles made “contradictory statements” on the Shirui camp (which were published in the media). For instance Major Shamsher Jung stated that the ceasefire between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India is applicable only to the state of Nagaland and did not extend to Manipur and so there could be no designated camps in Manipur. On the other hand Major Pallab Chowdhury, PRO of the Assam Rifles had told the fact-finding team that there were three camps called “location taken note of” in Manipur and this was the official position of the Union Home Ministry. However as far as the Indian Army and the Ministry of Defense was concerned there were no “taken note of” camps of the NSCN (IM) in Manipur. This was after the fact-finding team met Colonel Rajesh Mishra, PRO for the Indian Army stationed at Imphal, Manipur.
The team also met the chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group Lt Gen Mandhatha Singh at the Chumukedima Police Academy on March 10, 2009. On the Shirui incident the chairman told the team that his briefing did not include Manipur. He had also been told by the Ministry of Home that he had no jurisdiction over anything happening in Manipur “so he did not go to Shirui”.
NSCNs fight in Tirap district
Dimapur, March 15 (MExN): Reports have been received that armed cadres of the “NSCN (K)” undertook a ‘consecutive attack’ on rival NSCN (IM) cadres on March 12 in different places in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. Four NSCN (IM) cadres have been claimed as killed while two have been seriously injured according to a functionary who identified himself as a “deputy kilonser, MIP of NSCN-K.”
Informing this office in the evening, the “deputy kilonser MIP, NSCN (K)” P Tikhak said that the “NSCN (K)” cadres attacked the NSCN (IM) cadres ‘consecutively in Maktua, Lamchan, and Langpu and Tingsa villages ’in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. He maintained four casualties on the NSCN (IM), including a “raja peyu” identified as one Kepo besides seriously injuring two. He also said that they recovered 2 AK 47 rifles, 1 M 16 rifle and 1 LMG from the slain rival cadres, he claimed.
Giving a brief background behind the factional fight, Tikhak informed that the offensives against the NSCN (IM) cadres was in retaliation of the killing of one “political organizer” on December 1 at Nginu village in Tirap district. It was also in retaliation for the ‘rampant extortion’ being carried out in Tirap and Changlan districts of Arunachal Pradesh ‘even while there is the reconciliation process going on in Nagaland’.
“Either they will have to surrender…or they will have to leave,” asserted Tikhak, “We will clear the IM out”. He also said that around 160 “NSCN (K)” cadres are camping in Tirap area to challenge the NSCN (IM) cadres.
However, on the other hand, the NSCN (IM) has blamed on the “NSCN (K)” and asserted that the “NSCN (K) boys started firing upon the Naga army at Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh on 13 March 2009”. “Things were about to turn ugly had NSCN/GPRN higher authority not gave restraining order to the Naga Army respecting the wishes and aspiration of the people,” the NSCN (IM) asserted in a note issued through its ‘MIP’. Besides, the note stated, “the recent provocative actions of the K-boys against the Naga army are totally uncalled for when the Nagas from every nook and cranny are anxiously watching the Nagas reconciliation process”.
Factional clash in Bhandari area
Dimapur, March 15 (MExN): A factional clash between the NSCNs has been reported from Bhandari sub-division, Wokha, at around 8:30 this morning. However, there are no reports of casualties from the reported encounter. The situation is said to be tense but under control, with the civil society, especially the Kyong Hoho and the public taking active part in tackling the situation. The Superintendent of Police of Wokha this evening informed that the encounter occurred at Sankha village (under Bhandari circle in Wokha district). A detailed report on the factional fight could not be made available till filing of this report. Following the reported incident, the two NSCN factions issued separate press releases asserting their own point of view.
The “NSCN/GPRN” asserted that its cadres were attacked by NSCN (IM) cadres while resting at Yimkha village. The former were said to be on way to Chukitong designated camp. On the other hand, the NSCN (IM) maintained that the rival cadres “numbering around 30” were moving around in Wokha district ‘forcibly collecting tax for the last one week creating tension in the area’.
The NSCN (IM) maintained that the rival cadres on March 5 rounded up and searched the house of one Yanbemo Patton, a raza peyu in Old Ralan and also “kidnapped” one Nchubomo Ovung, raza peyu from Koro village under Wokha district on the night of 13 March. He is still said to be under their custody. However, the “NSCN/GPRN”, while claiming that its cadres were attacked ‘in the middle of the village while resting in the village’, termed “the latest provocative action of the IM, with little or no respect for civilian population, is a direct challenge to the interest of the Nagas and their quest for a shared future”.
Source: The Morung Express
.::. All my articles can be view here: MELTED HEARTS .::.
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