NEW DELHI, May 16: The government on Tuesday expressed the hope that the two NSCN groups in Nagaland will put an end to violence and come forward for negotiations. In a written reply during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, home minister LK Advani said the ongoing ceasefire with the NSCN (IM) was valid up to July 31 this year. He said that it would not be appropriate to give details of the ceasefire agreement as negotiations were continuing. While noting that the NSCN (K) had recently issued a press release offering to enter into a formal ceasefire with the Union government, he said the state government was fully competent to deal with insurgency /militancy on its own. (UNI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 17, 2000)

GUWAHATI, May 17: Concerned over the growing complaints of high-handedness by a section of former militants, who often refuse to allow others to file tenders for important government jobs, the Kamrup District Administration and the city police yesterday held a meeting with the heads of various government departments and public sector undertakings and sought their cooperation to check the menace. Police sources said here today that very often it is alleged that a handful of former militants did not allow others to submit their tenders, as a result of which, the concerned departments lost control over the rates. Though one or two persons involved in such high-handed behaviour were arrested, those incidents could not check the menace. Sources said that normally the government offices and the public sector undertakings do not inform the police while floating tenders and according to information available with the police, the railways and the telecom departments were the worst affected. Sources said that in the meeting yesterday, the district administration and the police requested the heads of departments to inform the police before floating tenders for important works, the DSPs of the city and the officers in charge of the police stations were also directed to regularly interact with the concerned departments to check the menace. Meanwhile, police sources said that after receiving complaints of a few persons extorting money and 'goonda tax' from the businessmen, the city superintendent of police held a meeting with the city businessmen and requuested them to inform such cases to the police. He also assured the businessmen that prompt action would be taken by the police to check collection of 'goonda tax'. Sources said that recently the persons manning the wholesale fish market in the city complained to the police that a few youths were collecting 'goonda tax' from them. However, prompt action by the police and arrest of a few persons involved in the incident stopped the problem, sources added. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 18, 2000)

DHAKA, May 17: Bhutan today warned that it would expel ULFA guerrillas by force from their camps in impregnable forest areas in the country's east if they failed to withdraw peacefully. The royal government of Bhutan has had two meetings with the guerrillas at senior level and asked them to fix a date for another meeting, probably the last, to finalise the timeframe for withdrawal, visiting Bhutanese Foreign minister Lyonpo Jigme Thinley said here. However, the outfit has not responded to the ultimatum, he said adding "we cannot wait indefinitely, we are getting ready to expel them by force, if we have to, as the last option." The Foreign minister, who leaves for Thimphu today after a five-day official visit to Bangladesh, told PTI that Bhutan was determined not to allow its soil to be used by ULFA or Bodo extremists or for that matter any insurgent groups as a launching pad for attacks on India. Besides, "their (ULFA's) presence is a direct threat to our own security and sovereignty," he said. Asked about the specific time-limit to carry out the ultimatum against the ULFA, Thinley said, "I do not want to specify it." ULFA has set up camps in the dense forests in Bhutanese territory bordering Assam's Kokrajhar district. In the past, the Himalayan kingdom put pressure on the outfit to leave by cutting their line of food supply, but did not succeed in expelling them. Thinely said ULFA leaders had been told in unequivocal term that unless they quit peacefully through the process of negotiation for which one last chance was still available, the royal government would have no alternative but to order its troops to move in to throw them out. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 18, 2000)

GUWAHATI, May 18: Manipur based militant outfit PLA may come forward for talks with the government of India soon, highly placed official sources said. Sources said that according to indication available with the government of India, the PLA recently took a decision to come forward for talks for a negotiated settlement of their problems. Sources, however, admitted that the government is yet to establish direct contact with the leaders of the outfit. Sources pointed out that if the PLA comes forward for talks, it would bea very positive step towards restoration of peace in the region as the PLA, considered to be a strong member of the Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front, the umbrella organization of the major militant outfits of the region. Another member of the revolutionary front, the Khaplang faction of the NSCN has already expressed their desire to come forward for talks. Sources pointed out that if the government of India manages to initiate talks with the NSCN(K) and the PLA, the ULFA, a member of the Revolutionary Front, would also come under pressure to come forward for talks. Sources further revealed that the Indo-Burma Revolutionary front members once took a decision that any decision to hold talks would be taken jointly but with the NSCN(K) and PLA deciding to come forward for talks, the other members of the Front would come under pressure. Meanwhile, commenting on the recent threat given by the Bhutan government to the ULFA to vacate their camps located in Bhutan, official sources said that earlier also the Bhutan government had requested the ULFA to shift camp. But for the first time, the Bhutan government has threatened to use force to evict the ULFA from their territory, which is quite significant, sources pointed out. Sources said that if the ULFA is forced to shift camps from Bhutan, the outfit would come under serious pressure. Though according to information available with the government, senior leaders of the outfit including the chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah and the foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury are living in Bangladesh at this moment, it would be difficult for the outfit to open big camps in Bangladesh to keep all the cadres and weapons under the present circumstances. Sources said that the second alternative for the ULFA would be to shift the main camps towards Myanmar. But it would be difficult for the ULFA to survive alone in Myanmar if the NSCN(K) and the PLA comes forward for talks with the government. Moreover, the Myanmar government has also become hostile towards the militant groups as recently the Myanmar Army attacked the camps of the NSCN(K) based in the country. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 19, 2000)

NEW DELHI, May 18: Government has announced raising of 12 additional battalions of paramilitary forces, the bulk of them Assam Rifles, to combat growing insurgency in the Northeast to fill the void created by shifting of some Army formations. Along with five additional battalions of Assam Rifles, government is also raising three more battalions of Border Security Force (BSF) and two additional battalions of Central Researve Police Force (CRPF) at a cost of Rs 265 crore, officials said here today. The raising of these battalions is part of an ambitious Rs 4,000 crore modernisation and improving the fire-power of these forces to meet internal security demands in Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir, they said .Besides these, the officials said government would also raise five battalions of India Researve Force, specially to counter insurgency operations. The five-year perspective plan for modernisation of the para-military forces would include equipping them with light weight assault rifles, providing them with 120 mm mortar and equipment like multi-purpose machine guns and improving their communication system to make them more effective. The sources said top most priority would be given to raising of Assam Rifles battalions in view of increased disturbanches in state like Nagaland, Assam, Manipur and Tripura. The situation in these areas deteriorated after Army moved out its crack counter-insurgeny Eighth Mountain Division from Nagaland to Jammu and Kashmir initially for anti-terrorist operations in Kupwara and later to confront Pakistani aggression in Kargil sector. With the addition of these five battalions, the strength of Assam Rifles, a force raised during British regime, would go upto 35 battalions. Meanwhile, Army has also raised Nemo force to fill the security gap created by shifting of its prime counter insurgency division. Officials said that of the five Indian Reserve Battalions, two would be deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, one in Tripura and one each in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. They said an inter-ministerial group had also been set up to assess the futuristic requirement of para-military forces. The five-year perspective plan for modernisation of weapons and equipments would be implemented in a phased manner beginning this year, the sources added. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 19, 2000)

GUWAHATI, May 18: In a major breakthrough in the insurgency scenario of the Northeast, the Centre has managed to rope in PLA - the separatist militants of Manipur - for peace talks. The formal negotiations are likely to start soon. Disclosing this to The Asian Age on Thursday, highly-placed sources said that modalities and venue of talks were yet to be decided as the process was still at the initial stage. The breakthrough with the PLA is the third major success on the insurgency front in the Northeast as BLTF and the NSCN(K) have already entered into the ceasefire agreements with the Centre and the respective state governments to facilitate peaceful negotiations. The PLA had recently floated a joint forum "Manipur Peoples Liberation Front," comprising two more Manipur-based banned outfits of Manipur - KYKL and UNLF. The forum basically was floated to develop coordination amongst the insurgent outfits in the state. However, a similar attempt to form Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front, a joint forum of seven militant outfits of the Northeast, had failed when the Khaplang faction of the NSCN offered unilateral ceasefire in Nagaland without consulting the other members of the forum. The seven members of the Indo-Burma Revolutionary Front had resolved to move jointly for the talks but this clause was violated immediately after the resolution was passed The PLA and UNLF were also members of the IBRF that is almost defunct now. Meanwhile, sources in the Assam administration said here on Thursday that the police has sensitised the security forces in the border districts to step up vigil along the international border in view of the Bhutan government's warning to the ULFA and the NDFB to vacate their territory. Apprehending exodus of the ULFA and Bodo militants from the camps that they have set up in impregnable forest areas in the Bhutan's east, the Army has also been alerted in the state, sources indicated. Sources claimed that top ULFA leaders, including commander-in chief Paresh Baruah, chairman Arbinda Rajkhowa and foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury, are presently in Dhaka, ruled out the possibility of the ULFA shifting their cadres in Bangladesh, as they did not have any camp to accommodate all the cadres. They said that the ULFA cadres might shift to Burma where they are also reported to have strained their relationship with the NSCN(K). Sources did not rule out the possibility of ULFA cadres shifting the venue inside the Bhutan Hill Tracts itself, as change of venue to Burma would reduce their striking power in the state. The ULFA leaders were also reported to have been exploring possibility to establish camps in frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh. Sources said that they still have a few small camps in Arunachal but the outfit cannot dare or take risk of shifting its headquarters in the Indian territory. (Manoj Anand; The Asian Age; Guwahati; May 19, 2000)

NEW DELHI, May 19: The Centre seems to be in no mood to extend an offer of unconditional talks to the underground insurgents of the Northeast and is likely to continue with its hardline approach, if the Union home minister, LK Advani's reply in the Rajya Sabha, on Wednesday, was of any indication. The Union home minister's reiteration of the Centre's stand came, even as members cutting across the party-lines in the Rajya Sabha, urged the Centre to act before situation in the region gets out of hand. Swaraj Kaushal, Union government's former chief interlocutor in its negotiation with the NSCN(IM), and Arunachal Pradesh MP Nabam Rebia in particular pointed out the volatile situation prevailing in the Tirap and Changlang districts of the state following intrusion in the area by NSCN(K) faction in the wake of crackdown by the Myanmar Army. The situation in Northeast is serious and some 25,000 men including security forces have lost their lives during the last 50 years in the region. In 1998-99, in Jammu and Kashmir 3,400 persons were killed and during the same period 3,000 persons lost their lives in Northeast, claimed Kaushal who was one of the persons closely involved in signing of the Mizo Accord. Another area where the Centre was asked to be cautious was dolling out funds without any monitoring and accountability. While the Northeast has a total three crore population, the Centre every year has been giving Rs 13,000 crore and yet the entire region is underdeveloped, said Kaushal. It is time to act and instead of giving financial packages, the Centre should direct the public sector undertakings to set up projects in the region, he added. Speaking on the same line, the Opposition leader in the Rajya Sabha, Manmohan Singh sounded a note of caution about the prevailing law-and-order situation in the region claiming that it is a general impression that in the region the government's writ runs during the day and, at night, the militants' rule. Singh, who represents Assam, raised several important points pertaining to the region, suggesting to the government it cannot leave development of the region to the market forces. The market forces cannot improve the situation in the Northeast, he asserted, adding that double cropping in Assam can increase agriculture revenue to Rs 7,000 crore. Development of agriculture in the region is as important as development of infrastructure, he said. Singh, who was instrumental in launching of a separate financial institution for the development of the Northeast, pointed out that it was obligatory on part of the central government to make available best government officers to the north-eastern states for better absorbing capacity. Best men and women should be sent to man senior posts like the DGPs, chief secretary, he suggested. Earlier initiating the discussion, sponsored by as many as 28 MPs, the former chief of Army, Shankar Roy Choudhury said that the 'aryabrata' mentality of the so-called mainland India led to growth of the separatist tendency in the Northeast. The feeling of alienation one comes across in the Northeast is same as the feeling we saw in East Pakistan and it's dangerous signal, he added. Participating the discussion, Apok Jamir said that the Centre should not compromise on the sovereignty and unity and integrity of the state while talking to the militant group. Alleging gross violation of the ground rules of the ceasefire agreement by the NSCN (IM), he suggested that the Centre should take the state government into confidence while negotiating with underground outfits. He also advocated that all militant groups operating in the state should be involved in the peace process. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 21, 2000)

NEW DELHI, May 20: Union home ministry on Friday denied a press report on rift between it and the Prime Minister's office (PMO) on peace talks with insurgent groups in the Northeast. There are no differences in the approach which is evolved through consensus and is followed without reservation by all concerned," a home ministry spokesman said. A report in a local daily had alleged that the ministry had a rift with the PMO and the former had blamed the Nagaland government for sabotaging the peace talks with insurgents groups in the state. Terming the report as mischievous and motivated and completely without any foundation, the home ministry spokesman said the Centre was committed to the peace talks with the NSCN (IM) and there was no difference of opinion over the approach of the talks. "Certain motivated elements are keen to highlight the so-called differences between the PMO and the home ministry.... These type of rumours were floated by some people with vested interest who wanted to vitiate the atmosphere of talks," the spokesman said. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 21, 2000)

NEW DELHI, May 21: The Forum of Chief Ministers of Northeast states is likely to formally move the Centre for declaring the insurgency problem of the region as the national problem of the country, besides seeking sealing off of the Indo-Bangladesh border and deportation of the illegal immigrants. This and various other common problems facing the region are going to be part of a joint memorandum of the Forum to be presented by the Chief Ministers to the Prime Minister next month. The draft memorandum was prepared at a meeting attended by the Chief Ministers of the region here today. The meeting hosted by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mukut Mithi at the Arunachal Pradesh Bhavan here was presided over by Nagaland Chief Minister, SC Jamir, in absence of Assam Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, who is the convenor of the Forum. The state chief secretaries and other top officials of the Northeast states also attended the meeting. Though there was no official briefing at the end of the meeting, it has been learnt that the state chief secretaries would now sit over the next few days giving the final touch to the memorandum. The Chief Ministers were here in the capital to attend the Inter-state Council meeting. Meanwhile, sources said that tackling the insurgency situation, the infiltration problem and bailing out the Northeast states from financial crisis are some of the major areas of the thrust in the list of demands of the Chief Ministers. The Forum is likely to demand creation of India Reserve Battalion, deployment of adequate para-military forces in the insurgency affected area, besides the reimbursement of the security related expenditure. It may be mentioned here that Tripura one of the worst affected states has been clamouring for additional forces to fight the insurgents but to no avail. A state government delegation led by Tripura Chief Minister, Manik Sarkar called on the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee last week also to plead for additional forces. Meanwhile, infiltration from across the border into the region is likely to be another area of focus. The Chief Ministers are likely to demand a total halt to infiltration through effective sealing of the Indo-Bangladesh border and deportation of the illegal immigrants from the region. The resolution of Chakmas and Reangs problem is likely to be part of the charter of demands. This apart the perennial flood problem, the development of infrastructure, communication facilities, implementation of the Shukla Commission recommendations and Prime Minister's Special Package for economic uplift of the region are going to be part of the memorandum, sources said. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 21, 2000)

GUWAHATI, May 23: Is it a lull before the storm? This question dominates the minds of people with the banned ULFA keeping a low profile during the past one month. Unofficial reports indicated that the ULFA had temporarily suspended its activities and called important cadres to the headquarters located in the jungles of neighbouring Bhutan. The leadership had also reportedly directed the cadres to stop killings and extortion. Senior police officials, however, termed it as completely unpredictable. They said the outfits had been seriously crippled as some top leaders came overground and some important members of the armed wing were killed in an encounters. The ULFA had also lost public sympathy following extortion and killings, significantly, they lost the Nalbari district, considered an impenetrable bastion of the militant force. Speaking about the reported stand of calling the cadres to the headquarters, the officials said, the ULFA might buy some time to adopt a new strategy to win public sympathy or reactivate itself. The outfit had also been facing trouble recruiting fresh boys as it did not have training ground, with both the NSCN factions ceasing activities in favour of negotiation with the centre to find a solution to the Naga problem, they said. Meanwhile, the Royal Bhutan government reportedly warned the ULFA that it would expel the guerrillas from their camps set up in its territory if the outfit failed to withdraw peacefully. The government also had meetings with senior leaders of the outfit and asked them to fix a date for another meeting to finalise the time-frame for withdrawal. The royal government had stated that it was determined not to allow its soil to be used by ULFA or Bodo extremists. Their presence was a direct threat to Bhutan's security and sovereignty. Commending the Bhutan government stand's, the police officials said the ULFA was in a state of dilemma. They (ULFA) have no option but to vacate Bhutan. They might try to shift to the dense jungles of Arunachal Pradesh or in the border areas with Bangladesh, they added. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 24, 2000)

BANGKOK, May 25: The nephew of Naga insurgent leader Thingaleng Muivah today appealed for his release from jail in Thailand, saying the future of peace between the Indian government and rebels in Nagaland was at stake. Thai human-rights activists also appealed for the release of Muivah, 66, saying he was suffering from poor health in overcrowded, unsanitary jail conditions. Muivah is serving a one-year prison term for possessing a false passport and is currently being tried for illegal entry. The trial, held only a few days a month, was postponed today when a witness failed to appear. Apam Muivah, 36, told reporters his uncle's liberty was vital to push forward with peace in Nagaland. The elder Muivah is general secretary of the NSCN (IM), a Maoist-inspired separatist movement that negotiated a ceasfire to its 17-year rebellion with the Indian government in 1997. "People in Nagaland have already made the decision not to continue the peace talks if Muivah is not there," Apam told reporters. "We want him to help us extend the ceasfire. We do not want to see any killing again." The ceasfire is due to expire July, 31, the nephew said, but chances look dim that Muivah will be free by then. The Thai criminal court has set July 7 and July 24 for the trial sessions to resume. Thai human-rights activists said Muivah's offences were minor and paled in comparison to his importance for peace in Nagaland. They have provided a lawyer and will make an application for bail next week. Muivah was arrested on arrival at Bangkok airport January 19 when immigration officers discovered his South Korean passport was false. He jumped bail and was recaptured January 29, trying to flee to Malaysia on a false Singaporean passport. He was tried in the southern town of Songkhla on the second passport incident and was sentenced to a year. He is now being tried in Bangkok on the original illegal entry violation. Muivah appeared in good spirits in court today, but his nephew and the activists both said his health had deteriorated in custody. Apam said Muivah suffers from low blood pressure and has had an appendectomy and gall bladder surgery in the past. (Associated Press; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 26, 2000)

DARANGA (Assam-Bhutan border), May 26: Though the government of Bhutan recently threatened to use force to evict the militants belonging to the ULFA and the NDFB camping in the country, the threat failed to yield any result as the militants have not initiated any step to shift their camps. The Bhutan Army is not strong enough to throw the militants out of that country and till date the government of Bhutan has not sought the help of the Indian Army to deal with the problem. However, the change of the attitude of the Bhutan government towards the militants has changed over the years and the local officials of the south Bhutan areas have started to take action against the persons involved in supplying ration and other goods to the militants. Army sources pointed out that such action against the local traders by the government of Bhutan would not serve any purpose as the people have become dependent on the militants. Sources pointed out that the traders and even petty traders of the South Bhutan areas can earn much more than what they normally do by supplying goods to the camps of the militants, while a number of local people are surviving by working as porters and supplying ponies to the militants to carry goods to their camps. Under such circumstances, action against one or two locals would not serve any purpose, sources added. This correspondent, during a visit to the Assam-Bhutan border areas yesterday, also visited Samdrupjhonkar, the border town in Bhutan, were a number of hotels and restaurants have come up in recent years. Army sources said that the members of the militant outfits frequently visit these hotels and restaurants and 'They are the main customers for these hotels." Despite the fact that the militants have a strong base in Bhutan, the overall law and order situation in the Assam-Bhutan border areas, once considered to be the hotbed of militant activities, has improved considerably. Army sources said that according to information available with them, about two thousand ULFA cadres are still living in camps in Bhutan. These days the ULFA men try to sneak into Assam in small groups as it is virtually impossible to seal off the border due to the terrain. However, the security forces achieved reasonable success in their operations in the past one year or so. Sources revealed that in the past six months alone, at least 35 militants were killed and a large number of arms and ammunition and important documents were recovered by the Armymen belonging to the Brigade posted at Tamulpur. Army sources said that the overall law and order situation in the border area is under control due to intensive patrolling by the security forces, particularly along the routes frequently used by the militants to sneak into Assam. Army sources attribute the recent success in anti-insurgency operations to the change in the attitude of the local masses. Sources said that the efforts to win over the locals with pro-people schemes has started to pay dividends for the security forces as people have started to come forward to provide information about movement of security forces. Sources, however, did not rule out the possibility of sporadic incidents of violence. "It is very easy to plant an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the roads because of the road condition," sources added. Sources further said that the militants may also try to pick up soft targets in an act of desperation. Army sources revealed that they are holding regular meetings with the villages, particularly the Gaonburas as they are the best persons to know what is actually going on in their villages. "We have started to check persons carrying extra-ration to Bhutan to cut off the supply lines to the camps of the ultras and we are also using cycles and motor-cycles very often in patrolling to cover interior places," sources added. However, Army sources admitted that the ultras might still be extorting money and some receipts were recently recovered from an arrested militant. Meanwhile, the local people in the border areas admitted that the overall situation in the area has improved considerably. One ex-serviceman DN Basumatary of Daranga told this correspondent that the people have started to defy the insurgents. He said that there were instances where people defied the demand notes. One school teacher Hitesh Bayan said that there was a time when the militants even demanded a regular share of the salaries of the school teachers, which forced a number of teachers to escape from the areas. 'But the situation has now changed as we do not have to pay the militants any more," he added. A college student Ridip Das said that this year the people celebrated the Rongali Bihu functions till late at night, which proved that the overall situation has improved and the confidence level of the common masses has improved. He also revealed that two mobile theatre groups performed in the Daranga area recently after a gap of about eight years and cross sections of people enjoyed the performance till late at night. (R Dutta Choudhury; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 26, 2000)

GUWAHATI, May 27: Bowing to pressure from Myanmarese Army, the banned ULFA has shifted several of its camps from Myanmar to Arunachal Pradesh. According to highly-placed official sources, the leadership of the militant group has shifted three main camps along with the 100 odd cadres to the bordering areas of Arunachal Pradesh to avoid conflict with the Myanmarese Army. The outfit had set up its camps during 1985 with the help of Kachin Independent Army (KIA), a militant group of Myanmar and since then it (ULFA) has been operating from the area. But the relation of the ULFA with the KIA had suffered a setback last year due to surrender of several leaders of the KIA. Sources informed that of late Myanmarese Army in association with the former KIA members have launched operations to evacuate the militant groups taking shelter in the hilly-terrain of the country. They further informed tat is view of the stepped up operations of the Myanmerese Army, several extremist outfits have vacated their camps from the area. It may be mentioned that out of the 34 militant groups operating from the terrain of Myanmar, 12 have become more active. But, now they are losing ground due to the recent move of the Myanmar government. Giving the rationale behind the anti-insurgency operations of the Myanmar government, they said that prolonged insurgency has affected the economy of the country, moreover the militant groups have started mobilising the people to launch armed struggle against Myanmar government. They also revealed that the KIA and Myanmar government had reached an agreement a few months back and immediately, the government decided to launch operations against the extremists. "After the agreement, several major outfits -RPF, China Independent Army (CIA) and PLA have also suffered setback", sources stated. Commenting on the shifting of camps towards the bordering areas of Arunachal Pradesh, they disclosed that the leadership has identified the areas as it is losing ground in Bhutan due to strict vigil of the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA). "We have also intensified our patrolling along the Arunachal border to put pressure on the militant group", sources added. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 28, 2000)

NEW DELHI, May 27: As a sequel to the two-day mediatry level talks between the government and the NSCN (IM) which concluded here today, the two parties have agreed to reactivate the Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG) which will hold its next meeting in Nagaland next month. The mediatry level talks had become significant in the backdrop of uncertainty gripping the ongoing peace process in Nagaland following the arrest of NSCN leader T Muivah in Thailand. VS Atem, a senior member of the Kilonsers (Naga ministry in exile) represented his group in the talks. As per the fresh agreement, the NSCN will be free to open a special cell to monitor cease fire at some mutually agreed upon location in Nagaland, to further strengthen the process of Cease Fire. The government was learnt to have expressed serious concern on repeated violations of the Cease-fire by the group. In this connection the official team led by special secretary (home) RD Kapoor pointed out that 536 persons were killed after the two sides had announced Cease-fire. Out of these 165 lost their lives in inter-factional fights and remaining 211 were civilians. While urging upon the NSCN (IM) leaders to put an end to killings to create a congenial atmosphere for the peace process, the officials further drew their attention to the increased cases of kidnappings and extortion, which took place in Nagaland. Giving their perception of latest round of dialogue, the officials said that it was held in a more cordial manner than in the past. The two sides (NSCN-Muivah) have agreed to exercise utmost restraint while making public statements about the peace process. The next round of mediatry level talks is scheduled to be held in Delhi in July. (Correspondent; The Hindustan Times; New Delhi; May 28, 2000)

AGARTALA, May 28: The Centre has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to curb militancy in the north Eastern states considering the complexity of the issue, a Union home ministry document said. The document said that the militancy in the Northeast had acquired an ominous form as a result of networking amongst the various militant groups and availability of trains-border sanctuaries, coupled with the feelings of alienation and exploitation. Lack of employment opportunities other than in the government sector and noon-performance of some of the state government have also contributed to participation of neo-literate youth in militant activities, it pointed out. The multi-pronged strategy includes willingness to meet and discuss legitimate grievances, resolve to counter senseless violence with a firm hand, understanding with neighouring countries and more importantly, infrastructural development, employment opportunities, good governance and decentralisation. The document said that the central government has declared as many as 12 militant groups in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The most seriously militancy Affected states and areas have been declared "disturbed areas" under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) act 1958 and units of the Army and Central paramilitary forces have been deployed to assist civilian authorities in the militancy affected states. The Union government has so far sanctioned 13 India Reserve Battalions to the states in the Northeast. A scheme of reimbursement of security related expenditure has been formulated for the Northeastern states and an amount of Rs 377 crore, approximately, has been released and approved during 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000. Realising that the condition of police forces in the Northeastern states is poor, the ministry of home affairs has taken up a 100 per cent Centrally funded special scheme for modernisation of police forces in the Northeast with emphasis on supply of arms and ammunition, vehicles, communication equipment and other essential equipment, in kind. The government has also formulated a 100 per cent Centrally funded surrender and rehabiliation scheme aimed at weaning away misguided youths who have strayed into the field of militancy. The key to solution of the problem of militancy in the Northeast lies in the development of the region. The home ministry document said, adding that the Northeastern Council (NEC) has been conceived and established as an advisory as well as funding agency to secure an accelerated and balanced development of the region. Since its inception, NEC has been laying emphasis on development of infrastructure in the region and on projects of inter-state ramifications. The NEC plan funds consist of Central assistance, loans from LIC and SLR borrowings. The 9th Plan outlay for NEC was Rs 2450 crore, out of which Rs 398 crore was utilised during 1997-98 and Rs 425 crore during 1998-99. The approved outlay for 1999-2000 was Rs 450 crore, 84 per cent of which was for investment in power (Rs 215 crore) and transport and communication (Rs 162 crore) sectors. Meanwhile, a senior home ministry official said here yesterday that the Centre was unhappy over the existing deployment and use of Central para-military forces in the state forces in Tripura for the anti-insurgency operations. The Union home ministry would also extend the Disturbed Areas Act, which provided the Army and para-military forces special powers, to the entire state to flush out militants if the Tripura government wanted, the official said. A high-level Central team, led by Union home secretary Kamal Pandey, will visit Tripura from May 31 for an on the spot assessment of the prevailing situation in the state following the escalated militancy and ethnic violence. Some new measures would be taken after the visit of the Union home ministry team, the official added. (UNI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 29, 2000)

NEW DELHI, May 28: The Centre and NSCN (IM) have decided to 'reactivate' the Ceasefire Monitoring Group to ensure complete cessation of violence as talks between the two sides, which remained stalled for over five months, were revived, report Agencies. The two-day talks between the two sides which ended here on Friday were represented by top government officials and senior rebel leader VS Atem, a home ministry official said here on Saturday. Efforts to revive talks between the two sides earlier this year had failed as NSCN (IM) declined to replace its general secetary Thuingalang Muivah at the parleys after he was arrested by Thailand police for travelling without valid documents. Among other things the meeting decided that the militant group will be free to open a cell for ceasefire monitoring, he said. The suggestion from NSCN to have a full-time chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group to be stationed in Nagaland was taken note of by the government. During the parleys both sides suggested certain amendments to the 'agreed ground rules' for the ceasefire to bring complete cessation of violence, the official said, adding, these suggestions will be discussed at the next meeting scheduled to be held here in July. At the meeting, the Centre expressed deep concern over the continuing violation of ceasefire by NSCN (IM) which had resulted in 536 deaths even after the ceasefire was announced. (Agencies; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 29, 2000)

NEW DELHI, May 28: To bring pressure on the Nagas for negotiations, India is attempting to project the NSCN (IM) as a terrorist outfit, according to 'Major General' VS Atem, the former head of the military wing of the organisation which seeks independence from India. Now the finance minister of the self-styled NSCN, Atem was here to hold talks with New Delhi on reactivating the Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG) for Nagaland. Although the government of India and the NSCN (IM) have agreed to reactivate the CFMG, the political dialogue between the two has not moved forward. The underground Naga leader hinted at a dark conspiracy involving Indian agencies behind the arrest of the general secretary of the NSCN (IM), Thuingaleng Muivah, in Bangkok on January 19. "Your Research and Analysis Wing is hyperactive in Thailand," he said. Muivah was arrested on arrival from Karachi when he was found to be travelling on a forged passport. Although he was granted bail by a Thai court, he was arrested again while trying to jump bail and attempting to escape from Thailand on January 29. There were unconfirmed reports at the time of Muivah's arrest that the Thai authorities had been tipped off about a North Korean agent carrying a South Korean passport, travelling to Bangkok to blow up the South Korean Embassy there. The name given to the Thai authorities was the same as the alias Thuingaleng Muivah was found to be using on his forged South Korean passport when he was arrested. To project the NSCN (IM) as a terrorist organisation, Atem argued, "the Indian government has even tried to implicate Grinder Muivah (Thuingaleng Muivah's nephew) in an aircraft hijacking case." Grinder Muivah, who was used by the Indian government as a go-between with the NSCN (IM) leadership was arrested on the charge of plotting to hijack an Indian Airlines aircraft from Mizoram's Lengpuii airport. When he challenged his arrest in court, the judge released Grinder Muivah on bail and sent notices to all concerned to explain their behaviour. The NSCN (IM) has refused to nominate anyone except Thuingaleng Muivah to continue the political dialogue with India. Atem said that his own nomination by T. Muivah was only for discussing the ground rules governing the ceasefire. "This is not a political dialogue. That remains stalled. For once we are asking for time because our general secretary is imprisoned in Thailand and the situation on the home-front in the Naga areas is also not good," he claimed. But why not nominate the organisation's president, Isak Chishi Swu, to continue the political dialogue with India? Atem replied, "We will take a decision when it needs to be taken." Asked whether he was aware that two Naga church leaders (Rev. Nuh and Rev. Masih) had gone to Bangkok this week, ostensibly carrying a message from the government of India for Muivah, Atem said that they were free to travel anywhere they wanted. "But if they seek a meeting with Thuingaleng Muivah, I don't think he will agree to see them." Why was the NSCN (IM) engaged in a fratricidal conflict with other Naga groups and organisations? Atem claimed that the NSCN (IM) was not on the offensive against the other groups. "We have been attacked by them with the backing of the Assam Rifles and the Nagaland Police. The Indian Army is not involved in this. Only the paramilitary forces are engaged in these activities against us," Atem claimed. He said that his organisation was not opposed to unity with the other Naga groups "but it can't be unprincipled unity." But why could not the NSCN (IM) have talks with, say, its rival the NSCN (K) and enter into a cease fire agreement with it? Atem claimed that talks were on between the two organisations - but not about ceasefire. "How can we have ceasefire with the Khaplang group? Can they even adhere to it when they are not free agents. They are functioning at the behest of the state government, the security forces and continue to flirt with politicians," Atem said, hinting at the alleged nexus between NSCN (Khaplang) and the Nagaland Chief Minister, S C Jamir. (Bharat Bhushan; The Hindustan Times; New Delhi; May 29, 2000)

NEW DELHI, May 29: Notwithstanding a decision to reactivate the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) to implement the ground rules of the ceasefire agreement between the NSCN (IM) faction and the Union government, differences still persist between the two over interpretation of the ceasefire agreement. While the Union government is insisting that the ceasefire agreement with NSCN (IM) covered both the civilians and the security forces, the NSCN (IM) faction held that the agreement is limited to only against the security forces, highly-placed sources said here today. The two-day intermediatory round of talks that concluded here last weekended on an uncertain note as the NSCN faction led by VS Atem refused to buy the home ministry's interpretation of the ceasefire". They kept on insisting that the ceasefire is against security forces and not against civilians, while our stand is that ceasefire agreement covers both civilians and security forces", sources asserted. The Centre's argument was that security forces do not need a ceasefire agreement to defend themselves if attacked by the rebels while civilians are unarmed and helpless, it was pointed out, sources said. The ministry's concern at the flouting of the ceasefire agreement by the NSCN (IM) arises out of the dramatic rise in killings in Nagaland. According to an estimate, the NSCN(IM) faction killed 536 persons after ceasefire was announced, out of which 211 persons were civilians, while the rest of the 165 persons were mainly insurgents killed in fraticidal killings. Significantly, not a single NSCN (IM) cadre has been killed by the security force since the announcement of the ceasefire in 1997, sources said. The bone of contention between the Union government and the Naga outfit is the interpretation of the ceasefire. In fact links between the two snapped last September, when the outfit refused to buy the government's definition of the ceasefire. The chairman of the CFMG, additional secretary in the ministry, PD Shenoy was protesting the gross violation of the ground rules and killings of civilian by the NSCN (IM). The two-day talks were cut short to one-day and the NSCN team left the meeting in a huff. Since then there was no contact between the government and the NSCN (IM) until early last month, when Atem himself got in touch with the Centre. Meanwhile, the government has also urged the outfit to resume the political level dialogue with it which has been stalled following arrest of its general secretary, T Muivah. (Staff Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 23, 2000)

KOHIMA, May 29: The NSCN (IM) yesterday confirmed an agreement with the Centre to reactivate the Ceasefire Monitoring Group to ensure complete cessation of violence. An NSCN(IM) press release yesterday said discussions between the two sides were held in New Delhi on May 25 and 26 and certain decisions were taken. "The NSCN will be free to open a cell for the sole and bona fide purpose of ceasefire monitoring at a location in Nagaland to be mutually agreed upon between NSCN and the government of India," it added. The NSCN(IM) ceasefire monitoring cell office located at Dimapur was "forcibly" closed down by security forces for its alleged misuse by the underground organisation after the attempt was made on the life of the Chief Minister SC Jamir on November 29 last year. The ongoing 3-year ceasefire expires on July 31. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 30, 2000)

TAMULPUR, May 31: As it is not possible for any government to provide jobs to all the insurgents who have come overground, the Army has started a model cooperative in Tamulpur near the Rehabilitation Training Centre to provide self-employment opportunities to them. Brigadier ND Prasad of the Army base located here told The Assam Tribune that no government can provide employment to all the militants, who have come overground and efforts are on to give vocational training to them in the Rehabilitation Training Centre here so that they can earn their livelihood. He said that at this moment, about 60 former militants are undergoing training in different vocational courses including training on computers, motor driving etc. and a few of the former militants, who were trained in the centre have got jobs on the strength of their training. Brigadier Prasad said that with a bid to providing some meaningful employment opportunities to the former ultras, the Army has started a model cooperative society near the Training Centre. He said that the government has allocated ten bighas of land for the cooperative and the former ultras would be engaged in farming, fishery, piggery, poultry etc. and they would be able to gain meaningful employment from the cooperative. He pointed out that the former ultras would not face any problem in marketing the products of the cooperative as the people of the area have to travel long distances to buy goods. Moreover, the Army camps can also buy goods from them, he added. Brig Prasad said that the cooperative is set up near the training centre for the safety of the members of the cooperative and they can also stay in the centre for some time till they manage to set up huts inside the farm. This correspondent recently visited the cooperative and found that two dredgers have been working round the clock to dig up two ponds to be used as fisheries. The Army men accompanying this correspondent said that the members of the cooperative received the land free of cost and the Army would spend about Rs 2.50 lakh in the cooperative. However, the cooperative members would have to repay the money to the army after the farm started producing. They expressed the hope that the fisheries would be ready by a couple of weeks time. Fencing of the whole plot of land is also going on in full swing. The Army would also help the members to get their cooperative registered. In the farm, this correspondent met Phukan Basumatary, an armed wing member of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, who former in April this year. He said that he cannot go back to his home in Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur district as his former colleagues may attack him. He is a member of the cooperative and he expressed the hope that he would be able to lead a normal life by running the farm with his fellow members. He said that as almost all the members of the cooperatives hailed from rural areas, they have the experience in farming and they would be able to run the cooperative successfully. At this moment, they are living in the training centre but they would shift to the farm soon. A former ULFA man Mansur Choudhury, who is also a member of the cooperative, said that he cannot dare to stay at home as some ULFA men were looking for him after his surrender. But he has nothing to fear in the farm as it is located near an Army camp. He also hoped that they would be able to run the cooperative successfully. Meanwhile, the Army has started a camp at Tulsibari to train up the local youths for a recruitment rally to be held here soon. Brig Prasad pointed out that the mindset of the people of the area, once considered to be the hotbed of militant activities, has changed and more and more youths have shown keen interest in joining the Army. But the youths of the area are not aware of the qualifications required for joining the Army and that is why attempts have been made to train them up for the recruitment rally. Brig Prasad said that efforts are on to train the local youths about the type of vacancies, tests they would have to undertake in the recruitment rally, the types of questions they would face in the written test etc. He said that the local youths are also given coaching to face the written test, and they have been put through physical exercises to get them ready to face the gruelling tests in the rally. He said that the response from the local youths was very encouraging and "even a few girls recently came to our office to enquire about the process of joining the Army. We have asked them to get in touch with the Army headquarter as we cannot provide jobs to them." In fact this correspondent witnessed a long queue of youths in front of the training camp at Tulsibari to get training to prepare for the recruitment rally. (R Dutta Choudhury; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; June 1, 2000)