GUWAHATI, November 16: The Naga peace talks have been on for more than a couple of years now, but there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Representatives of both the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) have admitted to a deadlock in the negotiations, belying hopes that the parleys initiated by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in Zurich would herald peace in Nagaland in the new millennium. The two sides have different explanations for not arriving at a solution to the Naga problem after over two years of negotiations. Joint secretary (Northeast) in the Union home ministry, GK Pillai, says that the issue of "sovereignty for Nagaland" has caused the deadlock. Former principal government interlocutor Swaraj Kaushal, too, says that the focus of the talks so far has been "to work out any other arrangement except sovereignty". Recalling his stint as mediator, he told The Telegraph, "Each time we met, I reiterated that I was even willing to discuss the moon, but not sovereignty." The NSCN(IM) attributes the stalemate to a different factor altogether. According to rebel leader Phunting Shimrang, his outfit has been unable to strike a deal with Delhi because of political instability at the Centre. He does not foresee the new government lasting its full term either "because it is, after all, again a coalition government". The Centre now appears to have realised that it should not waste its energy on the ongoing bipartite negotiations and instead wait for the NSCN faction led by SS Khaplang to participate in the peace talks as the third party. Pillai's contention that the NSCN(IM) does not represent the aspirations of the entire Naga community is indicative of the Centre's mindset. "What should be considered is a wider spectrum of public opinion and not what one section says. No single party can decide the future of the entire Naga community. Naga public opinion has to be taken cognisance of in its entirety if the peace talks are to reach a logical conclusion," the senior home ministry official told The Telegraph over phone from Delhi However, Shimrang refuses to buy Pillai's argument, saying, "We have been trying to accommodate every idea put forth by each section of the people." Declaration of a ceasefire between the Centre and the NSCN(IM) paved the way for a dialogue between the two sides. However, the Khaplang faction does not appear to be in the mood to accept the olive branch offered by Delhi. In an interview to a section of the Press this month, Khaplang stated that he had "officially not entered into a ceasefire agreement with the government of India". He said that whenever his outfit suspended operations, it was on "humanitarian grounds". Khaplang also accused the Centre of being in "hand in glove" with the NSCN(IM). "Our struggle is for a sovereign country - a united Nagaland that includes all Naga-inhabited areas of the Indo-Burma region," Khaplang said. The NSCN(K)'s vision of a "united Nagaland" is akin to the "greater Nagalim" envisioned by the NSCN(IM). The proposed map of "greater Nagalim" includes contiguous Naga-inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and even Myanmar. Apart from stating that the demand for a "sovereign Nagaland" is "not negotiable", the Centre has ruled out amalgamation of the Naga-inhabited areas of neighbouring states with Nagaland. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 17, 1999)

NALBARI, November 17: The recovery of three bodies from Ghogabeel, a marshland believed to be a "mass grave" of people killed by the ULFA, appears to have finally made the district administration sit up and take notice. The Army today said the district administration had requisitioned bulldozers to carry on the search, initiated by the villagers of Nankar Bhoira and Kachikhuti under the banner of the CPI(ML) and the United Revolutionary Movement Council of Assam. Commander of the Tamulpur-based 107 Mountain Brigade, Brig ND Prasad, told The Telegraph here today that the administration was keen to complete the search. "The civil administration has requested us to provide it with bulldozers so that the entire area can be dug up and the controversy resolved once and for all," the Army official said. "One bulldozer will be provided in a day or two. I do not think more than one will be required," he added. Officiating deputy commissioner of Nalbari, Rajesh Prasad, said bulldozers would help in digging up the entire marshland. "We have asked for bulldozers because we want the entire area to be dug up to ascertain if there are more bodies. The marshland is spread over 300 bighas and it is practically impossible to manually dig it up, " he said. The deputy commissioner said the Army was approached because the civil administration did not have the infrastructure to carry out such a task. "We have also asked the Army to send in their experts," he said. The official lauded the people of the area for taking the initiative to search for bodies. He promised to back them to the hilt, saying, "The administration cannot be a silent spectator to the people's courageous effort." Brig Prasad, too, appeared to be impressed. "The fact that the people, armed with shovels, came out in hundreds and took the initiative to dig out the first bodies clearly indicates that they have at last learnt to defy the ULFA and expose its misdeeds," he said. The first body - that of one Prasanna Kalita - was recovered at Ghogabeel on November 2. A popular peasant leader, Kalita had been abducted by suspected ULFA militants a few days earlier. Villagers dug up the body after spotting pieces of clothing and footwear in the vicinity of the suspected mass grave. Several persons from the area went missing over the past couple of years. People living on the fringes of the marshland claim to have heard agonising cries coming from "somewhere close by" in the dead of the night. "We have information that some more bodies are buried there," said CPI(ML) leader Biswajit Chakravarty. After the recovery of Kalita's body, another one was recovered from the marshland on November 11. The identity of the second body is yet to be established. The third body was found yesterday. It has been identified as that of one Hitesh Kalita of Kachikhuti village. He was a CPI(ML) activist who went missing some months ago. A pair of sandals belonging to Hitesh was discovered on November 11, which convinced the villagers that his body was buried in the marshland. (Shankhadeep Choudhury; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 18, 1999)

IMPHAL, November 19: Union home minister LK Advani has denied any knowledge about an "informal ceasefire" between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) over the Naga-dominated areas of Manipur. Advani's denial was in response to a query from Chief Minister W Nipamacha Singh on the issue. Singh sought a clarification after the home ministry referred to an "informal ceasefire" in Manipur in a letter to the state government recently. The letter was in connection with the snatching of weapons from Manipur Rifles personnel by NSCN(IM) rebels during elections to the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency. The Chief Minister raised the issue during his meeting with Advani in New Delhi on Monday. The latter, however, said he was in the dark about any "informal ceasefire" in Manipur. Advani told the Chief Minister that the state's territorial integrity would be protected "at any cost" and there was nothing to be alarmed about. He also said a civil inquiry would be instituted into the snatching of arms from Manipur Rifles personnel. The home minister expressed concern over the alleged lack of resistance from the Manipur Rifles personnel from whom the rebels snatched arms. He said "appropriate action" would be taken against these personnel. At least 72 weapons were taken away from Manipur Rifles personnel by Naga and Kuki militants in the run-up to elections in Outer Manipur. Seventy arms were snatched by NSCN(IM) militants in three incidents in Senapati and Tamenglong, while Kuki rebels snatched two weapons in Churachandpur. Singh urged the home ministry to raise another Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) unit in the state. He told Advani that IRB and police commandos were more effective in counter-insurgency operations than other security agencies. The state has two IRB battalions at present. The first battalion is already conducting counter-insurgency operations, while the second batch will complete training early next year. IRB units are initially funded by the home ministry, but the state has to bear the expenses later. The two units in the state are now a part of the Manipur Rifles set-up and come under the police department. On the proposed replacement of Central Reserve Police Force units by the Border Security Force, Singh told Advani that it was a welcome development. He said CRPF personnel were ineffective in counter-insurgency operations. The home ministry has already agreed to deploy six BSF battalions in Manipur. Sources said these battalions were expected to arrive in the state soon. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 20, 1999)

NEW DELHI, November 21: The Centre has offered Northeast militants a package deal if they give up their guns. The grand surrender-and-rehabilitation scheme, drawn up by the home ministry, looks straight out of a situations-vacant ad. Those who wish to apply for the scheme - which carries a number of benefits, including monetary incentives - must fulfil certain criteria. The scheme is applicable to those militants who surrender at least one weapon. However, in "exceptional and deserving cases", militants who surrender without arms may also be considered for rehabilitation. There is no bar on age. Quite similar to organisations looking for the best professionals, a screening committee will scrutinise the names of those willing to surrender. But the final decision will be taken by the Unified Headquarters or the state government concerned. No bribes will be entertained. Eligible insurgents will initially be lodged in rehabilitation camps where they will undergo training to take up a trade or vocation. The surrendered militants could opt for streams of their liking and must have an aptitude for a particular calling. Once the names are cleared, each surrendered insurgent would be paid a monthly stipend of at least Rs 2,000. The scale of stipend for various categories of militants who have laid down arms will be decided by the state governments in consultation with the home ministry. The more hardcore the insurgent, the higher his stipend, but the Centre promises not to dishearten budding insurgents. It is not clear whether stipend scales are negotiable. Board and lodging will be free for a year. The Centre will not leave the surrendered insurgents in the lurch and will make all attempts to "settle" them. Those who had committed minor crimes will be not be booked, but the law will follow its course against those who had committed crimes like murder, rape and abduction. Suitable non-governmental organisations will run the rehabilitation camps and training courses, all at government cost. The state governments and NGOs will help those attempting to return to the "mainstream" by opening joint fixed deposit accounts from the money raised through the surrender of arms and ammunition. The fixed deposit accounts will have NGOs as the nominees. The inspector-general (Special Branch) of each state will act as the Surrender and Rehabilitation (S&R) Officer, although the army, Central paramilitary forces, state police forces and nominated NGOs will find automatic involvement in the scheme. A militant shall be free to surrender before any unit of the army, paramilitary forces, district magistrates, superintendents of police, range DIGs, IGs (operations), sub-divisional magistrates and sub-divisional police officers. Insurgents may also surrender in states other than those in the Northeast. Once proper identification is made, the officers before whom the surrender is effected will provide immediate security to the militant. An impact assessment of the policy will be done every year to ensure corrective action. If the percentage of surrendered militants successfully, rehabilitated is below 80 per cent, the NGOs would be changed. The scheme is applicable to those insurgents who have surrendered or will surrender now. However, granting monthly stipend to those who have surrendered and facilities to NGOs will be with prospective effect. (Chandan Nandy; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 24, 1999)

IMPHAL, November 21: Arrested insurgent leader Namoijam Oken was released yesterday on parole for 40 days. The chairman of the outlawed Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (Oken) had secured bail on medical grounds on Wednesday. Sources said his release was delayed because of his involvement in several cases. Issuing the bail order, the chief judicial magistrate of Bishenpur district directed Oken to voluntarily report at the Sajiwa Jail on December 30. He also told the rebel leader to furnish a personal bond of Rs 20,000. Oken complained of hypertension shortly after 16 Assam Rifles personnel arrested him along with three of his comrades in Dimapur on February 20. Though he was arrested in Nagaland, the rebel leader was deported to Manipur because of his involvement in several insurgency-related cases in the state. The medical board which examined Oken stated in its report that the rebel leader was suffering from enlargement of the heart. It referred him to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi for advanced treatment. The place where Oken is staying since his release is a closely-guarded secret due to security reasons. It is also not known when he will go to New Delhi for treatment. Sources said the government would not bear the expenses incurred on his treatment outside the state. Oken had been eluding arrest since jumping bail in 1994 and moving to Bangladesh. The authorities even announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head. The rebel leader, who parted ways with the United National Liberation Front to form the KYKL in 1990, was finally apprehended while returning here from Bangladesh via Dimapur. He was booked under the National Security Act. Since its formation, the KYKL has split into two factions - one headed by Oken and the other by Toijamba. The Oken faction has links with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), but is engaged in fratricidal conflicts with other outfits. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 22, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 22: The Bodo Liberation Tigers outfit is believed to be carrying out "ethnic cleansing" in parts of Kamrup and Goalpara districts by forcing people to flee in the face of steep extortion demands. The Rabha National Security Force, which has not been outlawed so far, is also carrying on a simultaneous extortion drive in Goalpara district. However, inspector-general of police (operations) GM Shrivastava said the outfit has by and large been decimated. "There may be a splinter group involved in extortion, but we do not have any report of largescale extortion," he said. Sources said the BLT has been demanding huge amounts of money from non-tribals living in a vast area from Chaygaon of Kamrup district in the east and Krishnai of Goalpara district in the west. Similar incidents have been reported from parts of Nalbari, Darrang and Kokrajhar districts. Recently, BLT rebels had abducted a petty trader from Dhupdhara and demanded Rs 1.5 lakh from him. When the trader expressed his inability to pay such a big amount, he was tortured and released with a warning that he should get in touch with them, along with the money, on a particular date. "I was afraid to go to the police as they threatened to blow up my house if I did," the trader. When he did not go to the rendezvous on the appointed day, the rebels came looking for him. A few days later he was picked up again and forced to write to his wife asking her to arrange the ransom. "They suggested that I sell my land and even offered to buy it for Rs 50,000. But that piece of land along with the house is worth a few lakhs of rupees. Why should I sell it for such a paltry amount?" he asked. The trader said it was difficult to find alternative buyers as no non-tribal would want to invest on immovable property in those areas. "The money is basically in the hands of non-tribals. But the tribals want to take advantage of the situation now," he claimed. Unable to cope with the pressure, the trader fled from Dhupdhara along with his wife and three daughters. "A few more wealthy people in our neighbourhood have also fled to Guwahati," he said. Another such victim of extortion who had left Tangla in Darrang district, said his life has gone haywire. "I was making enough money as a small time contractor but had to flee in the face of steep extortion demands," he said adding that he has not been able to go to Tangla even to collect his dues. "For the past year I have been staying with my in-laws," he added. The inspector-general of police admitted that the BLT was carrying on an extortion drive. "Despite announcing their willingness to come for talks, those operating at the front have not gone off the job," he said. Though he said the BLT was still "active", Shrivastava denied reports of people being threatened to sell their land. "We have received no such report," he said. Shrivastava also said the ULFA was planning to embark on a "major extortion drive". This will mainly be concentrated in Nalbari and Dhubri districts where they feel they can manage because of their proximity to Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh and Bangladesh, Shrivastava added. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 23, 1999)

AGARTALA, November 22: Militants of the National Liberation Front of Twipra (NLFT) gunned down eight Tripura police constables after ambushing two vehicles at remote Banduar area under Udaipur subdivision of south Tripura today. This was the first major attack on security forces since Lok Sabha poll on October 3. The two police vehicles were damaged beyond repair in the attack. Three injured constables were admitted to Udaipur district hospital and two others were rushed to GB Hospital here in a critical condition. The militants also snatched eight sophisticated weapons including sten guns and self-loading rifles. Police sources said two vehicles - a minitruck and a jeep - were heading for rebel-infested Maharani area from Udaipur, headquarters of South district, on a long-range patrol carrying armed policemen early this morning. At 7 am, when the vehicles were passing through Banduar area, a massive landmine blast immobilised and seriously damaged the minitruck and the jeep. The heavily-armed NLFT militants perched atop hills on both sides of the road began to hurl grenades and opened indiscriminate fire from AK series rifles. They killed havildar Shibu Das, Gopal Datta, Pradip Debnath, Sankar Malakar, Hamid Mia, Manik Debnath, and Suresh Karmakar, while constable Roopkumar Jamatya, died of his injuries on way to hospital. Injured constables Titu Som, Sanjib Sarkar and Haradhan Das were admitted to Udaipur district hospital while constables Bhogini Chakraborty, and Dhruba Mazumdar were rushed to G.B. Hospital here in a critical condition. Sources said within moments of mowing down the policemen, the militants came down from the hills and snatched five .303 rifles, three self-loading rifles and a sten gun before escaping into thick jungles. Inspector-general of police (law and order) K. Salim Ali said, "The militants appear to have used an improvised explosive device for blowing up our vehicles. However, Assam Rifles jawans have been rushed to the spot with sniffer dogs and combing operations are on." Today's attack on security forces has evoked sharp reactions from Opposition parties, all of which have demanded the dismissal of the Left Front government and imposition of President's rule in Tripura. Leader of the Opposition Samir Ranjan Barman spoke to AICC general secretaries Oscar Fernandez and Ambika Soni and apprised them of the situation here. Barman said he had urged the party high command to demand the removal of Siddheswar Prasad from the Governor's post, dismissal of the Left Front government and imposition of President's rule in Tripura. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 23, 1999)

NEW DELHI, November 22: Rattled by repeated attacks on security personnel by the All-Tripura Tiger Front and National Liberation Front of Twipra militants, the Centre and the Tripura government are thinking of sending in the army for counter-insurgency operations. Senior officials of the Union home ministry and Tripura government and the directors-general of the BSF, CRPF and Assam Rifles met today at North Block to discuss beefing up security and to chalk out a blueprint for giving more teeth to counter-insurgency operations in Tripura. The meeting comes in the wake of 18 people being gunned down and 11 injured in an attack by militants at Panchabati market on November 14. This morning, militants ambushed security personnel in Banduar killing eight of them. Prime Minister AB Vajpayee has summoned Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar here to discuss law and order and the spate of attacks on security forces. Vajpayee has, however, ruled out imposing President's rule in the state as suggested by some sections in the BJP, Congress and Trinamul. Highly-placed sources in the home ministry said the Centre has agreed to send an additional India Reserve battalion. The newly-raised battalions constitute a paramilitary force under the home ministry. A second meeting will be held this week to finalise a strategy on an enhanced role for the army. Sources said officials will also discuss whether name the "operation" if the state government agrees to bring in the army. Tripura chief secretary V Tulsidas said: "We have been impressing upon the Centre that the state needs additional security personnel and we are also keen to have the army take charge of anti-terrorism operations." A possible role for the army in Tripura is, however, a touchy issue since the army top brass had expressed serious reservations about jawans being engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast and Kashmir, after the Kargil war. Subsequently, the army has resumed counter-insurgency duties in Kashmir. The army is, for all practical purposes, heading and directing anti-militancy operations in the state. The home ministry feels that the sharp increase in civilian abductions in Tripura is a "matter of concern". According to available statistics, the number of militancy-related incidents in Tripura has increased from 408 last year to 466 by October this year. While the number of extremists killed was 10 in 1998, it has nearly doubled to 19 this year. Compared to 23 security personnel killed last year, casualties have shot up to 31, excluding the 18 killed last week. Incidents of looting of weapons by militants have gone up from 5 last year to 20 in 1999. The civilian death toll stands at 165 this year. (Chandan Nandy; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 23, 1999)

NEW DELHI, November 23: The Centre has rolled out a special package for surrender-cum-rehabilitation of militants in the Northeast. The scheme, evolved the Union Home Ministry, offers a number of monetary incentives and benefits to the militants who are ready to bid "farewell to arms." Though the scheme was launched from April 1 last year, it is being pursued and monitored more vigorously by the Northeast Division of the Home Ministry. Till November 10 this year, as many as 714 militants from Nagaland, Assam and Tripura have surrendered. Of them, 589 belong to the ranks of the ULFA, according to authoritative statistics available with the Home Ministry. Aimed at weaning away the "misguided youth and hardcore militants who have strayed into the folds of militancy and now find themselves trapped", the scheme seeks to ensure that the surrendered militants do not return to militancy. Though the scheme is applicable only to those who surrender with at least one weapon, in exceptional and deserving cases, even militants without any weapons may also be considered for rehabilitation. While under the "give-up-and-gain" criteria, a rocket launcher or sniper rifle fetches Rs 25,000 per piece, assault rifles of the AK-47,56 and 74 variety get Rs 15,000 per weapon. For each pistol or revolver the government would cough up Rs 3,000 and rockets would be given Rs 1,000 per piece. Each grenade, hand grenade or stick grenade would get Rs 500, the sophisticated remote control device offered Rs 3,000 each. Each improvised explosive device (IED) would get Rs 3,000 and explosive material would fetch Rs 1,000 per kg. However, the incentive given for surrender of arms will be deposited in the form of a fixed deposit in the joint name of the surrendered militant and the nominee of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) or the state government. The surrendered militant will get the deposit at the time of his leaving the rehabilitation camp. Once the modalities are over, each surrendered militant would be paid a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000 a year. The scale of stipend for various categories of militants who have laid down arms will be decided by the state governments in consultation with the Home Ministry. Though the state governments of the Northeast would implement the scheme, the Centre would provide 100 per cent reimbursement for expenditure incurred on the rehabilitation of the surrendered militants. They will be initially lodged in a rehabilitation camp where they would be imparted training in a trade or vocation of their liking or befitting their aptitude. Board and lodging will be free for a year. The Centre will make all attempts to settle them. (Vinay Kumar; The Hindu, Chennai; November 23, 1999)

IMPHAL, November 23: Suspected militants snatched 12 weapons from Manipur minister Md Hesamuddin's bodyguards at Kwakta village in Bishenpur district today. However, the rebels did not target the minister, who was inside his ancestral house in the village when the incident took place. The rebels, at least 30 in number, arrived at the minister's house in four vehicles early this morning and overpowered the 13 security personnel deployed there. Barring a stengun, the militants snatched all the weapons the guards were carrying. They subsequently fled towards the Thangjing hills in two Maruti vans and two Gypsies. Sources said not a single shot was fired by the securitymen, all of whom are from the 7 Manipur Rifles. Police have already begun an investigation into the incident. Naga and Kuki militants snatched 72 weapons from Manipur Rifles personnel in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections in Outer Manipur constituency. All these incidents are being investigated by the state home commissioner. The Union home ministry has also instituted an inquiry. Expressing concern over the spurt in such incidents, Union home minister LK Advani told Chief Minister W. Nipamacha Singh recently that the Centre would not tolerate any laxity on the part of Manipur Rifles. Sanamacha case: The Army has filed a counter-affidavit in the Gauhati High Court, challenging the inquiry into the disappearance of schoolboy Yumlembam Sanamacha from its custody. The inquiry was conducted by the Manipur East district and sessions judge in accordance with a directive from the High Court. The counter-affidavit, filed yesterday, accuses the district and sessions judge of taking cognisance of the testimonies of civilian witnesses, but ignoring the Army's version of the circumstances leading to Sanamacha's disappearance. Charging the judge with having a bias against the Army, the counter-affidavit says that he "diluted the spirit" of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, by comparing it with "civil manifestations". The counter-affidavit also states that the judge erred in assuming that the Army witnesses failed to prove their version of what led to Sanamacha's disappearance. The High Court will take up the case after two weeks. UNLF stand: The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has said entering into talks with "India" at the present juncture would be a wrong political step. No talks would be conducted till "sovereignty and independence" were on the agenda, it added. On the eve of its 35th anniversary, the central committee of Manipur's oldest insurgent outfit accused the Centre of luring Northeast rebels with "peace talks." It said the Mizo struggle, once considered the strongest force in the region, was defeated by "India" through "peace talks". Referring to the ongoing ceasefire between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), the UNLF said a faction of Naga struggle had been hooked into the process of "peace talks". (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 24, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 26: Several overground organisations based in North Bengal are trying to woo the Koch-Rajbongshis living across the border in Assam to join them in a joint struggle for a separate Kamatapur state, intelligence sources said here today. Though the Rajbongshis of North Bengal have already launched an armed struggle to carve out a separate Kamatapur state, comprising parts of Lower Assam, the Koch-Rajbongshis of Assam have so far remained noncommittal on the issue. There is a sizeable Rajbongshi population in parts of North Bengal, the sources said, adding that the Koch-Rajbongshis were one of the major tribes in Assam. "It is basically a process of looking back at their shared past ... when they ruled over a vast tract with Cooch Behar as their capital," they said. The sources said the law and order situation in North Bengal could go out of hand in the near future if preventive steps were not taken by the West Bengal government. "In case the Koch-Rajbongshis of Assam decide to join the movement, the insurgency situation in the region will take a new turn." A large number of Rajbongshi youth from North Bengal have already received training in arms at the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) camps in Bhutan, they added. The involvement of the ULFA in the still nascent Rajbongshi insurgency has set alarm bells ringing in different circles. "Once the Rajbongshi rebels gather a good arsenal and the ULFA allows them to go on the offensive, the situation will be serious, especially because of the strategic location of the so-called Kamatapur region," the sources said. They said the ULFA had propped up the Rajbongshi rebels for its own gains and the West Bengal tribals were aiding the outfit to find safe haven in North Bengal, the sources said. "Since the counter-insurgency operations in Assam were stepped up, the ULFA moved into 'safer' states like West Bengal and Meghalaya," they added. The decision to prop up Rajbongshi rebel outfits was taken by the ULFA in December 1995 at the initiative of Raju Baruah, a senior leader of the ULFA's military wing. Subsequently, the ULFA entrusted the then chairman of its Darrang district unit, Ajit Kachari, with the task of setting up the Koch-Rajbongshi Liberation Organisation (KRLO) in Lower Assam. Simultaneously, the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) was formed in North Bengal following a meeting at Kumargram. The first batch of 25 KRLO members went to the ULFA camps in Bhutan for training in December 1995. However, by the time they came to Assam in 1996, counter-insurgency operations had been stepped up in the state. "Unable to cope with the pressure, the KRLO became defunct. However, most of its members joined the Saraighat unit of the ULFA," the sources said. Several groups of the KLO also underwent training in Bhutan and are now carrying out a major extortion drive in North Bengal, the sources said. But they have not indulged in violence so far under instructions from the ULFA. "Violence will invite police action and the ULFA might lose the safe houses in North Bengal," they added. So far, the West Bengal police have not been able to make much headway against the KLO. The self-styled KLO chairman Tushar Das alias Jibon Singha managed to dupe the police for "quite some time" after being arrested, the sources said. "He kept telling the West Bengal police following his arrest in October that he was not associated with the KLO. However, he was identified by an ULFA rebel, Lakhi Saharia alias Jogen Kakoty, who was also arrested the same month from Jalpaiguri." Perhaps, the interrogation of Das will provide enough leads to swoop down on the KLO, the sources added. (Rajib Borah; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 27, 1999)

AGARTALA, November 26: The government is contemplating invoking the National Security Act to deal with insurgency in Tripura. Chief minister Manik Sarkar told newsmen, "On principle, we are against using these draconian laws. But the situation here is extraordinary." Sarkar, who returned from Delhi this morning, said Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee himself had suggested that the Act be invoked as one of the measures to quell militancy. On his discussions with the Prime Minister and Union home minister LK Advani over the situation in Tripura, Sarkar said he had also laid stress on fencing nearly 300 km of the state's 856-km long-border with Bangladesh to prevent cross-border movement of militants. "I have given the Prime Minister and home minister a detailed map showing the location of militant camps inside Bangladesh territory and sought the Centre's help," Sarkar said. On the likely availability of additional forces, he said, "Sending back the battalions withdrawn during the Kargil conflict will not do. The situation has changed qualitatively and at least 54 additional companies are required to effectively fight the insurgents." Sarkar, however, said Advani had promised to help the government in all possible ways but could not commit on 54 companies of security forces. "I have requested the home minister to convene a meeting of all Chief Ministers of the Northeast because we are all facing the same and inter-related problems," he added. Sarkar said after signing the ceasefire treaty with the Centre, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) militants were using Tripura as a corridor for transborder movement to and from Bangladesh and actively aiding the National Liberation Front of Twipra rebels here. He said he had urged Advani to discuss the issue with NSCN(IM) leadership. The Chief Minister sharply criticised the Congress for raising the demand for imposition of President's rule in Tripura, saying it was irresponsible and undemocratic. They have no right say this because these problems have been created by their 45-year-long misrule. Reacting to BJP president Kushabhau Thakre's recent statement demanding invocation of Article 356 in Tripura, Sarkar said, "We expect him to set examples by talking more responsibly." Asked if he was satisfied with his discussion with Vajpayee and Advani, Sarkar said, "There is no question of being satisfied or dissatisfied. I will be happy if the problem of militancy is permanently resolved and I hope the Centre will play a positive role now." The Chief Minister hinted that Advani might visit Tripura soon to assess the situation here. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 27, 1999)

KOHIMA, November 29: Nagaland Chief Minister SC Jamir today miraculously escaped an attempt on his life when suspected militants blew up three vehicles of his convoy and killed two policemen near Pherema, about 45 kilometres from Kohima. Official sources said the extremists laid a booby trap over a stretch of 150 metres on National Highway 39 between Piphema and Pherema by planting at least 14 improvised explosive devices. The sources said the extremists detonated the IEDs one after the other as Jamir's convoy approached the area. Jamir was coming to Kohima from Dimapur. Jamir, who escaped unhurt, was immediately taken to a security force camp from where he was flown back to Kohima by helicopter. The sources said a civilian truck coming from the opposite direction rammed into a vehicle of Jamir's convoy under the impact of the explosion injuring two people. Two more vehicles including that of Jamir were badly damaged in the explosion. The extremists who were hiding on both sides of the road opened fire as the policemen jumped out of the vehicles. Two policemen were killed on the spot. The militants also decamped with an AK-47 assault rifle and a light machine gun. Senior police and army officials rushed to the spot and a massive combing operation has been launched to apprehend the culprits. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani today expressed concern in the Lok Sabha over the attempt on Jamir's life. The matter was raised in the House by K A Sangtam (Congress). Advani said the government shared his concern over the attack. Sangtam urged the government to step up security for Jamir. The entire civilian population in the Northeast, particularly of Nagaland, was under threat by the extremists and the situation was very bad in the region, he added. His party colleague Rajesh Pilot asked the government to apprise the House of the details of the talks being conducted with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah). (UNI; Rediff.com; November 29, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 28: The law and order situation in the three Garo hill districts of Meghalaya is likely to worsen further due to the "birth" of a new Garo insurgent outfit, christened the People's Liberation Front. The A'chik National Volunteers' Council, the National Democratic Front of Boroland and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) have long been active in the three districts. These outfits have also been extorting money from villagers in parts of neighbouring Kamrup district in Assam. Kamrup superintendent of police BK Mishra told The Telegraph that the birth of a new militant outfit in Meghalaya was disclosed by a Garo youth who was arrested at Hahim in western Kamrup on November 6. The youth, Boby Marak, told interrogators that the outfit would take up cudgels on behalf of the Garos. "Marak has confessed that the People's Liberation Front has been floated to pursue the Garo cause,' Mishra said. "This could turn out to be dangerous as the people of western Kamrup are already facing problems because of militancy," he added. Mishra said it was "more or less certain" that the new Garo outfit had the ANVC's backing. The latter is fighting for a separate state for the Garos, who comprise a large section of the population of western Kamrup. The ANVC, floated in December 1995, was groomed by the NSCN (Isak-Muivah). The Garo outfit is believed to have forged links with the NDFB as well. The superintendent of police said his department was trying to ascertain whether the People's Liberation Front was the "new name" for the Garo National Front. He said the police were still in the dark about the newly- floated outfit's hierarchy. Though police believe that the People's Liberation Front is a new addition to the insurgency scene, a source said the outfit was actually a reorganised version of the Garo National Front. "It will be meaningless to have two Garo underground outfits in the same area," he said. Mishra said he was not aware of links between the Garo outfits and the Rabha National Security Force, but he did not discount the possibility of such a nexus either. "It cannot be ruled out. It seems specific areas have been earmarked for each outfit," he said. The police official said efforts were on to find out whether the new outfit was behind the attack on Assam Police Task Force personnel at Khempatoli near Boko on November 7. Three security personnel were killed in the attack along the Assam-Meghalaya border. Suspected Garo militants also attacked an Assam Police Battalion team in the area earlier this year. A policeman was killed and a few others injured in the incident. (Anirban Roy; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 29, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 29: The Nagaland Chief Minister, SC Jamir, survived an attempt on his life when militants tried to blow up his convoy of six vehicles on National Highway 39, near Piphema, about 20 km from Dimapur, at 5.48 a.m. this morning, in a series of blasts. While Jamir, who was returning from Dimapur to Kohima, escaped unhurt, two police personnel were killed and six others, including a truck driver, were injured. According to sources in the Chief Minister's office at Kohima, as many as 14 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), planted in the hills running along the Highway, were detonated one after another by remote control. Then followed an exchange of fire that continued for almost three quarters of an hour between the escorting police party and the militants. Meanwhile, the NSCN(IM) has disclaimed responsibility for the attack. Speaking on the telephone from Dimapur, NG Hungshi, "Secretary, Ministry of Information and Publicity, government of the People's Republic of Nagaland" (NSCN(IM)), told this correspondent categorically: "Since the peace process started in Nagaland, we have never been involved in any attacks or attempts on the life of politicians." Asked whether the rival Khaplang group was involved, Hungshi said he was not very sure about it, but the area where the incident had occurred was known to be a base of the "K" group. "We have reports that they are operating there, collecting taxes (read resorting to extortion) and harassing bus passengers," he said. In Kohima, the Governor, OP Sharma, condemned the attack on Jamir. "It was not an attack on an individual, but on an institution of constitutional democracy," he said in a release. (Special Correspondent; The Hindu, Chennai; November 30, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 30: The banned United Liberation Front of Asom has sent specially trained urban guerrillas to operate in different towns in the Assam and neighbouring West Bengal, official sources said. The guerrillas were trained by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam cadres at a camp in Deothang inside the jungles of Bhutan, the sources added. The guerrillas, operating in groups and led by senior cadres, had already entered Nalbari, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar and Dhubri in Assam and set up a base close to the tea gardens in Siliguri of West Bengal, the sources revealed. Their main objective was extortion of money and ensuring free movement for their cadres from the camps in Bhutan to Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the strategy group of the unified command comprising army, paramilitary forces and the police, reviewed the prevailing law and order situation and the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Assam yesterday. The army has already cautioned the people to be on the lookout for any suspicious items and instructed them to immediately report to the nearest police station or army post. Troops of 2 Mountain Division had detected an improvised explosive device on National Highway 37 near Panitola Intinsukia district yesterday. The sources suspect that the guerrillas might target VVIPs and important personnel of the state government and plant bombs at public places. (UNI; Rediff.com; November 30, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 29: The Nagaland Chief Minister escaped a bid on his life early today when militants triggered 14 simultaneous blasts and fired at SC Jamir's convoy at Piphema on NH-39, killing two of his securitymen and injuring six. This was the fourth attempt on the Chief Minister's life. Jamir was returning to Kohima from Dimapur when the convoy came under fire about 35 km from the capital. His security guards retaliated, but it was not known if the ultras suffered any casualties. Five of Jamir's seven-vehicle convoy were damaged. After a nearly half-hour shootout, Assam Rifles jawans arrived and whisked the Chief Minister away to their Medziphema battalion headquarters. A chopper later flew Jamir to Kohima. The improvised explosive devices were planted at 10-feet intervals on the rockface of the hill running along the road, and set off a minor landslide. Officials suspect that the militants had planned the blasts to set up roadblocks, making the Chief Minister an easy target. The driver of a truck running ahead of the Chief Minister's convoy lost control and hit another vehicle, injuring himself and two police guards. Though no outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack, the needle of suspicion points towards the National Socialist Council of Nagalim. Jamir and the NSCN have been harshly critical of each other. The three earlier attempts on the Chief Minister's life were also allegedly made by the NSCN. Jamir told The statesman this evening from Kohima that he had no doubt that the attack had been masterminded by the NSCN. "They have been trying to eliminate me for the last so many years. This time they had made massive preparations to kill me. They set off a series of explosions and fired at us from three sides," he said. The ultras were armed with sophisticated automatic weapons and had used a remote control to set off the blasts. The militants had a camp on the top of the hill below which the ambush was laid, the Chief Minister added. The NSCN has, however, denied its involvement. The "secretary" in the ministry of information and publicity of the "People's Republic of Nagaland", NG Hungshi, said the attack must have been carried out by forces interested in scuttling the peace process. The NSCN, he said, was sincere about finding a solution to the Naga problem through dialogue. A ceasefire is currently on between the security forces and the NSCN and several rounds of talks have been held between the underground leadership and the Centre for a solution to the over 50-year-old Naga problem. "We may have had clashes with the Khaplang group and others, but we're not interested in attacking anyone else," Hungshi said. He said the outfit was also trying to find out "through own sources" about the identity of the attackers. The NSCN(K) controls the area where the ambush was laid, he alleged. In 1972 the Centre had to withdraw a ceasefire with Phizo's Federal government of Nagaland after the then Chief Minister, Hokishe Sema, was ambushed. The Prime Minister has condemned the attack and expressed his relief that Jamir escaped unhurt. "There is no place for violence in our society and polity," Atal Behari Vajpayee told PTI. The home ministry has labelled the attempt as against the spirit of the peace process and the asipratons of the people of Nagaland. Replying to a Congress query in the Rajya Sabha, LK Advani said that the situation was serious and the Centre would definitely take note of it. But his ministry's statement, issued in New Delhi today, said the attack was made by "an underground group", not naming the NSCN. Jamir described the home ministry's stand as "most unfortunate", especially when it is "absolutely clear that NSCN militants had attacked me." The state council of ministers, at a meeting this afternoon, has decided to urge the Centre to restore the pre-Kargil strength of the Army in Nagaland. (statesman News Service; The Statesman, Calcutta; November 30, 1999)

IMPHAL, November 30: At least 96 Manipur Rifles personnel, including officers, have been suspended in connection with snatching of arms by militants over the past two months. The suspension orders came late last week after both the state government and Union home ministry took serious note of the incidents in which security personnel relinquished arms to the attackers with minimum resistance. Official sources said more suspensions were likely to follow. Of the 96 personnel, 55 are from the fifth battalion of the Manipur Rifles. The Manipur Rifles personnel had surrendered 40 weapons to the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) militants on October 6 virtually without resistance. The jawans had failed to fire a single shot after being overpowered by nearly 200 NSCN(IM) militants at Keikao village in Tamenglong district. At least 30 personnel of the ninth battalion of the Manipur Rifles personnel were also suspended in two separate incidents in Senapati district on October 4. The 9th Manipur Rifles had lost 30 weapons to the NSCN(IM) at Tunngam and Tungjoy villages on the eve of Lok Sabha elections to the Outer Manipur seat. Amnesty flays arrest: London-based Amnesty International today condemned the arrest of four human rights activists in Manipur last weekend. In a statement faxed to the Committee against Atrocities on Civilians, the international human rights body expressed concern over the steps taken by the security forces to prevent "a peaceful protest rally" here on Saturday. The four human rights activists were arrested on charges of organising a meeting in protest against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. They have refused to seek bail. "We are shocked by reports that senior police officials have told human rights activists that it is anti-national to peacefully challenge any law upheld by the Supreme Court. This makes a mockery of the concept of freedom of expression," Amnesty International said. It was on November 27, 1997 that the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958, a legislation that is in force in all insurgency-ravaged states of the Northeast. The Imphal-based Committee against Atrocities on Civilians organised the protest rally on Saturday because it coincided with the date on which the validity of the Act was upheld. Amnesty International said the four human rights activists detained by the police were "prisoners of conscience". It demanded their release immediately. It is for the first time that the London-based human rights organisation has declared anyone from Manipur a "prisoner of conscience". Amnesty International said human rights activists must be permitted to organise "peaceful" protest rallies without fear of harassment or arrest. It said activists in Assam and West Bengal protested against enforcement of the Act without any interference from the security forces. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 1, 1999)

NEW DELHI, November 30: The centre on Tuesday directed security forces in Nagaland to "come down heavily" on all violations of agreed ground rules of ceasefire with NSCN (Isak-Muivah) faction, suspected to be behind the attempt on Chief Minister SC Jamir's life on Monday, and decided to enhance their deployment. After a detailed review of the situation at meeting of top officials of the Union home ministry, it was also decided that the ground rules of ceasefire, which is valid till July 7 next year, would be implemented in "letter and spirit". Official sources said Assam Rifles has launched a massive combing operation in and around Dimapur in a bid to nab the culprits. However, a senior Army officer said in Dimapur that no operation against the NSCN(IM) has been launched by the Army. After the home ministry meeting, which was also by defence ministry representatives, the sources said "the security forces have been instructed to come down heavily on all violations of the ceasefire ground rules" which would be implemented "in letter and spirit with greater vigour." They said the ground rules would be reviewed in the light of the attack but no time frame has been fixed so far. (PTI; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; December 1, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 30: The Special Operation Unit of Assam Police swung into action in Guwahati and major towns of the state on Tuesday following intelligence reports that a 25-member ULFA hit-squad has entered the city to indulge in subversive activities. A red alert has been sounded throughout the state while an unprecedented security cover has been thrown in the city to thwart any sabotage attempt by the ULFA hitmen. Plain-clothed police personnel have been deployed in city buses, markets and other public places with a clear instruction to swing into action the moment they come across any suspicious persons. All ministers and important political persons have been advised to avoid tours at odd hours and their pilots and escort parties have been issued special instruction to be extra vigilant following intelligence reports that the rebels might target the VVIPs and senior Assam government officials. Anti-sabotage personnel of the Special Operation Unit and other armed units have been deployed at all vital locations in the city and mobile patrolling has been intensified. Meanwhile a high-level meeting of the police top brass reviewed the security measures and issued instructions to all district police heads to intensify the security measures. Sources said that the police had received a specific intelligence report that a 25-member ULFA hit squad would try to create disturbance between November 27 and 30. Security measures at all vital installations like Gauhati Refinery, Doordarshan Kendra, pipeline have also been intensified to thwart any sabotage attempt by the ULFA hit squad. Sniffer dogs have been pressed into service at Guwahati the railway station, the railway tracks and all vital installations. The Army also intensified checking operations at entry and exit point of the city besides intensifyning their regular checking and patroling duties. The Army authorities had warned the pubic to be cautious about any suspicious item, and to report it immediately to the nearest police stations or army post. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; December 2, 1999)

IMPHAL, November 30: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN(IM)) has declared that it would boycott the forthcoming seventh Manipur Assembly elections slated to be held in February next year, despite the appeal made by the Naga political leaders in the state not to boycott the polls. Johny Lamkang, deputy kilonser of the Ministry of Information and Publicity, government of the People's Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) disclosed this to a local daily reporter in Dimapur recently. He said the decision to boycott the Manipur elections was taken during the winter session of the GPRN at its Council headquarters, which concluded on November 26. However, he declined to elaborate on the course of action to be adopted if the elections are to be held despite the boycott. On the demand for formation of a union territory in Manipur on which a memorandum was also submitted to the President of India by the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM), Lamkang said that the matter did not concern the NSCN(IM). He clarified that "it was not the interest of the Nagas as the Nagas are for sovereignty." It may be recalled that all political leaders of the Nagas from various political parties had convened a meeting on November 21, and decided to participate in the Assembly elections. The leaders besides forming a committee to look after their interest, had issued an appeal to the underground outfits not to disturb the election process. Meanwhile, many political annalysts feel that the NSCN(IM)'s decision to boycott the polls will have an adverse affect on Naga political players, overground as well as underground. (S Rajendrakumar; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; December 1, 1999)