GUWAHATI, January 1: Another safe passage offer to the insurgents during the ensuing Magh Bihu is likely to enable the insurgents to celebrate the festival with their relatives and friends. This was disclosed by the General-officer-Commanding 4 Corps of the Army, Lt Gen DB Shekatkar. Talking to The Assam Tribune over telephone from the Corps Headquarter in Tezpur this evening, Lt Gen Shekatkar, who is the operational head of the Unified Command structure, said that the Army is seriously contemplating to give another safe passage offer to the ultras during the Magh Bihu. He said that the matter would be finalised in the next meeting of the Unified Command. "I firmly believe that killing of ultras is not the solution to the problem of insurgency and all avenues should be tried to bring the misguided youths to the mainstream," he added. The ten-day safe passage offer given by the state government to the militants came to an end yesterday and Lt Gen Shekatkar revealed that according to information available with the Army, 87 militants availed the offer to visit their friends and relatives despite the fact that the leaders of the insurgent outfits denounced the offer. He said that the response can be termed as positive. "You can not expect miracles in one day. It is a question of gaining the confidence of the insurgents as the youths living in the jungles of the neighbouring country Bhutan would get wrong signals from their leaders and they would think twice before coming down to avail the safe passage offer", he pointed out. He said that no major untoward incident occurred anywhere in the State during the safe passage period and the ultras who came to the state to avail the offer, also did not face any problem from the security forces. He expressed the hope that the credibility of the government's offer among the insurgents has increased after the safe passage offer this time and when the next such offer comes, the response would be much more positive. Lt Gen Shekatkar said that the some of the insurgents, who contacted the Army to avail the safe passage offer, wanted to stay back till the Bihu festival and "We have told them that they are welcome to do so if they do not create any problem. We have also told the insurgents who got in touch with us that they would be able to go back safely if they want to do so and if some of them want to stay back, they are welcome to do so." When asked about his expectations in the law and order front of the state in the new millennium, Lt Gen Shekatkar hoped that the environment in the State in the year 2,000 would be much better. He said that the overall law and order situation of Assam is improving fast. But at the same time, he cautioned that one should not get complacent about the lull in the activities of the insurgents. The security forces should remain cautious and alert to prevent the insurgents from striking and the common masses should also remain vigilant for their personal security. It may be mentioned here that the Army had stopped operations for a few days during the Bohag Bihu last year to enable the insurgents to celebrate the Assamese new year festival with their friends and relatives. That unilateral ceasefire by the Army helped in gaining the confidence of the ultras and some ULFA cadres contacted the Army immediately thereafter to express their desire for talks with the government for a political solution of the problem. Lt Gen Shekatkar said that some ULFA men, who are willing to come for talks, are still in touch with him over telephone. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 2, 2000)

TEZPUR, January 1: Sixteen Arunachal Pradesh's members of Legislative Assembly who were yet to get their personal security officers (PSOs) will be provided with PSOs soon due to the increasing security threat, said a senior official of Arunachal Pradesh government here. Talking to mediapersons here, he said shortage of manpower in the State police department has made it extremely difficult to cope up with the situation, the official said adding that the 25 police stations and 74 police outposts throughout Arunachal Pradesh have not been provided with adequate strength. It may be mentioned that in the State security review committee meeting held on October 22 last, fortynine persons of Arunachal Pradesh including ministers, MLAs, senior police and district officials were provided with security due to the threat perception because of various anti-social elements. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 2, 2000)

AIZAWL, December 31: Two persons, including a police constable were injured when suspected Manipur insurgents belonging to People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) attacked a Mizoram police outpost at Vatin, a hamlet on the border between the two states on Friday, a senior police official said, reports PTI. The rebels and the police exchanged fire for about 20 minutes during which one constable sustained injuries on his arm, Hmingdailova Khiangtn, commandant of the first battalion Mizo Armed Police told PTI here. The rebels were pushed back to the Manipur side and one of the ultras was reported to be seriously injured in the encounter, he said. (PTI; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 2, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 2: One crude pipeline of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) was blown off by suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants in the Disangpani area in Sivasagar district last night. It may be mentioned here that the incident occurred barely 24 hours after the expiry of the safe passage given to the insurgents by the state government. The Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner, LN Tamuly, told The Assam Tribune over telephone from Sivasagar this evening that the ULFA militants triggered off a powerful blast in the crude Tudor line between Lakwa and Moran near the Disang river bridge under Kakatibari police station in Charaideo subdivision of the district late last night. About 15 to 20 feet of the pipeline was blown away in the blast and the pipeline immediately caught fire. It took about an hour to extinguish the fire even as the oil supply by the pipeline was stopped immediately after the blast. As the incident took place in an isolated area, the blast did not cause any damage to life or property and the bridge over the Disang river was also not damaged, the Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner said. Tamuly said that according to estimates made by the ONGC, the total loss of crude oil due to the blast was about 150 tonne and the total loss was estimated to the tune of Rs 5 lakh. As it was only a feeder line, the refineries of the State were not affected. The line is now being restored and it would become operational from tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, the Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner revealed that the blast took place despite the fact that the security measures all over the district were tightened. He said that in December, the administration received an intelligence report that the ULFA, in a meeting held on December 4, had decided to carry out subversive activities in different parts of the State in January. He said that about ten days back, the Sivasagar district administration held a meeting with the police and the security forces and security of the vital oil installations and important bridges were tightened. However, he admitted that it is not possible to guard all the pipelines. Tamuly further said that as it was not possible to post CRPF or CISF personnel to guard all the pipelines, the ONGC engaged 25 village defence party (VDP) personnel to guard the pipelines in the areas, which were considered to be less vulnerable, by paying them a monthly stipend of Rs one thousand each. Some slackness might have creeped among the VDP personnel guarding the pipeline after celebrating the new years day, Tamuly observed. The Deputy Commissioner also said that a massive combing operation has been launched in the area and at least 10 persons including a few VDP personnel have been picked up for questioning. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 3, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 2: Seven persons were picked up for interrogation today after suspected ULFA militants blew up an ONGC pipeline in Upper Assam's Sibsagar district late last night causing fire and oil spill. According to Sibsagar deputy commissioner LN Tamuly, oil supply through the line has been restored this evening. The total monetary loss suffered by the ONGC because of the blast has been estimated at Rs 5 lakh. The blast, triggered by a time device, took place on the banks of Disangpani river. It damaged 10 ft of the pipeline carrying crude from Moran to Lakwa. The bomb was strategically placed near the bridge of the river. Sibsagar police officials said the blast took place at 10.30 pm at Saphrai village under Kakotibari police station in Saraihat sub-division of Sibsagar district, damaging the pipeline. No casualty was reported as the area was isolated with no human habitation nearby, Tamuly said. A major fire broke out at the site because of the oil spill and it took fire fighting personnel almost three hours to douse the blaze. "The sound of the blast could be heard from the Lakwa ONGC colony, which is nearly six km from the site," officials said. Senior police and ONGC officials have rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. A combing operation has been launched to nab the culprits, police sources said. ONGC officials said it would take a day to repair the pipeline. Security measures have been intensified in the area. The official said as the line belonged to the central trunk firm (CTF) which had no connection with supply of oil to the refineries, normal activities of the ONGC were not affected. The blast followed a recent announcement by the banned organisation to carry out subversive activities this month, Tamuly said, adding that the information was received by the district administration from a "secret source" and the authorities were working to ascertain its veracity and initiate counter measures. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; January 1, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 3: Assam Chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today announced the extension of the safe passage offer till January 17 after 257 militants opted for it between December 21 and New Year's eve. Addressing a news conference here this afternoon, Mahanta said only peace could bring about development and hoped that more militants would avail of the offer. Mahanta said the government would lay stress on development by focusing attention on District Rural Development Agency and the agriculture and public works departments. Emphasising on the government's success in bringing about an overall improvement in the law and order situation, Mahanta attributed the new scenario to the political will of the government and the success of the unified command structure. He, however, ruled out any unilateral ceasefire at present. Mahanta said the government has chargesheeted a number of its employees and business houses for aiding militants and had launched a drive to cut off the rebels' fund source. Inspector-general of police (special branch) N Ramachandran, who was present on the occasion, said though the ULFA central leadership were not "ecstatic" about the safe passage offer, a large number of rebels had contacted the Army and the police in this connection. Ramachandran said insurgency-related killings had declined this year. The militants had killed 214 people in 1999, 544 in 1998 and 1,337 in 1997. The Assam police, which lost 113 personnel, bore the brunt of the militants' attacks. The Central Reserve Police Force lost 33 personnel and the Border Security Force 14. Though a large number of militants were apprehended, several managed to escape due to legal loopholes. The ULFA struck hardest in Nalbari, Tinsukia and Sibsagar districts while the National Democratic Front of Boroland and the Bodo Liberation Tigers made their presence felt in Kokrajhar, Darrang and Kamrup districts. The NSCN, the Dima Halam Daoga and the Kuki National Volunteers killed 23 people in the North Cachar Hills and 18 in Karbi Anglong. Ramachandran said 199 militants were killed last year in counter-insurgency operations. "The scenario has drastically changed in the state as the militants can no more roam freely as was earlier the case," Ramachandran said. On the rehabilitation package for surrendered militants, Ramachandran said 291 insurgents were lodged in camps run by the police while 40 were with the army. Altogether 913 militants surrendered in the past two years, of which 760 were ULFA rebels, he added. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; January 4, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 3: In view of 'good response' from the militants to the safe passage offer, the State government has decided to extend the facility till January 17 so that more willing militants can visit their families. This was announced by Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta at a press conference here this afternoon in presence of the Chief Secretary, Pranab Kumar Bora and the top brass of the State police including the Director General, PV Sumant. The Inspector General of Police (Special Branch), N Ramachandran, informed that so far, 257 militants had availed of the 'safe passage' to visit their families in different parts of the State. Out of them 210 are from the ULFA, 23 are from the NDFB and the rest 24 include militants from BLT and the Karbi National Volunteers (KNV). District-wise break-up of number of militants availing safe passage is:- 10 ULFA men in Dhubri, 15 ULFA and 6 BLT ultras in Kamrup, two ULFA men in Sivasagar, eight ULFA men in Jorhat, eight ULFA and three NDFB ultras in Barpeta, 30 ULFA men in Nagaon, 45 ULFA, 14 NDFB and 11 BLT militants in Guwahati city, eight ULFA men in Nalbari, 20 ULFA men in Bongaigaon, 19 ULFA men and two BLT ultras in Goalpara, eight ULFA men in Lakhimpur, 25 ULFA men in Dhemaji, four ULFA and six NDFB in Kokrajhar, three ULFA and five KNV/KPF ultras in Karbi Anglong, four ULFA men in Tinsukia and one ULFA man in Golaghat district. The IGP informed that during the last five years 113 Assam Police personnel, 52 Armymen, 33 CRPF personnel, 14 BSF personnel, seven CISF men and 14 other men in uniform including home guard personnel were killed by militants during anti-insurgency operation. As many as 199 militants of different outfits fell prey to the bullets of securitymen during the year 1999 in comparison to 232 ultras killed in 1998. However, number of killings by the militants had come down to 383 in the year 1999 in comparison to 716 killings in 1998. The IGP attributed it to the success of the Unified Command operation against the insurgents. He said, 'The situation has improved tremendously during last couple of years. The militants no longer dare to move around in public with weapons due to constant pressure from the security forces.' The Chief Minister claimed that the present AGP-led government had shown tremendous political will to solve the insurgency problem unlike the previous Congress regime. 'Because of the AGP's stern stand against the ultras, the party has suffered in two successive Lok Sabha polls in the state,' the Chief Minister said. He also informed that incidents of extortion had come down in the state, as the government was taking every possible steps to block the flow of fund to the coffer of militant outfits. No individual, businessman and industrial house has been spared, if found, to pay money to the militants. The Chief Minister said with the co-operation from the people the situation would improve further in the coming year. The state government will lay stress in development, especially in rural development, agriculture and PWD sectors in the current year, the Chief Minister informed. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 4, 2000)

NATUN BOROLA (Barpeta), January 3: It was his decision of not bowing down to the diktats of the militants that cost him his life. Ratneswar Sharma, the correspondent of The Assam Tribune and Dainik Asam for almost a decade from Jalah, was gunned down on the afternoon of New Year's eve by two members of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in broad daylight but even in his death he kept the flag of press freedom flying. It was just another afternoon on December 31 and Sharma, 79, was about to return home in Natun Borola for lunch after seeing off the conclusion of the examinations at the Anandoram Barooa Sanskrit 'Tol'. It was in front of the 'Tol' that the two alleged killers Nageswar Kalita and Norottam Medhi, shot down the renowned Sanskrit scholar after calling him out saying that they wanted to speak to him. The erstwhile freedom fighter just had no chance. Two bullets were pumped into his temple and Sharma died on the spot. Even as the rest of the world celebrated the coming of the new millennium, the entire area was plunged into grief. The popularity of the man is evident from the fact that even a child, staying several kilometres from the home of Sharma, knows him by name. This is because he had spent an entire lifetime working for the welfare of his people and teaching several generations. In fact, his two alleged killers were also his students at one time. Sharma was killed apparently because of his steadfast refusal to file news reports that suited the plans of the militants. The issue at stake was the camp of the security forces that was set up in the vicinity of the slain teacher and journalist's village near Pathsala. Two years ago, the Border Security Force (BSF) set up the camp disrupting the activities of the militants who enjoyed a free run in the area before. Villagers say that the area was once witness to rampant militant activity with militants forcibly seeking shelter in reluctant homes by brandishing their guns. That the village, though not far from the Highway in distance but difficult to access due to the bad condition of the roads, was not regularly patrolled earlier also made it a virtual heaven for the militants. The setting up of the BSF camp had upset the militant applecart and they wanted Sharma to pressurise the authorities to ensure the shifting of the camp. It was Sharma's outright rejection of the militants' demand that finally led to his killing. The kind-hearted man was killed just three days after the BSF vacated the camp for the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). It was taking advantage of the CRPF's relative unfamiliarity with the area that the militants decided to strike. More than three days after his gruesome killing, Sharma's widow, Bhubaneswari Devi, 70, sits cowered in a small room silently grieving the loss. Sharma's four sons and daughter have all come to the village to face the tragedy together. The Sharma home is still crowded by a horde of relatives and friends who have come from far and near to share the family's grief. "My brother never thought ill of anyone and it is difficult to comprehend why he had to die such a violent death,' says one of the slain journalist's brothers, Arobindo Sharma. Ratneswar Sharma, despite his age, was a fit man. Though suffering from mild high blood pressure, he had sharp eyesight and was a stickler on discipline. He took classes without fail and was a multi-faceted teacher capable of teaching Sanskrit, English and social sciences. "He was never late for work and put even the young teachers to shame in this regard," says Lakhinarayan Goswami, who identifies himself as Sharma's 'co-worker.' Sharma was an MA in Sanskrit, which he completed while teaching, a profession in which he was involved from a very young age. During the height of the Quit India movement, Sharma was jailed for sometime in 1942 because of his active involvement in he freedom struggle. He started his teaching career in town but returned to his village to work for his co-villagers. Relatives say that while returning, Sharma had reasoned that he loved working for the children of his village more than money. It was two of those same students that took his life. The two killers were regular visitors to the Sharma home and none ever imagined that they would cause a tragedy to befall the family. On the day he was killed. Sharma had promised his wife to come back in time for lunch. Having kept all his promises and fulfilled all his commitments through his life, this was one promise that he could not keep. (Anujata Das Talukdar; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 4, 2000)

AIZAWL, January 3: Myanmar rebels working mainly for the Chin National Army (CNA) were depositing huge amounts, illegally collected as tax money from the Chin independent state, at their Mizoram-based 'information centre', a Home Ministry note claimed. The note, while pinpointing to a latest deposit, said that self-styled sergeant Pawnge of the CNA had deposited Rs 30,000 at the organisation's Aizawl-based 'information centre' on December 15, 1999. According to the note, the Chin rebels, fighting for a sovereign state within Myanmar, were collecting tax mainly from transporters and businessmen operating near the Indian border. (UNI; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 4, 2000)

AGARTALA, January 5: The Tripura government had decided to implement National Security Act (NSA) on the militants and to constitute voluntary village defence parties (VDP) to combat increasing insurgency in the state. A three-member advisory board headed by a judge of the Gauhati High Court would be constituted for the implementation of NSA in the State, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar told newsmen here last night while briefing the decisions of the state Cabinet. As per the recommendation of the Gauhati High Court, the state government has already forwarded the name of Justice ML Singha to act as the chairman of the advisory board to the State, Sarkar said. The Chief Minister said the Cabinet had decided to set up village defence parties to help combat the extremists menace. A Bill in this context would be introduced in the next session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 6, 2000)

IMPHAL, January 6: At least nine Assam Rifles personnel were killed and another eight were injured in an ambush by militants at Lamlai in Imphal East district of Manipur this evening. Police sources said a convoy of security forces was ambushed when they were on way to Imphal from Ukhrul district on the Ukhrul-Imphal road. The ambush came in the wake of the ongoing tour of Chief of Army Staff VP Malik in the Northeast. Police said a combing operation has been launched in the area. (UNI; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 7, 2000)

KOHIMA, January 6: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) today questioned the Centre's sincerity in finding an amicable settlement to the vexed Naga problem. While reiterating its commitment towards a negotiated settlement, the NSCN alleged that the Centre was not interested in resolving the problem even after its assurances to the people and had "maintained a studied silence over the violation of ceasefire ground rules by security forces and the state police." "It appears that all provocative activities of the Assam Rifles and the state police have the Centre's tacit support. This clearly indicates the lack of sincerity and seriousness on the part of the Union government in finding a solution to the problem," NSCN(IM) information and publicity secretary Ng. Hungshi said in a statement today. Hungshi said the Assam Rifles had arbitrarily closed down the NSCN(IM) ceasefire monitoring cell office at Dimapur on December 1 following the ambush on Chief Minister SC Jamir's convoy on November 29. Security forces also arrested 17 activists in connection with the incident. Despite the odds, the outfit was committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem, Hungshi claimed, adding that the organisation was maintaining "utmost restraint even in the face of provocation by Assam Rifles and the state police." "Efforts to find a lasting solution to the Naga imbroglio have been jeopardised with the forcible closure of the monitoring cell office and stepped-up operation by security forces against NSCN(IM) cadre," the publicity secretary said. He said it was ironic that the Centre had remained silent over such developments when security forces and the state police disregarded the assurances given by the Prime Minister in solving the problem. The current ceasefire between the Centre and the NSCN(IM) expires on July 31. The ceasefire came into effect in August 1997 when both sides agreed to a negotiated settlement. Nagaland Cong: The Nagaland PCC has taken exception to former Chief Minister Vamuzo Phesao's comments on the "16-point agreement". It said the pact between the Centre and the then Naga leaders "accommodated" the aspirations of the majority of the Nagas. Wondering as to how Vamuzo could dub the agreement, which led to the formation of Nagaland state in 1963, as "outdated", the NPCC said, "His condemnation of the pact is in fact a condemnation of himself because Vamuzo was a legislator and the Chief Minister (of the Nagaland state)". The NPCC said Vamuzo was confusing the issue of statehood with the on-going dialogue between the NSCN(IM) and the Centre for an amicable settlement of the Naga political problem. The Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM), a regional party, has refuted the Congress claim that the 16-point agreement has solved the Naga problem. "If this were so, there would not have been any more fighting or the need for further negotiations to settle the unresolved political problem", former Chief Minister and NDM president Hokishe Sema said. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; January 7, 2000)

KOHIMA, January 6: A near riot broke out inside Dimapur central jail yesterday when prisoners assaulted a policeman and pelted stones at others, jail authorities said today. The situation was brought under control after police reinforcements arrived. A departmental probe is being conducted to ascertain the circumstances leading to the situation inside the high-security prison. Reports reaching here said trouble started when a police party, led by a sub-inspector, went to the jail on "confidential assignment" and tried to segregate the 270-odd inmates. In the process, a police constable slapped an inmate, provoking others to react, the prisoners alleged, adding that the constable was inebriated. The police said the inmates also manhandled the sub-inspector and others who tried to intervene. The prisoners reached the front courtyard of the prison and started pelting stones on the police personnel. The jail authorities are probing the incident. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; January 7, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 7: Two battalions of the Border Security Force (BSF) deployed in Barpeta and Bongaigaon districts have been shifted to Manipur, highly-placed official sources disclosed today. The sources said that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have already taken over the charge in these districts for counter insurgency operations. It may be mentioned here that these battalions were deployed just three years back in the districts to contain militancy and during the period they achieved desired results in this regard. The sources informed that the BSF battalions will be used for counter insurgency operations in Manipur. Manipur has been tense for the past several years due to stepped up activities of the insurgent groups, and hence the Home Ministry has taken the decision. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 8, 2000)

IMPHAL, January 7: The women's wing of the banned People's Liberation Army (PLA) was behind yesterday's bomb attack on Assam Rifles in Imphal East district. Seven Assam Rifles personnel were killed and 10 more seriously injured when three PLA women guerrillas blasted two improvised explosive devices simultaneously when the Assam Rifles convoy was crossing the Pungdongbam-Etam bridge on the Imphal-Ukhrul road. The blast was so powerful that the truck in which the soldiers were travelling was damaged beyond repair. Twelve weapons, including 10 self-loading rifles and two carbines along with 50 magazines were also destroyed. A spokesperson for the PLA's women's wing has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the explosive was planted and detonated by a "bomb squad". Assam Rifles officials here also confirmed the involvement of the women militants. They said three women had detonated the improvised explosive device from behind a school building. They were also seen escaping after the blast, the officials added. It was the most successful campaign for the militant oufit's women's wing and the third major operation in the past few years. Earlier, the women activists had snatched arms from security guards of a nationalised bank at Kakching in Thoubal district in 1998. A PLA woman cadre was also killed in the Imphal East district in 1998 when a bomb she was handling exploded because of a technical snag. In a follow-up action, Assam Rifles troops launched a series of search operations today in several parts of Imphal East and West districts. Some suspects have been rounded up for interrogation, Assam Rifles sources said. Talking to The Telegraph today, Col Amulya Mohan of Assam Rifles said the condition of the injured jawans, except one, was stable. He said the post mortem of the soldiers was completed today and the bodies will be sent to their native places tomorrow. The seven slain personnel have been identified as havildar DK Maiti (West Bengal), riflemen Harish Singh (Uttar Pradesh), Suva Singh (Rajasthan), Radheyshyam Yadav (Uttar Pradesh) and Jagdish. (Oinam Sunil; The Telegraph, Calcutta; January 8, 2000)

KOHIMA, January 7: The Centre is seriously considering lifting of the ban on NSCN and revocation of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Nagaland to pave the way for settlement of the vexed Naga political problem. Prime Minister's emissary for Naga political talks K Padmanabhaiah disclosed this recently when a delegation of two regional parties met the former in New Delhi. The chief interlocutor also disclosed before the delegation that the government was considering granting 'amnesty' to NSCN, said former Chief Minister and Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM) president Hokishe Sema. A delegation comprising senior leaders of Nagaland People's Council (NPC) and NDM last month met various senior leaders, including Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, and apprised them of Nagaland situation. However, Padmanabhaiah didn't specify whether amnesty, if granted, would be applied to both NSCN factions or to a particular group. It may be recalled that recently NSCN(K) information and publicity wing said the outfit can consider sitting in negotiating table with the government if the latter lifts the ban on NSCN and revokes the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and Disturbed Area Act. Hokishe Sema urged the Centre to spell out its mind for a lasting solution to the decades-old Naga political problem and assured the regional parties' helps and co-operation to a negotiated settlement. The veteran Naga leader disclosed that during the meeting with the Prime Minister, Vajpayee was worried over the ongoing extortion in Nagaland and requested the regional parties to play their roles in checking such unlawful activities. On the complex issues of "integration of Naga inhabited areas," the delegation told the Central leadership that this important aspect of Naga political struggle should not be put into the backburner. In this connection Hokishe Sema admitted the complexity of the issue under the present context, but insisted that the Nagas inhabiting outside State of Nagaland should spell out what they want. A serious attempt must be made to sort out this contentious issue of integration by taking into consideration the views and opinions from all the contending parties. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 8, 2000)

AGARTALA, January 7: A total of 65 huts of 38 tribal families have been set ablaze by insurgents of the banned National Liberation Front of Twipra (NLFT) in three villages of South Tripura district forcing about 50 people to take shelter elsewhere, police said on Friday, reports PTI. The ultras armed with sophisticated weapons raided Kashi Chandrapara, Rambhaktapara and Bhaktamohan Maluumpara and set ablaze 65 houses on Thursday police said, adding, the ultras also opened fire to scare the villagers and threatened of dire consequences if they tried to resist. Earlier on January 5 last, ultras of the same outfit set ablaze 10 huts in the area. Official sources said the affected members had taken shelter elsewhere and were provided with government relief. The ruling CPI(M) claimed that the affected persons belonged to their party and condemned the incident. Tension prevailed high in the area and security forces were deployed to defuse tension and avoid further untoward incidents, police said. (PTI; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 8, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 8: Despite strict vigil at the security forces, the Adivasi Cobra Force, a militant outfit has reportedly intensified its activities in different parts of Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon districts. The outfit, which was constituted during the 'Kokrajhar riot' to protect the identity of the Adivasi people is understood to have collected funds from various sources to carry out its 'armed struggle'. According to official sources although the militant group was formed in 1992 somewhere in Kokrajhar district, it was maintaining a low profile due to lack of cadres. But, from the last year the Cobra Force has been collecting funds and recruiting youths in several parts of lower Assam, the sources added. The sources informed that the insurgent group has started mobilising the Adivasi people particularly in the Tea gardens areas for launching a armed struggle to protect their identity. The militant group has reportedly collected funds from the people having 'soft corner' towards the organisation and the funds are mainly used for providing training to the newly-recruited cadres. The sources, however maintained that most of the cadres of the organisation are being trained along the Kokrajhar border by its senior cadres. 'The outfit does not have any foreign links, but it is trying to establish contacts with the frontal militant groups of the Northeast to have sophisticated guerrilla training on foreign soil, the sources informed. Commenting on the strength of the army wing of the Cobra Force, they revealed that at present it has 150 armed cadres and they are used for raising funds and to expand the activities of the organisation. 'Supal Murmu and Guru Murmu of Kokrajhar district are the self-styled commander in chief (C-in-C) and the president respectively. The other senior members of the organisation are - Chuka Soren (general secretary), Pyarelal Soren (publicity secretary) and Hopna Soren, is the vice president, the sources said adding that Supal Murmu, the self-styled C-in-C is monitoring the army wing and fund collection while the president is entrusted with the responsibility to expand the activities of the organisation. Giving details about the arsenal power of the militant group, they disclosed that according to the arrested members, it has only 50 weapons including SLRs and 303, which were mostly snatched from the State police and the government Railway Police (GRP). 'They (arrested militants) also revealed that during 1996, the outfit tried to bring a huge consignment of arms and ammunition from a top militant group of Bihar across the West Bengal border, but the consignment was confiscated by police there,' the sources informed. The sources are of the view that the Cobra Force still has good links with the militant groups of Bihar. In view of growing activities of the group patrolling has been intensified along the Kokjhar border, they said. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 9, 2000)

SHILLONG, January 8: Union Minister for Commerce and Industries Murasoli Maran was momentarily stunned and embarrassed when a city-based lady scribe asked him "Please identify yourself!" The Union Minister, who had just walked into the conference hall of Hotel Polo Towers this morning to address a Press conference, started his briefing without any introduction. Maran, however, quickly regained his composure and lamely blurted out, "I don't know your identity as well." He then introduced himself and his colleague Union Power Minister PR Kumaramangalam. The entire press here was highly annoyed at the attitude of the Delhi officials of various ministries as well as Army authorities who remained incommunicado during the high-level exchanges between India and Myanmar in the last two days. Not only was the conference held in-camera but no briefing was organised by the concerned authorities. None was willing even to confirm the holding of the bilateral conference. "Are you an ISI agent, why are you so interested about the conference?" a senior Army officer retorted brusquely when a senior scribe sought information about the conference. (Special Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; January 9, 2000)

GUWAHATI, January 9: Arrested United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) leader Chitra Dihingia and his four accomplices were today remanded in police custody for 12 days. Dihingia was arrested along with four senior ULFA leaders from the central publicity office of the banned outfit at Upper Lachumere in Shillong yesterday. The five militants, two of whom are women, were brought to the city yesterday. They were produced before the Kamrup district chief judicial magistrate this afternoon. Additional superintendent of police (city) PK Dutta said the militants have been booked under Section 25 of the Arms Act and Sections 121, 121 (a) and 10/13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He said the case of the five arrested militants has been taken up by Basistha police. The five militants are being interrogated by top police officials. A senior official said they have got certain vital clues from the arrested militants. "The seized documents are being scrutinised thoroughly," the official said, expressing the hope that it will throw more light on the outfit's activities. The police are likely to carry out a series of raids on the ULFA's hideouts. Apart from Dihingia, the two other captured rebels are Pradip Bora alias Dipak Bora and Bimal Chetri alias Bimal Saikia. The two female activists are Juli Bora alias Roma Deka and Sanghamitra Bora, wife of top ULFA leader Swapnanil Deka Raja. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; January 10, 2000)

AGARTALA, January 11: The non-tribals in North Tripura's Dhalai district are preparing to launch a fresh agitation against militancy. The Bengalis in the Kumarghat, Fatikroy and Kanchanbari areas have come together under the banner of Kumarghat Nagarik Suraksha Samity (KNSS) for the purpose. The agitation was initially confined to the Kumarghat and Fatikroy areas. The Bengalis from nearby Kanchanbari and Dudhpur areas started joining the KNSS after National Liberation Front of Twipra militants massacred five persons in Sripur under Fatikroy police station on December 8. Sources said a convention of the KNSS would be held at Kumarghat on Sunday. The move comes in the wake of fresh "tax" notices issued by NLFT militants to businessmen and the motor syndicate in Kumarghat. They had earlier refused to pay the "tax". But the outfit sent a fresh notice early this month seeking a payment of over Rs 10 lakh. It warned of dire consequences if the "tax" was not paid by the end of January. Sources said shortly after receiving the notice, all clubs, businessmen and motor vehicle owners in the Kumarghat and Fatikroy areas held a meeting where they unanimously decided not to buckle under militant threat. They also decided to close all business establishments, the sources added. Conversion issue: Forced conversion of tribals to Christianity by NLFT militants has become a major issue again. Official sources in Dhalai district said more than 800 tribals were converted to Christianity in Longtarai valley sub-division and over 200 Reangs were converted on January 1, sources in Kanchancherra sub-division added. The sources said "NLFT militants and their patrons in the church" were capitalising on the failure of the Left Front government to implement development schemes and provide employment opportunities to the rural poor. "In many places church activists are offering monthly wages and allowances to poor tribals who opt for money rather than faith to stave off starvation," sources said. Besides, promises of free education for tribal children and threats to life are also being used by the church and the militants for conversion, they added. Commenting on the situation, leader of the Opposition Samir Ranjan Barman said, "The Left Front government, through its all-round failure, has created a situation where this kind of a thing will continue to happen". The Opposition parties in Tripura have been clamouring for imposition of President's rule in the state for a long time following the deteriorating law and order situation. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; January 12, 2000)

KOHIMA, January 11: A senior government doctor and seven policemen have been arrested following the escape of an undertrial from the Naga civil hospital here. Police said surgeon Atoshe Sema was arrested yesterday on charges of criminal conspiracy. He was produced before a magistrate. Seven policemen, arrested earlier for dereliction of duty, were produced before the court on Saturday. They were remanded to judicial custody. Police said Sema was arrested because he refused to hand over National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Khaplang) militant Mathang Lotha to the police, who wanted to shift him to Dimapur central jail, on grounds of ill health. Lotha, NSCN(K)'s regional chairman, had got himself admitted to the hospital after receiving injuries in a clash with a rival faction on December 20. When the city police came to know about his admission to the hospital, they arrested him under the National Security Act (NSA) and wanted to shift him to the high-security Dimapur central jail. But when a police team went to the hospital on Friday, Sema refused to hand over the patient, saying he could not be shifted as his condition was serious, the city police said. The undertrial escaped from the hospital the next morning through a window even as police personnel stood guard outside the cabin, they added. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; January 12, 2000)

IMPHAL, January 14: The authorities of the Loktak hydroelectric project have agreed to resume work following an assurance by the Manipur government to provide adequate security in the project area. State power minister Govindas Konthoujam said additional CRPF companies have been deployed in the project area at Ningthoukhong and Kom Keirap after project chief engineer Subhash Chandra Sher was gunned down by militants on Wednesday. The banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) has claimed responsibility for killing the chief engineer. In a statement released here, the KYKL said Sher was "punished" for stubbornly refusing to pay them "tax". The outfit has warned other government officials as well. Loktak power project officials refused to disclose how much money the KYKL had demanded from the chief engineer. Sher's predecessor, RP Sehgal, had also been attacked by militants in Bishenpur. But he had survived as he had been travelling in a bullet-proof car, official sources said. Sher's murder has shocked the National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC), which is running the Loktak project. It had threatened to pull out all its employees from different power projects in the Northeast. Three high-level NHPC teams headed by director (personnel) AI Buneet, executive director (projects) AK Gangopadhyay and security advisor Alloor had rushed to Imphal yesterday to take stock of the situation. The NHPC team today held a marathon meeting with state government officials led by state Chief Minister W Nipamacha Singh. Senior police, CRPF and BSF officials also attended the meeting. The power minister, who took part in the meeting, said the NHPC officials agreed to resume work only after the Chief Minister assured them of foolproof security. The state government has also agreed to guard residential quarters of the families of the project officials. The NHPC team was pacified by these assurances, official sources added. Official sources said the militants were able to sneak into the project area as the Army had been pulled out of the state for the Kargil operations. Earlier an Army brigade had been posted at the project area. An Assam Rifles battalion, which was moved in after the Army's departure, was also pulled out recently from the area for counter-insurgency operations. Assam Rifles officials said no troops have been posted in the area since last month. Three CRPF companies were posted at the project area but this was not enough. An additional CRPF company was rushed to the area yesterday. The state power minister said another CRPF company will be deployed there soon. Chief minister Nipamacha Singh has strongly condemned Sher's killing. The state government has urged the Union home ministry to raise a separate security force for guarding the Loktak project. Official sources said the Union home ministry has given a green signal to the state's proposal. (Oinam Sunil; The Telegraph, Calcutta; January 15, 2000)