NEW DELHI, May 3: The socio-economic problems faced by the Bodos were taken up at the first round of tripartite talks between the Centre, Assam government and BLTF, held in New Delhi. The two-day meeting, which began on May 1, was held after the ground rules for the ceasefire were finalised. The Centre's delegation was led by additional secretary (home) PD Shenoy and comprised other of home ministry officials, including joint secretary (Northeast division) GK Pillai and Jitender Bir Singh. Assam was represented by secretary Binay, additional director-general of police H.K. Dekha, and inspector-general of police Ramachandran. The five-member BLTF delegation was led by its chairman Hagrama Basumatary and included vice chairman Kamal Masahari and publicity secretary Mainao Daimary. There were stray incidents of violations of the ground rules from both the sides - the government as well as the BLTF - but this was sorted out at April 10 meeting of ceasefire monitoring committee, an official spokesperson said. There was a combination gap at the highest level and the orders took time to percolate down to the grassroots level, which resulted in the violation of the rules, an official said. Describing the stray incidents, the official said that despite suspension of operation some BLTF members were found to be indulging in extortion and killings. Similarly, the Army is said to have raided hideouts and shot dead a few BLTF members in its operations against the militants in Assam. After the discussions, the BLTF delegation called on home minister LK Advani and stressed upon the need for solution to the problems of the Bodoland. The next round of talks will be held in June, the spokesperson added. Since this year, the BLTF has been involved in two incidents, where in nine of its members were killed, six were injured and three surrendered. (Correspondent; The Asian Age; New Delhi; May 4, 2000)

TURA, May 2: The A'chik National Volunteers' Council (ANVC), a militant group based in the Garo Hills, has issued a warning to eliminate members of its group who have surrendered and has also extended its threat to target the surrendered cadre's family members. In a letter to certain newspaper organisations, the outfit stated that this decision was taken in its 'cabinet meeting' in order to prevent further surrenders by the members of the outfit, who, they allege, have fallen prey to the temptation of the financial package announced by the state government. The outfit had been alarmed in recent times over the manner in which members of its group have deserted it and come overground. Ever since the government announced the rehabilitation package to surrenderees, as many as six cadres have surrendered - four from West and two from East Garo Hills. The leaders of the outfit claimed that those who had surrendered were not dedicated cadres and further warned that if the members of its outfit were unable to eliminate the surrenderees in the stipulated time given due to various reasons, then the family members of the surrenderees would be targeted. The outfit, however, gave the 'option' to its cadres that they may quit provided they gave back their weapons, the expenses incurred by the outfit in training them and did not join any other group or surrender to the police. The outfit has even warned the family members of the cadres of dire consequences if they tried to persuade them to surrender. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 4, 2000)

GUWAHATI, May 3: After a major setback due to surrender of several senior cadres, the leadership of the banned ULFA has set up camps in Bangladesh to provide training to new cadres. According to highly-placed official sources, 50-odd cadres of the militant group are undergoing training at Kamalganj in Maulavi Bazar district in association with a retired officer of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR). "Mustafa Ahmed, the retired officer of the BDR, had set up camps last year after a discussion with the leadership of the ULFA," sources said. They further informed that 25 cadres in another camp are being trained in the close vicinity of Adampur village in the district. Giving the rationale behind the move of the insurgent group sources said that the ULFA leaders are worried over the stepped up activities of Royal Bhutan Army (RBA), against the insurgent groups living in the territory. The RBA has intensified its patrolling following the activities of the ULFA and the NDFB. The RBA has reportedly deployed two additional wings in Sarbhang and Gelekphu respectively to contain the movement of the militants. Sources further informed that after the development the militant group is concentrating more on Bangladesh to avoid clashes with either security forces or RBA. In this context, they, however said that ULFA has still stronghold in the border districts of Bhutan taking advantage of its hilly terrain. Giving more details about the new training camps, sources disclosed that these camps were set up last year in association with a mafia group which often provides arms and ammunition to the militant group. "Although ULFA had set up camps in Bangladesh during 1990 yet due to some reasons the leaders could not take advantage," they said, adding that the new camps have been set up with an eye to get more foreign links. Sources also said that the banned militant group is likely to increase power on Bangladesh territory to strengthen its armed cadres who are demoralised in view of surrender of senior members. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 4, 2000)

NEW DELHI, May 4: The Manipur government has made top level changes in the administration, police and revenue establishments, as part of various measures suggested by the Union home ministry to make the state machinery more effective in handling escalating insurgency. Manipur deputy chief minister L Chandramani Singh informed Union home minister Lal Krishna Advani about this on Thursday, while submitting a compliance report on the suggestions made by the home ministry some time back to curb the militancy in the state, an official spokesperson of the home ministry said. The Manipur deputy chief minister was accompanied by six ministers, including the state finance minister. During the meeting, which was also attended by Union minister for sports and youth affairs SS Dhindsa and top home ministry officials, Singh stated that the Manipur government had made top level changes in the administration and police hierarchy to arrest the deterioration in law and order situation, the Union home ministry officials told The Asian Age. Due to the reports about misappropriation of the government funds, some revenue and development administration officials also have been shifted from their posts, Singh added. Manipur deputy chief minister also submitted a memorandum to the home minister on security-related matters, including an action plan for prevention of loss of weapons, said the home ministry spokesperson. Several incidents that have come to light were those of arms and ammunition used by the security forces being looted by the militants. In certain cases, out of fear, the policemen used to hand over weapons to the militants after failing to meet the challenge. (Correspondent; The Asian Age; Guwahati; May 4, 2000)

GUWAHATI, May 3: The advocate-general of Mizoram government, Pranab Pathak, placed the report of enquiry conducted by Mizoram government regarding charges framed against G Grinder Muivah, relative of NSCN(IM) leader T Muivah, before the High Court today. The enquiry was conducted by Mizoram government following the April 12, 2000, directive of the High Court asking the Mizo government to constitute a high-level committee to probe the charges against G Grinder Muivah. The April 12 directive of the High Court was passed on a petition filed by Grinder Muivah seeking quashing of the case registered against him by Mizoram Police. In course of the proceedings before the court Tuesday, Nandita Haksar, Advocate for Grinder Muivah, made a prayer for impleading the civil aviation ministry as a party to the case. The prayer was allowed by Justice HK Sema. As Haksar wanted certain further directions to be issued to the civil aviation ministry, the High Court fixed the case for further order on May 4 next and permitted Haksar to give notice to the senior Central government Standing Counsel, KK Mahanta so that he can be present in the court on May 4. On the next date the High Court is expected to take up the further prayer of the petitioner who is seeking quashing of the case registered against him at Aizawl, in connection with which he was arrested and subsequently released by the police. In his petition, Grinder Muivah alleged that one K Ranju Rangan was arrested by the Mizoram Police when he visited Mizoram posing as the Director of Civil Aviation and made attempts to inspect and visit certain sensitive sites in Lengpui Airport at Mizoram. It was alleged in the FIR that Ranju Rangan visited Mizoram posing as a Director of Civil Aviation in order to make a preliminary study for hijacking a plane and that he was working at the behest of NSCN(IM) faction. The petitioner G Grinder Muivah alleged that due to torture inflicted on Ranju Rangan, the petitioner was named and arrested thereafter in connection with the GR case No. 308/2000 registered in Aizawl under various sections of the IPC, the Anti-hijacking Act and the Official Secrets Act. The petitioner alleged that he has been falsely implicated in the case and the accused Ranju Rangan had to give a statement against the petitioner because of the torture in the custody. In the enquiry report submitted before the court today it was found that the accused Ranju Rangan was not tortured by Mizoram Police and in fact, he had never made such allegation against Mizoram Police. (Law Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 4, 2000)

GUWAHATI, May 4: Concerned over the growing threat posed by the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the Union home ministry recently held a meeting with the state police heads to impress upon the need for taking necessary steps to check the activities of the Pakistani agency. Official sources said here today that the state director-general of police and the additional DGP of the Intelligence Branch attended the meeting in which the Union Home minister requested every police officer to remain alert to thwart the designs of the ISI. Sources said that the threat posed by the ISI to create disturbance in the country was discussed in detail in the meeting with case study of the ISI activities in Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. It said that the threat posed by the Pakistani agency to create disturbance in India has become more serious now as after Kargil war Pakistan has realised that it would not be possible for them to cause any serious harm to India through conventional wars. Sources pointed out that the change in the demographic pattern has provided the ISI with a fertile ground to carry on its activities in Assam. According to information available Bangladesh is being used as the launching pad by the ISI sponsored militant outfits to visit Pakistan for training. A number of ULFA and members of Muslim militant outfits visited Pakistan for training through Bangladesh and 17 such Muslim militants were nabbed in different parts of the state last year. Sources revealed that one ISI activist Belal alias Lalu Main, arrested in 24 Paragana district of West Bengal recently, told the security forces during questioning that he had met two boys from Assam in a training camp in Pakistan. Belal is one of the accused in the Indian Airlines plane hijacking case. Meanwhile, official sources revealed that several ISI backed Muslim militant outfits are trying to strengthen their base in Assam, It said that two such outfits - Muslim United Liberation Front of Asom and the Muslim Liberation Tigers of Assam have recently joined hands to form the United Muslim Liberation Front of Asom (UMLFA). According to information available with the security forces, the outfit has about 200 trained cadres and some of them were trained in Pakistan. However, the outfit is quickly expanding its base and the members have not indulged in any serious acts of violence, sources added. The most disturbing fact is that the outfit has links with a few political leaders. Sources, however, refused to divulge the names of the political leaders. The main aim of the outfit is the creation of an Islamic state and to create communal tension sources added. Another Muslim militant outfit Islamic Union for Reformation Protest in India has been formed recently and the members of the outfit are indulging in collection of funds in some parts of Assam. Though nothing much is known about the outfit as yet, it is known that it has established quite a strong base in the Dhubri district, sources added. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 5, 2000)

GUWAHATI, May 4: After perusing the enquiry report submitted by Mizoram government regarding charges framed against G Grinder Muivah, a relative of NSCN(IM) leader T Muivah, Justice H K Sema of the Gauhati High Court today observed that no torture was apparently inflicted on K Ranju Rangan, accused for conspiring to hijack a plane in association with Grinder at the behest of NSCN. Earlier, in his petition G Grinder Muivah alleged that accused Ranju Rangan was tortured while in custody of Mizo Police in order to force him to name the petitioner in the alleged conspiracy to hijack a plane from Langpui Airport of Mizoram. However, after Justice Sema made the observation during the proceedings in the court today, Nandita Haksar, advocate of Grinder Muivah, referring to certain documents annexed to the Mizoram government report said she could prove that torture was meted out to Ranju Rangan while in custody. She further said the torture was carried out not by Mizoram Police but by personnel from the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB). She said she wanted to give reply affidavit on the enquiry report submitted by Mizo government. Haksar further submitted that as Ranju Rangan was arrested while posing as a director of Civial Aviation, government of India and trying to inspect certain sensitive sites at Lengpui airport the ministry of civil aviation might have conducted an enquiry on its own into the case. She wanted the enquiry report of the ministry of civil aviation, if any, to be presented in the court. In response to her prayer, the court gave three weeks time to the Additional Central government lawyer, D Sur, file the enquiry report of the ministry, if any, before the court. D Sur, today pointed out to the court that though the SIB - which is alleged to have tortured Ranju Rangan - fell under the ministry of home affairs , the ministry was yet to be made a party to the case. The court today fixed the case for further order on June 8, 2000. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 5, 2000)

AGARTALA, May 4: NLFT militants shot dead three CPI(M) supporters in Sidhai police station area last night and burnt down their houses. All the victims are tribals and belonged to one family. The NLFT attack came within hours of the second phase Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections. In another incident, four power department employees were abducted from North Tripura district yesterday. The employees were repairing a power line in remote Langtarai valley hill range when they were abducted. Meanwhile, the second phase of ADC polls on Wednesday passed off by and large peacefully with no extremist-related violence being reported from any place while an uneasy calm prevailed all over the state. However, during the elections to 12 constituencies spread mainly over North and South Tripura districts there were some sporadic clashes between CPM and IPFT supporters in which five persons were injured. The ruling CPM alleged large-scale rigging and booth capturing by IPFT workers along with armed NLFT militants in civil dress. The ADC Election Commissioner Sudhir Sharma said 65 per cent vote was cast in the second phase. The first phase of polls held in 15 constituencies on April 30 last registered 60 per cent voting while the Left Front demanded repolls in 138 booths out of 424 in view of alleged IPFT rigging. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 5, 2000)

AGARTALA, May 4: Tripura government is planning to book many political leaders under National Security Act (NSA) for their links with outlawed militant organisation NLFT. Although NSA was enforced in Tripura three months ago, so far the state government was soft-pedalling on detention under the Act. Only four persons were arrested under NSA so far. But during the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections links between militants and political leaders particularly Indigenous People Front of Tripura (IPFT) were alleged. In fact NLFT openly supported IPFT and at gun-point carried out election campaigns and booth captures as well. Sources said the state government is under tremendous pressure from the ruling Left Front to use NSA against IPFT leaders. The Left Front was mainly at the receiving end of NLFT offensives while many of their party cadres were killed and candidates' close relatives were kidnapped. They were also forced by the rebels to work for IPFT. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 5, 2000)

AIZAWL, May 4-With the impasse over the abduction of three Mizos by a Reang outfit continuing, a group called 'Mizo Protection Force' (MPF) on Thursday demanded that they be released before May 12. A junior engineer Lalchhanhima and section assistant Jolly Lalzawmliana of state Public Health Engineering (PHE) department were abducted on April 15, while Lalnunfela, a private school teacher was taken away on April 19 by Bru National Liberation Force (BNLF) which has demanded Rs 60 lakh ransom. The deadline set by BNLF had expired on May 2 as the state government has taken all steps to secure the safe release of the kidnapped three, along with six NEEPCO personnel. Police are keeping a strict vigil on adjacent Bangladesh-Tripura border areas, while two religious leaders, sent by the government to negotiate with BNLF, have made contact with the outfit's leaders, official sources said. MPF president Richard Lalrinluia in a statement demanded that the three Mizos be released before May 12 or "face the wrath of the Mizos." In the event of BNLF not complying with the demand, the MPF would use "guerrilla tactics" to secure their release and all Reangs in the state would be issued with "quit Mizoram order", the statement added. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 6, 2000)

AIZAWL, May 6: The Mizoram government would continue negotiations with the Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) to secure the release of the two abducted by the Reang outfit, state chief secretary HV Lalringa said here on Friday, report agencies. Two religious leaders, Rev Lalswama and C Hualkunga, who were sent by the state government, had already made contracts with the insurgents on May 3 by walking on foot in the jungle from Khantlang hamlet, he said, adding negotiations would soon resume. The two representatives had since returned from the BNLF hideout. Asked whether the same persons would be asked to continue the negotiations, state joint secretary for home Tawnluia said, "our negotiators are most reliable. So we would ask them to continue." The two BNLF captives - Lalchhanhima and Jolly Lalzawmliana - are still alive, Lalringa said quoting a teacher, who had been released from BNLF captivity on Thursday. Rev Lalswama and C Hualkunga told reporters, after their return, that the militants' demands were only ransom money and there was no political demand from them. The two, after reaching Khantlang hamlet in Tripura, walked into the jungle up to about four kilometre before reaching the BNLF camp. (The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 7, 2000)

AGARTALA, May 5: Dogged by perennial militancy problem, Tripura government has sought Interpol's help to arrest the extremist leaders of the state's two rebel outfits - ATTF and NLFT. The leaders are reported to be hiding in Bangladesh at present. The state government has requested the Union home ministry to move the Interpol to issue red-corner notices against the leaders of outlawed militant organisations, NLFT and ATTF. Among the 20 militant leaders listed are NLFT president D Baithang alias Bishwamohan Debbarma, and ATTF president Ranjit Debbarma. The Union home ministry has assured the state government that necessary actions will be taken in this regard shortly. A senior police officer on condition of anonymity said. "When the Interpol notices are issued, the rebel leaders can be detained from anywhere in the world." The rebel leaders, who were charged for carnage, rape, arson, abductions and other subversive activities, are now staying in their camps in Bangladesh located in CHT and Sylhet areas. They have also recently visited Thailand with an aim to procure weapons and explosives from international arms smugglers at Bangkok, he said. The intelligence agencies have also got definite information that D Baithang and Ranjit Debbrama recently visited Geneva to attend a UN conference on human rights. Both the rebel chiefs of the arch-rival groups also met in Geneva and discussed an understanding to launch a united fight. It is not, however, yet known for certain whether they could reach an understanding. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 7, 2000)

IMPHAL, May 9: At least eight members of the banned UNLF were killed in an encounter with the Manipur Police commandos on Monday morning at Wangoo Lapham Khunou Awang Leikai in Thoubal district. The incident ocurred around 9.50 am when a Manipur Police commando team led by Additional SP John Shelshi of the Imphal West district police raided a house in the Wangoo Laipham area. Police said, when the police team reached the area and approached towards a house belonging to one Laishram Bira, some heavily armed ultras fired at the commando party from different sides. While some of militants started running with their weapons towards the western direction of the house where the Khuga river is located, with an intention to flee by boat, the other members, who were inside the house, continued to fire at the commando team for over 15 minutes, the police said and added that the police team then barged into the house from different directions and reportedly shouted to the militants to surrender and come out. But the firing continued unabated from their side. The commando team retaliated and an encounter took place for more than 30 minutes, it added. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 10, 2000)

AIZAWL, May 9: The Mizoram government on Tuesday reiterated its refusal to pay ransom demanded by the Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) for the release of two Mizo government officials abducted and kept in captivity by the outfit and demanded their unconditional release. Terming the ransom of the BNLF as "unreasonable," the state home department's crisis management cell, in a release said,"It is our sincere wish BNLF withdraws their demand and fulfil the wishes of the Mizo people as well as the Brus living in Mizoram and release their hostages unconditionally." Expressing concern about the safety of the Bru community, the release said: "The abductions had created an atmosphere of tension among the people ... the state government appreciates the patience the people have been maintaining throughout." Meanwhile, for the second time, the Mizoram government on Tuesday sent three church leaders to resume negotiations with the BNLF for the release of Lalchhanhima and Joly Lalzawmliana, who has been in the BNLF captivity for almost a month. Rev Lalsawma, Rev A K Dawi and Lalramthanga a church leader working in the Presbyterian Church Synod office left Aizawl for Mizoram-Bangladesh border village of Tuipuibari on Tuesday morning. Junior engineer Lalchhanhima and section assistant Joly Lalzawmliana of state Public Health Engineering (PHE) department were abducted on April 15. The BNLF is demanding Rs 50 lakh as ransom for the two officials' release. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 10, 2000)

NEW DELHI, May 11: Alarmed at the sudden rise in violence in Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts in Assam, the Centre is likely to order Army operations in the two districts to flush out the militants, highly placed sources told the The Assam Tribune. The Union government over the past month has been flooded with reports of sharp escalation in killings of non-Karbis including Bengalis and Nepalis by the underground Karbi National Volunteer Force (KNV), Karbi People's Force (KPF) and DHD. The past couple of weeks saw several groups from the area staging demonstrations in the capital to draw the attention of the Centre, besides the issue being raised in the Parliament. Sources said that following a report from Assam government about the prevailing security scenario in the two hills district, a decision was taken to mount an Army operation. The strategy that the Centre has adopted is two-pronged. Along side the Army operations, the state government has been directed to strengthen the local police stations in the two hill districts, sources said, adding that additional para-military forces are also likely to be deployed.' Meanwhile, the issues today figured at the meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to the ministry of home affairs , which has the Union Home minister, L K Advani as chairman. Members from the Northeast charging the ministry of turning a blind eye, said that the NSCN (IM) group was directly aiding the three militant groups which have since come under a joint platform called United Peoples' Democratic Solidarity (UPDS). Members reportedly pointed out that NSCN (IM) activities in the two hill districts witnessed a sharp increase after signing of ceasefire agreement with the Union government. Using the agreement as a shield the militants were openly flouting the ground rules and have been training the underground elements besides providing them with operational guidance. Significantly, in response, sources said, the Union Home minister asserted that the Centre had directed the Assam government to take actions against NSCN (IM) if they violated the law. Members charged that like the ISI of Pakistan, the NSCN (IM) was also indulging in a proxy war in the two hill districts. Meanwhile, in another significant development, the Union Home minister ruled out announcement of an unilateral ceasefire against all militant groups in the Northeast by the Centre. Advani insisting that all negotiations would have to take place within the parameters of the Constitution, said that he authorised each of the state governments of the Northeast to explore the possibility of opening dialogue with the militants. He was responding to a suggestion by the MPs from the region on the possibility of declaring ceasefire with NSCN (K) faction and various other militant groups in the Northeast. Briefing the members about the law and order situation in the Northeast, Advani said that militant activities in Manipur and Tripura have shown an increase in recent past, while the situation in Assam, Nagaland have shown a distinct improvement. Significantly, informed sources said that Khaplang himself wrote a letter to the Union Home minister authorising one of his top aides as intermediator for talks with the Centre. The ceasefire offer was reportedly personally delivered by one Northeast MP to the Union Home minister. At the Consultative Committee meeting, the Union Home minister, however, claimed that talks with the NSCN (IM) faction was on, though he declined to divulge the details. (Kalyan Barooah; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 12, 2000)

AGARTALA, May 12: BL Vora, an IPS of the Tripura-Manipur cadre (1967 batch), will be the new Tripura director-general of Police. An official spokesman told newspersons here on Friday that Vora, who is now heading the Manipur Police Housing Corporation, would succeed KTD Singh who had been transferred to the state Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development as its director-general . Vora would take up his assignment next week, the spokesman said. Recently the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) had quashed the appointment of Singh as Tripura DGP saying his appointment was contrary to the Union home ministry guidelines. Singh, an IPS officer of Tripura-Manipur cadre of 1974 batch, was elevated to the post of DGP by the Tripura government on April 17,1999. However, the Agartala bench of Gauhati High Court stayed the CAT judgement on April 26, the spokesman said. The division bench also accepted the state government appeal for hearing against the CAT order. The court asked the defendant to reply within eight weeks. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 13, 2000)

AIZAWL, May 12: The second round of negotiations between the church leaders and the Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) for the release of two hostages failed to make any headway with the state government refusing to pay a Rs 50 lakh ransom. The outlawed group had set May 13 as the deadline for the ransom. The three-member negotiating team, including two pastors and a church elder, reached Tuipuibari on Wednesday to resume talks with the BNLF. But senior Home department officials on Thursday said the talks failed to take off as the BNLF demanded that the negotiators bring along some money. The church leaders, on the other hand, preferred to negotiate with senior BNLF leaders. (UNI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 13, 2000)

TEZPUR, May 12: If the government of Assam and the Central government fail to take immediate steps against the recent activities of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which for decades has not only been sponsoring insurgency in the region but is also on a nefarious mission to pan-Islamise the entire area from Nagaon to Barak valley with the active support of the Northeast-based militant groups, then Assam in general and Northeast in particular will be an Islamic state under Pakistani rule. Talking to The Assam Tribune, a senior Army intelligence officer said that over the years the military intelligence (MI) have been pursuing Islamic militancy in the region but the Assam government has refrained from admitting to the fact that ISI has stepped up its activities. He said the Islamic militants operating in the region are planning to held a convention in Assam to chalk out strategies before launching a united struggle to form an Islamic province in the Northeast. They are in no mood to launch a secessionist movement as their sole aim is to carve out an Islamic province, he said, adding that Army personnel apart form counter-insurgency operations are keeping a close eye on the activities of the ISI. The official added that the ISI had already provided support to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) by supplying weapons and explosives. Besides, the Nepali Muslims are also being cultivated by the ISI to assist them in their designs and it is known that a fair amount of weaponry is being infiltrated from Nepal. Apart from that the ISI is now busy in drawing out an elaborate plan to use the Jamait-e-Islami to mobilise the Muslim population of Bengal and Assam through the Islamic Seval Sangh (ISS) and Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). The official feels that there is a huge stockpile of sophisticated arms and ammunitions in the region. He added that it was 15 years back that the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) comprising of all intelligence organisations had predicted that such a situation would arise in the north eastern region but the then Congress government both in Delhi and Dispur were sitting as mute spectators and not paying any heed. At present 15 Islamic militant outfits operating in the region and most of these organisations are in their infancy, to pose any immediate threat to the security of the country. Of these three such organisations namely Saddam Bahini, Muslim Volunteer Force and Muslim Liberation Army are the most dangerous as they were being directly raised by the ISI and are trained at Bangladesh camps located at Akyah in Cox' Bazar and in Ershad Nagar in Rongpur district, the official said adding that apart from that the ISI has also set up their training camps at Sylhet, Chittagong, Kumilla, Mymensingh in Bangladesh and some parts of Barak valley in Assam. According to report available with the intelligence agencies, the Islamic outfits are presently operating in Nagaon, Sonitpur, Darrang, Morigaon, Barpeta and Goalpara districts and are recruiting new cadres for sending them to training in Bangladesh. When asked about the headquarters of the fundamentalist organisations, the official said for the region it is in Nagaon and for the whole of India it is in UP. He further revealed that the outfits started gathering support after a conclave was organised in Hojai (Assam) in 1994 where the Jamait-e-Islami Hind, a fundamentalist organisation, decided to spread its ideology. Besides, the killing of large numbers of immigrants in the state gave a big boost to the organisation and their movement, the officials said and added that Northeast-based insurgent groups aided by ISI too are now procuring large quantities of arms discarded by the Khmer Rouge of Combodia after its decline. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 13, 2000)

AIZAWL, May 13: The Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) has extended the deadline for payment of ransom for the two government employees it is keeping as hostage, report agencies. The deadline which was to expire on May 13 has been extended till May 15. According to official sources, the deadline was extended following a breakthrough in the negotiations between the militants and the church leaders at Zumuanthlang on Friday night. The militants agreed to call in their senior leaders from Bangladesh on the request of the church leaders negotiating on behalf of the state government. Meanwhile, a senior Home department official claimed that the Border Security Force (BSF) has been requested not to arrest any BNLF leader entering from the Bangladesh side for negotiations. On April 19, two Public Health Engineering department officials were kidnapped by the BNLF in west Mizoram. The militants are demanding Rs 50 lakh for their release. So far, the state government has refused to accept their demand. Meanwhile, the Mizoram government is deploying more forces in the north-western belt of the state to prevent communal flare-ups in the wake of recent abductions by BNLF. state joint secretary for home C Tawnluaia told PTI on Friday that there was a distinct possibilities of communal flare-ups in Mamit district and other areas inhabited by the Brus in the event of the hostages being killed or hurt. He said it would be extremely difficult for the state government to maintain communal harmony in the state if anything happens to the two Mizos who are held captive by the BNLF. While seeking the release of the two government officials, the government negotiators were to apprise the BNLF leadership of the danger of communal flare-ups between the Mizo and the Bru communities not only in Mizoram but in adjoining Tripura and Assam, he said. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 14, 2000)

AGARTALA, May 13: The outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) militants on Saturday kidnapped the assistant manager and garden supervisor of Golakpur tea estate in Kailasahar subdivision in North Tripura district. CP Thakur, assistant manager and Bipad Bhanjan Das, garden supervisor had gone for inspection when a heavily armed gang of about eight militants kidnapped them at gunpoint. It is reported that the planters were taken to Bangladesh by the rebels. The incident took place at around 8.30 am on Saturday. Tea Association of India Tripura branch secretary PK Sarkar said the planters in Tripura are panicky following a series of abductions of tea executives. Since 1994 altogether 12 tea executives had been kidnapped and 10 killed. Among the killed are Meghalibund tea estate owner Yogabrata Chakraborty and Adarini Tea estate owner Mrinal Kanti Choudhury and his son Anjan. Last of the tea executives killed by militants was DK Nath, Manager of Dharmanagar tea garden. He was shot dead and his wife was injured on February 18 last by NLFT militants. Almost all gardens have to pay huge subscriptions to the militants. Sarkar said, "The gardens here are incurring huge financial losses. Now if the militants go on attacking then the planters will be forced to close down the gardens." (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 14, 2000)

SILCHAR, May 13: The entire Barak Valley would be brought under the Unified Command in order to combat the recent spate of terrorist activities. This was disclosed by Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Chief Minister during his brief visit here recently. Talking to mediapersons here at Silchar, the Chief Minister expressed concern at the growth of militancy in the valley. He said, the NSCN(IM) and some other militant outfits belonging to neighbouring states had in recent times stepped up their terrorist activities in the Barak Valley, which was called 'an island of peace' in the recent past. The state government had brought the issue to the notice of the Centre, the Chief Minister further informed. Commenting on the recent claim made by Asad Madani, the all India president of the Jamiat Ulema (Hind) that the Muslim terrorist outfit MULTA did not even exist in the state, Prafulla Mahanta termed it as "political statement". A number of MULTA activists had been arrested both in Brahmaputra and Barak Valleys, he countered. Though the Chief Minister refused to give any direct answer to the question concerning the peace talks with the various militant outfits, he, however, informed that any move by the terrorist groups to return to the mainstream would always be welcome. Mahanta, who was almost tightlipped on the questions of electoral arithmetic for the forthcoming Assembly elections, however claimed that the AGP would return to power and the Congress would not be able to form the government. Though the Chief Minister did not speak harshly against the Centre's BJP government, he made it clear that the AGP would not forge any alliance with the BJP in the state's Assembly election. The Panchayat election would be held only after the current census, the Chief Minister said. On the issue of the indigenous people of Assam, Mahanta said, though tripartite talks have been held, no final decision had yet been arrived at. Earlier, delivering the inaugural speech at the silver jubilee celebration of Dainik Sonar Cachar, a local Bengali daily, Mahanta lamented that a section of media in the Brahmaputra Valley had been practising yellow journalism. "This kind of motivated journalism does not only lead the society astray, but also creates impediments for the government so far as developmental works are concerned." Claiming this Mahanta urged the mediapersons to extend positive support to the government. Journalism in the Barak Valley had its own tradition, Mahanta further said. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 14, 2000)

DIMAPUR, May 14: In a significant development to the ongoing peace process in Nagaland, NSCN(IM) has sought intervention of Indian citizens to help expedite the stalled talks process, but changed the Centre with insincerity. "We would like you, the Indian people to know what are the real obstacles in the way of an honourable and peaceful solution to the Indo-Naga political conflict", the underground organisation, which entered into a ceasefire deal in August, 1997 with the Centre, said. In an open letter to the Indian public, NSCN(IM) maintained that most Indians are unaware of the Naga political issue as the government of India has been suppressing the facts about the political movement. "Most Indians are unaware that Nagas proclaimed their independence on August 14, 1947, one day ahead of India", it maintained. However, the Indian government has not been sincere at all in its efforts to resolve the protracted political problem even as New Delhi assured the NSCN(IM) collective leadership to settle the problem through negotiations. There is a long history of betrayal of trust and promises made to the Nagas by the Indian government, which the people of India do not know, the letter noted. It said in the past several agreements had been made with the representatives of the Naga people and every time the government of India had failed to keep its own promises. As soon as the present peace process started, the NSCN(IM) leadership assured that they would leave no stone unturned during the process to find a lasting solution to the more than 50-year-old Naga political problem, it said. In this prolonged armed conflict so many valuable Indian and Naga lives have been lost, NSCN(IM) pointed out. Identifying certain "obstacles" in the ongoing peace process, the underground organisation pointed out the Prime Minister's emissary for the political talks does not have power to negotiate, while intelligence agencies and Assam Rifles along with home ministry officials have been constantly undermining his (emissary) authority. NSCN(IM) alleged that the intelligence agencies in the midst of the peace process got the Thai authorities to imprison the organisation general secretary Th. Muivah by spreading "false information", jeopardising the talks process. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 15, 2000)

AGARTALA, May 15: The Bru National Union (BNU), representing Mizoram's Reang tribes, has urged Tripura to tighten security around Reang refugee camps in the state in view of possible attacks by Mizo militants following Mizoram's allegations that some Reang refugees had abducted three Mizos. In a letter to Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, BNU chief Saibonga Bru said Mizoram's allegations had heightened apprehension of attacks on Reangs by Mizo militants and the camps in North Tripura should be guarded properly. A junior engineer and section assistant of Mizoram Health Engineering department and a schoolteacher were picked up by Bru National Liberation Force (BNLF) last month. Later the outfit demanded hefty ransom for their release. While they released the teacher on May 4, the two officials are still with the abductors. The BNU is the political wing of the BNLF. (PTI; The Assam Tribune; Guwahati; May 16, 2000)