GUWAHATI, November 1: Dispute over a plot of land might have been the reason behind kidnapping of two youths - Rajesh Mishra and Rajib Koch - from Tezpur town just before the Lok Sabha polls in the State. This was informed by Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta in the floor of the State Assembly today in reply to a Zero Hour motion regarding 'secret killings' in the State. The Chief Minister made the observation on the basis of progress made, so far, by the police investigating into the incident, which sparked mass protest in Tezpur against involvement of surrendered ULFA militants. He informed that investigation had revealed that the incident was a result of dispute over a plot of land between JP Yadav and advocate Putul Bora. He said JP Yadav had bought the plot of land. But Putul Bora engaged his brother-in-law and surrendered ULFA member Vivek Nath to take possession of the plot. On the other hand JP Yadav sought help of Rajesh Mishra and Rajib Koch to counter the threat to his plot of land from the surrendered ULFA member. Police has already arrested advocate Putul Bora in connection with the kidnapping of the two youths. However, Bora, so far, has denied any knowledge regarding abduction of the youths. The Chief Minister said some quarters were trying to give a political colour to the incident that triggered public outcry in Tezpur. Regarding allegation of government's involvement in 'secret killings' the Chief Minister dismissed the allegation as baseless and politically motivated. He said his government was maintaining a firm stand against any sort of violent incidents and killings. Regarding alleged attempt made by 'secret killers' on the life of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) member Ananta Kalita and involvement of police personnel in the incident, the Chief Minister said police officials investigating into the incident had doubt over veracity of the statement given by the AJYCP member about his abduction and bid on his life by 'secret killers' in connivance of a section of police personnel. The Zero Hour motion was raised by Bhorot Narah and Brindabon Goswami. Congress MLA Narah criticised the government for maintaining 'silence' over unabated 'secret killings' in the State and said it would sent a wrong signal to the people. He demanded that CBI be entrusted to investigate into these incidents of killings as the police has failed to apprehend a single 'secret killer' so far. Brindaban Goswami demanded immediate steps to trace kidnapped Tezpur youths Rajesh and Rajib and prevent recurrence of such incidents in the State. Goswami also said those ULFA members who had come overground should be rehabilitated properly and nobody should be allowed to use them taking advantage of the sense of insecurity haunting them. It should be ensured that these youths abide by the law of the land. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 2, 1999)

KOHIMA, November 2: Security forces here have reportedly unearthed a "nexus" between the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) and a nascent Karbi militant outfit in Assam following the arrest of a few leaders of the fledgling United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS). In a follow-up to the recent arrest of seven UPDS cadre at Dimapur, the Assam Rifles apprehended self-styled chairman and the commander of the Karbi Anglong-based militant organisation, an Army release said here today. Earlier, the Assam Rifles apprehended seven members of the outfit in a raid on their hideout in the Golai Basti area of Dimapur town on October 22. Those arrested include Kiri Rongphar, UDPS chairman and supreme commander Horen Singh Bey from the Signal Basti area in Assam's Karbi Anglong district. "The arrests further confirmed the links between the UDPS and the NSCN(IM)," the release said, adding that the former received arms and training from the Naga outfit. The release said the two arrested UDPS leaders confessed to handing over 80 per cent of the booty collected by the outfit in the form of extortions to the Naga underground organisation. The arrested duo said they had a "tacit understanding" with other Assam-based militant outfits like the ULFA and the Dima Halam Daoga (DHD). On the other hand, the NSCN(IM) in a recent statement accused the security forces of trying to slow down the political dialogue with the Centre. The outfit alleged that the armed forces were co-ordinating with various "state agents" to slow down the peace process. CLP stand: The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) has expressed serious concern over the "unlawful activities" of the NSCN(IM) following the recently-concluded Lok Sabha polls. The CLP, which met here yesterday, deliberated on the prevailing political situation in the state and said the NSCN(IM) activities were in "gross violation" of the ceasefire ground rules. The party resolved that such activities should be brought to the notice of the Centre and the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG). Parliamentary affairs minister Nillo Rengma said the meeting expressed deep concern over the reported "summoning" of village council chiefs by the rebels and fixing responsibility on them for participation in the polls. Some members told the meeting that the NSCN(IM) had even fined the village councils for exercising their democratic rights. The CLP also resolved to defend the democratic institutions of the Nagas from exploitation by anti-nationals. "The Nagas want to live in peace and uphold democratic principles. It should be the duty of all concerned to help strengthen this trend," the meeting observed. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 3, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 3: The message is loud and clear. People of strife-torn Assam want only peace in the new millennium. If members from 500 of the 672 satras (Vaishnavaite monasteries) in the state on Sunday floated 2,000 lamps on the Brahmaputra as an offering to the mighty river praying for peace, two days prior to this event people in Tangla lynched two suspected Bodo militants, who were on an extortion spree. While the satras took recourse to a non-violent form of protest against militancy, residents of Puskia and Maugaon in Tangla turned violent against criminalisation of militancy. But in both cases, the writing on the wall is clear: end terrorism and give peace a chance. The appeal from the satras should have more impact than any other peace initiative in the past. After all, the satradhikars-leaders of the satras-have a religious clout. The Asam Sahitya Sabha too in the past made similar appeals to the militants to come forward for talks. But since the Sabha is a literary body, its influence may not be as powerful as that of the satras. The concern of the people appears to stem from the fact that a decade of mindless bloodshed has robbed the state of economic development. The fear of getting caught in the crossfire (between the state and the insurgents) has kept the investors away. On the other hand, there has been a flight of capital. The tea industry, which virtually sustains the state, complained of being reduced to a kamdhenu by the insurgents-turned-extortionists. As a result, the educated youth in the state face an uncertain future. Despite the rich mineral resources-oil and mineral wealth-the unemployment scenario in the state is grim. The Asom Youth Parishad (AYP), the youth wing of the Asom Gana Parishad, has demanded creation of 10 lakh jobs. The AYP has threatened an agitation if the demand is not met by March 31. It has accused the public sector undertakings (PSUs) of creating less jobs and thereby stoking militancy. However, many feel that the AASU should also share the blame for not creating an atmosphere conducive to foreign investment and for entrepreneurs from outside the state. On Sunday, eminent musician and popular singer Khagen Mahanta described the AASU-led Assam agitation "as an emotion devoid of economic concept..." The peace initiative by the satras does not seem to be directed at the insurgents alone. It is also a veiled appeal to end "secret killings" in the state. It is mostly the ULFA militants' kin and sympathisers who have been in the line of fire, prompting the rebels to train their guns on a section-many of them being surrendered members of the ULFA-in the name of retaliatory strike. In short, the return of peace would also mark the end of the feud between the ULFA and their former comrades-in-arms, which broke out since the "secret killings" began. The government, on the other hand, instead of being able to bring the "secret killers" to book, has been busy defending that it has never been a part of the "secret killing" plot. The government recently publicised its non-involvement in "secret killings" through newspaper advertisements asking, "Secret killings...who is guilty?...Who is behind such cruelty ... Is it the government or terrorists?" By issuing the advertisement, the government has taken the onus upon itself to substantiate that it is indeed the terrorists and not the government or its agencies, who are patronising the mysterious killers. (Monimoy Dasgupta; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 4, 1999)

KOHIMA, November 2: The NSCN(K) on Tuesday announced a millennium peace time even as the Union government said that no dates have been fixed for resumption of dialogue with the NSCN(IM) and that fresh talks with the Muivah faction hinged on better adherence of the ceasefire ground rules. In a unique move, the NSCN-Khaplang faction declared that they would henceforth be suspending all hostile activities "to enable the people enter the new millennium with a hope for better and peaceful world." "The NSCN-K does hereby declare a cessation of hostilities all over the country to christen the new millennium with a hope for a better and a peaceful world," NSCN(K) chairman SS Khaplang said here in a statement. He, however, said that the NSCN(K) would not kowtow to any form of threat or aggression that might disturb peace. Meanwhile, the joint secretary in charge of north-east in the Union home ministry, GK Pillai said that the Union government has no plans to abrogate the ceasefire, presently in force in Nagaland, but warned that if the NSCN(IM) continued to violate the ceasefire ground rules, actions would be taken against them as per law. Speaking to The Northeast Daily over phone from his Delhi office on Tuesday, Pillai said resumption of political dialogue between the centre and the NSCN(IM) hinged on better adherence of the ceasefire rules by the rebels. "They (NSCN(IM)) should first realise that the ceasefire was declared for creating conditions for political dialogue. Therefore, a conducive atmosphere has to be created for talks. But that has not happened," he said. Pillai, however, did not give any time frame for such talks saying that the government was "right now" focused on Orissa cyclone and some other matters. Pillai disclosed that an ex-Commander-in-Chief of the NSCN(IM), Gen (retd) VS Atem, held a meeting with Union home ministry officials in Delhi recently, where the 'general' argued that the factional clashes, killings, ambushing election officials and police personnel had nothing to do with the ceasefire as the truce is in force only between the rebels and the security forces. Refusing to subscribe to this viewpoint, Pillai said the "ceasefire" meant stopping of firing in general, "and for security forces, guns are there (for them) to protect themselves." Saying that Atem demanded extension of the ceasefire to other Naga-inhabited areas, Pillai added that the matter for the such an extension of the truce to other areas will be taken up with the government. He, however, expressed doubts whether such an extension would be meaningful if the conditions remain as it is in Nagaland today. "So, I suggested Atem to develop a healthy atmosphere through the ceasefire," Pillai added. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; November 3, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 3: Bhutan has denied any impending plans of a joint military offensive with Indian troops to flush out hundreds of ULFA rebels from the Kingdom. Royal government authorities are still hopeful that they would be able to persuade the guerrillas to quit Bhutan through talks that are already underway. Speaking to The Northeast Daily from New Delhi, Bhutan's ambassador in India, Dago Tshering, said: " We have no such plans and are not aware of any imminent move for a joint Indo-Bhutan military crackdown against the rebels from Assam who are inside our country." Tshering, who had been Bhutan's home minister for years, said that his government was due to hold another round of talks with the ULFA leadership to discuss the issue of the rebels' amicable exit from the Kingdom. " The meeting is due but no firm date has as yet been fixed," he said. ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah had himself attended an earlier meeting with top Bhutanese government leaders including the home minister to discuss the matter. The outfit had then sought one-and-a-half year's time to enable it to arrange an alternative location where to move its cadres and military hardware. Recent media reports had quoted both Indian Army and government officials as saying that a joint Indo-Bhutan military operation to flush out the ULFA cadres from the Kingdom was imminent. On its part, the ULFA, too, appears to believe that a crackdown against its cadres inside Bhutan is just a matter of time now. In its latest mouthpiece, Freedom, the banned outfit says that New Delhi was finalising plans to " invade Bhutan to flush out the ULFA " by the end of this month. Going by the writings in its mouthpiece, the ULFA sees the deployment of 34 mine-protected vehicles by the Army in western Assam as a preparation for the assault. While denying any move for a joint crackdown against the ULFA inside Bhutan, Tshering made it clear that the Royal government would implement the resolutions passed by the Bhutanese National Assembly regarding measures to tackle the issue of Indian militants taking shelter in the Kingdom. The National Assembly has decided to cut off the supply lines to the ULFA camps in the dense jungles among other things. The fact remains that Thimphu is indeed wary of directly antagonising the rebels for fear of retaliation. Bhutan's prime worry is the movement of its citizens and goods through areas in Assam, heavily infested with insurgents. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; November 4, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 3: Militants belonging to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) were involved in the attack on the Barpeta Deputy Commissioner, Swapnanil Baruah, at Ghograpar in Nalbari district last evening, police sources in Nalbari said. Police said that the militants used AK-47 rifles in the attack. Sources said that about seven to eight militants were taking shelter in the Bilpar LP School near the National Highway and they fired bullets at the car of the Deputy Commissioner from the school. The security forces have launched a manhunt in the area and picked up some suspects for questioning, sources added. Meanwhile, Baruah told this correspondent over telephone from Barpeta that he along with his PSOs were travelling back to Barpeta from Guwahati in two cars - one Ambassador and one Maruti Gypsy. He said that they were travelling in a speed of about 70 to 80 km per hour as that portion of the National Highway was repaired recently. "The attack came as a shock as suddenly bullets including tracer bullets were fired at the vehicles. Three bullets hit my car and about seven or eight hit the Gypsy. However, we sped away from the place and stopped at the residence of the Nalbari Superintendent of Police, from where we came back to Barpeta in a separate car as my car was damaged," Baruah said. He further said that he had a narrow escape as one bullet hit the back seat. He also revealed that three of the policemen accompanying him were injured and they were shifted to Guwahati for treatment. Baruah said, "I see no reason for the ULFA to attack me." He said that he had been travelling by that road for years while working in different capacities as a government officer and it was for the first time that he faced such a situation. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 4, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 4: The Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, today announced a ten-day 'safe passage' to all insurgents from December 21 so as to enable them to visit their parents and relatives with the knowledge of the government and without carrying any arms and ammunition. In a statement in the State Assembly today, the Chief Minister said that the government had no reservation in reviewing the cases of the detained persons who were not involved in heinous crimes. The government also has an open mind on the issue of continuing the anti-insurgency operations and the stand of the government on this issue can be reviewed if favourable response is received to the appeals, he added. He asserted that he offered the proposal with an honest intention to dispel all misgivings and bitterness and to give the people on the 'other side' a clear assurance that the government is interested in the welfare of every person of the State including the insurgents and their friends and relatives. He said that the efforts of the non-governmental organisations, Asom Sahitya Sabha, Bodo Sahitya Sabha, Asom Mukti Jujaru Sanmilan and Asom Satra Mahasabha to bring peace in the State were also praiseworthy. Mahanta said that the government had realised the agony of the parents and the near and dear ones of the young men who had taken up arms and the Governor had already made an offer, a few days ago, in tune with the thinking of the government in respect of the old parents of the ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and the family members of Paresh Baruah. The Chief Minister appealed to the young men who have spent a long time away from their families in the dense jungles and on foreign lands under trying circumstances to achieve their proclaimed goal of independence of Assam to give a second thought on their stand. "I appeal to them to realise the futility of the path they have chosen and to contribute constructively to make Assam a strong and prosperous State by joining the democratic process. I need not mention that the overwhelming turn out of voters in the last elections once again confirmed the unflinching faith of the people of Assam in the democratic process and the integrity of the country," Mahanta added. He appealed to the members of the extremist outfits to come forward and sit to discuss their demands. He said that there would be no precondition except that the talks would have to be held within the framework of the Indian Constitution, which is the desire of the people of the State. Reaffirming the government's commitment to restore peace in the State, the Chief Minister said that from the day of his government assumed office in 1996, it dedicated itself to curbing the menace of extremism which was affecting the economy of the State as a whole and damaged the demographic edifice of the society. He said that the efforts of the government brought substantial results and the government has been able to build up strong public opinion against the cult of violence and extremism. "In our efforts we have attracted criticism from different quarters on various occasions but those could not deter us from our task of bringing peace in the State. The result is now before all of us. While a number of persons were killed in different other states of the country during the last elections, but the people of Assam voted freely without any fear and without any major incident. We suffered politically but won our battle against insurgency and the credit should go to the people of the State," Mahanta said. He informed the House that a few days back an aged parent of the one of the members of a banned organisation expressed his concern over the cult of violence and wished that the differences should be sorted out amicably through discussion. More and more people are coming forward with such opinion and the wind is blowing for a better future of the State, he said. Mahanta said that the people of the State would not allow anything to happen which is against the integrity of the nation and against the democratic polity. The Chief Minister further pointed out that the issues like infiltration, development and the issue of empowering the people to have a decent living and promising future would have to be attended with all seriousness. But this can happen only if peace prevails in the State, he added. "We must remember that people come and go, the governments come and go but the State and the nation remain. The posterity would not forgive any of us, whether one is in the side of the government or the side of the extremists if we do no give a chance to the people to live honourably a life of their own choice in peace," Mahanta said. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 4, 1999)

AGARTALA, November 4: The nexus between a section of government employees and militant outfits operating in the interior areas of Tripura has come to the fore with the arrest of one Bipul Das yesterday. Das, a government employee and local leader of a pro-Left Front employees' organisation, was arrested on charges of acting as the overground collaborator of the outlawed National Liberation Front of Twipra (NLFT). Police sources said during the past fortnight, NLFT militants operating in the interior areas of North Tripura had issued a large number of "tax notices" to businessmen and government officials in Dharmanagar. Panisagar block development officer (BDO) Gopika Ranjan Das was also served a hefty extortion notice with October 31 as the deadline. Sources said Das, who had not responded to the notice, received an anonymous telephone call on Tuesday asking him why he was not making the payment. He said he was prepared to pay the whole amount but could not do so as he did not know the time and mode of payment. The caller said he would receive the payment on behalf of the militants. When Bipul Das, a grade IV government employee and local leader of a pro-CPM employees' organisation, arrived in the BDO's chamber to accept the money yesterday, he was arrested. Das is now under interrogation. Bipul Das is known to be close to state panchayat minister Subodh Das, who helped him get the job in Panisagar block. Incidents of the involvement of government employees with militant outfits as collaborators have come to the fore in several other cases. Recently, the police arrested a panchayat employee in the Manu police station area under Dhalai district for involvement in the abduction of 16 panchayat department employees from Manughat block on September 6. Subsequently, the police rescued four kidnapped employees on October 7 while 12 others were released by the militants after the payment of hefty ransom. Two kidnapped employees died of malaria while in captivity. Apart from Dhirendra Sarkar who was arrested, the police are on the lookout for another panchayat employee of Manughat block, Ratan Debnath. The latter is absconding after his clandestine links with NLFT militants in the abduction of the 16 employees were exposed. Highly-placed sources in the state administration said the presence of collaborators with militant outfits in the administration had been traced quite early but inaction on the part of political high-ups had allowed them to flourish. Sources said during the largescale ethnic riots involving Bengalis and tribals in Khowai subdivision in February 1997, a large number of tribal employees had gone on leave. Significantly, state chief secretary V Tulsidas issued a confidential circular in July last year directing heads of various departments to remove to less important duties more than 500 collaborators of militants in various branches of the administration. The chief secretary also furnished a list of the collaborators identified by the special branch of the state police. No action against them is known to have been taken, the sources added. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 5, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 4: The Assam government on Thursday extended a millennium peace offer by providing ten days safe passage, starting on December 21, to all members of the militant outfits in the state to visit their parents and relatives. The state government also offered a general amnesty to all the cadres of the extremist outfits except those involved in heinous crimes. The government also said it has an open mind on the issue of continuance of anti-insurgency operations and can reconsider its stand if the militant outfits respond favourably to its offer. Announcing the offer at the Assam Assembly here, Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said that during this ten-day period, the militants would be given free passage provided they visit their parents with the knowledge of the state government and do not carry any arms and ammunition within the state. Mahanta pointed out that a similar offer was made by the governor Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha a few days ago, in tune with the thinking of the state government in respect of the old parents of ULFA chairman, Arabinda Rajkhowa, and C-in-C Paresh Baruah. Chief minister said in his statement: "I can realise the agony of the parents and the near and dear ones of those young men who have taken up arms against the establishment in a fit of anger. They have been living in separation from their loved ones for a long time and many of them might be waiting eagerly to see their sons, their brothers and their husbands visit them before the next century dawns." The state government also offered to review the cases of the detained persons who are not involved in heinous crimes. Mahanta said that he had made the offer with an honest intention to dispel all misgivings and bitterness in the mind of persons on the other side and to give them a clear assurance that the state government is interested in the welfare of every person in the state including the militants, their parents, friends and relatives. He reiterated the state government's appeal to the militants to come forward for talks. Mahanta said that he had made this offer with an absolutely open mind and without any pre-conditions except that the talks will have to be within the framework of the Constitution which is the desire of the people. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; November 5, 1999)

KOHIMA, November 4: Banned NSCN(K) has announced "cessation of hostility" to enable the people to "enter the new millennium with a hope for better and peaceful world," reports PTI. Its chairman SS Khaplang, in a press statement received here on Wednesday said, "NSCN hereby declares a cessation of hostility all over the country (Naga-inhabited areas of the region) to christen the new millennium with a hope for a better and peaceful world. "When the rest of the world is preparing for a new millennium, the Nagas must in no way suffer any suppressive activity from internal aggression," he said. However, NSCN(K) would not "kow-tow" to any "form of threat or aggressions" that might disturb peace, he added. Before Christmas underground organisations here always declare cessation of hostilities against each other to enable the people celebrate. The security forces had extended unilateral ceasefire to NSCN(K) on October 15 for a period of six months following reports by various individuals and organisations. Although the outfit has not officially reciprocated till date, there were no reports of any armed confrontation between it and the security forces for more than a year and half since April '98. However, there were reports of factional fighting involving all the three underground groups - NSCN(IM), NSCN(K) and NNC (Federal) in different parts of Nagaland even as government and NGOs asked them to desist from such activities. Both State government and NGOs have made elaborate arrangements for the new millennium in November and December. (PTI; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 5, 1999)

SHILLONG, November 5: Two Police ASIs and a head constable were killed in three separate shootout incidents in the city this evening as a group of unidentified gunmen suspected to be militants mounted a series of attacks on the police. Besides those killed, one constable was also injured in the firing by the gunmen. A senior police official said that the first incident took place at Rynjah in the city around 6.15 pm today when an unidentified gunman walked up to ASI, Z Siemlieh and shot him dead in a shop. Earlier, the gunman went to the ASI's residence but could not find him there. Barely 15 minutes later, motorcycle-borne gunmen sprayed bullets at the Nongthymmai police beat house killing another ASI, S K Bora. One constable was also injured in the incident though he is reported to be out of danger. The gunmen struck once more at Umpling Junction shortly thereafter gunning down a head constable. (Special Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 6, 1999)

AGARTALA, November 5: The Tripura government has announced a reward of Rs 50,000 to those providing information on the whereabouts of 26 extremists against whom cases were pending in the East Agartala police station under the Arms Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention), Act 1967. An official release said here on Friday that the cash reward would be given for information for each of the 26 militants, the release, issued by the state home department, gave names and addresses of the absconding rebels. The government earlier announced lucrative rewards against forty two hard-core militants of two outlawed organisations - NLFT and the ATTF. Meanwhile, the authorities are deeply concerned over the growing ethnic tension in Bisramganj area of West Tripura as a fallout of recent incidents. The security personal are stationed in the sensitive area to prevent outbreak of violence. The recent incidents of militants actions- kidnapping and extortion and death of four tribals including two minors are sources of prevailing tensions. The tribals were killed in an explosion at Guliraibari, a small hamlet, in Bisramganj on October 28. Police and ruling CPI(M) lashed out at Bengali hardliners for the incident. Evidently tribals are more annoyed than local non-tribals of Bisramganj. The reason is of course the bloody explosion. The incident had hurt the tribals by and large felt a senior state police official. Tribal in the area are making silent protests - they are boycotting schools, government offices and markets. A clear division on ethnic line is in sight. Police officials concede that militants are cultivating local tribals to vent their anger. This has added further worries to the authority as well as local non-tribals. The non-tribals who organised mass protests against militants just a few days back are concerned on possible bloody strike by militants to avenge the blast in a tribal village. (Correspondent; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; November 6, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 5: The presence of armed militants from Assam in the south-eastern districts of Bhutan, has seriously hampered developmental work in the area, Bhutanese monarch Jigme Singhe Wangchuk has said. King Wangchuk while touring this area to review the security situation, felt that peace and tranquillity had been disturbed in the region and developmental work stalled due to the large-scale presence of militants from Assam, according to Bhutan's national weekly, the Kuensel. Speaking to the students and the business community at Nganglam district, the king expressed his concern over the non-execution of the Nu 5,000 million Dungsam Cement project as per schedule. He blamed the failure on the volatile security situation in the region. Reiterating Bhutan's good relations with Assam, king Wangchuk reminded the citizens of the resolution adopted in the 77th session of Bhutan's National Assembly. The resolution stated that Bhutan would not provide any assistance to militant groups. The king further urged the business community of Nganglam not to sell ration to the militants or help them in any way. He made it clear to the businessmen that all steps should be taken to ensure that the militant outfits do not carry out any of their illegal activities from Bhutan. He pointed out that any development activity, including initiation of the Dungsam cement plant project, would be possible only when the threat posed by the militants' presence is overcome. While visiting the Samdrup Jongkar town, the king also took a walked along the border to review the security of the town. In view of the spate in bombing and kidnapping incidents during the past few years, the king issued instruction that a security wall be built along the lower perimeters of the town. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 6, 1999)

NEW DELHI, November 5: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) general secretary Acharya Giriraj Kishore today demanded recall of all foreign church missionaries from India accusing them of funding and encouraging terrorism in the Northeast, reports UNI. Speaking at a press conference here, he said foreign church missionaries should be recalled from India as Indian church missionaries were capable enough to spread Christ's message. Accusing foreign church missionaries of funding and encouraging terrorism in the Northeast, particularly in Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram, he said it would not be surprising if the church helped terrorists in the Northeast for buying arms and ammunition. He demanded that this point be discussed during the Pope's visit. He said this point was raised even in Parliament on December 10, 1996 when the then Minister of State for Home Maqbool Dar admitted that the church was indeed funding terrorism in the Northeast. "The government is on record having admitted it. There should be no doubt about it." Asked about his reaction to Indian missionaries abroad converting people to Hinduism he said if they are found converting people by force in any country, they should be banished from that country. In a terse comment on the church 'rejecting' his demand for an apology from Pope, the VHP leader said, "We object to the word reject. Who is the church to reject our demand? This shows that they have a weakness for fair skin." BL Sharma 'Prem', central secretary, VHP, and former MP, said in a statement here that Delhi archbishop Alan De Lastic had not added to the grace of the Pope or served the cause of Christianity by asserting that the Pope would not offer an apology. He said the move for an apology had come from the Pope himself when he a called 'for an examination of conscience. True to his word the Pope had not hesitated to offer such an apology during his last visit to Portugal. Therefore, in the absence of any such apology to the people of India, the recent message from Vatican stressing friendship with Hindus has no meaning? he said. He hoped that the Pope would 'ignore the advice of his missions and show magnanimity and offer apology.' (PTI; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 6, 1999)

TAWANG, November 5: After ULFA and Bodo militants, it is the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam which has become a source of worry for the Bhutanese government. The law and order situation in the Himalayan kingdom has deteriorated considerably over the past few years due to ULFA and Bodo rebels setting up camps there. With the LTTE now reportedly trying to make inroads into the country, there is every possibility of the situation taking a turn for the worse. Four Corps general-officer-commanding (GOC) Lt Gen DB Shekatkar told The Telegraph that three LTTE activists were recently spotted in a remote area where ULFA camps were located. "These LTTE rebels have come to Bhutan to impart training in guerrilla warfare to some non-Bhutanese youth," he said. However, Lt Gen Shekatkar declined to identify the "non-Bhutanese community" he was referring to. "We are sure that a militant movement is taking shape in Bhutan," he said. Earlier, there were reports about the ULFA training some Nepali youth in the southern districts of the Himalayan kingdom to revolt against the Bhutanese government. The Jigme Singye Wangchuk regime is already under pressure from the ULFA and the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB). Both these outfits have not shown any inclination to vacate the country so far. Alarmed by the situation, the Bhutanese government has created a "contingency fund" of 937 million nu (approximately Rs 937 million) to deal with any emergency arising from military action against the ULFA and the NDFB. "People in Bhutan fear that the ULFA will usurp their homeland with the help of this non-Bhutanese outfit that is being constituted," Lt Gen Shekatkar said. "They have a feeling that the people of Assam have assigned the ULFA and the NDFB the task of annexing Bhutan," he added. The GOC said vigil along the Indo-Bhutan border had been intensified and any attempt by the rebels to sneak into Assam would be strongly dealt with. "Many ULFA and NDFB cadres have been killed while trying to sneak into the state. Following strong military action in Assam and pressure from Bhutan, the ULFA and NDFB are now desperately looking for alternative safe sanctuaries," he said. The GOC said the Army recently killed militants in Dhekiajuli, Udalguri and Balipara. "All these rebels sneaked into the state from Bhutan and were on their way to Arunachal Pradesh," he said. "The rebels are now trying to set up bases in Arunachal Pradesh and the Garo hills of Meghalaya," the 4 Corps commander said. "In Meghalaya, the NDFB has entered into an agreement with the A'chik National Volunteers' Council," he added. (Anirban Roy; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 6, 1999)

IMPHAL, November 5: The Border Security Force is gradually taking over the responsibility of conducting counter-insurgency operations in Manipur from the Central Reserve Police Force. Six BSF battalions will be deployed in the state by the end of this year, while five CRPF battalions will move out. The decision to replace the CRPF with the BSF was taken by the Union home ministry in the wake of the incident at Tonsen Lamkhai on October 3. Ten civilians, including polling officials, were indiscriminately gunned down by CRPF personnel following an attack on the latter by United National Liberation Front militants. The Manipur government lodged a complaint with the Union home ministry after the incident. The government also instituted a magisterial inquiry into alleged excesses by CRPF personnel. Officials sources said the Union home ministry was unhappy with the CRPF's way of functioning, especially its role in counter-insurgency operations. The paramilitary force has failed to tackle insurgency in the state primarily because its personnel are not properly trained for the purpose. In recent times, insurgent outfits in the state have had the upper hand in encounters with CRPF personnel. The Union home ministry feels that BSF personnel are better-trained to assist the Army and the Assam Rifles in counter-insurgency operations in Manipur. Army officials under the Rangapahar-based 3 Corps have suggested that the government deploy BSF units in Churachandpur and Tamenglong, where the presence of Assam Rifles personnel is relatively less. Though Churachandpur is classified as a "low threat area", the district has become a haven for valley-based insurgents. On the other hand, Tamenglong is the domain of Naga rebels. Since the withdrawal of Army units from the state due to the Kargil conflict, both these hill districts have witnessed a spurt in militant-orchestrated violence. After the Army's 57 Mountain Division moved out of its base at Leimakhong near here, the Assam Rifles took over the main responsibility of conducting counter-insurgency operations in the state. An Assam Rifles inspector-general equivalent to the rank of a major-general will soon be stationed at Leimakhong. Five additional Assam Rifles battalions are being raised in the Northeast for counter-insurgency operations. Most of these battalions may be deployed in Manipur. Official sources said 30 per cent of the personnel comprising the five new battalions will be from the region. (Oinam Sunil; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 6, 1999)

SILCHAR, November 5: The Mizoram government has sounded an alert following reports that a heavily-armed gang of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) rebels has sneaked into the state en route to Barak Valley in Assam. Assam Rifles and the Mizoram Armed Police personnel are also patrolling the state's northwestern border with Bangladesh. Mizoram superintendent of police Zoram Mawia told The Telegraph over phone from Aizawl today that a nine-member gang of the NSCN(IM), armed with AK-47 rifles, had been sighted at Tuidam and New Teirei villages near a hydel power project in northwest Mizoram during the past few days. Mawia said security forces have been told to comb the area to track down the militants. The gang of the NSCN(IM) militants is part of a larger group which is returning to the underground bases in Nagaland and Manipur in phases after their training stints in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. Mawia said the militants returning from the Bangladesh hideouts also include activists of the Boro National Liberation Front, a recently-formed outfit drawn from the minority Reang tribals living in northwest Mizoram. The Bodo outfit had recently tied up with the NSCN(IM) for training. The police officer said the Mizoram police, acting on an order from the state's home department, had also cracked down on non-tribals who have been living in Mizoram without any valid inner line permit. He said over 200 infiltrators have been detected in Mizoram during the past few days. Arrangements are now underway to push them out of Mizoram through the Wairengtei checkgate in the state's northern borders with Cachar district in Assam. Most of these people, without the inner line permit documents, reportedly come from Cachar and Karimganj districts. Mawia said the deportation drive would be stepped up soon. Sources in the state home department at Aizawl expressed concern at the continuing influx of outsiders in Mizoram without inner line permit documents. They said the infiltrators also include Bangladeshis and Chin tribals from neighbouring Myanmar. The inner line permit is issued to non-tribals intending to visit Mizoram for a brief stay from the Mizoram government's liaison offices in New Delhi, Calcutta, Shillong, Guwahati and Silchar. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 6, 1999)

AGARTALA, November 5: In the wake of increased militants activities and sporadic communal flare-ups in several parts of Tripura recently, the overall law-and-order situation is fast deteriorating in the State. While tribals of Bisramganj and its adjoining areas in West Tripura district suddenly boycotted markets, government offices and schools, gunmen suspected to be NLFT collaborators fired upon three non-tribals including women at Kamaria in Amarpur subdivision, South Tripura district. Students in Khowai subdivision in West Tripura district are also carrying out agitations demanding immediate rescue of four of their mates recently abducted by the militants in Kalyanpur police station area. The entire Bisramganj area is reeling under high tension following the sudden boycott by tribals. The boycott reminds one of the infamous Mandai riot in 1980 before which also the tribals had kept away from markets and other places where non-tribals are in a majority. The Mandai riot not only claimed hundreds of lives but also gave birth to militancy in the State. The tribals of Bisramganj are reportedly preparing for agitation following the killing of four persons including two children in a bomb blast on October 28 at Guliraibari. The bomb was kept in bag of a tribal. The ruling CPI(M) said that the bomb, was made by non-tribals. The SP, west Tripura district, Rajiv Singh told The Assam Tribune today that it could not be ascertained as yet who were responsible for the blast. Although it might have been made by tribal miscreants having links with militants to launch an attack on Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel, which went off suddenly. But at the same time involvement of non-tribal miscreants could not be ruled out altogether, since the tribal miscreants are not experts in making such high power bombs. The blast killed three tribals on spot on October 28 last. One child injured in the explosion died on Thursday. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 6, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 6: The ULFA has rejected the 10-day safe passage offered by the Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and instead, asked for a plebiscite on the issue of sovereignty to Assam. ULFA C-in-C Paresh Baruah telephoned Assamese language daily Asomiya Pratidin on Saturday and said : "Instead of playing such childish games, the government should initiate steps for holding a plebiscite in Assam on the question of sovereignty under the supervision of UN observers. If the people of Assam give their verdict against our demand, we will shun the path of armed struggle." Meanwhile, detained ULFA vice-president Pradip Gogoi has termed the safe passage offer as an attempt to blackmail people's wishes. Talking to newsmen at the Kamrup chief judicial magistrate's court where he was produced on Saturday, Gogoi said that the Centre should immediately declare a ceasefire: "The safe passage has no significance because the government is continuing operations against militants." PTI adds from Tawang: Close on the heels of Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta's announcement of 10-day millennium safe passage for the ULFA militants wanting to visit their home, the Army has ensured safe passage back to their camps for the ultras willing to negotiate. "We stand on our commitment that in case the talks fail, the ultras would be allowed to safely go back to their respective destinations from where they came." The general officer commanding of Army's 4 Corps, Lt Gen DB Shekatkar said during a chat with newsmen here recently. "The Army would also like to urge the media and the intelligentsia to use their good offices to prevail on the extremist outfits to come forward for talks with the government to end the vexed issue," Shekatkar said. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; November 7, 1999)

IMPHAL, November 6: The outlawed National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN(IM)) has warned the Naga people of Tamenglong district who had exercised their franchise during the repoll in Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency on October 28 last, a local newspaper stated on Saturday. According to the report, based on intelligence sources, the outfit has also imposed a fine of Rs 100 on each person who have voted against the outfit's no-poll call. Earlier, a section of the local newspapers had also reported that the NSCN(IM) activists had beaten up villagers and imposed fines on them for violating its 'diktat'. Just on the eve of the repoll, Lairenjam Jugeswar, state director general of police (DGP) had stated that the intelligence department of the police had received reports that a large number of NSCN(IM) cadres had rushed to Senapati and Tamenglong districts from Nagaland and Ukhrul district of Manipur to disrupt the repoll. The state government had taken strong security measures to foil the attempt of the insurgent outfit. It even issued 'shoot-at-sight' order. Even four Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters were pressed in to service for surveillance purpose to check the movement of the insurgents. It may be mentioned that repoll was held in 176 polling stations on October 28 last in the Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency following the disruption of polling held on October 4 this year. The common people in the remote hill areas of the state have become victims of both the insurgents and the government forces, sources said. In view of the failure of the CRPF in the counter-insurgency operations in Manipur, the Union home ministry is learnt to have decided to replace all the CRPF forces with the trained Border Security Force (BSF). With the decision of the Union home ministry, six battalions of BSF are expected to arrive in the state while withdrawing five battalions of CRPF from here. The state government is likely to deploy these BSF personnel in Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts where most of the insurgents have taken shelter. Churanchandpur is now dominated by valley insurgents while Tamenglong has become the safest place for the NSCN(IM) militants, sources said. An inspector general of the Assam Rifles who is at the rank of Major General is likely to be posted at Leimakhong to fill the vacancy created by the 57 Mountain Division of the Army which were withdrawn during the Kargil conflict.Moreover, five more battalions of the Assam Rifles would be raised in the Northeast for counter insurgency operations. Meanwhile, the state government is likely to take disciplinary action against the deputy commissioner of Senapati district, Yunam Jugindro, for opening a football tournament organised in memory of a NSCN(IM) leader Brig S Ashiho Chachai, deputy commander in-chief of Naga Army. (Correspondent; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; November 7, 1999)

AGARTALA, November 6: The Tripura government has announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 to persons who would provide specific information leading to the arrest of any of the 48 hardcore militants. The Home Department published the list of the militants belonging to two banned organisations, NLFT and ATTF. The announcement was made in two phases. Among the 48 militants were ATTF's selfstyled "foreign secretary" Asit Debbarma alias Jilon and selfstyled "finance secretary" Chandra Debbarma. It may be mentioned that the state government had last year announced similar rewards for capturing 41 more militants of both of outfits, including topguns like Biswamohan Debbarma alias D Baithang, NLFT president and Ranjit Debbarma, ATTF chief. Others who figured in the list were NLFT hardcores like Kamini Debbarma, Dhanu Koloi, Jogendra Debbarma alias Joshua and Atharababu Halam. The reward then varied from Rs 50,00 to Rs 5 lakh. In the meantime, police nabbed two die-hard militants on Friday last. The arrest came just one day after the list in which both the ultras figured, was published. Bharat Mohan Tripura and Alindra Tripura, both were arrested by a raiding team of police and CRPF from interior Dhalai district. Another report said, gunmen suspected to be NLFT collaborators kidnapped a septugenarian Gopal Nama from Anandnagar area. (Correspondent; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 7, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 5: The Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) members in the State Assembly led by Holiram Terang demanded in the floor of House on Thursday that the State government provide people in Karbi Anglong with fire arms to protect themselves from Karbi National Volunteer (KNV) and Karbi People's Front (KPF) militants. The ASDC members, while bringing a call attention motion, told the House that as the government had failed to take proper steps to arrest growing activities of these militant outfits, the people of Karbi Anglong especially those from Hamren subdivision where ultras are more active had been forced to take up the fight against armed militants. "But how long the unarmed common men will be able to continue their fight against these militants?", he asked the House. Terang informed the House that KNV and KPF, which recently formed the United People's democratic Solidarity (UPDS), had now started interfering with political process. He said that during the last Lok Sabha election KNV and KPF ultras in certain areas had tried to force voters to vote for certain political parties. He further informed that backed by a particular militant outfit of the State and neighbouring Nagaland, KNV and KPF had trained their guns against ASDC leaders in the hill districts. In reply Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, who also holds the home portfolio, said the government was aware that UPDS comprising KNV and KPF had become active in Karbi Anglong. He said though State police had been pressed into operation against these outfits, the operation had not been able to deliver desired results as KNV and KPF ultras often took shelter in NSCN camps located along the inter-state boundary in Karbi Anglong. He said the militants were taking advantage of the ceasefire declared by the government of India against the NSCN. "We have, therefore, requested the Centre to confine the casefire against NSCN to the terrority Nagaland only." Mahanta further informed that several top leaders of both the outfits had either surrendered or been killed in encounter with police. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 7, 1999)

AGARTALA, November 7: The Union Home Ministry has banned the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) and National Liberation Front of Twipra (NLFT), two militant outfits in Tripura, for their anti-national activities. The ATTF and NLFT were first banned in 1997 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. (UNI; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 8, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 7: Suspected militants gunned down three police personnel in the Boko area of Assam's Kamrup district today. In another incident, a retired doctor was hacked to death in the Upper Assam town of Dibrugarh late last night. Police sources said a group of suspected rebels raided a police camp at Kampitoli along the Assam-Meghalaya border at 2.30 pm today. They opened fire indiscriminately, killing three police personnel, including a cook, on the spot. The identity of the outfit involved in the attack is yet to be ascertained. "The attack took place in a remote area and we are still awaiting details," a police official said. Either the ULFA or the A'chik National Volunteers' Council of Meghalaya could be behind the attack, he said. Both these outfits are known to be active in the area. In another incident yesterday, unidentified assailants broke into the house of retired physician Ramendranarayan Choudhury in Dibrugarh and hacked him to death. Choudhury was a former principal medical officer of Doomdooma India Limited, a tea company. The assailants had initially attacked Choudhury's maidservant. She was admitted to the Assam Medical College Hospital in Dibrugarh in a critical condition. Rebel held: A Boro Liberation Tiger militant was arrested by the CRPF in Lower Assam's Mangaldoi district on Sunday. The rebel, Vijay Boro, was picked up from Guptimari village during a raid, reports PTI. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 8, 1999)

AGARTALA, November 7: The Left Front government's failure to firmly tackle insurgency has drawn flak from the state IPS officers' association. The association has attributed the failure of the police and other security forces in curbing militancy to the policies of the ruling Left Front government. At a special meeting of the association yesterday, the majority of the IPS officers that the state government's policies and passive attitude were responsible for stepped-up militancy in the state. The IPS officers also criticised the government for failing to meet the legitimate demands of the police force. The kin of policemen killed in action against militants receive a one-time cash grant of Rs 5 lakh in states like Assam but in Tripura, a paltry Rs 1 lakh is given to the family of a slain policeman. Besides, the benefit of government-paid insurance to policemen is being consistently denied despite repeated demands. Highly-placed sources said the association was also upset over the policy followed by the government in giving promotions to only pliant officers, depriving competent and at times even senior officers. The discontent among policemen in the lower ranks is also running high, the sources added. House session: Tripura Opposition leader Samir Ranjan Barman has demanded an "emergency session" of the Assembly to discuss the precarious law and order situation in the state. In a letter to Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, the Congress legislator said the present situation in the state was a throwback to the "dark period" preceding the outbreak of riots in June 1980. Barman said the ruling Left Front's "indulgent attitude" towards militant outfits had pushed the state to the brink of disaster. He said Tripura could no longer afford to have a government which treated the rebels with "kid gloves". The Opposition leader said the government was needlessly asking for deployment of additional security forces in the state. "The amount of forces the government has at its disposal is enough to tackle more than 400 insurgents," he said. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 8, 1999)

AGARTALA, November 8: The Centre has extended the ban on two outlawed militant organisations of Tripura, the National Liberation Front of Twipra (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF). A communiqué from the Home Ministry said both the organisations were indulging in violent activities in their efforts to create a `sovereign Tripura'. The outfits were killing police and security personnel, apart from civilians, and resorting to extortions from businessmen. The organisations procured arms from foreign countries, had established camps in a neighbouring country, from where they imparted training to their cadres, and carried out their secessionist activities inside Indian territory. They also maintained nexus with other banned organisations and were trying to create communal tension between the non-tribals and tribals in the State. These activities were detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of the country, the communique said. PTI reports: Five `most-wanted' insurgents of banned NLFT have been arrested from the disturbed Dhalai district, police today said. Acting on a tip-off, the police raided Bhagirath Roaja Para, a remote tribal hamlet yesterday and arrested Budhijoy Tripura and four of his accomplices who carried a cash award of Rs 50,000 each over their heads. Tripura was the kingpin behind the killing Ananda Roaja, a ruling CPI(M) MLA, last year, the police added. (Correspondent; The Hindu, Chennai; November 9, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 8: A top Union home ministry official today confirmed the Centre's endorsement of the 10-day-long "safe passage" offered by the Assam government to the ULFA rank and file. Joint secretary (Northeast) in the Union home ministry, GK Pillai, told The Telegraph over phone from Delhi that the proposal entailed "giving the kith and kin of the militants an opportunity to reverse-brainwash them into realising the futility of violence". Pillai also said the Centre had rejected the ULFA's demand for a plebiscite. "A plebiscite is totally ruled out as there is no doubt about the fact that Assam is an integral part of India," he said. Rejecting the Assam government's "goodwill gesture" of offering a 10-day "safe passage", ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah had asked for a "plebiscite" on the demand for a "sovereign Assam". In a telephonic statement to a vernacular daily here on Saturday, Baruah said, "Instead of playing such childish games (like offering safe passage), the government should initiate steps for holding a plebiscite in Assam on the question of sovereignty under the supervision of United Nations observers. If the people of Assam give their verdict against our demand, we will shun the path of armed struggle." The home ministry's intention of doing a "reverse brainwash" on the militants through their kin raises questions about the sincerity in the assurance given by Assam Governor Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha that there are "no strings attached" to the offer of "safe passage". On October 22, the Governor offered a week's "safe passage" to ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa so that he could meet his ailing father. In what was apparently an afterthought, Raj Bhavan later extended the offer to the commander-in-chief and all others members of the outfit. Finally, on Thursday, Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta announced in the Assembly that "all militants" would be allowed "safe passage" for 10 days from December 21 so that they could visit their families. "The Centre fully endorses the Assam government's decision to offer safe passage to the militants to meet their families between December 21 and 31. At the same time, we hope that the families of the militants who take up the offer use this opportunity to reverse-brainwash them into laying down arms because their dream of an independent Assam is unrealistic," Pillai said. The home ministry official said several family members of ULFA militants had approached the government and expressed their desire to meet their sons or siblings. "These family members of ULFA rebels also hope to convince their children or brothers who have gone astray to become law-abiding citizens," he claimed. Asked if the government would be asked to withdraw the offer of "safe passage" now that both Rajkhowa and Baruah had "rejected" it, Pillai said, "This does not mean that every ULFA member is against availing of this concession." He said there was a big difference between the lifestyles of the top-rung rebel leaders and those at the lower end of the ULFA hierarchy. "The top leaders of the ULFA are known to be living in five-star comfort abroad and may not feel the need to return to their homes as they may not get the comforts they have got used to over the years. "On the other hand, the middle and the lower-rung cadres - the ones who actually face hardship in the jungles - would surely like to return to the warmth and comfort of their homes," Pillai said. (Monimoy Dasgupta; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 9, 1999)

KOHIMA, November 9: The six-day-long impasse ended last night with the release of RK Paul at Borlengri in Karbi Anglong district of Assam, bordering Nagaland. The dentist was abducted on November 2 and the medical fraternity of Dimapur, comprising Medical Practitioners Association, Nagaland Medical Dealers Association, Laboratory Technicians Association and Homoeopathy Association, resorted to a strike by pulling down their shutters from Thursday. A bandh was also observed yesterday. The Nagaland Doctor's Association and the Kohima Pharmacy Owners had decided to go on a strike from today if Paul had not been released yesterday. Paul told a local daily that he had been abducted by two suspected Karbi youths. He was taken to Tinimile of Dimapur where he was blindfolded and taken to Assam. However, he maintained that the abductors did not misbehave with him during activity. He was released at Borlengri at 8 pm last night. (UNI; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 10, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 10 - After its failure to persuade the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) leadership to shift their camps from Bhutan, the government of Bhutan has started to initiate steps to put pressure on the outfit, security sources said here today. Sources said that the King of Bhutan recently toured found the Assam-Bhutan border areas to take stock of the situation and it is learnt that during the trip he met leaders of the ULFA in a bid to persuade them to leave the territory of Bhutan. A senior functionary of the Bhutan government also visited the camp of the ULFA located at Deothan to persuade the militants to leave Bhutan. It may be mentioned here that earlier also the King of Bhutan as well as other senior functionaries of the government of Bhutan tried to persuade the ultras to leave Bhutan. However, the efforts of the government of Bhutan have failed to yield results as the ULFA has not taken any step to shift their camps including the General Headquarter and the central headquarter from the territory of Bhutan. After its failure to persuade the militants to leave Bhutan, the government of Bhutan is trying to put pressure on the ultras and asked the district administrations of the bordering districts to intensify checking and the shopkeepers have been directed not to sell goods in huge quantities to the ultras. Recently one truck, carrying about 150 bags of rice to a camp of the ULFA was seized by the security forces of Bhutan. Sources pointed out that it was for the first time a truck carrying food items to a camp of the banned outfit was seized by the security forces of Bhutan, which proved that the attitude of the government of Bhutan towards the militants is changing. Security sources said that the government of Bhutan has also directed the pony owners not to hire out ponies to the ULFA cadres to carry goods including foodstuff to the camps. However, till date, the security forces of Bhutan have not taken any direct action against the ULFA militants, sources added. According to information available with the security forces, the Bhutan government has also decided to erect fencing along the Bhutan-Assam border along the plains to restrict free movement of ultras. Last year also the Bhutanese government dug a trench along the border in the Sandrup Jhonkar area but that failed to produce any result. Security forces are sceptical of the success of the new scheme as it would not be possible to erect a fencing all along the border. Source also admitted that it was not possible for the government of Bhutan to take strong action against the ultras as the southern side of the country depends entirely on the foodstuff brought from Assam and there is apprehension that the ultras might disrupt the movement of goods. Meanwhile, security sources said that more than 2,000 cadres of the ULFA are still living in the camps in Bhutan. Though the outfit is lying low for some time, fresh recruitments are on in some parts of the state. The outfit has also set up camps in the Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, where the presence of security personnel is very low. The militants are also running at least three to four camps in Myanmar, sources added. It may be mentioned here that ULFA shifted its GHQ and CHQ from Bangladesh to Bhutan in the middle part of this decade after the change of the attitude of the Bangladesh government towards the ULFA, and during that time the accounts of the ULFA in the Sonali Bank were also freezed. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 11, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 10: The co-ordination committee of the surrendered members of ULFA has demanded an immediate and unconditional ceasefire from all parties concerned. Former ULFA leaders claimed that the people were opposed to the ULFA's demand for Assam's sovereignty, adding that the unofficial plebiscite had already been held when large numbers of people in the state defied the rebel group's poll boycott call during the just concluded Lok Sabha polls. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, former ULFA publicity secretary and spokesman of the committee Sunil Nath appealed to the ULFA to stop killing its former comrades, and offered to reciprocate by calling a halt to all retaliatory measures from its side. Nath categorically said: "If they assure that they would not kill us, we will also stop taking collective retaliatory measures against them." Dwelling on its appeal, the committee spokesman said that peace should come to the state at any cost, and added: "Hence, the urgency for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire." He, however, alleged that the ULFA has been playing into the hands of certain external forces. He denied having any links with the so-called secret killings, but alleged that threat to their lives was increasing day by day. "If there are secret killings where are the open killings, and who has given the right to ULFA to kill anyone?" Nath asked. Criticising the role of "so-called human rights body", the former ULFA leader alleged that whenever one former ULFA man dies no one condemns it. Giving a list of their slain colleagues, Sunil Nath said that 12 former ULFA members had lost their lives in Dibrugarh district alone since the last Bohag Bihu. He said that there should not be any classification on killings and all murder should be condemned unequivocally. Replying to a query, Nath stated that had it not been for the perennial death threat, it would have been rather simple for the former rebels to become part of the society after returning to the mainstream. "There is serious threat to our lives; it is there every second, and is increasing with every passing day," he pointed out. Giving a note on the development work undertaken by former ULFA men in Sibsagar and Dibrugarh districts, Nath appealed to all concerned to cooperate with them while asking the ULFA not to come in the way of the former ULFA men. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; November 11, 1999)

KOHIMA, November 10: Defence Minister George Fernandes on Wednesday said that talks between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN(IM)) and the centre, were bogged down at certain levels. Fernandes - who had to cut short his visit to the Northeast - before returning to New Delhi, however, declined to make further comment on the issue. Referring to the recent Chinese military activities near the Arunachal Pradesh border, the defence minister said that it was not a serious act, but disclosed that there were some disputed areas. He added that matters were being discussed between the two sides: "Regular flag meetings are being held by the Army on both sides of the border to maintain a cordial relationship." Speaking to newsmen at the 29 Assam Rifles helipad here, the defence minister reiterated that there was no question of holding talks with Pakistan unless they stop cross border terrorism and shooting from across the line of control. He was, however, unperturbed about the replacement of Nawaz Sharif government by military rule in Pakistan, and said: "It's not a new thing. It happened before also." Fernandes, who reached the state capital here on Wednesday morning from Calcutta by a special Indian Air Force chopper, returned to New Delhi following a call by prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in connection with the outbreak of epidemic in cyclone devastated Orissa. He also canceled his scheduled meeting with the state Chief Minister, SC Jamir, and called on only the Nagaland governor OP Sharma. Calling his visit to the region as a peace mission, Fernandes described Mizoram as the most peaceful state in the region, and felt that the other states in the region should also aim at ushering in a peaceful environ and give a boost to the much needed development process which, he said, had taken a backseat. (Correspondent; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; November 11, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 10: Former Punjab director-general of police KPS Gill today said the question of tutoring Assam on the "doctrine of secret killings" did not arise as he personally did not employ any such tactic to eliminate Khalistani terrorists. Gill told The Telegraph over phone from Delhi that "secret killers" were not let loose in Punjab during his tenure, which is why "the question of Assam making my doctrine of secret killings an organ of counter-insurgency operations does not arise". The retired IPS officer's adversaries have accused him of influencing the Assam government into experimenting with the "Punjab experience", a euphemism for extra-judicial killings. He has also been accused of "active involvement in the preparation of a blueprint last year to raise a force of secret killers" to eliminate the kith and kin of ULFA activists and sympathisers of the proscribed outfit. "My interpretation of the jargon 'secret killers' is that they are hitmen patronised by someone with vested interests. Secret killers may be let loose to carry out extra-judicial executions," Gill said. However, he insisted that there were "no secret killers at the disposal of the Punjab government during my tenure". Asked if the "secret killers" in Assam were akin to the "kalekachewalas (men in black underwear)" who were on the prowl in Punjab during his tenure, Gill said, "The kalekachewalas were from a criminal tribe who carried out brutal murders." The modus operandi was simple - the kalekachewalas raided the houses of terrorists, killed their family members and set the buildings ablaze before fleeing. The police force, renowned for its efficiency, surprisingly failed to apprehend the killers on every occasion. The trend of "secret killings" began in Assam with the killing of Dimba Rajkonwar, 55-year-old brother of ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, in August 1998. It is estimated that over 100 people have been killed in similar fashion over the past 14 months. Towards the middle of last year Gill visited Assam for "promotion of hockey". Each of his visits to the state was viewed with suspicion, particularly by human rights organisations. Whenever Gill came to the state last year, it was in his capacity as the chief of the Indian Hockey Federation. But he raised eyebrows by either meeting Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta or the police and Army top brass during each of his visits. "The police force in Assam has so many efficient officers that it does not need my services while devising counter-insurgency strategies," Gill said. "One must realise that all killings are secret killings. One who has killed would obviously like his identity to remain a secret. At times, killings are owned up to for mileage. But it does not mean that one who owns responsibility for a particular killing has actually carried it out," he added. There was a proposal to appoint Gill as the security advisor to the Assam government. However, the move was stymied by a section of the ruling Asom Gana Parishad. The opposition was based on the former Punjab DGP's controversial stint in Assam during the mass agitation. (Monimoy Dasgupta; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 11, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 10: The King of Bhutan, Jigme Sigme Wangchuk, visited an ULFA camp and held discussions with the top leadership of this outfit during his visit to the adjoining areas on the Indo-Bhutan border in mid-October. The king also directed that the Royal Bhutan Polytechnic Institute in Dewathang be shifted in a phased manner to Kharbandi for "security" reasons. It was not immediately known whether the ULFA C-in-C, Paresh Baruah, was present during the king's visit to the outfit's camp in the area. The week-long border area tour by the Bhutanese monarch was undertaken in view of the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the south-eastern district arising out of the presence of heavily armed militants from Assam, security sources said. It has also been learnt that the king even visited an ULFA camp at Dewathang - which is close to the general headquarters of the outfit situated at Kawoipani - and held discussions with the top leadership of this outfit. Though detail of the meeting is not yet known, security agencies feel that both the parties might have discussed the twin issues of ULFA's threat to the kingdom and shifting of the outfit's bases out of Bhutan. The king also reviewed the security arrangements in those areas, along with officials of the Royal Bhutan Army, police, customs and immigration departments. Sources said that king Wangchuck also directed the temporary shifting of the Royal Bhutan Polytechnic Institute at Dewathang to the Royal Technical Institute at Kharbandi in view of the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Samdrup Jongkhar. The Bhutanese monarch also discussed with students, faculty members and the common masses, various means to develop the institute. (Staff Reporter; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; November 11, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 10: The coordination committee of former members of ULFA today called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire both from ULFA and the government sides for paving the way for holding of talks for restoring peace in the state. Speaking to mediapersons here this afternoon Sunil Nath, convenor of the committee said that most of its members now want to lead a normal life and carry on developmental works in various fields. But a major problem arises as ULFA target its former members who take initiatives in carrying out such works. Admitting that death threat from ULFA cadres to former ULFA members is increasing day by day Nath termed this behaviour of the outfit as arising out of sheer frustration and helplessness. He said that in the aftermath of the Kargil war ULFA's true character was exposed and the people have lost faith upon them already. The convenor also termed ULFA's silence towards the 'safe passage' offer and talks as 'unfortunate'. Nath said that due to the increasing death threat many former ULFA members have been forced to stay together in camps - mainly in Sivasagar district. The convenor also criticised the role of human rights agencies for blaming only the former ULFA members for any killing in the state. But he pointed out that in Dibrugarh district alone 12 former ULFA men were killed in the period from mid-April till date this year which was not condemned by human rights watchers. He further informed that many of the committee members are taking up cooperative agricultural firms, small tea gardens and flood relief works among others for benefit of public. He expressed hope that much more can be achieved provided ULFA restrained from attacking its former members who would like to do developmental works for the state. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 11, 1999)

NALBARI, November 11: One more decomposed body of an unidentified victim of alleged 'ULFA barbarism' was dug out from the Kalitapukhuri 'mass grave' in Ghogabeel area of Khatamouja in Nalbari district by the people today. The mass grave is believed to contain some more bodies and skeletons of the ill-fated 'victims of the ULFA'. Though due to lack of expertise more bodies or skeletons of such persons could not be dug out by the people today, chappals, shirts, vests, handkerchief, pants, belts, etc., were found buried in several pits on the banks of the about eight-bigha Kalitapukhuri. It was an unprecedented sight of thousands of people taking up such a venture to unmask the barbarism of the ULFA in such an organised and bold manner in the State. Acting in a resolute manner and refusing to be bullied by all the overt and covert threats issued by the ULFA and their supporters, thousands of people led by the Sadou Asam Khetiyok Santha, CPI-ML (PCC), URMCA and the local units of the AASU of Barbhag, Banbhag and Khata areas started their 'mission unmask ULFA' at about 12 noon today. Today's move was provoked by the discovery of the body of Prasanna Kalita, general secretary of both the Sadou Asam Khetiyok Santha and Nalbari District Khetiyok Santha on November 2 last from one of the pits on the southern bank of Kalitapukhuri owned by Madhukar Barman, SDMO Rangiya and a resident of Nankar Bhoira village under Khata Mouza. It was from this Nankar Bhoira village from where ULFA activists allegedly abducted 50-year-old peasant leader Prasanna Kalita at about 9-30 am of October 28 last. Father of four children and a popular peasant leader of Nalbari district, Prasanna reportedly ridiculed contractor Bhagya Kalita who hails from near by Dalua village and his cohorts in the Banbhag areas at a meeting held at Majusiral Campghat on the bank of the Pagladiya on the occasion of the foundation stone laying ceremony of a bridge over the Pagladiya on October 24 last. Prasanna also demanded of Bhagya Kalita and his cohorts like Lok Nath Bora of Khatikuchi, steps to complete the bridge, awarded to them by the State PWD, in time, said several people of the Banghag area who were present in today's mass grave digging operation. Prasanna was abducted by the ULFA on October 28 allegedly at the instance of the contractors who have nexus with the ULFA operatives of Nankar Bhoira area, as before his abduction he reportedly told his brothers-in-law who are residents of Nankar Bhoira on October 28, that he was asked by some ULFA bodys to meet them for an urgent matter. Saying this, Prasanna reportedly left the house of his brothers-in-law that day only to be dug out from a pit unanimated on November 2, said the people of Banbhag areas. It is also worthmentioning here that a public meeting held under the presidentship of Dibakar Barman, a former Gaon Panchayat president, a section of Nankar Bhoira people on Tuesday last claimed that there was no mass grave in Nankar Bhoira area and hence efforts to dig out human bodies form the Kalitapukhuri area were bound to prove futile. It was a most ghastly sight when the decomposed body of an adult male was dug out from a pit on the southern bank of the Kalitapukhuri today. Everyone present at the site had to cover his or her face with cloth as the foul smell was coming out of the body. From near the pit a red full shirt and a plastic bag, suspected to carry salt for expediting the process of decomposition, was also recovered by the people. (Staff Reporter; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 12, 1999)

IMPHAL, November 11 : The imposition of 'goods tax' by the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, NSCN(IM), on the Indo-Burma road has threatened border trade between the two countries, as most of the traders doing small business are now afraid that they would not be able to make any profit. Sources said, despite continuing peace talks with the centre, the NSCN(IM) has started its activities, including the imposition of boycott regarding general elections in Nagaland and Naga inhabited areas of Manipur in the 13th Lok Sabha elections. Recently, the outfit resumed collection of taxes from the public. The Army has, in Nagaland, warned the outfit that they would now arrest all its cadres if the collection of taxes from the public is not stopped, reports said. The NSCN(IM) has imposed 'goods tax' at the rate of Rs 200 per bag regardless of the category of goods since last Wednesday, according to the traders. The commanding officer, Ashiho Chaomai, Bn. Naga Army of the NSCN(IM), issued a statement in this regard to all the passenger-carrying vehicles like bus, Tata Sumos, vans and others on November 6 last. It directed the transporters, operating between Imphal and Moreh, that "all kinds of vehicles carrying goods or passengers for business purpose shall have to pay tax at the rate of Rs 200 only per bag without any category of goods with effect from November 10 this year. It asked all the owners and passengers to collect the tax from their passengers and submit it to the outfit. Besides the Indo-Burma road, the cadres of the NSCN(IM) had already imposed taxes on the goods being brought from the mainland towards Imphal along the Imphal-Dimapur road. According to some passengers, the NSCN(IM) cadres have been taking taxes ranging from Rs 2500 to Rs 3500 for the goods brought by all the inter-state buses at Mao in Manipur. The ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks between the central government and the NSCN(IM) is not likely to conclude as both of then have now diverted their attention away from it. The Army even alleged the outfit of violating the 'conditions' of ongoing ceasefire. (Correspondent; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; November 12, 1999)

GHOGABEEL (NALBARI DISTRICT), November 11: Hundreds of people in Nalbari district, one of the last remaining strongholds of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), today came out to protest against killings by the rebel outfit and tried to excavate a "mass grave" in the Ghogabeel area. Though several spots were dug up, the search was successful at only one place, where a partially decomposed male body was recovered. The body is yet to be identified. "We will call in relatives of all persons missing in the district to try and identify the corpse," said Nalbari superintendent of police AJ Baruah. The people also recovered empty bags of salt and urea, which had probably been doused on the bodies to ensure fast decomposition. Some clothes and a pair of sandals were also found. CPI(ML) leader Biswajit Chakravartty said they had "definite information" about the presence of a "mass grave." He said, "Our sources are very reliable as they pinpointed the exact spot where peasant leader Prasanna Kalita had been buried." The same sources have informed them that "at least 100 bodies," by a very conservative estimate, had been buried at the site over the last three years, he claimed. Though the police and the district administration had initially dismissed the claims of the presence of a "mass grave," they are taking the matter seriously after today's recovery. "It remains to be seen whether it is really a mass grave or whether just one or two bodies have been dumped here," said deputy commissioner AK Bhootani. Rumours of a "mass grave" at Ghogabeel, a vast and inaccessible marshy area, spread after the recovery of Kalita's body. The body that was found today was recovered hardly 15 feet away from the spot where Kalita had been buried. People said they sometimes hear cries for help coming from the area at night. They also claimed they sometimes find abandoned sandals, belts and clothes in the area. The land where the bodies were found belongs to a physician, Madhukar Barman, who stays in Nalbari. The land has two ponds which are used for pisciculture. "Barman will be made party to the case," Bhootani announced. A large number of people, mostly activists of the United Revolutionary Movement Council of Assam (URMCA) and the CPI(ML), came in a procession from Khatikuchi to Ghogabeel today and joined their compatriots who had already assembled at the spot. Senior police and civil officials were present there since early morning to keep an eye on the developments. Some of the people tore down a shed which was once used by a watchman. "The watchman had left a couple of years back and the shed was being used by the ULFA as a torture chamber," they alleged. The people also alleged that a leading but controversial contractor of the state had paid the ULFA to kill Kalita. "However, we found it difficult to accept that the ULFA was behind the killing since Kalita was one of those persons without whose presence no adya shraddha of any ULFA 'martyr' had taken place in the last few years. Moreover, he had never received any threats," said Chakravartty. "Maybe the ULFA top brass has lost control over its junior cadres," the CPI(ML) leader said. (Rajib Borah; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 11, 1999)

SHILLONG, November 11: Meghalaya home minister TH Rangad today announced that the Centre's scheme for rehabilitation of militants was applicable to the state's armed organisations, while calling the groups for negotiations. So far the two major groups, the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) and the Achik National Volunteers' Council (ANVC), have rejected the call through statements in different local newspapers. Though the state government has made this announcement, it is yet to identify which groups it considers to be organisations fighting for ideological causes. As far as police documents and press statements are concerned, the HNLC and the ANVC are criminal gangs. When asked about this, Rangad said the offer for talks was open to all groups which felt they had grievances against the government. Only a public outcry can save Meghalaya from going the way of Nagaland, Manipur and Assam, Rangad said today. The silence of the public in the face of recent ghastly murders and incidents of extortion by various groups was a silent encouragement. Security has been beefed up in police stations following last week's attack on a police station and the killing of the policemen. Rangad said the people should condemn these incidents. Two incidents occurred within days of his taking over, which left four policemen dead. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 12, 1999)

GHOGABIL (NALBARI), November 11: More than 3,000 villagers of Nanka Bhoira dug out the grave of an unidentified youth in the presence of police and Nalbari district administration officials, on Thursday, at Ghogabil -- just ten meters away from the grave in which the body of Prasanna Kalita, a CPI(ML) activist, was found a few days ago. The villagers were led by CPI(ML) and URMCA activists who believe that there is a mass grave of victims of extremist organisations in the vicinity of the Ghogabil area. The digging for the mass grave started before noon. The villagers who were mainly using the hit and trial method rather than any scientific process, had to taste failure in the first few attempts. But when one of the pits started emitting a strong stench of decomposed flesh towards the later part of the afternoon, the villagers knew they were on to something. They had to dig six to seven feet deep into the ground before the first glimpse of the body was seen. First, the right hand emerged, then the legs and finally the villagers using bamboos and spades dragged out the whole body. The dead body appeared to be that of a middle-aged man of around five feet five inches in height. There were remains of cordage on the victim's hands and a deep scar on the right side of his neck. However, identification of the corpse was yet to be done. The exact reason for the death would be ascertained only after post-mortem. Meanwhile, some personal belongings of another person, Hitesh Kalita -- missing from the Nanka Bhoira village -- was found in a ditch adjacent to the grave. According to Hitesh Kalita's wife -- Anita Kalita -- a pair of slippers he was last seen wearing, was recovered from the ditch. This has led to speculation that there may be more bodies buried in the area. The Nalbari district commissioner, Ashish Kumar Bhutani -- who rushed to the spot after the body was found -- said that the district administration would provide all necessary assistance to the villagers in their endeavour to find more such graves. Regarding the district administration taking up the onus of carrying out the excavation, he said that such a decision will only be taken after a meeting with the other district authorities. Meanwhile, the Nalbari superintendent of police, Apurba Jiban Barua, said that although there was no definite information of the culprits behind the incident, the hand of ULFA could not be ruled out. He also said that the recovered body may belong to one of the missing persons from Nalbari district. (Arnab Pratim Dutta; The Assam Tribune, Guwahati; November 12, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 13: The Naga peace talks scheduled for later this month have been deferred due to "unforeseen situation arising out of the super cyclone in Orissa." Talking to The Telegraph over telephone from Kohima this afternoon, joint secretary (Northeast) in the Union home ministry GK Pillai, said, "Everyone's attention is now focused on Orissa. So the Naga peace talks have been kept on hold." Pillai, who is in Kohima for the Indo-Myanmar border meeting said, "Maybe, we will be in the new millennium when the NSCN(IM) leaders and the interlocutor of the Union government sit for talks." The NSCN(IM) today hinted that deferring of talks will be a blessing in disguise. "Talking to the previous government in Delhi was hardly of any consequence because it was not stable. This time, though the government at the Centre appears to be stable, it is again a coalition. We want the government to stabilise fully before we go for the next round of talks," said the outfit's ceasefire monitoring cell convenor, "Col." Phunting Shimrang. Though Pillai agreed that the Naga peace talks, which began in 1997 have "not made much headway," he refused to attribute it to the "instability" at the Centre. Pillai said the Centre has on "all occasions made it clear that the sovereignty of Nagaland is not negotiable and the question of according sanction to a greater Nagaland does not arise. But the other side has not agreed to compromise on the issue. They refuse to understand that the situation in 1999 is not the same as that of 1947. Therefore, for all practical purposes we stand where we began." The NSCN(IM), which has categorically stated that "sovereign Nagaland is not negotiable," made it clear that their vision of a "sovereign homeland for the Nagas" was a "greater Nagaland," which would include all the Naga-inhabited areas of the neighbouring states of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. Union defence minister George Fernandes, who was in Kohima on November 10, said the ongoing talks between the Naga insurgents were "bogged down at a certain level" but refused to elaborate. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 14, 1999)

IMPHAL, November 13: Twenty-six year-old Rosy Haokip (not her real name) is one of the indirect victims of the protracted Kuki-Paite clashes, which rocked Manipur in 1997. She is a sex worker. Driven by hunger, she took to the streets with her daughter after her husband's death in an ethnic clash two years ago. However, her sojourn into the grimy lanes of the capital's red light area was cut short yesterday when volunteers of the All-Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) rounded up 10 commercial sex workers from a local hotel. AMSU activists handed over Rosy and her associates to a women's health clinic at Khoyathong after parading them before newsmen. Rosy along with the other sex workers have been asked to attend the clinic regularly by the counsellors. The hotel owner, manager and three clients were handed over to the police. "I lost a son at the time of birth and my husband was killed in a Kuki-Paite clash. I am now left with my daughter," an unrepentant Rosy said. A Kuki tribal from Churachandpur district, Rosy came to the capital in search of a job in late 1997. She was lured by some pimps with a job offer and subsequently landed up in the red light area. According to the counsellors at the clinic, the clashes pitched many young widows, orphans and destitutes into the flesh trade for survival. The clinic has been treating many such sex workers for the past few years. In most of the cases, young women with children were lured into the profession after their husband's death. The rehabilitation programmes initiated by the state government have not been able to provide succour to these women. Coupled with this is poor health awareness, which make these commercial sex workers vulnerable to HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases. (Oinam Sunil; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 14, 1999)

NEW DELHI, November 14: The police forces in Nagaland and Tripura, two of the militancy-hit states in the north-east, are being equipped with modern communication facilities. An effective and updated wireless network is high on the priority list to increase the mobility of the personnel. The Nagaland and Tripura police had evinced a keen interest in acquiring a network along the lines of the Delhi Police. It came as a god send opportunity when the Delhi police decided to upgrade its network to the ultra-modern Ultra High Frequency (UHF) at a cost of Rs 14 crores. Thanks to the nudging from the Union Home Ministry, the Very High Frequency (VHF) network of the Delhi police is being virtually gifted to the Nagaland and Tripura police. An ambitious Rs 285 crore scheme for modernisation of the police forces in the six north-eastern states was approved by the Centre about a month ago. The special scheme aims at improving the general condition of the police forces in Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura. The allocations to the north-eastern states under the general scheme of modernisation of police forces are grossly insufficient. The special scheme for modernisation of the police forces in the north-eastern states is 100 per cent Centrally-funded, with emphasis on supply of arms and ammunition, vehicles, and communication and other essential equipment. Procurement of vehicles and arms and ammunition with an available budget of Rs 65 crores for the current financial year has already started. During 1997-98, vehicles and arms and ammunition worth Rs 35.63 crores were provided under the scheme. During 1998-99, Rs 12.48 crores was spent on bullet-proofing of vehicles and purchase of vehicles, pistols and other assorted arms and ammunition. According to an official spokesperson of the Home Ministry, Rs 86 crores each was expected to be spent during 2000-01 and 2001- 02. The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) conducted studies on the state of the police forces in Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura and recommended immediate upgradation of weaponry, vehicles and communication equipment. The Centre recently approved a scheme for reimbursement of security-related expenditure of insurgency-affected states in the north- east. It gave the nod for reimbursement of Rs 236.77 crores to Assam, Rs 47.15 crores to Nagaland, Rs 23.17 crores to Manipur and Rs 46.08 crores to Tripura. Under broad guidelines, the Centre reimburses expenses on purchase and transport of new vehicles, weapons and ammunition, work on jails, training to the police and prison administration personnel, raising of India Reserve Battalions, deployment of Army and Central forces and transport of arrested militants to jails outside the State. (Vinay Kumar; The Hindu, Chennai; November 15, 1999)

GUWAHATI, November 14: Superintendent of police, Nalbari district AJ Baruah had a miraculous escape when his convoy was ambushed by ULFA militants in Barpeta district this evening. Baruah, who was on his way to the western part of Nalbari district, had to pass through Barpeta. ULFA militants opened fire at Madhuri Chowk near Saibari village. As soon as the policemen jumped off their vehicles and took up positions, the militants fled. The police were unable to return fire as the villagers harvesting crop in the nearby fields ran amok. "But as soon as we started chasing them, another group which was hiding behind a bamboo grove opened fire again," said Baruah. One of the rebels involved in the ambush has been identified as Nirmal Das. Baruah did not rule out the possibility of the rebels having prior information about his trip. In a separate incident, a police team led by additional SP Nitya Goswami arrested two hardcore ULFA rebels Ghanashyam Nath and Pradip Medhi from Borakhat and Nankar Bhoira respectively. The police said the militants were involved in the abduction and subsequent killing of peasant leader Prasanna Kalita. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; November 15, 1999)