IMPHAL, December 1: The All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has drawn the attention of the Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch over the arrest of its president, secretary general and finance secretary by the Assam Rifles. The AMSU, in a fax message to Emma Blower, Indian researcher and Eric Scotts director, OMCT/SOS Torture of Amnesty International and Patricla Gossman, senior researcher, Asia Division of Human Rights Watch, said that it's leaders were arrested on fabricated grounds to malign the AMSU image as having links with underground outfits. Stating that the student leaders are still captivated, the message said that the Assam Rifles is pressuring the state and central governments to ban the apex student body in the state. It also urged the Amnesty International to intervene and protect the rights of the student community in the state. The message also said that the government forces had foiled the observation of anti-armed force Special Power Act, 1958 on November 27. The observation was organised by the Committee Against Atrocities on Civilians (CAAC) which was formed after the Tonsen Lamkhai massacre where 10 civilians were killed by CRPF jawans after an attack on their convoy by the underground. Meanwhile, several women organisations had threatened to go fast until death after the Chief Minister W Nipamacha rejected their plea to release the three detained AMSU leaders. Nipamacha reportedly told the women bodies that the government can not free the arrested AMSU leaders, they only can be released through the court. As such the women bodies have set a deadline on December 2 after which they will start an agitation, sources said. (Correspondent; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; December 2, 1999)

KOHIMA, December 1: Close on the heels of the abortive attempt on the life of Nagaland Chief Minister SC Jamir, security personnel on Wednesday launched a house to house search and took control of the liaison office of outlawed militants" outfit NSCN (Issac Muivah) in Dimapur town. The search operations were aimed at flushing out militants taking shelter within town limits, a senior Union home ministry official said in New Delhi. A main objective of the operations is to nab militants and stop killings, kidnappings, ambushes and extortion by rebel outfits. Security forces closed down NSCN(IM) liaison office in Dimapur, set up under the ceasefire accord in 1997, sealed its premises and moved out the guerrillas triggering protests from the outfit and tension in the area. Assam Rifles personnel took over the liaison office after NSCN(IM) refused to vacate it by 1600 hours on Tuesday, IG, Assam Rifles (north) Major General RB Singh said. The Assam Rifles action has set off tension in the NSCN(IM) ranks which had sought the intervention of prime minister's emissary to Naga peace talks K Padmanabhaiah into the matter and an independent probe into the bid on Jamir's life. "Over a period of time it was found that the premises of the monitoring cell were being misused and it had de facto become a centre of illegal activities such as extortion, kidnapping, intimidation and illegal sale of lottery tickets," officials said. However, the security forces maintained the step was not tantamount to the breakdown of the ceasefire monitoring as the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) regular meeting involving both the government and the NSCN(IM) representatives can be held at a mutually decided venue. Our Correspondent adds: Chief minister Jamir said that the ceasefire has become a mockery and meaningless, since it is only between the security forces and the NSCN(IM), which in turn has given the outfit a licence to carry out all kinds of undesirable activities such as wanton killings, extortions, kidnapping etc. Jamir lambasted, and partly blamed the Centre for the prevailing scenario in the state. The Chief Minister has also registered his strong protest with prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and defence minister George Fernandes on the prevailing situation in the state. Meanwhile, according to IGP (intelligence), the ambush was carried out by the NSCN(IM) under the order of the C-in-C of the People's Army of Nagalim, Hungshi. The ambush party was led by major Ninthing Shimray, major Nikiye Sema and captain Inaikum Tangkhul. Nine cadres of the NSCN(IM) took part in the attack, and the particulars of those activity involved are being sought, the report disclosed. (Correspondent; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; December 2, 1999)

KOHIMA, December 2: NSCN(IM) on Thursday sought clarification from the centre about its stand on the ceasefire in Nagaland even as security forces here maintained that the on-going action by Assam Rifles will not break down the peace process in the state. We want to know from the centre and the security forces whether they have unilaterally called off the ceasefire," NSCN(IM)'s information and publicity secretary Ng Hungshi said here. He accused Assam Rifles of abrogating the ceasefire ground rules following the closure of its monitoring cell office at Dimapur, "raids at several places and arrest of its cadres without any rhyme or reason." He alleged that security forces have been deployed in larger numbers around NSCN(IM) headquarters at Niuland in Dimapur district. Defence sources when contacted denied the NSCN(IM) allegation and said that "at our level we have to maintain a congenial atmosphere, but reviewing ceasefire ground rules implementation and subsequent decision on them will be taken at much higher level. The security forces, the sources said, have only intensified its routine duties such as patrolling, checking and frisking of vehicles, particularly in town areas in view of spurt in violence in the state. We have conducted raids in a few places at Dimapur in search of the persons allegedly involved in the attempt on the Chief Minister SC Jamir's life on November 29 and the persons were identified by the state police, " the sources added. Official sources said that security measures have been tightened in major towns across the state following the abortive bid on Jamir's life. The sources said that while police and security forces have intensified patrolling, checking and frisking of vehicles, both held separate meetings to review the law and order situation in the state. (PTI; The Northeast Daily, Guwahati; December 2, 1999)

NEW DELHI, December 1: The Union Home Ministry has decided to enhance the level of deployment of security forces in Nagaland in the wake of attempt on the life of the State Chief Minister, SC Jamir, on Monday. A high-level meeting, convened by the Home Ministry, and also attended by the representatives of the Defence Ministry, decided to enforce the agreed ground rules for ceasefire in Nagaland in letter and spirit with greater vigour. Security forces have been instructed to come down heavily on all violations of the ceasefire ground rules, according to a official spokesperson of the Home Ministry. Though no militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack on the motorcade of Jamir, investigations conducted by the local police have so far indicated that it could be the handiwork of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (IM). The Centre and the NSCN(IM) had agreed on a ceasefire in Nagaland on July 25, 1997 and it has been extended periodically. The spokesman reiterated that the Centre was committed to peaceful dialogue to settle disputes. "The Union government is willing to talk to all underground outfits. However, violence has no place in a democratic society and it shall not be tolerated," a statement by the Home Ministry said. (Correspondent; The Hindu, Chennai; December 2, 1999)

KOHIMA, December 1: In a move smacking of retaliation, security forces today sealed the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) ceasefire monitoring cell office in Dimapur. The Assam Rifles directed the outfit to vacate the office by 4 pm yesterday. The directive was issued after the ambush on Chief Minister SC Jamir's convoy on Monday. An Army official said there was no option but to seal the office as the NSCN(IM) was "grossly misusing" the facilities provided to it. "It was the de facto central headquarters of the outfit. Extortion, abduction, intimidation and illegal sale of lottery tickets were conducted from the office," he said. NSCN(IM) information and publicity secretary Ng Hungshi, however, denied the allegations. He said Assam Rifles personnel sealed the office this morning in violation of the ceasefire between the Centre and his outfit. The rebel leader said he had written to government interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah and ceasefire monitoring group chairman PD Shenoy, seeking to know what the move was all about. "We are not sure whether it implies that the ceasefire is no longer in force," he said. A senior official said ceasefire monitoring group meetings would be held as usual despite the NSCN(IM) office being sealed. "The surveillance mechanism will not be affected. Monthly meetings of the ceasefire monitoring group will be held at a mutually-decided venue," he said. The raid on the NSCN(IM) office coincides with a scathing attack on the outfit by the Chief Minister. Terming the ongoing ceasefire in Nagaland "a licence to kill", Jamir told a press conference here that his government had ample evidence of the NSCN(IM)'s "direct involvement" in Monday's ambush. "The police and intelligence agencies have evidence of the NSCN(IM)'s involvement in the ambush. The operation was planned three or four days in advance and was carried out in accordance with a directive from the outfit's commander-in-chief," the Chief Minister told newspersons here. According to a report submitted to the Union home ministry, nine NSCN(IM) rebels carried out the operation. They were allegedly led by "Maj" Ninthing Shimray, "Maj" Nikiya Sema and "Capt" Inaikum Tangkhul. Power minister K Therie, who accompanied Jamir to the press conference, said the rebels who carried out the operation conversed in the Tangkhul Naga tribe dialect. He said this indicated that they were all NSCN(IM) activists. The banned outfit was quick to issue a denial, saying that the charges were concocted. It demanded institution of an "independent inquiry" into the ambush. "It is a conspiracy to sabotage the ongoing peace process, which is steadily gaining momentum," the NSCN(IM) said. Jamir today charged Naga rebels from Manipur with exploiting the "real Nagas" in the name of "a sovereign Nagalim". Addressing a function on the occasion of Nagaland's 35th "Statehood Day", Jamir said it was high time the Nagas separated the chaff from the graint. "Militants from outside the state are not Nagas. They have not made any contribution to the Naga political struggle over the past five decades," he said. The Chief Minister accused the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) of "destroying the Naga polity, economy and society in the name of sovereignty". He said the Naga political problem could be resolved through democratic means only by the Nagas of Nagaland. Jamir is the only living signatory to the 16-point agreement of 1960, which led to Nagaland being declared the 16th state of the Indian Union in 1963. Paying tribute to those who sacrificed everything for the state, Jamir said violence had no place in Naga society. "By resorting to violence, the NSCN(IM) has negated the objective for which the state was formed," he said. "Those who did not participate in either the Naga struggle or the 1951 plebiscite are now trying to hijack the state of Nagaland," he added. Jamir exhorted the "real Nagas of Nagaland" to unite for the sake of peace and prosperity. "It is time to bury the hatchet and begin a new chapter of understanding and reconciliation among people from different sections of the Naga community," he said. Earlier, the Chief Minister told a press conference at his residence here that he survived Monday's ambush because of his faith in god. Asked whether a security lapse led to the ambush, Jamir said, "There was definitely an intelligence failure. However, the security personnel in the convoy gave a fitting reply to the rebels." The Chief Minister said the ceasefire between the Centre and the NSCN(IM) was only a "license" for the rebels to kill, abduct, extort and intimidate the Nagas. "There is no ceasefire in Nagaland. The rebels have made a mockery of it. That is why we have urged the Centre to review the so-called peace initiative by taking the state government into confidence," he said. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 2, 1999)

KOHIMA, December 1: In a move smacking of retaliation, security forces today sealed the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) ceasefire monitoring cell office in Dimapur. The raid on the NSCN(IM) office was ominous after the Assam Rifles directed the outfit to vacate the office by 4 pm yesterday. The directive was issued after the ambush on Chief Minister SC Jamir's convoy on Monday. An Army official said there was no option but to seal the office as the NSCN(IM) was "grossly misusing" the facilities provided to it. "It was the de facto central headquarters of the outfit. Extortion, abduction, intimidation and illegal sale of lottery tickets were conducted from the office," he said. NSCN(IM) information and publicity secretary Ng Hungshi, however, denied the allegations. He said Assam Rifles personnel sealed the office this morning in violation of the ceasefire between the Centre and his outfit. The rebel leader said he had written to government interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah and ceasefire monitoring group chairman PD Shenoy, seeking to know what the move was all about. "We are not sure whether it implies that the ceasefire is no longer in force," he said. A senior official said ceasefire monitoring group meetings would be held as usual despite the NSCN(IM) office being sealed. "The surveillance mechanism will not be affected. Monthly meetings of the ceasefire monitoring group will be held at a mutually-decided venue," he said. The raid on the NSCN(IM) office coincides with a scathing attack on the outfit by the Chief Minister. Terming the ongoing ceasefire in Nagaland "a licence to kill", Jamir told a press conference here that his government had ample evidence of the NSCN(IM)'s "direct involvement" in Monday's ambush. "The police and intelligence agencies have evidence of the NSCN(IM)'s involvement in the ambush. The operation was planned three or four days in advance and was carried out in accordance with a directive from the outfit's commander-in-chief," the Chief Minister told newspersons here. According to a report submitted to the Union home ministry, nine NSCN(IM) rebels carried out the operation. They were allegedly led by "Maj." Ninthing Shimray, "Maj" Nikiya Sema and "Capt." Inaikum Tangkhul. Power minister K Therie, who accompanied Jamir to the press conference, said the rebels who carried out the operation conversed in the Tangkhul Naga tribe dialect. He said this indicated that they were all NSCN(IM) activists. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 2, 1999)

GUWAHATI, December 2: The ceasefire between the Centre and a powerful insurgent group in the Northeast appeared heading towards an imminent breakdown on Wednesday. Nearly twenty-seven months after the Union home ministry and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah decided to observe a truce, at least 1,000 cadres of the rebel group have gone underground between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Although the army has launched a massive search and cordon operation, analysts fear that the rebels have fled the camp that they were living in for the past two-and a half years. This development comes in the wake of the Union home ministry's decision to mount a hardline response following Monday's attack on Nagaland Chief Minister SC Jamir. The attack on Jamir by armed militants was a fallout of the fierce rivalry between the two factions of the banned National Socialist Council of Nagalim. There has been a sharp increase in factional clashes ever since the Isak-Muivah faction reached a ceasefire agreement with the Union government in August 1997. Political opponents of Jamir have often accused him of being sympathetic towards NSCN faction headed by SS Khaplang, a Hemi Naga from Burma. Meanwhile, the NSCN(IM) claimed the Assam Rifles had asked it to vacate the ceasefire monitoring cell office at Dimapur by 1600 hours on Tuesday. NSCN(IM) press and publicity secretary Ng Hungshi said, "To our surprise, the Assam Rifles has given an ultimatum to vacate the NSCN ceasefire monitoring cell office at Dimapur by Wednesday. Immediately after the incident on Monday, the Assam Rifles personnel cordoned off the office building and later we were asked to vacate the place by Tuesday afternoon." He warned the Centre to take immediate steps to prevent the Assam Rifles from taking any step that might force the outfit to go in for a rethink on the two-and-half year old ceasefire agreement. He, however, made it clear that the NSCN(IM) was "sincere" in its intention to hold a political dialogue with the government. Expressing anguish at the behaviour of the Assam Rifles, Hungshi said: "We are maintaining restraint even after repeated provocation from the state government." Making it clear that the outfit would not vacate the office despite the ultimatum, he said: "We have decided not to vacate the office as it was established in agreement with the Centre. It is high time the Centre took measures to avoid any further complications." He said the NSCN(IM) was probing the whole episode to identify the people involved in Monday's attack. "Obviously it is the part of a planned conspiracy to sabotage the ongoing peace process," he said. He said Jamir should produce evidence to back his charge that the NSCN(IM) was involved in the attack. "It has become common practice for the state government to blame us for everything," he said. A high-level meeting held in the home ministry on Tuesday decided to enhance deployment of security forces in areas of Nagaland which were affected by militant activity. The meeting was attended by representatives of the defence ministry. government sources said the home ministry had taken a serious view of the attack on Jamir's life and decided to implement ground rules for the ceasefire "in letter and spirit with greater vigour." The sources admitted the latest developments could seriously jeopardise the peace talks, even though the Union government was committed to dialogue as a means of settling the long-standing Naga problem. Security forces have been instructed to come down heavily on all ceasefire violations as violence by any group in Nagaland would not be tolerated, the sources said. The Centre's decision to initiate hardline measures came less than a week after K Padmanabhaiah, its principal negotiator for peace talks with the NSCN(IM), resumed political dialogue with the top leadership of the militant group. The former home secretary met Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah in Bangkok last week for the first round of talks after the installation of a new government in New Delhi. (Nitin Gogoi; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 2, 1999)

GUWAHATI, December 3: Wary of sparking a controversy, police have revoked their decision to keep suspected militant Bulbul Boro handcuffed in hospital. Boro was injured in an encounter with the police on November 27. The suspected Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) activist has since been undergoing treatment at the Gauhati Medical College hospital. A police official said the handcuffs were removed on Wednesday. However, he pleaded ignorance about why Boro was handcuffed or what prompted the authorities to change their decision. "We do as we are directed by our seniors," he said. Though Boro's handcuffs have been removed, police and CRPF personnel are keeping vigil round the clock. The suspected BLT rebel is recuperating in the male surgical ward of the hospital. The issue was first raised by The Telegraph on Tuesday. Asked why Boro had been handcuffed, officiating Guwahati superintendent of police PK Dutta said he was in the dark. However, he promised to look into the matter. Keeping a person handcuffed while undergoing treatment is a violation of the directives issued by the Gauhati High Court as well as the Supreme Court. Assam Human Rights Commission member Paramananda Kalita said it was criminal to handcuff a patient. The rights activist said Boro's suspected background could not be a valid reason to keep him handcuffed. Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti secretary-general Lachit Bordoloi echoed Kalita's views, saying that it was "barbarous" to handcuff a patient. He said Boro should have access to the best medical treatment as long as he is in police custody. Doctors at the hospital said Boro had "recovered to an extent". Boro denied that he has links with the BLT. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 4, 1999)

BAIHATA CHARIALI (ASSAM), December 5: At least 134 United Liberation Front of Asom and Bodo Liberation Tiger militants surrendered before the public here today. There was nothing official about it. There were no dignitaries present -- neither the governor, the Chief Minister or somebody from the army top brass. The few security personnel around looked on from a distance. Top militants who joined the mainstream included the ULFA western region commander Binoy Rava. There were also other leaders such as Parag Dhar Chaliha and Bidyut Karji. A function was organised in this small mofussil town near Guwahati by the Coordination Committee of Former ULFA Members. An ambulance was also donated by the former militants. There was spontaneous applause from the audience as the militants introduced themselves before denouncing violence. This is the first time since the surrender process began way back in 1993 that the militants joined the mainstream in this manner. But there was no surrender of weapons. Later talking to UNI, one of the leaders of the Coordination Committee of Former ULFA Members, Sunil Nath, said that they would take more such initiatives to make the militants surrender on their own. "We were expecting around ten to 15 guys in the morning. But the ultimate figure was beyond our imagination," he said. Some of the ULFA cadres who joined the mainstream said they did not want to surrender before the authorities. "We have realised that the path [of violence] is wrong and have returned to public life and the people have also accepted us," said Parag Dhar Chaliha, who led the group. "We would continue to strive for the cherished goal. But the path of violence was wrong," said another ULFA leader who was till this morning an influential member of the front's political wing. However today's attraction was Binoy Rava. The commander of the ULFA's western zone and a veteran of the 1986 batch, he admitted he had been awarded the death penalty by the ULFA because of his opposition to some of their activities. Nath later said that these militants would go through the formal process of joining the mainstream with the police at the local level but till the process was completed and they were officially recognised as former ULFA members, they would be looked after by the Coordination Committee. Among the 134 militants, there were 117 ULFA members and 17 from the BLT. They were from Darrang, Goalpara and Kamrup districts. (Mrinal Talukdar, UNI; Rediff.com; December 5, 1999)

KOHIMA, December 6: Warning of a catastrophe if militants continued to hold the state to ransom, Nagaland Chief Minister SC Jamir today urged all legislators to oppose terrorism fearlessly. "Everything that is good and valuable is being destroyed by the gun. Difference of opinion is settled not through debate and discussion, but by death," he said during the final Assembly session of the millennium. Jamir said legislators should cut across party lines and strive for development, adding that the gains made over the past few decades should not be frittered under any circumstances. The Chief Minister said much had changed since Nagaland made the transition from a small hill district to a state in 1963. "Today, Nagas have an identity, a voice, structure, dignity and a distinct character," he said. Hailing the Assembly for preserving the "great legacy of Indian democracy", Jamir said the people of the state were also keen to "play a crucial role in shaping the destiny of the country". Home Minister Neiphiu Rio, who also addressed the Assembly, said the spurt in violence was a setback to the peace process initiated by the government. He said a probe by a special investigation team had established the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah)'s involvement in the attack on Jamir within 24 hours of the incident. The minister said the state's intelligence network had been strengthened and police were on alert against subversive acts. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 7, 1999)

IMPHAL, December 8: Manipur has been declared as disturbed area for another six months from December 1 in view of the continued violence by "unlawful elements" in the State. A December 3 notification by the State Chief Secretary, H. Jel Shyam, issued to the press today, said the measure under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, was taken to help the civil administration make use of the armed forces to deal with the situation. (PTI; The Hindu, Chennai; December 9, 1999)

DIMAPUR, December 8: Striking a note of consensus after a bout of frenzied mudslinging, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and the security forces today expressed their willingness to strengthen the ceasefire in Nagaland. The peace process suffered a setback due to allegations that the ambush on Chief Minister SC Jamir's convoy on November 29 was orchestrated by the banned militant outfit. In a retaliatory move, security forces sealed the NSCN(IM) ceasefire monitoring cell office in Dimapur and detained several activists of the outfit for their alleged involvement in the ambush. The NSCN(IM) was quick to react, saying the arrests were "arbitrary" and in violation of the ground rules of the ceasefire. However, 3 Corps general-officer-commanding Lt Gen RK Nanavatty allayed apprehension that the peace process was on the verge of breaking down. He said the security forces were optimistic about restoring an atmosphere of trust between the two sides. "We are very concerned about the future of the ceasefire and want it to continue. There is no ambiguity on this score. Both sides have to defuse the tension triggered by recent developments," the Army official told The Telegraph here. He said the sanctity of the ceasefire could be restored only if the NSCN(IM) called a halt to extortion, abductions and killings. The GOC said the Army had exercised utmost restraint so far in deference to the ceasefire, but the rebels should remember that there was a limit to its patience. "NSCN(IM) activists were not able to do what they are doing now when full-fledged counter-insurgency operations were on," he said. The Army top brass has reportedly urged the Union home ministry to convene a meeting with the NSCN(IM) leadership so that the "misunderstanding" between the two sides could be removed. NSCN(IM) ceasefire monitoring cell convenor Phungthing Shimrang has also called for a review of the peace process. "We have long been saying the government should spell out certain clauses of the ground rules. Modification of the rules is imperative to clear the confusion," he said. The rebel leader said the government should plug the loopholes in the ground rules and find ways to properly implement the ceasefire. "Instead of convening a meeting of the ceasefire monitoring group immediately after the ambush (on Jamir), the government targeted us. The Union home ministry announced that additional security forces would be deployed in Nagaland. What does this imply?" Shimrang said. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 8, 1999)

GUWAHATI, December 8: The seizure of 2,000 detonators from a person at the railway station here on December 4 is snowballing into a major controversy following contradictory claims by various investigating agencies. The Army, immediately after the seizure on Saturday, said the consignment was brought by the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI for handing it over to the ULFA and other militant outfits of the state to carry out a series of "operations" on Republic Day. The seizure was made from one Khaju Sao, a resident of Patna, travelling by Dadar express. The officer-commanding of the Army's 51 sub-area, Brig VB Patil, claimed that they have been able to avert major disasters by seizing the consignment. The operation was conducted jointly with the government Railway Police Force (GRPF) personnel, Army sources said. However, high-level intelligence sources said they have been able to establish that "ISI was not involved" in the smuggling of detonators to the state. Investigation revealed that the detonators were supplied by an antisocial from Bihar. "Most probably, it was meant for blasting in stone depots in the region or for fishing," the sources said. "This is nothing new. Security forces have been seizing such consignments regularly," they added. Superintendent of police (GRPF), PD Goswami said it was "too early" to say whether the ISI was really involved in smuggling of detonators. "We are investigating the case and we will come to a conclusion by tonight," he said. Goswami said it was certain that some anti-socials were involved in the smuggling of detonators. "What will a fisherman do with so many detonators?" he asked. The GRPF official said they are trying to arrest Khursh-id, Khaju Sao's associate, who is absconding. "Things will be more clear after his arrest," Goswami said. The Kamrup district administration, on the day of seizure of the detonators, had issued a release stating that state excise department personnel had carried out the operation. Prafulla Talukdar, an excise department official claimed the detonators were first detected by an inspector during a routine check. "As we cannot deal with cases of explosives, so we had to hand over the case to the GRPF. They are investigating the case," Talukdar said, adding that the Army personnel were the last to arrive. Brig Patil said they are investigating the case and are trying to flush out the actual culprit. "We had information that the consignment was smuggled in by the ISI. We are now trying to find out to what extent the information was correct," he said, adding, "In fact, the police are investigating the case." The officer-commanding of the Army's 51 sub-area said Sao has admitted that the consignment was meant for militants. "But, I can tell you that the detonators were not meant for fishermen or stone depot owners," he said. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 9, 1999)

SILCHAR, December 9: The chances of deploying fresh paramilitary forces to south Assam's Cachar district have receded as the government is finding it difficult to move troops from the insurgency-ridden Brahmaputra Valley. The authorities here are now banking on the Army for counter-insurgency operations in Cachar. Official sources said here last night that the army might be engaged after the 57 mountain division, which is returning in batches to its headquarters at Masimpur near here, becomes fully operational. The division was rushed to Manipur in the early Nineties to undertake counter-insurgency operations there after its peace-keeping bout in Lanka. The return of the 57 mountain division indicates the Centre's keenness to mount a drive against the militants in south Assam's Barak Valley districts and neighbouring Tripura. The sources said the Centre had become concerned about the fast-deteriorating situation in these areas with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) tying up with the National Liberation Front of Twipra (NLFT) to expand its sphere of influence in north Tripura and eastern part of Cachar. A central intelligence agency report recently stated that the Naga militants, bound by a ceasefire in Nagaland, were seeking new pastures in Cachar, North Cachar Hills district and Tripura. The army would also be asked to keep an eye on the militants' transit routes to and from Bangladesh through Barak Valley and north Tripura. The sources said the redeployment of the 57 mountain division in Cachar was aimed at pre-empting any move by militants to destabilise the situation in the district and its neighbouring regions. Congress MP from Cachar Santosh Mohan Dev has demanded that a high-level team of the Union home ministry visit Cachar immediately to review the counter-insurgency measures there. At least seven planters have been abducted by tribal militants over the past six months. In a letter to Union home minister LK Advani, Dev said the life and property of thousands were at stake following a spurt in militant activity in the district. If the militant raids in tea estates and rural areas were not countered immediately, the ultras might soon target the towns, he added. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 10, 1999)

AGARTALA, December 13: The killing of five Reangs in North Tripura district on Friday is a manifestation of the animosity between the tribe and the outlawed National Liberation Front of Twipra. Striking within 48 hours of the Sripur massacre, NLFT rebels killed five Reangs and injured 10 at Rupinipara under Pecharthal police station. The tribals were returning to Ramdula village from a weekly market at Machhmara when the militants hurled grenades at them. Five of the 16 Reangs in the group were killed on the spot. They have been identified as Komiram Reang, Chandra Kumar Reang, Nijendra Reang, Alanjay Reang and Kuncharam Reang. Ten other tribesmen sustained serious injuries in the attack. They are undergoing treatment at the Dharmanagar sub-divisional hospital. Though the Reang community is convinced that NLFT rebels carried out the attack, police sources said the real identity of the killers was yet to be ascertained. The CPM mouthpiece, Daily Desher Katha, hinted that a non-tribal outfit could be behind the attack. However, intelligence sources said this was not plausible as non-tribals had long deserted Rupinipara and its adjacent areas. Over the past two years, the NLFT has been targeting Reangs based in Dharmanagar and Kanchanpur for extortion. The outfit has also been allegedly trying to convert Reangs to Christianity at gunpoint. The hostility between the Reang community and the NLFT has increased since the formation of the Bru National Liberation Front, an outfit fighting for the rights of Reangs driven out of Mizoram. Sources said the Reangs of North Tripura were planning a movement against the NLFT, which could be the reason why the militants carried out an attack last night. "Reang village heads recently met community representatives from Mizoram and Assam to chalk out a common strategy. The motive behind the NLFT attack may have been to bludgeon the Reangs into submission," a senior police official said. Non-tribal exodus: The spurt in militant attacks in Tripura has triggered an exodus of non-tribals from the hilly areas of the state. Several families have deserted Sripur village under Fatikroy police station since the killing of five persons on Wednesday. Non-tribals have also begun leaving certain areas under Kalyanpur police station. Hundreds of people have been either killed or abducted in the Kalyanpur area over the past four years. The biggest massacre in the area was the killing of 26 non-tribals by All-Tripura Tiger Force militants on December 12, 1996. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 14, 1999)

GUWAHATI, December 14: The Assam-Meghalaya Weighbridge Owners' Association has sent a letter to state director-general of police PV Sumant, urging him to initiate stringent action against culprits "unnecessary harassing and extorting" money from the truckers on National Highway 37. The letter, copies of which were also sent to the district police heads of the two states, said illegal collection of money at gunpoint is rampant on the highway. "This has not only hampered business activities but has also whipped up fear psychosis among the truckers," the letter said, adding that the truckers were now reluctant to ply on this route. "The situation will take a turn for the worse if effective steps are not taken at the earliest," it said. Members of the association, when contacted, said the situation has deteriorated, particularly after the Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation(MMDC) was set up in the Ri Bhoi district. "The extortionists have set up collection centres at various points on this route and force the truckers to pay amounts ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 500. "Truckers carrying coal from Meghalaya are forced to weigh their vehicles, sometimes even twice, at rates ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 200. In turn, the truckers are given receipts of Rs 90 only. If the truckers resist, they are beaten up by the extortionists," they alleged, adding that the involvement of MMDC officials also could not be ruled out. "The matter has been reported several times to the MMDC officials, but to no avail. Whenever we urge them to take necessary steps to stop this illegal collection, they say they are not supposed to do so." It may be mentioned that the lucrative coal business was shifted from the Beltola area last year after the corporation was set up. Earlier, loading and unloading was carried out by the Beltola coal syndicates. The truckers had a harrowing time in Beltola as illegal collections were rampant at several points on the national highway. "Once the business was shifted from Beltola, we thought that this illegal collection would stop," association secretary Rantu Das said. "He, however, evaded queries on the involvement of the surrendered ULFA activists in the extortion rackets. However, the police here have denied receiving any such letter. Sources at the DGP office said, "Till date, we have received nothing of that sort," adding that the matter could be taken up after "getting definite lead or an official communiqué. However, the matter has to be consulted with our Meghalaya counterparts," sources said. (Siddhartha Dutta Kashyap; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 15, 1999)

AGARTALA, December 14: Five persons travelling in a jeep were injured in a bomb attack in West Tripura district last evening. Official sources said activists of the United Bengali Liberation Force (UBLF) were responsible for the attack. Giving details, police sources said the passenger jeep was heading for Teliamura in West Tripura from the remote North Maharanipur area of the district. As soon as the jeep reached Malakar bastia area, a group of suspected UBLF activists hurled four bombs at it. The driver's assistant, identified as Sukumar Malakar, and four tribal passengers were injured in the blast. Malakar was rushed to GB Hospital here in a serious condition while the four injured passengers were released after first aid from Teliamura hospital. The sources expressed grave concern over reports that Bengalis in different parts of the state were trying to organise armed groups in self-defence. "The reaction is not unnatural because during the past six years, tribal militants have been selectively targeting unarmed Bengalis living within Autonomous District Council (ADC) areas. The trouble is that if the situation is allowed to continue, there will be total anarchy," a source said. Forced displacement of Bengalis from different parts of ADC areas is continuing unabated. During the past year, 385 Bengali families have been evicted from the Jampuijala area under Bishalgarh subdivision. The families have been passing their days in starvation in different parts of Sadar and Bishalgarh subdivisions. Three representatives of the displaced families from Jampuijala met Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and demanded that they be rehabilitated. They pointed out that the state government had given land and rehabilitation benefits to the 385 families but the militants have ousted them over the past one year. Altogether 150 people of the Jampuijala colony have been killed by militants during the past years.One of the oustees from Jampuijala, Suresh Nama, said Sarkar gave them no assurance. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 15, 1999)

SILCHAR, December 14: Militants waylaid a passenger bus at Lalpani, a tribal village on National Highway 53, nearly 40 km east of here, and robbed passengers of cash and valuables last night. The robbery followed a series of abductions and extortions in the area by tribal militants from adjoining Manipur and North Cachar Hills district. The police said eight militants, dressed in olive-green uniforms and armed with sophisticated weapons, waylaid the passenger bus on the Imphal-Silchar route and looted cash and various articles, including ornaments from passengers. The officer-in-charge of nearby Lakhipur police station led a posse of policemen to Lalpani but could neither track down the militants nor recover the stolen goods. A combing operation is still on in the area. The police said the rebels indiscriminately beat up the driver of the private bus as well as some passengers to pre-empt any resistance. Five persons were seriously injured as a result. An amount of Rs 22,000 and a large number of valuables were stolen during the raid on the bus. The gang is suspected to have comprised of members of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and the Hmar Revolutionary Front (HRF). (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 15, 1999)

IMPHAL, December 14: Unidentified militants tried to assault Manipur People's Party (MPP) president O. Joy Singh and snatched five weapons from his bodyguards at Singjamei near here late last night. The incident took place when Joy Singh was returning home from a wedding along with his wife, son and another lady. A group of 10 militants obstructed the MPP chief's vehicle with their Maruti gypsy and ordered his security guards to surrender their weapons. Sources said the militants shattered the windshield of Joy Singh's vehicle and injured his son with the butt of a rifle. They also tried to attack the MPP chief, but the latter's wife and the lady accompanying the couple shielded him. Though Joy Singh escaped unhurt, the militants overpowered his guards and took away five weapons, including two self-loading rifles, two .303 rifles and a carbine. All the guards are from the First Battalion of the Manipur Rifles. Police officials rushed to the spot immediately after the incident and launched a manhunt. However, none of the militants has been arrested. Condemning the incident, the MPP today said Joy Singh was targeted due to political reasons. It said the attack was possibly carried out because Assembly elections in Manipur were barely two months away. The party claimed to know the people behind the attack and the owner of the Maruti gypsy used by the militants. It said the vehicle belonged to a senior government official. Two rebels held: Two People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak militants were arrested following an encounter with the police in Churachandpur district today. The encounter took place during a joint operation by police and Indian Reserve Battalion personnel in Kumbi Pukhri village. The gunbattle lasted 40 minutes. Sources said the police team spotted at least 40 militants from the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, the Kuki National Front and a Hmar outfit. However, all except two escaped in the melee. The two rebels who were arrested have been identified as M Maichou and N Ibomcha. An AK-56 rifle, an AK-47 rifle, two Chinese grenades and a huge quantity of ammunition were seized from them. The police also seized a Maruti van and a Yamaha motorcycle. An operation is under way in the area to apprehend the other militants. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 15, 1999)

IMPHAL, December 15: Manipur Chief Minister W Nipamacha Singh today said the magisterial inquiry into the attack on two Tangkhul Nagas here in October would be wrapped up by December 29. Replying to a call attention motion by Congress legislator Y Erabot Singh, the Chief Minister told the Assembly that he had directed Imphal East district magistrate BN Sharma to strictly adhere to the deadline. Planning board deputy chairman Chongkhokai Doungel's security guards are allegedly behind the abortive attack on Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) leader Ningam Hungyo in the New Checkon area of this capital town on October 13. The controversy erupted primarily because Doungel is a Kuki leader. A day after Hungyo was shot at, unidentified assailants dressed in olive green abducted a Naga pharmacist from the same area. He was later found dead. Raising the issue in the Assembly today, Erabot Singh accused the government of delaying the magisterial inquiry. He said the police had given conflicting versions of the two incidents and it was the government's duty to bring the truth out into the open soon. The Congress legislator said the people of the area were convinced that the attack on Hungyo and the killing of the pharmacist the next day were inter-related. He quoted sources as saying that the pharmacist was witness to the attack on Hungyo, which was probably why he was killed. Denying his family's involvement in the killing of the pharmacist, Doungel said it was he who should be complaining about murderous assaults. Reminding everyone that he and his kin had been targeted by Naga militants on five occasions, the MSCP legislator from Saikul said it was imperative for the government to clear his name by identifying the real killers. The Doungel family was attacked for the fifth time in the Telipati area on October 9. The Naga community suspects that Hungyo was shot at and the pharmacist killed by Doungel's men. The Chief Minister was forced to order a magisterial inquiry following sustained pressure from the Nagas, who also demanded that Doungel and his family be asked to leave the New Checkon locality. Nipamacha Singh today pleaded with all Assembly members to trust his government and await the report of the Imphal East district magistrate. He promised to institute a fresh judicial inquiry if the people were dissatisfied with the outcome of the magisterial probe. The Chief Minister said it was unfair to accuse Doungel's guards of abducting the Naga pharmacist and killing him without any evidence. He said the killers could be militants. (Correspondent; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 16, 1999)

SHILLONG, December 15: Meghalaya director-general of police BK Dey Sawian has expressed concern over the "criminalisation of youth" and the "new trend of organised crime" in the state. "We are doing our best, but the crime rate has not gone down," he told The Telegraph. Baffled by the spurt in crime despite Christmas being round the corner, he said, "This is quite contrary to previous trends. Fortunately, a CRPF battalion is based in the state. It is being shunted around according to the demands of the situation." Sawian said one of the reasons for the high incidence of crime in Meghalaya was the infiltration of criminal elements from Assam into the state's border areas, particularly the Ri Bhoi and Jaintia Hills districts. He said "criminalisation" of unemployed youth was another reason why the crime graph was soaring. He also said militant outfits were basically criminal gangs. "Jobless youth are frustrated, which explains their recklessness. Kidnapping for money is rampant, especially in the interior areas of the coal belt. The police have no reach in these areas," Sawian said. "A new trend which bodes ill for the state is the growth of a coal mafia in the Jaintia Hills," the police chief said. He cited the killing of coal traders Dipesh Das and Jeremis Rymbai at Dawki and Lad Rymbai recently as examples. "The police have to come up with new strategies to combat these new trends in crime," Sawian said. Taking a swipe at the government, Sawian said policing was just a small cog in the wheel of governance. "How to create job opportunities for thousands of unemployed youth is something the government will have to think about," he said (Linda C; The Telegraph, Calcutta; December 16, 1999)