Supplies Reach Manipur Via Mizoram

Imphal/Aizawl, May 17 : Trucks loaded with essential supplies and petroleum products have begun entering Manipur which remains cut-off with two highways from Assam and Nagaland blockaded by Naga students since April 16, official sources said today.

Around 18 heavy and 17 light commercial vehicles carrying 220 barrels of petrol, 76 barrels of diesel and 35 bags of sugar and other supplies entered Manipur territory yesterday from Mizoram, the sources said.

More vehicles are on their way to Manipur, the sources said. Official sources in Aizawl said the Mizoram government, which has accepted the appeal of neighbouring Manipur, today appointed state Joint Secretary for home T V Fambol as the nodal officer to oversee movement of essential commodities via the Silchar-Aizawl-Sinzawl- Churachandpur-Imphal road.

Earlier, the Manipur government sent an SOS to the Mizoram government seeking help in using an alternate route to ferry supplies to the beleaguered state.

Bandh Demanding Bifurcation Paralyses NC Hills

Haflong (Assam), May 17 : Normal life was paralyzed today following a 60-hour 'Dima Hasao bandh' called by North Cachar Hills Indigenous Students' Forum demanding bifurcation of the district, officials said.

All shops, schools, educational institutions, business establishments and financial institutions remained closed while attendance in government offices was thin.

Vehicles remained off the road though train services were not disrupted and running as per schedule.

There was no report of any untoward incident reported from any other parts of the district.

The bandh began at 5 AM today and is scheduled to end on May 19.

The bandh has been called to demand the bifurcation of North Cachar Hills district which was recently renamed as Dima Hasao district causing resentment among the non-Dimasas of the district.

The bandh has been also supported by North Cachar Hills Indigenous Women’s Forum.

Interlocutor Okayed Muivah's Visit

New Delhi, May 17 : Union home minister P Chidambaram is deeply worried about the situation developing on the Nagaland-Manipur border where Naga leader, Thuingaleng Muivah, president of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) [NSCN(I-M)], is staging a protest sit-in, demanding entry into Manipur.

Muivah is insisting that he be allowed to visit his native village Somdal in Manipur to pay homage to his late parents. The Okram Ibobi Singh government of Manipur, fearing an outbreak of violence in the state, has refused him permission. The NSCN(I-M) is demanding a ‘greater Nagaland’, which includes areas that currently lie in Manipur.

Security and intelligence agencies are aghast at how such a sensitive visit was allowed without consulting the respective state governments. While the home minister agreed that such visits need permissions, Manipur says it was never consulted.

Ironically, Muivah’s visit to Manipur was cleared by RS Pandey, who was appointed interlocutor for the Naga talks earlier this year by Chidambaram.

Pandey had released a detailed itinerary of Muivah’s trip and asked the governments of West Bengal, Manipur, and Nagaland to make the necessary arrangements. Muivah reached Kolkata on May 2 and was provided Z-plus security cover. He was due to visit Somdal on May 8.

Incidentally, former union secretary and the previous interlocutor for Naga talks, K Padmanabhaiah, said that in the decade he interacted with Muivah, the latter never sought permission to visit Manipur. Padmanabhaiah refused to comment further.

Sources say the visit has allowed Muivah an excellent opportunity to unify various Naga factions. In fact, for years, the Nagas of Nagaland never acknowledged Muivah as their leader since he hailed from Manipur. Now, they are compelled to support him.

The Centre is concerned and the situation was discussed at a recent core committee meeting attended by prime minister Manmohan Singh and other ministers.

Strife in Manipur Forces Mao People to Stay in Relief Camps

Kohima, May 17 : Around 500 villagers belonging to the Moa tribal community has been staying in a relief camp for the past ten days in Kohima, due to the ongoing strife in Manipur’s Senapati District.

The relief camp was set up at Kisama village in the wake of a bloody encounter in which Manipur police personnel fired at scores of protesting villagers at Mao Gate in Senapati district on May 6, killing two and wounding many others.

The villagers were up in arms against the state government’s decision to not to allow Thuingaleng Muivah, the leader of separatist National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak Muivah (NSCN - IM), to visit his ancestral village in Manipur state.

They said they are hopeful that the central government would be able to resolve the situation at the earliest.

“What makes us worry is when will be able to go back to our villages, and when will we hear that good news (that situation has become normal). We expect the government would be able to resolve the issue at the earliest, and in the best possible way so that we might be able to go home,” said Ella, an inmate at the camp.

“Most of the people here are cultivators. They are worried for their fields because it is time for sowing and also (they) do many other activities in the village. They are worried for staying so long in these camps. But they fear to go back home until this problem is settled,” said James Athikho, the relief camp in-charge.

Violent clashes between Muivah’s supporters and security forces at the border town of Mao resulted in the death of two women protestors and left over 50 others injured.

The NSCN-IM had agreed to a ceasefire in August 1997 and launched a peace process with the Central Government to bring an end to the longest-running insurgency in India.The rebel group has participated in several rounds of talks with central officials since the start of the ceasefire.

But talks between the two sides have not made progress over the rebels’ main demand of unification and eventual independence of Naga-dominated areas in northeast India.

Manipur security forces stand guard at the Mao Gate Bazar just after a crowd waiting to welcome a separatist leader was dispersed at the Nagaland-Manipur state border

Return of the Rebel: Brinkmanship Game on Between Ibobi Singh, Muivah

By Shishir Gupta

New Delhi,May 17 : Egged on by their supporters, Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh and NSCN(IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah are playing a game of political brinkmanship over the Greater Nagalim issue with the Congress high command signaling to the state government to keep hands off and let it play out till the June 2 district council elections.

The irony is that with Meitei nationalism running high over the proposed visit of Muivah to his village, Somdel in Tangkhul district of Manipur, the local residents do not seem to mind paying Rs 1,400 for one kg sugar, standing in a queue for three hours to get petrol at Rs 150-200 per litre as the NSCN(IM) cadres block National Highways 53 and 39. As of now, the Centre is sending foodstuff through National Highway 109 to keep the situation under control. The latest is that while food stock in Imphal Valley is under control, there’s a huge shortage in the hill districts.

Ibobi Singh has convinced the Congress high command that his government will fall if Muivah is even directly air-lifted to Somdel in a helicopter and returned to Nagaland without addressing a political rally. He needs the Centre to hold his hand till the district council election process is over on May 23 and June 2.

Backed by money power and caring two hoots about the siege of the state by the Naga insurgent group, Ibobi has made his mind known to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Congress high command that he does not concur with the internal security establishment view that Muivah should be allowed to go to Somdel. As Muivah has not visited Somdel even once during the past 47 years, a section in the government believes that this will defuse the law and order situation and cool down tempers.

The attitude of Muivah is no different. The NSCN(IM) general secretary and his Tangkhul Naga supporters know that they have overstayed their welcome at Viswema, a predominantly Angami tribal village located 20 km off Kohima. Muivah has made a political point with his supporters by intending to go to Somdel to strengthen his demand for Nagalim, which includes hill districts of Manipur.

Both the principal adversaries and the Centre have little time for the BJP-backed Democratic Alliance Government of Neiphiu Rio, who has been crying for intervention of the UPA government to defuse the crisis.

But one thing is clear that if the siege of Manipur goes on for a longer period of time, it would mean brownie points for Muivah and a bigger headache for the Centre, particularly for Naga interlocutor Raghav Sharan Pandey.

Nepalese Given Quit Notice in Meghalaya

Shillong, May 17 : Even as both Meghalaya and Assam governments are trying to cool down the border tension at Langpih, the firing incident has triggered communal tension in Meghalaya.

Various tribal Khasi and Pnar organizations based in the Eastern part of Meghalaya issued a quit notice to Nepalese settlers to protest against the killing of Khasi villagers and injured several others.

On Friday, four people were killed and several others injured in the firing by Assam Police personnel at the disputed Langpih village on the Meghalaya-Assam border. The firing began after a clash between Nepalese nationals with tribal Khasis and Garos at a weekly market.

“We have asked all Nepalese settlers to quit Jaintia Hills district within one week starting from 0500 hours tomorrow in protest against the killing of four Khasi villagers at the behest of the Nepalese settlers there,” DL Rymbai, President of the Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF), one of the seven organisations, which issued the quit notice said.

Earlier, a unit of the powerful Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), issued a 24-hour quit notice to Nepalese settlers residing in Malki area.

However, a government statement issued here claimed that the KSU has “called-off” the ultimatum served on the Nepalese residents.

“The quit notice issued by the KSU Malki circle stands,” KSU President Samuel B Jyrwa said.

“We are not going to spell out what course of action we would take once the deadline expires. But something is going to happen and we shall throw them out,” Rymbai warned.

There is a sizeable Nepalese population in certain pockets of Meghalaya and most of them working in the coalfields.

Meanwhile, Security was tightened across Meghalaya after the police firing at Langpih and following the announcements of the social organisations. ‘’We have put our men on alert and assessing the situation and vulnerable areas are on proper guard and our forces have been re-positioned in the entire state.’’ Director General of Police, Meghalaya, S B Kakati said.

HNLC bandh
The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) militant outfit Sunday announced a 12-hour bandh in Meghalaya on May 20 to protest the death of four people in a police firing.

In an e-mailed statement, HNLC spokesman, Sainkupar Nongtraw condemned the firing by Assam police personnel on Khasi villagers at Langpih on May 14, killing four people and injuring several others.

The organizations have called for 24-hour bandh on May 18 from 5 am onwards, while the UDP, an ally in the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government called for a 12-hour statewide bandh on May 20 from 5 am to 5 pm.

Manipur Ministerial Team Suggests Singhat-Singjol-Tuivai Route

Imphal, May 17 : The ministerial team after inspection the condition of NH-150 and NH-150 (B) has suggested that the Singhat-Singjol-Tuivai road on the stretch of the NH-150 could be used as alternative road for ferrying essential commodities to the state through Aizawl on finding the condition of Churachandpur-Tipaimukh-Thanlon-Delkhai-Singjol road bad at many places.

On the other hand, authorities of the state government is all set to use the NH-150 in the procurement of the essential commodities into the state through Aizawl via Silchar.

The ministerial team comprising state works minister, K Ranjit, transport minister, L Jayentakumar, deputy chairman of the state planning board, Bijoy Koijam, MLA Prithivraj and officials of the state PWD and BRO officials inspected the stretch of the NH-150 and 150 (B) in the last two days.

Works Minister K Ranjit, Chairman State Planning Board, MLA Bijoy Koijam, Transport Minister L Jayentakumar and officials inspecting the condition of Singhat-Singjol-Tuivai road

The team during the inspection found the road condition of the Churachandpur-Tipaimukh-Thanlon-Delkhai-Singjol road in bad condition.

Apart from a single land, many jig-jag portions were found even though the stretch of the road from Churachandpur to Thanlon was found in good condition.

When the ministerial team inspected the stretch of the Singhat-Singjol-Tuivai road today, despite bad condition at certain places, it was found far better then that of the Churachandpur-Tipaimukh-Thanlon-Delkhai-Singjol.

The ministerial team urged the BRO officials to take up works to repair the bad portions immediately so that it could be used for ferrying essential items for the time being.

Road condition of the stretch upto 10 km on the Mizoram side was also inspected by the team crossing the state border.

The road condition on Mizoram side was found in good condition even though it was a single lane.

On reaching Singjol on Mizoram side, works minister Ranjit said government is giving top priority to Churachandpur-Tipaimukh-Thanlon-Delkhai-Singjol as alternative route to let in essential items to the state but it was found not feasible and the ministerial team decided to use Singhat-Singjol-Tuivai road for the time being.

BRO engaging in improving the stretch of Singhat-Singjol-Tuivai said that they will speed up the road improvement works so that the road could be handed over to the state government within April of next year.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, P Vaiphei today informed that as part of using the NH-150, the IOC, Imphal has been informed to route all petroleum products, LPG bullets etc for the state via Silchar-Aizawl-Churachandpur-Imphal route.

The department had earlier deputed W Shyam, inspector to Jiribam & Jiribam and Silchar to co-ordinate the lifting of PDS rice/levy sugar from FCI, Ramnagar & FCI/Jiribam for Manipur state and also co-ordinate the movement of trucks/POL tankers, Inter-state buses, etc.
for the state on the same route.

It has been reported that a total of 15 trucks and tanker are likely to leave Silchar for Imphal via Aizawl in the day coming as the landslide at Sonapur is being cleared by BRTF and normal vehicular traffic may resume.

The department has also detailed two officials at Sinzawl to monitor and report the traffic at Manipur-Mizoram border, SDO/Singhat.

They will be assisted by SDO Singhat, the statement of the commissioner said.

The department has also requested the state PWD to take up immediate repairing works of the bad stretches of the road between Singhat and Mizoram border to facilitate movement by loaded trucks/tankers/LPG-bound trucks/tankers/buses, etc.

Rural Festival in Sikkim to Promote Village Tourism

Gangtok (Sikkim), May 17 : In an effort to strengthen the state's economy and woo tourists to its picturesque locales, the Sikkim tourism has promoted a rural festival called Winter Village Fest of Assam Lingzey 2010.

The government promoted village tourism by setting up many village home-stays in different parts of this picturesque Himalayan state during the festival that began on May 10 and concluded today.

"The Chief Minister of Sikkim (Pawan Chamling) took this initiative. We are promoting village tourism. We are doing this programme, so that the people of the villages come forward and help in the development," said Kamala Rai, a local resident.

During the festival, villagers of the area got an opportunity to exhibit their traditional costumes and crafts, besides presenting the unique traditions and distinctive cultural features of Sikkimese society to visitors.

"I think it's a very good idea because as a tourist it is very difficult to go inside their house to see how they live, their costumes. So, we can see everybody here, we can see all the traditional costumes," said Valeria, a tourist from France.

The main attraction of the festival was the traditional food stalls belonging to three Sikkimese communities - the Sikkim Nepalese, the Bhutias and the Lepchas.

The state government is aiming to build more traditional houses in model villages with suitable modern amenities, so that tourists can experience the rural lifestyle.