Naga Mother's Association praises NSCN(K) for peace initiative

‘Nagas are one, irrespective of boundaries and our history irrevocably binds us to one another’

From our Correspondent

DIMAPUR, July 9: Against the backdrop of factional clashes between the rival NSCN (K) and GPRN/NSCN, the Naga Mother’s Association (NMA) has conveyed its appreciation to the NSCN (Khaplang) leadership for their declaration to shun violence and stop all forms of factional violence.

NMA in a press release issued by president, Abeiu Meru, and advisor, Rosemary Dzuvichu, appealed to the GPRN/NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) leadership to respond positively to the peace gesture of NSCN (K) and stop all forms of factional violence against each other. NMA reiterated that as mothers, the “ spate of killings has hurt and caused us great sorrow and anguish”.

 “We acknowledge the maturity and wisdom of  NSCN (K)’s decision and hope that this important step towards reconciliation will be reciprocated by the leadership at the Khehoi camp and bring an immediate end to factional violence and killings”, NMA said, while earnestly appealing to both groups to sit for talks in order to stop all forms of violence. 

NMA also sought the immediate attention of the Central Government to enter into serious dialogue with the NSCN (K) to bring back peace in the land. It iterated “Nagas are one, irrespective of boundaries and our history irrevocably binds us to one another.”

NMA said that Naga mothers across the length and breadth of Naga areas, will want peace and reconciliation among all Naga “national workers”, to bring an honourable solution to the Naga issue.

Planning Board emphasizes flexibility of flagship programmes

From our Correspondent

DIMAPUR, July 9: Nagaland State Planning Board (SPB) deputy chairman, Neiba Kronu, emphasized the need for flexibility in implementation of flagship programmes and centrally sponsored schemes.

Speaking at the first conference of State Planning Boards and Planning Departments held at New Delhi on July 6 last, Kronu also requested the Planning Commission to revive the ACA on shifting cultivation in the scheme of plan financing, create some avenues for pilot projects and address the issue of adverse effect of 13th Finance Commission award on the States.

Kronu also highlighted the need for providing earmarked funds for maintenance of assets, especially roads and streamlining the credit flow to farmers. He further highlighted on the need to review the function of DoNER and North Eastern Council (NEC) and to fulfil its role as a regional planning body.

Mhonbemo Patton, Commissioner and Secretary (Planning), Nagaland who also attended the conference in a press communiqué stated that the conference had brainstorming session on the Planning Commission’s presentation on the overview of the 12th Plan perspective, strategies and scenarios: shaping India’s future. Further, the conference also deliberated on innovations in planning, Patton added.

The conference was attended by Dr Montek Singh Alhuwalia, Deputy Chairman, and Planning Commission, members of the Planning Commission and Deputy/Vice Chairpersons of State Planning Boards and Planning Department officials of State Governments.

Birahari sent to judicial custody

From our Special Correpondent

IMPHAL, July 9: K Birahari, adviser to the Federation of Regional Indigenous Societies was arrested by police on Sunday afternoon. Birahari had launched a fast unto death demanding reintroduction of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Manipur. Although he was offered the option to apply for bail when produced before the deputy magistrate, Birahari flatly refused. The magistrate later sent him to judicial custody.

Talking to reporters, Birahari said that he would continue the fast within prison. He said he would not surrender till the goal is reached. Indications are that some other activists of the organization will also carry on the fast. Meanwhile, there is a growing support to the demand of the ILP with sit-ins organized at various parts of the State. The government on the other hand is looking for a delaying tactic saying it will have to seek permission from the Union government regarding re-introduction of Inner Line Permit. In this connection, C Upendra, a retired judge of district and sessions court said that such a permission is not needed. It is a right that every State can implement.

In the absence of any restriction, people from many parts of the country have been coming here for permanent settlement. They have usurped various jobs, monopolized business. However, instead of trying to re-introduce the ILP, the government has been trying to evade the issue.

ONGC's Tripura project to generate power in September

Agartala, July 9: The first unit of ONGC-Tripura Power Corporation’s 726 MW gas-based power plant at Palatana in southern Tripura will start generation by September, officials said here on Monday.

On Monday, ONGC started supplying natural gas to the plant through a 54 km-long pipeline.

Before the commercial generation of electricity from the unit, trial runs would be conducted during this month-end, ONGC Tripura Power Company Limited (OTPC) Managing Director, Sudhindra Kumar Dube said.

The full generation of power from the power plant, set up at an investment of Rs 9,000 crore, in March next year will resolve the power crisis of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura to a large extent, he said. The plant will help ONGC to monetize its gas assets in Tripura.

Also, the project is a hallmark of co-operation between India and Bangladesh, which ensured smooth passage of the heavy project equipment to Palatana through its territory.

The Bangladesh Government has sought electricity from the project, a Tripura Government official said. (IANS)

Tripura residents celebrate Kharchi Festival

Agartala, July 9: The weeklong Kharchi festival was celebrated with a lot of pomp and gaiety in Tripura recently.

Thousands of tribal and non-tribal devotees assembled in the courtyard of the temple of the Fourteen Gods and offered their prayers.

The festival sent a message of unity and brotherhood among different religions and communities.

Kharchi puja is one of the main festivals of Tripura, the pride of Tripura. It is a worship of fourteen deities celebrated in the month of July.

The word Kharchi is derived from Khya meaning earth. Kharchi puja is the worship of earth that sustains mankind with all her resources. Among the rituals, sacrifice of goats and pigeons at the alter is a usual feature of the festival. (Agencies)

Traffic movement resumes on Imphal-Jiribam National Highway

From our Special Correspondent

IMPHAL July 9: The clearing of debris at the site of landslide at Maku bridge, along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway 37 has brought respite from the hours long blockade of the highway. Some light vehicles have been allowed to cross the bridge, although there is restricted movement of loaded vehicles. It is feared that torrential rains may cause fresh landslides on this road, blocking traffic in a big way.

The Border Roads Task Force is under the Union home ministry and the State goverment cannot interfere in its style of working. But then, the Chief Minister and other ministers had expressed their disatisfaction on a number of occasions, over the sluggish pace of construction. Besides, according to reports, some BRTF officials were inflating the number of labourers engaged on a daily basis, ostensibly to pocket the wages of imaginery labourers. Observers are of the view that if the NH 37 is properly maintained, it could withstand heavy rainfall, landslides during the monsoon. Besides, most of the culverts and bridges are weak with the result that there are frequent breaches.

On the other hand, the Imphal-Dimapur National highway 39 remains impassable since Friday night. The little known organization called the South Angami Youth Organization has imposed the blockade against all Manipur bound vehicles from Friday night due to the inability of police to apprehend the four culprits, who stole a mini truck after drugging a Naga tribal driver from Nagaland. Police maintain that while these absconding culprits are yet to be arrested, two others have been booked and the court had released them on bail.

In normal circumstances, the Manipur govenment should have approached the Nagaland government for policing the areas dominated by Angami tribe so that there is free movement of the vehicles. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has not even talked to his Nagaland counterpart, Neiphiu Rio.

They have been at loggerheads on some issues, including fielding of candidates from Rio’s political party, the Naga People’s Front in the January elections to the Manipur Assembly. Perhaps Ibobi feels that his request would be turned down with contempt by Rio. At the same time, the Manipur government has not asked the Union Home Ministry in this regard.

A few hundred trucks, buses and private vehicles were stranded on either side of Kohima. The drivers, cleaners and others have been putting up in the hilly road since Friday night, waiting for the impasse to be over.

This blockade comes shortly after clashes among the villagers of Nagaland and Manipur. The people in Manipur have become angry after the recent price hike prices and scarcity of items. The resenting people feel that the governments of the two States should sort it out among themselves.

Three injured in grenade blast

From our Special Correspondent

IMPHAL, July 9: Two women and a young boy were injured in a grenade blast that took place last night at Khurai Kongpal in Imphal district. The blast took place in the house of Yumlembam Jiten, pradhan of the gram panchayat. Police suspect that some armed groups might have lobbed the hand grenade to extort money from the pradhan. It is said that the miscreants had asked for a huge cut out from the development fund allotted by the government.

In the blast that occurred at 9.15 pm on Sunday, Y Ashalata (27), Y Robita (28) and a three-month-old child were injured. The injured has been rushed to the hospital. Their condition is said to be out of danger. Shrapnels of the grenade, lobbed at the courtyard of the house damaged some parts of the house and furniture. Soon after the blast, police rushed to the site and launched a search operation. However, no arrest has been made as yet. In another incident, unknown miscreants left a hand grenade near the gate of Manipur speaker Thokchom Lokeswor’s residence at Sagolmang in Imphal East district. Police retrieved the grenade for making a controlled explosion.

The house of the additional district magistate, Thoudam Guni (58) was attacked with a hand grenade. Some damages in the house were reported. However, nobody was injured. In yet another incident, the one grenade was left in the house of Yengkhom Joykumar, a social worker in Thoubal district.

Meanwhile, three houses were torched after it caught fire from a leak in a gas cylinder. The houses belonged to Ngangom Biren.

Fire fighters eventually controlled the raging inferno. Properties worth over Rs 10 lakh have been destroyed.

Tuki apprises PM of Arunachal flood situation

NEW DELHI, July 9 : Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today called on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh here at South Block and had a discussion on various issues concerning the State. The recent spate of devastating floods and damages caused to life and property figured prominently in the discussion, stated a release.

While conveying wishes on behalf of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, Tuki expressed gratitude to the UPA Government for its concerns for the strategically located State, which is yet to come at par with rest of the country. Tuki said that Arunachal Pradesh has been lucky to have people at the helm of affairs, who carried a soft heart for it and never hesitated from going out of the way to support its developmental policies.

Taking the opportune moment of the high profile audience, the Chief Minister narrated in detail the loss incurred by the State in the recent spate of floods. Torrential rains had caused havoc across the State in the last few weeks, cutting off several parts and causing irreversible damages to infrastructure like roads, bridges and culverts besides taking a couple of lives.

Appreciating the Prime Minister for taking time out to take stock of the flood situation in Assam, Tuki asserted that the loss and damages caused to Arunachal is of no less magnitude. He appealed to the Prime Minister to depute a Central team to visit the State and assess the ground reality. In this regard, he informed, a request for the same has already been made to the Union Home Ministry.

The Chief Minister also explained in detail the financial difficulties faced by the State in absence of adequate resource generating capabilities of its own. He said the State Government and the people of Arunachal have very high expectations from the Central Government, especially with Sonia Gandhi and Dr Singh as the leaders. On his part, Tuki assured judicious utilization of Central funds and timely completion of each and every project. Tuki, also reiterated the support extended to the UPA’s Presidential Candidate, Pranab Mukherjee on behalf of the State Congress as the CLP leader.

Dr Singh, who gave a patient hearing to Tuki, reassured the Centre’s concern for the State, its people and the commitment for its holistic development. He hinted there would be no-shortcomings from the Central Government when it comes to the welfare and development of Arunachal Pradesh.