Insurgency / Assam

GUWAHATI, Jan 20 ? The passengers of the 5960 Dn Dibrugarh-Guwahati-Howarah Kamrup Express had a close shave when suspected anti-talk UPDS ultras triggered a blast on the track between Diphu and Nailalung in Karbi Anglong at around 1-40 am today derailing the engine and three coaches of the train. The Chief Public Relation Officer (CRPO) of the NF Railway, Leena Sharma informed that nobody was injured in the mishap although the blast created a crater of 2 metre long, 1.5 metre wide and one metre deep on the track.

The passengers of the 19-coach train were saved because two of the coaches...

NEW DELHI, Jan 20 ? Negotiations between the Government and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) has run into a rough weather, with the Bodo militant outfit striking an adamant stand on reservation of seats for non-Bodos, forcing the Centre to extend the ceasefire pact for another month. The tension was writ large on the face of Bodo leaders as the peace negotiations with the Government is on the verge of collapse, with both Assam Government too refusing to budge from its stand on reservation of 10 seats for non-Bodos.

The tripartite talks among the BLT, Central and Assam Government was held...

GUWAHATI, Jan 19 ? Bhutan?s Ambassador to India Lyonpo Dago Teshring today said that it was in the interest of both the South Asian neighbours to strengthen peace and stability in both Bhutan and Assam. He said there is scope for mutual operation between Bhutan and Assam.

Ambassador Teshring, who was speaking at the Rabindra Bhawan here this evening while attending the launch function of the Assam chapter of the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Association, said that Bhutan and Assam have common interests and common concerns. Refraining from commenting either on militancy in Assam or on the presence...

DIBRUGARH, Jan 18 ? Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today warned that the Assam government would not accede an inch of States territory to the greater Nagaland demand of the NSCN (I-M). ?Inclusion of any territorial part of Assam in the greater Nagaland as proposed by the NSCN (I-M) will be opposed by our government,? Gogoi thundered. Gogoi was speaking to local mediapersons here today. Deliberating on a wide range of subjects, Gogoi welcomed idea of issuing citizens? identity cards to keep a tab on illegal influx.

On the issue of sending back illegal Bangladeshis from the country, he shot back:...

Guwahati, Jan. 17: The banned United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) today said it was willing to follow in the ?footsteps? of the Naga peace process, but added a crucial proviso. It said its commitment to a peaceful solution lay in New Delhi ?handing back independence to the Naga people?.

Commenting on the Naga peace process for the first time since the two NSCN (I-M) leaders arrived in the country last week, the Ulfa said the ?endeavour (Naga talks) will be regarded as the acid test of the sincerity of India to solve the conflicts of our region politically. Otherwise, all hopes for peaceful...

GUWAHATI, Jan 17 ? Vice-chairman of the banned ULFA, Pradip Gogoi today said the ongoing talks between the NSCN(I-M) and the Centre at New Delhi was a most welcome development which, if succeeds at finding an amicable settlement to the decades old Naga problem, would definitely encourage other militant groups of the North-east to come to the negotiating table with the Government. The senior ULFA leader who was produced at the TADA Court here today in connection with the case No. 1/98 and 43/2001 against him, however maintained that any lasting and peaceful solution of the Naga issue must have...

New Delhi, January 16: It's pouring good news from the North-east. As hopes surge over a peaceful settlement to the Naga issue, sources hint that the protracted Bodo problem that has been plaguing Assam is close to a solution.

The tripartite talks involving the Centre, state government and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) are in final stages, and an agreement may be finalised this month.

Sources in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that nearly all prickly issues had been sorted, and only some technical formalities needed to be worked out. ‘‘As soon as NSCN (I-M) leaders leave after...

GUWAHATI, Jan 13 — The State Government will not compromise on the territorial integrity of the State in view of the demand for a greater Nagaland by the NSCN(I-M). Addressing the inaugural function of the 6th Brahmaputra Beach Festival here this afternoon, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in presence of the Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani said, “we will oppose integration of all Naga inhabitated areas as demanded by the NSCN(I-M) leaders as it will create more problem for the State. We will not compromise on our territorial integrity.” He, however, hailed the peace process with the NSCN(I-M)...

DOOMDOOMA, Jan 12 — The troops of 2 Mountain Division responsible for conduct of counter-insurgency operations in upper Assam and some parts of lower Assam have been able to contain militancy to a large extent especially after elimination of some key personalities like self-styled ‘major’ Tapan Sarma, ‘commanding officer’, 28 battalion in May, 2002 and self-styled Lt Rakta Plaban, Ajay Rajkhowa and Biren Deori. It was followed by seizure of a large cache of arms and ammunition during the month of August and September last year.

“The effects are very visible in that militancy is at extremely...

TINSUKIA, Jan 10: The dead body of North Eastern Coal Fields official, Pabitra Hazari, who was kidnapped by the NSCN(K) militants on Tuesday, was recovered this morning by the police inside the jungle. Hazari was kidnapped from the Malowpahar area while he was returning after inspecting the work at Tikok open cast mine.

Police got the information about his body at about 10 pm yesterday through the gaonburah of Malowpahar village. A note, signed by Commandant Salvati, where it was written that ‘this is the consequence of dealing,’ was recovered. His body bore bullet injuries behind his head...