Insurgency / Northeast

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, Jan 17 ? Buoyed by the arrival of the NSCN(IM) leaders in India to continue the peace negotiations, other insurgent outfits in the North-east have shown interest in talks with the Government of India, Mizoram Chief Minister, Zoramthanga disclosed this here today. The Chief Minister who played a crucial role in having the NSCN (IM) leaders visit Delhi at the request of the Centre has started the process of opening dialogue with the underground outfits in the region. The Chief Minister arrived here on Wednesday evening with a message for the Prime Minister that a few insurgent outfits...

Imphal, January 16: With the Nagaland Assembly election round the corner, political parties of the State have exploited the ongoing NSCN(IM)-GOI peace talk to the maximum as a poll plank, through interpreting the issue from different angles. While Chief Minister SC Jamir seems to pursue the flip flop stand about the ongoing parleys between the NSCN-IM leaders and Central Leaders in New Delhi, the Opposition Front, NPF headed by former CM Hokishe Sema has gone with the full backing to the ongoing peace talk considering that the issue could be the best bet and bait for the forthcoming election...

Imphal, January 16: The torch rally called by the United Committee Manipur took an ugly turn when thousands of people who came out braving the January chill turned violent at different points of the capital city today. However the rally passed off peacefully without any major hitches at other places. Rallies were taken out peacefully at Pallel, Moirang, Kumbi, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur. An enraged mob turned their wrath towards some UCM volunteers and tried to burn the vehicle in which the volunteers were travelling at Uripok today. Timely action by the police saved the vehicle. Cops on...

Imphal, January 15: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh while assuring that the violence of June 18, 2001 will not recur this time, has warned that the territorial integrity of Manipur should not be compromised by the Centre to appease the Naga rebel group, NSCN (I-M). In an exclusive interview with The Sangai Express, the Chief Minister said despite the assurances given by various Central leaders to preserve the territorial integrity of Manipur, if the ongoing Centre-NSCN (I-M) peace talks take up any move that might alter the existing territorial boundary of the State, Government of India should be...

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)...

NEW DELHI, Jan 12 — The North Eastern region of the country is sitting on a powder-keg as Pakistan’s ISI has been able to make substantial inroads into the region by covertly using the Bangladesh territory for carrying out its operations, reports PTI. A report submitted to the Government said the arrest of vice president of banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) Dhiren Boro in Sikkim on January 1 this year led to more information about how ISI was using the Bangladesh territory to carry out subversive activities in the north eastern region.

During interrogation, Boro, who was...

IMPHAL, Jan. 11. — An all-party ‘peace-talks monitoring cell’ was set up here today with chief minister Mr O Ibobi Singh as its convener following what is viewed here as disturbing signals regarding the territory of Manipur emanating from the NSCN (I-M)-Centre talks.

“I will even give up my chief ministership if it would save the territory of Manipur from being divided,” Mr Ibobi Singh said. “We are are ready to meet the eventuality at any cost,” he added at the em-ergency meeting of all state political parties that was hastily convened at 10.30 a.m. at the CM’s conference hall here. It was...

Imphal, January 11: An all-party emergency meeting presided over by Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today conveyed to the Centre that the territorial integrity of the state would be maintained ‘at any cost’.

The meeting was held in the wake of the NSCN (I-M) leaders’ demand for formation of ‘greater Nagaland’ placed during the ongoing peace talks with the Centre in Delhi.

The resolution adopted at the meeting said the people of Manipur would ‘‘unitedly oppose attempt by any authority to disintegrate the state’’.

‘‘The territory of Manipur belongs to Manipuris (different communities...

Imphal, January 10: Opposition DPA constituent partner Manipur Peoples' Party said it will take up arms, if necessary, if Government of India concedes to the demand of NSCN (IM) to amalgamate all Naga inhabited areas under one administrative umbrella. Addressing news persons at the MPP office today, president of the party and firebrand leader O Joy said the present peace talks between Govt of India and the NSCN (IM) to solve the Naga issue is based on four points put forward by the underground outfit. While pursuing a solution to the vexed issue, drastic measures should not be taken that could...