Stay out, tells IM to UNLF

Dimapur, Mar 10: Reacting to the statement of the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the NSCN-IM has asked the former not to poke its nose into the latter’s business. The NSCN-IM also advised the UNLF to do “proper homework” to shake the consciousness of the Indian authorities over its movement. The NSCN-IM also advised the UNLF not to meddle into the Naga issue.“When the government of India and NSCN entered into ceasefire agreement in August 1997 it signifies the recognition of the Naga political problem from the historical point of view as military solution was ruled out. It is better to be realistic then simply beating about the bush to mislead the people it claimed to represent. Truly speaking, the whole Nagas lauded the historic step taken by NSCN in signing the 2nd Indo-Naga ceasefire. The 1st Indo-Naga ceasefire was in 1964. The UNLF by questioning the wisdom of NSCN in signing such ceasefire is going against revolutionary spirit and defies the fundamental objective of laun- ching liberation movement. No liberation or revolution movement came to fruition without negotiation. In any revolutionary movement lapses comes in plenty, and unfortunately it started playing into people’s sentiment. NSCN never argues the perfection of its cadres,” the NSCN-IM statement explained.It also said that black sheep are many within the organization and they become the source of public nuisance in many occasions. “There is no running away from the people’s scrutiny and we cannot stay apart from people’s aspiration. Corrective steps are therefore part of the disciplinary reformation in NSCN. When UNLF started meddling into Naga issue and started getting censorious of NSCN activities it became a matter of fishing into troubled water. This is un-revolutionary and bereft of any validity worth considering,” it added. Further, the NSCN-IM statement then said that spitting venom by using divisive language is all the more harmful to the spirit of co-existence among the people-the hills and the valley.“By questioning the long term political strategy of NSCN the UNLF is simply going overboard, and should learn to mind its own business. Rather it should concentrate giving historical education to its own people and not over stretched its hand to neighbours’ socio-political issue. This impulsive reaction to the situation is impolitic and avoidable. UNLF is therefore advised not to poke its nose into NSCN business. When UNLF yet to do proper homework to shake the consciousness of the Indian authorities over its movement, there is no point taking the course that is politically incorrect,” advised the NSCN-IM statement.

TSE investigates : Dr Kishan, A Rajen, Y Token, Kapangkhui, Ramthing, Ramshing abducted from Ukhrul Gate Four others held, murder trail from Ukl

IMPHAL, Mar 6 : The investigation launched by the State Government to get to the bottom of the brutal murder of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th Kishan and his two subordinate staff appears to be making some headway as the driver of the Bolero which was used by the NSCN (IM) cadres as well three people who provided them shelter have been picked up and sent to jail. Talking to The Sangai Express, a well placed source from the State Police Department said that from the disclosure of the driver of the Bolero (MN04/A/2645) and the three other persons, it has been established that six IM men lay in wait near the DC office on February 13. Once the SDO along with his five staff came out from the office of the DC a little after 12 noon on February 13, the Bolero, which was forcibly taken by the IM men, gave chase and over took the Gypsy near St Thomas School.Thereafter the Bolero stopped the Gypsy near the Naga Gate (Ukhrul Gate) at Hundung, said the source. After stopping the Gypsy carrying the SDO and his staff, the six IM men who were in the Bolero, driven by Mahei Kasar of Nungsong village told the officer to accompany them to Siroy for some talks, revealed the source further. The SDO and his men were however not taken to Siroy that day, February 13, for they stopped for the night at Langdang, a village situated between Ukhrul and Siroy. The officer and his men and the NSCN (IM) cadres spent the night at the residence of the former Head- man of Langdang village identified as Wungmasho.On reaching Langdang village, the number plate of as well as the beacon of the Gypsy allotted to the SDO were removed and the vehicle was kept out of sight. The next day, three employees who were abducted along with the SDO, Kapangkhui Zimik, Ram-thing Tangkhul and Ram- shing Tangkhul were let off by the IM men, said the source. After spending the night at Langdang, the SDO along with his two staff were bundled into the Bolero and along with three armed NSCN (IM) cadres, they were driven towards Seikhor village (Ukhrul west) on the Old Imphal-Ukhrul road. Seikhor village is located about 18 kms from Ukhrul district headquarters. Disclosing more details, the source said that at Seikhor village, the NSCN (IM) cadres got in touch with the village chief Soreingam Riphung and village secretary Th Zimik and the officer and his men spent the nights of February 14 and 15 at the residence of the village secretary. The following day the SDO and his two men accompanied by the three armed IM cadres as well as the driver proceeded towards Tora and passed through Tuinem and then reached Ngaingu junction, where one of the armed cadres got down, as it was getting cramped inside the vehicle. From Ngaingu junction, the six of them, that is Dr Kishan, A Rajen, Y Token, the two IM cadres and the driver took the Senapati- Phaibung road. The officer, his staff and the abductors reached Senapati a little after midnight and there, the Bolero with the driver was left near a stone crushing centre. From there the SDO and his men were taken on foot by the two gun wielding NSCN (IM) cadres towards Taphou Kuki village, said the source and added that the officer and his men may have been bludgeoned to death in the wee hours of February 17. After the ‘work’ was done, the two armed IM cadres returned to the site of the stone crusher where the Bolero and the driver were and they took the same route back.The former Headman of Langdang village in whose house the SDO, his men and the IM cadres spent the night on February 13 was picked up by the police on February 23 and he was sent to jail on March 1. The driver of the Bolero, which was forcibly taken by the IM men, Mahei Kasar of Nungshong village was picked up on February 25 and was sent to jail on March 4. The chairman of Seikhor village Soreingam Riphung and the secretary Th Zimik were respectively arrested on February 26 and 27 and were sent to jail on March 4, said the source further. To a query on the primary reason for the brutal killing of the SDO and his men, the source said that it is yet to be established as the alleged master mind of the dastardly crime self styled Lt Col of the NSCN (IM) Hopeson Ningshen of Nambisa is in the custody of the outfit. The statements of 30 eye witnesses have been recorded by the police, said the source and added that further investigation is on. The Gypsy that was found abandoned at Mahadev has been confirmed as the one allotted to the late SDO. On the other hand the IG (LO-III) V Zathang who has been in Ukhrul for the past days to investigate the case has returned to Imphal while Commissioner O Nabaki-shore and IG (Intelligence) LM Khaute are continuing with the investigation. The two men inquiry constituted by the State Government is headed by O Nabakishore and LM Khaute. The killing was widely condemned.

Mangani Leihun performed

IMPHAL, Feb 28: Along with taking out mass procession by thousands of mourners here today on the occasion of Mangani Leihun Tamba ceremony of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Thingnam Kishan and his two sub-ordinate staff, driver Aribam Rajen and Revenue Mandal Yumnam Token, who were brutally murdered by armed cadres of NSCN (IM), a three-point memorandum has been submitted to the Governor.Signed jointly by three convenors of the JAC formed against the triple murder, the memorandum demanded immediate criminal proceedings against the suspended De- puty Commissioner of Ukhrul district Pankaj Kumar Pal by registering an FIR for his criminal connivance in the murder of his own sub-ordinate staff, murderers of the three Government officials be punished immediately and the other three ‘rescued’ officials who had accompanied the three victims at the time of abduction by the armed cadres of the Naga rebel group be produced before the public within 48 hours.Carrying photographs of the deceased Government employees in three different decorated Palanquins, the procession of the mourners started from their respective resi- dences and converged at Gandhi Ghat, Uripok where their mortal remains were consigned to flames, together for performing the Mangani Leihun Tamba rituals of the departed souls.After the rituals, the mourners were marching towards the Raj Bhavan to submit the memorandum to the Governor when police stopped them from proceeding further beyong Keishampat Junction. However, some representatives of the JAC were allowed to go and submit the memorandum. The memorandum was submitted to the Governor through his Under Secretary.In the memorandum, the JAC also contended that initiatives being taken up so far by the Government of Manipur in connection with the killing appear to be simply silencing the aggrieved public and the families of the deceased persons.While returning back from submitting the memorandum, the mourners shouted slogans against NSCN (IM) and demanded handing over the killers who are in the custody of the Naga rebel group.

Murder of SDO and subordinates NSCN (IM) rounds up three ‘killers’

IMPHAL, Feb 22 : Keeping in line with its pledges that nothing will be left to chance to expose the people behind the brutal murder of the SDO of Kasom Khullen and his two subordinate staff, the NSCN (IM) has rounded up three suspects. Disclosing this while speaking to The Sangai Express today evening, a spokesman of the Law and Order Department of the Wung Tangkhul Region said that three persons have been taken into custody in connection with the abduction and later brutal murder of the SDO, Dr Th Kisan, his driver Aribam Rajen and Mandal, Y Token.The three have been identified as Lt Col Hopeson Tangkhul, Apho Sibo and Major Ashang. Newmai News Network has reported that the armed wing of the NSCN-IM has admitted that one of its ‘commanding officers’ (CO) was behind the brutal and inhuman killing of Kasom Khullen SDO and his two subordinates. Informing this today, “Naga Army’, the armed wing of the NSCN-IM said that ‘commanding officer’ (CO) Lt Col H Ningshen was the masternind in the killing of Dr Th Kishan and his two subordinates.In a statement, the armed wing of the NSCN-IM said, “In what can be termed as the most shocking revelation, one of our senior officers has turned out to be the black sheep of the family. To our utter disappointment, it has been established that the Commanding Officer of Kiusumong Battalion (Siroy), Lt Col H Ningshen was the brain behind the brutal killing of the Kasom Khullen SDO and his two aides. What prompted him to undertake such severe measure against the civil servants of Manipur Government cannot justify the inhuman action metted out under his command,” said the Naga Army of the NSCN-IM tonight.The NSCN-IM’s official statement in this regard will be issued on Monday, according to the outfit’s Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP).Sources in the NSCN-IM said that on Monday the outfit will decide what step should be taken against ‘Lt Col’ H Ningshen.The NSCN-IM’s ‘home minister’ has already said that whoever big or small, in the event of the outfit’s personnel involved in the brutal and inhuman murder of the SDO and his two staffs would not be spared but awarded the ‘severest’ form of punishment.Another source informed The Sangai Express that Apho Sibo a Town Commander while Hopeson Tangkhul was the commander of the Siroy camp which was recently evicted. Speaking to The Sangai Express, the spokesman of the Law and Order Department of the Wung Tangkhul Region said that the GPRN did not issue any order to kill the SDO and his two men.The three were acting on their own individual capacity, said the spokesman and added that the killing was the machinations of gangsters.They do not represent the GPRN in any position, asserted the spokesman and maintained that investigation is on to round up all those involved in the heinous crime.Details of the case will be issued within three days time, asserted the spokesman.

Missing trio rescued: CM

IMPHAL, Feb 21: The three employees abducted toge-ther with Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th Kishan, Mondal Y Token and Driver A Rajen have been rescued by a combined team of Assam Rifles and police from Tol-loi, Ukhrul district this morning.The rescued employees are Extension Officer in-charge RS Ramsing, village level worker S Ramthing and Peon Kapangkhui.People believe that the State Government can now ascertain the identities, motives and details of the cul- prits involved in the barba-ric murder. Conveying about the successful rescue operation during a press meet this afternoon, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said the three abducted employees were rescued after a joint operation by Assam Rifles and police led by an IG.During the press meet which started at about 2.45 pm, the Chief Minister said that the rescued employees were being brought to Im-phal by an AR team. They would be arriving at Imphal within 10/15 minutes, Ibobi maintained.The AR team was entrusted to bring the rescued employees to Imphal to avoid any misadventure on the way, he stated.“The three employees would be fearing both the murderers and the Government. As their minds would have been already troubled with the possible threats to their future lives when they disclose the truths and facts of the gruesome murder, they would be ques- tioned with the assurance of full protection in their future lives,” the Chief Minister conveyed. To a query raised by scribes about the people’s lingering suspicion of NSCN (IM)’s involvement in the brutal murder, Ibobi said that the State Government would exert pressure upon the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to take up ne-cessary actions against the rebel group in case their involvement is confirmed prima facie.

Relief, heartache mark curfew relaxation

IMPHAL, Feb 21: Wareda ! Curfew Ashi Loishilla-ningleda (Woe is brimful, wish the curfew is lifted).These are the soulful words that Ibechaobi, who missed the bus following re-imposition of curfew, utte- red. She was returning from selling fishes in the Khwai-ramband Market when the curfew was reimposed after being lifted from 1 pm to 3 pm today.After the 48 hours State wide bandh and general strike called by various organisations including the JAC Against the Brutal Killing of Dr Th Kishan Singh, Y Token Singh and A Rajen Sharma in protest against the killing, from 6 pm of February 17 to 6 pm of February 19, imposition of indefinite curfew by the district admi-nistration of Imphal East and West with effect from 5 pm of February 19 has caused untold miseries to many daily wage earners like Ibechaobi.A resident of Mayang Imphal in Imphal West district, Ibechaobi came to the Khwairamband Bazar to sell fishes on hearing the news of lifting the curfew from 1 pm to 3 pm today.However, at around 3.30 pm, Ibechaobi and two other women fish sellers namely Chaobisana and Sana were observed walking along the road of Wa- hengbam leikai as they missed the bus for returning home following reimposition of curfew.Two more women from Nambol selling Ngakra and Ukabi were also found wal-king down along the road of Keishampat carrying loads on their heads after missing the buses.Talking to The Sangai Express, Ibechaobi said when the cost of 1 kg of rice has reached Rs 22, inability to come to the market and sell fishes has forced her to borrow rice from the neighbour to feed her family.

Query on IM camps irks CM

IMPHAL, Feb 21: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has iterated that the ceasefire agreement between the Naga rebel group NSCN (IM) and the Government of India is confined only in Nagaland and there is no camp of the Naga rebel group in Manipur.In response to a query during a press conference at his office chamber here today, Ibobi asserted that there is no designated camp of NSCN (IM) in Manipur.“Can you identity any of the designated camps of NSCN (IM) in Manipur ?”, the Chief Minister retorted in response to the query posed by a journalist who quoted Assam Rifles sources that said such camps are in Manipur but the State Government has not taken note of them.The Chief Minister’s clarification or rather the outburst came in the backdrop of public suspicion on possible involvement of NSCN (IM) cadres in the recent killing of SDO of Kasom Khullen Dr Thingnam Kishan and his two subordinate staff after being abducted from Ukhrul district.The JAC formed in denouncement of the brutal killing had also demanded the State Government that no NSCN (IM) camp should be allowed to exist within the territory of Manipur.It may be recalled here that recently a stand off occured between the Assam Rifles soldiers and armed cadres of NSCN (IM) at Siroy village in Ukhrul district over setting up of a camp by the Naga rebel group.

NSCN-IM reiterates ‘action’ vow

Feb 21: On the brutal killing of SDO Th Kishan and his two staffs the ‘Naga Army’, the armed wing of the NSCN-IM has affirmed that whoever may have committed such heinous crime, it has nothing to do with any ‘official sanction’ of the ‘Naga Army’ authorities whatsoever. “In the event of any Naga Army personnel found to be involved, ‘Naga Army’ will not fail to give the punishment to those perpetrators befitting the crime as per the army rules,” PRO of the Naga Army (NSCN-IM) Col. Levi Zimik said tonight in a statement.The statement expressed that the brutal killing of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr. Th Kishan and his two staffs has come as a great shock to ‘Naga Army.’Meanwhile, the NSCN-IM Kilo-Kilonser (Home Minister) said that taking into consideration gravity of the brutal killing of Kasom Khullen SDO and his two staffs, the NSCN stands by its statement that it has no hands in the killing. “But in the event of some NSCN members found to be involved in the killing, befitting punishment will be given and justice shall be delivered. No such persons, big or small shall be spared from facing the severest penalty,” said the NSCN-IM Home Kilonser.

NSCN (K) ready for action

IMPHAL, Feb 16: Guard Commander of NSCN (K) Zeliangrong Region Maj Franchis has declared that his outfit is all set to launch an operation against the militant group Dima Halam Daogh (DHD)-Jewel Garlo-sa faction, also popularly known as Black Widow in North Cachar Hills of Assam, reports our Jiribam correspondent. In a strong-ly worded statement, Fran- chis charged that enough atrocities have been meted upon the innocen public of North Cachar Hills by DHD (J). Thus, compelling his outfit to act tough against the militant group. He also condemned the brutal killing of a Zeliangrong civilian identified as Durangbe Nriame (28) s/o Ramlungbe of Baureneu village, NC hills by DHD (J) on February 12.