Land of Jewels (Sana Leibak)

Dimapur, June 20 : The threat of shortage of essential items and consequently price hike in Nagaland, is looming with transporters in Assam finally calling for an indefinite ‘Chakka Jam’ from 5 AM this morning. The consequences of rampant extortion are finally taking effect with the truckers and transporters refusing to enter the state. The strike is in protest against the rampant extortion and collection of “unauthorized tax” by various Naga and non-Naga underground organizations in Nagaland and also assault on drivers. The truckers under the aegis of the All Assam Truck Owners, Driver, Handymen Association have decided not to cross “all Nagaland entry points” like Bokajan, Mariani and Amguri. This means all districts in the state will now face shortage of essential commodities, if the state government does not intervene with strong political will. More than twenty heavily-laden trucks with essential and perishable commodities are halted at Bokajan in view of the ‘Chakka Jam’; more ...

40 Oil trucks damaged in stoning : Imphal, May 22: Windshields of more than 40 goods trucks including oil tankers were broken in stoning by economic blockade supporters along the Imphal-Mao section of the NH-39 even as most of the oil pumps closed down today due to non-availability of stocks at the oil depots. A truck transporting sand from Dimapur was also set ablaze by blockade supporters last night at around 8.30 pm at Tadubi. The indefinite economic blockade along the NH-39 imposed by the Naga People`s Organisation, NPO, Senapati district commenced yesterday in protest against the state government`s failure to take up positive action in matters of PDS items and water supply even after its 24-hour district-wide bandh on May 20. Reports said that truckers leaving Mao gate late yesterday afternoon with security escorts were caught in heavy stoning from the blockade supporters on their way from Tadubi to Senapati. Windshields of more than 40 loaded trucks were shattered, reports said. ...

Feels like Gaza, says Israeli singer: Imphal, May 4: Roy Avital, lead singer of Dub L.F.O., a leading band from Israel, had little idea about Imphal or Manipur. He did not take too long to form one, though. "Manipur is like the Gaza strip," he exclaimed. "It seems here army is more important than culture, like in Israel," he said. Avital, who was a soldier for four years, is in Imphal to perform at the Roots Festival, an annual event held across the Northeast to hunt for local talent and also "inspire the youths to think differently from the daily killings and strife in the region". Roots festival will be held at Dimapur, Diphu, Itanagar, Guwahati, Aizawl and Shillong, where it will end on May 25. This will be the sixth annual edition of the festival, which has seen foreign bands like Aurora Jane and Massive Change from Australia perform. Avital, along with six members of Too Late Lucy, a band from London led by singer Ben Champniss, are the "guest ba...

Bird-flu result negative: A bird-flu awareness campaign was organised by Joint Director, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry on Tuesday at Moirang Lamkhai following reports of death of fowls in the area. Blood samples from five bulbuls were collected for testing even as samples from other poultries could not be collected as the dead fowls were not available. Meanwhile, results of the samples from the dead Magpies collected from Maharabi were found negative. The results have come from the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory, Bhopal. Unity Team in Dimapur: The team which has embarked on a tour on the theme of Love, Peace and Unity has reached Dimapur, said a statement by the organising body, Young Horizon, on Tuesday. The rallyists who were flagged off on January 30 from Kangla to promote peace, love and unity amongst the people was welcomed by the Naga community of Nagaland Naga community of Nagaland with love and encouraging words, said the statement. The Manipur Cultural Society, Kohi...

Two businessmen, van driver abducted near Maram: Imphal, Jan 7: Three persons, including two local businessmen and a van driver have been missing since they were abducted by unknown gunmen on January 5 near Maram along NH-39 in Senapati district. The abducted persons are identified as P Rajendro, 40, of Chingmeirong, one Tomba from Hatta, and driver Elam Priyo, 41, of Keishamthong Hodam Leirak. According to official sources, the three were reportedly abducted by armed miscreants along with the van they were riding in on January 5 evening near Maram while travelling to Dimapur. The white colour Maruta van, registration no. MN01/K-9633, which the three had been riding in was found abandoned at a deserted spot in between Changoubung and Kangpokpi on Sunday afternoon. It was recovered by the Kangpokpi police, and is currently being kept at the Kangpokpi police station. It is suspected that their abduction was for purposes of collecting ransom, and a case has been registered by the Kangpokp...

Charge sheets framed against 4 accused: Imphal, Jan 3: After over three years of intense investigation in an atmosphere far from being conducive, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed charge sheets against four persons accused in the kidnap and murder of Baby Lungnila Elizabeth before the Court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal, on Thursday. The accused named in the CBI chargesheets include Thokchom Nando Singh (25) of Khangabok Part-III, Ningombam Rome Meitei (35) of Bashikhong, Okram Deben (28) of Langthabal and the prime accused Letkhosei Haokip alias James Kuki (34). The CBI had a torrid time in claiming custody of the prime accused as he was detained by the NSCN (IM) before being arrested on June 10, 2007 from Dimapur, the commercial capital of Nagaland. Even though the CBI is informed to have named another accused identified as Sorokhaibam Surjit Singh in the kidnap and murder case, legal proceedings could not be initiated against the individual after unkn...

Dimapur denizens suffer: Dimapur, Dec 27: There is a possibility of bleak situation prevailing in the Nagaland commercial hub Dimapur following the strong under-current polarisation "among the NSCN factions". According to the NSCN-IM, huge amount of money to the tune of crores of rupees has been collected from the businessmen in Dimapur by the NSCN faction led by Azheto Chophy and Khaplang in just one month's time. Azheto Chophy and C Singson are the two signatories of the November 24 Niuland Unity Declaration. The NSCN-IM then expressed with a serious tone that the "Azheto and Khaplang group" has tested the nerve of the NSCN-IM again. The NSCN-IM said that the outfit has been exercising maximum restraint and patience in the interest of the "Naga nation". "In the name of unification the most provocative incidents had been happening in Dimapur but for the greater interest of the Naga Nation, maximum restraint and patience have been exercised by NSC...

Peace prayers, festivity mark celebrations: Guwahati, Dec 25: Thousands of Christians in India's northeast joined a midnight mass in churches across the region to pray for peace and well being of the human race. With church bells echoing across the hills and dales of the region, and throngs of people packing churches to join in festive prayer and song in celebration of Jesus' birth, the northeast was drowned in yuletide passion. "Christmas is the day when people tend to forgive and forget everything and simply rejoice. This is also the day when people pray for peace and prosperity of the state, the nation, and for the entire human race at large," Thomas Menamparampil, Archbishop of Guwahati said. Worshippers across the region lit candles, sang carols and organized festive feasts to celebrate Christmas. "We organised a small Christmas breakfast for the less fortunate, the homeless, distressed and lonely, for whom the festive season would otherwise be miserable,...

Army foils another Rajdhani blast: Dibrugarh, Dec. 25: A group of Adivasi militants that arrived in Tinsukia on Tuesday morning to carry out another blast on the Rajdhani Express was arrested by the army from a tea garden. Akash Tirkey alias Daniel Ekka, an area commander, Dhoni Oraon, Chandan Bhumij, Thomas Kerketta and Samanan Tanti alias Raju Tanti -- all members of the Adivasi National Liberation Army -- reached Dimapur by train on Monday night. They got off at Naharkatia station, walked the whole night and reached the tea estate near Tinsukia town on Tuesday morning. Three .38 revolvers, 30 rounds of ammunition, an improvised explosive device and some letterheads of the outfit were found on them. Troops of 2 Bihar Regiment, who arrested the five, later handed them over to the police. “The group was instructed by a senior leader of the outfit, Prem Kawar, who is the district commander in Karbi Anglong, to carry out another blast on the Rajdhani Express, for which they were carryi...

Muivah questions Niuland pact: Dimapur, Dec 21: After a month of keeping silent over the “Niuland Unity Declaration”, NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said on Friday that no Naga hates unity but a conglomeration of different kinds of people with different shades of opinion in a place cannot be termed as unity. Th Muivah in his statement said, “It goes without saying that everyone is for unity and no one is for division. I can affirmatively say that no Naga hates unity. Like it or not, unity among brethren or a people in principle, for a common future is not an option; it is a must. Therefore, unity among Nagas in their National salvation line is a necessity and National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) stand for that”. The NSCN leader then countered with the poser, “But can we say a conglomeration of different kinds of people with different shades of opinion in a place as unity? Certainly not, that is only a crowd which has nothing to do with the politics of unity. An in...

NPA, Rio fight battle of Kohima in Delhi: Dimapur: With the state plunging into political uncertainty following the December 13 vote of no confidence motion and subsequent political developments in Nagaland, the Union Cabinet is expected to decide on the report of the Governor K.Sankaranarayanan by Thursday. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nephiu Rio has rushed back to the state after attending the National Development Council meeting in New Delhi, where he also held a series of discussions with leaders of UPA partners -- NCP, LJP and the Left. CPI general secretary AB Bardhan was reportedly opposed to President’s Rule in the state. On Tuesday, a delegation of the Nagaland Progressive Alliance (NPA) led by its leader I. Imkong, CLP leader, had also met several central ministers and AICC functionaries demanding installation of an alternative government by the newly formed NPA. In Dimapur, the Dimapur District Congress Committee had reportedly resolved at a meeting held on Wednesday that par...

Rally support for peace, unification: Dimapur, Dec 14: Far from the earlier turnout, the rally organized by the Naga Hoho in support of the ongoing peace process and unification, attracted barely two to three hundred people at the City Clock Tower Junction here Friday. The poor turnout was attributed largely to hectic festive programmes and other engagements. Scores of those who attended carried banners and placards that read “We Want Peace” and “United We Stand.Divided We Fall” etc. In his address, Naga Hoho president, Bendangmayang Jamir said that peace will never be found if Nagas do not unite as it would only lead to continuation of suffering for another century. Bendangmayang reminded all organizations that the hoho has been working in earnest towards unity but lamented that Nagas continue to be divided by administrative umbrellas. He also welcomed corrections if there has been any mistake in the ongoing process of unification while reiterating the imperative need for unity. Naga...

Inter-state buses not to carry goods banned by UGs: Imphal, Dec 14: The All Manipur Inter State Bus Association has prohibited its members and their employees from accepting cargo containing items ‘banned’ by a particular underground group operating in the state with immediate effect. This was informed by the president of the association, A Budha Luwang, in a press conference held on Friday at North AOC, Imphal. The step is being taken in view of the several recent incidents of torching and destruction of passenger buses found carrying the banned items by the cadres of the underground group. As informed by Luwang, the association, at a meeting held recently, has decided to impose penalties on motor workers, bus owners, or concerned travel agency counters involved in transportation of the `banned` items. Bus drivers and handyman who carry such cargo are to be barred indefinitely from working in any travel agency which are members of the association, according to Luwang. Similarly, bus o...

Chauhan leaves Imphal, no comments on regime change: Imphal, Dec 13: Union Minister of State and AICC general secretary north east in-charge Prithivi Raj Chauhan left Imphal on Thursday after concluding his three-day visit to the state, making no comments on the question of regime change which rebel Congress MLAs are demanding. Even though he refused to comment on the crisis, replying to questions raised by journalists at the concluding part of the inspection, Chauhan said, "I am satisfied with the works progress". However, he refused to comment on the main purpose of his visit to the state, the question of replacement of Ibobi as chief minister of Manipur. Officially Chauhan came to Imphal to inspect the status of the implementation of works taken up in the state with Central funds under the Prime Minister`s package. After his return to New Delhi he is scheduled to visit other states of the country where projects were taken up under the same package of the Prime Minister, an...

IM’s olive branch to ‘Unity Team’: Dimapur, Dec 10: After days of maintaining silence over the Niuland declaration, the NSCN-IM on Monday said that the door is still kept open for Azheto Chophy and company to “come back to the mainstream”. NSCN-IM Kilo-Kilonser (home minister) Azheto Chophy and NSCN-K’s external affairs minister C Singson had led in signing the declaration for unification of the two NSCN factions on November 23 at Niuland near Dimapur. “Twenty days is a long period for any revolutionary group to forbear the deliberate violation of the national code of conduct and policy, but for the spirit of patience in forming a wide-based unity process the NSCN/GPRN avoided going for any drastic action to discipline the wayword national workers. The room is however still open for them to come back to the mainstream for no mistake shall be considered too big in the name of Naga unity,” said the NSCN-IM note. Full Story: