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#1 ASSAM WATCH: Muslim Outfit Behind Dimapur Blasts The Sangai Express, October 16, 2004, Saturday Muslim outfit behind Dpr blasts Newmai News Network Dimapur, Oct 15 : Three days after the arrest of two suspects by the Dimapur police in the recent twin bomb blasts at Dimapur, a Muslim outfit has claimed responsibility for the October 2 outrage. The claim came amidst efforts being made by intelligence agencies, both underground and Government, to establish the identity of the perpetrators of the Oct 2 blast incidents in Dimapur, which had caught the security agencies on the wrong foot. A lesser known/unknown Muslim outfit identifying itself as "Al Jehad-e-Islam" claimed responsibility for the blasts thereby raising speculations about the involve- ment of ISI in the twin blasts which was alleged by Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, when he had pointed the finger of suspicion at the ISI for the attacks in Northeast during a press conference at Kolkata recently. According to a report published in an Assam-based Assamese daily, a caller identifying himself as Md Salim Khan, the North East chief of the outfit, in an e-mail sent to "Janasadharan" claimed that "Al Jehad-e-Islam" was responsible for the blasts. Earlier on September 20, CRPF personnel based along the Assam-Nagaland border in Sibasagar district arrested two ULFA cadres from a Dimapur-bound bus, which was coming from Longleng, somewhere near Amguri. Police sources informed Newmai News Network that the two cadres during interrogation conducted by a joint team of Assam Police and Nagaland Police in Sibasagar admitted that they were coming from Myanmar. It was also learnt during interrogation that the two reportedly told the police officers about ULFA??s plan to strike in a big way in Assam on October 2 and 3. This confession made by the ULFA cadres points towards the lapses on the part of the intelligence agencies, mainly those in Assam, because had they taken up necessary pre-cautionary measures well in advance, probably the blasts could have been averted. Unfortunately on on October 2, both Assam and Nagaland were rocked by the series of blasts. The confession made by the two militants and the e-mail sent by Md Salim, has also raised the question of whether the ULFA was involved in the blasts or not. Security agencies are studying this angle. http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/News_pages/Local_page-LL.html ------------------------------------------------------------ The Sangai Express, October 16, 2004, Saturday Assam accepts NDFB??s truce Guwahati, Oct 15: Assam Government has accepted the unilateral six months ceasefire offer of NDFB from today. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told PTI here today that NDFB president DR Nabla had directly sent him a letter expressing the outfit??s willingness to halt its activities for six months in response to his (Gogoi??s) offer for ceasefire. The Chief Minister said he would immediately communicate the NDFB offer to the Centre. Gogoi said a NDFB messenger carried a signed letter from Nabla declaring the ceasefire from today "to create a congenial atmosphere and initiate talks with the Government of India." The letter, he quoted, said ?????In response to the offer for ceasefire by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, the NDFB has declared a ceasefire with effect from October 15 for a period of six months .... All the commanders of Bodoland Army are asked to immediately suspend hostilities.???? Asked whether the Government would suspend its anti-militancy operations against the outfit, Gogoi said "we will take appropriate steps now that they directly contacted me offering their ceasefire from today through a letter." On October 8, Nabla and NDFB commander-in-chief ???Lt Col?? B Surranggra had in an e-mail to the media declared the ceasefire from today in response to Gogoi??s offer. Describing the NDFB offer as "a good sign and an indicator of the improvement of law and order situation in the State," Gogoi said all "the insurgent outfits, including the small ones, have come forward with their ceasefire offers and willingness for talks." "Now only the ULFA is left to come forward for peace talks after understanding the futility of their movement and senseless killings they indulge in," he said. PTI http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/News_pages/Local_page-LL-1.html ------------------------------------------------------------------- #2 "Stop Abusing Power, Harassing Rights Activists", AHRC To TN Police AHRC, October 16, 2004, Saturday, PL-84-2004 TN police urged to stop abusing power, harassing rights activists (Hong Kong, October 16, 2004): The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on Saturday called on police authorities in India's Tamil Nadu to apologise for unlawfully arresting a leading human rights campaigner and 15 other activists, and stop violating people's right and freedom to assembly. Those police officers involved in the case must be brought to justice for their abuse of power and wrongdoing, the Hong Kong-based regional human rights group said. The AHRC slammed the police in Cuddalore, in particular superintendent Prem Kumar, for arresting the 16 human rights activists on Monday to bar them from holding a meeting on police torture. The rights campaigners arrested included Henri Tiphagne, who is the executive director of People's Watch, a vocal group against police custodial torture. It is widely believed that the arrests were motivated by the animosity towards Tiphagne and his organisation, which once successfully led to the conviction of Kumar, who allegedly ordered the arrests, in court for human rights violation. "Many police officers in India are notorious for their atrocious acts, especially for victimising those who would dare to stand against them," said Bijo Francis, a programme officer of the AHRC. "The provisions of law as evident from this particular case can often be misused for pacifying personal vengeance of police officers," Francis said. The 16 rights activists were arrested under section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code for preventive detention and released later on Monday. Francis said this was yet another exposure against the myth that India's legislation is good enough to safeguard acts against police torture. Unless India ratifies the International Convention against Torture and comes up with domestic legislation and actively implements the law, the state of rule of law in the country could further deteriorate, he warned. Asian Human Rights Commission 19/F, Go-Up Commercial Building, 998 Canton Road, Kowloon, Hongkong S.A.R. Tel: +(852) - 2698-6339 Fax: +(852) - 2698-6367 --------------------------------------------------------- #3 MANIPUR WATCH: State File Affidavit On Manorama Case The Sangai Express, October 16, 2004, Saturday State file affidavit on Manorama case IMPHAL, Oct 15 : The State Government has filed counter affidavit before the Principal Seat of Gauhati High Court on the Misc case filed by the Assam Rifles insisting the court allow matching of DNA samples of the AR men to semen stain found on Manorama??s under garments. The case was heard today by the Principal Seat headed by Justice PG Agarwal, said reliable source who added of the Court fixing November 2 for hearing. Senior advocate DK Mishra and advocate Hrishikesh appeared on behalf of the State while advocate Niloy pleaded stood for the State instituted Manorama Death Inquiry Commission. It is pertinent to mention that the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal had on September 25 dismissed an application of the Army court praying for producing the DNA profile on the semen stain said to be detected at the undergarments of Thangjam Manorama Devi. The Army Court had filed the Misc Case challenging the verdict of the CJM, Imphal. The Misc case is related to the two main case filed earlier by the Assam Rifles before the same court. State of Manipur, retired Judge C Upendra Singh and union of India are the listed respondents in the said case. It may be recalled that following the verdict on the two main petitions, the state sponsored inquiry panel had to be shifted to the Imphal Central Jail premises so as to ensure safety and security of the Assam Rifles witnesses. http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Manipur Today/Imphal Free Press, Oct. 16, 2004, Saturday MSAD hunger strike concludes at New Delhi Imphal, October 15: The 15 day long relay hunger strike launched by the Manipur Students?? Association, Delhi demanding the repeal of armed forces?? special powers act from Manipur and its neighboring north eastern states concluded today at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. To mark the conclusion, the MSAD volunteers burnt effigies of Union home minister Shivraj Patil and Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh as a response to their sadistic instruction to the armed forces and police to suppress Manipur people??s democratic struggle. Effigies of the country??s late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, home minister JB Pant and VK Menon, who were instrumental in constitution of the draconian law were also burnt. The student body also submitted a memorandum to President APJ Abdul Kalam today urging him to restore democracy in Manipur and repeal the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the statute book of India. The memorandum also urged the President to take immediate action against security personnel involved in custodial rape and killing of Thangjam Manorama and immediate withdrawal of armed forces from the sacred Kangla Fort. The copies of the memorandum were also submitted to the Prime Minister and Union home minister. The MSAD memorandum also said that October 15 remains significant for the Manipuris, historically as it was on this day in 1949 that the state was suddenly declared a part of Indian Union under the Manipur Administrative Order. It is important to note that under the Manipur Constitution Act of 1947, the first general election of Manipur was held in 1948, the MSAD said adding that the 1949 order is a reminder of the abrogation of the sovereignty of Manipur making the ???merger?? legally and politically invalid since it was not ratified by the elected government of independent Manipur. The invalidation of the coercion of the Indian nation making process was reiterated in the Manipur People??s National Convention held in 1993, it said adding that the people of Manipur along with this political onslaught have been experiencing Indian state??s most undemocratic engagement in the region. The post-independence Indian response to Manipur and other north eastern states needs to be understood in the context of the most draconian legislation, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, the MSAD memorandum said. Stating that the AFSPA is a reproduction of the Armed Forces Special Powers Ordinance of 1942, the memorandum also said that its imposition in the north east region is a clear indication of suppressing the people of the region mounting to brand them within the category of criminality by the Government of India, which verifies the rejection of equality, heterogeneity and democracy in the region. Maintaining that enactment of the draconian law negated the very foundation of democracy which gives constitutional safeguards to Right to Life, Right to Freedom of Speech and safeguards against the illegal detention of civilians, the MSAD memorandum also said Manipur has been experiencing the most uncivil presence of the state in the region with the imposition of AFSPA. It also said that imposition of the draconian legislation in Manipur has violated civil life and the recent killing of Pastor Jamkholet and Th Manorama by Assam Rifles troops is a testimony to the prolong crimes committed by the Indian security forces in Manipur. Despite Manipur people??s intense and sustained agitation which also gain overall support, solidarity and participation from people across the country, the government is still reluctant to repeal the draconian act and have instead been intensifying deployment of forces to suppress the people. The MSAD said that it is collectively working with a numbers of social, students and human rights organisations all over the country to sustain its agitation to repeal the AFSPA. (Source : Imphal Free Press) http://www.manipurtoday.com/news/detailtopstory.asp?Key=563 ------------------------------------------------------------ Manipur Today/Imphal Free Press, Oct. 16, 2004, Saturday No untoward incidents during MPLF general strike Imphal, October 15: The 17 hour general strike called by the Manipur People Liberation Front (MPLF) which commenced from yesterday midnight concluded this evening at 5 pm peacefully. Normal life in the state had been totally disturbed and all business establishment in almost all the important towns including Imphal city remained closed during the strike. In the meantime all the stranded loaded trucks and inter state passenger buses at Mao gate along the National Highway no. 39 coming from the other neighbouring states, had reportedly proceeded towards Imphal at around 5 pm after the strike hours had ended. A report from Mao gate said that altogether 71 loaded trucks including 16 LPG laden along with 19 inter state passenger buses were proceeding towards Imphal. In the meantime atleast 76empty trucks coming from Imphal today had also crossed Mao gate today amidst the general strike, the report added. However, none of the passengers from the Moreh side along the NH-39 proceeded today for Imphal.There were aslo reports of no vehicular movement on the NH-53 Imphal Jiribam road. All the inter district passenger bus services also remained cancelled for today. It may be noted that October 15 is the day on which the ???Manpur merger agreement??? came into force. MPLF, an apex body of the underground organisations has been observing national black day and also called general strike every year on this day in protest against the merger of Manipur to the Indian union. Source : Imphal Free Press http://www.manipurtoday.com/news/detailtopstory.asp?Key=561 ------------------------------------------------------------ The Sangai Express, October 16, 2004, Saturday Strike total, search operations launched IMPHAL, Oct 15 : Even as the general strike called by the MPLF was on in full swing, a combined force of Thoubal police commandos and BSF launched an intensive search operation from 9.30 am till 3 pm at Nongpok Sekmai, Andro, Itham Moirangpurel and Keithelmanbi today. The search operation was conducted in connection with the spot inspection of shifting two companies of the 29 BSF stationed at Thoubal Kshetri Leikai to Nongpok Sekmai, said sources. However no untoward incident has been reported during the course of the search operation and there is no report of any arrest either. Imphal West police commandos also launched a search operation at the surrounding areas of Kwakeithel Lainongshabi today at about 4 pm. No report of any arrest is received at the time of going to press. Meanwhile the general strike called by the MPLF as part of the National Black Day was total in almost all the district headquarters today with shops and commercial establishments remaining closed for the day. In Imphal, the major commercial centres, Khwai- ramband bazar, Paona bazar, Thangal bazar and BT road remained closed and the roads wore a deserted look except for some lone vehicles out on emergency work. Inter-district buses suspended service for the day, though flight schedules were not disrupted. The general strike crippled normal activities in the other district headquarters namely, Thoubal, Bishnu-pur etc. As inter-district buses suspended service for the day, normal activities were also severely affected at Churachandpur, Senapati and Ukhrul districts too. In CCpur the bandh evoked partial response. However inter-State buses arrived at Imphal and so did some loaded trucks. Educational establishments also remained closed. As today was a general holiday due to Mera Chaorel Houba, Govt offices remained closed and there was no attendance. The general strike passed off peacefully without any untoward incident. http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/News_pages/Local_page-03.html ------------------------------------------------------------ Manipur Today, October 16, 2004, Saturday Security forces exchanged fire with insurgents at Bishnupur Imphal, October 14 : A combined force of Indian Reserve Battalion, Bishnupur Police commandos and Grewal Rifles exchanged fire with suspected insurgents at Ngangkha Lawai in Bishnupur district early morning today. After receiving specific information about the presence of insurgents at Ngangkha Lawai, security forces cordoned off the place. When the security forces conducted combing operation in the area, insurgents retaliated by firing. The exchange of fire lasted for some time. Later on, security forces recovered one AK47 rifle, one fully loaded magazine and one wireless set from the area. No detail reports have been received about the casualties on both sides. Meanwhile, Manipur police conducted combing operation at Babupara in the heart of Imphal city in search of insurgents. At about 9.30 this morning, police cordoned off the quarters of Ministers and Legislatures in Babupara and conducted combing operations. Police picked up about 100 suspects from the area for verification. http://www.manipurtoday.com/news/detailtopstory.asp?Key=560 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Confederation of Human Rights Organizations (CHRO) 3, Rams' Cottage Ambalathumukku Pettah Thiruvananthapuram-695024 Kerala South India |
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| << October17, 2004 - [India Thinkers Net] Attack on nuns,conversion & superstition watch |
October17, 2004 - [India Thinkers Net]PWH watch,Maoists declare ceasefire in Nepal >> |
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