Karbi Anglong calm; security on alert

Nearly 2000 displaced continue to stay in 9 relief camps

Police on Monday could identify the rest of four unidentified dead bodies (of nine), recovered from Pachaspura, Chumukedima on January 3 last. Eight of the deceased are reported to be labourers, police said, while one was a student. The mortal remains of the deceased were handed over to their relatives today.

With regard to the progress of investigation, head of the Special Investigation Team instituted to probe the case, DIG (Range/NAP), Kohima, Liremo Lotha said that it is too early to comment on the status of the case. Stating that the team is on the job, Lotha added that in the interest of investigation, the team cannot divulge anything at this stage.

Security situation
The civil society based in Karbi Anglong has maintained that the situation in the area is calm. The Assam Police, however, said that the situation in the affected areas is tense though no fresh incidents of violence have been reported. Security forces are on high alert in the affected areas as well as the two national highways connecting to Dimapur. The Assam Police told reporters from Nagaland that security personnel are patrolling the highway; the heightened state of tension has not deterred travellers from Nagaland from taking NH 29.

So far, ten persons, suspected of involvement in arson, have been arrested, following a series of operations jointly launched by the Assam Police, the para-military and the army during the past few days, an Assam Police officer said. Four KPLT linkmen were also arrested during the operations. The officer said that one Single Barrel Muzzle Loading gun and gunpowder was recovered from the four. Further, six persons, alleged to be cadres of the Rengma Naga Hills Protection Force, were arrested on Saturday. Arms and ammunition were also reportedly confiscated from the arrested.

According to official figures, around 22-25 villages of both the Rengma and Karbi people have been affected by the violence. The displaced are sheltered in nine relief camps set up under Borpathar and Chokihola police stations where nearly 2000 people are taking shelter. 1186 displaced Rengmas, according to the official count, are housed in four camps. The count of Karbi people affected by the violence is put at 1681, who are sheltered in five camps. Further, the number of Rengma villages, where cases of arson have been reported, is put at four with Khoaani village the most affected.

No media personnel have been able to gain access to the affected villages thus far owing to the volatile situation. Security personnel have also advised caution against visiting the affected villages citing safety concerns.

34 Karbis escorted
from Kohima to Diphu
Meanwhile, 34 Karbi people, who were working in Kohima, were escorted to Diphu on Monday. The Angami Youth Organisation, Angami Students’ Association and the Naga Students’ Federation in coordination with the Karbi Students’ Association took the initiative after some Karbi people sought help, it was informed. It was further informed that they were compelled to leave after they received calls from home to return.

 

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The following people have been identified by the Nagaland Police (Dimapur), with the help of their families, as those whose bodies were found in a decomposed form on January 3 in a stream in Pachaspura, Chumukedima, Dimapur:
1. Harlongbi Ingti (21), s/o Suren Ingti, village Rongkangthir, Bokajan (Student)
2.    Mongal Singh (24), s/o Longri Ingti, village Tokiram, Borpathar PS (Labour)
3.    Sunil Rongphi (18), s/o Kania Rongphi, village Tokiram, Borpathar PS (Labour)
4.    Dhoni Rongphi (24), s/o Muki Rongphi, village Tokiram, Borpathar PS (Labour)
5.    Rajib Ingti (25), s/o Bora Ingti, village Rongto Ingti, Borpathar PS (Labour)
6.    Dhoram Lekthe (16), s/o Chandra Lekthe, village Bheloghat Sarsing Tokbi, Samelangso PO, Dokmoka PS (Labour)
7.    Hukur Singner (23), s/o Lakhiram Singner, village Bheloghat, Samelangso PO, Dokmoka PS (Labour)
8.    Pratab Taro (29), s/o Biren Taro, village Rensing Rongpi, Hawraghat PS (Labour)
9.    Thengtom Singnar (25), s/o Longsing Singner, Hawraghat PS (Labour)

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KOHIMA, JANUARY 6 (MExN): The Cabinet of the Government of Nagaland has decided to pay ex gratia of Rupees One lakh each to the family members of the nine deceased, whose bodies were recovered from the Pachaspura area of Dimapur. This decision, informed Cabinet Secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir, has been taken on “purely humanitarian grounds prejudice to the ongoing Police investigation into the crime.”

This was one among the decisions taken by the Cabinet at its meeting on Monday. The Cabinet has also endorsed the appointment of the High Power Enquiry Committee (HPEC) and the Special Investigation team. It has urged for the case to be pursued with “all urgency and earnestness in order to bring the culprits to book,” informed Jamir. In view of the urgency, the Cabinet has decided that a time frame of one month should be given to the HPEC to complete its report.

The Cabinet further appealed to the Karbi and Rengma people to “refrain from any further violence and maintain peace and calm in the spirit of the age old fraternal relationship among the people of the two communities.”

Additionally, the Nagaland Cabinet also expressed deep regret on the “unfortunate incident at Mukalimi, Zunheboto District that occurred during the last week of December 2013 leading to the loss of precious lives.” It has expressed appreciation of the “appropriate actions of the Government under the directions of the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the Home Minister that prevented great loss of lives.”

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KOHIMA, JANUARY 6 (MExN):  The Naga Hoho has stated that it is “infuriated by the killing of nine Karbis and dumping of their bodies in the jungle at Pachaspura near Chumukedima ‘A’.” It said that “this hideous act, which is beyond human comprehension, has tarnished the hospitable image of the Nagas.”

Stating that the “Naga people will not tolerate the use of Nagaland as a killing field,” it urged all peace loving citizens to “act or utter with complete restrain and look at matters from a wider perspective for the benefit of everyone.” The Naga Hoho appealed to all Naga citizens to provide security to the Karbi people residing in Nagaland and at the same time urged the Karbis in Nagaland “not to create hysteria but to remain calm and vigilant for peaceful co-existence.” It then urged the Nagaland state government to expedite the investigation into the killing of the nine persons.

It further informed that the Naga Hoho will hold a consultative meeting on January 8 at Naga Council Conference Hall, Dimapur at 11:00am. Two representatives each from the ENPO, NSF, NMA, NBCC, NCD, DNSU and NPMHR have been requested to attend the meeting.

In a separate statement, the Naga Hoho expressed solidarity with the “displaced and distressed Naga brethren in Karbi Anglong district of Assam.”
It appealed to tribe hohos, individuals and well-wishers to contribute relief materials for the distressed Nagas in Karbi Anglong, who are taking refuge in different relief camps, both in Assam and Nagaland. It informed that contributions can be made by contacting Naga Hoho General Secretary, Mutsikhoyo Yhobu and Information & Publicity Secretary, C Daipao at 09436438045 and 09402830729.

 

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KAPF reiterates commitment to
peace & restoration of normalcy

‘Opposed to any form of bandhs or blockades’

DIPHU, JANUARY 6 (MExN): The Karbi Anglong Peace Forum (KAPF), comprising 30 civil and student organizations of Karbi Anglong, has informed the public of Assam and Nagaland that it is committed to work for peace and restoration of normalcy at any cost. In that, the KAPF has declared that it is “opposed to any form of bandh or blockades in any form that may be called by any organizations or group from both the states. Bandhs or blockades at this critical juncture are unwanted and unjustified. Blockades and bandhs will affect in distribution of relief materials and is only an unnecessary harassment to the innocent public.”

The KAPF reiterated its commitment to work for permanent restoration of peace in the district of Karbi Anglong and in the region, and is closely in touch with all organizations in Nagaland which includes Naga Hoho, NPMHR, NSF, Naga Mothers Association, etc. at all times. Those seeking to contact the KAPF may do so through the following persons: (1) Paisong Lekthe: +91-98542-32583, (2) Nathan Ronghang : +91-96135-80203, (3) Watson :+91-90855-36911 and (4) Lipson Rongpi :+91-98594-38098.