RANCHI: A group of about 100 armed cadres of CPI(Maoist) attacked a CRPF camp at Nawadih village under Bundu police station in Ranchi district on Tuesday night leaving a villager dead and a CRPF personnel injured. Two companies of 133-Delta battalion of CRPF are stationed in the village which is located in a Naxal stronghold.
Bundu SDPO Anand Joseph Tigga said the CRPF personnel were returning to their base camp at Bundu at around 10.30 pm when the Maoists launched the attack.
Tigga said the Maoists encircled the temporary CRPF camp at Nawadih and opened indiscriminate fire on the personnel. "The CRPF men opened retaliation fire. However, a jawan Shiv Shankar Yadav suffered a bullet injury in his neck," he said.
The encounter continued for nearly two-and-a-half hours in which the CRPF fired three mortar rounds, six high explosives bombs. The two sides also exchanged about 2000 rounds of small arm fire. By the time reinforcement arrived, the rebels retreated into the jungles.
The body of a villager, identified as Sukhdeo Munda, was recovered at the encounter site on Wednesday morning with bullet marks on his back and leg. It is believed that Munda was killed in the crossfire.
Tigga said the Maoists squad was led by "zonal commander" Kundan Pahan. "It seems they were on a look out to carry out attacks on NH-33 but got into an encounter with the CRPF personnel quite by chance," he said.
Sources said the Kundan Pahan-led Maoist squad were on the lookout to carry out a major strike on the security personnel following the arrest of seven hardcore rebels, including Maoist "sub-zonal commander" David by ranchi police on August 24.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
'Nerpa' to be handed over to India after trials: Russia
Moscow, Aug 26 Russia will hand over the Akula-II class nuclear submarine&aposNerpa&aposto India after the completion of its sea trials, the country&aposs top general said, without specifying any time-frame for it.
"The trials are underway according to schedule, after which the submarine will be handed over to the Indian Navy," Chief of Russia&aposs General Staff, General Nikolai Makarov was quoted as saying by newsru.Com website Addressing a news conference in Ulan Bator, Gen. Makarov, accompanying President Medvedev on Mongolia tour, however, did not specify the time-frame for the delivery of the much- awaited submarine." There is no fixed schedule (of delivery), but there are no reasons for delay,"he said. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had earlier ordered to hand over the&aposNerpa&aposto Indian Navy on 10-year lease by the end of this year. Built by the Amur Shipyard in the far-eastern Khabarovsk region bordering China,&aposNerpa&aposwas hit by a deadly accident on November 8 last year in the Sea of Japan, when 21 sailors and civilian technical staff were killed due to abrupt release of lethal Freon gas from its fire-suppression system as a result of&aposhuman error&apos.
'India can't be indifferent on any global issue'
We often hear that our rise to global prominence is inevitable. It is an incontestable fact that the significance of India as a rising power is being widely acknowledged, as has been witnessed by several events in the recent past, the most defining of which has perhaps been the inking of the agreement on civil nuclear cooperation with the United States.
Our growing economic status fuelled by a 300 million strong middle class, the demographic advantage of a burgeoning 'young population', our increasing ventures into high technology areas such as space, and future projections of national growth peg us amongst the world's top five economies by 2020. That is just 11 years away.
The professionalism and military might of the armed forces of India are respected the world over. The very recent launch of our very own nuclear submarine 'Arihant' has also sent out a strong signal of our desire to acquire the appropriate strategic military technology and capability.
Despite our several internal challenges and diversities, we are 'rock solid' as a democratic country, surrounded by an extended periphery of varying instability.
It is therefore not surprising that the role of a 'natural' regional power is expected of us. Our aspirations for inclusion as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and for a greater voice in international diplomacy are a result of these developments.
However, there is a sense that we may not have done adequately rigorous thinking on how to 'manage' our pre-ordained rise to global prominence. With the realisation of our aspirations and greater international recognition will come many more additional responsibilities.
The country cannot afford to be indifferent and non-committal on any regional or global issue -- we must have an objective 'national interest assessment' on all questions of importance.
As military forces of India, we would be expected to function as instruments of peace and stability in this rather fragile environment of the Indian Ocean region. We have to get our 'hands dirty' in addressing common concerns in our respective domains. This will call for increased participation in peace operations, efforts such as anti-piracy as also capacity-building and capability-enhancement of smaller and economically weaker nations which look up to us, for support and security.
We must also be seen far away from our shores, working with friendly nations and shaping perceptions, in furtherance of India's foreign policy. Quite evidently, the navy would lead efforts of military diplomacy, given the medium in which it operates and the distinctive characteristics of its platforms. If we pursue a meaningful foreign policy to advance national objectives -- as we do -- then the military instrument can complement this collective endeavour.
Why we should heed navy chief's warning on China
Outgoing Chief of Naval Staff and Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, drew a lot of criticism recently when he suggested that India neither has the 'capability nor the intention' to match China's military strength 'force for force.'
But he was merely stating the obvious ground reality given that China's GDP is more than thrice that of India and India's annual defence expenditure is less than half of China's. Much of the criticism was unwarranted as Admiral Mehta was probably trying to wake the Indian political class out of its slumber by forcing it to think more clearly about the implications of China's rise for India.
His was a warning about China which is rapidly moving towards the consolidation of its national power and if India does not move proactively it will find it almost impossible to catch up with China.
Towards this end, he suggested that India not only has to achieve higher rates of economic growth but it also needs to build ties with other major global powers and undertake significant reforms in the defence sector.
These steps are necessary as it is clear that if India has to protect its national interests, it will have to challenge China's growing might in its vicinity.
One should look at the euphoria in India surrounding the launch of INS Arihant [ Images ] in this context. Though that euphoria is not entirely unwarranted as decades of investment, India finally has the ability to indigenously build and operate a nuclear-powered submarine, a feat accomplished by only five other countries, it should not blind India to the fact that it has miles to go before it can catch up with China, which has made some significant advances in the waters surrounding India.
Just a few months back China's growing naval capability was on full display when it paraded its nuclear powered submarines for the first time as part of the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army.
Gone is the reticence of the yore when China was not ready to even admit that it had such capabilities. Chinese commanders are now openly talking about the need for nuclear submarines to safeguard the nation's interests and the Chinese navy, once the weakest of the three services, is now the focus of attention of the military modernisation programme that is being pursued with utmost seriousness.
China's navy is now considered the third-largest in the world behind only the US and Russia [ Images ] and superior to the Indian Navy in both qualitative and quantitative terms. China's navy has traditionally been a coastal force and China has had a continental outlook to security. But with a rise in its economic might since the 1980s, Chinese interests have expanded and have acquired a maritime orientation with an intent to project power into the Indian Ocean.
China is investing far greater resources in the modernisation of its armed forces in general and its navy in particular than India seems either willing to undertake or capable of sustaining at present.
China's increasingly sophisticated submarine fleet could eventually be one of the world's largest and with a rapid accretion in its capabilities, including submarines, ballistic missiles and GPS-blocking technology, some are suggesting that China will increasingly have the capacity to challenge America.
Senior Chinese officials have indicated that China would be ready to build an aircraft carrier by the end of the decade as it is seen as being indispensable to protecting Chinese interests in the oceans. Such an intent to develop carrier capability marks a shift away from devoting the bulk of PLA's modernisation drive to the goal of capturing Taiwan.
With a rise in China's economic and political prowess, there has also been a commensurate growth in its profile in the Indian Ocean region. China is acquiring naval bases along the crucial choke-points in the Indian Ocean not only to serve its economic interests but also to enhance its strategic presence in the region.
China realises that its maritime strength will give it the strategic leverage that it needs to emerge as the regional hegemon and a potential superpower and there is enough evidence to suggest that China is comprehensively building up its maritime power in all dimensions.
It is China's growing dependence on maritime space and resources that is reflected in the Chinese aspiration to expand its influence and to ultimately dominate the strategic environment of the Indian Ocean region. China's growing reliance on bases across the Indian Ocean region is a response to its perceived vulnerability, given the logistical constraints that it faces due to the distance of the Indian Ocean waters from its own area of operation.
Yet, China is consolidating power over the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean with an eye on India, something that comes out clearly in a secret memorandum issued by the director of the general logistic department of the PLA: 'We can no longer accept the Indian Ocean as only an ocean of the Indians... We are taking armed conflicts in the region into account.'
China has deployed its Jin class submarines at a submarine base near Sanya in the southern tip of Hainan island in the South China Sea, raising alarm in India as the base is merely 1,200 nautical miles from the Malacca Strait and will be its closest access point to the Indian Ocean. The base also has an underground facility that can hide the movement of submarines, making them difficult to detect.
The concentration of strategic naval forces at Sanya will further propel China towards a consolidation of its control over the surrounding Indian Ocean region. The presence of access tunnels on the mouth of the deep water base is particularly troubling for India as it will have strategic implications in the Indian Ocean region, allowing China to interdict shipping at the three crucial chokepoints in the Indian Ocean.
As the ability of China's navy to project power in the Indian Ocean region grows, India is likely to feel even more vulnerable despite enjoying distinct geographical advantages in the region.
China's growing naval presence in and around the Indian Ocean region is troubling for India as it restricts India's freedom to manoeuvre in the region. Of particular note is what has been termed as China's 'string of pearls' strategy that has significantly expanded China's strategic depth in India's backyard.
This 'string of pearls' strategy of bases and diplomatic ties include the Gwadar port in Pakistan, naval bases in Myanmar, electronic intelligence gathering facilities on islands in the Bay of Bengal, funding construction of a canal across the Kra Isthmus in Thailand, a military agreement with Cambodia and building up of forces in the South China Sea.
Given that almost 80 per cent of China's oil passes through the Strait of Malacca, it is reluctant to rely on US naval power for unhindered access to energy and so has decided to build up its naval power at 'choke points' along the sea routes from the Persian Gulf to the South China Sea.
China is also courting other states in South Asia by building container ports in Bangladesh at Chittagong and in Sri Lanka [ Images ] at Hambantota as well as helping to build a naval base at Marao in the Maldives [ Images ].
Given the immense geographical advantages that Indian enjoys in the Indian Ocean, China will have great difficulty in exerting as much sway in the Indian Ocean as India can. But all the steps that China will take to protect and enhance its interests in the Indian Ocean region will generate apprehensions in India about her real intentions, thereby engendering a classic security dilemma between the two Asian giants.
Tensions are inherent in such an evolving strategic relationship as was underlined in an incident earlier this year when an Indian Kilo class submarine and Chinese warships, on their way to the Gulf of Aden to patrol the pirate-infested waters, reportedly engaged in rounds of manoeuvring as they tried to test for weaknesses in others' sonar system.
The Chinese media reported that its warships forced the Indian submarine to the surface which was strongly denied by the Indian Navy.
Unless managed carefully, the potential for such incidents turning serious in the future remains high, especially as Sino-Indian naval competition is likely to intensify with the Indian and Chinese navies operating far from their shores.
If Admiral Mehta's warning that India is long way off from catching up to China can generate the requisite debate in the Indian political establishment about the rise of China and its implications for Indian strategy, he would have done his bit for the nation.
But he was merely stating the obvious ground reality given that China's GDP is more than thrice that of India and India's annual defence expenditure is less than half of China's. Much of the criticism was unwarranted as Admiral Mehta was probably trying to wake the Indian political class out of its slumber by forcing it to think more clearly about the implications of China's rise for India.
His was a warning about China which is rapidly moving towards the consolidation of its national power and if India does not move proactively it will find it almost impossible to catch up with China.
Towards this end, he suggested that India not only has to achieve higher rates of economic growth but it also needs to build ties with other major global powers and undertake significant reforms in the defence sector.
These steps are necessary as it is clear that if India has to protect its national interests, it will have to challenge China's growing might in its vicinity.
One should look at the euphoria in India surrounding the launch of INS Arihant [ Images ] in this context. Though that euphoria is not entirely unwarranted as decades of investment, India finally has the ability to indigenously build and operate a nuclear-powered submarine, a feat accomplished by only five other countries, it should not blind India to the fact that it has miles to go before it can catch up with China, which has made some significant advances in the waters surrounding India.
Just a few months back China's growing naval capability was on full display when it paraded its nuclear powered submarines for the first time as part of the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army.
Gone is the reticence of the yore when China was not ready to even admit that it had such capabilities. Chinese commanders are now openly talking about the need for nuclear submarines to safeguard the nation's interests and the Chinese navy, once the weakest of the three services, is now the focus of attention of the military modernisation programme that is being pursued with utmost seriousness.
China's navy is now considered the third-largest in the world behind only the US and Russia [ Images ] and superior to the Indian Navy in both qualitative and quantitative terms. China's navy has traditionally been a coastal force and China has had a continental outlook to security. But with a rise in its economic might since the 1980s, Chinese interests have expanded and have acquired a maritime orientation with an intent to project power into the Indian Ocean.
China is investing far greater resources in the modernisation of its armed forces in general and its navy in particular than India seems either willing to undertake or capable of sustaining at present.
China's increasingly sophisticated submarine fleet could eventually be one of the world's largest and with a rapid accretion in its capabilities, including submarines, ballistic missiles and GPS-blocking technology, some are suggesting that China will increasingly have the capacity to challenge America.
Senior Chinese officials have indicated that China would be ready to build an aircraft carrier by the end of the decade as it is seen as being indispensable to protecting Chinese interests in the oceans. Such an intent to develop carrier capability marks a shift away from devoting the bulk of PLA's modernisation drive to the goal of capturing Taiwan.
With a rise in China's economic and political prowess, there has also been a commensurate growth in its profile in the Indian Ocean region. China is acquiring naval bases along the crucial choke-points in the Indian Ocean not only to serve its economic interests but also to enhance its strategic presence in the region.
China realises that its maritime strength will give it the strategic leverage that it needs to emerge as the regional hegemon and a potential superpower and there is enough evidence to suggest that China is comprehensively building up its maritime power in all dimensions.
It is China's growing dependence on maritime space and resources that is reflected in the Chinese aspiration to expand its influence and to ultimately dominate the strategic environment of the Indian Ocean region. China's growing reliance on bases across the Indian Ocean region is a response to its perceived vulnerability, given the logistical constraints that it faces due to the distance of the Indian Ocean waters from its own area of operation.
Yet, China is consolidating power over the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean with an eye on India, something that comes out clearly in a secret memorandum issued by the director of the general logistic department of the PLA: 'We can no longer accept the Indian Ocean as only an ocean of the Indians... We are taking armed conflicts in the region into account.'
China has deployed its Jin class submarines at a submarine base near Sanya in the southern tip of Hainan island in the South China Sea, raising alarm in India as the base is merely 1,200 nautical miles from the Malacca Strait and will be its closest access point to the Indian Ocean. The base also has an underground facility that can hide the movement of submarines, making them difficult to detect.
The concentration of strategic naval forces at Sanya will further propel China towards a consolidation of its control over the surrounding Indian Ocean region. The presence of access tunnels on the mouth of the deep water base is particularly troubling for India as it will have strategic implications in the Indian Ocean region, allowing China to interdict shipping at the three crucial chokepoints in the Indian Ocean.
As the ability of China's navy to project power in the Indian Ocean region grows, India is likely to feel even more vulnerable despite enjoying distinct geographical advantages in the region.
China's growing naval presence in and around the Indian Ocean region is troubling for India as it restricts India's freedom to manoeuvre in the region. Of particular note is what has been termed as China's 'string of pearls' strategy that has significantly expanded China's strategic depth in India's backyard.
This 'string of pearls' strategy of bases and diplomatic ties include the Gwadar port in Pakistan, naval bases in Myanmar, electronic intelligence gathering facilities on islands in the Bay of Bengal, funding construction of a canal across the Kra Isthmus in Thailand, a military agreement with Cambodia and building up of forces in the South China Sea.
Given that almost 80 per cent of China's oil passes through the Strait of Malacca, it is reluctant to rely on US naval power for unhindered access to energy and so has decided to build up its naval power at 'choke points' along the sea routes from the Persian Gulf to the South China Sea.
China is also courting other states in South Asia by building container ports in Bangladesh at Chittagong and in Sri Lanka [ Images ] at Hambantota as well as helping to build a naval base at Marao in the Maldives [ Images ].
Given the immense geographical advantages that Indian enjoys in the Indian Ocean, China will have great difficulty in exerting as much sway in the Indian Ocean as India can. But all the steps that China will take to protect and enhance its interests in the Indian Ocean region will generate apprehensions in India about her real intentions, thereby engendering a classic security dilemma between the two Asian giants.
Tensions are inherent in such an evolving strategic relationship as was underlined in an incident earlier this year when an Indian Kilo class submarine and Chinese warships, on their way to the Gulf of Aden to patrol the pirate-infested waters, reportedly engaged in rounds of manoeuvring as they tried to test for weaknesses in others' sonar system.
The Chinese media reported that its warships forced the Indian submarine to the surface which was strongly denied by the Indian Navy.
Unless managed carefully, the potential for such incidents turning serious in the future remains high, especially as Sino-Indian naval competition is likely to intensify with the Indian and Chinese navies operating far from their shores.
If Admiral Mehta's warning that India is long way off from catching up to China can generate the requisite debate in the Indian political establishment about the rise of China and its implications for Indian strategy, he would have done his bit for the nation.
Myths Of Five
The oldest & largest insurgent organization in the North East - the National Socialist Council of Nagalim led by Thuingaleng Muviah and Isac Chisi Swu, NSCN (IM) has been engaging in peace negotiations with the govt since 1997. However, despite a long drawn negotiating process involving several rounds of intense negotiations, the two sides are not clearly on the same page. The government's stand is that it can not compromise the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India : undo the territorial state boundaries without antagonizing the states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh vis-?is territories claimed by the Nagas and involved in any unification of all Naga claimed areas.
Recent incidents (Standoff between Security Forces and NSCN (IM) at Shirui and Pfutsero) and the statement given by Union Home Minister Mr P Chidambaram : "Future arrangement would be possible only within the contours of the Indian Constitutions". It has lead both parties to clarify their stands and strict adherence to the CFGRs. The recent episode have also forced Th Muviah to react during his interview to Frans Welham (Published in local daily on 19th Mar) to say that : "Mr P Chidambaram does not know anything about the Nagas and about the talks. So, the Govt of India would have to correct him". He further said that, if they go on like that then it will go derailed.
Government of India, NSCN and Other State and Non State Actors are now a days exhibiting their Agendas, Demands, SOPs, Revised version of CFGR and other documentary evidences for the consumption of local people of both Manipur and Nagaland. Every party is trying to put forward its point. Recently, 'Revised Text of Agreed Ground Rules for Ceasefire finalized between GOI and NSCN on 13th January 2001' was published by local daily on06 Mar 09. In the agreed text of Ceasefire Ground Rules 'FIVE POINTS' were highlighted: (i) Ground Rules will be valid only for State of Nagaland. (ii) Responsibility to enforce this is of GOI. (iii) No offensive operations, No blockade of roads, No extension of support to any other militant organizations. (iv) No movement of NSCN cadres from designated camps without informing CFSB. No forcible collection of money, extortion, recruitment of armed cadres. (v) Protection of convoys and patrolling for roads would continue to be undertaken by Indian Army, PMFs and Police.
Security Forces will retain the right to enforce measures necessary to uphold the laws of the land. Was this published to enlighten locals, Security Forces, Para Military Forces or Police is not known? On the similar line, gist of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for SFs (including State Police) for enforcement of ceasefire in Nagaland was also published on 07 Mar 09 (Nagaland Page). The SOP once again, highlighted mainly 'FIVE POINTS'.
(i) Ceasefire Ground Rules Violation. (ii) Principle to be adopted for handling CFGR. Unbiased actions by SFs, PMFs and Police. Use of force for self defence only and actions against the violators of CFGR by CFMG/CFSB. (iii) Defusing Inter-Factional Clashes. Frisking and checking by Assam Rifles & CPMF. Police forces available in the area to stop unlawful activities. (iv) Verification of Identity Cards. Formation of Quick Reaction Teams in sensitive areas. (v) Effective Interstate border management to stop movement and mutual coordination of various militant groups of neighbouring states.
Also the involvement of NGOs to smoothen the tempers of the factions. This was published for consumption of security forces, factions and people of Manipur & Nagaland. But what needs to be understood is that situation differ from place to place and each one of them have to be dealt with according to prevailing conditions.
Another "FIVE POINTS" suggestions towards reconciliation of Nagas (Published on 17th Mar 09) has been given by Bhartiya Janata Party, Nagaland. The BJP Nagaland while reiterating support and commitment towards. Indo - Naga Peace Talks, expressed their views as followings:
(i) Ceasefire Without Boundary Limits. (ii) Bringing together of all leaders.
(iii) Financial package/support by GON/GOI. (iv) Lifting of all forms of taxes.
(v) BJP's commitment towards Nagas Issue in the event of BJP and NDA assuming power at the centre.
Last but not the least is the, much hyped self appointed 'Fact Finding Team' consisting of few NGOs, Lawyers and Human Right's Activists. Incidentally they have also come out with a recommendations of FIVE POINTS for Ceasefire Monitoring Mechanism in Nagaland and Manipur :
(i) Ceasefire monitoring mechanism should be made more transparent and records of decisions of the CFMG should be kept. All guidelines, rules and regulations must be signed by parties concerned and be made available in the public domain. (ii) Ceasefire be officially extended without territorial limits purely a administrative measure with no political connotations or implications.
(iii) Declaration of ceasefire between different UGs groups "so that the IFCs are not used as justification for either further militarization of the region or for a tool for divide and rule policy". (iv) CFMG has to decide better ways for effective enforcement of CFGR. (v) The media is advised to evolve guidelines for itself so that it is not used as an instrument for counter insurgency or for spreading disinformation.
While every organization or party have propagated a 'Five Point Agenda/Recommendations' and not to be left behind in the race. I, as a conscientious citizen of this Region would like to appeal to fellow citizens and governments of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur and enunciated coincidentally 'Five Golden Point' which if acted upon will override the 'Myths of Five' propagated above: (i) Good Governence (ii) Employment (iii) Peace (iv) Tranquility (v) Infrastructural Development. If at all we want to live in peace and harmony and also to keep a pace with fast developing society then, we will have to really adhere to above golden points and not to get perturbed by 'Myths Of Five'.
Recent incidents (Standoff between Security Forces and NSCN (IM) at Shirui and Pfutsero) and the statement given by Union Home Minister Mr P Chidambaram : "Future arrangement would be possible only within the contours of the Indian Constitutions". It has lead both parties to clarify their stands and strict adherence to the CFGRs. The recent episode have also forced Th Muviah to react during his interview to Frans Welham (Published in local daily on 19th Mar) to say that : "Mr P Chidambaram does not know anything about the Nagas and about the talks. So, the Govt of India would have to correct him". He further said that, if they go on like that then it will go derailed.
Government of India, NSCN and Other State and Non State Actors are now a days exhibiting their Agendas, Demands, SOPs, Revised version of CFGR and other documentary evidences for the consumption of local people of both Manipur and Nagaland. Every party is trying to put forward its point. Recently, 'Revised Text of Agreed Ground Rules for Ceasefire finalized between GOI and NSCN on 13th January 2001' was published by local daily on06 Mar 09. In the agreed text of Ceasefire Ground Rules 'FIVE POINTS' were highlighted: (i) Ground Rules will be valid only for State of Nagaland. (ii) Responsibility to enforce this is of GOI. (iii) No offensive operations, No blockade of roads, No extension of support to any other militant organizations. (iv) No movement of NSCN cadres from designated camps without informing CFSB. No forcible collection of money, extortion, recruitment of armed cadres. (v) Protection of convoys and patrolling for roads would continue to be undertaken by Indian Army, PMFs and Police.
Security Forces will retain the right to enforce measures necessary to uphold the laws of the land. Was this published to enlighten locals, Security Forces, Para Military Forces or Police is not known? On the similar line, gist of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for SFs (including State Police) for enforcement of ceasefire in Nagaland was also published on 07 Mar 09 (Nagaland Page). The SOP once again, highlighted mainly 'FIVE POINTS'.
(i) Ceasefire Ground Rules Violation. (ii) Principle to be adopted for handling CFGR. Unbiased actions by SFs, PMFs and Police. Use of force for self defence only and actions against the violators of CFGR by CFMG/CFSB. (iii) Defusing Inter-Factional Clashes. Frisking and checking by Assam Rifles & CPMF. Police forces available in the area to stop unlawful activities. (iv) Verification of Identity Cards. Formation of Quick Reaction Teams in sensitive areas. (v) Effective Interstate border management to stop movement and mutual coordination of various militant groups of neighbouring states.
Also the involvement of NGOs to smoothen the tempers of the factions. This was published for consumption of security forces, factions and people of Manipur & Nagaland. But what needs to be understood is that situation differ from place to place and each one of them have to be dealt with according to prevailing conditions.
Another "FIVE POINTS" suggestions towards reconciliation of Nagas (Published on 17th Mar 09) has been given by Bhartiya Janata Party, Nagaland. The BJP Nagaland while reiterating support and commitment towards. Indo - Naga Peace Talks, expressed their views as followings:
(i) Ceasefire Without Boundary Limits. (ii) Bringing together of all leaders.
(iii) Financial package/support by GON/GOI. (iv) Lifting of all forms of taxes.
(v) BJP's commitment towards Nagas Issue in the event of BJP and NDA assuming power at the centre.
Last but not the least is the, much hyped self appointed 'Fact Finding Team' consisting of few NGOs, Lawyers and Human Right's Activists. Incidentally they have also come out with a recommendations of FIVE POINTS for Ceasefire Monitoring Mechanism in Nagaland and Manipur :
(i) Ceasefire monitoring mechanism should be made more transparent and records of decisions of the CFMG should be kept. All guidelines, rules and regulations must be signed by parties concerned and be made available in the public domain. (ii) Ceasefire be officially extended without territorial limits purely a administrative measure with no political connotations or implications.
(iii) Declaration of ceasefire between different UGs groups "so that the IFCs are not used as justification for either further militarization of the region or for a tool for divide and rule policy". (iv) CFMG has to decide better ways for effective enforcement of CFGR. (v) The media is advised to evolve guidelines for itself so that it is not used as an instrument for counter insurgency or for spreading disinformation.
While every organization or party have propagated a 'Five Point Agenda/Recommendations' and not to be left behind in the race. I, as a conscientious citizen of this Region would like to appeal to fellow citizens and governments of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur and enunciated coincidentally 'Five Golden Point' which if acted upon will override the 'Myths of Five' propagated above: (i) Good Governence (ii) Employment (iii) Peace (iv) Tranquility (v) Infrastructural Development. If at all we want to live in peace and harmony and also to keep a pace with fast developing society then, we will have to really adhere to above golden points and not to get perturbed by 'Myths Of Five'.
Indian Army sees no threat from Chinese build-up along border
Indian troops are on a high state of vigil along the frontier with China and the infrastructure build-up on the other side does not pose a threat, a top Indian Army commander said on Wednesday.
"The Chinese infrastructure across the LAC (Line of Actual Control) does not pose any threat to us," Lt. Gen PC Bhardwaj, the general officer commanding-in-chief of the strategic Northern Command that guards India's borders with China and Pakistan, told reporters at its headquarters in Udhampur, 70 km from Jammu and Kashmir's winter capital Jammu.
To specific questions about China's emerging strength and its activities across the 646 LAC in Kashmir, Bhardwaj said that these were not causing any undue concern as "our troops are also maintaining maximum vigil all over".
"The Chinese infrastructure across the LAC (Line of Actual Control) does not pose any threat to us," Lt. Gen PC Bhardwaj, the general officer commanding-in-chief of the strategic Northern Command that guards India's borders with China and Pakistan, told reporters at its headquarters in Udhampur, 70 km from Jammu and Kashmir's winter capital Jammu.
To specific questions about China's emerging strength and its activities across the 646 LAC in Kashmir, Bhardwaj said that these were not causing any undue concern as "our troops are also maintaining maximum vigil all over".
Kashmir violence down, but threat of militancy exists: Indian Army
Udhampur, Aug 26 (IANS) Charging Pakistan with providing logistics support to the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, a top Indian Army commander said Wednesday violence levels in the state had come down but the threat of militancy still existed.
“Logistics support is being given to the militants by Pakistan. We are facing and fighting terrorists on daily basis, which means that threat is there,” Lt. Gen. P.C. Bharadwaj, the general officer commanding-in-chief of the army’s strategic Northern Command that guards India’s borders with Pakistan and China, told reporters at its headquarters here, 70 km from Jammu.
“The level of violence has come down and there are significant signs of normalcy,” but the militants were now “taking to the agitational approach of the people and to crimes linked to human rights violations to further their cause of disturbing the peace”, he maintained.
The army, however, was pursuing a policy of zero tolerance to human rights violations and “this year, there has been only one case of such a violation”, Bharadwaj said. The maximum violations - 1,790 - were reported way back in 1990, he added.
Noting that the “biggest challenge before the army in Jammu and Kashmir is to bring in peace, maintain it and put the state on path of development”, Bharadwaj estimated that 75 terrorists have so far sneaked in across the Line of Control (LoC) that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan against 45 in the corresponding period last year.
Most of the infiltration bids had taken place from across the Kashmir Valley as “the barbed wire fence gets damaged due to heavy snow,” he said. Of the 72 terrorists who had infiltrated this year, 69 had come via that route, he added.
“Till August 9, 26 infiltration bids have been foiled and 57 terrorists killed,” Bharadwaj said.
However, infiltration was being attempted along the LOC and there have been 72 such bids - 69 from the Valley side and three from Jammu region, he said.
“Our troops have been successfully thwarting the infiltration attempts and also terrorist designs within Jammu and Kashmir,” Bhardwaj said, adding that there were some 650 terrorists active in the state.
There had been a change in the “operational efficacy” of the militants and an “upgradation in their quality” Bharadwaj said, adding that the terrorists were now equipped with high-tech gadgets like satellite phones and GPS systems.
He also pointed out that the terrorists have been avoiding direct contact with the security forces “which could be because of various reasons and also to conserve their dipping numbers”.
Instead, the militants were hitting “soft targets and are attempting to carry out high profile attacks”, the general said.
“Logistics support is being given to the militants by Pakistan. We are facing and fighting terrorists on daily basis, which means that threat is there,” Lt. Gen. P.C. Bharadwaj, the general officer commanding-in-chief of the army’s strategic Northern Command that guards India’s borders with Pakistan and China, told reporters at its headquarters here, 70 km from Jammu.
“The level of violence has come down and there are significant signs of normalcy,” but the militants were now “taking to the agitational approach of the people and to crimes linked to human rights violations to further their cause of disturbing the peace”, he maintained.
The army, however, was pursuing a policy of zero tolerance to human rights violations and “this year, there has been only one case of such a violation”, Bharadwaj said. The maximum violations - 1,790 - were reported way back in 1990, he added.
Noting that the “biggest challenge before the army in Jammu and Kashmir is to bring in peace, maintain it and put the state on path of development”, Bharadwaj estimated that 75 terrorists have so far sneaked in across the Line of Control (LoC) that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan against 45 in the corresponding period last year.
Most of the infiltration bids had taken place from across the Kashmir Valley as “the barbed wire fence gets damaged due to heavy snow,” he said. Of the 72 terrorists who had infiltrated this year, 69 had come via that route, he added.
“Till August 9, 26 infiltration bids have been foiled and 57 terrorists killed,” Bharadwaj said.
However, infiltration was being attempted along the LOC and there have been 72 such bids - 69 from the Valley side and three from Jammu region, he said.
“Our troops have been successfully thwarting the infiltration attempts and also terrorist designs within Jammu and Kashmir,” Bhardwaj said, adding that there were some 650 terrorists active in the state.
There had been a change in the “operational efficacy” of the militants and an “upgradation in their quality” Bharadwaj said, adding that the terrorists were now equipped with high-tech gadgets like satellite phones and GPS systems.
He also pointed out that the terrorists have been avoiding direct contact with the security forces “which could be because of various reasons and also to conserve their dipping numbers”.
Instead, the militants were hitting “soft targets and are attempting to carry out high profile attacks”, the general said.
Court issues summon to Army
Srinagar: A Chief Judicial Magistrate court on Wednesday issued summon to Army asking it to produce its two majors and seven troopers [of Indian army] before the court in connection with the murderous assault on a Jammu & Kashmir police official on Tuesday morning.
Reports reaching Press Bureau of India said that Chief Judicial Magistrate, Poonch on Wednesday issued summon to the Army’s 17 Rajput and directed it to produce its two Majors and 7 jawans before the court in connection with the murder assault on SHO, Poonch, Kuldeep Khajuria probing the fake currency racket involving two Territorial Army troopers.
Following the assault on its officer, police had filed attempt to murder case Fir NO 115/2009 under section 307/332/342/382/147/148/249 against two Army majors and seven troopers.
Khajuria told Press Bureau of India that taking strong exception to the Army’s assault on the policemen, the CJM court directed Army to produce its men before the court tomorrow. He said the court also granted ten days police remand to the two TA troopers involved in the fake currency racket.
“The court issued summon to the Army asking it to produce its men tomorrow. The court also granted ten days police remand to the TA men,” Khajuria said, adding “Police will investigate the fake currency and ensure the culprits are put behind the bars.” (PBI)
Reports reaching Press Bureau of India said that Chief Judicial Magistrate, Poonch on Wednesday issued summon to the Army’s 17 Rajput and directed it to produce its two Majors and 7 jawans before the court in connection with the murder assault on SHO, Poonch, Kuldeep Khajuria probing the fake currency racket involving two Territorial Army troopers.
Following the assault on its officer, police had filed attempt to murder case Fir NO 115/2009 under section 307/332/342/382/147/148/249 against two Army majors and seven troopers.
Khajuria told Press Bureau of India that taking strong exception to the Army’s assault on the policemen, the CJM court directed Army to produce its men before the court tomorrow. He said the court also granted ten days police remand to the two TA troopers involved in the fake currency racket.
“The court issued summon to the Army asking it to produce its men tomorrow. The court also granted ten days police remand to the TA men,” Khajuria said, adding “Police will investigate the fake currency and ensure the culprits are put behind the bars.” (PBI)
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