ASEAN-India Car rally flagged down in Guwahati; Panchayat polls in Assam from January 30; Roads in North-east along China border to be improved; NSCN cadres killed in factional feud; Nexus between North-East ultras and Maoists; Manipuri actress molested b
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    • DECEMBER 17-23

    According to reports, curtains came down on the ASEAN-India car rally with the official flag-down of the rally that had traversed a length of over 8,000 km across nine nations. The flag-down ceremony took place at the Sarusajai Stadium, Guwahati amidst cheers of a large crowd, which included dignitaries and trade delegations from several South East Asian nations besides. Among those present were the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Dr D Purandeswari; Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Rani Narah, and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Business leaders from India and South East Asia also witnessed the occasion, and later they deliberated on a host of issues concerning promotion of bilateral trade and commerce, tourism and cultural exchanges involving the North-East. 1

    Reports noted that the Panchayat elections will be held in three phases in Assam starting from January 30, 2013. With the official announcement of the dates by the Assam State Election Commission for holding the local polls across the State barring the Sixth Schedule areas, the model code of conduct too has come into effect from December 17. An approximately 1,27,56804 voters will exercise their franchise across 26,844 constituencies, out of which 420 are Zila Parishad constituencies, 2202 are Anchalik Panchayat constituencies, 2202 are Gaon Panchayat president constituencies and 22020 are ward member constituencies. The votes will be cast across 22,869 polling stations. The counting will be held on February 14 and 15. 2

    According to reports, alarmed by the massive upgrade of infrastructure across the international border in China, India has identified 30 roads of totalling 1837.95 km near North-Eastern border for construction. The project is targeted for completion by 2016. Defence Minister AK Anthony told Lok Sabha that at least 10 roads of length 390.87 km have been completed. Out of the rest, which were to be completed by 2012, 10 roads have been rescheduled for completion in 2013 and another 10 in 2016. 3

    Reports noted that six cadres belonging to NSCN (K) and NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) were killed in separate incidents in Kiphire and Phek districts of Nagaland on December 16. The incident occurred when the NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) cadres launched an attack on the NSCN-K cadres at Nitoi village under Kiphire district. Two NSCN-K cadres were killed in the incident. In what seemed to be a retaliatory attack, NSCN-K cadres of Mobile 5 unit killed four NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) cadres in Meluri unde Phek district the same day. Sources said the slain NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) members included major Isur, his attendant and two others. 4

    According to reports, the Maoist rebels are spreading their nexus in the North East region to procure weapons, ammunition and communication sets to increase their striking capability in other parts of the country, particularly in Central India. This fact came to light during the investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the links between the Maoist rebels and Manipur-based militant outfit PLA. With Chinese weapons easily available with the militant groups of North East, the Maoist rebels have been making attempts since 2006 to establish links with the rebels of the region to procure such Chinese weapons and the attempts led to the signing of an agreement between the Maoists and the PLA in 2008. According to sources the NIA, during the course of its investigation into the links, managed to unearth vital information about the Maoist – PLA links and the agency filed its first charge sheet in the case in May this year and the second charge sheet was filed recently against three persons. 5

    Reports noted that Manipuri film actor Momoko was allegedly molested and assaulted by militants during a music concert in Chandel district headquarters on December 18. The incident took place at Maha Union Higher Secondary School of the district headquarters. 6 Normal life was crippled in Manipur due to the indefinite statewide bandh called by a social organisation demanding the arrest of a NSCN-IM ultra that allegedly molested a Manipuri film actress at a public function. All shops, markets, business and entertainment houses remained closed while transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states and within the state were cancelled. 7

    In other developments, reports noted that eleven National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) militants have surrendered to security forces in Tripura. They included the outfit's self-styled area commander Suran Debbarma. The extremists sneaked into Indian territory from Bangladesh before surrendering to the BSF (Border Security Force) on December 22. The guerrillas crossed the border at Karbook, 125 km from here, taking advantage of the mountainous terrain. 8

    Reports noted that Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was awarded the Diamond State Award by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar in a ceremony held in New Delhi on December 23. Sikkim was declared as best State in the country in the category of small States in overall achievements and the State was also declared best State in the country in citizen security, environment and water and sanitation categories. 9

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