Home Minister of Nagaland resigns; Illegal trade of SIM cards emerges as a new threat; Maoist movements to be checked jointly by the North-East states; Meghalaya and Nagaland go to polls; Hard-line ULFA chief Paresh Baruah claims surrender will not affect
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    • According to reports, Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen has resigned from the ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) government. Imchen put in his papers after the Election Commission authorities seized cash amounting to more than Rs 1.10 crore and weapons from his vehicle on February 18 by troopers of Assam Rifles. This is the second big cash seizure in poll-bound Nagaland. On February16, election officials seized Rs. 1 crore in cash from NPF candidate H. Nyemli Phom after his helicopter landed at the Assam Rifles helipad in Longleng district. Phom, who is seeking re-election from Tamlu constituency, later claimed that the money was given to him by the party and was part of NPF funds. 1

    In another development, according to reports, an emerging threat has been identified by the Guwahati police, through recent breakthroughs made in and around the city. The new danger involves a network of people who are carrying on illegal trade in SIM cards and activating those without any verification which is mandatory. The trade, according to sources, involves multiple players and contains serious implications not just for end users, but also has the potential to abet criminal activities to a large extent. 2

    Reports noted that the police forces of the States of the North East region have decided to launch coordinated efforts to check the Maoist rebels from establishing strong roots in the region. The forces are also of the view that the peace talks with the militant groups, which have already signed cease- fire agreements, should be expedited. A meeting of the heads of the police forces of the North East States, convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which concluded in Gangtok on February 20, discussed in detail the efforts by the Maoist rebels to establish roots in the North East region. It was observed that there is need for formulating strategies to check the growth of the Maoists and all the States have decided to launch coordinated efforts in this regard. 3

    According to reports, battle lines have been drawn for February 23 poll to the 60-member assemblies of Meghalaya and Nagaland. In Meghalaya, altogether 15,03,907 lakh voters would exercise their franchise and elect from amongst 345 candidates, their representatives in the 9th Assembly. Ninety-one companies of additional paramilitary troopers have been deployed across the State and the Government has assured full security. The State’s international border with Bangladesh has also been put on high alert. In Nagaland, an 11.93 lakh electorate will decide the 60-member House from among the 188 candidates. 4

    In other developments, according to reports, the commander-in-chief of the hard-line faction of the militant outfit, Paresh Baruah has said that the recent surrenders of a few hardcore members would not affect the outfit, referring to the recent surrenders of a few senior members of the ULFA including the recent surrender of deputy commander-in-chief Bijoy Chinese. 5

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