Raghvendra Rao
New Delhi : The release of photographs showing bodies of Naxals, including women, being carried by securitymen, their hands and feet tied to bamboo poles, following an anti-Naxal operation in West Midnapore, West Bengal, came in for sharp criticism on Thursday with even the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) expressing disapproval over the “animal-like” manner in which the bodies were carried.
“We understand that deep inside forest areas, the security forces, at times, do not have any other option of carrying back bodies than the one that has been shown in the pictures. But once they come out of the forest area and are closer to habitation, they should use stretchers to carry bodies,” said a senior official in the MHA.
“The way those bodies were being carried was simply inhuman. A few years ago, we had expressed outrage over the undignified treatment of dead bodies when similar pictures of Bangladesh Rifles carrying dead BSF men had appeared,” another MHA official said.
The MHA, sources said, had already communicated its displeasure to the CRPF and the West Bengal police for both the inhuman treatment of the bodies and for allowing the release of these photographs. “There is still some doubt on whether the CRPF men were carrying those bodies or the Bengal police and on whether an official photographer took these pictures or many photographers were allowed. While those details are being ascertained, the forces concerned have been told to be more careful in such matters,” sources said.
CRPF Special DG Vijay Raman, who is heads the anti-Naxal operations, called the photographs “gruesome”. “I was very unhappy after seeing those photos. I feel ashamed about what has happened and whoever has done it. I need to cross-check whether our boys were involved,” Raman said.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Won’t let Muivah enter state, says Manipur govt
Raghvendra Rao
New Delhi : As the 66-day-old economic blockade in Manipur appeared to be heading towards an end, with the Centre firm on moving the first convoy of trucks under security cover starting June 19, the Manipur government has made it clear that it will not allow NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah to enter the state under the present circumstances.
“After what has happened over the past two months, we will not allow Muivah to visit Manipur,” Manipur minister and government spokesperson N Biren Singh told The Indian Express. “Muivah’s proposed visit to his native village Somdal was not a homecoming for the simple reason that his programme schedule which was sent to us by the Ministry of Home Affairs clearly stated that he would hold public meetings in Ukhrul and Senapati. How could we allow that?”
Muivah, who is currently engaged in talks with Centre’s interlocutor R S Pandey, had wanted to visit his ancestral village in Manipur but was denied permission by the state.
Accusing the Centre of adopting a “soft stance” towards the NSCN-IM, Singh said the Central forces were acting as a “mute spectator” to the “free run” which this Naga outfit was having in the state. “NSCN-IM cadres move around in Manipur carrying weapons and recruiting fresh cadres. It is a very volatile situation.”
He added that despite having to pay exorbitant sums of money to purchase essential commodities, there was no anti-India sentiment in Manipur. “But if blockades like these are allowed to happen, underground separatist forces which have been lying low for a while may try to take advantage of the situation by whipping up passions against both the Centre and the state governments,” he said.
New Delhi : As the 66-day-old economic blockade in Manipur appeared to be heading towards an end, with the Centre firm on moving the first convoy of trucks under security cover starting June 19, the Manipur government has made it clear that it will not allow NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah to enter the state under the present circumstances.
“After what has happened over the past two months, we will not allow Muivah to visit Manipur,” Manipur minister and government spokesperson N Biren Singh told The Indian Express. “Muivah’s proposed visit to his native village Somdal was not a homecoming for the simple reason that his programme schedule which was sent to us by the Ministry of Home Affairs clearly stated that he would hold public meetings in Ukhrul and Senapati. How could we allow that?”
Muivah, who is currently engaged in talks with Centre’s interlocutor R S Pandey, had wanted to visit his ancestral village in Manipur but was denied permission by the state.
Accusing the Centre of adopting a “soft stance” towards the NSCN-IM, Singh said the Central forces were acting as a “mute spectator” to the “free run” which this Naga outfit was having in the state. “NSCN-IM cadres move around in Manipur carrying weapons and recruiting fresh cadres. It is a very volatile situation.”
He added that despite having to pay exorbitant sums of money to purchase essential commodities, there was no anti-India sentiment in Manipur. “But if blockades like these are allowed to happen, underground separatist forces which have been lying low for a while may try to take advantage of the situation by whipping up passions against both the Centre and the state governments,” he said.
To keep N-E lifelines open, Delhi plans to deploy 2,000 men permanently
Raghvendra Rao
New Delhi : Learning from the 65-day old economic blockade of two National Highways which has crippled Manipur, the Centre is planning to permanently deploy nearly 2,000 paramilitary personnel along NH 39 and NH 53 to ensure these key arteries remain open through the year.
“Two Central paramilitary battalions will be deployed as a National Highway Protection Force on these national highways,” said an official in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Manipur had sought “permanent security” on both NH 39 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH 53 (Imphal-Silchar). “We have asked the Centre to provide permanent security by deploying forces on both the national highways,” Manipur minister and spokesperson N Biren Singh told The Indian Express.
Union Home Secretary G K Pillai met Manipur Chief Secretary D S Poonia and Nagaland Additional Chief Secretaries A Jamir and Toshi Aier today to discuss matters relating to movement of vehicles through both highways.
“While the blockade has been lifted in Nagaland territory, it is still in place in Manipur. We have asked the Nagaland government to try and persuade the All Naga Students Association of Manipur to lift the blockade,” said an official of the MHA.
New Delhi : Learning from the 65-day old economic blockade of two National Highways which has crippled Manipur, the Centre is planning to permanently deploy nearly 2,000 paramilitary personnel along NH 39 and NH 53 to ensure these key arteries remain open through the year.
“Two Central paramilitary battalions will be deployed as a National Highway Protection Force on these national highways,” said an official in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Manipur had sought “permanent security” on both NH 39 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH 53 (Imphal-Silchar). “We have asked the Centre to provide permanent security by deploying forces on both the national highways,” Manipur minister and spokesperson N Biren Singh told The Indian Express.
Union Home Secretary G K Pillai met Manipur Chief Secretary D S Poonia and Nagaland Additional Chief Secretaries A Jamir and Toshi Aier today to discuss matters relating to movement of vehicles through both highways.
“While the blockade has been lifted in Nagaland territory, it is still in place in Manipur. We have asked the Nagaland government to try and persuade the All Naga Students Association of Manipur to lift the blockade,” said an official of the MHA.
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