C'da,
>However some of 'US' don't necessarily subscribe to 'OUR' interests, but are more interested in preserving 'THEIR' >interests. And those of 'US' lecturing journalists who summarily don't dismiss OUR welfare, are really not promoting >journalistic fairness or objectivity but are crying about not having them in 'THEIR' pockets, like so many already are.
Hehehe, I knew that 'our boys' thang would hit its mark:)
>Now why do these 'unfair' journalists not always buy the GoI line and its propaganda? Because at least they see the >FUTILITY of GoI's FAILED policies pursuing a military victory or maintaining a perpetual state of conflict, of NOT >serving ANYBODY'S purpose.
C'da, I think you may have somehow missed what I was saying.
Journalists are expected to be fair in their analyses (We have already given up on this attribute from many of our intellectuals).
Someone like WH ought to be able in equal measure call the GOI and the ULFA to the carpet when required.
But, no one, not intellectuals, famous authors, or jouranlists should stoop to the level of giving violence a pass or making grand excuses. We can't run finding excuses for violences for the Ulfa everytime they commit some attrocity?
If the GOI was the perpetrator, these people ought to treat it the same way - no exceptions.
I think it was yesterday, in some paper (Telegraph, I think), - I am paraphrasing here - that the famous writer MRG was quoted asking the Center to stop the army raids in some villages in Assam (thats good) , AND in the same breath, she was quoted as saying that the string of bombings/killing was due to the fact that the Center hasn't given a date for the talks and that is why the ULFA was resorting to this string of violence (thats appeasement and basically glossing over violence committed by 'OUR BOYS").
Its a darn shame that even intellectuals are unable to see a clear picture and are not forthcoming in condemning violence - be it from the GOI/CRP or the ULFA.
(and I know, even if they do, its probably lip-service - except for a paltry few, I doubt it ever comes from the heart).
>*** Why do you give me these opportunities to lead into your arguments Ram :-)?
>But I count my blessings. You at least don't start whining about personal attacks :-).
I try to leave that baggage out of the Assamnet :)
--Ram
On 1/30/06, Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Ram:
>Such appeasement can only go so far, even though they are 'our boys'.
*** "Our boys (or MEN)", as the case maybe, is indeed a very important issue. It is so in ALL conflicts. Because if there weren't for "them and us", there won't be any conflict, would there?
However some of 'US' don't necessarily subscribe to 'OUR' interests, but are more interested in preserving 'THEIR' interests. And those of 'US' lecturing journalists who summarily don't dismiss OUR welfare, are really not promoting journalistic fairness or objectivity but are crying about not having them in 'THEIR' pockets, like so many already are.
How is that for an explanation?
Now why do these 'unfair' journalists not always buy the GoI line and its propaganda? Because at least they see the FUTILITY of GoI's FAILED policies pursuing a military victory or maintaining a perpetual state of conflict, of NOT serving ANYBODY'S purpose. Not our interests nor theirs. THEY may not care, since Indian lives are available to be used as canon fodder on the cheap. And an unaccountable GoI does not let the facts and figures out to let the people know what costs India, in terms of lives and resources, to keep the conflict going.But those amongst US ought to, wouldn't you think?
Only fools would keep repeating what does not produce results, like light headed, superannuated, ghee-belly generals with the intellect of a 'darwan', for example!
*** Why do you give me these opportunities to lead into your arguments Ram :-)?
But I count my blessings. You at least don't start whining about personal attacks :-).
Take care,
c-da
At 11:39 AM -0600 1/30/06, Ram Sarangapani wrote:"What is surprising, though, is the rebel group's capacity to strike across the state across a widely dispersed area in such a large number of coordinated attacks - including major attacks in the capital, Guwahati - with the intelligence machinery and the security forces being able to do precious little to prevent such attacks." -WHWe all know, that it is next to impossible to secure any place 100% of the time 24/7 -not in the US and definitely not in Assam.WH seems to be blaming the State or GOI's for NOT securing the state (not that there should not be any accountability for this), but WH seems to have missed the forest for the trees here.He should first be calling the ulfa to task first and asking the ULFA as to why they think it is necessary to kill/maime innocent people or blow up precious resources to drive home their point.So, what has this series of bombing and killing brought the Ulfa? Another round of talks with the GOI on Feb 7th? Whoopie!, thats a big payoff.Its time for responsible journalists and intellectuals to advice the people on the best possible solution in this regard. They cannot keep brushing aside bombings and killings as being 'not surprising' or trying to find some dereliction (not announcing the next meeting) by the GOI as some raison d'etre for the bombings.The fact that the GOI did not announce the next session, could have been dealt with by various other means.The fact that the Ulfa thought to resort to violence only weakens their cause (if any) further in the minds of people, and strengthens the GOI's position.MRG does someting like this on a constant basis, but WH? Such appeasement can only go so far, even though they are 'our boys'.--RamWeb| Jan 24, 2006
Assam
Republic Day Reminders![]()
'Exploratory' peace talks with New Delhi. Yet the diktat for boycott of Republic Day was very much there. As was the threat of violence. Hihgest level of security alert. But bombings and grenade attacks occur routinely. What gives?
WASBIR HUSSAINUp to ten bombings and grenade attacks across Assam by the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) on Sunday (January 22, 2006) have disrupted operations in the gas, oil and power sectors in the state, besides keeping the security establishment on tenterhooks ahead of Republic Day, January 26. The 291 MW gas-based power plant at Kathalguri in Dibrugarh District, 550 kilometres east of Guwahati, run by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) shut down completely, shortly before midnight Sunday, after rebels blew up a six-metre stretch of the main gas supply pipeline.While B.C. Sharma, Managing Director of the Assam Gas Company Limited (AGCL), that transports gas to the power plant, told this writer it would take at least 48 hours for his engineers to restore gas supply, power authorities said the state would face a shortfall of 100 MW due to the shut down of the plant. Assam consumes 700 MW of power at any given point, and a shortfall of 100 MW, therefore, is a huge reduction in supply. "We shall be forced to cut power or ration supply until the generation at the plant resumes," Subhash Das, Chairman of the Assam state Electricity Board (ASEB), told this writer on Monday, January 23.Indian oil major, Oil India Limited (OIL) has already felt the impact. "We have closed down nine gas wells due to the disruption in gas supply to the power plant," Nripen Bharali, an OIL spokesman told South Asia Intelligence Review . This is because the power plant at Kathalguri was lifting 1.4 million cubic metres of gas a day and its shut down has left the gas produced by OIL (and transported through a pipeline by AGCL) unutilised. AGCL authorities said the company would stand to lose INR 2.8 million a day on gas transportation to the power plant. Estimates of OIL losses due to the closure of its gas wells are yet to be worked out.Further, there has been disruption in crude movement through pipelines in the Moran area of eastern Assam after some gas pipelines were blown away in the vicinity. "Gas is used to run certain heaters meant to ensure a smooth movement of crude oil through pipelines. The blowing up of the gas pipelines has hit us because the heaters won't run without gas," an OIL official explained.While it has become a sort of ritual for the ULFA to engage in or step up its violence in the run up to important days in the national calendar, such as Republic Day and Independence Day, the rebel group's actions this time round has come at a time when its hand-picked representatives are engaged in 'exploratory' peace talks with New Delhi. Assamese writer Indira Goswami, who is heading the 11-member People's Consultative Group (PCG), feels that the ULFA could be getting restive due to the government of India's delay in holding the second round of talks with her Group.The first round of talks, attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, was held in New Delhi on October 26, 2005. The delay in holding the next round was being interpreted by PCG members as part of New Delhi's 'lack of sincerity' in the ULFA peace process. The PCG is supposed to prepare the grounds for possible direct talks between the ULFA and the government of India. On Monday the 23rd, Goswami informed South Asia Intelligence Review, National Security Advisor M.K.Narayanan had, in the wake of the latest series of ULFA attacks, communicated to her that the second round of talks would be held on February 7, 2006.ULFA's decision to step up its offensive ahead of Republic Day is not surprising, and remains consistent with the past record.What is surprising, though, is the rebel group's capacity to strike across the state across a widely dispersed area in such a large number of coordinated attacks - including major attacks in the capital, Guwahati - with the intelligence machinery and the security forces being able to do precious little to prevent such attacks.The choice of its primary target is not unexpected. ULFA had slapped a INR Five billion ($112 million) extortion demand on the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in the first week of January 2006, at a time when the oil major was planning to invest INR 33 billion in exploration and other activities in Assam, implied that ULFA was bent on sending out a real tough message that it is a force to reckon with. By launching a string of grenade and bomb attacks, it has sought to demonstrate its fire power and strike potential. Another significant aspect of the current series of attacks is that ULFA has actually laid an ambush on security forces after a considerable period of time. One policeman was killed when ULFA militants ambushed an Assam Police party near Borpathar in the eastern District of Golaghat on January 22.The string of ULFA attacks since January 20, 2006, have been rather daring raids, going well beyond the planting of improvised explosive devices (IED) stealthily at soft targets. Instead, cadres have carried out grenade attacks, venturing close to their targets, including police posts, at significant personal risk, demonstrating a hitherto absent sense of confidence and determination. The January 20 grenade attack in front of the main entrance to the heavily-guarded Guwahati Refinery caused injuries to 10 people, including Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel on duty.Again, on January 22, ULFA cadres chose to lob grenades at a check post in Guwahati, manned by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). At least three CRPF men were wounded. Then, there was a grenade attack near the high-security Police Reserve in Guwahati, leading to injuries to at least two police officers. A few others were wounded when an IED, planted on a stationery bus near the Police Reserve went off as policemen and a crowd had gathered after the grenade attack.The delay on New Delhi's part in holding the second round of talks with the ULFA-appointed PCG could well be part of the government's strategy to protract the process till the Assam Assembly elections are over by May 2006. Holding a second round of talks earlier would have put New Delhi under pressure to hold the third round before the polls, requiring some specific commitments on the outcome - and such commitments, or their lack, could have impacted on voters. Delhi's vacillation on this is, consequently, not difficult to understand within the given political context.The failure of the security and intelligence establishment to notice the rise in militant movement and preparations, and the longer term failure to stop or cut off access to the supply of explosives to ULFA is, on the other hand, difficult to comprehend or accept. For more than 15 years now, security forces have been engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Assam, and they have periodically claimed to have 'broken the back' of ULFA. They are yet to identify and stem the source of explosives to the organization, or to clarify whether the bombs are being manufactured within Assam, or are being procured ready-made from an external source.How is such an abundance of hand grenades available in the state? And how can these explosives and grenades be moved about across the state, and into the state capital, with apparent ease, at a time when the authorities are at the highest levels of alert as they gear up to thwart ULFA's diktat for a boycott of Republic Day celebrations, and the threat of violence on that date?
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