The peace process between the NSCN-IM and the government of India entered into a critical phase in the first week of February 2005 as talks began in New Delhi. The talks and related developments dominated media headlines in the Northeast in January. The Imphal Free Press (24 January) expressed disappointment over the slow pace of the peace talks with the NSCN-IM in its editorial 'Naga Peace Process'. It said, "From the way things are progressing, the much talked about political solution to the onerous agenda, now popularly come to be referred to as the 'Naga problem', is destined to remain a process with no clear sight of any finality. From the postures taken by both the negotiating parties, in particular the NSCN-IM leadership, it is difficult to see how a practical solution to the problem can be worked out knowing fully well what the very definite road blocks ahead are."

The NSCN-K's referendum proposal too attracted substantial media attention. The Nagaland Page (28 January) in a front-page item, 'NSCN (K) to conduct referendum on sovereignty and honourable solution' said "In the 50s people talk of complete sovereignty but at this juncture Nagas' slogan is honourable solution and not sovereignty."

The Nagaland Post (29 January) editorial 'Dichotomy of solution', however, commented on the military operations in Myanmar. It said, "It appears strange that while peace process is on with regard to the Naga political issue in this part of the world with cessation of all forms of military actions, the Nagas in Eastern Nagaland within Myanmar are getting the brunt of the Myanmarese forces and which, practically for them, means any conceivable solution has all but vanished." The editorial further commented, "Perhaps those in Nagaland have to raise their voices and seek New Delhi's intervention for sake of the helpless Naga civilians in Myanmar."

Government Undermined in Manipur

The inability of the State government to deal with the twin problems of underdevelopment and militancy was commented upon by the media in January. The Imphal Free Press (25 January) editorial 'Government Privatized' said, "In actuality, governance in the state today is practically in the hands of anybody with a threat value. While the only worthwhile job the government seems to be doing is rushing periodically to New Delhi to entreat for early release of funds to pay salaries in time, or else lording over its employees, deciding which favourite should remain close to its durbar and which irreverent officer to send on exile, the serious business of governance seems to have become a free for all affair."

Similarly, the Sangai Express (28 January) editorial 'People's Voice' commenting on the rising number of militant outfits in the State said "What is more, it has also become clear that some desperadoes are ready to take advantage of the all round confusion and form a group or two with some arms at their disposal and start dictating terms, without any clear cut ideology or aims and objectives. Truly the picture cannot be more dismal than this, and the correction process has to start from within the Manipuri society. Will anyone bell the cat?"

ULFA explosions on Republic Day in Assam

News regarding the twin explosions detonated by ULFA on the Republic Day in Guwahati dominated the media headlines in the last week of January. On 28 January, The Assam Tribune in a front page item reported, "Despite heavy security arrangements, two bomb blasts at the Republic Day parade ground at Judge's Field - where the Governor hoisted the national flag in the presence of the Chief Minister and other dignitaries - marred the Republic Day celebration in the State." Subsequently, on 31 January, The Assam Tribune, in a lead item 'ULFA trained in Pak to handle PTD' said, "A group of militants belonging to the ULFA were trained in Pakistan in 2003 to handle Programmable Time Devices (PTD) to trigger off explosions and police is of the view that such devices were used by the ultras to trigger off two explosions in the Judge's Field during the Republic Day celebrations."

Bangladesh and terror in the northeast

The Shillong Times (24 January) quoting Meghalaya chief Minister D D Lapang said "'Nearly all insurgent groups from the Northeast have set up camps in neighbouring Bangladesh and are operating from there. Despite repeated requests Dhaka denies existence of any such camps. But it is difficult to wipe out insurgency from the region as long as the terrorists continue to operate from across the border."

In a front-page news item, 'Al-Qaeda militants in Moulavibazar', the Tripura Times (21 January) said, "A group of Islamic fundamentalists consisting some militants of al-Qaeda have started their movement inside Bangladesh. According to intelligence sources the movement of the al-Qaeda militants has been going on in an around Moulavibazar in Bangladesh." Speaking of the impact of such developments on the Northeast, The Sentinel (31 January) quoting a senior security official, in a lead item, 'ISI using Bangladesh to create trouble in India' said, "The ISI and the Islamic fundamentalist forces had been trying to ruin Bangladesh so that its territory can be used as an effective launching pad for creating widespread disturbances in India."