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10/12/2004: "October 31 2003 Sanjoy Hazarika"

A Naga International Support Center, Nisc, A human rights organization

Press Release

Amsterdam, October 31 2003

Sanjoy Hazarika, renowned journalist of the Statesman interviewed Mr. TH. Muivah in Amsterdam. Mr. Hazarika writes regularly for that paper and other publications on the Indo-Naga conflict. Nisc received the following email from Mr. Hazarika and wonders why he felt it opportune to tell Nisc that the Prime Minister did show understanding for the Nagas. Does Mr. Hazarika feel compelled to come to the aid of the Government of India? This in contrast with what Nisc portrayed in its press release of October 30. Nisc feels that is should be good for everyone to see what Mr. Sanjoy Hazarika remarked and its reply sent to him. Mr. Hazarika's remarks and Nisc's answer below:

From: sanjoy hazarika To: Nisc Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 10:03 AM
Subject: Re: visit of Prime minister to Kohima

While appreciating the sentiments expressed in the NISC statement, may I also point out, as a writer, that the Prime Minister did publicly state during his visit to Nagaland that his Government recognized the unique history of the Naga people. He also accepted the fact that mistakes had been made in the past. These appear to me to be positive signs and an assertion of the joint statement made earlier this year after one of the negotiations which stressed the uniqueness of Naga history.

With regards and best wishes

Sanjoy Hazarika----- Original Message -----
From: Nisc To: sanjoy hazarika Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 2:39 PM
Subject: Re: visit of Prime minister to Kohima

Dear Sanjoy,

Thank you for responding, yet this time we at Nisc feel we should quite disagree with you on this. The states, the first one Nagaland being formed in 1963, says Atal are not in consensus. And thus Nagalim or the Naga Homeland or as the Prime Minister says Greater Nagaland is not feasible. While we have praised the Goi for its insight and recognition of the uniqueness of the Naga History and thus recognizing it as a people and a nation, he should know that it all started by India invading Nagaland and then splitting it up in states and between countries. 1953 Nehru and U Nu decided on the border between them (India and Burma). The only thing Atal is required to do is to redirect these decisions and let the Nagas live in peace with eachother.
Though it is true there are some positive signs this condition of having a consensus of the states first before anything can be decided makes all the positive signs futile. You know how the Meiteis think, feel and express themselves. The Ahoms though not that vocal follow in the footsteps of the Meitei and then Arunachal? We have seen how ardent politicians can be if they feel some power may be wrestled away from them.
No, this has to be a decision of the Goi. And, if Atal Vajpayee was a decisive Prime Minister he would not have left it to the states to come to a consensus but he would have clarified to those states and made it understood that to recognize the uniqueness of the Naga History past
mistakes have to be corrected. He as the Prime Minister is in the position with his cabinet and of course parliament to convince people, states and peoples that mistakes should be corrected. You know that these mistakes, especially the one by Nehru, have led to this seemingly endless war. So, we do disagree with you here and we fear that Vajpayee if he does not change on this will have made another mistake, no matter how much intentionally he is been keen on solving the Indo Naga conflict. Nisc is a human rights organization and seen from what history has shown, the Nagas have every right to determine their own future and should not be held by
>states that were formed by the Goi. Atal Vajpayee and thus the government of India should take full responsibility on this matter.

With warm regards
Drs. F.A.M. Welman Naga international Support Center

For more information visit our website www.nagalim.nl Naga International Support Center nisc@nagalim.nl