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07/21/2005: "We cannot remain silent on use of force: NSCN (IM"

We cannot remain silent on use of force: NSCN (IM) Morung Express News Dimapur/July 20
The NSCN-IM has cautioned that it will not remain a mute spectator if the Manipur government resorts to using force on the All Naga Students Association of Manipur (ANSAM). The organization’s Ministry of Information and Publicity revealed this over telephone. The outfit alleged that the Ibobi Singh government in Imphal was taking direct orders from the Centre and expressed displeasure over this. When contacted, Deputy Kilonser (Minister) of the MIP, Kraibo Chawang disclosed that the ANSAM as well as other frontal Naga organizations were voluntarily carrying out such demonstrations as they carried the voice of the people. He also said that though the NSCN-IM operated under a different set-up as compared to these concerns, their objective was the same. The leader termed as unfortunate the recent allegations made by certain Manipur organizations against the NSCN. Frontal Manipur organizations had earlier pointed the finger on the NSCN-IM saying that the Naga outfit had instigated the ANSAM to carry out the non-cooperation movement against the Manipur government.
Chawang asserted that the guerilla outfit would take its own course of action if and when the Ibobi led Manipur government decided to use violence to quell the ANSAM agitation. He further added that it was the democratic right of the Naga people to demonstrate against injustices meted out to them. Commenting on the recent allegations made against the high-handedness of some of its cadres, the Kilonser said that disciplinary action would be taken against erring cadres. He stated that steps were being taken to this effect. However, he also mentioned that the accusations made against the outfit as a whole was ‘out of proportion’. He requested the people not to out rightly condemn the NSCN in the aftermath of the occurrence of some stray incidents.
Nagaland Church’s Overture Source: IMPHAL FREE PRESs

Few other developments in recent times could have been more reassuring that all is not lost yet than the overture made by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, NBCC, on the All Naga Students Association Manipur, ANSAM, sponsored blockade along National Highways 39 and 53. In the influential Church body’s own words, the Nagas and Meiteis and so also Nagaland and Manipur have been good neighbours through centuries. The NBCC was also justified in its stringent criticism of the Okram Ibobi government which had unnecessarily stirred a hornets’ nest by declaring June 18 a state holiday this year, although as the chief minister has admitted that the holiday has not as yet been published in the state gazette, and it does not necessarily have to be a holiday the next year. This is not a question of our not believing in Manipur’s territorial integrity at all, or for that matter a disrespect for those who lost their lives in protesting an event they believed was a threat to Manipur’s integrity, but an expression of our disdain at the lack of political prudence or understanding of the undercurrents of sentiments of all sections of the society on the part of the chief minister. For those unconvinced still, and we are certain there are many out there, judging by the comments and opinions expressed in the public forum spaces of local dailies, let us take a hypothetical situation. Supposing India were to declare October 15, the day the Manipur Merger Agreement came into force, a holiday in Manipur calling it say Consolidation Day, it would undoubtedly provoke even those who pledge unwavering loyalty to the spirit of India. In short, such moves are extravagantly nationalistic and by that virtue, if not anything else, an overkill that can only invite unnecessary trouble. Ibobi, as the chief minister of an ethnically riven state, ought to have seen this.
While Ibobi has blundered, it also goes without saying that there are no grounds to justify the blockade by the ANSAM. As a matter of fact, the holiday issue is probably only an immediate excuse for the crippling agitation, for even if Ibobi had not declared a holiday, there would have been some other pretext for the Naga students body and other kindred organizations to confront the government, for the real issue of the agitation runs much deeper. It is latched to the demand for a greater Nagaland or “Nagalim” that has today become one of the major objectives of the NSCN(IM) in its pursuit for a settlement of the Naga unrest. If the Delhi talks had not reached such a dead end as it did, perhaps the June 18 holiday would have been just another bad taste in the mouth for those who are opposed to it, but never a strong enough impetus to provoke such belligerent reactions. Perhaps Ibobi naively calculated this would have been all the outcome when he unilaterally, without even taking the trouble of consulting his cabinet, decided on declaring the holiday. But if there would have been a confrontationist agitation sooner than later in any case even if Ibobi had not declared the holiday, what was wrong in his declaring the holiday anyway, one may ask. The answer is, without the veneer of justification provided by the holiday, the intent of the agitation would have been naked and its appeal limited to only hardcore Nagalim campaigners. Regardless of the nature of politics behind the ongoing blockade, the NBCC’s bold statement comes as a whiff of fresh air not just because it had called for an end to the blockade, but more because it opened up a tremendously wide space for civil society negotiations and meaningful, problem solving interactions. What is discernible in the broad-minded appeal is also the liberal belief that for any discourse or negotiation to bear fruits, it is essential for conflicting parties to step down from their stubbornly stated positions. One cannot also help imagining the influence of liberal intellectuals like Rev Wati Aiyer in the NBCC’s generous overture.

ANSAM threatens to impose economic blockade on national highway G Vinayak Guwahati July 21, 2005 The All Naga Students Association of Manipur has threatened to impose an economic blocade on National Highway 53.The ANSAM had imposed an economic blockade on National Highway 39 in June, pushing Manipur's Imphal valley to the brink of fuel starvation. National Highway 53 was opened on Tuesday as an alternative route linking the state capital Imphal.ANSAM spokesman N Chamroy said: "We are prepared to intensify our movement on NH-53, if the government uses force to violate the economic blockade."
Manipur highways open after 9 days.
The student leader claimed that the government being forced to look for an alternative route was a moral victory for the 'non-cooperation' movement launched by ANSAM.Meanwhile, in line with the policy adopted by the state government to open NH-53 and provide a second lifeline to the people of Manipur, about 230 empty trucks left Imphal for Jiribam On Tuesday to fetch goods and essential items. The trucks, which converged on Kangla Fort, were escorted by a large security contingent that included police commandos and India Reserve Battalion and Manipur Rifles personnel.The convoy would fetch essential commodities from Silchar and other places in Assam. Officials said a security outpost had been set up for every 14 km stretch of the highway till Jiribam, on the Manipur-Assam border. These posts are manned by the army, Assam Rifles and CRPF teams.The 222-km-long highway had been virtually abandoned by truckers because of the bad condition of the road and the presence of militants. The Border Roads Task Force renovated the highway and the army conducted two major operations to flush out militants after the economic blockade on the state's main lifeline, NH 39, necessitated alternative arrangements.
Manipur-bound trucks stranded in Assam have been instructed to take a detour to Jiribam via Silchar instead of the Imphal-Dimapur road, which is the main target of the economic blockade by the All Naga Students' Association of Manipur. Officials are hopeful that the supply chain will be restored in the next five days.The Naga blockade is in protest against the Ibobi government's decision to observe the anniversary of the 2001 uprising as "state integrity day". The uprising in the Manipur valley was against the then National Democratic Alliance government's attempt to extend its ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) beyond Nagaland. Rediff
Rights body urges ANSAM to ease stand Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 19: While demanding that ANSAM calls off its indefinite economic blockade along National Highway 39 and 53, Kuki Movement for Human Rights (KUMHUR) has stated that the Central Government should take the ongoing agitation more seriously. ANSAM is calling the economic blockade along the National Highways and not along the State highways and so it should be the duty of the Central Government to clear its two National Highways immediately. Or else it may be presumed that the Central Government is instigating ANSAM to impose the economic blockade along the two lifelines of the State, the publicity wing of the rights’ body said in a statement.
Questioning the rationale behind the agitation of ANSAM, the rights body observed that it is the duty of every citizen and elected members of the Legislative Assembly including the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues to protect the integrity of Manipur. ANSAM has imposed the economic blockade for the integration of Nagas as their rights. But what if the other tribes who are living side by side with the Nagas since time immemorial start claiming the same, KUMHUR questioned.
At a time when the talks between the Government of India and the NSCN (I-M) is still underway, the agitation of ANSAM has done more harm than good for the cause of integration of Nagas, the KUMHUR statement contended. There are rules to be followed while the talks is going on and moreover, the Government of India has made it clear that integration of Nagas can be done only with the consensus of the people living with the Nagas. However, the ongoing economic blockade called by ANSAM has made the people more openly opposed to the integration of Nagas, KUMHUR elaborated. Expressing serious concern over the policy of ANSAM in drawing the sympathy of certain NGOs based in Nagaland to support the ongoing agitation, the rights body wondered if the ANSAM cuts off the lifelines of Manipur for such a reason, what would they (Nagaland based-NGOs) say when similar organisations do the same to Nagaland or other States for similar reasons.
One saboteur killed in bridge collapse, at least three others hurt The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Jul 20: Hours after large-scale use of National-Highway 53 commenced yesterday, following hectic preparations by the BRO engineers, the highway link has been snapped again after suspected supporters of the ANSAM’s economic blockade destroyed a vital bridge over the Irang river in the early hours today. One of the persons involved in the sabotage died when the bridge collapsed prematurely, while at least three are reported to be injured. Another report said one or two others were also swept away in the river, though this is unconfirmed. The saboteurs could have included NSCN(IM) cadres, according to reports.A BRTF officer who visited the spot said work for rebuilding the bridge would begin tomorrow. It could take up to six days, he said.
The bridge, a Bailey type, is located at a spot located some 19 kilometres away from Awangkhul along NH-53. Its destruction cuts Imphal off from Jiribam, as well as from the Tamenglong district headquarters. Reports said the blockade supporters used gas welders to dislodge several rivets and fishplates on the bridge as a result of which the entire structure broke up and fell into the river.
In the process, one Namthiurai Abonmei, 32, hailing from Lamlaba village, and now operating a workshop at Tamenglong headquarters, was critically injured and died while being taken to hospital.
A still unconfirmed report said one or two others were also swept into the river. It is further learnt that three others were also seriously injured in the incident and have been hospitalized. Reports said a Maruti Gypsy, bearing a Nagaland registration number, was found abandoned near the site, which was apparently used by the saboteurs. In the wake of the incident, a heavy security team, led by IG (law and order-II), A Romenkumar, and SP Tamenglong, Chowhngnuna Mizo, visited the spot, and conducted an operation in the nearby Alangpan and Tarbam villages in an attempt to track down the saboteurs. Security has also been stepped up at major bridges along NH-53.
Another report adds that owing to the prolonged economic blockade, major problems are being faced in remote districts like Tamenglong due to scarcity of essential commodities.
The president of the Zeliangrong Union, D Dikanbui, who visited the site of the bridge, reportedly expressed his concern over the anti-social act. Reporters who visited the site found the bridge structure to have completely collapsed. With no way to cross, interaction with the local villagers had to take place by shouting back and forth across the river’s width. When that failed due to the increasing rain, reporters wrote down their questions and threw them across after wrapping them around stones and the answers were returned using catapults. GD Dintharei, Erang village authority secretary, rued the sabotage, stating that it would cause immense difficulties to villagers who had to tend to their jhum fields and go on other errants across the river. He said the economic blockade has caused serious difficulties to the general public and wanted the government and ANSAM to reach an amicable solution. In the meantime, 25th BRTF commander, MA Raza, who was present at the spot, said the bridge would have to be rebuilt anew, and said work on the same would begin from tomorrow. Informing that it would take at least six days to rebuild the bridge, he said the work would have to start from the Erang village side, as there is no space on the Awangkhul side of the river. Bridge-building material would have to be provided by the state government, and would have to be ferried via the IT road, he said, estimating the total cost for reconstruction to be around Rs. 27 lakhs.

Tml public protest against bridge destruction: AR report Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Jul 20: Mass public protests were witnessed in Tamenglong today in the wake of destruction of an iron bridge over Irang river on NH-53 by ANSAM, according to an Assam Rifles release. The protests were taken out by the people to vent their anger against the NSCN (IM) and ANSAM for cutting the vital link to the valley and for causing death to an innocent local welder, it said. It noted that one local welder, Namthieu Rai, 35, resident of ward no. 4, Tamenglong who was forcibly taken for destroying the bridge was killed and said the matter was also complicated with news of two NSCN (IM) cadres missing in the operation for destroying the bridge in the wee hours today.
Citing reports that some more NSCN cadres had been injured in the incident, the statement informed that two persons coming in an unmarked motor cycle carrying life saving drugs have been also apprehended at Tamenglong. Another person carrying a Kenwood radio set was also apprehended while going towards UG hideouts in Kenning, it added.

NSCN(IM) cadres responsible for bridge destruction: K The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Jul 20: The NSCN(K), Zeliangrong region, has strongly warned NGOs and other organisations operating in the Zeliangrong region not to support the ongoing economic blockade called by the ANSAM, which it maintains is instigated by its rival, the NSCN(IM).
A spokesman of the NSCN(K), speaking at a press conference held somewhere in Bishnupur district maintained that the ANSAM’s blockade is not in the interest of the Naga community as it has caused the people of Chandel and Tamenglong districts in particular to suffer tremendous hardships.
While Ukhrul and Senapati have external road linkages through which essential commodities can be freely ferried in, Chandel and Tamenglong get their essential commodities via Imphal he said, adding that the sufferings the people of the area have had to undergo show clearly that the ANSAM does not maintain equality even within the Naga community. On the destruction of the Irang bridge last night, the spokesman charged that the NSCN(IM) was directly involved, blaming it for the death of Namthiurai Abonmei, a mechanic who died in the premature collapse of the bridge.The spokesman said Abonmei was an innocent man, and had been forced by an NSCN(IM) team led by its town commander, captain Abon to participate in the destruction of the bridge. The spokesman further said captain Abon along with two others weere hurt in the incident, and they are being treated at Tamenglong headquarters now. He also informed that NSCN(IM) leaders, including the deputy kilonser, information and publicity, K Chawang, central administrative officer K Winning and deputy chief of army Markson have been staying at Tamenglong headquarters for the past several days for mobilizing the public. While advising the NSCN(IM) leaders to stop their activities before any untoward incident takes place, the NSCN(K) spokesperson urged the public of Tamenglong not to allow themselves to be misguided by these leaders who have trying to provoke bloodshed among brothers. The NSCN(K) spokesman also blasted the Manipur state administration for acquiescing in the disintegration of Manipur and for failing to share the sentiments and hardship of the peoples of Tamenglong and Chandel districts who have been caught between the devil and the deep sea.
AASU, NSF call to solve disputes through talks By A Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, July 20 – The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today reiterated their stand that contentious issues between Assam and Nagaland and other issues between the two communities should be settled through dialogue. The two organisations have urged the Assam and Nagaland governments to start the dialogue process at the earliest. The reassertion of this stand came during a meeting today between the leaders of the two student bodies to discuss issues arising out of the scrapping of the IM (DT) Act. In a joint statement, AASU general secretary Tapan Kumar Gogoi and NSF president V Phushika Aomi said that the long pending problem of the North East, arising out of the unabated inflow of foreigners must be addressed immediately. The Indo-Bangla border must be fenced immediately and the Assam Accord should be fully implemented without further delay, they stated. The NSF supported the AASU stand that all those who have migrated into the Assam after March 25, 1971 must be deported and that the provision of the Citizenship Act (Amended), which gives citizenship rights to foreigners who have entered Assam before 2004, should be scrapped. The two organisations said that illegal immigrants residing along the Assam-Nagaland border must be detected and deported immediately. The two organisations have decided to make a joint visit to specific border areas to ascertain the ground realities.
Meitei leaders face the Wall? Future lie in bold steps by the community? Athili KOHIMA, JUL 20 (EMN) Meitei leaders who have led their people to believe in achieving success over protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur are today left with little options. All doors appear to be closing and they face the reality of perhaps, unwillingly give up a position they have for decades enjoyed and misused. They enjoyed the luxury of successfully selling the idea that all is well in the State of Manipur and that, those within its boundaries shared the same vision, save those vested interests trying to break the state’s integrity. They sold the idea that the Nagas were sprinkled in some parts of the State and that they lived happy lives, and that all other tribals were within its fold since time log past. History is written by the powerful and the dominant. The truth is that the Meiteis were used by the British to subdue the Naga villages who mostly independently resisted the former colonisers. Objective historians would provide with facts and trace the gradual Meiteisation of those that were bracketed within the erstwhile Meitei kingdom, which was protected by the Britishers and in return collected taxes from the hills on their master’s behalf. Over the years, names of insects, animals, rivers, villages and towns began to be have Meitei influences. Unlike their brethren in the State of Nagaland who used the pidgin Nagamese to communicate in the marketplace, the Nagas have had to use Meiteilon as a common language. One has to know the all-pervading influence that a system of dominance - political, administrative, cultural, linguistic - can have over a people over a period of a few decades. Today, Nagas from the Manipur side are ridiculed by other Nagas, because, to communicate with other tribes within the existing state, they use Meiteilon, commonly referred to as Manipuri. Insofar as socio-cultural, political and economic (and particularly media, electronic and print) life in what is now Manipur State, it continues to rely on sheer use of propaganda and rather predictable tactics to hoodwink India and the world. All this into creating an image of a United Manipur, producing a one sided version on most pertinent concerns happily lapped up by innumerable television and news networks across South Asia and beyond. One cannot but admire the technological and human prowess the Meiteis as a race possess. But when that ability and power is used to promote an unjust legacy, the Meitei masses have to collectively gather courage to address the issues that concerns them, including the Naga question. Nagas as a people have always propounded a mutually beneficial relation for the future, forget what Naga National groups say. Which Naga has implied that, once Nagas politically achieved their objectives, Meiteis would have no access to reach Mainland India? Who has implied that thousands of highly qualified and other industrious Meiteis would have to close shop and vacate Naga lands? Is there an implication that Nagas will shut its world and cut all current linkages they have the moment a ‘honourable settlement’ is arrived at. Nagas have not burnt Hindi movie CDs; not burnt Hindi literature; not punished anyone desirous of learning Hindi. Perhaps, the Nagas are not against Indians as a people, but the State of India and its policies. India did little to change the unjust inheritance the British passed on to the Maharaja at Imphal. Onus lies with New Delhi and the Meiteis to still salvage what can be secured by emerging with courage and dignity.
Tourism Information Centre opened Our Correspondent. Kohima, July 20(EMN): The inauguration of an Information Centre (IC) of the Nagaland Tourism Association (NTA) took place this morning at the new NST complex, Kohima by the Director of Tourism, Nagaland, T.Alem Ponger. Inaugurating the IC as the Chief Guest, T. Alem Ponger said that this is a small and humble beginning but the information hungry people can avail of the services. The need of the IC was proposed by the NTA last year and finally it has materialized, he added. Calling for a combined effort on the part of the Tourism department and the NTA, he said that this center has been conceived since long after the tourism department was bifurcated from the Information and Public Relations Department in 1982. NTA president, Neisatuo Keditsu said that with the opening up of this Information Centre, the NTA would serve to disseminate information and try their best to give accurate information. He also said that the NTA would network with the hoteliers, resort owners, taxis, buses and all others involved to make travel seamless and tourist friendly. A website for the NTA is also in the offing to make Nagaland easily accessible for the travel enthusiasts. Details of the tourist destinations, accessibility options, and itinerary can now be had from the Information Centre, which would function from 10am to 4 p.m. The Vice President of NTA, Vincent Belho in his introductory speech said that their organization was formed with an aim to promote “positive tourism in the state” as it hoped that this would help to bring about a renaissance of culture and not to destroy it. He further said that this IC would cater to the needs of the Naga people and help to propagate culture. He mentioned that the system of tattoo culture that was practiced in the earlier days could still be carried forward in a good way unlike the westernization that we see presently. It may be mentioned that the NTA was formed in the year 2000 by a group of four like-minded individuals from all walks of life and now the membership has gone up to 40, with representatives from all the districts of Nagaland. The NTA carries out varied activities to promote culture and tourism like treks, trips, nature walks, seminars, conferences and the like. The Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund also sponsored a three-phase familiarization tour for the NTA members, where they carried out a survey of almost all the places in Nagaland to evolve a road map beneficial for the tourists, both domestic and international. Secretary of NTA, Tsanchinla Imlong who chaired the meet said that Nagaland has a totally different connotation in terms of time measurement and travel distance, as time taken does not determine the length of the road. So the familiarization trip came about as an eye opener for the members, she said. This would help us to evolve an accurate guide map, a member added.
A glimpse of NMA and its experience in a conflict situation
The Naga Mothers’ Association was formed in 1984 in the backdrop of social unrest, political turmoil and all kinds of social vices eating into the fabrics of the Naga society. Primarily, as mothers our concerns were the deteriorating health and moral values of our children who became victims of drug abuses which were unknown prior to the 1980s and the alarming growth rate of alcoholisms etc. And for a number of reasons we tried to address these social vices for quite many years even in the midst of large-scale political conflicts, human rights violations and militarization of our lands.
However, with political dimensions spreading its tentacles from the Indo-Naga Issue to a more complicated internal state of affairs in the form of fratricidal confrontations, the Naga mothers found itself more engrossed in peace making alongside other frontal Naga civil society organizations. With this turn of events, NMA launched its own Peace Campaigns under the slogan “Shed No More Blood” in 1994. This was done to address all kinds of violence, fratricidal killings and armed confrontations between the Indian military and Naga armed resistance groups. And when Ceasefire was declared between the Government of India and Government of the Peoples republic of Nagaland in 1997 (The Government run by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, headed by Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah), NMA took the opportunity to address the internal conflicts and initiated Peace Teams from amongst its members and started reaching out to leaders of all the different Naga national workers. This initiative took us to places in neighbouring countries, including places where we had to walk for days together to reach various destinations. And it is only in the fitness of things if I am to say today, that despite anything coming out of it, I would say, it was worthwhile from every count. Today, if NMA as an organization can count itself as one of those that has worked and penetrated in actual conflict situations, the credit also must go to other civil society organizations such as the Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Churches etc. to name a few among the many it had partnered with. For without this organizations, NMA being a feminine organization could not have mustered enough courage on its own without the support of all this well experienced – although male dominated organizations. And because of such partnership, which the Peace Process and the political necessity of the present situation has provided, NMA could participate in ventures such as the “Journey of Conscience” which was carried out in January 2000, where Nagas from various walks of life went to Delhi to meet and talk to the people of India, in the backdrop of our Naga peoples experience, where for 50 years there has not been any real People-to-people dialogue. The fact is, Nagas have seen India only in the face of the Indian Military for 50 years? Likewise, India also thought Nagas means; Rebels, Savages, Insurgents, terrorists, headhunters and even man-eaters? And this journey was set out to “touch the hearts and souls” of India. And as a participant, I think Nagas did just that. Maybe that is also one of the many reasons why the peace process and political talks have sustained for 8 (eight) years now, despite the many threats to break down? Even if it was not so, the many program that people who tried to understand our issues with sincerity, like the ones you all are doing today, and those initiatives friends from India like the Calcutta Research Group (CRG), Human Rights, civil liberties and democratic rights movements, the South Asia Forum for Human Rights (SAFHR) have done for the people of the South Asian region, with special focus on Naga issue, and others such as the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), and much more still who have sponsored and things like that, have all being factors which have largely contributed to the sustainability of the Indo-Naga Peace Talks. Because of all this reasons, the leaders in the Political negotiations also have held series of Consultation with the Naga public for 4 times now, twice in Bangkok and twice at Home. Not only that, on the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, our leaders also have come to Delhi twice and held political talks in India, although one of the conditions of the Ceasefire was that – talks will be held in a third and neutral country, which means outside India. This would politically mean a lot of things although I am quite ignorant about the whole political implications. Therefore, as a mother and not necessarily because I head an organization, my concern is – how do we find answer to this political conflicts? As for us, we have been moving with the “waves” of the political and social movements, and all along try our little bits to douse off “fire”, but not really knowing what comes next? Maybe that is one of the reasons, why I was also very keen to come and participate in this GLOBAL CONFERENCE. And I take this opportunity to thank those of you who went all out of your way to help me get here, although I have nothing to contribute except to unload Naga peoples burden on you in the guise of sharing.
Thank you. Sd/- Khesheli Chishi President, Naga Mothers’ Association,
Dated New York, July 2005 Email: nm_assn@yahoo.co.in

US-India nuke ties not to upset balance
WASHINGTON, July 20 – Seeking to allay apprehensions of its allies about the Indo-US civilian nuclear cooperation, the US has told them that the deal was not meant to betray decades of nuclear-control policies or upset the regional balance of power, reports PTI. The deal has also got a “constructive and not overly problematic” response from Pakistan, a top Bush Administration official said. Besides Pakistan, the Bush administration got a “fairly positive” response from its allies overseas and Congressional leaders on the agreement, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, who has been a points man in the negotiations for the accord, said adding he also did not expect “a lot of opposition in Europe”. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf yesterday to apprise him about the pact and his “reaction was constructive and not overly problematic,” Burns said. Making it clear that the agreement “stands on its own” and is not intended to be a counterweight to China, he said “this is a significant point of departure for our foreign policy, not just in South Asia but worldwide”.
Rice also spoke with Director of International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed ElBaradei while her advisors spoke with members of Congress, Including Senator Richard G Lugar (R-Ind), also Chairmain of the Foreign Relations Committee, officials were quoted as saying by the Washington Post. The US State Department also organised briefings for allies surprised by the deal.

AASU, NESO effort to diffuse Manipur tension continues NET News Network Guwahati, July 20: The deadlock regarding ANSAM sponsored indefinite economic blockade in NH 39 continues as the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and North East Students Organisation (NESO) effort to find a solution failed to convince the representatives of Naga Students Federation (NSF), All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) and Apunba Lup who met here in a city hotel today. Apunba Lup is an apex body of 32 Manipuri organizations. According to a source, NSF leaders stuck to its decision to continue with the economic blockade unless Manipur government revokes its decision to declare June 18 as Integrity Day and a State holiday. Reacting to NSF stand, AMSU and Apunba Lup members urged the economic blockade supporters to opt for different mode of agitation and respect the mandate of Manipur people who supports the government decision to observe Integrity Day. Yumnam Dev Datta, Advisor AMSU and Coordinator Apunba Lup confirming the will of Manipuri people to declare observation of Integrity Day as official said,“ Though we request NSF and others to stop economic blockade and take up other mode of agitation but it does not mean we would bow down to Nagaland government, NSCN (IM) or any other organizations”. Condemning today incident of cutting the NH 53 by damaging a bailey bridge over Irang River, Datta said, “ Nagaland government and NSCN (IM) should stop interfering in the internal matters of Manipur”. Datta however praised the effort of AASU and NESO chairman Samujjal Bhattacharya to find an amicable solution to the imbroglio. Meanwhile, AASU and NESO have called for another session involving NSF, AMSU and Apunba Lup to continue its effort to diffuse the situation.
Apart from Chairman of NESO and Advisor of AASU, Samujjal Bhattacharya, Yumnam Dev Datta, Advisor AMSU and Coordinator Apunba Lup, others who participated in today’s meeting were, V Phushika Aomi, President NSF, Achumsemo Kikon, former President of NSF, K Inaka Assumi, Ex-General Secretary of NSF, Daniel Tap, Assistant General Secretary of NSF, Jotin Salam, Advisor AMSU, Tapan Kumar Gogoi, General Secretary, AASU, Sankar Prasad Ray, President, AASU and Secretary NESO, NSN Lotha.

Manipur blockade
The indefinite economic blockade along the National Highways 39 and 53, imposed by the All Naga Students’ Association of Manipur (ANSAM), has brought life in Manipur to a standstill. The blockade had been launched in protest against the Manipur government’s decision to declare the June 18 as ‘Integrity Day’ and include it in the State holiday list to commemorate the June 2001 uprising and honour the ‘martyrs’ who died during the protests against the Central decision to extend the Naga ceasefire areas. The student body feels the move hurts the sentiments of the Nagas living in Manipur as the uprising had shattered the aspirations of the Naga people who nurture a hope for integration of Naga-inhabited areas beyond the Nagaland border. Although the Manipur government has explained that the proposal on the ‘Integrity Day’ had been made only to honour the martyrs, the Naga students’ organisation has refused to buy the story and has termed it as only an attempt to suppress the tribal minorities. As the agitation seems to be getting bigger and bigger with several Naga organisations of both Manipur and Nagaland also throwing their weight behind ANSAM, the deadlock threatens to linger on for more some more time, compounding the agony of the general public.

The intervention of several Naga organisations like Naga Hoho, United Naga Council of Manipur and others in the controversy has shifted the focus – from the Nagas’ hurt sentiments in the wake of the decision, to the longstanding aspiration of the Naga people dwelling in neighbouring States to live under a common administrative umbrella – in accordance with the NSCN(I-M)’s blueprint for ‘Greater Nagalim’. The agitating side and the organisations supporting them, however, must understand that the ‘Nagalim’ demand clashes with the territorial integrity of the concerned states and hurts the patriotism of the peoples. They must realise that the NSCN’s struggle to “undo a historic wrong” and hope for unification of Naga-inhabited areas is considered by the neighbouring states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh as an attempt to re-draw the borders through manoeuvres and violent means. On the other hand, unity among the Nagas and unification of Naga-dominated areas beyond the Nagaland border can hardly be viewed through the same aperture in the present status of things. The ANSAM has alleged that the decision on the proposed Integrity Day is a sign of oppression against tribal minorities in Manipur. But the charge pales in comparison to the glaring instances within the state of Nagaland of some Naga tribes pointing the same accusing finger at the more dominant ones. The organisations intervening in the row should, therefore, concentrate on their ongoing efforts in Nagaland at fostering unity among the Naga people and continue to support the Naga peace process.

The Nagaland and Assam governments should be commended for providing security to the goods vehicles but such measures cannot bring permanent solutions. Therefore, it is time Ibobi Singh and the agitationists resolved the impasse immediately. The general people in Manipur have been severely affected with the prices of essential commodities skyrocketing owing to the blockade on the lifelines of Manipur. During the past one month, though there have been attempts to resolve the crisis through discussion, they have not yielded any fruit due to the tug-of-war between the Chief Minister and ANSAM over the talks venue. The ANSAM’s stubbornness in making Senapati the venue for talks, however, defies logic. At this level, such important discussions should be held in the capital and a Chief Minister cannot be expected to travel to a place simply because that place happens to be the epicentre of an agitation. The government’s refusal to bow to the ANSAM demand has nevertheless provoked the agitating side and several offices have been set afire as the student body has added non-cooperation to their agitation. Ibobi Singh must do a balancing act since the hurt sentiments of the Nagas will only taint the memory of the dead, especially as there could have been some other more solemn way to commemorate the uprising and honour the martyrs. On the other hand, the ANSAM and the organisations rallying behind it must realise that the common people should never be held to a ransom for such a prolonged period of time. Resorting to such agitational extremes in order to get some demands fulfilled is highly uncalled for because it the general public who are caught in the crossfire. Hopefully good sense would prevail on both sides and an amicable settlement would be arrived at soon to let peace and harmony prevail among all communities living in Manipur.