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07/30/2005: "Naga imbroglio"

Naga imbroglio By Walter Fernandes
The talks between the leaders of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) and the Government of India had brought some hope of a solution to the conflict but the Naga leaders have returned to their base, disappointed with their progress. One is left with the impression that the talks have failed because of the rigid stand of both the sides. Two issues that stand in the way of their success are the integration of all the Naga inhabited areas with Nagalim or Greater Nagaland and a federation with India. The problem can be solved only if both are ready to show some flexibility on these issues. Only 16 of the 27 Naga tribes live in Nagaland. The rest including the biggest, are spread over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur. The Naga aspiration to unite all of them under a single banner meets with fierce resistance from these states. They want to maintain their territorial integrity. There was bloodshed in June 2001 when the Government of India extended the ceasefire with the NSCN-IM to all Naga-inhabited areas. The non-Nagas of Manipur viewed it as recognition of Nagalim. The bloodshed that followed is remembered as Martyrs’ Day. The emotions these events arouse have become a permanent obstacle to the success of the talks.
During the 2001 crisis, the Naga Hoho (Supreme Tribal Council) went round the North-east explaining its stand to other communities. At one such dialogue with civil society members at Guwahati it realised that no territorial change was acceptable to the neighbouring states and that they had to find a compromise acceptable to all of them. One of the suggestions was that all the Naga-inhabited areas of the neighbouring states be brought under the Sixth Schedule that makes the formation of the district autonomous councils possible and that the Naga Hoho should have a say in their running. Territorial integrity would thus be preserved but the Naga communities would be united emotionally and would be self-governing within the existing states. One is left with the impression that no such face-saving compromise is being thought of in the present dialogue and that the NSCN-IM and the Government of India have got stuck on territorial integrity. Similar is the fate of a federation which is interpreted as independence. It is not necessarily the case. The demand for autonomy is strong in much of the North-east that feels dominated by outsiders who control its economy and treat it as a supplier of raw material and buyer of finished products from the rest of India. Also, many states in the rest of India want a federal system to replace the present unitary structure.
The Naga leaders are demanding greater autonomy and more power than such a federal structure would allow. Negotiations seem to have got stuck on a rigid stand around it. One believes that it is possible to get round this block through a creative dialogue on the meaning of a federation in a multi-cultural country like India. The NSCN-IM stand can be a starting point to arrive at compromises, not the end product. That requires flexibility which is not possible without civil society’s involvement. Till now the dialogue has been exclusively between the Government of India and the militant outfits.
Nagaland has many civil society groups like the Naga Women’s Organisation and Naga Mothers’ Association that have been discussing possible alternatives and have been active in the search for peace. They are following in the footsteps of many Naga tribes in which women have functioned as intermediaries in inter-tribal conflicts. Both the Government of India and the militant outfits, however, have ignored them. Also the churches of Nagaland have been trying to bring various tribes together and challenging them to reflect on the type of Nagaland they want. Their involvement in the dialogue can make a positive difference to the peace process. The Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights is in the forefront of denouncing human rights violations by the state and the militants. As a result, both consider it an enemy but its voice is heard with some respect by many Nagas. One can add other groups to the list both within and outside Nagaland but the point one is trying to make is that the vicious circle cannot be broken in a dialogue that does not go beyond the stated positions.
Neither the NSCN-IM nor the Government of India can accept the position of the other unquestioningly. Confidence-building measures that are required for it cannot be built through a dialogue in which the state and a militant outfit are the only interlocutors. A broad social and political base has to be built by involving bodies that have a base in their society. Otherwise, even a solution found through this dialogue can flounder. That is what has happened among the Bodos. The state came to an understanding with one outfit and granted them the Bodo Territorial Council. The other outfit was ignored so were groups belonging to other communities living within their territory.
As a result, the peace they arrived at can at best be called tenuous. Conflicts continue and there was much violence during the recent elections to the Bodo Territorial Council. The Naga dialogue, too, is with one of the two outfits and the other is bound to reject any solution that they may arrive at. The conflict will continue. All of them can be brought to the table only with the help of religious bodies and the civil society. More importantly, the message of talking only to militant outfits is that the state is ready to talk only when a community resorts to violence. By involving civil and religious bodies, the dialogue can be taken beyond these limits and can lead to creative solutions. Besides, such a solution will be accepted by their society in general. That requires more creativity and greater flexibility than what the two sides have shown till now.
(The author is Director, North Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati)
ANSAM wants solution not court verdict
DIMAPUR, July 29: In its first reaction after the Gauhati High Court, Imphal bench passed an order stating the economic blockade as illegal, the All Naga Students' Association of Manipur (ANSAM)...
on Friday urged the Manipur Government to give a "political decision" on the issue and not the court verdict. ANSAM spokesman Ngachonmi Chamroy who is a qualified law student while reacting to the court's order has said that "this is a good example when law comes face to face with justice". ANSAM has put the whole blame on the Manipur Government for the present turmoil in the State of Manipur saying that the Ibobi Singh-led Government had failed to address things correctly.

The ANSAM statement issued on Friday while singing a communal harmony tune, has said that whatever may be the case (even if the Government has no concern for the general public) we should have a peaceful co-existence as good neighbours. "We feel that the most important point at the moment is to learn to live together as good neighbours because we cannot change our neighbours," said the ANSAM statement. ANSAM also expressed its appreciation to many social non-Naga organisations based in the valley "for understanding the reality" saying that such attitudes would have a long lasting good impact on the relationship between the Nagas and the majority community.

Elucidating the present social picture of Manipur from the ANSAM point of view, the statement claimed that there have been two "conflict of interests" in the State of Manipur today. Pointing out the reason without particularising things, the Naga student body said that "the major community" in the valley has different interest so as the Nagas. The statement said these two conflicts in the same time have become apparent on June 16 this year when the Nagas came out in thousands on the streets defying the government prohibitory orders (CrPC 144) for the unification of Naga areas under one administration and to protest the June 18 declaration as 'state Integrity Day' while in another instance, the valley people came out in a large number in the streets to observe the June 18 State Integrity Day.

In both the instances, the Manipur Government was a mute spectator. (NNN) Nagaland’s Dimapur now has a night life kerala.com
By Neeraj Kumar, Dimapur (Nagaland), July 29: There is an old saying that peace pays. And true, for Nagaland is a living testimony to the transformation, that peace can bring about in society. Eight years of peace in Nagaland has changed many things, and this change is best reflected in the nightlife that Dimapur today enjoys. It was a long time back, when Dimapur evoked only images of violence and terror. But, today the situation has changed. Dimapur today is a totally different place, having its own little world. And in this world, it is music, rather than the gun that dominates. And the songs, the youths of Dimapur sing, now deals with love and peace. The change is also revolutionary, as earlier, Nagaland was, for mainland India, synonymous with insurgency in the North-East.

“Comparing to what the situation was before the peace process. It is quite peaceful at present, people are finding it more comfortable and relaxed to move around at night till late, we Hope that things would do better, and we are hoping of better tomorrow,” said Theo Da, the concert's organizer.
“It is really good because now we can come out at night without any problem without worrying that there will be army or there will be people firing around. This is good what the people are doing to bring peace in Nagaland,” said Ashaha, from the audience. Eight years of peace following the cease-fire agreement between the Centre and the NSCN (IM) has given a new meaning to life in Nagaland. Musical concerts and recreational events like this one amply prove that the days of turmoil are over. People today are able to enjoy simple little pleasures of life, pleasures that they were long denied to them. [ANI]
Right to protest does not mean right to blockade: Sidhu By A Staff Reporter Sangai

IMPHAL, Jul 29: The Governor of Manipur, Dr. SS Sidhu, making his first public statement on the economic blockade imposed by the All Naga Students Association, ANSAM, stated unequivocally today that the blockade has lasted long enough, and it was time to wind it up. The Governor, who was addressing the gathering while launching the new website of the Manipur Public Service Commission, MPSC, said while the people have a democratic right of protest, such a right has limits. He said the economic blockade imposed by the ANSAM has given enough hardship to the people and urged the student body to lift it at the earliest. The Governor, while noting that the state was facing considerable difficulties at the moment, expressed confidence that with the completion of the Jiribam-Tupul railway line in the next few years and the reopening of NH-53, the state would receive the light of development. Referring to the MPSC, the Governor noted that it has been given the heavy responsibility of conducting Manipur Civil Services combined examination and combined medical services examination besides its other functions, and observed that opening of its new website would help the commission in dissemination of information regarding examination dates, syllabus of various subjects and examination results. While terming the opening of the website as a milestone, the Governor urged the MPSC to computerise its examination system to ensure accuracy and transparency. He suggested that Optical Mark Reader, OMR system should be used for assessment of examinations as done by other state public service commissions. The MPSC chairman, Dr. Amarjit Lukram, in his address, said the National Informatics Centre, NIC, Imphal, played a major role in setting up the website and provided most of the technical knowhow. Apart from launching the website, various ideas for improving the functioning of the website are in the pipeline, the MPSC chairman said, adding that steps are being taken to frame an annual examination schedule of the MPSC.
He added that the new MPSC website carries the result sheet of the first MCS batch and a photo gallery consisting of rare photographs. Former chairman of the MPSC, Lt. Col (retd) H Bhuban, the deputy commissioners of Imphal east and west districts and the superintendent RIMS, were among the dignitaries who attended the launching of the website.
Blockade : CM shows IM's hand to BJP team BJP team for CFMC to rein in activities of NSCN (IM) cadres By Our Staff Reporter Sangai
IMPHAL, Jul 29: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has informed the visiting BJP Parliamentary team, which arrived here yesterday to assess the prevailing situation, about the involvement of NSCN (I-M) in the ongoing ANSAM-sponsored economic blockade along the National Highways. This was disclosed by BJP Rajya Sabha MP and chief whip of the party SS Ahluwalia, who is leading the Parliamentary delegation, while talking to mediapersons at Hotel Nirmala today before wrapping up the two day visit. Ahluwalia said apart from learning that the 40-day long blockade is backed by NSCN (I-M) following wide-range dis- cussions with a cross section of the society, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh himself pointed out this today, when the delegation called on him to discuss the problems being faced by the people. In the light of the ongoing peace talks, the Centre should take this matter very seriously and ask the NSCN (I-M) to stay away from such agitation, he stated while observing that Chairman of Ceasefire Monitoring Cell, retired Lt Gen Kulkarni, should do the needful in advising the leaders of NSCN (I-M).
The BJP Parliamentary team urged the Chief Minister to find ways for bringing a permanent solution to the present deadlock so that normalcy may return in the State, he said, adding that the State Government should sit together with the agitators for dialogues while ensuring normal supply of essential commodi- ties to the people. “The primary responsibility of the Government is to address the public woes for that is the essence of the governance”, he said.
When asked on the nature of the action to be taken up against the BJP MLAs who were among the two Naga MPs and 11 MLAs of Manipur who submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister sometime ago endorsing the formation of Greater Nagalim, Ahluwalia said that he has not yet read the contents of the memorandum. Nonetheless, any BJP MLA who is trying to disintegrate Manipur should step down from their respective posts, he added. Decrying the attitude of the CPI for not taking up the issue either at the Centre or to the State Government, the BJP leader asserted that the BJP High Command has despatched the Parliamentary team on hearing about the problems being faced by the people, but no other political party has considered it necessary to do so. He wondered why the Centre has not been taking any keen interest in trying to solve the difficulties being faced by the people despite that fact Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh himself is nominated to the Rajya Sabha from the North East.
However the Prime Minister came to the North East for the ASEAN car rally, he ridiculed.
The Centre should invoke its Constitutional duties to protect the lives and liberty of its citizens, he said while pointing to the Wednesday’s Court verdict asking both the State and the Central Govts to take necessary measures to end the blockade. Ahluwalia also assured that the issue of Manipur would be brought up for discussion on the floor of the Parliament in the current monsoon session
Since their arrival here yesterday, the four-member Parliamentary delegation of BJP met a large number of leaders of various communities, organisations, senior citizens, drivers of oil-tankers, etc. The delegates also met the Governor and Chief Secretary today before returning for Delhi. Other members of the BJP central delegation are Thawarchand Gehlot, Kirpal Parmar and Laxman Singh. State BJP unit president Th Chaoba was also present during the media briefing.
ANSAM seeks pol decision Newmai News Network
Dimapur, Jul 29 : In its first official statement after the Guwahati High Court, Imphal bench ruled the economic blockade as illegal, the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) today urged the Manipur Government to give a “political decision” and not a Court verdict. ANSAM spokesman Ngachonmi Chamroy who is a qualified law student while reacting to the Court’s order said that “this is a good example when law comes face to face with justice”.
ANSAM has put the whole blame on the Manipur Government for the present turmoil in the State saying that the Ibobi Singh-led Govt had failed to address things correctly. The statement issued to Newmai News Network by its spokesman Ngachonmi Chamroy, while singing a communal harmony tune, said whatever maybe the case (even if the Government has no concern for the general public) we should co-exist peacefully as good neighbours. “We feel that the most important point at the moment is to learn to live together as good neighbours because we cannot change our neighbours,” ANSAM said in the statement. It expressed its appreciation to many social non- Naga organisations based in the valley “for understanding the reality” saying that such attitudes would have a long lasting and positive impact on the relationship between the Nagas and the majority community. Elucidating the present social picture of Manipur from the student body's point of view, ANSAM claimed that there have been two “conflict of interests” in the State of Manipur today. Pointing out the reason without particularising things, the Naga student body said that “the major community” in the valley has different interest so do the Nagas. “We are proud to be Nagas and we respect the feelings of the major community if they are proud of who they are——it is not a secret that the Nagas have a national interest” and while raking up instances, it added, “these two conflicts in the same time have become apparent on June 16 this year when the Nagas came out in thousands on the streets defying the Govt prohibitory orders (CrPC 144) for the unification of Naga areas under one administration and to protest the June 18 declaration as State Integrity day which has become a State holiday. And again, the valley people came out in a large number in the streets to observe the June-18 defying the Govt prohibitory orders,” stated the ANSAM note. “In both the instances the Manipur Govt was a mute spectator failing to contain these two conflicting interests thereby demarcating a clear line between these two interests,” noted ANSAM.
NESO to facilitate resolving deadlock By Our Staff Reporter Sangai
IMPHAL, Jul 29 : Amid fervent appeals for lifting the ANSAM sponsored economic blockade AMSU president Sinam Prakash and former secretary Jotin Salam left Imphal today to attend a meeting convened by North East Students’ organisation to discuss on the prevailing situation in manipur.
In the meeting scheduled for tomorrow at Guwa- hati is being especially organised by NESO to faci- litate representatives of AMSU and Naga Students’ Federation meet face to face to bring about an amicable end to the ongoing impasse, said an AMSU release. In the backdrop of the ANSAM agitation, president of Manipur State Congress party M Heman-ta held separate meetings with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Assam PCC chief Bhubaneshwar Kalita at Guwahati.
The MSCP president is informed to have urged the Assam CM for a positive role in preventing escalation of tension in the NE region due to the indefinite blockade. The Assam Government had assured all possible assistan- ce to end the high- way impasse, added an MPSC release.
Meanwhile, a day after calling on the Governor Dr SS sidhu to demand adequate measures for add- ressing shortages of essential commodities including baby food, improvement of NH-53 and security cover to transport operators/drivers, representatives of nine women organisations met the Chief Minister to highlight similar grievances and remedial measures thereof.
the women bodies also prevailed upon the CM against revoking declaration of June 18 as State Integrity Day/Holiday. Kumbi Adarsh Youth Organisation; Moirang CD Block Mid-Day Meal Co-oks’ Association, Bishnu- pur; United Community Development Platform, Bish- nupur district; Social Integration and Youth Development Association, Kumbi; Youth Unity Club, Thanga Leikai, Moirang; have also appealed for lifting the ongoing economic blockade along the National Highways.
KLA bomb threat Sangai
IMPHAL, Jul 29: Imphal West District Police recovered two hand grenades and exploded them safely at the Lamphel waste dumping ground today.
One of the hand grenades was allegedly left behind by unidentified persons near the Singjamei Thokchom Leikai residential gate of Additional Chief Engineer of FCD Sougaijam Devendra at around 2 pm while the other was lobbed inside ABC godown at Khoyathong at around 4 pm today.
Meanwhile Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) has claimed the responsibility for lobbing the hand grenade inside the ABC godown located at Khoya-thong just opposite to Mot- bung Bus parking this afternoon. Information secretary of KLA Tactical Headquarters Steward said that the hand grenade attack was carried out for the alleged failure of the godown authorities to meet the demand of the outfit. KLA would launch such attacks in future if the godown authorities do not concede to the said demand within five days, he warned.
Improved air connectivity brings hope to northeast By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Aizawl, July 30 (IANS) Some months ago Paul Sailo would have had no choice other than flying to Kolkata for medical treatment when he suffered multiple fractures. Now there is hope: air connectivity to Assam. So when the 55-year-old schoolteacher in this Mizoram capital looked for a doctor, he boarded a flight to Guhawati, the Assam capital, provided by Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Indian Airlines. Naturally, Sailo considers the increased number of flights a boon to people in the once neglected northeast. "My arms and legs were all in plasters and doctors here said I might not become fully fit. So we decided to go to Guwahati for treatment," Sailo told IANS.
"After 45 days in Guwahati I am back in Aizawl and am more than 80 percent fit. Apart from the doctors, I would like to thank the better air connectivity in the region. Or else I would not have been able to withstand the road journey."
Earlier, like most state capitals in the northeast besides Dimapur city in Nagaland that were not to one another, Aizawl was linked primarily to Kolkata. The Indian civil aviation ministry has taken a slew of measures to improve air connectivity. The planes that connect these capitals are mostly the French-built Avions de Transport Regionale (ATR) aircraft. Until recently, a person from Aizawl would take 20-24 hours to reach Guwahati, more than 450 km away. And it was a tortuous back-breaking journey through narrow mountainous roads. Now there are daily or twice a week flights from Assam to other states, including Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya. Planes also fly to smaller places like Tura in Meghalaya. The central government subsidises the airfare, and the users are mainly those who are ill, government officials and businessmen. "The flights have come as a boon for the sick and ailing. Now it takes just 45 minutes to reach Guwahati," said John Sangliana, a government official here. "Earlier tourists shied away from the region because of poor communication network. Now with regular air services, the tourism sector will get a boost," said P.R. Kyndiah, the central minister for the development of the northeastern region. The enhanced air connectivity is also expected to remove the sense of alienation among the people in the northeast. "For long it was felt that New Delhi bothered very little for the region's development and so we remained backward, forcing youths here to pick up guns and go underground," Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said. "Now people will begin to realise the change." --Indo-Asian News Service
Assamese disappointed with militant ULFA's indifference to peace offers By Peter Alex Todd Ani Guwahati, July 29 (ANI): The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA's) reticence to the Centre's peace initiatives has not gone down well with the people of Assam. The people of Assam want the mindless violence to end and want the ULFA to come to the negotiating table without any delay. Manshi Sarma, is a lecturer by profession and has the onerous task of shaping the thought processes of the youth in the college. But these days it is not academics that she is concerned with. What troubles her is the general environment of insecurity that his gripped Assam. The mayhem caused by separatist forces is a cause of concern for her and the environment of fear is not conducive for any academic pursuit. She is hoping that ULFA will join the peace process. "This is the right time because the government is also taking initiative. Renowned litterateur Mamon Goswami is taking the initiative. In my opinion ULFA should abhor violence, and come forward and grab this opportunity. This golden opportunity would not come again and again. So, since they are getting this opportunity, they should not miss it. They should come forward and discuss with this government," said Manshi Sarma, the Lecturer of the Arya Vidyapeeth College, Guwahati. The business community in the state also mirrors the same feeling. Business and economic activities are the worst hit whenever there is instability and insecurity. Even though the markets in Guwahati is abuzz with activity even in such troubled times of uncertainty, the business communities want an environment where they can do their business without any fear. They feel that if such an atmosphere is created, then Guwahati can become a business hub not only for the North-East but also for the entire nation.
"If you remove terrorism from Assam there is no place in India, which has as much business prospect as Assam has. The best place to do business in India is Guwahati. But due to insurgency it is difficult to expand business. People are generally scared. In this atmosphere of fear business cannot expand," said Aftab Khan, a businessman. The students too feel that a climate of fear makes leading a normal life difficult in Assam. They want to study and excel academically, but, the ULFA has ensured that this does not happen. Influenced by Bangladesh and other anti-India forces, the banned outfit does not want peace to prevail in the region. It wants to control over people of Assam by creating an atmosphere of fear. The students also find it difficult to understand why ULFA has not taken up the centre's offer of unconditional talks. "We have no peace in Assam, because of ULFA. Peace is necessary for the student community because students are future of this country. So things have to develop in tensionless society. So, in order to face this kind of tensionless society we need peace. After all, peace is important for a homogeneous society," said Vandana, a student.
The Artist community too wants peace, because art and culture can only flourish when there is peace and normalcy at a place. Bahrul Islam, a dramatist is engaged in a difficult task. He is trying his best to help the children, exposed to violence in the state for the last two decades, retain their innocence. Islam teaches patriotic songs to these young ones and trains them to think positively. The dramatist feels that such training is important for the traumatized Assamese society. "These children have become used to blood and violence. Violence has become part of their life. For terrorist it is easy to kill ten people and such things are dangerous. You feel bad when you slap somebody but such violence does not affect the separatists. Their mentality and heart have changed. This is really bad. Tell me who does not want peace," said Bahrul Islam, an artist and a dramatist. It is obvious that peace has gained prominence more than it was in earlier times. The very fact that in the last one year so many peace rallies and seminars have been organized, indicates the society s aversion to violence perpetrated by the ULFA. People are also confused as to why the ULFA does not respect the people s desire for peace. But, a deeper study lays bare everything. ULFA has linkages with anti India forces like the ISI and fundamentalist forces in Bangladesh and is a puppet in their hands. In addition, its leadership is more interested in pursuing their personal material interests rather than the interests of the people who it claims to represent. (ANI)
Expedite peace process with DHD, Dimasa student tells government NET News Network
Guwahati, July 29: Striving for an immediate and permanent solution regarding the issues and problems raised by the insurgent group, Dima Halam Daogah (DHD), the All Dimasa Students’ Union (ADSU) today opined the possibility of resumption of insurgent activities by the militant group if the State and the Central Government continues with the tardy peace process. The DHD has been undergoing ceasefire with the government since January 2003 and since then three rounds of peace talks have already been held among the Centre, State and the outfit without any concrete outcome.
“The State Government has reportedly declined any possibility of a separate State which might drew dangerous results and the insurgents undergoing the Cease fire might just get infuriated by such statements”, informed the president of ADSU, Prafulla Hafila, who will also lead a contingent to Delhi Briefing the press, Rakesh Hasnu, general secretary, ADSU suggested substantial steps to the Government for maintaining permanent peace, progress and social harmony in the region. Meanwhile the ADSU has also decided to lead a contingent of around 200 students and social activists to Delhi to press for their demands, which includes the demand for immediate creation of a separate Dimaraji State comprising Dimasa contiguous areas in the northeast. It is worth mentioning that the ADSU has also received support from as many as nine other student unions.
KSU-Government talks fail, threatens fresh agitation NET News Network Shillong, July 29:The two-hour discussion between the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance Government failed to yield any understanding between the two parties over the ‘sensitive’ issue of Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE). Expressing dissatisfaction over the meeting with the Government, KSU president Samuel Jyrwa said, “We are not satisfied at all with the talks because the Congress led government has failed to specify the powers and functions of the senior officer to manned the MBOSE office in Shillong.
“The government cannot simply passed the buck to this committee or that committee to specify the powers and functions of one officer,” Jyrwa stated. The two-hour deliberations was participated by three Union colleagues of KSU along with the KSU chief Samuel with Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma and senior government officials. . “Infuriated with the meeting ending in a stalemate, the KSU Chief hinted fresh agitations in the eastern region of the State to pressurize the Government to specify the powers and functions of the Board official to be appointed in Shillong. The General Executive Council of the KSU would meet tomorrow and would announce their democratic agitations. Meanwhile the Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma who also happened to be the in charge for Education Department came up with a contrary statement where he termed the meeting with the KSU as a ‘fruitful’ one.
“We have convinced and asked the KSU to send their suggestions to the State Level Committee to revamp and restructure the MBOSE,” said Dr. Sangma on the backdrop of KSU discontentment with government failing to specify the powers and functions of the senior Board official. The Deputy CM however reiterated, “The Government failed to spell out the powers and functions of the Board official to be based in Shillong since the Cabinet meeting has formed a State Level Committee, headed by state Chief Secretary, P.J.Bazeley to study the pros and cons of the “disorganized” MBOSE.” The Dy. CM also opined that the Government cannot bypass the committee on this issue and it must be respected as the Cabinet forms it. The KSU, which had spearheaded agitations for the past two-months over the issue of MBOSE, is demanding for a permanent Chairman for the Board and two secretaries each at Shillong and at Tura in West Garo Hills respectively following the continuous lapses in the conduct of Board examinations, declaration of results along with errors in the mark sheets.