[Previous entry: "Rio, Imkong welcome ceasefire extension"] [Next entry: "Reunification NISC press release"]

08/02/2005: "Protest beyond frontiers NORTHEAST ECHOES"

Protest beyond frontiers NORTHEAST ECHOES / PATRICIA MUKHIM The Telegraph


The economic blockade called by the All Naga Students Association of Manipur along National Highway 39 has forced truckers to abandon the route. A few trucks wait for security escorts near Kangla Fort in Imphal before hitting the highway. Picture by Eastern Projections
Powerful countries like the US have been severely criticised for imposing economic blockades and trade embargoes on countries they consider rogue states. Iraq suffered a food embargo some years back on account of the irascible acts of Saddam Hussain. The blockade resulted in the deaths of thousands of children in Iraq due to starvation and under-nourishment. Intellectuals from across the globe have condemned the US imposition, as the ordinary citizens of Iraq should not have paid for the crimes committed by their ruler. An embargo of any sort is reprehensible and goes against the norms of global interdependency. But an embargo on food and food products to a country, whose very survival hinges on those products, is criminal.
The All Naga Students Association of Manipur, Naga Students Federation of Nagaland and other Naga organisations have imposed a similar economic blockade on Manipur to protest against the state government. This indefinite blockade has been going on for a month now. To say that Manipur, or to put it in more precise terms, the people living in the valley of Manipur, have been badly hit by this embargo is an understatement. Frantic messages have gone out from the civil society requesting all to bring an end to the blockade.
Soaring prices
Rice is selling at Rs 80 per kg. Other essential commodities are available on a limited scale, but at prices that a common man could hardly afford. Petrol and diesel have dried up and commercial activities have never been so badly hit. Recently, the security forces tried to organise an alternative route for goods-laden trucks to come to Manipur through Tamenglong. But even that bridge was blown off. Following the episode, a public interest litigation was filed with the Manipur bench of Gauhati High Court. The court has served notices on all the Naga organisations responsible for the embargo to show cause why their actions cannot be termed as illegal and unconstitutional.
Indeed, what is happening in Manipur is no longer an isolated case affecting only that state. It has now become a national crisis and should be treated as one. If what the Naga organisations have done becomes a model for other states to settle scores with their neighbours then this country would have to make new laws to deal with such situations. Barring Assam that is connected by a railhead, which also links Dimapur, the commercial capital of Nagaland, to Guwahati, all other states of the Northeast are landlocked. People and goods have to move via Assam. Now if Assam were to adopt the stance of the Nagas, what would happen to people living in all the other six states? This is just an example of how a state, which is more favourably positioned in terms of connectivity, could hold its less fortunate neighbours to ransom.
The Naga protest may be genuine enough but the means used are certainly inhuman. Perhaps the Nagas need to wear the moccasins of the Meiteis at this juncture and see how much their action has hurt the ordinary citizen and the poor who have no knowledge about the issues that their leaders are fighting for. At present, the only route open for people to leave the Imphal valley in case of an emergency is the air route. This is a mode of travel that only the affluent can afford. Ordinary citizens depend heavily on road transport. They have been restrained from travelling out of Manipur for almost two months now. Meanwhile the students unions of Manipur have appealed to the United Nations secretary general, Kofi Annan, to come to their rescue. Obviously the people of Manipur are disillusioned with the Indian government. That a blockade, which was imposed on June 19 this year, could still continue, is proof enough that the Centre is handling the issue with kid gloves merely because it is talking peace with the NSCN (I-M). But peace or no peace, no national government should allow one group or state to put such pressure tactics on another state no matter what the provocation might be. A marooned Manipur is crying out for help, but help is hardly forthcoming. Essential medicines have run out of stock and starvation is staring people in the face. Curiously, none of the other states in the region seem to be concerned about this appalling situation. All the seven states have a common platform for action in the form of North Eastern Council, but they have chosen to ignore the matter.This does not bode well for the region. Mizoram is perhaps the only state that has appealed to the Naga students to call off their economic blockade, possibly because it affects their kith and kin in the Churachandpur areas.
Economic terrorism has now become a new means of coercion. Therefore, methods to deal with this new method of terrorism needs to be developed. At the moment, a solution seems hard to come by. Repairing the not-so-frequented National Highway 53 that links Imphal with Silchar appears to be the only way out. But the highway also passes through Tamenglong, a district inhabited by the Zeliangrong Nagas, and which therefore, is within the purview of the blockade, and hence risky. This highway has a couple of weak links that need to be strengthened. If this artery is well guarded by security forces, then people of Manipur can still hope to replenish their empty larders.
Women’s role
At this juncture one wishes to question whether women’s groups from Nagaland and Manipur, who have invested a lot in the peace process, have any role at all to play in breaking this irrational impasse. Women have been the traditional peacemakers. It was because of the efforts of the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) led by its then dynamic president Neidouno Angami that the Naga peace process progressed beyond the usual rhetoric. The NMA’s Shed No More Tears campaign was silent, yet effective. For the first time, the NSCN (I-M) and other warring parties sat up and took notice of an initiative started by women. Surely the NMA and the Naga Women’s Union of Manipur could take the lead in bringing an end to a situation that could result in great hardship for the common citizens, particularly for the women, who have to keep their home fires burning.
To punish a government by using a method as brutal as that of stopping essential commodities from coming into the state is barbaric, to say the least. At present, negotiations are the only way out of a political stalemate. Ultimatums and deadlines do not work because they are methods adopted by bullies and in the long run, such tactics are bound to backfire. It is time for the rational forces to take control of the situation and find a resolution that is acceptable to all the states of the region. The region needs a common platform, where a common recipe for action can be discussed.
No talks without CM: ANSAM From Sobhapati Samom
IMPHAL, Aug 1 – All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) has turned down the talks offered by the Government of Manipur. “There is no question of holding talks with the Government if the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary of the State are not going to participate in the talk,” sources close to ANSAM said here today. The decision not to hold the talk with the government representatives was reportedly taken during an executive meeting of the student body, the sources added. ANSAM has resolved that it would not hold talk with the Manipur Government since the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary are not in the said delegation. In its reply to the State Government’s letter No. 1/25/2005 – CM dated July 29, 2005 and addressed to Binod Kispotta, secretary to the Chief Minister of Manipur, ANSAM today stated: “While appreciating your willingness to resolve the issue pertaining to the non-cooperation movement launched by ANSAM, the proposed meeting of the government delegates and ANSAM without the Chief Minister is not favourable to us.”

General secretary of ANSAM Robert T Maram said they once again compelled to reiterate the stand that the talks be held with the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary of Manipur in order to arrive at an amicable understanding at the earliest possible time. The government had earlier decided to send a three-member team to negotiate with the student body. Sources said that the three-member team which was to be deputed for the talk are PHED Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Commerce and Industries Minister N Mangi and Hill Areas Committee Chairman Songchinkhup. A spokesman of ANSAM said that an emergency executive body meeting was convened today afternoon to discuss the latest government proposal wherein it was resolved to hold talks only with the Chief Minister.
Members present at the said meeting were unanimous in declining the session with government representatives as nothing conclusive can be reached in the absence of the Chief Minister, Robert said.

Meanwhile, representatives of the United Committee Manipur (UCM) held extensive discussion with the Governor SS Sidhu and Chief Minister Okram Ibobi on the prevailing situation arising out of the ongoing economic blockade. A five-member delegation accepted an invitation from the Governor for a meeting and briefed Dr SS Sidhu on the difficulties faced by the general public due to the ANSAM-sponsored agitation, a statement said.The Governor was also urged to intimate the Centre on the ground reality as negligence at the current juncture might lead to the situation going out of hand, said the statement.While the UCM delegates highlighted to the Governor of NSCN-IM instigating and actively enforcing the ANSAM blockade Dr Sidhu conveyed of detailed report of the Manipur situation being sent to the Central leader
Naga students camping in Delhi
DIMAPUR, Aug 1: The agitating All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has shifted its mobilisation venue to New Delhi even as its agitation crossed forty days...According to sources, a team of ANSAM and Naga Students Federation (NSF) met Union home minister Shivaraj Patil on Monday in New Delhi after camping in the capital for the last few days. The student bodies have also met with central leaders including AICC president Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on resolving the present crisis in Manipur through peaceful means. "We have been trying our best to talk with the state government but since the government did not reciprocate out efforts we have no other option but to go to the Central leaders," the ANSAM leaders said.The leaders blamed the Manipur government for the crisis and accused it of imposing its own terms and conditions. Meanwhile, leaders of ANSAM from Tamenglong district have requested the security personnel to refrain from harrassing passengers travelling between Imphal and Tamenglong town.(NNN)
ANSAM shifts focus on Delhi Newmai News Network
Dimapur, Aug 1 : The agitating All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has shifted its mobilisation venue to New Delhi even as its agitation has crossed more than forty days now.
According to a highly placed source, a team comprising of ANSAM and Naga Students' Federation (NSF) met Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil this afternoon in New Delhi.
The sources informed Newmai News Network that the combined Naga students' team had been camping in New Delhi for the last few days and had met scores of Central leaders including AICC president Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The sources informed that the leaders of the student bodies met Shivaraj Patil at 2 pm today and deliberated on the present imbroglio in Manipur.Disclosing the reason for camping at New Delhi, the sources said that the Naga student leaders had decided to seek the help of the Central leaders to resolve the present crisis in a peaceful manner as the "Manipur Government had closed all the doors and venues for bringing a solution to the prevailing situation."
We have been trying our best to talk with the State Government but since the Government did not reciprocate our effort we have no other option but to go to the Central leaders," said a leader of ANSAM today adding "instead the Manipur Government is trying its best to impose its own terms and conditions on us which we cannot accept."
Meanwhile, leaders of ANSAM from Tamenglong district have appealed to the security personnel to desist from harassing the passengers travelling between Imphal and Tamenglong town.
The student leaders alleged that they have received lots of complaints from the general public that security force personnel have been harassing the passengers.The student leaders threatened to take up agitation if the security personnel continue to harass the passengers along the said route.
Students stage mass sit-in-protest all over Sangai By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Aug 1: Responding to the call of AMSU, MSF and DESAM to counter the communal politics allegedly being played by the Government of India among the people of the North Eastern States, many young students came out of their classrooms and staged sit-in-protest demonstrations in front of their respective schools today.Braving the hot summer sun, a large number of students took part in the protest demonstration which was held from 10 am till 4 pm. The young demonstrators held placards and shouted slogans denouncing the ‘divide and rule policy’ and cried for a conducive atmosphere of peace and harmony in which they could live and learn.
As announced by the three student bodies earlier on July 30, such protest demonstration would continue for the next three days. Students from primary to the University level would be taking part in the demonstration to be held in a phase-wise manner.
The name of some of the schools located in and around Imphal whose students participated in the protest today are St George School, Wangkhei; Kids High School, Deulahland; St Peter School, Kwakeithel; Black Bird English School, Thangal Bazar; Radhesana English School, Keishampat; North Point English School, Man-tripukhri; Shishu Nistha Niketan, Mayai Lambi, Kanhai Hr Sec School, Sagolband, Thangmeiband Lilashing Khongnang Khong H/Sl, Thangmeiband, etc.
NSCN (K) lays out condition for talks Newsfile Hindustan Times Dimapur, August 1, 2005
Barely two day s after the Centre's extension of the ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), the Khaplang faction of the outfit on Monday said it will not hold any talks with the Union Government of India till it revealed the outcome of its talks with the NSCN (IM) and the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland government in the state.Senior NSCN (K) leader Kughalu Mulatonu asked Isak Muivah to clarify why the NSCN (IM) had agreed to extend the ceasefire when he himself had declared in New Delhi that NSCN (IM) would not sign further ceasefire agreements with the Government, till its demand for a greater Nagaland, or Nagalim, was met.
"Muivah should tell the people why the ceasefire has been extended despite the Government of India's refusing to accept the integration demand," Mulatonu said.He said the ruling DAN government led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was "sponsoring" the NSCN (IM). "The DAN government has wanted to meet us a hundred times but we refused because they are backing the NSCN (IM) with crores of rupees?" Mulatonu asked.
Naga tribals intensify stir despite truce
GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) - Tribesmen campaigning for a separate homeland in India's restive northeast blocked vital roads and stopped hundreds of supply-laden trucks on Monday, saying a new truce with New Delhi was not helping them. On Saturday, Naga rebel leaders and Indian officials extended their seven-year-long ceasefire by another six months to push for a peaceful solution to a decades-old revolt in the mainly Christian Nagaland state. The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) (NSCN-IM), which is fighting for the freedom of three million Naga tribesmen, said it had extended the truce with Delhi to "give peace a chance".
But a powerful Naga students group said it would continue blocking roads into the neighbouring state of Manipur until its demand that all Naga-dominated areas in the northeast be united into a "Greater Nagaland" is accepted. "We will continue with our agitation. We are not concerned with the extension of the ceasefire as it isn't helping us," said Ngachonmi Chamroy, spokesman of the All Naga Students Association Manipur. Talks between Delhi and the NSCN-IM have been deadlocked over the question of "Greater Nagaland", as India fears a repeat of bloody protests in 2001 over the issue from other ethnic and tribal groups. A third of the three million-strong Naga tribe live in neighbouring Manipur and two other northeastern states. Naga groups living in Manipur began blocking roads with logs and boulders and threatening truck drivers in June, as they intensified their agitation for "Greater Nagaland". The blockade has led to shortage of food and fuel in Manipur's capital Imphal. "We are perhaps facing the worst phase in our lives. There is shortage of food, cooking fuel and children can't go to school," said Bimala Devi, a housewife there. Last month, angry Nagas set ablaze more than a dozen government buildings in Manipur. The Nagas have been fighting for their own homeland since 1947, when India got independence from Britain. More than 20,000 people have died in nearly 60 years of Naga insurgency before the ceasefire came into effect in 1997.
OLD CONFLICTS The Telegraph
It is not uncommon for peace talks to hit roadblocks; the challenge is not to lose the way ahead. The jolt to the truce with Naga insurgents is not entirely unexpected. That the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, led by Mr Isak Chishi Swu and Mr Thuingaleng Muivah, was upset with the progress of the talks had been known for some time. The group has now made its unhappiness known by agreeing to extend the ceasefire in Nagaland by six months only. This is a major departure from the practice followed over the past eight years, when the ceasefire was always extended by a year. But it could be wrong to see this as a negation of the peace process. Occasional strains notwithstanding, the ceasefire testified to both sides’ commitment to a peaceful solution to the five-decade-old insurgency. More important, it reflected — and fostered — the common people’s hope of a lasting peace in Nagaland. Both the Centre and the NSCN are morally obliged to the ordinary Nagas not to betray this hope. Both sides must take the differences in their stride and work even harder to narrow them down. Stalling the peace process is not an option for either side.
True, the NSCN’s position on the “integration of all Naga-inhabited areas” remains the most important bone of contention. There are no easy solutions to the problem, as the areas are spread over Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh as well. None of these states will like its territory to be curtailed. In fact, the issue has sparked violent protests in Manipur and caused the latest ethnic tension between the Meiteis and the Nagas there. There is even a strong suspicion that the recent agitation by the Naga students in Manipur had been covertly supported by the NSCN. While considering the NSCN’s territorial demand, New Delhi cannot but keep in mind the possible fall-out in Manipur. It cannot be the government’s policy to buy peace in Nagaland at the cost of that in another state. At the same time, it is true that the territorial boundaries of the northeastern states have always reflected the ethnic aspirations of the people. They have changed over time and may change again. The important thing is to try and find solutions that would be acceptable to contesting communities. But, unless this happens peacefully, the territorial ambitions can throw these areas back into the old days of tribal conflicts. The Naga truce is thus crucial to the entire region.
K ridicules truce extension Source: The Sangai Express
Dimapur, August 01 (NNN): Barely two days after the ceasefire between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India was extended for another 6 months, the rival faction NSCN (K) today said it will not hold any talks with the Government of India so long as it (Government) does not reveal the outcome of its talks with the NSCN (IM) and as long as the 'terrorist-sponsored' DAN Government is in power in Nagaland. Expressing astonishment over the extension of the truce, senior NSCN (K) leader Kughalu Mulatonu asked Muivah to clarify before the Nagas on why the NSCN (IM) had agreed to extend the ceasefire when he (Muivah) himself had openly declared in New Delhi that the NSCN (IM) would not sign further ceasefire agreement with the Government of India if its demand for integration was not met. "Muivah should tell the people why the ceasefire has been extended despite the Government of India's denial of integration," Mulatonu said.

The NSCN (K) viewed such development as an attempt by the Government of India to mastermind more 'terrorist activities' in Nagaland. "This is ridiculous because at one hand the Government of India is unleashing terror in Nagaland and on the other hand, it is taking all efforts to get a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council," the NSCN (K) leader said. The NSCN (K) also minced no words in criticizing the ruling DAN Government of Nagaland led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for allegedly sponsoring the NSCN (IM). Mulatonu alleged that it was due to DAN's alleged nexus with the NSCN (IM) that the NSCN (K) has not met the Government barring once in 2003.
"They (DAN Government) wanted to meet us a hundred times but we refused because they are sponsoring the NSCN (IM) with crores of rupees. How can we meet a Government when its Chief Minister is himself funding terrorism in the State?" Mulatonu countered.
The Khaplang faction of the NSCN entered into a ceasefire pact with the Government of India some years back, but formal dialogues between the two entities are yet to start even today.
Governor rejects Nagaland Municipal Amendment Bill
Kohima : Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta has reportedly rejected and returned the Nagaland Municipal (First Amendment) Bill, 2005 presented to him for his approval under Article 200 of the Constitution of India. Official sources said Mr Datta, through a message addressed to the secretary of Nagaland Legislative Assembly signed on July 21 last, stated that he had gone through the Bill, which envisages the power to vote the nominated members and seeks to withdraw the powers from the ex-office members of the municipalities.

" Nominated members cannot have the power to vote as laid down in Article 243-R of the Constitution, " he said adding that with regard to the ex-officio members, the Department of Law and Justice has opined that the Constitution does not intend to disentitle them from voting.
" The Bill does not address a major lacuna in the parent legislation. The Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001, fails to make provision for reservation of seats for women, " he observed.

He maintained that Article 243-T of the Constitution makes incorporation of provision for reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every municipality that is mandatory for women. " Our municipalities should function better with a fair representation of women, " he suggested. Meanwhile, in exercise of the powers conferred under Article 200 of the Constitution the Governor returned the Nagaland Municipal (First Amendment) Bill, 2005 to the assembly with the request to the house to reconsider framing the Bill in such a way that it fulfils the requirements laid down under Articles 243-R and 243-T of the Constitution.
Sources further said the Bill as returned by the Governor for reconsideration by the house along with his message would be laid on the table of the house on August 18, the first day of the monsoon session.
Assam rebels threaten violence if ignored
GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) - Separatist rebels in Assam warned on Tuesday of more violence if New Delhi ignored their latest offer for talks. The warning came two weeks ahead of India's Aug. 15 Independence Day, a target for rebel attacks in the past. In 2004 Assamese separatists bombed an Independence day function in the state killing 22 people, mostly children. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh offered to talk to the rebels last December, but only if they gave up violence first. The rebels, fighting for an independent Assam, say they want to talk without pre-conditions and wrote to Singh last month. "If the central government does not respond to our offer, we shall have no other alternative but to step up our campaign," the United Liberation Force of Asom (ULFA) said. Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi reacted cautiously to the threat, saying security was being tightened ahead of Aug. 15.
"Every Independence day and Republic day, they (the rebels) issue these threats and we take necessary security steps. This time also we are keeping a strict vigil," Gogoi told reporters in New Delhi. He said the government was ready for talks but added that the rebels had to show some sign of softening their stand.
"There must be a two-way traffic," Gogoi said, referring to the rebel's refusal to shun violence as a precursor for talks. ULFA says New Delhi exploits the resources of the oil-and-tea rich state of 26 million people while doing little to develop Assam. More than 15,000 people have been killed since the group launched its armed struggle in 1979. The rebels have blasted oil pipelines, targeted government buildings, kidnapped tea garden executives and triggered explosions on trains and in public places during their campaign. The seven far-flung states of northeast India are home to more than 200 ethnic and tribal groups and are beset by at least two dozen other insurgencies. (Additional reporting by Krittivas Mukherjee in NEW DELHI)
ULFA threatens offensive over talks delay IANS By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, Aug 2 (IANS) The separatist United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Tuesday threatened to step up its offensive if New Delhi failed to respond to the northeastern rebel group's offer for peace talks. "We cannot just sit tight with the hope of getting a positive response from the Indian government for holding peace talks. We shall have no option other than intensifying our armed struggle," Arabinda Rajkhowa, chairman of ULFA, said in a statement received by IANS. The ULFA is an outlawed rebel army fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979. There were a series of formal letters exchanged between ULFA and the Indian government since January to work out the modalities for holding peace talks to bring an end to violent insurgency in Assam. The ULFA chairman in early July sent a formal letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh offering to hold talks if the government agrees to discuss the outfit's core demand of 'sovereignty' or independence.
The ULFA letter was in response to a formal invitation for talks by Singh two months ago. "There was a lot of urgency shown by the government to get a formal letter from us for holding talks. But once we delivered the letter, the authorities have shown no urgency and that probably reflects the doubtful and insincere attitude in holding negotiations with us," the ULFA chairman said.
"We are ready for a mutually acceptable solution." The ULFA had recently demanded the release of at least 10 jailed leaders as a precondition for talks. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had offered to release some jailed ULFA leaders if the outfit agreed to sit for talks with New Delhi. "New Delhi must try and grab this opportunity to break the deadlock with the ULFA. The peace initiative should come from the government without delay," an analyst said. "The government of India should not try and frustrate the ULFA at this stage when the general mood in the state is all for peace."
The warning by the ULFA to step up its offensive is being viewed by security forces very seriously as the outfit is known to target vital installations in the run up to Independence Day Aug 15. Last year, the ULFA triggered a powerful blast during an Independence Day parade in eastern Assam that killed at least 20 people, most of them students taking part in the parade. "We wish there is some breakthrough before the Independence Day or else we are worried, with intelligence reports indicating massive plans by the ULFA to create terror ahead of Aug 15," a senior Assam police official said.
ULFA won’t wait for Centre’s response NET News Network Guwahati, August 1:The proscribed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) while flaying Centre’s procrastinating attitude towards the peace process reiterated that the outfit would carry on with revolutionary work “without waiting for government’s response” The ULFA chairman, Arabinda Rajkhowa through an e-mail informed that the Centre is maintaining “mysterious silence” after the initial urgency to procure letter from ULFA. The release also informed that the outfit agreed to talk with Centre on the issue of sovereignty only after proper consultation with the constitutional experts. “According to these experts there is no legal hurdle on the part of the Government to initiate talks on sovereignty with the outfit,” the statement informed. Meanwhile, the outfit’s advisor Bhimkanta Buragohain alias ‘ Mama’ who was produced in the court today rued before the media that government is not giving ample importance to ULFA’s response to talks.
Peace centre against tax collection, killings
Dimapur, Aug 1 (MExN): The Nagaland Peace Centre (NPC) Kohima while welcoming the extension of ceasefire between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM) for another period of six months, appealed to the Indian military forces to refrain from employing force tactics and also National workers to ‘diminish’ activities such as tax collection, killing and abductions. The organization hoped that a peaceful cooperative attitude would be maintained to usher in better understanding between both the sides involved.
The NPC in a press release issued by its Chairman N.Theyo and Executive Director Lhusi Haralu while appreciating the Collective Leadership of the NSCN (IM) for coming to India for political talks, expressed its desire that both the sides cooperate and work in such a way that the prospect of peace would be strengthened instead of consolidating the ‘sanction of military force’. It implied that the military forces should cease employing force tactics while the National workers should also ‘diminish’ activities such as tax collection, killing and abductions. It also recalled the initial efforts of Indian leaders like former Prime Ministers Deve Gowda, late P V Narashima Rao Atal Bihari Vajpayee as well as present Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, saying that it was their continuing effort to prolong the ceasefire with the hope that a solution would be arrived at to solve the vexed Naga political problem. Appealing to both the NSCN (IM) and the GOI to pursue only peaceful policies, the NPC implied that non-violent means would be fruitful in ushering stability and peace in Nagaland and that both sides should protect the Naga people "from the cruel hands of Ceasefire violators", whoever they might be, it stated.