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08/16/2005: "Factions fracture Naga dream of freedom from India"

Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:30 AM BST KOHIMA, India (Reuters) - Shoukrie says his customers' complain when he has to hike the prices in his small general store in the hill town of Kohima, capital of the Indian state of Nagaland. But, he explains, he has no choice. Rebel "taxes" are simply too high. And if it was not bad enough, there are three factions who each come demanding money.
"We cannot survive like this," says Shoukrie, who like many in Nagaland goes by one name. "Yes, we still believe in independence, but that hope is too far away now." "The situation of Nagaland is becoming a joke. As long as there are so many factions there is no hope of independence or sovereignty."
Here in the remote northeast of India, rebels from the Christian hill tribes of Nagaland fought a fierce insurgency against Indian rule for five decades, until a cease-fire in 1997. But the Indian government and the Nagas, who are the most powerful of the dozens of rebel groups in the northeast, appear no closer to a resolution of the conflict, which security experts say could open the door to peace in the entire region. Within the Nagas, power struggles and personal rivalries have split the movement. All three factions are observing the cease-fire with the government, but not always with each other.
Rebels themselves admit fellow cadres have not always behaved well, throwing their weight around, behaving as if their guns made them something special.
"FIGHTING FOR MONEY"
It all reinforces the impression many rebel cadres "are not fighting for the cause of the Nagas, they are fighting for money", in the words of Lhulie Mayse, a farmer in the small hill-top village of Khonoma. Today, only the main faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland is taking part in peace talks with the Indian government -- so far with little to show for it. Their patience is wearing thin, and they extended the cease-fire on July 31 for just six months, instead of a year. Ordinary Nagas worry the whole process is meaningless without unity, or could even be dangerous.
"It is no use having peace with just one group," said Mayse. "One group will smile, the other group will keep crying."
Before the British arrived in these thickly forested hills the Nagas were headhunters, divided into 32 constantly warring tribes who still speak different languages. Christianity brought by American Baptist missionaries gradually brought headhunting to an end -- although some villages still keep the skulls of their former enemies. The church today is a major factor forging a sense of Naga unity in a Hindu-dominated country. But those tribal fault lines have not disappeared, and find expression in the rebel factions. Some ordinary Nagas fear fratricidal conflict is not far away, especially if one group of tribes feels excluded from any peace accord. "Reconciliation between Nagas is the only way to reduce this problem to a manageable size," said one Naga intellectual, who declined to be named because of rebel threats in the past. "The effort has to be born here."
Armed men set trucks on fire on Manipur highway PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Posted online: Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at 0138 hours IST
IMPHAL, AUGUST 15: Some persons in military fatigues today set on fire 12 vehicles in Manipur where militants had called for a boycott of the Independence Day celebrations. Armed men set on fire six trucks at Kopibung on Imphal-Guwahati highway, about 35 km from here in Senapati district. The trucks were coming from Dimapur in Nagaland, sources said. The group of miscreants stopped six other vehicles, including three trucks going in the opposite direction and set them afire.
Later, a caller who identified himself as a spokesman of United National Liberation Front (UNLF) condemned the incident. Meanwhile, the Independence Day celebrations at the parade ground of the First Manipur Rifles were held amid tight security in view of the boycott call by the Manipur People’s Liberation Front. Imphal wore a deserted look. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, after hoisting the National Flag, appealed to the insurgents to shun violence and join the mainstream.
Nagas renew call for freedom from India Web posted at: 8/15/2005 2:50:10 Source ::: Reuters


A Naga rebel watching the 58th anniversary of unilateral day of independence ceremony at Hebron Camp, in the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland, yesterday. Fifty-eight years ago, just hours before India won independence from Britain, Christian Naga separatists declared they did not want to be part of the new Hindu-dominated nation. Every year they renew that call.
CAMP HEBRON, Nagaland: A folk singer in army fatigues sang of God and the Naga nation, with a trace of Neil Young in his voice. Soldiers marched past stiff-legged, splashing in the slush of the grassy parade ground, marking “independence day” yesterday for the Naga hill tribes of northeastern India. Fifty-eight years ago, just hours before India won independence from Britain, Christian Naga separatists from these lush hills declared they did not want to be part of the new Hindu-dominated nation. Every year they renew that call.
In Camp Hebron, headquarters of the main rebel faction, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, traditional dancers in shawls, beads and extravagant head-dresses chanted and jumped close to a bamboo and thatch Baptist church. Two young Naga women in green fatigues and blue berets stood to attention, rifles and bayonets pointing up at the sky and the sky-blue Naga flag fluttering above them, emblazoned with a rainbow and a star. “How can Hindus control us?” asked 22-year Sergeant Woreishang Shinglai, the cross and olive branches on the lapels on his uniform a reminder of his faith. “We have the right to be a separate nation, and I am prepared to fight to my last drop of blood.”
For five decades Naga tribesmen fought the Indian army in these thickly forested mountains, before agreeing to a ceasefire in 1997. By then, India’s oldest insurgency, in its remote northeastern arm, had cost more than 20,000 lives. Eight years on, the Naga rebels are increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in peace talks with New Delhi, which they suspect of playing for time. In July, rebels extended the ceasefire for just six months, instead of a year. It was a clear signal. The government of India would not be allowed “to slumber for six or seven months and only wake up when the ceasefire was about to expire,” said Lieutenant-General V S Atem, the most senior rebel living in India.
“A ceasefire cannot just go on permanently, it is meant for finding a solution to the problem,” he warned. The Nagas are ready to return to the battlefield if they have to.
Eleven vehicles set ablaze in Manipur NET News Network
Imphal, Aug 15: Breaking lull on the I-Day, suspected militants burned down eleven vehicles including nine trucks on NH 39 in Manipur on Monday. According to report received, militant set ablaze nine trucks and two Tata Sumo near Kuki dominated Keichelnpi village under Senapati district this afternoon. It may be recalled that State Chief Minister during his I-Day speech this morning assured of renovating NH 53 and 150 very soon. Manipur was in dire straits after ANSAM imposed economic blockade on NH 39 forcing the government to find an alternate lifeline through NH 53.
Meanwhile, the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee has called for five days bandh starting from August 16 till 20 demanding declaration of Sadar Hills as revenue district. The SHDDC wanted the state government to announce Sadar Hills as full-fledged revenue district status on the historic occasion of India Independence Day observation. According to SHDDC president Haokholian Guite, if the state government does not make a positive response within the stipulated time, then an indefinite bandh with more volatile nature will be enforced in Sadar Hills areas along NH-39 and 53.
Gun culture will not bring permanent solution: Rio Chizokho Vero August 15 Morung Express
KOHIMA (MExN): State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today asserted that the use of gun culture could not bring about permanent solution to the long protracted Naga political problem. “With the ceasefire in place and the ongoing Naga peace talks between the Centre and NSCN, people have now come to the realization that they can prosper only when there is peace and the gun culture is not a solution to the Naga political problem”, Rio said in his Independence Day address here at the State Civil Secretariat, Kohima on Monday.
Rio declared that the State Government remained steadfast in its commitment to play the role of a facilitator in the ongoing peace process, adopting a policy of equi-closeness with the under-ground groups.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in the Centre for having taken forward the peace process and constituting a ministerial team for the purpose of continuing the political dialogue with the NSCN.
Welcoming the recent extension of the ceasefire agreement between the Centre and the NSCN, Rio was optimistic that New Delhi would take steps to impart fresh momentum to the peace process.
He also reminded that the Indo-Naga peace process was complex one and asked all concerned people to remain patient and committed to the process of peaceful dialogue. The Chief Minister also made a fervent appeal to all Naga underground groups to maintain peace amongst them and to forget their differences and past bitterness. “The situation requires them to show enough courage and wisdom to come together and work unitedly for the common Naga political cause and bring about a permanent settlement”, Rio said.
Referring to the law and order situation, Rio said that the situation remained by and large peaceful except stray incidents of factional clashes and the unfortunate incident at Tobu sometime back. In this regard, Rio said the government would leave no stone unturned to find an amicable solution to the Tobu issue through non-violent means. The Chief Minister appealed to the Changs and Konyaks to help maintain peace while seeking cooperation and assistance of the Church and Civil societies in finding an amicable solution to this vexed problem.
Assuring the DAN government’s commitment towards the welfare of the people, Rio said that progress and prosperity would be achieved only when Nagas changed their mindset and march ahead with grit and determination to take up the challenges of life. “I can assure you that the government will continue to work with full commitment and sincerity to meet the people’s expectations”, he said adding that the government would spare no efforts in translating the collective dreams into a reality nd make Nagaland a prosperous State.
Later, Rio inaugurated exhibition stalls put up by various departments. He also released the Coffee Table Book at Durbar Hall.
UGs-Public must honor each other: Zeliangrong Hoho Morung Express News August 15
LAMHAI DUNGKI: Zeliangrong Baudi (Hoho) on Sunday urged both the public and armed underground cadres to reciprocally honor one another, while acting their part out in the long drawn Naga freedom struggle.
Speaking on occasion of the 58th Naga Independence Day celebration at the headquarter of the Ashalu Block GPRN (Zelianrong Region), President of the Zeliangrong Baudi, Dennis Elung said that the armed underground cadres should understand the sentiment of the public, while performing national duties. Stating that the price of freedom was not cheap, he also called upon the general public to honour the uniform cadres.
"The Nagas must unite in this fight for freedom. Unity and discipline of all Nagas is a must, because the strength of a nation depend on its unity", said Dennis.
Zeliangrong Baudi also appreciated Isaac and Muivah for bringing the Naga National movement to such prominence and for extension of the ongoing cease fire with the Government of India by another six month.
Hulang, former Angh of the NSCN, who also spoke on the occasion spelled out the need in recruiting more educated youth for the Naga national struggle. Calling upon the people to support the movement, Hulang assured that the time for freedom was at hand.
The celebration was attended by several public leaders, village elders and public and undergrounds.