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08/18/2005: "State govt will not be left out of any settlement with ANSAM Patil"

State govt will not be left out of any settlement with ANSAM Patil Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Aug 17: A six member delegation of the North East Peoples Organisation along with Lok Sabha MP, Dr T Meinya called on Union home minister Shivraj Patil today and apprised him of variaous issues confronting Manipur besides detailing the situation arising out of the recent ANSAM economic blockade in Manipur. During the meeting, the NEPO delegation told Patil that the government of India should not bypass Manipur while resolving with the ANSAM the issue of declaration of June 18 as state integrity day. The delegation also warned that bypassing Manipur government while resolving the issue could lead to another incident similar to the one that took place on June 18, 2001. After giving a patient hearing, Patil assured the NEPO delegation that the government of India would never bye pass Manipur while resolving the current issue with ANSAM, according to a informed source from New Delhi. Apprising him of various kinds of extortions being carried out along the national highways in the state, the NEPO delegation told the minister that the NSCN(IM) has been collecting huge amount of money from truckers originating from Manipur. The delegation also asked whether extortion being carried out by the NSCN(IM) is included in the agenda of the peace talk between the outfit and the government of India.

To this, Patil said that the government of India will look into extortions in Nagaland and it is the responsibility of the government of Manipur to look into such extortions being done within its territory. The delegation also told the home minister that people of north east in general and Manipur in particular welcomed the peace talks between the government of India and several underground outfits of the region. The people expected that peace would return to the region with such talks, but the seven years long peace talk between the GOI and the NSCN(IM) has created communal tension in the region owing to NSCN(IM)’s demand for greater Nagaland, the delegation told Shivraj Patil. The delegation also asked the home minister to fulfill the long cherished demands of the Sadar Hills people who have been demanding a full fledged revenue district of Sadar Hills in Manipur for the last 30 years, the source added.
Meanwhile, the International Peace and Social Advancement, IPSA has demanded a white paper on the ongoing peace talk between the government of India and the NSCN(IM) alleging that the peace talks have only created communal tension amongst communities inhabiting the north eastern region.
In a statement, the IPSA further appealed to the Manipur government not to take any hasty decision while negotiating with the ANSAM. Stating that revocation of Manipur government’s order declaring holiday on June 18 as state integrity day is like granting permission for disintegration of Manipur, the IPSA maintained that the matter should not be compromised at any cost. Expressing strong concern over extortions by the NSCN(IM) along the national highways, the IPSA also asked whether the government of India permitted the NSCN(IM) to collect taxes or whether it is part of the agenda of the peace process.
NPF questions PM’s silence on peace process, blames State Cong Imkong refutes allegations, demands for apology Morung Express News August 17
KOHIMA: The Nagaland Peoples’ Front (NPF) has expressed consternation over the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech. The ruling NPF party was quick to issue a statement of regret over what it observed was the Prime Minister’s non-inclusion of political, economic and developmental issues and problems of Nagaland in particular and the North East region in general during his Red Fort Independence Day speech. Mentioning that the Centre was engaged in political talks with both factions of the NSCN, Press Secretary of the NPF, R Paphino, in his press communiqué stated that the ‘pin drop silence’ exhibited by Singh on the Indo-Naga issue in his marathon speech was, “a sheer manifestation of indifferent attitude and insincerity on the part of the United Progressive Alliance Government towards finding a concrete solution to the Naga political problem which remains elusive for more than half a century.”
The NPF has further stated that the ‘well-planned side lining’ of the Naga problem was due to the fact that the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee had earlier misled the UPA Government on the Naga political problem. The NPF has also indicted the NPCC of pressing for non-release of committed funds by the Central Government for development works meant for the people of Nagaland. Reacting to the above mentioned allegations against the NPCC, Leader of Opposition I Imkong said over telephone that such a claim made by the NPF was a figment of its imagination. He further said that the NPF had no locus standi on the issue and challenged the ruling party to either come out with hard evidence to support its claim or apologize to the NPCC. Regarding the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech, the Congress veteran had to say that it was Singh’s responsibility to include matters pertaining to the North East in his address.
Blockade fate to be decided at New Delhi talks with state govt UNC The Imphal Free Press
Senapati, Aug 17: The United Naga Council (UNC) while ridiculing Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh's ethical move in a parliamentary democracy, has said that whether to discontinue or resume the indefinite economic blockade along the national highways leading to Manipur would depend on the much hyped New Delhi talks between the ANSAM representatives and the Manipur government. Talking to Newmai News Network this morning somewhere in Senapati district UNC president Puni Modoli came down heavily on the Manipur chief minister saying that because of the incompetent handling of the issue things had gone to the present stage where the general public in Manipur had to face immense hardship. The UNC president explained that in a parliamentary system any leader whether big or small has to step down from his chair once he said he was wrong.
Dwelling more on this point the president of the apex body of Naga society in Manipur elaborated that ". O Ibobi Singh had expressed regret on the floor of the Manipur Assembly for declaring June 18 as Manipur Integrity Day which became a state holiday,so the matter should have ended there itself for the chief minister--i.e. either to revoke the June 18 declaration or step down as chief minister".

Puni Modoli then quoted senior cabinet minister Th Debendra saying that the latter had disclosed in the Manipur assembly that June 18 declaration decision was taken by the chief minister himself and was not the decision approved by the cabinet. "For this reason there are only two options for Ibobi Singh - one, he should revoke the June 18 declaration or step down from his present post, because this is the only way in a parliamentary style of functioning," stated the UNC president.Heaping more blames on the Manipur chief minister, the UNC president said that economic blockade had created so much hardship both for the valley and the hill people of Manipur "which was the creation of O Ibobi Singh." "Inspite of the hardship faced by the people, Ibobi is still playing dilly dallying tactics with the issue and in the process the chief minister has made the venue of talks more important than the core issue," stated the United Naga Council.

Centre sanctions 1400 km road under ‘Look East policy’ From Tage T Tara Assam Tribune
ITANAGAR, Aug 17 – The Centre has sanctioned 1400 km road to connect the border areas under its "Look East policy" to boost the border trade with China, Bhutan, Myanmar and Tibet, said Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Gegong Apang after unfurling the Tricolour here on August 15. Addressing people on the occasion of Independence Day, Apang said his government is taking all steps to accelerate development in the border areas, modalities for which are being finalised for opening border trade at Blitting (China), Bumla (Tibet) and Pangasu Pas (Myanmar). "This would provide trade routes not only for limited trade but of goods coming from all over the country as an alternative to sea and air transport," he added. As an Independence Day gift to the work force, Apang announced hiked wages at the rate of Rs 57 for unskilled, Rs 62 for semi-skilled and Rs 67 for skilled workers. To address the problems of government officials, Apang said his government has decided to merge DA equal to 50% of its existing basic pay from April 1 next. In the partial exercise of devolution of power to the Panchayati Raj bodies, Apang said that the State Government also decided to give cheque drawal power to the Chairpersons of all the Panchayati Raj institutions.

Having realised the tremendous scope for hydro-power generation in the state, Apang informed that his government announced its eco-freindly power policy to encourage private investment in the field. However, he reiterated that all care would be taken to ensure power generation without causing dislocation to the state's fragile eco-system. In view of state's ill financial health, Apang exhorted its major revenue earning departments to make all out efforts to augment the states revenue so as to meet the precondition to impress upon the Planning Commission to enhance the normal plan allocation.

On the controversial ST status to Mishing community residing in the state, Apang while expressing his sympathy said, the government was aware of their problem. Chief Minister appealed to all the customers of Arunachal Pradesh Co-operative Apex Bank to have faith on the bank and patronize it for the over all development. However, he admitted that the Bank requires some resstructuring to make it more effective. Earlier, Chief Minister took salute from the impressive march past of ITBP, IRBN, APP Bn amd Scouts and Guides, while the colour troopes from various tribal communities performed the traditional dances and songs marked the day long celebration here.

Plans lined up for State to tackle blockades: Duggal promises bigger capacity fuel storage for Manipur, development of NH-53 Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 17: Laying bare a number of plans to help the State tackle economic blockades in the future in the backdrop of the recent economic blockade imposed by ANSAM, Union Home Secretary VR Duggal who arrived at Imphal today said that plans are on to increase the storage capacity of fuel in the State. Addressing a media conference at the banquet hall of Raj Bhawan today, the Union Home Secretary said that he has already held talks with officials of the Indian Oil Corporation and they have endorsed the idea of increasing the storage capacity of fuel.
"The IOC officials have agreed with the suggestions of increasing the storage capacity of fuel in the State and they will expedite the work for the same after studying the current holding position of fuel," he added. Other than this the Centre will also take up all necessary steps to ensure that the State is not starved of essential commodities and the Imphal-Jiri line will be developed, promised the Union Home Secretary. On the developmental plans of NH-53, Duggal said that the Centre is ready to sanction Rs 7/8 crores to convert the highway to a double lane route. The development work of the highway will be entrusted to the BRO, said Duggal and added that work will be taken up in full swing as soon as the post Monsoon season sets in.

"Fund is not a problem. It can be sanctioned either from the Ministry of Road Transport or from the Home Ministry," he informed media-persons. The Home Secretary further said that the Border Roads Organisation has already informed him that about 60 kms along NH-53 are in bad shape with numerous pot holes. The weak bridges on the route have now been strengthened and goods laden trucks weighing 15 tonnes can pass over the bridges, he added. The BRTF will also be entrusted with the task of maintaining the route on a daily basis, said Duggal and added that adequate security force would be deployed on the highway to provide security and foil any attempt to disrupt the smooth flow of traffic.
"In this regard I have held talks with the top brass of Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF and the State police and I also conducted an aerial survey of the route today," informed Duggal. Security forces have been pressed into service to sanitise the route, he said and added that the situation has improved considerably. Replying to a question from the media, the Home Secretary replied that efforts are on to make NH-39 safe and secured.

The matter has already been discussed with the Chief Secretaries and DGPs of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland; he informed and added that the Centre has already instructed the State Governments to provide adequate security along the highways. To another question, Duggal said that the demand raised by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee will be discussed at the appropriate level. On the economic blockade launched by ANSAM, the Home Secretary minced no words and said that political issues should not be used as a tool to make the people suffer. To meet any suffering in the face of such blockades, the Centre has held minute talks with the State Government, informed the Home Secretary. On the primary objective of his visit to the State, Duggal said that he had come to Imphal to review the security measures taken up on the National Highways, to ensure adequate stock of essential commodities including petroleum products.
"In this connection I have held talks with officials of the State Govt," informed Duggal.
Union home secy disappoints Manipur Statesman News Service
IMPHAL, Aug. 17. — Union home secretary Mr VK Duggal today said the 40 tons of essential items air-lifted to Imphal by Indian Airforce aeroplane in the wake of the 52-days long economic blockade by All Naga Students Association of Manipur and Nagaland based NSF on Manipur’s two lifelines the NH-39 and 53 was “ symbolic.”
The secretary, making a whistle-stop visit to Manipur which just came out of unprecedented economic blockade, had little to offer the people of Manipur except an effort to open the NH-53.
On being asked about the blockade of NH-39 that effectively cut-off Manipur from the rest of India, he said the matter was an internal matter of Manipur, forgetting that NH-39 passes through Nagaland where major activities took place. He also said he trusted that people would not play mischief with talks going on. He said that though the central action came 52 days late, it should not be construed that the centre was sitting idle. “There was a lot of negotiation going on and he was meeting chief secretaries and police heads of the states involved, to diffuse the situation,” he added.
Mr Duggal also said he made an aerial survey of the NH-53 and added that for immediate relief, Rs 7 to 8 crore was being released to undertake major repairing work post-monsoon to make the road traffic fit. In the long run the highway will be made double lane. He said he had brought with him key officials of Border Road Organisation, Food Corporation of India and IOC to review the highway, food-stock and petroleum products. He said there was a need to increase capacities and build-up stocks of petroleum products and food grain to make the people self-sufficient.
Mr Duggal further said the carrying capacity of NH-53 has been increased from 10 tons to 15 tons and it can now handle 100 vehicles per day. On the security along the NH-53 he said he would like to see a situation where they would not be needed and the police can take over. On the non-availability of essential items in the market he said the state has now enough stock and the government has to ensure that they are available in the market. Mr Duggal arrived here today from Guwahati and later left for Delhi. During his brief stay he met the chief minister Mr O Ibobi Singh, Governor Dr SS Sidhu, chief secretary and heads of security forces to take stock of the situation. Both chief minister and the Governor left for New Delhi today where there will be a negotiation with ANSAM leaders over the state government’s decision to declare 18 June as holiday and State Integrity day over which ANSAM launched the economic strike. Mr Ibobi Singh goes to New Delhi with a strong warning from frontline Manipur organisations against any step to retract his government’s decision on the holiday. United Committee of Manipur has strongly warned that it would launch a massive agitation if the state government does a U-turn on the holiday decision.
Bill on municipal act denied assent kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Aug 17: Chief minister Neiphiu Rio’s Independence Day announcement of empowering municipal bodies has suffered a setback with governor Shyamal Datta refusing to give assent to the Nagaland First Amendment Bill, 2005. The government will now have to “rectify the bill in the Assembly session beginning tomorrow. The Nagaland First Amendment Bill, 2005, was an amendment of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001, under which elections to 18 municipal bodies in the state were held early this year. Following the governor’s decision to send the bill for reconsideration, the municipal bodies are now “technically illegal”. Elections to the 16 town councils and two municipal councils were held early this year and the bodies constituted. “If we strictly go by the law, the municipal bodies are illegal and unconstitutional,” said a senior bureaucrat.

The government has violated Articles 243-R and 243-T of the Constitution in constituting these civic bodies, a source said. The violations were allegedly on two counts. One, the Constitution makes it clear that the municipal bodies may have only elected members, but there are nominated ones here. Two, it is mandatory to have one-third of the seats reserved for women. There are hardly any women in any of these local bodies: the government said women did not come forward to contest. The government, however, argued that as this was the first time that the municipalities had been formed, such “errors” should be condoned. The Chumukedima town council was constituted even after the governor’s refusal to give assent to the bill. Six Congress members had staged a walkout in protest against the development but the ruling party went ahead with the election of a new chairman.
“There is a court case pending, but they are unwilling to listen,” said state Congress president, Hokheto Sumi. Sources said members of the Chumukedima town council were today summoned to the Raj Bhavan to provide a clarification

Monsoon session of Nagaland Assembly begins Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Aug 17 :Opposition Congress is all set to raise issues of corruption, anomalies in school textbook distribution, appointment of teachers, on-going probe into NPSC and present law and order situation in Nagaland when the monsoon session of the State Assembly begins here tomorrow. Congress Legislature Party (CLP) at a meeting here yesterday discussed strategy to be adopted during the three-day session of the house after the party published a “white paper” enlisting failures of Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government in 20 areas recently. Besides laying the usual supplementary demand for grants, the government is likely to introduce the Nagaland Money Lending Bill 2005 and amended Nagaland Municipal Bill during the session. The municipal bill, earlier passed by the house, was returned by the Governor recently pointing out certain anomalies. According to sources, DAN legislators also held a meeting ahead of tomorrow’s assembly session. –PTI

NH-53 double laning to begin by Sep-Oct this year: VK Duggal Imphal Free Press
Imphal, Aug 17: There will be no shortage of funds from the central government for construction, maintenance and development of National Highway 53. An amount of Rs. 7 to 8 crores will be made available to upgrade the route to double lane and a long term plan is being worked out to have the Border roads organisation handle its upkeep. The plan is to see execution by the last week of September or first week of October after the end of the rainy season. The visiting Union home secretary VK Duggal said this after arriving this morning at Imphal on a brief one day visit. He also stated that the Union ministry of petroleum had assured to increase the stock of the petroleum products in the state from the current quantity. Speaking to mediapersons at a press conference in Imphal, VK Duggal stated that he had a view of the national highway on his way to Imphal from Guwahati and the actual situation of the road after briefing by the state chief secretary.

Stating that the condition of a stretch of about 60 to 70 kms on the NH-53 is not good he expressed that after taking stock of the situation on the NH-53, the union ministry of home affairs had taken three decisions giving emphasis to the said road in particular in the larger interest of the people. Elaborating the three decisions, Duggal said the border road organisation will ensure day to day maintenance and construction of the road regularly. The present condition of the road having only the capacity of bearing only upto 10 tonnes will be improved soon and increased to 15 tonnes. The required upgradation work is on. The present restriction to 100 numbers of trucks in one trip will be increased to 120. Regarding this he had informed the concerned authorities, he disclosed. Stating that the centre is looking for a long term project for the development of the NH 53, the home secretary added that for improving the road, a fund of Rs 7 to 8 crores will be provided by the centre.
On the security question, he said that adequate number of security posts have been opened for the swift flow of vehicles on this road. He stated that to review the present security set up on this route, the state chief secretary who is also in charge of the home department will hold a meeting with top officials of the security establishment to assess the security requirement on this route for full protection from anti-social elements. Regarding a query about the scarcity of food in the state he said that as there was enough foodgrain stock in the state according to his assessment there nothing to worry about. Moreover, atleast 100 goods carrying trucks were also coming into the state every day an the average with security escort, he added. Conceding that there is a shortage of petroleum products in the state, he said he had consulted the related ministry and the ministry had agreed to find out ways to relieve the shortage at the earliest by increasing the quota for the state.
Talking about the problems faced along the NH-39, Duggal stated that he had a talk with the top officials of Nagaland about the matter and had directed them to take up all the necessary measures to insure safe passage of the truckers passing through their territory. the home secretary, it may be mentioned, had come to the state for a brief one day visit to take stock of the situation regarding security measures on the national highways and other related issues arising out of the recent ANSAM economic blockade on the national highways. The team of the union home ministry had arrived at Imphal by a special aircraft of the ministry this morning. As soon as they arrived at Imphal the team directly proceeded to Raj Bhavan and called on the Governor of the state, Dr. SS Sidhhu and chief minister O Ibobi Singh and discussed the problems that the state is facing now in the aftermath of the ANSAM economic blockade including the food shortage as a result of the prolonged blockade.
The team also held a meeting with top officials of the state including the state chief secretary and the DGP along with the top brass of the central security forces deployed in the state to review the security measures taken up by the state along the NH-53 for the safe passage of truckers. The visiting team along with the governor and chief minister of the state left the state capital for New Delhi concluding their brief visit to the state.

Questionnaire on Naga issue raise eyebrows Morung Express News august 17
Imphal: In what could be seen as an act that could have far reaching effect on the political process for a settlement to the Indo-Naga issue, security forces in Manipur have reportedly been distributing questionnaires to the public in some selected areas in the hill districts of Manipur. The intention behind this scheme is yet to be ascertained, but it comes at a highly significant time, especially in the wake of recent developments centered around the issue of unification of Naga areas.
A copy of the questionnaire was reportedly made available to an Imphal based newspaper by a Kuki student body. The questionnaire is said to have been distributed to village chiefs of the Saikul area in Manipur. At the time of filing this story, it is learnt that the questionnaire is being distributed only in the non-Naga areas of the hill districts of Manipur. The questionnaire comprises of the following questions:
Is Nagalim practical reality?
Should Naga dominated districts of Manipur merge with Nagaland?
What will be the status of other ethnic minorities in Naga dominated hill districts be if merged with Nagaland?
In case Nagalim becomes a reality should it remain part of India or seek independence?
Is the economic blockade of the Manipur State by ANSAM a right step towards bringing the Naga cause in the forefront of State and National politics?
Do you support burning of district administrative offices as part of the economic blockade/non-cooperation movement?
Will resignation of Naga MLAs help the Naga cause in Manipur?
Do you feel you will be better off as part of Nagaland?
Do you support the extension of ceasefire between the security forces and the NSCN (I-M)?
Do you support the ethnic cleansing of non-Nagas from the hill districts of Manipur?
ANSAM appeals to M’rashtra CM Morung Express News August 17 Imphal: The All Naga Students Association of Manipur has appealed to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Vilasrao Desmukh to provide necessary security arrangements for the Nagas in Maharashtra State in general. The student body has also called for the immediate dispensation of justice and compensation to the families of the two Naga girls who were assaulted in Mumbai recently. It may be mentioned that the assault resulted in the death of one of the girls and injury to the other. The ANSAM has further stated that the Association would not tolerate such kinds of heinous crimes being perpetrated upon innocent Naga citizens residing in different parts of India.
Secret Killings report embarrasses Gogoi GOVERNMENT rejects Sarma panel report GUWAHATI, August 17 (Agencies): It has been Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s summer of discontent. First it was the repeal of the IMDT Act and now the Commission on ‘secret killings’ set up by Gogoi has absolved Prafulla Mahanta and BJP President L K Advani of all charges. The two leaders have been alleged by Gogoi to have masterminded the killings of families of ULFA cadres during the AGP regime. The State Cabinet also decided not to accept the report of the Justice JN Sarma Commission probing the incidents of secret killings. The Cabinet also decided to wind up the Commission. Addressing a press conferenc, Gogoi said that the Government found lots of glaring discrepancies in the first report of the Commission and decided not to accept its findings. He said that the Commission relied more on the reports of the police than on the reports given by the families of the victims and the report was full of contradictions.
The Chief Minister revealed that the Government is planning to form a new commission headed by a Supreme Court Judge to inquire into the secret killings. When asked whether the Government is keen on instituting a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the secret killings, he said that a CBI probe would take years to complete and a judicial probe can be completed in a shorter period of time. It may be mentioned here that Justice Sarma submitted his first report to the Government on three incidents of killing including, the killings of Jyotish Sarma, Dr Dharanidhar Das and his family members and kidnapping and missing of two youths from Tezpur on August 12. The Chief Minister said that Justice Sarma, in his report, contradicted himself. He admitted that in one part of the report, he had admitted that there was a definite conspiracy behind the secret killings, but later in the same report, he contradicted himself, the Chief Minister said. He further pointed out that there was a massive public outcry in the entire State against the secret killings and "we instituted a judicial probe into the incidents to find out the conspiracy behind such killings and to find out the persons behind the conspiracy." Reacting to the demand by BJP leader Pramod Mahajan for an apology by the Chief Minister for accusing BJP president LK Advani for his alleged involvement in the secret killings, Gogoi said, "Let the AGP and BJP claim that no secret killings took place in the State. Former Chief Minister P. Mahanta had once admitted in a meeting of his party that the Government, during his tenure indulged in such killings as per the directive of the Central Government. Mahajan is now claiming that no secret killing took place."
Bring secret killers to book: AASUGUWAHATI, Aug 17 (Agencies): Lambasting the recent JN Sharma Commission report on secret killings in the State, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) demanded that the State Government treat "the sensitive issue" in a sincere and serious manner. "The people of Assam wanted justice, they wanted the JN Sharma Commission’s report to be fair, which did not turn to be the case," said AASU president Shankar Prasad Roy, in a press conference on Aug 16. "It is a fake investigation which did not identify a single secret killer, even though so many secret killings took place across the State for such a long time" he noted. Welcoming a cabinet decision of the Assam Government not to accept the JN Sharma Commission report, Roy, however, warned that any new investigation must not be swayed by political compulsions. Roy said that the Union would launch a State-wide protest march on August 22 against the Government’s failure to identify the perpetrators of secret killings.
India’s Look East policy a non-starter column Morong Express
It’s an idea whose time has not come yet. On November 22 last year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh flagged off the first ever India-ASEAN car rally in Guwahati amidst much fanfare. The non-competitive rally, organised by CII, is supposed to have emphasized India’s newfound stress on the ‘Look East’ policy signifying new trade initiatives with the country’s eastern neighbours and ASEAN countries. In a space of a fortnight, the rally passed through India’s North-east and eight countries starting with Myanmar and ending in Indonesia covering a distance of over 8,000 km. Sitting in New Delhi, mandarins of the Ministry of External Affairs and the CII patted themselves on the back for the grand rally. The rally was supposed to have emphasized India’s “Look East,” policy bringing in multiple benefits for the seven states of the north-east and its immediate neighbours like Myanmar. The high and mighty of CII was present in full force at the photo-op in Guwahati.
We in the media lapped up the event giving out reams of newsprint and television time but even nearly eight months after the grandiose ceremony, questions are beginning to be raised about the real gains of the event, especially for those who live in the north-east. The facilities on ground are so abysmal even now that it would perhaps take years before big time trade can really take off. I had an occasion to get into Myanmar ahead of the car rally by traveling between Imphal and Moreh last year.
Eight months later last week, I traveled the other stretch between Dimapur and Imphal via Kohima and Senapati on NH 39. And I am sorry to say nothing has changed. To begin with, the road is not ready for any heavy traffic. At most places, the NH is a katcha road. There is no infrastructure worth the name on ground. I remember on the rally days last year, on the stretch of NH 39 in Nagaland and Manipur, all normal traffic had to be shut down; heavily armed security personnel had to escort the participants throughout the journey. The threats that existed then are present even now. Most people know that different underground groups have divided the highway into their own exclusive territories where they extort money (militant leaders prefer to call them taxes!). It adds to the cost of transportation by at least about Rs 2,000 per vehicle in ‘taxes in each trip.’ New Delhi and Yangon have talked big about trading through the Moreh-Tamu border. But the ground reality is far removed from the grand intentions. Very few Myanmarese customs or immigration authorities understand English, which is a major impediment. Then there are physical constraints to overcome. Tamu, a fairly big border town inside Myanmar, has very poor communication facility with capital Yangon as we discovered last year. Not that Moreh is any better. Telecommunication from Moreh is still very primitive. Moreh will not become a throbbing trading point unless government policies change on either side. The intentions are certainly grand. Rajiv Sikri, Secretary (East) in the MEA had said in Guwahati: “We hope to soon see a road connecting Guwahati to Hanoi to Singapore. Efforts are also on to have a railway link established between the northeast and Myanmar. A feasibility study has been undertaken. Airlines of major Asian nations have also agreed to fly through Guwahati on an unlimited basis, raising hopes for boosting trade in the region. “When all these plans get fully effective, trade and commerce between India and the other Asian nations would increase and the northeastern region would get the maximum benefit,” Sikri had prounounced. After having resurveyed the road and other facilities agains, it is clear that there is a major disconnect between policy and implementation. None of decision makers in Delhi seem to have taken into account hurdles such as security concerns, poor infrastructure facilities, including the state of the road network and disturbed conditions on the border areas. There are certain other questions that disturb me even more. For instance, will India’s Look East Policy by-pass the north eastern states? Will the seven states of the region remain an underbelly of the bridge between ‘mainland’ India and South-east Asian countries? Or the more relevant question: is the region ready to take advantage of the grand opportunity that the “Look East” Policy may offer. There are no clear-cut answers yet but one aspect stands out at this moment. Neither India’s north-east nor Myanmar, its immediate neighbour on the east and an important component of the grand trans-Asian highway, are ready for any serious trade or tourism. Clearly, despite all the hype and hoopla over “Look East,” New Delhi will have to look within before trade can flourish on India’s eastern border.
(The writer, currently Associate Editor of Tehelka, The people’s paper, has been a media practitioner in the northeast for the past 22 years)
WRITE WING NPSC as I see it Sentimongla Morung Nagaland has always been portrayed as a state ravaged by its vexed political problem and the ugly head of corruption which has time and again protruded out and made its presence known everywhere. At every point in time for the right thinking citizens it has been a ceaseless struggle to paint this distorted picture otherwise and as everywhere else their concerted efforts has always been met with indifference and callousness and many a times resisted by individuals and groups with shallow thoughts and self interest. Looking at the current trend in which the state of affairs is heading one cannot help but question that somewhere down the line something is terribly wrong and today Nagaland stands at a crossroad between the devil and the cliff. 2005 has seen many unfortunate or rather shameful incidents in the Naga calendar year. The most recent being the alleged tryst of NPSC and the bribery scam, which has made infamous headlines nationwide. This incident has shaken the pillars of the Naga society to its very core. Over the decades, this institution has been held in the highest esteem for the constructive part played by it in the progress of the State. It has almost been revered and referred to as the pinnacle of success for thousands of youngsters in Nagaland. It has been the very epitome of the civil society and is synonymous to the modern and progressive culture that we all live in today. It has rendered great service to the people, but time and again there have also been talks about the prevalence of corruption within its folds. It is no secret that many youngsters have been disappointed and disillusioned by such tales making the rounds. There were of course denials and hand washing from every quarter in this high power drama. A contract LDA of NPSC office approaches the Controller of examination of NPSC with Rs 10 lakh in his hands to buy the selection of two “aspiring” candidates for the preliminary examination 2005. The Controller however rejects this proposal and reports it to the bigwigs of the Commission office who promptly terminates the LDAs service and bars the other from appearing in the examination. This comes to light only on May, whereas according to fact findings it took place in the month of February. The whole matter was hushed up because it involved some very powerful people in this highly charged drama. The feeble excuse that was later given by the Commission was that it was done so to preserve the sanctity of the office. When this episode came to light there was uproar all over Nagaland and many at last found the voice to express personal grievances against the office. For most part, the state government remained a mute spectator, and when the matter became too hot to handle, the case was handed over to the Nagaland vigilance department. For many, the investigation made by the vigilance department is a no show, and demands only a C.B.I probe. Time only will tell who or what is the rotten apple in the whole basket. But for now every anger is directed towards the NPSC and unless the truth unfolds (if it does) the question of the sanctity and sanity of the Naga society is at stake, not forgetting the serious repercussions that it will have on the mindset of the Naga youngsters in the future.