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09/01/2005: "Unified Naga Homeland; foundation of any political settlement"

Unified Naga Homeland; foundation of any political settlement Morung express Chizokho Vero
August 31
KOHIMA (MExN): Tens of thousands of Nagas from all Naga inhabited areas today voiced their strong desire to the Government of India and to the world that Nagas want to live together in one land as one family. In the historic Naga Integration Rally held here at the Kohima Local Ground, people from all corners of the Naga homeland today reaffirmed their long commitment to live together as one people in a unified Naga homeland.
Later, a declaration (see separate text) was read out by Naga Hoho vice president Keviletuo Kiewhuo with people raising their hand in acceptance of the declaration. "Let us unitedly declare to the world today that Naga are one and that we shall live as one people under our land. Let us fight till we live together as one family," said Naga Hoho President Horangse Sangtam. Talking to The Morung Express, Naga Hoho General Secretary Neingulo Krome said that today’s rally was a step to bring Nagas together towards achieving unity and reconciliation and termed the rally as a historic achievement. Nagaland Home Minister Thenucho in his address said that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution in support of integration four times and said ever since the Naga people became politically conscious, in the modern sense of the term, they had sought to exist as a people. "Unfortunately, the modern Naga history has been such that the Naga people had to be divided under different administrative units. "With the coming of age and understanding of the vital issues, it is only natural that Nagas have this strong burning desire to come together under one administrative umbrella," Thenucho added.
In his speech, Leader of the Opposition I. Imkong called for formulating, in ‘concrete terms’, the political aspirations of the Naga people in the context of the changed global political scenario. Describing today’s integration rally as ‘historic’, the CLP leader said the gathering was demonstrative of the solidarity of Naga leaders to bring all the Naga people under one administrative umbrella. "It was the dream of our forefathers that Nagas should live as members of one family, in love and harmony", Imkong said in his address. MP Lok Sabha from outer Manipur, Mani Charanamei said that the need to demand for integration/reunification of Naga territories under one political entity had been necessitated because the land of the Nagas was divided without their consent. "No civilized people in today’s world would accept such injustice". He said the time had come to question the wisdom of the Government of India to keep the Naga family divided in different states. Mani also sincerely appealed to the Meiteis, the Assamese and other communities, "Understand the desire and aspiration of the Naga people to accept the reality and lend your support to the just cause of your neighbors as there can be no one in this world who can understand the long suffering and our struggle better than you."
In his address Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, Executive member, World Baptist Alliance said: "We are gathered here today to reaffirm and declare that Nagas are one, whether they are in Assam, Arunachal, Manipur or in Myanmar". Dr. Aier told the rally that they were here to make a clear statement that Naga nationalism without integration of the Naga areas is folly. "What good will it be to work for Naga rights without talking of the land rights of the Nagas. Naga rights and land rights go hand in hand", he said. An NPMHR representative, who spoke at the rally, reaffirmed the right of the Naga people to live as one geo-political entity while the NSF President V. Pushika Aomi declared that the younger generation would not endorse or accept any solution without integrating the contiguous Naga areas. "Population and specific boundary is pre-requisites for any sovereign nation, thus for Nagas, land and its people can never be separated", he said. NMA President Khesheli Chishi said that Naga mothers had lost much more than the men folk. "The children whom we bore and gave birth to were cruelly snatched away from our noses," she said. "We are prepared to further enhance whatever sacrifice may be required to translate our dreams into reality." Others who spoke on the occasion included, Nagaland Lok Sabha MP Wangyuh Konyak, MLA (Manipur) Samuel Jindai, Naga representative of Arunachal Pradesh, Jawang Sumpra, Naga representative from Assam I. Jeme and Rev. Dr. VK Nuh, General Secretary, CNBC.
Naga tribes demand homeland on India, Myanmar border Nagarealm
KOHIMA, India, Ag 31 (Reuters) - A fierce Christian hill tribe took to the streets in India's remote northeast on Wednesday to raise a new demand for a homeland sliced out of areas dominated by them in India and neighbouring Myanmar. Thousands of tribesmen, many wearing traditional headgear made of bamboo sticks and feathers, and women with handwoven shawls around their waists marched through Kohima, the capital of India's Nagaland state, carrying spears and placards.
At a public rally, Naga leaders reiterated their demand for an expansion of Nagaland to include Naga-dominated parts of neighbouring Indian states, and made a new call for the inclusion of parts of northern Myanmar as well. "No artificial boundaries can separate us, let the world know the Nagas are one and want to live like a family," said Wangyuh Konyak, the sole member of India's parliament from Nagaland at the rally in Kohima, a small town perched on a ridge and surrounded by cloud-covered mountains. Two million Nagas live in the remote state of Nagaland, another million in neighbouring states and roughly the same number across the border in the forested hills of Myanmar.
Separatist Naga rebels have been fighting Indian and Myanmarese government forces for independence for five decades, after British colonial rulers left the sub-continent in 1947.
The conflict has left more than 20,000 dead, mostly on the Indian side, until the most powerful Naga rebel group signed a ceasefire with the Indian government in 1997. Since then the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah), has been campaigning for the unification of Naga-dominated territory into a single "Nagalim" or Nagaland. It is a demand fiercely opposed by other ethnic groups in the northeast and by New Delhi. The NSCN (IM) and their allies stepped up their campaign in June and July by blockading roads leading to the neighbouring state of Manipur for more than 50 days.
Tensions with the Meitei people of Manipur have risen since Nagas began pushing for an expansion of their territory. Observers say the issue has complicated the search for peace in India's northeast, home to scores of separatist rebel groups.
Culturally and ethnically different from the rest of the country, Nagas were headhunters, divided into 32 constantly warring tribes, until the arrival of British colonial troops and American Baptist missionaries in the 19th century. Since then, united by common traditions and by the Christian faith, they have forged a strong sense of nationhood. "All Nagas want to live together as one people in a unified Naga homeland, and that integration of all Naga areas must be the foundation of any political settlement," Naga tribal and political leaders said in a declaration in Kohima on Wednesday.
SF delay rally-bound vehicles Daniel Dhovee Morung express August 31
SENAPATI AUG 31 (MExN): 202 vehicles including four Shaktiman trucks carrying participants to the Integration Rally at Kohima crossed Mao Gate today. Most of these vehicles were jam-packed with enthusiastic participants. However, complaints received by members of the Naga contingent from Manipur have revealed that they were stopped and thoroughly checked by security personnel of the Assam Rifles at Karong, Manipur. They have termed such an act on the part of the security personnel as unprecedented and uncalled for. For this very reason, reports have indicated, they reached the Kohima Local Ground only after the programme had started. Meanwhile, all business establishments at Senapati downed their shutters today as a mark of solidarity towards the rally. Local taxis did not ply on the roads of the district either.
Kohima Rally: Nagas pledge for unification Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Aug 31: In the biggest turn out so far by Nagas at a gathering, over fifty thousand people drawn from all walks of life today attended the Naga Integration rally called by Naga Hoho in Kohima. Significantly the rally also came out with an open declaration, which read “ On this day in the year of the Lord, the 31st of August, 2005, we the Naga people gathered here at Kohima from all the corners of the Naga homeland, representing our respective communities unequivocally reaffirm our lifelong commitment for all Nagas to live together as one people in a unified Naga homeland, and that integration of all Naga areas must be the foundation of any political settlement”.

Organizers claimed that over 50,000 people representing various Naga tribes from Nagaland, Assam and Manipur attended the rally. The rally also had a noteworthy impact with the 23 MLAs from Nagaland, four MLAs from Manipur and two Lok Sabha MPs, one each from Nagaland and Manipur attending the four-hour long function at the local ground, Kohima. Not dented by rains, denizens remained seated under umbrella cover to patiently listen to the speeches from various speakers.

Adding flavour to the rally was the stupendous songs and music performed by the Chancel Choir, Mokokchung, Naga Boys, Eastern Theological College, Jorhat (Assam) and traditional melody. Setting the tone was a traditional blessing rendered by Kevimedo Rutsa and opening prayer by Rev. Dr. Neiliezhü Usou. Delivering the welcome address, Naga Hoho president Horangse Sangtam urged upon the gathering to reaffirm their support to the ongoing peace process between Government of India and the Naga leaders and reminded the Government of India to be sincere and accelerate the pace of the talks to reach an honourable solution to the 60 years-old Indo-Naga political impasse.

“Let us unitedly declare to the world today that Nagas are one and that we shall live as "one people under our land". "Let us fight till we live together as one family,” the Naha Hoho president said, adding, "the desire of the Nagas to live as one people is legitimate and non-negotiable."
Nagaland home minister Thenucho said the DAN government would uphold the solemn trust of the people and will continue to pursue the aspiration of the people till it become a reality.

“We are not Nagas by choice but by birth. It is fate and destiny to be a Naga and hence, ever since the Naga people became politically conscious, in the modern sense of the term, we have sought to exist as a people” he said while making a references to the previous agreement. It may be recalled here that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on four occasions has passed unanimously the support to Naga integration. Khesheli Chishi, president Naga Mothers Association assured that the mothers will not be found wanting "on our part when that necessity knocks on our door."

Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights secretary general Nepuni Piku said that NPMHR believes that the unification of all Naga people and their ancestral lands into one political entity is a natural fundamental necessity and further reaffirmed that the right of the Naga people to live as one geo-political entity and that the unification of Naga areas is inalienable towards Nagas exercising their sovereign rights. Rev. Wati, executive, member World Baptist Alliance said, “We are here to make a clear statement that Naga nationalism without integration of the Naga areas is folly”. “What good will it be to work for Naga rights without talking of the land rights of the Nagas. Naga rights and land rights go hand in hand” he added. I. Imkong, leader of the Opposition of the Nagaland Assembly, Nagaland Lok Sabha MP W. Wanguh Konyak, Manipur Outer Lok Sabha MP Mani Charanamei, MLA Samuel Jendai from Tamenglong A/C, Naga Students Federation president Phusika , I..Jemi, Naga representatives of Assam, Rev VK Nuh also spoke at the gathering. Dr. Hokhishe, DAN, chairman and Naga representative from Arunachal Pradesh Jawang Sumpa’s messages were read out as they could not attend the rally.(NNN)
Voices in the crowd Sano Meru August 31 Morung express
KOHIMA (MExN): A large crowd of non-locals attended the rally today to express their support towards the integration issue. Garo and Dimasa Kacharis, attired in their traditional costumes were also seen at the Local Ground, Kohima besides Marwari business community from Dimapur. Talking to The Morung Express, Ahmed Reza, President of the Muslim Indigenous Community of Dimapur said they were 5th generation Muslims living in Nagaland and that they fully understood the rightful claim of the Nagas to live as one. Habidul Haq and Sahidul, from the Muslim Welfare Society echoed that the situation of the Nagas had been created out of historical blunder. SK Khemprai of the Kachari Council said the problem of the Nagas was similar to that of the Kacharis. When this correspondent interviewed some of the Marwari businessmen present, they expressed the view that a solution to the Naga problem would enable them to carry out their business peacefully.
Just a few impressions…… Morung express
Kohima, AUG 31 (MExN): "Unification of the Naga homeland is not only a birth right of every Naga but a God-given and God- led aspiration" this resounding proclamation was pronounced in every speech, song and even in the prayers at the rally. The massive crowd speaks for itself the reality of this dream and desire. ‘I have never seen any crowd like this in Kohima’ was a respond from many.
The rains that could have been considered as trouble or interference did not deter the spirit of participation. In fact, an elderly lady was overjoyed with the coming of the rain and said that our ancestors always believed that when the rain comes to a special occasion, the heavenly blessings are being released to that occasion and in the years to come the blessings will be made known through riches and gain’, she said. As the elder who blessed the rally in traditional style said, ‘those who did not come to a feast like this are losers and their spirit will be unpleasant today’. ‘We must not be unhappy with them, we can only feel sorry for them’. It is not the speeches that made the difference; it is the coming together of the people as one Nation, one family. Solidarity means coming together to claim what we believe as right and true. The message of solidarity from Eastern Nagas who are presently living in Burma reminded that there are other family members who may be omitted or uncounted maybe due to sheer forgetfulness. But in a rally like this, the journey of the unseen, unheard and unspoken must be saluted with honour and recognition.
Morung returns to its rightful place; ‘Morung’ a Konyak word Morung Express News August 31
DIMAPUR: The origin of the word ‘Morung’ used by the Nagas to mean the traditional educational institution of early Nagas’ bachelors dormitory, has been traced to the Konyak Nagas and not an Assamese word as hitherto widely believed. This significant finding surfaced from a research by a cultural scholar A. Yanang Konyak from Tizit, Mon district. Konyak had presented his paper ‘Morung of the Konyaks’ at the second and final day of the two-day seminar, August 31, organized by the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) Dimapur, and accordingly put into a resolution by scholars and researchers in attendance at the occasion. The resolution adopted at the seminar by eminent cultural personalities and intellectuals both from the State as well as from several other states from the North East, resolved in a formal declaration that the word ‘Morung’ is not an Assamese term but Naga originating from the dialect of the Konyak Nagas. The scholar presenting his findings said that the word ‘Morung’ was derived from an inadvertent misinterpretation which gave rise to the word. According to the findings based on documentary proof, there existed an Ahom Prince by the name of Gadapani, also called Gadathor Hingha (1681-1696) who took refuge in the Naga Hills when Laluk Bora Pukhan who claimed the Ahom throne plotted to murder the former. During his exile, Gadathor Hingha took membership in a Naga bachelors’ dormitory and in course of time married a Konyak Girl called Watlong (also known as Dalimi and after whose memory the present name of Naginimora was given).Following the matrimonial alliance, the Ahoms of Sivasagar frequently visited the Konyak villages and settlements. The Ahoms in their visits observed Konyak dormitories resembling the ‘Rangghars’ (out buildings or dormitories) in Sivasagar, Assam. The Ahoms then enquired if the dormitories belong to the Konyaks to which the Nagas answered "Mor-rang hoi" ("yes, my dormitory" [or house). The Konyaks thought ‘Rang’ in Ahomia meant ‘dormitory’ while the Ahoms on the other hand thought ‘Mor-rang’ (‘Mor’-My, ‘Rang’ -dormitory/ house) was the actual term Konyaks used to call their dormitories. Hence, the word ‘Morung’ took root and since then became the common word for bachelors’ dormitory in Naga.
Yanang Konyak said that in conclusion ‘Morung’ was originally a Konyak word derived from the ‘misinterpreted’ word ‘Mor-rung’ to mean ‘my dormitory’. In his paper Konyak also stated that he undertook research and contacted people from the other states particularly of the plains. In the course of his research he found that neither does the Assamese have a Morung system in their society nor the word ‘Morung’ in their lexicon or dialects.
Imkong moots 3-points for road map Morung Express News August 31
DIMAPUR: In a politically significant statement Leader of the Opposition I. Imkong today called for formulating, in ‘concrete terms’, the political aspirations of the Naga people in the context of the changed global political scenario. In an oblique reference to the current peace process, Imkong laid out three specific measures to be considered at an early date. This included, the call for a cease-fire among the different groups of the Underground and general public; reconciliation among all sections of the Naga people with each other and a call to unite without reservations; and third, that all sections of the Naga people should support the UG National leaders to negotiate with the Government of India for an amicable settlement of the Naga political problem.
The CLP leader also took time out to clarify on the controversial booklet ‘Bedrock of Naga Society’. Imkong made it clear that, the author himself had stated in one of the political rallies: "the very reason for writing the booklet has served its purpose, let this be put at rest". Speaking in front of the mammoth gathering Imkong said that he was putting it on record that the booklet was a closed chapter. "Let the past rancors and hatchet be buried. Let us unite to go forward with peace and prosperity", he said. In a significant statement the Congress leader also said that the integration issue was not a new agenda but one which was as ‘old as the Naga political awakening".
Imkong however pointed out that division of people into factions and the resulting violence and killings had become the most contentious issue facing Naga society. He asked people to cultivate the spirit of forgive and forget and called for a process of reconciliation to heal the wounds. "It is difficult to forget but in the interest of the people, we have to forgive for the wrongs done to us. That is the spirit which has to be cultivated", he said. Calling on people to bury past hatchets Imkong said that only by creating a peaceful atmosphere could one hope to remove fear-psychosis and "truth will start coming out of our minds". "It is the truth alone that can make us free from all evils and infirmities", he said. While expressing commitment of the Congress to work for unity of all sections of the Naga people, Imkong said it was only through unity that an honorable solution of the Naga problem could be secured. "A united Naga voice will be more honourable and acceptable than voices of different groups". On the issue of integration, Imkong pointed out that the issue embraced several States in the Northeast region and cautioned that a violent approach could only negate Nagas objective. "Only through peaceful and democratic means alone, can we achieve our goal".
Maos for unity Sano Meru August 31
Kohima ( MExN): President of Mao Council, KH Tasoni, while talking to The Morung Express, asserted that he was positive the predictions made by their forefathers that all Nagas would be finally integrated would definitely come true. Whatever happened in the past is gone and we can do nothing about it, he said.It is up to the present generation to fulfill what all the Nagas aspire for, he added. He further said that the huge gathering of Nagas from all over was a very encouraging sign and a positive statement for Naga integration. He expressed that there was no sense of belonging under the Meiteis as they were different from them in every aspect, be it language, culture or in social aspects. He voiced that the Maos discriminated socially and politically by the Meiteis to the extent that they were not even welcome to their hearth. He asserted that as long as they were under a different government they would not be able to work and build up the society and that the environment is such that it is not congenial for their development. Another member of the Mao community echoed along the same lines. He stated that it was the wish of all the Mao people that the artificial boundaries be erased.
50,000 Nagas pledge for unification Indo-Asian News Service Hindustan times
Kohima, August 31, 2005Thousands of tribal Nagas on Wednesday pledged to unite and stay under one administrative set-up, giving a big push to a frontline separatist group's demand for unification of all Naga inhabited areas in the region. More than 50,000 Nagas attended a pro-unification rally organised by the Naga Hoho, the apex tribal council, in this Nagaland capital.
"The response was overwhelming with the rally concluding with an open declaration reaffirming the commitment for integration of all Naga inhabited areas in the northeast," Naga Hoho general secretary N Krome said. Several ministers and legislators from Nagaland and adjoining Manipur attended the rally, as did rebel leaders from groups like the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) and the Naga National Council (NNC).
"Unification of Naga dominated areas in the northeast is not a demand but a historical right," Mani Charenamai, an MP from Manipur, told the rally. Rally organisers claimed hundreds of Naga tribals from the adjoining states of Manipur, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh attended the congregation. The rally assumes significance as peace talks with the NSCN-IM have been deadlocked in recent months with New Delhi virtually rejecting the group's demand for unification. The NSCN-IM, the oldest and the most powerful of around 30 rebel groups in India's northeast, wants the creation of a Greater Nagaland by slicing off parts of Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh that have sizeable Naga tribal populations. The Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh governments have already rejected the NSCN demand for unifying Naga dominated areas. The NSCN-IM has been holding peace talks with New Delhi following a ceasefire between the two sides since 1997. Although the NSCN-IM was expected to get a major boost from Wednesday's rally, there were signs of unrest in the adjoining states.
"We are not going to part with even an inch of our territory," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said. Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh echoed similar views. "We shall not allow our territorial integrity to be affected," he said. The issue of unifying Naga inhabited areas in the northeast has already sparked angry clashes and protests, with Manipur taking the lead in trying to stop New Delhi from conceding to the NSCN-IM demand.
"If required, we shall shed blood to prevent the government from trying to redraw the map of the northeast," said T. Singh, a civil rights campaigner in Manipur capital Imphal. A rival NSCN faction headed by SS Khaplang claimed several Naga tribes boycotted the rally and do not endorse the unification campaign. "The rally does not represent the views of the entire Naga community," a senior NSCN-Khaplang leader said. There are an estimated three million tribal Nagas in the northeast, with Nagaland state alone accounting for about 1.9 million of them. Nagaland, where more than 25,000 people have lost their lives to insurgency since India's independence in 1947, is a Christian majority state of two million people.
Accept ‘reality’, says Charenamai The Imphal Free Press

Kohima, Aug 31 (NNN): Lok Sabha MP from Manipur Outer Parliamentary Constituency Mani Charenamei has called upon the neighbouring communities to accept the "reality". Mani Charenamei today appealed, while delivering a speech at a mammoth gathering at Kohima Local Ground, to the neighbouring communities to accept the reality and lend their support to the just cause of the Nagas.
The Lok Sabha MP pledged his unflinching support to the just and the rightful cause of Naga until an honourable solution is attained. “The on-going peace talks between the government of India and the NSCN (IM) collective leadership is an important political step to realize the reunification of our territories into one political unit”, Charenamai said, and stressed on the need to strengthen the ongoing peace process so that both parties can arrive at an amicable solution. Making a strong reference to the Naga integration, the MP said the Nagas should be watchful and to remain prepared and united with resolute determination to move ahead with their integration movement vigorously through democratic means. Thanking the Nagaland government for passing four times resolutions on the Naga integration in the state assembly, he said the Nagaland state has lived upto its responsibility and has done the right thing. However he said that “it will be most appropriate if the Nagaland state government share the responsibility to sponsor the democratic and legitimate Naga integration movement and extend unflinching support to the Naga Hoho, which is spearheading the Naga integration/reunification movement as it is the only statutory authority which can rightly move the Indian authority.

“The need to demand for integration of the Naga territories under one political entity has been necessitated because the land of the Nagas were divided without their (Nagas) consent. No civilized people in today’s world would accept such injustice, he opined and stated under the Indian constitution Article 3 and 4 there was provision for re-creation of boundaries. “The demand for integration or reunification is therefore not illegal in the context of Indian constitution” he added. The MP also said that the Naga people are now at the most crucial stage of its movement. It is the time for every Naga leader particularly the elected representatives of the Nagas from all the Naga areas and all the citizens to express their solemn support and commitment to the one and only sacred cause of the Naga people. We should not forget that it is only through our resoluteness that we will be able to achieve out dream, he stated.
Meetei_Lion :What the hell this bastard is talking about. The reality is Nagas are dreaming on the lands of the Manipuris. Since we meeteis are the majority, we son't allow this fuc**ng NSCN to accomplish their selfish dreams. The reality is NSCN's dream will never accomplish and all this traitors wil be punished soon.
kanglei :The people of Manipur should be very cautious to person like Charanamei who is nothing but a dummy MP of NSCN (IM) whoese main objective is to break Manipur into pieces. It is irony that a leader from Manipur is working to break his State. But the true thing is that this will continue if the people of Manipur do not check well. Bungo :Ibobi, what the fuck are you doing? How can you sit silent when this fucking mother fucker MP is going around trying to break the state based on fictitious lines. Mani - reality is what Nagas need to understand. There is no such thing as Naga nation
Ibobi holds talks with ANSAM From Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, Aug 31 – The first round of talks between the Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and the agitating All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) was held at the Leimakhong army headquarters, 14 km north of Imphal yesterday afternoon. The Chief Minister was happy over the response of the students body during the meeting. “The next round of the talks will be held after the return of the Chief Minister from New Delhi,” a ruling MLA said. Ibobi left Imphal for New Delhi after holding talks for about ten minutes for his participation in the national integration meeting which is being held at national capital today. The president of ANSAM led the five-member team of the student body which held the state under a siege by the 52-day-long economic blockade in protest against the State Government’s decision to delclare June 18 as state holiday and Integrity Day.
Earlier, a ministerial delegation led by Agriculture Minister N Mangi held talks with ansam leaders at the Senapati district headquarters. ANSAM, sticking to their stand of holding talks at one of the hill district headquarters, had rejected the earlier invitations from the state authority. But they responded to the latest invitation from the ruling front.
Charenamei tells neighbours to accept reality Source: The Sangai Express / NNN
Kohima, August 31: Lok Sabha MP from Manipur Outer Parliamentary Constituency Mani Charenamei has called upon the neighbouring communities to accept the “reality”. Mani Charenamei today appealed while delivering at a mammoth gathering Kohima Local Ground, the neighbouring communities to accept the reality and lend their support to the just cause of the Nagas. The Lok Sabha MP pledged his unflinching support to the just and the rightful cause of Naga untill an honourable solution is attained.
“The on-going peace talk between the government of India and the NSCN (IM) collective leadership is an important political step to realize the re-unification of our territories into one political unit”, Mr. Charenamai said, and stressed on the need to strengthen the ongoing peace process so that both parties can arrive at an amicable solution. Making a strong reference on the Naga integration, the MP said the Nagas should be watchful and to remain prepared and united with resolute determination to move ahead with integration movement vigorously through democratic means. Thanking the Nagaland government for passing four times resolution on the Naga integration in the state assembly, he said the Nagaland state has lived upto its responsibility and has done the right thing. However he said that “it will be most appropriate if the Nagaland state government share the responsi- bility to sponsor the democratic and legitimate Naga integration movement and extend unflinching support to the Naga Hoho, which is spearheading the Naga integration / reunification movement as it is the only statutory authority which can be rightly move the Indian authority.
“The need to demand for integration of the Naga territories under one political entity has been necessitated because the land of the Nagas were divided without their( Nagas ) consent. No civilized people in today’s world would accept such injustice, he opined and stated under the Indian constitution Article 3 and 4 there was provision for re-creation of boundaries.
“The demand for integration or reunification is therefore not illegal in the context of Indian constitution” he added.
The MP also said that the Naga people are now at the most crucial stage of its movement. It is the time for every Naga leader particularly the elected representatives of the Nagas from all the Naga areas and all the citizens to express their solemn support and commitment to the one and only sacred cause of the Naga people. We should not forget that it is only through our resoluteness that we will be able to achieve out dream, he stated

US soldiers to receive anti-insurgency training in Mizoram By Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, Sept 1 (IANS) A team of 50 American army officers is arriving next week to receive training in low-intensity guerrilla warfare from Indian anti-terror experts in the jungles of Mizoram, military officials said. An Indian army commander said Thursday the two-week training in unconventional warfare at the Counter Insurgency Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) at Vairengte in Mizoram in northeastern India begins Sep 13. 'Apart from a rigorous drill on how to tackle an unconventional war or low intensity conflict, the training module would have a session of simulated anti-insurgency operations for the American soldiers,' a commander at the CIJWS told IANS requesting anonymity. The school at Vairengte is considered as one of world's most prestigious anti-terrorist institution with troops from several countries getting counter-insurgency training.
'The motto of this institute is to fight a guerrilla like a guerrilla,' the commander said. 'The training module is non-conventional and once a soldier undergoes training here, he can face all deadly situations anywhere in the world.' About 150 American soldiers have already undergone training at Vairengte in a six-week course in 2004. 'The troops are taught to live in difficult and hostile terrain, eat and sleep like the guerrilla and strike as silently as the guerrilla,' an instructor at the CIJWS said.
'The exercise is aimed at honing special skills for soldiers who are exposed to terrorist attacks in recent years.'
Spurred by the successes in combating militancy to a great extent, New Delhi in 2001 opened the school at Vairengte for soldiers from abroad with three US army officers being the first overseas batch to be trained.
But it was only after the Sep 11, 2001, terror strikes in the US that the jungle warfare school at Vairengte began attracting military cadets from across the world.
'Soldiers from the US, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal have already undergone training here and we are now getting queries from France, Uzbekistan and Italy, besides some African countries willing to get their soldiers trained here at Vairengte,' the commander said.
The British government recently sought the services of experts from the CIJWS to set up a similar institute in Britain, the official said. The training module include among other things lectures, seminars, besides mock operations in the rugged jungles in Mizoram.
The Vairengte School at present runs four counter-insurgency and jungle warfare courses open only to officers and soldiers below 28 years of age.
The school was set up in 1970 after Indian soldiers suffered heavy casualties at the hands of northeastern rebels who were adept at hit-and-run guerrilla strikes.
Hoho’s elation/complaint Newmai News Network
Dimapur, Sep 1 : The Naga Hoho has described the August 31 integration rally in Kohima as “epoch-making event” in the history of Naga people’s cry for justice and freedom where ‘several thousand’ irrespective of arbitrary boundaries and divisions gathered’.
A press release issued by Naga Hoho publicity secretary P Chuba Ozukum said apart from those who attended the rally, thousand others failed to make it to the pro-gramme on time after they were held up on their way in places between Khuzama and Mao gate by security forces in the name of frisking. “This itself shows the insincerity on the part of security forces towards solving the age-old Naga political problem,” the release said.
The Naga Hoho reiterated its commitment to go deeper and draw out a road-map for Naga integration which “we unequivocally feel the foundation for any political settlement”. It lauded CM Neiphiu Rio, Home Minister Thenucho and their colleagues, Opposition leader I Imkong and his colleagues, Naga MPs, hoho units and civil societies for their contributions towards successful conduct of the rally.
The Hoho also hailed district administration, security personnel, Kohima Municipal Council, volunteers from different tribes, media, non-Naga communities, etc for their cooperation.
Professional killers to eliminate ULFA NET News Network Guwahati, Sep1: The banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) today accused Government of appointing “ Professional Killers” for liquidating its members. Labeling this allegation in its latest version of mouthpiece “ Swadhinata” the outfit informed that “ Security forces have appointed professional killers to eliminate its members in the state and the adjoining areas in order to weaken the outfit and initiate so called peace talks according to its wishes”. The outfit once again reiterating its innocence in the Boko blast, which took the lives of four persons, pointed out that security agencies after secret killing has now launched attacks on innocent civilians through incidents like Boko blast, “ Security forces picked up the youths and forced them into false confession of carrying out the Boko blast. This is nothing but their (security agencies) way of labeling ULFA as a terrorist organization”. The Tamulpur division of Red Horn division along with Assam police on August 28 apprehended Dinesh Boro, Aswini Boro, Jitu Das and Chandan Mondal and claimed that they carried out the Boko blast under the instruction of dreaded ULFA leader Rubul Ali. Meanwhile, the outfit also accused government of “ food poisoning” its political advisor Robin Handique who breathed his last at Kanaklata Hospital in Tezpur on August 31.
Trucks stopped from taking NH-39 route By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Exp[ress
IMPHAL, Sep 1 : Unidentified armed persons reportedly prevented a number of outgoing trucks from plying along the Imphal-Dimapur route on NH-39 beyond Sekmai area today. According to informed sources, around 100 goods carriers bound for Dimapur/assam left Imphal in the early hours today but some 4/5 youths with arms halted the first few trucks from proceeding further beyond Sekmai.
The source said that the armed youths questioned the drivers whether they had been informed or not against taking the Imphal-Dimapur route and asked them to turn back. The armed persons then impounded the documents of some of the vehicles. The truckers on their return towards Imphal passed on the information to the other drivers resulting in all the trucks taking a U-turn.
Acknowledging the incident, a source in the All manipur Drivers’ Welfare Association said that the vehicle owners are extremely worried about the impounded documents. There is however no report of disturbances caused to goods laden trucks numbering about 208 reaching Imphal this evening from Dimapur and other Assam areas on the NH-39. The escorted truck convoy consists of 32 carrying fertilizers, 67 fuel tankers, 11 LPG carriers with the remaining loaded with other consumer items. There are also report of 99 loaded vehicles having left Jiribam on the NH-53 route which include 23 oil tankers and six LPG carriers among others.
Integrity of Manipur: A must for peace in NE By: TJ Singh Sangai (Contd from previous issue)
As the dismembering of Assam thus started on ethnic ground in this multi-ethnic North-East, the Government of India had subsequently yield to the pressure for further dismembering Assam by carving out of it the States of Meghalaya and Mizo- ram in 1971 and even Arunachal Pradesh. No wonder that we now see demands for Bodoland, Dimasaland, Kukiland, and what not. There was no such problem during the time of the British. The Nagas who were so called by the English people never clamoured for being under one administrative unit. The British who converted the aboriginals of the hills of the North-Eastern Region into Christianity and who coined’ the name “Naga” for some of them and who created the Naga Hills District of Assam never intended to increase the size of the district to cover all the Naga inhabited areas of the Region. The Nagas of Manipur never wanted to merge their ancestral land in Manipur with the Naga Hills district of Assam nor did the Nagas of the Naga Hills press for bringing any part of Manipur into the Naga Hills district.
It is only after the dismemberment of Assam in 1962 that the pressure for dismemberment of Man- ipur for making a bigger Nagaland arose. It may be remembered that along with the second dismemberment of Assam in 1971, Manipur and Tripura were restored their lost Statehood.
Picking up history at a short range, Padmana-bhiah once said in a television interview that the State of Nagaland (born in 1962) was older than the State of Manipur (born in 1971). This is the range of knowledge of history of the high official who represented the Government of India in the peace-talk in Bangkok and elsewhere. He should have learnt that Manipur with its present boundaries was a princely State and was forcibly merged to the Indian Union on the 15th October 1949. He should have also learnt that until the passing of the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, Manipur was a full-fledged State under the First Schedule to the Constitution of India.
There was no Nagaland by then. He should have remembered that the Naga Hills - Tuensang Area which later constituted the State of Nagaland was very much a part of Assam till 1962.
The Government of India must be now aware how the dismemberment of the State of Assam has instead of solving the problem in the North-East, aggravated it. If the Government repeat the same mistake by dismembering Manipur which has been having the present boun-daries (sometimes even bigger but never less) for more than 2000 years, there will be a perennial problem of ethnic eruptions in the North-Eastern Region and there will be no end to demands for separate States or Union Territories without caring for economic viability. As it is better late than never, the present United Progressive Alliance Government in New Delhi has at last specified in the Common Minimum Programme that the existing boundaries of the States in the North-Eastern Region shall not be disturbed. This is a wise step for maintenance of peace in the region. It is hoped that the Government of India will strictly follow the Common Minimum Programme and spell it out in the peace talk unequivocally and without beating about the bush that no portion of land within the boundaries of Manipur shall be merged with any neighbouring State. Moral and social integration of all the people of the North-East without affecting the administrative boundaries of the sister-States, will usher peace and harmony in the region. With different religions, cultures and colourful dresses, the people of this region should be proud of jointly making the beautiful mosaic on this small portion of the globe.
Let the Arunachalees, Assamese, Bengalees, Bodos, Kukis, Meiteis, Mizos and Nagas residing in Manipur, Assam, Naga- land, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and elsewhere enjoy their respective social and cultural unity and integrity without thinking of disturbing the geographical boundaries of the States where they were born and brought up. Forgetting narrow ideas of ethnic or religious grou- pism, let the people of the North-East not fritter away their time and energy in useless internecine quarrels. Their small eyes and low nose are enough to prove their distinct and common identity as distinguished from other people of the country. Let the man-made administrative or geographical boundaries of the small States in the region not affect this common identity. Let them share the development in the other parts of India which is now one of the fastest economies in the world. Let the people of Manipur, nay, of the North Eastern Region say “We are one” to fight jointly against communal and divisive forces and against policies which directly or indirectly aim at making walls among the simple living and unsophisticated people of the region. Forget ancient grudge, if any. Remember the ancient harmony only. Forget and forgive is the principle of all the religions professed by the people of this region, which is very much lagging behind as compared to the progress of development in other parts of the country. It is not time for quarrel and for digging up old wounds. On the contrary, it is time for looking forward for fraternity and for working together for development so that the present and future generations may live peacefully and may not be looked down upon by other people. — Concluded