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09/11/2005: "Nagaland becoming IT savvy:-"

Nagaland becoming IT savvy:- Kohima webindia

As normalcy is returning to Nagaland, youngsters in the State are exploring new avenues in the field of education, with more and more students opting for computer studies. The youth in the region are flocking the computer centres in large numbers to keep themselves abreast with the rest of the country. Their interest in academic and professional pursuit demonstrates their desire to chart a different career for themselves.In the past few years many computer centres have opened up in the State, which offer a number of courses to the students. Kiran, a computer instructor, said: "We are offering many courses to the students, including basic courses, diploma courses, advanced diploma courses, as well as master diploma courses."
Students are also thrilled at the prospects of learning the basics of computer, and other professional courses and software.
"Today, we can't think of a world without computers. In offices, homes, schools, colleges, they are everywhere. So, I am hoping that this computer course is going to be beneficial for me in the coming days," said Johny, a student. Another student, Sandhy, said, "I like computers because they give us valuable information and education. We can learn many things with the help of a computer."
The growing inclination of the youth for these courses can also be attributed to the efforts of both the State and the Central government, who are working towards restoration of peace in the region. Also, in keeping with its effort to educate the youth about computers, the State government has made computer literacy essential for any one who wishes to take up a government job. Ajay Sethi, who owns a computer centre, said, "Due to the peace process people are free to move around and avail better facilities. They are moving into various employment opportunities. The government is assisting in many ways. Prime Minister himself has offered this peace package and job opportunities for 25,000 youths, which we expect, will do well for the youth of Nagaland and it will stop the insurgencies in many ways."
Recently the State government with the help of the Central government had opened a regional computer institute to train youth in the IT sector. And with multinational companies showing interest in the State, it is hoped that Nagaland will see a high growth in the IT sector. Certainly, after years of uncertainty, the youth of Nagaland are now moving towards a bright future now. The geographical proximity of North East to the ASEAN nations can attract investment from the eastern neighbours. An IT savvy Nagaland with its high literacy rate can help transform north-eastern India. (ANI)
NSCN (K) reacts to rival’s allegations Newmai News Network September 10
Imphal: The NSCN (K) strongly reacted against the claim by the rival action NSCN (IM) that its three cadres were injured in an encounter between the two groups at Irang village near Singda about 14 kms from Imphal yesterday morning. The NSCN (K) also denied the allegations that the group terrorized villagers of the area. The CO of NSCN (IM) NP battalion Lt Col. Chinaoyo told a group of media persons who rushed to the encounter side that the encounter lasted about three hours and three cadres of the NSCN (K) were injured in the gunfight. He also claimed that six bombs planted by the NSCN (K) and a huge quantity of ammunition were recovered after the encounter was over.
He said that an NSCN (IM) group led by him rushed to the village on getting information that a large number of NSCN (K) cadres were terrorizing the villagers by forcibly taking way their hens etc. without paying any money from the villagers. They also beat up villagers, the leader charged. Reacting strongly to the allegations Felix spokesperson of the NSCN (K) Zelinagrong region told media persons at a place in Imphal East district today that no one was injured in yesterday’s incident. He said that there was no encounter as the NSCN (K) cadres left the area on request by the villagers who informed that members of the NSCM (IM) cadres were also present.
He said that the NSCN (K) cadres withdrew because if there was a clash between the two groups the villagers would be caught in the cross fire and the NSCN (K) did not want such a thing happen. Similarly the NSCN (K) withdrew from Tamei area before the Christmas in the interest of the villagers. He however said that the NSCN (K) is always ready to take on the rival group if they find them in jungles where no villagers are there. The spokesman said that the bombs and ammunition recovered by the NSCN (IM) could belong to their own organisation.
He even questioned from where the NSCN (IM) got the lethal guns, G-111 and G-iv rifles used by them yesterday, hinting that the NSCN (IM) did not have such sophisticated weapons. He asked the villagers of Ireng Khul to give names of villagers and dates on which there were assaulted within three days as alleged by NSCN (IM). He also appealed to all Naga villagers not to seek help from any armed group in settling disputes over land or the post of village chiefs. He accused the NSCNB (IM) of taking bribes for settling such disputes.
Naga groups trade charges
Imphal, Sept. 10: The two factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland issued contradictory claims about yesterday’s gunbattle between two groups of militants at Manipur’s Ireng Khul village in Senapati district, reports our Imphal correspondent. The NSCN (Isak-Muivah) claimed that three activists of the rival faction were injured and several bombs as well as ammunition recovered after the clash. But the other faction maintained that no “encounter” had occurred.

Official reports said two groups of militants belonging to the rival factions exchanged fire at the village, near Imphal, yesterday. [telegraphindia] Posted by: admin on Sunday, September 11,
TML rally protests Army excesses Morung Express
Tamenglong, Sept 10 (Agencies): A protest rally against the excessive conduct of 35 AR was organized yesterday at Tamenglong by the Zeliangrong Women`s Union. The rally attended by more than 2500 rallyist most of them women took off from Tamenglong mini stadium and converged at Tamenglong market shed, where the rally members submitted a memorandum to the Union home minister through the DC Tamenglong. The memo demanded, immediate transfer of Commandant, 35 AR, the hard earned Indo-Naga peace must be upheld and be fruitful from all quarters, peace in our land and respect for women. It also demanded adequate compensation for the injured women victims of the brutalities and excessive acts of the jawans.
The memo was signed jointly by Pai Ng Newme, vice-president, Zeliangrong Women’s Union and Lu Nambonliu Moita, general secretary, ZWU, the same copy was given to the chief minister of the state, outer Manipur MP Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, MLA 53 A/c Tamenglong, SP Tamenglong and Convenor, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights. All shops and establishments in the district headquarter remained closed today. Placards reading "Kicking a woman is an act of cowardice", "respect your mother" etc were held by the rallyist. Meanwhile, the DC Tamenglong termed the incident as unfortunate and said that he equally shared the concern of the Zeliangrong Women’s Union.
Should Restricted Area Permit be relaxed in Nagaland? Tsanchingla Imlong Morung Express
Nagaland is a growing tourist destination and every year there is growth in the inflow of tourists. It is indeed agreeable that tourism can boost our economy and provide employment for our many uneducated unemployed. But a nagging question arises, are we ready to face the consequences of what tourism has to usher in? This is not to say that tourism should be banned or curbed, but we need to be aware of the negatives of tourism and promote positive tourism. People are becoming more aware about Nagaland through multimedia that is: the Internet, printings, publishing, visual and audio. We cannot expect to stay hidden forever. Tourism is certainly going to grow but we need to know how we intent to promote tourism here in Nagaland. Tourism has had a positive effect in Nagaland. Cultures and traditions have been revived, there is a growing effort in preservation of forest, banning of hunting etc; these are some of the positive effects of tourism. RAP or the Restricted Area Permit in Nagaland has been a boon over the years. If RAP were to be removed totally, tourists can go wherever they wished in Nagaland, encroaching on the privacy of the villagers, credulous activities, etc.
Nagaland with its fragile bio-system, are we ready to tamper with that? Mass tourism has been the cause of many tourist destinations losing their natural beauty and appeal. Initially, everything was good, business was booming, tourists were flocking by the dozens, but they were not ready for the consequences that followed and no remedy for what they had lost: Nature. RAP acts as a check against mass tourism. It deters backpackers who have nothing substantial to offer to the income generation.
Further RAP enhances genuine travelers. The RAP will not deter genuine travelers; instead it will enhance their desire to visit a protected area. Mass tourism leads to imbalance in the bio-system and the eco-system. It leads to devastation of our towns and villages and making them into concrete jungles, over population and pollution. We have to look at ‘low volume: high income’ type of tourism. RAP can become a brand of its own. Tourists are intrigued by it and instigate desire to visit this protected area. They are not dissatisfied either because they realize that Nagaland is where nature is at its best. RAP should not be removed but should be more relaxed. If a single tourist wants to visit Nagaland, they have to go through many formalities. Their RAPers are sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and at times they are approved after a length of time but at times they are rejected.
To cite an example, I had applied for a RAP for an elderly lady that wished to visit Nagaland. Normally for a group of 4 or married couple, RAP formalities takes 1 week at the maximum. But for this particular RAP, it was submitted at least a month before her date of arrival and send to MHA. The RAP was nowhere in sight till the date of her arrival so I had to call her and stop her from entering Nagaland. She had applied for a 10 days permit and finally when the permit arrived she had only 5 days left to tour Nagaland. Thus, she left not having visited the places she initially wanted to. This proves that there are genuine travelers that want to visit Nagaland and at the same time it also shows that RAP should be more relaxed whereby, single paying person or couples whether married or not and groups of three should be given permit by the Home Department, Government of Nagaland.
Visiting all over Nagaland takes time and the 10 days permit given at one time is not enough for a traveler to explore Nagaland. Although the permit is extendable by another 10 days, it causes a lot of inconvenience to the tourist as well as to the tour operators who have to travel all the way back to collect the extensions. Hence, RAP should be relaxed for at least 20 days at a stretch. Many opinions have been given regarding RAP on its removal and retaining it. We have to study carefully and take into account all the shortcomings and the advantages of the RAP and then only can we say that tourism is growing positively in Nagaland. We must keep in mind that Nagaland, with all of its nature’s blessings can be wiped out if we are not cautious in our endeavor to make tourism a sustainable means of income generation.
KYKL suprised at action taken by a matured group The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Sep 10: The underground Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, KYKL has said that the outfit was amazed over hearing the news regarding the abduction of MUSU president on September 6 by cadres of a matured underground organisation. Recalling the September 6 incident and the chain of events that followed after the abduction of the MUSU president, a statement issued by the KYKL`s publicity and research secretary, Lanngamba Mangang said the outfit was even more surprised to learn that two local dailies namely Matamgi Yaikairol and Mannaba as well as a local television network ISTV, refrained from publishing and broadcasting the truth behind the story even as MUSU functionaries identified the groups involved in the assault of their leaders and the vandalism. Asserting that the media has a great role to play in giving true and unbiased reports to the public, the statement said distortion of the truth means that such media organisations no longer serve their purpose. Publishing the news at the earliest about the MUSU president`s abduction was like saving the life of the abducted person and vice-versa for those trying to distort the fact, the KYKL statement said terming the latter as self violation of the freedom of press. As such the outfit ordered closure of the three media organisations for failing to perform as per the ethics of the freedom of press. Soon after getting appropriate explanations, the outfit lifted the ban imposed on Mannaba and Matamgee Yakairol. However, the outfit had to go ahead with the ban imposed on ISTV for its failure to broadcast the true facts of the incidents. Showing solidarity to the ISTV, the All Manipur Working Journalists Union and Editors Forum Manipur resolved to stop one day`s publication of newspapers on September 8, snatching people`s right to information, which should not have been done in any circumstances. The outfit also offered apologies to the general public as well as to the journalist fraternity for its role in the matter which led to newspapers stopping one day`s publication, it said.
Admitting that the outfit had gone against its commitment given to AMWJU in 2001 regarding imposition of ban on media organisations, the statement also apologized for its immature action and assured that such incidents will not recur again. Asserting that the outfit honours the freedom of press and gives highest regard to the journalist fraternity, the statement went on to say that the ban imposed on two local dailies and a TV channel was done in support of the line that press perform their duties and responsibilities freely and without any disturbances. Appealing to the journalist fraternity to work freely and honour ethics of the press, the outfit further asked AMWJU and EFM to strengthen their positions.
People's Democracy (Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Vol. XXIX No. 37 September 11, 2005
ASSAM On Supreme Court’s Verdict On IMDT Act Noorul Huda
EVER since the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 and establishment of a sovereign republic, the problem of influx of thousands and thousands of Bangladeshi citizens into Indian border states of Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and West Bengal has arisen. In the beginning, because of joy and enthusiasm exhibited by people of both countries at the creation of a friendly neighbour, nobody took objection. Several years passed by but when in June 1975, prime minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in the country and in August 1975 when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the legendary leader and founder of Bangladesh was assassinated, the period of bonhomie between India and Bangladesh seemed to have suddenly ended. Indira Gandhi and her party, the Indian National Congress (INC) were roundly defeated in the parliamentary election in 1977 and a new party, Janata Party, led by Moraji Desai formed a government at the centre. Those were very uncertain and troublesome years for the new state of Bangladesh too and the friendship and goodwill generated between our two countries seemed to have gradually evaporated. After the lifting of the emergency in 1977, the Left Front, under the leadership of the CPI(M), came to power in West Bengal and in the following year in Tripura also. In Assam too, the Left parties viz CPI(M), CPI, RCPI, SUC and the naxalities, though contesting limited number of seats in the 1978 state assembly elections, scored impressively by winning in 25 constituencies out of a total of 126 seats. In Guwahati Municipal Corporation too, the Left and democratic forces won in a sizeable number of constituencies and an independent personality was elected as mayor of Guwahati in 1979.

NELLIE MASSACRE
In such circumstances, the chauvinist and reactionary circles, both domestic and foreign, in the state of Assam got mortally afraid and in the middle/third quarter of 1979, began the most violent chapter in the history of Assam, with the clarion call of ‘Bideshi Khedao’ (drive out the foreigners) from Assam. This violence continued for approximately six years up to the signing of Assam Agreement in 1985. In February 1983, during the ill-fated Assam assembly elections, nearly 3000 innocent and very poor Muslims (all Indian citizens) were massacred in broad daylight in a single day in the village of Nellie under the district of Nagaon, not very far off from the capital city of Guwahati. To this day, though 22 years have elapsed since the ghastly occurrences, nobody has claimed responsibility and neither the ruling governments, successively led by INC or AGP, nor the AASU or any other opposition party had ever cared to demand judicial probe or independent enquiry into such a shameful episode.

It is an extraordinarily mysterious case where such a large number of Indian citizens were killed cold bloodedly in a single day and millions of our rational thinking citizens, in or outside Assam chose to keep completely silent for 22 years. Since the CPI(M) and some other Left-minded and progressive intellectuals had dared to oppose the violent and chauvinistic Assam agitation, they were hounded, abused, and socially boycotted and more than fifty CPI(M) and trade union and youth activists were cruelly tortured and done to death. This kind of sordid chapter ended with the formation of a regional party, the Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) in October 1985. They swept the assembly polls in December 1985 and established the first regional party government in Assam. Its precursor, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) which spearheaded the violent agitation, entered into a tripartite agreement in August 1985 with the government of India led by prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi and chief minister, Hiteswar Saikia-led Assam state government. Two years before the Assam Agreement i e in 1983, the Illegal Migrant Determination by Tribunal Act (IMDT) was enacted in the parliament to protect genuine Indian citizens from harassment because at that time, it was felt that the Foreigner’s Act 1946 was not adequate for the purpose of protecting genuine Indian citizens belonging to the minority communities, both religious and linguistic. It is extremely interesting to recall that those who had signed the Assam Agreement in August 1985 viz the leadership of AASU and AAGSP did not deem it necessary to protest or raise any objection to the provisions of IMDT Act 1983. On the contrary, they had virtually approved the Act.

AGP’S VACILLATING POSITIONS
Even during the first five year tenure of AGP rule in Assam, the same leadership who had led the violent Assam agitation during 1979-85, did not exhibit any seriousness to check the influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh from across the porous borders, nor did they raise any hue and cry about the inadequacy of and shortcoming and defects in the IMDT Act 1983 for the purpose of identification, detection and deportation of illegal migrants from Bangladesh nor had they exerted pressure on the government of India to seal the international Assam-Bangladesh borders by erecting suitable fencing and adopting other necessary measures. It may be pointed out that the then prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi, during 1984-89 period appeared to be quite friendly with the leadership of AASU-AAGSP who had later converted into the AGP. Some pressure on the central government could have carried the day.
Only when the AGP lost power in the 1991 assembly elections, and the Congress (I) catapulted to power in Assam, and in the centre, the AGP leadership and the AASU began raising slogan of difficulties and problems the complainants were facing under the IMDT Act in the matter of identifying, detecting and deporting the illegal migrants from Bangladesh and gradually, they came round to denouncing the IMDT Act 1983 and demand for its repeal. And much later, they started claiming that the Foreigners Act 1946 was good enough for the purpose and that since IMDT Act was applicable to the state of Assam alone, it should be scrapped forthwith and further, since the Foreigner’s Act 1946 was an all India Act and was applicable to the entire country, it should be made operative in the state of Assam too for the purpose of tackling the illegal migrants from Bangladesh.

SONOWAL AFFIDAVIT
In striking down the IMDT Act 1983, the Supreme Court of India, led by the chief justice, Lahoti and two other eminent justices, have relied heavily on (a) the pleadings and averments contained in the affidavits sworn by Sarbananda Sonowal, MP and erstwhile AASU leader, who was the writ petitioner, (b) Law Commission’s quotations from Assam Governor Lt General (Retd) S K Sinha’s report to the President of India dated November 8, 1998 and (c) Report of General Secretaries of Indian National Congress of the north-eastern states to the General Conference of NE Congress (I) Committee dated July 3, 1992.
The affidavits sworn by Sabananda Sonowal contain the following averments (a) that the rights of residents in the state of Assam have been materially and gravely prejudiced by the operation of IMDT Act 1983; (b) that the IMDT Act 1983 is wholly arbitrary, unreasonable and discriminates against a class of citizens of India making it impossible for Indian citizens in Assam to secure the detection and deportation of foreigners from Indian soil. The IMDT Act 1983 has completely failed to meet the standards prescribed in the Foreigners Act 1946. Even those provisions of IMDT Act 1983 which afford some protection to genuine Indian citizens are not being properly enforced due to extraneous political considerations; (c) that the presence of illegal migrants has changed the whole character, cultural and ethnic composition of the area. IMDT Act creates a situation whereunder it has become virtually impossible to challenge the presence of a foreigner and to secure his detection and deportation or even deletion of his name from the electoral rolls in Assam; (d) that the huge number of Bangladeshi nationals who have crossed over to India, have occupied vast tracts of land in sensitive international border areas which has very serious implication for national security; (e) that there has been a sharp increase of Muslim population in Assam; (f) that the IMDT Act 1983 virtually gives the illegal migrants in the state preferential protection in a matter relating to the citizenship of India; (g) that because of ethnic linguistic and religious commonality between the illegal migrants and many people on our side of the border, it enables them to find shelter and makes their detection difficult. Some political parties have been encouraging and even helping illegal migration with a view to building vote banks. These immigrants are hardworking and are prepared to work as cheap labour which makes them acceptable and some corrupt officials are bribed to provide help; (h) that the prophecy that except Sibsagar district the Assamese people will not find themselves at home in Assam is becoming true; (i) that according to former union home minister, Indrajit Gupta, there were 10 million illegal migrants in India out of which the figures for West Bengal, Assam and Tripura are 5.4 million , 4 million and 0.8 million respectively; (j) that in the case of Muslims, their growth rate in Assam was much higher than the all India rate; (k) that the illegal migrants coming into India after 1971 have been almost exclusively Muslims. Pakistan’s ISI has been active in Bangladesh supporting militant movement in Assam resulting in mushrooming of Muslim militant organisations; (l) that because of large-scale migrations from Bangladesh, the spectre looms large of the indigenous people of Assam being reduced to a minority in their home state, their cultural survival will be in jeopardy, their political control will be weakened, and their employment opportunities will be undermined; and (m) that the silent and invidious demographic invasion of Assam may result in the loss of the geo-strategical vital districts of lower Assam. Influx of these illegal migrants is turning these districts into a Muslim majority region. A demand for merger with Bangladesh may be made. International Islamic fundamentalists may provide a driving force for this demand. Loss of lower Assam will sever the entire landmass of the northeast from the rest of India. According to the judgement of the learned Supreme Court, Ashok Desai senior counsel of the petitioner stated that the whole demographic pattern of Assam has undergone a change and the local people of Assam have been reduced to a minority in their own state on account of large influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh. He also submitted that under Article 29 (1) of the Constitution, the people of Assam have a fundamental right to conserve their language, script and culture. The enforcement of IMDT Act has no doubt facilitated to a very large extent the illegal migrants from Bangladesh to continue to reside in Assam, who on account of their huge number affect the language, script and culture of the local people. The learned bench, however refrained from expressing any conclusive opinion on this submission of the learned counsel.

UNSUBSTANTIATED POSITION
If we now analyse the averments contained in petitioner Sarbananda Sonowal’s affidavit to the Supreme Court, we shall find that Lt General S K Sinha’s report to the centre dated November 8, 2004 during his tenure as governor of Assam expressed grave concern at the unabated influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh to Assam, which in his opinion threatened to reduce Assamese people to a minority in their own state, illegal migration was the core issue behind the Assam student movement, and also the prime contributory factor behind insurgency in the state, and such illegal migration greatly undermines our national security and mentions about the long cherished design of Greater East Pakistan/Bangladesh making inroads into strategic land link of Assam with the rest of the country, can lead to severing the entire landmass of the northeast.
Though the governor’s report was allegedly prepared after thorough inspection of border areas and districts, discussion with Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh and talks with political leaders, these are mainly speculative in nature, based on unreliable and unconfirmed newspaper sources. Neither the Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh nor any other political leaders had ever substantiated the claims made by governor S K Sinha’s report to the president. On the other hand, after being leaked to the press (which was improper and unethical to say the least), the elected government of Assam had later contradicted the contents of the report. The apprehension that the Assamese people would be reduced to a minority in their own state has never been raised by any responsible quarters and it is a myth and completely subjective and somewhat ridiculous claim that illegal influx of foreigners from Bangladesh was the prime contributory factor behind the outbreak of insurgency in Assam. Till now, no responsible authority has connected outbreak of insurgency with influx of illegal Bangladeshi migrants. The governor, Lt General S K Sinha should have known that insurgency in its worst form broke out in Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur long before the problem of illegal influx of Bangladeshis in Assam or the north-eastern region cropped up. He has also talked about long cherished design of greater East Pakistan/ Bangladesh without adducing a single thread of proof or evidence. We wonder as to what method the erstwhile governor and distinguished Lt General (Retd) had adopted to suspect the border areas; which agencies were entrusted for such inspections. There is no evidence to show that the governor had met recognised political party leaders in Assam to ascertain their views. Only because the governor, Lt General (Retd) S K Sinha had adorned the highest rank in the army, his statements cannot be treated as gospel truth, without proof or evidence. Indeed his views on infiltration of Bangladeshis in Assam appear to be extremely biased and one-sided.