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09/28/2005: "NSCN rolls pitch for dialogue: Talks likely next month"

NSCN rolls pitch for dialogue: Talks likely next month NISHIT DHOLABHAI Kohima, Sept. 27: The Telegraph
Eager to make a positive impression before the next round of talks with Delhi, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) today claimed to be implementing the ceasefire “in letter and spirit wherever we are”. Rh. Raising, kilo kilonser (home minister) in the NSCN (I-M) hierarchy, said over phone that his organisation had always endeavoured to maintain the ceasefire between the Centre and the Nagas, “wherever they are, in the Northeast or in Delhi”. He said the 2001 uprising in Manipur against a “ceasefire without territorial limits” had been rendered redundant by developments since then. “If the Meiteis have a problem, let them approach the government of India. But as far as the Indo-Naga issue is concerned, that is the Nagas’ lookout, not theirs.”
The NSCN (I-M) will resume its dialogue with Delhi’s team of interlocutors early next month, most probably in Bangkok. The militant leader said contrary to what many might be thinking, the NSCN (I-M) had forged a relationship of mutual trust with the government. He claimed to have addressed a meeting of thousands of NSCN (I-M) members on August 14 in the presence of senior officials, including a deputy commissioner. “The flag was hoisted and nobody raised any objection. That says everything.”
Raising indicated that the NSCN (I-M) was working towards a reconciliation with rival groups. He said the outcome of these efforts, however, depended on the progress of the dialogue with Delhi. On the recent meeting in Bangkok between the NSCN (I-M) leadership and a delegation of Church and NGO representatives from Nagaland, Raising said they spoke the “same language of unification”. He said the peace process was at a very crucial juncture and the challenge was to remove differences in opinion on key issues. The NSCN (Khaplang) has been consistently critical of its rival’s approach to the dialogue with Delhi.Raising said both his organisation and the UPA government at the Centre were committed to a negotiated settlement through peaceful means. “I only hope they (Delhi) will abide by what they say,” he said.
Naga Consciousness - Is it? Akum Longchari The Morung Express
At the core of a peoples existence is its collective consciousness and perhaps Nagas must consciously and deliberately take the task to nurture, nourish and evoke a consciousness and perception that is an alternative to the status quo. This consciousness should be a call for self-realization and re-examination of themselves, their value systems, their culture, their worldviews, their faith and their future as peoples. It should bring to public expression those hopes and yearnings that have been denied so long and suppressed so deeply that one no longer knows that they are there anymore. As Brueggemann would say, "hope is the refusal to accept the reading of reality which is the majority opinion; and one does that only at great political and existential risk." Hence, a people’s consciousness must be in response to the necessity to inculcate a spirit of independence. It must grasp the notion of who they are and their readiness to assume responsibilities that emerges out of this realization, for one cannot be conscious and yet remain in bondage. It is essential that the attainment of the envisioned collective self is a free and dignified self.
Critical consciousness must relate the present to the past and reject attempts by the powers that be to perpetuate a deliberately arrested image of a culture as a static element. Culture when defined in concrete terms presents and demonstrates the historical and political evolution of a people which must be made to live in a real manner. Hence, Naga consciousness must empower them to overcome dependency and transcend the walls build around them. Where does one go from here? Ones thought, behavior and institutions are made to fit into a pattern largely and often wholly determined by others. Originality and forms of thoughts have been dulled to the point where it takes extreme effort to act with reason even in order to follow one’s own beliefs and convictions. This has limited creativity and damaged the ability to act with will, generating a feeling of powerlessness which Steve Biko says "breeds a race of beggars who smile at the enemy and swears at him in the sanctity of their toilets."
Nagas must ask themselves whether they are serious about making change. Are they prepared to free themselves from the chains of bondage that has made them stop thinking? And so how does one address all these questions that define ones existence? Is it therefore not essential to become a living element in that popular yearning which is entirely calling forth for the freeing, the progress and the happiness of the Nagas? Decolonization of the mind with the willingness to accept that there indeed is a future by aiding and empowering each other into consciousness, and to be participants in the making of that history is a fundamental step. The Naga consciousness must lead to understanding; an understanding which is the understanding of differences through dialogue. A dialogue that appeals not out of our minds and dreams alone but out of experiences, which revolves around practical possibilities and realities so that one does not just give in to despair, but develops a hope and a sense of human security.
Imphal-Mandalay bus service remains a dream as Myanmar rejects Indian proposal Thingbaijam Dhamen
IMPHAL, Sept 27: The policy of the government of India to create good diplomatic relationships with neighbouring countries by launching bus services with its neighbours has resulted in bus services between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, but the proposed Imphal-Mandalay bus service is still only a dream for the people of the border state of Manipur as the Indian proposal is held up by Myanmar`s refusal to allow such a bus service in their territory. The Indian proposal was part of the agenda discussed at a meeting on border talks between the two sides recently. The Myanmar side maintained that they had restrictions on the movement of any foreign vehicles in their land and as such they could not agree to the Indian proposal for a bus service connecting the two countries.

The two-day meeting of the heads of the survey departments of Myanmar and India which was held on September 24 and 25 reviewed the reports on work plan for 2005-06 for joint inspection, repair, restoration, reconstruction and maintenance of India-Myanmar boundary pillars based on data and information available with both sides. The meeting agreed on construction of pucca fencing along the stretch of border lying between the border pillar 79 and 81 which is to be taken up by the government of India. The sixth meeting of its kind between the two countries that concluded at Moreh resolved to hold further discussions in the first week of November this year on the same topic for taking a concrete decision on the boundary pillars and to update information regarding the condition of the pillars available with both sides. In the scheduled November meeting both sides will discuss and decide about the border pillars no. 185 and 186 located in the Arunachal Pradesh-Myanmar sector, BP no. 73,101, 114(1), 114(2), 114(3), 115(1), 115(2), 116 and 117 in the Manipur-Myanmar sector and 131,133(1), 113(2), 133(3), 145, 146, 147, 148, 150, 151 and 152 in the Nagaland-Myanmar sector.

Information regarding the status of any other damage/missing boundary pillars in these sectors are to be submitted by the concerned state government authorities of Indian side and by the Myanmar side in the course of discussions at the meeting so that the same may be included in the work plan. For the Indian side, the representatives of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland will put up the required information in the coming meeting. After the heads of survey departments level meeting a joint inspection will be conducted and if during the course of joint inspection, the joint inspection team or teams discover that any other pillars are damaged or missing necessary corrective measures in regard to these pillars will also be undertaken as a part of the ongoing exercise in the above three sectors.
Digitalisation of all the Indo-Myanmar boundary strip maps (i.e. 1-40-40 maps) which was agreed in the fifth meeting of the same level between Myanmar and India held at Yangon, Myanmar from September 22 to 27 last year was also discussed in the meeting. The strip maps have been completed but the quality control and patterning of the maps is yet to be carried out and is likely to be completed by the end of October this year. On completion of the same, soft copies along with hard copies for each map will be send to the Myanmar side through diplomatic channel by the Indian authority. While discussing the proposal of Indian side for finalisation of unsettled 9 boundary pillars nos. 66, 76, 78, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, and 94, the Myanmar authority is yet to give their comments even as the Indian side had already proposed for settlement during the fifth meeting last year. At that meeting the Indian side had asked for the early submission of their comments and observations etc. A 10-member team of the Indian side participated in the meeting and the DC Chandel district along with the ADC, Moreh represented the state.

KMC bans pork in Kohima Kohima | September 28, 2005 Webindia
The Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) has banned the sale of pork due to the threat of swine fever caused by Japanese encephalitis that has hit several parts of the country. In an order issued here yesterday, KMC said strict vigil was being kept on pigs coming from outside the region. It also asked to all local pork sellers not to sale the meat without permission and check up by KMC authorities. The deputy commissioner of Dimapur -- the gateway to Nagaland and Manipur -- had banned import of pigs to the state since last week as reports said ''some of the animals died on their way to Nagaland and some developed sores on their skin after reaching the state''. According to reports, however, some of the dealers were smuggling pigs into the Nagaland due to heavy demand. These were being passed off as local pigs. The ban order of KMC came after detection of several cases of the meat of diseased pigs being sold in Dimapur and Kohima. UNI AS RH rd 1145
New books for tomorrow’s kids The Indian ExpressKARTYK VENKATRAMAN Educational innovation comes to Nagaland well ahead of the National Curriculum Framework 2005 KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 27: While the country debates the new ‘‘stress-free’’ and ‘‘learning as fun’’ approach envisaged in the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005, Nagaland has stolen a march over the rest. Nagaland’s State Council for Educational Research & Training (SCERT) has already introduced textbooks up to Class IV, which aim at making learning more attuned to the immediate environment, and fun on the whole. Government school teachers are being trained in the new approach. Jack Sekhose, deputy director, SCERT, Nagaland says: ‘‘The new books are based on a ‘new pedagogical approach’ which encourages hands-on learning. Our aim is to change the one-way traffic classroom atmosphere. The classroom stands for the entire environment. It is not just a room.’’ For instance, a botany class can be more effectively when conducted in the open, Sekhose says. ‘‘We have just introduced such an approach in lower classes and we are in the process of bringing out textbooks for the higher classes.’’
This is all a result of the Educational Quality Improvement Programme (EQUIP), a Nagaland project, conducted in 2002-04 in collaboration with UNICEF. The project was independent of the NCERT or the NCF 2005. According to an SCERT report on EQUIP-Nagaland, the project aimed at meeting the long-term objective of the Sarva Shikshak Abhiyan Mass Scale Training Programme for elementary school teachers. Already, 25 foundational programmes have been conducted for the teachers till date. A State Resource Group (SRG) comprising 97 members from different echelons of the school system has been formed, and trained through a series of workshops on the new approach. Broadly, the new pedagogy tries to identify a child-centred method. The need, abilities and interests of the child are considered while outlining learning /teaching strategies. The teacher gives the children the freedom to be involved in the learning process. As the child gets to work on his own, and all children get to participate in the activities, their creativity is enhanced. This, says the SCERT, increases the retention power in children and they look forward to go to school. The activities include — active physical play, imagination play, play involving investigation, exploration and discovery, field trips, group discussions, quiz and songs. All of this finds mention, directly and indirectly, in the NCF 2005.
Naga-style Curriculum reform, • Nagaland’s SCERT introduces textbooks up to Class IV which make learning more context-sensitive, participatory, and child-friendly
• A State Resource Group (SRG) comprising 97 members from different echelons of the school system has been formed, and trained through a series of workshops on the new approach
• activities include — active physical play, imagination play, play involving investigation, exploration and discovery, field trips, group discussions, quiz and songs
Although peace education is not yet a listed subject, it has always been a component of teachers’ training in Nagaland. ‘‘Peace has been scarce here, so teachers are taught peace education in terms of values. We teach them the benefits of peace, in place since the 1997 ceasefire,’’ says Sekhose. ‘‘In the new books, all illustrations and cultural references are Nagaland-centric. Government-approved books all over the country display a stereotype of Hindu family. The Naga cultural heritage is considerable, and must be tapped. Unfortunately, the present generation of school children are getting alienated from their cultural roots,’’ he adds. To bridge this gap, in the new books, like Window To My World, My World and I, Discover Me, the cover depictions are of a Naga village. The illustrations are of a Naga family. ‘‘These books teach a lot of traditional values like the dignity of labour, valour and customs like the ‘‘Feast of Merit’’— the richest man in the village throws a feast for everyone, once he reaches a certain level of prosperity. This helps in reducing the disparity between rich and poor. These traditions are being lost. One must understand that our society is transitional, and students must be prepared for this.’’ Sekhose says that while Nagaland customs and values find a larger mention, the overall national curriculum is being adhered to. For example, history book for Class VIII have more chapters on post and pre-independence Naga history, and strive to build Naga identity alongside chapters on Indian history and freedom struggle.
SCERT Nagaland director V. Kesiezie, who was in New Delhi in early September as member of one of the Focus Groups finalising the NCF 2005, says his department’s initiatives have aroused interest in other states. ‘‘I gave a presentation in New Delhi. This was commended by Prof Anita Rampal of Delhi University and chairperson of NCERT’s textbook writing team for primary schools, while the education directors of Goa and Manipur have shown a keen interest in going through our new textbooks.’’

North East students body takes telecom major BSNL to task over long distance recruitment Dimapur | September 28, 2005 By Jahansher Firoze
Dimapur, Sept. 28 (ANI) : Crossed over rising trend of public and private sectors recruiting staff for their manpower needs from outside the north east region, the North East Students Organisation (NESO) has launched a campaign across the region to stop this drive.
One of the largest public sector employers in the region, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has received a NESO memorandum urging the telecom major to select its manpower needs from the north eastern states instead of hiring people from outside.
In its memorandum, NESO cited its concerns over the rising levels of unemployment in the region, saying that this state of affairs was detrimental for the future of the seven north eastern states.
"The Centre says that violence in the region is worsening the unemployment problem of the region; but we see that it is such attitude of denying jobs available in the region to the indigenous youth of the region which is creating unemployment problem in the region," said N S N Lotha, General Secreatry of NESO.
Citing an example of breach in letter and spirit of assurance by the Centre not to fill in vacancies in the region with applicants from outside the North East, Lotha said that it had discovered that the Central Income Tax authorities had recently filled in 70 of its 78 posts meant for the indigenous inhabitants of the region.
"After we took up the matter, the IT department is trying to negotiate the problem with us", informed Lotha.
Lotha claimed that not only was BSNL recruiting from outside the region, but it was also denying several services meant for special category consumers like students.
He said that NESO and its constituent's organizations have met top officials in all north east state capitals to apprise them of their objection to the BSNL's recruitment policies, and warned that if within a fortnight the situation is not addressed, they will step up their agitation.
"Initially we have asked for preferential employment policy for Grade C and D vacancies", added another student leader from the apex Naga students' organization NSF.
While welcoming the entry of private telecom operators in the region, Lotha however made it clear that they too had to follow similar indigenous employment rules as would be applicable for public sector operators and government agencies.
"We had already received similar assurance from Air Cell", said Lotha.
The student leader said that public sector power company NEEPCO had signed a MoU with NESO on recruitment from the region for its manpower needs in the region.
"We have asked BSNL and Railways for such guarantees for the benefit of the youth of the region", said a Naga Students' Federation (NSF) leader who was also present during NESO media meet.
The NESO also urged the BSNL to improve both its cellular and WLL services in Nagaland pointing that the services not only in Nagaland but also in the entire region did not meet the benchmark set by it in other parts of the country. (ANI)
Tourism infrastructure face bottleneck in Nagaland State to observe World Tourism Day Chizokho Vero September 26 The Morung Express Kohima (MExN): Nagaland is blessed with diverse beautiful landscapes, colourful traditions and cultural heritage. However, tourism infrastructure is still lagging behind in the state. The tourism department maintained that it has not been able to reach its desired goal owing to the presence of many constraints such as lack of adequate infrastructure and travel restrictions in the State. This year’s theme, "Tourism and Transport" for the World Tourism Day on September 27 assumes importance in the context of Nagaland. However, it is not immediately known whether the government will pay special attention to make transportation facilities friendlier to tourists visiting Nagaland. The Nagaland Tourism Association will observe World Tourism Day at Zunheboto where Sumi Hoho president SH Rotokha will be the chief guest. "The roads are slow and inadequate, wayside amenities almost non-existent or where they exists, they lack in quality, cleanliness and hygiene and most places do not have decent affordable lodgings of reasonable standard, " according to the Nagaland State Tourism Policy.
The Policy also stated that in the absence of other means of transportation in Nagaland (like rail, waterway etc) besides road communication, a good network of road connectivity is the basic requirement coupled with adequate means of road communication, such as coaches, taxis and so on to facilitate movement of tourists to different destinations. For this, the tourism department will acquire some tourist coaches, which are adequately equipped to meet the needs of tourists. The Policy also stated that the government, through NIDC, NEDFI etc, will also introduce suitable schemes to encourage private tour operators/transporters to operate tourist taxis, coaches, etc. within the State for hiring of such vehicles by tourists. Stating that the visitors first impression of a place is very much based on the facilities available in its airport, rail and bus stations, the Policy said it will be the State’s policy to provide transport services, information counters, telephone facilities which will contribute in generating a tourist- friendly atmosphere. A tourist information centre has been opened at NST Bust station, Kohima by the Nagaland Tourism Association. With the partial relaxation of Restricted Area Permit (RAP/ PAP) for foreign nationals and issue of Inner Line Permit being made more convenient for domestic tourists by issuing them these permits in Nagaland Houses outside the state besides the district headquarters, it has become much easier to visit Nagaland, the department said. The Government maintained that the importance of tourism in achieving sustainable economic growth and generating self-employment has been gaining momentum in the state for the last few years. The numbers of tourists have been steadily increasing over the years, according to official figures.
Medicines sans frontiers joins war against AIDS
IMPHAL, Sep 27: It is good news for the people of Manipur and the HIV/AIDS affected people in particular. The Nobel prize winning International aid agency, Medicines Sans Frontieres (MSF) has taken up steps to provide AIDS treatment as part of its routine health care activities in Manipur.
Known in English as Doctors Without Borders, the Dutch section of the organisation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Manipur AIDS Control Society and obtained from Manipur State authorities to include HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention in its existing primary health programmes. In Churachandpur district, the aid organisation would be opening a treatment facility for the general diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.
Following its principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence, the clinics of MSF/Doctors Without Borders will offer testing services, prevention, counselling, care and anti-retroviral treatment. ‘It is our intention to support the existing HIV/AIDS activities in Churach-andpur district’ said Ria Temmerman, project co-ordi- nator of MSF. ‘With the support of the State AIDS Con-trol Society, an active local society and People Living With HIV/AIDS networks much has been done in the area of prevention and education. However, treatment and testing facilities are still insufficient and MSF would like to cover this part of the gap’, she pointed out. Figures from Manipur AIDS State Control Society indicates that thousands of patients are in need of immediate treatment, which is minimally available in the conflict plagued State, quoted a report of the MSF.. MSF/Doctors Without Borders will continue to provide basic health services, including the mothers to children transmission, in four clinics with the aim to expand its activities to other rural areas in Manipur State. ‘Due to the law and order situation, many rural health facilities are in a vulnerable state’, Temmerman said, adding that ‘MSF/Doctors Without Borders has visited parts of the most vulnerable areas and supported the populations living there. But much more medical support is needed’. MoU signed with MACS also incorporates MSF/Doctors Without Border s support to the district health facilities and local civic society groups.
Army operation withdrawal in Assam could bring peace Syed Zarir Hussain, Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, Sep 28 (IANS) The government's decision to call off an army operation against the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) from a wildlife sanctuary could make the fragile peace in Assam hold. Soldiers began pulling out of the 650-sq km Dibru Saikhowa National Park in eastern Assam Tuesday evening following orders from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
The month-long operation ended silently like it began on a clandestine note Aug 31 with the army authorities not specifying whether the task was accomplished or not. The decision to withdraw the offensive codenamed 'Operation Balwan' may once again revive the tottering peace process initiated by the ULFA. The operation began following orders from the federal home and defence ministries to crack down on rebel bases inside the sanctuary. The ULFA claimed it had lost at least 15 rebel fighters in the operation although the army maintained it had killed five militants in encounters inside the park.
The operations at Dibru Saikhowa, the biggest since the December 2003 military offensive against the ULFA by Bhutan, came at a time when the ULFA had offered to hold talks with the central government and even nominated an 11-member group of public representatives headed by noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami. The ULFA representatives were expected to hold preparatory talks with government peace negotiators next month in New Delhi to pave the way for the rebel leadership to begin direct talks with the authorities at a later stage. ULFA's mediator Goswami had two weeks ago had verbally communicated to the PMO about the 11-member People's Consultative Group (PCG) nominated by the rebel outfit for holding talks. The PMO reportedly welcomed the ULFA's peace overtures. The operations therefore evoked widespread reaction, with rights groups in Assam accusing both the state and the central government of trying to derail the peace process.
Adding fuel to fire was Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee who announced last week that the ongoing operations would continue as there was no ceasefire with the ULFA and also no formal offer from the rebel outfit for holding talks with the central government.
The ULFA leadership and the PCG threatened to pull out of the talks saying the army operations were not in good taste as the general mood in the state was for peace - the ULFA too did not carry out any offensive during the past month. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi reportedly requested the PMO to stop the operations keeping in mind the public outburst, with civil society groups accusing New Delhi of not being sincere in efforts at holding peace talks with the ULFA. Now with the operations withdrawn, the ULFA would be forced to stick to its offer for holding talks. Policymakers in New Delhi should be sensitive to the ULFA issue and instead of trying to crush the rebels militarily, they should strive to bring the militant group to the negotiating table. 'If the ULFA comes for talks, definitely many more separatist groups would be encouraged to come and join the peace process,' said Dilip Patgiri, a radical student leader and one of the members nominated by the ULFA for initiating talks.

Army operations called off By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Sept 27 – The Army today called off its month-long operation in the Dibru-Saikhowa reserve forest in Tinsukia district in upper Assam. The operation, involving some 6000 troops, was launched last month to flush out banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants holed up in the jungles. An Army spokesman based at the Narengi Cantonment here told The Assam Tribune this evening that the operation has been called off at 4 pm after the forest was “cleared of all ultras.” He said that the task given to the troops has been accomplished. During the operation, the Army had encircled the entire forest, sealing off entry and exit routes to overwhelm the militants. “The operation has been a total success”, the spokesman claimed. Operation Balwan was launched on August 25 to evict members of the ULFA who were reported to have taken shelter within the 756 sq km forest area. The ULFA cadres reportedly belonged to its 28th battalion, originally based in Myanmar. The operation, that evoked widespread protests in the state for the alleged harassment that the local inhabitants were subjected to, was also slammed by the ULFA. The militant outfit claimed that the operation was a “conspiracy” by the Centre to force the outfit to talk peace. Ever since the operations started, there have been protests from several other quarters as well. Though pressure was mounting on the Army to call off the operation, Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee was emphatic last week while stating that the mission would not be called off unless the objective was met.

The Army spokesman today, however, did not acknowledge that the operation was called off because of the pressure. He said that the operation was winded up after the task of clearing off the forest was accomplished. Six ULFA militants, including the 28th battalion’s officiating commander Achintya Saikia and a woman, were killed during the operation. There is no information of any injuries on the militant side. There were also no arrests, the spokesman said. On the part of the security forces, one armyman was injured and an Assam Police constable killed, he said. The spokesman said that though the operation has been called off, the Army would continue to maintain its presence in the area to “ensure that the militants do not re-enter the forest.” “The Army will be deployed at the entry point to the jungle so that militants cannot enter again,” another Army spokesman, based at the 4 corps headquarter in Tezpur, informed. The Army’s decision to call off Operation Balwan came the very day that the Gauhati High Court directed the State Government to ensure that essential commodities like food and medicine are provided to the villagers residing within the Dibru-Saikhowa reserve forest. The High Court bench, comprising Justice D Biswas and Justice PG Agarwal, hearing a PIL filed by the Manab Adhikar Sangram Samity (MASS) and others today, further directed that the villagers should be allowed to move out sick and infirm persons for treatment. The PIL has stated that civil life in three villages had come to a standstill with acute shortage of civic amenities and movement of food and medicines being obstructed. The Judges directed that the State Government should submit a compliance report on October 5. Lawyer BK Mahajan represented the petitioners.