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10/08/2005: "Naga ethnic wear to go global The Morung Express"

Naga ethnic wear to go global The Morung Express News October 6
Dimapur: Ethnic Naga clothing is all set to embark on its journey into the international arena.
If the show organized by the SWU multi purpose cooperative society turns out as ostentatious as its organizers are planning it to be, the event could catapult indigenous Naga clothing into the next ‘happening’ arena as far as traditional garments are concerned.
Partly being sponsored by the Government of Nagaland, the organizers of the extravaganza have roped in the Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio to be the chief guest. Mani Charenamai, an MP from Manipur has been invited to be the guest of honour.
The event will attempt to showcase the diverse and multi-coloured facets of Naga society as far as clothing is concerned.
Talking to media persons at Hotel Saramati today, SWU members disclosed that an international NGO would be documenting the show so as to display the same to others who may evoke interest in the garments.
Entitled "Enlightening the Naga Indigenous Heritage," the ‘ethnic fashion contest’ carries cash prizes for winners in different categories.
The show, a first of its kind in Nagaland, will be held on October 29 at the DDSC Stadium, Dimapur. Altogether, 84 male and female models from Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are expected to enroll as participants.
Designers are also being given a chance to highlight their creations as they will be engineering the designs which the models will be wearing. Besides, a host of artistes will be displaying their musical as well as vocal talents.
Special invitees from social as well as political circles have also been invited. An added attraction could be the attendance of special guests from Femina magazine and other renowned names in the national fashion scene.
Solution of Naga problem will take time: Hoho Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, Oct 6 – The Naga Hoho has said that any solution to the protracted Naga political problem should be durable and permanent, and not a piecemeal one.

Talking over phone to NEPS from Dimapur here on Monday, Naga Hoho president Horangse Sangtam said the Naga political problem was 60 years old and it would certainly take time for finding a solution.

He was commenting on the recent statement made by the Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee during the latter’s visit to Rangapahar Army base that the “solution to the Naga political problem will take time”.

Sangtam also clarified that the Naga Hoho was not supporting any group – be it NSCN-IM or NSCN-K or Federal. “But we are supporting the issue concerning the Naga people,” he explained.

Since the political dialogue between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM was on the issue of integration of the Naga people, the Naga Hoho was supporting it. “And therefore, our supporting the issue of the Naga people such as the talks between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM should not be misconstrued as supporting the NSCN-IM,” he asserted.

On the continued clashes between the NSCN factions, Sangtam said it was only for the leadership issue between them. They are still engaged in factional clashes despite having the same objective for the betterment of the Naga people. That meant it was for leadership issue only.– NEPS

Talks in Bangkok to focus on 'middle path'
NEW DELHI, Oct. 6: The next round of talks between the centre and the NSCN (IM) will be held on October 9 in Bangkok where an attempt will be made to 'strike a balance' and find a 'middle path' which will be acceptable to both the factions...

A senior official of the Home Ministry said attempt would be made to find a ''middle path'' on the controversial issue of 'Greater Nagaland' which has been dogging solution.

Earlier, Mr Oscar Fernandes, who heads the Group of Ministers on Naga talks, said today that the talks would be held on October 9 in Bangkok.

The NSCN (IM) is currently holding talks with the Centre for peace in the restive state after the two sides entered into a ceasefire in 1997. Ceasefire between the two was extended after the earlier ceasefire agreement expired on July 31 this year.

A ceasefire is also in operation with the rival NSCN (Khaplang faction) since 2001.

NSCN (IM) leaders Isak Chishi and T Muivah were in India last year for several months but left after having failed to reach an agreement with the Centre. The NSCN-(IM) has warned that they would back out from the ceasefire if they did not reach an agreement, specially on the ticklish issue of 'Greater Nagaland.' The NSCN (IM), one of the most powerful rebel faction in the region, is pressing for 'Greater Nagaland' including parts of neighbouring Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh that have a sizeable Naga population. The three states oppose the 'Greater Nagaland' demand. (UNI)

Factional clashes claim one, boy injured
Kohima | October 07, 2005 11:43:50 AM IST

An NSCN(K) cadre was killed and three others, including a boy, were injured in separate clashes in two places of Nagaland, official sources said here today.
The sources said inter-factional clashes erupted in Tizit area of Mon district yesterday where rival factions of the NSCN engaged in a fierce gun battle at Lapalampong village, which left an NSCN(K) cadre dead and two NSCN(IM) activists injured.
Sources said both factions, undeterred by the casualty, were getting reinforcements despits appeals made by the people. Public leaders and NGOs, who tried to pacify the warring groups, were asked to go away at gun point. As tension spread, people fled towards the jungles for safe shelter.
In another clash between rival factions of NSCN(IM) and the 'federal government of Nagaland'(FGN) at Rukizu colony in Phek district a 10-year old boy was injured in the cross fire.
Sources said about 40 FGN cadres were sheltered in Rukizu colony but the NSCN(IM) cadres advanced towards the area which resulted in a gun battle. The boy, hit by a stray bullet on his left foot, was admitted to the Naga hospital here last evening.
Later, the people of Pfutsero town took out a peace march with white flags towards Rukizu and called a public meeting.
The deputy commissioner, superintendent of police and commandant of the 5th Nagaland Armed Police had rushed to the spot.
Meanwhile, former finance minister and local legislator K. Therie condemned the incidents. UNI AS PL AKP1052
NSCN (K) launches manhunt Newmai News Network October 6
Imphal: The NSCN (K), which has launched a manhunt for members of a newly formed armed group Zeliangrong Revolutionary National Front (ZRNF) claimed to have captured a member of the group (ZRNF). The captured ZRNFmember is identified as Lunglitngampou alias Aboi Phaomei (20) son of Phunchapou Phaomei of Langol Lai Manai in Imphal West district.
A spokesman of the NSCN (K) Zelinagrong Region produced the member before a group of media persons and representatives of Zelinagrong Union at a place in Senapati district today. The man was handed over to the representatives of the Zelinagrong Union.
The spokesman said the NSCN (K) has a standing order of eliminating all members of the front. However, responding to appeals from different Zeliangrong organisations and also the NSCN (K)’s peace campaign, the outfit decided not to award capital punsihement to the member. The spokesman said Lunglitngampou was caught from Koirengei area of Imphal on October 3.
The spokesman said the member joined the front in June and he underwent armed training for about one and a half month in Churachandpur district. The member informed that the group has five members. The president and vice president of the group are identified as Guangsinlung alias Namgao (30) and vice president as Changamboth from Khoupum of Tamenglong district.
Lunglitngampou said he was recruited by Changam on the promise that he would be admitted to the NSCN (K). The spokesman said the front is a gang party and in the present Naga situation the Zeliangrong community are against coming up of more armed groups from the community.
The spokesman appealed to all armed groups not to give shelter to the memebrs of the front. The NSCN (K) also appealed to the people against giving donations and money to the group.
Sonia advises Naxal-hit states to keep communication channels open Chandigarh | October 07, 2005 6:08:46 PM IST

Authorities in the Naxalite-infested states and the insurgency-dominated North-East should channels of communication open with the rebels to ensure that existing problems did not go from bad to worse, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said on Friday.
She, however, asserted that the wanton killing of innocent people could not be condoned.
"The channels of dialogue have to be kept open and the wanton killing of innocent men, women and children cannot be condoned," Gandhi said on the first day of the two-day conclave of Congress chief ministers being held here.
Stating that the issues of naxalite violence in the heart of the country and of insurgency in the North-East are serious, she said, "we have to better understand and come to grips with the deeper socio-economic factors at work."
Gandhi said the functioning of police and security forces needed to be improved simultaneously. She added that Naxalite violence particularly could not be looked at in isolation from issues connected with tribal welfare.
"And within tribal welfare, the issue of land and land rights is critical," she said adding this needs to be looked at more humanely and more urgently than has been the case so far.
"I, for one, would like to see a time-bound campaign for resolving all land-relating disputes and updating land records."
Gandhi said health and nutrition had emerged as very serious concerns in tribal areas, and urged the chief ministers to attend to these issues on priority.
At least nine states have been affected in naxalite-related violence in recent months. Apart from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, the others are Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal.
The Indian Government is also concerned about the weak levels of internal security in the seven north eastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, all which have at some time or the other been affected by insurgency during the past 50 years. (ANI)
Public funeral service for slain NSCN cadres The Morung Express News October 6
DIMAPUR: An emergency meeting of frontline Naga civil society organizations, was held at the residential office of the President of Naga Hoho at Dimapur to discuss the alleged fake encounter killing of three NSCN cadres Chuba, Martin and Victor and two civilians Insang and Mixson by the Meghalaya Police on October 5 near Shillong around 6:00 am. The meeting resolved to organize a funeral service, on behalf of the entire Naga Society, for the departed souls who were allegedly tortured before being murdered by the Meghalaya Police. The funeral committee appealed to the public to join in the service as a sign of solidarity to the departed and as a common commitment to condemn the ‘ghastly act of dehumanization against any people.’
Meanwhile, according to a Joint release issued by the Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Council, Dimapur, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights, the nature of death and the treatment meted out to the deceased prior to their murder had been confirmed to be premeditated despite the official version of the killing that has taken place claiming it to be an open encounter.
"In this regard, it has been established beyond any reasonable doubt that the three Naga cadres were unarmed at the time of their apprehension by the Meghalaya police and were traveling with the two other civilians and did not engage in any encounter as stated by the official media" the Joint statement asserted. Quoting from reliable sources the organizations also asserted that the cadres were subjected to inhuman torture involving severing of organs and mutilation of the body which ultimately led to their deaths. "This inhuman act of torture and deliberate killing during this period of ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN is a serious threat to the overall political process. The open act of state terrorism is against the norm of humanity and the Naga Civil Societies resolved to condemn this barbaric act" it stated.
Factions battle it out in Tizit, Pfutsero
Morung Express News
October 6
MON/PFUTSERO: Heavy gunfire between the two NSCN factions have been reported from Tizit in Mon district while in Pfutsero armed clashes between the NSCN (IM) and FGN cadres took place. In Mon district, fighting continued unabated at Lapalampong village near Tizit today.
Lt Nokpai Konyak from the NSCN (K) was reportedly killed in the ensuing battle. Earlier yesterday two NSCN (IM) cadres were also killed in the same area.
It was reported that both factions were undeterred by casualties and were getting reinforcement despite appeals made by the public.
When contacted, NGO units operating in the region informed that they were not allowed to mediate and instead told to go away at gun point by cadres of both factions. A curfew like situation prevails and the situation is reported to be very tense. Reports of families and homes being displaced are also pouring in.
In another incident of factional feud between the cadres of NSCN (IM) and FGN at Rukizu colony, Pfutsero, a ten-year old boy was injured. Most of the residents of Rukizu who live in thatch houses escaped to nearby fields. No casualties were reported. Later the public of Pfutsero Town waving white flags marched towards Rukizu and immediately called for a public meeting. The DC, SP and Commandant of 5th NAP Phek, rushed to the spot.
Condemning the incident at Pfutsero, former Finance Minister K Therie said the firing had disturbed the atmosphere in the area and lamented that people were being forced to pay heavy taxes. "Perhaps Nagas are the only citizens paying four taxes," he said.
In Development we trust? Akum Longchari
At long last we are realizing we have all this while been living in an interdependent world, and the need to live in a world without walls, which we have worked so hard to create. However, we are also faced with multiple closures of our physical and democratic spaces by ‘Corporate Globalism and Militarized States.’ This has brought into focus the intimate relation between force, violence, poverty, inequality and non-sustainability. Consequently, Political, Social and Economic Justice and Ecological Sustainability have become central rallying points to restore development of humankind.
Freire says, "Transformation is only valid if it is carried out with the people, not for them. Liberation is like a childbirth and a painful one. The person who emerges is a new person, no longer oppressor or oppressed but a person in the process of achieving freedom. It is only the oppressed who by freeing themselves can free their oppressor." To achieve lasting and real changes, we need to understand development as a more inclusive concept, which is viewed and approached from the perspective of peoples.
Developmental notion of justice is about taking less and changing the lifestyle of those in power while empowering the poor and oppressed people. For genuine development, Schumacher commented, it is important to remove the illusion that ‘development and universal prosperity is the strongest foundation of peace.’ This is an erroneous perception propagated by the State and people in power. Through such propaganda they effectively and efficiently succeed in pacifying people with a false sense of hope, while maintaining and safeguarding their own interest.
Habitually the rich seem and ‘claim’ to have regularly been more ‘peaceful’ than the poor. But it is argued that the rich have never felt secure against the poor, and that their aggressiveness stems from this fear. It could seem that the rich treasure peace more, but only when they feel secure. The rich depends on making large demands on limited resources which inevitably puts them on an unavoidable collision – not primarily with the poor but with other rich. Therefore why do the rich go to war? The argument that the road to peace is to follow the road to riches only concludes that the road to riches is not peace but war.
Maybe it’s time to channelize energy and resources in the search for our need in developing alternative sustainable systems based on relations of partnership and equality – before we ourselves are forced by time and human destruction to do so. No system is absolute and though our actions for an alternative may be small, the impact of our actions is far beyond us. The struggle for human security and human development will not end until there is a comprehensive move for demilitarization around the world, which includes transformation of all oppressive structures that perpetuates violence and domination.
UNLF lauds boxers
The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Oct 6: The underground United National Liberation Front has lauded MC Mary Kom and L Sarita for bringing laurels for Manipur by bagging gold and bronze respectively at the 2nd world women`s boxing championship held recently in Russia.

The outfit, however, expressed strong displeasure over the manner in which the two women boxers are being treated by the government of Manipur and India government on the matter of providing jobs to the two pugilists.

The two boxers deserve to be honored keeping in view their outstanding performances and laurels brought for the country they represented but this was never done as both of them do not hail from the mainland but from the remote corner of the country, the UNLF said in a statement signed by its senior publicity secretary Ksh Yoiheiba.

The statement went on to say that Mary Kom could have been honored with titles such as `Boxing Queen` had she hailed from the mainland India as in the case of PT Usha who was named `Sprint Queen`.

The state government did provided a house to Mary Kom at Langol but such a treatment is inappropriate for a world champion player, the UNLF said adding that financial stability is needed for a player like Mary Kom to maintain her standard.

Taking serious note of Manipur government`s whimsical attitude shown to Mary Kom`s appeal for a government job, the UNLF also asked whether the state government has to wait for blessing of the government of India as done while fighting insurgency.

Meanwhile, the Kom Rem Students` Union, Manipur expressed gratitude to mediapersons, students` bodies, NGOs, social organisations, individual donors, Tiddim Road Athletic Union, SP, Imphal East and West and their personnel and all communities of Manipur for their cooperation and active participation in the reception programme of MC Mary Kom and L Sarita Devi on October 5 from the Tulihal Airport, Imphal to BOAT.

Appreciation for Mary Kom and L Sarita, the new stars of Manipur, continued to pour in from various quarters. The Naga Women`s Union Manipur, Senapati and Ereipak Enaat Chanura Loinsinlon (EECHAL) have congratulated the boxing sensations on their grand achievements.

UNLF strikes at India's 'impossible' stand
By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Eexpress

IMPHAL, Oct 7 : Reacting to recent comments of national figures rejecting ple- biscite demand raised by the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) the banned outfit construed the 'blunt rejection' as reflection of Indian leaders' short-sightedness and negating India's very own democratic credentials.
In a statement issued by the senior publicity officer Ksh Yoiheiba, the UNLF noting that the Central Go-vernment had not made any official statement on the plebiscite demand however insisted that casual remarks and press statements of 'important' leaders sufficiently indicate the Government's position.
"defence Minister Pra-nab Mukherjee was visibly annoyed when question on plebiscite was raised by mediapersons during his recent visit to Imphal. His annoyed expression speaks much more that what he actually stated," contended Yoiheiba.
Observing that UNLF's plebiscite proposal has made the Centre annoyed and disturbingly uncomfortable, the statement men- tioned of the issue haunting indian leaders who had presumed that another ple-biscite call - that of Kashmir - had been successfully shelved.
The issue is beginning to haunt India once again with the spread of popular voice for plebiscite reverberating in the whole of the North eastern region, it stated while adding that the UNLF is not daunted with Pranab Mukherjee's crude 'not possible' as the people of Manipur are equally determined and hold in high esteem principles of democracy.
Affirming that the Front perceives the rejection as a step closer to the final goal and the rejection only exposed the undemocratic attitude of the Indian leaders (GoI) to the democratic proposal, UNLF said the comments/conducts vivid-ly reflect militaristic agenda of the Government towards the NE people.
Not only do India stand to lose its credentials on claim as the largest democracy but the rejection of democratic proposal coupled with the clear agenda of following military doctrine to suppress the peo- ple's voice is a victory insured for the UNLF, it added.
Highlighting that the liberation struggle has rea- ched a stage where fight against Indian rule in a de-mocratic manner is being sustained with the steadily growing armed struggle, the UNLF statement said "Strategically, this democratic move has cornered the GoI between two dilemmas - plebiscite or the mili- tary option".
Plebiscite is the democratic solution which will end the Manipur-India political conflict once and for all but the military option is no solution at all as experiences in the 50 years have proved futility of pursuing military solution to the basically political conflict resulting only in the loss of innumerable human lives, suggested the UNLF.
Stating that people of manipur had or is never in support of the oppressor, the outfit insisted that plebiscite is the only door for india's gracious exit contrary to flexing military might that will only lead to an ignominious defeat.
"The logic is simple, the 50,000 or so Indian Occupation Forces in Manipur if increased to even a lac cannot annihilate the 2.4 million people of Manipur," said the statement of the senior publicity officer.
Referring to reluctance of the Centre against repealing AFSPA despite mass democratic movement launched by the people, the UNLF calling upon the people to be resilient in their endeavour also contended that the Government belittling the people's voice should be closely scrutinised.
Affirming that the political conflict will persist till restoration of Manipur's sovereignty even if AFSPA or other draconian law is repealed in order to win back confidence of the people, UNLF cautioned that compelled with the situation the Government is experimenting with 'repression with a humane face' which literary means 'torture, rape and kill with a humane heart.
citing the repeal AFSPA movement as round I, UNLF said second round of people's democratic struggle should be directed at the very system responsible for the inhuman military repres-sion, a system that enacted draconian laws like the AFSPA.
The people need to strive to assert fundamental democratic right to participate directly in resolving the political conflict thro-ugh a UN supervised plebi- scite so that peace and pro-gress may adorn Mani-pur again, the statement added.
Long shadow of AFSPA Sangai Express
The report that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has endorsed the recommendations of the Justice Jeevan Reddy panel to scrap the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act is welcome though there are still many strings attached to it. As reported the Home Ministry has strongly suggested that some clauses of the Act should be incorporated in the Unlawful Activities Act to provide a certain degree of immunity to the security force engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the North East. This is where the bone of contention lies and it is this rider which may give rise to yet another round of debates. One clear point that has emerged from the recommendations of the Justice Jeevan Reddy committee is the fact that they want to neutralise the deep rooted angst that the people of the North East are being discriminated against by the AFSPA, which is imposed only in the North East region. The Union Home Ministry by suggesting that the Act be scrapped and some of its clauses be contained in the Unlawful Activities Act has rung out the message that the Centre does not want to be seen as adopting a policy that discriminates the North East region from the rest of the country but yet at the same time are keen to provide some sort of immunity to the security force operating in the hostile terrain of insurgency infested region of the North East. The Unlawful Activities Act which was passed to replace POTA is widely perceived by many, especially human rights advocates, as old wine in a new bottle but what is significant is, this Act is applicable across the country and not merely to a few States. By incorporating come clauses of the AFSPA the Centre may try to soothe the frayed nerves of the people of the North East region that they have done away with an Act that was seen as discriminatory.
On the flip side, those who were and are still at the forefront of the demand to completely revoke AFSPA from the North East may see a different side to such a formula. If we may recall, AFSPA without the clauses, which give sweeping immunity to the security personnel would not have been seen as such a draconian law. It is about the immunity granted to the men in uniform to do as they please that had rankled the people of the region no end and the months of protest that followed after the bullet riddled body of Th Manorama was found last year, was exactly against these immunities granted to the security personnel. As human rights activists have time and again pointed out, the most violative part of the Act is the power given to even a non-commissioned officer to open fire and kill somebody on suspicion. If this same immunity is to be included in the Unlawful Activities Act, then it may not go down well with the people at all, as it would mean nothing but AFSPA in a new avatar. It would also do wise on the part of the military bosses that what ultimately counts is the conduct and discipline of their men. The privileges and immunities they enjoy while fighting for the Nation should also come with a corresponding dose of responsibility. It is this responsibility which has been found wanting all these years.