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11/03/2005: "Raising expounds on Delhi-ULFA talks"


Raising expounds on Delhi-ULFA talks Newmai News NetworkNovember 2
Dimapur: When asked about the much hyped ULFA and the government of India’s proposed talk and whether the talk, if it materializes, will over-shadow the NSCN-IM and the GoI’s ongoing dialogues, Rh. Raising, the Kilo Kilonser of the NSCN (IM) said today that the issues of the ULFA and the Nagas are quite different
The NSCN-IM home minister analytically stated that the nature of the proposed ULFA talk with the GOI should be first understood as to what ground they might hold dialogue.
"You see, the ongoing Naga talk is based on the unique history of the Nagas and ours is a political issue. We Nagas are never a part of the Indian union--we are never Indians and we cannot be Indians but I do not know whether ULFA thinks Assam is part of India or for that matter, I do not know what the ULFA situation is or even I do not know whether the Assam problem is that of law and order issue," he elaborated.
Interestingly, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has triggered a debate on the issue recently. Neiphiu Rio’s view which was carried in The Telegraph on October-31 has opened the flood-gate where he had warned New Delhi "against allowing its dialogue with ULFA-constituted team of mediators to overshadow the Naga peace talks."
However, the NSCN-IM set up seems to be least bothered, if not at all with regard to the ULFA-constituted People’ Consultative Group talks with the government of India as no reaction has come-forth from the Naga outfit till date.

NNC/FGN condole deaths Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 02: Expressing deep grievances and distress the national workers of Nagaland NNC/FGN Wung Region condoled the untimely demise of the unit's general secretary Eno Ningam (Angam) and his companion Eno Leishikham (Akham).

Contending that the two were abducted by a group of armed Naga terrorist from Tangkhul Avenue, imphal and later tortured till death, a statement issued by the Wung Region's RaliWali secretary Eno W Chaim described the act as 'wild and inhuman while calling upon all to condemn the brutal murder. Informing of AS Angam being dedicated and sincerely serving the NNC/FGN till his last breath (October 29), the secretary maintained that Angam's sacrifice would remained etched in the history of the Naga Nation.

asserting that the NNC is the only National Council of the Naga nation and Federal Government of Nagaland legitimised by the Naga people on March 22, 1956, the statement reiterated that NNC/FGN would strive for solving the Indo-naga conflict in a non-violent manner with spirit of nationalism based on the principle of May 16, 1951 Naga plebiscite.
Members of American Baptist Ministry tour Nagaland The Morung Express News
DIMAPUR: Eleven women from the American Baptist Women’s Ministry (ABWM) led by Virginia Holmstrom, Executive Director, ABWM today attended a special programme organised by the Dimapur Town Baptist Women Union (DTBWU) and sponsored by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) at Covenant Hall, Christian Higher Secondary School (CHSS), Dimapur.
"To study what God has been doing in India particularly in Nagaland", said Virginia Holmstrom when asked about the purpose of their visit to the State. She further added that she feels that the visit is a very special one for her not only for being able to come so far but to witness the great works that God has been doing to the Naga people.
The first session of the event was chaired by Asangla Jamir, Vice President DTBWU while the invocation and welcome note was pronounced by K. Terhuja, Ex Principal CHSS and the President of DTBWU respectively. During the function, the US delegates delivered short speeches. The second session was a cultural presentation round up where different representing tribes of the DTBWU performed. The compere for the second session was Meripeni Ngullie, a lecturer in the Government College Dimapur.
Vote of thanks was articulated by Abeni, General Secretary DTBWU and the programme came to a close with a word of prayer from Dr. Weyiete Lohe, Pastor Chakhesang Baptist Church Dimapur.
It may be mentioned that the delegates will be putting up in Dimapur for four days before they leave for the two day visit to the capital.
The ministry team includes Mary Beckwith (Arizona), Virginia Holmstrom (Pennsylvania), Marcia Street (Iowa), Eileen Smith (Iowa), Marilyn Oaks (Illinois), Joyce Camp (New York), Vi Wiant (California), Dorothy Sease (California), Nancy Lamb (Kansas), Dottie Mc. Crossan (Kansas) and Cathy Holmes from Wood Stock School, Missouri.
DAN govt committed to overall development: Rio
Kohima | November 03, 2005 1:41:02 PM IST Webindia

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has said the Democratic Allinance of Nagaland (DAN) government was committed to the overall development of the state.
Addressing a gathering at Kiphire village bordering Myanmar yesterday, Mr Rio said his government was sincere in its efforts to develop all districts.
He said the department of District Urban Development Agency had been created specifically for this purpose.
He, however, reiterated that peace and harmony were essential for any developmental work and urged the people to be sincere in this endeavour.
Mr Rio, who is on a tour to the remote Kiphire district of the state, informed that 2006 has been declared as a year of 'farmers' to enable the farming community to go commercial through agricultural produce and cattle raising.
Earlier in the day, Mr Rio interacted with the Kiphire town council members, public leaders and students' leaders to apprise himself about the ongoing situation of the district. UNI AS TJP AK KP1159
People of Pfutsero demand invocation of Article 355
Kohima | November 03, 2005 1:36:56 PM IST Webindia

People of Pfutsero in Phek district of Nagaland have alleged of complete breakdown of law and order in the state and urged Nagaland Governor to invoke Article 355 and special powers under Article 371(a).
In a memorandum signed by 53 eminent citizens of the town to Nagaland governor Shyamal Datta here yesterday the people of the area said ever since Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government came to power there had been ''breakdown'' of law and order situation and ''failure'' of constitutional machinery.
Citing various incidents during the truce between the NSCN-IM and the Centre, the memorandum said, ''The state has miserably failed to protect the lives and properties of the people.'' The memorandum alleged that state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has termed the present situation as a ''political problem'' and not law and order problem.
They urged Governor to ensure that during ceasefire underground outfits should be stopped from freely patrolling with arms. UNI AS TJP AKP1119
Main accused in attempted rape of nurse in NSCN (IM) custody Sano Meru November 2
DIMAPUR (MExN): Dimapur Police is negotiating with the NSCN (IM) to hand over the main accused in yesterday’s attempted rape incident at Grace Colony, Dimapur.
According to SP Dimapur, Bidhu Shekhar, the police are talking to NSCN (IM) officials for handing over Bhaity, an Assamese, and the main accused in the attempted rape case. Besides this, Police have also launched a massive man hunt for one Sunep who is still evading arrest.The other three accused Satem Yanger, Susu Ao and Moa Toshi, all hailing from Kangtsang village under Tuli sub-division, Mokokchung District have fallen under the police dragnet.
Earlier, it may be mentioned, the victim had recounted that she had been molested and abused by the accused and when her cousin tried to intervene he was shot at.
Two killed in KA ethnic violence Newmai News Network
GUWAHATI, NOV 2 (PTI): Fresh violence erupted in Karbi Anglong district on Wednesday when two persons were killed by a group of unidentified people who attacked their bus between Diphu and Dhansiri, police said.
A group of about 25 people in civil dress waylaid a bus coming from Diphu towards Dhansiri at Charchari around 3.35 pm with spears and machetes, district superintendent of police, Krishna Das told PTI.
One of the victims was beheaded and the other was attacked with spears on his head. He succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital, Das said. The other 13 passengers, driver and conductor of the bus fled towards Dhansiri when they were ambushed, he said. The identity of the attackers and victims are yet to be ascertained. At least 89 persons have died in ethnic violence between the warring Karbi and rival Dimasa tribes in the district since September 26.
NSCN-IM awareness campaign Newmai News Network
Dimapur, Nov 2: The NSCN-IM’s grass-root level awareness campaign is in full swing in the Naga inhabited areas and the campaign has been going on for sometime now.
One of NSCN-IM’s key figures and Kilo-kilonser (home minister) Rh.Raising informed Newmai News Network today in Dimapur that it has been one month now that the awareness campaign has been going on in ‘Nagalim’.
Elucidating the purpose of the campaign, the NSCN-IM home minister said that the Naga intellectuals and leaders know the latest position and development of the ongoing peace-process between the Nagas and the Government of India but majority of the Nagas who comprised the majority of the Naga community is ignorant about what the real issue is all about.
Shortage of commodities in Khinmniugan region
Kohima | November 03, 2005 1:38:34 PM IST Webindia

The Khiamniungan region under Tuensang district of Nagaland is facing shortage of essential commodities for about a couple of weeks following imposition of economic blockade reportedly by a faction of NSCN.
In a joint press communique here today, president of Khiamniungan Students' Union (KSU) T Beyan and president of Khiamniungan tribal council (KTC) P Pungom said, ''The people of Khimniungan tribe is facing economic suppression from October 21 for reasons not known to them.'' The two leaders said a meeting between the KTC and NSCN-IM, Khiamniungan region was held on July 28 at Tuensang during which the outfit had agreed not to impose economic blockade in future.
However, despite all past understandings the present blockade is again going on, they alleged.
Earlier, blockades were imposed on the area and on August 1 to 11, 2001, the whole of February in 2004 and between July 12 to 29 this year.
The KSU and KTC said it failed to understand why such type of oppressive action was being taken on Khiamniungan tribe despite of contribution and payment of ''taxes'' to all the factions and persons.
UNI AS TJP AKP1039
Indian Christians accused of favouring Kashmiri separatism by Nirmala Carvalho Asianet The head of the RSS condemns the New Delhi attacks but also blames the government’s for being “soft” on separatism in the country’s North-East. For John Dayal, it is all part of a campaign to discredit Christians. In his view, the RSS and Islamic fundamentalism feed on each other.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – The India government is too “soft” on the threats separatism poses to the country, said K S Sudharshan, head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist paramilitary organisation that has also strongly criticised the latest attacks in New Delhi. According to Christian activist John Dayal however, such views are part of wider campaign by Hindu fundamentalists to discredit Indian Christians. In his opinion, they show that the RSS and Islamic fundamentalism are closely connected insofar as they feed on each other.
“Kashmir is a living example of the ruling UPA’s soft policies,” Sudharshan said at a meeting in Kochi on October 30. Topping the agenda of the meeting was Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, followed by the issue of Jammu e Kashmir”, which is prey to secessionist agitation and violence.
“Forces within and outside the country are working to weaken and destabilise India,” the RSS chief said. Concerted moves are being made even at the international level against India, he added. According to Sudharshan, demands for a “greater Nagaland” are another sign of the deadly sickness that is affecting the country’s North-East region. Ethnic Nagas, who are mostly Christian, are accused of trying to annex areas from Manipur state in order to set up an independent Nagaland. In Manipur people are opposed.
For decades the main separatist party in the state, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) was outlawed. This came to an end in 1997 when it accepted a ceasefire with the Indian army. Since then rebels have held talks with the authorities to find a solution to the situation. In his speech, the RSS chief praised the reaction of the people of New Delhi following the October 29 blasts.
“The country is capable of meeting such challenges. The people, instead of fearfully sitting inside their homes, rushed to various spots to conduct relief operations,” he said, By contrast, when there was a terrorist attack on September 11 in the USA, the whole population went numb with fear. In an interview with AsiaNews, the president of the All India Catholic Union John Dayal said that there was “nothing new in Sudharshan’s words. The entire world denounces terrorism in all its forms. The IRA of Northern Ireland as well as India's own groups in several states, including those in Assam, have shown they can give up violence, when the goodwill is there. The Naga truce is a case in point.”
The Christian activist added that “all major Christian organisations and other religious groups have condemned the New Delhi bombings. Christians are involved in many peace processes around the country, including in the North-East, but Hindu fundamentalist groups continue their campaigns of victimisation at the expense of Christians.” In Dayal’s view, the RSS is as much a terrorist organisation as many international Islamic groups. “Its members deliberately kill, pushed by hatred,” he suggested. “In India terrorism and violence will not stop as long as the RSS will exist. Islamic terrorism and the RSS feed on each, and it is impossible to eliminate one without eradicating the other.” He hopes that “one day, the RSS will come under close scrutiny and be investigated in the same way as al-Qaeda and other fundamentalist groups are”.
Ganja worth Rs two cr seized Kohima | November 03, 2005 1:37:13 PM IST Webindia

The Narcotic Cell of the Kohima police seized 8200 kg ganja worth abour Rs two crores from a truck at zero point on Kohima-Pfutsero road yesterday and arrested five people in this connection.
According to official sources here today, the sleuths of the Narcotic Cell acting on specific information deployed some police personnel at zero point on Kohima-Pfutsero road and intercepted a truck carrying the contraband under bags containing cabbage early yesterday. The sleuths recovered the contraband packed in 521 packets wrapped with polythene. The truck, escorted by two other vehicles, was coming from Senapati district of Manipur through Chakhabama road via Kedima village.
Nagaland inspector general of police (Int) M V Chakhesang, in a release, said all the three vehicles and five occupants were detained along with the contraband by police and further investigation was on to apprehend all the members of the smuggling racket. UNI AS TJP PDS KP1052
Role of women in North East peace process — Dolly Phukon Assam Tribune Editorial
The north-eastern region of India consists of eight States, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim. Most of these States have been unrest since independence. Because of its location the region is geo-politically and strategically significant. The north eastern region is rich in natural resources and is endowed with hydro-power potentialities such as oil and natural gas, coal, forest resource etc; but the region has fallen far behind the rest of the country, in terms of every yardstick of development. Moreover, the north eastern region is not a homogenous unit as it comprises numerous ethnic groups with distinct identities and different problems. It seems that the Indian State has never tried to understand the heterogenosity of the north-eastern region but tried to impose on them the homogenous mainstream culture. This imposition led to different political demands leading to insurgency demanding complete secession, self-determination etc. Thus for the last few decades the north-eastern region has witnessed human rights violations due to ethnic conflicts and militant activities and its resultant response of the State. Because of armed conflict and State sponsored violence the innocent people like women, children, elderly persons and the disabled are worst effected. Besides, in the north-eastern societies gender inequalities are deeply inherent and women’s condition becomes more vulnerable during these conflicts. At the same time, in a situation where conflict is linked with the question of ethnicity and identity, it leads to more patriarchal control over women. Woman are regarded as the custodians of traditional values and culture which leads to the restriction over women’s mobility. One of the most common impacts of armed conflict on women is sexual violence. The bodies of women are regarded as the territory on which each side imprints itself as an assertion of identity, a humiliation of the opposing group and a means of terrorising both women and men of the community. But though women face casualty because of the armed conflicts, there is lack of literatures on women’s conditions and their role during armed conflicts. It would, however, be wrong to assume that women are passive victims of either State policies for their own traditions. In fact, women have actively involved in negotiating for peace.

Although the women of the North East have been playing a very significant role in peace making, either their role is being ignored or their capacities for this purpose are not utilised and recognised. In most cases it is seen that the government and the rebels don’t want to come to the negotiating table due to the fear of losing their power positions. The government fear of losing their legitimacy among the people and the rebels fear of losing their gun power. But as women are already in a marginalised position in the society, they view the concept of power and conflict from different angles. This position enables them to act in very impartial with less consideration for the existing power structure and help them to foster their new innovative peace making efforts. Thus women in that case becomes active peace makers. In Assam peace initiatives by women groups like Matri Manch, Sajagota Samities, Bodo Women Justice Forum etc and the recent peace initiative of Dr Manoni Raisom Goswami are of utmost importance.

The Matri Manch was initially formed by the mothers whose sons have disappeared, and joined the insurgent outfit or were killed during encounter with police and military. But of late many women who were not mothers also joined the movement. The Matri Manch took up issue of abuse of women and violence against women both by the State agents and the insurgents. In effect, this group never got the support of either State or insurgent groups but instead was threatened to withdraw from active campaigns for peace. Due to the pressure, they became either marginalised or became the targets of attack.

The Sajagota Mahila Samity often remains in dormant condition until some incident takes place. So they are not so politically visible. When any issue of violence on women takes place such as rape or police raids the members of the Samity immediately get organised and lead protest march and agitate for restoration of human rights. Though they fought for the sake of human rights issue, neither the State nor the rebels groups support their action.

Another women led peace group is the Bodo Women’s Justice Forum. This group concerns itself with the issues of peace and human rights and also took active part in iniating Bodo dialogue on peace. Golapi Basumatary, the founder secretary of the organisation initiated and actively acted in negotiating peace through dialogue but she was gunned down by some unknown assassins which led to the end of the initiative.

Of late, Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami, noted litterateur and Jnanpith Awardee has taken up the role of peacemaker in Assam aiming at helping the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) leaders to negotiate peace with the Indian government. The ULFA is identified as one of the powerful militant groups in North East and since 1979, it has been fighting for a separate home-land. During the last two decades thousand of people died due to the violent struggle. The Government of India in order to suppress this outfit deployed armed forces in Assam and carried out massive operations such as Operation Rhino, Operation Bajrang etc which led to massive human rights violation in Assam. In the past, the Indian government persuaded the ULFA for talks but the latter was reluctant to respond positively because of lack of confidence between the government and the insurgent group. With the recent initiative of Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami, the peace process in Assam has been expedited. Dr Goswami appealed the government to deal with the problem by undertaking a humanist approach and to find why the militants demand for a sovereign State. She hopes that as the discussions proceed other demands of the ULFA will become transparent and if these can be fulfilled then other issues might be compromised. She appealed the government to find out the root causes behind the boys taking the parth of violence and treat them as our own boys with guns in their hands, not as insurgents. Dr Goswami too mounted pressure upon New Delhi to control troops engaged in counter-insurgency operation against the outlawed ULFA in view of the current peace initiative as to create a congenial atmosphere to bring the rebels to the negotiating tables. Dr Goswami in various meetings too spoke on the role of civil society and also stressed the need of extensive study of the problem to formulate a holistic plan for an amicable settlement of the issue of insurgency. Due to her conscious and untiring efforts the ULFA has agreed to send a ten member people’s consultative group to initiate the discussion with the Central government and the first round of discussion has already taken place. This new development in the peace talks could be regarded as a first step forward towards attaining peace.

After going through the various dimensions of the role of women in peace process, it is certain that the peace initiatives are mainly issue based and scattered. Unlike the women’s organisatons in other north-eastern States like Meria Paibies of Manipur, Naga Mother’s Association of Nagaland, Watsu Mongdung of Nagaland etc, women’s organisations in Assam are scattered in the corners of Assam. In Assam women’s organisations are active only in a certain locality and donot spread their branches. The main reason behind this is due to different identities and community conflicts in Assam. Again it is seen that women who try to negotiate spaces of power in the public sphere pay a heavy price in Assam and are killed by bullets of the insurgents. Moreover women in representative politics are very few. Sometimes women are given token representation. Thus electoral politics of women in north-eastern States has in no way empowered women and in that case women are more successful in creating space for themselves in the public sphere by coming forward in politics of peace process. Women’s negotiation for peace has the potential to change their own status and in the process of peace making women could establish their political and public space combating the stereotyped notions of women as passive victims of either State politics, insurgents or their own tradition.
(The writer is a Lecturer in Centre for Women’s Studies, Dibrugarh University)
ULFA talks: Round II likely in city Mamoni keeps fingers crossed By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Nov 2: Noted writer Ms Mamoni Raysom Goswami would prefer to keep the fingers crossed, over the proposed second round of peace talks between the Government and the nine-member ULFA-constituted PCG.
Observers here feel that the second round of peace talks might take place during the Prime Minister’s visit to the State towards the end of this month.
"We can be optimistic that something of a breakthrough will be achieved during the talks, as the Prime Minister genuinely wants solution to the ULFA problem," said Ms Goswami while interacting with media persons in the city today.
Answering to whether a ceasefire will be declared before the talks, Ms Goswami said that the modalities would have to be chalked out before any such declaration.
Talking about self-styled ULFA c-in-c Paresh Barua, Ms Goswami said that Barua had a soft corner for literature.
According to Ms Goswami, the ULFA supremo takes inspiration from the revolutionary poems of Ikbal. "He has been reading a lot, and his favourite author is Ernest Hemingway, apart from the Assamese authors like Jatin Dowerah, Nalinibala Devi, Rajanikanta Bordoloi and others," revealed Ms Goswami.
Ms Goswami further said that Barua, over a telephonic conversation with her, had denied the outfit’s hand in the Dhemaji blast.
Regretting the role of the Indian Army in Assam, Ms Goswami said, "I was proud of the Indian Army, but the way they killed six women cadres of the outfit in encounters over the last few months, has given me certain reservations."
Apex Dimasa body reviews KA scene Sentinel
DIPHU, Nov 2: A meeting of the Jadikhe Naisho Hoshom, (the Dimasa apex body), Diphu, Karbi Anglong was held yesterday under the presidentship of S Hasnu to review the prevailing situation in Karbi Anglong district. The meeting began with a two-minute silence as mark of respect to pay homage to those killed in the recent ethnic carnage in the district, states a press release.
It condemned the carnage of October 17 and termed it as a black spot in the age-old Dimasa-Karbi relations. It demanded that the culprits behind the mindless massacre should be brought to book.
The JNH appreciated the goodwill gesture of the UPDS, vice president Ke Aap Tisso towards the Dimasa people based on a recent media statement in an Assamese daily.
The JNH also appreciated the peace initiative taken by the Government of Assam and expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the joint meeting of the Karbi and Dimasa social organizations in presence of Government representatives held on October 27.
The JNH said that efforts must be speeded up by social organizations of both the communities to bring about a lasting peace in the district. It said that there should be no pre-condition for any form of negotiation.
However, the apex Dimasa body expressed its deep shock and unhappiness at the attack on two Karbi youths by miscreants in a running train on October 30 based on media reports. The JNH, while expressing deep concern over the incident, said that the incidents was the handiwork of elements (whether be Dimasa or from any other community) working against the interest of peace in the district.
The JNH has also extended its helping hand to the district administration in bringing about peace in the region. It has appealed to all those living in the district to make their best efforts to restore normality and goodwill in Karbi Anglong.



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