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11/05/2005: "Nagas to disobey Manipur Government"

Nagas to disobey Manipur Govt Newmai News Network
People’s convention resolve to pay tax directly to Delhi or Kohima
Senapati, Nov 4: The United Naga Council sponsored Naga Peoples Convention today declared the launching of non-co-operation movement against the Manipur government. This was decided during the Naga Peoples Convention held today at Taphou Naga Village in Senapati where Naga leaders from frontal social organizations conglomerated. The meeting was convened by the United Naga Council.
While reiterating the earlier Senapati declaration of August-8 and 9, 2001 which states "our identity and history have to be defended and preserved at all cost and the firm political stand of the Naga people for integration of all the Naga areas under one administration", today’s convention passed resolutions on five agenda which are to be carried out during the course of the non-co-operation movement against the Manipur government.
As part of the movement, the Naga village chiefs and authorities will be returning the red blankets issued by the Manipur government.
All the names of villages, hills/ranges, rivers, districts will be changed into indigenous names as another form of non-cooperation.
The Naga households will stop paying house tax to the Manipur government and will either pay it directly to New Delhi or to Kohima. Non-acceptance of any development fund/schemes through the government of Manipur with effect from April-1, 2006 (next financial year) was also decided upon.
As a form of insubordination, all the Nagas without exception will desist from associating themselves from any forum, platform or organisation with the Meiteis. Earlier in the day, the UNC convened meeting urged the government of India to demonstrate its political will towards resolving the Indo-Naga issue by carrying forward the peace-process to an acceptable and honorable settlement at the earliest.
A memorandum will be submitted to the government of India reiterating the political stand of the Nagas living in the present state of Manipur to uphold the resolution of the Naga people for integration of Naga areas under one administration and the declaration of the launching of the non-cooperation movement against the Manipur government.
The UNC Working Group will work out the modalities for carrying forward the non-co-operation movement.
Other courses of action will be communicated to the district organisations by the UNC.
Chandel meet resolves to support peace talks Source: The Sangai Express
Chandel, November 04: Representatives of Chandel district-based Naga civil societies, village chiefs, student bodies, women organisations, Church leaders and Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights etc during a meeting held on November 2 at Chandel Christian village reaffirmed support to the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process.

Pledging unequivocal support to the political dialogue between the NSCN (IM) leadership and Government of India, the meeting resolution included emphasis on sincerity of the Central authorities for a negotiated settlement to the issue and necessity for the latter to recognise the legitimate rights for the unification of Naga areas.

In addition of deciding to launch a series of non-cooperation movement, the Nagas of Chandel re-endorsed and upheld the declaration of the Naga People’s Convention held at Senapati district on August 8-9, 2001.

Other resolutions adopted in the recent Chandel session include payment of hill house tax either directly to New Delhi or in Kohima and return of red blankets to the Government of Nagaland by the Naga chiefs of Chandel district.

A joint statement of Chandel Naga People’s Organisation, Naga Students’ Union, Chandel and Naga Women’s Union, Chandel endorsing the meeting resolutions was also sent to the press.

On the other hand, the Joint Action Committee, Chandel strongly desired participation of leaders and representatives of organisations concerned at the November 7 meeting to be held at Lambung village, Chandel to settle the October 18 Pallel incident.

NSCN-IM threatens to call off ceasefire in Nagaland
[ Saturday, November 05, 2005 11:21:36 am IANS ] Times of India

DIMAPUR: The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) Saturday threatened to call off an eight-year-old ceasefire with New Delhi if its demands were not met by January, leaders of the guerrilla outfit said.

"There is no point in operating a ceasefire and holding talks without any solution in sight. If the Indian government fails to hammer out a solution within the tenure of the present ceasefire there would be no option but to probably call off the truce and fight back," R.H. Raising, a senior NSCN-IM leader, told IANS. The NSCN-IM and New Delhi entered into a ceasefire in August 1997, and the term of the ongoing truce expires on Jan 31 next year.
"We are still committed to resolving the problem through political negotiations but we cannot wait indefinitely There is a limit to everything," said Raising, self-styled home minister of the rebel group. The two sides have held at least 45 rounds of peace talks since 1997 aimed at ending one of the longest running insurgencies in the northeast.

"People are getting increasingly restive and impatient and we do not see any seriousness on the part of New Delhi to solve the problem. The government of India is simply giving us assurances and commitments without trying to work out a tangible solution," NSCN-IM spokesman Kraibo Chawang told IANS. The last round of talks between the NSCN and the central government peace negotiators ended in Bangkok last month.

"Fresh talks are due to begin later this month between our collective leadership and the Indian government and unless something positive emerges out of the deliberations there is no point in continuing with ceasefire," Raising said.

The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, is one of the oldest and most powerful of about 30 rebel groups in India's northeast and wants to create a "Greater Nagaland" by slicing off parts of neighbouring states that have Naga tribal populations.

The three regional governments of Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh have rejected the NSCN-IM's demand for unification of Naga-dominated areas. Local rebel leaders were holding meetings across Nagaland to apprise the people about their decision to return to the jungles if the talks fail.

"We are holding mass consultations in every village and telling our people that we may have to fight again if our rights and aspirations are not recognized by New Delhi," Chawang said.

Community leaders and tribal chiefs are worried that Nagaland might again witness a cycle of violence if the NSCN-IM decides to pull out of the peace talks. "It would be a nail in the coffin if the peace talks break down at this stage. Each and every Naga was hoping for a permanent solution and an end to bloodshed and killings," said T. Ao, a church leader.
DGAR visits Nagaland New Kerala
Kohima: The Director General of Assam Rifles (DGAR) Lieutenant General Bhupinder Singh yesterday paid a day's visit to Nagaland.

According to defence sources here today the DGAR was accompanied by his wife Winnie Singh, who is the president of the Assam Rifles Wives Welfare Association (ARWWA).

The general was briefed on the prevailing law and order situation in the state by Brig Brij Pal Singh, officiating Inspector General of Assam Rifles.

The DGAR also called on Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and governor Shyamal Datta and discussed matters of mutual interest.

Mrs Singh later visited the Kohima orphange, sources added.
Jamir stresses on economic development New Kerala
Kohima: Goa governor and former Nagaland Chief Minister S C Jamir has stressed the need for economic reforms in Nagaland in the context of changing global economic scenario to ensure preservation of the state's natural environment in harmony with the unique tribal culture.

Speaking as the chief guest at the silver jubliee celebration of the Ao Senden at Mokokchung yesterday, Mr Jamir outlined six thrust areas for building the foundation for economic development like tourism, handicrafts, horticulture, floriculture, sports and economic collaboration with the neighbouring states in the context of the Centre's ''Look East'' policy, which focussed economic development through commerce and trade with the neighbouring asian countries.

He expressed sorrow over the continued killings and violence in Nagaland and said it was time to confront the truth about the causes and factors that has plunged the Naga society under fear psychosis today.

The Goa governor said though nagas speak eloquently about unity and progress of all tribes yet on the contaary killings have been accepted as pride under the plea of continuing a political movement.

This has created a serious problem among the people, he added.

He said there is '' truth famine'' among the people and warned that if it continues to exist there can be no peace or progress.

Nagaland leader of the opposition I.Imkong also spoke on the occasion.
Jamir spells out vision statement for home audience The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOV 4 (MExN): In his vision statement for Nagaland Goa Governor SC Jamir, while advocating for peace stated that enough blood had been shed through wanton fratricidal killings and expressed concern that killing of Nagas by Nagas would benefit none but making us a disgrace in the eyes of all the communities in the country. The former Nagaland Chief Minister called upon the people to faithfully and honestly pray to the living God to guide and bless the Naga leaders who are engaged in the peace process to work out a durable solution to the political problem of Nagaland through peaceful and democratic means. "We know very well the kind of trouble we are in…let the present challenges be our future opportunities," Governor Jamir said. While recalling the developments leading up to the birth of the State of Nagaland, Jamir observed that in the last few decades, the Nagas had witnessed a huge transformation in the world outside, adding that developments in science and technology changed the world completely. "Nagaland has to move fast now, if it does not want to be left behind" he urged. He asserted that as the people marches ahead they have to understand that it was no longer economically or socially sustainable for Nagaland to remain isolated and that it was time to "come out of our shells and face reality". Jamir urged that the prevalent fear-psychosis has to be shed since the people had nothing to be afraid and urged them to let go of narrow-mindedness and suspicion. The Governor presented the people two options: "We can simply continue to be victims of violence or we can be progressive, liberal-minded and forward-looking and take Nagaland to the heights of economic glory that it is truly capable of".
On the economic front, the Governor has laid down a detailed six point agenda. The agenda includes promotion of tourism, encouraging the production of handicrafts, industrial growth, promotion of Sports, coordination and collaboration with other north-eastern states, and the use of education to develop among the Nagas an enthusiastic attitude towards learning and promotion of professional work ethics.
CAG pulls up Nagaland Power dept for funds diversion Dimapur, November 4, 2005 Hindustan Times
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pulled up Nagaland's Power Department for large scale of diversion of funds during the year ending March 31, 2004.
According to the report, the department is responsible for large scale diversion of funds, non-revision of issue rates, keeping idle stock, issue of supply orders at the request of the suppliers, reimbursement of excise duty to suppliers without production of documentary evidence, non-recovery of penalty from defaulting suppliers, and of offering undue financial benefits to suppliers, among others.
According to the report, the department procured 15 vehicles, including 13 Bolero Invaders and two Ambassadors between March and August 2004 at a total cost of Rs 76.45 lakh by diverting Rs 8.32 lakh from deposit work, Rs 54.63 lakh from rural electrification and Rs 13.5 lakh from the system improvement scheme without the approval of the Finance Department.
Similarly, of the Rs 2.67 crore sanctioned by the Government in October 2002 for procurement of store material under the Central Government's Accelerated Power Development Reform Programme, Rs 12.13 lakh was diverted in December 2002 by the stores division towards payment of salary of staff belonging to another division, the report pointed out.
These are only a few of the instances cited in the report. A random verification of supply orders placed with local suppliers by the chief engineer for procurement of steel poles revealed that the rates approved by the purchase board were much higher than the rates of the manufacturers quoted in their invoices issued to the local suppliers, the report noted.
NSF to launch its own website The Morung Express
KOHIMA, NOV 4 (MExN): The Federating Units and Sub-Ordinate Bodies of the Naga Students’ Federation would be holding the launching programme of its website on the 8 November at 10:00 AM at the conference hall, NSF. Lathara IAS will grace the occasion as its special guest. In a release issued by K. Elu Ndang, General Secretary, NSF, requested all the concerned units to be present on time and invited all the former leaders and well-wishers to be a part of the programme.
Ganja seized at Dimapur Source: The Sangai Express
Kohima, November 04: Sleuths from the excise department and NSCN(I-M) activists have seized 1,380 kg of ganja near Dimapur in a joint operation, police said today.

The consignment, captured at Chumukedima check gate yesterday, was despatched from Manipur's Senapati district and was meant for an unknown destination outside the north-east, they said.

One person was arrested and a vehicle registered in Nagaland was seized.

The accused is in the custody of the NSCN(I-M) while the contraband has been deposited at the ceasefire monitoring cell, police said.

On Wednesday, the Narcotics Cell of Nagaland police had seized 8,200 kg ganja at Chakabama and arrested five persons.

Apart from police and excise personnel, ganja transported through the two main routes of Nagaland is frequently seized by NSCN(I-M) and burnt in the presence of the district administration, public leaders and media.

Ganja shipments generally go up during this time, specially on NH-39, since harvesting is done during autumn in parts of Manipur and bordering Myanmar, police said. PTI
Corruption a larger evil: AIR opinion poll The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Nov 4: Even as awareness of HIV/AIDS and preventive measures thereof is quite high in Manipur, corruption looms large in the minds of the people of Manipur. This is as per an opinion poll conducted by the AIR Imphal of its listerners between October 2 and October 20. For the first time, the AIR Imphal conducted an opinion poll asking listeners to give their comment on the topic `Which one is bigger issue - HIV/AIDS or corruption.` The result of the opinion was declared today. Of every six opinions received as many as five voted corruption as a more serious problem for Manipur and only one out of six indicated HIV/AIDS as a serious problem A total of 750 opinions were received through post, e-mail and hand post including 110 females ranging from top bureaucrats to social workers, teachers to students, medical doctors to pharmacists, ex-MPs to Gram Panchayat members, editors to press compositors, retired IAS personnel to laymen, unemployed and housewives etc.

The opinion poll also represented all the districts of Manipur, the highest being 81 polls from Tamenglong district among the five hill districts. The opinions were also received from the North Eastern states of Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam. A cross-section of the people considered corruption as the major problem in Manipur. About 20 percent of the respondents said that corruption nips positivism while 14 percent of them said it is incurable as both the government machinery and the NGOs are ineffective. Another 13 percent said corruption blunts honesty and blurs transparency intractably while 12 percent of them opined that corruption destroys social fabric menacingly. Another 12 percent said that corruption frustrates development revoltingly while the remaining 29 percent opined that corruption is a sin or an intrinsic human default, comparable to uncontrolled nuclear fission, it renders all laws ineffective, and it prevents individuals from positive action. Out of 81 opinions polled from Tamenglong district, 65 viewed that corruption as the major issue in the district. The most striking reason given by respondents was that both the government machinery and the NGOs in Manipur are not free from the disease. Some government employees also narrated their woes as for instance, one widow narrated how much she suffered in the state secretariat in a die-in harness case of her husband.

The opinion poll showed that all the respondents were fully aware of the impact of both HIV/AIDS and corruption. The highest number of respondents 36 percent said HIV/AIDS kills but corruption does not while 19 percent of them said HIV/AIDS renders wastrels and impinges on future generation. Another 19 percent opined that HIV/AIDS is a worldwide epidemic but corruption is endemic only in some areas while 13 percent of the respondents said HIV/AIDS is incurable at least so far. Another 10 percent voted HIV/AIDS because it is more than an epidemic as the infected person is stigmatized in the society and the .03 percent considered that HIV/AIDS is inherent in a drug infested border area like Manipur.

Interestingly, out of every six medical doctors, one voted for HIV/AIDS while the remaining five, including a retired additional director, state health department went in favour of corruption. Amongst the hill districts, respondents from Ukhrul district expressed their serious concern over HIV/AIDS problem in the district. However, one welcoming trend was that there is a growing awareness of HIV/AIDS among the students and young women all over the state. The same trend was indicated among the security and police personnel. Area wise, the opinion poll represented the entire state of Manipur, but the number of respondents (750) represents a microscopic minority of the state having 24 lakh population. However, the nature of the opinion, reasons and status of the 750 respondents are such that they can be considered as opinion makers of the various sections of the society. The reasons given by the respondents were thought provoking. However, it cannot be construed as a final verdict on the issues but it is certainly a trend which cannot be ignored by planners, policy makers and stakeholders of the political leadership in the state.

Corruption more worrisome than HIV/AIDS : Opinion poll Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 04: It is no doubt an interesting topic,“ Which of the two is the bigger issue in the minds of listeners-HIV/AIDS or Corruption ?” And the opinion poll conducted by the Regional News Unit of the All India Radio, Imphal has given the mandate that corruption is no doubt the bigger issue of the two. Launched on October 2 this year, the listeners were given 18 days time to send in their opinions and as many as 750 opinions were received through post, e-mail and hand post, said a statement issued by AIR, Imphal today. The opinions were received from a cross section of society ranging from top bureaucrats to social workers, from teachers to students, from doctors to pharmacists, from former MPs to Gram Panchayat members, from editors to press compositors, from retired IAS officers to the common man on the street, from high ranking security and police officers to house wives. The opinions were received from across all the districts of Manipur, with Tamenglong emerging the biggest respondent with 81 polls.

Opinions were also received from North Eastern States like Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam. Out of every six opinions received, five voted corruption as the bigger issue confronting the State with only one opting for HIV/AIDS. The respondents gave a number of reasons for placing corruption on a higher index than HIV/AIDS. Detailing, the statement said that the highest number of respondents (20 percent) view corruption as being against any positive developments. Fourteen percent of the respondents said that corruption is prospectively incurable as both the Government mechanisms and NGOs are ineffective. Coming a close third, 13 percent of the opinions polled said that corruption blunts honesty and blurs transparency while another 12 percent were of the view that corruption destroys social fabric while another 12 percent said that corruption frustrates development.

The remaining 29 percent had different view points over corruption with some saying that corruption is a sin or an intrinsic human default, comparable to nuclear fission, renders all laws ineffective and prevents individuals from positive action. In Tamenglong where 81 opinions were polled, 65 were of the view that corruption is the major issue in the district. The few who viewed HIV/AIDS as the bigger issue also gave a number of reasons for their stand. Thirty six percent of those who voted for HIV/AIDS said that while AIDS kills, corruption does not. Nineteen percent said that HIV/AIDS poses a threat to the future generation, while another 19 percent felt that HIV/AIDS is a world wide epidemic but corruption is endemic only in some areas. Thirteen percent said that till date HIV/AIDS is incurable while another 10 percent said that HIV/AIDS is more than an epidemic as the infected person is socially ostracised and stigmatised. 03 percent were of the opinion that HIV/AIDS is inherent in a drug infested border area like Manipur. On a positive note, the statement said that the polls showed that the people of Manipur are fully aware of the impact of both HIV/AIDS and corruption on society. 750 respondents may represent only a minuscule part of the 24 lakh population of Manipur, but it can be considered as the opinions of a cross sections of society, said the statement and added that though it cannot be construed as a final verdict, it is still a trend which cannot and should not be ignored by planners, policy makers and stakeholders of the political leadership of Manipur.
Assam's ethnic mess Aditi Phadnis / Business Standard PLAIN POLITICS
With elections due in 2006, ethnic violence is on the rise. What’s CM Gogoi doing?
All the reports from the Congress Chief Ministers’ conclave in Chandigarh last month said Defence Minister and senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee warned Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi not to to play politics with ethnic groups because while politically, it may be profitable, it was dangerous business. Soon after, almost as if on cue, violence broke out on September 26 between the Karbi and Dimasa tribes of Assam’s North Cachar region. Between then and now, more than 70 have died. The hallmark of tribal violence — whether Kuki-Naga or between Karbis and Dimasas — is its extreme bestiality. Babies have been beheaded in Assam, whole families have been hacked to death in North Cachar and passengers in buses have been asked to get down and been killed. Thousands of families belonging to the two warring tribes have fled their homes and are living in relief camps. Dimasa families from Karbi areas have taken shelter in the adjacent Dimasa-dominated North Cachar hills, where they presumably feel safer among their own.
What on earth is happening in Assam? Like politics elsewhere in the north-east, in Assam too, community — especially tribal — loyalties rest close to the skin and are easy to stir up. Traditionally, as Dev Kant Barooah once put it, so long as he had the Ali (the migrant Muslim), the coolie (the labourers in the tea gardens) and the Bangali (Hindu settlers from West Bengal and now, Bangladesh), the Congress was home and dry in Assam. These communities continue to be the Congress backbone in the state. But new layers have been added to the support base of the Congress. And the race is now on, before 2006 when Assembly elections are due, to add more. The North Cachar Hills are, theoretically, under Guwahati’s administrative control but are ruled by an autonomous council. The seeds of this arrangement were sown by the British because of the martial and rebellious tradition in the region, where the Dimasas are the single largest tribal group in North Cachar Hills, accounting for roughly one-third of the district’s total population. Fratricidal violence among ethnic groups has been common in the district, spread over a 10,434-square kilometre area, half of which is covered by thick jungles. There have been clashes between Karbis and Khasis, Karbis and Kukis, and other ethnic confrontations in recent years. But the Karbi-Dimasa animosity has grown in intensity since mid-2004, when tension emerged in Dimasa-dominated areas. The area is close to Nagaland and the tension was over reports that parts of the area was under illegal occupation by Nagas. The Karbis, who thought the land belonged to them, charged the majority Dimasas of selling out to the Nagas. The Dimasa tribal leadership does not accept this accusation.
The region is close to Dimapur (Nagaland) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland Isak Muivah (NSCN IM) controls Dimapur. It has its own agenda — dreams of a Greater Nagaland, incorporating new and previously non-Naga inhabited areas. It was worrying enough that the NSCN IM was extending its hold to areas from where it had been absent. But that all the attendant problems — tacit political patronage to militant groups — were accompanying the NSCN IM’s gradual growth was worrying for New Delhi.
So when the violence mounted and Chief Minister Gogoi was asked by New Delhi to talk to the two groups — the Dimasas and Karbis — he did. In the past, the Congress has supported the demand of the Dimasa that a larger Dimasa state — Dimaraji — be created. This is the point Pranab Mukherjee was making: It was not the violence by small militant groups representing small communities that the chief minister needed to be concerned about. It was the patronage these groups got. How does this work? Not unlike the way DK Borooah spelt it out. An insecure chief minister does a deal with this or that militant group, promising to look the other way while they’re creating the fire, but rushing with fire engines to douse them, so that the “community in danger” theme can be exploited to the hilt. Gogoi has accused Janata Dal(U) leader George Fernandes of creating the disturbances in North Cachar. Fernandes has responded with a defamation suit.
The North Cachar problem is not the only ethnic issue besetting Assam. Gogoi and the Assam Governor, Lt Gen (retd) Ajay Singh, had an unseemly public argument recently over the governor’s observation: that 6,000 migrants were crossing over every day to Assam from Bangladesh. The last word on that controversy has not been said yet, but last month the Indian Army was told by New Delhi to call off a manhunt against militants in Tinsukia forests where more than 14 rebels were killed. The Army was responding to specific reports that the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), which had been flushed out of Bhutan in a historic operation in 2003, had been regrouping in the jungles. Why did Delhi feel the need to call Lt Gen Hardev Lidder (the General Officer Commanding in charge of the operations) unless Guwahati felt its political assets were threatened? When Atal Bihari Vajpayee was prime minister and a proposal was made to set up a unified command for the north-east, Gogoi was one of the chief ministers who opposed the proposal vehemently. For the record, he said he did not want to be saddled with a set-up that the BJP controlled. But there has been no talk of that even after the UPA has come to power.
The north-east is a smouldering fire of competing ethnic and economic identities and these are sharpened at election time. And a senior minister (and indeed one who’s seen it all) Pranab Mukherjee was telling the Congress in Assam not to make the same mistakes it has made all these years — exploiting ethnic identity to form a government in the state somehow. It has dangerous and long-term consequences.
PERSPECTIVE The Morung Express The litmus test of Naga sincerity
POLICY/DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS, PEOPLE AND HUMAN INTEREST PERSPECTIVE
Jonas Yanthan TNagaland is a land of great possibilities: be it development, resources, vibrancy of its populace and above all in the exercise of the benefits guaranteed in the constitution of India. Nagaland, as we all know, is not born out of population but purely on political reasons and therefore the pioneers of the statehood gave due importance to factors like tribes, topography, backwardness and other such considerations while creating the districts and effecting equitable share of seats to its constituent blocks right from the Interim Body arrangement with the sole aim for equal opportunities of development and benefits of funds in the state.
The three broad blocks created for administrative efficiency and for proper representation of the tribes are: A) Kohima block; B) Mokokchung block; and C) Tuensang block. Accordingly, these blocks were given 20 seats each in the total house of 60 Assembly constituencies. However, Tuensang Block reached their share of 20 only in 1974 when 8 seat more was allotted to its twelve seats of 1969. However, due to insincere distribution approach within the blocks, it led to sharp disparity among the districts, as we see it today. With the Delimitation exercise knocking at our door, this is an opportunity to correct the anomaly. We need to act fast and with an imperative sense of justice so that equitable distribution of seats may be effected among all the tribes in letter and spirit. Below is a graph of the block formula, which is very much within the constitutional purview as enjoyed by the state of Nagaland for serious deliberation by all the tribes to arrive at a majority decision for common good and commonly suggest to the Delimitation Commission of India for implementation in right earnest instead of clinging on to lame reasons like citing Jammu & Kashmir, 2001 Census, peace process or the Article 371(A) of the constitution which we find does not impress much on the centre for agreeable response as we have seen in the just recently effected downsizing of ministry in the state-to name one instance. Further more, requesting for exemption from a parliamentary Act is nothing but poverty of ideas rather, we should be devising the fairest exercise for the highest common good and forwarding it to the centre for positive implementation as this is also in the interest of the centre.
The Block method is based on the true spirit of creation of the state for equilibrium representation of all the tribes. Analyzing the districts block wise, Dimapur, under Kohima block is a ‘city district’ with hardly 927 sq. kms with an even topography largely occupied by rich Nagas while its huge population is mainly floating migrants that we all unanimously agree and also spelt out by Congress and DAN associate members to the Commission of India. Hence, allotment of seats to it can be rationalized accordingly. Phek, the single largest district in size and host to Pochury tribe, has suffered loss of a seat thirty years ago for nothing and that too by losing it to Dimapur in 1972 delimitation when its population stood at 44,594 while Dimapur was only a mere 28,884 (1971 census). Therefore, it cannot afford to lose further but addition. Kohima, being the capital district must be represented well for speedy development for the reasons that it is not only our mirror but also host to all tribes besides the fairly large Rengma tribe. Peren is getting its due share any how.
Under Mokokchung block, though Mokokchung district has numerous bureaucrats and leaders from there, many of its villagers are not better off from other tribes and hence cannot afford to lose three all on a sudden. With application of the block wise formula, the loss can be curtailed to two. Zunheboto district had the second highest seats next to Mokokchung under this block with seven including Pughoboto however recoup of one from the impending loss of two seats will be enlivening. Of the three districts the least privileged and underdeveloped is Wokha with 5 seats for two elections and only 4 seats for the last thirty years which was lost to Dimapur along with Phek despite having 38,297 a difference of 9413 population more than Dimapur. Besides, Wokha has the potential of oil, agricultural and horticultural production for revenue to the state including the most successful hydro project in the state and therefore requires sympathetic attention of the state for better treatment to the district.
Likewise, the Tuensang block may, free from outside interference, schematize the distribution of its seats of 20 among the four sister districts taking into consideration factors like area, backwardness, population etc to affect an equitable share of seats that is in the best interest of the block. As we see, the block wise exercise has less damage to the existing seat allocation than the delimitation as per Census 2001. Moreover, this is an opportunity for emergence of champions for social cause, be they politicians, bureaucrats, technocrats, church leaders or public. Naga Hoho, the highest civil authority, has a moral duty to initiate threadbare deliberation on the issue instead of leaving it to politicians whose main focus, as we know, is primarily power equations for partisan or own tribe’s interests and least for larger common interest. At the end of it all, politicians will come and go but the public will stay on either to suffer or progress as per the kind of decision is made.
The appeal to all leaders is not to view the delimitation issue from narrow political or partisan approach but from a wider social perspective for the sake of a just social order. The earnest appeal to the DAN government, as custodian of public welfare, is to exercise its highest impartial ruling on the majority suggestion in the best interest of all the tribes for equitable and fair delimitation of constituencies among the tribal districts, free from selfish politics.
Delimitation 2002 exercise, thus, remains as the most crucial litmus test of Naga sincerity, truthfulness and honesty including the credibility of the religion we profess because one can’t say one believes in Jesus and keep on being dishonest and treacherous against fellow tribes. It is a call for making a choice that is to determine the kind of future that the state will emerge in the years to come. Julius Nyrere, the former President of Tanzania aptly said, "to plan is to choose". In other words, planning is a road map to the future but the kind of future that we want shall be determined by the kind of choice we make today and therefore, choice is both responsibility and also demands sacrifice from personal interest for the sake of common good.
Hmar insurgents indulge in extortion in Vairengte NET News Network
Aizawl Nov 4: A source said the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic), an underground, has sent letters to several salaried people in Vairengte village demanding a cut from their salaries. According to the letters, which have been written in the Hmar dialect, said 5 percent of their October salary is to be given to the HPC (D) with the deadline set at November 15, 2005. The letters instrucvted the recepients to deliver the money to Ankhasou in Manipur. The letters, datelined Sinlung and signed by L.P. Hmar, 'commander HPC (D)', did not contain any threat but said the amount demanded should be paid in full and clearly written. Vairengte police officer in charge Sangbera has been quoted by the source as saying that though the police were not certain how many people received the demand letters, the police suspect most government employees of receiving the demand, including the the highest government official in the village, the SDO.
The police said the letters were posted from Vairengte post office. Sangbera was also quoted as saying that this kind of demand letters had been received by people residing in the Serlui and Tuirial areas. Among the recepients of the demand letter is the village council president Hmingthanga of the Vairengte VC II. According to him, the matter would be taken up at the next VC sitting. He also said they have not verified whether the letters were genuine or not and said this kind of demand letters had been received sometime back in the past.
"This is not the first time that we have received this kind of letter. Demand letters had been received by salaried people some years back. But I believe no one had paid up. We have not ascertained how many exactly received the letters this time," Hmingthanga said, echoing the Vairengtepolice OC. Hmingthanga also said the HPC (D) had issued the demand letters as this banned outfir considers Vairengte to be inside their area. HPC (D) is an organisation formed by the remnants of the HPC when this underground group came overground during Lal Thanhawla's tenure as the chief minister. The HPC (D) are still demanding a separate administration for the Hmars but are not very active inside Mizoram. Their main area of activity is Assam on tis borders with Mizoram.
DATELINE Guwahati/Wasbir Hussain
Insurgents, ‘counter-insurgents’ and a post-mortem Sentinel Ilike taking risks when there’s not much of risk involved! Therefore, I can say insurgents won’t strike in Assam, at least vigorously, for sometime now. No prizes for guessing why. Most of the rebel groups with the capacity to pinch hard are on a peace mode. That includes the outlawed ULFA and the NDFB. Yes, rebels of the Dima Halam Daoga (DHD), if Karbi leaders are to be believed, may have worked overtime in the past few weeks, moving out of their ‘peace-time’ camps to slaughter innocent Karbis. DHD chief Dilip Nunisa insisted, during a telephone interview with me, that his boys were not at all involved, but his room-mate in college, Tung-e Nongloda, publicity secretary of the rival United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), stuck to his position that DHD men were behind the serial killings in Karbi Anglong.
But still, Dispur is in a position to rein in the rebels if it wants to as both the DHD and the UPDS are on a ceasefire with the authorities. The Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) has been disbanded although the men who had been in it would like to take on the NDFB when the time comes to share power later. That when the NDFB signs a peace deal with the Government. On the whole, there should be a relative calm in Assam for sometime as all the major rebel groups are either on a ceasefire mode or are engaged in peace talks, or like the ULFA, testing the waters. This is not a bad time, therefore, to take stock of insurgency and ‘counter-insurgency’ in general, besides carrying out a post-mortem of the latest carnage in Karbi Anglong. Take the case of the ULFA. The rebel group’s growth may have been kept in check by the sustained military operations, but it has not really been marginalised. This, even after a sustained military offensive that began 15 years ago, from the night of November 27-28, 1990, to be precise. Any insurrection is an outcome of an idea, if not an ideology, and cannot be doused with military might. The fact that young boys continued to join the ULFA or that the ULFA could continue recruiting newer cadres goes to explain just this.
Most of the time, the so-called ‘counter-insurgency’ moves loses direction and fail to achieve the desired results: of keeping an insurrection under check. That’s another story.
Now, our Government and security establishment would perhaps do well to get rid of the term ‘counter-insurgency’ and describe drives against militancy as ‘anti-insurgency’ operations. We can call a rebel an insurgent. But, can we call a member of the police, Army or the paramilitary deployed for anti-insurgency duties a counter-insurgent? No. Sadly though, states like Assam had witnessed certain extra-constitutional acts, like assassination of militants’ kin or others by mystery men who have come to be popularly described by the media as ‘secret killers.’ That way, there existed, or still exists, counter-insurgents in Assam! In fact, the State Government, by instituting probe into a few deaths in the State by ‘secret killers’, have confirmed the existence, at least at one time, of such mystery men out to teach the insurgents and some others a lesson.
Well, it is heartening to see rebel groups in a peace mode, but one doesn’t know if the mystery killer gangs (better known as ‘secret killers’) would be prepared to lie low or allowed to do so.
Coming to Karbi Anglong: reporting from a conflict zone, or reporting on a conflict, is always tricky. During the first few days of the violence in Karbi Anglong, journalists, including me, were quick to surmise that what was happening there was an ‘ethnic war.’ But, facts when looked at carefully often presents a different picture. Take a look at the following official statistics: As on October 29, 2005, a total of 88 people were officially reported killed, of whom 76 belonged to the majority Karbi ethnic group. The others killed include nine Dimasas, one Bodo, one Nepali and one Assamese. A comparable pattern is visible in the break-up of people who took shelter at the 55 relief camps set up in the District in the wake of the violence: of the 44,747 people listed at the relief camps till October 24, 2005, as many as 37,604 were Karbis. There were 5,687 Dimasas, and 1,456 persons belonging to an assortment of communities. Significantly, the Karbis constitute about 40 per cent of the District’s population of 812,000, and the Dimasas just three per cent. Therefore, it won’t be correct to simply say the violence in Karbi Anglong was an ‘ethnic war.’ Things ultimately are not that simple and it is not really necessary to state as to why it may not be an ‘ethnic war’ but something else. (Feedback: wasbir@yahoo.com)