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11/10/2005: "Nagas' consent a must, says GPRN"


Nagas' consent a must, says GPRN Kuknalim.com
DIMAPUR, Nov 09: The GPRN/NSCN (IM) today reiterated that any decision pertaining to the Nagas and their future would be taken only after consulting the Nagas...

A press release issued by NSCN (IM) Information and Publicity Kilonser Johny Dilbung said certain elements were trying to misguide and disunite the Nagas by issuing different forms of “misleading and distorted propaganda” but the media should play a constructive role by highlighting things that are based on truth for the welfare and well-being of the people in general.

The NSCN (IM) said its General Secretary Th Muivah had “vividly clarified” during the Hard-Talk show with BBC and also the collective leadership during several Naga Consultative Meetings that any decision towards arriving at a settlement to the Indo-Naga political problem would be taken only after involving the Nagas.

The NSCN (IM) said it would stick to this stand till arriving at a final solution to the political problem that was honourable and acceptable to the Nagas.

“This should be clearly understood by one and all and one should also be aware of certain sections that are trying to create misunderstanding and disunity within the Naga society and also contesting to dislodge the peace initiatives,” the NSCN (IM) said.

It said at present the Nagas were on the threshold of deciding their future and hence, there was no room for accommodating mistakes or allowing “adverse elements” to “hijack” the peace process.

The NSCN (IM) appealed to the Nagas not to be misled by “wrong propaganda” and further urged the media to demonstrate its “imperative role” in the effort to solving the Naga issue “harmoniously and diplomatically”. (NNN)

Naga youth shed inhibitions, become entrepreneurs

Once considered shameful, business is attracting an increasing number of educated youth in Nagaland who are finding encouragement from financial institutes PTI Mumbay Mirror

Kohima: Just five years back it was considered a shame here for an educated Naga youth to open a shop either at Kohima or Dimapur.

But now towns in Nagaland have witnessed a sea change and financial institutions find young entrepreneurs here more creditworthy.

It is not only the state government but the educated unemployed who have realised that job opportunity in public sectors have reached saturation point in Nagaland and the only alternative is entrepreneurship development among Nagas who depend on non-Nagas for all forms of business and trade.

A few educated youth formed the Entrepreneurs Associates (EA) in 2000 to inculcate a culture of micro-credit financing among first generation entrepreneurs.

Having supported over 300 first generation entrepreneurs and generating more than 450 meaningful employment, the EA mobilised over Rs 3 crore to disburse micro-credit to its members in the last five years.

Except in a few cases, credit recovery has been hundred per cent, EA coordinator Neichute Doulo said.
“In Nagaland, we do not see economic opportunities except from the government coffer. So our economy has become a ping-pong economy and players are migrants from outside. Consequently, all trade and commerce are controlled and managed by both legal and illegal migrants”, Doulo said.

“To us, entrepreneurship is also about good governance, peace, social harmony and stability, not just in Nagaland but in the entire north-eastern region,” Doulo said.

Impressed by effort the North Eastern Finance Development Corporation (NEDFI) has tied up with first generation Naga entrepreneurs to strengthen the micro-credit portfolio in Nagaland.

Rio condoles Narayanan deathKohima | November 10, 2005 Webindia

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has expressed grief over the demise of former President K R Narayanan, who died in New Delhi yesterday.
In a condolence message here today, Mr Rio said Mr Narayanan, the first Dalit president of the country, successfully upheld the dignity of the highest office in the nation.
''Mr Narayanan was one of the finest statesmen, who had a distinguished career in public service for almost half a century,'' Mr Rio said and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members. UNI AS BA VD GC1103
NESO suspends stir after BSNL's assurance
Kohima | November 10, 2005 11:38:57 AM IST Webindia

The North East Students' Organization (NESO) has suspended its agitation against the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) at Dimapur following assurance that their six-point charter of demands will be fulfilled.
Earlier, the NESO, alongwith the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) and the Dimapur Naga Students' Union (DNSU), had announced picketing in the offices of the BSNL, and the agitation began yesterday.
The Deputy General Manager of BSNL later met the student leaders in her office chamber and assured that the demands would be met in a phased manner.
Later, talking to media persons at the DNSU office, NESO General Secretary N S N Lotha informed that the DGM had assured better service between Shillong and Nagaland in a month's timeframe.
He further said the BSNL would give a time-bound assurance within which the demands will be materialised, in particular reference to the 150 jobs in the group 'C' and 'D' categories.
The NESO warned that upon failure to adhere to the agreed points of the meeting between the NESO and the BSNL, the student body would not hesitate to resume its agitation. UNI AS BA VD RK1105
BSNL assures NESO on charter of demands The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOV 9 (MExN): The Chairman and the General Secretary of the North East Students’ Organization (NESO) through a press communiqué has conveyed that the organization would suspend its course of agitation due to the assurance given to the NESO by the authority of the BSNL today during the process of BSNL office picketing at Dimapur.The NESO has stated that the BSNL authority has made it clear that it would give a written reply of the assurance to the office of NESO through Dimapur Naga Students’ Union on or before November 21with clear indication on the Charter of Demand put forward by the NESO and added that the BSNL has also assured that it would do so in a time bound manner within which the demand would be materialized. In particular reference to the 150 jobs in the group C & D category that was appointed by the BSNL over the last number of years for which the NESO had demanded that their appointment should be cancelled, the NESO has told that the BSNL has assured to put a halt to the regularization process of the 150 employees and to hold further meeting with the NESO which would be conducted at the earliest.
The NESO also informed that BSNL had handed over 500 forms to the NESO under the facility of WLL (TARANG) which has a special concession for the students to avail telephone facility. The NESO has expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the students’ volunteers of DNSU for participating in the picketing because of whom the picketing was successful. The NESO has also made it clear to the BSNL authorities that the Organization would have no hesitation to resume its suspended agitation at any point of time, if the BSNL failed to materialize the agreed points of the meeting between the NESO and the BSNL held today.
Nagaland’s geological wealth highlighted Sano Meru The Morung express
KOHIMA, (MExN): The Department of Geology, Nagaland University, Kohima organized a National Seminar on "Geology and Energy Resources of NE India: Progress and Perspectives" as well as its Annual General Meeting of the Geological Society of India at the auditorium of the Kohima Science College, Jotsoma.
Many renowned earth scientists from all over the country came to attend the workshop apart from students and faculty members of the Nagaland University.
Dr H.K Gupta, Vice President, Geological Society of India, addressed the august gathering in which he stated that since its 47 years of existence, the Geological Society has been growing from strength to strength.
The Geological Society he said, publishes monthly issues addressing specific issues as well as regional geology which is among the world’s most respected journal. Stressing on this, he recommended bringing out a book of such kind comprising of all the aspects of geology encompassing North East India.
He also highlighted some interesting features of the North East where he stated that the first oil discovery in India was made in this region more than 100 years ago.
Reinforcing this, he said that much more was needed in this present age on the prospects for oil, platinum resources, geothermal energy, hydro electric potential etc.
Shyamal Datta, Governor and Chief Rector of the Nagaland University delivered the inaugural addressed in which he stressed the need to maintain the balance between the economy and social development of the state, Nagaland being bound more towards security majors rather than development due to its unavoidable political scenario.
He also emphasized the importance of dialogue on the part of the earth scientist to help change the mindset of the people arising out of fear and uncertainty and help them understand the importance of exploring the natural resources for a better tomorrow. Professor R.P Kachhara, Advisor, gave a brief profile of the Department. NU Vice Chancellor Professor GD Sharma and ONGC Basin Manager Sahasrabuddhe also addressed the gathering.
The welcome address was delivered by Professor GT Thong, Convenor, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. BV Rao, Co-convener. Earlier, Reverend Dr. Neilezhü Üsou, Senior Pastor, MHBC prayed before the programme started. It may be added that the entire Geological society of India comprises of 2000 members.
Nagaland and NE sitting on precious minerals The Morung Express
KOHIMA NOV 9 (MExN): A National Seminar , under the theme ‘Geology and Energy Resources of NE India: Progress and Perspectives’ as well as the annual General meeting of the Geology Society of India will be held from November 9 to the 11 at the Auditorium, Kohima Science College, Jotsoma.
According to GT Thong and BV Rao, Co-Convener, National Seminar, an important geological feature of the region is the Ophiolite suite, which is a long narrow belt about 200 kilometers in length extending from Nagaland in the North to Manipur in the South along the Indo-Myanmar border.
The origin and economic importance of the Ophiolite suite of rocks have evoked great interest amongst geologists worldwide.
They have been proved potential sites for several mineral deposits and some more areas in the NE region have also proved to be potential sites for atomic minerals.
It was stated that the sedimentary basins of NE region are endowed with huge reserves of hydrocarbons." The proposed seminar on the geology of NE India would be a landmark contribution to the scientific community of the country engaged in exploring new horizons in geo-energy resources.
This endeavor will also inspire the younger generation to pursue tasks that are beneficial to the academic and scientific communities of the country" GT Thong stated.
Some of the country’s top experts would be taking part in the said seminar including India’s top Seismologist Professor Harsha Gupta, Former Secretary, Department of Ocean Development, Dr D.R Nandy, Director (Retd.) Geology Survey of India, Dr KR Gupta, Director (Retd.), Department of Science and Technology, Professor BR Arora, Director, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, Dr V Balaram, Scientist and Head, Geochemistry Division, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, Dr R Dhanaraju, Director (Retd.) Atomic Minerals Division besides many other scientists from the ONGC, OIL etc.
It was also informed that the Geology Society of India has accepted the invitation of the Department of Geology, Nagaland University, Kohima to have its AGM, 2005 in the department during which period, the National seminar would be held.
NSF’s final deadline to Govt Asa Seyie November 9 The Morung Ezpress
KOHIMA, (MExN): The Naga Students Federation (NSF) has set a deadline, today the 10th of November, to the Government of Nagaland to submit the report and findings of the State Vigilance Commission (SVC) to the Federation as deemed fit.
"Failure to submit the report, the NSF will also initiate its own business" a student leader told this paper. The Vigilance Commission when contacted said that on its part investigations and the necessary report has been done and submitted. It was now up to the State Government to do whatever it was necessary. The SVC officials refused to comment further on this issue.
Talitemjen Ao, the Chief Secretary, Nagaland, when contacted said that he had been out for the last several days and maintained ignorance of the latest developments regarding the matter as it stands now. He could not comment on the matter.
Feminist theories and critiques of the public and private sphere TheMorung Express
The dichotomy between the private and the public is central to almost two centuries of feminist writings and political struggle. Eventually the feminist movement and its critique is primarily directed at the separation and opposition between the public and private spheres (Pateman 1989: 118). The public sphere is referred to the activities outside the familial while the domestic sphere usually conflates at least three analytical distinct things: the state, the official economy of paid employment, and arenas of public discourse. The idea of the public sphere according to Habermas is a conceptual resource which designates a theater in modern societies in which political participation is enacted through the medium of talk (Fraser 1993: 110-111). The public sphere in its classical/liberal bourgeois guise was partial and narrowly based in that sense, and was constituted from a field of conflict, contested meanings and exclusion. The most consistent of these exclusions-preceding and out lasting is based on gender (Eley 1993: 1). This paper wishes to highlight some of the prominent feminist theories in the twentieth century which argued that the public arena portrayed power, inequality and domination. Most importantly, how feminist writers highlighted that the public sphere adopted a patriarchal role which rigidly marked the boundaries separating public and the private domain.
The discourse and the distinctions between the private sphere (understood as the sphere of the familial and domestic) and public sphere (understood as including what other traditions have demarcated as civil society or state) has been central to feminist analysts (Phillips 2002: 72). However critics have challenged both the possibility and the desirability of drawing boundaries between public and private, based on the suspicion that all such boundaries ultimately serve the purposes of exclusion, denigration, and domination over those designated as ‘different’. Phillips states that feminists adopt a broad definition of civil society whereby the patriarchal construction of an artificial boundary drops. For most women the private sphere is already a public realm. Thus feminism is more inclined to blur these distinctions. This reflects what has been an important theme in feminist thinking: the idea that conceptual frameworks are deeply flawed by the way they have dealt with gender and that most require fundamental revision (Phillips: 2002. 74). Generally women’s lives are deeply embedded in the household and the family. Household and family overlap and intermesh in ways that defy analysis. Yet, in common parlance, these two terms are used interchangeably. The household choices are in turn circumscribed by the larger socio-economic order.
Thus feminist writers point out that women’s position within the household is subject to the additional influence of the placement of the household in the social hierarchy (Krishnaraj 1989: 17-20). The kitchen has been often portrayed as a non-political space. It is not only a place of work for women, but it is also the hub of the household, the heart of the home and thereby becomes a metaphor for family life. Therefore, the ideal family was the conjugal family, whose male head represented the interests of the entire family in public life. The female, in contrast, remained silent in all public arenas. Ironically, household work and the processes of reproduction and child rearing went unnoticed. Rai highlights that such patriarchal norms have been pertinent in defining what ‘official’ work ought to be. Thus, the definition of labour markets has been traditionally problematic for women because their work, being unwaged, was excluded (Rai: 2002. 94). This is not the case with men. Take the role of the worker in a male –dominated, classical capitalist societies. This role is a masculine role-and not just in the relatively superficial statistical sense. There is a deep sense in which masculine identity is bound up with the breadwinner role. Masculinity is in large part a matter of leaving home each day for a place of paid work and returning with a wage that provides for one’s dependents. It is this internal relation between being a man and being a provider that explains why in capitalist societies unemployment is often not just economically but also psychologically devastating for men. It also sheds light on the centrality of the struggle for a ‘family wage’ which highlighted a struggle for a wage conceived not as a payment to a genderless individual for the use of labor power but rather as a payment to a man for the support of his economically dependent wife and children-a conception that legitimized the practice of paying women less for equal or comparable work. Ironically, women in the workplaces are seen differently. The masculine subtext of the worker role is confirmed by the vexed and stained character of women’s relation to paid work in male dominated, classical capitalism. Terms like ‘working mothers’ and ‘working wives’ that is, as primarily wives and mothers, who happen, secondarily to ‘go out’ as ‘supplemental earners’. These differences in the quality of women’s presence in the paid workplace testify to the conceptual dissonance between femininity and the worker role. This confirms the masculine subtext of that role. It confirms that the role of the worker, which links the private (official) economy and the private family in male-dominated, capitalist societies, is a masculine role (Fraser: 1989. 124).
One of the reasons that women were excluded from Habermas’s conception of the public sphere was because women did no conform to the qualifications of rational-critical discourse. In this context the Habermas model is incomplete and masculinist. His allegedly unbiased universal mode of democratic communication is re-cast as an ideal built by men in their own image and explicitly against the image of women. It is a model that continues to hide domination and mechanisms of exclusion…..in the name of universal means of communications, debate, and publicity (Rabinovitch: 2001. 348). There is a greater challenge for women since the boundaries of what is defined as ‘political’ and what is ‘non-political’ is largely at the hands of the state and the public sphere. For instance, in male-dominated, capitalist societies, what is ‘political’ is normally defined contrastingly over against what is ‘economic’ and what is ‘domestic’ or ‘personal’. In the same manner, domestic institutions depoliticize certain matters by personalizing and/or familiarizing them; they case these as private-domestic or personal-familial matters in contradiction to public, political matters. Fraser gives the example of wife battering. If wife battering is enclaved as a ‘personal’ or ‘domestic’ matter within male-headed restricted families and if public discourse about this phenomenon is canalized into specialized publics associated with family law, social work psychology of ‘deviancy’ then this serves to reproduce gender dominance and subordination (Fraser: 1989. 168).
Women’s attention has been drawn to the way in which one is encouraged to see social life in personal terms, as a matter of individual ability or luck in finding a decent man to marry or an appropriate place to live. Feminists have emphasized how personal circumstances are structured by public factors, by laws about rape and abortion, by the status of ‘wife’, by policies on child-care and the allocation of welfare benefits about the sexual division of labour in the home and workplace. However, the private or personal and the public or political are held to be separate and irrelevant to each other. Fraser points out to the ‘counter-publics’ around the nineteenth century where women creatively used the heretofore quintessentially ‘private idioms of domesticity and motherhood as spring boards for publicity. This process has been witnessed across the continents where issues of domesticity and the ‘private’ domain has been contested upon and challenged by various women’s movements, at times leading to policy makeovers.
Pateman extends the discourse and argues that women have been never completely excluded from public life. But the way in which women are included is grounded, as firmly as their position in the domestic sphere, in patriarchal beliefs and practices. For example, even many anti-suffragists were willing for women to be educated, so they could be good mothers, and for them to engage in local politics and philanthropy because these activities could be seen, as voting could not, as a direct extension of their domestic tasks. Today, women still have, at best, merely token representation in authorative public bodies; public life, while not entirely empty of women, is still the world of men and dominated by them. The role of the working-class wives having had to enter the ‘public world’ of paid employment to ensure the survival of their families is one of the most striking features of post-war capitalism. However, their presence only serves to highlight the patriarchal continuity that exists between the sexual division of labour and the workplace. It is ‘forgotten’ that the worker, invariably taken to be a man, can appear ready for work and concentrate on his work free from the everyday demands of providing, washing and cleaning, and care of the children, only because these tasks are performed unpaid by his wife. And as she is also a paid worker she works a further shift at these ‘natural’ activities (Pateman: 1989. 132).
Stivens underlines the ‘absence’ of gender dynamics in class politics. The British colonial regime left behind a legacy of large business and plantation. However, few accounts of class in Malaysia discuss women, apart from young women factory workers. Otherwise the discussion on class generally subsumes the women’s class situation in that of the household/husbands. An examination of rural society reveals the seriousness of this neglect. The role of female members of peasant households as producers and as holders of small landholdings is systematically ignored in much past writing on peasantries, which mostly assumed that the farmer was male. Moreover, the ‘family and domesticity’ has been highly politicized. There are frequent debates in societies about the new ‘working woman’ and about the pressures and costs of ‘juggling’ work and home. There is often a moral panic about the role of working mothers in producing delinquent children (Stivens: 2000. 20-26)(to be continued...)
(The writer is Executive Director, Wildlife Protection Society of India. The investigation was carried out with help from Debbie Banks, Senior Investigator, Environment Investigation Agency)


Chemistry of political equations
The silver lining threads which, binds the bond of ceasefire between the GOI and NSCN (IM) have become increasingly thinner. It seems, the GOI is not serious enough to the worthy cause of the Naga. Two three days back most of the local dailies newspaper base in Nagaland has widely publicized the interview of Th. Muivah the Gen. Secy. of NSCN (IM) with Subir Bhaumik the BBC news correspondent. Th. Muivah showed his tough stand and threatened to call back (off) the ceasefire if the GOI is not prepared to resolve the Naga issue within the given stipulate time 31st January next year which is approaching near to our door step. He commanded the Naga warriors to retreat back to the jungles for another round of bush war.
The Gen. Secy. of NSCN (IM) made a mitigate stand from full meal to piece meal as he understands the difficulties of the GOI. The proposal made to GOI to engineer the final settlement are special cohesive Federal relationship, joint defence, if necessary employment of Indian Army in Naga soil, Indian currency, Foreign affair (external affair) and unification of Naga areas. This piece meal doesn’t mean compromising the Naga sovereignty but it is a chemistry of political equation which will pave the way to get complete sovereignty one day or another day. So something is worthier than nothing.
Naga Integration or unification is the core issue for any political settlement. Nagas are settled in a unified geographical area and placed in different administrative units without their prior consent and knowledge. They have distinct traditional boundaries with the neighbouring States like Meiteis, Assamese and Arunachalese. Once the boundary commission is set up, it is not a difficult job to redraw the boundaries.
Today the GOI has the authentic and mandatory authority to unify the Nagas as they desire so. Even the British Government too also has every moral obligation to pressurize the GOI to unify the Nagas. When integration issue sprouts out the GOI seems to be uneasy, passive and tight lipped. But it is truth and a fact that the tiny fertile valley belongs to the Meiteis and the rest of the land belongs to the hill people. Since for long period Nagas were separated from their family, they deserve to live together as one family. Now the gigantic task to unify Naga inhabited areas and to settle down the worthy cause is in the arena of the Indian government.
We acknowledge the richness of the political wisdom of the Indian leaders, but they should cultivate political will to resolve the Naga issue. In case if the ceasefire is not fruitful and collapses, the sole responsibility will fall on the Indian government, the largest democratic country on the face of the earth. The GOI may suppress and crash the Naga revolution with it military might and strength. But before it, do they remember the 16th century dictum which was quoted by everlasting William Shakespeare, "O, it is excellent to have a giant’s strength; but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant". The Nagas are willing but the willingness too depend upon the GOI to meet at a common point.
Chache Lokho, MSU, Tribunal
PERSPECTIVE POLICY/DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS, PEOPLE AND HUMAN INTEREST PERSPECTIVE
Naga citizen & his duty to Nagaland Kaka D. Iralu
A public leader or politician, when elected to a public office, takes an oath of allegiance to uphold and defend his country’s integrity and constitution. Similarly, a soldier, when he has completed his training and commissioned, takes a similar oath of commitment to defend his country’s territories. But what about an ordinary citizen who is neither a politician nor a soldier? Does he owe no allegiance to his country’s constitution or defence of his country? Can he leave such duties to the politicians and the soldiers and pursue his own happiness without bothering about political duties or obligations to his country?
In the context of these questions, our Naga Yehzabo (Constitution) begins with these very profound and solemn pronouncements:
"We, the people of Nagaland, solemnly acknowledging that the sovereignty over this earth and the entire universe belongs to almighty God alone, and the authority of the people to be exercised on the territories is a sacred trust from God … having our attachment to the truth of popular sovereignty … to establish national institutions based on the common ideals of Democracy, Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity among the people…do hereby adopt the Yehzabo of Nagaland"…( Preamble to the Yehzabo of Nagaland pp1)
Now it is we, the Naga people (and not some others), who had pronounced and adopted these words and pledged our allegiance to our constitution and our country. As such, we, the Naga people definitely have a duty and a responsibility to uphold our Constitution and defend our territories as defined in article 1 of our Constitution. Article 1 of our Constitution states our territories thus:
"The territory of Nagaland shall comprise of all the territories inhabited by the indigenous Naga tribes and such other territories as the Tatar Hoho may by law admit on such terms and conditions as it may deem fit"
However, the tragedy and the most shameful thing that we Nagas are doing today, is the fact that; instead of defending our own country and our constitution, we are pledging our allegiance to the constitution of a foreign country called India. Here, just imagine an Indian pledging his allegiance to the constitution of Pakistan and then even sacrificing his life for the defence of Pakistan! That would be an absolutely absurd thing to do. And yet, that is just what we Nagas are doing today.
Now, if we do not have a country of our own, and if we also do not have a "unique history" of our own, then it would have been a different matter. But to have a country of our own, and a history of our own, and then pledge our allegiance to another country is the most shameful thing any nation can do. In fact, no nation on earth can stoop any lower than that.
That brings us to the question why Nagas are Nagas, and Nagaland belongs to the Nagas. Nagas are Nagas, and Nagaland belongs to the Nagas, because God made us Nagas and gave us our geographical land- NAGALAND- for our habitation. This fact is clearly spelled out in Acts 17:26, when the word of God says:
"And he (God) made from one (Adam) every nation of man to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation." (See also Deut 32:8).
Here, it is a universal fact that national identities or national land ownership rights, does not begin or belong to an individual or a nation. Instead, in it’s true essence, both national identities as well as national land ownership rights are bestowed by God to all the various nations of the world through God’s own goodness. This is a fact, because we are all born naked from our mother’s wombs. Also, when we were born, we did not bring even a single grain of soil (land) into the world. As for our national identities, our individual opinions were never consulted, when we were being formed in our mother’s wombs. The undeniable fact is one where: If we have a Naga father and were conceived in our mother’s womb, we become Nagas when we are born into the world.
The same truth is true of all individuals of all nationalities throughout all of human history. An exception to this universal truth would be a Naga deciding to become an Indian citizen or vice versa by volitional choice. Legally, this may be permissible, but biologically, such a person will still continue to be a Naga-Indian citizen. Therefore, national identity-wise, or geographical identity-wise, we can only be what God had pre-destined us to be. This means that both our national identity as well as our geographical identity are God given gifts – gifts given without any personal reference to our personal opinions.
This is why our Yehzabo states: "And the authority of the people to be exercised on the territory is a sacred trust from God…" Yes, our national identities as well as our geographical identity, are SACRED TRUSTS given to us by God. These identities therefore, cannot be bartered for doing economic business with India or Myanmar or any other nation on earth. Far from doing business with this ‘trust’, we instead have both a political as well as a religious(sacred) duty to defend our lands for the perpetuation and continuation of our nation’s heritage for all times to come. And yes, every citizen of Nagaland, who is, by God’s ordination called a Naga, has a duty to both God and country to defend what God has given to us as "our apportioned lands". To do anything less is to be a coward and to be unworthy of God’s gracious gifts. Here, if we are to surrender our country to another country, then we will not be just guilty politically, but even guilty of transgressing God’s divine ordinances and institutions.
When will this profound truth and the corollary political and religious duty connected to that truth, ever penetrate our thick foreign indoctrinated skulls and brains?
When will Naga Christians ever understand the truth that Christian religious duty is not just confined to giving one’s tithes and going to Church. When indeed will we finally comprehend the truth that Christian religious duty involves all other facets of one’s life, including that of political duty, economic responsibility, environmental concerns, etc, etc.
Long live Nagas and Nagaland
Human Evolution and Nagas Lemyao Shimray

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, men and women lived happily together and worked in harmony. The man would venture out each day into a hostile and dangerous world, his life as a hunter to bring food back to his woman and children. The woman’s role was equally clear, being appointed the child bearer she was considered sacred, magical, for she alone held the secret to giving life. Her day would spend caring for her children, collecting fruits, vegetables, and nuts and interacting with the other women in the group. Things were simple! He was the lunch- chaser, she was the nest -defender. Her success was measured by her ability to sustain family life and his, by how well he can provide food and defend his family.
Survival was different but relationship was easy. This was the way it was for hundreds of thousands of years. Men were not considered lazy and women were not seen as their oppressed handmaidens. This simple rituals and behaviours still exist among ancient civilisations in place like Borneo, Indonesia, Inuit’s and with some aboriginal Australians. Each sees other as uniquely contributing to the family’s survival and well being.
Then, one day came society where rules and a division of labour have to be made in order to survive, still men and women tried to live in harmony but later came where women were suppressed and started taking for granted. Men as a major defender of safeguard started making rules for their benefit. As in Nagas society, women were not allowed to inherit lands, women were not allowed to take part in any major discussion, Gone as a history where men appreciate women as a nest –defender .for men and women, who live in modern civilised world, these old rules have been thrown out and chaos, confusion and unhappiness have been in their place. Customs and laws were planted in communist society. Lost is the equality of our species even though they are not identical. Respects are reducing to dust which have been going on till now.
For the first time in the history of our species, in this changing world most men and women are confused about their job descriptions as new western culture influence and in the verge of having melting pot culture. For the first time ever, we are looking to our partners for love, passion and personal fulfilment because basic survival is no longer critical. Our modern social structure usually provides a basic level of subsistence through social security, national health, consumer protection laws and various government institutions.
An era of feminism has left all the stereotype idealistic philosophies and society a victim in claiming that men and women are the same. Differnces is not the opposite of equality. Equality means being free to choose to do the things we want to do and difference means that, as men or women, we may not want to do the same thing.
MEN and WOMEN are different. Not better or worse…just different. Bodies physically changed to adapt to their specific functions, so did their minds. All things are not equal, it shows the wiring of our brain in the womb and the effect of hormones will determine how we think and behave. Most since 1960’s which claim that government, religions and education systems have added to nothing more then a plot by men to suppress women is how it appears but it is partly false. It is just the opportunity grabbed to dominate by the dominator but it doesn’t mean that all the rights of women for right to equality should be abolished.
Men and women should be equal in terms of their opportunities to exercise their full potential, but they are definitely not identical in their innate abilities. Most are confused between equal and identical.
Since from the beginning, men and women change their rules and the way of life according to their convenience and for their living comfort. Nagas, the head hunters law which use to stone thief to death have change; many customary laws which we feel is barbaric have change after the arrival of Christianity, then why still there is hardly any change in the equality of women in our society? Why still the right to inherit for women has not been given? Why there are still more oppressed law for women in our society and lesser to men?
We are not to be blamed on neither education system nor the religion but if we traced back the history, the Christianity in Nags have brought so many hope and reformation in culture and custom as well as it brought an oppression to women to such extend that the beauty of opposite gender and respect were more reduced. It is not the religion but the interpreter that let to such result. Is it because almost all the interpreter is men and they don’t want to give up their enjoyment of dominating the other gender? Time do change, people do change as the customs that chain the women must change. Let there be change in Nagas customary law, let there be respect for each gender, then can only Nagas be brought to light and harmony as the true ancient Nagas.
Voices against Hesso’s killing NPMHR
The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has expressed immense outrage and has condemned the inhumane act of killing Late Hesso Mao, former DGP Nagaland Police at his personal residence by a group of assassins masquerading in the name of a certain armed Naga political group at Kohima on the 8th November 2005. NPMHR has voiced utmost concern over the extreme measures indulged especially in targeting and doing away with the life of a sincere and committed (retired) police official by some desperate elements especially during "this crucial moment of peace effort in Naga homeland." "We extend our critical solidarity and sincere empathy for the mourning family members of Former DGP Late Hesso Mao whose life has been shockingly snatched away by the cruel hands of hatred and evil design in this tragic event," a release said NPMHR has also questioned the serious ‘lapse of security’ on the part of the Government leading to the brutal murder of the former DGP of Nagaland Police which reflects a very alarming scene of callous vigilance even within the existing state security mechanism.
NPMHR demands that a judicious investigation be instituted to identify and arrest the perpetrators of this crime in the interest of Peace and justice. NPMHR also encourages the re-examination and necessary overhauling of the existing security matrix in order to retain the morale of the people who make hard and conscious decision to create a secured environment for the society in general besides restoring a semblance of dignity to the Nagaland Police Service cadres who will not be made vulnerable in their line of duty due to inadequate measure of security, the release added.
Poumai Tsiidoumai Me
The Poumai Tsiidoumai Me (PTM) has condemned the assassination of former DGP Hesso in the strongest terms and has asked the culprits to realize the folly of such a dastardly act. In a statement, the president of the student body has termed the act as an act of cowardice which is not justifiable under any circumstances. Stating late Hesho as a prominent figure in the Naga society who had contributed a lot, he called upon the Naga brethren to desist from such acts as the Nagas are entering into the most crucial juncture when Nagas cannot effort to lose lives. "Doing away with the life of a prominent figure is not helping our cause," he added and also called upon the almighty to console and provide solace to the bereaved family.The body also expressed their heartfelt sorrow and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members.
South Nagas Union of Nagaland State
The South Nagas Union of Nagaland State (SNUNS) has strongly condemned the ‘senseless killing’ of M. Hesso, retired GGP Nagaland while it expressed shock at the same. In a press release, CD Pao, General Secretary of SNUNS, stated that killing will not bring any solution but rather self destruction while it appealed to stop killing in the society. The release described late Hesso as a leader of very high calibre who had rendered his entire service in defending the rights of the Naga people and noted that his untimely death has left an ‘unfillable vacuum’ in the Naga society. The release also conveyed heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and peace for the departed soul was also prayed for.
Tangkhul Longphang
The Tangkhul community has strongly condemned the assassination of Hesso Mao, former DGP Nagaland and termed the act as a ‘most heinous and beastly act’. In a condemnation letter, N.A. Kasar, President of Tangkhul Longphang Dimapur, on behalf of the community, stated that the Nagas have lost one of its best sons and appealed to the concerned authorities to ‘gear up’ the required security measure throughout the state to avoid recurrence of such an unfortunate incident in future.
He further prayed for strength and solace to the bereaved family while praying for peace to the departed soul.
Malayali Samajan
The Malayali Samajan Kohima (MSK) has expressed its profound sorrow at the untimely demise of M. Hesso Mao (IPS) retired Director General of Police, Nagaland and also conveyed heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family. In a condolence message, the President of MSK stated that late Hesso was a highly decorated Police Officer and an able administrator. He further stated that Hesso’s death was not only a loss to his kith and kin but also a big loss for the society.
Dimapur District Badminton Association
Arep Chankija, President Dimapur District Badminton Association (DDBA) on behalf of its members has offered condolences to the bereaved family members of Late Hesso Mao, Rtd. DGP of Nagaland. In a release issued by the President DDBA conveyed their shock about such an amiable and friendly personality could fall victim to the mindless and cruel act of the criminals. Hesso Mao, besides being true to official responsibilities was a genuine and humane person and his active love for sports, the valuable contribution towards the promotion of the game of badminton in Dimapur District will always be an inspiration and remembered, the message said.
Chief minister visits injured, gives financial aid; Woman blast victim dies; SIB team from Delhi to investigate into blast Kangla
Nov 9: a high level team of the SIB led by its DIG, HN Mishra and SP, AK Sahai will come to the state from New Delhi to investigate into the bomb blast at Alu Gali, Thangal bazar yesterday evening in which one woman succumbed to splinter injuries and 20 others including 13 women, mostly street vendors selling their wares on the side of the road, sustained injuries, a highly placed source said.

Since planting and exploding of bombs in crowded areas has been occurring in the other cities of the country as well, the bomb blast at Thangal bazar is being taken as a serious one as far as the security of the country is concerned, the source disclosed and stated that the centre wants to investigate into the motive behind the incident so that any links with terrorists if they exist can be established.

The central government has also taken serious note of the blast as in the recent times ahead of the Diwali festival a series of bomb blasts had rocked the national capital, New Delhi killing atleast 65 people and injuring around a 100 people. The intelligence networks of the country had suspected that the blasts were linked to terrorists. The source stated that the team is likely to come in the coming two or three days and collect data regarding the activities of the underground organisations in the state.

The source further said that while they are in the state capital an independent investigation into the matter will be conducted. The source also disclosed that the bomb blast at Dharmasala at Thangal bazar on April 17 this year and the blast yesterday may be linked. During the SIB investigation, the authorities may seek detailed intelligence reports along with police investigation reports during their stay at Imphal. It is pertinent to mention that in the bomb explosion of April 17, 2005 inside the Dharmasala, Thangal bazar one woman died and 10 others including two police personnel sustained splinter injuries. The bomb exploded amidst a crowd gathered at Dharmasala on the occasion of a wedding. The city police had at that time registered a case under section 307/326 IPC section-A/UAP Act 204 and 3 explosive substances Act of city police. However, according to the source, the investigation is yet to advance to a satisfactory level.

Central authorities feel such apparent lack of initiative on the part of the state government was a big blow to the country`s security. This time also the state police has registered a case in connection with the bomb blast and started investigating the incident from different angles. The case has been registered under section121/121-A/307 IPC and 5 explosive substances Act and investigation is on mainly to detect any handywork of underground elements.

Meanwhile, among the injured victims of yesterday`s bomb blast at Allu Gali, Thangal bazar one woman identified as Babi Jasmin, 28, wife of Ayub Khan of Kairang under Heingang police station succumbed to injuries early this morning at around 1.30 am at the JN hospital. State chief minister O Ibobi Singh visited the hospitals where the victims of yesterday`s bomb blast are being treated. During his visit he also had direct interaction with the victims and provided monetary help to them.

Later speaking to media persons, expressing strong condemnation of the act of blasting a bomb in the midst of a crowded area, Ibobi stated that the incident was most cowardly and inhuman. Ibobi further stated that people of all sections should condemn the incident. He also assured all possible help from the state government`s side to the victims. Earlier, the chief minister arrived at the RIMS casualty ward and directly interacted with the victims. Then he went to the orthopaedic ward and enquired into the conditions of the three victims who are admitted there. The three victims at the orthopaedic ward are Meisnam Binashaki, wife of M Krishnakumar of Uripok Sinam Leikai, Ayub Khan, 35, son of Wangoi Paobitek and Arambam Debala, wife of A Subhas of Sagolband Meino Leirak.

The chief minister gave Rs. 3000 to Binasakhi as financial help.

While interacting with the media from her hospital bed, Binasakhi, who is serving as a teacher at the Ibotonsana higher secondary school stated that if the bomb blast was the handiwork of an underground organisation, it was an uncivilised act of the organisation. She also expressed worry that she may not be able to set the question papers for her school with examinations knocking at the door. Injured Ayub Khan got an amount of Rs. 4000 from the chief minister as help for his treatment. The chief minister also promised further help to the injured Ayub Khan, if he requires it in future. However, the chief minister could not meet with third victim, Arambam Devala as she was at the X-ray room for examination. After visiting the victims at RIMS, the chief minister went to Shija hospital and met the two other victims. There he gave Rs. 5000 to the family of one victim, Ch Ibomcha of Kshetri Awang Leikai who is now in the ICU room of the hospital and Rs. 4000 to one Rabiya Begum, another victim. The chief minister also went to Raj Polyclinic and enquired into the condition of the victims there and also gave them monetary help.

Meanwhile, several civil society bodies, students bodies and political parties have expressed strong condemnation over yesterday`s bomb blast saying it was a terrorist act and anti-people. In a condemnation note the All Manipur Students Union said it was a weakness on part of the security forces at the blast site to have failed to detect any suspicious activities in the area even though the place was heavily guarded by police and other security agencies. Expressing strong condemnation of yesterday`s bomb blast, the United Peoples Front said the bomb attack was a terrorist act and such incidents have severely undermined the Manipur society. It also expressed apprehension that yesterday`s bomb blast could be the handiwork of agencies which are trying to distort revolutionary movements being launched by several groups in Manipur. It also appealed to all concerned not to repeat such incidents in future. In another condemnation note, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Manipur state council said the state government should take up immediate action to stop all forms of terrorism in the state. It also demanded protection of civilian life and property.

The National Students Union of India, in a condemnation note said, the bomb attack in a crowded area was an act of cowardice and such action must be condemned by all civil societies. Condemning yesterday`s bomb attack, the Bhartiya Janata Party, Manipur Pradesh has appealed to all concerned not to repeat such acts in future. Regarding the killing of one youth in the aftermath of yesterday`s incident in Kalibari area, a BJP condemnation note said the police could have apprehended the youth and carried out thorough investigations to find out clues to yesterday`s incident. The National Identity Protection Committee, NIPCO also strongly condemned yesterday`s bomb blast saying it was an act of terrorism and every human should condemn such actions.

Student bodies blame govt for Karbi clashes By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Nov 9 – The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) today alleged that the Governments at Delhi and Dispur want disturbance in Assam to divert the attention of the people from the development issues. A joint team of the AASU, All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), Karbi Students’ Association (KSA) and All Dimassa Students Union (ADSU) visited ethnic riot hit Karbi Anglong district yesterday for distributing relief material among the affected people. The students’ bodies jointly collected cloths, blankets, candles, medicines and other materials for the affected people of the hill district.

Talking to newsmen after returning from the hill district, AASU adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya alleged that the situation in Karbi Anglong aggravated because of the negligence of the Government. He alleged that the Government failed to take steps at the right time to control the situation and expressed the view that as militant outfits UPDS and DHD are under cease-fire agreement with the Government, immediate steps should have been taken to hold meetings with the groups to defuse the tension. “There is no existence of the Government in Karbi Anglong. If a Government cannot bring the situation in only one district under control in more than one and half months, where is the existence of the Government,” he questioned.

Bhattacharya said that the Government failed to provide adequate relief materials to the affected people, who are still gripped by sense of insecurity. Shortage of cloth and baby food has become a serious problem in the relief camps and the Government totally failed in its duty of providing adequate relief to the affected people, which proved that the State Government is not keen on the well being of the indigenous people of Assam.

With a good number of schools of the district are being used as relief camps to provide shelter to the affected people, the students of the district are facing an uncertain future, particularly in view of the fact that the annual examinations and the High School Leaving Examination are approaching. The AASU demanded that immediate steps must be taken to shift the inmates of the camps to other places to reopen the schools.

Representatives of four students’ bodies visited the district twice to instil confidence in the minds of the people and Bhattacharya said that the district units of the students’ bodies would continue their efforts to bring peace. He also expressed the view that there was no enmity among the common people belonging to the Karbi and Dimassa communities.
CM joins condemnation outcry By Our Staff Reporter Samgai Express
Shops in the commercial area of the capital district remain closed to protest the bomb blast.
IMPHAL, Nov 9 : The Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh joined many individuals and organisations in condemning the bomb blast at Thangal Bazar area yesterday even as shopkeepers protested the dastardly act by downing shutters for the day.
A women organisation has announced imposition of 24 hour bandh tomorrow to denounce the bomb attack.
The CM termed the blast, that ripped through the heart of Khwairamband Bazar killing one person and wounding 19 others, as ‘an act of terrorism’.
Talking to media persons after visiting the injured persons at RIMS Hospital here today, Ibobi said such act of terrorism should not be condoned. The Government also condemns the inhuman act of unidentified persons triggering blast in crowded public place in the strongest term, he said, adding that every section of the society should condemn the incident as well.
When asked on his opinion on the incident two days after BJP National vice president Venkaiah Naidu charged the State Government with failure in contai- ning law and order, a nonchalant Chief Minister simply said ‘they would say that’.
Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said the Government has not been able to find out which group or outfit was behind yesterday’s bomb blast but efforts are on.
Chief Minister also assured that the Government would extend all possible assistance to families of the deceased and survivors of the blast.
Earlier, the Chief Minister went round the casualty and other wards of the Hospital where many of the blast victims are being treated and extended monetary assistance to them.
The attending doctors showed condition of one Ayub Khan, who was hit by about 22 bomb splinters to the Chief Minister. The CM reportedly gave Rs 4000 to Ayub Khan.
Minister of State for MOBC Allauddin Khan, PDA chairman K Ranjit and MLA Dr M Nara accompanied the Chief Minister.
All of them later went to Shija Hospital, where some of the victims are admitted and undergoing treatment. On the other hand, many social and political organisations condemned the blast at Alu Galli even as Khwairamband Nupi Kei-thel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup has announced its decision to impose a 24-hour bandh in protest tomorrow.
Responding to the call of Manipur Keithel Nupi Marup, the women vendors and shopkeepers at Khwai-ramband Bazar remained shut down from 9 am today in protest against the violent incident which left one innocent person killed and many others injured.
In a statement, secretary of Khwairamband Nupi keithel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup Kh Rani Devi said yesterday’s bomb blast at a congested and enclosed area like Khwairamband market was very unfortunate. While expressing sympathy to the victims, she also appealed to all the women-vendors and shop-keepers in and around the market area to extend their support and co-operation to the proposed bandh.
While condemning the incident, Manipur Keithel Nupi Marup demanded to know the identity of the groups responsible for the bomb blast and said the group responsible should met the medical expenditures of all the victims. The women’s body, however, said that the Khwairamband bazar would function normally tomorrow.
Joining the condemnation chorus, BJP Manipur Pradesh drew the attention of the Govt towards extending adequate compensa- tion to the blast victims.
Reacting to the shooting down of a suspect by the security forces minutes after the blast, the party maintained that it would have been better had the security personnel arrested him and given punishment after a proper interrogation.
AMSU, SFI (Manipur State Committee), NIPCO, Khwairamband Nupi Kei-thel Shemgat Shagatpa Marup, Khwairamband Ba-zar Stalls’ Assn, NSUI, Ma- nipur; Keirao Bidra Angan-wadi Workers and Helpers’ Assn, AMGHSLWA, AIYF, Manipur State Council, Tarahei Muslim Women Welfare Assn have also condemned the inciddnt.


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