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11/13/2005: "Public leaders charged for fueling mob fury"


Public leaders charged for fueling mob fury The Morung Express News
November 12
DIMAPUR: In the wake of public demand for the safe and unconditional release of the six people who had been abducted from Pfutsero town on November 10, the GPRN/NSCN in an official communiqué stated that the six were arrested for interrogation following their alleged “commitment of offence against the nation”. “The wrong doers were arrested for their evident involvement in violating the law so that interrogation could be conducted fairly”, it stated.
The NSCN however clearly stated that those found guilty would have to face trail for their offense so that such acts are curbed in future while also assuring that those found innocent would be immediately set free.
While stating that it did not object to the mass peaceful rally which was taken out by the Pfutsero public in resentment against the armed clashes on October 6, the NSCN however described as “undesirable” the action of some few individuals with vested interests whom it alleged had “incited, fueled and roused a group of around 30 to 40 people into an erratic infuriated mob bent on blind surcharged violence”. The NSCN pointed out that this “instigated and enflamed mob” were led to the office of the Pfutsero Town Command, Naga Army who then started the “uncontrolled rampage of vandalism”, destroying the office and all the properties of the GPRN.
“If anyone had been in the office, one can never know whether anyone would have been spared of their life, while assessing the maddened surcharged mob’s actions”, the official communiqué from the MIP stated.
While stating that there was nothing wrong in such peace rally meant for peaceful resolutions of disputes and conflicts, the NSCN pointed that justifying to engage in violent means for venting resentments amounted to violent mobocracy which it said was unacceptable. “The law has to be strictly defended and exercised to eradicate lawlessness in our land”, it stated.
The NSCN also regretted that by taking recourse through ‘negative means’ it only proved the existence of “an adverse anti-nationalistic trait” among some people.
Pointing out that any wrong deeds against a nation amounted to violation of law the NSCN cautioned that “none could take asylum for their mistakes behind any identity and evade justice” and stated that rather it was “the culprit participating in a wrong deed that has to be reformed”.
NBCC urges for release of Pfutsero leaders
DIMAPUR, NOV 11 (MExN): The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has expressed shock over the incident in which a Pastor of the Chakhesang Baptist Mission Centre Church, Pfutsero and six other public leaders were taken away by the NSCN (IM) to Hebron Camp following a public protest against inter-faction fight between the NSCN (IM) and FGN in Pfutsero.
In a press communiqué issued by Rev L. Kari Longchar, Director Peace Affairs, the NBCC reiterated its stand that inter-faction fights must be renounced ‘forever’ as such a phenomenon did not bring any good to anyone,
“The legitimate right of the people to demonstrate, to protect their own safety must not be suppressed by any faction”, the NBCC stated.
The NBCC has strongly urged that those who have been taken away to Hebron camp ‘under duress’ be released at the earliest.
NSCN(IM) urged to release ‘arrested’ persons Kuknalim.com
DIMAPUR, Nov 12: Two women organisations are pressurising the NSCN(IM) to release the seven public leaders including a pastor who had been "arrested" (abducted) by the NSCN-IM two days ago...
Two organisations demanded the immediate release of the arrested persons without any pre-conditions. Church Board of the Chakhesang Mission Centre has expressed its resentment and condemnation over the arrest of the seven leaders by the outfit. However, NSCN (IM) on Saturday clarified that the Pastor and six public leaders including the chairperson of Pfutsero Town Council, who were presently in its custody, were arrested for interrogation in connection with an incident of vandalism at the office of Pfutsero Town Command, Naga Army.

Bodies ask IM to free captives Source: The Sangai Express
Dimapur, November 12 (NNN): Pressure is mounting upon the NSCN-IM to release the seven public leaders including a pastor who were arrested by NSCN-IM activists two days back. Two women organisations have demanded the immediate release of the arrested persons without any conditions. Church Board of the Chakhesang Mission Centre has expressed its resentment and condemnation over the arrest of the seven leaders by the NSCN-IM. However, the GPRN/NSCN (IM) today clarified that the Pastor and six public leaders including the chairperson of Pfutsero Town Council, who are presently in its custody, were arrested for interrogation in connection with an incident of vandalism at the office of Pfutsero Town Command, Naga Army.

According to a press release issued by NSCN (IM)’s MIP, about five hundred citizens of Nagaland's Pfutsero town took out a “mass peace rally” on October 6 in protest against a factional clash involving the NSCN (IM) and the FGN cadres in which an “innocent boy” sustained bullet injuries. The NSCN (IM) also said that though the rally, staged for expressing public resentment against the incident, concluded peacefully, soon after a group, numbering about 30-40 people and allegedly at the instigation of “vested interests”, led to the office of Pfutsero Town Command of the outfit's Naga Army being destroyed. The NSCN (IM) alleged that the group vandalized the said office and “destroyed the properties of the government (GPRN) without any scruple or compunction”.

The statement said it was due to this reason the “wrongdoers” were arrested for their “evident involvement” in violating the law and also to ensure that interrogation could be conducted fairly. It assured that the abductees would be set free as and when found innocent but the guilty would have to face trial for their offence to check recurrence of such acts in future. The NSCN (IM) added the civil societies were making hue and cry as they had been left in the dark about the background of the incidents that led to the arrest of the “culprits”.
Church refutes allegation Pfutsero Town Council urges govt, civil society to intervene Morung Express News November 12
DIMAPUR: The Chakhesang Baptist Church Council today maintained that the allegation against its pastor Nüvosayi Vese was unprecedented and unsubstantiated. The NSCN (IM) had said on Friday that Vese was an Indian intelligence agent. The CBCC said in a press release today that such an allegation levelled was “unfortunate and it deeply hurts the sentiments of the Council and the church community.” While upholding the holistic ministry of the Church and spiritual unity of all believers in the “body of Christ,” the CBCC appealed to all concerned to respect the sanctity of the “church ministry under all circumstances.” Meanwhile, the Pfutsero Town Council while appealing to the Collective Leadership of the GPRN- NSCN (IM), has also requested the Nagaland State government, the Chairman and members of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group, the Naga Hoho, NPMHR, NMA, NSF and the CPO to intervene for the immediate and safe release of the abducted Pastor and other senior community members who were abducted by the NSCN (IM). The Town Council had, in a press release, assured the NSCN (IM) that those abducted had never committed any offence nor had they in any manner done any anti-social crime and described them as ‘merited social and church worker’. The town council in an emergency meeting held on November 11 expressed deep hurt and shock over the incident.
Southwick church members to visit Nagaland New Kerala
By Prasun Sonwalkar, London: A group of British churchgoers is preparing to jet off to Nagaland to provide medical, educational and building expertise during a two-week stay in the village of Akumen.
The 10-member group is from the Southwick Christian Community Church and is led by Rev Lynda Hulcoop. The project came about because Alemla Twiss, one of the congregation members, is from Nagaland. She visits the state every year. Lynda Hulcoop said: "Our group has two nurses, builders and structural engineers, who hope to rebuild some of the bridges and roads in the area, while the nurses want to set up a dispensary and teach first aid, birth control and how to treat common illnesses like diarrhoea. We have been donated medical supplies and equipment for the school by local firms and the church itself has raised about 6,000 pounds for the trip." Hulcopp said she visited Nagaland last year with Alemla and found the people "friendly and happy. They have a deep Christian faith", she said.
State machinery under DAN govt is anti-people: Congress The Morung Express
KOHIMA, Nov 12 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) while seriously observing the prevailing state of affairs under the present NPF led DAN Government through its policy of equi-closeness said that the state machinery was distancing itself from the general public and has become pro-militancy and anti-people.
”Law and Order situation under DAN Government is going down the drains with the passage of time and it has reduced itself to a dragon like figure spitting fire of vengeance on the innocent public, collaborating with anti-social elements in committing crimes like abduction, extortion, killing”, NPCC President Hokheto Sumi said in a release.
It also said the statement of R. Paphino, NPF Press Secretary that “criminal events and social conflicts are world phenomena” was most surprising and disheartening. “If it is a world phenomenon then does that mean that we should not bother what is going on in our own homeland? Or are some world dignitaries coming to heal our wounds?”
The NPCC pointed out that trying to divert the mind of people by comparing the situation in the State with that of ‘world phenomena’ only exposed the total irresponsibility and immaturity of NPF party, Sumi stated. Further, taking a dig at Paphino’s constant ‘interest’ with regard to the Congress party activities, rather then his own party (NPF), the NPCC cautioned the NPF to be aware and remain vigilant as “Paphino may defect any moment.”
The NPCC also raised the issue of the recent demand letters served to prominent citizens of Kohima Village and killing of former DGP at Kohima and said that all this was manifestation of the ‘total lawlessness and disorder throughout the State’.
“DAN Government is giving a free hand to anti-social elements to terrorize the public. While the State police force has become toothless because of interference of their political bosses who are reaping the favor of those anti-social elements,” the release continued.
Mystery surrounds arrested IM men By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Nov 12 : In a repeat of the 2003 incident wherein some top leaders of the NSCN (IM) were arrested and subsequently released an 'official' of the same outfit along with two cadres and arms were reportedly arrested from IT road near Kangpokpi but their whereabouts remain unknown arising question of whether they too had been let off.
According to an Assam Rifles source, a team of 14 AR deployed on Mobile Vehicle check Post duty came across a Deputy Kilonser (Minister) and two other armed cadres travelling on a Bolero jeep on October 31 on the IT road, from where the 2003 arrest was also made.
The Deputy Kilonser identified as one Akhon and his two accomplices were interrogated during which they revealed their identities, said the source while adding that they were subsequently handed over to Kangpokpi police station the same evening.
One AK rifle and a pistol found from the trio's possession were also handed over to the police station along with the arrested persons, the AR source said and explained that the arrests were made for brea- ching ceasefire ground ru-les signed between Govt of India and NSCN (IM).
The source speculated that the two cadres might be personal securitymen of the Deputy Kilonser.
Even as efforts to contact Senapati district SP, under whose jurisdiction the detention site and police station falls, and the DIG Range to gather detailed informations drew blank, a responsible police officer confirmed arrest of the trio.
He, however, conveyed of being unable to ascertain whether the arrested persons are still detained in Kangpokpi police station or have been released.
Press sources disclosed of the three travelling on the vehicle along the said road after attending a meeting convened under the sponsorship of the armed orga- nisation whose activities and movement within the State is officially not entertained despite the ceasefire agreement with the Centre.
Police sources on the otherhand, revealed of the three NSCN (IM) activists brought and interrogated at Imphal after which they were handed back to police station concerned.
attempts to extract exact location of the police station from the police source proved futile.
It may be mentioned that state police personnel had arrested 13 activists of the NSCN (IM) including some high ranking 'officials' from Kangpokpi area on october 6, 2003 but were released by the State Government following instructions from the Central authorities.
The release after arrest with arms had raised hue and cry from various social organisations of the State demanding explanation from the Government on status of ceasefire in the State on ground that no FIR case were filed against the Naga rebel delegate.
The deal struck between the then BJP-led NDA Government and the State authorities for release of the arrested IM activists, as reported, cited strong reprimanding by the then Central authorities to the outfit's leaders 'to restrain its cadres by confining them to their camps or face action by security forces for violation of the mutually-agreed ceasefire'. Those among the 13 arrested IM activists included home secretary Lungalang and senior leaders like K Chawang and David Pere.
Hesso’s killers told to come out boldly The Morung Express
KOHIMA, NOV 12 (MExN): The Kalinamai Village Authority, Mao and villagers of Kalinamai (Kahremai, Puna Nadu) while demanding the identity of the perpetrators and reasons from the individuals or organizations responsible for the dastardly act of murdering former DGP M Hesso Mao on November 8 at the deceased’s own residence, has strongly warned that the people of Kalinamai cannot sit as silent spectators.
The KVA, through a statement issued through the Chairman and Secretary KVA asked the culprits to come out boldly in the open at the earliest. Stating that the crime perpetrated on the life of Hesso has to be dealt with as per customary law, the KVA on behalf of the villagers and native community demanded that the individuals or organization to “come out boldly as you came and did to our Hesso Mao, at the earliest”.
“We are shocked and deeply anguished” the co-natives of late Mao grieved. “We are grieved as we have lost our dear and large-hearted villager Hesso Mao” it mourned while questioning what crime the former DGP committed that warranted the killers to go to the extent of eliminating him right in his living room and also for the fact that he was living a retired life. “Eliminating our men in such a way is tantamount to direct challenge to the very survival of our whole community. What have our village done to you which led to hunt our men in this way?” the release questioned.
Demanding the identity of the culprits, individuals or organization as well as the reasons for committing the crime “denying our existence” it demanded that the responsible entities come out boldly at the earliest.
Bus collision leaves thirtyfive injured in Nagaland New Kerala
Kohima: At least thirtyfive people including ten women were injured when two buses collided head on the National Highway 39, about 7 kms from here yesterday. Official sources here today said that the accident occurred when a Nagaland State Transport bus carrying passengers to Zunheboto from Dimapur had a head-on collission with a minibus, which was carrying some youths of Chandmari area of Kohima for a picnick. Most of the injured were admitted to a local hospital here, where Nagaland Home Minister Thenucho visited and donated Rs. 10,000 for buying medicines and other treatment equipment. The drivers of both the buses were also injured seriously in the acciddent.The Assam Rifles Jawans from a nearby camp of the accident site provided first aids and arranged shifting of the injured to the hospital. The cause of the accident was under investigation.
Nagaland to set up new LAC within Assam land? From our Correspondent Sentinel
MERAPANI, Nov 12: While encroachment on Assam territory by the Nagas is continuing in a very methodical manner along the Assam-Nagaland border, the activity of the Nagaland Government in setting up of a new Legislative Assembly constituency has raised many an eyebrow here.
According to reports, the Nagaland Government has reportedly been making endeavours to set up a Legislative Assembly constituency, namely ‘Aaghonak’ within the ‘A’ sector along with Assam-Nagaland border. According to sources, in a meeting held recently at Hoqubat village in ‘A’ sector, which was attended among others by Nagaland Minister for Industry K Jimley, the Speaker of the Assembly and a few MLAs, a decision was taken to set up a new LAC for the next Assembly election. It may be mentioned here that the Nagas set up the New Land subdivision on February 10, 1987, Kohbotu subdivision on November 28, 1991 apart from trying to establish Haladhibari and Uriamghat subdivisions in the recent past. This apart, the Nagas have already set up Governor’s House, Seven Sisters Bank, Church Host and Kohbotu Press in South Nambar forest along the inter-State border.
Baptist Mission in Nagaland: From head hunting to soul hunting The Morung Express
The Nagas’ reputation as fierce headhunters didn’t deter early American Baptist missionaries such as Dr. Edward W. Clark. And the fruit of these early missionary efforts has been wonderful indeed: Naga tribal people wholeheartedly embraced the Gospel, evangelized their own people, and established churches and schools. “The American Baptists brought us two very important things: the Gospel and education,” say Naga leaders today.
Once the Indian government began increasing restrictions and repression on the people following India’s independence from Great Britain in 1947, the Naga people increasingly demanded their own independence, which they had actually formally declared on August 14, 1947, one day before India’s independence. For more than 50 years, the Nagas have also suffered amidst tribal tensions among four major insurgent groups. These realities have forced the Naga Christians to grow in faith. When all foreign missionaries were expelled in the 1950s, Naga Baptists carried on and strengthened evangelism and outreach activities.
The Nagaland Missionary Movement began in 1971, when the NBCC sought to broaden its mission focus to evangelism and church planting among unreached people groups—from the Karens of the Andaman Islands to the villages of East Nepal and people at the border of India and Bhutan. In spite of often-fierce opposition, mission work continues energetically on many fronts.
Winning the Naga People for Christ
One of the great servants of the Naga people was Dr. Edward W. Clark, the first American Baptist missionary in Nagaland. Dr. Clark came to Assam with his wife, Mary, in 1869. The Clarks soon learned about the head-hunting Naga tribal people, and at great personal risk, they accepted God’s call to present the Gospel to these people. By December 1872, Dr. Clark had baptized fifteen Naga converts who later became the foundation of the Naga church. During his 21 years of ministry, Clark and his wife worked tirelessly to spread the Christian Gospel, winning the confidence of most villagers as they planted churches and promoted education for the Naga people. Dr. Clark encouraged the training and development of indigenous leaders. He published a Naga Primer, and in 1878 established the first Naga school and also celebrated the first Naga Christian marriage. Soon a women’s fellowship was begun, and a few years later the first Naga pastor was appointed. In 1888, using materials from America, the enterprising Dr. Clark built a suspension bridge—still in use today—over the Milak River. A few years later, he wrote the Ao Naga Dictionary, still considered a masterpiece in this previously unwritten language. The Clarks also planted a garden which is still bearing fruit today. The Council of Baptist Churches in North East India erected a memorial building to Dr. Clark in 1960.
(Courtesy: International Ministries)
The Unwritten future of the Nagas By Eyingbeni Kuknalim.com
Nagas today stand on two boats with one leg in each: the present and the future. This is a reality that can cost us much in terms of future direction, if the Nagas as a whole is unable to decide on which boat to take...

The Nagas’ past was characterized by many a fairy-tale like virtues. Grandparents reminisce about honesty, self-sacrifice, diligence and all the “good” stuff with which a community was constituted of. Conversely, the present brings unpleasant news of fraud, laziness, extortion and all unprecedented vices, making the upholders of traditional qualities appear Arcadian. However, the future stands open, waiting to be written.

As we stand in such a decisive crossroad, the young people come to mind as the ones who can change the course of history. Student organizations are ever on the protest against the immorality of many civil authorities. The general public is almost tired of having to go through the ordeals of insecurity of another day. Now then, can the young people offer some hope? If we are guided by visions, we can have a future to look forward to, if we are indifferent, than it would have been better if we were deprived of education!

It is unfortunate that much of the gifts in young people are washed down the drain for lack of relevant spaces to bring their potentials to fruition. And in this process, all Nagas are forced to be stuck to stagnant, irrelevant and frustrating systems, dominated by the rhetoric of the aged, outmoded logics and conventional methods of authority- dispensation.

It does not require too much of an argument to prove this fact. A cursory look at the administrative bodies - secular and ecclesiastic, is obvious enough to make every conscientious Naga ask, “Where are the innovative inputs from the young people?” The Legislative Assembly, Village Council, Town Committee, Tribal Hohos, Deacon Board etc. are generally manned by the grey haired (dyed black). Although the elderly have their wisdom to contribute, they must also welcome and trust the younger ones (reasons need not be elaborated). As long as they are still swayed by a bygone adage, “Old are Wise”, Nagas will live very far from civility, in its truest sense.

It’s time for us to move on and move on really fast. The primary school lesson, “slow and steady wins the race” is unaffordable because we are already way behind in our entire moral and physical standards. Even then, the big challenge before the young people is whether they are willing to revive the traditional merits and bring survival to the whole community or will they themselves drown in the present evils and bring an end to the future before it is even written. The river is at our disposal. Only one choice of the direction can we make. And so is the boat. Which one? Eyingbeni's kuknalim.com username is eying

Indo-Myanmar operation against ultras ruled out From Sobhapati Samom Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Nov 12 – The Indian Army is not ready to launch a joint operation along the Indo-Myanmar border to flush out the insurgents operating in this region. “At present, we’ve no plan to launch join operation,” says General Officer Commanding in Chief of the Eastern Command Lt Gen Arvind Sharma during an interaction with mediapersons here on Friday evening. “As and when required, we’ll do it in consultation with Government of India,” he informed.

Reacting to a question, the General who came here to review the ongoing situation of the security added that Army has submitted its recommendation to the Union Government over the recent report of NSCN-IM’s threat to step back from the ongoing ceasefire agreement. Now the decision is to be taken by the Government, General Arvind admitted. Since the Disturbed Area Act from the seven Assembly segments under greater Imphal area has been lifted, Imphal valley has become a safe haven for the militants. It is the people to decide whether the Act is to be re-imposed or not, said the General while briefing the media at the headquarters of the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) at Mantripukhuri on Friday evening. Confirming that Manipur-based insurgents have intensified their activities in the greater Imphal, he said that the lifting of the Act from the Municipal areas of Imphal has literally kept the hands of the security personnel tied and added that this has encouraged militants to intensify their activities.
This obsession with feudalism WITH EYES WIDE OPEN D. N. Bezboruah Sentinel Over 58 years of independence and nearly 56 years of the Republic seem to have taught us virtually nothing about democracy. The majority of Indians are still obsessed with one form of feudalism or the other, to the extent that they still talk about kings and coronations in an age when such things are anachronisms. And what about our rulers? Have they already forgotten that the princely order was liquidated soon after Independence, though a privy purse was paid to rulers for some years? Has no one reminded them that monarchy and such feudal arrangements are passé in this age? Has no one told them that one can never have real democracy if this obsession with feudalism is allowed to continue? They know. They need no reminders other than the general elections that come round every five years or more often. The trouble is that they do not wish to learn. The trouble is that most of them have faith only in the neo-feudal structure that they are trying to foist on us with the rules of democracy. The trouble is that many of our lawmakers still see themselves as feudal lords rather than as elected representatives. It is not my purpose to generalize, and I do not claim that all lawmakers are cast in the same mould. This mindset is more deeply ingrained in the political leaders of the heartland states, with greater experience of the princely order and the feudal system. In fact, southern states like Kerala and Karnataka, parts of which were monarchies, have managed to be free of the feudal obsession partly due to better political awareness and partly due to the influence of Communism. This is only one small part of the malaise. There are many elected representatives of the people who belong to families of former feudal lords. For them, winning elections is a way of remaining feudal lords. Some of them have criminal cases against them because they are allergic to the law of the land, and have made lawbreaking a favourite hobby and status symbol. They are adept at capturing polling centres, preventing voters from voting and generally taking all steps to rig elections. And once elected, the task of destroying all evidence of their crimes is a comparatively easy one.
Much of this obsession with the feudal system and with royalty stems from the fact that kings and a feudal order are part of a political culture that India has been familiar with for centuries. Otherwise, at the beginning of the third millennium we would not have people naming new hotels and newborn babies Samrat. Also, we would not have had journalists going gaga over the weddings of the progeny of former monarchs and princes. But this is precisely what happens. Journalists are invariably bowled over by the pageantry of such events. So deep is the obsession of our journalists with monarchy and feudalism that we have some of them referring to the installation of Ghulam Nabi Azad as Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir as his "coronation". There are no coronations in a democracy, and referring to the swearing in of a new chief minister of a state as his "coronation" is certainly in poor taste. Journalists who mould public taste and opinion must be far more careful about the idiom they use. But there is worse yet. Some weeks ago there were front-page news items and photographs of the second marriage of Britain’s royal playboy, Prince Charles, to his paramour of many summers, in some of our metropolitan English dailies. This was deplorable selection of news for the front page. These newspapers were giving mindless and uncalled-for publicity to the mere legalization of a live-in arrangement of a playboy grandson of the last British emperor of India! What would a citizen of any democratic country have to say about responsible journalists born in free India who are nevertheless slavish about their loyalty to the British royal family? The obvious comment would be that we Indians have not ceased to be slaves. I was born a slave (as an unwilling British subject) due to an accident of birth and history. So were others of my generation. And I know what it is to cease being a slave one fine morning and to find myself a free soul. I belong to a generation that is aware of how much Britain looted from India in a couple of centuries of colonial rule. No wonder I am scandalized and enraged at people born free who still behave like slaves of the British.
It is all very well to crib about how unsuitable democracy is for India and to wish we had some other form of government. This is yet another instance of Indians misusing a system and then giving it a bad name. We keep doing this all the time. Yet, it should be very clear to anyone that seeking an alternative form of government to democracy can only be a regressive step. Today there are many "constitutional monarchies" that are monarchies only in name. These countries, like Britain, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and so on, are really fine democracies with a monarch as a titular head. Sweden, for instance, has had a parliament for around 1,200 years despite being a constitutional monarchy. The trend even among monarchies is towards democracy. In some cases sensible monarchs have themselves initiated enthusiastic moves to usher in democracy; in others, potentates who realized that their days were over, have grudgingly taken the move towards democracy. We have the interesting case of Nepal where a progressive monarch like King Birendra brought in parliamentary rule, only to have his brother Gyanendra suspend the parliament after King Birendra and his family were gunned down by the heir apparent. Here are two brothers of the same dynasty, one of whom knew which side his bread was buttered on and the other who has taken the retrograde step of getting back to pure monarchy.
Those who realize that there is no going back from democracy to any other form of government have naturally ceased talking about other alternatives. However, this alone is not enough. There have to be more determined steps to ensure that we have a real democracy working for us. This obviously means that more and more people must strive to be true democrats. The question is: how does one go about it? The first step is to be aware of other people’s rights as well as our own rights. Being constantly alive to other people’s rights is most important, because only then does one imbibe the true democratic spirit. Failing that, people become glorious self-seekers and selfish boors quite unsuitable for democracy. It is not enough to know about our own rights. It is essential to constantly remind our elected representative that they are servants of the people whenever they trample democratic rights. And it will be necessary to do this all the time because, as I said earlier, most MLAs and MPs regard themselves as some kind of kings. They will disagree with whatever the public may have to say about their doings. So there will be frequent dissent with the establishment. This dissent is the very essence of democracy, and has to be encouraged rather than curbed. Not for nothing are we told that eternal vigilance is the price of democracy. Ironically enough, in the case of India, it is not so much vigilance against external threats as it is vigilance against the deeds of our own elected representatives. The democrat must ever be prepared to stand up and oppose what is unjust and undemocratic. Being a democrat also implies respect for the rule of law, a large measure of tolerance and a striving for the greatest good of the greatest number. Monarchy, on the other hand, generally strives for the greatest good of the smallest number. And this works against everyone’s interest — except those who belong to the monarch’s family. It is good discipline to decide that one will have nothing to do with the traditions of monarchy, even though it may not be possible in India to avoid bumping into people from former royal families. It is also useful to keep in mind always that there is no going back from democracy to any other system. As someone said long ago, being in a monarchy may seem like sailing on a luxury liner. The going is fine until the ship hits an iceberg. When this happens, there are no survivors. Being in a democracy is like being on a raft. One knows that the journey can never be comfortable; but one also knows that the raft is unlikely to sink. So three cheers for democracy and down with feudalism! But democracy does not come from just voting every five years. Nor does it come from the "we-they" equation that we inherited in respect of our rulers during colonial rule. It can come only from greater participation, greater decentralization, greater autonomy and greater empowerment — all of which must be snatched from our rulers since they are so reluctant to give us any of it.
Relief and rehabilitation measures in Karbi Anglong Governor’s intervention demanded From our Correspondent Sentinel
DIPHU, Nov 12: The Janajati Faith and Cultural Protection Forum (JFCPF) recently met Governor of Assam, Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh and urged his intervention to bring in peace and normalcy to the ethnic strife-hit Karbi Anglong district. The Forum also informed the Governor that the recent spate of violence between the Karbis and the Dimasas was the handiwork of an external force working against the unity of the two tribes. The Forum further hinted the possibility of NSCN(IM)’s hand in the carnage adding that the Karbi Anglong district population is by and large against ‘Greater Nagaland’ and stand as a stumbling block against the "evil design".
"The NSCN(IM) is in the look out to divide the people Karbi Anglong on communal lines and create a Kashmir-like situation here," alleged the Forum. BB Jamatia, president, JFCPF demanded a CBI inquiry to establish direct or indirect involvement of a "third force" in the violent incidents. He also demanded additional security to panic-stricken people, who do not want to return to their native villages. The Forum also demanded to constitute a peace committee comprising representatives of two communities at local level to defuse the tension, immediate eviction drive in government and private land bordering Nagaland and to intensify relief and rehabilitation measures. Most of the bordering areas are encroached by the Nagas under the safe custody of NSCN(IM) cadres, the Forum alleged.
The signatories of the memorandum which includes representatives from both the communities, urged the Governor to take effective steps to give students sufficient time to prepare themselves for their examinations besides organization of photo clippings and exhibitions in the relief camps.
Shift relief camps from educational institutions: KSA From our Correspondent Sentinel
DIPHU, Nov 12: A three-member team of Karbi Students’ Association, Diphu district committee comprising Heera Ingti Kath, president, Stalyn Ingti, secretary and Mangal Hanse, vice-president of the organization respectively, apprised the Deputy Commissioner of Karbi Anglong of the present education scenario of the district.
They urged him to shift the relief camps set up in the educational institutions to other places within 15 days taking into account the students’ forthcoming examinations. Airing serious concern over sporadic ethnic clashes between two communities, the KSA, in the memorandum, said that the student community is at the receiving end after the mayhem. Expressing strong resentment over government "apathy" towards setting up of relief camps to provide shelter to the thousands of homeless people, the KSA flayed the Government for using the buildings of educational institutions for the purpose thereby taking the students’ academic career at stake.



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