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11/14/2005: "IM puts solution onus on Delhi"

IM puts solution onus on Delhi Newmai News Network
Dimapur, Nov 13 : The NSCN (IM) yesterday maintained that even as the ongoing peace talks between the outfit and the Government of India was going at a fast pace, the ball was now in the court of the Government of India with regard to the ongoing peace talks between the two and insisted that a solution should be found before the present ceasefire expires.
“The ball is now in the court of the Government of India to hammer out a solution to the long-standing Naga political problem and it would be better if a solution is arrived at before the present ceasefire expires”, Deputy Kilo (Home) Kilonser of the NSCN (IM), Kevi Paulus, who hails from Southern Angami region, said last evening. The present ceasefire is due to expire on January 31, 2006.
“Of course we are thankful to the Government of India for recognising the unique history of the Nagas but if a solution is not arrived at people will lose patience,” he warned.
The NSCN-IM is on a grass-root level awareness campaign since the month of October.
Meanwhile, addressing an impressive gathering of village elders, village council chairmen and youth leaders at Jakhama at the consultative meeting of the NSCN (IM) for Southern Angami villages yesterday, the NSCN leader, alongwith other stalwarts including deputy kilonser chaplee (finance) affairs, Alezo and Member of the NSCN’s Steering Committee, AK Lungalang, apprised the gathering of the progress of the ongoing peace talks between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) while pointing out that the ceasefire is now eight years old and that people want a solution at the earliest.
“Many people are stubborn about their definition of independence but that will be resolved once a solution is arrived”, Paulus asserted.
Senior leader, AK Lungalang went deep into Naga history starting his discourse from the days of Naga Club and the submission to the Simon Commission in 1929 that Nagas did not want to be part of India when it won freedom.
NPMHR presses for release of abducted persons The Morung Express News
Dimapur: The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) in an emergency meeting held on November 12 at Dimapur collectively deliberated on the issues and problems related to harassment of prominent citizens which it considers as a direct threat to the Human Rights movement and against the democratic principles of the Naga peoples’ struggle.
Informing of this, Nepuni Piku, the Secretary General of the NPMHR Secretariat said, “While appreciating the justification given by NSCN (IM) on the summoning of 7 individuals from Pfutsero for clarification, NPMHR expressed dismay over the manner in which the whole episode has been handled.” NPMHR has also stated that it considers the willful negligence of democratic norms in the form of relocating the public leaders including a church person into their custody under duress.
In this regard, the human rights organization has demanded the safe and immediate release of the concerned leaders.
NPMHR has further renewed its appeal to the public to creatively respond to the threat meted out to their rights with impartiality and in a non-violent ways which will avoid endangering the political process that has been on for resolving the long standing Indo-Naga conflict.
Abduction case should be resolved amicably: Rev Resu Victor J T The Morung Express
DIMAPUR (MExN): “The abduction of the Pastor of Chakhesang Baptist Church Council and five others is indeed very unfortunate”, echoed Rev. Bonny Resu, General Secretary, Asian Baptist Federation.
Talking to The Morung Express, Rev.Bonny said that as Christians whatever be the cause (err) of the Pastor and the five others, the issue should be settled in an amicable way, detesting any violent and brutal means, for to err is but human and more humane and divine is ‘forgiveness’.
For in forgiving one another we too are forgiven by God who is the Supreme Judge, he said.
Rev. Bonny, further added that at this very crucial juncture the very need of the hour for the Naga people is to replace isms, hatred and evil vices by the spirit of oneness, trust and unity.
To overcome evil by good is the first step to ensure peace, prosperity and integrity. That these elements are the foundation upon which a strong Naga nation could be build, he said
“Be it the NSCN (both factions) or the NNC/FGN, all are of God’s children; and one most important aspect is that we all are of the same family where the Father is one”.
Thenucho refutes NPCC allegations New Kerala
Kohima: Nagaland Home Minister Thenucho has said that the allegation leveled against him by the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) was "baseless, malicious and politically motivated with the intention to mislead the people". In a release here today, Mr Thenucho said the actual purpose of his visit to Phek district was to inaugurate the Immanuel Baptist church Sales Day, after the inauguration, he had to rush back to Kohima to attend the funeral service of former Nagaland Director General of Police (DGP) M Hesso Mao.
The Congress in a release yesterday demanded resignation of the Home Minister and had contended that he had a role to play in recent abduction at Pfutsero under Phek district, where one Pastor of a church and six other public leaders were abducted by the cadres of certain underground faction.

Clarifying on why he had reached Pfutsero on November 09 last, a day before the abduction, Mr Thenucho said "I would like to clarify here that I had not gone to Pfutsero for some other purposes.
Threatening my own people is the last thing I would ever do." It may be mentioned here that as host he had not in any way issued threat to the signatories to withdraw the memorandum. It may be mentioned here that a host of public leaders of Pfutsero town, through a memorandum to the Nagaland Governor requested him to intervene under the provisions of Article 355 and 371(A) of the constitution as the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) has failed to protect the life and property of common citizen. The Home Minister said "however, it appears that the signatories have been misled by persons with vested interests,as it had been made known that many of them were asked to sign without the contents and in some instances the signatures were forged".
Mr Thenucho said that the state government is taking the abduction episode and the matter had been taken up with the Cease Fire Monitoring Group and other concerned parties for the safe and early release of those in the custody of the NSCN-IM.
NPCC demands resignation of Home Minister Kohima November 13, Webindia
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today demanded resignation of the state Home Minister Mr Thenucho for his alleged involvement in the abduction of a pastor and six other public leaders from Pfutsero on November 10. In a release issued by NPCC President Hokheto Sumi said here that, "It was learnt that Mr Thenucho had rushed to Pfutsero on Novemnber 9 and threatened the signatories, particularly Gaon Burahs to withdraw the memorendum submitted to the Governor".
The leaders refused to withdraw their signatures from the memorendum, which resulted in subsequent abduction of a pastor and six others, by an underground group. The NPCC indicated Mr Thenucho's involvement in the abduction and demanded his resignation. ''The state machinery was distancing itself from the general public and has become pro-militancy and anti-people'' the NPCC release alleged. The law and order situation under the government was in disruption, the NPCC claimed. The release alleged ''the government was giving a free hand to anti-social elements to terrorise the public and the state police forces has no power.'' UNI AS JYN PC AKP1241
RBI Governor visiting Nagaland Kohima | November 14, 2005 Webindia

The Governor of the Reserved Bank of India(RBI) Dr Y V Reddy, along with other officials of the RBI, arrived at Dimapur last evening on his two-day tour to the state. Official sources said Dr Reddy will proceed to Kohima today, where he will meet Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the officials of all the nationalized banks of the state, officials from the Rural Banks, Cooperative Banks and Financial Institutes.
He will also visit the famous Kohima War Cemetry today before his departure to Dimapur on his way to Guwahati by the Jana Satabdi Expresss, sources said. UNI AS BA RD1236
Manifestation of the Naga People Convention at Taphou Chache Lokho The Morung Express
Taphou a stone throw from Senapati, the historic event meet of the Naga People convention (NPC) under the banner of the U.N.C. sent a (strong wave of) clarion call to all the Naga people who are living in their ancestral hills. The people convention took five landmark decisions to launch a massive non-cooperation movement against the Manipur government (better to call Meitei Government).
1. Payment of house tax directly to Delhi or Kohima.
2. Surrender red blanket officially issued to the villages G.B.
3. Rename the villages, hills, rivers, districts in the indigenous terms.
4. Disassociate from any forums, platforms, organizations, etc. with the Meiteis.
5. Non-acceptance of any developmental schemes w.e.f. 1st April 2006 from the government of Manipur.
This wise democratic decision is worth to appreciate and honour by one and all. The people convention reaffirmed 8 and 9 August, 2001 Senapati declaration for Naga integration and out rightly denounced the Manipur Government (Meitei Govt) to oppose against the will of the Naga integration.
The aesthetic tactics to launch non-cooperation to the Manipur government reflects back the brilliant display and demonstrate the true democratic manner and style which the people ought to act. There is a sea change compared to the previous protest. Few days back we have seen fiery tempered agitation, violent economic blockage throughout NHs 39 and 53, burn down of government offices and vehicles etc. Any forms of violent are potential hazard for the healthy growth of our democracy.
Today we feel proud because we are coming out from violent tracks to peace track or from destructive to constructive ways. This purely reveals the maturity of the Nagas leadership. A Russian scholar Lev Tolstoy aptly quoted that “All forms of violent is wicket”.
When we keenly observe the scenario, Manipur has been vertically divided into two interest groups, the Meiteis and the Nagas. At the same time both become the pressure groups to the central government. The former are pressurizing hard to the central government not to disturb the territorial integrity while the later are striving for the Naga integration with the present state of Nagaland, which is hesitating and puzzling the central government to take any corrective decision. The Meiteis are mostly settling in valley while the Naga in hills. Meiteis go to temple, Naga to the church. Even like economy, culture, custom, ways of living, above all there is a historical and political differences. Though not a good student of Geometry, but still remembering clearly that, two Parallel lines never intersect and coincide. The Nagas in all, decided to untie the forceful wedded knotted rope. Look, the German has broken the strongest Berlin Wall under the two most super Power countries. Why not the Naga? Where there is only wall less boundaries.
No stir in Garo Hills from tomorrow, GSU The Morung Express
Shillong, Nov 13 (UNI): Agitating Garo Student’s Union (GSU) today said there would be no non-cooperation movement in Garo Hills from tomorrow and was hopeful of talks with the MLAs.
GSU representatives said they were open to talks on the condition that the venue should be anywhere except Guwahati and Shillong. The MLAs, who were to meet the GSU leaders on November 12 in Guwahati, were “offended’’ due to this proposal of change of venue.
A senior Congress leader told UNI, “We invited the student leaders for talks to discuss on issues like demand for resignation of the Mlas but they were not cooperating’’.
However, the GSU denied rumours they were planning agitation afresh from tomorrow and accused people with “vested interests’’ were spreading such information.
“Talks could still take place at a place acceptable to both sides, preferably at Nishangram in Garo Hills,’’ GSN leaders added. The GSU Central Executive Committee met in Tura last evening. The GSU said they were still open to talks with the MLAs. Meanwhile, 24 MLAs from Garo Hills, who were asked to resign by the GSU, were still working on a formula to solve the crisis.
The legislators cutting across party affiliations had earlier decided to listen to the students’ grievances and then convince them about the effect of the resignation.
GSU President Andreas T Sangma earlier told UNI from Tura that the meeting “has not been cancelled but according to popular demand we are contemplating to have it in Garo Hills’’.
On November 11, the Mlas from the Garo Hills held a meeting here and formed a united forum namely Garo Hills Legislators Forum (GHLF) to face the GSU.
UNLF claims responsibility for killing CRPF personnel The Morung Express Imphal, Nov 13 (UNI): The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) today claimed responsibility for killing three CRPF personnel on NH 53 in Tamenglong district of Manipur yesterday.
Three CRPF personnel were killed and four others sustained injuries in the attack by the Manipur People’s Army (MPA), the armed wing of the UNLF.
The ambush occurred about 27 km from Nungba police station, police said. The CRPF personnel of the 132 Battallion were stationed at the Keimai outpost and had gone out when an ambush was laid by the militants. Additional forces were rushed to the area to comb the area.
Sleeping on development Mumbai Mirror
India has great potential for development. Problem is that the government doesn’t see it
The main challenge before our country is rapid economic development and creation of employment. We must use our imagination to look at opportunities which can be exploited to create employment along with development. It is very easy to find reasons for non-development, like the current debate about lack of infrastructure in Bangalore between Deve Gowda and IT icon Narayana Murthy.

Turning conventional wisdom on its head, can we speculate about industrial development without infrastructure? For example, has anybody solved the mystery of how the beedi industry has developed in Mangalore without basic infrastructure, in terms of raw materials? Michael Porter came to the conclusion after an interesting study about the competitive advantage of nations when he pointed out that factor conditions are responsible only to a limited extent in terms of improving competitiveness.

When it comes to development, I would argue that we must look for opportunities and remember the well-known story of the sleeping beauty. In the story, the sleeping beauty was fast asleep till the prince came and kissed her. There are many places and opportunities in our country which are sleeping beauties in terms of potential for economic development and employment generation.

I experienced such a “sleeping beauty” once. It was the 1980s, and I was the managing director of the Gurajat Narmada Valley Fertiliser Company (GNFC) at Bharuch. Fertiliser companies those days were making lots of profits because of the government’s generosity, which ensured a 12 per cent post tax return on net worth if a certain capacity utilisation in production was achieved. In order to improve the profitability of my company, I looked for opportunities to supplement our activities by importing fertilisers on the lines of other fertiliser companies like the SPIC. The only opportunity in Bharuch, which is one of the backward districts of Gujarat, was the port of Dahej about 35 km away. This was a minor port and no ship had ever docked there. Thanks to the condition of the sea and the weather, it was a fair-weather port and midstream unloading had to be done if fertiliser was to be imported.

I took up the issue of importing fertiliser at Dahej with the ministry of agriculture, finance and the state government. I persuaded them that by importing fertiliser through Dahej the government would save money by reducing the distance for transportation at the rate of 100 km per tonne. The congestion at the Bombay port would also be partly relieved. From the development point of view, this venture promised fresh employment for at least 1,000 people at Dahej.
In fact when GNFC ventured to operate at the port, very few shipping agents and shove douser were willing to supply dock labour for unloading. With great difficulty we got one party and with that we were able to operate in the 1983-84 season. We made a handsome profit of Rs 3 crore in the import operations. That was a small beginning. Today Dahej has become a significant port and is a port for Petronet LNG. Dahej qualifies as a “sleeping beauty” because until that first operation it was not being exploited at all despite huge potential. With very little investment GNFC helped increase its own profits and contributed to the state economy.
There are 160 minor ports in India and it is worthwhile to see whether the country has fully exploited their potential. The recent spat between Narayan Murthy and former Prime Minister Deve Gowda has focused attention on the IT sector and the BPO industry. Trade unions are licking their chops to exploit potential available in the BPO sector.
One great attraction of the IT sector is that its main “raw material” is educated people fluent in English. As we look around the country, we find that the Northeastern region is the least developed. The government is also aware of this and has set up a department for ensuring that funds flow into that area. A number of initiatives have been taken to engender development. But all these efforts will come to naught unless there is employment generation.

Nagaland, thankfully, has English as its official language. Infact it is a widely-spoken language in the Northeast. With the development of telecommunications, Nagaland should provide an excellent opportunity for a vigorous development of the BPO sector. But why is nothing taking happening?

As with Dahej, is it not possible for the concerned department of the government of India to come up with an incentive scheme to encourage successful BPO operators in the rest of the country and start operations in Nagaland also? The scheme must sufficiently ensure that profits are guaranteed. The software industry grew in India because all the specific demands of the industry were looked into by the government and incentives like income tax, holidays, import of computers under the capital goods scheme and the infrastructure by way of high-speed data communication through earth stations were provided. Can’t the same history be repeated in Nagaland to begin with? I wonder.
Kuki students to call economic blockade from Nov 15 Newmai News Network
Imphal: The Kuki Students’ Organization (KSO), General Headquarter, has scheduled to launch five-day long agitation under the banner of “KSO for Justice” with economic blockade on all national highways leading to Manipur which includes NH- 39, NH-53 and NH-150. Announcing this in a press hand-out today by its information and publicity secretary, the five days long agitation will start from November 15. During the agitations the Kuki students will hold rallies in all district headquarters as well in Kangpokpi and the border town of Moreh.
It asked to close all the government offices in the state and movement of all government vehicles in all parts of Manipur will also be banned. The government will be responsible for any undesirable consequence during the course of the agitations, said the hand-out. The students’ body also threatened to launch more extreme forms of agitation if the government does make any concrete solution in this agitation, said the press hand out.
Meanwhile, two students’ organizations, All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) and Democratic Students’ Alliances of Manipur (DESAM) have organized a workshop on the students’ election today at the DM College teachers’ hall at the college campus.
A good number of students from different educational institutes, Government officials, professors of the Manipur University and, intellectuals, members of the NGOs and Meira Paibis (women folks) attended the workshop. Many participants of today’s workshop expressed the desire of conducting the college students union election under the instruction of election commission of the students’ bodies which consist of student leaders, government nominees, Meira Paibis and other NGO leaders. Some participants said that the awareness among the students is also must for conducting the election in the minimum expenditure.
Bangla positive on curbing NE ultra camps: PM Assam Tribune
DHAKA, Nov 13 – Noting that ‘some positive steps’ had been indicated by Dhaka on curbing North East insurgent camps on its soil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said India would do nothing to hurt the interests of Bangladesh, reports PTI. He also said there were ‘no insurmountable’ issues between the two countries and India was willing to remove ‘any misgivings’ that may exist in Dhaka.

“There are no insurmountable issues between us (India and Bangladesh),” Singh told reporters, winding up his three-day visit for the 13th SAARC summit, adding India would “do nothing to hurt the interest of Bangladesh and by helping Bangladesh, we would be helping ourselves.”
“That is the motivation that guides me and my government,” he said. Singh said his trip to Dhaka and meeting with with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia had ‘helped improve the atmosphere.’
“We raised all those issues. Recently there was a meeting between Home Secretaries of the two countries during which the issue was discussed extensively,” he said when asked whether the issue of existence of North East insurgent camps was discussed during his meeting with Zia.
“Some positive steps have been indicated (by Bangladesh),” the Prime Minister said about the issue that has been nagging the relations between the two neighbours.
Maintaining that a ‘strong and prosperous’ Bangladesh was in India's interest, Singh said, “if there are any misgivings, I on behalf of Government of India, am always willing to discuss to remove these.”
The Prime Minister said he had discussed various issues with Zia and her response was ‘constructive’.

There was a great deal of commonalities between India and Bangladesh and the two neighbours could work out joint strategies to collectively fight problems like poverty, he said. Singh also said he has invited the Bangladeshi Prime Minister to visit India and she has accepted the invitation.
Earlier, the 13th SAARC Summit concluded today with the signing of three major agreements -- avoidance of double taxation, liberalisation of visa regime and SAARC Arbitration Council.

Announcing the far-reaching decisions at the concluding session of SAARC, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appealed to member countries to resolve a few outstanding issues to facilitate implementation of South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) by January 1, 2006. “I would like to underline we must expedite the process of resolving a few outstanding issues that separate us from the final agreement on SAFTA” to implement it from January one next year, Singh said speaking as the Chairman of the next summit which has been decided to be held in India. Expressing a sense of satisfaction for making substantive progress in furthering regional cooperation during the two-day deliberations of the 13th Summit, Singh said: “it will be fair to say that this summit will be remembered for several substantive outcomes that have emerged in Dhaka.”

He said that the SAARC leaders were also delighted to welcome Afghanistan to the grouping.
ACHR condemns “Quit Notices” to the Dimasas in Diphu NET News Network
New Delhi, Nov 14: Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today condemned “Quit Notices” issued by a new-armed group called, Solidarity Karbi Troops (SKT), to the Dimasas including the inmates living in Diphu Dimasa Club to leave Karbi Anglong immediately and urged the State government of Assam and the Central government of India to take effective measures to prevent further orgy of killings of innocent civilians. Many of the posters were pasted on the autorickshaws in Diphu, Headquarters of Karbi Anglong this morning.
“Such quit notices vitiate the peace processes for restoring communal harmony and have the potential to cleanse Diphu, headquarters of Karbi Anglong and Haflong, the headquarters of North Cachar Hills respectively of the Dimasas and Karbis with serious consequences for gross violations of the right to life of the innocent civilians,” stated Suhas Chakma, Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights.
“The quit notices constitute an offence under Article 7 of the Rome Statute of International Criminal Court. So the state government of Assam and the Central government of India must take immediate and adequate preventive measures by identifying those who have been issuing such notices, take stern action against them and increase security in and around the camps of the displaced persons,” appealed Chakma. Asian Centre for Human Rights also appealed to all the Dimasa and Karbi Civil Society organizations to exercise restraints, resolve all the differences through dialogue and take measures to restore communal harmony.
AFSPA : Army's Frankenstein Sangai Express Editorial
Two points can perhaps be inferred from the statement of the GOC-in-C of Eastern Command Lt General Arvind Sharma when he said, “One reason why violence has increased in the 7 Assembly segments of Imphal could be because of the suspension of operation in these areas by the Assam Rifles and the Army following the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the municipal areas of Imphal.” (As reported in the November 12 issue of this paper). The timing of the statement was perfect as it came just a few days after a bomb explosion ripped through the heart of Imphal city injuring 18 civilians and killing 2 besides maiming others. The statement reflects the stand of the Army establishment over the status of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and explicit in the stand of the Lt General is the point that for the security personnel to maintain law and order, the AFSPA is indeed needed. In other words it means that for peace to prevail in Manipur there is the need for the continued imposition of AFSPA. The second point that can be inferred from the observation of the Lt General is that the police have not been able to contain the activities of the militants in Imphal areas without the help of the Assam Rifles or the Army. We are sure the State Police Department does not need a certificate of good conduct or a progress report card from the GOC-in-C of Eastern Command, but the Army officer has made his point, though subtly and we wonder whether the unsaid message has been understood or not. However what should not forgotten is the plain fact that the continued imposition of AFSPA in Manipur has not been able to rein in the activities of the militant groups in Manipur and far from dealing a death blow to militancy, we have seen that militant groups have mushroomed after AFSPA was imposed in the entire State in 1980.
Even as the Review Committee set up to study the provisions of AFSPA has suggested that the Act be scrapped and some of its provisions be included in another Act which is applicable through out the country, the GOC-in-C of Eastern Command has started a fresh debate on the Act by openly addressing the media that the lifting of AFSPA from the municipal areas of Imphal has led to a surge in violence in the capital city. Debates can continue. We agree that the situation in Manipur is not exactly normal and the security personnel deployed in a conflict zone area like Manipur may need some legal protection, but the point of greater importance is whether the imposition of such an Act like AFSPA has been able to achieve the stated objective of the Government of India. On the other hand, it would do good for the military top brass to realise that while AFSPA has failed to rein in the activities of militant groups, it has succeeded in alienating the people from all that New Delhi stands for and this itself is a defeat for the security personnel. AFSPA is basically meant to help the security personnel to discharge their duties but when it is misused, as is the case in the North East region, it can prove to be the Frankenstein of the security personnel. Let not this point blow over the head of the policy makers of the country.