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01/06/2006: "Interim solution on the anvil"

Interim solution on the anvil The Morung Express NewsDimapur | January 5
We never submitted secret proposals to GoI: NSCN (IM)
An interim solution to the vexed Indo-Naga stalemate is in the offing. Kilo Kilonser of the NSCN (IM) Rh Raising today hinted, “Interim solution is a corridor to final settlement” while commenting that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s proposal of a provisional settlement was his personal opinion. Talking to The Morung Express, Raising said that assurance would be given to the Centre on national security (relating to joint defense) as how Suisa, a prominent name in the Naga struggle history, had also earlier assured Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India. Raising also said the interim period would allow the people’s voice to be echoed.
When asked on the reconciliatory process as desired by a huge segment of Naga society, the kilonser said, “Nobody can blame the NSCN (IM) for not welcoming the NSCN (K) and the NNC.” Alleging that the Khaplang faction was a brainchild of the Indian intelligence, Raising said Adinno Phizo’s statements hardly hold any water as she is not aware of ground realities.
Earlier, high ranking officials in the NSCN (IM) hierarchy had also put in a word or two on the idea of an interim solution. An NSCN home ministry source had said, “In my personal opinion, I do feel that an interim solution is heading our way.” He further coined the next round of talks as crucial.
Meanwhile, a release issued by the outfit’s ministry of information and publicity out rightly condemned the article framed “by the Indian agencies known as ‘Naga Inhabited Areas,’ structuring and legislation. The NSCN makes it loud and clear that to the Naga people that at no point of time the NSCN had submitted a ‘secret proposal’ of ‘Naga Inhabited Area’ to the Government of India as alleged by ‘Khaplang brothers’. Reversely, it was alleged that the NSCN (K) was campaigning in the “nature of 8 points allegation of 1988 crisis.”
Army exhibition to woo Naga youths The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JAN 5 (MExN): An exhibition displaying latest state of art weaponry and equipment of the Army will be held at 2 Assam Rifles ground at 10 AM on January 8 and 9. The exhibition which is being conducted under the aegis of Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) and Head Quarters Nagaland Range (South) will be a unique opportunity for the youth of Nagaland to learn about the Army career and in the process get first hand input on procedural aspects of joining the armed forces, a PIB (Defence Wing) press communiqué stated.
“The Army team will freely interact with the youth of the Kohima and motivate the boys and girls to join the most honorable profession – The Defence Forces”, it stated.
The Army Day is being celebrated all over India on 15 January 2006 and in commemoration of this, as also to spread awareness about the Indian Army and its capabilities amongst the civil populace of North East India an exhibition on army equipment is being organised under the theme “Know Your Army”.
The aim of conduct of such an event is to motivate the young boys and girls of Kohima to join the Indian Army as officers, who could subsequently provide leadership and guidance to the next generations of Naga Youth.
Chief Minister Rio named 'Naga of the Year' by Eastern Mirror Kuknalim.com
DIMAPUR, Jan 05: Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio was awarded the title 'Naga of the Year.' A public poll organised by the English daily, Eastern Mirror, calling on the people to vote for whom they thought had made an impact on the Naga society.

Mr. Rio got the highest number of votes, which came in via SMS and e-mails. Other contenders making it to the top five were, Mr. Horangse Sangtam, President of Naga Hoho, Miss. Zaputuo-u Angami, Mother and Founder of Kohima Orphanage, Mr. Abu Mere, Kripa Foundation and Th. Muivah, General Secretary NSCN. A panel consisting of seven members from different fields made the final decision. Mr. Rio was reportedly the popular choice among the public mainly due to the initiatives and changes he has brought, especially for the young Nagas.

The selected top five are all dedicated people in their respective fields. Such awards are encouraging and a step forward in making the public aware of the efforts put in by dedicated Nagas.

While the public may complain about the indifferent attitude of Nagas, there is no doubt that there are lesser-known Nagas quietly contributing to the society.

Efforts of such people should be highlighted. Changes made by an anonymous simple person might go a long way in reshaping the minds of the people. -S. Kikon
Truce hanging by a thread? Kuknlim.com
Naga International Support Center Amsterdam, Jan 04, 2006

In the long aftermath of decolonization with first of all the British being inconclusive about Nagaland to be part of India, now after more than eight years of cease fire...

meant to enable talks of peace between the Government of India and the Government of Nagaland to arrive at an honorable solution, a deadlock has put the cease fire and peace talks at jeopardy.


Deadlock Indo-Naga Peace talks

What has caused the two parties, who both repeatedly stated that the talks were amicable and positive, to come at loggerheads with each other?

The root of this collision dates back to the implicit vision of the Indian Government, the vision without policy to forcibly make Nagaland part of India (See our press release on Jawarhlal Nehru). The lack of a coherent policy resulted in stalling for time and made the Nagas responsible for coming up with proposals for a solution that will accommodate India. Though the talks have been conducive the unwritten policy of embracing the constitution of India of India hangs as a sword of Damocles above the talks. Consequently the lack of a consistent policy has led to unresponsive decision-making. In turn lack of decision making has led to the fear of being held accountable by the hawks in the Indian Society.

The talks are held in secret. They are not transparent and consequently no one else, but the negotiators, knows what is talked about. No press is informed; only cordial but meaningless statements were issued.

Has nothing been achieved then? Three years ago, on their request, the Naga Government sent a clear-cut proposal to the Indian Government. The content of this proposal was meant to launch a basis upon which the talks would progress.

Yes something has been achieved; the one meaningful statement was a communique in which the Government of India recognized the uniqueness of Naga History.

For the Nagas this recognition was a prerequisite for continuing the talks and so the government of India acknowledged that the Nagas had never been part of India and had never been conquered, not by consent nor conquest. Yet, India did not then arrive at the decision that Nagaland thus was not part of India. This is in contrast to what Mahatma Gandhi and later Nehru, the first Prime Minister of the Union of India, had fully acknowledged. In recognizing the unique history of Nagaland, the Government of India acknowledges the right to self-determination of the Naga peoples. However, for nearly sixty years now, India has denied the Nagas their right to live together and to govern themselves. Due to the lack of direction of the Indian Government based upon the different voices within political parties, hardliners strongly opposing solution seekers, the talks were continuously disrupted by backtracking of the Indian government. This latest backtracking now is the cause of the deadlock between the Government of India and The Government of Nagaland.

In the long history of this conflict the question of who is unreasonable now rises:

Is Great Britain unreasonable?

Knowing fully well the aspirations of the Nagas to be left alone, to be independent, the Simon Commission 1929 par example, Great Britain, after their departure form the Indian sub-continent, abandoned the Nagas. But did Great Britain actually hand the Nagas over to India?


The Naga International Support Center calls on the British Government

- To, as the original accountable power, conclusively take post-colonial responsibility,

- To correct what has been left undone.


Is the United Nations unreasonable?

By a telegram to the United Nations the Nagas declared independence one day ahead of India. Though the United Nations acknowledged the reception of that declaration it did not act on it.


The Naga international Support Center calls on the United Nations, as the body of the international community

-To intervene in this long standing conflict on the basis of the right to self determination.


Is the Indian Government, for having an accountable policy on the Indo-Naga conflict, unreasonable?

After invading Nagaland and unleashing a devastating war of conquest and subjugation on the Naga Hills which took the lives of hundreds of thousands, Nagas and Indians alike, India finds it difficult to come to an amicable and honoroble solution


The Naga International Support Center calls on the Indian Government:

- To show its humane face and thus on the basis of humanitarian reasons alone to demobilize its troops, to withdraw them from the occupied Naga territories.

- To respect the right to self determination and the human rights of the Naga Peoples.

- To, on behalf of the democratic Indian populace, design an accountable policy to end the Indo-Naga conflict.


Are the Nagas unreasonable?

The Nagas do not attack India. The Nagas only defend their homeland, which without being consulted was arbitrarily divided. The cease fire abrogation just means that talking for eight years without a sense of direction to find common ground is tantamount to being dictated to become part of India. Nagaland is divided and occupied. The end of the cease fire would mean that India would resume its war of subjugation and the Nagas would resume fighting for their right to self determination. In that case the deadlock continues:


The Naga International Support Center calls on The Naga Government:

- To, in the wake of the mounting pressure to remain subdued, to do all in its power to restrain itself

- To keep the cease-fire going so talks for peace will remain possible and bloodshed will be averted.


For more information, visit our website www.nagalim.nl
4 NSCN (K) cadres killed by Assam Rifles Newmai News Network
Imphal | January 5
Troops of the Assam Rifles yesterday carried out a major operation in Senapati district resulting in the killing of four militants of the NSCN (K). The encounter between the cadres of the NSCN (K) and the paramilitary force took place at Malkha village, a Nepali settlement near Kalapahar of Senapati district at 9.30 pm yesterday.
All the four were killed on the spot and the troops recovered two weapons and two hand grenades from them. The Assam Rifles said its troops were alerted in the area following information that militants were collecting illegal taxes and extorting money forcibly from the villagers. “The dead cadres were part of a big extortion and kidnapping team operating in the area and our soldiers killed them after a fierce gunfight,” spokesperson Lt Col S.D. Goswami told IANS. On getting information that some militants were collecting money from villagers, a combined team of the Assam Rifles and the state police were deployed at the area. When the militants saw the security forces they fired at them.
The combined team also returned the fire resulting in an exchange of fire for about half an hour. One AK rifle, one pistol and two hand grenades were recovered, the source said. Talking to reporters at the site of the encounter this morning, the commanding officer of the 14th Assam Rifles Govind Singh said the troops first asked the militants to stop. They refused to stop and opened fire at the troops. The combined team was deployed in several groups not only to stop them from running away and also to avoid damages on civil population, he said.
Reports from the district said some NSCN-K members also reportedly escaped under cover of darkness to nearby hill areas. The bodies of the four slain militants were handed over to the police this morning. The bodies were identified.
Meanwhile, NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region spokesman Felix told NNN today that NSCN-IM cadres had been on the prowl in the Zeliangrong Region with the purpose of creating turmoil in the region. Felix’s statement comes at the backdrop of the ongoing clashes between the two NSCN factions since the last fortnight in the Makhom areas under Tamenglong district. The spokesman said that 4 NSCN-IM cadres were injured critically and that two might have also died.NU land donors, VC
deny threat perception.