[Previous entry: "NSCN threatens to pull out of ceasefire Indian Catholic"] [Next entry: "Burma and India step up fight against Naga rebelsT.Siamchinthang"]

01/18/2006: "UN intervention sought to end genocide against Nagas"

UN intervention sought to end genocide against Nagas
THE NNC has sought the intervention of the United Nations in ending what it termed as the genocide against the Nagas by the two Governments of Myanmar and India.
Pointing out that the present joint Military operation being carried out by the two Governments of India and Myanmar are totally inhuman and in complete violation of the international human rights, the NNC in no uncertain terms stated that the very intention of joint operations was to wipe out the Naga population in the free area (Region) and occupy the virgin land of the Nagas.
Vizosielhou Nagi General Secretary, Naga National Council in a press communiqué strongly condemned the Military Junta of Myanmar for what he termed as “the aggression and the brutality against the Nagas of Free Eastern Nagaland at the behest of the Government of India”.
“And their actions are totally criminal against the Nagas in particular and the humanity at large. The Naga people of free eastern Nagaland are free indeed and governed by themselves from time immemorial till date. And the land and the people never belong to Myanmar politically, socially, culturally, religiously, etc. till date.
The administration of the area is run by the Nagas and the free eastern people have never, never join the union of Myanmar till today and this very fact can be verified by the community of Nations and the United Nations in particular”, the NNC stated.
Pointing out that the Nagas have been fighting for the last 59 years for recognition as a sovereign nation and this fight will continue till political freedom is achieved, the NNC earnestly appealed to the international community and the United Nations in particular to immediately intervene in this matter of genocide against the Nagas by the two Governments.
“The NNC also appeal to the Naga people of the Western Nagaland, which is under the occupation of India, to pray and support the Nagas of Free Eastern Nagaland at this hour of intense hardship”.
DAN Peace Committee to push for CF extension We cannot afford to take sides: Shurhozelie
The Naga Blind Association observed International Louis Braille Day on 4th January. For most of them, it would be one of the very few exercises that identify them with being part of this world: it gives them the courage to hold on: they have nothing to call their own – no education, source of income, modern amenities, or relatives to help them, long-term assistance from the government. Many feel ‘like vegetables’ with no means of earning to sustain themselves leave alone their families, who themselves hardly earn or not at all.
“There are about 59 members. Many of us are ‘voluntarily’ surviving. We try to self-reliant but it is hard to survive” said K Yapang Longkumer, President of the NBA, which incepted in the year 2000 and registered in 2001.
They are mostly from poor families and it is only the association which gives them a sense of belonging. “Many of us are left at home just like that because we are disabled and have no other source of income. We have been constantly seeking assistance from the Government. But their help is insubstantial” according to one member, who refused to be identified.
For the NBA the only thing which gives them hopes of surviving bleak times are the vocational programs which they hold every year, offering courses on Braille (English and Hindi), Music, Typing (English), candle and chalk making, mobility and handicrafts. Even the expenses incurred were only through donations and whatever money they could garner from among themselves.
To the query if they have approached the State Government to address their grievances, they have little to say. “We have occasional ‘grant-in-aids’ and we were also assured 5% reservation of jobs but it only for those qualified” says Yapang adding that a more assistance would have been a better assurance, though.
“Even the vocational is financed entirely by us. What can we do?” According to one of the members the Chief Minister ‘donated’ one Auto Rickshaw to the association ‘to earn their livelihood’. However, the Auto met with an accident after 4 months after which, from want of finance to repair the lone source of the union’s “income’ it was relegated to the scrap heap. “We also tried running a small hostel to help us, but unfortunately, its income was too insufficient to sustain us” Yapang said.
They still hope the Government would do something to alleviate their suffering. “If the Government supports us we would be able to survive. They should support us” says Yapang. Till now they undertake fund-drives and other activities to promote self-reliance among them, entirely on their own resources.
It is learnt that the Social Security and Family Welfare department, Government of Nagaland were approached by the NBA of many occasions for projects and assistance but till now the files are “still under process”. Also, last year on December 6, the Welfare Department is said to have visited the NBA and were assured of all possible help.
However, the assurances are still yet to materialize into concrete assistance to subsist on. “It is our faith that the public and the Government would help us. We cannot do much” Yapang hopes.
‘Konyaks participationmust for solution’
THE KONYAK Union has strongly condemned the secret proposal reportedly submitted by some faction to the Government of India for settlement of the Naga political issue. In a press communiqué issued by Tingnei and Naowang, President and General Secretary respectively of the KU, it was pointed out that Konyaks “are the mother of the Naga political movement” as it was in Konyak soil that the movement was conceived.
“No one can deny the contribution of the Konyaks towards the national movement and formation of their socialist government was successful only because of the broad shoulder of the Konyaks”, the KU stated and added that “almost all the national leaders were the special guests of the Konyaks who took their political shape only in Konyak soil”. As such, the KU stated that any political solution could be achieved only with the participation of the Konyaks.
Expressing regret over the secret draft proposal, the KU stated that the proposal ‘strives to make the Konyaks second class citizens’. Further pointing out that Statehood for Nagaland was recognized only because of Tuensang district, the KU lamented that Tuensang and Mon which had been placed under special provision was “cheated by advanced tribes”.
Rio urges SAI to give special attention in NE
Kohima, Jan 17 (MExN): While expressing the privilege for Nagaland to host the North East Sports festival for the second time after a gap of 17 years, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in his inaugural address at the Indira Gandhi Stadium urged the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to increase the disciplines of competition, and thereby enlarge the opportunities for spotting and nurturing the talents in many other new disciplines.
Rio also expressed his appreciation to the Sports Authority of India for sponsoring the festival and giving the youth of the region necessary exposure, experience and opportunity to expose their hidden talents and also to prepare them for higher level competition.
“The officials of the SAI also extend their support to the north eastern states in the matter of obtaining grants and assistance from the central government for development of sports infrastructures in the region, Rio, who also heads the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) said.
Rio urged the SAI to give special attention to the sportspersons of the region and give them the necessary training facilities and opportunities to participate in the national games.
While appreciating the participants representing their respective States he called upon them to make the best use of the opportunity given through this festival and also to get to know each other better thereby fostering better understanding and brotherhood among the people of the region.
Dzukou fire under control
The massive forest fire which has been raging in the Dzukou and Japfu mountains since the last one week and which is estimated to have destroyed an area of 72 sq kms or more has now been brought under control, according to Forest Secretary, L Kire. Officials from the Forest Department along with a police force and assisted by villagers from nearby areas conducted a spot verification in Dzukou Valley today. The survey team was able to assess the extent of the area damaged caused by the fire in the valley. “The actual extent of damage after the spot verification is 72 sq kms or more”, the Forest Secretary told The Morung Express.
It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had on January 12 sent out an SOS message to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, asking for immediate assistance to douse the raging fire at Dzukou Valley. The State Government had attempted to control and put out the fire, but with little success due to the difficult terrain, lack of adequate fire fighting equipments, and accumulation of huge dry biomass fueling the fire.
Later on January 14, an Indian Air Force helicopter with State forest officials onboard made an aerial survey as per an emergency directive from Ministry of Home Affairs. On the same day, a preliminary report was submitted to the State government. Later, a complete report on the extent of damage and assistance and measures to be undertaken was prepared and sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Political stalemate between the Indian State and the Nagas “We cannot force anything on the states” “The issue is about territorial and not development”
Yaronsho Ngalung
The above two statements were made by Mr. Oscar Fernandes, the Union Minister of State for Overseas Affairs and heads of the Group of Ministers (GoMs) in the Indo-Naga political talks. The Minister was right when he says that the Indo-Naga issue is of territorial and not of development. However, his statement that “We cannot force on the States” is hardly constitutional and plausible in terms of the Article 3 of the India Constitution. Article 3 never talks about forcing on or getting consensus from the states .Rather Article 3 only gives an opportunity to the concerned states for expressing their views on the Bill as the Parliament is the sole authority to implement on the said Article. It is a matter of great concern that the Indian State has not made their position clear on the issue of the integration of all Naga areas after Eight and a half years of intensive political discussions. The Minister knew to himself very well that the issue is of territorial integration of all Naga areas in the North eastern region. However, he is making a lot of excuses by saying peace cannot be brought overnight. But one must not be carried away by this sweet rhetoric of overnight. Everyone is well aware that the talks about the necessity of the integration of all Naga areas have been going on for more than Eight years.
Moreover, integration of the Naga areas is not a new issue. We are reminded of the agreement signed between AICC and the Naga Territorial Integration Council on 4th
August 1972 this states that “Integration movement of the Nagas is not anti-India”. So, it is not about bringing peace overnight. Rather, it’s about the insincerity and non-committal attitude of the India State towards the issue. The Nagas in their 4th Naga People’s Consultation held on 20-21 January 2005 in its second point of the 4 points declarations unambiguously stated that, “Integration of all Naga areas is legitimate and therefore non-negotiable”. Therefore, we are made to understand that the Indian State is only playing a dangerous delaying tactics of suppressing the Naga national movement.
In 2003, A.B. Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India told the media that we need political consensus on the integration of all Naga areas. This only shows their disrespect towards the aspiration of not only the Nagas to live as one people but also to show their systematically trying to avoid the possibility of integrating the Naga areas by the Indian State through Article 3 of the India Constitution. The Indian State’ strategy to delay the peace process was also clearly seen in the last talks held on 16-17 December 2005 at Bangkok. At this crucial juncture, the Indian State opened up the closed chapter by proposing Article 244A/Sixth Schedule without territorial integration of the Naga areas to which the Nagas out rightly rejected there and then. The Indian representatives during the last talks seemed to have forgotten that the Sixth Schedule has been already rejected by the Nagas in 1950. The Indian State’s talks of their sincerity and seriousness are doubtful and hardly plausible if they are still proposing such autonomy provision. It is very clear that the talks are all about establishing a relationship between two nations and there is no question of the Nagas accepting autonomy at this point of time. We can analyze from the past eight years experience that the Indian State is far from coming to the their rhetoric of saying seriousness to resolve the Indo-Naga political issue. This clearly shows the double talks of the Indian State.
And, now, the Indian State is pressurizing the Nagas for extension of the ceasefire agreement. Whether or not the ceasefire agreement is going to be extended will be decided in the last week of this month before the ceasefire agreement expires on 31st January 2006. Whether or not extension of the ceasefire agreement is not the real question here. The real question here is on what basis the ceasefire agreement should be extended beyond 31st January. There is no doubt that all of us want peace as it was also stated by the Minister. But the question is not of peace alone.
The question is what kind of peace it would be. Peace without justice and truth is too heavy and dangerous a price to be paid. And the Nagas are not going to accept any imposed peace by the negotiating party. People want the ceasefire agreement to be extended in the sense that early political solution aspect by integrating the Naga areas as a first step is not neglected by the two parties. Without policy decision on the Indian side on the integration of all Naga areas would be a farce move for continuation of the ceasefire. As a matter of fact, simply keeping alive the ceasefire does not hold much water. What is needed at this hour is the continuation of the ceasefire agreement on a well-grounded basis or principle of political realism and action on the part of the negotiating parties.
This well-grounded basis or principle demands the Indian State of making its policy statement sufficiently clear to the peoples on the issue of integration of all Naga areas. It would be fruitless efforts on both the parties without such basis or principle founded on realistic political decision. Should it be fair all the time on the part of the Indian State to remain silent and non-committal on the political issue such as mentioned above? We have observed in the past years that the Indian State had not come out with any concrete political step for resolution of the political issue. It is the call of the hour that the Indian State takes a clear political stand and position on the issue without further delay to save the hard-earned ceasefire agreement. The non-committal attitude for so long had led us into believing of a dirty political game played out by the State. This is nothing less or more than just a mere counter-insurgency strategy of the State which was one of the State’s strategies in the past 50 years. However, politically speaking, it is to be understood by one and all that the Nagas as a people would be the last to succumb to such strategy.
In concluding my comment/opinion it is imperative to state that the onus of saving the peace process lies on the Indian State. For it had not shown any political maturity in the past eight years. If the same political attitude is going to be the sole approach of the Indian State, then, there is a need to rethink on the extension of the ceasefire agreement. Should we hope of a policy statement from the Indian side in the coming talks? The political scenario, if any indication, could well think of such a bold political step being taken by the Indian side if at all the peace process has to be saved. But it is a matter for the Indian State to decide.
However, if such a concrete step is not coming forth, then, the continuing the ceasefire agreement would be far from seeking the peace with justice and truth. In such case calling off the truce is one of the best political steps on the part of the Nagas. Because ending the ceasefire agreement does not mean ending the Naga national movement. Nevertheless, if the Indian side is coming forth with policy statement on the integration of all Naga areas as a first step towards resolving the Indo-Naga political question, then, the ceasefire should be extended for a time-bound period within which implementation could be done. That would lead the negotiating parties towards saving the peace talks. That would surely open up a way for democratization of the peace process through wide consultation across state governments, political parties, civil societies and citizens in the sub-continent.
On the part of the Nagas there had been Five times consultations held in Bangkok and India which have made the political peace process percolated down to the lowest level of the Naga society. If the same process is being reciprocated by the GoI too, then, we can be optimistic of resolving one of the world’s oldest conflicts. The question still remains to be answered. Is the GoI ready for an early political solution? For an analyst there are only two options that is, either peace with justice and truth or war by militarization of the Naga areas. Undeniably, whether we like it or not this is the only road ahead of us.
Situation in Manipur, Nagaland under control: Army
Kolkata, Jan. 17 (PTI): The Army has been taking precautions that 'collateral damage' to civilian does not occur in Manipur and Nagaland where the situation was under control.
Speaking at an Army Day celebrations here on Monday, Lt. Gen. Arvind Sharma, GoC-in-C Eastern Command, said that the situation in the north-eastern states of Manipur and Nagaland was under control and the Army was taking precautions against collateral damage to innocent civilians.
Recounting the glorious traditions of the Army since Independence he said the defence force had rededicated itself to protect the country from external aggression and insidious forces trying to destroy the socio-economic fabric.
A large number of senior Army officers were present at the celebrations where the GoC-in-C laid a wreath at the Vijay Smarak located in front of Fort William.
Fifty-one army personnel were awarded Yuddh Sewa Medal, Sena Medal and Vishist Seva Medal for distinguished acts of gallantry and dedicated service.
Brig. Rameshwar Roy of JAK RIF was the only officer to be awarded Yuddh Seva Medal this year in the Eastern Command.
Five Sena medals were awarded posthumously.