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03/03/2006: "Press communique from Naga and NE Organisations in Delhi"

Kyndiah praises PC Correspondent Nagaland Post
SHILLONG, March 2: Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), P.R. Kyndiah has described Budget 2006-07 as "pro-poor, pro-growth and pro-people budget." Kyndiah, who is also the Minister for Tribal Affairs, extolled Finance Minister P. Chidambaram for giving due importance to the North-east.
"The budgetary provision for the development of north-eastern region has been increased from Rs.1176.00 crore to Rs.1350.00 crore and the Tribal Affairs Ministry gets Rs.1656.90 crore from Rs.1498.82 crore," Kyndiah said.
"No doubt the region has got a fair deal," the Union Minister said adding the Ministry of DoNER including North Eastern Council is getting due share of importance and focus. "The region gained from increase in allocation to other ministries. The main benefit came from several central government mega schemes in the Ministries of Rural Development and Surface Transport and Highways," Kyndiah stated.
Other bulk of the resources that the region is gaining from the Budget includes - Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Mission, Total Sanitation Campaign, National Rural Health Mission, Integrated Child Development Services, National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.
Stating that the ruling Congress led UPA government is committed to the development of the north-east, Kyndiah said the NEC budget had also been increased from Rs.461.50 crore to Rs.600 crore, an increase of thirty percent.
"Ten percent of the plan Budget of each Ministry and Department for schemes and programmes for the flagship programmes alone, this would amount to an additional allocation of Rs.4,870 crore in 2006-07", Kyndiah said. The total budget allocation for the NER is Rs.12, 041 crore which includes Rs.1, 350 crore provided to the DoNER. From BE 2005-06 to BE 2006-07, the step up is 18 per cent, he said.
On a like to like basis, the allocations for schemes benefiting only SCs and STs have been enhanced by 14.5 per cent to Rs.2,902 crore and the allocations for schemes with at least 20 per cent allocation for SCs and STs have been enhanced by 13.9 per cent to Rs.9,690 crore, Kyndiah said. A special accelerated road development programme for the north-east at an estimated cost of Rs.4, 618 crore has been approved. For 2006-07, a sum of Rs.550 crore has been provided; he said adding that a Central Institute of Horticulture will be established in Nagaland. The region will also benefit from enhanced allocation for horticulture and renewed thrust on food processing industry.
CM’s plea for development Correspondent Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, MARCH 2 (NPN): The DAN government on Thursday admitted that there was no shortage of money in State's exchequer for carrying out developmental activities but all that needed was collective efforts from the people and the government for all-round development of the State.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the Kohima Village Council (KVC) building as chief guest, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio revealed Nagaland was receiving sufficient funds from the Centre for developmental activities. He called upon the people to extend their co-operation to the government for all-round development of the State.
Rio hoped that peaceful co-existence would prevail in the State during the remaining part of the DAN's regime in order that more development and changes could be brought about.
"The present world is fast changing and so unless we cope up with the present development trend of the world, the Nagas would be left behind," he said.
While stating that Nagas had been recognized and considered as a unique people by others, Rio urged the people not to lose their identity. Further, he urged them to preserve and promote the rich Naga cultural and traditional heritage.
Minister for Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu in his speech also stressed that Nagas should not lose their culture and tradition. Further, he called upon the people to preserve the rich cultural and traditional heritage passed on to them by their forefathers.
The Minister also called upon people to unite for the development of the State. The function was also attended by some Cabinet ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs and top government officials.
Rio urged to withdraw 9 IRB Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, March 2 (NPN): Wives of the 9 IRB personnel, the latter of who are fighting Naxalites in Chhattisgarh, on Thursday demanded immediate withdrawal of the battalion from that State.
In a memorandum addressed to State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, they said "even as it is the prerogative of the State government to utilize the services of the IRB personnel in a manner deemed fit by it, the deployment of IRB in Chhattisgarh for containing the activities of the Naxalites does not merit any justification."
Achila Ozukum, sessional chairperson and Nzanc Kikon sessional secretary representing the wives of the personnel urged the Chief Minister to withdraw the 9 NAP at the earliest since "they lack the training to counter the landmine attacks by Naxalites and will become easy prey to their covert."
It has been pointed out in the memorandum that Naxalites do not engage in conventional warfare, but are experts in triggering landmine blasts and that Chhattisgarh has its own elite forces and other paramilitary agencies to check Naxalite activities. As such, they said, the deployment of Naga jawans in that state is unwarranted.
The wives of the IRB jawans have also expressed apprehension that unless the 9 IRB is withdrawn, the Naga jawans, currently stationed at Barsur, would meet the fate of the nine IRB personnel who were killed recently in a landmine blast triggered by the Naxalites.
Naga varsity students to continue stir over VC’s resignation
Posted on Thursday, March 02 @ 12:21:20 EST by administrator
KOHIMA, March 02: Even though Prof G.D. Sharma tendered his resignation from the post of Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University on Tuesday, the Post Graduate Students’ Union (PGSU) today threatened...

that it would continue its agitation till the resignation letter was accepted by the office of the Visitor in New Delhi.

The PGSU took a decision to this effect during a general body meeting comprising all the three campuses today. The three campuses of the PGSU decided to continue with academic closure in all the campuses unless New Delhi accepted Prof Sharma’s resignation letter. This is the third time Prof Sharma had stepped down as the VC. Earlier, in 2001 and 2002, he had resigned from the post but the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) had reportedly refused to accept his resignation letter and he continued.

Although the PGSU would continue with academic closure in all the three campuses it knowing the problems of some of the students decided to exempt academic closure for the B.Sc Agri – SASRD final year and for their RAWE programme and the students involved in final examination from this decision.

The PGSU appealed to the lecturers concerned to perform their duty. "In case of failure on the part of the lecturers the PGSU should not be held responsible for hampering and jeopardizing the career of students but the lecturers failing to perform their duty will be held responsible," the PGSU added.

Meanwhile, the CEC of NUTA at a meeting also resolved to continue the VC's resignation letter was accepted. by the Visitor and MHRD. However, the CEC exempted the RAWE programme underway at SASRD, Medziphema.

Press communique from Naga and NE Organisations in Delhi Kuknalim.com
Posted on Thursday, March 02 JOINT PRESS COMMUNIQUE Dated: 28.02.2006

North East Join Action Committee, Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Naga Student Union Delhi (NSUD) participated in a rally and seminar organized by Indian National Front...

for New States and Telangana Study Forum. The 2nd national seminar on ‘ Political process in the formation of new sates’ with a special focus on separate state hood for Telangana Region in Andhra Pradesh which was held on 25th and 26th of February was attended by various Naga organizations and others from Indian states. A documentary film on Nagas was shown and a speech was given by Mr. Yaronsho Ngalung on the topic of formation of Naga areas on the first day of the seminar. In his speech Mr. Yaronsho Ngalung emphasise strongly that the people of Telangana have every right to demand for different state and as the history tells the tale of Telangana people, the state government should and must take immediate action. He further stated that Nagas in Delhi fully support their movement. On 27th there was a protest rally and a sit-in dharna which was attended by more then five hundred Indians and Nagas. Nagas shows their solidarity by participating actively from the first day of the seminar till the end of the rally.

George Fernandes was the chief guest for the seminar and among the guest list there were prominent figures from North East like Mr Mani Charenamei and Mr. Hagrama Mohilaey. In the invitation letter the representatives from various North East organizations like North Eastern Student Joint Action Committee, All Assam Student Union and Mizo National Front were also included Shri George Fernades grace the function with his encouraging words and full of sympathy for the people of Telengana. He said “The government have betrayed Telangana on an excuse that forming a smaller state will affect the budget and economy, Telangana people’s and the country future depends on the movement for the forming of Telangana state.” During the presentation of his speech Mr.Mani Cheranamei says “even after almost two years have passed for the implementation of common minimum programme the parliament promised, they still not yet have fulfilled.” He explained about how the hill area people’s opportunities were lost in Nagaland and Nagas area in North East. He stated “You have each and every right to demand for a separate state.”

In an appeal letter it is mention that people of Telangana has been crying for separate state even before and after the formation of Andhra. Political parties, unfortunately in one way or the other, in different methods and false hopes, made the agitation subsided for the time being by creating difference among the forefront leaders. Even after all these experience, hoping that some party/ person would grant separate Telangana would be a day dream. The formation of linguistic states could not nip it in the bud for obvious reason that it was not an answer for the people long cherished dream for new states.

Mughato Lucky R.S.Mayori Sabastian Gamei
Convenor Convenor President
North East Joint Action Naga Peoples’ Movement for Naga Student’ Union,
Committee, Delhi Human Rights, Delhi. Delhi.

New look NH-39 in the pipeline Kuknalim.com Posted on Thursday, March 02
IMPHAL, March 02: The rugged and potholed stretch of National Highway 39 from Imphal to Mao that gives a harrowing experience to the travellers and long distance drivers will soon become a thing of the past...

if the assurances given by the authorities concerned are any indications.

The 235.8 km long route from Dimapur in Nagaland to Maram in Manipur is under the supervision of 15 BRTF stationed at Kohima while the rest of the route from Maram upto Moreh is being maintained by the State PWD.

A team of State mediapersons, who recently travelled along the National Highway witnessed signs of total negligence in maintaining the route on the Manipur side though the stretch Nagaland side is excellent.

When contacted, CO of 15 BRTF Col Devendra told The Sangai Express that within the next 5-6 days construction and repairing works along the route from Mao to Maram would be taken up.

The CO informed that correction works like laying of required materials including bitumen and pebbles, etc have also been started.

But the works have been halted due to non release of fund from the Centre.

"Now, money is not the problem and we will make the road as good as we did in Nagaland," the CO said, while expressing hope that the works under the Sewak project would be completed very soon if the weather permits.

The officer, however, pointed out that the road stretch from Mao to Maram is the toughest one to maintain along the entire length of the National Highway lying within the jurisdiction of the BRTF because of frequent landslides and unstability of the soil. The area also receives maximum rainfall which is a deterrent, he added.

Striking a positive note, Chief Engineer of the State PWD Ng Rashtrapati also assured that both the construction and maintenance works along the route from Imphal to Maram will be started very soon.

Depending on the condition of the 75 km-long route, the works would be expedited, he said, adding that the Hot Mixed Plants meant for such construction are readied.

The whole task would be completed within March, he assured, adding that the required materials have also been laid at the respective site where the repairing work would be taken up.

Hot Mixed Plant machine would be utilised from Sekmai to Senapati, he informed, adding that beyond that upto Maram necessary requiring works would be done to level the pot holes and if necessary such machines would also be pressed into service.

Besides, National Highway 39, there have been proposals of the State Government to construct and repair the State Highways connecting interior hill districts and other rural area, the Chief Engineer further added. TSE

Hardened NDFB ultras now taking up cultivation From Sivasish Thakur Assam Tribune
SAPEKHAITI (UDALGURI), March 2 – Away from their harsh, battle-hardened lives in the deep jungles, a group of uniformed soldiers are quietly engaged in cultivating a plot of land. Despite the calm serenity writ large on their faces, the determination in their eyes is unmistakable, as they go about their new pursuit in silence. The scene is one from the designated camp of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), among the most dreaded militant outfits of the North-East, which is on a ceasefire with the State Government since June 1, 2005. Sapekhaiti happens to be the second designated camp of the outfit following the truce, the first one being at Kokrajhar. The NDFB has been fighting for a sovereign Bodoland since 1986 to assert their “historical and inalienable rights.” Over ten thousand lives have already been lost in this bloody struggle, while scores injured, many for life.

“Cultivation is the main engagement in the camp, which shelters 50 militants and five other staff,” G Songsar, the camp commander, who have been in the outfit since 1992, told a visiting team of journalists. He said that vegetables, potatoes, etc., comprised the bulk of the cultivation. Next they plan to set up a fishery and a piggery. The camp has three separate houses, including a kitchen, a drawing room and an entertainment room, made of bamboo and tin roofs. There is also a motor-powered water supply system.

The ceasefire has also provided the camp inmates with a rare break to do things which they could not even dream of in their life in the jungles. The camp commander, a man in his early thirties, got married just six months back. Had this major decision of his life got something to do with the ceasefire? “Well, perhaps yes,” the soft-spoken man said rather shyly.

Sports, music, cinema are some other things that keep the militants busy. “This is obviously a welcome change for a while, as we are back to normal lives after years. The hard life and the fear of being hounded by security forces is not there,” N Khourangsa (27), who originally hails from Gohpur in Sonitpur district, said. An ordinary cadre, who had joined the NDFB four years back, said that playing volleyball was what he enjoyed the most.

A peep into their camps could be revealing. A computer with Internet, a music system, a telephone, mobiles (with their leader), CDs and VCDs (mostly of Bodo language), and of course a lot of books (comprising mostly revolutionary literature) – something you would not normally associate with them if they were in the woods.

What, however, keeps the militants circumspect is what the future will bring to them. According to them, the State Government has failed to exhibit the zeal to carry forward the peace process after the truce – something, however, denied by the Government. “We are not happy with the role of the Government, as little has been done to facilitate the political dialogue at the Central Government level,” B Susranggra, the chief of the armed wing of the NDFB, said, adding that with the one-year ceasefire nearing completion, they were completely unaware of the Government moves.

The State Government flatly denies the charges. “Before negotiations can start, the NDFB will have to submit its charter of demands. The Government of India has repeatedly asked them to submit their demands by December 31. They sought time till January 31 and not been able to submit the demands till date,” Khagen Sarma, IG (Special Branch), Assam Police, said.

On the allegations that the Government had turned a blind eye towards a section of NDFB ultras being involved in extortions, Sarma termed those as false and said that all such complaints were looked into and the guilty arrested.

Bridging gap between two great democracies
— Dilip Gogoi Assam Tribune
India and the United States – two estranged democracies of the world experiences many ups and down in the last sixty years relationship. In fact both were placed in the contemporary world politics as a corresponding units of ‘core’ – periphery’, developed and developing, ‘have’ and ‘have not’, and North South divide. However, the developments of 1990s – the end of cold war, disintergation of USSR, decline of communism, rise of liberal democracy, world wide economic liberalisation and fight against global terrorism after 9/11 have created a new international environment where two powers find themselves more common meeting grounds and look forward for more closer ties as natural allies. It was Prime Minister Rao who initiated economic reform policy in the 1990s, opened up the door for the US – the sole surviving superpower of the world. Now, President Bush’s visit to India raises hopes and historic opportunity to sit together, negotiate outstanding differences and move forward for mutual co-operation and friendship for securing future common objectives.

Before looking into the commonalities between two, it is necessary to bring the vital issue of differences that have been persisting very much till date. The close cooperation between India and former USSR during cold war time revealed that Soviet cooperation was extremely helpful in India’s military buildup, industrial development and stand on Kashmir. To a considerable extent, Soviet attitude towards India was also a part of her reaction and response to the United States. Keeping India ‘non aligned’ was also in Soviet interest because India extends support to Soviet postures in super power bloc politics. Later USSR disappeared but could not remove the old perennial irritant in Indo-US relations. This old stereo-typed relations and suspicion are yet to be removed in true sense. It is witnessed time to time whether it is related to defence industry, technology transfer or issues involved with old US ally Pakistan, supplies of F16 and AWSCS to recent recognition of Pakistan as major non-NATO ally.

Nuclear non-proliferation is another area where the two powers are still not comfortable. In recent years, the key interest of the US has shown to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and missiles in the South Asian region. As a matter of fact, nuclearisation in this region would have profound implication for the US national security interest. The US has sought to oppose such proliferation through wide-ranging diplomatic, political economic means that was demonstrated in early 1974 peaceful nuclear explosion, issue relating to implementing NPT and refused to sign CTBT and nuclear test 1998 which resulted in economic sanction against India by the US. The main area of contention between the two was India’s stand for the time bound programme for total nuclear disarmament. But the US insisted on not to link the non-proliferation issue with disarmament goals.

Human Rights issue is emerged as a nucleus of new tension between the two. In the age of information and communication technology, any form of human rights violation gets worldwide attention. Moreover world community is also very sensitive to any serious violation of human rights. Amnesty International, Asia Watch, Human Rights Watch documented a range of human rights abuses by Indian security forces whether in Kashmir or in the northern States, or handling Godhra carnage.

The US raises doubts over trade related intellectual property rights. They acknowledged the reality of India’s economic reforms but they view the process is not completed yet. The US raises the issue of weak enforcement of existing trade law and inadequate legal protection of intellectual property rights. This is evident from Washington’s pressure on imposition of ‘Super 301’ on India.

The US has a record of lengthy involvement in the Kashmir conflict both within the United Nations and outside. It is an issue which is threatening to vitiate Indo-US ties. The US recognised Kashmir as a disputed territory and believed that the people of Kashmir having Muslim majority should be given an opportunity for exercising the right to self-determination. Now they have realised and categorically stated that the old US resolution on Kashmir is no longer relevant and a solution to the problem has to be found within the Shimla Agreement of 1972, which clearly refused the Pakistan view point and favours peaceful resolution by the two neighbours through political dialogue.

There are several other historical and contemporary issues of contention and differences. These are colonialism, Pakistan factor, strategic partnership since formation of SEATO in 1954, Bangladesh crisis 1971, differences over Afghanistan (1974-2001), Iraq and Diego Garcia, US stance on enforcement of MTCR against India, impasse over the Indo-Iranian Gas pipeline, US unipolar role within and outside the UN system, democratisation of UN and US refused to support permanent membership to India in the proposed expanded Security Council, non supply of fuel for Tarapur reactor, cryogenic engine sale, imposition of tariff restrictions against Indian textiles etc.

Despite these differences, substantial progress has been made during past few years. Rao’s visit (1994) Clinton visit (2000) and subsequently visits of Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh were to a great extent fruitful in this regard. The relations between the two in economic sphere have been already materialised in three aspects – mainly the US assistance to India for economic development, trade and commerce, and US direct investment in India. Now the US becomes the largest trading partner in terms of export. Both countries have already agreed to revitalise the US-India Economic Dialogue and launch a CEO Forum to harness private sector energy, support and accelerate economic growth in both countries through greater trade, investment and technology collaboration, promote modernisation of India’s infrastructure as a prerequisite for continued growth of Indian economy, launch of US-India Knowledge Initiative on Agriculture, high technology trade, open sky agreement etc.

Though there are major differences over nuclear issue, the two countries already have made substantial progress in military and strategic cooperation. India and the US have been engaged in military exchange programmes, joint exercises, periodic consultation and cooperation in the field of defence production and research since 1995. This was followed by 2005 Indo-US Defence Deal, which provides cooperation in areas, like technology transfer, cooperation on research and development. The deal said that the two countries were entering a new era and transforming the relationship to reflect the common principles and shared national interest. The major emphasis is on defence trade which provides that the US and India will work together in regard to defence transactions to strengthen their security, reinforce their strategic partnership and build greater understanding between the two defence establishments. The deal also envisages collaboration in multilateral operations of common interest, strengthening the military capabilities to defeat terrorism and combat proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and expanding collaboration in missiles defence system. They also agreed that the Defence Policy Group should continue to serve as the primary mechanism to guide the bilateral strategic defence relationship.

On nuclear cooperation, there was an agreement signed between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George Bush in July 2005. Both countries agreed to strengthen nuclear non-proliferation commitment. The US agreed to readjust its domestic laws and policies for fostering civil nuclear energy cooperation with India. Reciprocally, India agreed to separate its civilian and military reactors and put its civilian facilities under the IAEA safeguards and also agree to the controversial additional protocol, which will provide unhindered inspections any time and any where. Possibly, Manmohan Singh agreed to this provision in order to meet the impending energy crisis in India.

Separation of civilian and military nuclear facilities and putting them under the scope of IAEA will mean complete restructuring of India’s nuclear programme. The crux of the problem is that unlike the other nuclear weapon nations, India’s nuclear military capability flows out of its civilian nuclear programme and still draws sustenance to it. Creating a clear separation will be both challenging and constraining. This is evident from negotiations concluded between US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns and Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran. There is also a controversy over the question of whether there are hidden linkages with proposed Iranian gas pipeline or preventing ongoing Iran nuclear programme or war against terrorism at the cost of own foreign and security policies. The government should provide clear and straight forward answers to it and make public the nuclear deal with the US during President Bush’s visit. We believe this visit will work for bridging the gap between US policies and India’s stand on different issues with mutual understanding and cooperation.

(The author teaches Political Science in Cotton College)