[Previous entry: "Rio sticks to pet policy on militants- DAN completes 3rd year"] [Next entry: "Minister salvo at NGOs"]

03/08/2006: "Yaruiwo Isak Chishi’s speech at the opening of budget session of the Tatar Hoho on March 7."

Yaruiwo Isak Chishi’s speech at the opening of budget session of the Tatar Hoho on March 7.- Nagaland Post
I extend warm welcome to you at this first session of the Tatar Hoho in 2006, and greetings to all my honorable comrades! Our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, the creator of Nagalim and the whole universe continues to protect and defend us and therefore, we are steadfastly holding on to our dear cause. As another budget session sets in, may God's almighty wisdom be upon us throughout our deliberations.
Let me first welcome the newly elected honorable members to this August house. I congratulate you. May you leave positive footprints in the pages of Naga history!
Today, I would like all of you to join me in paying tribute to the sacrifices of the thousands of brave sons and daughters of the soils who had laid down their precious lives for the nation. They shall shine in glory forever. Their bones are scattered over the hills and valleys yet theirs and our pursuits remains the same. I salute them and pray for their eternal salvation. Now it is my turn and yours to give everything for the precious cause of our Motherland. Let us not fail in our time.
Honourable members, we have extended the ceasefire with the Government of India for another six months. Indeed, a time has come to introspect ourselves as to what we must achieve in the forthcoming months. Eight and half years have elapsed since the NSCN and the Government of India decided that the ceasefire was the only option to pave the way for solving Indo-Naga conflict. Ceasefire time is not for pleasure, laziness and recreation. During ceasefire period we have to prepare everything for the worst situations and also for the best future of our nation . But the NSCN has chosen the negative way. Have we been drawn away from our sacred cause by worldly charms, pleasures and attractions in the last eight years?" All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, everyone to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6). God forbid, we have not! God was not happy with the Isrealites because they had forgotten the great things God had done for hem. The always chose slavery. NSCN has forgotten what God what miracles God performed for us in the years gone by. We were the weakest but He has made us the strongest in our land against the invading forces. As it is said " and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty". The good God raised the NSCN from zero point to the highest level. What a miraculous love! Can we understand the writings on the wall?
It will be tragic to let a brief lull in our struggle diminish our abilities to make decisions and their implementations. How shall we respond to the growing criticisms over our individualistic attitudes? Are we prepared militarily in the event of any eventualities? What course do we take to strengthen the Army wing as well as the civil set up? What necessary steps are we taking t tighten our loose administration? What is the relationship between the national workers and the general public both in town and villages? These are paramount questions facing us today. NSCN has lost one precious thing: Discipline. Where are we today? Can we earn back what we have lost? I urge this August house to tackle and adopt drastic measures.
Today, India's state sponsored agent have recognized our vulnerability in many aspects. The moral principle that we so highly valued and practiced has gone down drastically. We have degenerated in the eyes of both our people and our enemies. Our commitment seemed to have waned ; historical right kept in the back burner replaced by materialistic tendencies, burying our ideas and vision. Today, NSCN is like a warrior in battle yet at the mercy of fleas and parasites within!
Distinguished members of the house, nobody is above the Nation and therefore, we must search our hearts and do away with ideas of self enrichment, selfishness and self righteousness. As we deliberate on many issues confronting us, let this budget session also be an occasion to broaden our horizon economically.
A concrete financial policy with short and long term plans must be devised for a sustainable economy not only for NSCN but for the benefit of the Nagas. The fiscal policy of the NSCN must therefore modeled upon transparency and consistency in very ministry and department.
Let us be true to ourselves and Nagalim. May God bless each and every member of this August house.
Yaruiwo Swu tells cadres to reform The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, MARCH 7 (MExN): Yaruiwo (President) of the NSCN (IM) Isak Chishi Swu has expressed displeasure over the present functioning of members of the organisation. In his speech at the opening session of their Budget, Swu said, “Ceasefire time is not for pleasure, laziness and recreation.” Saying that the NSCN has chosen “the negative way,” Swu questioned, “Have we been drawn away from our sacred cause by worldly charms, pleasures and attractions in the last eight and half years?” Quoting the Bible from Isaiah 53:6, he went on to say that nobody is above the Nation and, therefore, “we must search our hearts and do away with ideas of self enrichment, selfishness and self righteousness.”
“Today, India’s state sponsored agents have recognized our vulnerability in many aspects. The moral principle that we so highly valued and practiced has gone down drastically.” NSCN has lost one precious thing: Discipline, he said.
While stating that the “good God” raised the NSCN from the zero point to the highest level, Swu said, “As we deliberate on the many issues confronting us, let this budget session also be an occasion to broaden our horizon economically.”
Swu’s questionnaire for his cadres
• How shall we respond to the growing criticism over our individualistic attitudes?
• Are we prepared militarily in the event of any eventualities?
• What course of action do we pursue to strengthen the Army wing as well as the Civil set up?
• What necessary steps are we taking to tighten our loose administration?
• What is the relationship between the national workers and the general public both in towns and villages?
‘Mass rapes were committed by Manipur militants’ The Morung Express
New Delhi, March 7 (IANS): At least 25 rapes have been reported in recent months in Manipur where separatist militants are resorting to rape as a weapon to terrorise villagers in far-flung areas, says a media report.
The incidents of rape have been reported from villages in the Tipaimukh sub-division of Churachandpur district, where militants of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and the Kangleipak Communist Party KCP) have kept villagers of the Hmar tribe under a virtual siege from November last year, the North East Sun magazine said, quoting an NGO.
“The number of rape victims has reached 25. The number is expected to increase. However, the sense of fear, insecurity and shame has been refraining them from speaking out,” the magazine quoted Lalthansang Pulamte, assistant secretary of the NGO Sinlung Indigenous People’s Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO) as saying.
Narrating her horrific experience, a 17-year-old rape victim said: “I was raped continuously by three militants. I bled for two days. I am afraid I may get pregnant. Three militants also raped my younger sister who is just 15 years. She is not in her normal senses today. She has not been eating and sleeping since then.”
According to villagers, the militants spread out in the hill areas of Tipaimukh following a crackdown on their camps by the Indian Army in neighbouring Chandel district in March-April 2004.
The militants started occupying and annexing the villages in Tipaimukh and even planted landmines to fight the army and rival organisations.
“The militants belong to UNLF and KCP. They demand everything and expect us to deliver in five minutes’ time. If we fail, we face the brunt,” said a villager, Vala Hmar.
“Militants used to herd all the villagers together at any time, only to be severely beaten and tortured. While doing so, they pick and choose our teenaged sisters and even young married women, whom they rape.”
The poor villagers - troubled by poor communication links, absence of a public distribution system and inadequate medical facilities – are frustrated at the lack of security arrangements by the authorities, said the magazine.
“Things have gone beyond the limit. We are moving the NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) as well as the National Commission for Women. But the people in distress need immediate and urgent help,” said SIPHRO secretary Lalremlien Neitham.
Four Naga rebels lay down arms Nagarealm.com
Imphal, MARCH07 : Four Naga rebels belonging to separatist group the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland Issac Muiviah (NSCNIM) and other powerful rebel group Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) laid down their arms before Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on Monday. Police said the two rebels of NSCN (IM) were self styled Sergeants and were incharge of the security of general secretary Thuigaleng Muivah at the NSCN Headquarters and the other two of KCP, who had joined the outfit last year.
The rebels also surrendered a large quantity of sophisticated arms and ammunition.

Police said the two rebels of KCP had undergone military training at Leirang jungle in Myanmar, which hints at growing nexus between Indian and foreign rebels. Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh said that the government would help them rehabilitate these surrendered rebels.

“It is a very good step that the underground rebels are returning to main stream. The government will look after their rehabilitation and will try to provide them jobs in the government service,” said Singh.

Officials said that the rebels would be given a security cover and also rehabilitated to be able to come into the main stream. Ningtam Keishing, self styled sergeant, Nationalist Socialist Council Of Nagaland (Issac Muiviah), said: “We decided to leave the camp following difference in views with our senior cadres plus the incident of Ratan Luwangcha”.

Luwangcha, a senior journalist in Manipur was shot dead by rebels belonging to KCP in the first week of February. The NSCN (I-M) has held talks with officials on several occasions since it started a ceasefire in 1997. But there has been little progress over the rebels' central demands—the unification of Naga-dominated areas in northeast India, something fiercely opposed by other ethnic groups in the region, and ultimately independence.

According to reports, there are about 30,000 cadres of NSCN (IM) in the State having a population of about two million bordering Myanmar. The NSCN -- which split into two factions in the late 1980s - claims to be fighting for the freedom of millions of Naga tribespeople living in the North East region and Myanmar since 1947. More than 20,000 people have died during the Nagas' campaign for independence so far. [ANI]
Change ‘backward’ mindset, says Rio Correspondent Nagaland Post
Kohima, March 7 (NPN): State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday called upon the people of backward areas to come out of the notion of 'backwardness' and keep pace with people from rest of the world.
Speaking at the inaugural function of DUDA rest house here, Rio said the backward people could not always depend and survive with the tag of "backward" but that they should make efforts to move forward with the "advanced people".
He urged the Department of DUDA to take all measures for the welfare of the people of backward areas. Further, the chief minister urged the people of backward areas not to solely depend on State and Central funds.
Rio lauded the legislators from the four backward districts - Kiphire, Mon, Tuensang and Longleng - for their cooperation and support in allocation of funds for constructing the guest house. He requested the NGOs, church leaders and educated persons to organize seminars and workshops to educate the people for proper utilization of funds and assistance provided by the government. DUDA Advisor Chenlom Phom also spoke on the occasion.
The programme was attended among others by Minister for Rural Development, Noke Konyak, Minister for Works & Housing, Mechanical, Tokheho Yepthomi, Minister for PHE and Land Revenue, P. Longon, Parliamentary Secretaries- Yitachu, Kipili Sangtam and Neiewang Konyak and Chief Secretary Lalhuma.
The guest house has five VIP rooms, two semi deluxe rooms, one conference hall, one cloak room, two office rooms, nine ordinary rooms and four dormitories. Earlier, the function was chaired by Additional Secretary, DUDA, Neihu C. Thur.
DUDA Advisor Chenlom Phom delivered the opening speech while short speeches were delivered by ENPO treasurer Bangtick Phom and TMGOA president. The vote of thanks was proposed by DUDA Director K. Haralu while teh benediction was pronounced by Pastor L. Ongmang Chang of Chang Baptist Church.
ANSAM to support IT road stir Newmai News Network
Imphal, Mar 7: The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has expressed support to the movement of IT Road Develoment Committee, Kuki Students Organisation of Sadar Hills and the Zeliangrong Students Union of Tamei Area. ANSAM urged the Manipur Government to take up the repairing works along the IT Road immediately and to stick to the agreement reached bet-ween the tribal bodies and the State Government in letter and spirit.
ANSAM stated that po-liticians and other vested interest elements should not be involved in the contract works in the repairing of the IT Road.
The tribal students body said that no politicians should interere in the matter and that ANSAM would support whatever course of action taken up by the IT Road Development Committee, Kuki Students Organisation of Sadar Hills and Zeliangrong Students Union of Tamei Area.
ANSAM further stated that all the link roads in the hill districts of Ukhrul, Churachandpur, Chandel and Senapati should be repair-ed immediately by the State Government.
The ATSUM has also urged the Government to implement the agreement reached with the ZSU (Ta-mei area), KSO (Sadar Hills) and IT Road Development Committee in toto.
In a statement, the student body while questio- ning sincerity of the Government over the issue said that ATSUM will extend its solidarity to the ZSU, KSO and ITRDC.
The student body also urged all the politicians, ministers and both underground and overground or- ganisations not to get involved in contract works of IT ropad and instead appreciate the efforts taken up to fulfil the long standing demands of the both the Kuki and Naga people.
NPMHR solidarity with violated Hmar women The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, MARCH 7 (MExN): The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has vehemently condemned the outrageous incident of mass rape carried out by suspected valley based militants of Manipur, on ten (10) innocent Hmar girls on the16th January 2006 at Lungthuilain, Churachandpur district.
“NPMHR considers this dehumanizing act as a direct attack on the collective dignity of the indigenous hill peoples and share our sincere solidarity with the victims and the targeted community”, stated a press communiqué issued by Phamring Anal Convenor, NPMHR South (Manipur) and Nepuni Piku Secretary General, NPMHR.
Describing the use of rape as a systematic weapon by the dominant on the defenseless communities such as indigenous peoples to dissolve their cultural identity and to divest them of their ethnicity, the NPMHR statement appealed for a humane rehabilitation with proper restitution of those intentionally violated and demanded that the Government of Manipur to immediately track down those rapists and penalize them according to the rule of law.
The NPMHR also questioned the credibility of those organizations (s) which had perpetrated this unbridgeable chasm between the neighbouring communities. “This event of mass rape more clearly reflects the perpetrators existing attitudes on women in general. NPMHR on this day, the 8 March which is commemorated as ‘International Women’s Day’ share our unflinching solidarity to the women victims and assures our support in their struggle to seek justice”.
India wants to remain engaged with Myanmar The Times of India IANS ]

NEW DELHI: Though US President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned "the deplorable state of human rights" in Myanmar, it was important for India to remain engaged with its strategic neighbour, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said here on Tuesday.

Addressing reporters on the eve of President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's visit to the country, Saran said the issue of Myanmar had come up during the US president's visit last week. But the prime minister "expressed the importance of the relationship with Myanmar", the foreign secretary said.

The country, ruled by the military junta, is of enormous strategic importance to India with the two sharing a 1,400 km border that touches the four sensitive northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

Myanmar has been helping India by conducting military raids against anti-India insurgents in jungle hideouts in its territory, a measure that New Delhi has deeply appreciated.
Myanmar is also seen a new source of natural gas for India.

"We look at Myanmar as a bridgehead to Southeast Asia," Saran asserted, adding that India welcomed the commitment of the leadership of Myanmar to multiparty democracy.

Sidestepping the issue of the release of jailed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, he said she enjoyed enormous respect and admiration and "we believe that her welfare and release would very helpful in the process of democratisation that Myanmar is engaged in".

Addressing reporters after talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last week, Bush said the US and India condemned "the deplorable state of human rights in Burma and (want) all nations to seek the release of Aung San Su Kyi".

Kalam will be in Mauritius from March 8 to 10, and then go to Mauritius.
Pass on inherited culture in all its richness to future generations: PM New Kerala
New Delhi: Emphasising on the need to pass on the inherited culture in all its richness and variety to our future generations, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday reiterated his commitment to the preservation of cultural and biological diversities.

Inaugurating the cultural festival of the North-Eastern States, ‘Octave’, here today, Dr Singh expressed the hope that this festival would become an important and prestigious cultural event in nation’s calendar, saying it should gain international attention and attract tourists from all over the world.

Referring to the need to create a favourable environment for the cultural traditions and practices to flourish, the Prime Minister stressed the need to encourage the youth to keep these skills and creativity alive and robust.

“We then ensure the survival of our handicrafts, our handlooms, our traditional art, our dance forms and our music. Through our collective commitment to these core cultural values, let us make a thousand orchids bloom in the valleys of these fascinating states”, Dr. Singh added.

Asserting that artistes of every generation reinterpret them and rediscover their eternal relevance, he said that keeping them alive is therefore a magnificent form of paying homage to our ancestors and to our heritage.

‘The contributions of artistes and performers have to be viewed in this context. For, without them and their dedication, there will be a disconnect with the past. It is our heritage that shapes our distinctiveness. It is the recognition of and respect for this diversity that gives Indian democracy its plural character and strength as well as resilience. Our Republic has provided the space for our diversity to blossom and flower and be expressed in its fullness. We are a nation proud of our variety and sure of our unity,” he said.

Pointing at the cultural traditions and rich creative expressions of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, and Sikkim, Dr Singh said that “economic development takes place in a given social and cultural environment. Therefore an appreciation of the cultural milieu is important in our development efforts”.

“Our efforts should be to create a favourable environment for the cultural traditions and practices to flourish. In our march towards progress and prosperity, our cultural riches are national assets that make us proud, beautiful and connected, he added.
Blame on red tape for tardy progress Nagarealm.com
New Delhi, March 7: The DoNER ministry today admitted that bureaucratic tardiness and red tape were delaying projects in the Northeast.


The ministry said the bureaucratic procedures involved in granting approval to projects, which are all mandatory, have created hurdles in their implementation.

DoNER minister P.R. Kyndiah informed the Lok Sabha today that projects, which are to be implemented by the North Eastern Council (NEC), are sent to the standing finance committee and the expenditure finance committee for scrutiny. Both these committees are under the Union ministry of finance.

While schemes above Rs 5 crore are sent to the Planning Commission, it is also obligatory for the DoNER ministry to seek the approval of the line ministries.

In certain cases, clarifications are also sought from state governments on projects that have not been explicitly spelt out in the detailed project reports (DPRs).

Replying to a question by Asom Gana Parishad MP Arun Sarma, the minister provided details of 20 projects that have taken an unusually long time for obtaining approval from central departments.

Included in the list are five schemes from Mizoram, six from Assam and three from Meghalaya. The rest are from the other states.

The project that took the greatest period of time was a scheme submitted by Nagaland named Medziphema Jalukie Athebong. The procedure took two years and six months to be completed.

Replying to a related question, Kyndiah said an amount of Rs 3,112.88 crore was lying in the non-lapsable central pool of resources.

This pool comprises contributions by various ministries, which are unable to spend the mandatory 10 per cent of their annual budgets in the Northeast. A certain portion from this pool is allotted to the DoNER ministry every year for financing projects in the region.

While the allocation was Rs 585 crore for the 2005-06 fiscal, a higher allotment of Rs 700 crore has been pegged for the current year. [telegraphindia]


Welcome move on RAP Nagaland Post
It is heartening that the Union Tourism and Culture Minister, Ambika Soni is initiating moves to have the Restricted Area Permit(RAP)currently enforced in most of the North East states eased so as to encourage tourist flow in the region. Ambika disclosed that her Ministry was in touch with the Ministry of Home Affairs to relax the RAP system in the North East. The demand for relaxation of the RAP has been voiced by the states in the region as it discouraged easy access to tourists, mainly from abroad. The system is actually redundant since it is not enforced in states like Assam and Meghalaya. If the system is supposed to complement the security concerns in the region, then it is like throwing the baby with the bath tub. There is nothing that can be hidden and there is also nothing that is not known to the outside world. In fact, tourists visiting other parts of India can be deemed to be as potential risks to the internal security since they can be contacted by whichever element(s)that are a threat to the nation's internal security. The RAP actually is only harming the economy of the region which has good potential for tourism. Anyway, the nation's internal security cannot be threatened by the visit of tourists coming out in the open and traveling with official documents. In case there is such a need to monitor the movements of the tourists, there are more than the sufficient number of security agencies that can do the job. The local law enforcement agencies also have the manpower and resources to keep tabs of tourists and take adequate steps if any transgress the law. Promotion of tourism in the region would give the fillip to the local economies besides creating various avenues for employment. This will also create a positive psychological impact among the people of the region, who are bedeviled by the destructive effects of insurgency. The Government of India has been saying much about promotion of tourism in the region but doing nothing to remove the technical bottleneck in the form of RAP. The present UPA government has realized that the system negates whatever it hoped to achieved when so many policies have been announced to develop tourism. The Union Tourism Ministry has organised Octave 2006 - Celebrating the North-east', an eight day festival that gets underway on March 8 at Pragati Maidan. The festival would be inaugurated by Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh on March 7.Such programmes are meaningful and the governments of the states in the region must also respond and lay out their blueprints. With the Union Tourism Ministry planning to introduce a special circuit promoting the region as destination for adventure tourism by exposing the region to the west through the electronic media and if the RAP is finally relaxed, then promotion of tourism would have the much needed and long awaited opportunity to prove itself.
MHA team visits Hmar relief camp By Our Staff Reporter Sanagi Express
IMPHAL, Mar 7: To take stock of the ground reality of the large scale exodus of Hmar villagers of Chura-chandpur to neighbouring Mizoram, a high level team of Ministry of Home Affairs today visited the relief camps where over 500 displaced persons are putting up.
The Central team headed by RR Jha, Director of Relief Operation landed at Mizoram in a helicopter this morning and later the officials held a crucial meeting with the displaced persons, local volunteers and officials of Mizoram Government, informed Babloo Loitongbam, who along with four other human rights activists are camping there to study the situation.
Sadly the human rights activists of Manipur were not allowed to join the meeting with the Central team, Babloo lamented.
About the number of displaced people staying at Mizoram camp, Babloo said it would be over 500 as some of them have gone to their relatives’ houses.
But till the people are not secure enough to return back at their respective villages in Churchandpur and they wanted fool proof security there so that no underground cadre can penetrate inside, Babloo, who is the executive director of Human Rights Alert said.
Some displaced persons have even taken shelter at Mizoram, he said, adding that the Mizoram Government and some civil society organisations are supplying relief materials to the displaced at Mizoram.
A leader of the student union of Mizoram told the visiting team that they don’t want reimbursement of the expenses incurred in aiding the refugees from Manipur Government as assured by the Chief Minister on the ground that they are helping their ‘own brothers’ from Manipur. The team would study the ground reality at Tipai-mukh areas in Churchand- pur side, he said.

Apunba Lup flexes unified muscles By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Mar 7 : Spearhead of the movement for complete removal of Armed Forces special Powers Act 1958 - The Apunba Lup - is all set to reactivate itself by taking up the case of alleged felony on Maibam Naobi Chanu.
conveying the matter to mediapersons by four coordinators of the Lup’s working committee in a press conference held at Hotel Excellency today they also spelt out various plans to take naobi’s case to its logical end.
Highlighting that the body had in recent times remained at the back stage and pledging to take up the people’s cause with immediate effect, one of the coordinators, Babloo Laishram, asserted that the Lup would never deviate from the objective of complete repeal of AFSPA.
Expressing that Apunba lup accords equal importance to human rights violation in the case of Th manorama as well as that of Naobi Chanu, Babloo informed of the Lup committed to work in close coordination with the thoubal district JAC formed in the aftermath of Naobi’s case.
All public movements connected to M Naobi’s cause would be initiated under the Lup and authority concerned would be pressurised to concede/honour the JAC’s demands.
Another coordinator Y Devdutta, who is also president of UPF, conveyed of the Lup’s commitment to pursue the JAC’s agenda which include demands for resignation of the chief Minister and his entire council of Ministers, stringent punishment against police commandos involved in Naobi’s case and rustication of the Thoubal CJM.
During the ongoing HSSLC and HSLC examinations students and teachers would wear black badges to protest misconduct of the commando personnel while members of the public will stage mass sit-in-protests, outlined the coordinator of the Lup’s plan of action.
Devdutta also observed that suspension of five personnel for their alleged role in the sordid crime and institution of a magisterial inquiry against them is State Govt’s attempt to divert and subdue public angst.
Contending that public no more have faith or believe that the magisterial inquiry could provide justice to the victim girl, Devdutta referred to similar enquiries in the past which failed to fix responsibility or punish the guilty to substantiate his opposition to the inquiry.
He also contended that public desires imprisonment of the five accused personnel and initiation of a Judicial inquiry instead of Magisterial probe or suspension. Coordinators Ph Devan and Langdon were also present in the media briefing.
Meanwhile, sit-in-protests to denounce atrocities committed against M Naobi were staged at Thoubal Achouba Mela ground, Konjeng Hajari leikai, Keishampat Leimajam Leikai, Thangmeiband Cheirao Chingkhong, Bamon Kampu, Sagolband Langjing Achouba, Tera Loukrakpam Leikai, Moirang and Keishamthong Keithel today.


AFSPA, 1958 Sangai Express
The documentary AFSPA, 1958 directed by Pawankumar and produced by BM Sanzu Sharma won two international jury awards at the recent Mumbai International Film Festival and as Chairman of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, Justice W Shishak noted, the film on the Act may have won two international awards but the fact stands that the Act is still in force in the North East region, ostensibly to contain militancy. That the Act has not only failed to contain the armed movement but only succeeded in alienating the people is not an overstatement and it remains to be seen how the Centre will react to the recommendations submitted by the Justice Reddy panel. The summer of 2004 will surely go down in the history of Manipur as one of the most volatile periods in recent times and while the spontaneous uproar of the people was the custodial death of Th Manorama at the hands of Assam Rifles personnel, the seed of the people's angst against this Act can be said to be literally sown from November 2000, when Irom Sharmila Chanu started her fast unto death agitation to demand the complete revocation of the Act. Sharmila started her lone campaign after the Malom massacre in which ten innocent civilians were mowed down in indiscriminate firing by Assam Rifles personnel. It is now nearly six years since the gutsy young woman started her silent but highly meaningful campaign against the Act and while many appeals have been issued from the side of the Government to call off her fast, the young woman has carried on with her fight. This is what is called resilience and will power at its finest showing.
The documentary on AFSPA has fittingly gained a certain degree of international recognition and it would be natural justice if the awards won by the documentary is to be translated into a victory for Sharmila who is kept under custody at JN Hospital, under the order of the Court. The going however will not be easy. As Justice W Shishak noted, the Army is a powerful and influential institution in the country and with the Chief of the Army Staff openly stating that it is in favour of the continuance of the said Act, it remains to be seen whether the Centre will listen to the voice of a people of a region or bow to the wishes of an important institution of the Government. However this should not make the people lose hope for nothing is won without sweat and toil. By sweat and toil we do not necessarily mean street protests or bandhs and general strikes, but a quiet resolve and a steely nerve to carry on the campaign without the slightest sign of wilting under any sort of pressure. Now with the Apunba Lup jumping into the fray to extend support to the people's agitation against the reported atrocities and excesses that M Naobi Chanu had to suffer at the hands of police commandos some days back, we can expect a more vocal voice coming to the fore to demand the scrapping of AFSPA. 2006 is not 1958 and it would do good for all to consider that what was applicable in 1958 may not be applicable today, given the fact that AFSPA is a remnant of an Act enacted during the British Raj.

Democracy and peace process in Asom — Niru Hazarika Assam Tribune
The situation in Kakopathar, Makum, Doom Dooma, Pengeree etc areas of the State of Asom caused by the clashes between the public and the State machinery over the alleged killing of Ajit Mahanta by the Army on February 6, 2006 adds one more message to the people of Asom that the democratic way of life in the State is danger. This kind of situation gives serious blows to the fundamental pillars of democracy alarming the people that it is more dangerous than any kind of natural calamities faced by a cave-man, who was exposed fully to nature.

One has to note that history contains significant record of men’s struggle to win recognition of many of those human rights which are enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948. Human rights are the result of the contributions made by all people, all nations and all civilisations. These struggles underline the universality of these rights and solidarity of mankind. They show how rights were born and how they developed all over the world throughout centuries. These rights are not arbitrary conventions. Even in India the contributions of the people under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi are known to each one of us. The contributions of women in Asom along with men towards freedom of the country will always be remembered by us. Now it is extremely painful to experience the situation of Asom in which there is gross violation of these rights. The consequences of this situation touch each one of us. Because the effect of this situation does not confine to the members of the families of the victims only, it penetrates into the minds of the viewers of television, listeners of radios, readers of newspapers and all others who receive this message through gossip on the situation in public places.

It reminds us the expression of Nani A Palkhiwala, whose name is a byword in India’s legal world, that we have too much government and too little administration, too many public servants but too little public services, too many control and too little welfare, too many laws and too little justice. With the change of the role of the State from the police State to welfare State the status of an administrator is also gradually changing from being a mere agent of the political executive to that of a provider, innovator, agent of social change and policy analyst. But the maintenance of law and order for creating a peaceful environment must be of primary concern of the administration.

Democracy and public welfare cannot be separated from each other. Here mention may be made of Kautily’s vision of governance about 2300 years ago.

His vision has resemblance to the concept of modern welfare State regarding its ideology. Kautilya in his treatise, Arthashastra has observed that in the happiness of his subjects lies King’s happiness, in their welfare his welfare. He also suggested that the qualities of leadership, intellect, energy, good moral conduct should be the criteria for selection of public servants and the disciplined life with a code of conduct is to be led by the Ministers and the King. Law and order is the chief priority of governance. This is true to modern democracy also.

While recognising that the role of the government in a democratic country in the peace process through talk/negotiation cannot be underestimated, it is also noticed that the problems of Asom are too complex in nature. These cannot be solved overnight. However, substantial achievements were noticed with the initiative of peace. Unfortunately, violent and counter violent activities claiming the lives of innocent people and causing torture in all possible forms are standing on the way to peace process in the State.

Democracy lays emphasis on human dignity. In the ultimate analysis of a democratic system there remains human. The concept of democracy is based on human rights and it centres round human being. One has to remember that human rights may be considered as a source of power of both the State and the people. Democracy is defined as a philosophy of human society and a way of social life. Democrats have faith in the liberty of individuals. Only the free individual can climb up to the highest level of human development and the society which accommodates free individuals certainly be inventive, productive, intelligent and moral. So one may say that the ultimate end of democracy is the advancement of man and woman. To achieve this end every State must safeguard the fundamental rights of its citizens for the development of their personality and to have a democratic vision. The violation of human rights in the extreme form as is noticed in Asom almost every day is shaking the very foundation of democracy.

Today we are in search of a society in which our lives are secure, we can live with dignity, self respect and respect for others. We are searching for devices to cultivate the sense of love, service and sacrifice, the basic requirements of a democratic and peaceful society. Jawaharlal Nehru rightly observed that it is not enough for us merely to produce the material goods of the world. We do want high standard of living, but not at the cost of man’s creative spirit, his creative energy, his spirit of adventures, not at the cost of all fine things of life which raised the man’s standard of nobility throughout the ages.

When India became independent on August 15, 1947, along with Nehru, leaders like Rajendra Prasad, Vallabhai Patel, Abul Kalam Azad, Gopinath Bardoloi etc who fought for the freedom of India made remarkable contributions towards Indian democracy. The British domination and active participation in the freedom struggle helped the leaders to realise the significance of human dignity and human values. But with the transmit of leadership to the second, third or fourth line of generation there is change in the attitude of the leadership towards human society in India and the human values that flourished under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi during freedom struggle. Jawaharlal Nehru said, “We aim at a strong, free and democratic India, where every citizen has an equal place and full opportunity of growth and service where our vital impulses are directed to creative and cooperative endeavour.” Unfortunately, it is noticed that very often instead of honoring the rights of the individuals or making efforts to secure public confidence through close and cordial relationship with the public the administration is moving in the other way round and the rights of the individuals are violated even for trivial causes. It is against the spirit of democracy. There is a feeling that the State instead of strengthening the forces of democracy have tended to strengthen those forces which violate the fundamental rights of the individuals.

Conflicts may emerge in different forms under different circumstances in a developing society. It is true that in the process of transformation of a traditional society into modern industrial society and in a period of rapid change and growth of knowledge the conflicting areas in which both the public and State enter are multi-dimensional. Whatever is the situation the representatives of the people and the administrators must remain in close and friendly association with the people. They are to play a significant role in the process of establishing peace in the society. At the same time we cannot deny the need of social self-discipline for peace and tolerance.

In a Parliamentary Democracy it is the civil servant who makes a correct diagnosis of the problems of the people and the constraints faced by the State. He or she has to work like an analyst of the government policy or decisions. While offering solution to a problem or suggesting measures for resolving conflicts the administrators must take care to forward the unpleasant alternatives only as the last resort. No solution is possible without having clear understanding of the problem and adequate information on it. Today’s Asom needs a group of committed policy analysts and a group of dedicated and morally courageous administrative leaders to save democracy. There is no need to repeat that all kinds of conflict-oriented exercises require recognition of the human rights dimensions and of responsibility along with authority.

The process of resolution of conflict is deeply rooted in the economic and social reality of a society. Nobody can ignore the experience of the sufferers while solving the conflicts. Because they have the first hand knowledge of the situation, and other related events. To be successful as the problem solver in the conflicting situation like ours the exercise towards conflict resolution has to be linked with tolerance promotion also. Michelle Parlevliet, an expert on human rights and conflict management at the Centre for Conflict Resolution, one of South Africa’s leading NGOs adds, “In the short term, violent and destructive conflict can lead to human rights violations, in the long run, a sustained denial of human rights can lead to conflict.” At the same time it is essential that the persons who are not the sufferers or who are foreign to the local culture and situation are able to ‘think out of area’ and provide a fresh look to the whole problem. Attempts have to be made to make the local people realise the need of exploring alternative ways to help themselves to solve their own problems. These exercises will help developing critical thinking, debating and reasoning. Through these exercises one can control to a great extent irrational elements and can expect rational and participatory solution of a problem. It will also provide best utilisation of local knowledge and inculcate in the local community responsibility in maintaining peaceful situation. It helps avoiding misunderstanding of factual circumstances and insufficient information on the problems. Democratic way of life is not unknown to the rural people of Asom. Traditional village communities are well known for self-control or self-regulation or participatory democratic way of life or Swaraj. Experience shows that any decision based on emotion is defective.

Now time has come to practise the principle, “Democracy for All” which will embrace both the rulers and the ruled. This principle can inspire each one of us to sacrifice our short-run or selfish interests for long run or common good. It requires change in attitude which begins in our minds and is possible through the framework of peace. One may realise that proper utilisation of human energy will certainly bring back goodwill for each other. Commitment to the peace process and reaffirm action of faith on the norms of peace are of utmost necessity in today’s Asom.
(The writer teaches Political Science in Gauhati University)