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03/16/2006: "Church joins fight against extortion"

Church joins fight against extortion Nagarealm.com
Kohima , MARCH16 : The Church in Nagaland has decided to support consumer rights organisations that have launched a crusade against extortion in the name of “tax.” senior Church leader revealed on Wednesday, the eve of World Consumer Rights Day, that militant groups, unions and sundry extortionists have targeted even religious organisations for extortion.

“Will it not be good for the Nagaland Voluntary Consumer Organisation (NVCO) to join hands with the Church to spread awareness?” asked Reverend Lima Ao, A Baptist Church leader, while addressing a seminar on ways to stop illegal tax collection. The seminar was jointly organised in Kohima by the NVCO and the Angami Public Organisation. Reverend Ao said clergymen had no objection to paying tax to the exchequer, but stressed the need to properly differentiate between what was legally taxable and what was not.

When items meant for charity are brought to Nagaland, Church functionaries have to state in writing that it is for charitable purposes and not business. Mhiesizokho Zinyu, president of the Angami Public Organisation, said the deterioration of law and order along National Highway 39 was a major source of concern. “Prices of essential commodities are spiraling because of extortion and we have to stop this,” Zinyu added. The Nagaland Baptist Churches Council, too, expressed its willingness to join the fight against extortion. The council has a huge membership base because the majority of the Nagas are Baptist Christians.

Reverend Ao’s proposal elicited a positive response from NVCO president Kezhokhoto Savi.
The NVCO had also invited tribal Hoho leaders to the seminar, but only a few of them participated. The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation was represented at the seminar.

David Sangtam, advisor to the NVCO’s Tuensang and Mon chapters, said the remote areas were affected the most by extortion. He said several militant groups had been collecting “tax” in these areas, making it difficult for all categories of traders to stay in business. Savi displayed receipts issued by several unions that have been collecting tax illegally along National Highway 39. Apart from the two NSCN factions, the police and various government departments also collect “fees” without issuing receipts, the NVCO said.
Though illegal collection of tax is rampant across Nagaland, it is most pronounced along the national highway, where trucks coming from Manipur have to pay hefty sums. The government has allegedly done little to curb the menace. [ICNS]
Nagaland sits on treasure trove of gems Nagarealm.com
Kohima, March 16: If Nagaland has to develop economically, the chances are rock-hard. Path-breaking research in geology of the state’s remote areas has revealed multi-mineral deposits and precious stones that could change the face of its economy, if utilised properly. Nagaland University has used its geologists and palaeontologists to discover the treasures of chromium, nickel and cobalt deposits, along with precious stones like chalsodony and opal. There are also liberal deposits of serpentenites and chert stones that are used in the cutting and polishing industry. The brick-coloured chert stones here reveal that the hill range was once submerged.

A source said platinum deposits have also been found. According to researchers, the rocks in the region resemble the ones in the Kargil area of Kashmir. According to geologists, the area is a goldmine for international researchers who see the belt as unique. The areas of Phek and Kiphire districts on the Indo-Myanmar border, where the Indian tectonic plate got submerged below the Burmese plate, has thrown up a rare combination of minerals. “It is the mixed mineral deposits which are both academically and economically rich,” said Prof. G.T. Thong, a geologist. The centre will sponsor a field workshop for researchers in the Kiphire-Phek area this year. The workshop will impart training to geologists working in the Northeast.

One of the interesting aspects for academics will be the large presence of micro-fossils in the area found earlier by palaeontologists R.P. Kachara and Venkatachalapathy. However, there has been a problem with the state government on taking the initiative either for oil or mineral exploration as the issue is seen as politically sensitive due to insurgency. “We need collaborative efforts with the government for exploration,” said Dr B.V. Rao of the department of geology at Nagaland University. A source said explorers might face hurdles in the form of protests by local people because of the presence of quartz, opal and other precious stones found in the area. [NISHIT DHOLABHAI, telegraphindia]
Law and order crisis set to dominate Nagaland Budget session Nagarealm.com Kohima, MARCH16 : The week-long Budget session of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, which begins here from today, is likley to dominated by a heated debate over the existing law and order situation in the state as well as current impasse over appointment of university teachers. Following the customary address of the state Governor, Shyamal Datta, and the obituary references, the treasury bench and opposition benches are likely to indulge in a free-for-all on major issues concerning the wellbeing of Nagaland.

According to assembly secretariat sources, several new bills are likely to be tabled during the budget session. Among the other business of the session, Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, who is also holding the finance portfolio, will present the budget for the year 2006-2007 on March 20. The other businesses included, introduction of Government bills, Government resolutions, debate on the motion of thanks on Governor's address, passing of the Nagaland Appropriation (no -1) Bill, 2006.

It also included general discussions on budget, submitting of reports by various assembly committees and discussion on the supplementary demands for grants 2005-2006. After the budget session, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is likely to reshuffle his three-year-old Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN). According to the Ministry sources, this time, Rio was likely to drop some of his present Ministers and promote some of the present Parliamentary Secretaries to Cabinet ranks.
Even few new names may also be added into the DAN coalition Ministry, sources added.
Rio has the support of 14 legislators in the 60-member assembly. The coalition includes the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Nagaland Peoples' Front (NPF), Janta Dal (U) and independent members. The House will be adjourned sine die on March 23. [Neeraj, ANI]
Huska throws gauntlet at Neiphiu Rio Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, MAR 15 (NPN): Veteran politician and JD (U) MLA and also member of the DAN coalition, Huska Sumi has virtually thrown the gauntlet at chief minister Neiphiu Rio by demanding that the DAN government discard its policy of "equi-closeness" as well as immediate withdrawal of the 9 IRB from Chattisgargh. Huska in a statement further cautioned that unless these demands were met, he would be compelled to have an acid test on the floor of the assembly (which meets on March 16) to ascertain as to how many legislators, both ruling and opposition, "have endorsed the policy of equi-closeness and deployment of 9 IRB in Chhattisgarh" Huska also took a dig at the DAN government stating the decisions were not only outside of the CMP of the coalition but also detrimental to the welfare of the people of the state. He accused the DAN government of adopting its policy of "equi-closeness" without consulting DAN partners, adding even the DAN chairman (Dr.Hokishe Sema) had registered his disapproval of this policy "in black and white".
Optinig not to endorse this policy for various reasons, Huska also termed as "hocus-pocus" the pronouncements of the DAN government such as " a facilitator, peace process heading towards the right direction". He said the policy only "messed up the entire peace process" as every faction " feels that the DAN government is working hand-in-glove with other faction, excluding their participation".
As a result of the policies, "ill-feelings, spite, suspicions, emanated from the mess up" where fratricidal killings continued unabated and "tainting the hands of DAN legislators with Naga blood" said. Huska further disclosed that copies of his demand distributed to all the legislators on March 14, seeking their support, were collected back by the chief minister "for reasons best known to himself"
Budget session of Nagaland House from today Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, March 15 – The budget session of Nagaland Assembly begins tomorrow in the backdrop of spiralling revenue expenditure and limited options before the alliance government to augment internal resources.
The session, which begins with the customary address by the Governor, is likely to witness heated debate between the treasury bench and opposition Congress on issues, including the law and order situation, impasse in Nagaland University and anomalies in teacher appointments. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who also holds the Finance portfolio, will present the budget for 2006-07 on March 20.Some new bills are likely to be tabled during the session, Assembly secretariat sources said. – PTI
Nagaland University row gets bigger CBI requests MHRD to forward Nagaland University’s accounts Morung Express News
Kohima Following the representation forwarded to the Comptroller Auditor General of India (CAG) by the Nagaland University Teachers Association (NUTA) the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has asked the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to submit accurate accounts of the alleged financial misappropriations and other anomalies in the Nagaland University allegedly committed by its Vice Chancellor Professor GD Sharma within a month’s time. According to sources the CBI had placed the request to the MHRD last week for investigations not only pertinent to the charge of misappropriation by the Vice Chancellor, but other heads of the University as well. More heads are expected to roll once the CBI inquiry is completed, the sources said. The CBI is under the purview of the Central Vigilance Commission and through it the investigation agency was directed to look into the matter as petitioned by the NUTA on March 8, the report of which was carried in The Morung Express. No information was available till filing of this report whether or not the MHRD had responded to the CBI’s submission seeking NU’s accounts.
It was informed that last year, a fact-finding committee was deputed by the Centre to investigate into the charges of wide-scale embezzlement of university funds. However, the committee failed to produce the relevant report and as such, action could not be initiated against Professor GD Sharma. The CBI intervention came in after intense protests by both teachers and Post Graduates Students Union (PGSU) demanding removal of Professor GD Sharma for alleged misappropriation of funds and lack of initiative in development of the University. It is also reported that Sharma is in New Delhi campaigning for his own cause and lobbying hard to get out of the ruckus. Meanwhile, the state government said that they are fully aware of all the development in the varsity because of the ongoing agitation by NUTA and PGSU, and has requested the MHRD to make an alternative arrangement, and resolve the crisis so that the student’s careers are not affected.
University teachers fire salvo at Shürhozelie
DIMAPUR, MARCH 15 (MExN): Taking strong exception to the statement earlier made by Dr Shürhozelie wherein he had dismissed the claims of the Nagaland University Teachers Association (NUTA) as “false and baseless” and a “wild allegation” as reported in a section of the media today, the teachers’ organization clarified their standpoint by saying that they were surprised to note “that the Minister in Charge of Planning is not aware of financial codal procedures, whereby, no funds meant for specific programs to be implemented, can be kept in saving or fixed deposit, except in a current account by the authority concerned.”
In the case of Nagaland University, with reference to the Institute of Management and Engineering College, the MHRD document clearly specifies that Rs 7 crore was for ‘recruiting faculty,’ a release said. Repeating that incumbent NU Vice Chancellor Prof GD Sharma did not advertise any posts or make any efforts “to start the two institutes,” the release said the money was re-deposited on January 19 last in a fixed deposit after accruing an interest of Rs 31, 57, 341. “There are no records of where the sanctioned amount of Rs 7 crores was kept from April 2005 till the 18th January 2006.” “We hope the Hon’ble Minister will realize that this has been a serious financial irregularity committed by the University authority.” Another serious ramification in the particular issue, NUTA said, was that of GD Sharma telling the MHRD that there are no Nagas who are qualified to teach in an engineering college or management institute. The association further questioned Shürhozelie on whether he was aware of the MHRD granting these two institutes to the Nagas, before the NUTA made a public disclosure on January 10. “We are well aware that the State Government had initially allotted 300 acres to NU for the Kohima Campus, and later cut it down to only 200 acres. If the State Govt. is ready to donate land for these two institutes why was the campus land reduced by 100 acres?” the teachers questioned. “The NUTA would also like to make it very clear that the Acting Vice Chancellor can discharge all the duties and responsibilities of the Vice Chancellor enumerated by the Registrar in his press release.”
Further, the NUTA said it has enough evidence of GD Sharma’s misdoings.
Students condemn police action
DIMAPUR, MARCH 15 (MExN): The PGSU today said it condemns the action ordered by the district administration which had been taken up by the police. “The police fired teargas upon the students which was a great humiliation to them, they were also bathed with dirty water,” a release said. The students have been keeping quiet hoping that the administration and the police would apologize “for that killing instinct act.” “We had also hoped that the concerned policeman would apologize by himself on moral grounds who has been well identified.” Further, the students alleged that “they have also taken a chance to shoot at some students thereby intending to cause serious injury or killing the students.”
‘Govt not doing enough to curb illegal taxation’ The Morung Express
KOHIMA, MARCH 15 (MExN): Illegal taxes or more appropriately illegal collections, is gravely hampering small business, and is responsible for escalation in the price of essentials commodities in the state. However, the state government has done nothing to curb this menace, said experts on Consumers’ Rights. Illegal taxes include illegal collections by state police without issuing receipt; collections by underground organizations and by different government registered organizations and associations.
Variation in the prices of essential commodities in Nagaland and other states of India also came into sharp focus. Experts felt that high prices of commodities in the state comparing to other states are due to illegal collections. Rev. Lima, finance secretary of the NBCC said that even charitable commodities are not spared from these collections. He said that on most occasions they have to write note stating that the transported items are purely charitable and not for business. Sometime such requests are honoured, but most of the time they have to pay.
David, president of the Kiphire Consumers’ Organization pointed out that this illegal taxes have gravely hampered small businessmen and traders, especially those coming from a far flung areas. These random collections at various check gates dampens the spirit of enthusiastic local traders, he said. Participants acknowledged the role of media in highlighting this menace. However, press representatives felt that they had written so many things on illegal taxes, but since they tend to be more of an observer, the fight against to curb these collections should be initiated by the people themselves.
Experts came down heavily on the state police stating that illegal collections at the gates have become a gravy train to riches for the latter. Kezhokhoto Savi, president of the NVCO said that although random collections are undertaken by the state police at various check gates, even the people are silent on the issue. He blamed the public for failure in tacking these illegal collections in the state. Yesterday, commemoration of World Consumers’ Day was jointly organized by Angami Public Organization and the Nagaland Voluntary Consumer Organization under the theme, ‘How to fight against illegal collections in the state.’ Representatives from different organizations took part in the deliberation.
Bright Hope to set up resource (New Zealand) management centers The Morung Express Bright Hope International members with NDO functionaries. From left: Owen Jennings, NDO Chairman T Lima Jamir, Doreen Jennings, Adrienne Sutton and Colin Sutton and Reverend Supong of the NDO.
Dimapur, March 15 (MExN): A resource development agency from New Zealand, Bright Hope International, is in Dimapur to set up conduits for resource management and developing local assets for which about Rs one crore has been earmarked as initial investment for setting up a training center of rank in Dimapur. The organization which is a Christian relief and development ministry is in the state in cooperation with Nagaland Development Outreach (NDO), the development wing of the Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC).
According to sources closely associated with the affairs, Bright Hope International will be acting as an investing facilitator to finance the NDO to set up a resource management and training centre of rank in Dimapur. It was informed that Rs one crore has been envisaged as an initial investment for the foundation of the said centre. The centre, on instatement would be providing managerial education in harnessing local, natural resources as like organic enterprises, farming/agriculture as well as livestock – cattle, poultry, duckeries, fisheries and likened sectors. Update, it was informed that the NDO Centre at Nikhekhu have been selected as one of the most feasible sites for similar projects. Aoyimkum area at Rangapahar, Dimapur has also been identified as a possible site.
“We observe that Nagaland is greatly blessed in natural resources. The land is very fertile, for instance and to help the local people improve their living conditions and economy we want to introduce new technology, new ideas and new approach” according to BHI’s Owen Jennings, who is also a former member of the New Zealand Parliament. He said the projects to be set up in the state were to maximize the revenues and improve the living conditions of the people. “We are not underestimating the potential of the land here. Investing leads to prosperity” He added. Further according to Owen Jennings, the BHI was also acting as a facilitator for investors from abroad like the US apart from New Zeeland-based investors to invest in Nagaland. Also, NDO Chairman T Lima Jamir said that the BHI would be funding the project, provide for infrastructure and impart technical know-how. “More projects are also in the offing” he said however adding that at present assessment tours were being undertaken and more details would be finalized. Currently exploring possibilities of more developmental conduits, the BHI team apart from Owen Jennings, consists of his lady wife Doreen Jennings, as well as Colin Sutton and Adrienne Sutton They have been in Dimapur for the last four days undertaking tours in and around the city.
The vision of BHI is to bring hope to those earning less than $1.00 per day while their mission is to provide for the physical, economic and spiritual needs of people living at the lowest economic level through personal, empowering, holistic, local church partnerships and projects. It professed commitment towards helping those living in extreme poverty as well as providing relief to people in crisis; helping the poor produce a product they can sell and enable people to lift themselves out of poverty; food, clothing, medicines and other supplies are given to people in crisis for immediate and life threatening needs.
Naga Consciousness – Is it? The Morung Express
At the core of a peoples existence is its collective consciousness and perhaps Nagas must consciously and deliberately take the task to nurture, nourish and evoke a consciousness and perception that is an alternative to the status quo. This consciousness should be a call for self-realization and re-examination of themselves, their value systems, their culture, their worldviews, their faith and their future as peoples. It should bring to public expression those hopes and yearnings that have been denied so long and suppressed so deeply that one no longer knows that they are there anymore. As Brueggemann would say, “hope is the refusal to accept the reading of reality which is the majority opinion; and one does that only at great political and existential risk.” Hence, a people’s consciousness must be in response to the necessity to inculcate a spirit of independence. It must grasp the notion of who they are and their readiness to assume responsibilities that emerges out of this realization, for one cannot be conscious and yet remain in bondage. It is essential that the attainment of the envisioned collective self is a free and dignified self.
Critical consciousness must relate the present to the past and reject attempts by the powers that be to perpetuate a deliberately arrested image of a culture as a static element. Culture when defined in concrete terms presents and demonstrates the historical and political evolution of a people which must be made to live in a real manner. Hence, Naga consciousness must empower them to overcome dependency and transcend the walls build around them. Where does one go from here? Ones thought, behavior and institutions are made to fit into a pattern largely and often wholly determined by others. Originality and forms of thoughts have been dulled to the point where it takes extreme effort to act with reason even in order to follow one’s own beliefs and convictions. This has limited creativity and damaged the ability to act with will, generating a feeling of powerlessness which Steve Biko says “breeds a race of beggars who smile at the enemy and swears at him in the sanctity of their toilets.” Nagas must ask themselves whether they are serious about making change. Are they prepared to free themselves from the chains of bondage that has made them stop thinking? And so how does one address all these questions that define ones existence? Is it therefore not essential to become a living element in that popular yearning which is entirely calling forth for the freeing, the progress and the happiness of the Nagas?
Decolonization of the mind with the willingness to accept that there indeed is a future by aiding and empowering each other into consciousness, and to be participants in the making of that history is a fundamental step. The Naga consciousness must lead to understanding; an understanding which is the understanding of differences through dialogue. A dialogue that appeals not out of our minds and dreams alone but out of experiences, which revolves around practical possibilities and realities so that one does not just give in to despair, but develops a hope and a sense of human security.
Is the Present Naga Socio-Political Condition Ripe for Integration and/Or Federal System? The Morung Express Tezenlo Thong

Anyone, cautiously analyzing the worrisome status quo and concerned with the deteriorating events ominously unfolding among Nagas, will be careful to conclude that integration of various Naga inhabited areas and/or attainment of a federal system will miraculously pull the Nagas out of the seemingly endless quagmire. Put it differently, the prevalent Naga intertribal and interfactional existential realities, characterized by an extremely tense and highly charged social and political atmosphere, do not warrant pursuing integration and/or a federal system at this juncture. At this point in history, not even an absolute political freedom or sovereignty will do any good for the Nagas. Certain vital issues need to be confronted with and resolved before we can even venture to talk about the above mentioned goals. One such urgent and imperative issue pertains to unity among warring factions, in particular, and the Nagas, in general. The contemporary Naga society is fiercely fragmented and permeated with passionate hatred and violence that we should be pulling together and expending all our energy and efforts to bring about communal healing and unity. In other words, the present socio-political condition is not ripe or conducive for us to pursue anything other than communal harmony amongst the people. This is, however, not to claim that neither integration nor federal system is possible if the Nagas are not united. The crucial question is what consequences might ensue or be in store for us if integration and a federated relationship with India are achieved amidst the violent, vengeful and bitterly divisive circumstance. Let us hypothetically create a scenario, say:
Scenario I: and ask, What if one or more factional groups resented the idea of a federated system and/or integration and started to violently oppose it? (This foreseeable situation or scenario can, in fact, no longer be treated as an unlikely supposition, because there is a clear hand-writing on the wall for all to see. As a matter of fact, the future is already a present reality in this matter.) In the absence of a nation-wide consensus and unity among the Nagas on what we want to pursue/achieve or what our priorities are, it is not surprising that a barrage of scorns and insults are being exchanged with regard to the issue of integration and federal system, especially among the feuding factional groups. If the past is any indication, striking a deal with India and delivering to the Nagas any sort of solution without having the consensus and blessing of all concerned is likely to exacerbate the ongoing imbroglio and will probably sound the ultimate death knell for the cause of the Nagas. In the past, for instance, signatories of the Sixteenth-Point Agreement and Shillong Accord might have erroneously thought that their arbitrary actions would bring an end to our elusive pursuit and yield a permanent peace. Hindsight tells us, however, that their mistakes lie in their failure to seek consensus among the Nagas on what they thought was in the best interest of all, which only served to escalate carnage among the Nagas. Such consequential historical events stand as a testament to the fact that any group that professes to work for the people, but does not work with the people cannot be a harbinger of hope or good news for the masses.
Therefore, we need to be rightly advised that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Judging from the heated exchange of insults and contempt going the rounds already, one feels that there is a weird sense of dejavu looming in the horizon. Scenario II: Again, let us ask, What if one or more tribes declared their intention of not joining the newly achieved federated or integrated entity and wanted to be separated from it? Factional feuds and endless cycle of senseless fratricide among the Nagas have dreadfully accentuated the ugliness of tribalism among the Nagas, and the so-called freedom movement has now come to don forms of tribal rivalry and antagonism, with each factional group headed and dominated by one or two tribes. Because the idea of integration and federal system is perceived as the brainchild of a single factional group, tribes and factional groups that remain antagonistic to the patron of this idea will, in most likelihood, refuse to join or may even demand and vie for separation. Until the factional feuds and irrational fratricide emerged among the Nagas, the question of who is a Naga and who is not was a nonsensical one. Today, however, there are fierce and passionate claims and counter-claims on this preposterous and delusive matter, which simply is one of the symptoms of senseless killing and hatred among us. As a result, unless we work on and achieve communal healing and harmony among the Naga tribes that are dangerously at odds against each other, the much sought after and desired integration of the Nagas will boomerang on us. Scenario III: Finally, what if there was a civil war or ceaseless and deathly chaos among the Nagas subsequent to attaining integration and/or federal system and India or one of the neighboring countries decided to intervene in the form of military occupation in order to restore peace or on the pretext of humanitarian grounds? India has in the past successfully intervened in similar situations, for instance, in East Pakistan’s (Bangladesh) crisis, in Sikkim’s uprising for freedom and in Sri Lanka’s internal war, and it is not certain that India will not repeat it, because some learn from history while others like to repeat it again and again. If, in the aftermath of the third scenario, it was persuasively conveyed to the world that Nagas are incapable of living together in peace unless reined in by a brutal outside force, we will not only lose our case eternally, but also our sympathizers, and regaining our freedom will go down the drain forever. Any of these scenarios could become a more painful reality if we pursue anything without having reached first communal harmony or unity amongst the Nagas. At this crucial juncture, attainment of any goals by a single party is likely to further exacerbate the already tense and highly charged atmosphere and push the Naga society to finally fall apart at the seams.
Therefore, all Nagas, especially those representing NGOs/civil and religious organizations, should strive for healing and unity rather than ostensibly endorsing or supporting a single group. Extension of such imprudent support will only drive a wedge between the already divided sections of our society and result in losing credibility and confidence on the very entities that we look up for resolving conflicts and fostering communal harmony. The efforts of all organizations must be to encourage and foster unity among the Nagas, not to unwisely accentuate the chasm further. The term permanent solution has been the catch word since the inception of our freedom movement. At this crucial moment of our history, however, one feels the need to ask, Do we continue to truly desire for a permanent solution? If our goal is finding a permanent solution, will ignoring communal harmony or circumventing unity and striking a permanent peace with India yield permanent peace for or among the Nagas? A permanent peace between the government of India and the Nagas cannot be equated with a permanent peace among the Nagas. They are two completely different things, and any solution between India and the Nagas that does not produce the same effectual or intended result among the conflict-ridden Nagas is simply a farce and undesirable. A solution that further escalates the carnage among the Nagas cannot qualify to be called a solution or achievement. After all, what good is a just and permanent peace with India that would worsen the already deplorable state of our society? Nobody wants such a solution with India, although desirable as it is, that would provide the Nagas with the opportunity and ammunitions to destroy ourselves. Thus, any solution that is not based on national consensus and communal harmony is no permanent solution for the Nagas. Unity among the Nagas must precede any other pursuits.
What we are pursuing is a colossal task, and it is not wise to let such a mammoth undertaking be placed in the hands of one or two groups or a band of leaders, to decide and determine for all. A united effort and consensus among the Nagas in such a gigantic task cannot be over emphasized. Traditionally, most Nagas societies went beyond the process of democratic decision making. We Nagas always sought and practiced consensus, which was one of our core communal values. The Naga Plebiscite of 1951 is a classic example of this invaluable practice, an event we have always emphasized and underscored as the main basis for the desire of all Nagas to be free from the clutch of India. Any future decision making or action, therefore, should take cognizance of this very important claim. Otherwise, there is an impending potential that the history or past mistakes could be repeated, which might finally become the coup de grace of our pursuit for our inalienable right, for which we have sacrificed countless precious lives and suffered for ages.
All about RAP (Restricted Area Permit) The Morung Express
There are many instances when people invite foreigners to Nagaland without having the knowledge that a foreign Passport Holder requires an RAP (Restricted Area Permit) to visit Nagaland. This puts both the hosts and the law enforcement agencies in embarrassment. Anybody inviting a foreigner to Nagaland should first obtain his/her RAP from the competent authority and then only ask them to come to Nagaland. PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card holders also need to obtain RAP as the PIO cards are not valid for Protected/Restricted areas.
How to obtain RAP If the foreigners are traveling in a group of four or more; or married couple, then the following are authorized to issue the RAP:
1. Home Commissioner, Govt. of Nagaland.
2. Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, 29 Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi.
If the number of foreigners intending to visit Nagaland is 3 or less and there are no married couples; then the authorities competent to:
1. The Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreign Division), the Government of India, New Delhi.
2. All Indian Missions Abroad.
3. FRROs, Delhi, Kolkota and Mumbai
• The State government of Nagaland is not empowered to issue in such cases.
The application for grant of RAP should be submitted about 4 to 6 weeks in advance as the govt. of India conducts certain verifications which take time.
Instruction for Permit Holders
1. The permit for the group of four or more is valid only when all the persons mentioned in the permit are traveling together unless otherwise specifically mentioned.
2. Permit is valid for the specific tourist circuit route and definite exit points. No area other than the ones indicated in the permit should be visited.
3. Permit holders are requested to keep sufficient number of photocopies of the permit with them, which may be required for depositing at each point of enter/exit.
4. Permit holders should not stay in the restricted/protected areas after the expiry of the permit.
Instructions for Travel Agents/Tour Operators/Guest House
1. Travel agencies/tour operators should ensure those tourist groups sponsored by them are in procession of valid restricted/protected area permits.
2. It will be the responsibility of the travel agents/tour operators to ensure that the tourist groups do not visit places other than the permitted ones and also ensure that they do not stay there after the expiry of the valid period.
3. Owners of guest houses/hostels must ensure that foreigners with valid restricted area permits only stay with them. It is mandatory for the guest houses/hotels and also individuals, if any foreigners stay with them, to inform the police about their arrival/departure of foreigners within 24 hours. Action against those who do not follow the above instructions will be taken under the Foreign Act 1946.
4. All foreign Tourist group on entry to Nagaland will ensure that they are accompanied by a Liaison Officer/Tourist Guide approved by the Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland. Travel Agents/Tour Operators/Individuals etc. arranging for the travel of foreign tourists, can contact the Tourism Department. Superintendent of Police Dimapur, Nagaland
Western Double Standards and the New United Nations Human Rights Council The Morung Express
While the United States is holding up the formation of the new United Nations Human Rights Council because it wishes to exclude States with poor human rights records the double standards of many Western democracies are overlooked.
The US Ambassador John Bolton, backed by a small minority of States, are challenging the draft proposal, presented by the President of the General Assembly, Jan Eliasson. The proposal will (potentially) form the basis for the new UN Human Rights Council. However the US wants to see greater power to exclude countries they consider to have poor human rights records. These could include such countries as Zimbabwe, Sudan, Lybia, Cuba, and North Korea.
For instance, to achieve this the Americans want members of the council to be elected by a two-thirds vote, not the “absolute majority” (96 votes in a 191-member General Assembly), to keep rights abusers out. But putting this into perspective during the recent Open-Ended Working Groups discussions on whether to draft an Optional Protocol for the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (a complaints procedure for those suffering social injustice) which could be of assistance the bulk of humanity who live in poverty countries such as the US, Australia, the UK, Canada and India have opposed the drafting of the Optional Protocol. These countries prioritize civil and political rights thereby marginalizing economic, social and cultural right rights, and in the case of the US this is to the point of exclusion. The US is the only industrialized country not to have ratified the covenant on economic, social and cultural rights under international law. However it is debatable, for example, to what degree torture, imprisonment without trial etc (civil and political rights) compared to a lifetime involving a desperate struggle for survival by the poor (economic, social and cultural rights) equate in terms of seriousness. Also it must be recognized that those imprisoned without trial, tortured etc are small in numbers compared to those living in extreme poverty. But suffice to say that the United Nations has constantly maintained, at least in terms of rhetoric, that civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights are of equal status (Vienna Declaration, 1993) so States should not prioritize either set of rights yet typically the West, at the domestic level, only define human rights as civil and political rights.
What is rarely ever discussed is the reasons for prioritizing civil and political rights. Paul Hunt, presently the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Health, quoted ‘the great (African) jurist’, Chief Justice Dumbutshena of Zimbabwe, who delivered a speech at the 1990 Commonwealth Law Conference when he referred to the political nature of human rights in the West. He stated: “Human rights is an ideology used to achieve power. It has been used hypocritically by the middle classes, in efforts to protect only their own rights (Human Rights – How are they Best Protected, ed Paul Hunt, publisher New Zealand Human Rights Commission, Dec 1999). In essence there appears to be three human rights areas which reflect Western double standards:
1) Civil liberties are supposed to be universal however the poor would have a minimum of such rights when compared to those of the more powerful and wealthy elite – liberal, middle class, professionals who exercise so much control over the media, parliament, the work force and, in fact, society as a whole. Without sufficient civil liberties and faced with a large gap between rich and poor the latter can be left virtually powerless. In my view powerlessness is just as undesirable as poverty or, framed in another way, ‘freedom’ is just as important as ‘food’.
2) While the liberal elite promote democracy it will not relinquish control of the human rights agenda to the people. For instance, New Zealand is only one of 14 countries to have written a national action plan for human rights. This includes economic, social and cultural rights however none of the political parties have adopted these human rights (i.e. they do not define social justice in human rights terms) and the liberal press will only very rarely mention them. Without this information these rights were not an issue in our recent elections. The result is elite control not people control.
3) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is often used as the authority for liberal rights (i.e. only civil and political rights) but this document cannot be used as an authority when economic, social and cultural rights are subject to exclusion from human rights law. For instance, the preamble of New Zealand’s Human Rights Act 1993 refers to being “in general accordance with the United Nations Covenants or Conventions on Human Rights” and the preamble to the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 states “To affirm New Zealand’s commitment to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights” however both Acts only include civil and political rights. While section 5(a) of the HRA 1993 does require the Human Rights Commission to educate people in economic, social and cultural rights the Commission admits that successive governments have failed to fund this. In addition social origins are excluded as a ground for non-discrimination (although it is included in the covenant on civil and political rights). It would be more accurate to base these Acts on our common law inherited from Britain or even the American constitution (which only deals with civil and political rights) but references in the Acts to the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights cannot be justified in my view.
It seems America is taking the same political view of human rights in the debate on the new United Nations Human Rights Council. America is obviously averse to authoritarian regimes who can also be violators civil and political rights. By the same token some of these countries under the banner of Asian Values can prioritize economic, social and cultural rights. However there seems to be no more reason to exclude or discriminate against such countries than it is to exclude those that prioritize civil and political rights. In fact it will encourage the continued marginalization of economic, social and cultural rights at a time when social justice have become a major global concern. Rather than placing too much emphasis on exclusion from the new United Nations Human Rights Council it would be better in my view to set a good example. Those countries (of which New Zealand is one) which promote the equal status of two sets of rights should be regarded as Peace Makers and given a special role to play on the Council. This may encourage countries to take a more balanced view of human rights.
[Anthony Ravlich is the Chairperson of Human Rights Council Inc. (New Zealand)]