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03/21/2006: "Naga House united on peace panel - Impossible to weed out extortion: Rio"

Naga House united on peace panel - Impossible to weed out extortion: Rio
OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, March 20: Cutting across party lines, the Nagaland Assembly has decided to form a Joint Consultative Committee for Peace.
Home minister Thenucho said this during the Question Hour in the Assembly today. Chief minister Neiphiu Rio and leader of the Opposition I. Imkong had discussed the matter on the floor of the house on Saturday.
Both the sides agreed that there has to be a joint effort to resolve the Naga issue and political parties should be under a single roof while doing this. Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie has also given his nod to constituting the joint committee.
Immediately after coming to power, the Rio-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) coalition had formed a consultative committee for peace as well as a sub-committee.
While the Opposition Congress alleged that these committees were a failure as they failed to bring either peace or reconciliation between the different warring Naga rebel factions, the government stuck to its guns.
Rio maintained that the committees had done a “marvellous job” by talking to all rebel factions. Attempts to strike a reconciliation between rebel factions were also made by NGOs like the Naga Hoho and Naga Mothers’ Association, but all of these failed.
The chief minister also remarked in the Assembly that “these days the NGOs have stopped saying anything”.
The home minister said today that the state government was not aware of any suggestion put forward by NGOs and civil societies to the Union government on arriving at a political settlement.
However, the chief minister indicated on Saturday that the problem would not be over with integration.
However, he said it was the duty of all Nagas to tell the Union government to bring them under a single administrative umbrella.
DAN legislator and former finance minister K. Therie repeated his stance today that the state government cannot be a mute spectator to the talks and has to play the role of a mediator.
Even as the government claimed that it was an active facilitator in the talks, at the same time it said it did not know what was going on in the peace talks between the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) and the Centre.
Nagaland mulls suit OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph.
Kohima, March 20: In a move that could unlock a veritable Pandora’s box, the Nagaland government is contemplating filing a suit against the Union of India for not fulfilling its political promises made in the Akbar Hydari Agreement of 1947 and the 16-point agreement of 1960.
The government’s plans sprouted from the Supreme Court directive to constitute a local commission to resolve the Assam-Nagaland boundary dispute.
Nagaland has proposed a boundary commission or an out-of-court settlement to solve the dispute. Border affairs minister H. Khekhiho Zhimomi disclosed this in the Assembly today, while replying to a supplementary question by Congress MLA Takamasa Ao.
Ao demanded that Nagala-nd should oppose a local commission, because in case a jud-gment is pronounced, it will be legally binding. He said a cou-rt ruling after the constitution of a local commission could also have an impact on the Na-gas’ demand for integration.
In reply, Zhimomi said the advocate-general and senior government officials were considering the judiciousness of filing a case against the Centre. “Opinion is being formed on whether it is in the best interests of the Nagas to file a case against the Centre for not fulfilling political promises and dragging us to court,” he told the House.
Hydari’s nine-point agreement signed with the Naga National Council in June 1947 fell flat, as its last article was contentious. It mentioned that “the governor of Assam, as an agent of government of the Indian Union, would have a special responsibility for a period of 10 years to ensure the due observance of this agreement.” After that, the Naga National Council would be asked if they wished to extend the agreement.
The government is now focusing on the articles of the Hydari agreement and clauses of the 16-point agreement, which allegedly say that the Nagas would be given their land according to their traditional boundaries.
“The Naga traditional bou-ndary extends a long way and North Cachar Hills are ours. In earlier days the capital was Oslo near Haflong,” Zhimomi later told
Militant standoff in Phek OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, March 20: Tension soared in Nagaland’s Phek district today after hundreds of activists of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) today took up position, resulting in a standoff with the rival Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), the militant wing of the Naga National Council.
Over 100 NSCN (I-M) men in police uniform entered Phek village in the wee hours today. This has made both the villagers and the administration jittery as the village is an FGN bastion.
Moreover, the Naga National Council is all set to observe its “republic day” on Wednesday and several members of the FGN are known to be in the state capital to attend the programme. The day will be observed by the two factions of the Naga National Council in Tuensang and Kohima.
The administration is keeping a close watch on the proceedings with the Assam Rifles today moving its columns to Phek, apprehending trouble between the factions after this morning’s development.
“In Chozuba, Pfutsero and Phek, there are hundreds of members of militant factions, which is quite a new development,” said a police official. Several men of the rival NSCN (Khaplang) are also camping at Chozuba.
The Assembly today erupted in protest when home minister Thenucho failed to provide details of inter-factional clashes in the state.
Despite warning, FGN to go ahead with 50th Republic Day Morung Express News Kohima | March 20

The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) today said that it has taken by surprise the NSCN (IM) statement on FGN’s ensuing 50th Republic Day celebration on March 22 and warning the FGN to refrain from holding any function at public grounds, complexes or habituated areas or be responsible for “any untoward circumstances and consequences.”
“We are surprised that Nagas are coming up against such public get together, said Lhouvitsu, Speaker, Tatar Hoho, FGN at the press conference. He said that its programme has been “very much taken otherwise.”
Stating that the FGN was formed on 22 March 1956 and 50 years has come and Nagas are rightfully celebrating it, Lhouvitsu said “This is our history. So to celebrate Golden Jubilee or such national event is not wrong at all for Nagas to celebrate.”
Saying that it would go ahead with the programme, the FGN Speaker said the programme is made and people are coming from all corner of Nagaland.
We invite everybody, every Naga who love Nagaland to come and participate and by doing so we do not see that it is disturbing somebody’s interest, he said adding that instead of accusing each other, blocking somebody’s happiness “why don’t we come to an understanding and enjoy the happiness together.”
The programme is for the whole Nagas. Everyone should come and attend. There should be no fear when Naga people have their right, he added. FGN Kilo Kilonser Shevohu Keyho was also present at the press conference.
Meanwhile, the Golden Jubilee programme made available to The Morung Express said the function will start by 10:00 AM at Kohima Village Ground with Shevohu Keyho, Convenor, GJOC as leader.
The programme will be marked by the blowing of trumpet, unfurling of National flag, Kedahge’s address to the Nation by Gen. Retd. Viyalie Metha, NNC president’s message by Adinno Phizo, awards, presentation, cultural programme, and jubilee feast.
State may sue Centre Correspondent Nagaland Post
Kohima, March 20 (NPN): The State government is contemplating to file a legal suit against the Centre for non-fulfillment of "political promises".
This was disclosed by State Minister for Border Affairs H. Khekiho Zhimomi on the floor of Assembly on Monday.
Reacting to a supplementary question on the latest status of border dispute with Assam, Khekiho said the State government was working on three options - outside-court settlement of the border dispute, Boundary Commission and filing suit against Centre for non-fulfillment of political promises.
Reacting to supplementary question raised by Congress legislator Taka Masa, the Minister said the State government was seriously pursuing the matter. "Government is defined by population, territory and development and if we fail to defend our territory, we have to re-define the government," he said.
The Supreme Court, in an unprecedented deviation from its earlier two orders in 2002, is reportedly contemplating to set up a Local Commission through its orders dated 13/9/04 and 10/2/06. It reportedly suggested to the Government of India for appointment of chairman and members of the commission. However, Khekiho said other than Boundary Commission, the Local Commission is not agreeable to Nagaland government.
He said Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had written to the Union Home Minister earlier on September 18, 2004, reiterating the demand for constitution of Border Commission instead of Local Commission. Besides this, he also through a statement made on the floor of the House on March 22, 2005 had appealed to the Centre and Assam government for constitution of Border Commission or settle the long-standing dispute amicably outside the court. The Border Affairs Department of the State had also submitted a representation on February 3, 2006, to the Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee of the Union Home Ministry, Khekiho said.
He called upon all the members to forget political differences and party affiliation and work collectively towards resolving the dispute in greater interest of the State.
FGN reacts to NSCN-IM warning Correspondent Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, MARCH 20 (NPN):: The FGN expressed dismay over NSCN (IM)'s issuance of threat to the former over its ensuing 50th Republic Day (Golden Jubilee) celebration to be held on March 22.
Briefing media persons at Kohima Village on Monday, FGN Tatar Hoho Speaker Lhouvitsu and Kilo Kilonser (Home Minster), Shevolu Keyho, said they were "surprised" to note that Nagas' own brothers were coming up against the national day celebration.
They said the day is observed and celebrated every year as it is the national day of the Nagas, adding the celebration is organized only for the sake of the Nagas. "This day is considered very much part of the Naga culture and tradition since the inception of Naga movement."
The FGN leaders said such statement of the NSCN (IM) was part of the misunderstanding between the two groups. "It is a mistake on their part," they said.
Clarifying FGN's stand, they urged the NSCN (IM) and also the Nagas to celebrate the "significant day" together as it is one of the national events for the Nagas.
They clarified that even before signing of the Shillong Accord of 1975, the Nagas declared to observe its Republic Day on March 22, 1956 at Parashan (Rengma region).
The two FGN leaders further described such attitude of the NSCN (IM) as "far away from the Naga cultures and traditions" adding "the Naga people expressed their unhappiness over the statement issued by NSCN (IM) against the celebration".
The FGN hoped that over four thousand people from all over the State would take part in the golden jubilee celebration. It invited every Naga, who loves the land and its people, to participate in the celebration without any fear.
The FGN disclosed that similar programmes would be organized in every place of its region with the main function to be held at Kohima Village ground.
It is expected that the APO and the CPO will approach the two factions for sorting out the differences. The State government, which maintains its policy of "equi-closeness", is yet to respond to the development.
From THE NAGA NATIONAL COUNCIL, Urra, Nagaland LONDON, March 20:
The Golden Jubilee (1956 - 2006) of the Federal Government of Nagaland on 22 March. I send my warmest greetings to our people on the commemoration of the
Golden Jubilee of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN).
We thank the Almighty God for our beautiful and wonderful country.

Fifty years ago, amidst very grave Indian hostilities, the respective representatives of the Naga National Council (NNC) and Free Nagas, from the four corners of the then 'Naga Hills District' and the 'Unadministered Areas', bravely walked all the way to converge on a safe location nearby Phenshunyu, in Rengma Region. From historical perspective, the journey was a natural culmination of firstly, Nagaland independence declared on Thursday, 14 August 1947, a day ahead of Indian independence, and secondly, following the historic voluntary
national plebiscite held on Wednesday, 16 May 1951, the NNC was immutably entrusted with the national mandate.

At the break of dawn, on Thursday, 22 March 1956, an assembly of over three thousand strong stood to attention as the national flag incorporating the rainbow was hoisted, followed by prayer to the Almighty God for His blessing upon Nagaland. As intended, the main business of the Day was indeed the inaugural of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN). Thereafter, the Draft Naga Constitution was ratified by the newly elected Federal Judges, Kilonsers (Council of Ministers) and Tatars (Members of Parliament) of the FGN, headed by Kedahge (President) and Kedallo (Vice President), signifying the formal merger of the aforementioned two parts. It was a defining moment for the national representatives in attendance at the momentous event to have witnessed the unfolding of the national Government in their lifetime.

History consistently record that the world is not kind to people with no leader. Whereas Naga nation will ever be indebted to A.Z.Phizo, the inimitable Father of Naga nation for his political vision, and the Naga patriots for their immeasurable sacrifice for our freedom. Equally, we remember our brave Naga people but for their selfless, unflinching support for the national stand, the fate of Nagaland would have been consigned to history.

Today we live in the year 2006 and still defending the only God given place we have. The unremitting Indian occupation army militarised tyranny in Nagaland is a gross violation of the United Nations (UN) Charter: Article 2(4); where it specifically prohibits the use of force on another country, unless, is either in self-defence or under the mandate of the UN. Clearly, successive Indian leaders feigned amnesia of its membership of the UN and prevaricate on Indian aggression against Nagaland that has famously turned into the longest international conflict in modern time. Despite Delhi's stubborn denial, the Nagas stand on freedom is unassailable.

In as much as our people will not allow anything to spoil our national celebration on 22 March, we cannot ignore the unresolved conflict with India. After the late Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru ordered "crush them", the Indian army invaded Nagaland in 1954.
Given a "free hand" to the Indian army, it was the start of Delhi genocidal policy causing the death of well over 100,000 Naga cilvilians. Amidst the raging war, the Federal Government of Nagaland took charge of our nation in 1956, empowered with legal authority derived from the Naga Constitution.

Almost ten years on, with no prospect of the war ending, the Nagaland Baptist Chuch Council (NBCC) decided to approach three eminent persons, two prominent Indian nationals and an international standing Briton. The three agreed to join the Nagaland Peace Mission in 1964 to initiate dialogue between the two nations. The first test of Nagaland authority resulted in the Government of India (GOI) conceding to sign with the Federal Government of Nagaland an international Cease-fire Agreement in May 1964, binding on the two nations. As a much needed peace was about to be ushered in, the Indian Prime Minister Mr Nehru suddenly passed away. Thereby, a series of top level bilateral talks were held with the new Indian Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi in India but due to Delhi's intransigence it abruply ended with no breakthrough .
India under Mrs Indira Gandhi's leadership unilaterally abrogated the Cease-fire Agreement on 31 August 1972 on the pretext that the Naga "underground" attempted to assassinate the puppet Chief Minister Hokishe Sema. In no time B.K.Nehru, the then Indian Governor in Assam, gave order and once again the Indian army unleashed a reign of terror in Nagaland.

Thereafter during the 'Indian Emergency' rule in 1975, NBCC through its sponsored Nagaland Peace Council, again initiated for dialogue primarily to alleviate civilians extreme sufferings. The Indian officials in Shillong, Assam, agreed to meet the Naga representatives on the plight of Naga civilians subject to de-linking politics. When the two sides met on 10 -11 November 1975 at Shillong, the Indian side produced a pre-prepared draft purported to be a 'frame of reference', in other words, a 'process deal' and that it was not a 'pact'. While the talks were in progress and before signing, Delhi blatantly lied to the world that it had reached "accord" with the Naga "Underground organisations" on the Indian state controlled All India Radio. It was
noted that the Shillong episode whether by design or luck made no reference whatsoever to the NNC and FGN, the elected authorities in Nagaland. However, in the light of Delhi's brazen deceit likely to misled the world, the FGN urgently held an extraordinary Tatar Hoho Session at Dihoma in December 1975. Thereupon the FGN delivered by hand a formal letter to the GOI representative L.P.Singh, the then Assam Governor, categorically refuting the efficacy and competency of the said "accord" and in particular, totally rejected any notion that the Nagas caved in on Nagaland sovereignty. On close scrutiny it turned out the said "accord"
was fundamentally flawed and never ratified by the respective Governments. It was thus deemed nullified.

The assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of modern India, by a Hindu zealot in January 1948 was most untimely in respect of the then fledgeling bilateral understanding between Nagaland and India. Thereafter, India began to spread malicious lies and relentlessly stir up tension in order to undermine Nagaland independence. Subsequent Indian naked aggression against Nagaland was totally unprovoked. Incredibly, successive Indian leaders seemingly allow self-delusion fantasy of the Nagas giving up freedom to justify callous
prevarication.

From the outset the NNC ethos consistently has been to uphold the Naga democratic tradition. In as much as the NNC encapsulate the Naga national identity, the FGN embody Naga nation. All right-minded Nagas appreciate the role of the FGN as would be the case with any nation.
However, over the years there were muddle Nagas ensnared into vociferous denial of the NNC and the FGN, with generous cash offer from India. Interestingly, compelling evidence clearly identify them as typically with no known history of sacrifice for the nation.

With the end of the Cold war, the world may have been a better place to live for most people but not in Nagaland. Since 1980s India resorted to covertly finance a Marxist terrorist outfit led and drawn mostly from outside Nagaland to perpetrate state sponsored terrorism
perversely disguised as "nationalists" to save Nagaland bizarrely from the FGN as "traitors". In its attempt to subvert the authority of the FGN, reliable documented reports clearly identified the outfit responsible for the murder of well over 2000 Naga civilians, and many
civilians in neighbouring Indian states in collusion with the Indian army. Shockingly some people call themselves Nagas and wantonly kill fellow Nagas simply out of greed for power. One thing is certain, history can be unforgiving. It was widely reported that in 2003 the last Hindu nationalist BJP led Government in India handed over "peace bonus" payment of Rs365 crores to Nagaland for service rendered by certain outfit which reportedly could not be accounted for in mysterious circumstances.
As the world increasingly become conscious of the hypocrisy of India policy towards occupied Nagaland from the Internet, the role of the FGN assume even greater significance. The FGN embody the nation and there can be no substitute. No nation large or small, has the right to deny freedom to another country.
On behalf of the Naga nation, I call upon our people to be counted in the best Naga tradition to bring about an end to the long standing Indian unlawful occupation without delay and restore peace and security in our country.
May God bless Nagaland. Urra Uvie
Adinno Phizo
President
Rio’s deficit budget devoid of fresh taxes Thrust on social services and agri-allied sector Karaiba Chawang Kohima | March 20 The Morung Express

The Nagaland budget for 2006-07 is devoid of any fresh taxes but emphasizes on improved realization of revenue by means of expanding the area of operation and plugging the leakages.
Presenting the budget for the year 2006-07, state chief minister Neiphiu Rio, who also holds the finance portfolio said that the estimate gross receipts is Rs 3599.61 crore. The gross expenditure has been estimated at Rs 3473.83 crore for the financial year resulting to a surplus amount of Rs 125.78 crore.
He said the current year’s transaction is estimated to result in positive balance of Rs 98.78 crore after 27 crore for public account is deducted from the surplus amount. However, because of the estimated negative opening balance of Rs 263.50 crore, the year 2006-07 is estimated to close with a negative balance of Rs 164.72 crore which is the deficit. “I do not propose to introduce any new taxes, but would emphasize on better realization of revenue by means of expanding the area of operation and by plugging the leakages”, he said.
The main thrust of this year’s budget is on Social Services and Agri-allied sector, Rio said. There is a step-up of 30% for social services, while for Agri and allied sector, a 12% step-up has been indicated for the current fiscal year. The budget gives a major thrust on agriculture and allied sectors by enhancing the plan allocation by 10 percent. Besides this, the budget also earmarked Rs 17 Crore for agriculture and allied sector to undertake the activities connected with ‘The Year of Farmer’ during the calendar year 2006.
Internal revenue target has been kept at Rs 210.21 crore, as against the BE 2005-2006 target of Rs 185.04 crore, which indicates the growth rate of 13.60%. “We are confident that it will be achieved. We are doing very well 2-3 areas like lottery, power etc.” said H.K. Khulu, Finance Commissioner.
The major chunk of revenue will come from power tariffs and minerals such as coal, oil, cement etc. Rio said the state has already formulated state coal policy, besides exploration of oil at Champang area is also in the offing and the negotiation with the ONGC and One Assam Company is on.
From the current year, Development of Under Developed Areas and Development of Backward Areas programme schemes have been clubbed together under the nomenclature of Development of Backward Areas Programme with an allocation of Rs 21.25 Crore.Rio said the focal point of the DBAP’s activity is to improve education, health, agriculture and allied activities and capacity building. To strengthen the institutes of local self Government a grant of Rs 6 Crore from the Twelfth Finance Commission will be utilised by the Municipalities over a five-year period. The budget proposed that 50 percent of the fund will be utilized for solid waste management in the towns. The budget also made Rs 40 Crore available to the villagers to improve water supply and sanitation.
The Chief Minister also proposed in his budget speech to pursue modernization of district administration. Rio proposed an outlay of Rs 12.51 Crore during 2006-07 for administrative Housing in the districts. Besides this, a separate outlay of Rs 2 Crore has been allocated to the three new districts of Peren, Kiphire and Longleng for infrastructure development.
Recognizing the urgent need for a good convention centre in the state capital Kohima, the budget proposed to construct a Convention Hall near Secretariat Complex. This construction will be undertaken under the special development package for the capitals of the North Eastern States launched by the Centre. The budget also accorded priority to development of Nagaland State as a viable tourist destination. For this, focus will be given on construction of tourist facilities in the rural areas.
For educated unemployed youths in the State, Chief Minister in his speech said that greater efforts will be made to promote well-being of the youth. He said, an action plan has already been forwarded to the DONER for implementing various activities to generate jobs for the youth under the PM’s package
Rio said that this is the fourth budget that his government is presenting to the people, and holds special importance as it is the terminal year of the10th Five year Plan.
No fresh tax proposal in Nagaland budget Assam Tribune
KOHIMA, March 20 – Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today presented a deficit budget for the year 2006-07 that was devoid of any new tax proposals.

Presenting the budget, the Chief Minister projected the budget deficit at Rs 164.72 crore, but exuded confidence to mobilise internal sources to the tune of Rs 210 crore by strengthening the tax administration in the State.

Rio, who also holds Finance portfolio, projected the revenue receipts during the year at Rs 3,599.61 crore against estimated expenditure of Rs 3,473.83 crore. An additional amount of Rs 27 crore has been fixed as an annual outgo on account of public account, leaving a Rs 98.78 crore surplus.

But with the estimated negative opening balance of Rs 263.50 crore, the coming year would end up with a deficit of Rs 164.72 crore.

Rio put the next year’s target of the State’s internal revenue collection at Rs 210 crore as against the budgeted estimate of Rs 185 crore during the current year, registering a growth of over 13 per cent.

The Chief Minister said if the healthy growth of State’s economy could be sustained, and with better commitment from those concerned, the revenue performance of the State would surely see more improvement. – PTI
A touch of science to tradition Shishir Prashant talks of how small watermills in Uttaranchal are making a big difference. Deccan Herald
In the era of big dams like Tehri, the magic of watermills still lives on, spreading now towards the north-east. And mind it: no imported technology is being used in this fine blend of science and tradition. Watermill is completely indigenous, aver scientists.

After lighting up border villages in Jammu and Kashmir, watermills, locally known as gharats, which had been in use in mountain region since time immemorial, are now becoming most sought-after devices in the far-flung areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland thanks to HESCO, a Dehra Dun-based voluntary organization, which has revolutionized the concept of a watermill.

The watermill, an eco-friendly device, can harness water-power to grind wheat and generate 5 to 8 KW of power. At present, there are two lakh watermills in the Himalayan region. According to an estimate prepared by HESCO, watermills can generate 2500 MW of power in the Himalayan region. Sample this : Rajiv Uniyal is a student appearing now for the board exams in Doiwala area, situated on the suburbs of Dehra Dun city. Repeated power cuts were badly affecting his studies. But not now, Uniyal’s father has taken a fresh electricity connection from a nearby gharat. Other villagers in the area are also following suit.

Kripal Singh upgraded his watermill few years ago with his own money though know-how for the technology came from HESCO. Now Singh supplies power to the villagers at just Rs 50 per month.

HESCO’s Director, Dr Anil P Joshi, who is popularly known as “hill- man”, has devised a very simple, inexpensive and environment friendly technology kit that can upgrade these watermills into micro-hydel project to produce electricity.

How it works

A watermill works on the same principle as that of a hydro electric power plant. Water from a stream is tapped and routed through a chute. There is a wheel at the centre. Flat blades or turbines are fixed at the wheel. The water falls from a certain height and forces the wheel to rotate.

“This system has worked harmoniously with the nature and man for thousands of years and lies abundantly dotted across the Himalayas,” says Dr Joshi.

HESCO is also running a training centre at its office at Mehuwala area of Dehra Dun. “We are now focusing our attention towards Nagaland and Manipur, which are also remote states of the country. We will install new watermills in these states,” said Dr Joshi. HESCO has acquired expertise in the watermill technology.

Already, HESCO in a joint venture with the Indian army has installed nearly 360 watermills in border villages of Jammu and Kashmir, most of the areas badly hit by terrorism. Last month, HESCO entered into Manipur and installed its first watermill in Haipe village in that state. Taking a cue from Dr Joshi, the Uttaranchal government has also decided to upgrade these innovative devices.

The government would develop 10 model water mills as multi-purpose resource centres to enhance the living standards of rural communities as well as to decrease forest degradation, top officials of Uttaranchal Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA), the implementing agency of the project, said. After establishing model watermills, which are presently producing 5 kw of electricity, the government would upgrade them upto 9 kw level and give them the status of cottage industries.
ULFA wants 'liberation struggle' reinforced Kuknalim.com
GUWAHATI, March 20: The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) wants the people of Assam to take part in its "liberation struggle" with greater consciousness. In a message on the occasion of 'army day' that the outlawed group observed Thursday, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said: "I call upon all to be engaged in revolutionary activities with more enthusiasm with an aim to make this liberation struggle a success.
"The people of Assam should take part in our freedom struggle with more consciousness to make it more powerful."
He said the freedom-loving people of the state had encouraged the ULFA to lead their liberation struggle with "sincerity and uprightness".
The ULFA observes army day to analyse its military culture, slip-up of military activities of the past and present and formulate the future. Rajkhowa said the ULFA had not become a spent force as many circles claimed.

"Our commitment to the struggle, devotion to duty, stringent discipline, strong determination and sacrifice have compelled the prime minister of India (Manmohan Singh) to say that the demands raised by ULFA are political and must be resolved politically," he said.

He was referring to the series of confidence-building measures, which the central government agreed to put in place during its discussions with representatives nominated by the ULFA in February. The 11-member People's Consultative Group (PCG) nominated by ULFA has held two rounds of discussions with the government.
The government has been insisting that the ULFA, which has been fighting since 1979 for an independent homeland in Assam, should give up violence before joining peace parleys. In his message, ULFA 'C-in-C' Paresh Baruah said the group has been working against communalism and racism besides its key demands for freedom and sovereignty.
He referred to Pragjyotishpur or Kamrup, the ancient names of Assam, and said: "The names of the soldiers in the battles of Harihar and Saraighat, who fought with valour, are engraved in golden letters for their indomitable determination and sacrifice."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1452537.cm
Cong seeks mandate for solving ULFA problem The Morung Express
Guwahati, March 20 (IANS): The ruling Congress party Monday appealed for a clear mandate saying the dragging insurgency problem in the state would be resolved if they are voted to power. ‘Already discussions are underway between the government of India and the ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) representatives. We are sure the positive attitude of the government of India and a second term for the Congress in Assam, would help resolve the problem permanently,’ Digvijay Singh, a senior Congress leader and in-charge of the party in Assam, told journalists. Assam goes to the polls to elect a 126-member legislature April 3 and April 10 with the battle lines drawn - the ruling Congress taking on the main opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). ‘We appeal to the people of Assam to give us a clear mandate. The environment of fear that existed during the time of the AGP regime is no longer there and we promise to bring back permanent peace,’ Singh, who was formerly Madhya Pradesh chief minister, said. He said the last five years of Congress rule in Assam had changed the economic face of the state. Exuding confidence that the party would be able to form the next government in Assam on its own, Singh, however, kept options open in the event of a hung assembly. ‘We consider all the opposition political parties as a threat when we approach the elections,’ he said. ‘Politics is an art of the possible and we shall cross the bridge when it comes.’ A number of Congress leaders will campaign in the state to bolster the party’s poll prospects, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, party president Sonia Gandhi, besides Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
The First Steps to Freedom What is the path to meaningful change in the lives
of Indigenous people?
What is the path to meaningful change in the lives of Indigenous people? The most common answers to that question come in the form of big political or economic solutions to massive historical injustices: self-government, land claims, economic development, and the legal recognition of our rights as nations. It must be recognized that these types of solutions are crucial goals. In the long-term, it will be absolutely necessary to redefine and reconstruct the governmental and economic relationship between the original peoples and settlers in this country. Yet at this point in our history, to the extent that self-government, land claims, and economic development agreements have been successfully negotiated and implemented, there is no evidence that they have done anything to make but a very small minority of our people happier and healthier.
In most cases, these agreements create new bureaucracies and put in place new levels and forms of government, or new relationships with non-indigenous business partners. These new arrangements benefit a few people within communities; mainly elected leaders, entrepreneurs, lawyers, consultants, and, to a much lesser extent the people who staff the various structures. There is no denying that self-government, land claims, and economic development are a great thing for this fortunate minority. This is not to begrudge the fact that some of us have gained the education and skills needed to secure jobs or create business - these are the just rewards of honest people who have worked hard to create strength for themselves. But in the midst of all of the apparent progress, there is a nagging sense that something is wrong with the path we are on. There is a dawning awareness among those who think outside themselves, those who care for the not-so-fortunate and all-too-easily ignored 90% of our people who do not get any benefit at all from the new political and economic order. It is the sinking feeling that political power and money, the things we’ve worked so hard to achieve, are still not going to be enough to liberate us from the past.
The real reason most Indigenous people endure unhappy and unhealthy lives has nothing to do with governmental powers or money. The lack of these things only contributes to making a bad situation worse. The root of the problem is that we are living a spiritual crisis, a darkness that descended on our people at the time we became disconnected from our lands and from our cultures. We are divided amongst ourselves and confused in our own minds about who we are and what kind of life we should be living. We depend on others to feed us and to teach us how to look, feel, live. We turn to white men for the answers to our problems. We have started to trust them. There are no more leaders and hardly a place left to go where you can just be an Indian. This is a spiritual crisis. We are the prophetic Seventh Generation. If we do not find a way out of the crisis, we will be consumed by the darkness and whether it is through self-destruction or assimilation, our nations will not survive another generation.
Large-scale governmental “solutions” like self-government and land claims are not so much lies as they are irrelevant to this root problem of spiritual crisis. For generations now, we have been on a quest for political power and money; somewhere along the journey from the past to the future, we seem to have forgotten that when we started out our goal was to reconnect with our lands and to preserve our culture and way of life. It is these things which are the true guarantees of peace, health, strength, and happiness, of survival for Indigenous peoples. Before we can ever start re-building our nations and then achieve meaningful change in the areas of law and government, of economies and development, we must start to remember on one important thing: nations are made up of people. Our concern about defining Indigenous rights and developing models of self-government has led to the neglect of the fundamental building blocks of our nationhood: the women and men, youth and elders who make up our communities.
Some of us believe in the promise of “traditional government” as the ultimate solution - as if just getting rid of the Indian Act band councils and restoring old laws and structures would solve everything. I used to think this myself; but sadly there’s a problem with this line of thinking too. The traditional governments and laws we hold out as the alternatives to the Indian Act system were developed when our people were confidently rooted in their culture, bodily and spiritually strong, and capable of surviving independently in their environments. I had to ask myself, “Does it make any sense right now to try to bring back these forms of government and social organization, with the level of participation and cultural skills they require, as well as the responsibilities they entail, on our weakened and dispirited people?” Regretfully, I don’t believe so.
What I do believe is that we will only begin to make meaningful change in the lives of our people as a whole when we first focus making real change the lives of our people as individuals. It may sound cliché to some by now, but it is still true that the first part of self-determination is the self. In our minds and in our souls, we need to reject the settlers’ control and authority; their definition of who we are and what our rights are, their definition of what is worthwhile and how one should live, their hypocritical and pacifying morality. We need to rebel against what we’ve become and start remembering and acting on who are ancestors were, what they were like, and the things they believed in. This is the spiritual revolution that will ensure our survival.
What are the first steps in this revolution of the spirit?
For a start, let’s think about the most basic question: what does it mean to be “Indigenous?” Many times, I have listened to one of the wisest people I know, my friend Leroy Little Bear, teach on the basic difference between Indigenous and European languages. European languages, he explains, are based on nouns and are concerned with naming things, ascribing traits, and making judgements. Indigenous languages are based on verbs; they communicate through descriptions of movement and activity. Take my own name, for example. Taiaiake, in English a proper noun that labels me for identification. In Mohawk, it literally means, “he is crossing over from the other side.” Struggling against and negotiating with the descendents of Europeans occupying our homelands for all these years, we have become very skilled, in the European way, at naming everything about ourselves: beliefs, rights, authorities, jurisdictions, land use areas, categories of membership in our communities... As if it were enough to speak these things to make them into a reality. In fighting for our future, we have been sucked into thinking that “Indigenous,” or “First Nations,” “Carrier,” “Cree” or “Mohawk,” (even if we use Kanien’kehaka, or Innu, or Wet’suwet’en) is something that is attached to us inherently, and not a description of what we do with our lives.
In the European way of seeing the world a name is a title and symbolizes being. In the Indigenous way a name is a responsibility and implies doing. Apply this insight to our recent struggles to gain recognition and respect, and you start to get a sense of why we have fallen off the good path. We have mistaken the mere renaming of our situation for an actual reconnection to our land and culture in practice. Living an Indigenous life means much more than applying a label to ourselves and saying that we are Indigenous. It means looking at the personal and political choices we make every day and applying an Indigenous logic to them. It means living according to Kanien’kehaka, Innu, and Wet’suwet’en values; thinking and behaving in a way that is consistent with the laws of nature and the teachings of our ancestors. Coming to understand ourselves as Indigenous peoples in terms of both being and doing, whether one person or a nation, is the first step in breaking free of the control other people have over us now and in making the changes that are so urgently needed to ensure the survival of our future generations.