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03/27/2006: "NDFB follows Naga route - Daimary speaks exclusively from his hideout"

NDFB follows Naga route - Daimary speaks exclusively from his hideout
P. BRAHMA CHOUDHURY The Telegraph

Somewhere along the Indo-Bangladesh border, March 26: Taking a cue from the Isak-Muivah’s Naga militant outfit, the chief of the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), Ranjan Daimary, has decided to “talk sovereignty” when formal negotiations begin with the Centre.

Referring to the ongoing peace talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), Daimary, also known as D.R. Nabla, said: “As far as we know, the NSCN has not scaled down its demand for sovereignty.”

Justifying the demand for sovereignty, Daimary argued: “We were never under India. It is the British who invaded India and occupied the whole of the Northeast. So when the British left India, we had every right to be free.”

“We have fought for the past 20 years for our independence, for our historical right. Many of our people have sacrificed their lives. We will certainly talk about our historical rights, about sovereignty,” he said.

The rebel leader, however, put the ball in Delhi’s court saying the future of the peace talks hinged on the Centre’s sincerity. Echoing the Ulfa, the NDFB chief iterated that the peace process could go forwa-rd only when the Centre provides information on its top seven leaders, who have been missing since military operations were carried out against the outfit in Bhutan in 2003.

“Unless the government provides us information on our men, we won’t be able to proceed,” the elusive Daimary told The Telegraph at a hideout during his first interview in a decade. “But no photographs, please,” he said, smiling.

The trip to meet the NDFB leader took nearly three days. It entailed crossing rivers by boat, journeying down jungle trails and travelling on village roads on bicycles.

Nabla, who is in his late forties, looked much younger. He came across as a well-read man who is well informed about all that is going on around him. Dressed in a blue T-shirt and olive-green trousers, Nabla leads one of the most dedicated band of hardcore insurgents. They have been fighting to carving out a sovereign Bodo nation since 1987.

The NDFB commander was scathingly critical of Delhi for “repeatedly ignoring” the outfit’s requests for information on its missing leaders.

Those missing include publicity secretary B. Irakdao, organising secretary D. Derhasa, assistant organising secretary B. Fwjoukhnag, judicial secretary B. Jwkrub, deputy army chief W. Onsula, “commanding officer” of the 2nd battalion B. Habrang and “Sgt Maj.” S. Udla.

Blaming Delhi for the “delay” in launching formal parleys, he said: “We announced a unilateral ceasefire. What more can we do?”

He claimed the outfit was ready to move forward but argued that “if no initiative comes from the Indian side, what is the meaning of extending the ceasefire? We’re even ready to pull out of the ceasefire”.

The Bodo leader, who left his home near Udalguri town in 1986 to launch his armed campaign, was dismissive of the Bodoland Territorial Council formed by the disbanded Bodo Liberation Tigers. Dubbing it “a temporary settlement,” he asserted: “How can the BTC fulfil the hopes and aspiration of the Bodos? A separate independent country is the only hope for the Bodos.”
Atem’s sayings unwise: FGN The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, MARCH 26 (MExN): Terming as unwise the recent utterances of VS Atem, Special Emissary to the NSCN (IM) Collective Leadership, the Federal Government of Nagaland today queried, “If you (Atem) truly said; ‘you will not compromise the sovereignty of Nagaland’, are you going to relinquish the so-called NSCN? Or are you going to fight against Muivah?”
Quoting Muivah’s earlier statement which appeared as a news report in a local daily wherein he had said, “We have climbed down from our demand of absolute sovereignty and want a special federal relationship with India,” a release issued by 2nd Lt. K Chamdan of the FGN said, “But you, yourselves and the Naga people know that you and Muivah are being used by the Indian leaders to fight against the Nagas/NNC, and it is still unabated till date.”
The clash which took place at the Chakhesang Region yesterday was also mentioned. “Your fighting with the FGN (and) hobnobbing with the Indian Army is a dynamic (proof) that there was no surrender between the NNC/FGN and the Government of India,” the release said.
FGN fires pot shots at IM By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Mar 26 : Strong-ly reacting to the remarks purportedly made by one of the NSCN (IM) leaders, Atem, during a meeting in the western Angami region, Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) has categorically stated that ‘it is yet another re-affirmation of their policy to tell lies and deceive others to the level of false allegation and killing since 1980’.
In a strongly worded statement, 2nd Lt K Chandam, 2nd Bn, Ist Bde, W/C, Naga army of FGN said his (Atem’s) expression clearly demonstrated that NSCN-IM will never change their satanic policy, but will continue to destroy the Nagas as long as they live.
Such blatant lies can never save the face and the image of his people, but confession and admission of the mistake and misdeed is needed, FGN said.
‘If your assertion that the sovereignty of Nagaland will not be compromised is really true then are you going to relinquish the so-called NSCN ? Or are you going to fight against Muivah who had stated that ‘we have climbed down from our demand of absolute sovereignty and want a special federal relationship with India?,’ the statement asked Atem.
The statement charged Atem with trying to finish off NNC/FGN in the last 25 years, ‘but the Lord did not allow you to do so and instead led you to a complete fiasco.
‘Since the inception of NSCN in 1980, you have been telling lies that NNC had accepted the Constitution of India in 1975 when you and the Naga people know that you and Muivah are being used by the Indian leaders to fight against the Nagas/NNC and it is still unabated till date’, the statement further charged.
Even on March 24, clash took place between your men and the Federal Naga Army in Chakhesang region, the statement pointed out, adding that fighting against the NNC/FGN and hobnobbing with the Indian Army proves that there was no surrender accord between the NNC/FGN and the Government of India. As the Nagas have not sign any surrender accord with India in the running history of Nagaland, the Nagas celebrated the golden jubilee of the NNC in 1997 and the FGN this year on March 22, 2006, the statement asserted.
Blockade begins, commercial goods destroyed Newmai News Network
Imphal: The indefinite economic blockade sponsored by All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has begun since last night along the NH-39 and NH-53. ATSUM leaders claimed that at around 2 am some goods trucks were stopped from plying somewhere in the Nagaland-Manipur border area. A passenger bus carrying commercial goods tried to slip off from the clutches of the blockade supporters but was caught and the commercial goods carrying in the bus were destroyed in the wee hours today, said the ATSUM sources. ATSUM stated that goods carrying for personal use in the passenger buses are not objected by the blockade supporters but there are some passenger buses carrying huge quantity of commercial goods atop the vehicles. “Passenger buses carrying goods for commercial purposes come under the purview of the economic blockade,” stated ATSUM leaders while informing to Newmai News Network tonight over phone.
Meanwhile, till date no talks have been held between the government and the striking ATSUM, according to sources adding that feelers from the government side have been sent to meet the student leaders. Well placed sources said that there is every likelihood that talks between the ATSUM and the state government will be held soon.
Meanwhile, Poumai Students Union has expressed that it would follow whatever course of action the ATSUM undertakes. Poumai Students Union stated that the government should address the plights of the hill people at the earliest.
It is worth noting that ATSUM demanded to address the basic issues of education in the hill districts which include the making of the Additional Director (Hills) office functional, fill up vacant posts and to provide adequate infrastructure in all hills schools including Mathematic and Science teachers, recruitment on institutional basis giving preferences to the local candidates. The mode of recruitment is to thus take place under ZEOs as the Chairman of recruitment Board or Director as Chairman and ZEOs as member secretary. ATSUM demanded the grant-in-aid for schools in the hill areas be converted into full fledged Government schools and at the same time releasing ‘white paper’ on verification of teachers in the hills. On higher education the student body pointed out the need to make the special cell for SC/ST students in Manipur University fully functional and to take initiative for the establishment of a Hill University. The appointment system of adhoc, casual, muster roll, work charge, part time etc should be stopped unless it complies with reservation norms. To do away with the inclusion of Income Certificate when applying for a Scheduled Tribe Scholarship is another demand of the ATSUM and to upgrade the Deputy Director office to Additional Director level empowering it to identify and select projects/schemes applicable to the hill districts and its people along with its beneficiaries.
Blockade dislocates movement of goods in Manipur From Sobhapati Samom Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, March 26 – The All Tribal Students Union Manipur sponsored indefinite economic blockade along the two National Highways 39 and 53 has severely dislocated the transport of goods between Manipur and rest of the country today. Tribal students launched the blockade from last midnight to protest the State Government’s failure to fulfill their demands of infrastructure development in hill areas.The immediate functioning of the Additional Directorate of Schools (Hills), conversion of grant-in-aid schools into full fledged ones and filling up of necessary staff including teachers in the schools are the main demands of the student body.

Meanwhile, acknowledging the demands of the student body, Manipur Education Minister Francis Ngajokpa said, “the demands cannot be translated into action at one go, it needs time” adding that the government is willing to implement some of the demands. Imposition of blockade on highways would make general public endure untold miseries and hardships, he felt. Instead, a meaningful dialogue to thrash out any differences is required. However, due to the blockade many goods- laden Imphal bound trucks have reportedly been stranded at Khatkhati in Assam and Khuzama police gate in Nagaland-Manipur border since Saturday.
Manipur was on the edge last year when a similar blockade of Naga students on these two NHs lasted for 52 days.
Seven vehicles damaged on first day of eco blockade The Imphal Free Press
IMPHAL, Mar 26: At least seven vehicles including three inter-state passenger buses were reportedly damaged on their way to Imphal along the National Highway-39 in the violent action of suspected blockade supporters today on the first day of the indefinite economic blockade imposed by the ATSUM on two National Highway-39 and 53.

More than 74 goods carrying trucks entering Manipur from other states through the Imphal-Dimapur section of the National Highway-39 are being stranded at Mao gate due to the blockade. Another eight loaded trucks including one lorry were also reportedly stranded half way along the route at Kangpokpi. The All Tribal Students` Union, Manipur, ATSUM had called the indefinite economic blockade from midnight last night on the National Highway 39 and 53, to pressurise the state government to fulfill their demands.
Reports from Mao said that around 65 goods loaded trucks bound for Imphal reached Mao gate early this morning, mostly originating from Guwahati and Dimapur. The number increased to 74 late this afternoon as other trucks originating from various places of neighbouring states reached town bordering Nagaland. The number may increase further as many trucks were still on the way beyond Kohima on Dimapur side.

Windshields of three inter-state passenger buses proceeding towards Imphal with passengers from Guwahati and Dimapur were smashed by some youths supporting the blockade for allegedly carrying commercial items. The buses were damaged somewhere in between Mao and Tadubi, according to the report. Four trucks carrying essential commodities which were proceeding despite the blockade were also pelted with stones by some youths on their way to Imphal. Wind shields of the trucks were also damaged. However, there were no reports of any casualty. All the damaged vehicles managed to reach Imphal.
In the meantime, another eight trucks including one lorry that reached Kangpokpi yesterday late afternoon and could not proceed further in the dusk due to security reasons were still stranded there. They were parked near the Kangpokpi police station, reports said. So far there is no indication of state government arranging for escorting the goods carrying trucks to Imphal. On the other hand no goods carrying vehicles reached Imphal from Jiribam side along the NH-53 today. However, reports said that some vehicles were stranded at Makru bridge owing to one vehicle carrying goods for security force getting stuck on the said bridge.

In the meantime, some leaders of ATSUM reportedly held an informal talk with some tribal ministers at the residence of hills and tribal development minister T Phungjathang at Sangaiporou. Besides Phungjathang, education minister Francis Ngazokpa also present in the talk which however ended without any encouraging development.
However, the report said that the representatives of the ATSUM reportedly went out from the meeting stating that the proposals that put forward by the ministers to call off the blockade need to be discussed with other leaders of the union. Mention may be made that ATSUM had called indefinite economic blockade on two National Highway-39 and 53 over non-fulfillment of their demands that put forward to the state government. Their stir is also supporting by Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur, ZSUM. The demands raised by the ATSUM include making the post of additional director (hills) functional, filling up of vacant posts and to provision of adequate infrastructure in all hills schools.
A security coordinating meeting presided over by Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh held yesterday also discussed the ATSUM economic blockade. The meeting reportedly mostly concentrated on the security force deployment on the highways to counter the blockade.
NH blockade Nagaland Post
Imphal, March 26 (PTI): Altogether 73 trucks loaded with essential items were today stranded in Senapati district of Manipur due to 'indefinite economic blockade' which began from last midnight by a tribal students' union on Imphal-Guwahati NH 39 and Imphal-Silchar NH 53, official sources said. Sixtyfive Manipur-bound trucks loaded with essential commodities were halted at Mao gate at Manipur-Nagaland border point on Imphal-Guwahati NH 39 by supporters of the blockade, they said. Another eight trucks with full essential items were also stranded at Kangpokpi area on NH 39 in Senapati district.
Sources said today being Sunday no arrangements were being made to provide security to these stranded vehicles and added that they would be brought to state capital here tomorrow with security.
The All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) has imposed the economic blockade on National Highways to press their demands which included among other things filling up of vacant posts of teachers in schools in hills.
Politics of River Island in Asom Nagaland Post
MAJULI, ASOM, MAR 26 (UNI): With the Assembly elections fast approaching, politics has slowly taken over the sleepy little island of Majuli--the world's biggest river island and an UNESCO world heritage site. This monastic island, which has nearly 25 Xatras or Monasteries living almost in a purist form of agrarian's life, has witnessed frantic activities and heated words, even as the word 'development' holds no meaning.
In the island, where the only mode of transport from the mainland is a tricky half hour long boat journey, covering a distance of hardly ten km through river Brahmaputra, the politicians are flocking to canvass among the simple Mishing people. The people of the island are still living in a primitive world. The predominant mode of transport is cycle, and if one misses the two ferries that leave the island for the mainland in the morning hours, one is stuck and will have to wait till the next day. The monasteries give the island a unique ambience and hence it has been recognised as the World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.
However, a murky nexus of politicians, bureaucrats and contractors, have tried to make money out of Majuli in the name of development. Every year, the floods leave a trail of devastation with two-third of the island going under water and every year, hundreds of crores of rupees are siphoned off in the name of the flood management, which explains in the acrimonious struggle for this constituencies. The AGP has given ticket to Mr Padmadhar Pegu, instead of a strong contender Mr Pademshwar Doley, the former MLA.
This has sparked huge dissension in the party with Mr Doley, contesting as an Independent candidate, making sure that the seat goes once again to Congress' Mr Rajiv Lochan Pegu, who won the seat with just over 2000 votes. The political struggle has relegated any development activities on the island- the symbol of Assamese identity with culture and religion coming together --to the backdrop.
Plebiscite call rings loud By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Mar 26: The question regarding whether Manipur should remain as a part of Indian Union or not must be decided by plebiscite.
This was one of the resolutions adopted in a public meeting held today at Moi- rang Khunou on ‘Public Par -ticipation Through Plebiscite in the Resolution of Manipur-India Conflict’.
Another resolutions unanimously adopted during the meeting was that the people of Manipur would have peace and security only when plebiscite is conducted on the issue under the aegis of UNO. The meeting further decided to send the resolutions to the UNO and lead- ers of the Indian Govt. Today's meeting was joi-ntly organised by Moirang Khunou Ima Meira Paibi Apunba Lup and SEDO Moirang Khunou.
Advisor of UPF Th Mangi and National awar-dee teacher T Rameshwar spoke on the occasion as resource persons. In his speech, Mangi noted that the Manipur-India conflict erupted just aft- er Manipur was annexed to India in 1949. He also remin- ded that Manipur has a long and proud history of it own. Mangi alleged that the annexation might had been brought about in connivance with some influential individuals who wanted merged themselves with the Indian Union. The UPF advisor further dealt on the unfolding insecure and restless environment following the merger of Manipur into the Indian Union in addition to the economic backwardness and dependency resulting from the merger. He described the youths who have taken up arms against the State to resist the merger as Resistance Groups.
Mangi opined that such public debate and awareness campaign on the importance of plebiscite to resolve Manipur-India conflict is more than late.
Transformative Praxis The Morung Express editorial
The historical dividing issues between Indigenous people and the State system are a reality that is being relived by the descendants of indigenous nations. The lack of will to address the indigenous issues has led to reactive politics, which has become an obstacle to change. There is an erroneous perception which assumes that all indigenous issues have been resolved through the process of ‘decolonization.’ This simplistic and yet arrogant approach has the tendency of putting the colonizers at the center of attention and stifles all other processes that seek to empower indigenous peoples to take effective control over their destiny.
There is therefore a pressing need for a transformative praxis that would enable indigenous people to begin a reawakening of the indigenous imagination that had been diminished by colonization processes. This implies a shift away negative motivation to positive motivation that involves raising a consciousness in which indigenous people rather than waiting for things to be done for them begin to do things for themselves. In other words the chains of dependency must be broken free to liberate the human mind.
By accepting increased responsibility for transforming their own existential conditions and subsequently removing themselves from under the influence of the reproductive forces of the dominant society, indigenous people will find a direction in nurturing the development of their lives. This demands disengaging from the colonial strategy that distracts and diverts indigenous pursuit towards trivial self-abuse. It is time for indigenous people to self-examine the state strategy of distraction by critically conscientizing the elements of colonization and to diminish its impact by actually empowering the indigenous imagination of freedom. Thus, it essentially is a struggle for the liberation of the indigenous mind from the grip of hegemonic worldviews.
A transformative praxis would be incomplete without erasing the unhelpful gap between indigenous aspiration and the academic worldview. For a very long time, indigenous struggle has been relegated by academics as ‘tribal wars’ and ‘ethnic conflict’ creating an overwhelming sense of distrust and lack of participation that causes marginalization. This dislocation and misplacement of issues inevitably seeks to delegitimize indigenous aspiration for a dignified existence. To reclaim legitimacy and genuineness of the struggle, indigenous people need to evolve and affirm their own ways of knowing and being so that indigenous knowledge system is acknowledged as a relevant body of production and reproduction.
Perhaps through this praxis the State would realize that the status quo is detrimental to its own existence and therefore be persuaded to understand and engage mechanisms that compel shifts towards addressing indigenous issues. Indigenous struggle are called to move beyond its homogenizing stand of locating its demands as a single entity and are required to adapt and develop numerous strategies with the capacity to create space that contradicts and challenges and the existing accepted way.