[Previous entry: "Press Communiqué issued by NPMHR, Delhi Unit."] [Next entry: "The Naga question and Indian intransigence"]

04/05/2006: "No compromise on infiltration: PM"

No compromise on infiltration: PM Nahvind Times
PTI Guwahati April 1: Declaring that there would be no compromise on the issue of infiltration, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh today said the Centre would accelerate the peace process in Assam but ruled out talks on sovereignty.
“I want to assure the people of Assam that we will show no mercy on the issue of illegal infiltration. At the same time all genuine citizens of the state have my assurance that in the name of detection of foreigners they are not harassed,” he told a press conference immediately on his arrival for a two-day election campaign. Dr Singh urged the misguided youths to shun violence and “doors will be open for all those who shun violence”.
“In this context two rounds of talks have been already held with certain groups of people (referring to the People’s Consultative Group appointed by the ULFA) and we will accelerate the peace process,” the Prime Minister said.“We want to create an atmosphere of peace and reach a final solution to this intricate problem of bringing the misguided youths to mainstream,” Dr Singh said. The Prime Minister said there would be no compromise on the issue of infiltration and at the same time allayed fears of genuine citizens. The Foreigners Act is being amended to ensure that the citizens are not harassed, he added.
“You have a prime minister who is there to look after the interests of Assam and we want to ensure development in the state in an atmosphere of peace,” the Prime Minister said at the Lokopriyo Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport here. Asked where the recommendation by the cabinet committee on political affairs superseded the Supreme Court’s ruling on the scrapping of the IMDT Act, the Prime Minister said the Supreme Court’s judgment was final.
“It was, however, the government’s duty to ensure that the repeal of the act does not cause any harassment of genuine citizens in the detection process. We have to give full protection to legitimate and genuine citizens,” he added. Dr Singh said strengthening of border fencing was on and preparation of the national register of citizens was progressing as per schedule. Asked whether the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre would be sincere in pursuing the peace process if the Congress does not return to power to the state, he said, “It was in the best interest of all that peace prevails in the state.”
Replying to a question on United Liberation Front of Asom’s demand for sovereignty of Assam, Dr Singh said negotiations would be held within constitutional framework.
“The ULFA may raise the issue during talks but that does not mean all issues are open for negotiations,” he said. Asked whether talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah would affect the territorial integrity of Assam, the Prime Minister said negotiations with the NSCN=I-M was on and “we want a fruitful solution to emerge”.
“We want Nagaland to prosper in peace and security. However, no changes can be made in the present status of states without the consent of the states concerned,” he said. The Prime Minister said that if any changes were necessary, it will be done with the prior approval of the states concerned. Referring to the opening of the historic Stilwell Road connecting the North-East with China, Dr Singh said that his government was committed to strengthening relations with other Asian countries, especially South East Asian nations, and for this, the North-East, particularly Assam, had a major role to play. “To improve relations with these countries, we have to improve connectivity. Road and air connectivity have improved and on a priority basis we are improving the road sector and in this direction whatever needs to be done for the opening of the Stilwell Road will be done,” he said. Asked what message he proposed to give to violence-ridden Karbi Anglong district, where he is scheduled to address a meeting tomorrow, Dr Singh said there was no place for violence in a democracy and there is no problem that could not be solved through dialogue.
“If people have genuine grievances we can talk about it and resolve the issues in an atmosphere of peace,” he said.
Breather for Rio in office-of-profit fiasco OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, April 4: Bringing a sigh of relief to both chief minister Neiphiu Rio and leader of the Opposition I. Imkong, the Nagaland Assembly today decided to defer an amendment to the Nagaland State Legislative Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1964, till the Parliament decides on the office of profit controversy. The specially convened session of the Assembly had sparked off a wave of speculation that the government was planning to disqualify Imkong. Last week, the DAN government had pointed a finger at Imkong, saying he held an office of profit. The Congress had earlier accused Rio of holding offices of profit as chairman of the Nagaland Bamboo Mission and the Nagaland Sports Council.
Advocate general K.N. Balgopal gave his opinion on the interpretation of the entries in the schedule to the State Act of 1964. This had been the government’s premise for Imkong’s proposed disqualification. After a lengthy explanation of 12 entries, Balgopal said it was better to wait and watch than go ahead with an amendment.
“It is advisable to wait for Parliament’s decision on the act (Central Act of 1959) before amending it (State Act of 1964),” Balgopal said.
Both ruling and Opposition party members took the opportunity to attack each other on the office of profit issue. Imkong alleged that the chief minister should be disqualified for holding offices of profit, while Rio branded the very office of the leader of Opposition as an office of profit. Imkong convened a press briefing after the session, saying that the advocate general’s decision had been wise and the Congress had agreed to abide by it. A source in the chief minister’s office claimed that it was Rio’s wish that a compromise be reached, “otherwise the Opposition leader was to be disqualified”.
Naga Assembly to wait till Parliament reviews Office of Profit New Kerala
Kohima: Nagaland assembly today adopted a resolution to wait till Parliament reviews the controversial office of profit issue. In an emergency meeting, the House accepted the resolution after Advocate General K N Balgopal briefed the members about the provisions of Nagaland State Legislature Members (removal of disqualification) Act, 1964 and advised them to wait till Parliament discussed the issue on May 10. The opposition Congress also accepted Balgopal's advice. Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie had called for the emergency session after the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) and the opposition Congress petitioned before Governor Shyamal Datta demanding disqualification of a few members, including Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and CLP leader I Imkong. Chief Minister asked the members to consider AG's intepretation regarding appoinments by the Centre and the state governments under the 1964 Act and other relevant Acts.

Informing the members of the details of the Act, the AG said that the Nagaland State Legislature Members (removal of disqualification) Act 1964 was the first legislation of the state after its formation in 1963. The Bill of the Act was introdued on March three, 1964.
Ulfa talks: PM rules out sovereignty Rahul Karmakar Hindustand Times Guwahati, PRIME MINISTER Manmohan Singh left the ruling Congress red-faced on Saturday by ruling out any discussion on sovereignty of the state. He also reminded the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) that the territorial integrity of the northeastern states could not be compromised.
The Congress had been trumpeting the "breakthrough" in the peace process with the ULFA in the run-up to the Assembly elections slated for April 3 and 10. The ULFA, which is rigid about discussing sovereignty, had also issued statements obliquely exhorting people to vote for the Congress. The NSCN-IM, on the other hand, wants the Naga peace process to centre round the issue of integration of all Naga-inhabited areas towards creating Greater Nagalim. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur bordering Nagaland, are vehemently against this.
“They (ULFA) can raise the issue (sovereignty of Assam) but that does not mean we will discuss it. Talks can be held only within the framework of the Constitution,” Singh told reporters before leaving for a series of election rallies. On the NSCN-IM demand, he added: "The question of compromising territorial integrity without the consent of the states concerned does not arise."
On the touchy issue of influx, the PM said the Congress was committed to checking infiltration but was also duty-bound to ensure security for the minorities.
Singh also ruled out mid-term elections in the country and expressed confidence that the UPA government would complete its full term. "Our government is very much on the right track," he said. On the fate of controversial Election Commissioner N Chawla, he said he would apply his mind after returning to New Delhi. The PM's visit, incidentally, followed the gunning down of Lal Deka, commandant of the ULFA's 109th Battalion in Goalpara district Friday evening. Later addressing an election rally at the at the Nalbari College field, Singh assured the minorities in the state that they had nothing to fear after the repeal of the IMDT Act.
"The IMDT Act may have been repealed but the minorities should not be afraid because we are committed to ensuring that no genuine Indian citizens are harassed,” he said.
Hullabaloo over office of profit fades Chizokho Vero Kohima | April 4 The Morung Express

The much-talked office of profit issue on the office of profit in Nagaland was shelved for the time being following a resolution in the House of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), agreeing to the opinion of the Advocate General over the interpretation of the entries in the schedule to the Nagaland State Legislature Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act 1964.
Explaining the provisions of the 1964 Act, Advocate General KN Balgopal opined that the House can wait till the session is convened by the Parliament to discuss the matter.
In the eleventh session (Emergent) of the 10th Nagaland Legislative Assembly convened today to discuss matter relating to Office of Profit, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio moved the motion to hear the Advocate General KN Balgopal over the interpretation of the entries in the schedule to the Nagaland State Legislature Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act 1964.
Later, Rio moved the resolution that read: “This House concurs in the interpretation of the entries in the schedule to the Nagaland State Legislature Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1964, made by the Advocate General in the House at its sitting held on the 4th April, 2006 and resolves that the interpretation of the said entries in the said Act so concurred by this House shall be deemed as expression of the legislative intent behind the said entries.”
This resolution was put to vote by Speaker Kiyaneilie Peseyie which was passed by voice vote. It said that the copy of the resolution will be sent to the Governor of Nagaland and Chief Election Commissioner of India. During the session, Chingwang Konyak on behalf of the Opposition Congress agreed with the request of the Advocate General and decided to wait till an enactment or amendment of the legislation in the Parliament.
Meanwhile, Opposition Congress leader I. Imkong termed the opinion of the Advocate General as “reasonable.”
“We are decided to agree by it,” Imkong told newsmen after the session. Imkong stated that the intention of the Opposition Congress on raising the issue of Office of Profit, had served the purpose.Saying that Congress desires to arouse the interest of the people, Imkong expressed his happiness that the issue of Office of Profit has generated lot of publicity and people have taken keen interest, especially amongst the legal people.
Referring to the reported resignation of BJP MLA Tiameren from the chairmanship of the Nagaland Hotels Limited, Imkong stated that whether he resigned or not it would not make any difference, adding that it will be decided by redefining of Office of Profit by Parliament.
It may be recalled that Congress petitioned the Governor of Nagaland that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio be disqualified as he was holding the posts of Chairman of Nagaland Bamboo Mission and Chairman of Nagaland Sports Council. It stated the said two additional posts are offices of profit thereby attracting disqualification under Article - 191 (1) (a) of the Constitution of India. The ruling DAN had launched a counter offensive by asking for the disqualification of I. Imkong, Leader of Opposition. Morung Express News
Naga Hoho sets up search committee for new President Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 4
The next Naga Hoho President is to be elected within a period of 45 days. The post had fallen vacant after the demise of social leader Horangse Sangtam.
Informing of this today, the Naga Hoho Publicity Secretary, P. Chuba Ozukum, said this decision was reached upon today during the proceedings of the first day of the Naga Hoho assembly session at Kohima. A search committee has been instituted to begin the exploration of a name suited for the President’s post. The Angami Public Organization President is to head the committee as Chairman while presidents of the Sumi, Ao, Zeliangrong, Anal and Tangkhul Hohos have been appointed members, Chuba informed.
The conglomeration that assembled today also decided to support the ongoing peace processes between the Government of India and both the NSCN (IM) and the NSCN (K). On the ‘threat perception’ on certain social bodies, Chuba said the Naga Hoho has decided that it would not yield to such a threat perception. The Naga Hoho has also decided to intensify its campaign for the speedy furtherance of the peace process, Chuba said and added that they would be staging some sort of campaign at New Delhi very soon.
‘Separation of judiciary in no way affects customary law’ The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, APRIL 4 (MExN): Wishing to put the matter straight on record, the Dimapur Board Association (DBA) today said “separation of judiciary means placing the Sub-ordinate judiciary of the state under the administrative control and superintendence of the High Court as constitutionally mandated, and separation in no way affects the customary laws and the institution entrusted with the responsibility of dispensing justice in accordance with such customary laws.”
Statutory and customary courts are two separate and distinct institutions each functioning within its own sphere independent of each other, DBA vice-president MSU Laskar and executive member Kakheto Sema said in a press note today.
They said the views expressed by Nagaland Village Chiefs (GBs) Federation Advisor TL Angami which appeared as a news item “is founded on a misconceived apprehension that if separation of judiciary is effected in the state the customary laws and its institutions would be violated.” Stating that TL Angami must have expressed such views within his own confines and understanding, the legal representatives said the separation of judiciary would not only ensure proper and effective justice but would also make the justice system more competent and effective. On the views expressed by the said GB on the imposition of Central Acts such as the Forest Act, Land Act, Taxation Act, etc, in Nagaland, the lawyers said, “On all these subjects the state Legislature has enacted laws which has been amended from time to time to suit the local conditions of the state and not the Central laws and acts as viewed.”
“Moreover as rightly viewed by TL Angami GB, that the uniqueness of Naga Customary laws and the usages are faithfully incorporated under Article 371 A of the constitution, there should be no apprehension that separation of judiciary from executive would affect or violate customary laws and its institutions."
Royal British Legion delegation visits Kohima The Morung Express

The delegation of the Royal British Legion seen here with Naga young people at the Kohima World War II Memorial, Kohima Wednesday. The team is in Kohima on a war pligrimage since April 2. (MExPix)
Kohima, April 4 (MExN): A delegation of Royal British Legion led by William Clarke visited Kohima War Cemetery as part of annual pilgrimage from April 2 to 4. The pilgrimage was accompanied by two war veterans who had participated in the Battle of Kohima during the World War II. They paid their floral tributes to the martyrs by laying wreaths. Brigadier RL Sharma, commander 5 Sector Assam Rifles also laid a wreath on behalf of the Assam Rifles. The visiting veterans were later given a presentation on the Battle of Kohima at 26 Assam Rifles Office Mess. The British Legion delegation was later taken on a tour of the Kohima Battle field. The Royal British Legion was virtually mesmerized and nostalgic during the visit.
Jamir clarifies: Together Nagas can overcome Letters to th Editor The Morung Express
• • Sir-One P. Modoli of Senapati district has responded to His Excellency SC Jamir’s opinion that Nagas should work out a political framework with the Government of India which can protect the future of the Naga people, their distinct identity and economic well-being by way of some financial package. It appears that the writer has hastened to draw his own conclusions and at the same time, put words into the mouth of His Excellency. He appears to have missed the forest for the trees when he remained silent about the “political framework” which His Excellency suggested. Basically, His Excellency’s statement implies two things: political and economic – the political being the protection of the future of the Naga people and their way of life, and the economic being the financial arrangement. The writer has clubbed the two different issues together and has jumped to conclusions.
Whatever political arrangement is worked out may not guarantee the economic well-being of the people just as any economic arrangement may not ensure the political destiny of the people. At the same time, the two cannot be dealt with separately. Just as the slogan of the Government “Development for peace and peace for development” enunciated by the Chief Minister recently have political and economic connotations, the statement of His Excellency regarding the political framework must be viewed from political and economic angles. All these decades, Naga people have lost on the economic/development front because of the political imbroglio. We are deprived of economic benefits because of political reasons, and there is no logical reason why we should be deprived thus. And any political arrangement without economic considerations would not find much favour.
Efforts to solve the protracted Naga political problem have been dragging on for several decades now but hitherto, no one has come up with any positive suggestion to strengthen the hands of the negotiating parties. And when it seems that the ongoing talks between the Government of India and the NSCN factions seem to have landed in a political cul-de-sac, His Excellency, by the writer’s own admission, senior Naga politician has come out not exactly with a solution, but a pointer as to how to solve the Naga problem. This should be taken as a positive suggestion and not that of and from a devil replete with horns out to destroy by one stroke everything that he has believed in and worked for all his life, which is for the betterment of the Naga people. No man is perfect, nor is anyone expected to be perfect. Likewise, Jamir may not be perfect in the eyes of everybody. But that does not mean his contribution to the Naga people can be deleted from the memory just like that because of the simple reason that history will tell otherwise. But then, when Christ Himself was condemned and crucified by His own people, one cannot expect a mere human being to be perfect and please every human being, leave alone his own people. Therefore, it is not expected that everyone will appreciate his suggestion. Likewise, a dissenting individual cannot be expected to be speaking on behalf of the majority. Nevertheless, since the writer has raised some points pertinent to the Naga problem, the undersigned would like to elaborate on some relevant points.
It would be incorrect to imagine that the ceasefires of 1997 and 2001 are the first serious attempts to solve the Naga problem. The Nagaland Baptist Churches Council took the initiative way back in the 1960s paving the way for a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India in 1964. The mood of the people then was, as is now, that Nagas need normalcy and peace in the land. One of the most notable features of the 1964 ceasefire agreement is that it extended to all Naga-inhabited areas. No neighboring communities resented the territorial ambit of the ceasefire at that point of time and the Government of India appeared to be agreeable to the idea of a unified administrative unit for the Naga areas. However, the sense of oneness and the desire to be territorially integrated was not as developed amongst the Nagas at that time as it is now. No one ever thought of expressing solidarity with the Nagas of Nagaland as was done in October 2003 during the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Kohima when thousands of Nagas from Manipur thronged to Kohima braving inclement weather in a show of solidarity. Many believe that the Naga leaders of Manipur in the 1960s gave a “lukewarm” response to the call for integration with the areas of Nagaland. But whatever maybe the case, it is not relevant now, or that important to discuss now since the past cannot be undone. Moreover, too much water has flown under the proverbial bridge since 1964, and the people now have to contend with the former Prime Minister’s statement that there is “no political consensus” for integration of contiguous Naga inhabited areas. This was 2003. But in 1964, though one cannot say for sure whether there was political consensus or not, there certainly was no objection to the coverage of the ceasefire areas to Naga inhabited areas of Manipur. However, the June 2001 uprising in Manipur against the coverage of the ceasefire agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) is a clear indication as to what people of Manipur think about the territorial integrity of their State.
The stand of the Government of India on the issue of Sovereignty has been consistent as it was since it entered into ceasefire agreements with the NSCN factions in 1997 and 2001 – it is non-negotiable, a statement reiterated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the first week of April 2006 at Guwahati while commenting on talks with the ULFA. The same goes for the territorial integrity of the Northeastern States. The requirement of “political consensus” stated by Vajpayee in 2003 is more or less the same as the “consent of the States concerned” declared by Singh at Guwahati. The Government of India is very clear on the issues of Sovereignty and Greater Nagaland. We should be pragmatic and realize the ground realities. We have to find a solution to the problem so that Nagas can meet the changed global realities in an environment of peace and normalcy. The common man does not know if the negotiating parties are discussing Naga sovereignty or integration. For that matter, the common man does not know whether the talks are within or beyond the Constitution of India, inside or outside the country, with or without a third party. All he wants is to live a normal, peaceful life. If some recent developments such as attempts to gauge the feelings of the grassroots people by holding mass contact meetings initiated by the NSCN (IM) are any indication, it is sincere to solving the protracted Naga problem once and for all.
The nature of the framework would entirely depend on the sagacity of the Naga people, including those parties who are currently holding dialogues with the Government of India. In turn, the political, economic and social destiny of the Naga people would depend largely on the nature of that framework. Nagas now have to work out what exactly they want this political framework to be – we should have unanimity of opinion in this; we should be united and present the consensus voice to the Government of India. In this regard, one should not; one must not belittle the contribution or potential of any individual or group of people.
And at this juncture when the negotiating parties are working out that competencies or framework, it would be detrimental to criticize their effort. To question why they are not demanding what the Government of India has clearly stated is not possible would be throwing the proverbial spanner in the works. We simply cannot expect any group or individual to work miracles by doing the impossible or to solve the problem in a jiffy. Also one should not jump the gun when someone gives a pointer to how the solution should be like. After all, the Naga political problem is the problem of the people and not a tribal, factional or individual problem. Collective wisdom is the need of the hour, and aspersions should not be cast on well-meaning ideas; apparitions should not be seen just about anywhere. Nagas should overcome… overcome the challenges of the 21st century. We should learn from the past and look ahead to the future. Together Nagas can overcome. OSD to Governor, Goa
Ballot Counts Today's Editorial APRIL 5 The Morung Express
That there is an overwhelming desire for peace in Assam is clearly manifested by the large turnout of an estimated 68 per cent of the 92 lakh electorate casting their votes in the first phase of assembly elections on Monday. This is in sharp contrast to militancy-marred democratic exercises in the last several decades in which the bullet rather than the ballot counted for more. At the end of the day, the common people want the basic condition of life to be addressed. Peace and security for their homes is more important than high sounding political slogan and it is this human want more than anything else that has drawn the common people into the polling booths. While armed outfits like the ULFA and NDFB may have in the past resorted to boycott and violence by deciding to keep away from the election this time round, they have taken an important political step. The ULFA leadership may now be realizing that the best weapon there is to advance its case is not so much a military one but rather a political process and the fact that ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa has asked the people to vote for the party which would raise the issue of Assam’s “sovereignty” only reiterates the point that the ULFA may finally use the mainstream political mechanism inside out to address its grievances with New Delhi. As such there is every chance that a process similar to the one in neighboring Nagaland may be in the offing with the Government of India. All eyes will therefore be on the outcome of the Assam elections and how this will impact on the State and region as a whole will be keenly watched. An interesting statistics on electoral trends in Assam is that no party has been able to return to power through successive terms. While in the 1991 Assembly elections it was the national Congress party that won, the regional party AGP was able to win at the hustings during 1996. The Congress likewise retuned to power during the 2001 elections. Interestingly, on all the occasions the unseen hand of the ULFA played a decisive role so to say. Even though the ULFA has decided to remain ‘equi-distant’ from the political parties during the ongoing elections, it is probable that the outfit may have already worked on a political equation to suit its future political prospect.
As far as the past trends of poll arithmetic go, it is unlikely that the present AGP, fragmented as it is, will be able to repeat the trend of returning to power. Neither is it likely that the Congress will defeat the anti-incumbency factor. A Nagaland like scenario may emerge in the political landscape of Assam. This means that even if the Congress were to become the single largest party in the 126 member Assembly, a hung verdict is more likely in the offing. In such a political scenario regional players like the AGP or the BJP if they have the numbers, may be able to form a post-poll alliance carrying along with them the other significant element—the Independent candidates who may prove crucial in government formation. A coalition arrangement may after all be a welcome change for addressing the plurality of issues and voices unless off course the ballot decides otherwise.
Nagaland Assembly session on office-of-profit Members asked to wait till Parliament reviews issue Sentinel
KOHIMA, April 4: (PTI) Nagaland Assembly in an emergency session today adopted a resolution advising the members to wait till the Parliament reviews the controversial office of profit issue when it sits on May 10.
After Advocate General (AG) K N Balgopal enlightened the members about various provisions of the Nagaland State Legislature Members (removal of disqualification) Act, 1964 and advised them to wait till Parliament discusses the office of profit issue, the House accepted his suggestion in the form of a resolution. The opposition Congress also accepted the advice for waiting till the parliament sitting. Senior Congress MLA C Konyak said the House should accept the advice of the AG and members should wait till Parliament reviews the issue. Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie called an emergency sitting of the House to discuss the controversial issue of office-of-profit after the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) and opposition Congress petitioned before Governor Shyamal Datta demanding disqualification of certain members, which included Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and CLP leader I Imkong. Moving a Government motion, Chief Minister asked the members to listen to the AG over the interpretation of entries of persons appointed by the Union or State Government under the 1964 Act and other relevant Acts. Giving the genesis of the Act and interpreting the same, the AG informed the members that the Nagaland State Legislature Members (removal of disqualification) Act 1964 was the first legislation in the State after Nagaland was formed in 1963, and its was introduced in the form of a bill on March three, 1964. After reasonable discussions, the bill was passed on March fifth and gazette notification was issued March 11, 1964, the Advocate General said, adding there was no ambiguity on various provisions of the Act and it is a straight forward legal document. Explaining under what circumstances, a member of parliament can be disqualified under article 191 (1) (a) and the article 192, the AG pointed out that unfortunately the Constitution did not define or provided any definition of what is office of profit.
The article 191 (1) (a) said a member attracts disqualification if he holds an office of profit. But the Constitution empowers parliament and State legislative assemblies to define the term offices of profit and make the entry list exempting certain appointments under the purview of offices of profit. Referring to the 1964 Nagaland Act and such Acts of other states, Balgopal said if any member was alleged to have occupied office of profit, such matter should be brought to the notice of the Governor and he would take decision after due consultation with the Election Commission.
The Election Commission follows the Supreme Court guidelines on the office of profit issue. However, the decision of the Governor is bending on the member of the assembly, he said. Informing the House about the exempted list, the Advocate General said the entries were alike in most of the north eastern and other states. The entries for exemption from disqualification in 1964 Act included offices of Minister of State, Deputy Minister, Parliamentary Secretary, Chief Whip, Deputy Chief Whip, Chairman, vice-chairman, member of any regional, area, range or village council, Government pleader or Public Prosecutor, a part-time Professor, Lecturer, Instructor or teacher, medical practitioner rendering part time service to Government. The exempted list of the said Act also included offices of Chairman, Vice-Chairman or members of any committee, board or authority appointed by the Government, any office which is not a whole time office remunerated either by salary or fees, any office held in territorial Army and National Cadet Corps (NCC) and any office held in auxiliary air force or air defence reserve. The Advocate General informed the members that the Nagaland State Legislature Members (removal of Disqualification) Act did not exempt the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly from disqualification for holding office of profit.
He, however, advised the members to wait till parliament reviews the issue of office of profit. The members agreed to the AG's suggestion and passed the government resolution. With the passing of the resolution moved by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the Speaker thanked the members for their attendance in the emergency session and adjourned the House sine die.
Winds of change in Indo-US relations — Rabindra Nath Sarma Assam Tribune
India as an independent country has not had a very comfortable relation with the United States of America. The US attitude towards India for decades have been indifferent, rather passive. Two basic reasons that alienated the two democracies had been India’s establishment of an institutionalised security relationship with the Soviet Union at a time when cold-war confrontation was at its peak. Secondly, when the US had been busy organising military blocks and alliances covering the nascent States of Asia and Africa, India declined to join SEATO and refused to send her troops to Korea to fight along with the US army. After the termination of the Second World War, a situation developed throwing the two major partners of war into two opposition blocks, the capitalist block headed by the US and the Warsaw Pact countries headed by USSR. Side by side, there emerged a force comprising the nascent States of Asia and Africa who were eager to play their independent part in world politics. The capitalist block was obsessed with the fear of expansion of Communism to which, a premium was added by the emergence of China as a Communist country in 1949. While the US was bent upon enlisting the support of the third world countries in her effort to contain the spread of Communism. India took the leadership in organising the nascent States as an independent force free from political or military entanglement. These developments were not received cordially by the US and considered as a constraint in the pursuit of US policy in the international arena. As against the above, India’s attitude towards USSR was totally different. While the US enchantment with Pakistan, with whom India fought 3 wars betrays US partisan attitude in favour of that country, USSR always shares the Indian views. In the words of Indira Gandhi, late Prime Minister, :The Soviet Union shares the Indian view on elimination of racialism and colonialism. When matters vitally concerning our national security and integrity become subject of international controversy, the Soviet assessment of the merit of the case coincided largely with our own. The economic relations with the Soviet Union are easier for us, since we pay them through the export of our commodities. This mode of payment makes the Soviet credit self-liquidating”. Further, she said, “Our own national interests compel us to build our economic and defence strength with the help of whoever is prepared to give it”. In this context it may be pertinent to quote some words of Nehru, her father and the first Prime Minister of India. Nehru said “...When I say we should not align ourselves with any power blocks, obviously it does not mean that we should not be closer in our relations with some countries than with others ... our relations can become as close as possible in economic or other domain with such countries with whom we can easily develop them”.

During the post-war period when the capitalist block headed by the US was obsessed with the fear of expansion of Communism and the US wanted the nascent States of Asia and Africa to tow their line and regiment with the policy of containing Communism, India had been supporting the independence of countries, big or small in international relations. In Asian Relation Conference held in New Delhi in 1947 Nehru said”, we propose to stand on our own legs and to cooperate with all others who are prepared to cooperate with us. We donot intend to be playthings of others. The countries of Asia bound to have their own policies in world affairs.” The nascent States’ course towards full independence did not suit the collective security system of the United States and they considered it as breach in the system. India’s refusal to join the SEATO and gradual closer relations with the USSR strained our relations with the US. On the other hand Pakistan drew nearer the United States by joining military alliances.
It is a fact that in the past, many Americans, including Richard B Russell, Chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, termed India as unreliable friend and called Nehru a demagogue and a hypocrite. Russel was against giving one dime of weapon to India during the Chinese armed intrusion in to our territory. In certain section of American press it is reported that it will be “...very dangerous for the US to make a doormat of itself to a country whose leaders have shown little interest or support to the US except to take our money and aid and vilify us at every turn”. Successors of United States President Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and also Richard Nixon were less favourably inclined towards India. However, in the sphere of international relations no relations can remain static. President Bill Clinton’s visit in 2000 appeared to have opened up a vista for new thinking in the American minds, and they began to view India as strategic ally in Asia to counter-weight the emergence of China as a super power in military and economic terms. To the American thinking, Pakistan, her old ally is inadequate to contain China. Many strategic planners in that country think that Pakistan has the national compulsion to maintain a closer relation with China. Thus, to US thinking, inspite of the transgression existed between the two countries India is the best bet for them.
In the matter of international relations nothing can remain static. The best course would be to adjust one’s policy as demanded by circumstances. In the ultimate analysis the whole world is bound to turn up as single unit where there would be no other value than ‘Human Value’ and no other relation other than ‘Human Relation’. In this backdrop we may evaluate the fallout from the American President’s visit to this country and his signing the July 18 nuclear agreement on the future of our country. We may enumerate the benefits that may accrue to India as below: De-facto recognition of India as a nuclear-weapon country. It would ensure guaranteed supply of nuclear fuel and reactors for civilian use. Opening up of trade in duel-technology materials which are hitherto remaining closed.

As against this India will have to open-up her civilian nuclear establishments for scrutiny under the international safeguards and rulers. However, there will be no pressure for capping activities in 8 reactors hitherto used for strategic or military research. We can reasonably believe that it will facilitate expansion of our nuclear facilities for civilian purposes including generation of power in a large scale to feed the power starved country.