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06/25/2006: "Centre, NSCN-IM hold 'fruitful' talks"

Centre, NSCN-IM hold 'fruitful' talks Hidustan Times
The Hague (The Netherlands), June 25 (PTI): Giving a push to the Naga peace process, a group of ministers has concluded "very fruitful" talks here with the NSCN-IM leadership on key issues raised by the rebels, including autonomy for Nagaland.
"This round of talks were part of the ongoing peace process. The talks were quite good and very fruitful," Union Minister, Oscar Fernandes, said after three days of talks with Naga rebel leaders along with Union Minister of State for Home, S Reghupathy, and Minister of State at the PMO, Prithviraj Chouhan. Fernandes, Reghupathy and Chouhan are members of the Group of Ministers constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to look into the Naga peace process.
Asked whether NSCN-IM's 30-point Charter of Demands that included autonomy had figured in the talks, Fernandes said, "we discussed all relevent issues. But we cannot have talks on a piece-meal basis."
"We generally discussed the ongoing ceasefire in Nagaland. But the issue of extension (of the truce beyond July 31) was not taken up in the meeting," he said when asked whether the two sides had discussed extending the ceasefire that will end next month. Asked whether another meeting would be held before July 31, Fernandes said, "certainly another round of talks will be held before the expiry of the date. It is premature to talk about the extension now."
Sources said the 30-point Charter of Demands submitted by the NSCN-IM, including a greater say in the utilisation of Nagaland's natural resources, a separate Constitution, separate flag and control in areas like finance, defence and policing, had figured in the discussions.
The NSCN-IM is insisting on "some kind of concession" from the Centre on its demands to "please domestic constituencies" that have become desperate due to delays in the peace process. However, the Centre's response to this was not known, sources said.
The issue of unification of Naga inhabitated areas in the northeast was also raised by the rebels.
The Naga outfit has made a case for a "federal relationship" with the Indian Union. It has argued that the nature of this relationship should be incorporated in the country's Constitution as well as the separate one for Nagaland. If it is granted, this alone can ensure a lasting settlement to the nation's oldest insurgency problem, sources said.
The government's negotiators are believed to have put forward the Centre's view on the extent of flexibility under the Constitution that could take care of regional diversities and aspirations, sources said. The interlocutor for the Naga talks, K Padmanabhiah, was also present at the meeting while the NSCN-IM was represented by Chairmam, Isak Chishi Swu, and General Secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah.
The Centre began talks with the NSCN-IM in 1997 after the two sides agreed to a ceasefire.
NSCN-IM demand separate constitution The Morung Express

GUWAHATI, June 24 (Reuters): A powerful rebel group in India’s remote northeast has demanded a separate constitution, flag and more control of natural resources and finances to end their decades-old revolt. Leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland submitted their 30-point “charter of demands” to a group of Indian ministers during their latest round of three-day talks which began at The Hague on Thursday.
“We have put up our demand for a federal arrangement between India and Nagaland,” V. Horam, a senior leader of the council told Reuters by phone on Saturday. “The kind of relationship between the two will be worked out in the course of the next rounds of discussions, so that it could be incorporated in the constitutions of India and Nagaland.”
The Indian government and the council have held many talks since a ceasefire in 1997. The truce is due to end on July 31. The Naga rebellion is India’s oldest insurgency, and analysts say peace with the Nagas is crucial to a broader peace in the turbulent northeast, home to dozens of insurgent groups.
NSCN-IM withdraws ceasefire with NSCN(K) Zee news
Kohima, June 24: The historic ceasefire agreement between rival factions of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), signed on June 14 last at Zunheboto district, has been nullified with NSCN-IM president Isak Chishi Swu declaring the agreement as ''farcical imposition'' by NSCN(K). Swu today claimed the representatives of his faction were intimidated into signing the deal. ''THE agreement was ''more of a self-forfeiture of our trust and therefore we hold ourselves not bound by any such farcical imposition,'' he added.

He maintained that in the spirit of reconciliation and in response to the genuine wishes of the Sumi Civil Societies, the NSCN-IM deputed its team, led by Deputy Kilonser Shikato Chishi Swu, to meet some NSCN(K) leaders to foster better understanding between the two groups.

''The NSCN-IM representatives had gone without any arms showing faith and sincerity,'' he said, while alleging that the rival faction team, led by Nikhuyi, came in full combat gear and after creating a commotion by their random firing, intimidated the NSCN-IM officials into signing the ceasefire agreement. The action of the rival faction clearly conveyed the idea that they would all be eliminated, if they refused to sign the ceasefire agreement, Swu added.

He reiterated that the NSCN-IM was totally committed to the peace process and engaged in exploring every possible avenue in finding an honorable political solution acceptable to both the parties, Swu said in order to achieve this objective, faith in the power of collective wisdom and mass participation had become essential. He also said the ''brazen attitude and treacherous action'' displayed by the rival faction was not only an insult to the Sumi civil societies through whose positive efforts these initiatives were made, but also a ''self-forfeiture of trust''.

''Neither do we believe in such forced union nor in the marriage that can be sustained through deception, '' he said.

''The NSCN-IM no longer trusted such people''. He said and alleged the ''Centre had been unscrupulously using these NSCN(K) elements''. Bureau Report
'Practice what you preach' NSCN (IM) told by FGN The Morung Express
Dimapur June 24 (MExN): The FGN has maintained that the “iron hand” policy of the NSCN (IM) is breeding hatred and enmity, which according to the former, was manifested in the recent killing of Mayarping Angkang on June 22 at Kohima “by their rival faction”. And that the NSCN (IM) should not do what it condemns.
“It is unfortunate for the Nagas that they reaffirmed again their policy of iron hand when Emo Mayarping Angkang was killed in Kohima on June 22, 2006 by their rival faction. Condemning the killing without desisting or refraining themselves from killings and violence is a mockery and ridiculous. The iron hand of Muivah bred hatred, enmity, killings and terrorism.” Tungbang, Maidan Peyu of the Ao Region, FGN, stated.
The FGN was of the opinion that “when the socialist political ideology of Th. Muivah was rejected by the Nagas, Muivah and his henchmen started to practice their policy (of) iron hand to deal with their opponents and killed more than three thousand Nagas who opposed socialism, in the past 25 years”. The FGN added the NSCN-IM condemning killings without desisting from itself indulging in killings are a mockery.
“The value of human life is equal whatsoever small or big man, a Tangkhul or other Nagas. They killed thousands of innocent Nagas in cold-blood and condemned the killing of Mayarping Angkang” the FGN asserted and added that this tantamount to making one’s own community above all Nagas.
“Such communalism and chauvinism will make more furious (the issue) and incense other Naga families and communities” it stated.
“If they really condemn the killing, they must first announce and stop killing. They should nobly admit their mistakes and relinquish the so-called NSCN set-up which is facing a failure. This is the only way to stop killing of the Nagas and will pave the way to achieve our national goal” the Maidan Peyu added.
Sumi Hoho upset by CF annulment The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JUNE 24 (MExN): The Sumi Hoho has expressed pain over the decision of the NSCN (IM) decision to annul the Zunheboto ceasefire agreement that was widely reported in yesterday’s local news-dailies.
Refuting the reasons given by the NSCN (IM) that it was made to sign the truce pact under duress citing the “brazen attitude and treacherous action of the NSCN (K) cadres under the command of Nikhuyi,” the Sumi Hoho clarified that the representatives of both NSCN factions had come for the meeting on June 14, 2006 under the escort of Peace Monitoring Cell but never in full combat.
“And in no case the agreement was signed under intimidation, force nor persuasions”, the Sumi Hoho stated in a rejoinder issued by President H.S Rotokha and General Secretary Aheto V. Yepthomi. “There was of course, a bit of disagreement on area coverage in the course of discussion. However, the representatives of both the factions came to a conclusion that the agreement should initially cover all Sumi inhabited and not Zunheboto district exclusively”, the statement maintained.
The Sumi Hoho informed that the representatives of both the factions were convinced and signed four points of agreement witnessed by Sumi Hoho and Sumi Kukami Hoho in presence of all Sumi NGOs. Further, this agreement between the two NSCN factions was welcomed and fully endorsed by the Sumi general public meeting on June 23, it was informed.
The Sumi Hoho also clarified that it had received reports of firing at Khukiye Lukhai and Chisholimi on June 14 but that on inquiry, it came to light that the firing happened before the agreement was signed and it was ordered to be stopped.
The Sumi Hoho and other civil societies appealed to all leaderships to be more sincere in their approach towards peace and reconciliation process regardless of ‘insignificant hurdles that may stand on the way’. “We expect a sense of mutual understanding will prevail in the best interest of the Nagas in general”, it stated.

Sumi general public meeting endorse ceasefire The Morung Express

DIMAPUR, JUNE 24 (MExN): The Sumi General public meeting held on Friday, June 23 has fully endorsed the bilateral ceasefire agreement signed by the NSCN factions on June 14 under the initiative of the Sumi Hoho for cessation of armed clashes among the factions. The meeting also urged upon the concerned leaders to initiate such agreements to all sectors in Nagaland.
The five point resolution adopted also appreciated the timely intervention and selfless efforts put in by the Peace Monitoring Cell Zunheboto in preventing more bloodshed in and around Zunheboto town. It also resolved that the present PMCZ continues its operation.
The public meeting also resolved that similar Peace Monitoring Cell shall be formed in each and every towns and areas at the earliest so as to monitor such situation as and when required.
In this regard, executive members of Sumi Hoho, Sumi Kukami Hoho, Sumi Totimi Hoho and Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu of the respective towns and areas have been entrusted for its formation.
It also urged the concern leaders to expedite the peace and reconciliation process with sincerity for an honorable and expectable unification as per agreement signed on June 14.
The meeting also reiterated its support to the ongoing peace process for an early and honorable solution to the vexed Indo-Naga political issue as per the laid down principles.
Judiciary & Executive should be separated in Nagaland: Justice Sema The Morung Express
Dimapur, June 24 (MExN): In the context of Nagaland Judiciary and Executive, where traditional conventions have been fused with exigent legislations, the need to affect total separation of powers of both organs from each other is not only a compulsion but most importantly, a necessity. This assertion was made by Justice HK Sema, Judge of the Supreme Court who held the view that the two must be separated ‘since it is a complete necessity’.
“The separation of the Judiciary from the Executive is a necessity” Justice HK Sema asserted in an informal interaction after inaugurating the Dimapur Bar Association building at DC (Judicial) Court Complex, Dimapur June 24. “One cannot be a judge as well as the prosecutor. That is why separation of the two powers is necessary and the two should be separated in Nagaland. It is a necessity” he said.
Elaborating on his contention why a separation should be caused, the Supreme Court Judge implied that traditional laws as fused with the administration was more or less inconsistent with emergent needs. “One day the people of Nagaland is going to have its own High court; it’s going to have its own separate permanent bench in future and as such we need separation; it is a necessity” His Lordship reiterated adding that a democratic country cannot monopolize two subjects. “One cannot be a judge as well as the prosecutor” Justice Sema reiterated.
Meanwhile, delivering his address as Chief Guest at the inauguration, Justice HK Sema called for maintaining the sanctity of the courts of law. His Lordship, who is the only Naga to ascend the country’s Judiciary echelons, reminded that the law of a democratic court is supreme and these statutes should be upheld sagaciously and reverently. “In a democratic country like ours the rule of law is supreme – in the Upanishads, it says that law is much more powerful than kings. Through law, the weak prevails over the strong; the peon can prevail over the Chief Minister” Justice Sema asserted.
The Justice also urged the legal representatives to endeavor keeping in mind the needs of the people and cautioned that lest their commitment wavers, the integrity of their profession as law interpreters would be undermined by the common man. He urged the legal representatives present to endeavor with dedication and honesty “since there are no limits to rising higher”. “There is no substitute for hard work. The best example is oneself” Justice HK Sema exhorted and wished all the legal guardians success and goodwill in their future endeavors.
Earlier in the programme Rev M Sakhrie said the invocation after which Justice Sema unveiled the Plague. The programme was chaired by Aphien Gonmai, DBA Treasurer while the welcome address was delivered by DK Nagi, president of the association. The Nagaland Law Students Federation (NLSF) also treated the gathering with a special number. The Vote of Thanks was offered by Akito Zhimomi, Executive member, DBA.
Sumi Hoho reacts to Isak’s charges Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, JUNE 24 (NPN): Contrary to the reasons given by the NSCN-IM for annulling the June 14 Zunheboto ceasefire agreement signed between the rival NSCNs, the Sumi Hoho (SH) today clarified that in no case was the agreement signed under intimidation, force or persuasion. The hoho also said that representatives of the two factions who attended the meeting under the escort of Peace Monitoring Cell were "never in full combat."
Earlier on Friday, the NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chishi Swu had declared the agreement as a "farcical imposition" by the NSCN-K as the NSCN-IM representatives were allegedly intimidated into signing the deal. Swu in an "Annulment Azha" said the agreement was "more of a self-forfeiture of our trust and therefore we hold ourselves not bound by any such farcical imposition."
Expressing pain at Swu's statement, Sumi Hoho president HS Rotokha and general secretary Aheto V Yepthomi, in a press statement admitted that initially there were some differences on the ambit of the ceasefire in the course of discussion. However, representatives of both the factions came to a conclusion that the agreement should initially cover all Sumi inhabited areas and not Zunheboto district exclusively, the hoho said and added that the two sides were finally convinced and later signed a 4-point agreement, which was witnessed by Sumi Hoho and Sumi Kukami in presence of all Sumi NGOs.
On the NSCN-IM allegation that its cadres were ambushed at Khukiye Lukhai and Chisholimi while they were returning after the meeting, the Sumi Hoho said after inquiring into the matter it was found out that the firing took place before the agreement was signed. Appealing to all "leaderships" to be more sincere in their approach towards peace and reconciliation, the statement further informed that Sumi Hoho and other civil societies expect mutual understanding to prevail in the best interest of Nagas.
Meanwhile, the Sumi general public meeting that was held on June 23 urged the leaders concerned to expedite the peace and reconciliation process with sincerity, for an "honourable and expectable unification" as per the June 14 agreement. Fully endorsing the agreement signed under the aegis of the Sumi Hoho, the meeting also urged the leaders to initiate such pacts in all parts of Nagaland. The meeting appreciated the commendable role played by Peace Monitoring Cell, Zunheboto, in preventing more bloodshed and also resolved to form similar peace cells in all towns and areas. The meeting further reiterated support to the ongoing peace process.
Isak Swu’s cease fire annulment draws flak Newmai News Network
Kohima, June 24: The powerful Sumi (Sema tribe) Hoho, the apex body of the Sumi community, has taken Isak Chishi Swu’s annulment of the ceasefire between the two NSCN factions in Sumi areas as a betrayal to the Sumi people insisting that the declaration has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sumi community. Sumi Hoho President, H. S. Rotokha however doubted that the statement was actually issued by Swu. Contradicting Isak Swu’s allegations that the NSCN (IM) was forced to sign the ceasefire agreement, Rotokha insisted that the Sumi Hoho witness that none of the parties involved were made to sign under duress. “The move was made with the good intention of letting them (underground factions) come together and pave the way for an honourable merger. We want all factions to come together”, Rotokha explained.
Assuring that there is no tension yet in Sumi areas as a result of Swu’s annulment of the ceasefire, he pointed out that the NSCN (K) has put its cadres under alert following the declaration.
NPMHR members complain of ‘democratic deficit’ in Delhi Unit The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JUNE 24 (MExN): Members belonging to the NPMHR Delhi Unit addressing themselves as ‘members of NPMHR, Delhi Unit in the interest of the public’ have issued a press communiqué pointing out that the decision to keep the NPMHR, Delhi Unit, in abeyance was undemocratic in nature and bias in action and that it was “still not convinced as to why Delhi Unit should have been kept in abeyance in the first place”.
Stating that it wanted to put on record their decision taken on June 23, the statement pointed out that the decision was necessitated in the wake of ‘democratic deficit being face by the members of NPMHR, Delhi Unit.
“The honourable members have agreed to come out in the public domain for the interest of the members of the NPMHR in particular and the Naga people in general”, the communiqué stated.
The members stated that in the General Assembly of the NPMHR on May 6, 2006, they had clearly pointed out in the GA proceedings for ‘serious consideration of all the interest, opinions, views, sentiments etc in good spirit, once the committee has been formed to resolve and constitute a new team for Delhi Unit. “However, it is learnt that favouritism has been obvious in constituting a new team for Delhi Unit. Moreover, not all the members have been informed of who are those persons in the new team”, the communiqué addressed to the NPMHR Secretary General stated.
As such the members considered this as a deliberate attempt to suppress the right to information of all members.
The communiqué also termed as immature and unbecoming of some of the members of Delhi Unit had a meeting without informing all its members on June 17, 2006 when the Naga Students’ Union, Delhi was in the middle of hectic preparation for the June 20th Rally for Peace and Justice. “The motive behind calling the meeting was objectionable in the sense that the initiators for the June 17 meeting knew to themselves very well that most of the honourable members were actively assisting and helping the NSUD for making the rally a successful one”, it informed.
As such the communiqué stated that the manner in which the meeting has been called is not only undemocratic but also has high potential of vitiating the NPMHR itself. “This sinister way has led us to a condition where to place trust on the new team will not be an easy task for the honourable members. The communiqué stated that it did not recognise the action plans chalked out by five members on 17 June meeting where majority (8-10 in numbers) of the members had not participated in the decision making.
It was also pointed out that members decided that all the units of NPMHR must not work hand in glove with any civil society which does not subscribe to the similar principle of the NPMHR. “In this historic moment, the honourable members have serious doubt on the sincerity of those active members of the NPMHR who are having deep linkage with The Other Media and other Indian NGOs to work for the Naga cause.”
While stating that having solidarity with all civil societies is important and necessary for the NPMHR, however, it cautioned that it would be a ‘profundity of destruction’ to the people’s movement for their right to self-determination, if, an active member of the NPMHR is always in line with “the puppeteers”.
NPMHR Delhi Press Statement Press Communiqué
Date: 24/06/06 In the midst of various new developments that are taking place in the society, the honourable members of the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights, Delhi Unit, desired to put on record their decision that was taken on Friday, the 23rd of June 2006 with regard to the prevailing scenario in the aftermath of the NPMHR, Delhi Unit, being kept in abeyance on December 24, 2005. The above decision has been necessitated in the wake of democratic deficit being faced by the honourable members of NPMHR, Delhi Unit. It is hope that every individual will sincerely understand the good intension of this move. The following points have been carefully considered and weighed, and the honourable members have agreed to come out in the public domain for the interest of the members of the NPMHR in particular and the Naga people in general. The points are as under:

1. That, the honourable members are of the opinion that devoid of reason for keeping the NPMHR, Delhi Unit, in abeyance was undemocratic in nature and bias in action. Besides, the honourable members are still not convinced as to why Delhi Unit should have been kept in abeyance in the first place.
2. That, the honourable members, in the General Assembly of the NPMHR on May 6, 2006, has clearly pointed out in the GA proceedings for serious consideration of all the interest, opinions, views, sentiments etc. in good spirit, once the committee has been formed to resolve and constitute a new team for Delhi Unit. However, it is learnt that favouritism has been obvious in constituting a new team for Delhi Unit. Moreover, not all the members have been informed of who are those persons in the new team. This is beyond doubt a deliberate attempt to suppress the right to information of all members. The honourable members are dismayed to learn that such policy would still be employ especially after the GA.
3. That, it is immature and unbecoming of some of the members of Delhi Unit had a meeting without informing all its members on June 17, 2006 when the Naga Students’ Union, Delhi was in the middle of hectic preparation for the June 20th Rally for Peace and Justice. The motive behind calling the meeting was objectionable in the sense that the initiators for the June 17 meeting knew to themselves very well that most of the honourable members were actively assisting and helping the NSUD for making the rally a successful one. It will not be out of place to state that the manner in which the meeting has been called is not only undemocratic but also has high potential of vitiating the NPMHR itself. This sinister way has led us to a condition where to place trust on the new team will not be an easy task for the honourable members. The honourable members did not recognise the action plans chalked out by five members on 17 June meeting where majority (8-10 in numbers) of the members were not participated in the decision making.
4. The last but not the least, the honourable members decided that all the units of NPMHR must not work hand in glove with any civil society which does not subscribe to the similar principle of the NPMHR. In this historic moment, the honourable members have serious doubt on the sincerity of those active members of the NPMHR who are having deep linkage with The Other Media and other Indian NGOs to work for the Naga cause. The honourable members agreed in principle that having solidarity with all civil societies is important and necessary for the NPMHR. However, the point to be noted here is that it would be a profundity of destruction to the people’s movement for their right to self-determination, if, an active member of the NPMHR is always in line with the puppeteers.

Issued by the honourable members of NPMHR, Delhi Unit in the interest of the public
Copy to: Secretary General NPMHR and all the Units.
Now American IT firm show interest in Nagaland The Morung Express
Dimapur, June 24 (MExN): With a corresponding signing of a deal with ADSNetCurve, a leading IT firm in the United States, COSYNE Enterprise has evinced considerable interest in forming partnerships and investment between American firms and with those from North East India, particularly, the state of Nagaland. COSYNE Enterprise’s unit in Nagaland, COSYNE Internet Centre, which is located at Midland, Dimapur will be hosting Perry Ram, CEO of COSYNE Enterprise on June 26.
A circular from COSYNE issued by Dr Aola Imcha, informed that CEO Perry Ram, from Atlanta, USA and on his maiden business trip to the state, will be in Dimapur on the scheduled date to discuss IT partnerships and investment between American firms and those from NE, Nagaland state in particular. The CEO will also launch the exclusive Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) courses and exams in the North East, according to the circular. MOS is the only globally recognized certificate for office package in the world, it was informed. “Because of it growing popularity and demand all over the world, Microsoft has given Cyberlearning the privilege to conduct tests in all of South Asia. Cyberlearning, who is COSYNE’s partner, has recognized the work COSYNE has done and awarded us the exclusive rights from Microsoft to offer in North East India” Dr Aola Imcha stated.
It was also informed that COSYNE has signed a deal with ADSNetCurve, stated to be one of the fastest growing IT firms in the United States. COSYNE will jointly operate its SDPI facility in Mangalore from July 1. It was also added that the centre is planning to open another SDPI in Guwahati. Dr Mendinaro will be the Chief Executive of the Indian operations, it was stated.
Differing Media Priorities At Imphal And New Delhi By: Lal Ala E Pao news
If there is someone who, out of necessity or curiosity, makes it his business to search for and collect news relating to Manipur (or even the northeast excluding Assam) on a daily basis in the New Delhi-based newspapers, he may either end up happy, or frustrated. Happy, because there rarely are news reports to work on and hence, lots of leisure. Or frustrated, because most of whatever little news he obtained will be negative news. And if he takes the extra trouble to make a comparison of the regular headlines in Manipur newspapers and those that appear in the national newspapers, he will probably be flustered by the extent in which the two differed, in terms of priorities and news selection.

So, while the noisy daily protests over the integrity issue in the Imphal valley regularly gets top-billing in the Manipur dailies, the national papers usually do not reflect that sentiment. On the rare occasions in which Manipur is in the news, it usually is about the moral policing by insurgents: dress code for students, ban on shades in restaurants or beedis etc, the scourge of AIDS, Army’s counter-insurgency operations, AFSPA or NSCN-India talks (not necessarily in that order). A cursory glance would also reveal that among the northeastern states (excluding Assam, which is in a different category altogether), Meghalaya seems to have obtained the most attention. Maybe, the cosmopolitan character of Shillong, the capital, and personalities like PA Sangma have something to do with it. Even the tiny Mizoram seems to be better-placed than us in terms of media coverage. And most of the news from there are positive news- World Bank financing projects, progress made in bamboo harvesting, its promotion of handicraft works or the government’s initiatives to counter the bamboo flowering menace etc. In fact, sources from the government here said that the Mizoram government had already presented a detailed plan to tide over the coming food crisis to the Centre. If there is any major negative news about the state, it is the Reang issue which is one very emotive issue from an outsider’s perspective.

However, more attention seems to have shifted to Manipur since the recent past. From early this year, Manipur is in lots of news here. And they were about landmines and mass rapes and the Army’s counter-insurgency operations. Most of these reports were not found in mass-circulation papers like the Hindustan Times or Times of India, but in smaller ones like The Pioneer, the Indian Express or The Asian Age. Interestingly, most of the detailed reports on landmines and mass rapes in Manipur were filed by reporters from Shillong or Aizawl. Reports of nexus between the government (or Ibobi Singh) and militant groups also did not appear only in Outlook-which reported on the case twice- but in newspapers like the Asian Age and The Pioneer. As for the mass rape issue, the most detailed writing on it in the national media, even if a little belated, is given by Frontline (Violence and Violation by Malini, Issue June 1-16, 2006).
This week, the big news about the northeast here is the Naga-India talks which commenced last Thursday at The Hague, in the Netherlands. The Economic Times gave a detailed analysis on the proposals likely to be taken up at the talks in its Wednesday issue. The reports emphasized the point that a Jammu & Kashmir-like status for Nagaland is under active consideration at the talks, which if true, will mark a major climb-down on the part of the NSCN (The NSCN-IM leadership in Dimapur subsequently refuted the reports). The Indian Express, June 22 issue reported that the government has dispatched two more union ministers viz. S. Reghupathy and Prithviraj Chauhan for the Hague talks to assuage NSCN’s feelings that Oscar Fernandes alone may not have the necessary clout to convince the government on the need to fulfill demands forwarded by the outfit. The Naga outfit has been smarting under the non-progress at the talks, especially relating to the core demand of integration of Naga areas. The ceasefire between the two is due to expired on July 31, 2006. A rally organized here on June 19 by the Naga Students Union, Delhi (NSUD) in support of the NSCN demands was also reported in The Hindu, Indian Express and Hindustan Times. Even though only The Hindu gives a detailed report, it is nevertheless significant given the fact that no newspapers here had reported on a rally previously organized on the mass rape issue in Tipaimukh.

Lastly, how much importance does the national newspapers accorded to the ‘Great June Uprising Day 2006’ in Manipur? As it is, only The Hindu reported on the observations function at Imphal. The Hindu, in its main national page, carried a detailed UNI report on the observation held at Kekrupat (Great June Uprising) and at GM Hall (5th Unity Day) along with a PTI photo. The report mentioned, among other things that speakers at the function (which one I don’t know) demanded a constitutional amendment for safeguarding Manipur’s territorial integrity. As for other regular headlines in Manipur, like the success stories of revolutionary groups, they are conspicuous by their absence in the national capital.