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06/29/2006: "Talks in top gear; deal to be clinched in Bangkok"

Talks in top gear; deal to be clinched in Bangkok Kuknalim.com
NEW DELHI, June 28: In the words of the Prime Minister’s Principal Interlocutor “From first gear it has now moved into fourth gear”. And unlike the politician’s hyperbole it is a cautious bureaucrat, Mr K. Padmanabhiah, describing it as the first breakthrough in the five-year Naga peace process. It is now official. As reported earlier by The Tribune, the contours of the Naga peace settlement will resemble that of a special Kashmir-type status within the Indian union.

From a demand of absolute sovereignty to the current “open mind’’ of the NSCN (I/M) which involves a “special federal relationship with India where Nagaland and India will be inseparably bound together’’ is indeed a long walk together for peace.
Sources say the accord with the Nagas will entail changes in Article 7 of the Constitution which deals with relations with the states. At present, this does not apply to Jammu & Kashmir. Articles 151 to 237, a total of 88 articles, are however, reflected in the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly while the NSCN wants a separate constitution the government wants to settle for providing a special chapter in the Indian Constitution.

Part six of the Constitution deals with the role and powers of the Governor, the state legislature, the state judiciary and the Advocate-General of India. These provisions do not apply in Jammu and Kashmir and have been incorporated in the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution. Constitutional experts are of the view that a similar arrangement can be made with the Nagas incorporating their unique tribal culture into account either in the shape of a separate constitution like Jammu and Kashmir or as a special chapter in the Constitution.
While, the fine print of the deal will be thrashed out over the next meeting to be held in Bangkok all the midnight oil that Mr Padmanabhiah has been burning studying the constitution of India and Jammu and Kashmir has obviously borne fruit. He and the political team have obviously been able to find a “marketable solution’’. For the NSCN to accept anything short of complete independence is in the words of one of the ministers involved in the negotiations, “a remarkable breakthrough’’.
Clearly all the prayers led by Isaac Chisi Swu, a devout Christian, before the start of the meetings have paid off. Sources say the settlement will involve giving Nagaland a special status within the Indian Union. It will be largely ceremonial in nature. And, then the more than a decade-long insurgency will stop. Speaking exclusively to the Tribune, Mr Padmanabhiah stuck a note of cautious optimism. “The talks are on track; Let us hope for the best. We have all worked hard for five years to bring about this situation,’’ he said. The flurry of meetings after the negotiations in The Hague is a pointer that the next meeting could be the clincher. Analysts point out the magnitude of concession “from a demand of complete independence to an inseparable union with India it is a huge breakthrough.’’
According to senior officials, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s brief to the negotiators was that “the Constitution is flexible, it can accommodate them. As long as they are part of India... .’’
The Naga blueprint may well provide a pointer to other separatist problems.
The writer, Swati Chaturvedi is an anchor with Janmat TV and writes regularly for The Tribune.

Integration is a Political Necessity The Morung Express Athikho Kaisü
The aspiration of the Nagas to live in a single political unit is by no means a new phenomenon. In fact, the memorandum submitted to the Simon Commission in 1929 for the exclusion of the Nagas in the reorganization plan on the ground that they had never been under the control of any authority but governed by themselves based on customary laws and practices tells it all. Though the petition has been ignored by the Commission, it has set the course for the Nagas to struggle to live in a single political unit and for a Naga national identity.
It is the Nagas’ constant mission to liberate from the arbitrary and imposed territory since the inception of their national movement. Right from the beginning of the Naga national movement, the founding fathers were well aware of the fact that there is no solution without integration of territory. The struggle for territorial integration and self-determination is an integral part of their freedom movement. In no ambiguous term the Nagas’ struggle, marked by intermittent violence and accords/agreements, always has unification of Naga contiguous areas a pre-requisite for any final political settlement. It was a conscious choice that other than reorganisation of the imposed territory there is not short cut for political solution. Any non-territorial and fragmentation proposal is simply unacceptable to the Nagas.
Territorial reorganisation is a pre-requisite for justice and development since the nature of political injustice and military oppression is closely interwoven with the mechanism that segmented the Nagas. The power that divides the Nagas has indirectly institutionalised violence, which to a large extent limited the use of alternative non-violent struggle. Integration is essential because maintaining of territorial status quo will only continue to promote injustice and violence in a most cruel form. Any attempt to scuttle the struggle for territorial reorganisation will seriously undermine social harmony and peaceful co-existence, which will surely jeopardize political stability.
The decimation of the Naga contiguous areas by politically imposed territorial boundaries is a deliberate attempt to weaken the struggle and keep the Nagas under perpetual domination. This plot has not only undermined the integrity of the Naga people but also directly contributed to their poor socio-economic development. While maintaining territorial status quo, politico-social policies were largely ignored and people are manipulated to pay the cost without hope of justice and development. This policy might have served the imperialist interest and suited the leaders of Indian State, but have brought untold misery and bloodshed to the people.
It may be emphasised that the Nagas’ love for their land and territory has emerged not out of insecurity or threat to their identity but is the consequence of historical fact and political exigency. It is amply clear that the very fact of their existent is inseparable from their land and territory. It is the land that defines their identity and tradition. Land and territory is an integral part of their culture. The Nagas simply want what is theirs and nothing more. They are living in their own land and it is they should have the right to possess. Having demarcated them without their consent for so long, anything less than integration is gross injustice and meaningless.
There is no doubt for the Nagas on the genuineness of their cause and the deception of those protests against integration, who do not have either moral or political authority to determine their future. It should be known to all that there is little scope for justice and development in the absence of territorial integration. There is nothing to hope of having a bright future within the existing territorial arrangement. The salvation of the Nagas’ struggle to live in their own term and condition does not lie in maintaining the territorial status quo.
Those anti-integration preaching on territorial integrity is nothing but just a scheme to share and grab the Nagas’ land. Otherwise, they have nothing to lose or gain from territorial integration because the Nagas are not claiming an inch of land that does not belong to them. Indeed, the convention debarred the plain people from buying land or owning property in the hill areas. The question of gifting away their (anti-integration) land to appease the Nagas is simply unfounded since the land is belonged to the Nagas.
In particular, the subject of land is becoming a burning issue in Manipur due to the steady increase of population in the already congested valley. When bulk of the population of the state is concentrated in the four valley districts (Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur), which together constitute only one-tenths of the total geographical areas of the state, relocation is bound to take place in the greener and less populated areas. It is obvious that rapid increase of population will sooner or latter compel the government to accommodate the excess, which is already started in the form of Manipur Land Reforms and Revenue Act (MLR &RA). Taking note of this fact, Tenth Plan Document (Manipur) 2002-07, Government of India, clearly states “the human pressure of the state has risen to such an alarming degree with the over increasing per capita land availability that it is likely to become the root cause of all political, economic and social problems”.
There is no time to hide the reality, therefore, when many Constitutional authorities, including the present incumbent of the Indian State have admitted that the conflict is a political issue and has to be resolved politically. It would be rudely unkind and disgraceful on the part of the negotiating parties to let the issue unresolved when they themselves are aware of the fact for the need of a solution. The future generation will not easily forgive to those who ignore to resolve the issues even after knowing the reality.
The Nagas are keenly watching the ongoing political talks. Everyone is for peace and another round of violence needs to be resolutely turned down. The political negotiation may take months or years; nevertheless the expectation is that honourable solution should be found. Nothing would be more unfortunate and painful when political talk collapsed due to callousness of Indian state on territorial integration.
Naga ceasefire likely to extend by 6 months The Morung Express
NEW DELHI, JUNE 28 (AGENCIES): With the successful conclusion of a meaningful round of peace talks with NSCN-IM, the Naga ceasefire which ends in the third week of July, is likely to be extended by another six months. While one round of Naga peace talks concluded at Amsterdam on June 25 sources said another round of meetings was expected around July 15.The participants will remain the same. The venue will be decided later on.
The meeting on June 25 was attended by Minister of state for Home S Reghupati, Minister of state at PMO Prithviraj Chouhan, and Minister of state without portfolio Oscar Fernandes.
Informed sources said the ministerial team has expressed satisfaction at the conclusion of the meeting and the ceasefire was expected to be extended by another six months.
The NSCN-IM was represented by Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.Meanwhile, it was learnt that Dhimasas of Assam were likely to be invited for talks at the Centre for initiating a peace process in the Karbi Anglong region of Asom. The Dhimasas were also expected to announce unilateral ceasefire from their side.
CM takes stand on text book drama Source: The Sangai Express
Impal, Jun 28: Taking serious note of the report that some schools in some hill districts have started teaching the books prescribed by Nagaland Board, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today called up the officials concerned to discuss the matter. The Chief Minister has also given strict instructions to the officials to submit a detailed report on the matter at the earliest possible.

According to information received by the press, the meeting was held in the office chamber of the Chief Minister from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm today to discuss the issue.

Apart from the Chief Minister, Education Minister L Nandakumar, Power and Horticulture Minister Francis Ngajokpa, Health and Family Welfare Minister DK Korungthang, Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh and Secretary of Board of Secondary Education, Manipur Ph Nandakumar, the meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners and ZEOs concerned of Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenglong districts from where the report of books prescribed by Nagaland Board are being taught in some private schools following pressures from organisations was received by the Govt.

Though the Deputy Commissioner of Chandel district could not make it to the meeting, the ZEO was present during the meeting. Commencing the meeting straight away with the discussion on the issue, the officials, however, maintained that they have not received any complaint from the schools in this regard. To this, the Chief Minister instructed the Deputy Commissioners to convene a joint meeting of all the district level ZEOs and the guardians of the students to verify how far the information received by the Government is true and submit a detailed report accordingly at the earliest possible. To ensure early implementation of the instruction, the Chief Minister also asked the Chief Secretary to issue an order to all the DCs and the ZEOs concerned in this connection. Meanwhile, according to an official source, in the wake of the campaign being launched by some organisations for prescribing books of Nagaland Board, around 40 students from private schools in Ukhrul district have transmigrated to the Govt schools. All these students are from class IX and X, the official added.
Westernisation threat to Naga culture
By N.C. Zeliang President of Zeliangrong Heraka Association in Christianaggression.org
Zeliangrong Heraka Association believes that ‘Loss of religion is loss of culture and loss of culture is loss of identity’. Genuine cultural identity of any society is comprised of indigenous religion, native culture, language, glorious history of forefathers, art and crafts, rites and rituals, traditional village institutions and customary laws. We work to enhance every component of Naga identity. Today, it has become a fashion in Naga society to talk about Naga identity while cutting the roots of every component that constitute genuine Naga identity. Wearing costly dresses, singing pop-songs, drinking foreign whisky and rum, disco-dance, beauty pageants, violation of civic rules and disobedience in the name of civil liberty, indecent dress and heinous deeds, etc. are not the symbol of Naga identity. It is in fact the state of confusion and perversion. Unfortunately, the disrespect to law of the land, violation of customary laws, dereliction of government duties, neglect of social responsibilities, embezzlement of public money, behaving as a mafia don, disrespect of Naga religion and traditional festivals and gasconadors and impostors posing as the spiritual awakener and savior of the soul are being considered as symbol of progressiveness and advancement. High rate of consumption of intoxicants by Naga youths, boys and girls have led to many maladies including the spread of killer HIV/AIDS.
The root cause of all these problems lie in the adoption of western way of life hedonic consumerism and disrespect of Naga religion and culture. If we wish to save Naga society from doom and downfall we have to return to our forefathers’ root. Westernisation in the name of modernisation is dangerous. Modernisation and economic development should be brought over in tune with Naga indigenous religion, culture, heritage, arts and crafts, customs and customary laws, etc. A lasting peace must return to Nagaland for perfect and permanent prosperity.
Under the influence of western culture, it has become the fashion to discard, dishonour and disown our own forefathers and condemn them as head-hunter, naked, wild, pagan and heathen. But whose forefathers were not so in pre-Vedic periods? Pre-historic people were nomads, naked, raw-meat eaters and raw food eaters and very often people were killed in feudal clashes. This type of human - history is common throughout the globe. Our forefathers were no exception to this fact. The same early men evolved Greek Civilisation, Indus Valley Civilisation and several other civilisations on the earth. Todays’ people are proud of these forefathers because they were also followers of their own native religion and they were not Christian. Head-hunting practice in Naga forefathers was not a savagery. It signifies valour and bravery of our forefathers. In any war, people were killed. The victorious warrior is honoured for his courage and valour. He is not condemned as murderer and savage.
But in case of Naga forefathers, some of our misguided people do not identify the virtues of our forefathers and these misguided people condemn them as head-hunters. It is a conspiracy hatched by foreign missionaries and Brithsh Government in connivance with white writers to malign and undermine glorious Naga history. Is it not true that at the time of birth of a boy it is a custom in Naga society that elders of the family and clan visit to newly born baby and bless him to become brave like a warrior? Zeliangrong Heraka Association upholds the valour and virtues of Naga forefathers and works to popularise it among the young and old from Naga society. This was the clear and obvious perception of Zeiiangrong Heraka Movement, which angered British rulers and foreign Christian missionaries. This was the reason that they killed Haipou Jadonang on fake murder charge. They also attempted to eliminate Rani Maa. But with the grace of Lord Tingwang she could escape unharmed. But hostile elements worked tirelessly to finish her and neutralise
her influence on Naga people by doing her character assassination.

Rani Maa and myself met former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi along with a Zeliangrong team and submitted a memorandum demanding integration of Zeliangrong people in one administrative unit. On the advice of Rajiv Gandhi, Buta Singh, the then Home Minister, assured us to fulfill our demand of integration and the file in Union Home Ministry started moving in our favour. But the game was spoiled by the Church leaders of our own community. Because of opposition by the Church leaders, the decision was kept in abeyance in Delhi. The Church was in habit of opposing Rani Ma. This time also they did the same. The only reason for opposing this achievement was that Rani Ma, N.C. Zeliang and members of the team were not Christian. They were Heraka. In fact, Hindu leaders had also supported our demand at that time. Thus, we lost the golden opportunity due to lack of foresight.

In the changed scenario at national and international level the premier underground organisation is negotiating with Delhi for integration of Naga inhabitted areas with Nagaland. On behalf of Zeliangrong Heraka Association Assam, Nagaland and Manipur and on my own behalf, I send my goodwill and good wishes for the success of on-going dialogue. I appeal to Government to assess and understand the ground realities in Naga society and do the needful for lasting peace and prosperity in Naga area.

Because of our association with some national leaders and organisations and because of our rejection of foreign religion and culture, a malacious propaganda was made against us. We were accused of being Hinduised under the influence of Hindu leaders. The accusers stated that Naga identity would be harmed immensely under Hindu influence. But now this fear from Hindu influence is cleared because of the advent of mass media and interaction of Nagas with Hindu society in rest part of the country. Educated and enlightened Nagas are aware of world history. They are also aware how several civilisations, their religions and cultures in countries like Greece, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Moracco, Thailand and Indonesia, etc are finished by the followers of Islam. It is also known to them how the religions and cultures of people of South Africa, native people of USA like Cheroki, Inca, Maya and Aztec tribes collectively known as Red-Indians and several other indigenous people of American and European sub-continent including UK were uprooted, their religious and history books were burnt and their worship places were demolished by Church.
On the contrary, Nagas have been living with Hindu society from centuries and they are not converted to Hindu Dharma. Rather, Hindus encourage us to preserve, protect and progress our own indigenous religion, culture and traditional festivals. Hindus believe in co-existence, not in survival of die fittest. Today the world is changed. In 1997, a team of 22 Japanese scholars visited several places in Nagaland and did video-recording of Naga customs and traditions. It was a part of their research to revive their ancient faith and culture. Americans, Britishers and other European Countries are researching and working hard to revive their forefathers’ religions and cultures. They have identified that lack of spirituality and destruction of joint family system, have given rise to major problems at national and international level. The recent failures of USA in domestic and international conflict managament and attack of Al-Queda on World Trade Centre on 11 September 2001 have strengthened the fear of holocaust in the mind of Americans. They are, therefore, organising Pagan Conferences to revive ancient faith and culture. The number of Church-goers in western countries are sizeably diminishing. The Protestant Church and Catholic Church are looking towards southeast Asian countries particularly India for nuns and missionaries. Several of Naga missionaries and nuns are working in America, Britain and other American and European sub-continents. Catholic Church is mostly dependent on India for Catholic priests and nuns. This is the reason that all the denominations of Catholic and Protestant Churches are pouring money to increase their numbers in India particularly in Northeast reason. The first missionary- St. Thomas, landed in India almost 2000 years ago but the Christian population in India is only 2.5 percent. We must protect our religion and culture from being extinct. Zeliangrong
Heraka Association stands for tills purpose. The Heraka Youth leaders should know the sacrifices made by lieutenants of Rani’s army such as Ramjo, Dekei, Gumhei of Mbaupungwa, Areliu of Ntuma, Italakpe of Lalong and Igwangtuing of Peren. This is not the exhaustive collection. The list goes on and on.

It is good that Nagas have today realised the grave dangers to genuine Naga identity posed by alien forces. The traditional Naga festivals, which were once condemned by Church, are now being observed even by Christians with gaity. It is a happy development. Naga scholars should come forward to collect and compile the customs, traditions, festivals and customary laws and publish it in book forms for the use of posterity. While doing so, the collection, compilation, explanation and narration of different aspects of festivals, traditions, traditional worships, rites and rituals, etc. should be original and exactly as per our forefathers’ belief and practice. The explanations and narrations should be free from foreign influence. Zeliangrong Heraka Association calls upon all enlightened Naga people to revive Naga religion and culture to protect genuine Naga Identity. The Heraka youths should serve the society selflessly in this respect with more commitment.
I also call upon the Christian community particularly Church leaders from Naga society to adopt tolerant perception and attitude towards indigenous faith and culture. The Church leaders from Nagaland may think of introducing Naga customs, traditions and way of worship in Church service. In Kerala Catholic Church and Marthoma Church have adopted Malayali customs and way of worship in their Church services. It can also happen in Churches of Nagaland too so that Naga identity is not eroded.
NAGALAND
The War Within M. AMARJEET SINGH The Hidu but first published by South asian terrorism Poratal
As the peace-process becomes a mockery, perhaps time to ask: Is Nagaland heading back to the days of continuous fratricidal wars between the 'national workers' out to restore all that was wonderful in the state before 'India' decided to 'plunder and subjugate'?
Another round to talks between the union government and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland – Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) concluded at The Hague on June 25, 2006. The usual statements regarding the talks being "quite good and very fruitful", were made by union minister Oscar Fernandes after three days of talks with the insurgent leaders, along with union minister of state for home, S. Reghupathy, and minister of state at the Prime Minister’s Office, Prithviraj Chouhan. Fernandes, Reghupathy and Chouhan are members of the Group of Ministers (GoM) constituted by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to look into the long drawn Naga peace process. The interlocutor for the Naga talks, K. Padmanabhiah, was also present at the meeting. Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah represented the NSCN-IM. The government began talks with the NSCN-IM in 1997 after the two sides agreed to a cease-fire.
However, the ground situation continues to cause serious concern, raising the crucial question: is Nagaland heading back to the days of continuous fratricidal wars between the ‘national workers’ out to restore all that was wonderful in the state before ‘India’ decided to ‘plunder and subjugate’? The question hangs heavy in the wake of the recent escalation in violent clashes between two rival National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) factions. The clashes appear to indicate that the cease-fire agreements signed between the union government and separately with the NSCN-Isak-Muivah (IM) faction in 1997, and the Khaplang faction in 2001, are being violated at will. Worse, efforts to end the abiding and violent confrontation have had no visible impact on the warring factions.
The May 19, 2006, killing of the NSCN-K ‘Education Kilonser’ (minister), Ngampan Konyak, by the rival NSCN-IM at Mon provoked the NSCN-K to launch a campaign codenamed, "Operation Blueland", under which it has stepped up attacks against the IM group. On the other side, the IM faction also alerted its armed cadres to reinforce their dominance in different parts of the state. As rebel factions, both claiming to represent the wishes and aspirations of the Nagas, build up their manpower and resources for future mutual carnage, the common people in remote and interior locales, are increasingly worried.
Although the ceasefires with the union government still hold formally, escalating violence, large-scale extortion and intimidation put a question mark on the very arrangement that supposedly prohibits the movement of armed cadres, armed violence, intimidation and disturbance to peace that are, in fact, endemic. According to the ceasefire agreements, the cadres of each faction are to remain confined to their respective designated camps, but the rule if flouted more often than it is kept. Indeed, the ceasefire has been exploited by militant groups to consolidate and expand. Since the NSCN-IM entered into its formal ceasefire in 1997, it has reportedly raised its cadre strength from 3,000 to 5,000 and nearly doubled its weapon holdings.
Factional violence continues at regular intervals as both groups vie to augment their territorial supremacy. In a statement made available to the local media on May 31, 2006, senior NSCN-K leader A.Z. Jami threatened to take control of Dimapur, Nagaland’s commercial hub, known to be a stronghold of the rival NSCN-IM. Jami declared: "We will certainly take over Dimapur. Our cadres are all over the town, waiting for the opportunity to strike." Alarmed, the NSCN-IM responded that it would never compromise with such a threat "by anti-nationalist like A.Z. Jami." A release issued by NSCN-IM’s ‘Secretary, Union Territory - I’, Romeo Sankhil, asserted that his outfit was "well prepared to meet any eventuality at any cost to protect the Naga peoples in general and Dimapurian (sic) in particular and also the ongoing peace process." The release further added that the NSCN-IM had already intensified its vigil and deployed its men across Dimapur to meet any eventuality. The desperation of both the factions is perfectly understandable. Dimapur is a flourishing commercial town – the largest and the only one in Nagaland – promising enormous profits to whoever controls it.
It is significant that, between 2002 and 2005 – a period during which both factions of the NSCN were party to a ceasefire - 171 persons have been killed in militancy related violence in the state, of which 113 (66.08 per cent) were militants, 52 (30.40 per cent) were civilians and the rest 6 (3.50 per cent) were security force SF personnel. With rare exception, most militant deaths have been the result of factional clashes. 2004 saw at least 17 factional clashes, while 2005 witnessed another 14. 2006 has already seen 27 such incidents, (till June 25) in which at least 28 militants have been killed (14 of the NSCN-IM, 10 of the NSCN-K and two of the Naga National Council (NNC), and two unidentified). There is no available record of the numbers of injured.
Some of the significant incidents in just the last month and a half include:
June 18: NSCN-K ‘awarded’ capital punishment to one, Wanpa, at Nangtan under Tizit Assembly Constituency for his alleged role in the assassination of its ‘Education Minister’, Ngampan Konyak, in the Mon district on May 18.
June 14: Clashes broke out between cadres of NSCN-IM and NSCN-K at Khukiye and Chisholi in Nagaland. Unidentified gunmen shot dead one NSCN-IM cadre, Yangthsase Sangtam at Longkhim in the Tuensang District.
June 8: A factional clash occurred between cadres of the NSCN-IM and the NSCN-K at Naga Ching in the Tamenglong district.
June 7: Two civilians were wounded when firing broke out between cadres of the NSCN-IM and the Federal government of Nagaland of the Naga National Council (NNC) at Chosaba village in the Phek District.
June 2: NSCN-K killed one NSCN-IM cadre, James Tangkhul, during a factional clash near Zunheboto town.
May 31: Factional violence was reported from Sheyipu village in the Zunheboto District, Chingphoi village in the Mon District, Athibung area in the Peren District and Old Phek area in the Phek District. Several militants and one civilian were reportedly wounded.
May 30: Two NSCN-IM cadres were seriously wounded in a clash with rival NSCN-K at Lochomi village in the Zunheboto District.
May 27: NSCN-K claimed to have killed two rival NSCN-IM cadres and injured two others in an encounter at a place near Longleng in the Tuensang District.
May 24: NSCN-K killed two NSCN-IM cadres while three others were abducted in different raids against rival camps in the Zunheboto district. They were said to have been released subsequently on May 30.
May 19: NSCN-IM killed the ‘education kilonser’ (minister) of the NSCN-K, Nampang Konyak at his home at Mon in Nagaland.
May 16: Two NSCN-IM cadres were killed while unspecified number of NSCN-K cadres were wounded in a factional clash between cadres of the rival groups at Athibung in the Peren district.
May 6: In a factional clash, two NSCN-K militants were killed while three others sustained injuries in a pre-dawn attack by NSCN-IM cadres at Old Phek village in the Phek district.
Naga factional violence has not remained confined to the state itself, and has spilled over to neighbouring Manipur. On May 5, 2006, a clash occurred at Tinkhai Khulen in Manipur’s Senapati district bordering Nagaland. Earlier on May 2, another clash took place at Aling Saan village in the Tamenglong District. The NSCN-K, on May 5, claimed to have ‘neutralized’ a rival hideout at Alingson village under Nungba Police Station limits in the Tamenglong District on May 2. On April 12, 2006, the NSCN-K shot dead two rival cadres and injured another at Keimai in the Tamenglong District.
The impact of this unending friction on the lives of the common people is enormous. The Chakhesang Public Organisation, an apex body of the Chakhesang tribe, on March 7, 2006, made a declaration prohibiting extortion, movement of cadres in combatant uniform and the establishment of militants camps within the periphery of the tribe’s habitation. Again, on April 17, 2006, several Phek-based organizations under the banner of Phek Area Public Organisation (PAPO) urged the state government to take up the issue of factional clashes with the rival outfits and the Union government, and to ensure that cadres belonging to the two rival factions move out of the Phek and the Chakhesang areas. A Press Release issued by PAPO stated: Ninety per cent of our people are agriculturists, who depend on agriculture for their survival. Although March and April is a time for sowing seeds, yet the villagers are afraid of going to the fields for fear of being mingled in cross fire." The gathering also condemned the unabated illegal ‘tax collection’ imposed by the militant groups.
The Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC) at a meeting held at Pfutsero in the Phek District on May 11 and 12, 2006, said that, in Phek district, innocent citizens had suffered because of threats, intimidation, extortion, and forced taxation imposed by the various militant groups. The church body alleged that the armed factions had forcibly occupied a number of private houses and educational institutions in the District. The meeting described the existing ceasefire with the Union government as a "public mockery".
The state government, often described as soft on the militants – especially the NSCN-IM – tends to surrender to their caprice. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, while presenting the state budget in the legislative assembly in capital Kohima on March 20, 2006, stated: "It is not possible for any government to prevent this (extortion) completely." The hapless Chief Minister termed the factional killings "mindless and senseless", but has displayed little intent or capacity to do anything about them, and all past attempts to contain the factional feud have remained subservient to short-term political calculations. In March 2003, the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) coalition government formed a ‘Consultative Committee for Peace’ comprising various political parties and major non-governmental organisations. However, the opposition Congress party, known to be sympathetic to the NSCN-K, was not included in the committee.As a result, the committee remained a partisan and useless jamboree. Since the 1990s, the church and the Naga Hoho (the apex tribal council of Nagaland) have been attempting to bring all warring underground factions together through a ‘reconciliation process’, but their efforts have proven futile. The NSCN-K has accused the Naga Hoho, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), the Nagaland People’s Movement for Human Right (NPMHR), the Naga Mothers Association (NMA) and even the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government of a pro-NSCN-IM stance. On May 29, 2006, the NSCN-K on accused Chief Minister Rio of providing security to NSCN-IM cadres at Dimapur and Zunheboto. The Chairman of the NSCN-K Ceasefire Supervisory Board, Kughalu Mulatonu, had alleged that the Chief Minister dispatched security personnel belonging to the Indian Reserve Battalion to protect the NSCN-IM cadres. There appear to be no principled and non-discriminatory efforts to contain the factional violence in Nagaland, and the militant groups remain a law unto themselves, immune to any suggestions or corrective measures. Under the circumstances, and in view of the enormous suffering continuously being inflicted on innocent civilians, it is time the centre reviewed its ‘hands off’ policy and made a proper assessment of the anarchy on the ground that its deals with the insurgent outfits have yielded. The conditions of the government’s ceasefire with the NSCN factions have been clearly defined, and they cannot be allowed to be habitually violated with impunity.
M. Amarjeet Singh is Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management. Courtesy, the South Asia Intelligence Review of the South Asia Terrorism Portal.
Office of profit issue haunts North East Nagaland Post
GUWAHATI, JUN 28 (UNI&PTI): The 'office of profit' issue has returned to haunt the MLAs of the North East who happen to be the main protagonists of the entire episode where Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh recorded the maximum violation. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is having a tough time along with 24 other MLAs of Arunachal Pradesh. Of the total 230 MLAs who hit the list of the Election Commission for holding 'offices of profit', 75 are from North East, a staggering 32.60 per cent. Asom is, however, excluded from the list as it has a new assembly. Out of these 75 MLA's, 25 each are from Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh. Sikkim accounts for 17 MLAs, Manipur for six and Nagaland for two.
Arunachal Pradesh BJP MLA Kameng Doley last night alleged that 24 MLAs of the state had violated the law and their names had been sent to the Election Commission. Sikkim has more than 50 per cent of its MLAs in the list, which is by far the highest ratio in the country. However, Meghalaya and Asom are not in the hit list. According to an official report, the Election Commission had sent notices to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio asking him to reply by Friday after opposition leader I Imkong and 14 other leaders complained that Rio was allegedly holding the post of Chairman of Nagaland Bamboo Mission and State Sports Council. Of the Lok Sabha members across the country whose names appear on a separate EC list, Arunachal Pradesh MP Kiren Rijiju also finds a place. Meanwhile, all the 25 ruling Congress and supporting independent MLAs of Arunachal Pradesh have submitted replies to the Election Commission on BJP petitions demanding disqualification of their assembly membership for holding offices of profit, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tako Dabi said today.
Dabi told PTI that he along with four other MLAs went to Delhi to submit the replies to the Election Commission on June 26, two days before the deadline. He said the MLAs, including Chief Minister Gegong Apang, will not be affected as legislators in Arunachal Pradesh are immune from disqualification due to the Arunchal Pradesh Legislative Members (prohibition of disqualification) Act 1977 which was amended by the assembly last month.
Eastern trade corridor The Assam Tribune editorial
The history of Sino-Indian trade link has repeated itself on June 18, 2006 when the much awaited agreement to resume border trade through Nathula Pass between India and China was reached after a lay-long talk between delegations of the two countries at Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. It may be recalled that it was the dream of then Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee to bring back the trade relation between the two countries and during his visit to Beijing in June, 2003, he floated the idea of reopening the trade route at Nathula. His idea, in fact, triggered a sincere mutual approach to the issue from both New Delhi and Beijing camps. The continuous efforts during these three years have culminated into the historic agreement of re-opening trade through the mountainous Nathula Pass with effect from July 6, 2006.

Reopening of the centuries old trade route goes far beyond commercial ties. What is more important is that it marks a new era in Sino-Indian relationship which has witnessed intermitant occasions of ups and downs since Dalai Lama’s flight from Tibet in 1959 and the 1962 Chinese aggression of India’s eastern borders. The uneasy relationship since then had prevented both nations from tapping the economic potential of their land-locked territories along their disputed borders. The re-opening of Nathula Pass is also of strategic importance. It not only indicates revival of mutual trust but also an implicit signal that the Chinese government has abandoned its long drawn policy of treating Sikkim as an independent nation “annexed” by India in 1975. The trade negotiations between the two countries too, went through a long and bumpy route since it was launched with an initial agreement in 1991, while the venue of the two border markets was decided between the two countries in 2003. Since Nathula border lies in Sikkim, it is the traders of Sikkim, who are expected to benefit the most in initial stages. After the trade channel opens, the district magistrate or collector of East Sikkim will issue passes to the interested traders. The reopening of the trade route after almost four and half decades since 1962 war will give a major boost to the local economies of the land-locked mountainous regions of the two Asian giants – China and India. The agreement allows residents living on both sides of the border of two countries at the moment to trade about 40 commodities identified as being of interest to the residents, though the number of such commodities according to border trade agreements of 1991, 1992 and also 2003 was confined to 28 only. The items that could be traded after the border reopens on July 6, 2006, include agricultural implements, blankets, food grains, agro-chemical products, dry fruits, beverages and canned food.

The u-turn in Sino-Indian relationship came when the Chinese acceptance of Sikkim as an Indian territory was reciprocated by India agreeing to accept the Tibetan Autonomous region as a part of China. The leader of Chinese delegation and the Vice-Chairman of Tibean Autonomous Region rightly observes that the reopening of border trade will help ending economic isolation in the area and play a key role in boosting market economy there with development of transport facilities, construction and service industries, paving, thereby, the way for a major trade route connecting China and South Asia. It may be noted that trade through Nathula Pass, which was suspended in 1962, in fact, accounted for as much as 80 per cent of the total border trade volume between China and India in early twentieth century. India should take the opportunity of this trade route to extend her commercial linkage to far off ASEAN nations. However, the India-Asean free trade agreement (FTA) which was the dream of then Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee and which also had the approval of the present Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, has now hit some political road blocks. Though New Delhi had originally proposed to keep 1414 trade items on the negative list, it had later reduced the list to 854 items that would not be subjected to duty cuts. The ten-country ASEAN block now wants to reduce it to 60 items, which is untenable to Indian political sensitivities. Further, India proposes tariff rate quotas (TRQ) for import of products like palm oil, pepper, tea and coffee. Through this, India wanted specified quantity of these products at lower or zero duty with other items subjected to normal tariff of nearly 90 per cent in case of palm oil. In fact, TRQs were seen as the way out for the UPA government which had been caught in a bind with Sonia Gandhi asking the Prime Minister to ensure that the interests of Indian farmers were not affected, while the ASEAN was putting pressure on India to open up its trade. What is necessary in this context is to make further attempts through trade negotiations with ASEAN and hammer out a meeting point to came out with FTA agreement which will benefit both India and ASEAN block. Only then would this historical trade resumption meet its logical conclusion.