07/08/2006: "Padmanabhaiah spilling the beans"

Padmanabhaiah spilling the beans- Nagaland Post
Mr. K. Padmanabhaiah, retired Home Secretary of India and presently Indian Prime Minister's interlocutor in the peace talks between IM group and the GOI, has finally spilled the beans of the nine years' peace talks. The English dictionary defines the word "interlocutor" as "formal person" or "official representative." Since, the talks between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) are no other than peace talks. Everywhere and every time these meetings on talks have been and are being termed as "peace process" or "peace talks". The Government of India carefully selected this term for the talks and accurately selected a retired bureaucrat like Mr. K. Padmanabhaiah to conduct the talks for peace between the Indian Government and the NSCN (IM), a group operating in Nagaland puppet state and largely manned and led by the so-called Manipur Nagas. Unlike in the districts of Nagaland, there is comparatively peace in the four districts of Manipur viz, Ukhrul, Tamenlong, Senapati and Chandel except some sporadic skirmishes sometimes in Chandel, Tamenglong and Senapati among the Manipur insurgents. And the Ukhrul Tangkhul district in Manipur is actually an island of peace in the entire North East India. But throughout the North East, troubles are being created and killings are carried out by the Tangkhuls and under their leadership. Now, it is high time for the people of the North East and particularly the people of Nagaland to raise their heads and open their eyes before it is too late.
The talks between the GOI and the NSCN (IM) leaders are in no way political talks or political dialogue. It is only a peace talk to restore peace between them. As a result of the last talks between them in the Hague, Netherlands from 22nd to 24th June'06, the I-M leaders and their men are very much perplexed and nervous.
Isak Swu, Th. Muivah and their men have committed genocide on the innocent Nagas in the name of Naga sovereignty. They have also massacred hundreds of pro-Shillong Accordist. Our beloved Nagaland has already sacrificed thousands of her people for upholding her perpetual sovereignty. But now the NSCN (IM) men have shamelessly fallen down from sovereignty to autonomy and from integration to migration. What a pity! The NSCN (IM) men are disowning the Naga-Inhabited Area (NIA) proposal they have already submitted to the GOI, according to V. Horam, but the talks have been conducting on that line. They are now talking about autonomy, federal relationship, Kashmir status of separate state and a separate chapter for special provisions in the Constitution of India. If the people of Nagaland want to know about autonomy they can study the Bodoland autonomous territory to be administered by Bodoland Territorial Council. If federal relationship, unlike most of the nations of the world including Great Britain, India already has a federal system of government, i.e. India is composed of federal states. If they go for Kashmir status, then the present Nagaland is higher than the present Kashmir status in the sense that Nagaland has a special provision of Article 371 (A) which guarantees exclusive rights the people of Nagaland in relation to land and natural resources. And all the other special constitutional provisions for the state of Kashmir are subservient to Article 371 (A) granted to Nagaland. So, what more important state for Nagaland are the IM leaders talking about, besides sovereignty?
The NSCN/GPRN firmly declares that it is in no way a stumbling block to the NSCN (IM) and GOI peace talks. And it will never sabotage their peace talks. Rather we fervently urge both to expedite their peace process and make an end to NSCN(IM) insurgency in the North East of Indian sub-continent, so as to create peaceful atmosphere in the region. It is high time India sent away the NSCN (IM) people with adequate agreements with sufficient packages and rehabilitation measures and not to expect the Naga people to be a party to such agreements.
V.S. Atem, emissary to Th. Muivah and Isak Swu, has flayed K. Padmanabhaiah for spilling the beans of last Haque talks through some newspapers. He had tried to cover up the subtlety of the NSCN (IM) by blaming the Indian interlocutor. But before the statement of K. Padmanabhaiah, Varengam Tangkhul, self-styled Deputy Kilonser, Home had already briefed the mediamen before the talk team reached Dimapur. So, why blame K. Padmanabhaiah to whom you have already established cordial friendship? Acknowledge the truth. The NSCN (IM)'s proposals submitted and being discussed in the NSCN (IM) and GOI peace talks are far lower than those of the Shillong Accord provisions. In the Shillong Accord of 1975, it was stated that the underground representatives, on their own volition accepted the Constitution of India. But the Clause 3 of the Accord vividly stated "It was agreed that the representatives of the underground organizations should have reasonable time to formulate other issues for discussion for final settlement." But this was rejected by Isak Swu and Th. Muivah and killed hundreds of Accordists in the name of sovereignty.
So, why they are now talking, very much below that standard? NSCN (IM) men! Do not befool the innocent Nagas. Your agreement whatsoever will be another Shillong Accord and Nagas will not be bound by your agreement. We are fully convinced that you are contemplating another bloodbath in Nagaland. But God is there to protect the Naga people who belong to Him. It is heartening to see that now may sensitive and intelligent Nagas have come to understand the treacherous acts of the NSCN (IM) men. It is only Zeliangrong Baudi under the leadership of T. K. Zeliang and A. K. Lungalang which is supporting Zeliangron Autonoumous Council proposed in the Naga Inhabited Area (NIA) by the NSCN (IM) leadership by organizing public rally on the eve of the last peace talks between the GOI and the NSCN (IM) in support of the so-called peace process. But we do not know whether Zeliangrong Autonomous Council comprising all the Zeliangrong inhabited areas of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur will ever get materialized.
Secretary MIP/GPRN, NSCN (K)
Khaplangs can no longer fool Nagas- Nagaland Post
When one has nothing good to say it is always better not to say anything. The article written by Khaplangs who are on the Indian camp accepting Indian laws of the land can no longer fool the Naga people. Instead of engaging their entire effort in trying to find fault with the NSCN and its collective leadership they are adviced to say anything on their formula of solution, policies, philosophy and above all their achievements, provided they have anything on the record.
It is also a pity that they know too little of the tremendous contribution made by many international organizations specially by Naga International Support Center to the Naga freedom struggle. We feel proud and grateful to have such committed friends like NISC who are strongly advocating our cause on the basis of true evidences. Of course, Khaplangs are writing with their limitations, cutting down to its own size.
The NSCN invites all the peace-loving people to be a part of solution and not the part of the problem. It has been made clear time and again that the sovereignty of the Nagas lies with the Naga people. It cannot be negotiated. The negotiation is on the pattern of special federation relationship between the two entities.
There are also vast fundamental differences between the Nagas and Jamu & Kashmir history. Therefore solution to the Indo-Naga conflict will have nothing to do with the nature of Jamu & Kashmir type of arrangement or 16 points of agreement.
Interestingly, Mr. David P. Wardm who does not know head and tail of the Indo-Naga conflict, has been meddling in the name of International Co-ordinator, Naga Vigil Human Right Group with an ulterior motive to destroy the hard-earned peace process.
He is supporting and magnifying the NNC/FGN and Khaplang who are Indian elements, but claim to have been working for complete independence.
The world will laugh at the Nagas who know the reputation of Mr. Ward. He is informed that the Nagas cannot appreciate his negative interference on the issue misinforming the world community through cyber war.
MIP, GPRN, NSCN (IM)
‘Ulterior motive to destroy hard-earned peace process’ David Ward’s missive negative cyber war: NSCN (IM) The Morung Express
Dimapur, July 7 (MExN): Reacting to the remarks made by David P Ward, International Coordinator, Naga Vigil Human Rights Group, that extreme caution be taken in the “self-congratulatory talks”, the NSCN-IM charged the said coordinator of harboring ulterior motive to destroy the hard-earned peace process and that he is ignorant of the “head and tail” of the Indo-Naga conflict. The NSCN (IM) also cautioned that “the world will laugh at the Nagas who knows the reputation of Mr Ward. He is informed that the Nagas can not appreciate his negative interference on the issue misinforming the world through cyber war”.
“Mr. David P Ward who does not know head and tail of the Indo-Naga conflict has been meddling in the name of international Coordinator Naga Vigil Human Rights Group with an ulterior motive to destroy the hard earn process” an MIP, GPRN statement asserted. The NSCN-IM held the view that Coordinator Ward “is supporting and magnifying the NNC/FGN and Khaplang who are Indian elements but claim to have been working for complete independence”.
Dwelling on the specifics, the NSCN-IM stated that there is a vast difference between the history of the Nagas and Jammu & Kashmir’s and opined that solution to the Indo-Naga conflict will have nothing to do with the nature of a Jammu & Kashmir-type arrangement “or 16 points of agreement” for that matter.
“Instead of engaging their entire effort in trying to find faults with the NSCN and its collective leadership, they are (advised) to say anything on their formula of solution, policies, philosophy and above all, their achievements, provided they have anything on the record” the NSCN-IM added.
“The NSCN invites all the peace loving people to be a part of solution and not the part of the problem. It has been made cleared time and again that the sovereignty of the Nagas lies with the Naga people. It cannot be negotiated. The negotiation is on the pattern of special federation relationship between two entities” the NSCN-IM stated.
The organization also appreciated the Naga International Support Centre for its contribution to the Naga movement. “We feel proud and grateful to have such committed friends like NISC who are strongly advocating our cause on the basis of true evidences. Of course, Khaplangs are writing with their limitations, cutting down to its size” the MIP statement said.
IM talks date set on Jul 28/29 Source: The Sangai Express / PTI
New Delhi, Jul 04: The Centre and major Naga insurgent group NSCN (IM) will hold a crucial round of talks in Bangkok this month end on the issue of extension of ceasefire, which expires on July 31.The talks will be held on July 28 and 29 in the Thai capital during which matters relating to giving autonomy to Nagaland on the lines of that in Jammu and Kashmir will also come up, informed sources said tonight.

This forthcoming round of parleys is being considered crucial since the Naga rebels, who have been adhering to the ceasefire accord since 1997, are seeking extension of the truce agreement for six month unlike that of a year in the past. The Centre's stand for July 28-29 peace negotiations with NSCN (IM), which has over 5,000 cadres in arms, will be firmed up at a meeting of Group of Ministers comprising Oscar Fernandes, Prithviraj Chavan and S Regupathy here on July seven.

At this meeting, Centre's interlocutor for the Naga peace process K Padmanabhaiah will brief the Group of Ministers (GoM) on the last round of parleys that were held in the Hague from June 22 to 24.National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Home Secretary V K Duggal will also be attending the discussions. In a bid to expedite efforts to resolve the Naga insurgency issue, the Centre and NSCN (IM) leaders led by their General Secretary T Muivah have decided to meet every month.

"All issues, including that of renewal of ceasefire with NSCN (IM), will figure in the forthcoming Bangkok talks. Issues relating to the Constitutional aspects including that of autonomy will also come up," the sources said. NSCN (IM) and the security forces in Nagaland have been holding fire since 1997 when the ceasefire accord was reached.

The accord has been extended every year since then except last year when it was renewed for just six months on the insistence of the Naga outfit and further extended by another six months in February this year. NSCN(IM) has been demanding a clear government stand on unification of Naga-inhabitated areas in northeast as well as an early and "honourable" settlement to the problem. The sources said the Centre wanted to resolve the Naga issue as a "package" and would be responding point-by-point to the outfit's charter of demands.

"Talks are a continous process. These have to be held in many stages before things can evolve and get a concrete shape. We are not ruling out anything unless something concrete emerges," the sources said.
The sources said since the Centre is reluctant to concede the NSCN (IM)'s key demand for unifying all Nagainhabitated areas in the northeast, the rebel group is focussing on "greater autonomy" for Nagaland.

The autonomy issue is part of the 30-point "charter of demands" submitted by the Naga outfit, and this includes a greater say in the utilisation of natural resources, a separate constitution, a separate flag and control in areas like finance and policing, they said.
Naga union to burn Manipur textbooks kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, July 7:: Naga students campaigning for affiliation of schools in the four hill districts of Manipur to the Nagaland Board of School Education are planning to set ablaze textbooks
prescribed by the Manipur board on Monday in a show of defiance against the Okram Ibobi Singh government. Sources said the district units of the students’ union would stage demonstrations at the district headquarters of Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel. The Ibobi Singh government has already launched a crackdown on private schools that are allegedly following textbooks used in Nagaland, ignoring the syllabus prescribed by the Manipur Board of School Education. The demand by NGOs and student organisations is meant to add strength to the NSCN (Isak-Muivah)’s demand for the integration of all Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with Nagaland.
In Nagaland, the Naga Students Federation (NSF) accused the Manipur government of “distorting” history. This, the NSF claims, has necessitated the change in syllabi. A delegation from the United Naga Council, the apex organisation of Nagas residing in Manipur, and student groups is camping in New Delhi for an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“We hope the Centre understands the issue and allows affiliation of private schools to the Naga Board of School Education,” Ansam president Paul Langu said over phone from Senapati.

Langu said students are gearing for a series of protests in all four districts and will press for a change in syllabi by the next academic session. Unofficially, the student union has already distributed textbooks printed by the Nagaland government to 4,000 students in public schools of these districts. During a recent meeting of its consultative committee for peace, the Neiphu Rio government urged the Centre to allow affiliation of private schools in these four districts of Manipur to the Nagaland board. Rio said Delhi must allow the changeover because it was “the will of the students”.

The affiliation of a state school to the board of another state depends on the discretion of the Union human resource development ministry. The NSF also asked the Manipur government “not to impose its will on the hill districts and particularly on the Nagas”. The Naga Mothers Association echoed the student organisation. (The Telegraph)

ZU demands scrapping of Tipaimukh project Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 07: Citing several likely adverse impacts, the Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) has reiterated its demand to scrap the Tipaimukh project. In a memorandum submitted to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Technology Nikhil Kumar Choudhury, it observed that the project would jeopardise human rights, indigenous assets, environmental and ecological balance, traditional and cultural heritage, flora and fauna and socio-economic conditions in addition to inducing devastating seismic activities.
It also recalled of numerous memoranda submitted to the Prime Minister of India and the Chief Minister of Manipur raising serious concern and strong objection to the Tipaimukh project.

Referring to the Loktak project which has failed to benefit the people of Manipur in any form apart from the meagre 27 percent of the 89 MW of power currently produced by the hydro-electric project, it noted that jobs, compensation, rehabilitation and other liabilities still remained unfulfilled despite loss of thousands of hectares of agricultural land, large scale displacement, environmental degradation etc due to the project. As such, the Union Government ought to rescind the earlier approvals including the MoU signed between NEEPCO and the Govt of Manipur. Moreover, the Tipaimukh project must be scrapped, observed the representation
Open Stillwell road: NESO By A Staff Reporter assam tribune
GUWAHATI, July 7 – The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) today demanded steps to open a trade route with China through the NE region. With that aim in view, it has said that the Stilwell Road, via Ledo in Asom, should be opened expeditiously. It has argued that for the economic uplift of the seven NE states such a step is the utmost need of the hour. Further, it has also demanded that the Central Government should immediately implement its ‘Look East’ policy.

While welcoming the opening of the Indo-China trade route via Nathula in Sikkim, NESO chairman Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharyya and its general secretary NS Lotha said in a statement here today that the country should have opened its trade route with China via the NE region touching even Arunachal Pradesh much earlier.

They said that recently the demand for re-establishing trade relations with the neighbouring countries like China and Myanmar via the NE region was placed before the Prime Minister and the Home Minister of the country by a NESO delegation describing it as one of the measures to promote the growth of the region.

On the ‘Look East’ policy of the Central Government they said that the policy needed to be implemented speedily. The policy should be transparent and there should be advance steps too to ensure economic benefit to the region’s states while implementing the policy. Moreover, the Central Government should also initiate effective measures to create a separate economic zone with the states of the region, they said.
Centre concerned over spurt in ULFA activities By A Staff Reporter Assam tribune
GUWAHATI, July 7 – Disturbed by the growing illegal activities of the banned ULFA, the Union Home Ministry has summoned Asom Chief Secretary S Kabilan for a meeting on Monday. Sources in the Home Ministry said that the Centre was perturbed by reports of the ULFA indulging in massive extortion. The report of the outfit serving an extortion note on the Director of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has further rattled the Centre. Before, the outfit had served a similar note on the public sector ONGC demanding Rs 500 crore.
Sources said that the Union Home Secretary VK Duggal is going to chair the meeting with the Asom Chief Secretary. The meeting is also likely to be attended by senior I B officials.

The meeting assumes significance, because, at the last meeting with the People’s Consultative Group (PCG), the Centre had assured fresh consultation with the Asom Government on the issue of release of the five ULFA detenues to pave the way for direct talks with the outfit.
The ULFA’s Way? The Sentinel
Asom needs peace — this is what one ought to work
on before outlining the roadmap of development in the State. It was heartening as the ULFA-nominated PCG prepared the roadmap of peace by holding parleys with the Centre to pave the way for direct Centre-ULFA talks. The ULFA also, on its part, sent out feelers as though it were sincere in its approach towards the whole problem. And so the people of the State had a reason to cheer: that this time the ULFA would not take them for a ride. But are the hopes belied now? This question assumes significance as one discovers that the outfit has served an extortion note of Rs 15 lakh on the Regional Director of the RBI in Guwahati. The extortion note signed by the commander of the 709 battalion of the ULFA, Hira Sarania, and an accompanying letter signed by another platoon commander of the same battalion, Vikram Singh, explain the basis of the extortion bid: that the ULFA needs the amount to carry on its ‘‘revolution’’. Such extortion threats are not anything new in the ULFA brand of insurgency. What is, however, surprising is that the ULFA is still hell-bent on derailing the very peace process that it blames others for having tried to derail. On the one side the ULFA pretends that it is ready to sit across the table to negotiate with a ‘‘colonial’’ India, and on the other side it does not hesitate to show its dependence on the loot from institutions of the same ‘‘colonial’’ India. And what about its continued extortion campaigns in upper Asom? The man on the street is baffled: what sort of peace can the ULFA visualize if it thrives on its nefarious habit of looting public money? And what is the guarantee that the ULFA would not extort money from prized government institutions or private parties while pursuing talks with the Centre?

Nagalim.NL News

07/08/2006: "Padmanabhaiah spilling the beans"