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07/11/2006: "Naga students burn Manipur govt textbooks The Moring Express"



Naga students burn Manipur govt textbooks The Moring Express

Text books prescribed by the Board of Secondary Education of Manipur (BSEM) being burnt at Chandel ground today organised by the Naga Students Union of Chandel (NSUC) following the instruction from the All Naga Students Association,Manipur (ANSAM). (Photo: Newmai News Network)
Newmai News Network Imphal | July 10
Naga students in Manipur today destroyed a large number of text books prescribed by Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM) in the four districts of Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong, intensifying their campaign for adopting text books prescribed by Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) in private schools in the Naga-dominated districts.
Students’ organizations like Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong, Ukhrul, Naga Students Union Chandel and Senapati District Students Union and Zeliangrong Students Union, Tamenglong under the supervision of the All Naga Students Association of Manipur (ANSAM) burnt thousands of Class VIII to X text books simultaneously in the four district headquarters. Manipur chief minister, O. Ibobi Singh directed the district police and officials not to allow the burning of the books as announced by the Naga student organization in advance.
However, barring Tamenglong everything went on as per plan. Students in thousands came out of their homes carrying Manipur board prescribed text books at the Tangkhul Nagalong Ground at Ukhrul district headquarters and threw the books into a bonfire. Public leaders and representatives of Naga Students Federation and All Naga Students Association were present at the Ukhrul programme. A Naga student leader informed in Ukhrul that books were burnt simultaneously in the other three districts. Police, however, claimed that they foiled the attempt by students in Tamenglong district. About 3000 thousand students took part in the Ukhrul programme.
Even as the books were being burnt the students present shouted slogans welcoming introduction of text books prescribed by Nagaland board while giving a farewell to the Manipur board books. “Welcome to Nagaland syllabus and bye bye to Manipur syllabus,” a witness said over the phone from Ukhrul.
ANSAM has been carrying on a campaign in the district headquarters to replace Manipur books with those of Nagaland Board’s. The student body has been demanding affiliation of private schools in the Naga areas to the Nagaland Board. Ibobi Singh government is opposing to the idea of Manipur schools getting affiliation to the Nagaland board. The chief minister recently warned schools found teaching text books from other states’ Board. However, the threat by the chief minister failed to deter the Naga students. ANSAM announced that it was prepared for the worst.
Students taking part in Chandel programme reportedly charged that Meiteis are trying to impose their culture on the Nagas through school text books. While the Meiteis are trying to impose their script on the Nagas the Manipur text books are dominated by Meitei culture and history, they charged. The programmes were held without any major incident.
Meanwhile, contrary to earlier reports, the Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM) this evening claimed that it had burnt the Manipur Board text books in Tamenglong Bazaar this afternoon. Talking over the phone to Newmai News Network, ZSUM Education Secretary, G.H Newme said that text books prescribed by BSEM were burnt right after Chief Minister O.Ibobi left Tamenglong Headquarter.
Manipur CM came by chopper for the inauguration of Tamenglong Higher Secondary School’s new building today. He was accompanied by Power Minister Francis Ngajokpa, state unit Congress president Gaikhangam and MLA Mangaibou. “In support of All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) directive of teaching Nagaland board text books in all the private schools in the four hill districts of Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Chandel and Senapati, we are endorsing and implementing with action”, said GH Newme, Education Secretary of ZSUM while adding that several text books of BSEM were burnt to ashes this afternoon. Further, he disclosed that one of ZSUM co-ordinator volunteer was interrogated by Assam Rifles but released at 4 pm unharmed.
Govt talks tough with ULFA The Moring Express
New Delhi, July 10 (PTI): In a warning to United Liberation Front of Asom cadres ahead of the proposed peace talks, the Centre on Monday said the militant outfit’s actions like the extortion notice to the Reserve Bank of India vitiated the process and asked it to ensure “a peaceful and conducive” environment to facilitate the release of five detenues.
“As this process is initiated by ULFA, the consideration for release of five ULFA detenues in consulation with the Assam government will also be started,” Home Secretary V K Duggal told reporters in New Delh.
After a marathon review meeting with Assam Chief Secretary S Kabilan and Director General of Police D N Dutta in the wake of the Rs 15 lakh ransom demanded by ULFA from RBI, Duggal said that the outfit should desist from “pinpricks” and should give an assurance that a peaceful atmosphere would be created and nothing untoward would happen.
BSEM books in Naga students` bonfire
The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 11: Intensifying their campaign for use of text books prescribed by Nagaland Board of Secondary Education in private schools in the four districts of Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati andTamenglong, several Naga student organisations today set ablaze a large number of text books prescribed by Board of Secondary Education Manipur, BSEM.

In a well orchestrated action, the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong, Ukhrul, Naga Students Union Chandel and Senapati District Students Union and Zeliangrong Students Union, Tamenglong under the banner of the All Naga Students Association of Manipur (ANSAM) burnt hundreds of text books in the four district headquarters.

At Chandel, with slogans and banners which read `Adieu to BSEM prescribed textbook`, `We want common education, we welcome Nagaland board`, `Good bye Manipur board`, students set ablaze a large number of textbooks prescribed by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur today.

Textbooks mostly meant for class VIII to X were burnt in front of the office of the All Naga Students Association located at Panchai, Chandel.

General secretary of the Naga Students Union, Chandel ST Molar, who participated, told mediapersons they had decided to burn the textbook prescribed by the BSEM as education curriculum of the Manipur board imposed dominant (Meetei) culture and traditions through prescribed textbooks upon the minorities communities like Nagas and other hill people.

Education curriculum of the BSEM even contain chapters which attempt to distort Naga history, Molar alleged adding imposition of Meetei Mayek upon the minorities communities through the ordinance of the state legislature in 2005 is also one main factor leading to their campaign.

He further alleged that education curriculum of the BSEM devalued the social, culture and traditions of the minorities.

The order by the Governor of Manipur dated January 7, 2004 which barred private school in the state seeking affiliation to CBSE or ICSE is another factor, he said adding textbooks prescribed by the Nagaland board would be introduce in schools located in the Naga dominated districts as soon as the school session commenced after the summer Vacation.

No security personnel were seen even though it is said that state government had taken up measures to prevent such incident in hill areas of the state.

In the meantime, a source from the district administration in Chandel said no prior information was given to take security measures in the wake of the announcement by some Naga students bodies to burn the textbooks prescribed by the BSEM.

NNN adds: Students in thousands came out of their homes carrying Manipur board prescribed text books at the Tangkhul Nagalong Ground at Ukhrul district headquarters and threw the books to the burning fire. Public leaders and representatives of Naga Students Federation and All Naga Students Association were present.

Police claimed that they foiled the attempt by students to burn textbooks in Tamenglong district, but the Zeliangrong Students` Union Manipur (ZSUM) this evening claimed that it had burnt the Manipur Board text books in Tamenglong Bazar this afternoon.

Talking over the phone to NNN, ZSUM education secretary, G.H Newme said that text books prescribed by Board of School Education, Manipur (BSEM) were burnt right after chief minister O. Ibobi left Tamenglong headquarters.

The Manipur CM came by chopper for the inaugration of the Tamenglong higher secondary school new building today.
Now, a bazaar to promote Nagaland heritage Kuknalim.com
Posted on Tuesday, July 11 KOHIMA, July 11:: Nagaland is known for its rich cultural heritage with handloom and handicraft being an inherited part of the legacy. Recently a craft bazaar was organized...

in the state capital to promote the workmanship of artisans. Organized by the Nagaland government and supported by the central Textile Ministry the week long event saw participation from different states of the northeastern region.

It was a bazaar to promote 'tradition'. The craft bazaar had forty-two stalls representing different states and cultures of the region, with women entrepreneurs ruling the roost.

"These are all very good things. Usually these things are made by men, but these days even women are able to do all these things that women can do. That's why I am happy," said Ketou, a customer, taking a break from shopping.

"We are trying to give importance to expose our traditional art and craft and weaves. Especially our craft and weaves not only to the rest of the country but globally also," said N Hushili Sima, MD, Nagalad Handloom and Handicrafts.

The dresses, handicrafts and designs represented a tribe, a tradition and this uniqueness characterized the hallmark of the products of the region.

Octogenarian Kheheli Sema has been in this profession for the last six decades. The emerging market has given her the hope of better earning and expanding the reach of her products. Her art has won many national awards and now she wants to go global.

"I started weaving from 1924. I am now eighty-six year old. I supply my products to different parts of the country and abroad also," said Y Khezheli Sema, National Award Winner.

The uniqueness of this craft-fair was that the participation of women entrepreneurs, who are coming up in a big way in the world of business.

"I have been in this profession for a long time.These is hand made products," said Rokovi, businesswomen.

The craft bazaar provided a platform to the artisans to showcase their products. Artisans also feel that such fairs are an attempt to market this uniqueness and identity of the region. With the country's growing proximity with the ASEAN nations, very soon products from India's northeast would be dotting and decorating the houses in Indonesia or Thailand.

To promote easy access to the South East Asian countries Nagaland government has started training youth in the language spoken in the ASEAN nations. (UNI)
Zoramthanga seeks special considerations for NE The Moring Express
Aizawl, July 10 (UNI): Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga today urged the Planning Commission to give special attention to the North Eastern region.
Speaking at the Regional Consultation Meeting on the 11th Five Year Plan, Zoramthanga said, ‘’The commission should address the problems faced by the people of the region in respect of various plans.
The chief minister said the ‘Sarva Shiksa Abhiyan’ had proved beneficial to the educational system.
The Centre had taken pains to eradicate illiteracy. However, specialised areas of studies must be introduced, he said adding the Commission should give special attention to the North East states.
On agriculture, Zoramthanga said there was an urgent need to abolish the traditional slash and burn system of farming.
“This system is practiced all over the North East, which is slowly destroying the abundant forest resources in the region’’ he said. According to Zoramthanga, the best way to reform the farming sector would be to introduce contract farming because most farmers do not get dividends from their produce.
Role of students’ bodies in the Naga situation today Zakie Khate The Moring Express Letter to the editor
Naga story is a tale of a people yearning for self – determination, free from subjugation, dominance and control. It is a story of honour and integrity. It is also a story of restoring justice. It is not a greater or a slighter committed story than any homeland on earth. Our cause is not a reason to nurture revulsion or hostility but a cause of simplicity, a cause of respect and a cause of a story in itself.
It is simple because we defend noting more than what is ours and what we have. It is also a cause of respect because we believe that God created every nation and people on earth. We believe that we are trusted to respect other nations and people as much as we respect ourselves and the trust bestowed to us. We have struggled for more than 600 years against the Ahoms who trespassed through our lands, 115 years against the British who battered our lands, the Japanese, who assaulted us in the year 1944 and over half a century against Indian military occupation, which is continuing. To them our beloved land was just a mere theatre of war. In all these events, we have defended ourselves with dignity and we will continue to do so. We have the Indian occupational forces in every corner of our homeland, in every corner of our towns, in almost every village and in every street. On our exit to anywhere stand Indian armed personnel equipped with powers to shoot and kill on mere suspicion. This is what the biggest democracy in the world offered us. It is a fear under which we exist as human beings. No one ever loved this land except us. By our sweat, we have toiled in this harassed land for as long as history’d remember. We are grateful for we are well – fed by God in the form of the gracious Mother Nature for her abundance showered upon us.
With the advent of time and situation, we have come to a point where our struggle requires our attention to address our internal conflicts, which are swallowing up our struggle and ourselves. We are wedged in a mess today. A mess of tribalism and factionalism. It is a decaying Nation. It has become a place of hate, fear and anger. We have become a suspicious people and trust has become merely a cheap commodity. It is a place where wrongs are becoming right. It is a crossroad, a grazing ground and a battlefield – seems nothing more! We are wedged in a senseless, baseless and unfounded petty internal conflict among ourselves, justifying both of one’s own rights as well as of the wrongs. Are we to talk about building a Nation under these circumstances?
Some Nagas are silently watching our peoples’ plight as good Christians in the sideline but we must be aware that, ‘the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for the god to do nothing’- Hitler, the rise of evil (history channel). Rwanda has offered us an example of what we might surely face in the future. ‘History repeats itself’ is a common saying but it is logic! We are living as if to prove the devastating effects of history’s repetition. Undeniably, the chain of mistakes committed has continued from the process of the Naga national movement until today and we are not in a position to say who is wholly right and who is wholly wrong. It is now again eminent that some people who condemn the former to have committed treason will commit some mistakes again. We are not speaking in one voice in a common Naga platform. This is our present state of affairs, something indigestible yet an undeniable reality. It is clear that the tradition of hate, anger and violence among us will continue. Would this road lead to our aspired home is a question. Maybe the answer is a bigger mess, a failed people and a failed Nation. Just like the Hutu and Tutsi tribes in Rwanda butchering thousands upon thousands among themselves!
I believe that our struggle lies here before anything like that happens in great intensity. It is an intricate challenge to tackle this reality. Nevertheless, this is as important as sovereignty from foreign yoke. In fact, it is far more important! It is a struggle of how to live as a people, how to face the morrow or how to be prepared for the worst!
Students’ bodies and leaders have immeasurably operated as a moving force to our aspiration. It is somehow synonymous to a political lobby. In fact, serving as a pressure group it has quivered numerous regimes in Nagaland as well as New Delhi. It is a subject of overwhelming patriotism and justice as many have performed, spoke and fought in the Naga perspective for our people. Yet, the supposed to be a non-aligned serving party in its bearing has occupied a much altered stance today with exception of a few. As a student, I trust that it is a negation of ideology and responsibility. How can my hallowed NSF develop loyalty only to one group and isolate the rest, even if not completely? Reasonably, that it is for the cause. Still, our reality and state of affairs requires an additional emphasis on this before it is too late. Students’ bodies ought to make every effort to think about the tomorrow. Even if the factions will not come across the table and reunite, it is a necessity to be persistent in this endeavor. Our students’ bodies must give more emphasis on this because this is a more important struggle as a people- to live and exist mutually as a one Nation.
Talks with ULFA conditional Nagaland Post
NEW DELHI, JULY 10 (PTI): In a warning to ULFA cadres ahead of the proposed peace talks, the Centre today said the militant outfit's actions like the extortion notice to RBI vitiated the process and asked it to ensure "a peaceful and conducive" environment to facilitate release of five detenues.
After a marathon review meeting with Assam Chief Secretary S Kabilan and Director General of Police D N Dutta in the wake of the Rs 15 lakh ransom demanded by ULFA from RBI, Union Home Secretary V K Duggal told reporters here that the outfit should desist from "pinpricks" and should give an assurance that a peaceful atmosphere would be created and nothing untoward would happen.
"The Government is committed to pursue the process of talks to ensure lasting peace in Assam.....It had been agreed that a peaceful atmosphere will be created in Assam which will be conducive to hold direct talks between ULFA and the Government. Issuance of extortion notices, etc, vitiate the ongoing peace process," he said in a statement.
Duggal hoped that ULFA will set the process in motion at the earliest by ensuring a peaceful and conducive environment for holding direct talks with the Government and said the process of release of ULFA detenues will start only after "we receive an assurance".
"As this process is initiated by ULFA, the consideration for release of five ULFA detenues in consultation with the Assam Government will also be started," he said.
The meeting convened by the Union Home Secretary came in the backdrop of the third round of talks the Centre had with the People's Consultative Group (PCG) on June 22 where Home Minister Shivraj Patil had stated that PCG's request for release of five ULFA detenues would be considered favourably in consultation with the Assam Government.
Duggal said PCG representatives have since been getting in touch with the State Government as to how the decisions arrived at the meeting could be taken forward.
To a question on whether the Government was considering an amnesty to ULFA cadres, he said it would be done in consulation with the Assam Government as it has national and other implications.
He, however, maintained that it was difficult to say at this stage that all cases will be withdrawn.
The Home Secretary said today's meeting "noted with satisfaction" that no violent incidents have taken place and restraint has been shown by all sides since the June 22 meeting where the PCG had been urged to impress upon ULFA to ensure a peaceful and conducive environment to pave the way for direct talks with the Centre at the earliest.
Duggal said today's discussion with the senior officials of Assam was held in the light of the Joint Statement issued on June 22 and the subsequent extortion notices issued by the ULFA.
Centre wants ULFA to ‘get in touch’ From Kalyan Barooah Assam tribune
NEW DELHI, July 10 – the Government of India has an urgent message for the banned ULFA: get in touch. The ULFA peace process is on a bumpy road, with the two sides unsure of each other’s intentions. If the Centre wants the outfit to abjure violence and create a conducive atmosphere, ULFA is waiting for release of the five detainees languishing in jails before coming for direct talks.

The government of India has today virtually lobbed the ball into ULFA’s court by asking it to write to Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil or Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi to get the peace process going. In between, the Centre also wants the outfit to shun what is described as ‘extortion pinpricks’ in the larger interest of the peace process.

‘Some communication from ULFA to Government of India will have to come. The efforts should be towards taking the peace process forward,” said Union Home Secretary, V K Duggal after a meeting with State Chief Secretary, S Kabilan and DGP, Deepak Dutt at the North Block here this afternoon. The meeting also attended by Joint Secretary North East, Rajiv Agarwal took place in the backdrop of the extortion notices by the ULFA.

“All we have seen so far from the ULFA by way of its reaction to the peace process are the statement issued through the media. If they mean business then they must directly contact us,” said another official after an over hour-long meeting with top State Government officials.

‘We have been waiting for a word from their side. But how long do we keep waiting’, he asked.

The MHA, however, acknowledge that the ULFA by and large, has kept its word and not indulged in violent incidents. ‘This is a positive sign’, commented an official.

The government of India is committed to pursue the process of talks to ensure lasting peace in the State, in this context, it was noted with satisfaction that no violent incidents have taken place and all sides have showed restraint since the meeting of June 22, said Duggal.

He said that it is now hoped that ULFA will set the process in motion at the earliest by ensuring a peaceful and conducive environment with a view to holding direct talks with government of India. As this process is initiated by ULFA, the consideration for release of the ULFA detenues in consultation with government of Asom will also be started.

Though it was not declared, the hurdle for release of the five detainees seems to have been cleared, with the State Government conveying that its has no objection in releasing the five ULFA leaders. The national security council (NSC) headed by National Security Adviser, MK Narayanan in its weekly review meeting last week, has reportedly discussed the ULFA issue, and has endorsed the Asom Government’s earlier plea to release vice-chairman, Pradip Gogoi, Bhimkanta Buragohain and Pranati Deka, highly places sources told this newspaper.

When asked whether the Union Government was setting a pre-condition, the Union home secretary denied it, maintaining that was only to ensure that a peaceful atmosphere was created conducive for talks.

About ULFA’s demand for release of the detainees, he said that creation of a peaceful atmosphere would set the process in motion. Once formal contact is established the give and take process will take place.

It has been agreed that a peaceful atmosphere will be created in Asom, which will be conducive to hold direct talks between ULFA and government of India, issuance of extortion notices vitiate the ongoing peace process, the Union Home Secretary said.

Later talking to this newspaper, DGP Dutt said that ULFA has to come out with a statement that it will abjure violence so that the Central Government can start the process. The letter from ULFA to the Union Home Minister has to come, after which the peace process will start, he added.

‘NDFB still involved in extortion’ By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, July 10 – Despite the ongoing ceasefire between the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) and the Centre, the ultra outfit remains engaged in extortion and exploitation of common citizens in certain areas of the State, the Army has accused. A defence spokesman said Goalpara district has become a favourite haunt of the militants for extorting money from civilians. Citing a recent instance, he said members of the market committee at Tharko (Lakhipur) in Goalpara district approached the Army complaining that a group of NDFB cadres have been threatening the people including shopkeepers, gram panchayat members and others demanding money in the name of the outfit.

The amount demanded ranged from a few hundred rupees to five thousand. It was also reported that some of the NDFB cadres carrying firearms threatened the people with dire consequences if they failed to pay up. Based on a petition from the villagers, the troops of the Red Horns Division launched an operation and caught one of the NDFB members, identified as Lokhan Singh alias B Lithew (22), from the marketplace on June 27.


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