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07/24/2006: "INTERVIEW-Sovereignty core issue at Naga peace talks Reuters"

INTERVIEW-Sovereignty core issue at Naga peace talks
24 Jul 2006 05:45:08 GMT
Source: Reuters By Biswajyoti Das
DIMAPUR, India, July 24 (Reuters) - A powerful rebel group in India's troubled northeast hardened its position ahead of peace talks this week and said it would place freedom ahead of the extension of a truce on the agenda. Sovereignty of Naga tribal rebels, fighting India's oldest insurgency, would be the core issue at talks beginning in Bangkok on Friday even though a six-month ceasefire extension is due to expire on July 31, a top leader said.
"Extension of ceasefire is not on the main agenda at the coming round of talks," Rh. Raising, a senior leader of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Isaac-Muivah faction (NSCN I-M), told Reuters in an interview.
"The focus of the coming round of talks in Bangkok will be on the federal relationship between two entities -- India and the Nagas," Raising said late on Sunday in Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland state. Naga rebels have been fighting since 1947 for a separate homeland that includes parts of the predominantly Christian state of Nagaland as well as some neighbouring states inhabited by the tribals.
More than 20,000 people died in the insurgency until a ceasefire in 1997 and the rebels and the Indian government have held several rounds of talks since. But there has been little progress on the central rebel demands -- unification of Naga-dominated areas in northeast India, which is fiercely opposed by other ethnic groups in the region, and ultimately independence.
Security analysts say peace with the Nagas is crucial for a broader peace in the remote northeast, seven states connected to the rest of India by a thin strip of land and home to dozens of insurgent groups.
Raising said the two-day talks with Indian government ministers in Bangkok would fail if New Delhi refused to recognise their right to self-determination.
"Our federation can't exist within the Indian union or under the Indian constitution," said the bespectacled rebel leader.
"We are for independence, nothing else will satisfy us. Ours is a basic issue where the survival of Nagas as a nation is at stake," the school teacher-turned-rebel leader said.
Analysts say although a return to conflict is unlikely with most NSCN cadres getting used to a life of peace under the truce, the inability of talks to make progress would hurt stability in the region.
"We don't hate India and will maintain a good relationship with India in many areas like defence and economy," Raising said. "But there will be no merging in culture and polity."
Oscar for strong cease-fire monitoring to thwart factional clashes Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, July 22:: Union Minister of State for Programme Implementation (Independent Charge) Oscar Fernandes has emphasised the need for strengthening the cease-fire monitoring mechanism in Nagaland so that inter-factional clashes among the underground factions could be discouraged. Talking to newspersons here last evening, Mr Fernandes said he met several NGOs of the state and everybody had expressed concern at the inter-factional clashes and wanted a peaceful atmosphere in the state and an early settlement of the Naga issue. He said the NGOs and political parties wanted integration of all Naga areas of the region adding that the entire process would take some time as we have to respect the sentiments of other states as well.

On the state government’s claim that inter-factional clashes could not be stopped until there is a solution to the Naga issue, Mr Fernandes categorically stated that inter-factional clashes are the law and order problem of the state and it is the duty of the Government to maintain it. Moreover, central security forces are here to assist the State Government.
On the settlement of the Naga issue, the Union Minister said it should be acceptable to all.

Asked about the talks with the other Naga underground faction who has also agreed the cease-fire with the Government of India, he said the Union Home Ministry is taking up the issue with the other underground group and he was assigned to look into the matter with the NSCN-IM only.

On the ongoing peace talks with the NSCN-IM, Mr Fernandes said 'some progress' had been made in the last round of talks in Amsterdam.
He also expressed concern over the reported poor functioning of the BSNL in Kohima. Saying that it was due to poor equipment facilities and assured to take up the matter with the Union Telecommunication Ministry. He left for Dimapur last evening, where he will stay over night and then leave for New Delhi by train tomorrow. (UNI)
Naga students ‘win’ textbook battle The Morung Express
New Delhi/Imphal, July 23: The Naga students in Manipur have “won” this round of their battle for a separate school syllabus. Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has assured a delegation that Naga students in the four hill districts of Manipur would be allowed to follow the syllabus of the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) instead of that of the Manipur Board of School Education (MBSE).
Last year, the Manipur government, through an ordinance, made the MBSE syllabus compulsory in 163 private schools functioning in Naga-dominated Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Senapati and Chandel districts. “The Naga students have rejected the syllabus and decided to follow the NBSE one,” said Achumbemo Kikon, tribunal general of the Naga Students Federation (NSF).
The Naga students have been agitating for over a year now, demanding affiliation with the NBSE. “In March, the 163 schools introduced the syllabus followed by the NBSE. All the schools in question are unaided private schools and, therefore, in no way dependent on the Manipur government,” said Kikon. What the Naga students objected to in the MBSE syllabus was the way in which the textbooks were written. “They presented a distorted version of history. There was no reflection in them of the Naga way of life,” said a delegation member.
The Nagaland cabinet took up the students’ demand, discussed and agreed to it at a meeting last month. The government then referred it to the HRD Ministry for clearance. “Education is on the concurrent list, so we need the HRD Ministry’s endorsement of our decision as well,” said Kikon. The situation, however, was fast approaching a critical stage. Thousands of students who had switched to the NBSE had their careers at stake.
A four-member Naga students’ delegation landed in New Delhi recently to take up the matter with the Centre. They wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and met, among others, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Union home minister Shivraj Patil, HRD minister Arjun Singh and Congress leader Oscar Fernandez.
Sonia assured the delegation that she would take up the matter with the HRD minister. When the student leaders met Singh, he said the matter would be sorted out as soon as possible. “He agreed that the matter needed immediate intervention,” said Kikon.
In their memorandum to the HRD minister, the students said, “In complete disregard of the sentiments and rights of the minorities, the Manipur government has been propagating discriminatory policies against minorities, especially Nagas. One example is the imposition of the Meitei script.” The delegation headed by Kikon included K. Elu Ndang, General Secretary of NSF, Sounu, Joint Secretary, All Naga Students Association of Manipur and Ning Reichon, Convenor, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights. The United Naga Council, apex body of Nagas living in Manipur, will meet next week in the state to discuss the issue. Women and students are expected to participate in the meeting. K. Langamba, president of the United Committee, Manipur, which headed the 2001 anti-territory integration movement, declined to comment on the development. Source: The Telegraph
Sumi Hoho for tripartite NSCN meeting The Morung Express

Dimapur, July 23 (MExN): The Sumi Hoho has suggested holding a tripartite meeting comprising representatives of the two NSCN factions, the Hoho and the NGOs to address the contentions arising out of the Zunheboto ceasefire agreement.
“We feel the issue/matter will become more complicated if we continue in issuing rejoinders” Sumi Hoho, President HS Rotokha and General Secretary Aheto V Yepthomi stated in a release. “It is therefore the Sumi Hoho and NGOs suggests holding another tripartite meeting comprising the representatives of the two NSCN factions and Sumi NGOs who attended the 14th June ceasefire agreement signing meeting along with their competent leaders, so as to put the matter to an end across the table in the larger interest of all concerned. The time and venue will be intimated, if the two concerned groups extend positive response” the Hoho stated.
Sectarian leaders should accept the divine truth, says NNC “God told Isak-Muivah to rejoin NNC” The Morung Express
Dimapur July 23 (MExN): Highlighting several instances where divine intervention had ‘warned against’ killings, works of ‘divisive forces’ as well as guided the Naga movement, the Naga National Council lamented that “sectarian leaders” shows no signs of regret or repentance for the Naga killings and refuses to accept the truth.
“Till date, the sectarian leaders show no sign of regret, (realization) or (repentance) for the killings, telling lies and false accusations against the Nagas” according to NNC member Thomas. “Indeed the fact they know that God foretold in 1972, 1974, in march and December 1975 were when no one knows or expects the Shillong will be signed, the mission compound will become as Transit Peace camp or Eno Muivah and Isak will form the NSCN” he stated.
The NNC maintained that despite “God’s Law, His warning and guidance” in the past 25 years, "they" without rest and sleep have been sowing the seeds of hatred and enmity among the Nagas, committing killings, destroying Naga traditional democracy, the integrity and well-being of Nagaland.” The Council stated that these acts cannot be justified “even if they make friendships with hundreds of foreign countries or for that matter even if they explore up to outer space.” They will have no justification for the killing of thousands of Nagas in “the face of God or human” he added.
The NNC stated that instead of justifying the formation of NSCN or killing or attempting to “sell out sovereignty of Nagaland by submitting 30-point competencies proposal” the best thing to do for the NSCN (IM) “is to accept the truth and obey God”. Thomas asserted that God spoke through Lt Kepfelhou on August 15, 1974 at UN Seti Camp: “I will neither deceive you nor betray you. If you obey me, my words will be fulfilled. I will truly take you to your land”.
The statement asserted that in 1984, God spoke to Muivah and Isak through evangelist Athui and a “lady Army” of NSCN “to stop killing and rejoin the NNC” and warned that “if you failed to obey me, I will work against you and there will be more killing taken place among yourselves (NSCN)”. The NNC stated that the words were fulfilled in 1988 when the NSCN split into two factions “as they failed to obey God and killing among themselves is unabated till date”.
Also, the NNC pointed out that the Rainbow flag of Nagaland is a great manifestation of God choosing the Nagas by Himself and leading the Naga Nation. “For which God had given many signs and spoke through his servants that this was for him. For instance, God spoke through an American woman while the people from more than 200 countries gathered together in the yearly tabernacles feaast in jerusalem in 1999 and at that time they were praying for the Naga people” Thomas asserted. “I have chosen Naga people by myself. Before the return of Jesus Christ, it is my will that the Nagas are to be free, for which I have given their kingdom” quoted Thomas of a prophesy made by Lt Kepfelhou on August 13, 1974.
Tension in Asom-Nagaland border Nagaland Post Staff Reporter
Dimapur, July 23 (NPN): Tension is running high in border areas near Saringyim village along Jorhat-Mokokchung districts following the reported extortion demand served on the manager of Naginijan Tea Estate and alleged molestation of a girl of the garden recently. Some Assam-based dailies in their reports implicated a certain Naga underground faction active in the area to the incidents. The incidents prompted villagers on the Assam side along the border to suspend all business transactions with Nagaland besides also restricting the movement of vehicular traffic.
In the aftermath of such developments, a joint meeting of the Border Peace Coordination Committee (Assam and Nagaland) was held at Naginijan Tea Estate on July 22 with an aim to defuse the tension. After long deliberation, the members adopted certain resolutions to help continuance of peace and tranquility in the area.
The meeting, chaired by I. Hussain, Manager of Naginijan Tea Estate, was attended among others by District Informatics Officer, Mokokchung, Er Temsuwathi, village council chairmen, GBs and elders of Asiringyim (Saring), Aonokpu and Tsuremmen from Nagaland side. It may be mentioned the Peace Committee was formed a few years back following frequent border skirmishes between Assam and Nagaland.
Arjun Singh tells Ibobi Telegraph story on textbooks is bogus The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 23: The screaming headline “Naga students ‘win’ textbook battle” in the popular Calcutta and Guwahati based English daily, The Telegraph today, claiming that the Union HRD (Human Resource Development) minister Arjun Singh, gave his approval to a delegation of Naga students representatives that 163 private schools in four Naga dominated hill districts of Manipur would be allowed to affiliate to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education, NBSE, is bogus, said Manipur chief minister, Okram Ibobi Singh in a personal clarification over the phone to local newspapers late this evening.
The chief minister said he had an interview with Arjun Singh at 10.30pm today and the latter categorically told him that he had not made any commitment as reported in the newspaper.
“I never said anything that would have even given the hint of what was reported to have been said by me,” the Union minister told Ibobi during the interview, according to the latter.
He also told the chief minister that education being a state subject, he would not so flagrantly flout constitutional norms to override the state government in such decisions, Ibobi said.
The chief minister said earlier his government had even stopped permission to private schools in the state to affiliate with the Central Board of Secondary Education, CBSE, although there was a long queue of schools wanting to do this, precisely for the reason that it would cause complications not only for the Board of Secondary Education Manipur, BSEM, but also for the students studying in these institutes.
At present, the norm set in such matters is to allow one private school per district to affiliate with the Central board, over and above those already thus affiliated, the chief minister said.
The complication the state is having with the National Open Schools, NOS, is just an indication of the shape of things to come if schools were to be put at liberty to affiliate to whichever educational board they prefer, Ibobi said.
To resolve the issue, the government has put a stricture that unless students from the NOS also pass the BSEM public examination, their degrees would not be recognized in the state.
This is an essential part of the standardization of education in the state, he said.
Commenting on the often cited grievances of the hill districts about the imposition of the Meitei Mayek on them, the chief minister said there has been no such imposition, and the students in the hills are given the option to go either for the indigenous script or the Roman script.
The picture projected by the media outside that the case is one of a majority community imposing its will by force on minority communities, is a falsity at least in this case, the chief minister said.
He also said if there were points of disagreement still, these could be sorted out democratically.
The Telegraph in today’s story had said “Union human resource development minister Arjun Singh has assured a delegation that Naga students in the four hill districts of Manipur would be allowed to follow the syllabus of the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) instead of that of the Manipur Board of School Education (MBSE)”.
It also said “last year, the Manipur government, through an ordinance, made the MBSE syllabus compulsory in 163 private schools functioning in Naga-dominated Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Senapati and Chandel districts”.
It further quoted members of the delegation which met Arjun Singh as explaining the BSEM textbooks which they are rejecting, “presented a distorted version of history. There was no reflection in them of the Naga way of life.”

Effigies of PM, Cong president and Union HRD minister burnt The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, July 23: Volunteers of several civil society organizations burnt the effigies of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh this evening around 7.45 pm at Khoyathong in Imphal.

The furor was caused by a news report that Union HRD minister had given his assent to affiliation of schools in the state to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education.

Volunteers of Manipur Forward Youth Front, All Manipur Students Union, National Identity Protection Committee, Jiri Development Council took part in the effigies burning and shouted slogans like `India government should not break integrity of the North East people.`
Speaking to the media, AMSU vice-president E Ratankumar, said they condemn the reported statement of the Union HRD minister Arjun Singh on the contentious textbook issue. The union minister is trying to create tension between the people of Manipur and Nagaland, the AMSU leader alleged and demanded that the minister retract or deny his statement. The student leader also warned they were ready to launch severe agitations if the Union minister fails to retract his statement at the earliest.
Army, ULFA women trade fire in Arunachal Nagaland Post
Itanagar, July 23 (UNI): An encounter between the Army and ULFA's women wing took place at Khowji village in Upper Lekang under Lohit district in Arunachal Pradesh. However, there was no report of any casualty. The gunwomen, however, escaped in spite of heavy firing, official sources said. The army has intensified its operations against the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in Changlang and Lohit districts of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Asom.
Official sources said here the operations had been launched against the outfit since Friday at Mahadebpur under Lohit district and Bordumsa in Changlang district following reports of large number of cadres camping in these areas. Additional Deputy Commissioner R K Sharma of Namsai told UNI that there were reports of firing between the outfit cadres and army personnel at Khowji village under Lohit yesterday, but no casualty had been reported from either side.
However, the army along with police had launched a massive combing operation against the outfit at Bangeri Reserve Forest under Tinsukia district of Asom bordering Arunachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, unofficial sources informed that four army personnel, including a senior official of the 15 Maratha Regiment stationed at Sipani under Lohit, were killed in the fierce encounter that took place at Khawzi village yesterday. However, army authorities remained tightlipped over the incident. According to the sources, the encounter took place at 1130 hrs when a team of army personnel went to the village following reports of five Ulfa cadres taking shelter in a teachers' residence. The cadres sensing danger opened fire in which four army personnel were killed. However, the ULFA cadres managed to escape, sources added.
ULFA representatives accuse New Delhi of sabotaging talks By IANS Monday July 24, 12:47 PM
Guwahati, July 24 (IANS) Civil society representatives of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in Assam have accused New Delhi of trying to sabotage the peace process by making contradictory statements over holding talks with the rebel leadership. A sense of growing mistrust between the ULFA and the central government is pushing the much-hyped peace process to a point where it could reach a dead end and even collapse before actually taking off.
'First they (central government) asked the ULFA to establish direct contact, then they asked to name the members who would participate in the talks, now they are saying there cannot be talks without a ceasefire,' Arup Borbora, spokesperson of the People's Consultative Group (PCG), said.
'In the interest of a negotiated political solution, it is necessary that the centre refrains from violating the decisions taken on June 22.' At the end of the third of round of talks between the ULFA nominated PCG and government peace negotiators in New Delhi June 22, Home Minister Shivraj Patil had said the government was ready to release five top jailed rebel leaders to pave the way for direct talks with the ULFA leadership. During the past week, there were conflicting statements from Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and union Home Secretary V.K. Duggal - both advocating that the ULFA establish direct contacts with the government before holding peace talks. The ULFA in a statement made it clear it would sit for direct talks with New Delhi only when the government releases five of their jailed leaders. 'These kind of conflicting signals from the government do not bode too well for the peace process,' PCG member Dilip Patgiri said. Meanwhile, army operations are on against the ULFA in Assam triggering mass protests with people blocking highways over the weekend. Hundreds of people in eastern Assam's Tinsukia district blocked highways Sunday for hours together protesting army operations against the ULFA in the area leading to the death of a local youth. The protestors have threatened to enforce a 48-hour shutdown in Tinsukia district beginning Tuesday if the army offensives were not halted immediately. 'The army operations are against the spirit of the peace process currently on. The need of the hour is to build and strengthen confidence instead of targeting innocents in the name of hounding ULFA rebels,' B. Neog, a protesting leader, said. ULFA, which has been fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979, last October appointed the 11-member PCG to represent it in the talks with the government.
Centre’s new terms to hit peace process: PCG By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, July 23 – The People’s Consultative Group (PCG) has expressed apprehension that imposition of new conditions by the Central and State governments for release of the five central committee members of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) might seriously affect the ongoing peace process. The PCG members met here last night to discuss the situation following imposition of new conditions by the governments at Delhi and Dispur for the release of the jailed central committee members of the ULFA and decided to write a letter to the National Security Adviser MK Narayanan tomorrow to express its concern.

PCG coordinator Lachit Bordoloi told this correspondent today that the Government did not abide by the decisions taken in the third round of meeting between the Government of India and the PCG, which was chaired by the Union Home Minister. He said that in the third round of meeting, the Government of India agreed to consider favourably the demand for release of five central committee members of the ULFA in consultation with the State Government. The ULFA demanded the release of the jailed central committee members to enable it to take vital decisions regarding talks with the Government. It was also decided that the Government would restrain the operations against the ULFA and the PCG would request the outfit to maintain restraint. Accordingly, the PCG made a public appeal to the ULFA to maintain restraint and the ULFA also formally welcomed the outcome of the third round of talks.

Bordoloi said that in the following days, the Government did not abide by the decisions taken in that meeting and the Union Home Secretary and the Asom Chief Minister imposed new conditions for the release of the jailed central committee members. He said that new conditions like naming of a team by the ULFA for talks, a formal and direct approach from the outfit, signing of a ceasefire agreement before the release of prisoners, etc., amounted to violation of the decisions taken in the last meeting.

The PCG coordinator also said that the ULFA maintained restraint following the appeal by the group, but the operations against the ULFA continued and six cadres of the outfit were killed in Baksa and Garo Hills. “If the decisions taken in the meetings attended by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister are not implemented, then the Government would not be able to build the confidence of any organization to come for talks,” he added.

A Day at the Rebel Camp Source: Leader Writer: Thingbaijam Dhamen
Posted: 2006-07-15 Kangla on line

Smiles and unsuspecting friendly faces are things that one usually does not expect to see while entering a rebel camp. But yes, that is the way things were when we entered the NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland) camp near Udalguri as team of journalists a few months back and we might want to thank the ceasefire agreement for that.

The neatly maintained area is surrounded by barracks with tin roofs, walls made of thickly woven bamboo strips and a concrete floor. The open fields all around the place gives a feeling of serenity. You might mistake it for an ashram until you see the young cadres in their very military mannerisms and olive green combat fatigues.

Why did they need to form NDFB? Are their demands justified? Are their means correct? What are their anxieties and expectations regarding the ceasefire? These are the questions that kept bothering my mind as I entered the camp. We were greeted by a very gentle looking person Mr. Bhobara Alongbar, who, to my surprise, turned out to be the Deputy Chief of the Bodoland army. Could such a soft spoken man ever plan or participate in any kind of violence? I asked myself.

After a brief introduction on both sides we all settled down under the plastic shade, raised mainly for our visit, for a formal question-answer session. Mr. Alongbar and Mr. Susranga, the Chief of Bodoland Army, began by talking about the struggle of the Bodo people for their rights over the decades. As per their manifesto, the struggle began sometime in 1928-29 when India was still under British rule. Sense of insecurity, feeling of neglect and constant suppression by the State are the reasons put forward to justify the cause.

The Armed struggle began nineteen years back with the formation of NDFB. As per records, many efforts were made by various Bodo organizations prior to that, to sort out the problems peacefully. In 1927-28, the Cachari Juvok Sanmiloni submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission demanding recognition as a district and a separate society from other Hindus in the region. They even wished for a separate regiment in the British army. Even after independence efforts were made by Plains tribal Council of Assam (PCTA), United Nationalist Liberation Front (UTNLF) etc. to get a separate state within the Indian Constitution for the Bodo people. All efforts failed.
The leaders are fine with the ceasefire that began on First of July 2005 and shall conclude in June 2006, but are getting apprehensive about the peace process. “We are hoping for a political solution very soon” said Mr. Brahmon Baghmari, the convener of the advisory board of All Boro Peace Forum. He added, “The government needs to keep its promise and either invite us for talks or give us a solution before the ceasefire ends”---“Or they will have to be responsible for the consequences.”
On the other hand, the government spokesperson Mr. Khagen Sarma, who is the IG (Special Branch) of Assam Police, stated that there is no delay on the State’s part regarding the peace process. He said,” Before the negotiations can start, the NDFB will have to submit its charter of demands. It was due at the end of January, they have not submitted the demands till now.”

Today Bodoland army has 2000 recruits out of which 30 are women. The Udalguri camp has 50 cadres who come from different parts of the region including Nalbari, Sonitpur, Dhemaji etc. Most of them are young boys either in their teens or early twenties. Young cadre M. Langdam joined the group five years back. He has not visited his family since then. He recently moved to the Udalguri camp from the main Kokrajhar camp. “I like it very much here, I miss my family but it is nice here,” he said.

There are others like camp commander Nwjwr (pronounced as Najer), who is newly married but shall not be home for a few months at least. He does not regret, rather he feels proud that his family understands and supports the cause. He has had his share of hardships in the jungles of Bhutan where the training for most of the cadres took place.

The boys wake up in the morning at about 3am and start the day with some physical exercise. Later they do some farming and also do cooking and cleaning. Evenings are spent attending political lessons which revolve around plans of action for the group. It is a busy day till they get into bed at 8pm. Most of these young boys have either not gone to school or have left their studies halfway through. On being asked if the leaders do not feel responsible for their basic education, Mr. Alongbar said, “The boys come here on their own and even at home they have no money or environment to get any education.”
The economic backwardness of the race was often being talked about by the leaders during the conversation. On the other hand the camp was well equipped with latest electronic gadgets like a computer, television sets, VCD players and a music system. There were a few motorbikes and also a brand new car still awaiting a number plate. Mr. Alongbar and Mr. Susranga claimed that the money came as donation from well wishers. I sincerely wish that these well wishers donated some more money that could be utilized for the basic education of the Bodo children.
The fight for their cause will continue and no one really knows where it will lead the people and the region to. “If the problem does not get resolved in our lifetime, our next generation will carry on the fight,” said Mr. Alongbar with a sense of Pride. He added, “Let us hope for a peaceful resolution very soon.”