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07/26/2006: "aga rebels say troops breaking truce Wed Biswajyoti Das Reuters"

Naga rebels say troops breaking truce Wed Jul 26 By Biswajyoti Das Reuters
DIPHUPAR, India (Reuters) - Naga rebels, fighting for a separate tribal homeland, said on Wednesday they were running out of patience as government forces had killed dozens of their cadres in violation of a 1997 truce. The comments by a top rebel leader came before peace talks with Indian government ministers in Bangkok later this week and the expiry of the ceasefire, due on July 31.
The rebels of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, Isaac-Muivah faction (NSCN I-M), have stepped up pressure in the run up to the talks, saying sovereignty was the key issue.
They have killed around 116 of our boys in cold blood and arrested about 200 of them in the recent past," Phunthing Shimray, a NSCN (IM) "brigadier" who heads the rebels' ceasefire monitoring cell, told Reuters. "Our patience is running out," he said, adding that this was in violation of the truce agreement not to kill each other or confiscate arms.
Naga rebels have fought since 1947 for a separate homeland that includes parts of the predominantly Christian state of Nagaland as well as neighbouring areas 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. Indian security officials said NSCN cadres moved around in battle fatigues and carried arms, making it difficult for troops to distinguish them from other militants in the region.
"They are acting as a law enforcing agency in the Naga areas, which is a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement," a security officer said.
The NSCN (IM) runs a parallel government in the Naga inhabited areas. The rebels say hat between 1991 and 1996, they snatched more than 800 weapons from soldiers in attacks and ambushes. "Now that we have agreed to stop fighting, they are trying to snatch the weapons back from us," the rebel leader said. "More than 100 weapons have been taken away from us."
July 28-29 meet to decide on truce push Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, July 25:: The government and the NSCN-IM will hold talks in Bangkok on July 28-29 on the ceasefire in Nagaland, which will expire at the end of this month...

amid indications the rebels could toughen their stand to get some "concessions" on their "charter of demands" before going ahead with the peace process.

"We hope the government will give some positive response to our key demands. The extension of the ceasefire will depend on the outcome of the meeting," NSCN-IM spokesman Jhoney Dilbung told PTI.

The NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have observing a truce since August 1997 when they agreed on a ceasefire. The accord has been extended every 12 months since then except last year, when it was renewed for just six months at the insistence of the NSCN-IM and further extended by another six months in February.

In their "charter of demands", the rebels have sought unification of all Naga-inhabited areas of the northeast, separate representation at the UN and greater rights over natural resources, finance, defence and policing. However, chief government negotiator and Union Minister Oscar Fernandes said, "The talks are a continuous process. These have to be held in many stages before things can evolve in a concrete shape." Fernandes visited Nagaland for three days last week and met civil society leaders, political leaders, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet colleagues to ascertain their views regarding the peace process. -PTI
CF extension to depend on talks’ outcome: NSCN (IM)Biswajyoti Das The Moring Express
Kohima, July 25 (AGENCIES): The government and the NSCN-IM will hold talks in Bangkok on July 28-29 on the ceasefire in Nagaland, which will expire at the end of this month, amid indications the rebels could toughen their stand to get some “concessions” on their “charter of demands” before going ahead with the peace process.
“We hope the government will give some positive response to our key demands. The extension of the ceasefire will depend on the outcome of the meeting,” NSCN-IM spokesman Jhoney Dilbung told a news agency.
The NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have been observing a truce since August 1997 when they agreed on a ceasefire. The accord has been extended every 12 months since then except last year, when it was renewed for just six months at the insistence of the NSCN-IM and further extended by another six months in February.
In their “charter of demands”, the rebels have sought unification of all Naga-inhabited areas of the northeast, separate representation at the UN and greater rights over natural resources, finance, defence and policing.
However, chief government negotiator and Union Minister Oscar Fernandes said, “The talks are a continuous process. These have to be held in many stages before things can evolve in a concrete shape.” Fernandes visited Nagaland for three days last week and met civil society leaders, including members of the influential Naga Hoho, political leaders, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet colleagues to ascertain their views regarding the peace process.
Naga Hoho seeks quota for Nagas in other states The Moring Express
Kohima, July 25: In what may be seen as the third step to achieve integration of the Naga-inhabited areas, the Naga Hoho last week resolved that Nagaland revert to its “pre-1972 status” in order to make Nagas from outside the state eligible for job reservation.
Till 1972, the state was under the external affairs ministry and enabled job reservation for Nagas from outside the state before the then chief minister Hokishe Sema brought the state under the Union home ministry.
“The resolution was mainly for the job reservation of Nagas residing outside the so-called Nagaland state,” said a Hoho leader. If it reverts to that status, the tribal body will not only go a step towards integrating the Nagas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with Nagaland but also achieve a degree of emotional integration without disturbing the sensitivities of other states.
Under the previous arrangement though, sources said, the job reservation of 20 per cent was not meant solely for Nagas from other states but for any citizen residing in any other Indian state. It was a unique arrangement in the sense that citizens of other states’ could get a job in Nagaland. Now, however, the Hohos have demanded job reservation only for Nagas from other states.
Before this move, two other moves were made by the Nagas in Manipur. The United Naga Council (UNC), Manipur, has demanded the affiliation of all Naga-dominated private schools to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).
Chief minister Neiphiu Rio has already given his assent to the UNC’s proposal, and urged the Centre to take appropriate steps to enable the affiliation to the NBSE.
In a second move, the UNC has asked the Naga villages in the four districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel to pay the annual house tax to the Nagaland government and not to the one in Manipur. Source: The Telegraph
‘Don’t interfere in NBSE affiliation’ Newmai News Network Imphal | July 25
The United Naga Council (UNC), the Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM), the Naga People Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and All Naga Student Association Manipur (ANSAM) urged the valley NGOs not to interfere in the Nagaland Board School Education affiliation process.
According to the joint statement issued to Newmai News Network this evening signed by UNC president K.S Paul Leo, NWUM president Grace Shatsang, NPMHR (south sector) co-convener S. Phakhami and ANSAM President Paulring Langhu said that the 163 private schools in the “four Naga Hill districts” of Manipur are in the process of getting affiliated to Nagaland Board School Education. “Unfortunately, there are some people/organisations that simply cannot accept the reality. The Hon’ble C.M. of Manipur O. Ibobi Singh is one such”, the statement said.
With regard to the statement made by the Manipur Chief Minister, which stated that, “education is a state subject and that the state government will never agree to such a proposal,” meaning the affiliation of the private schools to NBSE, the Naga NGOs termed it as just a political gimmick to save his chair.
“However, at the back of his mind, O. Ibobi Singh knows it fully well that the decision of the Union Government prevails, on any subject - be it on the state or on the concurrent list. O. Ibobi should not attempt to stifle the democratic aspirations of the minorities by stooping to cheap gimmicks unless he is a mere pawn in the hands of some organizations of the valley community with vested interests”, said the frontal Naga social organisations, adding, “we respect his democratic right to expression, but he should not expect the modern public to be so gullible as to easily believe his lies.”
Further, it stated that the Naga people in the four “Naga Hill districts” of Manipur are just expressing their democratic aspirations by deciding to get affiliated to NBSE wherein they find their cultural expression.
The Naga frontal organizations then asserted that they have always respected the aspirations of other communities and expected that others should reciprocate for it.
The Naga NGOs then directed the social organisations of the valley community such as MAFYF, AMSU, NIPCO and Jiribam Development Council to desist from creating irrational violence to interfere in the NBSE affiliation process.
The Naga NGOs termed the attitude of the valley community based social organisations as “dominant and dictatorial” and added that such attitude cannot prevent reality from taking place - their hue and cry (arson and burning of effigies of Indian leaders) in the Manipur valley will not in anyway halt the affiliation process which is already in full swing. The Naga NGOs has been silent spectators for too long and time has come to answer the call, concluded the statement.
Stay away from IM's campaign : K Many deride affiliation stand to NBSE Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 25: The NSCN (K) has warned of strong action against any civil organisation which becomes a partner in the campaign to adopt the books prescribed by Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) in the schools located in the four hill districts of Manipur at the alleged instigation of the rival NSCN (I-M).

In a statement made available to the press, information and publicity secretary in charge of GPRN/NSCN (Zeliangrong Region) said the attempt being made to incite young students to burn their text books is the most uncivilised and foolish thing. No civil organisations should encourage the NSCN (I-M) in its sinister design of impairing the career of the students and sowing the seeds of communal distrust. If any of the organisations and individual are found taking part and supporting the drama being enacted by NSCN (I-M), NSCN (K) would award capital punishment without giving time for clarification or explanation, the statement said.

None of the student organisation should also give in to the pressure of ANSAM, NSF, UNC and Naga Women's Union, Manipur which are acting at the behest of NSCN (I-M) and forcefully setting the text books confiscated from the hapless students on fire, the statement said. Explaining that the main objective of the NSCN (K) is to promote peaceful harmonious relationship among the people living in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, the statement cautioned the people against the attempt being made allegedly by the NCSN (I-M) to drive wedge among them.

The efforts of the NSCN (I-M) to create communal feeling among the people by using some of the Naga bodies with the concept that might is powerful than intellect nothing but the mindset of the stone age. Now information technology has developed so much that the world is being considered as a global village, the statement said, adding NSCN (K) would never allow the NSCN (I-M) to succeed in its devilish design.
Affiliation uncertainty makes many students seek transfers By Sukham Nanda Kangla
IMPHAL, July 25: Apprehension of loosing an academic year is disturbing the minds of students in the districts of Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Senapati over the matter of affiliation of private schools of the four districts to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education.

According to a highly placed official source of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM) altogether 149 students of private schools from the districts of Ukhrul, Chandel and Senapati were transfered to government schools after being allowed by the education department to do so. Moreover many students from these districts including Tamenglong have already collected more than 500 transfer forms from the BSEM.The source further revealed that the state government recently issued an order for allowing the students from the private schools of these four hill districts to transfer to the government schools despite having completed half of the ecademic session. This was due to the current move of some Naga bodies to bring the syllabus of Nagaland Board of Secodary Education to the four hill districts of Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong after affiliating to the Nagaland board.

Further the official added that the recent steps of the state government to allow the transfer of students from private to government schools was to save the students from expected loss of a academic year of the students. Making an observation on the technical infeasibility of interference in the educational policy of one state by another, the official of the BSEM further added that the neighbouring Nagaland government had no right to spread its education system beyond its own state boundaries, as clearly laid down in the Board of Secondary Education Act 1973. likewise in the state of Manipur too the Board of Secondary Education Manipur Act, 1972 also has similiar instructions not to spread the educational system beyond the Manipur state boundary.

In respect to the latest development in regard to education in the hill districts of Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong in the aftermath of the recent open demonstration by the Naga student bodies of the state demanding affiliation of private schools to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education, the secretary, Council of Board of School Education in India, BB Sharma has sent a letter to the authorities of BSEM and Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur on July 17 last, informing that they had recently intimated the ministry of human resource development to take up appropriate action to end the controversy between the Nagaland board and Manipur board. This was a follow up action on the reports submitted by the secretary, Board of Secondary Education Manipur, Ph Nandakumar, during the meeting of Coucil of Board of School Education in India held at Guwahati on July 13, the source added.

In the meantime, many private schools in the districts of Ukhrul, Cahndel, Senapati and Tamenglong were forced to start learning the text books prescribed by the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education, but there is lack of an official report, which is purportedly another example of adminstrative failure in the hill districts, many commented.

Meanwhile, it will be a must for the students of Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong to learn first language subjects, either MIL, Bengali, Hindi, Ao, Lotha, Sema or Alternative English as prescribed by the Nagaland board syllabus after leaving Manipuri written in Roman script, Major Indian Language and eight recognised languages spoken by the tribal commuinities of the state as prescribed by the state board.

The central government has the power to allow the demands of the Naga bodies in the state after promulgation of an ordinance, as education in a state is in the concurrent list in Item 25 of 7th Schedule of the Constitution of India. As a result there is possibility for the affiliation of private schools in four districts of Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong to Nagaland board if the lobbying of the Naga bodies at the centre is successful, BSEM officials have observed.
Naga frontal organizations condemns MP Rishang’s irrational comments Newmai News Network July 25
Imphal:The United Naga Council (UNC), the Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM), the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and the All Naga Student Association Manipur (ANSAM) has termed the speech made by veteran congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing at Ukhrul on July 22 as unfortunate.
The joint statement of Naga frontal organisations said that “at a time when the GOI and NSCN (IM) are persistently holding talks on the three conditions i.e. at the highest level, unconditional talks and talks in a third country, it is very unfortunate that veteran congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing, while addressing the Congress Worker’s Conference at Ukhrul Town Hall on the July 22 , urging all concerned to stop the liberation struggle and instead come to the negotiating table and hold meaningful dialogue so that amicable solution may be worked out within the Indian Constitution” and termed the statement as condemnable by all Naga citizens.
Further, the Naga frontal organisation pointed that as an MP he (Rishang Keishing) is working under GOI and the GOI has acknowledged the uniqueness of the Naga history.
“The UNC, NPMHR, NWUM and ANSAM seriously view and strongly condemn his irrational comments spoken on the platform of the Congress party conference”, mentioned the statement.
The statement further stated that “Rishang Keishing must realize that the authority engaged in the present talks is none other than the GOI whom he is a servant to, and the GOI has acknowledged the uniqueness of the Naga history. Therefore, Rishang Keishing has no right to belittle the GOI and NSCN (IM) effort unless he feels being left out of the limelight, or he is trying to gain some political leverage out of the issue,” adding, “Rishang Keishing has bartered his own nation, yes, his own people for a political chair, which, ironically, is being pulled away from under him. He is a politician who is out of touch with reality and is to be pitied”.
IM cadres slip through cops fingers Govt acts tough, Ukhrul police SP shifted to Police Hqs, two policemen suspended By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 25 : In a sensational development, the four NSCN (IM) cadres who were arrested by the 13 Assam Rifles on July 23 while busting a detention camp run by the outfit at Ukhrul, escaped from police custody while they were being taken to the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ukhrul yesterday evening.
The four cadres escaped from the complex of the CJM Court after their accomplices suddenly ap- peared on the scene and over powered the police team.
Sources said that while the four NSCN (IM) cadres were being taken to the Court of the CJM yesterday at about 4.30 pm, about 300 well armed NSCN (IM) cadres suddenly appeared and whisked them away without firing a single shot. The police escort team also did not open fire.
The NSCN cadres not only rescued their comrades but also managed to take away the weapons earlier seized by the Assam Rifles from the four cadres.
Taking serious note of the incident the State Government has suspended Inspector R Jonah and ASI K Yangla of Ukhrul police station.
The SP of Ukhrul police Gainirung Kabui has been shifted to the Police Headquarters.
The CO of 6 Manipur Rifles Viraj Raina has been appointed as the SP-in-charge of Ukhrul.
Sources said that the NSCN (IM) cadres who rescued their comrades from the police were dressed in civvies. They were all armed with sophisticated weapons.
Following the daring escape, DIG Range IV, W Meenakumar has rushed to Ukhrul to take stock of the situation.
The four NSCN (IM) cadres who were rescued from the police custody are identified as Sgt Maj Jiten Jo (27) of Matikai, Phek, Cpl Danny Shimray (22) of Upper Hundung, Pvt Min- thing (20) of Pushing and Pvt Imu Pove (18) of Haflong.
The arms and other material seized from them include one 9 mm carbine, .303 rifle, two mobile phones and a large quantity of ammunition, ration and incriminating documents.
Efforts to contact the DGP drew blank as he had gone out for the evening.
When The Sangai Express contacted the Depu- ty Kilonser of Information of the NSCN (IM), Kraibo Chawang, the rebel leader said that the outfit is committed to peace and hence the cease fire.
“We are searching for peace and the Assam Rifles should understand this,” he added.
The PRO of Assam Rifles in a statement had stated that this was not the first time that such a jail complex was raided.
In a statement yesterday, the PRO had stated that on January 5 this year, AR troops conducted a similar raid in the same jail complex in which two NSCN (IM) cadres were arrested and seized a huge cache of arms and war like stores.
A top ranking Govt official agreed that the today's incident was a clear case of security lapses.

The troubled Ukhrul By Jacob Shaiza Sangai Express
The beautiful hill station of Manipur, Ukhrul is no longer as charming as made to believe. Proud people are the inhabitants of Ukhrul or Hunphun as it is now known, but without much to show off. Rumbling of social division is the order of the day in Hunphun today. What me-aning does it carry when the scenic beauty is without any supporting spirit and this is Ukhrul today.
The Ukhrul town comprising around 3000 households and 27 clans with the customary king as the head of the Village Authority (V.A) is in deep mess, notoriously for the misdoings of some persons with sinister plan in their pocket. Once upon a time Ukhrul or (Hunphun in local dialect) was the birth place of Tangkhul civilization that took shape for a new beginning in the form of christianization by Rev. Willian Pettigrew in 1866 and which gradually started education among the local inhabitants.
Significantly, Hunphun locals enjoys all these added advantages as compared to other Tangkhul villages. Having a glorious history as the only recognized customary king among the Manipur Hill Districts, Hunphun was the melting pot of the Tangkhul customs and the unique symbol of Naga history. Ironically, the divisive shadow engineered by a group of dubious personalities with inflated ambition appeared over Hunphun that posed a direct challenge to the time honoured Hunphun customs and to victimize the king by declaring his existence as no longer relevant. But the die-hard followers of the king refused to be shakened and thus the battle of either to go with the custom or choose other system began but in a very unbecoming upmanship.
It may be recalled that for 17 years H.A Haorein-gam was the acting headman. But a time comes when H.A Sarimaya, his elder brother and the legitimate Headman decided to take the historic steps to re-occupy the throne. Accordingly, he occupied his royal seat on 7th January 2005. But to his dismay and for no rhyme or reason his brother refused to hand-over all the relevant files and records and even question his right to the royal seat.
This was something that goes against the customary right with dimensional repercussion that ultimately draws the attention of NSCN (IM) general secretary. Th. Muivah who declared in no uncertain terms that H.A Sarimaya is the undisputed Headman of Hunphun and directed his brother to hand-over all files and records. It was on 26th June, 2005 when Haoreingam reluctantly hand-over files and records with many still missing. To add fuel to the missing records crisis two persons appeared on the scene on this particular juncture claiming themselves as the speaker and secretary of Hunphun public meeting. This two controversial persons AS Shangreiso and Sirawung Ragui were however disowned by Sarimaya on the ground that they were never elected with his authorization and as sanctioned by VA constitution. Tangwung Luiyaiwo, on 5th July, 2006 at Dimapur also flatly denied that these two persons were elected by the public. Interestingly, Shangreiso and Sirawung are regarded by Tangwung as his mentor.
Evidently, 26th June 2005 is a dark day for the people of Hunphun for many reasons that did not go down well with the customary practices. The helplessness of ex-headman HA Haoreingam being used as pawn by some unscrupulous persons was exposed on this day in its true colour. The hegemo-nistic game plan of AS Shangreiso and Sirawung Ragui was demonstrated here in a very unbecoming manner. The controversy over the manipulative lists of Village Authority members also began here. Thus, for all these reasons the present turbulent state of affairs in Hunphun has its root on this day. Hunphun being the capital district headquarters of the Tangkhuls and the centre of the Wung Tangkhul Region of NSCN(IM) administration, a parallel Government that is nurturing to run a full-fledged Government in the nearby future, the Hunphun divisive crisis cannot fail to pull NSCN into it. But unfortunately, many NSCN leaders burn their fingers in the process of playing the role of trouble shooter. Close observation indicates that impartial arbitration was found lacking in NSCN’s exercise of power over the issue. Th. Muivah’s personal attention was also drawn as the issue was a matter of Tangkhul customs that is directly linked to the unique history of the Nagas. The Hunphun public meeting was one important step suggested by Muivah to study the pulse rate of the public over the burning unsolved issues that involved a faction of Village Authority (VA) members who wanted to introduce a chairmanship system on the pretext that the customary headman is too weak. But as this step involves diluting the customary values it could not be translated into a meaningful public debate.
A public meeting was nevertheless organized by HA Sarimaya on 10th July, 2006 at Rashing Hall, Hunphun to establish the collective views and opinions on the issues faced by the Hunphun VA and the divisive anti-custom campaign that is strongly initiated by certain forces. In the meeting the headman made a fervent appeal to the public to preserve and stand by the values reflected by the custom and the beneficial effect of being one in customary principle.
Notably, the meeting was attended by almost all the high dignitaries belonging to Hunphun but based in different parts of the country. Nothing good seems to be expected out of the meeting as the two factions traded allegations and at one moment things almost run out of control.
Crucial as the meeting was, NSCN(IM) sent four observer members. The heated atmosphere was however brought to amenable stage due to the nationalistic deliberation initiated by the senior members like ex-Chief Secretary of Delhi, W. Shaiza, Somi Zimik, Chief Security Commissioner, Indian Railways and others who stressed on going with the customs rather than open the door to the eventual destruction of Hunphun customs. Th-ese two prominent speakers pointedly but poignantly reminded the members on the national valu-es that cannot be separat-ed from Hunphun customs. Taking the cue from Th. Muivah, they share the emotional meeting they had with him who told them that the blood, tears, and sweat they had undergone for all these years are all because of the unique custom of the Nagas that define the true meaning of the unique history of the Nagas. The present Indo-Naga talk is given importance based on this undeniable fact. A good sense however, prevailed and adopting a magnanimous stand, both the rival groups ultimately agreed on the need to appoint a committee for a reconciling role and to remove all obstacles for a smooth functioning of the Hunphun Village Authority. It was taken for granted that the members of the committee are without any factional leanings.
The other important highlights of the meeting was the respect for democratic election when Pro-tem Speaker Reading Luik-ham and secretary Ringp-hami Ragui were elected.
The self-inflected wounds that both the groups suffered will take its own time to heal. It is however, to be admitted that the inflated ego has to be given way to greater interest of the Hunphun public in the course of strengthening the hands of the Headman in guarding the unique customs of Hunphun and justify its place of pride in the unique history of the Nagas.
Politics and Education Source: IMPHAL FREE PRESS Posted: 2006-07-25

The tragicomedy continues. The ding dong battle of school affiliation between those who want private schools in Naga dominated districts of the state to shift to the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education, NBSE and the government of Manipur which is determined to keep all schools within its administrative jurisdiction under its own Board of Secondary Education Manipur, BSEM, is getting more and more intriguing. As the plot deepens, it is also increasingly clear how dry and inflammable the tinderbox Manipur walks on is. A news story in the popular The Telegraph, that the state government’s wish on the matter had been overridden by the Union minister for Human Resource Development, Arjun Singh, to allow schools in four hill districts to affiliate with the NBSE nearly ignited another fire. The chief minister, Okram Ibobi, hence had to personally call up various local newspapers at 11 pm yesterday to put records straight on the matter after he has had a word with the Union minister. His concern is understandable, after all the volatile situation in a fragmented society like Manipur today can overnight deteriorate into social mayhem. Even now, any little spark can produce major infernos, hence the need for constant vigilance.
The matter is tragicomic for no other reason than the obvious admixture of politics and genuinely felt concerns and grievances against the BSEM and the syllabus sought to be rejected by many. In tackling the problem, it would do well for the government as well as the public at large to distinguish between the two. For the political aspect of the problem cannot be amenable at all to any solution the state can think of and propose, short of conceding to the demand. All attempts to put it at rest within the limits of the state would be as futile as the simple prediction of the Meitei proverb: Tumdaba Mi Houdokpa Wabani (You Cannot Awaken Somebody Who Is Only Pretending To Be Asleep). From this viewpoint, the issue of syllabus or boards is incidental for the real agenda is something else and is set by the larger issue of Greater Naga homeland being campaigned and negotiated with the Government of India by the NSCN(IM). Hence, if it is not syllabus, it will be “house tax”, if it is not “house tax” it will be something else and so on. The state can only watch with patience for a resolution reached at the Centre and then evolve its own strategy.
But as in all tragicomedies, this one too has a second script running below the surface. For indeed many of the complaints reflect genuine and understandable concerns. As for instance the image of Manipur projected in the BSEM history and social sciences is not altogether faithful or proportionately plural as the Manipur reality is. It would amount to living in an illusory world to believe Manipur is all about Ras Lila, or else its feudal lineage of kings and queens. They are important parts but not everything, especially now under the present democratic dispensation. Then there is the issue of making Meitei Mayek compulsory in schools. State authorities, including the chief minister have clarified that the Mayek had not been made mandatory in school curriculum in the hills, and students here can opt for the Roman script instead. As for the Manipuri language that the script represents, it must be acknowledged that it is for the benefit of everyone that the state has an official lingua franca. Just as England does not today hold proprietary right over the English language, Manipuri need not be any longer identified only with the Meiteis. Still, to offset the additional academic burden students whose mother tongue is not Manipuri have to bear, Meitei students can be made to compulsorily learn a recognized tribal language of their choice in lower and mid school. If there are students who wish to specialize, they can pursue it further. This should however not amount to weighing each other down in the name of political correctness, but instead be a matter of opening doors to each other and admitting each other into the individual communities’ inner worlds. It is interesting that if from the democratic perspective, learning each others’ languages is a question of opening up to each other, from the colonialist’s perspective it was once considered a matter of rude intrusion into colonial privacy. George Orwell, in Burma Days made some of his most petty and conceited colonial officers posted in Burma, lament the fact that the “natives” were picking up the English language too rapidly, thus shattering their own self-proclaimed sanctified privacy.
Exhibit on Genome & 'People of India' study to be held The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JULY 25 (MExN): The Anthropological Survey of India (ASI), Ministry of Culture, will be organizing a month long exhibition on “Human Origins, Genome and People of India” at State Library Hall beginning from July 26. The exhibition is being hosted by the Anthropological Society of Nagaland (ASN) and facilitated by the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Nagaland. This was informed through a release issued by Dr Anungla Aier, Chairman, ASN.
The exhibition will be inaugurated by Shyamal Datta, the Governor of Nagaland on July 26 at 10:30 am. It was informed that he exhibition has been designed with the student and general public in mind. 'It would help them explore the past, understand the present and inspire ideas about the future of the species Homo sapiens.'
It will attempt to present interesting glimpses into what scholars have been doing for years, away from the public eye for most of the time, and help us appreciate their efforts as well as the uniqueness of our species, the release informed.
The release further added that there will be an entire section on the North East India as well as the work done by Anthropological Survey of India (ASI) in the North East region.
The exhibition, according to the official notice further stated that, innovative plans for the general public as well as students to help them keep abreast of the latest development worldwide in Human Genetics research. Instruments used in the anthropological studies will also be exhibited. Highlights of the event would include fossil finds from different parts of the country which will be on display. The exhibition will also present a panorama of activities of traditional hunter-gatherers, nomads, pastoralists and other human adaptations in different eco-cultural regions of the country, depicted through rare photographs, cultural artifacts, charts, models and crisp captions. Publications containing findings of studies conducted by the ASI will also be kept on display as well as for sale. The exhibition will be open from Monday to Saturday during office hours (10:30 am to 4:30 pm).
India tourism to unlock tribal art, tea tours Campaign to attract British

LONDON, July 25:: India tourism has launched a campaign to attract British tourists to the North East region, describing it as a 'paradise unexplored'. While India attracted a sizeable number of foreign tourists, efforts were being made to ‘show-case’ scenic spots in the North East which had hitherto remained unexplored owing to several factors, including inadequate flights, Vivek Angra, director of India Tourism in the UK told a gathering of tour operators here last night.

Manoj Jalan of Purvi Discoveries demonstrated with the help of slides the different packages available for foreign tourists. The packages include a heritage tea tour around the tea estates of Assam, visit to exotic tribal art and culture, treks and botanical tours in the eastern Himalaya and wildlife and nature tours. Another package speaks about "a pilgrimage through the pages of history".

It includes visits to Dibrugarh, the gateway to the 'hidden land' of eastern Arunachal Pradesh and to Dibru-Saikhowa National Park housing Royal Bengal Tiger, leopard, jungle cat and Malayan giant squirrel. Jalan said "the Mancotta Chang Bungalow located about 20 km from Dubrugarh town is the highpoint of visit to Dibrugarh. This 140 years heritage Chang bungalow built by pioneering Scottish tea planters offers a unique experience of the traditional plantation life."

"Intermingled with local culture, folk dance and music, the Mancotta experience is indeed a life time experience," Jalan said.

He said another star attraction was the Kaziranga National Park - a world heritage site and the oldest park in Assam. It has 65 per cent of the total world's population of the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros and over 50 per cent of the world's population of wild buffaloes and swamp deer respectively along with Asiatic wild elephants, hog deer, jungle cats, tigers and leopards.

Rajat Bagchi, Minister, coordination, in the Indian High Commission said "North Eastern part of India is one of the most scenic places in the country." he suggested that states like Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam had much to offer to foreign tourists by way of their art, culture and scenic beauty. "North East is the treasure house of India," he said. (Financial Express)
House told ULFA has links with ISI By Indian Express Wednesday July 26,
Minister of State for Home Affairs S Reghupathy told Parliament on Tuesday that ULFA had links with Pakistan's ISI. The conclusion was arrived on the basis of ''available reports'' and interrogation of arrested cadres of the outfit, he said. According to sources, ULFA's links with the ISI were gradually strengthened after training camps were eliminated at Kachin Province in Myanmar in the late 80s. Subsequently, it had to depend on foreign agencies for bases in other areas as also for arms and ammunition. During the period in the 90s when the outfit had set up camps in Bhutan, it was gradually building up a base in Bangladesh. Officials are of the view that the outfit's operations in the neighbouring country was being facilitated by ISI in cooperation with the DGFI, the intelligence agency of Bangladesh. Though the outfit has indicated its willingness for talks with the Centre, it is yet to despatch a formal letter, which the latter has demanded. The sources pointed out that ULFA's vacillation could be due to pressure exerted by foreign agencies that were against the peace initiative in the Northeast.

Army major, soldier found guilty of murder in Assam By IANS Tuesday July 25
Guwahati, July 25 (IANS) The Indian Army has punished an officer and a soldier in Assam after finding the duo guilty of killing a villager in custody, officials Tuesday said. An army spokesman said a military court found Major Nishant Sharma and rifleman Sudip Gurung responsible for the death of a villager Ajit Mahanta in February. 'Sharma was sentenced to one year's forfeiture of service which will affect his promotion prospects and Gurung was sentenced to two months' rigorous military imprisonment,' the army official said.
The military court ruling came after the Assam government lodged a protest with the army saying Mahanta was shot dead after being picked on suspicion of having links with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). His body was found in a bag in a hospital in Dibrugarh town in eastern Assam the next day after he was picked up. The army then claimed Mahanta was shot dead when he tried to escape. The Assam government's decision to seek a probe into Mahanta's death followed widespread public protests in eastern Assam that prompted police to open fire killing nine protestors. A paramilitary soldier was also stoned to death by angry protestors during the protests. 'The punishment meted out to the two army men is nothing but an eye wash. Is this the nature of punishment given to people who murdered a man in cold blood,' said Lachit Bordoloi, a rights activist.