07/28/2006: "Uneasy peace Editorial Sangai Express"

Uneasy peace Editorial Sangai Express
Two incidents in the last few days have exposed just how fragile or farcical the supposedly peaceful condition is in some of the hill districts following the negotiation between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India since 1997. It was on July 23 that Assam Rifles busted a detention centre run by the NSCN (IM) at Ukhrul and arrested four cadres of the rebel group and it was on the very next day that about 30 well armed NSCN (IM) cadres rescued their comrades from the hands of the police men while the arrested were being taken to the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate. The second incident refers to the July 26 shoot out between the Assam Rifles and suspected cadres of the NSCN (IM) at Leingangching in Thoubal district in which two Assam Rifles personnel were injured while another youth was killed under contradictory claims. It is not yet clear whether the youth slain in the encounter was a member of the rebel outfit or a civilian killed by stray bullets. Whatever the case may be the two incidents have more than made it clear that the so called peace prevailing in some districts of Manipur is nothing much more than a facade which has been imposed on the people. The very fact that the NSCN (IM) was running a detention centre to penalise what it termed, social rogues, is a clear indication of how it has been using its muscle power to intimidate and punish the civil population. As we understand it, peace should not be seen only in the context of non-confrontation between an armed group and the security force, but about how freely and fearlessly the civil population are allowed to live without any diktats from any power player. One may argue that since the cease fire pact is not enforced in Manipur, the question of non-confrontation between the IM group and the security force does not arise. However the fact stands that the cease fire is very much in force here, though unofficially.
Peace has been the elusive dream for the people of Manipur and the North East for the last many, many years and while each and every group of people will vouch for the need of peace to prevail, no one seems ready to concede some ground for peace to prevail. Peace like any other dreams and aspirations of the people also has a price and that is the willingness to see the view points and arguments of the other side without being too rigid. The question before us is whether any of the parties concerned in the tug of war are ready to go that little distance to see and understand the view points and opinion of the other side. To really qualify for the term peace, it should be understood that it means not only absence of violence and stand offs, but also absence of diktats and threats. If we take this parameter into consideration then we can safely say that peace is still a far cry for the Naga people for the writs and diktats and the threat perception of the NSCN (IM) still persist. It is this fact that the Naga people should realise and then garner the courage to say that for peace to really prevail and live up to its parameters, the rebel group, should stop running a sort of a parallel Government. Only then will peace live up to its real term and significance. To let this happen, the role of the Naga civil societies is important. They can no longer remain under the illusion that there is now peace in their region.
NSCN-IM talks in Bangkok deferred until Saturday India News (Indian muslims info
By Syed Zarir Hussain, Guwahati, July 28 (IANS) Peace talks to extend a ceasefire between a frontline separatist group in India's northeast and New Delhi's emissaries scheduled for Friday in Bangkok have been deferred by a day, a rebel leader aid. Leaders of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM), the main rebel group in Nagaland state, were to meet government peace interlocutors led by central minister Oscar Fernandes for talks on the nine-year ceasefire that expires July 31. The NSCN-IM entered into a ceasefire with New Delhi in August 1997.
"The talks begin Saturday in Bangkok and are likely to extend up to Sunday," R.H. Raising, a senior NSCN-IM leader, told IANS over the phone from Nagaland's commercial hub Dimapur. The NSCN-IM, led by guerrilla leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah, last week threatened not to extend their ceasefire, accusing the Indian Army of supplying weapons to a rival rebel outfit to provoke a "fratricidal war".
"I cannot say conclusively if the ceasefire would be extended beyond Monday. It would depend on the outcome of the talks to be held in Bangkok," Raising said. The rebel leaders are expected to seek a clarification from the government on their charges of arming the rival NSCN faction led by S.S. Khaplang.
"The talks would be crucial as we want to know from the government about the security forces either smuggling weapons seized from our cadres or providing such seized arms to one of our rival factions," another senior NSCN-IM leader said. "The question of ceasefire extension now depends on the response to our charges by the government in the Bangkok talks."
The original Nagaland rebel group split in 1988 into two factions. The NSCN-Khaplang struck a ceasefire with the government in 2001 although no formal peace talks have yet been held with that group.The two sides regularly clash for territorial supremacy. At least 200 members of both outfits have been killed in turf battles in the past five years. The main group led by Muivah and Swu is seeking a 'Greater Nagaland' that would unite 1.2 million Nagas, a demand strongly opposed by neighbouring Indian states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
The other group is seeking an independent tribal homeland. India and the NSCN-IM have held at least 50 rounds of peace talks in the past nine years to end one of South Asia's longest running insurgencies that have claimed around 25,000 lives since the country's independence in 1947.
AR failed to maintain status quo deliberately says NSCN-IM Newmai News Network
Imphal: National Socialist Council of Nagalim of Isak-Muivah faction (NSCN-IM) today viewed the attack of Leingangching under Chandel district seriously and urged the higher authority of the Assam Riffles to check the involved Major of 21 Assam Riflles code of conduct, said the Central Administrative Officer (CAO) D.Joy Rudolph, Khurmi Region.
According to a press statement, it said that in the almost ten years of cease fire with the Government of India (GOI), the NSCN-IM did not fire a single bullet on Indian armed forces till date. “Infact, if the NSCN want to be dishonest with the cease fire commitment and peace process a tactical war would have been launched against the Indian armed forces anytime, anywhere. However, the NSCN wants to prove to the world that Nagas are peace loving nation thus far,” said the Khurmi Region, NSCN-IM. The NSCN-IM, Khurmi Region stated that inspite of the numerous loss of the precious lives of the Nagas the NSCN-IM continued to stick to its commitment of co-existing harmoniously and “we endure to continue the same.”
“The incident of Leingangching could have been avoided if the 21 Assam Rifles maintained the discipline of the most powerful Indian army. However, the 21 Assam Rifles deliberately failed to maintain their status quo and therefore, unfortunately the gun-fire took place,” said the statement.
As a matter of fact, as soon as the NSCN-IM reached the village, one Indian army pensioner identified as one Thamthung was sent to the nearby ROP of 21 AR and a Major was informed about the NSCN-IM cadres presence, said the Khurmi Region of the NSCN-IM. “However, after 25 minutes later, the Major and his personnel came in five vehicles and rushed inside the village and started firing at close range at us. As the firing came from the undisciplined 21 AR we reluctantly blank fired few rounds and the rapid fire from AR invited us to launch a bomb just to stop them from firing at us. The bomb was fired 200 feet away from 21 AR location and the village,” disclosed the NSCN-IM.
“Had 21 AR listened our call for ceasefire, no firing would have taken place. Earlier, we intercept the information of the 21 AR asking its unit for more ammunition on the eve of the incident but never thought the NSCN will be targeted by them,” added the NSCN-IM of the Khurmi Region issued by its CAO. “Further, according to 21 Assam Rifles’ press statement our movement was already known to them. And all this proved that the attack was being pre-planned,” alleged the NSCN-IM.
It also said that the injured 21 AR personnel got injured by their (Assam Rifles) own grenade blast. The NSCN-IM of the Khurmi Region accused the Assam Rifles of killing S.N.Premson who was reported to be a college student by the Assam Rifles Major from infra bullet series No. K.F.03.5.56.
“If post mortem of the dead body and the injured jawan is done honestly the bullet inside and pieces of grenade will clearly tell the truth, as the truth never fails to tell the truth,” pointed out the NSCN-IM, adding that “it was not of the lethod bomb as alleged and also that the location of the innocent dead body will also justify the truth”. The NSCN-IM, Khurmoi Region also dismissed with regard to the reports of seizing of arms and ammunitions from the outfit.
Manipur schools press for Naga integration K Brajesh/Kishalay Bhattacharjee NDTV

(Chandel/Guwahati): Private schools in hill districts of Manipur have unofficially switched to the Nagaland Board of Education to press for integration of Naga dominated areas. The Chandel town in Manipur where the influence of Naga rebel group NSCN-IM is such that the gateway announces you are in south Nagaland instead. With this step the Naga speaking tribes in Manipur's hill districts have taken their demand for a Greater Nagaland one step ahead.

The medium of instruction however is still Manipuri. "As instructed by the Naga Students Federation of Chandel Class 8 and above have already changed the syllabus. The lower classes are still following the earlier syllabus," said Mr Warhing, Assistant, Oriental Academy.

Government school option

In districts like Ukhrul students not comfortable with the midcourse change are instead opting for government schools. But others say they will do anything for the people's movement.

"These changes are going to be difficult but it's our peoples movement so I would go with the people's will," said a student. But the Meitei Tribals in the valley are protesting strongly and even the Manipur government, which has not accepted the syllabus change is worried.

"Due to the report that appeared in The Telegraph, I spoke to Arjun Singh to ascertain the truth and he told me that a delegation of NSF came to meet him but he denied giving them any assurances on the matter," said Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister, Manipur.
The Naga talks may not have progressed anywhere but the NSCN(IM) has been quietly working towards their demands , the Assam government claims that Nagaland has already encroached 1,62, 471 acres of land. Now in Manipur the sensitive issue threatening to erupt bringing back images of the 2001 June protests against Naga integration.

Naga bodies bare fangs at AR Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 27: The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and the Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) have accused the Assam Rifles saying that the latter has been provoking the Naga people on the eve of the crucial round of talks between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India in the Thai capital starting from coming Friday.
The wrath of the two Naga social organisations come at the backdrop of yesterday’s incident where the cadres of the NSCN-IM and the AR exchanged gun fire at Leingang Ching which resulted in the killing of a civilian.
ANSAM and NPMHR said that even though cease fire has been going on for the last nine years, the Indian security forces have been provoking Naga people to play the spoil sport with regard to the Naga peace process.
The two Naga organisations strongly condemned yesterday’s incident and expressed their condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased identified as S.N.Premson. Meanwhile, a late reports said that the Leingang Ching Village Authority has directly accused the 21 Assam Rifles for the killing of S.N. Premson. The village authority said that it has been the Assam Rifles that had killed Premson and nobody else. The village authority said that unless the Assam Rifles give reasonable clarification the dead body of S.N.Premson would not be taken by the villagers and the family members.

NSCN condemns AR action By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 27 : The NSCN/GPRN has out rightly condemned the attack on its cadres by the 21 Assam Rifles (AR), killing of an innocent civilian and abduction of another innocent civilian in the Khurmi Region of Chandel District.
In a statement Maj (Retd) Johny Dilbung, Kilonser (Minister) Information & Publicity, said that its cadres on being informed of anti-social elements’ activities to vitiate the atmosphere in the Khurmi Region, had deputed some of its personnel to check and contain such activities.
He added that to attend to their duty the Naga Army were passing by Leingang-ching village and saw the 21 AR men approaching their route from a distance.
With the best of intention and in good gesture to avoid accidental confrontation the Naga Army went to Leingangching village and sent information to them (21 AR) through an ex-Indian Army with the message of their presence there to which it was acknowledged by their commander, a Major.
However to their utter surprise, without any provocation, the AR attacked the Naga Army after around twenty minutes of the message, and also killed an innocent civilian, Premson Lamkang s/o (L) Bungthot and abducted SK Thamthung Lamkang, an innocent ex-Armyman, a Naga civilian who was sent by the NSCN to relay the message to the Assam Rifles. The statement said that such an act was in gross violation of the cease-fire ground rules which is a sign of disrespect to the peace initiatives being taken up by the Government of India.
With cease-fire set to expire on July 31 and bilateral talks between the two sides scheduled to take place on July 28 and 29 where the extension or break-down of the cease-fire is to take place, such indication presents the insincerity of the GoI to solve the protracted conflict, he lamented.
The GoI should declare its approach responsibly rather than undertaking a double standard policy to the Indo-Naga issue. The statement also appeal to the United Nations Human Rights Group, International Human Rights Organisations, Civil Societies and all right thinking people to condemn such insincere acts during the period of peace talks between the two entities.

Inter-State bus service to remain suspended Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 27: A meeting of the All Manipur Inter-State Bus Association held today at Hotel Pintu, Imphal has resolved to continue with the suspension of transport service stir until an understanding is reached with the Government.

Citing increased monetary demands from UG groups and mushrooming of entry gates in Nagaland, the inter-State bus service of the State was suspended since July 23.According to the resolutions of the meeting, a team of the association went to meet Chief Minister at around 2 pm today. But the team was denied the opportunity to meet the CM as he was then in the middle of a cabinet meeting. Yet, a presentation containing the resolutions of the association was submitted to the private secretary of CM.

The main resolutions of today's meeting were reduction of entry gates in Nagaland by prevailing over the State Govt to take up the matter with Nagaland Government and seeking the attention of the Govt against the increased monetary demand of UG groups from tourist buses.
Editorial The Morung Expres A Public Process
The Naga Nation needs healing. Victims and survivors need healing; perpetrators are in their own way victims of a violent system; and they need healing as well. The need to heal and reconcile emphasizes presence of polarized opinions and it occurs in the backdrop of a history having protracted conflict. Hence it is essential to place the issue of healing in the dialectical interplay of reconciliation, resolution and reconstruction. These three R function interdependently of each other and are in essence the embodied aspirations of a healing nation.
A nation seeking healing must invariably address reconciliation, resolution and reconstruction. It is said that what politics offers at its core is what life offers at its essence – relationship, communication, conflict, discovery and growth. By this one understands that broken relationships which result from conflicts must at one point or another muster the will to enable a political process that leads to re-communication and re-discovery and growth. In effect, it demands a new way of life, governed by principles of respect and dignity. The outcome depends on the process.
In times of crisis it is very easy to focus on the outcome without quite realizing that the outcome depends on the process itself. The process therefore is critical in the search for reconciliation, resolution and reconstruction. It is fundamental that the process be open and public. For instance, two structural decisions that contributed towards legitimacy of the reconciliation process in South Africa were because, the selection of members to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was a public and democratic process and because there were no electoral politicians in the commission. The degree of public process relies on people’s participation and ownership.
In the South African reconciliation process, any citizen could nominate an individual of high standing and integrity and without any involvement in the apartheid system, to the commission. Several hundred nominations were filed by the people. A selection committee was then responsible for scrutinizing and choosing - through a public process - the members to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. At the end of the selection process, from several hundred nominees, around 30-odd members were selected into the Commission with Archbishop Desmond Tutu as its Chairperson. This transparent and accountable procedure strengthened the legitimacy and public acceptance of the process.
Any process towards reconciliation has to be transparent and public. It is about the truth and therefore unless the process is open, the truth will not be unveiled. Some may assert that a public and transparent process is open to the possibilities of political manipulation; and it is true that it does happen. The tension between the need for transparency and the need for a safe space is inevitable and inescapable. Therefore the dilemma created by this situation is that while conducting the public process, the objective is to make reconciliation, resolution and reconstruction possible.
Lessons from Naga experience has shown that much emphasis is laid on the outcome and not on the process, and therefore the results have not been very encouraging. The tendency to bypass procedures of democratic participation and due public process of dialogue and accountability have often weakened and negated well-meaning and good-intended initiatives. To sow the seeds of healing in the Naga nation, it is fundamental to ensure that a democratic and accountable procedure of selecting members is respected. Hence the process towards reconciliation, resolution and reconstruction needs to find a pragmatic and relevant approach that reveals the truth without sacrificing or neglecting mercy, justice and peace.
For the sake of future generations, it is important that elders do not politicize the process of evolving a pathway towards reconciliation, resolution and reconstruction. The importance of ensuring an inclusive process cannot simply be ignored. For too long, in the name of convenience and adjustment, democratic principles of participation have been overlooked. This has proved detrimental and has only resulted in aggravating polarized positions of differences and jeopardizing the well-being of future generations.
For once, let’s transcend the isms that ail Naga society, and let’s put into perspective the need for Nagas to recognize the necessity of a dig
Letter on Ulfa demands sent to Centre Nagaland Post
New Delhi, July 26 (PTI): A mediator negotiating with the Centre on behalf of the banned ULFA today sent a letter to the Government seeking clarification on the outfit's three key demands, including release of five top jailed leaders. Assamese writer Indira Goswami told PTI here that she had written in the letter to Union Home Secretary V K Duggal about the ULFA's main demands.
"I sent the letter as the government had wanted that I should give the ULFA's demands in writing," said Goswami, who had spoken on phone to National Security Advisor M Narayanan and Duggal about the group's demands on Monday.
The demands include the release of five top ULFA leaders held in prisons in Assam, a written assurance that sovereignty for the state would be part of peace talks, and efforts to trace ULFA cadres missing since the Bhutanese Army launched a crackdown against the group in 2003. Earlier this week, she had received a letter from ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa asking her to ascertain the government's stand on these demands. Goswami said she, in her letter, had reminded the government about a promise made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his meeting with the ULFA-nominated People's Consultative Group to discuss "all issues" to resolve the insurgency in Assam.
"I have written in the letter that the government should send a letter to ULFA mentioning its stand on the three issues raised by the outfit," she said. A similar letter was also sent today by the People's Consultative Group, of which Goswami is a member, to National Security Advisor Narayanan.
MUCO readies for 9th Integrity Day By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 27 : The All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation is ready to observe the 9th Manipur Integrity Day on August 4 at four venues, MDU Hall at Imphal, Jiribam, Moirang and Yairipok Singa.
Appealing to all the clubs and meira paibi lups to attend the function, AMUCO in a statement recalled that the Integrity Rally held on August 4, 1997 was not only about protecting the territory of Manipur but was also about promoting communal harmony with the belief and all should live together in communal amity.
The boundary will be automatically protected once the people co-exist peacefully, said AMUCO and added that the people will also be able to unitedly face any atrocities committed on them.
Pointedly accusing India of sowing the seeds of communal distrust, AMUCO said that for the last 50 years India has been destroying all issues which can be of common interest to the people.
For the last 50 years India has been sowing the seeds of communal distrust between the hill and valley people and spreading canards that the hill people cannot have a future with the valley people.
The Naga-Kuki clash of the 90s was followed by the Kuki-Paite clash, recalled AMUCO and added that now the agenda is to let the hill people view the valley people as their common enemy.
India is also instrumental in pursuing the agenda of one community, one armed group/one ethnic group, one party, each pursuing their own separate goals, charged AMUCO.
Such is the ploy that not a single common issue has been pursued unitedly, observed AMUCO and added that designs were hatched not to let some communities take part in the mass uprising against the imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
Sounding a word of caution, AMUCO said that the issues such as culture, language and script may chart out the political map of the people and added that given the situation, it would be in the fitness of things for all the people to tackle all issues collectively. Pursuing only one's goal an agenda can sow more seeds of social divide, it observed. Taking the present situation into consideration, the call of the people should be First Integrity, Next Struggle, advocated AMUCO.
The separate aspirations and goals pursued by each community does not serve the common interest of the land, said the statement and added that self interest should not over ride common interest. Unity and integrity can be achieved only when each one us take up steps to defeat the agenda that has been hoisted on the people. The question of leadership should be set aside and instead it should be about collectively moving ahead.
Dividing Manipur will not serve the interest of anyone, said AMUCO and maintained no sons of the soil would to see land dismembered. It will be wrong to support the agenda of India, added the statement.
Since 1993 AMUCO has been relentlessly working for peaceful co-existence said the statement and appealed to all section of society to extend their co-operation to such an endeavour.
NSF pressing Nagaland on affiliation issue
Thingbaijam Dhamen

IMPHAL, Jul 27: In a continuous effort of the Naga Students` Federation to pressurize the Nagaland government to campaign for the affiliation of private schools in four hill districts of Manipur to the Nagaland board, the students body has decided to press the Nagaland government further to speed up the process of affiliation.

A report said that the NSF has claimed that more than 50,000 Naga students from 163 private schools in the four hill districts of Manipur had already decided not to go back to study under the Board of School Education, Manipur, BSEM.

An NSF executive meeting held on Wednesday has reportedly decided to step up the campaign, the report from Kohima said claiming that the 163 private schools are already studying NBSE textbooks.

The students body is also likely to submit a representation to their state chief minister and then meet the state`s 60 MLAs in the near future regarding the matter, it stated.

The federation is mulling the though of meeting and lobbying with all the 60 MLAs of the state to seek their unanimous support of the issue in the general interest of the Nagas, adding the careers of thousands of Naga students were at stake.

The report quoting NSF claimed that more than 50,000 Naga students of 163 private schools in four hill districts of Manipur - Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Senapati had already decided not to go back to the BSEM syllabus. Mention may be made that at a press conference held last Tuesday, NSF leaders had said that the federation was optimistic about an amicable settlement on the affiliation issue. Admitting that the careers of students should not be affected in the 163 private schools wanting to affiliate to NBSE, the federation`s delegation also apprised the leaders at the centre of the gravity of the affiliation issue.

The NSF delegation met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, home minister Shivraj Patil, MHRD minister Arjun Singh, DoNER minister PR Kyndia, P S Chauhan and Opposition leaders in Delhi and apprised them of the issue, the report said. Mention may be made that the Nagaland Cabinet had also discussed the issue in a series of meetings. Even as there were no reports of a concrete resolution, the cabinet has reportedly expressed its willingness to take up the issue with the union ministry of human resources development.

The ball is in the court of the union ministry, said the report stating that it is upto the MHRD whether to affiliate these schools to NBSE soon or not, NSF leaders stated. The NSF also did not rule out the possibility of any "untoward incident" as the south Naga students were already studying NBSE texts and had decided not to go back on the matter, the report said.

Terming the matter as a democratic issue, the federation leaders decried Manipur government for preventing the students from exercising their democratic rights, the report said. "We are not against the Meiteis promoting their language, but they should not impose it on others. One day we, Nagas, will also try to promote our own language among other tribes," the report quoted the NSF leaders as saying adding "Every community should do its best to promote its language."

In the meantime, Nagaland education minister Imkong Imchen has also personally taken up the matter with the MHRD minister Arjun Singh, the report added.
Bodies identified, KSO cries foul Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 27: The bodies of the two alleged KRA cadres shot dead yesterday at around 1.20 pm by Imphal West commandos at Langol Laimanai village are still lying at RIMS mortuary.
According to sources close to the deceased duo, they were apprehended by a commando team from Khuman Lampak yesterday at around noon. They are identified as Paominlun Touthang (22) of Aigejang village under Saikul police station and Lalboi alias Lhunlal Haokip (20) of Leisan village under Sugnu police station.
It is reported that both the deceased were married. Lal-boi married just a week back, said the source.
Maintaining that the two came to Imphal to buy medicines for Paominlun Tou- thang's wife, the Kuki Students' Organisation, Im- phal Branch said that they were picked up by two civil dressed commandos befo-re murdering them in cold blood at Langol Laimanai.
A statement issued by the student body while con -demning the act deman-ded enquiry into the inci- dent and booking of the commandos involved in it.
It further stated that the bodies of the deceased would not be taken until the Govt meet its demands.
Questioning whether the commandos are licen-sed to kill any suspect, the Aigejang Village Authority in a press release, main-tained that they came all the way to Imphal only to buy medicines for the ailing wife of Paominlun Touthang.
It also said that the bodies would not be taken unless the State Government institute an enquiry commission so as to bring justice and befitting action against the guilty commandos involved in the alleged cold-blooded murder.
Meanwhile the identity of the youth shot dead on the night of July 25 by unidentified gunmen at Khun- drakpam under Heingang police station has been established as Lairenlakpam Sunil alias Sunildro (24) of Phaknung Thongkhong under Lamlai police station.
It is reported that Sunil was secretary of Phaknung Sangomshang Youth Club.
Sunil was seen going out with some individuals after he came back home from paddy field.
In connection with the murder, a JAC has been con -stituted followed by a public meeting at Phaknung Thongkhong during which some resolutions were also adopted. According to the resolutions, the JAC has asked all concerned to clar-ify on the murder by tomo- rrow while warning that failure to heed JAC's demand would result in bandh along Imphal-Ukhrul road.
Further the JAC has decided not to take the body until a clarification is made on the murder.
A statement issued by the JAC Against Killing of L Sunil has condemned the incident. It further noted that such arbitrary killings without furnishing any reason and proper trial has created a sense of panic and unrest among the people.
The public meeting of today has resolved to lau-nch strong protest movem- ents against the killing if clear clarification is not ma-de by July 28, said the JAC.
The corpse is still lying at RIMS mortuary.
In another such case, the body of SN Premson killed during an encounter between 21 AR and cadres of NSCN (IM) at Leingang-ching yesterday is also being left unclaimed at RIMS morgue as the family members and the villagers refused to take the body.
A memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister today by the villagers demanding befitting punishment to officer in-charge of the Pangaltabi post of 21 AR, ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakhs to the family of the decea-sed and a Govt job to a mem- ber of the family.
A joint press release issued by the Chandel Naga People's Organisation and Naga Students' Union Chandel alleged that SN Premson was shot dead by the post commander of AR from a close range without any remorse.
It also condemned the act of AR while questioning if such attack of AR against NSCN (IM) cadres and killing of innocent civilians would serve any purpose taking into account of the peace talk now being held between the Government of India and NSCN (IM).
Paradox of minority and periphery strike back in Manipur By Ningreingam Shimrah Sangai Express
The then Prime Minister of India late Nehru called present Manipur as ‘Jewel of the East’. Topographically Manipur can be divided into two i.e. the valley and the hill. The Meitei community, who are in majority numerically, inhabits the valley and on the other hand the tribal, who are in minority, inhabits the hill. The valley part of Manipur was once a princely State, ruled by the Maharajas; it has a rich cultural and literary tradition. Later on, the Meiteis cultural belief systems were effectively influenced by the Hindu Vaish- anavism belief system, and as a result it has brought a paradigm shift in the belief system of the Meitei people. And today, to a large extent the Meiteis consider Hindu as their religion and practice contentedly. Thus, the idea and concept of purity and Hindu Brahmanical practices were imbibed by the Meitei people thereby, considered the hill inhabitance people mostly the Nagas and the Kukis as ‘Hao’ or uncivilized people. The Hills of Manipur are inhabited by the so-called ‘Hao’ or uncivilized people i.e. the Nagas and the Kukis who proudly claimed that they are settling in their indigenous land, which was given to them by their forefather. They also happily practice their old age traditional cultural practices and later on they were converted into Christianity, and today, they also proudly professed Christianity as their religion.
The hill people inhabited on a hilltop with numerous villages are governed and ruled by the village elders or the village chiefs. Thus, unlike the valley this part of the land was not ruled by the Meitei Maharajas at any point of time, but governed by the village elder or village chief through a democratic procedure. The Meitei Maharajas failed to rule the hill areas because, probably because it was not possible for the Maharajas to climb the hill and do not perceived the need for controlling the hill areas after all it is inhabited by the uncivilized people. Thus, considered not imp-ortant for both geographical and demographic consideration. But today the attitude has changed and it has a different image.
Gradually, this once princely State was also annex and merged into the India Union along with the other Northeastern States, thus ending the long age traditional Maharajas rule and became part of the Indian Union. Later on, the hill areas along with the Valley merged into Indian Union and formed the present Manipur State. In both the valley and the hill, the British and the Indian ruler did not ascertain the people’s consent at the time of merger. As a result people especially from the hill and particularly the Nagas strongly agitated against the merger of their land into the valley and subsequently into the Indian Union. The equal amount of resistance was not visible in the valley at that time. The Nagas still committed and continues their struggle till date.
Today, however, the neo conservative thinking Meitei community are regretting for what their predecessor have done in the past (i.e. cultural assimilation and merging to the Indian Union). Thus, attempts are being made to restore back the old age rich political and cultural tradition, and as the outcome of their attempt incidents like banning of the Hindi movies in the valley of Manipur, burning of the Bengali script books and an attempt to replaced it by their own script and denouncing the Indian state etc. are some of the emotional regrets manifested by the Meitei people in recent times. A kind of Cultural Revolution is on in the Valley of Manipur at present.
The valley people seem to have woken up from their sleep and today, they are trying to reclaim back their past glory and ironically blame the Indian state and the Hindu religion and partly to the Nagas for their political misfortune. Hence, the consequences like the banning of Hindi movies in the valley and followed by attacking the Government buildings and public library etc. Vehement agitation against the removal of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) is one area where the Meiteis try to get mileage and empathy from non-Meiteis. All these attacks in a way manifested the frustration of the valley people against the symbols of the Indian state power and forces. Some Meitei assert that they wanted to restore back their freedom and independent Kingdom of the past. In this entire episode the hill people seem to have shown their outmost restrain for not going against the Meitei people. I say this because the government building or the public library properties etc. does not solely belong to the Meiteis but it is also equally the property of others/non-Meitei as well. This in a way reflects the Meiteis intolerance attitudes towards the other communities’ rights and their existence in the present Manipur state.
Again, the agitation that triggered in the Valley in the recent years following the Government of India announcement that the Indo-NSCN (IM) ceasefire be extended to Manipur state left the entire state with total anarchy and chaos. And the subsequence provocative slogan against the Nagas like ‘there are no Nagas in Manipur, all the hill people are Meiteis etc. and the subsequent declaration by the Government of Manipur that the 18th June be declared as ‘Martyr’s’ day and hence declaring as state holiday. This not only expresses their sense of intolerance towards the minority in the state but it is also a sheer expression of their fear and insecurity of their existence in the Indian state hence asserting the majoritarianism force seem to be the only option left. This declaration was however, feverishly opposed by All Naga Students Association of Manipur (ANSAM) and called for a month long economic blockade in the two National Highway i.e. NH 39 and NH 53.
The paradox is that the Meiteis are in majority in Manipur when it comes to the numerical demographical factors but in the geographical terms they just have merely 10 per cent of the total land in the present State and the rest belong to the Nagas and the Kukis. Today, Meiteis are so concern about the others land and when to the extent of giving their life and not even sure whether the Nagas exist and own those land in Manipur or not. It is high time that the Meiteis should start respecting the other people and the land and not just respecting the land alone, which they have done in the past. In doing this the Meiteis will be also respected by other people. The matter of the fact is that Meitei cannot afford to lose the neigh-borhood of the Nagas and the Kukis. Thus, if they continue to assert their majoritarianism power without respecting and recognizing the presence of the minority then the minority can also effectively play their parts, which can equally cause the damage, we have witnessed this dramatic politics played out by the Meiteis and the Nagas over the years. Meiteis should not act as if they are blind rather they should open their social eyes and admit the reality. The Meitei should not continue to ignore the presence of the Nagas of Manipur in the future.
The majority of the Meitei’s attitudes of we love your land and the resources but really not the people have made the non-Meiteis difficult to live together in one political unit. The mass rapes carried out by non-tribal UGs in the Churachanpur district are some of the worse incident that took place in the civilized world. The latest hill house tax collected by the United Naga Council (UNC) and attempted to submit to the Central government is a clear testimony that the Nagas of Manipur can no longer be part of Manipur state. The matter of the fact is that it is not just the house tax and the money but more importantly Nagas do not feel worthy to be a part of that state. Again, the UNC have directed all the private schools in the four Naga hill district of Manipur to affiliate in the Nagaland Board of Secondary School (NBSC). All these reflect the total failure of the Manipur state legitimacy to rule over the people. This is nothing but the reflection and the outcome of the failed and intolerance state towards the minority community in the state.
The latest ongoing agitation by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) regarding the failure of the State in fulfilling the 33% reservation of job in the Government services for the tribal community is another example of the repeated failed story of the state towards the tribal community in the state. According to the ATSUM released in the Morung Newspaper dated 29th June stated that“ the State Government conventional reservation of 33% for SC/ST has rooms for manipulations and encourage the recruitment practices of Adhoc/casual/muster-roll/work-charge/part-time/contract/substitution so as to avoid reservation norms.” It is also pertinent to see that the Manipur University is presently under processes of recruiting 21 professors, 23 posts of reader and 23 lecturer posts where only one post is reserved for ST and only two reserved for SC, this is a clear indication of violation of the reservation of the State’s own policy. All these categorically testify how majority community in the State often takes away even the very rights of the minority community, overlooked and deprived by the Government. Under this circumstance it is crucial to see the life of the tribal community in Manipur, who often live with insecurity in their own state. Today, it would not be wrong to say that this ‘Jewel of the East’ has turned into a ‘scandalous State’.

India planning to transport Myanmar gas through NE
From Our Staff orrespondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, July 27 – India has prepared a blue print for transporting gas from Myanmar through the North Eastern region, bypassing Bangladesh. In a Lok Sabha reply, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dinsha Patel said that Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has got a Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) prepared for pipeline for evacuating Myanmar gas to India through the NES by passing Bangladesh.

The execution of the project will depend upon the gas tie-up with the Myanmar side. The matter has been taken up- with the Myanmar Government, the Minister said.

Nagalim.NL News

07/28/2006: "Uneasy peace Editorial Sangai Express"