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07/30/2006: "NSCN-K opposes affiliation drive Nagaland Post"

NSCN-K opposes affiliation drive Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, JULY 29 (NPN): Taking strong exception to the move initiated by the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) and other Naga organizations for affiliation of schools in the four hill districts of Manipur to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE), the NSCN-K said it would oppose the move with all resources under its disposal.
The NSCN-K said the opposition is to safeguard the employment opportunities of the coming Naga generations, which is also in the economic and political interest of Nagaland, and urged the NSF leaders to stop the "unhealthy move forthwith."
A joint council meeting of the NSCN-K held on Friday also called upon the Naga Hoho not to meddle with the twenty percent quota reservation for outsiders, but to keep in abeyance the issue of seeking quotas for Nagas from other states.
The NSCN-K (MIP) in a press release said the house decided to invite leaders of Naga Hoho, NSF and NPMHR for discussion on issues pertaining to social and political problems affecting the Nagas and further requested these organizations to meet the NSCN-K leaders at Mon on or before August 10.
The release informed that the house adopted the above resolutions after thorough and lengthy deliberation on issues pertaining to the present Naga political scenario and appealed for cooperation from all concerned.
Consensus in sight on Naga framework (Telegraph) Kuknalim.com
BANGKOK, July 29:: Nine years after they entered into a ceasefire agreement, Indian and Naga negotiators have agreed on a broad framework to define a relationship that could end the Naga insurgency. The operative part of the framework proposes that the two sides jointly analyse the Indian Constitution to decide which parts of it will apply, not apply or apply with modifications to the Nagas. This is, however, proposed to be done only after agreeing to the basic principles underlying the framework.

“We think this is a good start,” said Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah). He, however, pointed out that both sides still had some problems with the framework. The two sides began informal discussions today, addressing these reservations to refine the framework. The framework itself is the brainchild of Michael Van Walt, the Dalai Lama’s legal adviser and head of the Dutch NGO Kreddha.

While one part of the framework specifies the underlying principles, the other deals with the procedure of defining the relationship.
Among the basic principles that have been proposed is that the relationship would be “new and unique”, recognising the uniqueness of Naga history; that it would be based on asymmetric federalism (different from that existing between any Indian state and the Union); and that all elements of the relationship would be defined by an agreement between the two sides.

While the agreement would set out the division of competencies between the Union of India and Nagaland, its substantive details would be incorporated within the Constitutions of both India and Nagaland. The settlement would be reached after analysing the structure of the Indian Constitution to demarcate subjects or competencies to be managed separately by the Centre, by Nagaland and jointly by both of them.

A separate Naga Constitution has been proposed, which would make “a reference to the Constitution of India”. The Constitution of Nagaland would be set “within the framework of the Constitution of India” and it is proposed that this would be done “in a separate chapter”.

These principles, proposed by Kreddah, have not been accepted by the Indian negotiators yet. The NSCN (I-M) also sees in them an attempt to incorporate them within the Indian Union. But both sides seem keen to take the process forward by finding a common approach. “Notwithstanding the government of India’s reservations, the only way forward is this framework,” insisted a source. Indian negotiators are objecting to the repeated reference to the term “new and unique” while describing the relationship, saying that calling it “unique” should be enough. They do not want “asymmetric federalism” to be accepted as a principle as it would amount to prejudging the outcome of the negotiations.

Their strongest objection is to the statement that the Naga Constitution would make a “reference” to the Indian Constitution. “What does reference mean? This must be changed,” an Indian negotiator said. The Indian side is being led by Union minister of state Oscar Fernandez. It comprises minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office Prithviraj Chauhan, Union minister of state for home S. Raghupathy and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s special representative K. Padmanabhaiah. The team, quite understandably, wants to emphasise the operative part. The Nagas do not want to give up on the principles.

“The two sides should start with the exercise of analysing the Constitution Article by Article to see what will apply, not apply or apply with modification to the Nagas. Then we can decide where to put what applies to the Nagas — in a separate Constitution, in a separate chapter or annexure to the Constitution or in an expanded Article 371 (A),” a source said. The NSCN (I-M) wants a separate Constitution while Delhi wants to push for expanding the existing provisions.

“To accept a discussion on all issues is realistic on India’s part. Whatever is acceptable, we will accept. Whatever is not acceptable, we will not. But to start with the framework is not bad,” Muivah asserted. (Telegraph)
Indo-Naga truce extension in sight Centre, NSCN-IM talks begin over extending CF The Morung Express
Bangkok, July 29 (AGENCIES): Central negotiators and the NSCN-IM began crucial talks here today on extending the nearly nine-year-old truce in Nagaland, amid indications that the rebels had toughened their stand to get some “concessions” on their demands.
“Today we have started informal discussions. Formal discussions are yet to take place. Nothing has come out yet,” chief government negotiator and Union Minister Oscar Fernandes said here.
The NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have been observing a truce since august 1997, when they agreed to a ceasefire. The truce 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. The current spell of the ceasefire will end on July 31. Asked whether he was hopeful about a further extension of the truce, Fernandes said, “talks are a continuous process. They will go on.”
In its “charter of demands”, the banned NSCN-IM has 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.
Before coming here for the talks, Fernandes visited Nagaland last fortnight and met civil society leaders, including members of the influential Naga Hoho or apex tribal council, political leaders, and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet colleagues to ascertain their views on the peace process. The Naga Hoho said the peace process should not be held up under any circumstances and the NSCN-IM and the centre should continue their parleys after extending the ceasefire to find a lasting solution to the Naga problem.
In the last meeting between the two sides, held at the Hague in the Netherlands in June, the government and the NSCN-IM are understood to have discussed the limits of flexibility within the constitution and whether a “sub- National Constitution” could be accommodated within it.
This has become a thorny issue as the NSCN-IM has proposed negotiating a federal relationship with the country, sources said. It has suggested that the relationship between India and the Nagas should be defined by a mutually agreed settlement incorporated in the constitution. The government has argued the constitution is flexible enough to take care of regional aspirations and diversities. It allows for “asymmetrical federalism” - different states and regions can relate to the centre differently.
Talks on Naga ceasefire begin The Hindu
Bangkok: Central negotiators and the NSCN-IM began crucial talks here on Saturday on extending the nearly nine-year-old truce in Nagaland amid indications that the rebels had toughened their stand to get some "concessions" on their demands.
"Today we have started informal discussions. Formal discussions are yet to take place. Nothing has come out yet," chief government negotiator and Union Minister Oscar Fernandes told PTI here. The NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have been observing a truce since August 1997. The truce 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. The current spell of the ceasefire will end on July 31.
Asked whether he was hopeful about a further extension of the truce, Mr. Fernandes said, "Talks are a continous process. They will go on."
In its "charter of demands," the NSCN-IM has 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.
"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," said NSCN-IM spokesman Jhoney. PTI
NSCN talks in Bangkok to save ceasefire Times of India [ 29 Jul, 2006 IANS ]

GUWAHATI: Peace negotiators from New Delhi are beginning fresh talks in Bangkok on Saturday with a frontline Naga separatist group to save a nine-year-old ceasefire from breaking down, officials said.

The talks with top leaders of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), the main rebel group in the north-eastern state of Nagaland, were earlier due to begin on Friday but were deferred by a day.

Central Minister Oscar Fernandes and New Delhi's main peace interlocutor K Padmanabhaiah will meet top leaders of the Isak-Muivah faction in Bangkok.

"The two-day talks will primarily focus on the question of extending the ceasefire and also discussing other major demands," said a home ministry official, requesting anonymity.

"We are confident of the two sides agreeing to extend the ceasefire as the people of Nagaland want peace and a permanent solution to the problem." The last ceasefire extension expires July 31.

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".

"The question of extending the ceasefire depends on the outcome of the talks. Nothing can be said at this moment," RH Raising, senior NSCN-IM leader, said.

The rebel leadership is expected to seek a clarification from New Delhi on their charges of arming the rival National Socialist Council of Nagaland faction led by SS Khaplang.
The NSCN-IM had accused security forces of seizing weapons from its cadres and then supplying such arms to the rival group. The army denies the allegations.

"The question of ceasefire extension now depends on the response to our charges by the government in the Bangkok talks. We have also sought several modifications of the ceasefire ground rules," another NSCN-IM leader said. The rebel leader refused to give details of the changes sought in the truce ground rules. 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. 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 the neighbouring 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 the longest-running insurgencies that have claimed around 25,000 lives since the country's independence in 1947.

THE GREAT LIES

The Meiteis wish to call their tiny valley homeland "Golden Manipur". As every nation has the right to describe itself in the fashion it chooses, we have no complain about it. Then in recent years they invented a script, and we praise them for the smartness.

However, real archaeology and history totally disagree with the assertion of the Meiteis that the history of their independent super kings and glorious civilization is over 2000 years old. As written by Horace Hayman Wilson in The History of British India (From 1805 to 1835), Volume IX, Manipur was just a tiny valley (p. 8, 1823) and its ruler was termed as “the petty chiefship of Manipur ” (p. 20).
Secondly, "the history of Manipur is not traceable beyond 1714 when its rule was assumed by a local chieftain named Gharib Nawaz. Chief Commissioner of Assam and, later, Political Agent carried on the administration of Manipur which continued to be one of the subordinate princely states of India until its merger in 1948-49" (S. Bhattacharya. A Dictionary of Indian History. Calcutta University. 1967.).
Thirdly, “Manipur was included in the protectorate in 1826. Owing to its geographical isolation, and partly in consequence of its backwardness in civilization, British intercourse with the principality was confined to the formal admission of subordination by the rulers of Manipur, and to periodical intervention for the suppression of usurpers” (p. 179, Sir William Lee-Warner. The Native States of India. 1910. Macmillan and Co.). Thus, Manipur was just one of the protected states of India (ibid, p. 181) and was never truly independent.

We, Nagalim Christians, cannot study the lies of the Meiteis as part of our education. Also, the Nagas will never accept the imposition of the Meitei Mayek on us. We condemn the Khaplang group for shamelessly threatening the Naga NGOs.

Long live truth! Long live Nagalim! Kuknalim!
In God's grace,

Professor Timothy Kaping President Naga Support Group (UK)

Wrong mindset of the Naga leaders- Nagaland Post Opinion
The mindset of Naga Hoho, the concerned senior Naga citizens and state politicians goes in the wrong direction in so far they fail to comprehend the entire situation and the factor that causes today's fratricidal in Nagaland. Many of the tribal and church leaders who promised peace and taken dozens of peace letters towards Th. Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu from NSCN leaders neither bring back any acknowledgement nor did they declare the two criminal leaders to be anti peace and anti-Naga.
Moreover, they are still supporting the carnivorous leaders without knowing where they are heading. They fervently stated in their write up, "anti-element sabotages the peace process" and "Section of anti-Naga groups against the settlement". If these so-called NGOs have the guts to brand an individual, group or organization as anti-elements/anti-Nagas, they should be bold enough to explain and expose to the Nagas who are anti-Naga, real patriot, real sheep and the wolf in a sheep's clothing.
It is not the Nagas born in Nagalim but the Nagas born in Nagaland who loves the Nagas and their cause. Nagalim people have nothing to do with the Naga sovereignty movements, because even before they were born, there was Naga movement and will continue even after they surrender. What do you mean by solution? Are you not ashamed of your promises to the Eastern Naga people who are under Myanmar occupation that, they will be freed? Are you fair and just? Do you have some alternate arrangement for eastern Nagaland people while you are supporting Nagalim IM surrender solution? Th. Muivah and Isak will be surely cursed by the God for cheating the Eastern Nagaland people through whose support their political career had been built.
Do you (Naga NGOs leaders) mean that, solution between GOI and the NSCN (IM) will be final for the Nagas? No, you are wrong. There had been many earlier solutions between India and Nagas such as 16th Point Agreement Hong Kong government surrendered solution, Revolutionary government of Nagaland surrendered solution and Shillong Accord etc, but all these solutions and not stop the Nagas' movement for complete freedom. IM solution will in no way be exceptional, because you are helping in digging their graves.
Nothing new can be achieved even today unless all the national workers come together to mutual agreement, but all chances of "coming together" have been blocked by your sponsored NSCN (IM) since 1993. Where were you when IM murdered thousand of Nagas public and national leaders? Did you condemn Th. Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu for their rejection of peace and reconciliation programmes initiated both by international churches, Nagaland churches and NGOs? The NSCN never sabotage your peace process nor is it against solution, but at the same time one should not expect the NSCN to bow down before IM-Nagalim surrender solution.
Today, the Naga people should know as to why the Immigration Authority arrested Th. Muivah at Bangkok international Air port and called him "Terrorist". It indicates certain diseases that might have infected the IM organization, which will be engulfed by an ocean of anti-terrorist law and it will ultimately enter into international terrorist list. The question is who will bail them out?
The list of thousands innocent civilian Kukis massacred by the NSCN (IM) and above 2900 (two thousand nine hundred) Naga innocent civilians murdered by the nscn (IM) have already been submitted to the Geneva and USA by the Kuki organization and NNC respectively. The abrogation of the cease fire between GOI and the NSCN (IM) will open the new chapter of ugly tragedy; therefore, they should surrender even for smaller "packages" or autonomy within Dimapur. But they should bow down before the Naga nationalist groups for their survival. Meanwhile, Naga NGOs should thoroughly study their course that is ahead, instead of creating misunderstanding with NSCN who is Alfa and Omega.
Y. Wangtin Konyak, Central Council Member, GPRN, NSCN (K)
Naga students’ move against socio-political norms: NSCN(K), KSO
From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, July 29 – Reacting to the school syllabus issue, which is poised to plunge Manipur into another round of disarray, the Kuki Students’ Organization general headquarters and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang faction) in their separate statements said the move raised by Naga student community for affiliation of schools in all four hill districts of Manipur to the Nagaland Board instead of the Manipur Board is against the socio-political norms of the State.

The NSCN(K)’s publicity secretary, in-charge of the Zeliangrong region, warned of strong action against any civil bodies which become a partner in the campaign to adopt the Nagaland Board of School Education books in the schools of four hill districts of Manipur, i.e., Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong at the alleged instigation of the rival NSCN(IM). In a statement, the secretary in-charge added the attempt being made to incite young students to burn the textbooks is the most uncivilized and foolish thing ever seen. The efforts of the rival NSCN(IM) to create communal feeling among the people by using some of the Naga bodies with the concept that might is more powerful than intellect is nothing but the mindset of the stone ages, it said.

On the other hand, KSO’s publicity secretary Paominthang Lupheng in a statement categorically said that a non-political issue like education has been dragged in by the Naga students just to serve their political purpose rather than the claimed discontentment over the contents of the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur syllabus. KSO leader further said open support of a Manipur Lok Sabha MP acting to the tune of the NSCN(IM) and United Naga Council is much against the socio-political norms of the State.

Stating that the four hills districts in questions have been proportionately represented by both Nagas and Kukis in all spheres of domains, the student body rejected the move being made for affiliation to Nagaland board as lacking acceptance and validity. It, however, agreed to learn one major Indian language as offered by the Manipur government but ready to oppose compulsory inclusion of complicated scripts (Meitei Mayek) in the syllabus.

Meanwhile, the Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh said he never gave any form of assurance to the Naga students over the affiliation of 163 private schools in Manipur’s Chandel, Tamenglong, Senapati and Ukhrul districts under Nagaland Board of Secondary Education. The Minister gave his statement in reply to a question by Manipur Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya during the ongoing Lok Sabha session, sources from Manipur Information Centre, New Delhi, said here Thursday.

Tribal bodies threaten stir over fund misuse Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 29: Peeved with the State's failure to take action against the alleged misappropriation of Central funds meant for the education sector among others, five tribal bodies of Manipur today submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh threatening to launch a series of agitation.

On July 18, the bodiesZeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland), Movement for Tribal Peoples' Rights, Manipur, Sadar Hills Youth Union, All Colleges Tribals Students' Organization, Manipur and Tribal Vigilance Forum, Manipurhad urged the State to rope in the service of the CBI to cleanse the mess within 10 days and pull up the corrupt and erring people.

"Since the 10-day ultimatum expired on Sunday and the State has also failed to take steps to probe the matter, we are all prepared to launch the stir for which a joint meeting of the five bodies would be convened here tomorrow to chalk out our line of agitation", said Johnson, secretary of Tribal Vigilance Forum.

In the afternoon the bodies sent the memo through fax to Okram , who is presently at New Delhi.

Copies of the same were also sent to Human Resource Development Minister and the State Governor.

Besides education, the bodies also highlighted the State's failure in distributing PDS items in the hill districts in the memorandum.

On education sector the memo said the Sarbha Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme in Manipur has failed to take off despite the amount released by the Centre .

Of the total amount of Rs 60,91,09,200 earmarked by the Centre more than 80 percent had already been utilized, however, it has left the general public dismayed as to how and on what purpose was such a huge amount was utilized.

Though the Government has not appointed even a single resource person for block resource centre and cluster resource centre, it utilized the same from the Education Department.

A large amount of money for payment of salary for such persons was withdrawn the memo said while questioning as to whom such a huge amount was paid and for what purpose? Rs 4,32,21,450 sanctioned for installation of computers in 15 schools have been misappropriated as none of these schools have been provided the same except for the Ukhrul Higher Secondary School.

On Public Distribution System, the bodies contended that every successive Governments of the State have neglected the hills districts.

"This problem has doubled during the term of the current Government.

All contract works have been awarded to underground organizations thereby making a mockery of a popular Government which is installed by the people through adult suffrage", the memo said.

It is an open secret that the PDS share of hills district have been sold off in the valley areas without delivering them to the poor hills people after obtaining contracts works for transportation of the items in collusion with minister and some officials." The tribal bodies demand for construction of FCI godown or chalk out any other possible arrangement all the hill districts so that all PDS items are delivered to the people.
Affiliation process in full swing: ANSAM Newmai News Network Imphal | July 29
The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) today said that the affiliation process to NBSE is in full swing. The statement issued to Newmai News Network said that the recent burning of BSEM books in the four hill districts of Tamenglong, Senapati, Chandel and Ukhrul and the “Welcome to South Nagalim” festoon greetings to Manipur Chief Minister O.Ibobi Singh in Senapati and Ukhrul and also the news of four hill districts started learning NBSE have indicated a clear message. The Naga student body pointed out that the attitude of valley community interfering in others affairs as dominant, and added that the noise created by valley organizations on NBSE affiliation process is an attempt to derail the Naga integration process.
Further, the statement alleged that Chief Minister O.Ibobi Singh was unfolding more lies by telling the people that HRD Minister Arjun Singh did not give any assurance on NBSE affiliation in order to save his (CM) chair.
“If Chief Minister has any vision then he should maintain good relationship with the Nagas by supporting the Naga integration movement for the future of his own people”, concluded the statement.
Asom Accord implementation talks Nagaland Post
Guwahati, July 29 (UNI) Tripartite talk between Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Asom government and AASU on implementation of the Asom Accord began today at the administrative staff college here.
The five-member MHA team was led by Secretary (Border Management) B S Lalli while officials of various state departments, including Asom Accord implementation and Home, represented the state government.
The All Assam Students Union (AASU), who had led the agitation, that resulted in the signing of the Accord two decades ago, would be represented by advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharjya, president Shankar Prasad Roy, general secretary Tapan Gogoi and Basanta Deka.
A meeting between an AASU delegation and state government was held yesterday to review progress in updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC), a clause in the Asom Accord.
Today's meeting is expected to deliberate on the progress of implementation of the various clauses of the Accord.
Dr Bhattacharya informed that the AASU would take up, among others, the issues of sealing of the Asom-Bangladesh border, reviving the Ashok Paper Mill, rehabilitation of martyrs' families and the special package the state should receive after declaration of state floods as a national calamity.
Appeal on present scenario of Nagaland- Nagaland Post Opinion
I would like to share my per-sonal observation and sug-gestions to all the Nagas, they are:
Observation:-
1. Using the banner "Nagaland for Christ and killing each other".
2. Peace with enemies but killing our own brothers.
3. Talking about peace and reconciliation but harboring hatred deep inside the heart.
4. Talking about Christian love but preparing arms and ammunition, tribal armies for killing our own brothers
5. Corruption even in the churches, not to talk about government offices because people have started loving money instead of loving God and humanity.
Suggestion:-
1. Freedom fighters/national workers should think seriously about the meaning of "Nagaland for Christ" because Jesus taught us to love even our enemies and that is the first and foremost commandment given to the New Testament believers, stop criticizing one another, rather accept the good policies of each other. God said, in the Bible "that if we obey his commandment then even our enemies would make peace with us".
Dear brothers, why are you depending upon your own wisdom. God said, "vengeance is mine, so if you really depend upon God why are you scared? The word of God also says that whatever you sow, so shall you reap. The more you prepare, the more you become insecure. Christian itself means love, not love of money; love of power but to love God with all your heart, mind and strength. Obviously everybody needs money, want money but the Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:10 that the love of money is the root of all evil. Now it's high time for the Nagas to arise and know the truth. John 8:32 - "you should know the truth and the truth will make you free".
Do not hesitate to speak out the truth even against our leaders because the word of God says in Luke 6:44 - "For every tree is known by its own fruit", so if our leaders are leading us at the wrong path, it’s our duty to correct them because of their mistakes general public suffers, God says that "Blessing and curse" is your choice. We see in the Bible that because of David's sin many innocent people died. Likewise, if our leaders commit sin knowingly or unknowingly, we the general public will suffer. So pray that the almighty may add wisdom upon our leaders so we can live in peace and that prosperity may come to our land.
"May God Bless Nagaland". C. Sashi Nagaland, President, Achomang Welfare Society.
Students power and Manipur Sangai Express editorial
There is something unique about the student community of Manipur which sets them apart from their peers in other parts of the country or even the world. That student organisations have emerged as one of the most powerful pressure groups is a fact that is accepted across the world and nearer home one just has to recollect the movement launched in Assam in the 80s by the All Assam Students' Union and the birth of the Asom Gana Parishad. In Manipur too, student organisations have been at the forefront of many issues, social and political. The anti-foreigner movement launched by the All Manipur Students' Union and the then AMSCOC remains a landmark in the history of the land. This was followed by the demand to include Manipuri in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Student organisations in the hill districts of Manipur have also been equally effective in highlighting their issues. The 52 days economic blockade imposed by the All Naga Students' Union, Manipur will not be forgotten in a hurry and the recent burning of the text books prescribed by the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur in the hill districts under the aegis of ANSAM is another telling commentary of the clout and influence of student organisations. The Zomi Students' Federation had recently boycotted all the MLAs and the stand off that was witnessed between the student body and the district administration of Churachandpur some time back was a clear reflection of the power that students wield. In fact situation is such that student organisations have been able to jolt the Government machinery awake on numerous occasions and many a time the Government had to buckle under the demands raised by students across the State. Student power in a democracy is understandable and may even be encouraged, but there comes a time when all the action and course of agitation taken up by students cannot be left unquestioned.
In as much as students should be allowed to voice their protest and at times even take the leading role in rousing the people awake to some sensitive issues, questions may well be asked over the conduct and motive of the students when they take up critical issues. During the last few years, it has become something of an accepted culture for students of any institution to take to the streets to protest the demand of a teacher or two. This situation raises certain pertinent points that should be given due thoughts to by all concerned. Have the students taken to the street to protest the transfer, because the Government had failed to post their replacements ? If this is the case then the Government should be pilloried for refusing to see justice. On the other hand we may also ask whether the students have come out to protest on some whimsical ground, such as the teacher/s being transferred has struck up a good rapport with the students and the transfer will affect their institution ? These are questions worth raising now for increasingly students have started coming out on the street to protest whenever any teacher is being transferred to some other place. Transfers and postings to the hill districts and remote areas come along with the baggage of being a Government employee and this is a fact that should not be lost on anyone. There are times when it would be prudent for the students not to meddle in Government policies, for students should remain students and framing policies and programmes should be left to the Government.

‘Remove RAP to promote tourism in North East’ Assam tribune
NEW DELHI, July 29 – Claiming that restriction on entry of foreigners in the North East runs contrary to the government’s Look East Policy, Manipur has asked the Centre to do away with the constraint to tap the regions’ tourism potential.

“On the one hand there is this talk of Look East policy and integration of the North East to the global economy, and on the other you have the Restricted Area Permit (RAP), which restricts entry of foreigners to the region. The two run contrary,” Manipur Minister for Tourism T N Haokip said here on the sidelines of a seminar.

Under the RAP, foreign nationals wanting to enter the North East require Central permission and are granted for a maximum of 10-15 days stay. “Such a system does not encourage tourist arrival in the region. It should be removed. As such the region has not yet been fully integrated with the national mainstream,” he added.

Haokip also lamented the fact that in certain areas of the region, even the entry of Indian nationals are restricted. “To visit state like Mizoram, even Indian nationals require Inner Line Permit. This does not in any way contribute to tap the region’s vast tourism potential,” he said.

Haokip said tourism can help bring stability to the region, which has been witness to turmoil for a long period. “A vibrant tourism industry in the region can provide a lot of employment to the youths there. With the region bordering countries like China, Myanmar a lot of inbound tourist inflow can be expected if they are allowed to come freely,” he added. –PTI

Assam-Bangladesh border sealing to be over year-end By IANS Sunday July 30

Guwahati, July 30 (IANS) Barbed wire fencing of India's border with Bangladesh along the northeastern state of Assam will be completed by this year-end to prevent illegal infiltration from the neighbouring country, officials said.
'We have set a deadline to complete fencing the border by the end of the year, besides replacing old fencings with new ones,' said B.S. Lalli, secretary in-charge of border management in the central home ministry. The fencing was started four years ago. Assam shares a 272-km land border with Bangladesh, besides some 90 km of river border guarded by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) troopers on motorboats and posts located on sandbars. 'A stretch of only 43 km of the land border remains to be fenced now,' the official said. Besides the barbed wire fences, floodlights would be installed in the border areas to prevent cross-border movement of people at night. Meanwhile, tension was continuing to build along the border in southern Assam's Cachar district with the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) massing troops by digging trenches and bunkers on its side.
'There is no need to panic as we are on a state of high alert with full force in the area,' said Ashwini Kumar Singh, BSF deputy inspector general of the Cachar sector. 'We have not yet asked the border villagers to vacate the area. If the situation demands we may do so for precautionary measures.'
Soldiers of the two countries resorted to indiscriminate firing last month near the Harinagar border post in Cachar district, about 320 km south of Guwahati. 'BDR soldiers were also encouraging and instigating their civilians to continue illegal cultivation and sending children inside Indian land,' the BSF official said. The immediate provocation for the June 28 firing was over a strip of land measuring 216 acres near the Surma river which Bangladesh claims is their territory. India maintains the land is not disputed and falls on the Indian side.
The allegations came a day after the Assam government charged Dhaka of illegally grabbing two sq km of Indian land in western and southern parts of the state. 'A total of about 499.83 acres of Assam's territory has been encroached and occupied by the neighbouring country after the boundary pillars were removed,' Assam Revenue Minister Bhumidhar Barman told the Assam assembly. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, however, told parliament that the two sq km of land was not forcibly encroached but was under 'adverse possession' of Bangladesh. India has previously charged that Bangladeshi citizens enter Indian territory illegally across the porous border. Bangladesh denies its nationals cross illegally into India. The two countries' border forces have clashed over the issue in the past. Sixteen Indian and three Bangladeshi soldiers were killed in 2001 in the deadliest such battle in Assam and Meghalaya.