08/01/2006: "Naga truce extended by 1 more year"

Naga truce extended by 1 more year Nagaland Post
BANGKOK, JULY 31 (PTI): Giving a fresh impetus to the ongoing peace process, the Government and NSCN (IM) today agreed to extend ceasefire in Nagaland by one more year and promised to move "expeditiously" discussing all "substantive" issues for a lasting solution to the country's oldest insurgency problem.
"Both the sides have agreed to extend the ceasefire for another year. It is a historical moment for both the Government and the NSCN (IM)," chief government negotiator and Union Minister Oscar Fernandes told PTI here. The agreement for the ceasefire was signed by interlocutor for the Naga talks K Padmanabhiah and NSCN (IM) General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.
"We have had substantive discussions during the talks and the peace process was proceeding in right direction," Fernandes said. During the parleys, the Group of Ministers headed by Fernandes had promised to take up all "relevant" issues raised by the rebels with the Government.
"We will take up the relevant issues with the Government," Fernandes said. The NSCN-IM and security forces in Nagaland have been observing a truce since August 1997. The current spell of the ceasefire ends today. Muivah said: "We had a hard time to (reach) a conclusion. But anyway we have extended the ceasefire." He added the government and his group had agreed to discuss a framework for considering their larger demands, which he described as "an important step."
As part of the framework, both sides are understood to have agreed to jointly analyse the Indian Constitution to decide which parts of it will apply with modifications to the Nagas, sources said. This is, however, proposed to be done only after agreeing to the basic principles underlying the framework, they said.
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. Other members of the GoM - Union Minister of State for Home S Reghupathy and Minister of State at the PMO Prithviraj Chouhan - were present during the talks.
A Union Home Ministry spokesman told reporters in New Delhi that the peace process got momentum in December 2004 when the NSCN (I-M) leaders were invited to India for dialogue with the Government.
Joint Communiqué
(Bangkok July 31,2006)
The representatives of the Government of India and NSCN held meetings in Bangkok on July 29th to 31st at which important substantive issues were discussed and satisfaction expressed over the progress made.
With respect to the ceasefire, both sides agreed to strengthen the ceasefire monitoring mechanism. It was also agreed that any proposals in this regard to be tabled by the NSCN would be decided upon promptly.
Given the need to move expeditiously with the discussions on substantive issues to reach an early settlement, it was agreed to extend the ceasefire for one year w.e.f. August 1, 2006 and to ensure its proper implementation through periodic reviews.
Sd/- Sd/-
( K.Padmanabhaiah) (Th. Muivah)
Representative of General Secretary,
the Government of India NSCN
Naga truce extended by 1 year The Morung Express
Bangkok, July 31 (PTI): Giving a fresh impetus to the ongoing peace process, the Government and NSCN (IM) today agreed to extend ceasefire in Nagaland by one more year and promised to move “expeditiously” discussing all “substantive” issues for a lasting solution to the country’s oldest insurgency problem.
“Both the sides have agreed to extend the ceasefire for another year. It is a historical moment for both the Government and the NSCN (IM),” chief government negotiator and Union Minister Oscar Fernandes told PTI here.
The agreement for the ceasefire was signed by interlocutor for the Naga talks K Padmanabhiah and NSCN (IM) General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.
In a joint communiqué issued immediately after the three-day parleys, the two sides said given the need to “move expeditiously with the discussions on substantive issues” to reach an early settlement, it was agreed to extend the ceasefire for one year with effect from August 1, 2006”.
“With respect to the ceasefire, both sides agreed to strengthen the ceasefire monitoring mechanism. It was also agreed that any proposal in this regard to be tabled by the NSCN (IM) would be decided upon promptly,” it said.
The statement also said substantive issues were discussed and the two sides expressed satisfaction over the progress made in the talks. “We have had substantive discussions during the talks and the peace process was proceeding in right direction,” Fernandes said.
During the parleys, the Group of Ministers headed by Fernandes had promised to take up all “relevant” issues raised by the rebels with the Government.
“We will take up the relevant issues with the Government,” Fernandes said.
Ministers, NGOs welcome truce extension NP Bureau Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, JULY 31 (NPN): Various sections of the Naga society have welcomed the extension of ceasefire between Government of India and NSCN (I-M) by another year.
"The State government has always been propagating the extension of ceasefire and the peace talks must go ahead," said a spokesman of the State's chief minister.
"Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio always insisted that ceasefire must go on and the State government welcomes the extension of ceasefire. The government will continue to play the role of facilitator with all sincerity," the spokesman added.
Earlier, confirming the report about extension of the truce, senior NSCN (I-M) leader Rh. Raising said extension of the ceasefire was agreed upon following the positive response from Government of India.
Welcoming the truce extension, Opposition Congress leader, I Imkong, said "the news came as a blessing because we were a bit apprehensive about abrogation of the ceasefire".
He said it was good that both sides agreed to extend the truce, not by six months but one year. Imkong hoped both sides would exploit the current period of truce extension to bring about an honourable and lasting solution.
Sharing similar views, Transport Minister Imtilemba Sangtam hoped the parties involved in the dialogue would discuss the issues seriously during the current spell of the ceasefire.
Welcoming the extension, Minister for School Education, Imkong L. Imchen said "the Nagas want peace and there is nothing like peace for all-round development. He further called upon people to support the wisdom of both Government of India and NSCN (I-M).
Naga Hoho general secretary Neingulo Krome believed the peace process was on right track. "The extension of ceasefire by one year from the previous six months is an indication that progress had been made in the two-day talks," he added. The Naga Students' Federation though welcomed the truce extension said it has some reservation. "We have reservation on extension of the ceasefire," said NSF general secretary K. Elu Ndang, though he refused to comment further. The Nagaland Youth Congress welcomed the extension but at the same time reminded both the parties that mere extension of the ceasefire would not help solve the problem.
NYC general secretary Kughato S. Aye urged the two sides to make more efforts towards resolving the decades-old political problem.
Approach to solution mutually accepted Morung Express News Dimapur | July 31
After agreeing on a broad framework to resolve the Naga issue politically, Indian and Naga negotiators following extension of the ceasefire by a comfortable one year period will make an attempt to reach a settlement during this one year period. Earlier there were reports about the option of making the ceasefire irrevocable and coterminous with the peace talks.
According to a news report in The Telegraph yesterday, the idea of making the ceasefire coterminous with the talks originally came from Michael van Walt, legal adviser to the Dalai Lama and a facilitator in the peace talks. “This way neither the NSCN (I-M) nor the government of India would have the choice of breaking the ceasefire. If the talks break down, so will the ceasefire. We were agreeable to this from the beginning,” an Indian negotiator said.
On the Indian objections to the principles underlying the framework of analysing the Indian Constitution article by article, Indian negotiators said the NSCN (I-M) was being accommodative. According to the Telegraph news report yesterday, Muivah was reported to have said: “We have yet to finalise a redefined framework. But a few changes have been made and the approach to a solution has been mutually accepted.”
The Naga leader said not only the Indian Constitution, “but the Naga Constitution will also be analysed by the two sides”.
He said it was “simply not possible” for the Nagas to accept the Indian Constitution. However, he added: “We will accept the fundamental principles of the Indian Constitution such as democracy, secularism, republicanism and the protection of human rights. These are universal principles and they have been an essential part of Naga polity.”
He said the terms of the agreement would “define the relationship between the two entities”. The Indian negotiators have not taken a hard stand on a separate Naga Constitution, according to the news report.
“We are not closing the option of a separate Constitution. What we are saying is that let us begin by analysing the Constitution of India, as suggested in the agreed framework article by article and see where it takes us. After that we will see what can be done,” one of them said.
The Indian negotiator claimed that the approach of the proposed framework had been appreciated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself.
Commending the approach of the Nagas to the agreed framework, he said: “The only way negotiators can go to the government is after a procedure has been agreed.”
That procedure has now been accepted.
“From the next round of talks, we will start the process of constitutional analysis,” Muivah was quoted as saying in the news report.
Rio hopeful of definite outcome Morung Express News
DIMAPUR, JULY 31 (MExN): Giving a positive response to the one year period of ceasefire extension between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM), Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio hoped that both parties will seriously apply themselves with a greater sense of urgency to expedite the peace process and come out with a definite and positive result before the expiry of the extended ceasefire period. “I, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Government of Nagaland and people of Nagaland, welcomes the extension of the ceasefire agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) by a further period of one year”, stated Rio in a press communiqué. Rio pointed out that the result of the ceasefire extension showed the concern and desire of both parties to the peace talk for maintenance of peace and non-violence in the State, in spite of many hurdles in the progress of the on-going peace talks and the peace process itself. “It also shows their commitment to find solution to the more than 5 decade old problem through peaceful means”, Rio stated.
Final solution lies with NSCN (K): Mulatonu The morung Express
Kohima, July 31 (NEPS): The NSCN (K) said the final political solution to the Indo-Naga political issue would only come about when the organization formally “holds political dialogues with the Government of India.”
Talking to NEPS over phone from their mobile headquarters, NSCN (K) Kilonser Kughalu Mulatonu ridiculed the ongoing political parleys between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) leaderships, saying “It has become rituals for both the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) that after every talk, they usually come out with the words---talks are cordial, positive, fruitful, etc.”
He stated the NSCN (IM) leaderships would one day come back to the NSCN (K) for forgiveness. He asserted that nothing would emerge for their ongoing talks without the NSCN (K). Mulatonu also reiterated that the Government of India should discontinue its ongoing political parleys with the leaderships of the NSCN (IM) because of their (NSCN-IM) “terrorist backgrounds.”
It may be mentioned that the NSCN (IM) had already challenged NSCN (K) leader Kughalu Mulatonu to prove his repeated charges that the former had any link with Al Quida. Stating that there had been enough evidence that the “NSCN (IM) is a terrorist organization,” the NSCN (K) leader said, “The NSCN (IM) may deny all my charges and write a good novel on me but that will not help them escape from their terrorist activities.”
Responding to the NSCN (IM) statement that the NSCN (K) leaders Kitovi and late
Dally Mungro went to Amsterdam on Indian passports, Mulatonu said their leaders went to Amsterdam on Indian passports with the mandate of three million Nagas to find solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political issue. “But under whose mandate, Isak and Muivah of the NSCN (IM) have been traveling on Indian passports,” he asked.
NSCN-IM ceasefire extended by 1 year Mumbai Mirror IANS
Guwahati: After three days of talks in Bangkok, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) and the Indian government on Monday agreed to extend their nine-year-old ceasefire by another year.

“We decided to extend the ceasefire until August 1, 2007 to enable the two sides to reach an early settlement to the problem,” a NSCN-IM leader told IANS by telephone from Bangkok. The present ceasefire was due to expire Monday midnight.

Union minister Oscar Fernandes and New Delhi’s main peace negotiator K Padmanabhaiah represented the government side while the NSCN-IM was led by its general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.

NSCN-IM wants a ‘greater Nagaland’, including areas culled from neighbouring states.
NSCN (K)-Naga bodies verbal duel continues The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, Jul 31: Reacting and counter reacting has come up between the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region and the Naga civil organisations.

Counter reacting to the statement of United Naga Council (UNC), ANSAM and NWUM, the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region accused UNC president K.S.

Paul Leo as directly working at the behest of the NSCN-IM.

The outfit also accused ANSAM and NWUM of working directly for the NSCN-IM.

The NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region statement issued by its information and publicity in-charge also accused K.S.Paul Leo as a communal element saying that the UNC president was instrumental in aggravating the Kuki-Naga ethnic clash of the early 1990s.The statement of the outfit then said that Paul Leo was kidnapped by the KNF (MC) for his role in the Kuki-Naga ethnic clash but it was the NSCN-K who had pleaded the Kuki outfit to free the UNC president in which the latter was released. "Paul Leo would have been killed by the KNF(MC) at the time of his abduction but since we were having alliance with the Kuki outfit then which was fortunate enough for the UNC president to survive today," said the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region adding that the KNF(MC) had already decided to kill the UNC president.

The NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region dismissed the statement of the UNC, ANSAM and NWUM that the latter organisations are working for peace.

"If UNC, ANSAM and NWUM are working for peace then why did they instigated and incited to burn text books in the four hill districts of Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel which is a violent means," pointed out the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region adding, "during the 52 days of its economic blockade ANSAM had violently destroyed an important bridge along the NH-53 last year which was also a violent means." The Khaplang faction of the NSCN, Zeliangrong Region then reasoned that had the UNC, ANSAM and NWUM been working for peace then there would be definitely some example of their (UNC, ANSAM, NWUM) deeds to be cited to prove of their claim but nothing that sort exist but rather they are destructive and violent.

On the larger front the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region said that whatever the NSCN-IM, UNC and ANSAM have been prusuing, till date nothing had been successful.

The statement of the outfit elaborated and said that it was the demand for a ceasefire without territorial limit but later on it confined only to Nagaland state. The 52 day ANSAM economic blockade did not bear any fruit, said the outfit in a statement. It also said that the demand for sovereignty of Nagaland had turned into Nagalim and subsequently it would become Nagaram.

It further pointed out that the NSCN-IM had earlier had boycotted the Indian elections but later on they (NSCN-IM) became fully involved in the elections. "The NSCN-IM has no principle," alleged the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region.

On the affiliation of the NBSE issue, the NSCN-K explained that whether affiliating to Nagaland education board or not it will be the same educational context saying that even if the students in the four hill districts of Manipur have prescribed the NBSE it would be the same English language text books and not the Naga languages/dialects.

With this, the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region reiterated that whatever the NSCN-IM, UNC and ANSAM did nothing had been long lasted and successful and termed them as communal forces trying to create problems among different communities living in the state. The NSCN-K, Zeliang-rong Region then accused Chief Minister O.Ibobi of working discreetly in collaboration with the NSCNIM, UNC and ANSAM. It said that last year NSCN-IM, UNC and ANSAM had bribed O.Ibobi Singh to declare June 18 as Manipur Integrity Day and as state holiday so that it touched the sentiments of the Nagas and thereby given the Nagas chances to protest unitedly on the issue.
Culture for unity: Jamir Correspondent Nagaland Post
MOKOKCHUNG, JULY 31 (NPN): Governor of Goa SC Jamir today said it is culture rather than religion or politics that brings unity and cohesion to the country.
Calling upon the people to remain united in order to march forward progressively, Jamir said there are many religions and political parties in India which were responsible for working towards disintegration of the country adding it is only culture that will bring unity to the nation.
The Goa governor who graced the Tsungremmong celebration organized by the Naga Wadir of Ungma at Ungma village as the chief guest, justified his point by saying that there is no enmity in culture but encouragement, which he said, is really healthy.
Dressed in traditional Ao attires, the chief guest called upon the people not to forsake culture as it is only through culture that a nation can move ahead.
He also stressed on the need for revival and reformation of culture and further encouraged the people to let their mind grow freely without any hindrances.
Earlier, DC Mokokchung Abhishek Singh conveyed "Tsungremmong" greetings to all citizens.
Various cultural dances and folk songs were presented by different clubs, organizations of the village. Villagers from Chuchuyimpang and Mokokchung villages also took part in the celebration as special invitees. Later, all the participants took part in a mass dance where Jamir and his wife also joined in. A grand community feast capped the festive programme.
'Ongoing talks not peace process' Correspondent Nagaland Post
MOKOKCHUNG, JULY 31 (NPN): Veteran Congress leader and Governor of Goa SC Jamir who is presently in Mokokchung in a tete-a-tete with this correspondent at Jamir's private residence in Mokokchung Monday morning, has this to say on the current peace process:
"As a person involved in Naga politics, I still continue to take interest in the political development of Nagaland. The very word 'peace process' is wrongly used by all groups in Nagaland. My personal view is, cease-fire was a means only to create congenial atmosphere to enable the Naga people to discuss, to deliberate and to work out a consensus about their political future. So it is high time to separate the peace process which we always call it the political process. The ongoing dialogue between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India is a political process but not a peace process.
Because of the cease-fire, the ongoing political dialogue was possible and its aim is to resolve the Naga political issue honourably which will be acceptable to all sections of the Naga community even including the GoI. Nagas should present a united voice to the GoI if a final political solution is to be achieved and perhaps this is also the consensus view of the Nagas."
Sumis in Naga life- Nagaland Post
In Naga family, Sumi people initially played pivotal roles in the national cause, the roles played by leaders like late Kughato Sukhai, late Gen Kaito, Gen Züheto, former Kedahge Scato Swu etc., shall ever remain in the annals of Naga history.
Now also, the general Sumi public remains committed to the NNC and the FGN. However, regretfully for some time, the Sumi people did not fully participate in the activities of the NNC and the FGN. This so happened due to the failure of peace talks in 1968 and the subsequent Shillong Accord of 1975.
Yet, under any circumstance, Sumi people cannot separate ourselves from the Naga family which compels us to actively participate in Naga national life. The propaganda spread by the cadres of different factions had caused confusion among our people. Also persons like Phutoi Zhimo who lives in transit peace camp at Kohima by accepting the Shillong Accord creates further confusion. But let us know that the will of Sumi people does not lie there.
Under the present circumstances in our land where people shout and cry for peace and unity, Sumi people also need to think again and take wise decision for posterity. The will of the people shall ever remain supreme, and to carry out that will, we need to act. To be responsible people in the Naga family, we have to contribute our fair share of service and sacrifice.
In the present venture of reorganizing the NNC and the FGN set ups in Sumi Region, I call upon our people to come forward and join hands in the interest of Sumi people in particular and the Nagas in general. Kuknalim
Hekhuvi Achumi, Midan Peyu, Sumi Region, FGN.
Janjati Faith & Cultural Protection Forum memorandum to the President Reject outright the demand of greater Nagaland (FOC)
The Forum fears that the Government of India may accept the NSCN (IM)’s economic demands. Delhi’s stand on Muivah’s demands of greater Nagaland is not very clear.
Janjati Faith and Cultural Protection Forum (JFCPF), a body of various janjati communities of north-eastern states, has demanded the President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to outrightly reject the secessionist demand of greater Nagaland by underground Naga leaders. In a memorandum, the Forum demanded that the activities of signatories of ceasefire agreement violating ceasefire ground rules should be curbed with heavy hands and the nationalistic forces and patriotic members of the society should be patronised.

The memorandum said that the issuing of ‘entry cards’, imposition of illegal taxes on all the essential commodities and extortion by National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) (IM) and other offshoot outfits, other underground organisations and NGOs should be stopped immediately. The memorandum said the ceasefire monitoring committee should be expanded and Naga leaders from civil societies, whose integrity is beyond doubt, should be included. The veteran Naga leaders of nationalistic character from political circles and from common mass should also be taken into confidence before arriving at the final decision.

“It is apprehended that any slackness and unjustified decisions of Government of India dishonouring country’s Constitution may lead to serious repercussions at national level. We therefore, request your kind authority to do the needful without compromising with nation’s interest,” said Shri M.K. Borah, president, Shri K.T. Rukbo, vice president and Shri M. Choaba Singh, general secretary who singed the memorandum.

The dialogue between Naga insurgent leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah of NSCN (IM) and Government of India has taken place for many times since 1997 at Prime Ministerial level. The Government of India is represented by a Group of Ministers headed by Union Minister Oscar Fernades and NSCN (IM) is represented by Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu. Some of the dialogues have taken place in foreign countries viz. Davos, Arsterdam (Netherlands) and Bankok (Thailand). Since the Operation of Cease-fire declared on August 1, 1997, the NSCN (IM) leaders landed in India and also visited Nagaland to meet their cadres. But due to little response from Naga people and tough opposition from veteran Naga leaders they have got disheartened and worried.

According to the memorandum, the NSCN (IM) has submitted a thirty points Charter of Demands to the Government of India. It includes greater Nagaland by integrating contiguous Naga inhabited areas with Nagaland from Manipur, Asom, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. Separate Naga country (Nagalim) with separate international boundary between India and Naga nation, well established independent Naga army with a liberty to join enemy forces against India at the time of war, Naga currency with picture of Phizo inscribed on coins and printed at currency notes, Naga national flag, Naga national anthem and re-written history books portraying Phizo as the father of the nation at par with Mahatma Gandhi of India and Md. Ali Jinnah of Pakistan and Muivah, Isak Chishi Swu and V.S. Atem, etc. as Naga national heroes and leaders like S.C. Jamir, Dr Hokishe Sema and other nationalist Naga leaders as traitors against Naga nation. The demands also include that no tax can be levied by Government of India in Nagaland but Delhi should bear all expenditure to build up Naga country and Nagaland will have absolute authority on executive set-up, civil services, land ownership, entry restrictions and natural resources.

The Forum fears that the Government of India may accept the NSCN (IM)’s economic demands. Delhi’s stand on Muivah’s demands of greater Nagaland is not very clear. “However, we appreciate the government for not accepting Muivah’s such demands which challenge the sovereignty of the country and also for not succumbing to the pressure unduly created by anti-national forces working on the behest of enemy countries,” the memorandum said.

The memorandum further said that the NSCN (IM) does not represent all Nagas. There are 25 Naga communities living in Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Asom. And Tangkhul is one of them who are found in Ukhrul district of Manipur. Muivah belongs to this community and NSCN (IM) cadres are dominated by this community. Muivah and his Tangkhul cohorts use NSCN (IM) to fulfill their political dream. This is the reason that this NSCN (IM) has killed dozens of non-Tangkhul Naga leaders like Chalie Kevichusa, Dr Imkangliba, Mezolie Angami and many more who did not support the unrealistic demands of Muivah. General Naga public including all Naga communities of all the concerned states are against integration and liberation movement. They believe that Nagaland with nil state revenue cannot survive as an independent country between giant nations-India and China.

Since the proposed map of greater Nagaland includes the whole Manipur, the Manipur assembly has resolved several times that not even an inch of Manipur’s land would be seceded for creation of greater Nagaland. Similar resolutions have also been adopted in assemblies of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. People of all the three affected states have also been agitating under the aegis of different social organisations against the secession of their lands.

Nagaland govt, NGOs welcome extension of Naga ceasefire Bureau Report Zee News

Kohima, Aug 01: Nagaland government and prominent Naga NGOs today welcomed the extension of ceasefire between the Centre and NSCN(I-M) by another year and said both parties should work sincerely for a lasting solution to the vexed Naga problem.

After three days of parleys between representatives of the Centre and NSCN (I-M) at Bangkok, both sides yesterday agreed for extension of the nine-year-long ceasefire for another year, effective from today and resolved to carry forward the peace process.

Welcoming the decision, chief minister Neiphiu Rio said the extension showed the concern and desire of both the sides for maintenance of peace and non-violence inspite of "many hurdles" in the progress of the ongoing peace talks.

The Chief Minister said the extension of the truce indicated the commitment of the negotiating parties in finding a solution through peaceful means and hoped that both the parties would seriously pursue the negotiations to arrive at a definite outcome before expiry of the ceasefire period.

Apex tribal council Naga Hoho described the extension of ceasefire by one year from the previous six months as an "indication that some progress had been made during the talks in Bangkok".

Leader of opposition I Imkong said the news (of extension of truce) came as a blessing, "Because we were a bit apprehensive about abrogation of the cease fire".

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 by 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.
Govt inks truce, KSO calls off stir By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 31 : The 24 hour general strike called by the Kuki Students’ Organization in protest against the alleged extra judicial killing of two Kuki youths by police commandos ended before the scheduled time after the Government expressed regret over the killing and assured to abide by the Kuki customary norms and compensate families of the two youths.
The understanding was reached around 3 pm today following a meeting between representatives of KSO and other civil society organizations and the Government led by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh at his office chamber. KSO alleged that Paominlen Touthang of Aigejang village in Senapati district and Lunlal Haokip of Sugnu in Thoubal district were picked up by police commandos, who came in civvies in a two wheeler on Wednesday last from Khuman Lampak and later taken to a police Gypsy at Langol where they were gunned down in cold blood.
The police contended that the two were members of the KRA and were killed in an encounter.
Before 3 pm, normal activities at Imphal came to a grinding halt due to the 24 hour general strike that was supposed to end today midnight. While the Govt expressed regret over the untimely loss of lives of the two and accordingly performed “Hemkham”, the meeting agreed to resolve the matter in the Kuki customary manner. Kuki elders said that in such customary manner the Govt would offer pigs, shawls and monetary fines to the deceased families. Owing to the strike no vehicles plied for the day except on ceremonial and emergency services and traders also downed shutters at major business establishments at the capital. The bandh also affected normal activities at other districts. The bandh, however, did not disrupt normal flight services. Following today's understanding, representa- tives of KSO, Kuki Movement for Human Rights, Kuki Mothers’ Association and All Manipur Students Union agreed to call off the agitation immediately and receive the bodies of the two.
KSO had demanded termination of the guilty commandos and institution of a judicial inquiry to probe the incident. Earlier the students’ body and other civil society organizations had failed to arrive at a solution during a meeting with the Chief Minister yesterday. After the talk broke down, KSO had announced that the 24 hours bandh would be followed by an indefinite economic blockade on both the National Highways. Durng the bandh police fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse bandh supporters around New Lambulane area close to the official residences of State senior officials in the heart of the town. Strike supporters at Kuki dominated areas at Imphal also burnt tyres and logs and smashed glasswares on the streets.
Indo-Myanmar trade on the brink of collapsing Tombi Nepram Sangai Express
Timber being left to rot away at Moreh
MOREH, Jul 31 : The Indo-Myanmar trans-border trade which has failed to provide any benefit to the local people seems to on its last lap before the final collapse.
The huge popularity of goods imported from third countries in Myanmar and the huge monetary demands made by numerous UG groups in Manipur on the licence holders are the primary reasons for the downfall of the trans-border trade.
The Indo-Myanmar border trade was formally opened on April 12, 1995 by the then Union Minister of Commerce and Industries P Chidambaram.
According to Article III of the trade agreement signed between India and Myanmar on January 21, 1994, the trading system was opened under barter mechanism. The traders are permitted to go inside 40 kms on either side of the international border and the list of trade items between the two countries included 22 items.
The items included in the agreement are mustard/rape seed, fresh vegetables, pulses and beans, fruits, garlic, onion, chillies, spices (excluding nutmeg, mace, cloves, cassia and cinnamon), betel nuts and leaves, food items for local consumption, tomato, roasted sunflower seeds, soyabean, katha and ginger.
The popular export items include wheat flour, soyabean, dry chillies, agarbati, peas and garlic while the mainimport items include betel nuts, turmeric, red kidney bean (rasma) resin and dry ginger. For two/three years after the trans-border trade was formally opened, the volume of trade was huge but today, the volume has dwindled to a dismally low level. According to official data, goods worth Rs 31,70,51,137 were exported while import volume was Rs 15,17,64,137 during 1996-97 but in 2004-05, it dwindled to just Rs 5,64,45,050 in export and Rs 5,00,81,749 in import. A study of the trade since its opening revealed that Manipur does not stand to benefit much from the trans-border trade thro-ugh Moreh. Even as the trade route directly passes through Chandel district, its people are yet to get any kind of advantage or benefit from the Indo-Myanmar trade. Most of the people in the district are still dependent on traditional jhum cul- tivation or charcoal trade for their livelihood.
While talking with The Sangai Express at Moreh, Superintendent of Customs Preventive Force (CPF) DM Das informed that during the initial stage there were about 100 exim licence holders and most of them were non-Manipuris based at Imphal. But today, their number have reduced to just 3/4.
Following the rise in popularity of commodities imported from third countries in Myanmar, the Mya- nmarese Govt had prohibited import of wheat flour and soyabean from India, DM Das conveyed. Another major factor responsi- ble for the down fall of the trade is the repeated intimidation and monetary demand by numerous UG groups of Manipur against the licence holders, Das noted. If urea, cycle, cycle parts, electrical appliances, bleaching powder, cotton yarn, auto and auto parts, utensils (stainless steel) and cosmetic items are added in the list of trading items and if the Letter of Credit is used through nationalised banks of India and Myanmar for sale and purchase of goods instead of the barter mechanism, the dying trans-border tra-de can be revived, opined DM Das.
Meanwhile, the State Government has proposed to the Union Government to increase the trading items through Moreh, informed an official source. One Abu-jam Shamu who was once a licence holder of the trans-border trade but now a shopkeeper at Moreh said that he struggled hard to find a place for himself amo-ng the non-Manipuri licen- ce holders with huge capital. But he was constrained to give up his business following prohibition on export of some items to Myanmar by its Government which was compounded by the huge monetary demands from UG groups on this side of the border, he stated.
Among the local Mani-puris of Moreh (including both Meiteis and Kukis) there is not a single individual with exim licence. One licence holder Sunil Agarwal who is currently based at Moreh said that he was asked by the Kolkata based Kitply Industries Pvt Ltd to import 500 truck loads of timber from Myanmar. Accordingly, 100 truck loads were brought to India in the first phase and unloaded at Forest Office complex of Moreh and at the ground of a local club.
But when he was yet to procure the demanded quantity of timber, Kitply Industries informed him that there was one Indra-sen, president of the Indo- Myanmar Friendship Orga-nisation who could trans- port the timbers at a chea-per rate. As Kitply turned their back against the earlier agreed transport rate, he stayed away from the assignment, Sunil disclosed. After that, Indrasen took up the task of transporting the timbers to Kol- kata. After about 20 loads were sent to Kitply, Indrasen was shot dead by one UG group for his failure to pay their monetary demand, Sunil said. Even a single truck load out of 20 sent by Indrasen failed to reach Kitply Industries, he conveyed. Later, Kitply again asked Sunil to transport the timbers. But then he is still unable to commence the transportation work thinking of the fate Indrasen su- ffered, he informed. (This report is filed under AMWJU’s Media Fellowship Award)

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