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08/21/2006: "o one will flee : Dimapur conclave Memorandum submitted to UN, PM, Nagaland Governor and CM, no panic yet Source: The Sangai Express"

No one will flee : Dimapur conclave Memorandum submitted to UN, PM, Nagaland Governor and CM, no panic yet Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Aug 20: Faced with the quit notice served by the Khaplang faction of the NSCN on the Tangkhuls of Manipur to pack and leave Nagaland, a public meeting was convened at Dimapur wherein it was resolved that no one will cow down to the diktats and leave Nagaland. Disclosing this to The Sangai Express on being contacted today, the president of the Tangkhul Naga Long, Stephen Angkang said that the meeting was held at Dimapur to discuss the threat perception and all those present decided not to leave their homesteads and flee to Manipur.

Till date there is no report of any Tangkhul leaving Nagaland, he said and added that the Tangkhul Naga Long will soon convene an emergency meeting. The date of the emergency meeting will be announced tomorrow, he added. The decision to convene the emergency meeting was adopted during a meeting of the Tangkhul Naga Long held at the Tangkhul Theological Association Hall yesterday, he said. The matter has not been taken lightly, said Stephen Angkang and added that memoranda have been submitted to the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the Prime Minister of India, the Governor and Chief Minister of Nagaland.

The memoranda made it clear that isolating a particular tribe tantamounts to victimising a particular community. The memoranda also categorically stated that issuing such quit notice is not desirable and in the interest of the Naga people and violates human rights, added the TNL president. Stephen Angkang further said that Delhi should be aware of the sensitivity of the issue at hand and if anything goes wrong, then it would be taken as the failure of the State to uphold the rule of law. The Centre should take note of this, he added.

President of the Naga People's Organisation, Dili Mao on being contacted said that the matter is yet to be discussed thoroughly but added that it would be discussed soon. When The Sangai Express contacted the SP of Kohima police on the security measures being taken up in view of the quit notice served on the Tangkhuls, the police officer replied that all possible measures have been taken up.

“We are taking up steps at the highest level and till date no Tangkhuls have fled Kohima,” added the police officer. The SP however declined to comment on the number of Tangkhul people settled at Kohima for security reasons. The SP of Dimapur police on being contacted however said that no special security arrangements have been taken up as no such quit notice has been served in the district. The police officer however added that security cover will be provided if it is sought. The quit notice was served in the Sumi, Chakesang, Konyak, Angami, Lotha, Sangtam, Ao and Tisary regions by the NSCN (K).
A police officer from Ukhrul police informed The Sangai Express that so far they have not received any information of any mass exodus of Tangkhuls from Nagaland.

“At the moment there is no panic situation at Ukhrul district yet,” added the police officer.
NSCN-IM provincial heads react to NSCN-K’s ‘Quit Notice’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, August 19 (MExN): The NSCN-IM has reacted to the ‘Quit notice’ issued by the NSCN-K to the Tangkhul community. Various Regions of the NSCN-IM, asserting equality among all Naga brethren, condemned the notice issued.
The Lotha Region in a release termed the notice as a heinous crime against the Nagas and asked the NSCN-K to come out clear “if they have a clear conscience and work for the Nagas as they claim.”
“It should be remembered that Nagas are from three linguistic groups. Like the Tenyime, in which the Angamis, Chakhesang, Mao, Zeliangrong etc., belong the Aos, Lothas, Tangkhuls, Sangtam, Yimchungru etc and some tribes in Myanmar and Manipur belong to the same linguistic family. Likewise the Konyaks, Phom, Khiamniungan etc., and some tribe in Myanmar belong to another linguistic tribe. On what authority and what moral right does a particular Naga tribe can be expelled from a particular area” Renthungo Ovung, CAO, stated. The Region cautioned educated Nagas not to be misled by “some ignorant group with a self-centered interest”.
Also, the Sumi Region asserted that the people would never yield to “outside devices and dictations to draw a bead on us”, stating that mandate has been given to the Collective leadership of the NSCN-IM at the 4th Naga Consultative meeting at Hebron by the Sumis. “Quit Notice being served on any Naga tribe by some section of people just to please their pay masters is foolishness. The unfortunate development has prompted Sumi national workers to ask the Kaphlang group to spell out their actual motive” stated Kihoto Yeptho, CAO UT-I and Vihoto Chishi, CAO Sumi region in a joint release. It condemned the quit notice and urged all Nagas to reject it.
The Angami Region through its CAO T Keditsu, stated that the NSCN-K “are always to bring division enmity and ism”. “Thereby, we are aware of their policies and agendas which might be framed to quit other Naga tribes as well as from a region in future as their policy is to construct a partition wall of the Nagas for confusion and misunderstanding” it stated while condemning the quite notice as well as other “heinous crimes”.
Further, the SPMTH, ZLR Region in a joint release while condemning the quit notice urged the Nagas not to forget that “we Nagas have a common adversary to the GOI and that Nagas are Nagas and non-Nagas are that”. The region asked the NSCN-K to offer public apology “before the rest of the world” for causing “severe moral damage” to the Nagas as a whole.
“The Chakhesang Region condemns in the strongest terms the quit notice served to a particular tribe and term this divisive forces who are hell bent upon destroying Naga integrity and solidarity, the very prerequisite of nation-building, as most unfortunate” stated a release from Venehu, CAO Chakhesang region of the NSCN-IM. It held view that “unlike this narrow-minded elements claim for fighting for the Naga people minus certain tribes acknowledge the immense contribution of Tangkhul brothers and sisters in our struggle for freedom”. It declared that no forces on earth can undo what God had already planned, that ‘any tribe today is destined to be a Naga tomorrow.’
The Sangtam Region of the NSCN (IM) also strongly condemned the notice singling out a particular tribe of the Nagas, “when we are on the same platform fighting for the same cause”. “GPRN, NSCN (IM) is a peoples’ government and USR works in the best interest of the people. Thus any vested individual or group representing USR without people’s mandate amounts to total betrayal to its own people”, stated Lisechem, Tatar/Caretaker, CAO, United Sangtam Region, in a press note. The NSCN (IM) Konyak Region also stated that “all the Nagas are sons and daughters of the same parents”. “Traditionally, culturally, religiously and by blood we are same, only recently enemies divided us into many parts. From the inception of our national movement, every Nagas had equally fought against the invaders, of course some earlier and the other later. Th. Muivah was told to lead 300 Naga armies to China in 1966 by the Naga Tatar Hoho. He did not go by himself or sent by the Tangkhul tribe. He did his mission successfully and the Nagas in those days were proud of going to China. It is unthinkable to drive some tribe or tribes out of Nagaland”, stated Retd Captain Chingkap, CAO Konyak Region in a press note.
Pointing out that the enemies unable to defeat the Nagas militarily and politically have started using selfish interest elements to spoil the Naga family as in the past, the Konyak region CAO stated: “Mr. Angpa never represents the whole Konyak, so to drive some Naga brothers out of Konyak Region is not the decision of the whole Konyak but his own personal whim
'Review quit notice': NBCC to NSCN(K) Kuknalim.com
DIMAPUR, Aug 19:: Disturbed by the 'Quit Notice' issued by the regional heads of NSCN-K to a particular community to immediately leave the state of Nagaland, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has appealed to the NSCN-K review the 'notice' while terming the quit notice as "reckless and one that could result in immediate harm and serious complications for future Nagas."

NBCC general secretary Zhabu Terhuja in a press statement said the hurt and bitterness felt by the different tribes for serious wrongs done to one another over the years are real and not disputed. He however said the bitterness and hurt must be acknowledged and healed, not misused to cause greater damage by perpetuating revenge.

"Instead of provoking the worst reactions from one another, the Nagas must now turn God's searchlight on themselves first to see where they too have hurt and embittered others. This is the great way of the Cross we are called to walk to achieve healing and reconciliation," the NBCC said and added that such an approach would be more productive, and urgently needed. The statement also stated that everyone is guilty of seeing so clearly where others are wrong but are unwilling to see or admit where they too are wrong, which God and others see.

Sincerely appealing to the NSCN-K, for the sake of the future of the Naga people, to reconsider the notice its regional formations have issued, NBCC further said "dealing courageously with our wrongs first is God's way. Let us do it before it is too late. No group is blameless."

It may be mentioned that earlier, eight regions of the NSCN-K comprising of seven districts in Nagaland including Zunheboto, Phek, Mon, Kohima, Wokha, Kiphire and Mokokchung, have served a joint 'Quit notice' to the Tangkhul community, with effect from August 17, 2006. (NPN)
Discard ‘isms’: DC, Dimapur Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR: Dimapur DC K. N. Ngullie on Sunday called upon the people to discard 'isms' to promote peace and social harmony in the society.
"We need to avoid isms like religious fundamentalism, clanism, etc for improvement of the society. We should promise to serve humanity and be bonafide citizens of the society," Mr. Ngullie said while addressing the gathering during the Raksha Bandhan Utsav organized by the Janjati Vikash Samiti, Nagaland (JVSN), at SD Jain Higher Secondary School, Dimapur. He said children should be taught how to love each other, obey parents, elders et al so that they grew into principled men and women and became good citizens of the society. Referring to Mahatma Gandhi's principle of non-violence, the DC also appealed to the people to make all-round efforts to build a good society. The main speaker of the celebrations Minist Jigdung said celebration of festivals like Raksha Bandhan was more relevant in strife-torn Northeast.
"Violence and conflicts happen among the people of the Northeast as well as Nagaland. Raksha Bandhan can play a great role in fostering peace, oneness and unity in the region," he said.
He also said, "Raksha Bandhan not only promotes brotherhood, better understanding and social harmony but also imparts education to the youngsters through humanity."
Later talking to Nagaland Post, organizing secretary Atul Jain said the purpose of Raksha Bandhan celebrations was to create universal brotherhood and strengthen the social fabric of the country. Earlier, the chief guest K. N. Ngullie lighted the ceremonial lamp. A one-minute silence was also observed in honour of those killed in bomb blasts in Mumbai and Imphal. The function was attended, among others, by JVSN officials M. Rongmei, Dr. V. Zeliang and Vinod Khandelwal. Various cultural programmes were also performed by students at the function.
UNC, ANSAM, NWUM condemns ISKCON blast Newmai News Network
Imphal, August 20: The United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and Naga Women’s Union, Manipur (NWUM) today condemned the incident at ISKCON where a blast took place on August 16. They urged all to condemn the inhuman killing of believers. In a joint statement, the three Naga organisations expressed shocked at the killing innocent people going for worship and injuring several others seriously at ISKCON Complex bomb attacked while believers were there for Janmasthami celebration.
The joint statement of UNC Secretary, Information & Publicity S.Milan, Secretary Information & Publicity ANSAM Sounii Khapa and JD Joyce, Secretary Information & Publicity NWUM appeal to the culprits to save life and not take life.
“It is very hard to believe even worship places are not safe in Manipur for general public. We feel whoever is responsible should come forward and clarify the barbaric act also brave the general public who want to exercise the right to religion”, it stated
Meanwhile, the Naga organisations convey their ‘deepest condolences’ to the bereaved families and prayed that God would console and comfort them. The injured were also wished speedy recovery .
Two to Tango The Morung Express Editorial
In a PMO-driven move, the Union Home Ministry has at last announced a conditional and limited ceasefire with ULFA and this has been reciprocated in good faith by the armed group, although it has to be said that the ‘surprise’ first move by New Delhi has flabbergasted many including security analysts from the region. The gesture is however significant because the Centre had for long remained nonchalant to initiate peace moves with ULFA. One of the reasons is that much of the confusion had centered on just how to kick start the peace process in the first place as both sides wanted to start from a position of strength. As a result what was seen for the last six months was not any sincere effort to take the all important first step but rather playing a mind game so much so that neither side could really transcend the status quo.
Now that the much sought after delicate first step has been taken, it will be advisable for both the Centre and ULFA to start the process of putting into place a formal ceasefire agreement. It may not be an easy task to work this out given that any written agreement has to be a unanimous one, drawing approval of both sides. Due care should therefore be taken to ensure that a ceasefire acceptable to both sides is worked out. Much of the onus here will fall on the ULFA as it will have to negotiate from a certain standpoint as the NSCN (IM) has done in its dealing with New Delhi. As far as the Government of India’s (GoI) position is concerned, it cannot deviate from the general policy stand it has already taken with its other dialogue partners. It is obvious therefore that the use of terms such as sovereignty, within-outside the Constitution etc. will be a problem area for both sides to spell out in written and as such it is advisable that the use of such sweeping terms is not allowed to stand as a road block to begin negotiation process in the first place.
The ULFA has insisted on the release of its five top leaders from jail to help it name its representatives to hold direct talks with the Government of India (GoI). This is a reasonable demand and there is now no reason why New Delhi should not concede to this. The Tarun Gogoi led government in the State if it wants to act as a genuine facilitator for the peace talks, should take the first step to approach the Centre to immediately release the leaders. While it is important for the ULFA to silence its guns, the elected government in Delhi must take control of the peace initiative before it disintegrates as a result of the whims and fancies of the military establishment.
The suspension of military operations now reciprocated by ULFA should be used as a golden opportunity to push forward the direct peace talks. And since one of the demands made by ULFA—calling for a suspension of Indian military action before holding any direct talks—has been fulfilled, the responsibility to shun violence is now one of moral conscience that needs to be perched on the minds of the ULFA leadership and the opportunity presents itself to address its grievances across the talks table with New Delhi. Both sides should get on with the task of talking to each other while ensuring that goodwill and reciprocity remains the basis for ending the years of acrimony and bloodletting.
KRA denies hand in ISKCON blast Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Aug 20: Denying involvement in the hand grenade attack at Mani Mandir of ISKCON on August 16 which killed five people and wounded several others, Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) has demanded that the group responsible for the attack should come out and clarify to the people.
Publicity secretary of the outfit Ph Misao said the outfit is not related to the bomb attack at Mani Mandir of ISKCON on August 16 while Krishna Janmasthami celebration was going on.
Condemning the incident which resulted in loss of five lives apart from causing injuries to many others, KRA wondered at the motive behind such violent attack in religious place where many innocent persons gathered to pay their obeisance to the God. While asserting that such inhuman act would not help in achieving the goal of the revolutionary movement, KRA further appealed to all concerned to ensure such incident do not recur in future.

Parties hail ULFA truce By A Staff Reporter Assam tribune
GUWAHATI, Aug 19 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today welcomed the response from the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) towards the Central government’s gesture of suspending the Army operations and hoped that direct talks between the Centre and the ULFA would be held soon. In a statement here, the Chief Minister said that the Government of India suspended the Army operations to create a congenial atmosphere for talks and the ULFA responded positively by restraining its cadres, which is a positive sign. He said that the recent developments gave a ray of hope to all sections of people of the state about a permanent solution to the problem of insurgency.

Meanwhile, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has welcomed the truce announced by the ULFA following the suspension of Army operations against the outfit by the Centre, and said that the decision to suspend violence on the part of both the parties would pave the way for the much-awaited direct talks between the ULFA and the Government. In a statement, the AASU also called for immediate release of the five ULFA leaders so that fruitful discussions between the two parties could begin. Welcoming the ULFA’s truce declaration following the suspension of Army operations, the People’s Committee for Peace Initiatives in Assam (PCPIA) today said that now it was the turn of the Centre to carry forward the peace process to its logical conclusion by releasing the five central committee members of the outfit. “The Centre, as a mark of goodwill to the wishes of the people of the State, should release the five ULFA leaders so that the all-important direct talks between the outfit and the Government can take place,” it said in a statement.

PTI adds: Political parties in Asom today welcomed the ULFA’s declaration of a truce and said this will go a long way in fulfilling the people’s aspiration for lasting peace in the state. “We welcome their decision to eschew violence and stop hostilities in response to the goodwill gesture of the Central government in suspending army operations,” Assam Congress chief Bhubaneswar Kalita told PTI here.

“Now it is the hope of one and all to find a direct and negotiated settlement to the problem of insurgency by bringing the ULFA to the negotiating table,” he said. The opposition Asom Gana Parishad welcomed the ULFA truce, the first such move by it in its 27-year armed struggle, as a “good sign”.
“It is definitely a good sign and we hope this will result in bringing back peace to Asom,” spokesman A Bhattacharjee said on behalf of AGP president Brindabon Goswami. The AGP, however, cautioned the “Central government to be very careful to ensure that the evil designs of some quarters do not derail the peace process that has been started with the ULFA”.

V Satish, in-charge of the BJP in the North East, said his party has always favoured peace talks with the ULFA without any pre-condition.
“It is better for the ULFA to talk to the government and hammer out a negotiated settlement for the interest of peace in Asom,” Satish said. Former Chief Minister and president of the Asom Gana Parishad-Progressive Prafulla Kumar Mahanta too welcomed the banned outfit’s decision, which came after the Centre suspended military operations against the ULFA on Sunday..

“After a long time the state is on the verge of witnessing a peaceful solution to the ULFA problem,” the two- time Chief Minister said. Mahanta urged the Centre to “grab the positive signals sent by the ULFA and help in ushering permanent peace in the troubled state”.

Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) Working president H R A Choudhury said it was a “welcome sign that the ULFA had for the first time desired peace in the state”.
The AUDF, he said, would meet today in Hojai to pass a resolution welcoming the ULFA’s decision and urging the Centre to “work positively to ensure the return of p

We are ready to release five ULFA leaders: Gogoi By IANS Monday August 21, 12:20 PM
Guwahati, Aug 21 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi says his government is ready to release five jailed separatist leaders of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) the moment it receives New Delhi's nod.
'We are ready to release the ULFA leaders from jail once we get the signal from the central government,' the chief minister said.
The main issue now blocking the start of formal face-to-face talks between the ULFA leadership and Indian government negotiators is the rebels' demand for release of five of their jailed leaders.
The ULFA over the weekend announced halting its guerrilla campaign in the resource-rich state of Assam.
It was the first time that ULFA, which is fighting for an independent Assamese homeland, has announced a truce since its formation in 1979. The declaration came after New Delhi announced suspending army operations against the group for 10 days beginning Aug 14.
Gogoi said depending on the progress made in the talks between the People's Consultative Group (PCG), appointed by the ULFA to begin exploratory talks, and the central government, the term of the suspension of military operations against the separatist group could be increased.
'The Assam government would help in all possible ways to facilitate the talks and shall clear any hurdles that might come in the way of holding a direct dialogue,' Gogoi told IANS in an interview.
'We really don't know details of the talks going on between the ULFA representatives and the government of India,' the chief minister said.
The ULFA wants direct talks with the Indian government and had in October last year nominated the 11-member PCG comprising civil society leaders.
'I personally hope the stage for holding direct talks with the ULFA leadership has brightened.'
Noted Assamese writer and PCG leader Indira Goswami is meeting India's National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and Home Secretary V.K. Duggal in New Delhi Tuesday to work out modalities for the direct talks.
'We have already requested the government to release the jailed ULFA leaders and we hope to get a positive response soon,' Goswami said.
The five jailed ULFA leaders - Pradip Gogoi, Bhimkanta Buragohain, Pranati Deka, Mithingia Daimary, and Ramu Mech - are currently lodged at the high-security central prison in Assam's main city of Guwahati.
The ULFA says the outfit was unable to chalk out strategies for formal talks without their five central committee leaders and was therefore seeking their release from jail.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil during the last round of talks with the PCG June 22 said New Delhi could consider their release from jail.