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08/27/2006: "NNP on peace mission Nagaland Post"

NNP on peace mission Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR: The Naga National Party has decided to intensify its peace mission through meetings an d interactions with all the factions/groups to stop fratricidal killings to enable it to come to "the unification point through the process of reconciliation" in the spirit declared by the Naga Hoho and others, according to a release issued by Ng. Hungyo, president, NNP.
In the recent past, the NNP has met and interacted with factions/groups in a cordial and constructive way. It has also met various Naga tribes, Hoho leaders and other NGOs, including church leaders and political leaders.
"We value all these meetings. We hope we will continue to work together with them", the NNP said. Hungyo said the NNP was looking forward to meet NSCN (IM) leaders and hoped to have a better understanding with them.
"The Naga people are ashamed of fratricidal killings, conflicts, fragmentation, mistrust, hatred and enmity within the Naga family. This is a national shame. If such things continue, Nagas will be marching towards self-destruction. There is no future without forgiveness and accommodative heart for the Nagas. Time has come that Nagas need unity not forgetting," he said.
On the recent quit notice served on the Tangkhul community living in Nagaland by the NSCN (K), the NNP said, "Such extreme step is expected as long as the Naga factions/groups confront the reality. Systematic hate campaigns against each others continues. Endless claims and counter-claims, allegations and counter-allegations are the culture of the warring factions."
"Siding with any particular faction by some NGOs, political parties and other international groups/ NGOs allow such handful of elements to play partisan roles who do not care the least for the future of Naga people and subjugate the whole Naga community", the NNP said.
The NNP also made it clear that it treated all the factions as "equal national assets of the Nagas under the equi-relation policy." "If unification through complete cessation of factional clashes and reconciliation becomes impossible, it shows that Nagas are weak. Peoples want solution through unification which is the need of the hours", it added.
The NNP further appeal to all Nagas irrespective of groups or tribes to respect peoples' sentiments and interests and all the warring factions to change their "impracticable mentality and mind-set" and to restrain from committing any undesirable actions that will lead to consequences."
Naga NGOs hold rallies at Ukhrul, Senapati
Posted on Sunday, August 27 @ 15:08:59 EST by administrator IMPHAL, Aug 26::The United Naga Council and All Naga Students Association Manipur sponsored a mass rally today demanding affiliation of private schools in Naga-dominated four hill districts of Manipur under Nagaland Board of Secondary Education...

The rallies were held at the district headquarters of Ukhrul, 80 km northeast of here and Senapati, 60km north of here. Both the district headquarters are dominated by Naga communities.

Reports reaching here said that the rallies were held simultaneously with the participation of school students, their teachers and other leaders of the Naga civil societies.

In Ukhrul the rally was mainly organised by the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong , a student body of the Tangkhul tribes while the Senapati rally was organised by ANSAM volunteers in association with representatives of the private schools.

After converging at the Tangkhul long ground at Ukhrul and Senapati public ground, the representatives of the UNC and ANSAM submitted memoranda to the Prime Minister through the concerned Deputy Commissioners of the districts.

According to president of ANSAM, Paul Langhu, the spirit of Naga students to learn their history and traditions through Nagaland Board textbooks has been supressed by the Manipur Government.

Meanwhile, Nagaland Chief Minister Rio-led Ministerial team have rushed to Delhi today to apprise the issue to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan singh as well as the Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh.

It may be worth mentioning here that the two-day Nagaland State Assembly session which concluded on Thursday had discussed the issue of NBSE affiliation from Manipur districts after the matter was raised by a ruling MLA from Mokokchung district in the question and answer session.

The Chief Minister endorsed the statement of Nagaland Education Minister Imchen Imkong over the State Government’s stand on the affiliation issue.

Interestingly, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has also left Imphal for New Delhi. Sources said Ibobi is also likely to meet the Central leaders in this regard as influential All Manipur Students Union is not going to remain silent if the Union Ministry okays the Nagaland Government’s proposal. AMSU has informed the local press here that they will launch a series of agitation against the move. (Agencies)
Naga NGOs hold rallies at Ukhrul, Senapati Kuknalim.com
IMPHAL, Aug 26::The United Naga Council and All Naga Students Association Manipur sponsored a mass rally today demanding affiliation of private schools in Naga-dominated four hill districts of Manipur under Nagaland Board of Secondary Education...

The rallies were held at the district headquarters of Ukhrul, 80 km northeast of here and Senapati, 60km north of here. Both the district headquarters are dominated by Naga communities. Reports reaching here said that the rallies were held simultaneously with the participation of school students, their teachers and other leaders of the Naga civil societies.

In Ukhrul the rally was mainly organised by the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong , a student body of the Tangkhul tribes while the Senapati rally was organised by ANSAM volunteers in association with representatives of the private schools. After converging at the Tangkhul long ground at Ukhrul and Senapati public ground, the representatives of the UNC and ANSAM submitted memoranda to the Prime Minister through the concerned Deputy Commissioners of the districts.

According to president of ANSAM, Paul Langhu, the spirit of Naga students to learn their history and traditions through Nagaland Board textbooks has been supressed by the Manipur Government. Meanwhile, Nagaland Chief Minister Rio-led Ministerial team have rushed to Delhi today to apprise the issue to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan singh as well as the Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh.

It may be worth mentioning here that the two-day Nagaland State Assembly session which concluded on Thursday had discussed the issue of NBSE affiliation from Manipur districts after the matter was raised by a ruling MLA from Mokokchung district in the question and answer session. The Chief Minister endorsed the statement of Nagaland Education Minister Imchen Imkong over the State Government’s stand on the affiliation issue.

Interestingly, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has also left Imphal for New Delhi. Sources said Ibobi is also likely to meet the Central leaders in this regard as influential All Manipur Students Union is not going to remain silent if the Union Ministry okays the Nagaland Government’s proposal. AMSU has informed the local press here that they will launch a series of agitation against the move. (Agencies)
Hill students rally for affiliation Correspondent Nagaland post
TAHAMZAM (SENAPATI) Aug 26 (NPN): Thousands of students from the private schools of the four Naga-dominated hill districts of Manipur today took out to the streets in support of the move for affiliation of private school of the hill districts to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).
The students organized separate rallies in all the four districts headquarters.
"Give us freedom to decide our future," "Expedite our affiliation to NBSE", "Please release us from BSEM" and "respect our right to education," read some of the banners and placards carried by students of from around twelve private schools in and around Senapati (Tahamzam).
Initially, a group of student representatives from the different participating school led by N. Heni, president of All Private Schools Forum of the four Naga-dominated districts, marched to the Deputy Commissioner Office and submitted two memorandums of the All Private Schools Forum-Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Chandel and Private School Association, Senapati District, to the Prime Minister of India through the Deputy Commissioner, Senapati.
The rallyists then took out a silent procession around the main Senapati town and later assembled at the local ground where several speakers addressed the rally.
Charles Lotha, auditor general of the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), in his address enlightened the students on the status of the ongoing process of affiliation of schools to NBSE including the initiatives of the NSF and the government of Nagaland.
He however expressed regret on the lukewarm response from the Naga representatives in Manipur. "We wonder where the Naga representatives of the four districts are. Are they still sleeping?" he asked.
Out of the eleven MLAs of the hills districts, only five are seen working day and night on the issue of affiliation, he added and asked the people to tell their representatives to be sincere and take interest in their problem.
N. Heni, president of Private Schools' Forum, reminded the students that Naga community is presently dissected and that it is gathering to show the world that Nagas want to be whole again.
He said the minority Naga community of the present Manipur state is facing serious threat of ethnic cleansing in a very subtle and deliberate way, with calculated moves by the dominant Meiteis through imposition of Meitei language.
He also pointed out that the text books of the BSEM do not have any mention of the Naga history or the contributions made by the Nagas.
"That's why we took a bold step of censoring BSEM", he said. He also appreciated Nagaland Government for walking the extra mile on the issue.
He however cautioned that should anyone retreat, the consequence would be very sad as the whole Nagas would consider them as traitors.
ANSAM president Paul Langhu who also spoke on the occasion, encouraged the students not to lose heart from the prevailing uncertainty over the affiliation of schools and added that the students have "proved themselves what they want in the making of the Nagas society today."
Asking the students not to be misled by cheap propaganda, the ANSAM president assured that all necessary steps have been taken.
"Government of India and government of Nagaland will not fail to respect our sentiment and desire…Naga leaders will not betray you," Langhu added.
S. C. Jamir condoles Nagaland post
DIMAPUR: Goa Governor and former Chief Minister of Nagaland S. C. Jamir has condoled the demise of Rev. Harkaman Rai on August 5. A press release issued by Raj Bhavan, Goa, said Late (Rev.) Harkaman was known to Jamir since 1945 and they were classmates. "He was a good student and could write a very good hand", the release said. The release also stated that the deceased had served the State as an officer in the Department of Agriculture till his superannuation after which he served the Lord till his demise.
Mr. Jamir further conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for eternal rest of the departed soul. Meanwhile, in a separate release, the Nepali Baptist Isai Sammelan (NBIS) has also condoled the demise of Rev. H. M. Rai, Advisor, NBIS.
The Sammelan, through a release issued by its president B. Vinod Rai, stated that the Late (Rev.) Harkaman had been the main pillar and foundation of the Sammelan in various capacities who was also one of the advisors till his demise. It further conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for eternal rest of the departed soul.
Students rally in Naga dominated districts to break away from BSEM The Imphal Free Press

SENAPATI/UKHRUL, Aug 26: Students of private schools in the four Naga dominated districts of Manipur took out rallies today demanding to expedite the process of shifting of affiliation from BSEM to NBSE in all the four districts.

The rallies, organised by the Naga Private Schools Forum, Manipur were attended by representatives of the Naga Students Federation, All Naga Students Association, Manipur, various social organsations, students organisations, schools teachers, as well as students from all the schools.

At the Senapati headquarters, hundreds of students marched with placards that read "we respects Meitei`s history, please respect our history too", Expedite our affliation to NBSE" ` Please release us from BSEM yoke" "Nagas want to study common syllabus", respect our rights to education`, "give us freedom to decide our future", etc.

A memorandum, addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was later submitted to the DC Senapati.

Speaking at the gathering after the rally in Senapati today, N.Heni, president of Naga Private Schools Forum, Manipur, said that today`s rally is a gesture to the world that Nagas are dejected and isolated in Manipur by Meiteis.

Nagas today are like a body torn apart into pieces and made to walk like a dead man without identity, as every development in in Manipur is cause for more serious threats to every Nagas, especially when it come to education.

The text books of Manipur have denied our rights, culture and identity. Now the time has come for Naga people to realise this. and we the Naga Private Schools Forum, Manipur today take this step in moving hand in hand from MBSE to NBSE to fulfll our aspiration to study text books that respect our history and culture and wisdom, he said.

He said cabinet ministers and the chief minister of Nagaland will be meeting Central top officials regarding the affiliation issue.

Naga Students Federation NSF auditor general, Charles Lotha extended the support of the Nagas of Nagaland in the movement started by the Naga students of Manipur to "choose your own education".

He said the Nagaland government is going all out to persuade the Centre to deliver justice to the Naga students of Manipur, informing that chief minister Neiphui Rio and a delegation of the Nagaland government would be meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on August 28 besides other senior leaders to press the issue.

He also expressed anguish that only five out of the eleven Naga legislators are actually working towards this end and urged the students to question the six legislators who remain insensitive to the plight of the Naga students of Manipur.

ANSAM president, Paul Langhu, voiced outrage over the Manipur valley community`s "deliberate attempt to erase the history of the Nagas by imposing their culture, language and history on the students".

In Ukhrul, hundreds of students from private institutions carried out a rally in Ukhrul town demanding immediate affiliation of the private schools in the four Hill districts viz Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel and UKhrul to Nagaland Board of Secondary Education (NBSE).

The rally started from the two end corners of Ukhrul Headquarter, one from the Hundung junction and another from the Ukhrul IOC point from the other and later converged at the Tangkhul Naga Long ground for a short meeting and adopted a joint memorandum signed by the four umbrella bodies the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Tangkhul Students` Union (TKS), Tangkhul Women Leaque (TSL) and Tangkhul Youth Council (TMNL) on behalf of the students.

The memorandum is addressed to the Prime Minister of India urging the urgent affiliation of the schools in four Naga districts of Manipur to the NBSE as the students had opted and undertaken the course of study during this academic session 2006 for seven or eight months in order to avail the common education patern under common educational administration.

The statement also asserted that the Ukhrul students no longer want to study the syllabus under Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM) which impose the dominant valley community`s Culture and traditions upon the minorities and distorting the Nagas history and identity.

Report of holding of a similar rally came in from Chandel, where around 400 students took part.

A report from Tamenglong headquarters said no rally took place there, but student delegations submitted a memorandum to the DC, Tamenglong at around 1 pm.

(With input from NNN).
Winds of Change:Rio treading on fire Oken Jeet Sandham

KOHIMA, Aug 25:The ongoing issues of NSCN-K`s "Quit Notice" to Tangkhuls in Nagaland, school affiliation by private schools from Manipur`s four Hill districts to Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) and mooting of "Interim Arrangement" to the long drawn out Naga political issue when the political parleys between the representatives of Government of India and the NSCN-IM are going on will put the three-and-half-year old Neiphiu Rio led DAN Government in the dock.

The NSCN-K`s "Quit Notice" to Tangkhuls living in Nagaland has been tougher after they rejected appeals made by various Naga NGOs and Church Bodies on the ground that those were crocodile tears and orchestrated by the rival NSCN-IM. The NSCN-K`s top leaders, while asserting that it would not target innocent Tangkhuls, made it clear that it would not be held responsible for any mistaken identity being targeted in the process of executing their "Quit Notice." In fact, I drew the attention of the State Government and even the members of the Nagaland Assembly to seriously deliberate upon the issue of the "Quit Notice" served to the Tangkhuls as this would not only have a serious ramification to the overall environment but also put the ongoing peace process into jeopardy. I even suggested that the entire members of the House cutting across party lines should find ways to convince the leaderships of the organization at the earliest through a team consisting of members from both Ruling and the Opposition before any unwanted thing happens. Unfortunately, the two-day Nagaland Assembly that concluded on Thursday did not touch at all this highly precarious issue, except at one point pointed out by the Opposition Congress MLA Takamasa. But it seemed nobody was bothered.

The school affiliation issue by private schools from four Hill districts of Manipur to Nagaland`s NBSE is getting more and more complex as the Chief Minister informed the House on Tuesday that he would be able to give a clear picture only after meeting the Central leaders--- Prime Minister, Human Resource Development Minister, Home Minister and Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Besides he and Opposition Congress MLAs admitted the matter as "delicate," as it involved serious Constitutional angle. He, while stating his Government`s no objection in granting NBSE affiliation to those private schools in the four Hill districts of Manipur, also explained the need to obtain "No Objection Certificate" from his counterpart (Manipur). This gives more complication and the matter is unlikely to be resolved soon as lot of Constitutional bottlenecks need to be examined before taking a final shape. At the same time, the Center`s interference into the matter is slim and most probably it might direct the two State Governments to settle the matter. As such, the ball would likely be in the court of the two Chief Ministers to find ways to resolve the ongoing affiliation imbroglio at the earliest to save the careers of those thousands of students. And also Rio`s sudden campaign for "Interim Arrangement" to the protracted Naga political issue while talks between the representatives of the Government of India and the NSCN-IM have reached a decisive phase has taken many by surprise. There is hardly any taker to such gimmicks as the Naga people themselves have experienced enough and held the piecemeal solutions of the past responsible for the factional bloodsheds they are witnessing today. They are not even satisfied with the present State of Nagaland which was born out of the infamous 16-Point Agreement of 1960 and this could be seen from the sequence of the post-16-Point Agreement developments till today. Thus, Rio`s sudden volte face on the issue of political settlement, delaying in resolving the ongoing school affiliation mess and the ongoing serious issue of "Quit Notice" to Tangkhuls in Nagaland may have cost his leadership unless he finds a quick fix on this soon.
PRESS RELEASE

The much condemned “quit notice” of the Khaplang served against a particular tribe and the warnings to the various Naga apex civil societies is a clear indication of their bankruptcy of political philosophies and ideas. It simply manifest in itself the desperate attempt to control people through gun and the seed of divisionism, fighting amongst the Nagas, a colonial policy of divide and rule which the world today has abandoned long before.
Every Naga tribe is an inseparable part of Naga nation. They are a people of one nation with the same culture and history. Nobody is a Naga by grace or permission of the other. We are Naga by blood, culture and history. And that anyone who preaches against this truth does not belong to the Naga family.
It is interesting to analyze that by serving quit notice to a certain community on the basis that they are nationalist, Khaplang and his boys are aiming at singling out tribe after tribe till no Naga community is left. Today, it may be the Tangkhuls, but tomorrow it would be the Sumis, the Angamis, Aos, Maos, Lothas, Zeliangrongs, Khiamniungans, Konyaks, Pangmis, etc. Because, there is not a single Naga tribe that has not been and is not a nationalist. Each have contributed their roles in their own way towards the national cause. Should the Naga people leave Nagalim tribe after tribe only to be possessed by the Meyas, the Beharis, the Bengalis, the Meiteis, etceteras? The end result of this exercise by the Khaplangs is ultimately to benefit their masters in New Delhi.
The Nagas are one and in spite of opposition here and there, this oneness will stay as long as heaven and earth stay. But the problem is those feebleminded Nagas, who are always used by the enemies to serve their agenda to wreck the Naga society and weaken our nation. It should be known that picking up of unarmed innocent civilians is never an act of heroism but it is pure and simple act of cowardice in desperation. Only those people who have destructive elements could do such a thing.
Again the warnings served upon the apex Naga Civil Societies is to discourage or prevent them from voicing the aspirations of the Nagas. Thus, isolating and reducing the mass movement of the Nagas struggle into a movement of the few. Also, their attack on the Naga international support groups, organizations and countries is a great political mistake never ever to be committed by any sensible person (s).
The Nagas are known for their hospitality and accommodative spirit to even friends and foes. Kukis are accommodated in our land by our forefathers. Kuki-Naga clashes that took place sometimes in the early part of nineties was incited by the enemies. No Naga should be made the scape-goat of that ugly communalism. It has, however, been settled and the two communities are now peacefully co-existing. Towards this end most of the Kuki revolutionary organizations and mass based civil societies are working hand in hand with the Naga nation. Seeing this harmonious living together Khaplang and other elements get sore eye and therefore is spewing poisons in the minds of both the communities by raking out the buried past.
In the NNC days Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah were prominent leaders.But with the sell-out of the national rights by the NNC through the infamous Shillong Accord the two leaders refused to be a party to it. Thus from the ruins, the Naga nation was salvaged through their all out efforts under the banner of NSCN. Side by side with strengthening the home front, intensive international campaigns were launched by them. Today we boast of having obtained membership in the powerful UNPO. We also have scores of world bodies including the UNO, international organizations and hordes of countries extending their support to us. Besides, we have successfully established our co-ordination offices in many countries. Above all, we are on the anvil to hammer out a just and lasting solution to the Indo-Naga conflict. The Collective Leadership have never failed in their responsibilities for the Nagas. Wherefore then the Khaplangs and NNC blame and find fault with the Collective Leadership? When Khaplang or his subordinates or NNC members were not a party to the on-going political talks, what do they know what transpired in the talks that they often tried to criticize? How true of the maxim, “empty vessel makes loud noise”.
Speaking on the spirit of socialism, it has been with the Nagas as it is with others and it will go along with them being it inborn element and not imported from others. We cannot imagine of having an organization, a village or a state without socialist spirit. Conscious it or not, Nagas are bound together into a nation by our socialist culture, tradition and political concept since time immemorial. The unity of Naga communities into a nation, being sustained by that socialist spirit for centuries is unique in our own way and different from that of the communist socialism elsewhere in the world. The Naga traditional institute of socialism that united us in all our way of living in togetherness as a people is not a new concept but a legacy passed down to us by our fore fathers. Our culture of cultivation, hunting, fishing, festivities, trade, friendly ties and relationships and all other social interactions are governed by socialist law. The foundation of the socialistic culture of the Nagas is rooted in the Naga ethos and their social system. NSCN stands for a type of socialistic economic system which is compatible with the Christian thought.
To give sanity a chance, if sagacious endeavor replaces the barbarity of approach, the shackles of revenge and retribution will have no opportunity to bind us to the bitter losses and sufferings it bears. The Naga antagonists have continued their campaign aimed at disintegrating Nagalim and dividing the Naga people on tribal as well as alien imposed artificial boundary lines. Will the Naga people yield to the dictate of the enemies’ stooges? Johny Dilbung Kilonser, MIP
After Nathu La, NE wants Stilwell Road to reopen nagaland Post
Guwahati, Aug 22 (IANS): Spurred by the resumption of border trade between India and China across the ancient Silk Road, state governments in the northeast have called for reopening of the historic World War II Stilwell Road to boost business with Southeast Asia. "We want the Stilwell Road to be reopened to establish strong trade links between the northeastern region and South Asian countries like Myanmar, China, and Thailand," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told IANS. The historic 1,726 km road, built by the Allied and Chinese forces under the command of US Army General Joseph Stilwell, was used to transport the first supplies to the beleaguered Chinese Army during World War II in 1945 when Japanese troops invaded China. The Stilwell Road starts at Assam, in the heart of India's northeast, and cuts through the Pangsau pass in Myanmar to Kunming in South China - touching almost all the important Southeast Asian capitals.
The Stilwell Road on the Indian side is about 61 km. The major stretch of 1,033 km lies within the jungle-covered mountains and swampy valleys of northern Myanmar's Kachin State, while in China it is 632 km. "The stretch of road within Myanmar is still not developed and we are urging New Delhi to impress upon Yangon to take steps for reopening the Stilwell Road," Gogoi said.
The call for reopening the Stilwell Road follows resumption of trade between India and China last month across the 15,000-foot Nathu La Pass, east of Sikkim's capital Gangtok, as part of a broader rapprochement. The move marked the first direct trade link between the nuclear-armed neighbours since a bitter border war in 1962.
"Reopening the Stilwell Road would allow free trade, besides transforming the northeast as the gateway to Southeast Asian business centres," an Arunchal Pradesh government spokesperson said. Almost all the regional governments are unanimous in their opinion on the issue. Following the signing of a trade agreement between India and Myanmar in 1995, border trade takes place on a daily basis only at Moreh in Manipur, the easternmost Indian border township. Indian automobile components, fruits, grains, vegetables, textiles and cotton yarn find a strong demand in almost all neighbouring countries. In the other direction, Indian traders are strongly interested in importing electronic gadgets, synthetic blankets, teak, gold and semi-precious stones.
Assam, the gateway to the northeast, is about 2,000 km from the Indian capital New Delhi and some 3,000 km from the country's biggest commercial centre Mumbai. Yangon, Bangkok and even some Chinese cities are much closer to most northeastern states than Delhi or Bombay.
For instance, Kunming in China is only 1,079 km from Ledo in Assam where the Stilwell Road begins. The pushing for road links to Southeast Asia has got a fillip with experts pointing out that only 250 km of the northeast's 5,000 km outer perimeter touches India. The remaining 4,750 km represents international boundaries with China, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China and Nepal.
Reduced to a rubber stamp Sangai Express editorial
Manipur is once again caught in the vicious cycle of fuel scarcity and this time this has come after the NSCN (IM) reportedly slapped a demand notice of Rs 50 lakhs on the oil depot setting August 20 as the deadline to cough up the demanded amount. Not surprisingly oil tankers refused to hit the road and bring in fuel to the State from Assam, leading to the fast depletion of the fuel stock at the Chingmeirong Oil Depot. The State Government was forced to intervene and the Chief Secretary had to even write to the Union Home Ministry highlighting the matter. That the NSCN (IM) ultimately withdrew its demand after the Centre intervened is another matter, but this episode is once a grim a reminder of how the Ceasefire Ground Rules have been reduced to something of a big joke. In fact the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell appears to be functioning only on paper, for the fact stands that the NSCN (IM) is virtually running a parallel Government in its area of dominance with the Government machineries reduced to nothing much more than a rubber stamp. Taxes continue to be collected from the highways. Contract works can be garnered only after getting the blessings of this outfit. This scenario, pertaining to contract works, can also applied to some of the underground outfits operating in Manipur. We really do not know if it has officially come to the notice of the Government or not, but the office and staff quarters and workshop of the DIC at Ukhrul have been razed to the ground at the instructions of the NSCN (IM) to pave the way for a Church to come up. The detention centre of the outfit which was busted by the Assam Rifles and the spectacular rescue of the IM cadres picked up from the detention centre from the premises of the CJM of Ukhrul are all testimonies of how an armed group, which is engaged in a peace talk with the Government of India has been virtually running a parallel Government in some parts of Manipur.
When we talk about a parallel Government it would be wrong to pick out only the NSCN (IM) for the fact stands that the writ of the Government does not run much beyond Imphal where security is understandably tighter than the remote areas of the State. Everywhere the hands of non-State actors are clearly visible and it is they who call the shots, reducing the Government to something of a farce. Given the conflict situation in the State, the presence of non-State actors and their widespread influence can be understood but when this influence and hands begin to interfere and throw the daily activities of the civil population into disarray then something has to be done to restore the rule of law. It is against this backdrop that the Centre and the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell should take a relook at the ground rules of the cease fire and see how far they are being adhered to by the armed outfit with which Delhi is engaged in a peace talk. With the peace talk in progress, the ban imposed earlier on the NSCN (IM) has been lifted and this in effect means that their cadres can move around freely. However this should not mean that they have been given the right to displace the existing machineries and start a parallel Government where everything has to be done with their consent and where everyone is expected to fall in line with the diktats and orders it issues.

Dutch regret plane incident Assam tribune
NEW DELHI, Aug 26 – Seeking to assuage India’s anger over the detention of 12 Mumbai-based businessmen, the Netherlands today said there was no racial consideration behind the incident and that it was an “urgent preventive action” prompted by their “suspicious behaviour” in the plane, reports PTI. A day after India lodged a strong protest over the detention and treatment of the Indians in Amsterdam, Dutch Ambassador Eric Niehe met Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry Shashi U Tripathi and conveyed his government’s “understanding for the concerns” expressed by New Delhi. In its formal response to New Delhi’s demarche on the incident, the Dutch government “drew attention to the apparently suspicious behaviour of the 12 Indian passengers which appeared to require urgent preventive action.

“They have conveyed that as soon as investigations were completed within one-and-a-half days, the passengers were not only released from detention, but the Dutch authorities facilitated their earliest possible return to India,” an External Affairs Ministry press release said on the meeting between Niehe and Tripathi.
The Ambassador assured New Delhi that his country does not “undertake any racial profiling and reiterated their close and friendly relations with India.”
New Delhi yesterday said such actions could lead to presumptions about racial profiling. Niehe was summoned by Tripathi yesterday and New Delhi’s “strong protest” was conveyed over the way the Dutch authorities handled the issue wherein 12 Indians were detained while they were flying back home to Mumbai on Wednesday. He had regretted the incident but said he would get back with details about the incident from his headquarters in The Hague today.

The Dutch authorities “drew attention to the apparently suspicious behaviour of the 12 Indian passengers which appeared to require urgent preventive action,” an External Affairs Ministry release said after Niehe’s meeting with Tripathi earlier in the day. The Netherlands authorities assured India that they “do not undertake any racial profiling”, the MEA said. New Delhi had yesterday said that such actions could lead to presumption about racial profiling.