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08/31/2006: "Naga Solidarity Group- Opinion Nagaland Post"
Naga Solidarity Group- Opinion Nagaland Post
From Naga Solidarity Group's vantage point in the international community we stay committed supporters of Naga people's sovereignty. We resolutely consider that this can be achieved through continuation of the peace talks at the Prime Minister's level between the Indian government and the NSCN-IM. We again strongly denounce the "Quit Notice" issued by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Kaplang) on 17 August 2006 and ask that these queries be fully addressed:
1. Under whose authority has this "Quit Notice" been issued and what is their real intention? This notice resonates with other actions introduced by Indian agencies and will be of no benefit to Nagas.
2. The cavalier use of the word "terrorist" in today's world has sweeping and devastating consequences. As intricate as the Naga situation is, no one group can be blamed for 50 years of violent conflict. Labeling, stereotyping or categorical prejudice against a community as 'terrorist' is unconscionable and counter to the spirit of sovereignty. Nagas live in a climate of fear and insecurity. Why would the NSCN-K further seek to intentionally divide an already war torn society that is destabilized by inflicting even more harm? Until the notice is completely retracted the safety of all Naga persons, clans, tribes or groups is in jeopardy and cannot be guaranteed. Actions against one Naga sector, community or group will ultimately affect all of Nagaland. The NCSN-K will be held responsible for any actions causing more harm to the people of Nagaland.
3. The August 17 Quit Notice must be retracted in its entirety as it harbors the intent of ethnic cleansing which the international community will not accept or tolerate. If not retracted, ultimately the NCSN-K will be held responsible for further destroying Naga culture and society from within its very midst.
James Brown, USA, Dino Latiri, Italy , Thomas Labadie, France
Jacob Grebel, Germany, Thomas Johansen, Denmark
Julie Rickart, UK, Klaartje Koenig, The Netherlands
Marcus Betz, Germany, Sophia Kennell, Switzerland
Konrad Simons, Austria, Ricardo Torres, Chile
Esteban Arelleno, Mexico.
(On Behalf of the, Naga Solidarity Group)
NSCN’s response to IM- threats- Nagaland Post Opinion
Responding to the I-M's threat against the Regional Authori-ties/Signatories in regard to the ‘Quit Notice’ issued to the Thangkhuls, the NSCN/GPRN would like to clarify that the ‘Quit Notice’ issued by the Regional Authorities were not of their own. But it is a programme initiated by it in order to create an atmosphere of peace in Nagaland by expelling the Tangkhuls who are obsessed with shedding of innocent Naga blood without ceasing. Further, the NSCN/GPRN accepts the challenge of A. Puni Mao and his colleagues.
Secretary, MIP/GPRN, NSCN (K).
Jungle burning, deforestation lead to drought in state Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Aug 30:: The Neiphiu Rio-led DAN government’s declared policy, ‘the year of the farmer 2006’, appears to have taken a beating of the worst kind, thanks to the fury of mother nature...
with the farmers all over the state still ardently praying to the rain gods for a good shower even as it appears their crops are doomed , thanks to the late monsoon rains which are yet to herald their arrival on the horizons.
This year’s late monsoon has resulted in a drought-like situation where delayed monsoon rains have created apprehensions among the farmers as to whether they can still expect to reap a harvest. The chances appear to be dismal, taking into consideration that the monsoon rain period is almost over. The sowing season over, most of the farmers are expectant of a fruitful harvest. However, the farmers appear to be in for a real disappointment as their crops everywhere look withered, droopy and even without life due to lack of water.
"I will be grateful to the Almighty if I am able to reap half the amount I harvest every year. I hope he sends the rains soon", an Angami villager commented while asked about his chances of a good harvest.
The drought-like situation is directly taken as a result of the random jungle-burning and mass deforestation all over the state. (NNN)
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Centre expects ULFA’s response Nagaland Post
New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI): The Centre today said it was expecting a response from banned ULFA over holding direct talks with the government within next three-four days.
"We are expecting a response from ULFA by September 2 or 3," Union Home Secretary V K Duggal told reporters here. Duggal's comments came when asked about ULFA's response to government's demand for a written commitment from the insurgent group on three points - the group has to come for direct talks, parleys should be held on a particular date and the representatives for this dialogue.
"As it is, they have time till September 5," he said referring to the suspension of Army operations against ULFA militants. The Centre had first suspended army operations against the ULFA on August 13, and the group responded five days later by announcing a "cessation of hostilities".
On August 23 the government again announced extension of the suspension of army operations for another 15 days. On Monday, in a meeting chaired by Duggal, government reviewed the ongoing ceasefire with ULFA in Assam. The meeting expressed satisfaction at the ceasefire and noted that there has been no violation of the truce by ULFA so far, official sources said. The meeting was attended among others by Intelligence Bureau Chief E S L Narisimhan, Director General of CRPF J K Sinha and other senior officials of the ministry. Additional Director General of Military Operations led a team of the Army at the meeting.
Airline boost for tourism; Kingfisher to provide special packages
Kuknalim.com
KOLKATA, Aug 30:: The North East Tourism Development Council today forged an alliance with Kingfisher Airlines to woo tourists to the seven states of the region The alliance was formally announced at the International Tourism Summit organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Calcutta.
“Both the Kingfisher and the North East Tourism Development Council will promote various packages to the exotic destinations in the Northeast,” said Lt Gen. (retd) Ajai Singh, governor of Assam and chairman of the tourism council. Vijay Mallya, chairman and CEO, Kingfisher Airlines Limited, sounded equally optimistic about the alliance.
“We plan to expand rapidly and the Northeast is an important market for us. We are very happy to be recognised as the preferred airline partner by the North East Tourism Development Council. Together we will promote the region,” he said.
To begin with, packages will be announced for Dibrugarh, Guwahati and Agartala. Kingfisher will also provide access to airlines infrastructure and promote the Northeast through its various guest touchpoints. The tourism council, on its part, will provide special tourism packages for travellers taking the airlines.
“Kingfisher will help the tourism council promote the northeastern states as the preferred tourism destinations to holiday-goers across the country,” said an airline spokesperson. “There is lot of scope for adventure tourism due to the terrain in northeast,” said ICC secretary-general Nazeeb Arif. (The Telegraph)
Many bat for Inner Line Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Aug 30: Exerting pressure on the State Government to revive the abolished Inner Line Permit System to control over influx of outsiders into Manipur, ACOAM-Lup Kangleipak has demanded the State Cabinet to hold a meeting to discuss the matter at the earliest possible.
Maintaining that all the political parties in Manipur should include the demand for revival of Inner Line Permit system as an agenda in their respective election manifestos, the Lup has also appealed to all the drivers of the passenger buses and trucks plying along National Highways 39 and 53 to stop bringing in outsiders on one pretext or another.
Addressing a press conference at its office this afternoon, ACOAM-Lup president Lanjaigai Kamei pointed out as just as neighbouring States like Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have and implement their own systems to control outsiders coming into their States, the Inner Line Permit system which had been abolished should be revived in Manipur so as to arrest the consequences of uninterrupted flow of migrants into Manipur.
Talking on the history of Inner Line Permit system in Manipur, Lanjaigai said it was first introduced on November 1, 1931 and remained in force till November 17, 1950 when the then Chief Commissioner Himat Singh abolished it by issuing an order on November 18, 1950.
Since then there has been no let up to the influx of outsiders into Manipur, he said, noting that more than 4 lakhs outsiders are now living in the capital Imphal itself.
Lanjaigai also pledged that ACOAM-Lup would extend all possible support to the Demand Committee which is spear-heading the agitation for re-introduction of Inner Line Permit system.
Secretary of ACOAM-Lup Kh Chandramani expressed apprehension that the entire population of the indigenous people might be wiped after some years if no step have been taken up to control the influx of migrants in Manipur from now onward.
Quoting the census report of 2001, Chandramani said the total population of the outsiders in Manipur is 9,40,488 as against the indigenous tribal population of 6,70,782.
In some places of Manipur like Kanglatongbi and Imphal city, the number of outsiders has become more than the indigenous people, thereby compelling to wonder whether these places are parts of Manipur or Bihar, Chandramani said.
Stressing on the exigency of revival the Inner Line Permit System, he further pointed out that during the reign of Kings in Manipur, there was a separate department to deal and control the foreigners coming to Manipur. This department imposed taxes on the foreigners visiting Manipur and they were not even allow to foot on the soil of Manipur without permission from this department, he said.
Working president of ACOAM-Lup Indrakumar Ningombam who was also present during the press conference, categorically stated that indigenous people of Manipur should not adopt the family planning before any concrete measures have taken up to control the influx of outsiders.
To ensure these outsiders do not get a foothold in the electoral politics, he observed that all the political parties should include the demand of revival of Inner Line Permit System in Manipur as a compulsory agenda in their respective election manifestos.
He also demanded the State Cabinet to discuss demand for introduction of Inner Line Permit system with right earnestness it deserves.
UNLF derides SF's propaganda By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Aug 30 : Taking pot shots at what it dubbed as the cheap propaganda of the security force, the proscribed UNLF today said that since India has not been able to militarily defeat the outfit, it has taken recourse to various forms of propaganda to discredit the UNLF.
In a statement issued to the press today, the outfit said that so desperate has the security force become that it even used the photos of the rally staged by the Women Action for Development under the theme “Violence against Women” to make it look like it was staged against the UNLF.
The general secretary of WAD addressed the media on August 24 and questioned who was behind the false propaganda, recalled UNLF and added that it will not take a genius to work out who was behind the drama.
Earlier too, the security force had used the name of a hill based student organisation to put up anti-UNLF posters at the club building of Andro, said the outfit and added that since the juvenile tactics of the security force was known to all, UNLF had taken the matter lightly.
However the time has now come to rip off the mask to expose the agenda of the security force, added the statement.
At the moment, the security force along with other agencies of the Indian Government are working over time to discredit the UNLF and paint it as a terrorist organisation before the international community. The other strategy is to buy some support by giving some temporary promises and getting them to work against the UNLF, it added.
After the NSCN (IM) was tamed with the offer of the peace talk, the security force declared cessation of hostilities with some hill based organisations and has started using these groups against the UNLF, said the outfit and added that the lack of unity amongst the people has helped the enemy to pursue its policy of divide and rule.
It was this lack of unity that enabled the security force to enter Parbung and Tipaikmukh areas in the early part of this year, observed the outfit and added that to further sow the seeds of division, the allegations of mass rape of Hmar girls were cooked up by the security force along with their collaborators.
The suggestion of the UNLF that the matter be probed by an independent body like the ICRC was put aside, said the statement. Instead what was seen was the probe conducted by the National Commission of Women. Instead of sincerely trying to look into the matter, charges were heaped on the UNLF to discredit it.
The repeated attempt to discredit the UNLF also exposed their hidden agenda, maintained the statement.
The propaganda adopted by the security force to discredit the UNLF by using the rally staged by the WAD has boomeranged on them just like the surrender fiasco that was witnessed.
What the people should be wary of is the racist attitude of the security force towards the people of Manipur, said UNLF.
To the security force, the Mongoloid people can be used as human shields and to further their agenda, charged the outfit. In their effort to portray the Indo-Manipur conflict in the wrong light, the security force has adopted numerous propaganda, asserted the outfit and claimed that the recent bomb attack at ISKCON was nothing but an attempt by the Indian agencies to put Manipur on the map of global terrorism.
India going slow on reopening of Stilwell Road By R Dutta Choudhury Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Aug 30 – Though the Government of Asom and different organizations of the State have been demanding reopening of the historic Stilwell Road connecting Ledo in Asom to Kunming in the Yunnan province of China for improvement of trade ties, the Government of India is ‘going slow’ on the issue mainly because of security concerns. Highly placed official sources told The Assam Tribune that the Chinese Government is very keen on reopening of the historic road for improvement of trade ties and to get the market for Chinese products. In fact, Chinese products have flooded the market in Myanmar and now China is eyeing the market in India through the north eastern region. The Government of India is also not averse to the idea of reopening the road, but security concerns are holding up the process of reopening of the road constructed during the Second World War.
Giving an account of India’s security concerns, official sources revealed that as per information available with the security agencies, Ruili, a small township of China located at the point where the Stilwell Road enters China, was known to be a hub of arms smuggling and the insurgent groups of the North East, particularly the NSCN and the ULFA were known to be procuring weapons from the place. Sources revealed that weapons were smuggled to that point from Cambodia and other parts of the South East Asia, while, there have been instances when the surplus production of the Chinese ordnance depots were also sold in Ruili and that is why a large number of Chinese weapons including grenades are available with the insurgent outfits of the North East. However, of late, the Government of China has initiated steps to check clandestine trade in smuggled weapons in Ruili, apparently with the bid to creating a favourable atmosphere for the reopening of the Stilwell Road.
The second major security concern is the fact that the Stilwell road passes through the areas in Myanmar, which are dominated by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which has good relations with the Indian insurgent groups. Sources said that at one point of time, the KIA had good relations with the NSCN and after the split in the NSCN, the KIA is maintaining good relations with the Khaplang faction of the militant group, which is also maintaining bases in Myanmar. The KIA also maintains good relations with the ULFA and at one point of time, the ULFA cadres were given training by the KIA. Sources revealed that the KIA still allows the ULFA to use the areas of its dominance and the ULFA is maintaining its camps in Myanmar territory with help from the KIA. The Government of India is of the view that immediate reopening of the Stilwell Road might lead to serious security threat, sources said.
The other factor for the Government going slow on reopening of the Stilwell Road is economic as there is apprehension that if the road is opened, India would be flooded with Chinese products and in return, India would have nothing to sell to China, which, in turn, would seriously affect the country’s economy. Sources pointed out that before the reopening of the road, steps would have to be initiated for rapid industrialization of the North East so that goods required in China and Myanmar are produced in the region to capture the Chinese market for good trade ties with these countries to prevent one sided trade with Chinese goods completely dominating Indian markets. Sources pointed out that there is ample scope for development of tourism once the road is opened, but for that also, necessary infrastructure would have to be created in the North East.
It may be mentioned here that the construction of the 1726 kilometres of the road connecting Ledo with Kunming was constructed by the allied forces during the Second World War under the supervision of American General Joseph W Stillwell. Initially it was known as the Ledo road, but later it was renamed as the Stilwell road. The construction of the road started in December, 1942 with construction of warehouses, hospitals, barracks and base roads at Ledo and the American forces brought in heavy construction machinery to negotiate the tough terrain for the construction of the road under adverse condition. On January 12, 1945, the first convoy of 113 vehicles started off from Ledo and reached Kunming on February 4 and on May 20 in the same year, formal announcement of the completion of the road was made. The estimated cost of the construction of the road was 137,000,000 Dollars.
The road passes through three countries- 61 kilometres of it lies in India, 1033 kilometres in Myanmar and 632 kilometres in China and for the reopening of the road, all these three countries will have to play their parts.
2-day non-cooperation begins in East Garo Hills from today From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
TURA, Aug 30 – The Garo Students Union in East Garo Hills has called for a dawn-to-dusk non-cooperation movement throughout the district on Thursday and Friday in protest against the ongoing judicial probe into the September 30 police firing which was reconvened from Tuesday.
The lawyers representing the public side along with the witnesses have been staying away from the ongoing probe for the last two days after their move for an adjournment was reportedly not entertained by the enquiry commission.
The non-cooperation or total shutdown, is being called from 5 am to 5 pm on both the days and the student body has urged people to stay at home and not attend work. Schools and other educational establishments have already called for a two-day holiday.
The GSU is peeved at the Commission’s decision to go on with the probe even though it had sought an adjournment until the present Justice D N Baruah is replaced. The government, in its meeting with the student leaders in Shillong last week, had categorically stated that it is unable to change the Justice as it tantamounts to contempt of court.
Meanwhile, the probe panel, on Tuesday, went ahead with the cross examination of witnesses from the government side and the Deputy Commissioner along with the district police chief were among those questioned over the turn of events that unfolded on that cloudy September day.
However, the officials could not be examined by the public lawyers as they had stayed away from the proceedings in protest. On Wednesday morning, the probe panel undertook a spot enquiry at the scene of the bloody incident at Rongrenggiri field where five students were shot dead.
The GSU in East Garo Hills has expressed concern with the decision of the commission to go ahead with the cross examination and visit the place of occurance in the absence of the public. They claim that it could lead into a one sided decision.
Delhi unlikely to suspend operations any further
‘Missing’ ULFA cadres: Gauhati High Court verdict today Our Bureau Sentinel
NEW DELHI/ GUWAHATI, Aug 30: While the possibility of direct talks between the outlawed ULFA and the Union Government still hangs on the issue of a direct communication from the outfit, as sought by the Centre, Home Ministry sources indicated that the suspension of operations against the outfit might not be extended any further.
According to sources, the Home Ministry is facing “tremendous pressure” to revoke its decision to suspend the operations.
The Centre had declared unilateral suspension of Army operations against the ULFA on August 13 for ten days, which was extended for another fifteen days on August 23.
The government also sought a communique from the outfit regarding the time, place and names of its representatives for the direct talks. But ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa rejected the condition saying the government should first implement the resolutions taken during the third Centre-PCG talks.
It is learnt that the Home Ministry has received reports of the outfit trying to regroup itself, besides indulging in extortion activities in the State.
On the other hand, interlocutor Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami has sought an appointment from the Union Home Secretary, and she is likely to take up the matter of the release of the jailed ULFA leaders with him. Meanwhile, the internal security of Asom is expected to be reviewed in Nainital in Uttaranchal during the two-day conclave of Congress Chief Ministers beginning September 23. Highly placed sources in the AICC said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has been asked to submit a report on the status of internal security in the State at the conclave.
Meanwhile, the Gauhati High Court will deliver its judgement tomorrow on a petition filed by relatives of the “missing” ULFA cadres seeking whereabouts of the activists of the outfit who had disappeared since the 2003 Bhutan operations.
At least 15 cadres of the outlawed ULFA and three NDFB cadres had reportedly gone missing since Operation All Clear launched by the Indian Army with the help of the Royal Bhutan Army in the Himalayan kingdom in 2003. Shyamoli Gogoi, a former member of the ULFA and wife of Prakash Gogoi alias Sonaram Dihingia — who had also “disappeared” since the 2003 — had filed a petition in the Gauhati High Court seeking whereabouts of her spouse. On the same line, three other petitions were also filed at the High Court by the kin of the “missing” cadres.
In response to notices issues by the High Court, the Union Government had submitted a list of cadres handed over to India by the Bhutan Army, but had sought the privilege not make the list public on the grounds that it “might have an effect on national security”.
‘Manipur economy suffers following merger with India’ Sentinel
IMPHAL, Aug 30: Manipur had a better economy than most of rest of India before the State was annexed by the latter immediately after Independence. However, Manipur’s economy has now fallen considerably even as India’s economy has come to a stage where it can compete emerging trends of the world.
This was stated by UCM president K Langamba at the foundation day celebration of the United Peoples Front Manipur held recently at the MDU, Imphal. The UCM leader also alleged that politicians, bureaucrats and officials of the State have become in name only without any commitment or will as result of which Manipur has become one of the worst State in the country.
These leaders and bureaucrats simply follow instructions from their higher commands despite knowing the fact about the real suffering of the people, Langamba added.
Manipur’s economy can surge if people are allowed to live like an independent nation as in the past, Langamba observed and maintained that people of Manipur could compete the emerging trend of the world once the people got freedom. Suppressive policy of the Government of India has make the people dull and that is why people of Manipur continue to suffer, he said.
The UCM leader also appealed to the Manipur Government to check influx of outsiders into the State, claiming that the number of outsiders have overtaken total tribal population thereby creating much fear amongst indigenous people of losing identity and culture.
If this influx is not checked, the indigenous people will be reduced to minorities in their own state, Langamba observed and called upon all the civil society organizations and NGOs of the Northeast region to unite on the issue for the sake of future generation.
In his presidential speech, Advocate Y Devadutta said the indifferent attitude of the government of India towards the Northeast region have deprived people of the region even as the country is surging towards development. While alleging that colonial policies and programmes of the government of India have separated indigenous people of the region, Devadutta also charged that Government had been trying to link leaders of civil society groups with underground elements.
It was 29th Foundation Day for the United People’s Front (UPF), Manipur and it was held at the MDU Hall, Imphal. Several prominent leaders of civil society bodies like Joy Nongmaithemcha, advisor UPF, Kh Ratan, founder president UPF, K Taruni of Nupi Samaj, Ema Sakhi of AMKIL, Ema Momon of Tammi-Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup, Th Mangi, incoming president UPF were members of the presidium at the function while Dr Lokendra Arambam and Professor C Priyoranjan of Manipur University were resource person. On the occasion, the UPF also honour some persons for their dedication to the betterment of the society. (Agencies)
