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09/05/2006: "RSM against giving free hand to NSCN IM Source: The Sangai Express"

RSM against giving free hand to NSCN IM Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Sep 04: Rashtriya Suraksha Manch (RSM), a New Delhi based voluntary organisation working for the protection of sovereignty of the country, has cautioned the Government of India against giving undue advantage to NSCN (I-M) in utilising the ceasefire extension period as strength building opportunity towards achieving its demand of formation of Greater Nagaland.

In a memorandum forwarded to the President of India, the organisation observed that the Government of India should ensure the Naga rebel outfit strictly adheres to the ceasefire ground rules during the ceasefire period and stopped from massive campaign in favour of its sovereignty demand through mass contact programmes and open air public meetings.

Taking the advantage of the ceasefire, NSCN (I-M) has been trying to spread its tentacles and penetrate into unreached regions by using masked organisations and the recent movement for affiliation of schools in the four hill districts of Manipur with Nagaland Board is a game plan of NSCN (I-M) advanced through Naga students in Manipur, the memorandum said.

The memorandum further said that of late NSCN (I-M) has cleverly coined the word 'Unique history of Nagas' as a trick intended to make the innocent Nagas and the people of the country believe that Nagas were not an integral part of Indian society.

'NSCN (I-M) must be told emphatically that Naga society is an integral part of the larger Indian society and no plan to segregate Nagas from Indian society will be allowed', the memorandum urged .

Stating that the demand of Greater Nagaland by NSCN (I-M) to cover hill districts of Manipur, one-fifth of Assam and four districts of Arunachal Pradesh which would be ten times bigger than the existing Nagaland is an impossible proposition, the memorandum pointed the neighbouring States are strongly opposed to the very idea of grouping incongruous Naga inhabited areas.

The memorandum also urged the Government of India to caution NSCN (I-M) from associating with anti-India organisations or foreign countries which are hostile to India and stop issuing Restricted Area Permits (RAP) to American, British, German and other foreign Nationals with doubtful integrity to enter Nagaland.
Angamis warn Khaplang faction Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Sept 4:: The Angami Public Organisation has cautioned the Khaplang faction of the NSCN against any attempt at “racial cleansing”, be it by asking Tangkhuls to quit Nagaland or by other means... Mhiesizokho Zinyu, president of the Angami Public Organisation, said his organisation was trying to build “a great Nagaland” where all Nagas, irrespective of their tribe, “walk with their heads held high and with a sense of brotherhood”.

He said the NSCN (K)’s recent “quit notice” to Tang-khuls — NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah is from that community — would have far-reaching consequences.
Zinyu said, “Whatever the issues confronting the Nagas, it is unfair to condemn any tribe en bloc just because some of the tribesmen hold a different stance.”
Zinyu said racial cleansing was against the “policy of Naga brotherhood, unity and reconciliation”. He urged the NSCN (K) to reconsider its stand.

“The Naga public hopes and aspires that unity and brotherhood will reign supreme once the Nagas are consolidated as a free people in a sovereign state that the community dreams of. But the political trend on the home front today is not stable,” Zinyu said. (The Telegraph)

Join hands for permanent peace in Nagaland: Jamir The Imphal Free Press

New Delhi, Sept. 4 : Former Nagaland chief minister S C Jamir wants all the groups in Nagaland to work together for permanent peace in the state. In an interview to ANI, Jamir emphasized the need for peace in Nagaland to take advantage of the emerging global opportunities.

Jamir, who is presently the Governor of Goa, was in Delhi last week to attend a function organized by a Naga students` body. He took the opportunity to exhort the younger generation of Nagaland to work jointly for a better future. He underlined the importance of a Nagaland, "which is not divided in thinking and which is one in aim".

"Well it is the will of the Naga people whather it is Ao (a tribe) or other groups all of them should become one. It is not a peace but a political process and Naga people aspire for a permanent final political settlement, which should be honourable and acceptable to everyone," Jamir said.
The search for peace is mutual. Centre believes a peaceful Nagaland is in the interest of the whole country and the northeast in particular. The Naga groups too are under pressure to join the mainstream and end the air of uncertainty. That`s the reason that the issue of sovereignty and other divisive agenda does not find favour with the people of Nagaland, he said.

Nagaland has already made a firm step forward towards normalcy; there are various examples in the state to demonstrate the change.
Jamir, who has been one of the architects of modern Nagaland, thinks of a vibrant Nagaland in times to come. He is a strong votary of the country`s Look East policy and believes that this policy will change the economic face of the region in general and Nagaland in particular.

Jamir expressed hope that the Look East policy launched by the Central Government would benefit the northeastern region. Post ceasefire era, the state has seen an overall growth and Nagas having enjoyed the aroma of peace are not ready to part with it.

The younger generation in the state is also being promoted to learn at least one language of the South East Asian countries. Nagaland government is seeking investment from outside. Some national companies are exploring the state`s rich bio-diversity to market it outside.
Act fast on affiliation assurances – Cong to DAN ‘50,000 students in four hill districts of Manipur about to lose session’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, Sept 4 (MExN): Expression serious concern that the academic session for the year 2006 of more that 50,000 students in private schools in the four hill districts of Manipur, is closing to an end, the Nagaland Pradesh Youth Congress cautioned the DAN Government that failure to address the matter urgently would have far-reaching consequences.
“The present affiliation issue is another assurance of the DAN government to have no objection in affiliating the private schools from four hill districts of Manipur to Nagaland Board of School Education. The DAN government is in a habit of assuring people of whatever demand is brought before them since the time they started their election campaign in 2003. If the DAN leaders are so committed to serve the people they should fulfill their promises instead of playing with the people for the sake of power” the NPYC thorough its President Kughato S Aye and Prasielie Pienyu General Secretary stated.
“The circumstances leading to the DAN government assurances of having no objection and supply of NBSE text-books resulted in burning down of the Board of Secondary Education of Manipur (BSEM) text-books by students of private schools in the four hill districts of Manipur. This may have a far-reaching consequence on the career of the students who will stand to lose one academic year, if the DAN government does not act upon to solve the affiliation issue” the Congress youth asserted. The Pradesh also reminded that the affiliation issue is a “serious constitutional issue as well as a genuine human problem” and the DAN government without ascertaining the “technical feasibilities” had assured civil societies that all efforts would be made towards affiliation of the private schools.
The Youth Congress also took note that in the last State Assembly session there was much talk and expectation from the people that the DAN government would introduce a bill regarding the affiliation “but instead of bringing the bill to pass in the House, the DAN government shifted the responsibility to the Union Government and Ministry of Human Resource Development to decide the affiliation”. It also pointed out that the ball is now in the court of the DAN government to decide whether the students from the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur can appear examination with NBSE syllabus for the academic session 2006.
“The sincerity of DAN government is very much in doubt when the Chief Minister who recently led a DAN delegation to meet central leaders on affiliation issue, is remaining silent on the outcome of the discussion after coming back to the state. The NYC while iterating the Congress’ consistent stand for unity and peace, reminds the DAN government that their days are counted to remain in office if their assurances given to the people are not fulfilled” the Congress cautioned.
Who is the author of division among the Nagas and their territory?- Nagaland Post Opnion
As unity of component parts of the body of a man into the whole is a natural necessity, so it is with the nation. Things are also created to exist together in perfect harmony with each other in this beautiful garden of the earth. Recognize it or not, Nagas wherever they are, belong to one nation racially, historically and culturally. Above all, they speak the same political language. Sovereign Naga people have been running their own (self) government in Nagalim, independent of others since time immemorial. At no stage of history have they ever been subjugated by any alien power either by conquest or consent. And that those political powers which attempted to divide or divided the territorial integrity of Nagalim and destroyed the harmonious and peaceful existence of the Nagas is viewed as a heinous crime against Naga nation on one hand and total violation of the law of nations on the other.
Division of Nagalim into many parts and com-partmentalization of the Nagas into groups, factions or parties came mainly from colonial policy of the British and the Indian aggressors. The worst kind of policy was bifurcation of Nagalim into east and west, placing the poor Nagas into different political planets by the British power. The partitioning of the Naga territory and the creation of the so called Nagaland state by India is another diabolic attempt to subdue the brave Nagas into perpetual submission and slavery. This kind of artificial division if kept unopposed and made to prolong for longer period of time, Naga brothers and sisters would eventually become foreigners to each other. The power of assimilation is as such that children of the same parents, if they are to be brought up in different social systems and environments would never speak the same language. Division of Nagalim is a deliberate attempt on the life of Naga nation and a systematic political strategy to uproot the Naga culture, social values, history and everything Naganess from the surface of the earth. It is a serious political crone.
As compelled by cir-cumstances, Naga people put up tough resistance against the surging waves of the Indian aggression for decades. Since the current of the Naga nationalism was very strong to be stopped with military might, the Government of India switched over to political option as part of its strategy to subdue the Nagas. It was however, discovered later that political talks held in sixties was nothing but a deception aimed at dampening the revolutionary spirit of the Naga people on the one hand and strengthening their military position on the other.
In the meantime, some of the leaders who were won over to their side through false promises and political bait finally ended up with the 'Revolutionary Government' that divided the Nagas into two camps. The division took a heavy toll on the Nagas besides damaging to a great extend the unity and solidarity of the Naga national movement for independence.
The oneness of the Nagas was further divided on account of the Shillong Accord. Mr. L.P. Singh who engineered the accord proudly claimed that he had finally subdued the brave Nagas through the Shillong accord. However, the reality is that an accord was signed but the problem remained unsolved. We know that any accord or agreement which betrays the future of the Nagas is no solution at all. Rather, that is part of the problem. It is so because the framework of the accord was based on the Indian constitution. Narasimharao, the then Prime Minister of India told the Collective Leadership in the talks, "Had it not been your leadership, the Indo-Naga problem would have been solved with the NNC and Federal leaders under the framework of the Accord, but it was through your leadership that the Naga people were able to escape the network of the accord. You are very shrewd." Thus the issue was saved through the sustained movement of the people under the collective leadership of the NSCN.
The fallacy is that certain stooges of the adversary who write against NSCN covertly or overtly every now and then stated, "The Shillong Accord was signed under duress and that it has no binding on the NNC and Federal government." But the argument goes, if it was signed under duress why didn't they condemn it afterwards? How do they explain about their staying comfortably in the present transit camp for over thirty years? Every Naga knows they are in the pay role of the enemies.
At the instigation of the Indian intelligence wing the pro-Shillong Accord NNC members staged a military coup where all top ranking leaders including Isak and Muivah were arrested to be executed. In the process, about a hundred national workers and their family members were brutally killed so that the accord could be implemented smoothly. In order to further strengthen their position, an armed wing called Peoples' Militia of Nagaland (PMN) was formed, financed and armed by the Indian state. They later fought against the NSCN, the champion of the Naga people's cause for about a decade until they were totally liquidated. These actions remained unanswered whether the accord was signed under duress or not. Indian leaders and their Naga collaborators can never absolve or run away from all these dirty and bloody politics.
The most treacherous national crime ever committed by the leader at the highest echelon was the abortive coup attempt of the Indian-backed SS. Khaplang in whom they found a good instrument against the NSCN, the national council of the Naga people. He is such a type pf man who can be easily won over through flattery and tinsel medal. Being a power-monger, he is ready to trade even his own brothers and sisters for a chair. In fact, he had butchered hundreds of innocent Naga brothers and sisters just to please his master and coalition partners. Quoting the sweetest words 'peace offensive', he justifies killing scores of innocent pastors, students, bureaucrats, teachers and businessmen. In their further attempt to tear down the edifice of NSCN, the enemies through Khaplang formed an organization called Nagaland Youth Liberation Front (NYLF). However, it was nipped in the bud. Unity move without principle is another counter revolutionary strategy to divide the Nagas, to which some of the feeble minded sections of people subscribe. No doubt, NSCN is also very much for unity among the Nagas. But it insists that everything stands on its own principle. Unity among the warring Nagas should be built on the solid ground of national principle. Our national independence movement is principle-based. The current peace process is principle-based and solution too has to be principle-based. We believe every sensible Naga understands the stand of NSCN. It should not be made the scape-goat of the enemy's satanic policy.
Intimidating statements or notice to Naga civil societies, international support groups and friends of the Naga people and also serving of 'Quit notice' to a particular tribe is diabolic and the language of communal forces which has no place in the modem political dictionary. It will rather destroy the cause of the Nagas than serves it. It is politically suicidal, isolationism and self-destruction. Khaplangs must study the history of the Nagas first before they teach others. We are not to teach them the A.B.C. of Naga history. They must be informed that Naga people can no longer be befooled with any kind of communal magic. Even a boy of yesterday can understand who is behind the writing of this 'Quit notice'. It will boomerang on the author. Slander, hatred, conspiracy, negative criticism, communalism ect., never builds up any kingdom on earth. It is through open heart communication, admission of one's own mistakes and hard reality, appreciation of good points of each other and cooperation with each other that builds a harmonious nation. Issued by: MIP, GPRN, NSCN (IM)
Factional clashes in Zbto, 1 killed Correspondent Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, SEPT 4 (NPN): Rival NSCN factions continue to exchange heavy fire in Asukuto village under Zunheboto district that began on September 1, Friday till Monday followed by another clash at adjacent Naghutomi village. Monday's clash at Naghutomi village reportedly started around 2pm and casualties, if any, was not known so far at the time of filing this report.
When contacted, SP Zunheboto N Sangtam confirmed the report but said no reports of any casualty have been received. Sangtam said he was awaiting for a report from a police team of the Zunheboto P.S. that went to the spot. It was reported that on Friday, one cadre member of one of the factions was reportedly killed while another injured in the exchange of fire at Asukuto village. Sources said the villagers had concealed the identity of the dead body and the faction for fear of worsening the situation if the identity was revealed.
Sources also said another exchange of fire that lasted for about two hours, took place in the same village on Saturday. However, no casualty was reported on the second day.
According to sources, the offensive between the two factions could have worsened had not the villagers and public stepped in to caution both sides of the June 14 ceasefire agreement signed between the two NSCN factions and the public in Zunheboto.
The situation was tense in the area as both the factions continue to move in full combat gear while the public continue to make every effort to diffuse the charged atmosphere.
Meanwhile, according to NSCN-K army spokesman Isak Sumi, two NSCN-IM cadre members have surrendered to the NSCN-K on Sunday. The two identified as Sgt. Maj Isato and Khabor Vitolu who brought along with them a vehicle (Gypsy) belonging to Vitoi, a deputy kilonser of the NSCN-IM, the NSCN-K spokesman added. Isak also disclosed that another member of the rival faction surrendered to the NSCN-K at Athibung.
AR to develop tourist spot in Nagaland Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Kohima, Sep 03: Nagaland has just identified a new tourist spot, a spot so close to Kohima and yet known to very few. Just a stone's throw away from the Phesama Hydroger site, roughly a 100 metres away, is a breathtaking waterfall which seems to be falling down straight from the skies.

While very few people knew people knew about its existence, the Assam Rifles, who on invitation from the media fraternity of Kohima, visited the site this afternoon, was awestruck at the beauty of the spot and have promised to developed the spot into a tourist destination. The AR Maj Gen SS Kumar, who is also GOC Nagaland, his Dy GOC, Brig Brijpal Singh, and other senior officials were totally impressed and were seen displaying their childish side at the site.

Interacting with the media persons, Gen. Kumar promised to put up decorative footbridges and ropes to help picnickers get to the waterfall while also assuring to install 3 stalls which would have fast food to cater to picnickers. Apart from this, Gen. Kumar also promised two pools, one for children and one for grownups at the site so as to encourage family outings and picnics at the site. He would also be inviting Guv Shyamal Datta and others to visit the spot.

He expressed hope that together (AR and the State Govt) can start major initiatives soon to develop the site into a tourist hotspot.
The GOC and his officers also appreciated of the media fraternity for introducing him and his officers and their spouses to the "otherwise-unknown paradise".
Army to expose NE to national media Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Kohima, Sep 04: A 25-member team of media persons from both the national electronic and print media would be arriving in Kohima on September 17 on an exposure trip to the Northeast organized by the Indian Army. The exposure trip of the members of the national media is an initiative of GOC Nagaland and IGAR (North), Maj.

Gen. .S.SKumar, who had taken up the issue with Chief of Army Staff, Gen. .J.JSingh during his recent visit to Dimapur. The media team would be flown in by special aircraft till Dimapur or Guwahati from where they would be flown to the capital by army chopper.

During their overnight stay, the team is expected to meet Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Governor Shyamal Datta and others apart from members of the local media fraternity.

The media team would be putting up at Hotel Japfu during their overnight stay. The team would also fly to Mokokchung and Wokha by army chopper as part of the trip.
The team is scheduled to fly by chopper to Imphal on September 18.
ULFA wants PM to break stalemate Nagaland Post
GUWAHATI, SEPT 3 (AGENCIES): The negotiators of the People's Consultative Group nominated by the banned United Liberation Front of Asom have decided to send a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention to break the stalemate in the peace initiative by releasing five top militant leaders from jail.
PCG members Lachit Bardoloi and Arup Borbora in a statement issued in Guwahati on Sunday evening informed that the PCG meeting held on Saturday night took a decision to call for intervention from the prime minister to facilitate the release of five top jailed leaders of ULFA "as per decisions taken on June 22 meeting between the PCG and government of India representatives".
The PCG informed that release of these senior ULFA central committee leaders would lead to breaking of the deadlock in the peace initiatives that had been successful in facilitating temporary suspension of army operation and restraint on part of ULFA.
The PCG was of the view that the atmosphere in Assam was now congenial to facilitate direct talks between the ULFA and government of India provided the government agreed to release the five ULFA leaders from jail as sought by the militant group.
The PCG coordinators - litterateur Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami and Rebati Phukon - would soon meet the prime minister to submit the letter from the PCG seeking his intervention in release of ULFA leaders from jail for the greater interests of the peace process.
The ULFA demands release of its central committee leaders -- Pradip Gogoi, Bhimkanta Buragohain, Mithinga Daimary, Pranati Deka and Ramu Mech -- from jails so that they could be present in the ULFA central committee meeting to help the group to take a final decision whether to hold direct talks with the government of India or not. However, the government of India has sought a letter of commitment from the ULFA leadership expressing its willingness to hold direct talks, assurance of presence of ULFA commander in chief Paresh Baruah and chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa in talks and a specific date and venue for holding talks.
The government indicated that it might release the jailed ULFA leaders if it received the letter of commitment from ULFA. However, the ULFA termed the fresh condition from the government as delaying tactics and asked the government to honour the decisions of June 22 meeting between the PCG and government representatives and release five of its leaders from jail for the greater interests of the peace process.
NDFB rules out floating political party By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Sept 4 – The National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) has ruled out any possibility of it forming a political party in the near future and dismissed reports of this nature in a section of the media. The NDFB is on a peace process and it is solely concentrating on finding the ways and means of successful political settlement of the “Indo-Boro imbroglio” through negotiation with the Indian Government, said NDFB spokesman S Sanjarang in a fax message today.

“Where is the question of NDFB’s formation of a new political party while the question of solution of the Indo-Boro problem is still far away?” countered Sanjarang while expressing “regret” that some political parties and leaders have “mistaken and misunderstood us and our approach.”

The NDFB is not hankering after power and is not interested in power politics, the NDFB spokesman asserted while dismissing reports in some newspapers as “nothing but an idea impregnated in an unsound and ill-motivated mind of some vicious circle.” Such reports are false, baseless, politically motivated and without substance, he said. “It is a deliberate attempt on the part of the malignant propagators to fulfil their ulterior motive at the cost of the NDFB’s image.”

Sanjarang said the NDFB, in the interest of successful as well as meaningful settlement of the Indo-Boro problem, has to interact with politicians and political parties of many hues on many occasions. “This does not mean that the NDFB is on process of forming a new political party in collaboration with some political parties as well as some disgruntled politicians.”

The NDFB leader said that if the outfit has ever met any political leader or party it was solely with the intention of garnering support and help towards the successful accomplishment of the peace process and not for forming a new political party with some disgruntled political parties or leaders.

“We express awful pity for those parties, politicians and vested interests who are making desperate attempts to elevate themselves to the political forefront at the cost of the NDFB’s image and also at the cost of the Boro issue,” Sanjarang said. Warning all those “hatching conspiracy against us” to refrain from propagating such false and baseless reports, the NDFB leader also appealed to the people not to be misled by such “destructive propaganda.”

Northeast’s own airline takes off in December Kuknalim.com
NEW DELHI, Sept 4:: After years of poor air connectivity, the Northeast will finally see a regional player take the skies, challenging the notion that this sector is an unprofitable goner...

Skyking Aviation, a year-old Shillong-based company, has secured a no-objection certificate from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to start flying in all the seven states.

This is the first time that a private carrier has been allowed to operate in the Northeast. The services, scheduled to start by December, will connect 10 destinations. In the first phase, the low-cost airline will fly daily to cities including Aizwal, Agartala, Imphal, Dibrugarh, Lilabari, and Barapani with Guwahati as the main hub. The second phase will connect destinations like Bagdogra, Jorhat and Gangtok. Fares will hover in the range of Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000.

Ronal Rickman Sangma, Skyking’s promoter and one of the directors said discussions are on with Singapore’s GE Capital Aviation Services, a unit of GE Capital Services, to raise funds and lay out the financial plan. “We plan to take three aircraft on lease to start with and add two more within the next six months,” he said. The other promoter is Chinku Gare Momen.

The company is already in negotiations to take on lease one five-year-old 35-seater and four 50-seater Bombardier aircraft. It is also talking to Lufthansa and other companies in the UK, Canada and Germany for leasing planes. There are 25 airports in the Northeast and three more are being developed in Gangtok, Kohima and Itanagar, capitals of Sikkim, Nagaland and AP, respectively. (Indian Express)

AASU activists taking out a procession with earthen pots in the city on Monday, demanding immediate supply of safe drinking water to every household in the State. (Sentinel) No authority
Asom Government not authorized to update NRC By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Sept 4: While the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and other organizations in the State have been demanding for an early update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), 1951, what is being lost on them is that the main hurdle for updating the NRC is the Asom Government’s inability to go about the whole exercise unless the Centre formally authorizes the State Government to update the NRC. The NRC update exercise appears to have landed in a hazy maze with official sources pointing out that any citizenship-related matter like NRC is a subject in the Central List and not the State List. In other words, a State government is not a competent authority to deal with the matter.
Following the May 5, 2005 tripartite talks with the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), New Delhi had agreed to update the NRC. Subsequently, the NRC Directorate was set up for the purpose.
The fact that the State Government is unauthorized to deal with the NRC exercise prompted Dispur to send repeated reminders to the Centre to iron out the issues involved. The matter was even raised when VS Lalli, Secretary (Border Management), MHA, was here to review the border situation in the Northeast recently. But the response from Lalli was,“It’s a sensitive matter. I will have to take up the issue at New Delhi, and only then can say anything.” But till so far the Asom Government has not received any communication from Lalli.
According to sources, unless the Citizenship Act, 1955, is amended and the State government is authorized by the Centre to update the NRC, the process of updating NRC would never be a smooth affair for the State Government. So much so, the whole exercise may even collapse in due course.
Sensing the complications, both Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh are reported to have said that the process of updating the NRC is unlikely to be completed before 2008 even as the earlier targeted time was May, 2007.
But with New Delhi purportedly treading slow on the issue, the whole exercise is braced for trouble, soon if not now.
Even though the Centre had assured to bear all the expenditure involved in the NRC Directorate, a proposal by Asom Government to involve 21 officers in the NRC Directorate was turned down by the Union Government saying it “cannot create new posts, the State should adjust them.”
In another glaring example of the Centre’s lackadaisical attitude, an amount of Rs 2 crore, agreed in principle by the Centre for “data entry process’’, is still to be released. It may be mentioned here that Rs 1.2 crore has already been released by the Centre for the purchase of equipment for NRC update. Given that the NRC update work is going on in many districts of the State, it remains to be seen whether the parties concerned, including the AASU, would mount pressure on the Centre to formally authorize the State Government to update the NRC.