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09/21/2006: "Fernandes hopes for early solution to Naga issue Assam Tribune"

Fernandes hopes for early solution to Naga issue From Sobhapati Samom Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Sept 20 – Union Minister of State, Oscar Fernandes has hoped that the substantial issues of the vexed Naga issue would be discussed and sorted out within the span of one year ceasefire extension between the Government of India and National Socialist Council of Nagalim(Isaac Muivah).Fernandes, who represents the Indian Government in the peace talks with NSCN(IM), however, declined to reveal the ‘progress’ of the nine year-old peace process saying, “it is not the right time to give your answer”.

The peace talks between NSCN(IM) and GOI was started in August 1997. The visiting senior Congressman is also aware of the violation of the ceasefire ground rules by some armed cadres of the NSCN(IM). Fernandes also expressed that they are expecting responses from the Manipur-based underground outfits for a meaningful dialogue within some reasonable time.

Speaking to media persons on the concluding day of his visit to Manipur here at the Congress Bhavan, Fernandes said the issue of affiliation of Manipur schools under Nagaland Board was purely a “State subject” and Centre is not going to do anything about it.

Mention may be made here that United Naga Council and All Naga Students Association Manipur have been demanding affiliation of over 100 private schools in four Naga-inhabited districts–Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel districts under the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education as part of their move to integrate Naga-inhabited areas under one administrative unit. “Similarly, the Centre is not going to collect the Hill house taxes”, he said adding the State Government of Manipur is capable of tackling the issues.

The Congress will be forging a pre-poll alliance with the Communist Party of India in the forthcoming poll in Manipur. For this a formal talk was held with the CPI leader A B Bardhan, who was also in Imphal recently, he added.
Intense factional gun battle leaves 5 dead The Morung Express
Jalukie, Sept 20 (MExN): Five NSCN (IM) cadres were killed and one injured in a fierce gun battle today at Old Chalkut, Athibung in Peren district. According to confirmed reports, the remains of the five cadres have been brought to the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell Office in Dimapur.
According to NSCN (K) sources in Athibung, 5 of the rival’s cadres were killed besides capturing two weapons, one sniper and one Semi-21. The NSCN (K) also informed that the NSCN (IM) used hand grenades and 16 launchers during the encounter while attacking their bunkers. No casualty or injury has been reported from the NSCN (K) side.
The deceased have been identified as Sergeant Atovi from Sukhovi village, Sergeant Avito Sema, Lance Corporal Ningamchan Tangkhul, Lance Corporal Isak Yimchunger from New Showba village and Corporal Meripemo Kikon from Yanpang village. The bodies of the victims were first brought to Jalukie Police Station where NSCN (IM) Chaplain Maizithuibo prayed for the deceased. They were later taken to CFMC office in Dimapur, sources said.
According to the NSCN (IM) sources in the area, firing started at around 4:30 am in morning and lasted till 2:30 in the afternoon. According to the NSCN (IM), after launching the attack, the NSCN (K) cadres fled inside a church located behind their bunkers following which the NSCN (IM) command decided not to fire inside the church respecting the sanctity of the Holy place. The NSCN (IM) claimed that its rivals were able to summon reinforcement to retaliate. With a strength of reportedly 50 armed cadres, the attack was reportedly launched by the NSCN (IM) at OLD CHALKUT (1 ½ km before reaching Athibung)
Meanwhile DC Peren told The Morung Express that the district administration will take all measure to safeguard civilian life. It was also informed that the IRB battalion stationed at Athibung intervened during the intense battle and was able to bring the heavy firing to a halt.
However, the situation at Athibung and its adjoining areas is stated to be very tense. “Anything may happen anytime”, public leaders and Dobashis told The Morung Express.
Church to launch healing and reconciliation movement The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, SEPT 20 (MExN): The Nagaland Baptist Church Council has decided to take on ‘Corruption, Extortion, Factional Rivalries and Killings and all-round Selfishness’ with the Naga people’s participation. “These monsters, the products of sin within us, have come out of our lives and they are now paralyzing and killing Politics, Governance, Commerce and Development- the crucial arenas where a society learns to work honestly and grow,” NBCC Peace Affairs Director, Reverend L Kari Longchar, today said.
Having decided that the situation must not be allowed to deteriorate further, the Church has made the decision to launch “the battle to save our society” without delay. “The results are rightly left in the hands of God.”
The launching Ceremony is to be held at 9 am at Christian Higher Secondary School, Nyamo Lotha Road, Dimapur, on September 29. All churches, Hohos, Civil Societies and Peace loving citizens have been called upon to grace the occasion.
“The vision and hope of the Church is that the people will claim personal ownership of the battle as normal living and practice of religion for them,” Reverend Longchar said. To begin this process the NBCC will be releasing a booklet entitled ‘The Nagaland Baptist Church Council’s Proposal for Healing and Reconciliation of the Naga People’ on September 29. The book talks of “how we Nagas ourselves have produced our society of today.”
“NBCC’s intention and prayer is that an honest conversation may gradually start in our society as a result of our people responding to the points made in the booklet leading to truth and the facts being established,” the Church declared.
The church council has called upon all Nagas to show fearless love of truth, maturity and responsibility in their response. Quoting Romans 3:23 from the Bible, the reverend said, “Our society may then be built on a foundation of healing, reconciliation and real freedom.”
NNC raises more queries for NSCN-IM The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, SEPT 20 (MExN): Pointing out that “the sectarian leaders” of the NSCN (IM) were now denying the killing of thousands of innocent Nagas, an NNC statement received here described this as “provoking the Nagas” and that the consequences will be “bitterness and more hatred upon them by the Nagas as a whole”.
“If they nobly admit their misdeeds, the Nagas who have good reasons and faith in Christ may forgive them. But their hypocrisy and trying to while wash their hands by throwing the blame for killings on others will pave no way to forgive them by the Nagas”, stated NNC Member Thomas in a press communiqué.
Stating that their “hypocritical” stand will especially hurt the sentiments of the victims’ family members, relatives and Naga communities such as Khiamniungan, Lainong and Kuki, who had most suffered in the hands of the NSCN (IM). Quoting a statement from the NSCN (IM) that they “have never ever engaged in killing innocent people, either stranger or compatriot at any point of time”, the NNC member challenged that it they are bold enough to deny the killing of innocent people, “let them deny the formation of the NSCN too”. “Then only the statement of NNC/FGN will become fallacious and fictitious story. If they did not form the so called NSCN, then they can throw the blame for the killing on the others”, the NNC stated.
“Truly, the future generation of Nagas will never ask the question, why the accord on 1975 was signed? But they will surely ask why the NSCN was formed? Why Muivah and his henchmen killed thousands of Nagas and why the killing cannot be stopped?”
Interestingly, the NNC member pointed out history as evidence and proof that the Nagas did not sell out the Naga national rights by signing of the accord. “And therefore, the Nagas under the leadership of the NNC/FGN as well as Muivah and Isak group proudly celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the Naga National Council (NNC) on August 1997. Again this will remain as evidence that there were no differences among the Nagas on the matter of accord”, the statement pointed out.
Relatively, the NNC wanted to know as to why the NSCN (IM) falsely projected the accord as the main factor for division and killing among the Nagas. “If it was so, why then Muivah and his men killed the Naga army officers and Naga leaders who returned from abroad in 1976 and stayed in the Eastern part of Nagaland saying ‘we will never surrender’. If Muivah and his men in true sense condemned the accord, why did they involve in the Indian election? Why did they submit 30-point proposal to Government of India? Why are they demanding integration and a special federal relationship with India? Why now Muivah is saying that ‘we will accept the fundamental principles of the Indian constitution’?”
Further clarifying, it was stated that the NNC and FGN did not condemn the accord but rejected it on December 1975 and “thus the NNC/FGN have never ever engaged or involved in the Indian elections and neither expressed to accept the Indian constitution”.
Pointing out that if the NSCN (IM) claimed that they did not collaborate with the enemy, India, the NNC wanted to know as to from where they were able to build ‘lofty buildings which are worth about crores and where did they get hundreds of Indian luxurious vehicles? Where did they get Indian passports/identity cards of India for each and everyone of the IM leaders?”
Muivah, Isak started bloodshed: NNC The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, SEPT 20 (MExN): The Naga National Council has blamed NSCN (I-M) heads Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah of starting the bloodshed among the Nagas. “In April 1978, at Tsonkhao CHQ Camp, the Naga senior leaders (who were killed by Muivah and Isak) late T Venuh Chakhesang, late Ngathingkhui Ahum Tangkhul and late Mayanger Ao (new comer) rejected the new formation of centralized government of Muivah and Isak” on the grounds of five points, Thomas, NNC member, said in a release.
The five points include: a new formation of centralized government of 1976 was a gross violation of Nagaland Yehzabo (Constitution); Muivah and Isak had no power to summon the Tatar Hoho (National Assembly) because they were holding the posts of NNC General Secretary and Chaplee Kilonser (Finance Minister) of the FGN; since the beginning, the NNC and FGN consist of two entity heads and therefore these two offices cannot be placed under a single head; the office of the President, FGN should not be in a foreign land and that socialism should not be adopted as it would cause another division among the Nagas.
Relating incidents leading to the house arrest of Muivah and Isak, Thomas alleged, “However, after they were set free, they started to kill their opponents who opposed Muivah’s socialist political ideology in the last part of 1979. From then on they are continuously killing the Nagas, which is now running 26 years.” The main factor behind the division and killing among the Nagas is their opposition to “Muivah’s socialism and his stand for a solution within the Indian Union (Suisa’s proposal),” the release said. It added that the Naga Army never dug the graves of Muivah and Isak “because they have no intention to kill them. Therefore, Muivah and Isak are still alive.” “But Brig Ngamlao Konyak, Lt Col Ymstethong and those wh o were killed by Muivah and Isak in the last part of 1979 are no more with us.”
NNC terms IM's statement provocative Nagarealm.com
Imphal, Sep20 [TSE] : Naga National Council (NNC) has termed that denial of killing thousands of innocent Nagas by NSCN (I-M) as provocation to the Nagas upto the zenith, the consequences of which would be more bitterness and hatred upon the sectarian leaders of Th Muivah group by the Nagas as a whole. Quoting the remarks made by NSCN (I-M) in a news report appeared in The Morung Express on its September 18 edition, stating it has never ever engaged in killing innocent people, either stranger or compatriot at any point of time, NNC member Thomas countered that 'if are bold enough to deny the killing of innocent people, let them deny the formation of NSCN too, then only the statement of NNC/FGN will become fallacious and fictitious story'.

The future generations of Naga would never ask why the Accord of 1975 was signed, but they will surely asked why NSCN was formed and why Muivah and his henchmen killed thousands of Nagas and why the killing does not stop, the statement said, adding that if they nobly admit their misdeeds the Nagas may forgive them, but their hypocrisy of blaming others for the killing may not be forgiven by the generations to come.
NSCN’s ‘Quit Notice’ to Tangkhuls- Nagaland Post
It is expected that the Naga people still remember the quit notices issued to Tangkhuls in the past by several Naga tribes. Why? There must have been something wrong on the part of the Tangkhuls. Those notices were sorted out or compromised in one way or the other or died down naturally. But those Quit Notices to Tangkhuls should be taken as warnings and Tangkhuls should have mended their ways. Instead, Tangkhuls have become more cruel and overbearing towards Nagas. As such, this time the Quit Notices have been issued by all Naga tribes or regions and the issue is serious and should be complied with. We accept the challenge of I-K in this matter that they would give us befitting reply.
The NSCN/GPRN never asks or pressurize the Tangkhuls to go away from their land in Ukhrul. But the Tangkhuls have their ancestral land and properties in Ukhrul district of Manipur state. They have their home and hearth in Ukhrul. So much so that, they (Tangkhuls) leave Nagaland bag and baggage, safe and sound and live in Ukhrul peacefully.
The following were some of the grounds on which the Quit Notices have been issued to them.
1. Tangkhuls did not participate when the Naga elders subimitted the historic memorandum to British Simon Commission in 1929.
2. Tangkhuls did not participate during the formation of NNC in 1946
3. Tangkhuls did not participate during the declaration of Naga Independence by the then NNC in August 1947
4. Tangkhuls did not participate in the historic Naga plebiscite of May, 1951
5. Tangkhuls did not join the Nagas in boycotting Indian general elections of 1952
6. Tangkhuls did not join in the Naga armed resistance started in 1955-56 against the Indian forced occupation of Nagaland.
7. Tangkhuls did not participate during the formation of the Federal government of Nagaland in March 1956
8. Tangkhuls refused to join Nagaland when it was created a separate state (though it was against the interest of the Naga freedom movement)
9. The Tangkhuls joined the Naga freedom struggle only after the signing of the first cease-fire between India and Nagaland in 1964
10. In spite of their late coming, the Naga leaders of the time accepted them to the Nagas fold with respect and kindness and gave them responsible posts in NNC and FGN. But accepting Tangkhuls in the Naga movement unmistakably proved to be counter productive.
11. Ramyo Zimik was no doubt a capable person and the Nagas reposed their faith in him and gave even the post of Kilo Kilonser (Home minister) at one time. But he was mainly responsible for the deadlock of Indo-Naga political dialogue in 1967. And he was one of the main architects of the signing of Shillong Accord.
12. From time of his joining the Naga National Movements Th. Muivah was at the helm of affairs by becoming the general secretary of NNC and subsequently NSCN. With such powers vested in him, Th. Muivah had become obsessed with re-writing the history of Naga movement starting from Tangkhuls participation.
13. It was no other chief minister or authority of Manipur, but former Manipur Chief Minister Reishang Keishing Tangkhul promised and declared that not an inch of Manipur should be ceded to Nagaland.
14. Right from the beginning Th. Muivah had been campaigning that could there be any political dialogue between India and Nagaland, it should be under his leadership and none else. This shows his policy of alienation and selfishness.
15. Th. Muivah, V.S Atem and Rh. Raishing (all Tangkhuls) are the main culprits who are deadly against Naga unity and reconciliation.
16. In 1988, a mob like situation was created as is natural in all revolution like ours and many lives belonging to different tribes were lost. But Th. Muivah and his henchman are singing and orchestrating the incident to make cheap political mileage out of the unfortunate incident. Let us not talk who were wrong and who are right at this stage. But with this excuse Th. Muivah started hate and vengeance campaign and continues to kill hundreds of innocent Nagas. This genocides and fratricides of Th. Muivah and his henchman who resorts to the extend of awarding hard cash to the killers of the Naga leaders, which is neither compromisable nor excusable, should be stopped. With this point in view NSCN/GPRN is most reluctant compelled to issue Quit Notice to Tangkhuls so that peace prevails in Nagaland.
It is worth mentioning here that the I-K’s activities have been escalating in Kohima and Dimapur after the visit of ill-will mission of Grace Lyu Collins and her team when they had secret parleys with I-K leaders at Hebron camp.
These have been recharged by the acts of Neo International Satanic Centre (NISC) and Neo surrenderees groupings (NSG). The recent killings and bomb blasts in Kohima and Dimapur by the I-K secret agents should be condemned by one and all.
Nitovi Aye, Cabinet secretary GPRN, NSCN (K).
National Media team visits Nagaland Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Sept 20:: A large media team, consisting of 27 journalists and 3 officers from Kolkata visited Nagaland on September 18. The journalists represented the entire universe of accredited and famous print and electronic media of most of the prominent news channels and newspapers and are on a three-day familiarization visit to Nagaland and Manipur being hosted by HQ 3 Corps. On September 18, they were flown in from Kolkata to Dimapur in a fixed wing aircraft and arrived at Kohima in two helicopters. The team was briefed by Maj Gen SS Kumar,
SM, VSM, IGAR (North) about the various facets of Nagaland, the rich culture and traditions etc. Thereafter, the team visited Mokokchung, where they were briefed by Brig Haresh Pankan, Cdr 7 Sector. At Ungma, the team was accorded a warm traditional welcome and was exposed to the culture and traditions of Nagaland and shown one of the MCA projects- a Computer Centre at Ungma. The team also interacted with the important NGOs, public leaders like President Naga Hoho and President Ao Senden and the local media personnel. On arrival, back at Kohima, the team visited the Kohima War Cemetery and Kohima Orphanage. Moved by the lovely inmates and selfless service of Mother Zaputuo, the members assured to strive to ensure greater visibility to the noble efforts and ensure wider patronage. The team was thereafter taken to Zakhama where they experienced, first hand, the nuances of Night Operations like patrolling, etc. and were acquainted with various hi-tech surveillance and communication equipments.

During the social evening hosted by HQ IGAR (North) at Hotel Japfu, Kohima, the team members interacted with the accredited media persons of Nagaland, exchanged notes and enjoyed great moments of song and dance. Visibly impressed by the natural beauty, the beautiful people and rich cultural traditions and heritage of Nagaland, the journos departed for Manipur on September 19, according to PIB (Defence Wing) release. (DIPR)

Don't harass public, face us : K to Im y Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express IMPHAL, Sep 20 : Accusing the NSCN (IM) of harassing the public under the pretext of cracking down on the cadres of the NSCN (K), the latter today asked its rival to stop targeting the public and instead come and face them if they want.
Speaking to the press, the information and publicity secretary in charge of the Zeliangrong region of the NSCN (K) said that on September 17, NSCN (IM) cadres under the pretext of searching NSCN (K) cadres, opened indiscriminate firing at Kanbihang village in Tousem sub-division inflicting heavy damages and triggering panic amongst the villagers.
On September 19, NSCN (IM) cadres opened random fire at Kajinglong village injuring an elderly woman on the leg, said the secretary and added that an 18 year old girl sustained bullet injuries on the left leg when the IM cadres fired at Makoi village.
About 40 cadres of the NSCN (IM) swooped down on Kanbihang village and opened indiscriminate firing not sparing even the village Church, charged the NSCN (K) and added that since even the Church was not spared, the IM cadres are not revolutionaries but gang members.
During the indiscriminate firing at Kajinglong village by NSCN (IM) cadres, a 30 year old man from Atang village who had come to the village to collect fire wood was shot on the right leg and knee cap, said NSCN (K) and added that the man may become an invalid. The victim has been identified as Maphongping Pou.
The NSCN (IM) cadres have also been levying fines of Rs 50 thousand on many villages on the charge that they provided shelter to the NSCN (K). This is atrocious said the NSCN (K) spokesman and added that such act of robbing the poor villagers cannot be called an act of revolutionaries. Instead of targeting the innocent civilians, the IM cadres should accept the invitation to come for an open confrontation with us, maintained the NSCN (K) spokesman. Till date the Zeliangrong region of the NSCN (K) has been working for the Zeliangrong people and no force on earth will be able to defeat this spirit, said the spokesman. The intelligence wing of the NSCN (K) has also been able to establish that NSCN (IM) cadres along with PULF cadres numbering around 40 had tea with Assam Rifles personnel today morning at 7.30, said the spokesman. There is no need to elaborate as the villagers are the witnesses, maintained the NSCN (K).
About a month back, NSCN (IM) cadres along with personnel of 38 Assam Rifles terrorised the villagers of Haochong, charged the NSCN (K) and added that no one can cover up this fact.
Questioning whether the ceasefire ground rule between the NSCN (IM) and the GoI has been enforced in Manipur or not, the spokesman said that if the ground rule is enforced in Manipur, then it should be clearly spelt out. The NSCN (K) also questioned whether the cease fire ground rules contain the clause that the IM cadres and the AR can jointly harass the villagers.
If the harassment is not stopped, then there will come a time when the wrath of the people is turned against them, said NSCN (K) and added that in such an eventuality, the NSCN (IM) and the Assam Rifles should be held solely responsible.
NIC without office Nagarealm.Com
KOHIMA, SEP18 [NPN]: Six months after the constitution of the Nagaland Information Commission (NIC), the commission is yet to have a full-fledged office of its own.

"We are functioning in my home as residential office with two rooms," informed Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) P. Talitemjen Ao, during an interactive session Monday at Zonal Council hall. Talitemjen said the commission has requested the state government to locate a suitable office building, preferably located in and around the Old Secretariat Complex, so that the pubic would have easier access.

The Right to Information (RTI) Act came into force on October 12, 2005, throughout the country and the state also constituted the NIC on March 14, 2006, with P. Talitemjen as Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and Rev. Dr. W. Pongsing Konyak and Dr Kuhoi Zhimomi as State Information Commissioners (SIC).
Talitemjen said the main objective of RTI is to give every citizen right and access to information. He however pointed out that there were also obligation and exemption.

The CIC also disclosed there are procedural steps to be followed while seeking information in various departments, public sector undertakings and organisations which get funds from the government, starting with assistant public information officer, public information officer (PIO), appellate authority and finally the State Information Commission (SIC). "The public cannot directly come to us to get information. They have to follow the procedure." The CIC also said the commission would soon hold video conferencing with the DCs and PIOs.

He further informed that as part of the first anniversary of RTI, a national convention is slated for October 13 to 15 at New Delhi, where the President and Prime Minister will address officials, eminent citizens, civic bodies' representatives, state CICs and SICs.
"We will be attending and sharing our views," he added. Dr. W. Pongsing Konyak, SIC, lauded the initiative of the Chang Baptist Association in bringing out the RTI contents in Chang dialect and urged other tribes to do the same for the benefit of the common people. Today's interactive session was attended, among others, by Dr. Kuhoi Zhimomi, SIC, officials from DIPR, Field Publicity, DDK and various local and national media representatives.

Tangkhul bodies demand transfer of CEO Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Sep 20 Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL), Ukhrul and Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), Ukhrul have deman-ded immediate transfer and posting of an IAS cadre or an officer not below the rank of MSC Grade-I as CEO of Ukhrul Autonomous District Council (UADC).
In a representation joint-ly submitted to the Chief Minister, the two Tangkhul bodies asserted administrative chaos has been created in UADC office as no CEO has either been posted or the incumbent CEO (retired) K Ramthar has made over the official charge to any officer as per rules even after completion of his term of service extension since Aug 31 till date.
Such state of affairs has adversely affected the overall functioning of the UADC office which has a direct bearings in the governance of the people in our democratic public institutional hierarchy and more particularly affecting the functioning of a number of primary schools under UADC, the consequence of which on the education career of the young students could be well imagined, the representation jointly signed by TMNL president Yuimi Horam and TSL president Silla J Konghay said.
While pointing out that Additional CEO Ramthar was allowed to retire on superannuation on February 28, 2006 but his service was extended for 6 months from March to August, 2006 as full-fledged CEO of UADC, Ukhrul, the joint representation contended it is in contravention and total violation of the provisions of the existing service rules not to give promotion after retirement on service extension.
Despite repeated and exhaustive affords of the public to have a responsible and a regular CEO posted in the office of UADC, Ram-thar had been allowed to hold the post of CEO for the last more than 10 years, but without exerting any tangible progress, the represen- tation rued. It is quite undesirable and unfortunate that a retired Govt servant even after completion of the term of service extension is till holding the official charge of such responsible post and the Govt has not acted upon as per the rules even after lapse of nearly a month, it added.
The apathy of the Govt is in the present case and the co-lateral attitude of the incumbent is viewed as an attempt to defeat the very purpose of this sacred public office of UADC and to jeopardise the career of young students by way of paralysing the functioning of its administrative office among others, the joint representation charged.

Beyond History’s Confines Source: IMPHAL FREE PRESS Posted: 2006-09-21

Discussions on the antecedents of one of the greatest leaders of the state, Thangal General, is always mired in controversy and tend to get extremely touchy and sentimental. Understandably so too, considering the great oriental tradition of ancestral worship that Manipur is invariably a part of. Hence, those who are convinced are his direct descendants would be possessive about his legacy and want no counter claims to the same effect, and so the dispute. Fascinated as we are by the historicity of the subject of dispute, it is precisely the manner in which the issue tends to transcend the nuts and bolts story of history – as indeed all accounts of great men and leaders do in varying degrees – which awes us. This visible dichotomy is also a reminder that discussions on such issues, need to be tackled at different levels, especially so if the subject involves a public figure. We are not trying to qualitatively compare or equate figures from history but a quick scan through the pages of history should be helpful to illustrate the point. Jawaharlal Nehru was a great public leader, but he was also very much a private man. As a public man he was known for his statesmanship, and his pioneering initiative of the Non Align Movement, NAM, in partnership with Nasser and Tito, but as a private man he was also among other things, somebody who like the company of smart women, having kept an affair going with a married woman, Lady Edwina Mountbatten. The same was the case with Gandhi. He was a Gujarati, who cares? He was the father of Rajmohan Gandhi, former editor of the journal called “Himmat”, who cares? He may have been anything else in his private world, but he was Gandhi the father of the Indian nation, and even above this, he was also the apostle of non-violence that the world knows him to be, that is all that matters in the public sphere.

For that matter, strictly from the perspective of historicity, Lord Krishna or Govindaji, could well have been a Haryanvi Jat or a Gujarati for all we know. But again who cares? He was Govindaji, the salvation of many. It is interesting to note that the war cry of the army of the former Hindu kingdom of Manipur, was “Govindaji Gi” (For Govindaji). This is the cry that tall men of the state’s past like Paona Brajabasi and Chongtham Mia went to battle the British forces at Khongjom in 1891, and probably also what was in Thangal General’s heart, if not lips when he went to the gallows. They were not invoking the image of a Haryanvi to give themselves a worthy cause to lay down their lives, and equally to sanctify the bloodshed they necessarily dipped in. The Govindaji they fought for had little to do with any history, but something far beyond, detached totally from the temporal world. Historically, Jesus Christ too was a Jew. But there can be no doubt that this fact about his antecedent is of much significance to Christianity. So when the NSCN(IM) dedicates Nagaland to Christ, they are not calling Nagaland, (or Nagalim) an extension of the land of Judea or Israel. Here too it is once again and idea that has transcended the temporal and become the symbol of this imagined nationhood.

We would tend to look at the Thangal General dispute from this light. And from this light Thagal General is my ancestor too as much as anybody else’s. His bloodline is something else, but it is the legacy of a peoplehood that his heroic life and equally heroic death, symbolize that matters. It is also this symbol that nourishes a kinship, hope, pride, love, affection and a sense of shared history and belonging amongst all sons and daughters of the soil that the great leader considered his children and grandchildren. Must such a proud tale of a proud people be allowed to be overshadowed by a tussle over bloodline? It is best public discussions of a public man of his stature be distance from accounts of his private life and affiliations. So let Thangal General’s bloodline be a family matter, so that the symbol that he carries, virtually worshipped by thousands upon thousands, remains untarnished on the public pedestal in the state’s rich historical memory.
Attacking on culture for identity The Morung Express B. Thohii Hiimai
Social phenomenon of attacking on culture of the perceived dominant group by the affected population to reclaim their ethnic and cultural roots and construct identity within plural and multiracial societies is nothing new in the human history. This is more pronounce and vocal in societies where there is political unrest, agitation, and rebellions among the people who are in search for ethnic and cultural identity.
The Nagas of Manipur in the four Hill districts is today in a virtual conflict minus violence with the mainstream Meities. It has taken a direction that was unthinkable in the past. A non-cooperation movement launched for NBSE affiliation has moved on by stages: first it was consigning the MBSE textbooks, then to ransacking the Government Schools and ZEO Offices in the four Hill districts, and now to banning ‘Meitei Mayek’ and all CDs/Video cassettes, films and audio in Meitei language in all the four Hill districts. This recourse is not a new phenomenon in Manipur. It was earlier first recourse to by the proscribed outfits and Students’ Organisation in the valley. The Manipuri Students’ Federation, for instance, has called for a ban on all cable TV and DDK Imphal from public view some time back in the valley. In more coercion the proscribed outfits in the valley have called for ban on all Bollywood(Hindi) movies and diktak on women from wearing Indian dress like
Sari that exposed greater part of the woman’s stomach.
What does this imply? From the perspective of quest for ethnic and cultural identity in a society infected by political unrest,these movements are manifestation of cultural nationalism for political ends. However, while accepting the underlying root cause for socio-political unrest, which deserves solution at the soonest, the means taken to achieve it by ‘ban’ on culture of the perceived group in target is not free from debate on rationale and in term of efficacy in long term. It invites a debate on question whether a society can survive in its own exclusivity in term of cultural influence and shut doors and windows to influence from outside in this world of ‘Global village’? Of course this does not suggest that we should assimilate everything without judgment on the binary of good/evil, moral/immoral, or right/wrong on external influences that invade us constantly.
While certain amount of resistance to alien culture is important without question in order to preserve the rich cultural heritage of people, total resistance or rejection against all forms of alien culture is not only impossible but also would too anachronistic and conservative in a world where despite political differences between nations steps to have bilateral relations through cultural exchange programme is being pushed forward for better relation.
Development of cultural hegemonism within plural and multiracial societies is the seed of self-destruction both in ‘intra’ and ‘inter’ relations. Hegemonic culture would attempts to homogenize attitude and worldviews of the people. The communal forces in India, for instance, which are well organized have throughout done propagandistic campaign since inception and have welded a mass ideology in which different organizations are drawn together and a hegemony is achieved which attempts to destroy all living folk culture and homogenizes Hinduism around the Ram cult in synthetic and syndicated ways.
The fascist culture which contains potential danger can be best summed up from what M.S.Gowalker – successor of Dr. Hedgeswar, the founder of the RSS – published in 1938 his Seminal work We and Our Nationhood Defined is which he drew explicitly on the cultural nationalism of Adolf Hitler: “German national pride has now become the topic of the day. To keep up the purity of the nation and its culture, Germany shocked the world by her purging the bounty of the Semitic – the Jews. National pride at its highest has been manifested here. Germany has also shown how well nigh impossible it is for races and cultures, having differences going to the root, to be assimilated into one united whole, a good lesson for us in Hindustan to learn and profit by”. For the Indian context he spells out that all the non- Hindu people in Hindustan must adopt Hindu culture and language, respect and revere Hindu religion and glorify the Hindu nation or they deserve not even citizen’s rights.
Only Hindus are children of the soil.
Take for instance the Muslim world. Most Islamic nations are against the western world particularly the USA not so much for fear of military might and economic power or the policy of spreading democracy, but for fear of western culture onslaught that they fear would shake the fabric of Islamic culture. For the Muslim fundamentalists, every thing that is of the western culture is a blasphemy to Islam, and hence the rhetoric like, “to hell with western culture and modernization”. Talibanism in Afghanistan before its fall was an archetypal of cultural extremism and hegemonism that attempts to block everything that is modern and change. It was a primitive attack on culture. But what is seen today in Afghanistan in the post-Taliban regime is altogether a different picture and story. Even the most conservative society that insists on homogeneity of attitude and worldviews in exclusivity is in practical unable to wall against the swept of swift and rapid influence of alien culture that is blowing from all directions.
For the need of inclusive culture for better social harmony it is best illustrated by the founding fathers of free India. When Gandhiji launched his nationwide non-cooperation movement, he was able to carry all the Indians everywhere along the stream. There was however one exception: Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore also shared the same dream of free and united India – a nation free from poverty and practice of untouchability in Hindu society but he worried that the rhetoric of non-cooperation contained within it the seeds of self-destroying isolationism, and in setting India above also set it apart from the rest of the world. Tagore has seen that European nationalism could so easily slide into jingoism. He worried that that same might happen now in India. In his remarkable essay “The call of Truth” Tagore wrote “Today at this critical moment of the world’s history, cannot India rise above her limitations and offer the great ideal to the world that will work towards harmony in co-operation between different people of the earth?....Let us ride of all false pride and rejoice at any corner of the world, knowing that it is a part of the common illumination of our house….”.
Gandhiji recognized the force of the warning and he accepted that India must be open to creative influences from outside. He wrote “I hope I’am as great a believer in free air as the great poet. I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the culture of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any”. Thus based on this principle the founding fathers of free India chose to base its constitution not on indigenous ideas alone but on modern, even western, ideals of democracy and secularism. No people or race can live in borrowed identity. There is no wrong with certain amount of resistance to alien culture in order to protect the indigenous communities from losing their creativity and originalities. But extremism of total resistance against other culture is a road to isolationism. The kind of nationalism that sought not just political liberty for the nation, but equal rights for all its citizens; that insists not on homogeneity of attitude and worldviews, but which is open to creative influences from out side is a model to opt for by all struggling societies for identity.
Merger of Manipur with the dominion of India By Waikhom Damodar Singh
Before the British came to India, the land was a very much divided country, a land then not existing under a unified or unitary sovereign Govt but a vast land of conglomeration of different domains and principalities called kingdoms and states (later on named native states), big and small, with so many culturally, ethnically and linguistically varied and divided groups of indigenous peoples under their own hereditary rules and chiefs, in the names of Maharajas, Rajas, Nawabs, Dewans, Zamindars, Jagirdars and Emperor.
The British landed in India in the year 1608 AD firstly at Surat, one of the richest sea ports on its west coast, as ordinary traders, in the name of 'British East India Company' who had been granted on 31 December 1600 by Queen Elizabeth I a charter with rights of exclusive trading for 15 years to the 'Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies'.
The British people who so landed as very ordinary traders initially consolidated their power in due course of time, and with their better skill and supremacy in arms and diplomacy, became the overlords and invincible rulers of the vast and much divided country by expanding their power gradually for which they took the fullest advantage of the 'disunity' that were there amongst the indigenous peoples, who by then, were living not as a unified and strong nation as such, though majority of them had been somehow brought under the rising great Mughal power established at Delhi from the times of Babur and his son, Akbar, the great during the 16th/17th centuries till it came to an end from 1707 AD onwards with the death of their last and weak Emperor, Aurangazeb.
The power so established by the British East India Company in the vast and much divided land during the period of some two and half centuries came under the direct control of the British crown by an Act passed in the British Parliament with effect from August 2, 1858 under the name 'The Government of India Act', with full power and responsibilities for the Government and Revenues of India vested on one of Her Majesty's secretaries of States due to the effect of a great and widespread 'Indian Revolt' known as 'Sepoy Mutiny of 1857' that had flared up against the misruling of the company over several aspects.
The great frustrations and discontent of the people had been accumulating for long which culminated at the aforesaid time with a violent burst. The British Govt thus continued to rule over the vast country directly under their crown in the name of 'British India', including that of the land of a large area in the east annexed by them on 1 January 1886 known as the kingdom of Burma (now Myanmar) ruled by king Thibaw, till year 1935-36 when it was separated as a different unit (Dominion) under their rule.
The direct ruling of the British Crown over the country was done through a representative known as the Viceroy of India with his capital shifted to New Delhi from being earlier at Calcutta (now Kolkata), founded by Job Charnock of the company in the year 1696 on the 'marshy village called Sutanati' after the failure of the company to take nearby port Chittagong by force in 1686. The British thus had been ruling over the country with unchallengeable mighty powers, for the establishment of which the credit really goes to Robert Clive, who began his service in the East India Company as a mere clerk but who subsequently rose to higher military ranks by his hard works and exemplary valours displayed in the crucial battles taken place between the force of the company and the outnumbering local force and ultimately became the Governor of the Presidency of Bengal annexed and ruled by the Company.
However, they (the British) had to part with their paramount power so acquired quite dearly, as was inevitably compelled to do so under the rapidly rising national and international political heavy pressures that had been exerting on them since 1929/30s which reached the highest peaks in the year 1946 and 1947 i.e. immediately after the end of the Second World War.
Therefore, as a result of an Act passed in the British Parliament under the Premiership of Clement Richard Attlee of the Labour Party under the name 'the Indian Independence Act, 1947' they ultimately relinquished their 'imperial power' at midnight of the 14th August by handing over to the interim Government headed by a Governor-General, Lord Louis Mountbatten, later on succeeded soon by CR Rajagopalchari under an interim Constituent Assembly which soon enacted and adopted a new Constitution for the independent country and it became a Republic from the day of the 26th January 1950 onwards with Dr Rajendra Prasad elected as its first President and Jawaharlal Nehru as the first Prime Minister.
The handling over of the Sovereign power to the interim Government was done at midnight of the 14th August 1947 as it was considered to be a day more auspicious than the day of the 15th of August 1947, a day and date for the occasion recommended by Mountbatten and approved by the British Prime Minister, CR Attlee.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the leader of the interim Constituent Assembly thus hit upon a compromise by calling the sitting of the Constituent Assembly in the midnight and thus took over the power immediately after the 'zero hour' of the day thus serving both the purposes of observing the 'auspiciousness' of the day as fixed by the learned Hindu astrologers according to Hindu calender, and also fully conforming to the date fixed by the British authorities, for the British system the day of the 15th August 1947 begins immediately after the midnight of the 14th of August 1947 which, for the Indian system, continues to be the day of it still till the 'Surya-udai' - the 'Sun-rise' of the 15th morning.
While the people of the land rejoiced on their becoming a nation of a free and independent sovereign country it was shrouded in deep feelings of great sadness because the great land, which was once existing as a vast domain of a singular country, known as 'Bharat-Varsha' had been divided into two separate dominions of independent countries named, India and Pakistan, the former being a 'Secular State' and the later a country purely of Muslim religion. To the Pakistanis they prefer India to be called always by the name 'Hindusthan', most probably with an aim to subvert its well laid down spirit of being always a secular country. — To be contd
Arrested ULNF leader`s aide wanted in various ambush cases: Police The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Sept 20: Salam Bung, who was arrested with UNLF leader Kh Ibotombi is wanted by police in relation with various cases of ambush on the security forces. He has been formally arrested by Nungba police and cases were registered against him with the station today. He is a 2nd lieutenant of the outfit.

In the meantime, the ruling for further remand of 12 days of Kh Ibotombi Singh, was given after the JMIC, Imphal west, personally visited the arrested leader at the 1st MR unit hospital were he is being treated.

The ruling of the JMIC, Imphal west stated that she was satisfied with the allegation leveled against UNLF leader.

The Investigating officer of the case alleged that Ibotombi is the vice-chairman of the banned outfit, UNLF and took part in the activities of the said organization. His activities related with threatening the unity, integrity and sovereignty of India by using sophisticated weapons and explosive substances.

Regarding the reason for detention of the Ibotombi at the 1st MR unit hospital, the case report stated that his health does not permit him either to stand/walk or sit properly and he is feeling great pain and inconveniences undertaking natural activities like sitting, standing, sleeping, eating, going to toilet etc. He needs proper medical care and treatment, it added.

Salam Bung aide to Ibotombi and arrested together with the later from Ganga Medical Hospital, Coimbatore was today arrested again formally by Nungba police station in connection with FIR no. 10 (2) 2K under section 121/121-A/302/307/34 IPC and 25 (I-A) Arms Act.

He was earlier remanded in the Imphal police custody upto October 2 by JMIC.

The case has been transferred to CJM, Tamenglong with effect from September 18 last. He is alleged to have waged war against the government, murdered and attempted to murder, and also holding arms, which is punishable under section 121/121-A/302/307/34 IPC and 25 (I-A) Arms Act.

According to the case dairy of Nungba police station Bung was among the 30 to 40 combined forces of UNLF and NSCN (K) who intruded at Longpi village of Nungba police station on 22/2/2000 and stayed there.

The same combined forces engaged in exchange of fire with Indian army leading to the death of one villager allegedly at the hands of the underground cadres.

Bung, second lieutenant of the outfit UNLF was also formally arrested by the Churchandpur police from CJM, Tamenglong through Nungba police station and remanded to police custody till Thursday in connection with five cases against the activities of outfit allegedly involving him.

The case under FIR 151 (5) 98 of Churchandpur police station under section 121/121-A/120-B/302/307/326/427/ IPC, 25 (1-B) Arms Act and 13 UA (P) Act against him related with an ambush laid down by the UNLF on the 23 Battalion CRPF at Monglenphai village. The ambush was carried out on 25/5/98 in which five CRPF personnel were killed and three others were imjured .

He was also allegedly involved in the ambushed of 32 Rastriya Rifles on 13/2/99 at Thankeu village of Churchandpur in which eight personnel killed and seven injured.

Bung was also alleged to have taken part in the encounter between UNLF and 18 Assam Rifles at Singmun Lamkhai under Henglep police station of Churchandpur. The encounter occurred on 3/10/99 in which two AR personnel were killed and two others were injured. The case in this incident was originally registered under Churchandpur police station. However it was later transferred to Henglep police station. He was also involved with the case 140 (12) of 2001 of Churchandpur police station. The case was registered in connection with the ambush of 128 battalion BSF at Hengkot Nepali Basti on 29/12/2001. There was no report of any any casualty in this ambush. Bung is also alleged to have been involved in the encounter between UNLF and ZRA at Thanlon village on 27/2/2001 which resulted in the death of two villagers.

Extortion by ULFA on: Gogoi Gogoi’s outburst l There were secret killings with Mahanta’s connivance.
l Over the years, no steps were taken for maintenance of irrigation projects.
l Drought-affected farmers to get 4 per cent loan subsidy.
l There was corruption in State Health Department, being checked now.
l Departments asked to ascertain reasons behind hike in prices.
By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Sept 20: Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) was yet to refrain from carrying out extortion activities even though it was involved in the peace process with the Centre. He said his Government has instructed the police to take tough action against the ULFA and the NDFB when such cases of extortion come to light.
Talking to newsmen in the city today, Gogoi said that the ULFA continued its extortion activities in upper Asom. “The only positive development after the cessation of hostilities between the rebel group and the Centre is that nowadays those served with extortion notes come forward for help from the police, a thing which was very rare till a few months back,” Gogoi said, and added: “I don’t term the current hiccups between the Centre and the ULFA regarding direct talks a deadlock. Such fluctuations are very common in any peace talks with rebel groups. I am hopeful that the peace process will yield positive results.”
He said: “It was for the sake of the peace process that the State Government agreed to release the jailed ULFA leaders, but now the issue is beyond the State Government’s purview since the Centre has linked it with the entire peace process. I can release the jailed ULFA leaders now if the rebel group gives me a written assurance that they will sit for direct talks with the Centre. I know that they won’t do that with me because my role in the peace process is that of a facilitator only.”
Criticising AGP-P president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta for his demand for making the first inquiry report of the KN Saikia Commission public, Gogoi said: “As a former Chief Minister of the State Mahanta should know that such a report can’t be made public without discussing it thoroughly on the floor of the Assembly. I am sure that there were secret killings during Mahanta’s regime, and that too, with his (Mahanta’s) connivance. Without the involvement of the Chief Minister, how could there be so much killings of same nature. Why are there no such killings in my regime? This is simply because I don’t support such killings.”
“Now the State Government has involved Assam Agriculture University (AAU) in quality seed production, and the step will yield its results from next year,” he said, adding that farmers of drought-affected areas in the State would get four per cent loan subsidy (two per cent each from the State Government and the Centre). According to him, there will be a shortfall 10 to 20 per cent in paddy production in the State this year because of scanty rainfall. He admitted that over the years no steps were taken for maintenance of irrigation projects in the State. “In fact, no arrangement were made for maintenance of infrastructure over the years. But now the thrust is on maintenance of infrastructure,” Gogoi said, adding that the concerned departments had been asked to ascertain the reasons behind the current rise in prices. “It has to be ascertained if the price rise in the State is because of rise in prices at sources or otherwise,” he added.
On corruption, he said: “I know corruption cases against many, but I can’t do anything for lack of substantial evidences against them. Reports submitted by investigating agencies can’t sustain for lack of strong evidence.” He added that there was corruption in the Health Department and it was being checked now. When asked if he was pointing his accusing finger at his Cabinet colleague Dr Bhumidhar Barman, and if so, why he did not take action against him, Gogoi said: “No action can be taken without substantial evidences.”
Boro favours Mahanta’s return, but with a rider Goswami summons two rebel district committees By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Sept 20: With senior AGP leaders raising a rebellion against the party leadership, insisting on reunification of the fragmented regional forces, another prominent leader and former AASU president Probin Boro has favoured the return of former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta to the AGP if and when he is “acquitted of the charges against him”. Once known as a Mahanta bete noire, Boro was clearly indicating to the allegations that Mahanta had a role in the controversial “secret killings”.
“If the people of Asom wants so and if it can bolster regionalism in the State, there is no question of objecting to Mahanta’s comeback to the party,” Boro told reporters here.
The AGP spokesperson also stated that before the reunion, all the splinter groups and regional parties should reorganize themselves and arrive at a consensus on the objectives behind the unification. Also, he said, the parties should decide who will head the united force.
Meanwhile, taking a stern view of the rebellion raised by them, party chief Brindabon Goswami has summoned two of the six district committees who have been demanding his stepping down as the president.
The office-bearers of the Darrang district AGP committee have been asked to be present at the party headquarters at Ambari here on September 23, while the Goalpara district unit has been summoned on September 25.
On the recent statement of party MP Sarbananda Sonowal that AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya was always welcome to join the AGP, Goswami refused to comment saying Sonowal had not discussed the matter with him before making the statement. Other senior party leaders have said the matter had not been taken up at the party platform and it was a personal opinion of Sonowal.
On the other hand, a meeting of the nine-member coordination committee constituted by the AGP(P) today resolved to hold discussions with the AGP, TGP, ASDC and BPPF as part of its efforts to strengthen regionalism in the State. The meeting, chaired by Pasugopal Barua, formed four committees to communicate with the regional parties.