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09/26/2006: "Distortion of ‘right’ as ‘wrong’ nurtures fratricide- NSCN-K The Morung Express Dimapur"


Distortion of ‘right’ as ‘wrong’ nurtures fratricide- NSCN-K The Morung Express Dimapur, September 26 (MExN):

The NSCN-K asserted that the sharp division in the Naga society today is due to the distortion of “wrong” as “right” and has encouraged anti-Naga elements and furthered the fratricide in the state of Nagaland.
According to Y Wangtin Naga, Deputy Kilonser of Kilo Affairs: “What was right thousand of years ago is right even today and it will remain so even after thousand years; thus any attempt to distort this right will lead to its own doom; today, pitiably, our Naga society is sharply divided between ‘right’ and ‘anti-right’. This sharp division in our society not only encourages anti-elements but also nurture further fratricide among the Nagas”. It stated that “anti-right (anti-peace)” groups always portrayed the wrong as ‘right’ with the help of “self-centered” NGO leaders.
“From the beginning, the NSCN believed on peace as it is a pre-requisite before any standard of political dialogue with the GOI. But anti-right or anti-peace group supported by mad Naga NGOs stressed on the solution without peace among the Nagas who openly declared ‘peace and unification is not a must for solution.’ This group continues to hunt the Naga leaders. However, it will not shake the foundation of Naga sovereignty movement; what the NSCN stressed before and now i.e., peace, will be the ultimate for the Nagas” the Deputy Kilonser asserted. The NSCN-K also asked the NSCN-IM’s Chairman Isak and General Secretary Th Muivah to study the reason why the Naga people “dislike or derecognize their leadership”. “The funny thing is these two men can not move out an inch to the Naga territory other than Dimapur but continue to claim themselves to be the representatives of the Nagas” stated the Kilonser adding that the two are like exiled people who have no link with the Nagas. “They should also know that there was the Naga political movement even before they were born and this movement will continue even after the death of the present leaders, until sovereignty is achieved. Therefore, in no case Nagas will be subjected to the nefarious designs of these selfish leaders” Kilonser Naga stated while asserting that “no peace means no political dialogue with any government”. Whatever may be the role of the anti-Naga elements in dividing the Nagas, the people will be one and there will be only one political institution. Sooner or later, peace is unavoidable and we must have it, he added.
NBCC appeals for repeal of ‘Quit Notice’Church calls for ‘open and honest’ dialogue The Morung Express
Dimapur, Sept 26 (MExN): Rousing from its silence, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has appealed to “different groups” to revoke the ‘Quit Notice’ issued to the Tangkhul community for reasons that the action is only a “self-destructive weapon”. The Church, terming the notice as “short sighted” and “unchristian”, also appealed to the community in question to introspect “to see what have made other people enraged” and on this, appropriately respond.
“The ‘Quit Notice’ issued by different groups among the Nagas from time to time is unchristian and a self-destructive weapon; however genuine the reasons are, yet the nature of the order is short-sighted and does not reckon the long term dangers and complication” the NBCC reminded through Rev Zhabu Terhuja, General Secretary of the council. Mention may be made here that the NSCN-K and more recently, the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), had served quit notices to the aforementioned community, with the latter organization serving in Pfutsero.
The Church also reminded of the practicability of candid dialogue to sort out differences. “In a Christian society and a democratic culture, all differences and grievances can and must be sorted out by open and honest discussion where we are as ready to listen to the accusations of others as we are ready to accuse them” it stated as it cautioned on the long term dangers and complications that would arise from the action of serving ‘quit notices’.
The church also appealed to the community to introspect on the reasons ‘other people are enraged’. “In a time when there is a second appearance of quit notice, we implore upon our Tangkhul brothers to take a deep self-searching moment to see what have made other people enraged and appropriately respond. Quit Notices shall not bring the desired results for anybody. NBCC therefore, for the good of the whole Naga family in the name of the Lord Jesus, repeats its call for withdrawal of the notices”.
The FGN and Transit Peace Camp- Nagaland Post
When the Shillong Ac-cord of 1975 was signed between the GOI and the representatives of Underground Organisations, some people moved into the Transit Peace Camp and settled there. Unfortunately, this was the main reason for the split in the NNC/FGN and the emergence of NSCN in 1980.
During the past 26 years since partition, thousands and thousands of Nagas were killed by NSCN (IM) using Shillong Accord as the justification up to today. However, the NSCN (IM) never touches nor says a word against the Transit Peace Camp and the inmates. What do the Nagas think in this situation? The Transit, Peace Campers are living in luxury when true Naga National Workers are being killed on daily basis. The NNC/FGN is free of the Shillong Accord and its Transit Peace Camp. We ever stand and work for Naga Sovereignty. But it is a shame that the Transit Peace Campers continue to claim the authority of NNC/FGN up to date which confuses the Nagas and cause further rift among NNC/FGN workers.
From time to time they give out statements in the name of different persons belonging to different regions. Let them openly declare which regions in Nagaland support the Shillong Accord and Transit Peace Camp. When those Campers are not representatives of their own regions how can they claim national responsibility? Nagas must know this clearly. The Campers also must stop their manipulations which had spanned 31 years since 1975 creating confusion among the Nagas.
They must understand that true Nagas can speak and also do more than what these people claim to have done and go beyond what they claim to have reached and achieved. From now on let them understand that if they again use the name of the NNCIFGN, they shall be doing so at their own-risk.
Maj. Khamo Khiamniungan, 2/ic Operation Freedom. Federal Government of Nagaland.
NSCN-IM cautions on oil exploration Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Sept 26 (NPN): After the Government of Nagaland okayed oil exploration on commercial basis by the ONGC in the state, the NSCN (I-M) reiterated its earlier stand by cautioning against explorations from the soil of Nagaland "without prior authorization and approval by the appropriate authorities."
The directive issued by the NSCN (I-M) came a few days after the NSCN (K) issued a statement banning any proposed exploration of oil by the ONGC in Nagaland. Questioning the legality and appropriateness of the proposed exploration, the NSCN (I-M) in a press release issued by the MIP declared that no one would not be allowed to "exploit and use national wealth and properties belonging to the Nagas" without the prior approval and consent of the Nagas. The NSCN (I-M) release also questioned whether the 'company/companies' sought the "authentic authorization" from the proper and concerned legal authorities before "venturing into such an exploration".
It reasserted that no such undertaking would be allowed to take place unless the Nagas were informed about the terms and conditions including prior evaluation as to whether such activities will be for the benefit and welfare of the Nagas in general.
"Any such venture with corrupt practices and benefits for a few vested individuals (Indian state politicians) with the terms and conditions of contract in obscurity, behind closed doors, thus robbing the Nagas of our common property will be objected," the NSCN (I-M) cautioned. According to the NSCN (I-M), any authorization from the "appropriate authorities that legitimately represent the Nagas" would be issued and undertaking permitted "only after proper examination in not being cheated of our simplicity and ignorance and appropriate benefits availed impartially." The NSCN (I-M) has asked those multi-national companies willing to undertake such ventures on Naga soil to take "necessary legal permission" prior to engaging into any such venture.
Gogoi justifies govt’s action against ULFA Nagaland Post
New Delhi, Sept 26 (Agencies): With the Government of India firm in thwarting ULFA's strategy to use the ceasefire for consolidating its cadre, Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has justified the Centre's decision not to further extend the ceasefire as the government could not wait indefinitely for the militant outfit's reply on starting direct peace talks.
Interacting with media persons here, after coming from the Congress Chief Minister's conclave at Nainital here, he said ''According to the information available with the state government, the ULFA was, in fact, utilizing the time for recruitment of fresh cadres and thousands of youths have been inducted.''
Gogoi was also critical of the centre for not involving the Asom government in the decision with regard to offer of olive branch to the banned outfit and the suspension of the cease fire.
''The Centre was rather giving more attention towards the ULFA-nominated Peoples' Consultative Group (PCG) for the dialogue,'' Mr Gogoi said. The Chief Minister noted that the number of innocent people killed since the stepping in of the PCG in the peace talks had gone up to 86. Responding to a question whether he supported the army action against the ULFA, he said he was neither supporting them nor opposed it since he was not being informed of anything.
In reply to another question, Mr Gogoi said if he came to know that the ULFA leadership has responded to the Centre, expressing their willingness to initiate peace talks, he said his government would, on its own, initiate the process for the release of those five ULFA ultras imprisoned in jails in the state. Meanwhile, expressing its displeasure over the Government's decision to end its six-week-old truce with the ULFA, the CPI (M) today asked the Centre to extend the ceasefire for achieving a lasting peace in the trouble-torn Assam.
The Left party also disagreed with the Government view that peace had not been established as the violence continued unabated. Meanwhile, the ULFA has accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of launching a "false propaganda" against the group and blamed the Centre of adopting double standards on the issue of talks. The central government by showing "false interest in talks with ULFA managed to hold polls in Assam and then again staged a drama by suspending operations against us to ensure peaceful celebration of Independence Day," ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said in a statement e-mailed to the local media here last night. The Prime Minister himself launched a false propaganda against the ULFA at the Congress Chief Minister's conclave when he said that a section of the ULFA wanted talks while another did not want it, he said. "The government was trying to create division among the ULFA members and put the blame of Army operations on the outfit," Rajkhowa said. The government first declared a unilateral suspension of operations for a period of ten days and extended it to ensure peaceful celebration of Independence but has now "again resumed its atrocities on the people of Assam."
‘ULFA not interested in talks’
Guwahati, Sept 26 (PTI): An organisation of ULFA's family members has said that over 60 per cent of the youth here opined that the proscribed outfit was not interested in peace talks with the Centre. Assam Public Works, which launched a two-month signature campaign from today across Assam, said that the youth were also of the view that the government was making efforts to hold parleys. APW director Abhijeet Sarma told PTI that during the campaign, there was a target to collect over 20 lakh signatures on the ULFA-government peace process
After analysing data, it would be seen if ULFA or the government was guilty, he said. On the reported statement of Miliki Barua, mother of ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Barua, that "why should the ULFA agree for talks if they are called like ducks and hens," Sarma said, "The ULFA is certainly not foolish. It has instead become a fierce beast". As for imposition of tax by the outfit on Indians living in northeast region, he said there was no justification in asking the people to pay tax as they have to face a lot of problems like floods, poverty and unemployment.
Centre blamed for double standards By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Sept 25 – The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) today reacted to the resumption of operations and alleged that the Government of India was maintaining double standard on the issue of talks. In a statement released to the media today, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said that even the Prime Minister of India was involved in launching a false propaganda against the ULFA. Rajkhowa said that the Government of India, by showing false interest in talks with the ULFA, managed to hold the elections in Asom and then again it staged a drama of suspension of operations to ensure celebration of the Independence Day peacefully. The ULFA chairman said that the Government of India first declared a unilateral suspension of operations for a period of ten days and now after ensuring celebration of the Independence Day it again launched atrocities on the people of Asom. The ULFA does not want a cease-fire but it wants an end to the conflict, he asserted.

The ULFA chairman said that on one hand, the Government of India announced that it was keen on talks, but on the other hand, it imposed pre-conditions for the ULFA. He said that the pre-conditions imposed by the Government of India are not acceptable to the ULFA and the people of Asom are now aware of the double standards of the Government. Of late, the Prime Minister of India himself launched a false propaganda against the ULFA when he said in the Congress Chief Ministers’ conclave that a section of the ULFA wanted talks and the other did not. The Government was trying to create division among the ULFA members and to put the blame of the Army operations on the ULFA, said Rajkhowa. Rajkhowa alleged that the Government of India was never interested in the well being of the people of Asom and the recent decision on setting up of hydropower projects is one such example as the Government did not consider the sufferings that the people of Asom would face due to the setting up of the projects. If the people of Asom oppose the setting up of the power projects, the Government of India would instigate the people of Arunachal Pradesh against the Assamese people, he alleged. Meanwhile, the people’s committee for peace initiatives in Assam (PCPIA) has decided to launch a movement against the decision of the Government of India to resume Army operations against the ULFA.

Chief Coordinator of the PCPIA, Dilip Patgiri said that members of the constituents of the committee would stage demonstration in public places in the state tomorrow in protest against the decision of the Government. He said that the decision to resume the operations would vitiate the atmosphere in the state and affect the peace process. He said that the Government should have taken advantage of the congenial atmosphere created in the state to hold direct talks with the ULFA. Patgiri, who is also a member of the people’s consultative group (PCG) , however, expressed the hope that the peace process would continue. He said that the issue of release of five jailed central committee members of the ULFA held up the peace process and the Government lost a golden opportunity to bring the ULFA to the negotiation table.

Army keeping lifelines of Manipur open From Sobhapati Samom Assam Tribune
LEIMAKHONG, Sept 25 – Major General EK Kochekkan, General Officer Commanding of 57 Mountain Division based here, said that with the assistance of Army the two lifelines of Manipur – NH 53 and NH 150 – have been developed after clearing the route from militants.
Eartlier, NH 53 was under the control of various underground groups operating in Manipur.
He added not only the rebel groups belonging to Kuki tribes are having ceasefire with the army, armed muslim communities have also signed a similar truce.
“Our effort is to bring the militant groups to have a dialogue with the government”, the Commander informed. The Kuki rebel groups which have understanding with the Army are Kuki National Assembly, Kuki National Front (Military Council), Kuki National Front (Zougam), Zomi Democratic Union, Zomi People’s Front, United Socialist Revolutionary Army under the common body Kuki National Organisation.

Similarly, Kuki Revolutionary Army, United Kuki Liberation Front, Kuki National Front (Samuel), Zomi Revolutionary Army, Kuki National Front (President), Kuki Liberation Army, Hmar People’s Convention (D) which formed its umbrella organization called United People’s Front also have an understanding with the Army.

The Major General ruled out a joint flushing out operation with its Myanmar counterpart along the international border. However, the army is sharing intelligence inputs on the movement of the insurgents operating in India’s North Eastern states as well as those pro-democracy activists of Myanmar following the induction of an army division in Manipur in April 2004. He also reiterated that India had submitted a list of 15 camps belonging to various militant outfits of North East to its Myanmarese counterpart in the recently concluded Home Secretary level talk at New Delhi.

Gogoi asks ULFA to come for talks From Our Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Sept 25 – A day after the Centre formally called off the suspension of operations against ULFA, Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi made a fervent appeal to the militant outfit to shun violence and extortion and come for talks. Giving his first reactions to the latest development, an unfazed Chief Minister made it clear though it may be a set back, it was not the end of the peace process. In the same breath, he made it clear that the Government of India wanted the letter from ULFA. “Let them give some sort of writing,” he said.

The Chief Minister’s message to ULFA: shun violence and come for settlement. Gogoi who has just returned from Nainital this morning, after taking part in the Congress Chief Minister’s conference, said that till date the Government has not received any positive signal. “I don’t think they are serious about talks as on today,” he said. The Chief Minister also questioned ULFA’s action of indulging in violence, extortion and recruitments. “I want to tell ULFA: you are not serving the interest of Asom by indulging in violence,” he said.

They have pushed the State to economic backwardness and if the situation had been allowed to continue, it would have led to more harsh days in the future, he said. “How can they justify killing of innocent civilians. What is the need for it in a democracy,” an upset Gogoi asked, addressing a press conference. After suspension of operation by the Centre, lot of people informed us about the rise in extortions. Insecurity in the State had increased. It is the duty of the Government to give full protection,” he said. The Chief Minister slammed the Outfit for indulging in rampant extortions. ULFA has no right to impose taxes, he said.

The Chief Minister had also cast a doubt on the capability of the Peoples Consultative Group (PCG), claiming that violence in the State increased after its constitution. Armed with figures, the Chief Minister pointed out that during the period of August 2005-2006, the number of killing of civilians increased to 84 from 64, and killing of security forces jumped from 05 to 60. On the other hand, killing of insurgents went down to 29 from 53, he said.

Interestingly, he was not prepared to burn his bridges with PCG, stating they still have a role to play in the peace process. “Our efforts would continue to bring them to the negotiations,” he said.
Lauding PCG’s initiative, he said their initiative was not futile and the peace process was a good beginning. “I am still optimistic and would continue to cooperate,” he assured. When asked about the demand for release of the five central committee members, Gogoi said that the moment the Outfit gave the letter, things would move forward.

Gogoi further said that he was not prepared to buy the argument that ULFA cannot take any major decision without the approval of the central committee members. “They have been taking important decisions. What about the decision to appoint PCG,” he argued. The Chief Minister hinted that he might consider a safe passage for the ULFA leaders to hold discussions with the jailed leaders in the State. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister today said that the people of the State were not going to excuse the government if it failed to deliver in the next five years.

Gogoi was referring to the discussions at the Chief Minister’s conclave. Asom, in fact was among the few Congress ruled State, which has slipped in implementation of all major development schemes including drinking water projects. This was reflected in the Prime Minister’s address at the Conclave. The Chief Minister admitted as much and said that not only drinking water, everything else were also in a bad shape. He claimed that he had himself brought out the drawbacks. He then went on to highlight his presentations at the Nainital Conference. He said maximum emphasis was going to be on building roads and bridges.

Insurgency in Asom : no solution in sight — R Dutta Choudhury Assam Tribune
The Government of India has initiated the process of political dialogues with different militant groups based in the North East region of the country starting from the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (I-M) but in the last few years, the progress of the talks has not been too satisfactory and there have been hitches on the way because of reasons like rigid stand from both sides and also because of the failure on the part of the Government to spell out in clear terms up to what extend the demands of the militant groups can be conceded to. In the last few years, the only success story in finding a political solution to the problems raised by the militant groups was with the Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT), which was once considered to be one of the most dreaded of the militant groups of Asom in terms of level of violence, but it was easier for the Government to deal with the BLT in the negotiation table as the outfit had never demanded secession from the country like most other outfits.

The talks with the NSCN (I-M) have been going on for more than a decade now without any solution in sight and the demand of the outfit for inclusion of the Naga inhabited areas in the proposed greater Nagalim is a major stumbling block as the Governments of the neighbouring states will never be able to accept such a demand and the Government of India will also never be able to impose the same on the other states. In fact, Manipur witnessed violent protests against the demand of the NSCN, while, the Government of Asom also spelled out in clear terms that not even an inch of the State’s land would be allowed to be included in greater Nagalim. In fact, the progress of the talks, that has been going on for years, has not been spelled out in clear terms by both the NSCN or the Government of India and the outfit has not declared publicly whether it has given up the demand for sovereign Nagalim. It is also a fact that signing of a pact with only the NSCN(I-M) will not solve the Naga political problem and though a cease-fire pact has also been signed by the Government with the NSCN(K), formal talks with the group I yet to begin and for a permanent and long lasting solution to the Naga political problem, a comprehensive solution involving both the groups is a must. Of course, signing of cease-fire pact with both the factions of the NSCN has brought down the level of violence in Nagaland o a great extent barring a few incidents of skirmishes between the members of both the factions of the NSCN.

Asom started facing the problem of insurgency since the formation of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) on Apil 7, 1979 an after more than 15 years of military operations against the outfit, it is now very clear that the problem cannot be solved through use of force. In fact, senior Army officials also admitted at various levels that a political solution to the problem is a must and the Army and other forces can only bring down the level of violence. Over the years, attempts were made to bring the ULFA to the negotiation table and in the early 1990s, a few senior leaders of the ULFA were taken to New Delhi for preliminary talks with the Central Government, following which the ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia, who was arrested in Kolkata, was released so that he could go back to hold discussion with his colleagues on the issue of talks with the Government. Unfortunately, the move failed as Chetia never returned to India after his release from prison and the others, who were also taken to Delhi, were forced to surrender. In between the ULFA suffered serious set backs the most notable among which was the operation by the Bhutan Army to evict the camps of the outfit in the Himalayan kingdom. But all through the outfit maintained rigid stand on the issue of talks with the Government and it maintained that the talks must be held on the issue of sovereignty of Asom , in presence of representatives of the United Nations and in a “third country”

However, some positive signs started emerging from last year with the outfit starting to soften its stand on the issue of talks with the Government of India and with noted litterateur Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami taking the lead in this regard, there were high hopes of the ULFA coming to the negotiation table for a political solution o the problem. In September last year, the ULFA constituted the people’s consultative group (PCG) to hold initial parleys with the Government of India to pave the way for direct talks and the Government of India also showed its positive gesture as the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh himself attended the first meeting with the PCG and declared that the Government was ready to discuss all issues concerning the people of Asom. That was perhaps for the first time that the Prime Minister of India attended an initial meeting with a team of citizens formed by a militant group as it is a normal practice to start such talks only at the official level and only in the later part, the political leaders come into the picture. The Government of India and the PCG held two more rounds of talks and the last round was held on June 22 this year in presence of the Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil. However, the process to bring the ULFA seems to be deadlocked with the demand of the outfit to release five of its jailed central committee leaders including the vice chairman Pradeep Gogoi, while, on the other hand, the Government is insisting on a formal written assurance from the outfit for the release of the prisoners. The ULFA is claiming that the release of the jailed leaders is necessary for the outfit to hold its central committee meeting to take vital decisions regarding talks with the Government. The outfit also asserted that it would be able to take further decisions on talks only after the release of the jailed leaders. But with a bitter experience of releasing Anup Chetia, the Government is in no mood to release the jailed militant leaders without receiving a written communication from the outfit and the entire peace process seems deadlocked on this issue. The PCG, on its part, wrote to the Prime Minister seeking his intervention to break the deadlock and now it remains to be seen whether the Government and the ULFA relent their rigid stand to carry forward the peace process.

Of course, the Government of India, in a positive gesture, suspended the Army operations against the ULFA with effect from the afternoon of August 13 in order to create a congenial atmosphere for talks, while, on the other hand, the ULFA also reciprocated positively and refrained from indulging in any kind of violence and for the first time in years, the Independence Day celebrations in the state passed off peacefully, which is a very positive sign.However, following reports of extortions by the militant group in different parts of the State and the killing of a tea estate manager and a police man, the Government of India withdrew the suspension of operations on September 24 after a period of 42 days, which once again threatens to derail the process.

The process of talks with the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) also seems to be deadlocked. More than a year has passed since the outfit signed a formal cease-fire pact with the Government of India, but the political talks are yet to start and both the Government and the NDFB are blaming each other for the unusual delay. In fact, the NDFB declared a unilateral cease-fire to express its desire to come for talks , which later led to the signing of the formal cease-fire agreement. The Government is claiming that the failure on the part of the NDFB to submit its charter of demands despite repeated requests delayed the whole process, while, on the other hand, the NDFB is claiming that it was possible to start preliminary talks without submission of he formal charter of demands. Of course, the NDFB general secretary Govinda Basumatary recently admitted that though the outfit prepared it charter of demands following consultations with various Bodo groups and organizations, it could not hold its central committee meeting to give final touches to it because of some communication problem among its leaders. The NDFB has been demanding liberation of Boroland and with the Bodoland Territorial Council(BTC) formed after the signing of the peace pact with the BLT only a couple of years back, the Government should make its stand clear as to what it can offer to the NDFB. Both the Government and the NDFB should also realize the fact that only signing of a cease-fire pact and extending its term will not help in solving the problem and sooner the political talks start is better for the state. One hopes that the NDFB will submit its charter of demands as soon as possible to set the ball rolling. The process of talks with the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) and the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) is also not progressing satisfactorily and both the outfits have time and again expressed their displeasure in this regard. The UPDS recently announced its decision to suspend the talks with the Government terming the talks with the Government officials as “useless exercise” and last year, bloody clashes between the armed members of the groups led to the death of more than a hundred persons in the hill district of Karbi Anglong. Both the UPDS and the DHD are demanding separate states for Karbi and Dimasa people respectively and the Government already ruled out the possibility of further bifurcation of Asom. Now the Central and the State Governments should sit together and formulate a policy for the solution of the problems and inform the groups in clear terms what they can be offered instead of lingering the process of talks as any further delay in settling the problems may lead to complications and the possibility of clashes like the one in Karbi Anglong last year cannot be ruled out.

Independence is the first priority : RPF chief –III By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Sep 26 : Explaining RPF's stand and philosophy, Chaoren admitted that some actions of the RPF and the PLA have caused death and grievous injuries to the people. But there were no deliberate targeting of people, said the statement and added that such instances happened because of mistakes or carelessness.
For any such acts, RPF has been admitting and apologising to the people, said the statement and added that in contrast , the Indian army has not admitted or apologised for the various killings and atrocities perpetrated against people in the name of fighting the revolutionaries. This shows that they believe in terrorism, said the statement and added that people should be aware of the policies and agenda of the Indian Government.
At the moment, the Indian army has unleashed a propaganda to drive a wedge between the revolutionaries and the people, said the RPF leader. Using all their force the Indian army is spreading the canard that the revolutiona- ries are responsible for the lack of peace in the region, said the statement.
To forward this agenda, the Army Development Group has launched Operation Good Samaritan to hoodwink the people by taking up pretentious projects, claimed Chaoren.
Instead of trying to understand what has caused the revolution and who is responsible, India is trying to blame the revolutionaries, said the outfit and added that they are also trying to cover up their wrongs. Therefore people need to understand and not believe their conceit and pretensions to affect the relationship between the revolutionaries and the public.
The subjugation of Manipur and appointing themselves as the custodians is not only against the wishes of the people but is also obsolete and anachronistic.
The Indian rule in Manipur violates the Declaration of the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples adopted by the UN Assembly on December 14, 1960 and contradicts the submission for the abolition of colonialism in the world made by their own representative in the UN Assembly on November 10, 1991.
Thus India has been violating international norms by continuing their rule in Manipur, said the rebel leader and added that the pretensions of the Indian Government cannot last long.
One day or the other the true character of the Indian Government will emerge, said the statement and urged the people to be prepared for this in advance.
The present State Govt is unable to do anything in the situation because they are puppets of India and thus the people have no reason to regard it as their true representative, he added.

ULFA accuses PM of launching canard Sangai Express
Guwahati, Sep 26 : The ULFA has accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of launching a “false propaganda” against the group and blamed the Centre of adopting double standards on the issue of talks. The Central Government by showing “false interest in talks with ULFA managed to hold polls in Assam and then again staged a drama by suspending operations against us to ensure peaceful celebration of Independence Day,” ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa said in a statement e-mailed to the local media here last night. The Prime Minister himself launched a false propaganda against the ULFA at the Congress Chief Minister’s conclave when he said that a section of the ULFA wanted talks while another did not want it, he said. “The Government was trying to create division among the ULFA members and put the blame of Army operations on the outfit,” Rajkhowa said. The Government first declared a unilateral suspension of operations for a period of ten days and extended it to ensure peaceful celebration of Independence but has now “again resumed its atrocities on the people of Assam.”
“The ULFA does not want cease-fire but wants an end to the conflict. On the one hand, the Centre announces cease-fire but on the other hand, imposes pre-conditions for the ULFA which are not acceptable and people of Assam have also realised the double standards of the Government,” he added. Meanwhile, sit-in protests were organised across the State today by the People’s Committee for Peace Initiative in Assam (PCPIA), which demanded a halt to the renewed army offensive against the ULFA, release of five jailed leaders and immediate direct talks with the Centre. Lachit Bordoloi, PCPIA leader and a member of the ULFA-nominated People’s Consultative Group, threatened a “public protest movement” would be launched if the army operations were not stopped and the peace process resumed. “After the Durga Puja, the PCPIA, a grouping of 27 organisations, will go for a continuous movement in support of the demands as all sections of people in Assam want the peace process to go forward,” Bordoloi told PTI.
“The Government has to pay heed to the people’s opinion for political negotiation to solve the ULFA issue. The Government can’t have a truce for just 10-15 days. Relying again on the army will destroy the peace process, Relying again on the army will destroy the peace process,” he said.
“That the army is not a solution in the north east has been proven time and again. The government has to find a political solution for lasting peace.”
On ULFA’s demand for sovereignty for Assam, he said, “Sovereignty is not a condition for the talks but a necessity to the discussion. During our meetings the Centre had agreed to it.”
About Centre’s insistence on a letter from ULFA on holding direct talks, Bordoloi said, “This demand for a letter was raised later. If the Centre wanted a guarantee or surety from ULFA then it should have raised it before the PCG instead of going to the media.
“We are still very optimistic about the peace talks as we understand the people’s backing for a political negotiation,” he added. —PTI

Winds of Change :Can New Delhi trust Burmese Juntas? Oken Jeet Sandham Kangla On Line
India and Burma have completely different political ideologies. The former is ruled by democracy while the latter by military. Since Indian attained her independence in 1947, there had been no major political crises except a State of Emergency declared during Indira Gandhi regime in 1975. The people of this country had sharply reacted against the act which in fact led her party to face unprecedented electoral debacle in the coming general election. On the other hand, Myanmar has been experiencing the military dictatorship that has earned dubious distinction for rejecting the democratically elected leaders to run the Government and for keeping the country`s democratic icon, Aung San Su Kyi, under house arrest till today. But the world communities were taken aback when India decided to work with the military regime.

The amount of suffer the people of northeast, however, have due to the cross-border militancy and drug trafficking is enormous. And it is so complicated that New Delhi simply cannot tackle without the assistance of her counterpart. The northeast states are sharing 1643 kilometer-long borders with military-ruled Myanmar and over 95 per cent of area is covered with dense forest and rivers, giving safe haven for those cross-border militants and drug smugglers.

Of late, there has been mounting pressure from New Delhi to the Burmese military ruler to crack down the northeast militant camps in its soil. For quite some time, New Delhi was unhappy the manner in which Yangon allowed northeast insurgents to use its soil to launch anti-India activities, while realizing that its isolation of Yangon also created huge diplomatic vacuum which was being filled by China. That has become a disadvantageous for New Delhi .

Over the years, New Delhi changed its policy towards Yangon and started investing millions of dollars for various developments like road construction and even for Kachin region. Reciprocating such gestures, Yangon cracked down northeast militants including NSCN (K). In the last 7 years or so, Myanmar juntas had launched intermittent operations against the northeast insurgents staying in their soil.

But how far the military regime can be trusted to be partners in their fight against these two most important issues---the cross-border militancy and drug trafficking. Because there are allegations that Myanmar army personnel have been involved in running the drug manufacturing and trading in connivance with the drug lords. According to papers presented by the international resource persons during an Asian Media Meet in Delhi , the Myanmar army has provided poppy seeds and loans to the farmers with the permission to grow them. The Military regime has even ordered militia to collect opium tax for battalion and also authorizing them as official drug buying agents.

There have also been reports that Myanmar army has nexus with the insurgents and even released cadres of the northeast militants after receiving a huge bribe.

In the backdrop of this, it is difficult to imagine how the armies of the two countries having sharp differences in the command, functioning and system will be able to jointly address the issues. Where is the logic that the Indian army can work with the cooperation with their counterpart who is creators of the problems? At the same time, we should not expect that Myanmar could do Bhutan way. The country is too big to dance in New Delhi `s tune.

New Delhi should rather work hard to develop a roadmap of democracy for Myanmar , no matter how long it takes. The world leaders have confidence that India can do a lot for restoring democracy in the military-ruled nation. Once the democracy is restored, the country will shine and bring major changes in the whole of Asia, while India `s major problem will also be solved.
NGO seeks opinion of 20 lakh Assamese on peace talks By ANI
Guwahati, Sept. 26 (ANI): Assam Public Work (APW), an NGO, launched a signature campaign here on Tuesday to restore the peace process in Assam. APW, which is known for its anti-United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) stance, plans to seek public opinion from across the State and ascertain whether it is the Government or the ULFA that is not ready to sit for the peace talks.
"We will try to collect 20 lakh signatures from the people of Assam. We will find out the views of the people. If we find out that the Government is not interested in the talks then we will fight against the Government but if people say ULFA is not interested in talks then people will fight against them. But, after two months we will give you the whole view," said Abhijeet Sharma, Director, Assam Public Works, NGO. Meanwhile, the People Committee for Peace Initiative of Assam (PCPIA), an umbrella body of 22 different organisations of the State, staged a demonstration, demanding immediate withdrawal of the Army operation against ULFA and release of five ULFA leaders as demanded by the outfit to pave way for the peace talks.
MASS, a human rights organisation in Assam, President and member of People's Consultative Group (PCG) Lachit Bordoloi said: "The Central Government is totally responsible for the collapse of peace process because, the Centre resolved few things during the discussions with PCG which it later broke". The Centre withdrew its ceasefire with ULFA on Sunday. (ANI)
Questioning ideology and vision,Recommending measures and calling for Unity By: NISC
The Naga International Support Center , NISC congratulates the K-Group who next to their more supreme and serious attitude has developed a sense of humor too. NISC is so much impressed with their way of words we would like to declare them the comedians of the Nagas. Their road show now moving at full speed finds audiences who cannot stop smiling and laughing. For a resistance Army which bases its stand on the wish of the people as their representatives is a novelty. Especially the K-group portrayed the NISC as the Neo International Satanic Centre (NISC), we felt confirmed in our perception that we were seeing a team of comedians of high caliber.

How could the K-Group develop such natural sense of expressive humor?

Lately the Tanghkul, the NSCN-IM and all seen as supporters of both the mentioned tribe and the only Naga organization have been attacked beyond belief. What dearly lacked this vindictive mudslinging and slandering is vision.

Should those who are active in mudslinging not have a vision for the future, the NISC, itself a target by the Khaplang group and the Naga National Council, NNC, asks?

NISC suggests that this vision should include the Naga principle as has been put to the people in 1951 by the plebiscite. No one doubts what the Nagas then decided and all essentially abide by that. Of course lots of things happened since then. However to uphold the right of the Nagas to self determination all who claim the power base, have to abide by the will of the Nagas. Anyone, any organization indulging in slandering and unsubstantiated mud slinging distances itself from the very people it claims to represent.

Nagaland is occupied by Indian Forces. From the onset of the conflict, it has been a conflict between India and Nagaland. Who stepped forward, not just to tell, but to take responsibility on what is in the best interest of the Nagas?

Rather than coming together as one the past has shown that Nagas are just like people. Some are prone to selfishness, others to a sense of power and some are susceptible to influences of those who have occupied them, either by force and thus creating fear or by funds so as to create an atmosphere of dependence. The longer the Nagas are occupied the more people are becoming susceptible to these outside forces. They feel it is impossible to attain what many people before them have sacrificed their lives for.

Why fighting amongst each other? Why stating who is Naga and who is not Naga? Why now? All leaders of all Naga armed organizations whether they are genuinely fighting for a Nagaland which people can determine their own future as was communicated to the British Simon Commission 1929, were once full fledged members of the NNC. All then underlined the plebiscite and since there is no other credible mandate from the people of Nagaland, all should adhere to the wish to be free. At the time of the NNC being the undisputed representative of the Naga peoples there was no dispute on whom Naga is and who is not. The dispute on the right to self determination only began when the NNC began to implement the Shillong Meet/Accord which on technical grounds it denies was an Accord, but was implemented through the disarmament and arrest of Naga soldiers and the foundation of Peace Camps, one still existing today. Many wounds have been left unaddressed and fester on. The people concerned, both responsible for defending an Accord which when taken seriously would have delivered the Nagas to India . After all, the Indian Constitution was adopted. This old pain, a pain which led to strong reactions culminating in ruthless murders, action reaction principle, attack and defense, led to the formation of the NSCN. Mr. Khaplang was part of the NSCN but 8 years after its formation, intervention by those with vested interests and aided by the Indian Armed Forces and/or Assam Rifles, rebelled against the very leadership he was part. Khaplang attacked the leadership of the NSCN now called IM – Isak Muivah. Seen in this light a Quit notice on a tribe smells not like vindictiveness but has all the makings of a personal vendetta. More so now that the NNC joined forces with the Khaplang group with the aim to regain the representation of the Naga Peoples it once had. This is why it condemns the NSCN and works hand in hand with the Khaplang group in turn supported by the Government of India, directly or indirectly.

Who are the real Nagas, we dare ask both the Khaplang group and the NNC? To disqualify Muivah and Swu for holding Indian passports seems ludicrous too. Does Adinno hold an Indian, Naga or British passport? Is she a British or Indian citizen? Is Eastern Nagaland Burmese? With what passport do the Kaphlang people travel when outside India , like when he attended a meeting of the Human Rights Commission in Geneva , Switzerland ?

Is the Naga International Support Center to believe that serving Quit notices and warning letters to individuals, tribes and organizations are part and parcel of the policy to save the Naga Nation? As also other Naga tribes only later than 1929 or 1964 joined the national movement in full, why only singling out the Tanghul? Please K-Group explain that to the international support agencies!

Perhaps both the K group and the NNC do not yet realize that International Support Organizations do support the Naga cause. They do not support any personal interests or any parties indulging in slander, hearsay or mudslinging. Instead of using suggestive gutter language through firing pot shots via the press, the Naga International Support Center, NISC, calls on the leadership of the NNC and the K-group to make themselves accessible for a real dialogue on the basis of policy on the basis of ideology of the right to self determination and to make the goals public which lead there. NISC invites the K-Group especially to show its intentions to the Naga Peoples it represents and for which it is fighting to reach these goals and ask to come up with a Manifesto, or at least an accountable policy. Do both want to save Nagaland for future generations, is the question? It is questionable because what both are doing now looks like they play in the hand of the adversaries, the invaders. Continuing like this makes the NNC and K-group look like tools. Continuing this strategy leads to disintegration of Nagaland.

No sensible Naga who knows the right to self determination wants that to happen. Too many Nagas have given their lives to uphold that right against the invaders. To continue attacking on this scale, the Naga National Principle will be forfeited .The Naga International Support Center firmly advocates the right of all Nagas to determine their own future as a nation. In order to resolve deep routed differences the Naga International Support Center proposes and recommends

- the set up an impartial Tribunal through which all allegations are to be processed. An impartial investigative body will examine the allegations, check them for validity and historical value, calls witnesses to hear first hand and concludes with public hearings to come to binding verdicts.

- a national dialogue on the basis of the Naga national principle based on Naga plebiscite, where the Nagas showed they wanted to be a sovereign Nation. This dialogue is being organized on the basis of having the best interest of all Nagas at heart. To avoid personal or other vested interests from creeping in, which are dealt with by the Tribunal, all participants of all those who represent the Naga Peoples are to show what they stand for and through what means they are envisioned to achieve those goals. This national dialogue is being organized with the aim to reconcile once and for all, to come together as one nation.
- to stop disruptive mudslinging, name calling, lowering of standards, singling out tribes to serve them with a quit notices, but to come up with documented proof of allegations so due process on the basis of checks and balances, fairness and democratic principles will mean justice for all.

If you do want to do this NISC will see you as expert comedians who intend to keep the Naga Society on its toes so that in the end democracy and respect for each other will prevail?

To be continued


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