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10/15/2006: "Kalam concerned about Nagas: Kannan Staff Reporter Nagaland Post"

Kalam concerned about Nagas: Kannan Staff Reporter Nagaland Post

DIMAPUR, Oct 14 (NPN): Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University (NU), Prof. K Kannan today revealed that President Abdul Kalam was concerned about Naga people as well as the HIV/AIDS scenario in the state. Prof. Kannan also said that during a recent meeting with the President after he took over as the vice chancellor of NU, Kalam had expressed his desire to have a Naga choir perform at the Rashtrapati Bhavan this Christmas. The VC was addressing the 15th freshers day function of Pranabananda Women's College as the chief guest.
Conveying his vision to transform the university into a "fountain of growth" for the state, Kannan said there was so much works to be done to make the state develop into a unique model for the world to follow. Toward this end, Kannan emphasized on the need to address four areas of connectivity- physical, electronic, knowledge and market.
Expressing reservation over the trend of Naga students migrating to Pune, Delhi and other cities for higher studies, the VC felt future politicians should be from NU so that they would understand the problems of the state better and address them accordingly. Kannan confessed he liked Nagas and their beautiful society, which, he said was casteless and liberated. Informing NU would commence its Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Management next year, the VC said he wished to introduce a centre of music so that the music of the Nagas could be groomed and get the publicity it deserved. He also made mention of Muhammad Yunus who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in helping women in overcoming poverty through a system of small-scale loan.
Summing up his speech, Kannan said "I will not work for you and you will not work for me, but I will work with you and you will work with me."
Earlier, the chief guest garlanded the statue of Acharya Swami Pranabanandajee Maharaj and lighted Pradip. He also inaugurated the wall magazine of the college and the exhibition of handicraft. Others who spoke on the occasion included chairperson DMC and guest of honour Tovihoto Ayemi and Naga Council president Savi Liegise. The college students presented folk songs and dances.
Nagaland demands more representation Delimitation only after seat increase, says Wangyuh The Morung Express
Dimapur, Oct 14 (MExN): Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland W Wangyuh Konyak demanded that state assembly seats be increased before delimitation is implemented. He made it clear that without increasing the seats in the state assembly, implementing 33% seat-reservation will not be acceptable by the people of Nagaland, because “in the Naga society even without reservation, any woman can contest from any constituency if there is a winning chance.”
Wangyuh was attending the all-party meeting on delimitation convened by the Centre on October 13 where he stated that the question of delimitation does not arise in the case of Nagaland until Lok Sabha and assembly seats are increased.
If the centre so desired to implement the delimitation Act 2002 in Nagaland, seats should first be increased and the undertake the delimitation exercise. Otherwise it would have no meaning “except creation of misunderstanding amongst the people since Nagaland has lone Lok Sabha MP”, a bulletin quoted the MP as asserting.
He further stated that even population criteria are implemented selectively. Nagaland has got special privileges under the Constitution under Article 371 (A). “However we find that even the ordinary protection of equality before the law and equal protection of laws as enshrined in Article 14 of the constitution is denied to us.
The existing balance and harmony amongst the tribals who constitute more than 90% of the population will be disturbed by the present policy. The only remedy available is to increase the number of seats of Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha and Assembly and distribute the seats according to population of 2001 census” he stated.

Wangyuh also mentioned in the meeting that he had moved a bill in the Lok Sabha to exempt Nagaland from the Act, which is now pending in the Law Ministry. He also said that Nagaland is home to various Naga tribes each with their own distinct traditional boundaries on the basis of which the existing district and assembly constituency boundaries were largely demarcated. In view of these factors, a fresh delimitation exercise involving transfer of seats from one tribal district to another will be a complicated and sensitive exercise, he sad.
Try harder for peace in Nagaland, Centre urged
P. Sunderarajan Interim solution must be found: Neiphiu Rio

• Centre should clearly define "look east" policy
• Specific policy needed for IT development
• Better connectivity with rest of country needed
DIMAPUR: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday called upon the Central Government to make greater efforts to ensure that the peace talks with Naga insurgents reaches its logical conclusion at the earliest, bringing permanent peace.
"The people of the State are getting frustrated that the peace talks with the NSCN (National Socialist Council of Nagaland) are still going on. There is a need for greater commitment from the Centre to the peace process. There is need for at least some interim solution at the earliest. It can then be built on for a final solution over a period of time."
He was speaking to journalists after participating in a function here where Union Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal announced a series of measures for the development of Nagaland.
Path of non-violence Asked about the recent developments over the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, Mr. Rio said the legislation needed to be scrapped. "The Act is not good. In a democracy, none can have powers to shoot or arrest people without warrants."
On the efforts to step up the agitation against the legislation by groups in Manipur and Nagaland, he said it would be good if they followed the path of non-violence. "This is the country of Mahatma Gandhi. He has taught us the virtues of non-violence to fight for our rights."
Earlier, speaking at the function, he urged the Centre to define "properly" its "look east" policy. "The look east policy of the Government of India has been on the anvil for a number of years now. We are, however, disappointed that this has not yet been properly defined and, therefore, we are not sure what it really means. Whether it means that India will look towards the economies of Southeast Asia, China and Japan etc., or that India will look towards its own eastern frontiers and build it up to be the springboard for its economic interface with economies of East Asia."
An ideal vehicle He also emphasised the need for a specific policy for development of information technology, both hardware and software, in the northeast. This, he said, can be built on the relative strengths of the region such as its very high literacy rate, wide knowledge of English and its cool and clean environment. "IT, which is a low volume and high value industry, would be an ideal vehicle to carry forward the development of the region."
In addition, Mr. Rio urged the Centre to set up laboratories to test the economic viability of the region's biodiversity. The region should also be helped to face various natural calamities, particularly as it was prone to earthquakes, landslips and floods.
Nagaland needed a well-equipped seismic station and a doppler radar system for better weather forecasts. They would be useful not only for Nagaland, but for the entire region. "Such a state-of-the-art [doppler radar] facility in Nagaland will be a true statement of the `look east' policy of the country," Mr. Rio said. He called for extending the latest development in communication technology to the region.
Ceasefire with Myanmar Eastern Naga Students’ petition UGs on ‘impending situation’ Morung Express News Dimapur
Expressing concern over the possibility of an ‘impending situation in Eastern Nagaland’, the Naga students’ from this region has petitioned the ‘Naga Nationalist’ to enter into ceasefire with the Myanmarese Junta government. “The untold sufferings of the Eastern Naga brethren are more than enough. Therefore, we want to live in peace like other Naga brothers. We wonder as why we don’t deserve it, when other Naga brothers are living in peace?” General Secretary of Eastern Naga Students’ Association (ENSA) Y. Khomong Khiamniungan stated in a press communiqué received here.
The ENSA stated that this was the right time for Naga leaders to show their concern towards the Eastern Naga brothers and questioned the logic behind keeping Eastern Nagaland a battle field and the other part of Nagaland to enjoy peace. “Let us be one and only one”, ENSA stated and urgently called upon the Naga leaders to view the matter seriously.
“We strongly believe as not wrong when we say we want to live in peace. But the matter is with Naga leaders as where they want us to be”.
The ENSA also urged all factions to refrain from what it termed as the ‘killing competition’. “Nagas have suffered enough in the hands of our enemies for decades. So let us not torture ourselves. It is high time to realize as meaningless sacrifice, when a person lost his life in the hands of our own brother as a hero. We urge all Naga nationalists to pause from the path of violence and listen to the plea of their parents, brothers and sisters of the land”, the ENSA stated in its appeal.
Nagas gear up for polls; UNC calls for conclave Newmai News Network
With the Manipur Legislative Assembly election just three/four months away, hectic preparations and mobilizations have begun and the general public are now in the election mood in the hill districts of Manipur as well. Majority of the intending candidates are in the age group of 30 years to 45 years. Maximum intending candidates are witnessed this time compared to any other past assembly elections in Manipur hill districts if the current trend is to be observed.
Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) has requested all the Naga tribes’ presidents to intimate/inform all the aspiring candidates of the forthcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly election to participate in a joint meeting to be held on October 21 at Tahamzam (Senapati). The meeting will begin at 11 am on the day, according to the UNC statement.
UNC General Secretary Azang Longmei in a statement issued to Newmai News Network today said that prior to the joint meeting with the aspiring candidates; there will be a special session of the United Naga Council on October 20 at Tahamzam (Senapati) which also begins from eleven o’clock in the morning. The UNC while informing to its constituent units about the programme, has requested all the Naga tribes’ presidents, All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM) and NPMHR along with three executive members each of their respective body to attend the said special session without fail.
Patkai students ‘peace-walk’ for peace-starved Nagaland Our Correspondent
The Morung Express
Seventy students from Patkai Christian College ‘Peace-walked’ today to proclaim the message of peace in the state.
The Students Union of Patkai Christian College (SUPCC) undertook a “peace walk” from Kohima to Patkai, which was flagged off by NBCC’s Peace Affairs Director Rev. L. Kari Longchar after holding a brief function at Naga Club Building.
“Show love and harvest peace,” “ No gun but love,” “ Nagas are for peace lovers,” “Peace is life, war is death,” “Bloodshed will not bring any solution” read some of placards carried by the students.
SUPCC president Kuzoto Lohe said that “Peace Walk” has been initiated with sole aim of sowing and spreading the spirit of peace in the hearts and land of the people. “It is desired that this procedure will remind every Naga, the necessity of peace and thereon, stand up against all anti elements of peace,” he said.
“Today, our aim is to invoke all the peace loving citizens to introspect on what has gone wrong with our people and why we have missed the chance to attain peace. It is no time for us to stay idle and find faults against the other. It should be our part to bring about mutual understanding and respect among us. We ought to forgive and tolerate one’s weakness,” said Lohe.
Appreciating the initiative of the College, Rev. Longchar urged other colleges, schools and university to involve in similar ventures in propagating peace so that peace will prevail in Nagaland. NSF president Pushika Awomi strongly condemned hunting and victimizing of innocent people. He asserted that peace is required for overgrounds, students, bureaucrats, churches, national workers and the like.
“We really want peace in our land,” he said and wishes that peace would prevail in the state.
Angami Students Union (ASU) president Medo Yhokha was optimistic that the venture will be an eye-opener for others to follow suit, adding that lasting peace will result through such collective effort. Earlier, Zhoto Tunyi, General Secretary highlighted the significance of the programme. The team will halt at Medziphema tonight and proceed to Patkai the next day.
Morung Express News
NNC disassociates from Transit Peace Camp The Morung Express

Dimapur, Oct 14 (MExN): The Naga National Council, Chakhesang Region, while resolving to detach itself from the Transit Peace Camp, has resolved to work under the leadership of Adinno Phizo, president of the NNC.
In a joint meeting of the Region on October 12, it resolved to adhere to the September 4, 1997 resolution to detach itself from the Transit peace Camp. A statement from KL Kronu, Midan Peyu called “everyone” to join hands to work together.
It also affirmed that the Chakhesang Region shall work under FGN Kedahge Brig (Retd) S Singnya “till further developments” while affirming it would work for the Nagas under NNC President Adinno Phizo.

Uncommon Talks of Common NSCN ActivitiesBy: R. B. Thohe Pou

The present National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) was formed on 31 January 1980. However, before it reaches its zenith - on 30 April 1988 the NSCN was split into two groups as NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K). The NSCN-IM comes under the leadership of Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah and NSCN-K comes under the leadership of S.S. Khaplang.
After the NSCN split into two groups - both the groups were trying to beguile the Naga people. The racing to embrace more people and to be recognized by the people continues till today and every one is just a spectator. Everybody knows the common undesirable activities of the NSCN but it is uncommonly talks in the public meeting.

Is there any Naga who does not know what the NSCN is doing? Is there any Naga who talks in public about the detrimental common activities of the NSCN? Who dare to point out the negative aspects of the NSCN openly?

I believe that pointing out their negative aspects and giving suggestion never means that it is against them - instead a constructive criticism would enhance in their work and it should be appreciated. It is bitter to reveal the negative aspects and swallow them but we know that unless we heated the iron ore with more than 10000C - we cannot extract pure gold.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee the former Prime Minister of India is commonly known as the "Right Man in the Wrong Party in India". Likewise the NSCN leaders also seem to be the "Right Leaders with the Wrong People in their Organization".

The NSCN leaders may be the right leaders but due to the cadres (lower rank) working with them defame their leaders; they are creating copious of problems to the Naga civilians and unless such kind of problems with the Naga civilians are solved - the ceasefire with the government of India do not serve a good purpose.

The Naga civil society commenced to encounter lots of problem from the Indian Armies starting from 1950s and till today we face the similar problems from NSCN.

Today, the common gossip in privacy or uncommon talks in public are becoming the common public talks whenever any topic starts about the NSCN. The most common gossip about the NSCN is their fratricidal, discipline, extortion, voluntary retirement, division of leadership etc.

The fratricide, discipline and extortion were commonly gossip in privacy or public till 1990s but today people talk about giving voluntary retirement to the uneducated senior leaders and division or distribution of leadership to different tribe; not concentrating in one particular tribe in other to win the confident of the Nagas and to accomplish the work more efficiently.

Today Internet is another people site where people talk so much about the NSCN; almost everyday the NSCN news on fratricide is posted in the news. Therefore even the whole world knows the fratricidal game of the NSCN. There will be not a single person who would consent that the NSCN have a good discipline and free from extortion and fratricide.

But who dare to say that they don't have good discipline? When will the Naga civil leaders open up their mouth and go against all the detrimental activities of the NSCN? And when will the NSCN leaders manage their lower rank leaders and teach them a good discipline?

The Naga civilians need protection from the NSCN and fellow friends but instead, some are killed; some are brutally beaten up and some are harassed at gun point. Many of the NSCN lower rank leaders are always involved in many undesirable activities like drugs, boozing, dawdling with gals, acting over-smart, not respecting the civilian rights etc.

According to the top NSCN leaders - all their men should have a very stringent discipline and they should not engross in any undesirable activities. They are also supposed to control the civilians cherishing in all those undesirable activities. However if they themselves involve in all the undesirable activities - how can we the civilians respect and give cooperation to them? Unless the NSCN shows a good example to the civilian and respect the civilian rights - there is no point to be hypocrite and they cannot expect any respect and cooperation from the Naga civilians.

In early 1990s, I and another guy were randomly picked up by one of the Naga insurgent as a ransom since the village couldn't pay money up to their demand. We were kept under their custody in the outskirt of the village jungle for more than 3 hours. However after the village brought some money and conciliated them - they accepted the money and released us.

This is how some of the Naga insurgents do and it is not appreciated by the civilians. I don't think that the villagers would have given them happily. If the villagers do not contribute with their heart - it may not be possible to do anything good in their work.

One of the NSCN leaders says, "I know that my people in lower rank involve in some detrimental activities but how can I help them because the villagers had sent only such kind of people who are less important in the village; it is very difficult to discipline them"

But in another perception - that may be another big excuse from their side because they can discipline and control their people. Anyway, it is the high time that the NSCN should discipline their cadres and give voluntary retirement to the uneducated senior leaders and recruit only the educated and well discipline Nagas. If not it will remain as it is till the uneducated people die due to old age.

Do the NSCN encourage voluntary retirement of the uneducated leaders? Unless the NSCN recruit the educated and learned people - I don't think that the situation in Nagalim will improve. The learned people know their own capability but the uneducated people wish to do everything and that it is biggest problem to work together with the uneducated people. The uneducated people are the "Master of None" but they always try to compete to possess the leadership, which may be common in NSCN. The Assam Rifles are commonly known as, "Friends of the Hills People" but due to their brutality and harassment to the Nagas civilians without any reasons - today they are commonly known amongst the people as, "Enemy of the Hills People".

In a similar way, if the NSCN also harass the civilians and want to overlook the civilians at gun point and snub the civilian personal rights - it is unworkable for the Naga civilians to love even their own blood brothers and sisters.

It is one of the Nagas characters that they are deeply averse to dictatorship imposition since the Nagas love to live an independent life since time immemorial. Even today - every Nagas village is an independent village and they love to live in that way. Nagas cannot be dominated and impose by any self-style rule. Nagas are peace loving people and they are more predispose with the peace loving people and no with the people who threaten and want to dominate.

In conclusion, some of the suggestions are given below:
1. Should give voluntary retirement to the uneducated senior leaders urgently
2. Should divide the leadership amongst the different tribe to work more smoothly and win more confident from the Naga civil society.
3. Should be trained well in etiquette and discipline
4. Should not take bribe
5. Should not involve in extortion
6. Should respect the civilian personal rights
7. Should not stay together with the civilian in the village or town
8. Should not involve in boozing and drugs business
9. Should not loiter here and there with gals
10. Should not give bad image to the Nagas through their detrimental activities
11. Should never take money with gun point
12. Should not involve in politics through muscle power, which is giving very bad reputation in recent years.
13. Should teach them the Naga political history to boost their interest to fight for the Nagas.
RPF asserts to boycott Kalam’s visit to Manipur Newmai News Network
Imphal: Revolutionary Peoples Front (RPF), one of the major rebel groups of Manipur today announced that the outfit would boycott the President APJ Abdul Kalam visit to Manipur on October 16 and said it would extend support to the general strike called by Apunba Lup on this day.
The assistant communication and publicity secretary of the RPF, Lili Leima said in a statement today that ever since India “forcibly annexed Manipur” people of Manipur are kept under the military boots and their basic rights are being trampled upon.
It further said that besides unleashing reign of terror amongst women, students and many more innocent people, the government of India has even taken into custody Irom Sharmila, who has been demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in a very peaceful manner.
The statement said Abdul Kalam is the head of the government which (government) has been committing atrocities like rape of women and killing of innocent persons. His visit is aimed at strengthening further the “colonial rule” in Manipur. Therefore people of Manipur should boycott his visit, it said.RPF is the political body of the Peoples Liberation Army. RPF is also a member of the Manipur Peoples Liberation Front, an umbrella body of three militant groups of Manipur.
The RPF also said it would extend support to the general strike called by the Apunba Lup, which is leading the agitation against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. The general strike, called in support of the demand for repeal of the army act will begin at 5 am and conclude at 2 pm on the day of the President’s visit.
An official source said adequate security measures were taken in Imphal West, Churachandpur district and Senapati district where the President would attend three different programmes during his short stay in the state. He would arrive in the morning of October 16 by a special Indian Air force aircraft. The President will attend the convocation programme of the Manipur University. He would also visit a food processing unit at Mao of Senapati district and a private school in Churachandpur district by chopper after the Manipur University programme. Kalam would leave for Imphal later in the day. A security rehearsal was held today in Imphal.
PM rules out ‘early action’ on AFSPA Nagaland Post
ON BOARD PM'S SPECIAL AIRCRAFT, OCT 14 (PTI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today ruled out "early action" on the demand to repeal the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, saying a decision on this would depend on the security situation in the northeast and Jammu and Kashmir. Any move to abolish the anti-terror law has to be considered in view of the prevailing security situation in these insurgency-affected areas, he told reporters accompanying him on his way back from a visit to Britain and Finland.
Therefore, he said, no action can be taken immediately on the Jeevan Reddy Committee's report, which has reportedly recommended the scrapping of the anti-terror law. Noting that the committee's report is "under consideration", Singh said, "I can't say we can take early action. We have to take the criticality of the situation in various parts of the country before we can do anything further on that report. "We are dealing with a difficult situation. We have to take into account the militancy situation not only in the northeast but also in Jammu and Kashmir."
To a query, the Prime Minister disclosed that the next External Affairs Minister would be appointed soon. "Yes, soon we will have (External Affairs Minister)," Singh said when asked when a successor to Natwar Singh would be appointed. "You won't have to wait for too long," he added when reporters pointed out that he had said this earlier also. The Prime Minister had given similar replies to journalists' queries on the issue at least thrice earlier during the past month.
Army apologises for torture Nagaland Post
GUWAHATI, OCT 14 (IANS): The Indian Army engaged in anti-insurgency operations in Assam is once again mired in a row over torture in custody of a separatist suspect, forcing authorities to apologise and order a court of inquiry.
Hundreds of people on Friday blocked a highway for hours near Khowang in Dibrugarh district, 450 km east of Guwahati, protesting against alleged third-degree torture meted out to a farmer, Nipul Saikia, after he was picked up by soldiers from his house five days ago. "I think Saikia was not treated properly and so we have ordered a court of inquiry. I would like to assure you that the guilty would be punished," Major Gen NC Marwah, general-officer-commanding (GOC) of the 2nd Mountain Division, said. Saikia was picked up from his home Monday on suspicion of being a linkman of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and was kept in their custody until Thursday before he was admitted to the Dibrugarh Medical College with serious injuries.
"Saikia was brought to hospital with rectal bleeding and his condition was serious. The injuries were suffered probably due to electric shocks," a doctor attending on him said, requesting not to be named. The GOC visited Saikia at the hospital and tendered his personal apologies to him for the incident. The GOC along with two of his senior officers also visited the house of Nipul Saikia at Koloya yesterday and apologised to his parents in the presence of the village headman and nearly 500 villagers. The army presented essential commodities to the family, Rs 20,000 in cash and assured a job for Saikia apart from bearing the expenses on his medical treatment. There were similar protests in the eastern Tinsukia district where people in their hundreds took to the streets and blocked highways to protest the detention of about 20 villagers, including women and children.
The villagers were picked up by the army earlier in the week after an explosion triggered by the ULFA injured a soldier in the area. The army authorities on Friday released 10 women and children after the protests. The army is engaged in a massive military operation in eastern Assam against the ULFA after New Delhi last month called off a six-week ceasefire blaming the outfit of stepping up attacks.
In July, the army punished Major Nishant Sharma and Rifleman Sudip Gurung after finding the duo guilty of killing a villager in custody. The military court ruling came after the Assam government lodged a protest with the army saying the villager, Ajit Mahanta, was shot dead after being picked up by the army on suspicion of having links with the ULFA. His body was found in a bag in a hospital in neighbouring Dibrugarh town in eastern Assam the next day after he was picked up. The army then claimed Mahanta was shot dead when he tried to escape. The Assam government's decision to seek a probe into Mahanta's death followed widespread public protests in eastern Assam that prompted police to open fire killing nine protestors. "These kinds of torture and excesses by the army in the name of countering militancy would further alienate the masses," an analyst said.
Share the same: (ENSA)- Nagaland Post Opnion
Foreseeing the impending situa-tion in the Eastern Nagaland, we extend our petition to Naga Nationalist to enter into Ceasefire with Myanmarese Junta Govt. the untold suffering of the Eastern Naga brethren is more than enough. Therefore, we want to live in peace like other Naga brothers. We wonder as to why we don't deserve it, when other Naga brothers are living in peace? We believe now is the right time for Naga Leaders to show their concern towards Eastern Naga brothers. What is the logic behind keeping Eastern Nagaland a battle field and the other part of Nagaland enjoy peace? Let us be one and only one. We urgently call upon Naga Leaders to view the matter seriously. "We strongly believe it is not wrong when we say we want to live in peace. But the matter is with Naga leaders as where they want us to be".
At the same time we also urge all factions to refrain from the killing competition. Nagas have suffered enough in the hands of our enemies for decades. So let us not torture ourself. It is high time to realize it as meaningless sacrifice, when a person lose his life in the hands of own brother. We urge all Naga Nationalists to pause from the path of violence and listen to the plea of their parents, brothers and sisters of the land.
Y. Khomong Khiamniungan, General Secretary (ENSA).
India 'armed' Myanmar ready for offensive against NE UGs Staff Reporter Sangai Express
Imphal, Oct 14: With the Governments of India and Myanmar agreeing to a deal to launch a major offensive against rebel outfits of the North Eastern region of India, official processes to begin the onslaught had been expedited. Close on the heels of report regarding India providing arms support to the Myanmar military ground reality is being assessed to dispatch an Indian Army training team in Myanmar even as informed sources contended that the Myanmar Army might begin the offensive from their side in December this year - most probably before the Christmas festival. According to Defence sources, the Government of India in compliance to an understanding reached recently with the military regime had already commenced supply of modern and effective arms and ammunition to the latter among which include mortar bombs of 51 mm calibre ha-ving a firing range of 5 kilometres and grenade launchers in addition to locating a strategically important training site of the Indian Army. While purpose of dispatching the Indian Army team is said to impart military training to their Myanmar counterparts on jungle warfare on a larger scale, the sources disclosed of Myanmar’s military officers already undergoing training in a phased manner at the Veirangte Counter Insurgency School in Mizoram.
As per the agreement signed between the two neighbouring countries, the operation to flush out Ne militants would be started by Myanmar military from their side with the Indian Army deployed in the border area to take on the fleeing insurgents. While declining to comment on precise date for launching the strike, the sources expressed that the operation is being targeted for completion ahead of the Christmas festival and add-ed that intended target include all insurgent outfits in the border area. With the Government of India having identified possible hideouts of the militants low key offensive had commenced, added the source. When queried whether the military support include providing aircraft to Myanmar, the source said the need does not arise.
meanwhile, separate source informed that Govt of India making concerted effort to provide/construct a five lane highway connecting Imphal and Rangoon via Moreh-Mandalay.

CM tosses AFSPA quagmire for public debate By Our Staff Reporter Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Oct 14: Acknowledging general sentiment against continued imposition of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958, conveying sincere desire to respect the public sentiment, citing circumstances that constrained imposition of the Act apart from highlighting present day scenario of law and order uncertainty, the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has urged the people to introspect demand for complete repealing of the AFSPA.
The Chief Minister stated that recommendations of the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee constituted to review provisions of the AFSPA is being studied minutely by the Government.
Addressing block level Congress party workers and leaders at DMC campus, Thangmeiband today the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, said it would be premature to construe that the Act would not be removed from Manipur at all. Clarifying that the Government has no intention to work against the aspiration of the general public to repeal the Act, he however, called upon the people to introspect under what compelling circumstances the AFSPA was imposed in Manipur. Recalling that imposition of the Act in Manipur was caused by concerted campaign of some organisations to secede from India, rampant abductions and killings in addition to large scale extortion, O Ibobi nevertheless acknowledged that under the immunity granted by AFSPA security personnel had committed excesses. He also claimed that the Central Government is well aware of acts of abuses by the men in uniform. Indicating that prevailing situation is far from conducive to scrap the Act, the CM disclosed that amid intense deliberation over the Jeevan Reddy Commission’s report huge monetary demand had forced over 600/700 personnel engaged in the Capitol Project at Chingmeirong to stay idle for the last two of three days. Citing an example currently besieging the region he reminded all concerned of a recent incident wherein vehicles loaded with materials for the Japan Government sponsored Sericulture Project were hijacked and confined by disruptive elements in between Naga-land and Manipur for over a month. Moreover, inspite of stationing of security personel of over seven battalion of the Assam Rifles in between Mao and Moreh, vehicle operators, particularly fuel transporters operating on this section of NH 39 are yet to operate in a secured atmosphere, said the Chief Minister. In the midst of such rampant disruptive activities that had resulted in cessation of several development works approaching the Central leaders to repeal AFSPA from the entire State is unlikely to evoke any favourable, opined the CM. Substantiating further, he comprehended that the Centre would most probably arise questions as to the ability of the State Government for efficient admi- nistration and safeguarding life and public property in case AFSPA is repealed as it would automatically mean withdrawing Central security forces from the State. Revealing that the Prime Minister and Home Minister had initially opposed proposal for scraping the Act from seven assembly segments within the Imphal Municipal area after intense public movement in the aftermath of the Thang-jam Manorama Devi case, Ibobi said the two Central leaders honoured the public sentiment under the im- pression that security for-ces should not be allowed to abuse human rights. Regarding Irom Chanu Sharmila’s fast demanding total scrapping of the Act, Ibobi recalled of his personal intimation and appeal to cease the agitation when AFSPA was repealed from Greater Imphal area but was rejected by her on ground that partial lifting is unacceptable.
Applauding the dedication and courage of the agitating lady who is on her sixth year of fasting, the CM conveyed of making another sincere appeal to give up the agitation when he met her at New Delhi while adding that the issue of AFSPA is being assessed by the Central and State Governments. In his address at the one day conference organised by Thangmeiband Block Congress Committee, Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya contended that the Congress party would table report of the AFSPA review Committee in the forthcoming Winter session of par- liament but left it to the prerogative of the Govt on whether to endorse discussion on the report or not.
clarifying that repealing such an Act at the behest of an individual is out of the question in accordance to Indian Parliamentary practices, Dr Meinya also infor- med that at the most Mani-pur govt can only press/propose for scrapping the same as the responsibility lies in the domain of the Govt of India. Ruling out possibility of State’s territorial disintegrity, the MP asserted that when Mani-pur merged with the Union of India the State’s boundary was clearly defined.
In case there is any change in the demography of the State under the National State Re-organi- sation policy of the Indian Union the consequences should be borne by the Centre and not Manipur Government, he added.

Extraordinary situation demands extraordinary measures: CM The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Oct 14: Secessionist movements as is being launched by different underground groups in the northeastern states and Jammu & Kashmir necessitates imposition of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. This was disclosed by the chief ministers Ibobi while addressing a Congress workers conference held today at Ima Khunthokhanbi Sanglen, Thangmeiband.

The AFSPA itself is draconian by nature but this extraordinary legislation was required to be imposed in the insurgency infested states like Manipur and other northeastern states as well as in Jammu & Kashmir as assistance of the Army is needed for maintaining volatile law & order situations in these states, he said. Issue after issue, Manipur is frequented by public agitations in the form of bandhs and general strikes thereby giving severe impact to development processes. Very recently we have seen severe forms of agitations on the TIPS leaders` arrest and now we have Sharmila`s case and her demand for repeal of the AFSPA, Ibobi said. He sarcastically asked the people as to what issue will come up after the current one.
The chief minister also said that there is no dearth of issues and public agitations in Manipur. Disturbances due to such public agitations coupled with interventions of underground elements have retarded development activities in Manipur, he added.

Regarding Sharmila`s demand for total repeal of AFSPA, Ibobi said the extraordinary legislation cannot be withdrawn altogether from Manipur as concern of others where this act is also imposed should also be considered. While lauding Sharmila`s courage and determination to achieve her goal, the chief minister however said the state government alone cannot fulfill her aspiration.

During the Manorama killing episode, strong pressures were mounted on the Central government for the total removal of the AFSPA from Manipur but the Central leaders, including the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister had asked the state governmentto consider the nation`s security first before removing the Act from any part of the state. However, the state government went ahead and removed the Act from seven Assembly constituencies in deference to the people`s desire at least to some extent, Ibobi said adding there has been no government in Manipur other than the SPF government which could remove the AFSPA even if only partially.

Regarding the recommendations of the Justice Jeevan Reddy Commission report, Ibobi said the Government of India is in active consideration to give approval of the report. He also said that Sharmila`s cause and her demand for AFSPA removal issue will be discussed during the forthcoming winter session of the state legislative assembly.

The president of the Congress Senior Citizen Forum, N Binoy Singh in his address said Sharmila`s live cannot be saved by merely shouting slogans and staging protest-sit-ins in Manipur. While stating that state government alone cannot remove, the Congress veteran said repeal of the extraordinary legislation solely lies at the hands of the central leaders.

The Chief Minister also addressed another Block Level congress workers` conference at Western Club ground Uripok Khumanthem Leikai where giving a progress report of the a SPF Govt, he said that in the first three and half years of its rule not much development work could be carried out due to interference by U.G. But in the last one and half years the SPA government have made a lot of progress in carrying out developmental work. The Imphal city and the areas under the jurisdiction of Imphal Municipal Council will be constructed under the Jawaharlal Nehru Renewal Mission. The Imphal city is one of the sixty-three cities which was selected under this Mission. Accordingly, a city development plan has been framed and will be submitted to the Centre by 20th of this month.This mission, which will be implemented in the next thirty years, includes, road construction, Lighting, flood control and other construction of the Imphal city.

The construction of Khuga dam is nearing completion and will be inaugurated in the current year. The Thoubal Multipurpose project will be commission by next year. The Sericulture project is also progress well, the Chief Minister added. The conference was attended by Gaikhangam President MPCC, T. Meinya Singh MP (Lok sabha), L. Nandakumar Minister Education and Revenue and Tejmani Singh Working President UBCC and other block Level congress workers.

NORTHEAST ECHOES : Taking Responsibility
Though Nagaland has a rich cultural heritage, it still remains a hotbed of conflict in the Northeast.
Seldom, if ever, do people take responsibility for their actions. Taking responsibility means admitting that one is at fault and willing to put right what has gone wrong without getting into the self-righteous mode of magnifying others’ faults and reducing one’s own culpability.

This is not an easy exercise. It requires some amount of self-introspection and a spirit of humility. All the ethnic conflicts or the so-called “wars of independence” in India’s Northeast, which come under the generic label of insurgency, have derived sustenance by blaming Delhi and all its convoluted policies for the mess that the region is in. Funnily, all the state governments of the region also indulge in this blame game in order to deflect attention from their own failures to govern.

Blame game For instance, when the present state of Meghalaya was under the administrative blanket of Assam, its people asserted their need for greater political space. The logic they advanced was that the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos would be better off if they were ruled by their own people. There was a concerted political mobilisation, which ultimately resulted in the creation of the new state. At the time, the tribes thought they had attained a sort of political paradise. Alas! That feeling was very short-lived.
When tribal leaders themselves assumed positions of responsibility, they only replicated the power structures of the erstwhile Assam government. Everything else remained the same.

Today, people are as disgruntled with the present government as they were way back in 1969 under Assam. So what is actually at the root of this disgruntlement?

People blame the political and bureaucratic elite for the continued failure of the governance system. While this cannot altogether be ruled out, the fact is that citizens themselves play a significant role as actors in the political system.
Why do people elect somebody and then castigate him or her for not delivering? Is the election process faulty? Is the electorate under pressure to vote for certain people and reject others? Why do people with impeccable credentials lose the elections and history-sheeters, who flirt with corruption, are repeatedly elected. These are some of the pitfalls of parliamentary democracy, but these pitfalls are created by none other than the voters themselves.

Analysing roles To put an end to this cycle of blame and recriminations and take responsibility for positive action, the Initiatives of Change, formerly called Moral Rearmament, in collaboration with Don Bosco Institute, Kharguli, organised a three-day conference on the theme “Beyond blame to responsibility”. People from major conflict areas of the region not only came together but also deliberated on their own roles in creating the mess within their societies. It was a refreshing change from the usual academic conferences where problems are systematically analysed and remedies prescribed, but where no one takes responsibility for future action until another seminar is organised.
Spearheading the conference was Niketu Iralu, a prominent Naga peace activist and a member of the international council of Initiatives of Change. For five decades, Iralu has prodded on amid charges and counter charges from both sides of the divide. But he has stood his ground as a pacifist who refuses to take sides. In the Naga historical perspective, this is a difficult position because there is only one line you are expected to take and dissent is construed as betrayal to the cause. But Iralu has, on more than one occasion, spoken up fearlessly when things have gone wrong in the Naga struggle for sovereignty.

A nephew of A.Z. Phizo, who first constructed the notion of Naga nationalism, Iralu’s motives have come under NSCN (I-M)’s scanner primarily because they felt he would be naturally inclined to adopt the position taken by the Naga National Council (NNC), now led by his cousin Adinno. What the combatants find difficult to accept is Iralu’s unwavering position as the unstoppable, unfettered free thinker. He has been Nagaland’s crusader for libertarian ideas in a situation where people are used to moving in a single trajectory — that advanced by the Naga nationalist ideologues.
What set the conference apart was the diversity of the participants. It was a rare occasion where Bodos and Santhals not only talked to each other but also tried to find common ground for peacebuilding in their areas. Individuals who stuck their necks out to promote peace by swimming against the tide of public opinion in their areas of conflict convincingly demonstrated how individuals could actually make a difference. And that, in essence, was the high-point of the conference. Nani Gopal Mahanta, Rotary peace scholar and professor at Guwahati University, enunciated the importance of such “transformative” peace building exercises. He says these informal yet effective individual and collective efforts cannot be undermined.

An observation from a Bodo participant jerked the mediapersons into attention. Lamenting the insensitivity of the media in Assam, which used adjectives like “Bodo extremists” to define the combatants and thereby tainting the entire community, he said the media seemed to have its own set of choice phrases. “Why is the Ulfa called by its name and not as Assamese extremists?” he wondered. A casual peek into the current scenario in Assam will inform us that the media’s intrusive nature; its propensity to put the peace proponents in a corner and tying them in knots. Its other proclivity of glamorising Mamoni Goswami’s role has only accelerated the fouling up of the peace process. There are other factors no doubt. But media inquisitiveness is a major dynamic in this particular case.

Green spirit Talking about Initiatives of Change, one needs to mention the individual and collective path-breaking endeavour that often go unheard and unsung, yet which challenge the human spirit. Pradip Bhuyan, a prominent citizen, educationist and activist, who initiated an NGO called North East Centre for Environmental Research and Development, shared his deep concern for the environment.This led him and other like-minded people to undertake a campaign against deforestation. They adopted 40 hectares of denuded forests on the north bank of Brahmaputra and, with the help of the local villagers, stopped all destructive human activity in that area.

Within five years, the forest had regenerated and with it all the bio-diversity. Today, the once barren land is green and birds of all hues have come back to nestle in the forest. Bhuyan’s interesting yet telling comment was that forests would survive better if they are protected from humans. He said animals actually live in perfect harmony with forests; it is man who creates the dissonance. India’s Northeast has interesting aspects to it. Very few, if any, have visited all the seven states of the region. Few have an experience outside their homeland. Their vision is, therefore, as small and exclusive as their experiences.

This exclusivity and the freezing of identities around such exclusive notions have created stresses and strains which result in violence. Attempts to bring the communities into platforms where they have glimpses into the commonalties of origin and their shared history as a common race should be encouraged. Scholars in the region opine that the Indian state has used the Kautilyan statecraft to the hilt to create internal dissension in the region. Have we, indeed, unwittingly become victims of this grand design? [PATRICIA MUKHIM, telegraphindia]

JOINT STATEMENT OF
KAMOTAPUR LIBERATION ORGANISATION,
MANIPUR PEOPLE’S LIBERATION FRONT AND
TRIPURA PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC FRONT

AGAINST INDIAN ANNEXATION OF KAMOTAPUR, MANIPUR AND TRIPURA 10 October 2006


This is the fifty-seventh year of annexation by India of Kamotapur, Manipur and Tripura in October 1949. On this occasion, Kamotapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), Manipur People’s Liberation Front (MPLF) and Tripura People’s Democratic Front (TPDF), making common cause against the annexation of our States by India, once again reaffirm our resolve and determination to regain the sovereignty and independence of our respective States. Sovereign independence is a nation’s fundamental right as is enshrined in the UN Charter. The use of any form of struggle, including armed struggle, to achieve or restore this national right is justified under international law. Ever since the illegal annexations, the Government of India has been pursuing a deliberate policy of complete Indianisation of the three States as elsewhere in the Region by adopting measures to make indigenous peoples minorities in their own land. This is the gravest of the threats to the distinctive identities of the peoples of the Region. In pursuance of this colonial policy, Kamotapur was merged with West Bengal in January 1951 thereby making the Kamotapuris a minority community among the Bengalis of West Bengal. The Tripuri people who constituted more than 85% of the total population of Tripura at the time of annexation have since been swamped by ethnic Bengali settlers who now constitute more than 70% of the total population. In Manipur, foreign refugees having ethnic affinity with mainland Indians have been resettled in fertile areas of the valley. This population transfer has gravely disturbed the original demography of the Region resulting in chronic racial, cultural, social, economic and political conflicts.

However, Indian colonial policy does not end with population transfer. The time tested policy of ‘divide and rule’ which India has refined and developed as ‘divide and destroy’ being pursued against the liberation struggles of our Region is another aspect of Indian colonial occupation. This policy has effectively exploited the multi-ethnic situation of the Region by playing up narrow ethnic sentiments against one another thus fragmenting, in the name of democracy, the unity of the Region. But we firmly believe that this is a temporary phenomenon in the historical development of the Region towards ethnic harmony and unity.

Despite India’s all-out effort to suppress our national liberation struggles, despite all the ups and downs natural in any such national struggle, those of our struggles with correct political line and policies have made significant progress thereby exposing those with wrong political line and policies, though it is still a long way to our goal of sovereignty and independence. However, we firmly believe that despite temporary setbacks caused by Indian ‘divide and destroy’ policy and lack of practical unity among our liberation forces, Indian colonial rule is destined to be ultimately overthrown from our Region. On this occasion KLO, MPLF and TPDF jointly appeal to all the fraternal peoples and revolutionary organisations of the Region to strengthen their traditional brotherhood and fight together to overthrow Indian colonial rule from the Region.

Let us build our unity through struggle! “All for one, one for all!”

Dated 10 October 2006 KLO, MPLF and TPDF