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10/18/2006: "Naga rebels accuse Delhi of arming rivals Reuters, Guwahati The Daily Star"

Naga rebels accuse Delhi of arming rivals Reuters, Guwahati The Daily Star

A powerful separatist rebel group in Nagaland accused the government of arming a rival faction, as violence between the two groups intensified ahead of peace talks yesterday. Naga rebels have been fighting since 1947 for a separate homeland for the mainly Christian Naga people on India's border with Myanmar, in a insurgency which has killed more than 20,000 people.
A ceasefire between the rebels and the government came into force in 1997 but despite several rounds of talks, there has been little progress. As a fresh round of talks was due to begin in Amsterdam, top leaders from the Isaac-Muivah faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) complained that security forces were helping the rival Khaplang faction (NSCN-K).
"During the talks, (we) will question the role of the Indian security forces in supplying weapons and ammunition to Khaplang to fight against us," a senior NSCN-IM leader in Dimapur told Reuters. He declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak on the record.
Naga rebels say Delhi aiding rivals ahead of talks By Biswajyoti Das Reuters
GUWAHATI, India, Oct 17 (Reuters) - A powerful separatist rebel group in India's northeast state of Nagaland accused the government of arming a rival faction, as violence between the two groups intensified ahead of peace talks on Tuesday. Naga rebels have been fighting since 1947 for a separate homeland for the mainly Christian Naga people on India's border with Myanmar, in a insurgency which has killed more than 20,000 people. A ceasefire between the rebels and the government came into force in 1997 but despite several rounds of talks, there has been little progress. As a fresh round of talks was due to begin in Amsterdam, top leaders from the Isaac-Muivah faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) complained that security forces were heping the rival Khaplang faction (NSCN-K).

"During the talks, (we) will question the role of the Indian security forces in supplying weapons and ammunition to Khaplang to fight against us," a senior NSCN-IM leader in Dimapur, Nagaland's main commercial hub, told Reuters. He declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak on the record.
Leaders of the NSCN-IM have repeatedly made veiled threats to pull out of the ceasefire agreement in recent years but have repeatedly extended the truce after talks.

Security forces deny aiding Khaplang's group, which is based in camps in remote forests in northern Nagaland and across the border in Myanmar. The group is also observing a truce with Indian security forces but is not involved in direct talks. Security analysts say peace with the Nagas is crucial to a broader peace in the northeast -- seven states connected to the rest of India by a thin strip of land and home to dozens of insurgent groups.
The rebels are demanding a Greater Nagaland to unite the three million Nagas, carved out of the current state of Nagaland and including Naga-dominated parts of other states.
NSCN warns Delhi not to cross the line Nagarealm.com
Kohima, OCT16 : In a typically forceful statement on the eve of yet another round of peace talks abroad, the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) today said Delhi must be careful not to “cross the Rubicon” in trying to force a deal during the negotiations in Amsterdam. The statement, issued by the NSCN (I-M)’s “ministry of information and publicity”, said the insurgent group would be “compelled to take measures accordingly” if the government did not respect its views. It threatened to unleash an agenda “befitting” the situation.

One of the issues that the NSCN (I-M) has been harping on is the army’s alleged connivance with the S.S Khaplang-led faction of the outfit. “By conniving with the Khaplang group, the Indian armed forces will not be benefiting either the Centre or the NSCN,” it said. On the slow progress of the dialogue, the NSCN (I-M) said many differences remained between both sides. It said the Nagas had compromised to the extent of searching for a solution within the federal system. “The reality is that whatever compromises have been made are all from the Nagas’ side.”

It accused Delhi of being unwilling to compromise. If the Nagas are expected to compromise any further, it will be at the cost of their identity, the outfit said. “The government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN)/NSCN warns the Centre to be sincere in the peace process. No mistake should be committed by playing games with the Nagas because this would prove costly for the Centre,” the statement said. The NSCN (I-M) then tempered the negativity by saying that it was looking forward to the Centre’s “sincere recommitment to the issue at hand” to facilitate an “honourable solution” at the earliest. Union minister Oscar Fernandez is leading a ministerial team to Amsterdam for the talks. The NSCN (I-M) will be represented by its chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Th. Muivah.
The talks are most likely to centre on relations between the Centre and the proposed “Nagalim”. One of the prospective hurdles could be the NSCN (I-M)’s accusation that Delhi has violated the ground rules of the truce and ignited hatred among the Naga factions.

Another allegation is of the Assam Rifles being hand-in-glove with the NSCN (I-M)’s rivals. It said whatever was happening “between the Centre, NSCN (K) and NNC/FGN is a gross breach of ceasefire ground rules, which had been revised on January 13, 2001”.
The revised rules say: “It is mutually agreed that no safe haven or sanctuary or assistance to any armed group or elements will be provided by anyone. No new armed forces post would be set up within two km of a designated camp.” [telegraphindia]
India replacing ‘hardcore’ Naga leaders with ‘flexible’ ones FGN The Morung Express
Dimapur, Oct 17 (MExN): The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) has asserted that the Indian government is attempting to ‘replace hardcore and devoted Naga national leaders with flexible Naga leaders’ so that India’s agenda is realized.
“The Indian leaders are attempting to replace hardcore and devoted Naga national leaders with flexible Naga leaders so that they may lead the Nagas to accept the constitution of India unconditionally” according to FGN Kedahge Gen. Retd V Metha in his message on ‘Martyrs’ Day, October 18. “As an outcome many imposter leaders are being raised up opposing the veteran leaders of NNC and FGN and they are trying to confuse the Naga people but the Nagas come to know who they are” he asserted.
“The Federal Government of Nagaland and the Naga people have been observing the 18th October as Martyrs’ day since 1952 to give national honor and salute to the martyrs and heroes of Nagaland who gave their supreme sacrifice in defense of Nagaland against the aggressor India in the past more than fifty years” the Kedahge said while ruing that the war between the Nagas and India might have been averted if Indian leaders understood the position and stand of the Nagas. He said “when the Indian leaders realized they cannot defeat the Nagas easily, they adopted divide and rule policy of their master British in order to defeat and rule over Nagaland”. As a result, many renegade leaders “were sprouted” up one after another against the Naga National Council and the FGN. Local armed wings like Voluntary Village Force (VVF) and Village Guards (VGs) were formed to fight the people. However, since these could not be used effectively, India is using Naga renegade leaders and their men effectively to pit Nagas against Nagas.
The Kedahge further held that Indian leaders accuse Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism and waging terrorist warfare against the country “but on the other hand they are sponsoring a terrorist group in Nagaland to fight against the Nagas”. “And also they have peace with their own terrorist group and holding peace talks with them anywhere in the world on the process of selling Nagaland to India, which is a shame and disgrace on the part of a large democratic nation like India” the FGN stated. The Kedahge advised India to realize that to subdue the Nagas through military might, ‘evil policy’ and money power would be a failure and that attempting to solve the Indo-Naga conflict within the framework of Indian constitution is a political blunder. “Because the Nagas will never compromise their sovereignty to any state of the world and they will never betray hundred and thousands of Naga heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sovereign Independent Nagaland” the Kedahge reminded asserting that nothing except “nobly” withdrawing Indian forces from the state would offer a solution to the Indo-Naga conflict. “And we hope true sense and wisdom of new Indian leaders will prevail over falsely claiming on Nagaland by India and solve the conflict amicably based on the historical facts of the Naga nation” he added.
NPP to fight election on Naga integration The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Oct 17: The one and only regional political party of the Nagas in state, Naga National Party (NNP) is all set to fight the forthcoming elelction to the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly with an objective of bringing about emotional integration among all Nagas, according to NPP president Ng. Hungyo.

Ng. Hungyo, dislosed during a press conferene held at the office of the bilingual Tangkhul and English daily Aza at Nagaram that, the NNP`s stand for the cause of a solution to the Naga problem and cannot be termed as communal. The NNP was established with the objective of bringing about a solution of the Naga issue in the state he said. The party will fight this coming assembly election with sole objective of bringing about a Naga solution and peaceful co-existance. Ng. hungyo further said NNP will be coming out with a 21-point election manifesto which includes integration of all contiguous naga inhabitated areas under one political asminsitrative unit as per the aspiration of the Naga people, extention of the Indo-Naga ceasfire to all the continguous Naga areas, repeal Armed forces Special powers Act, solving the insurgency problems of the North East specially Manipur through a political dialogue, making hill laws in place of the present Land Reformation and Land revenue Act, alloting half of the Manipur Annual budget for hills to bring equal development, and creating Deputy chief ministers` post to look over the affairs entirely for the hills and valley seperately etc.

He also further mentioned that, the NNP might go in for pre and post poll alliance with like mindes political parties of the state if neccessry in this forth coming Assembly elections.
No end to rival fights amid opposing claims Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 17: The factional clashes between the NSCN-IM and the NSCN-K continue unabated with reports of gun-battles pouring in everyday from both Nagaland and Manipur, reports NNN. Today, reports of clashes between the two NSCN factions have been received from Tamenglong district to which both the factions denied suffering any casualties.

While the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region has claimed to have shot and injured four NSCN-IM cadres, the NSCN-IM has said that if there was any casuality, it must have been incurred in the rival faction but not on their side. Earlier reports said that at a village called Aben in Tousem sub-division under Tamenglong district, about three militants had been killed following the clashes between the two NSCN factions last night but attempts to confirm the reports drew blank.

However, the information and publicity incharge of the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region issued a press statement claiming that while there were no casualties on their side four NSCN-IM cadres had been critically injured in the fierce gun fight. The NSCN-K, Zeliang-rong Region further stated that about 40 cadres of the rival NSCN-IM faction attacked the NSCN-K "camp" at Aben village but no one was hurt on their side. However, four NSCN-IM cadres got critically injured to which the villagers were the witness of yesterday's incident, said the NSCN-K statement.
On the other hand, the NSCN-IM does not want to call it as factional clashes with the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region.

NSCN-IM MIP deputy kilonser Kraibo Chawang said that it had been the Manipur Peoples Army (MPA) that has been trying to create law and order problem in the Naga areas particularly in Tamenglong district. Kraibo Chawang while informing this to Newmai News Network, has stated that the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region is part and parcel of the MPA. The NSCN-IM leader further said that the MPA has been leading a handful of NSCN-K elements and has been intruding into the Naga areas without any good intention. Meanwhile, the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region has cautioned the United Naga Council (UNC) with regard to the October 20 and 21 Senapati conclaves. The outfit said that if the UNC and other Naga frontal organisations go against the will and wishes of the Naga general public with regard to the forthcoming Manipur Legislative Assembly election, the NSCN-K will befittingly deal those organisations and Naga leaders involved. The statement further stated that if the move of the UNC and its allies is going to benifit the Nagas then the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region will support.

The NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region then termed the UNC as a "baby organisation" just formed after the Naga-Kuki ethnic clashes. The outfit then warned that the UNC cannot decide things itself without the concerns of the Naga elders and intellectuals.

the NSCN-K also termed the UNC as "very over-smart" body. On the other front, the NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region stated that the goal of the NSCN-K and the NSCN-IM cannot be compared saying that the former fights for the Naga sovereignty while the later is trying for just greater Nagaland. NSCN-K was reacting to the statement of the NSCN-IM's statement on October 13 which stated that the Khaplang group has no goal and objective.
PM calls Jamir on 75th birthday The Morung Express
Chumukedima, Oct 17 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was the first to call up His Excellency SC Jamir this morning to wish him many happy returns of the day and all wished him good health and long life in the service of the nation. The Prime Minister called up at 8.30 a.m. this morning and wished him well on the occasion of his 75th birthday. “I was touched by the Prime Minister’s kind gesture,” Jamir said.
Jamir is here in Nagaland to celebrate his 75th birthday which was celebrated with his family members in a simple but solemn occasion. Among the many who phoned him to wish him happy returns of the days include prominent citizens from Nagaland as well as from Goa. Goa’s Chief Minister Pratap Singh Rane, Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Wilfred De Sousa and other senior Ministers of the Goa Government phoned him today. Nagaland’s Leader of Opposition I. Imkong and his lady wife also called on the Governor this afternoon. Jamir’s Farm House at Chumukedima was a hive of activities with leaders from all walks of life called on him since early morning till late evening. The Choir of Dimapur Ao Baptist church joined in the celebrations this evening and entertained Jamir with some of his favourite hymns. Jamir will be attending the Chakhesang Youth Front Day at Chazouba on October 19.
Pratap killing JAC to resume agitation The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Oct 17: The JAC Against the Brutal Killing of RK Pratap has announced that severe forms of agitations will be resumed as the concern organization responsible for the killing failed to take up any tangible action on the matter. It may be mentioned that RK Pratap was shot dead by some self styled KNA cadres while returning home from Kohima, Nagaland on July 3 at Saparmeina along national highway - 39. The JAC appealed to all the civil society organistions, human rights groups and the Meira Paibis to extend support to any agitations announced by the JAC to get justice on Pratap`s killing. It also warned that the concerned organization, KNA should be responsible for any untoward incident which might come up during the course of the JAC agitations.
Nagaland govt seeks new truce rules Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Oct 17:: The Nagaland government has demanded immediate modification of the existing ground rules of the ceasefire, even as another round of peace talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) leadership began in Amsterdam today... Nagaland home minister Thenucho said this evening that New Delhi and the party engaged in Naga peace talks must strengthen the existing ceasefire ground rules, as in the present form they have become toothless. “The ceasefire is not a license to kill one another. They must abide by the rules farmed and agreed upon,” he added. The NSCN (I-M), on the other hand, wanted the present ceasefire as a “two-nation truce”. The Centre, however, is unwilling to accept such a formula and interpretation, after almost 10 years of truce. (The Telegraph)
Centre blames ULFA for jeopardizing peace process The Morung Express
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI): Blaming ULFA for jeopardising the peace process in Assam, the home ministry today said the banned group had failed to give a firm assurance about participating in direct parleys with the Centre.
The issue figured during a Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting when Lok Sabha MP Sarbananda Sonowal from Dibrugarh in Assam raised the matter, to which Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the state and the Centre were willing to release five detained ULFA leaders but the group had failed to give any firm date for participating in direct talks with the Centre, official sources said. Patil said the government favoured talks with any group that was willing to hold parleys and abjure violence. “However, the Centre cannot be a mute witness to the killing and harassment of innocent people,” the minister said. Later, briefing reporters, Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said while the offer of a dialogue with the ULFA was unconditional, the militant group did not show any eagerness for talks. “There are reports suggesting that ULFA is going to increase attacks,” Jaiswal said. He said the Centre was still willing to hold talks with ULFA if it showed signs of abjuring violence. “Violence and talks cannot go hand-in-hand,” he said.
Naga Poll Fray in Manipur The Morung Express Editorial
The elections to the Manipur State Assembly will in all likelihood be held in February next year. Not much time therefore remains for poll preparation to what is expected to be one of the most crucial elections that Manipur will undoubtedly undertake. There are obvious reasons why next year’s election will determine the future of several burning issues both within the State and also outside of it. Today Manipur remains an enigma of sorts with a plethora of problems both political and social. It is also a fact the majority of these are in relation to grievances that the common people carry against the government and the state machinery.
But what should distinguish them from the every day bread and butter issue is the deeper aspiration of several ethnic groups. The issue regarding the Nagas of Manipur falls under this latter bracket and cannot be simply termed as an economic issue anymore. While there may have been (and still is) grievances of lop sided development and the exploitation of the hills people by valley politicians, today the issue is no more an equation of majority-minority but one in which the Naga people inhabiting the four hills districts are now seeking political identity rooted in their strong belief that their destiny is one of political affiliation with the larger Naga homeland and not political subjugation under the present dispensation at Imphal.
As such given the enormity of the occasion for the Nagas in particular, people’s aspiration for integration should find a ‘voice’ in the formal democratic process, most notably through electoral politics. To plan for the election in a manner that will effectively address the Naga issue, it is important for the Nagas of Manipur to work in unison if at all they desire to achieve their political objective. In this context, how well the United Naga Council in Manipur is able to prepare and mobilize the general public as well as the intending candidates will be crucial. The call given by the UNC to 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) is therefore a welcome move.
However, one of the major problems that remain is finding the ‘right vehicle’ for contesting the polls. Given the bitter experience of contesting on party tickets the UNC should seriously contemplate an alternate ‘political mechanism’ for the ‘right’ intending candidates to contest. Unless a pre-poll alliance is worked out to include the aspirations of the Naga people. However the risk factor will always remain even in such pre-nuptial agreements as once in power, the more powerful partners may choose to sidestep the issue as was the case with the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in relation to the demand for a separate Telangana State. Further, whether the Naga National Party (NNP) already out with its 21-point election manifesto will be acceptable as a party of choice for the people is another matter that can be looked into. While it may not be practically feasible to have one consensus Naga candidate to contest from constituencies coming under the four hills district, the plan should be to ensure that people vote in a ‘united’ manner and that division of votes is checked. The concerned Naga organizations should work in a way that ensures a good number of elected representatives. Whether or not it will be workable to have a common political platform, at the end of the day it is important for those elected to address issues and not monopolize power and pelf as has been the case of many Naga politicians in Manipur.
NSCN (IM) clarifies- Nagaland Post Opnion
It is to clarify for information that, the recent statement made by the (K) group against the killing of Late. Mr. Ahoto Sumi claiming to be a innocent public but, to make I clear Late. Mr. Ahoto sumi was a collector and an extortionist at BOC area and Sc. College Road, Kohima under the directive of the so called Urban command Tax Commander Lt. Amento Sumi, during which the cadre of our town command who are on duty detect the late person extorting from a shop at the said mentioned are above, where the witnesses are the shop owners of the area.
Also, to make it clear, the recent killing of Late. Mr. Hovizol Angami a police personal at BOC which the (K) group denying is in fact the handiwork of theirs' where 4 (four) armed personnel namely Ss Lt. Bokato Sumi, Ss Lt. Vitoi Sumi, Ss Corp. Toshika Sumi and, (Ss Hekhuto Sumi who is from Chaplee Dept. under the in-charge of Ss Lt. Amento Sumi) of the so called Urban command of the (K) group (gang) brutally murdered Late Mr. Hovizol Angami who could not able to hire his local taxi for carrying out their desperate activities in and around our Region (Angami Region) GPRN/NSCN.
So, it is to make clear that killings, murdering and, abductions in and around the capital of NAGALIM Kohima are all the handiworks of the so-called Urban Command of the (K) group. For example, the killing of Late Mr. Aping Ungkang, a surveyor under Nagaland State govt. and a Deacon, Late Mr. Neitho (Atho) Miachia, a business person, abduction and attempted murder of Mr. Bode Angami and his wife from Mohankhola and attempted murder at Kohima Sc/College, killing of Lt Mr. Zubenthung Tsopoe Lotha at Lerie, killing of a student Late Mr. Shimmei Shinaisui at bye-pass Kohima re all the handiworks of theirs'.
Therefore, it is to make know to all the concerns and publics, readers, to know and condemn the activities of the desperate acts of the so-called Urban Command of the (K) group. It also warns the concerns not to be mislead by false allegation and cheap liar statement and publishings in the local News Media by the (K) Group.
CAO, Angami region, GPRN/NSCN (IM).
Centre to bring changes in AFSPA Kuknalim.com
NEW DELHI, Oct 17:: Government is contemplating bringing in some changes in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to prevent its misuse, Army Chief General J J singh said here on Tuesday. He said in the review being carried out by the Centre with advice from Home and Defence Ministries, the clause under which at present a non-commissioned officer of Army can order opening of fire in the face of civilian disturbance was being dropped.

"Instead it is proposed that only a junior commissioned officers would be invested with this authority", the Army Chief told newsmen while briefing them about the deliberation of the just concluded Army Commanders conference.
He said a Bill in this regard might be tabled in coming session of the Parliament. Similarly he was hopeful of a Bill for the setting up of the first ever armed forces tribunal might also be tabled during the session. He said the ongoing Naga talks, which resumed in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam on Tuesday, were moving in a positive direction and denied that his forces were equipping or supporting the rival NSCN (Khaplang) faction.

While saying that ULFA militants were now veering around to negotiations, Singh made clear that Indian Army was not proposing or conducting any joint operation with Myanmar army against ULFA and other North-East militant cadres.
"It is purely a Myanmar army operation though we may be coordinating", he said.

Govt criticised: Members of Parliament from the North-East on Tuesday came down heavily on the Centre for the impasse in the talks with the ULFA militants, non-action on AFSPA in Manipur. The issues figured during the meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of Home Ministry. Cutting across party lines the members drew the attention of the meeting towards the security situation in Manipur, dialogue with ULFA and the report of the Committee on the AFSPA. "There is no progress in the talks with the NSCN(IM) even though the longest ever ceasefire in the region has been extended from time to time," they said.

The Union Home Minister, Mr Shivraj Patil clarified that the situation in Manipur has improved. On the report of the Justice Jeevan Reddy Committee on the AFSPA, he said that the government was studying the report and appropriate decision would be taken in the matter. On the issue of talks with ULFA, the Home Minister said that the Centre was in favour of talks with any group, which is willing to hold talks, and abjures violence. "However, it cannot be a mute witness to the killing and harassment of innocent people," he said. He said the Centre was still willing to hold talks with ULFA if it showed signs of abjuring violence. "Violence and talks cannot go hand-in-hand," he said. The MPS present at the meeting include Mr Urkho Gwra Brahma, Mr Mani Kumar Subba and Sarbananda Sonowal. The Minister of State for Home, Mr Sriprakash Jaiswal, Home Secretary, Mr VK Duggal, Special Secretary (Internal Security), Mr GS Rajagopal and Commissioner of Delhi Police, Dr. KK. Paul were among those present. (Agencies)
Peace, progress can make NE a leader: Kalam Nagaland Post
Silchar/Aizawl, Oct 17 (UNI): President APJ Abdul Kalam today said if the concerned agencies could ensure peace coupled with progress in the Northeast, the region would be a leader of the country in near future. Addressing a function at the Assam University here, Dr Kalam, who also visited this central university in south Asom, said progress without peace is meaningless. Progress and peace should go hand in hand. Lack of any of the two aspects is bound to make a nation or a region cripple, he said and added this was truer in respect of Northeast.
Dr Kalam while interacting with the students of this University also suggested that all the universities throughout the country should make efforts for infrastructure development of the concerned areas where the varsity was located. This should be done in collaboration with the government and other agencies and utilization of its own resources, he suggested.
Dr Kalam, who arrived here this morning from Mizoram left for Guwahati. Among others who addressed the function were Asom governor Lt Col (retired) Ajai Singh, Asom chief minister Tarun Gogoi and union minister for heavy industries and public enterprises Santosh Mohan Dev. Earlier in the day, speaking at the second convocation of Mizoram University at Aizawl, the President stressed the need for a knowledge mission for overall development of North Eastern region. Dr Kalam urged academicians to chalk out a comprehensive plan for development of education infrastructure in the region. ''Knowledge mission in the region would create entrepreneurs and decrease the number of job seekers by 2020,''Dr Kalam said. He said he had taken up knowledge promotion programmes from the first day after assuming office. Dr Kalam focused on two areas in his Vision Document 2020 --Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) and Value-based Education system. ''I created a separate development document for NE states like Mizoram, Sikkim, Asom and Tripura, which I have shared with the respective governments on several occasion, and most of them have already been taken up by various agencies,'' Dr Kalam added.
When hopes fade Editorial Nagaland Post
Amidst the pyrrhic turf war between the two main rival NSCN factions in Nagaland and the unending process of negotiation-without-solution; there is a sense of dejection among the Nagas that the path to meaningful peace is still a long way and the immediate future looks bleaker by the cycle of persisting violence. What is happening in several parts of Nagaland in the light of violent incidents in the recent weeks , indicate that there appears to be no authority to enforce rule of law in the larger interests of the masses. Such a situation bodes ill for the people who had hoped that the cease fire agreements would herald the end of bloodshed. Official statistics indicate that from 1992 to 2000 a total of 1461 have been killed and the figure in 2006 could well have reached the 2000-mark. More than 600 civilians have been killed and many wounded on account of the factional violence. Cease fire ground rules are being violated with impunity by warring factions and tragically, the mechanism to enforce the rules appear to be toothless, like an old man in the twilight of his years. Since the beginning of 2005, the public of Mon, Zunheboto and Mon have been crying out to the state government to enforce the cease fire in the light of several activities of the armed cadres whose presence in their area have only brought suffering and misery to the common people. In the recent decades in Nagaland, there was a coherent voice in favor of resolution of the conflict through peaceful negotiations, even though no one could definitely say how this can be resolved. Possibly, the brief coherence for solution that found its strongest expression was during 2003 when there was homogeneity of opinion about the need to replace the driver to "give peace a chance" but the inherent contradictions was to soon manifest at the later stages. The political philosophy adopted as policy by politicians, with reasonable sounding terms that suggested treating all factions equally (equi- distance/closeness), proved to be like old wine in new bottles, good only as the labels. Society's leaders(both elected and non-elected)understand that the composition of factions is all about coalition of tribal interests and whose perceptions on what is right or wrong is relative to their perspectives that seek to prove their points not by transparent action but coercive means through the practice of 'might is right' ideology. Those who have obtained the mandate need to look and listen beyond the cacophony of various NGOs that drumbeat right political phraseology so that the inaudible voice of the silent majority is heard. One unmistakable desire of the people is not only about removing the potential danger of factional violence but to strengthen the rule of justice and law. People have elected their representatives to serve them and which means ensuring that their right to live in peace is not abdicated for politics.
Singh sings ‘new’ AFSPA tune Sangai Express
New Delhi, Oct 17 : Govt is contemplating brin-ging in some changes in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act to prevent its mis- use, Army Chief, General JJ Singh said here today.
He said in the review being carried out by the Centre with advice from Home and Defence Ministries, the clause under which at present a non-commissioned officer of army can order opening of fire in the face of civilian disturbance was being dropped.
"Instead it is proposed that only a junior commissioned officers would be invested with this authority", the Army Chief told newsmen while briefing them about the delibration of the just concluded Army Commanders conference.
He said a Bill in this regard might be tabled in coming session of the Parliament. Similarly he was hopeful of a Bill for the setting up of the first ever armed forces tribunal might also be tabled during the session. He said the ongoing Naga talks, which resumed in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam today, were moving in a positive direction and denied that his forces were equipping or supporting the rival NSCN (Khaplang) faction.
While saying that ULFA militants were now veering around to negotiations, Singh made clear that Indian Army was not propo- sing or conducting any joint operation with Myan-mar army against ulfa and other NE militant cadres. "It is purely a Myanmar army operation though we may be coordinating", he said. PTI
Centre keen to continue ULFA peace talks From Our Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Oct 17 – The Centre has described the breakdown in the peace process as temporary setback, reiterating that the Government of India was ready for dialogue with the banned outfit, if ULFA shunned violence. The assurance has come from Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil who addressing members of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry, said that the Centre was keen to continue the peace process, as it believed in peaceful resolution of the problems.
The Minister’s assurance came in response to AGP MP Sarbananda Sonowal’s complaint about the hardship caused to the people of the State after the outbreak of conflict between the Army and ULFA. Claiming that his Parliamentary constituency was worst affected, he pleaded that there should be no further delay in resumption of dialogue, sources said. Union Home Minister responded by explaining the situation that led to the breakdown in the peace process and resumption of operation by the Army. Patil, sources added, claimed that in keeping with the suggestion of the Asom Government, the Centre was willing to release the five ULFA militant leaders, but ULFA did not budge and provide the date for direct talks. They did not inform Government of India when they were coming for talks, the Home Minister reportedly said.

The Government of India is in favour of talks with any group, which is willing to hold talks and abjures violence. However, it cannot be a mute witness to the killing and harassment of innocent people, he said. Later briefing newsmen, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sriprakash Jaiswal reiterated what the Home Minister said in the meeting. “We want the dialogue to continue but condition is that they have to shun violence,” he said.
“Talks can continue whenever they want. We are ready,” he added. The Minister said that some adverse reports from the State forced the Centre to withdraw the suspension of operation. “Violence and talks cannot continue.”
Meanwhile, the Centre is going to discuss the Justice (retd) BP Jeevan Reddy Review Committee’s Report with the Ministry of Defence and the State Governments of the North Eastern States (NES) before taking a final decision on the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (1958). Jaiswal said the views of the Defence Ministry and the NES were important, as the Act was put into effect because of special circumstances prevailing in the States. But he did concede that extra-ordinary powers to the armed forces were not a healthy sign for a democracy.

At the meeting, Patil said that the government was studying the report and appropriate decision would be taken in the matter. He said that the centre was in the process of carefully taking a decision. About the situation in Manipur, he claimed that it better then before. Anxious members sought a response from the Home Minister to media reports indicating that the writ of the administration no longer ran in some of the districts in Manipur. At a discussion on the Report of the Jeevan Reddy Review Committee, speakers while lauding the recommendation to repeal the AFSPA, expressed dismay at the suggestion to insert some of the provisions of the Act in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Repeal of the Act, said executive director of Human Rights Alert, Babloo Loitongbam is the first necessary step to restore peace and necessary confidence among the people of the North-east.