11/11/2006: "Colours of "Nationalism" Nagarealm.com the Telegraph"

Colours of "Nationalism" Nagarealm.com the Telegraph

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio is no pushover. On the contrary, he is what the yuppies would call a “cool dude”. Rio has learnt to wield his policy of equidistance from both militant factions (euphemistically called the Naga nationalist soldiers), as a double-edged sword.
When the two rival factions National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and NSCN (Khaplang) recently launched into yet another turf war, akin to a pitched battle, Rio’s government decided to remain equidistant from the scene of action. His detractors are naturally baying for his blood. They have approached Governor Shyamal Dutta to invoke Article 355 of the Constitution and recommend President’s rule in Nagaland. Rio’s acerbic remarks thereafter display a complete lack of sensitivity about the incident of October 26-28 this year when rocket launchers, snipers and AK rifles boomed in Zunheboto district and sent about 4,000 people scurrying for cover.

Neiphiu Rio was, of course, not too far off the mark. He said when nationalist workers are fighting each other, how can a state force (government) perceived as ‘Indian’ and by definition ‘alien’, intervene in that free-for-all? While Rio would not mind thrashing the NSCN (K) rebels, he and his government would be pulverised if they happened to land a blow on an (I-M) mutineer.

Dismal future That tells us something about ideological affinity or the lack of it. No wonder Rio, in his smug wisdom, thought it wise to stay away from the theatre of violence. Why should he care if a few people died on either side of the divide and if there were civilian casualties too? Nationalism demands a price and Rio feels the Naga people should be ready to pay this price each time rival groups decide to engage in a bloodletting spree.

There are Nagas who believe hoping for a settlement is a vain angst. Those who are in trade and commerce have had to pay through their noses to survive. Extortion demands, particularly from the NSCN (I-M), has all but destroyed Naga business. Other non-tribal traders say they survive because they recover all their costs from the consumer. In a sense they feel a deep sense of remorse in having to charge their customers far beyond the prescribed rates. No wonder you do not have consumer protection courts in Nagaland. Even the lowly vegetable vendor who earns a pittance, has to pay for her stall plus a tax to the NSCN (I-M).

Nagas are beginning to wonder whether this battle of wits between Delhi and Naga ideologues will ever end. And what the end results would be if there really was a ‘solution’. They are beginning to articulate, albeit in muffled tones, whether life would be better then than it is now. And they certainly are very doubtful about the future.

Dying truths In a situation where diplomacy has become second nature and people have learnt the art of doublespeak so as not to offend anyone, truth becomes the first casualty. It is difficult to assess the current ‘Naga’ worldview as perceived by those born after the tumultuous years of killing and being killed. One wonders, and not wrongly, whether the young of this generation have a role in articulating their views even if those views fiercely contest those held by the elderly statesmen of Naga society.

Are the ideologues themselves open to new ideas in the light of an ever-changing socio-economic and socio-political setting in the real Naga society, far removed from the comfortable lifestyles of the leaders in Amsterdam? There seems to be a perception among Naga elders that the youth do not have enough wisdom to speak to the outside world about Naga nationalism. In fact, this nationalism has bred a group of spokespersons who have become repetitive. Most of them only air the views of the NSCN (I-M) because to do otherwise would bring horrible reprisals. There is, therefore, no fresh flow and circulation of ideas, no debate, and no dissent. A professor at the North Eastern Hill University (Nehu), speaking at a conference organised by Naga youths, said he did not want to comment on the Naga struggle, but what pained him the most is that Nagas no longer respect human life. Human lives, he said, have become as cheap as that of butchered animals.

Now that should tell us something about the collective consciousness of Nagas living outside Nagaland. They dare speak their minds because they are not in Nagaland. So can a repressive environment give birth to a liberal, sovereign Nagaland? Or does Naga sovereignty exclude liberal democratic ethos. If so, can people continue to live under such repressive regimes?

Many of us refer to the Taliban establishment as if it is in some distant hell. What we do not appreciate is that repressive regimes are born precisely because people dare not speak up for themselves. Will the Naga elders allow their young people the freedom to break away from narratives of the past? Why must they nurture the same feelings of bitterness and revenge or hope for something that is illusionary. Don’t they have the freedom to pursue their future the way they choose to without being made to feel guilty for not subscribing to the cause and perpetuating it?

Practical side The youth of today are pragmatic. They want to move on with life and secure their own future and that of their offspring. Perhaps they no longer even want to nurture the polluted air of idealism that their elders have been breathing for 60 years. If breaking away from the past will not be construed as a betrayal to the cause, then it is possible that we might see an entirely new shift in Naga political discourse. But that is what the leaders fear the most and so also the generation of elders who have learnt to live their lives in a set pattern pursuing the Naga dream. They would not know what to do if Naga nationalism is achieved. Very recently the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), smarting from allegations that the church has been a passive onlooker to the fratricidal murders brought out a dialectically crafted proposal for healing and reconciliation.

Sadly, as soon as the booklet was released, the NSCN (K) accused the NBCC of cosying up to the Muivah faction and expressed their lack of confidence in this church body. But the NBCC need not take this allegation too seriously. Both factions of the NSCN have indulged in similar polemics whenever they have failed to co-opt any institution to their ideological moorings.

Trade hellhole Today, the NBCC is perhaps the only institution that is equidistant from all warring parties and in whom the hope for bringing about a climate of sanity rests. Neiphiu Rio wants to go down in history as the man who bartered peace for Nagaland. Hence his government is doing everything except enforcing law and order. Dimapur has become a commercial hellhole where trucks carrying goods to Kohima and Imphal are heavily taxed by the government on one side and by the NSCN (I-M) on the other. People of Manipur have suffered tremendously from this obscurantist form of taxation. Each truck is demanded an exorbitant sum in order to enter Senapati, en route to Imphal and beyond. Prices of essential commodities, particularly of building materials, have skyrocketed. The same is the case in Kohima or Mokokchung.

The Dimapur mafia is perhaps comparable only to the Mumbai underworld. Yet while the government of Maharashtra hunts the underworld gangs, Rio turns a blind eye to the abominable methods of extortion practised by the militia in Nagaland. On its part Delhi is simply looking the other way even though ceasefire ground rules are violated with impunity by both factions.
The question is how far will civil society tolerate this daylight thievery, all in the name of Naga nationalism. Yes, Naga civil society will have to speak up and protest. If Naga nationalism means complete criminalisation of society, then I am afraid the Nagas are pursuing a lost cause. [PATRICIA MUKHIM, telegraphindia]
Grace Collins represents Nagas not factions: NSCN (IM) The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, NOV 10 (MExN): Describing it as a great shame on the part of the NSCN (K) to have stooped so low in an effort to undermine the contribution of Miss Grace Lyu Collins towards the Nagas, the NSCN (IM) stated that such cheap and immoral accusations threw light on the mental, spiritual and moral condition of the degenerated lot. “In doing so they did nothing but stretched their stupidity to the limit”, stated a press note issued by the MIP.
Pointing out that Grace Collins represents the Nagas as a whole and not any faction, the NSCN (IM) stated that she had interacted with Naga national workers past and present, Hoho leaders, Church leaders, student leaders, Naga mothers, widows, village chiefs, victims of Indian army atrocities, etc. and that for some years, she had focused her entire time and energy to make the Naga issue known to the outside world, particularly the US.
The MIP informed that Grace Collins’ family is of Korean origin settled in America and her father, a Reverend, is a dedicated Christian serving the Lord. “She was brought up in an environment with strong Christian principles. Her faith in the Lord and dedication to her work is exemplary”, it stated adding that she had gone to the Holy Land and was baptized at River Jordan.
Right from her college days she has had active interest in Human Rights and other related issues and it was during one of her exhibitions on human rights in Geneva that she met the Naga leaders and came to know the plight of the Naga people, it stated and pointed out that Grace Collins was deeply drawn to the theme ‘Nagaland for Christ’ and works wholeheartedly for its fulfillment.
Pointing out that accusing her of immorality and prostitution is most wicked and a deliberate ploy to undermine her contribution to the Naga cause. “Implicating NSCN Collective Leadership in such dirty politics is a sure sign of desperation and an attempt to tarnish the integrity of those who have given their all for the Naga nation. Such demonic utterances are unheard of in Naga society”, the NSCN (IM) maintained.
Politics or not politics, the MIP stated that no Naga worth his salt would degrade himself to such a level as to label a Naga sympathizer in such a manner. “It is beyond politics and therefore only political wastes, men guided by Lucifer, instruments of Satan, full of ill motivated blood flowing in their veins would resort to this kind of dehumanizing tactics”, it went on to state.
Pointing out that shameless concoctions of baseless stories with which the NSCN (K) tried to degrade the very integrity of Naga leaders and sympathizers had no place in our society and deserve to be condemned by all sensible citizens in strongest terms. “They have resorted to character assassination but God alone knows who is what and in the end truth shall prevail over such political scoundrels. Nagas shall never be at the mercy of these madmen”, the NSCN (IM) stated. Alleging the NSCN (K) to be like “rabbits with Indian carrots in their mouths” and that disowning Naga Hoho, NMA, NBCC, NSF and others is one thing, but accusing every international organization supporting the Naga cause and labeling them as terrorist organizations with expletives is altogether a tragic collapse of human reasoning.
The NSCN (IM) reminded the NSCN (K) that during the tenure of Boutros Boutros Ghali, the UN in its publication admitted ‘there is Human Rights situation in Nagalim’ and whether, the NSCN (K) would dare call the UN a terrorist organization for this supportive statement on the situation in ‘Nagalim’. Stating that the UNPO had for long admitted Nagalim as one of its members and that recently NSCN (IM) Chairman addressed its General Assembly, “will these crooked Nagas with deranged mentality dare accuse the UNPO as being a terrorist organization for recognizing the political right of the Nagas?” Informing that former US President Jimmy Carter had understood the Indo-Naga issue and written to the Government of India on behalf of the Carter Foundation supporting the peace process, the NSCN (IM) wanted to know whether the NSCN (K) will denounce this as well. “We know how desperate they are to please their masters yet Nagas will never fall to obvious trickery of a bunch of confused elements”.
The NSCN (IM) stated that Nagas recognized the efforts of Miss Grace Lyu Collins and held her in high esteem pointing out that her commitment and moral integrity was unquestionable. “Nagas must stay alert against those political criminals whose sole aim is to concoct baseless allegations against friends and well wishers of the Naga struggle. We shall not compromise with the decaying elements of Naga history. Come what may, we shall rise to the occasion”, the NSCN (IM) stated.
Fair turn to a story of fowls - Cooperative society inspires economic revolution in Assam Morongi (Assam), Nov. 10: The Telegraph
SAMIR K. PURKAYASTHA Great entrepreneurial ventures at times begin with no more than inspiration as capital. Akhya Bikash Samaj, a cooperative that has brought about an economic revolution of sorts in a small township in Assam’s Golaghat district, began with little more — about a thousand fowls. Arijit Bhuyan, an organic adviser to tea estates, and Doyal Bezbaruah, a schoolteacher, inspired by a winner scheme that mobilised a green revolution at Jalukie in Nagaland’s Peren district, started the Akhya Bikash Samaj in Morongi a year back. They scripted an entrepreneurial success that changed the lives of 500 families.
“It was early last year when I heard about the Jalukie project. I was inspired by the people of that area who have been changing their lives without government aid,” said Bezbaruah, who is secretary of the cooperative society. Soon thereafter, Bhuyan got in touch with officials of the State Bank of India’s Dimapur branch, which had funded the Jalukie project. The duo then met officials of the Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR) at Medziphema in Nagaland to understand the nitty-gritty of the cooperative scheme.
“We decided to go for a small poultry unit with chicks that would be brought from Hyderabad,” said Bezbaruah. Accordingly, ICAR arranged for procurement of day-old chicks from Hyderabad at a cost of Rs 18 per bird. The first set of 1,000 birds arrived from Hyderabad in October 2005. The chicks were then sold to farmers for Rs 32 each after rearing them for a month at a small rearing unit set up by the duo and five others.
“This development model runs without any loan component from any financial institution and without any government intervention,” explained Bezbaruah.
Located 6 km from Numaligarh Refinery Limited on National Highway 37, the co-operative has so far covered 10 villages. Unlike poultry, which need constant monitoring, the variety of fowl bought from Hyderabad can be fed on kitchen waste. The Numaligarh Refinery Limited employees are the main customers of these units. Encouraged by the response from the villagers, the society has decided to expand its ventures. It has already selected 86 ponds in the area for prawn and ornamental fish culture.
A team from Morongi has been sent to hatcheries in Digha in Bengal for training in prawn and ornamental fish culture. The society is also encouraging organic farming in the area. A social worker from Lucknow, Anjali Pathak, recently visited Morongi.
Factions clash Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, NOV 10 (NPN): One NSCN (I-M) leacy was abducted and later killed by NSCN (K) men while one NSCN (K) member was injured in a clash between the two rival factions Friday morning at Meluri under Phek district. According to reports reaching here, a group of around seventy NSCN (K) men came to Meluri in the wee hours of Friday and abducted and later killed the NSCN-IM leacy. Later, the same group at around 6.30 am clashed with some twenty-odd NSCN (I-M) members who were camping in Meluri village. In the ensuing gun battle, one NSCN (K) was reportedly injured on the leg. Meanwhile, the public reportedly intervened and stopped the clash between the NSCN factions. After the clash, the NSCN (IM) group reportedly left Meluri but the NSCN (K) group was believed to be camping in the same village.
PM to inaugurate controversial dam Newmai News Network
Imphal: On the last day set by the anti-dam lobby for dropping the controversial Tipaimukh dam project the Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today announced that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will lay the foundation stone of the controversial Tipaimukh dam project.
The Chief Minister, who was speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of Food Processing Industrial Park at Nilakuthi of Imphal East District, said the Prime Minister has accepted a request to visit Manipur in the last week of November and he will lay the foundation stone of Tipaimukh project during his visit to Manipur. Altogether 29 NGOs including Naga and Meitei NGOs jointly served an ultimatum to the O Ibobi Singh government on November 6 to scrape the memorandum of understanding signed between Manipur government and NEEPCO by today.
Political color finds Tokhu Emong; Hoho leader flayed The Morung Express
Dimapur, Nov 10 (MExN): The premier harvest thanksgiving festival of the Lotha community, Tokhu Emong is now being used as “an occasion of political platform”, according to the Wokha District Congress Committee, who expressed unhappiness at ‘political speech’ made by a community leader. The district’s Congress has taken strong exception to what it stated was the president of the Lotha Hoho, Nyanbemo Ngullie using the recent celebrations of the festival at Wokha as a “political platform”, garnering “assistance” and “development” and that the same has hurt the sentiments of the party. “It is not an occasion to seek development or assistance from the VVIP who is invited as the chief guest to grace the celebrations or a distinguished guest” according to MLA ET Ezung and District Congress Committee President KR Murry, implying a ‘biased’ speech purportedly made by the Hoho chairman.
“Shri Nyanbemo Ngullie as the Chairman, Lotha Hoho, should not have used the occasion as political platform. As the Chairman of the apex body of the Lotha tribe, he should be neutral and unbiased and do justice to all political parties equally.
His speech on the Tokhu Emong celebrations on November 7 has hurt the sentiment of the Congress party of Wokha district” the two made clear in a statement.
According to the two Congress leaders, Tokhu Emong is observed to celebrate rich harvest and marking the ending of the year and beginning of a new one, by the Lothas. It is an occasion of rejoicing unity, reestablishment of bonds and not an occasion to seek development or assistance “from the VVIP who is invited as chief guest”, the two leaders added.
Vilest of crime- Nagaland Post Opinion
Unethical use of revolutionary prowess by IK group has exceeded human tolerance and morality as has been demonically exhibited even at recent times. On 9th of November 2006 four IK cadres led by one Tangkhul commander raided Bethel Hospital where our sick cadres were undergoing medical treatment. These gangsters laid siege on the ward where our cadres were temporarily putting up for emergency medical aid. They forcefully tried to break in to the ward when our boys refused them entry, in the ensuing stalemate our boys reached Hospital vicinity and surrounded the building, our boys while trying to explore means to rescue our sick cadres without causing any stress and disturbance to other patients, the state police got alerted and intervened and that led to diffusion of impending grave disaster.
Such blatant dis-regard for sick and defenceless in quest of bloody glory itself shows how inhuman and sick- minded are these elements. It is our fervent appeal to every Naga and the world at large to dis-own such demonic elements in order to make the world a safer place atleast for the sick and helpless. Despite obvious enemity, it is always our belief that un defended and weaker section be left out from present vicious circle of blood letting.
Commander Urban Command Kohima. People's Army Of Nagaland NCSN.
On Khaplang gang’s wicked and unethical attacks- Nagaland Post Opinion
It is a matter of great shame on the part of Khaplang gang who have stopped so low as to exhibit utter shamelessness in an effort to undermine the contribution of Miss Grace Lyu Collins towards the Nagas. Such cheap and immoral accusation does throw light on the mental, spiritual and moral condition of the degenerated lot. In doing so they did nothing but stretched their stupidity to the limit. For one thing these wanton Indian puppets must realize that Grace Collins represents the Nagas as a whole and not any faction. She had interacted with Naga National workers past and present, Hoho leaders, Church leaders, Student leaders, Naga mothers, widows, Village Chiefs, Victims of Indian army atrocities, etc. For some years she has focused her entire time and energy to make the Naga issue known to the outside world, particularly the U.S.
Grace Collins' family is of Korean origin settled in America. Her father, a Reverend, is a dedicated Christian serving the Lord. She was brought up in an environment with strong Christian principles. Her faith in the Lord and dedication to her work is exemplary. She went to the Holy Land and was baptized at river Jordan. Right from her college days she has had active interest in Human Rights and other related issues and it was during one of her exhibition on human Rights in Geneva that she met the Naga leaders and came to know the plight of the Naga people.
She is deeply drawn to the theme "Nagaland for Christ" and works wholeheartedly for its fulfillment. Accusing Grace Collins of immorality and prostitution is most wicked, a deliberate ploy to undermine her contribution to the Naga cause Implicating NSCN's Collective leadership in such dirty politics is a sure sign of desperation and an attempt to tarnish the integrity of those who have given their all for the Nagas Nation.
Such demonic utterances are unheard of in Naga society. Politics or no politics, no Naga worth his salt would degrade himself to such a level as to label a Naga sympathizer in such a manner. It is beyond politics and therefore only political wastes, men guided by Lucifer, instruments of Satan; full of ill motivated blood flowing in their veins would resort to this kind of dehumanizing tactics. Shameless concoctions of baseless stories with which the Khaplang gang tries to degrade the very integrity of Naga leaders and sympathizers has no place in our society and deserve to be condemned by all sensible citizens in strongest terms. They have resorted to character assignation but God alone knows who is what and in the end truth shall prevail over such political scoundrels. Naga shall never be at the mercy of these madmen. Khaplang's gang, like rabbits with Indian carrots in their mouths, disowning Naga Hoho and its units, Nagas Mothers, Nagaland Baptist Church Council, Naga Students Federation and other Organizations is one thing, but accusing every Intemational Organization supporting the Naga cause and labeling them as terrorist organizations with expletives associated with terrorism is altogether a tragic collapse of human reasoning NSCN would like to remind Khaplang's gang that during the tenure of Boutrons Ghali, the UN in its publication admitted, 'There is Human Rights situation in Nagalim'.
Will the Indian puppets dare call UN a terrorist Organization for this supportive statement on the situation in Nagalim? The UNPO has long admitted Nagalim as one of its members and recently NSCN Chaiman addressed its General Assembly. Now will these crooked Nagas with deranged mentality dare accuse the UNPO as being a terrorist organization for recognizing the political right of the Nagas? Former US president Jimmy Carter has understood the Indo-Naga issue and written to the GOI on behalf of the Carter Foundation supporting the Indo-Naga peace process. Will Khaplang gang denounce this as well? We know how desperate they are to please their masters yet Nagas will never fall to obvious trickery of a bunch of confused elements.
Naga recognizes the efforts of Miss Grace Lyu Collins and holds her in high esteem. Her commitment and moral integrity is unquestionable. Nagas must stay alert against those political criminals whose sole aim is to concoct baseless allegations against friends and well wishers of the Naga struggle. We shall not compromise with the decaying elements of Naga History. Come what may, we shall rise to the occasion.
Issued by: MIP, GPRN, NSCN (IM).
Pressures of modern life driving youths to despair: Mittathany Kuknalim.com
KOHIMA, Nov 10:: Youths in the north east have a passionate concern for human freedom, dignity and justice and are constantly searching for meaning and values, which gives a sense of direction and solidarity to their lives in a world of uncertainty and seeming meaninglessness, said Most Rev.Joseph Mittathany, Archbishop of Imphal. He was gracing the St. Joseph College graduation and valedictory day as the chief guest at the college campus.

The youths also lack leadership, are restless and easily exploited by vested interests said Rev.Mittathany and further added that the rejection and the tough realities of life drive them to a state of insecurity, helplessness, anguish and despair making them crave for a better world with which they can identify. “A dark cloud of gloom and uncertainty threatens to engulf the youths and the region seems to be besets with an environment of violence and poverty lamented,” he observed. While pointing out that youths, the most powerful and talented segment of the society, have set out on a ‘radar-less voyage,’ he rued that many of them have lost hope for a bright and prosperous future. North-east, which is fast becoming a part of the global village with a fast change in the lifestyle of the people, Most Rev.Mittathany said, “it is nice to be part of the global village, to share the culture of each other but when it begins to erode the cultural values, people begin to assert and stress their differences.”

Also stressing on the unemployment situation in the region, he said youths are educated but do not posses the skills that are needed in the job market and he attributed the educational system for failing to give the requisite vocational training and professional orientation. With unemployment, young people lose the enthusiasm to achieve something in life which leads them to live under stress, anxiety, despair and further leading them to drugs and alcohol, Most Rev.Joseph Mittathany observed.

Also, Prof. K Kannan, speaking on the occasion said that every development requires the support and cooperation of the public, and assured to give the best avenues to graduate students from Nagaland for higher studies to study within Nagaland University. Addressing the students, Prof. K Kannan said that their primary duty is to study and not to do other things. He stressed on the need to excel at one’s own job and profession first, reminding the students that they can enjoy life after the successful completion of their studies. Prof. Kannan also said that the President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is very much concerned about Nagaland, and challenged the young people to make the best use of their talents to do good to others. He said that it is mandatory for every research scholar to publish their works in two journals/magazines before submission of the thesis for a Doctorate of Philosophy degree.
Thsingvi T Sangtam (Sociology Honors) was awarded the Governor’s Gold Medal as Best Graduate; Avika Memorial Award was awarded to Tokelisie, while Tsisabeno Juliana (Sociology Honors) and I Josephine (English Honors) were awarded the Chikrophüyo Memorial Award and Alumni Association Award respectively. Altogether 74 students graduated from the college this year. (MExN)
Protests against ULFA's anti-Hindi agenda Nagaland Post
GUWAHATI, NOV 10 (AGENCIES): The anti-Hindi agenda of militant outfit ULFA in Assam has resulted in many people of the community fleeing the state.
In the past few days there have been three attacks, clearly targeting non-Assamese labourers in the state. On October 28, there was an attack at the venue of a chhat puja in which a 13-year-old boy was killed and 12 people were injured. Then last Sunday there was a blast at Pathar quarry where most labourers are Hindi-speaking. And another blast at Fancy bazaar, which killed 14 people and injured 40 others. But now residents say they have had enough and want the government to take action against the local resentment.
"We want peace and security. These terrorist activities must stop now. We can't take it anymore," said YL Karn, protestor. The labourers say the situation has recently got so bad that many have had to leave Assam. "Slowly all the Biharis are leaving the state," said a resident of the area. But there are still many who feel as much part of Assam as the locals and don't want to leave. "The government, either the state or Centre should give us protection, because Assam is our motherland, our birthplace as well as workplace,'' said KK Tiwari, protestor. The state administration has reassured these protesters but unless some stringent security measures are in place such reassurance sound hollow.
Perspective analysis of election in democratic polity Ngamkhohao Haokip
Contd from previous issue Sangai Express
The amendment provides that the Council of Minister, including the Chief Minister, should not exceed fifteen percent of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly. With the enforcement of this act, another question of monopolistic and claims of undue ascendancy in dispensation of ministerial berth is being promised by incumbent thereby conspiring the illiterate and innocent citizens.
The power conferred under Article 324, mentioned also above, is a very important valve as far as electoral systems and electoral reformations are concerned. Free and fair or smooth conduct of election is more solely rests on the understanding of the commission. Another thing is the empowerment of the High Courts in their respective jurisdiction, over cases of any election disputes. Any aggrieved party can petition and appeal the High Courts in case of corrupt practises are being adopted by other contesting party/ies.
India ‘Failed as a ‘Democratic’ Country: In any elections in a democratic country, electing some individuals to form Government or to make laws on our behalf is not the end in itself. More important is ‘how’ the voters elect those individuals. The ‘how’ includes the questions of fairness of the election; freeness of the voters in choosing their choice without any elements playing against his/her right and under no forces; and most importantly, awareness of the voters. The question, then, is - do the ignorant and powerless citizens, particularly in Hill constituencies of Manipur, enjoy their rights as citizens of democratic state without fear and fouls?
Not only is the real political problems of the tribal being remained un-addressed, but widespread election-related violence, crime, riots, murders, mayhem and influences of what is called money, muscle, mafia power and underground involvements are also rampant in India as a whole. This shall remain as a characteristic of developing India.
Criminalisation of politics and politicisation of criminals are not only the features in mainland India but more so in the northeastern States. Stories of both capturing, rigging, bogus voting, impersonation, misuse of religions, caste and tribal identities, and various other corrupt practises made the greatest democracy a failure.
In democratic state, it is not her economic achievements, neither her military might that count in its politically set-goal but the equal and just enjoyment of the rights its gives to her citizens that is significant in the end.
In Manipur, none of the reserved constituencies is exceptional in terms of mal-practises. Now, almost all the main tribal groups in the state have their respective armed organisations. More interesting is their affinity and closer attachment they connive with a smaller identity - clan. It is more aggravating that this tendency shall continue unabated in the months and years to come unless our electoral systems are cleansed and streamlined. The root of this emerging trend is not far to seek.
Every election becomes election engaged by the rich and the dominant tribe/clan. The constitutional provision of reserved constituencies has now definitely turned out to be reserved ones for a particular clan or tribe. Surprisingly, this foul-means remain being perpetuated so until today even after our knowledge are increased and after more educated youths are coming forth on the stage of the days. Why? The poor and uneducated ones who constituted the margina-lized sections of the society remain unattended to all through these years. Their economic status does not just remain unchanged but is rather demeaning day by day. There are unequal distributions of developmental schemes and manipulations of employment opportunities in the hands of the elected representatives.
These distressing socio -political conditions make them a soft target for manipulation and overshadowing their rights from the money-laden politicians. The bolder groups would choose to resort to walking away from the mainstream that is worrying us today.
Among the Kukis, their irrationally cherished customs known as chieftain-ship has turned the political rights of the villagers more than in topsy-turvy condition. The chief either boldly and bluntly bogus-votes or orders his villagers to vote for candidate of his choice. Violating this order is penalty in one form or another even to the extend of shooing aw-ay the recalcitrant from the village permanently.
But, recent experiences show- that a new development has gained momentum. This new show-up is again not a trend to be happy about. The Chiefs’ powers are declining and in its place, money-power and power of the unsolicited armed groups may be positioned. This development is the consequence of the social structure that had already created conditions for such development. The corresponding sources of such bad tendency are found in the electoral system the lawis prescribing.
Streamlining elections in Manipur: With a view- to streamlining electoral system in India, the Indian Parliament, through the Election Commission has been amending the sections, Articles and rules related to elections but w-ithout much success. Each general election to both Parliament and State legislatures is accompanied by newer challenges. The new efforts of the Commission in this regard need to consider the socio-economic structures of different communities. In addition, India’s heterogeneous entities should be taken into account while deciding new-tasks for streamlining our electoral system. It is more a fact than myth that India, in spite of its enormous military and economic strength, could not uphold its democratic values during elections. This is a bigger yardstick than her stock indexes that we should address in a proper and fair manner as long as India choose to be democratic. — to be contd
Restrictions responsible for slump in trade at Moreh From Our Correspondent Assam tribune
IMPHAL, Nov 10 – The continuous price control of goods by Myanmar’s military junta and New Delhi’s restriction on certain items have forced grounding of the Indo-Myanmar border trade and its export-import activities.
“Not only this the present law and order situation at border town is also one of the important factor for the slump in the trade”, said a senior official of Customs, Government of India.
The Customs officer also felt that the export and import trade between the two countries has been grounded and added that it is on verge of becoming ‘defunct’.

“Medicinal plants which were in great demand in India cannot be brought in now from Myanmar as New Delhi has placed a restriction”, the officer informed. India have a restriction on import of medicinal plants until and unless the importer provides the actual origin and details of the plants. On the other hand, Myanmar authority controls the prices. Besides, products from a third country cannot be included in the trade between India and Myanmar. “But you see most of the items brought in from Burma these days are the products of a third country”, a Manipuri trader said.

M Chandrakishore, vice-president of North East Federation of International Trade appealed to the State Government to formulate a policy for border trade and include goods manufactured in a third country. Meanwhile, a high level study group has started studying the modalities of improvising the declining border trade. A meeting was also held on October 26 where the members including the security officials were asked to submit their suggestions and comments within 15 days.
Suspected rebels trigger blast killing 1 paramilitary soldier in northeastern India
Suspected rebels triggered a bomb killing one paramilitary soldier and wounding four others Friday in India's remote northeastern state of Assam, police said. The soldiers were returning from routine patrol duties when the bomb planted on the roadside went off, said Bhaskar Mahanta, Assam's deputy inspector general of police.
The soldier was killed instantly, when the vehicle he was traveling in, was hit, Mahanta said.
Sadiya is around 650 kilometers (406 miles) east of Gauhati, Assam's capital. Police blamed the attack on United Liberation Front of Asom militants who have been fighting for more than two decades for Assam's separation from India. The insurgency has claimed more than 10,000 lives.
On Sunday, ULFA militants exploded twin blasts in Gauhati killing at least 15 people and wounding nearly a dozen others. Since then, the federal government has sent 2,000 additional paramilitary soldiers to Assam to join the army, police and paramilitary troopers already engaged in counter terrorism operations in the strife-torn state. The ULFA rebels have stepped up attacks since the federal government called off a truce in September amid deadlocked peace talks with the group's representatives. The government unilaterally announced the truce with the ULFA in August as a goodwill gesture. Insurgents want independence for Assam, saying the federal government exploits the state's rich natural resources while neglecting the region's development.
Bomb attacks in Assam wound six policemen By Reuters
GUWAHATI (Reuters) - Separatist militants in India's restive northeastern state of Assam wounded seven policemen in two targetted bomb attacks on Friday, police said. Members of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) triggered an improvised explosive device as two police vehicles passed, wounding six federal policemen. The attack took place in the remote Tinsukia district, the easternmost region of the tea-and-oil-rich state where ULFA has been fighting for independence from India since 1979.
In another attack in central Nagaon district, ULFA militants threw a grenade at the house of a senior police officer, wounding his bodyguard, a police spokesman said. Authorities are bracing for more attacks.
"We have stepped up our security measures and more troops have been sent to militant stronghold areas," an intelligence officer, who did not want to be named, said. Violence has flared in the state of 26 million people after New Delhi and ULFA called off peace talks in September.
On Sunday, two bombs exploded in Guwahati, Assam's biggest city, including one in a crowded market, killing a total of 13 people and wounding around a dozen. Tens of thousands of people have died in the insurgency in nearly three decades. ULFA, one of the over dozen major militant groups operating in the troubled northeast, accuses New Delhi of plundering Assam's oil, timber and tea.
Anti-Tipaimukh dam activists call strike, to boycott Sonia and PM`s visit to state The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Nov 10: With the expiry of deadline set by the twenty-nine concerned organizations campaigning against Tipaimukh mega dam and no positive response coming from the state government`s side, the 24 hour statewide general strike of the conglomerate organizations begins 6 am tomorrow as per their announcement made earlier.

Representatives of the organizations, at a press conference today also announced boycott of the proposed visit of congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to the state during the current month, apart from threatening to call economic blockade on the national highways and launching non-co-operation campaign against all the political parties, politicians and all the contending candidates for 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly election who were in favour of implementing Tipaimukh dam project. Meanwhile, Manipur chief minister, O Ibobi Singh has said that those who were calling the general strike against the construction of Tipaimukh dam are instigated by some vested interest. He said anyone can come and sit together with the officials of state government and NEEPCO and discuss threadbare the loss or gain of the multipurpose project. The chief minister was speaking at the foundation laying function of the food processing industrial park (Food Park) at Nilakuthi, Imphal east district today.

He went on to say, "We can stop the construction of this dam if amount of loss to be caused by the dam is beyond the expectation."

He further alleged that the opponents of the construction of Tipaimukh dam do not know where Tipaimukh is and said it was very unfortunate that they going in the direction pointed by some persons with vested interest."

Co-convener of the ACTIP, Kinderson Pamei, while speaking at a press conference held at HERICON office in Imphal today reaffirmed that the 24 hour statewide general strike will begin at 6 am of November 11, and also disclosed that this will be followed by indefinite economic blockade on the national highways if the state government remains unresponsive to their call for total scrapping of Tipaimukh Hydro Electric Power (Multipurpose) Project once and for all and recall of restricted public hearing notification issued by Manipur pollution control board. On behalf of the 29 organizations he also stated that all the volunteers of 29 organizations are getting ready for the general strike and any untoward incidents during the strike will be the sole responsibility of the state government. Pamei, justifying their demands said, "we are demanding the saving of our people from forced dislocation from their ancestral land, our land from outsider`s hands, and our unique identity, by scrapping of the Tipaimukh Hydro Electric Power project."

Pamei added, "The proposed public hearings is aimed at muzzling the concerned voices by restricting the participants and is also against the legally established norms of public hearing as enshrined in the environment impact assessment notification, 1994 (amended 2004) issued by the Manipur pollution control board." The public hearing is scheduled to be held on 17th of this month at Churchandpur DC office, Churchandpur and on 22nd at Tamenglong DC, Tamenglong.

An ultimatum was submitted on November 7 last to the state chief minister, O Ibobi Sigh, he reiterated and stated that they had set a deadline for today for a positive response from the state government. As the government failed to give a positive response, the 29 organizations decided to implement their resolution passed in a joint meeting on November 6 last regarding the launching of various forms of agitations, he said appealing to the people of Manipur to support their stir.

The state government should immediately stop selling 9,421 square km of land of the state to the Central government through NEEPCO at any cost, Pamei added. Among the 29 frontal organizations are ANSAM, Centre for Social Development, Chandel, Naga People`s Organisation, Naga Students` Union, Chandel, Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Nagaland and Manipur), ACTIP etc.
Two CRPF jawans die in ULFA attack Close shave for Nagaon SP Our Bureau Sentinel
TINSUKIA/GUWAHATI, Nov 10: Two CRPF jawans were killed while five others injured when suspected ULFA militants blew up a CRPF vehicle at Amarpur, Sadiya, in Tinsukia district at 4.15 this evening. The driver of the vehicle is missing. All the injured have been admitted to the Assam Medical College Hospital, Dibrugarh. In another incident, the rebels targeted another CRPF convoy in an area under Shantipur border outpost with a grenade. There was no casualty in the incident. Those killed in the Sadiya attack have been identified as Dipak Singh (a civilian handyman) and Banshilal Yadav. The injured are Satbir Rao, Satyendra Singh, Omprakash, Rajbir Yadav and Rajkumar. The missing driver-cum-owner of the vehicle has been identified as BT Chetia. The CRPF personnel were going in two vehicles, a Tata Mobile and a 407 bus and the latter escaped the attack. The Suspected ULFA rebels also lobbed grenades at the residence of Nagaon SP Krishna Das at 4.30 p.m. Though the SP survived the attack, a constable was injured in the attack. The grenade created a four-foot-deep crater in the area. Meanwhile, a PIB (Defence Wing) release from Tezpur said that a high-level operational meeting of all senior Army officers involved in combating insurgency in Asom and Arunachal Pradesh was held at Tezpur today to carry out a review of the situation arising out of the killing of innocent civilians in Guwahati, and to launch intensive Army operations against the ULFA. The release further said that there should be no human rights violations or collateral damage to innocent civilians or their property during any operations by the Army personnel. The Army operations, however, would not disturb the possibility of peace talks with the banned outfit, the release stated.
CPI: PM has kept parties in dark on ULFA talks By a Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, Nov 10: Expressing distress over the silence being maintained by the Government of India since last month regarding the demand for convening an all-party meeting on the ULFA issue, the CPI has today said narrow political game may be the root cause behind the, what it said, lack of transparency in the negotiation process. The party has not got any response from the Prime Minister as yet to its demand for convening a meeting of all political parties of Asom to work out a common approach to find a solution to the vexed ULFA problem, said Promode Gogoi, CPI national executive member, while talking to the press here today. It may be mentioned here that CPI leader AB Bardhan wrote a letter to the Prime Minister in this regard on October 10. Reiterating the demand for convening an all-party meeting without further delay, he said all the political parties should be taken into confidence on the status of the peace process, since the situation has gradually turned worse since the breakdown of talks with the ULFA-constituted PCG. It may be mentioned here that although Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has responded positively to the demand made by the CPI(M) for convening an all-party meet do discuss the ULFA issue, the State Government is yet to initiate any steps in this regard. “One should not utilize the issue, which directly hits the entire population of Asom as well as its development and industrialization, to fulfil one’s narrow political interests,” said the CPI leader.
The CPI has also demanded for an impartial inquiry on the recent twin blasts in the city to unearth the truth behind the ‘condemnable act of violence.’ He said conflicting and confusing claims as to who was behind the blasts have to be investigated properly. The party has also condemned the recent killing of five-year-old boy Debajit Moran in Pengeri in Tinsukia district by the Army personnel, and demanded withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from Asom. The party apprehended that more such incidents might take place if the Act remains in force in Asom.
DATELINE GUWAHATI/Wasbir Hussain Madness in Asom, wrong signals from Delhi Sentinel
I don’t know who was behind 5/11 in Guwahati, the killer blasts that took 15 lives and maimed up to 50 others, all innocent civilians. The security establishment thinks the ULFA is behind the massacre, either engineering the destruction on its own or aided by ‘jehadi’ forces. On its part, the ULFA, or a section of it, claimed that the group was not involved in the Guwahati blasts last Sunday (a statement to this effect was attributed to the ULFA’s dreaded 28th battalion by the media). The moot question is not who carried out the dastardly attacks (although lot of things can be easily deduced from precedence or the modus operandi itself)—the question that bothers me is the impact of such stealthy attacks on unsuspecting civilians, and the Government’s response.
The Government’s response was ok to the extent that Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who was in Delhi, immediately briefed the PMO or the Prime Minister himself and discussed the attack with Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Home Secretary V.K. Duggal and others. The decision to hold a quick review meeting of the Unified Headquarters in Guwahati the morning after the blasts was also ok and on expected lines. What was unnecessary was the decision or the visit itself of Home Secretary Duggal, accompanied by the heads of the paramilitary CRPF and the BSF, the Joint Secretary (North-east) in the MHA, and other senior officials to Guwahati within less than 24 hours of the bombings.
The visit by the ‘composite Central team’ to Guwahati in the aftermath of an attack that killed ordinary civilians perhaps contributed in reinforcing an interpretation or even sending out a message that the perpetrators of the attack had actually managed to rattle or shake the Delhi durbar. New Delhi’s decision to rush the Home Secretary and the heads of the paramilitary forces gave an impression as if the Government gets the pinch only if such violence leads to bigger casualties like the one in Guwahati on Sunday. And, what has been the visible (I shall talk of the so-far invisible impact of the team’s visit later) outcome of the visit by these officials? Well, there has been a reiteration that counter-insurgency operations would be intensified and a new strategy is being put into action. Such statements about intensification of operations gives an impression as if the offensive thus far had been weak or had gaps.
What the Government could have done was to tone up things to put pressure on all those out to shatter peace in Asom by killing civilians, establish for sure the identity of the killers, review the counter-insurgency operations itself, and, most importantly, talk with all shades in the society with the sole purpose of harping on the need for an end to violence and to begin a sincere quest for peace. I often wonder why ministers and top bureaucrats coming over to Asom (or any state for that matter) to assess law and order or security situations in the wake of a major spate of violence never bother to meet or discuss matters with people outside of the Government. After all, there is an utmost need for such people to meet and absorb a few inputs from non-government leaders from different walks of life. Simply analysing or preparing strategies to control or tackle a situation based on governmental or intelligence inputs is certainly not the correct approach. I also wonder why the Asom Government does not think that the time is just right to have a meeting with all political forces, student groups, the intelligentsia and the civil society, however fragmented, from across the State and see what people think the road to peace should be.
Anyway, aside from what should or should not have been done, the Home Secretary’s visit did brighten the chances of some 6,500 new recruitments in Asom! Well, Duggal is said to have okayed (verbally that is) the immediate recruitment of 5,000 constables into the Assam Police (this includes those 3,000 odd who had been short-listed already but who have not joined yet due to the court case) and 1,500 Special Police Officers (SPO). We have some idea of what SPOs are, but jobs are jobs after all in a State where up to 20 lakh educated people are unemployed. And, of course, Asom got 20 additional (19 if media reports are true) paramilitary companies after demanding, urging and cajoling New Delhi for sometime now. The only good thing in a rather depressing week in Asom has been the decision by National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan to once again meet with some pro-peace people like Indira Goswami and Rebati Phukan. One can only hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I for one would like to only hope for the best.

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11/11/2006: "Colours of "Nationalism" Nagarealm.com the Telegraph"