11/12/2006: "Centre likely to intervene Kuknalim.nl"

Centre likely to intervene Kuknalim.nl
KOHIMA, Nov 11:: The Centre is likely to intervene in Nagaland if factional clashes continue and the State Government maintained that the clashes did not come under the law and order problem, the Congress here said.

All India Congress Committee secretary Sanjay Bapna, in-charge of Nagaland and Manipur, on a visit to the State to meet his party members on Friday, said there could be some kind of intervention from the Centre, including President's Rule, if the present situation continues.

He also said the State's Home Minister Thenucho tried to divert the issue by saying that the factional killings were not political and are not a law and order problem.

He claimed that the people had lost faith in the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN).
Demanding President's Rule in Nagaland by the State Congress party, Mr Bapna said it was the prerogative of the Governor to assess the situation and report to the Centre.

Bapna further revealed that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi were likely to visit Manipur soon. Meanwhile, an NSCN(IM) cadre was killed and one Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) cadre injured during a factional clash between combined forces of FGN, NSCN (K) and NSCN-IM in Meluri at Phek district. (UNI)
Cong junks Manipur fear The Telegraph OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kohima, Nov. 11: The Congress today belittled threats posed by the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) and other militant organisations in the run-up to the next general elections in Manipur.
AICC secretary in-charge of Nagaland, Manipur and Tripura, Sanjay Babna, played down the presence of underground outfits, especially in the four hill districts of Manipur. “Even during the last elections, despite their efforts to prevent us from coming to power, the Congress secured a thumping majority,” he said. His comment is significant given reports of threats issued by NSCN cadre to Naga politicians, particularly those belonging to the Congress.
The Naga militant groups want the politicians of Naga origin to contest as regional party candidates. They hold the view that national parties are not concerned about long-pending Naga political issues. Last month, Congress MLA R.K. Thekho said the NSCN was issuing threats to top Congress leaders through the United Naga Council (UNC) — the apex Naga body in Manipur. The UNC, however, denied the allegations, terming them as baseless.
Babna said his party might consider inclusion of affiliation of Naga schools in Manipur to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) in the election manifesto.

Tamenglong students finally get admission in Nagaland The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Nov 11: Apprehensive students of Tamenglong district of Manipur who left for Nagaland to seek admission have finally got admission in different schools there.

According to a report from Tamenglong, students of Purity Lamb Institutes and UB School have been accommodated in Kohima Dayapar Hill High School, likewise CM High School and Christian Grammar School got seats in Great English School, DB School, and Savio English School in Kohima Higher Secondary School, Saren Children English School in St John English High School, Homi English School in Baptist English High School, Kohima, Apoukading High School in G Higher Secondary School, Kohima and Dominic High School and Longmai High School in United Brethel High School.

Mention may be made that apprehensive of losing an academic year, students of private schools in the hill districts of Manipur which have switched their syllabus to that of Nagaland Board of Secondary Education, headed for Nagaland state to get admission there.

The students studying in Class-X and waiting to appear in the forthcoming high school leaving certificate examinations were accompanied by their guardians. Together around 180 people (students and guardians) from Tamenglong district left early Tuesday for Nagaland to seek admission in schools there so as to be able to appear in the HSLC examination 2006-07.
Atem acknowledges Kholi’s ‘confession’ on Shillong Accord The Morung Express
Dimapur, Nov 11 (MExN): The NSCN-IM acknowledged what it stated was the NSCN-K’s C-in-C Kholi Konyak’s ‘confession’ to signing of condemnation of the Shillong Accord.
“Thank God, the truth has surfaced at last” Lt Gen (Retd) VS Atem stated in response to the statement of Gen Kholi ‘confessing’ to signing a condemnation declaration of the Accord, under pressure. “The most shameful chapter in the Naga history is the ignominious Shillong Accord and this very Accord is the root cause and the genesis of present bloodshed among the Nagas. The hitherto united Naga people were vertically split thereafter those who stood by the Shillong Accord and those who condemn it” the former NSCN-IM military chief stated in a response.
According to VS Atem, Kholi as the ‘Marshal Law Administrator, pro-Shillong Accord Naga Army,’ staged a coup on August 30 1978 and declared that “Shillong Accord and Phizo as well should not be condemned nor criticized by anyone.” Then on October 2, 1978, Marshal representatives met with signatories of the Accord at Solow, Lainung village “but what transpired in the meeting, Kholi himself knows best” and it was under him that a national assembly was convened on February 19, 1979 “which is not only totally unconstitutional but also unheard of in Naga history before”. Atem explained that the assembly was ‘dictated’ to nullify and counter-condemn the assembly’s resolutions on 1976 which had “saved” the Nagas by condemning the Accord and Zashie Huire’s “ministry”. The meeting also declared that they would negotiate with the Accord signatories. For this Col. Running and Khasui walked out of the meeting in protest, Atem stated.
Taking these in view, Atem observed Kholi as a person “who cannot withstand pressure.” When he said that he signed the condemnation of the Accord under pressure ‘it is construed logically that he was and is in favor of the Accord, a person who acts against his own conscience and “it is crystal clear that his stupidity is always exploited by wicked people”. Atem stated adding that Kholi is more confused by joining the NNC/FGN which he, ‘through the Marshall law had already killed’. “His own confession is conspicuous by the present collusion of K-group with NNC/FGN against the NSCN” Atem stated adding that it would not be a surprise if Kholi one day “comes out again refuting his own recent statements saying that he was under pressure to do so”.
Who is biggest and strongest?- Nagaland Post Opinion
Many a times we come across some people and media persons saying that IK (former IM) organization and its armed group are the biggest and strongest organization in the entire Northeast of the Indian sub-continent. Is it true! how?? Is it logically inferred conclusion by studying all the ground realities or figments of imaginations? How big and strong is IK?? Such exaggerations and flattery embodlden and excites the IK group to carry on more acts of terrorism in Nagaland and elsewhere. In the entire so-called their Nagalim, the IK dominated areas are only (as at present) Ukhrul, Wokha, parts of Dimapur and parts of Senapati district in Manipur. All other detachments of armed terrorists are kept only for extortions and terrorism. They keep 20-30 armed terrorists in Arunachal, North Cachar Hills of Assam for making money (extortion), They also keep an equal no. in Megahalya to extort money and to struggle raw Uranium for sale elsewhere. In Nagaland and Manipur the IK-group function their activities of terrorism and extortion in connivance with the state authorities. They have had declared unilateral cease-fire with the Myanmar Military Junta and that they need not keep their contingents in Myanmar. Nothing more than that, But for the NSCN and the Naga people's Army, we have our administration in most parts of Naga inhabited areas, We have our administration in the entire area, which is at least four times of the size of present Nagaland. Here in Naga areas, the so-called Nagalim, only raimnents of our Army personnel work, especially for the protection of the civilian authorities, because here we have cease-fire with the GOI.
In every armed encounter or clash with IK group, we politely declare all our casualties whether killed or injured, because the armed personnel are Naga people's Army and that it is our obligation to inform the Naga public and the relatives.
Following factors can be attributed to the expertise of IK men:-
1. To terrorize people into submission.
2. To hide their killed members or casualties so that they are not degraded before the people and
3. To live a luxurious life at the expense of the common people.
So, now examine and ponder who is big, who is small and who is strong and who is weak. Don't exaggerate a thing which creates more troubles and confusions in the Naga Societies.
Secretary, MIP/GPRN, NSCN (K).
Hard Facts- Nagaland Post Opinion
The attention of NSCN has been drawn to the statements of Kholi Konyak of K-group wherein he has at last confessed that he had "Signed the Condemnation of Shillong Accord under Pressure". Thank God the truth has surfaced at last!
The most shameful chapter in the Naga history is the ignominious Shillong Accord and this very Accord is the root cause and the genesis of present bloodshed among the Nagas. The hitherto united Naga people were vertically split thereafter-those who stood by the Shillong Accord and those who condemned it. The sequence of ugly events that followed since then are still fresh and there is no room of distortions.
Yes, Kholi as the Marshall Law Administrator (Pro-Shillong Accord Naga army had staged coup-de-dat on 30th August 1978.) declared and warned that "Shillong Accord and Phizo as well should not be condemn nor criticized by anyone". On 2nd October 1978, Marshall Law representatives invited and met the signatories of Shillong Accord at Solow, at Lainung village, but what transpired in the meeting, Kholi himself knows best. It was under his leadership the Marshall Law Administration convened the National Assembly, on 19th February, 1976 which had saved the Naga nation by condemning the Shillong Accord and Zashie Huire Ministry. The meeting also declared that they would negotiate with the Shillong Accord signatories for which Col Pruning and Mr. Khasui walked out of the meeting in protest.
Going by his statement, Kholi can be understood as a person who cannot withstand pressure. When he said that "he signed the condemnation of Shillong Accord under pressure it is construed logically that:
(i) He was and is in favour of Shillong Accord.
(ii) He is a kind of person who acts against his own conscience when pressure is mounted on him. A man of such integrity cannot lead even a handful of his people to speak of the nation.
(iii) It is crystal clear that his stupidity is also exploited by the wicked people.
He is again more confused by joining his force with that of NNC/FGN which he, through the Marshall Law had already politically killed. The Marshall Law declaration read "We, Naga army have seized the office of the NNC/FGN and their functions have come to inertia". His own confession is conspicuous by the present collusion of K-group with NNC/FGN against the NSCN. It is good in a way, so let the Naga people know one's position very clearly. However, it will not be a surprise if Kholi, one day, comes out again refuting his own recent statements saying that he was under pressure to do so.
Lt. Gen. (Retd) VS Atem, Emissary to the Collective Leadership.
Rio rejects Cong demand for PR Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, NOV 11 (NPN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday dismissed the Congress demand for imposition of President's rule in the State, saying "political issues" should not be mixed with law and order problem. While admitting that the Naga issue is a national problem, Rio asked the underground factions to stop fratricidal killings and listen to the voice of the people in the interest of peace and development of Nagaland.
"The DAN Government is committed to its Common Minimum Programme, policy of equi-closeness to all factions and an acceptable solution to the Indo-Naga issue through political dialogue between the Nagas and the Government of India", he said. Addressing the Annual General Conference 2006 organized by the NPF, Dimapur Division, Rio accused the Congress of "double standard" and "misleading" the people by demanding President's rule in the State.
He questioned the Congress stand on what he called the worse law-and-order situation in states like Asom, Manipur and Meghalaya. He said the Naga issue should be viewed from political angle, not as just law-and-order problem. "Nagaland has experienced peace and all-round development during the four-year tenure of the NPF-led DAN Government in the State", he said.
Rio claimed that the DAN Government was able to defuse the recent tense situation in Zunheboto without much bloodshed with the help of civic bodies and the Church. "The Congress wanted to see us misuse our powers and create further problems through deployment of forces to tackle the Zunheboto situation, but the DAN Government didn't do that. We believe in non-violence and don't consider the underground factions as terrorists," he said.
The Chief Minister also pulled up the Congress for not joining the Joint Legislators' Forum on the Indo-Naga peace process even after the State Government had dissolved the DAN Sub-Committee following the opposition party's demand. He, however, made it clear that the door was still open to the Congress to the Joint Legislators' Forum, while saying the DAN Government would continue to support the Indo-Naga political dialogue and involvement of the Consultative Committee on Peace for an acceptable solution to the Naga issue.
Referring to the relevance of regionalism in Nagaland, he said regional parties were the best platform to highlight and focus on the identity of the Nagas. Rio also appealed to the NPF leaders and workers to rededicate themselves to the cause of the party and retrospect on its policies, strengths and weakness and success and failure so as to help it grow from strength to strength.
He further claimed that the DAN would be voted to power again in the next Assembly polls. Industries Minister Khekiho Zhimomi, Flood Control Minister Noke Konyak, Parliamentary Secretary Hewoto Awomi, presidents of NPF youth and women wings and several top NPF leaders attended the day-long programme.
Nagas at Indian Social Forum Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR: 'The Naga people: their land, their history and their struggle for freedom' the theme of the march and procession in Indian Social Forum under the aegis of Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Delhi and Naga Students Union, Delhi. The banners read 'Nagas want to live in peace' and 'Stop killing and dividing the Nagas'. A play, ‘Flutter from the hill: The Naga story’ was also performed. A testimony on the Naga struggle and it quest for peace and justice was shared in the Youth Forum, opening Plenary, Visions of Youth: Building another World, by T. Ningreichon, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights.
Factional fighting.claims one life in Nagaland United News of India
Kohima, November 12, 2006
A bullet riddled body of a youth was found here late last night, police said on Sunday. Police said the youth was kidnapped on Saturday morning. According to official sources here the deceased, Enoch Tangkhul (30), was kidnapped by some unknown gunmen on Saturday.
Meanwhile, NSCN(K) had claimed to have killed the youth alleging that he was the informer of their rival NSCN-IM. They have also warned the Tangkhul tribe that the killing was in pursuance of their "Quit Notice" issued to the community to leave the state. "Tangkuls intrusion into Naga political has brought about irreparable setbacks in our national aspirations,"NSCN(K) sources said. The NSCN(K) sources further said the Tangkhul community was being asked to leave the 'Naga country' to 'Unite Nagas under one banner and live as one people and nation'
NSCN-K size up NSCN-IM’s ‘expertise’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, Nov 11 (MExN): Taking exception that oftentimes the NSCN-IM is referred to as the biggest and strongest organization in the north-east, the NSCN-K has challenged the notion stating that the assertions are “exaggerations” and “flattery”.
“Many a time we come across some people and media persons saying that IK organization and its armed terrorists are the biggest and strongest organization in the entire Northeast and Indian sub-continent. Is it true, how? Is it logically inferred conclusion by studying all the ground realities or figments of imaginations?” an NSCN-K MIP release questioned. It stated that such exaggerations and “flattery” embolden and excites the NSCN-IM to carry out more acts of terrorism in Nagaland and elsewhere, and that their cadres are deployed in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh Assam and Meghalaya to extort money. The NSCN-IM has also declared a unilateral ceasefire with the Myanmar military junta and that “they need not keep their contingents in Myanmar”, the MIP maintained.
However, the NSCN-K has its ‘administration’ in most parts of Naga-inhabited areas where “we are at daggers drawn with the Myanmar army junta and so the major portion of the Naga peoples’ army are mobilized in the so-called Burma Naga areas” it stated adding that “we have our administration in the entire area which is at least four times of the size of present Nagaland”. In the Naga areas “the so-called Nagalim”, only (remnants) of our personnel work especially for the protection of civilian authorities because we have ceasefire with the GoI”, it asserted. Further, the NSCN-K held view that the “expertise” of NSCN-IM is due to its ‘terrorizing people into submission, hiding their killed members so that they are not degraded and living a luxurious life at the expense of the common people’. On this, the NSCN-K challenged that the notion of “who is big, who is small and who is strong and who is weak” be examined and cautioned against ‘exaggerations’ which would create more confusion.
Rio calls for party retrospection & redress The Morung Express
A cultural troupe performing a traditional dance. (Inset) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio speaking at the NPF annual general convention.
Dimapur, Nov 11 (MExN): The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio today called upon NPF workers to retrospect on the stand of the party’s policies and strengthen it. He was gracing the NPF Dimapur division’s annual general convention as the chief guest at the NPF office premises, Dimapur.
Calling upon the NPF members to stand together and work united for the Naga people and also for the party, Rio said that in a democratic country where majority rules, no individual can achieve anything alone and “it is only when you are ready to sacrifice and suffer, you can serve the people”. Lauding the division for initiating the programme, Rio said the general convention must carry the right message to the people.
Even while highlighting the hardships faced by regional parties in the past, Rio pointed out that regional parties are the best platforms to study and highlight the problems of a region. The NPF is growing from strength to strength even after the election but this is just the beginning and with the convention being conducted “we need to do much more” said Rio.
Also, comparing Nagaland with other north eastern states Rio asserted that the state is enjoying a peaceful situation and not ‘complete breakdown of law and order situation as alleged by the Congress,’ who demanded that President’s Rule be imposed in the state. Rio said it is their duty (opposition) to ‘highlight the weaknesses of the government and set challenges to the government’ and “we will accept the challenge sportingly but the adversaries want more bloodshed,” he added.
On the continuing factional clashes, Rio said the government is ‘taking the situation diplomatically without shedding more blood.’ The factions as national workers should listen to the voice of the people so the NGOs, organizations and the general public are involved to stop the factional clashes in Zunheboto through persuasion and non-violence.
Appealing to the different underground factions to stop fratricidal killings, he said that the NPF will maintain equi-closeness and support the ongoing cease fire between the undergrounds and GOI and that the party stands to pave the way for a peaceful, lasting solution to the Indo-Naga political issue according to the will of the people. Reacting to allegations of shifting responsibility, Rio said, “we are not shifting any responsibility and we know what to do but Naga political issue is not only a Naga issue but a national issue.” Rio reminding the Congress that the NPF knows its responsibility said the party is working for it. The people trusts the government and therefore, there is all round development in the state Rio asserted.
Colours of "Nationalism" Nagarealm.com
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]
Govt to keep tab on foreign money in NGOs New stringent measures to curb fund diversion The Morung Express
NEW DELHI, NOV 11 (NDTV): NGOs usually get away with a lot because of the status they enjoy but the government is increasingly coming down on them.
So, much of money comes to them but where do NGO’s spend all this.
In an effort to curb corruption in this sector, the government now plans to keep tab on the money coming in from foreign contributors. Increasingly a question is being asked by the government that where the money is eventually spent.
Even as the number of participants at India Social Forum and such platform to show their work goes up, so does the number of those being blacklisted by the government.
• The government had blacklisted over 9000 NGOs last year for diverting funds from their stated purpose.
• Most of these will now need government permission before taking foreign funds
• Fifty have been banned from ever taking foreign funds.
The government suspects that a large share of the Rs 6000 crore that comes in as aid every year is either being diverted for personal use or to fund terror groups.

In connivance While NGOs admit that some funds may be misused they say it cannot happen without the government’s connivance.
“With the foreign funding there is a lot of money coming in. And the corruption levels are insane. But it can’t happen without a nexus between the NGOs and the government. What about the cuts that are taken at the Home Ministry? And what about NGOs being run by the wives of government officials?,” asks Madhu Kishwar, NGO Manushi.
The India Social Forum is a marketplace where NGOs usually hawk their concerns from poverty to health. And such forums usually generate grants later.
“There is such a big forum where thousands have come. But you will not find one stall or one NGO on weavers’ interests because it doesn’t pay. For Pepsi, HIV there is a lot of media attention that brings funding so why waste time with weavers,” said Dr Rajni Kant, Director, participant, India Social Forum.

Regulating Foreign Aid But now the government is planning to keep tabs on the money coming in and how it’s used. The cabinet has already cleared changes in the Foreign Contribution (regulation) Act. Banks will have to report on receipt of foreign exchange. A Financial Intelligence Unit will investigate suspicious transactions.
NGOs will have to renew registration every five years and it can be cancelled if rules are violated. Changes in the FCRA and penal action initiated can only deliver when implementation is ensured and corruption within the system curbed.
Anti-dam bandh affects normal life in Manipur The Morung Express
IMPHAL, Nov 11 (PTI): Normal life was crippled in Manipur on Saturday following a 24-hour ‘general strike’ called by 29 social organisations in protest against the proposal to construct a dam at Tipaimukh area in Churachandpur district.
Markets and business establishments remained closed while private vehicles were off the roads in response to the strike which began from 6:00 am.
Transport services between Manipur and neighbouring states were cancelled in view of the bandh called by the social organisations, including Action Committee Against Tipaimukh Project (ACATP).
ACATP spokesman K Pamei said that the outfit would intensify its stir against the proposed dam project by launching economic blockade on national highways.
The ACATP, he said, would also boycott the proposed visits of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to Manipur this month.
Manipur government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with North Eastern Electric Power Corporation to construct the dam at Tipaimukh over Barak River in the district.
Gambari has rare meeting with Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi The Morung Express
U.N. undersecretary General Ibrahim Gambari, left, with Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win, right, upon arriving at Yangon International Airport Thursday Nov. 9. (AP Photo)
YANGON, Nov 11 (AP): A top U.N. official held a rare meeting with detained Nobel laureate and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Saturday during a mission to press the country’s military junta to promote democracy and human rights, officials said. Suu Kyi was escorted from her lakeside compound in a three-car convoy to a nearby government guesthouse for talks with U.N. Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari, said officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Gambari had met once before with Suu Kyi, during his last visit to Myanmar in May - the last time she was permitted to leave her home. The 61-year-old political prisoner has spent 11 of the last 17 years in detention, mostly under house arrest. This time, like the last, the meeting was conducted under tight security. Suu Kyi was driven in a black sedan with tinted windows, the officials said. The country’s police chief was seen seated in the same car. The meeting lasted about one hour, after which the convoy left the government guesthouse and returned to Suu Kyi’s compound, about a five-minute drive away. No details of the meeting were made public. But, Gambari said he was “conveying a message from Sen. Gen. Than Shwe” to Suu Kyi, according to two diplomats who attended a briefing with the U.N. official earlier in the day. Gambari’s meeting with Suu Kyi, the leader of the opposition National League for Democracy, came on the third day of a four-day trip to Myanmar, which is being closely watched by the United Nations.
The U.N. Security Council took the historic step of putting the country on its agenda in September, meaning that Myanmar’s ruling junta is subject to greater U.N. scrutiny. The United States plans to introduce a resolution on Myanmar to the Security Council this year. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton has said Washington will wait until after Gambari’s visit before deciding on the contents of the resolution. Myanmar’s junta took power in 1988 after crushing the democracy movement led by Suu Kyi. In 1990, it refused to hand over power when Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide election victory.
Suu Kyi has been kept in near solitary confinement at her home, and is generally not allowed outside visitors or telephone contact. Western nations and the United Nations have repeatedly called for her release. Ahead of Gambari’s visit, which started Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he wanted the trip to produce “tangible steps forward” on human rights, democratic reforms and national reconciliation in Myanmar.
Earlier Saturday, Gambari met Senior Gen. Than Shwe at the new administrative capital, Naypyidaw, 400 kilometers north of Yangon. The meeting was attended by top junta leaders. Gambari briefed diplomats on the talks, describing his exchange with Than Shwe as “good and constructive,” according to a Western diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Gambari characterized his May meeting with Than Shwe as “polite and diplomatic,” whereas Saturday’s talks had more of a “give and take,” though he had yet to receive anything concrete from the junta leader, diplomats said.
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi walks with friends and family members at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, in this May 6, 2002 file photo. (AP Photo)
Before his meeting with Suu Kyi, Gambari also met with senior members of her party, who reiterated their stance that Suu Kyi wants to open a dialogue with the junta and that the opposition party considered talks a crucial step toward political reconciliation in the country, said Myint Thein, a party spokesman. On Friday, he observed a meeting of the country’s National Convention, which is establishing guidelines for a new constitution meant to lead to a restoration of democracy. The convention is the first step in a long-delayed seven-stage “road map to democracy” conceived by the junta and supposed to culminate in free elections at some unspecified point in the future. Junta leaders assured Gambari they plan to proceed with the seven-step roadmap and eventually hold a referendum to adopt the constitution, Myint Thein quoted Gambari as saying.
Assam: Govt’s ULFA strategy flayed The Morung Express
GUWAHATI, NOV 11 (AGENCIES): Opposition Asom Gana Parishad on Saturday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for his failure to protect lives and property of common people in the wake of renewed belligerence shown by the ULFA.
AGP president Brindabon Goswami said, “As the chief minister himself has admitted to his failure to protect lives of common people, he should be guided by his conscience and step down.”
The AGP also criticised the Central government’s decision to intensify operation against the ULFA while keeping the door open for peace talks. The AGP chief said operation and peace talks could never go hand in hand. “Such a strategy to intensify anti-ULFA operation and at the same time expecting the militant group to come for talks would never deliver.” The opposition regional political party called upon both the government forces and the insurgents to stop killings and counter killings and come forward for dialogue sans any pre-condition for the greater interests of peace in the state.
At least two Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed and five others injured when suspected United Liberation Front of Assam militants blew up a vehicle carrying the paramilitary force personnel at Amarpur near Sadiya in Tinsukia district of Asom on Friday.
The ULFA ultras hurled a grenade on a CRPF convoy under Shantipur border police outpost in Tinsukia district of the state. However there was no casualty in this incident.
The AGP said killings of innocent people by both the ULFA and security forces were most unfortunate thing to happen in the state and demanded an end to it. “We condemned killings of innocent people by both militants as well as security forces,” Goswami said.
PM has agreed to lay foundation stone of Tipaimukh dam: CM The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Nov 11: Government property belongs to the people and to destroy or burn down government property is like causing damage to one`s own property, chief minister O Ibobi Singh said at a one-day political conference of congress workers held at B Vengnuom, Green Wood Academy campus in Churachandpur today.

During the conference which was organized by the Saikot block congress committee, Ibobi also informed the gathering that prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has agreed to visit the state and lay the foundation stone for the Tipaimukh multi purpose project. AICC president Sonia Gandhi has also agreed to visit the state, he added. Ibobi said that people should not support any kind of bandh, blockade, boycott etc. which are being called by certain organizations for pressurizing the government with their unreasonable demands. The concerned organizations should also not cause suffering to the people by launching agitations for unreasonable demands. He went on to say that it is the right of the people to launch these kinds of agitations while pressurizing the government to fulfill their demands in a country where there is democracy, but such freedom should not be misused. While appealing to the agitators not to use violent means, he reiterated that even in war time, places of worship, schools, hospitals are not attacked.

He also cited that even in the neighbouring states, people refrain from attacking and destroying public property. He was referring to the current method of setting ablaze public property and violent activities undertaken by activists of various organizations who try to pressurize the state government with their demands. He said any demand can be considered by sitting together and an amicable solution found. Talking of the controversial Tipaimukh dam, Ibobi observed that the people of Churachandpur district where the project is to be taken up are in favour of implementation of the project. However, he said, some people of other districts are opposing it.

He said that it will be wrong to oppose the construction of the dam without knowing about the project indepth. It is also not good to launch blockades and bandhs etc. on the ground that this dam should not be constructed at any cost. Reiterating that if the construction of this dam is to cause great loss to the people, it can be stopped, the CM said that he will not do anything which would cause suffering for the people of Churachandpur. He also expressed hope that the construction of dam will help in solving unemployment to a certain extent, particularly in Churachandpur district and in the state in general.

He also revealed that the proposed project will produce 150 MW of power and asked why should we miss such an opportunity to augment our power situation.

He also said neighbouring states like Mizoram and other states were pressurizing the Centre to build such dams in their states. But in Manipur, some people are trying to obstruct the construction. "It will never bring development in the state," Ibobi stated. Ibobi also said that a major component of the Khuga dam has been completed, and only a shortage of some machinery, is causing delay in its commissioning. Authorities are contacting the concerned company to procure the machines, and the dam will be commissioned at the earliest, he assured. The conference was attended by senior ministers of the congress like IFCD minister Phungjathang Tonsing, MLA Manga Vaiphei, MPCC president Gaikhangam, general secretary Bidyapati Senjam, vice president, MPCC, T Mangaibou and other important leaders of block level congress.

Respect our rights Nagarealm.com
Does the government have the moral right to trample on the human rights of the people? Does the government have the moral right to tell the people what to do and enforce it with legislation? And does the government have to moral right to implement legislation without having a debate on the issue which excludes the voice of the common man.

Considering that Goa is part of the Indian Union, which is still a democracy, then the government latest decision to implement legislation for the compulsory testing of people, prior to marriage, for the Acquired Immune Deficiency disease, just speaks of the dictatorial measures of the government. And the government has no business interfering in the personal lives of the people. Agreed the number of AIDS cases are on the rise in Goa and agreed the profile of people getting AIDS is increasing, with more and more young people, getting AIDs. But to impose such legislation on the people and then dictate their lives speaks of dadagiri and it is not surprising that many non-governmental organizations are protesting against such legislation.

Surely there must be some other measures, which can be adopted by the state government to help stop the spread of AIDs. As many of the NGO’s have rightly said counseling is the best method which can be used and suggestions to the people about to get married on the best course of action. Secondly who will be doing the testing and which doctors will be accepted by the government? The entire exercise screams of a scam because if there are only few prescribe laboratories which will do the testing then it is very easy to fudge the reports either way. And thirdly what happens to the report will it be confidential or will both parties have access to the report because then this report can be used as a tool for blackmail or embarrassment. Therefore such legislation is not wise and should be scrapped immediately and before any minister thinks of something like this, let them all ask one question, “would they allow their own children to be tested and let their human rights be trampled on.’’

Tell the people Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar is absolutely right in asking the state govern ment to provide information about the security threat perception to the state. On one hand the Director General of Police Brar issues statements that there is not security threat at all. On the other hand the people of the state have realised that there are two companies of Central Industrial Security Forces camping here. Why are they here and for what purpose they have been summoned? Apart from the fact that Goa has to spend on their upkeep their presence here indicates only one thing something is wrong or the state government is aware of something and is not willing to share it with the people.

Agreed making alarmist statements would only backfire on the state and the people considering that Goa is so dependent on tourism and that at any cost we have to maintain a façade of normality to keep that industry functioning. But is it correct to subject the residents of the state to something dangerous by not informing them. The government can very well issue a warning is mild terms about what to expect and who knows peoples co-operation may be beneficial in the long run. Already the Panjim and Quepem police are asking motorcycle pilots to inform them of any suspicious characters and it would be nice on the part of the government too if it can share such information with the people. Afterall forewarned is forearmed.

Senseless killings The futility of terror as a weapon of change -except negatively - may be apparent to all,but this realisation has surely not dawned on the terrorists themselves. How else does one make sense of the brutal and senseless attack in Guwahati during the festive weekend? The bomb attack which claimed a number of lives, are being blamed on the ULFA which was reported to be regrouping after failed negotiations with the Indian Govt. None of the terrorist movements in the past have managed to achieve anything credible, the most famous failure being the Khalistanis who wanted an independent country for Sikhs. Islamic terrorists have not gained an inch ever since ‘insurgency’ broke out in Kashmir 15 years ago. None of the north-east insurgencies achieved anything solid, except the killing of a large number of innocents. To the credit of these insurgent outfits, they have managed to bring their problems to the attention of the whole country, though their central thesis - self-rule for the indigenous people - runs contrary to the spirit of India which only envisages one ‘Indian’ people. As the continued prevalence of these terrorists proves, not everybody is comfortable with the idea of being Indian, and some would rather prefer to remain Assamese or Naga or Mizo or whatever the tribe may be. While there may be merit to both sides of the debate, killing innocent people with bomb attacks is not the way to bring about a solution. [oheraldo]
Guns continue to boom in Asom ULFA cadre shot dead; body of missing driver found By a Reporter Sentinel
TINSUKIA, Nov 11: An ULFA militant, Thulonto Borgohain, son of Bipul Borgohain of Na-Motopong Borgaon village under Makum police station in Tinsukia district, was killed in an encounter with security forces here today. The ULFA cadre was shot dead by troops of the Second Bihar Regiment at 2.10 p.m. at No. 1 Labour Enclave in Hukunpukhuri Tea Estate on Jaigyakhowa-Barekuri Road, barely 250 metres from the NH-37. Lt Colonel Lakvinder Singh, Commanding Officer, told mediamen that the Army had a tip-off that the ULFA militant was going on a motorcycle after extorting money. Troops of the 2nd Bihar Regiment and Assam Police waylaid him at Makum Road under Tinsukia police station. The militant tried to speed away, opened fire at the security personnel and diverted his bike towards Barekuri Road, but the troops chased and shot him dead. Rs 1 lakh in cash, a black Pulsar (No. AS23E 3668) and a .32 mm pistol with four rounds of ammunition have been recovered from the slain militant.
Meanwhile, the body of Khagen Chetia, the driver-cum-owner of the vehicle carrying CRPF personnel who came under ULFA attack yesterday, was found today. Meanwhile, The Sadiya Chatra Sanmilani has condoled the death of the CRPF constable and a civilian handyman in the ULFA attack yesterday. The Sanmilani has condemned both the Government and the ULFA for the failure of talks between them. It has also appealed them to take steps for bringing permanent peace in the State. It may be mentioned here that in the first-ever night evacuation by helicopter, the IAF rescued six CRPF personnel and recovered two bodies from the Asom-Arunachal Pradesh border after the ambush in Tinsukia last night, PTI from Shillong adds.
The request for IAF evacuation was received from the additional DIG of CRPF, Shillong, around 5:30 pm, an IAF spokesman said today.
Gas pipeline blown up Our Reporter Sentinel
TINSUKIA, Nov 11: In its first strike on oil installations in the State during the current spate of violence, suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants blew up an AGCL pipeline near Bhekulajan Tea Estate under Tengakhat police station in Dibrugarh district at around 10.20 tonight. Fire tenders of OIL and AGCL have been pressed into service to douse the fire. The pipeline has been closed.
ULFA militants held with arms From our Correspondent Sentinel
JORHAT, Nov 11: The police arrested a suspected ULFA militant, Bhaimon Gogoi, from Nahatia under Kokilamukh area here this evening and recovered 13 rounds of ammunition and a 9 mm pistol from his possession. A search yielded 13 rounds of ammunition in his pocket. Meanwhile, another ULFA militant, Nribesh Bhagat, was arrested at a village on the Bengal-Asom border in Coochbehar district late last night, PTI reports.
A craze for all things foreign WITH EYES WIDE OPEN D. N. Bezboruah Sentinel
We have arrived at a miracle of sorts. The Indian economy has shown the world that it means to go places. There is speculation that the growth rate may even touch 10 per cent in the very near future when the developed world is struggling to maintain a growth rate of four to six per cent. But that is not the miracle. The real miracle is that we have achieved all this despite four major drawbacks. The first is that in terms of our population we are bursting at the seams. Our population today is in excess of 1.1 billion, and we are adding about 23 million to this every year. We have managed to create very serious shortages as a result of this, whether it be in respect of arable land, housing, jobs, schools, health centres and hospitals, courts, judges, doctors and nurses and even cooking gas at times. This obscene increase in our population brings down our per capita GDP year after year. It drives us to poverty even amid the riches that the country has. The second drawback too is one of our own making. It is our determination to concentrate on backwardness unto perpetuity through our obsession with reservations and quotas even though the Constitution stipulated reservations only for ten years. Thereby, we have very effectively repudiated the principle of merit in all our endeavours. The third drawback is the ubiquitous corruption that dogs every step of our waking hours. We have the classic combination of factors that promotes corruption: shortages coupled with government control of everything - including the shortages. Finally, we have a large number of politicians who are certainly not working for the country. They are working only for themselves. And despite all this, we have made progress. Despite even the fact that the World Trade Organization (WTO) expects us to compete in a market economy with one hand tied, the Indian economy is doing well. There are other aberrations as well, like an education system where the bright ones learn in spite of the system and in spite of their teachers rather than because of the system and because of their teachers. And considering that it is the bright ones who are taking us forward, this is certainly remarkable. In a word, the miracle is that India is beginning to take its place under the sun despite all the adverse factors.
We often fail to take note of the fact that this miracle is the achievement of the Indian mind more than anything else. Almost all our technocrats who have done our country proud have made good from very humble beginnings. This has been possible because of their immense confidence in themselves and their abilities, their vision and hard work backed by knowledge and skills and their determination and indomitable spirit even in the face of adversities. The Indian mind has always prevailed. But how many of us have hailed the Indian achievements? How many of us have sought to emulate the successful Indians or regarded them as role models? Our role models are generally people who are not Indians. We are happy to ape even the worst of them as long as the skin colour is right and the English they speak is not the Indian variety. It is not for nothing that way back in 1835, Macaulay had wanted to create an army of clerks in India for the benefit of the colonial rulers of India and to give them an English mind. And how well he succeeded! Today, as we are preparing to celebrate the golden jubilee of our Independence, our bureaucrats, army and police officers, judges, educational administrators are all sold to the West about everything they think and do. Now and then one or the other of them will extol the 5,000-year-old civilization of India. But this is just playing to the gallery. It is no more than a means of renewing one’s patriotic credentials. When it comes to what they actually do, they are not prepared even to drop a single ritual that was in vogue during the British days. One has only to drop in at any of the army or police messes to see this.
Given this mind-set, it is hardly surprising that the average Indian is an avid patron of everything foreign. There is no respect for Indian products in India. I was amazed to discover that more than 60 or 70 per cent of the products of some of the Indian manufacturers like Ranbaxy, Dr Reddy and Videocon, that have begun to raid the West, are sold abroad and a far smaller quantum at home. They have been recognized and accepted abroad far better than at home. Indian diamond traders have made a mark for themselves even in Holland, the home of diamond trade. Indian diamond cutters are today among the best in the world. But they are not good enough for Indians. Barring south India, where people really know about diamonds, the rest of India is crazy about De Beers. Yoga is good because the West says so. There must be a terribly strong streak of inferiority complex among most Indians to be so pathetically addicted to anything foreign. This reminds me of something else. Even almost 60 years after Independence, our commercial aircraft have identification letters invariably beginning with the letters VT that stand for “Viceroy’s Territory”. I have yet to find a single lawmaker or bureaucrat ashamed enough of this to effect the necessary change.
What really hurts is the kind of economic slavery that we are about to get back to as a result of our craze for everything “phoren”. We tend to forget that the British came to India as traders and stayed on like the proverbial camel in the Arab’s tent for close to two centuries and ended up becoming our rulers. But at that time we had just one company. Now, in the name of globalization and liberalization we are about let a few hundred overseas companies set up manufacturing plants in India (entirely on their terms) and slowly take over this land of ours. And our proposed special economic zones (SEZs) are going to the implements that will facilitate this. Remember how the Soviet Union was broken up by Gorbachev with catchwords like glasnost and perestroika to leave just one superpower in the world? With our fascination for everything foreign like Pepsi and Coca-Cola and potato chips produced by American companies in India and everything that is foreign, we have given our leaders the clear impression that we have no objection to a few hundred multinationals taking over the country. They are all happy to carry out the bidding of the US Government and the WTO because of the astronomical sums to be earned through just the nod of consent. And in this age, there is no need for any foreign power to be actually present in India to rule the country. Today foreign rule is carried out by remote control through lackeys and stooges in the country. We shall soon have hundreds of East India Companies replacing the single one that we are trying to forget. And all because of our love of all things foreign. We seem to be unable to do without foreign goods just as we have shown our inability to do without Bangladeshi workers. Our love of things foreign has extended to some people even permitting Afghan moneylenders to become their sons-in-law even though the sons-in-law have neither passports nor valid visas. “They are so handsome, you know,” was the justification trotted out by an Assamese mother-in-law of one such Afghan moneylender. She had never bothered to check on either his nationality status or whether he was an agent of the al Qaeda or the Taliban or the ISI. We have a similar situation in Nagaland. Naga girls, particularly Semas, have begun marrying Bangladeshis illegally living in Nagaland. In all such cases, a real breach of immigration laws will become an emotional issue when the time to deport comes (if it comes at all). How can you deport a son-in-law? Add to all this the activities of so-called sellers of Kashmiri carpets doing the rounds of Guwahati and other towns of Asom. They have been able to get access to many households in Asom. No one really knows whether they are actually carpet sellers or agents of the ISI, al Qaeda or the Taliban looking for their bases in the State. This is precisely how the Pakistani mercenaries penetrated Kashmiri homes when they got started in Kashmir. Our administration seems to be blissfully tolerant of both the moneylenders and the carpet sellers. We are unaware of any Afghan moneylender being stopped anywhere and being asked for his passport. The craze for foreigners as well as everything foreign has posed a major security hazard that we refuse to consider. The day is not far off when people are going to look for remedies to the fallout of our mad spree of globalization and liberalization when it is too late —as in the case of the illegal infiltration from Bangladesh. There is only one solution. People must curb their insatiable consumerist urges and stop buying anything foreign. If we can embark on a total boycott of redundant imported goods to start with - like potato chips, fizzy soft drinks, corn flakes, chocolates, cosmetics and so on - for just six months, the multinationals can be sent packing. And when they do leave, they are not likely to take the factories they had set up here with them. There is no other solution. What our politicians have done against our interests, the civil society must undo on its own. No one can compel us to buy what foreigners sell here on their terms except our own craving for all things foreign.

Nagalim.NL News

11/12/2006: "Centre likely to intervene Kuknalim.nl"