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02/16/2007: "Naga groups back Phek ‘vandalism’ OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph"

Naga groups back Phek ‘vandalism’ OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, Feb. 15: Two days after residents of Phek vandalised the deputy commissioner’s office and pelted stones at his residence, local organisations today said they “fully endorsed” the action. The Chakhesang Public Organisation today organised a meeting with several other social groups, where they agreed that residents of Phek were compelled to take the law into their hands because of alleged failure of the administration and security forces to contain the situation.
The groups which were present at the meeting included the Phek Area Public Organisation, Chakhesang Mothers’ Association, Phek Area Mothers’ Association and Phek Town Council, among others. They decried the state government’s inaction and said the current situation in the state, especially in Phek, was a “fit case to invite President’s rule” and demanded immediate dismissal of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government. “It is not time for the government to talk about development, but the government should talk about security of life and property,” a member said. Home minister Thenucho also came under attack for allegedly turning a deaf ear to the plight of his own district and people. The meeting also questioned the wisdom of the state government in withdrawing forces from Phek and deploying them in other districts for the security of the hill students of Manipur. Civilians in several districts of Nagaland have borne the brunt of clashes between the two NSCN groups.
Phek, which is about 150 km from the state capital, is on tenterhooks with members of both NSCN factions and the Naga National Council camping in the town. The members at today’s meeting reiterated their resolution to disallow armed militants from moving about openly and in full combat uniform in civilian areas under Phek district. Parliamentary secretary, law and justice, Yitachu, had earlier termed Tuesday’s incident as “highly uncalled for”.
Former finance minister and legislator of Nagaland People’s Front, K. Therie, however, said Tuesday’s mob fury in Phek was not unexpected. While appreciating the government for providing security to students from Manipur, Therie said in a statement that the government could not afford to neglect the citizens of Nagaland. He said giving freedom to factions to vandalise public areas in “full uniform displaying unauthorised sophisticated weapons” and collect funds and house tax, only indicated that there was complete breakdown of the state law and order machinery. If the government continued to remain indifferent to the situation in Phek, the only way out would be to seek the intervention of the Union government, he added.
Is Delhi’s truce with NSCNs serving purpose? Okenjeet Sandham Kangla on line

The existing ceasefires of the Government of India with both the NSCN factions have become normal excuse for the State administrations and law enforcement agencies or for that matter Indian security forces of their frequent failures in containing the factional killings, clashes, factional build-ups in towns and civilian populated areas in Nagaland. The publics made numerous appeals to warring factions to avoid such build-up or clashes in civilian areas but without much headway. And when such fervent appeals became un-fructuous, it is natural to turn their wrath to the administration and law enforcement agencies of the state. And when the state’s lawful apparatus failed to contain, however preventable, such highly surcharged atmosphere, the civilians would usually try to take the laws into their hand.

The incident in Phek town on Tuesday where the angry public chased cadres of both NSCN factions and also Federal out of the town and also subsequent vandalism to the DC’s office, pelting stones at residences of DC and SP is because of such attitudes of the authorities. The civil societies of Chakhesang communities in Nagaland’s Phek district have been urging the cadres of NSCN-IM and the combined cadres of NSCN-K and the Federal to leave the town as their presence and frequent clashes in the civilian areas created fear psychosis, besides disturbing the students who are currently appearing HSLC and HSSLC examination. They had already warned the State government that it would be held responsible for failure to evict the armed cadres from within the civilian populated areas and that the people would be forced to chase away all armed cadres if Government failed to do the job.

Many a time, the rationality of the existing ceasefires have been questioned and the flawed grounds rules in the truce had even openly admitted by none other than the man who has been heading the Indian Ministerial team for the political negotiation with the NSCN-IM, Mr Oscar Fernandez. By no standard of truce philosophy in the world, killings do take place within such (truce) period. One may argue here that the existing ground rules do not prevent the factions from killing each other or clashing each other. Then will it be wrong to conclude that the very ceasefire of Government of India with the NSCN factions is simply giving a “license to kill each other (among the factions).”

The central premise of the ceasefire as in the present framework is to create a platform conducive for political negotiation. Now, is this ceasefire serving the purpose? The answer is “no.” In fact, the unrestrained factional violence will become one of the major factors to destroy not only the very political platform but also the very fabric of the Naga political movement.

Unlike the past when both factions did not have ceasefires with New Delhi, the general publics now somehow feel free to contact the leaderships of various Naga underground outfits. This is rather unique opportunity for the Naga people have wider consultation and also to narrow down the gap. Unfortunately, this does not take place as the factions refuse to stop attacking from each other, although they have ceasefires with New Delhi. One wonders whether the State Government should remain silent on such dangerous development just because there are ceasefires between the Government of India and the factions of the NSCN. Now the fundamental question is who will intervene into when the factions kill each other or clash each other? Simply saying let them fight in the jungles not in civilian populated areas is even illogical in true sense of term.

Is it wrong for the security forces to intervene into such dangerous situation or will their actions in case of intervening into such situation be treated as illegal? It will be simply unthinkable if one blames security forces for preventing factions from creating any factional related violence. Intervention is not an attack, while also anything that is a threat to the public peace and tranquility, and then law enforcement agencies should have to step in.
Tribals drive out insurgents Iboyaima Laithangbam The Hindu
IMPHAL: The Chakesang tribals of Phek district in Nagaland have declared a war on insurgents belonging to the NSCN(I-M) and the NSCN(K) factions. The villagers have raided houses, drove out insurgents and torched the hideouts. The patience of the tribals ran out when the warring factions indulged in gun-fights in which some villagers were killed.
Rift in Cong exposed; NPCC Chief resigns Morung Express News
Dimapur In an unexpected development, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) President Hokheto Sumi has tendered his resignation to the party high command in New Delhi yesterday following the decision to issue the Congress party ticket for the Dimapur-I Assembly seat to Aheto Yepthomi, informed sources said. However, no official confirmation on the final Congress candidate for the Dimapur-I seat has been received till the time of filing this news report. Attempt to reach the NPCC President was also unsuccessful.
However, reliable party sources disclosed that the NPCC President had taken the extreme step of stepping down following differences over choice of candidate for the prestigious Dimapur-I Assembly Constituency seat. Sumi was reportedly unhappy over the choice made by the party high command and also the stand taken by some of the influential State Congress leaders for opposing the choice of senior leader KL Chishi. It was disclosed that Hokheto as the NPCC President had wanted that the ticket be given to former Chief Minister KL Chishi as he stood a better chance of winning. Those supporting Chishi’s candidature were also reportedly not happy with Oscar Fernandes, Congress in-charge of the Northeast, who is said to have had a big role in making the final decision.
That serious difference exists in the Congress party leadership with regard to fielding its candidate for the bye-elections was widely reported in the local media despite refutation to this effect. The State Congress, it may be mentioned, had formally submitted the names of KL Chishi, Kevizakiesetuo and former DCC Dimapur President Aheto Yepthomi to the party high command.
DAN talks end on ‘friendly contests’ Morung Express News
Dimapur In a remarkable turnaround from its earlier decision to field consensus candidates for the ensuing Bye election, the DAN Alliance partners today in a meeting decided that each party will take its own course for setting up candidates for ‘friendly contests’ to both the Dimapur-I and 54 Tuensang Sadar-II Assembly Constituencies.
Mention may be made that following a deadlock in talks held yesterday, which had been convened by the Chief Minister, the DAN partners had decided to set up a Search Committee to zero in on its consensus candidates for the two seats. Interestingly in the meeting of the Search Committee held at Dimapur today, the decision was instead taken to go in for friendly contests. Today’s meeting was attended by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Ministers Thenucho and Dr TM Lotha, MLAs Deo Nukhu and Imkong Imchen, NPF Working President IK Sema, BJP State President Ato Yepthomi, JD (U) State President Limatemjen, NPF Secretary General Chubatemjen Ao and Muwthin Newmai. Meanwhile, the BJP which had all along wanted that its candidate be fielded in both seats is expected to formally announce its candidate for the Dimapur-I Assembly Constituency. As earlier reported in this paper, Captain Hekiye Sema eldest son of Late Dr Hokishe Sema and Kevise Angami BJP DYC President are both in fray for the coveted party ticket.
Atomi gets NPF ticket for Dimapur-I A/C
DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (MExN): Following the decision of the DAN alliance to go in for friendly contests, the NPF in a meeting of the Working Committee today decided to allot the party tickets to K. Atomi Zhimomi for Dimapur-I Assembly Constituency and H. Wongto Chang for 54 Tuensang-II Assembly Constituency in the ensuing bye-election being held on March 8. The tickets will be distributed to the candidates at a simple function on February 16 at the office of the NPF Dimapur Division, Sewak Gate at 11 am, informed party Secretary General Chubatemjen Ao. All NPF legislators, members of the Working Committee, Central office bearers and CEC members stationed at Dimapur and all party functionaries under Dimapur division have been directed to attend the function.
“Give peace a chance”, says NSCN-IM after Phek The Morung Express
Dimapur, Feb 15 (MExN): Even while blaming the NSCN-K for precipitating events that led to the February 13 public eruption in Phek, the NSCN-IM has cautioned public leaders not to “manipulate the Naga situation for short-term leverage”. However it has called to “give peace a chance”.
“Public leaders should also not manipulate the Naga situation for short term political leverage nor cultivate ‘isms’ or inclinations” advised an MIP NSCN-IM release received here. Public leaders should harness wisdom with “futuristic vision” so that Nagas are rescued from all divisionism and their political aspirations salvaged, it opined. The NSCN-IM also stated that Nagas should not let the status-quo of ‘arbitrarily imposed boundaries and temporary economic lures hijack their protracted political issue’, but defeat all detrimental elements with “our proud and judicious principles”.
While admitting that “we have committed mistakes in the past and may continue to make mistakes now and then”, the NSCN-IM however called to give peace a chance. “…unless we give peace a chance and continue to justify ourselves by pointing fingers or blaming one another, peace will remain elusive” it stated. “Why do not we give peace a chance by extending peaceful gestures in forgiveness rather than groping for justifications against it? Either good or bad, we are to collectively bear, so it is for us to choose what may be best for us than opting for self inflicting choices” it stated.
On the Phek outrage, the NSCN-IM blamed the NSCN-K: “Following the proclamation of the Yaruiwo for “peace and reconciliation” the NSCN/GPRN maintained maximum restrain from all offensive operations. Unless attacked upon, consonant to the Yaruiwo’s peace proclamation and also heeding to the Chakhesang Peoples Organization’s appeal, to refrain from all armed confrontations in and around Phek, the Naga Army strictly maintained in abiding by the peace call” it maintained. “But to our utter dismay, the Khaplang outfit and NNC/FGN combined forces attacked the Naga Army while observing Sunday Services beginning from 11th February in contravention of the CPO’s peace call” it said adding that this led “to the disenchantment of the Chakhesang public as well as rendered the innocent students to suffer especially during the on-going examinations”.
However, whatever differences may exist and may continue to exist, there is no benefit in engaging in feudal wars and fratricidal confrontations or “mud slinging media hype” would be “our penultimate nemesis” the NSCN-IM stated querying if it is not it inappropriate in “justifying ourselves for facts committed in the name of our nationalism against our brotherhood?”
Congress blames govt for Phek unrest The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, FEB 15 (MExN): The Congress party in Nagaland has once again raised its concern over the present state of affairs pointing out that the law and order situation has completely gone out of control where the state government and its administration seems to be mere mute spectators of the situation. Stating that the DAN government is solely responsible for what had happened on February 13 at Phek, the Congress pointed out that this had clearly proved beyond doubt that government is insensitive to the problems of the people and is unable to provide security and safety to the people. Hence the DAN government no longer has the moral right to remain in the office. “We demand the government led by the NPF to own up moral responsibility for the lawlessness and step down without further delay”, it demanded.
Reminding that the DAN government was formed to minister and protect the lives and property of the people and ensure peaceful atmosphere in the state, the Congress however expressed that the present DAN government no longer has the will to govern and administer whereby the people are forced to take their own course of action and take the law into their hands to ensure safety of the people.

“Chakhesang Public Organisation after a long and agonizing patient appealed to the state government to defuse the ugly situation of factional feud in the Chakhesang areas evoke no response and subsequently resulted into mass public outcry and took their own course of action to drive away the underground groups from public inhabited areas risking their own safety and lives”, stated KV Pusa MLA and Parliamentary Secretary CLP.
While appreciating the Chakhesang Public Organisation for expressing their concern and sentiments and the quest to have peace and tranquility in their district in particular and state in general, the Congress Legislature Party appeal to all sides to restraint themselves and take outmost care not to let the situation escalate further.
Myanmar, India hold talks on border security The Morung Express
Guwahati, Feb 15 (PTI): With an aim to strengthen cooperation for cracking down on rebels and drug traffickers, Myanmar and India have held discussions on border security and effective management of their frontier. The 13th national-level meeting of border authorities of the two countries was held in Myanmar’s new administrative capital Nay Pyi Taw Wednesday, the state-run New Light of Myanmar reported today.
The Indian delegation, headed by Home Secretary V K Duggal, discussed security issues, measures to prevent drug trafficking, border management, border trade and trans-border development plans with Myanmarese authorities led by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Brig Gen Phone Swe. Duggal is on a four-day visit to Myanmar since Tuesday. Myanmar has assured India that it will not allow militants from the northeast to operate from its soil.
During External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Myanmar in January, the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in many areas with special emphasis on border management, security and an anti-narcotics drive.
The Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) had last month claimed that Myanmarese soldiers launched a crackdown on its cadres in the neighbouring country. NSCN-K is led by S S Khaplang, a Naga from Myanmar.
Patience of the Phek public was tested, says CPO ‘Eruption of public temper due to UGs’ ignoring pleas’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, Feb 15 (MExN): Chakhesang Public Organization, while regretting the February 13 incident in Phek, reminded that the patience of the harried people of Phek was tested by underground factional leaders who ignored the pleas of the public calling for cessation of any factional conflict.
“The CPO had been personally appealing to the factional cadres to vacate public populated areas; The DC and SP had also, along with public leaders, repeatedly appealed to the factional cadres. Despite the appeals from all sections of the society, the factional leaders turned a deaf ear and ignored their pleas. With tension mounting and the normal life of public disturbed since January 3, the patience of the public reached a saturation point and erupted in violence on 13th January 2007” stated a release from the organization appended by its president Yesonu Veyie.
In absence of sufficient police personnel and inactivity of paramilitary forces stationed at Phek, the public resorted to ransacking and driving away all cadres irrespective of factions they belong to.
The Chakhesang Public Organization team along with frontal organizations went to Phek to take stock of the situation that led to the incident .The CPO convened a meeting with Chakhesang Youth Front, Chakhesang Students Union, Chakhesang Mothers Association, Chakhesang GBs’ Association, Phek Town Council, Phek Area Public Organization and other public leaders and heard from them on the matter. The situation at Phek tensed since January 3 with factional cadres resorting to occupying private residences in several colonies with the intention of fighting, CPO said.
“As the tension heightened, the public vacated their homes and abandoned their livestock (and) students appearing their exams were disturbed and the atmosphere became in-conducive for studies” CPO lamented. It however expressed regret that “excessive” personal insults were hurled at the DC and also that the DC’s and the SP’s offices were vandalized.
“...the community leaders acknowledged and appreciated the DC Mr. Sachopra Vero and SP Mr. Sandeep Singh for their efforts and services rendered for the safety of the public” it stated acknowledging their service.
The organization also took note that only 25 DEF personnel and 25 NAP personnel were available for service when the situation arose since most of the lot had been deputed for protection of students from the hill districts of Manipur, who are appearing their examinations in Nagaland under the NBSE. “While protecting others, the safety of our own people has been ignored and this has deeply hurt the sentiments of the public in general” the CPO stated and appealed to the government to immediately look into the grievances of the people. Sufficient security should also be provided to the people, it added even while noting that the 33rd Assam Rifles remained inactive when the situation arose.
Rebel says Burma Staged Attack on India's Naga Separatists VOA News Burma-India Border
Washington
A spokesman for the Naga separatist group, A.Z. Jami of the S.S. Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, said today that Burmese government forces fired mortars at the separatists' camps in an effort to drive them out of Burma. He said the Burmese military burned down the separatists' general headquarters and two other camps in the northern Sagaing Division. The spokesman says three rebels and at least 12 Burmese soldiers were killed. At least four thousand rebels are running about 50 camps in Burma's thick jungles to evade Indian soldiers.They are fighting for an independent tribal homeland in India's northeastern state of Nagaland, which borders Burma.
Burma's government has promised India that it will crack down on the rebels.
Information for this story is provided by AFP and The Hindustan Times.
Prisoners of Uncertainty? The Morung Express Editorial
Growing restlessness and lingering lethargy enveloping the Naga skyline is causing an uneasy sense of acute cynicism and unfocused anger, just churning restlessly for its release. The internal and external conditions that has a cause-effect relationship with this contradicting restless lethargic cynicism has potential to do more harm than good, unless constructive and positive interventions with painstakingly thought out strategic processes are made. Knee-jerk reactions to the problem would only prove counter-productive.
Unmet needs to satisfy the human yearning for some semblance of a dignified life and the human desire to have some basic knowledge of where their future is headed towards, has created an air of uncertainty. The acute sense of uncertainty has resulted in an indulging rush for the exclusive survival of the fittest. The questions around uncertainty has in part been responsible for a climate of fear; a climate that is being manipulated by the ‘powers that be’ with detrimental effectiveness.
The viscous cycle of the fear of uncertainty has the knack of causing and conditioning insular thinking and attitude. It makes a society stagnant, dogmatic and virtual prisoners of their past. The society ceases to be open towards new ideas and becomes resistant to any forms of change and is guided by emotions and subjective feelings. In essence, the ownership to determine its own future is usurped by the powers that be. Hence, the society draws more inward and exclusive. Insecurity compels it to rally around families, clans, villages, tribes and any other forms of human association where there is a perceived sense of security.
As uncertainty grows and vulnerability sets in, fear is expressed in different forms. For instance, differences between individuals suddenly take the form of clan or village differences and issues are personalized; the social safety net weakens; growing tendency to exert more power and control rather than seeking the path of dialogue and understanding; historical and social narratives are distorted and there is an acute lack of space to deliberate about the future and to imagine a better world. All discourses begin and end with the past. With no room for imagination, hope is missing. Hence, the past is relived over and over again; the future is held a prisoner of the past.
When faced with the questions of uncertainty and insecurity, it becomes quite convenient to seek a paranoid strategy which involves denial of internal destruction, while simultaneously projecting it on others. It involves engaging in depressive self-blame and the society becomes unforgiving and punitive, with a sense of hopelessness and passivity. Furthermore, while feeling vulnerable, it also shows signs of being accustomed to being in control while also believing that its ownership is being usurped by others. It has a perceived sense of dichotomized emotion of feeling power and yet, powerless.
In this defining moment in history, Nagas need to muster moral courage and political will to decisively refuse to be paralyzed by fear and despair. Nagas must face up to reality, acknowledge one’s own self-destructiveness and proactively act to contain its consequences, guided by a vision for the future. Through political action, Nagas have to begin the difficult process of transforming negative energy into a constructive force that builds bridges within and without, by creating value-based alternatives. In perilous times such as these, Nagas have no other option but to transcend the past and the present and to confront with the realities of the future to create a society that is truly worth living in. History will judge whether the Nagas of today are willing to cast aside their fears and insecurity and to decisively live in a world of reality, of ambiguity and turmoil, but also a world of hope and life.
Perhaps it could begin by setting free the prophetic imagination!
The Great Naga Divide The Morung Express Perspective
It has been said that there are Indian Nagas and Burmese Nagas, politically or otherwise there are no such two groups of Nagas, this line of thinking is politically created for one’s own gain. For how can there be a division of a family?
Are not all Nagas? This division is an artificial one. Thus it is a mistake to think that there are two separate groups of Nagas.
It is a mistake to say that there are two groups of Nagas. If we are to look to the West, mainly Germany, during the cold war period, prior to 1991, there was a country divided by a wall, the Berlin Wall which divided Germany in two parts – east and west. The east being under the Communist control, they controlled the movement of the Germans, coming and going out. When the Wall came down in the early 1990s, Germany become one country, families were united. This artificial boundary which is created by political clowns to divide families; this can be seen in the case of Korea, which is divided into South and North. Are not all Koreans both sides of the border?
If one is to take this line of thinking a step further, one can say that the Nagas who are in the state of Manipur are not the Nagas of Nagaland as they are divided by state boundaries. Thus they have no right to be part of Nagaland. If fuss is made of one group of Nagas in one state surely an equal fuss should be made of the other groups of Nagas in another state e.g. Burma. How can one say that one group of Nagas has rights and another does not?
It’s a well known fact that each of the Naga tribes has its own territory and tribal laws, also that each tribe considers its territory as theirs alone. Thus have a right of say if an outsider; that is someone from a different tribe comes to stay. Even we the Nagas have to respect the say of the host tribe and abide by their customary tribal laws. In other words, when in Rome do as the Romans do. We should not try to enforce our rights on other’s territory. However division will disappear when we start to respect others’ rights. Also, we have to remember that through outside influence, the Nagas are being divided. This division first came about with the British.
The division which appeared between the Indian Nagas and the Burmese Nagas is politically inclined can be laid at the foot of the Britishers, mainly Sir Henry McMahon, the foreign secretary for India in 1914. Sir Henry McMahon drew a line around Tibet, Bhutan and India and Burma; then, at the stroke of a pencil created the new borders. However one has to note that there were no logical surveys done. Thus we have a border between two countries i.e. India and Burma, where a Naga family eats in their kitchen in India and sleeps in the bedroom in Burma.
India regards the McMahon line as a permanent national border; however the same is not regarded by China. Further the artificial border, history tells us that on July 1, 1954, Nehru wrote a memo to the Secretary-General of the Ministry of External Affairs: “All our old maps dealing with the frontier should be carefully examined and, where necessary, withdrawn. New maps should be printed showing our northern and north-eastern frontier without any reference to any ‘line’. These new maps should also not state there is any undemarcated territory... this frontier should be considered a firm and definite one which is not open to discussion with anybody.”
Thus like the British, the Indian Prime Minister with a pencil, once again changed the borders. Nehru said on September 12, 1959: “In some parts, in the Subansiri or somewhere there, it was not considered a good line and it was varied by us.”
More recently our own Nagas have also partitioned the Nagas in the 1980s under the Naga National workers, destroying villages and causing unwanted destruction to people and property in the name of Naga freedom, in what we now call Eastern Nagaland, which in part is in Burma. This is purely done for gaining power bases and to destroy one’s perceived enemies, among ones own people.
Thus it would appear that our own leaders are determined to change the boundaries of Nagaland. This in itself will create more of a problem for all, as no government can afford to make one friend and four enemies at the same time. For example let us look at the situation close at home. The GoI extends the border of Nagaland to include parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh. The people of these states will rise up against GoI and Nagaland. Can any government afford to commit political suicide? What about the Nagas in Burma? Should they not be also included from the start? Or because they live across the artificial line thus can they be excluded?
If we start to make a difference between the Nagas in Burma and those in India, we have ourselves created artificial boundaries among our own people. Thus we can not call ourselves Nagas as we are not truly independent but are part of greater India. This makes us Indians first and foremost and not Nagas.
Vikishe Sema Political Student New Delhi The Morung Express
The systematic plan of the military junta to crack down on Christianity in Burma
The military Govt. has been doing all kinds of means to crack down on Christianity all over the country through the systematic plan which was issued in the year 1994, by Gen. Than Shwe, the head of the govt. These are the seventeen (17) points that was distributed to the top military officers secretly to carry out the plan:
1. To fight against Christians by stopping any family from becoming a Christian family.
2. To stop the Manila Radio station from broadcasting the preaching of the good news.
3. To fight against the western styles such as dresses, etc.
4. To oppose the word “There is no other God besides Me” because it is too narrow and selfish word.
5. To fight against Christianity by stopping the preachers from preaching and penetrating everywhere.
6. To oppose Christianity by using the weak points of it and using them as tools cleverly knowing the gentleness of it.
7. To oppose the Christianity by stopping the Christian growth and expansion of it in the remote areas.
8. To oppose the Christianity by pointing out that “perceiving the teachings of the religion is the only answer and there is no redemption or no salvation through the blood of Jesus.”
9. To fight against Christianity by using the weak points of it and by using Buddhism as penetrating tools.
10. To fight against Christianity by doing thorough study of the Holy Bible and pointing out the weak points and using them as tools to disprove it.
11. To fight against Christianity by pointing out that “Their God loves Israelites only not other people”.
12. To fight against Christianity by pointing out that “The Old Testament and The New Testament are not same and they are irrelevant to each other.”
13. To oppose Christianity by pointing out that “Christians are narrow-minded but Buddhists are very broad-minded and no partiality is with them.
14. To fight against the false doctrine of creator and creation. And to challenge it by the roof of science.
15. To fight against Christianity by checking the accounts of donations and offerings in the rural areas.
16. To fight against Christianity by doing a thorough study about the Holy Spirit and to use the weak points of it in order to respond to it affectively.
17. To fight against Christianity by using means of both violence and peace.
According to these points, the military govt. is practicing on where Christians are living around the country, including Naga areas. Today numerous Christians have been unwillingly converted to Buddhism at gunpoint.
Executive Committee Naga National League for Democracy
Is North East media able to report freely? The Morung Express Perspective
It is rightly said, “memory of public is very short lived”, but certain high-profile controversial cases have created a mile-stone, in the history of justice. They have rocked both, the national and the local media in recent past. Jessica Lal murder case and Priyadarshni Mattoo case, top the list. Such cases will definitely be remembered by all of us for a long time. One thing which is common in all these cases, is the significant role of media in ensuring justice and bringing culprits to book.
We all say that media must report in a democratic manner. “Media and Democracy” - Media is plural of ‘medium’. It is an organized means of dissemination of facts, opinions, other information and their analysis. The term democracy comes from the Greek language and means rule by the (simple) people.
Is North East media able to remain democratic ? As an individual, would you like to read structured news ? Isn’t the very purpose of News lost, if these reports are void of freedom and frankness. In December last year, it was quite shocking to read about the life-attempt made on Mr Paonam Labango, Publisher and Editor of ‘Kangla Pao’, an evening daily based in Imphal. The press fraternity came all-out against the attack. The journalists staged a sit–in–protest and a resolution was passed, which included, a demand to the Government, to create a secure and free environment for the media persons. We all are aware that there are certain vested interests, who do not want the truth to reach the masses. Recent threat of the RPF (Revolutionary People’s Front , a UG outfit in Manipur) to the press, to suppress the news against the undergrounds, is another such case. Under such circumstances, does “pen still remain mightier than the sword” ?
Most important, is the freedom of opinion, speech and press. Let media reach out to the masses - neutrally. A vast, varied and vibrant media has a crucial role to play in creating a modern, progressive and a dynamic society, by guiding it through its reportage and criticisms.
Media reflects the true feelings of the voiceless people, and should be able to publish public-opinion with reality. In a diverse nation of a billion people, there are bound to be differences in taste, opinion, attitude and ideological preferences. The plurality of our society must be reflected in the diversity of our media. . Realizing the importance and need of a free press, many people have felt, that it is the ultimate check against the tyranny of authority, and a mirror, that has always kept people in authority, to remain in a continuous reality check. Independent media around the world, has emerged as one of the most powerful forces in the struggle-to-change, transforming repressive regimes into open and productive societies. This must be practiced, not only for the present but for our future generations also, who would hold us responsible for not correcting the wrongs in the society. We need to follow the spirit of Biblical quote while exercising our right of expression “I myself always strive to have a conscience without offence towards God and Man” Acts 24:16.
Lt Col Nirupam Bhargava Public Relations Officer (Ministry of Defence) Nagaland
Myanmar launches crackdown on NE ultras Spl Correspondent Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, Feb 15 — NSCN (Khaplang) faction and ULFA have reportedly suffered huge set-backs in Myanmar following a massive army crackdown in the neighbouring country, officials here confirmed. The flush-out operations considered the deadliest yet, has led to killing of over 100 cadres belonging to the two militant outfits. The general headquarters of the Khaplang faction located about 60 km from the North Eastern border has been bombed repeatedly. ULFA had over 300 cadres in the camps when the attacks began, sources disclosed.

Though officials here are tight-lipped about the, reports reaching here said that the Ministry of Home Affairs delegation, which is in Myanmar to participate in the Indo-Myanmar Home Secretary level talks was briefed about the action. The severity of attack could be gauged from the reports that the elusive chairman of the Naga group was forced to flee from his headquarter and has reportedly moved deep inside Myanmar with some of close aides.

Officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs here held discussion with Director General of Arunachal Pradesh Police, Amodh Kant following reports of the fleeing ULFA cadres taking sneaking into the State in groups. Though vigilance has been beefed up, the DGP was reported to have informed the North Block that ULFA has moved from Changlang district into Lohit district and its adjoining areas. He has reported that the rebel group has formidable presence in these areas. The Unified Command, which is supervising the Army operation has been asked to launch operations in Arunachal Pradesh, as well, the North Block has been told, sources said. The operations in Myanmar, said sources got underway from January 26 when Myanmar Army opened salvos after salvos of artillery fire targeting the rebel camps. There after the attacks came in waves, said sources. Myanmar had asked India for supply of field artillery pieces, guns, ammunition, advanced light helicopters and other military equipment.

Sonia urges Manipur ultras to come for talks From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
CHURACHANDPUR, Feb 15 – After her brief election rally in the valley districts, the UPA chairperson and AICC chief Sonia Gandhi on Monday visited hills areas of Manipur to address two election meetings. The first election meeting was held at the remote Zeliangrong tribe inhabited Khoupum valley in Manipur’s Tamenglong district and the second at the Kuki-Chin-Mizo dominated Churachandpur district headquarters. During her rally she appealed to the underground organizations to come forward for negotiations, “but they have to shun violence first”. Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi while attending both the election outlined the activities of his Secular Progressive Front Government in the last five years. Earlier, the Chief Minister attended a political conference at the Heingang Assembly constituency wherein Union Minister Oscar Fernandes and BK Handique spoke. The election campaign for the second phase of Manipur poll concluded yesterday. Repoll peaceful : Repolling at 11 polling stations spread across five Assembly segments in Manipur’s two districts – Thoubal and Senapati were held yesterday with a record of around 60 per cent polling.
The fresh polling at these 11 stations, which were part of the first phase of the State Assembly polls on February 8, was required because of proxy voting and disturbances due to frequent clashes among supporters of different candidates.

Five severely hurt in post-poll violence The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, Feb 15: At least five political party workers including the elder brother of sitting MLA and Congress candidate N Biren Singh of Heingang A/C and relatives of his rival MSCP candidate Y Mangi were seriously wounded in a post-poll clash between them on Thursday afternoon at Luwangsangbam under Heingang police station. Following the incident security personnel conducted a raid at the house of the MSCP candidate to look for illegal weapons. No weapon was however recovered during the course of the raid.

A house belonging to a MSCP worker was also ransacked and all the furniture and belongings in the house were destroyed by the Congress workers. Manipur Rifles personnel detailed as security guards at the residence of the MSCP candidate Y Mangi Singh fired several rounds in the air to disperse the confronting groups. Additional security personnel were also detailed in the area to check further escalation of violence. However, high tension prevails in the area, a police officer posted there said. The polling in Heingang constituency concluded yesterday along with the other 28 constituencies spread over three valley districts. No untoward incidents occurred during yesterday`s polling in the area where the quarrel occurred today.

The incident took place in the afternoon at around 1.30 pm when the Congress workers charged the MSCP workers of starting the trouble while the MSCP workers denied the same. The Congress workers charged the MSCP workers of firing while the MSCP workers said MR personnel fired in order to control the confrontation. The commander of the MR troops detailed there conceding the firing, justified that the prevailing situation compelled them to fire some rounds in the air.
"We did it with utmost care not to hurt any people there," the commander said.Reports collected from the locality where the incident occurred said the incident erupted no sooner had Koirom Ramason, an active worker of the MSCP candidate at Heingang A/C passed through the area in a Maruti car while the Congress workers were dismantling a polling camp opened in connection with yesterday`s polling in the area. Alleging that when the car crossed the area, it splashed rain water collected there on the congress workers, they went to the house of the MSCP worker located just around 300 metres away from the site and started kicking the car. At this people gathered at the residence of the candidate came out and confronted the Congress workers.

In the resulting fracas, the elder brother of the Congress candidate Nongthombam Biren namely N Bhorot sustained injuries at his ear while four workers of the MSCP were also hurt. Bhorot was immediately hospitalized at RIMS hospital. The four wounded MSCP workers namely Yanglem Bidya, 21, Yanglem Ibopishak, 50, S Ibochouba, 40, and Y Sunil, 30, who are relatives and neighbours of the MSCP candidate Y Mangi Singh were evacuated to the Catholic hospital at Koirengei. Ramason and his family have taken asylum at the house of the MSCP candidate Y Mangi Singh. As the confrontation occurred near the gate of the residence of the MSCP candidate Mangi, 2nd Manipur Rifles detailed as security guards for the candidate fired several rounds to bring the situation under control. The Assam rifles posted at Mantripukhri and Heingang police rushed to the spot and efforts were made for normalisation of the situation.

They also conducted a raid at the house of Mangi as the Congress candidate complained of firing by the MSCP workers. However, no weapons were found during the raid, an officer of the Assam Rifles said. The Assam Rifles and the police personnel also checked the bullets of the rifles used by the security guards detailed at the residence of the MSCP candidate.

Meanwhile, strongly condemning the attack on his workers Mangi said, "This is not the first time Biren`s workers attacked my workers."

He said that earlier also before the election schedule was announced one of his workers was beaten up by Biren`s workers in November last year. He lodged a formal complaint with the Heingang police but no action was taken up till date.

He charged the police of being hand in glove with his rivals.