02/23/2007: "Burma captures Indian rebel base By Subir Bhaumik BBC News,"

Burma captures Indian rebel base By Subir Bhaumik BBC News,

Calcutta Troops in western Burma have captured a base used by separatists from neighbouring India after a week of fighting, a rebel spokesman has said.
He said that 12 rebel fighters from India's Nagaland state had been killed. Burma shares a 4,000km (2,486-mile) border with north-eastern India. The region has been the centre of insurgent activity for more than three decades. In recent times, Burma faced Indian pressure to push out the separatists from its eastern Sagaing Division. The spokesman for the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) said that Burmese troops had also suffered casualties, but could not specify how many. Indian military intelligence says there is indeed some fighting across the border from Nagaland but could not provide details.
The NSCN is a divided organization
Selected targets The bases of the NCSN's breakaway faction headed by Burmese-Naga leader, SS Khaplang, have been under attack from Burmese troops for about a week. But it was only on Thursday that the rebels first admitted to having lost a major base. The spokesman of the NSCN's Khaplang faction, Kughalo Mulatonu, told the BBC that their base near the Naga village of Chuiyang Noknu had fallen to the Burmese troops. He said at least 12 Naga guerrillas had been killed in a week of fighting before they had to retreat from Chuiyang Noknu. Mr Mulatonu said two of their other bases in the same area were also being bombarded by mortars.
"We expect a Burmese infantry assault on those bases any time now," he said. Mr Mulatonu said the Assamese separatists who were staying in their camps had already pulled out towards the border with India and had not got involved in the fighting. Burma has faced huge Indian pressure in recent months to push out north-east Indian separatists from Sagaing Division.
Delhi has been providing Rangoon with substantial supplies of military hardware ever since Burma's military rulers promised to attack the separatists.

Rare protest in military-ruled Myanmar
Thu Feb 22, 8:28 AM ET
YANGON, Myanmar - A group of protesters carrying placards and chanting slogans staged a rare demonstration Thursday in downtown Yangon, calling for lower prices and improved health and education. The protest ended peacefully after about 30 minutes, but at least one demonstrator was taken away by police, as were three local journalists, two of whom work for foreign media, and one for a Myanmar publication. It could not immediately be determined if they were arrested n criminal charges. About 15 protesters carried placards with slogans such as "Down with consumer prices," and "This is the people's cause." They also called on Myanmar's military-run government for improved health and education as well as better benefits for pensioners.
The junta tolerates little dissent, and strictly curbs freedom of the press. The infrequent public demonstrations that have previously taken place in Yangon have usually targeted the legitimacy of the military government, and have been associated with the opposition party of detained Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, or other political activists. Thursday's protest was one of the first to challenge the junta's competence. By targeting economic issues, it was likely to win the sympathy of many Yangon residents, who are facing strained financial circumstances as incomes fail to keep pace with inflation in what is already one of Asia's poorest countries. One slogan shouted by the protesters, "24-hour electricity is our cause," was a reference to the scheduled brownouts and blackouts affecting most areas of the city due to the government's inability to generate enough power. The group marched and urged bystanders to clap if they agreed with their demands, and shouting that their action was "the peaceful expression of the people's desire." More than two dozen police arrived after 15-20 minutes, but made no immediate move to end the protest.
Only when the demonstrators looked as if they would cross the street to Sule Pagoda, a famous Buddhist temple that is one of the city's landmarks, did police intervene, with a senior officer asking that they stop. Some bystanders expressed agreement with the protest, while many vendors on the busy street packed up their goods, fearing there would be trouble. Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962, and the current junta was installed in 1988 after quashing mass pro-democracy demonstrations. A general election was held in 1990, but the military refused to hand over power after Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party won a landslide victory.

On a mission with proverb on lips - New Nagaland governor believes the state needs a dose of optimism NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph
Aaharam kitiyal vishakilla, vishannillel deshyavumilla (If there is food, there will be no hunger and, so, no anger) — Malayalam proverb New Delhi, Feb. 22: K. Sankaranarayanan has adopted native Malayali philosophy as his guiding principle for a challenging gubernatorial stint in insurgency-plagued Nagaland. In essence, what he intends to do is use development as a tool for restoration of peace in a state that has witnessed decades of turmoil. A United Democratic Front convenor for more than 15 years, the former Kerala politician says he will bring more than just a dose of optimism to his new port of call. Sankaranarayanan has not forgotten his migrant southern brethren either. One of his first requests to Delhi is to start a direct train service from Dimapur to the south, preferably Kerala, for the benefit of thousands of Malayalees and Tamils residing in Nagaland and the neighbouring hill states. The governor said yesterday that he would meet railway minister Lalu Prasad during his next visit to the capital. He met vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and defence minister A.K. Antony on Tuesday and called on President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam yesterday morning.
Sankaranarayanan, who was finance minister during A.K. Antony’s tenure as Kerala chief minister, is known to share a special rapport with Kalam. Their relationship goes back to the time when the scientist President was based in Kerala.
Apparently, it is not just philosophy from “God’s own country” that Sankaranarayanan has brought with him to Nagaland. “I have invited Kerala chief minister (V.S.) Achuthanandan to visit Nagaland. He will come,” he said, switching from English to Malayalam while attempting to describe the Nagas as a hospitable community. The governor believes Nagaland has its “own distinctive charm”, which it can use to lure tourists just the way Kerala does. And what about the many problems confronting the state?
“The state needs medical, nursing and engineering colleges and the best of healthcare facilities,” said the governor, who replaced former Intelligence Bureau chief Shyamal Datta. It is actually after a long time that Raj Bhavan in Kohima has got someone who is neither a former intelligence honcho or a police bigwig. Sankaranarayanan’s sense of humour shone through when he described himself as a former politician “who does not criticise”.
The seriousness, however, returned when the conversation veered to the subject of Naga insurgency. The governor said Nagaland’s long tryst with insurgency would end soon because the people were desperate for peace. On the stalemate in peace talks and the restiveness of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), he said the process must continue despite everything.
“They (the rebels) should not be forced to (return to) the jungle. They will not be pushed to the wall — there will be no wall, there will be no push,” he said.That could be music to the ears of the NSCN (I-M), if not every other group in Nagaland
NSCN (K) slams IM group Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 21: Accusing the IM faction of the NSCN of selling away the rights and aspirations of the Naga people, the NSCN (K) today said that after the Shillong Accord fiasco, the NSCN continued with the genuine struggle for the sovereignty of the Naga people.

However some vested interest people have misused the name of the NSCN and engaged in a peace talk with the Government of India for the past ten years, making a scapegoat of the Naga people. Terming the peace talk between the IM group and the GoI as a farce, the NSCN (K) in a statement today said that contradictory to the claims of the Chief Minister of Nagaland, the peace talk is heading nowhere and on the contrary it has jeopardised the future of thousands of students.

This same group of self professed leaders are directly taking part in the Indian election, through NGOs in Manipur and Na-galand, it charged adding that their involvement in the election shows that they are agents of the Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and BJP leader LK Advani.

This is why the IM group has been given a free hand to suppress the rights of the Naga people and making them to vote for the candidates of their choice. Sounding a stern warning, the outfit said that NSCN will not remain silent spectators to the terror tactics of the IM group.
Nagaland to get high court OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
New Delhi, Feb. 22: Nagaland will soon have a full-fledged high court, the foundation stone of which will be laid by Supreme Court Chief Justice K.G Balakrishnan on April 7. Sources said the 20-acre complex will come up near Tsiesama village, less than 10 km from Kohima.
The court will initially comprise five judges. Cases from the state are now being handled by the Kohima bench of Gauhati High Court. The law ministry has cleared the proposal, though the number of litigants in Nagaland is less than in other regions with an almost equal population. This will be the third high court in the Northeast after Assam and Sikkim. A majority of cases from the region are being heard at Gauhati High Court. Sikkim has a high court with three judges.“In principle, the law ministry has agreed to have high courts in all the northeastern states,” Nagaland’s law and justice parliamentary secretary Yitachu said.
Nagaland`s new Governor to work for education, transport links Zee News
New Delhi, Feb 23: Newly appointed Nagaland Governor K Sankaranarayanan wants the insurgency-affected state to be developed by establishing professional institutions and improving road, rail and air connectivity to allow the Naga people to showcase their diverse talents.

"There are no medical and engineering colleges in the state. It is surprising. I want to contribute as much as I can to change the face of Nagaland," he told here. "There is no railway connectivity from the state to any part of North India. The state has only seven kilometers of railway tracks. We will have to improve this," he said. Sankaranarayanan, who met President A P J Abdul Kalam, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Defence Minister A K Antony in the capital, said education and connectivity were key to the development of Nagaland.

He also met Home Minister Shivraj Patil yesterday and discussed various issues related to the state's development and security situation. "It is highly essential to establish a medical college, an engineering college and a nursing college in the state without any delay. I have taken up the matter with Central ministers and they extended total support for it," he said. Nagaland, which has witnessed decades of insurgency, has young talents and professional courses including it education have to be introduced in the state without any delay.

"I will urge the centre to give priority to education as job-oriented courses are a must for the state," he said. Sankaranarayanan, who was sworn in as Governor on February 3, said he would also work to ensure better connectivity to all corners of Nagaland. Sankaranarayanan, the first politician to be appointed as Nagaland's Governor in the past two decades, said the centre has decided to invest Rs 50,000 crore for the development of surface transport infrastructure in the northeast in the 11th plan period.

"This will change the face of road connectivity in the region," he said. Sankaranarayanan said he would also meet Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel to discuss the establishment of an airport in Nagaland. Asked about his meeting with Kalam, he said the President emphasized the need for developmental activities in Nagaland and agreed to visit the state next month. All the central ministers he met had assured they would give total support to developmental activities in the state, he said. Asked whether he had taken up security-related matters with Antony in light of reports of factional clashes between the NSCN-IM and its rival NSCN-K, he said, "there is a system for all these matters and they will take care of them."

Asked whether development is possible in the state if the peace talks with the NSCN-IM failed, he said, "everybody, including the Naga insurgents, want peace in the state. "People want peace and development and that is the only way, and I am confident that the peace talks will succeed," the former Kerala minister said. Sankaranarayanan said he had not received any request for a meeting from NSCN-IM leaders Thuingaleng Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu, who are currently in Nagaland. However, Sankaranarayanan, who succeeded former Intelligence Bureau Chief Shyamal Dutta as Governor, said he was confident a solution to the decades-old problem of insurgency in Nagaland will be found. Bureau Report
Gunmen threaten BJP to stay off Tuensang polls The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, FEB 22 (MExN): Following the decision of the Returning Officer to reject the candidature of the BJP on ‘technical grounds’ for the 54 Tuensang Sadar-II Bye-Election slated for March 8, the State unit of the BJP has decided not to contest the ensuing elections from Tuensang despite its official candidate Y. Wongto getting the opportunity to contest as an Independent candidate. This decision of the BJP not to involve itself in the Tuensang Bye-Election comes in the backdrop of serious allegations that the party’s observer, Kughavi Achumi who reportedly went missing on the day of scrutiny of nominations, was made to sign a bond at gunpoint by unidentified gunmen numbering around seven at a place called Halipong, a few kilometers away from Tuensang town. Earlier, Achumi who is the BJP Morcha (ST) President, had mysteriously disappeared and his whereabouts unknown till today morning. BJP sources informed that Achumi returned home to Dimapur today after going through a harrowing experience including his abduction at the hands of unidentified gunmen. It was informed that Achumi was made to sign a bond wherein the BJP was told to stay off the election in Tuensang and that the party should not send its candidate for the bye-election. Top brass of the BJP told The Morung Express that the entire episode was extremely unfortunate and the party suspected a deep rooted conspiracy and the involvement of outside elements. It was informed that the party will be discussing the next course of action at an executive meeting tomorrow.
Women protestors injured in police firing Police personnel firing tear gas toward the protestors for disperse The Morung Express
Imphal, feb 22 (NNN):As part of the first phase agitation, several women organizations, organized under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), staged sit-in-protest in different parts of Imphal and greater Imphal today against the suspicious death of Sangkhu Maring besides submitting a memorandum to Governor SS. Sidhu and North East Council (NEC) this afternoon. The organizations will also observe a 24 hours general strike today beginning from 5 am.
Meanwhile, 4 women protestors were injured when tear gas and rubber bullets were fired upon the protestors by the police. The protestors were on their way to Governor’s office to submit the memorandum.
In the memorandum, the organizations demanded initiating of judicial inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of Sangkhu, to pursue the guilty doctors with befitting punishment for their failure in duty and to take up necessary action not to cause such incident in near future and to award ex-gratia of Rs.3 lakhs to the bereaved family.
In the third part of agitation, the JAC along with civil societies will imposed 7 days economic blockade beginning from February 25 onward on both the National Highways.
The Joint Action Committee against the suspicious dead of Sangkhu Maring had been formed comprising of All manipur Student Union (AMSU), United People Front (UPF), Nupi Samaj, Tammi Chingmi Apunba Ima Lup, Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF), Maring Students Union (MSU),Kabui Mother Association (KMA), National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) and Sadangsenba village authority.
Meanwhile, the RIMS authority had released the incident report of alleged dead of the woman due to medical negligence. The Departmental Enquiry Committee has come out with 4 conclusions stating that Sangkhu (30) with obscure obstetrics history was admitted on February16 and kept on the floor of ante-natal ward due to scarcity of bed, but was found absent for 3 consecutive days during the doctor’s round. Secondly, on physical verification from co-patients (floor patients) it was found that the doctors actually called all the patients by name for examination and treatment as a routine. Thirdly the patient expired at 8 am on February19, following which the patient party assaulted the doctors on duty and security staff and also damaged hospital properties. While the Fourth conclusion said that the incident took place without any provocation from the hospital side. In view of the reasons given, the authority and the employees of RIMS appealed the public to judge for themselves the truth behind the incident.
Where do we go? Editorial Morung Express
We live in a time where insanity has become the ruling norm. Though there is an air of complacency and indifference, it will be fair to say that people are tired and quite fed up with the direction that Naga society is headed. The rich get richer while the poor, poorer; there is lack of democratic accountability, complete absence of self-governance and hence good governance does not figure in and the ongoing political conflict, which is taking its toll on people. Then there are the every day headaches of having to face power shortages, corruption at every level of society and the tragic consequences on human life caused by the political chasm which has so affected the patterns of relationship and understanding.
Where do we go? Or Where are we going? These are questions that keep burdening the heart, a heart that yearns to see Nagas live together in dignity, exercising their independence with confidence and respect for others. The heart is anxious because Nagas seem to be in a vicious cycle in which the principalities of what constitutes evil is causing the break down of society. By principalities of evil, it implies the everyday happenings such as suspicion, distrust, hate, jealousy, disrespect and so on. In a time where majority of the people are just so caught up with survival issues, while those leading seem to only care for themselves, we must seriously ponder, where are we going as a people?
Naga history is embedded with a rich legacy and yet the rich history in itself is not sufficient for the building of the future. It does help lay the foundation and it needs to do so in a way that will build an understanding, an understanding in which our future is guided by a value-based vision. Similarly, the histories of the different peoples that constitute the Naga nation is filled with stories of many ordinary men and women who strived for the well being of the people in extra-ordinary ways; and yet today, we do not see those men and women. Where are they? And where are we going?
The present generation of Nagas needs to start assessing and taking initiatives that involves a commitment to truth. It is time that we renounce the course of negativity and embraces the earnest and practice commitment of straight honest talk through dialogue. This process must keep at its center the greater public good and interest, which means ending the influence of narrow interest representing the powers that be. The dialogue should lead to the articulation of Naga values with an emphasis on a return to ethical values and willingness to question right from wrong as well as to act selflessly by giving up narrow self-interest. It implies transcending parochial institutions and civil religion with the view of getting truthful about the issues that affect our lives. Our self-realization calls for a conscious move away from the adversarial and conceited politics that needs to be replaced with a commitment for statesmanship, which at its core has the will to listen act upon the issues and aspirations of the people. If present Nagas are to have a future of hope, the responsibility lies on us not to just live quietly, but to actively pursue the values that will make us live!
Community Conservation in Nagaland Neema Pathak The Morung Express Perspective An Introduction:
Nagaland state of India bordering Burma, is occupied by about 15 different tribal communities. Each of these communities is culturally distinct from the other and occupy different parts of the state. Nearly 90% of land is under community ownership (unlike in other parts of the country). About 85% of the state is still under forest cover. Originally hunter-gatherers, these communities have intricate land use system, with land distributed between shifting cultivation (communal ownership of land), settled agriculture (private land ownership), and forest reserves (could be family, clan or community owned) to meet food, fruit, fuel, timber and other requirements. Wild meat is an integral part of tribal culture here. Most families own guns and go hunting nearly every day. Easy availability of guns (because of a few decades of insurgency in the state) and non-implementation of wildlife protection laws has led to rampant hunting. Increasing population and heavy dependence for on timber and forest produce for livelihood is also impacting the quality of forests. A combined effect of degrading forests and a high rate of hunting have led to a quick decline in wildlife populations, particularly, wild animals. Towards late 1980s and early 1990s some realisation about the degraded state of forests began to hit people. Drying up of water resources, declining availability of wild vegetables, declining population of wild animals, were among some of the reasons that created debates among many tribal communities, independently. As a result a silent movement led to village council after village council declaring areas strictly protected for wildlife protection or forests reserves declared as protected water sheds.
In 1988, the Khonoma Village Council in Kohima district declared 20 sq. km. of forest and grassland area as the Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary. Rules were formulated to strictly ban hunting (not only here but over the whole of Khonoma’s 135 sq.km. territory), to stop all resource uses in the Sanctuary area, and to allow only a few benign uses in the surrounding buffer area. A Trust was set up for management. A proposal is currently under discussion to extend the Sanctuary area to several sq. km. more of adjoining forest. The villagers are also in discussions with neighbouring villages, which if successful would conserve 200 sq.km. of unique habitat, with several endemic and threatened species. The village council of Sendenui resolved to set aside an area of about 1000 hectares (10 sq.km), after some discussions initiated by the village youth concerning the decline wild animal populations. The village has issued its own wildlife protection act, with rules and regulations for the management of the sanctuary. In 1983, the Luzaphuhu village Student’s Union resolved to conserve a 500 ha (5 sq.km) patch of forest land above the village as a watershed. In 1990, they declared another 2.5 sq.km. patch of forest as a wildlife reserve. Hunting is strictly prohibited in the wildlife reserve. Similarly, Kikruma village is regenerating and protecting 70 ha. Several villages centred around Runguzu are protecting an entire range with perhaps several thousand ha. of forest and 6 villages led by Chizami are reviving traditional protection of a few hundred hectares. Along many roads in the state sign posts are put up by village youth associations, warning readers that the area is under strict protection. According to wild life enthusiasts, who visit the state regularly claim that these sign-boards are effective enough to deter even outsiders. Different villages have different ways of dealing with violations, a simple fine being the most common. Some more sophisticated, with a higher fine for more endangered species.
A number of endemic and threatened species are likely being conserved in these areas. The community protected forests in Phek district may have some of India’s last populations of the Grey peacock pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum, and of Mrs. Hume’s pheasant Syrmaticus humiae, apart from the Blyth’s tragopan. Sites like Khonoma, Zanibu, and Chizami have been identified as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) as part of a global process coordinated by Birdlife International. Serow Naemorhedus sumatraensis, Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus, and perhaps Clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa, are other important species that are still found or recovering in these areas. Leopard Panthera pardus is reported from most of these sites. In the absence of any extensive surveys, the floral diversity of such sites can be indicated by about 40 species of orchids reported just from Khonoma Sanctuary. For more details on individual sites contact: Neema Pathak at natrails@vsnl.com
Three killed in Manipur ahead of poll By Reuters
GUWAHATI, India (Reuters) - Three people, including a soldier, were killed in Manipur on Thursday, in poll-related violence on the eve of the last stage of assembly elections, police said.
Unidentified rebels ambushed a vehicle carrying soldiers, killing one and wounding another, in the state's southern district of Chandel, they said. Elsewhere, workers of the ruling Congress party, which also heads the national coalition, clashed with supporters of a regional party in the neighbouring Churachandpur district. One worker from each party was killed.
Manipur has battled separatist violence since the 1960s and more than 20,000 people have been killed. Tens of thousands of troops have been deployed in the small state to protect election officials and its 1.7 million voters during the three-phase ballot.
Women discouraging Women’s Empowerment. Filip Sumi Kuknalim.com article

Like a man that is human capable of thinking, feeling and doing things, a woman is also a human being having her own ability to think, feel and do certain things with no amount of inferiority in her, except for physical vigor. Indeed, women are stronger biologically because of their procreating ability. However, in spite of the male's physical superiority he too needs the same food that women consumes for survival. There is no way that he can survive by smoking or because he is stronger. Like wise, a woman can't stay alive just because she is pretty and beautiful. Then, given their equal existence and this is what a person fighting for equality shall think, needs none becomes superior over the other for their robust nature or soft nature. Both have equal rights and privileges in being a part of the society. So why are women not allowed to be equal with men? Why are they always associated with inferiority?

In an earthly manner, safe for our original parents which was a Godly way, every man comes out of a woman and this is where the larger gratitude and respect for woman should exist at all costs. In this rational world, a woman should no longer be considered impure for her monthly stress. In fact some optimists would view that as a cleansing cycle both physically and spiritually, for it actually cleanses and relieves the feminine body and because our creator willed so.

There are thousands who regard woman as a mere tool and commodity in the kitchen and in the bedroom. Incidentally, in some society, a woman does all the works that requires male energy while man lazes, drink and sleep. The greater number of the people that regard woman as a commodity comprises of these lazy men. These are the people who think that woman are far privileged because they also walk on the same earth that men walk and for breathing in the common air But unlike the past where almost every woman was confined to the four parameters of their kitchen, these days the presence of women in public affairs is being felt at a reasonable level though not enough. They are proving their administrative ability in various areas which men thought they would never be capable.

More women are coming to the forefront in decision making. A women becoming a Gaon Bura is a great jump towards the upliftment of the status of woman in our society. There should still be bigger moves to push woman forward. No doubt, women has been labeled as the weaker section of the society but in a cultured society where the stress of equality is more and strong, people, instead of taking advantage of women's weaknesses should adopt policies which can make the label a little lighter. For that, a committed society should find it easy to reserve some seats absolutely for women where only a woman candidate will contest against woman. That would be the absolute way of empowering woman and it will take women forward with greater speed. Otherwise, the staunch talk about empowering woman would always remain a staunch talk and nothing more But the most discouraging factor is that even the legislators who speak of giving opportunities to woman are not willing to sacrifice their seat or constituency to be solely reserved for woman. Maybe that's the inner reason; the bill for 33% reservation is still sucked in the parliament. But it is speculated that the Women's Bill is likely to be discussed this session. So if we don't make way for such moves then, the talk about pushing women forward may be wrongly pushed by the road side. Therefore, some grand steps and sacrifices should be made to make women empowerment a reality
However, in the midst of all these talks, people advocating such measures also have their reservations about the appearance of woman in society especially these days. The Naga society in the past rarely saw offences in the form of dress by females in public with the exception of our forefathers for their unawareness of decency or rather because civilization and modernization was still far behind for which they were not able even to cover themselves appropriately in those jungle leaves and animal skins. But at this stage where proper dressing should be an old learned lesson there are still some learning to evolve as proper human being to be able to present themselves decently in society.
While some strive for the upliftment of the status of woman and try to do away with the notion of women being as a commodity, there are still a large number of females who themselves make their counterparts regard that they are a commodity which can be sold and bought.

Indecency in the dress habit of modern girls is on the rise day by day. Transparency, skimpiness, less clothes on the body seems a grand fashion especially in summer. Some even say summer is a 'shameless season'. Thin, super tight fitting garments are not out of the scene and the shapes and sizes can easily be measured by a causal observer where even a protruding pimple inside can be noticed. It's perfectly fine for them that they feel comfortable and they may look pretty but it embarrasses the public eye. How can a society ignore those scenes and not call them commodities? They can't be ostracized for that reason because like mentioned earlier, they are also human beings and every human being is a social animal requiring one another. People come into contact with one another, communicate, observe and mingle together. Though it's not the reason, it's difficult not to look down women in such a society especially when they project themselves in such a cheap manner One popular view that justifies the prostitution of women is that they are starved and so they become helpless and are forced. But the reality which is on the rise that a sufficient section of sex workers especially in Nagaland now are not underprivileged women forced to the profession for want of money but people with enough income and even well to do girls are into it because they are after some quick bucks.
Now if, the women themselves are allowing the society to look down on them by way of their indecency and inappropriate living, then, all kinds of moves and progresses to uplift them are hampered. Their empowerment gets highly discouraged. Some say that women's position will change if only men change but the grass root changers should be women themselves because the change in question concerns them the most. But it's not totally false that women in society would begin to change with the change in man. Man's liberal and relaxing attitudes towards women can be of enormous leap in their status. That can be a small way to discover women's potentiality, a gender that thinks as an outcast. A suppressed gender. After all they are the reflection of society as of men.
5 killed on eve of final phase of Manipur polls From Sobhapati Samom Assam Tribune
IMPHAL, Feb 22 – At least five persons lost their lives today in four different incidents on the eve of the final and third phase of the Manipur election. One Assam Rifles jawan sustained serious injury in a militant attack in Chandel district on Thursday morning. The incident took place near Khoibu village under Tengnoupal police station.The injured jawan Anup Deka of 18 Assam Rifles has been evacuated to the ICU of Leimakhong army hospital.

In another poll related violence, two civilians reported to be political workers were shot dead by suspected militants near Singhat village under Manipur’s Churachandpur district late Wednesday night. The bodies of the deceased were recovered by the police on Thursday morning. In another incident, a civilian was killed at Kiyamgei Awang Leikar Leirak under Iribung police station late Wednesday night after being abducted from his Langthabal Kunja residence in Imphal West district. Though the reason behind all these killings are yet to be established, police stationed in Churachandpur district suspect killing in the district may have connection with the ensuing third phase polll. The bodies of two polling personnel including a jawan of 521 Bn CRPF Pramod Mishra and a villager who had been missing after they were capsized in Barak river on their way to Langjon, since Wednesday afternoon, was recovered on Thursday morning, reports said.

Earlier, former MLA and independent candidate contesting in Tamenglong constituency, Samuel Zendai had a narrow escape after his convoy was fired upon by unidentified gunmen at Wairangba village under Tamenglong district. Meanwhile, despite the boycott called by NSCN-Khaplang faction, the State authority is all set to conduct the most “difficult” final phase of the Manipur election tomorrow. According to Chief Election Officer R R Rashmi, additional 140 companies of security forces, army personnel would be pressed into patrolling duty in sensitive areas. On the day of election, a helicopter each would be stationed in all the district headquarters, Rashmi said. Helicopters would ferry EVMs and presiding officers of 120 polling stations.

RIMS death protest rally dispersed by police The Imphal Free Press

imphal, feb 22: police foiled an attempt by protestors numbering about 400 who were trying to stage a rally from New Checkon road upto the Raj Bhavan in a bid to submit a memorandum to the Governor this afternoon around 2 pm in connection with the unexplained death of M Sangkhu Maring, at RIMS hospital on February 19 morning. Initially, the protestors participated in a sit-in demonstration organised by the JAC against the death of M Sangkhu Maring at New Checkon from 10 am, which was attended by various representatives of tribal and other social organisations.

Later, following a snap decision during the demonstration, the protestors attempted to stage a silent rally up to the Raj Bhavan in order to submit a memorandum to the state Governor in connection with the incident. Police however dispersed the protestors by firing in the air and lobbing tear gas shells. In the meantime, JAC representatives have said that with no positive response from the government, they would go ahead with their proposed general strike from 6 am tomorrow. It may be mentioned that 37-year old Sangkhu Maring died on February 19 morning after being admitted as a delivery case three days earlier. The death led to violence by patient party against doctors, which subsequently caused the closure of the RIMS emergency casualty and OPD blocks till date.

Samuel Jendai escapes life attempt The Imphal Free Press
imphal, feb 21: Former mla, and independent candidate contesting in 53-Tamenglong A/C, Samuel Jendai, had a narrow escape after his convoy was fired upon by unidentified gunmen at Wairangba village, in Tamenglong district yesterday evening around 2:30 pm. According to official sources, the candidate, along with his MR escort party, was returning towards Tamenglong headquarters yesterday afternoon after conducting election campaign when the incident occurred. Jendai`s convoy came under heavy lethode bombs and LMGs attacks at Wairangba, the sources informed.
The security guards also retaliated, and the exchange of fire lasted for about five minutes. There were no casualties in the attack but Samuel Jendai had a narrow escape as the vehicle on which he was riding was hit by multiple bullets, the sources informed. Jendai finally reached Tamenglong unhurt after heavy security reinforcements were sent from Tamenglong headquarters

Newmai News Network adds: Samuel Jendai when contacted by Newmai News Network, has said that he alongwith his supporters and security guards had gone to a village called Wairangba and Bhalok, some 27 km away from the Tamenglong headquarters, some underground elements came out at the gate of the village and started opened fire in which the candidate`s security guards retaliated by firing back.

The candidate said that the gunmen fired about 200 rounds of gun-fire while attempting to assasinate him. Samuel Jendai, however, did not say which group or outfit could have been behind the act.The incident occurred at 2:30 pm on Tuesday,according to the candidate. He also said that the unidentified gunmen used a bomb and LMG guns while attempting on his life.

Samuel Jendai is endeavouring to retain his seat from the Tamenglong A/C for the fourth consecutive term.This time he is contesting as the United Naga Council (UNC)`s `consensus candidate`.Interestingly, the Tuesday`s firing incident occurred at the native village of his rival candidate Khangthuanang Panmei who was abducted and released by the NSCN-IM just recently.

On the other hand, NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region has alleged that the candidate had ordered his own security guards to open blank fire in order to procure more bullets for the NSCN-IM. The NSCN-K, Zeliangrong Region maintained that the Tuesday`s Wairangba incident was nothing but a foolish tactic to supply new bullets for the NSCN-IM. The outfit said that Samuel Jendai had ordered his security guards to open fire in the air and painted as attacking the candidate and in return the security guards candidate would demand for more bullets and tighter security to which the bullets will go to the NSCN-IM. The outfit further accused that Samuel Jendai could no longer stay in the valley so he has left for the hill areas and now the candidate has tied up with the NSCN-IM.

Rani Gaidinliu in the context of modern Naga society Nagarealm.com
Invasion by foreign religion and foreign culture will pose danger to Naga identity. Beware of this danger”. Rani Gaidinliu had said.

Rani Ma was kept in Yimrup village of Tuensang district nearly 300 km away from her people. See the fate that our own Zeliangrong persons who had been converted to Christianity spied against her and helped British army to arrest her from Poilwa village near Khonoma. They hatched a plan to kill her. Several of her Naga army sepoy were killed in the fierce battle. What was the guilt of Rani Ma? The only “crime” Rani Ma did was that she pioneered her forefathers’ religion, eternal culture, customary laws and traditional village institutions.

The day of January 26 is of national significance because it is the Republic Day of our country. This day has an additional importance for the Naga society because this is also the birthday of legendary Naga lady, Padma Bhushan Rani Gaidinliu.

Rani Gaidinliu, popularly know as Rani Ma, is the highly revered Naga lady for her selfless services to Naga society and fight for freedom of the country. She was a committed lady for the preservation, protection and promotion of her forefather’s religion, eternal culture, customary laws and traditional village institutions. She organised Naga army and challenged British empire. British Government declared her as “terror of north east” and had awarded life imprisonment to her. When Pt. Nehru approached the British government to free her, they refused to oblige on the plea that if Rani Gaidinliu was freed, the revolt against British empire would spread like wildfire. She came out of Shillong prison when the country got Independence on August 15, 1947. But the travesty is that she was not allowed to visit her people for whose freedom, religion and culture she sacrificed her prime of youth. Same reason was given that if she was allowed to return to her Heraka people, the movement for preservation, protection and promotion of her forefather’s religion and eternal culture would catch-up momentum.

A section of our own Naga society who was under deep influence of church, was opposed to Heraka movement and Rani Gaidinliu. Rani Ma was kept in Yimrup village of Tuensang district nearly 300 km away from her people. See the fate that our own Zeliangrong persons who had been converted to Christianity spied against her and helped British army to arrest her from Poilwa village near Khonoma. They hatched a plan to kill her. Several of her Naga army sepoy were killed in the fierce battle. What was the guilt of Rani Ma? The only “crime” Rani Ma did was that she pioneered her forefathers’ religion, eternal culture, customary laws and traditional village institutions. She advocated in no uncertain terms that the fate of Nagas lied with India. She demanded the integration of all Zeliangrong areas in one administrative unit on the plea that this integration would accelerate the economic development of Zeliangrong people and fulfil their political aspiration.

The files in Union Home Ministry started moving in favour of integration of whole Zeliangrong areas with Nagaland. Rani Ma, Pau N.C. Zeliang and Prof. Gangmumei Kamei of Imphal were toiling hard to ensure that aspiration of Zeliangrong Nagas for integration was fulfilled. But this success was turned into failure by our own people on the plea that neither Rani Ma nor Pau N.C. Zeliang nor Prof. Gongmumei Kamei was Christian and the credit of achieving this integration should not and must not go to any person other than a Christian. And it should never, never go to a person like Rani Gaidinliu.

She clearly and fearlessly preached among her people that a society whose forefather’s religion, culture, tradition, village institution and customary laws are destroyed, becomes weak and vigourless. In due course of time indiscipline and chaotic situation prevailed in that society. Rani Ma and Pau N.C. Zeliang reverberated this doctrine repeatedly. Unfortunately, Naga leaders—political, social or of church, preferred to ingnore.

The Naga society has been led on wrong path. As a result, we are killing each other. This killing is justified in the name of “Nagaland for Christ.”

I, once, read an article written by an ISKCON sanyasin of American origin. The title of the article was—“How I was saved from being saved”. The author, herself had narrated in that article how she protected herself from being converted to Christianity by saviours of the soul. “I pray Lord Tingwang, O Lord Tingwang! Please save our Nagaland from (the so-called) saviours of Nagaland.”

The volcanic situation created by our own Christian brothers in the early sixties against the Naga’s religion and culture in Zeliangrong areas compelled Rani Gaidinliu to hold gun again in her hands and adopt the jungle path to protect her people from forcible conversion at gun point. The second resumption of guerrilla warfare was not directly against foreign forces but against those who were destroying the Naga traditions and values and also against those who were preventing the Naga youths from following the values set-forth by our forefathers and who were breaking the traditional control of village elders over village community particularly youths.

The image of the Naga society in length and breath of the country was (i) that cent-per-cent Nagas have converted to Christianity (ii) that all Nagas were anti-Hindu and anti-India and (iii) that all Nagas were wild, savage and raw meat eaters.

In America, Britain and other Christian countries, Nagas were described as wild, savage, naked, head-hunters and with no religion. I have visited several mega cities in the country and have lived with several Hindu families. When Hindu hosts came to know that I was a Naga girl, they whispered. They could not believe that a Naga person could be so refined in all respects. It was not the mistake of the Hindu hosts. It was the mistake of our own since we allowed foreign Christian missionaries to propagate that we Nagas were wild, savage, heathen, naked, head-hunters and raw-meat eaters. This propaganda is still made in foreign countries.

Rani Gaidinliu and later, Pau N.C.Zeliang opposed this malicious propaganda against the Naga society. For this deed, both of them were cursed and victimised. Rani Ma toured the country, established close contacts with the Hindu organisations and cleared the cloud of misconception against the Nagas from the mind of the Hindus.

Earlier Rani Ma, later Pau N.C. Zeliang and now Shri Ramkui Wangbe Newme, President of Zeliangrong Haraka Association, have been telling us that any Naga who is neither Christian nor Muslim, falls under the category of Hindu religion. Due to their untiring efforts, the image of Naga society is improved and brightened in the country. The ‘terrorist’ image of the Nagas dampening and fading away and prudent and prowess image of the Nagas is emerging fast.

If the current events in Naga society pertaining to revival of their religion and eternal culture, the war of supremacy in different factions of underground organisation and unbecoming behaviour of some church leaders are any pointer, the doctrine of life for Nagas propounded by Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu and advanced by Pau N.C. Zeliang appears to be the best in modern context. Alas! the Naga youths could understand this and save retrograde Naga society from kissing its doom and decadence. [Tasile N. Zeliang, Organiser] [ The author can be contacted at Org. Secy. Zeliangrong Heraka, Pailei Baudi, Nagaland Tening ]
Manipur goes to final phase of polling today Sentinel
Imphal, Feb 22: Stage is set for Manipur’s third and final phase of polling as about 3,63,345 voters including 1,85,598 females are expected to cast ballots to elect 12 Assembly members in three districts and a subdivision tomorrow. Massive security arrangements have been made to ensure incident free voting as poll personnel in many sensitive booths were being escorted by the policemen. Manipur has already witnessed two phased peaceful polling on February 8 and 17 for 48 Assembly constituencies of the state’s 60-member Legislative Assembly.
Manipur’s Chief Electoral Officer RR Rashmi said the third phase of election would be held at Tamenglong, Chandel and Churachandpur districts and the Jiribam subdivision.
He said the last phase polling has comparatively some difficulties as over 100 centres have no proper roads to lead the polling booths. Every polling centre would be guarded with armed security personnel, he added. Boats and helicopters were pressed into service to move the election materials to the polling stations. Meanwhile, the outlawed NSCN-K has banned all candidates in Tamenglong Assembly Constituency from contesting the election alleging interference by its rival faction NSCN-IM. The fates of Congress president Gaikhangam, Tribal development minister Phungzathang Tonsing, Information Minister TN Haokip, and Th Devendra—the number two man in the O.Ibobi government, will be decided tomorrow.
There are also two women candidates among the contestants. Chandel has the maximum of ten candidates while Singhat has only three. Indian National Congress is contesting in 11 seats. LJSP-9, RJD-6 National Congress Party in 5 and Samajwadi Party-5. The Bharatiya Janta Party has three candidates, Communist Party of India- 4, Manipur People's Party (MPP)- 3, NPP-3, SAP-2, JD (U)-1, PDA-1 and Independents-23. UNI
Poor economy, ethnic conflicts make NE HIV prone Sentinel
Aizawl, Feb 22: Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) has suggested to initiate an interstate collaborative intervention to reduce the risk of flesh trade across North East as well as to arrest growing threat of HIV/AIDS in the region.
A joint report of AusAID and National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) revealed that long due modification of school AIDS Education Programme and lack of motivation in designing awareness initiatives as well as inadequate provision for women friendly HIV testing are main reasons for the spread of AIDS among backward communities in the region.
Economic insecurity and ethnic conflicts have also been identified as major factors for high incidence of HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) in Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Asom.
The report expressed concern over the reach of AIDS awareness activities, and stated inspite of all out efforts of the authorities, it was still limited to district headquarters and capital cities. Though NE states together account for less than three per cent of India's population, the states are home to about 30 per cent of the Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs) in the country.
“NE states still continue to be troubled by secessionist movements and inter-ethnic rivalry, seeking more autonomy and the sporadic conflicts have not only plagued the overall development of the states but have increased the vulnerability to the diseases by causing dislocation of women and forced many to resort to sex work”, the report stated. The conflicts have also negatively impacted upon HIV/AIDS program by disrupting ongoing intervention.
The number of females per 1000 males in Mizoram and Asom is 933 while in Nagaland it is 909. This difference has also been responsible for irregulating sex activities among the male population, report added. On the other, all the five states have characteristic tribal inhabitant composition with distinct social traditions and having poor economy despite a variety of economic concessions given by the Union Government. It has failed to fuel development, the report underlined.
The low level of agricultural productivity, poor infrastructure and lack of opportunities for employment leading to poverty had increased the vulnerability of local populace to HIV/AIDS. The vulnerability of women and children largely seemed to centre on food, security and health care. The large scale influx from Bangladesh and Myanmar to northeastern states has added to the complexity due to interface between poverty, migration and sex trade.
The report suggested a comprehensive HIV intervention at the inter state and international borders like Moreh in Manipur, Champhai in Mizoram, Dimapur and Tuensang in Nagaland, Silchar in South Asom and Agartala and Sonamura in Tripura was needed, as these were the hot-spots of narcotic business and cross border movements. UNI

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