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03/27/2007: "Naga Anthropologist rewrites Naga History The Morung Express"


Naga Anthropologist rewrites Naga History The Morung Express

KOHIMA, MARCH 26 (MExN): History of Naga Anthropology (1832-1947), written by Father Abraham was released today, by Dr. Anungla, Head of Anthropological Department, Kohima Science at the NSF Conference Hall, Kohima.
The book criticizes the Ethnographic works on the Nagas which were written by the British Anthropologists during the colonial period and later used for the advancement for the administration of the Naga areas. The author said that many misconceptions and misinterpretations that were created among the Naga people by these works and he hope to clear them with the newly released book.
Relating the vacuum he was confronted with when he had gone in search of literature on Nagas by Naga Anthropologist way back in 1998, Fr. Abraham said that it was then that he had come to the decision to write the book. The author said that at present he is working on another book on the Naga Festivals and Naga identity.
The release of the History of Naga Anthropology was attended by members of the Naga Anthropological Association, lecturers from the History Department, NU and well wishers.
Factional clashes Source: The Sangai Express / NNN
Kohima, March 26: The total number of lives that had lost in the factional clashes in Nagaland has gone upto 270 while 159 were injured since March 2003 till March 11, 2007.Nagaland Home Minister Thenucho revealed that 270 lives were claimed with101 were from NSCN (I-M), 110 from NSCN (K), 25 from FGN and 35 were innocent persons.

This revelation was made in the floor of Nagaland Assembly today by the state Home Minister.

According to him, with regard to those injured, 45 were from NSCN (I-M), 61 from NSCN (K), 9 from the FGN and 44 civilians. Thenucho disclosed that altogether 378 clashes among different factions had taken place from March 2003 to Mar 19.2007, besides two incidents of assassinations. Meanwhile, there were reports of factional clashes between the NSCNIM and the NSCN-K cadres at Namsai in Mon dist of Nagaland on Sunday.
NSCN (IM) clarifies on casualty The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, MARCH 26 (MExN): Apropos Press Statement published in local papers on March 26, 2007 under the caption, “4 NSCN (IM) killed: NSCN (K)”, Commanding Officer of the Shongshen Battalion, NSCN (IM), Lt Col A Raman has clarified that nothing as claimed by the Khaplang group did ever happen. While confirming the incident that was dated as March 23, 2007 that there was an attack by the Khaplang boys on their soldiers, the CO said that one cadre received minor injury however there was no incident or killing after that. As such he said that the claim of the NSCN (K) was incorrect and an attempt to “create confusion in the minds of the people.”
NSG calls on Naga groups to build ‘political consensus’ The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, MARCH 26 (MExN): The UK based Naga Solidarity Group has stated that it was a “committed supporters of Naga people’s sovereignty” but that the time had come for all Naga people to develop a common political understanding that will enable the peace process at every level. “For the peace process to continue moving forward all Naga national groups are urged to initiate steps toward building a political consensus which will strengthen and positively impact the negotiating process with the Indian state”, a press communiqué received here stated.
Stating that it was important that a concerted coalition representing the rights of all Naga people be formed, specifically, all Naga factions must reach out to each other, stopping their destructive acts against each other. “Full participation of all Naga people is necessary for the peace process to be inclusive, successful and long lasting”, it stated adding Naga people’s right to a peaceful solution and to live as a sovereign people is undeniable. “The international community will support a solution arrived at through a bilateral agreement”.
‘Irregularities in Nagaland health dept’ NEW REPORT: CAG report says Nagaland govt had not set up regulatory commission. ibnlive.com

New Delhi The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has said that there is major irregularities in implementation of various schemes by the Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Department.
The CAG report compiled up to March 31, 2006 and tabled in the on-going Budget session of the Assembly said that payment of Rs 4.80 crore was made without receipt of equipment by the department while expenditure of Rs 11.17 crore remained unfulfilled due to non-completion of regional diagnostic centre at Tuensang and upgradation of Naga Hospital, Kohima.
The department could not avail of discount of Rs 2.43 crore due to purchase of medicines from unauthorised firms or suppliers, the CAG report said, adding the medicines were distributed without carrying out any quality testing. The apex audit body said the state government had not set up regulatory commission, which resulted in loss of potential revenue of Rs 154 crore as fixation of electricity tariff was lower than the purchased cost.
Similarly transmission and distribution losses in excess of the prescribed norms resulted in loss of potential revenue of Rs 100 crore while short billing of electricity led to revenue loss of Rs 17.83 crore in the state, the report said. Without the approval of the government, the department treated Rs 14.63 crore out of the outstanding arrears amounting to Rs 34.50 crore as bad debt, the CAG report pointed out. (With agency inputs)
Peace Politics Source: IMPHAL FREE PRESS
Never before have ethnic relations in Manipur, and so too neighbouring Nagaland, been so complex and embittered. The fissures are suddenly beginning to be noticed even amongst communities which traditionally maintained neutral and even cordial relationships, while many bitter rivals have seemingly forged uneasy partnerships. Under the circumstance, one cannot help suspecting agent provocateurs at work, stirring up trouble, perhaps not for its own sake but as part of a larger game plan which they believe, rightly or wrongly, is in the “national interest”. But “national interest” can be extremely elusive and hard to define, being as it is a very relative quality. To take a distant example for the sake of objectivity, it was with this so called “national interest” in mind that the US invaded Iraq. Whether the invasion is turning out to be in the country’s “national interest” is anybody’s guess. Likewise whether the “national interest” that is sowing the current embitterment between different communities will prove to be ultimately in the “national interest” is also anybody’s guess. The “algebra of infinite justice”, to borrow a catchy line from writer Arundhati Roy, is a gross folly. Unlike in algebra, two negatives do not make a positive. History is evidence that this Machiavellian faith in the military strategy of neutralising “adversaries” by pitting one against the other, more often than not backfires miserably, injuring the manipulator more than the manipulated. This strategy becomes all the more cynical when “peace” becomes not a belief in genuine peace, but merely a tool in this game. The fratricidal feud in Nagaland and the spread of communal venom in Manipur are only some of the indications.

Let this so called “national interest” that makes people indulge in Machiavellian politics then be tempered by the enlightenment of reason. Only then would “national interest” really be in “national interest”. For a start, everybody must think “peace” not in piecemeal but as a holistic picture. Take the case of the Government of India’s approach to resolving insurgency in the northeast. It got so taken by the lazy notion of “mother of all insurgencies” and actually at one point seemed to have come to the conclusion that the key to the problem was to tackle this mother and all else would be put to rest automatically. How false that conclusion was, it must now be realising, but only after going through a lot of embarrassments. More than mere embarrassments, it is in a position from where it can neither go forward nor retract its steps without causing more problems. But better late than never. It must seek to take more stakeholders onboard the peace vessel. Even a single group left out of the process can jeopardise the entire project. To make this happen, it must think more in terms of fostering unity rather than do anything that may wittingly or unwittingly cause divides. Any mischievous thought of the algebra of infinite justice must be banished from coming anywhere near this grand enterprise of peace building. But it needs two hands to clap. The various insurgencies must also come to believe it is in their ultimate interest, and in the interest of durable peace, that they bury their axes and put up a common, mutually acceptable front.

Let military strategy and the onerous responsibility of charting out a final political blueprint for peace be kept distinctly separate. Histories of modern conflicts that were, or are in the process of being successfully resolve, have demonstrated loud and clear that while the military has been helpful in creating a condition where peace becomes the only real alternative for everybody, the task of actually formulating and defining peace has to rest in good, sound, imaginative politics. Ireland example is there for all to see. In Manipur, lawless as the land has become, even this broad but very fundamental understanding has been compromised. The military has chosen to bypass even civil authorities in the politics of peace, reducing as we have mentioned the peace process into a military strategy. This is a very dangerous game, one which can leave behind a legacy of bitterness long after the commanders of the policy have been transferred out to some other war or peace zone. Their visible disgust with the putrid political culture is understandable, but even this cannot be a license for it to dip its hands in politics.

2nd protest slams Police atrocity Students seeking release stopped from entering Tihar Jail The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, MARCH 26 (MExN): Kuki students in Delhi today staged a demonstration against Police atrocities committed on them during their previous rally, when they had demanded the release of captured villagers from their community.
The protest was carried out at ITO, the area which houses the Delhi Police headquarters. Representatives of the Kuki Students’ Organization met Delhi Police Chief KK Kaul who assured them of help from his capacity, reliable sources said.
Supporters came out strongly against the “communal, racist and prejudiced” police action. The men in uniform were very “friendly” today but no apology was forwarded, sources added. Among the more than hundred students earlier arrested and forwarded to Tihar Jail, 47 were women. Formalities for the release of those detained in Tihar Jail have been completed and a huge contingent of students and supporters made their way to the prison to complete procedures of the release. However, it was informed that the gates of the jail were closed, barring them from entering the premises. Authorities want the arrested to be released only tomorrow. A reception at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus was also awaiting those who were to be released. What has been made resolutely clear, though, is that the Delhi incident should not overshadow the larger issue of deprivation of rights back home. Abducted Kukis sneak back
Conflicting reports of mass abduction Kuki students’ body, UNLF at loggerheads The Morung Express

A supporter of the Kuki Students’ Organisation covers her mouth as a sign of protest against alleged atrocities by Delhi Police and paramilitary forces on a demonstration held Friday where several students and policemen were injured, in New Delhi on Monday, March 26. (AP Photo)
Imphal, March 26 (NNN): The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) and the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) are at loggerheads following accusation by the former, along with some Kuki civil bodies, on Sunday that the latter had abducted about 400 Kuki villagers with the help of Myanmar’s military junta in the Indo-Myanmar border.
Meanwhile, the UNLF termed the development on Sunday as the “game-plan of the Indian security forces” while alleging that the Indian security forces have been using some Kuki organisations as their proxies on the issue of the alleged kidnapping of villagers.
Earlier, the Kuki students under the aegis of the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) had staged a massive rally in New Delhi on March 23 in protest against the alleged abduction of the Kuki villagers.
Meanwhile, few days ago, media persons from Imphal visited the border area to ascertain the facts of abduction of 400 villagers.
According to local newspapers here in Imphal, some villagers had told the visiting journalists that the claims of the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) and other Kuki bodies were not true.
The local newspapers said that the villagers who had interacted with the visiting media persons at Molcham village in the Indo-Myanmar border area informed that about 400 Kuki villagers had left their native villages before Christmas and set up a relief camp at TS Leijang.
The villagers also reportedly told the reason for leaving their villages saying that their move had been prompted by the fact that they could no longer stay at their villages owing to the ever intensifying clashes between the Indian security forces and the underground elements.
According to the reports, the villagers had informed the journalists that since the seed-sowing season had arrived they had started returning to their respective villagers since March 13.
DAN rejects probe into subsidy scam Correspondent Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, MARCH 26(NPN): In the face of a spirited attack by the opposition Congress in the assembly over the Rs.24 crore transport subsidy scam to entrepreneurs in the state, the chief minister Neiphiu Rio and Industries minister Khekiho Zhimomi rejected the demand for probe either by a Joint Parliamentary Committee or by the State Vigilance.
The issue caught the DAN government on the wrong foot but Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio however, assured the Opposition that the government would look into the matter and take necessary corrective measures.
Initiating the discussion, opposition Congress MLA Chingwang Konyak alleged that while the North East Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi) was insisting on having their bank account only in Dimapur, the entrepreneurs were forced to open joint account with two unknown persons, which showed major portion of the amount was going to the duo.
Joining the debate, Opposition Leader I. Imkong said the matter involved serious embezzlement of money by a third party.
He pointed out that there were lots of loopholes in distribution of subsidy to entrepreneurs, adding the money was graciously sanctioned by Centre on request of the State.
Imkong said the Central Government deposited the amount to NEDFI which insisted that the entrepreneurs contact one Khalid, a Jordanian citizen, and open a joint account with him and another middleman in banks operating in Dimapur. NEDFI issued the cheque in the name of entrepreneur and the money was deposited in the joint account, he said.
The Opposition leader alleged the rightful entrepreneur could draw only 50 per cent of the deposited amount with some deduction, while the rest 50 per cent went to the middlemen, including the foreigner.
Continuing his tirade against the government, Imkong said 53 units, mostly from Mokokchung and Mon, had not been paid subsidy as the foreign national involved in the scam was out of station.
While expressing indicating a nexus between NEDFI and banks official, apart from the alleged foreigner and the middleman involved in the scam, the Opposition demanded that the scandal be probed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee or State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Cell.
It further threatened to seek CBI probe, if State Government failed to act on the matter.
Reacting to the Opposition charge, Industries and Commerce Minister Khekiho Zhimomi admitted there could be some grain of truth in the allegation, but his attempt to steer clear of the department of the scam was foiled by a vociferous Opposition, which stuck to its demand for a probe into the issue.
Indo-Burma border trade resumes The Morung Express
Moreh, March 26: Border trade between India and Burma resumed on Sunday after a ten-day impasse due to an indefinite bandh by Kuki civil organisations on a stretch of National Highway 39 on the Indo-Burma border. With the bandh called off, many small traders based on the border of northeast Indian states were glad. “Now we can resume normal trading,” said an Imphal based goods supplier. Passengers and drivers were also happy to be able to go about their normal work.
Not only were prices of goods in military ruled Burma going up, some retailers in Border States in India had to contend with stocks drying up due to the bandh on the 110-kilometre Imphal-Moreh stretch of National Highway 39, popularly known as the Indo-Burma road in India’s northeastern state Manipur.
Since early Sunday morning, many vehicles including passenger vehicles and buses were seen plying on the route. The Kuki civil bodies based in Moreh namely the Kuki Students Organisation, the Kuki Movement for Human rights and Kuki Chiefs’ Association, called off their 10-day Indo-Myanmar route bandh to protest against the Indian authorities’ failure to look into the alleged abduction of 400 Kuki villagers staying at the TS Laijang village on March 13.
The villagers in question are said to be displaced people of Khengjoi range in Manipur’s Chandel district who were taking shelter at the Laijang village in the wake of continuous gun battles between the underground outfits and security personnel. The Kuki bodies had claimed last week that militants of Manipur based outfit United National Liberation Front took away the villagers to an unknown destination in Burma but the outfit rejected the accusation. Besides some of the displaced villagers told a local cable TV network, popularly known as ISTV, and local dailies that the allegation of the Kuki organizations was baseless. They also informed the media that the abduction story might have spread when the displaced villagers were in transit.
However the Kuki Chiefs’ Association, in a statement issued here said the bandh is being called off with effect from March 24 midnight, but warned that if the demands raised by it are not fulfilled within a month, a bandh would be called again. The government will be responsible for any consequences in such a case, it said. The statement also pointed out that contradictory media reports regarding the illegal abduction and bringing back of the 400 plus villagers on March 13 has created confusion among the public. Three Kuki bodies including its Students Organisation, Human Rights body and Chief’s Association had also called a 12-hour state bandh on March 23 as part of their agitation. (Mizzima News)
Junta Puts Political Reform Plan on Hold Larry Jagan Column Morung Express
Burma’s military rulers have put the country’s political reform process on hold amid divisions and uncertainty on how to move forward on ‘national reconciliation’ as the junta calls its programme for political change.
As the top generals are preoccupied with reorganising the administration and military command structure, under their ailing leader Gen. Than Shwe, the reform process is reported to have ground to a complete halt.
“The hardliners, who are resisting any kind of change, have regained the ear of the senior general (Than Shwe), while the pragmatists have gone to ground,” says independent Burmese analyst, Win Min who is based in the Thai border town of Chiang Mai. “The generals are in no hurry to introduce political reform and feel international pressure has subsided after escaping U.N. Security Council censure earlier this year, when the junta’s main allies, China and Russia, blocked the United States-backed resolution.”
The National Convention, tasked with drawing up the new constitution, has been postponed until the end of the year, according to senior government officials. It was expected to resume its deliberations within the next few weeks. “The National Convention cannot reconvene until the Senior General’s plans for the future have been implemented,” said Win Min. “They have to be certain that they can control the referendum which will approve the new constitution.”
But the biggest challenge to the regime’s authority may yet come from within Burma as there are increasing signs of dissatisfaction across the country at the generals’ failure to introduce political and economic changes. “It’s a social volcano about to erupt,” a Burmese economist in Rangoon, who asked not to be named, told IPS over telephone. “All it needs is a spark to ignite the fire,” he said.
On top of that Than Shwe’s health is deteriorating dramatically, casting another shadow over plans for political change at least. He is getting increasingly reclusive, hiding away in his palatial mansion in Nay Pyi Taw, some 400 km north of Rangoon. He sees very few people and only comes out to attend major meetings or functions.
Signs of a power struggle between two of Burma’s second tier of generals -- Gen. Maung Aye and Gen. Thura Shwe Mann -- seem to have settled, for now, on the issue of who would take up the top post if Than Shwe’s health deteriorates further.
A major shakeup within the army and an extensive cabinet reshuffle is expected in the coming months as the regime prepares the ground for the completion of the new constitution and the subsequent referendum to ratify it. Behind the scenes, there still lurks major differences of opinion between the two main camps. The contenders for the top post are strongly divided over how to the move the country forward, and at what speed.
“Maung Aye heads the hardliners who will resist change at all costs preferring to maintain the status quo, whereas the other camp, led by Thura Shwe is interested in exploring new initiatives that could help break the country’s international isolation,” said a senior Burmese political analyst based in Rangoon with close ties to the military.
Maung Aye is now in control of all the day-to-day activities of the government, according to Asian diplomats who are close to the regime. While Thura Shwe may be inclined to be more pragmatic, there is no incentive for him to rock the boat. No one at the top is likely to benefit from change or progress towards political reform at this point, according to analysts in Rangoon. The status quo is by far the best option for everyone, including for Than Shwe.
“Amid the current uncertainty there is no incentive to move forward, everyone has more to lose than gain,” a senior western diplomat in Rangoon told IPS on condition of anonymity. That is particularly true for Thura Shwe, he said. “His best option is certainly to lie low and wait -- if he tries to do too much, he could easily find himself isolated and share the same fate of the former prime minister, Gen. Khun Nyunt.” Khin Nyunt was arrested in October 2004, and is currently under house arrest after being sentenced to more than fifty years in jail.
Than Shwe’s brain-child, the National Convention, which has been meeting intermittently since January 1993 drawing up the guidelines for a new constitution, was expected to resume its discussions in within a few weeks for what many analysts expected to be the final session. But Than Shwe is no longer pushing forward on the political roadmap.
Diplomats and visiting European academics were told recently that the reopening of the National Convention has been postponed until later in the year. Information minister Brig. Gen. Kyaw Hsan told visiting German academics it could be October or even November, while foreign minister Nyan Win told diplomats that it would be later this year. But the authorities would not make a public announcement at this time as hostile elements outside the country were trying to sabotage the process.
Both Asian and western diplomats in Rangoon believe the convention is now unlikely to reconvene before November. Many in Rangoon believe this maybe partly because of the senior general’s failing health and his fear that he cannot relinquish any of his power at present as this may put his position and his family’s fortunes at risk.
“While Than Shwe may not be pushing ahead with the roadmap, he is still trying to execute the other part of his master plan,” said a senior military source. “His strategy is to separate the military from government.”
The process of civilianising the administration is being pushed ahead. The military commanders who controlled the local authorities at provincial, district and township level are being replaced with former soldiers. The new administrative chiefs are being drawn from the pool of recently retired middle-ranking military officers. More than a thousand were compulsorily retired earlier this year.
These planned changes are intended to prepare the army for the next phase in the country’s move towards political reform and the introduction of a civilian administration. The changes are part of Than Shwe’s plans to ensure that the draft constitution is approved by the national referendum, and to prepare the ground for fresh elections, expected to be held within the next two years.
“This is all part of Than Shwe’s plans to streamline government administration and strengthen the authorities control over the general population in preparation for a transition to so-called civilian rule and to win the elections held under the new constitution,” Win Min told IPS.
The changes in government and the army will be the most dramatic since the military seized power more than 18 years ago. But they may be too late to stem the growing frustration in the country with the junta’s failure to introduce political reform and improve the economy. “The Burmese people are suffering as never before,” said a Burmese economist, on condition of anonymity. “Villagers throughout the country are finding it increasingly difficult to feed their families. They are hoarding rice and pulses for the fear for their future survival,” he said.
The recent demonstration of around 30 people in Rangoon -- a rare occurrence in Burma since the mass pro-democracy demonstrations of 1988 -- is one more symptom of the frustration being felt by the poorer people in the country. The protestors were complaining about deteriorating economic conditions and the sufferings of the people. “Down with Consumer Prices,” and “This is the People’s Cause,” read several of the protestors’ placards.
“We represent 52 million people,” one the protest march’s organisers told a foreign journalist when he asked him who was behind the protest.
At the same time there is a new wave of activism sweeping across Rangoon. Former diplomats, academics, civil servants and even government ministers are meeting regularly to discuss the situation in the country. They are increasingly concerned at the lack of change or progress in Burma.
“Something has to break soon. It just cannot continue like this indefinitely,” said a western diplomat in Rangoon. The soothsayers who usually have the last say in Burma are predicting change this year. “It is the year of the generals up to September; after that it will be the year of the people,” a renowned astrologer in Rangoon told IPS.
The Naga Predicament Azium Zeliang In Focus The Morung Express
Where are the Nagas heading? Leaving aside the many tribes or people where lots of hatred, killings, discontentment, struggling, crying with insecurity, looking and not knowing whether to confront or to leave it to God. The Zeliangrong people are now facing all these war-like temptations and tribulations. Zeliangrong is made of three brothers – Zeme, Liangmeri and Nqraungmei occupying their forefathers’ vast, rich and fertile traditional lands situated in the whole Peren District of Nagaland state, Tamenglong and Senapati district of Manipur state and tile N.C. Hills of Assam state in the North east of India. Since many years the people of this tribe have been harassed, killed and destroyed time and again, and as such, there came a time where people were compelled to seek for a separate homeland.
There is no land which is ownerless nor is there anyone amongst the Nagas who think that Zeliangrong can be dominated. Let us look at the situation we are living now under the largest Democratic Country, India. We are flooded with too much of discrimination between the advanced and backward people all over India, and Nagaland is in the Top and it is becoming intolerable and uncomfortable. All successive Governments of India seem to be aware but unable to reach out to the far flung and the non-protesting backward people. In the present scenario, the trend seems to the creating of Instability, use of Force, instigation for Protests, encouragement of Rebels, Fights and Turmoil. There is no place for a co-existing peace lover. Dreaming, hoping and expecting justification is only a mirage and fighting back for peace and justice seems to be the only alternative, or is anyone listening? Nagaland statehood has been achieved but is it a blessing or a curse? Till date development was only a political mouth and nothing more. The rush into contesting elections or getting Govt. job has become more towards doing for relatives or own tribe.
At this rate we are proceeding towards more chaos and ‘isms’ which are fast overtaking us. We need to respect one another and move on with unity else more bloodshed may prevail. Some of us have become shameless and barbaric. We accepted to God and people. As a family, tribe or nation all is not bad, condemned or lost. Out of many, there is reasonable and chosen people; let us look at Noah; let’s etc. We also learnt that very powerful kings or nations arose like the Roman Empire, Hitler, Napoleon, etc. but what has become of them? All super powers turned anti-Christ and vanished into nothing; their history of worldly powers was physically and spiritually lost for eternity.
Let us all take a look at what has become of us. Choice is ours but let’s ask ourselves if any one of us wants to be happy, angry, sad, freed or caged, peaceful or troubled, corrupt or clean, assisting, helping or stopping, satisfied or regretful, kill and die or live and love, strike or save, progress or be destroyed. All with us, what or which do we choose and take? It is said we reap what we sow. Do we sow hatred? Don’t we love peace and tranquility? Do we think others cannot do what we are doing? No matter how powerful we may be or how greedy we may be, brutality, hatred and enmity will only bring us all to our downfall.
Does anyone amongst us think that might is right? Almighty God watches over us. He is the supreme authority of us all.
Delimitation Uproar
An opportunity for Nagas to re-think on Special Status Perspective The Morung Express Dr. K. Hoshi
Judging by the magnitude of daily news reports one may conclude that the issue of delimitation (internal re-adjustment of seats) in Nagaland is like a ticking time bomb set to blast any second from now. While there are people both ‘for’ and ‘against’ the delimitation exercise what emerged clear is that, there are more people in favour of status-quo.
In the ensuing uproar an official clarification on the issue surrounding the Delimitation Act 2002, the guidelines and the detailed methodologies in respect to its working were given by none other than the State Election Commissioner and member of the State Delimitation Commission in the local dailies on 19th March 2007. The air of confusion on Working Paper I (to transfer seats from one district to another on the basis of Census 2001) ended with the official clarification.
One thing that has invited an out cry from almost every angle is the Working Paper III & IV (on limited re-adjustment among the constituencies within the districts). While apparently nothing seems wrong with the official clarification, when one reads thoroughly between the lines in the text of the official clarification it revealed that as per the guidelines the State Delimitation Commission actually consulted the Associate Members for suggestions after which only, the draft proposals were prepared for publication in the official Gazettee and local dailies. But, as per the media reports, that too was not done.
In the first place it is amply clear that, had the people been taken into confidence before hand the re-adjustment could have gone smoothly. The crux of the problem is that vested self-interest took the better of the people who matters in high places that has finally boomeranged. To try to shy away from the responsibility of the mess now is nothing but to show utter irresponsibility in handling the delicate issue. If responsible people in responsible place admit that one doesn’t know the in-things of the matter, feign ignorance or try to shift the blame to higher ups it only exposes how naïve is for such people to hold public office of importance. As far as the delimitation issue is concerned the public are made to understand that population Census is the lone criterion to determine the seat adjustment/re-adjustment of the constituencies. Quite interestingly, it is placed on record that the State Assembly had requested the Union Government to exempt the State from the purview of the Constitution Amendment vis-à-vis delimitation issue till such time the Assembly seats are increased as demanded and, till such time the ongoing political dialogue is concluded. Another point placed before the Union Government for exemption is that, Nagaland is a special category State under Article 371 (A) of the Constitution.
Out of these points placed before the Union Government the third point (Special Category State) merits serious thinking by Nagas in general and the State Assembly in particular. Till the eighties the State was known to enjoy special status in the form of special fund. The question that every Naga need to ask now is; “What special status do the State enjoy as envisaged in Article 371 (A)”? The only special status the State enjoys today is that Nagaland State was the only State in India that was created by a political agreement. Rightly, the State Assembly in the recent past had resolved to thoroughly delve into the contents of the 16-point agreement to know the status of the State in present dispensation for which a Committee was set up. The public are yet to know the progress on the report of this committee. Nagaland State was created out of a political agreement between the Government of India and Naga People’s Council (N.P.C) in the year 1960. It was carved out as a special category State with provision for special fiscal budget. The agreement on this special category was agreed upon, without a time-frame. Ironically, for reasons best known to GOI, this special budget provision in the form of annual lump sum grant was withdrawn by the Centre in the early nineties despite the fact that the State still limps economically. It was a unilateral decision without the consent of the Naga people and the State Assembly.
The 16-point agreement was a political agreement signed between the two contending parties to end political turmoil. The two parties have responsibility to honour the agreement in letter and spirit. Therefore, by unilaterally withdrawing the special budget provision and by imposing Delimitation Act on Nagas has not the GOI violated the principle of the political agreement? It goes to imply that Nagaland State henceforth, has been stripped off special category status and absorbed as any other State in the Union of States.
The special category status granted out of the 16-point agreement, an interim political settlement to the Naga political struggle for freedom is uniquely applicable in the delimitation process in the sense that the agreement encompasses beyond the special economic status. Point fifteen of 16-point agreement is very clear that the agreement was more political than economic in nature.
The initial adjustment/re-adjustment of Assembly constituency seats in Nagaland State was done taking into consideration the tribal composition, geographical and topographical range and socio-cultural affinity. It was suggested, prepared and proposed by the Nagas themselves as per the social practice and customary procedure of the Nagas. Point seven, Clauses (a) & (b) of 16-point agreement strongly supports this contention. Justifiably, in trying to use Article 371 (A) as a strong case in point it may not be out of place to suggest that Assembly resolution on the floor of the house to restore the special status in letter and spirit would be worth an exercise. In the event of unfarvourable outcome the Nagas are clearly left with a choice of whether to continue in the Indian Union of States or abrogate the 16-point agreement in toto and go back to pre-State status. However, that doesn’t go beyond theoretical proposition as we know that, for reasons best known to them such resolution would have few takers among the legislators.
The delimitation issue also gives Nagas a time to ponder seriously on the issue of tribalism. It is more than clear that no tribe is ready to be an appendage in the constituency of another tribe in this seat re-adjustment exercise. The smaller tribes wish to be re-adjusted with distinct tribal composition. While looking for the causes of tribalism one finds that unequal representation whether in assembly constituencies, employment or development funds largely contribute to the feelings of ‘ism’. Strengthening the tribal federalism on the basis of equality in status and share by scraping backward quota system rather than trying to do away with tribalism in itself may be something worth giving serious thinking. In the power politics where many powerful people are pre-occupied in the politics of corruption delimitation uproar seems to have taken some people off-guard. The spate of public uproar is the proof that the people were not taken into confidence. It reveals that what was claimed to be minor seat re-adjustment within the districts is by no means minor but major exercise aimed at giving electoral safe-passage to vested interest. Far from political ramification that may cost many leaders dearly in electoral debacle what is more damning is that, the issue in all likelihood is going to have far-reaching socio-cultural effect on Nagas that is going to cost the general public more dearly. The seed of mistrust and suspicion has been already sown in the minds of the people. Needless to say, it should give enough caution to people responsible for the uproar to admit that the only option at their disposal is to abandon selfish politics and go by the aspiration of the people.
Assam offers unconditional talks with ULFA --- IANS
Guwahati, March 27: The Assam government Tuesday offered unconditional peace talks with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to end almost three decades of insurgency in the region.

"We are offering our hands of friendship to the ULFA for holding unconditional talks with the government. Political solution through negotiations is the only way for a solution instead of trying to find one with bullets," Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi told journalists.

The ULFA, fighting for an independent Assamese homeland since 1979, in recent weeks has offered to hold talks with New Delhi if it agrees to negotiate the issue of sovereignty or independence.

"Let the talks be unconditional from both sides. On the ULFA's demand for discussing sovereignty, let me be frank there is no point in discussing things that cannot be conceded," the chief minister said.

The ULFA is also seeking the release of five of their jailed leaders as another precondition for direct talks between their top leadership and New Delhi.

Gogoi had earlier said the government could release the jailed rebel leaders if that was the only hitch in holding peace talks.

"I am still hopeful of a solution through dialogue although it may take time to materialize," he said.

Three rounds of preliminary talks between the government and the People's Consultative Group (PCG), a team of civil society leaders chosen by the ULFA, were deadlocked after the rebel group refused to give New Delhi a letter of commitment mentioning they would sit for direct talks once their jailed leaders were released.

The peace process broke down in September last year after New Delhi called off a six-week ceasefire and resumed military operations blaming the ULFA for stepping up violence and extortions.

The ULFA went on a killing spree and bombings since then with the government resuming a massive military offensive. However, it failed to yield the desired results with the rebels sneaking back to their bases in neighbouring countries or mingling with the local people.

"ULFA militants have managed to enter Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Myanmarese government has no control in certain areas where the militants have their bases, while Bangladesh is known to provide shelter to the ULFA," the chief minister said.


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