03/28/2007: "NSCN-IM observes fast ahead of talks The Hindu"

NSCN-IM observes fast ahead of talks The Hindu
Dimapur, March 28 (PTI): The NSCN-IM has observed a three-day "national fasting programme" ahead of its upcoming parleys with the Centre tomorrow, with special prayers being offered for the success of the talks. The NSCN-IM observed the fast during March 23-25 at its Camp Hebron in Nagaland's commercial hub Dimapur.
The gathering was addressed by prominent NSCN-IM leaders including chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah. Muivah urged workers "not to drift from the path of the Lord" so that they could "save Nagalim".
Terming the next round of talks as crucial, Council of Nagalim Churches general secretary Seksim Kasar appealed to people to fast and offer prayers today. The NSCN-IM last held parleys with the Centre on March 3, when the two sides agreed to continue discussions to find a solution to the insurgency in Nagaland.
NSCN-K cautions on “dubious parentage” The Morung Express
Dimapur, March 27 (MExN): Responding to a statement from one RH Rhaising that the NSCN-K would be pressed under “total control,” the NSCN-K MIP issued a statement terming the statement as condemnable logic.” This will be a futile exercise that would only worsen the matter if the Government of India is true to its stand and are capable of keeping up its image of being the largest democratic country in the world, an MIP statement from “Under Secretary” Ame Konyak stated. The NSCN-IM considers this as politics to place it in the agenda for talks but its shows their intent on using the Government of India as an instrument to browbeat it rivals, the MIP stated. “The Government of India should therefore grasp the nuances of the danger involved in such proposal and should never approve to play the role of a dubious parentage as regard to Naga society because the I-K terrorist have all along been trying to crush and suppress the NSCN and other so-called Naga national organizations but has failed in their attempt and so they are pressurizing the Government of India to assist them in their mission in the name of Naga integration in every of their meetings,” it stated. The NSCN-K is determined to fight back when the situation arises because it is neither a slave nor a bonded labor of either the NSCN-IM or the Government of India, it added.
Sleuths round up bank fraudster in Nagaland Rajib Chatterjee The Statesman
KOLKATA, March 27: Officers of the city police’s Detective Department arrested a 35-year-old man in connection with a Rs 11.70 lakh bank fraud case in the city. He was arrested at his house near Dimapur in Nagaland on Sunday night.
The accused, Jewel Acharya (35), had withdrawn Rs 11.70 Lakh as home loan from the BBD Bag branch of a private bank in 2004 by forging documents, said an officer of the Detective Department’s Bank Fraud section.
While applying for the home loan, Jewel had allegedly introduced himself as Mr Ranjit Kumar Singha, a real estate agent of Baguiati as well as the owner of an electronic company.
The accused, who came to Kolkata in 2001 to work in a private firm in Baguiati, had submitted forged documents ~ including the company’s audit record, business transaction report, annual income statement, residential proof ~ in August 2004 to the bank to get the money. Before applying for the loan, he had created a bank account in the name of Mr Singha after gathering all relevant information about the real estate agent during his stay in Baguiati, police said.
The accused, at the time of creating the bank account, was introduced as Mr Singha by one of his friends Rajib Arora of Baguiati.
The bank authorities disbursed the loan in August. Having withdrawn the money, Jewel paid a portion of it to Rajib and left for Nagaland, said a senior officer of the Detective Department.
The fraud came to light after Mr Singha was summoned by the bank authorities for failing to deposit EMI. Later, bank officials noticed that the photograph submitted by the loan recipient at the time of opening the bank account was not that of Mr Singha.
A complaint in this regard was later lodged with Kolkata Police and the case was subsequently handed over to the Detective Department.
Nagaland budget envisages inflow of private investments Bureau Report Zee News
Kohima, March 25: The Nagaland budget for the next fiscal envisages increased inflow of private investments into several areas through a new public-private partnership cell set up in the finance department. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, after presenting a deficit budget of Rs 323 crore in the assembly yesterday, told reporters that private companies have evinced keen interest in investing in the state's power, mining and hydrocarbon sectors and the government is in the process of signing MoUs with them.

A coal mine in Mon district has been leased to a private firm and eight coal prospecting licenses have been issued to other companies after a new state coal mining policy and the Coal Mining Act were enacted, he said. Noting that the government had granted petroleum prospecting licenses and a petroleum mining lease to oil companies, he said exploration and production could not be started because of hindrances created by land owners in Wokha district.

According to the budget proposal, the public-private partnership (PPP) cell will examine all project proposals to ascertain risk factors and viability and forward them to the Centre's Department of Economic Affairs for clearance. Potential areas for PPP projects are agriculture, industries, urban development, power, tourism, water supply, healthcare and education.

People best judge of our achievements: Rio Chizokho Vero The Morung Express
Kohima
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today reiterated that “because of the sound policy of the government, there is an atmosphere of peace and harmony and the pace of development in the last four years have seen a positive momentum on a scale never seen before” adding that it intended to maintain similar pace in the coming year as well.
“We have fulfilled a large number of the promises made to the people in the CMP (Common Minimum Programme). The people of Nagaland are the best judge of our achievements in regard to the fulfillment of the CMP,” said Rio while replying to the debate on budget on the floor of the House this evening.
On the allegation that his government has thrown to winds the CMP, Rio said “this allegation is contrary to truth.” On the Opposition alleging that the “budget has no vision and no policy,” Rio said that the budget has been made with a vision and a clear policy for fulfillment of the promises made to the people.
“We have been bent upon giving the slogan Peace for Development and Development of Peace, a success in all our actions, programmes and policies,” he said.
Rio also stated that anyone who peruses the budget will come to know that “our budget is pro-people and pro-poor,” adding that its fundamental target is to remove poverty and under- development.
“Our sympathies are always with backward brothers and sisters. Be it agriculture, horticulture, industry, connectivity, roads, tourism, rural development and other allied sectors, we have reaped enormous successes,” Rio said.
On corruption and transparency, Rio said that several members admitted to corruption in the past but alleged that during the DAN government it is the lowest; Rio said “How can high rate of corruption and unprecedented development go together? If there is development, it is clear evidence that we have considerably cut down on corruption.”
People will recall that, Rio said, during the previous governments, government servants used to be paid not in time but after a general protest. Plan allocations used to be cut even to the extent of 50 per cent to pay off the government servants.

“Today, we are in an enviable position of managing the state finances which has resulted in boom in development, payment to government servants in time, and increased allocations for key activities,” said the Chief Minister.
On KV Pusa questioning the wisdom of the government in organizing the youth empowerment through festival like Sekrenyi, music and sports and asking how peace will be achieved through these things, Rio said “I must remind him that he must develop a more mature vision of all these matters. Only when we build our strengths on the basis of our culture, tradition and capacity to contribute, we can survive peacefully as a community without being diverted and distracted.”
These activities, he said, therefore contribute to peace in their own ways and to harmony for better understanding. On the allegations that horticulture activities are being undertaken by the higher strata in the State, Rio said “I have already clarified that, in horticultural activities including floriculture, we need some special facilities like green houses, sprinkler irrigation, expert consultancy and quick transport to key spots for marketing within the state and outside the country, to reap the benefit of cultivation.”
These are now available in towns to start with. We are in the process of spreading out these activities to the rural areas which will surely be done, he said. Rio stated that a grant of Rs. 365 crores was given to wipe out deficit and this fund was used for that purpose. However, this fund was neither asked for nor given for clearing contractor’s liabilities, which are separately assessed and paid up from time to time.
Rio informed that power situation was bad during off-peak hours due to low generation of power by the Central Power Sectors units from which the state get power.
“Mention has been made of non-interference in group clashes. Let me however once again state that while enforcing the Ceasefire Ground rules is the responsibility of GOI, the state’s own law enforcing machineries have not and will not shy away from its responsibility of protecting its citizens. It has also been alleged that many civilians have been killed and government is said to have lost confidence of the people. While we share the grief of the unfortunate bereaved families, to say that the government has lost the confidence of the people, is totally untrue. Law and order situation have been good by and large”, said Rio. The Chief Minister also stated that the PM’s package announcement of Rs. 400 crore for the four laning between Dimapur and Kohima is being pursued with all seriousness. Survey and investigation have been completed and DPR is being finalized by National Highways Authority of India. Sanction is awaited from Government of India. Rio said that whatever suggestions that have been made from the Opposition side for making improvement, have been taken note of. Acknowledging the Opposition benches for making constructive suggestions, Rio sought close cooperation in all our endeavours to serve the people.“We must work together, and think together, “ Rio said adding mere criticism for the sake of criticism and bringing about conflicts and misunderstanding in our working, will only hamper the progress which we aim to deliver to the people.
Ntangki is our land, our birth right: AZSU The Morung Express
Dimapur, March 27 (MExN): The All Zeliangrong Students’ Union (AZSU) today termed the claim of the Western Sumi Students’ Union (WSSU) and Farmers Club of Zunheboto district that the ‘Ntangki is no man’s land and does not belong to Beisumpui village or Zeliangrong people’ as shocking and uncalled for and at the same time declared that it is a wicked and selfish claim made by encroachers with right is might policy.
In a rejoinder letter received here from the AZSU president T Mirhu and ZSUN President Lungchui, while refuting the claims of the WSSU and Farmers Club of Zunheboto stated that there is not an inch of land without its ownership in Naga soil. The release stated that when the Naga movement was at its zenith for a final solution, “some Sema misguided brothers are hell-bent to encroach Ntangki Forest, the pride and only National Park in Nagaland.
Hitting out at the claims of the WSSU and the Farmers Club of Zunheboto, the release stated that if Ntangki is no man’s land then there is no meaning of land ownership or fighting for land Naga independence and added that ‘our land is our birth right’.
The release even stated that the slogan of the WSSU and Farmers Club with might is right policy will go against the Naga aspiration.
“The slogan of ‘no man’s land’ is a wicked and selfish claim made by land mongers to encroach Ntangki forest area with might is right policy which will even go against the Naga aspiration” stated the release. Giving a brief history about the National park, the release stated that ‘Ntangki Forest originally, customarily and traditionally belonged to the Zeliangrong people of Beisumpui village and no one else’ and added that the leaders of the WSSU and Farmers Club of Zunheboto were not even born when the Beisumpui village gave the forest to the British colonial rulers in the year 1923 as a government reserved forest.
The release also stated that the claim of the Farmers club that seven to eight tribes settled in the forest would die for Ntangki instead of Naga nation ‘does not make any civic sense to the people’. The release also stated that the farmers club was making false claims as they are trying to get the sympathy of other tribes for ‘their illegal activities. The release alleged that the ‘farmers club of Zunheboto was the real land mongers of Ntangki in 1999 who shamelessly formed, ‘Union of Intankey Island’ now called Farmers Club of Zunheboto’.
The release also stated that the Union is grateful to the NSCN (IM) leaders especially to K Hurey Kilo Kilonser (Home) and Rtd VS Atem Longvipu (Chief of Naga Army) and forest Deptt. For evicting those land mongers from Ntangki in 1999 and hoped that the NSCN (IM) and the forest department would do so now for the future generation of the Nagas. The release further stated that ‘the WSSU allegation that there is no documentary record or monumentary existence to substantiate their claim is a cheap allegation’. The release stated that there is no need for documents as the very word ‘Ntangki’ is a Zeliangrong word and added that documentary evidence is needed only for the land mongers. The release noted that statrting from the traditional boundaries between Zeliangrong people and the Angamis the entire Dhansiripar area upto Temaki (Dhansiri) river including all the Sumi villages and other villages comes under the traditional land of the Zeliangrong people and therefore asked the people to recognise the land ownership of the Zeliangrong people even though they may be under the Dhansiripar sub-division.
The release further stated that the Ntangki forest belongs to the Zeliangrong people and added that they will defend their land at any cost, ‘Our land is our birth right’ the release stated.
The release appealed to the state government to protect and preserve the forest from land encroachers for the good of Nagas and also for the future generations to come.
Racial discrimination by Delhi police a serious matter: NESO The Morung Express
Dimapur, March 27 (MExN): The North East Students’ Organisation today vehemently condemned the atrocities and racial discrimination meted out by the Delhi police on the Kuki students who were protesting against the abduction of Kuki villagers by the UNLF cadres and termed it as a serious matter.
A press communiqué issued by the NESO Chairman Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjya and Secretary General, NSN Lotha, stated that the NESO reacts vehemently to the atrocities committed on the protesting Kuki students in Delhi by the Delhi police personnel. ‘Racial discrimination meted out to the agitating students by certain police officer is a matter of seriousness and calls for exemplary disciplinary action’ stated the communiqué. The NESO also demanded immediate compensation to the aggrieved students and an impartial enquiry must be conducted so as to bring to book all the erring police personnel involved.
The communiqué further stated that the NESO was disheartened to learn about the episode and the tyrannous manner in which a considerable number of Kuki villagers were abducted from Chandel district of Manipur by the Myanmar army. The NESO demanded the Government of India to immediately make amends to this tragedy by taking up high level inquiry with the Ambassador of Myanmar in Delhi. ‘This matter should not just be left unattended so as to avoid any future such re-occurrence’ the NESO communiqué stated and also asked the Government of Manipur to make all necessary arrangements for the relief and rehabilitation of the Kuki abductees.
Plea for lifting of RAP from NE The Morung Express
NEW DELHI, March 27(Agencies): Manipur Tourism Director BB Sharma has strongly urged for lifting of Restricted Areas Permit imposed in the north-eastern States, which restricted the entry of foreign tourists to the region, a Manipur DIPR Press release said. He made the presentation for development of tourism in Manipur in the ‘Review Meeting of Tourism Sector Programmes in NE Region’ held on March 19 in the DoNER Ministry’s Committee Room, Vigyan Bhawan Annexe here with Smt. Sushma Singh, DoNER Secretary in the chair.
The meeting discussed tourism sector programmes in North Eastern region under the North Eastern Council. Besides, the perspective tourism plans of the NE States and issues relating to RAP/PAP/ILP were also discussed. Senior officers from North Eastern states, Joint Secretary (NE) and Joint Secretary (Foreigners) from the Ministry of Home Affairs attended the meeting.
The Tourism Director of Manipur stated that the imposition of RAP in Manipur had become a big obstruction in the inflow of foreign tourists who desired to visit Manipur. Such restriction was imposed by the British regime and had become outdated in the present day globalization era. “We need to change this old mindset”, he said. Describing Manipur as a paradise for tourists, Sharma said Manipur is suitable for development of eco-tourism.
Environmentalist opposes border fencing The Morung Express
Aizawl, March 27 (UNI): Leading environment activist New World Laldingliana on Monday raised his voice against fencing along the Indo-Myanmar and Indo-Bangladesh border in the state.
In a statement here Mr Laldingliana said that border fencing would inhibit free movement of wild animals, who cannot be restricted by political boundaries.
“Sealing the border along the reserve forest area is a clear violation of animal rights, so we have launched this crusade and are determined to fight till the end.
Referring to a Washington-based international wildlife conservation body, New World said that at least 7,000 endemic species are available in the forest area along Indo-Myanmar border, which is also included among the world’s Top-30 bio-diversity hot-spots. He has also opposed the Indo-Bangladesh border fencing, saying that the move to fence the Western part of the state, which belongs to Dampa tiger reserve (one of the three tiger reserves in the northeast), would destroy the pride of Mizoram. “Dampa is not wide enough for tigers to inhabitat and the animals are still entering from across the border, so it is foolish to restrict their movement by erecting a fence along the border,’’ Mr Laldingliana added. Mizoram Environment and Forests Department was also fighting against fencing along the 318 km stretch of the Indo-Bangladesh border along the Dampa Tiger Reserve, which is kept open for animal to move. The department had earlier suggested five animal corridors be left open, but it was vehemently opposed by the Border Security Forces since a big streams and rivers will not be fenced as per the plan.
Tourism declines in Manipur Correspondent Nagaland Post
IMPHAL: Militancy and violence has ensured that inflow of tourists to Manipur, the land of the famed Sangai, is declining even as the rest of the north east experience steady inflow.
According to reports by the Ministry of Tourism, the inflow of tourist was 33,99,521 during the year 2004 in the whole Of the north eastern region, indicating an increase of 8.6 percent over the previous year 2003 of 31,30,950. The figure was 35,07,958 in the year 2005, marking an increase of 3.2 percent from the year 2004. Manipur is among the three states from the seven north eastern states which show reduced in the inflow of tourism. The inflow of tourist in the other states of the region is encouraging, the report added. In Manipur, a total of 4,45,902 tourists (both domestic and foreign) arrived in 2003-04, but it was reduced to 3,81,000 in 2004-05 . The statistic for 2005-06 is yet to complete but expected it was expected that the figure for Manipur would see further reduction in the inflow of tourists. The other two state of the NE region which shows decline in the inflow of the tourist were Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura.
In Arunachal Pradesh the inflow of tourist was reduced to 3,294 in 2005 from the previous year 2004 which was 5,009 while that in Tripura, 2,64,078 tourists arrived in 2004 but it was reduce to 2,19,007 in the next year 2005. "As the prevailing law and order situation have a direct and indirect repercussion on tourist inflow, the numbers of both domestic and foreign tourists have declined considerably," an official of the state tourism department said.
Tourism is now recognized as the second largest industry in the world and has now become without any doubt a main centre for human activities. It has also the most powerful weapon for elimination of poverty, major sources of income and employment and an excellent instrument for promotion of national integration, international understanding, friendship and co-existence.
With this in mind the Union ministry of tourism was taking up several measures to attract more foreign tourists in India despite unfavourable conditions in some parts of the country and incidents of criminal assaults on travellers. The Manipur tourism department is also focusing on the strengthening the existing infrastructure and lay emphasis on development of nature, adventure and cultural tourism that will have no social conflicts and environmental pollution and on the other hand generate employment to the masses.
Kuki lad makes it to Indian Army Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR: "The secret of my success is determination, hard work and perseverance", said Luminthang Khongsai who had made it to the Combined Defence Service (CDS). He stood 169 ranks in the All India Merit List out of 430 candidates in the CDS-I which was held in the month of February, 2006. Stating about the life of Army men, he said "I was inspired by the Gentlemen's Life with Uniform" and added that "army does provide a good career options".
"This was my first attempt, apart from CDS, I had applied for SSC Combined Graduate Level Exam where I had cleared the prelims but as I had to pursue MA in Sociology in Delhi, I had to abandon the mains", he said. Khongsai will leave for Chennai in the month of April to join the Officers Training Academy (OTA) for 11 months training after which he will be the proud Lieutenant in the Indian Army. When enquired about the books he read, Khongsai said "I usually read Civil Service Chronicle Magazine, Hindu Newspaper and NCERT books".
He appealed the new generation to work hard and give hundred percent to achieve your goal. Luminthang Khongsai, son of Jamlhun Khongsai of Maova Village under Medziphema sub-division and belongs to Kuki tribe.His father is a Sub Inspector working in the Police Department, Wireless at Mon and his mother is a housewife. Khongsai did his matriculation from Don Bosco School, Mon, 12th from Greenwood Higher Secondary School, Dimapur and Graduation from Salt Christian College, Dimapur.
Protest over killing of NDFB cadre From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
NALBARI, March 27 – Tension prevails in Barama area in Baska district following the killing of an NDFB cadre at its Medaghat office by a group of former BLT men on Sunday night. The slain militant was identified as Bir Daula Swargiary of Musalpur. Meanwhile, thousands of NDFB cadres and its top leaders from Udalguri, Dhemaji, Jorhat, Lakshimpur, Karbi Anglong, Gohpur, Golaghat, Tezpur, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Gossaigaon, Barpeta and Goreswar areas gathered at Barama HS School to protest the killing. Leaders of some other Bodo organisations, such as Bodo Women’s Justice Forum, Bodo Shanti Mancha, NDFB leaders BD Jaulia, M Gerema, B Detchung and commanders of all three battalions of the outfit, joined the gathering and demanded appropriate steps to stop the fratracidal clashes between NDFB and BLT.

They also submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Baska demanding adequate security to NDFB cadres who are in truce with the Central Government. The NDFB alleged that the executive member of BTC, Hitesh Basumatary himself led the attack on the NDFB office in which several NDFB cadres were injured.

Meanwhile, the Baksa police arrested one Ramen Boro who was involved in the killing of the NDFB man. The IGP of BTAD RM Singh is also camping at Barama to take stock of the situation. The 12-hour Baksa district bandh called by NDFB in protest against the killing of the NDFB man today paralysed normal life. During the bandh, all educational and finacial institutions, and government offices remained close. All modes of vehicles were also off the roads. A BPPF meeting at Barama Girls High School which BTC chief Hagrama Mahilary was scheduled to attend today was cancelled due to the bandh.

Gogoi rejects plebiscite demand By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, March 27 – Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today rejected the demand for plebiscite on the issue of Assam’s sovereignty raised by a recent convention organized by the People’s Committee for Peace Initiative in Assam (PCPIA). He was addressing mediapersons at a press conference here this afternoon. The Chief Minister also rejected the demand for discussing the issue stating—“What is the use of discussing a demand which nobody can concede to.”

On the issue of the missing United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) leaders, who have remained traceless since the Bhutanese operation against the militant outfit, he said that the information available with the State Government indicated that the Government of India had no information about those militant leaders. The Chief Minister flayed the BJP and its president Rajnath Singh for the latter’s latest remarks before the press in the city. The BJP had no moral right to criticize the Congress Government, he said.

For, he said, the BJP-led Government at the Centre and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)-led Government in the State were responsible for the darkest period in the State’s history with their indulging in the secret killings. Both the Governments at that time did not bother about the implementation of the gas cracker project too, he said.

Indo-Myanmar border to be fenced By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 27: In order to check movement of insurgents and smugglers alike along the porous border, the Centre is set to put up fences along the Indo-Myanmar international boundary.
the porous border areas have been creating problems to security forces in tackling insurgency and smuggling activities despite heavy presence of security forces in Moreh town of Chandel district.
While North eastern states of the country share about 1643 kilometres border with Myanmar, Manipur along accounts for 398 kms of this section.
The 25 Border Roads Tasks Force (BRTF) stationed at Imphal would take up the task of barricading the international boundaries shared by Chandel, Churachandpur and Ukhrul districts of the State. Since the two countries have not taken up proper survey of the boundaries owing to protracted dispute, the task force is yet to take up the fencing exercise. Recently the two neighbouring countries had signed an agreement to conduct joint survey and constant interaction is on in this connection. Following a two-day deliberation on the matter, representatives of the Survey of India and Surveyor of international Boundary along with their Myanmarese counterparts had resolved to conduct joint inspection, restore, repair, reconstruct and maintain boundary pillars. commandant of 25 BRTF MA Raza said Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sanctioned Rs 10 lakhs for survey works along the international border. If authorities of the two countries complete the survey work, the fencing task would be started from Border Pillar (BP) 79 to BP 81 stretching about 10 Kms in Chandel district, he said adding that the area would be extended after completion of same boundary survey works. The same fencing structure erected along the Indo-Bangladesh border with rolled barb-wires would come up in the Indo-Myanmar border, the officer said. Large quantity of heroin is being smuggled inside the country from the infamous golden triangle after sneaking through the porous international border. The international borders shared by Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram are most vulnerable areas of drug trafficking.

Manipur and Naga peace process By C Doungel Sangai Express
Any political solution needs acceptance by the parties concerned but this is not likely to come forth yet. One cannot help musing whether the inhuman quit notice against Tangkhuls is being indirectly used as a means to negate the peace process. A healing touch therefore to bring unity and harness all efforts towards the common cause within and create a well of goodwill without are required for achieving this. Reconciliation is essential to take to next step. Of the diametrically opposed ideologies of Naga integration and maintaining territorial integrity of Manipur, the later case seems to be bolstered by adoption in UPA common minimum programme that there will be no alteration in the boundaries of small North Eastern States. This firm resolve appear to have safeguarded Manipur territorial integrity more effectively than the regional parties shouting at housetops that they are the ones doing this. In fact, earlier Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India also stated in his speech at Kohima in 2001 that such alteration requires the consensus of all parties and concerned states. This is not however to say that the status-quo will remain for all time to come but such stone-walling can be broken only by a far stronger force.
That Manipur has survived for more than 2000 years is a historical fact in support of it. The absence of any evidence that there was a common Naga polity in the past is another weak base. Further, lack of any homogeneity is an added disadvantage because unifying force of people speaking same language and having common culture is much stronger.
Plethora of insurgents groups countering NSCN (IM) or supporting, are disturbing peace and hampering development. Loss of dedication in many of their cadres had now reduced them into hordes of extortionists who are free to commit any heinous crime with impunity. Factional fights and group fights are the order of the day. These are in clear violation of ground rules in respect of those who entered into ceasefire with army or GOI but Indian Army rarely interferes.
Many politicians also wash their hands off by saying that this should be treated as national problem. There are others who say that these are not law and order problem, forgetting the fact that many places have turned into battle fields and the rule of law is not allowed to prevail. Virtual legitimisation of such violence has cost us very dear.
(Due to a communication gap with the writer one page was omitted in the last edition. We produce the omitted part)

Diminishing democracy By UA Shimray Contd from previous issue Sangai Express
But short listing out of 60 contenders [Is Naga women not important in Naga politics!] as “Blessed-One” is not democratic ethics but rather autocratic imposition manifesting civil hegemony. Democracy believes in principle, liberty and freedom not to “terms and conditions.”
The Editorial, The Sangai Express [9 February 2007] wrote: “It remains to be seen how effectively the UNC has been able to ‘influence’ the Naga people in choosing their elected representatives, but the message has already been rung out and that is, everyone should toe the line of what the UNC thinks is right and best for the people.” Now, one can question the “influence” and “accountability” of the civil organisations [suppose to be non-political organisation] in the society. In democracy, people carry the same value. Indeed, the briefest moment of reflection on our political debates will reveal a polarization based on prejudice masquerading as argument.
Remarks: Baruah (2005: 19) writes “democratic elections take place and the press in the region is relatively free, many aspects of political life on the ground are rather distant from the substantive values associated with democracy.
In terms of respect for basic freedom, the rule of law and principles of accountability and transparency, there is a significantly diminished form of democracy… [Durable Disorder. New Delhi: OUP] Individual freedom, clan-communitarian participation and socialisation are the inherent principle of Naga socio-political setup. However, when there is “impose-democracy,” one’s freedom become unfreedom and such can breed socio-political unfreedom.
The tradition of healthy debate, democratic set up, value system and its spirit is slowly diminishing. There is no wrong to say that Naga society is in the stage of labyrinth cross-road of socio-political dilemma.
The dilemma includes how to tackle the political perception in the democratic domain. In other word, the beauty of Naga traditional values is at stake. Naga political attitude of tolerance, accommodation, principle, dignity and accountability is changing in the midst of “mistaken-democracy.” And such mistaken emerge due to the influence of money culture, power and greed. Of course, the present money power and gun culture pose major detrimental factor to social and political development.
Indeed, the credibility of civil societies is essentially important in the democratic exercise. At the same time, the organisations should uphold its objectives and principles. Good politics strengthens democratic values and carry social harmony but when such essence is lost in the socio-political discourse would invite blunder.
In fact, sense of politics as a collective enterprise, underpinned by the idea of a common good. Quality public debate is based on respect for others and followed from that, respect for their opinions. If respect is not possible or forthcoming, it requires at least tolerance as a minimum condition of the civic relationship. However, when the public discourse is “coup” then it would be difficult to asses the validity of democracy. — Concluded

Nagalim.NL News

03/28/2007: "NSCN-IM observes fast ahead of talks The Hindu"