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04/30/2007: "Comrades pay tribute to Angelius Shimrah The Morung Express"

Comrades pay tribute to Angelius Shimrah The Morung Expresse
DIMAPUR, APRIL 29 (MExN): The mortal remains of senior NSCN (IM) leader Angelius Paiza Shimrah who died in the early morning hours of April 29 was received by the Collective Leaders at CHQ, Hebron and accorded with full military honors by the Naga Army. “In this grievous hour at the untimely demise of Late Angelius Paiza Shimrah from amidst us, in whose destiny untold pain and sorry upon his loved and close ones is felt, the GPRN deeply mourns. The loss of a man in that of his stature deprives not few but the Nagas at large, a man with elements of a being encompassing qualifying qualities; that of a leader, a statesman, a patriot, a compatriot, a comrade, a teacher, an instructor, a father, a brother and that of a friend”, a condolence message issued by the MIP stated.
During the funeral service conducted by Rev Sekshim Kasar, General Secretary Council of Nagalim Churches, where more than a thousand people congregated, attended by representatives of Naga Hoho, NSF, NPMHR and other NGOs besides all rank and file of the NSCN (IM), several leaders reflected late Shimrah’s life as that of a man of moral and principled integrity and bade him farewell, informed the MIP.
The Chairman Isak Chishi Swu recalled his experiences with Late Shimrah as a person who never faltered nor failed in his dedicated services, of which no compatriot at any time was ever dissatisfied. He lamented that, we being mortal beings on our life’s journey, are destined to depart from this world some day as our deceased patriot. It is indeed a great loss for us all to have lost a dedicated, devoted and committed leader, he said. “The vacuum caused by his departure will be very hard to fill”. Citing, late Shimrah’s commitment, devotion, dedication, tolerance, perseverance and patience as a symbol of true Naga patriot, the Chairman reflected on how late Shimrah, though was not given any assignment for two-three years when he initially joined the national service persisted on with his resolve to serve the Naga nation. “We are ceaselessly indebted to his selfless sacrifices deserving respect, honor and thankfulness”, he added.

(Left) Iaasc Chishi Swu, Chairman and (Rigth) Th.Muivah, General Secretary speaking at the funeral service of senior NSCN (IM) leader Late Angelius Paiza Shimrah at CHQ, Hebron.
The General Secretary Th Muivah lamented at the loss which had been God’s plan. He grieved that Shimrah’s departure was a huge loss to our nation for he was a personality presenting the strength of the nation. He said, “a person like him, who can write, think and act is very few to find. His loss to us is like the fall of a huge supporting pillar to our Naga nation”, Muivah said that during times of hardships, crisis or difficulties late Shimrah was a person who responsibly faced the challenges to bring the nation through. “He was a person who proved himself well, practically. It was because of a person like him who stood as our strength, not that we were proud or afraid. He was a person with a combination of all experiences who stood the trials of life’s insurmountable challenges. A person like him who is hard to find among a million has left us alas. May we meet in our after life”, he concluded.
The Convener, Steering Committee Qhevihe conveyed that his earliest association with late Shimrah was during 1979 at Eastern Nagalim. He observed that late Shimrah never wavered in his committed duties nor was any comrade dissatisfied with his services throughout his career in the national services, till his last. The Convener asserted of being the living witness and said that late Shimrah thought, spoke and worked completely for the Naga nation. Working with the Steering Committee together while late Shimrah was the Secretary, Qhevihe conveyed that he had never come across any weaknesses in him. “Among Nagas, he is also one unique gifted patriot in whose loss we are unfortunate. May our Almighty God bless the Nagas with someone like him again”, he concluded.
Kilo Kilonser A. Puni who also spoke at the funeral service recalled their association in Eastern Nagalim. He mentioned their return from China via Lainung village during which villagers addressed him (late Shimrah) as ‘Longvibu man’ meaning a great successful warrior. “His loss has been a great loss to our nation”, he mourned. He testified that late Shimrah was a humble and noble person who even washed the plates of his subordinates. He was a God fearing person who could be trusted by every one at any time, he added.
RH Raising, Secretary Steering Committee testified and upheld that though late Shimrah had expired physically he remained alive and will remain alive with us as his foot prints, finger prints and history subsisted on. He reflected that late Shimrah was a person that with stood national trials and authored historical events. He played crucial roles in the 1978 ‘martial law period’, the 1988 ‘national crisis’, operation Salvation and Oinam post attack which were historic events in the Naga history. He also bravely participated in the first confrontation with the Indian army led by then Captain VS Atem at Namthirok, though he was in the civil set up.
The GPRN expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that the Almighty God console the aggrieved at their time of distress and pain.
Admission of guilt first step towards healing, says NSCN (K) The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, APRIL 29 (MExN): The NSCN (K) Military Spokesman Isak Sumi has termed as unfortunate, the “faction-centric mindset and egoistic attitude of Naga leaders”, pointing out that this has percolated down to even the workers at grass root level and that such “emphasis on narrow factional and group agendas has led to increased decline of visions and dreams for an integrated Naga community as one people and nation”.
“To erase scars of wrongdoings, wounds should be treated first, to heal wounds justice should be delivered and justice could be ensured only after seeking truth and perpetrators are held accountable”, the Military Spokesman stated in a press note received here.
Pointing out that forgiveness, reconciliation and unity has became a mere convenient phrase of the anti-peace elements, in order to escape the wrath of Nagas, unity and reconciliation is being preached at the roof top, at the same time devious disruptive plans are steadfastly enforced underneath by these same peace preachers. “IM Chairman Isak Chishi Swu’S proclamation of “Peace and reconciliation” was immediately followed by murder of two innocent Konyak youths, inhuman torture and subsequent murder of Vikuto Sumi at Hebron under the nose of Isak and Muivah, killing of innocent Angami youth of Selouphe Village, kidnap and murder of two innocent children at Senapati and numerous armed offensives against FGN and NSCN that resulted the loss of lives of several Naga patriots”, the Military Spokesman alleged.
The NSCN (K) termed this “contradiction” on the part of the NSCN (IM) as exposing “disorder and anarchy in the IM’S chain of command” while at the same time explains their “practice of double-standard and diabolic stratagems to be-fool the Nagas”. “For the followers/cadres are being incited to commit anti-peace offensives at will without botheration of their leaders’ public proclamation”, the NSCN (K) alleged while adding that “such betrayal of people’s trust and hope for peace and unity by IM is no longer uncommon”. “Skepticism and doubt has deeply ingrained in the souls of the peace loving Nagas whenever there is slogan for peace, for every peace initiative were packaged with more bloodsheds”.
“Once reconciled and united, sectional monopoly of rich dividends arising out of internecine turmoil (fishing in troubled waters) would halt and common interest would prevail. This thriving section in order to further their greed for power endows more division and hatred”, the statement alleged adding that meanwhile innocent Naga bloods are spilled all over simply to enrich their coffers and to widen area of their domination”. “Unaccounted sufferings of the Nagas for more than half a decade under foreign rule and censored from the world gradually progressed to attain Political attention both from India and international communities, unfortunately certain section grabbed this opportunity to further their interest, one hand they claim to champion the Naga cause on the other they take it as an opportunity to build worldly kingdom of their own”, the NSCN (K) alleged on its rival.
Pointing out that to “ensure continuity of this Mafiosi trend of self-styled operation in guise of Nationalism”, Indian constitutional machineries are being harnessed to the fullest advantage by compromising the basic ideology and principle of the Naga’s struggle in lieu of comforts and dispensations offered pre-mediately by GOI. “Honorable solution out of Indian Constitutional bindings has become the biggest mockery, Indian elections in India dominated Naga areas has become the best possible avenue for various Naga underground groups to make fortunes, but decades and generations of sacrifices to liberate the Nagas from alien conquest is now being drowned in the Indian sea of wealth, manipulations and corruptions”, the NSCN (K) further stated. Making the point that sectarian interest has prevailed upon common Naga interest, it stated that people’s aspiration was now relegated to a mere tool to further individual whims. “Where were we yesterday? Where are we today? And where shall we stand tomorrow? If we continue to silently observe these unfolding events without muttering a single word of protest”, it stated. “Why condemn creation of Nagaland Statehood within Indian Union or Shillong Accord, when we are performing nothing better or greater, rather we have become drunk with the allurements, the present Indian system provides. Shame on us that we take pride in asserting ourselves as patriots or freedom fighters when we are partaking and promoting our aggressor’s rule over our own people all for the benefit of oneself”.
NSCN (IM) seeks extension of deadline Senapati Child Murder Case The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, APRIL 29 (MExN): The Fact Finding Committee and several other NGOs had a joint meeting collective leadership of the NSCN (IM) at Hebron yesterday. The meeting which was attended by Senapati District Students Association; Senapati District Women’s Association; Presidents of the fives tribes of Senapati District besides the Committee was chaired by Thuingaleng Muivah, the general secretary of the NSCN (IM).
It was revealed that the collective leadership assured the delegates from Senapati that justice would be delivered and asked for an extension of deadline for two weeks.
Reportedly the NSCN (IM) had reasoned that more time was needed to investigate the case as both the groups admitted that there might be someone big behind the whole crime.
Saying that some information collected so far was too delicate to disclose at this stage, the Chairman of the Fact Finding Committee, Solomon Veine said that a very big gang who called themselves Star Gang was suspected to have a hand in the crime.
It was further disclosed that the NSCN (IM) had apologized for the security lapse which resulted in the escape of one of the suspects, Adai Puimei.
The delegates from Senapati, apparently satisfied with the investigation so far, decided to agree to the request of the NSCN (IM) and extend deadline by two weeks. However Solomon added that if there was no result, the societies of Senapati would be back at Hebron, “We will not remain silent spectators”, he added.
The Fact Finding Committee further requested the NSCN (IM) not to hide anything from them and intimate them on everything that happens.
Moreover on request, it was disclosed that the committee had been allowed to meet the other suspects who were still in the custody of the NSCN (IM).
NSCN (IM) ideologue passes away The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, APRIL 29 (MExn): PA Shimrah (Angelus Shimrah) passed away at around mid-night on April 29 at his residence in Dimapur after a prolonged sickness. He was born in 1944 and joined the Naga national movement in 1976, which was led by Naga National Council (NNC) at the time.
Shimrah held the post of Cabinet kilonser before he passed away. He did his Master of Economics and English from Bangalore before he joined the movement. Angelus Shimrah was a senior leader among the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN). He also was the convenor of the steering committee of NSCN. He led a team of Nagas to Papua New Guinea to study the famous Bougainville peace process and was part of the team involved in the peace process that has been in negotiations for the last nine years.
Besides, Late Angelius served the NSCN (IM) in various capacities as a Foreign (Alee) Secretary, Kilo Kilonser, Secretary of Steering Committee (two terms), Cabinet Kilonsers, etc. He had also contributed and mobilized the Naga cause in Europe and had also been a part of the Nagalim Constitutional Drafting Committee along with Anthony Raven, a constitutional expert.
NSCNs mourn demise of Naga leader The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, APRIL 29 (MExN): Chairman of the NSCN (IM), Isaac Chishi Swu condoled the death of Angelus Paizu Shimrah, who he stated, was a great man of integrity. In the press release, the Chairman said that it was a day of sorrow for everyone because a respected comrade and a veteran leader had gone from their midst. Isaac further continued that the deceased was a man who upheld the revolutionary philosophy and principles and to him the cause of the people was precious and above all else. Adding that every Naga could be proud to have such a leader who would not compromise on the truth, Isaac prayed that the departed soul rest in peace.
Meanwhile, A.Z.Jami, the Convener of the Council of Kilonsers NSCN (K), expressed deepest grief and sorrow on the news of the sudden demise of former colleague Angelus Shimrah in Dimapur in the early hours of April 28, 2007. Conveying condolence to the bereaved family, friends, well wishers, the NSCN (K) leader stated that the deceased had been a fine gentleman, learned, outspoken and a man of integrity.
Further Jami added his personal opinion that Late Shimrah had died without exercising his potentials for the society due to certain technical reason. He further prayed for solace to be granted to the bereaved family in their hour of devastation.
Naga Hoho condoles The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, APRIL 29 (MExN): The General Secretary of Naga Hoho, Neingulo Krome, in a letter of Condolence to the wife and children of Angelus Paiza Shimrah stated that he was deeply shocked and pained to hear of the demise of “one who had so much more to give to his people”. Saying that he himself had been aware of Shimrah’s ailing health for quiet sometime, Krome consoled the family saying that the Almighty God knew best.
Krome further added that of what little he had come to know of the deceased, he did know about his commitment and conviction for the freedom of the Naga people for which he gave his everything, whatever his shortcomings and weaknesses.
Conveying heartfelt condolences, the General Secretary continued that he would cherish the short but very historic association with Shimrah in March 2006, when they traveled to Papua New Guinea and Bougainville on a Study tour on Peace and Reconciliation, during which period they had been room-mates.
Krome wished the departed soul peace, in the belief that he had fought a good fight adding that he would always be an inspiration for many more to come.
Kohima to link with Myanmar The Morung Express
New Delhi, April 29 (PTI): After successfully launching dedicated freight corridors linking four metros, India is now teaming up with neighbouring countries to develop global railway corridors to cut down travel time.
“India is now following a policy of international corridors. In the first step, it is trying to link the railways of India and Myanmar over a distance of 330 km,” a top railway ministry source said. “This will also give us a link between India and Southeast Asian states including China. The exercise will cut traveling to one-fourth the time taken by sea route,” the source added.
The eastern international corridor will link Kohima in the northeastern state of Nagaland with Myanmar. It will lead to railway routes connecting India with Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos on one hand and with economically developed southeastern China and Russia on the other.
India is already assisting the railways of Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and Bangladesh in developing infrastructure for running or connecting inter-state railways to boost their internal traffic and to link them internationally.
On the western side, the sources said that India is counseling Pakistan and others to develop rail links to the Middle East, thus boosting trans-shipment of goods and services in the strategic region.
NSCN (K) condemn execution The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, APRIL 29 (MExN): The NSCN (K) has condemned what it termed as the ‘inhuman execution’ meted out to one of its cadre Akaho Assumi of Qhelhozhe village alleging that the latter was abducted by the NSCN (IM) from Dimapur while on medical treatment and tortured to death in an extremely horrific manner.
“The mortal remains of the deceased bore testimony of brute and inhuman tortures at the hands of savage elements. Such practice of inflicting mortal torture on the victims and resultant death is nothing new to the IM hoodlums”, stated Akato Chophi, Supervisor, UT-1 NSCN (K) in a press note received here.
Alleging that the “victim’s limb was broken, ribs ripped apart, one eye removed with dagger and entire chest was burned with petrol and finally, most obviously after the victim succumbed to his injury, several rounds of bullets were shot all over the body”, the NSCN (K) wanted to know whether “such heinous act” was a supplement to Isak Swu’s proclamation of “peace and Reconciliation”?. “If words have failed to convince the Nagas of the real intent and motive of the IM, we ask the Nagas to judge the IM by their actions. No where in our history has the Nagas suffered silently and bitterly then under the “rule of IM terror”, the NSCN (K) Supervisor stated while also paying their highest tribute to Late Akaho Assumi.
“His sacrifice exemplifies and amply portrays the perilous circumstance the Nagas are, in the face of adversaries both from within and alien”, the NSCN (K) stated.
Death pours out unsung honour for late Angelus John K. Kaping The Muring Express
Ukhrul The life of a person manifests itself in his death; more so for Lt. AP Shimrah, Kilonser of GPRN/NSCN (IM), who was given befitting tribute by several leaders of Naga organisations at a condolence service in his honour, which was organized at the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) ground today at 8:00 am.
It seemed that “Nagas have lost the Nagas’ Ambedkar”, a man to be considered to that of a “fountain-pen”, said different leaders including one Louis Ngasainao, an Inter Churches Forum leader, as thousands bid a melancholic adieu to the departed soul of the Naga National Hero, lt. Angelus Paiza Shimrah, who passed away on 29th April 2007 at 2:00 am at Zion Hospital, Dimapur after a prolonged illness.
In the service, top ranking leaders of NSCN (I-M) including A Puni, Kilo Kilonser (Home Minister), Council of Kilonser expressed shock and grief over the sudden demise of AP. Shimrah and termed the vacuum created by his untimely demise is irreparable. TNL President Stephen Angkang also expressed that such a loss of great men, whose once-inked sentence is sharper than the sword brings an irreparable loss to the Naga Nation.
The UNC Secretary Azang Rongmei and Tangkhul Hoho Vice President, Somipam Lungleng categorically emphasized the most valued nature of selflessness of Lt. AP Shimrah, whose sincerity is proved that he is the only NSCN (I-M) Official who does not even had his own house for shelter unlike other Officials.
Rh. Raisingh a senior and member of Steering Committee of the NSCN (I-M), termed the departed leader as a “man of decision”, while VS. Atem, an Emissary to the Collective leadership regarded the deceased leader as a ‘perfectionist’ and a ‘strategist’ right from the beginning till the end and that he had a unique talent of “Quali-serious-tactics”.
Q Tuccu, a steering member asserted lt. AP. Shimrah as an “Iron man”.
He insisted to replace the dying body of AP. Shimrah by another NSCN (I-M) cadres if possible. Tongmeth Wungnao, Education Kilonser NSCN (I-M) also expressed deep sorrow and grieved over the loss of the real quality, personality, selflessness natured of the departed leader. Read out in their condolence messages.
Among the leaders of the Ukhrul District Civil Societies including to those of NPMHR (South), TNWL, TKS, TSL, TMNL, RKL, Paoyi Students’ Union, HSL, Hunphun Hangva et al, also expressed deep profound sorrows over the untimely demise of Lt. AP. Shimrah and extended silent share in grieves of the bereaved family members. Also the Condolence messages from the two Supremos of the NSCN(I-M) Isaac Swu and Th. Muivah were conveyed through VS. Atem, Emissary to Collective leadership praising the supreme sacrificial life spent by AP. Shimrah and the leaders pained in emotion by loosing such a selfless person and a confident like AP. Shimrah. It is also learnt from the Condolence service that AP. Shimrah, Kilonser of the NSCN (I-M) was 64, he joined the NSCN during 1976 and had re-entered his service for exactly 30 years, 4 months and four days. He is survived by his beloved wife Zingnimla Shimrah and six sons. Sources disclosed that the mortal remains of the departed hero will be buried at his native village, Paoyi whixh is 26 km away from Ukhrul main town.
Kuki rebels held in Nagaland OUR CORRESPONDENT The telegraph
Kohima, April 29: After being pursued in Bengal and Assam, militant groups of Manipur are now feeling the heat of a crackdown in Nagaland.
Five members of the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) were arrested at Kashiram Bustee in Dimapur town, the state’s commercial hub, last evening. The arrested militants include the “finance secretary” of the militant outfit, Thanglem Haokip alias Athang. The rest are “lance corporal” Chungminlum Singsit alias Bobuay, David Singh, Paojang Hangsung and Seikam Chongloi.
It was the second setback for the outfit in Dimapur. Two KRA members were traced to a rented house at Thahekhu a few days earlier.
Based on information provided by the five who were arrested yesterday, the police busted KRA hideouts at Khatkhati in Assam and another one about three miles away. Two vehicles, a silver-coloured Scorpio and a black Bolero Invader were seized.
Taking advantage of the ceasefire between the Centre and the two factions of the NSCN, members of several militant groups of Manipur and Assam have been hiding in Dimapur.
The NSCN (Isak-Muivah) recently asked the KRA to stop extortion and “tax collection” on the national highways.It also warned the Kuki group against harassing Nagas.
In an unrelated incident, militants suspected to be from the NSCN (Khaplang) killed an unidentified person at Science College this morning.
Start paying attention to northeast, Rio tells industries The Hindu
New Delhi, April 30. (PTI): Drawing a comparison with Israel whose economy is growing despite violence, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has asked the business community to to set up industries in the restive northeast by taking advantage of its natural resources and strategic location.
"Despite all these opportunities, the issues of law and order and insurgency are often cited as prime reasons for lack of investment in the region. Let me, however, draw your attention to a country like Israel," Rio here at a function here recently.
"It has its share of problems and is considered to be the centre of a global flashpoint. However, its economy is developing in an amazing manner. In fact it is becoming the world leader in many technologies."
Therefore, he said, it is time Indian industries start paying attention to opportunities in the northeast.
Referring to his State in particular, Rio said the peace process in Nagaland will complete 10 years soon and there is a genuine attempt to resolve problems through negotiations and dialogue.
"The peace process is an outcome of the longing and desire of the people for permanent peace. What is required today is to sustain this peace process through development," Rio said.
"While peace is vital for economic growth, development is also another dimension of peace," he said, adding investments in the northeast should therefore be seen both as business opportunities and an investment for India's future.
Nagaland: 'Peace' under Terror Bibhu Prasad Routray Research Fellow, Institute for Conflict Management
The near decade-long ceasefire with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the six year old ceasefire with the rival Khaplang faction (NSCN-K) continue to hold in Nagaland, in an environment of endemic fratricidal clashes, pervasive extortion and rapid consolidation of the insurgent sway over every segment of society and Government. New Delhi’s response, surprisingly, remains stubbornly conventional, failing to question the rationale behind the countless rounds of peace talks, a move that undermined political processes in the State, and ceding to the insurgent group a position of dominance in the State, even as fratricidal violence, extortion and intimidation remain entrenched in the day to day lives of the people.
For a State under a ‘ceasefire’ with both the principal insurgent groups, Nagaland still registers higher levels of insurgent violence than many of the States with an ‘active’ insurgency, and the situation appears to be progressively worsening over the years. According to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), insurgency-related fatalities have increased from 97 in 2004 to 99 in 2005, to a further 147 in 2006. Incidents of insurgent violence have registered an increase from 186 to 192 between 2004 and 2005, and sharply to 309 in 2006. Institute for Conflict Management’s open source documentation of insurgency-related fatalities totalled 56 in 2007, till April 20.
Virtually the entire volume of fatalities are concerned with the network of intimidation and the turf wars between IM and Khaplang factions, with the Security Forces (SFs) obvious and mute spectators, accounting for very few of the violent engagements or fatalities. In 2007, for instance, of the total of 56 fatalities, 43 (77 per cent) have been insurgent cadres, and the remaining 13, civilians. Insurgents accounted for 57 per cent of the total fatalities in 2004, 71 per cent in 2005 and 79 percent in 2006. Only three SF personnel have been killed in Nagaland since 2004.
Of the 56 fatalities thus far in 2007, 43 have occurred in a total of 24 factional clashes. The toll includes 22 NSCN-IM cadres, 18 NSCN-K cadres and three militants from the Naga National Council (NNC). Clashes have occurred in seven of Nagaland’s 11 Districts: Mon, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Phek, Peren, Kohima and Dimapur.
The war of attrition continues with scant regard for the ceasefire ground rules, which stipulate that the insurgents stay in designated camps, bans their movements in uniform and with arms and prohibits extortion. The NSCN-IM’s writ runs supreme in most parts of the State, though the NSCN-K remains dominant in the Districts of Mokokchung and Dimapur. While NSCN-IM’s well-oiled ‘finance department’ engages in wide-spread ‘tax-collection’ activities, its ‘home department’ virtually runs the administration in the State. Its ‘crime suppression department’ ensures control of its areas of dominance, administering a selective ‘justice’ over various ‘offenders’. Cadres move unhindered in the townships and country-side, enforcing the insurgent group’s diktats. Intelligence reports indicate that the cadre strength of the NSCN-IM has increased from 800 to about 2,500 since the July 1997 ceasefire announcement.
Internecine clashes have remained the principal instrument of seeking or defending dominance for the two groups in various parts of the State. For the NSCN-K, which is yet to start a dialogue process with the Government of India (GoI) since its April 2001 ceasefire agreement, violent engagements with its rival also help send periodic reminders to New Delhi that any ‘deal’ with the IM faction would have no permanent positive impact on the Naga conflict. Fratricidal engagements also serve as opportunities to inflict costs on each other, upsetting the cadre strength and wearing down stores of weapons and ammunition. The lack of progress in NSCN-IM’s protracted dialogue with the GoI, currently in its 10th year, has only provided added incentive to both factions to continue with their ‘war games’.
Unconstrained insurgent activities have resulted in the occasional civilian backlash. On April 22, 2007, subsequent to the abduction and torture of three Sumi tribesmen by NSCN-IM cadres, a large mob of about 5,000 people attacked the Wungram Colony, home to several of the NSCN-IM’s leaders in Dimapur, destroying 47 houses and several vehicles. The houses of NSCN-IM’s ‘steering committee member’, Rh. Raising, tatars (‘parliamentarians’) Samson Jajo, Nithungla and Kamlang, and three leaders of the group’s armed wing — Hangshi, Ramkating and Markson — were gutted in the incident. Over 300 civilians belonging to the Tangkhul tribe, from which NSCN-IM’s top leadership, including its ‘general secretary’ Thuingaleng Muivah, is sourced, were displaced from the Colony and have since taken shelter at the nearby police station at Chumukedima and the group’s camp in Hebron, near Dimapur town.
Such occasional, desperate and rarely fruitful mass interventions notwithstanding, insurgent factions in the State continue to hold sway across wide areas of the State, and engage in continuous efforts to extend their areas of dominance. The Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, is on record claiming that such clashes are a part of the ‘political problem’ ‘between India and Nagaland’, thus indicating that these would continue as long as the ‘conflict over Nagalim (greater Nagaland)’ is not resolved. The Chief Minister’s refrain closely echoes the NSCN-IM’s position that the factional violence is due to the GoI’s failure to restrict the movement of NSCN-K cadres. The GoI, on the other hand, insists that the clashes between the insurgent outfits are a law and order problem. About 10 months ago, on June 20, 2006, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told a seven-member Congress Party team from Nagaland at New Delhi, that the conflict between the insurgent Naga factions was a 'law and order problem' which the State’s Home Department has to solve on its own, instead of blaming Delhi.
The Nagaland Police, however, has not been involved in any significant cases challenging the dominance of the insurgents, while the Central Para-military Forces (CPMFs) have failed to take effective steps against the flagrant and rampant violations of the ceasefire ground rules.
Myanmar, with which India shares a 1,640 kilometre-long unfenced border, remains vital to the capabilities of the Naga outfits, especially the NSCN-K. The group’s ‘general headquarters’ is located in the Sagaing Division of Myanmar, bordering three Indian states: Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. On April 27, 2007, official sources in New Delhi said that Myanmar has promised to step up military action against all Indian insurgent groups operating from its territory. However, assurances made by the 18-member Army delegation led by Brigadier General Tin Maung Ohn can, at best, be termed as routine and insignificant, and are not expected to have any decisive impact on the potential of the insurgent groups. Sporadic military offensives in the Sagaing division by the Myanmarese Army have taken place since the mid-1980s, but have only temporarily displaced the various insurgent groups from Manipur, Assam and Nagaland. Once the Myanmarese Army personnel have vacated the areas, the groups have simply gone back to reclaim their facilities. Moreover, a fairly cosy relationship exists between lower-rung Myanmarese military personnel and the insurgents, and the latter are often warned in advance of imminent raids, allowing them to minimise damage.
Little change is anticipated in the situation in Nagaland in the foreseeable future. On the contrary, with elections to the State Legislative Assembly due in 2008, insurgent violence can be expected to grow and expand into newer areas. With both the State and the Union Government frozen in their commitment to a policy of inaction, the civilian population in the State will continue to bear the brunt of insurgent lawlessness.Copyright peacejournalism. Neplal.
India should stop arming Burmese military junta Mizzima News by Mungpi www.mizzima.com (Interview with Former Canadian Secretary of State David Kilgour and Canadian refugee, immigration and human Rights lawyer David Matas.
April 29, 2007- Former Canadian Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific (2002-2003), Hon. David Kilgour, and Canadian refugee, immigration and human Rights lawyer David Matas, who is also a member of the Canadian Bar Association, visited India to raise the issue of the Chinese government's continued executions on the Falun Gong Practitioners for their organs.
The two dignitaries had widely traveled across the world covering more than 30 countries to put a stop to the ongoing dreadful practice of the Chinese government to Falun Gong Practitioners. During their trip to India, the two dignitaries, who are also prominent supporters of democratic changes in Burma, met a number of Indian leaders and raised the issue of India's relationship with Burma. Kilgour said India being the largest democratic country in the world and an immediate neighbour of Burma, should concern itself at the deteriorating political scenario in Burma. He said, India, in view of its long term interest, should stop arming the Burmese junta but take a stronger and tougher stand in support of democratic changes in Burma.
During their few days stay in New Delhi, they met Burmese reporters including Mizzima's Assistant Editor Mungpi, and talked about their views on India's stand towards Burma.
What has brought you to India? Kilgour: David Matas and I filed a report and we have now done a revised report on the terrible practice of taking organs from Falun Gong Practitioners in China.
By our best estimate, about 41,500 transplants, that is kidneys, livers and so on, that were done over five years of persecution of Falun Gong, cannot be explained by executed criminals, the brain-dead, accident victims or by donated organs. So, we are not saying that these 41,000 Falun Gong practitioners have been killed for their organs, because you can take more than one organ from a person, but many thousands of Falun Gong Practitioners have been treated in what we call a new form of inhumanity against human kind and crime against humanity.
And the reason we have travelled to India is, we are trying to get the government of China to stop doing this, to stop doing it now. Not just before the Olympic Games. We know they are going to stop before the games, but they have got to stop it now because people are dying, probably, every day. And what people don't understand is, if you are a criminal and you said you committed a murder or something or people say I need a kidney or I am going to die, so I will go and get a kidney from an executed murderer, but for one thing, I think there are sixty eight offences that you can get capital punishment in China. So, we think that people in India or any where know that many of the people that are being killed for their organs are Falun Gong Practitioners, who are never been before a court, they have never been convicted of anything, they are simply sent to a work camp, where they work as forced labour, making part of exports, by the way. They are tested medically every three months to see how their organs are and then some body comes from New Delhi or Ottawa or Winnipeg, and there is a computer match and the computer match says that Ms. so and so in the camp over here got a match-able organ and then she dies, she is killed medically with out conviction of nothing, and she dies and her organs are taken and this terrible practice continues. I don't think any other nation on earth has ever done it, but it is simply unimaginable this could be happening in the twenty first century.
Mattas: Well, I mean your question is right over here and what we are trying to do here is what we have been doing in different countries around the world. We have been, the two of us, to over thirty countries now and what we are trying to do is mobilize concern, trying to get the practice to stop by trying to create awareness among people of the practice. We are meeting with media, with academics, with parliamentarians, with civil servants, with medical professionals, and we are trying to get all these various sectors and civil societies engaged in raising the issue.
Apart from the Falun Gong's case, were you able to utilize your trip to India to raise the Burma issue? Kilgour: Well, I have just received an email from Guy Horton. As you all know, Guy Horton spent five years doing this study - 'Dying Alive'. He has lobbyed hard with the government of Canada, with United Nations trying to raise the issue with the Security Council.
As you know, Burma got on to the Security Council on November 15. It didn't last very long, it was thrown out by the veto wielding countries China, Russia, and for me most astonishingly by South Africa, I don't know why South Africa did that. I am delighted that Arch Bishop Tu Tu criticized the decision saying it was completely against the history of South Africa.
But, I think it is fair to say that Guy Horton's concern about what's going on in the Bay of Bengal gas fields, and as you know China has now been given access to the Bay of Bengal gas fields. It is obviously up to the government and people of India to decide whether their policy has been working with Burma. But I can tell you, I raised the issue the other night with some very influential people in the city to see whether India could take a stronger stand in dealing with Burma. We are told that there is insurgency in the border, there are incursions, and things are going on, but for what is with my reading, the government of Burma is that you don't get much by being nice to them, you really got to be tough, tough as nails with them. And the way they treat their own people, the number of villages, I think its 2300 villages that Horton documented, I think all of that shows that the only thing those people will respect is that some body who is stronger than they are, who refuses to put up with nonsense, especially violence. I hope that the government of India will look at its policy again towards Burma, in the light of what's just happened with those gas fields.
The other day, you met India's former Defence Minister George Fernandez, were you also able to meet other leaders in India? Kilgour: Well, yes, we met a lot of leaders. Here in New Delhi, we met leaders in the legal profession, and the medical profession in Mumbai. And we are planning to meet a lot of leaders in the country as we can, and I can't tell you how strongly respected in Canada they are. A million Canadians originated from India. This country, because of its democracy, because of its rule of law, because of its independent courts, many of us feel Canada's strategic relationship should be with India in this part of the world.
Going back to Burma, I think it is fair to say that Canadians are increasingly concerned about what's been going on in Burma. We are aware of the river projects and gas field projects and the continued mistreatment of the people, terrible mistreatment. And the fact that Aung San Suu Kyi is now under 62 years, we are worried about her, I think many of us are hoping this will be the year she will be released from house arrest. We had a meeting of the forming of the parliamentarians for Burma about a month ago, and we had parliamentarians from Burma including Prime Minister in exile Sein Win, ministers came from here New Delhi, we had members of parliament from Singapore, and I think we all are taking that this is the year things have to change in Burma and that this talking has been going on for a very very long time and that if the senior general thinks that he can just carry on this way forever, then I very much hope that this year will prove him wrong. One point I should add is that Canada still gets much of its heroin from Burma. If I am not mistaken, one Canadian dies of an overdose of heroin every two days. So, that what Burma is sending to Canada in terms of heroin is costing the lives of many many Canadians and I think that's another reason why Canadians are extremely concerned about the nature of government in we call it Burma. We are not going to call it Myanmar.
Now that the government of India is supplying arms to the Burmese military junta, a few days ago, a top General arrived in New Delhi to give a list of weapons that the Burmese junta wants India to supply to them. Are you aware of this? Kilgour: No I wasn't aware of that and I am very sorry to hear that the government of Burma, as every body knows should not be the government of Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi's party was elected massively in the election in 1990. And what's happened in Burma has been a tragedy of probably the few greatest proportion in the world. The people of Burma are such wonderful people. My wife's father helped supply Burma during World War II. What you said know that the Generals are trying to get arms from India is deeply saddening. I think the Canadians are deeply saddened as to why India would supply a single piece of arms to Burma. It is beyond me. That government has no help for whatever it is, nothing but the bad things associated with it and for a country the size and importance of India to help that government in anyway is, speaking personally, saddening. I was telling some leaders in this country the other day that Canada has enormous respect for India, and we want India to take its full place in the world in every sphere economically, diplomatically and so on but I hope that they [India] will re-assess any idea of selling arms to the [Burmese] regime.
As you know, people in their own homes are restricted, and are hunted like rabbits, women are raped, and children are beaten and killed and minority people in Burma are treated terribly. It has to stop. And one way of stopping it would be for the government India to say that look no more. This has to stop and India is the largest democracy in the world and we insist that you become a democracy and we insist that you have proper elections and who ever wins the elections that should be the government of Burma. Now, I also know as you do, that China is extremely unhelpful on this and they are trying everything they can, what ever they can to try to make it hard for democracy and Burma is one of a number of countries there are of course many others like Sudan, and North Korea. Zimbabwe is another, wherever there is absolutely intolerant brutal dictators the government of China is seems to be egging them on. It's got to stop. All of us who believe in democracy, who believe in human dignity and believe that human rights are in-divisible, have to stand up on these issues and let's start by standing up to Burma.
For speedy political change in Burma, the role of the international community is very much important but without the participation of neighbouring countries it will not be effective as is expected. So, what is your opinion on this? Kilgour: Well, you will know this better than I do that the foreign minister of Malaysia went to visit Aung San Suu Kyi, representing the ASEAN countries, and he was told he could not see her. Well, if the senior generals and the junta turn down the ASEAN representative saying that he can't see this Nobel Peace Prize Winner, who the world loves and admires, and we all care deeply about, what does it say about the regime, and if ASEAN denied Burma the chance to be the leader for a year, so the neighbours are increasingly taking with the rest of us that Burma has to become a democracy and if the people of Burma want to elect generals so be it but if they want to elect Aung San Suu Kyi or somebody else they should have the opportunity of doing it. A multi-party democracy is sweeping the world except for a few countries and you know who they are as well as I do and Burma if its going to re-gain its place and respect in the world it has to go for democracy. Let me just remind you one fact, that I am told that right after World War II, there were more planes landing in Rangoon then in Hong Kong. I wander what the ration is now, by trying to stay out of the worlds except that they buy arms, the government has hurt its people enormously in every single way and we got to stop it, all of us, especially the government of India has to join in this year to try to make this the year of democracy for Burma.
Matas: My uncle during the World War II served in the British Army in Burma, so have I got a strong connection with Burma and I use to hear a lot of stories about Burma. To hear the plight of the Burmese people for me is personally very sad and it's something that does not reflect to the world of the Burmese people and the potentials of the Burmese state.
It is understandable that the trade sanctions imposed by the international community sometimes worsen the suffering of the people, but our point is there should be at least an arms embargo against the military junta.
Kilgour: Absolutely, I mean there must be an arms embargo against the junta, I would like to see Ivanhoe, which is a Canadian company leave Burma, I have been indicating that to the senior management of Ivanhoe. It's terrible that a Canadian company should be operating in Burma in this circumstance. Yes, we got to get all the Canadian companies out of it. If you can imagine the Canada pension plan, which all Canadians pay, they buy shares of companies and they actually bought shares in somebody's company that is doing business in Burma and that has to stop. I think you can see increasing pressure in Canada to get all Canadian companies out of Burma until democracy is restored in Burma.
Matas: In a large measure, what we are seeing in Burma is autocracy, a group of people in power out to enrich themselves. Sanctions in that situation should be targeted to the leaders of the junta from travel, in terms of international bank accounts, and in terms of what they personally can import. And you can have sanctions that are targeted in that way that can have an impact on the autocracy at the top with out harming the people as a whole.
Kilgour: I absolutely agree with that. Why should the senior general be allowed to give diamonds at his daughters wedding, which we all saw? I mean that's exactly the point David is making, you can get rich by drugs or by stealing money from the people, I mean it's intolerable. This is got to be the year that Burma joins the family of nations, and Canada should take a role on that and India can take a far bigger role then Canada. But I sense the other night talking to a former diplomat for India that some how there is a worry about Burma. And I couldn't help saying to myself that what is India worried about Burma for? How can a country with the resources and people and so on in this country be worried about a few generals who lead very few other then themselves and their daughters' diamonds, I suppose you could say. Why can anybody have any fears of this kind of tyrants?
How do you view the current India foreign policy on Burma? Kilgour: Well, as I was suggesting, I would like to see that, especially in the light of what's happening in the Bay of Bengal, I hope the government of India would re-examine its policy towards Burma. And speaking as a citizen of the world, I hope they would know that India can play a key role in this just as they can play a key role in Nepal and then other places, especially from the stand point of the rule of law and democracy and dignity of people. So, that's India's role in this sector, to become the leader of the democratic developing world.
Are you saying that India will benefit more from a democratic Burma? Kilgour: It will benefit, for one thing the skirmishes on the border will stop instantly. There will be no more buying arms, killing people, shooting children all of these terrible things happening in Burma would stop. And then, because one thing we do know about democracy is, democracies don't go to war with each other, they don't make lives miserable and so that's one of the other arguments for democracy in Burma. And there would be peace in the region and Burma would become a member of peaceful family of nations. Instead of sending heroin, hopefully to countries like Canada in large quantities all of this would stop, it would just be diminished.
You just mentioned that Canadian Parliamentarians are hoping that this is the year for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to be released. Can you tell me more about it. Why do you think so?
Kilgour: Well, because I have some good reasons to believe that the senior general in Burma was is in-charge of things when the terrible attack took place and she [Aung San Suu Kyi] was almost killed. But fortunately she wasn't but certainly a lot of people are worried enormously about his involvement in that earlier attack and that I hope he didn't have an involvement in that raid but everything I know suggested that he did have and that a lot of people were killed and Aung San Suu Kyi might well have been one of those who were killed. If anything happens to Aung San Suu Kyi, the world loves her, we admire her, we read her books and we know how much courage she has and what's she is been through, and we are worried about her health and we are worried about how she's been treated. When the Foreign Minister of Malaysia, representing ASEAN, can't see her, I mean, what does that say. That says that the senior general thinks that he can get away with anything. And if he thinks that, there is a terrible implication. So, I have been an admirer of her [Daw Suu], all of us have been, we love her and we think she is the person who fights for democracy in the most difficult of circumstances.
Matas: Well, I agree with what Kilgour says. She is a model this is what we look forward to in democracy. People are prepared to stand for their rights. And she is the Burmese Mahatma Gandhi and she follows the tradition of Gandhi and so India who identifies with Gandhi should identify with people who take up his tradition and support her as a modern day incarnation of Gandhi.
What would you like to say on Canada's policy of taking Burmese refugees for resettlement? Kilgour: Canada took 800 refugees last year. I was in the reception when they arrived in Ottawa, there were about 120. Can you imagine some of the people had lived in a refugee camp for more 15 years? And the government and the minister of immigration have decided and we are going to take happily another 2,000 in Canada. The Burmese refugees have done well in Canada. And we are very happy to have them.
Matas: Yea, I am familiar with this movement, and its significant not only for Burma but it is significant in terms of Canadian and global refugee policy because this group was brought to Canada as a group historically and typically when refugees are resettled in those individual refugee determination and there's a case by case examination whether an individual circumstance justify protection but in this case the whole group was determined to need protection without individual determination, which is obviously a lot more efficient, and in this context they are real so it made sense it was cost efficient provided the global form of protection. I mean this Burmese refugee experiment was important not just for Burma, but for development of refugee policy in Canada in general.