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05/12/2007: "Imchatoba new NSF President The Morung Express"

Imchatoba new NSF President The Morung Express

Dimapur, May 11 (MExN): Imchatoba Imchen is the new president of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) succeeding to the leadership from Pushikha Aomi. The new president was serving as vice president under the tenure of Phushika Aomi, considered one of the most capable and influential students’ leaders to hold the Federation’s leadership in the recent times. A new team of the apex Naga students’ body was instated today at the third day of the NSF’s 22nd general conference at Punanamei. LSU Representative to the NSF, Charles Lotha is vice-president and Hetoi Chishi is general secretary. The other executives are assistant general secretary Thoseya Katiry, finance secretary Kapani Kriechina, education secretary Aheto Assumi, social/cultural secretary John Wang and games/sports secretary is Maijiang Panmei. Worthing Horam is Auditor General and Cusayi Lohe is Speaker.
Memory lane: Former NSF leader rues disunity The Morung Express
‘Students are the chief weapon of the nation; they are the backbone of the society, so students’ leaders must be good’ – Former NSF leader, K Ahovi Zhimomi Longrangty Longchar
Dimapur As the 22nd General Conference of the Naga Students’ Federation concluded today at Afusu, Punanamei, a former NSF leader who engineered the reformation of the Federation way back in the seventies, today lamented the disunity among the various units.
Speaking to The Morung Express at his residence here at Pudumphukri this evening, K Ahovi Zhimomi walked down memory lane and recollected how a small group of like-minded students reorganized the NSF in the early seventies, 1971-72, when the Federation became defunct.
Zhimomi said the NSF was formed in the late fifties, but became defunct in the early sixties. So during 1971-72, when he was the acting President of the Naga Students Union, Shillong, he dispatched letters to Fazl Ali College in Mokokchung, Kohima Arts College, Guwahati and Barakpani querying, ‘whether we (the students) would like to reorganize Naga Students Federation.’
Thereafter, on getting positive response, Zhimomi chaired a small meeting of nine students, (he showed a black and white photograph where a very young Dimapur DC, KN Ngullie, is also seen). After having a meeting inside one Akai Mao’s room, they decided to dispatch their friends Shikato and Jonathan to go to Kohima. That was how the NSF was reorganized. Zhimomi said that he was the Assembly Affairs Secretary in 1972-73, during the second assembly session in Mokokchung where the Angh of Chui was the chief guest.
Having said that, Zhimomi, neatly dressed and with some grey hairs and wrinkles, bespectacled but with intelligent eyes, recollected that during that time when they reorganized the federation, there was no southern or northern Nagas like today, “Nagas are one, with that motto we formed it (the NSF)” he strongly asserted.
“Aji khali, inika northern, southern deka-do, mon harem nai” he said, seeing such kind of Northern or Southern Nagas makes our heart listless. Zhimomi was mentioning about the division in the NSF especially the Eastern Naga Students Federation which is not a part of the NSF.

“If NSF as a whole approaches the central or state government, they (the central or the state government) will honour it” said Zhimomi.
Zhimomi held that past misunderstandings and self interest should be kept aside for the sake of unity.
“Nagas should leave aside all our past grievances and this division among the Nagas is because of self-selfishness,” he said and stressed that the NSF, Naga Hoho, NMA should be solid as it is, and approach the Naga political problem.
However, when asked what the NSF should first look into, the former NSF leader said that the NSF as a student body should mostly try to change the society in a correct way, implying that they should focus on social issues first.
“Changes in society depends on students and student community, then on doctors, social leaders and others and not politicians,” he said, “Politicians are just for showing the way, without doing much.”
Zhimomi also stressed on the need to focus on economic fronts and said, “He who stands on his own feet is the strongest.”
He also strongly believed that the Federation should lend its support to the government regardless of the party in power and not take up protest for political mileage.
Further more the former NSF leader said that the students federation is ‘slowly, slowly diminishing’, though he did not say whether in its importance or its influence.
The former NSF leader, K Ahovi Zhimomi, has been a contractor, a Sumi Hoho leader and also the former Zunheboto DCC president for the past 11 years. He now lives at Pudum Pukhri in Dimapur with his family.
Peace in Nagaland remains fragile and shallow-Governor New Kerala
Thuvopisu, May 11: Nagaland Governor K Sankaranarayanan has admitted that peace continues to remain fragile and shallow in Nagaland and asserted that things need to be sorted out fast.

Inaugurating a Micro-Hydel project here, about 80 kms away from Kohima, the Governor said yesterday, ''Unprecedented opportunities are knocking at our door. The Nagas should not remain glued to old paradigms.'' He urged each village and community to play a role towards ensuring peace and development in the state. The Governor further asked the young generation to broaden their socio-economic outlook.

'' The developmental projects in Nagaland are progressing at a slow pace. The state government and bureaucrats should speed up the process,'' he reiterated. Nagaland School Education Minister Imkong L Imchen, Agriculture Minister Kuzholuzo, Chief Secretary Lalhuma also spoke on the occasion. The function was chaired by Secretary of Science and Technology K T Sukhalu. -UNI

TR Zeliang refutes on naga youths blaming the govt. Kuknalim.com
DIMAPUR, State Rajya Sabha member, TR Zeliang today said that the Nagas have a tendency of putting the blame on the parents and the government every time they meet with failure, and called for end this habit a change in society and advancement of the State or country is to be experienced.
Speaking at the ongoing 22nd NSF conference at Punanamei today, a copy of his speech which was also made available to the media, TR Zeliang said that the Nagas have a weakness which ultimately becomes their downfall. He identified this weakness as the tendency of putting the blame on the parents and Government, every time they do not achieve something, instead of blaming oneself which becomes a habit. “This should stop, if we want to see a change in our society and advancement of our State or country” he stated.

Zeliang, pragmatically speaking about the unemployment scenario in the state, said Nagaland already has a surplus of eleven percent of its youngster in the Government establishments and various departments, which leaves very little opening for vacancies.

In this respect, Zeliang impressed upon the Naga youths on the need to take up professional studies and gain technological knowledge so that they can get employment in multinational companies and other corporate houses instead of depending on state government jobs.

Besides that, he urged the youths to avail the numerous opportunities for grants and subsidies such as the CM Corpus Fund, PMRY and other similar funds, launched by the government. However, Zeliang said that the youths need to make full use of the opportunity and ensure that the job is well done and completed and have a scope for expansion and multiplication, instead of misusing these funds for their own selfish desires and added that only when such an attitude in inculcated in the youths then, self reliance can be a reality instead of only talking about it.

Furthermore, Zeliang pointed out that each and every one should be ready and willing to serve in any place as per the Governments needs and criteria and also should be willing to serve even outside the state or outside the country.

He said that he has come across many youngsters who have gone through great lengths to get employed in the various departments, but give it all up since they are not willing to move out from their small safety zone or “pond” as he termed it and the government every time they meet with failure, and called for end this habit a change in society and advancement of the State or country is to be experienced. In this regard, the Rajya Sabha MP said that such attitude needs to be discouraged and stopped for the sake of advancement development and self reliance which would make one to become an asset to the State and Country.
The 22nd NSF conference which kick-started on May 8 concluded today. (MExN)

SCFT appreciates Wungram restraint Source: Newmai News Network
Imphal, May 11: While pledging to work for better understanding and build smoother ties between different Naga tribes, the Senior Citizens Forum, Tamenglong (SCFT) has appreciated the residents of the Wungram Colony,Dimapur for keeping their emotion under control in the aftermath incident of the April 22 and urged that such incidents should not be repeated in the future. The SCFT also expressed its appreciation to the Naga Hoho, tribes’ hohos, the Nagaland Government and the affected parties who had worked hard bring peace and normalcy soon after the incident. “ We the Nagas are projecting our common issue to the world claiming our inalienable right of living together in our own sovereign independent country based on unseparable unity and solidarity.

A slightest show of disunity will go against us and it may bring untold disadvantages to our cause” said the forum. The forum also said that while striving for cordial brotherly relationship among all the people of the world, it was unthinkable that such disruptive and parochial approach should sneak into the close knit social fabric. Lauding the God’s creations of “unique languages, cultures, identity and unity”, it recalled that Nagas from ancient period were head hunters but by the grace of Almighty God, Nagas are now unified and had become the “heart hunters”. While basing on love, forgiveness and reconciliation as bedrock of the Nagas, SCFT urged everyone to go with the God’s teaching to love the unlovable and to forgive the unforgivable.

“The healing balm for this hour is to love and forgive one another”, it added.
Finance supervisor of NSCN (IM) killed Nagarealm.com
IMPHAL, May11 The finance supervisor of the NSCN (IM), Lieutenant Jacob Gonmei was shot dead by activists of the NSCN (K) cadre Friday afternoon at Haochong village in the interior Tamenglong district of Manipur, an informed source said.

Meanwhile, strongly condemning the act of the rival faction, a spokesperson of the NSCN (I-M) when contacted said late Jacob Gonmei was shot dead in cold blood. Report said that 59-years old lieutenant Jacob Gonmei son of late Jaklongam was rounded up by the activists of the NSCN (K)Friday at around 12.30 pm from his rented house at Longmai village in Tamenglong district. Later body of the victim was left abandoned near the village, Haochong at around 3.30 pm. Late Jacob was residing at the rented house with his two sons.
Army apologises for killing man mistaken for ULFA cadre The Morung Express
Tinsukia, May 11 (Agencies): The army has apologised for killing a man who was mistaken for a ULFA militant and said those found guilty of the act would be punished.
Terming the killing as "unfortunate", the General Officer Commanding of a Mountain Division, Maj Gen N C Marwah, said: "All those found guilty will face strict and exemplary punishment."
A time-bound court of inquiry into the matter has been instituted by the army to fix responsibility, he told reporters after addressing protestors at Doomdooma yesterday.
"My heart goes out to the innocent family members of the victim," he said.
Marwah, who also visited Rupai and apologised to people who blocked National Highway 37 to protest the killing of Budeshwar Moran, gave an assurance that the man's widow and two daughters would be provided a rehabilitation package.
On May six, the army had claimed that an ULFA militant identified as "private" Budeshwar Moran had been shot dead by troops of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles "when he fired from his pistol and attempted to flee" at Laopatty village.
The army had also claimed that a 9mm pistol, six bullets, an IED, explosives, some detonators, 100 m of electric wire and ULFA documents were found on him.
But the local people and ULFA had claimed the same day that the dead man was an innocent villager and not a militant.
Following Marwah's assurance about an inquiry and compensation, protestors blocking the highway for the past five days accepted Moran's body from police today and performed the last rites. The blockade too was lifted.
The protesters had blocked the road and demanded that Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi should give an assurance that such killings would not occur again.
Similar public protests had erupted in Tinsukia district's Kakopathar area in February last year when another innocent villager, Ajit Mahanta, was killed by troops in similar conditions.
The army had then appologised to Mahanta's family, paid monetary compensation to his wife and rebuilt his house as part of a rehabilitation package.
No silkworm curry today, sir Stephen McClarence explores a little-visited state with an unusual menu • Stephen McClarence in Mussoorie: high living at the hill station The Telegraph UK
The evening before we set off for Nagaland, we're talking, inevitably, about food. Nagaland, one of India's little-visited North Eastern States, is as famous for its novel approach to food as for its tribal culture and its headhunting.


A Konyak tribeswoman
Delicacies include roast dog, snake kebabs, silkworm curry, pig skin (various recipes), and steamed hornet and snail stew. A friend who spent six years there recalls one challenging feast that climaxed with bison cooked in dog's blood.
We've even heard, we tell a young woman who has dropped in for tea, that the Nagas enjoy eating whole frogs. "No, no, not frogs," she protests. "Tadpoles only, I think." The seven North Eastern States are usually, and accurately, described as remote.
Bordering Tibet and Burma (Myanmar), they are linked to the rest of India only by a narrow corridor of land between Bangladesh and Bhutan. Nagaland, one of several claimants to the title "Switzerland of the East", is nearer to Bangkok than to Delhi. "Naga by birth, Indian by accident," is a much-quoted maxim, between mouthfuls of dog.
This separatist spirit can erupt into insurgency that has sometimes closed individual states to visitors. Even now, with all accessible, they remain relatively unknown. They represent a different world, both physically and spiritually, for most Indians, never mind for tourists ricocheting around the Golden Triangle. Nagaland, with its much-promoted "Valley of Eternal Charm", opened up to tourism only in 2000. Special entry permits are needed, and are checked regularly by roadside police, so it helps to travel with a tour company and guide.
Ours, Catherine Sailo, is a former teacher from Mizoram, another of the North Eastern States. At every checkpoint, she breezes through the bureaucracy with the permits, which are given only to groups of four or to couples. This is the first time my wife Clare and I have packed our marriage certificate before setting out on a journey. The tourist brochures make so much of Nagaland's 14 tribes that we half expect to be greeted by spear-waving warriors with hornbill-feather headdresses. This, of course, is like coming to Britain and expecting Yeomen of the Guard to be singing madrigals on every street corner. These days, tribal costumes are saved for ceremonies and, as we drive over the border from Assam, we soon realise that Nagaland is westernising unashamedly.
It's early evening, "cow dust time" as Indians call it. The bright orange sun is setting in the mist swathing the last of the Assamese tea gardens. Ahead are the Naga Hills, rising to 12,000 ft. At the border post, shawled men huddle around fires; the light of the flames catches their finely chiselled features. Guards peer into the car and wish us "Safe journey."
Our destination is a village called Mopungchukit outside the town of Mokokchung. The road climbs quickly, twisting and turning through densely forested hills. The bends get ever more hairpin, the slopes ever steeper, the night ever darker. The journey is 15 miles as the crow flies, but, thanks to the corkscrew roads, 30 miles as the car drives.
The roadside signs offer persuasive takes on the dangers of speeding. "Better to be Mr Late than late mister," says one. "Safety on road, safe tea at home\u2026 It's not a rally, enjoy the valley." We stop at a tea shack. The shelves and counter are piled high with mosquito coils, hard-boiled eggs, "beedi" cigarettes, candles, tinned mackerel, and a solitary cuckoo clock, which we decide not to buy. The walls are plastered with copies of the Nagaland Post, an English-language newspaper. "Chelsea Back to Winning Ways, beat Liverpool," trumpets one headline. "Celtic Beat Kilmarnock 4-1." Across the road, paraffin lamps catch the faces of astonishingly beautiful women. By the end of our trip, I've calculated that at least 850 of the world's 1,000 most gorgeous women live in Nagaland. In the distance, someone's dinner is barking. Above us is a sky sequined with stars. As we drive ever higher, they merge with the lights of far-flung hilltop villages. Range after range of jungle-clad mountains rear across the whole state, but, for the moment, we can't see them. Another hour and we reach Mopungchukit, where the Village Guest House has dinner waiting. No silkworm curry here, just chicken, roast potatoes, boiled cabbage and rice. More exotic food, it turns out, is saved for special occasions.
We have been warned that our room will be "basic", and so it proves. There's a bed, a wardrobe and a "bathroom" with no washbasin, just a toilet. We wash in buckets of hot water and clean our teeth over the toilet bowl. But then, you don't come to Mopungchukit expecting a five-star Hilton (and the accommodation on the rest of the trip easily meets western standards).
Next morning, we are woken at 6am by crowing cockerels, pull back the curtains and are completely disorientated. This looks nothing like India. We seem to be in a hill village in the Andes. Bamboo huts are propped up on stilts; many are surrounded by stockades of firewood. Across the road is a community hall with totem-pole-like carvings of Naga warriors, tigers, crocodiles and gigantic beetles. It's Sunday morning and villagers in boldly patterned red and black shawls are soon climbing the hill to the modern Baptist church. More than 90 per cent of Nagas are now Christian. Lorries have "Jesus Saves" stickers across their windscreens. A best-selling book on the Naga conversions is called From Headhunters to Hallelujahs. We sit at the back of the church and the minister welcomes us. Five hundred faces turn and peer at us with curiosity. The hymn books, smelling of many monsoons, have familiar hymns transliterated into the language of the Ao tribe. We join in the lilting singing of Masuba, Manguba, Tsungrem Shisa Taka (Immortal, Invisible) and Yisui Yimsu Asutsu (Jesus Shall Reign).
A 40-minute sermon follows. The young woman next to me touches my arm. "He is discussing Ephesians 4," she whispers. As the sermon ends, we walk back down the hill. The final hymn, Tesung Mangtsu Tembar Yisu (What a Friend we have in Jesus) gradually merges into the birdsong and the chirping cicadas. It's astonishing to think that two days ago we were in Delhi.
We tour the Guest House museum, whose prize exhibit is the large, rusty kettle used by Dr and Mrs Clark, the area's first missionaries, and then drive on. The scenery is stunning; ridge after ridge receding into the mist, valley after plunging valley. The only noise is the rustle of bamboo.
We have five fascinating days in Nagaland. At Wokha, a small Wild West-like town, the market sells dried yams and bamboo shoots, edible ferns, fermented soya beans and McVitie's digestive biscuits. We are invited to the opening ceremony of the new yarn depot, where the Rev NT Murry, a local Baptist minister, says he has recently been to a church conference in Birmingham. "So beautiful, the whole place," he says. "But the sad thing is that there are so many unneeded churches there."
In the state capital, Kohima, we visit the celebrated Second World War Cemetery, where the graves of soldiers from the Dorsetshire Regiment, the Durham Light Infantry and the Bengal Sappers and Miners are immaculately maintained. The other major place of interest here is the museum, whose stylish tableaux of tribal life show "Naga lads" and "Konyak belles" with tiger-tooth pendants and helmets with wild boar tusks. Despite a thoughtful display of five human skulls, the museum plays down the headhunting, which reputedly ended only in 1963. "Do not spit in the flowerpots," urges a sign, hinting at today's more fastidious times.
We visit Tuophema, a thankfully uncommercialised "tourist village" giving an informed insight into Naga life, and Khonoma, a hilltop community clinging to the slopes above the rice terraces. Kevi Meyase, a carpenter-turned-guide, takes us for tea at his family home, explains the animist sun and moon motifs on the ceremonial gateways, and recalls the bird watchers who spent a week in the jungle searching for rare Naga wren-babblers (they found them).
Later, at a restaurant in Kohima, he says the old traditions are rapidly dying out. Festivals, he says, are now just "merrymaking", without wider cultural significance. "Twenty years ago, we wouldn't have seen women in jeans in Nagaland," he says. In the background is a tape of The Eagles playing Hotel California. Kevi picks up the latest Nagaland Post. "Britney Goes Bald in Stunning Makeover," it announces. We study the menu. Not a tadpole to be had.
Essentials Stephen McClarence travelled with Western & Oriental Travel (0870 499 0678, www.westernoriental.com ). A 12-day tour of north-east India, including five nights in Nagaland, two nights at Kaziranga National Park (Assam), and two nights in Calcutta, costs from £2,078, including international flights and most meals, based on two sharing. Jet Airways (0800 026 5626, www.jetairways.com ) flies from Heathrow to Delhi from about £470 return.
Reading The Rough Guide to India (£16.99 ). Nagaland by Verrier Elwin (Spectrum), the classic introduction to the state, is available in India at about £5. Aditya Arya's photos also illustrate The Land of the Nagas by Vibha Joshi (Mapin, £31), available through Amazon.
Price for peace ? Sangai Express Editorial
It is becoming more and more clear that the writ of the Congress led SPF Government does run in the hill districts at all. At best the only sign that the Government is present in the hill districts, particularly in Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Chandel is when some Ministers, including political netas from New Delhi, visit these districts to lay a foundation stone or two and try to highlight the point that the Government is committed to developing the hill districts. The Government offices are there more or less as ornamental pieces and Government officials have to work not according to the rules and regulations laid down by the Government but by the underground organisations, particularly the NSCN (IM). Ever since the peace parleys between the IM group and the Government of India started in 1997, cadres of this outfit have been calling the shots and in fact their influence spreads to all the arms of the Government and its functioning. Whether it is about awarding contract works or issuing supply orders or taking up any developmental projects, officials have to toe the line charted out by the outfit. This case may be true too in other parts of the State, including Imphal, but the difference is the manner in which the IM group so brazenly throw their weight around and put their fingers into everything, including even widening of roads. Other than the slow pace of the peace process, it is the free hand given to the NSCN (IM), that makes the cease fire something of a joke. Officially peace may have come to the Naga hills, but in reality, peace is not only about the absence of violence or open confrontation with the security forces but about people living in an atmosphere that is devoid of any fear factor or without any diktats dangling over their heads.
The latest victim, if we may use the term, of the free hand given to the NSCN (IM) seems to the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul district, Pankaj Pal. As per official reports, the IAS officer has been shifted to Imphal following threats served on him by the NSCN (IM). The reason behind the arrest warrant being issued against the officer is reported to be related to some contract works ! As things stand at the moment, the DC and his family members have been brought to Imphal under heavy security. For the moment, the DC may be out of harm's reach, but the core message has already been rung out and that is, officials are no longer allowed to work freely in their capacity as officials representing the Government. The IM group has already refuted the threat report but the fact stands that the DC and his family members have been brought to Imphal under heavy security arrangements. We understand that the NSCN (IM) is waging a battle against the Indian Government and we also understand that it deems itself a Government in Nagalim but the political dialogue is still on and a final decision is yet to be taken. It would be in the fitness of things for New Delhi and the collective leadership of the outfit to sit down and seriously talk things over for such developments cannot be conducive to the peace process or political dialogue. As the peace process is between the Centre and the outfit with the State Government having no say on the matter, the onus should be on New Delhi to ensure that the cease fire ground rules are adhered to in letter and spirit. Or else the real essence of peace will stand defeated. We understand peace comes with a price, but the price should not defeat the idea of peace.
Looking Beyond the Bend of Factional Politics Along Longkumer
Can the NSCNs sidestep the quagmire of conflict? Yes. But rapprochement will require a spirit of give and take, says the writer...
REMINISCENT OF the Post-Shillong Accord period of blame game within the NNC leadership, the ceasefire and subsequent peace process with New Delhi under the stewardship of the NSCN (IM) now entering a crucial phase, is turning out to be a time of political one up-man-ship back home with rival groups putting on a new found aggression to stalk every move of the NSCN (IM). The latter on its part finds itself atop the political centre stage clearly having to content on the negotiation process with Delhi almost having reached a saturation point and looking every bit exhausted of all its bargaining options.
Against the backdrop of this political stalemate and in a near perfect coincidence of sorts, two very senior and respected members of the NSCNs have spoken out on some key issues during the last forty-eight hours (widely reported in the May 8, Tuesday edition of The Morung Express) which I feel requires to be put in its proper perspective and to at least give a positive spin in an otherwise hopeless situation that we find ourselves in.
Foremost is the statement made by the Chairman of the NSCN (K), SS Khaplang who is reportedly not averse to unification as long as it is based on the principles of sovereignty. This was told by the NSCN (K) Chairman to Y Wangtin Naga, Deputy Kilonser, Ministry of Home Affairs in the NSCN (K) an upcoming Naga underground leader, who spent almost two months with Khaplang in Myanmar. The reported statement coming from Khaplang is politically very significant and I strongly feel that it provides a small opening that can be used to bring the two NSCNs closer together.
On the same day, The Morung Express carried the statement of the NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th. Muivah who was expressing solidarity with the Sikh people fighting for an independent Khalistan state. To recap, Muivah had said that self-determination was the most fundamental of all human rights and that all other human rights can be readily abused by an oppressive state when self-determination is denied. Muivah also spoke about ‘upholding freedom’ which can mean the same thing as sovereignty.
What one can make out from the statements of Khaplang and Muivah is that both are referring to the question of sovereignty but there appears to be a difference in ‘degree’ on the definition of the term. For the former it is made out that sovereignty be interpreted in its absolute sense while in the case of the latter it could well mean ‘limited’ or of interdependence but nevertheless sovereignty.
The NSCN (IM) proposal for a Special Federal Relationship between two separate entities i.e India on the one hand and the Nagas is no doubt a unique formulation. But for the other underground groups outside the talks table, it appears to be an issue of how far such a proposal impacts on the question of sovereignty and as such the outcry of another Shillong Accord repeating itself. Here, the NSCN (K) should also put forward its case of sovereignty—if it were to hold a dialogue with the Government of India—and on whether it is looking at a zero sum game formulation or a win-win outcome for both India and the Nagas.
Whatever is the interpretation of sovereignty that different groups or individuals may propound, I also strongly believe that at the end of the day it is more important to lay down a common political vision for the future of the Naga people. Bereft of this, political sovereignty in whatever form or manifestation will become utterly meaningless. This I would presume is also the wish and prayer of the people.
For the NSCN (IM) the problem obviously arises because it is now in talks with the Government of India. And when you are in negotiation there is always the question of give and take which becomes the basis for successful negotiation. For those who are outside the talks table, it will be very difficult to understand this point and therefore the criticisms are coming thick and fast on the proposals put forth by the current Naga negotiators with regard to the peace talks with the Government of India.
Leaving aside all these juxtapositions for now, I would once again presume that the mandate of the Naga public is for all underground groups to work together to resolve the political issue with India. And this is the important issue that requires proper attention of the National Groups, State Government and Civil Society Groups. Peace talks with the Government of India will take care of itself if Nagas speak in unison and through a common platform.
For this to be achieved, it may well require that a more broad-based single window peace process be reworked with Delhi. It will be significant to mention here that General Thenoselie, a former Army Chief of the FGN/NNC and regarded as a close confidante of NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th. Muivah had mooted the option of having a broad based ceasefire agreement with the Government of India by including all the factions in it.
In a news report carried earlier this year in The Morung Express, General Thenoselie had even suggested that the present ceasefire be scrapped and renewed on the lines of the 1964 ceasefire under the Indian Foreign Ministry. Speaking to this writer Gen Thenoselie had then said that it will be a ‘worthwhile attempt’ for the Naga people to deliberate on this option. He went to say that this was shared with Muivah during their meeting in Bangkok, the contours of a few options including the possibility of a broad based ceasefire on the lines of the 1964 arrangement. “In politics we should find the best alternatives”, Gen Thenoselie had then opined and even went as far as to suggest an ULFA type selected People’s Consultative Group in which the best Naga minds can converge and prepare the ground for a lasting and permanent political settlement of the long conflict.
The Naga civil society groups in their clamor for bringing peace and unity among the factions (though well intended) has overlooked one critical component in the process. They have not been successful in providing a basis or mechanism from where the Naga underground groups can practically work their way round. In the context of the NSCNs for instance, there has to be something which both groups can cling on in order to arrive at some understanding. There could be other points of reference but I also believe that the query raised by Khaplang can provide a ground for mutual accommodation. In this case, the question will therefore fall on the NSCN (IM) and all those supporting the current peace talks with the Government of India on whether to ‘withdraw their charter of demand’ as wanted by the NSCN (K) Chairman SS Khaplang.
The NSCN (K) on its part will also be called upon to reciprocate on other issues. If in case hypothetically speaking, the NSCN (IM) leadership was to accommodate the suggestion from Khaplang in the spirit of mutual benefit, the NSCN (K) should also be not averse to getting on board the peace talks on the principles already worked out with Delhi—talks at the highest i.e Prime Minister’s level, in a third country and without any condition. It is clear that for any rapprochement to take place a basis has to be found for the two NSCNs to work from and by inculcating the time honored tradition of give and take. If the NSCN leaders can bilaterally work on such a process, then the road to peace will be shorter than one can imagine.
(The above article is the personal opinion of the writer and does not in any way reflect the opinion and position of The Morung Express)
CM appeals to ATSUM not to call blockade The Imphal Free Press

IMPHAL, May 11: Chief minister O Ibobi Singh appealed to the All Tribal Students Union, Manipur, ATSUM on the floor of the House today to call off their proposed highway economic blockade scheduled to begin from May 13, stating that their demands are being met as far as they are practicable. The chief minister was responding to the calling attention motion raised by MLAs O Joy Singh and Dr Ng Bijoy Singh on the matter in the state Assembly this morning.

The All Tribal Students` Union, Manipur, ATSUM had earlier announced its decision to call an indefinite economic blockade on the national highways in the state from midnight of May 13 alleging that the government has failed to transform their agreed demands into action despite repeated assurances for their implementation. Raising the matter after question hour this morning, the opposition MLAs urged the chief minister to explain why the state government has not converted the agreed demands into action. They also asked why the state government agreed to the ATSUM`s demands if it was not in a position to convert the same into action.
The MLAs recalling earlier experience of such economic blockades, pointed out that the people in the state faced immense difficulties due to non-arrival of essential commodities, including life saving drugs, petrol and diesel, cooking gas and various items of daily consumption, and called for framing a state policy for dealing with such forms of agitation. Chief minister O Ibobi Singh, responding to the motion, said the state cabinet had already approved the modified form of the Manipur Reservation of Vacancies in post and services (for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Amendment Bill, 2006, which is one of the important demands of the students body, recently.

"The government will table the bill during this session for consideration," Ibobi Singh pledged.

Mention may be made that the Manipur Governor had returned the earlier amendment bill which was passed by the Assembly during 2006 asking for modification of some of the provisions of the bill. The chief minister also said the government is highly concerned over the blockade and its likely effects on the general public and appealed to the students` body to re-consider the decision.

Singh also informed the House that decentralization and delegation of more powers to the district level officers of the tribal development department in the hill districts would be taken up by the state Cabinet. Regarding the question of backlogs in reservation for ST and SC in various government departments, the chief minister clarified that the `backlog` claimed by the ATSUM covers adhoc and part-time appointments, and informed that as far as regular appointments are concerned, the 100 point roster system is maintained. He also pledged if any backlogs are found in regular appointments, prompt remedies would be made.

On the demands relating to reservations for ST and SC in appointments in Manipur University, the chief minister said it was out of the state`s hands as it now comes under the Central government and Central norms regarding reservation are followed.

Regarding the demand for reframing the panel list in respect of the recruitment of graduate teachers, the chief minister clarified that this would be difficult since the DPC results have already been declared. He also said handing over of construction work for those schools in the hill areas for which funds are being provided under additional plan assistance to village councils or village school development boards as demanded by the ATSUM will not be possible as the work has already been given to the concerned contractors.