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05/18/2007: "‘Peace talks must be determined by Nagas themselves’ The Morung Express"

‘Peace talks must be determined by Nagas themselves’ The Morung Express

Mokokchung, May 17 (MExN): The visiting AICC General Secretary in-charge of Nagaland, Ranjit Thomas today said that the peace talks in Nagaland must be determined by the people of Nagaland and not by somebody else.
“For peace to prevail in Nagaland, he said that it should be determined and talked by the people of Nagaland but not someone else,” said the visiting the AICC General Secretary in-charge of Nagaland, Ranjit Thomas, while interacting with media persons at the Circuit House here this evening. However, Thomas did not elaborate on the word ‘some body else’ which sounded very ambiguous.
Nonetheless, Thomas expressed hope that the people of Nagaland can come to the mainstream and give leadership to India and take part in the growth and success of India in the world, and thereby develop Nagaland. He maintained that the time has come for the people of Nagaland to open up, irrespective of political affiliations, to understand the realities of the world and the day and make the people of Nagaland to share in ‘the happiness and fortune.’ Thomas also made a “humble request” to the people of Nagaland is that they should forget about petty differences and ‘not be chicken hearted,’ but step forward and live in ‘love, peace and harmony.’
However, Thomas, when asked about the role the Congress party’s role in the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks, he gave no direct comments but disclosed that the Government of India in their earnest spirit is involved and that a Union Minister is handling the peace talks, which is privy to the Government officials, under the provision of the Constitution of India, to be determined by the Parliament. Congress as a political party is not in a position to interfere in the talks, he said.
Interestingly, Ranjit Thomas made no comment about the looming differences in the Congress party with regards to the leadership issue in the party.

Thomas disclosed that his current tour of all the district head quarters of Nagaland is purely to meet and interact with Congress party workers and made it clear that this is not an election campaign when asked if it was so. He also said that he is here to examine what the general public expects from the Congress party and added that whether in power or not, the Congress party stands for the people.
On being asked about the speculations with regard to veteran Congress leader and the Governor of Goa rejoining state politics, Thomas cautiously remarked that it was purely his personal concern but added that the party respects Jamir and that they always seek for his advice and guidance. Thomas, who described the Nagas as positive, progressive, admirable, bold and adorable, opined that if Nagas have proper guidance, and if they are given the chance in the mainstream, and added that the new generation Nagas can compete with any else in the country, being a conscientious and hard working people.
Attempts underway to unite NSCN groups The Morung Express
New Delhi, May 17 (Agencies): After nearly two decades of rivalry, fresh attempts are being made to unite the two rival factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, a move that could result in the creation of the northeasts largest and most powerful rebel group.
Following recent calls by NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu and General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah for “peace, reconciliation and unity” among the factions, rival NSCN-K Chairman S S Khaplang has said he is not averse to unification provided the other group accepts certain conditions. “Our chairman Swu has already said all Nagas must stand united both physically and mentally. Reconciliation is a must. Though it is difficult to materialise, a response (from Khaplang) is there,” top NSCN-IM leader R H Raising told reporters on phone from Nagaland. He, however, accused the Khaplang faction of acting under the influence of “someone else” but did not give details. “Since they are under the control of someone else, we can’t expect 100 per cent now,” Raising said. On the other hand, senior NSCN-K ‘kilonser’ (minister) A Z Zami said Khaplang was “not averse or opposed” to any move for reconciliation or unification between the two factions if certain conditions are fulfilled.
“Swu and Muivah must first declare that they have not abandoned the demand of sovereignty for Nagas and they (NSCN- IM) must withdraw their charter of demands given to New Delhi during ongoing peace talks,” Zami told reporters. The NSCN split in 1988 following a power struggle between Swu, Muivah and Khaplang, a Hemi Naga from Myanmar. Both factions have agreed to a truce with the Central government and are engaged in peace talks.
NSCN (IM) frees rival cadre on humanitarian grounds The Morung Express

DIMAPUR, MAY 17 (MExN): In a positive gesture of hope to the strife-torn Naga people, the NSCN (IM) today released a cadre of the NSCN (K) from its custody. The cadre of the NSCN (K), Chingshen Wangso, son of Wangyen of Shianghah Chingnyu village of Tizit was arrested yesterday by the NSCN (IM) under the command of “Major” Alem Ao. Chingshen was however released unharmed in the presence of his family and the president of Konyak Union, Khoiwang Konyak today. The Ministry of Information and Publicity stated that the NSCN (K) cadre was released on humanitarian grounds in adherence to the Yaruiwo’s proclamation of “peace and reconciliation.”
DAN supports quota for OBC, pvt sector TheMorung Express
DIMAPUR, MAY 16 (MExN): In a significant policy direction, Nagaland Chief Minister echoed the recent move of the UPA Alliance to implement OBC reservation in Higher Education. Rio, while speaking at a two day Conference on Empowerment of SCs, STs, and Minorities at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi called for extension of the reservation policy for SC/ST and OBCs to the private sector too, as provided for in Article 38 of the Indian Constitution. Expressing support for reservation of seats in higher education for OBCs, he stated that the implementation of the existing reservation of Government jobs and seats in higher education for STs was far from satisfactory with many of the reserved seats and jobs remaining unutilized.
Addressing the delegates at the inaugural function, Rio said that successive Governments at the Centre had been taking a number of affirmative actions, including several legislations, for promoting the welfare of the minorities, including the Dalits, SC, ST and OBCs etc, however, due to certain imperfections in the delivery mechanism, the noble aims and intentions of the framers of the constitution, as well as affirmative legislation had not yet produced the desired results. He therefore added that this was precisely why conferences of this nature had become necessary to discuss the problems and difficulties faced in implementation and how to overcome them.
Significantly the Supreme Court today referred the controversial 27 per cent reservation issue to the Constitutional bench to examine whether the government has got unbridled powers to evolve reservation policies without any restrictions.
Meanwhile at the Conference, Rio strongly mooted the setting up of more technical and job oriented institutions in the tribal areas to provide a solution to this anomaly of unutilized reservations. He stated that Nagaland, from the days of headhunting less than a century ago, had already achieved a literacy rate much above the national average however he emphasized that mere literacy was not enough and that the quality of education must improve and that technical study opportunities for students of Nagaland should be increased. The two day Conference on Empowerment of SCs, STs, and Minorities through Elementary Education was inaugurated by the Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition by lighting a lamp this morning. The Chief Minister of Nagaland was accompanied by MLA Naiba Konyak and MLA Medukhul Sophie. The conference will go on till May 18, 2008. With inputs from DIPR
Rio attacks ‘Freedom of Religion Bills’ TheMorung Express
New Delhi, May 17 (UNI): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today attacked ‘Freedom of Religion Bills’, saying such legislations deprived the people of their right to freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution.
“The so-called freedom of religion bills are basically directed against Christianity, having been used to prevent conversion to this religion, and to harass Christian missionaries, who have rendered so many philanthropic services to the poor and the marginalised,’’ he said.
The Chief Minister also registered his strong protest against what he called “grave injustice’’ to dalit Christians’’ who because of religion and faith have been deprived of their right to reservation, which the dalit Hindus enjoy.’’
He sought to underline that the socio-economic condition of these dalit Christians had not changed after their conversion to Christianity.
Rio also came down heavily on the policy and functioning of the Tribal Affairs Ministry.
He was addressing the two-day international conference on ‘Empowerment of SCs, STs and Minorities’, convened by Lok Sabha Deputy speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal. Rio hoped the conference would deliberate upon these issues and come out with its recommendations.
Call of the hills Nagarealm.com

History, culture and nature — there is an interesting mixture of all the three at Khonoma in Nagaland. ARCHANA AND PRABAKAR VENKATARAMAN.

WHAT does one look for in a tourist destination? The buzzword now is nature. There is still much interest in cultures. History also has its own charm. How about a grand mix of all the three? Khonoma, which overlooks one of the most scenic spots in Nagaland, is also a fount of tribal wisdom and takes pride in its valorous past!

Located 20 km west of Kohima, Khonoma supports a predominantly agrarian population. Typical of an Angami tribal village, Khonoma runs along a ridge. It extends from the terraced rice fields immediately beneath the ridge all the way southwards till the Manipuri border district of Senapati. Khonoma’s reputation is partly as a warrior village. They put up the fiercest resistance to the advance of the East India Company in the 1830s and the intense “Battle of Khonoma” in 1880 culminated in the siege of the Angami village followed by a treaty. Christianity was introduced by the American missionaries and Khonoma is said to have produced the best doctors, musicians and professionals in Nagaland. Education is held in great respect here and the village falls to pin-drop silence during the exam times.

Green venture The Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture promotes eco-tourism in Khonoma through the Khonoma Green Village Project (KGVP), initiated by the villagers in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education. Given that hunting is a Naga tradition a nd a way of bringing food home, the decision of the Village Council of Khonoma to ban hunting in 1998 altogether shows the villagers’ commitment.

The Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary was set up to conserve the rare Blyth’s Tragopan, an endangered pheasant and the State bird of Nagaland. The sanctuary is also an ideal place for trekking, enjoying nature and doing research. Khonoma is rich in birds, primates, reptiles, amphibians, orchids, medicinal plants and many rare flora and fauna. Most of these have been documented as part of the Green Village initiative. Our birding guide promised 75-110 species in one day and would have met that mark quite easily!

Farming techniques, which are completely manual, do not employ beast of labour or machinery. The village is self-sufficient from the yields from rice crop and the produce depends more on available labour than on the land in possession. People grow their own vegetables and fruits. Alder trees lining the terraced cultivation land not only help prevent soil erosion but also serve as high quality firewood. The villagers have mastered the art of growing and pollarding alder, reducing the pressure on the forest.

Community concept At the heart of realising and sustaining the initiative is a tribal community living concept called “Age Groups”. At around nine-10 years, a child joins an age group hosted by a village superior, referred thereon as the “Father”. Under his tutelage and staying in a dormitory (called “Morung”), the youth engage in physical training, sports, moral and social education, preparation for warfare, singing, dancing and folklores. There is always a healthy competition among the age groups while showcasing each other’s skills and talent. A stroke of genius put this healthy competition to work in the Green Village initiative. Each age group competes and takes pride in its role in maintaining hygiene, cleanliness, beautification of roads, ensuring water supply and sewage systems.

Ancient ways Out of the many interesting things, the concept of “Feasts of Merit” is the most fascinating. It is an utmost honour to give a feast of merit — host a feast for the whole village. The person has to give away all the wealth, keeping only a small house, farming equipment and a pair of mithun (a cross between a bison and a cow) in the stable. When one gives a feast of merit, he is worthy of adorning his headgear with the feathers of a hornbill (a most revered bird am ong tribals). When a person offers seven such feasts of merit, he is eligible to build a pheku and have it named after him. A pheku is a village meeting place where all important decisions are taken or important even ts happen. A man has to have his wife beside him when he is conferred the eligibility to build a pheku. A person who builds five phekus can have his own fishing tank; no one can fish there without his permission. In other words, he influences the village economy directly. In Khonoma’s 400-year history, only one person has built a pheku and a private fishing tank.
Stone monuments are found all over the village, commemorating achievements during war or regular social life. The kuda, or fort built of stones, is maintained in good condition. The khels or the village gates are places of great importance. The morungs are defunct now, but there is an effort to resurrect them. A walking trail down the village takes you through all these and interesting stories unfold at every corner. Once we jumped as a Striped Rock Owl peered at us from a careless corner!

Something for everybody The Dzoukou valley, Dzuelekie village, the Tragopan sanctuary, the numerous hills and caves have much to offer to the avid trekker, naturalist or researcher. The world’s tallest rhododendron tree, recorded in the Guinness Book of R ecords is in Mt. Japfu of Khonoma district, in the Dzoukou region which is a trekkers’ paradise. Camping sites are available at convenient places and the natural caves abundant here are worth exploring.

If birding is on your agenda, warblers, thrushes, forktails are everywhere; the call of the partridges echoes across the valley all the time, a khaleej pheasant may suddenly dart across your path! Our best moment was when a pygmy wren popped right in front of us, stared confusedly at us for a few seconds, and then disappeared into thin air!

Factfile Getting there: By road 23 km from Kohima. The nearest railway station is Dimapur (73km) and the nearest airport, Dimapur, is connected from Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati

Facilities: Airtel and BSNL cell connections might work at certain places in the village. The nearest bank is in Kohima, connected by bus four times a day. Home stay is being encouraged. Inform in advance if you are a vegetarian. You are not allowed to move around in the village without a guide. Requirements: Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) obtainable from the Nagaland House at Kohima, Dimapur, Guwahati or Shillong. A group of four or more foreign tourists can obtain a Restricted Area Permit (RAP), for a period of 10days and can be extended later. Contact Mr. Angulie at anguliemeyase@yahoo.com You can also reach him at: 9436071046 or 0370-2340012.

The best time to visit is between October and April. Winters can be extremely cold. Bring proper winter clothes. If you visit during the rainy season, be prepared to face the harshest weather. Khonoma’s forests are thick and dense – a machete can be very helpful. The treks are moderate to very difficult. Equip yourselves appropriately. [HINDU]
Factions vacate Phek town Staff Reporter Nagaland Post
DIMAPUR, MAY 17 (NPN): The additional reinforcement of IRB personnel and the state government's reported deadline to the underground factions to vacate Phek town latest by Thursday, seemed to have some effect as by Thursday afternoon the armed factions left Phek town, police sources said. However, in the morning the NSCN (K) resorted to blank firing at around 11 a.m from below NST Station in the heart of the town, and the NSCN (I-M) too responded by firing some rounds, a source from Phek said. When contacted, DIG (Range) GK Rengma told Nagaland Post "I was informed that the armed groups have vacated Phek town this evening around 3 p.m." The heavy presence of Assam Rifles and IRB personnel in Phek town have also helped in diffusing the tense situation and thwarted imminent showdown between the factions. The state force had rushed in another company of IRB on Wednesday night to Phek town to boost the security presence and as a confidence building measure. Rengma also dismissed reports that the state government had giving 'firing orders' to the IRB to evict the armed cadres from the town."Government side is very clear, the police forces are not to open fire unless they are fired upon first," he added. Meanwhile, though the factions have vacated Phek town, their presence in adjacent Kutsapo and Phek village areas, continues to disturb the peace of mind of the town dwellers and villagers alike.
Naga artifacts under threat Correspondent Nagaland Post
KOHIMA, MAY 17(NPN): The rich heritage and history of the Nagas are under threat from vandals and looters. Rampant vandalism and looting of artifacts for commercial art market and destruction of archaeological sites in the State have been a cause of major concern for historians and archaeologists.
Lack of proper documentation of archaeological sites, protective legislation and proper planning and want of public awareness about their antiquity seem to have compounded the threat to the rich traditions and history of the Nagas.
Every cultural resource constitutes potential information about past human activities which expand our knowledge of the past, helping national unity, economic and tourism development.
Cultural resources today are seen as a means by which tourists are enticed to visit local communities, spending money for food, lodging or other services, while experiencing or viewing the archaeological of historical sites.
Dr. Tia Toshi of the History Department, Nagaland University, who was the principal investigator of the excavations at Chungliyimti Archaeological Site, recently pointed out the prevailing threat to Naga artifacts, while making a power-point presentation on the issue. He stressed on the need to preserve the rich cultural resources of the Nagas, including archaeological sites, in both humanistic and scientific way.
He also pointed out several examples of destruction of archaeological sites due to ignorance and lack of proper planning at the proposed airport site at Chiethu, Kohima and construction of new road at Langa and Longtrok.
The proposed site for airport at Chiethu is a megalithic habitation and burial site in the Northern Angami region which is now vulnerable to destruction due to such development activities. Moreover, Langa is another Naga ancestral site where a new road would soon cut it through. The same goes with Longtrok also. Dr. Toshi said many archaeological sites bearing vital clues of the rich Naga traditions and history had been either destroyed or being destroyed in the name of development progress.
He suggested several measures such as proper account and documentation of archaeological sites and other remains of historical importance before implementing any schemes, firm protective legislation to safeguard the status of archaeological sites and other cultural resources in Nagaland and extending education to the local community about the value of archaeological sites so as to tackle problems of their vandalism and looting.
Dr. Toshi also suggested bringing the knowledge and meaning of the past to the society at large through various available means such as museum and highlighting significant archaeological discoveries in Nagaland through the media.
ULFA targets Hindi-speakers, 9 killed Nitish condemns ULFA attacks The Morung Express
Patna, May 17 (PTI): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has condemned the continuing ULFA attacks on Hindi speaking people, including Biharis, in Assam and asked the state and Central governments to take effective measures to put an end to the incidents. Kumar conveyed his concern over the attacks to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday night, sources in his secretariat said on Thursday.
The Bihar Chief Minister demanded coordinated efforts by the Centre and the state to check the violence against the Hindi speaking people. “The violence aimed at Biharis and other Hindi speaking people is violative of the rights of the common citizen of India to earn a living in any part of the country,” he said.
Nine Hindi speaking people were killed in Assam since Tuesday in a rerun of similar attacks on them in January this year in which 70 were done to death.
New Delhi, May 17 (CNN-IBN): After the relative calm for a few months, ULFA violence against Hindi-speaking people in Assam saw a sudden upsurge again on Tuesday.
Nine people have been killed in the last two days.
Three Hindi-speaking persons were gunned down by the ULFA in Golaghat district on Wednesday and six people were killed in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts on Tuesday night.
In attacks reminiscent of its orgy of violence in January against Hindi-speaking persons that left 70 dead, two militants riding a motorcycle shot dead grocer Tankeswar Sahu and another man named Dipak Agarwal at Diksoi Tinaili in Dergaon on Wednesday evening.
Earlier in the day, the group had warned that it would award “capital punishment” to people involved in attacking demonstrators who blocked a highway to protest the killing by the army of a man mistaken to be a member of the ULFA.
Jiten Dutta, the self-styled commander of ULFA’s strike force 28 battalion’s “Charlie company” told media on phone that the group had identified the people behind Sunday’s attacks in which five persons were killed and several injured at different places in Doomdooma revenue circle.
On Sunday, tea garden workers, angered by the disruption in the supply of rations due to the blocking of National Highway 37, attacked thousands of demonstrators who were protesting the killing of Budheswar Moran by the army, which mistook him for an ULFA militant.
Earlier this year there was a major exodus of Biharis from Assam after the ULFA gunned down over 60 Hindi-speaking people there. =With inputs from PTI)
UK aware of NE militancy: Dr Howells By A Staff Reporter Assam Tribune The British Government is well acquainted with terrorism and its affects on civil society, and is now sharing critical intelligence and security related information with the Indian Government. This was stated by the British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Dr Kim Howells while addressing media persons in the city today.

Revealing his awareness of the insurgency affected North East, he remarked, “You live in a tough neighbourhood, surrounded by countries which are facing difficult times.” The situation would get worse if those became ‘failed states’ he stated, without naming the countries.

Even though the Minister’s visit was primarily to inaugurate a modern information centre, he dwelt at length on terrorism and its implications for both UK and India. He said in UK, terrorism was once more a threat after the London bombings by Islamist groups. Earlier, the country had to endure a difficult period with the IRA bombings. Apart from sharing intelligence at high levels, the British Government was training a number of Indian police officials on counter terrorism. He was of the belief that such training could make a difference in the war against terror.

On the role that the UK could play to limit cross-border movement of terrorists in the North East, he hoped that the present administration in Bangladesh would take action against NE extremists holed up in that country. The minister, who along with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi inaugurated the British Information Centre at Nabin Bordoloi Library, hoped that the facility would help dispense vital information on UK among students, tourists and entrepreneurs, and also help the British Deputy High Commission in carrying forward work related to consular, immigration, trade and investment. On education, Dr Howells said, ‘it is a thrust area for future Indo-UK partnership.” He expected the new centre to “guide students from Assam and the North East who are looking at education opportunities in the UK.”

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, speaking on the occasion believed the information centre would help people access information on UK in a convenient way. He expressed confidence that the facility would play a role in fostering closer cultural ties.

Earlier in his welcome address, Simon Wilson, British Deputy High Commissioner to Eastern India said the centre was “primarily designed to be compatible with the internet generation and will provide information by linking the user with a host of dedicated UK websites.” The centre will stay open for six days a week, and entry and usage would be free. When asked if Guwahati would have facility to process visas in the near future, Wilson revealed that there were no such plans. Most of the visas, with the papers in order, are processed within 24 hours at Kolkata. Besides, even in the UK applicants have to travel some distance to acquire visa, he added.


UK sets up resource centre in Guwahati BS Reporter in Kolkata/Guwahati
The British government, in association with the government of Assam, today opened its new information centre in Guwahati. The centre would be a point to access information in a comfortable ambience, on education, business, economic development, tourism and other sectors.
Dr Kim Howells, British Minister of state for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs, told the media that he would like to see more entrepreneurs from Assam and the North East use the British deputy high commission in Kolkata to do business with the UK.
The centre will be equipped to allow businessmen access databanks on UK companies.
The centre would play a key role in many areas of work done by a foreign embassy, Howells said on his two-day visit to Assam. The new information centre would give information to entrepreneurs looking for UK involvement in their businesses.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who formally inaugurated the centre, said the project was welcome facility for the people of Assam and hoped that it would help people from all walks of life access information about the UK. Gogoi was confident that the centre would help to further strengthen the cultural and business relations between Assam and the UK.
Simon Wilson, Deputy British High Commissioner to eastern India, said the centre could guide tourist and business visitors to UK, give details on how to obtain a visa and even supply visa forms. Education was a focus area for the Indo-UK partnership and the number of Indian students in the UK had risen from 4000 five years ago to over 20,000 today, he said.
"We need to reinvest in top level educational links and steps have been taken recently to further our educational exchanges", he added. Howells said the UK-India Education and Research Initiative, announced by British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2006, "aims to substantially improve" educational links between India and the UK.
"We have committed 10 million pounds already and our finance minister announced in his budget last year an additional �2 million to enhance collaborative partnership", he said.