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07/08/2007: "NSCN (I-M) lambastes rival Nagaland Post"

NSCN (I-M) lambastes rival Nagaland Post
Dimapur, July 5 (NPN): The NSCN (I-M) Thursday reacted strongly to the statement of rival NSCN (K) leader Wangtin Naga describing it as “hypocritical” and one that did not carry any “face value”.
The NSCN (I-M) in a statement issued by its MIP asked Wangtin to once again “turn to his maters to respond to the NSCN’s statement as a part of his stratagem to fool the people over again”.
The NSCN (I-M) said it was not surprised by the statement of Wangtin that NSCN (K) would “reject any attempt for peace with the rival” because “a group of Khaplang mindset, oriented to cause all sorts of roadblock to peaceful settlement of Indo-Naga problem, will always have the demonic courage to smear color to others to save their skin”.
The NSCN (I-M) said it had with due respect to the peace initiative of Nagaland GBs’ Federation and the Nagaland DBs’ Association expressed regrets over certain lapses in the matter that has to do with the elusive goal of stopping bloodshed and fratricidal killings among the Nagas.
The faction said its way of official conduct demands any civil organizations to follow certain procedure on such matter and therefore, “going to Press in a hurry before presenting the resolutions for its final seal of approval was tantamount to disregarding the good ethical norms”.
The NSCN (I-M) said it always stands for peace because if establishing peace in “Nagalim” was not its objective it made no sense for “Nagalim for Christ”. The faction made it clear that it would under no circumstances put at risk its “existence and standing reputation as Naga people’s mandated body to speak and act for the God given burden of Naga struggle”.
The NSCN (I-M) insisted that the anti-social and anti-national elements would have to be identified in order to save the nation despite having to face the risk of being misconstrued by the Nagas as wrong doings.
“It is the conscience that matters and the NSCN’s conscience in going against Khaplang group is very clear. The conscience of hypocrisy and garb of national workers is just a matter of brief and suicidal venture. And one cannot go on fooling the Nagas to mess up the Naga issue”.
The NSCN (I-M) said the response of NSCN (K) to the peace initiative of the GBs and DBs was a “face-saving gesture” and one that never got the final seal of approval from the “real master who actually runs the show”.
“It is the master’s order that Khaplang group should not facilitate peaceful road to Naga issue and the devil’s job will have to be fulfilled for they are armed and paid for the purpose,” the NSCN (I-M) said.
Meanwhile, the NSCN (I-M) made it clear that it would not accept the establishment of any new designated camp for the rival faction.
“A group with such dubious mission of Naga destruction can no longer be tolerated or forbear with to enjoy such uncalled for status. Let the God of Nagalim be the judge to identify the elements of true Naga patriots and national workers from the like of Khaplang’s disciples. And let God of Nagalim for Christ take control of Naga affairs at this juncture of confusion created by Khaplang men and their masters,” the NSCN (I-M) added.

Ibobi team on peace mission OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Imphal, July 5: Okram Ibobi Singh sent a team of ministers and MLAs to Senapati today to douse the flames ignited by Naga arsonists in a resurgence of the campaign for affiliation of schools in the hill districts to the Nagaland Board of School Education.
As many as 11 government schools were set ablaze in Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel between midnight on Tuesday and the wee hours of Wednesday. Four schools each were attacked in Senapati and Ukhrul and three in Chandel. The fourth Naga-dominated district, Tamenglong, did not witness any violence.Education minister L. Jayentakumar Singh, tribal development minister D.D. Thaisii and legislators K. Raina, M. Thorhii and E. Biramani Singh met teachers of all four schools that were attacked in Senapati to assure them of prompt repairs. The team also spoke to elders of nearby villages.
Government schools in the district will reopen on July 17, when the summer vacation ends.
The education minister appealed to residents of Senapati and the other two districts affected by arson to be calm and not encourage any form of arson. “If any individual or group has grievances, they should come forward for talks with the competent authority so that the issues can be addressed in a peaceful manner. Destruction of public property will not do anybody good,” Jayentakumar said.
The education minister is likely to visit Ukhrul and Chandel, too.
Although no organisation has claimed responsibility for the arson, police suspect it was the handiwork of members of the All Naga Students’ Association of Manipur. The association has been demanding affiliation of schools in the four hill districts to the Nagaland board as an extension of the campaign for integration of all Naga-inhabited areas of the Northeast.
Naga raiders kill 3 in Assam Bijay Sankar Bora Tribune News Service
Three persons were killed and a large number of houses torched when armed miscreants from Nagaland swooped down on two bordering villages in Sivasagar district of Assam in the wee hours today.
Assam Police ADG Dipak Pathak said two persons were shot dead and another person died in a bomb blast when armed raiders from Nagaland torched houses and attacked villagers at Sonapur, Charaibari and Borhola Nepali Basti, under Geleky police station, Sivasagar district around 3.15 am today.
Sarabat Ali and Minbahadur Chetri from Sonapur and Borhola Nepali Basti, respectively, were gunned down while Kamal Chetri from Charaibari was killed in a land mine explosion that was planted by raiders.
According to Assam police, there were about 30-35 armed raiders who ran amuck in the three bordering villages in Assam for at least two hours. The miscreants also damaged tea plantation in about 10-bigha area in a private small tea garden ‘Dhekiajuri’, near the inter-state boundary. Senior civil and police officials from Assam’s Sivasagar district rushed to the spot immediately after the incident. They held a meeting with their counterparts from Mukokchung district in Nagaland to bring the situation under control.
No statement was forthcoming from Nagaland government over the incident, which has been construed as a section of Naga miscreants’ attempt to terrorise villagers on the Assam side of the inter-state boundary.
The boundary dispute between Assam and Nagaland dates back to over four decades and the matter is now pending before the Supreme Court after the Assam government filed a case following Nagaland’s refusal to accept the recommendation of Sundaram Committee.
All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has called for an indefinite economic blockade from Friday in Sivasagar district of Assam in protest against the unprovoked attack. The AASU and Asam Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) have called for a 12-hour dawn-to-dusk bandh at Sivasagar district tomorrow.
Tension along Assam-Nagaland border, bandh paralyses life The Hindu
Sibsagar (Assam), July. 6 (PTI): Life was paralysed in this district today by a 12-hour bandh and indefinite economic blockade called by two organisations to protest the killing of three persons by Naga encroachers.
Security forces stepped up patrolling in villages in Assam along the border with Nagaland in the wake of the stir by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP). Normal life came to a grinding halt as all educational institutions and financial institutions remained closed. Vehicles stayed off the roads, officials said.
The supply of essential commodities to Nagaland was stopped by the economic blockade in Geleki area of the district, they said. Additional security forces were sent to villages along the Nagaland border and round-the-clock vigil was being maintained to prevent any further flare-up, officials said. Senior police officials led by DIG (Upper Assam) Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta went to affected villages and reviewed the security scenario.Three persons were killed and several houses and part of a tea garden were burnt in three villages in Sibsagar district yesterday by a group of encroachers from Nagaland, triggering tension in the area.
Villages along the Assam-Nagaland border have been tense since June 27, when Naga encroachers cut down tea bushes in Ouguri Tea Estate at Nazira in Sibsagar district. A Nagaland- based organistation, the Village Council of Buranamching, has been claiming that vast areas in Sibsagar district are part of the neighbouring state.
3 killed in border; fury aimed at Assam Police
NSCN war in Tizit again OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Kohima, July 5: Barely a week after security forces interrupted the NSCN factions’ war for control over Tizit, rebels of the Isak-Muivah group attacked their rival’s designated camp last night, killing one. Around 8.30 last night, a group of NSCN (I-M) militants opened fire on the Khaplang camp at Rokhi Bahar in Tizit, some 400 km from here. Tahjen Konyak, son of Ashep Konyak from Lokho village, fell to the bullets. Sources in the Tizit town administration said many more are likely to be injured in the attack.
Both factions are now positioned in the area for another clash. The attack comes barely 10 days after the factions were driven out of Tizit following clashes.
Grenades and mortars pounded on Tizit last month as the warring factions of the NSCN fought for control over the town, which acts as a corridor to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. At least five civilians were seriously injured and hundreds of people were displaced.
Security forces raided the the militant hideouts and drove the rebels out, paving the way for the Khaplang group to establish one of their designated camps in Tizit.
Tizit has been a stronghold of the NSCN (I-M) for a number of years, which made movement of Khaplang rebels in the area difficult. But with the fresh directive from the Centre to the NSCN rebels to go back to their designated camps or face an arrest, a new camp was recently opened near Tizit town by the NSCN (K) — a move that the rival faction had strongly opposed. Because of frequent attacks by the rival group, NSCN (K) did not have a single camp at Tizit until recently. Brig. Phunthing Shimrang, convenor of the ceasefire monitoring cell for the NSCN (I-M), said they would not allow the rival group to set up designated camps in and around Tizit, as the area has been under their command for years.
He said the latest development in Tizit area was masterminded by the security forces to expel them from the area. He also accused the Assam Rifles of aiding and abetting the rival group. The security forces have dismissed the allegations. Shimrang said objections have been raised during the last meeting of the ceasefire monitoring group at Dimapur last Monday.
The NSCN (I-M) also captured four Khaplang activists from Don Bosco School in Imphal yesterday. Wangtin Konyak, deputy minister for home affairs of the NSCN (K), on the other hand, said they would not make any peace deal with the rival group. Konyak said unless Nagas oppose the “terrorist activities of NSCN (I-M) and stand up against anti-Naga forces,” there was no point agreeing to any peace process.
‘No evidence to link Naga villagers to deaths’ Morung Express News
AMIDST REPORTS of “encroachers” from Nagaland allegedly killing three people and torching several houses and parts of a tea garden in three villages of Sibsagar district in Assam, Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Singh today said there is no evidence of any direct or indirect involvement of Naga villagers in today’s incident.
“To my knowledge these two killed were not Assamese people, one is a Nepali by the name of Chhetri and the other a Muslim identified as Surbad Ali who were running a tea garden in the jhum fields of Anaki villages, and they were paying taxes to the Anaki villages,” the Deputy Commissioner said.
Singh said that he sees no reason why the Anaki villagers should try to harm the two victims since they were working and paying taxes under the jurisdiction of the Anaki village Council. Singh strongly said that the incident which happened at around 2 am on Thursday seems to the handiwork of unknown miscreants. He also disclosed that the villagers have warned that if the state government does not provide security, then the villagers would fight for themselves in case of any eventuality.
However, the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung has assured to provide security to villagers and have posted one platoon of the 13th NAP at the disputed area. The district administration is also working out to provide more security to the area. He said the administration in Sibsagar has been contacted and got an assurance from them that no Naga villager would be harassed.
“The Assam side may be claiming the area as theirs, but as far as we are concerned the area is a disturbed area belt,” Singh said and added that a police case has been registered in Tuli police station and that the matter would be investigated thoroughly. He also strongly said that if any Nagas are found to be involved, then they would be sternly dealt with as per the law.
Biswa Gogoi, a resident of Geleki, the town which borders the Naga villages, said the people on the Assamese side are venting their fury on the battalion of Assam Police posted at the area ‘who for no reason killed a Naga one month after his arrest and release.’
Alemongba was arrested by Assam Police when he had come to Geleki to attend the funeral of Nilikesh Gogoi, wrongly killed by CISF personnel. Nilikesh, a close friend of Biswa, was respected and held in high esteem by both Assamese and Nagas for his efforts to keep intact the strong ties between the Ahoms and Nagas followed for ages.
‘Sometimes, there are small altercations between brothers but there is no large misunderstanding between the two peoples,’ Biswa said. ‘There is no animosity.’ The situation at the moment is ‘normal’ and reports linking today’s deaths to encroachment is false, he added. Today’s killings were spurred by the assassination of Alemongba, he said.
‘Suspicious’
However, despite the strong words of the Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner, an underlying coincidence remains unanswered. Singh said that the incident occurred when the Mokokchung district administration had gone down to Sibsagar to discuss the ‘cold blooded killing’ of Alemongba with the administration there.
“Only when we were in the meeting they (Assam officials) told us that the Nagas have committed the killing which shocked us,” said Singh. He said that it is very suspicious that the incident occurred on a day when the Mokokchung administration went down to discuss about the killing of Alemongba ‘which was very strong’ in the hands of the Mokokchung district officials.
Anakai village condemns incident, demands security

The Anaki Village Council today condemned the killing of three persons and the injury of two today and also appealed to the Nagaland government to provide security forces to contain the situation.
“The Anaki village Council condemns the incident which occurred last night at Latigrah and Sonapur villages under Anaki Village jurisdiction under Tuli Sub Division of Mokokchung district by unknown persons,” said three representatives of the Anaki village Council today.
They said that the village council is determined to trace the culprits responsible for the killings and the blasts. They said that the Anaki village area is very tense with the situations likely to turn ugly any moment, which is causing sleepless nights for the women and children of the area.
NSCN-IM responds to Wangtin’s statement The Morun g Express
Dimapur, July 5 (MExN): Reacting to the statement of NSCN-K deputy Kilonser Wangtin Naga’s statement “against any peace with NSCN,” the NSCN-IM states that it is ‘nothing surprising’ because a “group of Khaplang mindset, oriented to cause all sorts of roadblock to peaceful settlement of Indo-Naga problem will always have the demonic courage to smear the color to others to save their skin.”
An MIP note stated that “…even God’s angel may not be able to change the sheep’s clothing” of the NSCN-K. The NSCN-IM will not accept the establishment of any new designated camp for the NSCN-K, it stated adding that a group with “such a dubious mission of Naga destruction” can no longer be tolerated. “Let the God of Nagalim be the judge to identify the elements of true Naga patriots and national workers from the likes of Khaplang’s disciples” the MIP stated and hoped that “Nagalim for Christ” would take control of the Nagas’ affairs. “Wangtin’s hypocritical replay thus carries no face value. He should turn to his masters to respond to the NSCN’s statement as part of his stratagem to fool the people over again” the NSCN-IM asserted. While referring to the peace initiative of the Nagaland GBs’ federation and the Nagaland DBs’ Association, the NSCN-IM regretted ‘certain lapses in the matter of highly sensitive nature that has to do with the elusive goal of stopping bloodshed and fratricidal killings among the Naga brothers.” The NSCN-IM’s way of “official conduct demands certain procedure to be followed by any civil organization initiating such a matter” the MIP note claimed. The NSCN-IM also claimed that “going to press in hurry” before presenting the resolutions for the NSCN-IM’s “final seal of approval” tantamount to “disregarding good ethical norms.”

NSCN-IM mourns The NSCN-IM mourned the demise of Saghoto Sumi “assistant section officer” who passed away on June 30. An MIP note stated that Sumi, hailing from Suhoi, Kuhuboto, was working in the “ministry of education.” Stating that his demise is a big loss to the NSCN-IM, the message prayed that God comfort the bereaved family.
NSCN-K asks ‘Nagas to judge’ for themseleves The Morun g Express
Dimapur, July 5 (MExN): “Beyond human comprehension is the very act of (NSCN-IM chairman) Isak Swu vying for comfortable retirement” from the Indo- Naga political battle by “assimilation of his blood brother” into Indian constitutional fold, the NSCN-K has alleged. It also charged that armed cadres are being “entrusted to ensure victory” of Swu’s brother in the next elections through suppression of electorates at gun point in his home constituency, Pughoboto.
The recent declaration of “IM-backed NPF party” to file Swu’s brother as it’s official candidate in the ensuing state legislative assembly election amply expose Isak’s ambition and intention, a note from the NSCN-K stated. “May it be known that Isak Swu’s hierarchy is supported by several prominent IM functionaries, who are none other than his own blood brothers Qhevihe Swu, convener, Steering Committee, Shikato Swu, Dy. Kilonser (Home Affairs), Avuli Swu, member Steering Committee etc besides several other military officers. Does it imply that IM group itself is behind such nefarious deal of ceding Naga sovereignty in lieu of constitutional amenities of India?”
Swu’s brother himself had actively been involved in various platforms that fought for self-determination of the Nagas; he represented the Nagas in numerous international forums that decried forceful conquest of Nagas by Indians; he served as president of NSF, convener NPMHR etc. for so long, the NSCN-K stated. “…did all these organizations including IM visualized and struggled to gain respectable and commanding position within the dispensation of Indian Union without botheration for thousands of precious Naga lives sacrificed at the altar of Nagas’ independence and sovereignty? Has our sacred struggle relegated to such subservience? And who shall be held accountable is for the Nagas to judge.” The note stated.

NSCN-K discharge cadres The NSCN-K has discharged “Sgt.” Vihoto, of Hekheshe village, “Coprl.” Khekato of Sukomi village, “Pvt.” Robito Sema of Kuhuboto village and “Col.” Vihoto Chopi “Commander, Operation Mithun.” A note from the NSCN-K stated that Khekato was force-discharge and ‘court-martial’ on ground of indiscipline, dereliction of duties and substance abuse while Robito Sema of was discharged due to desertion from “N/A formation.”
Disparity between have and have-nots creating crisis Morung Express News
JALUKIE Vatsu Meru, MLA 7 A/C Peren today said the disparity between Have and Have-not is escalating the society in present scenario of the state, and to maintain and balance them has become a major crises especially like Peren district.
He was speaking at the inaugural function of the Peren district teachers seminar as the chief guest at Peren town hall with the theme ‘Teaching Towards Excellence’.
‘We believe that this seminar will be able to give a giant leap in educational system in the area, and we have a great concerned to elevate the people of our district’ he said while expressing his apprehension on prevailing situation of the educational system in the district, adding that, the top priority should be Human Resources Development beside infrastructural development.
Disclosing the historical fact, he echoed, that Zeliangrong community has been always in the forefront in educational field in the past, and further added, that the first Naga Headmaster in Impur Mission School was from the community.
Sivasagar wakes up to Naga terror Our Bureau Sentinel
GUWAHATI/JOYSAGAR, July 5: Two persons were killed while several others injured when a group of 35-40 Naga people, armed with weapons, attacked three villages along the Asom-Nagaland border under Galeky Police Station in Sivasagar district in the wee hours today.
The encroachers, suspected to be from the Anaki tribe of Mokukchang district of Nagaland, attacked Sonapur, Dhekiajuli and Borhula Nepali Basti villages simultaneously early this morning and shot dead one at Sonapur and another at Borhula. The miscreants, formed in three groups, also set ablaze around 50 houses in the villages and a portion of a tea garden at Dhekiajuli. The deceased were identified as Sarabat Ali and Minbahadur Chetri.
“The attack took place inside Asom territory and led to the death of two persons,” Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, Deputy Inspector General of Assam Police, told The Sentinel.
But police and intelligence officials said the attackers were backed by militants of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN).
“It appears the Nagas wanted to usurp the land and so they carried out the attack. Nagaland often claims some parts of Asom as its territory which, in fact, is not correct,” another senior police official said. Miscreants also carried kerosene and petrol with them and killed at least six cattle in the area. Destruction by the miscreants continued for almost two hours and they planted land mines at a few locations of the area before leaving. Later, one person, identified as Kamal Bahadur Chetri, was seriously injured as a result of mine blast at Saraihujia near the border. Top civil and police officials, including Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner NM Hussain and Superintendent of Police SP Saikia, visited the spot today and took stock of the situation. The State Government has announced an ex gratia of Rs 10,000 to the families of the deceased and Rs 3,000 to the injured. The Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Mukokchang district of Nagaland today discussed the situation with their counterparts of Sivasagar district. Both the Nagaland officials have ensured that they would conduct a proper inquiry into today’s incident and that they would hand over the miscreants to the Assam Police.Meanwhile, an AASU delegation under its central organizing secretary Sarat Hazarika and secretary of the All Sivasagar District Students’ Union Pradip Borgohain visited the spot and condemned the incident. They urged the State Government to ensure safety to the life and property of the people living in these areas. Meanwhile, the AASU, Asom Jatiyadabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) and the Gorkha Students’ Union have called for a 12-hour Sivasagar district bandh tomorrow from 5 am. The AASU has also called for an indefinite economic blockade in the Galeky area from 5 am tomorrow.The situation in the villages along the Asom-Nagaland border has been tense for the past few months and it further intensified since June 27 when some Naga encroachers cut down several tea bushes of the Ouguri Tea Estate at Nazira.A Nagaland-based organization called the Village Council of Buranamching has been claiming that vast areas under Sivasagar district are part of Nagaland.
Naga encroachment on, unabated By our Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, July 5: Widescale acquisition of the State’s land along the Asom-Nagaland border in the Sivasagar, Golaghat and Jorhat districts by the neighbouring State has been creating a sense of insecurity among the residents living in the border areas for a long time. According to government figures, Nagaland has encroached on a total of 1,62,471.3 acres of Asom land. Of this, Golaghat district figures the highest with 1,03,688 acre, followed by Jorhat and Sivasagar with 48,839.30 acre and 9,943.47 acre. Sources said that in Geleky alone, where two villagers were killed today by Naga misceants, around 4,000 hectares of Asom land are being encroached upon by the Nagas.
It may be mentioned here that the Asom Government filed a case in the Supreme Court a few years ago over the encroachment of its land by Nagaland. Accepting the petition, the apex court formed a local commission under the chairmanship of SN Variwva. However, due to lack of awareness among the people of Asom, since then only two complaints have been filed from Asom’s side against encroachment. On the other hand, Nagaland has filed five complaints with the Commission.
The two complainants from Asom were the AGP MLA from Sarupathar, Binod Gowala, and the Doyang Gaonburha Santha. Gowala even took some villagers from the bordering villages to New Delhi to protest against the encroachment of Asom land by the Nagas.
Confronting Monologue! Editorial The Morung Express
One reason why Nagas in recent times find themselves in a perpetual state of arrestation is because of the manner in which ‘monologue’ has become so embedded into the ethos of daily life. Indeed the healthy and dynamic practice of dialogue which was central to the Naga way of conducting human affairs has over time become into a dialogue between monologues. As a result, the monologues have only widened the possibilities of understanding because people are no longer listening to each others point of views. Consequently, each monologue only hears its own voice and because they are no longer listening to the other voices, they are unable to determine and identify the opinions which are found to be common. Is this not the reality of today’s time?
If only Nagas could patiently and actively listen to each others opinions and perspectives, perhaps the differences of views could be addressed meaningfully. However, the culture of monologue which has become the norm of the day prevents any process that resembles genuine dialogue. The culture of monologue feeds into the cycle of power where each voice asserts itself to drown other voices, and rather than being reflective, it assumes a form where it primarily takes the position which is reactive, defensive and self-righteous. This monologue is eating away the spirit of understanding and definitely undermining the ethos of democratic participation and ownership.
The culture of monologue is now prevalent in all spheres of Naga activity and it has infected all forms of human organization in the Naga realm of life and how it conducts it human affairs. Because Nagas have stopped dialoguing with each other, the monotone and bankruptcy of ideas and staleness of thoughts are setting into the psyche and preventing the creative realization of what the human mind can achieve. No wonder one finds that we are constantly repeating ourselves and actually have little or nothing new to say or do anymore. It’s like a music cd that has been overplayed.
Nagas must break out of this monologue and find new meaning and purpose of life again. While building on the legacy of what the elders have handed down to the present generation, we must ensure freshness to life. The existing monologue must be confronted and transcended so that the destiny of a people’s existence is no longer ambiguous, but one that gives people a reason to have hope. Overcoming the existing monologue demands a new consciousness and a way of life which is reflective and representative of a new system of conducting human affairs.
There is an imperative need to shift from a monologue to a dialogue, a dialogue which brings to public expression the issues that are essential towards defining the purpose and existence of life; and one that embodies an understanding, which embraces the understanding and acceptance of differences. Unless, Nagas as a people are able to search deep down within themselves to live again as a dynamic and creative political entity, the cycle of monologue will eat away the Naga capacity to exercise its ability to define and determine itself.
Colours of Naga Struggle and the World The Morung Express NP Ariiphre-ou
“The stone in the water does not know how hot the hill is, parched by the sun.” Nigerian Proverb
Nagas Non-violent approach responded with military option The Naga resistance against forceful occupation by the newly Independent state India and Burma were implemented in a non-violent and non-cooperation movement, such as withdrawal from Indian-run schools, non-payment of taxes, resignation from official responsibility and boycotting imposed election. In 1953, the mass ‘walk out’ from the Kohima Public ground boycotting the speeches of Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Burmese Primer Unu. At this time the Indian officials refused to allow Nagas to articulate their position which further worsened the situation. Professor J.H. Hutton’s letter to the Assam Tribune in 1966 stated,
(and) the refusal to allow the Nagas in Kohima to express their views and state their case to the Prime Minister of India when Pandit Nehru came to Kohima, made real trouble inevitable. Thereafter the attempt to bring Naga tribes to heel by bringing in the Indian Army made matters infinitely worse.
The arrest warrant against the Naga leaders and the killings of some public personalities by the Indian Army pushed the Naga movement underground. “Sir Charles Pawsey has aptly said that trying to deal with the Underground by means of a mechanized army is like using an elephant to hunt a mouse .” This action led to the formation of Naga Home Guards which later became the ‘Naga Army’ to defend their right to life and dignity when non-violent options were negated and made impossible.
The Naga struggle has gone through various phases of military responses from the Indian state. The Indian state through its national army waged an all out conventional warfare on the Nagas beginning in the late 1950’s extending to the late 1960’s. During this time the Naga homeland was ravaged and the serious crimes committed against humanity have yet to be investigated. Following this period, the Indian army led a more coordinated and low intensity warfare strategy in the form of counter-insurgency operations which was implemented in the early 1970’s through the 1990’s. With the coming of the mid 1990’s the Indian state has transform it into a higher and more sophisticated form of “psychological warfare” using all forms of enticement including people friendly terms such as “Operation Good Samaritan” to “win the hearts and minds” of the people. “The bitterness which has been engendered by army occupation is perhaps one of the major obstacles in obtaining a settlement” as mentioned by Hutton in 1966, still holds relevance even today one half a century later.
In attempt to remove its negative image, the Indian state has coined new terms with a more positive images that give them an accessible face such as ‘Sathi Laga Force’ (friendly force). Implementation of these new images was through its Army Developmental Groups (ADG) – now known as Military Civic Action – programs and Army civic programs. These programs were designed specifically to break the Naga’s will, at the same time the Indian Army’s presence was intruding more into previously closed areas where they had new access to Naga people and their communities. The continuing strategy of the Indian state to cut off the people from those on the negotiating table through its “cut and clear” policy spreading rumors to create confusion and to further separate and divide the Naga people’s public opinion have been waged aggressively though it has not been proved very successful so far.
Much has happened in the dark enclosed zone where the war theatre has experimented away from the glare of both the national and international media. India’s preoccupation and fear of the “domino affect” on the Indian state once the Nagas rights have been conceded has resulted in a protracted violent conflict that has left huge heap of dehumanized victims in its wake.

Confusion generated by India’s co-opting Nagaland for a state under its dominion
The Indian Government using its Intelligence Bureau (IB) network designed a strategy to win over the moderate section of the Naga society by encouraging the formation of the Naga Peoples Convention (NPC). The NPC utilized mainly retired employees of the former colonial administration to demand creation of a state called Nagaland under the ambit of the Indian constitution. The Government of India inaugurated the Nagaland state in 1963, bringing together just a quarter of the Naga homeland. This ploy of administrative convenience further divided the Nagas into different states where they were made minorities with the exception of the newly imposed Nagaland state.
The deliberate limitation of the ancestral territories and misrepresentation of Naga Homeland through the newly imposed Nagaland state boundaries has created much confusion about the struggle to the international community. It has further widened the miscommunication within Nagaland, as well through creation of artificial space and identities where the dissected territories were governed under the boots of the military. “Despite the first ceasefire agreement signed in 1964 between the representatives of the Indian and Naga Federal Government (FGN), persecution of the hill people continue, still largely unreported .”
The South Nagas Hill areas which was under the loose administrative supervision of the then Manipur territorial council clubbed with the Imphal Valley administration was made into the full fledged Indian state of Manipur in January 1972.
In August 1972 Indian Government unilaterally abrogated the ceasefire and declared the FGN and the Naga Army to be illegal. The Naga case which until then was conducted by the ‘External Affairs’ of the Union of India was unilaterally transferred into its Home Ministry without consultation declaring the issue was ‘Law and Order’ (internal) problem of the Indian state.

Political Negotiation The ongoing political talks between GOI and NSCN have been based on the following ceasefire principles: that the talks are unconditional; they took place at the highest level of the Prime Minister; and they convened in a third neutral country. These talks indicate the Indian’s government’s de facto recognition of the Naga people’s sovereignty. In July 2002, the recognition of the “uniqueness of Naga history and situation” by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government in New Delhi under Prime Minister Vajpayee paved the way for serious negotiations between the two entities to begin.
In 2003, the Naga resistance leadership visited New Delhi for the first time after many decades of living in exile, at the personal invitation of the Prime Minister of India. In December 2004, they came for a second visit, this time at the invitation of the new Prime Minister of India with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in power.
The NSCN leaders visit to India also gave them the opportunity to come to Nagaland where extensive consultations with the Naga public for preparing future substantive talks were held. Besides this also provided them the space to intensively negotiate with the Indian Government representatives. Further the talks were upgraded from a bureaucratic interlocutor to a political level through the appointment of a Group of Ministers headed by Oscar Fernandes from the Government of India had created a more conducive atmosphere for continuing the dialogue.
Political parleys continued over the past 9 years with the ceasefire agreement been extended every one year at a time, except in July 2005. The ceasefire extension period was shortened to six months at the insistence of the NSCN after seeing no tangible progress in the talks with the Government of India were occurring.

Hope for Peace Many impediments are a causing of uneasiness about the fragile truce being broken. Some examples of these impediments include:
* The further intensification of militarization in the area and continuance of ‘Disturb Areas Act’
* The systematic occupation and transfer of populations from the subcontinent towards the periphery of the homeland
* The increasing proliferation of small arms and drug trafficking in the region
* The probable nexus between vested interest sections from business houses, bureaucracy, and military in prolonging the conflict
* The lack of worthwhile infrastructural investment to keep pace with the growing needs of the local economy
* The systematic collaboration between Indian Army and Burmese (Myanmar) military junta in the frontier areas to contain cross border terrorism
* The use of ethnic conflict for repression and siphoning of resources from Naga territories
* The non-inclusive nature of the current Naga talks
* The lack of concrete response to the proposal made by the Naga negotiating team
When Burma’s military Junta began under dictatorship of General Ne Win, its interest focused on clearing the Eastern Naga Hills under Sagaing division of Nagas. This was done to facilitate exploitation of local natural resources including oil deposits and logging in the area by many multinational companies. Despite these actions, Nagas do attempt to maintain cordial relationship with Burma’s democracy movement, as that is where hope for diplomatic resolution and recognition of Naga dignity lies.
Neville Maxwell (South Asia correspondent of the Times London) assessed this tragedy in his work India, The Nagas and the Northeast in the this statement:
The Nagas have been denied an independent national existence by the shape of imperial history in the subcontinent. They are victims of the integrating thrust of the British impact in South Asia. The legal forms which gave India her independence at the same time denied independence to Nagaland. Since 1947 their cause has been secession; and secession has two sides to it: there are Indian rights to be considered, as well as Nagas rights.
India’s geo-strategic interest of keeping its eastern frontier intact, especially the Naga territories, is undoubted and indisputable. An equally important aspect of the truth is that the resolution of Naga homeland issue on the basis of exercising genuine self-determination can only provide a stable security corridor and economic growth for India’s quest for a dominant role in Asian power theatre where its north western knots towards central Asia are prospectively limited at the moment. In one of the past interviews to the media Naga leaders have asserted that they supported a peaceful political settlement that would allow the Nagas to remain “an independent, sovereign state with good relations with the neighbouring states of India, Burma and China .” There are obvious options of give and take which both entities should make the best of it.
Despite these difficulties, the Naga civil society movements with support from civil voices in India have openly demonstrated for early solution to the Indo-Naga political process reflects the peoples continued yearning for a united purpose and reconciliation within the national resistance to gain a just, honourable and lasting settlement. Will the Government of India respond with understanding and amicably resolve the unique case of the Naga nation diplomatically or will it re-launch another deadly phase of military assault in its most sensitive regions under occupation? In today’s world of electronic gadgets and information war: Will the Naga demand for an independent homeland remain isolated as it has in the preceding more than half a century enclosure? These are few questions that time will only unravel. Watch out!
School arson reflective of bigger problem – ANSAM The Morung Express
Dimapur, July 5 (MExN): The razing of government high schools in the hill districts of Manipur does not come as a surprise as it was bound to happen. Stating that indignation and discontentment had been building up for decades, the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) advised the Manipur government to ask ‘why’ rather than ‘who.’
“The Manipur Government is naïve enough to think that this is just a law and order problem. No. This is a complicated socio-political problem, and must be dealt with accordingly. This is an issue involving two distinct entities – the tribal in the hills and the Meiteis in the valley” stated the organization through its vice president Sounii Khapa.
The organization highlighted the causes of the present turmoil, which, ANSAM stated ‘started long ago when the valley people took advantage of the simplicity of the tribals and began arbitrarily framing policies to keep them under subjugation.’ “The Meitei dominated Government has been surreptitiously making plans to occupy the hill areas through so called various urbanization policies – the latest being the attempt to convert Moreh into a Municipality border town” ANSAM explained.
Further, the Meitei language and script was imposed on the tribals. On April 24, 1979, the Manipur Official Language Bill was passed making Meitei the official language of the state; the use of the English Language was to be progressively restricted, the organization explained. Then in 1983, a notification was issued making Meiteilon a compulsory subject in all schools (and it still is); in 1989 Meiteilon was made a compulsory M.I.L. paper in the Civil Service Exam (UPSC). The ANSAM mentioned that a plan was made to forcibly assimilate the tribals into the dominant Meitei stream by imposing the state syllabus in all schools under BSEM. “To prevent any school from seeking affiliation to other better Boards like NBSE, CBSE etc, a cabinet decision was taken on 7th January, 2004, denying NOC to all private schools” it explained adding that May 14, 2005, the State Cabinet again decided to make the “newly concocted” Meitei Mayek (Meitei Script) compulsory in all schools in Manipur; this was to be introduced in a phased manner. Moreover, after M.U. was converted to a Central university, the Meitei-dominated Manipur government “craftily” reduced the tribal quota from 33% to 7.5% by applying the all India reservation ratio, ‘notwithstanding the fact that the tribal population in Manipur is very high.’
“Could this be the beginning of the impending catharsis? If this is the case, then, the government should find out the root cause of the problem ‘Why it has happened,’ instead of using military might to suppress every symptom by trying to find out ‘Who has made it happened’” the organization stated.
China building bridges with Burmese ethnic ceasefire groups Mizzima News
Imphal
In a calculated move to mount pressure on an obdurate Burmese military junta, China has begun to meet border based Burmese ethnic ceasefire armed groups, sources on the Sino-Burmese border told Mizzima.
The Chinese interest in building bridges with the armed ethnic outfits, albeit centres on its economic compulsions. China would want the Sino-Burma border to be free of strife so that it can use Burma as a major trade gateway. Renewed armed conflict between the rebel ethnic outfits and the Burma Army will only jeopardize China’s ambitious economic growth.
Chinese officials met two armed rebel groups last month and plans to meet other groups this month, according to the source, who requested anonymity.
China is planning to meet all the ceasefire groups. Their policy is aimed at negotiating with them. The agendas are likely to include the national convention and regional administration,” the source said. China is concerned by reports that indicate the groups are gearing up to revive armed insurgency following pressure from the junta to lay down arms, the source added.
Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Burmese military analyst based on the Sino-Burma border, told Mizzima that China wants its frontiers bordering Burma to be safe and stable, so that it can use Burma as a major trade transit point.
Economic interest cannot be ruled out as China’s intention in meeting the ceasefire groups, he added.
Reports suggest that one of Burma’s longest surviving ethnic insurgent groups, the Kachin Independence Army, is now meeting Chinese officials in Kunming. The KIO could not be reached for confirmation.
Speculation is rife that the KIO last week formed a security unit, for expansion of the group by taking in new recruits. Another unconfirmed report said, Lt –Gen Thein Sein, chairman of the junta’s convention convening committee, visited Shan state on July 1 and met several ceasefire armed groups, and discussed matters related to the national convention.
BSF in hills OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Silchar, July 5: Two BSF battalions, trained in counter-insurgency operations, have taken up position in rebel-infested pockets of North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong districts.
Confirming this, inspector-general of BSF’s Assam-Meghalaya frontier, P.K. Mishra, expressed full faith in the troops. He was addressing the media last night at the BSF’s headquarters in Masimpur near Silchar. He is also in-charge of the Cachar-Mizoram-Manipur sector.
Militant outfits like the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel), United Democratic Peoples’ Solidarity, Hmar People’s Conference (Democratic) and the Kuki National Front have set up bases in the twin hill districts.
Earlier, the counter-guerrilla operations in the two districts were conducted by the army, CRPF and state armed police.
Mishra expressed concern over the mushrooming of madarsas, which are used as seminaries and free hostels for the poor Muslim children near the Indo-Bangladesh border in Cachar, Karimganj and Dhubri districts.
“It is a disturbing trend,” he said. “Police and central intelligence agencies have already been alerted.”
He, however, said the BSF had no specific information about anti-national activities taking place in these madarsas.
“In the past two years, in Karimganj district alone eight such madarsas have been set up along the international border where fencing is yet to begin.”
According to Mishra, the rate of infiltration into Assam has dipped. Last year, the BSF apprehended nearly 1,000 infiltrators. He said improvement in economic condition of villagers in neighbouring Bangladesh would further reduce their number. The BSF had recently been enthused by the change in the attitude of the Bangladesh Rifles. To make the relation more cordial, the BSF has proposed to hold jamborees and cultural soirees near border sites.