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07/15/2007: "Manmohan for ceasefire extension; wants solution Morung Express News"

Manmohan for ceasefire extension; wants solution Morung Express News
Dimapur PRIME MINISTER Manmohan Singh today assured a team of Naga legislators from Manipur that he was for an extension of the ceasefire between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) and also for a solution to the vexed issue. Led by Outer Manipur MP Mani Charenamei, the delegation pressed for a solution and submitted a 7-point memorandum during their 20-minute meeting with Singh.
“I too want a solution,” the Prime Minister was quoted as saying by Morung Makunga, one among the 6 United Naga Council-backed MLAs who participated in today’s meeting. Singh reportedly thanked the visiting Naga group for their suggestions.

The MLAs and MP seen here with the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan SIngh. A memorandum was submitted to the PM, highlighting in it unification as imperative to solution.
The memorandum submitted by the elected officials stated that “any settlement reached between the Government of India and the NSCN (I-M) short of Naga unification shall mean creating greater problem for the region, and shall not be acceptable to the Nagas.” Dubbing the Naga problem as purely a political problem and not a “constitutional crisis”, the team appealed to both the parties to hasten the peace process “boldly.”
“Nagas do not have confusion or quarrel/dispute with neighboring communities nor do they claim others’ land; Nagas simply assert that they should be allowed to live together under one (administrative) roof and shape their future with their own genius.”
Any solution m must be based on the “uniqueness of Naga history and situation,” they stated. Thus, the legislators, “as representatives of the Naga people, considering the magnitude of the situation,” urged the Prime Minister to extend the ceasefire agreement for another period with a time-bound strategy and find a solution acceptable to both parties without further delay, “but failing which problems can lead to far reaching consequences.”
Besides Charenamei, the six MLAs include Morung Makunga, Dr Khashim Ruivah, Awangbou Newmai, K Raina, Danny Shaiza and Wungnaoshang Keishing.
Peace talks on the right track Padmanabhaiah optimistic of process Newmai News Network
Shillong The Central government interlocutor in the Indian Government and the NSCN-IM peace process K. Padmanabhaiah has expressed his optimism in the ongoing peace talk between the NSCN-IM and the government of India. This statement of K.Padmanabhaiah has come amidst an issuance of a statement from NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu directing the cadres of the outfit to remain alert and vigilant in view of “the unpredictable situation.”The peace talk between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India is reported to have been slated to begin from July 20 and the current ceasefire term between the two parties expires on July 31.

Exclusively speaking to Newmai News Network today in Shillong, Padmabhaiah said, “in spite of the newspapers reports, the current peace talks between the NSCN-IM and the Government of India is on the right track and the success will definitely makes other insurgent groups follow suit”. The statement assumed significance in view of the doubts raised by the ULFA and the other insurgent groups on the sincerity of the Central Government in understanding their demands.
Expressing his optimism by sidelining all notions of a likely pullout due to simmering differences with the NSCN (IM) leadership, Padmanabhiah stated, “we might have hiccups, but this is the time where both sides should go for a serious introspection to understand our position”, adding, “whatever front foot or back foot we made, our own realization will help our efforts to fructify”.
Notwithstanding the NSCN-IM leadership’s expression of displeasure and the veil threat , Padmanabhaiah said that speculations apart, every hiccup we encountered is “We are going to meet the Naga leaders from July 20 and there is another step we will make”, stated the peace broker. He also said that there is no time limit set to further break the ice, but the objective is to bring about lasting peace in the North East.
United front against economic blockade Minphong Konyak The Morung Express
Mon On account of the week-long economic blockade imposed by All Assam Students Union, three apex students’ bodies of the affected districts Mokokchung, Mon and Longleng convened a joint meeting at Tamlu town yesterday, July 12. The joint meet was called by the Konyak Students’ Union to form a joint forum of the three in order to chart out strategies for ‘defense’ economically and even armed confrontation, of the three districts in the event of another similar threat from Assam. The meeting was attended by villagers and townsmen of Tamlu village and town. A thorough assessment of the present situation revealed that the three districts were in no way near prepared for another similar event. Justifying the present problem, village council chairman of Anaki (C) said the village is not under Assam. “The hotbed of today’s issue, Anake ‘C’ in under Nagaland (A/C 49 Longleng district), so why must Assam interfere in our domestic scuffle and cause so much suffering to these three districts for no reason? All should know this. They have evil designs” he said.
He went on to state that they have been facing ‘trauma’ since 18 February but were patient with the hope that the state government would do something.
Following the July 6 incident, he lamented that only 80 bags of rice and 200 kgs of lentils have been sanctioned while only 30 IRB personnel are deployed at present. He queried what the government is doing in this regard? Referring to the activities of the Assam government the chairman said “They have deployed a large number of armed forces in the area who are threatening to mow down the village if we do not hand over the culprits, besides, the Assam government always develops the area after any issue which ultimately leads to further encroachment.” He added that the matter had been reported to the government but till now it has turned deaf ear.
About road communications in the three areas, Mokokchung and Longleng have somehow usable roads up to Tamlu Town. But from Tamlu to Mon (Zero point) it is impossible. The link road is full of danger with landslides, missing culverts, four to five feet deep potholes, and an overwhelming stretch of vegetation. Representatives of the Ao students mentioned the lack of village guards in the hyper-sensitive border areas. They blamed the government for its apathy towards the area. “We were told by government that the posting of VGs is under process but what good will it do, if we get VGs after the whole area is wiped out by Assam” lamented, the president of the Ao Students’ Union (AKM).
The joint forum forwarded a representation to the Chief Minister of Nagaland yesterday which is to be fulfilled within 48 hours. The demands are renovation of the Tuli-Mon road and the posting of Village Guards in Ao Areas. These points they stated, were for immediate preparation for self-defense in case a similar issue arises in future. The joint forum cautioned the government of severe reprisal if these two demands are not met within the given time.
Meanwhile, the “ten truckloads of rice” from Dimapur reportedly sent by the state government has not reached Mon even after three days, said the Konyak Union. Moreover, it blamed the government and Konyak legislatures for not helping the people in any way during this week-long turmoil. Bearing their indifference in mind, KU had called upon all Konyak legislatures to reach Mon within 24 Hours on the 11th evening but only Opposition MLA Chingwang Konyak arrived since 12th and is still in Mon. The blockade was temporarily lifted last evening and buses have started plying from today. But a sense of insecurity and uneasiness still prevail.
Govt acts on border situation

Responding to the representation of the joint forum, Home Commissioner Sentiyanger Imchen informed that as per the demand forwarded, the government has discussed the issues. The R&B department has been directed to restore the Merangkong to Tamlu to zero point road-stretch at the earliest. Status report on the construction of the Longleng to Aboi stretch has been sought from the concern department. Also the 13th NAP battalion with headquarter at Tuli is probably deployed in the border area of Mokokchung and Longleng, sources informed. A company of the NAP is also deployed as reinforcement. Tizit and Naginimora are covered by the 6th NAP battalion. Reinforcement will be sent should a need arise. Regarding the demand for deployment of VGs in Mokokchung, the matter is being examined by a committee led by the Additional Chief secretary and Nagaland Commissioner. These are the initiatives being undertaken by the government. The government is keeping a close watch on the border situation and will take necessary steps as the situation unfolds, it was informed.
Jamir expounds on Naga concept of Sovereignty The Morung Express
Dimapur, July 13 (MExN): Goa Governor, Dr SCJamir said that people should take a fresh look at the real meaning of ‘sovereignty’ in the context of the North East and claimed that the word sovereignty would lose its relevance once the people are able to clearly articulate their deepest desires and wishes.
Speaking as the chief guest at the friendly football match between Tangkhul Shiroi Lily Club and Longterok Ao Football Club organized by the Cultural and Sporting Society of India at Kirorimal College, Delhi University on June 12, Jamir exhorted the hundreds of Naga students that the term sovereignty did not really convey what the Nagas really want, and that when the Nagas convey this to the Government of India, the latter tends to misunderstand since it does not know the Naga concept of sovereignty.
“I think we need to look at the problem afresh keeping in view the distinct tribal identity and the kind of way of life we want to preserve,” he said and added that “niceties of English words and phrases appear to have obscured the essence of the real issue and prevented a solution to the vexed problems facing the region.” Jamir said.
In this regard, the veteran congress leader and former Chief Minister said that the people should have a fresh look at the real meaning of real meaning of ‘sovereignty’ in the context of the North East. He opined that there is definitely an urge in the minds of the people of the region, which the people themselves cannot explain in their own language or express clearly.
In this regard, Jamir said that while ignoring words or concepts that are impossible to fulfill, it would still be possible to consider and appreciate the legitimate and innermost aspirations through sincere and honest dialogue. He said that once the people are able to clearly articulate their deepest desires and wishes, which the Centre is able to accept them, then alien words taken from the English language like ‘Sovereignty’ will lose their relevance.
Elaborating further on sovereignty, he pointed out that nations have now come together for economic benefits and those political boundaries are less relevant in the present day.
“Economic sinews of a nation or people now determine the real sovereignty of that nation or people. And I do not see any reason why Nagas cannot be sovereign within the Indian Union. We only have to improve our economic and human resources.”
“It is now time to embark on a realistic and pragmatic path to bring solace to the people of the region,” Jamir declared and said that this is the era of co-operation where people have to live in peaceful co-existence with each other.
Jamir also lamented that the approach of the Naga people to achieve this goal has been faulty. “Instead of getting the goodwill of the neighbours and the political parties concerned, we have earned their ill-will,” he stated.Aos and Tangkhuls have greater responsibilities Dr Jamir also said that the Ao tribe and the Tangkhul tribes have a greater role to play than any other tribes in the region in the course of time. And added that Ao Nagas and Tangkhul Nagas have a greater role than any other Naga tribes to spread the message of peace, goodwill and brotherhood of all people, especially in the region. He appealed to the youths to form a Peace Corps and to tour the entire length and breadth of the Naga areas to spread the message of love, and to educate the people about the futility of violence.
Reality Check The Morung Express Editorial
In spite of new official and commercial structures rising up, development projects being initiated and entrepreneurs sent for training and employment opportunities, the economic blockade along parts of the Assam-Nagaland border has exposed the economic fragility on which the state of Nagaland exists. As disheartening and tragic the economic blockade is; resulting in human suffering and hardship, it has with profound clarity revealed how dependent and insecure the economy of Nagaland has been reduced to over the years.
Nagas have often taken pride in the idea of how self-sufficient its villages were, and while this may have been true in the evolving history of its existence; with changing times and growing needs to meet the demands of modern life, the equation has changed over the years. And yet, the present crisis has shown that it is the most basic of commodities which are in dire straits as a result of the blockade. What is further more astonishing is the fact that even though rice is the staple diet of the Nagas, and with most villages owning many acres of land dedicated solely for rice cultivation, the blockade revealed that rice was in plentiful shortage in the affected areas. What does this really indicate?
This experience clearly shows that the path which the policy makers have embarked upon is unsustainable and does not address the needs of the people. In other words, the emphasis of the new policies are only meeting the interests of those who are already quite economically secure, while it fails to meet the basic needs of the majority of the people. It is also quite essential that the government through this experience must have food reserves. Any country or society needs to have food reserves, stored in the eventuality of natural or human made disasters. The government must now rethink its priorities and start to evolve a new economy policy.
For too long, Nagas have looked at the outside world as the market. A paradigm shift is required which educates us that our biggest market is within our own context – the Naga society. The practice of importing even those basic commodities which are available locally and exporting goods that don’t have potential outside must be reevaluated. Mass scale import and export between villages, towns and districts must be encouraged and this practice will reveal clearly that our biggest market indeed lies within. This also means that better roads must be made within the state of Nagaland itself, if trade is to be encouraged.
However the most poignant lesson is the question how can a rice-eating, agricultural society run out of rice reserves because of an economic blockage that spreads over 4 days. Indeed, its time to put people before economics. Under these circumstances, development indeed is overrated in Nagaland and it is time for a reality check. At the end of the day, for people who are just surviving, its access to food that will keep them alive, not buildings and projects.
Manipur Govt may hold peace talks with Kuki militants The Morung Express
Imphal, July 13 (Agencies): The Manipur government has agreed in principle to hold peace talks with Kuki militant groups in the state, official sources said on Friday.
The decision to initiate a peace process with Kuki militants was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh some days ago after getting the go-ahead from the union defence and home ministries, the sources said.
Formal talks with the militants could begin only after informal discussions among representatives of the state government, the Centre and militant groups, they said.
A ceasefire between the state government and militant groups would be declared before beginning the peace talks and ground rules would be framed that would have to be observed by both sides, the sources said.
Asked to comment on conditions for holding talks with the militants, the sources said that the parleys would be held within the framework of the Constitution and within the country and they should not affect the territorial integrity of Manipur.
Kuki militants should put forward their demands and declare the number of their members and arms. They should also not move out of designated camps during the peace talks and stop their extortion campaigns, the sources said. The major Kuki militant groups operating in Manipur are the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P), Kuki National Front-Military Council (KNF-MC), Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) and Kuki Liberation Army (KLA).
The sources also said that Central forces like the Assam Rifles and the army deployed in Manipur had entered into a ceasefire with Kuki militant groups in August 2005 without the approval of the Manipur government. The state government then sent its objections to the Union Home Ministry.
They said that frequent clashes between Kuki rebels and state forces were continuing in spite of the ceasefire between Kuki militants and Central forces.
Kuki militant groups are engaged in an armed struggle to press their demand for the disintegration of Manipur, which has a total area of about 22,327 sq km, and the formation of smaller states along ethnic lines within the country, according to statements issued by them.
Myanmar-based Kuki National Army (KNA), which also operates in parts of Manipur, has been waging an armed struggle for an "independent Kukiland" to be formed by carving out Kuki-dominated areas of Manipur and Myanmar, the sources said.
India and UN discuss Myanmar situation The Morung Express
New Delhi, July 13 (UNI): India and the United Nations have agreed on the need to ''recognise positive steps'' made by Myanmar and encourage Yangon to make further progress towards democratisation and improving human rights. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Adviser on Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, held discussions with Foreign Secretary Shiv Shanker Menon and other Indian officials here on the Myanmar situation as part of the cosnsultations in major Asian capitals. ''Mr Gambari had a candid discussion with the Indian Foreign Secretary...The two found agreement on the need to recognise positive steps made by Myanmar, while at the same time encouraging it to make further progress towards democratisation and human rights,'' a senior official of the External Affairs Ministry said here today.
Gambari said he intended to visit Myanmar soon, although specific dates had not yet been decided India is the second stop on Gambari’s current trip to discuss Myanmar with some of the key countries in the region. He met Chinese officials in Beijing on Monday and is scheduled to meet senior Japanese officials in Tokyo before returning to New York. Since being appointed Special Adviser in May, Gambari has held consultations on the situation in Myanmar.
India says a faction of the Naga insurgents (NSCN-K) operate from the jungles of Myanmar bordering Manipur. Myanmar has given repeated assurances that it will not allow its territory to be used for any anti-India activity. With some incidents of violence in Moreh and Tamu in Manipur recently, police and security officers of the two countries met at Moreh on July 2 and discussed enhanced security cooperation between the two sides. The meeting discussed the developing law and order situation on either side of the international border and agreed on the need for enhanced security cooperation between the two sides.
NE rebels flourish in B’desh; ULFA tops the list Hideouts so safe!
By our Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, July l3: The Indo-Bangladesh International Border Survey, 2007 has revealed the startling fact that though many rebel groups of the North-east announced ceasefire with the Centre and some of them are in peace talks with the Government of India, yet there are as many as 174 camps of North-east rebel groups on Bangladesh soil. The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is leading the list with as many as 36 camps in the neighbouring country, followed by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isaac Muivah) or NSCN-IM with 17, the National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) with 15, the Anchik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) of Meghalaya with nine, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur with six, and the Hynnewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) of Meghalaya with four camps. All this, despite the change of guard at Dhaka.
According to sources, the places and types of the ULFA camps in Bangladesh are: a training camp at Rajghat under Srimangal police station in Maulavi Bazaar district; a training camp at Army cantonment area under Mymensingh police station in Mymensingh district; a training camp at Mymensingh Krishi Farm under Mymensingh police station in Mymensingh district; a training camp at Rubber Bagan Rest House under Sherpur police station in Sherpur district; a training camp at Bara Gazni under Jhinaighati police station in Sherpur district; a training camp at Srimangal under Sherpur police station in Sherpur district; a transit camp at Digikona under Sherpur police station in Sherpur district; a training camp at Haldigram under Sherpur police station in Sherpur district; a training camp at Nalitabari under Sherpur police station in Sherpur district; a training camp at Chota Gazni under Jhinalghati police station in Sherpur district; a transit camp at Halchatti under Jhinalghati police station in Sherpur district; a transit camp at Bankakura/Sasachura under Jhinalghati police station in Sherpur district; a transit camp at Harikona under Jhinalghati police station in Sherpur district; a training camp at Taijing Dong under Alikandam police station in Bandarban district; a training camp at Chilchari under Thanchi police station in Bandarban district; a training camp at Dadukachari under Bandarban Sadar in Bandarban district; a training camp at Nurshirapunji in Sylhet district; a training camp at Islampur under Companyganj police station in Sylhet district; a transit camp at Jaimonirhat Senior High Madrassa under Bhurangamari police station in Kurigram district; a transit camp at Datbhanga under Rowmari police station in Kurigram district; a training camp at Madhabpur under Rowmari police station in Tangail district; a transit camp at Himchari under Ukhiua police station in Cox’s Bazaar district; a training camp at Maheshkhali under Maheshkhali police station in Cox’s Bazaar district; a training camp at Ahalee Sunnath Madrassa under Maheshkhali police station in Cox’s Bazaar district; a training camp at Mahalchari under Mahalchari police station in Khagrachari district; a transit camp at Chatak Tea Estate in Sunamganj district; a training camp at Fatikchari under Fatikchari police station in CHT; a training camp at Agarpara under Mahalchari police station in Khagrachari district; a training camp at Choto Pilakchara under Matiranga police station in Khagrachari district; a training camp at Ghosegaon under Dhobaura police station in Myensing district; a training camp at Malikpara under Dhobaura police station in Myensing district; a training camp at Gaunpur under Jhiaighati police station in Sherpur district; a training camp at Jagadishur in Habiganj district; a training camp at Saidpur in Saidpur district; a training camp at Ramnagar Tetultala in Maulavi Bazaar district; and a joint training camp of the ULFA and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) at Satsoi in Chittagong district. Four NDFB camps are located at Lauk under Khagrachari police station in Khagrachari district, Madhupur Reserve Forest under Tangli police station in Tangli district, Sahjahanpur Colony in Dhaka district and Chota Gazni under Jhinaighat police station in Sherpur district, while nine transit camps of the outfit are located at Manikura under Halughat police station in Mymensingh district, Nalkura under Halughat police station in Mymensingh district, Lakhipur under Halughat police station in Mymensingh district, Baramari under Nalitabari police station in Sherpur district, Andarpara under Nalitabari police station in Sherpur district, Harikona under Sribordi police station in Sherpur district, Bankakura under Jhinalghati police station in Sherpur district, Halchati under Jhinalghati police station in Sherpur district, Diglakona under Sribordi police station in Sherpur district, Chota Gazni under Jhinalghati police station in Sherpur district and Bara Gazni under Jhinalghati police station in Sherpur district. The Bodo outfit has a foreign liaison, training and arms stockpiling camp at Bolchari in Khagrachari district.
No end to neighbour trouble - Mizoram, Assam in land tiff OUR CORRESPONDENT the Telegraph Silchar, July 13: Assam has had a run-in with a third neighbour over land, this time on its southern fringes. The standoff with Mizoram in Hailakandi district is seemingly the old story of provocation by a neighbouring state and retaliation in the form of an economic blockade.
Mizoram farmers are said to have made two unsuccessful attempts in the past few days to grab a disputed 52-bigha stretch of land in Hailakandi with the alleged support of their government. The All Mizoram Farmers’ Union has also asked for weapons to fight anybody who stops its members from farming on that plot. As was the case when Naga encroachers attacked three villages in Sivasagar district last week and Arunachal Pradesh police and local villagers fired on a group of visitors from Tinsukia district three days ago, the All Assam Students’ Union today threatened to cut off landlocked Mizoram’s supply chain.
The strip of land at the heart of the dispute straddles two villages, Kuchartal and Bhairabhithal under Katlicherra block, and is ringed by hillocks and jungles. A spokesman for the AASU’s Hailakandi unit said his organisation would not hesitate to block the supply of food and other items to Mizoram through south Assam if Mizo farmers continued to eye Assam’s territory. A delegation from the district met the central AASU leadership in Guwahati this week to discuss the issue.
Mizo farmers were spotted clearing bushes for cultivation on this side of the boundary in Katlicherra on at least two occasions in recent weeks. A police team from Kolasib district of north Mizoram was with them. The first act of trespassing was reported on June 27 and the second on Tuesday. A potentially dangerous situation was defused after talks between officials of the Kolasib and Hailakandi administration. The farmers’ union claims that the disputed land belongs to the first chief minister of Mizoram, Chal Chhunga, and that several of his relatives are its members. A senior official of the Mizoram government said from Aizawl today that Chhunga’s family possessed legal documents to prove ownership of the disputed land.
The AASU called off its economic blockade against Mon and Mokokchung districts of Nagaland on Tuesday and the one targeting residents of Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh yesterday.