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07/20/2007: "Delhi Convention declares ‘Translate ceasefire into peace’ The Morung Express"

Delhi Convention declares ‘Translate ceasefire into peace’ The Morung Express
Dimapur, July 19 (MExN): The convention on Indo-Naga political dialogue which was held in Delhi July 19 has come out with three declarations where the imperative for translating the ‘relevance’ of the GoI-NSCN (IM) ceasefire into peace “strategies,” was highlighted.
The declaration stressed that the ‘continuity and relevance of the Indo-Naga Ceasefire must be translated into peace strategies through political solutions and that the peace process must not only mean mere respite from hostilities. A decisive solution for the six-decade old Indo-Naga conflict would demonstrate the vibrancy of Indian democracy in negotiating with multiplicities. The declaration stated that the political talks between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM must be enhanced further, by upholding the three-point principles on which the Ceasefire was signed, and, the political dialogue must in all earnestness be pursued to resolve in mutually honorable and acceptable agreements outside the existing framework of the Indian Constitution.
Delegates and representatives of the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Naga Mothers Association, Naga Students’ Federation and the Naga Hoho along with various representatives and leaders of Indian civil society, including students’ organizations, mass-based movements, academicians, concerned citizens, eminent personalities, political parties and Human Rights groups had a one-day convention on the Indo-Naga political dialogue at the Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi. The convention deliberated on the “uneventful progress” of the Indo-Naga ceasefire bilaterally declared on July 25, 1997 and political negotiations between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (IM). The cease fire period is also about to expire on the July31, 2007.
The convention was organized by the NPMHR, NSF, NMA and the Naga Hoho. The convention comes in the background of the decade-long Indo-Naga ceasefire and political talks, which has been breeding only “negative peace.” An integrated approach – where the democratic spaces for peoples’ struggle need to encompass the civil societies of India and Nagas – in resolving protracted conflicts and political negotiations – were shared by various leaders, it was informed.
At the convention, Naga speakers highlighted the “Naga story,” the status and trends of the present negotiations. Some important messages of solidarity and sharing from the Indian and other nationality includes personalities like Surendra Mohan (Socialist leader and former MP), Sai Baba(Revolutionary Democratic Front), Tapan Bose (South Asia Forum for Human Rights, Nepal), Ravi Hemadri (The Other Media), John Pulamte (All Tribals’ Students Union of Manipur), Kumar Sanjay Singh (Delhi University), Radhika Menon (Forum for Democratic Initiative), Kumar Swapnil (Krantikari Yuva Sangathan), P.K Sahai (Trade Union Leader), Geelani (Kashmiri Leader), Ritupan (Jawaharlal Nehru University), Dr. Mrigank (Naujawan Bharat Sabha), Dr. Sivmagal Shishankar (Indian Council of Trade Union) etc.
The dialoguing members expressed their concerns and agreed to have a more sustainable and cohesive networking for enlarging a pressure group for enhancing the Indo-Naga peace talks.
Declaration of the Convention on Indo-Naga Political Dialogue

Gandhi Peace Foundation, Delhi

Delegates and representatives of the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Naga Mothers Association, Naga Students’ Federation and the Naga Hoho along with various representatives and leaders of Indian Civil Societies, including Students’ Groups, Mass-Based Movements, Academicians, Concerned Citizens, Eminent Personalities, Political Parties and Human Rights Groups held a One-Day Convention on Indo-Naga Political Dialogue, on July 19, 2007, at the Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi to deliberate on the uneventful progress of the Indo-Naga Ceasefire bilaterally declared on 25th July 1997 and Political Negotiations between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). The cease fire period is also about to expire on the 31st July, 2007.

The august house hereby, state/declare that:

1. the continuity and relevance of the Indo-Naga Ceasefire must be translated into peace strategies through political solutions and that the peace process must not only mean mere respite from hostilities.
2. a decisive solution for the six-decade old Indo-Naga conflict would demonstrate the vibrancy of Indian democracy in negotiating with multiplicities;
3. the political talks between the Government of India and the NSCN must be enhanced further, by upholding the three-point principles on which the Ceasefire was signed, and, the political dialogue must in all earnestness be pursued to resolve in mutually honourable and acceptable agreements outside the existing framework of the Indian Constitution.
Naga leaders demand concrete assurance from centre Posted July 19th, 2007 by Tarique Indian Muslims
New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Leaders of various Naga organisations said Thursday they want the central government to come up with some concrete assurances on the issue of Greater Nagaland in the next round of talks with the main Naga separatist group later this week.
"The government is just using the ceasefire to create hostilities between Nagas," Neningulo Krome, general secretary of Naga Hoho, said at a convention on Indo-Naga political dialogue here. "Everytime the ceasefire is extended, nothing concrete in terms of assurance comes from the Indian government," he charged. The next round of talks between the centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) is scheduled for July 21-22.
A delegation of leaders from the Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers' Association (NMA), Naga Students' Federation (NSF) and Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) is currently camping in the capital ahead of the talks to lobby the government.
The ceasefire, which began in 1997, completes a decade at the end of this month. The latest extension ends July 31 but another extension is widely expected. However, the Naga civil society leaders are adamant that the ceasefire should not just be extended without the centre giving due consideration to the NSCN-IM's demand for a Greater Nagaland comprising adjacent areas in Assam, Manipur and Arunchal Pradesh with Naga populations.
"As a people, we can't accept a solution without 'Greater Nagaland'," Krome said.
"In all these years of ceasefire and dialogue, nothing has happened that could bring peace to Nagaland. Yes, clashes between the Indian armed forces and NSCN-IM decreased. But fratricidal clashes between Nagas increased with the government using the opportunity to create differences between the Nagas," he said.
He said that if any headway has been made at all, it is that the Centre had said that it will not insist on a solution within the Indian constitution and the NSCN-K had reciprocated that it would not insist on sovereignty.
"Now that headway has also been lost with the home ministry again speaking about finding a solution within the Constitution," he said.
Earlier this month, the peace process was thrown into jeopardy following the home ministry's renewed call for a settlement within the constitutional provisions. The government has ruled out the demand for Greater Nagaland and is only willing to give further autonomy within the given constitutional benchmarks.
"We will not agree to the proposal of the government of India...We will just walk away from the talks," Alezo Chakhesang, NSCN-IM 'deputy minister' for information and publicity, was quoted as saying. At Thursday's meet, NSF president Imchatoba Imchen said that a ceasefire holds no meaning if there is no tangible outcome from it.
Stating that his organisation not only represents students of Nagaland but also Naga students in neighbouring states, he said, "We have supported the Indo-Naga peace dialogue so long. But now, again if there is no outcome, there is no point. We cannot accept this."
NMA president Khesheli Chisi said that for Naga women, the peace process has made no difference. "We expected some peace after the ceasefire. But nothing has changed. Even now, Naga women are being raped and our houses are being burnt," she said.
Covering Note: Press Release

Organized by the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Naga Mothers Association (NMA), and the Naga Hoho, a Convention on Indo-Naga Political Dialogue was held today, the 19th July, 2007, at Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi – with leaders from various mass-based Indian civil societies and students’ organizations, imminent personalities, academicians, human rights groups, concerned citizens, and press media.

The Convention comes in the background of the decade-long Indo-Naga Ceasefire and Political Talks, which has been breeding only negative peace. An integrated approach – where the democratic spaces for peoples’ struggle need to encompass the civil societies of India and Nagas – in resolving protracted conflicts and political negotiations – were shared by various leaders.

The Naga speakers highlighted Naga story, the status and trends of the present negotiations. Some important messages of solidarity and sharing from the Indian and other nationality includes personalities like Surendra Mohan (Socialist Leader and former MP), Sai Baba(Revolutionary Democratic Front), Tapan Bose (South Asia Forum for Human Rights, Nepal), Ravi Hemadri (The Other Media), John Pulamte (All Tribals Students Union of Manipur), Kumar Sanjay Singh (Delhi University), Radhika Menon (Forum for Democratic Initiatve), Kumar Swapnil (Krantikari Yuva Sangathan), P.K Sahai (Trade Union Leader), Geelani (Kashmiri Leader), Ritupan (Jawaharlal Nehru University), Dr. Mrigank (Naujawan Bharat Sabha), Dr. Sivmagal Shishankar (Indian Council of Trade Union) etc.

The dialoguing members expressed their concerns and agreed to have a more sustainable and cohesive networking for enlarging a pressure group for enhancing the Indo-Naga peace talks. A joint declaration between the Naga and Indian delegates was issued (see Annex).
‘One Nagaland’: ‘Eastern’ NSCN-IM leaders reaffirm The Morung Express
Dimapur, July 19 (MExN): The threat of a separate state or ‘union territory’ within the already strife-torn Nagaland has led NSCN-IM leaders from the so-asserted “Eastern” Nagaland to reaffirm in one, complete, proper Nagaland. Twenty-two NSCN-IM leaders from Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire districts today issued a joint statement opposing any idea, program, policy or ideology to further disintegrate the Naga homeland in any way, whether as a ‘union territory’ or a separate state. “We will take such move as anti-Naga activities instigated by the enemies and hence we will not be held responsible for any consequences that would follow” the NSCN-IM leaders warned. They reminded that the Nagas, as a people have been fighting for the last 60 years to live together with dignity and honor among the nations. “…all Nagas are deadly against all artificial boundaries including the so-called international boundaries between Myanmar and India” they stated adding that a solution for the Naga issue from the GoI-NSCN(IM) talks is “at the doorstep.”
‘Peace through ceasefire extension’ The Morung Express
DIMAPUR, JULY 19 (MExN): The Naga International Support Centre has urged the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) to extend the ceasefire which expires on July 30 on the grounds of genuinely reaching out for a peaceful solution.
“To pave way for an honourable solution it is absolutely essential for India & Nagaland to extend the Ceasefire for if the Government of India, while talking peace remains stubborn and undermines the talks by playing the divide and rule game, this time around it may get serious indeed,” a statement said.
Expressing concern over the stretched period of a decade of negotiations, the support centre said “apart from some recognition concerning the unique history and situation of the Naga Peoples, so far these talks did not yield any result.”
The statement titled ‘Will the Decade long Cease Fire and talking peace lead to war or peace?’ remarked, “The stand of the GPRN of the Naga Peoples is serious and clear: when India persists in its unwritten policy of subjugating the Nagas militarily or otherwise, there will be trouble; when the cease-fire breaks now more than ever there is bound to be loss of life on both sides.”
“To avoid further and more extensive bloodshed the Naga International Support Center calls on the International Community, in particular the United Nations, UNPO, all Human Rights Organizations and the International Press, to urge India and the Nagas to extend the ceasefire. Allow this festering wound to be dressed thoroughly and urge India to allow others to mediate in finding an honourable exit out of this already five decade old quagmire.”
Not breaking any new grounds NAGA TALKS Our Correspondent Sentinel
New Delhi, July 19: Though the Nagas think of the ongoing period of ceasefire with the Govt of India and the NSCN-IM as an opportunity to address the deeper issues pertaining to the Indo-Naga ‘political coflict’, secretary general of Naga Hoho Neingulo Krome has said that the ceasefire agreement has been nothing more than a ‘ceasefire of military hostilities’ on the ground.
“Some concrete steps have to be taken on our demands. We have been having talks for the past 10 years and things are not moving forward,” said Krome.
“Things have been moving very slowly. We should leave the extension issue to the wisdom of the negotiating team,” Krome told The Sentinel on the sidelines of a convention on the Centre-Naga talks.
“We feel that sustainable peace between the two sides would not be possible only through a negotiated political agreement. We feel that a dialogue to create understanding is a pre-condition in which the Naga people must share their experiences and retain their history that has been distorted,” said Khesheli Chishi, president of the Naga Mothers’ Association.
“Negotiators from the Northeast also failed to help resolve insurgencies in the region as well as key issues like the demand for a unified Naga state despite 10 years of talks,” she said.
N Venuh, secretary general of the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights said: “Given the past experience, we do not see any breakthrough. But we still hope that something fruitful takes place.
“The government is not at all serious in solving the political impasse,” he said. The Centre has held several rounds of talks with the NSCN-IM since New Delhi announced a ceasefire with the rebel group in August 1997.
Naga groups seek solution Assam Tribune
NEW DELHI, July 19 – Naga groups today demanded “some concrete steps” from the Centre and not just the extension of the ceasefire between security forces and NSCN-IM, which ends on July 30, to pave the way for solution to the insurgency in Nagaland, reports PTI. “Some concrete steps have to be taken on our demands. We have been having talks for the past 10 years and things are not moving forward,” said Neingulo Krome, secretary general of Naga Hoho, an apex tribal council.

“Things have been moving at a snail’s pace. We should leave the extension issue to the wisdom of the negotiating team,” Krome told PTI on the sidelines of a convention on the Centre-Naga talks.

“Repetition of the government’s old strategy of delaying tactics won’t help our cause,” said Khesheli Chishi, president of the Naga Mothers Association. “Negotiators from the North East also failed to help resolve insurgencies in the region as well as key issues like the demand for a unified Naga state despite 10 years of talks,” she said.

N Venuh, secretary general of the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights said: “Given the past experience, we do not see any breakthrough. But we still hope that something fruitful takes place.
“The government is not at all serious in solving the political impasse,” he said.

The Centre has held several rounds of talks with the NSCN-IM since New Delhi announced a ceasefire with the rebel group in August 1997.

The Naga Students’ Federation echoed similar views.

“The government should show sincerity in the talks and try to find a solution as soon as possible,” said its president Imchatoba Imchen.

The NSCN-IM’s demand for unification of Naga-inhabited areas in the North East and issues related to clashes between rival Naga factions are expected to be taken up during the upcoming two-day talks on July 21-22.

The NSCN-IM delegation, led by its chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, are already camping here for the talks with a Group of Ministers headed by Oscar Fernandes.

The NSCN-IM has submitted a charter of demands to the government, including a separate constitution for Nagaland, a “new and unique” relationship with New Delhi and unification of Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

However, these three states have rejected this demand. The government too has not made any commitment on the issue so far. Naga NGOs invoke Gandhi - Hoho leader reminds Delhi of Mahatma’s assurance NISHIT DHOLABHAI The Telegraph
New Delhi, July 19: Organisations from Nagaland reminded Delhi of Mahatma Gandhi’s views on “Naga aspirations” on the eve of another round of talks between the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) and government negotiators.
A portrait of the Mahatma at the Gandhi Peace Foundation formed the unlikely backdrop for this expression of Naga sentiments.
Accusing Delhi of dragging its feet on the Naga issue for 10 years, leaders of the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, Naga Mothers’ Association and the Naga Hoho said they would not regret it if the ceasefire ended because of such dilly-dallying tactics.
The general secretary of the Naga Hoho, Neingulo Krome, said Delhi’s recalcitrance was frustrating given the fact that even the Mahatma understood the uniqueness of the Naga situation.
“It was on this day that Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, acknowledged the aspirations of the Naga people in no uncertain words,” he said.
Gandhiji is said to have admitted before a delegation of Naga leaders at Old Delhi’s Bhangi Colony on July 19, 1947, that “the Nagas have the right to be independent”.
Krome said the words of Naga leaders should not be construed as unwillingness to support the peace process any longer. “We want the talks to end on a positive note. Something new should emerge, though one round of dialogue is not enough.”
Naga rebel leaders, including leaders of the NSCN (I-M), have criticised the Centre on many occasions for not fulfilling the promises made in the Akbar Hydari Agreement of 1947.
They found support from an “old friend”, parliamentarian Surendra Mohan.
The ceasefire has to culminate in a settlement, he said.
“The Centre never heeded the Mahatma’s advice, otherwise the problem would not have remained unresolved,” the MP told The Telegraph later.
It was Surendra Mohan who had suggested a solution beyond the Constitution but “within the Indian Union” to the Naga leadership. This, among other things, led to the NSCN (I-M)’s demand for a “special federal relationship between Nagas and India”.
As Krome pointed out, “thousands of Nagas will die but thousands of Indians will also die” if the talks fail.
Burma is Key to India's 'Look East' Economic Strategy Graham Lees World Politics Review Exclusive
BANGKOK, Thailand - Ethnic clashes that have led to 11 deaths in Moreh, an Indian town on the border with Burma, have barely raised a blip on the global news meter but have brought much trade between the two countries to a standstill.

Moreh is a fly-blown place in a remote corner of India's troubled and underdeveloped northeast region and remains largely under lock and key guard by units of the Assam Rifles regiment. And yet Moreh is regarded by the central government in faraway New Delhi as the gateway to Southeast Asia in its "Look East" economic growth policy. The ethnic unrest at the end of May is a repeat of similar violence one year ago when the only official trade crossing along the 1,100-kilometer (680-mile) border between India and Burma was closed for a month.

For arms and rebels, however, this is a very porous border, dividing as it does several tribal communities, not least the Naga, whose aim is to be neither Indian nor Burmese.

More than 30,000 automatic rifles have been seized in the last five years by Indian army units on border security patrols, sources say.

Some illegal weapons movement from Burma into India is very likely Indian small arms that were officially supplied to the Burmese military as sweeteners to improve New Delhi's relations with Burma, a senior Indian army officer suggested a few weeks ago.
Some of the supplies are turning up in an unofficial arms market in Tamu, the Burmese town opposite Moreh, Maj. Gen. B. K. Chengapa of the Assam Rifles said in local Indian newspaper reports.

That's a rare hint of Indian criticism of what goes on in Burma, where New Delhi not only seeks to buy large quantities of natural gas to fuel its northeast states' development but also wants to use as a conduit for land trade links into the rest of Southeast Asia.

Stymied by poor relations with Bangladesh, New Delhi is seeking to develop road, rail and waterway routes into and through Burma for its northeast region. Even while Moreh has been under curfew, senior Indian officials were busy promoting its status as a gateway.

"Moreh is the most strategic international trading point in the region," the chief minister of Manipur State, Ibobi Singh, told the state capital Imphal's Sangai Express while admitting that the Burmese border area is a hotbed of disaffection.

Singh's hopeful view eastward was shared by Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, on a rare visit to northeast India in June to discuss the region's promised development.

"Geography is opportunity and the very geographical location of the northeast makes it the doorway to Southeast and East Asia and vice versa -- a doorway for these economies into India," the minister said in Shillong, capital of Meghalaya State.

It's a view that might not be shared by a large percentage of the estimated 35 million inhabitants of the seven landlocked Indian states surrounded by four international borders, and connected to the rest of India by a narrow corridor less than 15 miles wide between Nepal and the top of Bangladesh, known as the Chicken's Neck.

Assam is the only state among the seven -- including Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh -- with some degree of economic development.

Much of the region was part of a greater Assam until the 1960s and early 1970s, when ethnic unrest forced New Delhi to carve out six new states to give some degree of autonomy to various ethnic groups.

Armed groups of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland have been waging an independence war with India since the 1950s and operate out of jungle bases inside northwest Burma.

Much of the 1 million population of Arunachal Pradesh, part of which is claimed by China, are of Tibetan or Burmese origin.

The entire northeast region was absorbed into British Imperial India in the early 19th century as the British began to confront Burmese empire builders who were encroaching westwards.

But there has been little economic development since that time, aside from Assam's famous teas.

Now New Delhi's Look East policy hopes to bring beneficial change -- if Burma will oblige.

India has been seeking to buy large quantities of Burma's offshore gas and to pipe it into the northeast to improve energy infrastructure. Two Indian state oil firms, the Gas Authority of India Ltd. and the Oil and Natural Gas Company (ONGC), are involved in developing Burma's largest gas find to date, the Shwe field.

New Delhi is also planning to invest $100 million in modernizing the old British colonial era port of Sittwe on the west Burmese coast at the mouth of the River Kaladan, which flows from Mizoram State. The Indian government envisages also using the river as a trade route to the sea.

But China has loomed large as an obstacle to these ambitions.

"India thought it would be first choice when the Burmese sought buyers for the six trillion cubic feet of gas in the Shwe field," said Bangkok energy commodities analyst Sar Watana. "Two Indian companies are in the foreign consortium developing that field and New Delhi has been making a lot of friendly gestures to the military regime. But then China came into the picture with a bid to buy all the Shwe gas.

"It's hard to see New Delhi paying to develop Sittwe port if it only benefits the Chinese."

Indian media and opposition politicians have accused New Delhi of dithering over pressing its case for the Burmese gas -- a slowness which seems to afflict much of India's northeast.

But New Delhi might now be waking up to the realization that it cannot rely solely on the goodwill of the self-centered Burmese regime, which many Rangoon watchers see as having opted to cozy up to China in return for Beijing's diplomatic protection in the U.N. Security Council.

Instead, New Delhi seems to be formulating a three-pronged approach to its Look East ambitions: continue seeking rapprochement with Burma, redouble efforts to develop the northeast, and engage with its other regional neighbor, China.

New Delhi and Beijing have agreed to redevelop the disused Stillwell Road, named after World War II U.S. Gen. Joseph Stillwell, who ordered its construction.

The two Indian energy companies, which have seemingly failed to secure Burma's gas, are to explore for hydrocarbons in the northeast state.

The ONGC has been directed by New Delhi to invest about $2.4 billion on exploration in Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Assam. (ONGC disclosed this week it is negotiating to invite Canada's Canoro Resources to invest in exploring for gas in Nagaland.) Some industry analysts see this as a snub to the Burmese regime for reneging on a memorandum of understanding with New Delhi over its offshore gas seemingly in favor of China.

The Stillwell Road linked Assam with China via the northwest tip of Burma to supply weapons to the Chinese after the Japanese occupied of most of Burma in 1942.

The road fell into disuse when China closed up after the 1949 communist takeover, but New Delhi and Beijing are now keen to redevelop it as a commerce route.

Most observers agree that with China's desire to develop its isolated southwest Yunnan Province -- and its influence over the Burmese generals -- a revived Stillwell Road holds better prospects for India's Look East policy than New Delhi's other idea of redeveloping a railroad through Burma.

Trains haven't run eastwards out of Burma since the end of the Japanese occupation in the mid 1940s. Using captured Allied soldiers and local civilians as forced labor, the Japanese carved a vital supply railroad through mountainous jungle to link Rangoon with Bangkok. But perhaps in memory of the many captured Allied troops who died in its construction, it was bombed into oblivion by resurgent U.S. and British forces.

Successive isolationist Burmese regimes have shown little inclination to revive it -- apart from nodding vaguely at New Delhi's proposals.

Graham Lees, a WPR contributing editor, has worked in several countries in East Asia over the last ten years covering regional business and political affairs.
ANSAM remembers agitation victim Newmai News Network
Senapati While reminding the people that the 52-day long economic blockade imposed on both the national highways leading to Manipur in the summer of 2005 by the Naga students was a measure to counter the "anti-Naga movement" initiated by the government of Manipur, the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) today observed the second anniversary of the victim who was killed during that agitation. According to ANSAM Information and Publicity Secretary Daniel Leivon, Late Namthiurei Abonmei had succumbed to the accident on July 20 while dismantling the Irang Bridge along the National Highway 53 in the previous night (July-19). ANSAM statement claimed that Late Namthuirei Abonmei, a supporter of the blockade had decided to take up the challenge and that he had single-handedly dismantled the bridge at Irang and in the process lost his life on July 20, 2005 leaving behind a hope for the Naga people.
"Namthuirei Abonmei was talented, hardworking and industrious. Right from his childhood he displayed outstanding skill in technical field", ANSAM heaped words of praise to the late volunteer.
The Naga students body said that it deeply mourned his death who had sacrificed for the cause of the Naga people and future. It also shares the suffering and agony of the bereaved family members on the second death anniversary of Namthiurei Abonmei. While observing the martyr’s day, ANSAM appeals all sections of the Naga people to pray for the departed soul and renewed "our commitment to the struggle of people’s movement".
With this observation ANSAM chronicles the recent development related to the Naga political context and stated, "After more than 5 decades of battle between the Nagas and the Indians, a ceasefire was finally signed between the two entities in 1997, ushering in an era of peace and hope."
The Naga students body also recalled that in the year 2001, in order to facilitate the Indo–Naga peace talks, the ceasefire was extended to all the Naga areas but the dominant majority community in the Manipur valley was against this and resorted to violent agitation; burning the Indian national flag, Assembly hall and shouting slogans against the Nagas and their religion, Christianity.
In 2005 the Manipur State government officially announced its support to Anti–Naga movement, alleges the Naga students body while adding that the Naga Students Federation (NSF) and ANSAM and the Naga people protested and launched an economic blockade against the government of Manipur on both the National Highway 39 and 53. "The State government ignored it and used force. This had to be stopped. The operation was perilous but someone had to do it", claimed the ANSAM statement.
Hmar Students questions UNLF Newmai News Network
Imphal The Hmar Students Association (HSA) today said that the association was disturbed over the recent press release by the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) that appeared in The Sangai Express on July 16, 2007 edition in which the "outfit continues to deny the involvement of any of its cadres in the Tipaimukh mass rape and molestation of 27 Hmar women and minors in January 2006". HSA advised that it was immature on the part of the organization to shed its credibility and defend the serious crime of its undisciplined cadres.
The statement issued by Lalthlamuana Hmar, general secretary of the HSA, General Headquarters said that the Hmar students body is also dismayed by "the UNLF’s immature proposal to rope in the International Committee of Red Cross Society (ICRCS) to independently probe the case as if the matter cannot be handled by Human Rights agencies in India", adding that, "As a responsible organization, the UNLF should be aware that ICRCS or any other International Human Rights agencies, leaving aside the United Nations (UN) agencies, hardly intervene on behalf of non-state actors where a democratically elected Government is in place and that Government is recognized by the UN and the World Nations. Sad to say, the UNLF have been wrongly ill-advised by its frontal Human Rights organizations. If the need be, the H.S.A is aware of more effective international organizations to investigate not only on the serious crime of rape, but also on torture, force labour, landmines, and forced displacement".
The Hmar Students Association then reminded that the State Government of Manipur instituted the Rajkhowa Judicial Enquiry Commission in March 2006 to investigate the rape and molestation case of Hmar women in Tipaimukh. However, outside interference (as was feared by Hmar organizations) in the independent Judicial investigation by supposedly Human Rights organizations in Manipur who represents the perpetrators of the crime made it impossible for the Judicial Commission to make its investigational report public, alleged the HSA.
"Twenty-seven raped and molested women testified before the Rajkhowa Commission in April 2006. Also, Malini Bhattacharya, member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), visited Lungthulien and Parbung villages in Tipaimukh subdivision on May 10 and 11, 2006 and the Sakawrdai refugee camp on May 12, 2006 and recorded the testimonies of the victims and internally displaced villagers. The NCW already made its report public and truth prevails in the report," claimed the Hmar students body.
It further alleged, "Moreover, other human rights and civil society organizations that investigated the rapes, tortures, displacement, and landmine charges have even made their reports public. The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), which was part of the Civil Society Fact Finding Team on Internally Displaced People (CSFFTID), have also independently came out with its report in January 2007 in spite of the hindrance posed by some of the team members whose vile intentions were to unpublicised the team’s report, as is the case with the Rajkhowa Commission". The Hmar students body also alleged that one of the team members, Human Rights Alert (HRA), is now representing and defending the perpetrators and questionably indulging in withholding justice to the rape and molested victims.
"The Hmar Students Association (HSA), as part of the said team, on its Special General Assembly sitting held on April 14, 2007 unanimously endorsed the independent report of the NPMHR, and a press release for the endorsement was also published in the Imphal Free Press on April 21, 2007. The HSA will do all the necessary to defend and protect the interest of the Tipaimukh rape victims", continued the Hmar students body.
The statement expressed that it also seriously doubts the accountability and integrity of some of the supposedly Human Rights organizations in Manipur, who, instead of seeking justice for the victims of human rights abuses, are shielding and representing the perpetrators of crime against humanity.
"The persisting efforts of such organizations who are supposedly upholding human rights should not be allowed to continue at all cost. Such organizations should be immediately crosschecked for its inhuman and undignified stand. No one should tolerate and accommodate such narrow and divisive activists, not at least in the interest of human rights. A thousand lie or denial would never save the UNLF and Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) for the serious crime that it inflicted on the tribals in Churachandpur district. At the same time, the HSA appeals to all perpetrators to immediately stop planting landmines, forced displacement of villagers and violating human rights in Chandel district. The HSA would like to remind everyone that respecting human rights could only save Manipur", asserted the Hmar students Association in a statement today..
To ensure and grant the long denied justice to the rape and molested victims, the HSA, therefore, demands the State Government of Manipur to make the report of the Rajkhowa Judicial Enquiry Commission public without any further unnecessary delay. The H.S.A. also considers any attempt to move the crime scene as a deliberate attempt to hoodwink justice and infringe on the rights of the indigenous tribals in Manipur. The HSA will vehemently oppose any such moves that would cause further indignity, physical and psychological injuries to the violated women.
India eyes military favors for Myanmar oil Siddharth Srivastava
It appears that India is not going to make it easy for China to extend its influence in Myanmar to get a share of that country’s rich gas resources. While recent oil negotiations have faltered between India and Myanmar, increased military cooperation might be New Delhi’s second-best option to obtain favor and influence in the secretive Southeast Asian country.
Amnesty International this week quoted “credible sources” saying New Delhi has plans to sell military helicopters to Myanmar that will undermine a European Union arms embargo on the military-ruled country.
India’s proposed sale of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) made by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, and which includes components from Britain, Germany, France, Sweden, Italy and Belgium, may harm the EU’s almost 20-year restriction on such sales, whether “directly or indirectly”, the London-based group said. However, India has denied Amnesty’s assertions, and a Foreign Ministry spokesman in New Delhi called them “completely baseless”.
But despite New Delhi’s denial of the Amnesty report, there is reason to believe that India will not take China’s influence in the area lying down. Indeed, official sources say there is a possibility that an India-Myanmar counterinsurgency-cooperation project could shift from independent tactics to joint operations on Myanmar’s territory. New Delhi believes that insurgent groups in India’s northeast derive support from Myanmar rebel groups.
Apart from terror strikes, Indian insurgents have been running kidnapping and extortion rackets in northeastern states such as Nagaland, Assam and Manipur. Recently, a kidnapped senior official of an oil company was killed in crossfire between the police and United Liberation Front of Asom militants in Assam.
Recently, India’s Ministry of External Affairs scolded the Petroleum Ministry and its Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) for failing to secure the Myanmar government’s initial offer of gas from two offshore blocks where two Indian state-owned companies hold 30% equity. At a recent meeting called by the Prime Minister’s Office, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon said the Oil Ministry and GAIL did not make “concerted efforts” and did not act on a letter of intent from Myanmar issued in February 2004.
Meanwhile, irked by the delays in implementing the Myanmar-Bangladesh-India pipeline and buoyed by China’s strategic support at international forums, Myanmar recently signed a memorandum of understanding with PetroChina to supply 6.5 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas from Block A of the Shwe gas fields in the Bay of Bengal for more than 30 years.
The decision came as a major blow to India’s bid to tap gas from its eastern front. Myanmar’s gas resources were estimated at 18tcf in 2005. Myanmar and China have also agreed on a project to build a pipeline to transfer oil to southern China.
GAIL has also been looking to exit from the A-1 and A-3 blocks in the Rakhine Offshore area over what it claims has been the “difficult” attitude of the Myanmar government toward India’s attempts to secure gas. India’s largest explorer, Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), also holds a stake.
Indeed, the thinking in New Delhi seems to be that India, beyond just the economics of buying gas, will have to extend strategic support to Myanmar to stand a chance to outwit China. Official Indian delegations have visited Yangon periodically to convey New Delhi’s concerns.
With a pipeline through Bangladesh more or less ruled out because of the intransigent attitude of Dhaka over trade issues and domestic problems in the country, the only other options are to avoid Myanmar by building a longer, more expensive pipeline or to use ships to transport the gas.
Indian intelligence agencies cautioned New Delhi this year about the possible shutting out of Indian interests in Myanmar by Russian and Chinese oil firms. The agencies argued that the decision by oil-savvy Russia and China to veto a US-led move in the United Nations Security Council to address the Myanmar junta’s human-rights violations was a critical move in the evolving relationship with Russian and Chinese companies now in the Southeast Asian country.
Now it is apparent that India is also prepared to dirty its hands over Myanmar.

India’s gas problems This is especially true in light of the government’s recent dramatic reduction in the estimated amount of domestic gas reserves that were initially announced with much fanfare. This month, ONGC and the Gujarat State Petroleum Corp (GSPC) announced that finds at blocks off India’s east coast were much lower than initially projected. ONGC cut its estimate of the Krishna Godavari basin find to 2tcf from the enormous 21tcf that was initially announced last December. GSPC has also lowered its estimates from the 20tcf first announced in June 2005 to 1.38tcf. Observers have been saying for long that the Indian government should tighten the norms for announcing oil and gas discoveries to prevent exploration companies from over-reporting or drawing economic and political capital from new finds. And, of course, the latest revised projections cast doubt on New Delhi’s recent claim that India will be a gas-surplus nation in the near future.
Last month, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora announced that India would source 1.25 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Algeria by 2009. India’s Petronet will source the gas from Sonatrach, which will add to the supplies from Qatar. ONGC has also kicked off negotiations with the ExxonMobil consortium for importing 8 million tonnes of LNG from the Sakhalin gas fields in Russia.
India, Iran and Pakistan have been trying to sort out pricing, transit and security issues related to the US$7.5 billion Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline. Tehran has said that it hoped to send gas to India by 2011. However, until the deal is finally inked, there is no certainty.
The latest twist in the pipeline negotiations has seen India and Pakistan saying they are opposed to the draft agreement submitted by Tehran that would allow it to revise the price at any time during the contract period. Some observers add that kinks have developed in the Indo-Iranian energy dealings because of US pressure on New Delhi to shun Tehran on all energy matters.
‘Don’t detain anyone at transit points’ By our Staff Reporter Sentinel
GUWAHATI, July 19: Following hordes of suspected Bangladeshis being pushed into Asom from the neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for the past few days, the State Government today sprung up with reaction, mostly defending itself.
After there were reports from Lakhimpur and Jorhat districts, where thousands of people of suspected nationality had landed from the neighbouring States following quit notices, the State Government has come up with a directive that no organization can detain any suspected person at the transit points. The people who land up from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland would be sent with security to whatever district they claim to hail. The district administration concerned would check the documents properly. According to the government, the reason for providing such security is to ensure that no Bangladeshi flees away.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has also asked Chief Secretary PC Sharma to discuss the latest scenario with the counterparts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. The Chief Minister is also in favour of taking up the matter with the Union Home Ministry.
A whole lot of worried Congress minority MLAs and ministers met the Chief Minister today and expressed their anxiety that some genuine citizens were also being harassed by the local committees in the name of Bangaldeshi nationals.
The delegation informed the Chief Minister that though most of the fleeing people had proper documents and inner line permits (ILPs), they were being harassed by some organizations. “They should be given an opportunity to prove their identity. We want that no Indian should be harassed and no Bangaldeshi should go scot-free,” the delegation reportedly told the Chief Minister.
Later in a press meet, the delegation alleged that the administrations of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland seized the ILPs of the fleeing people and torn them, and then asked for documents.
On the other hand, Government spokesman and Education Minister Ripun Bora, who was also at the press meet, said that after verification it was found that all the people who were handed over to the Sonitpur police few days ago by the BJYM activists, were from Uttar Pradesh. “They showed their valid voter identity cards. They had been working in Arunachal Pradesh for long,” Bora said.